This morning I am reflecting on one of those difficult verses - 1 Peter 4:19 NIV: "So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good."
The Passion Translation makes it more palatable - "So then, those who suffer for following God’s will should enfold their lives into the Creator, who will never fail them, and continue to always do what is right."
This translation makes more sense, in that an individual finds themselves in a difficult position, and got in that position through following God as best as they could. When a person finds themselves in such situation, one could be tempted to listen to the accusations of the enemy, who is quick to accuse God of being unloving, uncaring, of promising blessing, but delivering difficulty, etc.
However, I think it is high praise to God, an offering of praise that flows straight to the Throne, when we choose to double-down and set one's heart on following God in the midst of the struggle, pressing into Him in intimacy, and refusing to curse god and die (Job 2:9). We can press onward, doing what is right, continuing to praise God in the very midst of the struggle, in the very midst of our suffering, knowing that He loves us, that He is faithful, and that He will never fail us! He has a plan and it is good! We can choose to give God glory, to sing His praises in the midst of our pain and suffering!
Let us encourage ourselves and one another this day, especially those that are in the struggle. Let us press onward, deeper into God, into His arms of mercy and compassion and love! Let us embrace intimacy and surrender unto Him!
Amen!
Monday, October 21, 2019
Wednesday, October 16, 2019
Difficulty and Perspective
This morning I am reading from 1 Peter 4 and realized this is one of those sets of verses that I don't like to read, because of my desire to be liked by all, and my desire to not suffer.
1 Peter 4:12-16 NIV:
[12] "Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. [13] But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. [14] If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. [15] If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. [16] However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name."
Its all good imagining this happening to other people, and I would be happy to pray for courage and strength for them, and be for them in my heart and mind. However, if this was happening to me, I would likely have a different response!
Recently I was reflecting on how when I read the scriptures, I often read about a situation, but already know how it will end up, so its difficult to really empathize with those in the situation. For example, when reading the Book of Exodus, Chapter 14, where the Israelites are trapped between the sea and Pharaoh's army. I know how they will escape, so I have a hard time appreciating how they felt, when facing certain death, or at least a return to slavery. God told Moses he was going to give Himself glory through the Egyptians, but didn't tell him how, until after they were trapped, and needed an escape immediately!
However, this morning as I am reflecting on this, I realize that my view of the Israelites in that situation, knowing how they were going to be set free, is the same view that God had, minus any personal involvement. He knew what was going to happen as He views our lives outside of time! If He looked, He would have seen the same thing as I now see, and known the Israelites would be saved. I hope that makes sense! Obviously He had everything to do with their being set free, but the vantage point of being outside of time, allows Him to look "back" in time, and to look "forward" in time as well. Note: direction only matters to those who are in time.
If God is outside of time, He sees everything from the beginning of time to the end of time and everything in between. He sees where He intervenes, at just the right time, sees how His interaction affects lives, and sees everything that will happen in each of our lives. It is a perfect vantage point, and one that produces no surprises, in time. He knows what happens, when it happens, what it affects, and understands all perfectly. When He looks at my life He sees the whole expanse of my life, beginning to end, and there are no surprises.
This morning, in reading Peter's less then encouraging words (at least to me) I am reminded to pray for the Lord to give me His vantage point, and to see that it is similar to what Peter is expressing. God will be glorified! God's will is going to be accomplished. We are going to become like Him, more and more and everything in our life moves us within the context of time, which God sees, controls and takes into account. God's perspective is perfect, and He is speaking words of hope, though Peter.
I feel like the Holy Spirit is saying, embrace the present with the understanding that Your future is already understood, and its good! Embrace the present, even if it is difficult, as it leads to greater things, greater intimacy with His Spirit, and the spirit of glory that will rest on you.
Lord, help me to look at all difficulty and testing this way. Help me to look to you rather than to myself!
1 Peter 4:12-16 NIV:
[12] "Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. [13] But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. [14] If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. [15] If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. [16] However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name."
Its all good imagining this happening to other people, and I would be happy to pray for courage and strength for them, and be for them in my heart and mind. However, if this was happening to me, I would likely have a different response!
Recently I was reflecting on how when I read the scriptures, I often read about a situation, but already know how it will end up, so its difficult to really empathize with those in the situation. For example, when reading the Book of Exodus, Chapter 14, where the Israelites are trapped between the sea and Pharaoh's army. I know how they will escape, so I have a hard time appreciating how they felt, when facing certain death, or at least a return to slavery. God told Moses he was going to give Himself glory through the Egyptians, but didn't tell him how, until after they were trapped, and needed an escape immediately!
However, this morning as I am reflecting on this, I realize that my view of the Israelites in that situation, knowing how they were going to be set free, is the same view that God had, minus any personal involvement. He knew what was going to happen as He views our lives outside of time! If He looked, He would have seen the same thing as I now see, and known the Israelites would be saved. I hope that makes sense! Obviously He had everything to do with their being set free, but the vantage point of being outside of time, allows Him to look "back" in time, and to look "forward" in time as well. Note: direction only matters to those who are in time.
If God is outside of time, He sees everything from the beginning of time to the end of time and everything in between. He sees where He intervenes, at just the right time, sees how His interaction affects lives, and sees everything that will happen in each of our lives. It is a perfect vantage point, and one that produces no surprises, in time. He knows what happens, when it happens, what it affects, and understands all perfectly. When He looks at my life He sees the whole expanse of my life, beginning to end, and there are no surprises.
This morning, in reading Peter's less then encouraging words (at least to me) I am reminded to pray for the Lord to give me His vantage point, and to see that it is similar to what Peter is expressing. God will be glorified! God's will is going to be accomplished. We are going to become like Him, more and more and everything in our life moves us within the context of time, which God sees, controls and takes into account. God's perspective is perfect, and He is speaking words of hope, though Peter.
I feel like the Holy Spirit is saying, embrace the present with the understanding that Your future is already understood, and its good! Embrace the present, even if it is difficult, as it leads to greater things, greater intimacy with His Spirit, and the spirit of glory that will rest on you.
Lord, help me to look at all difficulty and testing this way. Help me to look to you rather than to myself!
Sunday, October 13, 2019
Forgiveness, Our Daily Work
This morning I felt led back to Luke 17, where I have recently been reflecting on forgiveness and faith( https://amomentwithgod-srh.blogspot.com/2019/09/forgive-now-faith-now.html) . I am back reflecting on these same verses, as clearly I have more to learn. :-)
Here are the verses - Luke 17:3-10 NIV:
[3] "So watch yourselves.
“If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. [4] Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying 'I repent,' you must forgive them.”
[5] The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!”
[6] He replied, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it will obey you.
[7] “Suppose one of you has a servant plowing or looking after the sheep. Will he say to the servant when he comes in from the field, 'Come along now and sit down to eat'? [8] Won't he rather say, 'Prepare my supper, get yourself ready and wait on me while I eat and drink; after that you may eat and drink'? [9] Will he thank the servant because he did what he was told to do? [10] So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.' ”
My reflection begins with verse 5, and the apostles recognition that they needed more faith to forgive as Jesus was calling them to forgive (or maintain relationship with one another). As I read through this bit this morning, I felt like it had to do with trusting God alone, and not feeling like we need to receive some sort of reparations for someone's sin against us. Forgiveness essentially means sending away, and this case it is a sense of being owed payback, or we could say vengeance. We are called to forgive one another over and over and over again. Every time, it seems that we should be taking that sin and our woundedness and laying them at Jesus' feet, entrusting ourselves and our woundedness to Him, rather than holding on to it.
In many ways, this is modeling exactly how the Lord deals with us! We sin constantly, and He constantly is extending forgiveness. He has already paid for our sins, and has already borne upon His own body and soul the punishment we are all due. He cancelled that debt, and made a way for us to receive forgiveness, over and over and over again! In embracing the need to forgive one another and walking that out, we are representing His Kingdom principles to the world!
Secondly, although verses 7-10 seem to be a whole new teaching, I think they have to do with forgiveness as well. Sometimes, when we have been wounded, and come to a place of healing, extending forgiveness to someone who doesn't deserve forgiveness, we can think we have done something significant. True, for us it is significant, but in the light of Jesus' sacrifice and death, it is next to nothing! He has given us a new command - to Love one another, as He has loved us (John 13:34), and one of the ways He loved us was to extend forgiveness to us all. He encourages us to lay down our lives for one another, and that includes our woundedness, our unforgiveness, any past hurts, any wrongs that have been done to us! This is supposed to be our daily work, that which is expected of us, in the Kingdom.
Imagine if the church regularly practiced forgiveness like this and came to understand the need to extend forgiveness to all, how different a place it would be! If we demonstrated to each other forgiveness, repeatedly, blessing people, even those who hurt us, with no desire for judgment upon anyone!
Amen Lord, increase our Faith!
Here are the verses - Luke 17:3-10 NIV:
[3] "So watch yourselves.
“If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. [4] Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying 'I repent,' you must forgive them.”
[5] The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!”
[6] He replied, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it will obey you.
[7] “Suppose one of you has a servant plowing or looking after the sheep. Will he say to the servant when he comes in from the field, 'Come along now and sit down to eat'? [8] Won't he rather say, 'Prepare my supper, get yourself ready and wait on me while I eat and drink; after that you may eat and drink'? [9] Will he thank the servant because he did what he was told to do? [10] So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.' ”
My reflection begins with verse 5, and the apostles recognition that they needed more faith to forgive as Jesus was calling them to forgive (or maintain relationship with one another). As I read through this bit this morning, I felt like it had to do with trusting God alone, and not feeling like we need to receive some sort of reparations for someone's sin against us. Forgiveness essentially means sending away, and this case it is a sense of being owed payback, or we could say vengeance. We are called to forgive one another over and over and over again. Every time, it seems that we should be taking that sin and our woundedness and laying them at Jesus' feet, entrusting ourselves and our woundedness to Him, rather than holding on to it.
In many ways, this is modeling exactly how the Lord deals with us! We sin constantly, and He constantly is extending forgiveness. He has already paid for our sins, and has already borne upon His own body and soul the punishment we are all due. He cancelled that debt, and made a way for us to receive forgiveness, over and over and over again! In embracing the need to forgive one another and walking that out, we are representing His Kingdom principles to the world!
Secondly, although verses 7-10 seem to be a whole new teaching, I think they have to do with forgiveness as well. Sometimes, when we have been wounded, and come to a place of healing, extending forgiveness to someone who doesn't deserve forgiveness, we can think we have done something significant. True, for us it is significant, but in the light of Jesus' sacrifice and death, it is next to nothing! He has given us a new command - to Love one another, as He has loved us (John 13:34), and one of the ways He loved us was to extend forgiveness to us all. He encourages us to lay down our lives for one another, and that includes our woundedness, our unforgiveness, any past hurts, any wrongs that have been done to us! This is supposed to be our daily work, that which is expected of us, in the Kingdom.
Imagine if the church regularly practiced forgiveness like this and came to understand the need to extend forgiveness to all, how different a place it would be! If we demonstrated to each other forgiveness, repeatedly, blessing people, even those who hurt us, with no desire for judgment upon anyone!
Amen Lord, increase our Faith!
Saturday, October 12, 2019
The Lord Will Have Righteous People
This morning I have been reading through the book of the Prophet Malachi. These are the verses that caught my eye today - Malachi 3:1-4 NIV:
[1] “I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come,” says the Lord Almighty."
[2] "But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner's fire or a launderer's soap. [3] He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the Lord will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness, [4] and the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem will be acceptable to the Lord, as in days gone by, as in former years."
As I reflect on these verses, the part that grabbed my attention was the second half of verse 3, "Then the Lord will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness". His desire is for people of righteousness, and He will have them. The interesting thing, is that we now know that this righteousness will be accomplished by the Lord, and not by our actions. We ARE righteous, through faith in Jesus, not through our observance of the law.
Paul writes very clearly that this is so in several of his letters, and the following couple of verses from his letter to the Romans are good examples - Romans 3:22,28 NIV:
[22] "This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile,.."
[28] "For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law."
I love how the Lord, set the stage for the awesome fulfillment of these words from Malachi through Jesus. He proclaimed refinement and purification of the Levites, but instead of applying that word to them, He applied it to Himself, and did all that was required to be perfectly righteous. Then He, in His great mercy and compassion, applied that righteousness to us, to those that believe! He said He will have people who bring offerings in righteousness and then He made it possible for all people to fulfill this word! Whether gentile or Jew, man or woman, if we believe and receive Jesus in faith, we receive His righteousness!
Paul wrote in his letter to Romans 5:17 NIV: "For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!"
Thus, we find in our own lives, this word from Malachi fulfilled, for we who believe in Jesus, are able to bring our lives as offerings in righteousness! Let us lay down our lives before Him, who is our righteousness, and let us give Him glory for doing what only He can do! He has visited His people, He has come as a refining fire, He has come and purified, and He has established us as righteous!
Thank You Lord!
[1] “I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come,” says the Lord Almighty."
[2] "But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner's fire or a launderer's soap. [3] He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the Lord will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness, [4] and the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem will be acceptable to the Lord, as in days gone by, as in former years."
As I reflect on these verses, the part that grabbed my attention was the second half of verse 3, "Then the Lord will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness". His desire is for people of righteousness, and He will have them. The interesting thing, is that we now know that this righteousness will be accomplished by the Lord, and not by our actions. We ARE righteous, through faith in Jesus, not through our observance of the law.
Paul writes very clearly that this is so in several of his letters, and the following couple of verses from his letter to the Romans are good examples - Romans 3:22,28 NIV:
[22] "This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile,.."
[28] "For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law."
I love how the Lord, set the stage for the awesome fulfillment of these words from Malachi through Jesus. He proclaimed refinement and purification of the Levites, but instead of applying that word to them, He applied it to Himself, and did all that was required to be perfectly righteous. Then He, in His great mercy and compassion, applied that righteousness to us, to those that believe! He said He will have people who bring offerings in righteousness and then He made it possible for all people to fulfill this word! Whether gentile or Jew, man or woman, if we believe and receive Jesus in faith, we receive His righteousness!
Paul wrote in his letter to Romans 5:17 NIV: "For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!"
Thus, we find in our own lives, this word from Malachi fulfilled, for we who believe in Jesus, are able to bring our lives as offerings in righteousness! Let us lay down our lives before Him, who is our righteousness, and let us give Him glory for doing what only He can do! He has visited His people, He has come as a refining fire, He has come and purified, and He has established us as righteous!
