We must be a huge source of frustration for Jesus. No wonder we need a Shepherd; we are spiritually dull, as sheep are dumb. We get ourselves into a panic over the least little thing. It is like we have no memory of anything beyond today. Either that or we think Yahweh is a constantly changing God. Why can't we remember who he is and what he has done?
How many times has Jesus either rescued you from situations or provided you with what you needed to get through it? Probably countless times. But do we remember these things when we find ourselves in trouble? Hardly. Is he the first one we run to? Not very often. Normally we turn to family, friends, banks, credit cards and only after everything else fails do we consider prayer.
We pray but it is not with boldness and confidence, it is more a desperate hope. We so quickly forget how he gave us the wisdom and strength to deal with that big thing just last week. And remember last year when we felt the world was falling in on us and he stepped in with that big miracle? But we don't remember; we panic. Even if we don't panic we do allow fear to disturb our sleep and we allow worry to dominate our day. Are we ever going to grow up?
Let's take a second and see what we look like. Jesus just finished a huge ministry to a great multitude and was also walking away from another confrontation with the spiritual leaders. He was trying to teach his disciples while they traveled by boat but the disciples couldn't understand because they were too concerned that they had forgotten to bring food. If I was Jesus I would have been frustrated with the lot of them. But Jesus took the opportunity to point out the obvious because they could not see the obvious:
He said to them, “Why are you discussing that you do not have any bread? Don’t you understand or comprehend? Is your heart hardened? (Mark 8:17)
Now understand the context here. Jesus has just fed a multitude of four thousand (more when you add in the women and children) with a bit of bread and a bit of fish. The fact he did this is awesome in itself but the fact that they had left overs, and a lot of left overs, just adds to the wonder of this thing. The disciples were not observers in the event either; they were participants. They were the ones who distributed the food so it isn't like they could forget. Yet, they saw Jesus do this and they still allowed the fact they had forgotten food to interfere with what Jesus was trying to teach.
Jesus referred to a hard heart here due to their inability to shift from what they had known to the new reality of the Kingdom. What they had known before had to be let go of because they were now with the one who walked on water, quieted storms, gave sight to the blind, cast out demons, made the lame walk, brought life to the dead and fed multitudes with scraps. We seem to be able to accept the reality of the Kingdom when we are told our sins are forgiven but we have a struggle accepting all the rest of it. Our hearts are hardened into the old reality.
Jesus said to them:
Do you have eyes, and not see, and do you have ears, and not hear? And do you not remember? (v. 18)
Look in the mirror and ask yourself those three questions. Examine your own recent history: Do you have eyes, and not see? Examine your journals for the many lessons the Spirit taught you as you sat in loneliness and despair, a broken person: Do you have ears, and not hear? And the worse question of them all: Do you not remember? How easily we forget what Jesus has done for us. How easily we forget our own testimony. How easily we forget what he has brought us through to get us to today. Do we really think he is going to change his mind and abandon us now?
Jesus asked them how many baskets of left overs there were after he feed the five thousand with five loaves of bread. Twelve. Jesus asked them how many baskets of left overs there were after he feed the four thousand with seven loaves of bread? Seven. Then he asks them one simple question:
"Do you not understand yet?"
My friends, do we not understand yet? After all the things he has helped us through and rescued us from, do we not understand? He loves us. He has promised that if we obey him and concern ourselves with the matters of the Kingdom, he will look after all our needs. He has promised to rescue us. He has promised to lead us through the difficult places. He has promised and he has been faithful to these promises. Why is today any different? Remember your testimony. Remember his promises. Remember his love. Remember his power.
Remember and rejoice because Father is good all the time. You, remain faithful and obedient. Stay the course. Hold his hand. Sing his praises. Speak of his wonderful love. Trust. Lean. Abide in him because he abides in you. Remember.
Showing posts with label remember. Show all posts
Showing posts with label remember. Show all posts
Thursday, May 1, 2014
Friday, March 29, 2013
The Weight Of The Cross
Pilate has questioned him. Herod has dismissed him. The crowd has rejected him. The soldiers have beaten him. Now he carries the cross.
Perhaps at the darkest moments of our lives we have imagined such cruelty on our worse enemies, but on the innocent?
Jesus never got involved in politics. He didn't seem to care who held power in Israel. He didn't try to become king. In fact, he avoided it, leaving when he thought the crowd was going to force it on him. He didn't fault the Pharisees for trying to keep the traditions from being diluted by the powerful Greek culture. His problem with them was only that they allowed such traditions to take priority over people's relationship with God.
Jesus was an innocent. A man feared by the powerful because of his innocence and purity. And here he walked, beaten, almost to death, exhausted, no strength left, forced to carry this cruel instrument of death. He was a dead man walking.
