We had a good time on outreach on Saturday and I am still pondering seed thoughts from the lunch rap time.
Jezebel brought Ahab past his moral boundary.
"(There was none who sold himself to do what was evil in the sight of the LORD like Ahab, whom Jezebel his wife incited." - 1 Kings 21:25 ESV
He did evil because she incited him.
We are brought past moral good into spiritual life by Christ.
"Then he said to them, 'My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.' And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, 'My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.' And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, 'So, could you not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.' Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, 'My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.' And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again. Then he came to the disciples and said to them, 'Sleep and take your rest later on. See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.' " - Matthew 26:38-45 ESV
Those men had reached the limit of their natural capacity. Jesus took those few steps beyond. He went to a place no other man could go and brought us with Him.
There are people all over the world being incited by the Jezebel's in their life. They do what they know they shouldn't with a little push to help them.
We can live another life and be brought past what is natural by faith in Christ. He Is the One with the power. He Is the faithful One. We fix our eyes on Him and step out on the water to come to Him and it brings us beyond morality into a spiritual life.
--
Showing posts with label Evil. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Evil. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 2, 2017
Friday, May 13, 2016
Drunk With The Power Of Reason
"But the serpent said to the woman, 'You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.' So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate." - Genesis 3:4-6 ESV
The tree of the knowledge of good and evil is a delight to the eyes and looks nourishing. The serpent hisses his invitation, 'No, It's not going to kill you. It is going to make you powerful.'
The comedian who thrives doing stand-up comedy get drunk with the power of bringing an audience outside the box. Have you ever been drunk with that power? I'm sure you have seen someone who has been.
Oh, The knowledge is pleasant to the eyes and looks nourishing but it is an illusion without substance and the end of it is death.
"For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God." - Philippians 1:8-11 ESV
Yes. Jesus is a different tree. The nourishment we get from Him has real substance.
"Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!" - Psalm 139:23-24 ESV
"[Pe] Your testimonies are wonderful; therefore my soul keeps them. The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple." - Psalm 119:129-130 ESV
"How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house, and you give them drink from the river of your delights. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light." - Psalm 36:7-9 ESV
Thinking with God.
Having friendships with people where there is doctrinal rapport and not just intellectual overlap. Oh it is vital. It is life giving to have a friend who gives grace because of deep conviction.
Hidden in the Gospel is the possibility of doctrinal rapport. It is outside the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. It is truth free from infection. It is eternal and unchanging and if a person eats it they are born from above. The serpent divided mankind from below with his well placed words. Jesus makes something brand new with His.
Oh God search us. Illuminate our thinking so that we can identify and reject the fruit that will kill us and sit at the table that will truly nourish us. Make us people who speak words of grace that don't just weight right and wrong. We want to hear You and then speak what you have spoken to us. We want to be filled with your Spirit and let the days where we have been drunk with the power of reason fall forever into our past and be forgotten.
--
The tree of the knowledge of good and evil is a delight to the eyes and looks nourishing. The serpent hisses his invitation, 'No, It's not going to kill you. It is going to make you powerful.'
The comedian who thrives doing stand-up comedy get drunk with the power of bringing an audience outside the box. Have you ever been drunk with that power? I'm sure you have seen someone who has been.
Oh, The knowledge is pleasant to the eyes and looks nourishing but it is an illusion without substance and the end of it is death.
"For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God." - Philippians 1:8-11 ESV
Yes. Jesus is a different tree. The nourishment we get from Him has real substance.
"Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!" - Psalm 139:23-24 ESV
"[Pe] Your testimonies are wonderful; therefore my soul keeps them. The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple." - Psalm 119:129-130 ESV
"How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house, and you give them drink from the river of your delights. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light." - Psalm 36:7-9 ESV
Thinking with God.
Having friendships with people where there is doctrinal rapport and not just intellectual overlap. Oh it is vital. It is life giving to have a friend who gives grace because of deep conviction.
Hidden in the Gospel is the possibility of doctrinal rapport. It is outside the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. It is truth free from infection. It is eternal and unchanging and if a person eats it they are born from above. The serpent divided mankind from below with his well placed words. Jesus makes something brand new with His.
