I see in this next passage a great parallel to the human experience. We 'grow in grace' and our diminished capacity gets restored.
"There is hope for your future, declares the LORD, and your children shall come back to their own country. I have heard Ephraim grieving, 'You have disciplined me, and I was disciplined, like an untrained calf; bring me back that I may be restored, for you are the LORD my God. For after I had turned away, I relented, and after I was instructed, I struck my thigh; I was ashamed, and I was confounded, because I bore the disgrace of my youth.' Is Ephraim my dear son? Is he my darling child? For as often as I speak against him, I do remember him still. Therefore my heart yearns for him; I will surely have mercy on him, declares the LORD. 'Set up road markers for yourself; make yourself guideposts; consider well the highway, the road by which you went. Return, O virgin Israel, return to these your cities.' " - Jeremiah 31:17-21 ESV
This is a parallel but not a perfect one. God is anthropomorphizing Israel. Israel isn't a person (anthropomorphizing is giving an object or thing human qualities). People 'slap their thigh' about their past. Their eyes look up and away as they sigh or groan remembering.
God speaks often against Israel in the scriptures but He never speaks against us. We only identify with the 'darling child' part of this passage. That is one place where the parallel breaks down. God does remember the transgressions of an institution but sin and sins of individuals have been paid for on the cross. We are prodigals who have returned. God has nothing but gifts for us and restored status. Our sin was cast into the deepest sea.
He gave them a way back and we have a way back also. Grace thinking is our way back. Maturity is when we return and set up landmarks as reminders.
'Return, O virgin Israel'
Yes. We are clean like that. Grace will establish that reality if we let it wash us. If we learn to think with God. Our groans will turn into laughter. Detachment will happen when there is a new healthy identification with what Christ has done on our behalf.
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Showing posts with label Grace Economy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Grace Economy. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 28, 2017
Friday, March 27, 2015
Like He Has Loved Us
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another." - John 13:34 ESV
Grace is God loving us His way. Giving grace is us loving each other the same way that God has loved us.
Isn't that something? I marvel at it. It breaks me. As I ponder it it brings tears of joy to my eyes
It is love that has freedom. It is love that gives space but sticks close at the same time. It is warm and new without being sentimental. It is jealous in that it won't let a person go but respects a person's right to choose.
This love has changed me forever.
How can I love the way a perfect person has loved me? How can I love like a man who went to the cross in my place? He is the master. I am the student. In my own feeble fashion I dip my brush in paint as I look to His masterpiece and let the inspiration given but what I am beholding flow through me.
The Apostle Peter loved people the same way he was loved... so did John and the other disciples... each had a different flavor of it but their work resembled their master.
God let all that we do resemble what you have done. Not by effort but by inspiration given through the life of Your Son.
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Grace is God loving us His way. Giving grace is us loving each other the same way that God has loved us.
Isn't that something? I marvel at it. It breaks me. As I ponder it it brings tears of joy to my eyes
It is love that has freedom. It is love that gives space but sticks close at the same time. It is warm and new without being sentimental. It is jealous in that it won't let a person go but respects a person's right to choose.
This love has changed me forever.
How can I love the way a perfect person has loved me? How can I love like a man who went to the cross in my place? He is the master. I am the student. In my own feeble fashion I dip my brush in paint as I look to His masterpiece and let the inspiration given but what I am beholding flow through me.
The Apostle Peter loved people the same way he was loved... so did John and the other disciples... each had a different flavor of it but their work resembled their master.
God let all that we do resemble what you have done. Not by effort but by inspiration given through the life of Your Son.
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Thursday, January 29, 2015
Graced Out Forgiveness
In my study this morning I keep thinking about how 'sin consciousness' is my enemy.
"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." - Colossians 3:12-13 ESV
The word used for forgive and forgiving is charizomai (Strong's G5483) it comes from the same root as grace but it is a verb. It can be translated 'give grace' or even 'gracing' which sounds a bit strange to our ears. It is also used here:
"Anyone whom you forgive, I also forgive. Indeed, what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of Christ," - 2 Corinthians 2:10 ESV
The idea of forgiveness can have a sin oriented focus but this word has a grace oriented focus. When we give grace we give a favor that is divorced from performance good or bad. It is outside of that.
When we put on Jesus Christ we give grace. If we became a lion we would roar like one or if we became a fish we would swim like one. When we put on Christ we give grace like God does. God is not thinking with a sin focus. Sin is paid for and has been put away. God is free to lavish grace.
When we have a complaint we shift into grace mode. That does not erase the complaint or sweep it under the rug per se. We just don't focus on the issue and get blinded by it. We focus on the relationship and deal with the person like Christ has dealt with us.
