Life Without Holy Spirit?

Yesterday I had the opportunity to take some reflection time twice, once in the morning and once on my flight from NJ to Chicago.  I was reading one of my blog entries from my Ebooks, and saw something in a verse that I hadn't seen before. Here are the verses - John 16:5-7,12-15 NIV:

[5]...”but now I am going to him who sent me. None of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ [6] Rather, you are filled with grief because I have said these things. [7] But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 

[12] “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. [13] But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. [14] He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. [15] All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.”

I know I have definitely read the underlined verses before, but I guess today the significance of what Jesus said registered in a different way in my mind!  He is saying very clearly that if He didn’t leave, the Holy Spirit would never have come!  I am sure it didn’t seem like a great gift in that moment to the Apostles, but this is amazing news!  If Jesus would have stayed here, our experience of the Holy Spirit would have been limited! 

I am sure at the time He said it the Apostles really didn’t fully understand how Jesus leaving could in anyway be a better plan!  However, John is writing this decades later and in retrospect he must have understood!  The Holy Spirit was working through them all, everywhere all at  the same time.  He was empowering them, working miracles, signs and wonders and giving very direct guidance to the church.  John was one who walked closely with Jesus and He saw what a great gift the Holy Spirit was to the Church and, in my opinion, wanted to make sure the Church understood this point as well.

Jesus laid out briefly the benefits, and by looking at them we can see what life would have been like without the Holy Spirit. We would have not had Him as our guide, as our advocate.  We wouldn’t have the fruit or gifts of the Spirit.  We wouldn’t have had him telling us what is to come, what Jesus and the Father were saying, none of it! Wow!  

I guess I had never really thought about the possibility that there might have been a scenario where we wouldn't have hte Holy Spirit.  Father, I am so grateful for the fact that You don’t think like us, and our ways are not Your ways (Is 55:8).  You knew that the only way for the Church to really expand to cover the earth was through the visitation for the Holy Spirit!  We thank You for the gift that He is to the Church!  Thank You Holy Spirit for all You do for us!

Amen!

Living Stones Built Up

This morning I turned back to some verses I was reflecting on yesterday, found in Paul’s first letter to the church in Corinth.  I came across a verse somewhere else, and I was looking it up and I felt the nudge of the Holy Spirit to spend a bit more time on these verses - 1 Corinthians 14:1-4,26-33 NIV:

[1] “Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy. [2] For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit. [3] But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort. [4] Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church.” 

[26] “What then shall we say, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the church may be built up. [27] If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. [28] If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and to God.” 

[29] “Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. [30] And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop. [31] For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. [32] The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets. [33] For God is not a God of disorder but of peace—as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people.”

I underlined the sections that stood out to me, and they all have to do with encouraging and  building up or edifying the church.  In fact, one could argue that this is the real purpose of the prophetic in the New Testament Church.  

Looking at the underlined verses above I can build a list of what the prophetic ministry should look like, or what fruit it should produce:

1) Strengthen fellow believers

2) Encouraging fellow believers

3) Comfort fellow believers

4) Edify or build up the church

5) Instruct and encourage everyone

The belief that God chooses to speak through people is well founded in the early church, for they had the writings of prophets, and knew that God helped guide and direct His people through them.  While the Old Testament Prophets were issuing words from the Lord, they were often words of warning, correction, judgment, and direction for nations and peoples.  It seems to me that the New Testament expression shifts to more of a personal focus. There is an edification of the church, but the church is the collection of people rightly related to the Father, through His Son, by the power of the Holy Spirit.  

Peter speaks of us being built up in the following passages - 1 Peter 2:4-5 NIV:

[4] “As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him— [5] you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”

I like this imagery, of being living stones.  In our life, stones are not living, they are not growing, they don’t get bigger or stronger.  However, if we put these two sections of Scripture together that is what we get.  Prophecy is supposed to strengthen and build up the individual believers as well as the church.  I also like the image of being stones versus bricks, for each stone is unique, size, dimensions, shape, color, etc. and so are we the members of the Body of Christ.

Additionally, I love the fact that the Lord desires for us to be encouraged, strengthened, comforted and instructed.  That is true for all of us, whatever level of maturity, position or length of relationship, we all need and benefit from these! As living stones, we each can grow, change and have greater impact. 

