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Category: Purpose… (Page 8 of 11)

Three Crosses Part 2. Matthew 6:33

August 5, 2018 /

  “But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also.”

The Cross of Christ. There is only One…

So why is this teaching entitled, “Three crosses?” Allow me to explain. The “Three crosses” we’ll explore over the next few weeks are pathways created by God to both draw us into and to refine, as with gold, our relationship with Him. Leading us, ultimately, to our final cross—the Cross of Christ which we are blessed to share in—to carry.

Last week we looked at the how God established—laid out, His Laws in such a way that they lead us first, into a vertical relationship with Him—our firm foundation from which all else is built, then secondly, horizontally into relationship with each other.

Next week we will explore our final Cross. The Cross of Christ.

This week, however, we’ll find our second Cross of meeting and refinement in the teaching of a prayer…

Today, as we stand at the foot our second Cross—this simple yet profound prayer, this model, this exchange—let’s peek behind its surface, shall we?

Let’s look towards—take in, examine, challenge each other with, its lessons…

In the age of the patriarchs, each man understood that he was the priest of his household. He was responsible for all those he covered . He knew too, that his name stood as more than a mere title used to identify him. His name was attached to his identity, his character. It was cultural, part of the fiber of who he was, or would become. Jesus, our High Priest, is no different. He couldn’t be. That He might atone for our sins, empathize with our weaknesses, it was necessary for Him to take on human flesh, becoming “like us in every way”. It was necessary for God to take on flesh in the person of Christ Jesus and walk among us—yet being fully God still—He remains nonetheless, sinless. “Therefore, it was essential that He had to be made like His brothers (mankind) in every respect, so that He might [by experience] become a merciful and faithful High Priest in things related to God, to make atonement (propitiation) for the people’s sins [thereby wiping away the sin, satisfying divine justice, and providing a way of reconciliation between God and mankind]” Hebrews 2:17

It is this God, The Only Begotten of the Father, who is teaching our brothers—teaching us. His Character our model.

Let that sink in a moment…

Let’s head over to listen to how Matthew describes the way Jesus instructed him and his brothers—and through them, us—to pray.

Jesus says, pray like this: “Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us today the food we need, and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.” –Mathew 6:10-13

 

“Our Father in heaven”: Jesus straightaway leaves no room for doubt about who it is we must pray to. He points His disciples towards—and through them us, this revolutionary new way to address God. More, this new way to understand and enter into relationship with Him. Now, instead of calling on God by title only, as His creation— as El Shaddai, Yahweh, or G_d, as was custom, Jesus is teaching His friends to see themselves as His child, as personally connected—intimately connected to God, as a child is to their Father. His friends had witnessed Jesus taking time away to pray to His Father this way. Now they wanted this for themselves. There is a great lesson in their desire for us all… “The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to son-ship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father” –Romans 8:15.

“May your name be kept holy.” Some versions rend this as “Hallowed by thine name.” Your name isn’t like any other. Your name, as is your person, is, “sanctified; consecrated; sacrosanct—set-apart.” Jesus, in part, teaches His friends the proper awe and reverence one should always have—even as a friend, even as a child must have when interacting with their Holy Father God. This is a Name that should not slip unguarded from colorful lips set on calling down curse on themselves or others. This Name is Holy. And, as with all things holy, it must be set apart for sacred use—not common. “And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” Isaiah 6:3

“May your Kingdom come soon.” The Tabernacle of God—The Lamb who was from the beginning of the world. Slain for their sins and the sins of the whole world, was teaching them to pray for heaven to dwell on earth. For Gods perfect rule—a world without sin—to become a reality. They were all too familiar with evil and murder and persecution and lies and treachery. Jesus is teaching them—us, to pray for Gods perfection to be manifested. Firstly, in our own hearts. As our deepest desire. As we patiently await that glorious time when heaven will come in all its fullness. “They shall speak of the glory of Your kingdom And talk of Your power; To make known to the sons of men Your mighty acts And the glory of the majesty of Your kingdom. Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, And Your dominion endures throughout all generations” –Psalm 145:11-13.

“May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.” Jesus is, in part, teaching His friends to set aside their way of doing things. Set aside their feelings, our feelings and wants and ought to be’s—our ways of wanting God to show up and act and do. Stop asking God to bless our plans—our “golden calf”. Stop speaking to God in redundant, empty, ritualistic words. Pray instead that the will of The One who created you and everything in this world be sought after by every man—desired by all. That none miss out on heavens plan for their lives. That Gods perfect will—as it is in heaven—be done, lived out, strived for, shared, hungered after, here and now, on earth. God is seeking those who are willing to empty themselves of their will that He might manifest His own through them. The One who willingly laid down His life is teaching us this lesson. “No one can take my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and also to take it up again. For this is what my Father has commanded” –John 10:18.

“Give us today the food we need…” Father, as with any good dad, we are trusting you to take care of us today. We’re resting in you. Firstly, give us more of you. Give us the spiritual milk we thirst after, the Living Water we need, and fill our bellies with your Life-giving Word. And shelter us and cloth us and protect us from harm. Then, please, meet our physical needs as well. We come to you in humble reliance daily—minute by minute, that you alone might nourish and sustain us rather than us looking to make it happen our way for ourselves. “But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God”’ –Matthew 4:4.

“And forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us.” His disciples had experienced firsthand how often Jesus flipped the proverbial script on them—commanding them to do, live, be, exactly opposite of what the world taught them. To love, to forgive their Roman oppressors and those who persecuted them. And, this forgiveness of those that sinned against them business was no different. Jesus teaches in order that they be forgiven their continued sinning, their daily sins, their guilt, and offenses, they must first forgive everyone else to the full measure they would hope to be forgiven of God. No exceptions. Least the pride of unforgiveness cause a chasm to form between them and the Father who wants desperately to bless His children with every good thing. This God, in His Perfect justice, cannot however, forgive us of our sins if we choose to close Him out and harden our hearts by hanging on to—nurturing an offense rather than forgiving it. “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins” –Matthew 6:14-15.

“And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.” Again, Jesus is, in part, teaching our brothers what they—and we, will hear from our brother Paul later on in his letter to the Philippians. Jesus, unbeknownst to them in that moment, is teaching them to allow the nascent roots of their faith in this “Father”, this “Abba God”, to go deep. To fully believe that the One who called them to Himself, the One that is teaching them how to communicate with Himself, will keep them safe from the enemy of their soul. Will provide a way out when the flood of temptation threatens to overtake them. And it will threaten to overtake them. Being His child did not  not exempt them and it does not exempt us from temptation—from falling, face first, into sin. Often actually, temptation singles us out as targets. “The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure” –1 Corinthians 10:13.

Friends, our second cross, this simple, powerful, pure prayer is yet another way that God—our Father, our Daddy, Poppa, has paved the way for us to come to Him—to get to know Him, to enter into communion with Him. He has taken us from His Laws, which must never be forgotten, into relationship. He offers us this simple prayer as a model, a guide. He lovingly takes time to teach us to abandoned ourselves into His care. “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is within you, whom you have [received as a gift] from God, and that you are not your own [property]?” 1 Corinthians 6:19. He sets our feet on a path that strengthens us each time we walk on it—which each new step on it. Trusting in its straightness and its solid foundation to keep us safe. But never, I beseech you, lose sight of, reverence for the fact, that “Our Father” is the Sovereign God of the universe. The Great I Am. Your Creator ,and the Creator of all heaven and earth. The Bright and Morning Star. The Lion of the Tribe of Judah. The King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. “Let all the earth fear and worship the Lord; Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him.” “Then you will understand the [reverent] fear of the Lord [that is, worshiping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome]
And discover the knowledge of God” Psalm 33:8;Proverbs 2:5.

