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

Tag: Obedience (Page 10 of 10)

Painting with Broad Strokes. Genesis 12:1

October 21, 2018 /

 ‘Now [in Haran] the Lord had said to Abram, “Go away from your country, And from your relatives And from your father’s house, To the land which I will show you…”

 

God is not bound to offer us details. We are in His service—He, by no means, is in ours…

Hebrews Chapter 11 is often referred to as the “Hall of Faith”. Within it are listed 16 names of the faith-filled men and women of God. Number 4 on this list is Abraham. He’s a descendant of Noah’s son, Shem. We know him as Sarah’s husband—the father of Isaac and Jacob. More, we know him as a man of unmovable faith…

We first hear of Abraham at the close of Genesis Chapter 11. Only he isn’t called Abraham (“father of a multitude”)—yet. That will come later—along with his new identity. For now, he’s Abram (“high father”) …

Abram is one of Terah’s three sons. For reasons Moses doesn’t explain, Terah, after the death of his son Haran, decided to move his family to Canaan. And again, for reasons undisclosed to us in Scripture, they all settled in Harran rather than in Canaan. It is here in Harran that God instructs Abram to leave everything and everyone behind and head off to a land he’ll be shown—somewhere down the line. And He does. Notice God’s instructions to Abram were both fixed, yet fluid. God seldom makes known His Truth to us all at once. Rather, He reveals it one glimpse behind the veil at a time. As we faithfully obey His wooing—the next step in our faith walk is revealed. God’s plan for our lives is unfolding gradually. It’s a progressive revelation. “The plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of His heart through all generations” –Psalm 33:11.

Abram obeyed Gods call to pick up and leave. Later in Abrams story, we’ll see God give Abram a new name—and with it, a new identity. “I promise that you will be the father of many nations. That’s why I now change your name from Abram to Abraham” –Genesis 17: 4-5. Later still, God tests Abraham’s loyalty. He asks Abraham to give back to Him the one thing Abraham has waited—literally, a lifetime for; this promised, beloved son. Nonetheless, at God’s command, Abraham takes his son, the son in whom the seed of promise for all future generations rests, and heads up to the top of the mountainous region known as Moriah or, more commonly, Mount Moriah. There, at the Lords biding, he ties Isaac up and lays him on the altar of sacrifice. He pulls out a dagger, hefts it up that he might plunge it deep into his beloved son—bringing an end to both Gods promise and Isaac’s life. Even so, Abraham was faith-filled. He obeyed believing deeply that if God allowed him to take his sons life—God would also bring Isaac back to life. God had made him a promise. More—a blood covenant. “This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee: every male among you shall be circumcised. And ye shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of a covenant betwixt me and you”—Genesis 17:10-11.

As I stated earlier, God’s instructions to Abraham were both fixed yet fluid.

Fixed in that God had always known exactly what He would do with Abraham and, exactly how Abraham would respond. Fluid in that, for Abraham’s part, he would have to step unseeingly, obediently, and then wait on Gods timing for his next step of faith. And then step and wait again. And again. Trusting always in this God He just knew would neither disappoint—nor fail him. Ever. Though Abraham certainly saw specific glimpses come to pass of the picture of Gods promise spoken over him—there was no way Abraham could have known that the brush strokes God was using to paint this picture would be carried out with such broad strokes. Strokes that would be added by Moses and David, by Rahab, Gideon, and Samson. “All these died in faith [guided and sustained by it], without receiving the [tangible fulfillment of God’s] promises, only having seen (anticipated) them and having welcomed them from a distance and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth” –Hebrews 11:13. A picture made clear—made perfect and complete, in Jesus only.

Yet, God is still developing—defining, through You and me, this same canvas He started with Abraham…

Just as Abraham was obedient to the call of God on his life—to the “leave and cleave” command, down to the, “use what’s in your hand” of Moses, and on to the, “follow me” heard by Peter, we too, you and I, must also be faith-full. They—these first fruits of the faith, were called forth to pave the path you and I have the great privilege to walk along today.  We get to follow their examples, by faith, adding our own colors to this canvas called the plan of God. We, each, ordinary men, and women, made extraordinary by the power of the One who called them—and us, out of darkness and into His glorious Light. Everyday people like Abraham and Moses and David and Peter, and you, and I, all who dare to believe God. And, like them, we too may never see our picture completed. No man is promised this.

