Welcoming the Lord

This morning I felt led to read from Mark 9, and after a brief glance at all the topics, decided to read through that chapter in its entirety to see what verses would resonate with my spirit.  This is just one of the many ways I have learned to listen to the Lord, allowing Him to steer my focus and thoughts. Yesterday I felt like He told me to turn to a specific page and start reading, and it was related to something larger that He was doing.  I love how the Lord uses multiple different ways to speak to me, and I want to be ever listening for His voice.  Probably the hardest time to listen is during work, when I am busy and my mind and thoughts are occupied with the work before me.  Lord, help me to hear You speak at all times.

Back to the reading from Mark, I felt these particular verses were significant this morning - Mark 9:37-41 NIV:

[37] “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.” 

[38] “Teacher,” said John, “we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us.” 

[39] “Do not stop him,” Jesus said. “For no one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, [40] for whoever is not against us is for us. [41] Truly I tell you, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to the Messiah will certainly not lose their reward."

I guess, to start with, the theme this morning is the welcoming of the Lord, and His word, for that is exactly what we do when we listen, we welcome Him to speak. I love the fact that when I welcome Him, I welcome the Father as well.  I do believe we can apply this to the Holy Spirit as well, if we welcome Him, we welcome the Father and Son as well.  I am eagerly anticipating them speaking into my life!

Secondly, I love Jesus' comment about the one who was doing a miracle in His name!  Someone who has been entrusted with Miracle-working power is someone we can trust loves the Lord, and is for Him.

However, as I read this verse today, I recognized that sometimes we add some additional thoughts that the Lord doesn't add here.  We think that someone with a powerful ministry (Miracles, healings, prophecy) has been "authorized" by God, and somehow that validates everything they are doing, and begin to look past sin areas, as if somehow God's approval gives them special privileges.  This is how people get themselves in trouble, and end up falling to sin, for we can believe this about ourselves as well.  

In the same way, when I listen to the Lord, sometimes I misunderstand what He is saying, or think I know what He is saying, and don't listen well, or long enough!  I once had a friend who described his recent troubles as over-exuberance, coupled with a lack of listening.  He would hear the Lord calling, and would immediately start running, never realizing that the Lord was calling His name to warn him about the impending cliff!  

We must recognize that all of us, even those redeemed, saved, justified and made righteous by Jesus' death and resurrection, can still miss what God is doing and saying!  We can misunderstand, or even fall into sinful mindsets and ideations, and allow our flesh to influence us, and through our actions impact others.  We must be on our guard, personally and as a Body of believers for any ways in which we allow vain imaginations to divert us off the path of the Lord, thinking that somehow we are more special than everyone else.  

Jesus, in verse 39, actually dealt with this idea that there were "special" followers of Him, who were the only ones approved for ministry.  I love the fact that He basically opens the door wide for any who believe in Him.  This is another area where the church can add some of our own thoughts to what Jesus said.  We think that this no longer applies, as those people actually walked with Jesus and so had His personal approval, but now anyone who ministers has to be trained and certified, and thus have created this professional minister mindset, as if ministering in Jesus' name requires a degree.  

As I was writing that I was reminded of something Paul wrote, and have included some of the surrounding context here - 1 Corinthians 12:3-11 NIV:

[3] "Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit. [4] There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. [5] There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. [6] There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work." 

[7] "Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. [8] To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, [9] to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, [10] to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. [11] All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines."

The verse that popped into my mind was verse 7, these are given for the "common good".  In other words, all of us are supposed to be encouraged and blessed by what we receive from the Lord.  We are meant to benefit from the gifts that have  been distributed amongst all the Body, not just the gifts distributed to a small professional ministry team.

These verses from Paul actually bring us back to what Jesus said in Mark.  Someone who is ministering in Jesus' name, in the power of the Holy Spirit, is part of the Body of Christ, and we should rejoice that their gift is benefitting us all.  However, we must help them to recognize this doesn't give them carte blanche approval for everything.  

Lord help us to welcome You in our daily lives!  Help us to encourage all those who would minister in Your name, for their good and the good of us all!   Help us to encourage one another in the sharing of their gifts, and let us differentiate being empowered and gifted from carte blanche acceptance.  

Amen and Amen!

Walk In The Way Of Love

For this morning - Ephesians 5:1-4,8-20 NIV:

[1] "Follow God's example, therefore, as dearly loved children [2] and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. 

[3] But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. [4] Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 

[8] For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light [9] (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) [10] and find out what pleases the Lord. [11] Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. [12] It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. [13] But everything exposed by the light becomes visible---and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. 

[14] This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” 

[15] Be very careful, then, how you live---not as unwise but as wise, [16] making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. [17] Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. [18] Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, [19] speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, [20] always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."

