Last night I was talking with a friend whose brother had recently been on a trip to Columbia, South America and was talking about the miracles and healings they saw, blind eyes opened, deaf ears healed, paralyzed guy walking. He said it was crazy - that people wouldn't leave until they had their healing, and that as a result they needed to learn perseverance in prayer. I think that is so true of our Churches here in the US, we have lost the ability to really persevere in prayer for someone. I think we don't know how to sacrifice our time and selves in the place of prayer, for the most part. I know that I have a hard time praying longer than 10-15 minutes for someone.
I am reminded again of Samuel's mother Hannah, how she persevered in prayer for years before the Lord answered her prayer (1 Sam 1:1-20). I am also reminded of the disciples inability to heal the boy with the demon. They were unable cast out the demon, and had apparently stopped trying when Jesus came down from the Transfiguration. Jesus tells them why they couldn't cast it out:
(NASB)Matthew 17:20-21
And He said to them, "Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ''Move from here to there,'' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you. [21] "But this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting."
Jesus equates their inability to littleness or lack of faith, and also adds the statement that this type only comes out except by prayer and fasting - both speak of a place of perseverance and self sacrifice.
In John G. Lake's healing rooms in Spokane, WA in the 1930s, they would sometimes pray for people, 10-20 days for multiple hours each day, before they saw them healed. Lord, help us to learn to put others before our schedules.
I am also thinking that this scriptural example also shows the faith of the father, who brought his son for prayer. It was clear that the message that was going out was that everyone who came to Jesus got healed. And it is also clear that many times, after the sending out of the 12, that the apostles were also ministers to those that needed healing. In this case, the man brought the son and after the apostles had tried to heal his son and failed, he was undeterred, he waited for Jesus.
I think about our attitude here in the States, how if we go forward and get prayer and nothing happens, how quickly do we walk away? I also think about my attitude towards anyone who would continue to ask for prayer, going from person to person, or coming up every time there is an invitation for prayer ministry. I have tended to be annoyed by their persistence, rather than encouraged by their faith. Lord, please forgive me for this clearly wrong attitude.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Thoughts on John 21
This morning I am reading from John 21 and saw a few things of interest, besides the usual good stuff.
(NIV)John 21:15-22
When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” [16] Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” [17] The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. [18] Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” [19] Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”
[20] Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”) [21] When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?” [22] Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.”
Verse 20 caught my eye, because I hadn't realized that Jesus was having the reinstatement conversation with Peter, while walking with him. I just thought about how personal the Lord was, in dealing individually with Peter's denial, calling him to the place of relationship once again, knowing that Peter was longing to have this conversation, but unable to either gather the courage, or do so in front of the others. Jesus graciously takes him aside and God for a walk on the beach with him and basically erases the denials with recommitment. His last satetment to Peter is 'follow me'.
I also thought it as interesting how when Peter asked about John, he didn't say his name, but rather 'him'. One wonders if there was some personal stuff between them, since peter denied the Lod, and John persisted in staying with him? It is certainly possible. But more importantly, the Lord makes it clear to Peter that this is not his concern. Peter's concern is to follow Jesus, period.
This makes me think of the many times I have been more concerned about so and so, rather than my own following after Jesus. Lord forgive me for my own inability to follow you, and being concerned about other things.
Finally, just seeing the call of Jesus to Peter, to feed 'HIS' sheep. Let us never forget that the church, and every member in it is Jesus'. Not our's, not some organization,s bt the Lord's.
(NIV)John 21:15-22
When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” [16] Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” [17] The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. [18] Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” [19] Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”
[20] Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”) [21] When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?” [22] Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.”
Verse 20 caught my eye, because I hadn't realized that Jesus was having the reinstatement conversation with Peter, while walking with him. I just thought about how personal the Lord was, in dealing individually with Peter's denial, calling him to the place of relationship once again, knowing that Peter was longing to have this conversation, but unable to either gather the courage, or do so in front of the others. Jesus graciously takes him aside and God for a walk on the beach with him and basically erases the denials with recommitment. His last satetment to Peter is 'follow me'.
I also thought it as interesting how when Peter asked about John, he didn't say his name, but rather 'him'. One wonders if there was some personal stuff between them, since peter denied the Lod, and John persisted in staying with him? It is certainly possible. But more importantly, the Lord makes it clear to Peter that this is not his concern. Peter's concern is to follow Jesus, period.
This makes me think of the many times I have been more concerned about so and so, rather than my own following after Jesus. Lord forgive me for my own inability to follow you, and being concerned about other things.
Finally, just seeing the call of Jesus to Peter, to feed 'HIS' sheep. Let us never forget that the church, and every member in it is Jesus'. Not our's, not some organization,s bt the Lord's.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Forgiveness and Healing
This morning I was reading from Matt 9 and thinking about the issue of forgiveness, as its seen in these verses.
(NIV)Matthew 9:1-8 Jesus stepped into a boat, crossed over and came to his own town. [2] Some men brought to him a paralyzed man, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.” [3] At this, some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, “This fellow is blaspheming!” [4] Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, “Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? [5] Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? [6] But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “Get up, take your mat and go home.” [7] Then the man got up and went home. [8] When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to man.
Earlier Jesus was speaking about forgiveness during the sermon on the mount, and specifically addressed it in the Lord's prayer. We are called to forgive those that have sinned against us, and the Father will forgive our sins.
(NIV)Matthew 6:14-15 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. [15] But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
In the story about the paralyzed man, Jesus, spurred on by the friends' faith, forgives the paralyzed man's sins. Jesus had laid the ground work of understanding forgiveness earlier, and now is clearly demonstrating this reality. His authority on earth, is a representation of the Father's authority. Its clear that Jesus understood where this conversation was going to go with the Pharisees standing around, speaking forgiveness was going to elicit crys of blasphemy, yet He gladly went there to show He was from the Father.
Its also interesting how in this story Jesus links forgiveness and healing, the latter proving the authority to do the former. There is a parallel verse in Psalms 103:3 (see below) and Jesus demonstrates its fulfillment here, but clearly is not limited by the order of forgiveness and then healing, nor is he setting a precedent, as in many healings there is no mention of forgiveness, just the healing. James 5:15 talks about healing first, then forgiveness. Whatever the case its a glorious day for the young man!
(NIV)Psalm 103:1-5 Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. [2] Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits--- [3] who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, [4] who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, [5] who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
Lord, thank You that You extend both healing and forgiveness, and have the authority to do both here on earth.
(NIV)Matthew 9:1-8 Jesus stepped into a boat, crossed over and came to his own town. [2] Some men brought to him a paralyzed man, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.” [3] At this, some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, “This fellow is blaspheming!” [4] Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, “Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? [5] Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? [6] But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “Get up, take your mat and go home.” [7] Then the man got up and went home. [8] When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to man.
Earlier Jesus was speaking about forgiveness during the sermon on the mount, and specifically addressed it in the Lord's prayer. We are called to forgive those that have sinned against us, and the Father will forgive our sins.
(NIV)Matthew 6:14-15 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. [15] But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
In the story about the paralyzed man, Jesus, spurred on by the friends' faith, forgives the paralyzed man's sins. Jesus had laid the ground work of understanding forgiveness earlier, and now is clearly demonstrating this reality. His authority on earth, is a representation of the Father's authority. Its clear that Jesus understood where this conversation was going to go with the Pharisees standing around, speaking forgiveness was going to elicit crys of blasphemy, yet He gladly went there to show He was from the Father.
Its also interesting how in this story Jesus links forgiveness and healing, the latter proving the authority to do the former. There is a parallel verse in Psalms 103:3 (see below) and Jesus demonstrates its fulfillment here, but clearly is not limited by the order of forgiveness and then healing, nor is he setting a precedent, as in many healings there is no mention of forgiveness, just the healing. James 5:15 talks about healing first, then forgiveness. Whatever the case its a glorious day for the young man!
(NIV)Psalm 103:1-5 Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. [2] Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits--- [3] who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, [4] who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, [5] who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
Lord, thank You that You extend both healing and forgiveness, and have the authority to do both here on earth.
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Heavenly Mindset and God Glasses
I was reading a book by Bill Johnson last night and one of the things that he was talking about is praying in the things of heaven, the realities of heaven, into our present situation and circumstances, based out the Lord's prayer, specifically Matthew 6 verse 10.
(NIV)Matthew 6:9-13
“This, then, is how you should pray: “ ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, [10] your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. [11] Give us today our daily bread. [12] And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. [13] And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. ’
He talks about praying for Jesus dominion and will to be done here, as they are in heaven. A simple measure he uses is if it exists in heaven, it should exist here - if it doesn't exist in heaven it shouldn't exist here. Taking it a bit further, if its valued in heaven, it should be valued here, if it isn't valued in heaven it shouldn't be valued here.
This is why we need that heavenly mindset (Col 3:2), the eternal perspective. This mindset and perspective allow us to identify things that are out of alignment with Jesus' Kingdom reality and call them into alignment, through the authority He has given us. Its like an internal heads up display that should point out to us things that aren't right from God's perspective - kind of like the display that the terminator had when looking around, or the new Google glasses that provide enhanced viewing experience, or as they call it augmented reality.
The goal is that we become so changed in our mindset and perspective, that as we look around us, we will be able to see the things that don't align with heaven and the Kingdom of God, and either change our minds and hearts, if the issue is internal, or we work and pray to see the change that is required to bring these things into alignment.
Amen, help us Lord to see things as You see them, to put on God glasses.
(NIV)Matthew 6:9-13
“This, then, is how you should pray: “ ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, [10] your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. [11] Give us today our daily bread. [12] And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. [13] And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. ’
He talks about praying for Jesus dominion and will to be done here, as they are in heaven. A simple measure he uses is if it exists in heaven, it should exist here - if it doesn't exist in heaven it shouldn't exist here. Taking it a bit further, if its valued in heaven, it should be valued here, if it isn't valued in heaven it shouldn't be valued here.
This is why we need that heavenly mindset (Col 3:2), the eternal perspective. This mindset and perspective allow us to identify things that are out of alignment with Jesus' Kingdom reality and call them into alignment, through the authority He has given us. Its like an internal heads up display that should point out to us things that aren't right from God's perspective - kind of like the display that the terminator had when looking around, or the new Google glasses that provide enhanced viewing experience, or as they call it augmented reality.
The goal is that we become so changed in our mindset and perspective, that as we look around us, we will be able to see the things that don't align with heaven and the Kingdom of God, and either change our minds and hearts, if the issue is internal, or we work and pray to see the change that is required to bring these things into alignment.
Amen, help us Lord to see things as You see them, to put on God glasses.
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
The Key Role of Miracles
I was continuing to read in Matt 11:2-6 and was reminded of what things Jesus said proved He was the Messiah, His miracles.
(NIV)Matthew 11:2-6
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.”
And again in John 14:11 Jesus points to the miracles as the sign of His representing the Father.
(NIV)John 14:11
"Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves."
