They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor. - Isaiah 61:3b
"God, is this the way You treat someone who has worked so hard at remaining faithful to You?" I yelled out loud in my office, in my home, alone, where no one but God (and neighbors for a ½ mile around) could hear me. "I have waited and waited and now this! I hate You, God! You suck! I have had enough!" Those were my words (and a few others) that day as I wrestled with news of an event that devastated me to the point where I broke down weeping and yelling and screaming and guttural earthy cries that have no place in human existence or history.
As I sat there among the technology, and the wood floor, and my books and a very confused Milo (my daughters dog) deciding what else I could say to God, I was speechless. I was angry. I was confused. I wondered if He even existed. If He did, I felt like He really didn't honor my faith and obedience. I intermittently sat and then paced for hours wrestling internally with my feelings.
Finally, without answers and sensing that God wasn't answering me, I left to take a long walk. I walked outside our little residential area and headed toward the farming area. Finally, I stopped and sat down. I don’t even know how long it was. What I can tell you now is this; I had been sitting on an old oak tree that was broken at the base. The tree pointed toward the base of another massive, lofty oak tree. Finally, a still quiet voice inside said, "You are just like this tree John. You are broken. I ordered this brokenness. Without it you would never become this large oak tree you see."
It has been a very long time since that day. It has been years. There have been many struggles. Some associated with that day and how I handled myself. But God was true to His word from that day. He has brought me a tenderness and sensitivity to His workings in my life. I had pain and disappointment. It has been replaced with an inner contentment that only His gracious work and inner providential move within a man provides.
So, since I know I am nothing if not “everyman,” let me ask you, have you resolved the disappointments where you did not get the outcome you believed God has for you? C'mon, you know you've had them also. My experience was not that different than your.
Tell me. Have you recovered from that time or those times when God seemed distant and anything but personal? When you prayed and hoped and the answer you received left you empty and faithless...
That day when you yelled at God, did you ever resolve your differences with Him? My loved ones and friends you need to know this; He is the kind of Father who is willing to have those difficult conversations. As my dear friend Jim Bentley said to me, “He’s a big God – He can handle a tough talk.” He won't always change things, but His purposes will be accomplished and peace will come if you trust. You must trust Him this day with those things that are most difficult in your life. It is how you become the mighty oak!
And I will remain...by the still waters - being watered (See Psalm 1)
InHISgrip,
~J~
Friday, February 27, 2009
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Muhammad Ali Meet John the Baptist
Muhammad Ali: "I am the greatest!" er...no, not so much Cassius...
"I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he" - Matt 11:11-12
John the Baptist did no miracles. Many of the Old Testament prophets, including a man John was compared to performed miracle after miracle. Daniel interpreted dreams for kings and he and his friends impacted an entire nation. Jeremiah and Isaiah were two of Israel's greatest prophetic voices. Jesus built his church through the twelve disciples. The exploits of these men are well documented in the Gospels and the Book of Acts. But Jesus made a profound declaration about John the Baptist who performed no miracles and wrote no books:
He is the greatest among all the prophets.
Why did Jesus make this pronouncement? John the Baptist did one very important thing - he fulfilled his purpose on earth in every way.
The disciples asked John the Baptist, "Are you the one we have been waiting for? John responded quickly, "No." Then he made a profound statement: "A man can receive only what God gives him" - John 3:27. His time on his knees, with the Father, had provided him with a complete understanding of his personal, "why am I here?"
Jesus proclaimed John the Baptist was the greatest because this John knew and fulfilled what his Heavenly Father had proposed for his meager life. of John the Baptist the angel Gabriel says, "And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous - to make ready a people prepared for the Lord" - Luke 1:17.
In God's economy the work of John the Baptist was absolutely necessary to prepare the way for Jesus.
And so you can imagine where this is leading can't you? Ok, no trick, here it is: Do you know why God made you? Are you fulfilling the destiny He has planned for you since the foundation of the earth?
Understanding your life purpose is key to receiving your inheritance. Paul said no matter what kind of work you do, if God has called you to do it, you will receive an inheritance for doing it. "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving" - Col 3:23-25.
So, with me, today, let us both make a pact to seek that which God wishes us to do...for His glory - it comes with an incredible blessing - a heavenly inheritance! I remain...
