Tuesday, January 31, 2017
Love And Peace, Not Division And Hatred
This morning I was thinking about our country (USA) and how the political division is becoming more and more reactionary and alarming. It seems to m that we are losing our ability to see each other as people, and instead labeling one another based on who they support, never even bothering to get to know them at all or hear what they have to say. We are giving into hate and division and letting others tell us how to think and feel. We seem to be shifting our thinking from objective truth to subjectiveness. We are allowing our logical minds to become clouded, subject to our emotions and our latest offense. We seem to be losing our ability to think rationally, and it very worrisome.
I was reminded of a documentary called "We Are All Neighbors" (British Granada TV) that I watched several years ago that described the breakdown of society that occurred in Bosnia, during the war. In this film, the neighbors in this Muslim/Croatian village have lived together peacefully for many years, and although the conflict is occurring in their country, it is many miles from them. When asked if their differences would ever be a problem, villagers on both sides said that would be impossible. They had grown up with each other as neighbors, watched each other's children, eaten in each other's homes and been on friendly terms their entire lives. Yet what occurs is the exact opposite! As the conflict draws nearer, mistrust begins to develop between the previously peaceful and trusting neighbors, and soon they stop talking and interacting, and even allow hatred to rise up. By the time the documentary is completed, the village is in shambles, the Muslim homes have been destroyed, neighbors have killed neighbors and they have stopped thinking of each other as neighbors, instead referring to each other by their religious/ethnic labels.
It is a very sad movie, and to me there seemed to be a spiritual component that was evident but not discussed, for the division that occurred came quickly and was completely illogical. These were not barbaric or simple people, but normal everyday people in 1993. They were all ethnic Croats, but some families had converted long ago to Islam under the Ottoman occupation, thus the only difference was their religion. What occurred over the time that the filming was done was a complete demonization of a whole religious ethnic group (by both sides), regardless of their individual character, the witness of their lives or even their relationships with people from the other group. In viewing the change, it seemed to me to be something of greater strength was affecting the people and causing them to lose their ability to think objectively. It seemed to me that it was a spiritual force causing division, and inflaming passions and rhetoric against one another.
So my meditation this morning is on the present state of our own USA, and wondering if we are allowing ourselves to be drawn into a similar situation, regardless of the side we are on? If God is Love (1 John 4:8), what is the source of hatred and division? It seems to me that much of what we are giving into and allowing to color our thinking is fear based, and this drives us toward division and even hatred, if not certainly mistrust. John, in his first letter, goes on to write that "perfect love drives out fear" (1 John 4:18), so I believe that love for one another is where we must start.
Our world history is replete with many examples of the demonization of whole people groups based on their beliefs, race or thinking. The worst examples are when we dehumanize groups and then seek to destroy them, for they are no longer "human" in our eyes. I believe that much of this is the result of spiritual forces, whose desire is to kill and destroy (John 10:10). We see this over and over again in our human experience, and my fear is that we are seeing the beginnings of this type of thinking in our nation, based on the present political environment.
I know many people on both sides of the political divide and know them to be good, honest, loving, caring, and hard working people. If you were to put us all together in a room, mixed half and half, several years ago and ask who we hated, there wouldn't have been anyone we could label as such. Yet today, I think that I would find that many, by way of labels associated with political beliefs, would now harbor significant mistrust about the other half, and that makes me sad and somewhat fearful of the path we are heading down.
I am asking us to stop and think, to allow peace and love to settle into our hearts and minds, and remember our affection and love for one another. John wrote the following, "Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another." (1 John 4:11). I am asking us to reject the labels that are being affixed to one another based on political leanings, to reject the demonization of the "other" group, and to stop listening to the voices that inflame this partizan thinking and anger.
Can we lay down our offenses and reach across the dividing line (which is more in our mind than anywhere) and love one another? Can we choose to hold onto the premises of our founding fathers, that this is a nation that provides freedom and liberty for all, and that we are one nation? Can we choose to look at one another as people first, not seeing them as anything else, regardless of their political, social, or religious beliefs? Can we be kind in our words, and thoughts about one another? Can we reject the forces that would cause us to embrace division, those that seek to label and dehumanize one another?
My prayer this morning is for all of us in this great nation, and for all those around the world who are suffering the results of religious, political or racial divisions. May love and peace rule in our hearts and minds!
Amen!
Saturday, January 28, 2017
Throw Off The Shackles, Step Into Freedom!
This morning I felt encouraged to spend some time reflecting upon some statements Paul makes in his letter to the church in Galatia. Much of this letter is Paul reminding them of the truth and calling them back to it. Sometimes when I read these verses, I think, "how foolish can they be to have forgotten something so basic?" Then about two days later I find myself doing the same thing. :-) I am so glad that the Lord is merciful and well acquainted with out human proclivity to forget the lessons that we have learned!
Here are the verses I am reflecting upon - Galatians 3:1-6 NIV:
[1] "You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. [2] I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard? [3] Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh? [4] Have you experienced so much in vain---if it really was in vain? [5] So again I ask, does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard? [6] So also Abraham “believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”
- and -
Galatians 5:1-9 NIV:
[1] "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. [2] Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. [3] Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. [4] You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. [5] For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope. [6] For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love."
[7] "You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth? [8] That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. [9] “A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.”
Paul is reminding the people in the church in Galatia that salvation through faith alone (believing) was their path forward in Christ and the Holy Spirit. There were those that had come preaching faith+works, or even embracing the strictures of the Law (circumcision). Paul's description of this is that this focus is keeping the people from obeying the truth! That is exactly the opposite of how these additional requirements would have been communicated. I find that most every time I run into someone preaching faith+works, they are selling it as some special revelation of some practice which increases one's favor before the Lord, and that is impossible to do!
God is unchanging in His love and affection for us! God loved us while we were still sinners. He loved us before the creation of the world. He loves us from a place outside of time, so He sees our whole life, everything we have ever done and will do, and from that vantage point He loves us! What activity that we would ever do on earth or in time could change His perspective; He who lives outside of time?
If we could just grasp this truth, the sales pitch of the faith+works people would fall on deaf ears! We could immediately recognize the deception and reject the lies it is based upon. God loves us the same today, far beyond our best and highest imagination, as He did when we were still sinners and captives to our own selfishness and sin.
Our biggest problem is that we have a hard time imagining anyone could love us this way. Almost every marketing pitch, every commercial is telling us that if we just change our clothes, our hair color, our body type, our weight, our appetites that we will become more desirable, more loveable, more attractive. We think that by some action, some change on our behalf, that we can be more acceptable and loved. In our worldly and human life, and in other's eyes, this might be the case, but in God's perspective and in His environment this is absolutely wrong.
This doesn't mean that God won't lead us down paths of self-improvement, but those paths are for the bettering of our lives and our abilities to fulfill our purpose in life, not so He might love us more. God doesn't play favorites, or have any favorites (Rom 2:11), because we are all His favorite. He loves each of us for our own uniqueness, which He created! There is no one like us exactly, even identical twins are different from one another in His eyes! We are each one, His son or His daughter! In the same way, God doesn't live vicariously through us, like some of us do through our children, pushing them to succeed so that we can experience some of the glory. God takes great joy in our accomplishments, but nothing we ever do could add anything to Him, He is infinite in His power, glory and majesty.
Finally, I want to go back to Paul's statement in Chapter 5, verse 1, "do not let yourselves be burdened again by the yoke of slavery." This is how Paul is referring to a faith+works mindset. Adding anything to the Gospel of Salvation through faith is ascribing to the yoke of slavery. This makes me think, what is the 'yoke of slavery'? Slavery, in my understanding, amounts to someone else controlling one's life, having ownership, and telling one what to do in every area. The slave has no personal will that is recognized, no freedom to do anything unless it is allowed by their owner. When we begin to add "works" or "requirements" to our faith, we start allowing someone or somthing else to control our lives. I mean, who makes up these new rules, these new requirements? Are they being taken from the Old Testament law, if so, Christ Jesus put an end to those requirements (Heb 8:13). Are we taking the teachings of the New Testament and making a new set of Laws and requirements? Is it rules that some group of church elders decided to enforce, or worse yet, some pastor's whim? None of this is required for salvation!
