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"Come follow me and I will make you fishers of men." Matthew 4:19

Month: November 2019

Fill the Need. Colossians 4:12-13

November 30, 2019 /

Cast as much reproach as you like on me, ye worldlings; the more honour shall there be to God, who worketh as he pleaseth, and with what instrument he chooseth, irrespective of man. –Charles Spurgeon.

Continuing on in last week’s charge to be “doers of God’s Word”, notice then how one of our brothers who, having had no formal ministry training, did just that…

How he obeyed the call God had placed on his life, despite the hardships it brought with it, and then went out and filled the need he was called to fill. How he faithfully preached the Word, planted a then-obscure, and small-town church, prayed, and interceded for the Body of Christ at all times, and, co-labored with his brothers for the benefit of all. His learning coming by the instruction of the Holy Spirit and his fellow ministers. Pay attention to how Epaphras carried out this great and privileged mandate he’d been entrusted to walk out. Notice too, that though Epaphras was a simple man, much like the disciples before him, he bore evidence of the Holy Spirit at work in Him—in his ministry. And, like them, he was obedient to the will of God. The call on his life—his transformation was evident, it bore much fruit. Finally, in our examining of him, we’ll also catch glimpses of our brother Paul. Timothy too…

Little is known about Epaphras other than in all likelihood, Paul himself was responsible for his conversion. Our brother Epaphras was not a Jew, he was a gentile believer who, it’s believed, hailed from Colossae. He also became a friend, brother, and treasured co-laborer of the Apostle Paul. He holds the distinction of being lauded by Paul for his exhaustive prayer ministry. And, Paul, in the Fourth Chapter of Colossians, makes clear to the church in Colossae, and to us, his thoughts and knowledge of this Epaphras. Of his heart for serving God, and he reminds this nascent church of the command attached to the Word of God Epaphras had shared with them earlier. “Epaphras, who is one of you and a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. [He is] always striving for you in his prayers, praying with genuine concern, [pleading] that you may [as people of character and courage] stand firm, [spiritually mature] and fully assured in all the will of God. For I testify for him that he has worked strenuously for you and for the believers in Laodicea and those in Hierapolis” –Colossians 4:12-13.

In the first chapter of Colossians we hear Paul refer to him as, “a faithful minister of Christ,” and in the fourth chapter of this same book, we hear Paul describe Epaphras with these words: “a servant of Jesus Christ”–Col. 1:7; 4:12.

Paul uses the term, “a servant of Christ Jesus” multiple times when referring to Himself. There is one other preacher whom Paul bestows this title upon as well; his son in the faith, young Timothy. “Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons:” –Philippians 1:1. Paul’s charge to Timothy was to do, in essence, what we’ve witnessed our brother Epaphras do: holding fast to his faith, praying and interceding for all people. Teaching and admonishing those in his charge that they might come to the saving knowledge of the One True God who is able to reconcile man back to God. “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus…,” –1 Timothy 2:1-5.

In Chapter One of Colossians, the Apostle Paul informs us that it was Epaphras, who first shared the life-changing Good News with those in Colossae. He was responsible for the establishment of the Colossian church. Yet the only thing that qualified this convert for his position, this privilege, was God’s choosing of him, then, secondly, Paul’s confirmation of this calling on his life. “You learned it from [our representative] Epaphras, our beloved fellow bond-servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf and he also has told us of your love [well-grounded and nurtured] in the [Holy] Spirit” –Colossians 1:7-8. All three of these men, in fact, share in this calling—this burning in their bones to pray for and to preach, teach, and encourage “whomsoever will” about this Jesus and His great life-changing love for them.  

Now let me ask you, “which area of service have you heard God whispering in your ear to lay hold of?” What fire is burning in your bones? Is God calling you to teach? To preach His Word? To missionary work? Evangelism? Worship? Intercessory Prayer? To leading others perhaps? Does His whispering make you feel as though there’s no way this could be you? That you must somehow have mistaken His voice for your own? That you’re in no way qualified? If so, that’s a great place to be! Why? Because you’re absolutely right!

