“When the men came to Jesus, they said, ‘John the Baptist sent us to you to ask, ‘Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else…’ ‘Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk…the deaf hear, the dead are raised…Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me.’” Luke 7:20-23
Boy, does this passage make me squirm! John has been incarcerated for rebuking King Herod for entering into an unlawful marriage with his brother Philip’s wife. It looked as if all hope was lost of John ever enjoying life without imprisonment. John the Baptist sends his messengers to Jesus to basically say, ‘I hear that you are doing all kinds of miracles in the land and delivering many people from many situations. What about me? Where is my deliverance? Where is my rescue from my situation?’
How many times have we thought in our hearts and minds these questions? How many times have we heard ourselves utter those words from our lips? ‘Where are you God? Where is my miracle? Where is my healing? I know you can but why don’t you?’ My commentary states it best:
“So John sent two of his disciples to ask Jesus if He were really the Messiah…It may seem strange to us that John should ever question Jesus’ Messiahship. But we must remember that the best of men suffer brief lapses of faith….C.G. Moore says: I know of no hours more trying to faith than those in which Jesus multiplies evidences of His power and does not use it. There is need of much grace when the messengers come back saying: ‘Yes, He has all the power, and is all that you have thought; but He said not a word about taking you out of prison…’ No explanation; faith nourished; prison doors left closed; and then the message, ‘Blessed is he whosoever shall not be offended in men.’ That is all!” p. 1393
How this breaks my heart for the forerunner of Christ. He had given his all, had been faithful to end, and had lived his entire life for the purpose of God…and yet, he did not receive…was not rescued…was not a miracle recipient in the earthly form. With both my sister and my dad ‘He said not a word.’ For 8 years with my daughter’s drug addiction, ‘He said not a word.’ With my father-in-laws disease of Alzheimer’s, ‘He said not a word.’ Is there something in your life that ‘He said not a word.’
We must believe with all of our hearts than when God is silent or fails to give us our miracle there is greater work being accomplished in the heavenlies by our circumstances. I must believe that the deaths of my dad and sister were crucial in the Kingdom of God. We cannot allow a resolution to determine whether we recognize Christ in our lives. Our faith must be in His will, His work and His purposes apart from outcomes in our situations.
‘He said not a word’ but I knew He was there. Let us be blessed by trusting God in His ultimate wisdom and sovereignty.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Funeral March
“As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out – the only son of a mother, and she was a widow. When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, ‘Don’t cry.’ Then he went up and touched the coffin, and those carrying it stood still. He said, ‘Young man, I say to you, get up!’ The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother.” Luke 7:13-15
What a touching and endearing story regarding the heart of Christ. All of us can relate to feeling like there is hopelessness in our spirit and lifelessness in our situations. We carry around despair in our hearts just like these people were carrying the little coffin of the small child.
We have laid to rest any hope in our situations. Our season of suffering performs an embalmment of our soul as our circumstances drain the life from us. We march in our processionals of despair with our following of mourners.
And then…at the gate of hope…where death meets life, we meet Christ. His heart pours love and compassion upon us. It stops us in our tracks and we begin to feel a pulse. He reaches out that miraculous and scarred hand and says, ‘Don’t cry, I have overcome death and despair. Through me, life can be restored and resurrected.’ He will approach our heart and spirit which carries death, and will call us back to life through Him and in Him.
If you are carrying around a coffin that encases lifelessness don’t despair. Christ will meet you at the gate of provision and will touch your circumstances bringing life where death was once laid to rest.
What a touching and endearing story regarding the heart of Christ. All of us can relate to feeling like there is hopelessness in our spirit and lifelessness in our situations. We carry around despair in our hearts just like these people were carrying the little coffin of the small child.
We have laid to rest any hope in our situations. Our season of suffering performs an embalmment of our soul as our circumstances drain the life from us. We march in our processionals of despair with our following of mourners.
And then…at the gate of hope…where death meets life, we meet Christ. His heart pours love and compassion upon us. It stops us in our tracks and we begin to feel a pulse. He reaches out that miraculous and scarred hand and says, ‘Don’t cry, I have overcome death and despair. Through me, life can be restored and resurrected.’ He will approach our heart and spirit which carries death, and will call us back to life through Him and in Him.