This morning I am just generally encouraged, knowing that the Lord does speak, and His intentions in doing so are for our betterment, and edification.  I am encouraged that the Lord desires for me to grow and be joined to others in the Church, in ways that builds it up.

Sounds good to me!

The Great Pursuit

This morning my verses for reflection are some that I go back to over and over again. I am so encouraged by Paul’s heart and pursuit, and he describes them well in the these following verses - Philippians 3:7-16 NIV:

[7] “But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. [8] What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ [9] and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. [10] I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, [11] and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.” 

[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.”

Starting at the bottom, verse 15 ought to encourage us to reread the previous verses, almost every time we read them, or at least that is what I end up doing! I have many reflections on these verses, and every time I read them, I am further encouraged, and invited deeper into my relationship with the Lord.  It is like Paul is running the race, is way ahead of me, and calling back, “There is more, there is more, keep running!”

Secondly, I need the encouragement to forget what lies behind and straining forward toward what is ahead, namely Jesus.  I can often get mired in the present, or even allow the past to affect me, and here I feel Paul’s encouragement to shake free of those and press forward.  I am reminded of something runners call “catching their second wind”, and I remember the feeling well, there is a surge of life that seems to course through your body as the exhaustion or weakness wains.  I feel like these verses have that same effect on me!  No matter what I am struggling through, there is more ahead, and I can raise my eyes, and encourage my heart to press forward in this great pursuit.

Finally, Paul starts these paragraphs focused on the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus. Worth is an interesting word, in that it denotes significance, and is often established by what someone else is willing to pay.  We love to watch the Antiques Roadshow, and the interesting thing is the value or worth of certain items. The line they use when discussing the value is, “at auction” and that denotes what other people are willing to pay, especially when something is unique. There may be several collectors that would pay significant amounts of money to add the item to their collections, and that drives up its value or worth.  

Paul considers everything else he has encountered in life, all of his accomplishments, all of his knowledge, all of his gains to be garbage compared to knowing Christ Jesus.  This serves as a very effective plumb-line for me.  I compare his statements and ask myself if I could say the same things? My answer, most of the time is unfortunately “no, I can’t say that is true for me”.  I want it to be true for me, my heart wants that to be true for me, and I do consider knowing Christ Jesus of significantly greater worth than previously, but there is still so much that drags on me.  I place too much value on the opinions of others, I allow my past to affect me, and sometimes seem to forget the Lord completely in the midst of whatever struggle I encounter!  

I know I have much further to go, but I do know that of the things I am pursuing, Christ Jesus is at the top of my list!  He is my goal, and as long as that is true I am heading in the right direction.  I might get distracted at times, seem to wander off the path at times, but the one heart cry I have consistently had for the last 45 years, is that I want to know Christ Jesus, more and more.

My prayer is that I continue to place proper worth on knowing Christ Jesus!  My prayer is that when compared to all else, I might be willing to pay the most for Him, that I might be found in Him.  My prayer is that all my brothers and sisters in the faith might succeed in this great pursuit.

Amen and Amen!

Living Sacrifices?

Recently I was reflecting on the phrase offering our bodies as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1) and was letting that roll around in my mind and spirit all day.  This morning I went back to Romans 12 and continued reading for the next chunk of verses are clearly related to the first bit.  Paul basically is saying, if you want to know how to offer your bodies as a spiritual sacrifice, here is how to do it….

Here are the verses including the first two - Romans 12:1-13 NIV:

[1] “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. [2] Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” 

[3] “For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. [4] For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, [5] so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. [6] We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; [7] if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; [8] if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.” 

[9] “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. [10] Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. [11] Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. [12] Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. [13] Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”

Isn’t it interesting that essentially Paul goes right into a focus on building up and loving the Body of Christ following his encouragement to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice, it’s almost as if the two things are related!  

One of the things I have been looking at is the state of the Church, and by that I mean the larger corporate church that is the Body of Christ.  Using our body as an example, We can think of it as a single congregation (cellular), the city or regional group of churches (appendage or function), the church worldwide (the whole Body).  

I don’t think its an overstatement to say that most of the global and even city-wide churches don’t act like we are all part of one Body.  There is division, competition, fighting, disagreements over just about anything, and in some extreme cases, even warfare between denominations.  Locally there is often competition for believers, and congregations are often self-focused, looking at how to grow their own congregation, and not largely concerned or even relating to other churches in the same city.

