Swords and Bags?

Yesterday during his sermon, our pastor made a comment about how Peter pulled a sword during Jesus' arrest.  I was reminded of something I had read from Luke's Gospel, namely that Jesus had told them to bring the swords.  Here are the verses from the very end of the conversations at the Last Supper - Luke 22:33-38 NIV:

[33] But he [Peter] replied, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.” 

[34] Jesus answered, “I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.” 

[35] Then Jesus asked them, “When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?” “Nothing,” they answered.

[36] He said to them, “But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one. [37] It is written: 'And he was numbered with the transgressors' ; and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its fulfillment.” 

[38] The disciples said, “See, Lord, here are two swords.” 

“That's enough!” he replied."

I remember the first time I read this, and was surprised by Jesus' words.  In fact, the swords are referenced again later in the chapter - Luke 22:47-53 NIV:

[47]"While he was still speaking a crowd came up, and the man who was called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him, 

[48] but Jesus asked him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” 

[49] When Jesus' followers saw what was going to happen, they said, “Lord, should we strike with our swords?” [50] And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear. 

[51] But Jesus answered, “No more of this!” And he touched the man's ear and healed him. 

[52] Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple guard, and the elders, who had come for him, “Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come with swords and clubs? [53] Every day I was with you in the temple courts, and you did not lay a hand on me. But this is your hour---when darkness reigns.”

These verses are a great example of how we could take things in scripture and make up some theology, or doctrine, without considering the rest of the scriptures.  While Jesus clearly told them to bring swords, He was not advocating violence.  IF we look at a couple other scriptures, we find Him clearly speaking about such things.

Matthew 26:52-54 NIV:

[52] “Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. [53] Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? [54] But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?”

-and- 

John 18:36 NIV:  "Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.”

- and finally from Paul - 

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 NIV:

[3] "For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. [4] The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. [5] We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."

Instead of reading those first verses from Luke as Jesus telling them to grab swords to defend Him, I believe His words were giving them perspective about the change that was about to occur.  He was going to be leaving them, and things were about to get real, and require them to think and act differently.  Before he told them not to take a purse or bag, now they needed to take a purse or bag!  He wouldn't be there to look after their physical needs.  before they never needed to worry about their own protection, now they needed to (back then swords were for protection) be ready protect themselves.  His physical absence was going to force them to thinks and act differently, and as was most often the case, I think the apostles might have misunderstood.

Jesus' words, were effectively a warning that things were going to change with Him being gone, and they needed to be ready for the change.  His command to love one another (John 13:34) as He loved didn't change.  His encouragement to be in relationship with Himself, the Father and Holy Spirit didn't change.  His direction to continue His ministry, to go to all the world didn't change, nor did His ministry style change.  We see clearly in Acts that the apostles figured out what He meant, and they ministered as He did, and we find no other mention of any of Jesus followers taking up weapons. 

So the question to me today is, am I responding to the change that is happening correctly?  Am I bearing witness to Jesus' command to love as He loved?  Am I ministering in His character, am I representing Jesus well?

Lord, help us all (Your Church) to represent You correctly in all we say and/or do.

Amen and Amen!

We Are Invited To Change The Way We Think and Act!

On this past Sunday I felt like I heard the Lord issue an invitation to follow Him.  I was reminded of His call to the first four apostles and i turned to Matthew's Gospel, and was struck by a few things that were quite powerful.  Here are the verses - Matthew 4:17-20,23-25 NIV:

[17] "From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” 

[18] "As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. [19] “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” [20] At once they left their nets and followed him." 

[23] "Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. [24] News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed; and he healed them. [25] Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him."

The first thing that struck me was what Jesus said in verse 17, "Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven has come near!"  Repent means to change the way you are thinking and acting!  He was addressing the mindset of the people, and saying they needed to change the way they were thinking about God!  He wasn't far off!  He wasn't unconcerned about their situation!  He wasn't mad at them!  He wasn't going to leave them in their mess!  He was moving!  His Kingdom was coming near!

Repentance requires changed actions as well.  They had to change how they responded!  

In this all I felt like the Lord is saying the same thing to us!  He is moving and He is calling us to change the way we think and act!  He is going to release that which causes us, and the world around us, to change the way we think about God!  He is going to move in ways that will cause news of Him to spread all over!  He is going to move in ways that will cause people to realize that God is real, that He loves them, that He sees them, that He is touching lives!  

In the same way that He moved then, demonstrating the reality of that Kingdom with healings, miracles, releasing people from demonic oppression, signs and wonders, He is going move again!  In actuality He has never stopped moving, but now He is coming near to us!  His kingdom is near!  It is in our very midst!  We must recognize it is true!  

We must be willing to change the way we act!  We can't just enjoy His visitation, for NOW we are the Body of Christ and His visitation will come about through us! He is offering us the same invitation that He gave to Peter and Andrew, to come and follow Him!  It is an invitation that requires response, a changing of how we think and how we act!  He desires to release His kingdom realities through us, healings, miracles, signs and wonders, for we are His representatives, we are continuing His ministry.  I specifically felt like this was a call for us all, not for the professional ministers alone, but for each an every one of us!  We are each called, each invited, and each able to represent Jesus!

We often pray that God's Glory would fill the earth, and I specifically felt Him say that He intends to do that very thing, through us!  We are bearers of His Glory, of His presence, of His love, of His power!  His Glory is going to be released through His Body!  Oh, tha news of His moving, of His coming near, of His demonstrating His Kingdom realities, through us, would spread throughout the world!  The World needs to know that He is alive, that He loves them and is for them! 

Here is the great news about all of this, we can't work this up!  We can't cause God's Kingdom to come in power!  We can only respond to the invitation and follow Him!  If this is His heart, He will move!  If this is His desire and purpose, He will be faithful to fulfill it! 

When He issued the invitation Peter and Andrew, it was their choice to follow, but Jesus provided the training, and Holy Spirit provided the power!  He effectively commissioned them to be His official representatives, and the invitation includes this same commissioning today! 

Lastly, lest we misunderstand, He doesn't need us to drop everything and follow Him, for He is with us right now, where we are!  When Jesus ministered on earth He was physically limited to being in one place, as He was fully man, hence they had to follow Him where He went, but now Jesus is with us always, and we can follow Him by just turning our gaze and heart towards Him right now, where we are!  

Let us change the way we think!  Let us change the way we act!  His Kingdom is right in our midst!

Come Holy Spirit, empower us!  Speak to us Lord, and help us to follow You!

Amen!