If you are carrying around a coffin that encases lifelessness don’t despair. Christ will meet you at the gate of provision and will touch your circumstances bringing life where death was once laid to rest.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Highly Valued
“There a centurion’s servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die. The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant…He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: ‘Lord, don’t trouble yourself, but I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority…When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him and turning to the crowd following him, he said, ‘I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.’” Luke 7:1-10
I love this story with all of its literal and symbolic teachings. The centurion loved his servant just as his own family member. To the world’s standards this servant was of little or no value once infirmed. A servant’s employment and his master’s loyalty was only as good as his usefulness. Once a servant was infirmed or disabled his usefulness ceased and his employment withdrawn. This centurion was unique in his loyalty and compassionate in his relationships. Sound like anyone we know?
Christ does not assume fellowship with us based on our works. He does not throw us aside when our effectiveness is hindered. He knows we are all infirmed and disabled in one way or another but He still approaches the Healer on our behalf. He runs to God and explains how highly valued we are to Him, and through the authority extended to Him by God we are the recipients of His intercession. In addition to Christ being our centurion asking for healing on our behalf, the centurion himself demonstrates basic essentials in prayer.
He solicits the intercession of others as we do when we ask fellow Christians to pray for us.
He is firm in his faith that healing will occur.
He is humble in his approach in the asking of his request.
He is adamant in his belief in the authority Christ has to heal.
We should never discount the condition of others in their lives for all of God’s children and co-heirs of Christ are highly valued in the eyes of the Master.
Whether we are sick physically, emotionally or spiritually Jesus is coming towards the house for healing. Let’s run to meet Him half way!
I love this story with all of its literal and symbolic teachings. The centurion loved his servant just as his own family member. To the world’s standards this servant was of little or no value once infirmed. A servant’s employment and his master’s loyalty was only as good as his usefulness. Once a servant was infirmed or disabled his usefulness ceased and his employment withdrawn. This centurion was unique in his loyalty and compassionate in his relationships. Sound like anyone we know?
Christ does not assume fellowship with us based on our works. He does not throw us aside when our effectiveness is hindered. He knows we are all infirmed and disabled in one way or another but He still approaches the Healer on our behalf. He runs to God and explains how highly valued we are to Him, and through the authority extended to Him by God we are the recipients of His intercession. In addition to Christ being our centurion asking for healing on our behalf, the centurion himself demonstrates basic essentials in prayer.
He solicits the intercession of others as we do when we ask fellow Christians to pray for us.
He is firm in his faith that healing will occur.
He is humble in his approach in the asking of his request.
He is adamant in his belief in the authority Christ has to heal.
We should never discount the condition of others in their lives for all of God’s children and co-heirs of Christ are highly valued in the eyes of the Master.
Whether we are sick physically, emotionally or spiritually Jesus is coming towards the house for healing. Let’s run to meet Him half way!
Monday, June 14, 2010
He's The Man!
“As he went along he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’ ‘Neither this man nor his parents sinned,’ said Jesus, ‘but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life...’ ‘Go…wash.’ So the man went and washed, and came home seeing. His neighbors and those who had formerly seen him begging asked, ‘Isn’t this the same man who used to sit and beg?’… But he himself insisted, ‘I am the man.’ ‘How then were your eyes opened?’ they demanded. ‘He replied, ‘The man they call Jesus…’ John 9:1-11
This story has so many spiritual principles from which we can draw as Christians. This was an exchange between Jesus and the disciples. Jesus explained the principle of purpose in challenges. He made it real clear that the blindness was known to God prior to birth so that at the proper time His power would be displayed in him. “Jesus did not mean that the man had not sinned, or that his parents had not sinned. Rather, He meant that the blindness was not a direct result of sin in their lives. God has allowed this man to be born blind in order that the man might become a means of displaying the mighty works of God. Before the man was born, the Lord Jesus knew He would give sight to those blind eyes.” Believer’s Bible Commentary, pp. 1520-1521. We will all face challenges throughout our lives which were known to God before we were known to the world. Nothing comes into our lives that God doesn’t have full discloser of and the purpose attached.
