Don't Be Distracted, Waiting For The Wedding!

Last night I had an interesting dream.  I was attending a wedding, and it was a large crowd of people that were gathering, so much so that the facility was filling up with people.  It seemed that there was some delay with the starting of the ceremony, and the longer the delay, the more people that packed the facility to the point that it was standing room only.  As the delay continued, some of the waiting people started singing songs that they knew, and it became a fun almost concert-like environment, where one group would sing something, then another group.  I must confess, I was one who was leading a group of singers.  This went on for probably 15 minutes, and it was quite amazing.  As we finished one song I looked toward the front and realized in the midst of our singing we had totally missed the entrance of the bride and groom, for the wedding ceremony had already started.  That is where I woke up.

I must say every night is an adventure of dreams for me, and this was just one of several dreams I had last night.  However, this one certainly seems full of biblical imagery, and I though it an interesting picture.  We know from scripture that Jesus used the imagery of a wedding a few times.  He described the Kingdom of Heaven as a wedding feast (Matt 22:1-14), He talked about guests who had been invited, and those that chose not to attend. Jesus also talked the return of the master from a wedding banquet, and the need for the servants to be ready and waiting (Luke 12:35-38).  Finally in the Book of Revelations, the second coming of Jesus is called the Wedding of the Lamb (Rev. 19:7-9).  Finally I am reminded of a couple verses from Peter's second letter where he is writing of the day of the Lord (The second coming of Jesus) - 2 Peter 3:8-10 NIV:

[8] "But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. [9] The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 

[10] But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare."

This dream seems to use some similar imagery, but is addressing the waiting period, and the attention of the wedding guests, of which I am clearly one.  I am sure that when Peter wrote those verses about waiting, he had no idea he was actually describing a wait for the second coming that would be two thousand years at least. The early church figured that the second coming was relatively soon, many thought t would happen in their life time, and yet we still are waiting.  

For many in the early church, the second coming was easy to imagine as they still were eye-witnesses to Jesus' actual life, and Ascension to Heaven, so the idea that He would come back in a similar way, soon, made total sense.  However, as the decades and even centuries have gone by, the idea of Jesus coming back, while always a theme, seems to have lost some of its impact.  I know that there are plenty who still preach the second coming, but at this point, we may think they are a bit "religious nutty", or maybe a bit cartoonish, as one carrying a sign announcing "The End is Near!"   

As I reflect at the content of my dream, I would say this an encouragement not to lose sight of why we are actually being gathered.  It is difficult to maintain our focus on the coming of the Bridegroom when He delays his arrival!  We would be wise to be prepared, to maintain our vigil, for we do not know the hour or day (Luke 12:38)  It would be important for us to not get distracted by our own cleverness, our own singing, if you will, and lose sight of the real reason we have been called. 

Sometimes, these days, it seems that we can become more focused on gathering for a great preacher, or gathering for a great worship experience, or even great fellowship, but the truth is that we are gathered, waiting for the Wedding of the Lamb!  Our experiences are not the focus, nor the reason for our gathering, we are called to join this great wedding, and though delayed that should be our focus and what we are preparing ourselves to experience!

My encouragement this morning is to remind myself of the truth of the second coming of Jesus, the Wedding of the Lamb, and to make sure I am prepared  personally.  I always have said, I don't know when the "End of the World" will come, or if will come in my life time. However,  I do know the "End of my world" will come in my life-time, and that is what I must be prepared for, whether it is today, tonight or 20 years from now. I must not become distracted by the seeming delay, but maintain my vigilance, and be ready.  For me, that means that I have accepted the salvation offered me by Christ Jesus (the wedding garment of His righteousness) and my light burning (continuing in my witness to Him in my life). 

My prayer is that you join me in maintaining our focus on the Lord, and not our own cleverness! 

Amen and Amen!

We Have No Other King!

This morning I am reflecting on some verses from John 19 which we might overlook at times, for they are captured in the greater context of Jesus' passion and death.  However, as I read this chapter this morning, these verses really stood out - John 19:13-15 NIV:

[13] When Pilate heard this, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judge's seat at a place known as the Stone Pavement (which in Aramaic is Gabbatha). [14] It was the day of Preparation of the Passover; it was about noon. “Here is your king,” Pilate said to the Jews. 

[15] But they shouted, “Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!” 

“Shall I crucify your king?” Pilate asked. 

“We have no king but Caesar,” the chief priests answered."

The last statement, made by the chief priests, just grabbed my attention this morning and I want to spend some time looking at this radical statement, and their motivation.  

On the surface, we could think that they are just saying the expected answer, which was required under Roman law, but I think there is much more to their claiming no other king but Caesar.  We could say that they are using this approach so that they can have Jesus put to death, as they didn't have the right to do that under Roman law, and yet, I think that is missing some of the real reason.  

The question in my mind this morning, is why did they want to kill Jesus so bad that they would openly embrace the Roman law and their oppressor?  I believe it has to do with the politics of power!  They had some level of power and authority, and they saw that the people were starting to look to Jesus as having a far superior authority and power.  He had raised Lazarus from the dead! He had taught with authority and demonstrated that authority and power multiple times.  He did all things well, and repeatedly proved Himself superior to them.  

I believe that much of their fear was a fear of losing their positions of power, of influence, and political impact.  They were the ones in power, the ones that mattered, the ones the people had looked to previously, and suddenly the people were favoring Jesus over them.

As I was reading this and reflecting on this, it made me realize the depth of depravity people will go to in order to maintain their seat at the table, if you will.  They were willing to fully embrace the very ones they had been resisting in order to maintain what little power they had!  They were rejecting their true Messiah, in order to stay under the thumb of Roman oppression, just so they could go on living their lives of self importance.  Their were rejecting God's promised savior in favor of earthly power.  They were rejecting the first and second commandments so they could enjoy their positions.  

I am reminded of the Jews original rejection of God, found in 1 Samuel 8:6-8 NIV:

[6]  But when they said, “Give us a king to lead us,” this displeased Samuel; so he prayed to the Lord. [7] And the Lord told him: “Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king. [8] As they have done from the day I brought them up out of Egypt until this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are doing to you."

My question this morning is are we doing this same thing today?  Are we putting a political ideology before God, because we want to keep our way of life, or position of power, or whatever?  Does fully embracing the things of God challenge us to lay down things we don't want to lay down?  Are we embracing our oppressor, rather than our savior?  Are we willing to embrace the world rather than follow God's plan and purpose for us, because we like what the World offers?  

I think that none of us would willingly shout "Crucify Him!", yet possibly our actual actions might be saying the same thing as the chief priests!   We don't want God to disturb our lives, to interrupt the good thing we have going, and given a choice, which we have daily, we would choose wrongly.

Lord, help us, help me!  Help me to recognize anything that is siding with the oppressor or the world rather than You!

Change and Become Like Little Children

This morning I am reflecting on the sermon from our church yesterday.  The speaker, who is a missionary, said that in His experience, often the newly converted see more effective ministry, with little to no training, than those who are thoroughly trained (my paraphrase of what I heard).  He is a trainer, so he wasn't negating the need for training, but he was speaking about an interesting observation concerning courage.

