Due to some comments that I have received, I will be continuining this blog. Please consider helping me out by answering the poll at the right.
Thank you to all of you who gave me comments.
Jim
Monday, June 30, 2008
Saturday, June 28, 2008
A Minster By Any Other Name
We were in a group discussion. There were just a few of us so we were pretty open in our discussions. As the discussions came around to what stesses each of us were dealing with, an interesting view that many of us have popped out.
As we discussed different challenges one individual stated that the responsibilities of ministry are extreme, suggesting that, just perhaps, the depth of responsibility on "ministry" was most likely beyond the ability of someone not in ministry to fully understand.
Fastening that we should have the concept or ministry/non-ministry being based upon who pays ones paycheck. This is not uniquely the property of those in "ministry" but many of those who have "non-ministry" jobs agree that we, indeed, have non-ministry jobs.
Scripture doesn't see things that same way at all. We are told that "whatever we do we are to do it as to the Lord".
An equal matter of concern, however, lies in the practicality of this issue. Let me ask you an easy question: who has greater access to the "unsaved", the "minister" or the "non-minister"? An even easier question: who has the greater opportunity to display Jesus to people who have no concept of grace?
Obviously, there are different types of ministry. None is more valuable than the other. We are all one body, different gifts; different callings; different accesses but still one body!
Minister in grace and in faith!
As we discussed different challenges one individual stated that the responsibilities of ministry are extreme, suggesting that, just perhaps, the depth of responsibility on "ministry" was most likely beyond the ability of someone not in ministry to fully understand.
Fastening that we should have the concept or ministry/non-ministry being based upon who pays ones paycheck. This is not uniquely the property of those in "ministry" but many of those who have "non-ministry" jobs agree that we, indeed, have non-ministry jobs.
Scripture doesn't see things that same way at all. We are told that "whatever we do we are to do it as to the Lord".
An equal matter of concern, however, lies in the practicality of this issue. Let me ask you an easy question: who has greater access to the "unsaved", the "minister" or the "non-minister"? An even easier question: who has the greater opportunity to display Jesus to people who have no concept of grace?
Obviously, there are different types of ministry. None is more valuable than the other. We are all one body, different gifts; different callings; different accesses but still one body!
Minister in grace and in faith!
Friday, June 27, 2008
Difficult Times Reach God's Heart
I call out of my distress to the Lord, and He answered me. I cried for help from the depths and You heard my voice…Water encompassed me to the point of death. The great deep engulfed me, weeds were wrapped around my head. I descended to the roots of the mountains. The earth with its bars was around me forever, but You have brought up my life from the pit, O Lord my God.
While I was fainting away, I remembered the Lord; and my prayer came to You, into Your holy temple…I will sacrifice to You with the voice of thanksgiving. Jonah 2:2-9
By the reference you most likely know that the author of the text placed himself in a pretty precarious position due to his own choices and decisions.
I’m quite certain that you haven’t encountered the wrong side of a big fish but, undoubtedly, you have placed yourself in your own precarious situations due to some less that stellar decisions of your own. So how did you feel when the weeds were wrapped around your head?
A flood of feelings come to mind but a desire to pray isn’t likely one of those. Desperation oftentimes compels us to "cry out" to the Lord.
This type of desperate prayer is absolutely valid and necessary from time to time. We see another example of this when Peter jumped out of the boat to walk to Jesus on the surface of the lake only to begin to sink.
Peter discovered that he had few options and he "cried out" "save me Lord".
Of course Jesus did rescue Peter from his decision in spite of the weakness of his faith. Likewise, Jonah found himself in a desperate situation due to decisions that he had made and had few options available to him therefore he "cried out" to God for help.
Although valid and acceptable because of Jesus, desperation prayer is not a prayer of faith.
A prayer of faith accomplishes things beyond our ability to comprehend and oftentimes beyond our ability to see. After all, that is what faith is all about.
The pathway from the prayer of desperation to the prayer of faith is illustrated in Jonah’s text. "I will sacrifice to You with the voice of thanksgiving".
Oh, how easy it is to express our thankfulness when things are going well. It is a different matter entirely when we are wrapped in seaweed at the bottom of the ocean.
This is the type of sacrifice that reaches the very heart of God. This is the sacrifice that is modeled after Jesus when in agony caused by his physical pain magnified beyond all reason by my sin on His back He ask the Father to "forgive them".
Today, right this moment, there are things or people or situations that are not to your liking. You have been burdened by this thing for some time. Now would be a good time to offer Jesus a "sacrifice of thanksgiving" as you throw yourself upon His mighty shoulders.
While I was fainting away, I remembered the Lord; and my prayer came to You, into Your holy temple…I will sacrifice to You with the voice of thanksgiving. Jonah 2:2-9
By the reference you most likely know that the author of the text placed himself in a pretty precarious position due to his own choices and decisions.
I’m quite certain that you haven’t encountered the wrong side of a big fish but, undoubtedly, you have placed yourself in your own precarious situations due to some less that stellar decisions of your own. So how did you feel when the weeds were wrapped around your head?
A flood of feelings come to mind but a desire to pray isn’t likely one of those. Desperation oftentimes compels us to "cry out" to the Lord.
This type of desperate prayer is absolutely valid and necessary from time to time. We see another example of this when Peter jumped out of the boat to walk to Jesus on the surface of the lake only to begin to sink.
Peter discovered that he had few options and he "cried out" "save me Lord".
Of course Jesus did rescue Peter from his decision in spite of the weakness of his faith. Likewise, Jonah found himself in a desperate situation due to decisions that he had made and had few options available to him therefore he "cried out" to God for help.
Although valid and acceptable because of Jesus, desperation prayer is not a prayer of faith.
A prayer of faith accomplishes things beyond our ability to comprehend and oftentimes beyond our ability to see. After all, that is what faith is all about.
The pathway from the prayer of desperation to the prayer of faith is illustrated in Jonah’s text. "I will sacrifice to You with the voice of thanksgiving".
Oh, how easy it is to express our thankfulness when things are going well. It is a different matter entirely when we are wrapped in seaweed at the bottom of the ocean.
This is the type of sacrifice that reaches the very heart of God. This is the sacrifice that is modeled after Jesus when in agony caused by his physical pain magnified beyond all reason by my sin on His back He ask the Father to "forgive them".
Today, right this moment, there are things or people or situations that are not to your liking. You have been burdened by this thing for some time. Now would be a good time to offer Jesus a "sacrifice of thanksgiving" as you throw yourself upon His mighty shoulders.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Difficult Personal Question
Faith is a difficult thing to really understand.
Hebrews 11:1 defines it as an assurance and a conviction about the unknowable and the unseeable.
A few weeks ago my eyes were opened to something shocking the Jesus said just before the last few days of His life on this earth. He said, "…when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?" (Luke 18:8)
Since "discovering" this question I have asked several people, "Where have you seen faith displayed most recently". What I get, in return is blank stares. I then follow up with this question to him/her and to myself, "when was the last time that you did something by faith?".
What answer do you think I would get? Better yet, what answer would I get if I asked you that question?
James 5:17-18 says, Elijah was a man with a nature like ours and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain; and it did not rain fir three years and six months. And again he prayed, and the sky poured rain and the earth produced its fruit.
Please understand that this is not intended as a message of condemnation. This message is one that pierces my heart far more than it could possibly apply to you.
So let me ask us all, will Jesus find faith on this earth when He returns?
Hebrews 11:1 defines it as an assurance and a conviction about the unknowable and the unseeable.
A few weeks ago my eyes were opened to something shocking the Jesus said just before the last few days of His life on this earth. He said, "…when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?" (Luke 18:8)
Since "discovering" this question I have asked several people, "Where have you seen faith displayed most recently". What I get, in return is blank stares. I then follow up with this question to him/her and to myself, "when was the last time that you did something by faith?".
What answer do you think I would get? Better yet, what answer would I get if I asked you that question?
James 5:17-18 says, Elijah was a man with a nature like ours and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain; and it did not rain fir three years and six months. And again he prayed, and the sky poured rain and the earth produced its fruit.
Please understand that this is not intended as a message of condemnation. This message is one that pierces my heart far more than it could possibly apply to you.
So let me ask us all, will Jesus find faith on this earth when He returns?
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Ask With Confidence
Jesus had a phrase that He used a few times that must have left His disciples scratching their heads.
"He who has ears, let him hear…" , once again the disciples looked around to see if the others heard these words. "What does He mean, ‘he who has ears?’ we all have ears and we all hear just fine".
As we listen now to these next words of Jesus hear them with your inner ears; the ones that God designed to be the direct connection between Him and our hearts.
If you abide in Me and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish and it shall be done for you. (John 15:7)
Oh, how easy it is for us to jump on a particular appealing scripture. On the other hand, sometimes specific scriptures are difficult to understand because things don’t seem to work as represented. "Ask whatever you wish and it shall be done for you" is one of those statements.
Obviously, there are some preconditions to the promised results in this statement.
Taken in the context of the body of the overall statement Jesus was making builds the case for this precondition.
I am the true vine, Jesus said, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him shall bear much fruit.
It is in this context that Jesus makes the statement "if you abide in Me and My words abide in you…". The key to the promised results is the precondition.
The fact is, our desires are, for the most part self-serving. Beyond self-serving, our desires are generally extremely small and foolish.
As we absorb the Word of God through reading, meditating and studying our hearts and desires begin to change. As our hearts change it then moves toward the heart of God.
This is not a quick metamorphous but a never-ending submission to the brilliance of God’s truth. The heart is a stubborn, resistant master and it does not submit easily or happily.
Master your heart by submitting it to the sharp edged sword of God’s Word. The surgery will be gentle but effective.
It is out of such a heart that Jesus proclaims, "ask whatever you desire and it will be done for you."
"He who has ears, let him hear…" , once again the disciples looked around to see if the others heard these words. "What does He mean, ‘he who has ears?’ we all have ears and we all hear just fine".
As we listen now to these next words of Jesus hear them with your inner ears; the ones that God designed to be the direct connection between Him and our hearts.
If you abide in Me and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish and it shall be done for you. (John 15:7)
Oh, how easy it is for us to jump on a particular appealing scripture. On the other hand, sometimes specific scriptures are difficult to understand because things don’t seem to work as represented. "Ask whatever you wish and it shall be done for you" is one of those statements.
Obviously, there are some preconditions to the promised results in this statement.
Taken in the context of the body of the overall statement Jesus was making builds the case for this precondition.
I am the true vine, Jesus said, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him shall bear much fruit.
It is in this context that Jesus makes the statement "if you abide in Me and My words abide in you…". The key to the promised results is the precondition.
The fact is, our desires are, for the most part self-serving. Beyond self-serving, our desires are generally extremely small and foolish.
As we absorb the Word of God through reading, meditating and studying our hearts and desires begin to change. As our hearts change it then moves toward the heart of God.
This is not a quick metamorphous but a never-ending submission to the brilliance of God’s truth. The heart is a stubborn, resistant master and it does not submit easily or happily.
Master your heart by submitting it to the sharp edged sword of God’s Word. The surgery will be gentle but effective.
It is out of such a heart that Jesus proclaims, "ask whatever you desire and it will be done for you."
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Faith During the Ordinary
Romans 12:12 says:
"Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer"
How easy it is to "rejoice" in hope. I know that we sometimes lose focus on the "hope that is within us" but we nevertheless know deep within who wins!
