If we believe that life is about shutting ourselves into our homes or schools or churches - as Christian and as safe as they seem to be - in order to keep the devil out and to keep ourselves and our families safe, we have already locked ourselves in the closet with the enemy. Show a stranger the love of God this coming year!
I hope everyone has a Happy New Year and a God-centered, Holy Spirit filled, fired up 2011! Peace!
Friday, December 31, 2010
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Vain Images
Deu 4:15 Therefore take good heed to yourselves, for you saw no kind of likeness on the day Jehovah spoke to you in Horeb out of the midst of the fire,
Deu 4:16 lest you act corruptly and make yourselves a graven image, the likeness of any figure, the likeness of male or female,
Deu 4:17 the likeness of any beast on the earth, the likeness of any winged fowl that flies in the air,
Deu 4:18 the likeness of anything that creeps on the ground, the likeness of any fish in the waters beneath the earth;
Deu 4:19 and lest you lift up your eyes to the heavens, and when you see the sun, and the moon, and the stars, all the host of heaven, lest you should be driven to worship them and serve them, which Jehovah your God has allotted to all nations under all the heavens.
Paraphrased: None of you saw God, just in case you might have decided to make a graven image of Him and worship it. The image WOULD BE any of these things: a male, a female, a beast, a fowl, an insect, a fish, a star, or a planet, because this is what you would see if you were to see Him. You may all see something different, but what you see would be the creation He made. (Psa 19:1)
These created things are given to everyone - all nations. His image, however, is NOT for everyone any more than His name is. He gives His name to the one He marries, as any husband does. God is telling us not only to not take His name in vain, but also to not take His image in vain. Now we see the reason for the thick layer of incense smoke inside the tabernacle. To see Him above the Ark of the Testimony would be death. God even warned Moses about gazing upon Him and He hid Moses in a crack in the cliff as He passed by. Our sinful tendency is to worship sight and not substance. This is the opposite of the faith that pleases God.
Deu 4:16 lest you act corruptly and make yourselves a graven image, the likeness of any figure, the likeness of male or female,
Deu 4:17 the likeness of any beast on the earth, the likeness of any winged fowl that flies in the air,
Deu 4:18 the likeness of anything that creeps on the ground, the likeness of any fish in the waters beneath the earth;
Deu 4:19 and lest you lift up your eyes to the heavens, and when you see the sun, and the moon, and the stars, all the host of heaven, lest you should be driven to worship them and serve them, which Jehovah your God has allotted to all nations under all the heavens.
Paraphrased: None of you saw God, just in case you might have decided to make a graven image of Him and worship it. The image WOULD BE any of these things: a male, a female, a beast, a fowl, an insect, a fish, a star, or a planet, because this is what you would see if you were to see Him. You may all see something different, but what you see would be the creation He made. (Psa 19:1)
These created things are given to everyone - all nations. His image, however, is NOT for everyone any more than His name is. He gives His name to the one He marries, as any husband does. God is telling us not only to not take His name in vain, but also to not take His image in vain. Now we see the reason for the thick layer of incense smoke inside the tabernacle. To see Him above the Ark of the Testimony would be death. God even warned Moses about gazing upon Him and He hid Moses in a crack in the cliff as He passed by. Our sinful tendency is to worship sight and not substance. This is the opposite of the faith that pleases God.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
A Christmas Story
Rev 12:1-10 MKJV
(1) And there appeared a great sign in the heavens, a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon was under her feet, and a crown of twelve stars on her head,
(2) and having a babe in womb, she cries, being in travail, having been distressed to bear.
(3) And another sign was seen in the heavens. And behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns on his heads!
(4) And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and cast them onto the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman being about to bear, so that when she bears he might devour her child.
(5) And she bore a son, a male, who is going to rule all nations with a rod of iron. And her child was caught up to God and to His throne.
(6) And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she had a place prepared by God, so that they might nourish her there a thousand, two hundred and sixty days.
(7) And there was war in Heaven. Michael and his angels warring against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels warred,
(8) but did not prevail. Nor was place found for them in Heaven any more.
(9) And the great dragon was cast out, the old serpent called Devil, and Satan, who deceives the whole world. He was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
(10) And I heard a great voice saying in Heaven, Now has come the salvation and power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of His Christ. For the accuser of our brothers is cast down, who accused them before our God day and night.
(1) And there appeared a great sign in the heavens, a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon was under her feet, and a crown of twelve stars on her head,
(2) and having a babe in womb, she cries, being in travail, having been distressed to bear.
(3) And another sign was seen in the heavens. And behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns on his heads!
(4) And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and cast them onto the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman being about to bear, so that when she bears he might devour her child.
(5) And she bore a son, a male, who is going to rule all nations with a rod of iron. And her child was caught up to God and to His throne.
(6) And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she had a place prepared by God, so that they might nourish her there a thousand, two hundred and sixty days.
(7) And there was war in Heaven. Michael and his angels warring against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels warred,
(8) but did not prevail. Nor was place found for them in Heaven any more.
(9) And the great dragon was cast out, the old serpent called Devil, and Satan, who deceives the whole world. He was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
(10) And I heard a great voice saying in Heaven, Now has come the salvation and power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of His Christ. For the accuser of our brothers is cast down, who accused them before our God day and night.
Friday, December 17, 2010
God's Treasure
Malachai wrote:
For behold, the day is coming, burning like a fire pot; and all the proud, and every doer of wickedness, shall be chaff. And the coming day will set them ablaze, says Jehovah of Hosts, which will not leave root or branches to them. But to you who fear My name, the Sun of Righteousness shall arise, and healing will be on His wings. And you shall go out and frisk like calves of the stall. And you shall trample the wicked, for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day which I am preparing, says Jehovah of Hosts. Remember the Law of Moses My servant, which I commanded to him in Horeb for all Israel, the statutes and judgments. Behold, I am sending you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of Jehovah. And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the sons, and the heart of the sons to their fathers, that I not come and strike the earth with utter destruction.
This passage is seldom realized as a rapture reference, but it is. It is important to see God's plan for this age - how things culminate.
H5459
segu^lla^h
seg-ool-law'
Feminine passive participle of an unused root meaning to shut up; wealth (as closely shut up): - jewel, peculiar (treasure), proper good, special.
The beauty of E-sword is that you can take a Strong's number - H5459 - and do a search on it in the KJV+ translation. This reveals every instance this word is used in the Hebrew. Let's examine some of these instances:
Exo 19:5 MKJV
(5) And now if you will obey My voice indeed, and keep My covenant, then you shall be a peculiar treasure to Me above all the nations; for all the earth is Mine.
Deu 7:6 MKJV
(6) For you are a holy people to Jehovah your God. Jehovah your God has chosen you to be a special people to Himself above all people that are upon the face of the earth.
Deu 14:2 MKJV
(2) For you are a holy people to Jehovah your God, and Jehovah has chosen you to be a peculiar people to Himself, above all the nations that are on the earth.
Deu 26:18 MKJV
(18) And Jehovah has taken you today to be His peculiar people, as He has promised you, and to keep all His commandments,
Psa 135:4 MKJV
(4) For Jehovah has chosen Jacob to Himself, and Israel for His peculiar treasure.
G4047
περιποίησις
peripoiēsis
per-ee-poy'-ay-sis
From G4046; acquisition (the act or the thing); by extension preservation: - obtain (-ing), peculiar, purchased, possession, saving.
The word is 'periousios', and the meaning is the same.
Tit 2:14 MKJV
(14) who gave Himself for us that He might redeem us from all iniquity and purify to Himself a special people, zealous of good works.
1Pe 2:9 KJV
(9) But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
To summarize what I take away from this passage:
God always intended to have a people all to Himself – a people He chose. It started out being Adam and Eve. One might think they failed Him and He went to plan B, but from the beginning plan B was the only plan. God desired to tabernacle with Adam and Eve and their family, but they created an atmosphere He couldn’t live in (nor could they). God expanded His plan. Exodus has Him tabernacling with a new people – yet another chosen people – Israel. Again, this was a people, not unlike us, who didn’t know exactly how to live with Him in their midst. So God expanded His plan again. Titus and Peter write of this same peculiar nation – a nation with God’s heart. Yet these are those who allow Him to tabernacle within them. These are a purchased people – a praising people – a people of light. All who call upon the name of the Lord can be a citizen of this nation. They make up His ‘treasure’.
Notice the redemptive intent of our Creator. Even though we continually ruined the environment of communion, He never disqualified anyone from again coming to Him. He expanded the invitation each time. Yes the road is narrow, but open to all.
A nation who possesses the heart of God… will be gathered up (asah) before a time that burns like a firepot. This holy nation will be spared as a father spares his son in order to show the world the difference between the righteous and the wicked. We know that during this time, Elijah will be sent to again foster a love in people – a love of restoration and redemption.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Gone for 70 Years
Hag 1:2-4 MKJV
(2) So says Jehovah of Hosts, saying: This people says, The time has not come, the time that Jehovah's house should be built.
(3) Then came the Word of Jehovah by Haggai the prophet, saying,
(4) Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your finished houses, and shall this House lie waste?
What would your house look like after you had been gone for 70 years? What would the yard look like? Where would you even start to make it livable again? Apparently, this is the quandary the Israelites faced when they returned home to Israel after 70 years in Babylon. They were a bit preoccupied. The last thing on their mind was rebuilding God's house - His 'place' among them.
For many of us who grew up in prosperity, these economic times have been very hard - much like exile. For some, the last thing on our mind is to be about the commission God set upon us. It is a struggle to stay afloat, after all! But God says this:
Hag 1:5-7 MKJV
(5) And now so says Jehovah of Hosts: Set your heart on your ways;
(6) you have sown much and bring in little; you eat, but you do not have enough; you drink, but you are not filled with drink; you dress, but no one is warm; and he who hires out himself hires himself for a bag full of holes.
