This morning I woke up from an interesting dream. In my dream I was talking with an older gentleman that I was acquainted with, and he had been struggling with a serious sickness. As I asked him how he was doing, he made mention that he was doing ok, but that this sickness was the result of the sins of one of his previous ancestors. He then went on to quote from Exodus 34:7b NIV": ... "Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.”
My response was interesting, as I was immediately moved with compassion for the man! He was sitting under condemnation due to incorrect understanding, and teaching, and my heart was moved to gently open the scripture to him, to help him free himself from the chains of condemnation. That is where I woke up.
This is clearly not one of my normal dreams, so I thought it was worth diving into the topic that come up, as wrong teaching and understanding can be very harmful in our lives. I was having breakfast with a friend yesterday and we were talking about similar topics, although more along the lines of the theology of healing and faith, and how we can be taught things by well-meaning pastors that are not consistent with the truth that is found and demonstrated in Christ Jesus. In the past the Lord walked me through a progression, concerning sin, that can be seen in scripture, and that is very applicable to this dream today.
As I was thinking about this dream, I felt like the Lord even gave me the title, saying He has the final word concerning sin! What a great message of hope!
As I mentioned previously, in the past the Lord had laid out for me a progression that we can see in scripture of how sin was described and dealt with, and it is important that when we think about sin, we think correctly, and do not remain stuck with an Old Testament mindset like the man in my dream. The verse from Exodus is clearly not the last thing God says about sin, and even generations affected by sin.
In Ezekiel we see God updating the peoples understanding concern sin. Here are the verses - Ezekiel 18:19-23 NIV:
[19] “Yet you ask, 'Why does the son not share the guilt of his father?' Since the son has done what is just and right and has been careful to keep all my decrees, he will surely live. [20] The one who sins is the one who will die. The child will not share the guilt of the parent, nor will the parent share the guilt of the child. The righteousness of the righteous will be credited to them, and the wickedness of the wicked will be charged against them.
[21] “But if a wicked person turns away from all the sins they have committed and keeps all my decrees and does what is just and right, that person will surely live; they will not die. [22] None of the offenses they have committed will be remembered against them. Because of the righteous things they have done, they will live. [23] Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign Lord. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?"
We see here clearly that the former word of punishing sin to the third or fourth generation is no longer true. He says clearly that He will NOT cause the guilt of the parent to be shared by the child. In fact, it looks like He actually forgives the person for previous sins. God is helping the Israelites progress in their understanding, concerning sin, and we can see in this progression a greater truth that will be revealed. We see God providing a prophetic understanding of what He was planning in Jeremiah 31:31-34 NIV:
[31] “The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah. [32] It will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they broke my covenant, though I was a husband to them, ” declares the Lord."
[33] “This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,” declares the Lord. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. [34] No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, 'Know the Lord,' because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest,” declares the Lord. “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”
Here we see God promising to forgive our sins and remember them no more! This is clearly pointing to what He did through Jesus, yet at that time, they only had the promise of the New Covenant, yet weren't living under it. However, if God said He was going to forgive their sins and remember them no more, it would be impossible for Him to then punish a future generation for a sin He no longer remembered and had already forgiven.
We have here two of the important updates on the topic of sin, both found in the Old Testament, but they are not the final word yet, for that is only seen in Christ Jesus! We know from Hebrews 1:3 that Jesus is the exact representation of the Father, and thus what is revealed by Him (Jesus) is exactly what the Father is like and doing and saying. Much of the truth concerning Jesus' death and resurrection was only understood afterwards, but Jesus addressed the truth of God's plan multiple times.
Jesus alluded to God's plan to save us from our sin in John 3:16-17 NIV: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. [17] For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."
Jesus spoke about the forgiveness of sins several times, even forgiving people of their sins, much to the consternation of the Pharisees. Finally, Jesus on the the night of the Last Supper, initiated the New Covenant, as prophesies by Jeremiah some 700 years earlier, during the meal as recorded in Matthew 26:27-28 NIV: "Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. [28] This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins."
- and -
Luke 22:20 NIV: "In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you."
The author of the Letter to the Hebrews later was helping the Jews understand this all and wrote the following - Hebrews 9:15,22 NIV:
[5] "For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance---now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant."
[22] "In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness."
Since Jesus has shed His blood for the forgiveness of our sins, why would God ever hold them against us, or against our children? We have been set free from the requirements and punishments found in the Old Covenant, and we now live under the New Covenant, set in place through Jesus' own blood. We can no longer be condemned for our sins that are covered by Jesus blood! Paul writes the following - Romans 8:1-2 NIV: "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, [2] because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death."
We have been set free from all of that, and thus to think, like the man in my dream, that we can be punished for the sins of our earlier generations is clearly no longer relevant, or true. The final words concerning all of this were spoken by Jesus, while he hung on the cross, "It is finished!" (John 19:30). One of the meanings of the word Jesus spoke is "paid". He completed exactly what He was sent to do.
Peter wrote the following about Jesus, “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” (1 Peter 2:24 NIV) Again, I ask, if Jesus bore our sins, and died for them, why would the Father punish us for them again?? Was Jesus' sacrifice insufficient or ineffective? Is God such a wrathful God that He wants to make us pay over and over again for something that has already been paid for by His beloved Son? Clearly the answer is NO.
Today, my encouragement is to fully embrace the truth of the New Covenant, that Jesus shed His blood to establish! We are all set free from the requirements of the Old Testament Covenant of the Law, and all of its rule and regulations and punishments! Thus no longer will a man's guilt be shared by his children, or his children's children. Rather, if we receive the salvation offered to us in Jesus, all of our sins have been paid for, and are remembered no more!
As Paul writes in His letter to the Romans 8:31-34 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."
-And-
Romans 8:38-39 NIV:
[38] "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, [39] neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
This includes sin! Jesus clearly has the final word conerning our sin, because He paid for it all.
Amen and Amen!
Sunday, September 1, 2019
Tuesday, August 20, 2019
Heavenly Worship - True Reality
This morning, these verses have been resonating in my spirit - Revelation 7:9-17 NIV:
[9] After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.
[10] And they cried out in a loud voice:
“Salvation belongs to our God,
who sits on the throne,
and to the Lamb.”
[11] All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, [12] saying:
“Amen!
Praise and glory
and wisdom and thanks
and honor and power
and strength
be to our God
for ever and ever.
Amen!”
[13] Then one of the elders asked me, “These in white robes---who are they, and where did they come from?”
[14] I answered, “Sir, you know.”
And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. [15] Therefore, “they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. [16] 'Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat down on them,' nor any scorching heat. [17] For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; 'he will lead them to springs of living water.' 'And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.' ”
What a great reminder of the reality that is heaven, our eternal dwelling place!
When things are difficult here, in this temporary life, let us join ourselves to that which is being sung continually in Heaven! He is worthy of all praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength for ever and ever!
I was reminded of this song: "To Him Who Sits on the Throne" here is a link: https://youtu.be/KhhLcw--CH0
Amen!
[9] After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.
[10] And they cried out in a loud voice:
“Salvation belongs to our God,
who sits on the throne,
and to the Lamb.”
[11] All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, [12] saying:
“Amen!
Praise and glory
and wisdom and thanks
and honor and power
and strength
be to our God
for ever and ever.
Amen!”
[13] Then one of the elders asked me, “These in white robes---who are they, and where did they come from?”
[14] I answered, “Sir, you know.”
And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. [15] Therefore, “they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. [16] 'Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat down on them,' nor any scorching heat. [17] For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; 'he will lead them to springs of living water.' 'And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.' ”
What a great reminder of the reality that is heaven, our eternal dwelling place!
When things are difficult here, in this temporary life, let us join ourselves to that which is being sung continually in Heaven! He is worthy of all praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength for ever and ever!
I was reminded of this song: "To Him Who Sits on the Throne" here is a link: https://youtu.be/KhhLcw--CH0
Amen!
Monday, August 19, 2019
The Whole Measure of the Fullness of Christ!
This morning I am reflecting on some of my favorite verses from Paul's letter to the Ephesians 4:1-7,11-16 NIV:
[1] "As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. [2] Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. [3] Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. [4] There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called ; [5] one Lord, one faith, one baptism; [6] one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."
[7] "But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it."
[11] "So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, [12] to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up [13] until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ."
[14] "Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. [15] Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. [16] From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work."
This past weekend we had some great teaching and imparting of truth, and these verses sum up much of what we heard, at least in my mind and heart. To summarize quickly:
1) We are called to ONE body of Christ, by the Holy Spirit. Paul just hammers this home, there is one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father! There is no room for division if we are one. Let us lay down our banners and denominations and embrace our oneness.
2) We are called to maturity in Christ, attaining the whole measure of fullness of Christ! That is an unbelievable, understated sentence that we could mine for ages. We are talking about the second person of The Trinity, the very Son of God, and we are going to attain this fullness of Christ! The Fullness of Christ can only be found in intimate relationship with Him, and through the Power of Holy Spirit! This is what maturity looks like - our hearts fully joined to Him.
3) Maturity in Christ Jesus then allows us to walk in Truth, in relationship which safeguards us from bad teaching, deceit, and the lies of the enemy. As we mature, we welcome the joining of ourselves to the rest of the Body of Christ, seeing our place, purpose and destiny in Him. We each have a part and it is in obedience to and relationship with Christ that we operate - He is our head!
These are spiritual truths that are attained through spiritual means, not knowledge for our mind! We are called to trust our hearts, to lay down our opinions and ideas about how things are supposed to work, and allow Holy Spirit to guide us spiritually to real understanding! We are being called to maturity, and it is Spiritual Maturity. This is not about numbers in our particular congregation, or programs or outreaches! This is about the ONE Body of Christ! We do have our parts to play, but it is a small part in a much greater ONE.
God has apportioned to us the grace necessary to achieve exactly what He is planning! He is the God of strategy and tactics, the Lord of supply and provision, the God of perfect timing! He will accomplish exactly what He intends, and He will use each of us! We are all equal parts of this great Body of Christ.
It is time to build each other up, to help one another to grow into the fullness of who they are! This is not a competition, but rather a team building event! We are called to raise up and release people into the their destiny! We are called to join ourselves to each other to support one another in love! Let us live our lives worthy of the calling we have received! Let us embrace one another and together pursue the whole measure of the fullness of Christ!
Amen!
[1] "As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. [2] Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. [3] Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. [4] There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called ; [5] one Lord, one faith, one baptism; [6] one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."
[7] "But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it."
[11] "So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, [12] to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up [13] until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ."
[14] "Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. [15] Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. [16] From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work."
This past weekend we had some great teaching and imparting of truth, and these verses sum up much of what we heard, at least in my mind and heart. To summarize quickly:
1) We are called to ONE body of Christ, by the Holy Spirit. Paul just hammers this home, there is one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father! There is no room for division if we are one. Let us lay down our banners and denominations and embrace our oneness.
2) We are called to maturity in Christ, attaining the whole measure of fullness of Christ! That is an unbelievable, understated sentence that we could mine for ages. We are talking about the second person of The Trinity, the very Son of God, and we are going to attain this fullness of Christ! The Fullness of Christ can only be found in intimate relationship with Him, and through the Power of Holy Spirit! This is what maturity looks like - our hearts fully joined to Him.
3) Maturity in Christ Jesus then allows us to walk in Truth, in relationship which safeguards us from bad teaching, deceit, and the lies of the enemy. As we mature, we welcome the joining of ourselves to the rest of the Body of Christ, seeing our place, purpose and destiny in Him. We each have a part and it is in obedience to and relationship with Christ that we operate - He is our head!
These are spiritual truths that are attained through spiritual means, not knowledge for our mind! We are called to trust our hearts, to lay down our opinions and ideas about how things are supposed to work, and allow Holy Spirit to guide us spiritually to real understanding! We are being called to maturity, and it is Spiritual Maturity. This is not about numbers in our particular congregation, or programs or outreaches! This is about the ONE Body of Christ! We do have our parts to play, but it is a small part in a much greater ONE.
God has apportioned to us the grace necessary to achieve exactly what He is planning! He is the God of strategy and tactics, the Lord of supply and provision, the God of perfect timing! He will accomplish exactly what He intends, and He will use each of us! We are all equal parts of this great Body of Christ.
It is time to build each other up, to help one another to grow into the fullness of who they are! This is not a competition, but rather a team building event! We are called to raise up and release people into the their destiny! We are called to join ourselves to each other to support one another in love! Let us live our lives worthy of the calling we have received! Let us embrace one another and together pursue the whole measure of the fullness of Christ!
Amen!
Friday, August 16, 2019
A New Song for a New Day!
This morning I was trying to turn to Psalm 99, but instead it opened to Psalm 40 and I started reading. I decided it was so good and so appropriate, that I would read it in "The Passion Translation" - and here it is in its fullness:
1 "I waited and waited and waited some more,
patiently, knowing God would come through for me.
Then, at last, he bent down and listened to my cry.
2 He stooped down to lift me out of danger
from the desolate pit I was in,
out of the muddy mess I had fallen into.
Now he’s lifted me up into a firm, secure place
and steadied me while I walk along his ascending path.
3 A new song for a new day rises up in me
every time I think about how he breaks through for me!
Ecstatic praise pours out of my mouth until
everyone hears how God has set me free.
Many will see his miracles;
they’ll stand in awe of God and fall in love with him!
4 Blessing after blessing comes to those who love and trust the Lord.
They will not fall away,
for they refuse to listen to the lies of the proud.
5 O Lord, our God, no one can compare with you.
Such wonderful works and miracles are all found with you!
And you think of us all the time
with your countless expressions of love—
far exceeding our expectations!
6 It’s not sacrifices that really move your heart.
Burnt offerings, sin offerings—that’s not what brings you joy.
But when you open my ears and speak deeply to me,
I become your willing servant, your prisoner of love for life.[a]
7 So I said, “Here I am! I’m coming to you as a sacrifice,[b]
for in the prophetic scrolls of your book
you have written about me.
8 I delight to fulfill your will, my God,
for your living words are written upon the pages of my heart.”
9 I tell everyone everywhere the truth of your righteousness.
And you know I haven’t held back in telling the message to all.
