This morning as I was waking up I had the same thought pass through my mind as I did yesterday morning and that word was balance. The image that accompanied that word was of a spinning top, spinning perfectly in one place. I don't know if you played much with tops as a kid, as they aren't very popular anymore, but I did as a child, and it was such a simple but elegant toy. If you managed to pull the string just right and release the top onto a smooth surface if would spin in place for a really long time, balanced on its little point, however if the surface was rough, or the top was at an angle on release, it would race or hop wildly and stay upright for only a short time.
So what does this word and image have to do with anything today? That's my question this morning as I sit down to pray, as thinking about tops is clearly not my norm, and I believe the Lord is beginning a conversation. My first thought as I sat down was the fact that our lives are all out of whack, many are without jobs, many are stuck home, many are afraid to do the simplest of things like going to the store. The normal cadence of what was our lives has definitely been changed, many for the worse. As I look at the word balance, and the image of the top, I believe the message is clear, to weather this time we need to find a new place of balance, a new cadence of life and new pattern of behavior. I don't know about you, but I do well when things run like clock-work, and as my honey mentioned the other day, the clock just seems to no longer matter.
How do we all work to make it through this period of uncertainty, as everything is in limbo, waiting for some decision to allow us to return to some semblance of normalcy? Many are starting tom talk about a longer period of "shelter in place" and even if we being to restart things in may it will take months to get things back, as the return will not be smooth, nor bump-free.
In my little view of the world, the first thing I do is to turn to the Lord. The response to this worldwide pandemic is like nothing this generation has seen. Their have been many pandemics in history, and we are trying to learn from history here. The steps that are being taken resemble steps that were taken back in 1918, during the Spanish flu. My point in turning to the Lord, is that while we haven't seen this, He has, and He has a perspective! The second reason I turn to Him is for His peace! The worst thing we can do is to panic and be overcome by fear, yet in the race to report the newest fact, and to drive traffic to their sites, the news media seems intent on stoking fear in all of us. They only provide a worldly perspective, and their window of view is extremely limited. BY returning tot he Lord, I can rest my heart and mind on His unchanging character and word.
Jesus, when asked the most important of the commandments quoted the following in Matthew 22:37-39 NIV: "Jesus replied: “ 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' [38] This is the first and greatest commandment. [39] And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"
If we allow the Lord to be our center point of balance, we will find that we are able to maintain our peace, and our ability to stand indefinitely. He is our rock, and thus we can stand. Jesus described this in Matthew 7:24-25 NIV: “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. [25] The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock."
Our relationship with God is meant to provide us this foundation on the rock! David often referred to God a His rock in the Psalms, in fact that image is used 28 times. Here is one of David's famous lines from Psalm 18:2 NIV: "The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold."
The imagery David uses here might not be familiar in totality, but we get the picture, our relationship with God is a place of refuge, and strength. When the floods and rains, and winds of life are blowing, it is to Him that we should look, and upon His word and promises that we should stand.
Over the last 40 years, I have learned that God doesn't just want our attention and relationship on Sunday, but rather desires to be a part of our every day of the week, really all day long. He isn't only aware of the holy moments, but is comfortable working in and through the stuff we walk through every day. I once heard a speaker talking about his relationship with God and how he would turn to God for the most mundane decisions. He was a Christian living in Beirut, during the war there, and as a Church body they felt God directing them to look to Him constantly throughout the day, so that He could guide them safely. They found God interacting with them telling them when to go to the store, what streets to walk on, all sorts of things I would never think to bring to the Lord. The reason was simple, God was protecting them and keeping them safe. God would tell them to turn right, and walk one street over from their normal path, and as the were walking a street over a bomb would explode on what would have been their normal path. They had very few incidents among their church members, while all around them people were being hurt or killed daily.
For me, the reality that I could turn to the Lord for simple things had just never crossed my mind, and after that day I started making it a practice. I still do this to this day, sometimes more than other times. What this has caused in me is the ability to turn my heart and mind towards the Lord regularly throughout the day. I have learned to listen and hear, and discern His voice. This is incredibly comforting in times of widespread fear and panic. I turn my mind and heart to Him and I am quick to come to peace, even in the midst of craziness like we are experiencing. From the place of peace, we can act, not being forced to react. I find as I turn my mind and heart to the Lord, that He often gives me very practical guidance and direction. Other times He will cause Bible verses to be remembered, or give me someone who will confirm exactly what I was just thinking. Overall, my life just has a whole lot less stress and anxiety, fear and panic than I see around me, and its not because I am so strong and confident, its because I am leaning upon the One who is.
As I walk out my daily life, the other things that i have realized is how absolutely personal God is to me. My relationship with Him is unique, as I am unique. My relationship with Him, while similar to others, has its own nuances, its own language and communication. When my honey and I compare our faith walks, its amazing how different and unique they are, for they are perfectly suited to each of us. She hears the Lord very differently than I do, her quiet time with Him is very different as well. My point is that the same is true for all of us. I can't project what the Lord is saying to me to my honey, because I know He is likely speaking about something that is completely different. This has really helped me to reduce the amount of judgment I have towards others. I have realized that our journeys through life while similar, are all unique, and God in His infinite wisdom, and perfect perspective, knows exactly how to speak to others, how to lad them and guide them.
So my invitation in all of this today, is to make sure my mind and heart is focused on the Lord! I am being encouraged to look to Him first and foremost, and make sure that I am not reacting, but rather listening to Him and that acting upon what He says. He desires to be with me throughout the day, leading and guiding me as I walk through the normal stuff of my life. He desires to be the rock upon which I can stand, my fortress in whom I can shelter. He wants our relationship to be that stable foundation that allows me to stand in the midst of the storm, wind, rain, hail, pandemic, whatever.
I believe that is also His invitation available to you all today. He wants to exchange sinking sand for the rock of relationship with Him. HE wants to breath Hi peace into all our lives. He desires nothing more than relationship, and through that relationship to allow us to find balance and rest.
Amen!
May the Lord, the Rock, bring you peace this day, and guide your steps and thoughts and protect you from the fear and panic that is all around us.
Sam
Tuesday, April 14, 2020
Sunday, April 12, 2020
An Eye Witness To The Risen Man, Jesus!
This morning as I sat down to pray, I was thinking it would be good to look at some of the other references to Jesus rising from the dead, since today we celebrate Easter ( in the Western Church). After a quick search, I was reminded of Peter's brief sermon to the gentiles gathered in Cornelius's house, capture in Acts 10:34-48 NIV:
[34] "Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism [35] but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right. [36] You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. [37] You know what has happened throughout the province of Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached--- [38] how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.
[39] “We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a cross, [40] but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. [41] He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen---by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. [42] He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. [43] All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
[44] While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. [45] The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. [46] For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God.
Then Peter said, [47] “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” [48] So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days."
I love everything about this story, how God divinely arranged this meeting, how the Holy Spirit didn't even wait for Peter to finish speaking, how the Holy Spirit fell on them, before they even really had a chance to say they believed! I love how God surprised pretty much everyone at that time.
However today, I am just reflecting on the words of Peter, about being an eye witness to Jesus' death and resurrection. I am reminded of the analysis that has been done of the eye witness accounts, by the likes of Lee Strobel, and investigative reporter who was actually looking to disprove Christianity, but who become convinced through his analysis, and specifically through the unwavering accounts of the Apostles, even under torture and death. If I remember correctly, He was also amazed at the long-term consistency and changed lives of the Apostles. None of them went back to their previous life, but all became active ministers, following in the footsteps of Jesus, and none of them ever wavered from that path.
Here we find Peter, in the midst of a persecution, going into a Roman centurion's house, as a wanted man, as a Jew (who was not supposed to enter the house of a gentile) and through the divinely inspired invitation, begin to preach about about Jesus, the very thing for which they were being persecuted and killed. The vision and experiences of the others must have given Peter encouragement, but regardless, he was putting his life on the line, to bear witness to what He had seen. He makes it personal in verse 41 saying Jesus was seen "by us who ate and drank with Him after He rose from the dead."
Peter had seen the wounds in Jesus' hands and on his side (John 20:20) and they saw Him multiple times, for 40 days following His resurrection (Acts 1:3). This was no one time sighting, a mirage of their imagination, but rather regular gathering, eating and drinking with a man who they watched die on a cross.
Peter barely gets to the statements about their call to testify that Jesus is the Messiah and that forgiveness of sins is available to those that believe, when the Holy Spirit came upon all who heard his message, and they started speaking in tongues and praising God! Wow! Their hearts were clearly ignited by the message they heard from the mouth of Peter, an eye-witness to the death and resurrection of Jesus, and one who was sent to proclaim the Good News.
That is the same Good News we are celebrating today, that Jesus Christ is the savior of the world! While we may not be eye-witnesses to His life, death and rising from the dead, we are eye-witnesses to our own changed lives, our own experiences of God's miracles, healing, love, forgiveness, mercy, compassion and provision! He is every bit as alive today as He was that day, two millennium ago. The Holy Spirit is every bit as engaged and desirous of confirming the words of those who witness to Jesus, with power and life! We are called to celebrate our Risen Lord, and bear witness to Him this day and every day!
May the joy of the original Easter be yours today! May the Holy Spirit rest upon you and confirm the truth of this Gospel!
Blessings in Him,
Sam
[34] "Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism [35] but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right. [36] You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. [37] You know what has happened throughout the province of Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached--- [38] how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.
[39] “We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a cross, [40] but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. [41] He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen---by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. [42] He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. [43] All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
[44] While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. [45] The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. [46] For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God.
Then Peter said, [47] “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” [48] So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days."
I love everything about this story, how God divinely arranged this meeting, how the Holy Spirit didn't even wait for Peter to finish speaking, how the Holy Spirit fell on them, before they even really had a chance to say they believed! I love how God surprised pretty much everyone at that time.
However today, I am just reflecting on the words of Peter, about being an eye witness to Jesus' death and resurrection. I am reminded of the analysis that has been done of the eye witness accounts, by the likes of Lee Strobel, and investigative reporter who was actually looking to disprove Christianity, but who become convinced through his analysis, and specifically through the unwavering accounts of the Apostles, even under torture and death. If I remember correctly, He was also amazed at the long-term consistency and changed lives of the Apostles. None of them went back to their previous life, but all became active ministers, following in the footsteps of Jesus, and none of them ever wavered from that path.
Here we find Peter, in the midst of a persecution, going into a Roman centurion's house, as a wanted man, as a Jew (who was not supposed to enter the house of a gentile) and through the divinely inspired invitation, begin to preach about about Jesus, the very thing for which they were being persecuted and killed. The vision and experiences of the others must have given Peter encouragement, but regardless, he was putting his life on the line, to bear witness to what He had seen. He makes it personal in verse 41 saying Jesus was seen "by us who ate and drank with Him after He rose from the dead."
Peter had seen the wounds in Jesus' hands and on his side (John 20:20) and they saw Him multiple times, for 40 days following His resurrection (Acts 1:3). This was no one time sighting, a mirage of their imagination, but rather regular gathering, eating and drinking with a man who they watched die on a cross.
Peter barely gets to the statements about their call to testify that Jesus is the Messiah and that forgiveness of sins is available to those that believe, when the Holy Spirit came upon all who heard his message, and they started speaking in tongues and praising God! Wow! Their hearts were clearly ignited by the message they heard from the mouth of Peter, an eye-witness to the death and resurrection of Jesus, and one who was sent to proclaim the Good News.
That is the same Good News we are celebrating today, that Jesus Christ is the savior of the world! While we may not be eye-witnesses to His life, death and rising from the dead, we are eye-witnesses to our own changed lives, our own experiences of God's miracles, healing, love, forgiveness, mercy, compassion and provision! He is every bit as alive today as He was that day, two millennium ago. The Holy Spirit is every bit as engaged and desirous of confirming the words of those who witness to Jesus, with power and life! We are called to celebrate our Risen Lord, and bear witness to Him this day and every day!
May the joy of the original Easter be yours today! May the Holy Spirit rest upon you and confirm the truth of this Gospel!
Blessings in Him,
Sam
Saturday, April 11, 2020
"Greater Love Has No One Than This: To Lay Down One's Life For One's Friends"
Today being Holy Saturday, I was thinking about what to reflect upon, and immediately I was thinking about Jesus' commandment to His disciples found in John 13:34-35 NIV: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. [35] By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Jesus reiterates this command later and goes on to define it a bit more in John 15:12-13 NIV: '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."
Jesus then went on to fulfill exactly these words, laying own His life for those He loved, for those who were to come, and for those He loved since the creation of the world. Today we celebrate this great love, the likes of which have never been seen before, nor will ever be seen again! Today we remember Him as having given His life freely, offering Himself as the propitiation for our sin (1 John 2:2). It was His body that was bruised and beaten, His blood that was shed for each of us. Today, we remember that this sacrifice, this love, this laying down His life ended in His death.
As I was thinking through this, I was also reminded that today we have thousands, maybe millions of health care workers, doctors, nurses, nursing assistants, and everyone else that are laying their lives down daily to care for those who are sick with this virus. They, are loving those they are caring for, by willingly taking the risk, over and over again, of being exposed to the virus, and often it is for someone they barely know. Paul writes Romans 5:7 NIV: "Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die." We have here before us a great example of love for one another that knows no bounds, a willingness to lay down one's life, and we should honor their sacrifice, their willingness to risk infection or death for those in their care. It is a blessing to know that they are on the front lines, battling for each and every life! We see in their heroic sacrifice, a shadow of the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus, and we honor them!
Today, I am encouraged to pray for those on the front lines of this battle, to pray for their families, for their co-workers, for those that are making this battle possible. I am encouraged to do what I can to support and aid them in their struggle!
Finally, today, I am reminded of Jesus' great sacrifice in laying down His life for us all! I am eternally grateful for His sacrifice that paid for my sins, that opened the way for relationship with the Father!
Amen!
Thank you to all who risk their lives daily on our behalf! Thank You to all that support them, and care for them, and make their service possible!
Sam
Jesus reiterates this command later and goes on to define it a bit more in John 15:12-13 NIV: '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."
Jesus then went on to fulfill exactly these words, laying own His life for those He loved, for those who were to come, and for those He loved since the creation of the world. Today we celebrate this great love, the likes of which have never been seen before, nor will ever be seen again! Today we remember Him as having given His life freely, offering Himself as the propitiation for our sin (1 John 2:2). It was His body that was bruised and beaten, His blood that was shed for each of us. Today, we remember that this sacrifice, this love, this laying down His life ended in His death.
As I was thinking through this, I was also reminded that today we have thousands, maybe millions of health care workers, doctors, nurses, nursing assistants, and everyone else that are laying their lives down daily to care for those who are sick with this virus. They, are loving those they are caring for, by willingly taking the risk, over and over again, of being exposed to the virus, and often it is for someone they barely know. Paul writes Romans 5:7 NIV: "Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die." We have here before us a great example of love for one another that knows no bounds, a willingness to lay down one's life, and we should honor their sacrifice, their willingness to risk infection or death for those in their care. It is a blessing to know that they are on the front lines, battling for each and every life! We see in their heroic sacrifice, a shadow of the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus, and we honor them!
Today, I am encouraged to pray for those on the front lines of this battle, to pray for their families, for their co-workers, for those that are making this battle possible. I am encouraged to do what I can to support and aid them in their struggle!
