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

Tag: Holy Spirit (Page 10 of 11)

Picking Up Crosses

August 8, 2020 /
people standing on road close up photography
MaryEllen Montville

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me” –Matthew 16:24.

So, what does it look like to pick up your cross? What was Jesus trying to get us to understand? Taking up your cross equates to laying down your life. It means, in part, handing your will, your hopes for how it will turn out over to God, and willingly, lovingly entrusting yourself wholly into His Providential care. It means living a 365 surrendered life. Yielding into His hands whatever it is God may ask of you, unto your very life. It means modeling Jesus’ example of self-sacrifice to a lost and dying world.

Last week I started this two-part teaching on what this Scripture teaches concerning denying ourselves. Today I will conclude by delving into what it is this Scripture teaches, in part, about taking up our crosses. Jesus’ willingness to sacrifice His life in exchange for ours teaches us at least three key Truths. Three essential requirements needed by any disciple who seeks to follow after Him with the “all-in” commitment Peter and John, Andrew, Matthew, and Paul had. Obedience is the first requirement we learn from Christ’s willingness to take up His Cross. Self-sacrifice (denying self) is another. They’re partners—the two inextricable. They are indelibly united—eternally coupled by the third requirement, Love. And some may say this Love is the most enduring requirement needed by far as it is the architect of self-sacrifice and obedience. Jesus’ life and death exemplify—is a Living testament to—what can be accomplished when these three forces unite becoming one in devotion to God. Love for, and obedience to the will of the Father led Jesus to willingly lay down His own life. To set to one side momentarily, His being seated with God in heavenly places so that the Father’s will be accomplished in and through Him. He tells us our love and obedience to the Father then, must also empower us to sacrifice whatever it is God may ask us to take our hands off—entrust into His Providential care as well. If you continue reading Matthew’s Gospel, you’ll hear Jesus confirm this Truth to His disciples—to you. “For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it” –Matthew 16:25.

That was tough for them to hear at first—it’s hard for you and me to hear it as well. Jesus knew this. He knew it because while remaining fully God, He was born fully man (John 1:14; Colossians 2:9; Isaiah 9:6). We have a High Priest who knows the weakness of our frame (Hebrews 4:14-16). Yet knowing our frailty, this same High Priest demonstrated obedience and pointed the way for us to follow Him straight back to the Father. Jesus knew man’s fallen nature would not allow for any of us to put aside our wants and feelings, our me-first mentality, our thoughts, and plans about the way it should all go and choose instead to follow His example of forsaking all in obedience to God. He knew that if He did not place His Spirit within us, we would be powerless to deny ourselves, to choose God’s will for our lives over our own. The Apostle Paul testified to this Truth in his letter to the Philippian Church, listen: “For it is God Himself whose power creates within you the desire to do His gracious will and also brings about the accomplishment of the desire” –Philippians 2:13.

Friends, many have professed to follow Jesus. And they did. They walked with Him until the path they were on became far too challenging for them to continue. Until denying themselves became just too high a price to pay to gain Him. It was at this juncture in their walk with Christ that those who had professed knowing Him were set apart from those who truly did. The same is true today. Discipleship demands sacrifice. Following Jesus is guaranteed to bring trials into our life. Jesus prepared us beforehand to expect these trials if we were going to follow the same path He chose—obedience to the will of the Father. “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” –John 16:33. We catch a clear glimpse of those who followed only so far in Luke 9:57-62. Within these verses, we witness three separate individuals who claim to want to follow Jesus. Yet they were only willing to go so far before finding some reason to return to what was familiar—comfortable, safe. Return to their stuff. To what they felt was best for their life. The moment Jesus pointed towards the cross they would have to carry, should they decide to follow Him, their lukewarm faith turned cold. The genuineness of that faith, exposed. “Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple” –Luke 14:27.

Conversely, it’s here then that we witness the final requirement needed by anyone determined to become Jesus’ disciple. A personal relationship with Him. Those we read about in Luke 9 failed to pick up their cross because they were trying to do so in their strength—apart from Him. Remember, Philippians 2:13 taught us that it is God alone who can create within us—through the power of His Holy Spirit—the desire to do His will. And, our having His Spirit within us requires that we have a relationship with Jesus—because picking up crosses on our own is impossible. Their weight too great for our frail, human frame to carry alone. So thank God for the Good News of the Gospel because it assures us we will never have to pick up a single cross by ourselves ever again! Jesus wants to bear their weight with you. Are you willing to let Him? What if it meant losing your friends? Your home? Forfeiting all those plans you have for your life? How about losing your job? What if family members walked away from you? What about losing your reputation or ministry? Would you be willing to pick up your cross and continue to follow Him even then? How about following Him if meant losing______________(you fill in the blank). “For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?” –Matthew 16:25-26.

Be encouraged my brother, take heart dear sister! Remember, as you walk through your darkest of hours, as you face each new cross on your journey home Jesus promised to never leave you nor forsake you! His promises are personal. They are all yours! You must remind yourself daily that He is nearer to you than your breath. A friend who sticks closer than a brother. Your ever-present help in times of trouble. The One who opens, and no man can close, and who closes, and no man can open. He is both your Alpha and your Omega—your beginning and your appointed end. He has gone before you to prepare a place for you so that where He is, you will be also—eternally. He is the One who will wipe every tear from your eyes—take away every sickness. In Him, all things, you included, are made new.

And friend, are you tired of struggling under the weight simply living day-to-day requires of you? Are you burnt-out from grappling on your own? Ask Jesus to come into your life. Ask His forgiveness for wanting to control your life, hand it over to Him instead. He’s already made the way for you to do this by picking up His Cross. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” –Matthew 11:28-30.

He Wants It All…

August 1, 2020 /
MaryEllen Montville




Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me” –Matthew 16:24.

Have you ever felt led to watch something on television? A movie or some television show perhaps? I have too. Last night I felt led to watch The Passion of the Christ. It was during those first opening moments of the movie when Jesus is in the Garden of Gethsemane with Peter, James, and John that Holy Spirit spoke to me and I began to understand why I was led to watch this particular movie. Knowing I would lead you here tonight, this is why I drew your attention to that Scripture earlier today. I wanted to open-up my Word before you. To show you: This is what it looks like to deny yourself. The standard I had in mind when I inspired Matthew to pen My Words.