There may be people in our lives that give us a lot of trouble. They may just rub us the wrong way often but instead of thinking, 'I need to just forgive this idiot again.' we function is the grace that has been given to us. Forgiveness is rolled up into that grace package. We give that person the favor we would give to anyone because God has given us great favor hasn't He?
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"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." - Colossians 3:12-13 ESV
The word used for forgive and forgiving is charizomai (Strong's G5483) it comes from the same root as grace but it is a verb. It can be translated 'give grace' or even 'gracing' which sounds a bit strange to our ears. It is also used here:
"Anyone whom you forgive, I also forgive. Indeed, what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of Christ," - 2 Corinthians 2:10 ESV
The idea of forgiveness can have a sin oriented focus but this word has a grace oriented focus. When we give grace we give a favor that is divorced from performance good or bad. It is outside of that.
When we put on Jesus Christ we give grace. If we became a lion we would roar like one or if we became a fish we would swim like one. When we put on Christ we give grace like God does. God is not thinking with a sin focus. Sin is paid for and has been put away. God is free to lavish grace.
When we have a complaint we shift into grace mode. That does not erase the complaint or sweep it under the rug per se. We just don't focus on the issue and get blinded by it. We focus on the relationship and deal with the person like Christ has dealt with us.
There may be people in our lives that give us a lot of trouble. They may just rub us the wrong way often but instead of thinking, 'I need to just forgive this idiot again.' we function is the grace that has been given to us. Forgiveness is rolled up into that grace package. We give that person the favor we would give to anyone because God has given us great favor hasn't He?
---
Monday, November 10, 2014
The Flow Of Our Soul In Newness
"And he who was seated on the throne said, 'Behold, I am making all things new.' Also he said, 'Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.' And he said to me, 'It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment.' " - Revelation 21:5-6 ESV
All things new... Really? Yes, All things.
God knows we are used to paying for what we want or need but in this new economy the water of life is free.
Newness. Not tired oldness. Not what we are used to. Our old methods won't work when all things are new.
Our soul is an intermingling of mind, emotions, will, conscience and consciousness of self. We could say that as our personality becomes fixed the arrangement of our soul becomes fixed as well. Fixed like the path of a river becomes fixed... fluid but moving in certain lines or ruts. Some people make primarily emotional decisions or intellectual ones or conscience based decisions. But, In freedom our soul's configuration changes. Our living spirit receives from God and we become healthy people. The water of the Word washes our soul. The Word is built up as line upon structures providing a new framework for our soul to operate in. Our will once ironclad or willy nilly now changes from a yes-no response to a yes-amen response when presented with decisions that are made in God's eternal value system.
"Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me." - Philippians 4:11-13 ESV
Paul's soul had become flexible within a new framework. The framework of grace made him rich even when he was poor and poor when he was rich. The water of life was free and Paul's attention was captured by Christ as situations came and went. His will rose to the top and he made decisions in spite of how he felt or what he thought. Paul had a supply from above and a purpose to function in that made him a thankful man who prayed through situations and saw God answer in redemptive ways. God didn't free him from jail but people in the house of Rome were saved one by one and books of the Bible were written there.
God did free Peter from jail (see Acts 12:5f) answering the prayers of believers praying in faith but He didn't free Paul that way. Both men were free inside. Both men had souls that functioned differently than they did before because of a growing awareness of newness.
As believers we are new creatures that inhale and exhale newness. The old things no longer work.
God, Renew our minds. Reconfigure our souls by showing us Christ today in a fresh way. Make us ambassadors of newness in the situations we face with creative methods that come from a perspective of freedom. We trust you for this. It is not by our power but by Your power. Your will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven in our lives today.
--
All things new... Really? Yes, All things.
God knows we are used to paying for what we want or need but in this new economy the water of life is free.
Newness. Not tired oldness. Not what we are used to. Our old methods won't work when all things are new.
Our soul is an intermingling of mind, emotions, will, conscience and consciousness of self. We could say that as our personality becomes fixed the arrangement of our soul becomes fixed as well. Fixed like the path of a river becomes fixed... fluid but moving in certain lines or ruts. Some people make primarily emotional decisions or intellectual ones or conscience based decisions. But, In freedom our soul's configuration changes. Our living spirit receives from God and we become healthy people. The water of the Word washes our soul. The Word is built up as line upon structures providing a new framework for our soul to operate in. Our will once ironclad or willy nilly now changes from a yes-no response to a yes-amen response when presented with decisions that are made in God's eternal value system.
"Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me." - Philippians 4:11-13 ESV
Paul's soul had become flexible within a new framework. The framework of grace made him rich even when he was poor and poor when he was rich. The water of life was free and Paul's attention was captured by Christ as situations came and went. His will rose to the top and he made decisions in spite of how he felt or what he thought. Paul had a supply from above and a purpose to function in that made him a thankful man who prayed through situations and saw God answer in redemptive ways. God didn't free him from jail but people in the house of Rome were saved one by one and books of the Bible were written there.
