Mar 9:25-27 LITV
(25) And seeing that a crowd is running together, Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, Dumb and deaf spirit, I command you, Come out from him, and you may no more go into him!
(26) And crying out, and convulsing him very much, it came out. And he became as if dead, so as for many to say that he died.
(27) But taking hold of his hand, Jesus raised him up, and he stood up.
I fear this relays a fundamental truth to us. If the evil was eradicated from the world, much of the world would have no life or movement at all. Things would grow deathly quiet. The only life this person had was demonic - to the point when it was cast out, the person appeared dead.
But then Jesus raised him up, and he stood. This is the Hope of Glory, when we are all raised up and we stand. Right now, evil is a present reality. We coexist with it. Jesus did what He commands us to do - run it off. But once we do this, we have to ask the Spirit of God to fill the void. Jesus later offers a warning:
Mat 12:43-45 LITV
(43) But when the unclean spirit goes from a man, he goes through dry places seeking rest and does not find it.
(44) Then he says, I will return to my house from which I came out. And coming, he finds it standing empty, swept and decorated.
(45) Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more evil than himself, and entering dwells there. And the last things of that man become worse than the first. So it will be also to this evil generation.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Very Little Things
Mat 10:30 KJV
(30) But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
This is a verse we could all memorize with little effort. It's good to remind ourselves that God does care about the details of our lives. He cares about the little things.
Science states that the average person (with hair...) loses 50 to 100 hairs per day. That is a LOT of accounting on God's part. He has to update the hair-ledger every single day on you. Meditate on this. It feels good.
(30) But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
This is a verse we could all memorize with little effort. It's good to remind ourselves that God does care about the details of our lives. He cares about the little things.
Science states that the average person (with hair...) loses 50 to 100 hairs per day. That is a LOT of accounting on God's part. He has to update the hair-ledger every single day on you. Meditate on this. It feels good.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Who Sustains Who?
1Ki 17:9 LITV
(9) Rise up, go to Zarephath that belongs to Sidon; and you shall live there. Behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain you.
Elijah had been camping by a brook, being fed by birds, waiting for God to give him instruction. Have you ever been in that spot where you knew it wasn't a long-term deal? This was such a spot.
When Elijah arrived at Zarephath, he met the "commanded" one, the widow.
1Ki 17:11-12 LITV
(11) And she went to bring it. And he called to her and said, Please bring me a bit of bread in your hand.
(12) And she said, As Jehovah your God lives, I do not have a cake, only a handful of meal in a pitcher, and a little oil in a jar; and behold, I am gathering two sticks and will go in and prepare for myself and for my son; and we shall eat it, and die.
This brings a question to mind. Did she know she had been commanded to provide for Elijah? Did God make a mistake?
1Ki 17:13-14 LITV
(13) And Elijah said to her, Do not fear, go, do according to your word, only first make me a little cake of it, and bring to me and afterward prepare for you and for your son.
(14) For so says Jehovah the God of Israel, The pitcher of meal shall not be consumed, and the jar of oil shall not fail, until the day that Jehovah sends rain on the land.
Who provided for who? Did the widow provide for Elijah or the other way around?
When God puts it in our hearts to provide for someone, it just might be in our best interest to jump on it. This shouldn't motivate us beyond simple obedience, but a very notable thing happened to this widow. She didn't run out of bread - at all - during a period of time when NOBODY had any bread!
Let us recap: God commanded a widow that didn't know she had been commanded. God sent a prophet who had just been on a camping trip where all the hot dogs and buns were provided by the birds. The prophet operated out of faith because 'he had already' heard from God. The widow had to work a little, and gave her "widow's mites" to the prophet, so to speak. The little she gave became sustenance for her and her family during a famine.
By the way, Zarephath means 'refinement'. How does this refine us?
(9) Rise up, go to Zarephath that belongs to Sidon; and you shall live there. Behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain you.
Elijah had been camping by a brook, being fed by birds, waiting for God to give him instruction. Have you ever been in that spot where you knew it wasn't a long-term deal? This was such a spot.
When Elijah arrived at Zarephath, he met the "commanded" one, the widow.
1Ki 17:11-12 LITV
(11) And she went to bring it. And he called to her and said, Please bring me a bit of bread in your hand.
(12) And she said, As Jehovah your God lives, I do not have a cake, only a handful of meal in a pitcher, and a little oil in a jar; and behold, I am gathering two sticks and will go in and prepare for myself and for my son; and we shall eat it, and die.
This brings a question to mind. Did she know she had been commanded to provide for Elijah? Did God make a mistake?
1Ki 17:13-14 LITV
(13) And Elijah said to her, Do not fear, go, do according to your word, only first make me a little cake of it, and bring to me and afterward prepare for you and for your son.
(14) For so says Jehovah the God of Israel, The pitcher of meal shall not be consumed, and the jar of oil shall not fail, until the day that Jehovah sends rain on the land.
Who provided for who? Did the widow provide for Elijah or the other way around?
When God puts it in our hearts to provide for someone, it just might be in our best interest to jump on it. This shouldn't motivate us beyond simple obedience, but a very notable thing happened to this widow. She didn't run out of bread - at all - during a period of time when NOBODY had any bread!
Let us recap: God commanded a widow that didn't know she had been commanded. God sent a prophet who had just been on a camping trip where all the hot dogs and buns were provided by the birds. The prophet operated out of faith because 'he had already' heard from God. The widow had to work a little, and gave her "widow's mites" to the prophet, so to speak. The little she gave became sustenance for her and her family during a famine.
By the way, Zarephath means 'refinement'. How does this refine us?
Monday, March 22, 2010
Are You In Revival?
Revival is such a great thing. Growing up, it really wasn't, so much. It meant going to church 6 times a week instead of 3. For a 10 year old, that's not necessarily great news. But revival has come to mean something different. It means people I see have a twinkle in their eye. It means life is spoken, not death. It means there is always hope.
