The four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) record four different writings of the life of Christ. They had four different authors who witnessed many of the same events through their own unique perception. I will not state the different recordings of the treatment of Jesus right before the crucifixion but I do encourage you to read all four. Matthew 27:27 – 31; Mark 15:16-20; Luke 22:63-65; John 19:1-3;
We find more details written from Matthew and Mark wherein Luke and John wrote very short explanations. I believe that the cruel and inhumane treatment of their dear Teacher and Friend was too much to expound on. The treatment was exposed for what it was in my commentary. We cannot enjoy the promises and eternal gifts from God without understanding the price that was paid. These are heavy words for our hearts but Christ is worthy of our complete understanding of His sacrifice.
They stripped Him – This was done in an effort to humiliate Him.
They scourged Him – Scourging was a form of Roman punishment wherein He would have been beaten with a whip or rod that had pieces of metal or bone cutting deep gashes in the flesh;
They clothed Him - The scarlet robe was their intention to mock Him for claiming He was the I AM-
They crowned Him – The crown of thorns was meant by them to mock the claim with suffering that He was King over the Jews.
They blindfolded Him – This was done so that they could strike Him in the face mocking Him to prophesy who had slapped Him.
But what man can do to each other God did, can and will turn it to His glory. Evil always tries to counterfeit God. Jesus being stripped for me symbolizes the fact that through His sacrifice my life has been stripped of eternal damnation. As heart breaking and difficult as it is for me to imagine what Jesus went through during scourging, I am eternally thankful that our flesh is temporary and God can spiritually heal what the physical can cause.
“‘They stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him.’ But that robe has a message for us. Since scarlet is associated with sin, I like to think that the robe pictures my sins being placed on Jesus so that God’s robe of righteousness might be placed on me. ‘They twisted a crown of thorns…’ We understand that He wore a crown of thorns that we might wear a crown of glory. Jesus bore it all patiently; He didn’t say a word.' Believer’s Bible Commentary, p. 1308
‘For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls’ (Heb. 12:3).
What His creation of man prepared through mockery God fulfilled as reality! He is the King of Glory!
Friday, July 30, 2010
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Following At A Distance
“Peter followed at a distance…Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him…And he went outside and wept bitterly.” Luke 22:54, 61-62
Now before we judge Peter too severely this story can easily represent the spiritual seasons of which we move in and out. The scene of Peter’s denial of knowing Christ was literally moments after Peter attacked the high priest with a sword who had arrived to arrest Jesus. Peter was rebuked by Jesus through the explanation that His time was near and God’s predetermined purposes must come to pass. Luke records a chilling statement made by Jesus to those who had come for him. ‘But this is your hour – when darkness reigns!’ Satan was unleashed and evil would prevail for now. This spiritual climate must have settled in on Peter with fear because just moments later we find Peter ‘following at a distance (Luke 22:54).
‘Following at a distance’ – sound familiar? The Holy Spirit gives us guidance and reveals the ‘word the Lord has spoken to us’. At times we have all taken these words and put them aside, placed them on the back burner or even denied we ever heard them. We become like Peter who sat at the fire of the enemy denying his part in it all. We warm our hands against indifference and detachment when we face fear or unpleasant situations. We forget the very words God gives us as soon as the heat comes. We must stay up close and personal in fellowship with Christ so we will not warm our hands in evil’s fire.
The grief that Peter felt as Jesus looked upon his denial is no doubt the same grief we feel upon conviction in our lives. I will never forget the spiritual heaviness I felt the morning after I had failed to say a public prayer at an event that I knew God had led me to prepare. My feet got cold and I made my way up to the fire of the enemy. I sat by that fire and allowed him to convince me that the people did not want to hear me pray and that I would be ridiculed. I got burned that night just like Peter. The next morning I arose and wept bitterly. The weight of my denial of God’s words to be shared with those the night before hit me like a train. I had missed out on providing others with an opportunity for them to experience God in that environment – at a Christmas gathering to make matters worse.
We cannot follow Him at a distance or we will develop cold feet spiritually. We will be lured to the fire of the enemy for false warmth and spiritual darkness. We must stick close to Christ so that His words will be our words and His heart will be our heart. The Holy Spirit enables full access to God if we stay connected to the Spirit.
But this is your hour - let righteousness reign!
Now before we judge Peter too severely this story can easily represent the spiritual seasons of which we move in and out. The scene of Peter’s denial of knowing Christ was literally moments after Peter attacked the high priest with a sword who had arrived to arrest Jesus. Peter was rebuked by Jesus through the explanation that His time was near and God’s predetermined purposes must come to pass. Luke records a chilling statement made by Jesus to those who had come for him. ‘But this is your hour – when darkness reigns!’ Satan was unleashed and evil would prevail for now. This spiritual climate must have settled in on Peter with fear because just moments later we find Peter ‘following at a distance (Luke 22:54).
‘Following at a distance’ – sound familiar? The Holy Spirit gives us guidance and reveals the ‘word the Lord has spoken to us’. At times we have all taken these words and put them aside, placed them on the back burner or even denied we ever heard them. We become like Peter who sat at the fire of the enemy denying his part in it all. We warm our hands against indifference and detachment when we face fear or unpleasant situations. We forget the very words God gives us as soon as the heat comes. We must stay up close and personal in fellowship with Christ so we will not warm our hands in evil’s fire.
The grief that Peter felt as Jesus looked upon his denial is no doubt the same grief we feel upon conviction in our lives. I will never forget the spiritual heaviness I felt the morning after I had failed to say a public prayer at an event that I knew God had led me to prepare. My feet got cold and I made my way up to the fire of the enemy. I sat by that fire and allowed him to convince me that the people did not want to hear me pray and that I would be ridiculed. I got burned that night just like Peter. The next morning I arose and wept bitterly. The weight of my denial of God’s words to be shared with those the night before hit me like a train. I had missed out on providing others with an opportunity for them to experience God in that environment – at a Christmas gathering to make matters worse.
We cannot follow Him at a distance or we will develop cold feet spiritually. We will be lured to the fire of the enemy for false warmth and spiritual darkness. We must stick close to Christ so that His words will be our words and His heart will be our heart. The Holy Spirit enables full access to God if we stay connected to the Spirit.
But this is your hour - let righteousness reign!
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Abba!
“’Abba, Father,’ he said, ‘everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me’” Mark 14:36.
There is nothing that used to tear me apart more than hearing one of my children crying out to me, ‘Mommy…don’t go!’ Their desperate cry due to our separation would resonate over and over in my head while I was gone. I knew we wouldn’t be separated for long but they didn’t. They could only comprehend from the standpoint of their knowledge and experience up to that stage in their life.
"In Aramaic, ‘abba is originally…a word derived from baby-language. When a child is weaned, it learns to say abba (daddy)…abba acquired the warm, familiar ring which we may feel in such an expression as ‘dear father.’ Nowhere in the entire wealth of devotional literature produced by ancient Judaism do we find ‘abba’ being used as a way of addressing God. The pious Jew knew too much of the great gap between God and man to be free to address God with the familiar word used in everyday family life." The Dictionary of New Testament Theology. But Jesus was different…He was the only child of God…His Daddy…never separated before as they shared One spirit…the Holy Spirit.
I cannot imagine the grief God felt when the cries of His only Son rose up to heaven pleading three times for the cup of separation to be removed if Father willed it to happen. Jesus was not asking to be spared from the cross for He knew that this was the purpose for which He was born. His cry was the despair knowing that the sinless One would have to take on the sins of mankind, thereby separating Himself from His Holy Father. He cried out with that child like longing for His parent but heaven was silent…the answer was obvious… Christ would have to take on mankind’s sins of past, present and future.
The Father knew they would be reunited in glory and honor and the Family would benefit from the temporary separation. Father God still had to hear the cries of His only Son knowing He had the power to stop His pain.
If you ever doubt the love of the Holy Father you will not have to look any further than the cross. He sacrificed His only Son for the benefit of His adopted sons. Allow that to really sink in on an earthly level. We should never doubt the love of the Trinity – our lives have been bought, saved and led by this Holy Community.
What love can be greater than this?
There is nothing that used to tear me apart more than hearing one of my children crying out to me, ‘Mommy…don’t go!’ Their desperate cry due to our separation would resonate over and over in my head while I was gone. I knew we wouldn’t be separated for long but they didn’t. They could only comprehend from the standpoint of their knowledge and experience up to that stage in their life.
"In Aramaic, ‘abba is originally…a word derived from baby-language. When a child is weaned, it learns to say abba (daddy)…abba acquired the warm, familiar ring which we may feel in such an expression as ‘dear father.’ Nowhere in the entire wealth of devotional literature produced by ancient Judaism do we find ‘abba’ being used as a way of addressing God. The pious Jew knew too much of the great gap between God and man to be free to address God with the familiar word used in everyday family life." The Dictionary of New Testament Theology. But Jesus was different…He was the only child of God…His Daddy…never separated before as they shared One spirit…the Holy Spirit.
I cannot imagine the grief God felt when the cries of His only Son rose up to heaven pleading three times for the cup of separation to be removed if Father willed it to happen. Jesus was not asking to be spared from the cross for He knew that this was the purpose for which He was born. His cry was the despair knowing that the sinless One would have to take on the sins of mankind, thereby separating Himself from His Holy Father. He cried out with that child like longing for His parent but heaven was silent…the answer was obvious… Christ would have to take on mankind’s sins of past, present and future.
The Father knew they would be reunited in glory and honor and the Family would benefit from the temporary separation. Father God still had to hear the cries of His only Son knowing He had the power to stop His pain.
If you ever doubt the love of the Holy Father you will not have to look any further than the cross. He sacrificed His only Son for the benefit of His adopted sons. Allow that to really sink in on an earthly level. We should never doubt the love of the Trinity – our lives have been bought, saved and led by this Holy Community.