God did free Peter from jail (see Acts 12:5f) answering the prayers of believers praying in faith but He didn't free Paul that way. Both men were free inside. Both men had souls that functioned differently than they did before because of a growing awareness of newness.
As believers we are new creatures that inhale and exhale newness. The old things no longer work.
God, Renew our minds. Reconfigure our souls by showing us Christ today in a fresh way. Make us ambassadors of newness in the situations we face with creative methods that come from a perspective of freedom. We trust you for this. It is not by our power but by Your power. Your will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven in our lives today.
--
Saturday, August 30, 2014
God's Praise
Every justified person will have praise from God.
"For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord. Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God." - 1 Corinthians 4:4-5 KJV
That is grace... wonderful grace... imagine a person who has done nothing right and has messed everything up but they stand before God and He has praise for them... maybe nobody else would do that or if they did they were disappointed again and again.
But when God sees them He might well say something like this, 'Thank you. I am glad to know you. You received my Son and I gladly receive you.'
I can't tell you how much this little fact means to me. When I first heard it in P Lutz's class 20 years ago it changed my life. Even reading it now it breaks me. This is my loving God. This is the heart of my Savior.
--
"For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord. Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God." - 1 Corinthians 4:4-5 KJV
That is grace... wonderful grace... imagine a person who has done nothing right and has messed everything up but they stand before God and He has praise for them... maybe nobody else would do that or if they did they were disappointed again and again.
But when God sees them He might well say something like this, 'Thank you. I am glad to know you. You received my Son and I gladly receive you.'
I can't tell you how much this little fact means to me. When I first heard it in P Lutz's class 20 years ago it changed my life. Even reading it now it breaks me. This is my loving God. This is the heart of my Savior.
--
Friday, August 29, 2014
Goods and Services
Every time money changes hands in a business transaction it can be boiled down to either the exchange of goods or services.
We see people getting involved in fly by night business schemes all the time don't we?
It is a good principle to understand when evaluating a potential business opportunity... what is the service being provided? Is there a product and what is the demand and distribution method? Interesting ideas are not always profitable ones.
God wants a different transaction.. He wants your heart. No product or service is produced or expected. God desires connection not profit.
That is why faith is not a work. It is intimate trust.
God gives us beauty for ashes. (see Isaiah 61:3)
"No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon." - Luke 16:13 NKJV
If we live life like it is a cold business transaction then we are in very bad company.
"You were an anointed guardian cherub. I placed you; you were on the holy mountain of God; in the midst of the stones of fire you walked. You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created, till unrighteousness was found in you. In the abundance of your trade you were filled with violence in your midst, and you sinned; so I cast you as a profane thing from the mountain of God, and I destroyed you, O guardian cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire." - Ezekiel 28:14-16 ESV
Don't get me wrong I am all for good business practices. God wants a just balance.
It is important to understand that His relationship with us is not a business transaction. Our relationships to each other should not be either.
"And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles." - Matthew 5:40-41 ESV
"For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" - Matthew 16:26 KJV
Souls are worth more than all the world. Each one has value beyond all time and space. Love just does not function in that economy. God will only deal with us in grace. It is a gift given. It is a love relationship.
--
We see people getting involved in fly by night business schemes all the time don't we?
It is a good principle to understand when evaluating a potential business opportunity... what is the service being provided? Is there a product and what is the demand and distribution method? Interesting ideas are not always profitable ones.
God wants a different transaction.. He wants your heart. No product or service is produced or expected. God desires connection not profit.
That is why faith is not a work. It is intimate trust.
God gives us beauty for ashes. (see Isaiah 61:3)
"No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon." - Luke 16:13 NKJV
If we live life like it is a cold business transaction then we are in very bad company.
"You were an anointed guardian cherub. I placed you; you were on the holy mountain of God; in the midst of the stones of fire you walked. You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created, till unrighteousness was found in you. In the abundance of your trade you were filled with violence in your midst, and you sinned; so I cast you as a profane thing from the mountain of God, and I destroyed you, O guardian cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire." - Ezekiel 28:14-16 ESV
Don't get me wrong I am all for good business practices. God wants a just balance.
It is important to understand that His relationship with us is not a business transaction. Our relationships to each other should not be either.
"And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles." - Matthew 5:40-41 ESV
"For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" - Matthew 16:26 KJV
Souls are worth more than all the world. Each one has value beyond all time and space. Love just does not function in that economy. God will only deal with us in grace. It is a gift given. It is a love relationship.