Earlier this same day I had been reading Matthew 16. My eyes being repeatedly drawn back to those words “deny themselves.” He also drew my attention back to “take up their cross” too, but that is for another day. I knew Holy Spirit was enlivening His Word as only He can. He was calling us into a greater surrender of ourselves. A greater denial of our wills and wants—into surrendering ourselves to Jesus in these, our final hours. I knew the type of denial He was speaking of was far greater than just giving up coffee for a few days. Greater than sacrificing Netflix or television, sleep, or a meal. Those things a mere training ground for that deeper, more intimate denial.

In part, the Word makes clear we must be willing to give up even our best intentions. Bringing those acts born of love, even our deepest desire of wanting the absolute best for those we love—under the authority of our Father as painful as that may be. We are not God. We do not see all that He sees. Neither do we know a things intended end. And yet, it is so counter to our nature to not simply react without first taking a breath. Not automatically think and feel that we know best. Not defend, block, save from harm those we love. Or at least try to. Just ask Peter. What parent can’t relate to this feeling when left helplessly watching their beloved child headed for a stone wall at full throttle? Making a choice that runs contrary to every fiber of our being. However, this is the exact example of “denying ourselves” Jesus had just taught His beloved Peter, His Rock, a few verses before our own. Don’t take my word. Go and read Matthew 16:21-23 for yourself.

So then, using Jesus’ rebuke of Peter as our guide, we may feel confident in defining this “denying ourselves” to include in part, anything that not only hinders our walk with God, more, as any-thing that stands in the path of God’s perfect will being fully accomplished—period. Regardless of how we may feel about it. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts”–Isaiah 55:8-9.

This “denying” Jesus is speaking of is so much bigger than just the temporary giving up of “stuff”—even that stuff we need to live. Jesus Himself confirms this Truth in Matthew 6:31-33. “Therefore, do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and our heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” And yet, it was not until watching that particular scene unfold in the garden during the movie last night, the scene where Jesus pours Himself out to the point of sweating blood before the Father, that I more fully caught what Holy Spirit was pointing me towards earlier in the day…

If we genuinely want to be His disciple, we must be willing to wring-out at the Father’s feet that very last drop of self-left in us. Lovingly, wholeheartedly, willingly, by the power of His Holy Spirit—just as Jesus did.

Using Jesus as our standard then, and by the power of the Holy Spirit at work in us, we must be wholly committed to surrendering every crevice of our lives where self may seek to sneak away and hide. Carving out for itself some little corner in which it may well set up a throne on which to sit, seeking its own will. It is time to let it go. It is time to surrender those habits—those not-so-holy vestiges of ourselves. It is time to “put up or shut up”, as the saying goes. That shaking you have been sensing, that is an inner sifting taking place. A separating of wheat and chaff. Holy Spirit is letting you know you need to dig deeper, ridding yourself, once in for all, of what does not align with God’s will for your life. Complete surrender is the standard our hearts must be willing to reach for. Not perfection. Surrender. Withholding no-thing. This is the mark set before all who will seek to follow Jesus, the will of the Father…

Let me ask you, friend: “What is Satan trying to stop you from laying down? What is he attempting to keep you from fully surrendering to God?” Is it a spirit of religion? Is it drugs? A Savior complex? Are you full of pride? Control perhaps? Is it sex outside of marriage? A homosexual lifestyle maybe? Are you drinking too much? Maybe food has become your god of late? Whatever it is, I encourage you to follow Jesus’ example and pour it out in obedience at the Father’s feet now—don’t sleep on it. “For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?” –Matthew 16: 25-26.

Friends, remember this as you lay in all down before the Lord, Love has won in every garden He has ever entered. Both in Eden and Gethsemane. Allow this to encourage you. Give you the strength you may be lacking in yourself.

If we were paying attention back in Eden, we would have caught our first glimpse of this moment, of this Living definition of denying oneself unfolding now, in Gethsemane. A foreshadowing of what must unfold, be sacrificed, that God’s plan for His children is fulfilled. Our first glimpse of this final sacrifice then, those bloody skins that were thrown over the naked frames of Adam and Eve back in Eden. “And Jehovah Elohim made Adam and his wife coats of skin, and clothed them” –Genesis 3:21. In each garden, Jesus went before us—our Guide, our Good Shepherd demonstrating just what it is this “denying ourselves” must look like. This all or nothing commitment, even unto death. And in each garden, Love won. Give it all to Him today friends. Jesus demonstrated for us that holding back any-thing, even unto the laying down of our very lives, is as withholding back every-thing.

There is no such thing as halfway in…

I encourage you today brothers and sisters; if you are struggling under the weight of denying your flesh, get up! Try again! Cry out to God again and again and again if need be. He is faithful to respond to the cries of His children. The Israelites will testify to this Truth! Do not allow Satan to use that one thing God is asking you to entrust into His care to stop you from fully surrendering all-of-you to God. Even your love for another. Even your “best” thing. “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed” -2 Corinthians 4:7-9.

And know, new friend, that your being here today is not by accident. God has led you here. He is asking you to deny yourself—those feelings, struggles, and situations that have been ruling over you—and follow Him, instead. Won’t you say yes to Him? If you have never asked this Jesus to be Lord of your life, ask Him now. He wants to help you to surrender into His care every-thing that stands in the way of the two of you being as close as He desires to be with you.

Smoke Inhalation. 1 Timothy 4:1

May 16, 2020 /
“The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.”

In other words, in these last days, some who call themselves Christians will be taken out by their having breathed in the toxic fumes given off by those things we, as believers, were never designed to take in. The noxious effects of which, by their very nature, can cause our demise. Religious spirits—deceiving spirits, are famous for this. Laying claim to having the only form of protection that can truly save them—the Holy Spirit alive within them—their being overcome proof positive nevertheless, He never resided within them.

Statistics tell us that, some 50–80% of fire deaths are the result of smoke inhalation injuries, including burns to the respiratory system. Smoke inhalation kills in just a few minutes and also quickly obscures vision, creating disorientation that can prevent a safe escape. I read this excerpt recently, regarding 1 Timothy 1:4 that said: There is a set-up in the activity of seducing spirits and doctrines of demons on the earth that is causing a society-wide shift from God’s Truth—to deception. Said Scripturally: “And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that [spirit] of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world” –1 John 4:3.

