Showing posts with label Power. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Power. Show all posts
Friday, April 29, 2022
Real Power
Power is all about who you know. All legitimate authority is delegated authority... at least that is what the Bible teaches.
There are no 'super powers' beyond that. That kind of power or 'energy' is fictional. Leverage is real. That is how physics works. That is how politics works and, Yes, that is also how spirituality works.
"Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith - that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own." - Phl 3:8-12 ESV
I know many smart people that are anti-social and essentially powerless in this life and in the one to come after our body goes into the ground.
"When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me."" - Luke 18:22 ESV
One of the paradoxes of spiritual life is seeing wisdom in giving to those that can't help us.
"And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell." - Matthew 10:28 ESV
You can't have influence with everyone. Who will you side with? God is the one who Is for you and for 'them' also. He Is the 'fount of every blessing'. His Love Is the Light that opens our eyes to see things as they are and not as we want them to be.
"What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" - Romans 8:31 ESV
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Friday, July 13, 2018
The Horns On The Lamb
Pondering Jesus and his relationship to and with the Holy Spirit (spoken of in these next passages as the 'seven Spirits of God')
" '...behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David'... And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth." - Revelation 5:5b & 6 ESV
"There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD. And his delight shall be in the fear of the LORD. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide disputes by what his ears hear, but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked." - Isaiah 11:1-4 ESV
Horns always speak of power in the scripture. These seven manifestations of the anointing have become horns on this fully grown lamb. He is the master of all the manifestations of God's life.
Yes, Jesus walked as a gentle carpenter on this Earth. He emptied Himself to fully identify with mankind and die as a lamb on Passover as a sacrifice for sin but now He Is a King. That lamb is now fully grown. The work of salvation is finished and He has come into His own.
His horns are our heritage. Wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, fear (awe) and joy derived from sensing God in awe belong to those who are hidden in Christ.
We each have individual 'ministries' because the Spirit anoints us at different times and in different ways that represent executions of God plan and expressions of His mood in the moment.
Jesus is the ultimate manifestation of ministry. We are His body now in the world. We are His hands and feet. His horns represent the power that we operate in as we lift Him up.
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" '...behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David'... And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth." - Revelation 5:5b & 6 ESV
"There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD. And his delight shall be in the fear of the LORD. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide disputes by what his ears hear, but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked." - Isaiah 11:1-4 ESV
Horns always speak of power in the scripture. These seven manifestations of the anointing have become horns on this fully grown lamb. He is the master of all the manifestations of God's life.
Yes, Jesus walked as a gentle carpenter on this Earth. He emptied Himself to fully identify with mankind and die as a lamb on Passover as a sacrifice for sin but now He Is a King. That lamb is now fully grown. The work of salvation is finished and He has come into His own.
His horns are our heritage. Wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, fear (awe) and joy derived from sensing God in awe belong to those who are hidden in Christ.
We each have individual 'ministries' because the Spirit anoints us at different times and in different ways that represent executions of God plan and expressions of His mood in the moment.
Jesus is the ultimate manifestation of ministry. We are His body now in the world. We are His hands and feet. His horns represent the power that we operate in as we lift Him up.
--
Thursday, December 28, 2017
Not Void Of Power
Verse thirty-seven caught my eye as I was reading.
"And Mary said unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Spirit shall come upon thee, and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee: wherefore also the holy thing which is begotten shall be called the Son of God. And behold, Elisabeth thy kinswoman, she also hath conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her that was called barren. For no word from God shall be void of power." - Luke 1:34-37 ASV
'The 'rhema' of God nullifies the impossible.' would be an acceptable translation. Elisabeth was part of the Rhema. Mary knew Elisabeth. Mary goes to live with her to sidestep the pressure put on her for having an impossible birth.
"And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned unto her house. Now Elisabeth's time was fulfilled that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son." - Luke 1:56-57 ASV
"And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath looked upon the low estate of his handmaid: For behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; And holy is his name. And his mercy is unto generations and generations On them that fear him. " - Luke 1:46-50 ASV
Mary saw God's promise working in Elisabeth.
Power isn't what we think it is. God spoke something in private to Elisabeth's husband in the temple. The house they lived in became a special place Then Elisabeth's life became something that verified a dynamic to Mary so she could 'process' the miracle in her life.
I have people in my life that are like this. They verify a dynamic that I can't put my finger on. They are part of sustaining a hope in the power of truth.
It is very easy to look at our life in a faithless way if we are living in a spiritual vacuum. Mary made her great faith confession in front of Elisabeth in part because she saw what was happening with Elisabeth.
Rhema is linked to fellowship.
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"And Mary said unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Spirit shall come upon thee, and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee: wherefore also the holy thing which is begotten shall be called the Son of God. And behold, Elisabeth thy kinswoman, she also hath conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her that was called barren. For no word from God shall be void of power." - Luke 1:34-37 ASV
'The 'rhema' of God nullifies the impossible.' would be an acceptable translation. Elisabeth was part of the Rhema. Mary knew Elisabeth. Mary goes to live with her to sidestep the pressure put on her for having an impossible birth.
"And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned unto her house. Now Elisabeth's time was fulfilled that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son." - Luke 1:56-57 ASV
"And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath looked upon the low estate of his handmaid: For behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; And holy is his name. And his mercy is unto generations and generations On them that fear him. " - Luke 1:46-50 ASV
Mary saw God's promise working in Elisabeth.
Power isn't what we think it is. God spoke something in private to Elisabeth's husband in the temple. The house they lived in became a special place Then Elisabeth's life became something that verified a dynamic to Mary so she could 'process' the miracle in her life.
I have people in my life that are like this. They verify a dynamic that I can't put my finger on. They are part of sustaining a hope in the power of truth.
It is very easy to look at our life in a faithless way if we are living in a spiritual vacuum. Mary made her great faith confession in front of Elisabeth in part because she saw what was happening with Elisabeth.
Rhema is linked to fellowship.
--
Friday, December 15, 2017
Can A Possession Be Blessed?
Yesterday I was thinking a lot about 'relics'... do objects carry a spiritual charge of some kind? Can we be blessed or cursed by ownership or proximity?
"Therefore, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that 'an idol has no real existence,' and that 'there is no God but one.' For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth - as indeed there are many "gods" and many 'lords' - yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist." - 1 Corinthians 8:4-6 ESV
"...we know that an idol is nothing..." - 1 Corinthians 8:4b KJV
That passage holds the key for the spiritual person who is in Christ and yet it seems that demons get obsessed and attached to people. They feed superstition and impersonate the dead having memorized details about their habits and behaviour.
"The LORD God said to the serpent, 'Because you have done this, cursed are you above all livestock and above all beasts of the field; on your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life...' " - Genesis 3:14 ESV
"And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground..." - Genesis 2:7a KJV
Demons are attached to mankind like we are attached to our food sources. God basically said, 'You have messed with mankind now you will be entangled in their affairs.'
Objects don't have power. Beings have power. Objects act according to their attributes. Places are governed by who is in power over them. A radioactive object can hurt us but it isn't spiritual. We don't do well with things that have that attribute.
"And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth." - Genesis 1:28 KJV
"Every place on which the sole of your foot treads shall be yours. Your territory shall be from the wilderness to the Lebanon and from the River, the river Euphrates, to the western sea." - Deuteronomy 11:24 ESV
We can own what God has given us. Those places don't own us. We own them as stewards of God's nature and character.
"In the third year of Hoshea son of Elah, king of Israel, Hezekiah the son of Ahaz, king of Judah, began to reign. He was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Abi the daughter of Zechariah. And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, according to all that David his father had done. He removed the high places and broke the pillars and cut down the Asherah. And he broke in pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had made, for until those days the people of Israel had made offerings to it (it was called Nehushtan). He trusted in the LORD, the God of Israel, so that there was none like him among all the kings of Judah after him, nor among those who were before him." - 2 Kings 18:1-5 ESV
That bronze serpent was considered a 'relic' in certain circles but a godly king destroyed it see the water wouldn't be muddied up. It isn't things or places. It is God and the God of all grace loves people and gives them the authority to tread on serpents and live above the base desires to worship things.