Lord, continuing this thought of the place of miracles and healing in the church, if these signs don't accompany the church, how will people know that we are truly from God, and following God? Lord, help us to step into this mindset, to change our minds about what church ministry should look like. Its like we have decided to be satisfied with a church where all we hear is inspiring talk, and have good feelings, rather than pressing in and believing for the miracles and healing. We have decided to be satisfied with less.
Lord, I pray that You will help me to not be satisfied with good talk and good feelings, but to rather press on, press in, and persevere until this is my experience.
(NIV)Matthew 11:2-6
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.”
And again in John 14:11 Jesus points to the miracles as the sign of His representing the Father.
(NIV)John 14:11
"Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves."
Lord, continuing this thought of the place of miracles and healing in the church, if these signs don't accompany the church, how will people know that we are truly from God, and following God? Lord, help us to step into this mindset, to change our minds about what church ministry should look like. Its like we have decided to be satisfied with a church where all we hear is inspiring talk, and have good feelings, rather than pressing in and believing for the miracles and healing. We have decided to be satisfied with less.
Lord, I pray that You will help me to not be satisfied with good talk and good feelings, but to rather press on, press in, and persevere until this is my experience.
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Spiritual Sight and Repentance
I was reading last night from Bill Johnson's book, "When Heaven Invades Earth". One of the key things he was talking about was the need to really change the way we think, to put on an eternal or heavenly, or spiritual realm mindset. This is the real emphasis of repentance - changing the way we think.
He said that unbelief is really believing in the seen more than the unseen, and that was helpful to me. He said that faith is really the possession of spiritual sight. Jesus saw what the Father was doing, and so should we be able to see what He is doing. Faith is not meant to be some sort of special gifting that is only available to a few, but rather, is available to every believer, immediately, its just that our western thought is so much rooted in this temporal existance. We need to realize the need and practice seeing the spiritual, for its the spiritual that will last, and the spiritual which is thus the greater reality.
(NIV)2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. [17] For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. [18] So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
(NIV)1 John 2:15-17
Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. [16] For everything in the world---the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life---comes not from the Father but from the world. [17] The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.
(NIV)Colossians 3:1-4
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. [2] Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. [3] For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. [4] When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Lord, help me to adjust the way I think daily, to repent. I want to be aware of the unseen!
He said that unbelief is really believing in the seen more than the unseen, and that was helpful to me. He said that faith is really the possession of spiritual sight. Jesus saw what the Father was doing, and so should we be able to see what He is doing. Faith is not meant to be some sort of special gifting that is only available to a few, but rather, is available to every believer, immediately, its just that our western thought is so much rooted in this temporal existance. We need to realize the need and practice seeing the spiritual, for its the spiritual that will last, and the spiritual which is thus the greater reality.
(NIV)2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. [17] For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. [18] So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
(NIV)1 John 2:15-17
Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. [16] For everything in the world---the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life---comes not from the Father but from the world. [17] The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.
(NIV)Colossians 3:1-4
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. [2] Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. [3] For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. [4] When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Lord, help me to adjust the way I think daily, to repent. I want to be aware of the unseen!
Friday, April 13, 2012
Breaking Old Paradigms
As I was thinking and praying, I was reminded of Acts 10, where Peter has the vision of the sheet being lowered, and is told to eat things that are forbidden. He is being directed by God to do something that he had never done, nor fit into his understanding of his call.
(NIV)Acts 10:13-16
"Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.” [14] “Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.” [15] The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.” [16] This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven."
Then Peter had to accept that which the Lord did in their midst. Again, this was outside his previous experience or the way he thought it should happen.
(NIV)Acts 10:44-47
"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.”
In this chapter, the Lord clearly broke Peter out of his old paradigm and understanding. He showed him both through word and action that He had other plans and purposes that Peter had never seen or experienced before. Limiting oneself to anything other than what God limits you would be wrong.
We also can't limit others because we haven't had a particular experience. God is creative and constantly at work, breaking through our paradigms and expanding our understanding. If we try to control our experience by limiting all things to what we have previously experienced, we will never grow. As a friend of mine said last night, "part of the reason people don't want to follow the Holy Spirit, and allow Him to work in their lives, is that they are afraid they will be lead someplace they don't want to go."
Lord, help us to grow and expand, and see things the way You see them! Help us to not be afraid of those things that are outside our present experience.
(NIV)Acts 10:13-16
"Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.” [14] “Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.” [15] The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.” [16] This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven."
Then Peter had to accept that which the Lord did in their midst. Again, this was outside his previous experience or the way he thought it should happen.
(NIV)Acts 10:44-47
"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.”
In this chapter, the Lord clearly broke Peter out of his old paradigm and understanding. He showed him both through word and action that He had other plans and purposes that Peter had never seen or experienced before. Limiting oneself to anything other than what God limits you would be wrong.
We also can't limit others because we haven't had a particular experience. God is creative and constantly at work, breaking through our paradigms and expanding our understanding. If we try to control our experience by limiting all things to what we have previously experienced, we will never grow. As a friend of mine said last night, "part of the reason people don't want to follow the Holy Spirit, and allow Him to work in their lives, is that they are afraid they will be lead someplace they don't want to go."
Lord, help us to grow and expand, and see things the way You see them! Help us to not be afraid of those things that are outside our present experience.
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Thinking Outside the Box About Ministry and Church
Several interesting questions - not really any answers, but trying to think outside the box.
(NIV)2 Thessalonians 3:7-9
"For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, [8] nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. [9] We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate."
I was just thinking about that final statement that Paul makes "... in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate." I was thinking about how the normal church experience is based on a model that has been passed down, one of the professional minister. I certainly won't deny that model for its biblical basis, or effectiveness, but Paul clearly operated on a different model, one of being bi-vocational. He clearly worked so that he could minister effectively, and I think be a better model to those that were in the same boat. He worked, but his life and focus was ministry. Because he did this, he was able to move where ever, and support himself for long periods of time. I believe that this also is an example to the church, of their own ability to be effective ministers. This model calls people into a place of responsibility, and ministry. As I have said before, in this model, you don't ever really retire, you just retire into full-time ministry.
I also started thinking about the whole model of how we do church. Its generally so formal, and liturgical. What would it be like to have a church that was more informal, one where things were more spontaneous, where we valued relationships above religion, where praise and worship flowed out of the joy of being together, sometimes just breaking out spontaneously as good music played? What if there was a place where healings and miracles and testimonies were experienced and celebrated regularly?
One wonders how many people go to church for the social interaction before and after the service? What would happen if a church 'service' was actually mostly that - social interaction? One wonders how many people go to church, just to feel God do something? What if the main draw of the service was the presence of God and He just did stuff, and we celebrated it as He did it? This really gets under my skin, because I like plans and schedules and order and logical flow, and control. What if that's not what the Lord wants?
Thinking outside the box here, thinking outside the box of what we have learned as the model for church. What if the pastoring was done by everyone? What if the majority of the church walked in a ministry mind set and understood they were active ministers? What if the message that was delivered was short, powerful, and left the people wanting more, and that more was available online..? What if there wasn't a focus on presentation and performance, but rather participation?
What if the culture of the church was modeled after the ministry of Jesus, valuing what He valued, ministering like He ministered? Again, not saying the present model is bad, but opening the door for some new, or really old thinking on the subject. Jesus' ministry times don't seem to be so much planned events, but rather the result of crowds gathering, or entering into new territory or towns. Ministry seemed to be accomplished at a personal level, in the midst of the crowds. Surely hundreds and thousands were drawn to Jesus, and He healed them all, and the model we see represented was that of one-on-one ministration - but we also have the example of people being healed from afar, or without Jesus explicit knowledge, or conscious thought. Also, its clear that Jesus had heart for the poor, downtrodden, sick, sinner, and needy, really everyone that is usually less than desirable.
Jesus delegated authority and responsibility to his disciples and apostles, people were ministered to by them, as well as by Jesus. Much of Jesus in depth teaching happened in the private 'small group' meeting following the public gathering. Here Jesus passed on the understanding and knowledge to the disciples. It was in this private setting that He firmly established in His disciples the teaching of the Kingdom, which he demonstrated in the public settings. Clearly he also taught the masses, but he used the private sessions to make sure the disciples understood what He was really saying.
All this is really more questions than answers, and it has me thinking, just looking at things and wondering how it could be different.
Lord, we look to You for wisdom and understanding and direction! We want to see You glorified in all the world.
(NIV)2 Thessalonians 3:7-9
"For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, [8] nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. [9] We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate."
I was just thinking about that final statement that Paul makes "... in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate." I was thinking about how the normal church experience is based on a model that has been passed down, one of the professional minister. I certainly won't deny that model for its biblical basis, or effectiveness, but Paul clearly operated on a different model, one of being bi-vocational. He clearly worked so that he could minister effectively, and I think be a better model to those that were in the same boat. He worked, but his life and focus was ministry. Because he did this, he was able to move where ever, and support himself for long periods of time. I believe that this also is an example to the church, of their own ability to be effective ministers. This model calls people into a place of responsibility, and ministry. As I have said before, in this model, you don't ever really retire, you just retire into full-time ministry.
I also started thinking about the whole model of how we do church. Its generally so formal, and liturgical. What would it be like to have a church that was more informal, one where things were more spontaneous, where we valued relationships above religion, where praise and worship flowed out of the joy of being together, sometimes just breaking out spontaneously as good music played? What if there was a place where healings and miracles and testimonies were experienced and celebrated regularly?
One wonders how many people go to church for the social interaction before and after the service? What would happen if a church 'service' was actually mostly that - social interaction? One wonders how many people go to church, just to feel God do something? What if the main draw of the service was the presence of God and He just did stuff, and we celebrated it as He did it? This really gets under my skin, because I like plans and schedules and order and logical flow, and control. What if that's not what the Lord wants?
Thinking outside the box here, thinking outside the box of what we have learned as the model for church. What if the pastoring was done by everyone? What if the majority of the church walked in a ministry mind set and understood they were active ministers? What if the message that was delivered was short, powerful, and left the people wanting more, and that more was available online..? What if there wasn't a focus on presentation and performance, but rather participation?
What if the culture of the church was modeled after the ministry of Jesus, valuing what He valued, ministering like He ministered? Again, not saying the present model is bad, but opening the door for some new, or really old thinking on the subject. Jesus' ministry times don't seem to be so much planned events, but rather the result of crowds gathering, or entering into new territory or towns. Ministry seemed to be accomplished at a personal level, in the midst of the crowds. Surely hundreds and thousands were drawn to Jesus, and He healed them all, and the model we see represented was that of one-on-one ministration - but we also have the example of people being healed from afar, or without Jesus explicit knowledge, or conscious thought. Also, its clear that Jesus had heart for the poor, downtrodden, sick, sinner, and needy, really everyone that is usually less than desirable.