Finally, today, I am reminded of Jesus' great sacrifice in laying down His life for us all! I am eternally grateful for His sacrifice that paid for my sins, that opened the way for relationship with the Father!
Amen!
Thank you to all who risk their lives daily on our behalf! Thank You to all that support them, and care for them, and make their service possible!
Sam
Friday, April 10, 2020
He Loved Them To The End
This morning I am reflecting on the happenings of Good Friday, and I have a feeling it will be a different perspective than I am used to seeing. The first verse I read this morning was one I have read many times before, but as its an introduction verse, I haven't usually let the impact of it hit home.
John 13:1 NIV: "It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end."
This was John's introduction to the passion account, to the last days of Jesus' earthly ministry (other than the 40 days post-resurrection) and John's main impression was the love of Jesus! It was the defining characteristic of Jesus' ministry and relationships with His followers. He loved them well, and loved them unto the end! His primary characteristic was love, His primary motivation was love. It was for love that He endured the beatings, the scourging, the abuse and rejection, the nails and the cross. It was for love!
Oh, that we would recognize that this is every bit as true for us. He loves us! He loves us well! He loves us eternally! He endured the cross for Love of us, for He knew us before the creation of the world, and loved us. It was for love that He came into this world (John 3:16) that He might save us and redeem us. It was for love of us all that endured what He did, that He might take upon Himself the punishment due our sins!
This morning as I sat down to pray, in these very strange times, I was reflecting upon how so much has changed, and how we aren't sure its ever going to be the same again. I was thinking about how quickly this pandemic hit, and how unprepared we were mentally, emotionally and spiritually for change of this magnitude. I was thinking this must , in some small way, be what it felt like for Jesus followers, for His family, for those who were closest to Him! Everything changed in a matter of days. Jesus had just entered Jerusalem a few days earlier, to acclamations and praise! Now he was being beaten and crucified, and things were never going to be the same!
As I read that lone verse from John, it was clear Jesus knew this massive change was going to happen! He was focused on the coming finality, unfortunately, His followers were generally clueless, despite His multiple warnings. Life was just too good, and going the right way, so how could they grasp the words of Jesus when He said He was going to be betrayed and die? When that is what happened, I can't imagine how shell-shocked they all must have been! In a matter of days, everything changed! Everything they thought about the future, everything they thought about their role, their relationship with Him, every one of their life goals in following Him were seemingly shattered! It was clear nothing as ever going to be the same!
In those first hours, one imagines they could hardly function, hardly think, that they were just barely surviving. They were afraid, they were despondent, they were shattered, they were overcome with grief, they couldn't believe their eyes and ears, they didn't know what to do. Once Jesus was buried we are told they went home and stayed there according to the Sabbath rules (Luke 23:56).
I believe the next day, the Sabbath rest, was a day of deep soul searching, a day of remembering what Jesus had said, a day of assessing the state of their own faith and belief. I believe it was a day of wondering what they would do, where they would go, how would they move forward, or whether they should even think about continuing the ministry of Jesus. I imagine there was a painful confrontation of their own weakness and betrayal of Jesus, to save their own selves. We know Peter had sworn to Jesus that he would never leave Him, that He would follow Him unto death (Luke 22:23), and I am sure that others had thought the same way.
As we are, so many of us, confronted with massive change and concern about our future, about our own situations, I am convinced that the Lord knew this was all going to happen. He knows our situation, He knows our plight. We may not see it yet, may not yet understand what the future will look like, but He knows, and He has a plan. Jesus was preparing his followers all along for the coming days, they just didn't know it! He had instilled in His followers all they needed for the effective release of ministry, except for the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, which was soon to occur! He knew they were going to be ok! He loved them well, He prepared them well, right up to the end! In the same way, we will find our path forward in Him! We will see the other side of this time! We will be changed, but we will prevail! We will realize that we have been prepared for such a time as this, and we will realize that the fate of the church, the future of the church now rests upon us!
We still will have some dark days ahead of us, and we are still stuck in this time of rest and separation, but the day will come when the sun will shine, when the doors will be opened and we will come forth from our our shelters to a changed world. We will have much to do, many to see, many to help, many to embrace.
Let us look to the One who loves us well, who gave everything to set us free and save us! Let us look to the One who now sits at the right-hand of the Father, and who also lives within us! Let us entrust ourselves to His plan, to His purposes, believing that He has been preparing us for this all along, we just didn't know it! Let us give grace to our brothers and sisters who are still struggling, still grieving, still in fear! Let us take up the ministry of Jesus and love them well, and love them through to the end! Let us learn from our first brothers and sisters who witnessed Jesus' death, burial and resurrection, and let us help each other through this dark day!
Finally, let us celebrate the love of God that is beyond comprehension! Let us celebrate the salvation that was purchased with the most Holy Blood of Jesus! Let us encourage one another into the love of God!!
Amen and Amen!
May the Lord bless you in this time of rest and separation! May He keep you safe and speak to your heart His purposes, plans, and hope.
Sam
John 13:1 NIV: "It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end."
This was John's introduction to the passion account, to the last days of Jesus' earthly ministry (other than the 40 days post-resurrection) and John's main impression was the love of Jesus! It was the defining characteristic of Jesus' ministry and relationships with His followers. He loved them well, and loved them unto the end! His primary characteristic was love, His primary motivation was love. It was for love that He endured the beatings, the scourging, the abuse and rejection, the nails and the cross. It was for love!
Oh, that we would recognize that this is every bit as true for us. He loves us! He loves us well! He loves us eternally! He endured the cross for Love of us, for He knew us before the creation of the world, and loved us. It was for love that He came into this world (John 3:16) that He might save us and redeem us. It was for love of us all that endured what He did, that He might take upon Himself the punishment due our sins!
This morning as I sat down to pray, in these very strange times, I was reflecting upon how so much has changed, and how we aren't sure its ever going to be the same again. I was thinking about how quickly this pandemic hit, and how unprepared we were mentally, emotionally and spiritually for change of this magnitude. I was thinking this must , in some small way, be what it felt like for Jesus followers, for His family, for those who were closest to Him! Everything changed in a matter of days. Jesus had just entered Jerusalem a few days earlier, to acclamations and praise! Now he was being beaten and crucified, and things were never going to be the same!
As I read that lone verse from John, it was clear Jesus knew this massive change was going to happen! He was focused on the coming finality, unfortunately, His followers were generally clueless, despite His multiple warnings. Life was just too good, and going the right way, so how could they grasp the words of Jesus when He said He was going to be betrayed and die? When that is what happened, I can't imagine how shell-shocked they all must have been! In a matter of days, everything changed! Everything they thought about the future, everything they thought about their role, their relationship with Him, every one of their life goals in following Him were seemingly shattered! It was clear nothing as ever going to be the same!
In those first hours, one imagines they could hardly function, hardly think, that they were just barely surviving. They were afraid, they were despondent, they were shattered, they were overcome with grief, they couldn't believe their eyes and ears, they didn't know what to do. Once Jesus was buried we are told they went home and stayed there according to the Sabbath rules (Luke 23:56).
I believe the next day, the Sabbath rest, was a day of deep soul searching, a day of remembering what Jesus had said, a day of assessing the state of their own faith and belief. I believe it was a day of wondering what they would do, where they would go, how would they move forward, or whether they should even think about continuing the ministry of Jesus. I imagine there was a painful confrontation of their own weakness and betrayal of Jesus, to save their own selves. We know Peter had sworn to Jesus that he would never leave Him, that He would follow Him unto death (Luke 22:23), and I am sure that others had thought the same way.
As we are, so many of us, confronted with massive change and concern about our future, about our own situations, I am convinced that the Lord knew this was all going to happen. He knows our situation, He knows our plight. We may not see it yet, may not yet understand what the future will look like, but He knows, and He has a plan. Jesus was preparing his followers all along for the coming days, they just didn't know it! He had instilled in His followers all they needed for the effective release of ministry, except for the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, which was soon to occur! He knew they were going to be ok! He loved them well, He prepared them well, right up to the end! In the same way, we will find our path forward in Him! We will see the other side of this time! We will be changed, but we will prevail! We will realize that we have been prepared for such a time as this, and we will realize that the fate of the church, the future of the church now rests upon us!
We still will have some dark days ahead of us, and we are still stuck in this time of rest and separation, but the day will come when the sun will shine, when the doors will be opened and we will come forth from our our shelters to a changed world. We will have much to do, many to see, many to help, many to embrace.
Let us look to the One who loves us well, who gave everything to set us free and save us! Let us look to the One who now sits at the right-hand of the Father, and who also lives within us! Let us entrust ourselves to His plan, to His purposes, believing that He has been preparing us for this all along, we just didn't know it! Let us give grace to our brothers and sisters who are still struggling, still grieving, still in fear! Let us take up the ministry of Jesus and love them well, and love them through to the end! Let us learn from our first brothers and sisters who witnessed Jesus' death, burial and resurrection, and let us help each other through this dark day!
Finally, let us celebrate the love of God that is beyond comprehension! Let us celebrate the salvation that was purchased with the most Holy Blood of Jesus! Let us encourage one another into the love of God!!
Amen and Amen!
May the Lord bless you in this time of rest and separation! May He keep you safe and speak to your heart His purposes, plans, and hope.
Sam
Thursday, April 9, 2020
Holy Thursday - Through the Power of the Holy Spirit
Sorry - its a bit long today.
This morning as I was preparing to pray I was thinking about it being Holy Thursday, and wondering what I should reflect upon this morning. The phrase the power of the Holy Spirit popped into my mind at that moment, so I am going with that theme this morning.
My first reaction was that was an interesting thing to focus on for Holy Thursday, but then i was reminded of Jesus sitting down to dinner with His disciples, including Judas His betrayer. I was also reminded of the agony in the garden which also happen later that evening. After those two thoughts, the theme the Power of the Holy Spirit made more sense.
Before we look at those scriptures I want to go back to when Jesus received the power of the Holy Spirit, which occurred at His Baptism, for really the whole public ministry of Jesus was really the demonstration of the Power of the Holy Spirit operating through a man, for Jesus had laid down the power of His Divinity (Philippians 2: 6-8). Jesus baptism is covered in the three synoptic Gospels, but I will be quoting out of Luke 3:21-22 NIV:
[21] "When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened [22] and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”
Luke 4:1-2,14 NIV:
[1] "Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, [2] where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry."
[14] "Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside."
My main thought here is that Jesus, received the Holy Spirit, and then spent the next 40 days being led by the Holy Spirit, being protected by the Holy Spirit, and being strengthened in the Holy Spirit, even as He emptied Himself of His own strength through fasting for 40 days. I guess we could call it a trade, He traded food for that which truly brings life and power, the Holy Spirit. In John's Gospel He quoted Jesus making a similar statement that just came to mind, "The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you---they are full of the Spirit and life." (John 6:63 NIV)
Jesus, full of the power of Holy Spirit, thus ministered and entered into His last days embracing that which lay before Him. He knew fully what was coming, for He warned the disciples multiple times (The Gospels record three times) that He was going to die. In fact He was quite specific, as seen here in Luke 18:31-34 NIV:
[31] "Jesus took the Twelve aside and told them, “We are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled. [32] He will be delivered over to the Gentiles. They will mock him, insult him and spit on him; [33] they will flog him and kill him. On the third day he will rise again.”
[34] The disciples did not understand any of this. Its meaning was hidden from them, and they did not know what he was talking about."
Somehow the whole warning just never registered with the Apostles, and they were thinking Jesus was heading to Jerusalem to establish the Kingdom of God! Jesus, though, clearly knew what He was walking towards. They were going to be celebrating Passover, and He was going to become, for all, the "Lamb that was slain" whose blood would purchase freedom for all from sin and death. I can't even comprehend the strength it took for Him to walk forward into that time. Add to this, the fact that Jesus knew one of His own closest friends was going to betray Him, and I just marvel at His composure, His love and His humble service as He washed their feet, even Judas's. He then took the bread and broke it, referring to it as His body that would be broken, and shared the cup of wine, and spoke of it as His blood that would be shed, again sharing it with His betrayer (see John 13:2-30 and Matt 26:17-30).
I don't know about you, but I would have a hard time lovingly washing the feet and sharing my body and blood with the very one that would betray me. Betrayal of intimate relationships is one of the deepest wounds, and the Apostles enjoyed that type of relationship with Jesus. They had lived together, traveled together, ministered together for 3 years. Jesus had poured all of Himself into them, had selected each one personally, and had given them personal instruction and teaching away from the crowds. They were the ones that Jesus was entrusting the Kingdom of God to, the ones who would carry on His ministry and birth the church. Jesus clearly didn't treat Judas any different than any of the others, ever, for none could guess who would betray Him after He announced one of them would. Their response is recorded by Matthew 26:21-22 NIV:
[21] And while they were eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.” [22] They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, “Surely you don't mean me, Lord?”
Going back to the theme of the power of the Holy Spirit, as I look at Jesus I see a man totally given over to that which was going to happen, not dragging His feet, not embracing this with fear and trembling (the trembling would come later in the Garden) but who embraced fully this most critical time with the same enthusiasm, the same fullness that He did everything else! The disciples clearly didn't see this all coming, even though they had been warned, and even were arguing following this last supper, who was the greatest (see Luke 22:24), which doesn't sound like a doom and gloom type of celebration, but rather a group who thought they were stepping into a time of glorious revelation of Jesus as Messiah.
Again, I think of the internal strength it would take to watch all of this happening around you, knowing full well what was really about to happen, and allowing the disciples to think and act as they were. I know this strength is not in me. I know I wouldn't be able to lovingly wash the feet of the one who would betray me! I know I would not have the strength to walk towards my execution smiling and encouraging my followers, continuing to pour into them everything that remains to be said and taught. I would be focused on myself, focused on my own pain and suffering, and here is where I believe the power of the Holy Spirit was very evident. He empowered Jesus to press on into the fullness of everything that was required, laying down His life, pouring out everything until He was empty. All of John 13-17 were recorded as having occurred at the Last Supper, and in them we have some of the most significant final teachings, the introduction of the Holy Spirit and even the establishment of the New Covenant! Wow, talk about finishing strong!
Again, I can only imagine that this was possible in and through the power of the Holy Spirit!
Lastly, we have Jesus lead his followers into Gethsemane and there He finally allowed the enormity of what He was about to embrace to rest upon His soul. I can't even imagine the agony that He went through, the wrestling with His own flesh, the knowledge of the coming torture and death, and the surrender to the Father. I think this night was every bit as daunting as His 40 days in the wilderness, and really the bookend of His ministry. He embraced fully the final self-sacrifice, giving up even His life for us all.
We honor those in wars who sacrifice themselves to protect those they are with, their brothers and sisters in arms. Most of those sacrifices are not embraced with hours and days of foreknowing, but are rather decisions that are made in the instant, in the heat of the battle. I am not in anyway lessening their sacrifices, but I am separating Jesus' sacrifice for His was one that was fully known, and yet fully embraced. Again, I know I don't have that type of strength in me, and it would only be through the power of the Holy Spirit that I could stand in that place.
Finally as I allow this reflection to be applied to my life, I see so much of me that is not laid down, so much of me that would not embrace such a sacrifice! In fact, I struggle with the simple sacrifice of not seeing and hugging my kids, and my grand-daughter. I find myself conscious of all the things that have changed that I don't like. I find myself angry with our circumstances, sometimes allowing fear and doubt to enter into my mind and heart. I know that many have slid into survival mode, and are thinking only of themselves, and I find myself tempted to go there too.
