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

Tag: Calling

Let’s Talk About Faith.

November 25, 2023 /

Pastor Maria Braga

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” –Hebrews 11:16.

Sometimes, as horrible as it sounds, cancer can be a gift from God to change us from the inside out and teach us how to relate to others who will come after us and need our encouragement.

Back in February, I received horrible news about my health.

I heard those words people are terrified to hear: “You have breast cancer.”

When we hear these words, our hearts can sink, our hope can fade, and our flesh quickly kicks in to create discouragement. And with all the terms thrown around in the world’s culture—words like odds, chemo, radiation, and only a percentage of those…

When bad things happen, we are to trust that the God I spoke of in my last teaching, The One True God Jeremiah followed and obeyed, is working all the “bad things” together for our good. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose.” –Romans 8:28.

How can we obtain such faith?

We ask for faith, and God gives it as a free gift. “For I say, through the grace that was given me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but so to think as to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to each man a measure of faith.” —Romans 12:3.

Faith to know that the Dunamis power of the Holy Spirit, which lives inside us, strengthens us to live powerful lives of faith, just as Jeremiah and the great cloud of witnesses which have gone before us did – We must believe this is true! “Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.” –Hebrews 11:1.

As I said back in October. It’s incredible to me how we can have this same faith to obey today as Jeremiah did back then. We are not Jeremiah or Paul, David or Esther. We don’t have the same call as Jeremiah or any of those before us, but we can learn how to walk out our calling by paying attention to their testimonies. We can look at Jeremiah’s testimony and how he did it and be inspired and encouraged to follow God as he followed God.

Our faith stands tall when we are on top of the mountain, and everything is going well, yet our confidence must remain when we are at the bottom of the valley and things are falling apart.

We must know that our identity is in Christ, and our culture is based on Christ’s Word so we might not give into fear and be overcomers. Yes, regardless of our deep faith, we can still shake a little when bad news strikes, but we know the promises God makes to us, and we must hold onto them, knowing that: “Not one hair will fall off my head. He is unaware of.” –Luke 21:18.

If God is aware of just one hair falling off my head, how much more aware is He of my entire being?

Those moments of suffering that follow the bad news are excruciating at times, but we call on Jesus through it all, and, like Jeremiah, Paul, and those who have suffered bad news before us, something inside us, something bigger than us, knows that somehow God is at work! I remember calling out to Him in agony all night and day. His answer to me was: “I AM.” He was not specific, but something deep inside me knew “I AM” was at work. I didn’t see or feel anything, but I knew My Daddy was working something out for me in the Spirit, and sure enough, He was.

That faith carried me through the moments after the chemotherapy and the injections I had to take. Later, my oncologist noted that my painful experience was a good sign; my body responded well to the treatment. As I reminded us last time I was with you, we are unique and are called to experience God and His purpose and calling on our lives differently. So, my experience was not precisely like Jeremiah’s experience or any of those who have gone before me. Still, it certainly was a stern test to endure, a test that is becoming a testimony in this season of my life.

Regardless of what happens in time, we live for eternity in heaven with our Creator King.

Jeremiah teaches us in chapter 1:5, “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born, I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.”

This Scripture speaks to us individually. Our calling can look different than everyone else’s, but we must embrace it, knowing that God specifically and strategically designed it according to our makeup and mission here and now. Only He who holds tomorrow knows what tomorrow holds, and He is already in tomorrow and waiting to say to us: “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Father, in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, I pray every person reading this word is encouraged and renewed in their faith. Bless each one. Bless their calling, and launch them into the next level in their faith, amen! And those that have yet to know You as I do, I believe You’ve called them here today that they might. If this is you, please, like all those who have gone before you and me, obey God’s calling you into a relationship with Himself. Just say yes and mean it, like we all did. Then trust God to do what He can—free you from the world’s grip. “Therefore come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.” And: “I will be a Father to you, and you will be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” –2 Corinthians 6:18.

Child of God

October 28, 2023 /

Pastor Maria Braga

“For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” –Jeremiah 29:11.

Jeremiah is a man who suffered profoundly and who speaks from his own experience. He is a man who had a calling from God to reach a rebellious people, his own people. He was ridiculed by the people he was assigned to lead and encouraged to return to their God. Jeremiah’s heart was broken over and over again by his own people. Sometimes, he wished he had never been born; Jeremiah wanted to escape, isolate himself in the desert, and, at times, he even questioned God and himself. In Jeremiah 2: 13:1-2, He speaks of two specific evils done. “They have forsaken me, the fountain of living water, and They dug cisterns for themselves, cracked cisterns that can hold no water.”

The big question Jeremiah asked then is the same one many ask today: “Why is bad stuff happening to me?”

Naturally speaking, this question makes sense and has value. However, looking at it from a biblical/spiritual perspective, we understand it differently as a child of God. Every Blood-bought believer is a child of God, carrying God’s very nature in them, so it is up to each child “how” they’ll answer the question: “Why did God allow bad things happen to such a good man of God?”

Every person has moments of questioning, but from Jeremiah’s perspective, we see that he stood firm on the path God had called him, while these moments appeared eager to steal his calling.

Jerimiah’s example of steadfastness shows us, centuries later, how to handle tough times of discouragement and testing!

