Transcendence And The Upper Room

Transcendence sounds eastern. It is the claim that that there is existence outside the four walls of seventy years. A very attractive idea to those who are trapped. Our mind tells us, 'There is more.'

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 ESV - "For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."

The 'Upper Room' is a great study.

John 20:26 ESV - "Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, 'Peace be with you.' "

Jesus walked through walls to get to the trapped disciples who feared death. He Is the way in and the way out. We can't or won't exit the upper room. Fear of death keeps us there but Jesus enters in to give us the peace to exit the trap of four walls. We have a place to go beyond our seventy years. It is a timeless place filled with eternal people that took Christ's hand and escaped death.

The disciples found that place. They had the last supper there where Jesus revealed unique things. It was a 'transcendent' experience on many levels. He dies. They get trapped there by their own fear. He enters in to visit. Jesus ascends in Heaven. That room becomes a place of operation for the early church.

God got them into that room and God got them out. It became a place of strength.

That room is like our life of faith. It has stages but freedom, power and community are the end result.

Acts 1:10-14 ESV - "And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven." Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey away. And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James. All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers."

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The Umpire Of Our Soul

"And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts..." - Colossians 3:15a ASV

That word 'rule' is the Greek word brabeuō (Strong's G1018) and it means to govern or umpire. This tiny passage hidden in Colossians is likely where the idea of 'Christ coming into our hearts' comes from.

Some folks have a problem with an altar call that leads people in a prayer to have Christ come into a person's heart and I understand why. Salvation is the promised result of believing.

"But Jesus, not heeding the word spoken, saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Fear not, only believe." - Mark 5:36 ASV

"But Jesus hearing it, answered him, Fear not: only believe, and she shall be made whole." - Luke 8:50 ASV

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." - Revelation 3:20 ASV

Salvation comes when we believe. We don't save ourselves by our actions. God saves us when we believe. It isn't a work of any kind. It is trust. We open the door to the One who claims to be our friend and is the only One that has the legal right to save us because of His work on the cross.

"For it was the good pleasure of the Father that in him should all the fulness dwell; and through him to reconcile all things unto himself, having made peace through the blood of his cross; through him, I say, whether things upon the earth, or things in the heavens." - Colossians 1:19-20 ASV

It says Jesus made peace with God the Father through the blood of His cross in the first chapter of Colossians.

"And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts..." - Colossians 3:15a ASV

We can allow this peace to govern us. It can become an umpire that makes rulings.

'Do I have peace about what I'm planning to do?'

'Does this reflect the love and forgiveness in Christ?'

"Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." - Colossians 3:12-17 ESV

For many fear is the unofficial umpire of their soul. If we have no peace there is a void. Fear fills that void and we do or don't do based on fear.

Only believe.

"And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption." - Ephesians 4:30 ESV

Peace can become our oasis. Peace can be our umpire. The peace Jesus has and has won for us becomes ours and no one can take it away. Perfect love makes a ruling and casts out fear.

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Do Not Mask Your Fear

In reading this I couldn't help but notice Joseph's perspective of his motive in contrast to the angel's perspective.

"Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, 'Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.' All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:" - Matthew 1:18-22 ESV

The angel communicated that fear was at the root of Joseph's thoughts of purposeful abandonment. Joseph was about to make a fear based decision. The child clearly wasn't 'his' child but the child would save 'his people.'

Joseph was just and his fear was hidden behind good intentions. That is a danger associated with being a moral good person. Decisions can get a layer of justification.

The angel dared Joseph to switch to a redemptive mindset.

I think God wants us to make that shift in areas today. We must move from what is good in our own eyes to what is redemptive in God's eyes in order to see 'prophetic' fulfilment on a personal level.

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Mercy For The Faulty Father

If you are a father who has messed everything up with his children... God's mercies are new every morning.

If you are a child who has been hurt by a parent... God will adopt you as His own child and be the Heavenly parent that you need.

Jesus died for deadbeat dads. Jesus was raised for children of every age.