But even in this there was no peace.
Even in this he was taunted, spat on, despised. No rest for the wicked. But he was the opposite of wicked. He was the essence of goodness and love.
Here he was an innocent. A victim of Rome? A victim of the Jews? Hardly! They had no authority over him, except for what his Father gave them.
Yes, Jesus chose the Father's will over his own. This was his Father's doing. This was the way of redemption for all of creation. The only way.
So on he went. To do his Father's will. Because he loved his Father and obedience, even in death, was never a second thought.
How much did you say you love Jesus? Enough to bey him?
Thank you for the cross. May I have as much determination, love and selflessness to carry my own.
Perhaps at the darkest moments of our lives we have imagined such cruelty on our worse enemies, but on the innocent?
Jesus never got involved in politics. He didn't seem to care who held power in Israel. He didn't try to become king. In fact, he avoided it, leaving when he thought the crowd was going to force it on him. He didn't fault the Pharisees for trying to keep the traditions from being diluted by the powerful Greek culture. His problem with them was only that they allowed such traditions to take priority over people's relationship with God.
Jesus was an innocent. A man feared by the powerful because of his innocence and purity. And here he walked, beaten, almost to death, exhausted, no strength left, forced to carry this cruel instrument of death. He was a dead man walking.
But even in this there was no peace.
Even in this he was taunted, spat on, despised. No rest for the wicked. But he was the opposite of wicked. He was the essence of goodness and love.
Here he was an innocent. A victim of Rome? A victim of the Jews? Hardly! They had no authority over him, except for what his Father gave them.
Yes, Jesus chose the Father's will over his own. This was his Father's doing. This was the way of redemption for all of creation. The only way.
So on he went. To do his Father's will. Because he loved his Father and obedience, even in death, was never a second thought.
How much did you say you love Jesus? Enough to bey him?
Thank you for the cross. May I have as much determination, love and selflessness to carry my own.
What Will This Day Be To You?
The betrayal has happened. The arrest took place. His disciples have all scattered. He stands alone. He has been questioned by the high priest. He has already been beaten. And now Peter has disowned him. He stands alone.
There is still a long day ahead for him. There is still Pilot.There is still Herod. There is still the beatings, the whips, the mocking, the condemnation. And at the end of it there is the cross. There is death.
Every step he takes is one step closer. Every breath he takes is a breath closer.
"Not my will but yours be done."
It was about his Father's will. It was always about his Father's will. He would do anything for his Father, who he loved and trusted. Jesus set the example for us.
He prayed it. He lived it. He walked in it. And now he stands alone. He stands alone to face what we should have and he did it because his Father willed it. He willed it for us, so we would never have to face it.
Will today be just another day for you? A holiday? A day to sleep in? Maybe just another day of work? Nothing special?
This is Crucifixion Day. This is the day that marks the moment the Creator went to bat for the creation. This is the day we mark, the day Jesus gave his all so we could receive God's all. Walk with him through it today.
At this moment Jesus stood alone but he stands alone no longer. Today he sits at the right hand of the Father and we are seated there with him; his Bride; the Church he redeemed by his blood. But it didn't come cheap. It came with the price of the cross. Let it be a day of praise as we rejoice in the goodness of our God.
There is still a long day ahead for him. There is still Pilot.There is still Herod. There is still the beatings, the whips, the mocking, the condemnation. And at the end of it there is the cross. There is death.
Every step he takes is one step closer. Every breath he takes is a breath closer.
"Not my will but yours be done."
It was about his Father's will. It was always about his Father's will. He would do anything for his Father, who he loved and trusted. Jesus set the example for us.
He prayed it. He lived it. He walked in it. And now he stands alone. He stands alone to face what we should have and he did it because his Father willed it. He willed it for us, so we would never have to face it.
Will today be just another day for you? A holiday? A day to sleep in? Maybe just another day of work? Nothing special?
This is Crucifixion Day. This is the day that marks the moment the Creator went to bat for the creation. This is the day we mark, the day Jesus gave his all so we could receive God's all. Walk with him through it today.
At this moment Jesus stood alone but he stands alone no longer. Today he sits at the right hand of the Father and we are seated there with him; his Bride; the Church he redeemed by his blood. But it didn't come cheap. It came with the price of the cross. Let it be a day of praise as we rejoice in the goodness of our God.
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Wake Up Warriors, It's Not About Us!
There is no doubt that you are going to face some difficult times in your life. You can't live in a fallen world without running into some hardships. Some people seem to face more than their fair share, but then again, who are we to define fair. The question is, how are you going to deal with these things when they happen? Will you panic, fall apart and generally not handle it well? Will you run to someone you trust for the answers, taking whatever advice they have to hand out? Will you just ignore it and hope it goes away? There are plenty of ways of handling or not handling the difficulties of living in this world.
