If you are a Christian it should come as no surprise that we are living in a hostile environment. We don't fit in and we are not meant to. We are not given to compromise but instead we stand our ground. Not always easy because many of the elements that are against us because of Christ in us are also attractive to our flesh. But we are not alone.
Somehow we need to develop the mentality that we are not alone. Jesus did not give us new birth, anoint us and send us out as secret agents on our own. He did all that in plain sight of the enemy and stands with us. We are not alone because the life we have is in Jesus and he lives in us. We are never alone and we do not fight in our own strength. We do not stand the ground we have been given by using our own strength but instead we use the strength that is lent to us by our Lord. He knows exactly what we need for this fight.
What we can take courage from is knowing that Jesus knows what is going on even when we don't and he understands our limits:
In certain ways we are weak, but the Spirit is here to help us. For example, when we don’t know what to pray for, the Spirit prays for us in ways that cannot be put into words. (Romans 8:26)
Faith is trust. We cannot say that we have faith when we demonstrate so often that we don't trust. We are not required to have complete understanding of every situation but we are required to trust. When we trust we move forward in faith, never turning from the course set out before us. Trust says, "I know I am not in this alone, that I represent the King who I walk with, and that he is my strength and he will see me through everything I face." This is our confidence. This is our joy. This is our peace.
Whatever you are facing, whatever resistance, whatever persecution, whatever hardships, know you are not alone. Know that Jesus is lending you the strength and ability to overcome these things. Know that with Jesus we win. So don't give up but push through; fight on; keep pressing in. The Spirit is here to help us. Trust.
Showing posts with label Romans 8. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Romans 8. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 17, 2014
Thursday, August 28, 2014
Don't Waste Your Sin
"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. " - George Santayana
Most of us can attest to the truth of this statement. We may understand it from a different perspective like, a mistake is not a waste if we learn from it. Some of the greatest lessons in history and our personal lives were the precursor to some great advances. But how different it could have been if we had failed to learn.
We see this in our relationship with Jesus as well. Nothing is a waste when Yahweh is involved:
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)
But what a mess it becomes when we refuse to remember and refuse to learn.
Remember Aaron's mistake (sin) when he made the golden calf and called it the god who had rescued Israel? The nation was almost wiped out on the spot. You would think it would be an historical sin that no one would repeat. Not so. When the kingdom became divided there was concern that people would eventually move to Judah because of the temple. So guess what they did?
Therefore the king asked advice, made two calves of gold, and said to the people, “It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem. Here are your gods, O Israel, which brought you up from the land of Egypt!” (1 Kings 12:28)
They did what most of us do, they not only repeated their sin but doubled it. "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again but expecting different results." - Rita Mae Brown. Insanity or not it is what we do with sin when we are not strong in the Lord. Sin seems to cloud our mind but the presence of the Spirit frees it. In the Spirit we are able discern but without him we continue to repeat our sins.
We can't do it on our own and we need to stop trying. We are wasting time, effort and opportunities. If we are really interested in spiritual growth and development we need to embrace the lessons that come from the sins of our past and be willing to be taught in every situation we face. It is part of growing up.
Most of us can attest to the truth of this statement. We may understand it from a different perspective like, a mistake is not a waste if we learn from it. Some of the greatest lessons in history and our personal lives were the precursor to some great advances. But how different it could have been if we had failed to learn.
We see this in our relationship with Jesus as well. Nothing is a waste when Yahweh is involved:
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)
But what a mess it becomes when we refuse to remember and refuse to learn.
Remember Aaron's mistake (sin) when he made the golden calf and called it the god who had rescued Israel? The nation was almost wiped out on the spot. You would think it would be an historical sin that no one would repeat. Not so. When the kingdom became divided there was concern that people would eventually move to Judah because of the temple. So guess what they did?
Therefore the king asked advice, made two calves of gold, and said to the people, “It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem. Here are your gods, O Israel, which brought you up from the land of Egypt!” (1 Kings 12:28)
They did what most of us do, they not only repeated their sin but doubled it. "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again but expecting different results." - Rita Mae Brown. Insanity or not it is what we do with sin when we are not strong in the Lord. Sin seems to cloud our mind but the presence of the Spirit frees it. In the Spirit we are able discern but without him we continue to repeat our sins.
We can't do it on our own and we need to stop trying. We are wasting time, effort and opportunities. If we are really interested in spiritual growth and development we need to embrace the lessons that come from the sins of our past and be willing to be taught in every situation we face. It is part of growing up.
Thursday, April 17, 2014
Passion Week: The Gift
This is the day of our Lord Jesus' last supper. There is so much crammed into this last week that it is impossible to look at it all in such a short period with this blog. We haven't touched on the teaching from the widow's offering, or Jesus' explanation of the last days, or a number of other important matters. However, just as this last week is crammed so is the last supper in the upper room with the disciples. Only John gives us a detailed account of what Jesus taught at this meal and there is a lot of it so I am going to address it in two parts. Later today I will look at Jesus' actions, what he did, but this morning I want to consider one thing he promised.
Much of the world cannot understand the Church, the followers of Jesus Christ. Why would we believe in a god when there is no undeniable proof. We know we have undeniable proof by the Spirit of Christ in us but the world cannot see what we are talking about because it takes faith to make that first step. They laugh at this but faith is like receiving a new set of eyes that allows us to see colours and depths that we were never able to perceive before. This new set of eyes is called the Holy Spirit and without him we have nothing of God.
During the last supper in that upper room Jesus spent a lot of time talking about the Holy Spirit to his disciples. It was important that they at least have the knowledge of what was about to happen so that when it did happen they would understand. It is like studying the plans and map of a roller coaster. You can have the knowledge of the theory of what it will be like but you don't really understand until you have the experience of riding it. Jesus told his disciples:
“If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you." (John 14:15-18)
This is the proof we have of Jesus but that proof is for our own assurance and comfort when the world comes against us, because the world cannot accept him. How can the world accept what it cannot see or know? The Spirit is our Comforter, assuring us of the presence and promises of Jesus, but he is so much more:
“All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (John 14:25-27)
The world asks, "How do you know? How can you be sure? Give us proof?" We know because the Spirit teaches us and brings to our mind what it is that Jesus taught and what Jesus did. The only way we can doubt Jesus is if we totally ignore the Holy Spirit who has been sent to empower and equip us for the mission we have in this place.
Jesus left the upper room with his disciples but he continued to teach. At one point he was explaining why the world would hate them and he told them:
“When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me. And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning." (John 15:26-27)
We who are in Christ have all experienced this testimony of the Holy Spirit, that moment when suddenly you knew that Jesus was real and he indeed died for our salvation. The Spirit testifies to the truth of all this directly to sinners' hearts. We add our testimony to this as well so that the person has a choice to believe or to walk away. But for that moment the Spirit lifts the veil and speaks the truth to them. And with this truth comes conviction:
“Now I am going to him who sent me, yet none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ Because I have said these things, you are filled with grief. But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned." (John 16:5-11)
Conviction is the work of the Holy Spirit and without him our conscience is seared and we are left to the depravities of our nature. Man is totally lost without the Creator of heaven and earth. Left to our own we will sink even further into the dark depths of our depraved nature. We are twisted and sick and an enemy of God. But the Holy Spirit has been given so that the light would be held up to reveal the darkness so that we understand the difference between good and evil, right and wrong, the Holy and the common.