"I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you." - John 14:18 ESV

"The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." - Lamentations 3:22-23 ESV

Maybe your faithfulness has been lacking. Join the club. It has millions of members.

If in humility you and i will receive mercy and forgiveness then we can have the strength to make the hard choices. If you are breathing it isn't too late to initiate a relationship or a reconciliation. Pray and show love expecting nothing in return. Pray and do it at the right time. Stay built up in God's love. It isn't too late to stop hiding.

You may get rejected but at least you can stop living like a coward and face your fear. Once the fear is faced down the power it has just drains away.

Thank God for all the wonderful fathers out there that did so much for their children. God loves them and He loves you also. If His love was based on our merit we would all be in big trouble. We are loved because of Jesus. We are reconciling because of Christ.

There is new mercy today and it is powerful. It can cleanse away the deepest stain. We have a new day with fresh opportunities.

I want that mercy. Nothing can hold me for very long because of it. Thank You God for that fresh mercy!

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Fan The Holy Flame

Fan into flame the gift of God. He hasn't given you the spirit of fear. His Holy Spirit came with the gift of salvation and His Spirit is clean and full of love.

"As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy. I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." - 2 Timothy 1:4-7 ESV

Most of us don't 'fan' things today. When you fan something you are directing air on it. The Greek word pneuma (Strong's G4151) is the word for Spirit and for wind. Pneuma is moving air.

Think with God and be alive today. Fan the flame of faith. Fear freezes us or causes a reaction of fight or flight. God instructs us to fan the flame of faith and live in power, love and self-control. New life is a gift and there is power that came with that life. We have God's Holy Spirit intermingling with our human spirit.

I plan to go into this weekend stirring up love and directing spiritual life so that holy fires are ignited and enlarged.

Others (like Lois and Eunice mentioned in the scripture quoted above) have believed before us. Now it is our turn. We have been given new life because of what Jesus did on the cross. Now we can fan the flame of that good news in our hearts, in our circles of influence and beyond.

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Reading The Revolutionary Letters Of John Adams

Lately, I have been looking at the life of John Adams. A founding father of the United States. One of the five men who drafted the Declaration of Independence. The second President of the United States and father of the sixth President. He wore many hats actually.

I'm at the point where I am reading the correspondence between him and his wife before and during the war for independence. In a way, it feels strange reading someone else's mail. If these people were still around it would be an invasion of privacy but because they are historical figures, who saved the letters in part to preserve a time that was fading from the public memory during their own lifetime, I feel more justified.

John Adams was a farmer and a lawyer and the idea of revolution was a scary one. They weren't rich people and there is little monetary compensation during a revolution. Freedom from tyranny would have it's payoff later for some. Others would lose fortunes. This family relied heavily on the income from their farm and that meant Abigail and the children needed to work hard and live in a frugal way.

They knew people would die and just one death was such a high cost but the felt as a colony their backs were up against a wall and they were left with few choices. Buckle under or revolt.

They were brave people. They trusted in God. The Hollywood accounts don't show or emphasize that but they were people of faith. Not all the founding father were but they were.

Here are a few passages that come to mind this morning...

"I am for peace, but when I speak, they are for war!" - Psalm 120:7 ESV

"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

Liberty is worth the struggle but the choices are rarely easy that is true on a national and a personal level.

We all have personal struggles. Health. Finances. Relationship. Dreams that seem far from realization. Reading these letters reminds me that others have struggled and prevailed. Freedom is rare in this world but God wants us to be free. He has provisions for those who seek freedom for themselves and others.

The Apostle Paul could say this...

"For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing." - 2 Timothy 4:6-8 ESV

Jesus has won the war and has reconcilied God and mankind. What about our battles? Does His victory reach that far? It can. We can possess the freedom that is already ours.

John and Abigail Adams let truth guide their decision making. They valued human dignity and took a stand at great cost. Will we do the same?

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The Noise Of The Archers

"They that are delivered from the noise of archers in the places of drawing water, there shall they rehearse the righteous acts of the LORD, even the righteous acts toward the inhabitants of his villages in Israel: then shall the people of the LORD go down to the gates." - Judges 5:11 KJV

This passage is from Debra's song... She was a judge in Israel... A person raised up during the time when an oppressor had Israel under it's thumb... this is her victory song.

