Have you ever known or perhaps lived with a junkie of some sort? There are all types. Junk food, fishing (ahem), music, TV, video game, cell phone... just about anything you can imagine, a person can get hooked on to an extreme. The 'junkie' trait is the kind of thing your spouse should discover before marriage. Granted that most of us are junkies at something, even if it's something tame. Being a junkie can be hard for others to cope with.
I love to fish. I am probably not as much of a fishing junkie as some other folks I know, but it's plenty-enough to make my wife uncomfortable IF she doesn't like fishing. Fortunately, I chose wisely, and my wife is a fisher-woman. My love for fishing does not tend to make her uneasy. I could attend the most hard-core fishing convention in the world and TOTALLY enjoy myself. If everyone there ate, drank, and slept fishing, fishing boats, fishing rods, fishing lures.... I'd be right at home. This is the way of junkies.
I'm also a Jesus junkie. I don't get tired of talking about Him, hearing about Him, trying to do what He did... it's all fascinating and captivating and consuming and contagious! If you want my attention, talk about fishing or Jesus. If you don't, talk about baseball or work.
But now these hard questions. How is it that so many Christians get uncomfortable when you really start talking about being like Jesus? Why would anyone who claims to know Him get tired of talking about Him? I see it. I see it a lot. Some folks don't like extremes of any kind, and being like Jesus is RADICAL. It's divisive. Being like Jesus - or trying to - may cause contention in the home or the family. A prophet isn't accepted in his home town... or home, often enough. Familiarity does breed contempt. "Look at him, trying to be all Jesus-like!" Yes... trying.
I buy Bill Dance lures so I can catch fish like Bill. For some reason people think that is okay, but if I sign on to emulate Jesus, even self-proclaimed Christians think I'm being pretentious.
So far, this post has been fairly judgmental (let's call it exhortational, not a word but go with it) - but mostly it's to me. The reason I think I know what people are thinking is because... it's what I've thought. I now understand, though, that a true junkie is going to make a non-junkie uncomfortable with their passion. What's the saying? "A Jesus-freak is someone who loves Jesus more than you do." Ouch.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Multi-dimensional Faith
If asked, an evangelical Christian would tell you that if you are a believer, then you are saved. John 3:16 is very clear. If you believe in the Son, then you shall have life ever-lasting. Few wrestle with whether or not God actually has the ability to do this. Paul said in his letter to Timothy that "I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to guard that which I have committed unto him..." (2 Timothy 1:12). Paul didn't wrestle with the concept that God might not be able to save him.
Joh 10:10 KJV
(10) The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
This, we wrestle with.
We do whatever it takes to make this mean something other than what it says. "Yeah, well, it's talking about eternal life." "It's talking about 'spiritual' life, not life in the physical." "It's just another allegory."
Abundant life - something few have a concept of. The Greek word for 'abundant' is 'perissos', which means superabundant or excessive. Don't you like that? Excessive! For so long Christians have tried to separate themselves from 'excess' because they believe it's not of God. This is just not so. God IS excess. If you don't believe that, just try to go somewhere that He isn't.
This is a long-winded approach to saying that God is able to save you, but that He is also able to give you a life of excess - WHATEVER that means. Spiritual excess? Yes. Physical excess? Absolutely. Success in relationships, finances, health, business, recreation, ministry... you name it. If it does not serve to separate you from His plan for your life, then why don't you just assume He wants you to be excellent in what you're doing? Extend your faith into other areas of your life. Have multi-dimensional faith!
Questions always generate from a teaching like this. Can I be dirt-poor and still have abundant life? Absolutely! Jesus Himself said He had no place to lay His head. Obviously, coinage in the bank is not related to abundant life. But we can draw some conclusions as to what IS related. Anything that Jesus battled must also battle abundant life. Is this true or false?