God is not bound to offer us details. It’s not about us. We, like Abraham, and so many others that have gone before us, may never know, this side of heaven, the why’s and what-for’s of Gods call on our lives.

Why were we asked to let go or to hang on? Why did our child die, or our spouse walk out? What was the fruit of our purpose? Why did we receive the diagnosis that reached out and snatched the very air from our lungs? Why, after we did what we know God asked us to do, is everything falling apart? Why was it our child who became addicted?

Why did it have to happen to us…?

To say that we, like Abraham, may never know until that day we see Jesus face to face may feel cruel—harsh, or simply unfair. But, dear heart, it may be nonetheless true.  It was for Abraham. Yet, if we, like those spoken of in Hebrews 11 will just believe, as outlandish as being asked to have faith may sound considering your circumstances, believe that God does have a plan—that all of this seeming random insanity, this apparent chaos, serves a greater purpose; that God will use it, all of it, every scrap, to make something beautiful, rich and unfathomably rewarding come to pass in our lives—if, we’ll just believe…

The joy of following Jesus isn’t found in the details. It’s found in the broad strokes—in the leaps of faith, both great and small. It’s found living in peace beside the chaos, or, around the corner from confusion. It’s living right next door to disappointment and failure and thriving—despite the neighborhood. The joy of following Jesus that the fathers of the faith held on to is found in the blunt Truth that they didn’t deserve Him. We don’t either; and yet, He chose us and gave us this measure of faith necessary to believe for just one more day, and then one more day… “Now faith is the assurance (title deed, confirmation) of things hoped for (divinely guaranteed), and the evidence of things not seen [the conviction of their reality—faith comprehends as fact what cannot be experienced by the physical senses]. For by this [kind of] faith the [a]men of old gained [divine] approval. By faith [that is, with an inherent trust and enduring confidence in the power, wisdom and goodness of God] we understand that the worlds (universe, ages) were framed and created [formed, put in order, and equipped for their intended purpose] by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible” Hebrews 11:1-3.

Hang in there beloved. God didn’t fail Abraham and He won’t fail you either. He can’t. If He commanded you to do it, He will equip you to complete it…

Trust God. Abraham did. And it was credited to Him as righteousness…

You’re not here by accident friend. If you’re a believer, then pray, ask the Lord what it is He’s calling you towards? Or, ask what it is He may be leading you away from? What’s He asking you to leave behind that you might follow Him more closely?

And, if you’ve not yet met this Living God who ever leads us towards our best life, then now is the time. Today is your day. Take the step. Ask Jesus to come into your life and lead you too. Go ahead, ask Him. He’s been waiting to answer you. It’s why He led you here…

 “For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you,’ says the Lord, ‘plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call on Me and you will come and pray to Me, and I will hear [your voice] and I will listen to you. Then [with a deep longing] you will seek Me and require Me [as a vital necessity] and [you will] find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.  I will be found by you,’ says the Lord, ‘and I will restore your fortunes and I will [free you and] gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you,’ says the Lord, ‘and I will bring you back to the place from where I sent you into exile”’ Jeremiah 29: 11-14.

 

Fixed Obedience.. John 21:15

October 14, 2018 /

 “‘So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these [others do—with total commitment and devotion]?'”

Luke 14:25-34 clearly lays out Jesus’ unadorned, blunt definition of what being His disciple entails—at least in part. Bottom line—it’s sacrificial at its core. That’s not so surprising when we consider that we, His disciples, are the students of a sacrificial King. It would rightly follow then, that we too would be expected to sacrifice…

There is a moment after the worship has ended and the sermon’s been preached when emotions are running high. In researching Luke 14, it became clear that Jesus was actually thinning out the throng of would be applicants. He knew many were following on feet fueled strictly by emotion. Folks consciences have perhaps been pricked—they’ve been stirred. Moments later they are on their way to the altar saying yes to Jesus. Yes, I’ll follow you. Yes, I’ll do whatever it is you ask of me. Yes.

