Today I was thinking about Nabal and investment in people.
"And there was a man in Maon whose business was in Carmel. The man was very rich; he had three thousand sheep and a thousand goats. He was shearing his sheep in Carmel. Now the name of the man was Nabal, and the name of his wife Abigail. The woman was discerning and beautiful, but the man was harsh and badly behaved; he was a Calebite. David heard in the wilderness that Nabal was shearing his sheep. So David sent ten young men. And David said to the young men, “Go up to Carmel, and go to Nabal and greet him in my name. And thus you shall greet him: ‘Peace be to you, and peace be to your house, and peace be to all that you have. I hear that you have shearers. Now your shepherds have been with us, and we did them no harm, and they missed nothing all the time they were in Carmel. Ask your young men, and they will tell you. Therefore let my young men find favor in your eyes, for we come on a feast day. Please give whatever you have at hand to your servants and to your son David.’” When David’s young men came, they said all this to Nabal in the name of David, and then they waited. And Nabal answered David’s servants, “Who is David? Who is the son of Jesse? There are many servants these days who are breaking away from their masters. Shall I take my bread and my water and my meat that I have killed for my shearers and give it to men who come from I do not know where?” So David’s young men turned away and came back and told him all this. And David said to his men, “Every man strap on his sword!” And every man of them strapped on his sword. David also strapped on his sword. And about four hundred men went up after David, while two hundred remained with the baggage. But one of the young men told Abigail, Nabal’s wife, “Behold, David sent messengers out of the wilderness to greet our master, and he railed at them. Yet the men were very good to us, and we suffered no harm, and we did not miss anything when we were in the fields, as long as we went with them. They were a wall to us both by night and by day, all the while we were with them keeping the sheep. Now therefore know this and consider what you should do, for harm is determined against our master and against all his house, and he is such a worthless man that one cannot speak to him.” Then Abigail made haste and took two hundred loaves and two skins of wine and five sheep already prepared and five seahs of parched grain and a hundred clusters of raisins and two hundred cakes of figs, and laid them on donkeys. And she said to her young men, “Go on before me; behold, I come after you.” But she did not tell her husband Nabal." 1 Samuel 25:2-19 ESV
Nabal was rich but he didn't understand or appreciate human investment. Abigail did and she also knew that Nabal's behavior would enrage David who was an investment minded person.
God owns the cattle on 1,000 hills. He is an investor. He is rich and that is how truly rich people operate. They invest. They own things and even use debt to their advantage.
There is so much to learn from this account. Deep principles. Who are we going to be? David is royal in his investment. Abigail is wise. Nabal lives in his emotions and is shortsighted at best.
Jesus was and Is an investor. I want that mind.
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Showing posts with label Investment. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Investment. Show all posts
Saturday, June 16, 2018
Friday, May 25, 2018
Who Can We Trust?
I have have been meditating lately on trust... what to trust... who to trust... why should i trust in a person or thing... what are the parameters of that trust... i may trust a person to do something they are able and willing to do but not for something else...
"To the choirmaster: according to Muth-labben. A Psalm of David. I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High... But the LORD sits enthroned forever; he has established his throne for justice, and he judges the world with righteousness; he judges the peoples with uprightness. The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you. Sing praises to the LORD, who sits enthroned in Zion! Tell among the peoples his deeds!" - Psalm 9:1-2, 7-11 ESV
I trust God because of His 'name' there is no other name like His. A 'name' in this context is beyond reputation. It is His nature as it has been revealed. It is His character. He Is a king. He is the King. He is not a 'forsaker'. He doesn't give up on people. If He gives His word He keeps His word. Those are qualities that promote trust.
Many folks have a short list of people they really trust. It becomes understandable if you get to know them and what has transpired in their life.
I long to be trustworthy and accountable because of the One i speak about and i want to invest trust in others correctly. People are fallen. All people are fallen. Still trust can be invested. God has trusted me by giving me life, time and influence. These things are gifts and how i use them will affect other people one way or the other.
Who do i trust? What do i trust? I want to trust in a way that glorifies the God of all grace and never lean to heavily on anything but Him.
Bridges are made to be crossed and projects are undertaken to build people and those things involve trust. God help us. Open our eyes so we can live innocent lives free from cynicism. Give us wisdom and we will be wise. Thank You God.
--
"To the choirmaster: according to Muth-labben. A Psalm of David. I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High... But the LORD sits enthroned forever; he has established his throne for justice, and he judges the world with righteousness; he judges the peoples with uprightness. The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you. Sing praises to the LORD, who sits enthroned in Zion! Tell among the peoples his deeds!" - Psalm 9:1-2, 7-11 ESV
I trust God because of His 'name' there is no other name like His. A 'name' in this context is beyond reputation. It is His nature as it has been revealed. It is His character. He Is a king. He is the King. He is not a 'forsaker'. He doesn't give up on people. If He gives His word He keeps His word. Those are qualities that promote trust.
Many folks have a short list of people they really trust. It becomes understandable if you get to know them and what has transpired in their life.
I long to be trustworthy and accountable because of the One i speak about and i want to invest trust in others correctly. People are fallen. All people are fallen. Still trust can be invested. God has trusted me by giving me life, time and influence. These things are gifts and how i use them will affect other people one way or the other.
Who do i trust? What do i trust? I want to trust in a way that glorifies the God of all grace and never lean to heavily on anything but Him.
Bridges are made to be crossed and projects are undertaken to build people and those things involve trust. God help us. Open our eyes so we can live innocent lives free from cynicism. Give us wisdom and we will be wise. Thank You God.
--
Tuesday, May 8, 2018
Lovingkindness
I am thinking about love this morning. Lovingkindness. I got to watch it this last weekend. I saw it. I experienced it. I like to think I gave it also.
This next psalm gives a good picture of people who experienced love and those who have not.
"To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David the servant of the LORD. An oracle within my heart concerning the transgression of the wicked: There is no fear of God before his eyes. For he flatters himself in his own eyes, When he finds out his iniquity and when he hates. The words of his mouth are wickedness and deceit; He has ceased to be wise and to do good. He devises wickedness on his bed; He sets himself in a way that is not good; He does not abhor evil.
Your mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds. Your righteousness is like the great mountains; Your judgments are a great deep; O LORD, You preserve man and beast. How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings. They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house, And You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures. For with You is the fountain of life; In Your light we see light. Oh, continue Your lovingkindness to those who know You, And Your righteousness to the upright in heart.
Let not the foot of pride come against me, And let not the hand of the wicked drive me away. There the workers of iniquity have fallen; They have been cast down and are not able to rise." - Psalm 36:1-12 NKJV
The Psalmist is basically contrasted the unloved with the loved. The 'wicked' person does what an unloved person would do. Perhaps they have rejected love but perhaps they just have never experienced it.
A person who has experienced God's love is able to rise. Jesus rose from the lowest place. He rose out of death. He was never cut off from His Father's love. He lived His whole life aware of and basking in divine love. He was separated once for us and as us on the cross but His foundation was firm. He Is our Rock. Death couldn't hold Him.
Lovingkindness. It makes people healthy and secure.
"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love." - 1 John 4:7-8 ESV
Beloved. That is you and i. We are loved.
--
This next psalm gives a good picture of people who experienced love and those who have not.
"To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David the servant of the LORD. An oracle within my heart concerning the transgression of the wicked: There is no fear of God before his eyes. For he flatters himself in his own eyes, When he finds out his iniquity and when he hates. The words of his mouth are wickedness and deceit; He has ceased to be wise and to do good. He devises wickedness on his bed; He sets himself in a way that is not good; He does not abhor evil.
Your mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds. Your righteousness is like the great mountains; Your judgments are a great deep; O LORD, You preserve man and beast. How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings. They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house, And You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures. For with You is the fountain of life; In Your light we see light. Oh, continue Your lovingkindness to those who know You, And Your righteousness to the upright in heart.
Let not the foot of pride come against me, And let not the hand of the wicked drive me away. There the workers of iniquity have fallen; They have been cast down and are not able to rise." - Psalm 36:1-12 NKJV
The Psalmist is basically contrasted the unloved with the loved. The 'wicked' person does what an unloved person would do. Perhaps they have rejected love but perhaps they just have never experienced it.
