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

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Examples. Ephesians 2:7.

March 24, 2019 /

“So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.”

The starry heavens are best seen by reflecting telescopes, which, in their field, mirror the brightness above. –MacLaren Commentaries.

Though Paul directs all glory and honor towards Jesus Christ, towards Gods kindness, mercy, and grace being lavished on all those whom He has chosen in Christ as His own; here, in our scripture, in some small way too, he makes known to us how God uses His creations, those He has chosen for Himself, as examples for all who will follow their example of perpetual faithfulness in the face of adversity—and even death. If not for Gods unplumbed love, of His desiring to be in relationship with His creation, His chosen ones, how else might we explain our ability to interact—more, share intimacy with, the Sovereign God of the universe? God’s kindness is all ‘in Christ Jesus’; in Him is the great channel through which His love comes to men, the river of God which is full of water. And that kindness is realised by us when we are ‘in Christ.’ Separated from Him we do not possess it; joined to Him as we may be by true faith in Him, it is ours, and with it all the blessings which it brings into our else empty and thirsting hearts.

Neither Paul, knocked from this world, quite literally into the next, on a dusty Damascus road, nor Peter, called to leave behind nets and boats, family and livelihood, nor Simon, torn between one form of revolution and another, and then Matthew—transformed from a collector of coins and animals and all sorts of goods, to one used instead, to amass souls for the Kingdom. Examples each. Confirmations each of God’s Word. Truly He uses the weak things of this world—the rough, broken, and downtrodden, the outsider and the defeated, the liar and thief, haughty and bigot, the self-righteous and pauper to confound those that see themselves as wise and superior.

Who better to reach the average man than the average man transformed by the power of Jesus Christ?

Yet, not each of His chosen 12 were true prodigals. Even so, all were born sinners. Perhaps you and I cannot relate to a Paul. To an outwardly haughty—self-aggrandizing man full of a pride born from his station and position. Maybe he, his thinking and privilege, is too far removed from us, our way of life, to take in, even scarcely, his thinking or actions.  So full of his own “rightness” he was willing to kill and destroy lives that it may be satisfied. And yet God saw fit to use him mightily. And, his opposite, Peter. A man who reeked of fish and sweat—of resignation perhaps? A simple man—not eloquent, but plain-spoken. Mouthy even. Some might say brash. And Simon the Zealot, though eventually obscure, was a man who had hungered for change. For a better life—a more level playing field for his people. For fairness, safety, and peace; by any means necessary. A man who so wanted fairness and freedom he was willing to die for it. A man who, after encountering his Lord, eventually laid down the plowshares beaten into sword and, instead, used the Sword of the Spirit—the Word of God, with which to fight his battles. And our brother Matthew—a tax collecting thief. Pilfering from his own people. Benefiting from their suffering—and loss. Swindling and conniving that his purse might grow fat while theirs—his fellow Jew, was filled only with dust. Emptied of opportunities—and food, by the Roman demand for unjust taxes, and his greed for more…

Yet Gods unfathomable mercy is demonstrated to us through the example of each of these quite ordinary men…

In this text, when read in context, we witness, in part, Paul shifting gears. We see, through the eyes of his understanding, that the dawn of Christs return may be much further off than what he first believed—what they each first believed. We witness his looking towards the dawning of the future church. Towards us. And, in his viewing of us, recognizing all the more the weight of his own example to the world at large and, specifically for Gods elect. Hence, encouraging us via his informing us of the unending plethora of God’s grace. Paul is detailing his responsibility—our responsibility too, and great privilege as Christians, to demonstrate Gods unplumbed love to the world. This grace of God which fills his epistles—his heart and life, forever changing each. This amazing grace of Gods; so lavished upon him and so obviously over-flowing that the world cannot help but witness how God touches ordinary, sin-filled men, and, as a result, they are forever changed by Him. Not made instantly perfect in the natural mind you, yet, are everlastingly changed, made perfect. in time, by Christ. Used then as examples of His great mercy and love. Of His longing to have restored relationship with His creations. The characters of Christian people are in every age the clearest and most effectual witnesses of the power of the Gospel. Their transformed lives, our lives, a living testament to a loving and merciful God. That we, mere men, be used—chosen to partner with this God whose mercy and grace is as far from our full understanding as the east is from the west…

And, though Paul—and these dear brothers each, are guideposts used still, pointing us towards the God of mercy and grace and patients and unfathomable love, this mantle of demonstrating, of being living examples of the transformative touch of Christ is now ours to wear—if, we know Him as Savior and Lord. If we too have taken off the old man and put on Christ. Our witness is as valid and vital this day as it was the day it issued from Paul’s heart and onto the pages of God’s Word…

In closing, do we daily demonstrate, via our Christian character, that transforming touch of God we’ve been chosen and privileged to have received? That magnificent mercy we hold in our bellies, in these clay vessels, which Paul speaks of. Do we share the privilege of Gods saving grace as we ought—have been commanded to? As a blazing love for him, to serve Him only would drive us to? If not, why not? Should we be stricken suddenly mute—would the world recognize Christ in us at all?

What does your example look like?

Will God use it to touch some future soul looking towards the horizon of faith and wondering…?

Saints, in Christ Jesus Father God has taken us and all future generations into account. He has showered us each in His redemptive love. Washing us clean, He has pardoned, adopted, and fully restored us to Himself. We have been both blessed by Him and chosen in Him to demonstrate a living example of God’s amazing grace, as well the miraculous power of encouragement one receives having witnessed the true conversation of a soul. The restored hope and eternal optimism, the joy God offers a hopeless and exasperated world. “So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation” 2 Corinthians 5:16-19.

Dear friend, if you are with us today for the first time, or, if God has wooed you back once more, perhaps it is to confirm His calling you to Himself? Perhaps He wants you to receive His free gift of this great mercy and grace Paul speaks of? Perhaps He wants to use all that you’ve lived through as an example of hope and encouragement for another? Won’t you say yes to Him today? Won’t you ask Him into your life as King of your heart? He loves you my friend. “But for this very reason I was shown mercy, so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display His perfect patience as an example to those who would believe in Him for eternal life” –1 Timothy 1:16.

