I was thinking this morning about having healthy boundaries in relationships and this passage came to mind...
John 2:23-25 ESV - "Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he was doing. But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man."
There are always going to be people who push in too far. Social media allows for 'ghosting'. If someone crosses a line we don't like we can unfollow, block or just mute them but personal relationships aren't always that easy and frankly speaking I don't think that is a healthy way to live.
Jesus did everything perfectly. He knew when to speak and be quiet. He entered and exited at just the right moments. He loved so much that miracles happened just from touching Him but there were places no one touched in His life because He never exposed those areas to the grubby hands of fallen men and women.
Boundaries are sometimes complex but at other times it us as simple as saying 'no' even though that 'no' will cause upheaval.
I love this next passages where Jesus deals with his family...
John 7:3-8 ESV - "So his brothers said to him, 'Leave here and go to Judea, that your disciples also may see the works you are doing. For no one works in secret if he seeks to be known openly. If you do these things, show yourself to the world.' For not even his brothers believed in him. Jesus said to them, 'My time has not yet come, but your time is always here. The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify about it that its works are evil. You go up to the feast. I am not going up to this feast, for my time has not yet fully come.' "
Then Jesus went anyway but He did it in secret and said this just a few hours later...
John 7:14-18 ESV - "About the middle of the feast Jesus went up into the temple and began teaching. The Jews therefore marveled, saying, “How is it that this man has learning, when he has never studied?” So Jesus answered them, “My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me. If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority. The one who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory; but the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and in him there is no falsehood.' "
This is dealing with Jesus' messiahship but I think it also speaks of the person functioning in true liberty. A person's freedom to function reveals something about their source of power. Liberty isn't license. The alpha male rolls over people or tries to exercise dominance as a show of power which us a crude way to set boundaries.
As I have gotten older I really enjoy just letting people be who they are with a few 'no's thrown in if absolutely necessary
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Sunday, April 26, 2020
Thursday, April 23, 2020
The Sign Of The Prophet Jonas
God called Jonah to live in proactive compassion but he ran from that calling. Jesus didn't but Jesus directly identifies with Jonah in the gospels (see Matthew 12:39). Jonah ran and ended up in the belly of a whale. Jesus went to a cross so He could go to Hell in our place. Jonah eventually found himself on shore again marching into the city he was running from. I sit here on my bed writing this trusting God that I died with Christ, rose with Him and am seated with Him in Heaven in some mystical positional way. I have my face pointed towards the city I was running from and that in itself is miraculous.
If God can do that He can do the rest. We are called to compassion. We lift up a compassionate God who became a man who could turn us, save us from Hell and ourselves.
There are people in the city that need to know that Jesus is their 'space to repent'. They can turn to the one who turned you and be saved from hate and damnation just by believing in Him.
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If God can do that He can do the rest. We are called to compassion. We lift up a compassionate God who became a man who could turn us, save us from Hell and ourselves.
There are people in the city that need to know that Jesus is their 'space to repent'. They can turn to the one who turned you and be saved from hate and damnation just by believing in Him.
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Sunday, April 12, 2020
Easter 2020
My Easter message is a bit salty and short this year.
I am thinking that most of Christ's disciples thought after the crucifixion, 'Is there something i could have done to stop this.' Some moped, other just felt lost and then some beat themselves up. But then He rose from the grave and later the Spirit fell on them like fire filled with joy and glory.
I've decided not to beat myself up this Easter about what i 'could' have done for the people i have lost and am going to lose this year. I will let the God of all grace lead me. He Is after all the God of resurrection life.
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I am thinking that most of Christ's disciples thought after the crucifixion, 'Is there something i could have done to stop this.' Some moped, other just felt lost and then some beat themselves up. But then He rose from the grave and later the Spirit fell on them like fire filled with joy and glory.
I've decided not to beat myself up this Easter about what i 'could' have done for the people i have lost and am going to lose this year. I will let the God of all grace lead me. He Is after all the God of resurrection life.
--
Monday, April 6, 2020
I Tell My Soul To Be Free
I love this psalm! David is talking to his soul here and commanding himself in the light of the knowledge of who God Is and what He Is like:
"Of David. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits," - Psalm 103:1-2 ESV
It isn't a psalm asking God for something. It is a psalm where a man tells his own soul to be a blessing because God has removed burdens and self-occupation...
"...who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. The LORD works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed. He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel. The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love." - Psalm 103:3-8 ESV
Yes. God is the merciful and gracious One. He redeems and we don't have to redeem ourselves. Meditating on Him renews us like an eagle is renewed.