What love can be greater than this?
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Just Imagine Jesus...
Many of the Psalms would traditionally be sung after the Passover meal. Centuries of families would have sung these Psalms acknowledging their belief that someday the Messiah would come and the prophesy would be fulfilled. Little did they know that this would be the year and the Lamb of sacrifice was among them. Jesus stood with His disciples and sang these Psalms the day before facing His cross knowing in His heart the words sung in tradition for so many years were describing His fate.
“How can I repay the Lord for all his goodness to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation…I will fulfill my vows to the Lord…The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? The Lord is with me; he is my helper. I will look in triumph on my enemies.” Psalms 116: 12-14
“The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; the Lord has done this…This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:22-24
How many times have we stood in church singing praises to our Lord only to experience pain from the truth in the words? I remember after Daddy died it seemed each song was written just for my circumstances. Many Sundays I could only lip the words as tears streamed down my face and my words were without sound due to the lump in my throat. The new awareness and truth in song was too much to contain within me. We have all had that experience I am sure.
Just imagine Jesus as He sang these Psalms after the meal. I cannot help but to wonder if the cheeks of Jesus were also wet from tears. Could His sweet voice be heard or did the lump in His throat and the fear in His heart prevent sound? Could he make eye contact with the disciples knowing that the Capstone of Christianity would soon hang lifeless so we could live? When Jesus sang the words, ‘This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it,’ was His heart fully rejoicing knowing He would soon face the cross? We have to consider the possibility of His human emotions taking over like every other person on earth. After all, He had traded in His heavenly palace for an earthly tent.
We all face pain and suffering, but the next time the tears flow in song and the lump in your throat prevents sound just know that perhaps Jesus had the same response as He faced His unbearable circumstances. At that private and sacred moment, you can be sure you are having fellowship with Christ through suffering.
Just imagine Jesus…
“How can I repay the Lord for all his goodness to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation…I will fulfill my vows to the Lord…The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? The Lord is with me; he is my helper. I will look in triumph on my enemies.” Psalms 116: 12-14
“The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; the Lord has done this…This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:22-24
How many times have we stood in church singing praises to our Lord only to experience pain from the truth in the words? I remember after Daddy died it seemed each song was written just for my circumstances. Many Sundays I could only lip the words as tears streamed down my face and my words were without sound due to the lump in my throat. The new awareness and truth in song was too much to contain within me. We have all had that experience I am sure.
Just imagine Jesus as He sang these Psalms after the meal. I cannot help but to wonder if the cheeks of Jesus were also wet from tears. Could His sweet voice be heard or did the lump in His throat and the fear in His heart prevent sound? Could he make eye contact with the disciples knowing that the Capstone of Christianity would soon hang lifeless so we could live? When Jesus sang the words, ‘This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it,’ was His heart fully rejoicing knowing He would soon face the cross? We have to consider the possibility of His human emotions taking over like every other person on earth. After all, He had traded in His heavenly palace for an earthly tent.
We all face pain and suffering, but the next time the tears flow in song and the lump in your throat prevents sound just know that perhaps Jesus had the same response as He faced His unbearable circumstances. At that private and sacred moment, you can be sure you are having fellowship with Christ through suffering.
Just imagine Jesus…
Monday, July 26, 2010
The Eternal Servant
“Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under His power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying him with the towel that was wrapped around him. When he finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place.” John 13:3-5, 12
We continue watching Christ in the upper room as an observer into one of the most powerful scenes in the Bible. The earthly ministry of Jesus is coming to a close and important teachings are still required for the disciples. Jesus felt the approaching fulfillment of His death and His return to God in Heaven. He needed to exemplify a few more necessary truths. Our powerful scene opens with Christ removing His outer clothing and preparing to serve His disciples in the lowest duty of a servant of that time – washing the feet of guests.
The Believer’s Bible Commentary states, ‘It was the consciousness of who He was, and of the mission and destiny, that enabled Him to stoop down and wash the disciples’ feet. Rising from supper, the Lord laid aside His long outer garments. Then He put a towel around Himself as an apron, taking the place of a slave. This symbolic act reminds us of how the Lord left the ivory palaces above, came down into this world as a Servant, and ministered to those He had created.’ p. 1542.
Fast forward a few thousand years…nothing has changed. Christ wears many garments of God but is never too busy or too exalted to serve us. He sets asides His magnificence of Master and tenderly and gently stoops down as we reach up. He continues to serve and cleanse as we continue to hurt and sin. Through His service to us we can more readily serve Him. We can pick up that garment of Christ and wrap it around our shoulders exemplifying the attitude of Christ. When our seasons of hurting and cleansing are temporarily over Christ returns to His role and position as Master of the Universe and serves man both collectively and individually through His faithfulness. He returns to His throne seat but His apron is always clean and pressed.
Whether we are being cleansed or comforted, our Savior becomes Servant washing our sins and pain away at the same time we serve our Savior.
We continue watching Christ in the upper room as an observer into one of the most powerful scenes in the Bible. The earthly ministry of Jesus is coming to a close and important teachings are still required for the disciples. Jesus felt the approaching fulfillment of His death and His return to God in Heaven. He needed to exemplify a few more necessary truths. Our powerful scene opens with Christ removing His outer clothing and preparing to serve His disciples in the lowest duty of a servant of that time – washing the feet of guests.
The Believer’s Bible Commentary states, ‘It was the consciousness of who He was, and of the mission and destiny, that enabled Him to stoop down and wash the disciples’ feet. Rising from supper, the Lord laid aside His long outer garments. Then He put a towel around Himself as an apron, taking the place of a slave. This symbolic act reminds us of how the Lord left the ivory palaces above, came down into this world as a Servant, and ministered to those He had created.’ p. 1542.
Fast forward a few thousand years…nothing has changed. Christ wears many garments of God but is never too busy or too exalted to serve us. He sets asides His magnificence of Master and tenderly and gently stoops down as we reach up. He continues to serve and cleanse as we continue to hurt and sin. Through His service to us we can more readily serve Him. We can pick up that garment of Christ and wrap it around our shoulders exemplifying the attitude of Christ. When our seasons of hurting and cleansing are temporarily over Christ returns to His role and position as Master of the Universe and serves man both collectively and individually through His faithfulness. He returns to His throne seat but His apron is always clean and pressed.
Whether we are being cleansed or comforted, our Savior becomes Servant washing our sins and pain away at the same time we serve our Savior.
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Leaning Against Jesus
“He took the bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.’” Luke 22:19
These were the words Christ spoken to His disciples at The Last Supper. This would have followed the re-enactment of the Exodus which is what every Jewish family did to observe the Passover. The gathering would actually involve the youngest child asking certain questions prompting the others to act out the fleeing from Egypt. At The Last Supper, John would most likely have assumed the responsibility of questioning since he was believed to be the youngest among the disciples. This re-enactment had much more significance than any other Passover celebration ever experienced before. This actual Passover celebration provided reality instead of representation. The Passover Lamb now had a face with no blemishes and His name was Jesus.
The disciples had no idea of the significance in which they were called to participate. They were simply being obedient to an old tradition and communing with Jesus. The realization of what unfolded before their eyes didn’t become clear until after the sacrifice and the Lamb had been slain. We cannot know the spiritual impact of our obedience in service and response to God. The word commune is defined as ‘experiencing a deep emotional or spiritual relationship with something or someone.’ This was the emotional climate of the Upper Room that night. A powerful and traditional demonstration shared between a group of men who shared deep and emotional relationships with each other. At one point, Scripture tells us that John was leaning against Jesus. (John 13:25) What a beautiful image…his back against the chest of the Lamb who sacrificed all.
Notice that Jesus gave thanks in the brokenness of the bread He offered. When we face impending suffering we can know that Jesus can relate to our fears and dread. Our brokenness can connect with Christ as He offered His brokenness represented by the broken bread. We can lean against Jesus just as John did when communion is being shared and fellowship is being experienced.
In the referenced Scripture for today, I believe that Christ was not speaking of a one time sacrifice but a two way participation with Him. Just as He gave up His body for us we are to give up our lives for Him continuously.
Do this in remembrance of what He did for us.
These were the words Christ spoken to His disciples at The Last Supper. This would have followed the re-enactment of the Exodus which is what every Jewish family did to observe the Passover. The gathering would actually involve the youngest child asking certain questions prompting the others to act out the fleeing from Egypt. At The Last Supper, John would most likely have assumed the responsibility of questioning since he was believed to be the youngest among the disciples. This re-enactment had much more significance than any other Passover celebration ever experienced before. This actual Passover celebration provided reality instead of representation. The Passover Lamb now had a face with no blemishes and His name was Jesus.
The disciples had no idea of the significance in which they were called to participate. They were simply being obedient to an old tradition and communing with Jesus. The realization of what unfolded before their eyes didn’t become clear until after the sacrifice and the Lamb had been slain. We cannot know the spiritual impact of our obedience in service and response to God. The word commune is defined as ‘experiencing a deep emotional or spiritual relationship with something or someone.’ This was the emotional climate of the Upper Room that night. A powerful and traditional demonstration shared between a group of men who shared deep and emotional relationships with each other. At one point, Scripture tells us that John was leaning against Jesus. (John 13:25) What a beautiful image…his back against the chest of the Lamb who sacrificed all.
Notice that Jesus gave thanks in the brokenness of the bread He offered. When we face impending suffering we can know that Jesus can relate to our fears and dread. Our brokenness can connect with Christ as He offered His brokenness represented by the broken bread. We can lean against Jesus just as John did when communion is being shared and fellowship is being experienced.
In the referenced Scripture for today, I believe that Christ was not speaking of a one time sacrifice but a two way participation with Him. Just as He gave up His body for us we are to give up our lives for Him continuously.
Do this in remembrance of what He did for us.