They say yes having no clue what saying yes to Jesus will actually cost them.

They failed to read the fine print on their application for discipleship. Often they are simply following  their feelings, or, equally, they’re blindly following another’s lead. They’d gotten caught up, as so many do, in the emotion and awe of seeing miracles performed—seeing friends and loved ones healed and, they wanted some of that for themselves. Who can blame them? Wouldn’t you want a healing if you or your wife, child, brother or sister, mother were sick? Yet, Jesus knew anyone who came after Him fueled solely by emotion would eventually die on the battlefield. Mortally wounded in the inevitable war waged against their pseudo-faith. “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?” 1 Corinthians 13:5.

Speaking the Truth in love He tells them this:

Here’s what it’s going to cost you to follow me; I demand your complete allegiance—your undivided loyalty. For some, following me will split your family, marriage, relationships in two. For others, not so much. Yet, even among those “not so much” there will still be moments when what I’ve asked you to do, where I’ve asked you to go, will not line up with the hopes, dreams, plans, or desires of those who love you. Those who think they know best. They will demand you follow their ways and not mine. Whose voice will you follow then? See here’s the thing, if it’s not mine, then it’s best you just stay in your seat. I get it, I do. I understand emotions better than anyone—I created them. Lived with them just as you do. But, hear me, they can’t be trusted and, they can get you killed. I know that’s hard for you to understand right now, your sight is limited to the here and now—this moment only. In that, I have a great advantage seeing your end as well as your beginning. Nonetheless, I assure you it isn’t your time—yet. Trust me and live another day. I am not finished with you. Trust my timing…

Some in that crowd had ears that heard and they decided in their hearts that, come what may, they would do whatever this Jesus asked of them. Most however, turned away. And, as foretold, over time their great swells of emotion ebbed, and life returned to normal. Even so, Jesus knew the few He had spoken to. He knows His sheep will hear His voice and follow Him anywhere He leads them…

Being a just God however, everyone must be equally informed of the cost of loving Him. Hence the Law and the Prophets. The cost of saying yes to Him—of dying that they may live. Of giving all away that they might have all that really matters. That they may not be found as a half-finished work, a mere shell of a building. A Shell constructed by one who builds with their emotions in the one hand and their lack of knowledge—gnosis, in the other.. One lacking a sure foundation and the strength necessary to weather the storms. Ours is not a low-cost, low-risk endeavor. Rather, being a disciple of Jesus, having faith in Him, is an all-in adventure. But make no mistake, there will be perilous moments along the way.  “‘Many will say to Me on that day [when I judge them], ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, and driven out demons in Your name, and done many miracles in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them publicly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me [you are banished from My presence], you who act wickedly [disregarding My commands]’ Matthew 7:22-23

Jesus will always have those that are willingly to follow Him from a safe distance. Crosses are not easy to carry, and flesh-piercing nails don’t play! Following this Jesus will cost you your life. A small price to pay for gaining your life…

If this the first time your hearing this little lamb—I know, it’s shocking—but I love you too much to leave you ignorant. More, Jesus loves you so much He made sure I wrote this. He also made sure you were here today to read it. See, He didn’t want you to take one more step in your pseudo-faith, go one more day, without knowing; “the Truth the whole Truth and nothing but the Truth.” Why? He has a plan for your life. And, He’s about to move in it. You have heard His voice. He has singled you out of the crowd of emotional followers. He has called you to be a true believer—a disciple. It’s why you’re struggling right now. “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, or lose heart when He rebukes you. For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastises everyone He receives as a son.” Endure suffering as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father..? Hebrews 12:5-7. Take heart beloved, your application has been Hand selected—the job of disciple is yours. If, you’ll pick up your cross and follow wherever He may lead.

