Keep On Truckin - Producing Good Fruit

 

Continuing the theme of good fruit, I continue reading from John 15:9-17 NIV:

[9] “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. [10] If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. [11] I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. [12] My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. [13] Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. [14] You are my friends if you do what I command. [15] I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. [16] You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. [17] This is my command: Love each other.”

Verse 16 grabbed my attention this morning, especially since I was reflecting on good fruit yesterday.  I will take some license with this statement of Jesus and apply it to me, for I believe that He does offer each of us the same invitation to be in relationship with Him and represent Him to the world, which was the call of the Apostles, to whom He was speaking in this chapter.  

The idea that Jesus chose them specifically, and then appointed them to go bear good fruit, must have been a huge point of motivation for the remainder of their life!  Jesus was depending on them and had chosen them specifically! 

In the same way, I believe the opportunity and invitation to follow Jesus is there for each of us!  I have certainly responded to the call to follow Him. There have been times where I specifically felt appointed to certain ministerial roles, and know for sure that I am called to represent Jesus to those around me.  I do feel that I have produced some good fruit, but probably not anywhere near as much as I could, and that for me is the invitation to do better.

I do not dwell on past missed opportunities, but rather look forward and try to do better, to produce better fruit, to better represent Jesus!  I am reminded once again of Paul’s statements from his letter to the Philippians 3:12-14 NIV:

[12] “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. [13] Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, [14] I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

I am reminded of a saying form the 1970’s when “keep on truckin” was a theme one often saw on t-shirts.  I must forget what is behind and keep on trucking, working to produce good fruit through my representation of Jesus.  His command is simple, “love each other as I have loved you” (Verse 12 above) and the good fruit must be produced through this love!

My prayer is that I might bear much good fruit!  That I might represent the Love of Christ to each one that I meet, and that I keep on producing good fruit for the remainder of my life.  I want to continue to press on toward that goal!

Amen!

Good Fruit and Relationship

This morning I am reading from Matthew’s Gospel.  In my Bible app, these first verses were the highlighted verses of the day and as I started reading them I had some additional revelation.  Here are the verses - Matthew 7:15-23 NIV:

[15] “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. [16] By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? [17] Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. [18] A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. [19] Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. [20] Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. 

[21] “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. [22] Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ [23] Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

These two sets of verses provide an interesting contrast which almost seems contradictory at first.  The first set Jesus is talking about the fruit of a person’s speech and prophetic ministry being the way to tell good from bad.  In the second set of verses, He says that even if a person is doing miracles in His name (what would apparently be good fruit) it is possible that they still evildoers. 

The last line of the second set (verse 23) gives us the key as to why these types of people could be considered evildoers, and it is lack of relationship with the Lord. The Lord in declaring, “I never knew you” is saying I have no relationship with you so it is not possible you were doing things in my name! In the same way the prophet is thought to be speaking messages from the Lord, but again, are misrepresenting themselves, for they clearly have no real relationship with the Lord!  

The Greek word Ginosko is translated “knew” and it denotes deep and intimate knowledge (it can describe sexual intimacy between a man and a woman, and thus is speaking of much more than a passing knowledge of another, but rather a deep knowing.  After nearly 40 years of marriage I often know exactly how my wife is thinking or how she will react, at times we can just look at each other and know fully what the other is thinking.  I can generally represent her to others.

Jesus, is calling us into that place as well, where we can actually represent Him to others, by way of deep and abiding relationship.  In such a relationship there is never a point where you can stop learning, stop listening, or stop interacting, as we are all living and growing and capable of individual thought.  One of the more common questions between my honey and myself is “what are you thinking about?” We know that despite 40 years of marriage that there is more to know about our spouse.

In the same way, we are invited into a constant, growing relationship with the Lord.  As we learn who the Lord is, through our interactions, we are more able to represent Him to others who don't know Him!  We can learn to speak to others what He is saying.  We can learn to see and hear what He is doing and join ourselves to that effort. 

If we are operating outside of that type of relationship, than we are on dangerous ground, and our actions and words would not be inline with His!  We can never assume to know, we must actually know what He is doing, and what He is saying.