Maybe these held familial beliefs ingrained in them since childhood? Maybe they had, in some superficial way, made those beliefs their own? They attended church, read the Bible, did the stuff, went to the Bible study, and the conferences—until they did not. Until that one day when, perhaps unawares, some other word caught their attention, seeped into them, and they began breathing in that noxious thing. In these last days, many will die of smoke inhalation. Seduced into removing the one thing from their lives that is certain to save them, the shield of God’s Truth. Hold fast beloved! Do not be deceived, if that were possible, into removing the only thing that can save you! And pray as never before! For those who are deceived, blind, are being led astray! Deceiving spirits are here in force! This is what Paul is telling us here. What the Holy Spirit stressed to him—is stressing to us, too concerning the times in which we live…

Fire! Fire! Noxious fumes have filled the air! Those that may have stood firm in the faith at one point, drifting. Moving away from what they once held dear, knew to be certain and True. Scripture does not make clear why they drifted, only that they did. Is it possible they were never truly anchored to His Truth at all? Others will reject God’s Truth entirely—blatantly. Claiming perhaps that their truth is the truth instead—this doctrine of demons. The tickling of the ears that have come to wage war with God’s children in these last of the last days. This one final, brazen, frontal assault on God, and on His Church. Not a popular message for sure, this, but I have to share it, nonetheless…

Expose the lie that claims his truth, or her truth, that their truth is the truth— and not God’s Word! I must share with those who say, “Who is this God to tell me what I am or how I should feel, think, love, or should marry?” To this, I say I love you, therefore I must share His Truth with you. I am duty-bound. Love Himself commanded me to. Thousands before me have stood facing this very moment. Shall I seek popularity and remain silent, or risk offense and possibly be used as the hand that pulls one from the fire? I have never been the popular kid, so for me, that decision was easy. I will risk the fire. I must. I have been called to. And as I said, I love you. Not with a feel-good love that prevents me from sharing the Truth, no. Rather with the love of Christ. A love that wants to share both Him and eternity with you.  “But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people” –2 Timothy 3:1-5. Notice friends, that among this long list, Paul says not one thing ever about hating anyone. He does not say name call or demean those we do not see eye-to-eye with. He does say clearly, however, have nothing to do with such people. Meaning, not taking on what they are doing. Rather share what you know to be right and true and good, instead. We are not God. We cannot save anyone. We are called to love everyone, to share the Word of God, and pray for everyone beloved. Pray that their eyes be genuinely opened to His saving Truth…

The shield of the Holy Spirit that each Blood bought believer possesses must be worn daily, moment by moment, in all situations as our protection. Whether we see evidence of a fire—or not. He must be the filter through which all of our decisions pass—our conversations too. If not, we run the great risk of being overtaken by smoke. Made weak or sick by the noxious fumes given off by those whose only motive is to kill, steal, and destroy—some intentionally, others having been overtaken and used. They may have been a best friend, a family member, a mentor—it does not matter. Hard to hear I know. But a necessary lesson. What did we think Scripture meant by remaining alert? Being awake? Vigilant or watchful?  These were not casual suggests—they are life-saving tools we must implement as we navigate our way around the blaze that is these last days. “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” –Ephesians 6:12.

We may not instantly recognize the deceiving spirit that came walking into our living room because it cleverly hid behind the smiling eyes of our son or daughter, a friend, or that guest in the church. We have been tricked, however briefly, into thinking that we are seeing the one we know, perhaps love, and have trusted, when all the while it is an antichrist standing before us. Some demon from hell sent to rip off our mask and take us out!

That one we see before us having been used by, duped into doing the dirty work of the god of this world—or one of his insidious minions. Deceiving spirits who momentarily blind us. Dis-abling us from seeing their true identity by wafting in attached to, somehow, that one we know—or wanted to at least. In these instances, the enemy does not come at us like the roaring lion Peter warns about in 1 Peter 5:8, though his end game remains the same, his tactic changes. There is no warning, no roar, the hair on the back of our neck does not stand up when that familiar one stands before us; our belly is relaxed, calm. Now, instead, with those familiar to us, too often he will come cleverly disguised like the wolf dressed in sheep’s clothing. That one spoken of Matthew 7:15. Though this particular scripture refers to false prophets, the same principle applies. What is standing right in front of us is not who it is professing to be. “Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them” –Romans 16:17.

“A victim of smoke inhalation may be rendered unconscious very quickly, leading to rapid death.”

As it is in the natural, so too in the spirit-man. Keep your shield on beloved. Noxious fumes are swirling all about you. Scripture says it this way: “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee” –Proverbs 23:7.

Beloved, hold fast to God, and the Truth which lives within you. Share it freely and without fear. God is your rear-guard. Nothing shall befall you that has not first passed through His hand. And if He allows it to touch you, trust it is for your edification—a needed lesson, a stretching for some future time. “I give you this charge: Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry”—2 Timothy 4:1-5.

And friend, if you’re here today for the first time and something in you is saying, “I want to know more about this God, I want to be saved from the noxious fumes of this world.” Maybe even those swirling around you right now? Then put down that joint, throw away your pipe finally, and ask this same Jesus to come into your heart right now. If you read this far then you have read about the odds of surviving smoke inhalation. Jesus wants to give you the only thing that will save you from this world—His Holy Spirit living in you. A relationship with Him. Won’t you ask Him to show Himself real to you?

Inheritance. Ephesians 1:14.

March 28, 2020 /
“The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him

How blessed we are, children of the Living God, to have our inheritance sealed firmly, eternally, in the All-powerful hands and Body and Blood of Jesus! “For him who did not know sin, in our behalf He did make sin, that we may become the righteousness of God in him” –2Corinthians 5:21. We who don’t have to wait as the world so often does, for a kinsman to die before what has been bequeathed to us, becomes ours. How blessed we are that this is not God’s economy! As His beloved children, He has, from the very foundation of the world, made it so that our whole inheritance be made available to us the instant we are sealed in Him. He has afforded us, through the finished work of His Son, our Lord, complete access to all that He owns. “Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence” –Ephesians 3:12.

I’m not talking here about some cheap “name it and claim it” unlimited line of credit for all those ‘things’ we feel we need. I’m referring instead to something far greater and higher, more holy and precious. I’m speaking of having unfettered access to the very Throne of God! oF being able to walk boldly, day or night, into the very presence of the One who not only created us but every star and wave, every blade of grass and snowflake, every bird and the worm it eats. All that we will ever need in this lifetime foreknown by God, knitted into us as we were, or currently are, being knit together in our mother’s womb; chosen in Him before the creation of this world. As surely as our limbs and eyes and lips and fingernails were formed, so too were the promises of the Living God knit into us as well; manifesting themselves in that exact moment when, in 6 or 10 or 20 or 50 some aught years after our natural entrance into this world, the Holy Spirit would come and breath on us, bringing about yet another birth; our second birth.