Never forget to whom it is you have been given the awesome, unfathomable honor of praying to—of communicating with. And, the price the One teaching this simple prayer paid that you might be afforded that honor. “But we have this precious treasure [the good news about salvation] in [unworthy] earthen vessels [of human frailty], so that the grandeur and surpassing greatness of the power will be [shown to be] from God [His sufficiency] and not from ourselves. We are pressured in every way [hedged in], but not crushed; perplexed [unsure of finding a way out], but not driven to despair; hunted down and persecuted, but not deserted [to stand alone]; struck down, but never destroyed…” Corinthians 4:7-9.

Friend, if you find yourself here today not knowing this Father God, I ask that you take a moment as Jesus’s friends did, and ask Him for yourself how to pray. Ask Him first to come into your heart, if you haven’t already; to forgive you of your sins that He might come in and show you how to have ongoing communion with Our Father…

Clean As A Whistle! Ephesians 5:27

May 26, 2018 /

 “… so that [in turn] He might present the church to Himself in glorious splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy [set apart for God] and blameless.”

He’s doing a new thing in us! There’s not one of us who doesn’t have an unsteady stone in their foundation. Not one. We all have some area, that one area, that needs shoring up. We’re all in need of a little more mortar…

If you are a Christian, you are undergoing this process daily—moment by moment. This cleansing, this washing away of the “you-you’ve-always-known-yourself-to-be.”  This being made ready. This transformation.

The moment we are saved, (brought into right relationship with God through the saving works of Jesus Christ) in the blink of an eye we are made righteous—in right standing before God—in that same moment however; we are also propelled into a lifelong journey of transformation. One filled with moving ever forward—closer to, giving up and over to, this newness of life in Christ. All the while simultaneously surrendering those aspects of ourselves that aren’t aligned with this new life.

This is a mystery…

Perhaps it’s also a peek into the unfathomable mercy and grace of a God whose goodness and love we can scarce take in. “For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God; it is not from works, so that no one can boast. For we are his creative work, having been created in Christ Jesus for good works that God prepared beforehand so we can do them.” –Ephesians 2:8-10

Conversely however, our “hard drives” aren’t wiped when we say yes to this salvation—to Jesus! We don’t become super spiritual, squeaky-clean, individuals who have every wrong learned behavior immediately taken from us. It is our “Spirit man” that is made instantaneously new.

Our flesh—the “you-you’ve-always-known-yourself-to-be”, our hearts, minds, and habits—our learned behaviors and choices, our sin; these all need renewing.

And, this renewing is a life-long process.

It’s one of mistakes, and missteps. Of getting it wrong before we get it right. Of midnight prayers and sleepless nights of surrender. It will involve tears, letting go of, and, letting in. Changing. Always changing. It’s a willingness to die—a wanting to be free of, far from, those sins and habits and choices we’ve made, and may be making still. Choices we know displease God. It’s those tears that stain our cheeks as we cry out to God in our weakness, “save me from myself oh God! It’s a hunger for holiness—a wanting of so much of God in you—there’s no room left for the “you-you’ve-always-known-yourself-to-be.”

It’s the complete surrender of our wills in exchange for His. It’s saying yes to God before He even asks the question or makes the request. And that’s just fine—perfect actually.

The moment we said yes to Jesus—rather the moment He said Yes to us, chose us, our lives and sin were imputed, charged to Him and His righteousness was imputed, credited onto us. A holy exchange took place. One far too great for this finite mind to fully take it in! “It is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God: our righteousness, holiness, and redemption” –1 Corinthians 1:30.

So how do we define this “clean as a whistle?” This set apart-ness? This ongoing process of transformative emptying that we might be filled again.

What does it mean for us to be without spot or wrinkle?

Let’s start at the beginning…

Firstly, we cannot achieve this state outside of Jesus Christ. Only a life in Him—one that has been washed in His shed Blood can ever be made blameless because He is blameless. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” –Ephesians 2:8-9.

God imputes or credits the perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ to the believing sinner while he is still in his sin.

The purpose of this? Romans 3: 23-24 explains it: “…since all have sinned and continually fall short of the glory of God, and are being justified [declared free of the guilt of sin, made acceptable to God, and granted eternal life] as a gift by His [precious, undeserved] [a]grace, through the redemption [the payment for our sin] which is [provided] in Christ…”

Plain speak: there’s not chance for any of us to be reconciled—reunited with, have a genuine relationship with God, nor to hit the mark He has set for the eminent standards of His righteousness outside of Jesus. Ever. Jesus alone is sinless and perfect. Therefore, He alone is the only One worthy to offer His life in exchange for ours that we might be reunited, re-membered with God. Re-membered through His works, and not our own. “Unlike those other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices every day. They did this for their own sins first and then for the sins of the people. But Jesus did this once for all when he offered himself as the sacrifice for the people’s sins.” –Hebrews 7:27

And, though we must do all that we are able to do to rid ourselves of those corrosive, immoral, sinful habits and choices, our crude speech, and the ungodly relationships we’ve made friends with over the course of our lives. Those lifestyle choices we’ve preferred, up to now, over God; it is ultimately, solely, the work of the Holy Spirit—the power of the Living God within us that will “root out of us” all of these—if we are in fact truly His.

You cannot have a genuine relationship with the Holy Spirit and remain the same. It is impossible. Nothing can encounter the Living God and remain unchanged…

The Apostle Paul tells us in Colossians 3:12 that the fruit—the byproduct of our salvation is in part: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

So, now, as we endeavor to be like Christ, to model in our everyday lives after all that He has commanded. To take His character on as our own—model His righteousness in our lives; it remains that it is Jesus who both wills and works in our hearts to produce a life that is worthy of a Holy God. “For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose” –Philippians 2:13.

As Jesus continues to will and work in us, may our voice of assent be as that of our Brother Paul’s’. “What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ.” –Philippians 3:8-10

Friend, if you’re reading this it’s no accident. If you don’t know Jesus as your Lord and Savior I’m certain it’s why He has you here now. Please, take a moment and ask Jesus to be your Lord and Savior. No big prayer,  no “churchy” words needed. Just a sincere heart asking Him in is all He’s looking for. He’ll do the rest. God bless you today. I’m praying for you…

Reliance.1 Kings 17:2-4

February 18, 2018 /

 And the word of the Lord came to him, saying,  “Go from here and turn eastward and hide yourself by the brook Cherith, which is east of the Jordan [River].  You shall drink from the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to sustain you there [with food].”

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord” –Isaiah 55:8

We see the evidence of this Scripture when God tells Elijah to go and rest by a brook for a while. But wait, in the previous chapter, didn’t Elijah just tell Ahab that God said it wouldn’t rain again for the next few years; until he commanded it to? So how is that brook God is instructing Elijah to drink out of going to keep flowing if there’s no rain?

Has God ever done this to you? Called you to a meanwhile place? A place of complete reliance and trust? I mean above our daily reliance and trust in Him as Creator, provider, and sustainer of us all?

Into something deeper…

Have you experienced a moment of great revelation from God? Been flooded with a sense of divine power and purpose, certain you’re about to have a Mount Sinai moment, only for God to say; Nope. Not yet. First, I need you to go hang out in the wilderness for a bit.

If you’ve been walking with the Lord for any time, you’re probably shaking your head in agreement. Yup, I’ve been there! I’m there now!

And if not, trust me, it’s on the way!

Often, right before the Lord leads us deeper into our calling, revealing more—the next step of His plan and purpose for our lives and ministries—He’ll first test us. Will we follow Him even when where He’s calling seems to be going in the exact opposite direction of what He showed us—told us?

Will we be—will you be, as obedient as Elijah was? “So he went and did in accordance with the word of the Lord; he went and lived by the brook Cherith, which is east of the Jordan.” –verse 5

God did not need Elijah to carry out His divine plan any more than He needed Moses or Abraham, Joshua, or King David. And He doesn’t need you and me either! He chooses us—as He chose them, to partner with Him. To be the hands and feet and hearts and minds and voices He used to carry His message of Love into a lost and dying world—His warnings and corrections too. As Elijah did…

“What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him? For You have made him a little lower than the angels, And You have crowned him with glory and honor.” –Psalm 8:4-5

Jesus asks us to trust Him in all things—always. Trust is the very life-breath of our faith. Without it, there is no amount of “service” we can offer God that will please Him. “But without faith it is impossible to please Him…” – Hebrews 11:6.