Looking back at Paul’s writings, we can choose to live out these encouragements at each level, and embrace the idea of our oneness, whether we are seeing it or not.  We can choose to live like we all belong to one another, and choose to work for unity.  

I am reminded of Paul’s 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:”

Paul’s encouragements are wonderful and almost the exact opposite of the spirit of this age, where so many people are clamoring to be noticed, to be followed, to influence others.  What a strange time we live in!  

In our personal lives, Paul encourages us to value others above ourselves and to consider other’s interests before our own. Imagine what this could mean, if we actually lived this out in our day to day life.  We would be concerned about other people, their situation, their needs, their livelihood, their families, their salvation.  Our neighbors, or colleagues, our friends, our acquaintances, our church family, our spouses, our children, I could continue on - these would be who we would consider.  

We wouldn’t be clamoring to be noticed, we would be working to raise each other up, to bless, to help, to express care and love! We would be outward focused, rather than inward focused.  We would take genuine interest in strangers, we would reach out to the loner, to the one that is new, or awkward, or unloved, or unlovable (our modern-day lepers).  I have a feeling that we don’t need to look far, as these people are all around us, we just don’t see them, because our eyes are focused on ourselves.

Maybe this is part of what it means to offer ourselves as living sacrifices?!

Oh Lord, I know I need your help, for my eyes are so often focused on me!  Help me to see others, to recognize that part of my call and invitation is to represent You, and I think this is how You lived, focused on all those around You!

Oh Lord, help us all to embrace our place in Your Body, where we each belong to one another!

Amen and Amen!

Fixing A Belief Problem

This morning I felt led to read from the prophet Malachi. There are several verses from Malachi that are very familiar, but today my focus is on the verses just following the verses on tithing.  Here are the verses - Malachi 3:6-15 NIV:

[6] “I the LORD do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. [7] Ever since the time of your ancestors you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the LORD Almighty. 

“But you ask, ‘How are we to return?’ 

[8] “Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me. 

“But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’ 

“In tithes and offerings. [9] You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me. [10] Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. [11] I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe,” says the LORD Almighty. [12] “Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,” says the LORD Almighty. 

[13] “You have spoken arrogantly against me,” says the LORD. 

“Yet you ask, ‘What have we said against you?’ 

[14] “You have said, ‘It is futile to serve God. What do we gain by carrying out his requirements and going about like mourners before the LORD Almighty? [15] But now we call the arrogant blessed. Certainly evildoers prosper, and even when they put God to the test, they get away with it.’ ” 

Recently I have been reflecting on unbelief, and wrong-belief, and the last two verses are a great example of believing wrongly.  In fact, the first eight verses speak of actions aligned with this same belief.  If I believe it is futile to serve the Lord, then why would I ever tithe? There is clearly a belief in place that serving God is a waste of time, resources and energy, which is a message from the depths of hell.  Clearly the people had a belief problem and God was trying to get them to recognize that fact.

Generally our belief systems don’t just happen, but are built up over time.  In this case the people probably had some of the following experiences: 

1) Expectations that weren’t fulfilled.  

2) Difficult times where there was no rescue or answer.  

3) Seemingly unanswered prayers.   

4) A litany of disappointments rolling through one’s thoughts.

All of these are ways the enemy tries to convince us that serving God is futile.  We are at the center of all of these, and we are told our view is proof, even though our view is from a pit of self-pity and self-focus, we can’t see anything beyond our own wants, and frustrations.

Recently our Pastor spoke on promises and how they almost away are fulfilled differently than we would expect.  We expect them to be fulfilled exactly the way we want, and in the time frame we set, and when that doesn’t happen we can be tempted to believe lies about God, the one who spoke the promise.

The problem is that we think the world revolves around us.  We have wrong beliefs about our purpose, about God’s purpose and plans and even about the core values of Christianity.  It's no wonder that life doesn’t make sense, and we can end up frustrated.  

So how do we change?

What is the path forward?

First, we need to change our belief about who God is.  He reveals Himself in Scripture, and primarily through Jesus.  He is not some angry judge waiting for us to mess up so He can punish us.  I am reminded of several verses where God reveals His character.  The first verse to pop into my mind is the following - Exodus 34:6 NIV:

“And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness,"

The second set of verses is new of my all time favorites - Isaiah 55:6-9 NIV:

[6] “Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near. [7] Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.” 

