Sorrow and Joy

This morning I was reminded of a verse, 2 Corinthians 7:10 NIV: "Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death." I was thinking of how the point of sorrow (for our sins) is to bring us to God, through a changing of our heart and mind (repentance). It is in that place that we recognize the great gift we have been given, and there is thankfulness and even joy. I pray that we would learn to see this in our own lives and in how we treat others, extending to them what we receive from the Lord. Really its an amazing trade - we bring our sorrow, our sins, our guilt and bring them to the Lord, and He gives us forgiveness, salvation and joy. I am reminded of a great song by Darrell Evans called "Trading My Sorrows" whose opening lines are as follows:

I'm trading my sorrow
I'm trading my shame
I'm laying it down for the joy of the Lord

I'm trading my sickness
I'm trading my pain
I'm laying it down for the joy of the Lord

What a great a great message of hope and joy. Our God has already paid the price for our sin, and extends mercy and has compassion for us all. Rather than reject us, He invites us into relationship. Help us to recognize this reality and turn towards You Lord!

Yada, Yada, Yada

This morning I am reading from Hosea, by way of Matthew 12:7. The sixth verse from Hosea 6 was quoted by Jesus as a rebuke to the Parisee's when they were questioning the disciples gleaning of a few heads of grain on the Sabbath. The point that Jesus was making is that they missed the point of the law, that of knowing God and His ways. Here are the verses from Hosea:

Hosea 6:3-4, 6 NIV
Let us acknowledge the Lord; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth. ” [4] “What can I do with you, Ephraim? What can I do with you, Judah? Your love is like the morning mist, like the early dew that disappears. [6] For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.

Three times in these verses we see the word acknowledgement, which is translated from the Hebrew word - yada (thus my title). Although translated in the NIV acknowledgement, the word yada might be better translated to know. Here are excerpts from the definition:

b. to know, learn to know
1a c. to perceive
1a d. to perceive and see, find out and discern
1a e. to discriminate, distinguish
1a f. to know by experience
1a g. to recognise, admit, acknowledge, confess
1a h. to consider
1. to know, be acquainted with
2. to know (a person carnally)
3. to know how, be skilful in
4. to have knowledge, be wise

- so much more than just acknowledgement.

In the verses from Hosea, if we replace acknowledgement with know ( in the full sense above) it would read:

Let us know the Lord; let us press on to know him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth. ” [6] For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and the knowing of God rather than burnt offerings.

That is my encouragement this morning, to know God. I do not want to be satisfied with how much I know Him now, but want to press on to know Him more. I want to have the knowing of God to be my great pursuit. Religion and the Law were meant to point us to God. He is the great treasure, not the rules or way of life. Let us make sure we love the Lord more than church!

Let us know (yada) the Lord and His ways, let us press on to know (yada) Him more, let us make this pursuit of knowing (yada) Him our life goal! It gives new meaning to yada, yada, yada! (Sorry Jerry)

Welcoming Trials - Yikes!

This morning I am reading from James - one of those personally challenging verses.

James 1:2-4 NIV
[2] "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, [3] because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. [4] Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

When I read a verse like this, I tend to quickly move on without wanting to really meditate on it, as it clearly is talking about personal discomfort. I don't like thinking about, or even worse, experiencing personal discomfort. I think of the saying - no pain, no gain - and I think I prefer the latter of the two statements. :-)
Embracing difficulty, welcoming it, and considering it pure joy, is not a normal response. My natural flesh crawls at the suggestion of difficulty, or lack, or anything other than what I want. Not only do I want things that comfort me, I want them now!

How different the mentality that James is speaking of here. We are encouraged to look beyond our present circumstances, and see the end result, and know that the end result is far better. Far-sightedness is not something we cultivate in our present culture. This is thinking like a great chess player, seeing that good which will come about through near-term sacrifice. Having an eternal mindset, or kingdom mindset is so important for us to cultivate, for that is our ultimate destiny.

Jesus spoke numerous times about eternal life, as the reward. He spoke constantly about the Kingdom of God, here and present and as the great treasure. We are called to something much greater than just going through life, going to school, working, relaxing on weekends, etc. We are called to be part of the single greatest thing in all the universe - eternal life with God.

I am reminded of a few verses in Matthew 13:44-46 NIV:
[44] “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. [45] “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. [46] When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it."

