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

Category: Connection (Page 9 of 10)

Unfaithful. Hosea 1:2.

April 18, 2020 /
When the Lord first spoke through Hosea, the Lord said to him, “Go, take for yourself a wife of prostitution and have children of [her] prostitution; for the land commits great acts of prostitution by not following the Lord.”

I’ve heard it said that It is important to remember that grace is not merely unmerited favor, but it is favor in spite of merited judgment…

Our Scripture is shocking I know. Not exactly the nice “after Easter message” you may have been expecting. I get it. I do. But if you’ll just extend me a little grace, I promise you the same Jesus we just praised and hailed and exalted last week—will show-up here today. Our Savior will come bursting forth as surely, as plainly and eternally, as He did that first Easter morning!

I recently read a compelling point made by commentator James Montgomery Boice concerning today’s Scripture. It opened my eyes afresh as I took in his reflection. It pointed me, with laser precision, directly toward the whole raw, deep, eternal Truth that is laid bare before us within the Book of Hosea. Boice’s arrow most definitely hitting its intended target: If Hosea’s story cannot be real (because ‘God could not ask a man to marry an unfaithful woman’), then neither is the story of salvation real, because that is precisely what Christ has done for us…

This quote instantly took me straight back to the pure, innocent, devoted, crucified Christ that I’d recently just beheld hanging on a criminal’s tree. In an instant, I found myself staring into His eyes caked with blood yet so soft still, full of a love and compassion, a tenderness, that quite literally brought me to my knees. This Godman, this Christ, was hanging there because of me. I felt the Truth of this in my soul. My sins the nails that had pierced His hands and precious feet. Innocent. And yet the Truth I saw so clearly expressed in those eyes pierced my heart. I couldn’t escape them. I didn’t want to. I never want to not know—live one second that I breathe the very air He created, outside of the Truth I saw in those eyes: “MaryEllen, my love for you is what held me—to that Cross.”

Our God—my God, this Christ that left heaven behind so that He could wrap Himself in the temporary-ness of human flesh that He might feel every thing, everything you and me feel; every need I have, we have, you’ve ever felt. From hunger and pain to cutting betrayal and great love—such inexplicable love. Thirst, hunger, heat, cold, loss too—He felt all of them. Did I mention knowing rejection by its first name? Jesus felt everything. Every hot Israeli day and it’s partner, the cold night. Every hour of deep longing for a people He came into this world specifically to die for—to make a way for, as no other ever could. “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!” –Matthew 23:37.

If only they’d have welcomed Him. If only they would have accepted the ring He came asking them to slip on. If only they’d have taken His name and remained faithful to Him. It is this God—this Christ, this Bridegroom that comes to Israel in the book of Hosea. That comes to you and me and him and her and says I know you’re a prostitute. I know that you’re unfaithful. I know that while you are still here, wrapped in your sin-full flesh there will always be “others” in your life—standing in between us. In Hosea, God teaches us—however frankly, not only how He feels about us, more the lengths He will go to, to make us His own. You see He knows our frame, our sinful state, as surely and completely as He knew Israel’s sins and idolatry—their whoredom. Strong words I know, but Truth is biting at times. And as we witness in the language of Hosea, God can and will be as frank as He so chooses to be to get our attention…

By the start of Hosea’s first chapter, Israel has already wandered far from God. It’s been chasing after the Baal’s. The gods of this world. Those things they thought would bring them pleasure, would satisfy their deep hunger. Sound familiar? It should. We are each guilty, on some level, of this very sin! “But you thought your fame and beauty were your own. So you gave yourself as a prostitute to every man who came along. Your beauty was theirs for the asking. You used the lovely things I gave you to make shrines for idols, where you played the prostitute. Unbelievable! How could such a thing ever happen?” –Ezekiel 16:15-16.

Is it any wonder then that at this pivotal moment, Gomer is introduced to us? This woman who, representing Israel, has broken her vows, her covenant to remain faithful to this innocent Prophet of God. In Gomer, we witness the condition of Israel’s heart —a people He has chosen for Himself—a wanton and rebellious people God has chosen as His own. But don’t judge them too harshly, because in Gomer a mirror is also handed to you and me—reflecting back to us our unfaithfulness. And, as painful as it may be to look into, if we, like Israel, like Gomer, are to truly repent of our whoredom—our idolatry and sin-full wonderings, our spiritual adultery, then look into it we must. “So I bought Gomer back for 6 ounces of silver and 9 bushels of barley. Then I told her, “You must stay at home with me for many days. You will not be like a prostitute. You will not have sexual relations with another man. I will be your husband.” In the same way the people of Israel will continue many days without a king or a leader. They will be without a sacrifice or a memorial stone. They will be without an ephod or a household god. After this, the people of Israel will come back and look for the Lord their God and for David their king. In the last days they will come to honor the Lord and his goodness.” Hosea 3:2-5.

Our God is long-suffering and merciful, yes, but let us never forget our Husband is also just—and jealous of His bride…

In this first chapter of Hosea, we witness the not-so-shadowy figure of the Messiah—the Christ that will come, emerging. This Jesus who will come to us while we are yet filthy and wallowing, like some unrestrained beast, in our sins. A God who is not put off by the foul-stench of these, our many sins. In this first chapter of Hosea, we meet this God who sees past all of our stuff —our every sin, our shame, lies, and our hustle, to the person He has created us to be in His Son Jesus. He bids us then to follow after Him.

Just as we are, He calls us to Himself…

Yet, as with Gomer, His great love for us refuses to leave us in the state in which He found us. Even after His bearing witness to every thing we’ve ever said and done, still, He wants us to come to Him. To not let our stuff stop us from accepting His marriage proposal. To just get up and run to Him—leaving our filthy past in the dust! And get up and follow we must! He loves us far too much, has paid too great a price to ransom us, to leave us continuing to roll around in the same filth in which He first found us. “What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.” –Romans 6:21-22.

Despite how degrading and repulsive it may have felt to Hosea to be asked by God to marry Gomer, out of obedience to Him, he did it; regardless if it made sense to anyone, himself included. God had commanded Hosea to go and marry this harlot—not die for her. Jesus would soon be sent to cover dying for her. In Christ’s taking a bride from amongst a polluted, sin-drenched, wanton world, we witness the nascent beginnings of His great obedience to do the will of the Father also—however contrary the Father’s will may appear to us in sending One that is sinless to marry one so full of sin. If we were paying attention, we would have caught God’s intention to send us Christ, back in the garden when He covered Adam and Eve in bloody animal skins. But that’s for another day…

In Hosea, we see the foreshadowing of Christ’s donning His wedding suit—a human body, mere flesh, and willingly, obediently, lovingly, stepping across time and eternity at the Father’s behest. Not only to save Israel but also you and me too; we were a great part of why He came at all. To give us His name. To bestow upon us rights, privileges, and honor we’d otherwise never have known. He gave us our place in this world—and the next. In Hosea’s loving-kindness to Gomer, we are privileged to catch but a glimpse of this Jehovah God’s great love, both for Israel—His firstborn, and for you and me, branches grafted into His precious Body. And yes, even for that one too…

“For rarely will anyone 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.