Friday, July 23, 2010
Then Along Came a Spider...
“When the devil had finished all this temptation, he left him until an opportune time…Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve…He consented, and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present.” Luke 4:13; Luke 22:3, 6
There are many divine absolutes in the Bible that serve as God’s promises to help us through our journeys in life. Unfortunately, there are evil absolutes that work just as hard to derail our lives. The first verse above was the conclusion of the passage describing the temptation of Jesus while in the desert after he was baptized. Jesus was full of the Holy Spirit and stood strong against the devil. With each arrow of temptation the devil shot Christ retorted with the Word of God – an exact target every time. The devil knew that he was unsuccessful against the Son but didn’t give up, but he retreated for that moment. He had had plenty of victories in dealing with man and knew that through patience and opportunity all of mankind sins during certain points in their lives. He was so arrogant he thought he could even be successful against the Son of God. So he waited patiently…and along came Judas.
Welcome to the opportune time! Judas was in Jesus’ inner circle and was one of His chosen. The difference between Judas and the other disciples was the condition of his heart. He had spiritual chinks in his armor and allowed room for Satan to enter. Satan was crafty enough to know Judas’ heart of greed and used that information to control, enter and manipulate.
As children of God we too are chosen and invited to be in Christ's inner circle. We are welcomed into His spiritual world to observe, experience and sense His work and His presence. At any moment our armor can be compromised with our weaknesses just like Judas. We have within us unique weaknesses that Satan will use to frustrate the will of God for our lives. We must stay connected to the Word of God to combat these attacks. Satan is the counterfeit of God so don’t think he doesn’t know us extremely well. He has watched us since birth just as God has but God will always be greater than Satan. “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4.
We cannot give Satan one single opportunity to enter into God’s chosen. He cannot steal our salvation once we are a child of God but he can certainly steal our sanity!
'Then along came a spider and sat down beside her...'
There are many divine absolutes in the Bible that serve as God’s promises to help us through our journeys in life. Unfortunately, there are evil absolutes that work just as hard to derail our lives. The first verse above was the conclusion of the passage describing the temptation of Jesus while in the desert after he was baptized. Jesus was full of the Holy Spirit and stood strong against the devil. With each arrow of temptation the devil shot Christ retorted with the Word of God – an exact target every time. The devil knew that he was unsuccessful against the Son but didn’t give up, but he retreated for that moment. He had had plenty of victories in dealing with man and knew that through patience and opportunity all of mankind sins during certain points in their lives. He was so arrogant he thought he could even be successful against the Son of God. So he waited patiently…and along came Judas.
Welcome to the opportune time! Judas was in Jesus’ inner circle and was one of His chosen. The difference between Judas and the other disciples was the condition of his heart. He had spiritual chinks in his armor and allowed room for Satan to enter. Satan was crafty enough to know Judas’ heart of greed and used that information to control, enter and manipulate.
As children of God we too are chosen and invited to be in Christ's inner circle. We are welcomed into His spiritual world to observe, experience and sense His work and His presence. At any moment our armor can be compromised with our weaknesses just like Judas. We have within us unique weaknesses that Satan will use to frustrate the will of God for our lives. We must stay connected to the Word of God to combat these attacks. Satan is the counterfeit of God so don’t think he doesn’t know us extremely well. He has watched us since birth just as God has but God will always be greater than Satan. “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4.
We cannot give Satan one single opportunity to enter into God’s chosen. He cannot steal our salvation once we are a child of God but he can certainly steal our sanity!
'Then along came a spider and sat down beside her...'
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
The Power of Testimony
“As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening. They told him, ‘Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.’ Jesus stopped…Jesus said to him, ‘Receive your sight…’ Immediately he received…and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God.” Luke 19:1-10
When our children were little we would take them to the Christmas Parade to see Santa. We would line up early and secure a spot that would most likely give us the best view. When the kids would see my expression of the upcoming characters they would start screaming, ‘What does it look like? Who is it?’ Since they were little they could only hear the crowd’s excitement before they saw what the crowd was seeing.
The same was with our dear beggar in this story. He sat on the side of the road much like everyday I am sure depending on the assistance of others to be his eyes. He heard the hustle and bustle of the crowd and the excitement of what they were experiencing. He knew all he could do was to depend on the testimony of others to experience the event.
This story is so dear as we have played the role as beggar sometimes in life and as the witnesses other times in our lives. We have cupped our tiny hands and begged for deliverance from our situations and searched for anything to comfort us. We have sat on the sideline and felt as if we were watching the lives of others go by unaffected and unencumbered. We have asked through our darkness ‘What is it like to...?’
Other times we play the role of the witness who has received sight from their blindness, and been healed from their sufferings. In a courtroom the testimony of a witness can be the difference between life and death for the accused. Spiritually speaking the same is true as exemplified in the story of the blind beggar receiving life through sight. It was only through the testimony of ‘those who could see’ that he was able to recognize the Lord and Savior of his life. He shouted out to the Lord who stopped in His tracks. Jesus didn’t keep going or continue with His teachings. He stopped. My commentary says ‘Jesus stood still.’ I love the image of the parade stopping, the crowd growing silent and Jesus turning to the blind beggar to perform a miracle upon request. Jesus will never be too busy to stop the parade of miracles. He marches from street to street and home to home. We must take the time to share our testimonies with those who cannot see.
Those who are blind will experience Jesus no matter where they are through the eyes of those with sight. Once they recognize Jesus they too will be given the awesome sight of faith.
“…and Jesus stopped.”
When our children were little we would take them to the Christmas Parade to see Santa. We would line up early and secure a spot that would most likely give us the best view. When the kids would see my expression of the upcoming characters they would start screaming, ‘What does it look like? Who is it?’ Since they were little they could only hear the crowd’s excitement before they saw what the crowd was seeing.
The same was with our dear beggar in this story. He sat on the side of the road much like everyday I am sure depending on the assistance of others to be his eyes. He heard the hustle and bustle of the crowd and the excitement of what they were experiencing. He knew all he could do was to depend on the testimony of others to experience the event.
This story is so dear as we have played the role as beggar sometimes in life and as the witnesses other times in our lives. We have cupped our tiny hands and begged for deliverance from our situations and searched for anything to comfort us. We have sat on the sideline and felt as if we were watching the lives of others go by unaffected and unencumbered. We have asked through our darkness ‘What is it like to...?’
Other times we play the role of the witness who has received sight from their blindness, and been healed from their sufferings. In a courtroom the testimony of a witness can be the difference between life and death for the accused. Spiritually speaking the same is true as exemplified in the story of the blind beggar receiving life through sight. It was only through the testimony of ‘those who could see’ that he was able to recognize the Lord and Savior of his life. He shouted out to the Lord who stopped in His tracks. Jesus didn’t keep going or continue with His teachings. He stopped. My commentary says ‘Jesus stood still.’ I love the image of the parade stopping, the crowd growing silent and Jesus turning to the blind beggar to perform a miracle upon request. Jesus will never be too busy to stop the parade of miracles. He marches from street to street and home to home. We must take the time to share our testimonies with those who cannot see.
Those who are blind will experience Jesus no matter where they are through the eyes of those with sight. Once they recognize Jesus they too will be given the awesome sight of faith.
“…and Jesus stopped.”
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Perfection By Proxy
“When Jesus heard this, he said to him, ‘You still lack one thing. If you want to be perfect, go, sell…give…Then come, follow me.” Luke 18:22/Matthew 19:21
Some of the most miserable people I have ever known have been perfectionists. In some areas of my own life I have experienced the unreachable goal of perfectionism. I always come up short and experience a sense of defeat and deficiency over and over. In preparing a curriculum for a group of parents of troubled teens at our church I came upon some basic principles of what drives perfectionism. A basic principle of perfection is the fear of being discovered for less than who we are. The Bible supports that we cannot be perfect in the law of God for that position is only held by One but yet we try. Perfectionism is a prideful march to our own beat even though God’s Word clearly states that we will always lack something without the guidance of Christ.
‘Eternal life demands perfection. Someone has to be perfect. Either us or someone who stands in for us.’ Beth Moore. Being perfect is that unattainable reach that will become our god if we are not careful. It is only when we lay down our own efforts and pick up the work on the cross that gives us the freedom to believe in the One who is perfect.
What we lack in spirit will always stand between us and the heart of God. Our lack may be gratitude, servitude or any other lack of appropriate attitude. What we may perfect in one area will always cause a deficiency in another area. It is the ultimate juggling game that will never produce a winner.
The good news is that ‘What is impossible with men is possible with God.’ Luke 18:27. If we want to be perfect we must go (to our knees), sell(testimony to others), give (ourselves and agenda to God)….Then (and only then) we come to the realization that only through coming to and following Christ will we obtain perfection (eternal life).
Some of the most miserable people I have ever known have been perfectionists. In some areas of my own life I have experienced the unreachable goal of perfectionism. I always come up short and experience a sense of defeat and deficiency over and over. In preparing a curriculum for a group of parents of troubled teens at our church I came upon some basic principles of what drives perfectionism. A basic principle of perfection is the fear of being discovered for less than who we are. The Bible supports that we cannot be perfect in the law of God for that position is only held by One but yet we try. Perfectionism is a prideful march to our own beat even though God’s Word clearly states that we will always lack something without the guidance of Christ.
‘Eternal life demands perfection. Someone has to be perfect. Either us or someone who stands in for us.’ Beth Moore. Being perfect is that unattainable reach that will become our god if we are not careful. It is only when we lay down our own efforts and pick up the work on the cross that gives us the freedom to believe in the One who is perfect.
What we lack in spirit will always stand between us and the heart of God. Our lack may be gratitude, servitude or any other lack of appropriate attitude. What we may perfect in one area will always cause a deficiency in another area. It is the ultimate juggling game that will never produce a winner.