To be clear, like exercise and any form of personal discipline, these teachings from the New Testament have their benefits, but they cannot become requirements for salvation, nor carry with them the promise of greater favoritism or blessing from God. God pours forth blessing (imagery of rain) on both the sinner and saint. Jesus, in probably one of His more difficult teachings said it this way, Matthew 5:43-48 NIV:
[43] “You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' [44] But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, [45] that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. [46] If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? [47] And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? [48] Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."
Thus, let us be free in our minds and our hearts as Christ Jesus meant us to be! Let us be perfect as the Father is perfect; loving all, praying for all, and recognizing that God loves all those around us, even those we dislike. Let us throw off any shackles of a "works mentality" any yoke of slavery, allowing someone else to set upon us requirements of behaviour or thinking. Let us reject teaching that promises special favors or favoritism from God in exchange for compliance!
God could never love you or me more than He does now, did previously and ever will, for it is all the exact same to Him! He interacts with us in this plane of time, but He is outside time, so the changing of time and our activities within time have no affect on Him. He loved us since before the world came into being, since before creation (Eph 1:4)! He loved us while we were still sinners (Rom 5:8).
Oh Lord, help us to grasp how great You really are! Amen!
Here are the verses I am reflecting upon - Galatians 3:1-6 NIV:
[1] "You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. [2] I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard? [3] Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh? [4] Have you experienced so much in vain---if it really was in vain? [5] So again I ask, does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard? [6] So also Abraham “believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”
- and -
Galatians 5:1-9 NIV:
[1] "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. [2] Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. [3] Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. [4] You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. [5] For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope. [6] For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love."
[7] "You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth? [8] That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. [9] “A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.”
Paul is reminding the people in the church in Galatia that salvation through faith alone (believing) was their path forward in Christ and the Holy Spirit. There were those that had come preaching faith+works, or even embracing the strictures of the Law (circumcision). Paul's description of this is that this focus is keeping the people from obeying the truth! That is exactly the opposite of how these additional requirements would have been communicated. I find that most every time I run into someone preaching faith+works, they are selling it as some special revelation of some practice which increases one's favor before the Lord, and that is impossible to do!
God is unchanging in His love and affection for us! God loved us while we were still sinners. He loved us before the creation of the world. He loves us from a place outside of time, so He sees our whole life, everything we have ever done and will do, and from that vantage point He loves us! What activity that we would ever do on earth or in time could change His perspective; He who lives outside of time?
If we could just grasp this truth, the sales pitch of the faith+works people would fall on deaf ears! We could immediately recognize the deception and reject the lies it is based upon. God loves us the same today, far beyond our best and highest imagination, as He did when we were still sinners and captives to our own selfishness and sin.
Our biggest problem is that we have a hard time imagining anyone could love us this way. Almost every marketing pitch, every commercial is telling us that if we just change our clothes, our hair color, our body type, our weight, our appetites that we will become more desirable, more loveable, more attractive. We think that by some action, some change on our behalf, that we can be more acceptable and loved. In our worldly and human life, and in other's eyes, this might be the case, but in God's perspective and in His environment this is absolutely wrong.
This doesn't mean that God won't lead us down paths of self-improvement, but those paths are for the bettering of our lives and our abilities to fulfill our purpose in life, not so He might love us more. God doesn't play favorites, or have any favorites (Rom 2:11), because we are all His favorite. He loves each of us for our own uniqueness, which He created! There is no one like us exactly, even identical twins are different from one another in His eyes! We are each one, His son or His daughter! In the same way, God doesn't live vicariously through us, like some of us do through our children, pushing them to succeed so that we can experience some of the glory. God takes great joy in our accomplishments, but nothing we ever do could add anything to Him, He is infinite in His power, glory and majesty.
Finally, I want to go back to Paul's statement in Chapter 5, verse 1, "do not let yourselves be burdened again by the yoke of slavery." This is how Paul is referring to a faith+works mindset. Adding anything to the Gospel of Salvation through faith is ascribing to the yoke of slavery. This makes me think, what is the 'yoke of slavery'? Slavery, in my understanding, amounts to someone else controlling one's life, having ownership, and telling one what to do in every area. The slave has no personal will that is recognized, no freedom to do anything unless it is allowed by their owner. When we begin to add "works" or "requirements" to our faith, we start allowing someone or somthing else to control our lives. I mean, who makes up these new rules, these new requirements? Are they being taken from the Old Testament law, if so, Christ Jesus put an end to those requirements (Heb 8:13). Are we taking the teachings of the New Testament and making a new set of Laws and requirements? Is it rules that some group of church elders decided to enforce, or worse yet, some pastor's whim? None of this is required for salvation!
To be clear, like exercise and any form of personal discipline, these teachings from the New Testament have their benefits, but they cannot become requirements for salvation, nor carry with them the promise of greater favoritism or blessing from God. God pours forth blessing (imagery of rain) on both the sinner and saint. Jesus, in probably one of His more difficult teachings said it this way, Matthew 5:43-48 NIV:
[43] “You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' [44] But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, [45] that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. [46] If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? [47] And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? [48] Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."
Thus, let us be free in our minds and our hearts as Christ Jesus meant us to be! Let us be perfect as the Father is perfect; loving all, praying for all, and recognizing that God loves all those around us, even those we dislike. Let us throw off any shackles of a "works mentality" any yoke of slavery, allowing someone else to set upon us requirements of behaviour or thinking. Let us reject teaching that promises special favors or favoritism from God in exchange for compliance!
God could never love you or me more than He does now, did previously and ever will, for it is all the exact same to Him! He interacts with us in this plane of time, but He is outside time, so the changing of time and our activities within time have no affect on Him. He loved us since before the world came into being, since before creation (Eph 1:4)! He loved us while we were still sinners (Rom 5:8).
Oh Lord, help us to grasp how great You really are! Amen!
Friday, January 27, 2017
"Don't Be Afraid; Just Beleive!"
This morning I have been reflecting on the story found in Mark's Gospel about Jairus, whose daughter died while Jesus was on the way to see her. This is such an amazing story for many reasons. Here is the story - Mark 5:22-43 NIV:
[22] "Then one of the synagogue leaders, named Jairus, came, and when he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet. [23] He pleaded earnestly with him, “My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live.” [24] So Jesus went with him.
A large crowd followed and pressed around him. [25] And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. [26] She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. [27] When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, [28] because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” [29] Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering.
[30] At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?”
[31] “You see the people crowding against you,” his disciples answered, “and yet you can ask, 'Who touched me?' ”
[32] But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. [33] Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. [34] He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”
[35] While Jesus was still speaking, some people came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher anymore?”
[36] Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him, “Don't be afraid; just believe.”
[37] He did not let anyone follow him except Peter, James and John the brother of James. [38] When they came to the home of the synagogue leader, Jesus saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly. [39] He went in and said to them, “Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep.” [40] But they laughed at him.
After he put them all out, he took the child's father and mother and the disciples who were with him, and went in where the child was. [41] He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum!” (which means “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”). [42] Immediately the girl stood up and began to walk around (she was twelve years old). At this they were completely astonished. [43] He gave strict orders not to let anyone know about this, and told them to give her something to eat."
Most of my reflection this morning has been on verse 36, and Jesus' statement to Jairus, "Don't be afraid; just believe"! What an incredible statement in the face of every fact that Jairus knew from experience. He had just heard that His daughter, who was very sick when He left, had died. Since everyone was traveling via walking or running, the news of his daughters death actually could have come some time after she actually died. We see that by the time of Jesus arrival at Jairus' house mourners have already gathered, and were in full swing. Thus, some amount of time had already transpired since she passed away, and in our worldly wisdom, based on our experiences in life, Jesus appeared to be too late.