Friend, if you are here today and there is something in you that’s saying, “wait, if God can love a prostitute then there’s hope for me too” you’re right! There’s room for us all at the feet of Christ Jesus! And yes, He’ll take you just as you are. No need to try and get cleaned up before you come. I was a Gomer, and He met me right where I was. Won’t you ask God to come into your life right now? Why wait? “Yet the number of the sons of Israel Shall be like the sand of the sea, Which cannot be measured or numbered; And in the place Where it is said to them, “You are not My people,” It will be said to them, “You are the sons of the living God.” –Hosea 1:10.

Inheritance. Ephesians 1:14.

March 28, 2020 /
“The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him

How blessed we are, children of the Living God, to have our inheritance sealed firmly, eternally, in the All-powerful hands and Body and Blood of Jesus! “For him who did not know sin, in our behalf He did make sin, that we may become the righteousness of God in him” –2Corinthians 5:21. We who don’t have to wait as the world so often does, for a kinsman to die before what has been bequeathed to us, becomes ours. How blessed we are that this is not God’s economy! As His beloved children, He has, from the very foundation of the world, made it so that our whole inheritance be made available to us the instant we are sealed in Him. He has afforded us, through the finished work of His Son, our Lord, complete access to all that He owns. “Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence” –Ephesians 3:12.

I’m not talking here about some cheap “name it and claim it” unlimited line of credit for all those ‘things’ we feel we need. I’m referring instead to something far greater and higher, more holy and precious. I’m speaking of having unfettered access to the very Throne of God! oF being able to walk boldly, day or night, into the very presence of the One who not only created us but every star and wave, every blade of grass and snowflake, every bird and the worm it eats. All that we will ever need in this lifetime foreknown by God, knitted into us as we were, or currently are, being knit together in our mother’s womb; chosen in Him before the creation of this world. As surely as our limbs and eyes and lips and fingernails were formed, so too were the promises of the Living God knit into us as well; manifesting themselves in that exact moment when, in 6 or 10 or 20 or 50 some aught years after our natural entrance into this world, the Holy Spirit would come and breath on us, bringing about yet another birth; our second birth.

This new birth instantly transforming us, making us a new creation, spiritually speaking that is. Snatching us out of the deadly grip of the powers of sin and darkness found in this world, and tucking us safely away in the Kingdom of Light, to be with Him always. “Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again. “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit[b] gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit” –John 3:3-8.

Our rebirth now complete, our transformation eternally sealed, secure. We are changed, made new, in what can only be described as “the blink of an eye”. Mortal to immortal, filthy sinner into a dazzling white saint. Image-bearers of the Righteousness of Christ; our clothes now matching His, reflecting Jesus’s likeness back to God each time He looks upon us; we now clothed completely in His brilliant, pure, and perfect Righteousness. “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away. Behold, the new has come!” –2 Corinthians 5:17.

Every-thing we could ever want or need is found in Christ Jesus. Sealed eternally in that same Ruach breath of the One who stood over the dark void and called forth the whole world out of nothing-ness. Him who said, “Let there be.” And there was…

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” 1 Peter 1:3-5.

No document any man might draft has ever, nor will ever, be more binding or everlasting than God’s Word. Could ever come close to bestowing upon any living soul the unfathomable, uncountable, unplumbed riches stored up for us by our Father God; regardless, his name or title, contrary to how wealthy or prominent or powerful he may be. “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. And He has made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ…” –Ephesians 1:7-9.

Why then, would any man choose instead, to live off of the crumbs that might fall from another’s plate when he can have guaranteed, unfettered access both now and forever, to the bountiful inheritance God has prepared in advance for all of His children? Why would we ever be satisfied with, strive after, mere earthy possessions, no matter how great their value, when we can have “the Pearl of great price” and with Him, everything else that God has prepared for us, in this life and in the life to come. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls. 46When he found one very precious pearl, he went away and sold all he had and bought it…” –Matthew 13:45-46.

Our thanks are due to God for all temporal blessings; they are more than we deserve. But our thanks ought to go to God in thunders of hallelujahs for spiritual blessings. A new heart is better than a new coat. To feed on Christ is better than having the best of earthly food. To be an heir of God is better than being the heir of the greatest nobleman. To have God for our portion is blessed, infinitely more blessed than to own broad acres of land. God hath blessed us with spiritual blessings. These are the rarest, the richest, the most enduring of all blessings; they are priceless in value. –Charles Spurgeon.

Friend, if you’ve yet to meet this God who has this same inheritance stored up for you, I encourage you to call out to Him today. He is nearer to you than you think, and just waiting to hear you sincerely ask Him to come to you and show Himself real. Please, don’t go without all that He has for you for one more minute; both now, and in the world to come…

Perspective.

March 25, 2020 /
“By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.” 1 Corinthians 3:10-15.

Greetings to you sonsofthesea family and friends and followers!

 I pray this finds each of you, and your loved ones, engaged, encouraged, and healthy! Know that we here at sonsofthesea and Highland City Church, continue to keep you lifted-up before the Father’s Throne of grace. We do hope that you are using this time afforded us all—this hour of a great pause wisely, seeking the Lord and drawing in closer to Him? That you might build a more intimate and lasting relationship with Him. Our prayer, starting with our own lives and ministries, then reaching out to cover you and yours in this hour is this: “Lord Jesus, have your way in my life. In my every waking hour I surrender all that you’ve allowed me, every breath and desire, every possession and idea, my family and resources, my priorities, and perceived needs, into your hands. I choose instead to desire what you desire. Teach me now, today, in this hour, to seek after those things that are eternal, surrendering to you all of the wood and hay and straw in my life. Every area of weakness or lack of faith. I choose today instead, faith and hope and more of you, Lord. I choose to let go of all of my need for control and those things I’ve thought, and foolishly think still, I cannot build the life I was after without. Give me new eyes, Holy Spirit, new wants and desires, new goals. Allow me to emerge on the other side of this time of pausing reflecting a brighter, more pure reflection to a lost and dying world of this new creation I am in You. This salt. This Light. Teach me to cease striving for treasures that can be lost or stolen in the blink of an eye, and chase after instead, focus on, instead, storing up eternal treasures. Lasting and true. Those things built with pure gold and silver and precious jewels; things no thief can steal, nor fire destroy. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen and amen…

Friends allow me to share this powerful reminder of just who we, as Christian, as His beloved, are.

We all can get momentarily lost, sidetracked, or distracted, losing sight of our identity. Especially in times as trying as these—it’s easy to lose sight of ourselves. Who we are and are called to be—in Christ Jesus? Allow me to throw out this precious, powerful, succinct reminder—to myself first, and then to you. I read it just this morning in my own time of devotion, and it made my breath catch. And here now, at almost the end of my workday, it has yet to have taken its hands off of me. It has sifted me and humbled me and re-centered me. I pray it touches you as powerfully…

“The Christian gospel is that I am so flawed that Jesus had to die for me. This leads to deep humility and confidence at the same time. It undermines both swaggering and sniveling. I cannot feel superior to anyone, and yet I have nothing to prove to anyone. I do not think more of myself or less of myself. Instead, I think of myself less.” –Tim Keller.

Forerunners, Still. Luke 10:1

February 22, 2020 /
“The Lord now chose seventy-two other disciples and sent them ahead in pairs to all the towns and places he planned to visit. These were his instructions to them: “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.”

As John the Baptist was then, so too are we today. Voices crying out in the wilderness: “…Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight” –Isaiah 40:3.

