There has been something running through my head for some time now and I feel compelled to share it.  A few years ago, I had a stroke or two and it left me with headaches and speech and balance issues.  But these physical circumstances did something for me that I could not achieve while healthy; they drew me closer to Jesus in a way that I could never have imagined.  In this struggle that affects my physical body, I was healed from the inside out.

I received Christ before the stroke.  I sought in prayer and study, but when I had the stroke something changed that I cannot put into words. There was a strange calmness that came over me.  Now I am not saying that there were not moments that I did not feel fear.  Things could have been bad.   There were times too when I was angry with the why me moments.  I hung on to my motorcycle for 2 years unwilling to let go of that past.  But finally, I did let go and I did take a full grip of the future.

Prayer and Study

You know I had time for the Word and Pray before the stroke.  But it always was second to work and family. There are still times today that the world will distract me and I will let it slip.  But I know when I do that I short myself more than anything else and I disappoint God who gave everything for me.  It is not because I need to study to be saved but the Word is a gift.  It is the path by which I can, with prayerful study, grow closer to my God, my Lord,

and Savior.

I pray every day.  I try to study as well.  I am not always up to writing because of some setbacks, but that is getting better and my prayer is that the fog will clear a bit and make it possible to write again every day.  But I leave that in God’s hands and I pray that I might listen and obey.  He has shown me so much in His word and I am thankful.

One of the lessons I cling to is that everything in this life is temporary.

2 Corinthians 4:17 – 5:5

Paul and Peter both talked about the temporary nature of the things on earth.  One of the verses I like is 2 Corinthians 4:17-5:5

2 Corinthians 4:17 – 5:5 (ESV) ¹⁷ For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, ¹⁸ as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

Our Heavenly Dwelling

¹ For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. ² For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, ³ if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. ⁴ For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. ⁵ He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.

Yes, I know I crossed chapters, but this was originally a big letter and I feel that the beginning of Chapter 5 fills it out for me.

Reflections

I read this passage and my heart sings.  God is preparing us for things “beyond all comparison”.  Now I have used those phrases to describe amazing things on earth like a great musician or motorcycle rider, but when I think of the God that spoke the universe into existence my brain shakes a bit.  That is truly something beyond comparison.

Then I look at the beginning of chapter 5 and I think; ” You know, I can handle things a bit longer in this tent.  It’s not that bad. It lets me see and do quite a bit.”

Then I think of Paul and what he said the Corinthians near the end of his second letter.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Paul had ailments too.  I have no clue what they were, but He asked Jesus to remove them three times, and Jesus chose not to and Jesus told him He would not remove them in verses 9-10 in chapter 12

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (ESV) ⁹ But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. ¹⁰ For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

I have read this passage so many times and I take great comfort in it because it is such a powerful truth regarding weakness, humility, and strength.

Reflections

I was 10 feet tall and bullet proof.  I did not realize how independent I was until I was not independent anymore.  There was little if anything I was afraid of and few situations I would not walk straight into without consulting God.  But I realized that is not what He wanted of me.  He wanted me to put all my hope in Him.

I thought of the passages.  Paul had seen so much.  How easy it would be for pride to take hold.  But God chose an infirmity to humble him.  I am not saying He did that to me.  My old lifestyle did that to me.  I had a temper and I was reckless and strong willed.  I was a hard charger and sometimes I could be cruel.  That attitude, along with a life of excess, lead to the stroke.  God has just used it to His purpose, and every word in that passage I am content with.  God has shown me how to be content in my circumstances.

Philippians 4:11-13

He has shown me this contentment and I surprise myself.  Now I have not always got it under control.  Yesterday the Sonata Pat, my wife drives, had the engine blow in the driveway.  I was freaked, but much less so than in the old days.  I had to cling to Philippians 4:11-13

Philippians 4:11-13 (ESV) ¹¹ Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. ¹² I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. ¹³ I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

I know that I do not always do well with this.  Big expenses are big and we are on a fixed income, but I pray and I know that panic and frustration will not change my situation.  Prayer will.  I also remember another passage from Paul about striving for the prize

Philippians 3:12-14

This passage helps me keep all this in perspective.  Because I still get upset over things and I still can find myself worrying.  But passages like this one remind me that I am still human and I still must strive to grow closer to my Savior and Lord Jesus.

Philippians 3:12-14 (ESV) ¹² Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. ¹³ Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, ¹⁴ I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

But this passage kind of brings me back to the beginning and the title of this post.  I am Healed.  It begins in 2 Corinthians 5:16-17

2 Corinthians 5:16-17

The thing I have come to know is that regardless of the condition of my physical body regardless of the challenges that may exist.  I was healed the day I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior.

It hit me when I was reading this verse in 2 Corinthians.

2 Corinthians 5:16-17 (ESV) ¹⁶ From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. ¹⁷ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

My body is the temporary tent he talks about in 2 Corinthians 5 and when I think of that this is just a small hindrance that Christ has healed.  I am just in recovery.  There are many passages that speak to this, like Romans 6:6-11, but this blog is getting long so I will close with the one for me is one of the most powerful.

Healed

Regardless of the condition my condition is in, (old rock and roll music reference), I am healed.  I have eternal life.  How can I be so sure?  Jesus tells me so in John 17

John 17:3 (ESV) ³ And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.

I believe in God the Father and Jesus and the Holy Spirit.  I seek to draw closer to them every day in prayerful study of the Holy Word of God.  I trust in the absolute truth of His Word.  I know Him and seek to know Him better every day.

Prayer

Father, I pray a prayer of thanks for your Holy Word.  I praise you for all your provision.  Lord, I know that by your stripes I have been healed.

Lord, I pray that you might draw us to you taking advantage of any circumstances we might find ourselves in.  Lord, I love you and Praise you.  To you be all the glory, in Jesus name I pray.

Amen

 

This morning I went out for a walk with my dog Jersey Girl and my camera.  I took a couple pictures.  One was of a bull thistle and the other of a road with a blind corner and as I walked I pondered the two images and considered what they represented.  One a deception.  The other truth.

