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

Tag: faith (Page 7 of 10)

If You’ll Just Follow… Mark 8:36

December 23, 2018 /

 “For what does it benefit a man to gain the whole world [with all its pleasures], and forfeit his soul? For what will a man give in exchange for his soul and eternal life [in God’s kingdom]?”

If you’d be so kind as to indulge me for a moment or two—I promise you, by the time we part company today, we’ll have discovered some Truths together…

Today I was led to the book of Zechariah.

It’s where my journey with the Lord began this morning. But, before I get into what He revealed, allow me to share just how joy-filled it is to sit at the feet of the Lord and have Him open the eyes of my understanding to His Truth! It’s as humbling today as it was the very first time the proverbial light-of-my-understanding was flicked on! Just like that, out of seemingly nowhere, bam! Truth is realized! And, as a result, I am forever changed in some great or small way. And so are you! Or, you certainly can be! Take a moment to think about that the next time you’re in your Word. The Creator of the universe is right there with you whispering His Truth into your spirit; causing your belly to jump in response to His presence with you!

Elizabeth knew a thing or two about this…

But it was the mention of being “brought through the fire” in verse 9 of Zechariah 13 that caused me to pause today. It resonated with me. In its reading I was reminded of a Word the Lord had spoken to me almost a year ago now concerning my imminent relocation. Sitting with Him one morning I had heard the Word ‘crucible’ drop in my spirit. I knew this was a Word concerning the season He was leading me into.  Now, I don’t know about you, but I’ve been walking with the Lord long enough to know that when you hear a Word like that drop in your spirit—buckle up! This was not going to be a mountaintop season—no refreshing time by the brook for this gal! This was going to be one of those walking through the shadow of the valley of death deals! Mine that is. I knew God was about to do a deep work in me. I also knew it was time…

Let us be re-minded that in this season of giving the very act of giving itself is designed to cost us something…

My first clue came in a “suddenly” moment. Standing at my kitchen island I heard the Lord say, “take your hands off of it.” Foolishly in the moment I thought He was referring to the new home He had just provided. In other words, “don’t get too attached to it.” See He’d dealt with me in the past about making idols of “things”. So, it was easy for me to see this as a reminder: This is a gift, NOT a possession!

Hence the hands-off thing…

I had no idea in that moment however, that in a just a few short months, not only would I leave that new home behind but with it my family, friends, my church family, my ministry work, and, the islands I so love. Those same Islands God has been bringing me back and forth between for the past 27 years! Would I ever come back?  Like I said, I had no idea this was coming. His ways are surely not mine!I would love to tell you that I was all super-spiritual and instantly—joyfully obeyed His command to pack it up, give it away, and go where He was leading me. But that would be a lie. However, I did pack. I did give away what I was told to, and I did go amid one of the worst hurricanes the Islands had seen in years. So severe was this storm that just 48 hours prior to my departure there were no flights off the islands due to the menacing wind. Only by Gods divine Hand was the storm turned away and literally swept out to sea.

His Word will not return to Him void…

Allow me to pause here and clarify something important: I was joy-filled to hear from God; that is my Spirit-man was. My flesh on the other hand, not so much.

Now you may be thinking, nice testimony, but what does this have to do with today’s scripture, or to your earlier reference of being led to the book of Zechariah? It’s here then that I will thank you for patiently following along. More, where I will start filling in the pieces of this puzzle for you…

In this season when everyone is running around searching for the perfect gift to give, it was in and through each of these passages that the Lord re-minded me of that one “perfect gift” He requires from us—from me, His children. A heart of obedience. One completely surrendered to His Lordship. After-all, it’s a large part of the reason He came for you and me. Why He chose us. Why He allowed Himself to be wrapped in milk rags and sleep in the leftover straw meant for animals. It’s why He gave up heaven and took on human flesh. It’s why that same flesh was ripped open by the Roman lictors whips. Why He held His Cross as one would hold their lover. It’s why He laid down upon it—willingly, stretching Himself wide; He wanted there to be room “for all who will” inside the Inn of His Body. It’s why this Spotless One took on every filthy thing I have ever done, said, thought. You too. He did this, and so much more, for us both. He did it for each soul that has ever been, is now, and those yet to be called by His great name.

Is there anything we might gain that is worth having outside of Jesus?

Is a fine home, a car, beautiful furnishings, cash in the bank, exotic destinations, the best of spouses or a house filled with children; never mind some finely wrapped gifts given us at Christmas worth having if our not knowing Jesus is the price we must pay to have them?

I say no. There is nothing. No thing I would exchange for knowing, and being both known and loved by my Lord. Nothing. And, that’s scary to say out loud. Though I know that I know He works all things together for my good—those “things He’s working with” are often exacting. Yet still, it’s on trembling knees I lovingly say, “not my will but Thine be done.” After all, I am His. Who else is there for me but Him?

It was in reading Zechariah 13 verse 8 that I was re-minded I have been chosen in Christ Jesus. Saved to serve my Savior. And, in verse nine how it is through this fire of adversity spoken of—this election of sacrifice and refining, that He burns off my dross. One day we will—I will, stand before Him spotless and without wrinkle. Oh, glorious day! It was during this same time that a verse we sing at this time of the year found its way into my heart. Thinking of it again now I am brought to my knees: “Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth…”

Oh, night divine! Oh, holy night…!

And there is it. My life, your life, the greatest gift we will ever receive laid out for us in nine simply profound and life-changing words. My worth—your worth, is found in Christ alone! Be re-minded of that in this season of hope beloved! Receive this precious gift friend. Is there any “thing” He might ask of us that is too great to give back to the One who came as Gods greatest, most costly gift to the world?

Friend, if you’ve yet to meet Him—to experience the life-changing joy of His birth, don’t let this Christmas pass without finding your way to His side and bow before Him in humble adoration. And, if you’re unsure just how to find Him, fear not, He is as faithful to guide you today as He was to those lowly shepherds so long ago… “And this will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there appeared with the angel a great multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests” … Luke 2:12-14!