Oh God search us. Illuminate our thinking so that we can identify and reject the fruit that will kill us and sit at the table that will truly nourish us. Make us people who speak words of grace that don't just weight right and wrong. We want to hear You and then speak what you have spoken to us. We want to be filled with your Spirit and let the days where we have been drunk with the power of reason fall forever into our past and be forgotten.
--
Tuesday, December 29, 2015
Bridging The Distance
"In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. And God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness." - Genesis 1:1-4 ESV
God created distance first then He made light to bridge the distance. That light was then divided in a way that created a means to note the passage of time.
Creation was made out of nothing to be a place of choice... near and far... night and day. God approves and approves until mankind disobeys and sides with a negative point of view.
"And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world - he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him." - Revelation 12:9 ESV
It seems that God made this great distance (in part) so the He could put Angelic iniquity far away from Himself. But He also made it so that there could be nearness.
We were not made to be far away from God or each other but we are aren't we? Light bridges the gap between the small and the large. It brings the far away thing close.
"Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called 'the uncircumcision' by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands - remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility." - Ephesians 2:11-16 ESV
Grace does something for us spiritually. We become connected and incorporated while still retaining the distance of identity. We are no longer cut off but we are still ourselves. It is amazing... really.
For the moment evil is close but it will be made to be far away on it's journey downward. Earth was just the first stop on that journey. Things are going to keep breaking here to make room for that passage.
John the Babtist said this...
"Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire." - Matthew 3:10-12 ESV
The barn is near and protected.
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation." - 2 Corinthians 5:17-19 ESV
Ministry brings people nearer and puts evil outside so it can continue it's journey at a distance.
"But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh. Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen." - Jude 1:20-25 ESV
Oh God... please make us creative gatherers. Distance is a funny thing. It grows when we aren't looking. Thank you for people who are joined by love and mercy so that a bond has formed. Make us to be gatherers and not scatterers. Thank you for gathering us from far away places and drawing us close to Yourself.
--
God created distance first then He made light to bridge the distance. That light was then divided in a way that created a means to note the passage of time.
Creation was made out of nothing to be a place of choice... near and far... night and day. God approves and approves until mankind disobeys and sides with a negative point of view.
"And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world - he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him." - Revelation 12:9 ESV
It seems that God made this great distance (in part) so the He could put Angelic iniquity far away from Himself. But He also made it so that there could be nearness.
We were not made to be far away from God or each other but we are aren't we? Light bridges the gap between the small and the large. It brings the far away thing close.
"Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called 'the uncircumcision' by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands - remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility." - Ephesians 2:11-16 ESV
Grace does something for us spiritually. We become connected and incorporated while still retaining the distance of identity. We are no longer cut off but we are still ourselves. It is amazing... really.
For the moment evil is close but it will be made to be far away on it's journey downward. Earth was just the first stop on that journey. Things are going to keep breaking here to make room for that passage.
John the Babtist said this...
"Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire." - Matthew 3:10-12 ESV
The barn is near and protected.
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation." - 2 Corinthians 5:17-19 ESV
Ministry brings people nearer and puts evil outside so it can continue it's journey at a distance.
"But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh. Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen." - Jude 1:20-25 ESV
Oh God... please make us creative gatherers. Distance is a funny thing. It grows when we aren't looking. Thank you for people who are joined by love and mercy so that a bond has formed. Make us to be gatherers and not scatterers. Thank you for gathering us from far away places and drawing us close to Yourself.
--
Tuesday, November 17, 2015
Covering Sins And Exposing Evil
I've been thinking a great deal about God covering us and personal accountability. God covers our mistakes because of Christ. Even our intentional transgressions are covered.
God has other plans for ideologies that oppose Him. He deals directly with people who plan or conspire against Him and those He loves.
"Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends. A rebuke goes deeper into a man of understanding than a hundred blows into a fool." - Proverbs 17:9-10 ESV
"If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." - Matthew 18:15-18 ESV
If God has an issue with us He comes alone first and if we will not listen He uses a representative. He is giving us His formula to apply. We proclaim what has been proclaimed in Heaven.
"If one person sins unintentionally, he shall offer a female goat a year old for a sin offering. And the priest shall make atonement before the LORD for the person who makes a mistake, when he sins unintentionally, to make atonement for him, and he shall be forgiven." - Numbers 15:27-28 ESV
The nation of Israel had an offering for 'unintentional sins.' Jesus has become our once and for all offering. We transgress in ways we can't imagine but God has covered our sin and cast it into the deepest sea (see Micah 7:19).