10 I don’t keep it a secret or hide the truth.
I preach of your faithfulness and kindness,
proclaiming your extravagant love to the largest crowd I can find!
11 So Lord, don’t hold back your love or withhold
your tender mercies from me.
Keep me in your truth and let your compassion overflow to me
no matter what I face.
12 Evil surrounds me; problems greater than I can solve
come one after another.
Without you, I know I can’t make it.
My sins are so many!
I’m so ashamed to lift my face to you.
For my guilt grabs me and stings my soul
until I am weakened and spent.
13 Please, Lord! Come quickly and rescue me!
Take pleasure in showing me your favor and restore me.
14 Let all who seek my life be humiliated!
Let them be confused and ashamed, God.
Scatter those who wish me evil; they just want me dead.
15 Scoff at every scoffer and cause them all to be utter failures.
Let them be ashamed and horrified by their complete defeat.
16 But let all who passionately seek you
erupt with excitement and joy over what you’ve done!
Let all your lovers rejoice continually in the Savior,[c] saying,
“How great and glorious is our God!”
17 Lord, in my place of weakness and need, I ask again:
Will you come and help me?
I know I’m always in your thoughts.
You are my true Savior and hero,
so don’t delay to deliver me now, for you are my God."
Thank You Lord! You heard my prayer!
As for Psalm 99 - it is a personal blessing to me that the Lord has used to make sure I know He is speaking to me, and that He has got my situation firmly in hand!
Psalm 99:1-7,9 NIV:
[1] "The Lord reigns, let the nations tremble; he sits enthroned between the cherubim, let the earth shake.
[2] Great is the Lord in Zion; he is exalted over all the nations.
[3] Let them praise your great and awesome name---he is holy.
[4] The King is mighty, he loves justice---you have established equity; in Jacob you have done what is just and right.
[5] Exalt the Lord our God and worship at his footstool; he is holy.
[6] Moses and Aaron were among his priests, Samuel was among those who called on his name; they called on the Lord and he answered them.
[7] He spoke to them from the pillar of cloud; they kept his statutes and the decrees he gave them."
[9] "Exalt the Lord our God and worship at his holy mountain, for the Lord our God is holy."
Thank You Lord for hearing all my prayers, my unspoken petitions and even my complaints. You love me, and want me to know that You hear, and are answering all my concerns!
Amen and Amen!
1 "I waited and waited and waited some more,
patiently, knowing God would come through for me.
Then, at last, he bent down and listened to my cry.
2 He stooped down to lift me out of danger
from the desolate pit I was in,
out of the muddy mess I had fallen into.
Now he’s lifted me up into a firm, secure place
and steadied me while I walk along his ascending path.
3 A new song for a new day rises up in me
every time I think about how he breaks through for me!
Ecstatic praise pours out of my mouth until
everyone hears how God has set me free.
Many will see his miracles;
they’ll stand in awe of God and fall in love with him!
4 Blessing after blessing comes to those who love and trust the Lord.
They will not fall away,
for they refuse to listen to the lies of the proud.
5 O Lord, our God, no one can compare with you.
Such wonderful works and miracles are all found with you!
And you think of us all the time
with your countless expressions of love—
far exceeding our expectations!
6 It’s not sacrifices that really move your heart.
Burnt offerings, sin offerings—that’s not what brings you joy.
But when you open my ears and speak deeply to me,
I become your willing servant, your prisoner of love for life.[a]
7 So I said, “Here I am! I’m coming to you as a sacrifice,[b]
for in the prophetic scrolls of your book
you have written about me.
8 I delight to fulfill your will, my God,
for your living words are written upon the pages of my heart.”
9 I tell everyone everywhere the truth of your righteousness.
And you know I haven’t held back in telling the message to all.
10 I don’t keep it a secret or hide the truth.
I preach of your faithfulness and kindness,
proclaiming your extravagant love to the largest crowd I can find!
11 So Lord, don’t hold back your love or withhold
your tender mercies from me.
Keep me in your truth and let your compassion overflow to me
no matter what I face.
12 Evil surrounds me; problems greater than I can solve
come one after another.
Without you, I know I can’t make it.
My sins are so many!
I’m so ashamed to lift my face to you.
For my guilt grabs me and stings my soul
until I am weakened and spent.
13 Please, Lord! Come quickly and rescue me!
Take pleasure in showing me your favor and restore me.
14 Let all who seek my life be humiliated!
Let them be confused and ashamed, God.
Scatter those who wish me evil; they just want me dead.
15 Scoff at every scoffer and cause them all to be utter failures.
Let them be ashamed and horrified by their complete defeat.
16 But let all who passionately seek you
erupt with excitement and joy over what you’ve done!
Let all your lovers rejoice continually in the Savior,[c] saying,
“How great and glorious is our God!”
17 Lord, in my place of weakness and need, I ask again:
Will you come and help me?
I know I’m always in your thoughts.
You are my true Savior and hero,
so don’t delay to deliver me now, for you are my God."
Thank You Lord! You heard my prayer!
As for Psalm 99 - it is a personal blessing to me that the Lord has used to make sure I know He is speaking to me, and that He has got my situation firmly in hand!
Psalm 99:1-7,9 NIV:
[1] "The Lord reigns, let the nations tremble; he sits enthroned between the cherubim, let the earth shake.
[2] Great is the Lord in Zion; he is exalted over all the nations.
[3] Let them praise your great and awesome name---he is holy.
[4] The King is mighty, he loves justice---you have established equity; in Jacob you have done what is just and right.
[5] Exalt the Lord our God and worship at his footstool; he is holy.
[6] Moses and Aaron were among his priests, Samuel was among those who called on his name; they called on the Lord and he answered them.
[7] He spoke to them from the pillar of cloud; they kept his statutes and the decrees he gave them."
[9] "Exalt the Lord our God and worship at his holy mountain, for the Lord our God is holy."
Thank You Lord for hearing all my prayers, my unspoken petitions and even my complaints. You love me, and want me to know that You hear, and are answering all my concerns!
Amen and Amen!
Monday, August 12, 2019
Flip Those Chains
This morning I felt like I should read from Isaiah 14, and saw something I don't remember having read before, although I know for sure I have read it several times. I like it when something new is highlighted, as it seems there is something fresh the Lord is saying. Here are the verses that grabbed my attention this morning - Isaiah 14:1-2 NIV:
[1] "The Lord will have compassion on Jacob;
once again he will choose Israel and will settle them in their own land.
Foreigners will join them and unite with the descendants of Jacob.
[2] Nations will take them and bring them to their own place.
And Israel will take possession of the nations and make them male and female servants in the Lord's land.
They will make captives of their captors and rule over their oppressors."
This is actually a pretty interested couple of lines. I could focus on several things, but this morning my heart is drawn to the theme of overcoming. I don't mean from a political or power perspective, but rather personally.
If one were to read these lines as pertaining to internal struggles, captivity to strongholds of sin, thought patterns, deception or anything else that can keep a person bound or captive, that is my what is on my heart this morning. What a message of hope! I love that last line - "they will make captives of their captors, and rule over their oppressors.
In Jesus, who has defeated all the forces of the enemy, who has destroyed death and broken the gates of Hell, who has paid the price for all of our sins, who has given us His righteousness, we have the opportunity and ability to do exactly what is described here. Jesus is not bound by any chain, or any power! He is not oppressed by the enemy, nor suffering defeat as his hand!
If we join ourselves to Jesus, and become hidden in Him, then we will experience victory! We will command those things that have bound us, and rule over them, in Jesus and through Jesus! We don't have the strength on our own, but in Him the victory has already been won! We can flip the chains, and bind those things that we have been bound by!
Lord, Thank You for all that is available to us in You! Help us to settle for nothing less than what You have won for us! 2 Corinthians 3:17 NIV: "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom."
Amen!
[1] "The Lord will have compassion on Jacob;
once again he will choose Israel and will settle them in their own land.
Foreigners will join them and unite with the descendants of Jacob.
[2] Nations will take them and bring them to their own place.
And Israel will take possession of the nations and make them male and female servants in the Lord's land.
They will make captives of their captors and rule over their oppressors."
This is actually a pretty interested couple of lines. I could focus on several things, but this morning my heart is drawn to the theme of overcoming. I don't mean from a political or power perspective, but rather personally.
If one were to read these lines as pertaining to internal struggles, captivity to strongholds of sin, thought patterns, deception or anything else that can keep a person bound or captive, that is my what is on my heart this morning. What a message of hope! I love that last line - "they will make captives of their captors, and rule over their oppressors.
In Jesus, who has defeated all the forces of the enemy, who has destroyed death and broken the gates of Hell, who has paid the price for all of our sins, who has given us His righteousness, we have the opportunity and ability to do exactly what is described here. Jesus is not bound by any chain, or any power! He is not oppressed by the enemy, nor suffering defeat as his hand!
If we join ourselves to Jesus, and become hidden in Him, then we will experience victory! We will command those things that have bound us, and rule over them, in Jesus and through Jesus! We don't have the strength on our own, but in Him the victory has already been won! We can flip the chains, and bind those things that we have been bound by!
Lord, Thank You for all that is available to us in You! Help us to settle for nothing less than what You have won for us! 2 Corinthians 3:17 NIV: "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom."
Amen!
Saturday, August 10, 2019
Bending and Flexibility
This morning I had a dream where my honey and I were at a conference and we were talking about flexibility and creativity in the Holy Spirit in the Body of Christ. There was a focus on specifically breaking molds and ideas of how things should go, to get people out of their preconceived notions, to enable them to see and be open to the Lord moving in different ways. When I got up to speak, the Holy Spirit hit me hard and gave me the word "bend". The idea was that we needed to learn to move with the breath of the Holy Spirit, but stay rooted, much like stalks of grain. The idea was flexibility over rigidity. The second word He gave me was "swell" as in waves that aren't crashing but causing natural up and down movements. Again the sense was being willing to move in synch with the Holy Spirit. Being rigid when the waves are swelling causes points of contention, and ultimately damage (If you think of a solid dock trying to withstand significant swells).
As I sat down to pray this morning, I felt led to read from John 19, which is his recounting Jesus' crucifixion and death. I was reading through that and was drawn to the comment about Jesus being given wine vinegar on a sponge shortly before His death (John 19:28-30). As I did a little research, I was immediately confronted with all sorts of ideas, research and religion concerning this simple fact. This particular event is recorded in all 4 of the Gospels, and so it was significant, and it did fulfill a prophetic picture of the Messiah.
What caught my attention in reading the different statements, was how much religion was influencing different people's comments. By religion, in this case, I mean specific teaching about rules and interpretations around certain topics of which drinking alcohol is one. There are certain denominations that teach that drinking any alcohol is sinful, and thus, there were people that were commenting from this point of view. Other denominations don't have the same strict belief concerning alcohol, so people were commenting from that perspective as well.
My point is that this isn't really an arguable point, nor is it in anyway related to salvation, to God's mercy, to His love for us, to our identity as His son's and daughters, and yet it is something that people get all bent out of shape about. It is a small example of how religion can cause division and conflict where it should not exist. We can become so confident in our particular opinion or perspective, that we can get offended by, or judgmental towards those that have a different opinion.
Many of us have sat under teaching from specific denominations, with particular emphasis and opinions. I believe the Lord is calling us to learn to lay down our strongly held opinions to allow us to see His perspective, and to more fully join ourselves to the Body of Christ. God is so much bigger than our petty arguments about how to interpret certain scriptures. He is God and He is perfect, and none of us will ever, this side of heaven, grasp and understand His perfection. We can however learn to bend in our understanding, seeing Him as being bigger than our understanding. We can learn to allow others to have different interpretations, perspectives and opinions and still be in relationship with them in the Body of Christ.
I dare say that no single denomination, or church, has all the truth or perfect theology. We are still learning and understanding God's ways, and this will always be the case. God is bigger than all of our combined understanding of Him, so let us give each other grace and press into God for greater understanding. Let us repent of our sins of judgment towards our brother and sisters from other churches and denominations, and let us pursue unity in spite of our differences. Let us learn to bend and be flexible while rooted in Him!
Amen!
As I sat down to pray this morning, I felt led to read from John 19, which is his recounting Jesus' crucifixion and death. I was reading through that and was drawn to the comment about Jesus being given wine vinegar on a sponge shortly before His death (John 19:28-30). As I did a little research, I was immediately confronted with all sorts of ideas, research and religion concerning this simple fact. This particular event is recorded in all 4 of the Gospels, and so it was significant, and it did fulfill a prophetic picture of the Messiah.
What caught my attention in reading the different statements, was how much religion was influencing different people's comments. By religion, in this case, I mean specific teaching about rules and interpretations around certain topics of which drinking alcohol is one. There are certain denominations that teach that drinking any alcohol is sinful, and thus, there were people that were commenting from this point of view. Other denominations don't have the same strict belief concerning alcohol, so people were commenting from that perspective as well.
My point is that this isn't really an arguable point, nor is it in anyway related to salvation, to God's mercy, to His love for us, to our identity as His son's and daughters, and yet it is something that people get all bent out of shape about. It is a small example of how religion can cause division and conflict where it should not exist. We can become so confident in our particular opinion or perspective, that we can get offended by, or judgmental towards those that have a different opinion.
Many of us have sat under teaching from specific denominations, with particular emphasis and opinions. I believe the Lord is calling us to learn to lay down our strongly held opinions to allow us to see His perspective, and to more fully join ourselves to the Body of Christ. God is so much bigger than our petty arguments about how to interpret certain scriptures. He is God and He is perfect, and none of us will ever, this side of heaven, grasp and understand His perfection. We can however learn to bend in our understanding, seeing Him as being bigger than our understanding. We can learn to allow others to have different interpretations, perspectives and opinions and still be in relationship with them in the Body of Christ.
I dare say that no single denomination, or church, has all the truth or perfect theology. We are still learning and understanding God's ways, and this will always be the case. God is bigger than all of our combined understanding of Him, so let us give each other grace and press into God for greater understanding. Let us repent of our sins of judgment towards our brother and sisters from other churches and denominations, and let us pursue unity in spite of our differences. Let us learn to bend and be flexible while rooted in Him!
Amen!
Saturday, July 27, 2019
The Depth of These Truths! Oh Man!
