God Gives Us All Things

(NIV)Romans 8:31-32
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?

I was struck by verse 32, and the simple logic of that statement. Clearly if God gave up His Son for us, why would He ever withhold anything from us. Burton Coffman writes this about verse 32:

"The confidence of the apostle in this verse is founded upon the principle of logic called a fortiori, being a progression from the great to the lesser. The great gift is that of God's only Son; and surely the love that provided such an unspeakable gift could not fail to provide whatever else might be required to accomplish his purpose of redeeming people, the particular things apparently in view here being whatever earthly encouragement and provision might be necessary to the achievement of the Christian's ultimate salvation to the uttermost."

So, God the Father is for us, Jesus died for us, is with us and is constantly interceeding for us, the Holy Spirit is within us, leading us, guiding us, teaching us, giving us His life and power, and even praying through us. On top of all that, God graciously gives us all things that we need. What an awesome promise and reality!

Lord, how can we not love You and serve You in our love. Lord, help us to see this reality more clearly and live in this reality more fully. I get this feeling that the vast majority of us only ever experience the tiniest slice of the life that You would have us experience, if we could ever just fully embrace all that You have for us. Lord, help me to grab onto Your promise, and fully plumb the depths of all that You have for me. I don't want to live my life having experienced only a slice of what You would love for me to experience, I want the whole pie! :-)

The Lord Is Our Shepherd

I was reading Psalm 95 yesterday:

(NIV)Psalm 95:1-3, 6-7
Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. [2] Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. [3] For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods.
[6] Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; [7] for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care.

I love the whole shepherd and sheep image. We are Your sheep Lord, we are under Your care, and we say it is good, pleasant and beautiful. I am reminded of Psalm 23:

(NIV)Psalm 23:1-3
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. [2] He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, [3] he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.

Yes Lord under Your care we lack nothing we need. Your provision, peace and rest are ours, You bring refreshment to our souls. Holy Spirit You are the refreshment of our souls, You are the fountain of living water in our souls, bringing refreshement renewal and life. You also guide us and lead us on the path we should take, You are our guide!

(NIV)John 6:63
The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you---they are full of the Spirit and life.

(NIV)John 14:26-27
But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. [27] Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

(NIV)John 16:12-15
“I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. [13] But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. [14] He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. [15] All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.”

(NIV)John 4:14
...but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.

Lord, I desire all the fullness of all of what You promised. I know that this is Your will for me, for nothing that I think about You and desire about You ever was birthed in me, but rather in Your heart for me. Lord, lead me and guide me, fill me and use me. I give You everything, all that I am, into Your control and service. My desire is that I might know You and glorify Your Name to all.

"Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. [2] Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. [3] For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods. [6] Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; " Psalm 95:1-3,6

Seek the Lord

Yesterday morning I was reading several verses and the theme of seeking the Lord was quite prevalent. I started reading in John, and that spurred me on to pursue Him, to seek Him more.

NIV)John 14:15-21
“If you love me, keep my commands. [16] And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever--- [17] the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. [18] I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. [19] Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. [20] On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. [21] Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”

Lord, that You that You have provided a way for Your presence to be with us and in us. Lord, I know I don't need to feel this for it to be reality, but I also look at my life and realize that i am living with just a shadow of what You promised. Lord help me! Lord fill me! Lord be in me, so much so that Your presence is evident to all, not for my glory, but for Yours.

(NIV)Psalm 53:2
God looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God.

Lord, my desire is to find You in all the fullness of Your promises, to seek You with all my heart.

(NIV)Isaiah 55:6-7
Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near. [7] Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.

(NIV)Hosea 10:12
Sow righteousness for yourselves, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, until he comes and showers his righteousness on you.

Yes Lord, we do seek You!

Hungry For His Presence

This morning as I sit down to pray I am reminded of Andrew Murray's book "Jesus Himself", and stories from Randy Clark, Bill Johnson and Heidi Baker of being filled with Your Presence in such a way that they have never stopped or slowed down, and have an incredibly different ministry after You fill them. I am reminded of the boy in the wheel chair yesterday, the girl with the withered arm at Hy-vee, my nephew Joe and I want to be able to be Your expression of love to the people. Lord, help me in my unbelief and powerlessness. I desire to be Your servant, wholly. I want to know the fullness of Your presence inside me, knowing that I am so full of You that I overflow.


I am reminded of Pentecost.


(NIV)Acts 2:2-4
Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. [3] They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. [4] All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.


Lord, I had never experienced Your I filling like this, but I know Your desire is to fill us and use us. I am open and desirous, I am waiting and hungry.


(NIV)Matthew 5:6
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.


Lord, You promise to fill those that are hungry for You, I am hungry, but help me to become more hungry.


(NIV)Exodus 33:3, 12-18
Go up to the land flowing with milk and honey. But I will not go with you, because you are a stiff-necked people and I might destroy you on the way.”


[12] Moses said to the Lord, “You have been telling me, ‘Lead these people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. You have said, ‘I know you by name and you have found favor with me.’ [13] If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people.” [14] The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” [15] Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. [16] How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?” [17] And the Lord said to Moses, “I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name.” [18] Then Moses said, “Now show me your glory.”


Your presence is everything! Your Presence is the only thing that really differentiates the church from the world, otherwise we would just be a nice group of people getting together to do nice things. We want to be world changers! Lord, I want to be a world changer, and I know that what's in me can't even change me! I must have more of You.

God Bears Our Burdens

This morning I was reading from Psalm 68:

(NIV)Psalm 68:19-20
[19] Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens. [20] Our God is a God who saves; from the Sovereign Lord comes escape from death.