On April 30, 1982 the doctors placed a bundle of joy into my arms for the first time. God already knew that she would develop an addiction and walk a dark and blinding life for eight years. He already knew that He would heal her in order for others to see His mighty work and the miracle He performed. He knew that one day He would look upon her and speak those mighty words, ‘Go…Wash!’ He knew that witnesses would then look upon her life questioning if that could really be her. Could this be the same one who ‘sat and begged’? My daughter now proclaims at every turn, ‘I am the person,’ and identifies her Healer. ‘The man they call Jesus!’
Much like the blind man, we have been created with purposeful challenges so that God’s power may be displayed in us.
Much like the blind man, we beg for mercy, healing, and deliverance through our prayers.
Much like the blind man, we can be washed and cleansed from anything.
Much like the blind man, we will be transformed and have sight where there was once blindness.
Much like the blind man, we will have testimony in our transformation.
‘I am that man!’
This story has so many spiritual principles from which we can draw as Christians. This was an exchange between Jesus and the disciples. Jesus explained the principle of purpose in challenges. He made it real clear that the blindness was known to God prior to birth so that at the proper time His power would be displayed in him. “Jesus did not mean that the man had not sinned, or that his parents had not sinned. Rather, He meant that the blindness was not a direct result of sin in their lives. God has allowed this man to be born blind in order that the man might become a means of displaying the mighty works of God. Before the man was born, the Lord Jesus knew He would give sight to those blind eyes.” Believer’s Bible Commentary, pp. 1520-1521. We will all face challenges throughout our lives which were known to God before we were known to the world. Nothing comes into our lives that God doesn’t have full discloser of and the purpose attached.
On April 30, 1982 the doctors placed a bundle of joy into my arms for the first time. God already knew that she would develop an addiction and walk a dark and blinding life for eight years. He already knew that He would heal her in order for others to see His mighty work and the miracle He performed. He knew that one day He would look upon her and speak those mighty words, ‘Go…Wash!’ He knew that witnesses would then look upon her life questioning if that could really be her. Could this be the same one who ‘sat and begged’? My daughter now proclaims at every turn, ‘I am the person,’ and identifies her Healer. ‘The man they call Jesus!’
Much like the blind man, we have been created with purposeful challenges so that God’s power may be displayed in us.
Much like the blind man, we beg for mercy, healing, and deliverance through our prayers.
Much like the blind man, we can be washed and cleansed from anything.
Much like the blind man, we will be transformed and have sight where there was once blindness.
Much like the blind man, we will have testimony in our transformation.
‘I am that man!’
Sunday, June 13, 2010
The Leper's Prayer
“While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, ‘Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.’” Luke 5:12
This short story tucked away in Luke exemplifies true faith in a hopeless situation. Leprosy is an infectious disease that has been known since biblical times. It is characterized by disfiguring skin sores, nerve damage, and progressive debilitation. ‘To touch a leper in Luke’s time was dangerous medically, defiling religiously, and degrading socially. Dr. Luke makes special mention of the fact that this man was full of leprosy. It was an advanced case and quite hopeless, humanly speaking. The faith of the leper was remarkable.’ Believer’s Bible Commentary, p. 1384.
The leper approached Jesus with elements for which we should pattern our Christian walk in seasons of hopelessness.
First of all, he pursued and sought Jesus. He knew Jesus was the answer and didn’t sit around feeling sorry for himself or take matters into his own hands. He knew his condition was out of control. He actively pursued the Healer.
Once he was in fellowship with Christ his awareness of unworthiness was paramount causing him to fall on his knees in humility.
His faith had feet as he proclaimed, ‘You can make me clean.’ He walked the talk knowing that Christ had the power to heal.
He made his requests known to Jesus and publicly acknowledged his condition and need for healing.
Last but most importantly, he aligned his request with the will of Christ.
Like the leper, we are all covered with circumstances of hopelessness, unworthiness and the need for God to intervene. We must seek, pursue and approach Christ with humility, complete faith, and the desire to accept and live within the will of God. Living within His will isn’t always easy. Much like the leper, over the past year I have crawled up to the Healer for two of my family members, been on my knees many days proclaiming Lord, you can do this! I have seen You in these situations and it is as simple as speaking the word. I have seen you heal, transform, restore and renew. I will accept if earthly healing is not your will but you have given me authority to approach you and ask for anything. ‘Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.’ Phil. 4:6
God’s will was larger than earthly healing. He wanted to give them more than life on earth. He was ready to bestow a crown of righteousness upon their heads and walk with them in His home – not mine. Although my desire did not match the will of God He has healed me in a transforming way just like he healed the leper that day. My sorrow no longer holds me down and I am no longer debilitated with grief. Phil 4:6 follows with the promise no matter what resolution we experience in our requests. ‘And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.’ Phil 4:7
'Thy will be done indeed!'