--
Saturday, July 19, 2014
Pray And Live In Dignity
"First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus," - 1 Timothy 2:1-5 ESV
We pray and then we can lead a dignified life. Otherwise the world with all it's politics, contradiction and heart aches would make us crazy and undignified in our thought life and communication.
I'm going to pray for leaders I do agree with and ones can't agree with. I will unburden myself and live in a dignity that can only come from God.
Pray and God hears and answers... not for justice's sake but because we know Him and pray to Him.
"And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. He said, 'In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, 'Give me justice against my adversary.' For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, 'Though I neither fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.'' And the Lord said, 'Hear what the unrighteous judge says. And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?' " - Luke 18:1-8 ESV
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We pray and then we can lead a dignified life. Otherwise the world with all it's politics, contradiction and heart aches would make us crazy and undignified in our thought life and communication.
I'm going to pray for leaders I do agree with and ones can't agree with. I will unburden myself and live in a dignity that can only come from God.
Pray and God hears and answers... not for justice's sake but because we know Him and pray to Him.
"And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. He said, 'In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, 'Give me justice against my adversary.' For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, 'Though I neither fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.'' And the Lord said, 'Hear what the unrighteous judge says. And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?' " - Luke 18:1-8 ESV
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Thursday, May 15, 2014
Who Is Worthy?
"Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." - Matthew 10:37-39 ESV
Who is worthy?
In all four Gospels we see that John the Baptist felt unworthy next to Jesus (Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:7; Luke 3:16; John 1:27). His feeling of unworthiness is even used as an early object lesson is the Apostle's preaching (Acts 13:25).
"He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose." - John 1:27 KJV
This saying became attached tp John the Baptist's ministry. It is an interesting thing to say if you think about it. In American society you would rarely take someone else's shoes off of another person's feet. Maybe you would help a child or an elderly person... maybe if a person is sick or has a broken arm you would do it but it is rare.
It that society there were instances besides times of assistance when this would happen.
"And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment.
Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, 'If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner.'...
Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, 'Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven - for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.'
And he said to her, 'Your sins are forgiven.'
Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, 'Who is this, who even forgives sins?'
And he said to the woman, 'Your faith has saved you; go in peace.' " - Luke 7:37-39, 44-50 ESV
If you were a guest in a person's home the host would honor their guests by removing their shoes or having their shoes removed. As a sign of honor.
John said He was not worthy to do that. He could not help Jesus nor could He properly honor Jesus. John was not a falsely humble man. He was a bold and radical one screaming at the top of his lungs most of the time calling for Israel to repent.
I think that John knew that even His compliments fell short of reality. He was smart enough to realize that he could not fathom grace and that He had a low minded understanding of a high minded concept.
He knew He was of no help to Jesus also. Jesus would never break His arm so that John would have to help Him with His shoes.
Jesus rarely talked about worthiness except in the verses that were quoted at the beginning (see Matthew 10:37f). Jesus is also talking about honor in relation to worthiness.
The worthy person esteems Jesus higher than parents or children.
Who are the most honorable people? The ones who esteem their parents highly can be counted in that number. (Ladies observe how your potential suitor treats his Mother and Father because when the roses and chocolates of the first bloom of romance cools that is likely how He will begin to treat you also.)
Those who esteem their children highly are often selfless people. They work hard and commit time so that their children can have a good life. It is an honorable way to live.
Jesus demands a higher honor. It is higher than Earthly honor. He requires an internalization of grace.
"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not benefited those devoted to them. We have an altar from which those who serve the tent have no right to eat." - Hebrews 13:8-10 ESV
John knew He had no right to eat from the table that we eat from. Jesus washes our feet and we wonder at the injustice of it. Grace turns Earthly honor out and dumps it out of the basket to make room for grace. To make room for Jesus. Our description is low minded if He does not have His rightful position in our lives.
Will you put your children before God in priority? It is a mistake. What about how your family thinks... does that come before God? Grace must be first. If it is first we become stripped down so that we fit through the eye of the needle.
It takes first place because it must. We would lose objectivity if it didn't. When it has first place the other things can fall into their right place.
Do we neglect parents and children. No. Jesus chided the Pharisees for doing this in Matthew 15:5-6. They deprived their parents in the name of religious duty diverting money from their care to gain status in the temple. Jesus is first before what is most honorable on Earth but that honor is only displaced for Him... not for us.
"And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me." - Matthew 10:38-40 ESV
The cross is our link to divine understanding. Jesus' cross becomes our cross. What He did makes it's way into our thinking and decision making daily and then moment by moment. When that happens unworthiness is not an issue. The cross tells us our actions have no bearing on our worthiness. Jesus' actions made the difference. His cross assures the worthiness of the most unworthy person.