AsI read verse 19 I was reminded of the following verses from Matthew:

(NIV)Matthew 11:28-30
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. [29] Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. [30] For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

God does desire to bear our burdens, but to do so we must unload them upon Him. We must then take, instead, the yoke He gives us, one that is easy and light. I see a divine transfer - us unloading our burdens to Him, and He giving us back something that we can carry which is light and easy.

Let us entrust our burdens to God and experience the real relief He provides. His help is real, and His desire to help us is constant.

Under His Wings

This morning I was reading from Psalm 57:


(NASB)Psalm 57:1-3
Be gracious to me, O God, be gracious to me, For my soul takes refuge in You; And in the shadow of Your wings I will take refuge Until destruction passes by. [2] I will cry to God Most High, To God who accomplishes all things for me. [3] He will send from heaven and save me; He reproaches him who tramples upon me -Selah- God will send forth His lovingkindness and His truth.

My old NIV translates verse 2 as, "To God, who fulfills His purpose for me." Regardless of that particulars of the translation, these are wonderful verses, as God does want to be our refuge, our place of protection, our Father that we run to. In that place, we experience His sovereignty and power to act on our behalf. Its in this place, that our God proves His existence and the fact that He is intimately involved in our lives, even to have a planned purpose for us to fulfill.

There are some who think we are mere chess pieces, most of us pawns, and that God is some far removed God, who is cold and uncerned about our situation, just having His way with us all. There are some who think that God basically started up the world and now does not intervene. There are some who don't believe in God at all. These verses address all these mis-conceptions.

God is a loving and intimate God, one who cares for and protects those that cry out to Him. He is aware of those that attack us, and He does intervene! He gathers us under His wings, a sweet picture of being in His protective embrace, guarded from the enemy. The wings here could be a picture of a mother hen with her chicks gathered under her wings, or it could be referencing the mercy seat, the place of atonement where the songs of the cherubim covered over the top of the Ark of the Covenant, intervening on behalf of those who come to God. The Mercy Seat is a picture of the ministry of Jesus, and what He accomplished through His death. I prefer the later explanation - as in Christ we are saved from all the plans of the enemy, and rescued perfectly from certain death.

In addition, He has plans for us, but does not just let us try to figure them out, but rather guides and directs and even accomplishes things on our behalf. He truly is a Father who cares for us individually, and intimately.

It is Finished

I was listening to a sermon by Bill Johnson yesterday about the New Covenant and the fulfillment of requirements of the Law by Jesus.

His foundational verses were Matt 5:17-18 and Luke 16:16-17 and John 19:30:

(NIV)Matthew 5:17-18
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. [18] For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.

(NIV)Luke 16:16-17
“The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John. Since that time, the good news of the kingdom of God is being preached, and everyone is forcing their way into it. [17] It is easier for heaven and earth to disappear than for the least stroke of a pen to drop out of the Law.

(NIV)John 19:30
When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

The word used for finished is as follows:

Teleo tel-eh'-o

Definition
1. to bring to a close, to finish, to end
a. passed, finished
2. to perform, execute, complete, fulfil, (so that the thing done corresponds to what has been said, the order, command etc.)
a. with special reference to the subject matter, to carry out the contents of a command
b. with reference also to the form, to do just as commanded, and generally involving the notion of time, to perform the last act which completes a process, to accomplish, fulfil
3. to pay
a. of tribute

"It is finished or paid" John 19:30

The basic premise is that when Jesus died He fulfilled all the requirement of the Law, and enabled us to step beyond into the new covenant. Jesus said, "it is finished." And in that statement, He was talkng about the perfect will of the Father and all He was domanded tp do, not just speaking aboutnHis life on earth. Paul talks about this in Gal 3:23-25.

(NIV)Galatians 3:23-25
Before the coming of this faith, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed. [24] So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith. [25] Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.

So since the law was the guardian, and since faith in Jesus has come and been revealed to the world, we are no longer under the law. So many people operate with an old testament, old covenant mentality and mindset. They do not fully comprehend the new covenant, nor what Jesus has accomplished. Paul continues on in Gal 5: 1.4-6

(NIV)Galatians 5:1, 4-6
[1] "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery."
[4] "You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. [5] For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope. [6] For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love."

When we think that God punishes us, when we think that our actions can influence God's perspective of us, when we think we are holier than our brothers or sisters because of our righteous lifestyle, when we are judgemental, when we require adherance to our rules for religious life, when we are more concerned about other's wrong choices or ideas, when we think the enemy has power or authority, when we think sickness and disease are the will of God, then we are living under an old testament, old covenant mindset.

Lord, help us hold tightly to You, and Your grace. Help us to live fully in faith being expressed through love. Help us to free ourselves from religious mindsets and spirits that require adherance to rules and regulations, negating Your sacrifice and the grace of God.

(NIV)Romans 3:23-26, 28
...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, [24] and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. [25] God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood---to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished--- [26] he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.
[28] For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.

Freedom

In honor of Independence day, I am reminded of this verse:

(NIV)Galatians 5:1
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

Lord, thank You for our freedom! Help us to recognize, appreciate and hold tight to the gift of freedom we have in this country!

Experiencing the Presence of God

Last night I was reading from Psalm 89 the following verses:


(NIV)Psalm 89:1-2, 8, 13-18
I will sing of the Lord’s great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations. [2] I will declare that your love stands firm forever, that you have established your faithfulness in heaven itself.


[8] Who is like you, Lord God Almighty? You, Lord, are mighty, and your faithfulness surrounds you.