One of the most remarkable facts about Christianity is the speed by which it spread over the Roman world. Think about it: in about AD 25, all we see is an oddball preacher in the Judean desert and his slightly younger relative in a backwater Jewish village named Nazareth. That’s it. Fast-forward a hundred years, and we have churches scattered through Judea, Syria, Asia Minor, Rome, and most likely elsewhere in the empire, such as Egypt. –Chad Bird.

When calling to mind those who were forerunners in the New Testament, I believe it’s fair to say that John the Baptist would, by far, be the most remarkable. Wouldn’t you agree?  The Prophet Isaiah foretold of this “Voice crying out in the wilderness” nearly 700 years prior to John showing up in the Judean desert. And the Prophet Malachi twice foretold of John’s coming 430 years prior to his arrival in the wilderness as well and is found in Malachi 3 verse 1: “I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come,” says the Lord Almighty.”  Then again, in Malachi chapter 4 verse 5: “See, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes.” The Apostle Luke, in Luke 1 verse 17, helps us to decipher why John is being referred to as Elijah here; listen to what he says: “It is he who will go as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers back to the children, and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous [which is to seek and submit to the will of God]—in order to make ready a people [perfectly] prepared [spiritually and morally] for the Lord.”  And, in Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus Himself makes clear the distinction between John and the Prophet Elijah: “For all the prophets and the Law prophesied up until John. And if you are willing to accept it, John himself is [the fulfillment of] Elijah [as the messenger] who was to come [before the kingdom]” –Matthew 11:13-14.

For the remainder of our time together, let’s take a deeper look at others who filled this position also, this calling of being a forerunner for Jesus. Let’s discuss too, how this same calling applies to us today…

In order that we all start on the same foot, let’s move forward with a biblical definition of the word forerunner. KJV Dictionary Definition; FORERUNNER, n: A messenger sent before to give notice of the approach of others; a harbinger.

Recently, I was reading the Book of Romans, Chapter 16. In my New Living Translation, it’s entitled: “Paul greets his friends.” As I read, I was introduced to whole host of Paul’s friend’s—fellow brothers and sisters who’d faithfully served God during their time here on earth; serve Him still, as their devotion and courage and calling continue to stir up our own faith, and that deep longing within our hearts to follow after Christ all the more closely. I was intrigued by them, these heralds of the faith; so I began to dig a bit deeper into the lives of these people Paul took the time to make mention of. Who were they? I wanted to know more. What I’ve learned in part, is that I had, in fact, met these people (not all, but some) on the pages of my Bible. Some of these that Paul was recalling, sending greetings to, were amongst those 72 “other disciples” whom Jesus who had sent out in pairs ahead of Himself as forerunners in the opening verses of Luke 10. These were a diverse group of believers. These disciples consisted of those from various economic and social backgrounds, spheres of influence, as well as being in possession of varying gifts and talents. Some were teachers, some companions, others were wives, there were city officials and politicians too. Others still, were doctors and scribes. Some learned, some without any formal education. Men and women both. Married and single.

What united them each to the other, and to every other forerunner for Christ then and since, was their faith in, their love for, and their uncompromising commitment to, Jesus our Lord.

Some were young, like Timothy, Paul’s “son in the faith.” Others, such as Tertitus, the one acting here in Romans 16 as Paul’s amanuensis, were educated. Others still, like Gaius, were traveling companions of Paul’s. We first hear of this Gaius back in Acts 19 when he and Aristarchus were dragged into the local amphitheater at Ephesus during a riot which had been stirred up by local craftsmen who felt that Paul’s preaching of this Jesus was turning people away from the temple of the great goddess Artemis. And, as a result, was draining their coffers as well. And then there’s Rufus and his brother Alexander. Of this Rufus, Paul states that. “the Lord picked him out to be His very own.” And refers to his mother as a one who has been like a mother to him. Perhaps if I told you who Rufus’ father was, you would go back and reread Mark 15: 21 to see for yourself where it is we first hear Rufus’s name connected with his famous father’s: Simon, who was a Cyrene. The man forced to help carry the Cross of our Lord. Then there’s Erastus the prominent city treasurer and civil servant from Corinth, as well as Paul’s trusted fellow worker in the ministry. We also hear those familiar names of Priscilla and Aquila. Aquila, a tentmaker by trade, as was Paul, and a fellow Jew born in Pontus. This couple traveled with and worked alongside Paul, strengthening the early church.

My study of these men and women helped me to get better acquainted with the rich and diverse history of our Christian faith. To not just casually glance over those names seen scattered throughout the pages of scriptures I read, but rather to pause and acknowledge them for who they are to me. My brothers and sisters—fellow forerunners. They are my—our, great examples of commitment and sacrifice, of endurance and losing it all that we might, they might, gain this Christ. Those whose feet have beaten down this often-trying path smooth, with their wisdom and struggles and failures, and sometimes by the shedding of their blood. We are blessed to be surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses for Christ. Those who, by example, encourage us to grow just a bit deeper in the realization that we, you and me and her and him, each one called by God, has been given, shares in, stand shoulder to shoulder with, those who went before us, those who were marked by Him too. Called, to share in the incredible privilege, this divine gift of being entrusted, called upon, hand-picked by God to be forerunners for our Jesus, too.

Let that sink in for a second. It should blow your mind! I know it does mine…

If you have a relationship with Jesus Christ, not a just-visiting-church-only-on-Sunday kind of relationship, I’m talking about a, He lives in your heart and your belly jumps, as Elizabeth’s did, at the mere mention of His name, kind of relationship. I’m talking about that yesterday I was addicted or stripping or walking out of the packy—and today I can’t wait to tell you all about this Man—this God-Man, this Jesus who came and loved me and washed me clean Himself. This same One who whispered Words of life so sweetly to me, that they will burn in the very marrow of my bones until that day He comes and takes me home. I’m talking about that kind of relationship. The kind that causes one to be a forerunner; because there’s no other way. You’re compelled to share this Jesus, this love and peace, this Truth of the One who came and made every-thing new within you; with anyone and everyone who’ll listen!

“Jesus Christ loves you with an everlasting love. And there is not one thing ever you could do to earn that love, but if you’ll but humble yourself and ask for it, He will come to you, as He did to me and Paul and Rufus, and He will make you His own. He died and rose again that you might have this new life…”

Won’t you ask this Jesus into your heart now, today? No man is promised tomorrow after all. Come, join us in being forerunners for Christ! You are needed as much as any ever were! There’s still much work to be done and no one else can do what you alone were created to do…

All of this, and much more, happened in the first 100 years. Followers of Jesus, far from remaining in little ghettos, keeping to themselves, were boldly bearing witness across the empire that another king was truly reigning over the entire world: the crucified and resurrected King Jesus. –Chad Bird.

Snatched From the Fire. Zechariah 3:2.

August 17, 2019 /
“And the Lord said to Satan, “I, the Lord, reject your accusations, Satan. Yes, the Lord, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebukes you. This man is like a burning stick that has been snatched from the fire.”

Snatched:  To take or grasp abruptly or hastily; to attempt to seize something suddenly.