Are we worthy to have Christ serve us today? If he does not wash our feet we can have no part in Him.
A life of faith realizes that we can not serve Christ. He decided to serve us.
Today will be fruitful day for me. I am going into with Christ as my focus. Grace is amazing to me today. I have confidence that that is more than enough for any trouble I might face or task that must be accomplished.
--
Who is worthy?
In all four Gospels we see that John the Baptist felt unworthy next to Jesus (Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:7; Luke 3:16; John 1:27). His feeling of unworthiness is even used as an early object lesson is the Apostle's preaching (Acts 13:25).
"He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose." - John 1:27 KJV
This saying became attached tp John the Baptist's ministry. It is an interesting thing to say if you think about it. In American society you would rarely take someone else's shoes off of another person's feet. Maybe you would help a child or an elderly person... maybe if a person is sick or has a broken arm you would do it but it is rare.
It that society there were instances besides times of assistance when this would happen.
"And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment.
Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, 'If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner.'...
Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, 'Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven - for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.'
And he said to her, 'Your sins are forgiven.'
Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, 'Who is this, who even forgives sins?'
And he said to the woman, 'Your faith has saved you; go in peace.' " - Luke 7:37-39, 44-50 ESV
If you were a guest in a person's home the host would honor their guests by removing their shoes or having their shoes removed. As a sign of honor.
John said He was not worthy to do that. He could not help Jesus nor could He properly honor Jesus. John was not a falsely humble man. He was a bold and radical one screaming at the top of his lungs most of the time calling for Israel to repent.
I think that John knew that even His compliments fell short of reality. He was smart enough to realize that he could not fathom grace and that He had a low minded understanding of a high minded concept.
He knew He was of no help to Jesus also. Jesus would never break His arm so that John would have to help Him with His shoes.
Jesus rarely talked about worthiness except in the verses that were quoted at the beginning (see Matthew 10:37f). Jesus is also talking about honor in relation to worthiness.
The worthy person esteems Jesus higher than parents or children.
Who are the most honorable people? The ones who esteem their parents highly can be counted in that number. (Ladies observe how your potential suitor treats his Mother and Father because when the roses and chocolates of the first bloom of romance cools that is likely how He will begin to treat you also.)
Those who esteem their children highly are often selfless people. They work hard and commit time so that their children can have a good life. It is an honorable way to live.
Jesus demands a higher honor. It is higher than Earthly honor. He requires an internalization of grace.
"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not benefited those devoted to them. We have an altar from which those who serve the tent have no right to eat." - Hebrews 13:8-10 ESV
John knew He had no right to eat from the table that we eat from. Jesus washes our feet and we wonder at the injustice of it. Grace turns Earthly honor out and dumps it out of the basket to make room for grace. To make room for Jesus. Our description is low minded if He does not have His rightful position in our lives.
Will you put your children before God in priority? It is a mistake. What about how your family thinks... does that come before God? Grace must be first. If it is first we become stripped down so that we fit through the eye of the needle.
It takes first place because it must. We would lose objectivity if it didn't. When it has first place the other things can fall into their right place.
Do we neglect parents and children. No. Jesus chided the Pharisees for doing this in Matthew 15:5-6. They deprived their parents in the name of religious duty diverting money from their care to gain status in the temple. Jesus is first before what is most honorable on Earth but that honor is only displaced for Him... not for us.
"And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me." - Matthew 10:38-40 ESV
The cross is our link to divine understanding. Jesus' cross becomes our cross. What He did makes it's way into our thinking and decision making daily and then moment by moment. When that happens unworthiness is not an issue. The cross tells us our actions have no bearing on our worthiness. Jesus' actions made the difference. His cross assures the worthiness of the most unworthy person.
Are we worthy to have Christ serve us today? If he does not wash our feet we can have no part in Him.
A life of faith realizes that we can not serve Christ. He decided to serve us.
Today will be fruitful day for me. I am going into with Christ as my focus. Grace is amazing to me today. I have confidence that that is more than enough for any trouble I might face or task that must be accomplished.
--
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
Living In The Flow
This morning I choose life.
"My soul clings to the dust; give me life according to your word!... Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways... Behold, I long for your precepts; in your righteousness give me life!... This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life... In your steadfast love give me life, that I may keep the testimonies of your mouth... I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have given me life... I am severely afflicted; give me life, O LORD, according to your word!... Hear my voice according to your steadfast love; O LORD, according to your justice give me life... Plead my cause and redeem me; give me life according to your promise!... Great is your mercy, O LORD; give me life according to your rules... Consider how I love your precepts! Give me life according to your steadfast love." - Psalms 119:25, 37, 40, 50, 88, 93, 107, 149, 154, 156, 159 ESV
Life is much like the rain. We are watered hold that water for a time but then the water is given to the next part of the system. In dryness we need to be watered again.