You and I are not worthy to be called—used by, to serve, such a Holy, pure, and sinless God. And yet He calls us. More, He wants us. Wants to use us as His hands and feet and arms and eyes, His Words. Use us to go and serve and bleed and lift up and out that one He is wooing—calling to Himself; just as surely as He did with Epaphras and Paul and Timothy, with Peter and Moses, Abraham too. Yet, above all, He wants us. Period. He wants to have a relationship with us. To love us and shape us and teach us and change us, filling up, restoring, those empty, barren places within caused by this life we live. By our own sins and failures, by rebellion—and those who’ve sinned against us. By those thoughts that we are too broken, too stupid, too far from Him even.

I know this with certainty because I am one of the broken. The unqualified, the ill-educated, that unrefined, sin-stained one He called to Himself, washed in His Blood, then, clearly whispered, “Feed My sheep.”

Finally, as it was with Epaphras, and Paul and Timothy, so too it is with me. I must fulfill my calling in coming here every week, week after week, to meet with you. Praying for you while we are apart. Loving you, though we’ve never met; simply because I know my Father loves you. And I do it scared and uncertain that I able—am capable, of this awesome privilege of being here with you. And it’s there in my weakness and inability that He reminds me, time and again, that it’s not me who does this, it’s Him in me. It’s all Him. The same One who called and equipped our brothers is here now, inspiring this; calling you. I come here out of obedience to Him—out of love, His love, for you. I come because I too am a bondservant of God. And I was called here to fill a need…

“Therefore give all the glory to his Holy name. Cast as much reproach as you like on me, ye worldlings; the more honour shall there be to God, who worketh as he pleaseth, and with what instrument he chooseth, irrespective of man. Again, dearly-beloved, whatever is your work, whatever God has ordained you to do in this world, you are equally certain to have the assistance of the Holy Spirit in it.” Charles Spurgeon.

Brothers and sisters if you love the Lord and feel some stirring in the depth of you to serve Him, to fill some need, I urge you to fast and pray and seek His confirmation. God will always confirm His Word and His call. Seek out your pastor, or elder, a mature brother or sister, that they might pray with you, intercede for you. And then listen to what the Holy Spirit is saying to you…

And friend, if you are here today and don’t yet know this Jesus, don’t let another day pass you by without Him by your side. I can guarantee you, you are in no way “living your best life” without Him! Ask Him into your heart today, He’s waiting… “if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” –Romans 10:9.

The Voice. Acts 9:7

November 23, 2019 /

Immediately, as I read of Saul’s conversion in Acts 9, I felt my spirit stir. I was being re-mind of the indescribable honor and blessing and privilege, the literal and instant transformation, from death to life, which occurs within us each when we first hear Jesus say, “Follow Me”, and we obey. And I rejoiced! If I close my eyes, or not, I can still see that sacred moment in my own life so clearly. As instantly and surely as light came forth from the darkness when Jesus stood over the void and said, “Let there be light” so too did I go, do we who believe in Him go, from being dead in our sins to fully and eternally alive in Christ Jesus, that very nanosecond He awakens us.  For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ –2 Corinthians 4:6.

Paul also describes this “twinkling of an eye” transformation in 1 Corinthians 15:52 when describing our Lord’s return: “in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.”

Instantly, Jesus takes our filthy vessels of clay, our hearts, hard and dried out by chronic sin, and by the Water of His Spirit, transforms—reshapes them, into carriers instead of the image and likeness of His Son. “And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules” –Ezekiel 36:26-27. The hearts of men are like this dark terraqueous globe, having no light in them; God is as the sun, the fountain of light, which shines upon them and in them; so as to give them a true sight and sense of sin, and of their lost state and condition; so as to cause them to see the fullness and suitableness of Christ as a Saviour; so as to warm their affections, and draw out their desires after Christ, his ways, truths, ordinances, and people –John Gill.