Thank You Lord!
Thursday, October 10, 2019
The Decision to Follow Jesus
I felt like I should read through all of Paul's first letter to the church in Thessalonica, and was reflecting on how Paul actually only had a short time there. Here is the beginning of Paul's letter - 1 Thessalonians 1:4-10 NIV:
[4] "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. [6] You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. [7] And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. [8] The Lord's message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia---your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it, [9] for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, [10] and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead---Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath."
Paul's initial visit to them was reported in Acts 17:1-5 NIV:
[1] "When Paul and his companions had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. [2] As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, [3] explaining and proving that the Messiah had to suffer and rise from the dead. “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Messiah,” he said. [4] Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a large number of God-fearing Greeks and quite a few prominent women."
[5] "But other Jews were jealous; so they rounded up some bad characters from the marketplace, formed a mob and started a riot in the city. They rushed to Jason's house in search of Paul and Silas in order to bring them out to the crowd."
Luke in his recording of events goes on to tell how some of these new believers, specifically those found in Jason's household, were arrested following the riot, and ended up having to post bail, which is probably some of what Paul was referring to in verse 6 on his letter to them. I am sure that Luke captured some, but clearly not everything that occurred to them, as he was one of Paul's companions, and likely left the city with him.
Anyway, my thoughts are on the message that Paul must have preached during those three-ish weeks he was with them. His letter speaks about how he worked to support himself during their time in the city (1 Thes 2:9), so we know they didn't spend their whole time talking. We know from his opening lines that the gospel came with "power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction." Clearly the people were impacted, and their lives were changed. In fact, they responded in such faith that they became a model for Macedonia and Achaia.
As I reflect on this it is evident to me that Paul's message, his gospel of grace and of salvation through faith, rocked their world, in more ways than one! They became alive spiritually, and were so convicted that their lives were eternally changed, and that all took place in a very short period of time. I am encouraged that when Holy Spirit is involved and active that things can accelerate considerably.
Recently I have been reflecting on conviction and commitment, and the invitation of the Lord to "go for it" going all in in pursuit of Him. This is no special invitation to some few "Saints" but rather the invitation to us all, who would follow after Jesus. He invites us to follow Him. In fact, He issued that very invitation 28 times in the Gospels. One of the things that usually is usually recorded after He gives that invitation is how people immediately follow him, leaving everything. Jesus described following Him as follows - Matthew 16:24-25 NIV: "Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. [25] For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it."
Jesus is clearly not speaking about a simple and easy commitment, yet that is what many of us, myself included, desire. I want my level of commitment to be easy to attain, one that doesn't require me to change extensively, nor to be persecuted or looked down upon for my beliefs. What Jesus describes is a laying down one's life, even denying oneself. I generally suck at denying myself. I don't like to do it, don't like to say no to myself, let alone doing it for the rest of my life!
We recently were watching a movie about the church in Iran. It is apparently one of the fastest growing churches in the world, and that in the very face of severe persecution, where following Jesus can lead to torture and death. The people who were interviewed in the movie spoke of an attitude of heart and mind that each time they leave their house could be their last time. Wow! In spite of that reality they gladly embrace the invitation to follow Jesus.
As I reflect on Paul's gospel, his appeal to the Thessalonians, I am convinced that His message was closer to the message of the church in Iran than it is to the messages that are shared in many of the churches in America. This makes me pause and wonder if we are missing something, or if we fully understand the invitation before us! Certainly we don't live in such an environment where our lives are endangered by our pursuit of Jesus, at least not in the way they are in Iran. However, the invitation to lay down our lives, to deny ourselves is just that - our old lives should be endangered by our commitment to follow Jesus. A decision to follow Him should be a death sentence to our old self, our old man!
In some ways, it seems easier to live the life Jesus called us to embrace in the face of extreme persecution, than to live this radical call in a place where we can keep on allowing our old man to live comfortably in our lives, while we lightly follow Jesus. I don't have the daily decision to follow Jesus to my literal death, instead I have the 10,000 opportunities per day to let my mind, heart or eyes stray. At different times I feel that I am a good representation of at least 5 of the 7 churches that were written to in Revelations.
Yet, the truth is I that am righteous in God's eyes. When the Father looks at me, He sees His son Jesus, in whom I am hidden. I have Jesus interceding for me at the Father's right hand, I have the Holy Spirit living in me, leading me, guiding me and teaching me. I am the most blessed of men! My invitation to lay down my life and deny myself is as true today as it has ever been. The Lord, in His great mercy and compassion, doesn't hold my weakness, my ineffectiveness, my passivity or my sin against me. He sees me as I am in truth, in His truth. He loves me, has paid the price for me and continues to breathe His life into me, encouraging me on, strengthening me for the purposes for which He has called me. I have before me, today the choice to lay down my life, to deny myself and follow Him, that I might bring Him glory and I might become more like Him.
A quick note, I do believe that the Lord created each of us as unique individuals, and that I am part of His Glorious creation. He isn't calling me to deny everything I like, am gifted to do, or enjoy. Those are things that He has put in me to reveal His glory. What He is inviting me to do is to lay down my selfish pursuits, those that are flesh-driven, self-glorifying and against His will. He has a better plan for me, and He is asking me to embrace that upward call. I can't do that if I am unwilling to let go of lesser things.
This morning I am encouraged to embrace the invitation to follow Jesus with new vigor. I am encouraged to look at my life as a gift, to see those things that I can do to bring Him glory, and to focus on Him, rather than my own selfish pursuits. I know that I might fail, but I also know that He knows that and still loves me, and encourages me onward and upward. Lord, help me to live my life as a witness to the true gospel! Help me to understand your invitation to follow you in all of its fullness.
Amen!
[4] "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. [6] You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. [7] And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. [8] The Lord's message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia---your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it, [9] for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, [10] and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead---Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath."
Paul's initial visit to them was reported in Acts 17:1-5 NIV:
[1] "When Paul and his companions had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. [2] As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, [3] explaining and proving that the Messiah had to suffer and rise from the dead. “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Messiah,” he said. [4] Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a large number of God-fearing Greeks and quite a few prominent women."
[5] "But other Jews were jealous; so they rounded up some bad characters from the marketplace, formed a mob and started a riot in the city. They rushed to Jason's house in search of Paul and Silas in order to bring them out to the crowd."
Luke in his recording of events goes on to tell how some of these new believers, specifically those found in Jason's household, were arrested following the riot, and ended up having to post bail, which is probably some of what Paul was referring to in verse 6 on his letter to them. I am sure that Luke captured some, but clearly not everything that occurred to them, as he was one of Paul's companions, and likely left the city with him.
Anyway, my thoughts are on the message that Paul must have preached during those three-ish weeks he was with them. His letter speaks about how he worked to support himself during their time in the city (1 Thes 2:9), so we know they didn't spend their whole time talking. We know from his opening lines that the gospel came with "power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction." Clearly the people were impacted, and their lives were changed. In fact, they responded in such faith that they became a model for Macedonia and Achaia.
As I reflect on this it is evident to me that Paul's message, his gospel of grace and of salvation through faith, rocked their world, in more ways than one! They became alive spiritually, and were so convicted that their lives were eternally changed, and that all took place in a very short period of time. I am encouraged that when Holy Spirit is involved and active that things can accelerate considerably.
Recently I have been reflecting on conviction and commitment, and the invitation of the Lord to "go for it" going all in in pursuit of Him. This is no special invitation to some few "Saints" but rather the invitation to us all, who would follow after Jesus. He invites us to follow Him. In fact, He issued that very invitation 28 times in the Gospels. One of the things that usually is usually recorded after He gives that invitation is how people immediately follow him, leaving everything. Jesus described following Him as follows - Matthew 16:24-25 NIV: "Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. [25] For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it."
Jesus is clearly not speaking about a simple and easy commitment, yet that is what many of us, myself included, desire. I want my level of commitment to be easy to attain, one that doesn't require me to change extensively, nor to be persecuted or looked down upon for my beliefs. What Jesus describes is a laying down one's life, even denying oneself. I generally suck at denying myself. I don't like to do it, don't like to say no to myself, let alone doing it for the rest of my life!
We recently were watching a movie about the church in Iran. It is apparently one of the fastest growing churches in the world, and that in the very face of severe persecution, where following Jesus can lead to torture and death. The people who were interviewed in the movie spoke of an attitude of heart and mind that each time they leave their house could be their last time. Wow! In spite of that reality they gladly embrace the invitation to follow Jesus.
As I reflect on Paul's gospel, his appeal to the Thessalonians, I am convinced that His message was closer to the message of the church in Iran than it is to the messages that are shared in many of the churches in America. This makes me pause and wonder if we are missing something, or if we fully understand the invitation before us! Certainly we don't live in such an environment where our lives are endangered by our pursuit of Jesus, at least not in the way they are in Iran. However, the invitation to lay down our lives, to deny ourselves is just that - our old lives should be endangered by our commitment to follow Jesus. A decision to follow Him should be a death sentence to our old self, our old man!
In some ways, it seems easier to live the life Jesus called us to embrace in the face of extreme persecution, than to live this radical call in a place where we can keep on allowing our old man to live comfortably in our lives, while we lightly follow Jesus. I don't have the daily decision to follow Jesus to my literal death, instead I have the 10,000 opportunities per day to let my mind, heart or eyes stray. At different times I feel that I am a good representation of at least 5 of the 7 churches that were written to in Revelations.
Yet, the truth is I that am righteous in God's eyes. When the Father looks at me, He sees His son Jesus, in whom I am hidden. I have Jesus interceding for me at the Father's right hand, I have the Holy Spirit living in me, leading me, guiding me and teaching me. I am the most blessed of men! My invitation to lay down my life and deny myself is as true today as it has ever been. The Lord, in His great mercy and compassion, doesn't hold my weakness, my ineffectiveness, my passivity or my sin against me. He sees me as I am in truth, in His truth. He loves me, has paid the price for me and continues to breathe His life into me, encouraging me on, strengthening me for the purposes for which He has called me. I have before me, today the choice to lay down my life, to deny myself and follow Him, that I might bring Him glory and I might become more like Him.
A quick note, I do believe that the Lord created each of us as unique individuals, and that I am part of His Glorious creation. He isn't calling me to deny everything I like, am gifted to do, or enjoy. Those are things that He has put in me to reveal His glory. What He is inviting me to do is to lay down my selfish pursuits, those that are flesh-driven, self-glorifying and against His will. He has a better plan for me, and He is asking me to embrace that upward call. I can't do that if I am unwilling to let go of lesser things.
This morning I am encouraged to embrace the invitation to follow Jesus with new vigor. I am encouraged to look at my life as a gift, to see those things that I can do to bring Him glory, and to focus on Him, rather than my own selfish pursuits. I know that I might fail, but I also know that He knows that and still loves me, and encourages me onward and upward. Lord, help me to live my life as a witness to the true gospel! Help me to understand your invitation to follow you in all of its fullness.
Amen!
Tuesday, October 1, 2019
Dealing With Giants
This morning I was continuing to read from 2 Samuel, and came across a brief section that I thought deserved a little reflection. Here are the verses - 2 Samuel 21:15-22 NIV:
[15] "Once again there was a battle between the Philistines and Israel. David went down with his men to fight against the Philistines, and he became exhausted. [16] And Ishbi-Benob, one of the descendants of Rapha, whose bronze spearhead weighed three hundred shekels and who was armed with a new sword, said he would kill David. [17] But Abishai son of Zeruiah came to David's rescue; he struck the Philistine down and killed him. Then David's men swore to him, saying, “Never again will you go out with us to battle, so that the lamp of Israel will not be extinguished. ”
[18] In the course of time, there was another battle with the Philistines, at Gob. At that time Sibbekai the Hushathite killed Saph, one of the descendants of Rapha.
[19] In another battle with the Philistines at Gob, Elhanan son of Jair the Bethlehemite killed the brother of Goliath the Gittite, who had a spear with a shaft like a weaver's rod.
[20] In still another battle, which took place at Gath, there was a huge man with six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot---twenty-four in all. He also was descended from Rapha. [21] When he taunted Israel, Jonathan son of Shimeah, David's brother, killed him.
[22] These four were descendants of Rapha in Gath, and they fell at the hands of David and his men."
As I was reading this section and reflecting on it a couple of thoughts came to mind.
1) Under the leadership of a King who has killed giants, his men can kill them too.
2) Because He had killed a giant, David likely had trained his armies on how to do it. They clearly didn't use the same weapons, but they were successful nonetheless.
3) My belief is that it had more to do with faith, and knowledge that it could be done, than it did with any special strategy.
4) After they defeated the giants, their reputation increased significantly, and any other giants likely avoided them! :-)
5) If we apply this same logic to Jesus, anything Jesus did, we as His representatives can do, too. It has to do with faith and knowledge that it can be done. It might be accomplished in a different way, but there is still an anointing (If we want to call it that) for the killing of giants (sin, sickness, death, disease, disabilities) under Jesus.
One of my favorite authors, Graham Cooke, writes this about facing giants.
"If the enemy puts up a giant against you, the Holy Spirit declares to you, do you see the giant? That is what I am making you into. By the time this conflict is finished you will be his size and he will be reduced to the size that you have right now. Take a look at that giant because that giant is an open door to a whole new you."
So this morning I am encouraged that even though we might be facing a few giants, that the anointing for victory over them is present to us! We have, in Jesus, the right and way to victory! He demonstrated this, and as His representatives, we can do exactly the same, even greater. He promised us the following - "Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. [13] And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. [14] You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it." ( John 14:12-14 NIV).
Amen and Amen!
[15] "Once again there was a battle between the Philistines and Israel. David went down with his men to fight against the Philistines, and he became exhausted. [16] And Ishbi-Benob, one of the descendants of Rapha, whose bronze spearhead weighed three hundred shekels and who was armed with a new sword, said he would kill David. [17] But Abishai son of Zeruiah came to David's rescue; he struck the Philistine down and killed him. Then David's men swore to him, saying, “Never again will you go out with us to battle, so that the lamp of Israel will not be extinguished. ”
[18] In the course of time, there was another battle with the Philistines, at Gob. At that time Sibbekai the Hushathite killed Saph, one of the descendants of Rapha.
[19] In another battle with the Philistines at Gob, Elhanan son of Jair the Bethlehemite killed the brother of Goliath the Gittite, who had a spear with a shaft like a weaver's rod.