[8] “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. [9] “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

Taking these two sets of verses we can create a base level of understanding, a foundation that we can stand on and a grid through which we can view our circumstances and life.  God is compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.  His ways and thoughts are not like ours, but they represent His character.  If the thoughts running through our mind don’t line up with these basic truths, then we need to recognize we are believing wrongly. We have to be open to the idea that maybe our perspective and our beliefs are skewed, and possibly wrong.  

I feel like this is related to the recovery from addiction, its not possible to be successful unless we admit that we have a problem.  In the same way, we won’t be able to really move forward in our beliefs unless we come to a point of recognizing that we might have a belief problem.  

Once we come to a realization that we have a belief problem, the Lord can start to rebuild our foundation, or make adjustments to our belief structure.  I remember the first time I realized that I might not have it all figured out, and might be wrong on a few points. It was humbling, but at the same time freeing, for I recognized that there was more to God than what I was experiencing.  

These days I welcome the opportunities for my thinking to be corrected, and for me to expand my beliefs to align with God’s character and plans and purposes.  My desire is to become more like Christ in every way, and anything in me that isn’t like Him, I am willing to change.  The Lord is compassionate (See the list above from Exodus) and does not require me to know or recognize all the things I need to change at once, instead He works with me to slowly make the corrections and adjustments.  

One thing I can say with confidence, I know more now than I did when I thought I had it all figured out!  I also can confidently say, what I know is almost nothing when compared with the magnificence of God!  His goodness, kindness, faithfulness, love, compassion, mercy, patience, and perfection are so much better than I know or can imagine!  His plans and purposes are so much better than anything I could ever work up or think up! He is worthy of everything I can bring to Him, and really all He wants is my love in return. 

This morning I am encouraged to continue to look at my life to see where I have belief problems.  I am encouraged to ask God to help me to change the way I think and act, so that they might better align with who He is!  I am encouraged that following the Lord and serving Him is the best thing I can do with my life!

Amen!

Wrong-Belief

Last night in our home group we were talking about unforgiveness and being offended, and how that is a form of unbelief, or believing wrongly.  This tied in well with some of the recent sermons on the promises of God and being clothed by God (and how we deal with our mistakes).  Anyway it was a good conversation and as we were talking I was reminded of some verses I had read a few days earlier, from Jeremiah 17:5-8 NIV:

[5] “This is what the LORD says: “Cursed is the one who trusts in man, 

who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the LORD. 

[6] That person will be like a bush in the wastelands; 

they will not see prosperity when it comes. 

They will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives. 

[7] “But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. 

[8] They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. 

It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. 

It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”

I remember the first time I read these verses, the message was so clear, if we try to do things our way, we will screw things up.  If we trust tin the Lord, things will go well.

The reason I was reminded of this was that we were talking about how unbelief is often times believing the wrong thing, or believing the wrong voice.  Going back to Scripture, the first case we have of this is found in Genesis, where Eve believes the snake instead of God (see Gen 3:1-6)!  

In our daily lives we often find this subtly at play in what voice we choose to listen to?  The old devil and angel on one’s shoulder is a humorous example of what many if not all of us deal with, often without our knowledge, or awareness.  I know in my life I have learned to be aware of where my thoughts originate, for not all appear to come from my brain.  

There are times when I will be assaulted with thoughts condemning someone, or judging someone and none of it with evidence to support it,or previous thought lines that would lead me to end up there.  Often these thoughts are accusing in nature, and when that occurs, I have learned to identify these thoughts as originating with the accuser (Rev. 12:10).

Other times I find myself not trusting God’s plans.  One of the things our Pastor said, in talking about Promises of God, is that they don’t look like we think they will, and that is a problem for many of us.  We think God should act a certain way, based on His promises, or on something we heard someone say, and when that doesn’t pan out we start doubting whether God loves us, whether He cares at all, or even whether He exists.

I recently had a long struggle with the Lord in that I didn’t like the way it appeared His plans were leading me, and I tried for several years to change things through my own efforts, none of which were successful.  I found myself more and more frustrated, and thinking, “seriously Lord, this is your idea of fulfilling your promise?!”  Not exactly a prayer of faith!