You beloved are that burning stick that has been snatched from the fire. A sinner saved by His amazing grace! Like Joshua before you, you have been washed clean—made new by the sacrificial shedding of Blood. The Spotless Blood of Jesus shed on your behalf. If, that is, you have accepted Jesus as your Lord…

To enter into any meaningful and lasting relationship requires intentionality. To deeply consider your commitment. A deliberate, deep and highly personal choice born from the wanting to share and grow, exchange and receive. To sacrifice and serve another or others; come what may. A conscious laying down of one’s life born out of genuine love for the well-being of the other. Entering into a relationship with Jesus is no different. It ought to be born from a deep desire to connect with this One, like no other. Remembering this: once that relationship has been established, you’ve then been set apart to both serve God and His people. And, then, to spend eternity with Him…

Yours will not be an eternity spent in the hell, that place of separation and torment that was neither created nor intended for you or any man. It was created for Satan and all those fallen angels who followed him in his rebellion against God—Matthew 25:41.

You fellow believers, are the ministers of the Most High God. Those chosen from a long line of royal priests. And yet, even though you are the King’s kid still, His ownership of you stands above your service to Him. Your priesthood—your role in ministering before the Lord exists solely because He alone has bestowed its use and service, privilege and anointing, upon you.

Ah! I have my filthy garments on. I cannot pray to Him. I cannot praise Him as I would.” I know what it is to come and preach to you sometimes, and to feel such an overwhelming sense of my own unworthiness, that, were it not, “Woe unto me if I do not preach the gospel,” I would not come on this platform again, for it is hard to feel that your garments are defiled even while endeavoring to be God’s mouth to men—Charles Spurgeon.

Friends, we cannot curry the favor of God. There’s not one thing we can do to earn “our spot.” Earn His Love for us. His forgiveness. Not-one-single-thing. Without God’s mercy and His election of us, take away His unfathomable love for us; our sins demand we spend eternity in the hell created for Satan and his gang of fallen angels, separated from God. As all those who deliberately chose to rebel against Him—deny Him, will. Not popular, I know. But it’s Truth nonetheless. For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? —1 Peter 4:17. Now, with that knowledge ever before us, may we be about working out our salvation. Never forgetting the very heart of the words cried out by our brother, Paul.

O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death…? I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! —Romans 7:24.

May this be our cry too, brothers and sisters. May we, like Joshua and Paul, and a remnant of the nation of Israel before us—like every saint that has been or is yet to come, never lose sight of how—by whose power it is, we either stand or fall; least we begin to think too highly of ourselves and risk being humbled by our Lord and, accused before His Throne by the one whose joy is found in pointing out our sins to Him.

My true position, as a Christian, is to be always ministering to God, always standing before His altar. –Charles Spurgeon.

Satan stood at the right hand of the Angel of the Lord accusing Joshua of every sin he and his people had committed. And Satan stands there still; pointing out our sins as well. Accusing all those who dare to believe in The Name above all names! Jesus!

But, here’s the good news beloved…

Jesus Christ has the final Word! He is always, “a very present help in times of trouble”—Psalm 46. There is nothing that Satan can say or do to tear you down before the Lord. We see this Truth not only within our Scripture verse today, but this same Truth permeates the Word of God. Jesus knows everything Satan will use in His attempt to destroy you—to kill you and, He’s got you covered. He’s covered your every sin with His precious Blood. You are now the righteousness of Christ Jesus.

When God spoke to Zechariah concerning the forgiveness of Joshua’s sin, the stain on the priesthood, and the sins of Israelites—you were right there in the center of God’s heart also; represented in the person of Joshua. You stood there before the Lord in all your sin, with all of your faults and flaws, and, you were covered by God’s intentions towards you. Your filthy clothes were also removed, and, in their place, the new raiment of Christ’s righteousness was placed on you. Covering your guilt and shame, you were cleansed and then redressed from head to toe!

Beloved, now when God looks at you, it is His Son—The Spotless Lamb slain for your sins, that He sees.

The rebuke is forcibly applicable to the case in hand. He says, “Is not this a brand plucked out of the fire.” Satan says, “The man’s garments are filthy…”
“Well,” says Jesus, “how do you expect them to be otherwise? When you pull a brand out of the fire, do you expect to find it milk-white or polished?” No, it had begun to crack and burn, and though you have plucked it out of the fire, it is in itself still black and charred. So it is with the child of God. What is he at his best? Till he is taken up to heaven, he is nothing, but a brand plucked out of the fire—Charles Spurgeon.

Can you even fathom so great a love, my friends? Whether or not we can wrap our heads around this, the Truth of God’s love stands fixed. Our firm foundation. God loves you and He gave His only begotten Son to die for you that you might be restored into right relationship with Him—John 3:16.

That is the very heart of the Father’s love towards you, beloved.

The Apostle Paul says it this way: Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.” He redeemed us so that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit —Galatians 3:13-15.

You have been snatched from the fire so that you might have a relationship with the Father…

That you might spend your remaining days running after Him. Seeking Him out. Loving Him and spending time with Him. Desiring Him above all else. Above everyone and everything—placing even yourself at the very top of that list of those, you are willing to sacrifice up to Jesus. Understanding now, you are no longer your own. You have been purchased at an exceedingly high price—1 Corinthians 7:23.

So, then, be re-minded beloved: Just as Joshua was lovingly and thoroughly cleansed and prepared, so too have you been cleansed. You too are being prepared for something unimaginable beloved; to become the bride of this Christ who came and gave His life in exchange for yours. That’s Good News! The very One who reached into that all-consuming fire and said, “Not this one. This one is my own.”

Accordingly, as it was with Joshua and Peter and Noah and Mary, with Paul and John and Father Abraham, brides each, made ready for their wedding day; so too has every detail of your life been, and will forever remain in the All-Knowing and capable hands of the Father. He has spared no expense on preparing you for that day that will rival no other.

The day you meet Him face to face…

That day when your fullness of joy spills out at His feet in loving gratitude. In praise and thanksgiving. In holy adoration.

Beloved, if you have forgotten, as we sometimes do, just how deeply you are loved and cherished by God, then please, ask the Holy Spirit to re-mind you. To fill you once again with the fullness of His Word concerning His great love for you. May you experience renewal, being re-united with the One it is you belong to; have been betrothed to.

The One in whose name you have been called to minister…

I believe each of us needs to stop, from time to time, and reflect on this enormous Truth. To recalibrate, realigning ourselves with our True North.

See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end—Hebrews 3:12-14.

I like that closing sentence, “And the angel of the LORD stood by.” Oh, yes, we want Him always to stand by. When you have your new garments on, when you wear your mitre, you still want His presence. “Abide with us,” must be our daily prayer. We want still His strength, His comfort, His smile, the help of His arm, the light of His countenance—for if we have Him not, we shall soon slip from our steadfastness, and have reason to stand again, like Joshua, with filthy garments on—Charles Spurgeon.

Friend, if you are here today and have not asked Jesus into your heart know this; God Himself has called you here. These words should be little more than a confirmation. A quickening inside of you that says, “I believe this is God. I believe this is Him answering my question, God, would you truly love someone like me?” He says yes. Yes, I love you. Yes, I led you here. And no, there is nothing that you have ever done that is so filthy that my Sons Spotless Blood will not wash it clean. Just ask me in and let us begin the journey I have planned for you…

The Lord said to the prophet Jeremiah concerning the Israelites, concerning you and me: For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future—Jeremiah 29:11.