Jeremiah felt passionately about Jerusalem’s destruction and his people’s affliction.

In those moments, what do we see him do?

Jeremiah chose to seek God and pray for the people of Judah that they might turn back to their God. Deep in Jeremiah’s being was a knowledge far greater than his own. It spoke to him of God’s heart. What He wanted, what God was like—his Character.

After years of preaching and suffering, even his family turned against him and plotted to kill him. “I will deliver you out of the hand of the wicked, and redeem you from the grasp of the ruthless.” Yes, I will certainly keep you safe from these wicked men. I will rescue you from their cruel hands.” –Jeremiah 15:21. Over the years, Jeremiah was whipped and put in the stocks. He was attacked by mobs and threatened by the king. He was ridiculed in many ways, even thrown into cisterns where he sunk into the mud – yet regardless of what tried to come against him, Jeremiah stood firm!

Jeremiah knew deep within himself that God equipped him for these difficult situations, and he didn’t give up or stop whenever he was faced with one. He remained steadfast. Such deep knowledge of who God is, this supernatural knowing, fortifies the soul and body amidst the most difficult of trials a person can encounter.

 In His Sovereignty, our never-changing God is still calling us today—counting on us to stay steadfast to our calling! The question is, will we?

Jeremiah is just one example of how to walk out our faith and walk in the calling God has assigned each of His children.

Looking at Jeremiah’s life, we could reason and say that we don’t measure up or possess what he had, but the Truth is we do. It’s different, yet the same.

God puts inside each of us the calling He wants us to fulfill through us, just like He did with Jeremiah. Our calling is unique and personal. Spend time with the One who prepared your calling before you were born. Hear what He is saying to you specifically through His Word. “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you; before you were born, I sanctified you; and I ordained you a prophet to the nations.” –Jeremiah 1:5.

Jeremiah understood the weight of his call, and we must also understand the weightiness of our own. God Himself prepares us for our calling; we’re simply vessels in His Hands. Yet, we tend to shrink back and give up when things get tough. Yet God expects us to persevere daily, even when that call isn’t exactly how “we” want it to be or how we planned.

We must surrender to the Truth that our calling is being executed God’s Way, according to His plan. We must align with His strategy, not Him with ours.

Our faulty expectations often produce disappointment because we expect things in the natural, but we are Spirit beings and should handle our calling in the Spirit. We are to know that He is God, and we are not. We must accept whichever way God works in and through us to complete this calling; His will not ours be done, just like He did with Jeremiah.

God will also do with us; we must trust Him as Jeremiah did. In Mark 12:30-31, Jesus reminds us: “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength.”

This steadfastness is how Jerimiah demonstrated his faithfulness to God. Let’s be wise and follow Jeremiah’s steadfast obedience to the Lord in our unique callings and faith walk. Just like the men and women of God before us. “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” –1 Corinthians 11:1.

Father, in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, I pray every person reading this word is encouraged and renewed of their faith. Bless each, bless their calling, and launch them to the next level in their faith, amen! And those that have yet to know You as we do, I believe You’re calling them here, now. If this is you, please, like Jeremiah, obey God’s calling you into a relationship with Himself. Just say yes and mean it, like Jeremiah did. Then trust God to do what only He can. “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” –Psalm 51:10.

He Knows Your Frame.

May 1, 2021 /
MaryEllen Montville

“But Jesus said, “Why are you troubled? Why do you doubt what you see? Look at my hands and my feet. It’s really me. Touch me. You can see that I have a living body; a ghost does not have a body like this” –Luke 24:38-39.

Jesus wasn’t chastising His disciples; He was comforting them—reassuring them. He knew perfectly well that though his disciples had witnessed others being resurrected (the son of the widow of Nain—Luke 7:11-17, Jairus’ daughter—Matthew 9:18-26, and finally, their friend, Lazarus—John 11:38-44), their witnessing Him return from the dead borderlined on being just way too much for their finite minds to take in.

Remember, these were everyday men like you and me—many, simple fishermen. It was only Jesus who was both fully human—and fully Divine. Plus, up until the time they’d met Jesus, dead had always meant precisely that, dead. People just didn’t come back from the grave. Yet there He was, their Rabbi, standing right in front of them. A savage beating at the hands of the Romans. His Crucifixion. Three days in His tomb. It was impossible! Surely this could not be! And yet, there He stood. There was only one explanation for this. Suddenly, a scene played out in Peter’s mind. In it, Jesus had also asked His disciples a question. “But what about you?” Jesus asked. “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Christ.” And Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about Him.…” –Mark 8:29-30.

So, can you imagine their shock? Their disbelief? Is it any wonder then that Jesus asks them why they’re troubled? Why they doubt who it is that’s standing right in front of them? Honestly, wouldn’t you have been troubled too?

Maybe it was due to their reaction to Him suddenly appearing before them? Or perhaps it was out of His great love and compassion for His friends, in His mercy, and with the most extraordinary tenderness that Jesus offers His beloved and troubled friends, His Peace? “…He said to them, “Peace be with you” –Luke 24:36. I choose to believe that it was the latter.