As I was struggling through this time, I found myself often thinking accusatory thoughts about God, and one day He stopped me and said, “am I on trial, if so, which side of the courtroom are you on, the prosecutor or the defender?”  I immediately knew I had been listening to the wrong voice, believing the wrong voice and repented and asked for forgiveness, for I was judging God, “Yikes!” something I am fully incapable of doing at all!  

Surprisingly, very shortly after that experience all of a sudden the path the Lord was leading me down changed and I could see the fulfillment of the Promise coming towards me, better than I could have imagined, or certainly accomplished on my own.

This morning I am encouraged to carefully consider my thoughts and actions, my motivations and expectations.  I am encouraged to ascertain the original source of what I am believing and pursuing.  I am encouraged to make sure I am trusting in God and not in man-made ways, whether of my own creation of someone else's. 

Lord, I pray that You open my eyes to any areas of unbelief, or wrong-belief in me, that I might be aware so that i can change my thinking and my actions! Help me to recognize and reject the accusations of the accuser, and hold firmly to Your Word and Promises!

Amen!

Forgiveness and Being Offended

This morning the theme of my prayer time is forgiveness.  I don’t think I have many struggles in this area, but I might be wrong. Lord, please open my eyes if I do. I know that forgiveness is certainly something that many people struggle with in their lives.  I started reading in Jeremiah and ran across a few verses where Jeremiah is asking God to strike down his enemies and as I read them I was thinking that these prayers were very un-Christ-like.  Here are the verses - Jeremiah 18:19-23 NIV:

[19] “Listen to me, LORD; hear what my accusers are saying! [20] Should good be repaid with evil? Yet they have dug a pit for me. Remember that I stood before you and spoke in their behalf to turn your wrath away from them. [21] So give their children over to famine; hand them over to the power of the sword. Let their wives be made childless and widows; let their men be put to death, their young men slain by the sword in battle. [22] Let a cry be heard from their houses when you suddenly bring invaders against them, for they have dug a pit to capture me and have hidden snares for my feet. [23] But you, LORD, know all their plots to kill me. Do not forgive their crimes or blot out their sins from your sight. Let them be overthrown before you; deal with them in the time of your anger.”

My first thought on reading these verses was that this sounds like some of the well-known modern day prophets that are prophesying against cities or regions or people that are known for being sinners.  My second thought was that this is clearly not one of those parallel verses we find in both the Old and New Testaments, nor a shadow of what is to be fulfilled through Jesus.  Rather this is exact opposite of what Jesus demonstrated in His life.  Instead of calling down vengeance, Jesus called down forgiveness - as described in these verses from Luke 23:32-34 NIV:

[32] “Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. [33] When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. [34] Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.”

Jesus, in addition to living out a very different approach to sinners (He died for them all, taking their punishment upon Himself) taught several times on forgiveness as well, and we are encouraged to embrace His words, and examples.  Probably the most pointed teaching came during His sermon on the Mount, here recounted in Matthew 6:14-15 NIV:

[14] “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. [15] But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

He said these words prior to His passion, death, resurrection and ascension, but we cannot ignore them, for every word Jesus spoke was at the Father’s direction. This clearly speaks of the importance of forgiveness, and becomes clearer through the further teachings of Paul in his letter to the Colossians 3:12-14 NIV:

[12] Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. [13] Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. [14] And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Forgiveness for our sins is a gift we receive when we believe, and we are called to forgive others as we have been forgiven!  What we have received we should extend.  Paul wrote more thoroughly about this all in his letter to the Romans 3:21-26 NIrV:

[21] “But now God has shown us his saving power without the help of the law. But the Law and the Prophets tell us about this. [22] We are made right with God by putting our faith in Jesus Christ. This happens to all who believe. It is no different for the Jews than for the Gentiles. [23] Everyone has sinned. No one measures up to God's glory. [24] The free gift of God's grace makes us right with him. Christ Jesus paid the price to set us free. [25] God gave Christ as a sacrifice to pay for sins through the spilling of his blood. So God forgives the sins of those who have faith. God did all this to prove that he does what is right. He is a God of mercy. So he did not punish for their sins the people who lived before Jesus lived. [26] God did all this to prove in our own time that he does what is right. He also makes right with himself those who believe in Jesus.” 