The bull thistle flower is beautiful, but just inches from the bloom are some nasty spines that draw blood and cause pain.  The blind corner is tough.  At night in the dark, t is very uncertain as to where it might lead but the light of the sun in the daytime makes it much less ominous.

As I considered these two images I thought of Hebrews Chapter 11, that talks of the heroes of the faith and the world around us.  I reflected on my life over the past few years and the work the Holy Spirit has done in me.  So, I started in Hebrews.  I began in Hebrews 10:32

Hebrews 10:32-11:3

I read the passage of the challenges of becoming a Christian at the time the book was written and thought my challenges were nothing compared to the early Christians in theses passages, but the deceiver still reached into his toolbox to find ways to keep me from knowing God, even if they had to be more subtle.   He used the bull thistles instead more direct threats, but if I fell for them the result is the same… Death.

Hebrews 10:32 – 11:3 (ESV) ³² But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, ³³ sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. ³⁴ For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one. ³⁵ Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. ³⁶ For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. ³⁷ For,

“Yet a little while,
and the coming one will come and will not delay;
38 but my righteous one shall live by faith,
and if he shrinks back,
my soul has no pleasure in him.”
39 But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.

By Faith

¹ Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. ² For by it the people of old received their commendation. ³ By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.

I will admit that my trials were far different than those described in verses 32 and 33.  Mine were work stresses that appeared as career opportunities that took so much space in my mind and my time that saw the flower of the bull thistle but I did not notice the thorns drawing blood.

Reflections

I look back now and I see of course I had a good life, by worldly standards.  I had a good job and was compensated well, but there was something else happening that I did not notice so much.  I was so focused on doing my best, (being THE best), I did not really put God first.  I kept looking at the flower of the thistle rather than the thorns.  I was more a people pleaser than a God pleaser.

The thing is it was wreaking havoc on my body because I was spreading myself too thin.  I tried to do my study every morning and do my Bible study and prayer as well as work tasks and travel, but it was not working.

God knew and on some level, I knew it but refused to face it.  I was so used to taking care of myself that I was reluctant to surrender fully to God and completely trust Him.  I kept my eye on the thistle rather than trusting him enough to start out on that road with the blind turn.

Hebrews 11:1-3

I reread Hebrews 11:1-3 and noodled on it a bit, as my old boss Gina would say.

Hebrews 11:1-3 (ESV) By Faith

¹ Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. ² For by it the people of old received their commendation. ³ By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.

I like the whole passage, but I am looking at these verses one by one and seeing things in each that bring clarity to me

 

¹ Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

I reread verse one and I know in those early days I had the hope, but I am not sure that I had the conviction that I now have.  There was still a lot of self-reliance.  It took me a long time to realize that my reliance was to be on God in totality not on myself, and that came at a price.

² For by it the people of old received their commendation. ³ By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.

By faith, we can accept that the universe was created by the “word of God”.  Why did it take me so long to realize that he knows what is best for me and the right path for me?

Hebrews 11:8-9

I read on to Hebrews 11:8-9 and I thought of that blind turn in the road.  Abraham, simply on the word of God, stepped out in faith and left his home, with no idea where he was going.

Hebrews 11:8-9 (ESV) ⁸ By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. ⁹ By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise.

I look at that and am thankful for the example of Abraham, and all the heroes of the faith listed in chapter 11 of Hebrews.

Reflections

For me, I had to experience health issue and lose some of my independence to admit how much I need God in my life.  The stroke was and is humbling but God did not do this to me.  If anything, He tried to convince me to slow down and focus less on the Bull Thistle, work, and trust in Him, the blind turn in the road, but I was too certain and too self-reliant than God-reliant.

I believed in Him with all my heart, but I did not take the time to realize all that he had for me until I was forced to slow down.

Closing Thoughts

I could easily have slipped into self-pity and there are those days when I get sad because I cannot go for a motorcycle rid or get out on my own, but God did something for me when this disability began.  He gave me a purpose and a path.  He set me on that road, that I had thought filled with uncertainty, and introduced Himself to me in a way that was different than in the beginning.

I got a study in the mail that I ordered before the stroke and it showed up my first couple weeks home and I was compelled to spend time with God in it.  Days are not always easy and I still have my moments of doubt and fear, but they are neither as deep or as long.  I still struggle at times with letting go and fully trusting God at times, but I am working through that every day in prayer and study.

You know I look around the world and I think of the persecuted Church and the horrible conditions they experience and pray for them to have strength.  For us here, it is more like the boiled frog.  We are in the water on the stove and if we are not careful we may not notice that the water is getting a bit warm.  I know I must keep my heart and mind in prayer and in God’s Word and keep the trust that His path is the right path.  Thistles are just that… Thistles; no matter how pretty the bloom.

Prayer

Father, thank you for the gift of your Holy Word.  Thank you for your guiding hand that shows me the way when I am not even looking for it.  I am overwhelmed by your love and patience.

Thank you, Lord, I pray that I might be quicker to listen and obey in all things, in Jesus name, Amen!

 

Last night I had a conversation with a young man that had some struggles that he was dealing with that sounded strikingly familiar to my battle at his age, but he was handling it much better.  He was at VBS talking to an old man about them instead of the approach I chose at the time.

He had a child and chose to bring them to Vacation Bible School.  We talked quite a while, and we talked about the good the bad and the ugly, but it was a very good discussion.

There is this war and the adversary will use anything he can to distract us, even good things, to keep us from what is best for us, but his I think one of his favorites is to make us think we are the only ones that have ever faced a specific battle and no one understands our plight.  But last night for a little while God put the two of us together to talk about not only surviving the battle but winning.

And that all just sent me through God’s Word and some devotionals that  I enjoy by Tozer and Chambers.   But the first was Ephesians 6:10-20.