(7) So says Jehovah of Hosts: Set your heart on your ways.
Can you identify with this at all? Has it been really easy to get ahead? It's time to set our heart on the way we will go. The Temple is now our body, and the Kingdom commission calls us.
Mat 6:31-33 ASV
(31) Be not therefore anxious, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
(32) For after all these things do the Gentiles seek; for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
(33) But seek ye first his kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
(2) So says Jehovah of Hosts, saying: This people says, The time has not come, the time that Jehovah's house should be built.
(3) Then came the Word of Jehovah by Haggai the prophet, saying,
(4) Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your finished houses, and shall this House lie waste?
What would your house look like after you had been gone for 70 years? What would the yard look like? Where would you even start to make it livable again? Apparently, this is the quandary the Israelites faced when they returned home to Israel after 70 years in Babylon. They were a bit preoccupied. The last thing on their mind was rebuilding God's house - His 'place' among them.
For many of us who grew up in prosperity, these economic times have been very hard - much like exile. For some, the last thing on our mind is to be about the commission God set upon us. It is a struggle to stay afloat, after all! But God says this:
Hag 1:5-7 MKJV
(5) And now so says Jehovah of Hosts: Set your heart on your ways;
(6) you have sown much and bring in little; you eat, but you do not have enough; you drink, but you are not filled with drink; you dress, but no one is warm; and he who hires out himself hires himself for a bag full of holes.
(7) So says Jehovah of Hosts: Set your heart on your ways.
Can you identify with this at all? Has it been really easy to get ahead? It's time to set our heart on the way we will go. The Temple is now our body, and the Kingdom commission calls us.
Mat 6:31-33 ASV
(31) Be not therefore anxious, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
(32) For after all these things do the Gentiles seek; for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
(33) But seek ye first his kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Thursday, December 02, 2010
To Know What Is In Your Heart
(Deu 8:2 MKJV) And you shall remember all the way which Jehovah your God led you these forty years in the wilderness in order to humble you, to prove you, to know what is in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not.
It's easy to read through this verse and - like so many others - fail to consider what it is saying. God wants to humble me, and prove me, and to know what is in my heart? Does God not already know?
The word 'know' here is the same Hebrew term used when Adam 'knew' Eve. It's not an intellectual knowing, it's an experiential knowing. God wants to experience our faith. He wants to experience our growth. This brings Him glory in a way that simply knowing intellectually cannot.
This is worth considering the next time you drop a football pass that would have won the ballgame.
It's easy to read through this verse and - like so many others - fail to consider what it is saying. God wants to humble me, and prove me, and to know what is in my heart? Does God not already know?
The word 'know' here is the same Hebrew term used when Adam 'knew' Eve. It's not an intellectual knowing, it's an experiential knowing. God wants to experience our faith. He wants to experience our growth. This brings Him glory in a way that simply knowing intellectually cannot.
This is worth considering the next time you drop a football pass that would have won the ballgame.
Wednesday, December 01, 2010
What If
If Jesus were tagging along with you today - in the flesh - just shadowing you at work or home or wherever you are, how often would He look at you and say, "Why don't you just go ahead and take care of that?"
How many times would He say, "We're here, let's do it."? Or... "Don't even bother with that - it's a wasted effort."
Or how about this? "Don't even entertain that thought. The Father has that covered."
If after one week of walking with Him, how many times would He still have to say that stuff? Would we be more proactive? Less apt to waste time on silly pursuits?
How many times would He say, "We're here, let's do it."? Or... "Don't even bother with that - it's a wasted effort."
Or how about this? "Don't even entertain that thought. The Father has that covered."
If after one week of walking with Him, how many times would He still have to say that stuff? Would we be more proactive? Less apt to waste time on silly pursuits?
Friday, November 26, 2010
Lions
Who is the lion in your life? Who's strength do you envy? There are those in my own life who represent strength and courage to me. Their reputation is one of faith, boldness, and steadfastness. 
But then I think - what price did they pay to become that way? How much pain? How many sleepless nights? How many flies... infections... famines... did that lion endure to become king of the jungle? Cliche', yes, but worth being reminded. Another man's anointing is not to be coveted. With it comes all of the trials aforementioned. And as difficult as it is to be a lion, it's perhaps more confounding to be a lamb.(Pro 28:1 MKJV) The wicked flee when no man pursues; but the righteous are bold as a lion.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Overcoming A World View
Imagine the world's view of Egypt during the time of the great pharaohs. Everything about that civilization was unparalleled in size and majesty.
The king placed himself upon the same level as the gods.
When America went to war with Iraq, the first campaign was referred to as Shock and Awe. Why? Because you must first win the battle of the mind, and if your enemy is shocked and awed by you, there is very little chance he can overcome you. Should we mention David and Goliath here? The Israelites were awed by Goliath. David was not.
When an enemy of Pharaoh floated down the Nile into Egypt, he was greeted with statues greater than perhaps any creation found in any other culture in the world at that time.
This also had to be overcome by Israel, a people in captivity, before they could escape the clutches of Egypt. This had to be overcome before they would even 'consider' escape. Pharaoh was great. So how great were the signs that God performed through Moses? How mighty would they have had to be to reassure a beaten-down people? Note this: it took God Himself to free the people. The world view is hopelessness and impossibility. God had to do it, and He did.
As we float down the 'Nile' of life and we encounter the statues built by world-powers, are we able to see them through God's eyes, or are we awed by them?
The king placed himself upon the same level as the gods.
When America went to war with Iraq, the first campaign was referred to as Shock and Awe. Why? Because you must first win the battle of the mind, and if your enemy is shocked and awed by you, there is very little chance he can overcome you. Should we mention David and Goliath here? The Israelites were awed by Goliath. David was not.
When an enemy of Pharaoh floated down the Nile into Egypt, he was greeted with statues greater than perhaps any creation found in any other culture in the world at that time.
This also had to be overcome by Israel, a people in captivity, before they could escape the clutches of Egypt. This had to be overcome before they would even 'consider' escape. Pharaoh was great. So how great were the signs that God performed through Moses? How mighty would they have had to be to reassure a beaten-down people? Note this: it took God Himself to free the people. The world view is hopelessness and impossibility. God had to do it, and He did.
As we float down the 'Nile' of life and we encounter the statues built by world-powers, are we able to see them through God's eyes, or are we awed by them?
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Unclean vs Common
Act 10:11-15 MKJV
(11) And he saw the heaven opened and a certain vessel like a sheet coming down to him, being bound at the four corners and let down to the earth;
(12) in which were all the four-footed animals of the earth, and the wild beasts, and the reptiles, and the birds of the heaven.
(13) And a voice came to him, saying, Rise, Peter! Kill and eat!
(14) But Peter said, Not so, Lord, for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.
(15) And the voice spoke to him again the second time, What God has made clean, you do not call common.
This is a confusing passage. God is teaching Peter a lesson about love and avoiding prejudice. The Torah is very specific about clean versus unclean (Greek akathartos), but what exactly is 'common' (Greek koinos)?
That which was unclean in a Levitical sense was to be abstained from; avoided altogether. Lepers were unclean. Those things which were common were things 'unhallowed' or ordinary. To the Jewish mind of that period, anything 'heathen' or Gentile was common, but not necessarily unclean.
God is telling Peter not to call cleansed things common. He is not saying that He has cleansed unclean things. The disconnect was that the Jews had placed Gentiles in the common category, despite the fact that the Torah never classified Gentiles as either unclean or common. In fact, Paul wrote "there is nothing common of itself" (Rom 14:14). Torah specifically says:
Lev 19:34 MKJV
(34) The stranger that dwells with you shall be to you as one born among you, and you shall love him as yourself. For you were strangers in the land of Egypt. I am Jehovah your God.
The Jews relied on an oral law - one passed along from generation to generation. This was not written down and many had their own 'takes' on this law. Peter said this:
Act 10:28 MKJV
(28) And he said to them, You know that it is an unlawful thing for a man, a Jew to keep company with or to come near to one of another nation. But God has shown me not to call any man common or unclean.
By 'unlawful', Peter referred to the oral law, as Torah said no such thing. The mingling of seeds was forbidden according to Torah, and so was the mixing of nations (intermarriage with heathen nations), as Israel was a Holy Nation. Oral law, however, took this further than God did.
Act 10:34-35 MKJV
(34) Then Peter opened his mouth and said, Truly I see that God is no respecter of persons;
(35) but in every nation he who fears Him and works righteousness is accepted with Him.
(11) And he saw the heaven opened and a certain vessel like a sheet coming down to him, being bound at the four corners and let down to the earth;
(12) in which were all the four-footed animals of the earth, and the wild beasts, and the reptiles, and the birds of the heaven.
(13) And a voice came to him, saying, Rise, Peter! Kill and eat!
(14) But Peter said, Not so, Lord, for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.
(15) And the voice spoke to him again the second time, What God has made clean, you do not call common.
This is a confusing passage. God is teaching Peter a lesson about love and avoiding prejudice. The Torah is very specific about clean versus unclean (Greek akathartos), but what exactly is 'common' (Greek koinos)?
That which was unclean in a Levitical sense was to be abstained from; avoided altogether. Lepers were unclean. Those things which were common were things 'unhallowed' or ordinary. To the Jewish mind of that period, anything 'heathen' or Gentile was common, but not necessarily unclean.
God is telling Peter not to call cleansed things common. He is not saying that He has cleansed unclean things. The disconnect was that the Jews had placed Gentiles in the common category, despite the fact that the Torah never classified Gentiles as either unclean or common. In fact, Paul wrote "there is nothing common of itself" (Rom 14:14). Torah specifically says:
Lev 19:34 MKJV
(34) The stranger that dwells with you shall be to you as one born among you, and you shall love him as yourself. For you were strangers in the land of Egypt. I am Jehovah your God.