I think I could just focus on the second and last verse quoted above for the rest of my life!  

Walking in the way of love, always giving thanks for everything, in the name of Jesus!  It sounds so simple, and yet the day to day effort to love all, to walk out this simple yet profound command, takes everything, and that is exactly how Jesus lived.  His example, His perfect obedience, His gratitude to the Father in the midst of everything, in the laying down His divinity, in choosing to empty Himself that He might become fully man, in knowing well the ultimate cost, is such a high bar for us to attain, and yet that is the invitation, as follows.

Luke 9:23-25 NIV: "Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. [24] For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. [25] What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self?"

This is the life example of Jesus.  He embraced denying Himself daily, and followed the will of the Father perfectly!  His life, viewed from a logical, human perspective, made no sense.  Why would the Son of God come to earth and spend 30 years hidden away in a back country town as a carpenter?  The answer is that it was the Father's perfect plan, and Jesus embraced it fully!  He trusted and laid everything down, believing in the Father, believing that His life would lead to salvation for all, believing that His death would lead to resurrection, believing that one day He would reclaim everything that was rightfully His as the Son of God!  

In this light, we are invited to lay down our lives, take up our cross daily and follow Him.  Its voluntary.  It requires faith in His words, and His example.  This is not a simple invitation, and the Lord knows we need His help!  Walking in the way of love, loving others as He loved us (See John 13:34) is His command for us, and it is a daily choice.  

Oh Lord, help me today to embrace this invitation! 

Oh Lord, help me today to follow Your example!

Oh Lord, help me today to give thanks today for everything!

Oh Lord, above all else, help me to walk in the way of love!

God, Maker and Shaper of History

 

This morning I am reading from the Book of Zechariah and came upon an interesting verse, which I decided to research.  Here is the verse - Zechariah 9:8 NIV:

[8] "But I will encamp at my temple to guard it against marauding forces. Never again will an oppressor overrun my people, for now I am keeping watch."

When I read that verse I was a bit perplexed, as clearly the Temple was overrun by the Romans, and completely destroyed, so I was trying to understand the context of this verse.  I went online to one of my favorite Bible Commentators David Guzik's site www.enduringword.com and was reading his notes, Since I am not a Bible scholar in any way, I like to initially read commentaries to give me perspective that the authors have gained in their studies.

Here is some of what I learned from David Guzik's entry for this verse and chapter.

1) These verses (5-8) were prophecies concerning the next period, and accurately foretold the conquest of the eastern Mediterranean coastlands by Greek armies under the command of Alexander the Great. 

2) Verse 8 is a prophecy concerning a very interesting historical event concerning Alexander, as noted by Josephus (Antiquities 11 8;4-5).

Here is the account of Josephus:

"Now Alexander, when he had taken Gaza, made haste to go up to Jerusalem; and Jaddua the high-priest, when he heard that, was in agony, and under terror, as not knowing how he should meet the Macedonians, since the king was displeased at his foregoing disobedience. He therefore ordained that the people should make supplications, and should join with him in offering sacrifices to God, whom he besought to protect that nation, and to deliver them from the perils that were coming upon them; whereupon God warned him in a dream, which came upon him after he had offered sacrifice, that he should take courage, adorn the city, and open the gates; that the rest appear in white garments, but that he and the priests should meet the king in habits proper to their order, without the dread of any ill consequences, which the providence of God would prevent. Upon which, when he rose from his sleep, he greatly rejoiced; and declared to all the warning he had received from God. According to the dream he acted entirely, and so waited for the coming of the king."

"And when he understood that he was not far from the city, he went out in procession, with the priests and the multitude of the citizens. The procession was venerable, and the manner of it different from that of other nations. It reached to a place called Sapha; which name, translated in Greek, signifies a prospect, for you have thence a prospect both of Jerusalem and of the temple; and when the Phoenicians and the Chaldeans that followed him, thought they should have liberty to plunder the city, and torment the high-priest to death, which the king’s displeasure fairly promised them, the very reverse of it happened; for Alexander, when he saw the multitude at a distance, in white garments, while the priests stood clothed with fine linen, and the high-priest in purple and scarlet clothing, with his mitre on his head having the golden plate on which the name of God was engraved, he approached by himself, and adored that name, and first saluted the high-priest. The Jews also did all together, with one voice, salute Alexander, and encompass him about: whereupon the kings of Syria and the rest were surprised at what Alexander had done, and supposed him to be disordered in his mind.

However, Parmenio [Alexander’s second-in-command] alone went up to him, and asked him how it came to pass, that when all others adored him, he should adore the high-priest of the Jews?