Ephesians 6:10-20

We talked about the adversary and his desire to draw us into selfish desires, and the futility of listening, and I thanked him for being in church this week, and the influences here and we talked about taking idle time and spending it in the Word.  I recommended John and Ephesians.  I did not recommend Ephesians 6, but we talked all around this passage.

Ephesians 6:10-20 (ESV) The Whole Armor of God

¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. ¹¹ Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. ¹² For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. ¹³ Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. ¹⁴ Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, ¹⁵ and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; ¹⁷ and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, ¹⁸ praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, ¹⁹ and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, ²⁰ for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

That armor is my strength.  When I think of this armor; all the tools God gives me through His Son, Jesus Christ,  I think of John 14:18-21

John 14:18-21

In this passage,  Jesus is talking about His return to the Father, but H will not leave us alone.

John 14:18-21 (ESV) ¹⁸ “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. ¹⁹ Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. ²⁰ In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. ²¹ Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.”

I do not know about you, but as I read that passage and meditate on that promise that only calls for me to believe and have faith my heart fills with expectant joy.  A joy that I cannot put into words.  A joy unaffected by my present circumstances, because these things are fleeting and temporary and my hope is based on eternal promises…  what joy can surpass that?

 The Draw of Battle.

We talked about the power of Jesus and the access we have to Him through prayer and the Word.  But we also acknowledged that the adversary does not stop trying to draw us back in.  1 Peter 1:13-25.

 1 Peter 1:13-25 (ESV) “¹³ Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. ¹⁴ As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, ¹⁵ but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, ¹⁶ since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” ¹⁷ And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, ¹⁸ knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, ¹⁹ but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. ²⁰ He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you ²¹ who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

²² Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, ²³ since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; ²⁴ for

“All flesh is like grass

and all its glory like the flower of grass.

The grass withers,

and the flower falls,

²⁵ but the word of the Lord remains forever.”

And this word is the good news that was preached to you.”

Our strength comes from Him who saved us.

 Proverbs 3

There is one other thing that we did not discuss last night, but I came across this morning and it is in Proverbs 3.  It is the easiest and, in my case, often the most common mistake I make when faced with a temptation to revert to my past approach.  I  faulter if not fail in this proverb.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV) ⁵ Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

and do not lean on your own understanding.

⁶ In all your ways acknowledge him,

and he will make straight your paths.

Only when I come to my senses do I find the peace that God desires for me.

Prayer

Father, I pray that you might be with this young man I spoke with last night.  I pray that he might find hope in Your Word.  Father I ask that you might strength all of us that we not lean on our own understanding but find our strength in you and hold fast.

In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

 

 

This morning was one of those odd mornings that I woke and I had this idea of what I wanted to write from some passages I read yesterday it was about prayer.  But the more I tried the thicker the cloud. Everything was difficult.  Nothing was clear.

I prayed and took Jersey Girl, our dog, for a walk, and prayed some more and I began to realize that the truth of it is that today God had a different plan for me.  I began to think about the Word of God and the truth and the fact that everything I need to grow in Christ was contained in there. But it was not a text book or a book of instructions it is the living breathing Word of God.

The Word

I thought of Genesis 1:1-2

Genesis 1:1-2 (ESV) ¹ In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. ² The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.

I thought of John 1:1-5

John 1:1-5 (ESV) ¹ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He was in the beginning with God. ³ All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. ⁴ In him was life, and the life was the light of men. ⁵ The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

I thought of Revelation 22:16-17

Revelation 22:16-17 (ESV) ¹⁶ “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.”

¹⁷ The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.

My Everything

As these passages ran through my head this morning I was overwhelmed by the fact that Jesus is everywhere in the Word and considered how every day and moments throughout the day I am reminded of passages, maybe not word for word but thought for thought, that help me in moments of stress and in joy always to glorify God.  He is my everything and He shows me in His living Word.

Berea

One preaching of Paul reminds me of the importance of testing everything against the scriptures.  It is the book of Acts in Chapter 17.  Paul and Silas left Thessalonica they went to Berea and met with the Jews in the synagogue.  I like verses 11-12.   Paul even said the Jews of Berea were nobler and explained why.

Acts 17:11-12 (ESV) ¹¹ Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. ¹² Many of them therefore believed, with not a few Greek women of high standing as well as men.

He honored these people because they listened, then they confirmed his teachings against the Scriptures.  If Paul felt it was important for the people of Berea to test his teachings of the Gospel against the scriptures, shouldn’t we test all teachings we hear as well?

I wondered if he mentioned that anywhere else, so I did a little research and found some examples.

1 Thessalonians 5

In Paul’s final instructions to the Thessalonians first letter he tells them several things to do and in verse 21 he says to test everything against the scriptures.

1 Thessalonians 5:14-22 (ESV) ¹⁴ And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. ¹⁵ See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. ¹⁶ Rejoice always, ¹⁷ pray without ceasing, ¹⁸ give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. ¹⁹ Do not quench the Spirit. ²⁰ Do not despise prophecies, ²¹ but test everything; hold fast what is good. ²² Abstain from every form of evil.

The thing about this letter is it was not written to one person in the church.  It was written to everyone in the church.

2 Timothy 3:16-17

Paul reminds us in 2 Timothy as well.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV) ¹⁶ All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, ¹⁷ that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

And in Ephesians 6

The Armor of God is all that comes from Him and His Word.

Ephesians 6:10-20 (ESV) The Whole Armor of God
¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. ¹¹ Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. ¹² For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. ¹³ Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. ¹⁴ Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, ¹⁵ and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; ¹⁷ and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, ¹⁸ praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, ¹⁹ and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, ²⁰ for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

 Reflection

When I was young my parents took me to church every Sunday and I listened to the minister and I listened to my Sunday school teachers, and I learned the stories enough to recall them and enough to return when I was 52.  But I did not study.  It was the minister’s job to teach me.  I had other stuff to do during the week, and in time those things took priority.  After all that minister had taught me all I needed to know.  I knew the stories and I knew how to pray when I was in trouble.

But man was I wrong.