I would probably go through quite a bit of hardship to secure a great treasure. We have TV shows where all the contestants are competing in difficult challenges to win the huge cash prize. We can understand these things, yet remain mostly disconnected or unconcerned about the opportunity to experience the greatest treasure. James was speaking as one who had already discovered this great treasure and was encouraging others into that place of maturity in their faith in God, and participation in the Kingdom of God.

Lord, help me to develop an eternal mindset, and help me to see the great treasure before me, so that I am willing to pursue this joyfully at any cost!

Grace, Truth and Freedom

This morning I was reading through the first chapter of John, which is one very deep chapter. One statement, verse 17, realty grabbed my attention:

John 1:17 NIV
"For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.". Another translation says grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ. The Greek word translated either came or realized is 'Ginomai'

Definition
1. to become, i.e. to come into existence, begin to be, receive being
2. to become, i.e. to come to pass, happen a. of events
3. to arise, appear in history, come upon the stage a. of men appearing in public
4. to be made, finished a. of miracles, to be performed, wrought
5. to become, be made

So in other words, grace and truth really were birthed into our experience by Jesus. This doesn't mean that grace and truth didn't exist before Jesus, came tp earth, but rather is pointing back to Jesus' pre-existence and His superiority over the law. All truth is found in Jesus, for all things were made through Him. All grace is found in Jesus, for only He came and paid the price for all our sins, and took the punishment we all deserve upon Himself. This grace and truth that was revealed in Jesus surpassed the Law, and established a new revelation or dispensation. Paul writes much about this in his letter to the Romans.

Its important to remember that John was writing this many years after Jesus death, and there was a group of Jewish believers who were trying to force the law onto the Gentiles. Additionally, John is addressing several of the heretical ideas that were abounding early on, and was setting things straight. Jesus is the Son of God. Jesus existed in Heaven before the world was created. Jesus came to earth as a man. Jesus was the Son of God, and was uniquely able to reveal the Father to us. Jesus is the one and only savior.

Ultimately Jesus came to set us free. The grace and truth that He established, that came into being through Him, set us free from the requirements of the law. [31] To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. [32] Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32 NIV

Amen Lord, we want to be set free and experience the fullness of Your grace and truth.

Mining the Introduction

This morning I am reading from Peter's Second Letter:

2 Peter 1:1-3 NIV
[1] "Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours: [2] Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. [3] His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness."

So often I just skip past the introduction statement in the different letters in the Bible, thinking that they are just greetings and such. I want to get to the eat of the message. As I stopped myself from doing that this morning, I looked closer at the statement's Peter makes and was encouraged.

His first line - " To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours" has such an important point, namely that it is through the righteousness of God and Jesus that we even can have a faith, that we receive it (faith). It is a gift, made possible by God. Faith is not something we work up, but something we receive. If we don't have enough faith, we need to ask for more! I am reminded of the story in Mark 9:24 where the father of the boy who suffered seizures cried out, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” Amen Lord, I need more faith.

His second line is equally loaded - "Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord." I know many times I have asked for peace and prayed for grace. Peter is saying that these two things are accessible in abundance through our knowledge of God. The Greek word Peter uses is Epignosis, which means precise and correct knowledge. This type of knowledge, when speaking about another person, can only be acquired through intimacy and conversation. So the more we really know God, the more peace and grace we will experience, and this will come through times of intimacy and conversation - which I call prayer. We can't just yell serenity now, and expect it to happen! :-)

His third line starts with - "His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life...". What an awesome reminder of God's all sufficient Love. He calls us to follow Him, but He also gives us everything we need to be able to follow Him. If following Him meant climbing a mountain, He would be providing us all the mountain climbing gear, clothing and knowledge we needed to follow Him. Again, He HAS provided this for us, so if we don't have anything, we just need to ask. I like to think that the store is open, and everything has already been paid for, all I need to do is ask for what I need.

What an awesome set of verses, packed full of good things and encouragement! I am glad I stopped to read His introduction statements.

Reflection on Psalm 141:1-4

Psalm 141:1-4 NIV
I call to you, Lord, come quickly to me; hear me when I call to you. [2] May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice. [3] Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips. [4] Do not let my heart be drawn to what is evil so that I take part in wicked deeds along with those who are evildoers; do not let me eat their delicacies.

As I read these verses, they are each a prayer of mine. Lord that You would come quickly when I call to you, for You are my source for life and light. That my prayers may be full of thanksgiving, and praise to Your Holy Name. That I might be careful of my words. That my witness in my words would be consistent with my heart and my pursuit of You. Finally, that my heart and mind would not be drawn in by the deceptive allurement of evil, which never appears evil at the onset. Help me to see the end result of all, and choose life and obedience to You in every opportunity. Lord, I want my heart to be drawn to You and You alone. Amen Lord.