InHISgrip,
~J~
"I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he" - Matt 11:11-12
John the Baptist did no miracles. Many of the Old Testament prophets, including a man John was compared to performed miracle after miracle. Daniel interpreted dreams for kings and he and his friends impacted an entire nation. Jeremiah and Isaiah were two of Israel's greatest prophetic voices. Jesus built his church through the twelve disciples. The exploits of these men are well documented in the Gospels and the Book of Acts. But Jesus made a profound declaration about John the Baptist who performed no miracles and wrote no books:
He is the greatest among all the prophets.
Why did Jesus make this pronouncement? John the Baptist did one very important thing - he fulfilled his purpose on earth in every way.
The disciples asked John the Baptist, "Are you the one we have been waiting for? John responded quickly, "No." Then he made a profound statement: "A man can receive only what God gives him" - John 3:27. His time on his knees, with the Father, had provided him with a complete understanding of his personal, "why am I here?"
Jesus proclaimed John the Baptist was the greatest because this John knew and fulfilled what his Heavenly Father had proposed for his meager life. of John the Baptist the angel Gabriel says, "And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous - to make ready a people prepared for the Lord" - Luke 1:17.
In God's economy the work of John the Baptist was absolutely necessary to prepare the way for Jesus.
And so you can imagine where this is leading can't you? Ok, no trick, here it is: Do you know why God made you? Are you fulfilling the destiny He has planned for you since the foundation of the earth?
Understanding your life purpose is key to receiving your inheritance. Paul said no matter what kind of work you do, if God has called you to do it, you will receive an inheritance for doing it. "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving" - Col 3:23-25.
So, with me, today, let us both make a pact to seek that which God wishes us to do...for His glory - it comes with an incredible blessing - a heavenly inheritance! I remain...
InHISgrip,
~J~
Monday, February 23, 2009
And We Dub Thee...
"The LORD was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba recognized that Samuel was attested as a prophet of the LORD" (1 Sam 3:19-20).
I had a friend whom I went to high school with that everyone was sure, one day, would be first, an All-American Football player and later into the Pros. He believed God had other plans for him instead and went off to Moody Bible College and later became a published author and pastor. God redirected his life.
All of those early experiences had combined to contribute to the calling he is living out today.
He had his teachers and he had his coaches but he also had something else.
Often we look at our natural abilities and our internal passions and we begin to create our future. God does in fact desire that we mature in our natural and spiritual lives. God uses a host of teachers, friends, family and inspirations (mine were Ernie Banks, Hank Aaron and Gary Peters - baseball players all) and hopefully spiritual leadership as well (for me Rev. Jacob Kuipers) to affirm the gifts and roles that form our lives.
For me it seemed that some of these "mentors" in my life were trying to kill my dream of being a baseball player. I bet you had some who wanted to "reason with you," about the practicality of your life aspirations as well. God uses authority figures to provide key direction during the early development, through our teen and twenty-something years. He is using these people to help guide us to the ultimate destiny He has for our lives.
But one role - one inspired relationship must never be left wanting; that would be God in our life.
When we are young, we are often more impressionable than at any other time in our lives. The young person who can allow wisdom to rule over immaturity and impatience is a rare individual. And, that is a good thing. However, if you are able to receive from the God of your mentors, even more so than the teachers themselves, you will be so far ahead of your peers have more peace and joy in the growing than you could ever have imagined.
"God is continually preparing His heroes, and when the opportunity is right, He puts them into position in an instant. He works so fast, the world wonders where they came from," said A. B. Simpson.
As you might be going through a time of redirection in your life never forget that leadership of your life belongs to God. Put yourself in the way of His Voice - His Words - His Control - His Timing - Follow Him by worshiping and listening. Let God do the foundation work so that he can advance you to His ultimate destiny He has for your life.
The rest of us are waiting expectantly to see, "what hath God wrought!" in you...I remain...
InHISgrip,
~J~
I had a friend whom I went to high school with that everyone was sure, one day, would be first, an All-American Football player and later into the Pros. He believed God had other plans for him instead and went off to Moody Bible College and later became a published author and pastor. God redirected his life.
All of those early experiences had combined to contribute to the calling he is living out today.
He had his teachers and he had his coaches but he also had something else.
Often we look at our natural abilities and our internal passions and we begin to create our future. God does in fact desire that we mature in our natural and spiritual lives. God uses a host of teachers, friends, family and inspirations (mine were Ernie Banks, Hank Aaron and Gary Peters - baseball players all) and hopefully spiritual leadership as well (for me Rev. Jacob Kuipers) to affirm the gifts and roles that form our lives.