Jesus delegated authority and responsibility to his disciples and apostles, people were ministered to by them, as well as by Jesus. Much of Jesus in depth teaching happened in the private 'small group' meeting following the public gathering. Here Jesus passed on the understanding and knowledge to the disciples. It was in this private setting that He firmly established in His disciples the teaching of the Kingdom, which he demonstrated in the public settings. Clearly he also taught the masses, but he used the private sessions to make sure the disciples understood what He was really saying.
All this is really more questions than answers, and it has me thinking, just looking at things and wondering how it could be different.
Lord, we look to You for wisdom and understanding and direction! We want to see You glorified in all the world.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
God Confirm's His Words
This morning I turned to 1 Thessalonians, and verse 4-5 caught my eye.
(NIV)1 Thessalonians 1:4-5
"For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you, [5] because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake."
(NIV)Mark 16:20
"Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it."
(NIV)Acts 14:3
"So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to perform signs and wonders."
I have been thinking about the reality of the Holy Spirit in me and in the Church. The Holy Spirit working in and through me provides the ability to confirm that He is real and His words are true. Words apart from these proofs and confirmations are just words. I believe that the Lord intended to enable the Church to walk in power, so that we could prove that God is real.
This is part of God's loving plan. He doesn't want us to bet our eternal destiny on just words. He doesn't want us to remain under the power of principalities and spiritual entities that exist and oppress and attack us. He doesn't want us to be helpless before sickness and disease.
In Heaven there is no sickness, death, sadness or work of the enemy. Jesus' Kingdom on earth, is meant to prove the existance of His heavenly realm, and the way that He has chosen to demonstrate this is by working through the people of the Church, and demonstrating these realities, here and now.
Lord, so many of us have never experienced this reality - we humbly ask that You will move in power and confirm Your words through the Church. We want to see You glorified and recognized, and the truth of Your words proven to all the world.
(NIV)1 Thessalonians 1:4-5
"For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you, [5] because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake."
(NIV)Mark 16:20
"Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it."
(NIV)Acts 14:3
"So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to perform signs and wonders."
I have been thinking about the reality of the Holy Spirit in me and in the Church. The Holy Spirit working in and through me provides the ability to confirm that He is real and His words are true. Words apart from these proofs and confirmations are just words. I believe that the Lord intended to enable the Church to walk in power, so that we could prove that God is real.
This is part of God's loving plan. He doesn't want us to bet our eternal destiny on just words. He doesn't want us to remain under the power of principalities and spiritual entities that exist and oppress and attack us. He doesn't want us to be helpless before sickness and disease.
In Heaven there is no sickness, death, sadness or work of the enemy. Jesus' Kingdom on earth, is meant to prove the existance of His heavenly realm, and the way that He has chosen to demonstrate this is by working through the people of the Church, and demonstrating these realities, here and now.
Lord, so many of us have never experienced this reality - we humbly ask that You will move in power and confirm Your words through the Church. We want to see You glorified and recognized, and the truth of Your words proven to all the world.
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Jesus is Risen, and the Disciples Fear and Doubt
This morning I am reading the resurrection accounts and a few things have struck me:
(NIV)Matthew 28:1, 8-10
After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.
[8] So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. [9] Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. [10] Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”
It was the women who were unafraid to go and see Jesus tomb. It was the women who were going to anoint his body (Mark and Luke). It was the women who first saw Jesus after He rose from the dead. It was the women who were faithful to their relationship with Him. I think that we can draw some truth from these accounts of the women - namely that Jesus will respond to love and faithfulness in our relationship with Him. He will be seen. He will be encountered.
The other verse that caught my eye was: (NIV)Matthew 28:17
When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.
This verse takes place in Galilee, after the resurrection, after they have heard He has Risen, and after He showed himself to them. Yet even after all this some still persisted in their doubt. After Pentecost there was no more doubt, but in this state of grieving and weakness they still doubted. I am glad that at this point Jesus didn't dump the ones that doubted and feared, but trusted that they would ultimately be the men and women that He knew they were.
I guess that we could say that Jesus was totally confident in the people He chose, and totally confident in the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. He was unafraid that the great commission was being placed into the hands of a weak, fearful, doubting group of people. This is an encouraging word to me, as i know my heart and its doubts and fears. If Jesus is confident in those that doubted and feared after they were eyewitnesses to His resurrection, then He is confident in His choice of me, despite my limitations and struggles with faithlessness.
Its not me, its Him living in me, that He is confident in! That is what He purchased, that is what He paid for! He knows His sacrifice was successful, and He knows my heart, and He is confident. Praise God!
(NIV)Matthew 28:1, 8-10
After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.
[8] So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. [9] Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. [10] Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”
It was the women who were unafraid to go and see Jesus tomb. It was the women who were going to anoint his body (Mark and Luke). It was the women who first saw Jesus after He rose from the dead. It was the women who were faithful to their relationship with Him. I think that we can draw some truth from these accounts of the women - namely that Jesus will respond to love and faithfulness in our relationship with Him. He will be seen. He will be encountered.
The other verse that caught my eye was: (NIV)Matthew 28:17
When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.
This verse takes place in Galilee, after the resurrection, after they have heard He has Risen, and after He showed himself to them. Yet even after all this some still persisted in their doubt. After Pentecost there was no more doubt, but in this state of grieving and weakness they still doubted. I am glad that at this point Jesus didn't dump the ones that doubted and feared, but trusted that they would ultimately be the men and women that He knew they were.
I guess that we could say that Jesus was totally confident in the people He chose, and totally confident in the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. He was unafraid that the great commission was being placed into the hands of a weak, fearful, doubting group of people. This is an encouraging word to me, as i know my heart and its doubts and fears. If Jesus is confident in those that doubted and feared after they were eyewitnesses to His resurrection, then He is confident in His choice of me, despite my limitations and struggles with faithlessness.
Its not me, its Him living in me, that He is confident in! That is what He purchased, that is what He paid for! He knows His sacrifice was successful, and He knows my heart, and He is confident. Praise God!
Saturday, April 7, 2012
The Day After Jesus Died
This morning I read through the Gospels, looking at the response and time following Jesus burial. It interesting to me that they were in a hurry to get him buried, because the next day was the sabbath. It says in Mark and Luke that the women who were going to bring the spices and anoint Jesus' body waited until the first day of the week, after the sabbath was completed, to visit the tomb. So that means all the disciples were at least celebrating the Sabbath, and did no work, transporting the spices would have been considered work. They were recognizing the religious duties and rules, while their Lord and King was laying in the tomb, unattended.
They had just finished celebrating the Passover where they were sitting together remembering how God had saved Israel from Egypt, how He had moved in power through the plagues to free Israel from their enslavement. They were just finished celebrating how through the blood of the Lamb, God passed over their people and instead brought judgement to the Egyptians. They apparently completely missed the significance of what they just witnessed concerning Jesus, how He was the sacrificial Lamb, whose blood would save them from God's judgement.
Now they were celebrating the day of rest in memory of when God had finished His creative work and rested. Jesus said on the cross, "it is finished!" And now it truly was finished. They apparently missed the significance of what God had just accomplished through Jesus sacrifice.
In Luke 24:13-32 it records how Jesus appeared to two of them on there way to Emmaus, and had to explain everything to them, beginning with Moses. They, in turn went back and explained it all to the rest. I think it was only at this point that they started to put it all together, and really start to understand what had really just happened.
I think about how often, I miss the significance of what God is doing, or has just done, all around me, and through Jesus. So often I am so focused on my own disappointment and situations, that i might be right in the middle of the greatest thing God has ever done for me, and I totally am missing it, because my eyes are internally focused. Its only afterwards that God, in His mercy, helps me to see what He was doing. I think He would prefer that I see it and recognize His work in the midst, rather than afterwards. Lord, I pray that You will help me to get beyond my own circumstances and perspective and see what You are really doing.
Additionally, how often do we celebrate Jesus death and resurrection by going to church and going through the religious ritual and totally miss the point of what God accomplished. Lord, help us to understand and recognize what You did, and what we are really celebrating. Help us to move beyond the religious ritual and experience the truth of Your resurrection! We don't want to miss what is really the most significant event in history, since creation.
They had just finished celebrating the Passover where they were sitting together remembering how God had saved Israel from Egypt, how He had moved in power through the plagues to free Israel from their enslavement. They were just finished celebrating how through the blood of the Lamb, God passed over their people and instead brought judgement to the Egyptians. They apparently completely missed the significance of what they just witnessed concerning Jesus, how He was the sacrificial Lamb, whose blood would save them from God's judgement.
Now they were celebrating the day of rest in memory of when God had finished His creative work and rested. Jesus said on the cross, "it is finished!" And now it truly was finished. They apparently missed the significance of what God had just accomplished through Jesus sacrifice.
In Luke 24:13-32 it records how Jesus appeared to two of them on there way to Emmaus, and had to explain everything to them, beginning with Moses. They, in turn went back and explained it all to the rest. I think it was only at this point that they started to put it all together, and really start to understand what had really just happened.
I think about how often, I miss the significance of what God is doing, or has just done, all around me, and through Jesus. So often I am so focused on my own disappointment and situations, that i might be right in the middle of the greatest thing God has ever done for me, and I totally am missing it, because my eyes are internally focused. Its only afterwards that God, in His mercy, helps me to see what He was doing. I think He would prefer that I see it and recognize His work in the midst, rather than afterwards. Lord, I pray that You will help me to get beyond my own circumstances and perspective and see what You are really doing.
Additionally, how often do we celebrate Jesus death and resurrection by going to church and going through the religious ritual and totally miss the point of what God accomplished. Lord, help us to understand and recognize what You did, and what we are really celebrating. Help us to move beyond the religious ritual and experience the truth of Your resurrection! We don't want to miss what is really the most significant event in history, since creation.
Friday, April 6, 2012
Two Thoughts on Jesus' Crucifiction
Today, being Good Friday, I want to try and focus on Jesus' crucifiction today. Lord, we are so not worthy of Your sacrifice, but yet so grateful that You became the eternal sacrifice for us.
This morning I read all four gospel accounts of the crucifiction. I had a couple of thoughts while doing so. First, that Jesus experienced deeply the rejection that was upon him. If we were to think of any rejection we have ever experienced, a rejection from a job application, being dumped by a girlfriend or boyfriend, failing at some thing, this was so much worse. I know the emotional pain of rejection, but this was rejection into torture and death. I know what it feels like to have your heart torn out by someone you thought you loved, imagine that pain times a billion, then throw on the physical torture and beating. That is only part of what Jesus suffered. As I said before, we can't even comprehend the spiritual suffering of being rejected and separated from the Father.
The other reflection was that many of the people that followed Him sill stood by him, most notably His mother Mary, Mary Magdalene, John and some few others. I could almost imagine that they were waiting and hoping right up to the very end, that Jesus would suddenly just come down off the cross and prove to all that He was who He said He was. I can imagine their impassioned pleas and prayers, and then their dejection and utter despair when He died. It was a brutal experience, anyway you think about it.