Being patient in suffering is a bit more difficult. Perhaps we easily fall into impatient frustration over our suffering at times but eventually we have no choice but to be patient or to be continually frustrated.
The last part of this phrase is intriguing don't you agree? "Persevere" in prayer? Does God know us intimately, or what? Prayer is tough; no not the simple act of praying, that's not what is tough. What is tough is to remember to pray, desire to pray, and to effectively pray.
Perseverance is "hanging in there" in spite of everything else. Do you think we would have an issue with praying if God immediately granted our every request? If we could simply make our request and turn around at see that it had happened, surely we would find praying easy and desirable.
It is the faith component that makes praying difficult and makes staying faithful to prayer a matter of perseverance.
Don't be discouraged when your prayer life seems cold. That happens to all of us. If it were easy anybody could do it; it isn't easy that's why God has called you to do it.
It's not about us being perfectly faithful; it's about a called group of believers who God has brought together to see that prayer is a constant in and in behalf of His Church and His world!
Be a part of the team!
"Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer"
How easy it is to "rejoice" in hope. I know that we sometimes lose focus on the "hope that is within us" but we nevertheless know deep within who wins!
Being patient in suffering is a bit more difficult. Perhaps we easily fall into impatient frustration over our suffering at times but eventually we have no choice but to be patient or to be continually frustrated.
The last part of this phrase is intriguing don't you agree? "Persevere" in prayer? Does God know us intimately, or what? Prayer is tough; no not the simple act of praying, that's not what is tough. What is tough is to remember to pray, desire to pray, and to effectively pray.
Perseverance is "hanging in there" in spite of everything else. Do you think we would have an issue with praying if God immediately granted our every request? If we could simply make our request and turn around at see that it had happened, surely we would find praying easy and desirable.
It is the faith component that makes praying difficult and makes staying faithful to prayer a matter of perseverance.
Don't be discouraged when your prayer life seems cold. That happens to all of us. If it were easy anybody could do it; it isn't easy that's why God has called you to do it.
It's not about us being perfectly faithful; it's about a called group of believers who God has brought together to see that prayer is a constant in and in behalf of His Church and His world!
Be a part of the team!
Monday, June 23, 2008
The Last Days are Here!
Realize this, that in the last days…men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God; 2 Timothy 3:1-4
Quite a list, isn’t it? As you read many of the descriptions what came to your mind?
Sounds a lot like the society that we live in doesn’t it? Everywhere we turn we see one or more of the traits described above displayed openly.
However, before we go too far down this road, we must read the rest of the scripture:
holding to a form of godliness although they have denied its power… 3:5a
So, evidently, the descriptions above aren’t addressing the society’s issues. Those issues have always belonged to society. What is new is that these traits have seeped into the Church. It is only the Church that has the position to “hold to a form of godliness”; the world has never been interested.
Too easy it is to think of examples of the above traits within the Church. The music is too loud, it is too hot, the message was too long, church isn’t fun/friendly/applicable anymore and on and on.
Lost within the ugliness is the “power”. Long ago the manifest power of the gospel message has been buried under the self-interest and self-promotion. Each weekend we see displayed only the “form of godliness” while privately God’s people carry on the sickness.
Hear the Word of the Lord, you rulers of Sodom; give ear to the instruction of our God, you people of Gomorrah. “What are your multiplied sacrifices to Me?” says the Lord. “I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams and the fat of fed cattle. And I take no pleasure in the blood of bulls, lambs, or goats. When you come to appear before Me, who requires of you this trampling of My courts? Bring your worthless offerings no longer; incense is an abomination to Me. I am weary of hearing them.”
“So when you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you, yes, even though you multiply your prayers, I will not listen.”
Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; remove evil of your deeds from My sight. Cease evil, learn to do good, seek justice, reprove the ruthless, defend the orphan, plead for the widow.” Isaiah 1:10-17
As the Nation of Israel was equated to the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah perhaps today’s church is not far from the equation as well.
We are well aware of who makes up today’s Church. Individuals like you and me are responsible for the loss of power. Jesus is inviting us to “wash yourselves, make yourselves clean”.
Let’s agree together to quit “trampling His courts” with our worthless prayers and come into agreement with how He sees us. It is only then that we can once again discover the power!
Quite a list, isn’t it? As you read many of the descriptions what came to your mind?
Sounds a lot like the society that we live in doesn’t it? Everywhere we turn we see one or more of the traits described above displayed openly.
However, before we go too far down this road, we must read the rest of the scripture:
holding to a form of godliness although they have denied its power… 3:5a
So, evidently, the descriptions above aren’t addressing the society’s issues. Those issues have always belonged to society. What is new is that these traits have seeped into the Church. It is only the Church that has the position to “hold to a form of godliness”; the world has never been interested.
Too easy it is to think of examples of the above traits within the Church. The music is too loud, it is too hot, the message was too long, church isn’t fun/friendly/applicable anymore and on and on.
Lost within the ugliness is the “power”. Long ago the manifest power of the gospel message has been buried under the self-interest and self-promotion. Each weekend we see displayed only the “form of godliness” while privately God’s people carry on the sickness.
Hear the Word of the Lord, you rulers of Sodom; give ear to the instruction of our God, you people of Gomorrah. “What are your multiplied sacrifices to Me?” says the Lord. “I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams and the fat of fed cattle. And I take no pleasure in the blood of bulls, lambs, or goats. When you come to appear before Me, who requires of you this trampling of My courts? Bring your worthless offerings no longer; incense is an abomination to Me. I am weary of hearing them.”
“So when you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you, yes, even though you multiply your prayers, I will not listen.”
Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; remove evil of your deeds from My sight. Cease evil, learn to do good, seek justice, reprove the ruthless, defend the orphan, plead for the widow.” Isaiah 1:10-17
As the Nation of Israel was equated to the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah perhaps today’s church is not far from the equation as well.
We are well aware of who makes up today’s Church. Individuals like you and me are responsible for the loss of power. Jesus is inviting us to “wash yourselves, make yourselves clean”.
Let’s agree together to quit “trampling His courts” with our worthless prayers and come into agreement with how He sees us. It is only then that we can once again discover the power!
Sunday, June 22, 2008
The Living Word
For the Word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge thoughts and intentions of the heart. Hebrews 4:12
Many are very familiar with this scripture. Knowing about this scripture is far different from knowing the scripture. There exists a serious lack, in terms of time invested, in the Bible by Christians today. This lack has brought sever consequences. Fear, stress, relationship troubles, pornography, impatience, debt, mistrust, insomnia are commonplace in the lives of Christians in current times.
Jesus prayed the following words: They (the followers of Jesus) are not of this world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.” John 17:16&17
We are “sanctified”(set apart for God’s purposes) by God’s word. There is no other method available. Jesus knows that living in this world dilutes are strongest resolutions. The “truths” of this world begin to take on an air of acceptability over time. The only antidote for the “truths” of this world are the real truths of God’s world and the only place that we experience God’s world is through His word.
Hebrews tells us that the Word of God is living and active. Clearly then, scripture is not a stagnant document. This is an important distinction because, unlike every other book or document, the Bible reveals its truths in levels.
…the natural man does not accept the things of God; for they are foolishness to him and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. I Corinthians 2:14
The closer we are to our “natural man” the less likely we are to read the scriptures because we do not “understand them”. The amazing resilience of scripture provides that, even if we begin close to our “natural man” state, the “sharp, two-edged sword begins to speak to our spiritual man.
As our spiritual nature feeds on God’s word, our spiritual nature grows stronger and stronger. As our spiritual nature (faith) grows new levels of scriptural truth open up to us.
It is time to begin again. Pick up God’s word and ask the Holy Spirit to direct your thoughts and reveal His truth.
Many are very familiar with this scripture. Knowing about this scripture is far different from knowing the scripture. There exists a serious lack, in terms of time invested, in the Bible by Christians today. This lack has brought sever consequences. Fear, stress, relationship troubles, pornography, impatience, debt, mistrust, insomnia are commonplace in the lives of Christians in current times.
Jesus prayed the following words: They (the followers of Jesus) are not of this world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.” John 17:16&17
We are “sanctified”(set apart for God’s purposes) by God’s word. There is no other method available. Jesus knows that living in this world dilutes are strongest resolutions. The “truths” of this world begin to take on an air of acceptability over time. The only antidote for the “truths” of this world are the real truths of God’s world and the only place that we experience God’s world is through His word.
Hebrews tells us that the Word of God is living and active. Clearly then, scripture is not a stagnant document. This is an important distinction because, unlike every other book or document, the Bible reveals its truths in levels.
…the natural man does not accept the things of God; for they are foolishness to him and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. I Corinthians 2:14
The closer we are to our “natural man” the less likely we are to read the scriptures because we do not “understand them”. The amazing resilience of scripture provides that, even if we begin close to our “natural man” state, the “sharp, two-edged sword begins to speak to our spiritual man.
As our spiritual nature feeds on God’s word, our spiritual nature grows stronger and stronger. As our spiritual nature (faith) grows new levels of scriptural truth open up to us.
It is time to begin again. Pick up God’s word and ask the Holy Spirit to direct your thoughts and reveal His truth.
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Power in the Name
His name is Jesus, not Christ, not Lord, not God. Yes, He is the Messiah (Christ), He is Lord of lords and He is eternal God but His name is Jesus.
There is something entirely unique about His name. Scripture indicates that it is unique beyond all other names.
There is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.. Acts 4:12
And on the basis of faith in His name, it is the name of Jesus which has strengthened this man whom you see and know. Acts 3:16
Therefore God highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God. Philippians 2:9&10
And there shall no longer be any curse; and the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His bond-servants shall serve Him; and they shall see His face and His name shall be on their foreheads! Revelation 22:3&4
And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. Colossians 3:17
Scripture tells us that there will be many Christs and false prophets. ( Mark 13:22) There, therefore, is no power in the title of Christ.
Lord is a title of royalty. There have been many Lords in many countries and societies. Jesus is called the Lord of lords for such reason. There is no power in the title of Lord.
The gods of this worldare far too many to name. Religions ,too numerous to mention, all have a concept of god. People freely use the term of god in their exclamations, “Oh, my god!”, “god, no or god, yes”. Jesus referred to the god of this world referring to Satan. There is no power in the title of God!
If you are weary of your mundane job, life; if you are powerless over the temptations; if scripture is boring or left on the shelf; if you would like to experience more power in you life, drop the powerless terms and adopt the powerful name of Jesus!
Jesus, there is something aobut that Name!
There is something entirely unique about His name. Scripture indicates that it is unique beyond all other names.
There is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.. Acts 4:12
And on the basis of faith in His name, it is the name of Jesus which has strengthened this man whom you see and know. Acts 3:16
Therefore God highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God. Philippians 2:9&10
And there shall no longer be any curse; and the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His bond-servants shall serve Him; and they shall see His face and His name shall be on their foreheads! Revelation 22:3&4
And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. Colossians 3:17
Scripture tells us that there will be many Christs and false prophets. ( Mark 13:22) There, therefore, is no power in the title of Christ.
Lord is a title of royalty. There have been many Lords in many countries and societies. Jesus is called the Lord of lords for such reason. There is no power in the title of Lord.