I think the caution of judging by fruit is critical here.  The Lord makes a clear distinction between good and bad fruit, and it is important to understand what exactly He is referring to with this idea. The Greek word translated fruit is Karpos, and it is defined as follows:

1) fruit

          A) the fruit of the trees, vines, of the fields

          B) the fruit of one's loins, i.e. his progeny, his posterity

2) that which originates or comes from something, an effect, result

          A) work, act, deed

          B) advantage, profit, utility

          C) praises, which are presented to God as a thank offering

What is clear is that is something visible, and is the result of words or actions, another way to think would be what are their words and actions birthing, or bringing forward.  In the false prophet section, it is clear the Lord is speaking about those whose whole motivation is toward themselves, not towards the Lord.  They are hungry for notoriety,for prestige, for whatever they fancy.  They are in disguise, thus actively trying to hide their true nature, but in time it will become evident.  They might have started in the Lord, but have lost connection and are now driven by their own desires.

I am reminded of some verses from John, where the Lord speaks about remaining connected to Him - John 15:1,4-5 NIV:

[1] “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.”

 [4] “Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.” 

[5] “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

Apart from Him we can do nothing.  He is speaking about good fruit here.  We can create bad fruit on our own, and that is the only possible outcome of our acting on our own.  This is why relationship with Him, being connected to the vine, being known by Him, and knowing Him, is so essential.

Lord, I pray that You would help me to remain connected to You!  That I might be known and know, that I might be able to represent You because of the depth of my relationship with You!

Oh Lord, help us to judge rightly by the fruit we are producing and help us to remain connected to You.

Amen and Amen! 

Be Found "IN" Him

This morning I am reading from Paul’s letter to the Colossians 2:2-3,6-7,9-10,16-19, 23 NIV:

[2] “My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, [3] in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” 

[6] “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, [7] rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. [9] For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, [10] and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority.” 

[16] “Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. [17] These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ. [18] Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you. Such a person also goes into great detail about what they have seen; they are puffed up with idle notions by their unspiritual mind. [19] They have lost connection with the head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.”

[23] “Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.”

The idea this morning that resonates with me is that our call is to be “IN” Christ.  Paul encourages them to live their lives “in” Him, rooted “in” Him, built up “in” Him.  The thing is you can’t be in Himi, and then trying all these external things to gain His favor, or special treatment, as You are already “in” Him, living united with Him.  You don’t need special secret knowledge, special rules, or the like, those are the result of trying to earn what You already have, intimate relationship and continual access to the One.

I think at times we can get carried away with worship of an idea of who Christ is, maybe as King, or the ruler and creator of the Universe, or the one whose holiness and magnificence would kill us if it were fully revealed.  We think about how someone like that should be worshipped and honored, and we forget that the invitation for all of us is to intimate relationship with God, who invites us into all that He is!  

Its almost inconceivable that this invitation could be true, but it is!  Christ, became fully man,that He might open the way to the Father once again, and showed us how willing the Father is to have relationship with us!    It really is impossible for us to fully understand, but I know all the answers to this are found in relationship with Him, for “in” Him are “hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”  If we want knowledge, it is found “in” Him!

My prayer today is that I might press “in” to a relationship with Him, for He is inviting me deeper and desires a relationship with me, as ridiculous as that sounds!  

Thank you Lord for making the way and issuing the invitation!

Amen!

My Mom, Her Legacy

For those of you who don’t know, my mother passed from this earthly existence on March 9th.  For those who knew her, it was a surprise and yet not a surprise, as she had been ready and was tired, and mentioned it often.  It was a surprise in that she appeared in good health, was her typical 92 year old self, still living at her condo by herself, alert mentally, slowed physically by her knee and other ailments from her 92 years of life.  Mom had been praying that the Lord would allow her to pass in her sleep in her own bed, and that is exactly how she transitioned into  eternal life, after a full weekend of family activity.  Her bed was undisturbed and it looked like the Lord just met her peacefully in a similar way that my Dad passed 10 ½ years, ago, passed into eternity in an instant.