Elijah trusted God. Period. Was he perfect, no, Scripture reveals that Elijah was a bit full of himself, full of fear at moments—and cheeky, like many of us. But He loved the Lord and desired to do His will. And it is this heart—this willingness, that delights God. “For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him…” –2 Chronicles 16:9

If God has called you into a ministry, a season, school, a new job—asked you to leave all that you know and cross the state, country, or the world and follow Him, do it. Just do it. Trust that He loves you with an everlasting love—a love far deeper, wider, stronger than any love you’ve ever known. And, as it was with Elijah, there’s a purpose in this call you too may not yet see. Just trust God and go. Trust too, that He has already made the way for you. He has already provided your daily Bread. Both physical and spiritual. He is with you in this secret place—this stage, season, time of preparation and transformation.

His Word is burning and alive in you—feeding your Spirit man—strengthening you for what is yet to come. “He would feed them also with the finest of the wheat; And with honey out of the rock would I satisfy thee” Psalm 81:16.

 Though you can’t yet see them, know too, that your ravens have been dispatched…
Your needs provided for you. The water is fresh and cool and running freely, the bread and meat is at hand, the grass soft, and the tree strong—offering you both protection, and the shade needed, just for today…

Long before He led Elijah to the brook, God had already set the limits, and made the provision for Elijah’s time in the secret place.

And He has set yours as well…

There was a set time (a season).

There were basic provisions given for that time (bread, meat, and water).

There was divine protection assured (it was a hiding place).

And God was ever present…

Everything that Elijah needed was provided by God that He might be refreshed, built up, strengthened for what lay ahead of him. God was about to show Himself mighty and crush the powers of darkness on Mount Carmel. The Baal’s (idols—false gods), and those who worshiped them, were about to be exposed for the powerless, frauds—the false gods and prophets they were. Elijah needed to be physically, emotionally, and spiritually ready for what would his greatest call in ministry. A spiritual battle unlike any other he had or would face…

He would stand before not only his enemies—these false prophets, but in front of his own people, the Israelites. Those now steeped in idolatry and rebellion who had forgotten the Lord. –1 Kings 18:20-40

With such a mighty work set before him, is it any wonder he needed a time set apart with the Lord? A time to allow God to do the deep work necessary (building Elijah’s trust and reliance in Himself) to prepare him for this pivotal battle? And yet, the very provision God had provided would dry up.

Elijah would be forced to follow God deeper still… (1 Kings 17:7-9).

Perhaps this is where you find yourself? Being called by God to go from one deep place into another? One place of trust and faith to another? Maybe this is the point in the story when you say, “Wait, she’s talking about me!” If so, congratulations! You’re in excellent company. Read the Book of Hebrews, Chapter 11, and check out the long list of all those who have been in your shoes.

Those who God also called and said, “Just trust Me…”

“Proper Use” For” 1 Corinthians 7:31

November 5, 2017 /

 …” and those who use the world [taking advantage of its opportunities], as though they did not make full use of it. For the outward form of this world [its present social and material nature] is passing away.” 1 Corinthians 7:31

 Before we get into today’s teaching, let’s first define the word, use.  The proper ‘how to’ of using a thing, as referenced in our Scripture verse.

Use:The privilege or benefit of using something…

In Chapter Seven, Paul deals with questions asked him in a letter by the Christians in Corinth.

Today, for the purpose of this teaching, we’ll focus only on verse 31 of this informative, ‘how-to’ Chapter. We’ll look at how our hearts and minds ought to view the ‘things’ we’re given—even those, especially those, that are pleasant and seem good to us. And, how the viewing of them, these, ‘things’, directly affects how we ought to be experiencing the passing of time…

This topic, the proper use of things, is one the Holy Spirit has dealt with me on. And, as with all messages He gives, they’re first run, as a heart check, through me, and only then, passed on to you. My prayer for you before we move on is that you allow God to have His perfect way in you. Accomplishing all that He wills in and through you as you read on, and always…

So, now, as we jump in, Scripture, as it should always be, will be our guide today. Our foundation, our facilitator, in getting us started in the right direction. Paul, in part, is teaching us in this chapter to have, ‘imminent thinking’, just as he has had. To be ever aware that at any moment, quite literally, Jesus will return. It’s not a, ‘He might’ thing—rather, it’s a He will!

It’s written in Stone…

Paul cautions us in today’s verse to be vigilant—always at the ready! He is simply reiterating for us what Jesus said to us in Matthew 24:44: “Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

So let me ask you, “Are you ready to meet Jesus? If not, now, today is being afforded you the opportunity to!…

As Christians—followers of Christ, He calls us to live our lives in imminent expectancy—Listen: “Indeed, You have made my days as handbreadths, And my age is as nothing before You; Certainly every man at his best state is but vapor” (Psalm 39:5, emphasis my own). In other words, regardless of how long you may live—it’s only but a moment when compared to our eternity…

Once we—through the revelation of the Holy Spirit, grasp just how fleeting our time on earth is, it should bring about a change in the way we desire to use this time we’ve been blessed with. Though we’re free to choose how we use what we’ve been given, if you call yourself a Christian—if you know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, then you should always—in all you do, (not just in marriage, as Paul was referring, but also in relationships, work, good deeds, with your possessions, or within your ministry), have your eyes focused on eternity. On Jesus. Being good stewards of whatever time we’ve been given. So, now that we have a biblical direction in place pointing us towards—our due north, concerning how it is we should wisely use our time, let’s look next at how we ought to be regarding—dealing with, the ‘things’ in our lives.

We should never lose sight of why we are here and what God’s purpose in having given us— gifted us, with anything, is truly for.  And that is to be used to advance the will of God and His Kingdom. They were not given, these blessings and talents, so that, he with the most toys at the end wins! Quite the contrary. Everything we have been given, and all that we do with it should bring glory to God. Everything. “So then, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of [our great] God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).

I don’t know about you, but I have a propensity—a bent, towards allowing stuff, things, possessions, even time, to get the best of me. Let me explain…

If I am not watchful, and too often, if I’m being transparent here, I’m not, I allow the enemy to slip in through the crack in the door my lack of humility creates. Next thing I know I find myself thinking that all the stuff in my life (for the sake of this teaching I’ll focus on material, tangible, things such as my home, furniture, car, possessions) is actually mine. And, mind you, to a certain degree it is mine. But not for the reasons the enemy is promoting. Pride in self, in my accomplishments, in what I’ve done. Think King Nebuchadnezzar here, you can read it for yourself if you’re not familiar (Daniel 4:28-30). Rather, everything is mine because God in His infinite love and through His provisional care, choose to bless me with it—has provided it for my use. And it is, and forever will be, His choosing to bless me, not anything I’ve done or given to myself, that has brought any of it into existence—contrary to how strenuously the world may disagree with that line of Truth… “O LORD our God, all this abundance that we have provided to build You a house for Your holy name, it is from Your hand, and all is Yours” (1 Chronicles 29:16).

Yes we work. We partner with God. But before we were ever able to do so, He had to have first equipped us to do so. Who provided us the job? Deeper, who gifted us with the talents and abilities to do said job once it was given to us? You get where this is going? Which  brings me to the root of this teaching. The ‘how to’ of using the things God has given us—gifted you and I with.

And more, deeper still, the ‘heart-attude’ in which they should be honored…

As with all things given us by the Lord we should hold our belongings loosely—with an open hand.