The good news is that ‘What is impossible with men is possible with God.’ Luke 18:27. If we want to be perfect we must go (to our knees), sell(testimony to others), give (ourselves and agenda to God)….Then (and only then) we come to the realization that only through coming to and following Christ will we obtain perfection (eternal life).
Monday, July 19, 2010
And As They Went...
“Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, ‘Jesus, Master, have pity on us!’ When he saw them, he said, ‘Go, show yourselves to the priests.’ And as they went, they were cleansed.” Luke 17:11-14
Leave it to God to reverse the order of things in His ultimate wisdom. This morning we go back to the passage that precedes our previous passage. We find ourselves this morning walking beside Jesus as He traveled from Samaria to Galilee. Historically speaking, the Samaritans and the Jews despised each other back in the days of Christ and would never be caught dead with one another. However, it was Mosaic law for those who suffered with the disease of leprosy to live outside the city gates. We can assume that this leprosy camp situated between the two cities included both Samaritans and Jews since Jesus proclaimed that only the ‘foreigner’ came back to thank Him.
I remember feeling like a leper outside the city gates on several occasions in my life. One in particular was when our daughter, Kristen was admitted into a residential treatment program for 5 months. While she resided there, we as parents had a responsibility of being part of a collective parent group which met weekly to be educated on coping with our situation. It was clear in that setting that addiction knows no boundaries and the disease does not discriminate between age, race, or social status. The disease strikes all representation of society. While those parents ‘inside the city gates’ enjoyed their children’s sporting events, shopping trips and other accepted activities, our little band of parents were getting educated on drugs, alcohol, signs of suicide and teenage cutting. Our focus was on extending life for our children, not living life with our children. We all approached these meetings with a silent group cry of ‘Jesus, Master, have pity on us! Save our children!’
I am thankful to say that just like the interaction of Christ with the lepers, He did not mind being among the diseased, the brokenhearted and the needy hearts of the parents in that room. We were asking for healing in a situation outside of our control just like the lepers. Notice the faith of the lepers as they began their walk of healing before healing had taken place. Their faith walked ahead of them and their courage was unparalleled to place themselves inside the city gates with the belief that Jesus would heal.
True faith is when we place one diseased foot in front of the other and walk towards our healing with complete faith and total belief that He will cleanse and make us whole again.
And as we went…we were cleansed!
Leave it to God to reverse the order of things in His ultimate wisdom. This morning we go back to the passage that precedes our previous passage. We find ourselves this morning walking beside Jesus as He traveled from Samaria to Galilee. Historically speaking, the Samaritans and the Jews despised each other back in the days of Christ and would never be caught dead with one another. However, it was Mosaic law for those who suffered with the disease of leprosy to live outside the city gates. We can assume that this leprosy camp situated between the two cities included both Samaritans and Jews since Jesus proclaimed that only the ‘foreigner’ came back to thank Him.
I remember feeling like a leper outside the city gates on several occasions in my life. One in particular was when our daughter, Kristen was admitted into a residential treatment program for 5 months. While she resided there, we as parents had a responsibility of being part of a collective parent group which met weekly to be educated on coping with our situation. It was clear in that setting that addiction knows no boundaries and the disease does not discriminate between age, race, or social status. The disease strikes all representation of society. While those parents ‘inside the city gates’ enjoyed their children’s sporting events, shopping trips and other accepted activities, our little band of parents were getting educated on drugs, alcohol, signs of suicide and teenage cutting. Our focus was on extending life for our children, not living life with our children. We all approached these meetings with a silent group cry of ‘Jesus, Master, have pity on us! Save our children!’
I am thankful to say that just like the interaction of Christ with the lepers, He did not mind being among the diseased, the brokenhearted and the needy hearts of the parents in that room. We were asking for healing in a situation outside of our control just like the lepers. Notice the faith of the lepers as they began their walk of healing before healing had taken place. Their faith walked ahead of them and their courage was unparalleled to place themselves inside the city gates with the belief that Jesus would heal.
True faith is when we place one diseased foot in front of the other and walk towards our healing with complete faith and total belief that He will cleanse and make us whole again.
And as we went…we were cleansed!
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Any Offensive Way...
“One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him…Jesus asked, ‘Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?’” Luke 17:15-18
I am convicted with a heaviness for which I haven’t felt in a while. It is no coincidence that God laid this passage at my feet this morning. This is the story of The Ten Lepers who all had faith to be healed by Jesus but only one came back to thank Him. My Bible Commentary states, ‘Only the grateful ten percent inherit Christ’s true riches. Jesus meets our turning back and our giving thanks with fresh blessings.’ p. 1436.
I have been one of the nine who didn’t return. I have been praying to God over the past week to fill me with His compassion and His love so I can pass that along to my father-in-law. It seemed that any little bits I could muster up would dissipate within 15 seconds of interacting with Bud. I began questioning the state of my heart and my ability to care and have compassion with him. I began doubting the kind of Christian I am and the compassion that I thought I have always had. Then God showed me my sin of unthankfulness. The reason I couldn’t access His riches such as love, compassion, patience and grace was because I had an unconfessed sin – lack of true gratitude. Yesterday, out of the blue I wrote down the first part of Psalm 51:10-12 – ‘Create in me a pure heart, O God and a steadfast spirit.’ It wasn’t until this morning that I read the rest of the verse. “Do not cast me from your presence of take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.”
I would like to share my journal entry from this morning in an effort to show the spiritual necessity of gratitude and praise to God in everything.
July 17, 2010: Oh Father, what a sinner I have been regarding my lack of thankfulness to You. You have given me everything to carry me in this season victoriously but I have lacked gratitude and praise lately. I haven’t truly praised you for all that you have provided. As a result I have not felt Your presence and mercies and have been void of joy in my life on all levels. Last night I said to Bruce that I do not feel joy in any part of my life…the devil had a victory in this war and here I lay spiritually wounded and bleeding. I now understand times that you withhold your best from us when we are less than our best. This morning I praise you for showing me the condition of my heart even if I do not like what I see! I thank you for the work you did on the cross that provides Your awesome forgiveness and continual blessings. I pray the prayer of David (Psalm 139:23-24) as I approach this day: “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Amen)
Let us be in that ten percent who returns and falls at the feet of Jesus to thank and praise Him .
I am convicted with a heaviness for which I haven’t felt in a while. It is no coincidence that God laid this passage at my feet this morning. This is the story of The Ten Lepers who all had faith to be healed by Jesus but only one came back to thank Him. My Bible Commentary states, ‘Only the grateful ten percent inherit Christ’s true riches. Jesus meets our turning back and our giving thanks with fresh blessings.’ p. 1436.
I have been one of the nine who didn’t return. I have been praying to God over the past week to fill me with His compassion and His love so I can pass that along to my father-in-law. It seemed that any little bits I could muster up would dissipate within 15 seconds of interacting with Bud. I began questioning the state of my heart and my ability to care and have compassion with him. I began doubting the kind of Christian I am and the compassion that I thought I have always had. Then God showed me my sin of unthankfulness. The reason I couldn’t access His riches such as love, compassion, patience and grace was because I had an unconfessed sin – lack of true gratitude. Yesterday, out of the blue I wrote down the first part of Psalm 51:10-12 – ‘Create in me a pure heart, O God and a steadfast spirit.’ It wasn’t until this morning that I read the rest of the verse. “Do not cast me from your presence of take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.”
I would like to share my journal entry from this morning in an effort to show the spiritual necessity of gratitude and praise to God in everything.
July 17, 2010: Oh Father, what a sinner I have been regarding my lack of thankfulness to You. You have given me everything to carry me in this season victoriously but I have lacked gratitude and praise lately. I haven’t truly praised you for all that you have provided. As a result I have not felt Your presence and mercies and have been void of joy in my life on all levels. Last night I said to Bruce that I do not feel joy in any part of my life…the devil had a victory in this war and here I lay spiritually wounded and bleeding. I now understand times that you withhold your best from us when we are less than our best. This morning I praise you for showing me the condition of my heart even if I do not like what I see! I thank you for the work you did on the cross that provides Your awesome forgiveness and continual blessings. I pray the prayer of David (Psalm 139:23-24) as I approach this day: “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Amen)
Let us be in that ten percent who returns and falls at the feet of Jesus to thank and praise Him .
Friday, July 16, 2010
No Place Like Home
“For this reason I kneel before the Father…I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being…Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations for ever and ever! Amen.” Eph 3:16, 20
Nothing is more entertaining than watching the Wizard of Oz. It is one of my favorite movies and is full of life principles. Two scenes stand out in particular as moments that move my heart. The first scene which I relate to is where she stands before the wizard in disbelief that the wizard has a solution in his ‘bag of fixes.’ She has journeyed through her circumstances in hope of finding her solution and is at the end of her pursuit. There she stands at the face of her final hope only to realization that what she desires is not tangible. The second scene that moves me is her realization that everything she desired was within her all along.
When Christ indwells in our hearts through the Spirit we are afforded His little black bag of glorious riches. We do not have to beg for its contents as it is promised to us by Christ himself. We do not have to pursue its contents as it is within our inner beings once we have accepted Christ as our Lord and Savior. Much like Dorothy, we approach the One who has the fixes desperate to get home, searching frantically for something that resembles our lives. I know for me it has been most recent the challenges of caregiving. It is a constant depletion of strength, energy and sometimes compassion. Unable to access these by my own ability I am daily approaching God to give me His ability to love sincerely, His patience, and His compassion. It is something that He guarantees if we will only believe that our depletions can be refilled by His riches of love, patience and compassion.
Dorothy was only asking for a way home but was given much more than a ride! She was given enlightenment, wisdom and gratitude. She was given a realization of riches within her own heart and an understanding of appreciation for her circumstances.
God will give us so much more than what we think we need from Him if we will only submit to Him and trust that He has everything required to live a victorious life in Him.