52 Years Old

At 52 I came to the Lord after the funeral of a brother in another Motorcycle Club that I was close to.  I went to Ninevah and the Holy Spirit punched me in the chest and changed everything.

But for a long time, I was frustrated, because I could not arrange a meeting with Terry Cooper.  He was busy or I was busy.  I had questions and I felt I needed him to answer them. I got kind of frustrated.  But honestly it was as much my fault as Terry’s if not more mine.  I was a workaholic, and my life was not my own.

I kept praying and I kept reading the Bible.  At this time it was more reading than studying.  Then one morning in Kings when God gave Solomon wisdom it was like God punched me in the chest again and said hey.  You do not need to talk to Terry.  You need to listen to me.  I have your answers in this Book.  That morning everything changed.

Closing Thoughts

That morning reading turned to prayerful study.  My relationship with my Heavenly Father began to grow deeper and deeper, and His Holy Word becoming part of the connection to Him, my everything.

We all need good spiritual leaders.  I give thanks for Terry, Chad, Will and Scott every day for the work that they do at my home church.  I go to them when I need a sounding board or have a question.  But they cannot grow my spiritual relationship with God.  They can add some water now and then or cause me to seek answers in God’s Word, but I need to be in God’s Word.  I also need others that I can go to and discuss God’s Word to share my thoughts and hear theirs.

I give thanks for God’s Word.  I am blown away by the thirst and hunger he gives me for everything that is Him.

Prayer

Father I pray that you might touch our hearts that our thirst for your word might never be satisfied.  I pray that as we are filled to overflowing our need to share become uncontrollable and that we boldly share the Gospel message you have burned into our hearts.

Thank you, Lord, and in Jesus name I pray, Amen!

This is as close as you will see this blog go to discussing politics.  At one time I was very outspoken, but I have learned that I add little if anything of value to the mix. There is very little rhetoric that is helpful.

Since the shooting at the ball field of the congressman and others I hoped some of the rhetoric might have calmed, but it has not, and I hear a lot of reference to free speech with little thought of the value that it adds to the discussion, and there is this one passage that the Lord keeps running through my head.  It has been there the whole time.

Sadness or Anger

I look at the rhetoric and listen to the news and wonder; what is the temperament of the nation.  I look at God’s Word, and its conspicuous absence from the public square and I am saddened.   No one is looking to God for answers or allowing Him to guide their answers.  They are allowing their selfish motives to drive their actions.  Each so certain that they are right.

I look around and pray that someone could see.  I pray that just a few might realize that their anger will not change the course, but God can do anything and this verse grows from a whisper to a ringing in my ears.

Romans 13

I thought of Romans 13 this morning.  Paul told us in chapter 13 to submit to authorities.  Yes, there are points where man’s law goes against God’s law and there we stand firm in our faith.

In the close of Romans 12, Paul is very specific.

Romans 12:16-21 (ESV) ¹⁶ Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. ¹⁷ Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. ¹⁸ If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. ¹⁹ Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” ²⁰ To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” ²¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

God’s desire for us is to live peaceably with one another.  But Romans is not the passage that has been lingering in my heart.  It is in 1 Corinthians, and it is tied to our freedoms; the inalienable ones given to us by God.

1 Corinthians

As the talking heads spoke of free speech this week and how important that was and how important tolerance was I kept thinking – All things are legal, but not all things are favorable.  That ran through my head for days and I knew it from somewhere but I was not sure where.  Finally, it dawned on me that it was from God’s Word, but I was not sure from where.

I whipped out the handy-dandy Google and did a search on my feeble paraphrase and I found the verse in 2 places in 1 Corinthians: Chapter 6 and Chapter 10.

1 Corinthians 6:12

The first time it is used Paul is discussing sexual immorality.

1 Corinthians 6:12 (ESV) ¹² “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything.

Paul goes to great lengths to describe our freedom and how not everything is helpful or how we cannot let things dominate us then he explains the difference about sexual sin.

1 Corinthians 6:18-20 (ESV) Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. ¹⁹ Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, ²⁰ for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

That passage chapter 6 is powerful.  But I went on to chapter 10.

1 Corinthians 10

In chapter 10 the passage begins in the 23rd verse.  It begins the same way, but makes a different point.  I felt this was what the Holy Spirit had been showing me…  poking at my heart.

1 Corinthians 10:23-24 (ESV) ²³ “All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. ²⁴ Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.

As I pondered this passage I just kept thinking, “What is so hard about this?”  “Why is it seemingly impossible for us to put someone else first?” Then I remembered, “Oh yah, the Bible is no longer allowed as part of the public discourse.”  I remembered when the “Golden Rule” was on every classroom wall and the 10 commandments too.  But that is no longer the case.

Reflections

I look at these two passages that both begin the same way and I see the freedom and also the fact that though I have no constraints not all things are good.  I also see that Glorifying God comes first in my decision on how to act and next the good of my neighbor.

Closing Thoughts

I will not lie about this.  The frustration about the seeming heartlessness of some in this country rekindles old passions; ones that do not serve me well, and the Holy Spirit has taught me many things through the Word.  The most important.  When I resort to my old passions to solve a problem the battle is lost.  I may scare away the threat.  But for me and my heart I have lost the battle.  But, When I call on the Lord for His wisdom and strength the battle is often won without starting.

I think of this picture I have seen posted on face book.  This woman is praying, “Dear Lord give please give me wisdom, because if you give me strength I am going to need bail money.”  I know that it sounds silly, but there is wisdom in it.

With wisdom, she will rely on the Lord.  With strength, her passions will rule.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (ESV) ⁹ But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. ¹⁰ For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Prayer

Father, please help me to hold fast to Your Word in all circumstances.  I know Lord that all things are lawful for me but not all helpful.  Let me not forget that.

Help me never forget to put others before myself and remember that my real strength comes from you.  For when I am weak, then I am strong.