I am so grateful that her passing was quick, and peaceful, for though she didn’t fear death, she wasn’t a fan of pain and suffering.  She was definitely ready to pass-on, her heart was at peace and she was looking forward to seeing Dad again. She had a picture on her wall of the two of them dancing and the caption under it read, “The Dance Will Continue” and I am sure that is exactly what is happening now in heaven, no more bad knee, or swollen hands!  

Mom had much more spirit than many of us thought, for we were quite sure that when Dad passed she wouldn’t be far behind him, but she surprised us all, and I think surprised herself, when she chose to continue to live, knowing that her Mom and older sisters had all lived well after their husbands passed.  She was resilient in an old wiry person sort of way, she had 3 hip replacements, and needed a new knee, she broke ribs, tore muscles, lacerated her liver in one recent fall, but recovered from them all in amazingly quick fashion and returned time and again to her condo, her friends and her family. 

I liked to get her going, trying to get a rise out of her by saying things that I knew would catch her attention, and she never ceased to rise to the occasion, firing back some sly remark, with a sparkle in her eye and knowing smile..  Even in her hospital room or rehab she would rise up and respond with her sly wit.  She was worried about her lapses of memory, but then would destroy me with a 10 move rearrangement of the rummi-cube table to clear her tiles.  

She had more fire in her than we thought, and I pray that in some small way I can emulate her fire, her love for life, her love for her family, and her modest and simple life!  She loved caring for those around her, was never a showboating type (I must have got that from my dad) and was one who had this inner peace and joy.

She used to wonder what would happen to all her stuff when she passed.  She would comment on it often and I would always assure her that she didn’t need to worry about it.  I realize now that it was her way of wondering if people cared enough about her to want something to remember her by, and I can assure you her whole family absolutely loved her enough to want keepsakes that remind us of our loving Mom, Grandma and GG (great grandma).

As I think back on our life, I think two things stand out about mom, her faithfulness and her love.  She was faithful in her love, support, and care for our family, and was the constant in our life. Not that Dad wasn't as well, but she was a stay-at-home Mother, who was always there!  She had 5 children in 6 years, and our little sis 6 years later, and was always cooking, cleaning, caring, baking, making lunches, and watching over us.  She was a great example of love, and was for me my first real example of someone that loved me unconditionally.  I remember well her care, her special allowances for my certain food dislikes, and her constant support and care.  

These last 10 ½ years I have tried to visit her regularly, and it was always a joy to come home, and spend the weekend with her, playing cards, rummi-cube, talking, sharing a meal, etc.  She never allowed her own issues to keep her from loving on me.  We shared many a meal and many desserts and sweets.

Mom’s faithfulness and love also had a firm foundation in her faith, for she was trying to live as one who followed Christ Jesus, and her whole life revolved around her faith.  Every morning she would spend time in prayer, and if she could she would attend Catholic Mass daily.  She loved her faith, and loved God and saw her life as an expression of that love.  As I mentioned before she was a great example of unconditional love, the same love that  God has for each of us.  I am confident of this, that she prayed for me, and everyone in our family, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren every day!  

I could keep on writing, and probably will one day, but I just wanted all to know what a wonderful mother I had, and what an amazing woman she was.  I will miss her the rest of my life, and while the pain is less knowing she was ready and passed peacefully, the pain will be there until I see her again.  I do know that she was met with a loving embrace and heard the words, “Well done my good and faithful one!”

I love you Mom and always will!  Your legacy of love and faithfulness lives on in your children, grand-children and great-granchildren!

Dance on, for your knees and hips are brand-new!

Always, Continually, All Circumstances...

My verses for today - 1 Thessalonians 5:12-24 NIV:

[12] “Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. [13] Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. [14] And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. [15] Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. 

[16] Rejoice always, [17] pray continually, [18] give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 

[19] Do not quench the Spirit. [20] Do not treat prophecies with contempt [21] but test them all; hold on to what is good, [22] reject every kind of evil. 

[23] May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. [24] The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.”

All of the above is just good stuff, but the focus for me today is the following sentence, which is broken into three verses (for some reason) - [16] “Rejoice always, [17] pray continually, [18] give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 

This is such a mind-set changer… even though I am generally an optimist, I am a far cry from the “rejoice always”!  I am not sure how one can do this aside from seeing things constantly from God’s perspective, or from a place of total surrender, like Brother Lawrence. I am much too aware of my own selfish perspective, so much so that I miss God’s perspective most of the time (I think).  