... the noise of the archers... it could also be translated the voice of the divider... the sound of an arrow as it passed you was a terrifying sound... a common tactic of bandits was to fire arrows just past a group of people so that they would drop what they were carrying and run for shelter then the bandits would take what ever they could with little or no loss of life.

In an age without telephones the places of drawing water were places were you met your neighbors and shared information as you got your provision for the day.

Have we been delivered from the 'noise of the archers' or have we been forced away from our places of drawing water?

Those who have been delivered from fear have something to say about God's righteous acts. The have liberty and access.

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The 'Weeping Teeth' Passages

How many people are trained by fear to produce moral behavior instead of growing in grace? Fear is a powerful motivator. The most powerful... but not the most productive.

"Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven;" - Luke 6:37 ESV

Many say that if you hold a grudge you will go to Hell based on this verse others believe in a karma type system that insists that if a person acts a certain way then the forces of the universe set in motion a series of events to make sure a person gets a taste of their own medicine.

Then there are the 'weeping teeth' passages. I like to call them that anyway...

"When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." - Matthew 8:10-12 KJV

"So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests. And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." - Matthew 22:10-13 KJV

"But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." - Matthew 24:48-51 KJV

"And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:" - Matthew 25:30-31 KJV

"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

"Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." - Matthew 7:22-23 KJV

Some look at these verses and say, 'See! God casts his servants into outer darkness if they do not do the right things.' but the point is missed entirely. These aren't salvation passages so much as damnation passages.

Behavior isn't the issue when it comes to salvation. Knowing Jesus is the issue. Knowing Jesus gives us a white garment. Knowing Jesus fills our lamps with oil. Knowing Jesus is the difference between 'doing many wonderful works' in God's name and being a wonderful work that God has produced.

God never uses a fear that has torment to motivate change... never ever. If we have never experienced forgiveness then we can't forgive and forgiveness is cut off from us. If we try to dress ourselves for the feast then we have a deep problem because we haven't made a true transaction with God.

Forgiving isn't how we get forgiveness. Seeking oil isn't how we get oil for our lanterns. Not lusting... not lying... being diligent... these things don't impress God. Our righteousness is filthy to God. Rags used to contain a mess are just dirty rags.

"On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, 'If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, 'Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.' Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified." - John 7:37-39 ESV

All of the 'weeping teeth' passages were given to people who could not yet experience the Spirit because He had not been given yet. They would. Jesus didn't lose anyone.

So if anyone tries to scare you into being better and claims that God is behind it don't believe them. If you use that tactic on yourself knock it off. It isn't the Gospel. No one has ever been transformed by fear. True change has only ever come by awe and love.

Turn to Jesus and you will turn away from everything else also. It might take time for the ugly things to drop away but they will.

"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ," - Titus 2:11-13 ESV

Grace will change us into the new person God has made us to be. Our effort only gets in the way.

This morning I see Jesus and my lamp is suddenly filled with oil. Just like the water was turned to wine. Just like the oil that is produced in the olive tree's olives.

"The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. ... But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires." - Romans 13:12, 14 ESV

I see the righteousness He has given me and I put the armor on as if it is a wedding garment. It all comes from God. It is free of charge.

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Adam's Alarm Goes Silent

"There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. We love because he first loved us." - 1 John 4:18-19 ESV

I was thinking this morning that fear can be like an alarm bell. Love silences that alarm and replaces it with something greater. The law was given in part to trip the alarm.

"By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return." - Genesis 3:19 ESV

'Ding. Ding. Ding.' Get up Adam. Your time has come. Do. Do. Do. Because soon it will be to late. All your progress is going to regress so make your impact now!

Panic is organic and fear is the primary trigger.

Believing the Gospel silences the fears. Some go all at once and others die out slowly or take time. Truth becomes reassuring. Hymns can replace the silent mantras of condemnation. Love casts out fear when grace is understood.