Jesus knows that as mere men, when we experience seasons of deep pain and loss, of trauma, often it’s the ordinary and the everyday-ness of life that we tether to; it aids in recentering us. He knows it’s’ the route and familiar that helps slow the wild spinning down just enough to feel safe enough to step away from the pain and towards life and living. Their having been eyewitnesses to the savage scourging Jesus had suffered before His barbaric Crucifixion leaves little doubt that John and Mary and the other woman would have shared the details of what they had witnessed with the rest of His disciples. “Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman,[a] here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother” –John 19:52-27.

Shared how they’d watched in horror and with the most profound sorrow as Jesus took His last breath. His final exhale perhaps forcing them to release their grip on the last vestige of hope they’d so desperately been clinging to. Jesus’ final breath—meant the end for them all. Its final work, snuffing out any flickering promise that remained in their hearts. Any remnant of hope these past three-plus years spent with Him had offered them. Joy-filled years spent talking with and learning from Him, walking, and eating, and marveling at His wonderful works. Their Messiah was dead. Jesus’ lifeless Body hung before them on His Cross. And with it, in their finite minds at least, the long-awaited, lifeless promise that the Kingdom of God had finally come. That after generations of oppression, their deliverer had finally come. That soon and very soon, they would all taste newfound freedom. And they would—just not in the way they had imagined it would come.

And once again, in verses 41-43 of this same chapter, we witness Jesus’ tenderness. His patient love towards His friends being displayed once more through a familiar, everyday gesture. Remember, Jesus knows it’s the everyday things that help center us. So He asks His friends if they have anything to eat? And when someone hands Him a piece of fish, Jesus proceeds to eat it; but more than just eating fish, Jesus wants to settle their anxious hearts, so He uses this everyday act to assure them that they do not see a ghost. That no ghost could do what they are watching Him do; being omniscient, Jesus knows that they are awed and joyful by His sudden appearance, but He also knows that they’re confused and bewildered by it as well. Jesus knows they need time. That seeing Him do anything ordinary will help put them at ease. “The followers were amazed and very, very happy to see that Jesus was alive. They still could not believe what they saw. He said to them, “Do you have any food here?” They gave him a piece of cooked fish. While the followers watched, he took the fish and ate it.” Jesus knows His sudden reappearance has caused His disciples to have tunnel vision, focusing only on the here and now.

On the possibilities of what His sudden return may mean for them? What His being with them once more is all about? What might it look like moving forward now? But Jesus needs their minds to shift beyond this moment. Beyond themselves and their immediate wants and needs. Time is a precious commodity now. Remember, Jesus also knows that very soon He will be returning to the Father. So He needs their minds to shift towards His eternal plan and purpose for having had come at all. Jesus needs them to move forward. Towards those, He knows are depending on them. So then, for the final time in these closing verses, Jesus does the familiar yet again. This time, He taught His disciples. “Jesus said to them, “Remember when I was with you before? I said that everything written about me must happen—everything written in the Law of Moses, the books of the prophets, and the Psalms.” Then Jesus helped the followers understand these Scriptures about him. Jesus said to them, “It is written that the Messiah would be killed and rise from death on the third day” –Luke 24: 44-46.

Jesus grounds His jittery friends. He recenters them—focusing their attention on the familiar—on the mission. On what they know, the scriptures. On what has been foretold concerning Him, their Messiah. Concerning the bewildering and fright-full moment in which they now find themselves. Then, Jesus goes further still, reminding His friends that they have been His witnesses. That all of what they’ve seen while with Him is now part of their story. Their testimony. The very foundation of all that they will share as they go forth into all the world. It’s their legacy. The unplumbed treasure they’ll leave behind for future generations—for you and me. Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things” –Luke 24: 45-48.

Jesus knew His disciple’s—their frame. He knows ours too. He knows that for us to do what He has destined us to, created us to do, we must wait on Him. Wait for His strength and the power of His Holy Spirit. We must wait for His timing, wait to be gathered together, called, and we must wait to be released. Jesus knows that our minds must first be opened to the Truth—To Him, His Spirit, to His Word just as His disciples were. Just as they had to wait before continuing with the work that Jesus had started—so must we. “Then he said, “This is God’s message to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord Almighty—you will succeed because of my Spirit, though you are few and weak’ –Zechariah 4:6-7.

Jesus knew that the birth of His Church was imminent. That within days He would be ascending back to His Father—our, Father. His work here on earth, in the physical sense at least, being all but finished now. And, that it would be these men, His chosen, these mere mortals that He’d soon empower, baptizing them with His Spirit, charging them then, to carry out this magnificent work of spreading the Good News to all, to you and me, so that we too might carry His Truth all the way to the ends—of the earth that is. “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” After He had said this, they watched as He was taken up, and a cloud hid Him from their sight.…” Acts 1: 8-9.

Friend, if you’ve read this till the end, yet you don’t know this Jesus personally, then do know this: You’re here because He wanted the two of you to meet. He wants a friendship with you, to walk together and work together. He’s done His part by bringing you here. Won’t you please do your part by accepting His invitation? Just ask Him into your heart, sincerely repent of your sins, and He’ll take it from there. He knows your frame, what you truly need. “…if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” –Romans 10:9-10.

Restoration…

June 20, 2020 /
MaryEllen Montville

Then he said, “Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you’ll get some!” So they did, and they couldn’t haul in the net because there were so many fish in it”–John 21:6.