He’s got you! Just do as He asks. Do all that He asks. And, continue to follow Him. If you’re thinking to yourself, “I don’t deserve this” you’re absolutely spot on.  No one deserves this unfathomable honor! However, you’re in good company. Neither David or Peter or Paul. Neither did Abraham, Noah or Rehab the prostitute. None of them believed they deserved Jesus either. And yet…

Peter will vouch for me on this.

I believe the reason the Holy Spirit led me to our Scripture verse rather than one taken from Luke 14 is because of the lesson we witness in its reading. Peter, hand-chosen by God, is being restored to ministry. Peter, this legend of the faith—this vessel of divine revelation, this courageous father of the faith chosen to help birth God’s Church fell—and he fell hard. After having his great revelation of who Jesus was, after having walked and talked and eaten and lived with Him for three years, after having witnessed His miracles, after having performing miracles of his own—Peter not only denied knowing Jesus three times; He ran off and abandoned Him during His final hours on earth!

Peter left Jesus high and dry all-the-while Jesus was dripping the Blood that had saved Peter.  Then he began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know the man!” Immediately a rooster crowed. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly. Matthew 26:74-75.

Failure does not mean your finished. More, that God is finished with you. Three times Peter denied knowing Christ. And three times Christ in turn asked Peter, “do you love me.” Agape love that is. Greek for unconditional love. Jesus was using these final moments with His friend to both restore Peter and to teach him. Unbeknownst to Peter however, Jesus was stretching him for the weight of the ministry he was about to walk into. And, if one’s ear is keen they’ll hear Jesus’ prophetic Word spoken over their life as well. Restoration is coming!

From this moment in Scripture on, until he was martyred for Christ’s sake, Peter followed after the example of fixed obedience set in place by His Lord…

Yet, God saw fit to use the whole of Peter’s earthly life to extract every last drop of promise He had placed in him. God used his every sin, his betrayal, lies, every moment he’d displayed lack of faith; God used to crush Peters flesh that He would extract from him the pure oil that He had placed within Him.  His restoration completed in Christ, Peter finally heard, “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful and trustworthy over a little, I will put you in charge of many things; share in the joy of your master” –Matthew 25:23-24.

Be encouraged today my friend. Fix your eyes on the Author and Finisher of your faith. Fix your heart on Jesus. Allow Him to remove your dross. Every sin of rebellion, unbelief, idolatry, every impurity that remains in you. And, let no man, job, wife, child, desire, or dream deter you from putting Jesus first—above all else. Those in the crowd were followers Jesus however was speaking to His disciples. Let those who have ears hear. “A large crowd was following Jesus. He turned around and said to them, “If you want to be my disciple, you must, by comparison, hate everyone else—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple. And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple” –Luke 14:25-27. Emphasis my own.

Friend whether you’re here for the first time or the tenth time, it’s no accident. Jesus is speaking to you. What is it He’s asking you to turn from, to let go of, that you might fully turn towards Him? Ask, and He will be faithful to show you—that is, if He hasn’t already. And, if you’re here today and have not yet accepted Christ, now is the time. Today is the day. Jesus is calling you. Won’t you answer His call?

The answer to this one question will change your life. “…do you love Me more than these [others do—with total commitment and devotion]?

 

Growth Spurts. Romans 8:29

September 30, 2018 /

 “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters”

We have always been His…

From our inception—long before our conception, we were chosen in Christ. Regardless if our parents planned it that way or not. God knew. He had a plan for us. A fixed purpose was in place long before our wet, bloodied heads broke free from our mother’s womb. Before one breath was ever taken—one word uttered, we had a purpose. You have a purpose. That’s a Word for someone today.