A person who has experienced God's love is able to rise. Jesus rose from the lowest place. He rose out of death. He was never cut off from His Father's love. He lived His whole life aware of and basking in divine love. He was separated once for us and as us on the cross but His foundation was firm. He Is our Rock. Death couldn't hold Him.
Lovingkindness. It makes people healthy and secure.
"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love." - 1 John 4:7-8 ESV
Beloved. That is you and i. We are loved.
--
Wednesday, April 25, 2018
They Wanted To Make Him A King
Looking at all four Gospels to see what happened in an event is so profitable. This is directly after Jesus fed the five thousand.
"When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, 'This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!' Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself. When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea," - John 6:14-16 ESV
"Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea." - Matthew 14:22-25 ESV
Jesus did this massive miracle. Loaves and fish don't multiply on their own. He could have ridden that wave of popularity but instead, He chose to withdraw and walk on water.
As a man with degrees of ambition, you have to scratch your head at passages like this. I understand it. He didn't come to Earth to be King. He came to Earth to die on that cross. His whole life is about that. It was needed. He never stopped being a lion to be a lamb. He was and is always both. Still... Why not have an Earthly empire first and then die? My red-blooded mind races and searches to understand the plan of God. This plan that always has a cross stuck right in the middle of it.
If He had gone the other road this next part would never have happened.
"But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, 'Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.' And Peter answered him, 'Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.' He said, 'Come.' So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, 'Lord, save me.' Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, 'O you of little faith, why did you doubt?' And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, 'Truly you are the Son of God.' " - Matthew 14:27-33 ESV
There is a point in time when a work starts moving that things can't be small like this. Jesus had many one-on-one times in His future.
I heard Tony Curtis in a rare interview where he talked about Marilyn Monroe and his career and He had an interesting take on it. He was convicted that it was the movie camera that made stars into stars. He saw himself and the others he worked with as genetically blessed nobodies who would have stayed nobodies but that movie camera did something because it showed only parts of things in a certain light.
Jesus isn't a movie star. He isn't a celebrity like we think of them.
"I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all." - Ephesians 1:16-23 ESV
Jesus is the fullness. He Is the King of Kings.
Can I set my ambition aside? Can you? I would like to say, 'Yes' but Paul was praying this way for a reason. This is a very specific focus. This is Christ-centered living and it is a life that allows for personal investment in others. We stay small so that Christ can be exalted. This is a calling that has hope. This is a life with a rich inheritance.
--
"When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, 'This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!' Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself. When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea," - John 6:14-16 ESV
"Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea." - Matthew 14:22-25 ESV
Jesus did this massive miracle. Loaves and fish don't multiply on their own. He could have ridden that wave of popularity but instead, He chose to withdraw and walk on water.
As a man with degrees of ambition, you have to scratch your head at passages like this. I understand it. He didn't come to Earth to be King. He came to Earth to die on that cross. His whole life is about that. It was needed. He never stopped being a lion to be a lamb. He was and is always both. Still... Why not have an Earthly empire first and then die? My red-blooded mind races and searches to understand the plan of God. This plan that always has a cross stuck right in the middle of it.
If He had gone the other road this next part would never have happened.
"But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, 'Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.' And Peter answered him, 'Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.' He said, 'Come.' So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, 'Lord, save me.' Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, 'O you of little faith, why did you doubt?' And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, 'Truly you are the Son of God.' " - Matthew 14:27-33 ESV
There is a point in time when a work starts moving that things can't be small like this. Jesus had many one-on-one times in His future.
I heard Tony Curtis in a rare interview where he talked about Marilyn Monroe and his career and He had an interesting take on it. He was convicted that it was the movie camera that made stars into stars. He saw himself and the others he worked with as genetically blessed nobodies who would have stayed nobodies but that movie camera did something because it showed only parts of things in a certain light.
Jesus isn't a movie star. He isn't a celebrity like we think of them.
"I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all." - Ephesians 1:16-23 ESV
Jesus is the fullness. He Is the King of Kings.
Can I set my ambition aside? Can you? I would like to say, 'Yes' but Paul was praying this way for a reason. This is a very specific focus. This is Christ-centered living and it is a life that allows for personal investment in others. We stay small so that Christ can be exalted. This is a calling that has hope. This is a life with a rich inheritance.
--
Tuesday, April 10, 2018
The Man With An Unclean Spirit
I'm reading this next account over and over again...
"And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes. And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit..." - Mark 5:1-2 KJV
It is easy to focus on the demonic in this passage because of the context and what eventually happens...
"And all the devils besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them. And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea, (they were about two thousand;) and were choked in the sea." - Mark 5:12-13 KJV
This morning I really wanted to focus on the man himself. This man addresses Jesus and asks two things of Him.
"And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not... And he besought him much that he would not send them away out of the country." - Mark 5:7, 10 KJV
'Please. Don't torment me.' and 'Now that I see You please don't send me away.'
Of the three passages that record this account Mark is the only one that says this.
"And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones. But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him," - Mark 5:5-6 KJV
Modern medicine has given the type of 'self harm' described in verse 5 a name. Non-Suicidal Self-Injury (NSSI) was thought to be a cry for help when first diagnosed but it is seen differently by some experts who study it. I saw one study that predicts that about 16% of young people between the ages of 14 and 21 have engaged in this behavior. The percentage is higher among female teenagers. Often the injuries are done in places that won't be visible. The people who do it often describe it as an 'out of body experience'. They get a high from it. It is a distraction from a great inner pain.
Do you hear the cry?
'Please. Don't torment me.' and 'Please don't send me away.'
Jesus tells the unclean spirit to leave but is very kind to the man.
"And Jesus asked him, 'What is your name?'..." - Mark 5:9a ESV
This weekend I stood by and watching a Pastor minister to a young person who was walking by his group. He engaged them and each person so kindly making sure that everyone knew each other's names. He asked questions. His pure love and interest said in a non-verbal way...
'I won't hurt you.' 'We won't send you away.' 'We see you.' 'You are important.'
One man in the group who is being raised up as a leader just kept looking at his phone and answered when he was addressed but never even looked at the young person and I just thought, 'You have a lot to learn buddy and you aren't going to learn it in that phone.'
"The herdsmen fled and told it in the city and in the country. And people came to see what it was that had happened. And they came to Jesus and saw the demon-possessed man, the one who had had the legion, sitting there, clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid." - Mark 5:14-15 ESV
Just a few minutes with Jesus. Just a few minutes of purity. An oasis from loneliness. What does it mean? How much is it worth?
Jesus isn't ever going to torment anyone. He isn't going to send a living person away. He can disconnect a person from the many things that torment them. Where there is life there is hope. Decisions can be made when a person is brought into the presence of the King. Introductions and healings happen in those times.
--
"And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes. And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit..." - Mark 5:1-2 KJV
It is easy to focus on the demonic in this passage because of the context and what eventually happens...
"And all the devils besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them. And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea, (they were about two thousand;) and were choked in the sea." - Mark 5:12-13 KJV
This morning I really wanted to focus on the man himself. This man addresses Jesus and asks two things of Him.
"And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not... And he besought him much that he would not send them away out of the country." - Mark 5:7, 10 KJV
'Please. Don't torment me.' and 'Now that I see You please don't send me away.'
Of the three passages that record this account Mark is the only one that says this.
"And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones. But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him," - Mark 5:5-6 KJV
Modern medicine has given the type of 'self harm' described in verse 5 a name. Non-Suicidal Self-Injury (NSSI) was thought to be a cry for help when first diagnosed but it is seen differently by some experts who study it. I saw one study that predicts that about 16% of young people between the ages of 14 and 21 have engaged in this behavior. The percentage is higher among female teenagers. Often the injuries are done in places that won't be visible. The people who do it often describe it as an 'out of body experience'. They get a high from it. It is a distraction from a great inner pain.
Do you hear the cry?
'Please. Don't torment me.' and 'Please don't send me away.'