Lord we are not worthy, and yet by Your death, You paid the price for us all! We will thank You for all eternity!
This morning I read all four gospel accounts of the crucifiction. I had a couple of thoughts while doing so. First, that Jesus experienced deeply the rejection that was upon him. If we were to think of any rejection we have ever experienced, a rejection from a job application, being dumped by a girlfriend or boyfriend, failing at some thing, this was so much worse. I know the emotional pain of rejection, but this was rejection into torture and death. I know what it feels like to have your heart torn out by someone you thought you loved, imagine that pain times a billion, then throw on the physical torture and beating. That is only part of what Jesus suffered. As I said before, we can't even comprehend the spiritual suffering of being rejected and separated from the Father.
The other reflection was that many of the people that followed Him sill stood by him, most notably His mother Mary, Mary Magdalene, John and some few others. I could almost imagine that they were waiting and hoping right up to the very end, that Jesus would suddenly just come down off the cross and prove to all that He was who He said He was. I can imagine their impassioned pleas and prayers, and then their dejection and utter despair when He died. It was a brutal experience, anyway you think about it.
Lord we are not worthy, and yet by Your death, You paid the price for us all! We will thank You for all eternity!
Thursday, April 5, 2012
They Were All Scattered
I am reading the different accounts of the last supper today. As I was reading both Matthew and Mark's accounts, I was reminded of the fact that all the disciples fell away from Jesus at this most critical time. As Jesus says in Mark 14:
(NIV)Mark 14:27
“You will all fall away,” Jesus told them, “for it is written: “ ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’
I am not exactly encouraged by this verse, but I see the reality of the fact that they had followed Jesus, some for three years, and seen all the miracles that He performed and been witnesses to His kingdom, and yet they all deserted Him. They were more worried about themselves than they were about Jesus, when it really came down to it. I see myself here...so often I willingly desert Jesus because some thing comes against me, or draws me away.
Another thing that is interesting is that after Jesus announces that one of the 12 would betray Him, in Matthew, Mark and Luke, it says the apostles started to question among themselves, and even ask Jesus, which of them would do this. Rather than strong denial, they question. I think this might be indicative of the fact that many, in their own hearts, still wondered if they were doing the right thing, if Jesus truly was the Messiah. He certainly wasn't doing all the things they thought He would - like claim the throne, etc. Their hearts apparently weren't fully given to Him.
I also think of the time in the garden when Jesus asked them to keep watch and pray, yet they all succumbed to their tiredness, their flesh overcoming their desire to obey Jesus. How often am I unwilling to overcome my own flesh (tiredness, hunger, laziness, etc. to obey Him?
Lord, clearly our wills, or hearts and our flesh are not strong enough to follow You on our own. We need help Lord.
I am reminded of when Jesus breathed on the disciples after He rose from the dead. It seems to me that they needed to be encouraged and strengthened at that point.
(NIV)John 20:21-23
Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” [22] And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. [23] If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven."
Lord, its clear to me that I need more strength, I ask that You would breathe on me. Holy Spirit I invite you into my being, that You might indwell me like never before. I ask You to fill me with power, and all the fruit - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control (Galatians 5:22-23) That I might fully follow You and set my heart fully on You!
(NIV)Mark 14:27
“You will all fall away,” Jesus told them, “for it is written: “ ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’
I am not exactly encouraged by this verse, but I see the reality of the fact that they had followed Jesus, some for three years, and seen all the miracles that He performed and been witnesses to His kingdom, and yet they all deserted Him. They were more worried about themselves than they were about Jesus, when it really came down to it. I see myself here...so often I willingly desert Jesus because some thing comes against me, or draws me away.
Another thing that is interesting is that after Jesus announces that one of the 12 would betray Him, in Matthew, Mark and Luke, it says the apostles started to question among themselves, and even ask Jesus, which of them would do this. Rather than strong denial, they question. I think this might be indicative of the fact that many, in their own hearts, still wondered if they were doing the right thing, if Jesus truly was the Messiah. He certainly wasn't doing all the things they thought He would - like claim the throne, etc. Their hearts apparently weren't fully given to Him.
I also think of the time in the garden when Jesus asked them to keep watch and pray, yet they all succumbed to their tiredness, their flesh overcoming their desire to obey Jesus. How often am I unwilling to overcome my own flesh (tiredness, hunger, laziness, etc. to obey Him?
Lord, clearly our wills, or hearts and our flesh are not strong enough to follow You on our own. We need help Lord.
I am reminded of when Jesus breathed on the disciples after He rose from the dead. It seems to me that they needed to be encouraged and strengthened at that point.
(NIV)John 20:21-23
Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” [22] And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. [23] If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven."
Lord, its clear to me that I need more strength, I ask that You would breathe on me. Holy Spirit I invite you into my being, that You might indwell me like never before. I ask You to fill me with power, and all the fruit - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control (Galatians 5:22-23) That I might fully follow You and set my heart fully on You!
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Jesus' Sorrow in the Garden
Continuing my study of Jesus last day(s) continues with His time in the garden:
(NIV)Mark 14:33-34
He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. [34] “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” he said to them. “Stay here and keep watch.”
Jesus statement that His soul was overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death is really revealing of the level of His understanding of what He was about to undergo. To this point, He had not experienced anything that would cause Him to be sorrowful, so this surely had to do with His impending suffering and death. This could also be the start of the loading onto Him of the sins of the world, for he clearly bore them all - Isaiah 53:12.
I also think this was related to His embracing the physical suffering He would have to endure. He knew what was coming, Isaiah prophesied about it, and I am sure the Father told Him as well. He was fully man, having emptied himself, and now was embracing suffering as a man. He couldn't just make the pain go away, or heal himself, for it was the Father's and His will that He suffer and die, as the sacrifice. This is chosen, and embraced, but not without realization of what price He would pay, and it was overwhelming.
(NIV)Luke 22:42
“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”
I am sure that the spiritual pain He had was far worse than the physical. He who was one with the Father, is now separated from the Father because of the sin (our sin) that He took upon himself. That constant loving communication, severed because of our sin. Additionally, I imagine that like any parent, who's child is suffering, would willing take that suffering upon themselves, Jesus not only feels this way, but does this for all men and women! What an incredible self sacrifice.
(NIV)Luke 22:44
And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.
We know that there is a medical condition called Hematidrosis where under extreme duress a person can literally sweat blood. Jesus is brought to that point in the garden, before He suffered any of the physical torture He was about to endure. As painful and terrible as the scourging and Crucifixion were, this pain of His soul was worse.
Lord, we can only slightly understand what You were enduring for our sake. We are so grateful for Your sacrifice on our behalf, for we know that it is through this sacrifice that you paid the price for our sin, and redeemed us!
(NIV)Mark 14:33-34
He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. [34] “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” he said to them. “Stay here and keep watch.”
Jesus statement that His soul was overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death is really revealing of the level of His understanding of what He was about to undergo. To this point, He had not experienced anything that would cause Him to be sorrowful, so this surely had to do with His impending suffering and death. This could also be the start of the loading onto Him of the sins of the world, for he clearly bore them all - Isaiah 53:12.
I also think this was related to His embracing the physical suffering He would have to endure. He knew what was coming, Isaiah prophesied about it, and I am sure the Father told Him as well. He was fully man, having emptied himself, and now was embracing suffering as a man. He couldn't just make the pain go away, or heal himself, for it was the Father's and His will that He suffer and die, as the sacrifice. This is chosen, and embraced, but not without realization of what price He would pay, and it was overwhelming.
(NIV)Luke 22:42
“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”
I am sure that the spiritual pain He had was far worse than the physical. He who was one with the Father, is now separated from the Father because of the sin (our sin) that He took upon himself. That constant loving communication, severed because of our sin. Additionally, I imagine that like any parent, who's child is suffering, would willing take that suffering upon themselves, Jesus not only feels this way, but does this for all men and women! What an incredible self sacrifice.
(NIV)Luke 22:44
And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.
We know that there is a medical condition called Hematidrosis where under extreme duress a person can literally sweat blood. Jesus is brought to that point in the garden, before He suffered any of the physical torture He was about to endure. As painful and terrible as the scourging and Crucifixion were, this pain of His soul was worse.
Lord, we can only slightly understand what You were enduring for our sake. We are so grateful for Your sacrifice on our behalf, for we know that it is through this sacrifice that you paid the price for our sin, and redeemed us!
Saturday, March 31, 2012
God's Treasure in Us!
In continuing my meditation, looking towards Easter, I am reading from Luke 22:
(NIV)Luke 22:19-20
And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” [20] In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.
The new covenant that Jesus is referring to is linked to Jer. 31:31
(NIV)Jeremiah 31:31-33
“The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah. [32] It will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they broke my covenant, though I was a husband to them, ” declares the Lord. [33] “This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,” declares the Lord. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.
I am filled with hope when I read this passage from Jeremiah. When combined with the verses I read yesterday and the day before about the Fathers Love being in us, Jesus Himself being in us, His joy being in us, the Holy Spirit being in us (Jn 17:13, 26; Jn 20:22 ) and now His law being in us, I am greatly encouraged that God is putting everything we need into us!
What an incredible treasure we have in God! The fact is that by Your death Jesus, You made this great treasure possible. You had planned and made known since the time of Jeremiah that You were going to establish a new covenant. Who would have guessed at that time, that it would be through Your own blood that You would open the way for You to come and take up residence in our hearts, and pour into us these great treasures. How can we not celebrate Your sacrifice and power?
(NIV)Luke 22:19-20
And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” [20] In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.
The new covenant that Jesus is referring to is linked to Jer. 31:31
(NIV)Jeremiah 31:31-33
“The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah. [32] It will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they broke my covenant, though I was a husband to them, ” declares the Lord. [33] “This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,” declares the Lord. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.
I am filled with hope when I read this passage from Jeremiah. When combined with the verses I read yesterday and the day before about the Fathers Love being in us, Jesus Himself being in us, His joy being in us, the Holy Spirit being in us (Jn 17:13, 26; Jn 20:22 ) and now His law being in us, I am greatly encouraged that God is putting everything we need into us!
What an incredible treasure we have in God! The fact is that by Your death Jesus, You made this great treasure possible. You had planned and made known since the time of Jeremiah that You were going to establish a new covenant. Who would have guessed at that time, that it would be through Your own blood that You would open the way for You to come and take up residence in our hearts, and pour into us these great treasures. How can we not celebrate Your sacrifice and power?
Friday, March 30, 2012
God's Love For Jesus Within Us!
Continuing my reading of John 17, the following verse caught my attention:
(NIV)John 17:26
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.”
Another one of those mind blowing statements and prayers that Jesus prays. He prays that two things might be in us, the Love the Father has for Him, and secondly, that. He might be in us too.