And, to my brothers and sisters I welcome you to join me in worshiping anew our King. The greatest gift we will ever be given, Jesus Christ, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. May His star burn brightly in your hearts. And, may it be used as it was that first night to lead those who will to Him…

 

Convergence. Mark 5: 29-30

November 25, 2018 /

 “Immediately her flow of blood was dried up; and she felt in her body [and knew without any doubt] that she was healed of her suffering. Immediately Jesus, recognizing in Himself that power had gone out from Him, turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched My clothes?”

 

More blood. Another day of isolation and sameness. Would it ever stop?

Have you ever felt this way? Is there something “bleeding” in your life?

It was just another day in the village. The sun had risen as it always had—and with it, her never-ending flow of blood. This was her morning; every day. For years—12 to be exact. The sun rose, and the blood flowed. “But one day Lord, I know you will heal my body, I just know you will.” She had whispered this little prayer every morning, hopefully. Trying to believe that at any moment it would happen—her healing that is. She offered it up, this silent pray, as she scattered the morning grain to those hungry hens that gathered unfailingly the moment they heard her footsteps. She had no idea however, that this day, unlike all the others, would usher in the end of her long years of suffering. No idea it would afford her what all the money she’d spent in vain never could. What no doctors visit ever did. She had no idea that every wet-eyed midnight plea, every sunlit prayer was about to be answered…

“She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse” –vs.26.

The sudden commotion in the village was her first clue. The air was abuzz with a myriad of babbling voices. A large crowd was forming near the edge of the nearby lake. At its center, Jairus, leader of the synagogue. And with him some stranger whom Jairus seemed to be pleading with. She didn’t know who this stranger was. She didn’t recognize the One who held her healing. The One to whom her silent prayers ascended, day after day. She didn’t know that before she was even born this very second had been ordained. And, as a result, life as she had known it these past 12 years would be changed forever…

As I read this account of the unnamed woman with the issue of blood, I was struck by the “suddenly” of her healing. Of her encountering Jesus. Of how every single detail concerning that divine moment had to have lined up perfectly in order that she be healed and set free by days end. I was reminded of exactly how involved God is in every detail, every second of our lives—and, how unaware we can be of Him. How we have the propensity to wander through our days robotically, excepting whatever comes our way at face value—life becomes just another day of unremitting bleeding. Like lemmings, we follow rote days that turn into rote weeks that become rote years of living minus any sense of genuine expectancy that at any moment, God may show up suddenly—changing everything!  Just as He did for our unnamed woman. Just as He did for me. Just as He does for so many of His “unnamed” children.

God is moved when our faith, no matter how small, is put into action. Suddenly, He shows up and, as a result, nothing is ever the same…

At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes” –vs. 30?

Scripture makes it clear that our unnamed woman had never met Jesus—she’d only heard tell of this man who performed many miracles. It struck me that though she’d not met Him, she most certainly had a measure of faith. Otherwise, why would Jesus have said that her faith had healed her? Some might argue here that she had nothing to lose. That she’d lost everything, had been ostracized long enough, suffered long enough, that it all finally culminated into her running out into the crowd chasing after the One she’d heard the others tell stories of. That faith was not the motivating force behind her dash towards Jesus, rather it was sheer desperation that drove her towards Him that fateful day…

Even so, who’s to say that Jesus won’t use our moments of desperation? Won’t allow our weaknesses, fears, and failures—our illnesses and insecurities, our fractured families and relationships, those moments of sheer exasperation that cause us to crack, to serve His good pleasure? Use them to break up the fallow ground of our hearts, preparing them to fully receive Him? Who says He won’t allow “our bleeding” to be used both to water and to cultivate our tiny seeds of fragile embryonic faith?

Anyone who’s received their salvation later in life—possibly after years of having lived life on their own terms, will, I believe understand this …

Perchance this is what happened to the woman with the issue of blood?

It could be she needed to spend every dime she had, see every doctor that was available, spend countless nights in fear and burdened with worry before she would cry out to God in complete surrender. Some folks need to come to the end of themselves before they’ll humble themselves before Jesus. And too, God will allow us to do things our own way—even if our way isn’t beneficial to us. I liken this to a willful child determined to do things their own way. Loving parents will try to guide them—direct their child towards a path that will benefit their future. Yet, in their rebellious determination to do things their own way, the child runs recklessly headlong on their chosen path of self-destruction. Often getting hurt, losing money, friends, jobs, and precious years of their lives in the process. Ask anyone whose struggled with addiction, they’ll tell you…

Is this where we find our woman with the issue of blood? Is she at the end of herself—her money, patients, and precious time spent stubbornly chasing after a healing that has consistently eluded her?

Has she, like so many of us, exhausted herself through relentless self-sufficiency? Much like the hamster on his proverbial wheel?

Or, did she, like many who’ve been “bleeding”, want nothing more than to taste normalcy and acceptance once again? Hope to be included once again? Become a functioning member of their family, neighborhood, community once again. Join in again. Being rid, finally, and completely, of what has held them captive—isolating them for far too long. Was she instead proving to each of us what true faith in the face of continuous adversity looks like? Was she showing us that even an anemic, isolated faith can muster the strength necessary to push past everything in its way when empowered by the Holy Spirit? Allowing it thus to be led to the place where desperation, desire, and destiny converge. Where the plans to prosper and not to harm finally see the Light of day? “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed” –Mark 5: 22.

On behalf of every person who is weak from years of “bleeding” I believe, and Scripture certainly appears to favor that it’s this later scenario, rather than the former, that enabled this woman to come to the only One who had destined to meet her at this particular shore at this particular time.  To allow His virtue to flow into her the moment she allowed herself to go low—to push past everything that had prohibited her to press forward until now. To exchange her un-cleanness and shame—her isolation and pain, for His love, recognition, and healing. The old covenant replaced by the New. By her willingness to drag the ground if need be, the woman with the issue of blood was able to finally stand tall. She was healed. Freed. At peace. There’s a paradox that’s proved in this healing: it wasn’t simply touching Jesus’ garment that healed this woman. It was, according to Jesus’ own Words, her touch of “faith that had freed her and made her whole” –Mark 5:34.