Remember, there is no place like Home!
Nothing is more entertaining than watching the Wizard of Oz. It is one of my favorite movies and is full of life principles. Two scenes stand out in particular as moments that move my heart. The first scene which I relate to is where she stands before the wizard in disbelief that the wizard has a solution in his ‘bag of fixes.’ She has journeyed through her circumstances in hope of finding her solution and is at the end of her pursuit. There she stands at the face of her final hope only to realization that what she desires is not tangible. The second scene that moves me is her realization that everything she desired was within her all along.
When Christ indwells in our hearts through the Spirit we are afforded His little black bag of glorious riches. We do not have to beg for its contents as it is promised to us by Christ himself. We do not have to pursue its contents as it is within our inner beings once we have accepted Christ as our Lord and Savior. Much like Dorothy, we approach the One who has the fixes desperate to get home, searching frantically for something that resembles our lives. I know for me it has been most recent the challenges of caregiving. It is a constant depletion of strength, energy and sometimes compassion. Unable to access these by my own ability I am daily approaching God to give me His ability to love sincerely, His patience, and His compassion. It is something that He guarantees if we will only believe that our depletions can be refilled by His riches of love, patience and compassion.
Dorothy was only asking for a way home but was given much more than a ride! She was given enlightenment, wisdom and gratitude. She was given a realization of riches within her own heart and an understanding of appreciation for her circumstances.
God will give us so much more than what we think we need from Him if we will only submit to Him and trust that He has everything required to live a victorious life in Him.
Remember, there is no place like Home!
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Broken By Circumstances...Forgiven Through Grace
“The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned…I am no longer worthy…’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe…Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf…Let’s have a feast and celebrate.’” Luke 15: 21-24
The father in this parable didn’t pay attention to what his son had so diligently rehearsed upon returning home. The father didn’t give weight to his son’s words but rather celebrated his actions. He was home…enough said. The same was true with my daughter when she was living apart from us during her drug addiction. Her words continuously told us she was sorry, was coming home and was turning away from her lifestyle of drugs. Her actions told another story which was her real truth.
The son’s appearance on the horizon told the story to his father. He was forgiven and restored to his previous status and position in the family. The boy’s discipline was in his consequences that he brought on himself. By the time he returned home he had suffered at the hands of his own doing which served as his discipline. The father didn’t have to do anything but celebrate. The same was true with me and my husband when Kristen appeared on the horizon humbled, repentant and hungry for reconciliation.
Discipline through consequences is that in-between stage between injury to relationship and reconciliation of fellowship. It is the work that must be completed before restoration may be returned and fellowship is deepened.
Christ acts much like this father. Sometimes He doesn’t chase after us when we ignore Him, set out for a distant country (our will) and become disobedient to His purpose. He knows the natural consequences of actions will bring on the downward spiral that will bring us to our knees. Words of promise of reconciliation will not suffice but only our appearance on the horizon with a broken heart and a defeated spirit desiring to return to our Father and to the heart of God.
The father in this parable didn’t pay attention to what his son had so diligently rehearsed upon returning home. The father didn’t give weight to his son’s words but rather celebrated his actions. He was home…enough said. The same was true with my daughter when she was living apart from us during her drug addiction. Her words continuously told us she was sorry, was coming home and was turning away from her lifestyle of drugs. Her actions told another story which was her real truth.
The son’s appearance on the horizon told the story to his father. He was forgiven and restored to his previous status and position in the family. The boy’s discipline was in his consequences that he brought on himself. By the time he returned home he had suffered at the hands of his own doing which served as his discipline. The father didn’t have to do anything but celebrate. The same was true with me and my husband when Kristen appeared on the horizon humbled, repentant and hungry for reconciliation.
Discipline through consequences is that in-between stage between injury to relationship and reconciliation of fellowship. It is the work that must be completed before restoration may be returned and fellowship is deepened.
Christ acts much like this father. Sometimes He doesn’t chase after us when we ignore Him, set out for a distant country (our will) and become disobedient to His purpose. He knows the natural consequences of actions will bring on the downward spiral that will bring us to our knees. Words of promise of reconciliation will not suffice but only our appearance on the horizon with a broken heart and a defeated spirit desiring to return to our Father and to the heart of God.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
A Long Way Off...
“…the younger son got together all that he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth…After he had spent everything…he began to be in need. He longed to fill his stomach…” Luke 15:13-16
I cannot think of a better parable than this one as we can relate to the entire cast of characters. At different points in our lives we are called to be the forgiving one as God forgives us. There will be times in our lives when we are the rebellious son who flees from everything we know. Other times, we are asked to be joyful towards those who may not deserve it based on past circumstances. Several important points are worthy of notice.
The son was born into that family, so although he could separate himself from the family he never lost the birth into that family. Once we receive God as our Father through Christ we are solid and secure in the Body of Christ. We cannot lose our spiritual birth status, nor can we separate ourselves from the love of the Father.
At certain points in our lives we emotionally abandon a healthy and loving environment. We set our sights on a distant country in an effort to run away emotionally from our adversities. I know that I did this when I was secretly spending during the adversity of my daughter’s substance abuse.
I still get teary eyed when I read the portion of passage, ‘After he had…he began to be in need’ for this is moment of reckoning that each of us realize when things appear to be in shambles. The heaviness of realization of where our lives derailed creates a longing for home. When the inner emptiness and emotional loneliness envelopes us like a heavy fog in the dark early mornings we long for our spiritual stomachs to be filled.
As I humbly and thankfully type this next verse I praise the Father for His parental and unconditional love. “While he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw this arms around him and kissed him.” Luke 15:20. God will not wait until we have it all together before He welcomes us back to Him. While we are far from perfect and reconciliation He runs to us and meets us where we are. Remember, the Bible teaches that Christ died for us while we were still sinners. Women of Faith Study Bible states, ‘Through that parable, Jesus simply wanted to illustrate dramatically and clearly that we are loved by God the Father – loved beyond measure, loved beyond comprehension and yes, loved beyond what we deserve.’ Marilyn Meberg, p. 1719.
The father in our story didn’t seek his son but rather knew that his son must seek him first. Once the father saw his son’s intention of heart that was all it took for his father to come to him. The same is with our Father as He runs to meet us once the condition of our heart is shown with regret, humility and a longing for repentence.
I cannot think of a better parable than this one as we can relate to the entire cast of characters. At different points in our lives we are called to be the forgiving one as God forgives us. There will be times in our lives when we are the rebellious son who flees from everything we know. Other times, we are asked to be joyful towards those who may not deserve it based on past circumstances. Several important points are worthy of notice.
The son was born into that family, so although he could separate himself from the family he never lost the birth into that family. Once we receive God as our Father through Christ we are solid and secure in the Body of Christ. We cannot lose our spiritual birth status, nor can we separate ourselves from the love of the Father.
At certain points in our lives we emotionally abandon a healthy and loving environment. We set our sights on a distant country in an effort to run away emotionally from our adversities. I know that I did this when I was secretly spending during the adversity of my daughter’s substance abuse.
I still get teary eyed when I read the portion of passage, ‘After he had…he began to be in need’ for this is moment of reckoning that each of us realize when things appear to be in shambles. The heaviness of realization of where our lives derailed creates a longing for home. When the inner emptiness and emotional loneliness envelopes us like a heavy fog in the dark early mornings we long for our spiritual stomachs to be filled.
As I humbly and thankfully type this next verse I praise the Father for His parental and unconditional love. “While he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw this arms around him and kissed him.” Luke 15:20. God will not wait until we have it all together before He welcomes us back to Him. While we are far from perfect and reconciliation He runs to us and meets us where we are. Remember, the Bible teaches that Christ died for us while we were still sinners. Women of Faith Study Bible states, ‘Through that parable, Jesus simply wanted to illustrate dramatically and clearly that we are loved by God the Father – loved beyond measure, loved beyond comprehension and yes, loved beyond what we deserve.’ Marilyn Meberg, p. 1719.
The father in our story didn’t seek his son but rather knew that his son must seek him first. Once the father saw his son’s intention of heart that was all it took for his father to come to him. The same is with our Father as He runs to meet us once the condition of our heart is shown with regret, humility and a longing for repentence.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
A Victorious Way
“I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord. Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust.” Psalm 40:1-4
Like many of the Psalms this was written by David. David seemed to possess an unquenchable passion for Christ. He ate, drank and breathed Christ in every facet of life with a few backslides that every other Christian experiences. I believe we can use these 4 verses to sum up the Christian life and responsibility to bring others to Christ.
1 – ‘I wait patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry.’ – We will experience long running trials and endure suffering in this life. Notice that David didn’t say that ‘he came to me’ but rather ‘he turned to me.’ This infers that He is right by our side and never leaves us.
2 – ‘He lifted me out…and set my feet…a firm place to stand.’ – He responds and acts on our prayers. Our seasons of trials are temporary and He will provide calm times again. Through His deliverance we will get our bearings again and return to a calm life.
3 – ‘He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.’ - Our trials of pain will provide a testimony to others. We will serve as a witness to His faithfulness and deliverance. We will give deposition for the record much like a witness in a case does for their jury.
4 – ‘Many will see…and…trust in the Lord.’ – Our trials will produce fruit of the Spirit to be shared with others. Our suffering produces the fruit of salvation as God is honored and glorified through our testimony bringing others to Christ.
5 – ‘Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust.’ – Our reward for trusting God through our trials and testifying to His deliverance and love will bring God’s best for our lives.
These are the blueprints for life with Christ and our responses as exemplified by David:
Suffering, Promise, Deliverance, Testimony and Blessings.
Like many of the Psalms this was written by David. David seemed to possess an unquenchable passion for Christ. He ate, drank and breathed Christ in every facet of life with a few backslides that every other Christian experiences. I believe we can use these 4 verses to sum up the Christian life and responsibility to bring others to Christ.