This morning I am reflecting on a few verses from John's Gospel. These few verses are pretty mind-blowing if you let them resonate!
John 17:19,24,26 NIV:
[19] "For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified."
[24] “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world."
[26] "I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”
These are really radical statements and they are true for us all!
First , in verse 19, Jesus says that He sanctified Himself, that we might, in Him, be sanctified! In other words, His holiness, His purity, His righteousness are all provided to us, as well! When the Father looks at us, He sees us looking just like Jesus. Paul says that we are hidden in Christ, which is a good description. Here we see Jesus' accomplishments being distributed to us!
Secondly, in verse 24, if verse 19 is true, then we are definitely with Jesus where He is. He was loved by the Father before the creation of the World, and so were we according to Ephesians 1:4 NIV: "For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight." Jesus also makes mention of this in His description of the Judgement day - Matthew 25:34 NIV: “Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world."
Finally in verse 26 we see Jesus saying that the same Love the Father has for Him, will be in us! That statement is definitely too deep to fathom. We can't possibly comprehend the Love the Father has for His son Jesus! Yet, Jesus says that same love will be in us. In fact, He will be in us as well!
This Love of the Father; this loving us since before the creation of the world; this sharing of His Glory; this blessing us with His sanctification and His righteousness is our Gospel, our Good News! It is so much more than just salvation, or a place in Heaven. We are fully His beloved Sons and Daughters, and we are and have always been greatly loved! Wow!
I am just going to let this settle in my soul, in my heart and in my mind! Lord, help me to grasp more of that which is clearly beyond our understanding! Help me to not only believe this, but help me to live my life in this knowledge!
Amen and amen!
John 17:19,24,26 NIV:
[19] "For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified."
[24] “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world."
[26] "I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”
These are really radical statements and they are true for us all!
First , in verse 19, Jesus says that He sanctified Himself, that we might, in Him, be sanctified! In other words, His holiness, His purity, His righteousness are all provided to us, as well! When the Father looks at us, He sees us looking just like Jesus. Paul says that we are hidden in Christ, which is a good description. Here we see Jesus' accomplishments being distributed to us!
Secondly, in verse 24, if verse 19 is true, then we are definitely with Jesus where He is. He was loved by the Father before the creation of the World, and so were we according to Ephesians 1:4 NIV: "For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight." Jesus also makes mention of this in His description of the Judgement day - Matthew 25:34 NIV: “Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world."
Finally in verse 26 we see Jesus saying that the same Love the Father has for Him, will be in us! That statement is definitely too deep to fathom. We can't possibly comprehend the Love the Father has for His son Jesus! Yet, Jesus says that same love will be in us. In fact, He will be in us as well!
This Love of the Father; this loving us since before the creation of the world; this sharing of His Glory; this blessing us with His sanctification and His righteousness is our Gospel, our Good News! It is so much more than just salvation, or a place in Heaven. We are fully His beloved Sons and Daughters, and we are and have always been greatly loved! Wow!
I am just going to let this settle in my soul, in my heart and in my mind! Lord, help me to grasp more of that which is clearly beyond our understanding! Help me to not only believe this, but help me to live my life in this knowledge!
Amen and amen!
Monday, July 22, 2019
The End and the New Beginning
This morning I am reflecting on one of the most interesting statements Jesus made, and they were His last words. We find them recorded in John 19:28-30 NIV:
[28] "Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” [29] A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus' lips. [30] When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit."
My first thought in reading this verse this morning, is that while this should have been the end, it was not! Three days later Jesus was resurrected and what seemed finished or ended at the moment on the cross has continued on since Jesus rose from the dead! What a glorious story we are part of, for His ministry continues on in the church.
My second thought was wondering what exactly Jesus said, looking back to the Greek language that was used to record His final words. John was writing in Greek, so He used the word "Teleo". This like many words has a few possible definitions, depending on how it is used in context. As I am not a Greek scholar, I can only report the whole list of possible definitions, as follows:
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
As I reflect on each of these, I can see in them Jesus' fulfillment, and statement as it relates to His life to that point. He had perfectly fulfilled the requirements of the Law, and fulfilled the prophesies that had been spoken about Him. He paid the debt of man's sin. He had fulfilled the commands of the Father to perfection. He had laid down His life for us all! He had performed the last act required to fulfill all that He had come to do! I heard someone say, in regards to paying for our sins, that it was as if He was saying "Paid in Full" and that no other payment would ever have to be made.
To put it in a context that I can understand, for much of which I just wrote I understand intellectually, but clearly not in the fullness of what they mean eternally. As I was reflecting on this paid in full, I thought of what it would feel like to make the final payment on my house (which hasn't happened yet). When I write that last check there will be a sense of completeness! I will never have to write another check for this house (Other than taxes, which is a completely different story). The Mortgage company will send me a letter indicating the house is paid in full! I will have no debt hanging over my life! I will be quite joyful and it will signal my transition into a new age for me, one of being debt free. I am grateful that I don't worry about this debt, as I am well able to handle the monthly payments, but the sense of responsibility and commitment never leaves me. At that point, I believe that I will experience a sense of sweet relief and release! If I take this idea and multiply it by 20 Billion I might gain some small perspective of what it meant when Jesus uttered these words!
The best news is that being paid in full isn't the end! It is essentially the beginning of a new era, a new reality! In the life of the apostles and Jesus disciples, that new era started 3 days later, when Jesus rose from the dead. He appeared to them several times over the next few days and then spent a considerable time (See Acts 1:3) with them continuing to teach them about the Kingdom, before finally ascending to Heaven. The Apostles knew that Jesus' ministry and message was now their responsibility, and we continue that responsibility to this day!
Lord, I pray that You will help me grasp all that You did for me that day! Help me to join myself to that which continues to this day! Help me to embrace this "new beginning" and follow You.
Thank You for this incredible gift that You have given us all!
Amen!
[28] "Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” [29] A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus' lips. [30] When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit."
My first thought in reading this verse this morning, is that while this should have been the end, it was not! Three days later Jesus was resurrected and what seemed finished or ended at the moment on the cross has continued on since Jesus rose from the dead! What a glorious story we are part of, for His ministry continues on in the church.
My second thought was wondering what exactly Jesus said, looking back to the Greek language that was used to record His final words. John was writing in Greek, so He used the word "Teleo". This like many words has a few possible definitions, depending on how it is used in context. As I am not a Greek scholar, I can only report the whole list of possible definitions, as follows:
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
As I reflect on each of these, I can see in them Jesus' fulfillment, and statement as it relates to His life to that point. He had perfectly fulfilled the requirements of the Law, and fulfilled the prophesies that had been spoken about Him. He paid the debt of man's sin. He had fulfilled the commands of the Father to perfection. He had laid down His life for us all! He had performed the last act required to fulfill all that He had come to do! I heard someone say, in regards to paying for our sins, that it was as if He was saying "Paid in Full" and that no other payment would ever have to be made.
To put it in a context that I can understand, for much of which I just wrote I understand intellectually, but clearly not in the fullness of what they mean eternally. As I was reflecting on this paid in full, I thought of what it would feel like to make the final payment on my house (which hasn't happened yet). When I write that last check there will be a sense of completeness! I will never have to write another check for this house (Other than taxes, which is a completely different story). The Mortgage company will send me a letter indicating the house is paid in full! I will have no debt hanging over my life! I will be quite joyful and it will signal my transition into a new age for me, one of being debt free. I am grateful that I don't worry about this debt, as I am well able to handle the monthly payments, but the sense of responsibility and commitment never leaves me. At that point, I believe that I will experience a sense of sweet relief and release! If I take this idea and multiply it by 20 Billion I might gain some small perspective of what it meant when Jesus uttered these words!
The best news is that being paid in full isn't the end! It is essentially the beginning of a new era, a new reality! In the life of the apostles and Jesus disciples, that new era started 3 days later, when Jesus rose from the dead. He appeared to them several times over the next few days and then spent a considerable time (See Acts 1:3) with them continuing to teach them about the Kingdom, before finally ascending to Heaven. The Apostles knew that Jesus' ministry and message was now their responsibility, and we continue that responsibility to this day!
Lord, I pray that You will help me grasp all that You did for me that day! Help me to join myself to that which continues to this day! Help me to embrace this "new beginning" and follow You.
Thank You for this incredible gift that You have given us all!
Amen!
Saturday, July 20, 2019
Resurrected Promises
This morning I felt led once again to go to John 11, which is the story of Lazarus. this has been one of the most recurrent themes and verses of late, and this morning I was once again asking the Lord why He keeps sending me back to these verses? Am I not learning or hearing what You are saying? Is this Your way of saying I am a slow learner? (just kidding - the Lord thinks I am awesome, just like He thinks You are awesome)! I felt like He said that there is a promise here that we need to hear!
Here are the verses I am reflecting on today (I am not including some of the rest of the story, but will refer to the facts as presented) - John 11:38-44 NIV:
[38] "Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. [39] “Take away the stone,” he said.
“But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.”
[40] Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”
[41] So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. [42] I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.”
[43] When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” [44] The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”
In the past I did quite an extensive study of the medical understanding of what happens to the body 4-5 days after death, and it is not a pretty picture (See my blog entry for more regarding this - https://amomentwithgod-srh.blogspot.com/2017/02/gods-promises-are-good-it-is-never-too.html
Suffice it to say that Lazarus didn't just need to be raised to life, His body needed to be reformed, to the point of almost being recreated. The internal breakdown of the human body happens at the cellular level, and after 4-5 days, the decomposition is significant.
So why am I bringing up this point? I felt like the Promise of the Lord this morning was for some of us who have suffered lost promises to the point that the promise was more than dead, it is in an advanced state of decay. The Lord would say, "Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” God spoke a recreative word over Lazarus and his body was completely restored in an instant. All the decay and decomposition was vanquished, and new life was breathed back into Lazarus at the cellular level! If go can do that for the trillion plus cells in Lazarus' body, He can do the same for your circumstances and life! He is the restorer of those that are lost, broken, worried, beat-down, hopeless and devastated. He can resurrect His Promises in Your life, no matter how dead they seem.
So this morning, I am just encouraged to hope in the Lord for all of those unfulfilled and seemingly forgotten promises? I am encouraged that it sis never too late for the Lord! He is the restorer and healer.
Finally, I was reminded of some of my favorite verses from the Prophet Isaiah 61:1-4,7 NIV:
[1] "The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,
[2] to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn,
[3] and provide for those who grieve in Zion---to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes,
the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.
[4] They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated;
they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations."
[7] "Instead of your shame you will receive a double portion,
and instead of disgrace you will rejoice in your inheritance.
And so you will inherit a double portion in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours."
Amen and Amen!!
Here are the verses I am reflecting on today (I am not including some of the rest of the story, but will refer to the facts as presented) - John 11:38-44 NIV:
[38] "Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. [39] “Take away the stone,” he said.
“But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.”
[40] Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”
[41] So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. [42] I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.”
[43] When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” [44] The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”
In the past I did quite an extensive study of the medical understanding of what happens to the body 4-5 days after death, and it is not a pretty picture (See my blog entry for more regarding this - https://amomentwithgod-srh.blogspot.com/2017/02/gods-promises-are-good-it-is-never-too.html
Suffice it to say that Lazarus didn't just need to be raised to life, His body needed to be reformed, to the point of almost being recreated. The internal breakdown of the human body happens at the cellular level, and after 4-5 days, the decomposition is significant.
So why am I bringing up this point? I felt like the Promise of the Lord this morning was for some of us who have suffered lost promises to the point that the promise was more than dead, it is in an advanced state of decay. The Lord would say, "Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” God spoke a recreative word over Lazarus and his body was completely restored in an instant. All the decay and decomposition was vanquished, and new life was breathed back into Lazarus at the cellular level! If go can do that for the trillion plus cells in Lazarus' body, He can do the same for your circumstances and life! He is the restorer of those that are lost, broken, worried, beat-down, hopeless and devastated. He can resurrect His Promises in Your life, no matter how dead they seem.
So this morning, I am just encouraged to hope in the Lord for all of those unfulfilled and seemingly forgotten promises? I am encouraged that it sis never too late for the Lord! He is the restorer and healer.
Finally, I was reminded of some of my favorite verses from the Prophet Isaiah 61:1-4,7 NIV:
[1] "The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,
[2] to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn,
[3] and provide for those who grieve in Zion---to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes,
the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.
[4] They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated;
they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations."
[7] "Instead of your shame you will receive a double portion,
and instead of disgrace you will rejoice in your inheritance.
And so you will inherit a double portion in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours."
Amen and Amen!!
Thursday, July 18, 2019
Familiarity and Offense
This morning I am continuing my reflections from Mark's Gospel. Yesterday I was reflecting on the cure of the man with the withered hand and the amazing way news about Jesus spread throughout the region, and caused huge crowds to gather pressing in to touch him that they could be healed. Today its a few chapters later, and I am reflecting on almost the exact opposite reaction to Jesus that occurred in His hometown. Here are the verses - Mark 6:1-6 NIV:
[1] "Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. [2] When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed."
“Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What's this wisdom that has been given him? What are these remarkable miracles he is performing? [3] Isn't this the carpenter? Isn't this Mary's son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren't his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him."
[4] "Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.” [5] He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. [6] He was amazed at their lack of faith."
"Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village."
Again, Mark is the master of conciseness. This story is also covered in Matthew's Gospel and a slightly different version in Luke's. The point is important enough that all three Gospel writers included this happening.
As I first look at this story I think there are two major points, taking offense and the lack of faith limiting God's ability to act. I have reflected on both of these over the years. However, today the point that stood out for me was the particulars of Jesus statement in verse 4, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home." The specific inclusion of home and relatives caught my attention today, which causes me to want to think through why that would be, and wondering if that is always the case?
As I am thinking through this, I think I would like to expand this definition to include our modern equivalent of neighborhood, and maybe even our church congregations. The point is that it is where the person (prophet in this case) is known that there is not honor. In this case the word that is translated Honor is the Greek word 'atimos" and it means not honored, not valued, even despised, which are pretty strong statements.
So my question, as I apply this to my life, is whether or not this would be my reaction? Would I allow my past history, my intimate knowledge of a person, my remembrance of a persons sins (obviously this is not the case with Jesus), or disinterest in me and my affairs to cause me to dishonor or even despise them, should they be called and used by God?