This new birth instantly transforming us, making us a new creation, spiritually speaking that is. Snatching us out of the deadly grip of the powers of sin and darkness found in this world, and tucking us safely away in the Kingdom of Light, to be with Him always. “Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again. “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit[b] gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit” –John 3:3-8.

Our rebirth now complete, our transformation eternally sealed, secure. We are changed, made new, in what can only be described as “the blink of an eye”. Mortal to immortal, filthy sinner into a dazzling white saint. Image-bearers of the Righteousness of Christ; our clothes now matching His, reflecting Jesus’s likeness back to God each time He looks upon us; we now clothed completely in His brilliant, pure, and perfect Righteousness. “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away. Behold, the new has come!” –2 Corinthians 5:17.

Every-thing we could ever want or need is found in Christ Jesus. Sealed eternally in that same Ruach breath of the One who stood over the dark void and called forth the whole world out of nothing-ness. Him who said, “Let there be.” And there was…

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” 1 Peter 1:3-5.

No document any man might draft has ever, nor will ever, be more binding or everlasting than God’s Word. Could ever come close to bestowing upon any living soul the unfathomable, uncountable, unplumbed riches stored up for us by our Father God; regardless, his name or title, contrary to how wealthy or prominent or powerful he may be. “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. And He has made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ…” –Ephesians 1:7-9.

Why then, would any man choose instead, to live off of the crumbs that might fall from another’s plate when he can have guaranteed, unfettered access both now and forever, to the bountiful inheritance God has prepared in advance for all of His children? Why would we ever be satisfied with, strive after, mere earthy possessions, no matter how great their value, when we can have “the Pearl of great price” and with Him, everything else that God has prepared for us, in this life and in the life to come. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls. 46When he found one very precious pearl, he went away and sold all he had and bought it…” –Matthew 13:45-46.

Our thanks are due to God for all temporal blessings; they are more than we deserve. But our thanks ought to go to God in thunders of hallelujahs for spiritual blessings. A new heart is better than a new coat. To feed on Christ is better than having the best of earthly food. To be an heir of God is better than being the heir of the greatest nobleman. To have God for our portion is blessed, infinitely more blessed than to own broad acres of land. God hath blessed us with spiritual blessings. These are the rarest, the richest, the most enduring of all blessings; they are priceless in value. –Charles Spurgeon.

Friend, if you’ve yet to meet this God who has this same inheritance stored up for you, I encourage you to call out to Him today. He is nearer to you than you think, and just waiting to hear you sincerely ask Him to come to you and show Himself real. Please, don’t go without all that He has for you for one more minute; both now, and in the world to come…

Abandon. Philippians 3:7-9.

February 15, 2020 /
“But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith”.

Oh happy state! to be perfectly acquiescent, to lie passive in His hand, and know no will but His” –Spurgeon.

Paul realized he would never achieve perfection in his lifetime. Neither will we. Nor will that greatest of saints we’re able to call to mind. That state of perfection, Paul knew, had recently spoken of, would come in that glorious moment when he, once for all, would leave his earthen vessel in the very dust from which it was created, and return, at last, to our Father’s house. Having attained, only then, the fullness of all that Christ had for him. Standing, finally, in his heavenly body in the presence of the King he had longed to see face to face.

Perhaps it was this realization, in part, which drove Paul to live his life then, resigned to press, ever forward, in continuous surrender to this God he lived for. Since knowing he would not reach that perfect state this side of heaven, he determined in his heart than, to become more Christlikeduring his time here on earth. We would do well to follow after his example. Paul understood his own wretchedness, outside of Christ. He was as aware (through the revelation of the Holy Spirit) of his natural, unchecked inclinations, as any man true to himself is, and, of just how easy it can be to follow after those desires of the flesh. Yet he did not try to hide his sin nor the once blind, dogmatic, beliefs he’d held. Rather he exposed his weakness. Confessing them before God and man, allowing us an unabashed view of his humanity.

The thorn of searing regret ever stuck in his flesh; stayed only by the grace of God from hindering his work and overpowering his mind. “though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless. But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith” Philippians 3:4-9.

And, it’s not only in this Third Chapter of Philippians but also in Romans 7, that we witness this same forthrightness. Where we hear Paul’s confession, his angst. Where we bear witness to this very real, very human realization; one felt by us each, at some point in our walk with our Lord. “And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway” Romans 7: 18-19. Paul has so aptly put into words for us all what it like to live in this awareness of the ongoing war waging within every child of God. Listen to what he writes in Galatians 5:17 concerning this same battle: “The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires.”  Paul’s transparency allows us—aides us, in acknowledging that this same battle raging within him, wages within our own hearts as well. It rages, recognized, or not. Acknowledged, or not. Alive within the murky depth of, or the shame-filled, fear-filled, fractured surface of, every heart in whom He has placed His Spirit.

Yet, thankfully, Paul, via the illumination of the Holy Spirit, does not leave us there to figure out how best to fight, to gain ground, claim new territory, to have victory over, this ongoing battle he’s so freely spoken of—our base-ness. Rather, he points us towards Christ, towards the most advantageous, power-full battle stance any Christian can assume. Paul lets us know that any victory we may attain, any ground we’ll ever claim for the Kingdom, any success in ministry or relationship (think John Mark here) will only be found, attained, experienced, known, realized only in complete abandon to the will of God. Such abandon that, though ready to wage war on any foe at a moment’s notice, we recognize the battle we’re engaged in is not ours, it’s God’s. And, though, we are called to stand and fight, our victory has been assured by the finished work of the Cross. We never fight alone. We are incapable, in any real sense, of fighting in our own strength; without that is, doing more harm than good.