For me it seemed that some of these "mentors" in my life were trying to kill my dream of being a baseball player. I bet you had some who wanted to "reason with you," about the practicality of your life aspirations as well. God uses authority figures to provide key direction during the early development, through our teen and twenty-something years. He is using these people to help guide us to the ultimate destiny He has for our lives.
But one role - one inspired relationship must never be left wanting; that would be God in our life.
When we are young, we are often more impressionable than at any other time in our lives. The young person who can allow wisdom to rule over immaturity and impatience is a rare individual. And, that is a good thing. However, if you are able to receive from the God of your mentors, even more so than the teachers themselves, you will be so far ahead of your peers have more peace and joy in the growing than you could ever have imagined.
"God is continually preparing His heroes, and when the opportunity is right, He puts them into position in an instant. He works so fast, the world wonders where they came from," said A. B. Simpson.
As you might be going through a time of redirection in your life never forget that leadership of your life belongs to God. Put yourself in the way of His Voice - His Words - His Control - His Timing - Follow Him by worshiping and listening. Let God do the foundation work so that he can advance you to His ultimate destiny He has for your life.
The rest of us are waiting expectantly to see, "what hath God wrought!" in you...I remain...
InHISgrip,
~J~
We Had the Funeral - The Body Kept Getting Up!
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me - Gal 2:20
"There's nothing wrong with you that a good funeral won't solve," I said to the woman. "I'll even send you flowers!" She smiled in response. She knew exactly what I meant before I tried to explain it. Of course, I was speaking figuratively to a personal friend who was stressing out about an issue in her life.
Her problem was the same problem most of us have - too much of "me" and not enough of Jesus and the cross. Coming to an end of self can solve many of the daily problems in life we face. This “natural” fruit of the Lordship of Jesus allows Him to work in us to glorify God.
Jesus was meant to take over. In part I believe this is what David meant in the Psalms when he said: "Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints" - Ps 116:15.
The apostle Paul recognized the need for a funeral too when he penned these words: "What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life" - Rom 6:1-4.
Whenever we stress over a matter, get angry over a daily circumstance, or seek to have our own way - it is a sign there is still life in the grave. It is a sign, that though we came to the alter area of the cross and gave our life to Jesus, we have later on, gone back to that same place, and dragged the body away!
The Word of God, the Bible says, my life is hid with Christ. It’s buried with him in baptism, a sign that I have decided to live a life that pleases God. Sometime, and now is as good a time as any, I need to fill in that burial plot with dirt and smother the life out of my lack of faith, lack of focus on God and His provision so that Christ may live freely, unhindered by the guy who used to live here in my body.
Send yourself some flowers today. Have a good funeral. The grass will be greener on the other side of this plot. God promises it!
I remain…
InHISgrip,
~J~
"There's nothing wrong with you that a good funeral won't solve," I said to the woman. "I'll even send you flowers!" She smiled in response. She knew exactly what I meant before I tried to explain it. Of course, I was speaking figuratively to a personal friend who was stressing out about an issue in her life.
Her problem was the same problem most of us have - too much of "me" and not enough of Jesus and the cross. Coming to an end of self can solve many of the daily problems in life we face. This “natural” fruit of the Lordship of Jesus allows Him to work in us to glorify God.
Jesus was meant to take over. In part I believe this is what David meant in the Psalms when he said: "Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints" - Ps 116:15.
The apostle Paul recognized the need for a funeral too when he penned these words: "What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life" - Rom 6:1-4.
Whenever we stress over a matter, get angry over a daily circumstance, or seek to have our own way - it is a sign there is still life in the grave. It is a sign, that though we came to the alter area of the cross and gave our life to Jesus, we have later on, gone back to that same place, and dragged the body away!
The Word of God, the Bible says, my life is hid with Christ. It’s buried with him in baptism, a sign that I have decided to live a life that pleases God. Sometime, and now is as good a time as any, I need to fill in that burial plot with dirt and smother the life out of my lack of faith, lack of focus on God and His provision so that Christ may live freely, unhindered by the guy who used to live here in my body.
Send yourself some flowers today. Have a good funeral. The grass will be greener on the other side of this plot. God promises it!
I remain…
InHISgrip,
~J~
Saturday, February 21, 2009
My Stocks! My Bonds! My Donkey's!?!