Find a church that is having a 'revival', and ask a member how it's going. You might hear some different answers. "Well, we had 2 people healed!" Or, "we had 12 people confess their sin and repent." Hallelujah! That's all great stuff. But is that how we are defining revival?
Does revival depend on sin? Is sickness a prerequisite for revival? What if nobody at the meeting had needed to confess? What if everyone had been healthy? No revival?
Revival, by definition, means to bring into a state of living from a state of unresponsiveness. Ideally, a spirit-filled life should experience revival one time, and then continue perpetually in a state of Spirit-filled life. Ideally. It's no easy task when the enemy has your number.
That's why Jude told us to pursue the faith. Contend. Battle for it with the knowledge that the enemy wants to rip down what you have built.
Jud 1:3 LITV
(3) Having made all haste to write to you about the common salvation, beloved, I had need to write to you to exhort you to contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints.
Living in revival means we have to be purposeful about placing ourselves in a position to receive spiritual nourishment. What does that mean for you?
Find a church that is having a 'revival', and ask a member how it's going. You might hear some different answers. "Well, we had 2 people healed!" Or, "we had 12 people confess their sin and repent." Hallelujah! That's all great stuff. But is that how we are defining revival?
Does revival depend on sin? Is sickness a prerequisite for revival? What if nobody at the meeting had needed to confess? What if everyone had been healthy? No revival?
Revival, by definition, means to bring into a state of living from a state of unresponsiveness. Ideally, a spirit-filled life should experience revival one time, and then continue perpetually in a state of Spirit-filled life. Ideally. It's no easy task when the enemy has your number.
That's why Jude told us to pursue the faith. Contend. Battle for it with the knowledge that the enemy wants to rip down what you have built.
Jud 1:3 LITV
(3) Having made all haste to write to you about the common salvation, beloved, I had need to write to you to exhort you to contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints.
Living in revival means we have to be purposeful about placing ourselves in a position to receive spiritual nourishment. What does that mean for you?
Friday, March 19, 2010
The World's Focus
Gen 41:15-17 ESV
(15) And Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I have had a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it. I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it."
(16) Joseph answered Pharaoh, "It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer."
(17) Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Behold, in my dream I was standing on the banks of the Nile.
God's Kingdom is a wonderful place in which to walk - a place to power, signs, and wonders. Christians who walk the Kingdom walk do so in authority and boldness - much like Joseph did. But as we see with Pharaoh, the world isn't really interested in God.
What the world is interested in... is the interpretation of its dream. "Before you tell me about the source of the solution to all my problems, give me the solution."
This is really how Kingdom works. In my best estimation, that was the design. If you love people unconditionally (yes, we are instructed to do this) then they are attracted to God, our source. If we flip it and preach to a world to come to Jesus in hopes that they will join our little Sunday club, with such perks as... Friday night bible studies and Tuesday night pizza followed by visitation!!! Sounds great. The world will NEVER be attracted to that.
Love - is what the world needs. Love is the only net that will hold. First interpret the dream. Then, tell them about the Interpreter.
(15) And Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I have had a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it. I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it."
(16) Joseph answered Pharaoh, "It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer."
(17) Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Behold, in my dream I was standing on the banks of the Nile.
God's Kingdom is a wonderful place in which to walk - a place to power, signs, and wonders. Christians who walk the Kingdom walk do so in authority and boldness - much like Joseph did. But as we see with Pharaoh, the world isn't really interested in God.
What the world is interested in... is the interpretation of its dream. "Before you tell me about the source of the solution to all my problems, give me the solution."
This is really how Kingdom works. In my best estimation, that was the design. If you love people unconditionally (yes, we are instructed to do this) then they are attracted to God, our source. If we flip it and preach to a world to come to Jesus in hopes that they will join our little Sunday club, with such perks as... Friday night bible studies and Tuesday night pizza followed by visitation!!! Sounds great. The world will NEVER be attracted to that.
Love - is what the world needs. Love is the only net that will hold. First interpret the dream. Then, tell them about the Interpreter.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
There Was A Day
There was a day when - if people were hurting, or scared, or downcast, they could go to a place where there was a tent set up. It was an elaborate tent, surrounded by curtains of rich color and meticulous workmanship. They could look upon the tent, see the priests coming and going, see the sacrificial smoke rise and the fire fall, and know that God lived there.
There was a day after that - if people were hurting, or scared, or downcast, they could go to a building made of hand-chiseled stone. It was adorned with marble and gold and it far out-classed any other dwelling known to mankind. Still, they could see the sacrificial smoke rising and the fire falling from heaven and they could know that despite all else, God had not abandoned them. He still lived there.
There was a day after that when people did hurt, and were scared and downcast. They were oppressed. Some were possessed. Some were dying of diseases and others were just being killed by occupying armies. And Jesus walked among them. And people could see His sacrifice... and people could tell that the fire of Heaven came down upon His life and they could know that despite all else, God was 'with them'.
There was a day soon after that... that God left. And people were scared and downcast, and they did not know what was going to happen.
Then God came back - on Pentecost. And EVERYONE who was waiting for Him, received Him in power and boldness and there was renewed faith and triumph.
And here we are today. People are scared and downcast, and God wants everyone to know that because His children walk the earth, that He is with them. He wants everyone we come into contact with to know just how GREAT Jesus is.... not because we are preaching incessantly, but because we are loving people as He loves them. The question is this: does the world realize that God loves them? If not, is it His fault?
There was a day after that - if people were hurting, or scared, or downcast, they could go to a building made of hand-chiseled stone. It was adorned with marble and gold and it far out-classed any other dwelling known to mankind. Still, they could see the sacrificial smoke rising and the fire falling from heaven and they could know that despite all else, God had not abandoned them. He still lived there.