The question is not if these things will happen but what you will do when you come upon them. May I suggest that you change your perspective. Part of our problem is that we measure everything by the standards of this world, but we no longer belong to those standards. We have new standards and a new method of measurement. We have a new measurement of success and failure; a new measurement of riches; a new measurement of values; a new measurement of purpose; a new measurement of what is important.
Face it, this world and the various societies belonging to it are pretty messed up and getting worse by the day. They pursue logical argument and what seems right. They are absolutely convinced in themselves that their logic and the arguments behind the logic are solid because they seem right to them. But since the Fall we have not been able to trust our own thinking and judgment on matters. We needed a higher standard, something outside of the depraved thinking that resulted from the Fall.
As you face some of the difficulties of living here do not trust your logic or emotions. Do not trust the wisdom of this world. Do not look around this place for a lifeline or an example to follow. Do not model yourself after the perceived success of this place. You, child of God, have only one source for all things, and his name is Jesus. In troubled times we are not troubled. Instead we find strength in truths and standards that cannot be changed or re-shaped by the storms of this place:
"If we died with him,
we will also live with him;
if we endure,
we will also reign with him.
If we disown him,
he will also disown us;
if we are faithless,
he will remain faithful,
for he cannot disown himself." (2 Timothy 2:11-13)
These are a few truths that are stones in the foundation of our faith. These truths are unchangeable, regardless of our circumstances. From these things we draw strength and are able to continue with joy. They are not just words but truths that strengthen our mind, heart, spirit and body, to stay the course, to stand our ground.
If the warriors of the Kingdom could be stopped by mere circumstances and hardships of this world, the Church would have died long ago. But we can't be stopped because our worth, value, standards and measurements are not from this place but from the Kingdom of which we are citizens. We are strengthened in this place beyond our own sake but so that we may be of use to our King in bringing salvation to the lost. Wake up warriors, it's not about us! Stop panicking, get back in the ranks, trust the King and stand your ground. Now sing with the joy that comes from the assurance of our salvation!
The question is not if these things will happen but what you will do when you come upon them. May I suggest that you change your perspective. Part of our problem is that we measure everything by the standards of this world, but we no longer belong to those standards. We have new standards and a new method of measurement. We have a new measurement of success and failure; a new measurement of riches; a new measurement of values; a new measurement of purpose; a new measurement of what is important.
Face it, this world and the various societies belonging to it are pretty messed up and getting worse by the day. They pursue logical argument and what seems right. They are absolutely convinced in themselves that their logic and the arguments behind the logic are solid because they seem right to them. But since the Fall we have not been able to trust our own thinking and judgment on matters. We needed a higher standard, something outside of the depraved thinking that resulted from the Fall.
As you face some of the difficulties of living here do not trust your logic or emotions. Do not trust the wisdom of this world. Do not look around this place for a lifeline or an example to follow. Do not model yourself after the perceived success of this place. You, child of God, have only one source for all things, and his name is Jesus. In troubled times we are not troubled. Instead we find strength in truths and standards that cannot be changed or re-shaped by the storms of this place:
"If we died with him,
we will also live with him;
if we endure,
we will also reign with him.
If we disown him,
he will also disown us;
if we are faithless,
he will remain faithful,
for he cannot disown himself." (2 Timothy 2:11-13)
These are a few truths that are stones in the foundation of our faith. These truths are unchangeable, regardless of our circumstances. From these things we draw strength and are able to continue with joy. They are not just words but truths that strengthen our mind, heart, spirit and body, to stay the course, to stand our ground.
If the warriors of the Kingdom could be stopped by mere circumstances and hardships of this world, the Church would have died long ago. But we can't be stopped because our worth, value, standards and measurements are not from this place but from the Kingdom of which we are citizens. We are strengthened in this place beyond our own sake but so that we may be of use to our King in bringing salvation to the lost. Wake up warriors, it's not about us! Stop panicking, get back in the ranks, trust the King and stand your ground. Now sing with the joy that comes from the assurance of our salvation!
Saturday, March 9, 2013
Remember Jesus Christ
Since last I blogged Bible Gateway and other online Bible providers have removed the NIV '84 at the publisher's request. I refuse to use the new NIV due to its liberal translation of God's Word so this leaves me no choice but to go back to the printed form of the Bible. Such hardships in this current age of technology. :-)
I am sitting here in my store this morning, with my coffee beside me and God's Word open before me and I am tired. I went into partnership with my son, running a small coffee shop type of store. He needed a partner and I saw it as a means of connecting with people in the neighbourhood. I have to tell you though, it is a lot of work. It's hard to believe that people do this day on and day out just to make a dollar.There has to be easier ways to make money.