It almost seems like it should be the opposite, that our knowledge of the individual and their foibles and imperfections, and yet the witness of God using them, should cause us to glorify God, for it is clearly not due to the person's abilities or character that God is working in them and through them! We should rejoice that God can use someone like us!
I think this is such an important point for us in the church! We want fine and upstanding leaders who are perfect in every way, and when we find out they aren't we become jaded, wounded, offended and sometimes even walk away from God. Here was the only perfect man to ever walk the earth, and people found a way to be offended by Him, and lose faith in God's ability to work through Him. It isn't about God's ability, or choice of a man, it is about our expectations and own selfishness!
Why should we expect our leaders to be any less sinful then we are? Why would we expect to always have them focused on us and our needs, when we are not that way to others? Why would we expect a person to have walked perfectly in their entire life, never having strayed off the path of righteousness?? Why would we think that a person can't grow and change and really repent? We are so quick to jettison those that are shown to be "human" like us, from rolls of leadership, or from places of honor in our minds and hearts. We are equally quick to disqualify ourselves from being used of God for the same reasons!
What if we decided to value each other as the Lord values us? What if we decided to trust Him to choose those He will use, and work through? What if we let Him choose us? It seems God is not particularly picky - Jesus said that the stones would cry out to glorify Him if the people didn't (Luke 19:40). In other words, all of us can be used by God to bring Him Glory!
This morning I am encouraged to choose to give value to those who I know, those I am closest too, as able to be used by God! I choose to believe that God could even use me, in spite of my own issues. I choose to believe that God is able to change people's hearts, their minds and even their character and that previous history is not a good indication or limitation of what God can do in the future - and I must include myself in this!
Thank You Lord, that You are about moving in our lives, and You choose to use people like me!
Amen!
[1] "Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. [2] When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed."
“Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What's this wisdom that has been given him? What are these remarkable miracles he is performing? [3] Isn't this the carpenter? Isn't this Mary's son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren't his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him."
[4] "Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.” [5] He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. [6] He was amazed at their lack of faith."
"Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village."
Again, Mark is the master of conciseness. This story is also covered in Matthew's Gospel and a slightly different version in Luke's. The point is important enough that all three Gospel writers included this happening.
As I first look at this story I think there are two major points, taking offense and the lack of faith limiting God's ability to act. I have reflected on both of these over the years. However, today the point that stood out for me was the particulars of Jesus statement in verse 4, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home." The specific inclusion of home and relatives caught my attention today, which causes me to want to think through why that would be, and wondering if that is always the case?
As I am thinking through this, I think I would like to expand this definition to include our modern equivalent of neighborhood, and maybe even our church congregations. The point is that it is where the person (prophet in this case) is known that there is not honor. In this case the word that is translated Honor is the Greek word 'atimos" and it means not honored, not valued, even despised, which are pretty strong statements.
So my question, as I apply this to my life, is whether or not this would be my reaction? Would I allow my past history, my intimate knowledge of a person, my remembrance of a persons sins (obviously this is not the case with Jesus), or disinterest in me and my affairs to cause me to dishonor or even despise them, should they be called and used by God?
It almost seems like it should be the opposite, that our knowledge of the individual and their foibles and imperfections, and yet the witness of God using them, should cause us to glorify God, for it is clearly not due to the person's abilities or character that God is working in them and through them! We should rejoice that God can use someone like us!
I think this is such an important point for us in the church! We want fine and upstanding leaders who are perfect in every way, and when we find out they aren't we become jaded, wounded, offended and sometimes even walk away from God. Here was the only perfect man to ever walk the earth, and people found a way to be offended by Him, and lose faith in God's ability to work through Him. It isn't about God's ability, or choice of a man, it is about our expectations and own selfishness!
Why should we expect our leaders to be any less sinful then we are? Why would we expect to always have them focused on us and our needs, when we are not that way to others? Why would we expect a person to have walked perfectly in their entire life, never having strayed off the path of righteousness?? Why would we think that a person can't grow and change and really repent? We are so quick to jettison those that are shown to be "human" like us, from rolls of leadership, or from places of honor in our minds and hearts. We are equally quick to disqualify ourselves from being used of God for the same reasons!
What if we decided to value each other as the Lord values us? What if we decided to trust Him to choose those He will use, and work through? What if we let Him choose us? It seems God is not particularly picky - Jesus said that the stones would cry out to glorify Him if the people didn't (Luke 19:40). In other words, all of us can be used by God to bring Him Glory!
This morning I am encouraged to choose to give value to those who I know, those I am closest too, as able to be used by God! I choose to believe that God could even use me, in spite of my own issues. I choose to believe that God is able to change people's hearts, their minds and even their character and that previous history is not a good indication or limitation of what God can do in the future - and I must include myself in this!
Thank You Lord, that You are about moving in our lives, and You choose to use people like me!
Amen!
Wednesday, July 17, 2019
Healing and Wildfire
This morning I am spending some time reflecting on a few verses from Mark's Gospel. Mark tends to cram a bunch of stuff into a few verses, and these are no exception. Here are the verses - Mark 3:1-12 NIV:
[1] "Another time Jesus went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there. [2] Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath. [3] Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand, “Stand up in front of everyone.”
[4] Then Jesus asked them, “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they remained silent.
[5] He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored. [6] Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus."
[7] "Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the lake, and a large crowd from Galilee followed. [8] When they heard about all he was doing, many people came to him from Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, and the regions across the Jordan and around Tyre and Sidon. [9] Because of the crowd he told his disciples to have a small boat ready for him, to keep the people from crowding him. [10] For he had healed many, so that those with diseases were pushing forward to touch him. [11] Whenever the impure spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, “You are the Son of God.” [12] But he gave them strict orders not to tell others about him."
The first part of this story is repeated in all three of the synoptic Gospels, so it was seen as a significant event in the Life of Jesus, and was remembered as such. My first thought on reading this was if the man with the shriveled hand was allowed into the synagogue? The Levitical law had several things in it about those that were deformed, etc.
Here is what it says - Leviticus 21:16-19 NIV:
[16] "The Lord said to Moses, [17] “Say to Aaron: 'For the generations to come none of your descendants who has a defect may come near to offer the food of his God. [18] No man who has any defect may come near: no man who is blind or lame, disfigured or deformed; [19] no man with a crippled foot or hand,"
Now that is specific to the priesthood, and would not bar entry to the synagogue. It does introduce thinking about the way people would think about a man with a shriveled hand, as possibly being rejected by God. We also know that a common thought was that anyone who was crippled or blind was likely that way due to their or their parents sin (See John 9). Thus, this man was likely used to feeling like a second class citizen, or someone that was viewed with contempt or distrust.
As I was doing some research, I came across a time when King Jereboam's hand shriveled when he called for a "Man of God" to be seized for prophesying against the sacrifices being made at the altar. The man of God interceded afterwards and the Kings hand was restored (See 1 Kings 13:1-6). The pharisees and scribes would have been aware of this story too, and were likely uncomfortable with parallels that could be drawn.
Regardless of all the issues and their stubborn hearts, Jesus had mercy on the man who He had asked to stand in front of them all, and healed him in front of them by simply having the man stretch out his arm! Talk about a life-changing event!
Jesus, aware of the efforts to trap Him, didn't even do any work on the Sabbath this time (as compared to John 9, when He made mud and applied it to the eyes of the man born blind). He just gave a command and when the man obeyed he was healed. This must have driven the Pharisees and Herodians crazy, for there was not a single thing they could say that Jesus did wrong, and yet they were clearly the object of Jesus' anger, and saddened heart, for they clearly didn't understand the Father's heart, yet were representing Him (my take on why Jesus was angry).
Finally, this event so captured the attention of the people, that news of Jesus spread like wild-fire to all the surrounding areas, and people came from over 100 miles away. We really can't fully grasp the significance of Jesus ministry. The Jews had been waiting for hundreds of years for their Messiah, a man sent from God to set them free and restore them! Their had been no real prophet for 300+ years, and certainly no one that did miracles since ancient times. The news about Jesus, spread, I think, because of the hope that still existed in the people's hearts. They hoped that God hadn't abandoned them! They hoped that God's word was true, but for the last several generations, that was all they had to hold onto. Suddenly, in Galilee of all places, rumors start flying of a man who heals, and who heals everyone! I imagine the crowds were made up of young people who could make the journey easily, sent to see if the rumors were true; the sick and lame and those that could find someone to help them find Jesus; and those whose hearts were stirred by the Holy Spirit, who felt called to follow this one.
Mark, in his concise description, says that Jesus needed a boat to keep the crowds from pressing in on Him. The reason was simple, He had healed so many that everyone that was sick or disabled was trying to ouch Him, and receive their healing! It wasn't that Jesus didn't want to heal them, it was that He didn't want to be trampled or crushed in scramble One assumes that at some point they all figured out how to handle the crowds in a more orderly fashion. In today's ministries that gather hundreds and thousands they have figured out different approaches, and God in His goodness blesses them so that the majority of people can be touched.
Oh, to see Jesus Glorified in such numbers, to see the Holy Spirit move in power and healing on hundreds and even thousands! That we might once again hear good rumors of God visiting His people, touching and healing, setting them free and delivering them! We long to see Your Name Glorified Jesus! We long to be a part of the advancing of the Kingdom! We long to see Your Name spread like wildfire! Come and set us free from the box we want to put You in, the limitations we want to place on You! Come and show us Your Heart for Your people!
Amen!
[1] "Another time Jesus went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there. [2] Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath. [3] Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand, “Stand up in front of everyone.”
[4] Then Jesus asked them, “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they remained silent.
[5] He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored. [6] Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus."
[7] "Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the lake, and a large crowd from Galilee followed. [8] When they heard about all he was doing, many people came to him from Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, and the regions across the Jordan and around Tyre and Sidon. [9] Because of the crowd he told his disciples to have a small boat ready for him, to keep the people from crowding him. [10] For he had healed many, so that those with diseases were pushing forward to touch him. [11] Whenever the impure spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, “You are the Son of God.” [12] But he gave them strict orders not to tell others about him."
The first part of this story is repeated in all three of the synoptic Gospels, so it was seen as a significant event in the Life of Jesus, and was remembered as such. My first thought on reading this was if the man with the shriveled hand was allowed into the synagogue? The Levitical law had several things in it about those that were deformed, etc.
Here is what it says - Leviticus 21:16-19 NIV:
[16] "The Lord said to Moses, [17] “Say to Aaron: 'For the generations to come none of your descendants who has a defect may come near to offer the food of his God. [18] No man who has any defect may come near: no man who is blind or lame, disfigured or deformed; [19] no man with a crippled foot or hand,"
Now that is specific to the priesthood, and would not bar entry to the synagogue. It does introduce thinking about the way people would think about a man with a shriveled hand, as possibly being rejected by God. We also know that a common thought was that anyone who was crippled or blind was likely that way due to their or their parents sin (See John 9). Thus, this man was likely used to feeling like a second class citizen, or someone that was viewed with contempt or distrust.
As I was doing some research, I came across a time when King Jereboam's hand shriveled when he called for a "Man of God" to be seized for prophesying against the sacrifices being made at the altar. The man of God interceded afterwards and the Kings hand was restored (See 1 Kings 13:1-6). The pharisees and scribes would have been aware of this story too, and were likely uncomfortable with parallels that could be drawn.
Regardless of all the issues and their stubborn hearts, Jesus had mercy on the man who He had asked to stand in front of them all, and healed him in front of them by simply having the man stretch out his arm! Talk about a life-changing event!
Jesus, aware of the efforts to trap Him, didn't even do any work on the Sabbath this time (as compared to John 9, when He made mud and applied it to the eyes of the man born blind). He just gave a command and when the man obeyed he was healed. This must have driven the Pharisees and Herodians crazy, for there was not a single thing they could say that Jesus did wrong, and yet they were clearly the object of Jesus' anger, and saddened heart, for they clearly didn't understand the Father's heart, yet were representing Him (my take on why Jesus was angry).
Finally, this event so captured the attention of the people, that news of Jesus spread like wild-fire to all the surrounding areas, and people came from over 100 miles away. We really can't fully grasp the significance of Jesus ministry. The Jews had been waiting for hundreds of years for their Messiah, a man sent from God to set them free and restore them! Their had been no real prophet for 300+ years, and certainly no one that did miracles since ancient times. The news about Jesus, spread, I think, because of the hope that still existed in the people's hearts. They hoped that God hadn't abandoned them! They hoped that God's word was true, but for the last several generations, that was all they had to hold onto. Suddenly, in Galilee of all places, rumors start flying of a man who heals, and who heals everyone! I imagine the crowds were made up of young people who could make the journey easily, sent to see if the rumors were true; the sick and lame and those that could find someone to help them find Jesus; and those whose hearts were stirred by the Holy Spirit, who felt called to follow this one.
Mark, in his concise description, says that Jesus needed a boat to keep the crowds from pressing in on Him. The reason was simple, He had healed so many that everyone that was sick or disabled was trying to ouch Him, and receive their healing! It wasn't that Jesus didn't want to heal them, it was that He didn't want to be trampled or crushed in scramble One assumes that at some point they all figured out how to handle the crowds in a more orderly fashion. In today's ministries that gather hundreds and thousands they have figured out different approaches, and God in His goodness blesses them so that the majority of people can be touched.
Oh, to see Jesus Glorified in such numbers, to see the Holy Spirit move in power and healing on hundreds and even thousands! That we might once again hear good rumors of God visiting His people, touching and healing, setting them free and delivering them! We long to see Your Name Glorified Jesus! We long to be a part of the advancing of the Kingdom! We long to see Your Name spread like wildfire! Come and set us free from the box we want to put You in, the limitations we want to place on You! Come and show us Your Heart for Your people!
Amen!
Tuesday, July 16, 2019
Pressing Forward Into Clouds of Unknowing
This morning, I am reflecting on some verses from Psalm 97:1-6 NIV:
[1] "The Lord reigns, let the earth be glad; let the distant shores rejoice.
[2] Clouds and thick darkness surround him;
righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
[3] Fire goes before him and consumes his foes on every side.