[20] In still another battle, which took place at Gath, there was a huge man with six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot---twenty-four in all. He also was descended from Rapha. [21] When he taunted Israel, Jonathan son of Shimeah, David's brother, killed him.
[22] These four were descendants of Rapha in Gath, and they fell at the hands of David and his men."
As I was reading this section and reflecting on it a couple of thoughts came to mind.
1) Under the leadership of a King who has killed giants, his men can kill them too.
2) Because He had killed a giant, David likely had trained his armies on how to do it. They clearly didn't use the same weapons, but they were successful nonetheless.
3) My belief is that it had more to do with faith, and knowledge that it could be done, than it did with any special strategy.
4) After they defeated the giants, their reputation increased significantly, and any other giants likely avoided them! :-)
5) If we apply this same logic to Jesus, anything Jesus did, we as His representatives can do, too. It has to do with faith and knowledge that it can be done. It might be accomplished in a different way, but there is still an anointing (If we want to call it that) for the killing of giants (sin, sickness, death, disease, disabilities) under Jesus.
One of my favorite authors, Graham Cooke, writes this about facing giants.
"If the enemy puts up a giant against you, the Holy Spirit declares to you, do you see the giant? That is what I am making you into. By the time this conflict is finished you will be his size and he will be reduced to the size that you have right now. Take a look at that giant because that giant is an open door to a whole new you."
So this morning I am encouraged that even though we might be facing a few giants, that the anointing for victory over them is present to us! We have, in Jesus, the right and way to victory! He demonstrated this, and as His representatives, we can do exactly the same, even greater. He promised us the following - "Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. [13] And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. [14] You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it." ( John 14:12-14 NIV).
Amen and Amen!
Monday, September 30, 2019
Faith, Accusations and Truth - Mephibosheth
Yesterday during worship I felt led to read from 2 Samuel 16:1-4 NIV and the Lord started speaking to me about something I believe He wanted to address. Here are the verses:
[1] "When David had gone a short distance beyond the summit, there was Ziba, the steward of Mephibosheth, waiting to meet him. He had a string of donkeys saddled and loaded with two hundred loaves of bread, a hundred cakes of raisins, a hundred cakes of figs and a skin of wine.
[2] The king asked Ziba, “Why have you brought these?”
Ziba answered, “The donkeys are for the king's household to ride on, the bread and fruit are for the men to eat, and the wine is to refresh those who become exhausted in the wilderness.”
[3] The king then asked, “Where is your master's grandson?”
Ziba said to him, “He is staying in Jerusalem, because he thinks, 'Today the Israelites will restore to me my grandfather's kingdom.' ”
[4] Then the king said to Ziba, “All that belonged to Mephibosheth is now yours.”
“I humbly bow,” Ziba said. “May I find favor in your eyes, my lord the king.”
My first thought in reading this was that Ziba was an honorable guy and here he was sacrificing to care for David (as David was fleeing Jerusalem because his son Absalom had usurped the throne). I was thinking that Mephibosheth was clearly taking advantage of the situation, and that after all the kindness that David had shown him (See 2 Sam 9).
Then a few moments later I thought, no I don't think that is right, so I continued to read. When David comes back to Jerusalem, we actually get the whole story, as follows:
2 Samuel 19:15-18,24-30 NIV:
[15] "Then the king returned and went as far as the Jordan. Now the men of Judah had come to Gilgal to go out and meet the king and bring him across the Jordan.
[16] "Shimei son of Gera, the Benjamite from Bahurim, hurried down with the men of Judah to meet King David. [17] With him were a thousand Benjamites, along with Ziba, the steward of Saul's household, and his fifteen sons and twenty servants. They rushed to the Jordan, where the king was. [18] They crossed at the ford to take the king's household over and to do whatever he wished...."
[24] "Mephibosheth, Saul's grandson, also went down to meet the king. He had not taken care of his feet or trimmed his mustache or washed his clothes from the day the king left until the day he returned safely.
[25] When he came from Jerusalem to meet the king, the king asked him, “Why didn't you go with me, Mephibosheth?”
[26] He said, “My lord the king, since I your servant am lame, I said, 'I will have my donkey saddled and will ride on it, so I can go with the king.' But Ziba my servant betrayed me. [27] And he has slandered your servant to my lord the king. My lord the king is like an angel of God; so do whatever you wish. [28] All my grandfather's descendants deserved nothing but death from my lord the king, but you gave your servant a place among those who eat at your table. So what right do I have to make any more appeals to the king?”
[29] The king said to him, “Why say more? I order you and Ziba to divide the land.”
[30] Mephibosheth said to the king, “Let him take everything, now that my lord the king has returned home safely.”
What we find is that indeed Mephibosheth had been slandered to the King by Ziba. Ziba had even gone so far as to give David a large amount of gifts, and had clearly received David's favor. Ziba totally took advantage of a situation, knowing that David wouldn't be able to follow up on the truth of what he was saying. But in the end justice was done, and Ziba's lies were exposed.
I felt like the Lord said there are people I know who have been wrongfully accused in their lives and that He was moving to bring revelation and restore that which was lost.
Secondly, I felt like He said there are those of us that have believed the accusation against our brothers and sisters, and that we need to repent, and we need to give them the opportunity to speak on their own behalf.
Thirdly, I felt like He said there are those that have believe the accusations the enemy makes about their very selves. He is constantly working to make us believe that we have somehow disqualified ourselves; or that we have lost our way so bad that we will never get back to where we were; or that we have nothing to offer and have no value in the Body of Christ; or that we have missed out on our opportunity to minister as we should have done! I am sure there are several other accusations the enemy makes, these are just the ones he uses to beat on me.
Anyway, the Truth is fully known by God. He is making the truth known to others! If we stay focused on Him, it really doesn't matter if we are repaid or not, because intimacy with Him is restored and embraced! He is all we need and want!
Amen!
Monday, September 16, 2019
Faith and Favoritism
This morning I am continuing a reflection that I started last week, reflecting on some verses from James 2:1-5 NIV:
[1] "My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. [2] Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. [3] If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here's a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” [4] have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?"
[5] "Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?"
I was struck by verse 5, and the idea that God has chosen the poor to be rich in faith. I was thinking about how this might be a bit challenging to many of the churches in America, who count themselves blessed to have wealthy congregants, that they might build beautiful buildings, and run extensive programs. Many of these churches have outreaches to the poor, and do well with providing food and clothes, etc. which is laudable.
However, as I read these verses today, I had a strong sense that we ought to be approaching the poor, as key members of the Body of Christ, for they have been gifted with Faith! We need in the Body, more than anything, an increase of faith so that we might step into the purposes and plans that Jesus has for us all! We need to raise the "water-level" of faith in the Body!
I am reminded of the many times Jesus encouraged the apostles and disciples to have more faith, to press in for more faith. Here are a few:
Matthew 17:20 NIV: "He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”
-and-
Matthew 21:21-22 NIV: "Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done. [22] If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”
I think it is safe to say Jesus wanted His followers to press in for more faith. In several of the later writings of the Apostles, they too encouraged faith. James had a whole section that spoke of the importance of faith in action (See James 2:14-26). Paul wrote constantly about faith, as the key element to the Gospel of Grace. The author of the letter to the Hebrews wrote a whole chapter on people of faith (See Heb. 11). Both Peter and John also took up the topic of faith in their writings as well. Suffice it to say faith is critical to the Body of Christ, and should be something we encourage and value.
Clearly faith is important, but equally so how we treat others. I find it very interesting that in the last 4 days I have had two completely unsolicited conversations with good friends, both of which brought up the topic of favoritism in local churches. In both cases, it was seen as something that called into question the heart of the pastors, who were running after and seemingly enamored with the wealthy and famous in their congregations, at the expense of those who were not wealthy or famous.
Going back to verses following the ones I quoted above, James would have very clear guidance concerning this type of behavior, for he wrote, "But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers." ( James 2:9 NIV). Now, we no longer live under the Covenant of the Law, but I think we can see his opinion concerning favoritism.
As I reflect on this, I am reminded over and over of the intimate love that the Lord has for each one of us! The Lord doesn't have favorites, or maybe we can say we are all His favorites! For He clearly shows favor and rains favor down upon us all, righteous and unrighteous alike (See Matt. 5:45). He considers each of us, equally His sons and daughters! There is no hierarchy of love and affection, or even honor in the Father's eyes. We are all loved, treasured, valued, and cherished equally in God's eyes.
As Jesus' representatives here on earth, as His Body, it is so important that we learn to reflect His heart! We are called to love and honor, treasure and value evey other member of the Body of Christ. It should not matter if they are yong or old, rich or poor, gifted or not, even unloveable! Jesus was just as willing to have dinner at a Pharisee's house, as He was to have dinner with a tax-collector! He embraced the sick and leprous, the young, the old, the poor, the demonized, the sinner. He knew the value of each to His Father, for He was doing and saying all at His Father's direction (see John 14:9-10).
I know that I need tons of work in this area, for I am so quick to judge, so fast to form an opinion. I look at people and based on their clothing, the way they act, move or look, decide if I want to even engage them in conversation! Oh Lord, forgive me!
We are called, as the Body of Christ to be open to all, too extend the words of Life to all. We must learn to walk in humility, learning to serve and honor all those we meet, regardless of their social standing! We are called to be lights that shine bright in this dark generation (Matt 5:14-16).
Oh Lord, help us!
[1] "My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. [2] Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. [3] If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here's a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” [4] have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?"
[5] "Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?"
I was struck by verse 5, and the idea that God has chosen the poor to be rich in faith. I was thinking about how this might be a bit challenging to many of the churches in America, who count themselves blessed to have wealthy congregants, that they might build beautiful buildings, and run extensive programs. Many of these churches have outreaches to the poor, and do well with providing food and clothes, etc. which is laudable.
However, as I read these verses today, I had a strong sense that we ought to be approaching the poor, as key members of the Body of Christ, for they have been gifted with Faith! We need in the Body, more than anything, an increase of faith so that we might step into the purposes and plans that Jesus has for us all! We need to raise the "water-level" of faith in the Body!
I am reminded of the many times Jesus encouraged the apostles and disciples to have more faith, to press in for more faith. Here are a few:
Matthew 17:20 NIV: "He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”
-and-
Matthew 21:21-22 NIV: "Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done. [22] If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”
I think it is safe to say Jesus wanted His followers to press in for more faith. In several of the later writings of the Apostles, they too encouraged faith. James had a whole section that spoke of the importance of faith in action (See James 2:14-26). Paul wrote constantly about faith, as the key element to the Gospel of Grace. The author of the letter to the Hebrews wrote a whole chapter on people of faith (See Heb. 11). Both Peter and John also took up the topic of faith in their writings as well. Suffice it to say faith is critical to the Body of Christ, and should be something we encourage and value.
Clearly faith is important, but equally so how we treat others. I find it very interesting that in the last 4 days I have had two completely unsolicited conversations with good friends, both of which brought up the topic of favoritism in local churches. In both cases, it was seen as something that called into question the heart of the pastors, who were running after and seemingly enamored with the wealthy and famous in their congregations, at the expense of those who were not wealthy or famous.
Going back to verses following the ones I quoted above, James would have very clear guidance concerning this type of behavior, for he wrote, "But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers." ( James 2:9 NIV). Now, we no longer live under the Covenant of the Law, but I think we can see his opinion concerning favoritism.
As I reflect on this, I am reminded over and over of the intimate love that the Lord has for each one of us! The Lord doesn't have favorites, or maybe we can say we are all His favorites! For He clearly shows favor and rains favor down upon us all, righteous and unrighteous alike (See Matt. 5:45). He considers each of us, equally His sons and daughters! There is no hierarchy of love and affection, or even honor in the Father's eyes. We are all loved, treasured, valued, and cherished equally in God's eyes.
As Jesus' representatives here on earth, as His Body, it is so important that we learn to reflect His heart! We are called to love and honor, treasure and value evey other member of the Body of Christ. It should not matter if they are yong or old, rich or poor, gifted or not, even unloveable! Jesus was just as willing to have dinner at a Pharisee's house, as He was to have dinner with a tax-collector! He embraced the sick and leprous, the young, the old, the poor, the demonized, the sinner. He knew the value of each to His Father, for He was doing and saying all at His Father's direction (see John 14:9-10).
I know that I need tons of work in this area, for I am so quick to judge, so fast to form an opinion. I look at people and based on their clothing, the way they act, move or look, decide if I want to even engage them in conversation! Oh Lord, forgive me!
We are called, as the Body of Christ to be open to all, too extend the words of Life to all. We must learn to walk in humility, learning to serve and honor all those we meet, regardless of their social standing! We are called to be lights that shine bright in this dark generation (Matt 5:14-16).
Oh Lord, help us!
Wednesday, September 4, 2019
Forgive Now, Faith Now!
This morning I felt led to read from Luke 17, and while there are several interesting stories to reflect upon in that chapter, I found myself drawn back to the first topic that Jesus was discussing, namely forgiveness. Specifically, what I found interesting was the correlation between forgiveness and faith. Here are the verses - Luke 17:3-6 NIV"
[3] "So watch yourselves.
“If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. [4] Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying 'I repent,' you must forgive them.”
[5] The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!”
[6] He replied, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it will obey you."
Normally, I would not consider verse 6 as a part of the previous discussion, yet it clearly is connected by the request of the apostles, who recognized they needed more faith to forgive as Jesus commanded them. It makes me wonder what issues they were dealing with as a fellowship that caused them to cry out, "Increase our faith!"
This story takes place late in Jesus' ministry, for he is on His way to Jerusalem for his final time (Luke 17:11). The conversations about who was to sit on His right hand were behind them, the offer to call down fire on the town that didn't welcome them was as well. The apostles, still didn't understand that He was going to die (See Luke 18:34) and were likely trying to figure out how this all worked, this new thing that Jesus was clearly starting.
We don't know what the situation really was that caused Jesus to talk about forgiveness, but the language is clearly aimed at at their fellowship of followers - for Jesus spoke of the sin being done by "brother or sister". The Greek word used here is adelphos, and it literally means "of the same womb". The word is used to describe biological brothers and sisters, and later was used as well to describe those who are closely connected in fellowship. Jesus did have biological brothers in His band of followers, and clearly they were also a group of close friends and followers for they went with Jesus everywhere.
So, it seems to me that Jesus is describing one who is in close relationship who sins. I am not going to go into the definition of sin here, other than to say that the Greek word used is defined as having no share in, missing the mark, or path. The sin could be large or small, He doesn't say, but what He does say is that its consistent and persistent.
