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

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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.

“I See You.” Luke 19:36-38

April 9, 2017 /

Jesus wasn’t using His natural eyes to see those gathered on the road near Jerusalem’s gate, those crying out Hosanna! —it wasn’t that kind of “seeing” going on that day. The seeing He used was born from His knowledge of us, of them—from His Omniscience…

This type of “seeing” belongs to God alone.  Webster defines this ability to see as: Having complete or unlimited knowledge, awareness, or understanding; perceiving all things.

Stated Scripturally: “You have searched me, LORD, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, LORD, know it completely” (Ps. 139:1-4).

Have you ever completely misjudged a person’s intentions? I know I have. You’re certain, convinced that you know who they are and what they’re were made of. You feel as though you know the exact role, the purpose, they were brought into your life to fulfill. Everything about them just seemed to fit your ideal—this “picture-perfect” image you had of them.

And then wham!

That person you just knew would go left suddenly went right—and not just right, but a hard right! You’re left standing slack-jawed and powerless, your hopes and expectations have crashed and burned. You’re left with mere rubble. You’re standing stunned, mangled, from this devastating brush with an unwanted reality that has now landed squarely at your bruised, and bitter feet…

The thing is, it’s only after—the ragged shards of “betrayal” have been removed—when that blindsided feeling of total let down has ebbed, that you’re left to really see the part you played in your own pain.

You were responsible. The other person involved was simply being who they were—who’d they’d always been. It was your misguided expectations of them—how they’d fit into your story—that created the real problem. And so it was—in varying degrees, with the those milling about the city gates—His disciples, those followers, shouting Hosanna, Hosanna in the Highest!

They too had a sure level of responsibility for their actions…

A Lamb atop a colt is how He arrived that day (Zech. 9:9). But that’s not how they saw Jesus. For most of those gathered He had come solely to deliver them—and for most, their envisioned deliverance would come not through His sacrifice—but only via a bloodied sword. Not through One who’d willingly lay down His life for all—but through a messianic deliverer, a would-be king, one that would readily shed the blood of those that oppressed his people. And not one who would willingly lay down and shed His own blood…

Passover was about a week away and preparations for this time of sacred celebration was underway. Jerusalem was teaming with those who had come to purchase their lambs and herbs—there grains and figs. The air crackled with a festive joy! And look, there, it’s Jesus! How perfect was this! Their King—the One they knew had been sent to them by Yahweh. After all, no one had ever done miracles like this man.

They had seen Prophets and Holy men before—but this Jesus was different…

They’d witnessed blind men regained their sight, a tax collector who had given away most everything he’d owed to follow Jesus, and the most miraculous of all, the dead that had been brought back to life—not once but twice! So surely now He would free them from this oppressive Roman tyranny—after all, isn’t that why He’d come—to set the captive free (Luke 4:18) …?

A wholehearted sacrifice must cost you something… (2 Sam. 24:23-25).

“The disciples told him, “Rabbi, the Jewish leaders were just now trying to stone you to death, and you are going back there again” (John 11:8)? Yet despite the warnings Jesus received concerning His safety, He went back willingly, into Jerusalem, through those city gates—more, He did it boldly—lovingly, as the Lamb of God. No more silence, no more hiding. He was hand-chosen, Gods Passover Sacrifice.

And He entered knowing full-well that He would be slaughtered soon for the sins of the whole world…

A knowledge seemingly lost on so many of those gathered at the city gates…

Jesus saw their hearts. He’d heard, recognized, each voice He’d created as it sang His praises. He’d watched, knowingly, as they’d thrown down their palm branches and cloaks in homage (2 Kings 9:13) …

Yet what he truly saw was the condition of those hearts…

The motivation behind why most were praising Him—their blind and selfish desires for welcoming His coming. “… because He was near Jerusalem, and they assumed that the kingdom of God was going to appear immediately [as soon as He reached the city]” (Luke 19:11 AMPC).

Even His closest friends had missed the point of both His time with them, and His return to Jerusalem, listen: “But the disciples understood none of these things [about the approaching death and resurrection of Jesus]. This statement was hidden from them, and they did not grasp the [meaning of the] things that were said [by Jesus]” (Luke 18:34).

It wasn’t their time yet; their hearts were still being shaped to fit His…

However, unlike those present at His Triumphal Entry—only Jesus saw clearly the Truth behind why He was there. Why He’d come at all. And, despite their sins, their ignorance, and the outright betrayal that surrounded Him, despite the blindness of most of those looking at Him for gain, to satisfy some agenda, despite the flat-out hatred that pelted him like stinging stones coming from the religious leaders, He saw one thing only before Him—You, and me…

More, He too saw the fulfillment of His Father’s will. It was always before Him. The reason He’d stepped down across time and eternity was about to unfold. The purpose of His leaving behind the glory of Heaven with The Father and darning a suit of flesh, and blood, and, feelings…

He had set His face towards eternity. And nothing was about to deter Him…

Why would He do this? Why the sacrifice?