Of Mercy and Judgement

I am reading from James this morning.

James 2:12-13 NIV
Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, [13] because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

This is an interesting verse for it speaks about the law that gives 'freedom', or in other translations 'liberty'. Its interesting to think of a law that gives freedom, as most laws in some way restrict freedom. The original Greek could be translated freed from slavery, which we can understand as something similar to the emancipation proclamation of this country. Jesus death purchased for us freedom from judgement under the law. He paid the debt, and released us from any obligation. In the same way that some people continued to live as if slavery was still legal, after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued, we can find ourselves still living as if under the old law. We are called to live under the new law, and the best way to tell if we are is if we are operating in mercy or judgement.

Mercy is defined as compassion or forbearance shown especially to an offender or to one subject to one's power; also : lenient or compassionate treatment (Websters). So, how we treat others who sin either against us, or are caught in sin, would be a good point of examination in our lives. Are we quick to judge someone's actions? Are we mistrustful or even jaded in our response to people? Do we give people a second chance, a third or even a forth?

I am reminded of one of the parables Jesus told about the man who had been forgiven much as follows: Matthew 18:21-35 NIV
[21] "Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” [22] Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times."
[23] “Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. [24] As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold was brought to him. [25] Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt. [26] “At this the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ [27] The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go. [28] “But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins. He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded. [29] “His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.’ [30] “But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. [31] When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened. [32] “Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. [33] Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ [34] In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. [35] “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”

So, let us examine our lives and see if we operate out of mercy or judgement, for are called to be merciful. We need to live our lives as under the law that brings freedom and liberty, and extend what we have been given to all those around us, whether in the Body of Christ or not. Let our lives be filled with mercy, not judgement.

Remember the Lord's Love

This morning I am reading from Psalm 77. I love this psalm as it is such an accurate record of where my heart has been, and it reminds me what to do when I am waiting for the Lord. It starts out with a cry for God's help, and waiting for Him. So often, in our place of need, we forget about the goodness of God, and can only see the difficulties that surround us. This psalm reminds me to change the way I am thinking.

Psalm 77:1, 7-14 NIV
[1] I cried out to God for help; I cried out to God to hear me.

[7] “Will the Lord reject forever? Will he never show his favor again? [8] Has his unfailing love vanished forever? Has his promise failed for all time? [9] Has God forgotten to be merciful? Has he in anger withheld his compassion? ”

[10] Then I thought, “To this I will appeal: the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand. [11] I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. [12] I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.” [13] Your ways, God, are holy. What god is as great as our God? [14] You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples.

Reminding ourselves of the truth, remembering the ways the Lord has moved, thinking on these things, stirs our faith. God is faithful and trustworthy. As we meditate on these things we learn to see from God's perspective, and see how He moves. God does not forget us. His love is unfailing. He is merciful and full of compassion. He will come. He will move!

It is good to remember how quickly we forget. We need to learn to remind ourselves of what God has done in our lives and draw on these thoughts when we are confronted with difficulty. God called Israel to construct altars and memorials to remind them of times when He intervened. We should each have our list of times when God answered prayers, or moved on our behalf, that we can turn to when we are struggling or feeling forgotten by God.

Chosen, Called and Sent

Last night I was reading from Acts 13, about the early ministry of Paul.

Acts 13:1-5, 44-52 NIV
Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. [2] While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” [3] So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off. [4] The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus. [5] When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues. John was with them as their helper.

[44] On the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. [45] When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy. They began to contradict what Paul was saying and heaped abuse on him. [46] Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: “We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles. [47] For this is what the Lord has commanded us: “ ‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’ ” [48] When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed. [49] The word of the Lord spread through the whole region. [50] But the Jewish leaders incited the God-fearing women of high standing and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region. [51] So they shook the dust off their feet as a warning to them and went to Iconium. [52] And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

I was most encouraged by the direction and encouragement of the Holy Spirit, and also the sense of that which Paul and Barnabas must have ministered. There was the calling out, the sending off, the moving in power and authority and finally in the face of persecution, the infilling of Holy Spirit and joy. There appears to be great assurance available in the Lord.

My heart wonders how may people in the church today have this sense of purpose, this assurance of their role and calling? Now I know there are hundreds if not thousands of Christians in the regions mentioned here in Acts and we never hear about many of their callings or ministries, but that does not mean that they didn't have them, or operate in them.