"For my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water." - Jeremiah 2:13 ESV
We have source and we have an ability to hold that water (for a time) available to us. This water is living water... fresh uncontaminated water.
"Moab has been at ease from his youth and has settled on his dregs; he has not been emptied from vessel to vessel, nor has he gone into exile; so his taste remains in him, and his scent is not changed. Therefore, behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I shall send to him pourers who will pour him, and empty his vessels and break his jars in pieces." - Jeremiah 48:11-12 ESV
If we keep what has been given then it will settle within us and grow stagnant and fermented. It is not the freshly crushed grape. It ferments into wine and progresses until it is only vinegar.
Grace has a cycle and that cycle has a freshness to it. We get what we do not deserve and instead of possessing it and keeping it we give it away again trusting in the supply of the gracious one.
To keep what we have been given beyond it's expiration point is a hoarders mentality. Fear can say, 'I may never have this again so I must hold on to it.' but we become cluttered beyond useful expression and kill the thing we are struggling to keep.
"It is more blessed to give than to receive." - Acts 20:35b ESV
Yes. When we go to the source and get fresh water we can give that still fresh water away again and function in a flow. It is a flow of blessing. It is a river of grace.
--
"My soul clings to the dust; give me life according to your word!... Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways... Behold, I long for your precepts; in your righteousness give me life!... This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life... In your steadfast love give me life, that I may keep the testimonies of your mouth... I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have given me life... I am severely afflicted; give me life, O LORD, according to your word!... Hear my voice according to your steadfast love; O LORD, according to your justice give me life... Plead my cause and redeem me; give me life according to your promise!... Great is your mercy, O LORD; give me life according to your rules... Consider how I love your precepts! Give me life according to your steadfast love." - Psalms 119:25, 37, 40, 50, 88, 93, 107, 149, 154, 156, 159 ESV
Life is much like the rain. We are watered hold that water for a time but then the water is given to the next part of the system. In dryness we need to be watered again.
"For my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water." - Jeremiah 2:13 ESV
We have source and we have an ability to hold that water (for a time) available to us. This water is living water... fresh uncontaminated water.
"Moab has been at ease from his youth and has settled on his dregs; he has not been emptied from vessel to vessel, nor has he gone into exile; so his taste remains in him, and his scent is not changed. Therefore, behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I shall send to him pourers who will pour him, and empty his vessels and break his jars in pieces." - Jeremiah 48:11-12 ESV
If we keep what has been given then it will settle within us and grow stagnant and fermented. It is not the freshly crushed grape. It ferments into wine and progresses until it is only vinegar.
Grace has a cycle and that cycle has a freshness to it. We get what we do not deserve and instead of possessing it and keeping it we give it away again trusting in the supply of the gracious one.
To keep what we have been given beyond it's expiration point is a hoarders mentality. Fear can say, 'I may never have this again so I must hold on to it.' but we become cluttered beyond useful expression and kill the thing we are struggling to keep.
"It is more blessed to give than to receive." - Acts 20:35b ESV
Yes. When we go to the source and get fresh water we can give that still fresh water away again and function in a flow. It is a flow of blessing. It is a river of grace.
--
Monday, May 5, 2014
Heaven's Reward
"Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven." - Matthew 6:1 ESV
Reading Matthew chapter 6 again and again this morning. Jesus is weaning his students away from natural perspective to spiritual perspective by using rewards as a motivator. What is the reward in a non-meritorious system? That is a good question. I think Jesus brings us to an answer as the chapter progresses.
"Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you." - Matthew 6:2-4 ESV
The need for public recognition stems from insecurity. God wants to bind up the wound so that it can heal. True acceptance will never come from the the recognition of a public display. The Father wants to reward you but not for what you have done.
"And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you." - Matthew 6:5-6 ESV
Are our words polished and measured for the consumption of those around us? They can be. Natural communication is a form of manipulation. Spiritual communication is filled with adoration. God wants to free our tongue to learn to speak like we give... 'not letting our left hand know what our right hand is doing'. Speaking candidly with the Trinity as our audience will break us of our training. The Father wants to reward us but not for what we say or don't say.
"And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Pray then like this:
'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.' " - Matthew 6:7-13 ESV
How much of human communication is really heaped up empty phrases? Reliance on the God of all grace eliminates the need for rituals. We go to the source and there is no song or dance... no complicated custom that proves our worth to gain audience... no forms to fill out with the same information that was on every other previous form.
No. We hallow God's name by cutting out the red tape. God has no want or need for it.
"For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." - Matthew 6:14-15 ESV
The reward has horizontal applications of freedom also and not just vertical ones.