The Jews relied on an oral law - one passed along from generation to generation. This was not written down and many had their own 'takes' on this law. Peter said this:
Act 10:28 MKJV
(28) And he said to them, You know that it is an unlawful thing for a man, a Jew to keep company with or to come near to one of another nation. But God has shown me not to call any man common or unclean.
By 'unlawful', Peter referred to the oral law, as Torah said no such thing. The mingling of seeds was forbidden according to Torah, and so was the mixing of nations (intermarriage with heathen nations), as Israel was a Holy Nation. Oral law, however, took this further than God did.
Act 10:34-35 MKJV
(34) Then Peter opened his mouth and said, Truly I see that God is no respecter of persons;
(35) but in every nation he who fears Him and works righteousness is accepted with Him.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Prayer Goals
Have you ever had prayers that you've prayed so long that they've become more like 'prayer goals'? God obviously didn't answer overnight, or the next, so the prayer gets repeated. We know in our spirit that God wants to answer it, but.... still no. Eventually, we begin to think of the answer as always being sometime in the future.
"Lord, just help me to get completely out of debt." Are you still praying that one? Or how about "Lord, I ask you to reach my lost friend today."
What if it's not God's intent to answer at some future date? What if God is waiting on us?
What if the affirmative answer to every one of our prayer goals hinges upon us stepping into something that we have always been afraid to step into?
Could it be that the answer to our debt problem is giving more? Could it be that God has been trying to reach our lost friends - using our hands?
God Himself spoke through David and acknowledged that our days are like chaff in the wind - here one minute, gone the next. He is more of a "right now" God than we like to admit. If you find yourself often reminding God of things you already know He would like to do, reassess the situation. Is He waiting on us?
"Lord, just help me to get completely out of debt." Are you still praying that one? Or how about "Lord, I ask you to reach my lost friend today."
What if it's not God's intent to answer at some future date? What if God is waiting on us?
What if the affirmative answer to every one of our prayer goals hinges upon us stepping into something that we have always been afraid to step into?
Could it be that the answer to our debt problem is giving more? Could it be that God has been trying to reach our lost friends - using our hands?
God Himself spoke through David and acknowledged that our days are like chaff in the wind - here one minute, gone the next. He is more of a "right now" God than we like to admit. If you find yourself often reminding God of things you already know He would like to do, reassess the situation. Is He waiting on us?
Friday, October 29, 2010
If You Have Grown Tired
If you have been toiling in the work of the Lord, and you have been worn out and beaten down, the Lord can give you strength. Strength may come in many ways, but sometimes it's just a word. If that is you, now, then here is the word for now:
Continue on doing what you are famous for in Heaven.
Continue on doing what you are famous for in Heaven.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Numbers - and the Birth of the Church
Joh 20:22 MKJV
(22) And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, Receive the Holy Spirit.
I spoke on this verse recently, and I am still stuck on it. Again, this is not Pentecost, which could be considered the birth of the Church. But it is SO SIMILAR! Let's take a closer look.
We know that Jesus was seen by His followers for 40 days after His resurrection. The number is significant. Also, we know that when Jesus breathed on His disciples, Thomas was not there. Where was Thomas? Why didn't Jesus wait on Thomas? After all, He already knew He was going to come back and visit in a few days.
Joh 20:26-29 MKJV
(26) And after eight days the disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst and said, Peace to you!
(27) Then He said to Thomas, Reach your finger here and behold My hands; and reach your hand here and thrust it into My side; and do not be unbelieving, but believing.
(28) And Thomas answered and said to Him, My Lord and my God!
(29) Jesus said to him, Thomas, because you have seen Me you have believed. Blessed are they who have not seen and have believed.
Thomas had already said, publicly, that unless he put his finger into the nail prints and his hand into His side, He would not believe. (John 20:25)
After 8 days? 40 days... 8 days... I know there is more to this subject that I haven't researched, but this is a blog so I'll keep this as brief as I can.
What if... when Jesus breathed upon His disciples, we saw the 'conception' of the church? How many weeks from conception to birth? Forty! Again, 8 days later, Jesus sees Thomas and Thomas believes. What happens 8 weeks from conception? The eyes form! This is taken from a child-birth website:
Week 8: The eyes are formed and covered by a fold of skin, though the eyelid will not open yet.
I could certainly convince you, given the time, that although all of the disciples were given eyes to see, they truly did NOT see until the church was born - on Pentecost! None of us truly see without the Holy Spirit!
This is a signature of the Holy Spirit.
(22) And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, Receive the Holy Spirit.
I spoke on this verse recently, and I am still stuck on it. Again, this is not Pentecost, which could be considered the birth of the Church. But it is SO SIMILAR! Let's take a closer look.
We know that Jesus was seen by His followers for 40 days after His resurrection. The number is significant. Also, we know that when Jesus breathed on His disciples, Thomas was not there. Where was Thomas? Why didn't Jesus wait on Thomas? After all, He already knew He was going to come back and visit in a few days.
Joh 20:26-29 MKJV
(26) And after eight days the disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst and said, Peace to you!
(27) Then He said to Thomas, Reach your finger here and behold My hands; and reach your hand here and thrust it into My side; and do not be unbelieving, but believing.
(28) And Thomas answered and said to Him, My Lord and my God!
(29) Jesus said to him, Thomas, because you have seen Me you have believed. Blessed are they who have not seen and have believed.
Thomas had already said, publicly, that unless he put his finger into the nail prints and his hand into His side, He would not believe. (John 20:25)
After 8 days? 40 days... 8 days... I know there is more to this subject that I haven't researched, but this is a blog so I'll keep this as brief as I can.
What if... when Jesus breathed upon His disciples, we saw the 'conception' of the church? How many weeks from conception to birth? Forty! Again, 8 days later, Jesus sees Thomas and Thomas believes. What happens 8 weeks from conception? The eyes form! This is taken from a child-birth website:
Week 8: The eyes are formed and covered by a fold of skin, though the eyelid will not open yet.
I could certainly convince you, given the time, that although all of the disciples were given eyes to see, they truly did NOT see until the church was born - on Pentecost! None of us truly see without the Holy Spirit!
This is a signature of the Holy Spirit.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Dominant Truth
Truth is never threatened by a lie. If censorship has become prevalent, there is a liar somewhere dwelling in insecurity. Certain cults absolutely forbid their members from even conversing with people outside of their cult on a religious level. Jesus was not this way. He lived in Israel during a time of Roman rule, and under the Roman double eagles, a man was free to preach any doctrine he wished. God placed His Son on earth to live under a regime that actually protected free speech. Jesus was not threatened. Nor was Paul, whose ministry took him into the heart of paganism. It was the worshipers of Diana that hated Paul for speaking truth. Liars hate truth.
Christians today can be heard criticizing the public right to speak, even though people are speaking some pretty messed-up things. We should remember that it's this freedom of choice that people become aware of their hopelessness. It's not those of us that know the Truth that should ever feel threatened. Free speech is to be appreciated as the vehicle that the gospel travels.
Christians today can be heard criticizing the public right to speak, even though people are speaking some pretty messed-up things. We should remember that it's this freedom of choice that people become aware of their hopelessness. It's not those of us that know the Truth that should ever feel threatened. Free speech is to be appreciated as the vehicle that the gospel travels.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Herod the Scare-ed
If you will recall the story of John the Baptist and how he angered Herodias because of his 'inconvenient truth' about her infidelity, you might also recall that he was hesitant to kill John on her account. (Matt 14:9) The daughter of Herodias, Salome, had danced in her undies before Herod and his round table of visiting generals and dignitaries. All had heard Herod promise Salome anything she desired. Salome had danced with a mission - to claim the head of John for her mother.
This is where it gets interesting. Herod believed John was a man of power. He knew the masses loved John - and the masses claimed he was Elijah, returned from heaven as scripture promised:
Mal 4:5 ASV
(5) Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and terrible day of Jehovah come.
Herod believed that maybe it 'was' Elijah, and that perhaps he had killed the mightiest and most powerful of all the prophets. As Herod saw it, if the guy had come back from the dead once... he just might come back from the dead again, only this time with a score to settle. Herod was nervous.
Enter Jesus. Recall again... some thought Jesus was also Elijah (Elias), and He performed miracles that made John seem like a librarian. Herod became much more nervous-er. Can we see the bent against Jesus that the local politicians had? Can we see how superstition works against Love?
This is where it gets interesting. Herod believed John was a man of power. He knew the masses loved John - and the masses claimed he was Elijah, returned from heaven as scripture promised:
Mal 4:5 ASV
(5) Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and terrible day of Jehovah come.
Herod believed that maybe it 'was' Elijah, and that perhaps he had killed the mightiest and most powerful of all the prophets. As Herod saw it, if the guy had come back from the dead once... he just might come back from the dead again, only this time with a score to settle. Herod was nervous.
Enter Jesus. Recall again... some thought Jesus was also Elijah (Elias), and He performed miracles that made John seem like a librarian. Herod became much more nervous-er. Can we see the bent against Jesus that the local politicians had? Can we see how superstition works against Love?
Monday, October 18, 2010
The Power to Forgive
Mat 9:4-6 MKJV
(4) And Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, Why do you think evil in your hearts?
(5) For which is easier? To say, Your sins are forgiven you, or to say, Arise and walk!
(6) But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins, then He said to the paralytic, Arise, take up your bed and go to your house.
Forgiving sin is not an issue of desire or will-power. It's an issue of authority. Most of us would not dare contest that Jesus walked in this authority. However, there is still a mentality in the church today that Jesus had no intentions of sharing this authority with His followers. In fact, the authority-less church is embraced because it relieves it's members of responsibility. Do we have the power and responsibility to forgive the trespasses of others? Absolutely!
(Joh 20:22-23 MKJV)
(22) And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, Receive the Holy Spirit.
(23) Of whomever sins you remit, they are remitted to them. Of whomever sins you retain, they are retained.