If this is you today my brother or sister, if something in your life is “bleeding”, has caused you to become weakened; whether physically or psychological; If depression or addiction, fear or cutting or drugs, sex or porn has held you captive far too long, then please, I beseech you, take a page from this woman’s playbook. Run after Jesus in faith believing—regardless of those things or people that surround you. Allow your desperation to converge with the wooing of the Holy Spirit so that you too might touch the only One who can make you whole…

And friend, if you’ve yet to ask Jesus into your life—if you’ve yet to meet Him, today is your day! He has led you hear that you too might reach out in faith believing and be made whole in Him. Won’t you stretch out your hand in faith today?

 

 

 

 

 

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…

 

 

A Promise In The Storm… Matthew 14:27

August 26, 2018 /

“But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!'”

“I am here!” A promise from God in the midst of your storm—your trial, is the only anchor that will surely keep you from going adrift…

My suitcases are packed. Boxes shipped, my ticket long purchased. I’m due to get on the plane Saturday night…

I had made peace with leaving my beloved Aina. Hawaii Nei, my other home. One need not be born in a place for it to be their home. Now, just days before I’m scheduled to leave for my return to the mainland hurricane Lane has hit our Island chain. Red, raging, swirling models of a “catastrophic category 5 hurricane” flashing on everything that can flash. Island wide tsunami warning sirens alerting us all that danger is on the way—is imminent;to say nothing of the obviousness of nature’s warnings. Its lashing, tree bending winds. Rain that’s causing once trickling streams to turn into raging Niagara’s overnight. Yup. This is happening live…

So, what do you do then when the unexpected storm hits you?

When every fear-filled voice you hear—your own included, is warning; “danger’s about to come and kick in your door!” This is no polite little storm. Well, first, you catch your breath. When an unexpected storm threatens your life it most certainly can take our breath away. It’s OK. Acknowledge the feelings—the fear of the unknown. Just don’t live there. Give yourself time to process what you’re facing.

If you try to get rid of fear and anger without knowing their meaning, they will grow stronger and return. –Deepak Chopra

But please, in the midst of your fear stop and pray. Even if all you can manage is; “God I’m afraid. I don’t know what to do with this. Help me please!” Those simple words invite God in. They connect you to the source of your strength. Yes, certainly you heed the advice, the professionals: you shop for food, close windows, seek shelter, yes you need to apply the wisdom God has given you. What you shouldn’t do, what isn’t wise, is to answer the door each time fear incessantly knocks on it with every gust of wind or downed branch. That is simply crazy making. It’s a thief…

Is it easy to tear your eyes away from the flashing screens, text alerts, and bending trees? Away from that doctor’s report, those divorce papers, or that grave stone? Away from the bottle of whatever that’s calling your name? No. No it’s not. For anyone that has ever been through such a storm—whether natural, physical, or emotional, you know exactly what I’m talking about…

For those that have not—pay attention. The storm is coming. I’m not being a naysayer. It’s just life. Storms are inevitable. They take courage to endure. They take faith because every now and again, a storm will hit with such unforeseen, unexpected intensity that the absolute best you can do is: do the stuff on the list and then surrender to the process.

Lean into the fact that you are not—are not, repeat, you are not in control. Prayerfully, you know the One who is.

The One who speaks to the storms—even the category Five storms that hit us unexpectantly. God alone telling them to be still. Notice I didn’t say He removes the storm—nor it’s often ravaging effects. He didn’t get to skip the ravaging effects of His storm, the Cross—so who are we, His followers, to think we should escape the effects of ours? Sometime the storm is exactly what we need in order that we arrive safely at our next destination. Oxymoron I know. But if you’ve known God for any length of time, you know what I’m saying is true. Sometimes the storms of life are God’s way of rerouting us. Now, does that mean He caused our storm? No. not necessarily. But maybe? Or maybe He simply allowed it to fulfill His plans—His purpose for our life. He most certainly knew it was coming. So, He put a plan in place that would benefit you, me, each of us—In the end. What I’m saying is: rather than removing the storms, He gives us the peace and the strength we need to walk through them. To not fold because of them. He walks through them with us—hand-in hand.

The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek. – Joseph Campbell

I had absolutely no intention of posting again until September 9th. Until I had reached the mainland and had a moment to walk through this transition, to acclimate a bit—get my footing. Once again, God had a different plan. I’m typing this as I’m watching palm trees bowing at the waist. While I listen to the music of the wind—a mighty rushing wind. His voice truly does rise above all others if we are listening. “Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track” –Proverbs 3:6.

I’ll keep this short. If you’re facing a storm today—whatever its size or intensity, please, listen for the voice of God in the midst of it. I promise you—I promise you, He’s right there with you. “The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still” –Exodus 14:14.

And, if you’ve not met this God that speaks to the storms—now is the time. Don’t go through one more storm on your own. Repent of your sins, say your sorry and mean it. Ask God to come into your life as Lord and Savior. Let God speak peace—not perfection, not your expected, desired outcome—but peace, into your storm. “Jesus stood up and gave a command to the wind and the water. He said, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind stopped, and the lake became calm’” –Mark 4:39.

Delayed does not mean denied! Trust God. I had my plan in place. But so, did God… “A man’s mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps and makes them sure” –Proverbs 16:9.