The second phrase, “pray continually” is one step in the activity direction, from rejoice always. It is observing and then joining in prayer to what the Lord is doing or wanting to do!  Imagine if we had such an awareness all day long,just a constant flow of insight from the Lord, that we respond to in the place of prayer (conversations and proclamations).  I am so unaware of what He is doing most of the time, my constant prayer is more like, “Help, I am clueless, where do I start…”

Finally, the heart check of ‘giving thanks in all circumstances’!  I absolutely don’t do this!  I am quick to complain, quick to get frustrated, quick to lose my peace!  I lack patience and with that the Lord’s perspective.  I see so much opportunity for growth in this area!  

While this reflection might seem negative, almost depressing, I am actually encouraged.  I see here the opportunity for growth, for betterment, and the invitation from the Lord to step into His stream!  I know the Lord is capable of helping me change, of giving me the strength to grow, to become more like Him. He knows me intimately and knows how to help me, how to encourage me and how to motivate me to change. 

This is not some unattainable goal, but one that I can embrace to the best of my ability every day!  Could I be more aware of the Lord every day?  Surely!  Can I check my attitude and ask the Lord to help me see things form His perspective?  Absolutely!  Can I embrace a joyful outlook as I view the path before me, and this day?  I can try my best.  

I am convinced the path forward with the Lord is always an invitation to be more like Him, and these few verses, “rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances” sound just like I imagine the Lord was like, living amongst us! Oh that I might better represent Him, and live in the place of relationship with Him every day, all day long!

Amen and amen!

Speech and Love

This morning I have been thinking about our speech and the importance of how we speak.  As I was praying I felt led to turn to James 3, which is a chapter dealing with our tongue, and speech.  Here are the verses - James 3:9-18 NIV:

[9] “With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. [10] Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. [11] Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? [12] My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water. 

[13] Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. [14] But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. [15] Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. [16] For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. 

[17] But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. [18] Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.”

Without getting deeply into these verses, the theme that is rolling around in me is judging our speech by its fruit.  James alludes to this in verses 12, 17 and 18.  As we know what we sow is what we reap, in general, and if you plant grapes it won’t bear figs.  We should look at the fruit of our speech and judge what we are sowing?  Does it sound like we are sowing wisdom from Heaven?  Is it pure, peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy, and good fruit?

When we speak of good fruit, I am reminded of Paul’s list of the fruit of the Spirit found in Galatians 5:22-23 NIV: 

[22] “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, [23] gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”

The interesting thing is that sometimes people believe that somehow sowing division, doubt, discord, accusations and disunity will result in righteousness, for they are exposing “sin”.  People attack others, gossip and slander one another in the name of righteousness, and don’t see the disconnect in what is being sown.

The other day I was doing some research into gossip and slander and the base definition of both (in the Hebrew “rakil”) is a travelling tale-teller, or a traveling scandal-monger.  In other words they take something they have heard, and spread it to those who have not heard.  While the motivation might be to “uncover unrighteousness” this seems to me to be the exact opposite of our call to be evangelists, to share the gospel of Grace  or the “Good news” with those who haven’t heard!  

Our world is presently full of this type of behavior, people are sharing their offenses, that others might join them in being offended.  We think nothing of speaking about people’s motivation without any conversation with the individual!  It has become so bad that we now have fact-checkers, and fact-checkers checking fact-checkers, for we seem to have lost any sense of the truth.  We have people building cases against people they have never met, or talked to, with scant evidence or hear-say. This is happening all around us, and the church is not immune.  

The question is what can we do about it in our own life, as Christians?

First, we should consider our words and actions as compared to Jesus' command to us, to love one another the way He loves us (John 13:34).  Are we loving one another as defined in Paul’s great passage on love found in 1 Cor13?

Secondly, I would say that we need to rein in our tongues, our speech, and consider what we are sowing.  What will be the fruit of our speech?  Paul provides us two lists in Galatians 5 and we can check which fruit is the likely outcome of our speech.