[4] His lightning lights up the world; the earth sees and trembles.
[5] The mountains melt like wax before the Lord, before the Lord of all the earth.
[6] The heavens proclaim his righteousness, and all peoples see his glory."
I was struck by the phrase - "Clouds and thick darkness surround him". Lately I have been reflecting on how God takes us past our knowledge, outside of our knowing, and this phrase fits into that theme. We tend to think of how darkness and clouds blind us to what's around us for they obscure what is there. In this case He is the light of the World, and yet we can't really see Him or understand Him fully. There is a sense of unknowing, and that is what I read here. We can't know God fully, we can't fully comprehend what He is doing right in front of our eyes. We can look, and try to understand, try to see, but it is beyond us. We need to be ok with this, for we are limited in our minds, limited in our understanding, and see only partially this side of eternity.
I was thinking it is interesting that we can see the foundations of His throne, and can identify them as righteousness and justice. We hear this earlier in Psalm 89:14 NIV: "Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you." These two characteristics are obviously key to who God is, and to His Reign. If they are the foundation of His throne, they are the foundation of His reign. He is Pure and Holy and His decisions and judgments are just and true.
When combined with the clouds and thick darkness, it seems to me that god is communicating to us that we may not be able to see and understand all that He is doing, but we can take comfort in knowing that whatever it is, it is right and just. He won't use unjust means to achieve something. He won't allow unrighteousness influence to cloud His judgments. We may not understand from our perspective, but He will be true to His character always.
We like to say "God is good, all the time" and that is necessary because sometimes we can't comprehend what good thing He is doing. We look and even though He is moving and arranging things right in front of us, we can't see or understand the fullness of His activity. Maybe sometimes, He covers Himself in cloud so that we don't misconstrue or misunderstand His intentions and direction because of our limited understanding.
For example. my honey is directionally challenged, and often times does not recognize the way I am driving in our car. Something feels wrong to her and she will ask if I am going in the right direction. Sometimes she even is a bit unsettled and tries to convince me I am going in the wrong direction. I, on the other hand, am not directionally challenged, and the vast majority of the time, I know exactly where we are and have a plan of how to get where we are going. If left to her, she would turn wrong, or just stop the car, unable to move forward for lack of understanding. I think that in the same way, if God revealed everything to us, we would constantly be challenging Him out of our ignorance, uncomfortableness and lack of understanding, and would be unwilling or unable to move.
This morning I am encouraged to trust myself to God's Righteousness and Justice and allow Him to move in ways I don't understand. I can limit God's move in my life by only engaging in what I understand, and that is not something I want to do. I want all of God, all of His plans and purposes to be accomplished in me, even those I don't understand or comprehend. I want to be able to press forward into Him, into the cloud of unknowing, into His love that surpasses understanding and knowledge (Eph 3:19), so that I might "be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."
Amen and Amen!
[1] "The Lord reigns, let the earth be glad; let the distant shores rejoice.
[2] Clouds and thick darkness surround him;
righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
[3] Fire goes before him and consumes his foes on every side.
[4] His lightning lights up the world; the earth sees and trembles.
[5] The mountains melt like wax before the Lord, before the Lord of all the earth.
[6] The heavens proclaim his righteousness, and all peoples see his glory."
I was struck by the phrase - "Clouds and thick darkness surround him". Lately I have been reflecting on how God takes us past our knowledge, outside of our knowing, and this phrase fits into that theme. We tend to think of how darkness and clouds blind us to what's around us for they obscure what is there. In this case He is the light of the World, and yet we can't really see Him or understand Him fully. There is a sense of unknowing, and that is what I read here. We can't know God fully, we can't fully comprehend what He is doing right in front of our eyes. We can look, and try to understand, try to see, but it is beyond us. We need to be ok with this, for we are limited in our minds, limited in our understanding, and see only partially this side of eternity.
I was thinking it is interesting that we can see the foundations of His throne, and can identify them as righteousness and justice. We hear this earlier in Psalm 89:14 NIV: "Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you." These two characteristics are obviously key to who God is, and to His Reign. If they are the foundation of His throne, they are the foundation of His reign. He is Pure and Holy and His decisions and judgments are just and true.
When combined with the clouds and thick darkness, it seems to me that god is communicating to us that we may not be able to see and understand all that He is doing, but we can take comfort in knowing that whatever it is, it is right and just. He won't use unjust means to achieve something. He won't allow unrighteousness influence to cloud His judgments. We may not understand from our perspective, but He will be true to His character always.
We like to say "God is good, all the time" and that is necessary because sometimes we can't comprehend what good thing He is doing. We look and even though He is moving and arranging things right in front of us, we can't see or understand the fullness of His activity. Maybe sometimes, He covers Himself in cloud so that we don't misconstrue or misunderstand His intentions and direction because of our limited understanding.
For example. my honey is directionally challenged, and often times does not recognize the way I am driving in our car. Something feels wrong to her and she will ask if I am going in the right direction. Sometimes she even is a bit unsettled and tries to convince me I am going in the wrong direction. I, on the other hand, am not directionally challenged, and the vast majority of the time, I know exactly where we are and have a plan of how to get where we are going. If left to her, she would turn wrong, or just stop the car, unable to move forward for lack of understanding. I think that in the same way, if God revealed everything to us, we would constantly be challenging Him out of our ignorance, uncomfortableness and lack of understanding, and would be unwilling or unable to move.
This morning I am encouraged to trust myself to God's Righteousness and Justice and allow Him to move in ways I don't understand. I can limit God's move in my life by only engaging in what I understand, and that is not something I want to do. I want all of God, all of His plans and purposes to be accomplished in me, even those I don't understand or comprehend. I want to be able to press forward into Him, into the cloud of unknowing, into His love that surpasses understanding and knowledge (Eph 3:19), so that I might "be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."
Amen and Amen!
Sunday, July 14, 2019
Rooted In Love, Filled With Power, For His Glory
This morning I felt like reading from Paul's letter to the Ephesians. I love His letters and always am reminded of the Lord's purposes and plans, when I read Paul. I am reflecting on pretty much the whole of the third chapter this morning, letting his words resonate in me. Here are the verses - Ephesians 3:2-21 NIV:
[2] "Surely you have heard about the administration of God's grace that was given to me for you, [3] that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. [4] In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, [5] which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God's holy apostles and prophets. [6] This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus."
[7] "I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God's grace given me through the working of his power. [8] Although I am less than the least of all the Lord's people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, [9] and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. [10] His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, [11] according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. [12] In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. [13] I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory."
[14] "For this reason I kneel before the Father, [15] from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. [16] I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, [17] so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, [18] may have power, together with all the Lord's holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, [19] and to know this love that surpasses knowledge---that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."
[20] "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, [21] to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."
I was just reflecting on the responsibility that Paul must have felt, know he was called to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles, to be the bearer of insight into the mystery of God, revealed now through him and the rest of the Apostles. I imagine there must have been a strong assurance, on one hand, and great fear and trembling on the other, for who could comprehend the power and plan required to be the bearer of the Gospel to the Gentiles. Paul calls it "this grace was given me", and this represents a critical point - this is a gift. Paul didn't earn this gift, clearly, and he wasn't someone who had trained his whole life with this in mind, although God clearly used his previous training for His own (God's) glory. Paul's life was interrupted by the Lord, and the course of his lie was radically changed. Paul, in spite of this, saw this all as a great gift. Paul writes the following concerning his previous life path - Philippians 3:4-9 NIV:
[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 [9] and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ---the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith."
Paul, who had so much, who was trained Pharisee, considered all of His past as garbage when compared with the opportunity to know Christ Jesus. He understood the supreme value of relationship with Jesus.
In regards to this mystery (See verses 7-13 from 3 Ephesians), it become that which drove Paul to prayer for all the churches that he was planting and encouraging. He was moved to prayer, praying that they might be filled with God's power and rooted in His Love. What a great prayer! Rooted in Love, filled with Power. Rooted, as in it being your foundation and source of all, in Love. It is from this root of Love, and through this root of love that Power then flows. Power without love, would be dangerous, and we see that everyday in people who have power in the world, but are not connected to the Love of God.
Finally, this understanding and foundation, opens to us the possibility of knowing God in the fullest possible way! Paul says this love surpasses knowledge, as in it is beyond knowledge, greater than knowledge. It is in knowing God's love that we step into greater revelation than that which is available through study and teaching. In other words, we must experience God's love for ourselves. We are called to step past our minds and allow God to open to us a realm of power and revelation that is only accessible through relationship.
God's plans and desires for us are beyond our comprehension and imagination. We an imagine much, but we can't possibly fully understand and see the masterful interconnecting, intertwining, impact that our lives will have in this world, through God's empowering. We must rely on the His guidance through Holy Spirit! God plans to be glorified through us, and that ought to fill us with great assurance and great fear and trembling!
Lord, that You might be rightfully glorified through my life, through my words, and through my actions! Help me to be rooted in Love, and filled with Your power, to understand the greatness of Your love! Amen!
[2] "Surely you have heard about the administration of God's grace that was given to me for you, [3] that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. [4] In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, [5] which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God's holy apostles and prophets. [6] This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus."
[7] "I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God's grace given me through the working of his power. [8] Although I am less than the least of all the Lord's people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, [9] and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. [10] His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, [11] according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. [12] In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. [13] I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory."
[14] "For this reason I kneel before the Father, [15] from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. [16] I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, [17] so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, [18] may have power, together with all the Lord's holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, [19] and to know this love that surpasses knowledge---that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."
[20] "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, [21] to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."
I was just reflecting on the responsibility that Paul must have felt, know he was called to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles, to be the bearer of insight into the mystery of God, revealed now through him and the rest of the Apostles. I imagine there must have been a strong assurance, on one hand, and great fear and trembling on the other, for who could comprehend the power and plan required to be the bearer of the Gospel to the Gentiles. Paul calls it "this grace was given me", and this represents a critical point - this is a gift. Paul didn't earn this gift, clearly, and he wasn't someone who had trained his whole life with this in mind, although God clearly used his previous training for His own (God's) glory. Paul's life was interrupted by the Lord, and the course of his lie was radically changed. Paul, in spite of this, saw this all as a great gift. Paul writes the following concerning his previous life path - Philippians 3:4-9 NIV:
[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 [9] and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ---the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith."
Paul, who had so much, who was trained Pharisee, considered all of His past as garbage when compared with the opportunity to know Christ Jesus. He understood the supreme value of relationship with Jesus.
In regards to this mystery (See verses 7-13 from 3 Ephesians), it become that which drove Paul to prayer for all the churches that he was planting and encouraging. He was moved to prayer, praying that they might be filled with God's power and rooted in His Love. What a great prayer! Rooted in Love, filled with Power. Rooted, as in it being your foundation and source of all, in Love. It is from this root of Love, and through this root of love that Power then flows. Power without love, would be dangerous, and we see that everyday in people who have power in the world, but are not connected to the Love of God.
Finally, this understanding and foundation, opens to us the possibility of knowing God in the fullest possible way! Paul says this love surpasses knowledge, as in it is beyond knowledge, greater than knowledge. It is in knowing God's love that we step into greater revelation than that which is available through study and teaching. In other words, we must experience God's love for ourselves. We are called to step past our minds and allow God to open to us a realm of power and revelation that is only accessible through relationship.
God's plans and desires for us are beyond our comprehension and imagination. We an imagine much, but we can't possibly fully understand and see the masterful interconnecting, intertwining, impact that our lives will have in this world, through God's empowering. We must rely on the His guidance through Holy Spirit! God plans to be glorified through us, and that ought to fill us with great assurance and great fear and trembling!
Lord, that You might be rightfully glorified through my life, through my words, and through my actions! Help me to be rooted in Love, and filled with Your power, to understand the greatness of Your love! Amen!
Thursday, July 11, 2019
Staying in the Stream
This morning I am going back to a set of verses I have been praying over myself - from Paul's letter to the Colossians 1:9-14 NIV:
[9] "For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, [10] so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, [11] being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, [12] and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. [13] For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, [14] in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."
My prayer has been that I would be more aware of the Holy Spirit throughout my day, as I tend to lose focus on Him as I get caught up in the day to day busyness of my job. I have been convicted, in a good way, of my greater need and sensitivity to His direction, guidance and revelation.
Life is so much better when we learn to walk in intimacy with the one who sees all and knows all, and has a plan and purpose for our lives. He will lead us and guide us because He wants us to succeed! He will help us because He loves us, and calls us His sons and daughters. He will guide us, because He wants to use us to speak life and bring life to those in need, those who don't know Him, those that need to hear of His love.
Yes, Holy Spirit, help me to be attentive today, and help me to walk in the stream of Your presence, and Your guidance!
[9] "For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, [10] so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, [11] being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, [12] and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. [13] For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, [14] in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."
My prayer has been that I would be more aware of the Holy Spirit throughout my day, as I tend to lose focus on Him as I get caught up in the day to day busyness of my job. I have been convicted, in a good way, of my greater need and sensitivity to His direction, guidance and revelation.
Life is so much better when we learn to walk in intimacy with the one who sees all and knows all, and has a plan and purpose for our lives. He will lead us and guide us because He wants us to succeed! He will help us because He loves us, and calls us His sons and daughters. He will guide us, because He wants to use us to speak life and bring life to those in need, those who don't know Him, those that need to hear of His love.
Yes, Holy Spirit, help me to be attentive today, and help me to walk in the stream of Your presence, and Your guidance!
Sunday, July 7, 2019
For the Common Good
This morning I am reflecting on verses from Paul's letter to the 1 Corinthians 12:1,3-11 NIV:
[1] "Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. [3] Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit."
[4] "There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. [5] There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. [6] There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. [7] Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. [8] To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, [9] to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, [10] to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. [11] All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines."