He battled sickness - He healed when He had the opportunity. He battled worry - He said don't! He battled fatigue - He said rest in Me'. He battled religion - He said follow Me, my yoke is easy and my burden is light. If Jesus battled these things, then don't make peace with them. Abundant life is what Jesus came to bring you. Does your life reflect abundance?
Joh 10:10 KJV
(10) The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
This, we wrestle with.
We do whatever it takes to make this mean something other than what it says. "Yeah, well, it's talking about eternal life." "It's talking about 'spiritual' life, not life in the physical." "It's just another allegory."
Abundant life - something few have a concept of. The Greek word for 'abundant' is 'perissos', which means superabundant or excessive. Don't you like that? Excessive! For so long Christians have tried to separate themselves from 'excess' because they believe it's not of God. This is just not so. God IS excess. If you don't believe that, just try to go somewhere that He isn't.
This is a long-winded approach to saying that God is able to save you, but that He is also able to give you a life of excess - WHATEVER that means. Spiritual excess? Yes. Physical excess? Absolutely. Success in relationships, finances, health, business, recreation, ministry... you name it. If it does not serve to separate you from His plan for your life, then why don't you just assume He wants you to be excellent in what you're doing? Extend your faith into other areas of your life. Have multi-dimensional faith!
Questions always generate from a teaching like this. Can I be dirt-poor and still have abundant life? Absolutely! Jesus Himself said He had no place to lay His head. Obviously, coinage in the bank is not related to abundant life. But we can draw some conclusions as to what IS related. Anything that Jesus battled must also battle abundant life. Is this true or false?
He battled sickness - He healed when He had the opportunity. He battled worry - He said don't! He battled fatigue - He said rest in Me'. He battled religion - He said follow Me, my yoke is easy and my burden is light. If Jesus battled these things, then don't make peace with them. Abundant life is what Jesus came to bring you. Does your life reflect abundance?
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Don't Be A Chess Piece
Exo 7:13 LITV
(13) And the heart of Pharaoh hardened, and he did not listen to them, as Jehovah had said.
Exo 7:22 And the magicians of Egypt did so by their secret arts. And Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he did not listen to them, as Jehovah had said.
Exo 8:19 And the priests said to Pharaoh, It is the finger of God. And Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he did not listen to them, as Jehovah had said.
Exo 13:15 And it happened when Pharaoh hardened himself against sending us away, Jehovah killed every first-born one in the land of Egypt, from the first-born of men even to the first-born of animals. On account of this I sacrifice to Jehovah every one of the males opening the womb, and I redeem every first-born of my sons.
Exo 14:8 And Jehovah hardened Pharaoh king of Egypt's heart. And he pursued the sons of Israel. And the sons of Israel were going out with a high hand.
When we wrestle with God, we do so in a swimming pool of His grace. There are volumes to be written of the grace of God, who allows us chance after chance after chance to choose righteousness. But like with Pharaoh, there is a pattern. Pharaoh had a choice to make - to work with God or against God.
Notice that Pharaoh hardened his own heart against God until the last instance... when it says "Jehovah hardened Pharaoh king of Egypt's heart". You get so many attempts before God allows you to stick with your choice. At that point, God says, "I wanted to use your surrender for my glory, but now I will use your defeat for My glory. You are now a chess piece."
Pharaoh's choices ultimately cost him his son, and later his own corpse washed up on the beach before all his former slaves. This is a typical result of going our own way.
(13) And the heart of Pharaoh hardened, and he did not listen to them, as Jehovah had said.
Exo 7:22 And the magicians of Egypt did so by their secret arts. And Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he did not listen to them, as Jehovah had said.
Exo 8:19 And the priests said to Pharaoh, It is the finger of God. And Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he did not listen to them, as Jehovah had said.
Exo 13:15 And it happened when Pharaoh hardened himself against sending us away, Jehovah killed every first-born one in the land of Egypt, from the first-born of men even to the first-born of animals. On account of this I sacrifice to Jehovah every one of the males opening the womb, and I redeem every first-born of my sons.