"Now the donkeys belonging to Saul's father Kish were lost" – I Samuel 9:3
I am watching as America gets used to the idea of a new day. A level of prosperity and playing loose and free with our personal and cumulative monetary resources is gone. It’s time to cinch up our belts and act more responsibly with the wealth we have left. We all are going to be held accountable for big changes. Many of us those changes are major life events.
In my reading today I came upon that little phrase up there. It seems that someone lost some valuable stock. We will find that God used this adversity to call the first king of Israel. In 1 Samuel 9 and 10, we find Saul working in the family business. He was employed by his father Kish. In Bible times, donkeys represented trade and commerce, for they were the primary means of transporting goods.
Some of Kish's donkeys were missing, so Kish told his son Saul to take a servant with him and go find the missing donkeys. Saul and the servant traveled the countryside three days in search of the missing donkeys - but without results. Distraught and I am sure more than a little aggravated and weary from the search, Saul thought his father might worry about him, so he told the servant, "Let's go back."
The servant replied, "Look, in this town there's a man of God, a prophet. Let's go see him and maybe he will tell us which way to take." In today's terminology, it was time to call in a consultant.
So Saul and the servant went through the town and the prophet - a man named Samuel - was walking toward them along the street. As Samuel walked toward Saul, God told the prophet, "The man who is approaching is the one I told you about. He will be the leader of my people."
Saul stopped Samuel in the street and said, "Sir, would you please tell me how to find the house of the prophet?"
"I'm the prophet you're looking for," Samuel replied. "Today you'll have dinner with me and tomorrow I'll tell you everything that is in your heart."
Saul's pathway to leadership led through the experience of a business setback: a missing trio of donkeys. God was in every step of Saul's assignment.
It was God who allowed the donkeys’ to wander off, which made it necessary for Saul to go searching for them. When Saul was ready to give up the search, God arranged for the servant to suggest that they look for a prophet in a nearby city. The Lord spoke to the prophet and told him to expect Saul's arrival. There was not a single detail left to chance. God's plan worked flawlessly.
I got to thinking about you and I. It is a good day, today, to realize God is in the “ordering” and organizing of our lives. Instead of being anxious, lets get excited! Let’s look with anticipation to this day – to every day! God is in control of every detail in your life. Let’s work on that as a goal for this week…to see God in the aggravations, the changes and the annoyances. Our position, our entire life may just be in the midst of a huge change HE is engineering. I remain…
InHISgrip,
~J~
I am watching as America gets used to the idea of a new day. A level of prosperity and playing loose and free with our personal and cumulative monetary resources is gone. It’s time to cinch up our belts and act more responsibly with the wealth we have left. We all are going to be held accountable for big changes. Many of us those changes are major life events.
In my reading today I came upon that little phrase up there. It seems that someone lost some valuable stock. We will find that God used this adversity to call the first king of Israel. In 1 Samuel 9 and 10, we find Saul working in the family business. He was employed by his father Kish. In Bible times, donkeys represented trade and commerce, for they were the primary means of transporting goods.
Some of Kish's donkeys were missing, so Kish told his son Saul to take a servant with him and go find the missing donkeys. Saul and the servant traveled the countryside three days in search of the missing donkeys - but without results. Distraught and I am sure more than a little aggravated and weary from the search, Saul thought his father might worry about him, so he told the servant, "Let's go back."
The servant replied, "Look, in this town there's a man of God, a prophet. Let's go see him and maybe he will tell us which way to take." In today's terminology, it was time to call in a consultant.
So Saul and the servant went through the town and the prophet - a man named Samuel - was walking toward them along the street. As Samuel walked toward Saul, God told the prophet, "The man who is approaching is the one I told you about. He will be the leader of my people."
Saul stopped Samuel in the street and said, "Sir, would you please tell me how to find the house of the prophet?"
"I'm the prophet you're looking for," Samuel replied. "Today you'll have dinner with me and tomorrow I'll tell you everything that is in your heart."
Saul's pathway to leadership led through the experience of a business setback: a missing trio of donkeys. God was in every step of Saul's assignment.
It was God who allowed the donkeys’ to wander off, which made it necessary for Saul to go searching for them. When Saul was ready to give up the search, God arranged for the servant to suggest that they look for a prophet in a nearby city. The Lord spoke to the prophet and told him to expect Saul's arrival. There was not a single detail left to chance. God's plan worked flawlessly.