Jesus defines the interaction as someone sins, you rebuke, that someone repents. What I find very interesting is the Greek word that is translated rebuke, is the word epitimao. It is defined as follows:
1) to show honour to, to honour
2) to raise the price of
3) to adjudge, award, in the sense of merited penalty
4) to tax with fault, rate, chide, rebuke, reprove, censure severely
a) to admonish or charge sharply
The word itself is a conjunction of two Greek words, epi and timao. Epi means upon, and timao means to set the value of something, to honor. What is interesting is how a word so strongly having to do with honor, and value, has been translated multiple times as rebuke! Could this be one of the times that translators put a little of their own theology into their translation? I don't know, and can only question, for I am certainly not a Greek scholar.
I can say that often our understanding of forgiveness and dealing with those who sin, can have a completely wrong perspective. We normally think that this involves judgment, and guilt and punishment, and yet Jesus demonstrates over and over that forgiveness is about restoring relationship. If my goal in going to a brother who sins against me is to restore relationship, which technique would have better results - rebuking or honoring them as someone of significant importance in my life?? I know which way I would like to be approached!
I think that at times we can read verses such as these and think they give us the right to "rebuke" and judge our brothers and sisters, multiple times a day, and that isn't the focus at all. It is about forgiving and restoring relationship multiple times a day!
The word Jesus uses that is translated as forgive is aphiemi which means to send away and forget. The word itself is rich in the definition, as there are many ways its used, but it always has a sense of finality to it. This is what Jesus tells the apostles thy must do multiple times a day.
It is at this point the apostles cry out, "Increase our faith!"
It seems to me they are crying out, "We need faith, NOW!"
I believe they rightly understood that restoring relationship was of critical importance, and they needed help changing their hearts and minds. So often we read this, thinking that Jesus was addressing the apostles as the ones that were doing rebuking and forgiving, not the ones who needed to be repenting! What if Jesus actually meant they were the ones sinning every day, multiple times, and their cry of, "Increase our faith!" actually had to do with their need to repent and change the way they were thinking?!
Wow, that changes this whole story in a hurry! The goal of Jesus' ministry was to reveal the Father and restore us to a place of relationship with Him. He was working and ministering within the relationships He had with these followers, and I believe they understood what He was saying in that context. I know when the Lord speaks to me, it is within the context of how I understand our relationship that He usually speaks, usually calling me deeper into relationship and challenging me to change the way I am thinking (repentance).
He encourages me to recognize my need to change, to ask forgiveness for those times that I choose wrongly, and to press forward deeper into Him. I think this whole story is about us learning to do exactly that, with each other as well. We are called to be joined to the Body of Christ through the bonds of deep relationship. We are all human and all have issues and we must learn how to move past those things in us that cause issues for each other. We are called to ascribe honor to one another, to see the importance of relationships, to ascribe the correct value to our relationships. It is only the context of connection to the Body that we are truly able to fulfill our purpose and God's plan for us, thus forgiveness and repentance are critical to our walk.
We are right to cry out for more faith, more help from Holy Spirit! We are right to extend forgiveness and ask forgiveness to and from one another! No matter how many times a day, nor how deep the wounds are, we are called to relationship with Him and one another and we must learn to walk in intimacy, transparency and humility.
I know I need His help every day! I need faith NOW!
Amen!
[3] "So watch yourselves.
“If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. [4] Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying 'I repent,' you must forgive them.”
[5] The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!”
[6] He replied, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it will obey you."
Normally, I would not consider verse 6 as a part of the previous discussion, yet it clearly is connected by the request of the apostles, who recognized they needed more faith to forgive as Jesus commanded them. It makes me wonder what issues they were dealing with as a fellowship that caused them to cry out, "Increase our faith!"
This story takes place late in Jesus' ministry, for he is on His way to Jerusalem for his final time (Luke 17:11). The conversations about who was to sit on His right hand were behind them, the offer to call down fire on the town that didn't welcome them was as well. The apostles, still didn't understand that He was going to die (See Luke 18:34) and were likely trying to figure out how this all worked, this new thing that Jesus was clearly starting.
We don't know what the situation really was that caused Jesus to talk about forgiveness, but the language is clearly aimed at at their fellowship of followers - for Jesus spoke of the sin being done by "brother or sister". The Greek word used here is adelphos, and it literally means "of the same womb". The word is used to describe biological brothers and sisters, and later was used as well to describe those who are closely connected in fellowship. Jesus did have biological brothers in His band of followers, and clearly they were also a group of close friends and followers for they went with Jesus everywhere.
So, it seems to me that Jesus is describing one who is in close relationship who sins. I am not going to go into the definition of sin here, other than to say that the Greek word used is defined as having no share in, missing the mark, or path. The sin could be large or small, He doesn't say, but what He does say is that its consistent and persistent.
Jesus defines the interaction as someone sins, you rebuke, that someone repents. What I find very interesting is the Greek word that is translated rebuke, is the word epitimao. It is defined as follows:
1) to show honour to, to honour
2) to raise the price of
3) to adjudge, award, in the sense of merited penalty
4) to tax with fault, rate, chide, rebuke, reprove, censure severely
a) to admonish or charge sharply
The word itself is a conjunction of two Greek words, epi and timao. Epi means upon, and timao means to set the value of something, to honor. What is interesting is how a word so strongly having to do with honor, and value, has been translated multiple times as rebuke! Could this be one of the times that translators put a little of their own theology into their translation? I don't know, and can only question, for I am certainly not a Greek scholar.
I can say that often our understanding of forgiveness and dealing with those who sin, can have a completely wrong perspective. We normally think that this involves judgment, and guilt and punishment, and yet Jesus demonstrates over and over that forgiveness is about restoring relationship. If my goal in going to a brother who sins against me is to restore relationship, which technique would have better results - rebuking or honoring them as someone of significant importance in my life?? I know which way I would like to be approached!
I think that at times we can read verses such as these and think they give us the right to "rebuke" and judge our brothers and sisters, multiple times a day, and that isn't the focus at all. It is about forgiving and restoring relationship multiple times a day!
The word Jesus uses that is translated as forgive is aphiemi which means to send away and forget. The word itself is rich in the definition, as there are many ways its used, but it always has a sense of finality to it. This is what Jesus tells the apostles thy must do multiple times a day.
It is at this point the apostles cry out, "Increase our faith!"
It seems to me they are crying out, "We need faith, NOW!"
I believe they rightly understood that restoring relationship was of critical importance, and they needed help changing their hearts and minds. So often we read this, thinking that Jesus was addressing the apostles as the ones that were doing rebuking and forgiving, not the ones who needed to be repenting! What if Jesus actually meant they were the ones sinning every day, multiple times, and their cry of, "Increase our faith!" actually had to do with their need to repent and change the way they were thinking?!
Wow, that changes this whole story in a hurry! The goal of Jesus' ministry was to reveal the Father and restore us to a place of relationship with Him. He was working and ministering within the relationships He had with these followers, and I believe they understood what He was saying in that context. I know when the Lord speaks to me, it is within the context of how I understand our relationship that He usually speaks, usually calling me deeper into relationship and challenging me to change the way I am thinking (repentance).
He encourages me to recognize my need to change, to ask forgiveness for those times that I choose wrongly, and to press forward deeper into Him. I think this whole story is about us learning to do exactly that, with each other as well. We are called to be joined to the Body of Christ through the bonds of deep relationship. We are all human and all have issues and we must learn how to move past those things in us that cause issues for each other. We are called to ascribe honor to one another, to see the importance of relationships, to ascribe the correct value to our relationships. It is only the context of connection to the Body that we are truly able to fulfill our purpose and God's plan for us, thus forgiveness and repentance are critical to our walk.
We are right to cry out for more faith, more help from Holy Spirit! We are right to extend forgiveness and ask forgiveness to and from one another! No matter how many times a day, nor how deep the wounds are, we are called to relationship with Him and one another and we must learn to walk in intimacy, transparency and humility.
I know I need His help every day! I need faith NOW!
Amen!
Tuesday, September 3, 2019
It's a New Day!
I was just sitting here, and the thought, "It's a New Day" passed through my mind. Now that isn't my normal morning thought, more like "crap, another day of work..." I decided to pay attention to this thought and let it resonate in my heart and mind, believing it is from the Lord, and He has purpose in speaking this to me today.
My first thought after hearing that phrase was from Lamentations 3:22-23 (NLT): "The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease.23 Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning."
It is a good thing to begin the day thinking about the faithfulness of the Lord! His faithful love never ends, his mercies never cease, in fact they being anew every day, for eternity!! His love never ends, never changes, and is always there, waiting to shower down upon me! I can definitely look forward to a day of experiencing His faithful love, a day of new mercies!
This helps me step away from anything that would try to cling to me, any residue of the days before. Regardless of how good yesterday was, or how bad, today is a new day! I can leave all that behind and press forward into that which the Lord is doing today! I can press forward to experience His love anew, to experience His faithfulness, His new mercies.
I am reminded of Paul's famous lines from his letter to the Philippians 3:12-14 NIV: "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. [13] Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, [14] I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."
Lord, I thank You for this opportunity to reset my heart and mind this morning. I don't know how the day will go, but I do know that You are faithful, that You will express Your faithful Love for me, and that You will provide new mercies for me today!
You do have a plan and purpose for me, and today I can press forward into them, for I certainly have not seen or experienced the fullness of either in my life yet! Lord, thank You for all the past blessings, and provision, Your faithfulness in the face of the storms of life, your enduring Love, patience and forgiveness!
Thank You for this new day!
Sunday, September 1, 2019
Jesus Has the Final Word Concerning Sin!
This morning I woke up from an interesting dream. In my dream I was talking with an older gentleman that I was acquainted with, and he had been struggling with a serious sickness. As I asked him how he was doing, he made mention that he was doing ok, but that this sickness was the result of the sins of one of his previous ancestors. He then went on to quote from Exodus 34:7b NIV": ... "Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.”
My response was interesting, as I was immediately moved with compassion for the man! He was sitting under condemnation due to incorrect understanding, and teaching, and my heart was moved to gently open the scripture to him, to help him free himself from the chains of condemnation. That is where I woke up.
This is clearly not one of my normal dreams, so I thought it was worth diving into the topic that come up, as wrong teaching and understanding can be very harmful in our lives. I was having breakfast with a friend yesterday and we were talking about similar topics, although more along the lines of the theology of healing and faith, and how we can be taught things by well-meaning pastors that are not consistent with the truth that is found and demonstrated in Christ Jesus. In the past the Lord walked me through a progression, concerning sin, that can be seen in scripture, and that is very applicable to this dream today.
As I was thinking about this dream, I felt like the Lord even gave me the title, saying He has the final word concerning sin! What a great message of hope!
As I mentioned previously, in the past the Lord had laid out for me a progression that we can see in scripture of how sin was described and dealt with, and it is important that when we think about sin, we think correctly, and do not remain stuck with an Old Testament mindset like the man in my dream. The verse from Exodus is clearly not the last thing God says about sin, and even generations affected by sin.
In Ezekiel we see God updating the peoples understanding concern sin. Here are the verses - Ezekiel 18:19-23 NIV:
[19] “Yet you ask, 'Why does the son not share the guilt of his father?' Since the son has done what is just and right and has been careful to keep all my decrees, he will surely live. [20] The one who sins is the one who will die. The child will not share the guilt of the parent, nor will the parent share the guilt of the child. The righteousness of the righteous will be credited to them, and the wickedness of the wicked will be charged against them.
[21] “But if a wicked person turns away from all the sins they have committed and keeps all my decrees and does what is just and right, that person will surely live; they will not die. [22] None of the offenses they have committed will be remembered against them. Because of the righteous things they have done, they will live. [23] Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign Lord. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?"
We see here clearly that the former word of punishing sin to the third or fourth generation is no longer true. He says clearly that He will NOT cause the guilt of the parent to be shared by the child. In fact, it looks like He actually forgives the person for previous sins. God is helping the Israelites progress in their understanding, concerning sin, and we can see in this progression a greater truth that will be revealed. We see God providing a prophetic understanding of what He was planning in Jeremiah 31:31-34 NIV:
[31] “The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah. [32] It will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they broke my covenant, though I was a husband to them, ” declares the Lord."
[33] “This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,” declares the Lord. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. [34] No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, 'Know the Lord,' because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest,” declares the Lord. “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”
Here we see God promising to forgive our sins and remember them no more! This is clearly pointing to what He did through Jesus, yet at that time, they only had the promise of the New Covenant, yet weren't living under it. However, if God said He was going to forgive their sins and remember them no more, it would be impossible for Him to then punish a future generation for a sin He no longer remembered and had already forgiven.
We have here two of the important updates on the topic of sin, both found in the Old Testament, but they are not the final word yet, for that is only seen in Christ Jesus! We know from Hebrews 1:3 that Jesus is the exact representation of the Father, and thus what is revealed by Him (Jesus) is exactly what the Father is like and doing and saying. Much of the truth concerning Jesus' death and resurrection was only understood afterwards, but Jesus addressed the truth of God's plan multiple times.
Jesus alluded to God's plan to save us from our sin in John 3:16-17 NIV: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. [17] For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."
Jesus spoke about the forgiveness of sins several times, even forgiving people of their sins, much to the consternation of the Pharisees. Finally, Jesus on the the night of the Last Supper, initiated the New Covenant, as prophesies by Jeremiah some 700 years earlier, during the meal as recorded in Matthew 26:27-28 NIV: "Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. [28] This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins."
- and -
Luke 22:20 NIV: "In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you."
The author of the Letter to the Hebrews later was helping the Jews understand this all and wrote the following - Hebrews 9:15,22 NIV:
[5] "For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance---now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant."
[22] "In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness."
Since Jesus has shed His blood for the forgiveness of our sins, why would God ever hold them against us, or against our children? We have been set free from the requirements and punishments found in the Old Covenant, and we now live under the New Covenant, set in place through Jesus' own blood. We can no longer be condemned for our sins that are covered by Jesus blood! Paul writes the following - Romans 8:1-2 NIV: "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, [2] because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death."
We have been set free from all of that, and thus to think, like the man in my dream, that we can be punished for the sins of our earlier generations is clearly no longer relevant, or true. The final words concerning all of this were spoken by Jesus, while he hung on the cross, "It is finished!" (John 19:30). One of the meanings of the word Jesus spoke is "paid". He completed exactly what He was sent to do.