 

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.

 

Intentionality. Philippians 1:28

March 10, 2019 /

“Don’t be intimidated in any way by your enemies. This will be a sign to them that they are going to be destroyed, but that you are going to be saved, even by God himself.”

We see this model of intentionality Paul is laying out before the Philippians best exemplified in Jesus, our Rabbi…

Throughout Scripture, Jesus models this type of laser focus. This model of steadfastness; of being intentional. Where, and to whom, He would be born. His very survival as a child—least we forget the genocide that followed His birth. Every event, each life, that had to have been touched in order that each precise detail of His birth be fulfilled. From who His earthly parents would be, to the town in which He’d be born. Each Shepherd that would be tending his flock in the surrounding fields. Right down to the single place that would be available for Mary to lay down and birth Him. And, then, eventually, onto the choosing of His 12 disciples. Nothing, not one thing modeled by Jesus is without a purpose. Every-thing is intentional. Whether in His healing of the sick, delivering men of their demons, or the fierce protectiveness of His time alone in prayer with the Father. Every Word—each action and reaction, a road-map for us to follow. A guide. His exact purpose for stepping into this world is demonstrated for us through His actions. Let this be our model saints…

Jesus is intentional in saving us. “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

He came to make us His own. To restore us to right relationship with the Father. He came to shed His Blood. To exchange His sinless life for our sin-filled lives. He came to defend and protect us. To provide for us—and to shelter us. The reason He came—endured, demonstrated, suffered, died, and rose again in final defeat of His enemy—and ours, is intentional. And not one demon in hell can do anything to thwart God’s plan—try as they might. And they will try. They must. It’s in their very nature to do so—so fierce is their hatred of God.

Nevertheless we witness Gods fierce intentionality, His final authority over His enemies, and their plans, when Jesus commands His disciples to cross the lake and head for the eastern region of the Gerasa…

He had just finished an afternoon of teaching those that had gathered at the shore to see Him. Now, entering a fishing boat, Jesus instructs His disciples to pull out and head towards the eastern side of the lake. Then He lays down in the stern of the boat and naps on a cushion. Scripture tells us that a storm so fierce these experienced fisherman—these men learned in the moods and tantrums of the sea—freaked! That they scrambled over each other in a panic to wake Jesus. Can’t you just see it! I know I’ve been there once or twice in my walk. “Help us! Don’t you care if we drowned!” –Mark 4:38. Calmly however, Jesus got up and, without rebuking His friends, commands both the strong wind and the tumultuous waves to quite down! To stop acting up—to once again “Be still” that they might safely reach His intended destination—reach the one in need of Him.

God had a plan…

We forget, at least I do, just how fierce Jesus is. How brave and unafraid He is. How He’d walk, unflinchingly, into the enemy’s camp to snatch back those that belong to Him! So unlike most of us; most of the time. I forget just how unbending Jesus is because it’s too easy for me to make Jesus as wavering and human as I can be. A frightened bird set aflutter at the first signs of trouble! I forget at times that I too am fierce and can command the powers that surround me to be still, in His authority. I forget that as it is with Jesus, so too it is with me. The enemy has us both lined up in his sights. At the ready to take us out. In my case, Jesus walked in suddenly and said, “Not today. This little lamb is my own! Look, she’s covered in proof; My Blood. Now back off!”  In Jesus, we see the will of heaven played out in the dialogue that takes place in a garden called Gethsemane. “If it be Your will, take this cup from me…”

“Yet, not my will but Thine be done…” And it was. Thus, Jesus rose in victory over sin and death. And on His Cross, He made that clear for all to see. Yet, just in case anyone missed it, in case there was any shadow of a doubt—early that Sunday morning the ground shook and the rock His enemies’ thought had sealed His fate—sealed Him in no more. Little did they know, it never had. But that’s for another day…

Scripture tells us that no sooner Jesus’ feet hit dry land a man with an unclean Spirit came from the grave yard to meet Him. So filled with demons was he that not even the thickest of shackles could keep him bound to one place. He was possessed by a legion of demons—roughly 5000 various evil spirits had possessed this man—lending their strength and power to his own. He was cut up and bloody from the time he had spent cutting himself with sharp stones. Scripture tells us that this tortured soul did this to himself night and day! Allow me to pause here for just a moment to encourage the one reading this and looking over at the scars on their own arms or legs. On their wrists perhaps? Beloved, know this, God sees you and He loves you just as much as He did this one lost and filled with a legion of demons…

They locked eyes from a distance. Jesus knowing just who and what had possession of this man and, this man knowing just who it was that stood before him. When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. He shouted at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In God’s name don’t torture me” Mark 5:6-7! Jesus never budged. Never took a step backward. Rather, He stood in what had been the enemy’s camp and commanded the demons to come out of this man. And the demons trembled in the presence of Jesus. Knowing that His power and authority were so much greater than their own they begged Him not to destroy them. Rather they begged to be sent into a herd of pigs that were nearby. And, once in them, the pigs too went mad, and jumped into the lake to their death. The demons begged Jesus, “Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them.” He gave them permission, and the impure spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned. —Mark 5:12-13.

There was no great fight. No shouting match. Certainly, there was no fear in Jesus as He stood facing 5000 plus adversaries. You can almost see the steely determination to destroy the defiant darkness in Jesus’ eyes! His feet firmly planted. His jaw set. As determined in that moment as He was the moment, He set His face towards Jerusalem to head toward His cross. He knew who He was and the power He commanded. Let those that have ears hear…

And, in the presence of this possessed man and all the others who had gathered there—Jesus simply walked, intentionally, in His authority. He will not be defeated. Ever! And the demons fled in fear of this Truth…

Let us be refreshed in our Lords victory, and with Paul’s words. Let us remember that Jesus has already won the battle for us—it is not ours to win. Though we will, and do, have battles we must fight, this one, this finally victory, is yet another free gift from our Father. “It is finished”.  Rather, let us do instead what Jesus commanded us to do. To face every enemy with the authority we have in Him—and, let us share our testimony with a lost and dying world. Let us take His Truth—the Light of Gods Word, and shine it boldly—unflinchingly, into this present darkness. In our faithfulness to do what we have been commanded by our Lord, our Love, our Father, Teacher, and Guide, to do, we will be modeling this intentionality first modeled by Jesus and, also, fulfilling the Word Paul spoke to encourage those Philippians gathered around him that day as they too were enduring trying times. Lastly, may we be used to convict, in love, those who recognized they have intentionally rebelled against God. Who is to say that God, in His infinite mercy, will not instruct some brother or sister, some other Paul or Esther or Susan, John or Lisa, to head towards the opposite shore and, in His mercy deliver that one from their legion?