There was a day after that when people did hurt, and were scared and downcast. They were oppressed. Some were possessed. Some were dying of diseases and others were just being killed by occupying armies. And Jesus walked among them. And people could see His sacrifice... and people could tell that the fire of Heaven came down upon His life and they could know that despite all else, God was 'with them'.
There was a day soon after that... that God left. And people were scared and downcast, and they did not know what was going to happen.
Then God came back - on Pentecost. And EVERYONE who was waiting for Him, received Him in power and boldness and there was renewed faith and triumph.
And here we are today. People are scared and downcast, and God wants everyone to know that because His children walk the earth, that He is with them. He wants everyone we come into contact with to know just how GREAT Jesus is.... not because we are preaching incessantly, but because we are loving people as He loves them. The question is this: does the world realize that God loves them? If not, is it His fault?
Monday, March 15, 2010
The Call of Leadership
Exo 34:30 JPS
(30) And when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face sent forth beams; and they were afraid to come nigh him.
There are few things more frustrating than feeling the call of God on your life but not being able to act on it. So it is with leadership - for we are all called to lead in some capacity. Most of the frustration occurs at a young age, when the call is fresh and our experience is still small. This word is one that I hope will foster patience as well as reassurance.
Moses did not want to lead. He wasn't called to lead his son or daughter... or Sunday school class... he was called to lead all of God's people. That was no small thing! Now, Moses might not seem like a good comparison if you are really itching to lead. Here is the lesson:
Although Moses was an Egyptian prince, he wasn't wearing a crown when he led Israel. Had he worn a crown... they might-well have stoned him. He didn't have a diploma. He didn't have a kingly scepter or signet ring. He glowed. He glowed... and people were freaking out.
If you spend time with God, you will have your own glow. People will know it. If you don't spend time with the Lord, people will know that, too. It's not even difficult to discern. Beyond all the talk, people know by the glow. It's the glow that brings authority. It's the glow that fosters that leadership, whether you are 16 or 60.
Elijah stood in the presence of Ahab. Ahab had a crown, but Elijah had the glow. What was the result? Heartache and resentment from Ahab - authority and victory for Elijah. Seek first God and His Kingdom, and you will walk in ALL the authority that God has entrusted to you. It is God and God alone that promotes a man.
(30) And when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face sent forth beams; and they were afraid to come nigh him.
There are few things more frustrating than feeling the call of God on your life but not being able to act on it. So it is with leadership - for we are all called to lead in some capacity. Most of the frustration occurs at a young age, when the call is fresh and our experience is still small. This word is one that I hope will foster patience as well as reassurance.
Moses did not want to lead. He wasn't called to lead his son or daughter... or Sunday school class... he was called to lead all of God's people. That was no small thing! Now, Moses might not seem like a good comparison if you are really itching to lead. Here is the lesson:
Although Moses was an Egyptian prince, he wasn't wearing a crown when he led Israel. Had he worn a crown... they might-well have stoned him. He didn't have a diploma. He didn't have a kingly scepter or signet ring. He glowed. He glowed... and people were freaking out.
If you spend time with God, you will have your own glow. People will know it. If you don't spend time with the Lord, people will know that, too. It's not even difficult to discern. Beyond all the talk, people know by the glow. It's the glow that brings authority. It's the glow that fosters that leadership, whether you are 16 or 60.
Elijah stood in the presence of Ahab. Ahab had a crown, but Elijah had the glow. What was the result? Heartache and resentment from Ahab - authority and victory for Elijah. Seek first God and His Kingdom, and you will walk in ALL the authority that God has entrusted to you. It is God and God alone that promotes a man.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Numb
I went to the dentist yesterday. That is always exhilarating. I had some fillings to get done, this time on both sides so I got shots on both sides. Needless to say... numb. That's a strange feeling - when your tongue goes to sleep and everything just seems to die in there. Like most dentists, mine allowed me to just sit there for a while, waiting for the drugs to kick in. During that time, my main concern was that someone was going to ask me a question. The last thing I wanted to do was say something.
Doin' okay? Yep.
How we doin'? Good.
Not going to warm up today, is it? Ummmm mmm.
The truth is... my mind was telling me that if I had to talk, things were going to get ugly. I can't feel my face. I'm pretty sure I'm drooling. Just leave me alone. But then a miracle happened - quite by accident. I don't even know what was said to me, but I spoke a complete sentence. It was almost unslurred to the extent that I wondered if the assistant even noticed. Then I spoke another one. That is CRAZY! I can still talk! I felt like Nicodemus. How can this be?
Our pastor says this, and I have found it to be invaluable. When we lose passion (ie. feeling) we fall back upon discipline. Our Christian walk should be about passion. It should be heart-driven! But there are times when the enemy gets a shot in. We deflate. We wear down and out. It's during these times when we fall back upon what we know how to do. Get up. Go to church. Pick up the bible and read a chapter. It doesn't seem meaningful at the time, but it keeps the spark alive - or perhaps even fans the flame to life again.
If you are numb, keep doing what you know how to do, even if you don't feel like it.
Doin' okay? Yep.
How we doin'? Good.
Not going to warm up today, is it? Ummmm mmm.
The truth is... my mind was telling me that if I had to talk, things were going to get ugly. I can't feel my face. I'm pretty sure I'm drooling. Just leave me alone. But then a miracle happened - quite by accident. I don't even know what was said to me, but I spoke a complete sentence. It was almost unslurred to the extent that I wondered if the assistant even noticed. Then I spoke another one. That is CRAZY! I can still talk! I felt like Nicodemus. How can this be?