Drawing Power of Healing & Miracles

This morning I find myself thinking about my reflection from the other day, on sharing the news of Jesus and how that was an integral part of the Gospel proclamation.  I was thinking about how miracles and healings were what drew people to Jesus. He had given the invitation to Peter, Andrew, James and John to follow and become fishers of men, and so in line with that analogy, the miracles and healings were effectively "chumming the water" creating an environment that drew people to Jesus.  

I was thinking why healings and miracles, why not finances and food?  Clearly Jesus  did care for the welfare of the people and on a few occasions He did provide food for thousands miraculously.  However, I think the reason the Lord chose healings and miracles is that is something we really can't make happen through our own hands and works.  I know today with modern medicine we can cure many things, and some of the cures certainly border of miraculous, but we certainly, in all of our best efforts in 2000 years not been able to instantly grow out a man's withered arm (Luke 6:6-10), or instantly rejuvenate and restore a man's legs that had been withered and crippled for 38 years (John 5:1-9).  We can help restore people's vision, but not give sight to someone born blind (John 9:1-9).

The second reason I think healings and miracles were used is related to the personal relationship aspect of our faith.  Long term sickness, pain, and or disablement are heavy burdens to carry, and life for those affected can become weary.  In touching and healing people, Jesus was effectively releasing them from that which bound them, wounded them, limited them or caused them great discomfort.  In that moment they knew that God cared for them personally, for Jesus clearly defined where His power and authority came from and preached constantly about the Kingdom of God and Heaven!  The Father is revealing His heart for the people, through touching them and healing them!  What a great gift to know that God personally cares for you!

The Good News is that God still cares for all of us as much as He did for the people in Jesus' time!  We, the Church, now bear the burden and responsibility of continuing Jesus' ministry.  God still does heal people, and some churches and ministries are experiencing God touching people in real ways, brining healing, deliverance and even miracles.  I have included a few links to ministries I have experience with personally, and I have seen God do amazing things!

https://bethelredding.com/ministries/healing-rooms/testimonies

https://globalawakening.com/healing-testimonies

These ministries are just a couple of examples of the Lord drawing people to Himself, showing His care through personal healing!  He continues to draw people to Himself, desiring relationship, and we, the Church, would be the "news spreaders" and "in gatherers" and are supposed to be the ones praying and healing others in Jesus name!  I will close with one of my favorite stories of healing accomplished by the Apostles.  This story is meant to encourage us forward in faith, for God is every bit as powerful today and every bit as desirous for more to experience His loving, healing touch!  Here are the verses - Acts 3:1-16 NIV:

[1] "One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer---at three in the afternoon. [2] Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. [3] When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. [4] Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” [5] So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them." 

[6] "Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” [7] Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong. [8] He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. [9] When all the people saw him walking and praising God, [10] they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him." 

[11] "While the man held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon's Colonnade. [12] When Peter saw this, he said to them: “Fellow Israelites, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? [13] The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus. You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go. [14] You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. [15] You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this. [16] By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus' name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see."

God can and will do similar works, even greater (See John 14: 12) through us His church!  Let us be encouraged and press into the Lord!  Let us spread the news of Him to those we know, those we love, those who need healing!  God knows we can't work up healing and miracles out of our own efforts and He will meet us in our faith!  

Amen and Amen!

Spreading The "News"

This morning as I was praying I was thinking about how important our relationship with the Lord is and was reminded of the calling of Peter and Andrew found in Matthew 4:18-19,23-25 NIV: 

[18] "As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. [19] “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 

[23] "Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. [24] News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed; and he healed them. [25] Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him."

I included the second section of verses that followed their calling because that described how Jesus "Fished".  He taught about the Kingdom, proclaiming the good news and then demonstrating the Kingdom realities, present on earth by healing people from every disease, sickness and malady, even those that were demon (spirit) caused.  He demonstrated authority and power and people from all over the region followed Him.

When Matthew writes that people followed Him, I think he means physically followed, as in traveled to find Jesus and then spent time listening, seeing and experiencing the Kingdom realities.  They didn't have twitter, facebook, or instagram in those days so following was relatively simple.  That being said, I am sure He was the topic of conversation, and news about him spread in the way it has spread for most of history, through word of mouth, and through relationships of trust. 

So, going back to my original thought, when Jesus calls us into relationship with Him, our invitation, whether we know it or not, includes the invitation to become one who fish for men and women, in the same way that He did.  I am sure that for the first bit Peter, Andrew, James and John watched Jesus and helped with crowd control.  However the call was specific, He was going to send them out to do the same, and in short order I am sure Jesus invited them to begin to minister in His name.  We find this happening in Matthew 10, where Jesus actually sends the Apostles out from Him, entrusting His ministry to them and they were all successful.  

While this should be highly encouraging, many of us wouldn't see ourselves at the level of the apostles, or even the additional seventy-two that Jesus sent out later (See Luke 10).  However, verse 24 above is key for those of us, who don't feel that personal call to full-time ministry.  Matthew says that "news" about Jesus spread all over, and I had previously noted that this was accomplished through word of mouth.  Let me propose that this spreading of "news" about Jesus was every bit as as important, as it multiplied the gathering effect.  One person can only talk to so many people, and directly impact and speak to so many people one-on-one.  There must be a gathering together of multiples for a greater audience, and the spreading of the "news" of Jesus did exactly that in Jesus' day, and does that today as well.  We are meant to be bearers and spreaders of the "Good News" and that requires experiences of our own, and a willingness to share! 

The Good News is the same today as it was back then, Jesus is alive and well, He continues to minister through His body, present in the Church, and His desire is that the good news of His Kingdom proclaimed AND that the Kingdom realities would be demonstrated.  His desire is that we would be spreading the "news" of Jesus and His Kingdom and His power and authority to those we know, and meet and interact with in our lives.  That is how the news about Jesus spread all over the region of Syria, in His day.  Personal testimony passed through trusted relationships is what brings validity to the news, and man do we need that today!  

As I look at our crazy world, the competition for news, and notice, fake news and twisted truth are all around.  I wonder if there is reason to believe that this overall reduction in the trustworthiness of the "news" is an attempt to smear that effectiveness of the TRUTH?

Anyway, back to my original thoughts this morning, my personal testimony, my experience in my relationship with Jesus has value and purpose.  He desires relationship with me, but also desires relationship with those I love and interact with daily.  In the same way that I wanted to meet my wife's family, so that I Could love the people she loved, the Lord wants to meet those we love in our lives.  It is through sharing our testimony, sharing His works, those in our lives and those that we have seen and experienced, that others will hear and others will gather.  

My encouragement this morning is to be willing to share my life, my testimony, my experience of Jesus and His Kingdom with those I love, those I know, and those I see regularly.  I don't need to be broadcasting to tons of people I have never met, just those that know me and trust me.  AND I need to continue in relationship with Jesus, for He always calls me forward deeper into relationship, and there are always new things to experience and understand about Him, ad His Kingdom!