The gods of this worldare far too many to name. Religions ,too numerous to mention, all have a concept of god. People freely use the term of god in their exclamations, “Oh, my god!”, “god, no or god, yes”. Jesus referred to the god of this world referring to Satan. There is no power in the title of God!
If you are weary of your mundane job, life; if you are powerless over the temptations; if scripture is boring or left on the shelf; if you would like to experience more power in you life, drop the powerless terms and adopt the powerful name of Jesus!
Jesus, there is something aobut that Name!
Friday, June 20, 2008
Request
Please consider inviting others on your email address list to visit this blog. It is my deep desire to deliver the messages of life and freedom in Jesus to as many people as possible. I may challenge them but I won’t embarrass you!
Jim
Jim
Condemnation is for Others
There is therefore no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus… Romans 8:1
Jesus said, “Abide in Me and I in you as I am the vine and you are the branches… John 15:1-5
As we choose to live within Him we find the true life that Almighty God intended for us to live.
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set us free from the law of sin and death…Romans 8:2
The do’s and don’ts of religion are counter-productive toward the rich life that God designed for us.
For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did; sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh. Romans 8:2&3
The rules were never intended for the purpose of giving life.
He (God) made Him (Jesus) who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him! II Corinthinans 5:21
He made Jesus to BE sin on our behalf so that we could become righteous IN Him!
You see, your sin, (all of it; yesterday’s, today’s and all of tomorrow’s) were nailed to the cross. As the first nail was hammered into the hand of Jesus, your sin cried out in agony. As the second nail was hammered mercilessly into the other hand of Jesus, your sin screamed in terror! As the final nail was hammered into the feet of Jesus, your sin died!
With sin being dead, the stage has been set for each of us to become righteous in Jesus!
Living IN Jesus is open to each of us who have, by faith, accepted His payment!
We cannot live in both worlds. We cannot live in love with mammon and hope to love God and find the life of abundance that He has provided!
Jesus said, “Abide in Me and I in you as I am the vine and you are the branches… John 15:1-5
As we choose to live within Him we find the true life that Almighty God intended for us to live.
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set us free from the law of sin and death…Romans 8:2
The do’s and don’ts of religion are counter-productive toward the rich life that God designed for us.
For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did; sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh. Romans 8:2&3
The rules were never intended for the purpose of giving life.
He (God) made Him (Jesus) who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him! II Corinthinans 5:21
He made Jesus to BE sin on our behalf so that we could become righteous IN Him!
You see, your sin, (all of it; yesterday’s, today’s and all of tomorrow’s) were nailed to the cross. As the first nail was hammered into the hand of Jesus, your sin cried out in agony. As the second nail was hammered mercilessly into the other hand of Jesus, your sin screamed in terror! As the final nail was hammered into the feet of Jesus, your sin died!
With sin being dead, the stage has been set for each of us to become righteous in Jesus!
Living IN Jesus is open to each of us who have, by faith, accepted His payment!
We cannot live in both worlds. We cannot live in love with mammon and hope to love God and find the life of abundance that He has provided!
Thursday, June 19, 2008
This is True Life!
There is therefore no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus… Romans 8:1
Jesus said, “Abide in Me and I in you as I am the vine and you are the branches… John 15:1-5
As we choose to live within Him we find the true life that Almighty God intended for us to live.
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set us free from the law of sin and death…Romans 8:2
The do’s and don’ts of religion are counter-productive toward the rich life that God designed for us.
For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did; sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh. Romans 8:2&3
The rules were never intended for the purpose of giving life. You will NEVER be good enough!
He (God) made Him (Jesus) who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him! II Corinthinans 5:21
He made Jesus to BE sin on our behalf so that we could become righteous IN Him!
You see, your sin, (all of it; yesterday’s, today’s and all of tomorrow’s) were nailed to the cross.
As the first nail was hammered into the hand of Jesus, your sin cried out in agony. As the second nail was hammered mercilessly into the other hand of Jesus, your sin screamed in terror! As the final nail was hammered into the feet of Jesus, your sin died!
With sin being dead, the stage has been set for each of us to become righteous in Jesus!
Living IN Jesus is open to each of us who have, by faith, accepted His payment!
We cannot live in both worlds. We cannot live in love with mammon and hope to love God and find the life of abundance that He has provided!
Jesus said, “Abide in Me and I in you as I am the vine and you are the branches… John 15:1-5
As we choose to live within Him we find the true life that Almighty God intended for us to live.
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set us free from the law of sin and death…Romans 8:2
The do’s and don’ts of religion are counter-productive toward the rich life that God designed for us.
For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did; sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh. Romans 8:2&3
The rules were never intended for the purpose of giving life. You will NEVER be good enough!
He (God) made Him (Jesus) who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him! II Corinthinans 5:21
He made Jesus to BE sin on our behalf so that we could become righteous IN Him!
You see, your sin, (all of it; yesterday’s, today’s and all of tomorrow’s) were nailed to the cross.
As the first nail was hammered into the hand of Jesus, your sin cried out in agony. As the second nail was hammered mercilessly into the other hand of Jesus, your sin screamed in terror! As the final nail was hammered into the feet of Jesus, your sin died!
With sin being dead, the stage has been set for each of us to become righteous in Jesus!
Living IN Jesus is open to each of us who have, by faith, accepted His payment!
We cannot live in both worlds. We cannot live in love with mammon and hope to love God and find the life of abundance that He has provided!
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow
(Not an original thought; originator unknown)
Yesterday is history
Tomorrow is a mystery
Today is a gift of God; that is why its called the "Present".
To further the point of this message apply it currently. As an example: if it was now 8:00 the phrase would go like this:
7:59 is history
8:01 is a mystery
8:00 is a gift of God; that is why its called the "Present".
Jesus saind it another way when He stated that today has enough troulbes of its own. We simply do not need to borrow them from tomorrow. Mankind is the only creation of God that lives with the arrogant expectation of tomorrow (or the next moment). It is the arrogant expectation that adds levels of stress and conflict.
Accept His gift to you. Leave the excess stuff to Him who says: Come to Me all who are weary and heavy ladened and I will give you rest!
The gift is free but receiving it takes practice!
Yesterday is history
Tomorrow is a mystery
Today is a gift of God; that is why its called the "Present".
To further the point of this message apply it currently. As an example: if it was now 8:00 the phrase would go like this:
7:59 is history
8:01 is a mystery
8:00 is a gift of God; that is why its called the "Present".
Jesus saind it another way when He stated that today has enough troulbes of its own. We simply do not need to borrow them from tomorrow. Mankind is the only creation of God that lives with the arrogant expectation of tomorrow (or the next moment). It is the arrogant expectation that adds levels of stress and conflict.
Accept His gift to you. Leave the excess stuff to Him who says: Come to Me all who are weary and heavy ladened and I will give you rest!
The gift is free but receiving it takes practice!
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Just a Little Talk with Jesus!
Never being one to fear standing out in a crowd or of being a bit different, I boldly and without reservation state that for the longest time I believed everything God said about prayer but, and this is a big but, I knew who I was and that diminished my desire to pray and also, I believe, the results of my prayer. You're most likely not like this but you might know someone who is so I will go on.
One of my many heroes of the Bible is a young guy named Elihu. He was an acquaintance of Job. For the first 31 chapters of the Book of Job we read the thoughts of Job and his older, "wiser" friends. Due to his youth, Elihu just sat by and listened. Finally after 30 chapters of this "wise" counsel Job launches into a long oratory about his frustration over his plight.
Finally, the "wise" friends are silenced. Elihu speaks up. (Please take some time to work your way through the book of Job. Hang in there during the first 31 chapters, chapters 31 through the end of the book are worth the effort.)
Elihu makes the following statement, "Look at the heavens and see; and behold the clouds - they are higher than you. If you have sinned what do you accomplish against Him? And if your transgressions are many, what do you do to Him? If you are righteous, what do you give to Him?"
Elihu says to his advisors, see those clouds, your sin doesn't even effect them, how do you think that they could possibly effect God?
When Jesus tells us to "pray believing" He didn't say "repent, sacrifice, fast" then pray. He simply said "pray believing" because prayer is totally based upon God, not on us!
He said, "I can't believe all that we have going on and I am having trouble handling everything."
She said, "I am just as overwhelmed as you are if not more." "What can we do about our situation?"
He said, "Maybe we should pray"
She said, "Well I guess that's all we have left; we've tried everything else"
Does this sound at all familiar? We all reach our limits sometimes, don't we?
Jesus said, "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest" Matthew 11:28
So is prayer "all we have left" or is "life all we have after prayer"?
Let's "come to Jesus" first for our peace and to make sense out of our lives and out of our situations. Putting it off until it is the only thing left seems a tad foolish and unnecessary, doesn't it?
Eternity is a long, long. long, long, long, longer, longer, longer........time. It is impossible for us to comprehend eternity. The stars in the heavens can be counted, the sand on all of the beaches in the world could be counted, it would take some time and great patience but it is possible to count them. Eternity can not be counted or even considered. We have no point of reference by which we can understand the concept of eternity.
So what? What does this have to do with you ? Just this; a simple prayer in faith makes a difference for eternity. Not because of how we pray, but only because of Who has invited us to pray!
Talk to Him like you would to your best friend who has just returnd from a long, long time away!
One of my many heroes of the Bible is a young guy named Elihu. He was an acquaintance of Job. For the first 31 chapters of the Book of Job we read the thoughts of Job and his older, "wiser" friends. Due to his youth, Elihu just sat by and listened. Finally after 30 chapters of this "wise" counsel Job launches into a long oratory about his frustration over his plight.
Finally, the "wise" friends are silenced. Elihu speaks up. (Please take some time to work your way through the book of Job. Hang in there during the first 31 chapters, chapters 31 through the end of the book are worth the effort.)
Elihu makes the following statement, "Look at the heavens and see; and behold the clouds - they are higher than you. If you have sinned what do you accomplish against Him? And if your transgressions are many, what do you do to Him? If you are righteous, what do you give to Him?"
Elihu says to his advisors, see those clouds, your sin doesn't even effect them, how do you think that they could possibly effect God?
When Jesus tells us to "pray believing" He didn't say "repent, sacrifice, fast" then pray. He simply said "pray believing" because prayer is totally based upon God, not on us!
He said, "I can't believe all that we have going on and I am having trouble handling everything."
She said, "I am just as overwhelmed as you are if not more." "What can we do about our situation?"
He said, "Maybe we should pray"
She said, "Well I guess that's all we have left; we've tried everything else"
Does this sound at all familiar? We all reach our limits sometimes, don't we?
Jesus said, "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest" Matthew 11:28
So is prayer "all we have left" or is "life all we have after prayer"?
Let's "come to Jesus" first for our peace and to make sense out of our lives and out of our situations. Putting it off until it is the only thing left seems a tad foolish and unnecessary, doesn't it?
Eternity is a long, long. long, long, long, longer, longer, longer........time. It is impossible for us to comprehend eternity. The stars in the heavens can be counted, the sand on all of the beaches in the world could be counted, it would take some time and great patience but it is possible to count them. Eternity can not be counted or even considered. We have no point of reference by which we can understand the concept of eternity.
So what? What does this have to do with you ? Just this; a simple prayer in faith makes a difference for eternity. Not because of how we pray, but only because of Who has invited us to pray!