Peter wrote the following about Jesus, “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” (1 Peter 2:24 NIV) Again, I ask, if Jesus bore our sins, and died for them, why would the Father punish us for them again?? Was Jesus' sacrifice insufficient or ineffective? Is God such a wrathful God that He wants to make us pay over and over again for something that has already been paid for by His beloved Son? Clearly the answer is NO.
Today, my encouragement is to fully embrace the truth of the New Covenant, that Jesus shed His blood to establish! We are all set free from the requirements of the Old Testament Covenant of the Law, and all of its rule and regulations and punishments! Thus no longer will a man's guilt be shared by his children, or his children's children. Rather, if we receive the salvation offered to us in Jesus, all of our sins have been paid for, and are remembered no more!
As Paul writes in His letter to the Romans 8:31-34 NIV:
[31] "What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? [32] He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all---how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? [33] Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. [34] Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died---more than that, who was raised to life---is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us."
-And-
Romans 8:38-39 NIV:
[38] "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, [39] neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
This includes sin! Jesus clearly has the final word conerning our sin, because He paid for it all.
Amen and Amen!
My response was interesting, as I was immediately moved with compassion for the man! He was sitting under condemnation due to incorrect understanding, and teaching, and my heart was moved to gently open the scripture to him, to help him free himself from the chains of condemnation. That is where I woke up.
This is clearly not one of my normal dreams, so I thought it was worth diving into the topic that come up, as wrong teaching and understanding can be very harmful in our lives. I was having breakfast with a friend yesterday and we were talking about similar topics, although more along the lines of the theology of healing and faith, and how we can be taught things by well-meaning pastors that are not consistent with the truth that is found and demonstrated in Christ Jesus. In the past the Lord walked me through a progression, concerning sin, that can be seen in scripture, and that is very applicable to this dream today.
As I was thinking about this dream, I felt like the Lord even gave me the title, saying He has the final word concerning sin! What a great message of hope!
As I mentioned previously, in the past the Lord had laid out for me a progression that we can see in scripture of how sin was described and dealt with, and it is important that when we think about sin, we think correctly, and do not remain stuck with an Old Testament mindset like the man in my dream. The verse from Exodus is clearly not the last thing God says about sin, and even generations affected by sin.
In Ezekiel we see God updating the peoples understanding concern sin. Here are the verses - Ezekiel 18:19-23 NIV:
[19] “Yet you ask, 'Why does the son not share the guilt of his father?' Since the son has done what is just and right and has been careful to keep all my decrees, he will surely live. [20] The one who sins is the one who will die. The child will not share the guilt of the parent, nor will the parent share the guilt of the child. The righteousness of the righteous will be credited to them, and the wickedness of the wicked will be charged against them.
[21] “But if a wicked person turns away from all the sins they have committed and keeps all my decrees and does what is just and right, that person will surely live; they will not die. [22] None of the offenses they have committed will be remembered against them. Because of the righteous things they have done, they will live. [23] Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign Lord. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?"
We see here clearly that the former word of punishing sin to the third or fourth generation is no longer true. He says clearly that He will NOT cause the guilt of the parent to be shared by the child. In fact, it looks like He actually forgives the person for previous sins. God is helping the Israelites progress in their understanding, concerning sin, and we can see in this progression a greater truth that will be revealed. We see God providing a prophetic understanding of what He was planning in Jeremiah 31:31-34 NIV:
[31] “The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah. [32] It will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they broke my covenant, though I was a husband to them, ” declares the Lord."
[33] “This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,” declares the Lord. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. [34] No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, 'Know the Lord,' because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest,” declares the Lord. “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”
Here we see God promising to forgive our sins and remember them no more! This is clearly pointing to what He did through Jesus, yet at that time, they only had the promise of the New Covenant, yet weren't living under it. However, if God said He was going to forgive their sins and remember them no more, it would be impossible for Him to then punish a future generation for a sin He no longer remembered and had already forgiven.
We have here two of the important updates on the topic of sin, both found in the Old Testament, but they are not the final word yet, for that is only seen in Christ Jesus! We know from Hebrews 1:3 that Jesus is the exact representation of the Father, and thus what is revealed by Him (Jesus) is exactly what the Father is like and doing and saying. Much of the truth concerning Jesus' death and resurrection was only understood afterwards, but Jesus addressed the truth of God's plan multiple times.
Jesus alluded to God's plan to save us from our sin in John 3:16-17 NIV: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. [17] For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."
Jesus spoke about the forgiveness of sins several times, even forgiving people of their sins, much to the consternation of the Pharisees. Finally, Jesus on the the night of the Last Supper, initiated the New Covenant, as prophesies by Jeremiah some 700 years earlier, during the meal as recorded in Matthew 26:27-28 NIV: "Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. [28] This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins."
- and -
Luke 22:20 NIV: "In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you."
The author of the Letter to the Hebrews later was helping the Jews understand this all and wrote the following - Hebrews 9:15,22 NIV:
[5] "For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance---now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant."
[22] "In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness."
Since Jesus has shed His blood for the forgiveness of our sins, why would God ever hold them against us, or against our children? We have been set free from the requirements and punishments found in the Old Covenant, and we now live under the New Covenant, set in place through Jesus' own blood. We can no longer be condemned for our sins that are covered by Jesus blood! Paul writes the following - Romans 8:1-2 NIV: "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, [2] because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death."
We have been set free from all of that, and thus to think, like the man in my dream, that we can be punished for the sins of our earlier generations is clearly no longer relevant, or true. The final words concerning all of this were spoken by Jesus, while he hung on the cross, "It is finished!" (John 19:30). One of the meanings of the word Jesus spoke is "paid". He completed exactly what He was sent to do.
Peter wrote the following about Jesus, “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” (1 Peter 2:24 NIV) Again, I ask, if Jesus bore our sins, and died for them, why would the Father punish us for them again?? Was Jesus' sacrifice insufficient or ineffective? Is God such a wrathful God that He wants to make us pay over and over again for something that has already been paid for by His beloved Son? Clearly the answer is NO.
Today, my encouragement is to fully embrace the truth of the New Covenant, that Jesus shed His blood to establish! We are all set free from the requirements of the Old Testament Covenant of the Law, and all of its rule and regulations and punishments! Thus no longer will a man's guilt be shared by his children, or his children's children. Rather, if we receive the salvation offered to us in Jesus, all of our sins have been paid for, and are remembered no more!
As Paul writes in His letter to the Romans 8:31-34 NIV:
[31] "What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? [32] He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all---how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? [33] Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. [34] Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died---more than that, who was raised to life---is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us."
-And-
Romans 8:38-39 NIV:
[38] "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, [39] neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
This includes sin! Jesus clearly has the final word conerning our sin, because He paid for it all.
Amen and Amen!
Tuesday, August 20, 2019
Heavenly Worship - True Reality
This morning, these verses have been resonating in my spirit - Revelation 7:9-17 NIV:
[9] After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.
[10] And they cried out in a loud voice:
“Salvation belongs to our God,
who sits on the throne,
and to the Lamb.”
[11] All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, [12] saying:
“Amen!
Praise and glory
and wisdom and thanks
and honor and power
and strength
be to our God
for ever and ever.
Amen!”
[13] Then one of the elders asked me, “These in white robes---who are they, and where did they come from?”
[14] I answered, “Sir, you know.”
And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. [15] Therefore, “they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. [16] 'Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat down on them,' nor any scorching heat. [17] For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; 'he will lead them to springs of living water.' 'And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.' ”
What a great reminder of the reality that is heaven, our eternal dwelling place!
When things are difficult here, in this temporary life, let us join ourselves to that which is being sung continually in Heaven! He is worthy of all praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength for ever and ever!
I was reminded of this song: "To Him Who Sits on the Throne" here is a link: https://youtu.be/KhhLcw--CH0
Amen!
[9] After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.
[10] And they cried out in a loud voice:
“Salvation belongs to our God,
who sits on the throne,
and to the Lamb.”
[11] All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, [12] saying:
“Amen!
Praise and glory
and wisdom and thanks
and honor and power
and strength
be to our God
for ever and ever.
Amen!”
[13] Then one of the elders asked me, “These in white robes---who are they, and where did they come from?”
[14] I answered, “Sir, you know.”
And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. [15] Therefore, “they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. [16] 'Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat down on them,' nor any scorching heat. [17] For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; 'he will lead them to springs of living water.' 'And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.' ”
What a great reminder of the reality that is heaven, our eternal dwelling place!
When things are difficult here, in this temporary life, let us join ourselves to that which is being sung continually in Heaven! He is worthy of all praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength for ever and ever!
I was reminded of this song: "To Him Who Sits on the Throne" here is a link: https://youtu.be/KhhLcw--CH0
Amen!
Monday, August 19, 2019
The Whole Measure of the Fullness of Christ!
This morning I am reflecting on some of my favorite verses from Paul's letter to the Ephesians 4:1-7,11-16 NIV:
[1] "As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. [2] Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. [3] Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. [4] There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called ; [5] one Lord, one faith, one baptism; [6] one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."
[7] "But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it."
[11] "So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, [12] to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up [13] until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ."
[14] "Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. [15] Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. [16] From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work."
This past weekend we had some great teaching and imparting of truth, and these verses sum up much of what we heard, at least in my mind and heart. To summarize quickly:
1) We are called to ONE body of Christ, by the Holy Spirit. Paul just hammers this home, there is one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father! There is no room for division if we are one. Let us lay down our banners and denominations and embrace our oneness.
2) We are called to maturity in Christ, attaining the whole measure of fullness of Christ! That is an unbelievable, understated sentence that we could mine for ages. We are talking about the second person of The Trinity, the very Son of God, and we are going to attain this fullness of Christ! The Fullness of Christ can only be found in intimate relationship with Him, and through the Power of Holy Spirit! This is what maturity looks like - our hearts fully joined to Him.
3) Maturity in Christ Jesus then allows us to walk in Truth, in relationship which safeguards us from bad teaching, deceit, and the lies of the enemy. As we mature, we welcome the joining of ourselves to the rest of the Body of Christ, seeing our place, purpose and destiny in Him. We each have a part and it is in obedience to and relationship with Christ that we operate - He is our head!
These are spiritual truths that are attained through spiritual means, not knowledge for our mind! We are called to trust our hearts, to lay down our opinions and ideas about how things are supposed to work, and allow Holy Spirit to guide us spiritually to real understanding! We are being called to maturity, and it is Spiritual Maturity. This is not about numbers in our particular congregation, or programs or outreaches! This is about the ONE Body of Christ! We do have our parts to play, but it is a small part in a much greater ONE.
God has apportioned to us the grace necessary to achieve exactly what He is planning! He is the God of strategy and tactics, the Lord of supply and provision, the God of perfect timing! He will accomplish exactly what He intends, and He will use each of us! We are all equal parts of this great Body of Christ.
It is time to build each other up, to help one another to grow into the fullness of who they are! This is not a competition, but rather a team building event! We are called to raise up and release people into the their destiny! We are called to join ourselves to each other to support one another in love! Let us live our lives worthy of the calling we have received! Let us embrace one another and together pursue the whole measure of the fullness of Christ!
Amen!
[1] "As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. [2] Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. [3] Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. [4] There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called ; [5] one Lord, one faith, one baptism; [6] one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."
[7] "But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it."
[11] "So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, [12] to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up [13] until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ."
[14] "Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. [15] Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. [16] From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work."
This past weekend we had some great teaching and imparting of truth, and these verses sum up much of what we heard, at least in my mind and heart. To summarize quickly:
1) We are called to ONE body of Christ, by the Holy Spirit. Paul just hammers this home, there is one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father! There is no room for division if we are one. Let us lay down our banners and denominations and embrace our oneness.
2) We are called to maturity in Christ, attaining the whole measure of fullness of Christ! That is an unbelievable, understated sentence that we could mine for ages. We are talking about the second person of The Trinity, the very Son of God, and we are going to attain this fullness of Christ! The Fullness of Christ can only be found in intimate relationship with Him, and through the Power of Holy Spirit! This is what maturity looks like - our hearts fully joined to Him.
3) Maturity in Christ Jesus then allows us to walk in Truth, in relationship which safeguards us from bad teaching, deceit, and the lies of the enemy. As we mature, we welcome the joining of ourselves to the rest of the Body of Christ, seeing our place, purpose and destiny in Him. We each have a part and it is in obedience to and relationship with Christ that we operate - He is our head!
These are spiritual truths that are attained through spiritual means, not knowledge for our mind! We are called to trust our hearts, to lay down our opinions and ideas about how things are supposed to work, and allow Holy Spirit to guide us spiritually to real understanding! We are being called to maturity, and it is Spiritual Maturity. This is not about numbers in our particular congregation, or programs or outreaches! This is about the ONE Body of Christ! We do have our parts to play, but it is a small part in a much greater ONE.
God has apportioned to us the grace necessary to achieve exactly what He is planning! He is the God of strategy and tactics, the Lord of supply and provision, the God of perfect timing! He will accomplish exactly what He intends, and He will use each of us! We are all equal parts of this great Body of Christ.
It is time to build each other up, to help one another to grow into the fullness of who they are! This is not a competition, but rather a team building event! We are called to raise up and release people into the their destiny! We are called to join ourselves to each other to support one another in love! Let us live our lives worthy of the calling we have received! Let us embrace one another and together pursue the whole measure of the fullness of Christ!
Amen!
Friday, August 16, 2019
A New Song for a New Day!
This morning I was trying to turn to Psalm 99, but instead it opened to Psalm 40 and I started reading. I decided it was so good and so appropriate, that I would read it in "The Passion Translation" - and here it is in its fullness:
1 "I waited and waited and waited some more,
patiently, knowing God would come through for me.
Then, at last, he bent down and listened to my cry.
2 He stooped down to lift me out of danger
from the desolate pit I was in,
out of the muddy mess I had fallen into.
Now he’s lifted me up into a firm, secure place
and steadied me while I walk along his ascending path.
3 A new song for a new day rises up in me
every time I think about how he breaks through for me!
Ecstatic praise pours out of my mouth until
everyone hears how God has set me free.
Many will see his miracles;
they’ll stand in awe of God and fall in love with him!
4 Blessing after blessing comes to those who love and trust the Lord.
They will not fall away,
for they refuse to listen to the lies of the proud.
5 O Lord, our God, no one can compare with you.
Such wonderful works and miracles are all found with you!
And you think of us all the time
with your countless expressions of love—
far exceeding our expectations!
6 It’s not sacrifices that really move your heart.
Burnt offerings, sin offerings—that’s not what brings you joy.