Jesus gave one last bit of teaching on the Counselor whom he would be sending to birth the Church:
“I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you.(John 16:12-15)
It is a big deal that he will guide us into all truth, taking from Jesus and making it known to us. He tells us what is yet to come. We are not meant to be blind in this age but we have eyes to perceive and to understand because of the Holy Spirit. We do not have to stumble around in the dark and guess at what is to come because the Holy Spirit is telling us what is to come.
We act as if we are on our own, having to make this up as we go along, as if we have to come up with the plans. We act as if the Holy Spirit is nothing more than God's presence with us, rubber stamping any plans and ideas we come up with. He is our Counselor, our Guide, Jesus' voice and hand in our lives. He directs us and teaches us and gives to us directly from Jesus. There is no need for us to make wrong turns based on our own limitations. We have no limitations when we are dependent on the Spirit. Somehow I think we have forgotten all of this and acknowledge the existence of the Spirit but totally ignore who he is and what he does.
To be possessed and guided by the Holy Spirit is not an option. The letters of the apostles who served Jesus by the Holy Spirit testify to this importance but I want to conclude with one simple verse we find in Paul's letter to the Romans:
You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. (Romans 8:9)
Can't be stated any plainer. Do you understand that Jesus took precious time in his last moments to teach this to his disciples so that they would understand what was happening when it would happen? This is important; important enough that if we deny the Spirit we deny Jesus. My prayer is that the Church would wake up to what Jesus has made available to us through the Comforter, Counselor, Guide. He is a great gift that Jesus sent to us, a gift that is essential for us to accept and live by the righteousness he brings to us. We were never meant to go it alone so don't try it. Submit to the Spirit. Jesus told us to ask for him and he would send him. First he comes as a deposit guaranteeing what is to come. But there is also a baptism when he comes into us in power. It's that power we need. Why not discover the power that has been made available to you to live for his glory?
Much of the world cannot understand the Church, the followers of Jesus Christ. Why would we believe in a god when there is no undeniable proof. We know we have undeniable proof by the Spirit of Christ in us but the world cannot see what we are talking about because it takes faith to make that first step. They laugh at this but faith is like receiving a new set of eyes that allows us to see colours and depths that we were never able to perceive before. This new set of eyes is called the Holy Spirit and without him we have nothing of God.
During the last supper in that upper room Jesus spent a lot of time talking about the Holy Spirit to his disciples. It was important that they at least have the knowledge of what was about to happen so that when it did happen they would understand. It is like studying the plans and map of a roller coaster. You can have the knowledge of the theory of what it will be like but you don't really understand until you have the experience of riding it. Jesus told his disciples:
“If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you." (John 14:15-18)
This is the proof we have of Jesus but that proof is for our own assurance and comfort when the world comes against us, because the world cannot accept him. How can the world accept what it cannot see or know? The Spirit is our Comforter, assuring us of the presence and promises of Jesus, but he is so much more:
“All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (John 14:25-27)
The world asks, "How do you know? How can you be sure? Give us proof?" We know because the Spirit teaches us and brings to our mind what it is that Jesus taught and what Jesus did. The only way we can doubt Jesus is if we totally ignore the Holy Spirit who has been sent to empower and equip us for the mission we have in this place.
Jesus left the upper room with his disciples but he continued to teach. At one point he was explaining why the world would hate them and he told them:
“When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me. And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning." (John 15:26-27)
We who are in Christ have all experienced this testimony of the Holy Spirit, that moment when suddenly you knew that Jesus was real and he indeed died for our salvation. The Spirit testifies to the truth of all this directly to sinners' hearts. We add our testimony to this as well so that the person has a choice to believe or to walk away. But for that moment the Spirit lifts the veil and speaks the truth to them. And with this truth comes conviction:
“Now I am going to him who sent me, yet none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ Because I have said these things, you are filled with grief. But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned." (John 16:5-11)
Conviction is the work of the Holy Spirit and without him our conscience is seared and we are left to the depravities of our nature. Man is totally lost without the Creator of heaven and earth. Left to our own we will sink even further into the dark depths of our depraved nature. We are twisted and sick and an enemy of God. But the Holy Spirit has been given so that the light would be held up to reveal the darkness so that we understand the difference between good and evil, right and wrong, the Holy and the common.
Jesus gave one last bit of teaching on the Counselor whom he would be sending to birth the Church:
“I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you.(John 16:12-15)
It is a big deal that he will guide us into all truth, taking from Jesus and making it known to us. He tells us what is yet to come. We are not meant to be blind in this age but we have eyes to perceive and to understand because of the Holy Spirit. We do not have to stumble around in the dark and guess at what is to come because the Holy Spirit is telling us what is to come.
We act as if we are on our own, having to make this up as we go along, as if we have to come up with the plans. We act as if the Holy Spirit is nothing more than God's presence with us, rubber stamping any plans and ideas we come up with. He is our Counselor, our Guide, Jesus' voice and hand in our lives. He directs us and teaches us and gives to us directly from Jesus. There is no need for us to make wrong turns based on our own limitations. We have no limitations when we are dependent on the Spirit. Somehow I think we have forgotten all of this and acknowledge the existence of the Spirit but totally ignore who he is and what he does.
To be possessed and guided by the Holy Spirit is not an option. The letters of the apostles who served Jesus by the Holy Spirit testify to this importance but I want to conclude with one simple verse we find in Paul's letter to the Romans:
You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. (Romans 8:9)
Can't be stated any plainer. Do you understand that Jesus took precious time in his last moments to teach this to his disciples so that they would understand what was happening when it would happen? This is important; important enough that if we deny the Spirit we deny Jesus. My prayer is that the Church would wake up to what Jesus has made available to us through the Comforter, Counselor, Guide. He is a great gift that Jesus sent to us, a gift that is essential for us to accept and live by the righteousness he brings to us. We were never meant to go it alone so don't try it. Submit to the Spirit. Jesus told us to ask for him and he would send him. First he comes as a deposit guaranteeing what is to come. But there is also a baptism when he comes into us in power. It's that power we need. Why not discover the power that has been made available to you to live for his glory?
Monday, February 24, 2014
What Does It Take To Beat The Odds?
Life is pretty good when everything is in your favour. It is a time of growth, expansion, prosperity. It is easy to worship Jesus, to sing and pray. Being surrounded by people who love and encourage you allows you to be who you were meant to become. It is easy to maintain a great attitude and to walk in faith. But what about when things go wrong? What happens when people come against you and there are circumstances as big as mountains in front of you? What if you are in a hostile environment where no one believes in you or lends you any encouragement and support? Can you still pray, worship, sing, trust and walk in faith? I hope so, because it is one of the keys to success in Jesus.
You have to have a solid relationship with Jesus if you expect to be able to stand in the storms of life. You can't have a simple relationship of acknowledging his existence, praying over your food, attending church and trying to be good. That isn't a relationship at all; it is a system. A relationship is where you get to know Jesus; everything you can know about him. You trust his promises and act on them. You spend a good amount of time with him and realize he is always with you so you chat all day long. We become dependent on our friends and so we learn how to trust and lean on Jesus. But we also realize that he is more than a friend.
Jesus paid for us. I realize that sounds funny but we belonged to Satan. Jesus went into the enemy's camp and ransomed us with his own life. He paid for us and we now belong to him because in the nature of things "man" never belongs to himself. We may think we can be our own god and be the captains of our own destiny but it is all a lie. We belong to someone and Jesus made it possible for us to belong to him. In belonging to him then we should want the most intimate relationship possible and when we have such a relationship we realize that Jesus will see us through anything. The great kings of Judah knew this.