On the way to his home, after Jesus' statement, I can almost imagine that with every step Jairus was repeating Jesus words to himself! I know when times have been difficult, it usually feels like I am holding on to my sanity and hope by a tiny thread of faith, and these words from Jesus were likely that life-line for Jairus. No other mention of Jairus' faith is made by Mark, and while some might try to associate his faith with the miracle that was about to happen, I tend to think that Jesus wasn't really worried about whether Jairus had faith or not, His words to him were meant to sow hope and help him get through what must have been the most difficult time of his life. We see from the record in the Gospel's that Jesus' concern was for each person He encountered, and He wasn't going to leave Jairus to try and deal with His daughter's death by himself, but rather braced him up with words of hope and encouragement, like only He could do.
Equally important, we see Jesus stopping to care for the woman who touched His cloak. Again, He wasn't willing to put the needs of one person (Jairus) in front of the needs of someone else (woman). Jesus had a good idea of the what the Father was going to do, and regardless of how questionable the timing, He was going to properly represent the Father in each an every circumstance, situation and life He encountered. Oh, to have that mindset and awareness in life and ministry. I know I get to be so focused on time, that I often don't consider the needs, feelings and lives of those I encounter, but rather feel like I need to stick to the schedule I have in my head. I wonder how many opportunities I have missed to see God do glorious things, because I was focused on the clock, or myself? Ugh!
Back to the story, despite the fact that the little girl had died, that enough time had elapsed for people to gather and begin the elaborate mourning rituals that were common in those days, Jesus was unconcerned! I think this is a very important point of faith, we must believe that there is no barrier that Jesus cannot cross over to bring salvation, not even time! Here we see Him speak to the girl, who is already dead, and has been dead for some time. His words to her pass through the barrier of death and her spirit responds and returns to her body (here I am using imagery that is common to many people who describe near death, or dying and coming back to life). Jesus is able to do this through the power of the Holy Spirit, the same power and helper that is available to us today, as His followers.
Looking at this chapter in Mark, it begins with Jesus healing the Gerasene Demoniac, then healing the woman who had been sick for twelve years despite the best medical treatments, and finally restoring to life the girl who was dead. In other words mental illness and spiritual possession, medical pronouncements of untreatability, and even death were no match for the power of God, flowing through Jesus. No situation was too late, no circumstance was too severe for Jesus! When confronted with any situation like we see here, in our life or the lives of loved ones, I believe Jesus' words would be the same, "Don't be afraid; just believe!"
Thus, this morning I am encouraged by Jesus words, "Don't be afraid; just believe!" I find that I tend to do stupid things when I am afraid, and it would be much better for me to operate out of peace and faith instead. So, today, rather than responding in fear to circumstances out of my control, I am going to pray for His peace, and believe that He knows my situation and circumstances and has time enough and power enough to bring about His perfect will! I know He is good, so I will trust in His goodness in all situations and circumstances.
[22] "Then one of the synagogue leaders, named Jairus, came, and when he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet. [23] He pleaded earnestly with him, “My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live.” [24] So Jesus went with him.
A large crowd followed and pressed around him. [25] And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. [26] She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. [27] When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, [28] because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” [29] Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering.
[30] At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?”
[31] “You see the people crowding against you,” his disciples answered, “and yet you can ask, 'Who touched me?' ”
[32] But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. [33] Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. [34] He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”
[35] While Jesus was still speaking, some people came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher anymore?”
[36] Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him, “Don't be afraid; just believe.”
[37] He did not let anyone follow him except Peter, James and John the brother of James. [38] When they came to the home of the synagogue leader, Jesus saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly. [39] He went in and said to them, “Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep.” [40] But they laughed at him.
After he put them all out, he took the child's father and mother and the disciples who were with him, and went in where the child was. [41] He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum!” (which means “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”). [42] Immediately the girl stood up and began to walk around (she was twelve years old). At this they were completely astonished. [43] He gave strict orders not to let anyone know about this, and told them to give her something to eat."
Most of my reflection this morning has been on verse 36, and Jesus' statement to Jairus, "Don't be afraid; just believe"! What an incredible statement in the face of every fact that Jairus knew from experience. He had just heard that His daughter, who was very sick when He left, had died. Since everyone was traveling via walking or running, the news of his daughters death actually could have come some time after she actually died. We see that by the time of Jesus arrival at Jairus' house mourners have already gathered, and were in full swing. Thus, some amount of time had already transpired since she passed away, and in our worldly wisdom, based on our experiences in life, Jesus appeared to be too late.
On the way to his home, after Jesus' statement, I can almost imagine that with every step Jairus was repeating Jesus words to himself! I know when times have been difficult, it usually feels like I am holding on to my sanity and hope by a tiny thread of faith, and these words from Jesus were likely that life-line for Jairus. No other mention of Jairus' faith is made by Mark, and while some might try to associate his faith with the miracle that was about to happen, I tend to think that Jesus wasn't really worried about whether Jairus had faith or not, His words to him were meant to sow hope and help him get through what must have been the most difficult time of his life. We see from the record in the Gospel's that Jesus' concern was for each person He encountered, and He wasn't going to leave Jairus to try and deal with His daughter's death by himself, but rather braced him up with words of hope and encouragement, like only He could do.
Equally important, we see Jesus stopping to care for the woman who touched His cloak. Again, He wasn't willing to put the needs of one person (Jairus) in front of the needs of someone else (woman). Jesus had a good idea of the what the Father was going to do, and regardless of how questionable the timing, He was going to properly represent the Father in each an every circumstance, situation and life He encountered. Oh, to have that mindset and awareness in life and ministry. I know I get to be so focused on time, that I often don't consider the needs, feelings and lives of those I encounter, but rather feel like I need to stick to the schedule I have in my head. I wonder how many opportunities I have missed to see God do glorious things, because I was focused on the clock, or myself? Ugh!
Back to the story, despite the fact that the little girl had died, that enough time had elapsed for people to gather and begin the elaborate mourning rituals that were common in those days, Jesus was unconcerned! I think this is a very important point of faith, we must believe that there is no barrier that Jesus cannot cross over to bring salvation, not even time! Here we see Him speak to the girl, who is already dead, and has been dead for some time. His words to her pass through the barrier of death and her spirit responds and returns to her body (here I am using imagery that is common to many people who describe near death, or dying and coming back to life). Jesus is able to do this through the power of the Holy Spirit, the same power and helper that is available to us today, as His followers.
Looking at this chapter in Mark, it begins with Jesus healing the Gerasene Demoniac, then healing the woman who had been sick for twelve years despite the best medical treatments, and finally restoring to life the girl who was dead. In other words mental illness and spiritual possession, medical pronouncements of untreatability, and even death were no match for the power of God, flowing through Jesus. No situation was too late, no circumstance was too severe for Jesus! When confronted with any situation like we see here, in our life or the lives of loved ones, I believe Jesus' words would be the same, "Don't be afraid; just believe!"
Thus, this morning I am encouraged by Jesus words, "Don't be afraid; just believe!" I find that I tend to do stupid things when I am afraid, and it would be much better for me to operate out of peace and faith instead. So, today, rather than responding in fear to circumstances out of my control, I am going to pray for His peace, and believe that He knows my situation and circumstances and has time enough and power enough to bring about His perfect will! I know He is good, so I will trust in His goodness in all situations and circumstances.
Wednesday, January 25, 2017
A Rapid Change of Seasons (in life)
This morning I am reflecting on some passages from the prophet Amos. The Lord has spoken to me several times through these passages, and usually it has to do with times of acceleration. This morning, I was reflecting on these verses as being about quickly changing seasons of life. Here are the verses - Amos 9:11, 13-14 NIV:
[11] “In that day “I will restore David's fallen shelter---I will repair its broken walls and restore its ruins---and will rebuild it as it used to be,"...