A consciousness of our powerlessness should cast us upon Him who has all power. Here then is where a vision and view of God’s sovereignty helps, for it reveals His sufficiency and shows us our insufficiency. Arthur W. Pink

This week, as with last, our focus will be on Jesus and Peter. Their relationship. Will we dig a little deeper into what has happened between them—and within Peter, since Jesus last commanded him to “Follow Me.” –Matthew 4:19.

Peter had met Jesus on the shore once before. His nets chock-full that day too, bursting at the seams. His heart had been pierced through and through—he had been driven to his knees in awe of what Jesus had done. Both divine appointments taking place within three short years. Years that felt like a lifetime ago now. Long before this fitful day filled with angst and anticipation—waiting to see if Jesus would show up. “Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing”. They said to him, “We will go with you”. They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. –John 21:3.

It was the dawn of Peter’s great fall. That night in the garden, the night of Jesus’ arrest. The night Peter, in his rash attempt at stopping the soldiers from arresting Jesus sliced off Malchus’ ear with his sword. Before Peter had ever denied the One, he loved three times, He declared during their last meal together that he would never deny Jesus. “No!” Peter insisted. “Even if I have to die with you, I will never deny you!” And all the other disciples vowed the same”–Matthew 26:35. And yet he did –deny Christ that is. As mentioned above, not just once—but three times. Yet as soon as Peter’s eyes locked onto Jesus’ in those early hours before dawn, after His mock trial before Caiaphas—in one fateful nanosecond, Peter felt the overwhelming weight of his betrayal crush him. Felt everything within him implode under its treacherous weight. “…Then Peter remembered the word that Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times”. And he went outside and wept bitterly. –Matthew26:75.

His heart torn asunder. His once grandiose ego, shattered. His duplicity had just crushed him. Peter knew in that instant he was not the Rock. Peter knew instead that he was a sinner who desperately needed the Savior he had just denied. Whatever he had mistakenly believed of himself, died this fateful morning. Now He was exactly where he needed to be. Moldable. Pliable. Humbled. Was it all for naught? Was it too late for Peter? Having your destiny shaped by the hand of God can be an agonizing process. Death to self and pride usually are. Self-reliance and ego struggle to surrender their grip on us all. They certainly did in Peter’s case. But in the end, God’s plan for Peter’s life was accomplished through his suffering and submission both. We serve a merciful God! There are times nevertheless, God must strip us down to our very foundation that he might sure-up the cracks that have formed within it. Cracks that will inevitably cause us to topple over under the weight of the calling He has placed on our lives. His firmly establishing us then, to withstand the weight of the calling He has on us, is paramount to our growth. Paramount to our ongoing relationship with Him and for the sake of those, He has called us to serve.

We expect our leaders to be flaw-less. Not so with Jesus. Jesus calls those He has chosen to lead exactly as they are—then, He begins their reshaping. A pulling out and a putting in. Drawing out of their brokenness—humility, and an obedience to Him, trust too. All the while removing self-reliance, pride, and ego—and all their other grainy bits…

Peter had experienced some profound, life-changing events during his three-plus-year walk with Jesus. He had a front-row seat for the Sermon on the Mount. He drank in the Beatitudes. The lesson on being Salt and Light, about the law and anger, adultery, and divorce, about vows and revenge, and loving your enemy. Peter heard about giving to the needy and he learned how to pray. He learned about money and possessions, judging others, and who Jesus considers true disciples to be. Peter was an eyewitness to a man being healed from leprosy and the faith of one Roman soldier that was so great, Christ Himself was amazed. It was his walking on water, his divine revelation of Jesus’ being the Messiah, the Son of the living God, his witnessing Jesus’ transfiguration. It was all these instances, and so much more—the private conversations and corrections we are not privy to—that had been poured into establishing Peter’s foundation. Each of these above lessons can be read in their entirety in Matthew Chapters 5-7;14-17.

Now, after the worst days of his life, John’s Gospel tells us Peter is fishing once again. Doing what is familiar, using his reasoning. That is until he hears a voice tell him to cast his nets to the other side of his boat. Did Peter wonder to himself, “Why does that sound so familiar…?”

Once again, his nets were suddenly bursting at the seams! It appears from Scripture that it was at that moment John recognized the man standing at the shore as Jesus. And as soon as he shared that news with Peter, Peter jumped off the boat and headed straight to Him. This is not the first time that Peter has seen Jesus since His resurrection. In Luke’s Gospel, we hear of Peter’s encountering Jesus soon after His resurrection. Those disciples who had encountered Jesus on the Emmaus road returned to Jerusalem—to where the disciples were staying. And after sharing their story of meeting Jesus and breaking bread with Him, the disciples confirmed for them that Jesus had indeed risen from the dead! “They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon”. –Luke 24: 33-34.