First the Love the Father has for Him, is beyond any measure. If You were to take the Love God has for every person, and all creation and bundle it together it wouldn't compare to the Love the Father has for the Son. I believe that we could even say this is the most powerful thing in all eternity - the Love of the Father and Son, and Jesus is praying that it will be within us. Wow!
Also, I've heard it said the Holy Spirit, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, is the Physical manifestation of the love that the Father and Son have for each other. So, in a very real way, Jesus' prayer is answered by the Holy Spirit coming to us and residing in us, when we are saved. That is a direct answer to this prayer.
Secondly, the Holy Spirit is also called the Spirit of Jesus, so clearly His (Holy Spirit) coming to us fulfills the second prayer as well. For what other Spirit would Jesus have within Himself, except the Holy Spirit? We are all triune beings, body, mind and spirit, and so was Jesus. So, He literally sends us part of Himself, to be with us. Amazing!
All of this is only made possible through the sacrifice the Jesus made for us all. For its in His death and resurrection, that we are made righteous, and our sins are forgiven. Its through His sacrifice that the veil that separates God from man is torn in two. It is for restoration of intimacy with God that Jesus gave himself freely.
Lord, we clearly will never fully understand the glorious reality of this all. Help us to more fully live in this reality, the reality that Your love and Spirit is within us, and as such, we have within us the most powerful force in all eternity. Help us to discover this, and embrace this truth.
(NIV)John 17:26
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.”
Another one of those mind blowing statements and prayers that Jesus prays. He prays that two things might be in us, the Love the Father has for Him, and secondly, that. He might be in us too.
First the Love the Father has for Him, is beyond any measure. If You were to take the Love God has for every person, and all creation and bundle it together it wouldn't compare to the Love the Father has for the Son. I believe that we could even say this is the most powerful thing in all eternity - the Love of the Father and Son, and Jesus is praying that it will be within us. Wow!
Also, I've heard it said the Holy Spirit, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, is the Physical manifestation of the love that the Father and Son have for each other. So, in a very real way, Jesus' prayer is answered by the Holy Spirit coming to us and residing in us, when we are saved. That is a direct answer to this prayer.
Secondly, the Holy Spirit is also called the Spirit of Jesus, so clearly His (Holy Spirit) coming to us fulfills the second prayer as well. For what other Spirit would Jesus have within Himself, except the Holy Spirit? We are all triune beings, body, mind and spirit, and so was Jesus. So, He literally sends us part of Himself, to be with us. Amazing!
All of this is only made possible through the sacrifice the Jesus made for us all. For its in His death and resurrection, that we are made righteous, and our sins are forgiven. Its through His sacrifice that the veil that separates God from man is torn in two. It is for restoration of intimacy with God that Jesus gave himself freely.
Lord, we clearly will never fully understand the glorious reality of this all. Help us to more fully live in this reality, the reality that Your love and Spirit is within us, and as such, we have within us the most powerful force in all eternity. Help us to discover this, and embrace this truth.
Thursday, March 29, 2012
For the Joy Set Before Him
Continuing my meditation leading up to Easter, I was thinking much about the following verses:
(NIV)John 17:4, 13
"I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. [13] “I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them."
Specifically verse 13, where Jesus says that He has completed the work the Father gave him to do. He clearly hadn't gone through His Passion and death, or His resurrection, but was saying the work was completed in the Father's eyes. One of the commentaries I read said that this is how the Father relates to us all, not as we are, but we are in our future perfected state. I guess, seeing the beginning and the end is helpful perspective, which is a complete understatement.
Also, these verses clearly indicates Jesus is looking forward to all that He will endure, and speaks about the full measure of joy that He has while looking toward His brutal Passion and death. Hebrews 12 says the following:
(NIV)Hebrews 12:2
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.
So Jesus, as He looks forward, sees the Joy of the completed sacrifice, the salvation and redemption of those who are His. He sees the results, understands the sacrifice and is filled with joy by it all. In fact, He wanted His disciples to be filled with the same joy that He had, being filled to the full measure of His joy. Another one of those unfathomable statements.
He was, by His obedience into death, going to provide the way for all people to be restored to relationship with the Father. He was going to pay the price for all sins. He was going to shatter the power of the enemy. He was going to break the bonds of death. He said that all the angels in heaven rejoice over a single sinner who repents, what must the celebration been like in heaven when the veil was torn in two?
So, as we contemplate the Passion and death of Jesus, let us remember His joy, and His prayer that we might be filled to the full measure of His joy.
(NIV)John 17:4, 13
"I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. [13] “I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them."
Specifically verse 13, where Jesus says that He has completed the work the Father gave him to do. He clearly hadn't gone through His Passion and death, or His resurrection, but was saying the work was completed in the Father's eyes. One of the commentaries I read said that this is how the Father relates to us all, not as we are, but we are in our future perfected state. I guess, seeing the beginning and the end is helpful perspective, which is a complete understatement.
Also, these verses clearly indicates Jesus is looking forward to all that He will endure, and speaks about the full measure of joy that He has while looking toward His brutal Passion and death. Hebrews 12 says the following:
(NIV)Hebrews 12:2
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.
So Jesus, as He looks forward, sees the Joy of the completed sacrifice, the salvation and redemption of those who are His. He sees the results, understands the sacrifice and is filled with joy by it all. In fact, He wanted His disciples to be filled with the same joy that He had, being filled to the full measure of His joy. Another one of those unfathomable statements.
He was, by His obedience into death, going to provide the way for all people to be restored to relationship with the Father. He was going to pay the price for all sins. He was going to shatter the power of the enemy. He was going to break the bonds of death. He said that all the angels in heaven rejoice over a single sinner who repents, what must the celebration been like in heaven when the veil was torn in two?
So, as we contemplate the Passion and death of Jesus, let us remember His joy, and His prayer that we might be filled to the full measure of His joy.
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Jesus - God and Man
NIV)John 17:5
And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.
This morning, this sentence has grabbed my attention. Jesus, clearly aware of who He is and from where He came, is praying that the Father would restore Him to His rightful place. He had possessed this place before the world, before time, and was going back in His humanity.
Adam Clarke writes, " Let the glory of my eternal divinity surround and penetrate my humanity, in its resurrection, ascension, and in the place which it is to occupy at thy right hand, far above all creatures."
I like that phrase - that His eternal divinity might surround and penetrate His humanity. In a very real sense, this is our prayer too, concerning the Holy Spirit. That the Holy Spirit might surround and penetate our humanity, living in our hearts and bringing into us that eternal divinity. Clearly a thought that is really beyond comprehension. Lord I pray that You might help me to understand this glorious truth - that You made the way for us to be joined to You. As Jesus said in John 17:21 -
(NIV)John 17:21
"... May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me."
Also, as I think about this reality, I am reminded that Jesus is truly God. So often we struggle with fully comprehending this reality - which is understandable since its an unknowable mystery. He wasn't just a man, a wise teacher, a prophet, etc. He is God! He was God before the world began, and is God now, in time and outside of time. He was so perfect in taking on humanity, that we can totally relate to Him as a man, but we must never forget that He is God. In the midst of our familiarity, we must remember that He is God, and He loved us so much that He came down to earth and became man. God became man - that is more impossible than taking the entire world and every person on it and stuffing them on the head of a pin. He didn't just take on a human form, like we see in some of the fantasy Greek mythologies. He really became man fully, so much so, that He could and did die! Mind blowing stuff....
And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.
This morning, this sentence has grabbed my attention. Jesus, clearly aware of who He is and from where He came, is praying that the Father would restore Him to His rightful place. He had possessed this place before the world, before time, and was going back in His humanity.
Adam Clarke writes, " Let the glory of my eternal divinity surround and penetrate my humanity, in its resurrection, ascension, and in the place which it is to occupy at thy right hand, far above all creatures."
I like that phrase - that His eternal divinity might surround and penetrate His humanity. In a very real sense, this is our prayer too, concerning the Holy Spirit. That the Holy Spirit might surround and penetate our humanity, living in our hearts and bringing into us that eternal divinity. Clearly a thought that is really beyond comprehension. Lord I pray that You might help me to understand this glorious truth - that You made the way for us to be joined to You. As Jesus said in John 17:21 -
(NIV)John 17:21
"... May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me."
Also, as I think about this reality, I am reminded that Jesus is truly God. So often we struggle with fully comprehending this reality - which is understandable since its an unknowable mystery. He wasn't just a man, a wise teacher, a prophet, etc. He is God! He was God before the world began, and is God now, in time and outside of time. He was so perfect in taking on humanity, that we can totally relate to Him as a man, but we must never forget that He is God. In the midst of our familiarity, we must remember that He is God, and He loved us so much that He came down to earth and became man. God became man - that is more impossible than taking the entire world and every person on it and stuffing them on the head of a pin. He didn't just take on a human form, like we see in some of the fantasy Greek mythologies. He really became man fully, so much so, that He could and did die! Mind blowing stuff....
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Meditation on Eternal Life
Since it will be Holy Week next week, I am thinking of reading the passion and preceding chapters the next several days. Lord, I want to better appreciate Your sacrifice, and Your last words, and increase my love and passion for you!
This morning I am starting John's Gospel, chapter 17:
(NIV)John 17:1-3
After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed:
“Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. [2] For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. [3] Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.
In the 3rd verse, Jesus equates eternal life with knowing Him and the Father! (NIV)John 17:3
Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. Jesus can give this eternal life to those whom He chooses.
I am so grateful that You invite us and call us to know You more, Lord. My desire is that I would come to know You more and more in these coming days and years. I want to know You, know Your Word, and know Your heart. I want to walk in this knowledge, wrapped in the understanding and sensitivity to the present situation, of what You are doing and desire to do. Lord, You have issued the invitation, and I am taking You up on it. Your promise is to give eternal life to this You choose, and I am asking that You choose me.
This morning I am starting John's Gospel, chapter 17:
(NIV)John 17:1-3
After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed:
“Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. [2] For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. [3] Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.
In the 3rd verse, Jesus equates eternal life with knowing Him and the Father! (NIV)John 17:3
Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. Jesus can give this eternal life to those whom He chooses.
I am so grateful that You invite us and call us to know You more, Lord. My desire is that I would come to know You more and more in these coming days and years. I want to know You, know Your Word, and know Your heart. I want to walk in this knowledge, wrapped in the understanding and sensitivity to the present situation, of what You are doing and desire to do. Lord, You have issued the invitation, and I am taking You up on it. Your promise is to give eternal life to this You choose, and I am asking that You choose me.
Monday, March 26, 2012
Courage and Cowardice
Yesterday at Church, the preacher used a quote from C.S. Lewis that I really liked. The quote follows -
“We have made men proud of most vices, but not of cowardice. Whenever we have almost succeeded in doing so, God permits a war or an earthquake or some other calamity, and at once courage becomes so obviously lovely and important even in human eyes that all our work is undone, and there is still at least one vice of which they feel genuine shame.” ― C.S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters (which is book talking about temptation from a demons point of view . its a very good read)
This morning I happened to be reading from Ephesians 6:
(NIV)Ephesians 6:10-20
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. [11] Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. [12] For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. [13] Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. [14] Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, [15] and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. [16] In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. [17] Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. [18] And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. [19] Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, [20] for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.