--
"Therefore, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that 'an idol has no real existence,' and that 'there is no God but one.' For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth - as indeed there are many "gods" and many 'lords' - yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist." - 1 Corinthians 8:4-6 ESV
"...we know that an idol is nothing..." - 1 Corinthians 8:4b KJV
That passage holds the key for the spiritual person who is in Christ and yet it seems that demons get obsessed and attached to people. They feed superstition and impersonate the dead having memorized details about their habits and behaviour.
"The LORD God said to the serpent, 'Because you have done this, cursed are you above all livestock and above all beasts of the field; on your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life...' " - Genesis 3:14 ESV
"And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground..." - Genesis 2:7a KJV
Demons are attached to mankind like we are attached to our food sources. God basically said, 'You have messed with mankind now you will be entangled in their affairs.'
Objects don't have power. Beings have power. Objects act according to their attributes. Places are governed by who is in power over them. A radioactive object can hurt us but it isn't spiritual. We don't do well with things that have that attribute.
"And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth." - Genesis 1:28 KJV
"Every place on which the sole of your foot treads shall be yours. Your territory shall be from the wilderness to the Lebanon and from the River, the river Euphrates, to the western sea." - Deuteronomy 11:24 ESV
We can own what God has given us. Those places don't own us. We own them as stewards of God's nature and character.
"In the third year of Hoshea son of Elah, king of Israel, Hezekiah the son of Ahaz, king of Judah, began to reign. He was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Abi the daughter of Zechariah. And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, according to all that David his father had done. He removed the high places and broke the pillars and cut down the Asherah. And he broke in pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had made, for until those days the people of Israel had made offerings to it (it was called Nehushtan). He trusted in the LORD, the God of Israel, so that there was none like him among all the kings of Judah after him, nor among those who were before him." - 2 Kings 18:1-5 ESV
That bronze serpent was considered a 'relic' in certain circles but a godly king destroyed it see the water wouldn't be muddied up. It isn't things or places. It is God and the God of all grace loves people and gives them the authority to tread on serpents and live above the base desires to worship things.
--
Friday, November 17, 2017
Abuse Of Power
Like many these days, I've been thinking about the abuse of power. I've been looking at these passages and substituting the word 'brother' and 'elder' for 'powerful and experienced person who has influence.'
"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." - Matthew 18:15-17 ESV
"Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear. In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels I charge you to keep these rules without prejudging, doing nothing from partiality. Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure." - 1 Timothy 5:19-22 ESV
In today's climate in 2017, social media seems to be a way that a group gets justice. Going alone to settle a score can be dangerous, can't it? Can you even get an appointment? Will your life be pulled through the mud as a result?
Looking at these passages I see a God who wants to give mercy and to cover matters if it is possible but it all sits on a foundation of justice.
I cringe at the abuse I see across a multitude of industries. I wish I could say the Church was immune but it isn't nor does the Bible say it is going to be.
Paul said this statement to a group just at the formation of the Church within a generation of the cross and the incarnation.
"Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears." - Acts 20:28-31 ESV
There have always been those who abuse power. Nathan had to walk into the court of King David and confront the King about a grave transgression (see 2 Samuel 12:1f). Nathan had a divine covering but what he did was dangerous. I marvel at the courage a person needs to muster up to face a person in power. Powerful people also get accused of things that aren't true and have to deal with those situations on occasion also.
"Yet for your sake we are killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered. Awake! Why are you sleeping, O Lord? Rouse yourself! Do not reject us forever! Why do you hide your face? Why do you forget our affliction and oppression? For our soul is bowed down to the dust; our belly clings to the ground. Rise up; come to our help! Redeem us for the sake of your steadfast love! - Psalm 44:22-26 ESV
The psalmist captures the feeling there doesn't he?
I read these things and say to myself, 'I refuse to take the easy way out in these matters. I must be accountable and if need be make others accountable. Mercy is to great a cause. Love covers but that covering can't become a hiding place for abuse.'
Speaking truth to power has never been easy but we can live in the confidence that Nathan did when he came before his king.
"Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways." - 1 Corinthians 13:4-11 ESV
Let us live in the maturity of love. If God for us who can be against us?
In one of the recent high profile sexual abuse cases the reporters who broke, it said that they spent months interviewing victims but they avoided going to the man directly because they wanted to avoid 'off the record' conversations that might hinder them later. I found it interesting. Of course, the press isn't seeking to 'cover' or reconcile. Hopefully, we are.
--
"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." - Matthew 18:15-17 ESV
"Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear. In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels I charge you to keep these rules without prejudging, doing nothing from partiality. Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure." - 1 Timothy 5:19-22 ESV
In today's climate in 2017, social media seems to be a way that a group gets justice. Going alone to settle a score can be dangerous, can't it? Can you even get an appointment? Will your life be pulled through the mud as a result?
Looking at these passages I see a God who wants to give mercy and to cover matters if it is possible but it all sits on a foundation of justice.
I cringe at the abuse I see across a multitude of industries. I wish I could say the Church was immune but it isn't nor does the Bible say it is going to be.
Paul said this statement to a group just at the formation of the Church within a generation of the cross and the incarnation.
"Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears." - Acts 20:28-31 ESV
There have always been those who abuse power. Nathan had to walk into the court of King David and confront the King about a grave transgression (see 2 Samuel 12:1f). Nathan had a divine covering but what he did was dangerous. I marvel at the courage a person needs to muster up to face a person in power. Powerful people also get accused of things that aren't true and have to deal with those situations on occasion also.
"Yet for your sake we are killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered. Awake! Why are you sleeping, O Lord? Rouse yourself! Do not reject us forever! Why do you hide your face? Why do you forget our affliction and oppression? For our soul is bowed down to the dust; our belly clings to the ground. Rise up; come to our help! Redeem us for the sake of your steadfast love! - Psalm 44:22-26 ESV
The psalmist captures the feeling there doesn't he?
I read these things and say to myself, 'I refuse to take the easy way out in these matters. I must be accountable and if need be make others accountable. Mercy is to great a cause. Love covers but that covering can't become a hiding place for abuse.'
Speaking truth to power has never been easy but we can live in the confidence that Nathan did when he came before his king.
"Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways." - 1 Corinthians 13:4-11 ESV
Let us live in the maturity of love. If God for us who can be against us?
In one of the recent high profile sexual abuse cases the reporters who broke, it said that they spent months interviewing victims but they avoided going to the man directly because they wanted to avoid 'off the record' conversations that might hinder them later. I found it interesting. Of course, the press isn't seeking to 'cover' or reconcile. Hopefully, we are.
--
Tuesday, November 14, 2017
Out Of The Dark Forest
"For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate." - Romans 7:15 ESV
Sounds familiar, doesn't it? I'm reading Romans chapter 7 very carefully this morning and making my way into chapter 8. It is like Paul has shown us a special pathway out of a psychic forest and out into an open place.
"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? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin. 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 God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit." - Romans 7:22 - 8:4 ESV
There are forces that work on all of humanity but Jesus has put a new dynamic in our lives and it is an aerodynamic force that works in the midst of the gravity we experience because of our fallen nature.
Jesus does what we couldn't do. Jesus did what the law couldn't do. That work is finished. There is no condemnation. We have a way out of the forest.
"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." - 2 Corinthians 12:9 KJV
If we are too strong we fight it out in the forest and never see the mountaintop. Grace is 'sufficient' but we don't know that if we are held in the struggle that everyone is held in down on the ground.
In Jesus' victory, we see that 'the law of the Spirit of life has set you (us) free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.'
We are free in the 'no condemnation' place. When it is finished we cease from introspection. We are brought out by God's power.
"In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me. Thy vows are upon me, O God: I will render praises unto thee. For thou hast delivered my soul from death: wilt not thou deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living?" - Psalm 56:11-13 KJV
There are some projects I want to tackle today and I'm not going to pump myself up to go fight in the forest. I need eagle eyes. I'm not asking for strength. I'm asking for provision and I move proactively in reliance so that I can approach each moment as a free man. 'It is finished' takes me out of the cycle and into a place where power can rest on me because my soul is resting in God's Son.