Now, the fish cooked, the nets washed and put away, once again Jesus directs the conversation to where Jesus had intended it to go from before the foundation of the world. To Peter’s mission and calling. But first, restoration needed to happen. Jesus could have easily done this when He showed Himself to Peter that first time, and perhaps He did? Scripture is silent on this matter. Perhaps that is where Peter’s restoration started? Perhaps that is why Peter’s feelings are hurt the third time Jesus asks Peter if he loves Him? Or perhaps it is because we need to be here as a witness too. Perhaps we need to witness Godly restoration that we might one day extend it just as Jesus did? When a leader falls publicly, as Peter did, for any to follow him again—for others to be able to trust that God has chosen to use him in ministry once again, He must be publicly restored. This is in part what Jesus is doing here in John’s Gospel. Publicly reinstating Peter as the Rock on which His Church will be built—in front of the very ones who witnessed Peter’s fall. Christ is far more interested in our character being right before Him then He is with our title or position being restored to us. Remember that whole shoring-up Peter’s foundation I spoke about earlier? Jesus is doing that here. Godly correction brings about healing and restoration to our relationship with God—above all else. “Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ” –Galatians 6:1-2.

In closing, listen to what one writer shares with us concerning Peter’s restoration: After they were finished eating, Jesus addressed Peter with a question he would ask him three times in a row, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” (John 21:15, 16, 17). Simon was Peter’s name by birth, Peter (which means “Rocky”) was a nickname Jesus gave him. The first time Jesus asked this question, he asked Peter if he loved him “more than these” (John 21:15). What does Jesus mean by this question? Scholars think Jesus was asking Peter if he loved Jesus more than any of the other disciples loved Jesus. Remember, this is what Peter claimed in Mark 14:29 (and in Matthew 26:33). Before the arrest of Jesus, Peter boldly claimed to love Jesus better than anyone else. Peter’s answer demonstrates that he has been chastened and humbled, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you” (John 21:15). Jesus repeats the question two more times, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” (John 21:16-17). Peter was hurt that Jesus kept asking him the same question. Peter admits that Jesus knows his heart better than he does. Peter answers, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you” (John 21:17). Peter has lost his arrogance. He knows that Jesus knows his true heart. Why did Jesus ask him this question three times? The three questions echo the three denials Peter made of knowing Jesus after his arrest (see John 18:15-18, 25-27). Jesus was reinstating Peter and restoring him to public ministry within view of the other disciples.

Friend, if you are here today and do not know this Jesus who knows you better than you know yourself, who loves you beyond what you could ever imagine possible, then I encourage you, please, ask Him to show Himself real to you now. There is nothing you have done that will prevent His coming. But you not asking Him to come may. “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved” –Acts 4:12.

Fill the Need. Colossians 4:12-13

November 30, 2019 /

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Voice. Acts 9:7

November 23, 2019 /

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Not by Sight…Habakkuk 3:17-19

September 9, 2018 /

 “Though the fig tree does not blossom And there is no fruit on the vines, Though the yield of the olive fails And the fields produce no food, Though the flock is cut off from the fold And there are no cattle in the stalls, Yet I will [choose to] rejoice in the Lord;I will [choose to] shout in exultation in the [victorious] God of my salvation! The Lord God is my strength [my source of courage, my invincible army]; He has made my feet [steady and sure] like hinds’ feet And makes me walk [forward with spiritual confidence] on my high places [of challenge and responsibility].”

So, what do you do when God chooses to cut away what you’ve become accustomed to? When you hear doors closing in the Spirit realm? When He asks you to leave your home, church, family, friends, and job to follow Him—yet again? When He leads you to what you know is only a “temporary” shelter, a right-now place to call home; giving you no further instructions—no clear direction?

You go.

You just do it and then you wait. With legs shaking and tears flowing—with a million questions swirling around in your head and with dragons, not butterflies, in your belly—you say, “Yes Lord.” And, if you’re anything like me, you quickly start asking the Holy Spirit to show you the hidden sin in your life. There must be something wrong after all—right? Why else is God stripping everything I care about away from me?

The answer? Love.

That is what love does. True Love.

Real love never lets you settle for second best…

Love doesn’t allow you to wither on the vine. Love prunes you that you might bloom—again and again. Love seeks your highest good. Love wants the absolute best for you. Can that be painful? You betcha! A little scary—oh yeah! But, it’s not as scary as having nails driven through your hands and feet. Mercifully, I was not asked for such a sacrifice. He simply asked  that I return some stuff that I’d been given to use. It’s in these times of being stripped down, deeply pruned—re-calibrated, these moments when God asks us to “return” just a few of the many gifts He’s blessed us with; things such as our home, job, church family, money, health, etc., when we can incorrectly assume we’re being punished for some sin, some short-coming, some-thing.

Yet, the odd beauty of it is: in those very moments of questioning, of wrestling and searching is when we must draw closer to God—as backward as that may feel. Why? Because He is desiring for us, wanting us, to draw closer to Him. Look more like Him. Most of us instinctively flee from anyone or anything that we feel is causing us discomfort or pain. Resist that urge where God is concerned. He can be fully trusted. Instead, turn and run towards Him!In our flesh it’s our default response to place blame.  Our first parents did it to each other—placed blame that is. Blame is combated best by Truth. It must be combated by Truth if we are to grow and flourish in all God has for us. It’s during these wilderness seasons—these “moments of seeming estrangement”, of stripping away, of barrenness, that it remains crucial to hang on, white-knuckled fisted, to every-single-thing that God has ever revealed to us concerning Himself and His love, plans, and intentions for our lives. Why? Because we may be tempted to let go. To give up, throw in the towel. Yet what may appear as a loss, may actually be a set-up for our next level—continued growth in Him. Oxymoronic I now, but true nonetheless. Just hold on! So often in Scripture we witness this example of loosing that we might gain. Becoming poor to be rich, blind to see, empty in order to be full…

