Meditating on this today...
"So Jesus said to them, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you...' " - John 6:53 ESV
Jesus lost many people after saying this and it is understandable. Communion is mystical. It is so much more than bread and wine. That stuff goes into our body and becomes part of us and it represents a deeper truth.
"And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, 'This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.' And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, 'This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.
But behold, the hand of him who betrays me is with me on the table.' " - Luke 22:19-21 ESV
In order to commune, we must hold the bread and wine in our hand and bring it to our mouth and eat. Judas just watched he didn't eat. His hand was on the table. That was the way he related to Christ from the beginning. Christ never became a part of his being.
"What shall I render to the LORD for all his benefits to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD, I will pay my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people." - Psalm 116:12-14 ESV
God isn't asking for perfection. We lay hold of eternal life, take it in, make it ours and then talk about it.
If we live as spectators only we will never really live life and the isolation is a real isolation. We must possess the One who possesses us or existence will just be drudgery.
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Showing posts with label Isolation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Isolation. Show all posts
Thursday, May 3, 2018
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.
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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.
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Friday, August 28, 2015
A Brother To The Fatherless
"I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you." - John 14:18 ESV
We often think of children without mothers and fathers when we think of orphans but being an orphan also involve living separated from brothers and sisters.
God won't leave people orphaned. He will come to people. He will send some out so that people can be brought in.
My heart is burdened for orphaned people today. People who are cut off for one reason or the other.
"If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world." - James 1:26-27 ESV
Yes.
Has our liberty brought us to a place where we can just say whatever we want to say. Is that what liberty is for? Or is our freedom given to us so we can visit those who are cut off and maybe hurting because of isolation.
Maybe we are not suppose to be a person's father but we are there to be a brother or a sister... not in some religious way but in a practical spiritual loving way.
God wants to father people. He does not want one person to be alone and hurting.
"The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance." - 2 Peter 3:9 ESV
The Greek word metanoia (Strong's G3341) is the word translated as repentance here and it means to have a change of mind because there was something better to think about.
God wants folks to have a relationship with Him and people that know Him. He wants connections to form that will change minds. That is a process that takes time but God is patient.
The world around us sings the praises of self-sufficiency but I see orphaned people who are caring for themselves as best as they can but lack the support of a spiritual support system.
Help us God. Make us brothers and sisters to people. We want to find the lost and lonely ones.
Then we can sing together and laugh together. Then we can go together.
We often think of children without mothers and fathers when we think of orphans but being an orphan also involve living separated from brothers and sisters.
God won't leave people orphaned. He will come to people. He will send some out so that people can be brought in.
My heart is burdened for orphaned people today. People who are cut off for one reason or the other.
"If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world." - James 1:26-27 ESV
Yes.
Has our liberty brought us to a place where we can just say whatever we want to say. Is that what liberty is for? Or is our freedom given to us so we can visit those who are cut off and maybe hurting because of isolation.
Maybe we are not suppose to be a person's father but we are there to be a brother or a sister... not in some religious way but in a practical spiritual loving way.
God wants to father people. He does not want one person to be alone and hurting.
"The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance." - 2 Peter 3:9 ESV
The Greek word metanoia (Strong's G3341) is the word translated as repentance here and it means to have a change of mind because there was something better to think about.
God wants folks to have a relationship with Him and people that know Him. He wants connections to form that will change minds. That is a process that takes time but God is patient.
The world around us sings the praises of self-sufficiency but I see orphaned people who are caring for themselves as best as they can but lack the support of a spiritual support system.
Help us God. Make us brothers and sisters to people. We want to find the lost and lonely ones.
Then we can sing together and laugh together. Then we can go together.
--
Tuesday, March 10, 2015
The Comforts Of Home
"He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure." - Psalm 40:2 ESV
Without God our minds are homeless.
If you have ever been homeless or know anything about it you know that it is a condition that involves much more than a lack of physical shelter. There is a sense of detachment that accompanies the condition. A need to rely on people and a seesaw of emotions that moves a person's sense of self worth up and down and around depending on the day and circumstances. It is a unique challenge.
People can think, 'Why don't they just get a job somewhere?' but that is far from easy when you have no place to live, a limited variety of clothing and no identification in your pocket to show someone. Not to mention the challenges of staying healthy and clean.
When God sees a homeless person and a well established person standing next to each other He sees two people of equal and immeasurable value. Unless men have God's mind they don't see that.
A believer lives spiritually in God's home. A believer's mind is God's home. There are comforts and resources that are at a person's disposal on every possible level. A believer may wander but there is always a place to come back to. That is a beautiful aspect of grace.