This is just another example of Jesus imparting power and authority to those called by His name. This was not Pentecost, for it was Pentecost that truly empowered Jesus-followers to undo the works of the devil. But this act of breathing upon His disciples was a basic establishment of their identity - ones who carried a core ability to forgive sin - or not to forgive sin. Again, this was not done to foster a God-complex upon Jesus' followers. It was done in order to create a heart of compassion, understanding, and responsibility in the Body of Christ, for we cannot and will not be 'like' Him if we cannot forgive as He forgives.
The converse of this is that in the eternal scope of things, being without the Holy Spirit gives a person no right to forgive - or not. It's the Holy Spirit and Him alone, the righteous judge, that empowers forgiveness. Is forgiveness healthy - even to a lost person? Absolutely! It's a picture of who God is! But without being inhabited by the Holy Spirit, there are no eternal ramifications to holding a persons actions against them.
(4) And Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, Why do you think evil in your hearts?
(5) For which is easier? To say, Your sins are forgiven you, or to say, Arise and walk!
(6) But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins, then He said to the paralytic, Arise, take up your bed and go to your house.
Forgiving sin is not an issue of desire or will-power. It's an issue of authority. Most of us would not dare contest that Jesus walked in this authority. However, there is still a mentality in the church today that Jesus had no intentions of sharing this authority with His followers. In fact, the authority-less church is embraced because it relieves it's members of responsibility. Do we have the power and responsibility to forgive the trespasses of others? Absolutely!
(Joh 20:22-23 MKJV)
(22) And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, Receive the Holy Spirit.
(23) Of whomever sins you remit, they are remitted to them. Of whomever sins you retain, they are retained.
This is just another example of Jesus imparting power and authority to those called by His name. This was not Pentecost, for it was Pentecost that truly empowered Jesus-followers to undo the works of the devil. But this act of breathing upon His disciples was a basic establishment of their identity - ones who carried a core ability to forgive sin - or not to forgive sin. Again, this was not done to foster a God-complex upon Jesus' followers. It was done in order to create a heart of compassion, understanding, and responsibility in the Body of Christ, for we cannot and will not be 'like' Him if we cannot forgive as He forgives.
The converse of this is that in the eternal scope of things, being without the Holy Spirit gives a person no right to forgive - or not. It's the Holy Spirit and Him alone, the righteous judge, that empowers forgiveness. Is forgiveness healthy - even to a lost person? Absolutely! It's a picture of who God is! But without being inhabited by the Holy Spirit, there are no eternal ramifications to holding a persons actions against them.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Follow Instructions
Luk 17:3-4 LITV
(3) Take heed to yourselves. And if your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.
(4) And if seven times of the day he sins against you, and seven times of the day turns to you saying, I repent, you shall forgive him.
Have we ever done this? Most of us have been offended. How do we tend to handle it? As for me, my tendency would be to just bury it. After all, maybe the offending party didn't mean what they said. Or maybe they misspoke. Or maybe I heard wrong.
Part of our problem with relationships within the church is that we do not follow instructions. These are very simple, but the intent is to keep division out of the church - a problem running rampant in today's congregations.
The definition of 'rebuke' is to reprimand or reprove sharply. Basically, you have to get on somebody's case. We always want to be the good guy, though, which is something that Jesus wasn't so concerned with. We need to buck up.
The penalty for not doing this is very Pavlovian: we get into vicious patters that gradually degrade our fellowships into non-fellowships. We become squabbling, dis-functional families at best - Satan's plan to remove the allure of the body of Christ.
(3) Take heed to yourselves. And if your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.
(4) And if seven times of the day he sins against you, and seven times of the day turns to you saying, I repent, you shall forgive him.
Have we ever done this? Most of us have been offended. How do we tend to handle it? As for me, my tendency would be to just bury it. After all, maybe the offending party didn't mean what they said. Or maybe they misspoke. Or maybe I heard wrong.
Part of our problem with relationships within the church is that we do not follow instructions. These are very simple, but the intent is to keep division out of the church - a problem running rampant in today's congregations.
The definition of 'rebuke' is to reprimand or reprove sharply. Basically, you have to get on somebody's case. We always want to be the good guy, though, which is something that Jesus wasn't so concerned with. We need to buck up.
The penalty for not doing this is very Pavlovian: we get into vicious patters that gradually degrade our fellowships into non-fellowships. We become squabbling, dis-functional families at best - Satan's plan to remove the allure of the body of Christ.
Friday, October 08, 2010
God Is Good
People are quick to say after a catastrophe that "God wiped them out." The insurance companies call them 'acts of God'. Where did they get their theology? From us. Well you say, if God didn't do it, who did? Then let me ask you this. Whom did He leave in charge? To whom did He give His name, reveal His purpose, cause His spirit to reside within, and then commission us saying: as the Father sent Me, I send you. Mirror my heart, my words, my actions. How many storms did Jesus bless? How many times was He facing a life-threatening storm and He would just say "Go over to that city - destroy it. It will teach them to pray and they will become more like me. But that's our interpretation. Why? Because powerlessness needs an explanation - or a change - to power. - Bill Johnson
Thursday, October 07, 2010
A Numbers Game
Mat 13:27 And coming near, the slaves of the housemaster said to him, Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? Then from where does it have the darnel?
Mat 13:28 And he said to them, A man, an enemy did this. And the slaves said to him, Do you desire, then, that going out we should gather them?
Mat 13:29 But he said, No, lest gathering the darnel you should uproot the wheat with them.
In a culture of abundance - even overabundance - we have learned that a certain amount of waste is to be expected. We play the numbers and decide that as long as we have a harvest of plenty, we can absorb a certain amount of loss. This is not a Kingdom principle, and Christians need to forget it. In the Kingdom, the wheat is what we are after. These are the souls of people. The 'darnel' or tares are the plants the enemy has sowed in our midst to cause disruption, division, and chaos. Our primary reaction is to rid ourselves of these immediately, if not sooner. But Jesus said that at all costs this is not to be done. Losing a piece of wheat is not acceptable by Kingdom standards.
Remember what took place after Jesus fed the multitudes: all the remnants were taken up. There is no waste in the Kingdom. This becomes an issue of stewardship, ultimately, and we will be graded upon our ability to understand and act upon what Jesus taught and demonstrated. After all, Jesus knew Judas was a villain from the beginning. But He did not separate Himself from Judas, nor did He worry about what damage might have been done by his presence in his group of guys. Jesus knew that God would separate them when the time was right, and God did.
We are not to be playing a numbers game. No waste is permissible.
Mat 13:28 And he said to them, A man, an enemy did this. And the slaves said to him, Do you desire, then, that going out we should gather them?
Mat 13:29 But he said, No, lest gathering the darnel you should uproot the wheat with them.
In a culture of abundance - even overabundance - we have learned that a certain amount of waste is to be expected. We play the numbers and decide that as long as we have a harvest of plenty, we can absorb a certain amount of loss. This is not a Kingdom principle, and Christians need to forget it. In the Kingdom, the wheat is what we are after. These are the souls of people. The 'darnel' or tares are the plants the enemy has sowed in our midst to cause disruption, division, and chaos. Our primary reaction is to rid ourselves of these immediately, if not sooner. But Jesus said that at all costs this is not to be done. Losing a piece of wheat is not acceptable by Kingdom standards.
Remember what took place after Jesus fed the multitudes: all the remnants were taken up. There is no waste in the Kingdom. This becomes an issue of stewardship, ultimately, and we will be graded upon our ability to understand and act upon what Jesus taught and demonstrated. After all, Jesus knew Judas was a villain from the beginning. But He did not separate Himself from Judas, nor did He worry about what damage might have been done by his presence in his group of guys. Jesus knew that God would separate them when the time was right, and God did.
We are not to be playing a numbers game. No waste is permissible.
Tuesday, October 05, 2010
God Really Moved
Have you heard that phrase? We like to use it after an intense worship service, or a particularly active altar call. "God really moved last night."
God is really moving these days. Ummm... it's one of those things, you know, seeing as God is pretty much everywhere. I guess it takes a special level of maturity to tell if He is 'shifting' or not.
God is subtle, though. It's often not the big moves to the altar that really have His signature. It's the quiet little switches that flip in the minds of those who arrive quietly and depart quietly. Going to the altar can be very cathartic. It can fool us into thinking we've really turned the corner. On the other hand, God would rather one person declare themselves dead to sin and alive to His Kingdom than for an entire sanctuary to come forward and make an empty (even if well-intentioned) declaration of any sort.
It's difficult to tell how God moves, sometimes.
God is really moving these days. Ummm... it's one of those things, you know, seeing as God is pretty much everywhere. I guess it takes a special level of maturity to tell if He is 'shifting' or not.
God is subtle, though. It's often not the big moves to the altar that really have His signature. It's the quiet little switches that flip in the minds of those who arrive quietly and depart quietly. Going to the altar can be very cathartic. It can fool us into thinking we've really turned the corner. On the other hand, God would rather one person declare themselves dead to sin and alive to His Kingdom than for an entire sanctuary to come forward and make an empty (even if well-intentioned) declaration of any sort.
It's difficult to tell how God moves, sometimes.
Monday, October 04, 2010
Judge Every Word
The Gospel that Jesus brought was the gospel of the Kingdom. He taught it, and He modeled it. Anything that differs from what He taught and what He modeled needs to be brought under serious scrutiny.
Paul wrote:
Gal 1:8 LITV
(8) But even if we, or an angel out of Heaven, should preach a gospel to you beside the gospel we preached to you, let him be accursed.