It is in these times that I find I need to turn to the Holy Spirit, to His power, to His word of peace, to His guidance to get me through, to help me settle my heart, to give me purpose and meaning, to help me lay down my life for others. That is really what we are doing during this time of "Shelter in place", we are laying down our lives for the sake of others.
It is through the Power of the Holy Spirit that we can embrace a perspective that looks beyond our own circumstances, our own situation and be the light of Christ in this troubled world. Let us ask the Holy Spirit to empower us today, to be people who look beyond ourselves, who do not give into fear, but who bring the words of Life to those in need. Let us forgive those that have betrayed our trust, those that have wounded us, and embrace them in love and compassion. Let us honor the one who gave everything that we might have eternal life!
Amen!
May the Power of the Holy Spirit fill you today with peace, love, joy and a sound mind.
Sam
This morning as I was preparing to pray I was thinking about it being Holy Thursday, and wondering what I should reflect upon this morning. The phrase the power of the Holy Spirit popped into my mind at that moment, so I am going with that theme this morning.
My first reaction was that was an interesting thing to focus on for Holy Thursday, but then i was reminded of Jesus sitting down to dinner with His disciples, including Judas His betrayer. I was also reminded of the agony in the garden which also happen later that evening. After those two thoughts, the theme the Power of the Holy Spirit made more sense.
Before we look at those scriptures I want to go back to when Jesus received the power of the Holy Spirit, which occurred at His Baptism, for really the whole public ministry of Jesus was really the demonstration of the Power of the Holy Spirit operating through a man, for Jesus had laid down the power of His Divinity (Philippians 2: 6-8). Jesus baptism is covered in the three synoptic Gospels, but I will be quoting out of Luke 3:21-22 NIV:
[21] "When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened [22] and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”
Luke 4:1-2,14 NIV:
[1] "Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, [2] where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry."
[14] "Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside."
My main thought here is that Jesus, received the Holy Spirit, and then spent the next 40 days being led by the Holy Spirit, being protected by the Holy Spirit, and being strengthened in the Holy Spirit, even as He emptied Himself of His own strength through fasting for 40 days. I guess we could call it a trade, He traded food for that which truly brings life and power, the Holy Spirit. In John's Gospel He quoted Jesus making a similar statement that just came to mind, "The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you---they are full of the Spirit and life." (John 6:63 NIV)
Jesus, full of the power of Holy Spirit, thus ministered and entered into His last days embracing that which lay before Him. He knew fully what was coming, for He warned the disciples multiple times (The Gospels record three times) that He was going to die. In fact He was quite specific, as seen here in Luke 18:31-34 NIV:
[31] "Jesus took the Twelve aside and told them, “We are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled. [32] He will be delivered over to the Gentiles. They will mock him, insult him and spit on him; [33] they will flog him and kill him. On the third day he will rise again.”
[34] The disciples did not understand any of this. Its meaning was hidden from them, and they did not know what he was talking about."
Somehow the whole warning just never registered with the Apostles, and they were thinking Jesus was heading to Jerusalem to establish the Kingdom of God! Jesus, though, clearly knew what He was walking towards. They were going to be celebrating Passover, and He was going to become, for all, the "Lamb that was slain" whose blood would purchase freedom for all from sin and death. I can't even comprehend the strength it took for Him to walk forward into that time. Add to this, the fact that Jesus knew one of His own closest friends was going to betray Him, and I just marvel at His composure, His love and His humble service as He washed their feet, even Judas's. He then took the bread and broke it, referring to it as His body that would be broken, and shared the cup of wine, and spoke of it as His blood that would be shed, again sharing it with His betrayer (see John 13:2-30 and Matt 26:17-30).
I don't know about you, but I would have a hard time lovingly washing the feet and sharing my body and blood with the very one that would betray me. Betrayal of intimate relationships is one of the deepest wounds, and the Apostles enjoyed that type of relationship with Jesus. They had lived together, traveled together, ministered together for 3 years. Jesus had poured all of Himself into them, had selected each one personally, and had given them personal instruction and teaching away from the crowds. They were the ones that Jesus was entrusting the Kingdom of God to, the ones who would carry on His ministry and birth the church. Jesus clearly didn't treat Judas any different than any of the others, ever, for none could guess who would betray Him after He announced one of them would. Their response is recorded by Matthew 26:21-22 NIV:
[21] And while they were eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.” [22] They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, “Surely you don't mean me, Lord?”
Going back to the theme of the power of the Holy Spirit, as I look at Jesus I see a man totally given over to that which was going to happen, not dragging His feet, not embracing this with fear and trembling (the trembling would come later in the Garden) but who embraced fully this most critical time with the same enthusiasm, the same fullness that He did everything else! The disciples clearly didn't see this all coming, even though they had been warned, and even were arguing following this last supper, who was the greatest (see Luke 22:24), which doesn't sound like a doom and gloom type of celebration, but rather a group who thought they were stepping into a time of glorious revelation of Jesus as Messiah.
Again, I think of the internal strength it would take to watch all of this happening around you, knowing full well what was really about to happen, and allowing the disciples to think and act as they were. I know this strength is not in me. I know I wouldn't be able to lovingly wash the feet of the one who would betray me! I know I would not have the strength to walk towards my execution smiling and encouraging my followers, continuing to pour into them everything that remains to be said and taught. I would be focused on myself, focused on my own pain and suffering, and here is where I believe the power of the Holy Spirit was very evident. He empowered Jesus to press on into the fullness of everything that was required, laying down His life, pouring out everything until He was empty. All of John 13-17 were recorded as having occurred at the Last Supper, and in them we have some of the most significant final teachings, the introduction of the Holy Spirit and even the establishment of the New Covenant! Wow, talk about finishing strong!
Again, I can only imagine that this was possible in and through the power of the Holy Spirit!
Lastly, we have Jesus lead his followers into Gethsemane and there He finally allowed the enormity of what He was about to embrace to rest upon His soul. I can't even imagine the agony that He went through, the wrestling with His own flesh, the knowledge of the coming torture and death, and the surrender to the Father. I think this night was every bit as daunting as His 40 days in the wilderness, and really the bookend of His ministry. He embraced fully the final self-sacrifice, giving up even His life for us all.
We honor those in wars who sacrifice themselves to protect those they are with, their brothers and sisters in arms. Most of those sacrifices are not embraced with hours and days of foreknowing, but are rather decisions that are made in the instant, in the heat of the battle. I am not in anyway lessening their sacrifices, but I am separating Jesus' sacrifice for His was one that was fully known, and yet fully embraced. Again, I know I don't have that type of strength in me, and it would only be through the power of the Holy Spirit that I could stand in that place.
Finally as I allow this reflection to be applied to my life, I see so much of me that is not laid down, so much of me that would not embrace such a sacrifice! In fact, I struggle with the simple sacrifice of not seeing and hugging my kids, and my grand-daughter. I find myself conscious of all the things that have changed that I don't like. I find myself angry with our circumstances, sometimes allowing fear and doubt to enter into my mind and heart. I know that many have slid into survival mode, and are thinking only of themselves, and I find myself tempted to go there too.
It is in these times that I find I need to turn to the Holy Spirit, to His power, to His word of peace, to His guidance to get me through, to help me settle my heart, to give me purpose and meaning, to help me lay down my life for others. That is really what we are doing during this time of "Shelter in place", we are laying down our lives for the sake of others.
It is through the Power of the Holy Spirit that we can embrace a perspective that looks beyond our own circumstances, our own situation and be the light of Christ in this troubled world. Let us ask the Holy Spirit to empower us today, to be people who look beyond ourselves, who do not give into fear, but who bring the words of Life to those in need. Let us forgive those that have betrayed our trust, those that have wounded us, and embrace them in love and compassion. Let us honor the one who gave everything that we might have eternal life!
Amen!
May the Power of the Holy Spirit fill you today with peace, love, joy and a sound mind.
Sam
Wednesday, April 8, 2020
Focus on His Unfailing Love
This morning as I was getting out of bed, I was asking the Lord what I should reflect on this morning, and I believe I heard Ps. 36, so that will be where I start my reflection this morning.
Psalm 36:5-10 NIV:
[5] "Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies.
[6] Your righteousness is like the highest mountains, your justice like the great deep. You, Lord, preserve both people and animals.
[7] How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
[8] They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights.
[9] For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.
[10] Continue your love to those who know you, your righteousness to the upright in heart."
This is an interesting Psalm, for David actually spends the first four verses writing about the wicked and evil people that were surrounding him. However, I am not one to spend much time thinking about the bad, the evil one, or other such stuff, but rather I choose to focus on the Lord, and I do this intentionally. My Dad taught me a life lesson early on, and said that which we focus on is where we tend to go. He was speaking about drivers training at the time, and teaching us how to drive, and how not to focus on the things you didn't want to hit, but for some reason that message has resonated with me over and over in many areas of my life. Rather than focusing on the negative in any situation, I work to bring my mind, my attention and my focus on the positive. In this case, I could have spent some time reflecting on the bad and evil around me, but instead am choosing to focus on the goodness of the Lord.
In the same way, I would encourage those who are living in fear of this Covid-19 virus to stop listening to the news, and reading everything about it, and begin to fill your mind and heart with positive things. The more we listen to the voice of fear, the less we hear anything else! This morning I am going to reflect on the goodness of God, and I invite you to do the same. Holy week is often a bit dark as we remember the extent of the suffering Jesus endured out of love for us, but the week always ends with the Glory of Resurrection Sunday, Easter Sunday! Let us lift our eyes to His love and His promise to never leave us or forsake us!
So, back to the Psalm! The love of the Lord and His faithfulness are the first things David brings to mind when he turns his mind to the Lord! They are His chief characteristics, and the two things we should know about Him above all else. He loves us, and He is faithful to us! He will never not love us, He will never walk away from us! What a great reflection - God's love and faithfulness. It would be a wonderful thing if we spent today just recounting all the good things, all the daily blessings of the Lord! In David's thinking they were unending and unfathomable and impossible to know fully!
David goes on and then thinks about the righteousness and justice of God. Again, he is trying to provide some measure of them and ends with the highest mountains and the deepest oceans. Today man has explored the highest mountain, but still, almost 3000 years later we still haven't explored all the deepest places in the oceans. God is so far beyond our full comprehension, yet He makes Himself knowable to the least of us. His righteousness and justice relate to His always being and doing the right thing! His perception is perfect, thus His motives are always perfect. He has provided abundantly for us, and created an abundance of life and creation to surround us. He has given us free will, and minds that can reflect on His creation, that we can find Him in it. Even when we go astray, He loves us, and looks over us, and cares for us, and always treats us the same.
David, spends a whole one verse before he goes back to the Love of God. One gets a feeling that He really experienced God's love as His primary revelation! Oh that we would each know God primarily as the one who loves us! David comes back to the unfailing love of God, which really is just another way of expressing verse 5, God's love and faithfulness. God's love never falters, never lessens, never is interrupted, never takes a rest, never grows weary, never looks away, never stops! Can we believe this about His love for us today? Can we entrust ourselves to His great and unfailing love? Can we take refuge in the shadow of His wings, or in the protection of His arms? Can we believe that He loves us enough to protect us?
Continuing on, David remembers the abundant blessings he has received, the blessing of daily provision, the daily delights and blessings. If we were to make a list of all the Lord provides, we would never stop writing, for all good things, every gift and every blessing are ultimately from Him. He is the fountain of life! Our life, evey gift and physical ability, every thought, our bodies miraculous capabilities are all from Him. The order of the world, the incredible diversity in flora and fauna, the weather patterns, the elements are all part of His abundant creation. I love how people are posting positive pictures, places they have visited, things they have seen as a way to combat the constant flow of negative news. We would all benefit from reflection on the beauty with which we are surrounded.
Finally, a prayer that God would not change in His love towards who know Him. Since His love and faithfulness are never changing, it is almost an unneeded prayer, but yet it is reassuring to once again turn towards the Lord, recognizing that He is the source of life and goodness! It is good to be grateful for that which we have already received, and good to remind ourselves that the goodness we experience is from Him!
As a last note, as I was turning to Psalm 36, my eyes caught a verse from Psalm 34 the page before, which is a wonderful reminder these days. Psalm 34:7 NIV:
"The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them." What a great promise, that we have the Angel of the Lord encircling us, protecting us, delivering us!
May the peace of Christ, and the knowledge of God's unfailing Love, and His protective angels, give you peace of mind and heart this day!
Sam
Psalm 36:5-10 NIV:
[5] "Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies.
[6] Your righteousness is like the highest mountains, your justice like the great deep. You, Lord, preserve both people and animals.
[7] How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
[8] They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights.
[9] For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.
[10] Continue your love to those who know you, your righteousness to the upright in heart."
This is an interesting Psalm, for David actually spends the first four verses writing about the wicked and evil people that were surrounding him. However, I am not one to spend much time thinking about the bad, the evil one, or other such stuff, but rather I choose to focus on the Lord, and I do this intentionally. My Dad taught me a life lesson early on, and said that which we focus on is where we tend to go. He was speaking about drivers training at the time, and teaching us how to drive, and how not to focus on the things you didn't want to hit, but for some reason that message has resonated with me over and over in many areas of my life. Rather than focusing on the negative in any situation, I work to bring my mind, my attention and my focus on the positive. In this case, I could have spent some time reflecting on the bad and evil around me, but instead am choosing to focus on the goodness of the Lord.
In the same way, I would encourage those who are living in fear of this Covid-19 virus to stop listening to the news, and reading everything about it, and begin to fill your mind and heart with positive things. The more we listen to the voice of fear, the less we hear anything else! This morning I am going to reflect on the goodness of God, and I invite you to do the same. Holy week is often a bit dark as we remember the extent of the suffering Jesus endured out of love for us, but the week always ends with the Glory of Resurrection Sunday, Easter Sunday! Let us lift our eyes to His love and His promise to never leave us or forsake us!
So, back to the Psalm! The love of the Lord and His faithfulness are the first things David brings to mind when he turns his mind to the Lord! They are His chief characteristics, and the two things we should know about Him above all else. He loves us, and He is faithful to us! He will never not love us, He will never walk away from us! What a great reflection - God's love and faithfulness. It would be a wonderful thing if we spent today just recounting all the good things, all the daily blessings of the Lord! In David's thinking they were unending and unfathomable and impossible to know fully!
David goes on and then thinks about the righteousness and justice of God. Again, he is trying to provide some measure of them and ends with the highest mountains and the deepest oceans. Today man has explored the highest mountain, but still, almost 3000 years later we still haven't explored all the deepest places in the oceans. God is so far beyond our full comprehension, yet He makes Himself knowable to the least of us. His righteousness and justice relate to His always being and doing the right thing! His perception is perfect, thus His motives are always perfect. He has provided abundantly for us, and created an abundance of life and creation to surround us. He has given us free will, and minds that can reflect on His creation, that we can find Him in it. Even when we go astray, He loves us, and looks over us, and cares for us, and always treats us the same.