Be reminded, dear brother and sisters, to be purposeful in your prayers. Intentional when God places you in front of the one, He has wooed. You have been afforded the high honor of being the hands and feet, the mouth and eyes and expressions, the touch and first impression of our dear Lord…

Dear friend, if you are here today it is because God has led you here. He is affording you this opportunity to ask Him into your heart and life, now, today. Please don’t dismiss this as coincidence—there is no such thing! God is intentional. You are meant to be here. Won’t you ask Him into your heart today? Simply confess your need for Him alone—the Savior of the world. He loves you so. As has just been said: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion” Hebrews 3:15.

Mercy. Micah 7:9

February 24, 2019 /

 “I will be patient as the Lord punishes me, for I have sinned against him. But after that, he will take up my case and give me justice for all I have suffered from my enemies. The Lord will bring me into the light, and I will see his righteousness.”

Life and death stood face to face. Darkness tried to steal my heart away, thank You Jesus, Mercy said no…

For anyone who has ever felt the crushing weight of sin drive you to despair, to hopelessness, to your knees, you, most of all, will, quite literally, feel your spirit rise up within you as you read the words above.  

After-all, what prisoner, once set free, does not rejoice in his new freedom?

“I deserved death—but mercy said no.” “I deserved the full weight of Gods wrath, but mercy said no.” I am guilty Lord, yet you say, no. And though these words, this Truth, applies to every Blood bought believer; today I’m speaking specifically to the brother or sister who has acknowledged their sin of rebellion against God. The one who knew sin was taking them away from trusting in their Father—and yet, they went—willingly. We aren’t left without a choice…

No one person likes to be corrected. No child enjoys being punished by their parent. Yet, as every loving, caring parent knows, correcting your child is both a necessary and, an indispensable part of parenting. Equally as important as building them up, as encouraging them, as lavishing your loving attention on them, as your pouring praise into them; is your instructing them, your correcting them. Setting boundaries—safe parameters where they might thrive and grow. And, yet, should they continue to deliberately rebel against your repeated rebuking, punishment must certainly follow.

Out of love, you must act. Must correct. Love demands it…

Child of God, have you ever known sin was living in your camp yet refused to uncover it—to repent of it immediately? Rather than exposing it for what it was you, as with the rebellious child above, continued on in your sinful behavior; your pit getting ever deeper as you tried to cover it up; keeping it hidden until that moment it became so deep only God could finally free you from its grip. If this is you, please, don’t despair! King David was exactly where you find yourself today. So was I. As with David, perhaps it was unchecked lust that drove you into the arms of a man or woman you know you had no business being with? Maybe your sin is lying? Or cheating perhaps? Is it unfaithfulness to your spouse? Pornography? Drugs? Alcohol? Any sin we refuse to repent of—turn away from, we are inviting Gods just punishment into the midst of. God will not be mocked beloved. He will not allow the enemy of our soul nor the angels that surround Him to witness His children running around wild—living any kind of way. We have been taught better. We know what our Father expects of us because He’s told us—He’s taken the time to instruct us. He’s given us His Spirit as a check in our belly, lest we forget His Words…

If you’ve ever known just how deep that dark, dank, hopeless place of sin unchecked can take you, and, if you’re now free of its mire—from the snare of that particular sin, the one that’s had its death-like grip on you; might I encourage you to just stand still for a moment. It may sound strange, granted, but remember, sin weakens us. So don’t do anything rash. Don’t run after some new plan. Rather, just breath and allow God to right you. Being suddenly loosed from the grip of a long-standing sin can leave one limp. Sin always exacts a price far greater than we could ever imaged it would while it was gleefully wooing us. I know this because I too have allowed sin to take far more from me than I was ever willing to give. And yet I did—allowed sin to take from me that is. And, though I knew my actions warranted the loss I rightly experienced, I felt wounded and breathless nonetheless. Weakened, as though I’d been in a battle. I’d lost something that I valued—a blessing I’d long been waiting for, longing for. Yet, I had allowed sin to take it from me. I literally let it slip through my fingers like so much sand. The very moment we do not turn away from what we know is wrong—is sin. We are guilty. I know I certainly was.

Suddenly, the phone call came. Suddenly, my hope was dashed. Suddenly, I’d lost what I know the Lord had intended for me. I felt crushed. Yet, that wasn’t a bad thing…

Once the warmth of His company has waxed cold, after the Lord has chastised us—has momentarily turned His face from us, removed His hand of blessing from us, we must, nevertheless, stand once more and regain our footing. We must press on. Must wipe our eyes and wash the tears from our face. We must turn in our heavy garments of mourning and, rejoice instead in His mercy; joyfully seeking Him once again with love and hope in our hearts—just as David did. Trusting, that for His name sake, He will not be angry with us forever. Rather, as a result of His unfathomable mercy, He will once again turn His face towards us, restoring us to Himself and, perhaps, leave a blessing in His wake. A “new thing” to take the place of what we allowed sin to take from us.

King David knew all about this. After He had sinned with Bathsheba, another mans wife, and impregnated her, in his attempts to cover up their sin, David has Uriah, her husband, sent into the front lines of battle, ensuring his death. None of this, however, had escaped the Lords seeing. So the Lord sent the Prophet Nathan to deliver the news of what would happen to David—and His household, as a result of his sins. Because of the work Jesus will do on His Cross, David’s life, as with all those who died living and believing in God, is spared. Gods justice however, demanded the life of David’s child. Yet, in His great mercy, and for His name sake, the Lord blessed David with Solomon—another child was born to David and Bathsheba.