Beloved, for as long as we continue to reside this side of heaven, the Godliest of us will sin, falling ever short of God’s perfect standard. Paul knew this. I pray each of us, as God’s children, will come to truly know it as well. And, that, from such knowledge, our striving will cease. A total surrender takes place, and a complete abandon of our will be offered; freely, lovingly, whole-heartedly to our Lord. That whosoever will are released, as Paul was, I was, you were, he, she, and they were, each, freed from the bonds of religion, from the onerous striving to measure up to a standard only One could ever meet, Jesus. That perfect Lamb in whom all our striving after righteousness finds its rest. Just as one straightaway trusts water beneath them as a surety on which to surrender themselves, to float, be held up, may we with greater abandon yet, surrender our will with even greater surety to God. I pray our surrender to be so complete, we will only recognize its absence in that very hour we are safely home with Him….

Friend, how incredibly grateful I am to know, be certain of the fact, that when God sees me today, He sees Jesus. That because of Jesus’ perfect sacrifice, now, because of what He has done, I am covered, as with a royal robe, in Jesus’ perfect Righteousness. And I so want that knowing, that certainty, that peace to be yours as well. If you have come this far with me and find yourself asking, “what’s next?” “Where now?” I strongly encourage you to ask this Jesus into your own life, as Lord and Savior, you did not come this far by chance…

“I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me” –Galatians 2:20.

The Mystery of The Harvest. Mark 4:26-29.

January 25, 2020 /
Then He said, “The kingdom of God is like a man who throws seed on the ground; and he goes to bed at night and gets up every day, and [in the meantime] the seed sprouts and grows; how [it does this], he does not know. The earth produces crops by itself; first the blade, then the head [of grain], then the mature grain in the head. But when the crop ripens, he immediately puts in the sickle [to reap], because [the time for] the harvest has come.”

Within this passage of scripture, this parable of the growing seed found only in Mark’s gospel, we witness, catch some watery glimpse of, both the mystery, as well as the manifestation, of a soul’s salvation. We witness too, how, as Christ’s disciples, we have been afforded the great privilege of being able to sow the seeds of the Word of God into every type of soil; the condition of which being far beyond our purview. We are simple, ordinary sowers, fishers of men, after all, touched and enabled solely by the mighty hand of the divine. “And He told them many things in parables, saying, “A farmer went out to sow his seed. And as he was sowing, some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured it. Some fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun rose, the seedlings were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the seedlings. Still other seed fell on good soil and produced a crop—a hundredfold, sixtyfold, or thirtyfold. He who has ears, let him hear” –Matthew 13:3-9.

And, when, after we have been faithful in our sowing, trusting in the Holy Spirit of God to have gone before us, according to His will, either to break-up or, as with Pharoah, harden the ground we’ve been sent out to scatter in, entrusted to plant within, we too then, may well share in the great joy of the harvest of which our scripture speaks. “Do you not say, ‘There are still four months until the harvest’? I tell you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are ripe for harvest. Already the reaper draws his wages and gathers a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may rejoice together…” –John 4:35-36.

I’ve heard it said that: Evangelism is not merely something to be done when we think it’s convenient; waiting until the perfect moment means never getting anything done at all. As those who have been taken from the kingdom of darkness, sin, and death; having been mercifully reborn into this glorious new life in Christ Jesus, we then have a mighty duty to God, a great commission to go into every city street, every neighborhood or town, down every country lane, into war zones and prison cells and hospital rooms, searching out the ‘least of these’ that we might leave in our wake some small handful of hope by way of the Word of God—the very seed that, once firmly planted in a man’s heart, forever changes every-thing. “And Jesus answered them, saying, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. “He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal” –John 12:23-25.

Thus, this sowing and reaping are each, in part, our responsibility, my brothers and sisters. Our portions, our privilege, to walk out daily for as long as God sees fit to use us as co-laborers in ushering in the fulfillment of His plan for all of mankind.

But oh the glorious mystery that stands alone! That Brilliant Beacon in the midst of us! The Mighty One who saves! Our excellent, highest, most glorious Example who illumines the darkest of men’s hearts! That sweet, life-changing unknow mystery born from the womb of the life and death of Christ Jesus. Our most Holy Spirit! Who, in union with the Father and the Son, in some deep unknowable moment, overtakes the heart of every man who has ever heard whispered in his ear, “Come, follow me.” Thus becoming one with the mystery which arises from the deep seat of himself. That same one who, one nanosecond prior, stood shaking his fist at God—insulting Him unashamedly, now, on his knees, is found sobbing and repentant. Made new in God’s divine election of Him. “Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again. “How can a man be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked. “Can he enter his mother’s womb a second time to be born?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. 6Flesh is born of flesh, but spirit is born of the Spirit. Do not be amazed that I said, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes. You hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit” –John 3:3-5.

The Apostle Paul, that great example of just such a glorious and true conversion—such a sincere and striking rebirth says this concerning both the worker and the mystery of the work: “What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow” –1 Corinthians 3:5-7.

Beloved, we will never understand so lofty a mystery as to how any man, once born of his mother, can then be born, yet again, of the Spirit of God to start afresh. At least not on this side of eternity. Thankfully, we need neither believe nor understand a thing for it to be nonetheless true. “I, yes I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake and remembers your sins no more” –Isaiah 43:25.

What we must understand, however, is that having been so lavishly blessed, we are then commanded to spend the remainder of our natural lives, dear friends, humbly pouring ourselves out in thanksgiving before Him. Singing His praises before all men for counting us among those He has called to share in the work given Him by our Father. We must lovingly, single-mindedly, fulfill our duty to Jesus as diligent sowers; both in planting and in guarding the precious fields we’ve been entrusted with. Exalting and recognizing Jesus all the while, for being God all by Himself. This Lord of the Harvest. The heart of the great mystery of our rebirth. The very First Kernel to have gone into the ground. Our Example. “Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds” –John 12:24.

Friend, if you are here today and have not yet met this Jesus, this One who is able to change a man completely—giving Him a new life in the blink of an eye, may I urge you to ask Him to come to you today—showing Himself real and True and powerful in your life. Won’t you ask Him for this free gift of—this fruit of eternal life today? “Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?” –John 11:25-26.

Not Even the Best of Things. John 16:7.

November 16, 2019 /
“But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you.”

It is beyond most of us, oftentimes, to fully understand why God would ask them to give something up. Especially when they can’t understand the reason why. When they don’t see the benefit or purpose in letting go. Of taking their hands off of that—intimate relationship, beloved friend, that job or home, city, or state they’ve loved living in. Deeper still, in giving up some part of themselves; a child or spouse, a beloved mentor, some long-standing belief. Things they’ve come to love, rely upon, trust in, or appreciate about ourselves. Now, if you have any knowledge of who God is, His character, you may have already picked up on what is amiss with some of what I’ve just said. Go ahead, go back, and reread it. Did you catch it? The “Things we have come to love, rely upon, trust in, appreciate about ourselves” part.