Jesus tells the unclean spirit to leave but is very kind to the man.
"And Jesus asked him, 'What is your name?'..." - Mark 5:9a ESV
This weekend I stood by and watching a Pastor minister to a young person who was walking by his group. He engaged them and each person so kindly making sure that everyone knew each other's names. He asked questions. His pure love and interest said in a non-verbal way...
'I won't hurt you.' 'We won't send you away.' 'We see you.' 'You are important.'
One man in the group who is being raised up as a leader just kept looking at his phone and answered when he was addressed but never even looked at the young person and I just thought, 'You have a lot to learn buddy and you aren't going to learn it in that phone.'
"The herdsmen fled and told it in the city and in the country. And people came to see what it was that had happened. And they came to Jesus and saw the demon-possessed man, the one who had had the legion, sitting there, clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid." - Mark 5:14-15 ESV
Just a few minutes with Jesus. Just a few minutes of purity. An oasis from loneliness. What does it mean? How much is it worth?
Jesus isn't ever going to torment anyone. He isn't going to send a living person away. He can disconnect a person from the many things that torment them. Where there is life there is hope. Decisions can be made when a person is brought into the presence of the King. Introductions and healings happen in those times.
--
Thursday, March 15, 2018
Finding Those Who Are Out Of Sight
"...for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light." - Luke 16:8b KJV
I sometimes ask God in my prayer time 'who have I not seen lately?' because I am aware of the fact that I might not be as good at communicating as other folks are with the people I care for.
"For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel," - Philippians 1:8-12 ESV
"...while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you." - 2 Corinthians 9:14 ESV
"For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you - that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, both yours and mine." - Romans 1:11-12 ESV
I have noticed that in some circles of Church culture mainstream methods of communication can be lacking because the local assembly becomes the hub of interaction so people just interact there assuming everyone in those circles will be seen and found in that place. Often people can fall out of communication just because they haven't been around.
Out of sight can mean out of mind very easily.
"... for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord." - Ephesians 5:8-10 ESV
"What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing." - Luke 15:4-5 ESV
This passage in Luke came up the other day and we focused on the fact that this shepherd was so aware that he knew that a sheep was missing and went after it. What good is the willingness to 'go after' people if you don't even know who is missing?
That is why I pray, 'Who is missing Lord?' because I know that is a prayer that is pleasing to God. He cares deeply for people. He isn't focused on our shortcomings or inabilities. He just wants our heart. He Is able.
Perhaps you feel like a disconnected person. Maybe you left and felt that no one missed you. I understand that feeling. I have had to give those emotions to God before and likely will again. I think it prepares us to be people who reach out if it gets processed through Christ's cross. We can either decide to blame places or people and perhaps end up with a root of bitterness or we can let God make us mindful of other people.
--
I sometimes ask God in my prayer time 'who have I not seen lately?' because I am aware of the fact that I might not be as good at communicating as other folks are with the people I care for.
"For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel," - Philippians 1:8-12 ESV
"...while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you." - 2 Corinthians 9:14 ESV
"For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you - that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, both yours and mine." - Romans 1:11-12 ESV
I have noticed that in some circles of Church culture mainstream methods of communication can be lacking because the local assembly becomes the hub of interaction so people just interact there assuming everyone in those circles will be seen and found in that place. Often people can fall out of communication just because they haven't been around.
Out of sight can mean out of mind very easily.
"... for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord." - Ephesians 5:8-10 ESV
"What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing." - Luke 15:4-5 ESV
This passage in Luke came up the other day and we focused on the fact that this shepherd was so aware that he knew that a sheep was missing and went after it. What good is the willingness to 'go after' people if you don't even know who is missing?
That is why I pray, 'Who is missing Lord?' because I know that is a prayer that is pleasing to God. He cares deeply for people. He isn't focused on our shortcomings or inabilities. He just wants our heart. He Is able.
Perhaps you feel like a disconnected person. Maybe you left and felt that no one missed you. I understand that feeling. I have had to give those emotions to God before and likely will again. I think it prepares us to be people who reach out if it gets processed through Christ's cross. We can either decide to blame places or people and perhaps end up with a root of bitterness or we can let God make us mindful of other people.
--
Thursday, September 28, 2017
Faithful In Little
I started out this morning doing a study on 'taking responsibility' but it brought me to this passage and the principle was so good that I want to park here for a while.
"And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings. One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in that which is another's, who will give you that which is your own?" - Luke 16:9-12 ESV
Yes, This speaks of honesty, investment and advancement but there is a depth to it beyond the natural side.
This principle is so vital. It basically says that if you have $5 you could buy a latte or you could get 2 coffees, one for you and one for another person and that investment gives you entrance into their 'eternal dwelling place.' You access their soul. It hints that later you will have an invitation to their eternal Heavenly home, which is outside our understanding, all by using money in an eternal way. Millions would be great but just a few dollars will work also.
Wow.
This faithfulness with 'unrighteous wealth' (money, power, influence, etc...) puts us in a place to be trusted with true riches.
This makes me want to be positioned so that what I have can be used well. Perhaps changes and seeming sacrifices need to happen for that to be true. Why not get a latte if no one is standing next to me? This isn't putting money into a jar that says, 'Relief for _____ victims'. That is great in its own way. We can't outgive God. But this is a one on one investment that touches a soul and the true riches are invested in our soul as peace, wisdom and an awareness of God's gracious mind. The true riches have to do with proximity to Christ and His life.
--
"And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings. One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in that which is another's, who will give you that which is your own?" - Luke 16:9-12 ESV
Yes, This speaks of honesty, investment and advancement but there is a depth to it beyond the natural side.
This principle is so vital. It basically says that if you have $5 you could buy a latte or you could get 2 coffees, one for you and one for another person and that investment gives you entrance into their 'eternal dwelling place.' You access their soul. It hints that later you will have an invitation to their eternal Heavenly home, which is outside our understanding, all by using money in an eternal way. Millions would be great but just a few dollars will work also.
Wow.
This faithfulness with 'unrighteous wealth' (money, power, influence, etc...) puts us in a place to be trusted with true riches.
This makes me want to be positioned so that what I have can be used well. Perhaps changes and seeming sacrifices need to happen for that to be true. Why not get a latte if no one is standing next to me? This isn't putting money into a jar that says, 'Relief for _____ victims'. That is great in its own way. We can't outgive God. But this is a one on one investment that touches a soul and the true riches are invested in our soul as peace, wisdom and an awareness of God's gracious mind. The true riches have to do with proximity to Christ and His life.
--
Tuesday, July 11, 2017
Brush Those Teeth
There are many things I could write about this morning but the theme that keeps coming to me is this one...
'Keep brushing your teeth.'
No matter what happens... solar eclipses... political upheaval... trouble or prosperity... keep sowing, watering and reaping and taking care of the long term things.
People get very excited or very scared by what they see and they let go of the rope. Later they regret that they did.
It doesn't take long... once in the morning... another time in the evening... brush those teeth... Make the call to the loved one... put a few dollars away... read your Bible... skip a meal and pray instead for what is happening now and the next season of life.
"And he told them a parable: 'Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. As soon as they come out in leaf, you see for yourselves and know that the summer is already near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all has taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap.' " - Luke 21:29-34 ESV
No matter what is happening 'being in God's word' is a good investment... I want to have my teeth for as long as I need them and I want to be ready to say something whenever that is needed also.
--
'Keep brushing your teeth.'
No matter what happens... solar eclipses... political upheaval... trouble or prosperity... keep sowing, watering and reaping and taking care of the long term things.
People get very excited or very scared by what they see and they let go of the rope. Later they regret that they did.
It doesn't take long... once in the morning... another time in the evening... brush those teeth... Make the call to the loved one... put a few dollars away... read your Bible... skip a meal and pray instead for what is happening now and the next season of life.
"And he told them a parable: 'Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. As soon as they come out in leaf, you see for yourselves and know that the summer is already near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all has taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap.' " - Luke 21:29-34 ESV
No matter what is happening 'being in God's word' is a good investment... I want to have my teeth for as long as I need them and I want to be ready to say something whenever that is needed also.