In Jesus name I pray, Amen

Some mornings, some days, there is just this cloud that makes it so hard to develop a thought.  I can see it.  I can almost feel it, but it is like I am trying to walk in molasses.  This morning is one of those mornings.  But in all that I am driven to this thought.  This morning the thought was the fellowship of Christ.

When I have a morning like this I pray, I listen to sermons and I try to read.  Reading can be hard, but I try with varying degrees of success

until the fog begins to clear.  I am not sure if it is the meds or just the remnants of the stroke that cause this cloud, but the thing is I cannot let it stop me from some level of study, though it may prevent me from writing some days, it cannot let me stop from spending time in the word on some level.  It would be like deciding to hold my breath because I have a headache.

This morning I started slowly.  Kind of like the granny gear in an old work truck.  I kind of lurched along very very slowly.  First was a sermon by Martyn Lloyd-Jones, and then some scriptures and prayer.

The Fellowship of the Believers

Dr. Jones sermon this morning was about the reformation of the church and the scripture he used was Acts 2:41-47

Acts 2:41-47 (ESV) ⁴¹ So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.

The Fellowship of the Believers

⁴² And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. ⁴³ And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. ⁴⁴ And all who believed were together and had all things in common. ⁴⁵ And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. ⁴⁶ And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, ⁴⁷ praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

As I listened to him read this passage and preach of the love that the people had for one another and their common love of Jesus and the joy they shared loving and discussing the gospel of Jesus Christ the weight began to lift.

I tried one train of thought and the cloud just got thicker so I chose another and found more clarity.  It was the last chapter of John.  Specifically, the verses 15-19 and 20-23

John 21:15-19

These verses are the exchange between Jesus and Peter after the resurrection when Jesus asks Peter if he loves Him.

John 21:15-19 (ESV) Jesus and Peter

¹⁵ When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” ¹⁶ He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” ¹⁷ He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. ¹⁸ Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” ¹⁹ (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”

You know I read this passage this morning like a thousand times before but this morning my heart sank a bit.

Reflections

I thought of the exasperation in Peter’s voice and Jesus’ relentless asking and I thought of all the times I set Him aside for my own selfish reasons.  Maybe I did not deny him as Peter did, but I remained silent.

There may have been other believers there and I simply held my tongue when I should have spoken up; then there are those last two words that Jesus says in that passage, “Follow Me.” 

Jesus asks Peter these questions, and he asks the same of me.  And maybe I get exasperated sometimes.  But He does not ask them because He needs to know.  He knows my heart.  He asks me because I need to know it and I need to know so that I will follow.  He knows my heart better than I do and sometimes he needs to prove it content to me.

The other piece to this was what he said next to Peter in John 21:20-23.

John 21:20-23

After all that discussion where Jesus spelled out even Peter’s death he had a very human question.  What about John?  What is going to happen to him, and Jesus was to the point but I hear no harshness in his voice as I read it.  I hear only love and understanding.

John 21:20-23 (ESV) Jesus and the Beloved Apostle

²⁰ Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who also had leaned back against him during the supper and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?” ²¹ When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” ²² Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!” ²³ So the saying spread abroad among the brothers that this disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not to die, but, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?”

That is such an important point.  Peter is asking about the path for John and Jesus points out that it is not his worry.  Peter follows Jesus, just as John does, and you know the same is true of each of us.

Reflections

We do not get to decide how someone follows Jesus.  We pray that they do.  We cannot decide their gifts or calling; we only pray that they might accept it and bear fruit.

I think of 1 Peter 2

1 Peter 2:9-12 (ESV) ⁹ But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. ¹⁰ Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.  ¹¹ Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. ¹² Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.

We have this gift and if we truly believe with all our hearts how can we squander it by allowing the evils of the world to try and snuff it out.

Closing Thoughts

Jones this morning spoke of how when he met a true believer he knew very quickly that they shared the faith.  They may not agree on every aspect of doctrine, but they share the fundamental faith in Jesus Christ.  He compared it to the men that came to his church during World War II.  I remember, after being saved, all the guys at work that I suddenly realized were believers.  Guys I had known for 20 or 30 years.

It was amazing how the Holy Spirit showed them to me or me to them and in a matter of seconds, we would be speaking of the Lord and His impact on our lives.  That is fellowship.  I want to share God’s Word with others so that they might know His love and that they might be drawn to a fellowship that exists nowhere else in this world but His true church, the body of Christ.

Prayer

Father, help me be a light speaking your Gospel boldly.  Help me be a good example of your love to all whom I might meet: believer or unbeliever.  Help me be bold in the faith, in Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Yesterday morning I read this post that just pointed to the foolishness of man. First in the post itself and then in the responses.  My first thought was to respond in anger, then, with scripture and when I had all my scriptures collected I could not find the post.  It was then that I realized Jesus was kind of just telling me to slow my roll, so I left the collection of scriptures prayed a prayer of repentance and thanks and moved on.

This morning a dear friend and brother in Christ shared a video with me of a 3 1/2-minute video of Paul Washer titled “I Must Have More Jesus” Sermon Jam”.  This 3 1/2-minute sermon kind of took my breath away, like being struck with a 2×4 across the back, (do not ask why I used that analogy).   My initial thoughts were YES…  YES.  Then I was drawn to the teachings of Paul.  His message was the same.  We need “More Jesus.”

1 Corinthians 2:1-5

I began searching the scriptures.  The first stop was in 1 Corinthians 2:1-5, “Proclaiming Christ Crucified”.   I read that passage and all I could think is YES.

1 Corinthians 2:1-5 (ESV) ¹ And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. ² For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. ³ And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, ⁴ and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, ⁵ so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

In this letter, Paul proclaims that he is weak and there is no strength in him.  He does not want the people of Corinth depending on him for faith; he wants them depending on the power of God.  I read this and I look around the world and even the “Church” is trying to spin what Jesus said and how the Holy Spirit inspired apostles like Paul. I continued in Corinthians.

1 Corinthians 3:18-20

I went from there to 1 Corinthians 3:18-20.  I read the message from Paul more than once.