Interesting thoughts this morning, the quote from CS Lewis talking about the vice of cowardice, and the verse from Ephesians, talking about being strong and courageous. I find it interesting that in our world today, taking a stand for Christ is becoming more and more looked down upon. The present encouragement is to be inclusive of all things, even that which is clearly not of God, in an effort to not be seen as divisive.
The reality is that the truth, when proclaimed, does cause separation from the things of this world. The truth should bring conviction of sin. We must not be afraid of proclaiming the truth through our lives. We need to be able to stand our ground, unashamebly acknowledging our Savior and faith in Him. Its important to remember that we are not fighting against other people - our call is to love all people - but against spiritual forces.
Lord, I pray that You will strengthen us, and help us to stand our ground in the face of the constant onslaught of the world, telling us that our faith is wrong, and that by holding to the truth we are bigoted, self-righteous, judgemental, and generally trying to force our beliefs on others. Lord, we pray that by Your strength and love working through us, that the Church might be known for its love and power.
Lord, I pray, like Paul, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I may fearlesly make known the glorious mystery of the Gospel. The truth is that You loved us so much, that You came and took our punishment upon Yourself, Jesus, so that we could enter into eternal life with You, the Father and the Holy Spirit. That is indeed a glorious mystery.
“We have made men proud of most vices, but not of cowardice. Whenever we have almost succeeded in doing so, God permits a war or an earthquake or some other calamity, and at once courage becomes so obviously lovely and important even in human eyes that all our work is undone, and there is still at least one vice of which they feel genuine shame.” ― C.S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters (which is book talking about temptation from a demons point of view . its a very good read)
This morning I happened to be reading from Ephesians 6:
(NIV)Ephesians 6:10-20
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. [11] Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. [12] For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. [13] Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. [14] Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, [15] and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. [16] In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. [17] Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. [18] And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. [19] Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, [20] for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.
Interesting thoughts this morning, the quote from CS Lewis talking about the vice of cowardice, and the verse from Ephesians, talking about being strong and courageous. I find it interesting that in our world today, taking a stand for Christ is becoming more and more looked down upon. The present encouragement is to be inclusive of all things, even that which is clearly not of God, in an effort to not be seen as divisive.
The reality is that the truth, when proclaimed, does cause separation from the things of this world. The truth should bring conviction of sin. We must not be afraid of proclaiming the truth through our lives. We need to be able to stand our ground, unashamebly acknowledging our Savior and faith in Him. Its important to remember that we are not fighting against other people - our call is to love all people - but against spiritual forces.
Lord, I pray that You will strengthen us, and help us to stand our ground in the face of the constant onslaught of the world, telling us that our faith is wrong, and that by holding to the truth we are bigoted, self-righteous, judgemental, and generally trying to force our beliefs on others. Lord, we pray that by Your strength and love working through us, that the Church might be known for its love and power.
Lord, I pray, like Paul, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I may fearlesly make known the glorious mystery of the Gospel. The truth is that You loved us so much, that You came and took our punishment upon Yourself, Jesus, so that we could enter into eternal life with You, the Father and the Holy Spirit. That is indeed a glorious mystery.
Friday, March 23, 2012
An Unfaithful and Distracted Heart
This morning I turned to Ezekiel 16 and was thinking about this story about Jerusalem.
(NIV)Ezekiel 16:10-19
"I clothed you with an embroidered dress and put sandals of fine leather on you. I dressed you in fine linen and covered you with costly garments. [11] I adorned you with jewelry: I put bracelets on your arms and a necklace around your neck, [12] and I put a ring on your nose, earrings on your ears and a beautiful crown on your head. [13] So you were adorned with gold and silver; your clothes were of fine linen and costly fabric and embroidered cloth. Your food was honey, olive oil and the finest flour. You became very beautiful and rose to be a queen. [14] And your fame spread among the nations on account of your beauty, because the splendor I had given you made your beauty perfect, declares the Sovereign Lord.
[15] “ ‘But you trusted in your beauty and used your fame to become a prostitute. You lavished your favors on anyone who passed by and your beauty became his. [16] You took some of your garments to make gaudy high places, where you carried on your prostitution. You went to him, and he possessed your beauty. [17] You also took the fine jewelry I gave you, the jewelry made of my gold and silver, and you made for yourself male idols and engaged in prostitution with them. [18] And you took your embroidered clothes to put on them, and you offered my oil and incense before them. [19] Also the food I provided for you---the flour, olive oil and honey I gave you to eat---you offered as fragrant incense before them. That is what happened, declares the Sovereign Lord."
I was reading this section of Ezekiel this morning, which is an allegory about the unfaithfulness of Jerusalem, and as I was thinking about this I realized that in many ways this is how I live. Obviously not in blatant promiscuity, but with the same attitude as Jerusalem. The theme, as I read this story, is that everything that the Lord gave her (Jerusalem) she used for her own enjoyment and pleasure, turning away from God in the process. God's purpose was that through lavishing her with love, she would return that love and affection, and be in relationship with Him.
Instead she took those things that He had given her, and basically ran towards everyone and everything else, literally giving her love away, to the point of worshipping those other things. The very things that were meant to draw her to Him, became the objects of her affection. Rather than thankfulness and gratitude, she used what she had been given for her own gratification.
I think of the incredible blessings that I have received and wonder how I have responded to God's gracious outpouring of blessings. Have I been grateful and thankful for all that I have been given, returning thanks to God, my true provider? Have I even been thankful for the clothes, food, shelter, countless blessings and provisions I have received? Am I aware of and remembering where I came from, the state of my soul prior to receiving salvation and forgiveness for my sins? Do I pursue my provider in relationship, or do I use these gifts for my own gratification and pleasure? Have I spent more time and effort pursuing other things, than God?
If I were to look at my thoughts and actions throughout the day, how often am I of the attitude of Jerusalem (in this allegory) and how often am I of the attitude of a grateful and thankful, redeemed and rescued, loved and provided for child of God?
Lord, I must confess that so often, I am the former and not the latter. So often I do not return thanks to You for all You have provided. I do not acknowledge You as my provider, and redeemer, as I should. I do use those things that You have blessed me with for my own gratification, rather than for Your purposes. I am so easily distracted from and easily forgtting the incredible things that You have done for me.
Lord, I ask that You would forgive me for my unfaithful and distracted heart. I ask You to forgive me for giving my affections and attention to anything other than You. You are calling out to me daily, showing me Your love in countless ways! I choose to return Your affection and attention, turning my heart fully towards You, Lord.
(NIV)Ezekiel 16:10-19
"I clothed you with an embroidered dress and put sandals of fine leather on you. I dressed you in fine linen and covered you with costly garments. [11] I adorned you with jewelry: I put bracelets on your arms and a necklace around your neck, [12] and I put a ring on your nose, earrings on your ears and a beautiful crown on your head. [13] So you were adorned with gold and silver; your clothes were of fine linen and costly fabric and embroidered cloth. Your food was honey, olive oil and the finest flour. You became very beautiful and rose to be a queen. [14] And your fame spread among the nations on account of your beauty, because the splendor I had given you made your beauty perfect, declares the Sovereign Lord.
[15] “ ‘But you trusted in your beauty and used your fame to become a prostitute. You lavished your favors on anyone who passed by and your beauty became his. [16] You took some of your garments to make gaudy high places, where you carried on your prostitution. You went to him, and he possessed your beauty. [17] You also took the fine jewelry I gave you, the jewelry made of my gold and silver, and you made for yourself male idols and engaged in prostitution with them. [18] And you took your embroidered clothes to put on them, and you offered my oil and incense before them. [19] Also the food I provided for you---the flour, olive oil and honey I gave you to eat---you offered as fragrant incense before them. That is what happened, declares the Sovereign Lord."
I was reading this section of Ezekiel this morning, which is an allegory about the unfaithfulness of Jerusalem, and as I was thinking about this I realized that in many ways this is how I live. Obviously not in blatant promiscuity, but with the same attitude as Jerusalem. The theme, as I read this story, is that everything that the Lord gave her (Jerusalem) she used for her own enjoyment and pleasure, turning away from God in the process. God's purpose was that through lavishing her with love, she would return that love and affection, and be in relationship with Him.
Instead she took those things that He had given her, and basically ran towards everyone and everything else, literally giving her love away, to the point of worshipping those other things. The very things that were meant to draw her to Him, became the objects of her affection. Rather than thankfulness and gratitude, she used what she had been given for her own gratification.
I think of the incredible blessings that I have received and wonder how I have responded to God's gracious outpouring of blessings. Have I been grateful and thankful for all that I have been given, returning thanks to God, my true provider? Have I even been thankful for the clothes, food, shelter, countless blessings and provisions I have received? Am I aware of and remembering where I came from, the state of my soul prior to receiving salvation and forgiveness for my sins? Do I pursue my provider in relationship, or do I use these gifts for my own gratification and pleasure? Have I spent more time and effort pursuing other things, than God?
If I were to look at my thoughts and actions throughout the day, how often am I of the attitude of Jerusalem (in this allegory) and how often am I of the attitude of a grateful and thankful, redeemed and rescued, loved and provided for child of God?
Lord, I must confess that so often, I am the former and not the latter. So often I do not return thanks to You for all You have provided. I do not acknowledge You as my provider, and redeemer, as I should. I do use those things that You have blessed me with for my own gratification, rather than for Your purposes. I am so easily distracted from and easily forgtting the incredible things that You have done for me.
Lord, I ask that You would forgive me for my unfaithful and distracted heart. I ask You to forgive me for giving my affections and attention to anything other than You. You are calling out to me daily, showing me Your love in countless ways! I choose to return Your affection and attention, turning my heart fully towards You, Lord.
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Losing Sight of What's Important
Last night I was reading from Mark 6 and was praying that we would see Jesus glorified like he was in verses 54-56:
(NIV)Mark 6:54-56
As soon as they got out of the boat, people recognized Jesus. [55] They ran throughout that whole region and carried the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. [56] And wherever he went---into villages, towns or countryside---they placed the sick in the marketplaces. They begged him to let them touch even the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed.
Continuing my reading of Mark, I saw these verses:
(NIV)Mark 7:5-9, 13
So the Pharisees and teachers of the law asked Jesus, “Why don’t your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders instead of eating their food with defiled hands?” [6] He replied, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: “ ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. [7] They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.’ [8] You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.” [9] And he continued, “You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions! [13] Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that.”
Especially verse 8: "You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men.” What a terrible indictment from the Son of God. His recognition that their worship of Him and the Father had lost all connections to their hearts and was being supplanted by religion and selfishness and man-made rules. Here He was in their midst, and they were more worried about the washing of hands and ritual observances, rather than God's Word and His purpose. The people were getting lost as their hearts grew cold.