Amen & Amen!

Repay Evil With Blessing

This morning I am reflecting on a few verses from Peter's first letter.  

1 Peter 3:8-17 NIV:

[8] "Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. [9] Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 

[10] For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. [11] They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it. [12] For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” 

[13] Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? [14] But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats ; do not be frightened.” [15] But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, [16] keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. [17] For it is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil."

When I read through this section, verse 9 grabbed my attention, as it is so opposite of the spirit of our age!  We want to repay evil with cursing, with judgment, with holding everyone responsible, and exacting vengeance!  We want to see karma rain down hard on those who hurt us, who are ugly in their treatment of others!  We want to see people get whats coming to them, the older gentrified saying is their comeuppance.  Our movies are full of bad-guys going down in the last bit of the movie, and we love it.  

Whether experiencing evil or insult in word or deed, Peter encourages us to respond with a blessing.  He says we were called to this response!  This is the invitation and command of the Lord, to love one another, as He loved us, laying down our lives one for another.  

Jesus specifically spoke about our response to those we would consider bad or evil, in His " Sermon on the Mount" as recorded by Matthew.  Here is His statement - Matthew 5:43-48 NIV:

[43] “You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' [44] But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, [45] that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. [46] If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? [47] And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? [48] Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."

I am reminded of something Graham Cooke spoke about from his life, hopefully I remember this correctly.  Graham is a prophetic voice in the church, and at one time a local pastor was attacking him verbally, in the press, in his own church, to anyone that would listen.  Graham sought the Lord about how he should respond and the Lord told him to bless the man by donating to his ministry anonymously.  In fact, He had Graham slip money under his door at night, and this went on for months.  All the while this other man railed on Graham, even saying that he personally was being blessed by God and thinking that was God's way of approving his stance against Graham.  

Doesn't that just seem wrong? 

Imagine if that was the type of response of the Church?

I was reading an article this morning that said the biggest problem with church is "people".   We don't act like Christ, we don't speak like Christ, we don't love like Christ, we don't forgive like Christ, we don't shine like Christ!

However, we can do all of this, through Christ who strengthens us, through Holy Spirit who guides, teaches and empowers us!  We can be the light of the world if we are willing to love like He loves us, laying down our lives, our pride, our need to be right, our need for payback, and choose to love and bless!

I certainly know I can't do this on my own, but today I am encouraged to do all I can to bless and love!  I am encouraged to seek the empowerment of the Lord to be a witness to His love and blessing in the midst of an angry and hurting world!

Amen and Amen!  Help me Lord!

Think About This...

My reflection this morning is based on the following two verses from Paul's letter to the Philippians 4:8-9 NIV:

[8] "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable---if anything is excellent or praiseworthy---think about such things. [9] Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me---put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you."

I was just reading through these verses and Paul's simple encouragement to "think about such things" grabbed my heart and mind.  I started to reflect on those things I think most about, and truthfully, it is not often about the true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent or praiseworthy.  Instead I am often in problem solving mode, trying to deal with issues and frustrations which, while part of my job, can be overwhelming at times, and sometimes even become a pattern of thinking. I also spend much of my time thinking about the things that need to get done, again that is part of my job, but again, it can become a pattern of thinking.

As I read Paul's exhortation, I realized that I need to make sure to spend time thinking about the good, lovely, admirable and excellent, etc.  I need to take time, even make time, to give me a chance to think about positive things, about Kingdom things, about the Gospel, and how good the Lord is to me.  I need to remember to take time away from the job focus and thought patterns and think positively.  

As such, I need to cultivate opportunities to digest positive material, to engage in positive conversation, to change the pathway my mind travels.  I am reminded of Mother Theresa, who always had a rosary in her hand, and whose mind at rest defaulted to prayer.  She was always praying in the background, as if there were two tracks to her mind, one that was dealing with the situation in front of her, the other that was praying.  

I remember reading a book in college, I think it was titled "The Way of the Pilgrim" and the main character practised praying the Jesus prayer all day long every day, until it became the underlying thought process, an almost unconscious default for his mind to slide back into when He wasn't thinking about anything else. It was an interesting concept to me and gives me hope that there is more I am capable of than what I am presently experiencing. 

While I may not be able to achieve this level of alternative positive thought and prayer, I can work on making time for me to read, and pray and think differently.  I can make sure to take time to change my thinking, and recognize during the day when my thinking about the struggles and such is becoming my default, and work to change that, by taking my thoughts captive, recognizing that I can control my mind and choosing to think differently.

Lord, help me to embrace these simple words of Paul, and change the  way I think, that I might reflect Your nature, and Your thoughts!

Amen!

Judged on Words or Actions?

This morning I am reflecting on a question that I came across a few days ago in my prayer time.  It is based on two scriptures from Mathew's Gospel, and in both cases Jesus is speaking.  Here are the verses -  Matthew 12:33-37 NIV:

[33] “Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. [34] You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. [35] A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. [36] But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. [37] For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”

- and - 

Matthew 25:31-46 NIV:

[31] “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. [32] All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. [33] He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. 

[34] “Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. [35] For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, [36] I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' 

[37] “Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? [38] When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? [39] When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' 

[40] “The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.' 

[41] “Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. [42] For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, [43] I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.'

[44] “They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?' 

[45] “He will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.' [46] “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life. ”

In both of these sets of verses, we find Jesus speaking in some form about the final judgment.  In the first set of verses He is focused on our speaking and in the second set of verses on our actions.  As I was reading the first set of verses, I was reminded of this second set, and the question popped into my mind, "On which will we be judged, our words or our actions?"

In situations like this, we should always look at context and part of context is the audience to whom Jesus is speaking.  In the first set of verses, Jesus is speaking to the Pharisees who had just accused Him of being in league with Satan, so while he said it in the presence of His apostles, it was directed to religious leaders who were refusing to recognize that He came from the Father.

The second set of verses are spoken to Jesus disciples, shortly before His persecution, trial and crucification. He started the discourse at the beginning of Chapter 24 in Matthew's Gospel, in response to the disciples question about end-times.  

So, at a quick glance we see the first discourse is directed to non-believers, the other towards believers.  Again, we must always review challenging verses like these in light of all of the revelation of Scripture, and specifically in the revelation of Jesus, who is the perfect representation of the Father (Heb 1:3).  As I reflect on these verses today, I am reminded of Jesus' only new Command, 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.”    In this great New Command we are told to love one another.  

John, in his later letter, spelled out what this love meant - 1 John 3:16-18 NIV: "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. [17] If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? [18] Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth."   In other words our love needs to be expressed in actions, not just words.  This leads us back to the verses of consideration this morning, while love r belief might begin with words, it must result in actions.  It is by our actions that we demonstrate our beliefs, our love and our faith.  