1 Corinthians 3:18-20 (ESV) ¹⁸ Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. ¹⁹ For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness,” ²⁰ and again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.”

It is so easy to be deceived in this world.  There are seemingly wise people in a position of leadership that can be very persuasive.  But Jesus chose us and called us.  I went back a bit in 1 Corinthians.

1 Corinthians 1:26-31

I read 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 where Paul reminds us to consider our calling and who we are.

1 Corinthians 1:26-31 (ESV) ²⁶ For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. ²⁷ But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; ²⁸ God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, ²⁹ so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. ³⁰ And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, ³¹ so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

What a gift we have in Jesus Christ.  What a wonder we have access to through His Holy Word.  With His Word comes all wisdom, IF we approach it prayerfully seeking His guidance and humbling ourselves before Him.

Philippians 4:13 (ESV) ¹³ I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

From here I went to Philippians.

Philippians 3:1-11

This passage always humbles my heart.  I cannot read it and think of all the things that I used to believe made me who I was, only to realize the lie of it all.  I am left broken and repaired in the same breath by Jesus Christ and filled with thanksgiving for the gift of His grace and forgiveness.

Philippians 3:1-11 (ESV) Righteousness Through Faith in Christ

¹ Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you. ² Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. ³ For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh— ⁴ though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: ⁵ circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; ⁶ as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. ⁷ But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. ⁸ Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ ⁹ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— ¹⁰ that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, ¹¹ that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

What joy this gives my heart to know these things and the gift of this promise.

Closing Thoughts

Now I started this blog post with a small but annoying whine about a post I did not like and a praise about a video I watched this morning.  I spoke of how the Holy Spirit lead me away from my gut reaction to react inappropriately yesterday.  All that deterrent came from Gods Word as I prepared my response; much of it from Proverbs 26.

The thing that I have found Is that if I go to God’s Word for any reason, even if it might be the wrong reason, He will direct me to the correct path if I will humble myself and listen.

This morning the sermon my friend shared was the final tweak of the rudder that the Holy Spirit knew I needed.  If I am to speak I am to speak of the love of Jesus.  If I am to want anything it is more of Jesus.  My prayer is that His light might shine in my actions.

Prayer

Father God, I pray today for more of you, that I might shine your light and share your love.  I pray that my hunger for Your Word never be satisfied and that my thirst never be quenched.

In Jesus name, I pray, Amen!

Referenced Video

https://youtu.be/AvBdYVGI5Dc

This past weekend was an amazing weekend.  Pat and I went on a bit of a road trip and I got to take some nice photos.  But all through the weekend even into this morning, I was reminded of the need to stand on the Word of God.  It is not enough to simply read it, but we must believe it to be the only absolute truth.   We must internalize it and trust in its truth enough that we obey the precepts found in it.

I read this blog by Bob Russel “Is Your Faith Strong Enough” this morning that said in the early 1970’s  a Gallup poll said 40% of people believed the Bible was the literal Word of God.  A recent Gallup poll showed that number had dropped to 28% and among 18-29 year old people the percentage was down to 12%.  These numbers are heartbreaking.

Now they do not say in that poll, but I would almost bet that 18-29 year old people were in the 20-25% range.  I am not certain, but I am pretty sure I was in that boat in my youth.  I believed in God, but I did not really know Him or His Word.  He was more there for when I got old.  I was so foolish.  It took a pretty significant jolt to change my mind, and I am thankful because those changes put me in a place to be ready to receive what God had for me this weekend.

Friday Night

July 3, 2016, my daughter Caroline and my now son-in-law Phil, were baptized and married on the same day.  It was amazing and almost more than I could handle.  It has led to a lot of discussions.  Friday she sent me a link to some YouTube videos on end times.  She asked me to watch them and let her know what I thought.  So I watched them Saturday morning.

Saturday Morning

Early Saturday I watched them all and I sent a text to her with a couple scriptures and my opinion.  The thing is that the videos and the discussion we had all rested in the scriptures.  I shared with Caroline and Phil Mark 13 and Matthew 24.

Without God’s Word, I would not have had an answer.  Sure I could have called someone else and asked them, but then I become a parrot and if I am asked any other questions I am stuck.  If my hope really rests in Christ Jesus so do my answers.  I am not an expert in the scriptures.  I do still ask for help, but the help I ask for is finding the answer in God’s Word or finding understanding in His Word.

Reflections

Saturday morning reminded me of this hunger I have for the Word.  It is a bit strange to some I guess.  I want to share my testimony, so I do.  That raises questions so I search the Word for answers  which I am compelled to share which drives me to search His Word for more answers that I might grow to know God better and share the Gospel.

It is kind of like the like the back of a shampoo bottle.  Wash, rinse and repeat, except with God’s Word it is Share, Study and Repeat.

Sunday

Sunday was an amazing day as always.  Terry’s sermon at Ninevah Christian Church was amazing.  If you get a chance you should give it a listen.  It will be on YouTube mid-week the week of June 12.  I will add a link to this blog post when it is available.  It was amazing.  It really got me thinking and reinforced the importance of being in prayerful study of God’s Word.

Pat and I talked about how powerful God’s Word is in our life and the importance of prayerful study and obedience.  We were both just thankful for all God was doing in our lives and all He showed us every day.

This Morning

This morning the flood gates opened and all the thoughts came together.  I read the blog by Bob Russel “Is Your Faith Strong Enough” and reflected on Terry’s sermon.  Both Terry and Bob Russel spoke of the strength of our faith using the 29 Coptic Christians killed recently for their faith recently.  That alone gave me a cold chill and reminded me of the power of the Holy Spirit.

I also reflected on a sermon by Charles Spurgeon and the devotional for today by Oswald Chambers in Utmost for His Highest as well as my discussion with Caroline and Phil.

I reflected on the scriptures that I was led to this morning.

John 10:25-30

The sermon I listened to was based on John 10:27-30 I went to the beginning of the passage where Jesus answered the doubting Jews that asked Him to tell them plainly if He was the Christ.