Thirdly, we should look to scripture for guidance on how to deal with sin and specifically those who sin against us.  Jesus has some very clear direction recorded in Matt 18.

If we can learn to love one another the way Jesus loves us, we will be so different than the world that they will know that we follow Him!  Oh, that we would sow peace!  

Lord, help us to not get caught up in the flow of society that spews offense all day long!  Let us operate from a place of humility.  Help us to speak what is pure, peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy, and good fruit!

Amen and amen!!

Surpassing Worth of Knowing Jesus

This morning I felt led to read from Paul’s letter to the Philippians 3:3-8 NIV:

[3] “For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh— [4] though I myself have reasons for such confidence. 

If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: [5] circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; [6] as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless. 

[7] But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. [8] What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ.”

As I was reading these this morning I was thinking about our idea of righteous living, being a good person, getting to heaven because of our actions.  Paul grabs a shovel and buries that sort of thinking here, for that is nothing more than a repackaging of the Law, without all the blood sacrifices.

Paul, who had lived a faultless life according to the Law, understood that none of that mattered!  It was only through knowing Jesus, through gaining Him relationally, that has any eternal value, if you will.  He speaks of considering all of that former (self) righteousness as garbage compared to gaining Christ, the Greek word here meaning to gain His favor and fellowship.

I guess we could step back and say that the former self-righteousness has some value, as does being a good person.  I liken it to finding a $20 bill in the street; its good, provides some value, might even provide a meal, but compared to eternal life, and being a co-heir with Christ, being an adopted daughter or son of the Father, that $20 is almost worthless. 

All of our best efforts will not replace relationship with Christ Jesus, and He has done all things required for our entering into relationship with Him, with the exception of choosing Him.  He does not force us into relationship with Him, it must be our choice, but everything else is already accomplished.  We can’t do anything to earn an invitation, it is already there in front of us, waiting to be responded to!  

It is interesting how many, when provided the opportunity to enter a relationship with Him, turn away to other things, in a vain attempt to gain what is waiting for them through relationship.  For whatever reason, whether pride, unbelief that it could be so simple, feelings of unworthiness, there are those that turn away when provided the invitation.  

The most amazing thing is that Christ will never withdraw the invitation, no matter the life choices, or how many times He has been rejected, there is always a path open, and He is waiting with open arms to welcome us all!  He has made the way and paid the price for us all.  His constant pursuit of us, and showering His favor on us, in spite of our waywardness, is just a reflection of His eternal character and love!  He is love!  He is Good.  He is our Light and Life. 

Let us consider our lives and see if wee have somehow decided that we are earning what He is freely giving us!  Let us look and see if we assign highest value to our relationship with Him!

As Paul writes, all else is garbage compared to gaining Christ!

Amen and Amen!

No Needy Among Them

The verses that are constantly on my heart of late are from Paul’s letter to the Philippians 2:1-5 NIV;

[1] “Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, [2] then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. [3] Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, [4] not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” 

[5] “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:”

I just can’t get away from this idea that our invitation in all of this is to embrace humility and selflessness!  Our focus should be on others, not on ourselves.  Paul describes it as looking to the interests of others,and not ourselves!  

Can you imagine what it would look like if we all embraced this looking to other’s interests first, before we look to our own?

Marketing would have to radically change, for today everything is directed to our selfish concerns, or self-focused concerns.  The idea is that if we are satisfied internally then we can care for others.  Paul, in reflecting on Jesus, recognizes that this is not how he lived, but the opposite of how Jesus lived. He laid down His life, embraced humility, served others, becoming like us, that He could have compassion and mercy, having experienced everything that we experience.  He did all this willingly.

Again, imagine if we lived our live this way?

Many years ago, we had friends at church whose young daughters (they were in second or third grade I think) embraced this idea of caring for others first so much that the school they went to call the parents in and described the way they took care of other students, regardless of their own peril. They were giving away coat, mittens, lunches, etc.  The teachers were concerned that they were somehow disabled in their social skills as they seemed to have no concern for their own well-being.  The parents tried to explain that their children were not socially disabled, but were actually living out the command of Jesus to love one another the way He loved us.