Allow me to clarify. In no way, am I saying that we should not love people—that would be a deliberate contradiction to the great commandment: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets” –Matthew 22:37-40. Neither am I saying that we should not enjoy our profession or home or those relationships we’ve been blessed to have invested our love and time and care into.

Rather, what I am saying is this: Nothing. No thing, no one, must ever take primacy over God. Ever. Not even the best of things—the greatest of His gifts. Not our spouses, not our children or parents or job or ministry, not where we live nor any-thing we have been allowed to use. Truth be told, most of us are still learning how to apply this Truth to our lives, daily.  I know I am. I’m much better at holding on to than in letting go of. I am thankful that God is patient and merciful. He knows the weakness of my frame yet loves me still. I am thankful that He lends me His strength for the heavy lifting! Not even Jesus made an allowance for such things. Nothing and no one superseded God in His life. Everything He does points towards and glorifies God. Everything. So must we then, in His strength, train ourselves, minute by minute, to follow after this example He models for us…

As I read and studied in preparation for this teaching, it became clear to me that we must be willing to posture ourselves, our hearts, before God. To make room for, ready ourselves for, more intense refining to begin; to take place within us. To have all—any of those things that sully us, still, removed from us—put away; that we might look more like the image of Him that has called us to Himself. After all, isn’t that a great part of, “the why” God takes things from our lives? Allows them to be taken? To refine us? I believe we are being asked to say yes to God, now, more than ever. Before we even know or understand just what it is we are saying yes to. Out of our love for Him—our deep-seated, abiding need for Him—in trust, we say yes. Out of a profound desire to rid ourselves, our lives, of anything and anyone that we know God is putting His finger on and saying, “Trust me on this, this person, this ministry, this home, job, relationship, this thought process, heart posture, way of living, this expression, belief or ideal has outgrown its season—it must go.” Left unattended, it will become a distraction that will blind you to whom, and to where God is leading you to.

On our journey with the Lord, we must come to understand those things given to us by God must remain fluid in our hands. Seldom, outside of Christ Himself and the sure promises found in Him are His greatest gifts ever unchanging.

 It was this lesson, in part, that Jesus was imparting to His disciples—to us, in today’s scripture…

They had eaten with Him, walked, and talked, laughed, and cried with Him—slept by the fire beside Him. They were fed by His every Word, refreshed in His love and compassion and mercy. They were emboldened by His justice! They had witnessed miracles in His presence. The dead had come back to life, the blind were given their sight, thousands were fed with 5 loaves and 2 small fish. Treacherous storms had been stilled, and the deepest of Truths were revealed in Words spoken so plainly, so frankly, even the least within their earshot was able to understand them—and marvel. This band of brothers, these disciples, had each felt Jesus calling them with such clarity and certainty, that, at this His behest, they left everyone and everything behind, and followed after Him. Yet now, these years later, after having done that, after having experienced all that they had by His side, after having become entwined with this Jesus in this most precious of relationships—this most indescribable bond of oneness, this deepest mystery of love and loyalty this true, “until death us do part” commitment; Jesus says He’s leaving them. Stop and feel that for a minute before you read on.

What! Why? Why would you do this to us!! What have we done to deserve this betrayal? No way… No, you simply can’t leave us, not now! NO! NO! You simply can’t go. Not now!

If you listen, you can almost hear their dazed, gutted cries. I can only imagine that all of these thoughts, and more, had been swirling around in their minds—perhaps even spilling out of their mouths. Scripture doesn’t make that clear to us. Yet, for anyone who has ever suffered such a soul-crushing loss, who has ever stood, in frozen disbelief, in utter powerlessness as you watched the center of your world go away; you qualify, surely, as having some small idea, some slight glimpse into what these men felt hearing this news fall from the very lips of God Himself. The same lips that had smiled at them and called them His friends—His beloved.

They had no idea, at that moment, of His unfathomable reason for having to go. The profound love behind His needing to leave—of removing Himself from their physical presence; all they felt was their deep grief. They didn’t know Golgatha’s Cross lay just around the bend. All they understood was that He was leaving them. He was taking something they loved away from them. And it’s no different from us, is it? When we’re told we must let go—give up something or someone—someplace or station in life, our health or husband or wife or child—our parents or home. They had no idea of who it was they had been doing life with these past three-plus years—not really. This unfathomable enormity of God. And neither do we. God is so much more, so much bigger and finer and far more Holy and Righteous and far-seeing than a mere man can ever take in.

His friends weren’t thinking about the fact that He stood over the dark void—seeing their beginning from their end. Seeing His plan unfolding from its end to its beginning. Knowing what is needed—and what isn’t, each step of the way. In each season and individual life—all at once. For as much as we believe we have come to know of Him, there are whole worlds, universes chuck full of these deep mysteries pointing us towards just how much we don’t yet know, can’t know, —at least not now, about this God we love so. How does a spirit encased in its limited flesh fully take in the unplumed love of God? One who offered Himself in our place all that we might be afforded a way back to Him. “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” –John 3:16.

We were not created to hang onto anything given us by God, save Jesus and His Holy Spirit. We are expanded by His giving of these most precious gifts—stretched that we might receive more from one so Holy. Yet, in order for this to happen, room must be made. A surrendering of ourselves in exchange for Him, a hollowing out must occur; a new and clean replicable must be created, made ready deep within to catch, and store, His life-giving gifts. God takes away what we perceive to be good that we may grow in our dependence in Him, and in the realization that He alone is good. —Barnes.

Beloved, nothing. No—thing, no one, must ever take primacy over God. Ever. Not even the best of things—the greatest of His gifts. Won’t you posture your heart today—your very life, that He might refine you? Purify you as precious gold. Trusting Him when He asks you to return—let go of, your understanding of what’s best in exchange for His. “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete” –Luke 6: 46-49.

Friend, if you do not know this Jesus who died to ensure that you might gain God, then know this. He has led you here today that you might know His love for you and accept the absolute best He has to offer me and you; His Only Son, Jesus. Won’t you accept His best and by asking Him into your heart right now, as your Lord and Savior? You’re not here by chance…

In Order To Release. Luke 18:18-30.