 

Three Crosses: The Conclusion. Matthew 6:33

August 12, 2018 /

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

It has always been and will forever be, all about Jesus…

We preach Christ crucified. This is the focal point of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is a picture of blood flowing from Christ’s veins as He hung on the cross. The message of shed blood is repugnant to many, and they turn from such a gory sight, feeling that their delicate sensibilities have been outraged. Many people will accept Christ’s character, but they reject His crucifixion. –Billy Graham

“It is finished.” The three most powerful Words ever spoken. In them the “amen” to every promise God ever made for those who believe in Him…

Those three Words were sitting inside Jesus’s mouth waiting to be released over a world He had yet to speak into existence. As He said, “Let there be light”, “It is finished” was holding its breath, back straight, ready—waiting its turn. As the Light of the world literally spoke light into existence—a way had been made too for that same Light to pierce the darkness of sin-stained hearts…

… “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit” –John 19:30. The cross of Jesus Christ is elemental to the Christian faith. The cross unveils the character of God. The Cross is where God’s love for sinners and His perfect justice converge. It’s where Jesus said a visible yes to the will of God. “Yes, I’ll lay down my life for them Father.” “Yes, though it means leaving heaven to take on their every sin, I’ll go. Though it means wrapping up the Light of my glory, concealing it in flesh, though it means betrayal and heartbreak and hunger and pain, though it means rejection and ridicule, being momentarily forsaken by You, I’ll go. Though it meant that the One who knew no sin would take into Himself every sin that every person ever created had ever committed—past, present, and future, still, before any one of us had broken through our mother’s womb—drew our first breath in, He had already said yes, “I’ll die for her, for him, for all of them”.

If God had to send His only Son to the cross in order to pay for sin, than sin must be dark indeed in the sight of God.–Billy Graham

In the Cross we see two inseparable Truths:

The greatest proof of Love known to man was ordained before one living-soul stepped foot on the earth. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” “It is rare indeed for anyone to die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” And, besides this evidence of such great a love, we see evidence too of God’s intense hatred of sin. Both attributes are inextricably linked, foundational Truths standing side-by-side, indivisible. “The one who sins is the one who will die. The child will not share the guilt of the parent, nor will the parent share the guilt of the child. The righteousness of the righteous will be credited to them, and the wickedness of the wicked will be charged against them” (John 3:16; Romans 5:7-8; Ezekiel 18:20).

And, though we have His love and can also know His Love; to fully rest in its promises, we must first come to the Cross He stepped down across time and space to lay Himself upon. And we must answer His call of Love. We must first confess our guilt and ask forgiveness for it. We, like Peter, must answer this one question: “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed), the Son of the living God” –Matthew 16:15-16.

In so doing, in answering this one life-changing question, what we’re professing is this:

Jesus I know, I admit, You are God. I know I deserve to be hanging there—not You. I know it should be my blood spilled and not yours. I’m the sinner, not You. I’m sorry, terribly sorry, I repent of my sins and I thank you that You’ve made a place at the foot of Your Cross for me to come and acknowledge openly that You are God and I am not, and that I need you. Thank you for taking my place Jesus. And thank you that I’m now able to serve you, to be with you eternally…

This final teaching on the Cross of Christ may make some a bit uncomfortable. I make no apologies for that. Truth can often makes us squirm a bit. And that’s okay. Rather, I boldly offer you the Truth His Cross offers the world—the Life it affords us all. Instead of offering an apology for the Cross, I’ll ask that you think of—conjure up, the most unimaginable, most vile, hate-filled, perverse, twisted sin you can scarcely image, have ever heard tell of.

Got it? Now, understand this: As much as God hates that sin, hates all sin—He loves us, the sinners, infinitely more…

That same Cross that offends so many, that shed Blood of Jesus Christ—the Sinless Son of God, the One who left heaven for you and me, took that unimaginable sin, no, more, He willingly died, to take upon Himself all the unimaginable sins. And, with them, every other sin ever committed—and to be committed, so that the ones who confess those sins and truly repent of them will not have to die for having committed them. He did that for us—died in our place that is. That is the power, the humility, the forgiveness, and the unfathomable pure Love of our final and greatest Cross. The Cross of Jesus Christ. Sit with that thought for a second…

This Jesus came and in His coming, is the incarnate New Covenant. Covering laws, we could not keep with His Blood, once for all, so that we might be afforded life eternal. “For if that first [covenant] had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second” –Hebrews 8:7.

All are welcomed at Jesus’ Cross. It doesn’t matter who you are, Jew or gentile, black, white, brown, tan or “other”. It doesn’t matter what you’ve done, or who you’ve done it with. It doesn’t matter who you identify as—not even that “scarcely unimaginable sin” you’d heard of earlier is any match for the Love God has for you. For the Power of Jesus’ shed Blood to scrub it so white, only you will ever know it was ever there. “And love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins” –1 John 4:10.

So, to recap: At our first cross, the Law, we saw God lay down an exacting, yet life-giving path that leads us towards the knowledge of who He is—of His standards. At our second Cross, we witnessed Jesus teaching us—transitioning us, readying us for a more intimate, a more “Parent-child” relationship with Himself. Teaching us the “how to’s” of presenting ourselves, our prayers and petitions, before Him. How to carry on a conversation with our Father. And here, now, at our third and final Cross—The Cross of Christ, we witness the price God our Father was willing to pay that we might be restored into relationship with Him. A relationship destroyed by sin. A relationship only the Cross of Christ; faith in Truth of His life, death, and resurrection could afford us… “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us” –2 Corinthians 5:21.

The cross of Christ is not only the basis of our peace and hope–but it is the means of our eternal salvation. The goal of the cross is not only a full and free pardon, but a changed life lived in fellowship with God. No wonder Paul said 2,000 years ago, “We preach Christ crucified.” The world needs this message today. This is the message of hope, peace, and brotherhood. This is what the world calls “foolishness” but what God has been pleased to call “wisdom.” What do you call it? –Billy Graham

Friend, if you haven’t yet come to His Cross, I implore you to come today. Christ died for you. Confess your sins to Him, ask Him into your life, and let your life truly begin anew… “Therefore if anyone is in Christ [that is, grafted in, joined to Him by faith in Him as Savior], he is a new creature [reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit]; the old things [the previous moral and spiritual condition] have passed away. Behold, new things have come [because spiritual awakening brings a new life]” –2 Corinthians 5:17.

Stand-in Faith. Mark 2:3-12

June 10, 2018 /

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

What might stand-in faith look like?