I believe that we have, in large part, lost our sense of ministry, our understanding of our missions, and the purpose to our calls at the individual level. I think that so often the focus of the church is to grow and gather as many people as possible, in part to build their ability to operate ministries, and influence areas, which is not all bad. What I think is missing is the focus on personal calls and missions. I think this is lost in the model we have operating in most churches with professional ministers, whose job it is to minister. Often the idea is that the rest of the people are in their (the senior pastor's) churches to serve their vision of ministry.

I am reminded of a verses from 1 Peter 2:9 NIV:
"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light."

This is true of all of us, every single member of the Body of Christ. We were chosen. We are royal priests (just think on that for a while). We are set apart, holy. We are God's special possession, that He purchased with His own blood. Each of us, individually! We have been called out with a specific purpose.

My prayer is that we all recognize our call, our purpose and the ministry we have been called into by God. For the vast majority of us that does not mean a job as a minister, but rather ministry in our daily walks, within the place of employment, or our families, or some other sphere of influence. In no way is this any less significant than the ministry of Paul and Barnabas. We have all been called, we have all been chosen, we have all been set apart, we all are priests/ministers, and the Holy Spirit wants to encourage us in this and send us out!

Lord, I pray that You would speak to us all, and show us this truth.

The View From The Desert

Continuing the theme of the desert, I am reading Psalm 63, which was written by David when he was in the desert of Judah. Read from the point of view of being in the desert, one gets a different perspective on this Psalm. I am just looking at the first six verses this morning.

Psalm 63:1-6 NIV
You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water. [2] I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. [3] Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. [4] I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. [5] I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you. [6] On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night.

First verse: He really was writing from a parched and dry land. This lack of water, this dryness reminded him of what he was missing, namely the presence of the Lord. Being in the Lord's presence, experiencing His touch refreshes more than any drink of water! Being in a place of lack, causes us to turn our hearts to what we need and be thankful for what we had previously. Its so easy go take the daily blessings, with which we are surrounded, for granted.

Second verse: In the desert there is a different type of power, that of oppressive heat, unrelenting sun, and lack of life. He is reminded of having been the opposite, and remembers again the life he has experienced in God. There is the shadow of God's wings, there is the banquet of God's blessing and there is the power of God's anointing. There is life in God!

Third and fourth verse: He is at a place where he is getting a good look at his life, and probably even wondering if he will survive, and I this place of thought and reflection He is seeing that which is truly important, God's love. There is nothing like hardship to help re-evaluate ones life and priorities. He sees this and sets the course for his life. He is committed to praising God, to living out the remainder of His life with a single focus, with an unchanging priority.

Fifth verse: He recognizes once again that the promises of God are true, that if He seeks God, if He turns to God, if He makes the Lord his shepherd, He will feast abundantly on God's presence. He is likely without sufficient food and water, but I that place of physical longing, his spiritual longing is even stronger. I think at this point he has remembered the promises of God, and has grabbed hold of them, for now he is not just remembering, but grabbing hold and claiming the promises.

Sixth verse: When he was living at home, he didn't have to keep watch in the night, so being awake at night might have been a new experience. Depending on the desert, the night could be the time where you can actually move about and travel because the heat is not so oppressive. There is much that goes on in the night, and being alert and awake can be a requirement. As one sits alone in the dark, our minds wander and reflect and his thoughts are drawn again and again to the Lord, probably in response to the Lord calling his name.

Desert places are designed to help us to refocus, to review our lives, and gain a new perspective on the blessings we already experience, and provide the opportunity to change. If we turn our eyes to the Lord, turn our mind and thoughts towards Him, we will gain understanding of His love for us, ad His awesome provision and blessing.

Times in the Desert

Time in the Desert.

I have heard Graham Cooke talk about how he loves the times the Lord takes him into the desert and that has just never resonated with me. I've been in dry times before, desert experiences with the Lord, and I just wanted to go back to the sweet times of intimacy, communication and grace.

This morning I was reading through a few chapters in the Book of Joshua, and I saw something I hadn't really seen before - that the Israelites that were entering the promised land were a different people than those that had escaped Egypt 40 years earlier. Instead of a nation of slaves, they were a warring nation that was skilled in warfare and armed for warfare. Somewhere in the midst of the desert they had acquired swords and javelins, and learned how to use them. Somewhere in the desert they had lost the slave mentality, actually I think that identity died with the people who died in the desert.