I was reflecting on that and the image of a little child just learning to walk and climb came to mind.  I am not sure what your experience has been with children, but both of my children were absolutely fearless when they first learned to walk and climb.  My granddaughter who is 2+ is very similar, just no fear, and believing that she can do  just about anything, walk anywhere she wants and climb anything in front of her.  I love her absolute belief in herself!  I love how she is not afraid to conquer a new challenge, to figure out how to climb a new climbing wall, whatever there is in front of her that she wants to do.  As I was thinking about her little dynamic personality, I was reminded of something Jesus said to His disciples concerning becoming like little children.  Here are the verses - Matthew 18:1-5 NIV:

[1] "At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 

[2] He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. [3] And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. [4] Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. [5] And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me."

Now the context of Jesus reply doesn't exactly fit my reflection this morning, but I think there are some parallels that are helpful.  He was talking about the societal position of the child, and in that culture, as in most, the children were dependent on their parents, were not considered a part of society apart from their family.  Their identity was tied to the family lineage, and for the Jews, most of that flowed down from their fathers.  

Looking back at what Jesus said initially, "unless you change and become like little children" He clearly wasn't speaking about becoming physically like little children, nor do I think He was speaking about losing our life experience, so what is Jesus referring to here?  I believe He is addressing our mindset, and our perception of ourselves.  

Jesus goes on says this is a critical requirement to entering the Kingdom.  That is such an interesting statement!  We must become like little children to enter the Kingdom.  Note, He is saying this to people who thought they were already in the Kingdom, so it appears to be a foundational truth, that is important to go back to regularly.  

I contend that what He is saying is that an absolute dependency on the Father is what we need!  Everything we do, everything about how we think about ourselves should be from Him!  This is how children experience the world.  First and foremost, their world-view is formed by and through their relationship with their parents.  The child doesn't really have any other options.  The child is unaware of any other reality, and in this case I believe Jesus is calling the disciples to change and go back to this core relationship, and complete dependency.  Salvation comes through this relationship, and is essentially the re-establishment of that relationship.

It is in this place of complete dependency that humility is embraced.  For the child it is natural, and all they know, for an adult to change and become like a child, it requires a willingness to embrace a different mindset, to think and act differently.  I believe this is fundamentally what Jesus is talking about, our willingness to embrace a complete dependency on Him!  Its not nearly as easy to do as it is to say.

However, in light of my initial reflection this morning, I think there are many benefits to this becoming like a child, that we tend to lose in our 'religiousness' and striving for maturity.  There is an excitement about life, a courage and resiliency, a willingness to believe, and a living of life in constant dependency.  All of these characteristics are beneficial in the life of a believer!  I believe that Jesus was also speaking about these when He said that we need to change and become like little children.  

I think He wants us to embrace the following:

Excitement about life, it is full of possibility

Believe that we can do anything and everything in front of us, for He is good

Complete Dependency on Him for understanding who we are and what we are capable of doing

Courage to try new things, to explore and conquer new trials

Constant connection with Him for encouragement, support and sustenance

Encounter life as His child

This morning I am encouraged to look at my perspective and see where I am restraining these "child-like" mindsets, so that I might change!  I am encouraged to look to all the Lord has done, and celebrate His faithfulness and goodness.  I am encouraged to look at who He says I am, to believe that first and foremost!  I am encouraged to welcome the ew day with the vigor of my grand-daughter, excited about all the possibilities the day will bring!

Amen!

Pour It Out

Yesterday, our pastor was speaking about being offended towards the Lord, when He does things we don't expect, or differently than we want.  It was a very helpful reflection, and got me thinking again about a recent reflection I had concerning Mary and Martha and the death and raising of their brother Lazarus (See  https://amomentwithgod-srh.blogspot.com/2021/09/why-mary-waits.html ).  

I was thinking that the story didn't end with the raising of Lazarus.  I thought I should spend a bit more time looking at the following chapter, for we often just stop with the raising of Lazarus, but there is indeed more to that story found in John 12:1-9,12-13 NASB:

[1] "Jesus, therefore, six days before the Passover, came to Bethany where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. [2] So they made Him a supper there, and Martha was serving; but Lazarus was one of those reclining at the table with Him. [3] Mary then took a pound of very costly perfume of pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 

[4] But Judas Iscariot, one of His disciples, who was intending to betray Him, said, [5] "Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and given to poor people?" [6] Now he said this, not because he was concerned about the poor, but because he was a thief, and as he had the money box, he used to pilfer what was put into it. 

[7] Therefore Jesus said, "Let her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of My burial. [8] For you always have the poor with you, but you do not always have Me." 

[9] The large crowd of the Jews then learned that He was there; and they came, not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might also see Lazarus, whom He raised from the dead. 

[12] On the next day the large crowd who had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, [13] took the branches of the palm trees and went out to meet Him, and began to shout, "Hosanna! BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD, even the King of Israel."

My first thought as I read through these verses was that Mary was able to release her offense (in my opinion something she carried against Jesus, prior to Lazarus' raising) and worship Him.  I think  we would all find that response natural and appropriate considering her brother was sitting there alive and well at the table with Jesus!  However, I think that many of us, when we have been wounded deeply by someone close, regardless of how that hurt is resolved or healed, struggle with trusting them ever again.   One could say the wounding left a permanent scar within the context of that relationship.

If we break it down a bit more, the offense is usually related to a betrayal of trust.  In Mary's case she had trusted Jesus, believing that He was going arrive in time to heal her brother before he died.  She knew Jesus, loved Him and believed in Him.  My conjecture as well is that she was vocal about this trust, telling her friends that Jesus would get there in time to heal Lazarus, even when things were looking dire. I believe that her offense was the result of that trust being broken.  Who knows, she might even had heard Jesus promise to help them if they ever needed Him!  Regardless, I believe she was deeply wounded.

At this point we all know the story of how Jesus then called Lazarus out of the grave, and everything must have been wonderful!  However, lets go back to Mary, for she had suffered very real and very deep pain!  In the midst of the glory of receiving her brother back, there might just have been a question as to why she had been forced to suffer such pain.  It might not have been right away, but I am sure the memory of that pain didn't just disappear.  

In light of this, I believe her next action, that of anointing Jesus' feet, was so significant!  She was blessing Him, and showing Him honor and at the same time, expressing intimate worship, for her hair was her glory (see 1 Cor 11:15) and she was using it to wipe Jesus feet!  She was effectively saying that her best was His!  She was doing this in front of all those that had gathered for the feast, and was effectively proclaiming her worship, her laying down of any injury or hurt, a complete baring of her heart in adoration, and the complete healing of her wounds!  

I find it interesting that Judas had to break into this most intimate worship with concern about the cost.  Isn't that just like the spirit of religion, calling into question the extravagance of worship from a place of deep emotion, love or devotion?  We tend to find people's extravagant worship uncomfortable, or even judge them to be over-doing it just a bit!  We misunderstand that this worship often is the result of chains being broken, captives being set free!  In Mary's case, she had broken free from the fetters of offense!  I am reminded of the man who was healed outside the temple in Acts 3:1-10.  I am sure there were those who wanted to keep him from "walking and leaping and praising God" (Acts 3:8).  

Finally, I want to note that Jesus defended Mary in her worship!  In fact there is another similar story found in Matt 26, a woman anoints Jesus with a very expensive perfume, again pouring forth her worship on Him, and Jesus says the following, "Truly I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be spoken of in memory of her." ( Matthew 26:13 NASB).  My point is that the Lord, takes very special notice of those that pour forth intimate worship to Him!  Let us honor those who do, even as the Lord does, and not act like Judas Iscariot.