I got to thinking about you and I. It is a good day, today, to realize God is in the “ordering” and organizing of our lives. Instead of being anxious, lets get excited! Let’s look with anticipation to this day – to every day! God is in control of every detail in your life. Let’s work on that as a goal for this week…to see God in the aggravations, the changes and the annoyances. Our position, our entire life may just be in the midst of a huge change HE is engineering. I remain…
InHISgrip,
~J~
And Jesus Said, "I Pick You!"
Come, follow me,' Jesus said, 'and I will make you fishers of men. At once they left their nets and followed Him –Matt 4:19-20
Do you recall how good it felt when you were chosen to be on a team? I do! I can remember every time I was picked first from the ages of 7 until I was in college. Actually, one reason was it was rare. Oh, don’t get me wrong; I was a pretty good team player. I was always in the top 3. But to be picked numero uno; that was glory!
Right now, I am praying and seeking God’s will about a career move. But the competitive John is always thinking, “Will they pick me first?” It makes one feel special to be preferred over another.
During the time of Jesus rabbis' (headmasters, or Master Teachers) were well known in their community. Each rabbi had a following of students.
Jesus was developing as a "superstar" rabbi.
He was unlike the others. He did things differently. He often confronted the accepted thinking of other rabbis, Sadducees and Pharisees. The younger men had great respect for Jesus, the rabbi.
To be selected by Jesus would be a great honor because most great teachers would usually select only the cream of the crop in the community as their disciples. You all must know that this must have caused no great amount of consternation among the rag tag group who seemed closest to Jesus. By the standards of the day… well, no way do Peter and the other disciples qualify.
But Jesus had a purpose in mind for Peter and the disciples. The rules of selection changed.
God is the one who calls people into relationship with Himself and to their calling in life. It is for His purposes, not ours. You seem to have favor with men…perhaps in your work; just remember it was God who put you there. It was for His purposes.
Jesus chose each of his disciples from the ‘hood instead of the rabbinical schools. They did not choose Jesus, Jesus selected them and it was deemed a great honor in their culture to be chosen by such a rabbi (Check out John 15:16).
So, it dawned on me this evening that Jesus called you into relationship with Himself because His desire is for you to be a faithful priest in your home, your circle of friends, your work life, family, and city.
God’s attitude about followers can be summed up in this, "I will raise up for myself a faithful priest, who will do according to what is in My heart and mind." - 1 Samuel 2:35. He desires that you be a willing participant in His agenda. He has not called you for your purposes, but His.
I’ve had to keep reminding myself that jobs’, opportunities, none of those are about me. It has to be all about Him in order for us to fulfill what is in His heart and mind for His overall plan for His Kingdom. He doesn't need us, but He has chosen to use us.
God has an agenda for planet earth. He has chosen you and me as the primary instrument for accomplishing His plan during our short stay here. Are you willing to be his faithful priest and king to do what is in His heart and mind? I have an idea. I think it will serve both of us well. Why not say "yes" to His agenda.
I hear the benefits of being on HIS team are out of this world!
I remain…
InHISgrip,
~J~
Do you recall how good it felt when you were chosen to be on a team? I do! I can remember every time I was picked first from the ages of 7 until I was in college. Actually, one reason was it was rare. Oh, don’t get me wrong; I was a pretty good team player. I was always in the top 3. But to be picked numero uno; that was glory!
Right now, I am praying and seeking God’s will about a career move. But the competitive John is always thinking, “Will they pick me first?” It makes one feel special to be preferred over another.
During the time of Jesus rabbis' (headmasters, or Master Teachers) were well known in their community. Each rabbi had a following of students.
Jesus was developing as a "superstar" rabbi.
He was unlike the others. He did things differently. He often confronted the accepted thinking of other rabbis, Sadducees and Pharisees. The younger men had great respect for Jesus, the rabbi.
To be selected by Jesus would be a great honor because most great teachers would usually select only the cream of the crop in the community as their disciples. You all must know that this must have caused no great amount of consternation among the rag tag group who seemed closest to Jesus. By the standards of the day… well, no way do Peter and the other disciples qualify.
But Jesus had a purpose in mind for Peter and the disciples. The rules of selection changed.
God is the one who calls people into relationship with Himself and to their calling in life. It is for His purposes, not ours. You seem to have favor with men…perhaps in your work; just remember it was God who put you there. It was for His purposes.