[13] “The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when the reaper will be overtaken by the plowman and the planter by the one treading grapes. New wine will drip from the mountains and flow from all the hills, [14] and I will bring my people Israel back from exile. “They will rebuild the ruined cities and live in them. They will plant vineyards and drink their wine; they will make gardens and eat their fruit."
This morning, like usual, I am drawn to verse 13, and thinking about the imagery the Lord gave Amos. There are actually two images, the one of the plowman overtaking the reaper, and the other the planter being overtaken by the one treading grapes.
I find the first image most interesting this morning, because it speaks of an unfinished harvest. The reaper is the one who is cutting down the grain stalks, getting the grain ready for the harvest, and he is being overtaken by the one who is plowing, preparing the fields for the next planting. If the plowman is overtaking the reaper, that means he is plowing under some of the unharvested grain!
No farmer that I know of, of their own volition, would ever plow under a harvest, for the harvest is the whole point of farming. I can think of a couple of reasons one would do this, but both don't seem to fit. First, the farmer could have such a bountiful harvest already that he just doesn't have any more room, so plows under the extra. Second, the harvest is blighted, diseased and unusable, so the farmer is forced to abandon the harvest, and just plow it under, hoping for a better harvest next year. However, in this case, it seems that the Lord has accelerated the timing of the change of seasons, and I can almost see the reaper running to try and stay ahead of the one plowing, but in the end, the season changes, and a certain amount of the work of the harvest is left undone.
I find it very encouraging that the next image, seems to follow quickly upon the first, and could represent the next season. Please note that the crop also changes, if this applies to same farmer, he goes from being a grain farmer to harvesting a vineyard. The grain is used to make bread, symbolic of the word, and of course the grapes make wine, which is symbolic of the Holy Spirit. One could interpret this as a time of transition from learning and growing in the word, to moving in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Another significant note is that vineyards normally take years to become productive, but in this case, the harvest of the grapes is almost as soon as the vines are planted. Clearly the Lord appears to be compressing multiple years into a very short period of time. This is exponential acceleration, and clearly outside of natural time periods, which again speaks to me of the supernatural, and the power of the Holy Spirit! I like the sound of that!
So, my encouragement this morning is that this season of transition that I am fully in the midst of, which seems to be unexpected and a bit early, is actually allowing me to step into a new season, and maybe even a new and different harvest!
I would say that if you too are experiencing a shift in seasons, or an unanticipated acceleration, that this is clearly a good thing! The purpose (verse 11) is restoration and renewal, and the outcome (verse 13 & 14) is abundance, blessing, joy, flowing in power of the Holy Spirit, and abundant fruit!
Amen, and Amen!
[11] “In that day “I will restore David's fallen shelter---I will repair its broken walls and restore its ruins---and will rebuild it as it used to be,"...
[13] “The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when the reaper will be overtaken by the plowman and the planter by the one treading grapes. New wine will drip from the mountains and flow from all the hills, [14] and I will bring my people Israel back from exile. “They will rebuild the ruined cities and live in them. They will plant vineyards and drink their wine; they will make gardens and eat their fruit."
This morning, like usual, I am drawn to verse 13, and thinking about the imagery the Lord gave Amos. There are actually two images, the one of the plowman overtaking the reaper, and the other the planter being overtaken by the one treading grapes.
I find the first image most interesting this morning, because it speaks of an unfinished harvest. The reaper is the one who is cutting down the grain stalks, getting the grain ready for the harvest, and he is being overtaken by the one who is plowing, preparing the fields for the next planting. If the plowman is overtaking the reaper, that means he is plowing under some of the unharvested grain!
No farmer that I know of, of their own volition, would ever plow under a harvest, for the harvest is the whole point of farming. I can think of a couple of reasons one would do this, but both don't seem to fit. First, the farmer could have such a bountiful harvest already that he just doesn't have any more room, so plows under the extra. Second, the harvest is blighted, diseased and unusable, so the farmer is forced to abandon the harvest, and just plow it under, hoping for a better harvest next year. However, in this case, it seems that the Lord has accelerated the timing of the change of seasons, and I can almost see the reaper running to try and stay ahead of the one plowing, but in the end, the season changes, and a certain amount of the work of the harvest is left undone.
I find it very encouraging that the next image, seems to follow quickly upon the first, and could represent the next season. Please note that the crop also changes, if this applies to same farmer, he goes from being a grain farmer to harvesting a vineyard. The grain is used to make bread, symbolic of the word, and of course the grapes make wine, which is symbolic of the Holy Spirit. One could interpret this as a time of transition from learning and growing in the word, to moving in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Another significant note is that vineyards normally take years to become productive, but in this case, the harvest of the grapes is almost as soon as the vines are planted. Clearly the Lord appears to be compressing multiple years into a very short period of time. This is exponential acceleration, and clearly outside of natural time periods, which again speaks to me of the supernatural, and the power of the Holy Spirit! I like the sound of that!
So, my encouragement this morning is that this season of transition that I am fully in the midst of, which seems to be unexpected and a bit early, is actually allowing me to step into a new season, and maybe even a new and different harvest!
I would say that if you too are experiencing a shift in seasons, or an unanticipated acceleration, that this is clearly a good thing! The purpose (verse 11) is restoration and renewal, and the outcome (verse 13 & 14) is abundance, blessing, joy, flowing in power of the Holy Spirit, and abundant fruit!
Amen, and Amen!
Tuesday, January 24, 2017
Seeing Real Change in our Lives!
This morning I am spending some time reflecting on the following verses from Luke 3:2-3, 7-14 NIV:
[2]..."during the high-priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. [3] He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins."
[7] John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? [8] Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. [9] The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”
[10] “What should we do then?” the crowd asked.
[11] John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.”
[12] Even tax collectors came to be baptized. “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?”
[13] “Don't collect any more than you are required to,” he told them.
[14] Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?” He replied, “Don't extort money and don't accuse people falsely---be content with your pay.”
In case it isn't clear, the key to John's message is repentance for the forgiveness of sins, and for the most part theses sins are not listed. The focus, however, is on repentance and the key to repentance is changing the way you think, and then changing the way you act. John, is calling the people to produce the fruit of repentance, which is exactly that,visible evidence of changed thinking which leads to changed behavior. This is not just 'feeling sorry for ones sins' repentance, although conviction was clearly present. John is calling people to actually change their lives!
So, let me examine my life in light of this word! This is the key to repentance, allowing the word to be planted, and then produce real fruit in my life.
Do I actually change the way I think when confronted with God's word?
Do I then change the necessary behavior, and come in line with God's word?
Does my changed behavior then affect others (see verses 10-14 above)?
This is a very good season to be thinking about change, for many make New Year's resolutions to change their lives, by eating healthier, or working out, or whatever. The common experience seems to be that these new resolutions to change last a couple of weeks and then are forgotten. It seems that the reason is likely that fundamentally we have not changed our thinking enough to rightly affect our behavior. Maybe one of the issues is that for many of us, is that our resolutions are self-focused. John the Baptist, when asked, recommended to most an others focused approach - looking out for those with less, or in real need.
In my experience nothing helps change the way I think as much as seeing people who need my help, and then helping them. Suddenly, my thoughts are not about me, but rather about them, and how I can help. I get outside of my own self focus, and find joy in thinking and acting differently. I start to see that my life and actions can have purpose and meaning, and that I can make a difference.
Back to John's recommendations for change, I find it interesting that he didn't tell the tax-collectors to change jobs. They were generally Jews who worked for the Roman government, and were considered traitorous at best. They were know for extracting more tax than necessary and then keeping the extra for themselves. John's admonition was that they only tax people as required, which certainly doesn't seem like a significant change, but in reality is a stake in the heart of the greed that drove them to abuse their fellow Jews. He was expecting them to change the way they thought about themselves and others and changing their actions accordingly.
One wonders what our society would look like if everyone had a heart for each other and gave freely to one another, of their own volition, and were un-selfish as a whole?