Because He is the Alpha and The Omega—seeing your beginning from your end (Rev. 1:8). He saw you in the crowd that day, carrying the weight of your sin and your misguided want of Him—and His heart went out to you. He knew you needed so much more than what you’d be able to get on your own…

You needed a Savior.

He saw you—and so He came for you, with one purpose in mind… And here it is:

“Those whom I [dearly and tenderly] love, I tell their faults and convict and convince and reprove and chasten [I discipline and instruct them]. So be enthusiastic and in earnest and burning with zeal and repent [changing your mind and attitude]. Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears and listens to and heeds My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will eat with him, and he [will eat] with Me. He who overcomes (is victorious), I will grant him to sit beside Me on My throne, as I Myself overcame (was victorious) and sat down beside My Father on His throne. He who is able to hear, let him listen to and heed what the [Holy] Spirit says to the assemblies (churches)” (Rev.3:19-23 AMPC).

 

“The Fountain” Jude 1:2

March 26, 2017 /

I’m certain you’ve heard the expression that breakfast is the most important meal of the day?

Typically, I ask the Lord each morning to show me what it is I need to eat for that day. Though I usually follow a reading plan, when Spirit led I deviate. I believe God knows far better than any plan what it is I need daily…

And, on this day He led me into the Book of Jude.

I began to read and then reread. As I finished the Book I asked God what it was that He wanted me to see because I felt like I’d missed the reason He’d led me there. I’d missed the “why” or “what” I was supposed to have seen. Nothing had stood out—leapt off the page, nor came alive to me. I heard Him say, “Read it again.” And I did, twice. But it wasn’t until the third time that I read it that It came to me. In my haste to get at what I had assumed was the meat—the depth of this text, I had completely skimmed over Jude’s salutation.

And that’s where the Lord caused my eyes to fall…

Tucked within my Bible, like so many treasures, are scraps of paper or whole sheets. Words written, and messages, or teaching topics, Scriptures that the Spirit has led me to through-out the years. I felt draw to one in-particular. It was a Word God had shared with me after having read Ezekiel 47:3-6. “When the man went out toward the east with a line in his hand, he measured a thousand cubits, and he led me through the water, water reaching the ankles. Again he measured a thousand and led me through the water, water reaching the knees. Again he measured a thousand and led me through the water, water reaching the loins. Again he measured a thousand; and it was a river that I could not ford, for the water had risen, enough water to swim in, a river that could not be forded. He said to me, “Son of man, have you seen this?” Then he brought me back to the bank of the river.”

I don’t know the date of the writing unfortunately. Suffice it to say, based on the worn condition of this sheet of paper, it had been in my Bible for a long while…

I kept looking between what I had just read in Jude and what I was reading on this paper. I was trying to see the connection. And then it hit me, abundance. An increase and an abundance…

While reading Jude Two the Spirit showed me a vision of a fountain. But not just any fountain. Look at the picture above and you will see, in part, what it is I saw.

An abundance of water. A plethora…

I understood the Lord was using all that He had put before me, as disconnected and piecey as it felt, to draw me into seeing and understanding just how it is He gives Himself and His Spirit to us—in this lavish, plentifully, way, and through ever-increasing intimacy, as we spend time in His Word. He draws us ever more deeply into Himself.

And, as a result of following His great example—instructs us how we too must pour out from our overflow on those we encounter with no thought of running dry ourselves—because we know (koinonia) our source is never-ending!

Matthew Henry says it far more succinctly yet with eloquence in his commentary on Ezekiel 47: Christ is the temple; he is the door; from him those living waters flow, out of his pierced side. It is the water that he gives us that is the well of water which springs up, Jn. 4:14. And it is by believing in him that we receive from him rivers of living water; and this spoke he of the Spirit, Jn. 7:38, Jn. 7:39. The original of these waters was not above-ground, but they sprang up from under the threshold; for the fountain of a believer’s life is a mystery; it is hid with Christ in God, Col. 3:3.

Elisha said to her, “What shall I do for you? Tell me, what do you have in the house?” And she said, “Your maidservant has nothing in the house except a jar of oil.” Then he said, “Go, borrow vessels at large for yourself from all your neighbors, even empty vessels; do not get a few” (2 Kings 4:2-3, emphasis my own).

Elisha, sent by God to this widow to ensure that she not only had what she needed—but had it in abundance! Listen to what he says to this widow in verse 7: “He said, “Go! Sell the oil and pay your debts. You and your sons can live on what remains.”