In summary, I am encouraged to look at my heart and make sure that I have laid down any offenses I have against the Lord!  I am encouraged to worship Him as He is worthy of my adoration, my intimate worship.  I am encouraged to press past the point of any trust issues, or any scarring from past hurts, to just worship at His feet.

Amen!

Suffering According To God's Will?

Last night I had an interesting dream about a family with four kids who felt called to the Mission field in a dangerous country.  They were preparing to go, and to help them get ready for the huge adjustment they were going to experience, they were working at living simply and embracing difficulty. Two things they were doing were interesting, the first was what they called a note-card fast.  They wrote 5 or 6 things on the card, and only did those things for a few days.  It allowed them to focus on what is really important, learning to live without.  On the other side of the card, they listed the difficulties that they were experiencing and celebrated them.  That is where I woke up.  

When I woke up I was immediately reminded of a few different verses, but specifically a verse from 1 Peter 4:19 NIV:  "So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good."

This is such an interesting verse and on its own, out of context, it could raise some serious questions.  However, it is directly related to the verses that precede it, and should be quoted that way or the all important context gets filtered out.   Here is most of the preceding paragraph - 1 Peter 4:14-19 NIV:

[14] If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. [15] If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. [16] However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. [17] For it is time for judgment to begin with God's household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? [18] And, “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” [19] So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good."

In this case, the suffering mentioned previously is essentially a type of persecution, hardship because of the name of Christ, as a follower of His.  The word "according" in verse 19 is related to our obedience and following after Christ, not as one could read, 'because God wants you to suffer'.  Jesus did warn His disciples that they would undergo  trials and persecutions because they were His followers (Matt 5:11), and this is exactly that.  

God doesn't take joy in causing us to suffer! He does not direct suffering to land on our heads, or fill up our lives.  However, He recognizes that the way He has birthed the church and His kingdom, in this present age, will cause conflict, and we, as His followers, will be affected by this conflict.  We will undergo unpleasant experiences, which is what the Greek word pascho, here it is translated suffering, means.  If we follow Christ, we will experience unpleasant things.  We will see relationships affected, we will have the option to  conform our wills to His,  which will require us dying to our own will.  All of this is a form of suffering, a passing through unpleasant experiences in our journey to follow Him. 

In the dream this morning, the family grasped this all and understood that they were going to be walking into unpleasant and difficult circumstances, and their choice to obey that call was clearly leading them down that path.  The Lord wasn't desirous of their suffering, He was calling them into a place of ministry, and suffering was going to be one of their experiences.  At the same time, they would likely experience signs and wonders and glorious miracles in His name, so that their focus would be more on the faithfulness of God, and not so much on their suffering.  

I think that for many of us Christians, we think it is going to be all one or the other, blessing or suffering, and the truth is that there will be both, and we must not be surprised.  We must be willing to grow, to strengthen ourselves, and recognize that the world will not love us because we follow Him, but that in following Him we will see His name glorified!  Jesus Himself said the following, “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." (Matthew 5:11-12 NIV)

So, this morning I am encouraged to lean into the Lord, trusting His plan and purposes, and recognizing that life isn't going to always be a bed of roses.  I am encouraged to look at my life and consider those things that are most important, making sure to keep my focus on them, rather than being distracted by everything that is going on all over the world.  I am encouraged that on my path of following Jesus I will endure hardship even suffering, but that I will experience far more glorious things in and through His presence.  I am encouraged, by my love for Him, to embrace all that comes my way, not seeking hardship, but not fearing it.

Lord, help me to follow You!

Amen!

The Kingdom of God Is Like A Fungus!

This morning I am reading in Matthew's Gospel and came across several parables of the Kingdom.  I am always interested in any Kingdom related topics, as the Kingdom was Jesus' primary message.  This morning I am going to reflect on what seems to be a simple parable, but I always find there is a richness that opens up upon meditation.  Here is the parable - Matthew 13:33 NIV:

[33] "He told them still another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough.”

At first glance this is pretty basic, as I am familiar with the use of yeast in the bread making, as it causes the bread to rise, and creates both the flavors and textures we enjoy.  Normally the amount of yeast used is very small when compared to  amount of flour.  In my general understanding, I always assumed this parable was directed to the Apostles and represented the small beginnings of the church (120 or so) that then spread to cover the world.   I don't think that is wrong, but I also think there is applicability to our life today, hidden here in plain sight.

As I was thinking more about this parable, my first thought was "what exactly is yeast?"  I must have forgotten my early biology lessons, so I looked it up.  Turns out yeast is a microscopic fungus.  Wouldn't be an interesting title, "The Kingdom of God is like a Fungus!"  Yeast is an incredibly small, egg-shaped single cell fungus.  According to the Red-Star Yeast Company,  "It takes 20,000,000,000 (twenty billion) yeast cells to weigh one gram, or 1/28 of an ounce, of cake yeast."  That really is an incredible number, compared to sixty pounds of flour in the parable.  

Yeast apparently buds, and then separates (See the Photo attached).  It is able to rapidly expand until its food source (sugar in its various forms) is depleted. This rapid expansion actually produces carbon dioxide and alcohol.  When mixed with flour and water it transforms the mixture, and expands the mixture and flavors the mixture.

So what does this have to do with our life today, as Christians?  I can think of a couple of things.  First, we are supposed to be basically yeast, or fungus if you want to get specific.  We do not become part of the flour, but we act upon the flour mixture.  The phrase "in the world but not of the world" comes to mind (see John 17:14-16). We are in the world, but we are not part of the world anymore, for we are Kingdom citizens.  

Secondly, our lives are meant to impact those around us, and we are meant to multiply, and in this case multiplication is done through budding, which to me sounds much like discipleship, or mentoring (see Matthew 28: 18-20).  

Thirdly, our presence is supposed to lend an aroma to those we encounter.  We are supposed to act upon that which is in the world, transforming it and releasing fragrance (yeast flavoroids in the alcohol) and gas (breath if you will), which sounds to me a bit like praise and worship!  Our lives, our perspective and our ministry are meant to release the potential that is in all of us, giving release to the increase and goodness.

Fourthly, as just mentioned we are meant to cause increase.  God desires to bless, and we are the vehicle through which blessing is meant to come.  Our ministry is the continuation of the ministry of Jesus, and we should see the same things as He demonstrated, for it all comes from God!  Jesus said we would do the same, and even greater works (See John14:12)!

This morning I am encouraged that I am part of the Kingdom, and responsible for budding (discipleship). My presence should change the environment around me, and the flavor that comes out should be consistent with the ministry of the Lord!   I am encouraged that though small, in my part, I am part of a much larger picture, and my job is relatively simple, multiplication through the Good News and discipleship.   

Oh Lord, help me and help us to flavor the whole world, that worship and praise my erupt all around me!

Amen!

Why Mary Waits?

Yesterday, I started a reflection on Mary, the sister of Lazarus, around the death of her brother, and how she responded and how Jesus interaction with her.  It was quite helpful.