Exo 14:8 And Jehovah hardened Pharaoh king of Egypt's heart. And he pursued the sons of Israel. And the sons of Israel were going out with a high hand.
When we wrestle with God, we do so in a swimming pool of His grace. There are volumes to be written of the grace of God, who allows us chance after chance after chance to choose righteousness. But like with Pharaoh, there is a pattern. Pharaoh had a choice to make - to work with God or against God.
Notice that Pharaoh hardened his own heart against God until the last instance... when it says "Jehovah hardened Pharaoh king of Egypt's heart". You get so many attempts before God allows you to stick with your choice. At that point, God says, "I wanted to use your surrender for my glory, but now I will use your defeat for My glory. You are now a chess piece."
Pharaoh's choices ultimately cost him his son, and later his own corpse washed up on the beach before all his former slaves. This is a typical result of going our own way.
Friday, May 21, 2010
10-Foot Ceilings
There are a couple of rooms in my home with 10-foot ceilings. I have little girls that have been walking a year now, maybe. They are used to seeing the ceiling above their head. Of all the whining I hear during my time with them, what they don't whine about is trying to touch the ceiling. To them, it's not something that is attainable. If you asked them if daddy could touch the ceiling, they'd probably say 'Yes!'. They'd be wrong, but they think I can do some amazing things.
I get used to seeing that ceiling. It becomes a dimension of my reality. If there is a storm going on outside, I hear the thunder and I may see a flash of lightning, but if I look up and around, I see the ceiling - and some walls. The reality of the storm is really pretty distant. No incessantly cold rain drops in my eyes. No howling wind... no small hailstones... or sleet. Just a knowledge that there is a storm - and meanwhile there is this ceiling. What a sad box for a Spirit-filled person to live in. For my kids, the reality is far more distant, as they have NEVER been caught in a storm.
If I wanted to change my profession and go into storm-chasing, I'm certain I could get quite a few credentials and certifications by sitting at my computer and doing some bookwork. I could learn all the terminology. I could figure out the computer models. But sooner or later, I'd have to take that knowledge in meteorology and hit the road. I'd have to examine the conditions outside. I would have to ride into, through, and out of some storms. Otherwise, the very limits of my storm-chasing experience would be my 10-foot ceilings, and when it came to credibility in my field - I'd have none.
Welcome to Christianity today. It is very easy to go to church, and attend bible study, and not cuss (okay... not always that easy). Attaining the credentials as "Christian" is very easy. But Jesus said we would be known by our love for each other.
Joh 13:34-35 LITV
(34) I give a new commandment to you, that you should love one another; according as I loved you, you should also love one another.
(35) By this all shall know that you are My disciples, if you have love among one another.
Do you know what this tells me? It says that every other 'brotherhood' offered by this world that claims it will love you - won't. Jesus says that IF you are truly loving each other, then you ARE one of His disciples. Do you know what it's like to be truly loved by someone - or to truly love someone? Maybe it's time to see past the ceiling of religion, or family, or work, or the bowling team. Get some credibility to go with that Christian diploma above your PC.
I get used to seeing that ceiling. It becomes a dimension of my reality. If there is a storm going on outside, I hear the thunder and I may see a flash of lightning, but if I look up and around, I see the ceiling - and some walls. The reality of the storm is really pretty distant. No incessantly cold rain drops in my eyes. No howling wind... no small hailstones... or sleet. Just a knowledge that there is a storm - and meanwhile there is this ceiling. What a sad box for a Spirit-filled person to live in. For my kids, the reality is far more distant, as they have NEVER been caught in a storm.
If I wanted to change my profession and go into storm-chasing, I'm certain I could get quite a few credentials and certifications by sitting at my computer and doing some bookwork. I could learn all the terminology. I could figure out the computer models. But sooner or later, I'd have to take that knowledge in meteorology and hit the road. I'd have to examine the conditions outside. I would have to ride into, through, and out of some storms. Otherwise, the very limits of my storm-chasing experience would be my 10-foot ceilings, and when it came to credibility in my field - I'd have none.
