Being With Hurting People

The thought i had that i have today is...

'Be present with those who are in pain.' and just 'Be with people when you are in pain.'

The problem is often that people can amplify or minimize pain that others are having. They 'write it off' or 'focus to much on it'. So people want to withdraw.

Also... hurt people hurt other people. They lash out at times... can we endure that... absorb that.

People grieve
People who were wronged are genuinely hurt

Forgiveness is real and possible... Heaven is real.... hurt is also real.

"He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were [our] faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not." - Isaiah 53:3 KJV

That is Jesus in prophecy.

"But of the Son he says, 'Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.'" - Hebrews 1:8-9 ESV

That is Jesus also but i love how it says, 'of the Son' because we are adopted children in Christ and we can 'love righteousness' and be exalted also. He already is exalted and we can experience that in Him.

"As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, "Follow me." And he rose and followed him. And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples. And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?" But when he heard it, he said, 'Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.' " - Matthew 9:9-12 ESV

Jesus loved righteousness and sat with people at the same time.

I practice confrontational evangelism but I'm not that way when it comes to healing... that takes time, kindness, laughter (if possible) and love.

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Jesus' Intercession On The Cross

"Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and makes INTERCESSION for the transgressors." - Isaiah 53:12 ESV

That word 'intercession' is paga (Strong's H6293) in the Hebrew and it is not talking about verbal intercession. It is a physical word (attack, fall upon, parry, collide with).

The cross was Jesus stepping in-between us and God's wrath. It was Him taking our bullet. It was Him jumping into our problem and making it His problem.

"If you MEET your enemy's ox or his donkey going astray, you shall bring it back to him." - Exodus 23:4 ESV

It is the same word used here for 'meet'. It is a physical confrontation.

Jesus created (makes) a space for the transgressors (us) to come in contact with God.

An evangelist or missionary is an intercessor. They aren't just saying words they are coming in contact with God and bringing people into contact with Him.

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Season of Betrothal

We are betrothed to Christ. Not married... yet.

Engaged as a group and the marriage will be a 'us' thing also. Not individual... it is a concept presented in the Hebrew but we don't have it in our western culture.

Being engaged has it's own joys and troubles... life is happening but postponed... biblical engagement has no sexual intimacy... not before engagement or during... that is reserved for marriage.... that longing is healthy and once married a bond is formed both emotionally and physically.

The troubles of engagement are real... loneliness... the impending living arrangements may be anticipated but still the old 'life' dies and a new one is about to start filled with unknowns.

A believer lives a life of betrothal. We often say, 'One day things will be different.' and the they will be cause the marriage will happen and everything will be new again.

"And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful." - Revelation 21:5 KJV

"For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation;" - 2 Corinthians 5:14-18 ESV

Internal 'newness' is available to us now. External newness will come later. Hope is available to us now. Fullness of joy later.

"You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore." - Psalm 16:11 ESV

"But, as it is written, "What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him"-- these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God." - 1 Corinthians 2:9-10 ESV

Life can often be like a woman longing for her prince charming to arrive... that isn't easy but it is a hardship filled with hope. Jesus is who we are longing for.... we have Him but we long for time when hope turns to daily living in joy unspeakable.

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What Were Jesus' Commandments?

"In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, "you heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now." - Acts 1:1-5 ESV

"You are my friends if you do what I command you." - John 15:14 ESV

""If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you." - John 14:15-17 ESV

"This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you." - John 15:12 ESV

"And he said to them, "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation." - Mark 16:15 ESV

I see three primary commands given to these people.... stay in Jerusalem... love one another... go into all the world and proclaim the gospel.

There are two who tried to leave...

"That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. ... When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, "Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?" And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together," - Luke 24:13-16, 30-33 ESV

They knew that Jesus had COMMANDED them to be in Jerusalem. Jesus was so gracious... He didn't chide them... He just loved them and walked with them away from where they were supposed to be.

I think we can put way to much stock in programs and what we think God wants us to to do. Religion demands things that Jesus Himself did not demand.