When our sins demanded death as their payment; mercy said no. The Word of God says it like this: “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. Therefore, since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from wrath through Him!…” –Romans 5:7-9.

David got up from the floor of affliction, as did I. We knew we deserved death as a result of our sins. But Jesus said, “No, I won’t kill them, but neither will I be mocked.” My brother and sister, you and I have been saved by grace. Jesus has said, “No, you will not die” over each of our lives. Nevertheless, if our mortal parents were just in their punishment of us, how much more just is our Lord in His! Though long-suffering, He will not allow us to carry on in our sin for long. God will not allow the enemy of our soul nor the angels that surround Him to witness His children running around wild—living any kind of way. We have been taught better. We know what our Father expects of us because He’s told us—He’s taken the time to instruct us, He’s given us His Spirit as a check in our belly, lest we forget His Words…

If there is sin in your camp, repent now! Mercy has chosen to spare your life, yet as His child, His justice demands you be disciplined. God cannot wink at our sins.

Mercy laid down and lovingly spread out His arms. Justice was the Cross however, on which He willingly laid to do it. My brothers and sisters, allow me encourage you to repent out of your love for our Lord! Knowing He is just waiting for you to come and humble yourself before Him, that He might forgive you; easing your soul crushing burden. You may not have tomorrow. The hour of our being called to Him is nearer than ever before, the time in which we live is drawing to a close.  Please, take heed to James’ words beloved! “And a servant who knows what the master wants, but isn’t prepared and doesn’t carry out those instructions, will be severely punished” –James 12:47.

And, dear friend, if you’re here today and do not know Jesus as your Lord and Savior, please, allow  Mercy to come into your heart now. Allow Jesus to wash you clean of your sins. Won’t you start your life anew today, in Him? Don’t take my word for this, rather, listen to Jesus’s Words concerning having new life in Him: “Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again” –John 3:3.

Its A Battle and A Journey Both…

February 17, 2019 /

 “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world” –John 16:33.

There are many I know, or know of these days, that are dealing with, praying through, simply just trying to press through their share of the Truth contained in this Scripture.

“You will have…”

Friends just lost their 20-year-old son. And, though he is now with the Lord—and they know that, still, they must walk into his now empty room and face the fact he will never again occupy it. They must wait to see Him, as they wait to see their Lord, face to face in heaven. And, then, there’s a 30 something sister from my college days who recently lost her fight to a life-long illness. My mother is battling heart disease. A sister in Christ whose husband of 25 plus years, refuses to keep his vow to the Lord—or to her, and continues to stray—unrepentant. To say nothing of the murders and wars and rumors of wars one hears of nightly on the news. Is it any wonder that Paul the Apostle cautioned us to remain strong in the Lord? To rely on Him. To stay fully clad in the power and covering of the armor God has graciously provided for us? It is our only hope for any peace or joy as we navigate our “trials and sorrows.” We simply can’t pilot any of this and not end up on some rock—shipwrecked, without Jesus! We were never intended to…

In today’s Scripture Jesus isn’t saying that bad things won’t happen to good people. He, more than anyone, knew first hand they would. They do. And, that they will continue to. These “things” however, often come to try our faith—ridding it, our faith that is, of the burdensome will and dross of the flesh that pollute it. That seeks its own desires. Refining it then, as by fire.

Call to mind here Jesus’s plea in the garden as He faced His own, “you will have” moment.

They come, these trials, perhaps to add to us a strength, some fixed resolve we would not have had they not come our way. And, as with Jesus, we need that final resolve so that we may move forward in complete surrender and faith. Though we often feel as though they, our trials, and sorrows, are robbing us of our life—when I ponder the miracle of His empty tomb, and all those it affects still, I see the pain these trials and sorrows exact have the potential to actually add to life, and not take life away. I do admit however, this is a lesson that is far beyond my ability to comprehend. It’s more an intrinsic knowing I hope will encourage you as much as it does me. This great privilege of sharing in Christ’s suffering. I know, it’s not the most folks favorite part of the Gospel Truth. Yet it is a privilege nonetheless. And, though we cannot see these trials and sorrows for what they have the potential to produce in us, more, through us, while they are exacting their desired end—if we give them all over to the Lord, He is faithful to draw beauty from our ashes. As unbelievable as that may feel while we’re walking through the full force of their crushing pain…

What Jesus was saying in our Scripture is this:

I’m telling you now to expect it—it’s going to come. All these things I’ve spoken of in my Word. They have to. You live in a fallen world. You possess a fallen nature. Trials and sorrows and troubles of all types will beset you. But when that happens, any of it, all of it, any-thing that disturbs your peace, causes fear to grip your heart or riddles your mind with anxiety; look to me. Look to my example of obedience to the Father and, then, call out to me for my help, wisdom, and guidance. And, remember this too, you won’t be navigating any of these “things” in your own strength—rather, you’ll be doing all things in my strength, with my peace—if, you’ll but trust me. I will never leave you. That’s my promise. I love you with an everlasting love. Therefore, regardless of what may be swirling all around you—fix your eyes and heart and mind—your every thought, on me. And, then, trust me to bring something unimaginably wonderful, something unfathomably beautiful out of all you will endure for my name sake. And know this, your life will be a fluid mix of battles and joy unspeakable both. A journey of refinement and faith. An adventure chuck-full of laughter and tears. Some of which you’ll understand, most you won’t. Nevertheless, remember what I’ve told you about my ways being far different from yours. Remember I told you that I possess the ability to make everything—every-thing, work together for your good, and my glory. I know pain will try to rob Truth. Yet remember, please. Then, when you do, trust in my love for you. Yet, if you’ve forgotten, allow me to re-mind you now that I love you so very much, I laid willingly on my Cross that I might offer up my life in exchange for yours…

We get tripped up—caught off guard, blindsided even—but not Jesus. Ever!