Jesus chose each of his disciples from the ‘hood instead of the rabbinical schools. They did not choose Jesus, Jesus selected them and it was deemed a great honor in their culture to be chosen by such a rabbi (Check out John 15:16).
So, it dawned on me this evening that Jesus called you into relationship with Himself because His desire is for you to be a faithful priest in your home, your circle of friends, your work life, family, and city.
God’s attitude about followers can be summed up in this, "I will raise up for myself a faithful priest, who will do according to what is in My heart and mind." - 1 Samuel 2:35. He desires that you be a willing participant in His agenda. He has not called you for your purposes, but His.
I’ve had to keep reminding myself that jobs’, opportunities, none of those are about me. It has to be all about Him in order for us to fulfill what is in His heart and mind for His overall plan for His Kingdom. He doesn't need us, but He has chosen to use us.
God has an agenda for planet earth. He has chosen you and me as the primary instrument for accomplishing His plan during our short stay here. Are you willing to be his faithful priest and king to do what is in His heart and mind? I have an idea. I think it will serve both of us well. Why not say "yes" to His agenda.
I hear the benefits of being on HIS team are out of this world!
I remain…
InHISgrip,
~J~
Witholding Your Natural Gifting
My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power -1 Corinthians 2:3-5
This morning, I received a message of encouragement to my phone from a dear saint and friend. It reminded me that the good things in my life, any good thing that I do in the name of the Lord, all of goodness that might escape from these lips, these hands, this life were to honor and glorify God. I should give credit where it’s due.
It further went on to remind me that part of that work is found in Matthew 28: 19,20. I am to purposely step out into the world and confront those who are not Christians and implore them to come to Jesus; whom to know means life abundantly and eternal. I am further to make sure they become disciples and follow him. That is part of the work.
This week has been one of challenges. My current working situation is coming to a conclusion. I am to be grateful. There is a new adventure around the bend. I actually am excited as well as challenged to trust the one who holds my very existence in the palm of His hand.
In our careers, we’re trained to press through obstacles in order to reach the goals of the organization. But a life of faith can be very different – it must be. Perseverance that is not directed by the Holy Spirit is only sweat and toil. We must learn to walk the fine line between these two concepts. Some things, done in our own strength, are expected. The direction our lives take and the way we handle relationships must be handled according to the rules of the Kingdom of God.
On this subject of relying on our human strength, Watchman Nee wrote:
"I believe many people are so rich and strong that they give no ground for God to work. I frequently recall the words, "helpless and hopeless." I must tell God, "all that I have is yours, I myself have nothing. Apart from you I am truly helpless and hopeless."
We need to have such a dependent attitude toward God that it is as if we cannot inhale or exhale without Him. In this way we shall see that our power as well as our holiness all comes from Him. Oh how God delights in seeing us coming hopeless and helpless to Him. A brother once asked me, "What is the condition for the working of the Spirit?" To which I replied that . . . the Holy Spirit must first bring us to a place where we can do nothing by ourselves.
This sounds almost as if we could be puppets. We know we are not. God gives us our natural skills and He will use them, although it can be hard at times to tell whether it is God working through us or if it is our natural skill alone making things happen. We need to try to distinguish the difference even as we resist over-analyzing (which can result in paralysis by analysis).
The apostle Paul understood that it was not his ability to deliver eloquent sermons that changed people. It was the power of God working through him.
Today, with me, lift up a simple prayer to God. “Father, all that I have, all that I am, any good thing that comes form my life Lord, it comes from you. Use me and make me aware when your power has streamed through me. But also Father God, may I never forget – it is all OF You and FOR Your glory – in Jesus name – Make it so Lord!”
If God’s power comes through our work, that brings glory to the Father. It’s a very good thing! Don’t hold back – make it happen – eternity hangs in the balance!
I remain…
InHISgrip,
~J~
This morning, I received a message of encouragement to my phone from a dear saint and friend. It reminded me that the good things in my life, any good thing that I do in the name of the Lord, all of goodness that might escape from these lips, these hands, this life were to honor and glorify God. I should give credit where it’s due.
It further went on to remind me that part of that work is found in Matthew 28: 19,20. I am to purposely step out into the world and confront those who are not Christians and implore them to come to Jesus; whom to know means life abundantly and eternal. I am further to make sure they become disciples and follow him. That is part of the work.
This week has been one of challenges. My current working situation is coming to a conclusion. I am to be grateful. There is a new adventure around the bend. I actually am excited as well as challenged to trust the one who holds my very existence in the palm of His hand.