Be in places where you receive power
Love people
Evangelize

Those are 'abiding' things not religious duties.

"Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him." - John 14:21 ESV

What a great promise!

It happened to them at Pentecost. It can happen to us also... not through a program but by abiding in the vine... living with God and being where He Is revealed.

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From Imitation To Liberty

 "For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways." - 1 Corinthians 13:9-11 ESV

This morning i am seeing this passage in a fresh way as i ponder imitation and identity formation.

As children we imitate others... that is how we learn to speak... we see adults doing things and we do things the way we saw them do it, or try to.... identities get formed they can be healthy or very unhealthy depending on what is modeled, accepted and rejected.

"From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."" - Matthew 4:17 ESV

That was John the Baptizer's message... Jesus saw the value of this man and imitated him. Jesus. The perfect man. But then there was a break into manhood.

"And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing during those days. And when they were ended, he was hungry." - Luke 4:1-2 ESV

Jesus had a 'rite of passage into manhood', a hard thing He had to do Himself, just Him and His heavenly Father... no help from anyone... a victory that propelled Him into manhood and ministry.

"For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways." - 1 Corinthians 13:9-11 ESV

"So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."" - John 8:31-32 ESV

I see so many 'identity issues' linked to imitation. People just don't know who God has made them to be or they forget and latch on, in their dissatisfaction, to something in the culture and they parrot those outward behaviors they see.... which is fine if you are a child but must eventually end.

Jesus latched on to His Father in Heaven. He showed us how to do that also. Something we can do at any age.

"Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.' " - John 14:6 ESV

He said this and gave us a book full of red letter words (the words Jesus spoke).

"Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you." - John 16:7 KJV

"But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." - John 14:26-27 ESV

The word and the Spirit and people who have come before us and walk in that same Spirit.

"So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia. For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing." - 1 Thessalonians 1:7-8 KJV

"Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you: Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us." - 2 Thessalonians 3:8-9 KJV

Liberty is for adults... we can see freedom in others and imitate them but there comes a day, usually though something extremely hard, that can propel us in adulthood. I want that for all who are struggling today.

As we face the challenges of life let do it as adults who have love, joy and peace that passes understanding because we have left the imitation of temporal things behind.

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Hopeless... But Now Having A Hope That Maketh Not Ashamed

Hopelessness is when we lose all confidence in ourselves, other people and have no sense that any powerful being cares or notices us in a real way.

"Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called "the uncircumcision" by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands-- remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world." - Ephesians 2:11-12 ESV

That was us before... after believing in Jesus we have this...

"Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us." - Romans 5:1-5 ESV

'...hope that maketh not ashamed...' (KJV language) is a realization that because we are JUSTIFIED in Christ (verse 1) God notices us. We have access. We have a place to stand. We 'rejoice in hope of the glory of God'... God isn't going to remain invisible... His glory is a revealing of His brightness and person...

This hope has nothing to do with other people or how we perform or succeed... love gets poured into us... our sufferings are producing room for that love... we don't suffer because we are forgotten... God Is going to be revealed because we are not forgotten... We have peace 'with' God. That is not just a cessation of conflict. It is a shared peace.

"Uphold me according to your promise, that I may live, and let me not be put to shame in my hope! Hold me up, that I may be safe and have regard for your statutes continually!" - Psalm 119:116-117 ESV

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The Non-Violent Christus Victor

Jesus' 'victory' is unique in that it is a non-violent victory. He wins but He never uses the methods of those who are against Him. Jesus 'won' by giving His life not by conquering Rome or by wrestling each Pharisee to the ground one by one.

Our victory is a non-violent one also.

"He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes. I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake. I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father. I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one." - 1 John 2:10-14 KJV

Love wins.

Television shows us violent people who can only be overcome by violence but Jesus shows us a different victory. It is one that transforms. It isn't a purely moral change. An eye for an eye is moral. Turning the other cheek sows a seed that can win a soul and that is forever.