As I was thinking about this, I realized that there is much to welcome about this experience in the desert, if I have the right attitude. I sometimes think that most of those 40 years were spent on changing the attitude and culture of the people. So, in the desert, the people were changed from slaves to free people who were able to fight for their freedom and possessions, they were given new identities. In the desert, they learned how to fight and how to wield weapons for warfare. Following their time in the desert they were able to move into their promise and occupy that place. They had a new attitude, a new identity, and new skills.

I now see the desert as a time of maturing, forming and forging of new identity and impartation of gifts and skills needed in my next season of blessing and increased territory. I think I understand more why Graham says he enjoys the desert times. They aren't really times of punishment but rather formation, preparing us for something greater in God, preparing us to step into and occupy the promises of God.

Love and Perseverance

I was just reading from Paul's second letter to the Thessalonians and one of his sentences caught my attention: 2 Thessalonians 3:5 NIV
[5] "May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance."

I just really like the idea of God directing my heart into His love. What a perfect place to be found - in the love of God. His love is such a place of refuge for who would be found there. It is better than in our mothers arms, or behind our dad's legs. It is a place we can find rest and peace in the midst of everything being in a swirl around us. Whole books have been written about God's love.

The second phrase takes a bit more unpacking for me. Having my heart directed into the perseverance of Christ is not a common statement. There are not any bumper-stickers with this phrase written on them. The definition of perseverance is: continued effort to do or achieve something despite difficulties, failure, or opposition : the action or condition or an instance of persevering : steadfastness [Webster's definition].

As I read that definition I am reminded of that which Christ endured on my behalf. He endured the torture of being flogged, beaten, betrayed, stuck, humiliated and finally crucified. He took on himself all the punishment for my sins, He made a perfect sacrifice of His own Body and Blood that I might have eternal life. He did this all as a man, in the face of opposition from his family and even his friends. He set His eyes on the prize and that prize was me, that prize was you.

The perseverance of Christ is all about love. However, this is no flowery love or romantic expression, but rather a love demonstrated through sweat of blood, bruising and tearing of flesh, love unto death. This is love that we can count on in the worst moments of our life, for it is a love that endured through all pain and suffering. It is a love that was rock solid even in the face of all our sin.

Now that is a love that I can celebrate on this day when we celebrate love. I pray that the Lord continues to direct our hearts into His love and into Christ's perseverance.

Our Family Inheritance

I was just reading through Neh 7, where they are listing the people who came back to Jerusalem. It is amazing how they kept their identities and roles in the temple straight by family. There is something very significant in family membership, in the Lord. I don't know that we fully grasp this, but it is clear that especially with the temple ministry, their was a hanging down of ministry within family groups. The Levites, the Priests, the singers, etc., all were family groups. It is clear there are anointings that are given to families.

We don't really see this family delineation in the New Testament, but rather a joining into the Body of Christ, and a sense of wiping away all that differentiates, no Greek, no Jew, no slave, all one family, all one Body. However, the family groupings of the OT, were a foreshadowing of that which was to come. Lord, help me to understand.

As I was thinking more about this - I believe there is much to be said about understanding our identity and family relationship. In the Body of Christ we all are related directly to the Father, through Jesus. ( Romans 8:15, Eph 1:5). We are adopted sons and daughters given authority and identify based on our new Father. I was reminded of the sorry of Moses and Joseph, both who were welcomed into different Pharaoh's households, one through adoption, one as a servant. In both cases cases they had the authority and identity of their family or household to back them.

I think we really need to understand even more than we know our identity as sons and daughters of the King. Especially since in the old testament model, anointing and calling were passed down within the family. If our Father is The Father then what gets passed down to us? For a hint, look to Jesus as the first fruits, and us as those that follow. His walk is an example to us, as to what we can experience, and expect in our lives.

Lord, help us to understand exactly who we are really - Your sons and daughters!

Eyes on the Lord

I was reading out of John this morning:

John 7:16-18 NIV
Jesus answered, “My teaching is not my own. It comes from the one who sent me. [17] Anyone who chooses to do the will of God will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own. [18] Whoever speaks on their own does so to gain personal glory, but he who seeks the glory of the one who sent him is a man of truth; there is nothing false about him.

How important it is to make sure that which we teach, that which we share is from the Lord. There are so many other voices out there, each vying for our attention, each trying to bring focus on other things. The message that glorifies the Lord, that points to Jesus, who points to the Father, is what we should be listening too, what we should hear.