However, these actions are meant to be coupled to relationship with the Lord, as Jesus spoke in John 15:12-17 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. [14] You are my friends if you do what I command. [15] I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. [16] You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit---fruit that will last---and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. [17] This is my command: Love each other."

Finally, some get so caught up in looking at the final judgment, preaching about judgment, judging others that they forget that our primary call is to love one another.  If we have relationship with Jesus and just love one another in word AND in deed, I believe we will experience God's blessing both in this life and after the final judgment, and lead many down the same path!

Let us worry less about judgment and more about love in action!

Amen and Amen!

Are You The One?

Yesterday during worship I felt like the Lord led me to Matt 11, and that there was an important encouragement and invitation in the following verses.  Matthew 11:2-6 NIV:

[2] "When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples [3] to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” 

[4] Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: [5] The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. [6] Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”

I felt like the Lord was inviting us (the Church) into the place where we were going to be re-presenting His ministry in truth and reality.  In the same way that Jesus pointed to the work of the Holy Spirit through Himself, we are going to be able to do the same thing!  

No longer are we just going to talk about the Lord, but the results of our ministry will make Him evident.  People when they met Jesus, were changed! People were healed, delivered, cured, raised, and convicted of sin.  I felt like the days are coming when the signs of Jesus ministry, will be many, and it will be through these that people are going to be able to tell where the Gospel is being preached, and lived.  The ministry of Jesus will be released by people who know Jesus!  

Thus, the invite was to both deeper relationship with Him, and acting like Him (or should I say doing what He asks us to do).  The deeper our intimacy, the more we can represent Him.  

However, I believe one of the reasons John asked the question is that even for John, Jesus' ministry and public persona were not what He expected.  John knew Jesus as his cousin, and also knew he had been sent to announce the coming of the Messiah.  It appears John wasn't sure Jesus was the Messiah, and I can only think this is because Jesus didn't seem to John to be what He thought the Messiah would be like.  Is it possible that the Lord, in inviting us into deeper intimacy, is also inviting us into a changing Church environment, something that might not seem like the church we grew up in?  

What if part of this invitation is for ALL OF US to become active ministers, active representatives of Jesus, not just on Sunday, but everyday, where we live and work?  Is it possible that our idea of church is going to need to change?  Instead of something we do on Sunday, in a particular building, it becomes something we experience every day, everywhere?  If instead of the word "church", we use the other image of the Body of Christ, it becomes easier to embrace.  We have come to associate Church with a building and a time of the week, but Jesus' Body isn't just alive on Sundays, and Wed. evenings, but is alive and well every other day of the week too.

I wonder if this will be the generation when the world asks, "is this the generation that will see the great revival?"

I pray our answer will be, "let us report what we have seen and heard, the blind receive their sight, the deaf hear, the dead are raised and the good news is proclaimed to every nation!"

Let us embrace this invitation to go deeper into intimacy with the Lord, and to live our life as an active part of the Body of Christ, every day, all day long!  Let us listen to what the Lord is saying and do it!  Let us faithfully represent Jesus to our world.

Amen and Amen!

Sheep or Sons & Daughters?

Recently I have been thinking about the Church and looking at two different terms the Lord uses in describing us, sheep and sons and daughters. The deferent terms are useful and it is important to understand both are appropriate, but it is critical that we communicate correctly about our identities, and our mission, if you will, as followers of Christ.

This weekend I had a great conversation with a good friend that got me thinking about this all again.  In my long-term relationship with the Lord, He will often revisit different topics, giving me additional insight, or more likely reminding me of the insight He provided previously.  This is a topic area I have visited on multiple occasions, and one that is really important, at least in my opinion.

In John's Gospel Jesus calls Himself the Good Shepherd, and describes us as His sheep, the second instance is found John 10:14-17 NIV:

[14] “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me--- [15] just as the Father knows me and I know the Father---and I lay down my life for the sheep. [16] I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. [17] The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life---only to take it up again."

He talked about sheep several different times, and the terminology was used by the early church, as we find in 1 Peter 5:1-4 NIV:

[1] "To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ's sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: [2] Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, watching over them---not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; [3] not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. [4] And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away."

The image of Jesus as our Chief Shepherd is wonderful in that we are all under His care, and He will guide us and direct us to what we need. David refers to the Lord as the Shepherd in Psalm 23, one of his most famous psalms. We enjoy this pastoral idea, and Peter encourages his fellow elders to watch over and serve the flocks they are guiding, and sometimes our leaders can stop there and just think of believers in a church as sheep who need to be fed.  Many of our main-line churches espouse a model that effectively encourages this, with professional pastors, priests or ministers, and the lay congregation.  The leaders are responsible to feeding and nourishing the flock, and while that is wonderful, I think this sometimes limits the understanding and mission of us all as followers of Christ.  Sheep rarely evolve beyond being sheep, but we are also called sons and daughters of God!

Paul pushes us into this idea several times in his writings, and I think the most significant is found in Romans 8:14-17,28-30 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." 

[28] "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. [29] For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. [30] And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified."

We are not really sheep, we are sons and daughters, and Jesus is the firstborn!  Imagine how we would minister if we thought we were raising up sons and daughters of God, those that had purposes in God to fulfill, and it was our responsibility to identify those gifts, abilities and purposes then equip them and release them into their purposes!  Each son and daughter of God is capable of being a world-changer, as Jesus showed us the way!  We are called to represent Him to this world, and each of us is called as His witness!  

I believe this is why the five-fold (and beyond) ministries are highlighted by Paul. Simply pastoring (shepherding) is not enough to raise sons and daughters!  We must press beyond into real training, and equipping!  Paul writes,  "So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, [12] to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up [13] until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ." (Ephesians 4:11-13 NIV).

We are called to mature, to take our positions, to fulfill our destinies, and we can't do that if we are just treated like sheep!  

Lord help us!  

Holy Spirit guide us and cause Your Body, the Church, to begin to mature and grow, that we might effectively represent You, here on the earth! 

Amen and Amen!

Freedom! Don't Be Offended

This morning I felt led to read from Luke's Gospel, and while I often read this Gospel, it seems I am always focused in a couple sections.  Today I felt like I wanted to read something different, so I turned to chapter thirteen.  Here are the verses that caught my eye this morning - Luke 13:10-17 NIV:

[10] "On a Sabbath Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues, [11] and a woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all. [12] When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her, “Woman, you are set free from your infirmity.” [13] Then he put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God." 

[14] "Indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, the synagogue leader said to the people, “There are six days for work. So come and be healed on those days, not on the Sabbath.” 