In our careers, we’re trained to press through obstacles in order to reach the goals of the organization. But a life of faith can be very different – it must be. Perseverance that is not directed by the Holy Spirit is only sweat and toil. We must learn to walk the fine line between these two concepts. Some things, done in our own strength, are expected. The direction our lives take and the way we handle relationships must be handled according to the rules of the Kingdom of God.
On this subject of relying on our human strength, Watchman Nee wrote:
"I believe many people are so rich and strong that they give no ground for God to work. I frequently recall the words, "helpless and hopeless." I must tell God, "all that I have is yours, I myself have nothing. Apart from you I am truly helpless and hopeless."
We need to have such a dependent attitude toward God that it is as if we cannot inhale or exhale without Him. In this way we shall see that our power as well as our holiness all comes from Him. Oh how God delights in seeing us coming hopeless and helpless to Him. A brother once asked me, "What is the condition for the working of the Spirit?" To which I replied that . . . the Holy Spirit must first bring us to a place where we can do nothing by ourselves.
This sounds almost as if we could be puppets. We know we are not. God gives us our natural skills and He will use them, although it can be hard at times to tell whether it is God working through us or if it is our natural skill alone making things happen. We need to try to distinguish the difference even as we resist over-analyzing (which can result in paralysis by analysis).
The apostle Paul understood that it was not his ability to deliver eloquent sermons that changed people. It was the power of God working through him.
Today, with me, lift up a simple prayer to God. “Father, all that I have, all that I am, any good thing that comes form my life Lord, it comes from you. Use me and make me aware when your power has streamed through me. But also Father God, may I never forget – it is all OF You and FOR Your glory – in Jesus name – Make it so Lord!”
If God’s power comes through our work, that brings glory to the Father. It’s a very good thing! Don’t hold back – make it happen – eternity hangs in the balance!
I remain…
InHISgrip,
~J~
We Could Miss It - If We're Not Looking
Now as soon as they had come out of the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. But Simon’s wife’s mother lay sick with a fever, and they told Him about her at once. So He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and immediately the fever left her. And she served them. At evening, when the sun had set, they brought to Him all who were sick and those who were demon-possessed. And the whole city was gathered together at the door. Then He healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and He did not allow the demons to speak, because they knew Him. – Mark 1:28-34
The Gospel of Mark is the shortest gospel. It races along at an exhausting tempo. Mark's frequent use of the word "immediately" (which he uses forty-one times) speeds the reader along at a riveting pace. We are only twenty-eight verses into Mark's account and already he’s used the word "immediately" six times:
• In Jesus' baptism: And immediately coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened... - Mark 1:10
• In Jesus' temptation in the wilderness: And immediately the Spirit impelled him to go out into the wilderness. - Mark 1:12
• In the calling of the disciples: And they immediately left the nets and followed him... And immediately he called them - Mark 1:18, 20
• In battling evil powers: And immediately on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue... - Mark 1:21
• And the pace shows no sign of letting up: And immediately the news about him went out everywhere into all the surrounding district of Galilee. - Mark 1:28
Now Jesus adds healing the sick to his repertoire (Mark 1:29-30; notice Mark uses the word "immediately" two more times). As a result Jesus becomes even more popular. After healing Simon's mother-in-law in private, the word gets out and a large crowd gathers in the evening around Simon's house. They may have come sooner, but in order to honor the Sabbath, they wait until it is over: "And when evening had come, after the sun had set, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons. And the whole city was gathered around the door" (Mark 1:32-33).
Jesus is enormously popular - a true superstar! But if we are not careful in our reading we are going to miss something here; a pattern that exists in the growth and the message of the Gospel.
Notice in verse 28 that Jesus and the disciples just themselves finish worshiping. They had been in the synagogue. They leave it and go to Simon and Andrew. There they find someone who is in need of healing. What do they do? Do they bask in the glory of their worship, praise and teaching experience in the House of God? No. So He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and immediately the fever left her. – Mark 1:29. Out of the abundance of the strength and power Jesus’ had gained by being in His Father’s presence He ministered what was needed to another.