Nonetheless, it is in these sacred moments of surrender that our intimacy with God grows richer, deeper, and our trust in Him is strengthened. Where the milk of the Word is left behind—replaced by solid food. Growth occurs. New levels of faith are required to let go and step out when everything in our flesh is screaming for us to hang on tighter than ever! Yesterdays faith won’t do today. God is doing a new thing. In these moments of surrender, God teaches us to be water-walkers. To Trust Him anew. Peter will vouch for this. So will Job, Abraham, Moses, and David. Elijah too… “the LORD appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore, I have continued to extend faithful love to you” –Jeremiah 31:3. Yet before any of us gets too heady—begins to take ourselves too seriously, crediting our following His call to our own abilities, allow me to point out (to myself first) that it is God alone who enables us to act so boldly. Outside of Him we can do nothing of eternal value. It is God alone who prompts us. Enlivening us. Calling us to follow Him. Stirring up within us the very desires, thoughts, and actions required to answer His call. Stirrings that most surely appear to be of our own creation. Ideas to do this or that—say this thing, or the other. He alone nudges us from our torpor; our satisfied sameness; just as an Eagle nudges the chicks she cares for out of the nest they’ve gotten all-to-comfortable in.

Comfort kills our growth—content causes us to stop chasing after God…

All the while it is—and has always has been, the Holy Spirit within us that’s been leading and guiding us, stirring us up, directing us towards all that God has already done for us. Prepared for us. “For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him” –Philippians 2:13. Remember, He does not send us anywhere He’s not already been. Going before us as a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night, He clears the path for us to walk upon. Yet, as our Scripture indicates, even if this God who has given us everything—literally, chooses not to bless us with one thing more or asks us to return everything He’s already given us, unto our very lives; our answer to His every request should still be—must be, a resounding yes! Even if our voice is trembling in our assent. Christ alone is all we ever need and far more than we deserve. His power, not ours. Gifts or no gifts. Favor or no favor. Blessings or no blessings. To have been chosen by God is more than any man, I speak for myself here, could ever hope for. And was certainly never expected! Holiness came straight to the well to find one such as me. Into the mire of the pig pen! “Not that we are sufficiently qualified in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency and qualifications come from God” –2 Corinthians 3:5

So, what does one do—what did I do, when He asked me to leave a new home, my Church family—my son and granddaughter, job, my familiar everything—the place I most certainly thought I’d be going home from, and follow Him once again? What do you do when He asks you to trust Him and walk on water?

First I gulped! I cried a little—it hurts to let go. Then I stepped out…

And gradually, through His loving-kindness, His infinite mercy and undeserved grace, He calmed the tumultuous waters of change that all too often presented themselves as life-threatening. And His peace was restored—calm. Mind you, He never got nervous, stirred up, or cried. I did that. I did it the second I took my eyes off of Him and focused them instead on all the change that was swirling around me! “Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” –Matthew 14:29-31

I still don’t know, as of this writing, where I will end up—or what it is He’s called me back here for?

I know this a week in: He is teaching me how to care less about all the stuff, people too—their opinions of me that is. How better to focus my time and energy on Him instead—be with Him. To live with my hands wide open—fingers stretched, holding everything loosely. Every-thing. And I can’t image being in a better place than here, freed from distractions, to sit with Him—and share with you. Trusting, that in due season, He will show me, allow me to see, His purpose for leading me here. And restoration of the “thing'” will come. But even if they don’t…“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” –Galatians 2:20.

Until then—I will stand firm in the faith He has blessed me with and I will praise Him. Simply because He is…

Friend if you’re here for the first time know that it’s Jesus who’s led you here. If you’ve not confessed your sins to Him, today is the day—now is the time. Won’t you ask Him to be your Lord? He loves you. He has a great plan for your life. It’s never too late to call on God. But why wait? No man is promised tomorrow…

 

 

The Fulcrum. Genesis 1:2

May 20, 2018 /

 “Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.”

He has always been. He stood over the void and called everything into existence…

He led the Israelite’s as a pillar of fire by night, and as a cloud by day. He was the mighty rushing wind that swept through an upper room, turning customs and preconceived ideas upside down. You see, nothing can come into contact with Him and remain the same. Nothing.

Who is He? He is the Holy Spirit of God. He is God…

He has always been. So, what does that mean? What does that look like for the one who knows Him or, for the one who’s still seeking?

Simply stated—He knows everything. Sees everything. Is in every place—all the time. Nothing has ever, nor will ever escape Him. The Bible says it this way: “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” –Revelation 22:13. He is the only One who knows the thoughts of God—His plans. 1 Corinthians 2:11 assures us of this, listen: “For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.” So, what do you do when this all-knowing, all-seeing God puts His finger on an area of your life, requesting access ? If you’re wise, you move with Him. Allowing Him access to all and everything—to more than He’s asking for…

After all, it’s all His!