I think of how often our approach in ministry is to build up the ministry so that more people can be touched, which although noble, is not the right focus. A focus on the ministry, for the sake of the people, pulls our eyes off the Lord and onto the people. A focus on anything else ultimately pulls our eyes off the Lord, and can cause us to lose our way. A ministry focused on the Lord, will impact the people, which will ultimately grow the ministry, but the focus must always be on bringing glory to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Amen Lord, help us to remain focused on You always.

God Is Speaking

This morning I am reading from Isaiah 66:1-2, 4 NIV:

[1] This is what the Lord says: "Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Where is the house you will build for me? Where will my resting place be? [2] Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?” declares the Lord. “These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word.

[4] so I also will choose harsh treatment for them and will bring on them what they dread. For when I called, no one answered, when I spoke, no one listened. They did evil in my sight and chose what displeases me.”

These verses are such a good reminder to me of a few things:

1. God reigns over all the earth, and created all things.
2. God is looking with favor on those who are humble, have a correctable heart and spirit, and who look to the Lord for direction and guidance, basically those who listen and obey.
3. God desires our interaction with Him, our attention and more than anything our love.

As I look at much of society around me, I am saddened that so many live unaware of God's love for them, His constant communication, and His calling out to them daily. As I was reading and writing yesterday, we are all called and there is a place in the Body of Christ for all. Lord we pray that You would open all our eyes and ears, that we might recognize Your amazing love and desire for us, and that You are speaking to us everyday.

Our Call

This morning I am reading from Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-16 NIV:

[1] "As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. [2] Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. [3] Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. [4] There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called ; [5] one Lord, one faith, one baptism; [6] one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. [7] But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.

[11] So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, [12] to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up [13] until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. [14] Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. [15] Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. [16] From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work."

A couple of things stand out:

1) We were called. Paul says this a few times in the course of the first few verses. It is so important to remember that we are called. The important point is that this call was initiated by God. In other words, He wants us. This was not a call we received by accident, but a call that was planned and initiated by God.

2) This 'call' is something that we all have received. This is not just a call to professional ministers, or the five fold ministry listed later. It is, instead a call that we all receive to join the Body of Christ, and to take our place. As Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 12, we are all part of one body, and although we don't all perform the same function, we are all important, and worthy of honor.

3) Paul's opening encouragement is that we live our lives worthy of the calling we have received. The NASB translates this statement as "... implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling..." The Greek could be translated to make the most of the opportunities to become the person you were called to be!

So in summary, we are ALL called by God, with a particular purpose and place, and we should endeavor to make the most of every opportunity to become the person we were meant to be, in God.

Amen Lord - helps us to hear and respond to Your call.

Faith - Accessing Eternity

This morning I am reading out of John.

John 11:21-26 NIV
“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?”

My focus on reading these verses was drawn to two statements. First, Martha's comment to Jesus that she knew that anything He asked of God, God would do - verse 22. What an incredible statement of faith, in her place of loss. I can almost see her starting to think that maybe Jesus was capable of raising her brother, but not quite sure yet, so she is feeling her way forward. Graham Cook calls this exploring the favor of God. She is encouraged by Jesus reply, and so is seeking clarification, and pressing further. I know that the Lord brings us all to these places of our need coupled with His favor. We need God to move and He is favoring us with His attention and willingness to move, so that our faith might be enlarged. I can see Martha's faith was starting to grow, even beyond where she presently believed.

Now that I think a about it, after this conversation with Jesus, Martha heads back to town to get her sister. I wonder if she was already convinced that Jesus was going to raise Lazarus, and wanted to make sure Mary was there. Regardless, in response to her growing faith she invites her sister to join her. When we start to encounter the Lord in the place of our pain, let us not forget those around us who are also hurting around us.

Lastly, Jesus statement, "I am the resurrection and the life." is mind blowing. He was still operating as fully man, and He hadn't yet been raised from the dead. He was reaching outside of time, into the eternal reality of who He is, and doing so as a man. In other words, this is something that any of us are capable of doing, reaching into the eternal reality from where we exist in time. Jesus came to demonstrate to us all what a human, who walks in obedience, is capable of doing. All His miracles, all the glorious experiences were done as a human, for He had laid aside His divinity. He was demonstrating our ability to reach into the heavenly realm and bring that reality here.

None of us are the resurrection or the life, but in the eternal reality of heaven we are all sons and daughters of God, whom He loves and cares for with infinite passion and zeal. There is an eternal reality that is accessible to us, through faith in Jesus and obedience to the Father. I believe this is what the gift of faith is about, for a moment we understand who we are, and what the Father wants to do through us and we step into that place of authority that we possess in the eternal reality and speak into the present. I believe that as we grow in faith and understanding, this type of experience can become more normal, for the Father wants us to emulate Jesus. Jesus himself said we will do these things and even greater.

