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

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“Even the Tree Had A Purpose” Luke 19:4-6

March 19, 2017 /

“So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.  When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly” (Luke 19:4-6).

Only in Luke’s Gospel accounts do we find the Parables of the “lost things.” The coin, the sheep, and, the son. Luke’s lost theme points us towards the reason Jesus has come to Jericho on this particular day.

It was not accidental…

There is nothing random about God. He both can and will use anything, any circumstance, to reach us.

Luke directs our focus. He Causes us to realize why it was Jesus had stepped down across time and eternity to donned a suit of flesh. He has come to find that which is lost. “For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10).

And He knows exactly where to go to find it…

Even the tree in Luke’s account had a purpose. Why? It was a place of gain. A predetermined location, a portal of sorts, where the Divine would meet a man and from that meeting the will of God would be born—again. A sign in our narrative of what was about to take place. Now it was Zacchaeus who would climb the tree to see Jesus. Soon however, it would be Jesus being lifted-up on a tree for all men to see. No longer would man’s view of His Savior be obstructed. Jesus would make certain of that…

It’s why He came, first into the world, but today, specifically, into Jericho.

Zacchaeus, a wealthy man by all accounts—and a chief tax collector, was about to gain the greatest gift he would ever own. One worth giving up—surrendering, turning over to, everything that he had known, accumulated—and clung to. Zacchaeus had heard of Jesus, perhaps he had even seen Him—as a passerby, or one standing in the many crowds that had followed Jesus. Certainly, he had heard tell of Him and of His power to do miracles—to restore to life that which was dead. To make those that were blind see. To bring healing and restoration to dead, useless limbs.

But, as a Jew, there was something else that caught Zacchaeus attention. He had heard the whispers…

Could this be the Messiah? The One he and his people had been waiting for? The One foretold by the Prophets of old? Spoken of by the elders? Or was He just another rabble-rouser? After all, there had been so many that had come claiming to be the one who would deliver his people.

Yet there was something about this one—something that caused Zacchaeus to get excited—more, hopeful, that perhaps, just maybe, He truly was the Messiah. The Son of the Living God. And he was not the only one to share this curiosity. The streets were filling up quickly, like when the people prepared for a festival. There was a great sense of expectancy and excitement in the air…

Why did I have to be born so short? I’ll never be able to see Him now, and I just must, I must! That tree, that’s it!! It’s perfect—it’s solid enough to support me, yet short enough for me to climb up; and yet tall enough for me to get just high enough so as not to miss Him as He passes by!

Perfect tree…

Jesus knew exactly where Zacchaeus was. He had seen across time and eternity that on this very day, at this very hour, Zacchaeus would climb this very tree—and more, God knew why he’d do it. Zacchaeus wanted more. And he was willing to do whatever it took to make sure he got it. Little did Zacchaeus know as he was climbing that tree that Jesus had seen him doing so before the very foundations of the world had been laid. And today—at this hour, was the exact moment Jesus had chosen to show Himself to Zacchaeus—for all Eternity…

Zacchaeus couldn’t have known that this simple tree he was climbing to better see this Jesus had been planted just for him, just for this reason—it was its purpose, to lift Him higher. To elevate Him above those that had come out of a “carnival curiosity.”

Zacchaeus had no idea, as he was climbing to catch a glimpse of this maybe Messiah, that he was actually on a bridge that God had constructed to bring the natural man and the Divine together.

One in a tree, another on the road below. Yet both on their respective paths to destiny. To the fulfillment of their Divine purposes…

And the rest of Luke’s account attest to the fact that this one tree had not been created in vain. Rather, in being the conduit that facilitated this supernatural encounter, it had fulfilled its purpose in being created…

And in Zacchaeus, we see the Spirit of Jesus’s Words found in Luke 18:14: coming to life; “I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

So here’s the question that God has put before me; and so I’ll ask it of you too. “What does your tree look like? What has He put before you that you would choose to climb up in to go higher—solely that you may see Jesus more clearly?”

Or is your tree something that God is asking you to walk away from—leave behind, let go of perhaps?

Will you, like Zacchaeus, drop everything so that you too may better see God?

“So he ran on ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see Him, since Jesus was about to pass that way. When Jesus came to that place, He looked up and said, “Zacchaeus, hurry down, for I must stay at your house today” So Zacchaeus hurried down and welcomed Him joyfully.… (Luke 19:4-6; emphasis my own).

 

 

 

 

“Unexpected Places” Luke 15:1-10

March 12, 2017 /

 

Jesus didn’t choose those who followed Him from among the pious religious leaders of His day. Nor did He chose the mega-church pastors, kings or rulers. He chose people from unexpected places…people like you and I (1Cor.1:27-30).

If you have ever lost something, something that was precious to you, that you placed great value in, then you can relate to the feelings of being frantic, grief-stricken even, until that which was lost is found.

I’m not talking car keys here, I’m talking about a sickening feeling, however brief, that grips your heart. When, for an instance, as a parent or guardian of a child you turn your head for the briefest second and wham!

The child is gone! The shopping mall nightmare!

Fortunately for most of us, all ends well. And within minutes a little head pops out, and their giggling is heard, from beneath the rack of clothes you’d been looking through.

Here I am silly daddy, I was hiding on you…!

God is also familiar with finding what’s been lost (Mt 4:19 NIV). Like us, He experiences heartbreak over the one who leaves the safety of His side. However, unlike us, God does not get panicky. He is Omniscient. He knew before He brought us into this swarming peopled planet, that we’d get lost.

So, as a result, He took steps to make sure we’d always be able to find Him…

No matter what separated us (Ps.33:11 NIV).

God so loved us that He sent His Only Begotten Son, Jesus, to find and return to Him that which has and will become lost. Us…

“All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out. “For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me’” (Jn.6:37-38).

In today’s teaching Jesus is talking to a large crowd. And, though the Pharisees and Teachers of the Law are present, scripture opens with, “Now the tax collectors and “sinners” were all gathering around to hear Him” (Lk.15:1 NIV).

There were always holy men around Jesus, yet it was those unexpected few that came seeking after Him that He came intentionally to find.

Why is God so concerned with the lost? Very simply stated, He loves us!

We are valuable and cherished by Him. His desire is that not one person be lost! Liken it to the sense of loss mentioned above, then multiply that by too many zeros to type here!

So great is His love for us, so precious are we, that He sent Jesus, His Only Begotten Son to save us. So, that through Him, we would have a way back to God: “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life” (Jn 3:16 NASB)!

That lost sheep referred to in our text represents you and I if we don’t know the Lordship of Jesus in our hearts…

I’m not speaking here about knowing of Jesus. I’m not even talking about being saved, a gift that is unfathomable to those who have tasted such mercy and grace…

I’m speaking specifically of knowing Jesus.

Knowing in the way a husband and wife know each other. Intimately. To the exclusion of another. Mystically One (Jn.17:20-22 ESV).

I’m talking about being relationally bonded. Not mere intellectual buddies or people who regurgitate platitudes to God in the hopes of gaining points.

In plain speak, not like the Pharisees and hypocrites referred to in Matthew (Mat. 23:13 ESV). So let’s break down this parable into two segments shall we?

  1. What are the risks involved in being lost? And 2. Why finding is finding us so important?

#1. What is wrong with being the lone sheep that leaves the safety of the fold to go out exploring what looks good to us?

A.) It is Separation from God and His will for our lives…

It represents the potential that separation our may be eternal. Plainly, Hell. Which was not created for man but rather for satan and his fallen angels. However, next to salvation, one of the greatest gifts God gave us is free will. It was not God’s plan, and is not His choice, that any man should go to hell. Jesus came to make it possible for each man to be reconciled to God after the fall of Adam and Eve.

But, yes there is a but. We must choose God.