[15] "The Lord answered him, “You hypocrites! Doesn't each of you on the Sabbath untie your ox or donkey from the stall and lead it out to give it water? [16] Then should not this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen long years, be set free on the Sabbath day from what bound her?” 

[17] "When he said this, all his opponents were humiliated, but the people were delighted with all the wonderful things he was doing."

I love it when Jesus confronts religion, and helps us to see how religion is not of Him.  We tend to think that religion, and specifically a religious spirit is somewhat related to God, or possibly of God, for it uses the Law and the Word.  However, just as when satan tempted Jesus in the desert, using promises from scripture, knowledge of the Word is not proof of being from God!  (See Luke 4:10-11) 

In this case the synagogue leader is not content to rebuke Jesus, he tries to control all the people, by telling them to only come for healing on any day but the sabbath.  He wanted to regain control, for his knowledge of the law allowed him to control the people.  The religious spirit will always try to control and bind people, never set them free.  

Jesus is all about breaking people free from bondage, and in this case, whether a physical ailment or spiritual manifestation, He set this woman free!  In doing so, He definitely caused a stir, and even offended some.  His answer as to His actions, though, helped those who were offended to see... for offense comes often from a misinterpretation of what is happening.  We have rules and ways we think things should happen, based on our past experience or teaching we have received, and God is willing to allow us to change our thinking, often by pushing us past the way we think things should happen.  In this case, Jesus recast His "work" as setting her free, like an animal who had been tied up, and that was allowed.  More importantly He helped the people to see the woman's predicament and her healing.  

For those of us who occasionally see God move in power, we can sometimes be offended by the outward appearance of the inward change.  What I mean is when the Power of the Kingdom of God encounters and defeats the power of the enemy, sometimes there is an outward expression!  Multiple times in scripture we hear of spirits shrieking as them come out of people, following Jesus' command.  When the Lord heals someone that has struggled with sickness or injury for years, as this woman, they are often overjoyed, and their praise becomes expressive.  I think in verse 13 above, the woman's praise was more than a little expressive, probably pushing past the rules of decorum!  

Oh that we would experience God moving in ways that set people free, every day, and especially on Sunday, even if it means our nice, neat Sunday services get a little boisterous, even at times messy!  As Paul wrote in his letter to the Galatians, "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." (Galatians 5:1 NIV)   Make no mistake, choosing to take up offense, is allowing ourselves to be bound by judgments!  Not only that, but it is an effort to bind others under your judgment, just like the synagogue leader in this story! 

Oh Lord, help us!  Help us to look past those things we don't understand or that make us uncomfortable, and help us to see You at work!  We want to be about Your ministry and Your ministry clearly caused a stir, sometimes even a mess, but it always set people free!  

Amen!

Peace Guard

Yesterday I had a reflection on the Peace of God guarding our hearts and minds, based on Philippians 4:7, and while it was enlightening, I had some additional revelation during worship at church yesterday.  Here are the original verses - Philippians 4:6-7 NIV:

[6] "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. [7] And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

I started reflecting on what the Peace of God really is, asking Him to show me.  I know it is much more than just a feeling of peace that would settle on our mind and heart, and while helpful, I believe there is a depth of insight available to us here.  As I was praying, I was reminded of God's plan to send Jesus, His beloved Son, to earth to take on human form, suffer, and die, and rise again.  I wouldn't normally associate this with the Peace of God, but as I reflected upon that world changing event, I realized that God must have been at peace, not anxious, but having full trust in Jesus, and full trust in His plan and purpose!  

I then thought about Jesus in the Garden, asking the Father if there was another way, and after His encounter with the Father in that moment, we find Jesus peaceful, knowing what He was going to do and stepping right into the hands of the crowd Judas brought that night (John 18:1-12).  We know that it was for the joy before Him that Jesus endured the cross (Heb 12:2) and how could he possibly have joy in that moment without an understanding of the Father's full plan and purpose and peace?  I believe His final exclamation, "It is Finished!" indicates that He knew exactly what He had accomplished.

I am reminded of the fruit of the Holy Spirit, as listed by Paul in his letter to the Galatians 5:22-23 NIV: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, [23] gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."  I find it reassuring that joy and peace are true present when Holy Spirit is present, and we know that Jesus was full of the Holy Spirit (Luke 4:1) and I believe He was experiencing the fullness of the fruit during His Passion and Death.  

Going back to my original question, what is the Peace of God?, I think the previous reflections help me to understand, in some small way the enormity of what is meant when Paul writes that the peace of God will guard us.  This is no small, fleeting feeling, but a rock solid, bet the fate of the world on it, peace!  God is capable, and demonstrated His sovereignty and power, His absolute authority over all things, and it is from that place, that His peace is present.  He invites us to step into that peace, to let that peace wash over us, to experience that peace standing guard over us.

Paul tells us that the way to do this is through prayer, petition and thanksgiving.  In the old testament they were encouraged to bring thank offerings to the Lord, offerings of fellowship (see Lev 7:12-13) and it is interesting that it is deemed a sacrifice.  In my mind, thankfulness is the result of something that just happened, but is it possible that that it is something we can offer, before we are experience God's blessing and provision?  It certainly seems that it can be intentional and an act of our will, saying thank You to God before we see Him move!  It is interesting that this is defined as a fellowship offering... one wonders if indeed it invites Holy Spirit to a place of more intimate relationship?

Finally, as I was reflecting on all of this I saw an image of Peace as this huge being standing guard over us.  As the enemy tried to break through with fear, doubt or anxiety laden thoughts, I saw this huge being grab him and body slam him, and shaking his finger at him, as in there was no way past!  Imagine the largest professional wrestler as your personal body-guard, and that is sort of what I imagined!  That is certainly much more than just a fleeting feeling of peace! 

My encouragement this morning is to press into a place of offering thanks for anything and everything that causes concern, fear, doubt, or anxiety.  I am encouraged that the Peace of God is much more than a simple feeling, and that it has the ability to guard and defend my mind and heart like nothing else in this world!

Amen and Amen!

God's Peace Will Guard...

This morning I am continuing reading from Paul's letter to the Philippians 4:4-9 NIV:

[4] "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! [5] Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. [6] Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. [7] And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." 

[8] "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable---if anything is excellent or praiseworthy---think about such things. [9] Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me---put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you."

As I was reading through these verses, I was struck by the prescription in verse 6, and the promise in verse 7, for those that struggle with anxiety.  As a rule I am not anxious, but I know many people who struggle with this daily, and I was thinking and praying for them as I was reading these verses.  