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

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

We’re told only that their friend is paralyzed…

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

They believed God…

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

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

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

Let those who have ears hear…

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

And it did…

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

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

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

These 4 had been so moved…

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

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

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

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

He was made new…

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ask Jesus into your heart now…

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

 

 

Worthy. John 14:1

March 18, 2018 /

 “Do not let your heart be troubled (afraid, cowardly). Believe [confidently] in God and trust in Him, [have faith, hold on to it, rely on it, keep going and] believe also in Me.” 

Worthy. None of us are. We each deserve death for our sins against God alone. Yet, because of the Precious Lamb of God, because of the One, the only One, who is and was and will forever be worthy, we who have been chosen by Him, washed in His shed Blood, are made worthy through Him…

We are witnesses to the shift in a conversation. A shift in the way we witness love—our understanding of it, our part in it, our own worth as a result of it…

Jesus has talked to His disciples about His impending death. But, during this conversation, one of these, Peter, proclaims that so great is his love, his belief in Jesus—that he’s ready to die for him! And that’s where Jesus tells Peter—bold Peter, certain Peter, that not only won’t he die for Him anywhere soon—he’s about to betray Him by denying he ever knew Him! In fact, Jesus gets so specific, He tells Peter that he’ll deny Him not once, or twice, but three times before the morning fully comes…

And then it happens. The pivot—the shift in the conversation…

As if Jesus had not just dropped these back to back “bombs”—these, game changing, life altering declarations, He tells everyone present to be calm—not to get all worked up about what He had just said. “Do not let your heart be troubled.” Are you kidding me right now! Don’t let your hearts be troubled after Jesus, tells them that He’s about to die after only three years of friendship? Really? They were just getting to know and deeply trust Him…

And what of Him being the Messiah?

Who would free them from Roman tyranny if He died?

And Why? Why was this happening? How could Jesus say something so contrary to the state of each of their “already fearful” hearts?

“Believe in God, believe also in Me.”  Jesus is trying to shift their focus from fear and fright—to a deeper faith in Him. Towards the work He knew He was about to do, and had already done, in them. He knew also that in just a moment the Holy Spirit would come to them turning their mourning, their fear and sadness, in to joy unspeakable! He’d turn their every question mark into a period. He’d expose them to Pure Truth.

Jesus knew His friends believed in Him, but He also knew that even believers have heart trouble at times. And this was one of those times. Yet, if they would only trust in Him just a little longer…

Our friends had each missed the shift—the opportunity to change the basic assumptions they had lived out as fact. They missed the peek into Truth—into what was truly real. Into the who, what and why of Jesus, the purpose for His coming—and going. They missed entirely how their worth was really His. How when God saw them—He saw Jesus and His finished redemptive work in their lives—and ours.They had each been called to follow Him. To leave all that they had known, were, for this new life He had for them, in Him…

They missed the clue Jesus had just given them into what was about to happen—to them all…

Jesus knew long before any of these had even thought to follow Him He had chosen them as the very vessels He would use to usher in His Church—the Way. Use them to bring about, to cause, an upheaval in the fixed, rigid, legalistic, idolatrous world system. The way in which some Jews, and the rest of the world, had come to view God, His Temple, and their relationship with Him.

And, Peter was about to become the leader of this new revolution!

It’s why he was, in part, created—chosen. Made worthy. Redeemed, again and again. Yes, this same Peter whom Jesus had just stated would thrice betray Him will end up being the great apostle God will use to build His Church.  If you’ve ever betrayed Jesus, you should be shouting for joy now! Not for your betrayal, but because If God forgave Peter and saw worth in him—He’ll  do the same for you too!

It is, was, and will forever be—all about Jesus. His work. His will. His choosing and love of us, first, that makes us worthy to boldly come before Him.

Where we see failure, frailty, ambiguity, God sees our worth…

Jesus alone modeled an untroubled heart amid what certainly appeared—to those gathered, to be a time of trouble. He alone knew Gods will not only for Himself—for why He had come at all, but also for each one gathered with Him and more—for you and me and for the whole of humanity. We are their harvest, the apostles. But we are Gods seed.

Jesus saw Peter as worthy—as a son, not as a betrayer. Perhaps that’s why He didn’t belabor the point with Peter concerning his betrayal after He had spoken of it? Jesus saw Peter as a finished product—complete and sinless in Himself; high and lifted-up—already seated with Him in Heaven, victorious. Through the very work He had talked to them about and would soon accomplish on His Cross—by His resurrection, the defeat of sin, death, and the grave, it was through this reality—by this Truth, that Peter, and each of these disciples was made worthy.

As are each of us called by His name and into the family of God…

Jesus continues telling His friends that shortly, it may seem that He’s left them—He never will. But, He must go before them to prepare all that He has predestined for them all from the moment it entered Him to bring them forth, give them life and a purpose, a calling. He reminds them—instills in them, that He is the only way in which anyone can be re-united with God. He tells them plainly that in seeing Him, they have in fact—seen God. And, if they can’t yet get their heads around that fact for its own sake, believe it because of all His works—the signs, wonders, and miracles He had done.

This is the second time our friends have heard Jesus claiming this same Truth.

It was wintertime in Jerusalem, the time of Hanukkah. Jesus and these same friends were walking around the Temple near Solomon’s colonnade when a high-spirited crowd broaches Him with a very pointed question. Read John 10:22-42 to hear their whole conversation…

But to get back to the conversation Jesus is having with His friends—lets once again listen in…

Jesus affirms each of them as worthy in Him—by Him, through Him, as He tells them that these very same miracles He has done they too will do—and even greater things than these! He reiterates that He’s going back to the Father and, in that moment a mystery is exposed to them—yet another shift occurs. Jesus makes plain that because He’s going back to God they will now be able to have access to the same power of God Jesus Himself had. All they must do is ask the Father anything in His name and, so long as it’s the Fathers will, it will be done for them as it was for Jesus. Because of His choice of them—they have been made worthy of heaven—of relationship with God. Of sonship.