Our pastor says this, and I have found it to be invaluable. When we lose passion (ie. feeling) we fall back upon discipline. Our Christian walk should be about passion. It should be heart-driven! But there are times when the enemy gets a shot in. We deflate. We wear down and out. It's during these times when we fall back upon what we know how to do. Get up. Go to church. Pick up the bible and read a chapter. It doesn't seem meaningful at the time, but it keeps the spark alive - or perhaps even fans the flame to life again.
If you are numb, keep doing what you know how to do, even if you don't feel like it.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Shaken and Stirred
Heb 12:25-26
(25) See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape, those who refused him that spoke on earth, much more we shall not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from Heaven,
(26) whose voice then shook the earth; but now He has promised, saying, "Yet once more I will not only shake the earth, but also the heavens."
Today is a day where things are being shaken. A CNN report just came in stating another 7.2 magnitude quake in Chile, with nearly a 7 aftershock just moments later. The earth is shaking like never before - don't let anyone kid you. This is significant as a sign of the times - a birth pain, and a physical representation of what is happening in the spirit.
People are being shaken to their spiritual core. The worldly are wondering. The spiritual are curious. The Godly are hungry.
Now is no time for passivity. Be deliberate in your spiritual walk. The Kingdom of Heaven is one that is ours by right - but must be taken by force (Matthew 11:12). You can not stumble into a throne room accidentally, sit down, wave a scepter and expect to be taken seriously even by your peers, much less your enemies. Someone with designs on the throne will come in and REMOVE YOU. Is this your plan?
Act 4:31
(31) And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the Word of God with boldness.
(25) See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape, those who refused him that spoke on earth, much more we shall not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from Heaven,
(26) whose voice then shook the earth; but now He has promised, saying, "Yet once more I will not only shake the earth, but also the heavens."
Today is a day where things are being shaken. A CNN report just came in stating another 7.2 magnitude quake in Chile, with nearly a 7 aftershock just moments later. The earth is shaking like never before - don't let anyone kid you. This is significant as a sign of the times - a birth pain, and a physical representation of what is happening in the spirit.
People are being shaken to their spiritual core. The worldly are wondering. The spiritual are curious. The Godly are hungry.
Now is no time for passivity. Be deliberate in your spiritual walk. The Kingdom of Heaven is one that is ours by right - but must be taken by force (Matthew 11:12). You can not stumble into a throne room accidentally, sit down, wave a scepter and expect to be taken seriously even by your peers, much less your enemies. Someone with designs on the throne will come in and REMOVE YOU. Is this your plan?
Act 4:31
(31) And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the Word of God with boldness.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Quiet
One of the most challenging verses in all of scripture to me:
Psa 46:10a
(10) Be still, and know that I am God!
I often struggle with finding quiet. When my girls are sick, everything I hear is a baby crying. I hear it when the cat meows. I hear it when the ice maker knocks. I hear voices in the fan. I simply must learn... to be still.
Stillness is not easy to achieve. Honestly, there is for me a discipline to reaching it, which is why I'm not so good at it. Turn off the blasted TV. Or... at least turn off the world. Replace 'noise' with God. That can mean a book, a praise song, or a sermon. It's a conscious effort to do this, but boy does it bring peace!
Seek righteousness. It begins in the mind. It's not unlike a diet. If you haven't won the diet war in your mind, you can give up losing any weight. Look what righteousness brings:
Isa 32:17-18
(17) And the effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever.
(18) My people will abide in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places.
When I think of eternity, I often think of the endless praise service, or the party, or the breaking of bread with brothers and sisters and with the King. But I can guarantee this about the coming, fulfilled Kingdom of Heaven: it will be peaceful. There will be places of silence. There will be places of awe and reverence. It will be a kingdom of rest.
Psa 46:10a
(10) Be still, and know that I am God!
I often struggle with finding quiet. When my girls are sick, everything I hear is a baby crying. I hear it when the cat meows. I hear it when the ice maker knocks. I hear voices in the fan. I simply must learn... to be still.
Stillness is not easy to achieve. Honestly, there is for me a discipline to reaching it, which is why I'm not so good at it. Turn off the blasted TV. Or... at least turn off the world. Replace 'noise' with God. That can mean a book, a praise song, or a sermon. It's a conscious effort to do this, but boy does it bring peace!
Seek righteousness. It begins in the mind. It's not unlike a diet. If you haven't won the diet war in your mind, you can give up losing any weight. Look what righteousness brings:
Isa 32:17-18
(17) And the effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever.
(18) My people will abide in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places.
When I think of eternity, I often think of the endless praise service, or the party, or the breaking of bread with brothers and sisters and with the King. But I can guarantee this about the coming, fulfilled Kingdom of Heaven: it will be peaceful. There will be places of silence. There will be places of awe and reverence. It will be a kingdom of rest.
Monday, March 08, 2010
The Abominable Shepherd
Gen 46:33-34
(33) And it shall come to pass, when Pharaoh shall call you, and shall say, What is your occupation?
(34) that ye shall say, Thy servants have been keepers of cattle from our youth even until now, both we, and our fathers: that ye may dwell in the land of Goshen; for every shepherd is an abomination unto the Egyptians.
There is a call going forth to those in the church to lead in a way that has been lacking for years. The call is to be shepherds - spiritual fathers. One of the last things Jesus told His newly restored disciple, Peter, was 'feed my sheep'. This lit a fire in Peter that still can be felt - as we are a result of that fire. The world despises a shepherd - let there be no mistake. The worldly view states that the strong survive and the weak are eliminated. The shepherd's view is that not a single sheep is lost. The world has not made it profitable to be a shepherd. Being a shepherd is a call to sacrifice for the sheep.
For Christians, this means a sacrifice of time, energy, resources... our very lives. We pour this into others so that others will surpass us in our own walk. The shepherd's walk is the servant's walk. Jesus lived it. Jesus expects us to do the same.