We were created to hold down a specific spot in the plan God has for His creation. One created, carved out, exclusively for us. A plan far greater and higher and deeper and wider than we’ll ever understand this side of heaven. Yet, it’s nonetheless true, this plan He’s unfolding. And, mind-bogglingly, we entered the world ready for it! Complete, I mean. We came in equipped to fulfill His plan for our lives. We had every gift, experience, word, action, thought, desire, every-thing we’d ever need to fulfill our purpose within us before we even entered this life—in seed form that is. A little kernel was firmly rooted deep within our core—a divine promise just waiting on God’s timing to be called forth. Think of a farmer seeding his field here. It’s a process. First comes the kernels, then the corn stalks. Their embryonic heads—mere sprouts, poking tentatively upwards. Towards what, they know not, yet they must press forward—must grow. Something far greater than themselves propelling them upward—ever upward. So too is our God calling us to come up higher…

Each seed unique. Breaking the surface of the soil at the precise moment it was intended to. As it is with seed-time and harvest—so too with us.

Everything happens in stages. Everything having its assigned time. Even the seemingly insignificant stages. Those moments when it looks like—from our perspective anyway, nothing’s happening—no growth is occurring. Our eyes are locked on the soils surface waiting for something to happen. Wanting some tiny spec of green to surface, assuaging the concerns that we might not have gotten this right. Did I give it enough water? Has it been getting enough sun? Is it in the right soil? If we desire this for ourselves, for our seed to be healthy, to bloom into a vibrant, fecund plant; just imagine how much more the One who sent His only Son to die for us? How much more God? The One who paid the price to buy our seed that it might grow! His plan is for us to flourish, producing fruit in abundance. It’s why His seed was put into us to begin with—that it might produce something others may benefit from. We are, after all, created in the image of the One who gave it all so that “those who will” may have life and have it in abundance.

We are supposed to be like Him—this First Fruit.

He came into the world perfect, sinless, without blemish. One day we too will be as He has always been. Until then however, we’re ever growing into His image and likeness. Remember, seeds don’t become fully matured plants overnight.

“He (Jesus) also said, “’This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground.  Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head.  As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come” Mark 4:26-29. Some crack open and show their first roots—white, hair like roots, within 24 to 48 hours after planting. For others, it takes 3 or more days. And for yet others still, it’s not unusual for 7 days to pass before signs will appear indicating that germination has occurred. And, as a farmer purchases the seed and decides when and where he’ll plant it, so too are we chosen by God.

Being called by Him is a three-fold act. And, He both initiates and sustains it. It involves: 1) Foreknowledge. 2) Being predestined, and finally 3) the life-long process of being conformed to the image of Christ. The first two of these taking place outside of our knowledge—our awareness. We were foreknown by God, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations” –Jeremiah 1:5. And, in that foreknowledge, we were also predestined. “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” Jeremiah 29:11. The Apostle Paul says it this way in Romans 8:30. “And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.” We did not choose God—God chose us. And those He chose He is conforming into the image and likeness of His Son. It’s a lifelong process; yet one that’s certain.

This call on our lives—this unfathomable privilege, this honor beyond compare is effective.

What does that mean? Being chosen by God—called by Him, is the result of God alone bringing about what He demands. As John Piper explains, “It’s a call that creates what it commands. It’s a call like “Lazarus, come forth!” and the dead man lives.”

Just as we did not save ourselves—did not choose to love God, to follow Him; so too we do not decide what type of plant we will become. Nor do we get to decide when, in what season of our lives, any of this might happen. For some, as with the germinating seeds mentioned above, it happens in their youth or teenaged years, For others, in adulthood. And for others still, not until their later years. Being conformed to the image of Christ is not a thing I do to myself—though I have a sure responsibility in the process, it is accomplished by the power of the One who choose me. I am saved by sovereign grace—my rich soil, my shield and covering, my nourishment and protection, my eternal wellspring; from which I grow deep, in seasons and spurts, from inception to resurrection. “…for you have been born again [that is, reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, and set apart for His purpose] not of seed which is perishable but [from that which is] imperishable and immortal, that is, through the living and everlasting word of God” –1 Peter 1:23.