Asa was one of the good guys. He purged the kingdom of anything that was not related to Yahweh. Like some of the kings before him, he did some house cleaning and he encouraged the people to obey Yahweh. He knew what was good for his people and he set the example. As a result, Yahweh allowed him to enjoy a time of peace. He spent that time building and fortifying cities. Asa knew he lived in hostile times and that peace comes and goes, so he prepared for the worse. And then it happened.
Judah was invaded by an Ethiopian army, over one million three hundred thousand strong. King Asa had an army of over five hundred thousand. Talk about a bad day. They were outnumbered almost 3 to 1. In the flesh things looked hopeless. All of us can relate to having faced hopeless looking situations. But Asa had a fantastic relationship with Yahweh. His faith was not just a "fair weather" faith. Asa trusted Yahweh.
And Asa cried out to the Lord his God, and said, “Lord, it is nothing for You to help, whether with many or with those who have no power; help us, O Lord our God, for we rest on You, and in Your name we go against this multitude. O Lord, You are our God; do not let man prevail against You!” (2 Chronicles 14:11)
I really appreciate that prayer, "It is nothing for you to help". What appears to be impossible for use to face, deal with or overcome,is nothing for our God. It is Asa's knowledge of Yahweh and the incredible relationship that he had that allowed Asa to trust. Asa knew his history and was able to say with great confidence, "whether with many or with those who have no power". In fact, if you understand the history of Israel you will quickly take note that Yahweh prefers to use the least in order that he will receive the greater glory.
Needless to say Yahweh responded and sent the Ethiopians fleeing. Asa defeated them so soundly that they could not recover. This experience, instead of destroying Asa, prospered him as he came away with a lot more than he went in with. This is how it is with the challenges we face. We think these things are to defeat us but Yahweh always uses the victory in these things to increase us. Don't ever forget this scripture:
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)
I am not going to pretend everything is all butterflies and daffodils in life. Some people are dealt a really hard hand and must make the best of it. Some days are filled with despair as hope seems to be sucked dry from us. Sometimes it seems there is no direction to head in and we see no purpose in going on. But these are the lies of the enemy designed to keep our eyes down, on ourselves, instead lifted up to see Jesus. However we cannot know this, see it, understand it or walk in it if we have a "system" relationship with Jesus.
If you want a relationship that will allow a growing faith, a faith that permits you to know that Jesus will overcome everything for you, then you have to focus on Jesus. In fact, do some house cleaning. Get rid of anything and everything that distracts you from Jesus. If it is not used in the relationship development or in the out reach to others then trash it. When you dedicate yourself fully to the Lord you are able to experience him fully. If you want to be strong and unbeatable in the good and bad days then develop a relationship of trust. As long as you want both the world and Jesus you will never experience the kind of faith you need to prosper spiritually. Seek him with all your heart and get rid of all your other gods. Faith gets you going and trust will sustain you in the relationship.
You have to have a solid relationship with Jesus if you expect to be able to stand in the storms of life. You can't have a simple relationship of acknowledging his existence, praying over your food, attending church and trying to be good. That isn't a relationship at all; it is a system. A relationship is where you get to know Jesus; everything you can know about him. You trust his promises and act on them. You spend a good amount of time with him and realize he is always with you so you chat all day long. We become dependent on our friends and so we learn how to trust and lean on Jesus. But we also realize that he is more than a friend.
Jesus paid for us. I realize that sounds funny but we belonged to Satan. Jesus went into the enemy's camp and ransomed us with his own life. He paid for us and we now belong to him because in the nature of things "man" never belongs to himself. We may think we can be our own god and be the captains of our own destiny but it is all a lie. We belong to someone and Jesus made it possible for us to belong to him. In belonging to him then we should want the most intimate relationship possible and when we have such a relationship we realize that Jesus will see us through anything. The great kings of Judah knew this.
Asa was one of the good guys. He purged the kingdom of anything that was not related to Yahweh. Like some of the kings before him, he did some house cleaning and he encouraged the people to obey Yahweh. He knew what was good for his people and he set the example. As a result, Yahweh allowed him to enjoy a time of peace. He spent that time building and fortifying cities. Asa knew he lived in hostile times and that peace comes and goes, so he prepared for the worse. And then it happened.
Judah was invaded by an Ethiopian army, over one million three hundred thousand strong. King Asa had an army of over five hundred thousand. Talk about a bad day. They were outnumbered almost 3 to 1. In the flesh things looked hopeless. All of us can relate to having faced hopeless looking situations. But Asa had a fantastic relationship with Yahweh. His faith was not just a "fair weather" faith. Asa trusted Yahweh.
And Asa cried out to the Lord his God, and said, “Lord, it is nothing for You to help, whether with many or with those who have no power; help us, O Lord our God, for we rest on You, and in Your name we go against this multitude. O Lord, You are our God; do not let man prevail against You!” (2 Chronicles 14:11)
I really appreciate that prayer, "It is nothing for you to help". What appears to be impossible for use to face, deal with or overcome,is nothing for our God. It is Asa's knowledge of Yahweh and the incredible relationship that he had that allowed Asa to trust. Asa knew his history and was able to say with great confidence, "whether with many or with those who have no power". In fact, if you understand the history of Israel you will quickly take note that Yahweh prefers to use the least in order that he will receive the greater glory.
Needless to say Yahweh responded and sent the Ethiopians fleeing. Asa defeated them so soundly that they could not recover. This experience, instead of destroying Asa, prospered him as he came away with a lot more than he went in with. This is how it is with the challenges we face. We think these things are to defeat us but Yahweh always uses the victory in these things to increase us. Don't ever forget this scripture:
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)
I am not going to pretend everything is all butterflies and daffodils in life. Some people are dealt a really hard hand and must make the best of it. Some days are filled with despair as hope seems to be sucked dry from us. Sometimes it seems there is no direction to head in and we see no purpose in going on. But these are the lies of the enemy designed to keep our eyes down, on ourselves, instead lifted up to see Jesus. However we cannot know this, see it, understand it or walk in it if we have a "system" relationship with Jesus.
If you want a relationship that will allow a growing faith, a faith that permits you to know that Jesus will overcome everything for you, then you have to focus on Jesus. In fact, do some house cleaning. Get rid of anything and everything that distracts you from Jesus. If it is not used in the relationship development or in the out reach to others then trash it. When you dedicate yourself fully to the Lord you are able to experience him fully. If you want to be strong and unbeatable in the good and bad days then develop a relationship of trust. As long as you want both the world and Jesus you will never experience the kind of faith you need to prosper spiritually. Seek him with all your heart and get rid of all your other gods. Faith gets you going and trust will sustain you in the relationship.
Sunday, February 16, 2014
Will Jesus Find Faith On Earth When He Returns?
There is a trust deficit in our societies these days and who can blame us? Everyone we are suppose to be able to trust has broken that trust time after time. Politicians continue to do things against our trust. The banks have failed us more times than not. How many times do we have to see police beatings on the news; teachers abusing students; daycare workers abusing babies; doctors abusing patients? Corruption is at every turn. Of course there is going to be a trust deficit. So it may be an uphill climb when people hear Jesus say:
Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. (John 14:1)
Belief, faith, trust are all rolled up in one so in essence Jesus is saying, "Don't be worried, trust Yahweh and trust me". And why shouldn't we? Unlike almost every human being who has failed us and backed out on their promises, Jesus has never failed us. He has kept every promise. If you know him as I know him then you know just how much he loves you and the unbreakable covenant he has made with you. He made the decision to love you and nothing can stop him from doing that.