I felt led to go back to the Gospel of John, chapter eleven, which is the story of Lazarus.  However, today the focus is on the sisters, specifically Mary, and how she dealt with their brother's death.  They had sent a message to Jesus, telling Him that their brother was sick, and he had arrived too late.  I can only imagine the frustration and pain they experienced, the hopes dashed, the anxious waiting in hope, followed by crushing grief when Lazarus died.  

Lately the Lord has been dealing with me, and helping me to see an offense I have had in my heart related to things that `didn't turn out the way I thought they would, especially since I followed what I felt was His direction.  About 5 years ago He spoke to me during a difficult time that there was going to be a Lazarus-like restoration to a difficult job situation.  I had my hope on His word, and while I was going through a tough time, I figured if it was going to be like Lazarus, I could hold out.  Now 5 years later, I find myself still basically in that same situation, still working to overcome my frustration, my offense, my anger at my situation.  I can't imagine how the sisters felt, but I am sure they had similar, but deeper issues.  Believe me, I am not trying to say what I have gone through was as anywhere near as tough as what the sisters experienced, but maybe its just a small taste of what they experienced.

Anyway, here is John's remembrance of the events - John 11:17-35 NIV:

[17] "On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. [18] Now Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, [19] and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. [20] When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home. 

[21] “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. [22] But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.” 

[23] Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 

[24] Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” 

[25] Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; [26] and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” 

[27] “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.” 

[28] After she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary aside. “The Teacher is here,” she said, “and is asking for you.” [29] When Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to him. [30] Now Jesus had not yet entered the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. [31] When the Jews who had been with Mary in the house, comforting her, noticed how quickly she got up and went out, they followed her, supposing she was going to the tomb to mourn there. 

[32] When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” 

[33] When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. [34] “Where have you laid him?” he asked. 

“Come and see, Lord,” they replied. 

[35] Jesus wept."

So the first thing that comes to mind, is why did Mary stay home when she heard that Jesus was on the way?  I have no reason scripturally to support this, but I think she was too wounded.  She was clearly all about relationship with Jesus (Luke 10:38), and had experienced the Lord taking her side, concerning her desire to be with Him, so I am thinking that she might have felt the disappointment more fully, having the possibly deeper relationship.  

I believe she loved deeply and thus felt the wounding deeply, when Lazarus died. I am sure they had heard, and even possibly seen the miracles and healings Jesus had worked.  We know from Luke, that they had experienced His amazing love for them.  I am thinking  they were bold in their faith initially, believing that surely Jesus would come, but that she must have been crushed when Lazarus died. I know I would be so tempted to blame Him, but in this case they probably didn't know what had delayed him, so maybe not as much as we would think, as our perspective is clearly in retrospect.

Anyway, she hears Jesus is finally coming and she stays where she is, in mourning. It isn't until Martha returns and tells her that Jesus was asking for her, that she actually went to Him.  Again, this to me points to her woundedness and disappointed heart.  Even though Martha had come first and was clearly mourning her brother, it was the sight and experience of Mary's grief that moved Jesus' heart.  

I am so grateful that John included this whole story, even these intimate details, because in the place of my own frustration and disappointment, I felt like the Lord didn't care, and I am sure there was some doubt in Mary's mind as well.  Clearly Jesus DID care, and fully comprehended the depth of her grief, and probably even the depth of her offense.  He had seen similar offense when He visited his home town of Nazareth (Matt 13:57), after beginning His ministry, and I am sure He was aware of that now, in Mary.  

He understood the pain His delay caused her.  

He understood the depth of her grief, for he had lost His own father Joseph, and had not been released to intervene by His Father in Heaven.  

He understood how she could be angry, even unbelieving.

He understood that she had placed all her hope in Him.

He understood that in her eyes, it was too late.

He also understood what the Father had planned, and though His heart was stirred by the Glory that was about to be released (see verses 23-27 above) He met her in her grief, pain, frustration and had compassion, to the point that He wept!

The Lord understands and IS impacted by our pain, by our confusion, by our dashed hopes, by our misunderstanding, by our anger, frustration and even unbelief!  He gets it, and He meets us there!  He doesn't reject us for our unbelief!  He doesn't remain aloof and rebuke us for our fear, uncertainty, doubt or anger.  He meets us there and is moved by the pain our hearts are in!  

We must not miss this most important point!  The Lord knows exactly what we are feeling, for He became human himself and experienced the same emotions in His life here!  He knows what we are going through, and He is with us in that pain!

I was also thinking about all the people that were with Mary.  It is interesting that John includes that detail in verse 33.  I believe that these could be people that were the ones Mary had been telling about how Jesus was going to heal Lazarus.  These represent for all of us those that are aware of our situation, those that have walked with us through our hopes and our disappointments, those who might share our pain, even share our offenses.  You see the Lord doesn't just want to touch us, He wants to touch all those around us!  It is so interesting that they were all there to bear witness to Mary's pain, and to what came next.

Now, lets go back to Jesus.  This is where the story gets good, though, for Jesus also knows what is going to happen that will bring the Father Glory!  He told the disciples before they ever even left to go to Lazarus, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it.” (John 11:4 NIV)  God has a plan, and believe it or not, it is GOOD!  It will bring Him Glory, and if we allow ourselves to see, it will heal our hearts!  We will come to understand who He really IS, and we will understand how much He cares for us!

Now, I don't know how my situation will end, but I do know He gets my pain, my frustration and even my unbelief and in spite of those He loves me in that place!  HE doesn't reject me!  He isn't waiting for me to get my heart and mind right, or for me to work myself up in faith!  He is moved by my coming to Him and falling at His feet, and expressing my emotion, my frustration and my disappointment.  

He does have a great plan for me, and for all of us, and it will result in His Glory!

His plan is better than what I think it should have been.

His plan is bigger than I can imagine.

His Love for me, moves His heart.

He will, in the perfect time, roll back the stone and speak into the situation with the authority and power that only He has!

Amen and Amen!  Come Quickly Lord Jesus!

Encouragement For First Things

This past Sunday, one of our pastors spoke on the importance of encouragement in the Body of Christ, and he used two verses from Hebrews 3:12-13 NASB:

[12] "Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. [13] But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called "Today," so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin."

It was an excellent teaching and encouragement.  This morning I opened up my Bible to 2 John, and basically saw John doing the very same thing that our pastor spoke on this past Sunday, encouraging the Body of Christ.  In this case John is writing to a lady, with whom he is familiar, maybe even a family friend and encourages and reminds her of the key of our faith, loving one another - 2 John 1:5-6 NASB:

[5] "Now I ask you, lady, not as though I were writing to you a new commandment, but the one which we have had from the beginning, that we love one another. [6] And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, that you should walk in it."

I like how John is very specific, what he writes is this is not a new commandment, but rather the original commandment, to love one another.  I saw a note recently from a well know Christian teacher, saying that essentially most good preaching is just reminding us of the truth, not teaching something new.  As Christian's we do need to be reminded of the truth, of the basics of our faith from time to time.  I know for me, this is what I spend plenty of time doing, being reminded of the basics of my truth, and then taking those basics and applying them to my life, making sure first things are actually first.

Primarily, we do need to be reminded to love one another, as Christ loved us.  We are commanded to do so, by Jesus.  Somewhere along the way we have missed the importance of this and even have lost some of our understanding of the word love.  Now days we associate love with good feelings towards one another that go deeper than just friendship.  