Talk to Him like you would to your best friend who has just returnd from a long, long time away!
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Noise in So Many Colors!
Noise: def: Sound or a sound of any kind
We live in a noisy world. It seems that there is nowhere we can go without some external sound occupying our ears.
A few years ago while driving across the middle of our country the thought occurred to me that the reason why most of the people who worked on farms or ranches had a sense of an Almighty God was because they were familiar with and comfortable with silence.
Psalm 121 says, Behold, He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand. The sun will not smite you by day nor the moon by night. The Lord will protect you from all evil; He will keep your soul. The Lord will guard your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forever.
The prophet Jeremiah has been called the “weeping prophet” due to his tender heart and the difficult message that God chose him to deliver to the people. Try as he might, he could find no way to avoid the mission to which he was called.
Curious is a passage in the bible book that goes by his name. In chapter 31 we find that, as was customary, God was speaking to Jeremiah preparing him for the continuing message to God’s people; however, now the message was shifting from judgment to one of restoration.
Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, “Once again they will speak this word n the land of Judah and in its cities when I restore their fortunes, ‘The Lord bless you, O abode of righteousness, O holy hill!’ And Judah and all its cities will dwell together in it, the farmer and they who go about with flocks. For I satisfy the weary ones and refresh everyone who languishes” verses 23-25
It is here that we find the curious statement: At this time I awoke and looked and my sleep was pleasant to me. Verse 26
It appears that much of the message that Jeremiah had just received was while he was sleeping.
Imagine with me why this might be the case. Why would God choose to communicate with Jeremiah while he was asleep?
Perhaps it was due to the angst that Jeremiah carried as the messenger to Israel. Perhaps it was due to the nature of the message changing from judgment to restoration. For whatever reason, God spoke to him while he was sleeping and clearly delivered the message for him to deliver.
It was a few months ago that I began to understand that there was often a reason why I awoke in the nighttime. For years these unexpected and unappreciated moments on sporadic nights were a frustration. Recently, I have come to understand that, as with Jeremiah, the nighttime is often the best time for God to get my undivided attention.
With the busy, noisy world what we live in there are times when our minds and our spirits are preoccupied and unavailable to our God. In His tenderness He will not yell to get our attention; but He will avail Himself of other opportunities.
The next time that you awake in the night, ask God what He has to tell you. Perhaps a name of someone will come to your mind; or a situation; or a missionary; or a church or some other thing that He desires for you to pray for.
Sure, He would have asked you at an earlier moment to pray but perhaps He “couldn’t get a word in edgewise”!
Rather than presenting Him with only the sleeping hours we might find greater rest in making other space in our lives wherein quiet opens the door and opens our ears.
Give it s try this week!
We live in a noisy world. It seems that there is nowhere we can go without some external sound occupying our ears.
A few years ago while driving across the middle of our country the thought occurred to me that the reason why most of the people who worked on farms or ranches had a sense of an Almighty God was because they were familiar with and comfortable with silence.
Psalm 121 says, Behold, He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand. The sun will not smite you by day nor the moon by night. The Lord will protect you from all evil; He will keep your soul. The Lord will guard your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forever.
The prophet Jeremiah has been called the “weeping prophet” due to his tender heart and the difficult message that God chose him to deliver to the people. Try as he might, he could find no way to avoid the mission to which he was called.
Curious is a passage in the bible book that goes by his name. In chapter 31 we find that, as was customary, God was speaking to Jeremiah preparing him for the continuing message to God’s people; however, now the message was shifting from judgment to one of restoration.
Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, “Once again they will speak this word n the land of Judah and in its cities when I restore their fortunes, ‘The Lord bless you, O abode of righteousness, O holy hill!’ And Judah and all its cities will dwell together in it, the farmer and they who go about with flocks. For I satisfy the weary ones and refresh everyone who languishes” verses 23-25
It is here that we find the curious statement: At this time I awoke and looked and my sleep was pleasant to me. Verse 26
It appears that much of the message that Jeremiah had just received was while he was sleeping.
Imagine with me why this might be the case. Why would God choose to communicate with Jeremiah while he was asleep?
Perhaps it was due to the angst that Jeremiah carried as the messenger to Israel. Perhaps it was due to the nature of the message changing from judgment to restoration. For whatever reason, God spoke to him while he was sleeping and clearly delivered the message for him to deliver.
It was a few months ago that I began to understand that there was often a reason why I awoke in the nighttime. For years these unexpected and unappreciated moments on sporadic nights were a frustration. Recently, I have come to understand that, as with Jeremiah, the nighttime is often the best time for God to get my undivided attention.
With the busy, noisy world what we live in there are times when our minds and our spirits are preoccupied and unavailable to our God. In His tenderness He will not yell to get our attention; but He will avail Himself of other opportunities.
The next time that you awake in the night, ask God what He has to tell you. Perhaps a name of someone will come to your mind; or a situation; or a missionary; or a church or some other thing that He desires for you to pray for.
Sure, He would have asked you at an earlier moment to pray but perhaps He “couldn’t get a word in edgewise”!
Rather than presenting Him with only the sleeping hours we might find greater rest in making other space in our lives wherein quiet opens the door and opens our ears.
Give it s try this week!
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Life with a Purpose
Purpose; there is a reason that you are here! You are not an accident; you are not here by chance; however you are not your own.
…do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price… I Corinthians 6:19-20
Most of us continue to live as if we belonged to no one. Sure there is some responsibility to our families and to our employers but outside of that we think we are in control.
Sadly mistaken is this view. We are free to continue to wander through our own “wildernesses” thinking we are getting somewhere when we are only walking around in circles. The day rapidly approaches each of us when we will look up and discover all that we have been living for is a mirage!
God never intended this to be the case. Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; and in Your book they were written, the days that were ordained for me when as yet there was not one of them. Psalm 139:16
Before you were born, God had His eyes on you. You are His delight: As for the saints, who are in the earth, they are the majestic ones in whom is all My delight! Psalm 16:3
You delight God’s heart. There is nothing more that you need to do to be delightful in God’s eyes. You are His and He chooses to sing over you. (Song of Solomon). That is how He sees you!
How do you see yourself? You have been bought with a price; have you sold yourself to the highest bidder? Do you work for a wage or do you minister to Him and see the reward for your work as a gift from His hand?
For the shepherds have become stupid and have not sought the Lord; therefore they have not prospered and all of their flock is scattered. Jeremiah10:21
The folly of our pursuits leads only to scattered flocks and empty lives.
I know, O Lord, that a man’s way is not in himself; nor is it in a man who walks to direct his steps. Jeremiah 10:23
From the beginning God had a different idea for you: “For I know the plans that I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans for blessing and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you, and you will seek Me and find Me when you will seek Me with all your heart. And I will be found by you,” declares the Lord. Jeremiah 29:11-14
May I suggest that you might like to consider bending toward His desires for you? For too long we have been “stupid” shepherds and our flock is scattered. The height of foolishness is to continue doing the same things while expecting different results. If you don’t like what you have been getting, try doing it His way!
Do you have a purpose or do you just exist day to day?
…do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price… I Corinthians 6:19-20
Most of us continue to live as if we belonged to no one. Sure there is some responsibility to our families and to our employers but outside of that we think we are in control.
Sadly mistaken is this view. We are free to continue to wander through our own “wildernesses” thinking we are getting somewhere when we are only walking around in circles. The day rapidly approaches each of us when we will look up and discover all that we have been living for is a mirage!
God never intended this to be the case. Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; and in Your book they were written, the days that were ordained for me when as yet there was not one of them. Psalm 139:16
Before you were born, God had His eyes on you. You are His delight: As for the saints, who are in the earth, they are the majestic ones in whom is all My delight! Psalm 16:3
You delight God’s heart. There is nothing more that you need to do to be delightful in God’s eyes. You are His and He chooses to sing over you. (Song of Solomon). That is how He sees you!
How do you see yourself? You have been bought with a price; have you sold yourself to the highest bidder? Do you work for a wage or do you minister to Him and see the reward for your work as a gift from His hand?
For the shepherds have become stupid and have not sought the Lord; therefore they have not prospered and all of their flock is scattered. Jeremiah10:21
The folly of our pursuits leads only to scattered flocks and empty lives.
I know, O Lord, that a man’s way is not in himself; nor is it in a man who walks to direct his steps. Jeremiah 10:23
From the beginning God had a different idea for you: “For I know the plans that I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans for blessing and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you, and you will seek Me and find Me when you will seek Me with all your heart. And I will be found by you,” declares the Lord. Jeremiah 29:11-14
May I suggest that you might like to consider bending toward His desires for you? For too long we have been “stupid” shepherds and our flock is scattered. The height of foolishness is to continue doing the same things while expecting different results. If you don’t like what you have been getting, try doing it His way!
Do you have a purpose or do you just exist day to day?
Friday, June 13, 2008
Manna or Toil
(A Chapter from my new book)
God’s design was for all of mankind’s needs to be met through His creation. As Adam awoke each morning he faced his world that was created to provide for his every need. In addition, in spite of the waywardness of the people of the Nation of Israel, even nature was changed to bring provision to God’s people while they struggled in the wilderness through the provision of manna during their wilderness wanderings. Genesis 1:29-30
Jesus confirmed that God’s design of provision with several statements:
Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more? Matthew 6:26
In addition, the Apostle Paul stated his conviction and his experience to the young church at Philipi:
My God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus Philippians 4:19
As is the case with every other area of our lives, so it is with the issue of God’s provision. The Kingdom of God works on different principles from those we are most familiar with in the world in which we live.
Following a lengthy discussion regarding this issue of God’s provision for His people, Jesus includes some interesting words:
For all these things the Gentiles (natural man) eagerly seek; for your Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 6:32-33
“Seek first” indicates that there is a pre-condition applied to the promise. Even the created environment of provision for Adam was even eliminated (Romans 8:22) when he sought his own. Genesis 3:17-19
The first thought is that the reason for Adams change of condition was due to his deserved punishment for his choices. Perhaps there is a broader reason for his plight.
Jesus said something that may help us understand this whole issue: If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him! Matthew 7:11
Jesus said that the Father knows what we need and He is the giver of good gifts. What, then, could be the reason why we struggle the way we do?
To find the answer to that question we must return to the idea that the Kingdom of heaven has a different economy from the one that makes sense to our (natural man) minds. The economy created and sustained by God is one that operates solely on the basis of faith. There is nowhere in our lives in which our faith is displayed more than in how we handle our own finances.
Knowing our hearts and our tendencies to rely on our logic rather than trusting Him, God allows us special considerations when it comes to coming to grips with how He has designed finances and His provision to work in His kingdom. God throws out the challenge to “test Him” to see if His design really works. Malachi 3:6-12
Although He allows us to test His truth, He does not change His truth for our convenience. The test requires that one speak His language; the language of faith.
Bring the whole tithe (1/10th)…and test Me now in this {to see} if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows. Malachi 3:10
Simply stated; hardly believed!
The magnificence of God’s design is exquisite. There is nothing else within His creation that displays the splendor of His creation more than His design for financial issues. Second Corinthians, chapter nine, gives a portrait of His glorious design. Let’s stroll through this scene together:
The story begins: II Corinthians 9:6-15
Verse 6: …he who sows sparingly shall reap sparingly; and he who sows bountifully shall also reap bountifully.