"We put no obstacle in anyone's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love; by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything. We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians; our heart is wide open. You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted in your own affections. In return (I speak as to children) widen your hearts also." - 2 Corinthians 6:3-13 ESV

If a person is motivated by fear they can't comprehend this passage. Calamities reinforce fear based motivation. Do. Do. Do. Becomes a preventive measure. Pain traumatizes and reinforces the organic cycle.

Grace establishes different motivations. Grace wants no obstacles to be put in a person's spiritual growth. Grace enlarges the heart. Grace sees calamity as a painful stepping stone and looks past the tragedy and sees something greater.

If this was a different medium I would draw a small heart inside someones chest then draw a bigger one. The heart would get larger and surround people. God's heart is larger then the night sky. God's heart is big and if you know Him yours gets bigger and bigger. Awareness of grace facilitates that process.

Paul says, 'Widen your hearts.' but knows as he is saying it that it is something you might say to a child. We must see Jesus and His large heart. When we see Him we are transformed. The alarms are silenced and the heart is widened.

"Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith..." - Hebrews 12:2a KJV

"For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: 'Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?' " - 1 Corinthians 15:53-55 ESV

One day the alarm will no longer be needed. The organic panic will be replaced by imperishable glory. What a great day that will be. As for now we keep taking doses of the antidote and fear is chased out of our lives.

Oh God. Please flood us with love this morning. We pray for the people we know that seem to live with the alarms blasting in their souls. Peace. We pray for peace. We pray that saving grace would be illuminated to us and to them. Grace saves and grace also keeps. We want to see the power of your resurrection today. Fear has a purpose but please silence the alarms for those who have moved past the danger. We want your words to be heard and for them to do a deep work. Thank you Lord. You are the amazing God.

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Ministers Of Reconciliation

"This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men." - Matthew 15:8-9 ESV

Intimacy is an unusual thing isn't it?

In Genesis chapter 32 Jacob feared his brother Esau and sent waves of gifts to his brother to try and make their meeting amicable. Then at the end of the chapter Jacob wrestles with an angel all night  until the angel cripples him. That wrestling match gave Jacob a capacity to meet his brother in chapter 33.

Some people let others into their lives foolishly and others have walls up. Intimacy can happen if there is a capacity for it and it can be lost if that capacity is lost.

We all have people in our lives that we just don't know how to get through to don't we? Perhaps there are people that don't know how to get through to us also.

"When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, 'Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?' He said to him, 'Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.' He said to him, 'Feed my lambs.' He said to him a second time, 'Simon, son of John, do you love me?' He said to him, 'Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.' He said to him, 'Tend my sheep.' He said to him the third time, 'Simon, son of John, do you love me?' Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, 'Do you love me?' and he said to him, 'Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.' Jesus said to him, 'Feed my sheep. Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.' " - John 21:15-18 ESV

Peter denied Jesus three times and now Jesus gives three questions to Peter that unravel his denials one by one but what interests me is this morning is Jesus pointing Peter to the care of his flock because that care is a call to intimacy. He is drawing Peter down a road of maturity.

Peter turns a corner much like Jacob does after his wrestling match.

I don't want to live a life 'Honoring God with my lips' but having my heart be somewhere else. God is waiting to be gracious with open arms and there is intimacy there in His embrace.

I'm praying this morning for a number of people who want reconciliation but just don't know how to find it. They struggle and send waves of gifts but the walls stay firmly in place.

"Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." - 2 Corinthians 5:20-21 ESV

Yes. God give us creativity. Your righteousness gives us the ability to be true to our self. Please lead us and make us beacons of reconciliation to You.

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A Trap Or A Stepping Stone?

Here is a great quote from the booklet I'm reading...

"Today, whatever state you are in, never separate your condition from God's compassion nor your pain from God's Holy Spirit. Do not let the pain destroy the amazing thing that God wants to do for you." - The Compassion of Christ

Are circumstances a trap or a stepping stone along the way?

If you look at the Gospel of John it is a series of encounters that Jesus has with people. Many of those people are trapped in some way but then they meet Christ and He frees them or heals them.