Immediately, we have gone from sinner to saint, from orphan to beloved child. Straightaway, our sins are washed away. So completely removed from us, it’s as if they had never existed. Listen to how God Himself describes this removal of those sins in Isaiah 43:25: “I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.”  I don’t know about you, but I could easily spend the rest of my days pressing into the enormity of such love, such Truth, and still walk away, at the of those days, not having been able to fully take in the depth and breadth of such love—of such a gift. 

And yet, as I read and delighted and rejoiced in this Truth, I was also awed by the Holy weight of its reminder…

Why Saul and not those men near enough him to have also, “heard the sound of someone’s voice?” Those souls who have yet to hear His Voice for themselves, and our part in their hearing. I was left pondering the flawless Providence of God: This privilege of our election. And the ‘why’ of this man being chosen and not that one? Why was I chosen and he/she/ they/ were not? Why weren’t they, those standing so near to Paul, swept up, instantly transformed too, in Jesus’ Shekinah Glory—His manifested glory, His presence?

This is a question that has been pondered for centuries—discussed, dissected, debated over by minds far greater—far more versed in Scripture and doctrine, than my own. Here, in fact, is Charles Surgeon’s esteemed conclusion as to what the Word of God teaches us concerning this:  I believe the doctrine of election, because I am quite certain that, if God had not chosen me, I should never have chosen Him; and I am sure He chose me before I was born, or else He never would have chosen me afterwards; and He must have elected me for reasons unknown to me, for I never could find in myself why He should have looked upon me with special love. So I am forced to accept that great Biblical doctrine. Said Scripturally: “he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,” –Titus 3:5.

I humbly agree with my brother’s conclusion, am satisfied to accept this, in part, as the possible reason why these men, standing so near Paul, so near me that wonder-filled day He called my name, were not saved, as Paul and I each were.

I believe in the Sovereignty of God—in His perfect timing. I believe that at the exact right moment, and according to His will and plan for any man’s life, He will come in such a sure and undeniable way that His effectual call will neither be missed nor able to be denied. Once again, I turn to Paul, who, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, states this Truth this way: “for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure” –Philippians 2:13.  And, it is because of this same deep-seated belief, this fire that burns within me, this hunger that will not be denied that I also, though not considering myself their equal in any way, save our common faith and Father, must share with you what God has given me. I deeply believe too, that God’s Sovereignty in salvation no way cancels out His mandate spoken to His friends: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you” –Matthew 28:19-20. 

At the time of our Scripture, Paul knew of God certainly, yet He did not know God. Listen to a small part of His testimony: “I was circumcised when I was eight days old. I am a pure-blooded citizen of Israel and a member of the tribe of Benjamin—a real Hebrew if there ever was one! I was a member of the Pharisees, who demand the strictest obedience to the Jewish law. I was so zealous that I harshly persecuted the church. And as for righteousness, I obeyed the law without fault” – Philippians 3:5-6. By the grace and mercy of God he goes on to say in verse 7: “I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done.”

Such is the case with many men today. Both their knowledge of Him, but having no intimate relationships with Him, and, once they have come into this knowledge, considering all those things they once valued as worthless, for Jesus’ sake…

Much like Paul, those who were with Paul that day on the Damascus road, may have known of God, may have spent large parts of their youth in the Temple, perhaps even faithfully attended Bible study? The Bible does not make that clear to us. Yet what it does make clear is this: if we who have heard the voice of God, have been chosen in Him, called as ministers of His Word, do not make it our lives work to tell every soul we are able about this loving, patient, kind, merciful, gracious God who gave His only Son that they—that all of us, might be restored to right relationship with Him—be His eternally, then we will be left having to give an account of our failure to God when we meet Him face to face. And, live in the knowledge now, that had we been faithful, as we are mandated by this God we profess to love, then perhaps He would have used our love, our actions or kindness or words, our sharing of His Word, our knowledge of Him through our testimony, so that that one He has been wooing would be washed too, in the saving Blood of His Son, Jesus. If we neglect this sacred charge, pass this opportunity by, deliberately or otherwise, He will bring another along who will be faithful. Mere man cannot thwart the will and plan of God.