[13] Your arm is endowed with power; your hand is strong, your right hand exalted. [14] Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you. [15] Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, Lord. [16] They rejoice in your name all day long; they celebrate your righteousness. [17] For you are their glory and strength, and by your favor you exalt our horn. [18] Indeed, our shield belongs to the Lord, our king to the Holy One of Israel.


I especially like verse - (NIV)Psalm 89:15
Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, Lord.


I have been praying that I might experience more of Your presence, Lord, and the thought of walking in the light of Your presence is awesome. Lord, my desire is to be so overwhelmed by Your presence that everything else seems empty and trivial. I want be so filled by Your presence that it overflows to those around me.


As I was thinking and praying, I was reminded of a teaching I heard from Bill Johnson on the Presence of God.  Here is a link to the following short notes about Hosting the Presence of God, By Bill Johnson: http://www.bjm.org/content/10/hosting-the-presence.html


Our greatest privilege in life is to learn to be a person that God will rest upon. He is in all of us by covenant, and will never leave. But He is not upon all of us. The challenge we face is to learning to be people who host the presence of the Lord as our greatest calling in life. While He is in me for my sake, He is upon me for yours. When the Lord rests upon a person, there is actually an atmospheric change that takes place wherever that person goes.

As our own faith increases—in conjunction with our realm of authority and responsibility—we are allowed to carry a greater weight of presence into an environment. The “reach” of His presence is transformational in nature, changing the climate that people live under. It is what happened on the day of Pentecost when the Spirit of God fell on 120 people. It completely changed the appetite of a city that only days earlier rose up to crucify Jesus. After the Spirit of God began to manifest and rest upon this group of 120, thousands spontaneously dropped all they were doing to come and gather around them at nine o’clock in the morning. When the prevailing atmosphere is the presence of God Himself, hunger is created in the hearts of people. It is normal to hunger for God.

As we become faithful to host the presence of the Lord, we find a tension between two realities—that He has been given to us without measure but that we set the limits of that measure. Though all of the measurements are set up on our end of the equation, we can experience the measure of presence we are willing to jealously guard. Whatever you will jealously guard, that is the measure you will have on a consistent basis. All measurements in the Kingdom exist for us to pursue increase. The whole Kingdom is based on this principle: the faithful use of what you have been given is what qualifies you for more.

This is the process we will experience in the coming days, for the glory of the Lord will cover the whole earth!!

Sanctified and Sent

This morning I have been reading and meditating on John 17:

(NIV)John 17:15-21
[15] My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. [16] They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. [17] Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. [18] As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. [19] For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.
[20] “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, [21] that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.

I was looking at verse 17, and Jesus prayer for our sanctification. The Greek word is Hagiazo:
1. To render or acknowledge, or to be venerable or hallow
2. to separate from profane things and dedicate to God
a. consecrate things to God
b. dedicate people to God
3. to purify
a. to cleanse externally
b. to purify by expiation: free from the guilt of sin
c. to purify internally by renewing of the soul

Reading this word in the context of the previous verses, it appears to be the second definition that Jesus is using, one of separation from the world and dedication to God. He does specify that this separation is not a withdrawing, but rather a protection while in the midst of the world. The separation He speaks of is a belonging to something else, a citizenship in His Kingdom. So in simple language, we become members of His Kingdom, in the midst of the world, protected by the Father, and living our lives in dedication to Him, sent out into the world to be examples, and guides.

The Intercession of Christ

This morning I was reading from Hebrews 7 and these verses caused me to stop and think.

(NIV)Hebrews 7:24-25
"...but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. [25] Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them."

Here the word save is the Greek word - sozo - meaning to save the individual in every sense, and its combined with a word - panteles, which means perfectly, to completion, not just forever, which has a time reference, but perfectly which has more of a quality expression.

The Greek word for intercession is as follows:
Entugchano en-toong-khan'-o

Definition
1. to light upon a person or a thing, fall in with, hit upon, a person or a thing
2. to go to or meet a person, esp. for the purpose of conversation, consultation, or supplication
3. to pray, entreat
4. make intercession for any one

This is from two Greek words - en and tugchano

en a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest. Its definition is: 1. in, by, with etc.

Tugchano toong-khan'-o

Definition
1. to hit the mark
a. of one discharging a javelin or arrow
2. to reach, attain, obtain, get, become master of
3. to happen, chance, fall out
a. to specify, to take a case, as for example
4. to meet one
5. of he who meets one or presents himself unsought, any chance, ordinary, common person
6. to chance to be

So looking at the definition and breaking it down a bit. Jesus intercession is:

1. Personal - to light upon a person to fall in with... so if He is interceeding for us, although He is interceeding for us at God's throne of grace, He is with us, and upon us... understanding our life. Its said you don't really know a person until you walk a mile in their shoes. He is our constant companion... and knows us intimately

2. Accurate and concise - to hit the mark with an arrow - in other words directly on target, no generalisms here, and no wasted rrows. If the first time you shoot you hit the bullseye, you don't need to keep shooting.

3. Relational - He goes to the Father, specifically on our behalf - and meets us specifically for conversation. He knows us, and wants us to know Him, not just in a head knowledge way, but personally.

4. Related to our salvation, healing and redemption - because He is interceeding for us, He is able to sozo us perfectly, forever.

Lord, thank You for Your constant intercession, and interaction! You are not some distant God, but one who walks with us, speaks to us, listens to us, and goes the Father for us! You are awesome!