While feelings are a part of love, Jesus said we must love as He loved, and that is so much more than just feelings.  It was for love that Jesus came and sacrificed Himself, embracing the cross and death (John 3:16-17) for that is how He saved us.  Jesus loved by calling people into their true identity (See Luke 19:1-10).  Jesus loved by healing (Mark 1:41).  Jesus loved us by speaking the truth about the Father (Luke 10:22), and setting us free from religion and the Law (Gal 5:1).  Jesus loved the sinners and the poor, the people that others looked down on (Matt 9:10-11)!  Jesus loved, by word, by deed, by action!  

This was John's message and he said it well in his first letter - 1 John 3:16-18 NIV:

[16] "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. [17] If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? [18] Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth."

- and again- 

1 John 3:23-24 NIV:

[23] "And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. [24] The one who keeps God's commands lives in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us."

This morning I am encouraged to look at my life, to see how I am loving.  I am encouraged to love with deeds and actions, with my life, and with my words.  I am encouraged to love as Jesus loves me.  I am encouraged to embrace this command, knowing that in doing so, I am willing to lay down my life for others.  I am reminded of Paul's great encouragement in his letter to the Philippians 2:1-5 NIV:

[1] "Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, [2] then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. [3] Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, [4] not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. [5] In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:"

Yes Lord, help me to take on Your mindset!  Help me to love as You loved!  Help me to lay down my own selfish ambition, and turn my eyes towards You and others in need!  Help me to make You and Your command first!  

Amen!

Fresh Filling

I had an interesting dream Saturday night.  I had driven home to MN, to my parents home and property.  I was driving with a friend on our way to a conference.  My car crapped out once I got there, and I wanted to borrow one of my dad's.  He had a couple vehicles in a storage garage, and a couple of my previous cars  that didn't run well.  Anyway, we were thinking of  borrowing one and we were looking around, and he had this cool red race car, that was based on an old Mopar product.  Anyway, I asked Dad when the last time was that he had driven any of them, but it had been several years.  He was good with us borrowing any of his cars, and the choice was obvious! :-)   We realized that any gas that he had in them was probably stale, and that we would need to drain that fuel and replace it with new.  That was the dream.

As I woke up the Lord reminded me of the dream and said, "you need fresh filling", and I knew instantly that He meant with the Holy Spirit.  I immediately thought of several scriptures where Holy Spirit was poured out on the church.  

Did you ever wonder why the Holy Spirit seemed to get poured out multiple times in scriptures?  I think there is a reality to our life, that we need fresh filling to be ready for what's next, and/or to help us recover from what we have just gone through that has worn us down, and that is what we see as we look at some of these scriptures.

Here are just some of the instances of Holy Spirit being poured out starting with Acts 2:1-4 NIV:

[1] "When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. [2] Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. [3] They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. [4] All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them."

Clearly a pouring out for empowerment and preparation for major changes.

-and- 

Acts 4:31 NIV:  "After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly."

This followed Peter and John being arrested for preaching Jesus.

-and- 

Acts 13:52 NIV:  "And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit."

Paul and Barnabas had just seen some very successful ministry shut down by jealous Jews who cast them out of the region, so they shook the dust from their feet and headed out to new locations.

-and-

Acts 10:44 NIV:  "While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message."

Peter is bringing the Gospel to the Gentiles for the first time, and the church is getting ready for a massive expansion.

-and- 

Acts 19:6 NIV:  "When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied."

Paul is praying for the first converts in Ephesus, and the church is just getting ready to explode and come under great pressure.

Clearly the Lord was giving new fuel to the Church for coming days of expansion and persecution.  It seems to me that maybe He is doing a similar thing now, both corporately and personally.  

Going back to the dream, cars normally represent personal ministry (Vehicle) and fresh fuel would represent a refreshing of Holy Spirit, who provides any power that we have!  I thought it was interesting that I could have likely dusted off any of my old cars too, and maybe the inclusion of those represents options or reminder to make sure that we look back in our lives and remember all the Lord has done, and could still do in us and through us.  What really encouraged me was that I had the opportunity to borrow one of my dad's cars, a fast and fun one!  In this dream, my dad would represent our heavenly Father, and this new car, would represent a new ministry I have not stepped into previously.

More than that though, what really "Gasses me up" is the idea that Holy Spirit wants to pour out on us a fresh outpouring of power (gas) and anointing (oil)!  

Oh Lord, I know I  need Your refilling, Your refreshing, a new filling!  Fill Me up that I might burn for You!  Fill Me up that I might have the power I need to recover or to press into a new experience!  Fill us all up that the Church might expand and endure all that we experience in these coming days!

Amen and Amen!

One In Christ, Period!

This morning I was reading through the Facebook postings, which probably isn't the best way to start a day, but it does help me direct my prayers.  Anyway, I saw something that got me thinking and reminded me of some verses that Paul wrote in his letter to the Galatians 3:26-28 NIV:

[26] "So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, [27] for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. [28] There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."

We could and probably should add some recent other labels here such as "neither democrat nor republican, neither vaccinated nor unvaccinated, neither masked nor unmasked", for you are all ONE in Christ Jesus!  

There is no place for labels in the Body of Christ, and yet we are allowing ourselves to use labels to decide who we want to have in our fellowship.  I love how Paul cuts to the issue here, we are one in Christ Jesus, we are hidden in Him and He is who makes us one!  

I am reminded of a phrase used at Christian weddings, that comes directly from Jesus. He was speaking about marriage, but I daresay there is applicability here as well.  Quoting Jesus from Mark 10:8-9 NIV:  "and the two will become one flesh.' So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”  

According to Paul in the above verses, God is the one who has made us one, joined us together in Christ Jesus.

Who are we to say we are not?!

If you find yourselves thinking that others who disagree with you can't be your brothers and sisters in Christ, you might be listening to the wrong voice!

Not that this is anything new, the enemy has been trying to cause division and strife since the days of the early church, but to be clear, it is from the enemy, not God.  Paul had to confront a similar issue in Corinth and this is what he wrote - 1 Corinthians 1:10-13 NIV:

[10] "I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought. [11] My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe's household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. [12] What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas ”; still another, “I follow Christ.” 

[13] Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul?"

Can we even believe that verse 10 above is possible in today's church?  

I believe that these people that Paul is addressing were well-meaning individuals, who thought they were doing what was right.  The teaching and preaching of the different individuals appealed to some more than others, and that is what being a part of the body is all about, some of us have different roles and different perspectives, hand versus feet for example, but we are all part of the same Body of Christ.   They allowed their preferences to become lines of separation, and that is what we must reject. 

We are either one, or the Holy Spirit, as author, is lying. 

So, if we believe the Word, we need to get our minds in line with the Word.  

I love the fact that Paul pretty much addresses most things, for he writes,  "All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you." (Ephesians 3:15 NIV).

Let us pray for understanding, humility and a willingness to allow God to make clear where we need to change!  Let us hold fast to the Word, rejecting the lies of the enemy and his efforts to cause division in the Body of Christ.  Let us choose to embrace and affirm our oneness in Christ Jesus!  Let us pray for mercy, grace and compassion to rise up!  Let us choose to love one another as Christ loved us!  Let us lay down our labels and welcome all who have been joined to Christ!  

Amen and Amen!