He knew every detail of every event long before He ever stood before His friends informing them of His imminent return to the Father. He knew the troubles they’d soon face because of their love for Him—because they were His own. He knew of ours too. The troubles we’d face that is. Even to the loss of our very lives. Nothing, not one thing, has ever escaped Him! He also knew of the inexpressible joy they’d one day share in also. Perhaps it was His focus on this, on all that the Father had prepared for them, on Gods will alone being accomplished—regardless the cost, and, on the coming joy they’d soon know that prompted Jesus to share these Words of love and encouragement with His friends? If so, we’d be wise to cherish them—more, to use them as a piloting Light when all that we’ve been forewarned of suddenly happens.

And it will happen suddenly, more often than not…

So, with that in mind, let us use this promise from our Savior to shine His Light into these dark days of heartache and the deep loss experienced when a loved one is taken from us. When a child has been suddenly taken from our arms. When the uncounted multitude of someone’s nameless children die as the result of war—or abuse, neglect, or starvation. When a husband or wife’s side of the bed is now empty—no longer warm and scented by their presence. When addiction destroys our loved ones and we are helpless to stop its insidious devouring of them. When alcohol robs a nascent life of its promise and joy—leaving it dried-up and deadpan. Or, when fear wraps its icy fingers around our throats, threatening our very life breath because any one of these, “in this world” suddenly befalls us. When we find ourselves on our knees, cheeks wet with tears of confusion watching our dream die or the door of our business or home close for a final time.

“Why!” “I don’t understand!” “God please! Help me! This is too much, too big, too heavy, I was never meant to carry this, I can’t! Help!”

Let’s shine Jesus’ Words into the very thick of all trials and sorrows. Into every other thing that threatens to rob us of our peace and joy, of our breath, of the very faith Christ alone affords us—if that were even possible. Let’s take every thought captive and force it to bow its knee before the authority of heaven. Let’s tell our wills that they too must surrender—completely. We will never pass this way again friends. Though Jesus promised us we’d go through these fiery trials, let’s not forget, as we reflect on His life, what a wonderful journey, what a great privilege, we’ve been afforded also. “But fear not, for I have overcome the world.”

Allow me to remind you as you walk through your pain and loss, that you’ve been chosen by God—to walk with Him. You are never alone beloved. Let’s  remember the Words of our Savior and be encouraged by them when these trials come. Because my friends, they have come, these trials, and will continue to do so for as long as you and I live. And, it’s when we’re in the thick of it, preoccupied with just trying to put one foot in front of the other and simply breath that we need to be reminded of this the most. You are loved. And, you are not alone. Just breath beloved—trusting God has not forgotten your pain. “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

Beloved, if you are in the midst of a season of fiery trials or loss, take heart, that’s hard to hear in your pain I know, yet it must be said. I offer this Truth in love. The prayers of the faith-filled are with you and, more, Jesus is praying for you and the arms of our Father are enveloping you. Giving you His strength in exchange for your current weakness.

And friend, if you don’t know Jesus personally and you’re trying to press through this life on your own know this: God has led you here today that you might have a relationship with Him. He is offering you the opportunity, right now, to ask Him into your heart. To acknowledge your need of Him. He wants nothing more than to freely give you Him. His love, forgiveness, peace, healing, and strength that He may walk with you—lifting the heaviness of your burdens from you. Won’t you ask Him into your heart today?

It’s that time of the year…

February 10, 2019 /

It’s that time of the year…

Cold and flu season are upon us! And, one them has caught me! Sonsofthesea will not be posting this week. It seems as though I’ve been bitten by a bug! And no, it’s not the love bug. Prayerfully, I will return next week. Thank you in advance for your prayers and your understanding. Until then, may God continue to bless you and keep you.

In His Adventure,

MaryEllen

“The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.” 

The Promise… Deuteronomy 4:30-31.

February 3, 2019 /

 “In the distant future, when you are suffering all these things, you will finally return to the Lord your God and listen to what he tells you. For the Lord your God is a merciful God; he will not abandon you or destroy you or forget the solemn covenant he made with your ancestors.”

This world  surrounds us with evidence that God is who He says He is. Its inescapable. God is Creator of heaven and earth. Of the sky and sea and everything in, and on, and under them. Without a voice of its own the very wind sings His praises! And, each leaf adds its amen in its rustling. “…Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world” –Psalm 19:2-4.

At the base of a mountain called Sinai,  shrouded now in dark clouds, fire, shooting skyward from its peak, God has allowed the Israelite’s to hear Him speak—to know the sound of His voice! How fortunate for these chosen few—this nation who has stolen the very heart of God to have heard Him for themselves! This people, so deeply loved by Him; loved as one loves an only child.  “The Lord said to Moses, “I am going to come to you in a dense cloud, so that the people will hear me speaking with you and will always put their trust in you.” Then Moses told the Lord what the people had said” –Exodus 19:9. They had endured such privation at the hands of a merciless Pharaoh. Evil is relentless by its very nature. Its only joy is found in torment. Its driving force, its sole hope, to exact death and destruction. And yet through Moses, God reminds His people who He alone delivered them from: “the iron-smelting furnace of Egypt in order to make them His very own people and His special possession…” –Deuteronomy 4:20.

And, as God did for each one standing at the base of Sinai, He does for us too. Our Lover pursues us. Hems us in. Still. Because of this joyful Truth it’s here where I say Hallelujah! I too have been delivered from Egypt’s chains. So then, it’s here I join my whispered “thank you Lord” to the deep night. Weaving my gossamer thread into the brilliant tapestry of thank you’s. I join it to the millions who have gone before me—and, with those whispering their thank you, now, still.  We each, trembling, yet certain the Lord catches our offerings with His own hands; pressing them to His heart. Cherished. Its my love song, a heart posturing itself in adoration—in recognition that He first loved me, chose me.  A heart that admits that He alone has opened this one heart to be able to hear His voice calling in the night.