I was thinking about my normal response to uncertainty and doubt being petition and prayer, something along the lines of, "Help me God, I don't know what to do!"  What I don't often do is thank the Lord for the situation I find myself in!  Paul says we should present our requests in prayer, petition and thanksgiving, and I find that last one, thanksgiving,  is really the key, as the first two can be accomplished with a very introspective view, but thanksgiving forces me to change the way I am looking at myself and my situation.  Thanking God for a difficult situation means, either I am a masochist, or I believe that He has a plan and purpose for me, and its for my good, and this situation is part of the journey to fulfillment.  

As I was thinking about that, I had an analogy pop into my head, although one could think of many.  I was reminded of highschool, going through a prescribed set of math course, each one building on the one previous, so that at the end I was doing calculus and understanding it.  I couldn't have just understood calculus, I needed to understand algebra, geometry and trigonometry, and each of those classes represented a certain amount of difficulty, and struggle.  I had to put in time, work through the equations, etc. but in the end I was successful.  I didn't doubt the plan.  I can't say I was really thankful in the midst of those classes, although if I had been thinking about a future that required that math, that might have helped, and certainly would have changed my attitude.

In the same way, there is purpose to our lives, to that which we go through.  Paul said it well a bit earlier in this letter,  [12] "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. [13] Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, [14] I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." ( Philippians 3:12-14 NIV).

So, in our struggle with anxiousness, uncertainty, doubt and fear, if we can approach God in prayer, petition and thanksgiving, thanking Him that this is helping us to fulfill His purposes and plan for our own good, the promise is the peace of God, will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus!  I know I want His peace standing guard over my mind and heart, repelling the arrows and darts the enemy tries to launch at me.  

His peace is based on the fact that His will is always accomplished, His plans are perfect and He has already defeated the enemy!  The Lord knows exactly what the enemy will try and always is ready to counter it and turn it for His purposes!  I want the peace of God, which is certainly beyond my understanding, guarding my heart, protecting me and guiding me through the struggles, allowing me to engage in situations without feeling like I need to protect myself.  

This reflection brought me to three questions:

Can I trust Him with my heart?  

Can I trust Him with my future?

Can I trust Him with my woundedness?

If I can get my mind off myself, my pain, my worry and doubt and look to Him, and pray, and plead and mostly thank Him for this situation, I believe His peace will enter in, and cause me to see a way forward, bring stability to me, and protect me from recurrences.  This is certainly the promise that Paul has brought forward!  

I am reminded of a couple of verses from the Letter to the Hebrews 4:14-16 NIV:

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

Yes, Lord!  Mercy, Grace, and Peace in our time of need!

Lord, thank You for all that You are about in my life.  Thank You for those things I don't understand, those things that cause me to doubt, those things that hurt!  I believe that You understand me, my situation and have a plan and purpose, and its good!  I believe that I will experience Your peace, and it will guard me, in Christ Jesus, who has defeated the enemy!

Amen and Amen!

The Mindset of Christ for One Another

This morning I am reflecting on some of my favorite verses from Paul's letter to the Philippians 2:1-18 NIV:

[1] "Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, [2] then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. [3] Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, [4] not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. [5] In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: 

[6] Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 

[7] rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 

[8] And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death---even death on a cross! 

[9] Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 

[10] that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 

[11] and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 

[12] Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed---not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence---continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, [13] for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. 

[14] Do everything without grumbling or arguing, [15] so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky [16] as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. [17] But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. [18] So you too should be glad and rejoice with me."

It was interesting as I started reading these verses I found myself start praying for the churches around me.  I had never thought to apply these verses to churches or congregations, but as I prayed through these verses, I found that they could certainly be applied, and would likely have a profound impact on the Body of Christ!  

It is with great sadness that I look around and see so many churches with so few relationships between pastors, leaders and even the congregations.  We are far from being a like-minded, same loving, one spirit and mind Body.  Imagine what it would be like if churches started praying for one another in earnest, started desiring other churches' success as much as their own!  Imagine if we learned to share resources, buildings, equipment, all with understanding that we were all part of the same family, the same Body, fulfilling the same ministry, that of Jesus!  Oh Lord, help us to become Your united Body, fulfilling Your ministry!

Next as I was reflecting, I started thinking about marriages, and the many who struggle to be successful in marriage.  I had been reading a blog post of funny comments about marriage, and most of them, while funny, uncovered a selfish mindset.  Imagine applying these verses to one's marriage!  Imagine what one's marriage might be like if both members regularly reflected upon these verses and prayed them into their lives!  I found myself praying for those that I know are struggling, and praying for my own, that I might embrace this heart attitude more fully.  Oh Lord, help all of us who are married to embrace humility, putting our spouse's needs before our own, embracing Your mindset about them!

Finally, as I was praying through these verses I was thinking about the many who are offended or angry or grumbling about the church they belong to, the leadership, others in their congregation.  Again, I was encouraged to pray for all those who have been hurt, wounded, angry about something in their local congregation!  Lord help us to look at one another in love and humility!  Let us embrace one another in love, tenderness and compassion, and having the mindset of Christ for one another!

Oh that we would have Your mindset Jesus in all of our dealings with one another.  Lord, open our eyes, that we might see as You see.  Open our ears that we might hear what You have heard, what You are speaking!  Lord, help us to open our hearts for one another, that we might love as You loved us first!

Amen and Amen!

Intercession Instead of Judgment

This morning I felt led to read from Amos, which could be helpful to spend some time reflecting upon.  Here are the verses - Amos 7:1-8 NIV:

[1] "This is what the Sovereign Lord showed me: He was preparing swarms of locusts after the king's share had been harvested and just as the late crops were coming up. 

[2] When they had stripped the land clean, I cried out, “Sovereign Lord, forgive! How can Jacob survive? He is so small! ” 

[3] So the Lord relented. “This will not happen,” the Lord said. 

[4] This is what the Sovereign Lord showed me: The Sovereign Lord was calling for judgment by fire; it dried up the great deep and devoured the land. 

[5] Then I cried out, “Sovereign Lord, I beg you, stop! How can Jacob survive? He is so small! ” 

[6] So the Lord relented. “This will not happen either,” the Sovereign Lord said. 

[7] This is what he showed me: The Lord was standing by a wall that had been built true to plumb, with a plumb line in his hand. [8] And the Lord asked me, “What do you see, Amos? ” 

“A plumb line, ” I replied. 

Then the Lord said, “Look, I am setting a plumb line among my people Israel; I will spare them no longer."

I have always loved this combining of prophecy, visions and intercession.  It appears to me that Lord was inviting Amos into a place of intimacy, a place where He showed Amos what He could, what He might have planned, in part to see how Amos responded.  Amos could have thanked God that He wasn't a sinner like the rest of Jacob, and called down the judgment good and hard, thinking that was God's heart, but instead Amos cried for mercy!  