--
Monday, March 27, 2017
Invest With What We Have
'They gave me a chance when no one else would.' How many success stories have that pivotal point somewhere in the mix?
Trust pays great dividends but it also has great consequences if it is misplaced.
This weekend a was thinking about success stories and great tragedies. These were all things I witnessed with my own eyes. People I know or knew. Some damaged because a loved one trusted the wrong person. Some redeemed because a person made a decision not to 'know someone after the flesh' and 'give them a chance when no one else would' because of belief in a new identity even if that new identity wasn't visible yet.
"In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels I charge you to keep these rules without prejudging, doing nothing from partiality. Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands..." - 1 Timothy 5:21-22 ESV
'Laying on of hands' speaks of trust and promotion. I have seen men promote other men as a means of investment and it rarely goes well. If authority says, 'We trust this person. They have what is needed.' but they really don't that authority just gets undermined and people get hurt.
"The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender." - Proverbs 22:7 ESV
I saw this passage in a new light this weekend. We give. If we lend then we are making a slave. God gave to those who could never pay Him back. No payment could ever be enough. Grace makes us givers because we have something to give. We never borrow to give. We only give what we have or we become slaves.
Trust works that way also. I can't trust if I have no trust but if I have trust I can trust. If we trust hoping to get something in return it is a counterfeit investment but if we see 'Aaron's rod' bud it means we have something. God gave life to that dead stick and it was a witness. We look for the same witness.
"Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will repay him for his deed." - Proverbs 19:17 ESV
Faith in God makes us rich in trust. We have something but we are wise in how we use it. If there is nothing there throwing trust at the situation isn't going to make something happen. But if there is something there... even if it is a smoking flax looking like it is just about to die we can gently use trust to coax that flame back to life.
I marvel at what God entrusts to man. He is amazing really.
Don't we all want to be people who, 'gave someone a chance when no one else would'? I do. I'm just not going to gamble with what doesn't belong to me. I will give away some, or even all, of what does and God has promised He will repay.
Hyper-spirituality is investing what I don't own. Pragmatism is being so poor that I can only operate by my 5 senses. Sowing seeds of grace words and trusting that they won't return void is the place where miracles can happen because God is present in the investment.
--
Trust pays great dividends but it also has great consequences if it is misplaced.
This weekend a was thinking about success stories and great tragedies. These were all things I witnessed with my own eyes. People I know or knew. Some damaged because a loved one trusted the wrong person. Some redeemed because a person made a decision not to 'know someone after the flesh' and 'give them a chance when no one else would' because of belief in a new identity even if that new identity wasn't visible yet.
"In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels I charge you to keep these rules without prejudging, doing nothing from partiality. Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands..." - 1 Timothy 5:21-22 ESV
'Laying on of hands' speaks of trust and promotion. I have seen men promote other men as a means of investment and it rarely goes well. If authority says, 'We trust this person. They have what is needed.' but they really don't that authority just gets undermined and people get hurt.
I saw this passage in a new light this weekend. We give. If we lend then we are making a slave. God gave to those who could never pay Him back. No payment could ever be enough. Grace makes us givers because we have something to give. We never borrow to give. We only give what we have or we become slaves.
Trust works that way also. I can't trust if I have no trust but if I have trust I can trust. If we trust hoping to get something in return it is a counterfeit investment but if we see 'Aaron's rod' bud it means we have something. God gave life to that dead stick and it was a witness. We look for the same witness.
"Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will repay him for his deed." - Proverbs 19:17 ESV
Faith in God makes us rich in trust. We have something but we are wise in how we use it. If there is nothing there throwing trust at the situation isn't going to make something happen. But if there is something there... even if it is a smoking flax looking like it is just about to die we can gently use trust to coax that flame back to life.
I marvel at what God entrusts to man. He is amazing really.
Don't we all want to be people who, 'gave someone a chance when no one else would'? I do. I'm just not going to gamble with what doesn't belong to me. I will give away some, or even all, of what does and God has promised He will repay.
Hyper-spirituality is investing what I don't own. Pragmatism is being so poor that I can only operate by my 5 senses. Sowing seeds of grace words and trusting that they won't return void is the place where miracles can happen because God is present in the investment.
--
Thursday, February 16, 2017
The Mindset Of Investment
Reading Galatians chapter 6 and asking myself, 'What is sowing to the flesh and what is sowing to the Spirit? The answers are right in the passage...
"Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh who would force you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. For even those who are circumcised do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh. But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. And as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God." - Galatians 6:7-16 ESV
What is the mindset of a sower? I'm not talking about a child following instructions or a hired hand working for their hourly wage. I'm thinking of the farmer who has a vision for profit down the road.
I want to speak like my words are seeds.
If we tell people they need to change in order for God (or us) to accept them then we are sowing to the flesh. If we love people and tell them that what God has done transforms then we are going to have to wait a season for those seeds to turn into crops but we are sowing to the Spirit and the harvest will come in bountiful unexpected ways down the road.
Today's muddy ground can be something beautiful in a few months. Sowing is going to take energy. Let's not let weariness distract us from the good results coming in a little while.
--
"Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh who would force you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. For even those who are circumcised do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh. But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. And as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God." - Galatians 6:7-16 ESV
What is the mindset of a sower? I'm not talking about a child following instructions or a hired hand working for their hourly wage. I'm thinking of the farmer who has a vision for profit down the road.
I want to speak like my words are seeds.
If we tell people they need to change in order for God (or us) to accept them then we are sowing to the flesh. If we love people and tell them that what God has done transforms then we are going to have to wait a season for those seeds to turn into crops but we are sowing to the Spirit and the harvest will come in bountiful unexpected ways down the road.
Today's muddy ground can be something beautiful in a few months. Sowing is going to take energy. Let's not let weariness distract us from the good results coming in a little while.
--
Friday, March 25, 2016
Water Droplet Unions
What binds us to one another in groups is like surface tension. We gather in groups like a droplet of water gathers but we also can be scattered easily.
"For it is written, 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.' " - Matthew 26:31b ESV
Leadership can be a gathering force but it can also be a scattering one.
"Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture!" declares the LORD. Therefore thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, concerning the shepherds who care for my people: "You have scattered my flock and have driven them away, and you have not attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for your evil deeds, declares the LORD. Then I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them, and I will bring them back to their fold, and they shall be fruitful and multiply." - Jeremiah 23:1-3 ESV
We see loving families that are tightly joined and it is a beautiful union based on love and commitment.
"He answered, 'Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, 'Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh'? So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.' " - Matthew 19:4-6 ESV
This is a great union.
"As soon as he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul." - 1 Samuel 18:1 ESV
Jonathan was a friend to David when David was in trouble. David was anointed to be king but was hounded by Jonathan's father for years and years. King Saul was a scatterer but Jonathan was bound to the friendship.
"But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him." - 1 Corinthians 6:17 ESV
The Greek word translated joined is Kollao (Strong's G2853) and it speaks of a vegetable glue that was used in making sandals. Once this glue was applied the leather of the sole and material used to touch a person's foot was fused together so strongly that you would destroy the parts if you tried to remove them from each other.
As individuals we become fused to God in our human spirit at a certain moment in time.
"Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.' " - Hebrews 13:5 ESV
"...you were cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree..." - Romans 11:24a ESV (a part of verse)
Israel is the cultivated tree that is connected by a heritage. Israel holds the bloodline of Messiah and the Church has been grafted into the base. The Church is not Israel but it is nourished by the root and the fruit is a result of being grafted in.
I have seen leadership that produces unity and it is beautiful. I have also experience leadership that divides and it is brutal. Nothing can separate us from God once we have been joined to Him. The moment we mix faith with what Jesus has done for us on the cross spiritual glue is applied to us and we have a new root system that will never fail us.
David was anointed to be king but when he was poor and needy Jonathan was a person that treated him like a king. David's mighty men got a reflection of the investment that David got from Jonathan.
I think this morning of our many group attachments that are like water droplets... family... work... groups of friends... Church life... let's be people that gather and not scatter. There may be real scattering forces in the mix but we can be ones that have a 'seek and save' mentality because God sought us and saved us.