This grace gift, this forgiveness of our sins, is something that should fill us with gratitude every day of our lives.  It is something that should inspire our actions towards others, we should be demonstrating that which we have received in freely forgiving others, and that is where many of us struggle.  We don’t want to forgive, we want vengeance for wrongs done to us!  Jeremiah demonstrated this spirit in his asking God to smite his enemies, and it seems this is not far from our thoughts and prayers when we have been wronged, and this is clearly not what Jesus taught us.

Unforgiveness is a very dangerous sin, for it can lead to other things like unbelief and bitterness. (See Heb 12:15)  We can begin to accuse God of not loving us, or not caring for us!  We can take His seat as judge and call down condemnation on those who have wronged us.  All of this is so dangerous, and the absolute opposite of the type of witness we are called to bring.

One other area, which is more common these last few years is the area of being offended. In reality, I believe this is just unforgiveness with a different name, and closely tied to unbelief.  Someone’s words hurt us so we choose to judge them unworthy… or evil.  People were regularly offended at Jesus, for He didn’t do what they wanted, or meet their expectations, but instead did what the Father told Him to do. It is interesting that in Mark’s Gospel, we find being offended and unbelief (or lack of faith) tied together.  Here are the verses - Mark 6:1-6 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. [6] He was amazed at their lack of faith. Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village.”

There are so many verses that I could quote and reflect on, but I think I will stop and just quote these few verses from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians 4:26-27,29-32 NIV:

[26] “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, [27] and do not give the devil a foothold.” 

[29] “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. [30] And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. [31] Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. [32] Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

Oh Lord, help me to embrace forgiveness, to extend forgiveness and to walk in peace, faith and mercy.

Amen and Amen!

Standing and Overcoming

This morning I opened my Bible to Romans 8, and started reading some of that rich chapter.  There is plenty to reflect upon, but this morning I was encouraged by the following verses - Romans 8:31-35,37-39 NIV:

[31] “What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? [32] He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? [33] Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. [34] Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. [35] Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?’ 

[37] “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. [38] For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, [39] neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

These are such hopeful verses, especially for anyone struggling through difficult times.  Anytime I run into difficult times, I immediately think, even though I know better, that I am being punished for something I did wrong.  So often, I associate difficult times with God’s displeasure, and that is just not true at all.  As Paul writes above, God has justified us through the blood of Jesus, He isn’t going to go back and take this justification away from us when we make a mistake or sin.  Jesus already paid for all of our sins, took every punishment upon Himself.

The prophet Isaiah wrote about this in Isaiah 53:4-6,10-12 NIV:

[4] “Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. 

[5] But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. 

[6] We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” 

[10] “Yet it was the LORD’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the LORD makes his life an offering for sin, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand. 

[11] After he has suffered, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities. 

[12] Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.”

The author of the letter to the Hebrews wrote the following - Hebrews 9:11-15 NIV:

[11] “But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that are now already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands, that is to say, is not a part of this creation. [12] He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. [13] The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. [14] How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!” 

[15] “For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.”

Finally, going back to the verses from Romans, the other verse that caught my attention were the following -  “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?’ “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”  (Rom 8:36-37 NIV). 

Becoming conquerors over difficult situations seems easy to say, but difficult to live out.  Not that this isn’t true, the difficulty comes in believing, and holding onto this truth in the midst of the difficulty.  The enemy works over-time to convince us that since the difficulty comes from God, there is no sense resisting or trying to overcome.  Standing on the truth is key to our ability to overcome.  Paul writes the following in his letter to the Ephesians 6:10-13 NIV:

[10] “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. [11] Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. [12] For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” 

[13] “Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.”

This morning I am encouraged that overcoming difficulty and struggles is absolutely possible.  They are not from God and He gives me strength to stand, overcome and conquer, coming through to the other side victorious. 

Amen! 

Dealing With Spirits

This morning I am back in some verses from Luke that I was reading yesterday.  I do like spending time in the Gospels, as I can never get enough of the life of Jesus.  I like to read large chunks of the Gospels, but usually find something that makes me stop and think, and today is such a time.  Here are the verses - Luke 4:38-44 NIV:

[38] “Jesus left the synagogue and went to the home of Simon. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked Jesus to help her. [39] So he bent over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. She got up at once and began to wait on them. 

[40] At sunset, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying his hands on each one, he healed them. [41] Moreover, demons came out of many people, shouting, “You are the Son of God!” But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew he was the Messiah. 