This reminded me of the time when Abraham was pleading for mercy for Sodom found in Genesis 18:22-32 NIV:

[22] "The men turned away and went toward Sodom, but Abraham remained standing before the LORD. [23] Then Abraham approached him and said: “Will you sweep away the righteous with the wicked? [24] What if there are fifty righteous people in the city? Will you really sweep it away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous people in it? [25] Far be it from you to do such a thing---to kill the righteous with the wicked, treating the righteous and the wicked alike. Far be it from you! Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?” 

[26] The Lord said, “If I find fifty righteous people in the city of Sodom, I will spare the whole place for their sake. ” 

[27] Then Abraham spoke up again: “Now that I have been so bold as to speak to the Lord, though I am nothing but dust and ashes, [28] what if the number of the righteous is five less than fifty? Will you destroy the whole city for lack of five people?” 

“If I find forty-five there,” he said, “I will not destroy it.” 

[29] Once again he spoke to him, “What if only forty are found there?” 

He said, “For the sake of forty, I will not do it.” 

[30] Then he said, “May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak. What if only thirty can be found there?” 

He answered, “I will not do it if I find thirty there.” 

[31] Abraham said, “Now that I have been so bold as to speak to the Lord, what if only twenty can be found there?” 

He said, “For the sake of twenty, I will not destroy it.” 

[32] Then he said, “May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak just once more. What if only ten can be found there?” 

He answered, “For the sake of ten, I will not destroy it.” 

Both of these instances we find men interceding to God for the sake of those who appeared under God's judgment, and we find God seeming to encourage this.  I believe this is because God is, in part, testing their heart, seeing if their heart resembles His.  When God revealed Himself to Moses this is how He described Himself, “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, [7] maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.” (Exodus 34:6-7 NIV).  While judgment and justice are found in God, He sees Himself first and foremost as compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.  

Is God looking for a people today that represent Him and that are willing to press into Him for His mercy and compassion?  

In the chapter before in Genesis, God says something to Moses that is significant - Exodus 33:19 NIV: And the Lord said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the Lord, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion."  

Sometimes in our fervor, we can embrace words of judgment, and join in calling down judgment on those sinful people and nations, but I think this is dangerous ground.  We don't understand God's mind, and heart, but we can glimpse them, and these two instances, at least, show us a God who is welcoming  someone to call out His mercy and compassion, not His judgment!  

What would the Church look like if instead of joining in agreement with the judgments that are being proclaimed in our day, we instead rose up an intercessory cry for mercy and compassion?  What would happen if the Body of Christ sought out places that were seemingly under God's judgment and went and lived there that there might be righteous people found there (taking a different approach to the negotiations of Abraham)?  What if the Church become known for our cries for mercy and compassion, or become known for our identification with and mercy and compassion towards the lost and sinners? 

We know that God didn't sit in judgment of the world, instead He came to the world, interceded for us and saved us! (John 3:16-17).  Oh that the Church would embrace that same heart for intercession, running in a standing in the gap (Ezek 22:30), rather than standing afar and calling down judgment!  I am reminded of a couple of verses from Paul's letter to the Romans 8:33-34 NIV:

[33] "Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. [34] Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died---more than that, who was raised to life---is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us."

Amen and Amen!  Let us join with Him in interceding for our world!

The Depth of the Knowledge of God - Quite Unsearchable

This morning I am reflecting on some verses from Paul's letter to the Romans.  It is his perspective on Israel  (Jewish people) and their future salvation.  Much of the time I feel like the truths that Paul is bringing to light are just touching on the greater truth, and there is much more hidden in God.  This is definitely one of those times.  Here are the verses - Romans 11:25-36 NIV:

[25] "I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in, [26] and in this way all Israel will be saved. As it is written: “The deliverer will come from Zion; he will turn godlessness away from Jacob. [27] And this is my covenant with them when I take away their sins.” 

[28] "As far as the gospel is concerned, they are enemies for your sake; but as far as election is concerned, they are loved on account of the patriarchs, [29] for God's gifts and his call are irrevocable. [30] Just as you who were at one time disobedient to God have now received mercy as a result of their disobedience, [31] so they too have now become disobedient in order that they too may now receive mercy as a result of God's mercy to you. [32] For God has bound everyone over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all." 

[33] "Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! 

How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! 

[34] “Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?” 

[35] “Who has ever given to God, that God should repay them?” 

[36] For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen."

As I was reading through these verses this morning, I was very aware of the "long-game" of God.  We tend to think in the very short-term, a few years, maybe a decade or so, but God thinks and plans over centuries, even over millenniums,  and beyond.  We really have no way to fully grasp what He is doing, and as the verses of the ancient song say, quoted by Paul here, His ways are unsearchable, and beyond tracing out.  We just can't grasp the complexity and intricacy and length of His plans!  As great as our great thinkers are, none compares to God.

That being said, we also can't fully know His thoughts about things, as His thinking goes far beyond our ability to grasp.  We can receive an inkling of an idea about how He feels, how He thinks, how He loves, how He responds, but no one has ever fully grasped the depths of all of God.  Take these verses for instance.  Paul is writing about the Jews, and essentially says, God hardened their hearts that a way might be opened for us Gentiles, but that God still loves the Jews, and plans to bring them to salvation, as His plans are to "have mercy on them all", Jew and Gentile alike.  Paul flat out says, "all Israel will be saved".

We read this and think how is that possible, as many of both have passed over into death, how can God plan to express mercy to them all, how can all Israel be saved?   I guess we could press forward and say that from the time of Jesus, all Jews have been made aware of the possibility that He was their Messiah, and have rejected that, and that might be enough for us.  However, I think there is a deeper mystery that Paul is glimpsing.  These are the Chosen people of God, His delight among all nations, and His affections, as His gifts and calls, are irrevocable.  God is never changing, and if they were His chosen people, they still are!  

I was thinking about how that works in God's perspective, and it just doesn't make sense for for them to receive judgment for God's hardening of them, so that the way would be opened for the Gentiles (see verse 25 above). They are His Chosen people, He saved them out of Egypt, established them as their own Kingdom, gave them the Covenant of the Law, and set them up for the coming Messiah.  Then when His Son comes, they miss it, due their hardening and He judges them for their ignorance?   Yet He still loves, them calls them His Chosen people, and has spoken blessing and promise over them here through Paul!  I don't think we have all the facts here, nor can we.  

As I was thinking though this all, I had an idea that is a bit out there and completely new, so please forgive any radical theological implications.  I was thinking that death doesn't mean the same thing to God that it does to us.  We think death is the end, and that our judgments are based on our lives here, but what if that isn't the only consideration in God's perspective?  We know that we are destined for eternity, and our lives here represent the smallest part of our real existence.  We know that Jesus has destroyed the power of death (see Hosea 13:14 - the promise, and Heb 2:14 - the fulfillment).  