The God of Hope

(NIV)Romans 15:13
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

As I was praying this morning, I felt that we need hope. Our God is the God of Hope! We need Him. We need to have hope overflowing out of us, by the power of the Holy Spirit, so that others, who have no hope, can partake in that which overflows from us. As we encounter the God of Hope, our hearts will be filled with peace and joy! Amen Lord Jesus! We all need a hope infusion, and You are the God of Hope so we turn towards You, asking that You pour hope into us!

God Qualifies Us

As I was just thinking about the fact that I am unqualified of being called to be a witness to Him, the Lord reminded me that many of his apostles were fisherman, and other common men. Paul was a tentmaker, others as well. I felt encouraged that I am not to disqualify myself because of my position, but that in this place, I am dependent on Him for any real effectiveness.


I am reminded of Is 49:


(NIV)Isaiah 49:4, 6, 8-9
But I said, “I have labored in vain; I have spent my strength for nothing at all. Yet what is due me is in the Lord’s hand, and my reward is with my God.” [6] he says: “It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.”
[8] This is what the Lord says: “In the time of my favor I will answer you, and in the day of salvation I will help you; I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people, to restore the land and to reassign its desolate inheritances, [9] to say to the captives, ‘Come out,’ and to those in darkness, ‘Be free!’ “They will feed beside the roads and find pasture on every barren hill.


And also...


(NIV)1 Corinthians 1:20-21, 25-31
Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? [21] For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.
[25] For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength. [26] Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. [27] But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. [28] God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things---and the things that are not---to nullify the things that are, [29] so that no one may boast before him. [30] It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God---that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. [31] Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”


Lord, it really is only about You. It is because of You that I am here. Your call in my life caused me to come into relationship with You. Everything good comes from You and everything good points back to You, for You are the source of all good things.  If you say I am qualified to be Your follower and witness to others, who am I to argue?  All I am that's good, comes from You.

Jesus Walks On By...

Last night while preparing for bed, I was reading through Acts 3:

(NIV)Acts 3:1-10
One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer---at three in the afternoon. [2] Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. [3] When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. [4] Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” [5] So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.
[6] Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” [7] Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. [8] He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. [9] When all the people saw him walking and praising God, [10] they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

As I was reading this, I realized that Jesus had probably walked right by this beggar, since he went to the temple in Jerusalem several times. The man seemed to be known to most people (verse 9&10), and as such must have been a permanent fixture outside the temple. I think that Jesus had opportunity to heal him, but didn't while present on earth, so it makes me wonder why?

I am reminded of a few other verses:

John 5 where Jesus walks into the area surrounding the pool of Bethesda, and only healed the one man, but there probably tens if not hundreds of other sick people near by.

Mark 10:46-52 where Jesus walked by blind Bartimaeus. He healed him, because Bartimaeus cried out and wouldn't stop calling, once he heard that it was Jesus, but Jesus still walked right by him initially.

In all these instances, Jesus must have been being obedient to the Father - see John 5:19 - and the Father's purpose at that time, not healing these other people, or the lame man outside the temple. We know that sickness is not from God, being the fruit of sin and rebellion (thanks Adam and Eve) and as such something that Jesus came to address. In every case, Jesus healed everyone that was brought to Him or came to Him to be healed, but He clearly didn't heal everybody that was sick in the geographical region. I can imagine Him walking by these sick people and longing to heal them, because of His love and compassion for them, but being obedient to the Father who has a plan that He is following.

For those of us that have been praying for healing or miracles, we should take heart, for the Father's will is clearly that we should be healed, the timing is one of the things that we need to trust to Him. The lame man outside the temple could have been healed by Jesus personally, instead he was healed by the apostles, and it was one of the cornerstone healing for the young church, demonstrating that Jesus was the son of God, and had authority to heal. The seeming delay in his healing brought greater glory to Jesus.

I think of it this way, Jesus' healing ministry was meant to be a catalyst to the healing ministry of the church. Jesus could only physically touch so many people in his brief ministry period. The remaining sick were for the church to heal! I can almost see one of the first healing outreaches of the young church being the area around the pool of Bethesda, completing the work that Jesus began by healing everyone that was gathered there.

In now way should we interpret a delay in our healing as proof that God doesn't want to heal us, or doesn't plan to heal us. Part of the mystery of the Father is that He is God and His purposes and thoughts are so much higher than ours that we can't grasp them fully. We can understand His nature, but His perfect timing is probably beyond our grasp, but that doesn't change His will to heal us. So let us keep trusting in His Love and Compassion and continue to call out to Him, like Bartimeaus, and expect that He will heal us.

God's Footprints

I was just reading Psalm 77 and verse 19 really caught my eye this morning. 


(NIV)Psalm 77:19 Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen. 


 I really like this statement. It is talking about how God led the people through the Red Sea, and how He was present to them in that moment. He was present, they followed closely behind Him, but were unable to discern His footsteps. His presence was so real that they were looking for His footprints. 


What an awesome picture of God's intervention and presence in the middle of difficult circumstances. He is there! He is leading the way! You can almost see His footprints - but you can certainly discern His path, for it opens before Him. So if we find ourselves in a difficult place, God will be present and will provide a way out. 


Lord, thank You for Your love and faithfulness.

Concerning Shepherds and Sheep

Yesterday while talking about the Church, I had an important thought, that in the shepherd and sheep analogy, the value is not in the shepherd, but rather in the sheep. 

In many churches, they have it the other way around, they think the shepherd is the important and valuable one, so much so that there is almost a pastor worship in some churches. 


Lord, help us to restore right order to the Body of Christ, giving honor to all, but especially seeing and believing in the value of the people. The shepherd, serves and encourages and feeds, but its ultimately about the sheep. We, as sheep, don't need to take our identity from who our shepherd is,  because we have our own value and identifty in who we are.  