As it was in their wilderness, so it was in my own; yours too I’d imagine. Sin isolates us. Yet, because of His great love for us, we, like the Israelite’s before us, mustn’t take this love we’ve been afforded for granted. We must never forget  He is a jealous lover who will not tolerate our “flirting” with another. After-all, how would you, a mere man, react to your beloved playing the harlot with another? Making room in her heart for someone other than yourself, the one she has vowed to remain faithful to—’til death part you? And yet they did. We do too. Take His great love for us for granted that is. Though forewarned of the consequences of their actions, they allowed their ardor for the One who loved them like no other to wax cold. And, in their luke-warm-ness, they soon found themselves following after the culture of the peoples around them. Cultures filled with foreign gods and moral compromise. A tainted world comprised of second-bests. They had forgotten they were called to come out from them and be separate. They had for gotten they were the chosen of the Lord. They were not created—never intended, to live with second best. After all, they were His beloved. But they forgot that. They allowed themselves to relapse into the “mentality of captivity.” And so do we. At least I have, momentarily…

Let me ask you Christian; after having been freed, have you ever felt the chains of captivity threatening to bind you once again? Felt it’s fetters searching you out? Wanting to bind, once again, what God had freed you from? Moses, through the revelation of the Holy Spirit, was allowed to see the future fate of those gathered before him. Those God had instructed him to pronounce liberty over. Yet the Israelite’s freedom was not the result of Moses showing up on the scene, nor of Pharaoh’ agreeing to release them.  Rather, the Israelite’s would gain their freedom because God, through His election of them, and, in His infinite wisdom and great mercy towards, saw fit that they would be His chosen people. “A chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy” –1 Peter 2:9-10. And, though Peter was speaking to us here, the gentile nations, still, all of us, all those “chosen” in Christ, whether Jew or the grafted in gentile, would never have tasted His Truth, known His freedom, had we not first been chosen by Him…

Fidelity and integrity are non-negotiable; they are the very ink with which the covenant between God and man has been written. Sealed by Loves promise, His bond irrevocable!

And still we fall short. Still we rebel. Much like Lots wife we each stop and look back toward the Egypt God has delivered us from. And, though we aren’t instantly turned to a pillar of salt—we do not escape the consequences of our rebellious actions. God is just. We tend to forget that fact. As His children, we sometimes close our eyes to this Truth as it applies to our own lives. Consequences and discipline are for others, we becry, God’s grace covers me! And that’s true.  It does. He is merciful beyond measure. Yet, it is equally true that God disciplines His children; listen: And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, or lose heart when He rebukes you. For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastises everyone He receives as a son.” Endure suffering as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father…?” –Hebrews 12:5-7.

Moses foresaw the Israelite’s’ wondering around in a wilderness for 40 years. Many died there. Never to see, touch, nor taste, the fruit of this beautiful promised land God swore to give them. Their dreams dying a barren death. They’d bore no fruit. They had chosen to come away from the True vine, lusting instead after the gods of Asherah poles and the Baals. This jealous Lover of our souls will not be mocked! “Be careful not to forget the covenant of the Lord your God that he made with you; do not make for yourselves an idol in the form of anything the Lord your God has forbidden. For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God” –Deuteronomy 4:23-24. And, yet, inconceivably, even though God knew His own would reject Him, turn away from Him and towards the gods of money and greed, of pride; even though we’d blindly run after the god of “more”, nonetheless, He loves us still. Died for us. Gave His only begotten Son for us, still. He’s here now. Available to all who will, today. Even when we are Gomers, He remains our Hosea. In their shame and rebellion—and in ours, Moses comforts us each with the words he spoke to those who followed, and follow still, the Pillar of Cloud by day and of Fire by night: “When you are in distress and all these things have happened to you, then in later days you will return to the Lord your God and obey him. For the Lord your God is a merciful God; he will not abandon or destroy you or forget the covenant with your ancestors, which he confirmed to them by oath” –Deuteronomy 4:30-31.

My beloved brothers and sisters, consider these words shared by our older brother, Peter, concerning our living in a pagan society, and, as you do, ask the Holy Spirit to open your eyes that you might reflect on the condition of your life: “Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us” 1 Peter 2: 11-12. Beloved, as iron sharpens iron, allow me to urge you to seek the Lord today. Asking Him to revel all un-confessed sin before Him. And then, repent, quickly; remembering His mercy and His promise to forgive. And please, tuck His Words of assurance to Joshua into your heart. In today’s world, we need  to hold more tightly than ever to His promise! “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you” Deuteronomy 31:6.

Dear friend, if you’re visiting us for the first time, welcome! Know that Jesus has called you here today to confirm what He has been pointing you towards—Himself. He loves you with a love that we’ll never fully be able to take in this side of heaven! Won’t you accept His invitation to share Himself, His time, His love with you today? “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

Is it Ready Yet? John 14:3

January 27, 2019 /

 “When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.”

We are a people, most of us at least, who are impatient for an expected end. Bear with me for a moment as I explain…

You wake up to the smell of something delicious baking. Sticky buns drizzled with warm icing? Your favorite cake or cookies perhaps? Maybe? Hopefully! Whatever it is, your nose has foretold the rest of you to expect some gooey, goodness soon! And, your taste buds have announced that they will not be denied! Your salivating in anticipation of the deliciousness that is soon to come.

Or, You’re a child. Your parents announce they’re taking the whole family out for a drive. It’s a surprise. Someplace fun! And you can bring a friend. Your adrenaline starts pumping. You become feverish with excitement. The butterflies in your belly have turned into dragons by the time you get into the car! You’re ready! Anxious even. Yet full of enthusiasm and expectation! “I can’t wait” you squeal! This is going to be so good!