"But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone... and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery." - Hebrews 2:9, 15 ESV
Death has fear in part because there is no safe place in view. All control is gone and nothing is sure. People are slaves because of fear and ultimately people fear because of death.
Jesus came to change that. He became homeless so that we could have a home. He hung on a cross rejected of God and men so that we would have a strong tower to run to and resources to draw from.
Thank you God... really... thank you so much. You are our shelter. We are often not the best house guests but you love us so tenderly and consistently. You say to us, 'Mi casa es su casa.' and we are so grateful for that. We may not have a home here but when we are with You we are home.
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Without God our minds are homeless.
If you have ever been homeless or know anything about it you know that it is a condition that involves much more than a lack of physical shelter. There is a sense of detachment that accompanies the condition. A need to rely on people and a seesaw of emotions that moves a person's sense of self worth up and down and around depending on the day and circumstances. It is a unique challenge.
People can think, 'Why don't they just get a job somewhere?' but that is far from easy when you have no place to live, a limited variety of clothing and no identification in your pocket to show someone. Not to mention the challenges of staying healthy and clean.
When God sees a homeless person and a well established person standing next to each other He sees two people of equal and immeasurable value. Unless men have God's mind they don't see that.
A believer lives spiritually in God's home. A believer's mind is God's home. There are comforts and resources that are at a person's disposal on every possible level. A believer may wander but there is always a place to come back to. That is a beautiful aspect of grace.
"But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone... and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery." - Hebrews 2:9, 15 ESV
Death has fear in part because there is no safe place in view. All control is gone and nothing is sure. People are slaves because of fear and ultimately people fear because of death.
Jesus came to change that. He became homeless so that we could have a home. He hung on a cross rejected of God and men so that we would have a strong tower to run to and resources to draw from.
Thank you God... really... thank you so much. You are our shelter. We are often not the best house guests but you love us so tenderly and consistently. You say to us, 'Mi casa es su casa.' and we are so grateful for that. We may not have a home here but when we are with You we are home.
---
Wednesday, December 17, 2014
The Third Cord
Thinking and praying... praying for marriages to make it... young couples and long standing marriages. Praying for mothers with young children. Praying for men who need to provide for families... that those men would have tender hearts and not be hardened by frustration or despair. I'm Lifting up small churches (small in size that is).
Isolation is not a good thing.
"And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone" - Genesis 2:18a KJV
I look at these early verses written by Moses and it is easy to look at the content of what is being said but God is talking. Who is He talking to? In a way it is a picture of the Trinity. God is speaking in a committee meeting of sorts and saying, 'Man is triune like We are (body, soul and spirit) but he needs an expression of that in an external way also.'
Not only do we need to know we are not alone. We need reciprocating sounding boards that have God's mind. The trinity is one.
"Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one." - Deuteronomy 6:4 ESV
Ideas can isolate us. Right and wrong can. Distance can. Trouble can. We can be in a room full of people and still be alone. It is not good.
We are all individual triune beings on the inside and that is right. Our identity is not lost in the group if it is strong and healthy. We can go it alone if we must but that is not the ideal. That is not our final design.
"And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him - a threefold cord is not quickly broken." - Ecclesiastes 4 ESV
Our friendships need a third cord. Our marriages need one. God is that third cord. Fellowship is when God is in the midst.
So, I'm praying for people this morning. Some are people I haven't thought of in a long time. I'm not even sure if some of them are alive but still... I'm praying that there would be love that flows between people in potentially isolating situations. That love is so needed.
--
Isolation is not a good thing.
"And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone" - Genesis 2:18a KJV
I look at these early verses written by Moses and it is easy to look at the content of what is being said but God is talking. Who is He talking to? In a way it is a picture of the Trinity. God is speaking in a committee meeting of sorts and saying, 'Man is triune like We are (body, soul and spirit) but he needs an expression of that in an external way also.'
Not only do we need to know we are not alone. We need reciprocating sounding boards that have God's mind. The trinity is one.
"Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one." - Deuteronomy 6:4 ESV
Ideas can isolate us. Right and wrong can. Distance can. Trouble can. We can be in a room full of people and still be alone. It is not good.
We are all individual triune beings on the inside and that is right. Our identity is not lost in the group if it is strong and healthy. We can go it alone if we must but that is not the ideal. That is not our final design.
"And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him - a threefold cord is not quickly broken." - Ecclesiastes 4 ESV
Our friendships need a third cord. Our marriages need one. God is that third cord. Fellowship is when God is in the midst.
So, I'm praying for people this morning. Some are people I haven't thought of in a long time. I'm not even sure if some of them are alive but still... I'm praying that there would be love that flows between people in potentially isolating situations. That love is so needed.
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