Could He, Would He, Is He?

I was just thinking about a ministry event we had last night and some of the prayers, and ideas of how the Lord might move, and I heard myself asking, “Could He, Would He, and is He”?   This seems to be a good review of my faith position, getting His perspective, and finding where I need to get to, so that I can join what he is doing!

I hope that make sense.  I like simple phrases that help direct my reflections.

Could He?

We find scripture loaded with the many things Jesus did from walking on water, to feeding 5000, to healing a man born blind, to raising Lazarus.  In the Old testament we see God rescuing the Israelites from the Egyptian army by opening the sea, we find people raised from the dead, walls collapsing around Jericho, the sun standing still, etc.  Suffice it to say that God can do whatever He wants. Jesus said in Mark 10:27 NIV: “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.” 

Would He?

This is a bit more subjective, in that it is not so much a question of ability but rather intent.

I am reminded of one of the stories found in Matthew 8:1-3 NIV:

[1] “When Jesus came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him. [2] A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” 

[3] Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy.”

I was also reminded of several times that we find Jesus’ motivation listed as compassion,  Here a few examples:

Matthew 14:14 NIV

When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.

Matthew 20:34 NIV

Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him.

Matthew 15:32 NIV

Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way.”

As a simple test, we can tell that if the Lord’s compassion is evident or growing in us, that He is planning to move, and the answer is yes!  He would feed the 5000, heal the blind men, or heal the man with leprosy.

There are many times that Jesus’ motivation to heal or work a miracle is not mentioned.  However we find no case in scripture where He turned someone away that came to Him for healing, however we know that not every sick person mentioned in the New Testament got healed.  Jesus walked into an area full of sick people by the Pool of Bethesda and healed the one man (See John 5) so we do need to ask the question!  It is my conviction that almost  always the answer will be yes, He would, for He loves HIs people, desires them to know His love, and He is the God who heals!

Is He?

This is the most important question, for this is a present tense question.  What is He doing right now?  The first two questions have to do with faith and expectation, this question has to do with the right now!  

Using the pool of Bethesda as an example, We know God is a Healer and can heal people paralyzed.  We know that when people brought Him someone who was paralyzed, that He healed them (See Mark 2:1-12).  

In this case Jesus walks into the room of sick people and just engages the one man. Our previous two questions would assume that if Jesus walked into the pool area, He would have healed all of them, and yet we have a very clear story of His just healing the one man!  IN this illustration, the answer to our third question is that Jesus is just healing him.

I think we can draw a few principles that are helpful:

If Jesus moved to someplace He was going to do works in that place, as He had been sent there by the Father.  John 6:38 NIV: “For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.”

If Jesus is touching someone He intends to do a work in them.  No one that encountered Jesus went away unchanged.  Sometimes the change is not evident externally at first, but the fruit will be evident.

If Jesus points out someone specifically, He is likely going to move.  In Mark 5:1-5, Jesus encounters a man with a shriveled hand, and while there is much going in that story, He calls the man to stand-up.  I am not sure the man knew He was going to be healed, but I am sure the apostles expected it!

Thus, when we are asking Is He?  We should be looking around, looking for people that the Lord is moving on, touching individually or highlighting to us.  In all three of these cases, He IS clearly working, and that’s a a good place to be!  

I am reminded of something Jesus said in the Gospel of John 4:34-35 NIV:

[34] “My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. [35] Don’t you have a saying, ‘It’s still four months until harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.”

Yes Lord, help us to open our eyes and look, for there are many that need Your touch!  Help us to see what You see, to do what You would do, and join ourselves to What the Father is doing that we might finish Your work!

Amen and Amen!

Choosing Enmity?

Verses for this morning from James 4:4-8 NIV:

[4] “You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. [5] Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us? [6] But he gives us more grace. 

That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” 

[7] Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. [8] Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”

Verse 4 is a rough verse to understand, for the extreme words are quite literally what James writes.  Our potential friendship (philios) with the world puts us in conflict with God. 

How are we supposed to live in this world then?

The word that gives us the key is “chooses”.  As this is not something that just happens, or the fruit of our learning to live in this world, but rather a willing deliberate purpose and plan.  The Greek word is boulomai.

Taking this word and definition a bit further, this is not Christian individual who is trying to live at peace with those around them, rather this is the one who schemes and plans, to embrace the things of the world that are in contrast to the ways of God, giving their heart and mind to such endeavors.  This is the individual who is making a conscious choice to embrace fully the ways of this world, knowing that they are turning their back on the Lord, in doing so.