Beloved, do the work the Lord gives you, win souls, preach Christ, expound your Bibles, pray men to be reconciled to God, plead with men to come to Christ. This kind of work will stand the fire; and when the last great day shall dawn, this will remain to glory and honour –Charles Spurgeon.  

Brothers and sisters, you have heard His Voice—His effectual call. Now, as a result of that hearing, you are responsible, as a result of knowing Him, to fulfill His mandate. “Beloved, cling to the great truth of electing love and divine sovereignty, but let not these bind you in fetters when, in the power of the Holy Ghost, you become fishers of men” – Charles Spurgeon.

We are not certain whether all those men standing near to Paul, his companions, ever came to the saving knowledge of Christ Jesus, but we can, by God’s grace, make it our lives work to ensure that no one walk away from our company without having been told of who our Jesus is, and His great love for them. “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” –1 Peter 2:9.

Friend if you are here today and have heard of Jesus, but want to know Him in a deep and personal way, won’t you take a moment, right now to ask Him to come into your life, and make Himself real and alive in you? He’s present with you now—and He’s waiting. “Remember what it says: “Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts as Israel did when they rebelled” –Hebrews 3:15.

Not Even the Best of Things. John 16:7.

November 16, 2019 /
“But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you.”

It is beyond most of us, oftentimes, to fully understand why God would ask them to give something up. Especially when they can’t understand the reason why. When they don’t see the benefit or purpose in letting go. Of taking their hands off of that—intimate relationship, beloved friend, that job or home, city, or state they’ve loved living in. Deeper still, in giving up some part of themselves; a child or spouse, a beloved mentor, some long-standing belief. Things they’ve come to love, rely upon, trust in, or appreciate about ourselves. Now, if you have any knowledge of who God is, His character, you may have already picked up on what is amiss with some of what I’ve just said. Go ahead, go back, and reread it. Did you catch it? The “Things we have come to love, rely upon, trust in, appreciate about ourselves” part.

Allow me to clarify. In no way, am I saying that we should not love people—that would be a deliberate contradiction to the great commandment: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets” –Matthew 22:37-40. Neither am I saying that we should not enjoy our profession or home or those relationships we’ve been blessed to have invested our love and time and care into.

Rather, what I am saying is this: Nothing. No thing, no one, must ever take primacy over God. Ever. Not even the best of things—the greatest of His gifts. Not our spouses, not our children or parents or job or ministry, not where we live nor any-thing we have been allowed to use. Truth be told, most of us are still learning how to apply this Truth to our lives, daily.  I know I am. I’m much better at holding on to than in letting go of. I am thankful that God is patient and merciful. He knows the weakness of my frame yet loves me still. I am thankful that He lends me His strength for the heavy lifting! Not even Jesus made an allowance for such things. Nothing and no one superseded God in His life. Everything He does points towards and glorifies God. Everything. So must we then, in His strength, train ourselves, minute by minute, to follow after this example He models for us…

As I read and studied in preparation for this teaching, it became clear to me that we must be willing to posture ourselves, our hearts, before God. To make room for, ready ourselves for, more intense refining to begin; to take place within us. To have all—any of those things that sully us, still, removed from us—put away; that we might look more like the image of Him that has called us to Himself. After all, isn’t that a great part of, “the why” God takes things from our lives? Allows them to be taken? To refine us? I believe we are being asked to say yes to God, now, more than ever. Before we even know or understand just what it is we are saying yes to. Out of our love for Him—our deep-seated, abiding need for Him—in trust, we say yes. Out of a profound desire to rid ourselves, our lives, of anything and anyone that we know God is putting His finger on and saying, “Trust me on this, this person, this ministry, this home, job, relationship, this thought process, heart posture, way of living, this expression, belief or ideal has outgrown its season—it must go.” Left unattended, it will become a distraction that will blind you to whom, and to where God is leading you to.

On our journey with the Lord, we must come to understand those things given to us by God must remain fluid in our hands. Seldom, outside of Christ Himself and the sure promises found in Him are His greatest gifts ever unchanging.