1 – ‘I wait patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry.’ – We will experience long running trials and endure suffering in this life. Notice that David didn’t say that ‘he came to me’ but rather ‘he turned to me.’ This infers that He is right by our side and never leaves us.
2 – ‘He lifted me out…and set my feet…a firm place to stand.’ – He responds and acts on our prayers. Our seasons of trials are temporary and He will provide calm times again. Through His deliverance we will get our bearings again and return to a calm life.
3 – ‘He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.’ - Our trials of pain will provide a testimony to others. We will serve as a witness to His faithfulness and deliverance. We will give deposition for the record much like a witness in a case does for their jury.
4 – ‘Many will see…and…trust in the Lord.’ – Our trials will produce fruit of the Spirit to be shared with others. Our suffering produces the fruit of salvation as God is honored and glorified through our testimony bringing others to Christ.
5 – ‘Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust.’ – Our reward for trusting God through our trials and testifying to His deliverance and love will bring God’s best for our lives.
These are the blueprints for life with Christ and our responses as exemplified by David:
Suffering, Promise, Deliverance, Testimony and Blessings.
Monday, July 12, 2010
In The Spirit
“Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and truth.” John 4:23-24
The word worship is defined as ‘treating somebody or something as divine (deity) and show respect by engaging in acts of prayer and devotion.’ The older I get the more I am aware of my lack of true worship in the past. Going to church was something of an obligatory nature even as an adult. I would attend because it was what good Christians and good mommies did. There have been times when I saw what topic the minister had prepared for the upcoming Sunday only to determine I wasn’t sure if I really would enjoy that topic. There have been times that I didn’t feel like turning around and greeting others at the point in the service. It was not until I truly deepened my fellowship with Christ four years ago that I truly began worshipping in ‘spirit and truth.’
Approaching church with "Me" mentality is like attending a party for someone else and expecting to receive gifts. When walking through those church doors we act like we are the guest of Honor instead of the Father. If we really get into the Spirit and the Truth we are transformed by the experience of Presence. We come with humility much like the beggar who welcomes the crumbs. The Divine Deity is offering Himself in full measure and constant access daily and worship is our chance to make it ALL about Him instead of ourselves.
I must admit that I still find myself distracted occasionally, complaining about the volume of the music, etc…but I now catch myself immediately feeling embarrassed before God and repentant that I have made it about me. Upon repentance He lifts me up and carries me in His spirit for the worship experience. When we make worship all about us we miss out on the opportunity to lavish our appreciation, love and adoration back on the Father as an offering.
Wherever we worship and whenever we bow let us not look onward to ourselves but upward to our God.
The word worship is defined as ‘treating somebody or something as divine (deity) and show respect by engaging in acts of prayer and devotion.’ The older I get the more I am aware of my lack of true worship in the past. Going to church was something of an obligatory nature even as an adult. I would attend because it was what good Christians and good mommies did. There have been times when I saw what topic the minister had prepared for the upcoming Sunday only to determine I wasn’t sure if I really would enjoy that topic. There have been times that I didn’t feel like turning around and greeting others at the point in the service. It was not until I truly deepened my fellowship with Christ four years ago that I truly began worshipping in ‘spirit and truth.’
Approaching church with "Me" mentality is like attending a party for someone else and expecting to receive gifts. When walking through those church doors we act like we are the guest of Honor instead of the Father. If we really get into the Spirit and the Truth we are transformed by the experience of Presence. We come with humility much like the beggar who welcomes the crumbs. The Divine Deity is offering Himself in full measure and constant access daily and worship is our chance to make it ALL about Him instead of ourselves.
I must admit that I still find myself distracted occasionally, complaining about the volume of the music, etc…but I now catch myself immediately feeling embarrassed before God and repentant that I have made it about me. Upon repentance He lifts me up and carries me in His spirit for the worship experience. When we make worship all about us we miss out on the opportunity to lavish our appreciation, love and adoration back on the Father as an offering.
Wherever we worship and whenever we bow let us not look onward to ourselves but upward to our God.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Press On
“You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings…Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted…But as for you, continue in what you have learned…Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season…keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work…discharge all the duties of your ministry…The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.” 2 Timothy 4:10-22
The thought was complete and the pen was laid down as his ministry was drawing to a close. Paul’s last recorded letter in the Bible was to his ‘son in the faith,’ young Timothy. Paul cared for him deeply and worried about the effects that the secular world would have on the ministry. His charge to Timothy was one we should heed. Paul took his spiritual responsibility to degrees we might not have endured. He knew the spiritual temperature was rising against those who supported Christianity. Paul’s life was certainly a ministry but his letters were his legacy.
Think of all the times we have written a few thoughts down on greeting cards for the sake of encouraging someone going through tough times. Imagine if every word was going to appear in the Holy Writ for all to read down the road. Paul had no idea that his words would become the spiritual standard for which we should live our lives. He was simply proclaiming his devotion to Christ and encouraging another ambassador of the Great Commission. By this point, Paul knew the end was near and he would most likely suffer a horrible death as many Christian martyrs had before, yet he took the time to write, encourage, love and give caution to someone else.
I think of my dad and grandmother as I read my commentary regarding the last sentence of Paul’s recorded writings, ‘The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.’ My Bible commentary states, ‘The fragrance of his life and testimony abides with us still, and we shall meet him again and talk with him…’ p. 2128
I know all about my grandmother and dad’s teaching, their way of life, their purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance and sufferings. I have gotten many notes over the course of my life from them during their times of trials as they encouraged me, loved me and shared their faith with me apart from their own sufferings. All of these letters sound the same as they are inspired by the same Author.
Our walk of faith is written in ink on the blueprint in the life of a Christian. Great Christians like these may have departed but their ink is still wet!
The thought was complete and the pen was laid down as his ministry was drawing to a close. Paul’s last recorded letter in the Bible was to his ‘son in the faith,’ young Timothy. Paul cared for him deeply and worried about the effects that the secular world would have on the ministry. His charge to Timothy was one we should heed. Paul took his spiritual responsibility to degrees we might not have endured. He knew the spiritual temperature was rising against those who supported Christianity. Paul’s life was certainly a ministry but his letters were his legacy.
Think of all the times we have written a few thoughts down on greeting cards for the sake of encouraging someone going through tough times. Imagine if every word was going to appear in the Holy Writ for all to read down the road. Paul had no idea that his words would become the spiritual standard for which we should live our lives. He was simply proclaiming his devotion to Christ and encouraging another ambassador of the Great Commission. By this point, Paul knew the end was near and he would most likely suffer a horrible death as many Christian martyrs had before, yet he took the time to write, encourage, love and give caution to someone else.
I think of my dad and grandmother as I read my commentary regarding the last sentence of Paul’s recorded writings, ‘The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.’ My Bible commentary states, ‘The fragrance of his life and testimony abides with us still, and we shall meet him again and talk with him…’ p. 2128
I know all about my grandmother and dad’s teaching, their way of life, their purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance and sufferings. I have gotten many notes over the course of my life from them during their times of trials as they encouraged me, loved me and shared their faith with me apart from their own sufferings. All of these letters sound the same as they are inspired by the same Author.
Our walk of faith is written in ink on the blueprint in the life of a Christian. Great Christians like these may have departed but their ink is still wet!
Friday, July 9, 2010
God's Love
As many of you know our family has had our share of cancer over the past 15 months as it has ushered my sister and dad into Heaven. Cancer was their vessel home and now they live victoriously with Christ. I had purchased a book for my sister when she was first diagnosed with cancer. The name of the book is What Cancer Cannot Do and it sits on the tableside in my guest room. I was recently in the room as I noticed it laying there and realized I had never really read it. I had retrieved the book after Beth died and there it has sat for over a year unopened.
I decided to read it and how blessed I am this morning. Cancer is not only physical but it can also be symbolized as cancer of the heart and soul. All of us suffer adversity and need healing, encouragement and compassion as we face our own challenges whatever they may be. I would like to share a page from this book with you as we apply the words to whatever we may find challenging in our lives today. May it bless you as much as it has blessed me.
“For when we are most afraid, his love calms us; when we feel abandoned, he surrounds us with his presence; when we feel we have lost our way, he lights up the darkness; when we are restless with pain, he soothes us with his touch; when we lose heart, thinking we will never be well again, he restores our soul. He does this through songs in the night and Scriptures by day; through the private prayers of friends and the corporate intercession of the church; through the testimony of survivors and the shining leadership of saints who die in the Lord. But most of all, he does this through his ever-vigilant, wholly sufficient, eternally satisfying love. Cancer (or whatever) cannot cripple God’s love. He loved us from the beginning, he loves us through disease, he loves us in and out …, and he loves us to the end, where, someday, we will know no more tears, no more sorrow, and no more death – only the incredible wonder of his love.” p. 7
We all are crippled with something whether it is disease, fear, bitterness or loneliness but our state of spirit will be untouched if we submit everything to the love of God from which nothing can separate us.
I decided to read it and how blessed I am this morning. Cancer is not only physical but it can also be symbolized as cancer of the heart and soul. All of us suffer adversity and need healing, encouragement and compassion as we face our own challenges whatever they may be. I would like to share a page from this book with you as we apply the words to whatever we may find challenging in our lives today. May it bless you as much as it has blessed me.