David, spends a whole one verse before he goes back to the Love of God. One gets a feeling that He really experienced God's love as His primary revelation! Oh that we would each know God primarily as the one who loves us! David comes back to the unfailing love of God, which really is just another way of expressing verse 5, God's love and faithfulness. God's love never falters, never lessens, never is interrupted, never takes a rest, never grows weary, never looks away, never stops! Can we believe this about His love for us today? Can we entrust ourselves to His great and unfailing love? Can we take refuge in the shadow of His wings, or in the protection of His arms? Can we believe that He loves us enough to protect us?
Continuing on, David remembers the abundant blessings he has received, the blessing of daily provision, the daily delights and blessings. If we were to make a list of all the Lord provides, we would never stop writing, for all good things, every gift and every blessing are ultimately from Him. He is the fountain of life! Our life, evey gift and physical ability, every thought, our bodies miraculous capabilities are all from Him. The order of the world, the incredible diversity in flora and fauna, the weather patterns, the elements are all part of His abundant creation. I love how people are posting positive pictures, places they have visited, things they have seen as a way to combat the constant flow of negative news. We would all benefit from reflection on the beauty with which we are surrounded.
Finally, a prayer that God would not change in His love towards who know Him. Since His love and faithfulness are never changing, it is almost an unneeded prayer, but yet it is reassuring to once again turn towards the Lord, recognizing that He is the source of life and goodness! It is good to be grateful for that which we have already received, and good to remind ourselves that the goodness we experience is from Him!
As a last note, as I was turning to Psalm 36, my eyes caught a verse from Psalm 34 the page before, which is a wonderful reminder these days. Psalm 34:7 NIV:
"The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them." What a great promise, that we have the Angel of the Lord encircling us, protecting us, delivering us!
May the peace of Christ, and the knowledge of God's unfailing Love, and His protective angels, give you peace of mind and heart this day!
Sam
Tuesday, April 7, 2020
Wide Open Arms of Love
This morning I opened my Bible, and it opened to Luke 15, which is the story of the Prodigal Son. This is a story that Jesus told, and one of my favorites. I have reflected on it multiple times, and yet this morning I felt like the Lord opened my eyes to something new, something I have never seen before. I have always considered this one of the best illustrations of the Father's love for us, and I still think that is true, what I saw this morning was that it is also a beautiful analogy of the Gospel of Grace and the history of the Jews, and their struggle with this Good News.
Here is the story found in Luke 15:11-32 NIV:
[11] Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. [12] The younger one said to his father, 'Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his property between them.
[13] “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. [14] After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. [15] So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. [16] He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
[17] “When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! [18] I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. [19] I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.' [20] So he got up and went to his father.
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
[21] “The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'
[22] “But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. [23] Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. [24] For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate.
[25] “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. [26] So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. [27] 'Your brother has come,' he replied, 'and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.'
[28] “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. [29] But he answered his father, 'Look! All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. [30] But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!'
[31] “ 'My son,' the father said, 'you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. [32] But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' ”
As I began to think about this parable, I saw this interesting parallel between the description of the young son's sojourn and the history of the Jews. They are the chosen people, and God is their active protector, but they say they want a King, effectively rejecting God as their Ruler. This is like the young son asking for His inheritance, and setting off on His own. Like the young son, the Jews struggled with following God's law, instead constantly straying away from the Law and wasting their inheritance. However, God is constantly watching over them, waiting for them to return to Him, and always accepts them back.
This is where the Gospel of Grace is revealed, in the Father's welcoming the younger son home, He restores to his son, everything that he had wasted and turned his back on, just because He loves him. The son wants to earn his way back into relationship with the Father, but the Father will hear nothing of it, and immediately restores everything and re-establishes Him as an heir. This is what God did over and over for the Jews, and what He does for all who come to Him, as this is the Gospel of Grace, for it is clearly unmerited favor!
The older son, I believe, represents those who believe that favor can only be earned, and those who judge everyone accordingly. I also believe , as of this morning, that this represents the Jewish people's rejection of the Gospel of Grace, and the salvation that is available to them in the new covenant. Clearly this is not true of all Jews for the first disciples were all Jewish, but rather represents the teachers of the Law, and proponents of it. Theirs is an angry response to those who receive freely, that which they have worked so diligently to establish. Notice the Father doesn't reject the older son, but instead reaffirms His love and relationship with him (verse 31).
So as I am thinking about this, I realize that many of us are being confronted with their own personal state of affairs. It is hard to run away from your true situation when you are asked to "shelter in place". I know the Lord has certainly been using this time to get my attention about a few areas of my life, helping me to see where I need to return to Him. I imagine that possibly many of us are coming to our senses (verses 17 above) and realizing we need to return to the Lord! The Good News is that His response is always the same, He is waiting with open arms, ready to welcome us right back into full relationship.
This Holy week is a time for us to reflect upon the depth of God's love for us, and His decision to fulfill all the requirements of the Law, so that we all might be restored to rightful relationship with the Father. We have before us the opportunity to consider our lives and to "come to our senses" and turn away from any sin and/or the reliance on anything that we are trying to pursue life through that is not the Lord.
The timing of this "shelter in place" rule is interesting, for we are going to celebrate Holy week on our own for our first time. Since we really can't do many of the things that we would normally do, many of us might be confronted with who we are in our relationship with God. Many of us tend to view ourselves from a "what we do" perspective. Oh that we would take this time to reflect and rediscover our true selves. We are meant to live full lives in constant relationship with our loving Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Its not about doing, its about embracing our identity and our inheritance in Him. Its about embracing the one who gave everything to reestablish for us the opportunity for full relationship!
May the Lord bless You, and embrace you with wide open arms of love! May you find rest for Your souls, in Him.
Sam
Here is the story found in Luke 15:11-32 NIV:
[11] Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. [12] The younger one said to his father, 'Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his property between them.
[13] “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. [14] After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. [15] So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. [16] He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
[17] “When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! [18] I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. [19] I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.' [20] So he got up and went to his father.
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
[21] “The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'
[22] “But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. [23] Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. [24] For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate.
[25] “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. [26] So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. [27] 'Your brother has come,' he replied, 'and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.'
[28] “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. [29] But he answered his father, 'Look! All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. [30] But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!'
[31] “ 'My son,' the father said, 'you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. [32] But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' ”
As I began to think about this parable, I saw this interesting parallel between the description of the young son's sojourn and the history of the Jews. They are the chosen people, and God is their active protector, but they say they want a King, effectively rejecting God as their Ruler. This is like the young son asking for His inheritance, and setting off on His own. Like the young son, the Jews struggled with following God's law, instead constantly straying away from the Law and wasting their inheritance. However, God is constantly watching over them, waiting for them to return to Him, and always accepts them back.
This is where the Gospel of Grace is revealed, in the Father's welcoming the younger son home, He restores to his son, everything that he had wasted and turned his back on, just because He loves him. The son wants to earn his way back into relationship with the Father, but the Father will hear nothing of it, and immediately restores everything and re-establishes Him as an heir. This is what God did over and over for the Jews, and what He does for all who come to Him, as this is the Gospel of Grace, for it is clearly unmerited favor!
The older son, I believe, represents those who believe that favor can only be earned, and those who judge everyone accordingly. I also believe , as of this morning, that this represents the Jewish people's rejection of the Gospel of Grace, and the salvation that is available to them in the new covenant. Clearly this is not true of all Jews for the first disciples were all Jewish, but rather represents the teachers of the Law, and proponents of it. Theirs is an angry response to those who receive freely, that which they have worked so diligently to establish. Notice the Father doesn't reject the older son, but instead reaffirms His love and relationship with him (verse 31).
So as I am thinking about this, I realize that many of us are being confronted with their own personal state of affairs. It is hard to run away from your true situation when you are asked to "shelter in place". I know the Lord has certainly been using this time to get my attention about a few areas of my life, helping me to see where I need to return to Him. I imagine that possibly many of us are coming to our senses (verses 17 above) and realizing we need to return to the Lord! The Good News is that His response is always the same, He is waiting with open arms, ready to welcome us right back into full relationship.
This Holy week is a time for us to reflect upon the depth of God's love for us, and His decision to fulfill all the requirements of the Law, so that we all might be restored to rightful relationship with the Father. We have before us the opportunity to consider our lives and to "come to our senses" and turn away from any sin and/or the reliance on anything that we are trying to pursue life through that is not the Lord.
The timing of this "shelter in place" rule is interesting, for we are going to celebrate Holy week on our own for our first time. Since we really can't do many of the things that we would normally do, many of us might be confronted with who we are in our relationship with God. Many of us tend to view ourselves from a "what we do" perspective. Oh that we would take this time to reflect and rediscover our true selves. We are meant to live full lives in constant relationship with our loving Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Its not about doing, its about embracing our identity and our inheritance in Him. Its about embracing the one who gave everything to reestablish for us the opportunity for full relationship!
May the Lord bless You, and embrace you with wide open arms of love! May you find rest for Your souls, in Him.
Sam
Monday, April 6, 2020
"You Will all Be Scattered, Each To Your Own Home" John 16:32
This morning, I was reading through John 16 and 17, as these are some of the last things Jesus said, according to John and as such, I would count them very important, for Jesus knew His time with His followers was short. Anyway a couple of lines really hit home today, due to their uncanny resemblance to our present situation. The context is Jesus is addressing the Apostles following the last supper, and is giving them final directions. He has just finished telling them for effectively the last time that He returning to God the Father, and because He was being so clear the apostles say they finally believe that He is from God. This is the context in which Jesus speaks verses that I am reflecting on today - John 16:31-33 NIV:
[31] “Do you now believe?” Jesus replied. [32] “A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me.
[33] “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
As I read verses 32, I was struck by the absolute parallels we are presently experiencing! We are all scattered, each to their own home! I think in the past that statement has never had much impact, but today, in light of our present situation, they rang true like a major gong!
Jesus' initial question to the apostles, upon them stating that they finally believe He came from God, seems to be an incredulous statement, couched as a question. Like, finally after 3 years of interaction and observation, they finally may the last jump in logic and faith because Jesus spoke clearly. I can almost feel the Lord's eyes rolling back into His head. :-)
The next sentence is what Jesus knows prophetically, that they will all be scattered, and the question, "Do you now believe?" is most appropriate! When their proximity to Jesus is severed, when they no longer have their brethren by their sides, when they are no longer gathered as a group, do they still believe, even then?
What a great question for us to consider today! Do we still believe, even though we can't meet together? Do we still pursue relationship with Him, even though we have limited outside influence and pressure to do so? Will we still observe and pray through the events of Holy week, like we would if we were gathering in church? Does our faith actually impact our daily life, when we are left to our own? All good questions, and ones we would do well to consider.
Jesus then goes on to say that He has said all these things that they might, in Him, have peace! Notice that the peace is available in Jesus, and I think its safe to say, only in Jesus! Lately, my honey and I have talked about these present times, and have often wondered how those living without faith are coping? Many of my friends in time have walked from their faith, choosing to follow after science and logic and human advancement as the answers to life, and many seem to be utterly despondent now, full of fear, angry and hurting. My heart goes out to them, for my heart is at peace, even in the swirl of craziness, and it has nothing to do with ignorance, but rather has everything to do with Jesus' last statement, "But take heart! I have overcome the world!"
He is the unchanging rock on which I stand! He holds me in His arms. I am unswayed by the storms of life, and choose to believe, in spite of the seeming chaos, that He is firmly in control, and as we turn our eyes to Him, we will see our path before us (Prov 3:5-6)! He promises to meet us as we draw near to Him, and as we return to Him (Is 55:6-7). For those that have turned away to pursue meaning for their lives in other streams of thought, He is always waiting, ready to receive You back with open arms (Lk 15:20), regardless of what you have thought, said or done!
Going back to statement that "you will all be scattered, each to your own home" my final prayer is that we would all individually press into Him in this time of scattering. We are not alone, we have the Lord living with us! He is desirous of deeper relationship, of allowing our faith and belief in Him to draw us to Him in every area of our lives. His question, "Do you now believe?" is for us today! We get to choose today and everyday, whether we will believe in Him and walk out our lives in relationship with Him, or not! Let us pray for all to return to the Lord, believing in Him and letting His peace settle their hearts! Take Heart! For He has overcome the world!
Amen!
May Christ's peace be with you today!
Sam
[31] “Do you now believe?” Jesus replied. [32] “A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me.
[33] “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
As I read verses 32, I was struck by the absolute parallels we are presently experiencing! We are all scattered, each to their own home! I think in the past that statement has never had much impact, but today, in light of our present situation, they rang true like a major gong!
Jesus' initial question to the apostles, upon them stating that they finally believe He came from God, seems to be an incredulous statement, couched as a question. Like, finally after 3 years of interaction and observation, they finally may the last jump in logic and faith because Jesus spoke clearly. I can almost feel the Lord's eyes rolling back into His head. :-)
The next sentence is what Jesus knows prophetically, that they will all be scattered, and the question, "Do you now believe?" is most appropriate! When their proximity to Jesus is severed, when they no longer have their brethren by their sides, when they are no longer gathered as a group, do they still believe, even then?
What a great question for us to consider today! Do we still believe, even though we can't meet together? Do we still pursue relationship with Him, even though we have limited outside influence and pressure to do so? Will we still observe and pray through the events of Holy week, like we would if we were gathering in church? Does our faith actually impact our daily life, when we are left to our own? All good questions, and ones we would do well to consider.
Jesus then goes on to say that He has said all these things that they might, in Him, have peace! Notice that the peace is available in Jesus, and I think its safe to say, only in Jesus! Lately, my honey and I have talked about these present times, and have often wondered how those living without faith are coping? Many of my friends in time have walked from their faith, choosing to follow after science and logic and human advancement as the answers to life, and many seem to be utterly despondent now, full of fear, angry and hurting. My heart goes out to them, for my heart is at peace, even in the swirl of craziness, and it has nothing to do with ignorance, but rather has everything to do with Jesus' last statement, "But take heart! I have overcome the world!"
He is the unchanging rock on which I stand! He holds me in His arms. I am unswayed by the storms of life, and choose to believe, in spite of the seeming chaos, that He is firmly in control, and as we turn our eyes to Him, we will see our path before us (Prov 3:5-6)! He promises to meet us as we draw near to Him, and as we return to Him (Is 55:6-7). For those that have turned away to pursue meaning for their lives in other streams of thought, He is always waiting, ready to receive You back with open arms (Lk 15:20), regardless of what you have thought, said or done!
Going back to statement that "you will all be scattered, each to your own home" my final prayer is that we would all individually press into Him in this time of scattering. We are not alone, we have the Lord living with us! He is desirous of deeper relationship, of allowing our faith and belief in Him to draw us to Him in every area of our lives. His question, "Do you now believe?" is for us today! We get to choose today and everyday, whether we will believe in Him and walk out our lives in relationship with Him, or not! Let us pray for all to return to the Lord, believing in Him and letting His peace settle their hearts! Take Heart! For He has overcome the world!
Amen!
May Christ's peace be with you today!
Sam
Sunday, April 5, 2020
The Father's Pride in His Son
This morning my thoughts upon waking were that today is Palm Sunday. I was thinking about the occurrence of that day, and wondering why the Father had Jesus go through this day's events, in light of what was soon to follow, and in light of the previous three years of ministry that were mostly accomplished without fanfare or show. I thought this line of thought worth reflecting upon, for in this event we see some more of the Father's heart towards His Son. Here is Luke's account, for this event is found in all four of the Gospels.