I am reminded of a passage from Ezekiel, concerning shepherds and sheep:


(NIV)Ezekiel 34:1-6 
The word of the Lord came to me: [2] “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Woe to you shepherds of Israel who only take care of yourselves! Should not shepherds take care of the flock? [3] You eat the curds, clothe yourselves with the wool and slaughter the choice animals, but you do not take care of the flock. [4] You have not strengthened the weak or healed the sick or bound up the injured. You have not brought back the strays or searched for the lost. You have ruled them harshly and brutally. [5] So they were scattered because there was no shepherd, and when they were scattered they became food for all the wild animals. [6] My sheep wandered over all the mountains and on every high hill. They were scattered over the whole earth, and no one searched or looked for them. 


Thankfully, Jesus desires to be our shepherd and calls us His sheep. He knows our value and was willing to die for us.  In that action - we can find our true value.  The Son of God laid down His life for us.


(NIV)John 10:11-15 
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. [12] The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. [13] The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. [14] “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me--- [15] just as the Father knows me and I know the Father---and I lay down my life for the sheep.

When God Comes in Vengeance - He Fights FOR Me!

This morning I have been reading a few verses that have to do with God coming and fighting for me, coming in vengeance. 


 (NIV)Psalm 35:1-3 Contend, Lord, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me. [2] Take up shield and armor; arise and come to my aid. [3] Brandish spear and javelin against those who pursue me. Say to me, “I am your salvation. ” 


 (NIV)Isaiah 35:1-10 The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, [2] it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy. The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon; they will see the glory of the Lord, the splendor of our God. [3] Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; [4] say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.” [5] Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. [6] Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert. [7] The burning sand will become a pool, the thirsty ground bubbling springs. In the haunts where jackals once lay, grass and reeds and papyrus will grow. [8] And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness; it will be for those who walk on that Way. The unclean will not journey on it; wicked fools will not go about on it. [9] No lion will be there, nor any ravenous beast; they will not be found there. But only the redeemed will walk there, [10] and those the Lord has rescued will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.


So often when I think of God coming in vengeance, I think its to punish me for something wrong I did (which by the way is not true at all - see my earlier post on punishment and discipline).  Anyway, as I was reading these verses I realized that He is not coming to fight against me, rather He is coming to fight for me!  I am not His enemy, I am the object of His affection!  

When He comes, He is brings defeat to the enemy, and salvation and healing to those He is fighting for...


Amen - Come Lord!

Transformed and Renewed

This morning I have been reading and thinking about a renewed mind.

(NIV)Romans 12:1-2
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God---this is your true and proper worship. [2] Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is---his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Lord, I know that I need to learn to think rightly. I need my mind to be renewed, and in that to be transformed. We are not supposed to think or act like the rest of the world, but rather to think and act with a heavenly perspective. So much of the time I have the question of what is God's will, and here Paul writes that in the renewal of our mind, we will be able to understand and know what His will is. As we know what His will is and are renewed in our mind, our behavior is also supposed to change - which Paul writes about in his letter to the Colossians.

(NIV)Colossians 3:9-14
Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices [10] and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. [11] Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. [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, help me to walk in this new reality, not just through diligent effort on my behalf, but because I have been truly transformed and renewed

Pets, Servants and Sons and Daughters

This morning I am meditating on sonship and I had a couple of thoughts and verses. As I was sitting here praying one of our cats came and sat down next to me, and was purring away, apparently glad to be by me. I was thinking about how much interaction we have as pet and owner, how the pets are completely dependent on me to provide for their food, shelter, etc. And how even though they don't fully understand me, there is a communication of affection. I realized that many people don't even have that type of relationship with the Lord.


Then I started thinking about some of the verses describe the relationship that God want to have with us. We are so much more than just created beings, like animals with little or no interaction with God. We are called to be more than just servants or slaves. In Matthew 6, Jesus is describing how much more valuable we are than animals. In Romans 8, Paul talks about how we are adopted into a place of sonship or daughtership. In Matt 7, Jesus talks about how we as sons and daughters can expect the Father to answer prayers. In John 15, Jesus calls us friends, elevating us from any type of servant role. So, if we look at the summary - the Father considers us His sons and daughters, and He wants to give us good things. Jesus, as The Son, calls us His friends and we are invited into the intimate relationships He has with the Father. What an awesome reality!  He wants us to know that we are Sons and Daughters, and that we can live in the reality of that relationship!


(NIV)Matthew 6:25-27
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? [26] Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? [27] Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life ?


(NIV)Romans 8:14-17
For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. [15] The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” [16] The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. [17] Now if we are children, then we are heirs---heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.


(NIV)Matthew 7:7-11
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. [8] For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. [9] “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? [10] Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? [11] If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!


(NIV)John 15:14-17
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.

Surrounded By Trouble - Peace!

As I was reading Psalm 27, I was encouraged by the David's prayer for intimacy with God, while he is surrounded by enemies and troubles.

(NIV)Psalm 27:1-14
The Lord is my light and my salvation---whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life---of whom shall I be afraid? [2] When the wicked advance against me to devour me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall. [3] Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident. [4] One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple. [5] For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock. [6] Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the Lord. [7] Hear my voice when I call, Lord; be merciful to me and answer me. [8] My heart says of you, “Seek his face! ” Your face, Lord, I will seek. [9] Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, God my Savior. [10] Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me. [11] Teach me your way, Lord; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors. [12] Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, spouting malicious accusations. [13] I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. [14] Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.