October 19, 2019 /
When Jesus heard his answer, he said, “There is still one thing you haven’t done. Sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

We are nowhere near as altruistic as we imagine ourselves. Scripture asserts that the human heart is deceitful beyond our understanding—it is incurable. In it lives the ability to commit every type of sin. “For from within the hearts of men come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, debauchery, envy, slander, arrogance, and foolishness” –Mark 7:21-22. In our own strength, we are powerless to overcome these evil thoughts and longings. Part of the ‘all things’ Jesus strengthens us to do includes giving us His strength in exchange for our weakness so that we can release into His loving care those things that can harm us or no longer benefit us. Contrary to how we may feel about them…

Much like this rich young ruler, we cannot give back to God any-thing He may ask us to give up or over to Him, minus the power of His Holy Spirit at work within us. It simply isn’t in our nature. Self-love will always so powerfully contend against the love of God that, even in the believer, it is often necessary to stir up our minds, by way of remembrance, the will of God that commands us to give and to sow. Having a knowledge of God, being a ‘good’ person, simply knowing about God, about His Word and will and desire for our lives will never give us the grace needed—the will required to release into God’s hands those things He may ask of us—from us. We see evidence of this in the rich young ruler. Likely a leader in the local synagogue. He knew enough about God to recognize in Jesus a man well-versed in the way and words of God—a true Rabbi. Thus he came to Jesus, sincerely some say, seeking to add more, some-thing else to what was already his. He had no idea that the ‘more’ he sought after would actually require him to leave behind what he valued the most.

With all he owned, all he had been given, he was the very poorest of men. Poor in that he was unwilling to exchange these worldly possessions for the eternal treasure being offered him. Christ in Him. Christ’s Life in Him and with Him—always. Of God living and ruling and leading and guiding and adding and taking away. Matthew Henry says it like this: Can a man lose by doing that with which God is pleased? He is able to make all grace abound towards us, and to abound in us; to give a large increase of spiritual and of temporal good things. He can make us to have enough in all things; and to be content with what we have. God gives not only enough for ourselves, but that also wherewith we may supply the wants of others, and this should be as seed to be sown.

Yet outside of a genuine relationship with Jesus, minus the deposit of the internal treasure of great value, the Holy Spirit in us, willing us to want what God wants, we too are inclined to turn and walk away from the future and promise the Lord has for us; choosing also, only those things which we can see and touch and hold on to. Those things we’ve deemed as beneficial to our overall wellbeing. Saying no thank you to God because we are too busy playing God…

This thought of freely releasing into God’s hands whatever it is He asks us to give up or over to Him, struck me as I was reading 2 Corinthians 9. Why did those believers in Corinth that had long since decided to give, need to be reminded of the commitment they had made? Wouldn’t they simply just give over the monies they had set aside when Titus and the witness arrived to collect it?

In Paul’s stirring words, a great spiritual Truth is revealed. Even the greatest of Christian men are simply that—men. And, as such, are susceptible to both falling and falling short. Fortunately, for those men and women whose lives have been surrendered to God, they, by His grace, through His election of them, are lifted up again and again and again, set aright, never to be left alone in the place they stumbled or fell short. As a result, when they fail God, and they will, by His strength in them, they are able to get up and continue on in Him. To keep fighting, keep giving up and over to. Keep standing in the face of what may feel like a great personal loss because their trust and love and heart and mind are fixed on the Gift they were given in exchange for the life they turned over to God when they heard Him say, “Come, follow me…”

Jesus is a master at revealing our hypocrisy, our humanness. Not to shame us but rather out of a deep and abiding love for us. A love He desires to share with all those who will receive it. With the precision of a gifted surgeon, He will expose our inability to keep the perfect Law of God; just as He did with this rich young ruler. By claiming to have kept all the commandments he revealed that he had in fact, failed to keep them. From the young man’s first words, Jesus begins to challenge his thinking by correcting his basic understanding of what is good. Jesus informs him that only God is good. Thus setting the standard we must use when measuring what we’ve falsely come to believe is good in others. In answering His disciples’ question on which is the greatest commandment, Jesus informs us that the core of—the very heart of all of the commandments is summed up in these two: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets”—Matthew 22:36-40.

For some of us here today, Jesus may be asking us, as He did our young ruler, to release material possessions He’s allowed us use of. For others, maybe it’s a job or a relationship that He’s asking you to let go of? Is God calling you to move to another church home? Maybe He’s calling you to a new city or state? Is He asking you to bless a person, a family, or some organization financially, and you just can’t see how you’ll see your way clear to do it? Is He asking that you entrust Him with your opinions of yourself, who you think you are, that you might see yourself as He sees you? Is He asking you to hand over your vision in exchange for His? Those wounds that have had you bound, are keeping you isolated and joyless, that you may have the joy and freedom that is found only in a relationship with Him?

The rich young ruler wouldn’t do it. He chose the here and now—what he believed he needed instead of what God was offering him. Left to ourselves we will always choose what pleases us. The power essential to give over to God any-thing He may require of us is found only in the person of the Holy Spirit. And it is in our relationship with Christ Jesus that the Spirit is given us, comes and lives within us—enabling us to do those things we simply cannot do on our own. He alone empowers us to obey God and to release into His Providential care every-thing God may desire from us—up to and including our very lives. But, we must accept His free gift. The rich young ruler knew of Jesus, but He did not know Jesus. So when asked to give over something he felt he could not live without—he had no choice but to walk away. He was power-less.

Do you have the power to release into God’s hands whatever it is He may be asking you to let go of?

If you are His, I pray that you turn to the only One who can strengthen you, brothers, and sisters. I am here to remind you and me of the commitment we made long ago—or not so long ago, to God. To have ready what we have pledged to Him when He comes for it…

Friend, if you have felt God calling you don’t turn away as the rich young ruler did. Don’t think you know enough about Jesus to get by when He is here offering you all of Himself right here, right now. Don’t turn away, please. Just ask Him, from your heart, to come into your life and do what only He can for you. He’s right here waiting to give you what you need, Himself, so you will release, into His care, what no longer serves you…

“Nontransferable. Matthew 25:1-13.

December 2, 2018 /

 “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him..!’