Certainly this concept makes perfect sense to us in terms of farming or gardening. What we sometimes fail to comprehend is that the reason that the concept works in farming and gardening every time it is put to the test is due to the fact that it was designed into creation. The universal design of seed-time and harvest is wide-reaching and permanent.
While the earth remains, seed-time and harvest…shall not cease. Genesis 8:22
Verse 7 Let each one do just as he has purposed in his heart; not grudgingly or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver.
It is the heavenly language of faith that brings the blessing. A cheerful giver is a giver out of his faith because his conviction may be unseen and his assurance may only be hoped for yet he knows, by faith, the Giver of good gifts.
This ends the first part; the part about “bringing the whole tithe”.
The second part shows the “opening up the windows of heaven” part.
Verse 8 God is able to make all grace abound to you, that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed.
The eternal principle designed by God is that with every planting comes the requirement that the return exceeds the planting otherwise the process grinds to a halt.
The return includes sufficiency for every need, which includes sufficiency for re-planting to keep the processing going.
Verse 10 …He who supplies seed to the sower…will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness.
The initial result of what God is after is to increase the redeemed’s maturity so that He can poor further blessings through him.
Verse 11 you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God.
The second result is that God is glorified by both the giver and the receiver of the gifts.
Verse 12 supplying the needs of the saints…overflowing through many thanksgivings to God.
The third result is that God is glorified by many others who have benefited by the gifts.
Verse 13 because of the proof given by this ministry they will glorify God for your obedience to your confession of the gospel of Jesus.
Beyond the gratitude for the gifts, God is glorified because of the evidence of faith. The faithful walk testifies far more than talk. Nowhere do we display are faith that with how we view and handle our personal financial issues.
Verse 14 while they also, by prayer on your behalf yearn for you because of the surpassing grace of God in you.
The fourth result is that intercession is offered for the giver by those who have witnessed the grace of God as exhibited through the gift.
Verse 15 Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!
The fifth result is God being glorified for His faithfulness.
Very simply said, the first 10 percent is not and will never be ours. We will not have access to it one of two ways. We will either return it to its rightful owner and receive the blessings designed or it will be taken from us and we will receive only frustration. (If you bring the whole tithe into my storehouse) “then I will rebuke the devourer for you so that it will not destroy the fruits of the ground; nor will your vine cast its grapes,” says the Lord of hosts. Malachi 3:11 The problem of confused ownership is a bit more critical due to the fact that the “devourer” is not limited to only 10 percent!
Many will wrongly think, from this, that the medium of exchange in the kingdom of heaven is money. Money is only the issue for the one (or most of us) who exalts its position. The medium of exchange in the kingdom of heaven is faith. Faith, faith and only faith. Money only gets involved because it is a blockade to faith for most people.
You do not have because you do not ask and you ask and do not receive because you ask with wrong motives so that you may spend it on your pleasures. James 4:2&3
Money is a stumbling block and works against faith. The purposes of God are to use His body, the Church, to bless people, which brings forth the cascade of blessings as detailed in II Corinthians. The church just does not believe God! Even though He has openly invited us to “test” Him to see if He is telling the truth, still the church does not trust Him.
Earlier we read that God is the giver of good gifts. Any parent knows that it is not a good gift that, once it is given, enables a child to eat, or to do or to be only what he (the child) wants. A good gift is only what the child needs.
Jesus hit this issue head on when He said, He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he how is unrighteous in a very little thing will is unrighteous also in much. If therefore, you have not been faithful in the use of unrighteous mammon, who will entrust the true riches to you? And if you have not been faithful in the use of that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own? No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other or else he will hold to the one and despise the other, You cannot serve God and mammon. Luke 16:10-13
From the beginning in the Garden of Eden it has been God’s desire to give everything to man that man can appropriately handle. The natural man, as well as many Christians, have proven incapable of handling God’s gifts as they were intended. Therefore, provision has been changed to a curse: cursed is the ground because of you; in toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life. Genesis 3:17
It comes down to this; we either believe God and live within His blessings or we don't believe Him and continue to exist ouside of His blessings.
The choice is clear - the choice is, initally, hard!
God’s design was for all of mankind’s needs to be met through His creation. As Adam awoke each morning he faced his world that was created to provide for his every need. In addition, in spite of the waywardness of the people of the Nation of Israel, even nature was changed to bring provision to God’s people while they struggled in the wilderness through the provision of manna during their wilderness wanderings. Genesis 1:29-30
Jesus confirmed that God’s design of provision with several statements:
Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more? Matthew 6:26
In addition, the Apostle Paul stated his conviction and his experience to the young church at Philipi:
My God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus Philippians 4:19
As is the case with every other area of our lives, so it is with the issue of God’s provision. The Kingdom of God works on different principles from those we are most familiar with in the world in which we live.
Following a lengthy discussion regarding this issue of God’s provision for His people, Jesus includes some interesting words:
For all these things the Gentiles (natural man) eagerly seek; for your Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 6:32-33
“Seek first” indicates that there is a pre-condition applied to the promise. Even the created environment of provision for Adam was even eliminated (Romans 8:22) when he sought his own. Genesis 3:17-19
The first thought is that the reason for Adams change of condition was due to his deserved punishment for his choices. Perhaps there is a broader reason for his plight.
Jesus said something that may help us understand this whole issue: If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him! Matthew 7:11
Jesus said that the Father knows what we need and He is the giver of good gifts. What, then, could be the reason why we struggle the way we do?
To find the answer to that question we must return to the idea that the Kingdom of heaven has a different economy from the one that makes sense to our (natural man) minds. The economy created and sustained by God is one that operates solely on the basis of faith. There is nowhere in our lives in which our faith is displayed more than in how we handle our own finances.
Knowing our hearts and our tendencies to rely on our logic rather than trusting Him, God allows us special considerations when it comes to coming to grips with how He has designed finances and His provision to work in His kingdom. God throws out the challenge to “test Him” to see if His design really works. Malachi 3:6-12
Although He allows us to test His truth, He does not change His truth for our convenience. The test requires that one speak His language; the language of faith.
Bring the whole tithe (1/10th)…and test Me now in this {to see} if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows. Malachi 3:10
Simply stated; hardly believed!
The magnificence of God’s design is exquisite. There is nothing else within His creation that displays the splendor of His creation more than His design for financial issues. Second Corinthians, chapter nine, gives a portrait of His glorious design. Let’s stroll through this scene together:
The story begins: II Corinthians 9:6-15
Verse 6: …he who sows sparingly shall reap sparingly; and he who sows bountifully shall also reap bountifully.
Certainly this concept makes perfect sense to us in terms of farming or gardening. What we sometimes fail to comprehend is that the reason that the concept works in farming and gardening every time it is put to the test is due to the fact that it was designed into creation. The universal design of seed-time and harvest is wide-reaching and permanent.
While the earth remains, seed-time and harvest…shall not cease. Genesis 8:22
Verse 7 Let each one do just as he has purposed in his heart; not grudgingly or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver.
It is the heavenly language of faith that brings the blessing. A cheerful giver is a giver out of his faith because his conviction may be unseen and his assurance may only be hoped for yet he knows, by faith, the Giver of good gifts.
This ends the first part; the part about “bringing the whole tithe”.
The second part shows the “opening up the windows of heaven” part.
Verse 8 God is able to make all grace abound to you, that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed.
The eternal principle designed by God is that with every planting comes the requirement that the return exceeds the planting otherwise the process grinds to a halt.
The return includes sufficiency for every need, which includes sufficiency for re-planting to keep the processing going.
Verse 10 …He who supplies seed to the sower…will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness.
The initial result of what God is after is to increase the redeemed’s maturity so that He can poor further blessings through him.
Verse 11 you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God.
The second result is that God is glorified by both the giver and the receiver of the gifts.
Verse 12 supplying the needs of the saints…overflowing through many thanksgivings to God.
The third result is that God is glorified by many others who have benefited by the gifts.
Verse 13 because of the proof given by this ministry they will glorify God for your obedience to your confession of the gospel of Jesus.
Beyond the gratitude for the gifts, God is glorified because of the evidence of faith. The faithful walk testifies far more than talk. Nowhere do we display are faith that with how we view and handle our personal financial issues.
Verse 14 while they also, by prayer on your behalf yearn for you because of the surpassing grace of God in you.
The fourth result is that intercession is offered for the giver by those who have witnessed the grace of God as exhibited through the gift.
Verse 15 Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!
The fifth result is God being glorified for His faithfulness.
Very simply said, the first 10 percent is not and will never be ours. We will not have access to it one of two ways. We will either return it to its rightful owner and receive the blessings designed or it will be taken from us and we will receive only frustration. (If you bring the whole tithe into my storehouse) “then I will rebuke the devourer for you so that it will not destroy the fruits of the ground; nor will your vine cast its grapes,” says the Lord of hosts. Malachi 3:11 The problem of confused ownership is a bit more critical due to the fact that the “devourer” is not limited to only 10 percent!
Many will wrongly think, from this, that the medium of exchange in the kingdom of heaven is money. Money is only the issue for the one (or most of us) who exalts its position. The medium of exchange in the kingdom of heaven is faith. Faith, faith and only faith. Money only gets involved because it is a blockade to faith for most people.
You do not have because you do not ask and you ask and do not receive because you ask with wrong motives so that you may spend it on your pleasures. James 4:2&3
Money is a stumbling block and works against faith. The purposes of God are to use His body, the Church, to bless people, which brings forth the cascade of blessings as detailed in II Corinthians. The church just does not believe God! Even though He has openly invited us to “test” Him to see if He is telling the truth, still the church does not trust Him.
Earlier we read that God is the giver of good gifts. Any parent knows that it is not a good gift that, once it is given, enables a child to eat, or to do or to be only what he (the child) wants. A good gift is only what the child needs.
Jesus hit this issue head on when He said, He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he how is unrighteous in a very little thing will is unrighteous also in much. If therefore, you have not been faithful in the use of unrighteous mammon, who will entrust the true riches to you? And if you have not been faithful in the use of that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own? No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other or else he will hold to the one and despise the other, You cannot serve God and mammon. Luke 16:10-13
From the beginning in the Garden of Eden it has been God’s desire to give everything to man that man can appropriately handle. The natural man, as well as many Christians, have proven incapable of handling God’s gifts as they were intended. Therefore, provision has been changed to a curse: cursed is the ground because of you; in toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life. Genesis 3:17
It comes down to this; we either believe God and live within His blessings or we don't believe Him and continue to exist ouside of His blessings.
The choice is clear - the choice is, initally, hard!
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Lesson of the Seas
One of the many ways that our God graciously communicates with us displays His pursuit of us. When there is a critical message that He doesn’t want us to miss, He will send it in multiple ways. A case in point follows:
Within the Promised Land, today called Israel, runs a river from the north to the south. The Jordan River has been used for many messages and many lessons over the years. This time we are not looking at the river but the lakes that exist because of the river.
Traveling from the north, the first lake that we encounter is the Sea of Galilee. This lake is alive with fish and many other water creatures. The Jordan enters the lake from the north and exits to the south.