The important thing to understand is that trust is paramount in Jesus being everything he has promised to be. He warned us that any doubt in him, who he is and what he has promised, nullifies the beauty of the relationship. We must trust and such faith often has to be given when we cannot see. It is like what the apostle Paul wrote:
For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance. (Romans 8:24-25)
Hope and faith go hand in hand, working in similar manner. Consider Hebrews 11:
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. (v. 1)
"About what we do not see." Faith burns brightest when it is encased in the mysterious darkness of the unknown. Allow me to take us back to the second book of Kings, to a point where Elisha was being hunted down by an opposing king who was upset that his plans were being told by Elisha. The king tracked him down and surrounded the town in which he was staying. Elisha was on the roof with his servant and the servant was having an heart attack from the fright. The servant asked a very legitimate question for their situation, "Master, what are we going to do?"
We are like that servant, only willing to believe what we see. We may have a fool's hope to be saved from our situations but it is not a true hope. Elisha was the man of God, he trusted Yahweh because of his relationship, what he has experienced, what he has seen. Many of us should be like Elisha because of our relationship and our testimony. How many times does Jesus have to manifest himself in our situations before we start to trust for every situation?
Elisha told his servant:
“Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” (2 Kings 6:16)
Does that sound familiar at all?
You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. (1 John 4:4)
Now when Elisha prayed for his servant's eyes to be opened to Yahweh's reality, the servant saw a great heavenly army surrounding them so his fear dissipated. But we do not need to see any great army because we are possessed by the Holy Spirit. Ours is a relationship of trust that needs no proof or guarantees. The proof is in the relationship, the guarantee in his love. We believe it because Jesus said it.
If you need something beyond the promise of Jesus you are in a wrong place in your spiritual growth. If you are filled with anxiety and fear then you are not where you are suppose to be with Jesus. If you are constantly obsessed with your future then you need to get back to basics with Jesus. We are not like Elisha's servant, we are even greater than Elisha; we are inhabited by the King of Glory.
For we walk by faith, not by sight. (2 Corinthians 5:7)
Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. (John 14:1)
Belief, faith, trust are all rolled up in one so in essence Jesus is saying, "Don't be worried, trust Yahweh and trust me". And why shouldn't we? Unlike almost every human being who has failed us and backed out on their promises, Jesus has never failed us. He has kept every promise. If you know him as I know him then you know just how much he loves you and the unbreakable covenant he has made with you. He made the decision to love you and nothing can stop him from doing that.
The important thing to understand is that trust is paramount in Jesus being everything he has promised to be. He warned us that any doubt in him, who he is and what he has promised, nullifies the beauty of the relationship. We must trust and such faith often has to be given when we cannot see. It is like what the apostle Paul wrote:
For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance. (Romans 8:24-25)
Hope and faith go hand in hand, working in similar manner. Consider Hebrews 11:
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. (v. 1)
"About what we do not see." Faith burns brightest when it is encased in the mysterious darkness of the unknown. Allow me to take us back to the second book of Kings, to a point where Elisha was being hunted down by an opposing king who was upset that his plans were being told by Elisha. The king tracked him down and surrounded the town in which he was staying. Elisha was on the roof with his servant and the servant was having an heart attack from the fright. The servant asked a very legitimate question for their situation, "Master, what are we going to do?"
We are like that servant, only willing to believe what we see. We may have a fool's hope to be saved from our situations but it is not a true hope. Elisha was the man of God, he trusted Yahweh because of his relationship, what he has experienced, what he has seen. Many of us should be like Elisha because of our relationship and our testimony. How many times does Jesus have to manifest himself in our situations before we start to trust for every situation?
Elisha told his servant:
“Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” (2 Kings 6:16)
Does that sound familiar at all?
You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. (1 John 4:4)
Now when Elisha prayed for his servant's eyes to be opened to Yahweh's reality, the servant saw a great heavenly army surrounding them so his fear dissipated. But we do not need to see any great army because we are possessed by the Holy Spirit. Ours is a relationship of trust that needs no proof or guarantees. The proof is in the relationship, the guarantee in his love. We believe it because Jesus said it.
If you need something beyond the promise of Jesus you are in a wrong place in your spiritual growth. If you are filled with anxiety and fear then you are not where you are suppose to be with Jesus. If you are constantly obsessed with your future then you need to get back to basics with Jesus. We are not like Elisha's servant, we are even greater than Elisha; we are inhabited by the King of Glory.
For we walk by faith, not by sight. (2 Corinthians 5:7)
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
Holy Spirit Smack Down
We think we are living an authentic Christianity. We think we are okay. We think we are getting by on the faith that we have. We think it's good enough.
We are lying to ourselves.
It's not good enough.
Grace is seen as a free ticket, but for those who are pursuing Jesus as they should, it is a great power propelling us forward, giving us a desire to go higher, deeper and wider with Jesus.
There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. (Romans 8:1)
I dare you to read that with your eyes open,
not half asleep,
not skimming through but
with eyes wide open.
... who do not walk according to the flesh
but according to the Spirit.
Who is in control of your day? How much thought do you give to Jesus? Who are you living for? What desires are propelling you forward?
Who do not walk according to the flesh.
We don't even know enough to ask ourselves the right questions. We actually think we are okay; that what we are doing (which isn't much) is somehow pleasing and honouring to Jesus.
As if the God who gave us his everything is pleased to accept our nothing.
Are you ready for this?
For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. Romans 8:5)
"What? I don't understand. What you are saying? Are you saying I am carnally minded?"
You tell me.
"What about grace?"
Grace is not a free ticket to let you do whatever you want because whatever you want is always going to come from the flesh and if you live by the flesh then you have nothing to do with Jesus.
There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
There is more.
For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. (Romans 8:6-8)
"Well I think I am okay. I don't think I am carnally minded."
That's because most of us don't give it a thought. We do what we think is best, which is a pretty good definition of what it is to live by the flesh. We think that a half-effort is good enough.
Jesus said it isn't. He said all or nothing. Yes, that is right. To live by the Spirit means that we have held nothing back and our only longing is the will of the Father.
Does that describe your day?
No? Mine neither but the Spirit smacked me across the head with this scripture and I for one am paying attention.
This is not fun and games boys and girls. This is life and death for eternity. This is serious relational stuff. Jesus has called us to something higher and greater than what we have been willing to live.
What will you do with this? Whatever you do, don't go back to getting by.
We are lying to ourselves.
It's not good enough.
Grace is seen as a free ticket, but for those who are pursuing Jesus as they should, it is a great power propelling us forward, giving us a desire to go higher, deeper and wider with Jesus.
There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. (Romans 8:1)
I dare you to read that with your eyes open,
not half asleep,
not skimming through but
with eyes wide open.
... who do not walk according to the flesh
but according to the Spirit.
Who is in control of your day? How much thought do you give to Jesus? Who are you living for? What desires are propelling you forward?
Who do not walk according to the flesh.
We don't even know enough to ask ourselves the right questions. We actually think we are okay; that what we are doing (which isn't much) is somehow pleasing and honouring to Jesus.
As if the God who gave us his everything is pleased to accept our nothing.
Are you ready for this?