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The Light Of The World

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." - John 3:16 KJV

Jesus is the illumination of God's love.

"And God said, Let there be light: and there was light." - Genesis 1:3 KJV

God wanted to make it possible for us to see things that were far away in this creation He was making so He illuminated it.

"Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." - John 8:12 KJV

Yes! Yes! Yes! He Is the light that lights every man and shows us the love of the Father. Love is invisible unless you show it... It is unknown unless you say it. God didn't hide His love. He showed us His love.

"For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to [give] the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." - 2 Corinthians 4:6 KJV

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Seven Attributes Of Jesus Revealed To Seven Churches

In order to have eternal perspective in any given situation you and I need to know something specific about God. We need to know who He Is and how He functions...

"Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; I know thy works..." - Revelation 2:1-2a KJV

"And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; I know thy works..." - Revelation 2:8-9a KJV

"And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; I know thy works..." - Revelation 2:12-13a KJV

"And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet [are] like fine brass; I know thy works.." - Revelation 2:18-19a KJV

"And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works..." - Revelation 3:1 KJV

"And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; I know thy works..." - Revelation 3:7-8 KJV

"And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works..." - Revelation 3:14-15 KJV

Seven is a number representing completion is the Bible. That concept comes from the Hebrew. It is why we have seven days in a week. Seven days give us a complete cycle. God is addressing seven Churches in these chapters for a reason. These seven statements are things that the 'angel' (leader/representative) needed to know about Jesus. Putting them all together gives us a complete view of what we need to know to handle every problem we face.

Every statement is followed by 'I know thy works'. Jesus is telling us and them who He Is and that He sees what they are doing. That order is important because we need to think that way also. We are wise if we look at Jesus to see who His Is first then put what we are doing second and in the context of who He Is.

I'm going to read these seven statements again and again today because they are special. You can't see this in nature, anthropology or through self examination. This is who Jesus Is and only He can tell us that and He does so we can be equipped. It will change what we do and when we do it if we know what God says here about Himself.

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Finding Jesus In Revelations

"The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near." - Revelation 1:1-3 ESV

I have studied this book before. I read some of it days after I became a Christian and had nightmares about it. It has been decades since then. I have taken classes focused on this book... heard sermons... preached messages focused on passages.

Still. Today as I read the first few verses they seem fresh to me.

This book can seem like a puzzle. Names. Events. References to other parts of the Bible. Mysteries. 

The other day I got before God and said something like, 'I want to come at this book like I know 'nothing as I ought to' and have you teach me.' then I started to just look for Jesus in each chapter. What was God saying? What is His attitude? What was His tone? I skipped the names and events and just looked for Him.

"I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."" - Revelation 1:1-8 ESV

"When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, "Fear not, I am the first and the last," - Revelation 1:1-17 ESV

"'I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name's sake, and you have not grown weary." - Revelation 2:2-3 ESV

"And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying, "Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created."" - Revelation 4:9-11 ESV

"...saying, "Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees, until we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads."" - Revelation 7:3 ESV

There is more, so much more, but Who do you see reading this? I see someone who cares deeply and knows people. He sees, observes and rewards. Those who experience Him can't say enough about Him. He is sensitive to pain and suffering. He times things and doesn't rush.

This is MY Jesus. I am His and He has become mine. 

The events are important... sure they are... but Jesus is revealed here and those things blur in the backround as He comes into focus for me.

This book scared me but now I want to eat it like candy.

"I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star." The Spirit and the Bride say, "Come." And let the one who hears say, "Come." And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price. I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book. He who testifies to these things says, "Surely I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen." - Revelation 22:16-21 ESV

Come quickly Lord! Thank you for this book. It is a great gift.

How Did Jesus Deal With Demons?

"But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men." - Matthew 16:23 KJV

When Jesus dealt with demons He didn't deal with them like they were people. Pride, selfishness, greed and the whole list of other negative 'emotions' are not natural. They are demonic in origin. Demons are not people. They are a 'host'. They are more like bees or ants than people. The individual has a will but it is lost in the group.