 It was this lesson, in part, that Jesus was imparting to His disciples—to us, in today’s scripture…

They had eaten with Him, walked, and talked, laughed, and cried with Him—slept by the fire beside Him. They were fed by His every Word, refreshed in His love and compassion and mercy. They were emboldened by His justice! They had witnessed miracles in His presence. The dead had come back to life, the blind were given their sight, thousands were fed with 5 loaves and 2 small fish. Treacherous storms had been stilled, and the deepest of Truths were revealed in Words spoken so plainly, so frankly, even the least within their earshot was able to understand them—and marvel. This band of brothers, these disciples, had each felt Jesus calling them with such clarity and certainty, that, at this His behest, they left everyone and everything behind, and followed after Him. Yet now, these years later, after having done that, after having experienced all that they had by His side, after having become entwined with this Jesus in this most precious of relationships—this most indescribable bond of oneness, this deepest mystery of love and loyalty this true, “until death us do part” commitment; Jesus says He’s leaving them. Stop and feel that for a minute before you read on.

What! Why? Why would you do this to us!! What have we done to deserve this betrayal? No way… No, you simply can’t leave us, not now! NO! NO! You simply can’t go. Not now!

If you listen, you can almost hear their dazed, gutted cries. I can only imagine that all of these thoughts, and more, had been swirling around in their minds—perhaps even spilling out of their mouths. Scripture doesn’t make that clear to us. Yet, for anyone who has ever suffered such a soul-crushing loss, who has ever stood, in frozen disbelief, in utter powerlessness as you watched the center of your world go away; you qualify, surely, as having some small idea, some slight glimpse into what these men felt hearing this news fall from the very lips of God Himself. The same lips that had smiled at them and called them His friends—His beloved.

They had no idea, at that moment, of His unfathomable reason for having to go. The profound love behind His needing to leave—of removing Himself from their physical presence; all they felt was their deep grief. They didn’t know Golgatha’s Cross lay just around the bend. All they understood was that He was leaving them. He was taking something they loved away from them. And it’s no different from us, is it? When we’re told we must let go—give up something or someone—someplace or station in life, our health or husband or wife or child—our parents or home. They had no idea of who it was they had been doing life with these past three-plus years—not really. This unfathomable enormity of God. And neither do we. God is so much more, so much bigger and finer and far more Holy and Righteous and far-seeing than a mere man can ever take in.

His friends weren’t thinking about the fact that He stood over the dark void—seeing their beginning from their end. Seeing His plan unfolding from its end to its beginning. Knowing what is needed—and what isn’t, each step of the way. In each season and individual life—all at once. For as much as we believe we have come to know of Him, there are whole worlds, universes chuck full of these deep mysteries pointing us towards just how much we don’t yet know, can’t know, —at least not now, about this God we love so. How does a spirit encased in its limited flesh fully take in the unplumed love of God? One who offered Himself in our place all that we might be afforded a way back to Him. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” –John 3:16.

We were not created to hang onto anything given us by God, save Jesus and His Holy Spirit. We are expanded by His giving of these most precious gifts—stretched that we might receive more from one so Holy. Yet, in order for this to happen, room must be made. A surrendering of ourselves in exchange for Him, a hollowing out must occur; a new and clean replicable must be created, made ready deep within to catch, and store, His life-giving gifts. God takes away what we perceive to be good that we may grow in our dependence in Him, and in the realization that He alone is good. —Barnes.

Beloved, nothing. No—thing, no one, must ever take primacy over God. Ever. Not even the best of things—the greatest of His gifts. Won’t you posture your heart today—your very life, that He might refine you? Purify you as precious gold. Trusting Him when He asks you to return—let go of, your understanding of what’s best in exchange for His. “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete” –Luke 6: 46-49.

Friend, if you do not know this Jesus who died to ensure that you might gain God, then know this. He has led you here today that you might know His love for you and accept the absolute best He has to offer me and you; His Only Son, Jesus. Won’t you accept His best and by asking Him into your heart right now, as your Lord and Savior? You’re not here by chance…

Waves of Affliction And Trouble. Matthew 14:22-25.