In our Christian walk, despite the "level" of maturity, if we are not pouring into someone else we are wasting the breath God gave us. We are ignoring His commission. There is no reward for playing it safe. The one who dies with the most bible verses memorized does NOT win. But the one who impacts others for the Kingdom of Heaven will revel in victory for all of eternity.
Egyptians despised shepherds. Yet Egyptians had cattle. Egyptians had a great need for that which they held in disdain. The world is no different. If we live our lives as we are called, the world will not likely sing us any praises, but at the same time, our mark will be indelibly felt.
Gen 47:5-6
(5) And Pharaoh spoke to Joseph, saying, Your father and your brothers have come in to you.
(6) The land of Egypt is before you; cause your father and your brothers to live in the best of the land; let them live in the land of Goshen. And if you know men of ability among them, make them chiefs of livestock over what is mine.
(33) And it shall come to pass, when Pharaoh shall call you, and shall say, What is your occupation?
(34) that ye shall say, Thy servants have been keepers of cattle from our youth even until now, both we, and our fathers: that ye may dwell in the land of Goshen; for every shepherd is an abomination unto the Egyptians.
There is a call going forth to those in the church to lead in a way that has been lacking for years. The call is to be shepherds - spiritual fathers. One of the last things Jesus told His newly restored disciple, Peter, was 'feed my sheep'. This lit a fire in Peter that still can be felt - as we are a result of that fire. The world despises a shepherd - let there be no mistake. The worldly view states that the strong survive and the weak are eliminated. The shepherd's view is that not a single sheep is lost. The world has not made it profitable to be a shepherd. Being a shepherd is a call to sacrifice for the sheep.
For Christians, this means a sacrifice of time, energy, resources... our very lives. We pour this into others so that others will surpass us in our own walk. The shepherd's walk is the servant's walk. Jesus lived it. Jesus expects us to do the same.
In our Christian walk, despite the "level" of maturity, if we are not pouring into someone else we are wasting the breath God gave us. We are ignoring His commission. There is no reward for playing it safe. The one who dies with the most bible verses memorized does NOT win. But the one who impacts others for the Kingdom of Heaven will revel in victory for all of eternity.
Egyptians despised shepherds. Yet Egyptians had cattle. Egyptians had a great need for that which they held in disdain. The world is no different. If we live our lives as we are called, the world will not likely sing us any praises, but at the same time, our mark will be indelibly felt.
Gen 47:5-6
(5) And Pharaoh spoke to Joseph, saying, Your father and your brothers have come in to you.
(6) The land of Egypt is before you; cause your father and your brothers to live in the best of the land; let them live in the land of Goshen. And if you know men of ability among them, make them chiefs of livestock over what is mine.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Mud
When Jesus walked, He did many amazing works of healing. Yet He rarely did the same thing twice. Sometimes He spoke (Matthew 8:13). Sometimes He did nothing (Luke 8:47). Sometimes He did the touching (Luke 22:51). Sometimes He spit and made mud.
Joh 9:6-7
(6) When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and anointed his eyes with the clay,
(7) and said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam (which is by interpretation, Sent). He went away therefore, and washed, and came seeing.
What would have happened to Galilee and Jerusalem had Jesus only healed by spitting in the dirt? I dare say that part of the world would have been bought by tourists desiring the healing dirt of Israel sitting on their shelves at home. But Jesus was not 'figured out' that easily. He mixed things up.
The Lord knew what we would do. We would forsake the relationship and just buy the dirt. We had done it before. The people of Israel were being bitten by serpents. They were dying in droves. God told Moses to make a brass serpent and put it on a pole so that the people could look upon it and be saved. The people were more than happy to oblige. Consequently, they did not see the serpent as God's mercy upon them. By the time King Hezekiah was in power, the people had enshrined the brass snake and were burning incense to it. This is what we do. We worship the mud.
Are there jars of mud, or brass serpents, or pastors, or denominations in our lives today that have become our God-replacements?
Joh 9:6-7
(6) When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and anointed his eyes with the clay,
(7) and said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam (which is by interpretation, Sent). He went away therefore, and washed, and came seeing.
What would have happened to Galilee and Jerusalem had Jesus only healed by spitting in the dirt? I dare say that part of the world would have been bought by tourists desiring the healing dirt of Israel sitting on their shelves at home. But Jesus was not 'figured out' that easily. He mixed things up.
The Lord knew what we would do. We would forsake the relationship and just buy the dirt. We had done it before. The people of Israel were being bitten by serpents. They were dying in droves. God told Moses to make a brass serpent and put it on a pole so that the people could look upon it and be saved. The people were more than happy to oblige. Consequently, they did not see the serpent as God's mercy upon them. By the time King Hezekiah was in power, the people had enshrined the brass snake and were burning incense to it. This is what we do. We worship the mud.
Are there jars of mud, or brass serpents, or pastors, or denominations in our lives today that have become our God-replacements?
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Extend The Olive Branch
Pro 16:7
(7) When a man's ways please Jehovah, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
I don't have a lot to say about this that it doesn't say for itself. This precept is profoundly apparent in my life today. Most of us have enemies. Some are people we have done wrong. Some are people who make everyone their enemies. Whether justified or not, God works this miracle of peace into our existence.
Make an effort to show God's love to someone whom you love, but don't like, today. Blessed are the peacemakers.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
It Is Written
Mat 4:1-2
(1) Then Jesus was led by the Spirit up into the wilderness, to be tempted by the Devil.
(2) And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He was afterwards hungry.
After reading this passage, it is very easy to surmise that Jesus was weak and hungry after fasting in the wilderness for forty days. What a time to meet the most devious of all beings - the devil. Jesus 'entertained' the devil for a while. When the devil would tempt Him, He always replied with 'It has been written'.