Here, and now. While it is stilll called today…

Or, we run the risk of following into eternal death the one we choose to follow in life (Mt.25:40-42 NIV). One of the more quoted Scriptures explaining the danger of hell is found in Proverbs 14:12, it states, “There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.” The ways  of this world, the desires of our eyes and flesh, the have it your way attitude that permeates this worlds thinking fails to infer, never mind tell us clearly that we even have an enemy who seeks to kill us…

One that is ever-near, standing  just off in the shadows waiting to get us alone. Or that he’s fixed and ready to pounce on us like credulous prey! Only God in His Word foretells of satan’s fatal intentions,“Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour” (1 Pe.5:8 AMPC)

.…in fierce hunger? Devour? Isn’t there something in God’s Word about a path that leads to life?

I choose that one please!

“You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way”(Mt.7:13NLT).

What about you? Given the above knowledge, which road do you choose? And here’s the follow-up. Have you chosen it yet? And if not, why not?

These examples are but a few of the copious reasons given throughout Scripture about the perils of being and choosing to stay, lost.

Though you were born into sin, you don’t have to stay in it…

You have a choice. You’ve been empowered through the loving sacrifice accomplished for you on The Cross of Christ!

 

#2. WHY IS FINDING US SO IMPORTANT…?

LOVE.

Reread above about His concern, your value and how cherished you are.

Better yet, open your Bible and read John 3:16!

We are valuable to Him and He does not want to see harm come to us. He intentionally seeks us out to save us from harm. His love is not random because He’s not! There is nothing random about God. He is intentional,ordered, in all of His ways. And His love for you is not a mistake, you are not a mistake! Throughout His Word we find every answer to every issue, question, or, life problem we will ever face.

His Word is our road map…

It safety guides us through hostile enemy territory, aka, the world (Ps.119:105 NIV). God, being Omniscient, placed within His Word many lessons informing us of the dangers of going astray.

But… there’s that but again, It is our choice to follow Jesus or jump the fence for other another’s pasture. For more on this topic see (Isa. 53:6;1Pet. 5:8; Job 1:7;Pr.28:15; Pr.2:17;Pr.10:17; Pr.21;16;Lu.12:5).

One of the greatest dangers  for a sheep is to get separated from the protection, love and care of the Sheppard. Sheep are far more vulnerable not only to attack from unforeseen predators, but, more often, death, when alone. “The thief comes only to take the sheep and to put them to death: he comes for their destruction: I have come so that they may have life and have it in greater measure” (Jn.10:10 BBE).

Verse 8 of Luke plainly illustrates that another risk of being lost is being in darkness…

We may feel safe in the dark, unseen, our whereabouts unknown by God or man. And we may be right on this second account, at least the man part of it…

But, be assured we are felonious on the first part! (Ps.139:1-16 NIV). Let me explain by sharing with you just a taste of this Psalm…,” Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend to heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in Sheol, (hell) behold, You are there.”

Just as the lost coin could not escape the searching eye of the woman in Jesus parable, we can’t hide from an all-knowing, all-seeing, God! Throughout Scripture God is referred to as Light, and not just light, but pure light! “There is no darkness within Him at all” (1Jn.1:5 KJV).

God always seeks what is best for us. Our decision of choosing to go it solo often results from not believing this one fundamental Truth about God. Too many in today’s world feel God is chasing them down to take something from them, when in fact, He’s running after them to give to them.

God came to give life, not take it away (John 10:10).

The common denominator in verses 1 through 10 of Luke is intentionality: By definition it is: done with intention or on purpose; intended: designed, planned; deliberate.

Through the shepherd’s intentionality in finding the lost sheep, and the woman the lost coin; and as both rejoiced when each were found, we’re able to catch a glimpse of the Fathers deliberate search for us!

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and dine with him, and he with Me” (Rev 3:20 BSB).

Lastly, concerning Gods rejoicing over finding us, His love toward us may feel unexpected, but never forget our God is deliberate. Be encouraged today. He is searching for you…

…Blessings!

 

“Moses Junior?” Joshua 1:5

March 5, 2017 /

“No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you” (Josh. 1:5).

How many of us have, or are about to, sabotage what we know God has called us to do out of fear of failure? Fear of not measuring up? Out of our insecurities and doubts? We know that God called us to a particular ministry, job, or task, yet we find ways to drag our feet, avoid moving into or even towards our calling…

Why?

We heed, listen to, our fears and frailties over God’s Sovereign voice…

It’s not our lack of gifting’s or talents that prevents us from receiving all that God has for us. Far too often it’s our doubts, insecurities, fear of failure, that robs us of our destiny…

And, sadly, that thief doesn’t have to try to too hard to take what is rightfully ours—right out from under us…

God knew that if He did not encourage Joshua before He became the new leader of the Israelite’s, before one step was taken to enter this promised land, Joshua would likely falter under the weight of his new mantle…

Because he wasn’t courageous? Called? Appointed and anointed?

Not at all!

The Word tells us that Joshua was a mighty man of God. He was Moses’s right-hand man (Josh. 1:1).

In fact, out of the 12 scouts sent out by Moses to look over the promised land, Joshua was one of the two scouts that reported back to him and the people, that the land could be taken. He instructed them not to be afraid (Num. 14:7-9).

So why is it that three times within three verses of Joshua Chapter 1 God commands Joshua, “to be strong and courageous?” Surely Joshua has proven himself strong, courageous, and, faithful?

The answer. Promotion! Advancing in the Kingdom will cost you. Just ask Jesus…

God was transitioning Joshua toward his destiny, but first a cutting away needed to take place…

Joshua needed circumcision to reach his full potential. Not only in his body but also in his heart. Before God could entrust Him with all He had prepared for His hands to accomplish some things had to go…(Josh. 5:1-3).

He had to endure a cutting away of himself. Of his past, the old misguided, faulty beliefs of who he was. Of his worthiness, or lack thereof…

You see, though he was a mighty warrior, a trusted servant, and an esteemed assistant, Joshua associated with himself with, was, Moses’s assistant.

He was a servant, a follower, not a leader…

That was Moses’s job…

Joshua would now however be called to step out of the foreground and into the stoplight of God’s divine plan for the fulfillment of His promise to His people. Joshua had just received a divine upgrade—he’d been commissioned the new leader of God’s people.

This new level of calling on Joshua’s life was going to require a whole new level of strength. His sheer brawn wasn’t going to cut it any longer. With this new promotion, would come new duties. Duties Joshua had never met in his past.

And, beside all of that, the people were used to Moses.

And, Joshua knew he was no Moses…

Moses the miracle worker. Moses on the Mount with God. Moses who delivered the laws for the people. Moses the one who Yahweh used to deliver these same Israelite’s from under the task-masters pitiless whips. Moses, who stretched out his staff and the sea parted that they may cross over it safely; and then watch the waters fall back to destroy those who sought to destroy them. Moses, who spoke to God on their behalf and bread came down from heaven and their bellies were filled. (Exo. 14;16:4-8).

That Moses…

Who spoke with God and shone with the Light of Yahweh (Exo. 34:29-30).

Joshua knew he could never be that…

And he was right.

More, he wasn’t called to be…

Take heart new leaders—new ministers, Pastors, and all those called to blaze a new trail. Remember, God promised that just as He was with Moses He would be with Joshua…

But catch that. He didn’t tell Joshua he’d be a Moses Junior. No. Joshua was called to walk in his own gifting’s and talents. His own calling and anointing. God knew Joshua would doubt himself and his capacity to lead these people. But, God also knew Joshua’s heart and more—his faith. Part of Joshua’s gift was his fight. His tenacity. His unwavering belief that if God said it, it will happen…

God says it this way: “Then he said to me, “This is what the LORD says to Zerubbabel: It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies” (Zech. 4:6).

We won’t and can’t accomplish any of the work that God has set before us to do in our own power.