November 9, 2019 /
“As soon as the meal was finished, he insisted that the disciples get in the boat and go on ahead to the other side while he dismissed the people.”

It wasn’t Jesus’ feeding of the five thousand, nor was it Peter’s walking on water that jumped out at me as I read Chapter 14 of Matthew’s Gospel. It wasn’t even Jesus’ walking on water. Rather, it was the fact that He ‘insisted’ that His disciples get in their boat and cross the Sea of Tiberias, and head towards Gennesaret without Him—all the while knowing a storm was headed their way. But why? Why did Jesus insist that they go ahead without them? Why send Twelve of His dearest friends—His beloved disciples, into a perilous storm He knew was coming? Why would He send them off on their own to face a storm He knew was far beyond their capacity to traverse?

Would you be surprised if I said His love for them was the motivating force behind Jesus’ command that they cross the sea without Him? Be sent into a storm He knew they were ill-prepared for? Difficult as it may be to take in, God’s love will, oftentimes places us in situations or allow us to face seasons of difficulties that we simply do not understand, are in no way prepared to handle. Included within these often-stormy moments, are precious gifts given us—if we’ll but receive them. Those sweet moments of clarity that lead us into the sure knowing that He alone is God. And, in those moments, a heart-cry goes out, Abba! Father! Save me as only can! We hand ourselves over to the One who allowed the storm so that we might witness Him walking on the water right there beside us; already there with us, ready and willing to save. Just as it was with the disciples, so it is with us, too. Though skilled in their craft as fishermen, and dedicated followers of Jesus, what they were about to face is an example of one of the occasions the Lord would use adversity to build their faith in Him. To redirect their natural tendency to handle things on our own—back towards Himself.

When we become aware that life will give us more than we can handle and come to grips with this, we find a promise: God is faithful to meet us in the mess and in the pain. And when He does, we learn to recognize our constant need to depend on Him. This is why Peter instructs the Church to cast our fears, worries, suffering, and pain on God. He reasons we can do this because God cares for us. When life deals us more than we can handle, we can rest in the reality that God can handle it –MICHAEL HIDALGO.

They were following after Him, mind you, serving Him, they were not out of the will of God, had not disobeyed Him. This was no rebuke. No punishment for deliberate sin. These were not men who had decided to run off and go their own way. On the contrary, in getting into that boat, they were following Jesus’ command, just as they always had. From the time Jesus called His disciples, He began stretching their faith, preparing them for that day when He knew He would have to leave them behind and return to the Father. This command to cross over before Him was no exception. He was ever instructing them, refine them and building them up. Taking from them what did not benefit them, their calling and purpose, and depositing into them instead new-life and purpose, a new vision and wisdom; readying them for the task of spreading His Message to a world who would all-too-often reject that message—reject Him. Sound familiar?

Jesus knew His friends end from their very beginnings. Hence, He knew exactly what they’d need, both individually, and collectively to do the will of the One that had sent Him, and chosen them. As evidence of this stretching of their faith, we first witness Jesus’ disciples facing a similar storm back in Matthew Eight. Immediately following Jesus’ informing those within earshot of the cost of following after Him, He instructs His disciples to get into their boat and head off to the opposite side of the lake –Matthew 7:18-22; 8:23-27.

God is always working. Always preparing us for what is just ahead—just on the other side of any given storm or struggle.  

It is here then, in verse 24 of Matthew 8, that we first see the disciples facing a storm at sea. It is here also, where we come to understand that the disciples have yet to come into the full knowledge of just who this Jesus truly is. The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!” –verse 27. It is here too, that we witness an eternal Truth that can and will carry us through any storm. Jesus has promised to never leave His chosen alone.