Paul wrote:
Gal 1:8 LITV
(8) But even if we, or an angel out of Heaven, should preach a gospel to you beside the gospel we preached to you, let him be accursed.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Jesus Culture
The 5-fold ministry is described in Ephesians 4:
Eph 4:11 KJV
(11) And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
These offices are important to the body. They are just as important to the Church as having a mom and dad are to the family. Naturally, there are those who would argue this, particularly those who were raised by one parent or perhaps had to raise children as a single parent. I'm not saying the body cannot prosper to an extent without these offices, but I will argue that it's not the perfect plan, it is not ideal, and if you compare to the body that does have these offices held in rightful submission to God - there is no comparison. One moves in order, authority, and power, while the other struggles in certain areas of leadership and gifting. That said...
These positions - rightfully ordained and occupied - create within the body a 'culture' that otherwise cannot be created. It's a Jesus Culture. It's a culture wherein the body is exposed to the 5-fold potency that God instilled in His body. It's the fullness of the immune system of God. When just one office is missing, there is a chink in the armor.
To the inverse, if you take a person who is fully-anointed as a prophet and turn them loose in a church that does not believe in the gift of prophecy, you run the risk of destroying that body because the 'culture' cannot support the anointing. The result of such a mix would be offense and division. This is not God's will, but the devil's.
But oh... do we not now see the value and power of a Jesus Culture that fully operates within the Holy Spirit and with all the working parts in order? A culture where the saints are 'perfected' and the body is edified? (Ephesians 4:12)
Eph 4:11 KJV
(11) And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
These offices are important to the body. They are just as important to the Church as having a mom and dad are to the family. Naturally, there are those who would argue this, particularly those who were raised by one parent or perhaps had to raise children as a single parent. I'm not saying the body cannot prosper to an extent without these offices, but I will argue that it's not the perfect plan, it is not ideal, and if you compare to the body that does have these offices held in rightful submission to God - there is no comparison. One moves in order, authority, and power, while the other struggles in certain areas of leadership and gifting. That said...
These positions - rightfully ordained and occupied - create within the body a 'culture' that otherwise cannot be created. It's a Jesus Culture. It's a culture wherein the body is exposed to the 5-fold potency that God instilled in His body. It's the fullness of the immune system of God. When just one office is missing, there is a chink in the armor.
To the inverse, if you take a person who is fully-anointed as a prophet and turn them loose in a church that does not believe in the gift of prophecy, you run the risk of destroying that body because the 'culture' cannot support the anointing. The result of such a mix would be offense and division. This is not God's will, but the devil's.
But oh... do we not now see the value and power of a Jesus Culture that fully operates within the Holy Spirit and with all the working parts in order? A culture where the saints are 'perfected' and the body is edified? (Ephesians 4:12)
Monday, September 27, 2010
The Sixth Day
For those that are interested in end-time prophecy, the 7-day creation week has particular significance. As most of us know, God created the 'universe' and all that is in it within a single week, with a spoken word (uni-verse). John 1 tells us that Jesus is the Word (uni-verse), and the Word was God and the Word was 'with' God - in the beginning.
On the sixth day, God created man in His image.
Gen 1:26 KJV
(26) And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
If the 7-day creation week is our pattern for God's redemption plan, which I truly believe it is, then why did God wait until day 6 to create man? After all, in the grand scheme, was Adam not there in the beginning? There were 6 days and the the 7th day was the Sabbath, to which we look forward to the 7th millennium as our 'Sabbath' millennium, ruled by our Savior, the "Lord of the Sabbath" (Luke 6:5). In the same fashion, how can we apply man being 'created' on the 6th day?
In order to gain an understanding, we take a look at the Hebrew word 'create'. It's "Ahsah". It means the following:
Wow! Now, understanding that before Jesus returns, He returns for His Bride that has prepared herself for Him. I contend to you that this is a 6th day event! The Bride is to look just like Him when He arrives - after all, they are to be one flesh! She is to be a laborer, a governor, one who serves, occupies, and maintains! She is accomplished, and appointed, and in charge! This could truly be an accurate description of the 'fullness' that God waits for. Yes, man has been here for nearly 6,000 years, but only in the last days when the Bride truly understands who she is to be - is she 'created'.
On the sixth day, God created man in His image.
Gen 1:26 KJV
(26) And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
If the 7-day creation week is our pattern for God's redemption plan, which I truly believe it is, then why did God wait until day 6 to create man? After all, in the grand scheme, was Adam not there in the beginning? There were 6 days and the the 7th day was the Sabbath, to which we look forward to the 7th millennium as our 'Sabbath' millennium, ruled by our Savior, the "Lord of the Sabbath" (Luke 6:5). In the same fashion, how can we apply man being 'created' on the 6th day?
In order to gain an understanding, we take a look at the Hebrew word 'create'. It's "Ahsah". It means the following:
- To accomplish
- To advance
- To appoint
- To become
- To bestow
- To bring forth
- To be busy
- To have the charge of
- To finish
- To follow
- To govern
- To grant
- To keep
- To labor
- To maintain
- To be occupied
- To prepare
- To sacrifice
- To serve
- To use
Wow! Now, understanding that before Jesus returns, He returns for His Bride that has prepared herself for Him. I contend to you that this is a 6th day event! The Bride is to look just like Him when He arrives - after all, they are to be one flesh! She is to be a laborer, a governor, one who serves, occupies, and maintains! She is accomplished, and appointed, and in charge! This could truly be an accurate description of the 'fullness' that God waits for. Yes, man has been here for nearly 6,000 years, but only in the last days when the Bride truly understands who she is to be - is she 'created'.
Friday, September 24, 2010
The Process
There is a PROCESS to greatness. God closes one door and opens another - but it's hell in the hallway.
The man that was healed at the pool of Bethesda had been sick for 38 years. Sometimes God waits a long time to act suddenly.
Heb 5:7-8 ASV
(7) Who in the days of his flesh, having offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and having been heard for his godly fear,
(8) though he was a Son, yet learned obedience by the things which he suffered;
Did Joseph seem smart when speaking to his brothers? Perhaps he learned wisdom and obedience from the things which he suffered.
The man that was healed at the pool of Bethesda had been sick for 38 years. Sometimes God waits a long time to act suddenly.
Heb 5:7-8 ASV
(7) Who in the days of his flesh, having offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and having been heard for his godly fear,
(8) though he was a Son, yet learned obedience by the things which he suffered;
Did Joseph seem smart when speaking to his brothers? Perhaps he learned wisdom and obedience from the things which he suffered.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
A Language We Can Understand
When dealing with small children, there are many things that are impossible to explain to them. You can go into all the physics of why it's a bad idea to stick a key in a light socket, but none of that hits home with a 2-yr old until the experiment is tried. Then there is understanding. Why? Because it hurts! Pain is one of those universal languages.
Jesus is a topic that the world at large does not understand. We can go into all the reasons why we need Jesus, but to the lost - it's a message of foolishness. What language can we use to reach the lost who just don't get it? Kingdom. Jesus went about preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom. There was much the people did not get, but they understood peace in the storm. They understood food in the desert. They understood healing for the lepers. They understood the dead walked again. Certainly not all liked what they saw, but multitudes sought out the source: Jesus.
When the church comes to a place where, as a body, it is actively and effectively sharing the Kingdom of God, then people will seek the source like the world has never seen. These are the greater things.
Jesus is a topic that the world at large does not understand. We can go into all the reasons why we need Jesus, but to the lost - it's a message of foolishness. What language can we use to reach the lost who just don't get it? Kingdom. Jesus went about preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom. There was much the people did not get, but they understood peace in the storm. They understood food in the desert. They understood healing for the lepers. They understood the dead walked again. Certainly not all liked what they saw, but multitudes sought out the source: Jesus.
When the church comes to a place where, as a body, it is actively and effectively sharing the Kingdom of God, then people will seek the source like the world has never seen. These are the greater things.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Word of the age: Co-labor
1Co 3:9a KJV
(9) For we are labourers together with God
Our aspirations should be tested in God ...
1Sa 14:7-10 MKJV
(7) And his armor-bearer said to him, Do all that is in your heart. Turn, for behold, I am with you according to your heart.
(8) And Jonathan said, Behold, we will go over to these men, and we will show ourselves to them.
(9) If they say this to us, Stand still until we come to you, then we will stand still in our place and will not go up to them.
(10) But if they say this, Come up to us, then we will go up, for Jehovah has delivered them up into our hand. And this shall be a sign to us.
What we would consider a pretentious aspiration... perhaps even arrogant... we will realize that God wants to co-labor even greater things with us than that. Two men taking a Philistine garrison? GET REAL!
This is co-laboring with God. It seems pretentious to the world. Step up and realize who you are in Christ. You need no other credentials.
(9) For we are labourers together with God
Our aspirations should be tested in God ...
1Sa 14:7-10 MKJV
(7) And his armor-bearer said to him, Do all that is in your heart. Turn, for behold, I am with you according to your heart.
(8) And Jonathan said, Behold, we will go over to these men, and we will show ourselves to them.
(9) If they say this to us, Stand still until we come to you, then we will stand still in our place and will not go up to them.
(10) But if they say this, Come up to us, then we will go up, for Jehovah has delivered them up into our hand. And this shall be a sign to us.
What we would consider a pretentious aspiration... perhaps even arrogant... we will realize that God wants to co-labor even greater things with us than that. Two men taking a Philistine garrison? GET REAL!
This is co-laboring with God. It seems pretentious to the world. Step up and realize who you are in Christ. You need no other credentials.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
It Is Better
Joh 16:7 MKJV
(7) But I tell you the truth, it is expedient for you that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Comforter will not come to you. But if I depart, I will send Him to you.
A good buddy was pondering this verse today. The disciples had Jesus in their midst. They walked with Him, talked with Him, vented to Him... He was their friend. When He told them it was 'better' that He go away so that the Comforter could come, they didn't really get it. After all... how could it possibly get any better? How could you beat the feeling of knowing Jesus was just right there?
Then Peter denied Jesus. It was apparent that even with Jesus in the next room, there could be separation. Even as Jesus passed right in front of his eyes, there was a separation from Peter - a gap that he didn't know how to bridge. Well, Jesus re-bridged that gap for Peter, but Peter had to be sitting there wondering how he was going to prevent that same attack from beating him again.