And, Jesus will use them each to change the world for heaven’s sake!

One cannot meet God and remain unchanged. Christ in them caused such a love for Himself to swell up on the inside, they joyfully, willingly, obeyed His commands. Just as He lovingly, willingly obeyed the Father’s. Christ in us—a true encounter with Christ, will always cause disruption to our norm.  Will always bring about both a letting go—and a letting in. Love makes us want to be—stretch to become, the very best version of ourselves. Love causes us to surrender to itself. And, it is in that surrender that our worth is found. We are worthy because He chose us as His own.

The question is—do you believe it?

Have you found your worth in the Living God—Jesus Christ? If you don’t know Him, haven’t yet met Him, invited Him, and all He offers you, into your life, do it today. While there’s still time. Why continue living feeling like your unworthy when God has so much more planned for your life? Christ died to show you just how worthy He thought you were. Don’t pass that by. Call out to the One who holds your worth, my worth, in the palm of His nail pierced hand…

“Do not let your heart be troubled (afraid, cowardly). Believe [confidently] in God and trust in Him, [have faith, hold on to it, rely on it, keep going and] believe also in Me.” 

Sound Familiar? Matthew 14:30

February 25, 2018 /

 “But when he saw the wind, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried out, saying, Lord, save me.”

What greater words could any man ever utter! How blessed a plea! Three simple words that sum up our hearts cry when we acknowledge—are face to face with, the limits of our mortal coil…

“Lord, save me!”

Only a moment ago Peter was boldly—confidently, asking Jesus to bid him come to Him on the water—so that he too could walk upon the waves. Now, moments later, Peter is being swallowed up by this very same raging sea!

What was sure and solid beneath him a second ago—is now threatening to consume him! Yet, before Peter realizes that he is dealing with the engulfing effects doubt can have on a soul—he’s able to cry out to the only One he knows can help him—save him, Jesus…

When Jesus bid Peter come He was promising him he could in fact, do what he sought to do—walk on water. And, for one faith-filled moment Peter did just that. He defied the law of nature through the power of the One who both created and controls nature! When we doubt the promises given us by God—when we start to pick-and-choose what we’ll believe, once we allow doubt in—our faith is damaged, weakened, and, will inevitably fail us as it did Peter. And, we will find ourselves being swallowed up by waves of doubt as well…

Have you ever been in this same state with Jesus?

One minute your chest is bursting with bold confidence that you truly can do all things through Christ in you. Then, just for a second you take your eyes off Him, and before you know what hit you—wham! You too are being swallowed up by doubt! Taken under by lack of faith…

You’re in need of saving—yet again!

As a Christian, it’s not difficult for me to imagine the confusion, shame and guilt Peter might have felt after Jesus restored him safely back into the boat. His sense of, what just happened to me? I was just walking on that water; how did I end up under it? I don’t understand…!

Have you ever tasted the bitter bile of doubt? Have you been left to swallow the awful after-taste lack of faith leaves in your mouth? Has shame ever covered you as completely—as uncomfortably, as Peter’s wet clothes covered and clung to him?

If you’re cringing right now—you get it. You’ve been where Peter was.

I have too…

But, what caused Peter to take his eyes off Jesus? It’s not like the storm wasn’t there all along. What happened to cause Peter to look away?

Jesus answers this question for us in the following verse: It was doubt…

The conditions surrounding Peter hadn’t changed. Jesus hadn’t suddenly disappeared. Scripture never mentions anything about a creäture of sorts coming up out of the water to attack Peter.

It was doubt. Plain and simple. “Immediately Jesus extended His hand and caught him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”  (vs.31)

In Hebrews 11:6 Scripture informs us: “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”

Jesus had bid Peter to come.

He had Jesus’ Word that he could walk on the water if he so chose to. The same power that allowed Jesus to walk on water was available to Peter too. “Therefore Jesus answered and was saying to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner” –John 5:19. So why Jesus and not Peter?

Aside from Jesus being God in the flesh, Jesus had unwavering, immovable trust in His Father. Peter wasn’t there yet…

The Apostle Paul tells us in 2 Timothy 3:16 that, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.”

Therefore,  in this instance, I posit for your consideration that —God was enacting all the above—in tandem, within Peter. Building in him faith, trust, steadfastness through, despite, his weakness —in what appeared at that moment as a failure? For the divine purpose of what was yet to come.

Scripture appears to bear this out. After Peter’s brush with death, we see him running away from—denying Jesus, multiple times… (Luke 22:54-62). Once again, Peter’s fears and doubts have taken him under. Left him filled with deep shame, an awareness that he too has betrayed and abandoned his friend—Judas wasn’t  the only one to betray Jesus. And so we see Peter doing what we are guilty of doing ourselves. Peter gives up and returns to what he knows… (John 21:3). Sound familiar? Have you done that as well? Are you there now perhaps? Defeated, shamed, hands and head hung low in disgrace and self-disappointment? If so take heart, there’s forgiveness and restoration waiting for you just as it was for Peter….

We’re now back in a boat with Peter and several of the apostles. It’s nearing the shore after a night of unsuccessful fishing. At the shore, a figure they do not recognize—once again, is standing. He bids them to cast their empty nets over the right-hand side of the boat. They do, and in an instant, their nets are teeming with fish!

At that moment it is John who recognizes that it’s Jesus, risen from the dead, standing on shore. He tells Peter as much. And, once again we hear of Peter jumping out of a boat to be where Jesus is. After Jesus feeds Peter and the others with natural food He takes Peter aside and asks him three questions He knew the answer to…

Three simple, gentle, restorative questions that release Peter from the shame, guilt, and anguish of betraying his friend and his Lord…

Friend, if you too have jumped out of the boat, chasing after the One you love—and then failed Him due to lack of faith, doubt, a drug relapse, divorce, imprisonment, alcoholism, pride, and rebellion—take heart…

Hear the Words Jesus spoke to one just like yourself; and make them your own. Allow them to wash over you taking away—removing eternally, your shame, guilt, pain, and, betrayal’s ugly blight.