It will never get done…

Not in using our best intentions nor in our own will. We are too weak, outside of God, to accomplish anything of eternal value without the aid of His providence and grace…

And so, the Lord assures Joshua before he serves one day in his new role that everything he will do—anything that he accomplishes, will be done only through God’s Sovereign Authority and Providence. Let’s read our Scripture verse again: “No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you” (Josh.1:5)

What is God calling you to do today? Are you being led to a ministry position, a job, move, or some new task? Is He asking you to write a book, sing your song, or travel to a country He’s directing you towards? Is God asking you to do what seems, in your flesh, to be the impossible? Then you’re most likely right where God both wants and needs you to be!

Reliant on Him…

However, in order for you to complete this seemingly impossible task God has placed before you, you must choose, decide—intentionally walk through the door He alone has opened for you.

God promised Joshua that the same Sovereign power that directed Moses’s steps would direct his also—always. And that is His promise to you as well.

How can I be sure—certain, confident of that? How can you? Easy, God’s Word tells us this Truth. “God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good” (Num. 23:19)?

Again, catch What Scripture is saying—what the Holy Spirit is speaking: and He not make it good? God alone has the power to make good His perfect will for your life. But He never said it would be easy. He never said you wouldn’t have to walk past—through, the shadow those that had gone before you had cast…

Those others—that mentor, pastor, teacher, leader who appeared more talented, gifted, and certainly more qualified….

But if God has called you, appointed you, anointed you, for such a time as this. If He has command you to be strong and very courageous, then know you must—claim, walk in, fix your eyes on that calling. Standing sure—locked into your anointing, putting to use your own gifting’s and talents, established in you by God. “They answered Joshua, saying, “All that you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. “Just as we obeyed Moses in all things, so we will obey you; only may the LORD your God be with you as He was with Moses” (Josh.1:16-17).

You were not chosen accidentally. God purposed you—fashioned you, for such as time as this. And no, you are not “Moses”. And that’s okay—it’s as it should be “Joshua” …

Trust in the One that brought you to this moment. The one that has fashioned you through the fires of adversity, trials, and tribulations. Through your willingness to serve—to be of service, and, through your battles.

Your appointment—that commission that stands before you, it was never solely about you. It was—is, all about God’s plan and those souls He has chosen to bless and save through your obedience….

Moses is dead. And you are not Moses Junior. You are Joshua, son of Nun. That is your name. Now go—lead. You have souls depending on your faithfulness.  “Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the people of Israel” (Josh. 1:2).

 

“From Those We Least Expect It…” Luke 22:21-22

February 26, 2017 /

   

“But behold, the hand of him who betrays me is with me on the table. For the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed!” (Luke 22:21-22).

If you are of a certain age unfortunately you have felt the brutal sting of betrayal.

Our text this week deals with that very issue, betrayal at that hand of one you invited in, your Judas. That one you opened your heart, home, and wallet to. The very one you shared all those confidences with. That same friend who, to term a modern colloquialism was, your ride or die. Your best-friend, that entrusted brother or sister, one who sat at your table and broke bread with you.

Forgive me if you feel I am belaboring this point, but it is imperative you understand the magnitude of the type of betrayal to which our scripture is referring,it is one of dire eternal consequence.

This was no faux-pas. No painful, yet, unintended shower of friendly fire.

To quote a famous  World War II propaganda expression: loose lips sink ships. At one time in our lives, we have each been guilty of betraying someone, consciously or not. Even the greatest of saints were once flesh-pots and calloused!  “There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies.” Martin Luther King, Jr. (excerpt).

However, most people, when made aware of their unintended disloyalty, will immediately apologize and do all that is possible to seek immediate reconciliation. “Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother” (Matt. 18;15-17).

The Bible has many examples of betrayal at the hands of those we would consider members of this very family type…

Here in Hawaii, they are called “Hanai” relatives. Those we adopt, take into our hearts as family. Our inner circle. Hanai speaks directly to this friend that is like our kin because we have chosen to allow them in to ourselves, our hearts and trust…

As an example, look at the relationship that existed between King Saul and young David, shepherd boy and future King of a reunited Israel…

They clearly shared this deep bond of brotherly love and affection. Saul kept David with him like a second son, and David submitted himself to Saul in all things, served him valiantly, cared for him after he defeated the giant Goliath. Saul put David in charge of his men of war. David went from shepherd to general of Israel’s Army in the blink of an eye. Yet in the end, jealously and treachery strangled Saul’s heart of affection for David and Saul sought to kill him (1 Sam. 18:1-16 NKJV).

Strong’s Greek Concordance refers to this above relationship type as; Adelphos: A brother, member of the same religious community, especially a fellow-Christian. And, both Saul and David were fellow Jews who each loved and served the One True God.

Betrayal is inescapable as long as man exists. Satan made sure of that in the garden. And God spoke to its resulting condition, “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel” (Gen.3:15 ESV). An ongoing blood-feud between what we want to do and what we actually do.

Arguably, the greatest instance of betrayal known in scripture is found within Jesus’ inner circle of friends. His name: Judas Iscariot, his crime, apostasy. An unthinkable betrayal (Lk.22:3-4 ESV).

He is the one who freely choose to take all that Jesus had offered him, a place by His side, love, His teachings, instruction, care, and the opportunity to have new life and he rewarded Jesus for all of this how?

By selling him out for thirty pieces of silver!

Sound familiar?

How many in our world today are selling Him out for their equivalent of thirty pieces of silver?

Saying, both, to themselves and Him…

I thought following you would make life easier but it’s not working, see ya!

Why did you let this happen to me to my child?

No, I don’t want to have to hear your name in any public place and that’s my right!

My tax dollars pay to keep that school open and my son will not pray to you!

So what that you created the heavens and the earth, some book a bunch of uneducated men wrote says that and they all tell it differently, so no thanks!

I believe in the Big-Bang.

Jesus-smeasus…

Talk about betrayal…

This is Jesus were talking about! The One spoken of in John,  listen…“In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men” (Jn.1:1-4 NIV).

This is Jesus Judas betrayed! You betrayed, I betrayed, the world betrays daily. Jesus. Who foresaw He would be betrayed, and spoke of it at the Last Super (Lk. 22:21-22 NIV). These same scriptures speak plainly of Judas’s betrayal and subsequent end. And we too face Judas’s same outcome, today, should we decide to join Judas in our betrayal of Jesus…

Spiritual death and hell await all those who betray Jesus and crucify Him afresh in their denial of His being, “The King of Kings, and Lord of Lords” (Rev. 19:16).

However, unlike Jesus, we can’t always foresee our betrayers. They don’t walk into our lives with signage that states, need your heart shredded, want to feel like a loser for trusting me? (Ps.55:12-14)

So, if we know that betrayal is unavoidable, how do handle it when it comes our way? When we experience the depression, yes, Christians do get depressed, that betrayal leaves in its wake? What of our self-doubt or the shell that we might so readily slip into for protection?

Do we give as good as we got by taking matters into our own hands?

After all, don’t we deserve retribution? NO. Certainly not!

If we are trying to follow in Jesus’ footsteps than we must set our hearts toward forgiveness, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Lk. 23:34NIV). It is our responsibility, let me say that again, our responsibility to choose to forgive just as we have been forgiven. Keeping ever before us our own betrayal of the Beloved, least we forget…

Forgiveness is a conscience. It’s determined, deliberate, acted out. It’s not something that is simply thought about or felt. “But I say, love your enemies, Pray for those who persecute you!“ (Matt.5:44 NIV).

If we waited until we felt like forgiving those who have betrayed us, we wouldn’t act. Why? Because in our flesh, we wouldn’t feel like it! Forgiving is an act of submission, it takes humility, it is us handing Jesus our will and saying, “not my will but thy will be done” (Lk. 22:42 NIV).