But when you open my ears and speak deeply to me,
I become your willing servant, your prisoner of love for life.[a]
7 So I said, “Here I am! I’m coming to you as a sacrifice,[b]
for in the prophetic scrolls of your book
you have written about me.
8 I delight to fulfill your will, my God,
for your living words are written upon the pages of my heart.”
9 I tell everyone everywhere the truth of your righteousness.
And you know I haven’t held back in telling the message to all.
10 I don’t keep it a secret or hide the truth.
I preach of your faithfulness and kindness,
proclaiming your extravagant love to the largest crowd I can find!
11 So Lord, don’t hold back your love or withhold
your tender mercies from me.
Keep me in your truth and let your compassion overflow to me
no matter what I face.
12 Evil surrounds me; problems greater than I can solve
come one after another.
Without you, I know I can’t make it.
My sins are so many!
I’m so ashamed to lift my face to you.
For my guilt grabs me and stings my soul
until I am weakened and spent.
13 Please, Lord! Come quickly and rescue me!
Take pleasure in showing me your favor and restore me.
14 Let all who seek my life be humiliated!
Let them be confused and ashamed, God.
Scatter those who wish me evil; they just want me dead.
15 Scoff at every scoffer and cause them all to be utter failures.
Let them be ashamed and horrified by their complete defeat.
16 But let all who passionately seek you
erupt with excitement and joy over what you’ve done!
Let all your lovers rejoice continually in the Savior,[c] saying,
“How great and glorious is our God!”
17 Lord, in my place of weakness and need, I ask again:
Will you come and help me?
I know I’m always in your thoughts.
You are my true Savior and hero,
so don’t delay to deliver me now, for you are my God."
Thank You Lord! You heard my prayer!
As for Psalm 99 - it is a personal blessing to me that the Lord has used to make sure I know He is speaking to me, and that He has got my situation firmly in hand!
Psalm 99:1-7,9 NIV:
[1] "The Lord reigns, let the nations tremble; he sits enthroned between the cherubim, let the earth shake.
[2] Great is the Lord in Zion; he is exalted over all the nations.
[3] Let them praise your great and awesome name---he is holy.
[4] The King is mighty, he loves justice---you have established equity; in Jacob you have done what is just and right.
[5] Exalt the Lord our God and worship at his footstool; he is holy.
[6] Moses and Aaron were among his priests, Samuel was among those who called on his name; they called on the Lord and he answered them.
[7] He spoke to them from the pillar of cloud; they kept his statutes and the decrees he gave them."
[9] "Exalt the Lord our God and worship at his holy mountain, for the Lord our God is holy."
Thank You Lord for hearing all my prayers, my unspoken petitions and even my complaints. You love me, and want me to know that You hear, and are answering all my concerns!
Amen and Amen!
1 "I waited and waited and waited some more,
patiently, knowing God would come through for me.
Then, at last, he bent down and listened to my cry.
2 He stooped down to lift me out of danger
from the desolate pit I was in,
out of the muddy mess I had fallen into.
Now he’s lifted me up into a firm, secure place
and steadied me while I walk along his ascending path.
3 A new song for a new day rises up in me
every time I think about how he breaks through for me!
Ecstatic praise pours out of my mouth until
everyone hears how God has set me free.
Many will see his miracles;
they’ll stand in awe of God and fall in love with him!
4 Blessing after blessing comes to those who love and trust the Lord.
They will not fall away,
for they refuse to listen to the lies of the proud.
5 O Lord, our God, no one can compare with you.
Such wonderful works and miracles are all found with you!
And you think of us all the time
with your countless expressions of love—
far exceeding our expectations!
6 It’s not sacrifices that really move your heart.
Burnt offerings, sin offerings—that’s not what brings you joy.
But when you open my ears and speak deeply to me,
I become your willing servant, your prisoner of love for life.[a]
7 So I said, “Here I am! I’m coming to you as a sacrifice,[b]
for in the prophetic scrolls of your book
you have written about me.
8 I delight to fulfill your will, my God,
for your living words are written upon the pages of my heart.”
9 I tell everyone everywhere the truth of your righteousness.
And you know I haven’t held back in telling the message to all.
10 I don’t keep it a secret or hide the truth.
I preach of your faithfulness and kindness,
proclaiming your extravagant love to the largest crowd I can find!
11 So Lord, don’t hold back your love or withhold
your tender mercies from me.
Keep me in your truth and let your compassion overflow to me
no matter what I face.
12 Evil surrounds me; problems greater than I can solve
come one after another.
Without you, I know I can’t make it.
My sins are so many!
I’m so ashamed to lift my face to you.
For my guilt grabs me and stings my soul
until I am weakened and spent.
13 Please, Lord! Come quickly and rescue me!
Take pleasure in showing me your favor and restore me.
14 Let all who seek my life be humiliated!
Let them be confused and ashamed, God.
Scatter those who wish me evil; they just want me dead.
15 Scoff at every scoffer and cause them all to be utter failures.
Let them be ashamed and horrified by their complete defeat.
16 But let all who passionately seek you
erupt with excitement and joy over what you’ve done!
Let all your lovers rejoice continually in the Savior,[c] saying,
“How great and glorious is our God!”
17 Lord, in my place of weakness and need, I ask again:
Will you come and help me?
I know I’m always in your thoughts.
You are my true Savior and hero,
so don’t delay to deliver me now, for you are my God."
Thank You Lord! You heard my prayer!
As for Psalm 99 - it is a personal blessing to me that the Lord has used to make sure I know He is speaking to me, and that He has got my situation firmly in hand!
Psalm 99:1-7,9 NIV:
[1] "The Lord reigns, let the nations tremble; he sits enthroned between the cherubim, let the earth shake.
[2] Great is the Lord in Zion; he is exalted over all the nations.
[3] Let them praise your great and awesome name---he is holy.
[4] The King is mighty, he loves justice---you have established equity; in Jacob you have done what is just and right.
[5] Exalt the Lord our God and worship at his footstool; he is holy.
[6] Moses and Aaron were among his priests, Samuel was among those who called on his name; they called on the Lord and he answered them.
[7] He spoke to them from the pillar of cloud; they kept his statutes and the decrees he gave them."
[9] "Exalt the Lord our God and worship at his holy mountain, for the Lord our God is holy."
Thank You Lord for hearing all my prayers, my unspoken petitions and even my complaints. You love me, and want me to know that You hear, and are answering all my concerns!
Amen and Amen!
Monday, August 12, 2019
Flip Those Chains
This morning I felt like I should read from Isaiah 14, and saw something I don't remember having read before, although I know for sure I have read it several times. I like it when something new is highlighted, as it seems there is something fresh the Lord is saying. Here are the verses that grabbed my attention this morning - Isaiah 14:1-2 NIV:
[1] "The Lord will have compassion on Jacob;
once again he will choose Israel and will settle them in their own land.
Foreigners will join them and unite with the descendants of Jacob.
[2] Nations will take them and bring them to their own place.
And Israel will take possession of the nations and make them male and female servants in the Lord's land.
They will make captives of their captors and rule over their oppressors."
This is actually a pretty interested couple of lines. I could focus on several things, but this morning my heart is drawn to the theme of overcoming. I don't mean from a political or power perspective, but rather personally.
If one were to read these lines as pertaining to internal struggles, captivity to strongholds of sin, thought patterns, deception or anything else that can keep a person bound or captive, that is my what is on my heart this morning. What a message of hope! I love that last line - "they will make captives of their captors, and rule over their oppressors.
In Jesus, who has defeated all the forces of the enemy, who has destroyed death and broken the gates of Hell, who has paid the price for all of our sins, who has given us His righteousness, we have the opportunity and ability to do exactly what is described here. Jesus is not bound by any chain, or any power! He is not oppressed by the enemy, nor suffering defeat as his hand!
If we join ourselves to Jesus, and become hidden in Him, then we will experience victory! We will command those things that have bound us, and rule over them, in Jesus and through Jesus! We don't have the strength on our own, but in Him the victory has already been won! We can flip the chains, and bind those things that we have been bound by!
Lord, Thank You for all that is available to us in You! Help us to settle for nothing less than what You have won for us! 2 Corinthians 3:17 NIV: "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom."
Amen!
[1] "The Lord will have compassion on Jacob;
once again he will choose Israel and will settle them in their own land.
Foreigners will join them and unite with the descendants of Jacob.
[2] Nations will take them and bring them to their own place.
And Israel will take possession of the nations and make them male and female servants in the Lord's land.
They will make captives of their captors and rule over their oppressors."
This is actually a pretty interested couple of lines. I could focus on several things, but this morning my heart is drawn to the theme of overcoming. I don't mean from a political or power perspective, but rather personally.
If one were to read these lines as pertaining to internal struggles, captivity to strongholds of sin, thought patterns, deception or anything else that can keep a person bound or captive, that is my what is on my heart this morning. What a message of hope! I love that last line - "they will make captives of their captors, and rule over their oppressors.
In Jesus, who has defeated all the forces of the enemy, who has destroyed death and broken the gates of Hell, who has paid the price for all of our sins, who has given us His righteousness, we have the opportunity and ability to do exactly what is described here. Jesus is not bound by any chain, or any power! He is not oppressed by the enemy, nor suffering defeat as his hand!
If we join ourselves to Jesus, and become hidden in Him, then we will experience victory! We will command those things that have bound us, and rule over them, in Jesus and through Jesus! We don't have the strength on our own, but in Him the victory has already been won! We can flip the chains, and bind those things that we have been bound by!
Lord, Thank You for all that is available to us in You! Help us to settle for nothing less than what You have won for us! 2 Corinthians 3:17 NIV: "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom."
Amen!
Saturday, August 10, 2019
Bending and Flexibility
This morning I had a dream where my honey and I were at a conference and we were talking about flexibility and creativity in the Holy Spirit in the Body of Christ. There was a focus on specifically breaking molds and ideas of how things should go, to get people out of their preconceived notions, to enable them to see and be open to the Lord moving in different ways. When I got up to speak, the Holy Spirit hit me hard and gave me the word "bend". The idea was that we needed to learn to move with the breath of the Holy Spirit, but stay rooted, much like stalks of grain. The idea was flexibility over rigidity. The second word He gave me was "swell" as in waves that aren't crashing but causing natural up and down movements. Again the sense was being willing to move in synch with the Holy Spirit. Being rigid when the waves are swelling causes points of contention, and ultimately damage (If you think of a solid dock trying to withstand significant swells).
As I sat down to pray this morning, I felt led to read from John 19, which is his recounting Jesus' crucifixion and death. I was reading through that and was drawn to the comment about Jesus being given wine vinegar on a sponge shortly before His death (John 19:28-30). As I did a little research, I was immediately confronted with all sorts of ideas, research and religion concerning this simple fact. This particular event is recorded in all 4 of the Gospels, and so it was significant, and it did fulfill a prophetic picture of the Messiah.
What caught my attention in reading the different statements, was how much religion was influencing different people's comments. By religion, in this case, I mean specific teaching about rules and interpretations around certain topics of which drinking alcohol is one. There are certain denominations that teach that drinking any alcohol is sinful, and thus, there were people that were commenting from this point of view. Other denominations don't have the same strict belief concerning alcohol, so people were commenting from that perspective as well.
My point is that this isn't really an arguable point, nor is it in anyway related to salvation, to God's mercy, to His love for us, to our identity as His son's and daughters, and yet it is something that people get all bent out of shape about. It is a small example of how religion can cause division and conflict where it should not exist. We can become so confident in our particular opinion or perspective, that we can get offended by, or judgmental towards those that have a different opinion.
Many of us have sat under teaching from specific denominations, with particular emphasis and opinions. I believe the Lord is calling us to learn to lay down our strongly held opinions to allow us to see His perspective, and to more fully join ourselves to the Body of Christ. God is so much bigger than our petty arguments about how to interpret certain scriptures. He is God and He is perfect, and none of us will ever, this side of heaven, grasp and understand His perfection. We can however learn to bend in our understanding, seeing Him as being bigger than our understanding. We can learn to allow others to have different interpretations, perspectives and opinions and still be in relationship with them in the Body of Christ.
I dare say that no single denomination, or church, has all the truth or perfect theology. We are still learning and understanding God's ways, and this will always be the case. God is bigger than all of our combined understanding of Him, so let us give each other grace and press into God for greater understanding. Let us repent of our sins of judgment towards our brother and sisters from other churches and denominations, and let us pursue unity in spite of our differences. Let us learn to bend and be flexible while rooted in Him!
Amen!
As I sat down to pray this morning, I felt led to read from John 19, which is his recounting Jesus' crucifixion and death. I was reading through that and was drawn to the comment about Jesus being given wine vinegar on a sponge shortly before His death (John 19:28-30). As I did a little research, I was immediately confronted with all sorts of ideas, research and religion concerning this simple fact. This particular event is recorded in all 4 of the Gospels, and so it was significant, and it did fulfill a prophetic picture of the Messiah.
What caught my attention in reading the different statements, was how much religion was influencing different people's comments. By religion, in this case, I mean specific teaching about rules and interpretations around certain topics of which drinking alcohol is one. There are certain denominations that teach that drinking any alcohol is sinful, and thus, there were people that were commenting from this point of view. Other denominations don't have the same strict belief concerning alcohol, so people were commenting from that perspective as well.
My point is that this isn't really an arguable point, nor is it in anyway related to salvation, to God's mercy, to His love for us, to our identity as His son's and daughters, and yet it is something that people get all bent out of shape about. It is a small example of how religion can cause division and conflict where it should not exist. We can become so confident in our particular opinion or perspective, that we can get offended by, or judgmental towards those that have a different opinion.
Many of us have sat under teaching from specific denominations, with particular emphasis and opinions. I believe the Lord is calling us to learn to lay down our strongly held opinions to allow us to see His perspective, and to more fully join ourselves to the Body of Christ. God is so much bigger than our petty arguments about how to interpret certain scriptures. He is God and He is perfect, and none of us will ever, this side of heaven, grasp and understand His perfection. We can however learn to bend in our understanding, seeing Him as being bigger than our understanding. We can learn to allow others to have different interpretations, perspectives and opinions and still be in relationship with them in the Body of Christ.
I dare say that no single denomination, or church, has all the truth or perfect theology. We are still learning and understanding God's ways, and this will always be the case. God is bigger than all of our combined understanding of Him, so let us give each other grace and press into God for greater understanding. Let us repent of our sins of judgment towards our brother and sisters from other churches and denominations, and let us pursue unity in spite of our differences. Let us learn to bend and be flexible while rooted in Him!