--
"For it is written, 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.' " - Matthew 26:31b ESV
Leadership can be a gathering force but it can also be a scattering one.
"Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture!" declares the LORD. Therefore thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, concerning the shepherds who care for my people: "You have scattered my flock and have driven them away, and you have not attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for your evil deeds, declares the LORD. Then I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them, and I will bring them back to their fold, and they shall be fruitful and multiply." - Jeremiah 23:1-3 ESV
We see loving families that are tightly joined and it is a beautiful union based on love and commitment.
"He answered, 'Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, 'Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh'? So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.' " - Matthew 19:4-6 ESV
This is a great union.
"As soon as he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul." - 1 Samuel 18:1 ESV
Jonathan was a friend to David when David was in trouble. David was anointed to be king but was hounded by Jonathan's father for years and years. King Saul was a scatterer but Jonathan was bound to the friendship.
"But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him." - 1 Corinthians 6:17 ESV
The Greek word translated joined is Kollao (Strong's G2853) and it speaks of a vegetable glue that was used in making sandals. Once this glue was applied the leather of the sole and material used to touch a person's foot was fused together so strongly that you would destroy the parts if you tried to remove them from each other.
As individuals we become fused to God in our human spirit at a certain moment in time.
"Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.' " - Hebrews 13:5 ESV
"...you were cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree..." - Romans 11:24a ESV (a part of verse)
Israel is the cultivated tree that is connected by a heritage. Israel holds the bloodline of Messiah and the Church has been grafted into the base. The Church is not Israel but it is nourished by the root and the fruit is a result of being grafted in.
I have seen leadership that produces unity and it is beautiful. I have also experience leadership that divides and it is brutal. Nothing can separate us from God once we have been joined to Him. The moment we mix faith with what Jesus has done for us on the cross spiritual glue is applied to us and we have a new root system that will never fail us.
David was anointed to be king but when he was poor and needy Jonathan was a person that treated him like a king. David's mighty men got a reflection of the investment that David got from Jonathan.
I think this morning of our many group attachments that are like water droplets... family... work... groups of friends... Church life... let's be people that gather and not scatter. There may be real scattering forces in the mix but we can be ones that have a 'seek and save' mentality because God sought us and saved us.
--
Saturday, January 9, 2016
Wise Leisure Time
It is Saturday. Like many it is my first day off. I don't go to work and earn. Instead I can do what I choose to do.
"Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered. The people curse him who holds back grain, but a blessing is on the head of him who sells it. Whoever diligently seeks good seeks favor, but evil comes to him who searches for it. Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf. Whoever troubles his own household will inherit the wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise of heart. The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and whoever captures souls is wise." - Proverbs 11:25-30 ESV
This is a great 'day off' passage because Today is a day when I can trust in riches for myself. Leisure is a rich mans pleasure after all.
There is nothing wrong with relaxing. We all need it.
I see people who live their lives giving back and they are blessed people. They find joy in 'watering'. Souls are what is important to them.
I am going to go on evangelism today. I'm not going to make God happy or as a duty of some kind. Jesus has already done that on my behalf. I just see it as a wise way to spend my time.
"And he said to them, 'Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.' Immediately they left their nets and followed him." - Matthew 4:19-20 ESV
These men became 'waterers' they were no long seeking to gather only for themselves. Instead they found joy in laboring so that other could have and be blessed.
Don't get me wrong. It is going to be a fun day. I am going to eat nice food and laugh a lot in the midst of these activities. Just as I want to be wise in my work I also want to be wise in my play. I don't want to use this day off as an escape. What are we running from anyway? I want to use it to enter in to things. I want to use it to enter into people's lives near and far and give them what has been given to me.
I think the baseball coach who works a job and coaches kids doesn't regret living that way. He invests in a dozen young lives a season involved in a game he loves and it is a good way to live... the doctor who volunteers at a clinic... the family that visits a nursing home long after the grandmother who was staying there has passed on.
It is never to late to make a shift to a different lifestyle.
Investment is wise. Loving is good for our souls. It a a good fun way to spend our time.
--
"Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered. The people curse him who holds back grain, but a blessing is on the head of him who sells it. Whoever diligently seeks good seeks favor, but evil comes to him who searches for it. Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf. Whoever troubles his own household will inherit the wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise of heart. The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and whoever captures souls is wise." - Proverbs 11:25-30 ESV
This is a great 'day off' passage because Today is a day when I can trust in riches for myself. Leisure is a rich mans pleasure after all.
There is nothing wrong with relaxing. We all need it.
I see people who live their lives giving back and they are blessed people. They find joy in 'watering'. Souls are what is important to them.
I am going to go on evangelism today. I'm not going to make God happy or as a duty of some kind. Jesus has already done that on my behalf. I just see it as a wise way to spend my time.
"And he said to them, 'Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.' Immediately they left their nets and followed him." - Matthew 4:19-20 ESV
These men became 'waterers' they were no long seeking to gather only for themselves. Instead they found joy in laboring so that other could have and be blessed.
Don't get me wrong. It is going to be a fun day. I am going to eat nice food and laugh a lot in the midst of these activities. Just as I want to be wise in my work I also want to be wise in my play. I don't want to use this day off as an escape. What are we running from anyway? I want to use it to enter in to things. I want to use it to enter into people's lives near and far and give them what has been given to me.
I think the baseball coach who works a job and coaches kids doesn't regret living that way. He invests in a dozen young lives a season involved in a game he loves and it is a good way to live... the doctor who volunteers at a clinic... the family that visits a nursing home long after the grandmother who was staying there has passed on.
It is never to late to make a shift to a different lifestyle.
Investment is wise. Loving is good for our souls. It a a good fun way to spend our time.
--
Friday, December 11, 2015
The Underground Work Of Grace
I love how God does His work quietly inside us.
"The house that King Solomon built for the LORD was sixty cubits long, twenty cubits wide, and thirty cubits high... When the house was built, it was with stone prepared at the quarry, so that neither hammer nor axe nor any tool of iron was heard in the house while it was being built." - 1 Kings 6:2, 7 ESV
"Is not my word like fire, declares the LORD, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?" - Jeremiah 23:29 ESV
"if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." - 1 Peter 2:3-5 ESV
When people pick up the words of God and use them as a hammer everyone in earshot is disturbed by the noise. People feel beat up and get tired of living on a construction site where nothing is ever good enough.
Solomon was a wise king. He had the loud work done in secret.
There are moments when the Holy Spirit uses the word of God to break things up inside me and carve off my ego so that I will be the correct dimensions to slip right into place. But many times those are secret moments and not a spectacle with a crowd of witnesses.
"With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue will break a bone." - Proverbs 25:15 ESV
The grace of God is a soft answer that does a powerful work inside a person and it does it without pounding them on the outside.
"For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men." - 1 Corinthians 1:25 ESV
Foolish men think they must see sparks fly and a cloud of dust in order for something to happen. Usually it is the opposite. God does his spiritual work quietly on the inside through investment on the outside.
--
"The house that King Solomon built for the LORD was sixty cubits long, twenty cubits wide, and thirty cubits high... When the house was built, it was with stone prepared at the quarry, so that neither hammer nor axe nor any tool of iron was heard in the house while it was being built." - 1 Kings 6:2, 7 ESV
"Is not my word like fire, declares the LORD, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?" - Jeremiah 23:29 ESV
"if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." - 1 Peter 2:3-5 ESV
When people pick up the words of God and use them as a hammer everyone in earshot is disturbed by the noise. People feel beat up and get tired of living on a construction site where nothing is ever good enough.
Solomon was a wise king. He had the loud work done in secret.
There are moments when the Holy Spirit uses the word of God to break things up inside me and carve off my ego so that I will be the correct dimensions to slip right into place. But many times those are secret moments and not a spectacle with a crowd of witnesses.
"With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue will break a bone." - Proverbs 25:15 ESV
The grace of God is a soft answer that does a powerful work inside a person and it does it without pounding them on the outside.