Verses 4-6 caught my eye this morning, and I thought I would do bit more research. The words used here are a bit limiting. The Greek words would be more commonly translated Charisms (gifts), Ministries, and results or works. Verse 7 is key - in that it tells why they are given, namely "for the common good". In other words, all of these ministries and gifts, works and manifestations are for the good of each other, of the greater Body of Christ. The phrase "For the common good", is translated from the Greek word sumphero, which could also be defined as follows:
1) to bear or bring together
2) to bear together or at the same time
a) to carry with others
b) to collect or contribute in order to help
c) to help, be profitable, be expedient
Thus, the common good, should be understood in a richer context. It means to bear together, to carry with others, in order to help and bring about profit, or maybe we could say more fruit. There is a community perspective here, a willingness to help and share, to carry and distribute. I am reminded of the distribution of funds that occurred early in Acts (see Acts 4:32-35), and I believe this is a similar perspective, but in this case it is how God means for us to respond to the working of the Holy Spirit in our lives. We are supposed to share the load, help each other carry and distribute, ad this relates to ministries, gifts, workings and manifestations of the Holy Spirit. All of this is for the purpose of building up the Body of Christ.
Paul writes this same thing in his letter tot he church in Ephesus - Ephesians 4:11-13 NIV:
[11] "So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, [12] to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up [13] until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ."
We often stop with verse 11, but it is verse 12 that tells us why Christ gave us the Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers, it was to equip His people (us) for works of service (which is the same Greek word used in 1 Cor 12:5). There is this whole perspective that we are meant to lift each other up, to encourage one another, to cheer each other on, and its for our own good! All of the Holy Spirit stuff, meaning the gifts, manifestations, ministries and works, are meant to help us grow and mature, and meant to benefit us all! God is about forming and maturing His Body here on earth, and we need to learn to be for each other, understanding that we need every church, every believer, every gift, every ministry, every result!!!
Lord, I pray that You will open our ears and hearts to this message of unity and common good. Help us to be for our brothers and sisters, lifting them up and encouraging them in all the unique ways You are at work! Lord, help us to be for each other, all the parts of Your Body!
Amen!
[1] "Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. [3] Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit."
[4] "There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. [5] There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. [6] There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. [7] Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. [8] To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, [9] to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, [10] to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. [11] All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines."
Verses 4-6 caught my eye this morning, and I thought I would do bit more research. The words used here are a bit limiting. The Greek words would be more commonly translated Charisms (gifts), Ministries, and results or works. Verse 7 is key - in that it tells why they are given, namely "for the common good". In other words, all of these ministries and gifts, works and manifestations are for the good of each other, of the greater Body of Christ. The phrase "For the common good", is translated from the Greek word sumphero, which could also be defined as follows:
1) to bear or bring together
2) to bear together or at the same time
a) to carry with others
b) to collect or contribute in order to help
c) to help, be profitable, be expedient
Thus, the common good, should be understood in a richer context. It means to bear together, to carry with others, in order to help and bring about profit, or maybe we could say more fruit. There is a community perspective here, a willingness to help and share, to carry and distribute. I am reminded of the distribution of funds that occurred early in Acts (see Acts 4:32-35), and I believe this is a similar perspective, but in this case it is how God means for us to respond to the working of the Holy Spirit in our lives. We are supposed to share the load, help each other carry and distribute, ad this relates to ministries, gifts, workings and manifestations of the Holy Spirit. All of this is for the purpose of building up the Body of Christ.
Paul writes this same thing in his letter tot he church in Ephesus - Ephesians 4:11-13 NIV:
[11] "So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, [12] to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up [13] until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ."
We often stop with verse 11, but it is verse 12 that tells us why Christ gave us the Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers, it was to equip His people (us) for works of service (which is the same Greek word used in 1 Cor 12:5). There is this whole perspective that we are meant to lift each other up, to encourage one another, to cheer each other on, and its for our own good! All of the Holy Spirit stuff, meaning the gifts, manifestations, ministries and works, are meant to help us grow and mature, and meant to benefit us all! God is about forming and maturing His Body here on earth, and we need to learn to be for each other, understanding that we need every church, every believer, every gift, every ministry, every result!!!
Lord, I pray that You will open our ears and hearts to this message of unity and common good. Help us to be for our brothers and sisters, lifting them up and encouraging them in all the unique ways You are at work! Lord, help us to be for each other, all the parts of Your Body!
Amen!
Saturday, July 6, 2019
Be In Me Lord!
This morning as I was starting to pray the thought ran through my mind that I walk through my days with Jesus as my friend, but it seems like it is all an external friendship. I don't feel, nor am I conscious of the Lord being in me (that vast majority of the time). I believe there is more than what I have been living in, and experiencing, and I am desirous of more, Lord. Help me to surrender myself more fully to You! Help me to listen to You and follow that which You tell me to do!
This morning, in light of this, I have been rereading some of John's Gospel from chapter 14 to chapter 17. Such good stuff and so many promises! Lord, help me to grasp and hold onto Your promises, that I might live up to who I am called to be in You!
Promises:
John 14:10-14 NIV:
[10] "Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. [11] Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. [12] 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."
John 14:23-27 NIV:
[23] "Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. [24] Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me. [25] “All this I have spoken while still with you."
[26] "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."
John 15:7-17 NIV:
[7] 'If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. [8] This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples."
[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."
John 16:12-15 NIV:
[12] “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.”
John 16:23-28 NIV:
[23] "In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. [24] Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete."
[25] “Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father. [26] In that day you will ask in my name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf. [27] No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. [28] I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.”
Finally - John 17:20-26 NIV:
[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. [22] I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one--- [23] I in them and you in me---so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me."
[24] “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world."
[25] “Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. [26] I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”
Amen to all of these promises in my life! Help me to embrace and belief and walk in these. I desire a greater filling, a greater outpouring, a greater anointing, that I might bring You glory, the Glory that is due You! Help me to live my life in unity with You! Help me to be fully consumed, fully engaged, fully aware of all You have for me and desire to do through me!
Amen and Amen!
This morning, in light of this, I have been rereading some of John's Gospel from chapter 14 to chapter 17. Such good stuff and so many promises! Lord, help me to grasp and hold onto Your promises, that I might live up to who I am called to be in You!
Promises:
John 14:10-14 NIV:
[10] "Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. [11] Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. [12] 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."
John 14:23-27 NIV:
[23] "Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. [24] Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me. [25] “All this I have spoken while still with you."
[26] "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."
John 15:7-17 NIV:
[7] 'If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. [8] This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples."
[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."
John 16:12-15 NIV:
[12] “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.”
John 16:23-28 NIV:
[23] "In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. [24] Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete."
[25] “Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father. [26] In that day you will ask in my name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf. [27] No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. [28] I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.”
Finally - John 17:20-26 NIV:
[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. [22] I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one--- [23] I in them and you in me---so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me."
[24] “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world."
[25] “Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. [26] I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”
Amen to all of these promises in my life! Help me to embrace and belief and walk in these. I desire a greater filling, a greater outpouring, a greater anointing, that I might bring You glory, the Glory that is due You! Help me to live my life in unity with You! Help me to be fully consumed, fully engaged, fully aware of all You have for me and desire to do through me!
Amen and Amen!
Thursday, July 4, 2019
Its Not About Me
I am continuing my reflection from yesterday, looking at the next few verses after the man with withered legs was healed.
Acts 3:11-16 NIV:
[11] "While the man held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon's Colonnade. [12] When Peter saw this, he said to them: “Fellow Israelites, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? [13] The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus. You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go. [14] You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. [15] You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this. [16] By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus' name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see."
I love Peter's response, "why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we made this man walk?" What a great reminder to us all, its not in us, and not from us, but only through God's grace working through us, that we are able to do anything to further the Kingdom of God! So many good and well meaning people have slowly been convinced that it is something special about them that allows God to work through them. Other equally well-meaning people are quick to assume that there is something special about certain individuals, and participate in pastor/leader/prophet worship. This is all misguided and dangerous.
Other than relationship with Him, we have nothing special. Our relationship is the result of His initiative. Our gifts are from Him. Our ability to walk in obedience and do the things He shows us, comes from Him. It is the Holy Spirit, in us and flowing out of us that does the works! We are nothing more than a relational conduit for the power of God, and the gifting of God, to flow. This is no way reduces His love for us, or His desire to be in relationship with us, but is simply a recognition of where the power, authority and will to act comes from.
I am encouraged today to look to Him, to open myself to Him, to recognize that all the good in me is from Him. Lord, help me to give You the glory and honor You deserve! Help me to look to You for direction, guidance and equipping. Its not about me, its about You!
Acts 3:11-16 NIV:
[11] "While the man held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon's Colonnade. [12] When Peter saw this, he said to them: “Fellow Israelites, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? [13] The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus. You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go. [14] You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. [15] You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this. [16] By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus' name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see."
I love Peter's response, "why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we made this man walk?" What a great reminder to us all, its not in us, and not from us, but only through God's grace working through us, that we are able to do anything to further the Kingdom of God! So many good and well meaning people have slowly been convinced that it is something special about them that allows God to work through them. Other equally well-meaning people are quick to assume that there is something special about certain individuals, and participate in pastor/leader/prophet worship. This is all misguided and dangerous.
Other than relationship with Him, we have nothing special. Our relationship is the result of His initiative. Our gifts are from Him. Our ability to walk in obedience and do the things He shows us, comes from Him. It is the Holy Spirit, in us and flowing out of us that does the works! We are nothing more than a relational conduit for the power of God, and the gifting of God, to flow. This is no way reduces His love for us, or His desire to be in relationship with us, but is simply a recognition of where the power, authority and will to act comes from.
I am encouraged today to look to Him, to open myself to Him, to recognize that all the good in me is from Him. Lord, help me to give You the glory and honor You deserve! Help me to look to You for direction, guidance and equipping. Its not about me, its about You!
Wednesday, July 3, 2019
What Do I Have??
This morning I am reflecting on some verses from Acts 3:2-8 NIV:
[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."
I love this story, and this morning my question is do I have the same relationship and authority as Peter did? That is what he "had" that he gave to the crippled man. Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit (See Acts 2) and he had experienced that powerful infilling. They were encouraged and seeing fruit borne from their prayers, from their preaching, from their fellowship. They had walked with Jesus, been encouraged by Jesus, been corrected by Jesus, and were loved by Jesus. He was gone to heaven, but they were clear about their role as His followers. They walked in constant relationship with the Holy Spirit, and were now Jesus' representatives on earth.
In my life, I could say most the same things are true, although to a lesser extent. So my question - to me - is why do I struggle in prayer, in following Jesus, in seeing prayers answered, in just being a good representative of Jesus, in bearing Jesus with me and walking in His authority?
I think my biggest issue is distraction and focus. I saw a quote the other day by some famous man of God, saying something like 'I need to be reminded every day of my salvation, because every day I forget I am saved'. That probably isn't an accurate quote, but it struck me as true, at least in my life. I can be fully focused on the Lord in prayer and reflection, and once I start my work day, forget that time of fellowship and relationship and barely think about Him again. I find myself walking right by people who are in need of Jesus, and I don't even think of Him, or realize that I am His representative now. I am often so focused on my own stuff, that I forget that I have a greater purpose in Him.
Going back to the story, as a beggar, the crippled man would hope that someone actually noticed Him, for in eye contact, one is confronted with the need. That is the reason panhandlers, and those that hold signs at intersections look at the cars, they are trying to establish eye contact! As we sit in our cars, we work hard to ignore their need, trying not to look their direction, to expose ourselves to their need. In this story, it was Peter and John who told the man to look at them, and I am sure he was a bit surprised, and clearly expected to receive something from these two men. They were confident in what they did have, although they had no money, they had Holy Spirit, who was their help to Glorify Jesus! They knew Jesus, they knew He healed those that came to Him, those that needed healing, and so they extended healing in His name, for they represented Him!
Oh Lord, that I might remember who I am, whose I am, and who I am filled with! That I might be Your representative to a needy world, to those I see, to those I encounter! Help me to remember every day, and all day long! Help me to bring Glory to Your Name! Help me remember that I have You!
[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."
I love this story, and this morning my question is do I have the same relationship and authority as Peter did? That is what he "had" that he gave to the crippled man. Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit (See Acts 2) and he had experienced that powerful infilling. They were encouraged and seeing fruit borne from their prayers, from their preaching, from their fellowship. They had walked with Jesus, been encouraged by Jesus, been corrected by Jesus, and were loved by Jesus. He was gone to heaven, but they were clear about their role as His followers. They walked in constant relationship with the Holy Spirit, and were now Jesus' representatives on earth.
In my life, I could say most the same things are true, although to a lesser extent. So my question - to me - is why do I struggle in prayer, in following Jesus, in seeing prayers answered, in just being a good representative of Jesus, in bearing Jesus with me and walking in His authority?
I think my biggest issue is distraction and focus. I saw a quote the other day by some famous man of God, saying something like 'I need to be reminded every day of my salvation, because every day I forget I am saved'. That probably isn't an accurate quote, but it struck me as true, at least in my life. I can be fully focused on the Lord in prayer and reflection, and once I start my work day, forget that time of fellowship and relationship and barely think about Him again. I find myself walking right by people who are in need of Jesus, and I don't even think of Him, or realize that I am His representative now. I am often so focused on my own stuff, that I forget that I have a greater purpose in Him.
Going back to the story, as a beggar, the crippled man would hope that someone actually noticed Him, for in eye contact, one is confronted with the need. That is the reason panhandlers, and those that hold signs at intersections look at the cars, they are trying to establish eye contact! As we sit in our cars, we work hard to ignore their need, trying not to look their direction, to expose ourselves to their need. In this story, it was Peter and John who told the man to look at them, and I am sure he was a bit surprised, and clearly expected to receive something from these two men. They were confident in what they did have, although they had no money, they had Holy Spirit, who was their help to Glorify Jesus! They knew Jesus, they knew He healed those that came to Him, those that needed healing, and so they extended healing in His name, for they represented Him!
Oh Lord, that I might remember who I am, whose I am, and who I am filled with! That I might be Your representative to a needy world, to those I see, to those I encounter! Help me to remember every day, and all day long! Help me to bring Glory to Your Name! Help me remember that I have You!
Thursday, June 20, 2019
We Are Called Ambassadors of the Ministry of Reconciliation
This morning I have turned back to some verses that our Pastor spoke out of this past Sunday, out of Paul's second letter to the church in Corinth. I think that maybe this summarizes as we ll as anything I have read the call of an apostle. Here are the verses - 2 Corinthians 5:12-21 NIV:
[12] "We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to take pride in us, so that you can answer those who take pride in what is seen rather than in what is in the heart. [13] If we are “out of our mind,” as some say, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. [14] For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. [15] And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again."