Welcome to Christianity today. It is very easy to go to church, and attend bible study, and not cuss (okay... not always that easy). Attaining the credentials as "Christian" is very easy. But Jesus said we would be known by our love for each other.
Joh 13:34-35 LITV
(34) I give a new commandment to you, that you should love one another; according as I loved you, you should also love one another.
(35) By this all shall know that you are My disciples, if you have love among one another.
Do you know what this tells me? It says that every other 'brotherhood' offered by this world that claims it will love you - won't. Jesus says that IF you are truly loving each other, then you ARE one of His disciples. Do you know what it's like to be truly loved by someone - or to truly love someone? Maybe it's time to see past the ceiling of religion, or family, or work, or the bowling team. Get some credibility to go with that Christian diploma above your PC.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
When To Quiet The Storm
Some big storms came through last night. It's always interesting when you stay up for the 10 o'clock weather report and the weatherman seems a little tense. Last night was like that. I have storms on the brain.
Jesus didn't pay much attention to storms, did He? He never blessed a storm. He did one of two things: calm it or sleep through it. Okay, okay... He probably walked through a couple on the sea, but that's not the point.
I don't want to discuss whether or not you or I can calm a storm - I believe we can, so I'll leave it at that. The question in my mind is... when do we calm a storm, and when do we just sleep through it?
Why calm the storm? If the storm isn't bothering you - why calm it? If you can sleep through it, sleep through it! You say - well - what if it 'is' bothering me. What if I'm scared of the storm? Then you can't calm it. You can only impart (give away) what you carry, and if you carry fear, fear is all you can give. So when can you calm the storm - and when do you?
If you can sleep through the storm, you can calm it. But you only calm it to bring peace to someone else. If you are really hating this storm analogy - put your own crisis in the blank.
You've been with the company for 25 years and have endured at least that many test fire alarms. The alarm goes off. You lock the computer, grab a piece of gum and your shades, and casually head for the parking lot. Meanwhile, the new hire - Bertha - is having a conniption because she has no idea what is going on. She's rattling like a chainsaw about tornado or nuclear assault and it throwing all of her worldly possessions into her purse. What do you do? Do you sleep through this storm - ignoring Bertha? Or do you calm her storm?
As Christians, it's time to realize our power in Jesus and to be about the Father's business. If that means resting while the storm rages - that has its place. If it means changing the environment for those who cannot sleep through the storm, then change it and let God be glorified. (Luke 8:23, 24)
Jesus didn't pay much attention to storms, did He? He never blessed a storm. He did one of two things: calm it or sleep through it. Okay, okay... He probably walked through a couple on the sea, but that's not the point.
I don't want to discuss whether or not you or I can calm a storm - I believe we can, so I'll leave it at that. The question in my mind is... when do we calm a storm, and when do we just sleep through it?
Why calm the storm? If the storm isn't bothering you - why calm it? If you can sleep through it, sleep through it! You say - well - what if it 'is' bothering me. What if I'm scared of the storm? Then you can't calm it. You can only impart (give away) what you carry, and if you carry fear, fear is all you can give. So when can you calm the storm - and when do you?
If you can sleep through the storm, you can calm it. But you only calm it to bring peace to someone else. If you are really hating this storm analogy - put your own crisis in the blank.
You've been with the company for 25 years and have endured at least that many test fire alarms. The alarm goes off. You lock the computer, grab a piece of gum and your shades, and casually head for the parking lot. Meanwhile, the new hire - Bertha - is having a conniption because she has no idea what is going on. She's rattling like a chainsaw about tornado or nuclear assault and it throwing all of her worldly possessions into her purse. What do you do? Do you sleep through this storm - ignoring Bertha? Or do you calm her storm?