--
Sounds familiar, doesn't it? I'm reading Romans chapter 7 very carefully this morning and making my way into chapter 8. It is like Paul has shown us a special pathway out of a psychic forest and out into an open place.
"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? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin. 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 God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit." - Romans 7:22 - 8:4 ESV
There are forces that work on all of humanity but Jesus has put a new dynamic in our lives and it is an aerodynamic force that works in the midst of the gravity we experience because of our fallen nature.
Jesus does what we couldn't do. Jesus did what the law couldn't do. That work is finished. There is no condemnation. We have a way out of the forest.
"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." - 2 Corinthians 12:9 KJV
If we are too strong we fight it out in the forest and never see the mountaintop. Grace is 'sufficient' but we don't know that if we are held in the struggle that everyone is held in down on the ground.
In Jesus' victory, we see that 'the law of the Spirit of life has set you (us) free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.'
We are free in the 'no condemnation' place. When it is finished we cease from introspection. We are brought out by God's power.
"In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me. Thy vows are upon me, O God: I will render praises unto thee. For thou hast delivered my soul from death: wilt not thou deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living?" - Psalm 56:11-13 KJV
There are some projects I want to tackle today and I'm not going to pump myself up to go fight in the forest. I need eagle eyes. I'm not asking for strength. I'm asking for provision and I move proactively in reliance so that I can approach each moment as a free man. 'It is finished' takes me out of the cycle and into a place where power can rest on me because my soul is resting in God's Son.
--
Monday, June 5, 2017
Power For Change
God will give you the ability to adjust and transition into your new situation. He will give you power.
That is what He did at Pentecost for the Church and He does it for every individual person also.
" '...And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.' And he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven." - Luke 24:49-51 ESV
Jesus had died and rose from the dead but they weren't ready to be without Him. His time walking and talking among them must have seemed dreamlike and then as soon as it had started it ended and these men and women would need to adjust to life again.
They were to stay in Jerusalem and power was coming.
"When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language." - Acts 2:1-6 ESV
To read that... It is shocking to the mind and it was a one time only historical event but this happens to us. We have no capacity but then suddenly we do. We can speak in a language that is understood. Death has worked in our life and a transition was needed but God was faithful to bring us through. It wasn't instantaneous. We waited a period of time and those days must have felt like an eternity.
'Jesus is gone. What will we do now?'
'My job is gone.'
'My loved one is gone.'
'My life will never be the same after this.'
Yes, That is true but God will send power. Tarry in Jerusalem. Don't wander off in your weakened state. Stay close. Be in the Book. Be with the people even if you seem numb. Power is coming. Joy will return and when it does you will be able to talk to people you could never speak to before. They will be bewildered that someone like you speaks their language.
Grace will transition you. God will carry you. This is how it is for all of us at times. You are not alone. There is always a whole group going through the same thing somewhere.
--
That is what He did at Pentecost for the Church and He does it for every individual person also.
" '...And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.' And he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven." - Luke 24:49-51 ESV
Jesus had died and rose from the dead but they weren't ready to be without Him. His time walking and talking among them must have seemed dreamlike and then as soon as it had started it ended and these men and women would need to adjust to life again.
They were to stay in Jerusalem and power was coming.
"When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language." - Acts 2:1-6 ESV
To read that... It is shocking to the mind and it was a one time only historical event but this happens to us. We have no capacity but then suddenly we do. We can speak in a language that is understood. Death has worked in our life and a transition was needed but God was faithful to bring us through. It wasn't instantaneous. We waited a period of time and those days must have felt like an eternity.
'Jesus is gone. What will we do now?'
'My job is gone.'
'My loved one is gone.'
'My life will never be the same after this.'
Yes, That is true but God will send power. Tarry in Jerusalem. Don't wander off in your weakened state. Stay close. Be in the Book. Be with the people even if you seem numb. Power is coming. Joy will return and when it does you will be able to talk to people you could never speak to before. They will be bewildered that someone like you speaks their language.
Grace will transition you. God will carry you. This is how it is for all of us at times. You are not alone. There is always a whole group going through the same thing somewhere.
--
Tuesday, May 16, 2017
The Most High Will Overshadow You
Last night I listened to a voicemail from a friend who was inquiring about the virgin birth and that sparked a great meditation. God was revealed to be a father through the virgin birth. He Fathered Jesus in a unique way and He fathers us in a unique way also.
"And he came to her and said, 'Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!' But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, 'Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.' And Mary said to the angel, 'How will this be, since I am a virgin?' And the angel answered her, 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy--the Son of God." - Luke 1:28-35 ESV
The virgin birth was miraculous. How was a holy child born to a fallen women? We can say the blood of the fetus remains separate from the blood of the mother and that is true but clearly Jesus was Mary's son. He had to be in order to be a full representative of the human race. It boggles the mind. This is the part that struck me this morning.
'...the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy...'
The greek word translated overshadow is episkiazō (Strong's G1982) and this envelope of God Himself was linked to Jesus' holiness (or set-apartness).
Mary becoming a mother revealed God to be a father.
"...for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ." - Galatians 3:26-27 ESV
God adopts us and His name overshadows us. We become holy.
People talk about God and say many things but to know God He must be known as a father.
"Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.' " - John 14:6 ESV
There is a wall of holiness if anyone tries to approach any other way. As children in His shadow we are set apart ones. We can ask and He will answer. We can approach and we will never be turned away. We aren't distant admirers who want a photo with a celebrity. We are children that resemble our parent and dwell in the same residence.
Mary was a most favored woman and we are favored also. Once we believe in Jesus renames us as His own.
--
"And he came to her and said, 'Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!' But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, 'Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.' And Mary said to the angel, 'How will this be, since I am a virgin?' And the angel answered her, 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy--the Son of God." - Luke 1:28-35 ESV
The virgin birth was miraculous. How was a holy child born to a fallen women? We can say the blood of the fetus remains separate from the blood of the mother and that is true but clearly Jesus was Mary's son. He had to be in order to be a full representative of the human race. It boggles the mind. This is the part that struck me this morning.
'...the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy...'
The greek word translated overshadow is episkiazō (Strong's G1982) and this envelope of God Himself was linked to Jesus' holiness (or set-apartness).
Mary becoming a mother revealed God to be a father.
"...for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ." - Galatians 3:26-27 ESV
God adopts us and His name overshadows us. We become holy.
People talk about God and say many things but to know God He must be known as a father.
"Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.' " - John 14:6 ESV
There is a wall of holiness if anyone tries to approach any other way. As children in His shadow we are set apart ones. We can ask and He will answer. We can approach and we will never be turned away. We aren't distant admirers who want a photo with a celebrity. We are children that resemble our parent and dwell in the same residence.
Mary was a most favored woman and we are favored also. Once we believe in Jesus renames us as His own.
--
Tuesday, May 2, 2017
Brought Beyond The Natural Boundary
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.
--
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.
--
Thursday, April 27, 2017
Our Focus
Powerful focused people control what they pay attention to and they ignore what is deemed non-essential.
In social circles, attention and snubs are used as cues for the group. None of us really need to be taught this. Exposure to social circles at an early age reveal this to us. There are some people who talk to everyone and make everyone feel important but most only have so much attention and they have been taught to focus on the ones they care about and repel those they don't as a defensive (or offensive) mechanism. Shy people get misunderstood because of this. Focused people can see them as aloof or stuck up (a phrase I don't see used much these days).
We can look at Jesus and see who He focused His attention on and learn so much. He was (and Is) extremely generous with His attention.
"...but Jesus said, 'Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.' " - Matthew 19:14 ESV
"The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children." - Matthew 11:19 KJV
We don't see Jesus paying attention only to those who can 'do something for Him' but it is almost the opposite. We see His focusing His attention on the helpless and invisible members of His society. The powerful and focused had to get His attention.
"And the high priest stood up and said, 'Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?' But Jesus remained silent." - Matthew 26:62-63a ESV
Wow. I imagine that was a man who rarely got ignored.
Becoming a believer has changed who I pay attention to. It has changed my value system. I want the people to know how valuable they are because God places great value on them but I also want to ignore the things that are worthless.