To see change of this sort in our lives, we must first look at our own thinking , in light of God's word. We must be confronted with our own selfish and self-focused thinking and be convicted. We must see a need to change and then we must affect the change in our daily lives. If we do all this, then we will be able to start producing fruit that is keeping with repentance.
Help me Lord!
[2]..."during the high-priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. [3] He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins."
[7] John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? [8] Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. [9] The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”
[10] “What should we do then?” the crowd asked.
[11] John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.”
[12] Even tax collectors came to be baptized. “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?”
[13] “Don't collect any more than you are required to,” he told them.
[14] Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?” He replied, “Don't extort money and don't accuse people falsely---be content with your pay.”
In case it isn't clear, the key to John's message is repentance for the forgiveness of sins, and for the most part theses sins are not listed. The focus, however, is on repentance and the key to repentance is changing the way you think, and then changing the way you act. John, is calling the people to produce the fruit of repentance, which is exactly that,visible evidence of changed thinking which leads to changed behavior. This is not just 'feeling sorry for ones sins' repentance, although conviction was clearly present. John is calling people to actually change their lives!
So, let me examine my life in light of this word! This is the key to repentance, allowing the word to be planted, and then produce real fruit in my life.
Do I actually change the way I think when confronted with God's word?
Do I then change the necessary behavior, and come in line with God's word?
Does my changed behavior then affect others (see verses 10-14 above)?
This is a very good season to be thinking about change, for many make New Year's resolutions to change their lives, by eating healthier, or working out, or whatever. The common experience seems to be that these new resolutions to change last a couple of weeks and then are forgotten. It seems that the reason is likely that fundamentally we have not changed our thinking enough to rightly affect our behavior. Maybe one of the issues is that for many of us, is that our resolutions are self-focused. John the Baptist, when asked, recommended to most an others focused approach - looking out for those with less, or in real need.
In my experience nothing helps change the way I think as much as seeing people who need my help, and then helping them. Suddenly, my thoughts are not about me, but rather about them, and how I can help. I get outside of my own self focus, and find joy in thinking and acting differently. I start to see that my life and actions can have purpose and meaning, and that I can make a difference.
Back to John's recommendations for change, I find it interesting that he didn't tell the tax-collectors to change jobs. They were generally Jews who worked for the Roman government, and were considered traitorous at best. They were know for extracting more tax than necessary and then keeping the extra for themselves. John's admonition was that they only tax people as required, which certainly doesn't seem like a significant change, but in reality is a stake in the heart of the greed that drove them to abuse their fellow Jews. He was expecting them to change the way they thought about themselves and others and changing their actions accordingly.
One wonders what our society would look like if everyone had a heart for each other and gave freely to one another, of their own volition, and were un-selfish as a whole?
To see change of this sort in our lives, we must first look at our own thinking , in light of God's word. We must be confronted with our own selfish and self-focused thinking and be convicted. We must see a need to change and then we must affect the change in our daily lives. If we do all this, then we will be able to start producing fruit that is keeping with repentance.
Help me Lord!
Monday, January 23, 2017
The Polished Arrow - Waiting to be Released
This morning I am reading and reflecting on some of my favorite verses from the prophet Isaiah. The Lord, has spoken into my life several times through these verses, and again this morning I feel like He is encouraging me through them. Here are the verses - Isaiah 49:1-13 NIV:
[1] "Listen to me, you islands; hear this, you distant nations: Before I was born the Lord called me; from my mother's womb he has spoken my name.
[2] He made my mouth like a sharpened sword, in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me into a polished arrow and concealed me in his quiver.
[3] He said to me, “You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will display my splendor. ”
[4] But I said, “I have labored in vain; I have spent my strength for nothing at all. Yet what is due me is in the Lord's hand, and my reward is with my God.”
[5] And now the Lord says---he who formed me in the womb to be his servant to bring Jacob back to him and gather Israel to himself, for I am honored in the eyes of the Lord and my God has been my strength---
[6] he says: “It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.”
[7] This is what the Lord says---the Redeemer and Holy One of Israel---to him who was despised and abhorred by the nation, to the servant of rulers: “Kings will see you and stand up, princes will see and bow down, because of the Lord, who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you.”
[8] This is what the Lord says: “In the time of my favor I will answer you, and in the day of salvation I will help you; I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people, to restore the land and to reassign its desolate inheritances, [9] to say to the captives, 'Come out,' and to those in darkness, 'Be free!' “They will feed beside the roads and find pasture on every barren hill. [10] They will neither hunger nor thirst, nor will the desert heat or the sun beat down on them. He who has compassion on them will guide them and lead them beside springs of water. [11] I will turn all my mountains into roads, and my highways will be raised up. [12] See, they will come from afar---some from the north, some from the west, some from the region of Aswan. ”
[13] Shout for joy, you heavens; rejoice, you earth; burst into song, you mountains! For the Lord comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones."
The verse that grabbed my attention this morning is verse 2, specifically, "He has made me into a polished arrow and concealed me in His quiver." Recently I have been working on sharpening a couple of knives and studying different techniques shown on-line and on Youtube. The knives that are the sharpest, are the ones that have been sharpened to the point that their edges are polished like a mirror. These edges are as sharp as razors, and people could actually shave with them. Suffice it to say that this is not a fast process, but involves the use of finer and finer abrasives, working the blade over with hundreds of strokes at each level, and that ultimately results in the finest of finishes, similar to a mirror. A polished arrow would not only take into account the arrow head, but also the shaft and fletching, making sure that it would fly true, fly farther and fly faster than other arrows, and be razor sharp when it strikes. This is an arrow prepared for a special situation. This is an arrow that has seen much time in the hands of the archer, being lovingly prepared and polished over and over, ready to be used, but held back until the right time.
In "The Hobbit" (The book not the movie) Bard is one of the defenders of lake-town Esgaroth , when the Dragon wakens and flies down to destroy the town. Bard, fires almost all his arrows at the dragon, but saves his black arrow until the last. Here is a quote from the book - “Arrow!” said the bowman. “Black arrow! I have saved you to the last. You have never failed me and always I have recovered you. I had you from my father and he from of old. If ever you came from the forges of the true king under the Mountain, go now and speed well!” (The Hobbit, page 205, electronic Kindle Edition) The arrow flies true, once it is released, and buries itself in the breast of the dragon, killing it in one shot and saving all from the further wrath of the dragon.
This is the type of arrow that comes to mind when I read this verse in Isaiah. It is also interesting to note, that this was the arrow that was saved until last. One would normally think that this would be the arrow that is shot first, and it would be if it was target practice, where one wanted to prove with one shot, one's ability. However, in battle his arrow would be saved for that most important and significant shot. It was an arrow prepared for a specific purpose, not to be wasted.
When I read these verses this morning, I felt that the Lord was speaking encouragement to me and to anyone else who feels like the preparation for ministry, for doing the Lord's work, has gone on forever, yet the release into the field of ministry has not yet been realized, or only seen in small bits. I feel like the Lord is saying to not fear, or think that our time has been missed, but rather that the right time has yet to occur. The time of preparation, the time of polishing is for a purpose and we should set our hearts to enjoying the fine honing, and cleaning, sharpening and polishing that the Lord is about in our life, for this speaks of His care and preparation of us. The time of hiddenness will come to an end, and when it does, the will be a time of great acceleration and significant purpose.
The verses from Isaiah go onto some awesome promises, the Lord, saying the preparation was for purpose, and a significant purpose, a bringing of the Lord's light to all the nations, bringing restoration, freedom, healing, compassion, provision and salvation! I guess that is worth the wait!
So today, be encouraged if you have been hidden, but in a time of preparation and polishing! The time for the Lord to release you will come and it will be for a significant purpose!
[1] "Listen to me, you islands; hear this, you distant nations: Before I was born the Lord called me; from my mother's womb he has spoken my name.
[2] He made my mouth like a sharpened sword, in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me into a polished arrow and concealed me in his quiver.
[3] He said to me, “You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will display my splendor. ”
[4] But I said, “I have labored in vain; I have spent my strength for nothing at all. Yet what is due me is in the Lord's hand, and my reward is with my God.”