Then comes Pentecost. Jesus is gone, but His Spirit comes and fills Peter. Now, he knew there was no campfire too remote. There was no fishing boat too lonely. There was no place he could go that Jesus was not with him - even an inverted cross.
Jesus said it would be better. Peter knew it. But we often sit and fantasize about how great it will be when Jesus appears. TRUE! It will be awesome! But we have His Spirit now! Which is better? Jesus told us, but do we believe Him? Do we understand that fellowship with the Spirit is fellowship with God Himself?
There's no boat, or campfire, or road-trip, or living room, or business meeting... that is too lonely.
(7) But I tell you the truth, it is expedient for you that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Comforter will not come to you. But if I depart, I will send Him to you.
A good buddy was pondering this verse today. The disciples had Jesus in their midst. They walked with Him, talked with Him, vented to Him... He was their friend. When He told them it was 'better' that He go away so that the Comforter could come, they didn't really get it. After all... how could it possibly get any better? How could you beat the feeling of knowing Jesus was just right there?
Then Peter denied Jesus. It was apparent that even with Jesus in the next room, there could be separation. Even as Jesus passed right in front of his eyes, there was a separation from Peter - a gap that he didn't know how to bridge. Well, Jesus re-bridged that gap for Peter, but Peter had to be sitting there wondering how he was going to prevent that same attack from beating him again.
Then comes Pentecost. Jesus is gone, but His Spirit comes and fills Peter. Now, he knew there was no campfire too remote. There was no fishing boat too lonely. There was no place he could go that Jesus was not with him - even an inverted cross.
Jesus said it would be better. Peter knew it. But we often sit and fantasize about how great it will be when Jesus appears. TRUE! It will be awesome! But we have His Spirit now! Which is better? Jesus told us, but do we believe Him? Do we understand that fellowship with the Spirit is fellowship with God Himself?
There's no boat, or campfire, or road-trip, or living room, or business meeting... that is too lonely.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Success
Gen 39:2 ESV
(2) The LORD was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, and he was in the house of his Egyptian master.
When we view success as God views success, then many of the worldly pressures we all feel tend to subside. Joseph was not a home-owner. He didn't have his cars paid off, and he didn't belong to the local country club. Joseph was a slave, and yet God called him successful. Why?
Success - to God - is measured by whom you serve in spite of your circumstances.
(2) The LORD was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, and he was in the house of his Egyptian master.
When we view success as God views success, then many of the worldly pressures we all feel tend to subside. Joseph was not a home-owner. He didn't have his cars paid off, and he didn't belong to the local country club. Joseph was a slave, and yet God called him successful. Why?
Success - to God - is measured by whom you serve in spite of your circumstances.
Thursday, September 02, 2010
Passing You By?
Tonight it's storming. We haven't had storms in nearly 2 months. This is a treat and much needed. Before it started, I could see the light show. I knew it was coming, so I had the blinds opened. There was lightning, and more lightning, and more lightning...
A phone call from my buddy told me that he was driving in pouring rain. A monsoon, he said. Nothing here. Just the light show.
Before long, I decided it was probably passing me by. After all, storms here tend to either go north or south, lightning or no. I settled down to enjoy what was left of the light show. It was better than nothing!
Then the rain hit. Wow is it coming down - still! I'm reminded that so many times we think life has passed us by. Whatever it is... family, relationships, love, prosperity (it's right around the corner, you know)... it's passed us by. We're getting older... we just missed it somehow. It's not meant to be.
Then it arrives. All that 'stuff' we've been spouting off to convince ourselves that God's plan for us isn't nearly so fun or pleasant or fulfilling as the next guy's suddenly is revealed for what it was - hogwash.
The next time you think it has passed you by, consider the chances that it simply hasn't arrived yet.
A phone call from my buddy told me that he was driving in pouring rain. A monsoon, he said. Nothing here. Just the light show.
Before long, I decided it was probably passing me by. After all, storms here tend to either go north or south, lightning or no. I settled down to enjoy what was left of the light show. It was better than nothing!
Then the rain hit. Wow is it coming down - still! I'm reminded that so many times we think life has passed us by. Whatever it is... family, relationships, love, prosperity (it's right around the corner, you know)... it's passed us by. We're getting older... we just missed it somehow. It's not meant to be.
Then it arrives. All that 'stuff' we've been spouting off to convince ourselves that God's plan for us isn't nearly so fun or pleasant or fulfilling as the next guy's suddenly is revealed for what it was - hogwash.
The next time you think it has passed you by, consider the chances that it simply hasn't arrived yet.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
A Kingdom Picture
Jdg 7:19-21 ESV
(19) So Gideon and the hundred men who were with him came to the outskirts of the camp at the beginning of the middle watch, when they had just set the watch. And they blew the trumpets and smashed the jars that were in their hands.
(20) Then the three companies blew the trumpets and broke the jars. They held in their left hands the torches, and in their right hands the trumpets to blow. And they cried out, "A sword for the LORD and for Gideon!"
(21) Every man stood in his place around the camp, and all the army ran. They cried out and fled.
Again, I love the hidden pictures in scripture. This one speaks to me as a Kingdom picture. There are eschatological overtones all through this chapter, but as the Kingdom progresses in power we see everything ties in to the last days move of God in His people.
The jars are us - this isn't really a stretch. Jars in that day were made of clay, as we are. We have the light of the Word in us - it should burn as a torch. The trumpet is the voice of God (Rev 4:1). In these last days as the people of God wake up, we begin to live more in the Spirit than ever before. When we live in the Spirit as a people, the clay jars will shatter and the torches of the Word will explode in brightness. The world will be able to hear - loud and clear - the voice of God. This will be a time when the enemies of God flee, and those who were in bondage are set free.
(19) So Gideon and the hundred men who were with him came to the outskirts of the camp at the beginning of the middle watch, when they had just set the watch. And they blew the trumpets and smashed the jars that were in their hands.
(20) Then the three companies blew the trumpets and broke the jars. They held in their left hands the torches, and in their right hands the trumpets to blow. And they cried out, "A sword for the LORD and for Gideon!"
(21) Every man stood in his place around the camp, and all the army ran. They cried out and fled.
Again, I love the hidden pictures in scripture. This one speaks to me as a Kingdom picture. There are eschatological overtones all through this chapter, but as the Kingdom progresses in power we see everything ties in to the last days move of God in His people.
The jars are us - this isn't really a stretch. Jars in that day were made of clay, as we are. We have the light of the Word in us - it should burn as a torch. The trumpet is the voice of God (Rev 4:1). In these last days as the people of God wake up, we begin to live more in the Spirit than ever before. When we live in the Spirit as a people, the clay jars will shatter and the torches of the Word will explode in brightness. The world will be able to hear - loud and clear - the voice of God. This will be a time when the enemies of God flee, and those who were in bondage are set free.
Monday, August 30, 2010
The Posture to Partake
Judges 7:4-7 LITV
(4) And Jehovah said to Gideon, The people are still too many. Bring them down to the water, and I will refine them for you there. And it shall be, he of whom I say to you, this one shall go with you, he shall go with you. And any of whom I shall say to you, This one shall not go with you, he shall not go.
(5) And he brought the people down to the water. And Jehovah said to Gideon, Everyone who laps of the water with his tongue, as a dog laps, you shall set him apart. And everyone who bows on his knees to drink, set apart.
(6) And the number of those lapping with their hand to their mouth was three hundred men. And all the rest of the people bowed down on their knees to drink water.
(7) And Jehovah said to Gideon, I will deliver you by the three hundred men who lapped, and shall give Midian into your hand. And all the people shall go, each to his place.
Many of us learned this story in Sunday school at one point in our lives. This is a great story, but I'll share what it says to me now.
The water is still the Holy Spirit. There are those who partake of Him only when fatigued. They are tired... they lay down and dip their head in. When times are good, they forget who holds the umbrella above them. Then there are those who pursue God at all times good and bad. These know how to reach for Him. Their posture is not one of concession, but of vigilance.
Vigilance vs. Concession: watching for what God will do vs. hoping God does something. This is faith vs. desperation - a case where faith tends to win every time. The resources of heaven are at our disposal. Faith is our checkbook. Anything else is praying for a handout.
(4) And Jehovah said to Gideon, The people are still too many. Bring them down to the water, and I will refine them for you there. And it shall be, he of whom I say to you, this one shall go with you, he shall go with you. And any of whom I shall say to you, This one shall not go with you, he shall not go.
(5) And he brought the people down to the water. And Jehovah said to Gideon, Everyone who laps of the water with his tongue, as a dog laps, you shall set him apart. And everyone who bows on his knees to drink, set apart.
(6) And the number of those lapping with their hand to their mouth was three hundred men. And all the rest of the people bowed down on their knees to drink water.
(7) And Jehovah said to Gideon, I will deliver you by the three hundred men who lapped, and shall give Midian into your hand. And all the people shall go, each to his place.
Many of us learned this story in Sunday school at one point in our lives. This is a great story, but I'll share what it says to me now.
The water is still the Holy Spirit. There are those who partake of Him only when fatigued. They are tired... they lay down and dip their head in. When times are good, they forget who holds the umbrella above them. Then there are those who pursue God at all times good and bad. These know how to reach for Him. Their posture is not one of concession, but of vigilance.
Vigilance vs. Concession: watching for what God will do vs. hoping God does something. This is faith vs. desperation - a case where faith tends to win every time. The resources of heaven are at our disposal. Faith is our checkbook. Anything else is praying for a handout.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
A True Intercessor
In order to be a true intercessor between God and man, heaven and earth, one must be as relevant on earth as you are in heaven. I'm going to illustrate this - think it through carefully. It seems like a 'duh' example... but it's profound to me.
Matthew 14:29-31 MKJV
(29) And He said, Come. And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.