As Christians, it's time to realize our power in Jesus and to be about the Father's business. If that means resting while the storm rages - that has its place. If it means changing the environment for those who cannot sleep through the storm, then change it and let God be glorified. (Luke 8:23, 24)
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Patience In Learning
When you are reading scriptures, do so with the realization that you will only learn that which the Holy Spirit is willing to teach you. Sometimes I forget this, especially when I set out to learn something new.
The presupposition is that God wants me to know everything. That would be false. The fall of mankind occurred because Adam's eyes were 'opened', and all of a sudden he 'knew' good and evil. God no more wishes for you to know everything than you wish your child to know everything. Granted, most of this is a timing issue. However, there are some things that my children would never know if I had a say in it.
With all of this in mind, read scriptures with a new openness to receive what God has for you today. He does have something specifically for YOU - at this moment.
The presupposition is that God wants me to know everything. That would be false. The fall of mankind occurred because Adam's eyes were 'opened', and all of a sudden he 'knew' good and evil. God no more wishes for you to know everything than you wish your child to know everything. Granted, most of this is a timing issue. However, there are some things that my children would never know if I had a say in it.
With all of this in mind, read scriptures with a new openness to receive what God has for you today. He does have something specifically for YOU - at this moment.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Feeling Salty
This weekend, Pastor spoke on God's dealings with us as His children. The crux of the message was that God is interested in the present-future, not the present-past. To summarize this concept, people are very much hung up on their past, which prevents them from walking into the future that God has ordained for them. God said in Jeremiah, "I know the plans I have for you..." to which we add "...and if I can ever get past what I've done, I'll walk into that destiny."
God does not deal with the past of His children in a judgmental way. He has already judged our sin completely. Paul said,
Php 3:13-14 MKJV
(13) My brothers, I do not count myself to have taken possession, but one thing I do, forgetting the things behind and reaching forward to the things before,
(14) I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Very few of us could boast a past as abysmal as Paul's. Read about him - he wasn't nice.
As this word was being presented to us, the Lord brought me a thought that I'll record here, so as to share and not forget.
We are to be salt and light. (Matt 5:13) I've never really understood the detail of Lot's wife until now. She is a picture of a redeemed Christian that is hung up on the baggage of her past. She was truly redeemed - she was out of harms way. But she could not let go of her past, and she became a pillar of salt. Still salt, yes, but now a motionless pillar, unable to distribute but only available as an example from which people could take as they needed or desired. People, that is about as lame as your ministry can get, but if you are a child of God, you will minister in some way - even if it's from example.
God is interested in what you are - and what you are becoming in Him. This is your testimony. He isn't interested in what you've been - that's old news. He is a God of new wine. We are to become more like Jesus every day. This gives much value to the gift of prophecy - for this is the right-now word about your future. Embrace the plans God has for you, and "forget the things behind" that have only served to weigh you down.
God does not deal with the past of His children in a judgmental way. He has already judged our sin completely. Paul said,
Php 3:13-14 MKJV
(13) My brothers, I do not count myself to have taken possession, but one thing I do, forgetting the things behind and reaching forward to the things before,
(14) I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Very few of us could boast a past as abysmal as Paul's. Read about him - he wasn't nice.
As this word was being presented to us, the Lord brought me a thought that I'll record here, so as to share and not forget.
We are to be salt and light. (Matt 5:13) I've never really understood the detail of Lot's wife until now. She is a picture of a redeemed Christian that is hung up on the baggage of her past. She was truly redeemed - she was out of harms way. But she could not let go of her past, and she became a pillar of salt. Still salt, yes, but now a motionless pillar, unable to distribute but only available as an example from which people could take as they needed or desired. People, that is about as lame as your ministry can get, but if you are a child of God, you will minister in some way - even if it's from example.
God is interested in what you are - and what you are becoming in Him. This is your testimony. He isn't interested in what you've been - that's old news. He is a God of new wine. We are to become more like Jesus every day. This gives much value to the gift of prophecy - for this is the right-now word about your future. Embrace the plans God has for you, and "forget the things behind" that have only served to weigh you down.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
The Divine Mirror
The results of the Old Covenant and the New Covenant appear to mirror each other. Here is a very simplified example:
In the time of Moses, if you had leprosy and you touched someone, that 'someone' became unclean. However, Jesus implemented a mirror image that showed Him touching a leper, and the leper became clean. See the mirror?