[42] At daybreak, Jesus went out to a solitary place. The people were looking for him and when they came to where he was, they tried to keep him from leaving them. [43] But he said, “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.” [44] And he kept on preaching in the synagogues of Judea.”

I have been spending plenty of time looking at some of the significant healings in the early church, and her we find Jesus, early in His ministry doing plenty of similar healings.  His ministry was marked by healings and authority over evil spirits (demons) from the very start of His public ministry. This particular chapter mentions the demons acknowledging the fact that He was the Son of God a couple of times (See also Luke 4:31-37), and that got me thinking.  I asked myself the question if the early church experienced a similar ministry of healing and setting the demonically oppressed free, and I was reminded of a few verses, but want to do a deeper dive.

The first set of verses I remembered is the following story from Acts 19:13-20 NIV:

[13] “Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, “In the name of the Jesus whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.” [14] Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. [15] One day the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?” [16] Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding. 

[17] When this became known to the Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus, they were all seized with fear, and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor. [18] Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed what they had done. [19] A number who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly. When they calculated the value of the scrolls, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas. [20] In this way the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power.”

Obviously this is a bit more intense, but does clearly show the same world-view and ministry.  This type of ministry was so wide-known, that others were trying to copy it, but doing it without the relationship and required authority in the Name of Jesus.  

Looking at some other verses we do find these types of healings mentioned several times - Acts 5:12-16 NIrV:

[12] “The apostles did many signs and wonders among the people. All the believers used to meet together at Solomon's Porch. [13] No outsider dared to join them. But the people thought highly of them. [14] More and more men and women believed in the Lord. They joined the other believers. [15] So people brought those who were sick into the streets. They placed them on beds and mats. They hoped that at least Peter's shadow might fall on some of them as he walked by. [16] Crowds even gathered from the towns around Jerusalem. They brought their sick people. They also brought those who were suffering because of evil spirits. All of them were healed.”

• And - 

Acts 8:4-8 NIrV:

[4] “The believers who had been scattered preached the word everywhere they went. [5] Philip went down to a city in Samaria. There he preached about the Messiah. [6] The crowds listened to Philip and saw the signs he did. All of them paid close attention to what he said. [7] Evil spirits screamed and came out of many people. Many people who were disabled or who couldn't walk were healed. [8] So there was great joy in that city.”

• And -

Acts 19:11-12 NIV:

[11] “God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, [12] so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them.”

While certainly not conclusive, I think its safe to say that dealing with the demonically oppressed and those affected by evil spirits was a part of the ministry of the early church.  I have done plenty of reading of more modern ministers who had great success in praying for healings (Smith Wigglesworth and John G. Lake) and both said that a large percentage of the sick they prayed for were so affected, in fact if I remember correctly I believe Smith Wigglesworth said he thought that close to 75% of those He prayed for were so afflicted.

I think its safe to say that we, as Jesus’ representatives, need to be aware of this spiritual reality and equipped to deal with these types of situations, as the people so afflicted need healing too. Jesus gave His disciples authority over demons and evil or impure spirits.  Matthew 10:1 NIV:

“Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.”  

We should not be afraid nor filled with some sort of demon-hunter mentality, but we should expect that as we minister in Jesus Name, we will encounter such afflicted individuals.  I heard one teacher describe dealing with the demonic as similar to cleaning toilets, not some glorious thing but something that needs to be done to get rid of the affects.

While not a common encouraging topic, I do believe we will see more and more of the enemies activity as we press into God, working to extend His Kingdom.  It was true back then, it is true in the world today, in the non-westernized cultures, and I believe its an important world-view that we need to embrace, for  greater effectiveness in representing the ministry of Jesus.  As a last encouragement I  quote Paul in his letter to the Romans 8:38-39 NIV:

[38] “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, [39] neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Amen and Amen!

Be Alert!

This morning I was reading through 1 Peter.  It definitely is different reading Peter’s letter than Paul’s, for the flow of thought is different, no less inspired, just thoughts coming from a different mind.  I do so enjoy reading other authors who are writing about things I am thinking about, as it is helpful to get a different perspective. 

This morning I was reminded of these great verses from Peter, which have been helpful to me at many times.  The idea that the enemy is prowling looking for someone to devour is helpful.  I need to remember that my life exists in a battleground, and I am in danger. 