I want to pour out even when I feel weak because I know that conserving energy in this way isn't a protection. God fills empty vessels and stale wine just gets bitter in a half empty container.
If we ignore what is valuable we are 'ignorant' people. We will be snubbing what shouldn't be snubbed.
God make us wise. Fill us with Your love. If You are our focus we will have power and focus for that which is truly valuable.
Souls.
Heaven and Earth will all pass away but souls and scripture have value beyond measure.
--
In social circles, attention and snubs are used as cues for the group. None of us really need to be taught this. Exposure to social circles at an early age reveal this to us. There are some people who talk to everyone and make everyone feel important but most only have so much attention and they have been taught to focus on the ones they care about and repel those they don't as a defensive (or offensive) mechanism. Shy people get misunderstood because of this. Focused people can see them as aloof or stuck up (a phrase I don't see used much these days).
We can look at Jesus and see who He focused His attention on and learn so much. He was (and Is) extremely generous with His attention.
"...but Jesus said, 'Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.' " - Matthew 19:14 ESV
"The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children." - Matthew 11:19 KJV
We don't see Jesus paying attention only to those who can 'do something for Him' but it is almost the opposite. We see His focusing His attention on the helpless and invisible members of His society. The powerful and focused had to get His attention.
"And the high priest stood up and said, 'Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?' But Jesus remained silent." - Matthew 26:62-63a ESV
Wow. I imagine that was a man who rarely got ignored.
Becoming a believer has changed who I pay attention to. It has changed my value system. I want the people to know how valuable they are because God places great value on them but I also want to ignore the things that are worthless.
I want to pour out even when I feel weak because I know that conserving energy in this way isn't a protection. God fills empty vessels and stale wine just gets bitter in a half empty container.
If we ignore what is valuable we are 'ignorant' people. We will be snubbing what shouldn't be snubbed.
God make us wise. Fill us with Your love. If You are our focus we will have power and focus for that which is truly valuable.
Souls.
Heaven and Earth will all pass away but souls and scripture have value beyond measure.
--
Thursday, April 13, 2017
A Lesson On The Use Of Power
I am sitting here meditating on the 'use of power' and the 'leveraging of advantage' and my studies brought me to this passage.
"And they came to Jericho. And as he was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a great crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the roadside. And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, 'Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!' And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, 'Son of David, have mercy on me!' And Jesus stopped and said, 'Call him.' And they called the blind man, saying to him, 'Take heart. Get up; he is calling you.' And throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. And Jesus said to him, 'What do you want me to do for you?' And the blind man said to him, 'Rabbi, let me recover my sight.' And Jesus said to him, 'Go your way; your faith has made you well.' And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him on the way." - Mark 10:46-52 ESV
Bartimaeus best power was his voice and his perseverance. We could even say that his voice was a tool to be used by his perseverance and that perseverance was his power. Listen to his words and what he asks for. He is looking to 'recover his sight'. That isn't passive. It is like he saying to Jesus, 'My sight is right there but it is just out of my reach. You can reach that far and hand it to me so I can use it again. Let me have it back so I can use it.' Then when Jesus did give it to him Bartimaeus used a new tool to follow Christ.
The disciples tried to use their power to maintain the status quo. They wanted quiet. They didn't want any trouble. They wanted to prevent something instead of see something happen. Blind Bartimaeus had faith but this situation revealed a lack of faith in the disciples.
Then we look at Jesus. He is a true leader. He has and executes what fictional leaders lack. I fear that our young people are learning leadership from movies, television and games and it is dangerous because they see results that are contrived and straw man (a weakened version of a person set up only so it can be shot down) competition that causes difficulties in life because real interactions won't follow the fictional model.
Jesus doesn't just heal Bartimaeus. He corrects His disciples and lets them do what we are to do also. We bring people to the King. We communicate the love of the King.
I like how Jesus says, 'Go your way.' to Bartimaeus. That is grace isn't it? Jesus gives this man what was out of reach and also gives him liberty. Bartimaeus decides that 'his way' will be to follow Jesus. If the disciples had their way he would still be blind but begging quietly.
How will we see disruption? Is it a problem to be prevented or is it an opportunity for redemption?
--
''''''
"And they came to Jericho. And as he was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a great crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the roadside. And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, 'Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!' And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, 'Son of David, have mercy on me!' And Jesus stopped and said, 'Call him.' And they called the blind man, saying to him, 'Take heart. Get up; he is calling you.' And throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. And Jesus said to him, 'What do you want me to do for you?' And the blind man said to him, 'Rabbi, let me recover my sight.' And Jesus said to him, 'Go your way; your faith has made you well.' And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him on the way." - Mark 10:46-52 ESV
Bartimaeus best power was his voice and his perseverance. We could even say that his voice was a tool to be used by his perseverance and that perseverance was his power. Listen to his words and what he asks for. He is looking to 'recover his sight'. That isn't passive. It is like he saying to Jesus, 'My sight is right there but it is just out of my reach. You can reach that far and hand it to me so I can use it again. Let me have it back so I can use it.' Then when Jesus did give it to him Bartimaeus used a new tool to follow Christ.
The disciples tried to use their power to maintain the status quo. They wanted quiet. They didn't want any trouble. They wanted to prevent something instead of see something happen. Blind Bartimaeus had faith but this situation revealed a lack of faith in the disciples.
Then we look at Jesus. He is a true leader. He has and executes what fictional leaders lack. I fear that our young people are learning leadership from movies, television and games and it is dangerous because they see results that are contrived and straw man (a weakened version of a person set up only so it can be shot down) competition that causes difficulties in life because real interactions won't follow the fictional model.
Jesus doesn't just heal Bartimaeus. He corrects His disciples and lets them do what we are to do also. We bring people to the King. We communicate the love of the King.
I like how Jesus says, 'Go your way.' to Bartimaeus. That is grace isn't it? Jesus gives this man what was out of reach and also gives him liberty. Bartimaeus decides that 'his way' will be to follow Jesus. If the disciples had their way he would still be blind but begging quietly.
How will we see disruption? Is it a problem to be prevented or is it an opportunity for redemption?
--
''''''
Monday, January 2, 2017
Soul Power
Soul Power. It is the influence that a human soul can have but that influence has no divine essence. This influence might be in the name of God but God isn't in it. Influence and leverage because of an energized genetics. People who have soul power influence the emotions and minds of others. They make others want to have power they can't have because of differences. People admire the soulish person but the admiration isn't of God.
Genetic qualities get magnified because they meet a certain type or formula. The person who has this power may not even be aware that they have it. They could be good moral people or they might be immoral malicious people. People have an unconscious desire to copy them so that their formula will have elements of this design that appears to be successful.
Soul power magnifies lust. God's power never does that. Never. Never.
"A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." - Proverbs 17:17 ESV
"How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of Dawn! How you are cut down to the ground, you who laid the nations low! You said in your heart, 'I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far reaches of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.' But you are brought down to Sheol, to the far reaches of the pit. Those who see you will stare at you and ponder over you: 'Is this the man who made the earth tremble, who shook kingdoms," - Isaiah 14:12-16 ESV
The source of soul power will be brought low. Don't fall for the scam that an angel of light perpetrates.
You don't need the power that man seeks. You need the love that God gives. That is enduring power that has no envy. That is the power that transforms. Soul power only conforms while it consumes and destroys. It's glory is fleeting.
Love will endure beyond time's boundary. Mercy endures forever.
--
Genetic qualities get magnified because they meet a certain type or formula. The person who has this power may not even be aware that they have it. They could be good moral people or they might be immoral malicious people. People have an unconscious desire to copy them so that their formula will have elements of this design that appears to be successful.
Soul power magnifies lust. God's power never does that. Never. Never.
"A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." - Proverbs 17:17 ESV
"How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of Dawn! How you are cut down to the ground, you who laid the nations low! You said in your heart, 'I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far reaches of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.' But you are brought down to Sheol, to the far reaches of the pit. Those who see you will stare at you and ponder over you: 'Is this the man who made the earth tremble, who shook kingdoms," - Isaiah 14:12-16 ESV
The source of soul power will be brought low. Don't fall for the scam that an angel of light perpetrates.