Mat 4:4
(4) But answering, He said, It has been written: "Man shall not live by bread alone, but on every Word going out of the mouth of God."
for it has been written: "He shall give His angels charge concerning You, and they shall bear You on their hands, lest You strike Your foot against a stone."
For it has been written: "You shall worship the Lord your God, and you shall serve Him only."
Still, few of us take much stock in learning what has been written. Our reasoning is that we no longer need to memorize the text because it's legalistic to do such. Or, it's not applicable to our walk today. Or, we might even say that Jesus had it easy, seeing as He was the living Word it was natural for Him to quote it.
It is also easy to skim quickly over the fact that Jesus fasted - often. It could be said that this was what made Him strong - not weak. Perhaps the devil sees things from a fleshly nature - how ironic. The worst possible time to tempt the Son of God, hungry or not, was at the conclusion of forty days with His Father. Do we utilize this weapon of fasting against the enemy? Fasting... committing the Word to our hearts...
For those of us who like excuses, it really doesn't matter which one we choose. It's possible we just aren't ready for an encounter with the enemy.
(1) Then Jesus was led by the Spirit up into the wilderness, to be tempted by the Devil.
(2) And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He was afterwards hungry.
After reading this passage, it is very easy to surmise that Jesus was weak and hungry after fasting in the wilderness for forty days. What a time to meet the most devious of all beings - the devil. Jesus 'entertained' the devil for a while. When the devil would tempt Him, He always replied with 'It has been written'.
Mat 4:4
(4) But answering, He said, It has been written: "Man shall not live by bread alone, but on every Word going out of the mouth of God."
for it has been written: "He shall give His angels charge concerning You, and they shall bear You on their hands, lest You strike Your foot against a stone."
For it has been written: "You shall worship the Lord your God, and you shall serve Him only."
Still, few of us take much stock in learning what has been written. Our reasoning is that we no longer need to memorize the text because it's legalistic to do such. Or, it's not applicable to our walk today. Or, we might even say that Jesus had it easy, seeing as He was the living Word it was natural for Him to quote it.
It is also easy to skim quickly over the fact that Jesus fasted - often. It could be said that this was what made Him strong - not weak. Perhaps the devil sees things from a fleshly nature - how ironic. The worst possible time to tempt the Son of God, hungry or not, was at the conclusion of forty days with His Father. Do we utilize this weapon of fasting against the enemy? Fasting... committing the Word to our hearts...
For those of us who like excuses, it really doesn't matter which one we choose. It's possible we just aren't ready for an encounter with the enemy.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Signs Will Follow
Mat 2:1-3
(1) And when Jesus had been born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men arrived from the east to Jerusalem,
(2) saying, Where is He born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.
(3) But Herod the king having heard this, he was troubled and all Jerusalem with him.
After Jesus was born, He upset things right away. Scripture says 'all Jerusalem' was troubled. Wow! And He hadn't even learned to walk! This is significant because it reiterates a truth about who He is, and about who WE are. Jesus was the one the enemy had warred over and worried about ever since the Genesis 3:15 prophecy.
Joh 11:47
(47) Then the chief priests and the Pharisees assembled a sanhedrin, and said, What are we doing, for this man does many signs?
Certainly things did not improve for the enemies of Jesus. Everywhere He went He stirred things up. For the religious, the biggest problem seemed to be the signs. Miracles. It isn't difficult to get past any message that lacks power, but it's incredibly difficult to write off anyone whose message is accompanied by signs of great power. Religion in itself has no power, so it is offended by such a display.
Mar 16:17
(17) And miraculous signs will follow to those believing these things: they will cast out demons in My name; they will speak new languages;
Jesus said that the same signs (even greater) would follow those who believed and abode in Him. He did not say the signs would have to be sought after. He did not say the signs might happen to a few. He said signs would follow. Miraculous signs will follow - if.
(1) And when Jesus had been born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men arrived from the east to Jerusalem,
(2) saying, Where is He born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.
(3) But Herod the king having heard this, he was troubled and all Jerusalem with him.
After Jesus was born, He upset things right away. Scripture says 'all Jerusalem' was troubled. Wow! And He hadn't even learned to walk! This is significant because it reiterates a truth about who He is, and about who WE are. Jesus was the one the enemy had warred over and worried about ever since the Genesis 3:15 prophecy.
Joh 11:47
(47) Then the chief priests and the Pharisees assembled a sanhedrin, and said, What are we doing, for this man does many signs?
Certainly things did not improve for the enemies of Jesus. Everywhere He went He stirred things up. For the religious, the biggest problem seemed to be the signs. Miracles. It isn't difficult to get past any message that lacks power, but it's incredibly difficult to write off anyone whose message is accompanied by signs of great power. Religion in itself has no power, so it is offended by such a display.
Mar 16:17
(17) And miraculous signs will follow to those believing these things: they will cast out demons in My name; they will speak new languages;
Jesus said that the same signs (even greater) would follow those who believed and abode in Him. He did not say the signs would have to be sought after. He did not say the signs might happen to a few. He said signs would follow. Miraculous signs will follow - if.
Monday, February 22, 2010
All This Begatting
These are some observations about the text in Matthew Chapter 1. In this lineage of Jesus through Joseph, I found some things I had not noticed before.
Mat 1:5-6
(5) and Salmon fathered Boaz out of Rahab, and Boaz fathered Obed out of Ruth, and Obed fathered Jesse,
(6) and Jesse fathered David the king. And David the king fathered Solomon out of her who had been the wife of Uriah,
Boaz fathered Obed out of Rahab, and David fathered Solomon out of Bathsheba. However, Bathsheba was not named. Admitting my ignorance, I would assume this has something to do with the sin that was committed.