He speaks of being surrounded by an army, and not fearing, though a war breaks out against him, standing in confidence, and in al this turning to the Lord, desiring a place of face to face intimacy and worship. He learned that in the place of intimacy there was protection and peace. I think from that place, he was able to gain God's perspective (raising his head above his enemies). Its amazing that his response is singing and making music to the Lord, as if an army wasn't surrounding him, and he wasn't in the day of trouble. I am reminded of Paul's statement about peace that is beyond understanding:

(NIV)Philippians 4:7
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Lord, we pray for this type of peace in our lives. We are so often overwhelmed, surrounded, harassed and fearful, but in You is a place of peace and intimacy. We long for that Lord.

When Jesus Waits...

This morning I am reading from John 11:

(NIV)John 11:1-7, 40
Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. [2] (This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair.) [3] So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.”
[4] When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” [5] Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. [6] So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days, [7] and then he said to his disciples, “Let us go back to Judea.”

As i was reading through these verses this morning, I was struck be verses 5 & 6. Read together they are a powerful statement about God's love for us. It says Jesus loved All three of them, Lazarus, Martha and Mary and He waited to go to them.

So often we associate delayed answers to prayers as a some indication of the degree that God loves us. But here it clearly states that Jesus loved them. In fact later in verses 33, 35 & 38 we are told that Jesus was deeply moved by their sorrow, and that He even wept. There is no judgement of them associated with His delay. We need to understand that delayed answers does not mean that God doesn't hear, or that God doesn't care, or that God doesn't have a plan. Also, Jesus was being obedient to the Father in waiting...for He knew the Father would be glorified, and that this was the Father's will.

Its hard to know all the reasons for the delay, but it might be because He loved them so much that He wanted them to experience His greatest glory. He had previously raised others to life, Jairus's daughter, the widows son in Nain, but those were all very recent deaths. Here Lazarus was dead 4 days, and decomposition would have already been at work, for they did not practice embalming as we do. The person was often buried the same day they died, to help avoid the stench that would surely come. So, in raising Lazarus from the dead, Jesus demonstrated God's power to not only speak life back into a dead body, but restoration of those things that have experienced death and decay. In other cards, nothing is too far gone for the Lord to move.

How often do we think things are too far gone and give up our hope in God, or think because He didn't answer immediately that He doesn't care? The Lord loves us deeply, and feels real concern and knows our pain, for He lived as we do.

Lord, help us to hold onto You, in faith, trusting that You do love us, and do have a plan for us!

The Gift of Forgiveness

I am reading in Luke 7 this morning:

(NIV)Luke 7:37-38, 44-50
A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. [38] As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.

[44] Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. [45] You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. [46] You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. [47] Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven---as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.” [48] Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” [49] The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” [50] Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

The last line - speaking of how her Faith has saved - Greek word: sozo - her. Her faith is demonstrated by her actions, her love for Him, her humility before Him. Although not mentioned here, in John 11:2, written many years later, He identifies this women as Mary. We know that she spends the rest of Jesus' life, serving and following Him. Her expression of love and devotion, here explained as a result of her forgiveness for her sins, should give us pause to consider.

I know that sometimes I forget what my sins would have wrought in my life and beyond. I sometimes forget the great gift I have been given in forgiveness of my sins. Clearly Mary never forgot, and she continued to serve Jesus unrelentingly. Lord, I ask You to forgive me for my ungratefulness and lack of love for You.

Old and New Wineskins

This morning I am reading from Matthew:

(NIV)Matthew 9:14-17
Then John’s disciples came and asked him, “How is it that we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?” [15] Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast. [16] “No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment, making the tear worse. [17] Neither do people pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.”

As I was reading this I was reminded of the word I received several years ago about the new wine and wineskins. At the time, I was looking at it with a particular perspective, which I think is still accurate. This morning I was focusing on the last verse, specifically the last statement - and both are preserved! This is a clear statement about the value of both, the old and the new, but the recognition about the fact that sometimes new ideas don't fit in old ways, but that doesn't mean the old is worthless, nor the new. Both are valuable, but the new needs new wineskins to mature, and be preserved.

When I look at the present outflow of the young adults from the church in this light, I see a waste of good people, that are not fitting in the old wine skins, the old ways of doing things. We must develop new wine skins to help preserve them, help them mature and grow into all they are meant to be. Lord, we pray for this new wine-skin, so that we would be able to preserve this new wine.

Just thinking about the reality of the wineskin, literally being the skin of an animal, that was eaten by the makers of the old wine. It might just be the skin of one of the "sacred cows". In other words, related to something from the previous generation, but now just empty and waiting to be filled. By the way, the wineskins of Jesus time were not these nice little wineskins we buy today, but literally the skin of a sheep, the whole sheep! That is much wine!

Lord send us understanding of these "new wineskins" so that this new wine can be preserved

Hearing God and Cell Phones

First, before sharing the analogy, let me say that I am a telecommunications engineer working in the cellular and wireless network segments of that market, so although hopefully understandable, this analoy draws from that field.

This morning, at breakfast with three good friends, we were talking for some reason about how cell phones work, and being the one with Telecom experience at the table, I was sharing some of the complexities of how things work. One of the things I mentioned was the fact that phones from Sprint use something called long-codes so that they have a unique address for communications with the network. This address is one of 4,398,046,511,104 (that's 4 Trillion) possible combinations and is used for the phones communications to the network, and communications from the network to the phone. So, this basic technology that we use every day is capable of idenitfying the unique identity of each phone, and be able to communicate with that phone directly, even while communicating to hundreds and thousands of other devices at the same time.