Forgiveness is a command, we are ordered to do it (Eph. 4:32 NIV). God in His infinite wisdom knew that we as prideful man would seldom, if ever, willingly forgive each other such an offense as betrayal. Choosing to forgive those that we never saw it coming from, or, even from those we had a clue just might have it in them, is saying to Jesus; I remember when I betrayed you. For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard (Rom. 3:23).

Even now, after having walked with you, in my rebellion, I sin and betray you, still, in my thoughts, words and, deeds….

Thankfully for us, we have Jesus as our defender, our advocate before the Father. We have access to His promised forgiveness for our sins through repentance.

Sadly, and with eternal consequence, it’s something Judas never humbled himself to do…

And, through Jesus sacrificial, Atoning Blood, if we ask Jesus into our lives, He comes, as both our Lord and our Savior. 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

We as church-ed folk forget that just a moment ago, we too were the ones inflicting the betrayal…

I know I was.

Yet forgiveness doesn’t mean doormat. We aren’t letting the one that hurt us off the hook. Forgiveness simply means they can no longer live in our heart and head rent free! “Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow” (Ps.51:7). You evict them from the space their betrayal used to take up and you make room for what God is trying to bring into your life now.

Don’t give the enemy a foothold to allow bitterness to set itself up in your heart…

Can we do this on our own, no. But in Christ Jesus, “I can do all things”(Phil. 4:15). Friend, don’t believe the lies of your accuser. Love always looks for the best. Don’t take my word listen to The Apostle Paul, “Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance” ( 1 Cor. 13:4-7).

 

I pray this has brought you some small comfort, helped to chase away or ease your feelings of; I’m so stupid, how did I not see this coming?

Let me leave you to refresh yourself with the knowledge of the One who fights your battles for you, if you’ll just ask Him into your heart today… “My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world” (1 John 2:1-2 NIV).

“Knockoffs” Phil. 1:18

February 19, 2017 /

“What then [does it matter]? So long as in every way, whether in pretense [for self-promotion] or in all honesty [to spread the truth], Christ is being preached; and in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice [later as well]” (Phil.1:18).

 My sister in Christ said she felt that the next title, or words she’d heard in her spirit was, “Knockoffs.” Immediately I thought of handbags in a foreign night market in Thailand. It was in such a place that I’d once browsed, looking at those very things…

Here on Oahu I can drive to downtown Chinatown and purchase a decent looking replica of most any name brand purse or wallet.

But why would I betray the originals of the fashion industry to buy a counterfeit?

I guess that all depends…

Motives.

I used to believe that I had to go to the Bon Marche or Nordstrom to buy only the “real stuff”. And not because of the function, no. I wanted it for it’s label, its beauty, and prestige. I wanted to be that gal with that trendy purse.

You see, that made me “feel” successful…

I’ve traveled in circles of women who would tear another woman down for buying a knock-off and then try passing it off as authentic—when clearly it wasn’t. And, I’ve been around those women who would only buy knockoffs made at the same factory as their original counterparts. Yet these women didn’t mind if others knew that they’d purchased a knockoff.

Why? Because they had only paid half the price of the original item…

Original vs Knockoff. Does it matter what you carry?

While writing to the Church in Philippi, Paul acknowledged that he both understood and had heard about the knockoff preachers that were stirring up confusion and ministering with pretentious motives. These counterfeit men he referred to were perhaps in competition with him. He stated as much in verse seventeen. “… but the former preach Christ [insincerely] out of selfish ambition [just self-promotion], thinking that they are causing me distress in my imprisonment.”

He knew that they were preaching the gospel from a place of selfish ambitions, with counterfeit motives. Not for Christ but for their own agendas and to cause more trouble for him. Yet he did not loose heart nor sight of what burned in his heart. To preach the authentic, pure Word of God.

Have you ever suspected someone of being a knockoff preacher or counterfeit Christian? Can you envision the scene that took place in Phillipi unfolding in today’s church? What do you think people today would say about such knockoff preachers?

Might I suggested that rather than guessing what the world might have to say about the subject we listen instead to how the Apostle Paul suggested we, as Christians, respond to them: “What then [does it matter]? So long as in every way, whether in pretense [for self-promotion] or in all honesty [to spread the truth], Christ is being preached; and in this I rejoice.Yes, and I will rejoice [later as well]” (Phil. 1:18).

It matters little if you feel that a knockoff preacher shouldn’t (in your opinion) be preaching. It matters little if someone you’ve encountered looks to you like a counterfeit Christian; the essential point that Paul was making is this: Christ was being preached. And,that God knowing the heart would judge those who mishandled His Word.

We must always trust that God will place in the path of those hearing such watered down or distorted Truths, a Paul who will bring correction. Christ can and does, however, work through—use, a seemingly counterfeit Christian’s life…

Epoch Times quoted Coco Chanel in an online article titled, “The Reality of a Fake”. In it, the quote stated, Fashion should slip out of your hands. The very idea of protecting the seasonal arts is childish. One should not bother to protect that which dies the minute it is born. Two additional quotes from the designer are: In order to be irreplaceable one must always be different. And: To be original one must be ready to be copied.

Not only does Coco see her copies as advertisement, she recognizes that if people love her designs that chances are they’ll be copied…

That being said however, there is a world—literally, of distance between knockoff fashions and the Authentic, Living, Genuine Word of God. God and His Word are not knockoffs! They’re original. Jesus, is an original, the Holy Spirit, is original.

Yet, there will be those knockoffs who will come along trying to copy The One True God. We however, must remain steadfast. Leaning not on our own understanding but relying on God’s Will and Word to correct and expose…

His standards, not ours…

Being a genuine follower of Jesus is not only about keeping His laws; a set of rules we must follow, more, it’s about having a  loving, committed, authentic relationship with Him.

Let’s read…“Therefore no one will be justified in His sight by works of the Law. For the Law merely brings awareness of sin. But now, apart from the Law, the righteousness of God has been revealed, as attested by the Law and the Prophets. And this righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no distinction,…” (Rom. 3:21).

Knockoff preachers as well as knockoff Christians, you may find both in the Church.

There was a time when I too was as blind as they. Blinded by rules. Precepts—my own that is. Rules that falsely led me to believe that if I did x, y, and z, I was a “good Christian.” An original, no knockoff here!

“He [Jesus] went on, “What comes out of a man is what makes him ‘unclean’. For from within, out of a man’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, adultery, arrogance, and folly. All these evils come from inside and make a man ‘unclean’ (Mark 7:21-23).

Ever feel that way in your walk with God? Do you feel that way now? Take heart!

Thankfully, eventually, God spoke to me about such things. And He’ll do the same for you…

A knockoffs value is determined solely within the heart of the person who assesses it…

In Mark 7 Jesus was with his disciples eating and some teachers of the law (Pharisees) saw that some of his disciples were sitting and eating with hands that weren’t washed, so they questioned Jesus.  “He [Jesus] replied, “Isaiah was right he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written; “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men” (Mark 7:6-7).

Jesus searches the heart—the seat of our motives. Looking past our outer man, our label—past our actions, whether we’re acting real or like a counterfeit version of ourselves. He sees all our inside stuff. And one day those who are knockoffs must—will answer, not to us, but to the Lord himself.

Matthew 7:21-23 says, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

Paul knew that the knockoff preachers had ill intentions. And, that they were maliciously trying to create more problems for him. But, ultimately, he knew it wasn’t his place to worry, fixate, on their intentions nor try tirelessly to expose those counterfeits…

He was an original who was about His Father’s business. And He trusted God to both expose and deal with the knockoffs out preaching the gospel for their own gain….

So, take heart, when your skin crawls and/or when your Spirit is disturbed by the fact that there are many apparent knockoffs in this world…

Trust God. Hold tight to The One who is Unchanging—Original, and True.

And, remember to always strive to live out His greatest commandment…

“…Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments” (Matthew 22:37-40).