"And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you." - Matthew 6:16-18 ESV
The Father wants to reward us but not for what we endure alone. We endure together and that is precious. A grace reward of shared experience.
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 'The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!' " - Matthew 6:19-23 ESV
God wants to heal our perception! What a reward that is... to have our perception full of light... weaned from seeing what only the five sense can feed us and seeing something else... seeing a kingdom at work... wheels within wheel... God knowing and seeing all of it. Treasure that lasts is Heavenly treasure.
What is the reward in a non-meritorious system? In part it is to see things as they really are and live in freedom in the midst of what we see.
"Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?
Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing?
Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." - Matthew 6:25-34 ESV
Be free. That is the reward. Be free of worry knowing you are cared for.
Yes. The Father wants to reward us. He wants to reward us with all the rewards He has heaped upon His Son.
--
Reading Matthew chapter 6 again and again this morning. Jesus is weaning his students away from natural perspective to spiritual perspective by using rewards as a motivator. What is the reward in a non-meritorious system? That is a good question. I think Jesus brings us to an answer as the chapter progresses.
"Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you." - Matthew 6:2-4 ESV
The need for public recognition stems from insecurity. God wants to bind up the wound so that it can heal. True acceptance will never come from the the recognition of a public display. The Father wants to reward you but not for what you have done.
"And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you." - Matthew 6:5-6 ESV
Are our words polished and measured for the consumption of those around us? They can be. Natural communication is a form of manipulation. Spiritual communication is filled with adoration. God wants to free our tongue to learn to speak like we give... 'not letting our left hand know what our right hand is doing'. Speaking candidly with the Trinity as our audience will break us of our training. The Father wants to reward us but not for what we say or don't say.
"And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Pray then like this:
'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.' " - Matthew 6:7-13 ESV
How much of human communication is really heaped up empty phrases? Reliance on the God of all grace eliminates the need for rituals. We go to the source and there is no song or dance... no complicated custom that proves our worth to gain audience... no forms to fill out with the same information that was on every other previous form.
No. We hallow God's name by cutting out the red tape. God has no want or need for it.
"For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." - Matthew 6:14-15 ESV
The reward has horizontal applications of freedom also and not just vertical ones.
"And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you." - Matthew 6:16-18 ESV
The Father wants to reward us but not for what we endure alone. We endure together and that is precious. A grace reward of shared experience.
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 'The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!' " - Matthew 6:19-23 ESV
God wants to heal our perception! What a reward that is... to have our perception full of light... weaned from seeing what only the five sense can feed us and seeing something else... seeing a kingdom at work... wheels within wheel... God knowing and seeing all of it. Treasure that lasts is Heavenly treasure.
What is the reward in a non-meritorious system? In part it is to see things as they really are and live in freedom in the midst of what we see.
"Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?
Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing?
Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." - Matthew 6:25-34 ESV
Be free. That is the reward. Be free of worry knowing you are cared for.
Yes. The Father wants to reward us. He wants to reward us with all the rewards He has heaped upon His Son.
--
Friday, March 28, 2014
Grace In Your Sight
Looking at the phrase 'grace in your sight' and the other variations of the phrase in the old testament (Hebrew scriptures) such as 'grace in your eyes'...
It is great concept really... mostly the phrase happens in conversations in the scriptures... a person standing in front of another person talking about finding favor with them... either asking if they have it or talking about moving forward in some way because they believe they have found favor.
It makes me think of this verse.
"Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places," - Ephesians 1:2-3 ESV
and this one...
"Does not he see my ways and number all my steps?" - Job 31:4 ESV
We can find grace in the eyes of the God who sees all that we do.
--
It is great concept really... mostly the phrase happens in conversations in the scriptures... a person standing in front of another person talking about finding favor with them... either asking if they have it or talking about moving forward in some way because they believe they have found favor.
It makes me think of this verse.
"Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places," - Ephesians 1:2-3 ESV
and this one...
"Does not he see my ways and number all my steps?" - Job 31:4 ESV
We can find grace in the eyes of the God who sees all that we do.
--
Friday, February 7, 2014
Food That Nourishes
"You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it... Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!" - Psalms 139:2-6; 23-24 ESV
"And he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple. And when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve. On the following day, when they came from Bethany, he was hungry.
And seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to see if he could find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. And he said to it, 'May no one ever eat fruit from you again.' And his disciples heard it.
And they came to Jerusalem. And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold and those who bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. And he would not allow anyone to carry anything through the temple. And he was teaching them and saying to them, 'Is it not written, 'My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations'? But you have made it a den of robbers.' And the chief priests and the scribes heard it and were seeking a way to destroy him, for they feared him, because all the crowd was astonished at his teaching. And when evening came they went out of the city.
As they passed by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered away to its roots. And Peter remembered and said to him, 'Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered.'