He was as present in the disciple’s boat in Matthew 14 as He was in Matthew 8. The difference between the two being the lesson He was teaching in each instance—the degree of stretching that was taking place. Their learning to see beyond the limits of the natural world that they may see more clearly into the realm of the spirit. Contained within Matthew 14 is, in part, a vital nugget: to always remember the Truth of who God is, has shown Himself to be in our lives; contrary to the intensity of the storm we may be facing. For as long as we are on this earth, waves of affliction and troubles will come our way. How we perceive them, allow them to affect us, determines the shape we’ll come out in on the other side of our storm. Shipwrecked or strengthened?

Know this beloved: it is to the other side of the storm that we as His disciples, His servants, are being called; to serve, witness to, to bind up and undergird another. Why, in part, we have been chosen in Him at all. The other side of the storm is what we, as our brothers before us, are being prepared for, stretched, that we might reach the one God is sending us to; all the while becoming more like the One who sent us…

Another of the reasons the disciples were sent into the thick of a situation that was too great for them to manage on their own, was to teach them reliance—to trust in God alone. Only God can safely get us through the perilous storms that would otherwise destroy us. Contrary to our strengths and gifts, to our God-given abilities and our divine potential, we were not created to live apart from God—we are not our own. Love teaches us to rely solely on God, while the world around us screams at us to be self-reliant. To be our own god, to save ourselves. Let us each, instead, follow the lead of our brothers before us.

After being saved from a storm, once again—after allowing God to have stretched their faith one more time, it is here, for the first time that we hear these men finally proclaim that they know, (a knowing so deep and pure and true that they were willing to die for it) that this Jesus is, in fact, the Son of God. Long before Jesus ever stood over the dark void this storm—and its outcome, existed in Him; as does every storm—and its outcome, that you and I will ever face. Even that one that appears so perilous that it threatens to take us out! Fear not beloved. God is as present with you now as He was with our brothers then. And, the wind and waves still obey Him today…

But now, this is what the Lord says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze” –Isaiah 43:1-2.

He has called you to pass through the afflictions, the troubles, this current storm, beloved. Through the waters and rivers. Through the fire—to faith and Life in Him. Trust that you have everything within you you’ll ever need to get there; God in you and with you—always and in all ways. Waves of affliction will come—troubles too, but we, you and me and Peter and John and every believer that has ever or will ever live—are never, not for one nano-second, ever alone. He still walks on the stormy waters we are passing through them on the way to those He has sent us to reach; before He calls us back to Himself. Rely on that Truth. Place your trust in God alone…

If you have read this through this teaching, and do not have a relationship with Jesus, the One who saves all those who cry to Him from their hearts; then please, ask Him to show Himself to you know. Ask Him to be the Lord and Savior of your life. “Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved” Romans 10:9.

Always On My Mind. Isaiah 43.

November 2, 2019 /
“But now, this is what the Lord, your Creator says, O Jacob,
And He who formed you, O Israel,
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you [from captivity];
I have called you by name; you are Mine!”

The Lord remembers the bonds which unite us to himself even when we forget them; he recollects his eternal love, and all the deeds of mercy that have flowed from it. Though our memory is treacherous, and our faith is feeble, “yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself;” blessed be his holy name! –Charles Spurgeon

Man’s profession of love has been the impetus behind countless love songs and verses of poetry. Odes have been written and country rivers cried as a result of its birth, and death. But its genesis, its heart, its very Lifeblood is found in God’s love for man from eternity past. By day the Lord directs his love, at night his song is with me—a prayer to the God of my life –Psalm 42:8. Long before He stood over the dark void God knew us, called us His beloved. His was the first love song ever written. The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love, he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing —Zephaniah 3:17. God’s absolute love for us runs so deep, is so profoundly intimate, complete and everlasting, it ensures we, His beloved, will always possess a place in the Father’s heart. He gave His firstborn, our Lord, as a ransom to ensure that fact. Jesus paid the sin debt we owed that our loving Father might have all of His children gathered about  Him—eternally. Mark Lauterbach describes this radiant beauty of God singing over us like this: He sings over those for whom he has removed his judgments (verse 15). He sings over a rebelling people, who have been restored. He sings over a people who have no righteousness in themselves. He sings over those who have every reason to fear the face of God, not desire it. Scripture resounds with God’s singing His songs of love, deliverance, and redemption over us. Wooing us with a pledge of unfaltering, and endless love. The guarantee of that love sealed, for all eternity, in the shed Blood of His Only Begotten Son, Jesus.