Friend if this is your first time visiting us let me say welcome and thank you for checking us out! More, know that it was God who brought you here for this message, for that one word that jumped up at you and took root in your belly, yes, that is all God’s doing! If you’ve yet to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior know that there is no better time than right now! He’s calling out to you. He’s chosen you to hear His voice over my pale words. Won’t you say yes to Him? It’s simple really. Just ask Him to come into your heart and change you, awaken you, crack your shell that you may begin to grow in Him. And admit to Him that you’re a sinner in need of  Him. The Savior of the world. The Lord of the harvest…

When Destiny Meets Destiny. John 4:8

March 25, 2018 /

 “He was alone at the time because his disciples had gone into the village to buy some food.”

There are times in our walk with God that He will call us to walk alone…

To come out and be separate from who and what we know.  To go to a place, speak to a person, that others may choose to avoid—are not called or equip to be sent to. Thus, it was with Jesus; and our Samaritan woman. And, so it is with you and I as well. For us, following the call of God on our lives often requires us to go outside our comfort zones. To push past the fear of rejection and ridicule. To be stretched beyond, push through, the scars of past pain. Past the fear of losing face, losing friends or family—those dear and the closest to us. Yet, obedience to God, to the call we know as True and demanding of our compliance, requires, dare I say demands, that we set out on a road others may walk miles out of their way to avoid. Yet through our obedience, trust is built. And, as a result, our relationship with God is firmly established—forged, as though through fire.

Moses knew this. So did Abraham, David, and Peter…

Each knew they had been divinely called, uniquely appointed—they also knew they were not qualified to receive such a blessing—yet they obeyed the call nonetheless. Now, it was time for this broken, sin-stained Samaritan woman to learn this lesson as well. To learn that God does not call those who are qualified, equip—feel worthy or ready, or are even prepared for what’s to come. He alone equips those He calls. Being chosen to be used by God is not about us, not in the sense of our readiness or worthiness. This call, it is not about you or me. It’s not about our being “special” or “better than.” It is all about God—about fulfilling His will. About the eternal plan He has both for our lives, and the welfare or betterment of another.

Our call, in the end, is all about love. His Love undeservedly poured out on us, that we in turn, can, will, pour out—share, with another. And so on, and so on, and so on until the whole world has heard of His Great Love…

The account of the, “Woman At the Well”,   is a lush text. It’s ripe with imagery, full of deep spiritual Truths, of revelation. And, though her story alone is teeming and textured—a story chuck full of isolation, loss, misunderstanding even, it is also a story ripe wipe transformation, packed full of purpose, joyfully heralding a soul’s great calling. Some might even say it’s a story of destiny and of hope. So, the fact God chose to illuminate this verse from this account, as opposed to the more central, well know verses speaks directly to how God will  show in the places we least expect Him. For me, and now, for you as well, it was this very sentence, and not one of the more traditional that He spoke through. This sentence, with little apparent connection to the overall text, that the Holy Spirit used to capture my attention—drew my eye and heart into. I pray this blesses you—encourages you, challenges you even—as it certainly has me…

So much to be mined, explored, so much to learn, in this dialogue between Jesus and this woman known to us only as a Samaritan…

She, like most who meet Jesus, have no idea the hour He will appear to us. We, like our friend the Samaritan woman, are often going about our day in typical fashion. In ordinary oblivion, repetitive sameness, and often, in a dense, blinkered denial…

She, for instance, only went to the well at a time of day most others would do anything to avoid having to go. Yet, it was her routine, day in and day out, she waited until the sun was high in the midday sun before venturing out.

Why? Shame mostly…

Death had so deeply wounded her—robbed her, she felt. Not only had she buried five husbands, but in a culture that placed a high premium on having a child—she had none.  So, as not to live the life of a prostitute, a beggar, she has allowed a man to come and live with her, to share her bed, comfort her, help provide for her—but, there is a high price to pay for choosing to live this way.

Compromise often costs us far more than we’re willing to pay…

Scripture reminds us that the price demanded for sin is death. Yet, by the grace and mercy of God we don’t actually physically die when we sin—usually. But, as our friend the Samaritan will certainly attest, we’re all but dead—spiritually, socially certainly, familial also, and, her not venturing out until midday speaks volumes of her self-worth…

Paradoxically, God was about to use the very “thing” that had been the source of much of her pain. The very “thing” that had caused her to sin, and, as sins result, the source of her shame too. What was this ‘thing”?