Luke 19:28-40 NIV:
[28] "After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. [29] As he approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, [30] “Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. [31] If anyone asks you, 'Why are you untying it?' say, 'The Lord needs it.' ”
[32] Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them. [33] As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?”
[34] They replied, “The Lord needs it.”
[35] They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. [36] As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road.
[37] When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:
[38] “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”
[39] Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!”
[40] “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”
As I mentioned earlier, I was thinking about this event in the context of the rest of Jesus' ministry, and it seemed like a strange addition. The Lord had kept a relatively low profile, choosing to spend most of His time in Galilean countryside, rather in Judea or Jerusalem. He purposely directed people to not spread the news about healings they received (see Matt 8:4). At one point His brothers wanted Him to go to Jerusalem, and become a popular public person, and Jesus resisted that request (See John 7:3-4). In light of these, a parade into Jerusalem where He is proclaimed the coming King is just odd.
As I was thinking through this, I felt like I heard the Lord say, "It was because He is the greatest King of all time, and He should receive Glory and praise from men!" I certainly agree with that thought, and believe this also shows us the heart of the Father. Previously, Jesus was glorified and transfigured on the Mount, but that was a very private experience, being witnessed only by the three apostles, Peter, James and John. We see four major times where the Father showed His affection for His beloved Son, the first being His birth, the second His baptism, the third His transfiguration and finally here as Jesus enters Jerusalem.
We know that Jesus only did what the Father told him to do (John 5:19). Thus, we can assume that Jesus was doing this at the Father's direction. I think we assume that 'of course Jesus must have had a parade, He was so great!' but we are thinking this already knowing the whole story. We know that His riding into Jerusalem on the colt of a donkey was prophetically proclaimed by Zechariah 9:9, and that appears to be the reason for this, but the gathering of the people, the spreading palm branches and cloaks, and proclaiming Him the coming King, was apparently stirred up by the Father, for when Jesus was asked to quiet them down, He replied, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”
I see in this proclamation Jesus acknowledging the pride the Father had for His Son! The Father in Heaven is a good Father, even a great Father. Jesus went to great lengths to speak of Him, to help us to understand how loving, merciful and compassionate the Father is towards us. He likened earthly fathers to His heavenly Father, in their love for their children, but always said the Heavenly Father was much more loving, giving, and forgiving!
As a father, I am very proud of my son, and often speak of Him. My desire is that people know him, know how good he is, know what a great father he is, know what a great husband, and know how much I love him! I see in me shadows of what the Heavenly Father must be like and must feel for His Son Jesus. What Father wouldn't want to see their son lauded and praised for who He is and what He has accomplished? I see in this parade of praise and proclamation the Father just releasing a small amount of His infinite love for His Son, and that love caused creation to come about. I believe that what Jesus said about the rocks is true, if the people wouldn't proclaim His praise the rocks surely would have!
Finally, I am reminded of the words Jesus prayed in His last great prayer found in John 17. I am quoting the first and last verses of this great prayer - John 17:1,25-26 NIV:
[1] After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed:
“Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you.
[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.”
Yes, Lord, we want the love You have for the Father, and the Love the Father has for His son to be in us! We want the world to know that You are the God of love! We want the world to know how great You are, far above every king and great man that has ever lived! We want to see You receive the Glory You are due! We want to see Your name lifted high above every other name!
We cry out with Jesus, "Father the hour has come. Glorify Your Son!"
Amen!
Luke 19:28-40 NIV:
[28] "After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. [29] As he approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, [30] “Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. [31] If anyone asks you, 'Why are you untying it?' say, 'The Lord needs it.' ”
[32] Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them. [33] As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?”
[34] They replied, “The Lord needs it.”
[35] They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. [36] As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road.
[37] When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:
[38] “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”
[39] Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!”
[40] “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”
As I mentioned earlier, I was thinking about this event in the context of the rest of Jesus' ministry, and it seemed like a strange addition. The Lord had kept a relatively low profile, choosing to spend most of His time in Galilean countryside, rather in Judea or Jerusalem. He purposely directed people to not spread the news about healings they received (see Matt 8:4). At one point His brothers wanted Him to go to Jerusalem, and become a popular public person, and Jesus resisted that request (See John 7:3-4). In light of these, a parade into Jerusalem where He is proclaimed the coming King is just odd.
As I was thinking through this, I felt like I heard the Lord say, "It was because He is the greatest King of all time, and He should receive Glory and praise from men!" I certainly agree with that thought, and believe this also shows us the heart of the Father. Previously, Jesus was glorified and transfigured on the Mount, but that was a very private experience, being witnessed only by the three apostles, Peter, James and John. We see four major times where the Father showed His affection for His beloved Son, the first being His birth, the second His baptism, the third His transfiguration and finally here as Jesus enters Jerusalem.
We know that Jesus only did what the Father told him to do (John 5:19). Thus, we can assume that Jesus was doing this at the Father's direction. I think we assume that 'of course Jesus must have had a parade, He was so great!' but we are thinking this already knowing the whole story. We know that His riding into Jerusalem on the colt of a donkey was prophetically proclaimed by Zechariah 9:9, and that appears to be the reason for this, but the gathering of the people, the spreading palm branches and cloaks, and proclaiming Him the coming King, was apparently stirred up by the Father, for when Jesus was asked to quiet them down, He replied, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”
I see in this proclamation Jesus acknowledging the pride the Father had for His Son! The Father in Heaven is a good Father, even a great Father. Jesus went to great lengths to speak of Him, to help us to understand how loving, merciful and compassionate the Father is towards us. He likened earthly fathers to His heavenly Father, in their love for their children, but always said the Heavenly Father was much more loving, giving, and forgiving!
As a father, I am very proud of my son, and often speak of Him. My desire is that people know him, know how good he is, know what a great father he is, know what a great husband, and know how much I love him! I see in me shadows of what the Heavenly Father must be like and must feel for His Son Jesus. What Father wouldn't want to see their son lauded and praised for who He is and what He has accomplished? I see in this parade of praise and proclamation the Father just releasing a small amount of His infinite love for His Son, and that love caused creation to come about. I believe that what Jesus said about the rocks is true, if the people wouldn't proclaim His praise the rocks surely would have!
Finally, I am reminded of the words Jesus prayed in His last great prayer found in John 17. I am quoting the first and last verses of this great prayer - John 17:1,25-26 NIV:
[1] After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed:
“Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you.
[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.”
Yes, Lord, we want the love You have for the Father, and the Love the Father has for His son to be in us! We want the world to know that You are the God of love! We want the world to know how great You are, far above every king and great man that has ever lived! We want to see You receive the Glory You are due! We want to see Your name lifted high above every other name!
We cry out with Jesus, "Father the hour has come. Glorify Your Son!"
Amen!
Saturday, April 4, 2020
Freedom From the Law of Expectation
This morning I felt like I should spend some time in Galatians, chapter four. Recently, many of my reflections have been encouragement in this strange time we are living in, and these verses from Paul's letter seemed like a strange addition, but as I reflected I saw a deeper connection. Here are the verses - Galatians 4:4-7 NIV:
[4] "But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, [5] to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. [6] Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba , Father.” [7] So you are no longer a slave, but God's child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir."
I have spent quite a bit of time reflecting on our adoption to the family of God, and it is such good news. This morning I was thinking about these verses in light of being redeemed from under the law, which really, in context, is referring to the Jewish people. Paul is writing this to the Galatians, most of whom were not Jews, and thus not under the Law. Rather than focusing on this this specific legal conversation, I felt like the message of the Lord to me today was to look at my life and determine what "laws" He is setting us free from in these present days!
Much has been said on-line by people of faith concerning this time of resting in God, a reset of sorts, and I think that is true. I also think we are seeing the Lord setting us free from previous expectations of what the Church should look like, and how the Church should act, and what services should entail, and a whole assortment of "religious" ideas that have become 'law' for many congregations. The term "this is the way we do" anything should cause us to pause, and consider why we do things a certain way. Have we become so used to things a certain way, that we can't entertain change? I think that this time of "sheltering in place" is causing all of us to reconsider our faith, and the essential components of our faith life. If we find ourselves desiring to just go back to the way things were before, we might need to press in a bit deeper to the Lord, He wants us to grow and experience increase in our lives personally, as well as corporately.
In the same way that the Galatians were being sold a gospel-plus (this is essentially what the circumcision party was pushing) we might have grown up under a gospel-plus expression of faith! The Christian faith does not require beautiful buildings, choirs and professional sounding worship teams, it does not require professional pastors and teachers, it does not require Sunday services, the repeating of rote prayers, or any of a number of things we have come to associate with our faith! Our faith is fundamentally about our personal relationship with the Lord! He is who we interact with, and who we worship with our lives. Singing and music is wonderful, but that is not worship. Worship is laying down our lives to embrace relationship with our Lord! Living our faith is so much more than Sunday attendance, or church services, it is all about the day to day decisions we make about how we speak, and how we think, and how we live our lives, how we love our families and friends, and allowing our faith to impact and change us in all of these areas. We are meant to be followers of Christ, every moment of every day.
I believe that we are experiencing an opportunity for us to stop and think about what it means to truly be a son and daughter of God, for again that is what our faith is all about, relationship with Him! Let us stop and ask the Lord to show us what is most important, and let us choose to make those a priority in our lives, even after our present "shelter in place" restrictions are lifted. Let us take a serious look at our church, at our worship experience, at our expression and lets lose the gospel-plus stuff.
I pray that we would come out of this time with a deeper sense of our relationship with our Lord, with each other and how we as sons and daughters of God should live our lives. I pray that the Lord would set us free from the 'law' of expectations and our gospel-plus experience.
Amen!
May the Lord bless you, and keep your safe!
Sam
[4] "But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, [5] to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. [6] Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba , Father.” [7] So you are no longer a slave, but God's child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir."
I have spent quite a bit of time reflecting on our adoption to the family of God, and it is such good news. This morning I was thinking about these verses in light of being redeemed from under the law, which really, in context, is referring to the Jewish people. Paul is writing this to the Galatians, most of whom were not Jews, and thus not under the Law. Rather than focusing on this this specific legal conversation, I felt like the message of the Lord to me today was to look at my life and determine what "laws" He is setting us free from in these present days!
Much has been said on-line by people of faith concerning this time of resting in God, a reset of sorts, and I think that is true. I also think we are seeing the Lord setting us free from previous expectations of what the Church should look like, and how the Church should act, and what services should entail, and a whole assortment of "religious" ideas that have become 'law' for many congregations. The term "this is the way we do" anything should cause us to pause, and consider why we do things a certain way. Have we become so used to things a certain way, that we can't entertain change? I think that this time of "sheltering in place" is causing all of us to reconsider our faith, and the essential components of our faith life. If we find ourselves desiring to just go back to the way things were before, we might need to press in a bit deeper to the Lord, He wants us to grow and experience increase in our lives personally, as well as corporately.
In the same way that the Galatians were being sold a gospel-plus (this is essentially what the circumcision party was pushing) we might have grown up under a gospel-plus expression of faith! The Christian faith does not require beautiful buildings, choirs and professional sounding worship teams, it does not require professional pastors and teachers, it does not require Sunday services, the repeating of rote prayers, or any of a number of things we have come to associate with our faith! Our faith is fundamentally about our personal relationship with the Lord! He is who we interact with, and who we worship with our lives. Singing and music is wonderful, but that is not worship. Worship is laying down our lives to embrace relationship with our Lord! Living our faith is so much more than Sunday attendance, or church services, it is all about the day to day decisions we make about how we speak, and how we think, and how we live our lives, how we love our families and friends, and allowing our faith to impact and change us in all of these areas. We are meant to be followers of Christ, every moment of every day.
I believe that we are experiencing an opportunity for us to stop and think about what it means to truly be a son and daughter of God, for again that is what our faith is all about, relationship with Him! Let us stop and ask the Lord to show us what is most important, and let us choose to make those a priority in our lives, even after our present "shelter in place" restrictions are lifted. Let us take a serious look at our church, at our worship experience, at our expression and lets lose the gospel-plus stuff.
I pray that we would come out of this time with a deeper sense of our relationship with our Lord, with each other and how we as sons and daughters of God should live our lives. I pray that the Lord would set us free from the 'law' of expectations and our gospel-plus experience.
Amen!
May the Lord bless you, and keep your safe!
Sam
Friday, April 3, 2020
The Importance of Family
This morning I am reflecting on a couple of verses from John's Gospel that occur just before Jesus' death. Here are the verses - John 19:25-27 NIV:
[25] "Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. [26] When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” [27] and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home."
I was wondering why I felt led to these verses, as in the greater scheme of Jesus' passion, death and resurrection they are almost a footnote. However, I felt like the Lord was highlighting them this morning, to identify the importance of family in times of loss and distress. In these verses, immediately before dying, Jesus takes care of His mother Mary. He entrusts her to John, and John notes that from that day forward Mary lived with him. We believe that Jesus had brothers (see Matt 12:46; John 2:12; John 7:5) and yet He asked John to take her into His home.
Several years ago I was meditating on this verse, and decided to look at all the accounts of Jesus' death, and realized that "his mother's sister" as described by John, was actually the mother of James and John, the wife of Zebedee (see Matt 27:56), and thus John's mom. As in the rest of His Gospel, John didn't refer to himself by name, often referring to himself as the one Jesus loved, or even one of the sons of Zebedee, in this case He didn't call out the fact that His mom was actually Mary's sister, making him Jesus' first-cousin.
The importance here this morning, seems to be that during times of loss and difficulty that Jesus is highlighting the significance of family, and even extended family. Jesus knew that His mother would need support and protection, and thus He asked John to take her in (at least that is my opinion). Dealing with a loved one's death is excruciating, and Jesus knew the next few days, and the following years would be very difficult, and by asking John to take Mary in, was effectively surrounding her with her own family (her sister) and hiding her somewhat from what would surely come, namely persecution of His family, friends and followers.
This morning, I am more aware of the importance of family in this time of social distancing, and sheltering in place. It is so easy for us to withdraw into our own cocoon of protection and self-preservation, that we can inadvertantly reduce our communication with and support of our family, and extended family. We are all dealing with loss in this time, loss of freedom, loss of relational interaction. In fact, as I was thinking about this present situation, I realized that many are experiencing stages of grief as identified by Elisabeth Kubler-Ross: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. As we look back at the last few weeks, I think many of us could see a very similar pattern in our lives, and may even find that we are somewhere on this scale even now.
As I reflect back to Jesus' direction to Mary and John, I see Him placing her somewhere where she could be supported and loved during her time of grief. It was highly likely that Mary was present when Jesus ascended, and even if she wasn't, the fact that He was no longer present on earth meant she was going to be grieving His absence. Being with her sister would provide her family support that she would not have likely received had she gone back to Nazareth.
Anyway, my thought this morning, is that we all need to be connecting with our families during this time. We need to make sure that social distancing does not decrease our relational connectedness. Secondly, it is important that we support our family members as they deal with this present situation. This is like nothing most of us have ever experienced and we are all trying to find our way, and make our way through. It is important that we connect regularly with the ones we love, with those who love us unconditionally. It is important that we look to our families, and look after our families. It is VERY important that we check in regularly with our parents, especially those that might be alone. We see people coming together to help one another, and God has given us families as our first and most important social group. Generally, our brothers and sisters know us like no one else, and staying in contact with one another during times like these is so important.