You don't need the power that man seeks. You need the love that God gives. That is enduring power that has no envy. That is the power that transforms. Soul power only conforms while it consumes and destroys. It's glory is fleeting.
Love will endure beyond time's boundary. Mercy endures forever.
--
Saturday, November 5, 2016
Power And Negotiation
The last few days my meditation has been about power and negotiation. It takes power to even have a negotiation. The powerless have no negotiation leverage so there is often no negotiation at all.
The Bible shows different men negotiating with God. Abraham. Moses at the burning bush. Jacob wrestling with God.
Then there are examples of men negotiating with other men. Ahab trying to secure Naboth's vineyard (see 1 Kings 21:1f)
The conclusion I have come to is that hope is the negotiation power of the believer.
"And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." - Romans 5:5 KJV
"According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death." - Philippians 1:20 KJV
Shame comes when we lose over and over. We begin to hate our self because of our powerlessness. God flips that equation over on its side.
Hope assures us that we have power with God. It isn't the power to gratify self per se but it is power in God's plan. We pray and God hears us. We are not powerless.
Today I will go and negotiate with people and urge them to secure the gift that the blood of Christ has purchased on their behalf. I will communicate grace as God gives me ability so that people know that God wants to give them something. I will let them know that their morality means nothing to God. It gives them no power. God holds all the cards and yet because of love He wants to give them power and position as a free gift.
God, I pray that our negotiations go well today. Bless us as we go. Thank you for exercising power on our behalf. It is beyond our understanding why you love us like you do.
--
The Bible shows different men negotiating with God. Abraham. Moses at the burning bush. Jacob wrestling with God.
Then there are examples of men negotiating with other men. Ahab trying to secure Naboth's vineyard (see 1 Kings 21:1f)
The conclusion I have come to is that hope is the negotiation power of the believer.
"And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." - Romans 5:5 KJV
"According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death." - Philippians 1:20 KJV
Shame comes when we lose over and over. We begin to hate our self because of our powerlessness. God flips that equation over on its side.
Hope assures us that we have power with God. It isn't the power to gratify self per se but it is power in God's plan. We pray and God hears us. We are not powerless.
Today I will go and negotiate with people and urge them to secure the gift that the blood of Christ has purchased on their behalf. I will communicate grace as God gives me ability so that people know that God wants to give them something. I will let them know that their morality means nothing to God. It gives them no power. God holds all the cards and yet because of love He wants to give them power and position as a free gift.
God, I pray that our negotiations go well today. Bless us as we go. Thank you for exercising power on our behalf. It is beyond our understanding why you love us like you do.
--
Monday, March 28, 2016
The Cattle On A Thousand Hills
What do you give the person who has everything?
"I will not accept a bull from your house or goats from your folds. For every beast of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills. I know all the birds of the hills, and all that moves in the field is mine. If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world and its fullness are mine... Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and perform your vows to the Most High, and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me." - Psalm 50:9-12, 14-15 ESV
Interesting.
God is gracious and He doesn't need anything from us. The literal translation of 'a sacrifice of thanksgiving' is 'make thanksgiving your sacrifice'. That changes things doesn't it?
I'm meditating on this idea and it is very convicting. God has great ability. Am I tying His hands?
If we owned 100 million dollars we would have some amazing abilities wouldn't we. Think of the equipment at our disposal and the real estate we could purchase. If we were smart we wouldn't ever have to use the money. Just having it would give us leverage.
This Psalm isn't directed at the needy person. Needy people claim these promises all the time but it isn't directed at that crowd. It is directed at those who think they have something to give.
Can't God sell some of that cattle and provide for the needy people? If He did then what kind of power would He have? His ability is rooted in His ownership.
"Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a cry, 'Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.' Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' But the wise answered, saying, 'Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.' And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, 'Lord, lord, open to us.' But he answered, 'Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.' Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour." - Matthew 25:1-13 ESV
The virgins had oil so they had illumination and access. No one can give me their oil and I can't give anyone my oil. I don't see God selling any cattle.
Grace is God's willingness to give favor. I see a God who is willing to deliver and wants us to have wisdom so that we can access what we already possess if we know Him. A child of God is an the heir of a King who will never die.
I often see a need for my thinking to shift. Does God need what ever it is I have to give? No. People might but God doesn't. The sacrifice is praise. If I use my brain and cry out to Him it the time of trouble He is glorified. He never sells anything and I never sacrifice anything. It is finished.
Progress is made when our lamp is full of oil. We can help in other ways because we love people. We can give time and resources. There is no out giving God. Best of all we can point people to the richest One of All who will give a person their own oil.
--
"I will not accept a bull from your house or goats from your folds. For every beast of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills. I know all the birds of the hills, and all that moves in the field is mine. If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world and its fullness are mine... Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and perform your vows to the Most High, and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me." - Psalm 50:9-12, 14-15 ESV
Interesting.
God is gracious and He doesn't need anything from us. The literal translation of 'a sacrifice of thanksgiving' is 'make thanksgiving your sacrifice'. That changes things doesn't it?
I'm meditating on this idea and it is very convicting. God has great ability. Am I tying His hands?
If we owned 100 million dollars we would have some amazing abilities wouldn't we. Think of the equipment at our disposal and the real estate we could purchase. If we were smart we wouldn't ever have to use the money. Just having it would give us leverage.
This Psalm isn't directed at the needy person. Needy people claim these promises all the time but it isn't directed at that crowd. It is directed at those who think they have something to give.
Can't God sell some of that cattle and provide for the needy people? If He did then what kind of power would He have? His ability is rooted in His ownership.
"Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a cry, 'Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.' Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' But the wise answered, saying, 'Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.' And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, 'Lord, lord, open to us.' But he answered, 'Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.' Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour." - Matthew 25:1-13 ESV
The virgins had oil so they had illumination and access. No one can give me their oil and I can't give anyone my oil. I don't see God selling any cattle.
Grace is God's willingness to give favor. I see a God who is willing to deliver and wants us to have wisdom so that we can access what we already possess if we know Him. A child of God is an the heir of a King who will never die.
I often see a need for my thinking to shift. Does God need what ever it is I have to give? No. People might but God doesn't. The sacrifice is praise. If I use my brain and cry out to Him it the time of trouble He is glorified. He never sells anything and I never sacrifice anything. It is finished.
Progress is made when our lamp is full of oil. We can help in other ways because we love people. We can give time and resources. There is no out giving God. Best of all we can point people to the richest One of All who will give a person their own oil.
--
Tuesday, January 26, 2016
The Power Described In Acts Chapter One
"So when they had come together, they asked him, 'Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?' He said to them, 'It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.' And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight." - Acts 1:6-9 ESV
What a picture this is. When you are taught a new skill by an instructor that instructor often gives a demonstration of what they are going to teach you.
The power God gives us is a witnessing power and part of the demonstration of that witness is our ability to rise above situations because of our Heavenly position. We don't rise into the air like Jesus did but we have a place in Heaven because He did rise. No matter what happens on Earth that can never be taken away from us.
Those who believe in Jesus and talk to others about Him in an evangelical way are very aware of this rising above power. Those or you who don't know Christ or do and but keep this knowledge to yourself aren't going to have this dynamic active in your life. The power spoken of here in Acts 1 is a soul winner's power.
A person who takes a self defense class is no longer powerless because they have been shown and they have practiced proven techniques. They have more options in a situation than someone who has no exposure. The same principle is true for the believer.
I'm not saying this is some 'second blessing' of some kind and that those who don't go are missing out. We were given fullness at the moment of our salvation. This is an area where we can ride the wave. Jesus tells us to go. There are rewards now and later for taking special heed to His words. If you read the passage again you will notice that this isn't just a suggestion. He wants us to rise above with Him and this is the place where we have the power to do it.
--
What a picture this is. When you are taught a new skill by an instructor that instructor often gives a demonstration of what they are going to teach you.
The power God gives us is a witnessing power and part of the demonstration of that witness is our ability to rise above situations because of our Heavenly position. We don't rise into the air like Jesus did but we have a place in Heaven because He did rise. No matter what happens on Earth that can never be taken away from us.