"Early in the morning he came again to the temple. All the people came to him, and he sat down and taught them. The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst they said to him, 'Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?' This they said to test him, that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, 'Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.' And once more he bent down and wrote on the ground. But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. Jesus stood up and said to her, 'Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?' She said, 'No one, Lord.' And Jesus said, 'Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.' " - John 8:2-11 ESV

Jesus gave this woman the same freedom that He had. He turned an end into a beginning.

God isn't going to leave us in our circumstances. He Is never going to leave us. At the same time He does not plan on staying anywhere for too long either. He Is on the move. His compassion is moving Him.

We don't have to leave where we are to go with God. We can remain true to our commitments and still walk with Him.

"Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil." - Ephesians 5:15-16 ESV

Life isn't a trap when we walk with God.

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Fear Holds Back Maturity

"There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love." - 1 John 4:18 ESV

The word 'perfected' is our finished work word teleioo (Strong's G5048) which speaks or being brought to maturity or ripeness. Fear holds us back. Fear means we are held back from a full understanding. Fear has nothing to do with, 'It is finished!'. It is related to punishment.

Punishment links us to the past. It holds us in our past actions.

Fear is the Devil's parenting style. Love is God's parenting style. One brings a child to maturity and the other keeps a child immature and in bondage as long as possible.

"You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies." - John 8:44 ESV

And he must lie to keep his power base. No one can finish the race. No one can become ripe or mature because if they do then they become a competitor to the ego of the accuser. They might become top dog... that can never happen.

Wow.

Love has nothing to do with punishment. Perfect love rejects fear as a motivator. It not only refuses to use it as a tactic it publicly has it removed from the room in front of the one it loves.

"Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." - Hebrews 4:16 ESV

"The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, 'Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!' And he said to them, 'I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.' " - Luke 10:17-19 ESV

We who believe are welcome before God's throne. Our past is gone but fear is not welcome. Fear was thrown down like lightning from Heaven.

Know Jesus. No Fear.

Hallelujah!

What about our presence? Is fear welcome? Is it a tool to be used to bring others to maturity or is it ushered out the door?  

Love says, 'You will grow strong and tall and I want that for you. Be who you are before God with your head held high. Don't say you haven't failed but don't let that failure keep you in bondage.'

"And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect." - Genesis 17:1 KJV

Yes. Walking before God is what will perfect us. Love has brought us into perfection and will produce maturity in us.

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Facing Down Goliath

"Now the Philistines gathered their armies for battle. And they were gathered at Socoh, which belongs to Judah, and encamped between Socoh and Azekah, in Ephes-dammim. And Saul and the men of Israel were gathered, and encamped in the Valley of Elah, and drew up in line of battle against the Philistines. And the Philistines stood on the mountain on the one side, and Israel stood on the mountain on the other side, with a valley between them. And there came out from the camp of the Philistines a champion named Goliath of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span." - 1 Samuel 17:1-4 ESV

Goliath was a giant from a nation that reveled in war and all things warlike. War was a sport to them. Goliath was just out looking for a few more notches on his belt and basking in all the fear and shame he could produce in other people.

Fears are mighty foes and fear mongers capitalize on fear. They push anything that looks unstable and try to make it fall. It is emotional pyromania.

One of the healthiest things we can do is face our fears but to be honest who wants to go against Goliath? He has chewed up and spit out many men. It is what he does for sport.

"And the Philistine said to David, 'Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?' And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. The Philistine said to David, 'Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and to the beasts of the field.'

Then David said to the Philistine, 'You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down and cut off your head. And I will give the dead bodies of the host of the Philistines this day to the birds of the air and to the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, and that all this assembly may know that the LORD saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is the LORD's, and he will give you into our hand.'

When the Philistine arose and came and drew near to meet David, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the Philistine." - 1 Samuel 17:43-48 ESV

Oh, It make you want to cheer inside doesn't it?

If fear is motivating us then we will just cower on our side of the mountain as the enemy amasses force on the other side. Goliath was just a stalling tactic. All that bologna about champion versus champion just a ploy to play on their honor to bring an easy victory. The Philistines wanted to shame the people to make them easier to fight. They never had any intentions of serving Israel.