"When Jesus arrived on the other side of the lake, in the region of the Gadarenes, two men who were possessed by demons met him. They lived in a cemetery and were so violent that no one could go through that area. They began screaming at him, "Why are you interfering with us, Son of God? Have you come here to torture us before God's appointed time?" There happened to be a large herd of pigs feeding in the distance. So the demons begged, "If you cast us out, send us into that herd of pigs." "All right, go!" Jesus commanded them. " - Matthew 8:28-32a NLT

If a group has a favorite place to hang out they build a sentimental attachment to that place. If they have a bad experience in that place once or a couple of times they will find some other place to hang out.

Bringing Jesus into the room gives darkness a bad experience. 

"Can you draw out Leviathan with a fishhook or press down his tongue with a cord? Can you put a rope in his nose or pierce his jaw with a hook? Will he make many pleas to you? Will he speak to you soft words? Will he make a covenant with you to take him for your servant forever? Will you play with him as with a bird, or will you put him on a leash for your girls? Will traders bargain over him? Will they divide him up among the merchants? Can you fill his skin with harpoons or his head with fishing spears? Lay your hands on him; remember the battle--you will not do it again!" - Job 41:1-8 ESV

Darkness works in darkness for a reason. Leviathan (which can represent that organized darkness) is so seamless and strong that most people don't even know what they are dealing with. Demonic powers are nearly invisible to us in the natural.

"And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all [men], apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And [that] they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will." - 2 Timothy 2:24-26 KJV

Jesus always ruins darkness' day because His light exposes leviathan. He can no longer take pride in his victory in a place. He is greedy and makes reasons to move on to greener pastures.

Don't reason with the Devil. Just bring Jesus into the room and make Him the focus. Tell darkness Christ owns the place, situation and people. 

"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." - James 4:7 KJV"

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The Chambers Of Our Mind

"Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own," - 1 Corinthians 6:19 ESV

Our body, or mind, is going to be a temple of something. Our imagination (the chambers of our imagery) is active and something is there. It is either holy and the spirit has free access to the rooms of our soul or it is closed off and filled with things that never see the light.

This next passage is an amazing picture of a person's thought life that is filled with idolatry. God sees it all but if we 'dig in the wall' it can be seen by us also.

"Then he said to me, 'Son of man, lift up your eyes now toward the north.' So I lifted up my eyes toward the north, and behold, north of the altar gate, in the entrance, was this image of jealousy. And he said to me, 'Son of man, do you see what they are doing, the great abominations that the house of Israel are committing here, to drive me far from my sanctuary? But you will see still greater abominations.' And he brought me to the entrance of the court, and when I looked, behold, there was a hole in the wall. Then he said to me, 'Son of man, dig in the wall.' So I dug in the wall, and behold, there was an entrance. And he said to me, 'Go in, and see the vile abominations that they are committing here.' So I went in and saw. And there, engraved on the wall all around, was every form of creeping things and loathsome beasts, and all the idols of the house of Israel. And before them stood seventy men of the elders of the house of Israel, with Jaazaniah the son of Shaphan standing among them. Each had his censer in his hand, and the smoke of the cloud of incense went up." - Ezekiel 8:5-11 ESV

Don't get me wrong most of us have closed off rooms in our soul. They may be secrets we protect or places that are just too painful to enter. Abuse does that.

"When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace: But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils. He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth." - Luke 11:21-23 KJV

The Holy Spirit is the 'stronger man' who can take back that chamber, those chambers, God can cleanse His temple.

"And the Jews' passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem, And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables; And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise." - John 2:13-16 KJV

Yes. Passover is when God set Israel free from bondage. Jesus is 'freeing' his Father's temple here. Those money changers had rigged weights. They cheated people and gouged them. They bought 'sacrifices' that where made to God but that was not God's heart. He wanted people to have easy access to his house.

God wants easy access to your mind. He wants to cleanse your mind and mine so we can be clean and free and not in bondage to lies and systems that are false and dark.