Those who believe in Jesus and talk to others about Him in an evangelical way are very aware of this rising above power. Those or you who don't know Christ or do and but keep this knowledge to yourself aren't going to have this dynamic active in your life. The power spoken of here in Acts 1 is a soul winner's power.
A person who takes a self defense class is no longer powerless because they have been shown and they have practiced proven techniques. They have more options in a situation than someone who has no exposure. The same principle is true for the believer.
I'm not saying this is some 'second blessing' of some kind and that those who don't go are missing out. We were given fullness at the moment of our salvation. This is an area where we can ride the wave. Jesus tells us to go. There are rewards now and later for taking special heed to His words. If you read the passage again you will notice that this isn't just a suggestion. He wants us to rise above with Him and this is the place where we have the power to do it.
--
Friday, November 6, 2015
Lies And Power
It is no wonder that many politicians are liars. Lying is an extension of power lust.
"Now Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard in Jezreel, beside the palace of Ahab king of Samaria. And after this Ahab said to Naboth, 'Give me your vineyard, that I may have it for a vegetable garden, because it is near my house, and I will give you a better vineyard for it; or, if it seems good to you, I will give you its value in money.' But Naboth said to Ahab, 'The LORD forbid that I should give you the inheritance of my fathers.' And Ahab went into his house vexed and sullen because of what Naboth the Jezreelite had said to him, for he had said, 'I will not give you the inheritance of my fathers.' And he lay down on his bed and turned away his face and would eat no food." - 1 Kings 21:1-4 ESV
This is where is starts. The King wants something he can't have. People lie to add things to themselves. Convenient things like power or false peace. Wine and grapes often represent happiness in the scriptures. More grapes meant more wine. Ahab wanted to add to his happiness. There was no honest means to do that.
"But Jezebel his wife came to him and said to him, 'Why is your spirit so vexed that you eat no food?' And he said to her, 'Because I spoke to Naboth the Jezreelite and said to him, 'Give me your vineyard for money, or else, if it please you, I will give you another vineyard for it.' And he answered, 'I will not give you my vineyard.'' And Jezebel his wife said to him, 'Do you now govern Israel? Arise and eat bread and let your heart be cheerful; I will give you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.' " - 1 Kings 21:5-7 ESV
Here we see the birth a the lie. Reason dances with power and devises a method.
This whole chapter is worth reading but if I quoted it all here this would be a very long post. Jezebel promotes Naboth but she is setting him up to knock him down. Once he is down Jezebel presents the vineyard to Ahab her husband.
"Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying, 'Arise, go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, who is in Samaria; behold, he is in the vineyard of Naboth, where he has gone to take possession. And you shall say to him, 'Thus says the LORD, 'Have you killed and also taken possession?'' And you shall say to him, 'Thus says the LORD: 'In the place where dogs licked up the blood of Naboth shall dogs lick your own blood.'' Ahab said to Elijah, 'Have you found me, O my enemy?' " - 1 Kings 21:17-20a ESV
Ahab sees the prophet as his enemy that he must coexist with. For Ahab everything was a power struggle.
It is easy to detach ourselves from an account like this but we are kings also in our own circle of influence. Sweet little girls learn to lie. Timid young men do also. We all do. Some embrace the practice more than others but all human beings lie. All except One.
"I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living. I believed, even when I spoke: 'I am greatly afflicted'; I said in my alarm, 'All mankind are liars.' " - Psalm 116:9-11 ESV
"All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned - every one - to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all." - Isaiah 53:6 ESV
Powerful people lie but it is also not strange to see that the ones most angry at lies are powerful people also. Power. Morality becomes just another way to enforce order.
God has laid every lie on Jesus Christ. All human lies are already paid for.
Still lies hurt people. They are illusions crafted for gain, protection and convenience.
There are individuals that I know and love who are just not honest with me much of the time. They feel the need to project a persona. I love them. I realize the situation and greatly value them. My desire is not to get them to come clean with me. My desire is that grace would build them up to a point where the persona would melt away and they would be free to live in the truth of what God has already done on their behalf.
There is a little phrase I like... 'I don't do fiction.' It isn't a moral thing. Grace has made fiction obsolete.
The lie creates a covering. It reshapes reality by skewing perception. If the lie is believed there is a false sense of power and acceptance. People lie to impress. They lie to avoid. They lie to get.
The cross throws a monkey wrench into all of that. Human cruelty and God's compassion meet there and burst all illusions. The cross breaks things while at the same time it was the place where the Son satisfied the Father's need for justice and holiness. The cross disassociates us from false identifications.
Grace causes us to connect with a pre-creation identity that is outside of time. It is eternal. New. It is better than fiction. It is higher.
1 John 1:9 is our provision to confess truth and be cleansed. God is faithful to connect us to cleansing and disconnect us from the past.
Grace is God's method with mankind. Grace coaxes us into the light. The cross kills the liar and the rules written against him with Christ on the cross. God adopts the person who used to thrive in misconception and elevates them because they have a new identity in what Christ has done.
God cares for us. I sometimes imagine Him looking at us living in our small world of limited perception with great care and a kind of pity. We jump to conclusions and don't even know it. We rationalize and misunderstand so much. He knows what we are thinking just won't work. He loves us too much to leave us where we are but respects our right to make our own decisions so much that He won't override our will.
That is why Jesus came. That is why (in part) that the Father sent His Son. The truth walked among us to free us from all falsehood. In Christ the need to alter the landscape to gain an advantage disappears. God prospers us in our own vineyard and multiples it's harvest.
--
"Now Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard in Jezreel, beside the palace of Ahab king of Samaria. And after this Ahab said to Naboth, 'Give me your vineyard, that I may have it for a vegetable garden, because it is near my house, and I will give you a better vineyard for it; or, if it seems good to you, I will give you its value in money.' But Naboth said to Ahab, 'The LORD forbid that I should give you the inheritance of my fathers.' And Ahab went into his house vexed and sullen because of what Naboth the Jezreelite had said to him, for he had said, 'I will not give you the inheritance of my fathers.' And he lay down on his bed and turned away his face and would eat no food." - 1 Kings 21:1-4 ESV
This is where is starts. The King wants something he can't have. People lie to add things to themselves. Convenient things like power or false peace. Wine and grapes often represent happiness in the scriptures. More grapes meant more wine. Ahab wanted to add to his happiness. There was no honest means to do that.
"But Jezebel his wife came to him and said to him, 'Why is your spirit so vexed that you eat no food?' And he said to her, 'Because I spoke to Naboth the Jezreelite and said to him, 'Give me your vineyard for money, or else, if it please you, I will give you another vineyard for it.' And he answered, 'I will not give you my vineyard.'' And Jezebel his wife said to him, 'Do you now govern Israel? Arise and eat bread and let your heart be cheerful; I will give you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.' " - 1 Kings 21:5-7 ESV
Here we see the birth a the lie. Reason dances with power and devises a method.
This whole chapter is worth reading but if I quoted it all here this would be a very long post. Jezebel promotes Naboth but she is setting him up to knock him down. Once he is down Jezebel presents the vineyard to Ahab her husband.
"Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying, 'Arise, go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, who is in Samaria; behold, he is in the vineyard of Naboth, where he has gone to take possession. And you shall say to him, 'Thus says the LORD, 'Have you killed and also taken possession?'' And you shall say to him, 'Thus says the LORD: 'In the place where dogs licked up the blood of Naboth shall dogs lick your own blood.'' Ahab said to Elijah, 'Have you found me, O my enemy?' " - 1 Kings 21:17-20a ESV
Ahab sees the prophet as his enemy that he must coexist with. For Ahab everything was a power struggle.
It is easy to detach ourselves from an account like this but we are kings also in our own circle of influence. Sweet little girls learn to lie. Timid young men do also. We all do. Some embrace the practice more than others but all human beings lie. All except One.
"I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living. I believed, even when I spoke: 'I am greatly afflicted'; I said in my alarm, 'All mankind are liars.' " - Psalm 116:9-11 ESV
"All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned - every one - to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all." - Isaiah 53:6 ESV
Powerful people lie but it is also not strange to see that the ones most angry at lies are powerful people also. Power. Morality becomes just another way to enforce order.