 “Think of the great Jehovah singing! Can you imagine it? Is it possible to conceive of the Deity breaking into a song: Father, Son and Holy Ghost together singing over the redeemed? God is so happy in the love which he bears to his people that he breaks the eternal silence, and sun and moon and stars with astonishment hear God chanting a hymn of joy.” (Spurgeon)

Before Father Abraham saw the smoking firepot and the flaming torch pass between the blood path of the slain carcasses, he’d laid side by side in obedience to Lord, God’s love and providential care of His elect had long been established. In the lifeblood of each of these animals, we witness the prophetic; the Blood of Jesus, yet to be shed. The fulfillment of God’s covenant promises to Abraham in the death of His only Son, Jesus, our Messiah. –Genesis 15:7-20.  The only One worthy to be offered once, for all—for the sins of the whole world. In Him is found every tribe and nation

Remember though, that the first glimpse of this Blood—His Blood, is witnessed in the garden. Those animals whose blood was shed that their skins might be used to cover the sin-stained bodies of Adam and Eve. Their blood is our first glimpse of that One whose Blood actually sealed this covenant God made with Abraham. Abraham had done nothing to earn Gods saving grace, His mercy, and promises of protection and provision. God alone chose Abraham, just as He chose each of us. He alone established the covenant promise with Abraham, and, God alone is the only One who can fulfill the terms of His covenant. He alone is God. He alone is able…

Before Jesus stood over the dark void and spoke one Word, His elect had already been sealed in Him – Ephesians 1:4-5. Their love songs of love and deliverance already sung. I don’t know about you, but that is mind-blowing to me! Songs of a love so profound existed in the Father’s heart for you and me long before we were even knit together in our mother’s womb! God knew every sin, every evil thought, every selfish bone in our bodies—our great rebellion and turning away and still, He chooses to sing over us.

We are the heirs of the depth of God’s love for His Son—and of the Son’s complete obedience to His Father. For rarely will anyone to die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us –Romans 5: 7-8.

As Christians, we believe that in Jesus, God has accepted us. Yet all too often as the result of abuse, harsh judgments, hurtful words, and actions we also have the propensity to be far more sin conscience than we ought—allowing the heavy-weight of feelings of unworthiness to rob us of the Truth of the song of love God is singing over us. Left unchecked, it will cause us to become callous to the Truth that God delights in us—views us as cherished. He brought me out into a broad place; he rescued me, because he delighted in me –Psalm 18:19. I am in no way suggesting that we should allow ourselves to become so lofty and mystical that we lose sight of the need to come before the Holy Spirit in prayer, asking Him to search us, revealing anything in us that is not pleasing to Him, and then repent. I am simply here to remind those that are going through a trial—or are about to, perhaps even the one that has just emerged from some faith-fight that God loves you, delights in you, fights for you, will never leave you or forsake you—regardless of how you may think or feel about yourself. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee –Isaiah 43:2

We can’t fathom God’s incredible love for us. In and of ourselves, there would be nothing to attract him, nothing for him to delight in. But he has made us new creations in Christ, created in the likeness of Jesus, in whom is all his delight. Praise God today that he has made you precious and delightful to himself –Mark Altrogge.

Beloved, Praise Him today, that He has written a song of love specifically for you. Be encouraged as you face this new season, this trial, this heartache, this loss—nothing, not one thing you’re facing can nor ever will, separate you from the love that has called you and sustained from eternity past. He gave the Author of the greatest love song ever sung—just for you. For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee. Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honorable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life –Isaiah 43:3-4.

Friend, if you are here today and want to know this Jesus, this One who is Mighty to save you who will sing songs of love and protection and redemption over you, ask Him to come to you and show Himself real in your heart. Call out to Him, from your heart, and He will answer you. If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved –Romans 10:9-10.

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