It is easy to live a life of avoidance isn't it. To just cross unto the other side of the street face forward and just not get involved.

David wasn't a servant of Saul. He was on no man's leash. He was an arrow in the quiver of God. He was a free man.

Grace defies fear because it declares that God has given favor to a person. It is favor that no person or event can take away or diminish. It isn't foolish but it also doesn't back down.

David's speech was for the armies of Israel and for himself. His words made this contest a contest against God and His favor.

Go ahead and speak to that looming cloud that tries to cast it's shadow over your life. Rally your troops. A man or woman who serves The King of Kings needs never cower in fear.

We live in a victory that has already been won when we say, 'The battle is The Lord's!'

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Costly Love Casts Out Fear

I was thinking this morning that redemption is a 'value for value' transaction.

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it." - Matthew 13:45-46 ESV

A merchant would know the value of the pearl He saw. Seeing the value he sells off what he has to amass funds to get the thing that is precious.

"Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows." - Luke 12:6-7 ESV

Fear here is linked to a low value estimation. We think in our isolation that perhaps we don't matter to God and we sink into fear.

"Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you." - Matthew 7:6 ESV

God doesn't want us to be cheated. People give what should be given to only to God to people, concepts and things and in the end those things 'turn on them' causing disappointment and heart break.

A women gives her body to men but it really should be saved for one special man. A man gives his loyalty to a cause only to be disappointed when it falls short.

We give our precious moments to things but are we casting what is holy before dogs?

"Knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot." - 1 Peter 1:18-19 ESV

Fear is cast out by this perfect costly love. God paid the highest price for us. Love pays a high price and perfect love pays the highest price.

What is of the most value to God? Our heart... Our time. Our works are cheap compared to these things. Our vegetables are a secondhand offering (see Genesis 4 with Cain and Abel)

Grace is free because someone bought us an endless lifetime supply of favor. It was so costly that it leaves no room for me to be afraid.

When I see the value of one soul I begin to 'amass my funds' because I realize the stakes involved.

When I see the value of my marriage...

When I see the value of freedom...

When I see the value of my children...

Time and heart are my currency. I don't give them to those things... I give them to God and choose to lose my old life that was of little value to anyone and invest in a new life that was given as a free gift.

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Grace Cuts The Bars Of Bondage

"I will go before you and level the exalted places, I will break in pieces the doors of bronze and cut through the bars of iron, I will give you the treasures of darkness and the hoards in secret places, that you may know that it is I, the LORD, the God of Israel, who call you by your name." - Isaiah 45:2-3 ESV

I really like this verse. This is victory where we find hidden amassed treasure. It is not an attack we barely survive and have scars from. It is the conquest and discovery of secret things. Doors and security bars are cut open to reveal hoards of riches.

The treasure chest of time is found.

The hidden rooms of freedom are discovered.

The riches of creativity and integrity hidden away by guilt and a defeated self image see open air and sunshine for the first time.

"Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness." - Psalms 29:2 ESV

"Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines forth." - Psalms 50:2 ESV

"God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth." - John 4:24 ESV

"But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are safe; but when one stronger than he attacks him and overcomes him, he takes away his armor in which he trusted and divides his spoil. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters." - Luke 11:20-23 ESV

Who is the stronger man who kicks down the door and takes what has been locked up by lies and greed. Jesus is the stronger man. He sets us free then because of grace we live free.

"Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage." - Galatians 5:1 KJV

"Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery." - Hebrews 2:14-15 ESV

"Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you." - 1 Peter 5:6-10 ESV

Yes. Let words of grace come in.

"Thus says the LORD, 'Though they are at full strength and many, they will be cut down and pass away. Though I have afflicted you, I will afflict you no more. And now I will break his yoke from off you and will burst your bonds apart.' " - Nahum 1:12-13 ESV

Let the reality of grace cut the bars of the bondage of anxiety. Worship though you may be in a prison cell. Worship and the Earth will quake. The crumbling and shifting of your fragile humanity will cause pressure on the temporal structures built upon the sand and they will come down. Only what is on the rock will remain and that structure is shining and glorious.