I could start by sharing with you the cultural traditions of the eastern wedding. How it is the groom whom usually assumes full responsibility for the wedding cost in Oriental weddings and not the bride’s father, as in western culture. How it is the bridegroom, and not the bride, who is customarily the center of attention. I could tell you that normally the bridegroom comes for his bride in the early evening—usually around dusk. And, that before him a herald is sent to announce his arrival at the bride’s home where she and her attendants are awaiting his arrival. But I’m not a learned student of eastern customs. And, you might easily obtain this information for yourself—If you’re interested…

I’d rather share what grabbed my attention as I read the opening verses of Matthew 25 entitled, “The Parable of the Ten Virgins.” More, I know this is what I’m supposed to share.

Actually, there were several points that jumped out at me. Oil, sleep, and relationship…

Yet it was the first that grabbed hold of me and would not let me go. The oil. The mention of oil was the first of the three things that caught my attention. One of three things that all ten of these virgins had in common. They each had oil—at least a measure of it. But I’m getting ahead of myself. I had started my reading in Matthew, Chapter 24. As I continued reading on it became clear to me in Chapter 25 that a chapter division had been unnecessary. Chapter 25 is a continuation of Jesus’ conversation concerning the Coming of The Kingdom of God found throughout Chapter 24 which closes with Him talking about “The destruction of the temple and signs of the end times” and goes into “The day and hour of the coming of the Son of Man”. Then Jesus continues with this theme of the coming Kingdom straight into the parable of the ten virgins in the opening verses of Chapter 25.

But back to what caught me: the oil. Typically, in Scripture, when we hear about oil being used it is referring to the Holy Spirit. Such as when it was used to anoint prophets, priests, and kings (Exodus 28:41; Leviticus 8:12; 1 Samuel 16:13). So why was oil so prevalent in this parable? What was Jesus trying to get us to see? And what did this oil reference have to do with the Holy Spirit and our ten virgins?

The second thing that caught my attention was that both the wise and foolish virgins had fallen asleep…

So if it isn’t the oil nor their mutual falling asleep that made some wise and the rest foolish, what then is Jesus trying to get us to see?

This led me to the third piece of the parable that had caught my attention; their relationships with the person of the Holy Spirit—the oil. More specifically—evidence of an intimate knowledge of Him, a connectedness. Not all had a reserve of oil. But I digress…

If they each knew Him equally wouldn’t they each be equally wise? Similarly, if they each had an unremarkable knowledge of Him—wouldn’t they each be equally foolish? Again, in my desire to understand why some were foolish and some wise, my focus was drawn to their relationship with Him. One that would either prove itself genuine and lasting or one that would burn out over time.  A gift to each of them for sure, this relationship—this common grace. Yet, in order for this very personal gift to burn brightly throughout unexpected delays, before others, throughout trials and persecution, throughout life’s ups and downs, it will require an unbreakable connection to The Source. It must be held tightly, cherished beyond all else. Never given up. Certainly not shared (Matthew 13:44-45).

The five wise virgins had reserves of oil that the five foolish did not. Each had the Holy Spirit, knew Him but, to varying degrees. Hence—the point of the parable; in order to be invited to the wedding we must be “family”, we must have a personal relationship with the bridegroom. Simply hanging around those that are related will never suffice…

Due to the bridegrooms delay the foolish virgins ran out of oil. They had nothing to rekindle their lamps once the initial oil they had with them had been burned up. They had no reserves of their own to draw from. Nothing with which to replenish their lamps. Nothing to rekindle the sputtering, flickering flame of their dying light. And, as a result, they had to leave their counterparts behind and go out in search of more oil.

Unlike our faith in God, we cannot “give-away” (like some piece of bread, some drink) the portion of the Holy Spirit the Father has entrusted to us. What we have has been apportioned to us exclusively. Again, as with our faith, those we touch may benefit—reap the fruits of this unfathomable gift we’ve been afford—but it is not ours to give them. We did nothing to get it, to earn it, hence, it isn’t ours to give away. As with everything else in our lives He—our inward reserve, is a Gift from God. We may share Him, yes. We must! Give Him away, never! His inexhaustible reserve has been placed within us by the Father. This first deposit we’ve been afforded, is to be prized above all else. It is because of our relationship with Him—in Him, because of His choosing of us, that we have the reserve needed to see us through the long night of His delay.

Those five whose lamps sputtered out—whose light died, symbolize those in this world who have a superficial, shallow knowledge of God. They have the same general touch of His Spirit as the rest of the world—the very same common grace. (Nahum 1:3; Psalm 145:9; Psalm 81:11-12; Matthew 5:45b). They run to Him in times of trouble seeking relief from their trials. They open His Word searching for clues that might help them escape their current circumstance—ease their guilt, sooth their grieving hearts, rescue them from their sense of disconnection and isolation. Yet they are not willing to bow before the Lord in humility—confessing both their sin, as well as their deep need of Him in their lives. They do not wish to drink deeply of persecution—they want no part of sharing in His suffering, of dying to self and the things of this world. They have fallen prey to the lie that a little faith, a casual glance at the Bible, a toe-in-the water of faith, will go a long way. That their knowledge of God, of church protocol, their involvement in a ministry, their gift-giving, will get them into heaven.

After all, they’re good people—church people. They “believe” in God—mostly. These unwise souls are people who want to make a partial commitment to God. They’ll try to compromise any way they can. Believing Him in pieces they can easily swallow but never in full bites that need some serious chewing! They refuse to take God in as a whole—unconditionally. They refuse to allow Him to change their actions, never mind their hearts. Having a bit of Jesus will never suffice. That’s what Jesus is saying in verses 11-12. It’s why he clearly says to the foolish maidens, “Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.”  We cannot hide who we are or are not, from a God who has numbered the very hairs on our heads.

“…for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape” –1 Thessalonians 5:2-3.

“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour” –Matthew 25:13.

To the wise brothers and sisters, I urge you to keep a close watch over your souls. Guard with your very lives this most precious gift that has been entrusted to you. Holding tight to the knowledge that He who began a good work in you is faithful to carry it out to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. And, to you who have not committed your life to Jesus, now is the time. Today the day. The time of testing the waters is past. A little bit of Jesus will never be enough! I urge you today to ask Christ Jesus into your life as Lord and Savior! We don’t know if we’ll have tomorrow. 

“At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him” Matthew 25: 6!

 

 

 

 

Clean As A Whistle! Ephesians 5:27

May 26, 2018 /

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

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

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

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

This is a mystery…

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

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

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

And, this renewing is a life-long process.

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

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

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

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

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

Let’s start at the beginning…

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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