[5] And now the Lord says---he who formed me in the womb to be his servant to bring Jacob back to him and gather Israel to himself, for I am honored in the eyes of the Lord and my God has been my strength---
[6] he says: “It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.”
[7] This is what the Lord says---the Redeemer and Holy One of Israel---to him who was despised and abhorred by the nation, to the servant of rulers: “Kings will see you and stand up, princes will see and bow down, because of the Lord, who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you.”
[8] This is what the Lord says: “In the time of my favor I will answer you, and in the day of salvation I will help you; I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people, to restore the land and to reassign its desolate inheritances, [9] to say to the captives, 'Come out,' and to those in darkness, 'Be free!' “They will feed beside the roads and find pasture on every barren hill. [10] They will neither hunger nor thirst, nor will the desert heat or the sun beat down on them. He who has compassion on them will guide them and lead them beside springs of water. [11] I will turn all my mountains into roads, and my highways will be raised up. [12] See, they will come from afar---some from the north, some from the west, some from the region of Aswan. ”
[13] Shout for joy, you heavens; rejoice, you earth; burst into song, you mountains! For the Lord comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones."
The verse that grabbed my attention this morning is verse 2, specifically, "He has made me into a polished arrow and concealed me in His quiver." Recently I have been working on sharpening a couple of knives and studying different techniques shown on-line and on Youtube. The knives that are the sharpest, are the ones that have been sharpened to the point that their edges are polished like a mirror. These edges are as sharp as razors, and people could actually shave with them. Suffice it to say that this is not a fast process, but involves the use of finer and finer abrasives, working the blade over with hundreds of strokes at each level, and that ultimately results in the finest of finishes, similar to a mirror. A polished arrow would not only take into account the arrow head, but also the shaft and fletching, making sure that it would fly true, fly farther and fly faster than other arrows, and be razor sharp when it strikes. This is an arrow prepared for a special situation. This is an arrow that has seen much time in the hands of the archer, being lovingly prepared and polished over and over, ready to be used, but held back until the right time.
In "The Hobbit" (The book not the movie) Bard is one of the defenders of lake-town Esgaroth , when the Dragon wakens and flies down to destroy the town. Bard, fires almost all his arrows at the dragon, but saves his black arrow until the last. Here is a quote from the book - “Arrow!” said the bowman. “Black arrow! I have saved you to the last. You have never failed me and always I have recovered you. I had you from my father and he from of old. If ever you came from the forges of the true king under the Mountain, go now and speed well!” (The Hobbit, page 205, electronic Kindle Edition) The arrow flies true, once it is released, and buries itself in the breast of the dragon, killing it in one shot and saving all from the further wrath of the dragon.
This is the type of arrow that comes to mind when I read this verse in Isaiah. It is also interesting to note, that this was the arrow that was saved until last. One would normally think that this would be the arrow that is shot first, and it would be if it was target practice, where one wanted to prove with one shot, one's ability. However, in battle his arrow would be saved for that most important and significant shot. It was an arrow prepared for a specific purpose, not to be wasted.
When I read these verses this morning, I felt that the Lord was speaking encouragement to me and to anyone else who feels like the preparation for ministry, for doing the Lord's work, has gone on forever, yet the release into the field of ministry has not yet been realized, or only seen in small bits. I feel like the Lord is saying to not fear, or think that our time has been missed, but rather that the right time has yet to occur. The time of preparation, the time of polishing is for a purpose and we should set our hearts to enjoying the fine honing, and cleaning, sharpening and polishing that the Lord is about in our life, for this speaks of His care and preparation of us. The time of hiddenness will come to an end, and when it does, the will be a time of great acceleration and significant purpose.
The verses from Isaiah go onto some awesome promises, the Lord, saying the preparation was for purpose, and a significant purpose, a bringing of the Lord's light to all the nations, bringing restoration, freedom, healing, compassion, provision and salvation! I guess that is worth the wait!
So today, be encouraged if you have been hidden, but in a time of preparation and polishing! The time for the Lord to release you will come and it will be for a significant purpose!
Wednesday, January 18, 2017
Missions, Persecution and Power
This morning I was reading through some of Acts, and was trying to get a sense of some of the work Paul did on his first missionary journey. He, along with Barnabas, was sent out from Antioch, directed so by the Holy Spirit (Acts 13:2-3). They had some significant successes in establishing churches through out what would be considered Southeast and central Turkey today. In several of the cities, because of their success, the Jews got jealous and stirred up trouble for them. Nonetheless they continued to preach the Gospel, and if not welcomed in one city, moved to the next.
There are two things that stand out in the reading of Acts 13 & 14. First, they were unafraid of persecution, and if necessary moved to a new city if they met much resistance. Secondly, the Lord blessed them with miraculous signs to validate what they were preaching. Here are some excerpts:
On Cyprus - Acts 13:6-12 NIV:
[6] "They traveled through the whole island until they came to Paphos. There they met a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus, [7] who was an attendant of the proconsul, Sergius Paulus. The proconsul, an intelligent man, sent for Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the word of God. [8] But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith."
[9] "Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said, [10] “You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord? [11] Now the hand of the Lord is against you. You are going to be blind for a time, not even able to see the light of the sun.” Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand. [12] When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was amazed at the teaching about the Lord."
I love how Paul was unafraid in the face of the resistance Elymas was stirring up. He stood His ground and leaned into the authority that He had been given by the Lord. He believed that Jesus has all authority and was unfazed by the enemies tactics, and saw an opportunity for the Lord to be glorified.
In Iconium - Acts 14:1-3 NIV:
[1] "At Iconium Paul and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewish synagogue. There they spoke so effectively that a great number of Jews and Greeks believed. [2] But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up the other Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. [3] So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to perform signs and wonders."
I love the fact that Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time in Iconium, in spite of the fact that the Jews had stirred up trouble for them. They persevered and God confirmed their words through signs and wonders and the church grew.
In Lystra - Acts 14:8-12 NIV:
[8] "In Lystra there sat a man who was lame. He had been that way from birth and had never walked. [9] He listened to Paul as he was speaking. Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed [10] and called out, “Stand up on your feet!” At that, the man jumped up and began to walk."
[11] "When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have come down to us in human form!” [12] Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes because he was the chief speaker."
I think this is a great example of how people who have not heard the Gospel respond to seeing miracles, they immediately know that God (a god) is at work. In this case they mistake the source of power, thinking that Paul and Barnabas are Greek gods come to life, but they know that they have seen divine power. I also love the fact that Paul and Barnabas refuse to be glorified, which occurs in the next few verses, and I think this is critical for their hearts. Anytime the Lord moves in power through us, we are tempted to start to think we are special, and here is an extreme example of an opportunity Paul and Barnabas had to just go with what the people were saying. Instead, they humbled themselves and refused to allow pride to creep into their ministry.
Also in Lystra - Acts 14:19-23 NIV
[19] "Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead. [20] But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe."
[21] "They preached the gospel in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, [22] strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said. [23] Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust."
I think some of the most understated verses in Acts is seen here in verses 20 and 21. Paul is stoned outside of Lystra, then gets up and goes back into the city! He leaves the next day and continues preaching the Gospel like nothing happened, and then when finished in Derbe, goes back to Lystra again! I don't know about you, but if I was stoned and left for dead by a group of people, I probably wouldn't go back there, and yet that is exactly what Paul does! Clearly they were operating in great faith, and understood the authority they had in Christ.
I also like the fact that Paul wasn't afraid to tell it like it was, saying that hardships were normal to enter the Kingdom of God, and I think especially for those who are sent to expand the Kingdom of God. Make no mistake, present powers and authorities are not happy when they lose face and adherents to the Gospel, and will resist and even attack. Paul and Barnabas persevered in the face of pressure and persecution and planted multiple churches and saw the Kingdom grow to the Glory of God.