"For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men." - 1 Corinthians 1:25 ESV
Foolish men think they must see sparks fly and a cloud of dust in order for something to happen. Usually it is the opposite. God does his spiritual work quietly on the inside through investment on the outside.
--
Tuesday, November 3, 2015
Grace In Receiving And Grace In Cultivation
Looking at the transition from manna to seeding.
"Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him." - John 12:24-26 ESV
"And the manna ceased the day after they ate of the produce of the land. And there was no longer manna for the people of Israel, but they ate of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year." - Joshua 5:12 ESV
Manna represents the daily supernatural provision that God has for us. We gather new mercy each day. We look at the Bible and God feeds us a fresh provision.
The kernel of wheat that falls into the ground and produces life out of death represents resurrection life. It is a long term investment. It requires cultivation and not just harvesting.
Both are grace provisions. God gives manna and He gives growth.
When Israel left Egypt they left as slaves. They had a slave mentality. God fed them manna and taught them to trust. Later when they entered the promised land there was a transition. Stewardship requires investment.
"He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it." - Revelation 2:17 ESV
A mature believer has moved beyond the old identity and takes this new self into a life of seeding that has hidden manna.
Manna could only be collected for an individual or a family. It is a solitary experience. Seeding cultivates a crop that feeds many people not just the individual.
I have heard people teach grace that emphasizes solitary life. A new identity that is solitary. It is foundational teaching. People need to know who they are and that they have been set free from slavery. They need to develop a strong vertical relationship with God. But there must be seeding grace balance. If folks are isolated they will never learn stewardship. People must learn to live with other people in the horizontal. There needs to be investment that takes time to blossom. Dealing with people requires a death to self that the solitary manna gatherer will not experience unless they make the transition to stewardship.
God has promised hidden manna to those that overcome. It has a daily grace provision that is available during planting, watering and harvesting. He isn't talking about winning on the outside only. He is talking about the battlefield of the mind. The battlefield of the soul. Those who war a good warfare from the new guilt free identity of freedom find manna they didn't see before. It is right there on their doorstep when they wake up. Hidden from the rest of the world but given to them and them alone. It becomes oil for the lantern of the soul.
Every morning can be a morning of new mercy. Lets live a seeding life where we are in the process of long term investments to see redemptive outcomes.
--
"Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him." - John 12:24-26 ESV
"And the manna ceased the day after they ate of the produce of the land. And there was no longer manna for the people of Israel, but they ate of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year." - Joshua 5:12 ESV
Manna represents the daily supernatural provision that God has for us. We gather new mercy each day. We look at the Bible and God feeds us a fresh provision.
The kernel of wheat that falls into the ground and produces life out of death represents resurrection life. It is a long term investment. It requires cultivation and not just harvesting.
Both are grace provisions. God gives manna and He gives growth.
When Israel left Egypt they left as slaves. They had a slave mentality. God fed them manna and taught them to trust. Later when they entered the promised land there was a transition. Stewardship requires investment.
"He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it." - Revelation 2:17 ESV
A mature believer has moved beyond the old identity and takes this new self into a life of seeding that has hidden manna.
Manna could only be collected for an individual or a family. It is a solitary experience. Seeding cultivates a crop that feeds many people not just the individual.
I have heard people teach grace that emphasizes solitary life. A new identity that is solitary. It is foundational teaching. People need to know who they are and that they have been set free from slavery. They need to develop a strong vertical relationship with God. But there must be seeding grace balance. If folks are isolated they will never learn stewardship. People must learn to live with other people in the horizontal. There needs to be investment that takes time to blossom. Dealing with people requires a death to self that the solitary manna gatherer will not experience unless they make the transition to stewardship.
God has promised hidden manna to those that overcome. It has a daily grace provision that is available during planting, watering and harvesting. He isn't talking about winning on the outside only. He is talking about the battlefield of the mind. The battlefield of the soul. Those who war a good warfare from the new guilt free identity of freedom find manna they didn't see before. It is right there on their doorstep when they wake up. Hidden from the rest of the world but given to them and them alone. It becomes oil for the lantern of the soul.
Every morning can be a morning of new mercy. Lets live a seeding life where we are in the process of long term investments to see redemptive outcomes.
--
Friday, October 23, 2015
Getting Established
A few subjects are on my mind this morning from our conversation at coffee last night.
One is prophecy in the Hebrew scriptures versus in the Greek scriptures.
The other is the desire to see people 'established'.
This passage (a long one) contains both ideas.
"But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, in person not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face, because we wanted to come to you - I, Paul, again and again - but Satan hindered us. For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? For you are our glory and joy. Therefore when we could bear it no longer, we were willing to be left behind at Athens alone, and we sent Timothy, our brother and God's coworker in the gospel of Christ, to establish and exhort you in your faith, that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this. For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, just as it has come to pass, and just as you know. For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to learn about your faith, for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you and our labor would be in vain. But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of your faith and love and reported that you always remember us kindly and long to see us, as we long to see you - for this reason, brothers, in all our distress and affliction we have been comforted about you through your faith. For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord. For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God, as we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith? Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you, and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you," - 1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:12 ESV
Old testament prophets gave glimpses of future events. The Messiah had not come yet. The Greek NT scriptures are all written after the cross and point back to what has happened not what will happen but there are some rare instances where that is not the case.
Paul told these believers at Thessaloniki that the team was going to suffer hardship before it happened and he later feared that somehow these people would leave the faith and get taken out by deception but then the opposite happened. God kept them.
Can you see the love in the words?
I think seeing people established makes our suffering seem worthwhile. We see a miracle in other people's lives when they persevere also.
Grace is what is able to establish people. It is what is able to establish us. It is the only thing that can truly establish us on the rock that can't be moved.
"To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. Of David. Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer; from the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I," - Psalm 61:1-2 ESV
"Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it." - Matthew 7:24-27 ESV
I so want the people in my sphere of influence to be established. The Gospel of Grace is what establishes people. Jesus died for sin and rose to reign and we as individuals just believe in what He has done and who He Is. Mysteriously those who mix faith with that truth can persevere because they are anchored to the eternal reality of God and not the transitory difficult situations that we all must face sooner or later.
--
One is prophecy in the Hebrew scriptures versus in the Greek scriptures.
The other is the desire to see people 'established'.
This passage (a long one) contains both ideas.
"But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, in person not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face, because we wanted to come to you - I, Paul, again and again - but Satan hindered us. For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? For you are our glory and joy. Therefore when we could bear it no longer, we were willing to be left behind at Athens alone, and we sent Timothy, our brother and God's coworker in the gospel of Christ, to establish and exhort you in your faith, that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this. For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, just as it has come to pass, and just as you know. For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to learn about your faith, for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you and our labor would be in vain. But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of your faith and love and reported that you always remember us kindly and long to see us, as we long to see you - for this reason, brothers, in all our distress and affliction we have been comforted about you through your faith. For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord. For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God, as we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith? Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you, and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you," - 1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:12 ESV
Old testament prophets gave glimpses of future events. The Messiah had not come yet. The Greek NT scriptures are all written after the cross and point back to what has happened not what will happen but there are some rare instances where that is not the case.
Paul told these believers at Thessaloniki that the team was going to suffer hardship before it happened and he later feared that somehow these people would leave the faith and get taken out by deception but then the opposite happened. God kept them.
Can you see the love in the words?
I think seeing people established makes our suffering seem worthwhile. We see a miracle in other people's lives when they persevere also.
Grace is what is able to establish people. It is what is able to establish us. It is the only thing that can truly establish us on the rock that can't be moved.
"To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. Of David. Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer; from the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I," - Psalm 61:1-2 ESV
"Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it." - Matthew 7:24-27 ESV
I so want the people in my sphere of influence to be established. The Gospel of Grace is what establishes people. Jesus died for sin and rose to reign and we as individuals just believe in what He has done and who He Is. Mysteriously those who mix faith with that truth can persevere because they are anchored to the eternal reality of God and not the transitory difficult situations that we all must face sooner or later.
--
Wednesday, November 5, 2014
Opening The Channel Of Supply
Meditation is rehearsing, reviewing or exploring a concept we already know.