[16] "So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. [17] Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! [18] All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: [19] that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. [20] We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. [21] God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."
Paul is writing, in this section, to a church for which he has great affection, and one that has swooning after other teaching and teachers who are less favorable towards Paul. Many times in his letters he has had to defend himself, or explain himself, especially as it pertains to the Gospel of Grace, of which Paul was the primary defender.
I like that Paul speaks about those who take pride in what is seen rather than what is in the heart. This seems to me to be the very core of judgmentalism and a critical spirit, which is so common in religion. The Lord moves and speaks to peoples hearts, and although we have no knowledge of what God is doing, we tend to judge based solely on what we observe. We tend to judge those that are lowly, those that are humble, those that are poor as if they have been or are being judged by God. Yet - if we look at the very words of Jesus, it is apparent God takes the exact opposite view - Matthew 5:3-5 NIV:
[3] “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
[4] Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
[5] Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth."
Another saying of Jesus popped into my mind - having to do with the focus on lost sheep. Here are the passages - Luke 15:1-4 NIV:
[1] "Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. [2] But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
[3] "Then Jesus told them this parable: [4] “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn't he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?"
My thinking is that from a worldly perspective of ministry, those individuals called to go after the lost sheep, leaving the "flock" to go and seek the lost, would be viewed as inconsequential, or maybe less than the ones who have the large flocks, and stay focused on them. I know I am stretching the context a bit here, but Jesus was defending the heart of the Father for the lost, against those who felt that His focus should be on them, the righteous.
Paul is saying something similar, in that He seems "out of his mind" in following the directions of the Lord. He could have settled down and effectively rested on the laurels of many of the successful churches he birthed, yet he was always pressing forward to reach and reconcile the lost. Paul's motivation was the love of Christ, which compelled him ever forward.
Paul then speaks of throwing of a "worldly" perspective, and taking up a view that all is new in Christ, literally a new creation! This is such a radical difference in perspective than many preach even today. If in the receipt of salvation in Christ, we become a new creation, how then could we ever go back to being the old or previous creation? How can that which is newly created, erase itself, and go back to the way it was before? No!
Paul then jumps forward to the whole purpose of the Gospel, to bring reconciliation between man and God. The purpose of the purpose of the ministry of Jesus was to make a way for all men to be restored to right relationship with God (reconciliation). He was sent to destroy the works of the evil one (1 John 3:8) and the primary work he did was cause man to be separated from God. Jesus is about restoring that which was lost, and this is the work of reconciliation that has been given to us!
Paul's last line quoted above is the heart of the message of reconciliation. Jesus willingly took upon Himself our sin, becoming sis, that He might exchange our sin for His righteousness. The Greek word for reconciliation is katallage and it is defined as follows:
1) exchange
a) of the business of money changers, exchanging equivalent values
2) adjustment of a difference, reconciliation, restoration to favour
a) in the NT of the restoration of the favour of God to sinners that repent and put their trust in the expiatory death of Christ
In other words, it is making accounts right, exchanging something of equivalent value, to restore right balance, or right relationship. Jesus in willingly laying down His life (John 10:18) so that He might restore right relationship, trading His righteousness for all the sin in the world, that we might be restored to the Father, as His sons and daughters!
Oh, to see just one lost sheep restored to right relationship! Oh, to see the whole world, every son and every daughter, restored to the Father who loves them, who gave everything for them! Oh, to be compelled by the Love of Christ for the lost! Oh, to let our hearts beat as His, looking to the heart rather than outwardly as the world does. Oh, to have this understanding of the value of each and every son and daughter!
Amen!
[12] "We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to take pride in us, so that you can answer those who take pride in what is seen rather than in what is in the heart. [13] If we are “out of our mind,” as some say, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. [14] For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. [15] And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again."
[16] "So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. [17] Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! [18] All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: [19] that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. [20] We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. [21] God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."
Paul is writing, in this section, to a church for which he has great affection, and one that has swooning after other teaching and teachers who are less favorable towards Paul. Many times in his letters he has had to defend himself, or explain himself, especially as it pertains to the Gospel of Grace, of which Paul was the primary defender.
I like that Paul speaks about those who take pride in what is seen rather than what is in the heart. This seems to me to be the very core of judgmentalism and a critical spirit, which is so common in religion. The Lord moves and speaks to peoples hearts, and although we have no knowledge of what God is doing, we tend to judge based solely on what we observe. We tend to judge those that are lowly, those that are humble, those that are poor as if they have been or are being judged by God. Yet - if we look at the very words of Jesus, it is apparent God takes the exact opposite view - Matthew 5:3-5 NIV:
[3] “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
[4] Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
[5] Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth."
Another saying of Jesus popped into my mind - having to do with the focus on lost sheep. Here are the passages - Luke 15:1-4 NIV:
[1] "Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. [2] But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
[3] "Then Jesus told them this parable: [4] “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn't he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?"
My thinking is that from a worldly perspective of ministry, those individuals called to go after the lost sheep, leaving the "flock" to go and seek the lost, would be viewed as inconsequential, or maybe less than the ones who have the large flocks, and stay focused on them. I know I am stretching the context a bit here, but Jesus was defending the heart of the Father for the lost, against those who felt that His focus should be on them, the righteous.
Paul is saying something similar, in that He seems "out of his mind" in following the directions of the Lord. He could have settled down and effectively rested on the laurels of many of the successful churches he birthed, yet he was always pressing forward to reach and reconcile the lost. Paul's motivation was the love of Christ, which compelled him ever forward.
Paul then speaks of throwing of a "worldly" perspective, and taking up a view that all is new in Christ, literally a new creation! This is such a radical difference in perspective than many preach even today. If in the receipt of salvation in Christ, we become a new creation, how then could we ever go back to being the old or previous creation? How can that which is newly created, erase itself, and go back to the way it was before? No!
Paul then jumps forward to the whole purpose of the Gospel, to bring reconciliation between man and God. The purpose of the purpose of the ministry of Jesus was to make a way for all men to be restored to right relationship with God (reconciliation). He was sent to destroy the works of the evil one (1 John 3:8) and the primary work he did was cause man to be separated from God. Jesus is about restoring that which was lost, and this is the work of reconciliation that has been given to us!
Paul's last line quoted above is the heart of the message of reconciliation. Jesus willingly took upon Himself our sin, becoming sis, that He might exchange our sin for His righteousness. The Greek word for reconciliation is katallage and it is defined as follows:
1) exchange
a) of the business of money changers, exchanging equivalent values
2) adjustment of a difference, reconciliation, restoration to favour
a) in the NT of the restoration of the favour of God to sinners that repent and put their trust in the expiatory death of Christ
In other words, it is making accounts right, exchanging something of equivalent value, to restore right balance, or right relationship. Jesus in willingly laying down His life (John 10:18) so that He might restore right relationship, trading His righteousness for all the sin in the world, that we might be restored to the Father, as His sons and daughters!
Oh, to see just one lost sheep restored to right relationship! Oh, to see the whole world, every son and every daughter, restored to the Father who loves them, who gave everything for them! Oh, to be compelled by the Love of Christ for the lost! Oh, to let our hearts beat as His, looking to the heart rather than outwardly as the world does. Oh, to have this understanding of the value of each and every son and daughter!
Amen!
Tuesday, June 18, 2019
Jesus Came to Save NOT Judge
This morning I am continuing my reading out of John's Gospel, turning back a few chapters from where I have been recently. I was once again struck by the straight-forward language Jesus uses here - John 12:44-50 NIV:
[44] "Then Jesus cried out, “Whoever believes in me does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. [45] The one who looks at me is seeing the one who sent me. [46] I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness."
[47] “If anyone hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge that person. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. [48] There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; the very words I have spoken will condemn them at the last day. [49] For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken. [50] I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say.”
There is much to reflect upon here, and I will start with the first two sentences - where Jesus speaks about His representation of the Father. If we have seen Jesus, if we meditate on His words and actions, we will see and understand the Father. Believing Jesus, is the same as believing the Father, because Jesus is saying exactly what the Father told Him, and doing everything as the Father directed. The author of the Letter to the Hebrews, captured this in their opening statement calling Jesus the exact representation of the Father (Heb 1:3), and we would do well to take notice and let our heart receive this significant truth. The Father is just like Jesus, or Jesus is just like the Father. Let our hearts resonate with this truth!
Furthermore, Jesus didn't come to judge, but rather He came to save the world! (verse 47 above) So often God is portrayed as wanting to judge, waiting to judge, bringing judgment on the earth, etc., and yet here is Jesus saying the exact opposite. This is one of those verses that we need to make a bed-rock of our theology and practice. If Jesus didn't come to judge, then who do we think we are setting ourselves up as judges of those who are lost, those who have different opinions, those living under deception, those who have been wounded?
Jesus came to save the world, and He did just that! He laid His life down, to pay the price for our sin, that we wouldn't have to be judged. When God looked down on the earth and saw our condition, He chose to save us rather than judge us. This is the perfect revelation of the Father, spoken from the mouth of the Son, anything else is a wrong understanding, or partial revelation.
I can't imagine the impact these words would have had on the Jews who lived under the law, with its rules an judgments. It must have been freeing and at the same time disconcerting to have to change their understanding of God. We find that many just couldn't adjust or adopt what Jesus was saying, and instead embrace a salvation with the addition of the Law. Paul spent quite a bit of time, trying to correct this wrong perspective, devoting much of his letter to the Galatians to this topic. He penned the the following statement - Galatians 5:1 NIV: "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 (speaking of the requirements of the Law)." Peter and James both wrote about this freedom in Christ, and it was a clear message.
All wrote that there were dangers in this freedom, for there were those that completely misunderstood the purpose. The purpose of Jesus was to open the way once again to relationship with the Father, which exactly what He accomplished. He pointed to the Father constantly, was directed by the Father, and spoke what the Father asked Him to speak. He was urging all to embrace relationship with the Father, rather than rules, which don't require relationship. He wanted to establish us as sons and daughters, not slaves and servants.
Finally, looking at verse 50, Jesus says, "I know that His (Father's) Command leads to eternal life." When we read this our modern mindset tilts a bit, because we don't associate commands with relationships. We think that commands are rules (10 Commandments) and we don't see this as a relational statement (at least that is how it works in my mind). The original Greek word that is translated command is the word "entole" and it is defined as follows:
1) an order, command, charge, precept, injunction
a) that which is prescribed to one by reason of his office
Now if I read this from a law and judgment perspective, it sounds like it is affirming that approach. However, if we read this with an understanding that the Father doesn't want to judge, but rather save us, then maybe it can be understood differently. I like the a) part of the definition, because I can understand that from the perspective of my doctor. She is a great doctor who only wants to help me. She will sometimes give me a prescription to take, to help me with a certain condition or situation. The prescription is up to me to take, she doesn't force me! The choice is mine to make whether I take the prescription or not. There are natural consequences to my choice, but her motivation is simply trying to help me. If we change the word from command to prescription in verses 50, it certainly takes on a different coloring. Add to that change of wording, the knowledge that the Father loves us and wants to extend eternal life to us, has made the way, and is now guiding us towards that path, and we can see the heart of the Father, and it is to invite us into relationship that leads us to eternal life!
Thank You Lord for Your revelation! Thank You for revealing the heart of the Father! Thank You for inviting us into relationship, that we might have eternal life! Thank You for saving us! Thank You for setting us free from the Law, that we might experience freedom! Thank You for not judging me in my human weakness and sin, but rather extending to me salvation and mercy!
Amen!
[44] "Then Jesus cried out, “Whoever believes in me does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. [45] The one who looks at me is seeing the one who sent me. [46] I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness."
[47] “If anyone hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge that person. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. [48] There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; the very words I have spoken will condemn them at the last day. [49] For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken. [50] I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say.”
There is much to reflect upon here, and I will start with the first two sentences - where Jesus speaks about His representation of the Father. If we have seen Jesus, if we meditate on His words and actions, we will see and understand the Father. Believing Jesus, is the same as believing the Father, because Jesus is saying exactly what the Father told Him, and doing everything as the Father directed. The author of the Letter to the Hebrews, captured this in their opening statement calling Jesus the exact representation of the Father (Heb 1:3), and we would do well to take notice and let our heart receive this significant truth. The Father is just like Jesus, or Jesus is just like the Father. Let our hearts resonate with this truth!
Furthermore, Jesus didn't come to judge, but rather He came to save the world! (verse 47 above) So often God is portrayed as wanting to judge, waiting to judge, bringing judgment on the earth, etc., and yet here is Jesus saying the exact opposite. This is one of those verses that we need to make a bed-rock of our theology and practice. If Jesus didn't come to judge, then who do we think we are setting ourselves up as judges of those who are lost, those who have different opinions, those living under deception, those who have been wounded?
Jesus came to save the world, and He did just that! He laid His life down, to pay the price for our sin, that we wouldn't have to be judged. When God looked down on the earth and saw our condition, He chose to save us rather than judge us. This is the perfect revelation of the Father, spoken from the mouth of the Son, anything else is a wrong understanding, or partial revelation.
I can't imagine the impact these words would have had on the Jews who lived under the law, with its rules an judgments. It must have been freeing and at the same time disconcerting to have to change their understanding of God. We find that many just couldn't adjust or adopt what Jesus was saying, and instead embrace a salvation with the addition of the Law. Paul spent quite a bit of time, trying to correct this wrong perspective, devoting much of his letter to the Galatians to this topic. He penned the the following statement - Galatians 5:1 NIV: "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 (speaking of the requirements of the Law)." Peter and James both wrote about this freedom in Christ, and it was a clear message.
All wrote that there were dangers in this freedom, for there were those that completely misunderstood the purpose. The purpose of Jesus was to open the way once again to relationship with the Father, which exactly what He accomplished. He pointed to the Father constantly, was directed by the Father, and spoke what the Father asked Him to speak. He was urging all to embrace relationship with the Father, rather than rules, which don't require relationship. He wanted to establish us as sons and daughters, not slaves and servants.