You too have a divine purpose to fulfill!

If you are a child of God, speak your name, in place of Peter’s,as you read this Scripture. “So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to __________Simon Peter, “_____________Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these [others do—with total commitment and devotion]?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You [with a deep, personal affection, as for a close friend].” Jesus said to him, “Feed My lambs.” –John 21:15

The Living Word of God restored Peter…

It restores all men who say yes when called. And He will restore you also.

Will you jump out of the boat one last time? Will you trust Him afresh, sin stained as you are? Will you join Him for a meal that will forever alter the direction of your life? He’s standing right here at the shore of your heart bidding you to come, eat what He has already prepared for you while you were away…

And, if you don’t yet know Him, Jesus is asking to come into your heart—right now, He’s already done everything for you too, He prepared the way for you to come to Him through the work He did on His Cross.

Please say yes to His invitation friend…

“Those I love, I rebuke and discipline. Therefore be earnest and repent. 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. To the one who is victorious, I will grant the right to sit with Me on My throne, just as I overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.” Revelation 3:19-21.

The Dynamic Duo. John 6: 68-69

January 14, 2018 /

 Simon Peter answered, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You [alone] have the words of eternal life [you are our only hope]. We have believed and confidently trusted, and [even more] we have come to know [by personal observation and experience] that You are the Holy One of God [the Christ, the Son of the living God].”

They, unlike all those who’d walked away, had faith in this man, this Jesus. They believed Him when He told them that He was their long-awaited Messiah—even though some of His claims were extraordinary. His Flesh as bread to eat? His Blood, wine to drink? The power to grant eternal life! Ascending into the clouds of heaven from where He came? Yes! They believed. —John 6:1–71

But what is faith? And where did their faith—their ability to believe where others couldn’t, come from?

First, faith: In the New Testament the English word faith is used to translate the Greek word pistis. The New Strong’s Expanded Dictionary of Bible Word says, “Pistis is used of belief with the predominate idea of trust (or confidence) whether in God or in Christ, springing from faith in the same. ‘Faith’ means trust, confidence, assurance, and belief”

Hebrews 11: 1 says it this way: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

We get a clue about why some of these had faith others didn’t possess in verse 70.

Election… God had chosen them to believe in His Son—and, for so much more.

They would be the collective womb through which His Church would be birthed and flourish. Each possessing his own unique gifting’s and contributions. Jesus said as much about these 12 a few verses back after chiding some other disciples concerning their grumbling—their speculating, over His lineage. “Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the twelve…?

So, their faith was a gift then—an undeserved, unearned, non-repayable gift from God? Yes. Yes, it was. As all faith is.

But what of this ‘election’?

Listen to how John MacArthur, Bible scholar and Author defines this term: “…the doctrine of election simply means that God, uninfluenced and before creation, predetermined certain people to be saved.

And in Scripture, The Apostle Paul speaks of election this way in 2 Thessalonians 2:13: “But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.” (Emphasis my own)

Just as an unborn child cannot choose to give itself life, and a dead man cannot will himself to get up and live once again, neither can we as sinful man, dead in our sins, choose to have faith—outside of the Sovereign will of God… “Therefore He says, Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall shine (make day dawn) upon you and give you light.”  Ephesians 5:14.

Scripture abounds with references of election, those chosen by God: (Matt. 22:14; 24:22, 24, 31; Luke 18:7; Acts 9:15; 11:18; Rom. 8:29, 30, 33; Eph. 1:4, 5, 11; Col. 3:12; 2 Tim. 2:10; Titus 1:1; 2 Pet. 1:10. See, also, Luke 10:21-22; John 6:37, 44, 65; 10:26; 15:16; 17:2, 6, 9; Acts 5:31; 13:48; Rom. 9:11, 15, 16; 18 11:5, 7, 28; 1 Cor. 1:27, 28, 30; Gal. 1:15; 2 Thes. 2:13; 1 Pet. 1:1-2; 2:8, 9; Rev. 5:9; 7:10-12).

Which leads me to introduce you to our second Superhero, Knowledge. In our Scripture verse Peter states that not only did He and the others have faith, but they also possessed knowledge of Jesus. Certainly, being Jewish and growing up hearing God’s Word taught in the Temple and spoken of at home, they’d be familiar with the Torah. They’d have been aware of hearing tell of the Scriptures that foretold of Messiah. We see evidence of that knowledge when Andrew, a fisherman, calls his brother Peter, beckoning Him to come and follow the man he believes is the Messiah. “He first found his own brother Simon and told him, “We have found the Messiah!” (which is translated Christ). Yet, I believe, and Scripture lends to this fact, that Peter was referring not only to his knowledge of Scripture, more, to experiential knowledge in this instance. He and the others had lived with, ministered, ate, slept, talked, and, listened to every Word that Jesus spoke…

To say nothing of being present as He performed His many miracles.

Strong’s Greek Concordance defines this type of knowledge in the following way: functional (“working”) knowledge gleaned from first-hand (personal) experience, connecting theory to application; “application-knowledge,” gained in (by) a direct relationship.

Connecting theory to application. Said differently, the marriage of faith to knowledge (experiential). Their faith was solidified—reinforced, by what they knew of the Man. Their experiencing Him.

As it is with all who share in this faith…

It was this gnosis enlivened by the Ruach Breath of the Holy Spirit that enabled these ill-informed, unschooled, common men to write the beloved Word of God—The Holy Scriptures, those coveted Words each that feeds, comforts, teaches, corrects, and sustains all believers. “But it is the spirit in a person, the breath of the Almighty, that gives them understanding.” —Job 32:8

This dynamic duo of faith and knowledge lived so deeply within them that from its very roots grew a love so strong—a bond so indestructible, that even when faced with deprivation, beatings, and death—often a cruel and violent death, each of Jesus’s Apostles, save John, faced their violent end having firm faith that when their end was met here, their eyes would open to see His glorious face yet again!