Here is a much more complex example:
Lev 14:35-36 MKJV
(35) and if he that owns the house shall come and tell the priest, saying, A plague is seen by me in the house;
(36) then the priest shall command that they empty the house before the priest goes to see the plague, so that all that is in the house may not become unclean. And afterwards the priest shall go in to see the house.
(48) And if the priest shall come in and look, and, behold, the plague has not spread in the house after the house was plastered, then the priest shall pronounce the house clean because the plague is healed.
(49) And he shall take two birds to cleanse the house, and cedar-wood, and scarlet dye, and hyssop.
(50) And he shall kill one of the birds in an earthen vessel over running water.
(51) And he shall take the cedar wood, and the hyssop, and the scarlet dye, and the living bird, and dip them in the blood of the slain bird and in the running water, and sprinkle the house seven times.
(52) And he shall cleanse the house with the blood of the bird, and with the running water, and with the living bird, and with the cedar wood, and with the hyssop, and with the scarlet.
(53) But he shall let the living bird go out of the city into the open field, and make an atonement for the house. And it shall be clean.
The "house" in this case was a real house, or stone dwelling. But it's also the same word for 'temple', which Jesus used interchangeably with our 'physical body'. Basically... this could be a passage about our physical body being sick with a plague. So what just happened?
The body is sick so the priest comes:
Jas 5:14-15 MKJV
(14) Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.
(15) And the prayer of faith will cure the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up. And if he has committed sins, it will be forgiven him.
The body is sick so priest comes:
In the time of Moses, if you had leprosy and you touched someone, that 'someone' became unclean. However, Jesus implemented a mirror image that showed Him touching a leper, and the leper became clean. See the mirror?
Here is a much more complex example:
Lev 14:35-36 MKJV
(35) and if he that owns the house shall come and tell the priest, saying, A plague is seen by me in the house;
(36) then the priest shall command that they empty the house before the priest goes to see the plague, so that all that is in the house may not become unclean. And afterwards the priest shall go in to see the house.
(48) And if the priest shall come in and look, and, behold, the plague has not spread in the house after the house was plastered, then the priest shall pronounce the house clean because the plague is healed.
(49) And he shall take two birds to cleanse the house, and cedar-wood, and scarlet dye, and hyssop.
(50) And he shall kill one of the birds in an earthen vessel over running water.
(51) And he shall take the cedar wood, and the hyssop, and the scarlet dye, and the living bird, and dip them in the blood of the slain bird and in the running water, and sprinkle the house seven times.
(52) And he shall cleanse the house with the blood of the bird, and with the running water, and with the living bird, and with the cedar wood, and with the hyssop, and with the scarlet.
(53) But he shall let the living bird go out of the city into the open field, and make an atonement for the house. And it shall be clean.
The "house" in this case was a real house, or stone dwelling. But it's also the same word for 'temple', which Jesus used interchangeably with our 'physical body'. Basically... this could be a passage about our physical body being sick with a plague. So what just happened?
The body is sick so the priest comes:
- the house is cured
- the sacrifice is made, while the plague is carried to the Dead Sea
- the house is anointed
Jas 5:14-15 MKJV
(14) Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.
(15) And the prayer of faith will cure the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up. And if he has committed sins, it will be forgiven him.
The body is sick so priest comes:
- the house is anointed
- the sacrifice has already been made (Jesus), who carried our sins as far as the east is from the west (notice Lev 14:49: cedar, scarlet, and hyssop), but is here claimed by the prayer of faith
- the house is cured
Monday, May 10, 2010
More Fulfillment
Joe 2:28-31 MKJV
(28) And it shall be afterward, I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh. And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy; your old men shall dream dreams; your young men shall see visions.