"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 103:11-12 ESV
"If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared." - Psalm 130:3-4 ESV
God has covered sin. Now He wants to break our sin cycles and expose evil plans.
"But if you will not do so, behold, you have sinned against the LORD, and be sure your sin will find you out." - Numbers 32:20-23 ESV
"Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops." - Luke 12:2-3 ESV
If you look at these passages in context you see that God is speaking about individuals or groups of people that are planning or conspiring something. God delights in covering us but He also is glad to expose evil and it's intentions.
"Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice. Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities." - Psalm 51:4-9 ESV
"And a ruler asked him, 'Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?' And Jesus said to him, 'Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone' " - Luke 18:18-19 ESV
Yes. Yes. Yes. I am determined to live a life of transparency before God. Grace makes that easy because I know my performance is not the issue. God's goodness is the issue. Goodness isn't what I bring to the table... humility is all that I have. God forbid that my attitude should echo the attitude of God's enemies by living in a pre-planned cycle.
"For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?...
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death... For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit." - Romans 7:22-24, 8:1-2, 5 ESV
No condemnation! Shout that from the rooftops. That statement has the power to break any cycle of sin because of the power of the One who covers in the context of Christ's once and for all offering.
--
God has other plans for ideologies that oppose Him. He deals directly with people who plan or conspire against Him and those He loves.
"Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends. A rebuke goes deeper into a man of understanding than a hundred blows into a fool." - Proverbs 17:9-10 ESV
"If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." - Matthew 18:15-18 ESV
If God has an issue with us He comes alone first and if we will not listen He uses a representative. He is giving us His formula to apply. We proclaim what has been proclaimed in Heaven.
"If one person sins unintentionally, he shall offer a female goat a year old for a sin offering. And the priest shall make atonement before the LORD for the person who makes a mistake, when he sins unintentionally, to make atonement for him, and he shall be forgiven." - Numbers 15:27-28 ESV
The nation of Israel had an offering for 'unintentional sins.' Jesus has become our once and for all offering. We transgress in ways we can't imagine but God has covered our sin and cast it into the deepest sea (see Micah 7:19).
"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 103:11-12 ESV
"If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared." - Psalm 130:3-4 ESV
God has covered sin. Now He wants to break our sin cycles and expose evil plans.
"But if you will not do so, behold, you have sinned against the LORD, and be sure your sin will find you out." - Numbers 32:20-23 ESV
"Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops." - Luke 12:2-3 ESV
If you look at these passages in context you see that God is speaking about individuals or groups of people that are planning or conspiring something. God delights in covering us but He also is glad to expose evil and it's intentions.
"Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice. Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities." - Psalm 51:4-9 ESV
"And a ruler asked him, 'Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?' And Jesus said to him, 'Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone' " - Luke 18:18-19 ESV
Yes. Yes. Yes. I am determined to live a life of transparency before God. Grace makes that easy because I know my performance is not the issue. God's goodness is the issue. Goodness isn't what I bring to the table... humility is all that I have. God forbid that my attitude should echo the attitude of God's enemies by living in a pre-planned cycle.
"For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?...
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death... For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit." - Romans 7:22-24, 8:1-2, 5 ESV
No condemnation! Shout that from the rooftops. That statement has the power to break any cycle of sin because of the power of the One who covers in the context of Christ's once and for all offering.
--
Sunday, March 8, 2015
Anarchistic Systems
Anarchistic systems can only exist surrounded by ordered society. They are parasitic in nature. Once the host begins to die they die also.
Prophecy states that it will only take three and a half years for Antichrist's work to begin to self destruct.
"For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief." - 1 Thessalonians 5:3-4 KJV
It will implode. God will turn up the heat and what seems like new liberty, unprecedented advancements of science and an evolutionary quantum leap for humanity will be revealed as a sink hole waiting to happen. The bottom will fall out and betrayal and blame will abound. The extermination of religion and religious people in the name of science and reason will degrade into the extermination of one another.
"Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God." - 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 ESV
When lawlessness overwhelms order it's host can no longer sustain it. God allows this to happen. So that the true cancerous nature of a thing can be revealed.
"Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?" - Proverbs 6:27 KJV
Evil feeds on moral structures. Grace provides a structure that is not moral in nature. It has good outcomes that people see through a lens of morality but it is not moral.
Morality alone is a breeding place for evil. Moral structures are the devil's petri dish. Evil is sustained when those structures are sustained. People think the return of morality will defeat evil but they are only feeding the fire. Only spirituality can defeat evil because it provides a hostile environment for the organism to live and reproduce.
Jesus had a three year ministry also but when the heat came he did not collapse. His foundation was solid. His kingdom is an everlasting and unshakable one. He lived in grace, truth, love, mercy, honor and mission. Evil has to twist what He did into a moral framework in order to use it. That has been done in a thousand different ways... but perfect love still casts out fear and unadulterated grace is still the light which dispels darkness.
The grace of God and the cross of Christ produces overcomers. It produces people that don't have to fold under pressure because they don't even see the heat when it comes.
People often choose the road of false temporary peace if it is offered to them. Grace is glorious but not easy. There is apposition and warfare but it is sourced in a system that will survive time. It will not be forgotten nor will anyone who comes in alignment with it's goals be forgotten.
If I am kind today it is because God has conquered me with His love. It may not be the polished politeness that culture instructs us to operate in but I'd rather have a kindness that is solid then live in a structure that could buckle at any moment and is doomed to future failure.
---
Prophecy states that it will only take three and a half years for Antichrist's work to begin to self destruct.
"For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief." - 1 Thessalonians 5:3-4 KJV
It will implode. God will turn up the heat and what seems like new liberty, unprecedented advancements of science and an evolutionary quantum leap for humanity will be revealed as a sink hole waiting to happen. The bottom will fall out and betrayal and blame will abound. The extermination of religion and religious people in the name of science and reason will degrade into the extermination of one another.
"Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God." - 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 ESV
When lawlessness overwhelms order it's host can no longer sustain it. God allows this to happen. So that the true cancerous nature of a thing can be revealed.
"Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?" - Proverbs 6:27 KJV
Evil feeds on moral structures. Grace provides a structure that is not moral in nature. It has good outcomes that people see through a lens of morality but it is not moral.
Morality alone is a breeding place for evil. Moral structures are the devil's petri dish. Evil is sustained when those structures are sustained. People think the return of morality will defeat evil but they are only feeding the fire. Only spirituality can defeat evil because it provides a hostile environment for the organism to live and reproduce.
Jesus had a three year ministry also but when the heat came he did not collapse. His foundation was solid. His kingdom is an everlasting and unshakable one. He lived in grace, truth, love, mercy, honor and mission. Evil has to twist what He did into a moral framework in order to use it. That has been done in a thousand different ways... but perfect love still casts out fear and unadulterated grace is still the light which dispels darkness.
The grace of God and the cross of Christ produces overcomers. It produces people that don't have to fold under pressure because they don't even see the heat when it comes.
People often choose the road of false temporary peace if it is offered to them. Grace is glorious but not easy. There is apposition and warfare but it is sourced in a system that will survive time. It will not be forgotten nor will anyone who comes in alignment with it's goals be forgotten.
If I am kind today it is because God has conquered me with His love. It may not be the polished politeness that culture instructs us to operate in but I'd rather have a kindness that is solid then live in a structure that could buckle at any moment and is doomed to future failure.
---
Thursday, August 21, 2014
Being Swift To Hear
"Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:" - James 1:19 KJV
A person who wants to learn is swift to hear. A problem solver must be. Anger or frustration often comes when we must have the solution and we are not patient enough to listen with our ears or our eyes.
The passage leading up to this verse is also very illuminating.
"Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures." - James 1:16-18 ESV
There is a flow coming from God. His input is useful (Agathos Strong's G18) and complete (Teleios G5046). Jesus used a word from the same family as that second word when He said, 'It is finished!' on the cross. God's grace is useful and His counsel brings us to completion because it comes from someone who has seen the end as well as the beginning.
If we are quick to listen and slow to speak our anger will come slowly also and will burn clean instead of sending up billows of smoke. Anger is reserved for evil not sin but we must listen to hear and discern the difference.