Amen!
Saturday, July 27, 2019
The Depth of These Truths! Oh Man!
This morning I am reflecting on a few verses from John's Gospel. These few verses are pretty mind-blowing if you let them resonate!
John 17:19,24,26 NIV:
[19] "For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified."
[24] “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world."
[26] "I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”
These are really radical statements and they are true for us all!
First , in verse 19, Jesus says that He sanctified Himself, that we might, in Him, be sanctified! In other words, His holiness, His purity, His righteousness are all provided to us, as well! When the Father looks at us, He sees us looking just like Jesus. Paul says that we are hidden in Christ, which is a good description. Here we see Jesus' accomplishments being distributed to us!
Secondly, in verse 24, if verse 19 is true, then we are definitely with Jesus where He is. He was loved by the Father before the creation of the World, and so were we according to Ephesians 1:4 NIV: "For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight." Jesus also makes mention of this in His description of the Judgement day - Matthew 25:34 NIV: “Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world."
Finally in verse 26 we see Jesus saying that the same Love the Father has for Him, will be in us! That statement is definitely too deep to fathom. We can't possibly comprehend the Love the Father has for His son Jesus! Yet, Jesus says that same love will be in us. In fact, He will be in us as well!
This Love of the Father; this loving us since before the creation of the world; this sharing of His Glory; this blessing us with His sanctification and His righteousness is our Gospel, our Good News! It is so much more than just salvation, or a place in Heaven. We are fully His beloved Sons and Daughters, and we are and have always been greatly loved! Wow!
I am just going to let this settle in my soul, in my heart and in my mind! Lord, help me to grasp more of that which is clearly beyond our understanding! Help me to not only believe this, but help me to live my life in this knowledge!
Amen and amen!
John 17:19,24,26 NIV:
[19] "For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified."
[24] “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world."
[26] "I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”
These are really radical statements and they are true for us all!
First , in verse 19, Jesus says that He sanctified Himself, that we might, in Him, be sanctified! In other words, His holiness, His purity, His righteousness are all provided to us, as well! When the Father looks at us, He sees us looking just like Jesus. Paul says that we are hidden in Christ, which is a good description. Here we see Jesus' accomplishments being distributed to us!
Secondly, in verse 24, if verse 19 is true, then we are definitely with Jesus where He is. He was loved by the Father before the creation of the World, and so were we according to Ephesians 1:4 NIV: "For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight." Jesus also makes mention of this in His description of the Judgement day - Matthew 25:34 NIV: “Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world."
Finally in verse 26 we see Jesus saying that the same Love the Father has for Him, will be in us! That statement is definitely too deep to fathom. We can't possibly comprehend the Love the Father has for His son Jesus! Yet, Jesus says that same love will be in us. In fact, He will be in us as well!
This Love of the Father; this loving us since before the creation of the world; this sharing of His Glory; this blessing us with His sanctification and His righteousness is our Gospel, our Good News! It is so much more than just salvation, or a place in Heaven. We are fully His beloved Sons and Daughters, and we are and have always been greatly loved! Wow!
I am just going to let this settle in my soul, in my heart and in my mind! Lord, help me to grasp more of that which is clearly beyond our understanding! Help me to not only believe this, but help me to live my life in this knowledge!
Amen and amen!
Monday, July 22, 2019
The End and the New Beginning
This morning I am reflecting on one of the most interesting statements Jesus made, and they were His last words. We find them recorded in John 19:28-30 NIV:
[28] "Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” [29] A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus' lips. [30] When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit."
My first thought in reading this verse this morning, is that while this should have been the end, it was not! Three days later Jesus was resurrected and what seemed finished or ended at the moment on the cross has continued on since Jesus rose from the dead! What a glorious story we are part of, for His ministry continues on in the church.
My second thought was wondering what exactly Jesus said, looking back to the Greek language that was used to record His final words. John was writing in Greek, so He used the word "Teleo". This like many words has a few possible definitions, depending on how it is used in context. As I am not a Greek scholar, I can only report the whole list of possible definitions, as follows:
1) to bring to a close, to finish, to end
a) passed, finished
2) to perform, execute, complete, fulfil, (so that the thing done corresponds to what has been said, the order, command etc.)
a) with special reference to the subject matter, to carry out the contents of a command
b) with reference also to the form, to do just as commanded, and generally involving the notion of time, to perform the last act which completes a process, to accomplish, fulfil
3) to pay
a) of tribute
As I reflect on each of these, I can see in them Jesus' fulfillment, and statement as it relates to His life to that point. He had perfectly fulfilled the requirements of the Law, and fulfilled the prophesies that had been spoken about Him. He paid the debt of man's sin. He had fulfilled the commands of the Father to perfection. He had laid down His life for us all! He had performed the last act required to fulfill all that He had come to do! I heard someone say, in regards to paying for our sins, that it was as if He was saying "Paid in Full" and that no other payment would ever have to be made.
To put it in a context that I can understand, for much of which I just wrote I understand intellectually, but clearly not in the fullness of what they mean eternally. As I was reflecting on this paid in full, I thought of what it would feel like to make the final payment on my house (which hasn't happened yet). When I write that last check there will be a sense of completeness! I will never have to write another check for this house (Other than taxes, which is a completely different story). The Mortgage company will send me a letter indicating the house is paid in full! I will have no debt hanging over my life! I will be quite joyful and it will signal my transition into a new age for me, one of being debt free. I am grateful that I don't worry about this debt, as I am well able to handle the monthly payments, but the sense of responsibility and commitment never leaves me. At that point, I believe that I will experience a sense of sweet relief and release! If I take this idea and multiply it by 20 Billion I might gain some small perspective of what it meant when Jesus uttered these words!
The best news is that being paid in full isn't the end! It is essentially the beginning of a new era, a new reality! In the life of the apostles and Jesus disciples, that new era started 3 days later, when Jesus rose from the dead. He appeared to them several times over the next few days and then spent a considerable time (See Acts 1:3) with them continuing to teach them about the Kingdom, before finally ascending to Heaven. The Apostles knew that Jesus' ministry and message was now their responsibility, and we continue that responsibility to this day!
Lord, I pray that You will help me grasp all that You did for me that day! Help me to join myself to that which continues to this day! Help me to embrace this "new beginning" and follow You.
Thank You for this incredible gift that You have given us all!
Amen!
[28] "Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” [29] A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus' lips. [30] When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit."
My first thought in reading this verse this morning, is that while this should have been the end, it was not! Three days later Jesus was resurrected and what seemed finished or ended at the moment on the cross has continued on since Jesus rose from the dead! What a glorious story we are part of, for His ministry continues on in the church.
My second thought was wondering what exactly Jesus said, looking back to the Greek language that was used to record His final words. John was writing in Greek, so He used the word "Teleo". This like many words has a few possible definitions, depending on how it is used in context. As I am not a Greek scholar, I can only report the whole list of possible definitions, as follows:
1) to bring to a close, to finish, to end
a) passed, finished
2) to perform, execute, complete, fulfil, (so that the thing done corresponds to what has been said, the order, command etc.)
a) with special reference to the subject matter, to carry out the contents of a command
b) with reference also to the form, to do just as commanded, and generally involving the notion of time, to perform the last act which completes a process, to accomplish, fulfil
3) to pay
a) of tribute
As I reflect on each of these, I can see in them Jesus' fulfillment, and statement as it relates to His life to that point. He had perfectly fulfilled the requirements of the Law, and fulfilled the prophesies that had been spoken about Him. He paid the debt of man's sin. He had fulfilled the commands of the Father to perfection. He had laid down His life for us all! He had performed the last act required to fulfill all that He had come to do! I heard someone say, in regards to paying for our sins, that it was as if He was saying "Paid in Full" and that no other payment would ever have to be made.
To put it in a context that I can understand, for much of which I just wrote I understand intellectually, but clearly not in the fullness of what they mean eternally. As I was reflecting on this paid in full, I thought of what it would feel like to make the final payment on my house (which hasn't happened yet). When I write that last check there will be a sense of completeness! I will never have to write another check for this house (Other than taxes, which is a completely different story). The Mortgage company will send me a letter indicating the house is paid in full! I will have no debt hanging over my life! I will be quite joyful and it will signal my transition into a new age for me, one of being debt free. I am grateful that I don't worry about this debt, as I am well able to handle the monthly payments, but the sense of responsibility and commitment never leaves me. At that point, I believe that I will experience a sense of sweet relief and release! If I take this idea and multiply it by 20 Billion I might gain some small perspective of what it meant when Jesus uttered these words!
The best news is that being paid in full isn't the end! It is essentially the beginning of a new era, a new reality! In the life of the apostles and Jesus disciples, that new era started 3 days later, when Jesus rose from the dead. He appeared to them several times over the next few days and then spent a considerable time (See Acts 1:3) with them continuing to teach them about the Kingdom, before finally ascending to Heaven. The Apostles knew that Jesus' ministry and message was now their responsibility, and we continue that responsibility to this day!
Lord, I pray that You will help me grasp all that You did for me that day! Help me to join myself to that which continues to this day! Help me to embrace this "new beginning" and follow You.
Thank You for this incredible gift that You have given us all!
Amen!
Saturday, July 20, 2019
Resurrected Promises
This morning I felt led once again to go to John 11, which is the story of Lazarus. this has been one of the most recurrent themes and verses of late, and this morning I was once again asking the Lord why He keeps sending me back to these verses? Am I not learning or hearing what You are saying? Is this Your way of saying I am a slow learner? (just kidding - the Lord thinks I am awesome, just like He thinks You are awesome)! I felt like He said that there is a promise here that we need to hear!
Here are the verses I am reflecting on today (I am not including some of the rest of the story, but will refer to the facts as presented) - John 11:38-44 NIV:
[38] "Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. [39] “Take away the stone,” he said.
“But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.”
[40] Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”
[41] So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. [42] I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.”
[43] When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” [44] The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”
In the past I did quite an extensive study of the medical understanding of what happens to the body 4-5 days after death, and it is not a pretty picture (See my blog entry for more regarding this - https://amomentwithgod-srh.blogspot.com/2017/02/gods-promises-are-good-it-is-never-too.html
Suffice it to say that Lazarus didn't just need to be raised to life, His body needed to be reformed, to the point of almost being recreated. The internal breakdown of the human body happens at the cellular level, and after 4-5 days, the decomposition is significant.
So why am I bringing up this point? I felt like the Promise of the Lord this morning was for some of us who have suffered lost promises to the point that the promise was more than dead, it is in an advanced state of decay. The Lord would say, "Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” God spoke a recreative word over Lazarus and his body was completely restored in an instant. All the decay and decomposition was vanquished, and new life was breathed back into Lazarus at the cellular level! If go can do that for the trillion plus cells in Lazarus' body, He can do the same for your circumstances and life! He is the restorer of those that are lost, broken, worried, beat-down, hopeless and devastated. He can resurrect His Promises in Your life, no matter how dead they seem.
So this morning, I am just encouraged to hope in the Lord for all of those unfulfilled and seemingly forgotten promises? I am encouraged that it sis never too late for the Lord! He is the restorer and healer.
Finally, I was reminded of some of my favorite verses from the Prophet Isaiah 61:1-4,7 NIV:
[1] "The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,
[2] to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn,
[3] and provide for those who grieve in Zion---to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes,
the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.
[4] They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated;
they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations."
[7] "Instead of your shame you will receive a double portion,
and instead of disgrace you will rejoice in your inheritance.
And so you will inherit a double portion in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours."
Amen and Amen!!
Here are the verses I am reflecting on today (I am not including some of the rest of the story, but will refer to the facts as presented) - John 11:38-44 NIV:
[38] "Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. [39] “Take away the stone,” he said.
“But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.”
[40] Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”
[41] So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. [42] I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.”
[43] When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” [44] The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”
In the past I did quite an extensive study of the medical understanding of what happens to the body 4-5 days after death, and it is not a pretty picture (See my blog entry for more regarding this - https://amomentwithgod-srh.blogspot.com/2017/02/gods-promises-are-good-it-is-never-too.html
Suffice it to say that Lazarus didn't just need to be raised to life, His body needed to be reformed, to the point of almost being recreated. The internal breakdown of the human body happens at the cellular level, and after 4-5 days, the decomposition is significant.
So why am I bringing up this point? I felt like the Promise of the Lord this morning was for some of us who have suffered lost promises to the point that the promise was more than dead, it is in an advanced state of decay. The Lord would say, "Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” God spoke a recreative word over Lazarus and his body was completely restored in an instant. All the decay and decomposition was vanquished, and new life was breathed back into Lazarus at the cellular level! If go can do that for the trillion plus cells in Lazarus' body, He can do the same for your circumstances and life! He is the restorer of those that are lost, broken, worried, beat-down, hopeless and devastated. He can resurrect His Promises in Your life, no matter how dead they seem.
So this morning, I am just encouraged to hope in the Lord for all of those unfulfilled and seemingly forgotten promises? I am encouraged that it sis never too late for the Lord! He is the restorer and healer.
Finally, I was reminded of some of my favorite verses from the Prophet Isaiah 61:1-4,7 NIV:
[1] "The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,
[2] to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn,
[3] and provide for those who grieve in Zion---to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes,
the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.
[4] They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated;
they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations."
[7] "Instead of your shame you will receive a double portion,
and instead of disgrace you will rejoice in your inheritance.
And so you will inherit a double portion in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours."
Amen and Amen!!
Thursday, July 18, 2019
Familiarity and Offense
This morning I am continuing my reflections from Mark's Gospel. Yesterday I was reflecting on the cure of the man with the withered hand and the amazing way news about Jesus spread throughout the region, and caused huge crowds to gather pressing in to touch him that they could be healed. Today its a few chapters later, and I am reflecting on almost the exact opposite reaction to Jesus that occurred in His hometown. Here are the verses - Mark 6:1-6 NIV:
[1] "Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. [2] When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed."
“Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What's this wisdom that has been given him? What are these remarkable miracles he is performing? [3] Isn't this the carpenter? Isn't this Mary's son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren't his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him."
[4] "Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.” [5] He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. [6] He was amazed at their lack of faith."
"Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village."
Again, Mark is the master of conciseness. This story is also covered in Matthew's Gospel and a slightly different version in Luke's. The point is important enough that all three Gospel writers included this happening.