For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. Romans 8:5)
"What? I don't understand. What you are saying? Are you saying I am carnally minded?"
You tell me.
"What about grace?"
Grace is not a free ticket to let you do whatever you want because whatever you want is always going to come from the flesh and if you live by the flesh then you have nothing to do with Jesus.
There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
There is more.
For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. (Romans 8:6-8)
"Well I think I am okay. I don't think I am carnally minded."
That's because most of us don't give it a thought. We do what we think is best, which is a pretty good definition of what it is to live by the flesh. We think that a half-effort is good enough.
Jesus said it isn't. He said all or nothing. Yes, that is right. To live by the Spirit means that we have held nothing back and our only longing is the will of the Father.
Does that describe your day?
No? Mine neither but the Spirit smacked me across the head with this scripture and I for one am paying attention.
This is not fun and games boys and girls. This is life and death for eternity. This is serious relational stuff. Jesus has called us to something higher and greater than what we have been willing to live.
What will you do with this? Whatever you do, don't go back to getting by.
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
There Is A Way To Deal With Bad Days
I know that each of us sincerely desires to trust Jesus. We want to but at the same time we like to see everything that is coming. Not many of us like surprises. We would find it a lot easier to trust if the Spirit forewarned us of what was coming and then remind us of which promises apply. I honestly think more of us could handle the challenges if we knew they were coming. But life does not work that way.
With or without Jesus we are travelling blind. The difference is, if we travel with Jesus, he sees what is coming and has already laid down his plans to get us through. In order to trust we have to stop seeing good and bad days, accepting that they are all good and that Jesus is using it all for our benefit. We have to trust that Yahweh is sovereign and everything is in his control. He even turns the curses of the enemy into blessings. I am going to use one simple incident in the Scriptures to illustrate my point.
Saul was a young man in his father's household and bad news had just arrived: the donkeys were missing. To us this might seem like a silly matter but those donkeys represented wealth. Imagine being informed $50,000 just went missing from your bank account. We get upset when we lose $20, imagine $50,000. That would be bad news and you would be upset. So Saul went out looking.
Saul traveled a long distance looking for those donkeys, to the point where he thought it best to turn back because his father would stop worrying about the donkeys and would start worrying about him. But this wasn't a bad day and it wasn't bad news that the donkeys were missing. Yahweh had arranged the whole thing to get Saul to the place he needed to be to meet Samuel. Saul's arrival was not a surprise to Samuel; Yahweh told him who to expect and why. This bad day was actually a divine appointment. Of the donkeys that had been lost Samuel told Saul:
But as for your donkeys that were lost three days ago, do not be anxious about them, for they have been found. And on whom is all the desire of Israel? Is it not on you and on all your father’s house?” (1 Samuel 9:20)
The donkeys were only an excuse to allow the door to be opened to completing Yahweh's will for Saul and all of Israel. Can we draw similar parallels to events in our lives?
We often, say, sing and pray that we desire the will of our Father but when he begins to work we kick against him. Sometimes we have to become uncomfortable for his will to be fulfilled in us. Saul spent three days on the road, travelling, worrying, searching for what he thought was lost, only to have Yahweh's will fulfilled. That bad day you were experiencing had its purpose but maybe you missed it because you were too worked up about the "donkeys".
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)
It is not for us to evaluate if a day is good or bad or to put labels on situations. What they are is opportunities for our Father to do his thing. The only thing that is good or bad is our reaction. If we panic and throw our hands up in frustration, we are blinding ourselves to what the Spirit is doing. If we rest in the peace and assurance of our Father's love, trusting him in all things, we will soon see why the Lord led us through that "valley of the shadow of death". And we need to realize that even though we benefited from it, his purpose is bigger than us.
Saul benefited from being chosen as king but his position was also intended as a blessing, a benefit for the nation of Israel. Don't be self-centered in what the Lord is doing in, through, and around you. Yes, it benefits you, but it is also for the benefit and blessing of everyone connected to you. So let us understand then when Scripture tells us:
There are no good and bad days. Rejoice!
With or without Jesus we are travelling blind. The difference is, if we travel with Jesus, he sees what is coming and has already laid down his plans to get us through. In order to trust we have to stop seeing good and bad days, accepting that they are all good and that Jesus is using it all for our benefit. We have to trust that Yahweh is sovereign and everything is in his control. He even turns the curses of the enemy into blessings. I am going to use one simple incident in the Scriptures to illustrate my point.
Saul was a young man in his father's household and bad news had just arrived: the donkeys were missing. To us this might seem like a silly matter but those donkeys represented wealth. Imagine being informed $50,000 just went missing from your bank account. We get upset when we lose $20, imagine $50,000. That would be bad news and you would be upset. So Saul went out looking.
Saul traveled a long distance looking for those donkeys, to the point where he thought it best to turn back because his father would stop worrying about the donkeys and would start worrying about him. But this wasn't a bad day and it wasn't bad news that the donkeys were missing. Yahweh had arranged the whole thing to get Saul to the place he needed to be to meet Samuel. Saul's arrival was not a surprise to Samuel; Yahweh told him who to expect and why. This bad day was actually a divine appointment. Of the donkeys that had been lost Samuel told Saul:
But as for your donkeys that were lost three days ago, do not be anxious about them, for they have been found. And on whom is all the desire of Israel? Is it not on you and on all your father’s house?” (1 Samuel 9:20)
The donkeys were only an excuse to allow the door to be opened to completing Yahweh's will for Saul and all of Israel. Can we draw similar parallels to events in our lives?
We often, say, sing and pray that we desire the will of our Father but when he begins to work we kick against him. Sometimes we have to become uncomfortable for his will to be fulfilled in us. Saul spent three days on the road, travelling, worrying, searching for what he thought was lost, only to have Yahweh's will fulfilled. That bad day you were experiencing had its purpose but maybe you missed it because you were too worked up about the "donkeys".
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)
It is not for us to evaluate if a day is good or bad or to put labels on situations. What they are is opportunities for our Father to do his thing. The only thing that is good or bad is our reaction. If we panic and throw our hands up in frustration, we are blinding ourselves to what the Spirit is doing. If we rest in the peace and assurance of our Father's love, trusting him in all things, we will soon see why the Lord led us through that "valley of the shadow of death". And we need to realize that even though we benefited from it, his purpose is bigger than us.
Saul benefited from being chosen as king but his position was also intended as a blessing, a benefit for the nation of Israel. Don't be self-centered in what the Lord is doing in, through, and around you. Yes, it benefits you, but it is also for the benefit and blessing of everyone connected to you. So let us understand then when Scripture tells us:
Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!
Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.
Be anxious for nothing, 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 minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:4-7) There are no good and bad days. Rejoice!