The Bible is riddled with people who have had this experience with Him, this “requesting.” We are privy, as we read about them, to glean from their decisions. The paths they took—their choices, both wrong and right. And, what those choices left in their wake—blessings, or losses. We can make a list of sorts, of do’s and don’ts, to save ourselves from making the same mistakes those who went before us made. This is wisdom. “Without good advice everything goes wrong–it takes careful planning for things to go right.” –Proverbs 15:22

Moses knew this. So did Noah. Abraham knew this too. And he, like they, came into a fuller, a far deeper, a richer understanding of this wisdom when He felt the Spirit of God leading him to walk away from all he’d ever known. To leave behind his life and family, his work and home. To grab on to Gods promise more, His command, to set out for, “A land I will show you” (Genesis 12:1). Abraham loved God—he trusted Him, and so he took that promise, stuck it deep in his pocket, and went as the Spirit had commanded him. And,  as a result of his submission to the leaning of the Holy Spirit on that area of his life, blessings were left in the wake of his decision to submit.

To stay in current step with the leaning of the Holy Spirit on an area of your life—you’re going to have to move, stay fluid, submissive, under His weight—least you collapse! —Pastor Wayne Cordeiro

He is our fulcrum.

He exerts pressure on a specific area in our lives—asking us to trust Him, to change perhaps, give up, turn over to Him, surrender, conform— possibly grow or expand into something else—something more. And, with that moment of asking, we are also given a choice. Yet, take it or not, He will have His way. He alone is God. Yet, He wishes for us—His heart for us is this: that out of our great love for Him we will do what He’s asking us to do—because we trust Him, and choose to do His will. Just as any loving parent would expect…

He alone is Omniscience.

Perhaps something unpleasant or harmful is about to befall us or to someone connected to us. The Holy Spirit is pressing  so that movement will take place. Our current environment is not conducive for what He sees coming. Something must change. Much like a shard left undetected in a “perfect looking” vessel, if not removed, it can destroy the vessels future usefulness. The potter must rework the pot…  “And the vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter’s hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to do.” –Jeremiah 18:4

Jonah, unlike Abraham, Moses, and Noah, rebelled against this leaning of the Holy Spirit. Refusing, at first, to obey Gods call to go where He was leading. Jonah decided he knew better than God, not only what was best for himself—but for others as well. When we read this short book, we see just how wrong he was in not trusting God straight out of the proverbial gate. Not only did Jonah have to endure God’s effective and unique correction, he inevitably had to do what God had directed Him to do in the first place! As I said earlier—God will always have His way.

When we give our lives to Jesus Christ they truly are no longer our own…

Jonah forgot that for a minute—so do you and me. That’s why when we too are being rebellious, every once in a while, God will send a big fish into our lives as a reminder that He’s still God. Nothing escapes Him.  Though He may be long-suffering and patient with us, we’re only allowed to stray so far off course before that fish shows up! “Now the LORD had arranged for a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was inside the fish for three days and three nights.” –Jonah 1:17

We have a purpose—and He has a plan…

The judgement of an entire nation stood in the balance. God had chosen the Prophet Jonah to deliver a message of judgement over Nineveh. But because Jonah hated the Ninevites’ and knew God was likely to forgive them if they repented—he wanted nothing to do with Gods plan—so he ran. Have you ever run from what you know God was calling you to do? Perhaps fear, insecurity or maybe stiff-necked rebellion made you say no to God? How did that work out for you? My guess is, God sent a fish of some sort your way? Did you, like Jonah,  inevitably relent, repent?

Jonah prayed to the Lord, “Isn’t this what I said, Lord, when I was still at home? That is what I tried to forestall by fleeing to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity.”  –Jonah 4:2. See Jonah hated those in this pagan city ruled by Dagon—the fish god (don’t miss that). He wanted them judged—punished for their wickedness and their many, many sins. Jonah had forgotten that his sins, like theirs, had once separated him from the very God he now served. He’d forgotten that had it not been for the Lords infinite mercy and great loving-kindness he too would still be under God’s just judgement. He forgot he was the servant and that God alone was God.

And isn’t that true of all those who serve the Lord?

Who call themselves Christian? There are moments, if we want to come completely clean, instances where we too make rash judgments. Are goaded by hasty emotional decisions driven by fear or pain, insecurity or jealously. Judgments that are made with such uncompromising swiftness we too forget that our own sins once precluded us from ever experiencing an authentic, transformative relationship with God. Yet, just as the Holy Spirit leaned on this area of Jonah’s life to bring it back into balance—into compliance, He’ll do the same with us when we, like Jonah, are headed in the  opposite direction of Gods intended plan for our lives…

So now, the question posed earlier in this text must be answered by you the reader. If you’re feeling the Holy Spirit leaning on an area of your life—how will you respond? Will you, of your own accord, move towards where He’s leaning? Will your love and desire to be smack dab in the center of your Father’s will propel you forward? Or, as with Jonah, will God need to send a big fish your way to get your attention?

You see, nothing can come into contact with Him and remain the same. Go its own way. Nothing.

Who is He? He is the Holy Spirit of God…

Friend, if you are reading this and have not yet given your life to Christ—now is the time, today is the day! Stop what you’re doing now, right now, and ask Jesus to be the Lord of your life. Don’t wait until the fish comes! Do it today—you’re being here is not an accident. I’m praying for you! “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”—Romans 10:9

“Who Are You?” John 1:19-28

April 30, 2017 /

  

“And this is the testimony of John when the Jews sent priests and Levites to him from Jerusalem to ask him, Who are you? He confessed (admitted the truth) and did not try to conceal it, but acknowledged, I am not the Christ! They asked him, What then? Are you Elijah? And he said, I am not! Are you the Prophet? And he answered, No! Then they said to him, Who are you?…” (John 1:19-22)

The moment we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior our identity is changed. Not outwardly mind you—rather, Spiritually. We are born again. If that confuses you, you’re in good company. Nicodemus, a Pharisee, a teacher of the Law, was equally perplexed (John 3:1-3).