(29) And also I will pour out My Spirit on the slaves and on the slave women in those days.
(30) And I will show wonders in the heavens, and in the earth, blood and fire and pillars of smoke.
(31) The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the coming of the great and awesome day of Jehovah.
This is a graphic depiction of what will go on right before the end of the age. Luke quoted part of this in Acts. It is undeniable that the Spirit of God is truly being poured out right now. People who are relatively new in the faith are having visions and are walking in the prophetic. People of other faiths are having dreams that reveal the identity of Messiah, Jesus. This is happening to ALL flesh.
What about the rest of the passage? We do see wonders in the heavens, regularly now. Meteor showers, comets, strange activity with the sun, eclipses... just a lot of interesting heavenly activity. Blood and fire and pillars of smoke? We certainly have all of this we want. There is a volcano that is right now creating the fire and pillars of smoke, and is also blotting out the sun and turning the moon colors, depending on where you live. These are all very definite clues, and they are most-certainly being fulfilled right now.
It's a bleak passage, but there is really nothing more than needs to happen before we can put a check mark beside it as being 'fulfilled'. It lacks nothing. So what is next?
(28) And it shall be afterward, I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh. And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy; your old men shall dream dreams; your young men shall see visions.
(29) And also I will pour out My Spirit on the slaves and on the slave women in those days.
(30) And I will show wonders in the heavens, and in the earth, blood and fire and pillars of smoke.
(31) The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the coming of the great and awesome day of Jehovah.
This is a graphic depiction of what will go on right before the end of the age. Luke quoted part of this in Acts. It is undeniable that the Spirit of God is truly being poured out right now. People who are relatively new in the faith are having visions and are walking in the prophetic. People of other faiths are having dreams that reveal the identity of Messiah, Jesus. This is happening to ALL flesh.
What about the rest of the passage? We do see wonders in the heavens, regularly now. Meteor showers, comets, strange activity with the sun, eclipses... just a lot of interesting heavenly activity. Blood and fire and pillars of smoke? We certainly have all of this we want. There is a volcano that is right now creating the fire and pillars of smoke, and is also blotting out the sun and turning the moon colors, depending on where you live. These are all very definite clues, and they are most-certainly being fulfilled right now.
It's a bleak passage, but there is really nothing more than needs to happen before we can put a check mark beside it as being 'fulfilled'. It lacks nothing. So what is next?
Wednesday, May 05, 2010
The Office of Minister
For many of us who have grown up in church or who are actively involved, going into 'full-time ministry' has always been a VERY pleasant thought. Working with like-minded people, most of whom you are probably good friends with, doing lunches, meetings, missions, etc... together, is appealing. However, after taking inventory the reasoning behind this appeal can be somewhat sobering.
We like to hang out with people who are like minded in faith and vision because it's easier. We like the thought of a non-stress work environment. After all, I'm not responsible, necessarily, for those I work with if everyone is already a believer - right?
In some ways, trading in the corporate office for an office down at the church would be much like taking a soldier off the battlefield and putting him or her into the recruiting office. You get to talk about conflict all day long, but you don't have to endure any. (No offense to recruiters - most have done their time!)
I'm not saying there isn't a place or purpose for this, but no wonder it's not God's will for everyone to work in the church office! We need soldiers doing ministry on the battlefield. We need office leaders who will pray for their company's success and for the salvation of their peers. We need people who live it and walk it - outside the church walls.
If your dream is to work for the church - don't abandon that. But meanwhile, keep hammering where you are, because you are the minister on duty. You are gate that heaven has opened for others - today - right now! Don't discount it! You hold a very important office!
We like to hang out with people who are like minded in faith and vision because it's easier. We like the thought of a non-stress work environment. After all, I'm not responsible, necessarily, for those I work with if everyone is already a believer - right?