If you and I are functioning as 'temples' people can have access to God when they are with us. If our mind is cleansed we will have thoughts, words and ideas that are nourishing and wholesome. God is the treasure and not the structure that He dwells in. An empty Church is just a building. Our mind can be a thriving place if God dwells there.

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Moses And Aaron

I have always wondered about this interplay between Moses and his brother Aaron. Was it God's will or was it a 'compromise' of sorts?

"But Moses said to the LORD, 'Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue.' Then the LORD said to him, 'Who has made man's mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the LORD? Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.' But he said, 'Oh, my Lord, please send someone else.' Then the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses and he said, 'Is there not Aaron, your brother, the Levite? I know that he can speak well. Behold, he is coming out to meet you, and when he sees you, he will be glad in his heart. You shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth, and I will be with your mouth and with his mouth and will teach you both what to do. He shall speak for you to the people, and he shall be your mouth, and you shall be as God to him." - Exodus 4:10-16 ESV

Also, Did God predict that Aaron would be happy to step into this role or did God move on Aaron's heart in some way to produce the outcome?

Either way it comforts me that God is willing to make us interdependent in ways. Moses is a 'type' or Christ. He was a Savior of Israel in that God used him to get them out of Eygpt and to the edge of the promised land.

"...You shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth, and I will be with your mouth and with his mouth and will teach you both what to do..."

Reminds me of this.

"When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, 'Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.' And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld." - John 20:20-23 ESV

There is this grand interplay between the Trinity and us as individuals. If we have a Pastor God sometimes uses words from that person to speak to us. He gives the pulpit the words and we are both taught together.

Maybe sometimes we feel like saying...

'...Oh, my Lord, please send someone else...'

Even in that there is a provision for companionship in the sending.

Oh that is good. I'm praying we all run into more people who are 'glad in their heart' to see us and work with us. No one should have to go alone in this world.

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Transcendence And The Upper Room

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

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

The 'Upper Room' is a great study.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Newness In Christ

Take a look with new eyes and you will see that all things have become new again.

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." - 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 ESV

People who have an identity crisis either crystalize or start over. This passage informs me that because of Christ I don't have to lose it all circumstantially in order to begin again.

"Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord." - Romans 6:11 KJV

I like the KJV for this passage. We must say, 'What I do can not separate me from God. What Jesus has done has reconciled me to God forever.' and that gives a place for newness.

Celebrities reinvent themselves with new clothing, hairstyles, and altered styles but God has reinvented us in Christ with mercy. It happens again and again and we need it to happen over and over again for each day and each season. Our mind needs renewal.

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." - Romans 12:2 ESV

The pressures of life will push on us and can block the light we need to see. Depressions are caused by pressures. Renewal is needed.

"...the truth is in Jesus, to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds," - Ephesians 4:21b-23 ESV

What you want will kill you an inch at a time but what you have can renew you of you enter into the renewal that Jesus has won for you.

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The Need For Fresh Wisdom

"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways." - James 1:5-8 ESV

- No one is disqualified from getting wisdom from God because of a pre-existing condition
- God gives generously
- God won't 'reproach' those who ask. He won't taunt, revile or 'make fun' of anyone. Shame should not prevent anyone from asking
- The doubter disqualifies themselves
- Doubt creates instability that resembles a ship tossed in a storm
- Doubt is functioning in an identity that is split into two opposing 'minds'
- The doubter must not 'suppose' (an interesting word that means think but it is a verb in the middle voice so the person is also the recipient of the action of the verb) that they will receive anything from the Lord. I think the word 'suppose' is key to understanding this passage properly
- Asking 'in faith' is a key component. No one is disqualified but not everyone gets wisdom. Asking with a particular mindset is needed

The author is inspired by God and He is telling us something here. He is giving us the ability to problem-solve with God.

This is a great passage to talk to God about. We can't be in that 'in faith' pocket apart from that dynamic.