(30) But seeing that the wind was strong, he was afraid. And beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me!
(31) And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him; and said to him, Little-faith! Why did you doubt?
For Peter, the only Truth he cared about when he stepped out of the boat was Jesus. Jesus was his hero. Jesus was someone he trusted. Jesus told him to get out of the boat. Peter did. When Peter did that, he was doing NOTHING in the flesh. He was walking a spiritual walk which - by default - has dominion over all earthly rules. The key to this walk for Peter - was Jesus.
Then Peter looked away. He utters perhaps the shorted prayer in the Bible. HELP! Jesus reached down and grabbed his arm. For Peter, his walk at that moment failed. He went immediately from walking in the Spirit to walking in the flesh. How did he survive this? Jesus! Jesus is the answer in both situations. Jesus is the answer when the Spiritual walk is thriving, and He is the answer when it fails.
Hebrews 1:3a
(3) God's Son has all the brightness of God's own glory and is like him in every way. By his own mighty word, he holds the universe together.
By His word, He can hold you together between your two worlds - the world of the flesh and the world of His Spirit. It is His perfect power that makes Him the perfect intercessor. As we become more like Him, our power of intercession for others also grows. We think more like he thinks - staying above the waves and helping others stay up, too.
Matthew 14:29-31 MKJV
(29) And He said, Come. And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.
(30) But seeing that the wind was strong, he was afraid. And beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me!
(31) And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him; and said to him, Little-faith! Why did you doubt?
For Peter, the only Truth he cared about when he stepped out of the boat was Jesus. Jesus was his hero. Jesus was someone he trusted. Jesus told him to get out of the boat. Peter did. When Peter did that, he was doing NOTHING in the flesh. He was walking a spiritual walk which - by default - has dominion over all earthly rules. The key to this walk for Peter - was Jesus.
Then Peter looked away. He utters perhaps the shorted prayer in the Bible. HELP! Jesus reached down and grabbed his arm. For Peter, his walk at that moment failed. He went immediately from walking in the Spirit to walking in the flesh. How did he survive this? Jesus! Jesus is the answer in both situations. Jesus is the answer when the Spiritual walk is thriving, and He is the answer when it fails.
Hebrews 1:3a
(3) God's Son has all the brightness of God's own glory and is like him in every way. By his own mighty word, he holds the universe together.
By His word, He can hold you together between your two worlds - the world of the flesh and the world of His Spirit. It is His perfect power that makes Him the perfect intercessor. As we become more like Him, our power of intercession for others also grows. We think more like he thinks - staying above the waves and helping others stay up, too.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Our Backwards Kingdom
Act 3:6-7 ESV
(6) But Peter said, "I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!"
(7) And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong.
In the Kingdom, things 'appear' backwards. The least is the greatest. The way to the top is down. In order to get ahead, you must work to make others successful. To see, you must first believe. In order to live, we must die to flesh. You only get to keep what you give away.
This healing is a picture of the Kingdom. It demonstrates Kingdom rules. First the man was raised up, and then his ankles were made strong.
What is the goal you are currently trying to achieve? Does this give any clarity on how you might achieve it?
(6) But Peter said, "I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!"
(7) And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong.
In the Kingdom, things 'appear' backwards. The least is the greatest. The way to the top is down. In order to get ahead, you must work to make others successful. To see, you must first believe. In order to live, we must die to flesh. You only get to keep what you give away.
This healing is a picture of the Kingdom. It demonstrates Kingdom rules. First the man was raised up, and then his ankles were made strong.
What is the goal you are currently trying to achieve? Does this give any clarity on how you might achieve it?
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Leaves of Healing
In Acts, people were being brought before Peter's path in order to be healed by his shadow as it passed. If we wish to walk in the miraculous, we need to understand. It's not about our shadow - it's about the One who overshadows us. Quit paying attention to the shadow. We are being moved to a place where we are not impressed either with the miracle or the result.
Joh 7:38 MKJV
(38) He who believes on Me, as the Scripture has said, "Out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water."
If there is a river coming out of your belly, you have no need to worry if your surroundings are getting wet. They will. We tend to stand around amazed that the atmosphere changes whenever a river issues forth. Silliness.
In order to be about His business, we must be focused on our instruction and obedience to it. Our awareness should be a Kingdom awareness, triggered by faith and compassion, but not out of need alone. The door to the miraculous in the Kingdom is not unlocked by need. The woman who touched the hem of Jesus' garment had a need - but 'that' is not why she was healed. She was healed because of her 'faith'. This is not something we detect by looking around - we can only detect faith by looking up.
When Jesus walked around the pool of Bethesda, there was a man there that was healed. However, there were a number of people there who were 'not' healed. We question this continually. Didn't Jesus care about the suffering of the others? The answer lies in what He detected in His Kingdom, not about what He detected in ours. Need alone will not trigger the miraculous. Faith by itself - will. Are there other triggers besides faith? Love, compassion, kindness... now we start to look at the types of fruit the Spirit bears. But notice below... the fruit wasn't for the healing. The leaf was.
Eze 47:12 MKJV
(12) And all trees for food shall go up by the torrent, on its bank on this side, and on that side. Its leaf shall not fade, nor its fruit fail. It will bear by its months, because its waters come out from the sanctuary. And its fruit shall be for food, and its leaf for healing.
So then how do we bear fruit AND leaves for the healing of others?
Psa 1:2-3 MKJV
(2) But his delight is only in the Law of Jehovah; and in His Law he meditates day and night.
(3) And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivulets of water that brings forth its fruit in its seasons, and its leaf shall not wither, and all which he does shall be blessed.
Faith is like a green leaf.
Pro 11:28 ESV
(28) Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf.
Beware of leaves without fruit. This just might be a counterfeit (Mark 11:13). If we wish to see, we must first believe. There is no other way.
Joh 7:38 MKJV
(38) He who believes on Me, as the Scripture has said, "Out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water."
If there is a river coming out of your belly, you have no need to worry if your surroundings are getting wet. They will. We tend to stand around amazed that the atmosphere changes whenever a river issues forth. Silliness.
In order to be about His business, we must be focused on our instruction and obedience to it. Our awareness should be a Kingdom awareness, triggered by faith and compassion, but not out of need alone. The door to the miraculous in the Kingdom is not unlocked by need. The woman who touched the hem of Jesus' garment had a need - but 'that' is not why she was healed. She was healed because of her 'faith'. This is not something we detect by looking around - we can only detect faith by looking up.
When Jesus walked around the pool of Bethesda, there was a man there that was healed. However, there were a number of people there who were 'not' healed. We question this continually. Didn't Jesus care about the suffering of the others? The answer lies in what He detected in His Kingdom, not about what He detected in ours. Need alone will not trigger the miraculous. Faith by itself - will. Are there other triggers besides faith? Love, compassion, kindness... now we start to look at the types of fruit the Spirit bears. But notice below... the fruit wasn't for the healing. The leaf was.
Eze 47:12 MKJV
(12) And all trees for food shall go up by the torrent, on its bank on this side, and on that side. Its leaf shall not fade, nor its fruit fail. It will bear by its months, because its waters come out from the sanctuary. And its fruit shall be for food, and its leaf for healing.
So then how do we bear fruit AND leaves for the healing of others?
Psa 1:2-3 MKJV
(2) But his delight is only in the Law of Jehovah; and in His Law he meditates day and night.
(3) And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivulets of water that brings forth its fruit in its seasons, and its leaf shall not wither, and all which he does shall be blessed.
Faith is like a green leaf.
Pro 11:28 ESV
(28) Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf.
Beware of leaves without fruit. This just might be a counterfeit (Mark 11:13). If we wish to see, we must first believe. There is no other way.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Living for Manifestation
Christians in certain circles and with certain backgrounds get a bad rap for seeking the 'manifest' Presence of God. You might hear things like: they just want a sign. Or, they're just thriving on emotionalism!
God's Presence is amazing in all the uncountable ways He may choose to reveal Himself to us. His Presence is something to desire - whether physically manifested or not! But we should not be living for His physical manifestation. We should not allow ourselves to get into a funk whenever He chooses not to blow us away in some manner or another. It just might be that our tendency to fall into depression prevents Him from doing what He would otherwise do.
The problem that I see from most of the critics is that they live lives devoid of the Presence of God, so they attempt to explain away - in any way they can - the power they don't see. Mockery is a typical cover-up. My guess is Elijah experienced some of that.
Picture this: Elijah is weary. He has had a full day. He called fire down from heaven. Then he put to death 400 priests of Baal. He has run up and down Mt. Carmel a few times in a supernatural fervor... and has called in rain upon a parched land. As he slowly walks down the street towards home, some clueless individual yells something like: "Hey Eli! Have you 'seen GOD' lately?" *chuckle chuckle snicker snicker*
God's Presence is amazing in all the uncountable ways He may choose to reveal Himself to us. His Presence is something to desire - whether physically manifested or not! But we should not be living for His physical manifestation. We should not allow ourselves to get into a funk whenever He chooses not to blow us away in some manner or another. It just might be that our tendency to fall into depression prevents Him from doing what He would otherwise do.
The problem that I see from most of the critics is that they live lives devoid of the Presence of God, so they attempt to explain away - in any way they can - the power they don't see. Mockery is a typical cover-up. My guess is Elijah experienced some of that.
Picture this: Elijah is weary. He has had a full day. He called fire down from heaven. Then he put to death 400 priests of Baal. He has run up and down Mt. Carmel a few times in a supernatural fervor... and has called in rain upon a parched land. As he slowly walks down the street towards home, some clueless individual yells something like: "Hey Eli! Have you 'seen GOD' lately?" *chuckle chuckle snicker snicker*
Monday, August 23, 2010
Raining on the Just
The scripture says it rains on the just and the unjust alike. Christians use that verse as a crutch to explain away a lot of areas in life that we - as Christians - were responsible for protecting. We fail to act or pray for this or that and as a result, when calamity claims a victim, we just say that it rains on the just and the unjust alike. In the words of Col. Potter, H-O-R-S-E H-O-C-K-E-Y.