In some ways, trading in the corporate office for an office down at the church would be much like taking a soldier off the battlefield and putting him or her into the recruiting office. You get to talk about conflict all day long, but you don't have to endure any. (No offense to recruiters - most have done their time!)
I'm not saying there isn't a place or purpose for this, but no wonder it's not God's will for everyone to work in the church office! We need soldiers doing ministry on the battlefield. We need office leaders who will pray for their company's success and for the salvation of their peers. We need people who live it and walk it - outside the church walls.
If your dream is to work for the church - don't abandon that. But meanwhile, keep hammering where you are, because you are the minister on duty. You are gate that heaven has opened for others - today - right now! Don't discount it! You hold a very important office!
Tuesday, May 04, 2010
One World Steps
BRUSSELS (AP) — EU transport ministers vowed Tuesday to reform the continent's patchwork air traffic control system into a seamless European airspace and to establish binding rules to determine when volcanic ash makes it too dangerous to fly. At an emergency aviation meeting, they vowed that the airspace reform was "a top priority" to reduce any possible future travel chaos caused by volcanic ash.
God promised that at the end of the age, there would be a one-world system enforced on most of the world (Rev 13). We've been seeing steps made towards that for quite a while now, but to me this is quite a large step. It is amazing to me how God pushes His agenda when it's time, and that which would otherwise take decades occurs in a matter of weeks.
In this case, one volcano in a historically volcanic nation at the top of the world creates such havoc that world governments vow to join forces in order to deal with the mess it causes. That is classic. One volcano...
God doesn't have to work up much of a sweat, does He?
Monday, May 03, 2010
Nothing Left on the Third Day
Lev 7:18 MKJV
(18) And if any of the flesh of the sacrifice of the peace offerings is eaten at all the third day, it shall not be accepted, neither shall it be imputed to him who offers it. It shall be an abomination, and the soul that eats of it shall bear his iniquity.
The book of Leviticus is difficult to read, but it gets infinitely more interesting when you start to run everything through the Jesus-filter. All of the Tanakh's references to sacrifice somehow point to Jesus, and this is no different.
It was Jesus Himself who said:
Joh 6:54-55 ESV
(54) Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.
(55) For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink.
In the case of verse 18, none of the sacrifice could be left by the third day. Is this a clue that Jesus raised from the dead on the very dawn of day three? After all we know that He bore NO iniquity whatsoever.
Who offered this sacrifice? Jesus Himself, for He laid down His own life, and He is our high priest. What kind of sacrifice did He make? All of them including the peace offering - rolled into one. Everything required by God, Jesus fulfilled.
So what?
We, too, are to render ourselves living sacrifices. We, too, are to be resurrected on the third day - because He was. We are at the dawn of the third millennial day since Jesus went to prepare a place for us. The question is, which part of the third day does God check to see if there is any part of the sacrifice left?
(18) And if any of the flesh of the sacrifice of the peace offerings is eaten at all the third day, it shall not be accepted, neither shall it be imputed to him who offers it. It shall be an abomination, and the soul that eats of it shall bear his iniquity.
The book of Leviticus is difficult to read, but it gets infinitely more interesting when you start to run everything through the Jesus-filter. All of the Tanakh's references to sacrifice somehow point to Jesus, and this is no different.
It was Jesus Himself who said:
Joh 6:54-55 ESV
(54) Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.
(55) For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink.
In the case of verse 18, none of the sacrifice could be left by the third day. Is this a clue that Jesus raised from the dead on the very dawn of day three? After all we know that He bore NO iniquity whatsoever.
Who offered this sacrifice? Jesus Himself, for He laid down His own life, and He is our high priest. What kind of sacrifice did He make? All of them including the peace offering - rolled into one. Everything required by God, Jesus fulfilled.
So what?
We, too, are to render ourselves living sacrifices. We, too, are to be resurrected on the third day - because He was. We are at the dawn of the third millennial day since Jesus went to prepare a place for us. The question is, which part of the third day does God check to see if there is any part of the sacrifice left?
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