In summary, let us strengthen one another, and strengthen our family ties during this period. Let us choose to invest in relationships even in this time of social distancing. Let us choose to come along side one another and help each other. Let us give grace to one another as we go through the stages of grief over the loss of so much that is familiar. Let us look tot hose around us who have lost jobs, and family members and let us welcome them into our families - through phone calls, video-chats, or whatever means necessary. Let us pray for a strengthening of our families and society through this time.
Amen.
[25] "Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. [26] When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” [27] and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home."
I was wondering why I felt led to these verses, as in the greater scheme of Jesus' passion, death and resurrection they are almost a footnote. However, I felt like the Lord was highlighting them this morning, to identify the importance of family in times of loss and distress. In these verses, immediately before dying, Jesus takes care of His mother Mary. He entrusts her to John, and John notes that from that day forward Mary lived with him. We believe that Jesus had brothers (see Matt 12:46; John 2:12; John 7:5) and yet He asked John to take her into His home.
Several years ago I was meditating on this verse, and decided to look at all the accounts of Jesus' death, and realized that "his mother's sister" as described by John, was actually the mother of James and John, the wife of Zebedee (see Matt 27:56), and thus John's mom. As in the rest of His Gospel, John didn't refer to himself by name, often referring to himself as the one Jesus loved, or even one of the sons of Zebedee, in this case He didn't call out the fact that His mom was actually Mary's sister, making him Jesus' first-cousin.
The importance here this morning, seems to be that during times of loss and difficulty that Jesus is highlighting the significance of family, and even extended family. Jesus knew that His mother would need support and protection, and thus He asked John to take her in (at least that is my opinion). Dealing with a loved one's death is excruciating, and Jesus knew the next few days, and the following years would be very difficult, and by asking John to take Mary in, was effectively surrounding her with her own family (her sister) and hiding her somewhat from what would surely come, namely persecution of His family, friends and followers.
This morning, I am more aware of the importance of family in this time of social distancing, and sheltering in place. It is so easy for us to withdraw into our own cocoon of protection and self-preservation, that we can inadvertantly reduce our communication with and support of our family, and extended family. We are all dealing with loss in this time, loss of freedom, loss of relational interaction. In fact, as I was thinking about this present situation, I realized that many are experiencing stages of grief as identified by Elisabeth Kubler-Ross: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. As we look back at the last few weeks, I think many of us could see a very similar pattern in our lives, and may even find that we are somewhere on this scale even now.
As I reflect back to Jesus' direction to Mary and John, I see Him placing her somewhere where she could be supported and loved during her time of grief. It was highly likely that Mary was present when Jesus ascended, and even if she wasn't, the fact that He was no longer present on earth meant she was going to be grieving His absence. Being with her sister would provide her family support that she would not have likely received had she gone back to Nazareth.
Anyway, my thought this morning, is that we all need to be connecting with our families during this time. We need to make sure that social distancing does not decrease our relational connectedness. Secondly, it is important that we support our family members as they deal with this present situation. This is like nothing most of us have ever experienced and we are all trying to find our way, and make our way through. It is important that we connect regularly with the ones we love, with those who love us unconditionally. It is important that we look to our families, and look after our families. It is VERY important that we check in regularly with our parents, especially those that might be alone. We see people coming together to help one another, and God has given us families as our first and most important social group. Generally, our brothers and sisters know us like no one else, and staying in contact with one another during times like these is so important.
In summary, let us strengthen one another, and strengthen our family ties during this period. Let us choose to invest in relationships even in this time of social distancing. Let us choose to come along side one another and help each other. Let us give grace to one another as we go through the stages of grief over the loss of so much that is familiar. Let us look tot hose around us who have lost jobs, and family members and let us welcome them into our families - through phone calls, video-chats, or whatever means necessary. Let us pray for a strengthening of our families and society through this time.
Amen.
Thursday, April 2, 2020
Two Centurions Who Were Significant
This morning I am reflecting on two stories of two Centurions, one found in Luke 7, the other found in Acts 10. I started in Luke, and was reminded of the other. They are both stories of significant faith. Here is the story found in Luke 7:1-10 NIV:
[1] "When Jesus had finished saying all this to the people who were listening, he entered Capernaum. [2] There a centurion's servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die. [3] The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant. [4] When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, “This man deserves to have you do this, [5] because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue.” [6] So Jesus went with them.
He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: “Lord, don't trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. [7] That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. [8] For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and that one, 'Come,' and he comes. I say to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it.”
[9] When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.” [10] Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well."
I love the Centurion's understanding of the Kingdom reality, seen in verse 8. He understands that Jesus has authority over sickness, and asks Him to command the sickness to leave. This is a very appropriate request of Jesus, for He does have all authority and power (Matt 28:18) and he certainly has authority over sickness. As representatives of Him, we do too! That is how authority works! When the Centurion sent his servant to do something, it was covered under his authority, and the servant could do things in his master's name. Do we believe that Jesus still has authority over sickness?
The second story is a significant turning point in the life of the church, and really the whole world, and it also involves a Centurion with great faith. Here are the verses I am reflecting on today - Acts 10:1-8,24-29,44-48 NIV:
[1] "At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. [2] He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. [3] One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, “Cornelius!”
[4] Cornelius stared at him in fear. “What is it, Lord?” he asked.
The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God. [5] Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter. [6] He is staying with Simon the tanner, whose house is by the sea.”
[7] When the angel who spoke to him had gone, Cornelius called two of his servants and a devout soldier who was one of his attendants. [8] He told them everything that had happened and sent them to Joppa.
- for brevity, I left out several verses where Peter has a significant vision and the men sent by Cornelius arrive and they find Peter and convince him to come with them -
[24] The following day he (Peter) arrived in Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. [25] As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence. [26] But Peter made him get up. “Stand up,” he said, “I am only a man myself.”
[27] While talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people. [28] He said to them: “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile. But God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean. [29] So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection. May I ask why you sent for me?”
- for brevity, I left out the verses where Cornelius recounts his experience and Peter starts to share the Gospel -
[44] While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. [45] The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. [46] For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, [47] “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” [48] So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days."
This was clearly a divine coordinated event, for God sent visions to both Peter and Cornelius, coordinated so that as Peter is finishing his vision the men from Cornelius arrive at the very house he is staying at, looking for him. What plays out in the following verses is the first wholly sanctioned conversion of Gentiles! I love how in verse 44 the Holy Spirit doesn't even wait for Peter to finish talking!!
I love this story for so many reasons, but today I am reminded of the huge leap of faith that was required on both Cornelius's and Peter's part. Cornelius was inviting into his home one of the leaders of this group that was being persecuted and even put to death, as this happened after Stephen's martyrdom. By accepting Christ, he was walking away from much of what He was committed to believe.
Peter, on the other hand, was walking into a Roman Centurion's house, and he was well aware of the persecution that was burning brightly all around him. At this point they may not have realized that Saul has experienced a conversion, so he might have been expecting that this was a trap laid out to capture him. Regardless, Peter followed and trusted his faith in the Lord. He realized that this was a divinely coordinated and inspired meeting. He probably didn't know how significant it was going to be, but He obeyed what He was told to do.
Again, this is a great example of authority, and obedience, out of faith. Both men obeyed what they were told to do, and trusted God that He had a good plan, not a plan to endanger them. Both men were willing to entrust their very lives to God.
Finally, as I was describing earlier, this is clearly a divinely inspired event. God can do, and still does these very same things today. I like to say that God's middle name is coincidence, as I don't believe things happen just by chance. I believe that God can and will do the same things in our day! Let us pray that the Lord orchestrates a quick end to this virus, and restoration of all that has been lost as a result. Let us put our faith in God, and ask that He, in His power and authority, command an end to this all! Let us pray that He sends help from Heaven, directs people's paths, connects the right people to one another, and protects all involved. Let us pray that He releases a wave of healing unlike anything we have ever seen or heard about previously. Let us pray for a turning point for our whole world!
Amen and Amen!
[1] "When Jesus had finished saying all this to the people who were listening, he entered Capernaum. [2] There a centurion's servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die. [3] The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant. [4] When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, “This man deserves to have you do this, [5] because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue.” [6] So Jesus went with them.
He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: “Lord, don't trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. [7] That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. [8] For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and that one, 'Come,' and he comes. I say to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it.”
[9] When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.” [10] Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well."
I love the Centurion's understanding of the Kingdom reality, seen in verse 8. He understands that Jesus has authority over sickness, and asks Him to command the sickness to leave. This is a very appropriate request of Jesus, for He does have all authority and power (Matt 28:18) and he certainly has authority over sickness. As representatives of Him, we do too! That is how authority works! When the Centurion sent his servant to do something, it was covered under his authority, and the servant could do things in his master's name. Do we believe that Jesus still has authority over sickness?
The second story is a significant turning point in the life of the church, and really the whole world, and it also involves a Centurion with great faith. Here are the verses I am reflecting on today - Acts 10:1-8,24-29,44-48 NIV:
[1] "At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. [2] He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. [3] One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, “Cornelius!”
[4] Cornelius stared at him in fear. “What is it, Lord?” he asked.
The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God. [5] Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter. [6] He is staying with Simon the tanner, whose house is by the sea.”
[7] When the angel who spoke to him had gone, Cornelius called two of his servants and a devout soldier who was one of his attendants. [8] He told them everything that had happened and sent them to Joppa.
- for brevity, I left out several verses where Peter has a significant vision and the men sent by Cornelius arrive and they find Peter and convince him to come with them -
[24] The following day he (Peter) arrived in Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. [25] As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence. [26] But Peter made him get up. “Stand up,” he said, “I am only a man myself.”
[27] While talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people. [28] He said to them: “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile. But God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean. [29] So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection. May I ask why you sent for me?”
- for brevity, I left out the verses where Cornelius recounts his experience and Peter starts to share the Gospel -
[44] While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. [45] The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. [46] For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, [47] “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” [48] So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days."
This was clearly a divine coordinated event, for God sent visions to both Peter and Cornelius, coordinated so that as Peter is finishing his vision the men from Cornelius arrive at the very house he is staying at, looking for him. What plays out in the following verses is the first wholly sanctioned conversion of Gentiles! I love how in verse 44 the Holy Spirit doesn't even wait for Peter to finish talking!!
I love this story for so many reasons, but today I am reminded of the huge leap of faith that was required on both Cornelius's and Peter's part. Cornelius was inviting into his home one of the leaders of this group that was being persecuted and even put to death, as this happened after Stephen's martyrdom. By accepting Christ, he was walking away from much of what He was committed to believe.
Peter, on the other hand, was walking into a Roman Centurion's house, and he was well aware of the persecution that was burning brightly all around him. At this point they may not have realized that Saul has experienced a conversion, so he might have been expecting that this was a trap laid out to capture him. Regardless, Peter followed and trusted his faith in the Lord. He realized that this was a divinely coordinated and inspired meeting. He probably didn't know how significant it was going to be, but He obeyed what He was told to do.
Again, this is a great example of authority, and obedience, out of faith. Both men obeyed what they were told to do, and trusted God that He had a good plan, not a plan to endanger them. Both men were willing to entrust their very lives to God.
Finally, as I was describing earlier, this is clearly a divinely inspired event. God can do, and still does these very same things today. I like to say that God's middle name is coincidence, as I don't believe things happen just by chance. I believe that God can and will do the same things in our day! Let us pray that the Lord orchestrates a quick end to this virus, and restoration of all that has been lost as a result. Let us put our faith in God, and ask that He, in His power and authority, command an end to this all! Let us pray that He sends help from Heaven, directs people's paths, connects the right people to one another, and protects all involved. Let us pray that He releases a wave of healing unlike anything we have ever seen or heard about previously. Let us pray for a turning point for our whole world!
Amen and Amen!
Wednesday, April 1, 2020
Running the Race Marked Out For Us
This morning I once again felt the word for the day was perseverance. There are some awesome verses that have to do with perseverance, but the one location my heart was drawn towards this morning are found in Hebrews 12:1-3 NIV:
[1] "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, [2] fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. [3] Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."
Last evening we had a couple hour Zoom call with a bunch of people from our church. It was such a good time of reconnecting, even if it was via an online video conference bridge. When I read these verses this morning, the first thing that popped into my mind as a photo of all of us on the call, we were definitely a "Cloud of witnesses" as Zoom is a cloud based application!
Back to the verses, here in the US, many of us have 'shelter in place" rules, thus we have a race marked out for us. It won't be easy, it will try the patience and perseverance of all. However, as encouraged, we can fix our eyes on Jesus, and run towards Him. We can remind each other and support each other. We can press into creative ways to deal with this time. Mostly, we want to take or eyes off ourselves, and our own struggles! In the greater scheme of our present situation, being cooped up in one's home or apartment is much better than being cooped up in a hospital breathing with the aid of a ventilator.
I find that if I stop thinking about all the things I wanted or planned to do, I am in a better place. I know that I am in a much better place than many, and in general, we in the United States are blessed. Let us look to each other, to help those in need, for this isn't a race we are running on our own, but one that we are running with everyone around us. Let us encourage, lift up, press in and press on with those around us. Let us take our minds off ourselves and look to the needs of those around us. Let us encourage one another to communicate honestly. We really are all in the same situation, but some are more affected than others. Let us be particularly aware of our brothers and sister who have been laid off, who have been furloughed.
I am reminded once again of Paul's encouragement to the Philippians 2:1-4 NIV:
[1] Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, [2] then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. [3] Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, [4] not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others."
If we really embrace verses 3 and 4, we will help ease the burden of this time for one another. If we all choose to look at this time unselfishly, and allow our hearts to be moved by our brothers and sisters in need, we will together be able to keep each other well, emotionally, spiritually, mentally, physically and financially.
It seems to me that for Jesus the joy set before Him was the salvation of the world. He saw the restoration of relationship with the Father, the forgiveness of sins, the empowering of the Holy Spirit, and the soon to be established church! He saw the Kingdom of God established and continuing His ministry on the earth! In the same way, we need to look beyond our present situation, and any suffering or temporary lack on our part, to the day we are able to step out from our shelters to embrace one another again!
We have really just started the race, and we have a long way in front of us, but we can set our eyes on Jesus, look to one another and continue to run with the endurance of the Holy Spirit powering us. Do not grow weary and lose heart, if you are tiring, call out for help, if you are weary reach out to others for assistance.
Lord help us to run this race as You would have us run! Help us to value others and not just look to our own interests but theirs as well. Help us to be united in heart, mind and spirit, as we follow the race marked out for us!
Amen, help us all Lord Jesus!
[1] "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, [2] fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. [3] Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."
Last evening we had a couple hour Zoom call with a bunch of people from our church. It was such a good time of reconnecting, even if it was via an online video conference bridge. When I read these verses this morning, the first thing that popped into my mind as a photo of all of us on the call, we were definitely a "Cloud of witnesses" as Zoom is a cloud based application!
Back to the verses, here in the US, many of us have 'shelter in place" rules, thus we have a race marked out for us. It won't be easy, it will try the patience and perseverance of all. However, as encouraged, we can fix our eyes on Jesus, and run towards Him. We can remind each other and support each other. We can press into creative ways to deal with this time. Mostly, we want to take or eyes off ourselves, and our own struggles! In the greater scheme of our present situation, being cooped up in one's home or apartment is much better than being cooped up in a hospital breathing with the aid of a ventilator.