How we hold what’s given us mirrors back at us the condition of our hearts…

The posture of our heart is a direct indication whether we’re grateful, faithful, and trusting in God. Whether we’re looking for ways—opportunities, to share with others, all that God has blessed us with. Is our hand open to allow ‘all who will’ to partake(Revelation 22:17 )? Do we see—think of, all that we’ve been freely given rightly—through the Perfect lens of Scripture? Do we view every-thing we’ve been blessed with as a tool to be used, in some small or great way, for advancing The Kingdom of God?

As a key that unlocks the blessings for future generations?

Do we use everything to demonstrate the love of Jesus to a lost, a dark, and a dying world? Or, are we, like the world, blinded by a heart whose roots got tangled up in the wrong soil? Producing within us the fruit of selfish ambitions? Have we allowed so much of the world to seep in, that we’ve lost sight, however briefly, of eternity? Are we scared that if we share—give of what we have, we might run out ourselves? Ugly I know, but is it possible that our  perceived or perhaps tangible tastes of lack have allowed us to believe that we might lose all that we’ve wrongly chosen to hold dear? That if we don’t keep our hand closed, perhaps someone else will come and steal it—what’s ours! And so, in fear, we close—ball up our hand into a fist. We close off any chance of anyone taking anything that’s ours…

The problem with that isn’t so much about the posture of the hand, though wrong and harmful, as it is the posture of the heart…

Fix the heart and the hand will follow. Time is short. Any ‘thing’ that you’ve ever called your own is a gift from God. Ask the Holy Spirit to do a heart check in you today. Use the tools  you’ve been blessed with wisely—keeping your eyes fixed on eternity always…

I remind you of this Truth today because the Holy Spirit first reminded me…

My hand is open to you, come, take what you will. As I’ve been given, I freely give. “Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend [to show rage or worthy purpose]” (Proverbs 27:17).

If you have not asked Jesus to be your Lord and Savior, now is the acceptable time. If you’ve felt Him tugging at your heart as you read these words today, please friend, answer Him with a resounding and heartfelt, “Here I am Lord!”

“The Everyday Wait” James 5:7-8

October 1, 2017 /

“So wait patiently, brothers and sisters, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits [expectantly] for the precious harvest from the land, being patient about it, until it receives the early and late rains. You too, be patient; strengthen your hearts [keep them energized and firmly committed to God], because the coming of the Lord is near…”

We are living in a day and time, seemingly like no other. Yet, I would venture to guess that if the Apostles of old were among us today, if Paul were present, each might shed some light on just how similar, in many ways, the days in which we live run parallel to the lives they lived.

Civil unrest, wars and rumors of war, persecutions of every kind, unjust laws, unfair taxation, false gods at the forefront of their culture, ‘the rich getting richer while the poor get poorer’. Sounds like the front page of any major newspaper—or the information, being stated as fact, that comes from most news commentators today.

And it is…

But so it was too, this murky shadow of our home, for Peter, James, and John— for Paul as well. Each had tasted of the Lord, of The Promise of His Fullness—as some have today. They’d each uniquely experienced a pure drink, straight from the hose, if you will—undiluted by the thoughts and opinions of others—or had they? Even these pillars of the faith, each martyred for what they knew to be The Truth—had moments when they grew impatient, stepped out in their own timing, not in the Lords. And not in the way they’d heard Him teach that one who follows Him ought…

Is any man capable, save Jesus, of purity? Of a pure heart and hands? Pure intentions? Of not having so much as a sliver of his own agenda attached to his prayer—well intended as it may be? No. not even these stalwarts of the faith.

Each man’s soul is an unplumbed depth…( Ezekiel 22:29-30).

Rich and powerful oppressors surrounded them—people of high station whose word became law, just or not, threatened to destroy all they held sacred. James refers to them as: …rich and arrogant people who oppress others with injustice and immorality. Sound familiar? So how did they, how do we, wait patiently on the Lord to fulfill His promises amidst all of this? How do we wait for the dreams He’s placed in our bellies to manifest? How do wait when we don’t even understand the what and why of God’s plans for us— of His timing? To say nothing of the self-doubt we may feel at even feeling fit to carry them out, to partner with God!

What is God doing to us, through us, in the course of our ‘everyday’ wait?

He’s maturing us. Just as He did with our brethren before us. Through patient endurance our faith is being tested—strengthened, matured, made ready for His use…( 1 Peter 1: 6-8).

I use the term everyday as a thread—a means of uniting everyone who is waiting. It’s intended as a common denominator—but in no way intended to diminish any one individuals struggle nor pain, while they’re braving, by the grace of God, their wait. Those closest to Him walked with Him for three plus years, yet didn’t fully understand who He was or why He had come—and gone, the way He had—until well past the time He was no longer physically with them (Deuteronomy 31:6). Waiting means standing firm in what you believe—in faith believing for, white-knuckle holding fast to, what you do not yet see simply because—God put that thing, that dream, that Word, that knowledge, The Truth, that vision, ministry, deep down in your belly (Romans 8:24-25).

You’ve been chosen. Made pregnant by God…

And now you must wait.

Waiting is the labor room of growing-up in the patient endurance that James is speaking to us about—and maturity is the child that emerges from it. “Consider it nothing but joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you fall into various trials. Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance [leading to spiritual maturity, and inner peace]. And let endurance have its perfect result and do a thorough work, so that you may be perfect and completely developed [in your faith], lacking in nothing” (James 1:2-4).

Ask any person who has spent time in the waiting room carving circles in the carpet as they paced expecting, what did you learn during your wait?

And, as with Peter, James, John, Paul, and any other believer that has ever gone before you—each went in it—entered into it, with their own set of expectations, hopes, dreams and desires. Yet, each came out joy-filled and praising God for the healthy promise that now lay in their arms. Contrary to the pain, contrary to whether it had red hair—not brown, or black. Was fair skinned—and not coffee-colored. A girl, and not the long waited for boy…

Each emerged—after their fiery trial, after the dross had been burned off in the furnace of patience endurance, after the waiting—hours, days, weeks, months, even years, and years having passed them by—finally holding the promise God had planted in their bellies. While others still needed to be fired once, twice, three times more, in that hot, uncomfortable, trying, furnace before they would see their promise.

Don’t grumble… Just ask the Israelite’s about the delay grumbling can cause. What should have taken them days took forty years! Let him who has ears hear…

Beloved, contrary to what is going on around us, what the social and political climate may be, contrary to wickedness’s—the wars and rumors of wars, the scandals, to kneel or stand, the immorality—those who call wrong right and right wrong. Don’t jump the line, don’t run ahead of God. there’s purpose in the delay. Your reward, like Peter’s and James’ , John’s—like Paul’s, is at the door. “God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken and will He not make it good and fulfill it” (Numbers 23:19)?

Beloved, I’ll leave you with this: While you’re waiting, I’m waiting, we, as a Body, are waiting—for whatever it may be the Lord has you waiting for, take heart. Be encouraged. Consider our brother Paul’s words, and keep close to your heart the strength and comfort afforded you from such a great cloud of witnesses. These Saints who waited too. Waited, before their hopes were fulfilled, before their patient endurance produced the fruit of the promise… “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with endurance the race set out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart…

If you’ve never asked Jesus Christ into your life as your Lord and Savior, now is the time. Don’t wait friend, He’s waiting just for you. As it is said, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.” (Hebrews 3;15). Jesus loves you…

Blessings Beloved…

“Preperation” Isaiah 6:5-8

September 17, 2017 /

 “Then I said, “Woe to me! I [too] am doomed! —because I, a man with unclean lips, living among a people with unclean lips, have seen with my own eyesthe King, Adonai–Tzva’ot!”  One of the s’rafim flew to me with a glowing coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. He touched my mouth with it and said, “Here! This has touched your lips. Your iniquity is gone, your sin is atoned for.” Then I heard the voice of Adonai saying,“Whom should I send? Who will go for us?” I answered, “I’m here, send me!”

Charles Spurgeon says this: God will never do anything with us till he has first of all undone us.