The next, and last, lake that we come to on the Jordan is the Dead Sea. Unlike the s Sea of Galilee there is absolutely no life in or, even, around the lake. The Jordan River enters the Dead Sea from the north and dies in the Dead Sea. The lifeless lake is not due to the water itself but, rather, is due to the minerals that the river has picked up alone its way to the sea. Since there is no outlet these minerals are concentrated and deadly.
There is a profound principle that is communicated by this geographical picture. God has given, into our hands, funds sufficient to do His purposes. He, like the Jordan River, flows funds into our hands. Much of today’s Christianity is lying empty and dead because of positioning themselves as the receiver and the keeper. Like the Dead Sea, we have gathered houses, cars, clothes, dining out experiences and more and more. What God intended, as a blessing has become a burden leading to death.
The designed flow of funds into and through our hands brings life and joy. Attempting to divert the given funds is available to us but brings only the ugly result.
If this message is not difficult enough! Last week I was sharing this thought with a young brother in Jesus. He was quick to point out an application that I had not seen: For years, week after week every Sunday, we have heard message after message but have done very little in releasing the messages to others who don’t know our Jesus! Spiritually alive means taking in and giving out. There are no exceptions. As with the “things” we hold onto, the lack of follow-through with our witness leads only to the Dead Sea experience!
Is it time to reconsider anything?
We all have opted for a little more collecting than disbursing. The only question that is important is: How close are you to your God? Is there life and joy resident or does burden and stress reside?
Within the Promised Land, today called Israel, runs a river from the north to the south. The Jordan River has been used for many messages and many lessons over the years. This time we are not looking at the river but the lakes that exist because of the river.
Traveling from the north, the first lake that we encounter is the Sea of Galilee. This lake is alive with fish and many other water creatures. The Jordan enters the lake from the north and exits to the south.
The next, and last, lake that we come to on the Jordan is the Dead Sea. Unlike the s Sea of Galilee there is absolutely no life in or, even, around the lake. The Jordan River enters the Dead Sea from the north and dies in the Dead Sea. The lifeless lake is not due to the water itself but, rather, is due to the minerals that the river has picked up alone its way to the sea. Since there is no outlet these minerals are concentrated and deadly.
There is a profound principle that is communicated by this geographical picture. God has given, into our hands, funds sufficient to do His purposes. He, like the Jordan River, flows funds into our hands. Much of today’s Christianity is lying empty and dead because of positioning themselves as the receiver and the keeper. Like the Dead Sea, we have gathered houses, cars, clothes, dining out experiences and more and more. What God intended, as a blessing has become a burden leading to death.
The designed flow of funds into and through our hands brings life and joy. Attempting to divert the given funds is available to us but brings only the ugly result.
If this message is not difficult enough! Last week I was sharing this thought with a young brother in Jesus. He was quick to point out an application that I had not seen: For years, week after week every Sunday, we have heard message after message but have done very little in releasing the messages to others who don’t know our Jesus! Spiritually alive means taking in and giving out. There are no exceptions. As with the “things” we hold onto, the lack of follow-through with our witness leads only to the Dead Sea experience!
Is it time to reconsider anything?
We all have opted for a little more collecting than disbursing. The only question that is important is: How close are you to your God? Is there life and joy resident or does burden and stress reside?
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Life or Death?
I recently read a book about the life of an amazing basketball player. My time within the basketball world was concurrent with that of “Pistol” Pete Maravich. Pistol Pete is legendary and still holds many records for scoring within both the NCAA and NBA.
Before I go on too long here, this is not a sports story or discussion. There was an interesting parallel that I discovered as I read the story. For year after year, Pistol Pete was famous for his ability to score from any position and against any defense. As his fame for scoring grew; so did is dissatisfaction with the game of basketball as well as his discontentment with his life.
There was a far too brief period wherein all of that changed. Many who have played, competitively, any team game will identify with the rare time in which the team ceases to be a collection of individuals and becomes a unit of one. Pistol Pete discovered this far too rare state when he adjusted his attitude toward the game.
It is impossible for a collection of individuals to ever realize the flow and the joy of the team experience. The term “the whole is greater than the sum of its parts” describes this rarefied state.
Jesus knew of the deep, deep nature that moves within us because He chose personally experience our nature. As the cross drew imminent, Jesus laid out the desires of His heart in a prayer: I do not (just) as in behalf of these (His disciples) alone but for those who believe in Me through their word: that they may all be one; even as You, Father are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us; that the world may believe that You did send Me. And the glory which You have given Me, I have given them; that they may be one, just as WE are one; I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity…John 17:20-23a
There is an, otherwise impossible to know, glory that exists within the unity of an individual with his Creator; “that they also may be in Us”. Furthermore, in addition to this and not as a separate option is this, is the glory that comes within the unity of believers who are in unity with the Creator; “that they may all be one; even as You, Father are in Me and I in You,”.
The natural urge within each of us is to be independent. We simply desire to follow our own ideas and choose our own destinies. Jesus recognized this “pull” within each of us and warned us about this proclivity and is natural effects. For whoever wishes to save his life shall lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s sake shall save it”. Mark 8:35
This “losing one’s life” is not a one-time commitment. The natural bent of our personalities is not eradicated by a one-time decision. No, rather, this is a moment by moment decision. If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me…Luke 9:23
The implement of death, the cross, must be picked up daily but it is for the sole purpose of carrying this life-giving tool with us throughout the day for us to choose to use on a moment by moment basis.
Moses calls us to choose life, "I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curses. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants, by loving the Lord your God, by obeying His voice and by holding fast to Him; for this is your life and the length of your days, that you may live in the land which the Lord swore to your fathers"…Deuteronomy 30:19&20
Choose Death if you desire LIFE!
Before I go on too long here, this is not a sports story or discussion. There was an interesting parallel that I discovered as I read the story. For year after year, Pistol Pete was famous for his ability to score from any position and against any defense. As his fame for scoring grew; so did is dissatisfaction with the game of basketball as well as his discontentment with his life.
There was a far too brief period wherein all of that changed. Many who have played, competitively, any team game will identify with the rare time in which the team ceases to be a collection of individuals and becomes a unit of one. Pistol Pete discovered this far too rare state when he adjusted his attitude toward the game.
It is impossible for a collection of individuals to ever realize the flow and the joy of the team experience. The term “the whole is greater than the sum of its parts” describes this rarefied state.
Jesus knew of the deep, deep nature that moves within us because He chose personally experience our nature. As the cross drew imminent, Jesus laid out the desires of His heart in a prayer: I do not (just) as in behalf of these (His disciples) alone but for those who believe in Me through their word: that they may all be one; even as You, Father are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us; that the world may believe that You did send Me. And the glory which You have given Me, I have given them; that they may be one, just as WE are one; I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity…John 17:20-23a
There is an, otherwise impossible to know, glory that exists within the unity of an individual with his Creator; “that they also may be in Us”. Furthermore, in addition to this and not as a separate option is this, is the glory that comes within the unity of believers who are in unity with the Creator; “that they may all be one; even as You, Father are in Me and I in You,”.
The natural urge within each of us is to be independent. We simply desire to follow our own ideas and choose our own destinies. Jesus recognized this “pull” within each of us and warned us about this proclivity and is natural effects. For whoever wishes to save his life shall lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s sake shall save it”. Mark 8:35
This “losing one’s life” is not a one-time commitment. The natural bent of our personalities is not eradicated by a one-time decision. No, rather, this is a moment by moment decision. If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me…Luke 9:23
The implement of death, the cross, must be picked up daily but it is for the sole purpose of carrying this life-giving tool with us throughout the day for us to choose to use on a moment by moment basis.
Moses calls us to choose life, "I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curses. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants, by loving the Lord your God, by obeying His voice and by holding fast to Him; for this is your life and the length of your days, that you may live in the land which the Lord swore to your fathers"…Deuteronomy 30:19&20
Choose Death if you desire LIFE!
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Faith at the Core
Have you ever been in a difficult position? Of course you have, but have you ever been in such a difficult, hopeless position that your heart ached?
I think that is where we find Hannah after years of humiliation and failure brought her and her aching heart to the temple whether in faith or simply in desperation we will never know.
A little background might help us understand Hannah’s heart. You see, Hannah was one of two women that her husband had taken for a wife. As difficult as this might be ordinarily, the situation that had arisen within this family was that one woman had children but the other, you guessed it, Hannah did not. Well you can’t hide a problem like that for very long. There can be no doubt as to who has the problem.
The matter was complicated by the person that scripture calls Hannah’s rival. The woman who had children "bitterly provoked" Hannah to irritate her.
The situation had become so serious that her husband, who and done various things to show his support and love for Hannah, cries out in frustration to her, "Hannah, why do you weep and why do you not eat and why is your heart sad? Am I not better to you than ten sons?"
I sure that none of us have ever been where Hannah found herself at this point. There is a point where the hurt can not hurt anymore, where one just mentally "throws up his hands" or "throws in the towel"
.
Scripture tells us that Hannah, was "greatly distressed and prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly".
After some interaction with the priest regarding her actions Hannah explained, "I poured out my soul before the Lord".
There are times when we stand strong in the strength of the Lord and we pray with boldness and confidence. There are these other times which seem somehow less valuable; less faithful.
We easily comprehend and admire the faith of a prayer offered by someone who prays like he knows personally the One to whom he talks. To pray with someone who prays expectantly is a wonderful experience. These opportunities are easy and welcome and wonderful.
There are things that we should not miss about the faith of the Hannah type of prayers. There exists in a believer a level of faith that is buoyed by our convictions, by our experiences or by our commitments. There is yet another level of faith that we find when everything is stripped away and all we find left is the core of one’s being. The times when all pretensions, all suppositions, absolutely everything but one’s existence is let go, a level of faith remains.
This faith is what lies at the very core.
Jesus has written that core faith in the recesses of our hearts (Hebrews 12:2). It will never fail us nor will it ever desert us. It is the direct connection to Him.
( the story of Hannah is found in the book of I Samuel chapter 1)
I think that is where we find Hannah after years of humiliation and failure brought her and her aching heart to the temple whether in faith or simply in desperation we will never know.
A little background might help us understand Hannah’s heart. You see, Hannah was one of two women that her husband had taken for a wife. As difficult as this might be ordinarily, the situation that had arisen within this family was that one woman had children but the other, you guessed it, Hannah did not. Well you can’t hide a problem like that for very long. There can be no doubt as to who has the problem.
The matter was complicated by the person that scripture calls Hannah’s rival. The woman who had children "bitterly provoked" Hannah to irritate her.
The situation had become so serious that her husband, who and done various things to show his support and love for Hannah, cries out in frustration to her, "Hannah, why do you weep and why do you not eat and why is your heart sad? Am I not better to you than ten sons?"
I sure that none of us have ever been where Hannah found herself at this point. There is a point where the hurt can not hurt anymore, where one just mentally "throws up his hands" or "throws in the towel"
.
Scripture tells us that Hannah, was "greatly distressed and prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly".
After some interaction with the priest regarding her actions Hannah explained, "I poured out my soul before the Lord".
There are times when we stand strong in the strength of the Lord and we pray with boldness and confidence. There are these other times which seem somehow less valuable; less faithful.
We easily comprehend and admire the faith of a prayer offered by someone who prays like he knows personally the One to whom he talks. To pray with someone who prays expectantly is a wonderful experience. These opportunities are easy and welcome and wonderful.