Wouldn’t it be strange to walk into a church gathering of whatever purpose and experiencing the care of everyone in that place?  Would we wonder if it was a cult?  

Luke describes the early church in similar words, if you look deeper at what he is saying, here are two examples:  

Acts 2:44-45 NIV:

[44] “All the believers were together and had everything in common. [45] They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.”

Acts 4:32-35 NIV:

[32] “All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. [33] With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all [34] that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales [35] and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.”

I dare say that this is not the normal church experience.  

We can reason this away by saying that maybe this was just because of all the excitement of the early believers, except for Jesus’ teaching and life that demonstrated the supreme example of this in laying down His life for all of us sinners.  Jesus lived this first!  The Apostles and the early church followed Jesus’ example.

They embraced this idea that they could be like Jesus and look to other’s needs before their own!  The  church embraced this so fully that all needs were met!  Imagine, of the five thousand (See Acts 4:4) who believed, there were no needy persons!

Wow!

Is it possible? Clearly it is, as it was demonstrated by the early Church! 

I don’t think it is possible for man to do it on our own.  Many have tried the commune idea, the utopian model where everyone is cared for and equal.  These always seem to fail after a time, fo man in his best efforts cannot sustain a focus on others.  The difference between the many failed examples and the early church was that they were filled with the power and conviction of the Holy Spirit!

Oh Lord, I pray that we might once again embrace these challenging words!  That we might learn how to embrace Your mindset!  That we might learn how to put others' needs before our own!  That we might see a church rise up that fulfills Your command to love one another the way you loved us!

Amen and Amen!

The Throne of Mercy

This morning as I opened my Bible app, the suggested verse for the day caught my eye, and I thought it worthwhile for some real reflection.  I have included some of the surrounding verses for context.  Here are the verses - Hebrews 4:12-16 NIV:

[12] “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. [13] Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” 

[14] “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. [15] For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. [16] Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

The last verse is the one that really grabbed my attention this morning, specifically the fact that apparently we need to approach God’s throne so that we may receive mercy.  This seems the opposite of what my flesh and human logic would want to do… I would prefer to stay far away from any potential judgment.  I don’t want the Lord to see me, or see my weakness. 

I don’t think I am alone in this, for we have natural fight and flight responses to things that threaten our lives.  The preceding verses speak of how all of our lives are uncovered and laid bare before God, and I believe that if God were to truly look at my life that He would sentence me to eternal judgment. 

I am not wrong in my belief, except for the fact that Jesus gave His life for me, and substituted Himself for me, paying for all of my sins!  He is the only reason I am not judged!  He is also the only reason that I can approach God’s throne in confidence!  He knows my exact condition!  He knows my weakness, and yet He chose me!

I am reminded of a few verses from Paul’s letter to the Romans 5:8-11 NIV:

[8] “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 

[9] Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! [10] For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! [11] Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.”

I have been reconciled to God through Jesus’ sacrifice.  It is only because of Him that I have any life, any hope, any ability to stand, and any confidence in approaching the Throne. Paul writes also that our lives are now hidden in Christ (Col 3:3) so in a very real sense when we are approaching the Throne, we do so from within Christ.  

I am reminded of some additional verses found later in Paul’s letter the Romans 8:31-35 NIV:

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

Putting this all together, while we were still sinners, Jesus paid for us, and our lives are now hidden in Him.  When we approach the throne, we do so fully aware that it is only through Him that we may do so!  When we do so, we find He is sitting next to the Father interceding for us!  He is not sitting there bringing charges against us, He is sitting there on our behalf, telling the Father how much He loves us, how much He paid for us, and how He has chosen us!  

How could the Father extend anything but mercy to us? 

Therefore, let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need!!

We need mercy, and we need help and both are readily available to us at the Throne!  Mercy is best understood in the face of the alternative, and when we come to the Throne, we should be fully aware of what we should receive, if not for Jesus!

The Good News is that this mercy is available to all of us who would believe, to all who put their faith in Jesus, the only one who has made a way!

Even more so, not only do we receive mercy, but we receive real help in the grace that is poured out on us!

Amen and Amen!