This short story tucked away in Luke exemplifies true faith in a hopeless situation. Leprosy is an infectious disease that has been known since biblical times. It is characterized by disfiguring skin sores, nerve damage, and progressive debilitation. ‘To touch a leper in Luke’s time was dangerous medically, defiling religiously, and degrading socially. Dr. Luke makes special mention of the fact that this man was full of leprosy. It was an advanced case and quite hopeless, humanly speaking. The faith of the leper was remarkable.’ Believer’s Bible Commentary, p. 1384.
The leper approached Jesus with elements for which we should pattern our Christian walk in seasons of hopelessness.
First of all, he pursued and sought Jesus. He knew Jesus was the answer and didn’t sit around feeling sorry for himself or take matters into his own hands. He knew his condition was out of control. He actively pursued the Healer.
Once he was in fellowship with Christ his awareness of unworthiness was paramount causing him to fall on his knees in humility.
His faith had feet as he proclaimed, ‘You can make me clean.’ He walked the talk knowing that Christ had the power to heal.
He made his requests known to Jesus and publicly acknowledged his condition and need for healing.
Last but most importantly, he aligned his request with the will of Christ.
Like the leper, we are all covered with circumstances of hopelessness, unworthiness and the need for God to intervene. We must seek, pursue and approach Christ with humility, complete faith, and the desire to accept and live within the will of God. Living within His will isn’t always easy. Much like the leper, over the past year I have crawled up to the Healer for two of my family members, been on my knees many days proclaiming Lord, you can do this! I have seen You in these situations and it is as simple as speaking the word. I have seen you heal, transform, restore and renew. I will accept if earthly healing is not your will but you have given me authority to approach you and ask for anything. ‘Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.’ Phil. 4:6
God’s will was larger than earthly healing. He wanted to give them more than life on earth. He was ready to bestow a crown of righteousness upon their heads and walk with them in His home – not mine. Although my desire did not match the will of God He has healed me in a transforming way just like he healed the leper that day. My sorrow no longer holds me down and I am no longer debilitated with grief. Phil 4:6 follows with the promise no matter what resolution we experience in our requests. ‘And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.’ Phil 4:7
'Thy will be done indeed!'
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Because You Say So...
“When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, ‘Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.’ Simon answered, ‘Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But, because you say so, I will let down the nets.’ When they had done so, they caught such a large number…” Luke 5:4-5
I love when passage becomes pulse and the words become alive in our walk! This happened this past week and I still sit on Simon’s shore in amazement much like he sat. There is a long running relationship with a person in the family regarding my father-in-law which at best as been challenging. We have been the target of so much anger, resentment and bitterness once the decision to bring him to our home was made. For four months we have been the enemy and the face of Alzheimer’s.
Things this past week were so fragile and I felt that everything for which we had worked regarding the care of my father-in-law was going to unravel. I arose one morning totally defeated knowing I was going to have to face this person. I spent two hours pleading with God to send relief, strength and resolution. I was basically told to ‘let down my nets in the same waters for which I had fished so many times before.’ I was to lower my net of compassion and love. I was to use the same bait of forgiveness and mercy that Christ gives us. I was to be a fisherman of peace in the waters of Christ and not navigate in my own murky waters. So, on that day in my little boat, I opened the nets of my heart and lowered them one more time because ‘He said so’. The reception for my approach was welcomed with complete surrender and acceptance on her part.
The blessings that have flowed since that day have been wonderful. Everything has fallen into place for the first time in five months. I have been fishing in those waters for many days but have come up empty in resolving this problem. God was working on her in her own heart and His timing of casting my net was crucial to the success of the situation.
Many times in our challenges, it is not that we are casting our nets in the wrong waters, but that the timing for our fishing expedition is not the timing of God. Keep your spiritual senses in tact so that you can hear when it is time to go fishing!