“For when we are most afraid, his love calms us; when we feel abandoned, he surrounds us with his presence; when we feel we have lost our way, he lights up the darkness; when we are restless with pain, he soothes us with his touch; when we lose heart, thinking we will never be well again, he restores our soul. He does this through songs in the night and Scriptures by day; through the private prayers of friends and the corporate intercession of the church; through the testimony of survivors and the shining leadership of saints who die in the Lord. But most of all, he does this through his ever-vigilant, wholly sufficient, eternally satisfying love. Cancer (or whatever) cannot cripple God’s love. He loved us from the beginning, he loves us through disease, he loves us in and out …, and he loves us to the end, where, someday, we will know no more tears, no more sorrow, and no more death – only the incredible wonder of his love.” p. 7
We all are crippled with something whether it is disease, fear, bitterness or loneliness but our state of spirit will be untouched if we submit everything to the love of God from which nothing can separate us.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Building Barns
“Then he said to them, ‘Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.’ And he told them this parable: ‘The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. He thought to himself, “What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.” Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do, I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I’ll say to myself, ‘You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.’ But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ “This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God.” Luke 12:15-21
I have seen this passage play out in real life over and over again. I know a woman who has spent her life building bigger and bigger barns to store all of her material possessions. Nothing was ever enough and no item was too expensive. She spent the entire focus of her days determining what she would purchase next and the space for which she could place the item in her home. Her husband had an abundance of resources along with his blessing for her spending. Her gods were her possessions and her faith was in her spending. Then all of a sudden her husband was struck down with a disease and her life changed. No amount of spending could bring the relief needed to comfort her. Her barns did not possess the materials required for that season in her life. Her barns only stored material possessions and were void of faith.
We must build barns of kindness, compassion and forgiveness. Our barns must be constructed with the foundation of Christ and His mercy towards others. We should be able to enter our storehouses and pull off of the shelves our time, resources and prayers for the needs of others. We cannot store up the things of this world for the time will come where those things are not enough. My commentary states, ‘He decided to pull down his barns and build bigger ones. He could have saved himself the expense and bother of his tremendous construction project if he had just looked on the needy world about him, and used these possessions to satisfy hunger, both spiritual and physical. The bosoms of the poor, the houses of widows, the mouths of children are the barns which last forever. But when he began to think of time as his, he crashed into God to his eternal ruin…he would lose ownership of all his material possessions. They would fall to someone else. Someone has defined a fool as one whose plans end at a grave.’ Believer’s Bible Comm. p. 1419.
When building our barns we must ask ourselves, ‘Are we storing things of eternal significance or are we storing things that end at the grave?’
I have seen this passage play out in real life over and over again. I know a woman who has spent her life building bigger and bigger barns to store all of her material possessions. Nothing was ever enough and no item was too expensive. She spent the entire focus of her days determining what she would purchase next and the space for which she could place the item in her home. Her husband had an abundance of resources along with his blessing for her spending. Her gods were her possessions and her faith was in her spending. Then all of a sudden her husband was struck down with a disease and her life changed. No amount of spending could bring the relief needed to comfort her. Her barns did not possess the materials required for that season in her life. Her barns only stored material possessions and were void of faith.
We must build barns of kindness, compassion and forgiveness. Our barns must be constructed with the foundation of Christ and His mercy towards others. We should be able to enter our storehouses and pull off of the shelves our time, resources and prayers for the needs of others. We cannot store up the things of this world for the time will come where those things are not enough. My commentary states, ‘He decided to pull down his barns and build bigger ones. He could have saved himself the expense and bother of his tremendous construction project if he had just looked on the needy world about him, and used these possessions to satisfy hunger, both spiritual and physical. The bosoms of the poor, the houses of widows, the mouths of children are the barns which last forever. But when he began to think of time as his, he crashed into God to his eternal ruin…he would lose ownership of all his material possessions. They would fall to someone else. Someone has defined a fool as one whose plans end at a grave.’ Believer’s Bible Comm. p. 1419.
When building our barns we must ask ourselves, ‘Are we storing things of eternal significance or are we storing things that end at the grave?’
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Someone Stronger
“But when someone stronger attacks and overpowers him, he takes away the armor in which the man trusted and divided up the spoils…When an evil spirit comes out of a man, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and takes seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that man is worse than the first.” Luke 11: 21, 24-26
I have witnessed this passage being lived out in my own life on several occasions. Many years ago early in my marriage, I secretly mounted up debt. Upon my husband’s realization he put in place a plan to pay off these debts. It felt good to have a clean slate as I faced life with him again instead of secretly against him. Fast forward a few more years and I ended up being in the same state of circumstances with a greater debt. In an effort to show me his forgiveness and support he allowed me to continue being in charge of the bills. Satan came in with a force to a home he knew would be open to his attack. He was fully armed and knew where all of the chinks in my armor could be found. He knew where I was most vulnerable and went in for the kill very early in ‘the clean house.’ This time the debt that I mounted was so substantial it threatened the financial future of the entire family.
‘Someone stronger’ awoke me at 4:00 one morning exhorting me to tell my husband the complete truth. This was the scariest moment of my life but someone stronger brought us through this trial. Someone stronger placed amazing forgiveness and wisdom at the base of my husband’s heart. Someone stronger filled me with strength and protection against Satan through accountability and discipline. Someone stronger is God, my Savior and my help in times of trouble.
Satan will return to areas of weakness that plague our lives. He knows us better than we know ourselves and will control our minds through successes he has experienced in the past. Obvious areas are addictions which is why AA/NA are such wonderful programs. They give successful tools of fighting against the darkness of the disease. They replace the ‘clean house’ with new weapons and keen awareness. Once we have cleaned up past sins in our lives we must fill that void with the armor of God. This armor includes staying in His Word, praying and meditating on His revelations. We must put in place the things of God if we are to be successful when Satan wages war in familiar territories.
Satan will return to our newly cleaned homes so all of us had better change the locks on the door!
I have witnessed this passage being lived out in my own life on several occasions. Many years ago early in my marriage, I secretly mounted up debt. Upon my husband’s realization he put in place a plan to pay off these debts. It felt good to have a clean slate as I faced life with him again instead of secretly against him. Fast forward a few more years and I ended up being in the same state of circumstances with a greater debt. In an effort to show me his forgiveness and support he allowed me to continue being in charge of the bills. Satan came in with a force to a home he knew would be open to his attack. He was fully armed and knew where all of the chinks in my armor could be found. He knew where I was most vulnerable and went in for the kill very early in ‘the clean house.’ This time the debt that I mounted was so substantial it threatened the financial future of the entire family.
‘Someone stronger’ awoke me at 4:00 one morning exhorting me to tell my husband the complete truth. This was the scariest moment of my life but someone stronger brought us through this trial. Someone stronger placed amazing forgiveness and wisdom at the base of my husband’s heart. Someone stronger filled me with strength and protection against Satan through accountability and discipline. Someone stronger is God, my Savior and my help in times of trouble.
Satan will return to areas of weakness that plague our lives. He knows us better than we know ourselves and will control our minds through successes he has experienced in the past. Obvious areas are addictions which is why AA/NA are such wonderful programs. They give successful tools of fighting against the darkness of the disease. They replace the ‘clean house’ with new weapons and keen awareness. Once we have cleaned up past sins in our lives we must fill that void with the armor of God. This armor includes staying in His Word, praying and meditating on His revelations. We must put in place the things of God if we are to be successful when Satan wages war in familiar territories.
Satan will return to our newly cleaned homes so all of us had better change the locks on the door!
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Living by Distractions
“But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made… ‘Martha, Martha,’ the Lord answered, ‘you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken from her.’” Luke 10:40-42
I am definitely connected with the frustration of Martha as over the years I have allowed silly worries to crowd my mind and frustrate my fellowship with Christ. More recent has been the morning devotionals that I post at the end of my Bible study and time with God. The recipe is simple as I am to choose the one thing that is needed: Him.
I must admit that some mornings Martha rises out of bed with a full agenda for the day. As Martha, I approach my Bible study with an urgent pondering of life trying to apply whatever passage I read that morning. It can easily become ‘preparation’ instead of Presence and a distraction instead of an experience. The preparations before posting are very important but not to the exclusion of time with Christ. Christ wasn’t telling Martha that her preparations were pointless but that they were simply crowding out the most important part – time with Him. We are to always choose what is better which is Christ first.
The word preparation as used in the New Testament translates as ‘attendance, service and ministry.’ As we approach the day with all of its distractions we must attend to our own time with God in order to bolster our service and ministries. Each of these words describing preparation has important roles to play in all of our lives.
Satan places distractions at our feet in an effort to crowd us out from sitting at Christ’s feet. We must be aware of these distractions as our traps that keep us too busy for ‘Mary time.’ We must make concerted efforts to step over the distractions Satan has placed in our path and kneel at His feet – the better way.
Don’t ever forget that Satan is a mastermind of ‘mastering our minds.’
I am definitely connected with the frustration of Martha as over the years I have allowed silly worries to crowd my mind and frustrate my fellowship with Christ. More recent has been the morning devotionals that I post at the end of my Bible study and time with God. The recipe is simple as I am to choose the one thing that is needed: Him.
I must admit that some mornings Martha rises out of bed with a full agenda for the day. As Martha, I approach my Bible study with an urgent pondering of life trying to apply whatever passage I read that morning. It can easily become ‘preparation’ instead of Presence and a distraction instead of an experience. The preparations before posting are very important but not to the exclusion of time with Christ. Christ wasn’t telling Martha that her preparations were pointless but that they were simply crowding out the most important part – time with Him. We are to always choose what is better which is Christ first.
The word preparation as used in the New Testament translates as ‘attendance, service and ministry.’ As we approach the day with all of its distractions we must attend to our own time with God in order to bolster our service and ministries. Each of these words describing preparation has important roles to play in all of our lives.
Satan places distractions at our feet in an effort to crowd us out from sitting at Christ’s feet. We must be aware of these distractions as our traps that keep us too busy for ‘Mary time.’ We must make concerted efforts to step over the distractions Satan has placed in our path and kneel at His feet – the better way.
Don’t ever forget that Satan is a mastermind of ‘mastering our minds.’