John, known as the Baptist, was called to point all men towards the One who would follow him—but, was not in the least inferior to him. He was called to make all men aware of their sin, and to call them to repent of those sins. Yet, John was different from those of his station. You see, John was born to Zechariah—a priest from the line of Aaron, and from Elizabeth, a relative—the cousin in fact, of Mary, Jesus’ mom. So by all accounts, he should have been found wearing a fine linen tunic and been seen serving inside the splendor and protection of the Temple.

But that’s not where we meet him—God called John—predestining him to be a forerunner. A herald. To be a voice crying out in the wilderness and, that is precisely where we come across him. Clad not in a tunic of fine linen, but rather of rough camel’s hair. In fact, it is safe to say that John was very rough. And not merely in his appearance…

Aside from his severe clothing and wild haired appearance, John also spoke coarsely. Calling those, who perhaps at a different time, would have been his contemporaries, his peers—vipers and hypocrites! You must be dead certain—so to speak, confident, of who you are, and know exactly what it is God has called you to do to be that emboldened—that antagonistic, and impertinently dismissive—of the ruling religious powers of the day! And John was.

He lived to please an audience of One, and only One…

He knew his only mission in life was to prepare the way for the coming of Messiah…

He also knew he was not that Messiah. Nor was he the Prophet Elijah—though in defense of the Pharisees and Priests, John had apparently, somewhat, adopted the appearance of Elijah in that he wore a hair-tunic tied at the waist with a leather belt (2 Kings 1:8). Nor did John consider himself a Prophet. So, when these same authorities came challenging him—asking in whose authority did he rebuke the people, calling them to repent and be baptized, he emphatically stated that his authority came from the One that was standing right in front of them—The One whom their false-piety and high-mindedness would never allow for them to truly see…

John knew both who he was, and who he was not…

He stayed in his own lane—in complete obedience to God’s call on his life—even unto death…

When challenged, concerning your faith, your calling—the work the Lord has placed before you to do, how will you answer? Because, at one time or another, you will be challenged. Are you, like John, rock solid—laser-focused in your certainty of what God has called you to be, or speak, or, to do for the advancement of His Kingdom?

Will you be able to refute others when they challenge your faith or your ministry?

If so how? And by whose authority? What is the basis of the certainty of your calling/ your relationship with Jesus? It, your confidence, should stem from your relationship with the Father. And, to fully grasp His will for your life—you must first know (ginskō, in the Greek; yada, in Hebrew) Him. “Those who do wickedly against the covenant he shall corrupt with flattery; but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits” (Dan. 11:32; emphasis my own).

This “Knowing” according to John Rittenbaugh, indicates a close, warm, and even passionate intimacy combined with head knowledge that produces an “edge” in a person’s life. This enables us to trust God and, at the same time, to perceive what He is doing. It is this factor that makes God’s Word authoritative to us.

John had it, this knowing. Jesus Himself confirms that he did, listen to what He tells two of John’s disciples sent to Him for answers: This is the one about whom it is written: “Behold, I will send My messenger ahead of You, who will prepare Your way before You. Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has risen no one greater than John the Baptist” (Matt.11:10-11).

And, there is yet another—One greater than John, if fact, He is the One John states that He was unworthy to even unlace the sandals of, Jesus—our example. Jesus had the greatest, most pure, form of this knowing of God and His will. “It is He Who, coming after me, is preferred before me, the string of Whose sandal I am not worthy to unloose” (John 1:27).

Jesus too, knew who He was. He was certain of it. As with John Jesus too was certain unto death. And, as with John, it was, in part, the certainty of that knowledge that emboldened Jesus also, to fulfill the will of the One that had called Him—sent Him, predestined Him, to save souls, to draw all men unto Himself, to restore to right relationship to Himself everyone that has, is, and, will ever, go astray…

So, in order to answer the question posed to you today, like John, you must first know Jesus. And, like Jesus—you must know God—His will for your life, starting with His deepest desire. And that is for you to have a relationship with Him. That He be both Lord and Savior of your life.

And that can only happen when you accept Jesus into your heart…

Then, and only then, will you, too, be truly able to state emphatically who you are! “My Father is honored by this, that you bear much fruit and show that you are my disciples” (John 15:8).

And, if you’re reading this and you’re not sure who you are, then I beg you—now, to ask Jesus into your life as both your Lord and Savior. “Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved” (Romans 10:9-10).

Plainly stated, you will be able to boldly reply to anyone that may ask, who are you? I am a Son/Daughter of The Most High God, saved by His amazing grace…

And that is the most potentially life-changing answer you may ever give to anyone!  Just ask John, or better still, Jesus. “And they overcame him (Satan) because of the blood of the Lamb, and because of the word of their testimony; and they loved not their life even unto death” ( Rev.12:11).

“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).

 

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