From here, my thoughts went directly to what God Fathered... His church. The seed was Jesus (Matthew 13:37), and the mother, it could be said, would be the Holy Spirit (Acts 2). Interestingly enough, the Holy Spirit (Ruach ha Kodesh) is 'feminine' in the Hebrew, while God the Father is a masculine, and obviously Jesus the Son was a male. Why, then, might Jesus have to go away before Pentecost? (John 16:7) Because the seed is never visible at conception.
This analogy is offensive to some... but I do not think anyone would argue that the church was birthed on Pentecost. To the offended parties, I would ask, from whom was the church birthed?
Remember this, too. God IS a god of patterns. He created male and female and instructed them to be fruitful and multiply. Dwell on this.
Mat 1:5-6
(5) and Salmon fathered Boaz out of Rahab, and Boaz fathered Obed out of Ruth, and Obed fathered Jesse,
(6) and Jesse fathered David the king. And David the king fathered Solomon out of her who had been the wife of Uriah,
Boaz fathered Obed out of Rahab, and David fathered Solomon out of Bathsheba. However, Bathsheba was not named. Admitting my ignorance, I would assume this has something to do with the sin that was committed.
From here, my thoughts went directly to what God Fathered... His church. The seed was Jesus (Matthew 13:37), and the mother, it could be said, would be the Holy Spirit (Acts 2). Interestingly enough, the Holy Spirit (Ruach ha Kodesh) is 'feminine' in the Hebrew, while God the Father is a masculine, and obviously Jesus the Son was a male. Why, then, might Jesus have to go away before Pentecost? (John 16:7) Because the seed is never visible at conception.
This analogy is offensive to some... but I do not think anyone would argue that the church was birthed on Pentecost. To the offended parties, I would ask, from whom was the church birthed?
Remember this, too. God IS a god of patterns. He created male and female and instructed them to be fruitful and multiply. Dwell on this.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
The Vineyard of the Kingdom
Mat 21:33-44 HNV (33) "Hear another parable. There was a man who was a master of a household, who planted a vineyard, set a hedge about it, dug a winepress in it, built a tower, leased it out to farmers, and went into another country. (34) When the season for the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the farmers, to receive his fruit. (35) The farmers took his servants, beat one, killed another, and stoned another. (36) Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they treated them the same way. (37) But afterward he sent to them his son, saying, 'They will respect my son.' (38) But the farmers, when they saw the son, said among themselves, 'This is the heir. Come, let's kill him, and seize his inheritance.' (39) So they took him, and threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him. (40) When therefore the lord of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those farmers?" (41) They told him, "He will miserably destroy those miserable men, and will lease out the vineyard to other farmers, who will give him the fruit in its season." (42) Yeshua said to them, "Did you never read in the Scriptures, 'The stone which the builders rejected, the same was made the head of the corner. This was from the Lord. It is marvelous in our eyes?' (43) "Therefore I tell you, the Kingdom of God will be taken away from you, and will be given to a nation bringing forth its fruit. (44) He who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces, but on whoever it will fall, it will scatter him as dust."
Jesus spoke constantly about the Kingdom. In Matthew alone, kingdom is mentioned in 53 different verses, and multiple times in some of those verses. Many of those times, Jesus likened the Kingdom to a vineyard. Why a vineyard?
A vineyard is a place of FRUIT PRODUCTION. Other than that single point of fact, there doesn't seem to be a common rule about vineyards. The rules are up to the Master - or Owner. Lets take a look at what Jesus said about this particular vineyard - the Kingdom.
From this point, the problems were not the enemy outside the vineyard. The corruption came from within the vineyard - the servants themselves. If you'll recall, the serpent was 'in' Eden.
This Kingdom is BIG, and it is DEFINED by fruit production. It's a kingdom where the laborers are expected to be fruitful, and to give the master his due. I believe it's interesting that the evil servants were producing fruit (or at least trying to), but desired to keep it all for themselves.
Jesus spoke constantly about the Kingdom. In Matthew alone, kingdom is mentioned in 53 different verses, and multiple times in some of those verses. Many of those times, Jesus likened the Kingdom to a vineyard. Why a vineyard?
A vineyard is a place of FRUIT PRODUCTION. Other than that single point of fact, there doesn't seem to be a common rule about vineyards. The rules are up to the Master - or Owner. Lets take a look at what Jesus said about this particular vineyard - the Kingdom.
- God is the Master of a household. It was He who planted the vineyard. Eden was this way - a garden. The Kingdom is this way.
- He set a hedge around it. This was a protected vineyard. Eden was this way. The Kingdom is this way.
- There was a wine press in it. That means that within the vineyard - and the Kingdom - are all the tools needed to produce the final product.
- There is a tower within it. There is always a method for seeing what the enemy is up to. What would that be in the Kingdom?
- It was leased to farmers. It wasn't sold - it was leased. God set Adam and Eve to work. He said, "Be fruitful and multiply." What did he ask for in return? All the fruit, or a small portion? How does the Kingdom work?
- The Master went away to let the workers do their work. Why? Conceivably, He had work to do of His own.
- When was He to return? When it was time for harvest.
From this point, the problems were not the enemy outside the vineyard. The corruption came from within the vineyard - the servants themselves. If you'll recall, the serpent was 'in' Eden.
This Kingdom is BIG, and it is DEFINED by fruit production. It's a kingdom where the laborers are expected to be fruitful, and to give the master his due. I believe it's interesting that the evil servants were producing fruit (or at least trying to), but desired to keep it all for themselves.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Settling Too Soon
(Num 32:1 HNV) Now the children of Re'uven and the children of Gad had a very great multitude of livestock: and when they saw the land of Ya`zer, and the land of Gil`ad, that behold, the place was a place for livestock;
When I was in high school, I had plans to go to the Naval Academy. I was into the military thing - loved ships and jets and the thought of driving either... for money... quite a bit of money. Then I discovered guitars and rock and roll and how intricately woven with females that scene was. When it came down to decision time, I decided that Gilead was a place for guitars, and I had a multitude of guitars. Silly, looking back. I don't spend my life in regret because God allowed me to choose and He was with me, just as He was with Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh.