I find that if I stop thinking about all the things I wanted or planned to do, I am in a better place. I know that I am in a much better place than many, and in general, we in the United States are blessed. Let us look to each other, to help those in need, for this isn't a race we are running on our own, but one that we are running with everyone around us. Let us encourage, lift up, press in and press on with those around us. Let us take our minds off ourselves and look to the needs of those around us. Let us encourage one another to communicate honestly. We really are all in the same situation, but some are more affected than others. Let us be particularly aware of our brothers and sister who have been laid off, who have been furloughed.
I am reminded once again of Paul's encouragement to the Philippians 2:1-4 NIV:
[1] Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, [2] then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. [3] Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, [4] not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others."
If we really embrace verses 3 and 4, we will help ease the burden of this time for one another. If we all choose to look at this time unselfishly, and allow our hearts to be moved by our brothers and sisters in need, we will together be able to keep each other well, emotionally, spiritually, mentally, physically and financially.
It seems to me that for Jesus the joy set before Him was the salvation of the world. He saw the restoration of relationship with the Father, the forgiveness of sins, the empowering of the Holy Spirit, and the soon to be established church! He saw the Kingdom of God established and continuing His ministry on the earth! In the same way, we need to look beyond our present situation, and any suffering or temporary lack on our part, to the day we are able to step out from our shelters to embrace one another again!
We have really just started the race, and we have a long way in front of us, but we can set our eyes on Jesus, look to one another and continue to run with the endurance of the Holy Spirit powering us. Do not grow weary and lose heart, if you are tiring, call out for help, if you are weary reach out to others for assistance.
Lord help us to run this race as You would have us run! Help us to value others and not just look to our own interests but theirs as well. Help us to be united in heart, mind and spirit, as we follow the race marked out for us!
Amen, help us all Lord Jesus!
Tuesday, March 31, 2020
Draw Near to God, Wash Your Hands
This morning I am reflecting on a few verses from James 4:7-8,13-14a NIV:
[7] "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. [8] Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."
[13] Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” [14] Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. "
I found these two sets of verses very applicable to our present situation! In fact, the admonition to "wash your hands" is almost humorous, if we wanted to take it out of context. :-)
Anyway, in reverse order, James' statement about not knowing what will happen tomorrow, definitely resonated with my heart! Although, now with the social distancing guidelines, and "Shelter in place" rules, tomorrow is very predictable, and it will look much like today. That being said, in a greater world perspective, I think much of the fear and anxiety is caused by the fact that we really don't know what tomorrow will bring. Who would have thought even a month ago that we would be in this present situation. Fear of the unknown, and fear of things being out of one's control are significant fears. I think for many, especially those who walk through this world without faith in God, these days are very difficult, as nothing seems normal, and much of what was foundational in their worldview has shifted, or failed.
As Christians, we can place our trust in the Lord, in His faithfulness, in His love, mercy and compassion. We can bring hope and speak hope to those in need. We can allow the Holy Spirit to speak guidance and peace through us to those who are struggling. We are representatives of the only One who knows how this will end, who sees the beginning and the end!
Secondly, if we are struggling with these times ourselves, we submit ourselves to God! We can resist the devil and all that he is trying to sow into our hearts and minds, one of which is fear! The way to combat fear is to rest in the arms of perfect love! I love James' encouragement to come near to God! That is our answer, for He is the rock on which we can stand (PS 62:2), for He is unchanging (Heb 6:17). His love for us hasn't changed. He wasn't surprised by this virus! He hasn't been kicked off His throne. He hasn't lost any power. He is still our miracle worker, our provider, our healer and our salvation.
Finally, the washing of hands, here, has to do with our sinful ways. Notice that James makes it clear, it is for us to wash our hands, and for us to purify our hearts. Both are the result of our choices, and we must learn to cleanse our lives. Maybe we could use our actual washing of our hands to remind ourselves of our need to request forgiveness and help as we choose to embrace God rather than our own desires.
In James' comment that we need to purify our hearts if we are double-minded, I believe he is speaking of our hearts affections. This time of shaking can definitely help us to see whats really in our hearts. One of my friends was talking about this time as a sort of refiners fire, and that is an appropriate image. Heat causes what was once solid to become fluid, and at the same time, causes those impurities rise to the surface. In the same way, our day to day situation has become much more fluid, and how we respond to it should reveal much about what's in our hearts and minds.
So this morning, I am encouraged to draw near to God, to rest in His arms, and to resist the temptation to react out of fear. I am encouraged to put my trust in God, for He does know what tomorrow will bring! I am encouraged to put God as my bedrock, that upon which my life and my perspective of life are built. I am encouraged to be a purveyor of hope, to speak hope, to give hope! Help me to trust in You Lord, regardless of the changing world around me!
Amen
[7] "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. [8] Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."
[13] Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” [14] Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. "
I found these two sets of verses very applicable to our present situation! In fact, the admonition to "wash your hands" is almost humorous, if we wanted to take it out of context. :-)
Anyway, in reverse order, James' statement about not knowing what will happen tomorrow, definitely resonated with my heart! Although, now with the social distancing guidelines, and "Shelter in place" rules, tomorrow is very predictable, and it will look much like today. That being said, in a greater world perspective, I think much of the fear and anxiety is caused by the fact that we really don't know what tomorrow will bring. Who would have thought even a month ago that we would be in this present situation. Fear of the unknown, and fear of things being out of one's control are significant fears. I think for many, especially those who walk through this world without faith in God, these days are very difficult, as nothing seems normal, and much of what was foundational in their worldview has shifted, or failed.
As Christians, we can place our trust in the Lord, in His faithfulness, in His love, mercy and compassion. We can bring hope and speak hope to those in need. We can allow the Holy Spirit to speak guidance and peace through us to those who are struggling. We are representatives of the only One who knows how this will end, who sees the beginning and the end!
Secondly, if we are struggling with these times ourselves, we submit ourselves to God! We can resist the devil and all that he is trying to sow into our hearts and minds, one of which is fear! The way to combat fear is to rest in the arms of perfect love! I love James' encouragement to come near to God! That is our answer, for He is the rock on which we can stand (PS 62:2), for He is unchanging (Heb 6:17). His love for us hasn't changed. He wasn't surprised by this virus! He hasn't been kicked off His throne. He hasn't lost any power. He is still our miracle worker, our provider, our healer and our salvation.
Finally, the washing of hands, here, has to do with our sinful ways. Notice that James makes it clear, it is for us to wash our hands, and for us to purify our hearts. Both are the result of our choices, and we must learn to cleanse our lives. Maybe we could use our actual washing of our hands to remind ourselves of our need to request forgiveness and help as we choose to embrace God rather than our own desires.
In James' comment that we need to purify our hearts if we are double-minded, I believe he is speaking of our hearts affections. This time of shaking can definitely help us to see whats really in our hearts. One of my friends was talking about this time as a sort of refiners fire, and that is an appropriate image. Heat causes what was once solid to become fluid, and at the same time, causes those impurities rise to the surface. In the same way, our day to day situation has become much more fluid, and how we respond to it should reveal much about what's in our hearts and minds.
So this morning, I am encouraged to draw near to God, to rest in His arms, and to resist the temptation to react out of fear. I am encouraged to put my trust in God, for He does know what tomorrow will bring! I am encouraged to put God as my bedrock, that upon which my life and my perspective of life are built. I am encouraged to be a purveyor of hope, to speak hope, to give hope! Help me to trust in You Lord, regardless of the changing world around me!
Amen
Monday, March 30, 2020
Called to be Priests
This morning I am reflecting on some passages from Nehemiah. When I first turned there, and started reading, I was thinking, "Lord this is a strange set of passages for me to read." Most of the chapter I am reading is a list of the families that came back to Jerusalem to rebuild and inhabit the land once again, following their 70+ years in Babylonian captivity.
The verses that stood out to me were - Nehemiah 7:61,63-65 NIV:
[61] "The following came up from the towns of Tel Melah, Tel Harsha, Kerub, Addon and Immer, but they could not show that their families were descended from Israel: "
[63] "And from among the priests: the descendants of Hobaiah, Hakkoz and Barzillai (a man who had married a daughter of Barzillai the Gileadite and was called by that name). [64] These searched for their family records, but they could not find them and so were excluded from the priesthood as unclean. [65] The governor, therefore, ordered them not to eat any of the most sacred food until there should be a priest ministering with the Urim and Thummim."
When I finished reading, and even had identified the verses to reflect on, I was still wondering why the Lord had led me here this morning, so I asked him the meaning, or applicability of this word to my life today.
His response surprised me, He said, "I want to focus on the fact that you are a priest!"
The thing we see in these verses is the criticalness of detailed family records, for it was from them that the Jews were able to ascertain who they were, in relation to everyone else. Their family grouping determined what they did and where they lived. We see a list three individuals who said they were priests, but had no record of their ancestors sufficient to meet the requirements, and were thus excluded from the role of priest. This role included provision of food. So we see here an Old Testament reality, namely that one's bloodline determined where one lived and what one did. We could say that blood-lines established a blood-right.
We, however, no longer live under the Old Testament rules, regulations or law. We have been set free from them by Christ Jesus (Eph 5:1). In this new dispensation, living under the Gospel of Grace, we are now, each able to claim the blood-right of Jesus. We are, each of us, called to embrace our roles as priests, and our identities as sons and daughters.
Here are a couple of verses that describe our identities and roles - 1 Peter 2:9-10 NIV:
[9] "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. [10] Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy."
- and -
Romans 8:14-17 NIV:
[14] "For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. [15] The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” [16] The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. [17] Now if we are children, then we are heirs---heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory."
- and -
Colossians 3:3 NIV:
[3] "For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God."
I could on and on sharing verse after verse, but the reality is that we are, each of us, invited into an identity as a son or daughter of God, direct relationship to Him. Jesus' blood, poured out for us, established a new covenant. In this new covenant, it is faith that establishes us, through the Gospel of Grace, as His son or daughter. As we join ourselves to His family, God calls us His heirs, for we are now adopted into His family. We have been adopted and now function in the same role as Jesus, that of a royal priest, that is true for each of us that has accepted salvation.
So why is this important today? Well, as I was reflecting on this, I realized that for many of us, we have never actually functioned in the role of a royal priest for our own lives. I have nothing against pastors and church leaders, and I count many as personal friends, but the truth is that many of us have handed our identities and roles to them to cultivate and grow up. We have chosen the easy path, because that is the only one we knew, of allowing someone else to hear from God for us, allowing someone else to be the one who offers praises and worship. Due to this present "Shelter in place" situation, we are all being given the opportunity to step into our true identity as sons and daughters of The King, to be priests for our own lives!
Oh, that the church would become fully alive, recognizing who we are in Him, pressing into all that He has for us! We are priests, we have the blood-line and are meant to receive the blood-rights of our family, the family of God, who is our father, and of Jesus Christ, the first-born of a new family. We don't have to prove anything for the Spirit in us testifies to our identity!
My encouragement today is to look to my own life, and decide to be the priest of my life. I love the impartation and encouragement that happens through my pastors, but at the end of the day, I am responsible to hear, to worship and praise God for myself. I am the one who must set my heart on following Jesus, and I am the one who must choose daily to follow Him, who loves me most.
May the peace of Christ be yours,
Sam
The verses that stood out to me were - Nehemiah 7:61,63-65 NIV:
[61] "The following came up from the towns of Tel Melah, Tel Harsha, Kerub, Addon and Immer, but they could not show that their families were descended from Israel: "
[63] "And from among the priests: the descendants of Hobaiah, Hakkoz and Barzillai (a man who had married a daughter of Barzillai the Gileadite and was called by that name). [64] These searched for their family records, but they could not find them and so were excluded from the priesthood as unclean. [65] The governor, therefore, ordered them not to eat any of the most sacred food until there should be a priest ministering with the Urim and Thummim."
When I finished reading, and even had identified the verses to reflect on, I was still wondering why the Lord had led me here this morning, so I asked him the meaning, or applicability of this word to my life today.
His response surprised me, He said, "I want to focus on the fact that you are a priest!"
The thing we see in these verses is the criticalness of detailed family records, for it was from them that the Jews were able to ascertain who they were, in relation to everyone else. Their family grouping determined what they did and where they lived. We see a list three individuals who said they were priests, but had no record of their ancestors sufficient to meet the requirements, and were thus excluded from the role of priest. This role included provision of food. So we see here an Old Testament reality, namely that one's bloodline determined where one lived and what one did. We could say that blood-lines established a blood-right.
We, however, no longer live under the Old Testament rules, regulations or law. We have been set free from them by Christ Jesus (Eph 5:1). In this new dispensation, living under the Gospel of Grace, we are now, each able to claim the blood-right of Jesus. We are, each of us, called to embrace our roles as priests, and our identities as sons and daughters.
Here are a couple of verses that describe our identities and roles - 1 Peter 2:9-10 NIV:
[9] "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. [10] Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy."
- and -
Romans 8:14-17 NIV:
[14] "For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. [15] The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” [16] The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. [17] Now if we are children, then we are heirs---heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory."
- and -
Colossians 3:3 NIV:
[3] "For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God."
I could on and on sharing verse after verse, but the reality is that we are, each of us, invited into an identity as a son or daughter of God, direct relationship to Him. Jesus' blood, poured out for us, established a new covenant. In this new covenant, it is faith that establishes us, through the Gospel of Grace, as His son or daughter. As we join ourselves to His family, God calls us His heirs, for we are now adopted into His family. We have been adopted and now function in the same role as Jesus, that of a royal priest, that is true for each of us that has accepted salvation.
So why is this important today? Well, as I was reflecting on this, I realized that for many of us, we have never actually functioned in the role of a royal priest for our own lives. I have nothing against pastors and church leaders, and I count many as personal friends, but the truth is that many of us have handed our identities and roles to them to cultivate and grow up. We have chosen the easy path, because that is the only one we knew, of allowing someone else to hear from God for us, allowing someone else to be the one who offers praises and worship. Due to this present "Shelter in place" situation, we are all being given the opportunity to step into our true identity as sons and daughters of The King, to be priests for our own lives!
Oh, that the church would become fully alive, recognizing who we are in Him, pressing into all that He has for us! We are priests, we have the blood-line and are meant to receive the blood-rights of our family, the family of God, who is our father, and of Jesus Christ, the first-born of a new family. We don't have to prove anything for the Spirit in us testifies to our identity!
My encouragement today is to look to my own life, and decide to be the priest of my life. I love the impartation and encouragement that happens through my pastors, but at the end of the day, I am responsible to hear, to worship and praise God for myself. I am the one who must set my heart on following Jesus, and I am the one who must choose daily to follow Him, who loves me most.
May the peace of Christ be yours,
Sam
Sunday, March 29, 2020
Overcoming Fear with Faith
This morning I am reflecting on the story of David and Goliath, found in 1 Samuel 17. This is a story that many are familiar with, and I wanted to focus on the state of the army of Israel, as they faced Goliath. Here are excerpts from the story - 1 Samuel 17:1-11,20-24,34-37 NIV:
[1] Now the Philistines gathered their forces for war and assembled at Sokoh in Judah. They pitched camp at Ephes Dammim, between Sokoh and Azekah. [2] Saul and the Israelites assembled and camped in the Valley of Elah and drew up their battle line to meet the Philistines. [3] The Philistines occupied one hill and the Israelites another, with the valley between them.