Going back to the start of verse 4, James use the term “adulterous people” and while a shocking term, it does help define those He is addressing.  No one is an accidental adulterer or adulteress.  This may not be what someone planned to do initially, but they have made a definite choice at some point, and this is what James is pointing out. James is writing to the Church, to the Bride of Christ, so the term is applicable.

I would guess that there could be a fair number of church-goers that could identify themselves in this situation, where church is just an obligation, or a club membership that has not real impact on their real life, and choices.  They go to church to keep someone happy, or to keep up appearances, but their hearts and minds are far from Christian, and they have no plans to change. There were people like this in Jame’s day and there are people like this today. 

The important point for us today is to look at our motivation, at our choices in our lives.  God, in His grace, provides the opportunity and invitation for us to allow His Word to pierce our situation, and open our eyes and to embrace change (repentance).  James lays out the invitation in the following verses, encouraging us to submit ourselves to God, to resist the enemy, the spirit and ways of this world, and to come near to God. 

My encouragement today is to take stock of my day, my thoughts, my plans, my life choices, and to make sure that they are all leading me closer to God.  I know that my life here matters, and that my heart (motivations) is what the Lord examines.  I am grateful that He has made a way for me to be in relationship with Him, and He gives me guidance and help. I also know that if there are areas or choices I have made that are counter to God’s ways, that I have the opportunity to change.  The whole point of this word from James is to provide an opportunity to do so, not to announce impending judgment.

I know I am not perfect in my pursuit of Him, nor do I always have right motivations. I am so grateful that He is a loving God who has compassion, mercy, grace and forgiveness towards me.

Today, I am encouraged to choose to draw near to God, that He might draw near to me!

Amen and Amen!

JAILBREAK!

Last night as I was laying down to sleep I was reflecting and praying briefly for the upcoming Healing Through Encounter evening we are having at our church and I heard the word “Jailbreak”.  I immediately thought of Paul and Silas and their being released from the shackles as they were praising God (Acts 16).  This morning as I thought back over that word I was reminded of Peter’s miraculous release (Acts 12) and had an interesting thought.  This morning I am going to spend some time reflecting on each story, starting with Peter’s.

Acts 12:5-12 NIV:

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

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

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

[11] Then Peter came to himself and said, “Now I know without a doubt that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from Herod’s clutches and from everything the Jewish people were hoping would happen.” 

[12] When this had dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying.”

Suffice it to say that Peter was in a very difficult situation, and the plan was for his death. He was chained and doubly guarded and locked deep in the dungeon, and chained to two guards. The prayers of the Church were rising to heaven and the Lord, as only He can do, stepped in and freed him so perfectly it seemed like a dream to Peter!  It was so miraculous that even the church couldn’t believe it had happened!   

It seems to me the Lord is saying it doesn’t matter how shackled or burdened or in the clutch of the enemy we are, He is able to set us free in an instant!

The second story is no less miraculous, found in Acts 16:22-31 NIV:

[22] “The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten with rods. [23] After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. [24] When he received these orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks. 

[25] About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. [26] Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose. [27] The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. [28] But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!” 

[29] The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. [30] He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 

[31] They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.”

Wow! Again the Lord shows that He is capable of saving us from the most desperate of situations! This time Paul and Silas were praying and worshipping, at midnight, after they had Ben severely beaten, and their feet were in stocks!  

How many of us sing and worship God when we are in dire straits?

What is interesting to me is the immediate response of the jailer, the very one who had imprisoned Paul and Silas, after realizing they hadn’t escaped He immediately asked to be saved!

Suffice it to say that in both instances there was no earthly reason for hope.  But I can tell you that in both instances those in chains and the church were praying anyway, because they knew that with God all things are possible!  Jesus has all authority and all power and has broken the power and hold of sin and death, there is nothing He can’t do, and no place that we are shackled and imprisoned that He can’t set us free!

He is planning a jailbreak and He is inviting us to believe and pray for those that are imprisoned by the enemy!  In some cases that is us!

Let us pursue Him in earnest prayer, in worship, and believe that he is going to do miraculous works, so much so that whole household will receive salvation, and those that hear about it wil be astonished and filled with hope!  Those that are set free will be so transformed it will seem like a dream!!

With God all things are possible, even in the most hopeless of situations!  

Let us believe for freedom!  Freedom from sin, freedom from sickness, freedom from depression, freedom to the mentally afflicted, freedom for the addicted, freedom for the abused, freedom for those in any type of hopeless situation! 

Amen and Amen!

Discipline, Chastening and Love?