Perhaps its a  blood test that has confirmed what you’ve instinctively known for days now. Your pregnant! Even though you know that it takes nine months before the baby is born, you find your hand searching out your belly. You’re in front of the mirror looking for the slightest evidence of a “bump”. It’s too soon though. Yet everyday you’re examining your body for signs of what’s to come. Knowing it takes 9 months doesn’t deter you from checking things out daily. Why? Your waiting to see evidence of your baby! Even though you know he or she is there, still, you want to see for yourself. What will you be like little one? And the anticipatory ticking away of days and weeks and months begins…

Most of us do great beginnings. Some of us even finish strong. It’s that middle part—the “in-between” waiting part that we’re not all necessarily the best at. Those, “for-evah” in-between places where some of us eventually lose it! It’s around the 78th time we hear ourselves singing about the wheels on the bus that our proverbial wheels fall right off!

“Are we there yet?”

“Is it ready yet!”

“God how much longer; I’ve been carrying this baby f-o-r-e-v-e-r already!”

And we the Church are no different…

Much like those above, we too are filled with a growing sense of expectation. We too are keeping our eyes open for our expected end. The scenery of life whipping past our windows in a blur. We’re focused on our destination. We’re looking for our hope to finally be fulfilled! We know we’re going on the ride of our lives! A heavenly journey unlike any other. We know we’re about to partake in a slice of heavenly goodness unlike anything we’ve ever tasted before! Sure we’ve had a sample. A little wooden spoon full of a taste. A taste that so enticed us it has left us longing for so much more of its sweet goodness. Forget this wooden spoon stuff give me the scoop and a bowl! We know that at any moment, in a nanosecond, before they can fully blink their eyes we’ll be gone; delivered from this world. “Caught up” we’re told. Snatched, as one would snatch another from a roaring fire. Saving them from death…

Rejoice! No more wooden spoons.  Jesus is coming for us! For some 2000 plus years we’ve been told—in some shape, form, or fashion, that He will return for His children! Even the world knows of this Truth; those that don’t believe in “all that Jesus stuff” have heard about Jesus’ returning.

So then, are we that generation every other generation before us has spoken of? The, “This generation that will not pass away until, generation?” Will He come in my lifetime? In yours? By all indications time has crowned. Its head is showing. We’re almost there! We are one more “big push” away from seeing Jesus face to face! From, quite literally—meeting our maker, our Father, our lover. That Friend who has stuck closer to us than a brother throughout our anticipation of His coming. And yet, even in our knowing He will return for us, in the guarantee He has given of this fact, in its absolute-ness, are we really still looking up? Still eagerly awaiting Him? Yearning for His coming? Or, have we allowed ourselves to become so enamored by the seductive scenery passing by the windows of our lives that we’ve mistakenly accepted it as our home? Have we taken our eyes off of Jesus’ promise to come and, “snatch us up?” Bringing us to Himself. Back home where we belong? Back to all He has prepared for us? Have we taken our eyes off of Jesus while we were busy running around preparing for His arrival?

Martha knows a thing or two about this type of distraction. You know Martha; Mary and Lazarus’s sister. She was the one scurrying about making certain every detail of her dinner and its presentation was well attended. After all, Jesus was the guest of honor. She was so focused on everything being “just so”, she snaps at Jesus, her honored guest, commanding Him to get after Mary! To charge her to get up and start helping with the serving of this dinner! Martha has definitely lost her focus. Jesus is with her. The Prince of peace is in the room and yet she is filled with anxiety. She’s gotten caught up in the seductive scenery. She’s taken her eyes off of her honored Guest. But not Mary. She was determined to pull up a cushion and just sit, enthralled, at Jesus’ feet; drinking in His every Word. Her belly full long before she’d taken one bite of her dinner. After all, man doesn’t live by bread alone…

This account of John’s goes on to tell us that Mary, in her devotion and love for her friend, her teacher, her Lord, breaks open, what in all likelihood was, if not her entire dowry then certainly a large portion of it, an alabaster jar of nard. In an instant she is at Jesus’ feet. And her worship, along with her nard, is freely spilling forth.  Filling the room with a sweet fragrance. Mary sees Jesus clearly. Yes, she has enjoyed dinning with Him and laughing with Him—but she never lost sight of just who it was she was sharing this privilege with. Yes, He was her friend. And yes, He was her Teacher—her Rabbi. But above all He was her Lord. Her long-awaited Messiah. She was certain of this. After all, He had raised her brother Lazarus from his tomb after he’d been 4 days dead. Who but God could do such a miracle! And, she remembered His conversation with the 3 of them concerning their belief in seeing the glory of God.

Beloved, how often do you find yourself looking up or out these days and asking, “Jesus, are we there yet? Is it time yet? How much longer must I wait to enjoy your sweet presence face to face Lord? How often do you find your hand checking the proverbial bump on your own belly? This world is one more good push from seeing Jesus face to face. This world has crowned. Its waters have broken, and creation is bearing down with all its might. Are you ready to receive your portion? Beloved let these words found in Hebrews encourage and comfort you both. “Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised. For yet in a very little while, He who is coming will come, and will not delay” Hebrews 10:35-37.

And for you dear friend saying to yourself, “I don’t think it’s an accident I’m here today.” You’re right! Listen to what Jesus is saying to you too; if you’ll just ask Him into your life as Lord: “Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. 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. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne” Revelation 3:19-21.

Are You Willing to Climb? Luke 19:1-10

January 20, 2019 /

 “And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully. “‘

Exactly when did Jesus know that this man would run through the thick of the crowd that had gathered and climb up into a tree—simply to get a look at Him? Zacchaeus, this chief tax collector, this marginalized, ostracized son of Abraham…

Was it while Jesus was teaching yet another crowd on another day in some other little village; concerning the Parable of the lost? The lost Sheep, coin, and son that is. Was it during His time of teaching His disciples about forgiveness and faith? Maybe It was after He had entered a small village somewhere between Galilee and Samaria and ten men covered in leprosy cried out to Him for healing? Or, perhaps it was in a Nanosecond of time somewhere in eternity? Was Jesus standing over the dark void perhaps when the plan to meet Zacchaeus under the Sycamore-fig came to be?