"We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowlers; the snare is broken, and we have escaped! Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth." - Psalms 124:7-8 ESV

The name of the Lord is grace. Jesus is the name of the Lord!

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Let Faith Stand Alone

"Do not fear, only believe." - Mark 5:36b ESV

Another way to translate this is 'Not fear only faith'. The words is Monos (Strong's G3441) and it means to stand alone without a companion.

"For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel," - 2 Timothy 1:6-10 ESV

Not fear only faith because of grace.

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The Cure For What Plagues You

"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.' They answered him, 'We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, 'You will become free'?' Jesus answered them, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." John 8:31-36 ESV

Fear, guilt and shame. Individuals deal with them and they rule cultures in varying combinations. We are very naturally attracted to people who seen immune to these motivators. They appear to be the 'alpha dogs' to our fallen animal nature.

Shamelessness is anathema to the religious man but it is very attractive to the natural one. Freedom from shame seems like paradise. So does freedom from guilt and fear.

"Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against his Anointed, saying, 'Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.' He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision. Then he will speak to them in his wrath, and terrify them in his fury, saying, 'As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill.' " Psalms 2:1-6 ESV

The King God has set on His right hand is the King of freedom. Perhaps God laughs because of the misplaced blame. Whole nations blame Him for their bondage and conspire to have Him removed from their schools and gatherings. They want to take knowledge away from their people thinking it will cure them from guilt and shame.

Empires and cultures have tried to do just this thing. They have come and gone but God remains forever.

God says to His Son...

" 'Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.' Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him." Psalms 2:8-12 ESV

"The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward." Psalms 19:9-11 KJV

Grace is a kiss. Be afraid not to live in it. Why... because of consequences? The consequences are not the guilt and shame the world projects. The clean awe of God is the beginning of wisdom. This love casts out all imitations. This fire will not burn us. It will only consume our bondage.

Once you kiss the Son He makes you free... really free. You become free of the guilt people impose on you. Free of the shame that makes you want to hide. Free of a life of avoidance.

That is what fear with torment does it makes people hide and do whatever is required to avoid pain.

"If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin." 1 John 1:6-7 ESV

People have turned this verse into some works program but read it. Who hides from the light? What child skulks in the shadows and takes a long way home. A child who is avoiding someone they are afraid of.

If we face God and kiss His Son then we will soon be convinced that fear of anything is needless and obsolete. What guilt? What shame? They do not exist when standing before God... only love, acceptance and memories of God's faithfulness.

The Safe Place

"And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? 'My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.' It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live?" Hebrews 12:5-9 ESV

Did we all have father's like this? Perhaps not. Correction in a safe environment is a very beautiful place where wisdom and acceptance are mixed together. A place of limited or diminished danger but where experience is imparted because of care. Grace creates a zone of safety.

We have all been in situations where correction meant danger. Fight or flight kick in. We must defend ourselves against the adversary. We must win. It is kill or be killed. A job might be at stake. The spot on the team might be lost and the scholarship that goes with it if we show weakness of any kind.

Not with God. Oh no... Not with God. God fosters an atmosphere of learning in safety. At our worst God wants us. Grace invited us in at the height of our disqualification and showed us the power of love to give us a place of rest.

If I sense danger the urge to hide or resist can be there quite quickly and learning or turning gets put on the back burner.

"And say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof; And have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor inclined mine ear to them that instructed me! I was almost in all evil in the midst of the congregation and assembly." Proverbs 5:12-14 KJV

We can look back at the things that people tried to teach us and regret that we didn't receive them. We were so consumed with our self in avoidance or resistance that the lesson came later when it could have been sooner.

"For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? " 2 Corinthians 2:15-16 ESV

Grace is dangerous to the natural man because it removes the illusion of complete autonomy, self-reliance and solitary accountability. Grace provides safety to the one who can rest in a love they could never earn.