I love when passage becomes pulse and the words become alive in our walk! This happened this past week and I still sit on Simon’s shore in amazement much like he sat. There is a long running relationship with a person in the family regarding my father-in-law which at best as been challenging. We have been the target of so much anger, resentment and bitterness once the decision to bring him to our home was made. For four months we have been the enemy and the face of Alzheimer’s.
Things this past week were so fragile and I felt that everything for which we had worked regarding the care of my father-in-law was going to unravel. I arose one morning totally defeated knowing I was going to have to face this person. I spent two hours pleading with God to send relief, strength and resolution. I was basically told to ‘let down my nets in the same waters for which I had fished so many times before.’ I was to lower my net of compassion and love. I was to use the same bait of forgiveness and mercy that Christ gives us. I was to be a fisherman of peace in the waters of Christ and not navigate in my own murky waters. So, on that day in my little boat, I opened the nets of my heart and lowered them one more time because ‘He said so’. The reception for my approach was welcomed with complete surrender and acceptance on her part.
The blessings that have flowed since that day have been wonderful. Everything has fallen into place for the first time in five months. I have been fishing in those waters for many days but have come up empty in resolving this problem. God was working on her in her own heart and His timing of casting my net was crucial to the success of the situation.
Many times in our challenges, it is not that we are casting our nets in the wrong waters, but that the timing for our fishing expedition is not the timing of God. Keep your spiritual senses in tact so that you can hear when it is time to go fishing!
Friday, June 11, 2010
Prison With A Key
“When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, ‘Do you want to get well?’ ‘Sir,’ the invalid replied, ‘I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.’ Then Jesus said to him, ‘Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.’ At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked.” John 5:6-9
Somebody needs to read this on this Friday. I usually do my Bible Study and prayer time before I post but my Bible turned to this chapter and passage… so here I write. This reminds me of a story I heard over 20 years ago while attending an alcohol recovery meeting with a friend. The story was about a man who claimed to be drowning and no one would assist him. As he pled for someone on the shoreline to rescue him a man yelled from the shore, ‘You are not drowning for the water is only two feet deep. Stand up!’ This is basically what Jesus was saying to the victim in this story.
Many of our challenges remain the basic center of our lives because we will not ‘Get up… or Stand up!’ We define our challenges by the length of time for which we have lived them instead of the reality that we have a part in breaking free from them. Jesus asked an essential question to the man whom had been afflicted for a very long time. ‘Do you want to get well?’ Herein lays the million dollar question for each of us.
We become so at home in our ‘condition’ we forget we have the power in Christ to change it, work on it, move it and be rescued from it. We must recognize when our opportunity to break free arises and when the ‘water is being stirred’. We have a responsibility in breaking free from any challenge for which we have lived our lives. God never intended on any of His children in live in any form of captivity, but we must ‘get up, pick up our mat and walk’ and not depend on ‘someone else’ to do the work for us.
Thanks to Christ, no one lives in a prison without a key.
Somebody needs to read this on this Friday. I usually do my Bible Study and prayer time before I post but my Bible turned to this chapter and passage… so here I write. This reminds me of a story I heard over 20 years ago while attending an alcohol recovery meeting with a friend. The story was about a man who claimed to be drowning and no one would assist him. As he pled for someone on the shoreline to rescue him a man yelled from the shore, ‘You are not drowning for the water is only two feet deep. Stand up!’ This is basically what Jesus was saying to the victim in this story.
Many of our challenges remain the basic center of our lives because we will not ‘Get up… or Stand up!’ We define our challenges by the length of time for which we have lived them instead of the reality that we have a part in breaking free from them. Jesus asked an essential question to the man whom had been afflicted for a very long time. ‘Do you want to get well?’ Herein lays the million dollar question for each of us.
We become so at home in our ‘condition’ we forget we have the power in Christ to change it, work on it, move it and be rescued from it. We must recognize when our opportunity to break free arises and when the ‘water is being stirred’. We have a responsibility in breaking free from any challenge for which we have lived our lives. God never intended on any of His children in live in any form of captivity, but we must ‘get up, pick up our mat and walk’ and not depend on ‘someone else’ to do the work for us.
Thanks to Christ, no one lives in a prison without a key.
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