Finally, they put their trust in the Lord! They trusted that the Lord was capable of growing these new churches, the did what they could to teach them, but at the end of the day, they appointed some elders and committed them to the Lord, knowing full well that He was more than capable of taking care of these new churches.
Lord, thank You for Your faithfulness toward those who You send out. Thank You that back Your commissioning with power and authority. I pray that You will give Your Church courage and perseverance in the face of resistance and persecution. I pray that You will confirm Your Gospel with signs and wonders, miracles and healings, even as You did for Paul and Barnabas.
Amen!
There are two things that stand out in the reading of Acts 13 & 14. First, they were unafraid of persecution, and if necessary moved to a new city if they met much resistance. Secondly, the Lord blessed them with miraculous signs to validate what they were preaching. Here are some excerpts:
On Cyprus - Acts 13:6-12 NIV:
[6] "They traveled through the whole island until they came to Paphos. There they met a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus, [7] who was an attendant of the proconsul, Sergius Paulus. The proconsul, an intelligent man, sent for Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the word of God. [8] But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith."
[9] "Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said, [10] “You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord? [11] Now the hand of the Lord is against you. You are going to be blind for a time, not even able to see the light of the sun.” Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand. [12] When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was amazed at the teaching about the Lord."
I love how Paul was unafraid in the face of the resistance Elymas was stirring up. He stood His ground and leaned into the authority that He had been given by the Lord. He believed that Jesus has all authority and was unfazed by the enemies tactics, and saw an opportunity for the Lord to be glorified.
In Iconium - Acts 14:1-3 NIV:
[1] "At Iconium Paul and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewish synagogue. There they spoke so effectively that a great number of Jews and Greeks believed. [2] But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up the other Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. [3] So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to perform signs and wonders."
I love the fact that Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time in Iconium, in spite of the fact that the Jews had stirred up trouble for them. They persevered and God confirmed their words through signs and wonders and the church grew.
In Lystra - Acts 14:8-12 NIV:
[8] "In Lystra there sat a man who was lame. He had been that way from birth and had never walked. [9] He listened to Paul as he was speaking. Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed [10] and called out, “Stand up on your feet!” At that, the man jumped up and began to walk."
[11] "When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have come down to us in human form!” [12] Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes because he was the chief speaker."
I think this is a great example of how people who have not heard the Gospel respond to seeing miracles, they immediately know that God (a god) is at work. In this case they mistake the source of power, thinking that Paul and Barnabas are Greek gods come to life, but they know that they have seen divine power. I also love the fact that Paul and Barnabas refuse to be glorified, which occurs in the next few verses, and I think this is critical for their hearts. Anytime the Lord moves in power through us, we are tempted to start to think we are special, and here is an extreme example of an opportunity Paul and Barnabas had to just go with what the people were saying. Instead, they humbled themselves and refused to allow pride to creep into their ministry.
Also in Lystra - Acts 14:19-23 NIV
[19] "Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead. [20] But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe."
[21] "They preached the gospel in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, [22] strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said. [23] Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust."
I think some of the most understated verses in Acts is seen here in verses 20 and 21. Paul is stoned outside of Lystra, then gets up and goes back into the city! He leaves the next day and continues preaching the Gospel like nothing happened, and then when finished in Derbe, goes back to Lystra again! I don't know about you, but if I was stoned and left for dead by a group of people, I probably wouldn't go back there, and yet that is exactly what Paul does! Clearly they were operating in great faith, and understood the authority they had in Christ.
I also like the fact that Paul wasn't afraid to tell it like it was, saying that hardships were normal to enter the Kingdom of God, and I think especially for those who are sent to expand the Kingdom of God. Make no mistake, present powers and authorities are not happy when they lose face and adherents to the Gospel, and will resist and even attack. Paul and Barnabas persevered in the face of pressure and persecution and planted multiple churches and saw the Kingdom grow to the Glory of God.
Finally, they put their trust in the Lord! They trusted that the Lord was capable of growing these new churches, the did what they could to teach them, but at the end of the day, they appointed some elders and committed them to the Lord, knowing full well that He was more than capable of taking care of these new churches.
Lord, thank You for Your faithfulness toward those who You send out. Thank You that back Your commissioning with power and authority. I pray that You will give Your Church courage and perseverance in the face of resistance and persecution. I pray that You will confirm Your Gospel with signs and wonders, miracles and healings, even as You did for Paul and Barnabas.
Amen!
Tuesday, January 17, 2017
That Which Distinguishes Jesus' Ministry
This morning I felt I should read from Luke's Gospel. I am always encouraged when reading from any of the Gospel's for reflection on the life and teaching of Jesus, helps me to understand the heart of the Father, for everything Jesus did was directed by Him (John 5:19). This morning I am reflecting on the following verses - Luke 7:20-23 NIV:
[20] "When the men came to Jesus, they said, “John the Baptist sent us to you to ask, 'Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?' ”
[21] "At that very time Jesus cured many who had diseases, sicknesses and evil spirits, and gave sight to many who were blind. [22] So he replied to the messengers, “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. [23] Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”
This is such an encouraging and at the same time challenging passage, for it is clear that the results of Jesus' ministry point to His identity as the Messiah, but they also set a very high bar for ministry. If our goal in ministry is to continue His ministry on the earth, fulfilling the great commission He gave us in Matt 28:18-19, then one would think that the same identifying marks of His ministry should be found in ours! That is where the rubber meets the road, for His ministry was a ministry with visible and astounding results.
I think that the world is asking the same question, how are we to know if Jesus is the Messiah? If our answer is that we have the bible and good teaching, generally good people in our churches with good programs that help others, then I am not surprised that the world is looking to other things. Good people with a high moral standard is not a bad thing, but it is not a sign of God's presence on earth. There are actually atheist churches where people gather on Sundays, hear good teaching, participate in good helpful programs, have small groups, and have fellowship, yet God is specifically not invited ( http://www.huffingtonpost.com/news/atheist-church/). There must be more to our churches and to our ministries if we are to continue Jesus' ministry on earth, and be a light to the nations.
I believe Jesus' words, found here in Luke, should be our standard goal for ministry, for this is the model He gave us, and how He distinguished Himself from all the others who had come before Him. When Jesus gave the great commission, as recorded in Matthew's Gospel, He wasn't telling us to reach the world with a discipleship program that teaches virtuous living, instead He was sending His followers, who had been trained and given authority to go to the world and make disciples, in the same manner that they had been to Jesus. Jesus fully expected them to continue His ministry, through the power of the Holy Spirit, as He directed them in Acts 1:4-8.
The problem for us all is that on our own we have no power, and we must rely on the Holy Spirit. Over time, much of the church has developed theology to explain away what it was unable to replicate under its own power, and thus we have a church with limited power and authority. For many of us, our theology has been affected by our lack of experience of the supernatural, and we have settled for what we could produce, rather than pressing into that which we are called to do. Jesus gave the following directive to His disciples, "As you go, proclaim this message: 'The kingdom of heaven has come near.' [8] Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give." (Matt 10:7-8 NIV)
The good news is that there are many churches and ministries who are pressing in and expecting the Lord's ministry in and through them to have the same or similar results as Jesus' earthly ministry, as it was recorded in the Bible. The following three ministries (and many others I am sure) regularly experience miraculous results to prayer.
Bethel Church in Redding California, under pastor Bill Johnson. Here is a link to their testimonies - http://www.ibethel.org/testimonies/
Global Awakening, headquartered in Mechanicsburg, PA and run by Randy Clark. Here is a link to their testimonies - https://globalawakening.com/testimonies
Iris Ministries - Headquartered in Pemba, Mozambique and run by Heidi and Roland Baker. Here is a link to their website - http://www.irisglobal.org and here is a statement from their core beliefs: "We are totally dependent on Him for everything, and we need and expect miracles of all kinds to sustain us and confirm the Gospel in our ministry."