We were talking recently about the fact that there is a spiritual realm, and many of us, myself included, are unaware what is happening in this realm the majority of the time.  Peter calls this to mind and encourages us in the midst of our struggle.  Here are the verses -  1 Peter 5:6-11 NIV - 

6 “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.”

I think it is helpful to know that dealing with temptation, as described in verse 9 (resist him) is common to us all and it does feel like a form of suffering.  Denying ourselves, denying the flesh, holding our thoughts captive, resisting what seems so attainable and desirable, agreeing with God’s plan and promise, rather than trying to force our way through, all are forms of suffering.  Waiting on the Lord to do what He said He will do is definitely a form of suffering… of enduring… of trusting in Him. 

I find my biggest battles are to hold onto the Lord, and resist the temptation to agree with the accuser.  I find that he is constantly accusing God or others with some evil intent, some hurtful thoughts, some plan not in my best interest.  I have come to recognize this is a form of vain imaginations, for most people around me are not thinking about me, nor do they have evil intentions for me.  

Clearly the Lord is always thinking about me, but not as a punishing God, but as one who has loved me since the beginning of the world, who died for me, who shed his blood for me!  He is interceding at the right hand of the Father for me, not whispering in the Father’s ears how they should smite me for my sins… 

Paul writes of this same theme in his letter to the Romans 8:31-34 NIV:

[31] “What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? [32] He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? [33] Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. [34] Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.”

Clearly the Lord is for us, and if we hold onto Him, stand firm in our faith, He will help us.  He will strengthen us, make us firm and steadfast and give us hope. I love Peter's admonition to be alert and of sober mind.  I definitely need to be reminded to pay attention to my thoughts, holding onto the ones that are towards the Lord and resisting those that bring accusation.

Lord, I thank You for Your amazing love, Your help, and Your encouragement this morning.  I thank you for giving us simple directions to help us walk through our life, staying on the path You have set for us.  

Amen and Amen!

Set Free From Shackles

Yesterday during worship I had a distinct impression that the Lord wanted set people free.  I opened my Bible and the first bit I saw was where Peter was imprisoned.  Here is the story - Acts 12:1-10 NIV:

[1] "It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. [2] He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. [3] When he saw that this met with approval among the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This happened during the Festival of Unleavened Bread. [4] After arresting him, he put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out for public trial after the Passover. 

[5] So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him. 

[6] The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. [7] Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter's wrists. 

[8] Then the angel said to him, “Put on your clothes and sandals.” And Peter did so. “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me,” the angel told him. [9] Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision. [10] They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself, and they went through it. When they had walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel left him."

I love this for many reasons and I think it is a great witness to the Lord's ability to reach into our circumstances and provide miraculous release.  If there was a hopeless situation, this was it, and Herod was taking no chances, and planning to kill Peter as he had James. He was chained, guarded by 4 soldiers, and not going anywhere, except the Lord intervened. 

I love the bit where Luke, the author of Acts, added the note about the church earnestly praying.  Our prayers matter, and this Holy Spirit inspired note is there to encourage us to pray!

Anyway, back to the theme of the Lord setting people free, the understanding I had was that the Lord was releasing people from the chains that bind them, from hopeless situations, from situations whether physical, emotional, spiritual or a combination of all three!  Jesus is the one who has all authority (Mt 28:18) and power (Col 2:10), who broke every chain (Acts 16:26) and defeated the power of sin and death (Rom 8:2) and set us free their power.  When He intervenes, nothing can stop Him, no chain, no guard, no power of hell!  

The enemy will try to convince us that we deserve our chains, deserve our pain, deserve our punishment, but Jesus set us free from all of that!  Paul writes, 

"When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross." (Colossians 2:13-14 NIV).

Jesus said the following about Himself,  "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." (John 8:36 NIV).  

And lastly, Paul writes, "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." ( 2 Corinthians 3:17 NIV).

This morning I am encouraged that God desires to set us free, anyone that finds themselves bound by whatever chain that keeps us from Him, from the freedom He desires for us, from the life He brings!  As He says,  "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." (John 10:10 NIV) 

Lord, I pray that You might send angelic help, even as You did for Peter, to set us free from that which shackles us!  I pray that Your payment, Your sacrifice might be applied to each and every situation being brought before you in prayer today!  You are the only one who has all authority, all power and intercedes for us at the right hand of the Father! (Rom 8:34)

Amen and Amen!