So, do you get the picture?

One network able to talk to 4 trillion devices concurrently, and the devices can talk back, each in a unique and secure manner.

We have no problem believing this can work, in fact most of us are totally unaware this is happening. We just assume that when we turn on our cell phone it will work.

I think of communication with God and being able to hear His voice in these same ways. God is capable of speaking to us each in a unique way, all at the same time, and in a such a way that we can hear His voice speaking to us, and He hears us.

I have heard some people say they don't hear God. I have heard some people say they don't hear God the same way I do. I know there are many people who don't even know God is speaking.

The reality is that God desires to speak to us all. He is speaking, and we just need to learn how to hear Him. He is constantly speaking to us all - whether we perceive this or not, just like cell phone signals are there whether we know they are or not.

We don't need to try and hear Him the way He speaks to someone else, because He speaks to us in the way He meant and created us to hear Him. Some people see pictures, some people hear words, others hear a still, small voice, others hear God in dreams, some hear Him by reading the Bible, and some people hear Him in all those ways.

God longs for us to hear His voice, calling to us, telling us of His love for us, speaking words of life and blessing to us. Whether you believe that's true or not doesn't mean its not happening. Billions of people have heard His voice, and responded, and heard even more from Him.

(NIV)John 10:27-28
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. [28] I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.

Learning to hear God is one of the most important things we can do in our lives. Let us learn to hear Him, and recognize how He chooses to speak to us, and help others learn how to hear Him too.

Settling for Less Than Scraps

The danger of a religion is that we become satisfied with relationships with each other, our programs and good sounding music, and lose our sense of need for relationship with God. We must cultivate this higher call, this constant understanding of our need for Him. I could almost see a meeting of the church, standing around talking to each other, doing church, never even aware of the fact that the Lord's presense wasn't there, and being satisfied with the meeting.


Lord, how can we meet in Your living room, and not miss Your presense? We have become a church that is empty of the Your life. We must have Your presense restored to us, or we will become satisfied with the lesser things. We will settle for dog food, or less when you have a banquet prepared for us. I am reminded of the interaction You had with the Caananite woman:


(NIV)Matthew 15:21-28
Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. [22] A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.” [23] Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.” [24] He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.” [25] The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said. [26] He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.” [27] “Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.” [28] Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment.


In Mark its slightly different:


(NIV)Mark 7:27-30
“First let the children eat all they want,” he told her, “for it is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.” [28] “Lord,” she replied, “even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” [29] Then he told her, “For such a reply, you may go; the demon has left your daughter.” [30] She went home and found her child lying on the bed, and the demon gone.


Lord, I think that we have learned to settle for less then scraps, but we could eat all that we wanted, for You have prepared a banquet for us. Help us to be hungry for You, and never rest until we are satisfied!

Let Life Flow Out of Us!

Last night I was listening to a teaching by Heidi Baker, talking about being fountains of living water.  She spoke out of John 4 & 7 as follows:


(NIV)John 4:10-14
Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” [11] “Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? [12] Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock?” [13] Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, [14] but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”


(NIV)John 7:37-39
On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. [38] Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” [39] By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.


This morning I woke up thinking about being a fountain of living water, and that to do so I need to open my mouth more, so that I can speak life to those around me. I recognize that I don't affirm people enough, I don't say the things I think enough, and I don't anticipate having the Word of Lord for people enough. Lord, help me to start with my family and build this into a lifestyle and gift that I operate in consistently. 


Lord, help me to be a river of living water to those around me.  Help us all to be fountains of life!

Discipline or Punishment?

Over the last few weeks I have been reading about discipline, punishment, and our thinking about these things. Discipline has many definitions to many people, and is often used when they really mean punishment for doing something wrong, which in this context would be sin. I think this is illustrated well in the following verses:


(NIV)Hebrews 12:6
"...because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”


In this verse the author of Hebrews is quoting from Proverbs. The word chasten, could be renedered punishment, flogging, or other form of punishment. This is not the sense that the word is used in for the following verses and so should not be understood as the definition for the author's further discussion on the topic. The next several verses talk about discipline, but always using the same Greek word.


(NIV)Hebrews 12:7-11
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.


The Greek word translated discipline is as follows:


Paideia  - pahee-di'-ah 
Parts of Speech TDNT Noun Feminine


Definition
1. the whole training and education of children (which relates to the cultivation of mind and morals, and employs for this purpose now commands and admonitions, now reproof and punishment) It also includes the training and care of the body
2. whatever in adults also cultivates the soul, esp. by correcting mistakes and curbing passions. a. instruction which aims at increasing virtue 
b. chastisement, chastening, (of the evils with which God visits men for their amendment)


Whereas the common English translation of discipline is as follows:


noun
1 : punishment
2 obsolete : instruction
3 : a field of study
4 : training that corrects, molds, or perfects the mental faculties or moral character
5 a : control gained by enforcing obedience or order 
   b : orderly or prescribed conduct or pattern of behavior 
   c : self-control


So the original Greek talks primarily about training and education, correcting mistakes, and instruction - teacher to pupil if you may. When I read these verses from a strictly English definition, the first thing I think is punishment.  


I don't think this - seeing discipline as punishment - is the right perspective at all.  I can't imagine as a father, ever disciplining my children with any other motivation than love, and desire for their best.  Looking closely at the verse above, God's motivation is clear - its about our relationship to Him as His children, its for our good, and ultimately bears good fruit in our lives.  It doesn't mean its not sometimes painful, some times difficult, but always with a motivation of producing in us our best.  


It is not punishment for doing something wrong or sin!