You may say what is the difference between evil and sin. Shouldn't both make me angry?
Sin is paid for. People miss the mark all the time. God is patient and long suffering for sinful things.
"If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared. I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I hope;" - Psalms 130:3-5 ESV
He hates sin but His anger about sin has been poured out on one substitute. Jesus was the sacrifice that paid to satisfy God's holiness.
God is still angry about evil and those that align themselves with evil will be caught in the crossfire of that righteous rage.
"But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly." - 2 Peter 3:7 ESV
"But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God's righteous judgment will be revealed. He will render to each one according to his works: to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury. There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil" - Romans 2:5-9a ESV
So if we understand man's depravity and are in God's flow of grace we will discern what is warfare and what is weakness. Anger will come slowly if and when it comes at all. It will not be faithless.
"Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah" - Psalms 4:4 ESV
In other words do not act quickly in anger. Wait and think things through with God. Look at what the cross has done and weigh the situation that way. Sin is paid for but evil is not. Which one is this?
In the flow of God's goodness we will get definition and will be able to be kind but decisive. We will listen with our eyes and discover avenues to be a blessing to people instead of using their faults against them.
--
A person who wants to learn is swift to hear. A problem solver must be. Anger or frustration often comes when we must have the solution and we are not patient enough to listen with our ears or our eyes.
The passage leading up to this verse is also very illuminating.
"Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures." - James 1:16-18 ESV
There is a flow coming from God. His input is useful (Agathos Strong's G18) and complete (Teleios G5046). Jesus used a word from the same family as that second word when He said, 'It is finished!' on the cross. God's grace is useful and His counsel brings us to completion because it comes from someone who has seen the end as well as the beginning.
If we are quick to listen and slow to speak our anger will come slowly also and will burn clean instead of sending up billows of smoke. Anger is reserved for evil not sin but we must listen to hear and discern the difference.
You may say what is the difference between evil and sin. Shouldn't both make me angry?
Sin is paid for. People miss the mark all the time. God is patient and long suffering for sinful things.
"If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared. I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I hope;" - Psalms 130:3-5 ESV
He hates sin but His anger about sin has been poured out on one substitute. Jesus was the sacrifice that paid to satisfy God's holiness.
God is still angry about evil and those that align themselves with evil will be caught in the crossfire of that righteous rage.
"But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly." - 2 Peter 3:7 ESV
"But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God's righteous judgment will be revealed. He will render to each one according to his works: to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury. There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil" - Romans 2:5-9a ESV
So if we understand man's depravity and are in God's flow of grace we will discern what is warfare and what is weakness. Anger will come slowly if and when it comes at all. It will not be faithless.
"Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah" - Psalms 4:4 ESV
In other words do not act quickly in anger. Wait and think things through with God. Look at what the cross has done and weigh the situation that way. Sin is paid for but evil is not. Which one is this?
In the flow of God's goodness we will get definition and will be able to be kind but decisive. We will listen with our eyes and discover avenues to be a blessing to people instead of using their faults against them.
--
Monday, August 4, 2014
Souls Over Self
One devotional I read this morning spoke about Lot's decision making. It made me want to look at Abraham's decision making and compare it to Lot's.
"And Lot, who went with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents, so that the land could not support both of them dwelling together; for their possessions were so great that they could not dwell together, and there was strife between the herdsmen of Abram's livestock and the herdsmen of Lot's livestock. At that time the Canaanites and the Perizzites were dwelling in the land.
Then Abram said to Lot, 'Let there be no strife between you and me, and between your herdsmen and my herdsmen, for we are kinsmen. Is not the whole land before you? Separate yourself from me. If you take the left hand, then I will go to the right, or if you take the right hand, then I will go to the left.'
And Lot lifted up his eyes and saw that the Jordan Valley was well watered everywhere like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, in the direction of Zoar. (This was before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) So Lot chose for himself all the Jordan Valley, and Lot journeyed east. Thus they separated from each other." - Genesis 13:5-11 ESV
Lot was smart enough to associate Himself with Abraham, then Abram, and as long as he did that he was successful. The new testament scriptures call Lot righteous (see 2 Peter 2:7) even though the accounts do not record Lot doing very much that would qualify as righteous... except that he attached himself to Abram. Lot did what he did to be successful.