After the first bite of an apple we know what the apple tastes like the second and third bites taste much the same as the first but we turn the fruit and plan the place where we will bite next. Meditation can be like that. Chewing and planning our next bite.
Meditating on grace is like eating something Heavenly. It is a foreign thought to the natural mind that God would love us just because He Is a God of love and that He would place us in a position of untarnishable favor based on what His Son has done is beyond natural thinking.
"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me - practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you." - Philippians 4:4-9 ESV
Do we know grace? That is a good question. At times we all can say, 'No, We don't.' because it is a Heavenly idea and we are Earth bound people that have souls that cleave to the dust.
Grace is received from God. That is the only way it is obtained. Once given it is never taken away again. God puts an ironclad commitment around every divine decree. God gave grace when He gave His Son. We got grace when we received His Son. So simple. Then God Is right there with us supplying us moment by moment. He doesn't ever stop.
"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," - Titus 2:11-12 ESV
We meditate on what we know and God trains us in things we do not yet know. Grace opens the lines of supply because it makes the Bible alive, gives us access to God's throne day or night and shows us a new identity that is interacting in Trinitarian purposes because it is hidden in Christ.
"Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!" - Psalm 34:8 ESV
Yes. We take a taste and then another again and again until our heart is established in grace. In time the basis of our functioning becomes grace.
That process is going to take time. We can afford to be patient with ourselves and with others. People grow at different rates and they have complex issues. If we have words of grace that we are chewing on we can give words of grace for other people to chew on and those words will open a supply for them that will transform them in time. That line upon line investment of the Spirit will grow into a beautiful structure that glorifies God.
So... We take bite after bite and chew a little longer instead of just swallowing in a rushed way and God does something invisible in us because of His invisible unending supply.
--
After the first bite of an apple we know what the apple tastes like the second and third bites taste much the same as the first but we turn the fruit and plan the place where we will bite next. Meditation can be like that. Chewing and planning our next bite.
Meditating on grace is like eating something Heavenly. It is a foreign thought to the natural mind that God would love us just because He Is a God of love and that He would place us in a position of untarnishable favor based on what His Son has done is beyond natural thinking.
"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me - practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you." - Philippians 4:4-9 ESV
Do we know grace? That is a good question. At times we all can say, 'No, We don't.' because it is a Heavenly idea and we are Earth bound people that have souls that cleave to the dust.
Grace is received from God. That is the only way it is obtained. Once given it is never taken away again. God puts an ironclad commitment around every divine decree. God gave grace when He gave His Son. We got grace when we received His Son. So simple. Then God Is right there with us supplying us moment by moment. He doesn't ever stop.
"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," - Titus 2:11-12 ESV
We meditate on what we know and God trains us in things we do not yet know. Grace opens the lines of supply because it makes the Bible alive, gives us access to God's throne day or night and shows us a new identity that is interacting in Trinitarian purposes because it is hidden in Christ.
"Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!" - Psalm 34:8 ESV
Yes. We take a taste and then another again and again until our heart is established in grace. In time the basis of our functioning becomes grace.
That process is going to take time. We can afford to be patient with ourselves and with others. People grow at different rates and they have complex issues. If we have words of grace that we are chewing on we can give words of grace for other people to chew on and those words will open a supply for them that will transform them in time. That line upon line investment of the Spirit will grow into a beautiful structure that glorifies God.
So... We take bite after bite and chew a little longer instead of just swallowing in a rushed way and God does something invisible in us because of His invisible unending supply.
--
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
Sent By Grace In Luke Ten
Reading Luke 10 with new perspective this morning. Christ was a gracious leader. His grace extends to every area of leadership.
"After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go. And he said to them, 'The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. Go your way; behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves.' " - Luke 10:1-3 ESV
Go your way. These are the places I want to visit but go your way and pray that the others are led by God the Father. He could have broken the cities and towns into seventy-two parts and assigned a section to each one. No. He says go your way and pray. One group might knock on dozens of doors and the other might meet one or two families and spend the whole time investing.
Pray that the Lord of the Harvest 'would send laborers.' Didn't you just send seventy-two people? Would there be more people? We think of this verse and quote it to the Church. It is a good verse to quote but if we look at it in context Jesus is talking to those seventy-two people about those seventy-two people. He could have commanded them to do what He wanted to do... but grace works differently... grace activates us in spirit leading. These men were not indwelled by the Spirit. That would not happen until Pentecost. The Spirit rested on them to lead them but which among them would be a grace laborer? Pray... Jesus said pray. Willingness isn't enough. It must be by prayer. Just like today. It must be by prayer.
"Carry no moneybag, no knapsack, no sandals, and greet no one on the road. Whatever house you enter, first say, 'Peace be to this house!' And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest upon him. But if not, it will return to you. And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer deserves his wages. Do not go from house to house. Whenever you enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set before you. "Heal the sick in it and say to them, 'The kingdom of God has come near to you.' " - Luke 10:4-8 ESV
Whatever house you find yourself in... whatever town you find yourself in... go... that is the part that must be done... go... but not just to take territory. Bring peace to the households that receive. Linger at those households. Make those places a base of operations.
"But whenever you enter a town and they do not receive you, go into its streets and say, 'Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near.' I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town. 'Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But it will be more bearable in the judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you. And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You shall be brought down to Hades.' " - Luke 10:10-15 ESV
Peace to the households but some places will have an air to them that everyone buys into. A spirit that links people into cliques of rejection. Whole places where grace is rejected. Move on. Keep going. There are households somewhere else. Things might change later but for now Christ tells these people to not even let the dust of the place cling to their feet.
" 'The one who hears you hears me, and the one who rejects you rejects me, and the one who rejects me rejects him who sent me.'
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. Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.' " - Luke 10:16-20 ESV
Rejoice in the grace of salvation. Names written down in Heaven that are written there in a merit less economy. Rejoice in that. When that grace kingdom sends a person there is power. Grace has power that no assembly line of organization could ever hope to have.
Jesus gave them guidelines but they were not guidelines that maximized efficiency... they maximized investment. He gave them freedom framed in redemptive purpose.
God the Father used the person of Jesus Christ as a man to send them. He still uses men today. He uses people filled with the Spirit to send other people in guidelines of grace. The power these seventy-two had is still to be had today.
Today I pray for laborers... God, send them... the fields are white... I have no money... no spiritual currency to barter with... if it were left to me none of this would get done... it is beyond me. But you God are the Lord of the Harvest. Today is all I have. Today. Please lead me and guide me. I know the seed of grace is good seed. I know the Gospel is what is needed. Help God. I am believing you for today. Move me today. Lead me to the hungry person. Lead me to the household that wants you. Give me wisdom so a won't be ground down in a place where a should just wipe the dust off... give me wisdom to stick it out in the place were there are hungry people.
Thank you God.
--
"After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go. And he said to them, 'The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. Go your way; behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves.' " - Luke 10:1-3 ESV
Go your way. These are the places I want to visit but go your way and pray that the others are led by God the Father. He could have broken the cities and towns into seventy-two parts and assigned a section to each one. No. He says go your way and pray. One group might knock on dozens of doors and the other might meet one or two families and spend the whole time investing.
Pray that the Lord of the Harvest 'would send laborers.' Didn't you just send seventy-two people? Would there be more people? We think of this verse and quote it to the Church. It is a good verse to quote but if we look at it in context Jesus is talking to those seventy-two people about those seventy-two people. He could have commanded them to do what He wanted to do... but grace works differently... grace activates us in spirit leading. These men were not indwelled by the Spirit. That would not happen until Pentecost. The Spirit rested on them to lead them but which among them would be a grace laborer? Pray... Jesus said pray. Willingness isn't enough. It must be by prayer. Just like today. It must be by prayer.
"Carry no moneybag, no knapsack, no sandals, and greet no one on the road. Whatever house you enter, first say, 'Peace be to this house!' And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest upon him. But if not, it will return to you. And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer deserves his wages. Do not go from house to house. Whenever you enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set before you. "Heal the sick in it and say to them, 'The kingdom of God has come near to you.' " - Luke 10:4-8 ESV
Whatever house you find yourself in... whatever town you find yourself in... go... that is the part that must be done... go... but not just to take territory. Bring peace to the households that receive. Linger at those households. Make those places a base of operations.