Perfect Plans, Imperfect People

The other morning when a friend and I had breakfast, we were talking about the early church, and how quickly there was disagreement and division entering into the Church, and I had a funny thought - Do you ever wonder if maybe Jesus was sweating blood in the garden because He knew He had to leave the Church to us?   It made us both laugh out loud, and obviously is a joke, and in no way meant to diminish the suffering that Jesus endured for our sake.    However, there is always a bit of truth in the best humor, and in this case that is true.  

Recently I have been spending time just looking at situations described in scripture, and in the Gospels, and sometimes you just have to wonder, What was God thinking?  We are often so focused on our own stuff that we totally miss what the Lord is saying, and the apostles were prone to this same issue.  I try to put myself in their shoes, and remove the hindsight that we have now from reading the record of their interactions with Jesus.  I try to understand how they would have received what Jesus was telling them, and how they would have been thinking.

In the historical perspective, the coming of John the Baptist, and then Jesus, must have really caused a stir in the hearts of the Jews.  There had been a multi-generation gap in the prophets, and Nehemiah was the last written book in the Protestant version of the Old testament, written about 400BC, and the last Minor Prophet was Malachi - written in 433-424BC.  There were other books that were written later that are included as Apocryphal books, and some of those were written in the hundred years prior to Jesus' coming, but there hadn't been a real Prophet for many years.  The Jews were great at passing down the precepts of their faith to following generations, and yet, they clearly lost touch with the heart of their faith, relationship with God, for they were unable to recognize the Son of God when He came to earth.  Regardless, the coming of Jesus must have been so exciting to them to have a man of God in their midst again after hundreds of years!  However, they clearly didn't understand what Jesus was about!

In retrospect, we can wonder why they didn't see it clearly, but we have hindsight that helps us understand everything, and they were walking through the coming of Jesus in real time. For example, going back to the case of the apostles, they really were not tracking with Jesus comments about going to his death, and all of the Gospels include examples.  Luke calls out two times specifically, first in Luke 9:43-46 NIV:

[43] "And they were all amazed at the greatness of God. While everyone was marveling at all that Jesus did, he said to his disciples, [44] “Listen carefully to what I am about to tell you: The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men.” [45] But they did not understand what this meant. It was hidden from them, so that they did not grasp it, and they were afraid to ask him about it." 

[46] An argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest."

Now, we don't know for sure that verse 46 immediately followed verse 45 in real-time.  There might have been a few days between them, but we can clearly see that they weren't thinking Jesus was actually going to die!  They went on talking about which of them would be most important in His Kingdom, James and John even asked later if they could sit on His right and left hand (See Matt 20:17 - 28).

- and again Luke recorded the following in Luke 18:31-34 NIV:

[31] "Jesus took the Twelve aside and told them, “We are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled. [32] He will be delivered over to the Gentiles. They will mock him, insult him and spit on him; [33] they will flog him and kill him. On the third day he will rise again.” [34] The disciples did not understand any of this. Its meaning was hidden from them, and they did not know what he was talking about."

I don't know about you, but when I read a statement like the above, I can't see how the disciples didn't understand it!  Luke adds the note that the meaning was hidden, and I think there is truth in that, for what would they have done differently if they had suspected Jesus' life was in danger?  Jesus specifically worked to disengage from the crowds, to to try and make it so they weren't trying to create an uprising against the Romans, which is what would have been required to re-establish God's earthly kingdom similar to what was established under Saul/David/Solomon.  Jesus didn't want to lead his followers into a military slaughter, and that would have been the likely reality.  If they had really understood what He was saying I think they (Apostles)  would have completely mucked everything up, tried to raise an army of followers and started a major revolt, completely over-stepping their purpose and God's plans.  The thing that saved them is the humility of Jesus, His complete obedience to the Father, and then the gentle guidance of the Holy Spirit, once Jesus ascended.

So my question this morning is what is the Lord telling the church that we are not understanding?  What is He holding back in the way of understanding, so that we don't overstep His plans and purposes?  What is Holy Spirit saying, as He guides us in our continued efforts to continue the ministry of Jesus?  

I know I often think it would be so great if God would just show up and blow everyone's socks off with power and miracles, signs and wonders, and just completely take over.  I think it would be so much easier, so awesome to ride that wave of Glory, watching as all the eyes are opened and seeing the works of satan tumbling down.  I think this makes the most sense, and at that point I have diverged from God's plans and purposes, for His ways are not man's way, and His thoughts are higher than the heavens from the earth when compared to my thoughts (Paraphrase of Isaiah 55:8-9).  When I start thinking I know better than God, I am clearly overstepping.  

God has proven over and over that He operates differently than we think He will, so our primary mode of operation should be to go to Him and ask for His direction and guidance, for we surely cannot figure His plans out on our own. What gives me great Hope is the fact that God has a perfect, out-side of time, perspective, and He can see the beginning and the end and has a perfect plan, and He knows this path forward, this giving the Church into the hands of His Apostles, this depending on human to represent Him, this allowing man to choose, all of it is the best plan!   He knows exactly what needs to happen when and He has already made allowances for all of our weakness, our misunderstanding, and lack of understanding!  

I am encouraged that His plan is bigger than my ability to understand, and all I really need to do is my best effort in following His lead!  I am grateful that He didn't shake His head at His apostles, and decide to get a whole new team that would actually understand Him.  I am encouraged that Holy Spirit has proved Himself capable of growing the church.  I am encouraged that He wants me to be a part of the overall plan and that He doesn't require my understanding to move forward, so neither should I.  I can trust Him, and follow Him, for His plans far exceed anything I can even comprehend.  His perfect plan will be perfectly fulfilled, even though He is using imperfect people!

Amen!

Humility and Compassion for Those Who Think Differently

This morning I felt led to read from 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 NIV:

[19] "Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. [20] To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. [21] To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. [22] To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. [23] I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings."

This morning I have been thinking about all the craziness surrounding Covid, the polar opposite extremes of belief and stances concerning the disease, the vaccine, the responses to one another, and all of this is found within the church, with the local congregation that I call my home.  It is amazing to me how an issue of disease and health has become so divisive in our world, and particularly in the Church.

Paul here is talking about his approach in ministry, dealing with those under the Law, and those not under the Law.  He made an effort to reach each group where they were at, rather than taking a position of moral or theological superiority.  He worked to effectively love these people groups where they were, all for the sake of the Gospel!  Paul's statement in verse 23 is what grabbed my attention this morning, for Paul never lost sight of the goal, of the call on his life and of the purpose of His ministry.  He effectively made his understanding and position subservient to the the needs of the Church and its commission, the proclamation of the Gospel to all people groups.  If he has belittled or judged those who still lived as under the law, his effectiveness to them would have been hampered.  Paul was able to effectively minister because he maintained relationship and gave grace to those who didn't see things the same way as he did, that He might continue to minister.

My question this morning, is how does our response to all the noise, mandates, laws and opinions about Covid relate to the Gospel?  How does all this relate to our new commandment to love one another as Christ loved us?  Is our response affecting our ministry ability or even relationships with those who hold differing opinions? How do we treat those who have different opinions?  Is our response to this all a salvation issue?  

As I was thinking about Paul's response to his issues, I see that he was simply following Jesus' example.  As Paul wrote in his letter to the  Philippians 2:1-8 NIV:

[1] Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, [2] then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. [3] Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, [4] not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. [5] In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: [6] Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; [7] rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. [8] And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death---even death on a cross!"