Abraham was a grace man. He did what He did for redemption's sake in faith. Instead of choosing what was best for himself he often choose the path of redemption. He wanted peace over profit. He valued redemption over conquest.
"When Abram heard that his kinsman had been taken captive, he led forth his trained men, born in his house, 318 of them, and went in pursuit as far as Dan... Then he brought back all the possessions, and also brought back his kinsman Lot with his possessions, and the women and the people... And the king of Sodom said to Abram, 'Give me the persons, but take the goods for yourself.' But Abram said to the king of Sodom, 'I have lifted my hand to the LORD, God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth, that I would not take a thread or a sandal strap or anything that is yours, lest you should say, 'I have made Abram rich.' ' " - Genesis 14:14, 16, 21-23 ESV
Abram went to war when he needed to but He fought for souls not goods. He operated that way towards people but he also operated that way towards God.
"Then the LORD said, 'Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great and their sin is very grave, I will go down to see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry that has come to me. And if not, I will know.'
So the men turned from there and went toward Sodom, but Abraham still stood before the LORD." - Genesis 18:20-22 ESV
Abraham stood before the Lord to make a bid for the souls in Sodom.
"And they called to Lot, 'Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us, that we may know them.'
Lot went out to the men at the entrance, shut the door after him, and said, 'I beg you, my brothers, do not act so wickedly. Behold, I have two daughters who have not known any man. Let me bring them out to you, and do to them as you please. Only do nothing to these men, for they have come under the shelter of my roof.' '' - Genesis 19:5-8 ESV
Evil will always lust after the beauty of God. Lot was willing to negotiate the souls of his daughters to preserve his honor. His daughters then learned from his example and later compromised to get what they wanted.
I believe it is grace that enables us to make the shift from self to souls. Our hearts become established in God's favor apart from our performance and instead of being focused on winning in a situation we become focused on winning Christ. We become friends of God and aligned with His cause.
Abraham was a successful man. He was far more successful than Lot. God choose to prosper Abraham. He had his priorities straight so he was a man God could trust with success.
--
"And Lot, who went with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents, so that the land could not support both of them dwelling together; for their possessions were so great that they could not dwell together, and there was strife between the herdsmen of Abram's livestock and the herdsmen of Lot's livestock. At that time the Canaanites and the Perizzites were dwelling in the land.
Then Abram said to Lot, 'Let there be no strife between you and me, and between your herdsmen and my herdsmen, for we are kinsmen. Is not the whole land before you? Separate yourself from me. If you take the left hand, then I will go to the right, or if you take the right hand, then I will go to the left.'
And Lot lifted up his eyes and saw that the Jordan Valley was well watered everywhere like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, in the direction of Zoar. (This was before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) So Lot chose for himself all the Jordan Valley, and Lot journeyed east. Thus they separated from each other." - Genesis 13:5-11 ESV
Lot was smart enough to associate Himself with Abraham, then Abram, and as long as he did that he was successful. The new testament scriptures call Lot righteous (see 2 Peter 2:7) even though the accounts do not record Lot doing very much that would qualify as righteous... except that he attached himself to Abram. Lot did what he did to be successful.
Abraham was a grace man. He did what He did for redemption's sake in faith. Instead of choosing what was best for himself he often choose the path of redemption. He wanted peace over profit. He valued redemption over conquest.
"When Abram heard that his kinsman had been taken captive, he led forth his trained men, born in his house, 318 of them, and went in pursuit as far as Dan... Then he brought back all the possessions, and also brought back his kinsman Lot with his possessions, and the women and the people... And the king of Sodom said to Abram, 'Give me the persons, but take the goods for yourself.' But Abram said to the king of Sodom, 'I have lifted my hand to the LORD, God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth, that I would not take a thread or a sandal strap or anything that is yours, lest you should say, 'I have made Abram rich.' ' " - Genesis 14:14, 16, 21-23 ESV
Abram went to war when he needed to but He fought for souls not goods. He operated that way towards people but he also operated that way towards God.
"Then the LORD said, 'Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great and their sin is very grave, I will go down to see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry that has come to me. And if not, I will know.'
So the men turned from there and went toward Sodom, but Abraham still stood before the LORD." - Genesis 18:20-22 ESV
Abraham stood before the Lord to make a bid for the souls in Sodom.