Surplus—an inconceivable supply for this woman who just moments ago, had nothing but a bit of oil and some borrowed empty jars…

Through her obedience to Elisha, and His to God, they are each refreshed. Both she and her family are renewed—spiritually first, and then their physical needs are met as well (I Kings 17:8-10; 2 Kings 4:3-5).

That is what Jesus was showing me. Reminding me of. How we are each called to pour out—pour into, lavish others with all that He has given us, holding nothing back. So, that those He sends us to may be filled to overflowing, and in return—pour into others as well…

Jesus factually poured out His life in service to the Father. And, as the widow’s oil continued to flow until the very last jar was filled, so Jesus continues to pour out the benefits of His Work on the Cross today—in abundance, that all men might have life eternal, still. …“I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance” (John.10:10).

And we too must be willing to give all. Including and up to the pouring out of our very lives for another…

We each have gifts. A call on our life. A unique reason for being here. And only we—only you, can contribute—bring to the world, what God has placed inside of you to give—and to do, with abandoned, in abundance, completely—until you are spent and others have received from your overflow all that God has for them…

Repeatedly.

Friends, God gives us more than we deserve daily. Think of it—I mean really think of it. In fact, grab a piece of paper and sit and write a gratitude list to God today. Pray, and ask the Spirit to bring to your remembrance all that God gives you daily—starting with Himself…

You don’t have a personal relationship with Jesus yet? That’s okay—for the moment. He has one with you. Ask Him to show you what He does for you daily starting with His mercy—given in abundance, spoken of in Joel’s salutation. Surely that will lead you into a peace that surpasses all understanding (Phil. 4:7), and immerse you into a love that has yet to be plumbed. “So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to comprehend the length and width and height and depth of His love, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God” (Eph. 3:17-19 emphasis my own).

You were given an abundance for a purpose…

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

March 19, 2017 /

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

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

It was not accidental…

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

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

And He knows exactly where to go to find it…

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Perfect tree…

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

 

 

 

“Unexpected Places” Luke 15:1-10

March 12, 2017 /

 

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

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

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

The child is gone! The shopping mall nightmare!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I’m speaking specifically of knowing Jesus.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I choose that one please!

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

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

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

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

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

 

#2. WHY IS FINDING US SO IMPORTANT…?

LOVE.

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

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

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

His Word is our road map…

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

…Blessings!

 

“Moses Junior?” Joshua 1:5

March 5, 2017 /

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

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

Why?

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

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

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

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

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

Not at all!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

That was Moses’s job…

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

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

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

And, Joshua knew he was no Moses…

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

That Moses…

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

Joshua knew he could never be that…

And he was right.

More, he wasn’t called to be…

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

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

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

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

It will never get done…

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

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

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

Reliant on Him…

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

February 26, 2017 /

   

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

By selling him out for thirty pieces of silver!

Sound familiar?

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

Saying, both, to themselves and Him…

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

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

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

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

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

I believe in the Big-Bang.

Jesus-smeasus…

Talk about betrayal…

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I know I was.

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

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

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

 

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

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

“Birth Days…” Ps.139:13-16

February 12, 2017 /

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

Imperfectly perfect, just as you are.

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

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

Intended and intentional.

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

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

Listen to what your Creator says of you: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jer. 29:11).

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pain causing pain. Brokenness replicating itself…

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

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

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

If you allow Him to…

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

Nothing magic. Rather Restoration. Wholeness. Oneness.

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

That’s Good News!

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

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

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

He can be a witness to births pain.

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

Or will he?

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

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

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

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

There are no statistics to quote for this…

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Birth Days—is today yours?

 

 

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

January 8, 2017 /

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Imagine that.

Close your eyes for a moment and visualize this…

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Written by: Angelica Kauhako

“Cracks In the Ice” Mk. 9:24

December 4, 2016 /

chain-937943_960_720 No sooner were the words out of his mouth than the father cried, “Then I believe. Help me with my doubts” (Mk. 9:24)!

This Father knew he was powerless to save his son—to heal him.  He had knowledge, however, of the one that could save him—you see, he’d heard those stories told in the village. “He healed a many of palsy”, one said. Another chiming in said, “And did you hear about the man blind from birth? I’ve heard it told that he can see now!” These words resounded within him—encouraging the whisper of faith that was in his belly…

He had to find this Jesus, he just had to—maybe He really could help his son?