Grace removes the measuring stick that causes us to fear anything that would make us feel we fall short and reveals people who love and honor one another. Everyone becomes someone we can learn from. God is someone who has something we need and we are safe enough to get it from Him in humility.

There will need to be adjustments today. Changes in course and places where we must change our minds... or let them be changed... if we are going to adapt and grow. If we stand in grace that won't ruffle us... adaptation can happen in a fluid way.

God teach us today... you are our gracious father and there is so much we can learn from You today.

Walls Become Doors

"May his name endure forever, his fame continue as long as the sun! May people be blessed in him, all nations call him blessed! Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who alone does wondrous things. Blessed be his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory! Amen and Amen! The prayers of David, the son of Jesse, are ended." Psalms 72:17-20 ESV

The provision is so immense that it covers every person. Let word of it fill into every ear and mend every heart. God's Love is so great it could fill this planet like an ocean can fill a tea cup.

"Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, 'Peace be with you.' When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. So Jesus said to them again, 'Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.' " John 20:19-21 NKJV

Christ passed through the wall of fear to reach these people. Our walls are no obstacle for Him. Our limits do not limit Him. Seeing Christ transformed them. The walls must have faded into the background.

They saw the hands and side of one who passed through Death and returned to them with a smile. No door stopped Him because He was never going to leave them or forsake them to their fears.

"And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, 'Receive the Holy Spirit.' " - John 20:22 NKJV

He showed them the way out of fear and let them inhale what He was exhaling. They needed a deep breathe of hope.

There is a lot of talk that reinforces the walls of fear... not grace. Grace words pass through the walls and give you air to breathe again.

I'm taking a good look at Jesus today. He survived the un-survivable. He didn't dodge the bullet He took the bullet. Now nothing can touch Him and He is in my life and He is not ever going to go anywhere. His peace can take me out of whatever is keeping me in. His purpose displaces my need for survival and His glory fills the Earth.

"Blessed be his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory! Amen and Amen! The prayers of David, the son of Jesse, are ended." Psalms 72:19-20 ESV

I want my prayers to end here also.

High Stakes

The stakes must be high in a cause in order to engage us. The danger must be real or the reward must be great to make it worth our while. Most stories or biographies we remember hearing had high stakes. Loss of life or love... saving the world or risking a fortune.

This weighing of events is something we do in the visible and the invisible portions of our thought life. Fear may assault us when the personal stakes are high even though we may not understand the reasons and the reaction seems illogical. Our soul senses a potential loss. The higher the perceived loss the greater the fear.

On the other hand lust perceives a great reward. Cycles of sin can plague a person because even though they grow to hate the thing they do... deep in the recesses of who they are part of them sees a great, if only momentary, pay off.

Here is a great quote:

"The battle is lost or won in the secret places of the will before God, never first in the external world. The Spirit of God apprehends me and I am obliged to get alone with God and fight the battle out before Him. Until this is done, I lose every time. The battle may take one minute or a year, that will depend on me, not on God; but it must be wrestled out alone before God, and I must resolutely go through the hell of a renunciation before Him. Nothing has any power over the man who has fought out the battle before God and won there." -Oswald Chambers

In the light Grace and Truth trump any Earthly reward. Love and absolute acceptance make us brave. Our flesh will still cleave to the dust but the Spirit of God elevates us to the heights.

A steady diet of truth and sparring matches with God ready us for the battle that lies ahead.

It is said that every battle is a "battle of the mind" that the more we sweat in training the less we will bleed in battle. There is truth in that.

Christ has won the war. The victory has been declared in a land far away. It has been declared in the Book He has given us. I must hear it is my soul. It must be settled in my being. Sometimes we must go toe to toe with God and struggle with Him in order for it to be real to us. In this arena of discipleship God waves us on and says, "You want a piece of Me. Come and get it. Let's settle this once and for all." When the sun rises in us we find that miraculously God has not lost yet we have been declared the victor. The teacher has changed the student and the lesson has changed the stakes of our decisions forever.

If you think you will survive this life based solely on strength you are wrong. You will be enticed by a fable and not even know why. The battle needs to be won before you go... and it has been won. Our victory is the cross.