Thursday, August 15, 2013
The Discouragement The Morning After
Do we not understand that everything in this world is bent on our destruction? Not that we need to be concerned about it because Jesus is our protector, but we need to at least be aware that we live and breathe in a hostile environment. When we walk in the light, any brush with darkness has the potential to discourage us. This is the reason why the day after great spiritual breakthroughs it can seem to be filled with so much discouragement.That's when it is good to remember Jesus' promise:
I have told you this, so that you might have peace in your hearts because of me. While you are in the world, you will have to suffer. But cheer up! I have defeated the world. (John 16:33)
The darkness may be bent on our destruction but that's because it has already been defeated by Jesus. It is too bad that we can so easily be distracted from the truth of who we are in Jesus and what Jesus has made possible through him. Yes, each day is a great challenge but the challenge is to keep our focus on the source of all things; the source of joy, hope, peace, and power. Paul asked:
If God is on our side, can anyone be against us? God did not keep back his own Son, but he gave him for us. If God did this, won’t he freely give us everything else? (Romans 8:31-32)
We are deep in the Spirit, surrounded by Jesus Christ and every promise he has given. Don't philosophy about it. The promises were given to us to act on every single day of our life. Because our Father has given us the Son, he also freely gives us everything else, including joy in the midst of the darkness. Paul continues to ask:
If God says his chosen ones are acceptable to him, can anyone bring charges against them? Or can anyone condemn them? No indeed! Christ died and was raised to life, and now he is at God’s right side, speaking to him for us. Can anything separate us from the love of Christ? Can trouble, suffering, and hard times, or hunger and nakedness, or danger and death? (vv. 33-35)
When we come away from an incredible spiritual experience with Jesus Christ, we are not coming away from Jesus. We are simply walking through the darkness where it is easier to be distracted by its limited attractions. We still walk in the Spirit, are still surrounded by the promises, are still under Jesus' protection, are still blessed and partake in all the benefits of a relationship with Jesus. Despite the challenges you may face because of the darkness today, remember:
In everything we have won more than a victory because of Christ who loves us. (v. 37)
I know the dark can provoke fear and anxiety but when you turn the light on you see there is nothing to fear. Let Jesus be that light today, so the emptiness offered by the darkness will be revealed and all those fears and anxieties will flee:
I am sure that nothing can separate us from God’s love—not life or death, not angels or spirits, not the present or the future, 39 and not powers above or powers below. Nothing in all creation can separate us from God’s love for us in Christ Jesus our Lord! (vv. 38-39)
And that's all we need today as we walk in the Spirit in a world that is hostile toward us. Yes, be aware that everything is bent on your destruction but don't fear it. Just be aware of it so you will never desire to leave the protection of the Spirit; be aware of it so you know why you should always have a thankful heart. This is an excellent day because we get to spend it with Jesus. It is excellent because we get to see his promises in action. It is excellent because we have an opportunity to serve him so the darkness can see that the Light is alive and well.
I have told you this, so that you might have peace in your hearts because of me. While you are in the world, you will have to suffer. But cheer up! I have defeated the world. (John 16:33)
The darkness may be bent on our destruction but that's because it has already been defeated by Jesus. It is too bad that we can so easily be distracted from the truth of who we are in Jesus and what Jesus has made possible through him. Yes, each day is a great challenge but the challenge is to keep our focus on the source of all things; the source of joy, hope, peace, and power. Paul asked:
If God is on our side, can anyone be against us? God did not keep back his own Son, but he gave him for us. If God did this, won’t he freely give us everything else? (Romans 8:31-32)
We are deep in the Spirit, surrounded by Jesus Christ and every promise he has given. Don't philosophy about it. The promises were given to us to act on every single day of our life. Because our Father has given us the Son, he also freely gives us everything else, including joy in the midst of the darkness. Paul continues to ask:
If God says his chosen ones are acceptable to him, can anyone bring charges against them? Or can anyone condemn them? No indeed! Christ died and was raised to life, and now he is at God’s right side, speaking to him for us. Can anything separate us from the love of Christ? Can trouble, suffering, and hard times, or hunger and nakedness, or danger and death? (vv. 33-35)
When we come away from an incredible spiritual experience with Jesus Christ, we are not coming away from Jesus. We are simply walking through the darkness where it is easier to be distracted by its limited attractions. We still walk in the Spirit, are still surrounded by the promises, are still under Jesus' protection, are still blessed and partake in all the benefits of a relationship with Jesus. Despite the challenges you may face because of the darkness today, remember:
In everything we have won more than a victory because of Christ who loves us. (v. 37)
I know the dark can provoke fear and anxiety but when you turn the light on you see there is nothing to fear. Let Jesus be that light today, so the emptiness offered by the darkness will be revealed and all those fears and anxieties will flee:
I am sure that nothing can separate us from God’s love—not life or death, not angels or spirits, not the present or the future, 39 and not powers above or powers below. Nothing in all creation can separate us from God’s love for us in Christ Jesus our Lord! (vv. 38-39)
And that's all we need today as we walk in the Spirit in a world that is hostile toward us. Yes, be aware that everything is bent on your destruction but don't fear it. Just be aware of it so you will never desire to leave the protection of the Spirit; be aware of it so you know why you should always have a thankful heart. This is an excellent day because we get to spend it with Jesus. It is excellent because we get to see his promises in action. It is excellent because we have an opportunity to serve him so the darkness can see that the Light is alive and well.
Sunday, August 11, 2013
What Are You Without The Spirit?
We are crazy you know. Imagine trying to follow Jesus Christ while ignoring the Spirit. Are we kidding? We can't do anything of any eternal worth without the Spirit. We can't hear from God. We can't have kingdom eyes. We can't serve with anointing. There is no power. No sustainability. No conviction. No direction. No communion. No wisdom. And there is no need for us to try it without the Spirit.
Honestly, do you feel you are where you are meant to be with Jesus; in the relationship I mean? Are you always aware of his presence? Are you receiving direction throughout your day? Do you sense God's power to do anything you are asked to do? Do you feel you are living in obedience? Do you know him as you should, in the deep personal places of your life? Do you love him with all your passion, your very being? Be frightfully honest because you aren't fooling him.
Do you know that Jesus did nothing without the Spirit? At the moment he had John baptize him, Jesus also received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. This was a foreshadowing of what was to come for his followers. Jesus did not need either baptism but he told John that everything had to be done correctly. He was following a script that had been written in the ancient of days. In the letter to the Philippians, Paul wrote that Jesus did not consider equally with God something to be grasped but, found in the appearance of a man, he became a servant. A servant baptized by the Holy Spirit to carry out the Father's will as an example of how we would serve.
Have we forgotten Pentecost? Have we forgotten the need for the baptism of the Spirit. The baptism by water is a "John's" baptism, a thing of repentance. It is the baptism of fire, that of the Spirit, that brings life and power. Power to live our life to the glory of the Father. Power to obey. Power to overcome. Power to be victorious in all things. Power to love. Power for compassion. Power to forgive. Power to heal the sick. The power to stand in his presence, to serve him all our days, to breathe our last breath to his glory.
You cannot see God, the Kingdom, nor understand his will for you and your days without the Spirit:
The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit. (1 Corinthians 2:14)
In fact, if you do not have the Spirit of God you do not belong to Jesus. We live by the rules of the Kingdom even though we live in a fallen world. We are not governed by the rules here because the rules we follow are much higher. The Word puts it clearly that we do not belong to this realm:
You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. (Romans 8:9)
Again, if you do not have the Spirit of God you do not belong to Jesus.
The Spirit is not dormant in you. If you cannot sense him, if you do not hear him, if he is not speaking to you, directing you, then you have no part with him. The Holy Spirit is active in us, reminding us daily who we belong to, what his promises are, providing the power we live by and telling us what we are to do. The Word is very clear on the Spirit and yet we ignore him at our peril.
For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. (Romans 8:14)
Notice the word "led". A very important word. Can you say you are led by the Spirit?
Are you living by the Spirit or by your flesh? It is a question I am asking myself every day now because it is easy to give in to this flesh and let it lead for a while. It is easy to live by my own wisdom and experience. It is easy, but it is without Christ. It is without power. It is without conviction. It is without hope. It is without peace. It is without joy.