Use Your Words… 2 Corinthians 5:20

March 10, 2019 /

“So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!”

Every human being has received the gift of a language. Some means by which we communicate with the world around us. Whether using one’s voice, or hands, or eyes, or an art form, some expression, or, various other mode used through which we’re able to express the fiery passion that burns within us; we as people have been blessed with the ability to somehow communicate with each other. Cave men painted on walls in order to express themselves. Others carved images on stone. Others still, made impressions on clay vessels. Ideas formed shapes; feelings were conveyed —and awe was expressed …

How much richer the language, weightier the “words”, how much more awe-inspiring and enlivening the language given to the ones who carry within them the Word of God? Words that are not theirs, rather His, deposited into the mouths of the everyday people—a common vessel used to speak such holy Words, snatching people from a dark, dead world, while supernaturally witnessing them be shifted into the glorious, enlivening Light of His presence. And all we needed to do was use the Words given us. To be faithful. To show up and open our mouths. The transforming power behind ours Word, well, that’s all God!

These seeds of life entrusted to those of us who, in one-minute praise God, and in the next curse His creation! This is a mystery to me—our being chosen as vessels at all, being entrusted with such weighty a language—such a great privilege! Think of it; this God-given ability, this gift of being able to speak Words of life into another human being and then stand back and watch them become impregnated with the full knowledge of God! Right before our eyes we witness nine months in a minute! Death to life in a nanosecond. And God has seen fit for us to co-labor with Him. “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 the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. Now we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this surpassingly great power is from God and not from us” –2 Corinthians 4:7.

Paul calls us Gods Ambassadors. The vessels through whom God had chosen to make His appeal to a world that has chosen to close both their eyes and ears to the life-giving reality of who He is. The great I Am. The One True God. The One who stood over the void and said, “Let there be,” and there was. Their Creator—and ours. More, He is Life to us. Our All-in All. Through us, God pours the softening oil of His love, His great passion and care are poured out—lavished upon the calloused heart. “Come back to God!” we plead. Yet it is God alone who speaks through us. Their heart hearing only the sweetness of His voice. Like that of a new lover they respond to the wooing of His Spirit, they lean in, inhaling His exhale. His power made manifest in our weakness.

“God has made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.” We hear these Words tumble from our soiled lips, pure and powerful. In the Spirit, God is standing as close to us as our breath. And the soul He’s speaking to is washed clean by His Holy Word. Washed in the Blood of a Spotless Lamb. Jesus the Christ! He who has been with God from the beginning—One, He alone is God! And, He stands before the judgement Throne of heaven—our advocate. His Truth offered to the Father as our defense. “I’ll stand in his place, her place, their place, in the place of “all who will.” Allow me to cover their guilt with my innocence, Father. See them now as You see Me. Spotless and without sin. When you pass sentence on them, see me. Allow my shed Blood to be all that You see.”

Then, turning towards us, Jesus lovingly whispers, “I did this for you. You’re free to go now. However, don’t make light of this gift you’ve been given. It cost me my life. On Calvary’s Cross I took your place. Now, if you are profoundly grateful, go, and tell the world what I have done for you personally. Tell them how your life has changed—how you’ve changed! Don’t worry if not everyone listens to you, not everyone listened to me either. Just be faithful as I was faithful. Serve, as I served. Tell them this: if they’ll but ask me, I will stand before the Throne of heaven and plead for them as surely as I did for you—I promise. And, as with you, I’ll also teach them how to use their Words. But should they doubt you, refer them instead to my servant Moses. There was a time he felt as unworthy as you do to carry my glory on his stammering tongue. Yet, if you will, if she will, or him, or them over there will, but open your mouths, be willing to be used by Me—I will come to you. I will place my Spirit in you as surely as it was with Moses, or David, or Abraham. As fiercely and boldly as it burned inside John the Baptizer it will burn within you. As I did with them—I’ll do the same with you. Use you as voices crying out in the wilderness, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near” Matthew 3:2.

My dear brother and sister in Christ. In these dark days might I add my encouragement to Paul’s. Be bold in your witness! Willing to be used all-ways as God’s voice. Remembering always that time is short. At any moment, our Lord may return. May He find us about His business when He comes!

Friend, let me ask you, do you know this Jesus? This One who loved you with such a profound love that He willingly gave His life in exchange for yours? If not, won’t you ask Him into your life, your heart now, today? Not letting another day slip away simply ask Him to come and show Himself real to you. “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me” –Revelation 3:20.

 

Safe in the Sieve. Amos 9:9

December 16, 2018 /

“For, look, I will command, and I will sift the house of Israel among all the nations, as grain is sifted in a sieve, yet not the least kernel will fall on the earth.”

I think I see you, poor believer, tossed about like that wheat, up and down, right and left, in the sieve, and in the air, never resting. Perhaps it is suggested to you, ‘God is very angry with me.’ No, the farmer is not angry with his wheat when he casts it up and down in the sieve, and neither is God angry with you; this you shall see one day when the light shall show that love ruled in all your griefs. (Spurgeon)

There is a swift pivot—a sharp shift that takes place precisely between verses 10 and 11 of Amos 9. One so clean the best of NBA players would envy it! Up until the first Words of verse 11, the Lord has spoken solely of destruction, devastation, and death. A complete and widespread destruction is  vividly portrayed within its opening verse concerning the destruction of the doorpost. “I saw the Lord standing beside the altar: and he said, Smite the capitals, that the thresholds may shake; and break them in pieces on the head of all of them; and I will slay the last of them with the sword: there shall not one of them flee away, and there shall not one of them escape “ Amos 9: 1. If the doorposts of a structure have been destroyed (often the strongest part of the house), then surely the rest of the house has fallen also.

This descriptive, systematic destruction will come upon all those who do not know and love the Lord; we witness it begin in the opening verse of Amos 9 and run, terrifyingly, throughout verse 10.

But it is verse 9 that caught my attention. This talk of sifting—and safety.

If you are even mildly spiritually discerning, then you know that there is a shaking going on in the earth. If you have somehow missed it, just read the world headlines or watch the world news. God’s Hands have firmly gripped the sieve and, He is shaking loose the chaff from the wheat. Separating some things.

A refining is occurring in the Body…

God is reminding His own not to take Him for granted. Not to presume upon His mercy and grace. To remain awe-struck and humble before the Sovereign God of the universe. He is reminding us to shake off our presumption and—dare I say, expectant attitudes—as well as our luke-warm-ness. Our spoiled-rotten chosen-ness—and all that comes along with them…

I am feeling this—in a very real and tangible way in my walk.

Though I am secure in my salvation— both knowing and being known by my Husband, I have felt—and am feeling still, the crushing of my most recent re-folding. I am once again being reshaped for His glory. I am acutely aware of the Lords fingers working out the unwanted—the harmful hard bits that I have allowed to accumulate in my vessel, bits that are not a part of His work in me. I can hear Him asking, as His fingers lovingly press against me, “Will you surrender to my reshaping?”