This morning I am reminded of a reflection from a few days back, looking at discipline, chastening and the original language.  I didn’t have a chance to finish that bit so will try this morning.  Here are the verses for this morning - Hebrews 12:4-11 NIV:

[4] “In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. [5] And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? 

It says, “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, 

and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, 

[6] because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, 

and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.” 

[7] Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? [8] If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. [9] Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! [10] They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. [11] No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”

I know these are verses that certainly don’t sound like an encouragement, as indicated by the author of the Letter to the Hebrews, but I believe that is because we read into them our modern understanding of the English words.  The motivation of the Father is Agape Love (verse 6).  Thus, we must read the words disciplines and chastens from the point of that motivation.

One thing to note, verse 5 and 6 are a quotation of Proverbs 3: 11-12.  I decided to look at those verses and there we find a much “softer” original language translation.

Proverbs 3:11-12 NIV

[11] “My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, [12] because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.”

Here we find the Hebrew translation for the word rebuke:

Strong's Definitions: מוּסָר mûwçâr, moo-sawr'; from H3256; properly, chastisement; figuratively, reproof, warning or instruction; also restraint:—bond, chastening(-eth), chastisement, check, correction, discipline, doctrine, instruction, rebuke.

And Disciplines:

Strong's Definitions: יָכַח yâkach, yaw-kahh'; a primitive root; to be right (i.e. correct); reciprocal, to argue; causatively, to decide, justify or convict:—appoint, argue, chasten, convince, correct(-ion), daysman, dispute, judge, maintain, plead, reason (together), rebuke, reprove(-r), surely, in any wise.

And finally love:

Strong's Definitions: אָהַב ʼâhab, aw-hab'; or אָהֵב ʼâhêb ; a primitive root; to have affection for (sexually or otherwise):—(be-) love(-d, -ly, -r), like, friend. 

As we look at these words, there is definitely a more positive perspective, especially if we look at the root motivation of love, or deep affection, as the Proverbs notes at the end of verse 12 for added context.  

This is not an angry father beating his child, flogging them because they have made a mistake or done wrong.  This is a father who absolutely delights in his child, bringing education, training and showing the child how to do it correctly, for their own good. The Father is intimately involved working with the child to show them the right way, helping them by way of His greater experience to understand.  

We must also note that this picture, the one of a father and son, is repeated and revealed by Jesus in His parable of the Prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32), as well as in His description of the Father found in Matthew 6 & 7 during His sermon on the mount.  It is so important that we take into account the totality of the scriptural revelation when ascribing action and motivation to the Father.  

The Father is loving. 

John says God IS love (1 John 4:8).

This doesn’t mean that God doesn’t bring correction, but His motivation and methodology are consistent, for all of us.  We know that God hates sin, and without getting into some list of things, we must remember how He handles sin, as revealed through Jesus’ life!

In summary, God does help us and correct us, but He does so to help us walk the path He has for us, to help us fulfill our purpose, that which we were made to do.  We see the Father doing exactly this in the parable of the Prodigal son.  The Father welcomed the son back by running to him, embracing him and restoring him to his identity, and right purpose.  In this case, the Father didn’t have to rebuke or correct because the son had come to his senses.  In our life we should be grateful that the Lord brings correction and training on the front side, so that we don’t walk through a terrible season of separation from Him.

This morning I am actually encouraged that the Father does love me, and I see that in His correction, direction, guidance and occasional rebuke.  He never deals with me in anger, but as a son He delights in, and for that I am so very grateful. 

Lord, I pray that You would help me to see, to lay down my pride so that I might be guided, directed, trained up in discipline, that I might fulfill all that tYou have for me to do!

Amen and Amen!

God's Promise vs. Logic

This morning I have been meditating on the life of Jeroboam, who was made King by the Lord over the 10 tribes.  Here are the verses that summarize that calling and appointing - 1 Kings 11:29-31,37-39 NIV:

[29] “About that time Jeroboam was going out of Jerusalem, and Ahijah the prophet of Shiloh met him on the way, wearing a new cloak. The two of them were alone out in the country, [30] and Ahijah took hold of the new cloak he was wearing and tore it into twelve pieces. [31] Then he said to Jeroboam, “Take ten pieces for yourself, for this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘See, I am going to tear the kingdom out of Solomon’s hand and give you ten tribes.” 

[37] “However, as for you, I will take you, and you will rule over all that your heart desires; you will be king over Israel. [38] If you do whatever I command you and walk in obedience to me and do what is right in my eyes by obeying my decrees and commands, as David my servant did, I will be with you. I will build you a dynasty as enduring as the one I built for David and will give Israel to you. [39] I will humble David’s descendants because of this, but not forever.’ ”

The sad thing is that Jeroboam had the Lord’s blessing and protection, and he quickly abandoned the “Word of the Lord” for logic, even though exactly what the Lord had said came to pass.  