Water From The Rock & Embracing Our Identity

This morning I felt like I should revisit a reflection from 10 years ago where I was thinking about the story of 'the water from the rock' found in Exodus 17:1-7 NIV:

[1] "The whole Israelite community set out from the Desert of Sin, traveling from place to place as the Lord commanded. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. [2] So they quarreled with Moses and said, “Give us water to drink.” Moses replied, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you put the Lord to the test?”

[3] But the people were thirsty for water there, and they grumbled against Moses. They said, “Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to make us and our children and livestock die of thirst?”

[4] Then Moses cried out to the Lord, “What am I to do with these people? They are almost ready to stone me.”

[5] The Lord answered Moses, “Go out in front of the people. Take with you some of the elders of Israel and take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. [6] I will stand there before you by the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it for the people to drink.” So Moses did this in the sight of the elders of Israel. [7] And he called the place Massah and Meribah because the Israelites quarreled and because they tested the Lord saying, “Is the Lord among us or not?”

A couple of things pop into my mind immediately:

First, the Hebrew people were persistent in their unbelief and ungratefulness.  They were always more worried about what God was going to do today, rather than thinking about what God did yesterday and how that revealed His character and faithfulness in caring for them.  I am reminded of how often I am exactly like this, immediately starting to complain if something doesn't go my way.

Secondly, they were in this place because they were following God, as He directed them.  God had a plan.  He always does!   He was going to provide for them, as He promised He would, but the people weren't willing to wait on God.

Their perspective, once again, was limited by the present situation, not having learned about God's blessing and provision from His previous acts and interactions.  He had previously provided manna and quail, had purified poisoned water, and safely protected them from the pursuing Egyptian army!   A location without water was not going to be a problem for God.  The people, however, were quick to complain and grumble.

I know that by following the Lord, I have several times found myself in what appear to me to be difficult situations, and in those times I am quick to follow the Hebrew people's example of grumbling and complaining. As I think about this, I realize that this is a symptom of an unrenewed mindset, and wrong identity.  The Hebrew people were no longer slaves, they were God's chosen people, the people of His promise, but their mind-set was still slave-like.  Slaves have no choice and no freedom, and when things are difficult they complain and grumble, for that is all they can do.  Slaves are justified in their complaints against unfair and cruel masters.

The problem is that God isn't like their former masters and they were no longer slaves, they were His chosen people.  He loved them, chose them and promised to take care of them and protect them.  The people didn't trust God, didn't trust Moses, and were convinced they would have been better off to have stayed in Egypt.  They were deluded in their thinking, as we can clearly see from our perspective looking back, but in the midst of it all, they could not see their wrong perspective.

In the same way, my sometimes struggles in believing God is good and for me are the result of an unrenewed mind, and wrong identity.  I am thinking like someone who hasn't met or experienced God's love, and I am not embracing my identity as His son, whom He greatly loves.  As Paul says in his letter to Ephesians 1:3-10,15-21 NIV:

[3] "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. [4] For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love [5] he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— [6] to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. [7] In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace [8] that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, [9] he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, [10] to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ." 

[15] "For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, [16] I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. [17] I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. [18] I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, [19] and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength [20] he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, [21] far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come."

Following those wonderful thoughts I am reminded of Paul’s writing found in Colossians 3:1-4,12-14 NIV:

[1] "Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. [2] Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. [3] For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. [4] When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory."

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

Lord, I pray that I might fully embrace this reality, this truth that not only have I been chosen, invited into sonship and given every spiritual blessing, redeemed, set free and now am hidden in You!  It is too much to comprehend, but it is my inheritance!  

I pray that You might expand my experience, my understanding of Your Glorious love.  I pray that I might better represent You and Your blessings and provision to those around me!  Help me to  clothe myself with Your characteristics and above all, Your love!   Help me Lord to embrace my identity as Your son, holy and dearly loved.  Help me to fully believe in You, Your Word, Your promise and Your timing.  

Help me to see things from Your perspective, rather than from an earthly slavish mindset!  There is no doubt that You can provide water from a rock, pools in the desert, and blessing in the midst of the most difficult seeming circumstances!

Amen and Amen!