I must confess here that as much as I love my Husband, and I do, there are moments where my lovers’ touch rubs me the wrong way! Especially in those moments when I am thinking everything is “good between us—we’re coasting along just fine, thank you very much!” Then wham, that rub! Or should I say pinch! Whatever you want to call it, it is meant to get my attention. To snap me out of my rote-ness and refocus my full attention back on Him. That’s where I am right now. And, from what I hear from my brothers and sisters across the country, that is where so many of us are. As our Scripture states, and as Spurgeon so aptly described it—we are all being tossed about, to and fro! Take heart beloved, it is intentional! And, as unsettling, as confusing—painful, discouraging, as disappointing as this feels in the moment, unless there are some holes in your spiritual foundation that are causing you to doubt the Truth of your salvation in Christ Jesus, then this work that He is doing, His asking that you be submissive to His knowing touch is exactly what you need in this season. He is sifting you. And sifting is a very un-settling, un-comfortable business. Nonetheless, as I stated earlier, it is intentional. To say nothing of beneficial!

For some, Gods wanting to rid them of spiritual pride…

Anyone that the Lord has shown great favor, mercy, and grace towards will understand just how easily—if left unchecked, spiritual pride can grab hold of you. And, as with any lie we leave unchallenged—its whisper quickly turns into a roar that eventually drowns out the Truth the Holy One is pointing us towards. Anyone who has spent a consistent amount of time on the mountaintop has most likely battled with spiritual pride—to one degree or another. It is a very sobering moment however—both a shocking and deeply humbling experience, when the Lord allows you to get a glimpse of your ugly! When He shines His Light on your sin, revealing it for what it truly is!

For others however, porn is their sin—or drugs are, judgement, or sex outside of marriage, or gossiping, stealing, lying, idolatry, or adultery; sin is anything we know to be wrong, unpleasing to God, and yet we rebelliously continue in it. “As it is, you boast in your proud intentions. All such boasting is evil. Therefore, whoever knows the right thing to do, yet fails to do it, is guilty of sin” –James 4:16-17.

And though the lord is speaking of Israel to Amos, it is the Lords brother James who opens-up for us Jesus’ plan to include the gentiles into the community of Jewish believers during the meeting known as the Jerusalem Council. In Acts 15 we hear James, along with Peter, Paul, and Barnabas, making clear to those present, as well as to us, that the gentiles (all non-Jewish races) would also become part of the Kingdom under Messiah—they would be grafted in. “‘After this I will return and rebuild David’s fallen tent. Its ruins I will rebuild, and I will restore it, that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, even all the Gentiles who bear my name, says the Lord, who does these things’—things known from long ago. –Acts 15:16-18.

If anyone is qualified to speak to us of the deep pain, shame, and exacting sting of their sins, it is the one who was so highly favored—yet so deeply flawed; our brother Peter. He speaks ardently to us of the confusion experienced during the dark nights of the soul that come along with wrestling with our sin—as well as with our sifting. He can also speak first-hand of the pitfalls of spiritual pride. And yet, because of all these, despite them perhaps, and more, he is also uniquely qualified to teach us valuable lessons in personal integrity, steadfastness, commitment, decisive leadership, and deep humility. It was on the heels of his profound revelation, in his answering of one simple question posed that Gods Truth is first revealed to a small band of dusty brothers who would swallow His Truth whole. First feeding themselves—then going to the ends of the earth to share it, like so many pieces of bread, with a lost and starving world. “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail; and when you have turned again, strengthen your brethren.”–Luke 22:31-32.

There is a swift pivot—a sharp shift that takes place precisely between verses 10 and 11 of Amos 9.

And beloved, it is in the cleft of these closing verses that the Lord speaks lovingly to His own. Sweet and comforting Words of reassurance, restoration, of His divine love, and Fatherly protection. Take heart brothers and sisters, though everything is shaking around you—though people and habits, jobs, and friends, and family, governments and systems are falling away. Though possessions and homes may be lost—lives even, God is on His Throne. And you, child of God, are safe and sound within His sieve…

“God’s Message: “Don’t let the wise brag of their wisdom. Don’t let heroes brag of their exploits. Don’t let the rich brag of their riches. If you brag, brag of this and this only: That you understand and know me. I’m God, and I act in loyal love. I do what’s right and set things right and fair, and delight in those who do the same things. These are my trademarks.” God’s Decree –Jeremiah 9:24.

Just as God the Father prayed for our brother Peter during his time in the sieve, so too He prayers for you beloved. Take heart and know that you are safe in the One who neither sleeps nor slumbers…

Beloved, continue to pray to the Lord of the harvest during these days of great trials—and great miracles! Keep watch over your house, hold tight to the everlasting Hand of God, and always, always, surrender to Gods sifting…

And friend, if you are here for the first time and have yet to meet Jesus face-to face, today is the day! God has you here to confirm in your heart Words/promptings He has shared with you. Won’t you say yes to Him today? Please give Him the seat of honor at the table of your heart…

Just invite Him in, He will do the rest…

 

 

Inclusion. Mark 9:40

June 17, 2018 /

 “For he who is not against us is for us.”

To say this world is  divided is an understatement…

Truth be told—from the day Adam and Eve were expelled from the garden for believing the discordant lies of the enemy—division has become a thread the enemy has skillfully used to weave division and destruction both into God’s perfect design. We may blush at its mention, balk when its pointed out, close our eyes to its demoralizing tentacles—but the truth of it presence remains nonetheless.

Racial, religious, and political divide has become an almost daily byline…

Venomous, erosive poison sprinkled, with some version of truth, across the evening news—monopolizing many of our social media sites. The retellings, the hashtags and “shares” of our societal discord so often sensationalized. Too often used as fuel to garner ratings and hits as each commentator applies their own spin—their own agenda or bias, to whatever the malevolent story du jour may be.

As an aside, hear me please here for clarification sake: I do not, do not, I do not advocate racial divide nor discrimination in any of its loathsome, hate-filled, fear-full, divisive forms. Period. And, as for my politics, though I do have a party I favor, I prefer not to employ my political pining’s as a divisive sword wielded simply because wielding it is my right…

Sadly, these same divisions that have infected our world have also made their way into the hearts of those who call themselves “Christian”. Christians, belonging to One Body though we are many parts. However, being a follower of Christ in the 21st century Church has in some cases become akin to wearing a designer label. With some choosing denominational affiliations as badges of loyalty and honor. I belong to such and such a denomination. I follow Pastor so and so. And the list of I’s goes on and on…

Shouldn’t the only “I” we as Christians share—the only mutual affiliation we claim be unity, Oneness in Christ alone?

“I seek to do the will of my Father” being our unifying battle cry? Regrettably however, there are denominations and individuals both whom support such exclusions. Sadly, there have always been…

But not so with Jesus. Jesus didn’t teach exclusion due to denominationalism! He didn’t set-up divides, compartments within His Body, rather, He tore them down at the Cross. This is His prayer for all those that belong to Him: “For them I sanctify Myself, so that they too may be sanctified by the truth. I am not asking on behalf of them alone, but also on behalf of those who will believe in Me through their message, that all of them may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I am in You. May they also be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.…” John 17:19-21.

So what is denominationalism? At its core, here is how it is mostly commonly defined: The division of one religion into separate groups, sects, schools of thought or denominations.