"And they called to Lot, 'Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us, that we may know them.'
Lot went out to the men at the entrance, shut the door after him, and said, 'I beg you, my brothers, do not act so wickedly. Behold, I have two daughters who have not known any man. Let me bring them out to you, and do to them as you please. Only do nothing to these men, for they have come under the shelter of my roof.' '' - Genesis 19:5-8 ESV
Evil will always lust after the beauty of God. Lot was willing to negotiate the souls of his daughters to preserve his honor. His daughters then learned from his example and later compromised to get what they wanted.
I believe it is grace that enables us to make the shift from self to souls. Our hearts become established in God's favor apart from our performance and instead of being focused on winning in a situation we become focused on winning Christ. We become friends of God and aligned with His cause.
Abraham was a successful man. He was far more successful than Lot. God choose to prosper Abraham. He had his priorities straight so he was a man God could trust with success.
--
Thursday, June 6, 2013
Greet and Love in Wisdom
"Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you. I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive. For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you." Romans 16:16-20 ESV
Wow. Have these verses been misused by many but they are so important to understand. We are not be naive. Naive people are easy marks. Grace has a certain sound and we are to listen for it. We are to become discerning of what is wholesome and eternal.
In the world at large and in the Church there are people who are very gifted but they divide and create obstacles. It is ignored because they are gifted. They are producers because of their natural talents and gifts so they are given leeway in their ministry of division.
The beautiful thing about grace and grace teaching is that it gently exposes evil for what it is without exploring evil in an infecting way. What the Bible teaches arms people with real armor without giving them nightmares. Grace gives security and unity. It providing a wall around our city while breaking down the middle wall of partition that separates us from experiencing communion with God and true fellowship with one another.
We are to greet one another with a holy kiss. Beware of those who want to whisper in your ear about why you shouldn't accept that one and why this one is disqualified. It is our God of peace who will crush Satan under our feet in due season. God doesn't use dividers as helpers in this process. Yes, there are tares mixed in the wheat... God knows all about it.
"Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith - to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen." Romans 16:25-27 ESV
The message is a message of strengthening and revealing what is true and wholesome. Light dispels darkness. We deal with darkness head on with light not whispers. We include. We love. We proclaim faith. Shepherds protect the sheep with a rod and they use the rod as needed. The message is one of safety. We call people to a city of refuge where they can live without fear. The door is still open to an Ark where they will be dry. The guilty need a payment for their sins. We all need a place where we can function in purity.
The grace message repels the predator who is hiding under a cloak of goodness because it says, "No one is good but God." and it invites the weak and damaged by saying, "No one is as good for you as God is."
Wow. Have these verses been misused by many but they are so important to understand. We are not be naive. Naive people are easy marks. Grace has a certain sound and we are to listen for it. We are to become discerning of what is wholesome and eternal.
In the world at large and in the Church there are people who are very gifted but they divide and create obstacles. It is ignored because they are gifted. They are producers because of their natural talents and gifts so they are given leeway in their ministry of division.
The beautiful thing about grace and grace teaching is that it gently exposes evil for what it is without exploring evil in an infecting way. What the Bible teaches arms people with real armor without giving them nightmares. Grace gives security and unity. It providing a wall around our city while breaking down the middle wall of partition that separates us from experiencing communion with God and true fellowship with one another.
We are to greet one another with a holy kiss. Beware of those who want to whisper in your ear about why you shouldn't accept that one and why this one is disqualified. It is our God of peace who will crush Satan under our feet in due season. God doesn't use dividers as helpers in this process. Yes, there are tares mixed in the wheat... God knows all about it.
"Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith - to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen." Romans 16:25-27 ESV
The message is a message of strengthening and revealing what is true and wholesome. Light dispels darkness. We deal with darkness head on with light not whispers. We include. We love. We proclaim faith. Shepherds protect the sheep with a rod and they use the rod as needed. The message is one of safety. We call people to a city of refuge where they can live without fear. The door is still open to an Ark where they will be dry. The guilty need a payment for their sins. We all need a place where we can function in purity.
The grace message repels the predator who is hiding under a cloak of goodness because it says, "No one is good but God." and it invites the weak and damaged by saying, "No one is as good for you as God is."
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