John 14:12-14 NIV
Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. [13] And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. [14] You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

Amen Lord!

Responsible Leaders

This morning I am reading briefly from Ezra, as I don't have my usual amount of time to pray. I am in Ezra 9 and the following verses caught my eye:

Ezra 9:1-4 NIV

After these things had been done, the leaders came to me and said, “The people of Israel, including the priests and the Levites, have not kept themselves separate from the neighboring peoples with their detestable practices, like those of the Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Jebusites, Ammonites, Moabites, Egyptians and Amorites. [2] They have taken some of their daughters as wives for themselves and their sons, and have mingled the holy race with the peoples around them. And the leaders and officials have led the way in this unfaithfulness.” [3] When I heard this, I tore my tunic and cloak, pulled hair from my head and beard and sat down appalled. [4] Then everyone who trembled at the words of the God of Israel gathered around me because of this unfaithfulness of the exiles. And I sat there appalled until the evening sacrifice.


What really caught my eye was how the leaders and officials led the way in the unfaithfulness - the disobedience to God's law (verse 2). I think this shows two things:

1. The leaders felt they were above the rules that God had laid out for them.
2. The people followed the leaders.

This is such a critical truth, and why we need to hold our leaders to a higher standard. I see this is also true in the ways of parenting, that where we lead, our children will follow. This is not true of everyone, as it wasn't true of everyone in this case, but the basic principle is accurate.

This is also why we need to pray for our nations leaders and our church leaders, as where they go personally, many will follow. If they think the laws don't apply to them, so will the people. If they think they are entitled to special treatment and a life-long support from the government, so will the people. If they think their sinful lifestyles don't affect others they are wrong.

Lord, help us to discern clearly Your will and Your commands and live by them, not blindly following leaders who are not following You. We pray that You will break in and convict us of our unfaithful ways and lead us back to the path of truth. We pray especially for those that are leaders, that You will speak to them and show them the right path to life and obedience. We pray that all our leaders will recognize the responsibility they have to lead. That they will pursue righteousness, faithfulness and true justice.

Welcoming The Holy Spirit

This morning I was reading from Acts 7, which is the story of Stephen, the first martyr. These particular verses caught my attention - Acts 7:51-53 NIV:

[51] “You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit! [52] Was there ever a prophet your ancestors did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him--- [53] you who have received the law that was given through angels but have not obeyed it.”

Specifically, the end of verse 51, where he says "you always resist the Holy Spirit." This is such an important message for us. The danger for us all is that we resist the Holy Spirit, choosing instead to follow our own ways, our own thoughts, our own laws. Stephen's speech reminded them of all the things that God had done to guide them as a people, to bring them into relationship with Him. The people's response to this was consistent through out history, they would ultimately reject God, kill or persecute the prophets that He sent, and instead choose to follow their own hearts.

Recently I have had a few long time friends comment to me about how so many of the people that we know, who once were on fire for God, have walked away or lost any real passion for Him. That just breaks my heart, knowing that good friends have apparently walked away from God, and are choosing their own ways over His. I don't want to judge anyone's lives, for I don't know their circumstances nor their hearts. However, I think in general its quite clear that as a nation, many are walking away from God and choosing to give themselves to whatever they like, and this saddens me greatly. I don't think this happens in anyone's life quickly, but is rather a slow process brought about through little choices made daily, that result in slowly walking away from the things of God.

These thoughts cause me to reflect on my own life and evaluate if there are areas or things that the Holy Spirit has spoke to me that I am resisting? I am challenged to guard my life, and guard the treasure that is God's word in my life, making sure that I do not slowly slide away. I want to constantly be repositioning my feet to be squarely where God wants me, doing what God wants me to be doing. The good news is that the Lord helps me, and as the Holy Spirit reminds me of all that He has said to me, I only need to listen and obey.

That is the problem though - hearing and obeying. Stephen tells them they have uncircumcised hearts and ears. In other words they don't listen, nor do they allow the words that are spoken to change their hearts, and thus their actions. This is how they resist the Holy Spirit. As a parent I used to call this behaviour selective hearing. When I would be telling one of my children to do something they didn't want to do, they would just stand there completely ignoring me, pretending they didn't even hear me.