Monday, July 5, 2010
Numb to Need
“In reply Jesus said: ‘A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.’” Luke 10:30-32
Jesus used this parable when asked by an expert of the law what he must do to inherit eternal life. The principle was simple in words but difficult in actions: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ By keeping the first part of His answer, it should not be difficult to accomplish the second part. By loving God with everything we are, we love others.
Back in the Old Testament a priest was a person appointed to act on behalf of men and women in relation to God. A Levite was a descendant from the tribe of Levi to whom God gave a place of privilege and responsibility over His chosen people. I am struck by the fact that the priest and Levite chose to not only ignore the need of the wounded but went out of their way to avoid one of their own in need.
There is so much need and sadness in our world today. I cannot think of a single family who has not been touched by cancer. The financial state for which we find ourselves in is at a crisis level. The disease of addiction is at an all time high as people try to escape their own wounds, trials and adversities. Let’s face it – we all feel like the chosen and appointed priest and Levite who should do this and ought to do that. The needs are so great…so numerous…so numbing.
Our society lives in such extremes that it is easy to become numb to the needs of others. We become unmoved by the calamities of many as we are focused on our own injuries that litter our streets. Christ walked the countryside of calamity also as helpless and injured people were constantly pulling on Him, searching for Him and desiring from Him. The beauty of Christ was that on the countryside He saw each injured person. He had compassion on the greatest and the least of those who came to Him for healing. He saw neither status nor privilege but experienced each person as an individual with unique needs.
We are unable to be everything to everyone but through loving the Lord our God first and foremost with every part of our being we can access everything required to assist others in their time of need. Christ did some of His most amazing work when He was weary and wanting to retreat, but He reached into the supernatural strength of His Father and never came up empty. Through our inheritance in Christ we can access this same supernatural strength and supply provision to those in need.
Let’s approach each other with Christ-like vision…vision that really sees people and their suffering…vision that feels and not just sees. Vision that breaks the numbness of our society and triggers compassion in our hearts to act.
Jesus used this parable when asked by an expert of the law what he must do to inherit eternal life. The principle was simple in words but difficult in actions: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ By keeping the first part of His answer, it should not be difficult to accomplish the second part. By loving God with everything we are, we love others.
Back in the Old Testament a priest was a person appointed to act on behalf of men and women in relation to God. A Levite was a descendant from the tribe of Levi to whom God gave a place of privilege and responsibility over His chosen people. I am struck by the fact that the priest and Levite chose to not only ignore the need of the wounded but went out of their way to avoid one of their own in need.
There is so much need and sadness in our world today. I cannot think of a single family who has not been touched by cancer. The financial state for which we find ourselves in is at a crisis level. The disease of addiction is at an all time high as people try to escape their own wounds, trials and adversities. Let’s face it – we all feel like the chosen and appointed priest and Levite who should do this and ought to do that. The needs are so great…so numerous…so numbing.
Our society lives in such extremes that it is easy to become numb to the needs of others. We become unmoved by the calamities of many as we are focused on our own injuries that litter our streets. Christ walked the countryside of calamity also as helpless and injured people were constantly pulling on Him, searching for Him and desiring from Him. The beauty of Christ was that on the countryside He saw each injured person. He had compassion on the greatest and the least of those who came to Him for healing. He saw neither status nor privilege but experienced each person as an individual with unique needs.
We are unable to be everything to everyone but through loving the Lord our God first and foremost with every part of our being we can access everything required to assist others in their time of need. Christ did some of His most amazing work when He was weary and wanting to retreat, but He reached into the supernatural strength of His Father and never came up empty. Through our inheritance in Christ we can access this same supernatural strength and supply provision to those in need.
Let’s approach each other with Christ-like vision…vision that really sees people and their suffering…vision that feels and not just sees. Vision that breaks the numbness of our society and triggers compassion in our hearts to act.
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Authority Granted
“I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in Heaven.” Luke 10:19-20
I love the fact that through Christ we are given power over the enemy. We have a wall of protection around us as Christ is our Mediator and Intercessor. With protection like this we can be assured that the enemy cannot be victorious against us. That is a reason to rejoice for me personally. Satan has hurled so much power over me at times in my life, but God has not allowed the enemy to harm me. God has replaced anything Satan has taken. He has resurrected death where Satan killed a life of joy.
Many times I equate joy with results. This passage in Luke suggests that Christ was warning His laborers to look spiritually for success and not to earthly accomplishments. I have certainly been guilty of looking onward in accomplishments instead of upward in treasures to come. Our reward is in Heaven and that is the focus for which we should have instead of momentary accomplishments and at-a-boys on earth. Pride in success is always a warning that God will give since it is a way that Satan gets a foothold in our lives.
We are all called by Christ with authority to accomplish our part in the Great Commission. He has given everything required to overcome the enemy to accomplish His purpose. Let us pray for a pure heart and a steadfast spirit so that our own ego will not get in the way of His message of love and redemption for all mankind.
I love the fact that through Christ we are given power over the enemy. We have a wall of protection around us as Christ is our Mediator and Intercessor. With protection like this we can be assured that the enemy cannot be victorious against us. That is a reason to rejoice for me personally. Satan has hurled so much power over me at times in my life, but God has not allowed the enemy to harm me. God has replaced anything Satan has taken. He has resurrected death where Satan killed a life of joy.
Many times I equate joy with results. This passage in Luke suggests that Christ was warning His laborers to look spiritually for success and not to earthly accomplishments. I have certainly been guilty of looking onward in accomplishments instead of upward in treasures to come. Our reward is in Heaven and that is the focus for which we should have instead of momentary accomplishments and at-a-boys on earth. Pride in success is always a warning that God will give since it is a way that Satan gets a foothold in our lives.
We are all called by Christ with authority to accomplish our part in the Great Commission. He has given everything required to overcome the enemy to accomplish His purpose. Let us pray for a pure heart and a steadfast spirit so that our own ego will not get in the way of His message of love and redemption for all mankind.
Friday, July 2, 2010
"I'm Telling!"
“But Jonah was greatly displeased and became angry. He prayed to the LORD, ‘O Lord, is this not what I said when I was still at home…I knew you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity …’ But the LORD replied, ‘Have you any right to be angry?’” Jonah 4:1-4
Every parent has heard the battle cry- ‘I’m telling!’ It used to send chills up my spine much like fingernails on a chalkboard. The anguish of the ‘victim’ was only matched by the anticipated delight of the punishment of the ‘perpetrator’. This was the plea of Jonah as he pouted to God that the region for which he was sent to minister had been forgiven. He didn’t feel they were worthy of forgiveness and had rather had them destroyed by God’s wrath. This one is too close for comfort! Not that I desire for anyone to experience calamity but on some level we all want justice served up our way.
I have watched a person in my life continuously live out life through the ego, self-will and self-centeredness. Many times I have pointed out to God these transgressions much like Jonah did. I have sat by much like a little child tattle-telling and anticipating the parent to step in and condemn. Now understand that I am not proud of this but simply am being honest.
I am reminded of the beautiful verse that follows up one of the most well-known Bible passages of John 3:16. The verse that follows (v. 17) is ‘God did not send his son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.’ Christ understood that will and did not use His power irresponsibly. He had both knowledge and righteous motivation. In Ezekiel we are told the correct attitude to have as far as the forgiveness of others. ‘As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn…’ Ez. 33:11. In the New Testament, we are told that love God’s way is ‘not delighting in evil but rejoicing when truth wins out’ (1 Co. 13:6)
We are to pray for the Spirit-led conviction and the full heart repentance of those for whom we see living life apart from the Holy Spirit. We are to be free from our judgment of others as they are to seek freedom from their life of self. We are to praise God when others turn away from their selfishness and replace it with righteousness. ‘Oh, God, give us a longing – not for the sin of this world to be judged – but for the sinners of this world to be forgiven.’ Beth Moore, Jesus-The One and Only.
We should dress ourselves each morning with the helmet of Hebrews 10:24: ‘Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds’ and rejoice that Christ responds with the heart of Hebrews 10:17: ‘Then he adds, “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.” And where these have been forgiven…’”
Every parent has heard the battle cry- ‘I’m telling!’ It used to send chills up my spine much like fingernails on a chalkboard. The anguish of the ‘victim’ was only matched by the anticipated delight of the punishment of the ‘perpetrator’. This was the plea of Jonah as he pouted to God that the region for which he was sent to minister had been forgiven. He didn’t feel they were worthy of forgiveness and had rather had them destroyed by God’s wrath. This one is too close for comfort! Not that I desire for anyone to experience calamity but on some level we all want justice served up our way.
I have watched a person in my life continuously live out life through the ego, self-will and self-centeredness. Many times I have pointed out to God these transgressions much like Jonah did. I have sat by much like a little child tattle-telling and anticipating the parent to step in and condemn. Now understand that I am not proud of this but simply am being honest.
I am reminded of the beautiful verse that follows up one of the most well-known Bible passages of John 3:16. The verse that follows (v. 17) is ‘God did not send his son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.’ Christ understood that will and did not use His power irresponsibly. He had both knowledge and righteous motivation. In Ezekiel we are told the correct attitude to have as far as the forgiveness of others. ‘As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn…’ Ez. 33:11. In the New Testament, we are told that love God’s way is ‘not delighting in evil but rejoicing when truth wins out’ (1 Co. 13:6)
We are to pray for the Spirit-led conviction and the full heart repentance of those for whom we see living life apart from the Holy Spirit. We are to be free from our judgment of others as they are to seek freedom from their life of self. We are to praise God when others turn away from their selfishness and replace it with righteousness. ‘Oh, God, give us a longing – not for the sin of this world to be judged – but for the sinners of this world to be forgiven.’ Beth Moore, Jesus-The One and Only.
We should dress ourselves each morning with the helmet of Hebrews 10:24: ‘Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds’ and rejoice that Christ responds with the heart of Hebrews 10:17: ‘Then he adds, “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.” And where these have been forgiven…’”
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