The Bible doesn’t fill in that particular blank for us…

Suffice it to say however, God knew the exact second this man of small moral and physical stature both would quite literally be found, “up a tree!” More, it had always been God working just below the surface of Zacchaeus’s knowing. Across the span of his lifetime; unnoticed by him, unrecognized, yet ever-present in every-thing that had ever-happened to him, or in him, or through him! God had used every-thing. Every joy, each smile, every pain, hurt, disappointment. Every rejection, each harsh word spoken, every bright ray of sun that had ever pierced the darkness of Zacchaeus isolation—and loneliness. God had used them all to pave the path that would eventually lead Zacchaeus to this exact tree, at this precise time.

The Holy Spirit is stealth—and intentional. There are no accidents with God. No almost…

God had a plan for Zacchaeus’s life. Just as surely as He had for Father Abraham’s. Different certainly. Each of ours are—different that is; those plans God has for you, and you, and me. Yet similar because we are One Body in Christ Jesus, if we believe. God has a plan for our salvation; if we are found in Him. He has a plan for our transformation. Just as He had a plan that would empower Zacchaeus to do what he had not done, probably, since boyhood. Climb a tree. God will drive us towards the most peculiar of tasks and, He’ll do it at the most inopportune of times. Our time that is, not His. “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.

There is no reason given us in Scripture as to why Zacchaeus wanted to “see” Jesus.

He, unlike the blind beggar that shouted out to Jesus from the roadside entrance of this same Jericho village had his sight; physically speaking that is. But in fact, it was the blind man who had 20/20 vision when compared not only to Zacchaeus, but to many others gathered together that day! He saw Jesus for who He was. But that’s best left for us to explore another day. The blind beggar knew he wanted to receive healing from Jesus. He stated it plainly. “What do you want me to do for you?” “Lord, I want to see,” he replied –Luke 18:41.

Yet we never hear Zacchaeus crying out to Jesus for healing or forgiveness. Verse six plainly says that when Jesus called him down out of the tree that they might share lunch together, “Zacchaeus climbed down quickly and with great joy and took Jesus into his house.” Where’s the shame? The downcast eyes, heart, and spirit? Where’s the wailing and tearing of garments that might evidence Zacchaeus’ feeling the weight of his sins? Where is the sackcloth and ashes? Where’s the remorse? Thank God that He sees what mere men cannot! But the LORD said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The LORD doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart” –1 Samuel 16:7.

In this account of Zacchaeus, I was reminded of yet another wayward son of Abraham—a son separated from his family and community as a result of his sins and selfish choices. We’re never told what drove Zacchaeus to become a chief tax collector—perhaps the vilest of jobs a Jew could have. Maybe we should ask the Apostle Matthew? Remember, he too was a tax collector up until the moment Jesus “just happened” to walk by him that day in the Temple.

In spite of their both being men and tax collectors I saw myself in Zacchaeus and Matthew. Broken and dead in sin. Separated from family and friends due to poor choices. Having lusted after the things of this world. Sullied by the sin of countless offences. More, I too was separated from God. Thankfully for each of us, God, unbeknownst to us, was never far from us. Plus, unlike blind Bartimaeus, it had never occurred to me to call out to Jesus! Sure, I knew of Him. Believed in Him even—at least I believed that He was. But I never opened my mouth. Never asked for what I needed most. How fortunate (such a pale expression of such an incomprehensible blessing!) I was that Jesus determined to walk past me—just as He did Abraham, Zacchaeus and Matthew, Paul too. “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” –Romans 5:8.

For whatever His reason God chose each of us in Himself long before we had a clue!

While Zacchaeus and Matthew were swindling and cheating people out of their hard-earned money and goods and while Paul’s heart was burning with murderous intentions to kill those that believed in this Jesus, God had sealed each of them in Himself—as His own. Me too. Scripture is clear that Zacchaeus never cried out to Jesus. Never shouted out to get Gods attention. Matthew either. In each of their cases—Paul’s also, it was God who made certain He had gotten their attention. It was God who came to them. It’s always God. God whom presented Himself to each of them in such a way that to not follow after Him—not leave it all behind, not change their ways—not repent, was not an option. Me too. “Under what circumstances was it credited? Was it after he was circumcised, or before? It was not after, but before! And he received circumcision as a sign, a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. So then, he is the father of all who believe but have not been circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them” –Romans 4:10-11.

I don’t profess to understand the depths of God—or fully understand His ways for that matter. I see and understand in part.  I’m no biblical scholar. Just a simple sheep following after a God that is far too big—to marvelous—too brilliant, creative, deep, Holy, and pure for me to ever comprehend in full this side of eternity. Nor would I want to. I am incredibly happy being me and knowing that I serve a God who is far too big for me to get my mind, knowing—and heart around. What I am capable of doing, by His grace, is climbing whatever tree necessary to get a better look at—a more intimate understanding of—a deeper revelation of, the One I love. The One who stood over the void and said to himself, “This world will not be complete without my daughter in it.” The One who left the Fathers side that He might walk before me. Making certain that I don’t forget my way back home.

And I know that my brothers Abraham, Zacchaeus and Matthew and Paul, and all in that great cloud of witnesses, felt much the same as I do now.

How about you?

Are you willing to climb?

Beloved, I encouraged  you today to keep climbing! let nothing or no one stop your running after or seeking out our Lord. Especially not those lies the enemy of your soul whispers incessantly. Telling you you’re not saved, or good enough, smart enough, or that God could never love someone who has made the mistakes you’ve made. Sinned as grossly as you have. It’s a lie! God has chosen you. And He’ll never let go of you! See, even now, He’s passing you by…

And friend, if you’ve yet to ask Jesus into your heart as Lord and Savior, let today be your day. Look! Just there. He’s coming your way. Won’t you ask Him to come in and dine with you? HE will if you will…

“If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved” Romans 10:9-10.

May God Richly Bless You!

January 13, 2019 /

 To my faith-full friends,

Sonsofthesea will not be posting this week due to a sudden medical issue within my family. Your prayers are greatly appreciated. And, please let me say how grateful to God I am for you and time He so graciously allows us to spend together each week, via these blog posts. Thank you for continuing to meet with me weekly, I so look forward to sharing all that God has placed on my heart with you!

In His Adventure!

MaryEllen

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