I don't want that!
I want Jesus. I want to be in him and I want him in me. I don't know anything and he knows everything. Rise up in me Spirit of God and lead me in the path of righteousness, the path of my King, the path of my Saviour. Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on us!
Honestly, do you feel you are where you are meant to be with Jesus; in the relationship I mean? Are you always aware of his presence? Are you receiving direction throughout your day? Do you sense God's power to do anything you are asked to do? Do you feel you are living in obedience? Do you know him as you should, in the deep personal places of your life? Do you love him with all your passion, your very being? Be frightfully honest because you aren't fooling him.
Do you know that Jesus did nothing without the Spirit? At the moment he had John baptize him, Jesus also received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. This was a foreshadowing of what was to come for his followers. Jesus did not need either baptism but he told John that everything had to be done correctly. He was following a script that had been written in the ancient of days. In the letter to the Philippians, Paul wrote that Jesus did not consider equally with God something to be grasped but, found in the appearance of a man, he became a servant. A servant baptized by the Holy Spirit to carry out the Father's will as an example of how we would serve.
Have we forgotten Pentecost? Have we forgotten the need for the baptism of the Spirit. The baptism by water is a "John's" baptism, a thing of repentance. It is the baptism of fire, that of the Spirit, that brings life and power. Power to live our life to the glory of the Father. Power to obey. Power to overcome. Power to be victorious in all things. Power to love. Power for compassion. Power to forgive. Power to heal the sick. The power to stand in his presence, to serve him all our days, to breathe our last breath to his glory.
You cannot see God, the Kingdom, nor understand his will for you and your days without the Spirit:
The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit. (1 Corinthians 2:14)
In fact, if you do not have the Spirit of God you do not belong to Jesus. We live by the rules of the Kingdom even though we live in a fallen world. We are not governed by the rules here because the rules we follow are much higher. The Word puts it clearly that we do not belong to this realm:
You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. (Romans 8:9)
Again, if you do not have the Spirit of God you do not belong to Jesus.
The Spirit is not dormant in you. If you cannot sense him, if you do not hear him, if he is not speaking to you, directing you, then you have no part with him. The Holy Spirit is active in us, reminding us daily who we belong to, what his promises are, providing the power we live by and telling us what we are to do. The Word is very clear on the Spirit and yet we ignore him at our peril.
For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. (Romans 8:14)
Notice the word "led". A very important word. Can you say you are led by the Spirit?
Are you living by the Spirit or by your flesh? It is a question I am asking myself every day now because it is easy to give in to this flesh and let it lead for a while. It is easy to live by my own wisdom and experience. It is easy, but it is without Christ. It is without power. It is without conviction. It is without hope. It is without peace. It is without joy.
I don't want that!
I want Jesus. I want to be in him and I want him in me. I don't know anything and he knows everything. Rise up in me Spirit of God and lead me in the path of righteousness, the path of my King, the path of my Saviour. Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on us!
Saturday, July 20, 2013
You Can't Do It Alone
All sin can be traced back to a selfish heart. Every offence against someone is because someone considered themselves more important. Everything we have ever done against God happened because we considered what we wanted more important than what God wanted. We are a people who say we want to love God but we don't know how to let go of ourselves to do it.
We can look at all the socio economic reasons why we behave the way we do but at the end of the day it always comes down to the self-centeredness of the heart. Love is the opposite of selfishness. Perhaps not the thing that passes as love these days but the love that God describes:
Love is kind and patient,
never jealous, boastful,
proud, or rude.
Love isn’t selfish
or quick tempered.
It doesn’t keep a record
of wrongs that others do.
6 Love rejoices in the truth,
but not in evil.
7 Love is always supportive,
loyal, hopeful,
and trusting.
8 Love never fails! (1 Corinthians 13:4-8, CEV)
Use whatever definition you want but this is the one that counts. This is the one that made a God who says he loves us, take action to show that love. This is the love that Jesus told us to have for God and for each other. A love that automatically puts the concerns of the other person ahead of our own and where sacrifice is a normal way of life. Imagine what the world would look like if this love permeated the hearts of everyone.
But it doesn't.
We were all born with a sinful nature that puts self ahead of everything and everyone else. As much as we try in ourselves to keep this love on the surface, what lay in the heart always rises up and dominates. This is why Jesus said the heart is key. It is the heart that will always dictate our actions, as hard as we try to work against it, because we know in ourselves what we want to be but we can't get there. Paul described the struggle of a religious heart without Christ:
I know that my selfish desires won’t let me do anything that is good. Even when I want to do right, I cannot. Instead of doing what I know is right, I do wrong. And so, if I don’t do what I know is right, I am no longer the one doing these evil things. The sin that lives in me is what does them. (Romans 7:18-20, CEV)
We must recognize that this all important love can only be produced in us supernaturally. If at any moment you think that you can do it without Jesus, you have stepped outside of the design of our Father and have taken your destiny into your own hands. It is an act of rebellion.
There is no good thing in us, everything having been tainted by that sin nature with which we were born. If we really want to live like Jesus and do what he did, there has to be a complete abandonment of everything and a bear hug on Jesus. It is only in the total surrender that we are able to be possessed and controlled by the Holy Spirit. Outside of that we are just playing games. Paul understood his condition and the only one who could save him:
With my whole heart I agree with the Law of God. But in every part of me I discover something fighting against my mind, and it makes me a prisoner of sin that controls everything I do. What a miserable person I am. Who will rescue me from this body that is doomed to die? Thank God! Jesus Christ will rescue me. (Romans 7:22-25, CEV)
If you really want to be a follower of Jesus; if you really want to do what he did; if you really want to have everything he promised; you have to give up everything else. You have to turn your back on everything you knew and surrender to the Father's embrace. What you were incapable to do he is capable to do through you. There is no other way. You have to decide between the world and the Kingdom; yourself and Jesus. By nature we are a sinful and self-centered people. By God's nature we are like Jesus. I end with this:
People who are ruled by their desires think only of themselves. Everyone who is ruled by the Holy Spirit thinks about spiritual things. (Romans 8:5, CEV)
We can look at all the socio economic reasons why we behave the way we do but at the end of the day it always comes down to the self-centeredness of the heart. Love is the opposite of selfishness. Perhaps not the thing that passes as love these days but the love that God describes:
Love is kind and patient,
never jealous, boastful,
proud, or rude.
Love isn’t selfish
or quick tempered.
It doesn’t keep a record
of wrongs that others do.
6 Love rejoices in the truth,
but not in evil.
7 Love is always supportive,
loyal, hopeful,
and trusting.
8 Love never fails! (1 Corinthians 13:4-8, CEV)
Use whatever definition you want but this is the one that counts. This is the one that made a God who says he loves us, take action to show that love. This is the love that Jesus told us to have for God and for each other. A love that automatically puts the concerns of the other person ahead of our own and where sacrifice is a normal way of life. Imagine what the world would look like if this love permeated the hearts of everyone.
But it doesn't.