"But whenever you enter a town and they do not receive you, go into its streets and say, 'Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near.' I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town. 'Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But it will be more bearable in the judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you. And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You shall be brought down to Hades.' " - Luke 10:10-15 ESV
Peace to the households but some places will have an air to them that everyone buys into. A spirit that links people into cliques of rejection. Whole places where grace is rejected. Move on. Keep going. There are households somewhere else. Things might change later but for now Christ tells these people to not even let the dust of the place cling to their feet.
" 'The one who hears you hears me, and the one who rejects you rejects me, and the one who rejects me rejects him who sent me.'
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. Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.' " - Luke 10:16-20 ESV
Rejoice in the grace of salvation. Names written down in Heaven that are written there in a merit less economy. Rejoice in that. When that grace kingdom sends a person there is power. Grace has power that no assembly line of organization could ever hope to have.
Jesus gave them guidelines but they were not guidelines that maximized efficiency... they maximized investment. He gave them freedom framed in redemptive purpose.
God the Father used the person of Jesus Christ as a man to send them. He still uses men today. He uses people filled with the Spirit to send other people in guidelines of grace. The power these seventy-two had is still to be had today.
Today I pray for laborers... God, send them... the fields are white... I have no money... no spiritual currency to barter with... if it were left to me none of this would get done... it is beyond me. But you God are the Lord of the Harvest. Today is all I have. Today. Please lead me and guide me. I know the seed of grace is good seed. I know the Gospel is what is needed. Help God. I am believing you for today. Move me today. Lead me to the hungry person. Lead me to the household that wants you. Give me wisdom so a won't be ground down in a place where a should just wipe the dust off... give me wisdom to stick it out in the place were there are hungry people.
Thank you God.
--
Saturday, January 4, 2014
Rest Has The Resources
Caring about people is a byproduct of knowing God's grace. I'm not giving up on anyone who is breathing air. That is my conviction
The number of people in the world is overwhelming. The number in our lives can seem that way. Needs go beyond us. We can only be in one place at a time. The beach is littered with starfish. We can only throw one back in at a time. Etc... etc...
Rest can live never giving up. It has the resources to live that way. Jesus sits in Heaven never giving up.
The next step after 'I'm never giving up' is 'I'll never be offended if rejected.' One enables the other. Try these two without the relaxation that grace brings and the fire will consume you. Jesus is fire that frees us and sends us while preserving us.
So, if you have ever been in my life you will always be in my life. God will sort it all out at the Bema seat (judgment for believers) and the White Throne (Judgment for unbelievers). As for me I'm not here to judge anyone. I'm just here to love people.
Jesus' life and words will separate the sheep from the goats in the end anyway.
--
The number of people in the world is overwhelming. The number in our lives can seem that way. Needs go beyond us. We can only be in one place at a time. The beach is littered with starfish. We can only throw one back in at a time. Etc... etc...
Rest can live never giving up. It has the resources to live that way. Jesus sits in Heaven never giving up.
The next step after 'I'm never giving up' is 'I'll never be offended if rejected.' One enables the other. Try these two without the relaxation that grace brings and the fire will consume you. Jesus is fire that frees us and sends us while preserving us.
So, if you have ever been in my life you will always be in my life. God will sort it all out at the Bema seat (judgment for believers) and the White Throne (Judgment for unbelievers). As for me I'm not here to judge anyone. I'm just here to love people.
Jesus' life and words will separate the sheep from the goats in the end anyway.
--
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
The Eyes of The Farmer
"For thus says the LORD to the men of Judah and Jerusalem: 'Break up your fallow ground, And do not sow among thorns.' " - Jeremiah 4:3 NKJV
This is a good thought.
"Much food is in the fallow ground of the poor, And for lack of justice there is waste." Proverbs 13:23 NKJV
There is food waiting to be planted and harvested in the fallow ground. A farmer can look at an empty field and imagine the yield that one day could come from that place.
"Sow for yourselves righteousness; Reap in mercy; Break up your fallow ground, For it is time to seek the LORD, Till He comes and rains righteousness on you." Hosea 10:12 NKJV
How much of what God does is preparation? How much of what we do is? Is that time wasted? Prayer time... Slow steady investment time... Is that time wasted?
The seed will be wasted if sown on the wild soil or the thorny soil of our hearts. It just isn't going to take root. Soil preparation is not fruit production. You can till the soil all you want but with no seed the ground will just lie dormant. The poor soul has little grace in it. It has little truth in it. Maybe some wild things grow there but it is not the beautiful garden or the rows and rows of vines overflowing with juice and sweetness that God knows grace and mercy could produce.
What would a few moments with a shovel do? A prayer shovel that attacks the soil. A little fire of conviction where the thorny branches can be burned and disposed of first. What time that might save later.
Then grace and mercy can be added in abundance. Seed, water and care are added and God gives the increase.
"Let them extol him in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders. He turns rivers into a desert, springs of water into thirsty ground, a fruitful land into a salty waste, because of the evil of its inhabitants. He turns a desert into pools of water, a parched land into springs of water. And there he lets the hungry dwell, and they establish a city to live in; they sow fields and plant vineyards and get a fruitful yield. By his blessing they multiply greatly, and he does not let their livestock diminish. When they are diminished and brought low through oppression, evil, and sorrow, he pours contempt on princes and makes them wander in trackless wastes; but he raises up the needy out of affliction and makes their families like flocks. The upright see it and are glad, and all wickedness shuts its mouth. Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things; let them consider the steadfast love of the LORD." Psalms 107:32-43 ESV
God till my soil. Don't let me be familiar with a barren landscape in my heart... in my city... in my family. Help us take the shovel of prayer to people, places and situations. Then the seed of the Gospel can be sprinkled in that place where the shovel has landed. Love with life in it.
You are the Lord of the Harvest. What do you see in that field?
This is a good thought.
"Much food is in the fallow ground of the poor, And for lack of justice there is waste." Proverbs 13:23 NKJV
There is food waiting to be planted and harvested in the fallow ground. A farmer can look at an empty field and imagine the yield that one day could come from that place.
"Sow for yourselves righteousness; Reap in mercy; Break up your fallow ground, For it is time to seek the LORD, Till He comes and rains righteousness on you." Hosea 10:12 NKJV
How much of what God does is preparation? How much of what we do is? Is that time wasted? Prayer time... Slow steady investment time... Is that time wasted?
The seed will be wasted if sown on the wild soil or the thorny soil of our hearts. It just isn't going to take root. Soil preparation is not fruit production. You can till the soil all you want but with no seed the ground will just lie dormant. The poor soul has little grace in it. It has little truth in it. Maybe some wild things grow there but it is not the beautiful garden or the rows and rows of vines overflowing with juice and sweetness that God knows grace and mercy could produce.
What would a few moments with a shovel do? A prayer shovel that attacks the soil. A little fire of conviction where the thorny branches can be burned and disposed of first. What time that might save later.
Then grace and mercy can be added in abundance. Seed, water and care are added and God gives the increase.
"Let them extol him in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders. He turns rivers into a desert, springs of water into thirsty ground, a fruitful land into a salty waste, because of the evil of its inhabitants. He turns a desert into pools of water, a parched land into springs of water. And there he lets the hungry dwell, and they establish a city to live in; they sow fields and plant vineyards and get a fruitful yield. By his blessing they multiply greatly, and he does not let their livestock diminish. When they are diminished and brought low through oppression, evil, and sorrow, he pours contempt on princes and makes them wander in trackless wastes; but he raises up the needy out of affliction and makes their families like flocks. The upright see it and are glad, and all wickedness shuts its mouth. Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things; let them consider the steadfast love of the LORD." Psalms 107:32-43 ESV
God till my soil. Don't let me be familiar with a barren landscape in my heart... in my city... in my family. Help us take the shovel of prayer to people, places and situations. Then the seed of the Gospel can be sprinkled in that place where the shovel has landed. Love with life in it.
You are the Lord of the Harvest. What do you see in that field?
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