As I first look at this story I think there are two major points, taking offense and the lack of faith limiting God's ability to act. I have reflected on both of these over the years. However, today the point that stood out for me was the particulars of Jesus statement in verse 4, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home." The specific inclusion of home and relatives caught my attention today, which causes me to want to think through why that would be, and wondering if that is always the case?
As I am thinking through this, I think I would like to expand this definition to include our modern equivalent of neighborhood, and maybe even our church congregations. The point is that it is where the person (prophet in this case) is known that there is not honor. In this case the word that is translated Honor is the Greek word 'atimos" and it means not honored, not valued, even despised, which are pretty strong statements.
So my question, as I apply this to my life, is whether or not this would be my reaction? Would I allow my past history, my intimate knowledge of a person, my remembrance of a persons sins (obviously this is not the case with Jesus), or disinterest in me and my affairs to cause me to dishonor or even despise them, should they be called and used by God?
It almost seems like it should be the opposite, that our knowledge of the individual and their foibles and imperfections, and yet the witness of God using them, should cause us to glorify God, for it is clearly not due to the person's abilities or character that God is working in them and through them! We should rejoice that God can use someone like us!
I think this is such an important point for us in the church! We want fine and upstanding leaders who are perfect in every way, and when we find out they aren't we become jaded, wounded, offended and sometimes even walk away from God. Here was the only perfect man to ever walk the earth, and people found a way to be offended by Him, and lose faith in God's ability to work through Him. It isn't about God's ability, or choice of a man, it is about our expectations and own selfishness!
Why should we expect our leaders to be any less sinful then we are? Why would we expect to always have them focused on us and our needs, when we are not that way to others? Why would we expect a person to have walked perfectly in their entire life, never having strayed off the path of righteousness?? Why would we think that a person can't grow and change and really repent? We are so quick to jettison those that are shown to be "human" like us, from rolls of leadership, or from places of honor in our minds and hearts. We are equally quick to disqualify ourselves from being used of God for the same reasons!
What if we decided to value each other as the Lord values us? What if we decided to trust Him to choose those He will use, and work through? What if we let Him choose us? It seems God is not particularly picky - Jesus said that the stones would cry out to glorify Him if the people didn't (Luke 19:40). In other words, all of us can be used by God to bring Him Glory!
This morning I am encouraged to choose to give value to those who I know, those I am closest too, as able to be used by God! I choose to believe that God could even use me, in spite of my own issues. I choose to believe that God is able to change people's hearts, their minds and even their character and that previous history is not a good indication or limitation of what God can do in the future - and I must include myself in this!
Thank You Lord, that You are about moving in our lives, and You choose to use people like me!
Amen!
[1] "Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. [2] When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed."
“Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What's this wisdom that has been given him? What are these remarkable miracles he is performing? [3] Isn't this the carpenter? Isn't this Mary's son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren't his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him."
[4] "Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.” [5] He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. [6] He was amazed at their lack of faith."
"Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village."
Again, Mark is the master of conciseness. This story is also covered in Matthew's Gospel and a slightly different version in Luke's. The point is important enough that all three Gospel writers included this happening.
As I first look at this story I think there are two major points, taking offense and the lack of faith limiting God's ability to act. I have reflected on both of these over the years. However, today the point that stood out for me was the particulars of Jesus statement in verse 4, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home." The specific inclusion of home and relatives caught my attention today, which causes me to want to think through why that would be, and wondering if that is always the case?
As I am thinking through this, I think I would like to expand this definition to include our modern equivalent of neighborhood, and maybe even our church congregations. The point is that it is where the person (prophet in this case) is known that there is not honor. In this case the word that is translated Honor is the Greek word 'atimos" and it means not honored, not valued, even despised, which are pretty strong statements.
So my question, as I apply this to my life, is whether or not this would be my reaction? Would I allow my past history, my intimate knowledge of a person, my remembrance of a persons sins (obviously this is not the case with Jesus), or disinterest in me and my affairs to cause me to dishonor or even despise them, should they be called and used by God?
It almost seems like it should be the opposite, that our knowledge of the individual and their foibles and imperfections, and yet the witness of God using them, should cause us to glorify God, for it is clearly not due to the person's abilities or character that God is working in them and through them! We should rejoice that God can use someone like us!
I think this is such an important point for us in the church! We want fine and upstanding leaders who are perfect in every way, and when we find out they aren't we become jaded, wounded, offended and sometimes even walk away from God. Here was the only perfect man to ever walk the earth, and people found a way to be offended by Him, and lose faith in God's ability to work through Him. It isn't about God's ability, or choice of a man, it is about our expectations and own selfishness!
Why should we expect our leaders to be any less sinful then we are? Why would we expect to always have them focused on us and our needs, when we are not that way to others? Why would we expect a person to have walked perfectly in their entire life, never having strayed off the path of righteousness?? Why would we think that a person can't grow and change and really repent? We are so quick to jettison those that are shown to be "human" like us, from rolls of leadership, or from places of honor in our minds and hearts. We are equally quick to disqualify ourselves from being used of God for the same reasons!
What if we decided to value each other as the Lord values us? What if we decided to trust Him to choose those He will use, and work through? What if we let Him choose us? It seems God is not particularly picky - Jesus said that the stones would cry out to glorify Him if the people didn't (Luke 19:40). In other words, all of us can be used by God to bring Him Glory!
This morning I am encouraged to choose to give value to those who I know, those I am closest too, as able to be used by God! I choose to believe that God could even use me, in spite of my own issues. I choose to believe that God is able to change people's hearts, their minds and even their character and that previous history is not a good indication or limitation of what God can do in the future - and I must include myself in this!
Thank You Lord, that You are about moving in our lives, and You choose to use people like me!
Amen!
Wednesday, July 17, 2019
Healing and Wildfire
This morning I am spending some time reflecting on a few verses from Mark's Gospel. Mark tends to cram a bunch of stuff into a few verses, and these are no exception. Here are the verses - Mark 3:1-12 NIV:
[1] "Another time Jesus went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there. [2] Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath. [3] Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand, “Stand up in front of everyone.”
[4] Then Jesus asked them, “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they remained silent.
[5] He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored. [6] Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus."
[7] "Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the lake, and a large crowd from Galilee followed. [8] When they heard about all he was doing, many people came to him from Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, and the regions across the Jordan and around Tyre and Sidon. [9] Because of the crowd he told his disciples to have a small boat ready for him, to keep the people from crowding him. [10] For he had healed many, so that those with diseases were pushing forward to touch him. [11] Whenever the impure spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, “You are the Son of God.” [12] But he gave them strict orders not to tell others about him."
The first part of this story is repeated in all three of the synoptic Gospels, so it was seen as a significant event in the Life of Jesus, and was remembered as such. My first thought on reading this was if the man with the shriveled hand was allowed into the synagogue? The Levitical law had several things in it about those that were deformed, etc.
Here is what it says - Leviticus 21:16-19 NIV:
[16] "The Lord said to Moses, [17] “Say to Aaron: 'For the generations to come none of your descendants who has a defect may come near to offer the food of his God. [18] No man who has any defect may come near: no man who is blind or lame, disfigured or deformed; [19] no man with a crippled foot or hand,"
Now that is specific to the priesthood, and would not bar entry to the synagogue. It does introduce thinking about the way people would think about a man with a shriveled hand, as possibly being rejected by God. We also know that a common thought was that anyone who was crippled or blind was likely that way due to their or their parents sin (See John 9). Thus, this man was likely used to feeling like a second class citizen, or someone that was viewed with contempt or distrust.
As I was doing some research, I came across a time when King Jereboam's hand shriveled when he called for a "Man of God" to be seized for prophesying against the sacrifices being made at the altar. The man of God interceded afterwards and the Kings hand was restored (See 1 Kings 13:1-6). The pharisees and scribes would have been aware of this story too, and were likely uncomfortable with parallels that could be drawn.
Regardless of all the issues and their stubborn hearts, Jesus had mercy on the man who He had asked to stand in front of them all, and healed him in front of them by simply having the man stretch out his arm! Talk about a life-changing event!
Jesus, aware of the efforts to trap Him, didn't even do any work on the Sabbath this time (as compared to John 9, when He made mud and applied it to the eyes of the man born blind). He just gave a command and when the man obeyed he was healed. This must have driven the Pharisees and Herodians crazy, for there was not a single thing they could say that Jesus did wrong, and yet they were clearly the object of Jesus' anger, and saddened heart, for they clearly didn't understand the Father's heart, yet were representing Him (my take on why Jesus was angry).
Finally, this event so captured the attention of the people, that news of Jesus spread like wild-fire to all the surrounding areas, and people came from over 100 miles away. We really can't fully grasp the significance of Jesus ministry. The Jews had been waiting for hundreds of years for their Messiah, a man sent from God to set them free and restore them! Their had been no real prophet for 300+ years, and certainly no one that did miracles since ancient times. The news about Jesus, spread, I think, because of the hope that still existed in the people's hearts. They hoped that God hadn't abandoned them! They hoped that God's word was true, but for the last several generations, that was all they had to hold onto. Suddenly, in Galilee of all places, rumors start flying of a man who heals, and who heals everyone! I imagine the crowds were made up of young people who could make the journey easily, sent to see if the rumors were true; the sick and lame and those that could find someone to help them find Jesus; and those whose hearts were stirred by the Holy Spirit, who felt called to follow this one.
Mark, in his concise description, says that Jesus needed a boat to keep the crowds from pressing in on Him. The reason was simple, He had healed so many that everyone that was sick or disabled was trying to ouch Him, and receive their healing! It wasn't that Jesus didn't want to heal them, it was that He didn't want to be trampled or crushed in scramble One assumes that at some point they all figured out how to handle the crowds in a more orderly fashion. In today's ministries that gather hundreds and thousands they have figured out different approaches, and God in His goodness blesses them so that the majority of people can be touched.
Oh, to see Jesus Glorified in such numbers, to see the Holy Spirit move in power and healing on hundreds and even thousands! That we might once again hear good rumors of God visiting His people, touching and healing, setting them free and delivering them! We long to see Your Name Glorified Jesus! We long to be a part of the advancing of the Kingdom! We long to see Your Name spread like wildfire! Come and set us free from the box we want to put You in, the limitations we want to place on You! Come and show us Your Heart for Your people!
Amen!
[1] "Another time Jesus went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there. [2] Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath. [3] Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand, “Stand up in front of everyone.”
[4] Then Jesus asked them, “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they remained silent.
[5] He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored. [6] Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus."
[7] "Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the lake, and a large crowd from Galilee followed. [8] When they heard about all he was doing, many people came to him from Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, and the regions across the Jordan and around Tyre and Sidon. [9] Because of the crowd he told his disciples to have a small boat ready for him, to keep the people from crowding him. [10] For he had healed many, so that those with diseases were pushing forward to touch him. [11] Whenever the impure spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, “You are the Son of God.” [12] But he gave them strict orders not to tell others about him."
The first part of this story is repeated in all three of the synoptic Gospels, so it was seen as a significant event in the Life of Jesus, and was remembered as such. My first thought on reading this was if the man with the shriveled hand was allowed into the synagogue? The Levitical law had several things in it about those that were deformed, etc.
Here is what it says - Leviticus 21:16-19 NIV:
[16] "The Lord said to Moses, [17] “Say to Aaron: 'For the generations to come none of your descendants who has a defect may come near to offer the food of his God. [18] No man who has any defect may come near: no man who is blind or lame, disfigured or deformed; [19] no man with a crippled foot or hand,"
Now that is specific to the priesthood, and would not bar entry to the synagogue. It does introduce thinking about the way people would think about a man with a shriveled hand, as possibly being rejected by God. We also know that a common thought was that anyone who was crippled or blind was likely that way due to their or their parents sin (See John 9). Thus, this man was likely used to feeling like a second class citizen, or someone that was viewed with contempt or distrust.
As I was doing some research, I came across a time when King Jereboam's hand shriveled when he called for a "Man of God" to be seized for prophesying against the sacrifices being made at the altar. The man of God interceded afterwards and the Kings hand was restored (See 1 Kings 13:1-6). The pharisees and scribes would have been aware of this story too, and were likely uncomfortable with parallels that could be drawn.
Regardless of all the issues and their stubborn hearts, Jesus had mercy on the man who He had asked to stand in front of them all, and healed him in front of them by simply having the man stretch out his arm! Talk about a life-changing event!
Jesus, aware of the efforts to trap Him, didn't even do any work on the Sabbath this time (as compared to John 9, when He made mud and applied it to the eyes of the man born blind). He just gave a command and when the man obeyed he was healed. This must have driven the Pharisees and Herodians crazy, for there was not a single thing they could say that Jesus did wrong, and yet they were clearly the object of Jesus' anger, and saddened heart, for they clearly didn't understand the Father's heart, yet were representing Him (my take on why Jesus was angry).
Finally, this event so captured the attention of the people, that news of Jesus spread like wild-fire to all the surrounding areas, and people came from over 100 miles away. We really can't fully grasp the significance of Jesus ministry. The Jews had been waiting for hundreds of years for their Messiah, a man sent from God to set them free and restore them! Their had been no real prophet for 300+ years, and certainly no one that did miracles since ancient times. The news about Jesus, spread, I think, because of the hope that still existed in the people's hearts. They hoped that God hadn't abandoned them! They hoped that God's word was true, but for the last several generations, that was all they had to hold onto. Suddenly, in Galilee of all places, rumors start flying of a man who heals, and who heals everyone! I imagine the crowds were made up of young people who could make the journey easily, sent to see if the rumors were true; the sick and lame and those that could find someone to help them find Jesus; and those whose hearts were stirred by the Holy Spirit, who felt called to follow this one.
Mark, in his concise description, says that Jesus needed a boat to keep the crowds from pressing in on Him. The reason was simple, He had healed so many that everyone that was sick or disabled was trying to ouch Him, and receive their healing! It wasn't that Jesus didn't want to heal them, it was that He didn't want to be trampled or crushed in scramble One assumes that at some point they all figured out how to handle the crowds in a more orderly fashion. In today's ministries that gather hundreds and thousands they have figured out different approaches, and God in His goodness blesses them so that the majority of people can be touched.
Oh, to see Jesus Glorified in such numbers, to see the Holy Spirit move in power and healing on hundreds and even thousands! That we might once again hear good rumors of God visiting His people, touching and healing, setting them free and delivering them! We long to see Your Name Glorified Jesus! We long to be a part of the advancing of the Kingdom! We long to see Your Name spread like wildfire! Come and set us free from the box we want to put You in, the limitations we want to place on You! Come and show us Your Heart for Your people!
Amen!
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