Thinking more about these verses, Jesus and His disciples are having a huge impact in the area of Galilee, and this was attracting the attention of many people. The Pharisees He is talking to were from Jerusalem, having obviously come down to observe His ministry. Having no real power from God, all they can do is look for ways to discredit this ministry that is having such a great effect. They have critical hearts that judge, not the results, but rather the methods and adherance to 'their ways'!
Lord, I can see some of this in my own critical nature, often times not believing someone is of you if they act or look differently than I think someone who is following You should be. Lord, please forgive me for judgement, and forgive me for holding back in any way, when You call me out of my comfort zone. Lord, help me to value Your presence more than look and feel, or religious observances.
(NIV)Mark 6:54-56
As soon as they got out of the boat, people recognized Jesus. [55] They ran throughout that whole region and carried the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. [56] And wherever he went---into villages, towns or countryside---they placed the sick in the marketplaces. They begged him to let them touch even the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed.
Continuing my reading of Mark, I saw these verses:
(NIV)Mark 7:5-9, 13
So the Pharisees and teachers of the law asked Jesus, “Why don’t your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders instead of eating their food with defiled hands?” [6] He replied, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: “ ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. [7] They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.’ [8] You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.” [9] And he continued, “You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions! [13] Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that.”
Especially verse 8: "You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men.” What a terrible indictment from the Son of God. His recognition that their worship of Him and the Father had lost all connections to their hearts and was being supplanted by religion and selfishness and man-made rules. Here He was in their midst, and they were more worried about the washing of hands and ritual observances, rather than God's Word and His purpose. The people were getting lost as their hearts grew cold.
Thinking more about these verses, Jesus and His disciples are having a huge impact in the area of Galilee, and this was attracting the attention of many people. The Pharisees He is talking to were from Jerusalem, having obviously come down to observe His ministry. Having no real power from God, all they can do is look for ways to discredit this ministry that is having such a great effect. They have critical hearts that judge, not the results, but rather the methods and adherance to 'their ways'!
Lord, I can see some of this in my own critical nature, often times not believing someone is of you if they act or look differently than I think someone who is following You should be. Lord, please forgive me for judgement, and forgive me for holding back in any way, when You call me out of my comfort zone. Lord, help me to value Your presence more than look and feel, or religious observances.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Meditation on Forgiveness
This morning I was reading out of Jeremiah, and the following verses caught my attention, and started me thinking about forgiveness.
(NIV)Jeremiah 14:20-22
We acknowledge our wickedness, Lord, and the guilt of our ancestors; we have indeed sinned against you. [21] For the sake of your name do not despise us; do not dishonor your glorious throne. Remember your covenant with us and do not break it. [22] Do any of the worthless idols of the nations bring rain? Do the skies themselves send down showers? No, it is you, Lord our God. Therefore our hope is in you, for you are the one who does all this.
After reading that, I was reminded of Psalm 32.
(NIV)Psalm 32:1-11
Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. [2] Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit. [3] When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. [4] For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. [5] Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.” And you forgave the guilt of my sin. [6] Therefore let all the faithful pray to you while you may be found; surely the rising of the mighty waters will not reach them. [7] You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. [8] I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. [9] Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you. [10] Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in him. [11] Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!
I was just thinking about the first verse of Psalm 32, how we are so blessed to have our sins forgiven. I was thinking that otherwise our sin would be piled up like our national debt, a list of sins that just keeps getting larger and larger, to the point that its almost unfathomable, certainly with no hope of ever clearing the debt or record. I am so grateful Lord, that You freely offer us forgiveness of sins. Thank You Lord for dying to set me free from my sin. We really have no real sense of the value of Your sacrifice, but even so, we are grateful. Lord, our hope is in You, for you are the only one who brings forgiveness, and life. Lord, surround me with Your unfailing love.
(NIV)Jeremiah 14:20-22
We acknowledge our wickedness, Lord, and the guilt of our ancestors; we have indeed sinned against you. [21] For the sake of your name do not despise us; do not dishonor your glorious throne. Remember your covenant with us and do not break it. [22] Do any of the worthless idols of the nations bring rain? Do the skies themselves send down showers? No, it is you, Lord our God. Therefore our hope is in you, for you are the one who does all this.
After reading that, I was reminded of Psalm 32.
(NIV)Psalm 32:1-11
Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. [2] Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit. [3] When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. [4] For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. [5] Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.” And you forgave the guilt of my sin. [6] Therefore let all the faithful pray to you while you may be found; surely the rising of the mighty waters will not reach them. [7] You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. [8] I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. [9] Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you. [10] Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in him. [11] Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!
I was just thinking about the first verse of Psalm 32, how we are so blessed to have our sins forgiven. I was thinking that otherwise our sin would be piled up like our national debt, a list of sins that just keeps getting larger and larger, to the point that its almost unfathomable, certainly with no hope of ever clearing the debt or record. I am so grateful Lord, that You freely offer us forgiveness of sins. Thank You Lord for dying to set me free from my sin. We really have no real sense of the value of Your sacrifice, but even so, we are grateful. Lord, our hope is in You, for you are the only one who brings forgiveness, and life. Lord, surround me with Your unfailing love.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Holiness and the Church
This morning I was reading from Ezekiel 8, where the Lord takes Ezekiel and shows him the abominations that are occurring in the temple and within the house of Israel, detestable practices, worship of other Gods, blatant turning of their backs to God to worship other gods. I was thinking about how God clearly watches over His church with the same vigilance, and sees all the detestable things that are being done in His name, or under his supposed authority. He sees the spiritual abuse, the deception, the lies, the sin, the chasing after money, the mixing of other religions or streams of thought, all are detestable to Him. Lord we pray that You will have mercy and not treat us as our sins deserve. We pray that for the sake of Your name that You would purify Your Church, and make her a shining example to all the world, of Your glory and power.
(NIV)Leviticus 20:22-23, 26
"Keep all my decrees and laws and follow them, so that the land where I am bringing you to live may not vomit you out. [23] You must not live according to the customs of the nations I am going to drive out before you. Because they did all these things, I abhorred them. [26] You are to be holy to me because I, the Lord, am holy, and I have set you apart from the nations to be my own."
In the same way, we in the church, must not allow the ways of the people around us to infiltrate the church. There is supposed to be a holiness to the church, a setting apart and separation. Israel constantly allowed the practices of the nations around them into their lives, and were constantly subjecting themselves to the judgement of God, who had clearly warned them against this very thing. They combined the practices and thinking of the nations around them, and followed the practices openly.
The early church experienced this very same trouble. Shortly after the Church was birthed, there were those who tried to insert Greek thought into the truths that Christ had revealed. These were the first hereses, and the Church had to protect the truth. We are called, in the same way to know the truth, and to hold onto the truth, not giving ourselves to the ways and thinking of the world around us.
As Paul says in 2 Timothy 3:1-5:
"But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them."
(NIV)Leviticus 20:22-23, 26
"Keep all my decrees and laws and follow them, so that the land where I am bringing you to live may not vomit you out. [23] You must not live according to the customs of the nations I am going to drive out before you. Because they did all these things, I abhorred them. [26] You are to be holy to me because I, the Lord, am holy, and I have set you apart from the nations to be my own."
In the same way, we in the church, must not allow the ways of the people around us to infiltrate the church. There is supposed to be a holiness to the church, a setting apart and separation. Israel constantly allowed the practices of the nations around them into their lives, and were constantly subjecting themselves to the judgement of God, who had clearly warned them against this very thing. They combined the practices and thinking of the nations around them, and followed the practices openly.
The early church experienced this very same trouble. Shortly after the Church was birthed, there were those who tried to insert Greek thought into the truths that Christ had revealed. These were the first hereses, and the Church had to protect the truth. We are called, in the same way to know the truth, and to hold onto the truth, not giving ourselves to the ways and thinking of the world around us.
As Paul says in 2 Timothy 3:1-5:
"But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them."
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Choosing our Battles
This morning I was reading from 2 Chronicles, about King Josiah:
(NIV)2 Chronicles 34:29-31, 33
Then the king called together all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem. [30] He went up to the temple of the Lord with the people of Judah, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the priests and the Levites---all the people from the least to the greatest. He read in their hearing all the words of the Book of the Covenant, which had been found in the temple of the Lord. [31] The king stood by his pillar and renewed the covenant in the presence of the Lord---to follow the Lord and keep his commands, statutes and decrees with all his heart and all his soul, and to obey the words of the covenant written in this book. [33] Josiah removed all the detestable idols from all the territory belonging to the Israelites, and he had all who were present in Israel serve the Lord their God. As long as he lived, they did not fail to follow the Lord, the God of their ancestors.
(NIV)2 Chronicles 35:20-24
"After all this, when Josiah had set the temple in order, Neco king of Egypt went up to fight at Carchemish on the Euphrates, and Josiah marched out to meet him in battle. 21 But Neco sent messengers to him, saying, “What quarrel is there between you and me, O king of Judah? It is not you I am attacking at this time, but the house with which I am at war. God has told me to hurry; so stop opposing God, who is with me, or he will destroy you.”
This is such an interesting story and example to us. Here is a King, one who finally is following God's law, who is leading the people to follow God, and He gets himself killed, by fighting a battle that he wasn't supposed to be fighting. I am sure there was a rationalization that He was following God, but it doesn't say that He sought God's will, but that He saw the enemy marching toward Him and marched out to meet Him. This would be te sin of presumption. He presumed that this was God's plan, and his duty. We need to be very careful to only engage in the battles we are called by the Lord to fight, else we might end up like Josiah, and the people that follow us, the same.
(NIV)2 Chronicles 34:29-31, 33
Then the king called together all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem. [30] He went up to the temple of the Lord with the people of Judah, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the priests and the Levites---all the people from the least to the greatest. He read in their hearing all the words of the Book of the Covenant, which had been found in the temple of the Lord. [31] The king stood by his pillar and renewed the covenant in the presence of the Lord---to follow the Lord and keep his commands, statutes and decrees with all his heart and all his soul, and to obey the words of the covenant written in this book. [33] Josiah removed all the detestable idols from all the territory belonging to the Israelites, and he had all who were present in Israel serve the Lord their God. As long as he lived, they did not fail to follow the Lord, the God of their ancestors.
(NIV)2 Chronicles 35:20-24
"After all this, when Josiah had set the temple in order, Neco king of Egypt went up to fight at Carchemish on the Euphrates, and Josiah marched out to meet him in battle. 21 But Neco sent messengers to him, saying, “What quarrel is there between you and me, O king of Judah? It is not you I am attacking at this time, but the house with which I am at war. God has told me to hurry; so stop opposing God, who is with me, or he will destroy you.”
22 Josiah, however, would not turn away from him, but disguised himself to engage him in battle. He would not listen to what Neco had said at God’s command but went to fight him on the plain of Megiddo.