Jesus however, speaks of the power of His Blood to unite and cover, cleanse and purify—make Righteous for the whom-so-ever-will.  He speaks of unity and oneness. Even as He and God are One –John 17:21-23. Again, listen to His Word in Matthew 26:28: “…for this is My blood of the [new and better] covenant, which [ratifies the agreement and] is being poured out for many [as a substitutionary atonement] for the forgiveness of sins.” Sinless Blood poured out for every person who calls Jesus “Lord”. There was no pause—no clause that stated: “By this I mean—only if you call yourself a Baptist or Methodist, a Presbyterian, a Lutheran, or a member of the World Assemblies of God, a Roman Catholic…

And, though Jesus was a Jew who did in fact minister first to the Jews—ultimately His death on the Cross instantly, and with fore-intention, opened the way for “who-so-ever-will” to enter right relationship with the One True God. That was always His plan. The moment He said, “It is finished”, and breathed His last, the curtain in the Temple was split open signifying that the way back to right relationship with God was now possible because of the sacrificial Blood of Jesus being shed once for all. Matthew 27:51.  We also see evidence of this Truth when reading the account of Peter and Cornelius. Read the full account in Acts 10. But for now, listen to verses 44-46: “While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the word. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles,for they heard them speaking in tongues and extolling God…”

We are the ones whom withhold; you and I are guilty of judgement and diving the Body. We have set up these divides, these compartments that are not from God. Compartments that divide those God died to unite. We have set the tone for, decided, who will be accepted and who will not. Who we will worship with, and who we won’t. We disagree with, are uncomfortable with, the way certain denominations “do” worship or how they pray—therefore we judge or reject them as a result.

Yet, the moment we cause division in The Body—and there is only One Body, we too are displaying the same attitude of exclusiveness that the early church displayed in saying that those who were gentiles and followed the way needed first to become Jews, to be purified—they must first be circumcised before they could be included into the Way (Read Acts 15). If you don’t do it the way it’s always been done you aren’t welcomed to join us! Sound familiar? That isn’t what Jesus taught us. He said, “If anyone causes one of these little ones–those who believe in me–to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.” –Matthew 18:6

If you have ever experienced the unwelcoming icy chill of being ignored sadly, you’re qualified to empathize with those who have been rejected because of how they worship/pray/ proselytize their faith. For not being a member of the “right” denomination. Not donning the right label…

Perhaps you have felt such rejection? If so, let me apologize for whomever it was that made you feel marginalized—judged. I apologize for them because I too shamefully, have been guilty of such divisive judgements. Please, forgive us both?

We are one family with Christ as the Head of that family. Therefore, when one of our family members isn’t well—eventually it infects our whole Body. Being a multi-cultural Body–racially, economically, socially and intellectually diverse, how is it possible that amongst such diversity, such beauty, people will still cling to, still choose to gather only with “my kind of people?” Those I’m familiar and comfortable with?

The Apostle Paul wrote a letter to the believers in Galatia addressing a very similar issue. And nowhere in his words do we find even a hint of the unity he spoke of being ascribed to denominational affiliations. Rather, he speaks of our common faith in the One True God, in Jesus Christ, as the Source that unites us all. And not our memberships in the Baptist or Methodist, Presbyterian, Lutheran, World Assemblies of God, or the Roman Catholic. Nor in any other Christian denomination or organization that acknowledges the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ—as the One True God.

It is our faith in Christ Jesus alone that unites us! “For you [who are born-again have been reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, sanctified and] are all children of God [set apart for His purpose with full rights and privileges] through faith in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ [into a spiritual union with the Christ, the Anointed] have clothed yourselves with Christ [that is, you have taken on His characteristics and values]. There is [now no distinction in regard to salvation] neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you [who believe] are all one in Christ Jesus [no one can claim a spiritual superiority]” –Galatians 3:26-28.

Christ’s Body was established for inclusion, not exclusion…

It is this inclusion that Christ speaks of in Mark 9:38-42. “John said to Jesus, “Teacher, we saw someone using your name to cast out demons, but we told him to stop because he wasn’t in our group.” “Don’t stop him!” Jesus said. “No one who performs a miracle in my name will soon be able to speak evil of me. Anyone who is not against us is for us. If anyone gives you even a cup of water because you belong to the Messiah, I tell you the truth, that person will surely be rewarded. “But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone hung around your neck.”

Perhaps you are reading this and have not asked God into your heart as Lord and Savior? Please know there is a place in our family reserved just for you. Won’t you take your place today? Jesus loves you. The rest of us need your presence! Just ask Him to come into your heart—to be your Lord. He’ll do the rest… “If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” –Romans 10:9.

And to my Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ; there is room for us all at the feet of our Lord. Please, join me there as we pray for unity in the Body of Christ…

 

 

 

Stand-in Faith. Mark 2:3-12

June 10, 2018 /

 “Then they came, bringing to Him a paralyzed man, who was being carried by four men.  When they were unable to get to Him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above Jesus; and when they had dug out an opening, they let down the mat on which the paralyzed man was lying.  When Jesus saw their [active] faith [springing from confidence in Him], He said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”  vs’s 3-5.

What might stand-in faith look like?

Along with the example of 4 faith-filled friends offered in our Scripture verses, we also see stand-in faith demonstrated in Queen Esther; Esther 8:3-5 and, in Father Abraham; Genesis 18:23-33. Yet most  certainly our greatest example of stand-in faith is witnessed in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. God’s only begotten Son. Unique in Being, fully God yet fully man.(John 1:1;1:14;3:16;1 John 4:9; Colossians 2:9;1 Corinthians 15:4-5; 1 Peter 1:20). The Scriptures tell us He willingly left Heaven—stepped across time and eternity, donned a human body, all that He might offer Himself as a stand-in.

The Sinless Substitute standing in for a sinful world; a world He foreknew would reject Him –Hebrews 2:5-18. His Perfect example now established, let’s turn our attention to everyday men created in his image. Let’s examine the 4 friends mentioned in today’s Scripture. Those no different from Esther, Abraham, and others whose faith God recognized.

We’re told only that their friend is paralyzed…

That’s why they’re carrying him to see Jesus. Had his paralysis been from birth, as it was with the beggar outside the Temple (Acts 3:2), or was it the result of an accident as with Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 4:4)? In this instance, Scripture doesn’t mention the how or why of it so it’s obviously not something we need to spend a lot of time thinking about. He was paralyzed—whatever the reason. Rather, let’s focus our attention on his 4 friends. After all, they are the ones Jesus chose to focus on.  It’s safe to believe that at some point God had laid it on the hearts of these 4 friends to get this one in need of healing in front of Jesus the only One they believed would heal their friend. It’s also fair to imagine, it’s implied even, that each of these 4 were men of faith.

They believed God…

Surely as young Jewish boys they had spent time in the Temple? It’s also reasonable to say that they’d been exposed to the telling of many of the familial stories concerning the coming of Messiah? And, it’s also possible they had witnessed Jesus healing others the last time He was there in Capernaum? Perhaps they, like so many, had heard all about this Jesus bringing Peter’s mother-in-law back from the edge of death (Matthew 8:14-15)? Perhaps all of this, combined with witnessing their friend—one they obviously cared greatly for, wasting away, motivated them into action? The truth is we don’t know for certain the whole of why they came. Scripture doesn’t always explain every detail to us. It may have been a perfect storm of faith. A simultaneous collision of all the above at play in their lives that caused them to lower their friend to the feet of Jesus.