It was another man…

But, unlike any other man she’d ever known, this Man would forever change the course of her life—and, as a result of that change, countless other lives would be changed as well.

How?

When God chooses to remove the scales from our eyes—allows us to taste of the Living Water He alone offers us, we can’t help but leave all that we know—have clung to, wallowed in, wasted years to behind us and take off running to tell anyone who will listen about this Man—this Jesus. The one who comes and shows us—us.

Who shines a light on all we’ve spent so much time and energy trying to keep in the dark—hidden away.

Sound familiar? If so, take heart! God doesn’t play favorites the way people often do. If He brought about a life changing transformation for this un-named, unknown, broken woman—and He did, purposefully, intentionally, as part of His divine plan, He both can, and wants to, do the same for you too!

Thousands came to Him—a whole town we’re told, because of His obedience. Jesus obeyed God and went where others dare not go. And it was in that place where Destiny met destiny—that lives were forever changed.

Friend, if you’re reading this at your “well” today and a stranger asks you for a drink—don’t hesitate! Drink deep…

but just as it is written [in Scripture], “Things which the eye has not seen and the ear has not heard, And which have not entered the heart of man, All that God has prepared for those who love Him [who hold Him in affectionate reverence, who obey Him, and who gratefully recognize the benefits that He has bestowed]” –1 Corinthians 2:9.

“It’s Time for A Revolution!” Ezek. 18:27-32

October 29, 2016 /

graffiti-156018_960_720 Before we can do a thing—take part in it, we first must understand what “it” is. So, along that bent, what is this revolution of the heart, mind, and, way of living God is detailing to Ezekiel? What news will he share with the Israelite’s—with us?

Simply put—you will be judged according to how you live. Not how your mother or father, nor any others before you chose to live…

Here’s how Webster’s defines revolution: A sudden, radical, or complete change; a fundamental change in the way of thinking about or visualizing something.

Revolution begins with personal—individual responsibility. It begins and ends there. God is telling Ezekiel that each man is responsible for his life—his actions, and their subsequent consequences.

You did it, you own it!

This thinking held by the Israelite’s, that they were judged for what their fathers did, was flawed (Ezek.18:20)—unless, and only,  as children often do, they were mimicking their parent’s sinful behaviors.

Then, assuredly, they should rightfully expect to suffer the consequences of their own sins and rebellion, just as their fathers will suffer their own…

It is in this way only that they, and in succession, we, share in the generational sins of our fathers…” You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me” (Exo.20:5) … this concerning the sin of idolatry. Anything we put in front, in place, of God…

It is only through Adam that every man shares in sin—and subsequently, the curse that was introduced into the world thus. And, like our first parent, we, like the Israelite’s, have learned well, how to play the blame game…(Gen.3:17-23).

Adam was the first to play the game—to attempt to sidestep his sin—his culpability…

The man said, “The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it” (Gen.3:12). Emphasis my own.

Did you catch it? He is telling God; you did this to me. It’s all that woman’s fault. If it hadn’t been for her, I wouldn’t have done it! Why did you put her here?

It is a commonly shared— human trait to lay blame on others for our wrong, sinful, behaviors and choices. We will even go so far as to assign blame to God! Solomon told us there is nothing new under the sun (Ecc. 1:9)!

Adam completely glossed over his guilt—his choice. And so it was with the Israelite’s. They falsely blamed God for being punished for their forefather’s sins. The truth of the matter is, they were being punished for their own sins and rebellion against God.

And so will each of us, today, unless we break the cycle of blame and take responsibility for our sins against God. And, if you’re thinking; I’m okay, I’m a good person, I’m not like_____, I don’t need to confess and ask forgiveness of God—let His Word speak correction to you, listen; “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard” (Rom.3:23).