This gets me wondering, what is the power of death?  Jesus clearly rose from the dead, and thus death has no grip on Him.  He demonstrated the ability to speak commands to those souls already dead for Lazarus and the son of the widow of Nain, to name a couple.  We are promised that we will be like Christ when He comes again (1 John 3:2), which to me means we will be resurrected beings, no longer under the power of death.  In the Book of Revelations, John is given a message about a second death, ( See Rev. 20:6) and this seems to be the final judgment.  This would indicate that that there is a mid-stage of spiritual life that exists from the first death, to the final second death....  crazy stuff, for sure. 

My point in all of this is simply that we don't fully grasp the reality that we live in, because this reality is hidden in God, and we don't fully grasp Him or His ways.  We have to believe that what He says is true, but certainly not the end of all the truth, for we can't comprehend much of His truth.  His ways are far beyond us, His thoughts are far beyond our comprehension, He thinks and acts over centuries, millenniums and ages, and we must simply say:

[33] "Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! 

How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! 

[34] “Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?” 

[35] “Who has ever given to God, that God should repay them?” 

[36] For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen."

(Rom 11: 33-36 NIV).

Amen and Amen!

Don't Be Timid, We Are Under His Favor!

This morning as I was beginning to pray I felt like I should go back 7 years ago and see what I had written on April 18, 2015, and the following was my experience that morning:

"This morning I had an interesting experience.  As I was just waking up, I must have been asking for God's favor, and I felt like He said the following - "Unless I tell you otherwise, it is safe to assume that you are always under my favor!"  

I asked for some greater understanding, and felt like HE replied - "You don't really understand my favor, it is much greater than you think.  You are thinking in human terms about favor, and I am not Human.  As my sons and daughters, you are always under my favor.  I don't have favorites like humans due, you are all my favorites."

It is like in the Book of Esther - when she approaches the King, and he extends his scepter, indicating she had his favor.  

Esther 4:11 NIV

“All the king's officials and the people of the royal provinces know that for any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned the king has but one law: that they be put to death unless the king extends the gold scepter to them and spares their lives. But thirty days have passed since I was called to go to the king.”

Esther 5:1-3 NIV

[1] "On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the palace, in front of the king's hall. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the hall, facing the entrance. [2] When he saw Queen Esther standing in the court, he was pleased with her and held out to her the gold scepter that was in his hand. So Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter. [3] Then the king asked, “What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be given you.”

Notice the favor of the King is indicated by His willingness to have Esther approach His Throne.  When she arrives at his feet, He is ready to give her up to half of his kingdom!  Talk about extreme favor!

We always have the Lord's favor, if we are in relationship with Jesus, for we can always approach His throne of Grace with confidence  knowing that we are in His favor.  Hebrews 4:14-16 NIV says:

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

The earliest use of favor in scripture is from Genesis 6:7-8 NIV:

[7] So the Lord said, “I will wipe from the face of the earth the human race I have created---and with them the animals, the birds and the creatures that move along the ground---for I regret that I have made them. ” [8] But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord."

The Hebrew word used here is Chanan, its Definition is the following:

1) to be gracious, show favour, pity

2) (Qal) to show favour, be gracious

3) (Niphal) to be pitied

4) (Piel) to make gracious, make favourable, be gracious

5) (Poel) to direct favour to, have mercy on

6) (Hophal) to be shown favour, be shown consideration

When we think about Noah, we must understand what God did for Noah, not focus on the rest of story.  He saved Noah in the midst of the whole world.  He saved Noah's family.  He made Noah the ruler of the earth (battle field promotion).  He was given dominance over all. Here are the verses where God's favor  is recognized, after the flood recedes - from Genesis 9:1-3, 8-11 NIV:

[1] "Then God blessed Noah and his sons, saying to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth. [2] The fear and dread of you will fall on all the beasts of the earth, and on all the birds in the sky, on every creature that moves along the ground, and on all the fish in the sea; they are given into your hands. [3] Everything that lives and moves about will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything." 

[8] "Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him: [9] “I now establish my covenant with you and with your descendants after you [10] and with every living creature that was with you---the birds, the livestock and all the wild animals, all those that came out of the ark with you---every living creature on earth. [11] I establish my covenant with you: Never again will all life be destroyed by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth. ”

God effectively gives Noah the whole earth, dominion over all living things, and makes a covenant with him.  That is what God's favor looks like.  That is a picture of His favor to us.  He saves us  out of a sinful world, He extends His favor over our families, He invites us into His covenant (the new covenant) and relationship.  

Here are some other significant verses dealing with God's favor - 

Romans 2:10-11 NIV: "but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. [11] For God does not show favoritism."

In other words, He shows favor to us all.

2 Corinthians 6:2 NIV: "For he says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation."

Amen to that!

James 4:6 NIV: "But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”

The humble here, are those that come to Jesus and receive His salvation.  It is in relationship with Him, and because of Him that we receive God's favor.  When He looks at us, He sees His children, Hidden in Jesus.  How can He do anything but show us favor?!  Recognizing and living in this reality, is what we are invited into through relationship with the Lord.  Really, experiencing the Lord's favor is directly related to our understanding our identity in Him, as His sons and daughters.

As an added confirmation of this theme, when I opened up my bible and the first chapter it opens to is James 2 - titled favoritism is forbidden - James 2:1-9 NIV:

[1] "My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. [2] Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. [3] If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here's a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” [4] have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? 

[5] Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? [6] But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? [7] Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong? 

[8] If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. [9] But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers."

As brothers and sisters in the Lord, we are encouraged to practice the same attitude towards each other, that the Lord has towards us, no favorites, but rather everyone enjoying His favor equally.  Our treatment of each other is supposed to mirror or reflect His attitude towards us.

So let us be encouraged, today and every day is the day of the Lord's favor.  Now, is the time of the Lord's favor in our lives.  Let listen to His words in our hearts and embrace them, for we truly are His sons and daughters."

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Thank You Lord for reconfirming Your favor, in spite of my sinfulness, my struggles, my own inadequacies, everything about me that is not like You, You still love me and extend favor to me!  Your favor has never left, You have never looked upon me and removed Your favor.

I felt like I heard the Lord encourage me to not be timid, to open my hand and grab what is being extended towards me.  Its like He has given us the keys and said, "You are my favorite, so help yourself to whatever You want or need, just don't be timid.  There is more than enough for you and everyone else!  

Wow, what a good word!  Don't be timid, there is more than enough for everyone else!