John 10:25-30 (ESV) ²⁵ Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name bear witness about me, ²⁶ but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep. ²⁷ My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. ²⁸ I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. ²⁹ My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. ³⁰ I and the Father are one.”

I look at that passage and my heart melts with a joy and peace when I read, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” How would I know His voice if not for His Holy Word?  How could I be sure of what I heard if I did not search the scriptures for myself and test everything against them?  That thought led me back to something I shared with Caroline and Phil.

Mark 13:21-23

In Mark 13 Jesus speaks of the last days and in 21-23 I am reminded of the importance of drawing near to Him through His Word so I will not be deceived.

Mark 13:21-23 (ESV) ²¹ And then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘Look, there he is!’ do not believe it. ²² For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, the elect. ²³ But be on guard; I have told you all things beforehand.

I cannot help but be reminded of John 1:1-5, 14

John 1:1-5 (ESV) ¹ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He was in the beginning with God. ³ All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. ⁴ In him was life, and the life was the light of men. ⁵ The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it… ¹⁴ And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

How can we possibly know God well enough to trust and obey Him without grasping John 1 and thirsting for the knowledge of Jesus contained throughout the Scriptures?  To know Him is to love Him.  To love Him is to desire to know Him more and to strive to serve and obey Him.

Closing

The last thing I read this morning was “My Utmost for His Highest“, by Oswald Chambers.  Today’s devotional was “Getting There“.  The part that struck me was near the end and I think it kind of put a bow on my thoughts for today.

“You say it would be all right if God saved you and took you straight to heaven. That is exactly what He will do! And not only do we make our home with Him, but Jesus said of His Father and Himself, “…We will come to him and make Our home with him” (John 14:23). Put no conditions on your life— let Jesus be everything to you, and He will take you home with Him not only for a day, but for eternity.”

What an amazing promise.  But how would I know if I were not in His Word for myself?  I could go a lifetime and I may never hear my preacher preach this verse, not because he doesn’t, but because I do not hear it.

John 14:23 (ESV) ²³ Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.

What a tragedy that would be to not grasp this passage fully for myself.  The thought of that makes my heart ache.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me Lord that I might always thirst and hunger for your Word.  Let me never grow weary of its lessons.  Lord help me share your Gospel boldly in all I do and never shrink back.  Please strengthen me with your Holy Spirit and the power of Your Word.

In Jesus name, I pray, Amen!

 

This week I have had this one thought on my mind and came from this movie we watched last Wednesday.  The movie is called, The Resurrection of Gavin Stone , I talked about it earlier this week when I talked about the rich young man that walked away from Jesus. In the movie, the actor playing Jesus said something like, “please don’t go…” and I know that is not in the text, but it touched my heart.

That short line in the script made me think about all those friends I knew that seemed to turn and walk away unwilling to give up that one thing they thought was more important to them.  After all, hey have plenty of time to get right with God. They were doing just fine.

I was pondering all these things this morning and I read the devotional for today in, My Utmost for His Highest: Quality Paperback Edition , By Oswald Chambers.  It was about asking and receiving or not receiving.

“Then What’s Next to Do”

I found this one section that struck me and it kind of got my thoughts kick started down this path this morning.

“Everyone who asks receives….” This does not mean that you will not get if you do not ask, but it means that until you come to the point of asking, you will not receive from God (see Matthew 5:45). To be able to receive means that you have to come into the relationship of a child of God, and then you comprehend and appreciate mentally, morally, and with spiritual understanding, that these things come from God.

This is such a simple truth.  It is like the sun shines on us in the daytime even if it is cloudy and we cannot see it.  We know it is there, but do we realize all that we gain from the sun.

Matthew 5:45

Matthew 5:45 is in the middle of the instruction by Christ Jesus to love your enemies.  I have read it to many times to count.  But this morning I took it a bit more to heart.

Matthew 5:45 (ESV) ⁴⁵ so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

I looked at that verse and read over it several times.  It took a while to sink in really, but I realized everything that comes to everyone on this planet we call earth comes from God.  The difference from the believer and the unbeliever is the believer knows that all of it comes from God and the non-believer thinks it comes from his effort or because they have been victimized somehow.

“Then What’s Next to Do” Revisited

I reread Chamber’s devotional. 

“Everyone who asks receives….” This does not mean that you will not get if you do not ask, but it means that until you come to the point of asking, you will not receive from God (see Matthew 5:45). To be able to receive means that you have to come into the relationship of a child of God, and then you comprehend and appreciate mentally, morally, and with spiritual understanding, that these things come from God.

I spent some time thinking about that last sentence and the whole thing about comprehending and appreciating mentally, morally and with spiritual understanding and I thought of the parables in Matthew about Heaven.

The Parable of the Hidden Treasure

I started with this parable of the hidden treasure and this morning it made more sense than before.  I cannot explain why.

Matthew 13:44 (ESV) The Parable of the Hidden Treasure

⁴⁴ “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

Than the parable of the pearl.

The Parable of the Pearl of Great Value

Matthew 13:45-46 (ESV) The Parable of the Pearl of Great Value

⁴⁵ “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, ⁴⁶ who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.

We search for this thing that fills the emptiness in our hearts and when we find the only thing that will fill it completely, Jesus Christ, we will give up everything to have him.  I understand why Jesus used two examples; I think he could have used a hundred, because there is nothing to compare to life with God.  It is beyond our ability to grasp fully.

Mark 10:21-23

I think of the two parables and it leads me back to Mark 10:21-23 when Jesus answers the young man and then turns to his disciples.

²¹ And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” ²² Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

²³ And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!”

I do not know.  It just may be me, but I feel a sadness in Jesus’ voice when he says all this.  He loves this young man, but he knows his heart, and as he is telling him this he knows how he is going to respond, and I think of these two parables and just want to say, “please, don’t go.  You do not know what Jesus has for you… please.”