To whom he replied, “I did not adore him, but that God who has honored him with that high-priesthood; for I saw this very person in a dream, in this very habit, when I was at Dios, in Macedonia, who, when I was considering with myself how I might obtain the dominion of Asia, exhorted me to make no delay, but boldly to pass over the sea thither, for that he would conduct my army, and would give me dominion over the Persians; whence it is, that having seen no other in that habit, and now seeing this person in it, and remembering my vision and the exhortation which I had in my dream, I believe that I bring this army under divine conduct, and shall therewith conquer Darius, and destroy the power of the Persians, and that all things will succeed according to what is in my own mind.”

And when he had said this to Parmenio, and had given the high-priest his right hand, the priests ran along by him, and he came into the city; and when he went up into the temple, he offered sacrifice to God, according to the high-priest’s direction, and magnificently treated both the high-priest and the priests. And when the book of Daniel was showed him, wherein Daniel declared that one of the Greeks should destroy the empire of the Persians, he supposed that himself was the person intended; and as he was then glad, he dismissed the multitude for the present, but the next day he called them to him, and bade them ask what favors they pleased of him: whereupon the high-priest desired that they might enjoy the laws of their forefathers, and might pay no tribute on the seventh year. He granted all they desired: and when they entreated him that he would permit the Jews in Babylon and Media to enjoy their own laws also, he willingly promised to do hereafter what they desired: and when he said to the multitude, that if any of them would enlist themselves in his army on this condition, that they should continue under the laws of their forefathers, and live according to them, he was willing to take them with him, many were ready to accompany him in his wars."

This is an amazing historical account that I have never heard before!  God apparently had initiated Alexander's conquest through a dream, and then confirmed the dream by having Alexander meet the priest he had seen in his dream.  The Priest then showed Alexander the prophesies of Daniel which foretold of His victory over Darius and the Persians, Alexander was obviously overjoyed and encouraged.

What was encouraging to me today was how God was intimately involved in ordering and even initiating this great conquest that we have all read about in history books!  Alexander was not a follower of God, that we know of, and yet, God moved in His life, gave him encouragement and direction that made him successful. 

Often we think that God in some way only favors and blesses His followers, and yet we see Him changing the history of pagan nations and the minds of Kings who do not know Him.  We are told by Jesus the following from Matthew 5:43-48 NIV:  “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."

Later James provides a similar perspective - James 2:1, 8-9,12-13 NIV:

[1] "My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism."

[8] "If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. [9] But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers."

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

We are called to pray for and love those who are not followers, every bit as much as those who are followers of Christ. We are called to love our neighbors, whether they are Christians or not!  The Lord is our example in this!  We are called to love and extend mercy regardless of our neighbors beliefs or religion.  Our overriding mode of operation should be love!

Finally, we can trust that God is working, even when we don't see it, or know of His interactions.  He is so much more capable than we give Him credit for, He has all authority and all power, He is not limited by our understanding or thoughts!  He is the shaper and maker of history whether we know it or not!

Amen and Amen!

Familiarity Can Lead to Offense

This morning I was reading from the Gospel of Mark, and came across a familiar story, but one that made me think differently this morning.  Here are the verses - Mark 6:1-6 NIV:

[1] "Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. [2] When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. 

“Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What's this wisdom that has been given him? What are these remarkable miracles he is performing? [3] Isn't this the carpenter? Isn't this Mary's son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren't his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. 

[4] Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.” [5] He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. [6] He was amazed at their lack of faith. 

Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village."

Both Matthew (13) and Luke (4) also repeat this story of Jesus trying to minister in His home town of Nazareth, so its pretty safe to say this really happened.  Luke's version goes into quite a bit more detail, but the basic principle is the same, Jesus, was unable to work many miracles in His hometown, and while we are told its lack of faith, in verse 3 we are told they took offense at Him.  

The Greek word used here is eskadalizonto, from which we get the word scandal, and which is defined as: to make stumble, fall into a trap, a stumbling block, or to take offense.  In our English definition of scandal we find the following definition in Webster's Dictionary: 

1 a : discredit brought upon religion by unseemly conduct in a religious person

b : conduct that causes or encourages a lapse of faith or of religious obedience in another

2 : loss of or damage to reputation caused by actual or apparent violation of morality or propriety : disgrace

3 a : a circumstance or action that offends propriety or established moral conceptions or disgraces those associated with it

b : a person whose conduct offends propriety or morality <a scandal to the profession>

I think this is the more important factor, in Jesus' struggles to do any miracle in His home town.  I have several reflections on this theme in my blog, (See - https://amomentwithgod-srh.blogspot.com/2021/09/offenses-and-our-walk.html) and will summarize it here - I think because Jesus lived in their midst and didn't do any works (for He was hidden by command of the Father) that the people became offended by His doing miraculous works in other places!  Clearly there were well familiar with Him, and knew his family and nothing was apparently unique about Him during His whole life up to that point.  He was a carpenter, and that is all.  He wasn't some wise teacher, someone who could do miraculous things, he was well known for His normalcy!    