Continuing his story in 1 Kings 12, we see how quickly he abandoned the promise of God.  Here are a few verses of the larger story - 1 Kings 12:20,25-30 NIV:

[20 “When all the Israelites heard that Jeroboam had returned, they sent and called him to the assembly and made him king over all Israel. Only the tribe of Judah remained loyal to the house of David.” 

[25] Then Jeroboam fortified Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim and lived there. From there he went out and built up Peniel. [26] Jeroboam thought to himself, “The kingdom will now likely revert to the house of David. [27] If these people go up to offer sacrifices at the temple of the LORD in Jerusalem, they will again give their allegiance to their lord, Rehoboam king of Judah. They will kill me and return to King Rehoboam.”

[28] “After seeking advice, the king made two golden calves. He said to the people, “It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem. Here are your gods, Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.” [29] One he set up in Bethel, and the other in Dan. [30] And this thing became a sin; the people came to worship the one at Bethel and went as far as Dan to worship the other.”

I find it interesting that his advisors go back to the “golden calves” which was the very sin of the people under Moses (see Exodus 32:2-4).  The words he uses are almost identical.  

Regardless of the parallels, we see the pattern, God blessed, fulfills the promise,and then the man doubts, that the Lord will continue to fulfill His promise, and starts thinking logically, and seeking advice from other logical thinkers.  The issue is that God’s promises are not always logical, and require faith not logic to follow, and believe.  God demonstrated this over and over in their past, and yet they just quickly abandon all such understanding. 

This makes me think about the times I have abandoned God’s ways, for something that makes better sense to me.  The way the Lord described this to me, was that I was making an Ishmael instead of trusting in God’s promise (See Gen. 15 & 16). The Lord's call will often include promises that do not seem possible, practical, or logical.  We must be very careful in our thinking, and even advice seeking, to make sure that we are giving the proper place to the promise of the Lord, His word released into a situation.  

I know there have been times where I really wrestled with the Promise of the Lord, and how it seemed the exact opposite was occurring. These times are surely times of testing, and are opportunities for us to press into God even more, rather than relying on our own thoughts, logic, or even advice.

Oh Lord, help us to really trust You! Help us to believe your word, knowing that in the proper time it will be perfectly fulfilled.  Help us to trust not only Your word, but also Your timing! Help us to trust, to hold on, and to reject advice that says we should take matters into our own hands!

Thank You Lord for Your encouragement today!

Amen!

Fan Into Flame Again!

Verses for today - 2 Timothy 1:6-12 NIV:

[6] “For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. [7] For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. [8] So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. [9] He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, [10] but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. [11] And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. [12] That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.”

What a great charge and encouragement Paul gives to Timothy. I get the impression that maybe Timothy had eased up a bit in his running the race of faith.  Paul, doesn’t berate him, but encourages him to fan back into flame the gift(s) of God that he had already received.  

I do believe that any gifts that were have received are still there, though there are seasons of greater fruitfulness, and expression and growth in other gifts as well.  In our family we always bless the birthday person with gifts, but we don’t ask for old gifts back.  Sometimes the enemy convinces us that gifts or callings are just for a season, and somehow our lack of zeal or even sinfulness have caused these gifts to be removed.

All we need to do is look at the examples of great people of faith whose sinful lifestyles have been exposed to know that God’s gifts and anointings do not get removed if we sin.  Many of these individuals had powerful ministries right up until their sin was exposed.  I am not applauding the sin, but rather the mercy and grace of God in giving the gift with a no-repossession clause.  When He gives us gifts they are ours.  Whether we use them or walk in them is up to us.

So the question this morning is what gifts have I been given that I need to fan back into flame?  What gifts have I received that I have stopped believing I have access to?  What things has the Lord put in me for His own purpose, through His grace?  

Clearly I have not done anything to earn any gifts, yet He, in His infinite wisdom, has given them to me for a purpose!  He is patient and loving, merciful and compassionate, and expects me to have seasons of greater fruitfulness and passion, for He knows what my life is like. He has walked among us, has lived a life on earth and understands fully what we encounter, and struggle against. 

This morning I am encouraged to look at my life, to remember the things the Lord has gifted to me, and to believe that everything he has given me, is still mine to walk in and enjoy.  His purpose is intact, His plans are perfect!  I just need to step in, to dust-off, to re-believe, and receive His empowering through the Holy Spirit.

Amen and Amen!