I lack wisdom. My day is far from cut and dry. I love that I can come agenda-free to God and say, 'I want to collaborate with you.' and He is available to that. The disciples didn't 'suppose they would receive anything' from Jesus and when they did He gently rebuked them. He was for them but His actions were not centered around them. He was seeking to save and redeem what was lost. I want that wisdom today. I want to be free from arguing with myself about myself and worrying that a won't have what I need if things don't turn out a certain way.

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Contend For This

"Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ." - Jude 1:3-4 ESV

That word translated 'contend' is only used once in the scriptures and it basically means to go above and beyond to take possession of some object or preserve a reputation or legacy.

Verse four tells us that the fight is between freedom to indulge ourselves as being a central focus and Jesus. We are told to 'war' to keep Him and what he has accomplished central.

That is so convicting to me. Can we read the Gospels and then do anything we please? All things are lawful but not all things are profitable.

Walking with Jesus in liberty is the 'faith' that was first delivered to the Saints. Those disciples followed Him and they went where He took them. That is a walk worth fighting for.

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Times Of Temptation

Temptation is an interesting thing. I quit a hobby activity last July because it was occupying to much of my time and replacing activities that invigorated my spiritual walk but lately I have been tempted to take it back up again. I got rid of the equipment I had used but I find myself looking around for new equipment. Nothing has changed about it being a time waster but in my restlessness I'm 'tempted'. I sometimes have to talk myself away from the threshold of entering back into that activity. I want to 'write myself a pass' knowing no good will come of it.

"No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it." 1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV

This is really good news for me right now. I feel like I need to escape. Saying, 'No, I'm not doing that' isn't easy at times.

I'm going to activitely believe God for the projects in my life and in other people's lives that don't seem to be progressing and take the 'trust in Jesus' escape of faith that goes against sight knowing that faith motivated action and confession please God and glorify Him in the long run.

He is able. I don't have to settle for less than His best.

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The Man With X-Ray Vision

The book of Jude is an intense book. It is like the writer has x-ray vision. Jesus is the deity whose influence stretches the length of history... enemies are predestined because the kingdom they unwittingly serve is old... spiritual warfare is real... fallen angels are beings rattling chains in a set location... intense.

I want to crawl into Jude's head and see what he sees. He isn't hiding anything. It is right out there.

"Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ." - Jude 1:3-4 ESV

Wow. This is the heart of the book. This man wants to write and fellowship with us but he sees danger. He is like a person who sees his friend and waves a greeting across a crowded street but then he sees a tractor-trailer closing in on his buddy and his tone changes and he must yell, 'Watch out!'.

"But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. They said to you, 'In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.' It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit. But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life." - Jude 1:17-21 ESV

I don't want to be the guy who talks about hell and demons. I want to hug people, fellowship and feed people but spiritual warfare is real and the time is short. Life is short. Jesus is the Ark that will ave people from the coming storm and people need to know that truth.

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Was Jesus Racist?

Was Jesus racist? Is God?

"And Jesus went away from there and withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and was crying, "Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon." But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, "Send her away, for she is crying out after us." He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." But she came and knelt before him, saying, "Lord, help me." And he answered, "It is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs." She said, "Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table." Then Jesus answered her, "O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire." And her daughter was healed instantly." Matthew 15:21-28 ESV

'Dog' was a racist slur but Jesus was putting this woman's faith on display. He was saying to his disciples and to the world, 'Do you think I have a 'us' and 'them' mentality like every other fallen man does? I don't!'

Yes. All the men following Him were Jewish but that was the first stage of God's plan. Jesus came to save the world.

"For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise." Galatians 3:27-29 ESV

"Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." 2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV

Jesus noticed what race this woman was. He didn't ignore the difference like it didn't exist. He used the obvious difference to prove a point. God loves people.

He loves you. He loves me. He loves the person struggling with their gender identity. He loves those who don't know who they are and those that think they do.

In Him we find newness, healing and belonging. In Him we find salvation and life. He will dissolve our prejudices. He invites us to sit at the table with Abraham as a family member.

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