There are things that we should not miss about the faith of the Hannah type of prayers. There exists in a believer a level of faith that is buoyed by our convictions, by our experiences or by our commitments. There is yet another level of faith that we find when everything is stripped away and all we find left is the core of one’s being. The times when all pretensions, all suppositions, absolutely everything but one’s existence is let go, a level of faith remains.
This faith is what lies at the very core.
Jesus has written that core faith in the recesses of our hearts (Hebrews 12:2). It will never fail us nor will it ever desert us. It is the direct connection to Him.
( the story of Hannah is found in the book of I Samuel chapter 1)
Monday, June 9, 2008
Existence or Life
A shepherd boy made king wrote from his experience about his God. David penned these words as he contemplated the felt presence of his God:
Were can I go from Thy Spirit? Or where can I go from Thy presence?
If I ascend to heaven, Thou art there, if I make my bed in the depths, behold Thou are there. If I take the wings of dawn, if I dwell in the remotest part of the sea, even there Thy hand will lead me and Thy (strong) right hand will lay hold of me. If I say "surely the darkness will overwhelm me and the light around me will be night",
Even the darkness is not dark to Thee, and the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are alike to Thee. (Psalm 139:7-12)
The gift that we call prayer is much more simple than we make it most of the time. Oftentimes, we tend to handle prayer like a ritual or like a prescription. The gift that we have been given is more like a conversation. We are not making a heavenly phone call to a God in some far off place. We are merely discussing the ups and downs, the ins and outs of our lives with the ever-present God.
Even more intimate than this is the plentiful knowledge of this ever-present God. David states, "O Lord, Thou has searched me and know me. Thou dost know when I sit down and when I rise up; Thou dost understand my thought from afar. Thou dost scrutinize my path and my lying down and art intimately acquainted with all my ways. Even before there is a word on my tongue, behold, O Lord, Thou dost knowest it all". (v. 1-5)
We easily ascent to the understanding that God knows everything but we handle the details of our lives as if we were independent. The illusion of independence is same spirit we discover in the garden of Eden when Adam chose his desires over God’s. We fool ourselves into thinking that what we do won’t matter.
Contrast your view of your life and your relationship with your Creator with the view that the shepherd boy had:
"Thou hast enclosed me behind and before, and laid Thy hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is too high, I cannot attain to it." (v.6)
So now, the only question that remains is which life will we choose: the existence of the fool or the life with God’s presence?
Were can I go from Thy Spirit? Or where can I go from Thy presence?
If I ascend to heaven, Thou art there, if I make my bed in the depths, behold Thou are there. If I take the wings of dawn, if I dwell in the remotest part of the sea, even there Thy hand will lead me and Thy (strong) right hand will lay hold of me. If I say "surely the darkness will overwhelm me and the light around me will be night",
Even the darkness is not dark to Thee, and the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are alike to Thee. (Psalm 139:7-12)
The gift that we call prayer is much more simple than we make it most of the time. Oftentimes, we tend to handle prayer like a ritual or like a prescription. The gift that we have been given is more like a conversation. We are not making a heavenly phone call to a God in some far off place. We are merely discussing the ups and downs, the ins and outs of our lives with the ever-present God.
Even more intimate than this is the plentiful knowledge of this ever-present God. David states, "O Lord, Thou has searched me and know me. Thou dost know when I sit down and when I rise up; Thou dost understand my thought from afar. Thou dost scrutinize my path and my lying down and art intimately acquainted with all my ways. Even before there is a word on my tongue, behold, O Lord, Thou dost knowest it all". (v. 1-5)
We easily ascent to the understanding that God knows everything but we handle the details of our lives as if we were independent. The illusion of independence is same spirit we discover in the garden of Eden when Adam chose his desires over God’s. We fool ourselves into thinking that what we do won’t matter.
Contrast your view of your life and your relationship with your Creator with the view that the shepherd boy had:
"Thou hast enclosed me behind and before, and laid Thy hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is too high, I cannot attain to it." (v.6)
So now, the only question that remains is which life will we choose: the existence of the fool or the life with God’s presence?
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Ears of the Spirit
Jesus had a phrase that He used a few times that must have left His disciples scratching their heads. "He who has ears, let him hear…" , once again the disciples looked around to see if the others heard these words. "What does He mean, ‘he who has ears?’ we all have ears and we all hear just fine".
As we listen now to these next words of Jesus hear them with your inner ears; the ones that God designed to be the direct connection between Him and our hearts.
If you abide in Me and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish and it shall be done for you. (John 15:7)
Oh, how easy it is for us to jump on a particular appealing scripture. On the other hand, sometimes specific scriptures are difficult to understand because things don’t seem to work as represented. "Ask whatever you wish and it shall be done for you" is one of those statements.
Obviously, there are some preconditions to the promised results in this statement. Taken in the context of the body of the overall statement Jesus was making builds the case for this precondition.
I am the true vine, Jesus said, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him shall bear much fruit.
It is in this context that Jesus makes the statement "if you abide in Me and My words abide in you…". The key to the promised results is the precondition.
The fact is, our desires are, for the most part self-serving. Beyond self-serving, our desires are generally extremely small and foolish.
As we absorb the Word of God through reading, meditating and studying our hearts and desires begin to change. As our hearts change it then moves toward the heart of God.
This is not a quick metamorphous but a never-ending submission to the brilliance of God’s truth. The heart is a stubborn, resistant master and it does not submit easily or happily.
Master your heart by submitting it to the sharp edged sword of God’s Word. The surgery will be gentle but effective.
It is out of such a heart that Jesus proclaims, "ask whatever you desire and it will be done for you."
As we listen now to these next words of Jesus hear them with your inner ears; the ones that God designed to be the direct connection between Him and our hearts.
If you abide in Me and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish and it shall be done for you. (John 15:7)
Oh, how easy it is for us to jump on a particular appealing scripture. On the other hand, sometimes specific scriptures are difficult to understand because things don’t seem to work as represented. "Ask whatever you wish and it shall be done for you" is one of those statements.
Obviously, there are some preconditions to the promised results in this statement. Taken in the context of the body of the overall statement Jesus was making builds the case for this precondition.
I am the true vine, Jesus said, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him shall bear much fruit.
It is in this context that Jesus makes the statement "if you abide in Me and My words abide in you…". The key to the promised results is the precondition.
The fact is, our desires are, for the most part self-serving. Beyond self-serving, our desires are generally extremely small and foolish.
As we absorb the Word of God through reading, meditating and studying our hearts and desires begin to change. As our hearts change it then moves toward the heart of God.
This is not a quick metamorphous but a never-ending submission to the brilliance of God’s truth. The heart is a stubborn, resistant master and it does not submit easily or happily.
Master your heart by submitting it to the sharp edged sword of God’s Word. The surgery will be gentle but effective.
It is out of such a heart that Jesus proclaims, "ask whatever you desire and it will be done for you."
Saturday, June 7, 2008
A Game ot Catch
A number of years ago I grew a bit frustrated with one of my children. It seemed so difficult to communicate with him regardless of how hard I tried or what subject I brought up. One day I discovered a modern parable to help my child understand my concerns.
I invited my child to grab a ball and then sit across the room from me. I asked him to roll the ball to me which he happily did thinking that we were playing a game. As I caught the ball I simply held onto to it. I didn't play with it or hide it. I just let it lay there.
It wasn't long until he grew tired of this new game and asked me to throw the ball back.
I simply smiled. His insistence grew as did my smile. After several pleas and several smiles, I simply said, "you know, when I pick you up from school and ask you "tell me about your day" and you simply say "nothing" I feel just like you just did when I didn't throw the ball back to you.
From that time on, all I had to do was mention throwing the ball back whenever we bumped into another session of nothings.
This a lengthy preamble to this week's scripture:
I permitted Myself to be sought by those who did not ask for Me; I permitted Myself to be found by those who did not seek Me. I said, "here am I, here am I," to a nation which did not call on My name. I have spread out My hands all day long to a rebellious people who walk in the way which is not good following their own thoughts, a people who continually provoke Me to MY face... Isaiah 65:1-3
Have you been holding the ball?
Sure, we are always too busy, we are always too preoccupied; too frustrated to pray.
Oops, could He be talking to me? "who walk in the way which is not good following their own thoughts".
"My thoughts are not your thoughts; neither are your ways My ways", declares the Lord. Isaiah 55:8
There is a widely known saying that says, "If you keep on doing what you're doing, you're going to keep on getting what you're getting". As a matter of fact we would all think a person was mentally challenged who repeatedly did the same action while expecting a different result.
So how long will we continue in the folly of pursuing our own thoughts and priorities? We should be honest enough, at least, to quit complaining about the circumstances and the situations of our lives if we choose to continue in following our own thinking.
Your God is calling out to you, "I am here; I am here". Will you respond or choose folly?
I invited my child to grab a ball and then sit across the room from me. I asked him to roll the ball to me which he happily did thinking that we were playing a game. As I caught the ball I simply held onto to it. I didn't play with it or hide it. I just let it lay there.
It wasn't long until he grew tired of this new game and asked me to throw the ball back.
I simply smiled. His insistence grew as did my smile. After several pleas and several smiles, I simply said, "you know, when I pick you up from school and ask you "tell me about your day" and you simply say "nothing" I feel just like you just did when I didn't throw the ball back to you.
From that time on, all I had to do was mention throwing the ball back whenever we bumped into another session of nothings.
This a lengthy preamble to this week's scripture:
I permitted Myself to be sought by those who did not ask for Me; I permitted Myself to be found by those who did not seek Me. I said, "here am I, here am I," to a nation which did not call on My name. I have spread out My hands all day long to a rebellious people who walk in the way which is not good following their own thoughts, a people who continually provoke Me to MY face... Isaiah 65:1-3
Have you been holding the ball?
Sure, we are always too busy, we are always too preoccupied; too frustrated to pray.
Oops, could He be talking to me? "who walk in the way which is not good following their own thoughts".
"My thoughts are not your thoughts; neither are your ways My ways", declares the Lord. Isaiah 55:8
There is a widely known saying that says, "If you keep on doing what you're doing, you're going to keep on getting what you're getting". As a matter of fact we would all think a person was mentally challenged who repeatedly did the same action while expecting a different result.
So how long will we continue in the folly of pursuing our own thoughts and priorities? We should be honest enough, at least, to quit complaining about the circumstances and the situations of our lives if we choose to continue in following our own thinking.
Your God is calling out to you, "I am here; I am here". Will you respond or choose folly?
Friday, June 6, 2008
King of the Mountain
Elections always seem to bring out the worst of people. In addition, court decision after decision seems to frustrate those who stand for integrity and justice. So many times we get our focus off of where it should be. Psalm 2 brings it all back into proper perspective.
Why are the nations in an uproar and the peoples devising a vain thing?
The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers take counsel together
Against the Lord and against His anointed!
Let us tear their fetters apart and cast away their cords from us!
He who sits in the heavens laughs the Lord scoffs at them.
He will speak to them in His anger and terrify them in His fury!
But as for me, I have installed My King upon Zion, My holy mountain!
“Install THE KING” upon your mountain! There is no mountain that He cannot “laugh at”. Too often we stand a fret at the foothills of the mountain in front of us rather than delivering it to the King!
Jesus said, “Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful” John 14:27
Whatever has been worth your worry; whatever has been worth trading your peace for; that is worthy of surrender to the King of the Mountain!