But God's intent for Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh was not based on what they had in the desert (cows). It was based on what He had for them in the Promised Land (unknown). They chose door number one and inherited a place for cows, sheep, and goats. A fine inheritance, if you are a bovine.
Incidentally, the desert 'was' prime pasture land. If it was green, it wasn't given to the goats - it was farmed. These folks settled in the desert. Was there water near by? Yes... but it was still desert. Do we settle before we reach the Promise Land?
Friday, February 12, 2010
Vanity "Fail"
Jer 2:5 HNV
(5) thus says the LORD, What unrighteousness have your fathers found in me, that they have gone far from me, and have walked after vanity, and are become vain?
Somewhere along the line, everyone who has ever breathed oxygen will stand before God in spirit. I say this somewhat flippantly, because it is simply impossible for us to imagine what this experience might be like. We know that John did it - in the spirit - and "fell at His feet like a dead man".
John knew Jesus, personally. No man was closer to the King of Kings while He walked the earth than John. John fell - like a dead man. Meditate on that for just a minute.
For some, this experience will be even more terrifying. Exponentially so. You might say that every horror conceived by man could not be condensed into such a horrific moment as the one in which an estranged man stands before Holy God. When that happens, the question might be asked, "What unrighteousness have you found in Me, that you have gone far from me, and have walked after vanity, and have become vain?" There will be no one dare answer that question.
It is a good question, though. At some point, love was not enough for someone. Kindness was met with suspicion. It happens every day. Someone turns their face away from God because they simply cannot believe they owe Him anything - much less everything. When self preservation is the only thing - it fails. It is vanity.
Mat 10:39 HNV
(39) He who seeks his life will lose it; and he who loses his life for my sake will find it.
(5) thus says the LORD, What unrighteousness have your fathers found in me, that they have gone far from me, and have walked after vanity, and are become vain?
Somewhere along the line, everyone who has ever breathed oxygen will stand before God in spirit. I say this somewhat flippantly, because it is simply impossible for us to imagine what this experience might be like. We know that John did it - in the spirit - and "fell at His feet like a dead man".
John knew Jesus, personally. No man was closer to the King of Kings while He walked the earth than John. John fell - like a dead man. Meditate on that for just a minute.
For some, this experience will be even more terrifying. Exponentially so. You might say that every horror conceived by man could not be condensed into such a horrific moment as the one in which an estranged man stands before Holy God. When that happens, the question might be asked, "What unrighteousness have you found in Me, that you have gone far from me, and have walked after vanity, and have become vain?" There will be no one dare answer that question.
It is a good question, though. At some point, love was not enough for someone. Kindness was met with suspicion. It happens every day. Someone turns their face away from God because they simply cannot believe they owe Him anything - much less everything. When self preservation is the only thing - it fails. It is vanity.
Mat 10:39 HNV
(39) He who seeks his life will lose it; and he who loses his life for my sake will find it.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Devouring the Holy
These are perilous times. Most nations are not doing well - few are thriving, if any. We have seen prosperous times in the last couple of decades, but those seem very distant. What gives?
There is a precept in scripture that basically says that how well you deal with Israel determines how well you live, thrive, and prosper. Most of us are familiar with the passage in Genesis 12:3 which says God will bless those who bless Israel, and curse those who curse Israel. Jeremiah gives us another reason blessings and curses fall:
Jer 2:3 HNV
(3) Yisra'el [was] holiness to the LORD, the first fruits of his increase: all who devour him shall be held guilty; evil shall come on them, says the LORD.
Israel was God's First Fruits! All First Fruits given to God are Holy, and if you devour that which is Holy, you had better be a priest - also Holy. If not, then evil comes, according to the word of God.
David stumbled into the tabernacle - starving - and ate the shew bread that was reserved for the priests. It was holy to God - set apart. But David's life was spared because He, too, had set himself apart for God. He danced into Jerusalem wearing a linen ephod (priestly garment), an early picture of Jesus - both king and priest. We were also made kings and priests by God, a HOLY nation. We must bless Israel, God's First Fruits, because we are growing upon them. They are the stump which sprouted that we were grafted into.
The nations act in ignorance. They are like children in a lion's den - captivated by something deadly. We, as Christians, are to pray for the peace of Jerusalem and the salvation of Israel. Lets be diligent in doing that! Be blessed!
There is a precept in scripture that basically says that how well you deal with Israel determines how well you live, thrive, and prosper. Most of us are familiar with the passage in Genesis 12:3 which says God will bless those who bless Israel, and curse those who curse Israel. Jeremiah gives us another reason blessings and curses fall:
Jer 2:3 HNV
(3) Yisra'el [was] holiness to the LORD, the first fruits of his increase: all who devour him shall be held guilty; evil shall come on them, says the LORD.
Israel was God's First Fruits! All First Fruits given to God are Holy, and if you devour that which is Holy, you had better be a priest - also Holy. If not, then evil comes, according to the word of God.
David stumbled into the tabernacle - starving - and ate the shew bread that was reserved for the priests. It was holy to God - set apart. But David's life was spared because He, too, had set himself apart for God. He danced into Jerusalem wearing a linen ephod (priestly garment), an early picture of Jesus - both king and priest. We were also made kings and priests by God, a HOLY nation. We must bless Israel, God's First Fruits, because we are growing upon them. They are the stump which sprouted that we were grafted into.
The nations act in ignorance. They are like children in a lion's den - captivated by something deadly. We, as Christians, are to pray for the peace of Jerusalem and the salvation of Israel. Lets be diligent in doing that! Be blessed!
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