Isaiah must have felt undone—discouraged, right before God charges, commissions, him. The great King Uzziah had died. Once a revered and righteous King, Uzziah, also known as Azariah (2 Kings 15), allowed pride to take root in his heart, and, as can be the case with many a mature believer—those who love, reverence, and follow the Lord—have walked with the Lord for a while, if they are not mindful, pride can grip their hearts too. Uzziah allowed the pride of life to trip him up…

Plain speak, he exalted himself above God, and, as a result, he fell from God’s favor, and protection. (2 Chronicles 26:16). Thus, bringing God’s just judgement upon himself.  The result? He lived out his last days in exile—as a leaper (2 Chronicles 26).

There is a lesson for all believers in King Uzziah’s fall…

And now God is about commission Isaiah, charge him, to tell Israel what is yet to come. But before He does, there’s a little undoing that Isaiah needs experience in order that he might be prepared for the arduous tasks set before him. Some preparation that needs to occur, some perspective given, so that perhaps, just perhaps, he won’t fall into the same offence the late, once great, King Uzziah had?

Of the 66 chapters found in the Book of Isaiah, 39, more than half, have him delivering God’s Words of Judgement on Judah and the surrounding nations! To say people wouldn’t like him—didn’t always want to see him coming, is probably an understatement! He wasn’t likely the best-liked kid on the block. Still, Isaiah had resolve, stamina. And more, God had a plan for him. A job only he could do. God saw something unique in Isaiah. And, God sees something unique inside of you too—something He’s preparing you, and you alone, to do! Yet, God had another, a new, lesson for Isaiah—some realization that needed to occur, some revelation that would both humble and add a great resolve to his prevailing—stalwart faith. Our text certainly suggests as much. It demonstrates that God was doing something both great and deep within Isaiah!

And, maybe He’s doing a deep work in you as well!

So, now, let’s meet up with Isaiah. We’ll have a front row seat as we witness his every moment of preparedness. We’ll observe his great humility and the palpable, awe-inspiring, awareness he displays at his genuine frailty and certain un-holiness…

Our Scripture opens with Isaiah detailing his Heavenly vision. As the Apostle Paul stated, “…whether in the body or not, I do not know” (2 Corinthians 12:2-4). And neither do we. We are privy to the particulars only. And they are that God is working in Isaiah!

Though a righteous, godly man, a prophet, God allows Isaiah to see himself against the backdrop of both heavenly beings, and, far more, God’s own Perfection and Holiness. Isaiah witnesses the Seraphs. Some scholars believe these to be the living creatures spoken of in Revelation 4:8. He hears their thunderous pure voices proclaiming God’s Holiness back and forth to each other, to all of heaven. Their declarations  are so resonant that the very doorposts and thresholds of heaven shake! Isaiah has witnessed God in all His Sovereign power and majesty seated on His Kingly Throne in heaven. And, finally, he sees the fullness of God’s presence fill the temple with the smoke (vs’s 1-4). And he’s certain he’ll die. See he knew what God had spoken to Moses on Mount Horeb concerning seeing His and remaining alive , listen: “But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live” ( Exodus 33:20).

Now, aside from the sheer terror, imagine for a moment, just how unholy, how unworthy, you would feel standing in the very presence of Gods Pure Radiant Holiness—His Majesty and Splendor?

That’s how it must have felt for Isaiah…

How it was, according to Scripture, for other Godly men we read about in the Bible. Men such as Daniel, in Daniel 10:15-17, And Peter, in Luke 5:8, and, John the Revelator, in Revelation 1:17. And, because we, along with Isaiah and each of these men, serve a loving, compassionate, and, merciful God who doesn’t judge us  as we deserve—but rather, lavishes upon His children unmerited mercy we too  can stand boldly in His Holy presence…

Why? Because He washes us, cleansing us—like the Seraphs cleaned Isaiah’s lips, from all unrighteousness if we’ll but cry out also. (1 John 1:9).

And, He alone enables us—through His Imputed Righteousness, and through the conviction of The Holy Spirit, to be rid of unclean lips, prideful lips, boasting lips, lies, and, contemptuous speech. Isaiah recognized this sin of unclean lips, among others, in himself. Though he loved and served the Lord, when set side by side next to God’s standard of Purity and Holiness, he saw, knew, just how guilty he was of sinful speech. In all its forms and abilities. And he cried out to God.

We too, are guilty of unclean lips and more.  And we need to cry out to God for forgiveness also…

Listen to how James, the brother of Jesus, describes what our mouths are capable of: “…the tongue is a small part of the body, but it boasts of great things. Consider how small a spark sets a great forest on fire. The tongue also is a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the body. It pollutes the whole person, sets the course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell” (James 3:5-6).

That’s a searing statement—no pun intended. But it is. Seriously.

In essence, it’s saying that you can love the Lord, be in ministry, serving God with all  that’s in you, and yet—if you’re not measuring your words—if your careful with your tongue,asking the Holy Spirit to be the guard over your words, if you don’t keep your mouth in check, you may well be guilty of great sin. And, be doing untold damage to the very Kingdom you’re out their promoting and serving in God’s name! I don’t know if you struggle with unclean lips, but I know I do. It’s one reason I am grateful for the written word. For texting and letter writing, because I can edit my speech.  I can look over it—rethink it, reword it, and perhaps, just not say what I thought to say at all! Thus, saving myself from sinning, from great embarrassment, and more, from offending another, or, doing irrevocable relational damage…

So, let me ask you, what is God doing in you? What is He revealing to you, that you might finish your walk and service to Him well? Or, maybe you’re feeling the Lord tug at your heart for the first time—calling you into His service?

But, perhaps, before you answer here am I Lord, use me—send me, you should seek Him out and ask if He’s placing a hot coal on any area of your life that first needs purifying? If so, be glad! He’s pointing out your impurities. Helping you to close spiritual doors you may have opened unawares—doors that grant the enemy of your soul access into you. Doors that grant him free access into every aspect of your life. Doors that enable—allow him, to do what he does best—steal, kill and destroy  what God has for you. (John 10:10).

God isn’t trying to harm you friend, rather He is making you like pure gold, fit for Him…

Listen once again to Charles Spurgeon as he describes how God prepares us for His service: The effect of that live coal will be to fire the lip with heavenly flame. ‘Oh,’ says one man, ‘a flaming coal will burn the lip so that the man cannot speak at all.’ That is just how God works with us; it is by consuming the fleshly power that he inspires the heavenly might. Oh let the lip be burnt, let the fleshly power of eloquence be destroyed, but oh for that live coal to make the tongue eloquent with heaven’s flame; the true divine power which urged the Apostles forward, and made them conquerors of the whole world~

“Your Future is Safe…” 1 Sam. 9:24

May 21, 2017 /

“And the cook lifted high the shoulder and what was on it [indicating that it was the priest’s honored portion] and set it before Saul. [Samuel] said, See what was reserved for you. Eat, for until the hour appointed it was kept for you, ever since I invited the people. So Saul ate that day with Samuel.” 1 Samuel 9:24: Emphasis my own.

No man can take or cancel out the plans God has for your life.  So, I’m here to say hold on! Just keep doing what God has for you to do, because what He has stored up for you is safely waiting—just for you. Don’t believe me?  Ask Saul, Abraham, or Moses. Talk a minute with The Woman at the Well. They’ll each confirm that what I’m advising you is not only right, but that it’s Truth.