This morning I am encouraged to press in for a full experience of the ministry of Jesus, evident in my life and the church. I am encouraged that there are other ministries that have refused to alter their theology to fit their experience, but have rather pressed into the Lord expecting that He will move in power. Finally I am encouraged that the Lord fully intends for His church to shine brightly in this world, and will provide the means to prove to all that He is our Lord and Savior. We won't just have to take someone's word for it, but will rather have experiences that make this clear!
Come Holy Spirit empower Your church, let our light shine!
Monday, January 16, 2017
Embracing a New Diet
The last few days I have been reflecting on my life, and seeing some areas that I need to affect change. I guess you could say I am in a season on repentance, changing the way I think and then the way I act. The verse that I have been thinking about is from Paul's letter to the Romans 12:2 NIV: "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."
My realization was that I was allowing the world to affect how I thought, and that in areas this is counter to the Word of God. A.W. Tozer talks about the importance of how we think in his book, "The Knowledge of the Holy". He says, "What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us" and I believe he is correct. I found that I was allowing the culture to impact my thinking in ways that were causing my thinking about God to be affected. Tozer diagnosed a similar problem in the church, and wrote about it as follows - "The Church has surrendered her once lofty concept of God and has substituted for it one so low, so ignoble, as to be utterly unworthy of thinking, worshipping men. This she has done not deliberately, but little by little and without her knowledge; and her very unawareness only makes her situation all the more tragic." (Tozer)
Personally, I realized that I was allowing my thinking to become more conformed to the pattern of the world, and that I was allowing this to happen through my appetite for information. I have always been a reader, and one who loved to gain knowledge and understanding, and the internet has brought access to pretty much everything right to my phone, pad and PC. I have never been a big fan of TV, considering the time I sit in front of it a waste of time, but found myself spending considerable time browsing the internet instead. My thinking was that that I was gaining information, and thus not wasting time, which is just a rationalization. The truth in my life was that I was giving my time and mind to things that are not really valuable, encouraging, or uplifting. Rather than engaging my sweetheart in conversation, I was staring at my phone, scrolling through instagram photos. Rather than reading some of the books I have that would encourage me in my faith, I was browsing through people's facebook updates. Rather than spending time in prayer, I was catching up on the news and happenings in our world. No one thing was necessarily bad, but overall it was slowly drawing my mind away from the Lord and things that are truly valuable.
It is interesting how easy it is to conform to the pattern of the world, when one allows one's mind to be open to the images found in the world. It is said that a picture is worth a thousand words, and thus my browsing through photos, memes and reading things that captured my attention was filling my mind with tons of things, words and images that were distracting to my heart's desire for more of God. The saying 'we are what we eat' can be applied to our appetite for information and entertainment as well. Much like my sweet-tooth, I find that I have an unhealthy appetite for pretty much any new information, and was allowing this appetite to affect my thinking and perspective of the world.
In conclusion, I have decided that the right thing for me is to embrace a new diet, one that limits my intake of information, and the type of information. In much the same way as someone who has Celiac's disease must change their diet to become healthy, no longer eating certain things that taste good, I find that I must change my diet of information to become more healthy. I want to choose wisely what I am consuming, not just allowing the social media outlets to deliver a never-ending flow to my mind. I want to choose who and what I put into my mind, and not allow some social media algorithm to choose what I consume. I have more than enough good material, if I am hungry for new information, and have several books that I have been intending to read. I have more than enough significant and important people to spend time with in real life, rather than just perusing facebook updates. I can have meaningful conversations with family and friends, investing in relationships rather than in entertainment. I can always spend more time in prayer, allowing the Lord's word and touch to renew my mind.
Lord, please help me and give me wisdom. I want to make this diet my new life pattern, and not have it be just a few day program. I want to renew my mind, renew my thinking and be conformed to You alone.
Amen!
My realization was that I was allowing the world to affect how I thought, and that in areas this is counter to the Word of God. A.W. Tozer talks about the importance of how we think in his book, "The Knowledge of the Holy". He says, "What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us" and I believe he is correct. I found that I was allowing the culture to impact my thinking in ways that were causing my thinking about God to be affected. Tozer diagnosed a similar problem in the church, and wrote about it as follows - "The Church has surrendered her once lofty concept of God and has substituted for it one so low, so ignoble, as to be utterly unworthy of thinking, worshipping men. This she has done not deliberately, but little by little and without her knowledge; and her very unawareness only makes her situation all the more tragic." (Tozer)
Personally, I realized that I was allowing my thinking to become more conformed to the pattern of the world, and that I was allowing this to happen through my appetite for information. I have always been a reader, and one who loved to gain knowledge and understanding, and the internet has brought access to pretty much everything right to my phone, pad and PC. I have never been a big fan of TV, considering the time I sit in front of it a waste of time, but found myself spending considerable time browsing the internet instead. My thinking was that that I was gaining information, and thus not wasting time, which is just a rationalization. The truth in my life was that I was giving my time and mind to things that are not really valuable, encouraging, or uplifting. Rather than engaging my sweetheart in conversation, I was staring at my phone, scrolling through instagram photos. Rather than reading some of the books I have that would encourage me in my faith, I was browsing through people's facebook updates. Rather than spending time in prayer, I was catching up on the news and happenings in our world. No one thing was necessarily bad, but overall it was slowly drawing my mind away from the Lord and things that are truly valuable.
It is interesting how easy it is to conform to the pattern of the world, when one allows one's mind to be open to the images found in the world. It is said that a picture is worth a thousand words, and thus my browsing through photos, memes and reading things that captured my attention was filling my mind with tons of things, words and images that were distracting to my heart's desire for more of God. The saying 'we are what we eat' can be applied to our appetite for information and entertainment as well. Much like my sweet-tooth, I find that I have an unhealthy appetite for pretty much any new information, and was allowing this appetite to affect my thinking and perspective of the world.
In conclusion, I have decided that the right thing for me is to embrace a new diet, one that limits my intake of information, and the type of information. In much the same way as someone who has Celiac's disease must change their diet to become healthy, no longer eating certain things that taste good, I find that I must change my diet of information to become more healthy. I want to choose wisely what I am consuming, not just allowing the social media outlets to deliver a never-ending flow to my mind. I want to choose who and what I put into my mind, and not allow some social media algorithm to choose what I consume. I have more than enough good material, if I am hungry for new information, and have several books that I have been intending to read. I have more than enough significant and important people to spend time with in real life, rather than just perusing facebook updates. I can have meaningful conversations with family and friends, investing in relationships rather than in entertainment. I can always spend more time in prayer, allowing the Lord's word and touch to renew my mind.
Lord, please help me and give me wisdom. I want to make this diet my new life pattern, and not have it be just a few day program. I want to renew my mind, renew my thinking and be conformed to You alone.
Amen!
Thursday, January 12, 2017
A New Year's Pursuit
A New Year's focus:
Romans 12:1-2 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."
I have been listening to Bill Johnson preach some awesome messages on a renewed mind, and I certainly know this is one area where I need change. My default mindset continues to be a selfish worldview and I want my default to be in line with the Father's Kingdom mindset, and His eternal perspective. I know I made several significant steps last year, through His grace and mercy, but I know I need further transformation.
Lord, I certainly can't do this without You, so I ask for Your help, Your encouragement and direction.
Romans 12:1-2 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."
I have been listening to Bill Johnson preach some awesome messages on a renewed mind, and I certainly know this is one area where I need change. My default mindset continues to be a selfish worldview and I want my default to be in line with the Father's Kingdom mindset, and His eternal perspective. I know I made several significant steps last year, through His grace and mercy, but I know I need further transformation.
Lord, I certainly can't do this without You, so I ask for Your help, Your encouragement and direction.
Monday, January 9, 2017
A Short Encouragement
A couple of verses of encouragement - Mark 9:22b-24 NIV:
“...But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”
[23] “ 'If you can'?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”
[24] Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”
Good verses to start the new year. God is capable, and in Him everything is possible.
“...But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”
[23] “ 'If you can'?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”
[24] Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”
Good verses to start the new year. God is capable, and in Him everything is possible.
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