Love God. Love Your neighbor as yourself. And yes, that includes the knockoffs as well.

 

“Birth Days…” Ps.139:13-16

February 12, 2017 /

“…For you formed my inward part you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.  I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.  My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them” (Ps. 139:13-16).

 

Why were you born? Why are you here—now? Have you ever asked yourself those questions?

Have you ever felt like some giant cosmic accident? A mistake even?

If so, please understand that what you are thinking or feeling is a lie spoken to you from the enemy of your soul. “Be sober [well balanced and self-disciplined], be alert and cautious at all times. That enemy of yours, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion [fiercely hungry], seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8).

Today’s Scripture clearly—emphatically, states that even as you were being made, God saw. He was there. He was your witness. More, He had predestined you—your birth. Everything about you was planned, unique, and, intentional. Regardless of how you may have been conceived, your birth—your life, was ordained by God…

And, as we see in 1 Peter, the enemy of your soul will do everything in his power to devour the Truth of God—and that Truth is found in verse 14, “…You are fearfully and wonderfully made.”

Imperfectly perfect, just as you are.

Whether you were wanted by those who were supposed to want you—or not. Loved by those who were meant—intended, to model to you what love was supposed to look,feel—taste like. Or not.

If you had a birthday—you are wanted. Needed—by God…

Intended and intentional.

Maybe you were born as the result of rape—or a so-called, “unplanned pregnancy.” Maybe you look at your life—one seemingly endless string of bad decisions after another—and see no point to it?

But the simple fact that you are here—were born at all, emphatically speaks volumes. It states you are not an accident. Not some pointless person meant to aimlessly wander—purposeless.

Listen to what your Creator says of you: “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” (Jer. 29:11).

Gianna Jessen was not supposed to live. Her mother was advised to abort her—even though it was late in the pregnancy. A saline abortion—intended to burn a child alive, both internally and externally, while still in their mother’s womb. Causing it to be delivered dead. That is what was inflicted on Genna’s tiny body…

But, Gianna survived—after 18 hours of being burned alive in her mother’s womb she was delivered alive. And she considers her Cerebral Palsy, the result of the botched abortion she survived, a gift.

“But I say to you, love [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for] your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,  so that you may [show yourselves to] be the children of your Father who is in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on those who are evil and on those who are good, and makes the rain fall on the righteous [those who are morally upright] and the unrighteous [the unrepentant, those who oppose Him]” (Matt.5:44-45).

Thankfully, the abortion doctor wasn’t present at that time or she would most certainly had been left to die—or worse, been suffocated or strangled. But the nurse on duty called an ambulance—and though she was not expected to live—she did. You can listen to Gianna’s amazing testimony in full on You Tube…

But first, please listen to God’s Words for Gianna—for you and me.

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you [and approved of you as My chosen instrument], And before you were born I consecrated you [to Myself as My own]; I have appointed you as a prophet to the nations” (Jer. 1:5).

Perhaps your story wasn’t as factually life-threatening as Gianna’s was. Perhaps you being burned alive was the result of the corrosive, demeaning words spat at you daily? Maybe someone tried to end you with brutal careless fists that assailed you, body, mind, and soul—without cause. Or, perhaps you were starved to death—through withholding. Lovelessness, carelessness, hopelessness, the three-course meal you were fed—daily. When you were fed at all.

Pain causing pain. Brokenness replicating itself…

And so, you ask, “How can this be intended for anyone?” Is this why I was born?

It isn’t. And it wasn’t. Your pain is the result of the sin-stained world you live in. From birth, you are surrounded by those who both made and make decisions for you daily. And, as the expression goes, Hurt people hurt people.

Please, understand, I am not condoning nor making excuses for what you may have endured. It was wrong. I’m just asking you to allow me to help redirect your focus. Because thankfully, ultimately, you have a Creator—a Savior, who has the final Word. The last say over everything that has been undeservedly done to you.

If you allow Him to…

And, thankfully, you may have the implausible opportunity to have yet another birthday! A “do-over” day. The chance to have every pain, every scar, everything that has held you back—or down, removed from you!

Nothing magic. Rather Restoration. Wholeness. Oneness.

More, every sin you have ever committed, everything that has separated you from God, forgiven.

That’s Good News!

Listen to how Jesus explains it to a man called Nicodemus: Jesus answered him, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, unless a person is born again [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, sanctified], he cannot [ever] see and experience the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter his mother’s womb a second time and be born, can he?” Jesus answered, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot [ever] enter the kingdom of God.  That which is born of the flesh is flesh [the physical is merely physical], and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit” (John 3:3-6).

Two births? Yes. And both are—or certainly can be, painful!

Even a man, who can never experience this type of pain first hand—can imagine it. Take it in…

He can be a witness to births pain.

He sees it with his eyes. Hears it’s screams with his ears. Birth pains become real to a man—evident, even though he will never experience them firsthand.

Or will he?

Think the second birth here. Our second birthday has the potential to manifest a pain all its own…

Just as our physical birth was painful—so it may be also with our rebirth. Birthing is a painful, messy business—however, “A woman, when she is in labor, has pain because her time [to give birth] has come; but when she has given birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish because of her joy that a child has come into the world” (John 16:21).

The maternal death rate in the United States has risen since the year 2000. In 2014 24 mothers died per every 100,000 live births.

How many of us will die twice? Both the physical as well as a spiritual death?

There are no statistics to quote for this…

So, in place of these nonexistent statistics, I offer you the infallible Word of God. A plausible Scriptural account for these—dual deaths. “The pains of childbirth come on him; But he is not a wise son, For it is not the time to delay [his chance at a new birth] as the womb opens [but he ignores the opportunity to change]” (Hosea 13:13).

Plain speak—We bring ruin on ourselves by putting off—side-stepping, our opportunity for a new birth day through the repentance of our sins. Like a child whose mother doesn’t have the strength to bring it forth, and it stays so long in the passage of the womb that it runs the risk of death, so too do we when we refuse—ignore, the free gift offered us of being born again…

Perhaps the way you entered this world the first time was less than ideal. And perhaps your life has been a little more than a repetitive reflection of the circumstances that conspired to end you before you ever began…

But let me ask you, is the pain your experiencing right now labor pangs?

Are you becoming aware, full of God attempting to birth you afresh?

Are you feeling God’s Word spoken to Nicodemus being stirred up inside your belly? “No one can see the Kingdom of God unless he is born again” (J0hn. 3:3).

If so, squat where your standing, bite down and start pushing…

Birthing is a messy business, but oh the joy when the child is delivered!

Birth Days—is today yours?

 

 

“What Will You Choose?” Luke 10:38-42

February 5, 2017 /

“Now while they were on their way, Jesus entered a village [called Bethany], and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home.  She had a sister named Mary, who seated herself at the Lord’s feet and was continually listening to His teaching. But Martha was very busy and distracted with all of her serving responsibilities; and she approached Him and said, “Lord, is it of no concern to You that my sister has left me to do the serving alone? Tell her to help me and do her part.”  But the Lord replied to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered and anxious about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part [that which is to her advantage], which will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:38-42).

 

If you’re a Christian, there are very clear lines in the sand you mustn’t cross. The world around you will always tell you otherwise, that’s its job…“Did God really say” (Gen 3:1 NIV)?

Please, don’t take my word for this. Just listen to what the world itself has to say. Read the newspapers. Listen in on the conversations people are having. People of every walk of life are talking about how chaotic the world has become. For that matter, drive on any metropolitan highway. Talk about chaos! One wrong turn and you end up in places that your GPS doesn’t recognize!

Pay attention, also, to the billboard advertisements lining those freeways. To their not-so subliminal messages aimed at shanghaiing your choices and directing them towards what some ad company wants you to view as important, needed, crucial, to your happiness…

Within our scripture passage today we’ll witness, in part, the blessings missed when we make unwise or harried choices. Those precious moments with Jesus that we allow to be snatched from our hands daily, when we permit ourselves to get so caught-up in work that we get sidetracked from seeking God’s presence. And, how that often leads us into making the wrong choices at crucial moments.(James 1:13-16 NASB).