Lord, help me to hear AND obey. Open my ears and my heart, and remind me of all that You have said to me, so that I might not resist. I want to welcome the Holy Spirit ever moment of every day! I am thankful that somehow, by Your mercy and grace, I am still following You. I am grateful that in spite of the hurt, and wounding and difficult circumstances, I have never thrown in the towel and walked away from You.

In His Arms

I was reading out of Matt 8 this morning. However, every time I closed my eyes for a second to meditate on the verses, I was falling back to sleep. So this morning I have spent most of my time resting in His presence. I was feeling a bit guilty, but then I remembered holding my kids when they were babies, and how much I liked it when they would nap in my arms. That is what I felt I was doing all morning, napping in the Lords arms, and He enjoyed it!

Lord, I am grateful that You enjoy the fact that we can come into Your presence and just be, nothing required, just resting in Your presence.

Cleanse the Temple, Healing Begins

This morning I am reading from Matthew.

Matthew 21:12-15 NIV
[12] "Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. [13] “It is written,” he said to them, “ ‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it ‘a den of robbers.’ ” [14] The blind and the lame came to him at the temple, and he healed them. [15] But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple courts, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” they were indignant."

What caught my attention was verse 14, which immediately followed the cleansing of the temple. As soon as Jesus drove out of the temple those that were doing business, and selling and changing money, both ways of making a profit, the healing began. I guess previously I always stopped reading this account as Jesus finished the statement of true purpose of His house, being a house of prayer.

I think this is a sort of precedent - in the focusing of the church on God and relationship with Him, rather than money, profit and the trappings of religion, the way is opened up for the true work of the Lord, namely healing, deliverance, miracles, true praise and worship and prayer where we truly encounter God.

Its also interesting to note how once Jesus cleanses the temple, He starts ministering there. He actually makes His presence known, and people are drawn to Him. Oh, that this would be what draws people to the Church, the in-dwelling presence of Jesus. That when we enter church, we encounter the presence of God and He heals us and delivers us! That the joyful shouting would rise up in our churches because God has visited us, that healing and miracles were breaking out!

Lord, I pray that You would breathe on the Church and cleanse it once again, that we might make room for true worship and relationship with You (prayer). That You would come and fill the Church with Your presence and we would experience Your touch in healings, signs and wonders, miracles, and deliverance.`

You Died, Live Your New Life!

This morning I felt led to read from Colossians.

Colossians 3:1-3, 5-10 NIV
[1] "Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. [2] Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. [3] For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God."

[5] "Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. [6] Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. [7] You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. [8] But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. [9] Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices [10] and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator."

As I read through these verses, verse 3 really grabbed my attention. How could it not - "I have died"?

This is true in Christ, yet so very difficult to grasp. We have been united with Christ, made part of His Body and, as such, welcomed into His reality, and made beneficiaries of His atonement. He died - we died. He rose from the dead - we rose from the dead. He lives eternally - we will live eternally. All because we said yes to His invitation to believe in Him, and accept His sacrifice into our life. This is true. This is reality.

Our struggle is to grasp this and live this reality. Walking this out in our lives takes effort on our part, for it requires us to allow the spiritual reality to take precedence over our flesh and mind. This reality is true in our spirits, but our minds and bodies take some convincing. This is especially true for those who grew up in the non-spiritual western mind-set.

We must put to death whatever belongs to our earthly nature - those things that feed the flesh, but wound the spirit. Putting to death (which in the Greek could be translated kill, or deprive the strength of...) those things that we once walked in.

I like how Paul says it in verse 7 - "You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived." For example, if you used to be in the military, but now are a civilian, you can stop living like you are in the military, for that is a life you once lived, but no longer. You don't need to salute, you don't have guard duty, you don't have to fold your clothes a certain way, or shine your shoes, or any number of military life requirements. The same example could be used if you used to lived in another country and culture. Those cultural norms, and ways of acting and living applied to the life you used to live, not your 'new' life.

We can choose to live within our new 'life' or reality, or we can choose to live like nothing has changed. In this case, Paul reminds us that it is our choice to rid ourselves of, or throw away those things from our 'old' life. If we can grasp the reality that we have died (if we are united to Christ) and these things no longer have hold of us, we can freely choose to live differently. We can walk away from our old life.

I recently saw "Les Misarables" and this is what Jean Valjean did, he walked away from his 'old' life and chose to become someone new. His changed his whole attitude, thoughts and actions. He was no longer a prisoner who hated, and stole, and barely survived. He chose to love, do good, forgive and live for others.

This is our invitation, to walk away from our 'old life', to become the new person we are in Christ. Amen! Help us Lord to live our 'new' lives fully.