Jesus, the very Son of God, came to earth, becoming like us fully, that He might save us!  He didn't use His position to judge us, but rather came and become like us to save us.  Paul, likewise didn't hold to his beliefs and reject all those that thought differently, rather he had compassion and embraced them in their position.  I like his exhortation at the end of verse 1, if you have any tenderness or compassion, and that is what I think we need to embrace, tenderness and compassion towards one another, rather than judgment and condemnation of those who see things differently.

My prayer today is that we, as the Church, might pray for one another, might give grace to one another and embrace and maintain relationship with those who don't hold the same opinion as we do, for the sake of the Gospel, and our Lord Jesus.  I pray that our hearts might be softened so that we could choose to embrace unity, rather than refusing to consider relationship with anyone who thinks differently.  Let us embrace humility for the sake of the Gospel!

Lord help us all! 

The Glory of the Present and Former House

This morning I felt led to read from Haggai, and while a relatively short book, it does have some important prophetic perspective.  Historically, Haggai was a prophet after the return of the Jews from Babylonian exile.  The first chapter is an encouragement to start work on rebuilding the Temple.  Apparently the people were more focused on rebuilding their own homes, and God called them on their lack of concern for His house.   I provide that as a background to these next verses, to help us understand what God is saying and why.  Here are my verses for reflection - Haggai 2:3-9 NIV:

[3] 'Who of you is left who saw this house in its former glory? How does it look to you now? Does it not seem to you like nothing? [4] But now be strong, Zerubbabel,' declares the Lord. 'Be strong, Joshua son of Jozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land,' declares the Lord, 'and work. For I am with you,' declares the Lord Almighty. [5] 'This is what I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt. And my Spirit remains among you. Do not fear.' 

[6] “This is what the Lord Almighty says: 'In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. [7] I will shake all nations, and what is desired by all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory, ' says the Lord Almighty. [8] 'The silver is mine and the gold is mine,' declares the Lord Almighty. [9] 'The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,' says the Lord Almighty. 'And in this place I will grant peace, ' declares the Lord Almighty.”

As I was reading these verses this morning, I was aware of the fact that these verses are often quoted, and used as a promise of future glory for the church, and I certainly don't disagree.  Much like the famous verses from Jeremiah 29:11 NIV: "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" these verses from Haggai have more than one fulfillment.  In the verses from Jeremiah, they are God's promise to the people prior to their being sent into exile and captivity in Babylon.  We often don't think about the context into which they were spoken, for things were about to get really bad for the Jews.  These verses from Haggai are spoken to this remnant of people who are busy rebuilding and repopulating Jerusalem and the other cities that had been forcefully abandoned under the Babylonians.  The Temple was in ruins, and they had needed to rebuild the city walls, their own homes, etc.  They were in a tough place, and it wasn't getting much easier.

Into this context Haggai receives this encouragement, this prophecy about the Glory of this present house being greater than the former house.  It seems to me that this was no simple encouragement to just keep up the work a little longer, but a prophecy of unachievable significance and provision. The temple God is talking about is clearly more than just the building that was the Temple, He was also referring to His Kingdom that would come under Jesus. However, they certainly didn't understand the Messianic context, so in the natural the ability for these 42,000 returnees to build a temple more magnificent than what was built by Solomon is ludicrous, almost preposterous, and yet it was God's promise!  

Solomon had huge sums of wealth and thousands and thousands of workers.  It took him seven years to complete, and that was with a whole group of individuals  whose full-time job it was to build the Temple.  In this case, we have a a small remnant, a people with many other responsibilities and concerns, and God tells them to rebuild the temple and that the glory of this (present once built) house will be greater than the glory of the former.  All they needed to do was lay their hands to the labor required, and work (Haggai 2:4).   

We do know that the Herodian Temple was a grand building that stood for many years in Jerusalem, prior to its destruction  by Rome, and it was to this temple that Jesus came, the Son of God in person, so the prophecy spoken through Haggai was certainly fulfilled in Jesus' time.  The book of Haggai was apparently written in 520BC, so this prophecy had a long time-line to fulfillment.  

My question this morning, is whether or not this prophecy has applicability to our present time?  

Can we reach back to Haggai and read his prophecy and apply it to the present Church?

If so, would it refer to the Glory of the present Church when compared to the early church?

In my opinion the answer to all these is yes!  

We know the the Kingdom of God, established by Jesus, and most evident in the Church is ever expanding and increasing in Glory.  Jesus spoke of this through many parables (See Mark 4:25-36 as an example) and it was spoken of prophetically by Isaiah. (See Isaiah 9:7).  We know the Glory of God will cover the whole earth (Isaiah 6:3).  We know that Jesus commanded us to go and make disciples of all the people groups and nations (Matt 28:18-19).  We know that Jesus promised that we would do even greater works than He did!  (John 14:121).  All this is so encouraging, until I stop and look at all the work it will require, and all the work that will be required of me! :-)

I don't know about You, but I love the grand and glorious promises, the visions of Jesus coming again to a victorious church and spotless Bride!  I love all that imagery and believe the promises.  Sometimes I want to sit back and watch it all happen, not really worrying about anything other than my life and making sure I am right with the Lord.  I find myself so caught up in my own little worries and concerns, (worrying about my own house, if you will - see Haggai 1:4) that I lose sight of the greater purpose and responsibility I have in the Kingdom.  

However, today I feel like the Lord's word is "believe my promise and get to work!!"  I hear his words from Haggai echoed, "Be strong, all you people of the land,' declares the Lord, 'and work. For I am with you,' declares the Lord Almighty... And my Spirit remains among you. Do not fear.' (Haggai 2:4-5).  Things might be looking rough, and certainly much of the church is in shambles from sexual misconduct charges, or distracted by covid, or up in arms about the vaccine or face masks or whatever, but I hear the Lord saying it is time for you to be concerned about My House, My Church, My Bride!   

I do believe that the Glory of THIS PRESENT HOUSE will eclipse the glory of the former house, and that we are coming into a time where God is going to shake the heavens and the earth!  I believe we are going to see more signs and wonders than they did in the Apostolic early Church!  I believe God is going to move, and that movement includes each of us!  We need to each do our part and that requires that we concern ourselves with His house and get to work.  His Holy Spirit remains among us, and His power is present to save and heal and work mighty miracles.  Let us not fear!

Amen and Amen!

What Am I Hungry For?

 

Recently I was reading through numbers and was reading about how the Israelites were longing to go back to Egypt and came across a phrase that grabbed my attention.  Here are a couple of verses from Numbers 11:4-6,33-34 NIV:

[4] "The rabble with them began to crave other food, and again the Israelites started wailing and said, “If only we had meat to eat! [5] We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost---also the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic. [6] But now we have lost our appetite; we never see anything but this manna! ”

(The Lord in response to their complaints made quail cover their camp and they all went to eat the quail and this follows)

[33] But while the meat was still between their teeth and before it could be consumed, the anger of the Lord burned against the people, and he struck them with a severe plague. [34] Therefore the place was named Kibroth Hattaavah, because there they buried the people who had craved other food."