“When you have to make a choice and don’t make it, that is in itself a choice.” -William James

Statistics tell us the average adult makes approximately 35,000 decisions a day. Now multiply that times two. Remember, we had to choose between two options to reach our one decision…

So, about 70,000 choices are contending for our attention on any given day. Ranging from the mundane: what we will eat, drink, wear? To what brand of toothpaste will we purchase? Then on to the more complex choices. Spend or save, rent or own, marry or remain single. And we haven’t touched on the sundry issues of the heart. Or, deeper still, our most important of choices…

Where will we be spending eternity?

Let’s enter the home of Martha and Mary. It’s okay, we’ve been invited in along with Jesus and His disciples. Let’s take our place at the dinner table. Pay attention to Martha. How busy she is bustling about. Remember, this is her home and she’s our hostess tonight. Mary, her sister, has been right beside her throughout the day seeing to it that everything is just-so for each of their guests. From the dinner choice and preparation, right down to the flower selection. Martha has insisted everything be picture-perfect!

After all, Jesus, their Rabbi, and friend, will be in attendance…

Often, our choices may seem to be the right-thing to do. They’re certainly done made with the best of intentions. With a good-heart, and from a desire to please. Undoubtedly, we want to do our best and give our best to those we love. And how much more when that someone is Jesus?

It’s within this tension of choices that our two sisters diverge in their definitions of what the better portion is…

Everyone’s seated and Jesus begins to speak. And with that, Mary pulls up a stool and sits at the His feet to listen to Him. Oh, how she loves to hear her Rabbi speak. His simplest words are like honey to her ears! (Luke.10:39).

Yet while Mary sits listening to Jesus, Martha returns to the kitchen clearly irked! Mary unawares, is in her glory! There is nothing more, in this life, that she enjoys than time spent with Jesus. She could sit for hours and simply drink in every word that flows from the Masters mouth…

Martha also, but not now, not tonight.

Tonight, Martha has chosen to make work—her service to the Lord. Her priority. After all, she has worked on this meal and its presentation all day. There will be time to sit with the Master another day. Now there is still much to do. The bread, I must put out the bread. Where is that sister of mine? I must speak to Jesus about her. Surely, HE will make her get up and help me…

And with that Martha, in the midst of her distraction, knocks the basket laden with the warm bread to the floor. She is now beside herself and burst into the dining room in a huff to demand that Jesus help…

Just listen to her rant!

“Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”  Now pay attention to how lovingly, tenderly, yet plainly, Jesus answers His frazzled friend… “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her” (Luke. 10:42-43 NIV).

“Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life” (Pr. 4:23 NASB).

Martha had just been taught a very valuable lesson about her choices. The question is, was she listening to the Lord as He spoke to her? Are we? Or are we doing nothing more than walking about distracted? Praying for answers but half listening when the answers are given to us?

I’m reminded of the words of the prophet Micah concerning what it is God truly requires of us, “He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you Except to be just, and to love [and to diligently practice] kindness (compassion), And to walk humbly with your God [setting aside any overblown sense of importance or self-righteousness] (Micah 6:8 AMP).

Martha was not an enemy of the Lord, she was His friend, and more, she loved Him and was a true believer. A follower of The Way. Scripture made that clear within the context of the conversation she and Jesus had. It had taken place when He came to her and her sister Mary after the death of their brother Lazarus. Jesus told Martha that Lazarus would live again. He asked her if she believed this. Let’s listen to her reply…

“Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world” (Luke 11:27 NLT).

Even the most fervent of us, those who hunger and thirst after Jesus, who crave time alone with Him, get caught-up, on occasion, in service to Him. We forget to come away from all the work of our hands. We forget to simply be still in front of Him (Ps. 46:10 NKJV).

Like Mary, our first duty to the Lord is to Love HIM above all else. To seek Him out—to purposefully set aside time to sit at His feet so that we might build a deeper relationship with Him. To know Him, love Him, to spend time and converse with Him.

And, like Mary, desire to drink in His every Word (Duet.8:3 NIV).

We would each do well to follow her in her desire to be in communion with Jesus. In her desire to saté herself in Him alone demonstrates that she had in fact chosen the better portion. Walking away joy-filled and refreshed.

Neither woman was wrong in their choice of how they’d worshiped the Lord. Though each demonstrated their adoration quite differently…

I believe the deeper issue Jesus was communicating concerning Marth was one of the leaning of her heart.

What is the leaning of your heart? Work or worshiping at His feet? Deeper, what is your motivation for each…?

The take-away, Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Matt.22:37 NLT).

Let me leave you to ponder an excerpt from, Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary of our text. I believe you’ll find it to be not only eloquent, but more, enlightening, thought-provoking and biblically sound…

Here with respect to our Lord Jesus and right care of her household affairs (speaking of Martha). But there was something to be blamed. She was for much serving; plenty, variety, and exactness. Worldly business is a snare to us, when it hinders us from serving God, and getting good to our souls. What needless time is wasted, and expense often laid out, even in entertaining professors of the gospel! Though Martha was on this occasion faulty, yet she was a true believer, and in her general conduct did not neglect the one thing needful. The favour of God is needful to our happiness; the salvation of Christ is needful to our safety. Where this is attended to, all other things will be rightly pursued. Christ declared, Mary hath chosen the good part. For one thing is needful, this one thing that she has done, to give up herself to the guidance of Christ. The things of this life will be taken away from us, at the furthest, when we shall be taken away from them; but nothing shall separate from the love of Christ, and a part in that love. Men and devils cannot take it away from us, and God and Christ will not. Let us mind the one thing truly needful more diligently than all else.

“A Voice In the Storm” Lk. 8:24-25

January 29, 2017 /

 

And they went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and the raging waves, and they ceased, and there was a calm. He said to them, “Where is your faith?” And they were afraid, and they marveled, saying to one another, “Who then is this, that he commands even winds and water, and they obey him” (Lk. 24-25)?

It’s the last line of our verse that gives us the answer about why Jesus rebuked His disciples…

Their faith had wavered.

I can relate. There have been moments in my life that my normal “mountain moving” faith wasn’t strong enough to move my own doubts out of the way…

How about you? Have you ever experienced moments of weak faith? Days that even though you know that you know God is Sovereign you panic when a storm comes your way…?

They had been with Him. They believed He was the Messiah—these twelve, His hand chosen. They had read the Holy Scriptures or at least they’d heard the oral traditions told and retold them by their elders. They knew of the accounts spoken of during the time of the Exodus of their people. When Jehovah God delivered His first-born son, Israel, from under the ruthless oppression of Pharaoh—and his taskmaster’s flesh-splitting whips (Exodus 13).

God intervened and showed Himself the Sovereign Ruler over all men, believer, and unbeliever alike. He demonstrated just how all-powerful He is by taking charge over the elements…

They knew, these twelve, that God had split the sea in two so that His people could cross over on dry land and then with the same ease—folded this sea back over the Egyptian’s who were in hot pursuit of His people. Sending them all to a watery grave (Ex. 14:21-30).

And the disciples believed in this God of their Father’s…

But now their Master—their Rabbi, the One Peter had called the Messiah—God’s own Son (Matt.16:16), is sleeping in their boat.  While this sudden storm has arisen, and is raging!  And they panicked. Some were seasoned fisherman familiar with the sea. Accustomed to sudden, violent, stormy, weather.

Yet they panicked nonetheless…

So, what is it that caused them to be filled with this gripping fear? To doubt that Jesus, God’s Son, could save them from a certain watery death? Was it the sheer size of the storm that raged about them?

Or was it a deeper issue that swirled unanswered within them…?