Thoughts

My heart sometimes aches because I wish that I could find the words that would convince everyone of the truth of God’s Word.  I would like to shake it into to them.

But then I look at what Jesus did with the wealthy young man.  Who knows how long that young man had been following Jesus.  Who knows how much he had heard.  He had heard enough that he felt Jesus had the answer he needed, but it was not what it wasn’t what he wanted to here.

See to do that would have meant he would have really had to trust and believe that Jesus was who he said He was.

Prayer

Father, thank you for your guiding light.  Thank you for your hope and understanding.  I pray Lord that you might fill my heart with love and patience and the words to share Your Word and Your message as you would have me do, in love and with patience.

In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Last Wednesday night my wife Pat and I went and watched a movie at church, “The Resurrection of Gavin Stone”.  I do not want to spoil the movie, but near the end, there is this discussion of the Jesus’ encounter with the ‘Rich Young Ruler’ and ever since that has been on my mind.  It caused me to question why the young man chose to walk away; was it his wealth, fear, pride, or something else.

I read both the account in Matthew and in Mark.  In the first verses, I noticed something that I had overlooked before.

Matthew 19:16 (ESV) ¹⁶ And behold, a man came up to him, saying, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?”

Mark 10:17 (ESV) ¹⁷ And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

This young man believed in eternal life… the resurrection of the dead, but he was not sure of the recipe or necessary piece of the law so he asked Jesus because he had come to believe that he knew the answer.

Jesus Response

Now Jesus replied to the young man first asking him why he called him good and then giving him instruction on the actions he must take.  The responses are very much the same but I like the one in Mark 10 the best.

¹⁸ And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. ¹⁹ You know the commandments: Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’” ²⁰ And he said to him, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.” ²¹ And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”

I read this and I thought about that movie and I thought about some conversations I have had with Pat and others in the past week and I rethought what that young man was holding onto.

The Young Man Walked Away Disheartened

I thought about the possessions that Jesus told him to sell and give to the poor and assumed that he was a rich young man; maybe even a ruler.  Matthew 19:22 says he had great possessions.

 ²² When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

This young man walked away showing what he trusted in.  He feared to surrender control of his life to anyone else other than himself.  He clung to the “things” that he felt assured his security.  His trust rested in himself.  He loved God, but he was not ready to surrender control to him.

Reflection

I thought about that a lot the past few days.  I thought a lot about the young man’s”possessions” and how important they were to him.  I thought a lot about the disciple’s response when Jesus spoke of the plight of a rich man.  I like the way Matthew recorded it.

²³ And Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven. ²⁴ Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” ²⁵ When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?”

It is so easy to look at the world like the disciples did.  We look and see the physical or financial blessings.  We look at the education and the skills that one might have.  It is easy to say, boy they are so blessed…

Conversely it is easy to look at a poor family that is struggling or in poor health or driving a beater of a car or not wearing the nicest cloths and think, boy they have a rough life with no thought of blessing from God.  That made me think of the parable of “The Widows Offering” in Mark 12:41-44

“The Widows Offering” in Mark 12:41-44

This passage reminded me of the truth of God’s provision.

Mark 12:41-44 (ESV) The Widow’s Offering

⁴¹ And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. ⁴² And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. ⁴³ And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. ⁴⁴ For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”

I thought about this woman and the trust that she had in God and where the young man had placed his trust and my heart ached for the young man and for myself.  For him because he had been given so much but still did not know where it came from nor trusted that God would always care for him.  For myself, because of every time that I worried about anything.

This woman gave everything she had to God.  Yes, a penny reflected all she had, but she gave her everything trusting that God would provide.  And I allow myself to worry about stuff.  I just want to shout out WHY??? But then I read on and both Mark and Matthew talk about how I can overcome this attitude.

Mark 10:23-27

Jesus tells of the difficulty of entering heaven for a wealthy man.

²³ And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” ²⁴ And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God! ²⁵ It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” ²⁶ And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, “Then who can be saved?” ²⁷ Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.”

He explains that the only way is with God.  We cannot work our way into heaven.  I look at this and I think of the rich young man and the widow and I see that what I must do is put all my trust, my everything, in Jesus.  He has provided for me and there is nothing I can do to “get into heaven”.  That is a gift from God. I am reminded of Ephesians 2

Ephesians 2:4-10

Paul explains the gift of salvation and the love of God.  We cannot earn it.  It is a gift freely given.

Ephesians 2:4-10 (ESV) ⁴ But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, ⁵ even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— ⁶ and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, ⁷ so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. ⁸ For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, ⁹ not a result of works, so that no one may boast. ¹⁰ For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

How wonderful it is to know that the creator of the universe loved me enough to save me when I was in the midst of my sin, not because of anything I did, but because of His love, grace and mercy, and that gift is available to us all.  This reminds me of a passage in Hebrews my preacher Terry Cooper used a lot when he taught a study on that book.

Closing Thoughts

Terry spoke of our need to cling to our faith and confidence in God.  He tied the close of Hebrews 10 to the beginning of Hebrews 11.

Hebrews 10:35 – 11:3 (ESV) ³⁵ Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. ³⁶ For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. ³⁷ For,

“Yet a little while,
and the coming one will come and will not delay;
³⁸ but my righteous one shall live by faith,
and if he shrinks back,
my soul has no pleasure in him.”
³⁹But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.

¹ Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. ² For by it the people of old received their commendation. ³ By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.

I think of this passage and the young man and widow women.  One had faith in his abilities, and the other in God’s.  One shrunk back and the other, despite her difficult plight in the eyes of the world, did not.  I pray that I might not shrink back; that I might hold on to my confidence and faith.

Prayer

Father, thank you for your Holy Word and the lessons you reveal as I need them.  I pray father that I might hold fast to your teachings and not shrink back in times of trials Lord.  Give me the strength to leave my all to you.  Help me, that I might present my body as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to you, as an act of spiritual worship, and not conform to this world but be transformed by a renewal of my mind through Your Holy Word.

In Jesus name, I pray, Amen!