There is a reason why that scripture was worded the way it was.
When I was just a baby, I went through some severe storms. My dad kept me safe under a roof, while other babies in our fair city got wet, because their fathers' didn't care enough to provide them shelter. It rains on the just, and the unjust. That's true. But there is still the Father-factor.
Our nation has rejected God, socially and governmentally. As a result, we experience the fallen world without a roof over our heads. It rains on the just, and the unjust. Don't confuse our exposure to the elements with judgment - that is still coming at the end of the age. It is what it is. We're getting wet as a nation. But as a person - I'm dry. My Father shields me from the elements. My house is covered by Him - even if my nation is not. Does that mean bad things don't happen? What it means is that nothing happens that He hasn't already made provision for.
There is a reason why that scripture was worded the way it was.
When I was just a baby, I went through some severe storms. My dad kept me safe under a roof, while other babies in our fair city got wet, because their fathers' didn't care enough to provide them shelter. It rains on the just, and the unjust. That's true. But there is still the Father-factor.
Our nation has rejected God, socially and governmentally. As a result, we experience the fallen world without a roof over our heads. It rains on the just, and the unjust. Don't confuse our exposure to the elements with judgment - that is still coming at the end of the age. It is what it is. We're getting wet as a nation. But as a person - I'm dry. My Father shields me from the elements. My house is covered by Him - even if my nation is not. Does that mean bad things don't happen? What it means is that nothing happens that He hasn't already made provision for.
Friday, August 20, 2010
Zealous for God
Num 25:1 MKJV
(1) And Israel lived in Shittim, and the people began to fornicate with the daughters of Moab.
(3) And Israel joined himself to Baal-peor. And the anger of Jehovah was kindled against Israel.
(5) And Moses said to the judges of Israel, Every one of you kill his men who were joined to Baal-peor.
(6) And behold! One of the sons of Israel came and brought to his brothers a woman of Midian, before the eyes of Moses, and before all the congregation of the sons of Israel, who were weeping before the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
(7) And when Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he rose up from among the congregation and took a spear in his hand.
(8) And he went after the man of Israel into the tent, and pierced both of them through, the man of Israel, and the woman, through her belly. So the plague was stayed from the sons of Israel.
(9) And those that died in the plague were twenty-four thousand.
(10) And Jehovah spoke to Moses saying,
(11) Phinehas the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, has turned My wrath away from the sons of Israel while he was zealous for My sake among them, so that I did not destroy the sons of Israel in My jealousy.
This is an incredible story. It's a story about open rebellion of a people before God. It's a story about God's patience with uncovered sin: not much! It's a story about ZEAL for righteousness.
After reading the passage, I really only wish to point out two things.
1) Before sin was atoned for, we see that God's judgment is severe. But scripture says that when Jesus paid the world's price for sin, God's judgment of it was poured out - totally - upon Him. Sin's price is paid. This was not always so. The 'grace' part of this equation today is that we can go through life without accepting the sacrifice Jesus made on our behalf. Judgment again comes - after death (Heb 9:27-28).
2) This is how God defines zeal. Phinehas pinned a man and woman to the turf with a spear. This is an act that most people would find absolutely repulsive. Even the strongest, most determined among us would have great difficulty in doing such a thing. God said it was the right thing. He called it justice. He called it ZEAL. How many of us who have called ourselves zealous Christians really possess the quality that God defines here? Zealous? Really? Are you - really? This isn't about killing people for God! This is about possessing the attitude that God's opinion is the ONLY one that matters. Apply that any way you wish. That's zeal.
(1) And Israel lived in Shittim, and the people began to fornicate with the daughters of Moab.
(3) And Israel joined himself to Baal-peor. And the anger of Jehovah was kindled against Israel.
(5) And Moses said to the judges of Israel, Every one of you kill his men who were joined to Baal-peor.
(6) And behold! One of the sons of Israel came and brought to his brothers a woman of Midian, before the eyes of Moses, and before all the congregation of the sons of Israel, who were weeping before the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
(7) And when Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he rose up from among the congregation and took a spear in his hand.
(8) And he went after the man of Israel into the tent, and pierced both of them through, the man of Israel, and the woman, through her belly. So the plague was stayed from the sons of Israel.
(9) And those that died in the plague were twenty-four thousand.
(10) And Jehovah spoke to Moses saying,
(11) Phinehas the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, has turned My wrath away from the sons of Israel while he was zealous for My sake among them, so that I did not destroy the sons of Israel in My jealousy.
This is an incredible story. It's a story about open rebellion of a people before God. It's a story about God's patience with uncovered sin: not much! It's a story about ZEAL for righteousness.
After reading the passage, I really only wish to point out two things.
1) Before sin was atoned for, we see that God's judgment is severe. But scripture says that when Jesus paid the world's price for sin, God's judgment of it was poured out - totally - upon Him. Sin's price is paid. This was not always so. The 'grace' part of this equation today is that we can go through life without accepting the sacrifice Jesus made on our behalf. Judgment again comes - after death (Heb 9:27-28).
2) This is how God defines zeal. Phinehas pinned a man and woman to the turf with a spear. This is an act that most people would find absolutely repulsive. Even the strongest, most determined among us would have great difficulty in doing such a thing. God said it was the right thing. He called it justice. He called it ZEAL. How many of us who have called ourselves zealous Christians really possess the quality that God defines here? Zealous? Really? Are you - really? This isn't about killing people for God! This is about possessing the attitude that God's opinion is the ONLY one that matters. Apply that any way you wish. That's zeal.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Getting Comfortable In The Boat
In scripture, any time you see boat, think also of throne. Think about a boat for a second. It's allows one to be totally isolated - untouchable by everyone else. This is one reason that Jesus found it to be a handy teaching platform. Ephesians tells us that we are seated with God in heavenly places. We also sit with Him on His throne! Only... we aren't comfortable there. Remember the disciples during the storm? They were freaking out while Jesus was sleeping. As children of the King, we need to get comfortable with the throne perspective.
In the Old Testament, what was the word for boat? Noah built one: ark. Then in Exodus, Moses was told to build a box - and it was called the 'Ark'. And upon that ark was a 'mercy seat'. It was were God came down to sit and converse with His priests! Do you see the similarities between the boat and the throne? In case you think this a stretch, many thrones of that day were fashioned in much the same way as the ark - complete with Cherubs! The High Priest was on an island away from the rest of humanity - just like Noah in the flood. The throne is a physical picture of sanctification.
Mat 13:2 ESV
(2) And great crowds gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat down. And the whole crowd stood on the beach.
Rev 4:6 ESV
(6) and before the throne there was as it were a sea of glass, like crystal. And around the throne, on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind...
What a great teaching platform... a boat! A throne! There are some things that we will NEVER be able to show the world without a heart-knowledge that we sit upon a throne with God.
Eph 2:4-6 ESV
(4) But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us,
(5) even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ--by grace you have been saved--
(6) and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
So we are seated with Jesus - on the throne. But also remember that Jesus didn't 'need' the boat. He walked on water! Jesus used that perspective as a tool to reach the lost. We are sanctified, not to lord ourselves over others, but to draw others into a relationship with the One who sanctified us! Think differently!
In the Old Testament, what was the word for boat? Noah built one: ark. Then in Exodus, Moses was told to build a box - and it was called the 'Ark'. And upon that ark was a 'mercy seat'. It was were God came down to sit and converse with His priests! Do you see the similarities between the boat and the throne? In case you think this a stretch, many thrones of that day were fashioned in much the same way as the ark - complete with Cherubs! The High Priest was on an island away from the rest of humanity - just like Noah in the flood. The throne is a physical picture of sanctification.
Mat 13:2 ESV
(2) And great crowds gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat down. And the whole crowd stood on the beach.
Rev 4:6 ESV
(6) and before the throne there was as it were a sea of glass, like crystal. And around the throne, on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind...
What a great teaching platform... a boat! A throne! There are some things that we will NEVER be able to show the world without a heart-knowledge that we sit upon a throne with God.
Eph 2:4-6 ESV
(4) But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us,
(5) even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ--by grace you have been saved--
(6) and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
So we are seated with Jesus - on the throne. But also remember that Jesus didn't 'need' the boat. He walked on water! Jesus used that perspective as a tool to reach the lost. We are sanctified, not to lord ourselves over others, but to draw others into a relationship with the One who sanctified us! Think differently!
Monday, August 16, 2010
Opening A Scary Door
It has been in my spirit, lately, to comment on some traps that are very easy to fall into. The last post was about self-promotion. Today let us consider criticism. When someone has fallen, it's incredibly easy to criticize them or demean them in some way.
Paul wrote:
1Co 10:12 MKJV
(12) So let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.
The insinuation is that it's our natural inclination to judge in this way - which is typically 'not' out of love. We assume that we are strong enough or wise enough to overcome that particular spiritual attack when in many instances we have earned no credentials to justify such a claim. The result is that we open a door to be tempted by the same spirit by which our comrade fell. It's then that we find out that withstanding that kind of attack is not as easy as we thought.
I'm not implying that constructive criticism does not have a place. Within the body of Christ, however, all should be done out of love with restoration in mind.
Paul wrote:
1Co 10:12 MKJV
(12) So let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.
The insinuation is that it's our natural inclination to judge in this way - which is typically 'not' out of love. We assume that we are strong enough or wise enough to overcome that particular spiritual attack when in many instances we have earned no credentials to justify such a claim. The result is that we open a door to be tempted by the same spirit by which our comrade fell. It's then that we find out that withstanding that kind of attack is not as easy as we thought.
I'm not implying that constructive criticism does not have a place. Within the body of Christ, however, all should be done out of love with restoration in mind.
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