Let’s talk about faith. Theirs’s, yours, and mine…

The Scriptures tell us that without it, this faith, it is impossible to please God: “But without faith it is impossible to [walk with God and] please Him, for whoever comes [near] to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He rewards those who [earnestly and diligently] seek Him” (Heb.11:6).

Now we know that to please God we must have faith, so the next logical question follows, “What is this faith?”

“Now faith is the assurance (title deed, confirmation) of things hoped for (divinely guaranteed), and the evidence of things not seen [the conviction of their reality—faith comprehends as fact what cannot be experienced by the physical senses]” (Heb.11:1).

So, now that we know we need faith and we know what this faith is, wouldn’t it seem reasonable to think that these twelve men who had walked with Jesus for such a long while would have it in abundance?

Particularly if they truly understood—more, believed that Jesus was truly The Son of God—One with Father. God in the Flesh…

They’d heard Him say as much to the Jews who asked Him for a plain accounting of Himself back at the colonnade of Solomon during the feast of dedication (John. 14:22-38).

And they were His witnesses to so many of the signs and miraculous healings He performed…

There was the man with the withered hand that He fully restored (Luke 6:10). The cleansing of the leaper, (Luke 5:12-13). The healing of a paralytic, (Luke 5:18-20). The powerful teaching we’ve come to know as, “The Beatitudes” (Matt.5:1-12). And even raising a widow’s only son at his own funeral (Luke 7:13-15)!

They—these twelve, and all the Jews, had been waiting for Messiah to come and deliver them from the Romans and their cruel oppression, much like He did with their forefathers in Egypt. And they knew He would, just as He had during the days of Moses and Aaron.

So why was He sleeping at the bow of the boat while this powerful storm was threatening to tear them apart?

That was their question…

But perhaps what they should have asked, what we should be asking is: What was the Voice who spoke to the storm trying to teach that day? What was the lesson He needed them to understand—us too? What is it that He wanted them, and us, to be confident in? No room for doubts?

Let’s go back to our Scripture verses for that answer. He said to them, “Where is your faith?”

Faith…

Jesus was allowing their faith to be built up while simultaneously reminding them that He was the One who had complete control over all things, ALL things—always.

Jesus knew what His disciples would face shortly—how their faith would be tested repeatedly. He knew they believed Him to be the Messiah. But He needed them to continue to grow. To be stretched. He knew also, that He would only be with them for a short time. And He needed them solid—rock solid, unwavering in their faith.

He need them to understand that He was God. And what that soon would entail…

The future of His Church depended on it… (Acts 2:39-40).

In a moment of unbelief, the disciples implored Jesus for deliverance from the raging sea.  Much like when Moses called on God for deliverance as he and God’s people stood trapped at the mouth of the Red Sea, with Pharaoh’s army closing in, threatening to annihilate them…

He needed His disciples to know—have faith in, that He was the same God who demonstrated His power to deliver and save the Israelite’s. That it was He who commanded the elements then and it was He who would do it now, and for all time. “And the sea became as wall on their left and on their right” (Ex. 14:22).

He continues to demonstrate His mercy and His unfathomable power to save His chosen ones—His children. And, since this same Jesus cannot change, is it possible that the storm that is raging about you has been allowed?

Was it sent as a reminder that you must stay firmly anchored to Jesus? The One who will never allow the storms in your life to overtake you. Regardless of what things may look like. “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you” (1 Pet. 4:12).

Did your storm come to strengthen you? To build you up? To enable you to push through life’s situations and circumstances that clamor for your attention—the endless distractions? Those situations that frighten you and cause you to freeze drawing your focus away from Jesus? That negative doctor’s report, the loss of a job or spouse? Past hurts and disappointments?

That runaway child or addicted parent?

Did the storm in your life arise to strengthen your faith?  Or perhaps to expose your hidden doubt? Maybe it came to increase your understanding? Or to show you how to still yourself, and listen to the One whose Word commands all storms to end?

Jesus needed to remind His disciples that He was Sovereign over all His creation. That He was so much more than their narrow understanding of who Messiah was and the role He would play in His people’s lives…

He needed them to know that not one detail of their life, not one of their trials escaped Him—and we too, as witnesses, are remind, that if we will but anchor our faith to Him, listen for His voice to guide us, no storm will ever overtake us, nor separate us from Him…

“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor principalities, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord”(Rom.8:37-39).

Jesus is just as aware of what’s threatening to end you as He was of the storm that frightened His disciples. And the sea that needed to part for His children to cross over safely…

Allow me to remind you that Jesus is with you today. And anything that looks threatening around you cannot overtake you unless the Sovereign God of the Universe allows it to be…

“The LORD does whatever pleases him, in the heavens and on the earth, in the seas and all their depths” (Psalm 135:6).

 

“She Didn’t Want to Do It.” Lk. 8:46-48

January 22, 2017 /

“And when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace”(Luke 8:47-48).

Our Scripture today concerns a woman who was desperate. The Bible tells us that for 12 years she had dealt with a physical issue that had not only ravaged her body, depleted her resources—more, it had caused her to live in fear, shame, and, isolation.

So, let me ask you, as we step into the closing weeks of this New Year—what “dis-ease”, are you carrying into this new season from times long passed? And what, if anything, has you in a state of desperate abandon for your right-now miracle?

You see for her, this woman with no name, it was a physical healing she was after—it’s what forced her fear right out her front door! She had been bleeding for 12 years. 12 years! And in those years of chasing after a cure, she had spent all that she had…

Now, broke, and still bleeding, she heard some commotion near her home. A crowd was gathering in the village. She Peeked out through the crack in her gate she saw Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue. He was on his knees before this new Rabbi, this Jesus. She’d overheard others speak of His miraculous healings…

What if He could…No! I couldn’t possibly. The law forbids it! He’s a rabbi, a Holy man—and the crowd, all those people, I’d be stoned!

These tempestuous thoughts were chasing each other around in her mind. Yet, in her belly—in that place of her knowing, there was a calm…

She began to recognized her need to take a step of faith. It was like something was beckoning her to come…

Is it possible that this Jesus may be her only hope?

If we’re willing to be honest, I’m certain we’ve all experienced living in that kind of tension. In the fear of having our issue—that thing that shames us, brought out into the open. Yet our want for freedom pushes us to the very brink of that fear. Leaving us teetering.

We may know what needs to be done, what must be done in order that we be healed…

Yet, we’re frightened. Because the first step required to receive our healing is confession. It’s bringing that thing, that issue, shaking and sniveling out of its comfortable darkness, out of its hiding place—and exposing it to the Light of the World…

You see, the law had kept this woman bound in fear and shame. To touch a woman such as herself made one ceremonially unclean until the sun went down. She was a thing to be avoided, shunned at all cost. She was defiled. “If a woman has a discharge of blood for many days, not at the time of her menstrual impurity, or if she has a discharge beyond the time of her impurity, all the days of the discharge she shall continue in uncleanness. As in the days of her impurity, she shall be unclean” (Lev. 15:25).

Seeing herself as such, how could she go out among normal people to see this Jesus? What if she touched someone—what if someone touched her? The shame of it…

Can you relate?

Have you ever felt like this woman?

Are you feeling like her today? Afraid? Uncertain? Ashamed? Isolated? Alone?

Are you, like her, frightened of being found out? Of having your issue exposed? How long have you been hiding your shame?

For her, it was twelve years. It may well have been a life time. It  certainly felt that way…

She had tried everything she could think of, to handle her business on her own. She saw anyone she thought might heal her—help her. But nothing. Twelve years had passed and she was still bleeding.

Now what she saw as her last chance to get her healing was standing only feet away. It was this Jesus…

She knew that if she could just touch His clothes—no, just the tassels of His outer garment as they slid past her fingers in the dust, everything would be okay—she’d be healed.