"He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us." - Psalm 103:9-12 ESV
Bless the Lord, O my soul. The burden of sin is lifted. Jesus came to Earth after this was written and did what was promised here. Jesus satisfied the anger and justice of God. He does not deal with us after our sins. They are taken away. He does not repay us for our mental rebellion (iniquity). If you are in awe of God then through Jesus you and I can see God's wide, deep and far-reaching love.
"As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust. As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more." - Psalm 103:13-16 ESV
Bless the Lord, O my soul. Life is short on the Earth. I want to spend my time being a blessing. I can't strive to do this. It isn't payback. It is me beholding God and taking my eyes off myself. It is me spending the day with Him and making His priorities my priorities.
"But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children's children, to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments. The LORD has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all." - Psalm 103:17-19 ESV
Bless the Lord, O my soul, because God Is on His throne and the Devil is a liar.
"Bless the LORD, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his word, obeying the voice of his word! Bless the LORD, all his hosts, his ministers, who do his will! Bless the LORD, all his works, in all places of his dominion. Bless the LORD, O my soul!" - Psalm 103:20-22 ESV
I love how this turns at the end. David is drunk with the power of this revelation. He Is telling the angels and demons what to do.
It reminds me of this passage...
"But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world." - Galatians 6:14 KJV
We look around at a world that doesn't seem in awe of God but we apply the cross and say, 'Look at Him! He is awe-inspiring!'
I talk to my soul in liberty today. I tell it to be free and point to Christ and say, 'Be free because of Him. Let Him set you free.'
--
"Of David. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits," - Psalm 103:1-2 ESV
It isn't a psalm asking God for something. It is a psalm where a man tells his own soul to be a blessing because God has removed burdens and self-occupation...
"...who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. The LORD works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed. He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel. The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love." - Psalm 103:3-8 ESV
Yes. God is the merciful and gracious One. He redeems and we don't have to redeem ourselves. Meditating on Him renews us like an eagle is renewed.
"He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us." - Psalm 103:9-12 ESV
Bless the Lord, O my soul. The burden of sin is lifted. Jesus came to Earth after this was written and did what was promised here. Jesus satisfied the anger and justice of God. He does not deal with us after our sins. They are taken away. He does not repay us for our mental rebellion (iniquity). If you are in awe of God then through Jesus you and I can see God's wide, deep and far-reaching love.
"As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust. As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more." - Psalm 103:13-16 ESV
Bless the Lord, O my soul. Life is short on the Earth. I want to spend my time being a blessing. I can't strive to do this. It isn't payback. It is me beholding God and taking my eyes off myself. It is me spending the day with Him and making His priorities my priorities.
"But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children's children, to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments. The LORD has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all." - Psalm 103:17-19 ESV
Bless the Lord, O my soul, because God Is on His throne and the Devil is a liar.
"Bless the LORD, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his word, obeying the voice of his word! Bless the LORD, all his hosts, his ministers, who do his will! Bless the LORD, all his works, in all places of his dominion. Bless the LORD, O my soul!" - Psalm 103:20-22 ESV
I love how this turns at the end. David is drunk with the power of this revelation. He Is telling the angels and demons what to do.
It reminds me of this passage...
"But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world." - Galatians 6:14 KJV
We look around at a world that doesn't seem in awe of God but we apply the cross and say, 'Look at Him! He is awe-inspiring!'
I talk to my soul in liberty today. I tell it to be free and point to Christ and say, 'Be free because of Him. Let Him set you free.'
--
Sunday, April 5, 2020
Palm Sunday 2020
Looks like we can't do our 'burnt offerings' this palm Sunday and Easter.
Psalm 51:15-17 ESV - "O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth will declare your praise. For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise."
Jesus gave God this offering for humanity. It was and Is a sweet 'smelling savor' to God the Father.
Jesus Is the king of kings who rides in humbly on a simple animal used for labor. I grab a branch off the newest palm tree and run to throw it down before You. You Lord are my salvation.
Those who see who He Is in His humbled state will also see Him regal and glorified. That glimpse is transforming.
--
Psalm 51:15-17 ESV - "O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth will declare your praise. For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise."
Jesus gave God this offering for humanity. It was and Is a sweet 'smelling savor' to God the Father.
Jesus Is the king of kings who rides in humbly on a simple animal used for labor. I grab a branch off the newest palm tree and run to throw it down before You. You Lord are my salvation.
Those who see who He Is in His humbled state will also see Him regal and glorified. That glimpse is transforming.
--
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