23 Archers shot King Josiah, and he told his officers, “Take me away; I am badly wounded.” 24 So they took him out of his chariot, put him in the other chariot he had and brought him to Jerusalem, where he died. He was buried in the tombs of his fathers, and all Judah and Jerusalem mourned for him."
This is such an interesting story and example to us. Here is a King, one who finally is following God's law, who is leading the people to follow God, and He gets himself killed, by fighting a battle that he wasn't supposed to be fighting. I am sure there was a rationalization that He was following God, but it doesn't say that He sought God's will, but that He saw the enemy marching toward Him and marched out to meet Him. This would be te sin of presumption. He presumed that this was God's plan, and his duty. We need to be very careful to only engage in the battles we are called by the Lord to fight, else we might end up like Josiah, and the people that follow us, the same.
Friday, March 16, 2012
Concerning Our Families
Yesterday while praying, I felt led to these verses where caring for family members is addressed very specifically:
(NIV)1 Timothy 5:3-4, 8
Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need. [4] But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God.
[8] Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
Lord this is so clear. Part of our walk of faith includes taking care of our family members, relatives, and parents. I am reminded of Isaiah 58 - where You talk about part of true fasting (verse 7):
(NIV)Isaiah 58:6-8
“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? [7] Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter---when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? [8] Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard."
Amen!
(NIV)1 Timothy 5:3-4, 8
Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need. [4] But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God.
[8] Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
Lord this is so clear. Part of our walk of faith includes taking care of our family members, relatives, and parents. I am reminded of Isaiah 58 - where You talk about part of true fasting (verse 7):
(NIV)Isaiah 58:6-8
“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? [7] Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter---when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? [8] Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard."
Amen!
Thursday, March 15, 2012
The Wonder of the Church
Yesterday I was thinking about how God chooses to make Himself known through us, through the Church. How, as creator of all, all powerful, all knowing, King over all, He chooses to make Himself known through a bunch of sinners.
First, we see in Christ the unthinkable, that God would come to earth and become man!
(NIV)Philippians 2:6-8
"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!"
Even more amazing, I think is the fact that Jesus then left the Church, His Bride, entrusted into the hands of men. I see great humility in God, even allowing His name to be associated with us, allowing us to be His representives, especially with our propensity to screw things up. As Paul writes in Ephesians:
(NIV)Ephesians 3:8-12
"Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, [9] and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. [10] His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, [11] according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. [12] In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence."
Lord, what an amazing and unthinkable plan, eternally purposed and accomlished through Jesus, to entrust Your manifold wisdom to man, to the Church, that through us this wisdom might be made known, might be proclaimed, might be shown to all rulers and authorities, even in the heavenly realms.
Lord, we pray that we might truly represent You to the world! We trust Your plan, but we know we are woefully incapable of doing this on our own!
First, we see in Christ the unthinkable, that God would come to earth and become man!
(NIV)Philippians 2:6-8
"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!"
Even more amazing, I think is the fact that Jesus then left the Church, His Bride, entrusted into the hands of men. I see great humility in God, even allowing His name to be associated with us, allowing us to be His representives, especially with our propensity to screw things up. As Paul writes in Ephesians:
(NIV)Ephesians 3:8-12
"Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, [9] and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. [10] His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, [11] according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. [12] In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence."
Lord, what an amazing and unthinkable plan, eternally purposed and accomlished through Jesus, to entrust Your manifold wisdom to man, to the Church, that through us this wisdom might be made known, might be proclaimed, might be shown to all rulers and authorities, even in the heavenly realms.
Lord, we pray that we might truly represent You to the world! We trust Your plan, but we know we are woefully incapable of doing this on our own!
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
You are the Salt of the Earth
Continuing my meditation and study of Salt, I am led to Matt 5:13:
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men."
Burton Coffman commentary adds this about the salt losing its flavor:
The surface waters of the Dead Sea, on evaporation, have a chemical salts content of about 31 percent sodium chloride, 13 percent calcium chloride, and 48 percent magnesium chloride, together with other impurities. The calcium and magnesium chlorides are hygroscopic (take water out of the air) and will thus literally dissolve the sodium chloride. A bitter tasting composition results. It was the custom to store vast amounts of this salt in houses that had earthen floors. In time, the salt next to the ground spoiled because of the dampness (the water drawn in by the calcium and magnesium literally dissolves the sodium - the good tasting salt). Since it would be harmful to fertile land because of its salt content, no man would allow it to be thrown on his field. The only place left was the street, where it was trodden under foot of man. Thus the Bible was proved scientifically accurate, even in its many small details - for this was just a lone example.
So, taking this characteristic of the salt in Israel into account, Jesus is saying that if our faith is dissolved or negatively impacted by things that are not pure truth (adding to it, religion, heretical teaching, etc.). We will lose our flavor and become useless. The truth (flavor) is slowly dissolved out of us by those things around us that are not of Him, that we allow in our life. I can see how this creates a lifeless church that is so given over to religion, that there is no truth left. I see the corruption of the world creeping into the church so that over time the truth is lost all together.
(NIV)2 Corinthians 2:14-16
But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere. [15] For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. [16] To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life. And who is equal to such a task?
This aroma is looking back at the incense before the Lord, which was required to be salted and pure (Exodus 30:35). In our call from Jesus to be the salt of the earth, we are in essence this aroma, this incense. Our presence is supposed to help sanctify and purify those around us, and lead them to God and His eternal covenant of life - made possible through Jesus sacrifice.
Amen - help us Lord. Who is equal to such a task? Lord without your quidance and empowerment, none of us is capable.
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men."
Burton Coffman commentary adds this about the salt losing its flavor:
The surface waters of the Dead Sea, on evaporation, have a chemical salts content of about 31 percent sodium chloride, 13 percent calcium chloride, and 48 percent magnesium chloride, together with other impurities. The calcium and magnesium chlorides are hygroscopic (take water out of the air) and will thus literally dissolve the sodium chloride. A bitter tasting composition results. It was the custom to store vast amounts of this salt in houses that had earthen floors. In time, the salt next to the ground spoiled because of the dampness (the water drawn in by the calcium and magnesium literally dissolves the sodium - the good tasting salt). Since it would be harmful to fertile land because of its salt content, no man would allow it to be thrown on his field. The only place left was the street, where it was trodden under foot of man. Thus the Bible was proved scientifically accurate, even in its many small details - for this was just a lone example.
So, taking this characteristic of the salt in Israel into account, Jesus is saying that if our faith is dissolved or negatively impacted by things that are not pure truth (adding to it, religion, heretical teaching, etc.). We will lose our flavor and become useless. The truth (flavor) is slowly dissolved out of us by those things around us that are not of Him, that we allow in our life. I can see how this creates a lifeless church that is so given over to religion, that there is no truth left. I see the corruption of the world creeping into the church so that over time the truth is lost all together.
(NIV)2 Corinthians 2:14-16
But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere. [15] For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. [16] To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life. And who is equal to such a task?
This aroma is looking back at the incense before the Lord, which was required to be salted and pure (Exodus 30:35). In our call from Jesus to be the salt of the earth, we are in essence this aroma, this incense. Our presence is supposed to help sanctify and purify those around us, and lead them to God and His eternal covenant of life - made possible through Jesus sacrifice.
Amen - help us Lord. Who is equal to such a task? Lord without your quidance and empowerment, none of us is capable.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
The Salt Covenant - 2
Continuing my study of the Salt Covenant, as mentioned in Lev. 2:13:
Salt was the food preservative par excellence in biblical times. According to priestly law, all sacrifices were to be salted as well: "You shall season your every offering of meal with salt; you shall not omit from your meal offering the salt of your covenant with God; with all your offerings you must offer salt." (Lev. 2:13) It is easy to understand this law in the context of meat sacrifices, as salt functioned to remove whatever blood remained after slaughter. What is surprising and unexpected is the requirement to use salt in grain offerings as well:
Scholar Jacob Milgrom notes that salt stands in contrast to leaven and other fermentatives, whose use is forbidden on the altar. He thus perceives salt as a symbol of permanence, as opposed to leaven which produces change. Therefore, a "salt covenant" suggests an unbreakable covenant.(1)
Entering into a Covenant of Salt means binding oneself to another in utmost loyalty and truthfulness, even suffering death, rather than breaking the covenant. For this very reason a Covenant of Salt was never done lightly or haphazardly – it deserves serious respect. To the ancient Hebrews, salt represented purification, and was also symbolic of enduring friendship, honesty, and loyalty (2Kin.2:19 -21; 2Chr.13:5). Today some Eastern people still use the phrase: “There is salt between us.” Having no salt, meant disloyalty and barrenness. (2)
So what God was indicating in the "Covenant of Salt" that this is an everlasting covenant, unbreakable, and one that brings preservation, and purity. In other words, this Salt Covenant is looking forward to the Sacrifice that REALLY provided preservation (Salvation), purity (Righteousness) and unbreakable (Eternal) - that of Jesus on the Cross. In making sure that all offerings were salted, God is providing a pattern, calling us to remember constantly His covenant of Love with us, the New Covenant.
Tomorrow - our role of "salt of the earth" and how that should impact our lives.
Salt was the food preservative par excellence in biblical times. According to priestly law, all sacrifices were to be salted as well: "You shall season your every offering of meal with salt; you shall not omit from your meal offering the salt of your covenant with God; with all your offerings you must offer salt." (Lev. 2:13) It is easy to understand this law in the context of meat sacrifices, as salt functioned to remove whatever blood remained after slaughter. What is surprising and unexpected is the requirement to use salt in grain offerings as well:
Scholar Jacob Milgrom notes that salt stands in contrast to leaven and other fermentatives, whose use is forbidden on the altar. He thus perceives salt as a symbol of permanence, as opposed to leaven which produces change. Therefore, a "salt covenant" suggests an unbreakable covenant.(1)
Entering into a Covenant of Salt means binding oneself to another in utmost loyalty and truthfulness, even suffering death, rather than breaking the covenant. For this very reason a Covenant of Salt was never done lightly or haphazardly – it deserves serious respect. To the ancient Hebrews, salt represented purification, and was also symbolic of enduring friendship, honesty, and loyalty (2Kin.2:19 -21; 2Chr.13:5). Today some Eastern people still use the phrase: “There is salt between us.” Having no salt, meant disloyalty and barrenness. (2)
So what God was indicating in the "Covenant of Salt" that this is an everlasting covenant, unbreakable, and one that brings preservation, and purity. In other words, this Salt Covenant is looking forward to the Sacrifice that REALLY provided preservation (Salvation), purity (Righteousness) and unbreakable (Eternal) - that of Jesus on the Cross. In making sure that all offerings were salted, God is providing a pattern, calling us to remember constantly His covenant of Love with us, the New Covenant.
Tomorrow - our role of "salt of the earth" and how that should impact our lives.
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