Finally, looking at verse 50, Jesus says, "I know that His (Father's) Command leads to eternal life." When we read this our modern mindset tilts a bit, because we don't associate commands with relationships. We think that commands are rules (10 Commandments) and we don't see this as a relational statement (at least that is how it works in my mind). The original Greek word that is translated command is the word "entole" and it is defined as follows:
1) an order, command, charge, precept, injunction
a) that which is prescribed to one by reason of his office
Now if I read this from a law and judgment perspective, it sounds like it is affirming that approach. However, if we read this with an understanding that the Father doesn't want to judge, but rather save us, then maybe it can be understood differently. I like the a) part of the definition, because I can understand that from the perspective of my doctor. She is a great doctor who only wants to help me. She will sometimes give me a prescription to take, to help me with a certain condition or situation. The prescription is up to me to take, she doesn't force me! The choice is mine to make whether I take the prescription or not. There are natural consequences to my choice, but her motivation is simply trying to help me. If we change the word from command to prescription in verses 50, it certainly takes on a different coloring. Add to that change of wording, the knowledge that the Father loves us and wants to extend eternal life to us, has made the way, and is now guiding us towards that path, and we can see the heart of the Father, and it is to invite us into relationship that leads us to eternal life!
Thank You Lord for Your revelation! Thank You for revealing the heart of the Father! Thank You for inviting us into relationship, that we might have eternal life! Thank You for saving us! Thank You for setting us free from the Law, that we might experience freedom! Thank You for not judging me in my human weakness and sin, but rather extending to me salvation and mercy!
Amen!
Saturday, June 15, 2019
The Two Becoming One - A New Creation
I woke up at about 430am this morning thinking about how the mystery of marriage, the two becoming one flesh (Gen 2:24) is very similar to us becoming hidden in Christ through our salvation, and Christ's taking our form as a human. This certainly isn't a normal topic of thought, in fact I can safely say, that particular thought had never crossed my mind before. I can only assume this is an invitation from the Lord to dive deeper into His mind and heart concerning these mysteries.
First, I guess I should lay out some assumptions that I have concerning these:
1) These are God's perspectives, opened to us through scripture.
2) No matter how much thinking I do on them, I can't possibly capture the fullness of truth that exists in Him.
3) God is constantly at work drawing us deeper in relationship with Him, and this includes how we are thinking about Him.
4) Deeper revelation is meant to draw us deeper in faith and open up new areas of thought and action (basically opportunities for repentance).
Starting at the beginning in Genesis, two things are clear. God created everything. He made man and woman in His image and created them for relationship with Him. Since we are created in God's image, we have in us some of God's nature. We often find that when God is bringing revelation, that He sets out the foundational truths the first time something is mentioned in scripture. He then builds on those foundational truths over time, and through following revelations. This is called progressive revelation, and it is important to note that is in play here.
In the creation story where God takes a rib from man and builds a woman out of that, we see some foundational truths, namely that every person since that point of creation, is made up of parts of others. We didn't know until much later that we are made up of two sets of chromosomes, and the DNA from both of our parents. We could see this truth reflected in the faces and characteristics of children who looked like one or both of their parents, sharing similar body characteristics. It was only much later that we could tell exactly what parts we received from our parents. So, in a very real sense, every child born is one "flesh" made out of two. While that is an understandable reality, we still have the mystery of the the two becoming one in God's eyes. I don't really know how to dive deeper into that but maybe some day I will understand more.
Back to the idea I woke up to, the thing that grabbed my attention was the idea that in some way I am now part of Jesus, and it is related to two becoming one. Paul writes that we are hidden in Him. He expresses this a few times but most clearly states it in Colossians 3:1-3 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."
Paul is writing about what happens to use when we experience salvation - Colossians 2:6-7 NIV:
[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."
When we receive Him as our Lord, (Salvation) we enter into Christ's life in some manner, and now from the Father's perspective we are hidden in Christ Jesus. Our lives are joined to His, a sort of two becoming one. Wow! I hadn't really ever thought of it that way before. In the same way that physically we are creations, the result of joining parts of two humans, we now experience something like that spiritually, and become "new creations".
Paul writes about this new creation twice, first in 2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" Secondly, in Galatians 6:15 NIV: "Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is the new creation." Paul's point in both of these is that we need to recognize that we are new creations, and act as if we are new creations!
In the same way that two become one in marriage, living their lives differently, uniting their lives to a common purpose, a combining of hopefully the best in both, we are called to become a new creation in Christ. Our lives are hidden in Him, we are seen as part of the literal Body of Christ. We have a deeper Spiritual reality to embrace which is meant to change us. We should have in us, and it should be visible outwardly, some of the characteristics of Christ.
Jesus spoke multiple times of God living in us, making His home in us, joining His life to ours (John 14: 17; 14:20; 17:23). He left so that the Holy Spirit could come and indwell us (John 16:7). We are meant to recognize this spiritual reality, and it is meant to bear fruit in our outward lives. I guess we could think of our actions (which are visible to others) as being part of the two becoming one of this new creation! (Wow - had to stop and think about that for a while).
This spiritual reality (new creation) is not meant to be some forced or coerced following of rules, obeying the commands against our will, but rather the result of loving embrace and relationship, on behalf of both parties! The Father created us for relationship with Him! He has made a way in Christ Jesus, and now we can combine our lives to Him, and live in the fullness of the purpose we were created to experience and fulfill. It is our choice and it God's desire!
Finally, if we are a new creation, then we have in us parts of each! We have birthed into us from God, abilities, gifts, characteristics, and inheritance. We are actually His sons and daughters! Our spiritual DNA has changed! When the Father looks at us, He can see the DNA of Jesus running through us, changing us, and developing in us some of His character!
Amen Lord! Help me to embrace this new creation, this spiritual reality!
First, I guess I should lay out some assumptions that I have concerning these:
1) These are God's perspectives, opened to us through scripture.
2) No matter how much thinking I do on them, I can't possibly capture the fullness of truth that exists in Him.
3) God is constantly at work drawing us deeper in relationship with Him, and this includes how we are thinking about Him.
4) Deeper revelation is meant to draw us deeper in faith and open up new areas of thought and action (basically opportunities for repentance).
Starting at the beginning in Genesis, two things are clear. God created everything. He made man and woman in His image and created them for relationship with Him. Since we are created in God's image, we have in us some of God's nature. We often find that when God is bringing revelation, that He sets out the foundational truths the first time something is mentioned in scripture. He then builds on those foundational truths over time, and through following revelations. This is called progressive revelation, and it is important to note that is in play here.
In the creation story where God takes a rib from man and builds a woman out of that, we see some foundational truths, namely that every person since that point of creation, is made up of parts of others. We didn't know until much later that we are made up of two sets of chromosomes, and the DNA from both of our parents. We could see this truth reflected in the faces and characteristics of children who looked like one or both of their parents, sharing similar body characteristics. It was only much later that we could tell exactly what parts we received from our parents. So, in a very real sense, every child born is one "flesh" made out of two. While that is an understandable reality, we still have the mystery of the the two becoming one in God's eyes. I don't really know how to dive deeper into that but maybe some day I will understand more.
Back to the idea I woke up to, the thing that grabbed my attention was the idea that in some way I am now part of Jesus, and it is related to two becoming one. Paul writes that we are hidden in Him. He expresses this a few times but most clearly states it in Colossians 3:1-3 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."
Paul is writing about what happens to use when we experience salvation - Colossians 2:6-7 NIV:
[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."
When we receive Him as our Lord, (Salvation) we enter into Christ's life in some manner, and now from the Father's perspective we are hidden in Christ Jesus. Our lives are joined to His, a sort of two becoming one. Wow! I hadn't really ever thought of it that way before. In the same way that physically we are creations, the result of joining parts of two humans, we now experience something like that spiritually, and become "new creations".
Paul writes about this new creation twice, first in 2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" Secondly, in Galatians 6:15 NIV: "Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is the new creation." Paul's point in both of these is that we need to recognize that we are new creations, and act as if we are new creations!
In the same way that two become one in marriage, living their lives differently, uniting their lives to a common purpose, a combining of hopefully the best in both, we are called to become a new creation in Christ. Our lives are hidden in Him, we are seen as part of the literal Body of Christ. We have a deeper Spiritual reality to embrace which is meant to change us. We should have in us, and it should be visible outwardly, some of the characteristics of Christ.
Jesus spoke multiple times of God living in us, making His home in us, joining His life to ours (John 14: 17; 14:20; 17:23). He left so that the Holy Spirit could come and indwell us (John 16:7). We are meant to recognize this spiritual reality, and it is meant to bear fruit in our outward lives. I guess we could think of our actions (which are visible to others) as being part of the two becoming one of this new creation! (Wow - had to stop and think about that for a while).
This spiritual reality (new creation) is not meant to be some forced or coerced following of rules, obeying the commands against our will, but rather the result of loving embrace and relationship, on behalf of both parties! The Father created us for relationship with Him! He has made a way in Christ Jesus, and now we can combine our lives to Him, and live in the fullness of the purpose we were created to experience and fulfill. It is our choice and it God's desire!
Finally, if we are a new creation, then we have in us parts of each! We have birthed into us from God, abilities, gifts, characteristics, and inheritance. We are actually His sons and daughters! Our spiritual DNA has changed! When the Father looks at us, He can see the DNA of Jesus running through us, changing us, and developing in us some of His character!
Amen Lord! Help me to embrace this new creation, this spiritual reality!
Thursday, June 13, 2019
Love Like Spring Rains, not Morning Mist
This morning I felt like I should read from the book of Hosea. This is not in my repertoire of normal readings, but an interesting book nonetheless. I felt like I should read from chapter six, and the following verses grabbed my attention, partly because I had highlighted them previously, but also because of the relational paradigm they entertain. Here are the verses - Hosea 6:3-4,6 NIV:
[3] "Let us acknowledge the Lord;
let us press on to acknowledge him.
As surely as the sun rises, he will appear;
he will come to us like the winter rains,
like the spring rains that water the earth. ”
[4] “What can I do with you, Ephraim?
What can I do with you, Judah?
Your love is like the morning mist,
like the early dew that disappears."
[6] "For I desire mercy, not sacrifice,
and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings."
In typical prophetic literature, there is a back and forth between warnings and promised blessings, and encouragements for the people and God's encouragement and perspective. These verses represent some of the promise of the Lord, His encouragement, and His desire for relationship.
Hosea calls this relational paradigm "Acknowledgement" as in admitting that He is God, that He is their Lord, that He has given them a way of life, and that He has asked them to follow it, and that He has promised blessing if they do. This is much more that just saying - yeah there's God over there. It involves a recognition of their special relationship with God.
Hosea then gives us God's perspective when He is looking at Ephraim and Judah, two of the tribes. He calls them out for their short-term love and likens it to morning mist or dew that disappear quickly, where as His love, as described in verse three, is faithful and waters the whole earth. What a vast difference in comparison! God's enduring love for us, His constant blessing, His refreshing visitations are meant to draw us deeper into relationship with Him. He is always looking towards us and desiring our relationship.
The Lord continues on and says something that Jesus later quoted (Matt 9:13), "I desire mercy, not sacrifice, acknowledgement of God, rather than burnt offerings." These two acts were the core components of the rituals of the law, and God is saying quite clearly He prefers our hearts to acknowledge and follow Him. He desires relationship over ritual! He doesn't want people following a law without embracing the whole purpose of the law, which was relationship with Him.
God speaks of the short-term love of Ephraim and Judah, and that certainly rang home with me, for so often my passion for the Lord seems short-lived and passing. I can be all gung-ho in pursuit of Him, and then something comes along and I get distracted and away my mind and heart go, pursuing something else. I am grateful that He constantly is inviting me back, welcoming me back, making every day fresh with new mercies, like a morning rain!
Lord, thank You for never turning Your back on me, for always welcoming me back into Your intimate embrace! Thank You for your faithfulness in the face of my waxing and waning passions. Thank You that You desire relationship, that You have made a way for us to have relationship, and that You are always with me! Help me to return Your love, with something more than passing love that resembles morning mist.
[3] "Let us acknowledge the Lord;
let us press on to acknowledge him.
As surely as the sun rises, he will appear;
he will come to us like the winter rains,
like the spring rains that water the earth. ”
[4] “What can I do with you, Ephraim?
What can I do with you, Judah?
Your love is like the morning mist,
like the early dew that disappears."
[6] "For I desire mercy, not sacrifice,
and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings."
In typical prophetic literature, there is a back and forth between warnings and promised blessings, and encouragements for the people and God's encouragement and perspective. These verses represent some of the promise of the Lord, His encouragement, and His desire for relationship.
Hosea calls this relational paradigm "Acknowledgement" as in admitting that He is God, that He is their Lord, that He has given them a way of life, and that He has asked them to follow it, and that He has promised blessing if they do. This is much more that just saying - yeah there's God over there. It involves a recognition of their special relationship with God.
Hosea then gives us God's perspective when He is looking at Ephraim and Judah, two of the tribes. He calls them out for their short-term love and likens it to morning mist or dew that disappear quickly, where as His love, as described in verse three, is faithful and waters the whole earth. What a vast difference in comparison! God's enduring love for us, His constant blessing, His refreshing visitations are meant to draw us deeper into relationship with Him. He is always looking towards us and desiring our relationship.
The Lord continues on and says something that Jesus later quoted (Matt 9:13), "I desire mercy, not sacrifice, acknowledgement of God, rather than burnt offerings." These two acts were the core components of the rituals of the law, and God is saying quite clearly He prefers our hearts to acknowledge and follow Him. He desires relationship over ritual! He doesn't want people following a law without embracing the whole purpose of the law, which was relationship with Him.
God speaks of the short-term love of Ephraim and Judah, and that certainly rang home with me, for so often my passion for the Lord seems short-lived and passing. I can be all gung-ho in pursuit of Him, and then something comes along and I get distracted and away my mind and heart go, pursuing something else. I am grateful that He constantly is inviting me back, welcoming me back, making every day fresh with new mercies, like a morning rain!
Lord, thank You for never turning Your back on me, for always welcoming me back into Your intimate embrace! Thank You for your faithfulness in the face of my waxing and waning passions. Thank You that You desire relationship, that You have made a way for us to have relationship, and that You are always with me! Help me to return Your love, with something more than passing love that resembles morning mist.
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