[4] A champion named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out of the Philistine camp. His height was six cubits and a span. [5] He had a bronze helmet on his head and wore a coat of scale armor of bronze weighing five thousand shekels ; [6] on his legs he wore bronze greaves, and a bronze javelin was slung on his back. [7] His spear shaft was like a weaver's rod, and its iron point weighed six hundred shekels. His shield bearer went ahead of him.
[8] Goliath stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, “Why do you come out and line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not the servants of Saul? Choose a man and have him come down to me. [9] If he is able to fight and kill me, we will become your subjects; but if I overcome him and kill him, you will become our subjects and serve us.” [10] Then the Philistine said, “This day I defy the armies of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other. ” [11] On hearing the Philistine's words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified.
[20] Early in the morning David left the flock in the care of a shepherd, loaded up and set out, as Jesse had directed. He reached the camp as the army was going out to its battle positions, shouting the war cry. [21] Israel and the Philistines were drawing up their lines facing each other. [22] David left his things with the keeper of supplies, ran to the battle lines and asked his brothers how they were. [23] As he was talking with them, Goliath, the Philistine champion from Gath, stepped out from his lines and shouted his usual defiance, and David heard it. [24] Whenever the Israelites saw the man, they all fled from him in great fear.
[34] But David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father's sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, [35] I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. [36] Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. [37] The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.”
Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you.”
As I read back through these familiar verses today I was reminded of the state of the army of Israel. They were afraid, and even fled from Goliath in great fear (vs24). Part of the issue was that they (the army) were looking only at their own strength, there own abilities, and just from the sure size of Goliath alone, were cowed down in fear. They were thinking in terms of what they knew, of the types of warfare they were trained in, and in comparison, they saw no hope in using these skills against a similarly trained and much more powerful opponent.
I heard Graham Cooke speak about this story several times, and one of the things he speaks about is the boasting of the enemy, the threatening boasts and jeering that enemy always uses. He intends to strike fear, to cause fear to well up, for fear weakens our faith. Fear gets us focused on our own situation, rather than on the promises of God, and His authority and power.
In this story, the mere sight of Goliath was enough to make all the men in the army forget about all the times God had delivered them, the times He had fought for them. Instead they were looking at themselves, thinking of the their own lives and afraid.
I definitely see some parallels between this story and our present situation with this virus. People are afraid of the unseen, in this case, rather then the seen (Goliath). We have all heard how terrible this virus is, how it can't be stopped, and the constant coverage and fear-mongering has built up this massive monster of fear. Rather than thinking about others, many people have chosen to look out only for themselves, hoarding food and necessary items, to the detriment of others. This is the rule of fear, and what fear drives us to do. We look to ourselves, and cower in fear that this disease might touch us.
Now, I am not saying anything about healthy caution, about protecting one another, about obeying rules to limit the spread. All of those responses are healthy and wise. What isn't wise is allowing fear to control us. God is bigger that this virus! The virus does not exist in Heaven, nor should it exist in His Kingdom, and we as sons and daughters have authority in His Kingdom. We were told to pray, "Your kingdom come, Your will be done, here on earth, as it is in heaven". Said another way, we are supposed to pray into reality here on earth what is true in heaven! Thus, if the virus doesn't exist or have any power in Heaven, we should have authority over it, to end its reign here on earth.
Going back to the story, David prophetically saw this reality, and had experienced the power of God's promise and word to him. God had spoken over Him, through the prophet Samuel, that he would be king. When David approached Goliath, he put his trust in God's word, in God's promise to him personally, and in His previous experience of God's protection. David allowed his faith to rise up and vanquish fear.
Now, the other thing that David did, was he used weapons and warfare that He was familiar with, and entrusted them to God's help. He realized that God had protected Him previously, from the attacks or bears and lions, and He knew that God would provide him a way to defeat Goliath. Notice, he doesn't say how he killed the lion and bear, my guess is that it wasn't with a sling and stone. The point is that God gave him the right strategy and skill every time, and protected him from harm.
Does not God care for each of us (Ps 139)? Does He not lead us and guide us like He did David (John 16:13)? Do we not have the Holy Spirit living in us (John 14:17)? Does not the Kingdom of God exist within us ( Luke 17:21)? Did God not give us knowledge of His will and strengthen us with all power (Col 1:9-11)? We are His sons and daughters! We don't need to live in fear! Let us embrace our faith, cast fear aside and pray for God's Kingdom reality to destroy fear, this virus and every other evil we encounter! Let us pray to the Lord to release the right strategy to defeat this enemy! Let us look to one another in love, not cowering in fear, and let us look for ways we can lift one another up, encouraging one another in faith and good works!
In ending I thought it good to end with Paul's encouragement and prayer for 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."
Amen and Amen! May God's peace reign in your hearts and minds, as He blesses you with an increase of faith!
Sam
[1] Now the Philistines gathered their forces for war and assembled at Sokoh in Judah. They pitched camp at Ephes Dammim, between Sokoh and Azekah. [2] Saul and the Israelites assembled and camped in the Valley of Elah and drew up their battle line to meet the Philistines. [3] The Philistines occupied one hill and the Israelites another, with the valley between them.
[4] A champion named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out of the Philistine camp. His height was six cubits and a span. [5] He had a bronze helmet on his head and wore a coat of scale armor of bronze weighing five thousand shekels ; [6] on his legs he wore bronze greaves, and a bronze javelin was slung on his back. [7] His spear shaft was like a weaver's rod, and its iron point weighed six hundred shekels. His shield bearer went ahead of him.
[8] Goliath stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, “Why do you come out and line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not the servants of Saul? Choose a man and have him come down to me. [9] If he is able to fight and kill me, we will become your subjects; but if I overcome him and kill him, you will become our subjects and serve us.” [10] Then the Philistine said, “This day I defy the armies of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other. ” [11] On hearing the Philistine's words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified.
[20] Early in the morning David left the flock in the care of a shepherd, loaded up and set out, as Jesse had directed. He reached the camp as the army was going out to its battle positions, shouting the war cry. [21] Israel and the Philistines were drawing up their lines facing each other. [22] David left his things with the keeper of supplies, ran to the battle lines and asked his brothers how they were. [23] As he was talking with them, Goliath, the Philistine champion from Gath, stepped out from his lines and shouted his usual defiance, and David heard it. [24] Whenever the Israelites saw the man, they all fled from him in great fear.
[34] But David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father's sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, [35] I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. [36] Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. [37] The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.”
Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you.”
As I read back through these familiar verses today I was reminded of the state of the army of Israel. They were afraid, and even fled from Goliath in great fear (vs24). Part of the issue was that they (the army) were looking only at their own strength, there own abilities, and just from the sure size of Goliath alone, were cowed down in fear. They were thinking in terms of what they knew, of the types of warfare they were trained in, and in comparison, they saw no hope in using these skills against a similarly trained and much more powerful opponent.
I heard Graham Cooke speak about this story several times, and one of the things he speaks about is the boasting of the enemy, the threatening boasts and jeering that enemy always uses. He intends to strike fear, to cause fear to well up, for fear weakens our faith. Fear gets us focused on our own situation, rather than on the promises of God, and His authority and power.
In this story, the mere sight of Goliath was enough to make all the men in the army forget about all the times God had delivered them, the times He had fought for them. Instead they were looking at themselves, thinking of the their own lives and afraid.
I definitely see some parallels between this story and our present situation with this virus. People are afraid of the unseen, in this case, rather then the seen (Goliath). We have all heard how terrible this virus is, how it can't be stopped, and the constant coverage and fear-mongering has built up this massive monster of fear. Rather than thinking about others, many people have chosen to look out only for themselves, hoarding food and necessary items, to the detriment of others. This is the rule of fear, and what fear drives us to do. We look to ourselves, and cower in fear that this disease might touch us.
Now, I am not saying anything about healthy caution, about protecting one another, about obeying rules to limit the spread. All of those responses are healthy and wise. What isn't wise is allowing fear to control us. God is bigger that this virus! The virus does not exist in Heaven, nor should it exist in His Kingdom, and we as sons and daughters have authority in His Kingdom. We were told to pray, "Your kingdom come, Your will be done, here on earth, as it is in heaven". Said another way, we are supposed to pray into reality here on earth what is true in heaven! Thus, if the virus doesn't exist or have any power in Heaven, we should have authority over it, to end its reign here on earth.
Going back to the story, David prophetically saw this reality, and had experienced the power of God's promise and word to him. God had spoken over Him, through the prophet Samuel, that he would be king. When David approached Goliath, he put his trust in God's word, in God's promise to him personally, and in His previous experience of God's protection. David allowed his faith to rise up and vanquish fear.
Now, the other thing that David did, was he used weapons and warfare that He was familiar with, and entrusted them to God's help. He realized that God had protected Him previously, from the attacks or bears and lions, and He knew that God would provide him a way to defeat Goliath. Notice, he doesn't say how he killed the lion and bear, my guess is that it wasn't with a sling and stone. The point is that God gave him the right strategy and skill every time, and protected him from harm.
Does not God care for each of us (Ps 139)? Does He not lead us and guide us like He did David (John 16:13)? Do we not have the Holy Spirit living in us (John 14:17)? Does not the Kingdom of God exist within us ( Luke 17:21)? Did God not give us knowledge of His will and strengthen us with all power (Col 1:9-11)? We are His sons and daughters! We don't need to live in fear! Let us embrace our faith, cast fear aside and pray for God's Kingdom reality to destroy fear, this virus and every other evil we encounter! Let us pray to the Lord to release the right strategy to defeat this enemy! Let us look to one another in love, not cowering in fear, and let us look for ways we can lift one another up, encouraging one another in faith and good works!
In ending I thought it good to end with Paul's encouragement and prayer for 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."
Amen and Amen! May God's peace reign in your hearts and minds, as He blesses you with an increase of faith!
Sam
Saturday, March 28, 2020
Born Anew, Born From Above
This morning I am reflecting on some verses from John 3. I got there via John 19. I find that sometimes the Lord leads me on short treasure hunts, where He has me start in one place, which leads me to another. I am not sure why that is the case, but I am sure part of the reason is teaching me to listen. This morning as I went to the scripture, in prayer, I felt like I should read from John 19, which is a chapter that speaks of Jesus' sentencing and death. When I feel led to a certain chapter that I have read many times, I read through it afresh, looking for that which stands out to my mind and spirit.
This morning, while all the verses in Chapter 19 are worthy of reflection, I found myself reflecting on the two men who took Jesus body, after He died, and buried him. The two are Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus. We know nothing about Joseph, except that which is listed here and in all three of the other Gospels, that he was a rich man and a believer. However, I was reminded of a couple of mentions of Nicodemus, and he is first mentioned in John chapter 3, which is how I found myself reading and reflecting on these verses. The verses are as follows - John 3:1-8 NIV:
[1] "Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. [2] He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.”
[3] "Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again. ”
[4] “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother's womb to be born!”
[5] Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. [6] Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. [7] You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again.' [8] The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
The specific verse that caught my attention is verse 3, which is Jesus' reply to Nicodemus's statement that they know Jesus is from God because of the signs He was performing. Jesus' response to this seems slightly off subject, for he doesn't address the specific subject, but introduces a whole new thought which results in revelation of new truth to Nicodemus. It seems to me that this is the way most of my conversations with the Lord go, I start in one place, and end up somewhere else, with new revelation or understanding being the result, today is a good example of that.
Nicodemus is alluding to Jesus being sent from God, which is actually HUGE news, as there had been a drought of hearing from God for over 300 years. Jesus uses this statement to leap into new revelation, explaining that they are entering into a time of the Kingdom of God being visible, here on earth, but that seeing it requires a "new birth" or a "birth form above". The Greek word used by John here, can be translated either way. Nicodemus, is instantly engaged, and drawn into the conversation. How is the new birth to be accomplished? I don't see this term being used anywhere in the Old Testament, thus Nicodemus is drawn in, asking for clarity.
Jesus thus releases the new revelation, to enter into the Kingdom of God, one must be born of the Spirit, indicating the Holy Spirit. This is far more than following the Law, trying to establish one's righteousness through actions, this requires God's action. This is really one of the first glimpses of the Gospel of Grace. It is something that is impossible for man, and only possible for God! Then Jesus speaks of being led by the Spirit, as being blown along by the wind, and this would be true of everyone born again or from above. Oh, that we might be aware of this heavenly wind in our lives!
As I reflect on these verses today, I am encouraged by two things. First, that Jesus is always working to draw us into deeper understanding. I think that all of us are being given a time of separation, a time of rest in which we can pursue Him more regularly, and gain greater revelation, just through regular conversation with Him. Secondly, I am encouraged to be conscious of the movement of the Holy Spirit, listening to the wind, and following where He is blowing.
My prayer for us all is that we might learn to converse with the Lord, to be led by the Lord and to learn from the Lord!
Blessings,
Sam
This morning, while all the verses in Chapter 19 are worthy of reflection, I found myself reflecting on the two men who took Jesus body, after He died, and buried him. The two are Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus. We know nothing about Joseph, except that which is listed here and in all three of the other Gospels, that he was a rich man and a believer. However, I was reminded of a couple of mentions of Nicodemus, and he is first mentioned in John chapter 3, which is how I found myself reading and reflecting on these verses. The verses are as follows - John 3:1-8 NIV:
[1] "Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. [2] He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.”
[3] "Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again. ”
[4] “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother's womb to be born!”
[5] Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. [6] Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. [7] You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again.' [8] The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
The specific verse that caught my attention is verse 3, which is Jesus' reply to Nicodemus's statement that they know Jesus is from God because of the signs He was performing. Jesus' response to this seems slightly off subject, for he doesn't address the specific subject, but introduces a whole new thought which results in revelation of new truth to Nicodemus. It seems to me that this is the way most of my conversations with the Lord go, I start in one place, and end up somewhere else, with new revelation or understanding being the result, today is a good example of that.
Nicodemus is alluding to Jesus being sent from God, which is actually HUGE news, as there had been a drought of hearing from God for over 300 years. Jesus uses this statement to leap into new revelation, explaining that they are entering into a time of the Kingdom of God being visible, here on earth, but that seeing it requires a "new birth" or a "birth form above". The Greek word used by John here, can be translated either way. Nicodemus, is instantly engaged, and drawn into the conversation. How is the new birth to be accomplished? I don't see this term being used anywhere in the Old Testament, thus Nicodemus is drawn in, asking for clarity.
Jesus thus releases the new revelation, to enter into the Kingdom of God, one must be born of the Spirit, indicating the Holy Spirit. This is far more than following the Law, trying to establish one's righteousness through actions, this requires God's action. This is really one of the first glimpses of the Gospel of Grace. It is something that is impossible for man, and only possible for God! Then Jesus speaks of being led by the Spirit, as being blown along by the wind, and this would be true of everyone born again or from above. Oh, that we might be aware of this heavenly wind in our lives!
As I reflect on these verses today, I am encouraged by two things. First, that Jesus is always working to draw us into deeper understanding. I think that all of us are being given a time of separation, a time of rest in which we can pursue Him more regularly, and gain greater revelation, just through regular conversation with Him. Secondly, I am encouraged to be conscious of the movement of the Holy Spirit, listening to the wind, and following where He is blowing.
My prayer for us all is that we might learn to converse with the Lord, to be led by the Lord and to learn from the Lord!
Blessings,
Sam
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