Why are the nations in an uproar and the peoples devising a vain thing?
The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers take counsel together
Against the Lord and against His anointed!
Let us tear their fetters apart and cast away their cords from us!
He who sits in the heavens laughs the Lord scoffs at them.
He will speak to them in His anger and terrify them in His fury!
But as for me, I have installed My King upon Zion, My holy mountain!
“Install THE KING” upon your mountain! There is no mountain that He cannot “laugh at”. Too often we stand a fret at the foothills of the mountain in front of us rather than delivering it to the King!
Jesus said, “Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful” John 14:27
Whatever has been worth your worry; whatever has been worth trading your peace for; that is worthy of surrender to the King of the Mountain!
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Vacations That Give Life
Life is so ______________. (fill in the blank)
- hard
- busy
- noisy
- short
- _______ (choose your own word)
We have the best of intentions to pray, to spend time with Jesus, to prioritize our lives but, and this is a big BUT, _______________________ (see above).
Vacations have been dreamed up by those who understand that life is (see above)_________!
A change of place, a change of activities, and change of schedules, vacations are all about changing from the things you continually do toward things you don’t normally do.
Most people look forward to vacations with great expectations and eager anticipation.
There is a type of vacation in the realm of prayer as well. As is the case with the other vacation, it is all about change.
We enter the following story with a group of people desiring to take a prayer vacation. …on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to a riverside where we were supposing there would be a place of prayer…Acts 16:13
Take a vacation soon. Explore a new opportunity. Find someone who you could invite to go to a food court, a park, a mall, a street corner, a school yard or somewhere else unusual to pray. You will experience a new vibrancy and life to your prayers. There is certainly nothing wrong with doing this by yourself but, as with the other vacation, it is much more enriching when you take someone along.
- hard
- busy
- noisy
- short
- _______ (choose your own word)
We have the best of intentions to pray, to spend time with Jesus, to prioritize our lives but, and this is a big BUT, _______________________ (see above).
Vacations have been dreamed up by those who understand that life is (see above)_________!
A change of place, a change of activities, and change of schedules, vacations are all about changing from the things you continually do toward things you don’t normally do.
Most people look forward to vacations with great expectations and eager anticipation.
There is a type of vacation in the realm of prayer as well. As is the case with the other vacation, it is all about change.
We enter the following story with a group of people desiring to take a prayer vacation. …on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to a riverside where we were supposing there would be a place of prayer…Acts 16:13
Take a vacation soon. Explore a new opportunity. Find someone who you could invite to go to a food court, a park, a mall, a street corner, a school yard or somewhere else unusual to pray. You will experience a new vibrancy and life to your prayers. There is certainly nothing wrong with doing this by yourself but, as with the other vacation, it is much more enriching when you take someone along.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
The Edge is the Center
You shall make no other gods before Me. Exodus 20:3
How is it possible to walk on the edge and still be in the middle? It isn't easy unless you see it the way our God see it. The edge of our comfort zone is the exact center of God's will. Romans 1:17 says "The righteous man shall live by faith".
We have exchanged the desire to live God's way for our comfort. We far prefer to be secure and unembarrassed than to live on the "lighted path". "Thy word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path" Psalm 119:105
If we in fact have chosen our comfort, security and pride over knowing God in a personal way have we not chosen another god? You see we can not possible KNOW the truth of the Bible until we put it into action! Striving after anything over God's heart for the lost is idolatry, nothing short.
So where does that leave us? Frustrated at our work, or lack of personal time or accomplishments, or with our kids or our wife. Being unsettled; lacking deep peace is an spiritual indication that something is out of alignment!
"Mother" Theresa said, "we will never know that Jesus is all you need until Jesus is all we have". This applies to what we are talking about because EVERYONE seems to think that "I don't know enough about scripture" to witness or "no one I know would be interested" and “I wouldn't do a very good job and might mess it up". Sound at all familiar?
Jesus said, “The Helper, the Holy Spirit…will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you” John 14:26
Do we believe that? NO! Let me ask again, do we really believe that?
There is a quantitative difference between the belief that we commonly think of and the belief of the Bible. I have used this story to display the difference:
If I were to place a rickety old chair in the middle of the room and ask you if you believe that it will hold you when you sit on it, it would be very easy to say “yes”. If on the other hand, I asked you to sit on the chair we would quickly discover whether or not your truly believed that it would hold you!
So do you truly believe Jesus when he says, that the Holy Spirit will give you everything you need when you need it? We will never know that Jesus is enough; until Jesus is all we have. Dare to walk on the edge of your comfort zone. That is where true life is located. “…I have come that you may have life, and have it to the full” John 10:10
Jesus gives us both side of the picture in a very familiar scripture. I encourage you to not walk past this too fast because of the familiarity. Consider what the Master says: “Whoever wishes to save his life shall lose I; but whoever loses his life for My sake shall find it”. Matthew 16:25-26
Choose life!
How is it possible to walk on the edge and still be in the middle? It isn't easy unless you see it the way our God see it. The edge of our comfort zone is the exact center of God's will. Romans 1:17 says "The righteous man shall live by faith".
We have exchanged the desire to live God's way for our comfort. We far prefer to be secure and unembarrassed than to live on the "lighted path". "Thy word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path" Psalm 119:105
If we in fact have chosen our comfort, security and pride over knowing God in a personal way have we not chosen another god? You see we can not possible KNOW the truth of the Bible until we put it into action! Striving after anything over God's heart for the lost is idolatry, nothing short.
So where does that leave us? Frustrated at our work, or lack of personal time or accomplishments, or with our kids or our wife. Being unsettled; lacking deep peace is an spiritual indication that something is out of alignment!
"Mother" Theresa said, "we will never know that Jesus is all you need until Jesus is all we have". This applies to what we are talking about because EVERYONE seems to think that "I don't know enough about scripture" to witness or "no one I know would be interested" and “I wouldn't do a very good job and might mess it up". Sound at all familiar?
Jesus said, “The Helper, the Holy Spirit…will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you” John 14:26
Do we believe that? NO! Let me ask again, do we really believe that?
There is a quantitative difference between the belief that we commonly think of and the belief of the Bible. I have used this story to display the difference:
If I were to place a rickety old chair in the middle of the room and ask you if you believe that it will hold you when you sit on it, it would be very easy to say “yes”. If on the other hand, I asked you to sit on the chair we would quickly discover whether or not your truly believed that it would hold you!
So do you truly believe Jesus when he says, that the Holy Spirit will give you everything you need when you need it? We will never know that Jesus is enough; until Jesus is all we have. Dare to walk on the edge of your comfort zone. That is where true life is located. “…I have come that you may have life, and have it to the full” John 10:10
Jesus gives us both side of the picture in a very familiar scripture. I encourage you to not walk past this too fast because of the familiarity. Consider what the Master says: “Whoever wishes to save his life shall lose I; but whoever loses his life for My sake shall find it”. Matthew 16:25-26
Choose life!
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
An Open Door but the Price is High
One thing you still lack, Jesus said to the person who inquired about the way to eternal life, sell all that you possess and distribute it to the poor and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come and follow Me. Luke 18:22
This entirely unique encounter has been in my mind in the last week. Let me explain: recently my wife and I spent a week in the Dominican Republic. So many things are different about the Dominican society that ours. One of the things that stand out in my mind is the visible evidence of contentment.
I understand that many of the homes in the Dominican Republic have little more that four walls. Few have electricity, few have running water (except when it rains), yet the lightness of the attitudes of so many of the people stands our in my mind.
I remember a time in our society when people would look in the face of the people they passed and smile and, often even, give a friendly greeting. Today, we seem far more protective and suspicious that at any time before. It is so interesting to contrast the two societies in terms of the possessions held and the attitudes displayed. It would seem that there is a relationship between the numbers of possessions and the amount of joy we experience.
He who trusts in his riches will fall but the righteous will flourish like the green leaf. Proverbs 11:28
Ask yourself, where is your trust placed; an employer, a 401-k, a reliable car, a good neighborhood, a solid investment portfolio; maybe “all of the above”?
Jesus was not being arbitrary or cruel in demanding that the inquirer sell all of his possessions. Jesus knew the “stickiness” of possessions.
Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Luke 6:21
But woe to you who are well-fed now, for you shall be hungry. Luke 6:25
How many possessions is enough? When will we reach satisfaction?
Think back over your life as an adult. What were the circumstances wherein you were the happiest? Is it, in any remotest way, related to the possessions that you held?
And if we have food and covering, with these we shall be content. But to those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. I Timothy 6:8&9
One difficulty that is inherent in the word “rich” is that it is a moving target. Certainly we recognize others whom we would qualify as “rich” and just as certainly we will never consider ourselves as rich. Hence the “snare”. All traps are invisible to the prospective prey!
Truly I say to you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again, I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. Matthew 19:23&24
So, where does this leave us? How is one to know whether riches are “plunging us into ruin and destruction”?
Who among your is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. This wisdom is not that which comes down from above but it is earthy, natural, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. James 3:13-17
The contrast is clear. The kingdom of heaven is available now for those who enter and remain through the wisdom from above. We simply cannot continue to live in the terms of the wisdom of this world and expect that we will find the kingdom of God.
This entirely unique encounter has been in my mind in the last week. Let me explain: recently my wife and I spent a week in the Dominican Republic. So many things are different about the Dominican society that ours. One of the things that stand out in my mind is the visible evidence of contentment.
I understand that many of the homes in the Dominican Republic have little more that four walls. Few have electricity, few have running water (except when it rains), yet the lightness of the attitudes of so many of the people stands our in my mind.
I remember a time in our society when people would look in the face of the people they passed and smile and, often even, give a friendly greeting. Today, we seem far more protective and suspicious that at any time before. It is so interesting to contrast the two societies in terms of the possessions held and the attitudes displayed. It would seem that there is a relationship between the numbers of possessions and the amount of joy we experience.
He who trusts in his riches will fall but the righteous will flourish like the green leaf. Proverbs 11:28
Ask yourself, where is your trust placed; an employer, a 401-k, a reliable car, a good neighborhood, a solid investment portfolio; maybe “all of the above”?
Jesus was not being arbitrary or cruel in demanding that the inquirer sell all of his possessions. Jesus knew the “stickiness” of possessions.
Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Luke 6:21
But woe to you who are well-fed now, for you shall be hungry. Luke 6:25
How many possessions is enough? When will we reach satisfaction?
Think back over your life as an adult. What were the circumstances wherein you were the happiest? Is it, in any remotest way, related to the possessions that you held?
And if we have food and covering, with these we shall be content. But to those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. I Timothy 6:8&9
One difficulty that is inherent in the word “rich” is that it is a moving target. Certainly we recognize others whom we would qualify as “rich” and just as certainly we will never consider ourselves as rich. Hence the “snare”. All traps are invisible to the prospective prey!
Truly I say to you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again, I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. Matthew 19:23&24
So, where does this leave us? How is one to know whether riches are “plunging us into ruin and destruction”?
Who among your is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. This wisdom is not that which comes down from above but it is earthy, natural, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. James 3:13-17
The contrast is clear. The kingdom of heaven is available now for those who enter and remain through the wisdom from above. We simply cannot continue to live in the terms of the wisdom of this world and expect that we will find the kingdom of God.
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