This father is symptomatic of so many of us today.  We have known Jesus. We have witnessed His miraculous power in our own lives—certainly, via the wonders of technology, in the lives of others. We have a measure of faith. We, too, have heard the stories of His many miracles, His love. We know of His desire to want us whole and healed. Yet in this one—maybe several, areas of our lives, there is a crack in our proverbial ice…

Our faith waivers. We suffer from believing unbelief…

Crack. We hear it, that sharp cautionary warning that makes the hairs on the back our necks stand tall. That siren call that roar’s instantly. We’re standing on ice too thin to support our weight…

Isn’t that a great analogy ? Those weaker areas of our faith should always signal us to run back to the safety of the shore. Back to the loving, nurturing arms of Jesus. Back to where we’re able to rest in Him and be strengthened in our walk. Reestablished on a sure, solid foundation— the one that is required to walk with Christ. And what is that? Faith

Maybe we have areas where our faith is perhaps a bit too weak to support what God tells us He can and will do for us? Those things He wants to do with us and through us? We all have them. There’s not a Christian alive who doesn’t have that weak area in their faith walk. No one this side of eternity is exempt! Conversely, when our faith is solid,  like a pond frozen deeply enough to withstand the weight of  life’s unexpected circumstances, trials, and the day to day testing of our faith, even then…

Crack… We here that dreadful sound that inspires distress deep within…

They’re in the boat—these 12, battered by wind and waves and they see something—no someone, in the distance. It wasn’t until He spoke that they understood it was Jesus. Yet even knowing this, even after hearing His voice, catch what Peter says, “Lord, if it is you bid me to come to you on the water” (Matt.14:28).

If it, is you…? On the water? That’s a whole other teaching for a different time. For now, let’s get back Peter…

Wasn’t it Peter who had been the one given the Divine revelation from the Father? Wasn’t he the one who recognized Jesus as the Christ—his long-waited Messiah. And, wasn’t it Peter to whom Jesus was referring when He said that upon the rock of this Truth, this Divine inspiration the church would be built—and safeguarded?  Shouldn’t Peter have known it was Jesus? Quickly, without any shadow of doubt? “It’s impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek him” (Heb.11:6).

Some of us might be saying yes! Definitely! Yes! Of Course, he should have known it was Jesus! Duh!

To which I’ll ask you, “Have you ever missed sight of Him when he was standing right in front of you?”

I take it, much like myself, much like the father in today’s scripture verse, you’re no longer quite so emphatic?

“For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment” (James.2:13).

Peter—Gods chosen. Peter, who spoke boldly in Acts 2 and three-thousand were added to an embryonic Church in one day. This disciple, whose simple shadow, by the power of the Holy Spirit, healed the sick. Peter, who saw being crucified upright, in the manner of his Savior, as something unworthy of himself. And so requested to be martyred upside down. (Acts 2:14-41; Acts 5:14-16; Ref. John, pp. 889,890, H. A. Ironside).

Perhaps our cracks occurred because we’ve walked with Jesus for so long that we’ve taken our relationship with Him for granted? Perhaps, we have become so busy serving Him that we can’t remember the last time we just stopped everything to simply be with Him? We’ve been weakened by busyness. Cracks in our faith have appeared.

Maybe we’ve become religious—haughty in our assumptions that our faith is safe—solid. So, we don’t seek Him—more of Him, as arduously, as ravenously—as we once did?

Or, perhaps our cracks exist intentionally. Perhaps they are a part of our Father’s loving plan—His design for us. Knowing us as He does, perhaps He allows us to experience these cracks to keep us reliant on Him. The One who both gives faith and increases its measure. Perhaps if we had no cracks in our ice we would grow arrogant—more, distant from the God we so desperately need…

And, if cracks appear with one such as Peter, and within believers like you and I who know the Lord. How much more clear will the cracks be in the one who has no personal relationship with Jesus? That one who desperately wants to know—are you real? If I stand on you, will you support my weight? Will you heal me? What about my child?

Can you truly be trusted—I’ve heard stories. But now I’m coming to you for myself…You see I’m desperate. I have this seed of hope—this whisper of a voice I call faith within me, but up ‘til now it has not helped my son. I can’t fix my boy. Can you Jesus? 

“Jesus said, “If? There are no ‘ifs’ among believers. Anything can happen” (Mk.9:23).

And, as it was with Peter,  so it was with this father who despaired for his son…

Just one Word from Jesus ignited that deeper level of faith they needed to strengthen their walk with the Lord—As it was with them, so it is with us…

Even though they had believing unbelief, God knew their heart—knew that at their core, they did believe. And Jesus helped them both to overcome the cracks in their ice. Mercifully, graciously—loving.

Cracks in your otherwise solid walk with the Lord. I beg you not to allow the enemy of your soul to cause you to focus on these conditions. I implore you, rather, look to the One who is telling you here—now, “Everything is possible for him who believes” (Mk. 9:23). Focus on what Jesus can do…

The father in our scripture verse did, read for yourselves how that worked out for him. (Mk.9:14-32).

Cracks in our ice, we’ll each contend with them until that day when we are transformed,” It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed” (1 Cor.15:52).

Only then friends will we be made complete—crack-less. “But when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away” (1 Cor. 13:10).  Ask Jesus into your heart now, as Lord and Savior of your life…

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