We were all born with a sinful nature that puts self ahead of everything and everyone else. As much as we try in ourselves to keep this love on the surface, what lay in the heart always rises up and dominates. This is why Jesus said the heart is key. It is the heart that will always dictate our actions, as hard as we try to work against it, because we know in ourselves what we want to be but we can't get there. Paul described the struggle of a religious heart without Christ:
I know that my selfish desires won’t let me do anything that is good. Even when I want to do right, I cannot. Instead of doing what I know is right, I do wrong. And so, if I don’t do what I know is right, I am no longer the one doing these evil things. The sin that lives in me is what does them. (Romans 7:18-20, CEV)
We must recognize that this all important love can only be produced in us supernaturally. If at any moment you think that you can do it without Jesus, you have stepped outside of the design of our Father and have taken your destiny into your own hands. It is an act of rebellion.
There is no good thing in us, everything having been tainted by that sin nature with which we were born. If we really want to live like Jesus and do what he did, there has to be a complete abandonment of everything and a bear hug on Jesus. It is only in the total surrender that we are able to be possessed and controlled by the Holy Spirit. Outside of that we are just playing games. Paul understood his condition and the only one who could save him:
With my whole heart I agree with the Law of God. But in every part of me I discover something fighting against my mind, and it makes me a prisoner of sin that controls everything I do. What a miserable person I am. Who will rescue me from this body that is doomed to die? Thank God! Jesus Christ will rescue me. (Romans 7:22-25, CEV)
If you really want to be a follower of Jesus; if you really want to do what he did; if you really want to have everything he promised; you have to give up everything else. You have to turn your back on everything you knew and surrender to the Father's embrace. What you were incapable to do he is capable to do through you. There is no other way. You have to decide between the world and the Kingdom; yourself and Jesus. By nature we are a sinful and self-centered people. By God's nature we are like Jesus. I end with this:
People who are ruled by their desires think only of themselves. Everyone who is ruled by the Holy Spirit thinks about spiritual things. (Romans 8:5, CEV)
Friday, July 5, 2013
"Now What?" - Learning To Trust
There are some days when I feel I have been hit by a bus and it leaves me asking, "Jesus, Really? This was the plan?" The quick response is, "No, of course it wasn't the plan, but I'll work with it anyway." It is ridiculous for us to think that every single decision we make is God-ordained. I wish we were that "tuned in" to our Father's will but there are too many things we are susceptible to which distract us and fill our heads with our own ideas. The incredible thing is that God has promised to use the good, the bad and the ugly for our benefit.
Living with regrets and "what could have been" is a complete waste of time and energy. Such things will keep us handcuffed to our mistakes, stupidity and sin. Praise our Lord Jesus Christ that he ushered in a season of grace. We blow it, feel terrible, turn to our Dad, ask his forgiveness, learn from our sins and mistakes, are covered by the blood of the Lamb, and continue growing in his grace. Pretending our sin didn't happen will only kill us spiritually. Not dealing with matters just tells our Father we don't trust him, which is a real relationship killer. We have to be real and honest with our Father, for our own benefit.
So we deal with it as we should but don't think it is done with yet because our God has bigger plans for it than we think. Our Father does not waste anything. Even if we think we have ruined our lives, even if we got flattened by that train, even though we think we are in an impossible situation, we need to understand and accept this little-big truth of our Father:
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)
Just a small verse taken from an incredible passage that you should take the time to read in its entirety because we are more than conquerors through him who loves us. We are more than the sum of our mistakes. We are more than our mis-steps, miscues, blunders, stupidity, sin. Our Father is pulling for us. Just because we find ourselves at a dead-end does not mean we are stuck. If we would just stop doing what we think is best and ask the Father for direction we would see how quickly he uses everything for our good.
I'll be honest with you, there are days when I don't want to do this any more. And by "do this" I mean my life. I don't mean suicide by any means but a "walking away" from my work, finances, struggles and so on. There are periods when I just want to pack up my bags and disappear from life. But if I am willing to be honest with myself, those are the low periods of my spiritual walk as well. Those are the periods when I stopped trusting and took control for myself. They are the periods when I have set God aside in a panic and tried to forge my own future. My attitude is "here is my plan God, now bless it". The hard times, frustrations and fear are used by my Father to remind me how much more pleasant it is when he leads me through those "valley of the shadow of death".
The real question is what I do once I wake up to my own stupidity? That's the important thing. Do I throw it all away or do I ask the Father, "Now what?" If trusting my own plans got me into this mess wouldn't the opposite get me out? If we ask Dad and he opens an exit door then take it, but if he says, "Wait. I am going to use this for your good", then we stand in it and wait to see what he is going to do. In the mean time, he will renew, strength, and re-energize us. He will give us new eyes, new hope and a new desire. We need to do what we didn't do in the first place; trust.
If you are waking up today feeling like you were hit by a bus, ask yourself why? Then confess whatever it is to our Dad. After that, after the forgiveness brings new life to your tired limbs, ask, "Now what?" and wait. Wait. Trust. Obey. Live. Laugh. Know his presence. Bask in his love. Be his child. Wait for his direction. All will be well. He has his plans for you and he will use everything to see those plans completed. Nothing frustrates our Father.
Living with regrets and "what could have been" is a complete waste of time and energy. Such things will keep us handcuffed to our mistakes, stupidity and sin. Praise our Lord Jesus Christ that he ushered in a season of grace. We blow it, feel terrible, turn to our Dad, ask his forgiveness, learn from our sins and mistakes, are covered by the blood of the Lamb, and continue growing in his grace. Pretending our sin didn't happen will only kill us spiritually. Not dealing with matters just tells our Father we don't trust him, which is a real relationship killer. We have to be real and honest with our Father, for our own benefit.
So we deal with it as we should but don't think it is done with yet because our God has bigger plans for it than we think. Our Father does not waste anything. Even if we think we have ruined our lives, even if we got flattened by that train, even though we think we are in an impossible situation, we need to understand and accept this little-big truth of our Father:
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)
Just a small verse taken from an incredible passage that you should take the time to read in its entirety because we are more than conquerors through him who loves us. We are more than the sum of our mistakes. We are more than our mis-steps, miscues, blunders, stupidity, sin. Our Father is pulling for us. Just because we find ourselves at a dead-end does not mean we are stuck. If we would just stop doing what we think is best and ask the Father for direction we would see how quickly he uses everything for our good.
I'll be honest with you, there are days when I don't want to do this any more. And by "do this" I mean my life. I don't mean suicide by any means but a "walking away" from my work, finances, struggles and so on. There are periods when I just want to pack up my bags and disappear from life. But if I am willing to be honest with myself, those are the low periods of my spiritual walk as well. Those are the periods when I stopped trusting and took control for myself. They are the periods when I have set God aside in a panic and tried to forge my own future. My attitude is "here is my plan God, now bless it". The hard times, frustrations and fear are used by my Father to remind me how much more pleasant it is when he leads me through those "valley of the shadow of death".
The real question is what I do once I wake up to my own stupidity? That's the important thing. Do I throw it all away or do I ask the Father, "Now what?" If trusting my own plans got me into this mess wouldn't the opposite get me out? If we ask Dad and he opens an exit door then take it, but if he says, "Wait. I am going to use this for your good", then we stand in it and wait to see what he is going to do. In the mean time, he will renew, strength, and re-energize us. He will give us new eyes, new hope and a new desire. We need to do what we didn't do in the first place; trust.
If you are waking up today feeling like you were hit by a bus, ask yourself why? Then confess whatever it is to our Dad. After that, after the forgiveness brings new life to your tired limbs, ask, "Now what?" and wait. Wait. Trust. Obey. Live. Laugh. Know his presence. Bask in his love. Be his child. Wait for his direction. All will be well. He has his plans for you and he will use everything to see those plans completed. Nothing frustrates our Father.
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