And Jesus answered them, 'Have faith in God. Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be taken up and thrown into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.' " - Mark 11:11-25 ESV
These are verses from a devotional I am reading. I see the parallel between the fig tree and thinking that is not nourishing. Grace and Gospel oriented thinking is the 'ancient pathway'... the way everlasting... and there is always something to eat there, in season or out of season, it multiplies and feeds.
That is the thought life that feeds us and is multiplied to feed others. Jesus describes it here...
"Jesus said, 'Have the people sit down.'
Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number. Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted. And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, 'Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost.'
So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten...
When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, 'Rabbi, when did you come here?'
Jesus answered them, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.'
Then they said to him, 'What must we do, to be doing the works of God?'
Jesus answered them, 'This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.'
So they said to him, 'Then what sign do you do, that we may see and believe you? What work do you perform? Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, 'He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'
Jesus then said to them, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.'
They said to him, 'Sir, give us this bread always.'
Jesus said to them, 'I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.' - John 6:10-13, 25-35 ESV
Sit and eat. There is a tree that is cursed and bread that is blessed. Grace is the thinking that is blessed. Jesus is the bread of life. God's gift is eternal life to all who will take and eat.
--
"And he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple. And when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve. On the following day, when they came from Bethany, he was hungry.
And seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to see if he could find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. And he said to it, 'May no one ever eat fruit from you again.' And his disciples heard it.
And they came to Jerusalem. And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold and those who bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. And he would not allow anyone to carry anything through the temple. And he was teaching them and saying to them, 'Is it not written, 'My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations'? But you have made it a den of robbers.' And the chief priests and the scribes heard it and were seeking a way to destroy him, for they feared him, because all the crowd was astonished at his teaching. And when evening came they went out of the city.
As they passed by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered away to its roots. And Peter remembered and said to him, 'Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered.'
And Jesus answered them, 'Have faith in God. Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be taken up and thrown into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.' " - Mark 11:11-25 ESV
These are verses from a devotional I am reading. I see the parallel between the fig tree and thinking that is not nourishing. Grace and Gospel oriented thinking is the 'ancient pathway'... the way everlasting... and there is always something to eat there, in season or out of season, it multiplies and feeds.
That is the thought life that feeds us and is multiplied to feed others. Jesus describes it here...
"Jesus said, 'Have the people sit down.'
Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number. Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted. And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, 'Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost.'
So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten...
When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, 'Rabbi, when did you come here?'
Jesus answered them, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.'
Then they said to him, 'What must we do, to be doing the works of God?'
Jesus answered them, 'This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.'
So they said to him, 'Then what sign do you do, that we may see and believe you? What work do you perform? Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, 'He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'
Jesus then said to them, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.'
They said to him, 'Sir, give us this bread always.'
Jesus said to them, 'I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.' - John 6:10-13, 25-35 ESV
Sit and eat. There is a tree that is cursed and bread that is blessed. Grace is the thinking that is blessed. Jesus is the bread of life. God's gift is eternal life to all who will take and eat.
--
Saturday, January 11, 2014
Recompence Of Reward
"Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward" Hebrews 10:35 KJV
What has value? Where is the great reward? It depends on our value system doesn't it. If we value money then riches are a good reward. If it is honor then honor is good. Maybe it is social change... or the future generation. All those things have value.
In the grace economy faith is the thing that leverages future rewards. The justified person must live in and by faith. A choice is made to invest. There is some dotted line we mentally sign. It is an investment that may often be misunderstood by others but the payoff will come one day.
Faith can be like a retirement fund, a spiritual 401K.. we can't spend it now but the reward will be there later.
I spent a lot of mental time praying for people and thinking about situations today... some situations are ones that I can participate in and others are far from my reach... I can't make decisions for people but I can love, pray, believe and help in different ways as God gives ability and opportunity.
Does that kind of faith have value? I believe it does and because of that I can rest in the knowledge that God is moving and will move.
--
What has value? Where is the great reward? It depends on our value system doesn't it. If we value money then riches are a good reward. If it is honor then honor is good. Maybe it is social change... or the future generation. All those things have value.
In the grace economy faith is the thing that leverages future rewards. The justified person must live in and by faith. A choice is made to invest. There is some dotted line we mentally sign. It is an investment that may often be misunderstood by others but the payoff will come one day.
Faith can be like a retirement fund, a spiritual 401K.. we can't spend it now but the reward will be there later.
I spent a lot of mental time praying for people and thinking about situations today... some situations are ones that I can participate in and others are far from my reach... I can't make decisions for people but I can love, pray, believe and help in different ways as God gives ability and opportunity.
Does that kind of faith have value? I believe it does and because of that I can rest in the knowledge that God is moving and will move.
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