We have a saying that familiarity breeds contempt, and this seems to be part of the issue.  They didn't think highly of Him because they knew Him and had history with Him.  

Recently I have been reflecting on growing up in the church with a Christian mindset and understanding of the basics of our faith.  I have known about Jesus since I was little, and have been familiar with Him, the bible stories, etc.  Growing up Catholic, we believed in His miracle working power, and all the works, we just rarely saw His direct intervention in someone's life.  We would pray long prayers, for days, sometimes weeks on end, in the hope of seeing our prayers answered, and while we did see answered prayers at times, there was more often than not, no dynamic interaction where people were instantly healed, or delivered, etc.  

My thinking of late is that this common experience and familiarity, has somewhat caused a lack of faith in myself.  I believe it all, I just don't expect to see it happen much in my life, the life of my close friends, and church, even though I pray all the time!  

Going back to the definition, it says the people took offense, fell into a trap, or stumbled, and I think that this is related to a powerless experience of faith. We have lived so long without seeing God work in power that we have fallen into the trap of the enemy, believing that this is our reality, and this is all God is capable of doing!  It says Jesus could only lay hands on a few sick people and heal them, and I would say that is my most regular experience of God, healing a few, no real powerful miracles, healing blind or deaf, seeing limbs grow, deliverances, etc.  

That being said, I have seen miracles and even been a part of them in my past, just nothing recently and I think the reason is because of me, not because somehow Jesus has become limited in power.  I find myself repeating the prayer of the man whose son had epilepsy (Mark 9:24), "Lord, I believe, help me in my unbelief!" 

I don't want to be offended at Jesus, or so familiar with my image of who He is, that I no longer expect Him to do miracles.  I don't want to become jealous when He does touch others! I want to experience who He really is, the son of God, establishing His kingdom in my midst, demonstrating His power, healing and doing miracles, not to show me its possible, but because that is who He is!!! 

Lord help me to overcome any familiarity I have, any unbelief I have that says You are less than exceptional!  You are exactly who You say You are, the Son of God!  You heal, You do miracles, when You pray for the sick, they are healed, when You speak to blind eyes, they see, when You speak to deaf ears they hear, and when You command the dead to rise, they do!  You are exactly who You say You are, help me to believe!

In all of this, I see the need to repent, for I find in my heart an agreement with the lies of the enemy, that at best I will only see some simple healings!  I want to press in to see miracles, signs and wonders, and I want anything in me that doesn't align with Your word to be cast from my mind and heart!  You are the Healer, the Miracle-Working, dead-raising only Son of God!  You have all authority and all power!

Amen and Amen!

Which Would You Choose?

Recently I was reading through Luke's Gospel the first 4 or 5 chapters, and had an interesting insight comparing the ministry of John the Baptist and Jesus.  

Here is John's ministry described with his message - Luke 3:2-3,7-17 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.” 

[15] The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Messiah. [16] John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. [17] His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

In contrast here is Luke's description of Jesus' ministry in Capernaum (after being rejected in Nazareth) - Luke 4:31-41 NIV:

[31] "Then he went down to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and on the Sabbath he taught the people. [32] They were amazed at his teaching, because his words had authority. [33] In the synagogue there was a man possessed by a demon, an impure spirit. He cried out at the top of his voice, 

[34] “Go away! What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are---the Holy One of God!” 

[35] “Be quiet!” Jesus said sternly. “Come out of him!” Then the demon threw the man down before them all and came out without injuring him. 

[36] All the people were amazed and said to each other, “What words these are! With authority and power he gives orders to impure spirits and they come out!” [37] And the news about him spread throughout the surrounding area. 

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

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

The thought came to me that many of our churches seem to have settled for the ministry of John, rather than the ministry of Jesus.  We preach repentance for sin and being nice, caring for one another, not being bad people, basically all things that are possible without the power of God.  

Jesus on the other hand, ministered in power and authority.  Just His presence alone was sufficient to cause demons to manifest, and He cast them out, He then went on and healed and delivered people, none of which are possible without the power of God.

I know which ministry I want to represent!  John was the greatest of the old testament prophets, but I want to experience the ministry of Jesus, the proclamation of the Kingdom, through the New Covenant, empowered through the Power of the Holy Spirit present and active!

Help us Lord!