God has laid every lie on Jesus Christ. All human lies are already paid for.
Still lies hurt people. They are illusions crafted for gain, protection and convenience.
There are individuals that I know and love who are just not honest with me much of the time. They feel the need to project a persona. I love them. I realize the situation and greatly value them. My desire is not to get them to come clean with me. My desire is that grace would build them up to a point where the persona would melt away and they would be free to live in the truth of what God has already done on their behalf.
There is a little phrase I like... 'I don't do fiction.' It isn't a moral thing. Grace has made fiction obsolete.
The lie creates a covering. It reshapes reality by skewing perception. If the lie is believed there is a false sense of power and acceptance. People lie to impress. They lie to avoid. They lie to get.
The cross throws a monkey wrench into all of that. Human cruelty and God's compassion meet there and burst all illusions. The cross breaks things while at the same time it was the place where the Son satisfied the Father's need for justice and holiness. The cross disassociates us from false identifications.
Grace causes us to connect with a pre-creation identity that is outside of time. It is eternal. New. It is better than fiction. It is higher.
1 John 1:9 is our provision to confess truth and be cleansed. God is faithful to connect us to cleansing and disconnect us from the past.
Grace is God's method with mankind. Grace coaxes us into the light. The cross kills the liar and the rules written against him with Christ on the cross. God adopts the person who used to thrive in misconception and elevates them because they have a new identity in what Christ has done.
God cares for us. I sometimes imagine Him looking at us living in our small world of limited perception with great care and a kind of pity. We jump to conclusions and don't even know it. We rationalize and misunderstand so much. He knows what we are thinking just won't work. He loves us too much to leave us where we are but respects our right to make our own decisions so much that He won't override our will.
That is why Jesus came. That is why (in part) that the Father sent His Son. The truth walked among us to free us from all falsehood. In Christ the need to alter the landscape to gain an advantage disappears. God prospers us in our own vineyard and multiples it's harvest.
--
Tuesday, September 8, 2015
Help Our Unbelief
"And someone from the crowd answered him, 'Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he has a spirit that makes him mute. And whenever it seizes him, it throws him down, and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid. So I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they were not able.'
And he answered them, 'O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him to me.'
And they brought the boy to him. And when the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. And Jesus asked his father, 'How long has this been happening to him?'
And he said, 'From childhood. And it has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.'
And Jesus said to him, 'If you can? All things are possible for one who believes.'
Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, 'I believe; help my unbelief!' " - Mark 9:17-24 ESV
Who doesn't identify with that father? This wasn't a new problem. This was an consistant scary problem right in the center of their family that involved one of their children.
Jesus didn't call that generation poor or ignorant. He called them faithless.
He healed the child. The disciples couldn't.
"And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting." - Mark 9:29 KJV
We indulge ourselves and we have no power. While we do it we walk by sight and cease to have a deep prayer connection.
Jesus used His liberty to draw near to God.
There is no condemnation for you or for me.
Healing is sovereign. The disciples didn't help anyone. God did. We don't heal anyone... not really. We might help by removing the thing that causes injury. We might help by introducing things that assist in the healing process. God designed our bodies to heal themselves if the conditions are right.
This morning I cry out to God and say, 'I believe; help my unbelief'
God can do many things today. He often chooses to use believing people who are available. The issues people have are so deep inside them... so hidden... so impossible. Jesus is the only one who could ever walk by and actually do something.
" ' ...and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.' Amen." - Matthew 28:20b NKJV
This scripture says 'Amen' and we say, 'Amen' to what the scriptures says.
--
And he answered them, 'O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him to me.'
And they brought the boy to him. And when the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. And Jesus asked his father, 'How long has this been happening to him?'
And he said, 'From childhood. And it has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.'
And Jesus said to him, 'If you can? All things are possible for one who believes.'
Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, 'I believe; help my unbelief!' " - Mark 9:17-24 ESV
Who doesn't identify with that father? This wasn't a new problem. This was an consistant scary problem right in the center of their family that involved one of their children.
Jesus didn't call that generation poor or ignorant. He called them faithless.
He healed the child. The disciples couldn't.
"And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting." - Mark 9:29 KJV
We indulge ourselves and we have no power. While we do it we walk by sight and cease to have a deep prayer connection.
Jesus used His liberty to draw near to God.
There is no condemnation for you or for me.
Healing is sovereign. The disciples didn't help anyone. God did. We don't heal anyone... not really. We might help by removing the thing that causes injury. We might help by introducing things that assist in the healing process. God designed our bodies to heal themselves if the conditions are right.
This morning I cry out to God and say, 'I believe; help my unbelief'
God can do many things today. He often chooses to use believing people who are available. The issues people have are so deep inside them... so hidden... so impossible. Jesus is the only one who could ever walk by and actually do something.
" ' ...and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.' Amen." - Matthew 28:20b NKJV
This scripture says 'Amen' and we say, 'Amen' to what the scriptures says.
--
Sunday, September 6, 2015
Liberty That Is Produced And Maintained By Christ
"So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, 'If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.' " - John 8:31-32 ESV
The freedom that knowing Christ produces is contained in the framework of the truth and a willing submission to Christ as a teacher. This freedom is produced and contained by Christ's true words. With Christ at the center the freedom is contained. This is as true for the individual as it is for a society. Without Him the very freedoms Christianity made possible will beat the society or person to pieces.
It is like building a water tower and filling it with water. If you destroy the structure the water will eventually leak, eroding what it is dripping on, or come pouring out and cause damage to whatever is in it's path.
"For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery... You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace. For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness... A little leaven leavens the whole lump... For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another... For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law." - Galatians 5:1, 4-5, 9, 13, 17-18 ESV
Rules can't contain or produce freedom. Neither can humanistic man centered values. Left to himself man ruins things. History reveals that fact clearly enough.
If the Christian God produced the freedom why would we think we could maintain or contain it? Because we are proud people.
When liberty begins to fail it is replaced with associations with like-minded people who compliment us while excluding those who don't. We become conditional to protect ourselves.
When we exclude God or add to the message of grace until it is not grace anymore (only a pinch or leaven and time are needed to do that) then we are creating a vacuum that our flesh or some other tyrant will gladly come and fill.
"Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel... But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ." - Galatians 1:3-6, 11-12 KJV
The society or person that lives in the free gift God has given will be free and will grow progressively in freedom because this message truly is from Heaven and the freedom it produces is regulated by Heaven.
We are naive to think that we can't be drawn away. If it happened in the early Church it can happen to us. Jesus must be our focus and His grace must be our method. Then what He produces has a container that is also maintained by Him.
--
The freedom that knowing Christ produces is contained in the framework of the truth and a willing submission to Christ as a teacher. This freedom is produced and contained by Christ's true words. With Christ at the center the freedom is contained. This is as true for the individual as it is for a society. Without Him the very freedoms Christianity made possible will beat the society or person to pieces.
It is like building a water tower and filling it with water. If you destroy the structure the water will eventually leak, eroding what it is dripping on, or come pouring out and cause damage to whatever is in it's path.
"For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery... You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace. For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness... A little leaven leavens the whole lump... For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another... For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law." - Galatians 5:1, 4-5, 9, 13, 17-18 ESV
Rules can't contain or produce freedom. Neither can humanistic man centered values. Left to himself man ruins things. History reveals that fact clearly enough.
If the Christian God produced the freedom why would we think we could maintain or contain it? Because we are proud people.
When liberty begins to fail it is replaced with associations with like-minded people who compliment us while excluding those who don't. We become conditional to protect ourselves.
When we exclude God or add to the message of grace until it is not grace anymore (only a pinch or leaven and time are needed to do that) then we are creating a vacuum that our flesh or some other tyrant will gladly come and fill.
"Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel... But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ." - Galatians 1:3-6, 11-12 KJV
The society or person that lives in the free gift God has given will be free and will grow progressively in freedom because this message truly is from Heaven and the freedom it produces is regulated by Heaven.
We are naive to think that we can't be drawn away. If it happened in the early Church it can happen to us. Jesus must be our focus and His grace must be our method. Then what He produces has a container that is also maintained by Him.