If you have walked with the Lord for any length of time then I am confident of your awareness of this one fact. The ‘suddenly’ moments that occur as a result of God’s will for your life. The almost whiplash-like speed wherein God will bring whatever change, person, or shift in life-events that is needed into your life, in order that you are kept—or perhaps realigned back into, both the center of His will and Divine timing. Mind you, these quick shifts don’t happen daily. At least not to our conscious understanding; though, they are always happening around us…

What I mean is simply this. The very—literal second, God spoke, or thought the words, “Let there be,” while He was yet hovering there over the deep void, there was suddenly, an, “and there was” moment. A response to His command. It must happen that way (Isa. 55:11). The very second His Hands scooped a bunch of dirt together into a mound, shaped it, and then blew His Rauch (Life-giving Spirit) Breath into it, all that He spoke—intended, came forth. Was birthed (Gen. 2:7). And, contained within those—His same Words—same creations, was seed. Promise, potential—the future. A future that’s ever expanding, ever unfolding, it’s right there. Always illusively before us. A certain mirage. And we, foolishly forget, daily—or for days, weeks and months, that this same future is not entirely under our control…

We have a certain say, surely—but not control. We are not the One who stood over the void, or formed the dirt with our own hands…

I think Saul must have felt something similar on this day. Then again, I’m pretty certain, being a fellow human being, that Abraham, Moses, and, The Woman at the Well, each felt similarly too. Each had experienced this suddenly moment with God. And, if you’ve experienced a suddenly moment in your walk with the Lord, you know exactly what it is I’m talking about. If not, just give it a minute it will happen. It’s that second where your life is moving along smoothly, familiar—like an easy rhythm. You hum half unaware, a very sing-song cadence that follows one step behind you as you move about. Then, with just one step, a shift, of what, you’re not quite sure, happens and you find yourself in a life that kinda reminds you of your own, but is now completely different. New. It’s both terrifying—yet enlivening!

There’s just enough of ‘you’, and those things familiar in and around you, that remain constant for a time, no radical instant changes—usually. So, you’re not left feeling entirely disoriented. Rather, you’re just mildly thrown for a loop. Wobbly. Mind you, this is not a bad thing. Though in its initial stages it may certainly feel as if it is. What is this thing? This strange happening? Some call it Transition. Some, going from grace to grace. Some, a divine upgrade, and others yet, being moved—positioned, into your destiny. Your nest is being stirred. God is doing a New Thing…

Whatever you call it, this one thing is certain. It is a stark reminder that your life is not your own…

We know this, as Christians I mean. We’ve read it in our Word, heard it preached from the pulpit—said it ourselves to others. We take great comfort in knowing that we serve a God and Father who orders our steps, watches out over us, has a plan and purpose for our lives. But we too often forget it. Until…

For Saul, he was just going out to look for his father’s lost donkey’s, He had no idea that he would return the King of Israel. (1 Sam.9-10). For Abraham, seemingly out of nowhere, God calls this Abraham to leave his country—his father, all that he had known, and head out to some undisclosed location. And so, at 75 years old he goes. He takes his promise from God—his obvious faith, his wife, nephew, and some of his possessions and sets out. And Moses, well he was just standing there on Mount Horeb, perhaps whistling, playing a lyre, maybe taking a lunch break while caring for his father-in-law’s flocks,

when suddenly a fire breaks out in a nearby bush. In itself, this is not a strange occurrence in this part of the world. But this bush had a strange-looking fire. It wasn’t burning the bush itself, it was a fire that did not consume. And then it went from strange to stranger still—God started talking to Moses from within the very fire that was not burning up this bush! And—suddenly, Moses is sent to free God’s people from the grip of the Pharaoh of Egypt where they’ve been living as slaves (Exo.3:7-21).

And, lastly, this no-named woman we meet at Jacob’s well.  Much like Saul, Abraham, and, Moses before her, she too is simply going about her normal day. She’d gone out the well to draw water. We can imagine her humming softly as she walked along the dusty road, her water jar perched atop her veiled head, eyes down cast. “Will you give me a drink?” six seemingly innocent words, a reasonable request from a person standing near a well—but these Words would change the trajection of her life, presumably, forever… (John 5:9-42).

So, I’ve said all of this to say what precisely?

Simply this, as I was reading the Word mentioned above—Samuel 9, this is what struck me. What, I believe the Holy Spirit was saying to me. Maybe to you too.

So please, eat the meat and spit out the bones…

We forget that He—God, has a plan for His children. And we forget, I forget, though we may stray—or go completely off track at times, He will always, always, use our missteps to get us to the place we’re intended to be (Rom. 8:28). And He reminded me that before He put me in a skin suit and gave me an earthly life, He had a plan for that life—a purpose. I was not random, you, are not random! (Jer. 29:11; 1 Cor. 12:18; John 14: 2-3; Phil. 1-6; 1 Peter 1:3-4; 2 Peter 1:3) …

And, He reminded me that though it may not always feel as though He’s close-at-hand, that He is in fact, always with me, with you (Matt. 28:20), always leading, clearing the way for, pruning, nourishing, praying for and protecting—directing us towards our God-appointed destination. And too, as with Saul, so it is with you and me. What He—God, has for us is for us— it has been appointed—stored up, is waiting—to be revealed at His appointed time. And nothing or no one can take that from us (vs.24).

And lastly, He said, “Watch for Me…”

Friend if the Lord is pulling at your heart, if any of this sounds even vaguely familiar—if it’s resonating with, then please, pray. Ask for conformation. God will always confirm His Word. Ask the Lord what it may mean for you—personally, specifically, now, in this season.

 

And then do as He commanded, “Watch for Me…”

Blessings.

“Do Your Part.” John 11:35

May 14, 2017 /

 

“Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. 39 Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, “Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days.” 40 Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?” 41 So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42 I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.” 43 When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.” 44 The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.”

This week’s teaching was meant to come out of the first Chapter of Colossians, and was also to be titled, “Doing your part.” That was the plan. And, though the title of this week’s teaching will remain the same, the text, however, was changed.

The Holy Spirit always has the final Word.

As I was preparing to type the original message given me, I went back into my Word for a bit more time with Jesus. And it was at that moment, when I picked-up my now opened Bible, that I began to read what was before me. It was the account of Jesus’s resurrecting of Lazarus. In the margin, I’d made a notation some time ago that reads: Jesus will handle the resurrection, you do your part.

I don’t believe in coincidence. So, that the very same words that were to be the title of this week’s teaching were right in front of me was not lost on me. God was trying to get my attention.

And He had it now…

You see, this, doing your part, has been an ongoing theme for me lately. And, It makes me wonder if perhaps you too aren’t hearing some version of these same words in your Spirit as well? To cooperate, submit maybe? I ask this because this much I know—it has been my experience that: The Word a human vessel receives from the Lord is first meant to minister to them, the hearer, and then flow outwards to those who will receive it…

As I read this Scripture, several points jumped out at me—

 

So, now, the first thing that caught my attention was the opening sentence. It informs us that Jesus was deeply moved— but why? What happened, touched Him so, that Scripture allows us a glimpse into how He’s feeling? I believe that to pr

Before we jump in, my prayer for you, for me, is this: that we will give our will’s, our wants, what may seem ‘right’—sound, to us, over to the will and calling of Jesus. That we will trust Him above all else. Putting to death all the internal chatter that clamors for answers to the life-robbing, peace stealing, why’s. May the exhale of our every breath be, Thy Will be done. Whether we understand it—or not. Whether it makes sense—or not. Even if we must say yes with wobbly knees and trembling voice—yes. We say yes. I say yes, to His will, His way, and, His Divine timing.

Yes Lord…

operly answer this, we must go backward a bit. Towards the beginning of this same chapter, we find the source of His pain. Jesus has informed His disciples that Lazarus, His friend, has died.

At first, they don’t get that he’s dead. Because Jesus had told them that Lazarus had ‘fallen asleep’. Naturally, their minds thought of ordinary sleep–rest. So, Jesus made it plain for them, stating emphatically that Lazarus was dead. He went on to tell them that it was good that He hadn’t been there to intervene. You see, Jesus was about to perform a miracle in the lives of so many through —this, His, one-act of obedience to God.