Lord, help us to rightly understand Your purpose and plan, and specifically Your heart towards us.  Help us to understand how You choose to discipline us, teaching us and helping us to grow into the people that You desire.

On Suffering, Judgment and Punishment

This morning I was reading some scripture that mentioned judgement. It got me thinking about several things, including this verse from 1 Peter:


(NIV)1 Peter 4:16-17
However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. [17] For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?


I really like the comments of David Guzik on this verse, especially point two - see below:


For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God: In the context of suffering, Peter tells us that judgment begins at the house of God. God uses suffering as a judgment (in a positive, purifying sense) for Christians (the house of God) now.


i. Now is our time of fiery trial (1 Peter 4:12); the ungodly will have their fire later. The fire we endure now purifies us; the fire the ungodly will endure will punish them.


ii. We must always remember that there is never any punishment from God for us in our sufferings, only purification. For the Christian, the issue of punishment was settled once and for all at the cross, where Jesus endured all the punishment the Christian could ever face from God.


iii. The same fire that consumes straw will purify gold. The fire is the same, but its purpose in application is different, and its effect is different upon the straw and the gold. Even so, Christians do suffer some of the same things the ungodly do, yet the purpose of God is different, and the effect is different.


I think many times, we are apt to think in our difficulties that God is punishing us, but that is never true, as David says in point two.  Jesus bore the punishment for us all, so that we would never need to be punished by God.  God's motivation towards us is always Love.

We Receive the Blessings of the Righteous

I was just reading through Proverbs 10, and came across verse 6, which started me thinking:

(NIV)Proverbs 10:6-7
Blessings crown the head of the righteous.... [7] The name of the righteous is used in blessings....

As I was reading this, I thought about the fact that in Jesus, I am righteous, for His righteousness has been applied to me - see Romans 3:21-26, and Romans 5:18-19. I was thinking about all the different promises that made to the righteous I the old testament. I have always read them, and thought I didn't quite qualify as righteous. However, in light of the truth that we are considered righteous, because Jesus righteousness is applied to us.

(NIV)Romans 3:21-24
But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. [22] This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, [23] for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, [24] and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

(NIV)Romans 5:18-19
Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people. [19] For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.

So in other words, because of Jesus' righteousness which is applied to us, we get to particpate in and claim all the promises we read. I know the list is long, but just let the promises wash over you, and claim them as true for your life. Here are some of the promises:

(NIV)Psalm 1:6
For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.

(NIV)Psalm 5:12
Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.

(NIV)Psalm 14:5
.... for God is present in the company of the righteous.

(NIV)Psalm 34:15, 17, 19
The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their cry;
[17] The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.
[19] The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all;

(NIV)Psalm 37:25, 29-30
I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread.
[29] The righteous will inherit the land and dwell in it forever.
[30] The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom, and their tongues speak what is just.

(NIV)Psalm 55:22
Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.

(NIV)Psalm 64:10
The righteous will rejoice in the Lord and take refuge in him; all the upright in heart will glory in him!

(NIV)Psalm 85:13
Righteousness goes before him and prepares the way for his steps.

(NIV)Psalm 92:12-15
The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; [13] planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. [14] They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, [15] proclaiming, “The Lord is upright; he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him. ”

(NIV)Psalm 97:11
Light shines on the righteous and joy on the upright in heart.

(NIV)Psalm 118:15-17, 20
Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous: “The Lord’s right hand has done mighty things! [16] The Lord’s right hand is lifted high; the Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!” [17] I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the Lord has done.
[20] This is the gate of the Lord through which the righteous may enter.

(NIV)Psalm 140:13
Surely the righteous will praise your name, and the upright will live in your presence.

(NIV)Psalm 146:8
the Lord gives sight to the blind, the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down, the Lord loves the righteous.

(NIV)Proverbs 3:33
The Lord’s curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the righteous.

(NIV)Proverbs 10:3
The Lord does not let the righteous go hungry...

(NIV)Proverbs 10:28
The prospect of the righteous is joy...

(NIV)Proverbs 13:21
Trouble pursues the sinner, but the righteous are rewarded with good things.

(NIV)Proverbs 20:7
The righteous lead blameless lives; blessed are their children after them.

Give What We Have

On my drive home from the airport last evening I had an interesting exchange with the Lord. I was thinking about some of the things I had read in Bill Johnson's book, and thinking about how we should have access to the same miracle working power that Jesus demonstrated, through the power of the Holy Spirit. I felt like the Lord said to imagine what it would be like having the world's richest father, and he assigned the role to you to spend or give away all his wealth. My first thought was that I would be driving a nice expensive car. Then I thought, no that would be selfish, and pointless. What would be better would be if I was just able to walk up to people and take care of whatever financial need they had, regardless of how big. As I started thinking about that, the Lord jumped back in and said, "that's what I want you to walk in, in the area of healing and miracles." He immediately brought to mind several scriptures:


(NIV)Acts 3:1-8
One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer---at three in the afternoon. [2] Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. [3] When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. [4] Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” [5] So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.
[6] Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” [7] Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. [8] He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.


(NIV)James 4:3
When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.


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


(NIV)Luke 11:9-13
“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. [10] For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. [11] “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? [12] Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? [13] If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”


I felt like the Lord said that His desire was for us to walk in the assurance of His heart motives, and know that He will work through us to touch those around us. He wants us to be as confident in that, as if we really were the children of the richest man in te world, for we really are. His resources are beyond our comprehension, and He really is sovereign over all things. As Graham Cooke has said, anything we can imagine is not anywhere near as big as God thinks and dreams for us.


Lord, help us to walk in this reality!