I would think that it is an easy thing to become discouraged running a business like this, as bill after bill pour in and income expectation is not always reached. I can tell you, if money was my motivation I would have walked away from this after the first week. But money isn't my motivation. Connecting with people for Jesus is the reason I am involved with this project. That means the financial burden is not so great and the discouragement is kept outside because profit margins don't bring me down.
How we handle life is going to depend on our motivation. Motivation dictates expectation and when expectation is not met then all kinds of emotions run their course. Wrong expectations can be a killer especially when they are based on a false sense of purpose. Perhaps this is why Paul reminded Timothy:
"Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David." (2 Timothy 2:8, NIV '84)
It seems a strange thing to say to a minister of the gospel or even just an ordinary Christian: Remember Jesus.Well, yes, of course I will remember Jesus. But did I yesterday? Did I remember him in the many decisions I made or in every conversation I had? Was he the motivation for my kindness, for my service, for my smiles?It is easy to be me without thinking of Jesus. I am usually a kind and generous guy, but kindness and generosity is not going to reveal the gospel of Jesus to a dying people.
The command to remember Jesus is a reminder that everything must come from him. Our motivation for everything we do must spring from the love of Jesus for us. It is not good enough that I am kind. The type of kindness that changes the world is that which is anointed, that comes from the seed of Jesus Christ. Anything else will fade away. Only that which comes from Jesus has the qualities of eternity knit into it.
I am telling you, you are kind, special, beautiful, talented and a hundred other things that I could say if I knew you better, but none of it matters. All that matters is what springs out of our relationship with Jesus. These are the only things that have the anointing of the Spirit. It is great that we offer our everything to Jesus but we don't have anything he needs.What he wants is our death and rebirth so that we are empty vessels, allowing him to fill us with what we need to serve him. Until we discover that for ourselves we will continue wasting our energy in actions and activities that have no eternal power,as nice and kind as they are.
Remember Jesus Christ. Set aside any other motivation. Stop trying to serve him in your own capacity. Instead, allow him to be your motivation in every word you speak, action you take, decision you make. Then watch what he accomplishes through you.
I am sitting here in my store this morning, with my coffee beside me and God's Word open before me and I am tired. I went into partnership with my son, running a small coffee shop type of store. He needed a partner and I saw it as a means of connecting with people in the neighbourhood. I have to tell you though, it is a lot of work. It's hard to believe that people do this day on and day out just to make a dollar.There has to be easier ways to make money.
I would think that it is an easy thing to become discouraged running a business like this, as bill after bill pour in and income expectation is not always reached. I can tell you, if money was my motivation I would have walked away from this after the first week. But money isn't my motivation. Connecting with people for Jesus is the reason I am involved with this project. That means the financial burden is not so great and the discouragement is kept outside because profit margins don't bring me down.
How we handle life is going to depend on our motivation. Motivation dictates expectation and when expectation is not met then all kinds of emotions run their course. Wrong expectations can be a killer especially when they are based on a false sense of purpose. Perhaps this is why Paul reminded Timothy:
"Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David." (2 Timothy 2:8, NIV '84)
It seems a strange thing to say to a minister of the gospel or even just an ordinary Christian: Remember Jesus.Well, yes, of course I will remember Jesus. But did I yesterday? Did I remember him in the many decisions I made or in every conversation I had? Was he the motivation for my kindness, for my service, for my smiles?It is easy to be me without thinking of Jesus. I am usually a kind and generous guy, but kindness and generosity is not going to reveal the gospel of Jesus to a dying people.
The command to remember Jesus is a reminder that everything must come from him. Our motivation for everything we do must spring from the love of Jesus for us. It is not good enough that I am kind. The type of kindness that changes the world is that which is anointed, that comes from the seed of Jesus Christ. Anything else will fade away. Only that which comes from Jesus has the qualities of eternity knit into it.
I am telling you, you are kind, special, beautiful, talented and a hundred other things that I could say if I knew you better, but none of it matters. All that matters is what springs out of our relationship with Jesus. These are the only things that have the anointing of the Spirit. It is great that we offer our everything to Jesus but we don't have anything he needs.What he wants is our death and rebirth so that we are empty vessels, allowing him to fill us with what we need to serve him. Until we discover that for ourselves we will continue wasting our energy in actions and activities that have no eternal power,as nice and kind as they are.
Remember Jesus Christ. Set aside any other motivation. Stop trying to serve him in your own capacity. Instead, allow him to be your motivation in every word you speak, action you take, decision you make. Then watch what he accomplishes through you.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)