What is certain is this: God moved on each of their hearts to get their friend in front of Jesus. And they obeyed…

Jesus let nothing stand in His way of leaving heaven and coming to earth that He might open the way that leads us back into right relationship with the Father—back into the loving arms of God (Matthew 27:51). And, when reading this account concerning our paralytic friend—it appears his friends too, wouldn’t allow anything to stand in the way of getting their friend in front of Jesus.

Let those who have ears hear…

They had fixed their eyes on Jesus. And, if it took ripping  the roof off to get their friend in front of Him, well, so-be-it! Off it would have to come!

And it did…

While Jesus was busy sharing God’s Word— 4 friends were busy hoisting their friend, mat and all, up onto the roof.  Get that image in your mind.  They hoisted a grown man tied to a cot up on to a roof. Jesus is preaching in the room below where, Scripture tells us a, “throng of people” are packed in—shoulder to shoulder. These 4 men approach the house with their friend in tow and realize— “this isn’t going work. These people won’t budge—no one will make room for us to get to Jesus!” Yet, they weren’t deterred. Why? The burning in their hearts wouldn’t allow for it. That very burning is what had prompted this entire journey of faith!

And then it hit them, “the roof, we’ll get him in through the roof!”

Have you ever been so moved by the leading of the Holy Spirit of God that, come what may, you were determined to do what you know He was leading you to do? Even if doing it meant doing something as unorthodox, as risky, as bold as taking the roof off a place ?

These 4 had been so moved…

While Jesus was sharing God’s Truth with this room full of people—these 4 were busy digging up the mud roof.

Shards of ceiling were falling on the crowd—on Jesus, yet, there is no rebuke mentioned. No one looks up and cries out, “have you guys lost your minds, stop it! Where trying to focus on what Jesus is saying! Nor does Scripture mention a rebuke of any kind coming from Jesus. Rather, we witness Jesus recognizing a reflection of Himself in these 4 friends. He recognizes a “reflection”, a type, of His own inextinguishable faith. Faith that says, “come what may, I’ll do it, I’ll make a way…”

And, in that second of recognition—a miracle occurred.

The one they had carried all these years—the one they had cared for and fed, helped provide for and shared with—Jesus now looked at and said, “you’re forgiven!”, and he was. He was now healed, made whole.

He was made new…

That’s what happens when we have an authentic encounter with Jesus. We are made new, washed clean—restored.

Whatever sin had held him to his mat, for however long it had had a grip on him—it was gone now; eternally forgiven. God had used the stand-in faith of his 4 faith-filled friends that He might deliver , restore, make new this one who couldn’t quite get there on His own…

If you’ve been praying for—interceding for, a friend or loved one, you should be excited right now! If Jesus honored their faith—surely, He will honor yours too! Just keep on taking that roof off!

God has asked each of us to be a stand-in. Jesus commissioned us all—all who believe on His name, to be stand-in’s. “He said to them, “Go throughout the whole world and preach the gospel to all people.” –Mark 16:15.

Friend, if you claim faith like one of today’s 4,  here’s my question to you: how far will you carry the one that isn’t quite able to get to Jesus without your help?

And, if you’ve not yet asked Jesus into your heart—to heal what may be “paralyzed” in your life, do it now. My faith has carried you this far, I’ve now laid you safely at Jesus’ feet—don’t let this opportunity pass you by.

Ask Jesus into your heart now…

“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” Romans 10:9.

 

 

Restoration. Romans 5:10

June 3, 2018 /

 “ For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, it is much more certain, having been reconciled, that we will be saved [from the consequences of sin] by His life [that is, we will be saved because Christ lives today].”

John 3:16, one of the most quoted verses of Scripture assures us of the unfathomable, unplumbed love of God. Listen: “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.”

And, God did this while we were yet His enemies—separated from partaking in, sharing in a loving, intimate relationship with Him because of our sin and rebellion. Yet so great is His love for His creation that even in our fallen state, He, this God we’ve denied, turned away from, rebelled against, said “no thanks” to, sacrificed the person He loved most—Jesus, His only Son. So that through Him—through His life, His death, and His resurrection—a way back to God—back to intimate relationship with Him, would be made for us…

Now I’ve been given many a gift over the course of my lifetime. Some that were downright amazing! However, never, never has anyone loved me so much that they were not only willing, but in fact went as far as, giving up their life—dying, to ensure that I was afforded the opportunity to have, share, partake of—life everlasting with God! Not even my momma, the one God chose to love me “the best”. Though I am certain that her mother’s prayers pierced His heart on more than one occasion—it is only Jesus who stood before the Father and said, Here I am Dad, I’ll die in her place.

And, in your place, and his, and hers, and theirs, and in place of the whole world…

Imagine if you will, the sacrificial love of both God and Christ towards us through this very pale light of comparison:

Most of us have heard of “Spiderman”. His name is Mamoudou Gassama. He’s the 21-year-old man who recently scaled a 5-story building to save the life of a little 4-year-old boy whose life hung—quite literally, in the balance. Now imagine further, if Mamoudou went to such extreme lengths to save this child, do you believe he would then deny this same child He had sacrificed so much for—”time for a visit with each other” if it was something the child he saved asked of him?

If a mere man—heroic and self-sacrificing as he may be, is capable of such extreme acts of sacrificial love, how much more God? “For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life” Romans 5:10.

And, if this same God sacrificed His very best—His greatest, most precious possession, His only begotten Son so that He might have relationship with—have reconciled to Himself a people He knew beforehand would reject His gift—reject Jesus; how much more will this same God give to those who have, who will, opened their hearts to this sacrificial loving gift of His Son? We find the full weight of that answer in our Scripture verse today.

Since He gave so mush to us while we were yet His enemies, how much more will He save those He calls His friends!

Jesus, God’s gift freely given to a sin-soaked, seditious world for the express purpose of reconciliation to, and relationship with Himself. A relationship none of us can ever—will ever have outside of our acceptance of Jesus as Lord and Savior. “For no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me, and at the last day I will raise them up” John 6:44. Jesus, while speaking to His disciples—expresses this inextricable Oneness, this unity—the mystery of the Trinity between The Father and Himself. “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” –John 14:6 (emphasis my own).

God gave all—the very best He had to give while you and I were His enemies…

There is a perpetual bond that now exists between Mamoudou Gassama and the child who is known only as, “the child dangling from a 4th floor balcony.” Here is what this young hero had to say about his selfless act: I ran. I crossed the street to save him. He said he didn’t think twice. When I started to climb, it gave me courage to keep climbing.

If a perpetual bond can exist between a mere man—a stranger and a child, born from one heroic act of selfless sacrifice—how much deeper, wider, stronger is the bond between God and those that know Him—that call Him Father? “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” –Romans 5:6-8. Belonging to God—having a relationship with Him doesn’t guarantee us, as with the toddler in Paris, that we’ll never be in a life-threatening situation.

He does guarantee us however, that He will scale any wall, face any enemy, endure any suffering, sacrifice everything to save us. In fact, He’s already done it! “It is rare indeed for 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.

If you are a child of God take great comfort in the Father’s Providential love for you—in His promise of, “how much more”, found in Romans Chapter 8. “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” 8:38-39.

Beloved, it’s no coincidence you’re here right now. If you have yet to call Him your Lord, today is the day! He’s just waiting for you to call out to Him, “Help, Jesus! Save me please!”  He hears your pray and is on His way before you even ask.  “And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear” –Isaiah 65:24

 

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