--
Friday, September 4, 2015
Reassignments
Spaces have uses and the person who has power over the space determines the use of the space. When multiple parties are involved things get interesting. If the person or people with greater power or ownership determine that one occupying the space are not using it as they should or they want other people to use the space they initiate a process to make that happen. The most drastic of these processes is eviction. When eviction happens people are removed by force.
Most of us would probably like to live our life and never be evicted from anywhere or ever have to evict anyone from anywhere. It is drastic thing and if you have ever gone through it you know how hard it can be.
God is the first landlord to evict anyone. He gently evicted Adam and Eve from the garden of Eden. Death is an individual eviction that was caused by the fall but was initiated by God. God would rather is be a reassignment or promotion but He Is prepared to evict us eventually if necessary. The space we are presently occupying will eventually be needed for something else. That is how a fallen world works.
You might be reading this and getting evicted from your comfort zone. In one way I am sorry about that because I don't want to cause anyone discomfort but at the same time I think it is necessary for us at times. I need to leave my comfort zone or else I will not grow. I need to visit places I'd rather not go.
I was thinking this morning about grace and eviction.
Earlier I mentioned 'reassignment' and looking at the scriptures it seems clear to me that God wants to reassign us but He will evict us if necessary. He also sees the injustice and brutality of unjustified evictions.
Grace creates an eviction-free zone for us. Oh, How wonderful. But at the same time it serves an eviction notice on everything that is carnal in our lives.
We will never be kicked out of Heaven. God will never leave us. Our place will never be taken away in His kingdom. There is however a different plan for things here on Earth. Redemption often requires rearrangement.
"But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself." - Philippians 3:20-21 ESV
Jesus has met all the conditions for us to have an eviction free zone with God. The requirements have already been met and there is a whole provision packet involved.
"His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have. I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder," - 2 Peter 1:3-13 ESV
"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." - Romans 8:28 ESV
Yes... even the Earthly evictions we face become reassignments because God has a plan and that plan will result in good things.
Let's love one another. Comfort zones may get violated but let's love one another through it.
--
Most of us would probably like to live our life and never be evicted from anywhere or ever have to evict anyone from anywhere. It is drastic thing and if you have ever gone through it you know how hard it can be.
God is the first landlord to evict anyone. He gently evicted Adam and Eve from the garden of Eden. Death is an individual eviction that was caused by the fall but was initiated by God. God would rather is be a reassignment or promotion but He Is prepared to evict us eventually if necessary. The space we are presently occupying will eventually be needed for something else. That is how a fallen world works.
You might be reading this and getting evicted from your comfort zone. In one way I am sorry about that because I don't want to cause anyone discomfort but at the same time I think it is necessary for us at times. I need to leave my comfort zone or else I will not grow. I need to visit places I'd rather not go.
I was thinking this morning about grace and eviction.
Earlier I mentioned 'reassignment' and looking at the scriptures it seems clear to me that God wants to reassign us but He will evict us if necessary. He also sees the injustice and brutality of unjustified evictions.
Grace creates an eviction-free zone for us. Oh, How wonderful. But at the same time it serves an eviction notice on everything that is carnal in our lives.
We will never be kicked out of Heaven. God will never leave us. Our place will never be taken away in His kingdom. There is however a different plan for things here on Earth. Redemption often requires rearrangement.
"But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself." - Philippians 3:20-21 ESV
Jesus has met all the conditions for us to have an eviction free zone with God. The requirements have already been met and there is a whole provision packet involved.
"His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have. I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder," - 2 Peter 1:3-13 ESV
"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." - Romans 8:28 ESV
Yes... even the Earthly evictions we face become reassignments because God has a plan and that plan will result in good things.
Let's love one another. Comfort zones may get violated but let's love one another through it.
--
Tuesday, February 24, 2015
Power Present To Heal
When Jesus came into a room the power was present to heal.
"But so much the more went there a fame abroad of him: and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by him of their infirmities. And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed. And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judaea, and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was present to heal them." - Luke 5:15-17 KJV
Here is a great quote (I added the Strong's numbers):
'A tremendous process of healing is available to us, expressed by the various Greek words used for 'power' in Ephesians 1:19-21: God gives us His dunamis (Strong's G1411) - that is, His inherent ability because of who He is. Energeia (G1753) is the operation of God’s power in its proper place. Ischus (G2479) and kratos (G2904) work together to manifest that ability toward us. Then, in faith, believing, we choose to operate through His power in our frame of reference. Thus, we experience divine deliverance based on kuriotes (G2963) - Christ’s dominion over all things.' - P Carl Stevens
There is one more word for power not mentioned here, exousia (G1849), and it is the power of authority.
Dunamis is the word used in Luke 5:17. Jesus healed because of His nature. Virtue flowed out of Him. The verses that follow are amazing.
"And, behold, men brought in a bed a man which was taken with a palsy: and they sought means to bring him in, and to lay him before him. And when they could not find by what way they might bring him in because of the multitude, they went upon the housetop, and let him down through the tiling with his couch into the midst before Jesus.
And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee.
And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?
But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answering said unto them, What reason ye in your hearts? Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Rise up and walk? But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins, (he said unto the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house.
And immediately he rose up before them, and took up that whereon he lay, and departed to his own house, glorifying God. And they were all amazed, and they glorified God, and were filled with fear, saying, We have seen strange things to day." - Luke 5:18-26 KJV
In a way what the Pharisees said was true. Who can forgive sins? Who has that ability? Who has that right? Jesus did because of what He was about to do. He was going to go to the cross. His victory was present in His life before the event even happened in time.
Which is easier? Both are impossible for a fallen person. When we come under His covering we have the power to think with God. The Holy Spirit that has made our human spirit alive brings us into a divine dynamic.
Healing is waiting right there behind forgiveness. Jesus used healing to showcase God's forgiveness.
Healing is a sovereign thing. God's has a time and place in His plan for such things. But when we walk into a room forgiveness walks in with us and people may well see some 'strange things' when that forgiveness is showcased.
---
"But so much the more went there a fame abroad of him: and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by him of their infirmities. And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed. And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judaea, and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was present to heal them." - Luke 5:15-17 KJV
Here is a great quote (I added the Strong's numbers):
'A tremendous process of healing is available to us, expressed by the various Greek words used for 'power' in Ephesians 1:19-21: God gives us His dunamis (Strong's G1411) - that is, His inherent ability because of who He is. Energeia (G1753) is the operation of God’s power in its proper place. Ischus (G2479) and kratos (G2904) work together to manifest that ability toward us. Then, in faith, believing, we choose to operate through His power in our frame of reference. Thus, we experience divine deliverance based on kuriotes (G2963) - Christ’s dominion over all things.' - P Carl Stevens
There is one more word for power not mentioned here, exousia (G1849), and it is the power of authority.
Dunamis is the word used in Luke 5:17. Jesus healed because of His nature. Virtue flowed out of Him. The verses that follow are amazing.
"And, behold, men brought in a bed a man which was taken with a palsy: and they sought means to bring him in, and to lay him before him. And when they could not find by what way they might bring him in because of the multitude, they went upon the housetop, and let him down through the tiling with his couch into the midst before Jesus.
And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee.
And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?
But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answering said unto them, What reason ye in your hearts? Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Rise up and walk? But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins, (he said unto the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house.
And immediately he rose up before them, and took up that whereon he lay, and departed to his own house, glorifying God. And they were all amazed, and they glorified God, and were filled with fear, saying, We have seen strange things to day." - Luke 5:18-26 KJV
In a way what the Pharisees said was true. Who can forgive sins? Who has that ability? Who has that right? Jesus did because of what He was about to do. He was going to go to the cross. His victory was present in His life before the event even happened in time.
Which is easier? Both are impossible for a fallen person. When we come under His covering we have the power to think with God. The Holy Spirit that has made our human spirit alive brings us into a divine dynamic.
Healing is waiting right there behind forgiveness. Jesus used healing to showcase God's forgiveness.
Healing is a sovereign thing. God's has a time and place in His plan for such things. But when we walk into a room forgiveness walks in with us and people may well see some 'strange things' when that forgiveness is showcased.
---
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