This is one of the many instances in the Bible, where we witness God’s ways—His thinking and knowledge being far above our own…

Now, standing before the tomb Jesus was also deeply moved by the pain his friends, Mary and Martha, Lazarus’s sisters were feeling. Moved too because he witnessed the outpouring of grief that came from their friends and neighbors. Moved because His act of obedience to the Father to stay put earlier, to not go to Lazarus, His friend—to not intervene, not touch, and heal, as He had for so many, had allowed others to experience so much pain.

And so, “He wept.” He was after all, fully man—too.

But all of this—His pain and theirs, did not stop Jesus’ obedience to the will of The Father. To allowing Lazarus to die. There was a greater good that was about to come of this. Jesus knew obedience to the Will of The Father was more important than all else—obedience is paramount (Micah 6:6-8).

The second point that struck me was that an obstacle blocked Jesus’s way into Lazarus’ tomb. An obstacle blocked His entrance into the very place He needed to go—was required to enter, in order for the miracle He had come to perform to take place. And the Word tells us—makes us see, makes a point of Jesus’s saying, “Take away the stone.”

But why?

Wasn’t He already there—hadn’t He come to do His part? Raise Lazarus from the dead? So why move the stone? After all, He’s God. He could have had Lazarus walk right through it. Move itself, for that matter. So then, maybe moving this stone symbolizes something more? Goes beyond just the moving of an actual stone? Maybe this need to ‘roll a thing away’ points us directly towards our need to obey? Maybe it points us towards seeing the need to do our part—my part, your part, towards our choosing to listen to God’s voice and say yes to His command to roll away the stone that impedes His entrance into our dead places—so that, in His time, new life might come forth.

So, with that in mind, let me ask you, what is there in your life preventing Jesus from entering? And, are you willing to obey His command to roll it away?

Next, what caught my attention, were Martha’s words. When Jesus told those present to move the stone out of His way, Martha’s response was to tell Jesus no—don’t do that. What are you thinking? He’s been dead for days and it stinks in there! Sounds reasonable, right? After all, isn’t that what happens when we hide ‘our flesh’ in places we think no one can see? It festers—and, no good can come of that. It stinks. So, we choose to keep the tomb to our dead—shameful, painful—even prideful, ‘things’ sealed off—safe.

See! No stink here…

Is there something telling you, whispering, to keep things closed off, sealed away—your hurts, the shame, pain, fear, all that dead stuff inside. To keep it from Jesus?

Is it telling you, He won’t love you if He sees.

Beloved, that’s so wrong! It’s a flat-out lie!

See Jesus knows that for us to have True Life, we must let Him into our stinking—rotten fleshly places. We must agree to have the stone, our stone, moved away that He might have full access to us—to every yucky—stinking part of us!

He won’t come in unless He’s invited…

And, so, next we’ll see Jesus praying to The Father. Thanking Him for hearing His prayers. We hear Jesus saying, that it’s for the benefit of those gathered around that He came at all—that The Father had sent Him in the first place. But why?

Because the Truth is this: whatever Jesus is doing to us—in us, through us, it’s not just for or about us…

One part—a piece, of God’s Divine plan,  the moment He chooses to save each of us—was, is, an ability—through partnership with Him, to multiply our capacity to impact this world for the sake of His Kingdom—our home. We are saved, in part, to be used—to be the hands and feet of Jesus in this lost and dying world. To be vessels used by Him—each uniquely gifted and equipped. We know this is Truth because again—as always, The Word confirms The Word made Flesh…

Listen to Jesus speaking to His Disciples—to us of our responsibility: “And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15). Or more, in Acts 1:8: “…. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere–in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

And, lastly, after the stone had been rolled away—after He had been granted access, after the shame of the stench of rotten flesh had been exposed, and, after prayer, then, and only then, was the true purpose of His coming accomplished. New Life. All that hear His voice cannot help to respond—not even the grave can hold them back (Colossians 1:18; 1 Corinthians 15:55-57; Rev, 1:18). “Lazarus, come out!” And He did. And we did, and many will continue to—all those that are called by His name must leave their dead things (the flesh) behind to be released into the Light of Life. Their salvation, their new life…

“Take off the grave clothes and let him go.” Jesus will always have the final Word, in His divine time…

Yet, as Peter tells us in 1 Peter 1:13-16, we too, have a part to play. Here, now, listen: “Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘”Be holy, because I am holy.’”

Plainly put: We must do our part. After Jesus called Lazarus to come out, Lazarus moved, he acted. And so must we. “Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?”

“Rabbit Chasers” Pro. 4:11-12

May 7, 2017 /

“I have taught you in the way of skillful and godly Wisdom [which is comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of God]; I have led you in paths of uprightness. When you walk, your steps shall not be hampered [your path will be clear and open]; and when you run, you shall not stumble.”

Ephesians 6:11 tells us to: “Clothe yourselves with the full armor of God so that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.”

Two of the many tricks of his trade—his schemes, is distraction and busyness.

He, the enemy of your soul, will do everything in his power to distract you. Firstly, from your main reason for being alive—to worship God. To enjoy an intimate, loving, nurturing, trust-filled relationship with Him.

And secondly, is to keep you busy—even, if it is serving God…

What’s wrong with that you may ask? And the true answer is, nothing. That is, if it is God alone who is the One calling you into a particular form of service or ministry…

I am not a hunter, but I had an uncle who was. I heard a story once that the dogs they used to hunt birds eventually, out of instinct, ended up chasing rabbits.  The term, “chasing after a red-herring”, was used. Red- herring is a general figure of speech used to describe a false trail that leads nowhere, rather, it draws attention away from the main thing…

In the case of these dogs, away from the scent of the birds. And, when it comes to you and I, the devil uses red-herrings to draw us away from what God intends for us to do and into busyness and distractions.

And, though I have a personal issue with the thought of killing animals for pure sport, I supposed, if one were a hunter, that chasing game was just that—chasing game, right?

Wrong!

Why? Because allowing the dogs to chase after something other than the specific prey they were taken out to hunt communicates to them that it is acceptable to do as they please. That it’s okay to go astray and not follow the scent they were given to track when there’s a lull in their activity. The urge to track and chase prey is ingrained in the canine psyche. So, they will, if not course corrected, chase Thumper and not the pheasant that they were brought out into  the field to scare from the brush.

Let me pause here for a two-fold purpose. Firstly, to apologize to anyone who is reading this and understands my glaring ignorance of both dog ‘speak’, as well as, my apparent hunting/tracking ignorance. And secondly, to point out my allusion. That we, like these dogs, were created with a specific purpose—we weren’t created to just run about all willy-nilly, doing whatever feels right to us.

Because whatever distracts us from God’s best— might be good, but it isn’t what’s best for us…

Yes, we too, have a visceral nature—a God given desire to serve has been placed within us. After all, we are made in the likeness of Our Father. Who, donning a suit of flesh, left heaven and came to earth, both to serve and to save us. So, our desire to serve isn’t a bad thing…

However, like the above-mentioned example with the dogs, we aren’t meant, were not created to, serve just anywhere—or, at any time. He—Jesus, and our relationship with Him, is—and always must remain, our top priority. Over our service to Him—and, to others.

My point is simply this. Distractions. Our going after anything other than what God has called us to do—in the name of service to Him, is, a red-herring. We’re chasing rabbits—not birds. “God did not create you to live a distracted life. God created you to live a Jesus-infused life.” -Margaret Feinberg.

Proverbs 4:25 says it this way: “Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you.”

Jesus has called you to Himself that you might have right-relationship with The Father, be filled with The Holy Spirit, and, be led by Him alone. To remain focused on what He has called you to do with the life, time, and, talents He has given you. You were created with a purpose, and no one other than you, can fulfill that purpose! “The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters, but one who has insight draws them out” (Proverbs 20:5).

One great example of how we miss what God has for us—is calling us to, is the busyness we witness in the story of Martha and Mary. Jesus and His disciples are coming to dinner and the women are hard at it preparing their home, and the meal, for their expected guests. The time is at hand and the guests arrive. Mary ceases all her activity and sits at the feet of Jesus—drinking in His every Word. Martha, still busy running about in service-mode, admonishes Jesus for not telling Mary to get up and help her. Cheeky on Martha’s part.