And they did… Even John, who died at a ripe old age exiled on Isle of Pathos.

If faith and knowledge of the Living God could create in an unlearned, but believing few, a force that brought about a world change—a change in how life and living are still defined; just think of what could happen in your life, church, family, ministry, marriage, community, corner of the globe—if you, like our brothers before us, joined forces with the dynamic duo of faith and knowledge!

If you invited the Holy Spirit to do all within you that aligned with God’s perfect will for your life…

But to extend this invitation to the Holy Spirit—you first must know Him—have a relationship with Him. So, won’t you do that know—ask Him into you, please? He’s waiting. He wants to introduce you to the dynamic duo of faith and knowledge of Him. More, He wants to spend every minute of your life loving you, and blessing you, and, teaching you. “I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear [to hear] them now.  But when He, the Spirit of Truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth [full and complete truth]. For He will not speak on His own initiative, but He will speak whatever He hears [from the Father—the message regarding the Son], and He will disclose to you what is to come [in the future]” John 16:12-13.

“Why Peter?” Matthew 16:15-17

November 19, 2017 /

 “He said to them, But who do you [yourselves] say that I am?  Simon Peter replied, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. Then Jesus answered him, Blessed (happy, fortunate, and [a]to be envied) are you, Simon Bar-Jonah. For flesh and blood [men] have not revealed this to you, but My Father Who is in heaven.”

So why is it that Jesus called Peter out of the boat? Why not Andrew, John, or James? If it were to demonstrate to them all the truth of His divinity, then certainly His walking on the water, according to both Johns and Marks Gospel accounts, accomplished that. Each writer clearly states that, all of those in the boat fell down and acknowledged that He was the Son of God.

So why Peter?

Why did Jesus call Him—solely, to step out of the boat and walk on a raging, life-threatening, sea?

I posit, and the Scriptures certainly backs up, that it was apparently groundwork for what was yet to come…

For a Peter who ran, God came. For a loud mouth, God came. For one who was so rash he reached for a sword as his answer, God came. For a leader who tucked-tailed, God came. For a beloved friend who denied Him, not once or twice, but thrice, God came. For what God saw inside the heart of Peter, and not what we see, God came. And, through Peter’s life, the Holy Spirit reveals what can happen to a man when God comes…

Think of it. Walking on water—stepping out on a sea as solid as dry land, for however briefly, is something one would never forget. And, even if the memory of it dimmed with time—as the most powerful of our memories do, one word, one poke at the embers of that experience and it would rage white-hot once again!

The foundation for doing the seemingly impossible—the sheer miraculous, had been laid—through this one-act of obedience, of great faith. Great humility would be laid in Peter also, suffusing with this faith—but only after his unfathomable betrayal. And these would come together and congeal with his fierce loyalty. An allegiance that was born both from revelation knowledge—gnosis, and from directly tasting the fruit of that revelation—of what Jesus offered, however baffling at times—repeatedly.

Knowing it would never be found—that Truth, in anyone or anything else. Ever…

And, that one experience, mixed with this humility and this knowledge—this gnosis, would be so seared into Peter’s being, his faith, that even the denial of its Author—as astonishing and heart-rending as it was, could not erase what he knew to be Truth. We see evidence of that on a sandy shore during breakfast—John 21:15-17.

It was to Peter that Jesus said if he’d but give Him the rest of His life, He would make him into a ‘fisher of men’, one who would change the world—Mark 1:17. It was Peter to whom God revealed that Jesus was the Messiah—the Son of God, the rock—the Truth, on which His Church would be built when asked, “Who do you say that I am?”– Matthew 16:13-20 And, too, it was Peter, who, after the visitation of the Holy Spirit in the Upper Room, addressed the crowd gathered in Jerusalem for Passover, each in his own language—and about 3000 were saved and baptized—Acts 2:41. And Peter who first brought the Word of God to the gentiles when Cornelius and his entire household accepted Jesus as Lord and were baptized—Acts 10. Peter, who is recognized as the Apostolic leader of the early Church whose counsel Paul, and Barnabas sought about how the gentiles should be taught to practice the way and their rights as followers—Acts 15.

And in the end, it was Peter who was crucified upside down. Not worthy, according to his own words, to taste death as His Lord did.

Yet throughout the Gospels we see evidence too, of the dichotomy present in Peter. His bold profession’s and pitiful shortcomings. His humanity.

The very same Peter who denied Him and ran, God chose to be the pillar of the early Church

Yet it is this bold, impetuous, ill-tempered, sometime weak-as-water, unwavering martyr that God used—to help carry the Gospel forward and perpetuate the Truth of Who Jesus is, and the Life He offers—that is still producing fruit to this day.

Back to my original question. Why Peter? There were at least 10 others that loved Jesus as Peter did. Who had given up everything and followed as Peter had. Left homes, families, husbands, wives, and children—gave of their time and resources until they had given it all. Up to their very lives…

What was it that Jesus saw inside of Peter? Surely, he wasn’t perfect.

I believe the Word shows us that it was both the measure of faith, as well as the fierce loyalty that God had placed in Peter—Romans 12:6, along with a deep and abiding humility, that set him apart for the task which God had called him—John 21:15-17. Though he didn’t always understand Jesus—or His teachings, Peter recognized the Truth in them. Simple man that he was, Peter knew, that only Jesus had these Words of Life—these teachings, and that outside of them there was nothing—John 6:68. Not that the other’s lacked faith or loyalty, they didn’t. But God knew what He had created Peter for—what would be asked of him—required, and exactly what it would take to see Peter through—to accomplish what He had destined Peter for. And through him, his Church on earth. And it would take walk-on-water faith, and an abiding, in-the-face-of-all-adversity, stalwart loyalty, mixed with a knee-bending humility, to partner in perpetuating God’s eternal Truth…

Jesus Christ is the way, and the Truth, and the Life—John 14:6

What has God placed exclusively within you, Peter?

More, will you  be faithful, humble, and, loyal to what He has given you also—for such a time as this—and, for those who you alone were created to influence?

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