Don’t miss that—the everyone and all. None of us are sinless or exempt from God’s just judgement…

That is the point of—the actual heading of, today’s chapter from which our verses are taken. “The Soul Who Sins Will Die.” Not because of what your mother or father, grandfather or grandmother did, not because of some supposed on-going family sin, but because you choose to do what is wrong in the eyes of God…

Until we take a revolutionary stance and say enough—no more! No more lies, no more blaming, and playing the victim, we will continue in our current behaviors—hardened by our sin, blinded in our rebellion, and we’ll miss the heart of God. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom.6:23).

And for those who profess to know God, profess salvation through His saving grace, no more taking one step forward to take two back using the excuse; but it’s what I know, I’ve been doing it for so long, I can’t seem to break free of it…

God is not pleased with that thinking and certainly not with the behaviors that are birthed from it, listen; “Like a dog that returns to its vomit Is a fool who repeats his folly” (Prov.26:11).

More to the point still for those who profess to know the Lord; “If we give up and turn our backs on all we’ve learned, all we’ve been given, all the truth we now know, we repudiate Christ’s sacrifice and are left on our own to face the Judgment—and a mighty fierce judgment it will be! If the penalty for breaking the law of Moses is physical death, what do you think will happen if you turn on God’s Son, spit on the sacrifice that made you whole, and insult this most gracious Spirit? This is no light matter. God has warned us that he’ll hold us to account and make us pay. He was quite explicit: “Vengeance is mine, and I won’t overlook a thing” and “God will judge his people.” Nobody’s getting by with anything, believe me” (Heb.10:30-31 Msg.).

So how do we start this Revolution? Humility…

Before anything in us can change—we must acknowledge we need to change. We must admit that all of our, “self-help” attempts to change our condition, our lives  have done little or nothing of lasting effect. And we’ve abandoned them in disappointment. Heaps of frustration, shame and self-loathing piled high on the floor of our lives.

While in front us , all we have left to face tomorrow with, our only remaining hope is…  whatever the next-best-thing might hand us…

Truth is, in-and-of ourselves, we are powerless to change—powerless to break the chains of sin, compulsion, rebellion, and, blame. We like the Israelite’s, and all those that have gone before us, must humble ourselves, acknowledge—own up, take responsibility for, our sins and cry out to the only one who can ignite this change, this revolution within…

It’s the only way to start a personal, powerful—truly life changing revolution!

And the wonderful news is you can start yours today—now, without delay, wherever you are.

How?

Here, let me help you…It all starts with you and God.

… “Who then can be saved? Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Matt.19:26). 

Salvation is not self-help.

Let me repeat that, salvation is not self-help. Don’t get it twisted! Salvation is not just another thing you do—or try, in some fickle-minded attempt to fix what you believe to be broken in your life. It’s not a magic wand.

Salvation is submission to a Divine decree—surrender to the undeserved saving grace of Jesus Christ. It is God first choosing you, loving you. It is Him on your cross dying in your place, for your sin…

So yes, true revolution begins with your surrender! your surrendering of your will for His will. Your plans, for His plans for you. Your timing for His timing. Self for service. Sounds contrary doesn’t it? That’s because what you need for a successful revolution will never, cannot be— found in this world…

Colossians says it like this; “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth” (Col.3:2). Jesus came to this world for one specific purpose. You. The work He did on His Cross—His choosing to die in your place, gave you the necessary tools, that if used correctly, can enable you to humble yourself and ask Him to come into your life, both as your Lord and your Savior…

Doing for you what He intended when He created 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).

Revolutions don’t start accidentally, nor are they unplanned—willy-nilly, they require purpose, decision—planning. True revolution requires a blazing spark from a heart that has said—enough! Change—whatever the cost!

The thing about revolution—there’s never a right time to start one…

The right time is always today, now!

If you don’t know Jesus as your Lord and Savior, ask Him in your heart—your life! “But as for me, my prayer is to You, O LORD, at an acceptable time; O God, in the greatness of Your loving kindness, Answer me with Your saving truth” (Ps.69:13).

Until next time beloved…Blessings.

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