And, though Jesus had every right to scold her impertinence, His Words were not cross, but were spoken to course-correct her, and us—they were used to re-calibrate. “But the Lord replied to her by saying, Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things; There is need of only one or but [a]a few things. Mary has chosen the good portion [that which is to her advantage], which shall not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:41-42).

Scripture doesn’t inform us if Martha ever followed the Words Jesus spoke to her and ceased from her ‘busy service’. How about you? Did you hear His Words? Will you cease from your ‘busy service?’

And then there’s Peter. Who, along with the other Apostles, thought they were seeing a ghost walking on the water—actually, it was more like a stormy, tumultuous sea. Jesus bids Peter to get out of the boat and come walk on this turbulent sea with him. And Peter does. Until that old devil did what he does best. He saw an opening and used it to cause a distraction…

Mind you, the sea was no less turbulent, the winds no less violent and gusting, then when Jesus said, “come”.  So, what, if not the current conditions—the circumstances surrounding Peter, would the enemy use to distract Peter away from a beckoning Jesus?

People. He used Peter’s brothers calling out to him. Screaming out that he was a mad man, that he was going to die. He, satan, used them, along with the frightening natural occurrences that surrounded Peter, to cause him to take his focus, his eyes, off  of Jesus… (Matthew 14:28-31).

Busyness, and distraction. Not keeping our eyes, ears, and, hearts fixed on Jesus. These are just two of the schemes used by the enemy of our souls— two ploys He will use to keep us from spending quality time at Jesus’s feet; allowing Him—within that time, to revel to us what is our reasonable service to Him—and to others…

Beloved, don’t allow the enemy of your soul to turn you into a rabbit chaser. Stay on course, run after Jesus alone.

“You also possess endurance and have tolerated many things because of My name and have not grown weary.  But I have this against you: You have abandoned the love you had at first” (Rev. 2:3-4).

 

 

“Ruach” Ezekiel 37:1-14

April 2, 2017 /

What struck me as I began to unpack this trove of Scripture was its Triune nature. He is a Sovereign God, a relational God, and, He is Also an Omnipotent God. As I dug into these verses, The Holy Spirit began revealing a mere hint of the unplumbed depths of the God contained within them.

Of His immensity, the enormity of His love…

How He embraces His creation as He did His Cross—because they are one-in-the-same.

And, almost Immediately my mind went to The Gospel of John.

There we’ll witness that it is this same God who stood over the then blank canvas of creation, that had also communed with Ezekiel in his vision. In John, we witness God standing over the very edge of the void using this same Ruach—Spirit, Life-Giving Breath, spoken of in Ezekiel, to speak all of life into existence—not just to these dry bones. “…Everything came into being through the Word, and without the Word nothing came into being. What came into being through the Word was life…” (John 1:3-4).

I find it extraordinary that such an All-Powerful and Holy God would deign to touch mere man. Yet clearly, as evidenced in the opening verse of our Scripture, He did—and still does. The Apostle Paul said it this way: But somewhere it is testified in these words: “What is man, that You are mindful of him, or the son of man, that You care for him” (Heb.2:6)? Ezekiel displays this type of awe when God asks him if these dry—these very dry bones he is witnessing, could ever live again. Within Ezekiel’s response, we witness pure truth. We are simply incapable of being wholly able to take in—fathom, such an All-Powerful God.

Yet we have faith. We who have a relationship with Him. We believe that He is all that He says He is. And, in fact, can do all that He says He can do.

Right off the bat in our Scripture, we witness not only the intimate, relational aspect of God, but we are re-membered with His creative power—witnesses to His Sovereign, unstoppable Will. This same Hand spoken of in this opening of Ezekiel 37 is the very same Hand that flung the stars into the sky—that hung both the moon and the sun. This Hand formed Adam of out dirt and then He blew this same Ruach Breath spoken of in Ezekiel, into him—so that he, like those dead bones, would also come to life.

God used Ezekiel to Prophesy to the dry bones. These bones were representational of children of Israel trapped in Babylonian exile—thinking that their situation was beyond hopeless (the very dry bones), and that their God was incapable of restoring them. Of keeping the promises He had made long ago…

Did the gods of Babylon (this world) have more power than the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob? That was the big question on the Israelite’s mind. collectively and individually at the time of Ezekiel’s writing.Had God forgotten them?

Can you relate? Do you ever feel like God has abandoned you—forgotten you exist? Do you ever feel like the gods of this world are winning? The gods of greed, violence, lies—the gods that destroy families and rob people of hope?

“Can these bones live?” Do you believe that I Am who I Am Ezekiel? I know that Israel has lost all faith in me, will you stand in the gap and have faith for them?

That is, in essence, what God was asking him—is asking you…

And within His answer we find a string of pure Truth that unites man’s reliance to God: “O Sovereign Lord, you alone know.”  God alone is Sovereign. Ezekiel acknowledged that yes, he did have faith in God’s ability to do all things—He knew that without God nothing in this death-valley could ever live again (Isa. 55:8).

“Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the Word of the Lord! This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones. I will make breath enter you and you will come to life. I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am Lord.’ 

Ezekiel obeyed the Lord and Prophesied exactly what God had instructed him to. And while Ezekiel was busy obeying the Lord’s Word, the Lord was busy doing what no man could ever do for His people.

Piece-by-piece, in His perfect time…

“And as I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone.” Ezekiel obeyed God, and God acted—but, God both had and has a specific and perfect time for all things. There is a Divine order to all of creation…

He said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, human one! Say to the breath, The Lord God proclaims: Come from the four winds, breath! Breathe into these dead bodies and let them live.” I prophesied just as he commanded me. When the breath entered them, they came to life and stood on their feet, an extraordinarily large company.”

Even though Israel had rebelled against the Lord, been taken captive and now were living in exile, God had not forgotten the promise He had made to them. And He was about to restore to everything that had been lost—everything their enemy had taken from them…

Listen: “So now, prophesy and say to them, The Lord God proclaims: I’m opening your graves! I will raise you up from your graves, my people, and I will bring you to Israel’s fertile land. You will know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves and raise you up from your graves, my people. I will put my breath (Spirit; Life-Giving Breath) in you, and you will live. I will plant you on your fertile land, and you will know that I am the Lord. I’ve spoken, and I will do it. This is what the Lord says.”

God has brought you here today—now, just as He did Ezekiel, for a very specific purpose. First and always to remind you of, if you know Him, and to introduce you to, if you don’t, the Truth. That He alone is the Triune God. Sovereign, Relational, and Omnipotent.

And, to ensure that someone has told you that you are loved beyond the grandest of loves that you can imagine. And, that there is nothing—nothing, no circumstance, no sin, regardless how dire or unforgivable it may seem to others—or you, that can stop God from loving you and fulfilling the plan He has for your life—if you are His child.

He wants—more, came into this world, leaving all of Heaven behind, specifically to grab hold of His Cross as if it were a most valuable and precious lover—because it was, it was you. And He laid Himself down on it—unto the point of death, so that you would never have to stay in that hopeless valley of separation from Him. Or continue to live in fear and despair…

He brought you hear today to push aside all the doubts that plague you, those voices that say, “give up, it will never happen, it’s too late!” He sent me here to tell you that those voices are a lie!!

He alone is Sovereign—and commands the Breath of life! And today He has instructed me to speak to your very dry bones—your long dead hopes and dreams. He sent me to tell you to listen, soon and very soon you will hear the sound of rattling…

Take heart beloved, He has sent me to restore your hope—just believe, that’s your part, that those dreams, desires, and, hopes that once lived in that secret place within, though dry—even very dry, are not dead…

God has just spoken life into them and they will live…

“Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts” (Zech. 4:6 emphasis my own).

 

 

 

 

 

 

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