The thing that caught my attention was the note that said the meaning of Kibroth Hattaavah was "graves of craving".  Wow, what a very specific indictment!  The people were more concerned with their appetite for other things than the manna God provided and this ended up causing many deaths. 

Now, as in all Old Testament passages of judgment, we must read them with an understanding that Jesus has paid the price for such sins and taken the punishment upon Himself. However, we can certainly learn from these verses and understand the key issue, that being that people were allowing their appetites to be more important than relationship with God, and following His plan.  One could say that their appetites become an idol.

This morning I was reminded of Paul's writing about a  similar thing, where He talked about people whose god was their stomach.  I thought I would include a bit of the verses preceding this statement so we could understand the full context.  Here are the verses - Philippians 3:12-21 NIV:

[12] "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. [13] Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, [14] I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

[15] All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. [16] Only let us live up to what we have already attained.

[17] Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do. [18] For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. [19] Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. [20] But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, [21] who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body."

The NASB actually translates verse 19 as follows, "whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things." ( Philippians 3:19 NASB).

Paul is encouraging the Philippians to pursue God, to run the race, to win the prize and the chief stumbling block he identifies is their appetite!  Some things haven't changed, it was true for the Israelites shortly after being rescued from Egypt, it was true of the early church and I dare say, this same issue is true for us today.   Our 'appetites' can mean several things, the original Greek word is koilia, and Is defined as follows - Mounce's: "any and all internal organs, translated in context as: belly, stomach, womb, etc.; by extension: the source of feelings and emotions." 

Paul, after stating this says that one's who struggle with their appetites have their minds set on earthly things, and the important thing we need to do is set our minds on things above, where our true citizenship is, with Jesus.  This is actually an interesting diagnosis and prescription.  Paul is talking about people whose focus is on earthly things, who allow these earthly experiences (if you will) to be more important than anything else, more important than following God, more important than fulfilling their purpose, than living their lives as true followers of Christ.

I had an interesting experience with the Lord a few years back, where I was complaining about the fact that my high cholesterol and high blood pressure were forcing me to change my diet.  The issue is that I wasn't changing my diet, choosing instead to eat the things I like, and one day the Lord basically said, 'the enemy is convincing you to take yourself out early, simply by getting you to eat the things you want to eat.'  In other words, my diet was slowly killing me, or at least making an early death by heart-attack more likely.  I realized that my appetite for certain things was not in line with God's purpose for my life.  Given a choice to eat better, I was constantly choosing wrongly, and it had everything to do with my appetite.  I see in these verses from Paul's letter a parallel.

I have come to understand that this 'appetite' can include any unhealthy activity we are embracing, to provide comfort, or relief from whatever situation we find ourselves in that we don't like.  It could be loneliness, or frustration, poor self-esteem, grief, or any number of things.  The issue is that we are turning to something other than the Lord, making an idol of these things, if you will.  We are focused on ourselves, rather than looking to the Lord.  

In the story from Numbers, the Israelites were experiencing the miraculous provision of the Lord in the form of manna, and yet they were complaining.  They were thinking about what they didn't have rather than what the Lord was providing every single day!  In Paul's example, he indicates that their "glory is their shame" and the Greek word translated as glory is defined by Strong as: "glory (as very apparent), in a wide application (literally or figuratively, objectively or subjectively): - dignity, glory (-ious), honour, praise, worship."  In other words the thing they worship, the thing they set their eyes on, is their shame or disgrace, and ultimately will lead to their falling away, even to their destruction, if they allow them to be their focus.  In the Israelite's case they were thinking about the meat and melons, onions and leeks, the things they liked to eat, rather than looking at God and His love and provision!

This morning I encouraged to check my appetites, to see what I am hungry for, to take a hard assessment at where my eyes and heart are set!  I am encouraged to identify those areas where I need to change, to make the decision to change and then to walk out that change!  I am encouraged to worship the Lord first, to make my appetites submissive to my relationship with the Lord!  I want to "press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus!"

Amen and Amen!

Offenses And Our Walk

Yesterday during worship I felt like the Lord wanted to use my recent knee surgery as a sort of prophetic image to deal with an issue that might be present in some of our lives, namely offenses that we are holding in our hearts.

The image is simple, I had a chunk of cartilage that got stuck under the patellar (kneecap) tendon and because of that I couldn't straighten my leg, which caused me a fair amount of pain. I was able to limp, and walk slowly, and still get by, but my normal gait was affected and soon my low back and other knee started being affected as well. I definitely couldn't do all the things I wanted to do, and some I needed to do, and I definitely couldn't run.

Anyway, as it seemed the Lord brought this back to mind, I was reminded of several verses that spoke about stumbling blocks, and usually the stumbling block was Jesus. The idea that God would come to earth as a humble man, born in poor circumstances, and then effectively being quiet for 30 years, then ministering to sinners was offensive to the Jews. The stumbling block was offense, not understanding and not wanting to understand because it made no sense.

There are several places where people were offended by Jesus, and one of them was in His home town of Nazareth. Here is the situation as captured by Mark 6:1-5 NIV:

[1] "Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. [2] When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. “Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What's this wisdom that has been given him? What are these remarkable miracles he is performing? [3] Isn't this the carpenter? Isn't this Mary's son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren't his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him.

[4] Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.” [5] He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them."

I felt like in our case, the potential for offense, more often than not, has come from those in the church who have hurt us, rejected us, or failed to recognize the gifts or callings in our lives. These offenses can, over time, grow into larger issues of bitterness, mistrust, ad even unbelief. The enemy tries to divide the Body of Christ and one of the ways he does that is through offenses. If we don't deal with them, they just sort of float around our life and occasionally they come up and cause us pain again. However, they can also create a blockage in our life that does impact our walk, our call, our purpose in God. Isn't it just like the enemy to try to attack us in the area where are supposed to be strongest, our love for one another, trying to get us to mistrust one another, doubt their love for us, and hold onto to our offense, effectively limiting our commitment to being part of the body?

I felt like the Lord was offering us an invitation to deal with our offenses, offering to help us remove them, asking us to be willing to lay them down and speak forgiveness to those that hurt us, and asking forgiveness from Him for judging Him by the actions of those who were acting in His name, when they hurt us. The Lord wants to help us, He wants us to be all in, and these offenses will cause us to hold back! They will impact our walk, they will keep us from running into the things He has for us, and they will ultimately limit our faith in Him for they are a judgment against Him.

Although Mark doesn't list the actual offenses, I believe it has to do with all the things Jesus didn't do while living in Nazareth. Here the people of Nazareth are hearing of Him healing people of every disease, even raising the dead, and the whole time He lived among them He never did any of those things. I can just see them judging Him for not responding when their loved ones were sick or dying, or standing by and seeing the Romans abuse them or squeeze them for more taxes, or whatever wrong they experienced. I believe their offense centered on what He didn't do, the things He allowed to happen. Is that not exactly what we become offended by in our own lives?

Again, I feel like the Lord wants us to choose to lay these down, to repent (to change the way we are thinking and acting) and to choose to be free of these offenses. We might need His help, and we might need to go to some people in the spirit of Matt 18, and make them aware of the hurt and pain they have caused. This is not to air our grievances, but rather to heal our relationships! We don't need vengeance, we don't need retribution, we need our brothers and sisters to be standing beside us and all around us, arms locked together, and united in love.

Lord Help us!

Blessings, Sam