I’ll just slip into the crowd unnoticed. I’ll stoop down low enough to the ground to just touch His tassel as He passes by—He’ll never even know I was there! And hopefully, neither will anyone else. I’ll just stay real low to the ground and …

Shame will do that to us. It steals our dignity. It causes us to feel unworthy to even go before the only One who is truly able to heal us—save us, free us from our sin, wrong thinking, and, shame.

But Jesus was having no part of her worldly way of thinking! He was not interested in playing hide and seek. He was not going to allow this woman to live her life isolated any longer…

He was interest in healing far more than her mere issue of blood… “Who touched me?” Jesus asked (Lk. 8:45).

Her worst nightmare had just been realized. He had singled her out! Oh no, no, please, no, Lord I did not mean to... “And when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him…” (Lk. 8:47).

Why? Why would Jesus call her out? Surely, being God—He knew who it was who had touched Him and why…

So why call her out in front of the very people she was so ashamed and afraid to be seen by? To touch…

Was He trying to shame her? Was He going to publicly rebuke her?

No. Quite the contrary…

Our first clue to Jesus’ motives in calling her out comes through His choice of words. He called her daughter. It’s a relational title. A title that infers privilege. A daughter has unfettered access to her dad—she shares an intimacy and bond with him that is not shared with just anyone…

Secondly, He declared her healed. Again, let’s look at His choice of words…

He uses the expression Shalom—which encapsulates; renewal, completeness, and, a blessing for peace…

Jesus knew that for His daughter to be truly healed—soul healed, she, as well as those around her, needed to hear Him openly declare her to be healed. From the root of  her need, not merely from her symptoms.

His words restored her, made her touchable once again, worthy of love, worthy of all the rights and honors a father confers, lovingly, upon his daughter…

In bringing her issue out into the open Jesus not only healed her physically, He released a life that had wasted away in a prison of religious isolation. She had skulked through 12 long years of shame—of others thoughtlessness disregard…

Jesus gave her, and indirectly those around her, permission to once again live communally, openly, equally. To live a life made whole. “And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace” (Lk. 8:48).

She didn’t want to do it—take that first frightening step into the all revealing light of Christ. That Light that would bring illumination to her secrets, and expose her hidden fears.

Overcoming shame, and the fear that often accompanies it, requires us to muster the courage to fall—to humble ourselves, at Jesus’ feet and confess openly to Him our “issue”…

We must be brave enough to finally walk away from—reject, both our own human thoughts and vain imaginings, as well as those imposed on us by others…

We must leave behind those ideas that caused us to close ourselves off from Jesus—and simply accept Him at His Word.

“Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed” (Isa.53:4-5).

 

He wasn’t interested in simply stopping her bleeding. Nor is He interested in just stopping yours. He wanted her restored to Him. And He wants that same restoration for you as well.

Now, and for all eternity.

It’s why He came into the world. Why He stepped across time and eternity to bring heaven to earth…

Why He would not walk away from such a pitiless death. “Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour” (Jn. 12:27).

Won’t you, like the woman found in today’s Scripture, bring your issue to Jesus? Why squander another year of your life carting around something you weren’t created to carry…?

Give it to Jesus today. Receive His power in exchange for your weakness. “Who touched me?” Jesus asked. “Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me” (Jn. 8:45-46).

 

He Is Doing A “New Thing.” Isa. 43:18-19

January 8, 2017 /

                                                                                                                           “Do not remember the former things,Or ponder the things of the past. “Listen carefully, I am about to do a new thing, Now it will spring forth; Will you not be aware of it? I will even put a road in the wilderness, Rivers in the desert.”  Isaiah 43:18-19 (Amp)

   Living in Hawaii is a blessing. At any given morning you can wake up before the sun rises and drive to any beach and watch this beautiful art piece come alive that God creates for us every morning called the Sunrise. The sunrise is visible almost anywhere. But, there are several spots on the island that bring you closer to this special experience; where you can actually feel the sun as it’s coming up over the horizon. Experience it, brushing across your face like a warm gentle hand. Enlivening you, as it Ignites your senses. All the while its warmth runs from the top of your head. Resting, it kisses your checks. Finally, it moves its way down to the tips of your toes, and you are one…

Can you hear the waves pounding on the shore? Their rhythmic worship?And can you taste the tang of salt from the oceans mist… ?

I can feel it now as I write. All of it! All my senses coming alive. Every cell in my body awakened and I stand in awe of God’s glory…

You can worship anywhere, at any given time on this island. Anywhere in the world for that matter…

But, some worship experiences are as unique, as glorious, as my special spot on the eastern point here in Oahu. A place where the sunrise is clearer and far more majestic than on any other place on the island at that moment.

     Isaiah was writing a prophetic word to the Israelite’s in the verses above. They were not only cast out of Israel but now were being held captive by the Babylonians. In the above verses, Isaiah leads the Israelite’s into the realization that they are to, “forget the former things and do not dwell on the past.”

He instructs them that If they continued to hold on to their old way of doing things or seeing only how the Lord had once brought them out of Egypt, then, they will miss the “New Thing” that God was going to do now.

If I hold on to the memory of the way the sunrise looked yesterday, and I go expecting it to look the same way the next time I go to that same spot, I won’t appreciate and/or see the sunrise doing a new thing.

Every morning the sun will rise. I know this. I am sure that nothing will stop the sun from rising unless something extreme has happened to the earth’s natural order.

Yet, every morning, the sun is new. Every morning it offers a different experience…

God was not only delivering the Israelite’s from captivity, He was, also, sending His only Son. He was sending a permanent solution for the Israelite’s sins. For our sins.

The end of the verse 19 says, “Will you not be aware of it? I will even put a road in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.” It wasn’t a condition of something they did.

Nor is it anything you and I have done that merits us this grace. It is who God is naturally. He wanted to create that road from sin to salvation in the wilderness. He said He would. Not could. Nor, would He possibly do it…

He said, “I WILL even put a road in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.”

Imagine that.

Close your eyes for a moment and visualize this…

Your lost in the wilderness and you can’t find your way out of it. After searching, being tired and afraid, you find a road…

Wouldn’t you feel excited? Wouldn’t you think, “Okay now there’s hope!”

Jesus is our road to salvation. Our road to hope. Our verses also tell us that He will send rivers in the desert. And, that this river in the desert is the Spirit that God gives to us when we accept Jesus as Lord and Savior.

Jesus is referred to as, “Living Water” (John 4:10-15).

Jesus, Himself, told the Samaritan woman at the well that He had living water. He was offering her this water that would quench her thirst always. He told her that the water He was giving her would spring forth from within her to eternal life…

As we enter this new year, may you realize that God wants to offer you that very same hope…

That new way of looking towards Jesus. Of seeing, anticipating, expecting, the “new thing” that He is doing in your life.

Isaiah 49:8-10: This is what the Lord says, “In a favorable time I have answered you, And in a day of salvation I have helped You; And I will keep watch over You and give You for a covenant of the people, To restore the land [from its present state of ruin] and to apportion and give as inheritances the deserted hereditary lands, Saying to those who are bound and captured, ‘Go forth,’ And to those who are in [spiritual] darkness, ‘Show yourselves [come into the light of the Savior]. ’They will feed along the roads [on which they travel], And their pastures will be on all the bare heights. “They will not hunger or thirst, Nor will the scorching heat or sun strike them down; For He who has compassion on them will lead them, And He will guide them to springs of water.”

I just love what verse nine says above, “to those who are bound, come forth, and to those who are in [spiritual]darkness, show yourselves [come into the light of the sun of righteousness.”

Wherever you are in your walk with Him, wherever you are in the world. Whatever bondage has you hostage….

TODAY a “New Thing” can happen. Will you not recognize it?

The Lord is holding out his hand and asking you to Step into the Sunlight and see that He is doing a “New Thing.”

Written by: Angelica Kauhako

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