Then, what does she do? … And immediately the fever left her. And she served them. – Mark 1:29b, 30
This sequence my loved ones is God’s pattern. We are strengthened for a purpose. We are healed, regenerated, taught, cleansed, filled with the Holy Spirit and spiritually empowered to serve! We find strength, spend time in God’s presence and when we rejoin the world, our hearts should turn toward the needs of others. Let’s remember how we were built – our mission – our ministry. I remain…
InHISgrip,
~J~
The Gospel of Mark is the shortest gospel. It races along at an exhausting tempo. Mark's frequent use of the word "immediately" (which he uses forty-one times) speeds the reader along at a riveting pace. We are only twenty-eight verses into Mark's account and already he’s used the word "immediately" six times:
• In Jesus' baptism: And immediately coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened... - Mark 1:10
• In Jesus' temptation in the wilderness: And immediately the Spirit impelled him to go out into the wilderness. - Mark 1:12
• In the calling of the disciples: And they immediately left the nets and followed him... And immediately he called them - Mark 1:18, 20
• In battling evil powers: And immediately on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue... - Mark 1:21
• And the pace shows no sign of letting up: And immediately the news about him went out everywhere into all the surrounding district of Galilee. - Mark 1:28
Now Jesus adds healing the sick to his repertoire (Mark 1:29-30; notice Mark uses the word "immediately" two more times). As a result Jesus becomes even more popular. After healing Simon's mother-in-law in private, the word gets out and a large crowd gathers in the evening around Simon's house. They may have come sooner, but in order to honor the Sabbath, they wait until it is over: "And when evening had come, after the sun had set, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons. And the whole city was gathered around the door" (Mark 1:32-33).
Jesus is enormously popular - a true superstar! But if we are not careful in our reading we are going to miss something here; a pattern that exists in the growth and the message of the Gospel.
Notice in verse 28 that Jesus and the disciples just themselves finish worshiping. They had been in the synagogue. They leave it and go to Simon and Andrew. There they find someone who is in need of healing. What do they do? Do they bask in the glory of their worship, praise and teaching experience in the House of God? No. So He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and immediately the fever left her. – Mark 1:29. Out of the abundance of the strength and power Jesus’ had gained by being in His Father’s presence He ministered what was needed to another.
Then, what does she do? … And immediately the fever left her. And she served them. – Mark 1:29b, 30
This sequence my loved ones is God’s pattern. We are strengthened for a purpose. We are healed, regenerated, taught, cleansed, filled with the Holy Spirit and spiritually empowered to serve! We find strength, spend time in God’s presence and when we rejoin the world, our hearts should turn toward the needs of others. Let’s remember how we were built – our mission – our ministry. I remain…
InHISgrip,
~J~
The Voice of Jesus in the 21st Century
Jesus is concerned to assure us who read the Gospel of John in the 21st century. For example, He prays for us in John 17:20, “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word.” In other words, Jesus foresaw that after His departure those who become Christians wouldn’t do so by seeing His physical body but through “the word” of the eyewitnesses.
And later we see this with Jesus’ and His encounter with Thomas. Thomas needed to see Jesus’ wounds to believe He was really resurrected! Jesus had us in mind when He said to Thomas, “Have you believed because you have seen Me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29). The point here is that though we can’t see Him physically, believing is still possible. It happens through the words of the eyewitnesses.
Jesus’ point is that those who have not seen Him physically are not at a disadvantage. We can still see Him the way we need to in order to believe in Him and have eternal life. Many saw Jesus physically and did not believe. Some saw the amazing miracles and wanted to kill Him because of them. They didn’t see the glory of God.
Even the disciples were slow to see with the eyes of the heart what they were seeing with the eyes of the head. For example, Jesus said to Philip, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:9). The divine glory of Jesus broke in on the disciples in different ways and at different times.
So it is with us who see Jesus now. Though we do not see Him physically, nevertheless we see Him through the witness that John bore to Jesus. The Gospel of John (and the other Gospels) is a portrait where we look and see Jesus. We also have the same mixed reaction that the people did in Jesus’ day. Of some it was said, “seeing they do not see” (Matthew 13:13). Some of us see the portrait of Jesus in the gospel and do not see the compelling, divine glory of the Son of God full of grace and truth. Others do.
The Apostle Paul knew that he was sent to open the eyes of people who could not see Jesus physically, but who could see Him spiritually and be saved. Jesus said to Paul, “I am sending you to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins” (Acts 26:17-18). Paul knew that Satan was blinding the eyes of unbelievers to keep them from seeing divine glory in the portrait of Jesus. “The god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God” (2 Corinthians 4:4).
How do we see Jesus as compellingly, self-authenticating, beautiful, divinely glorious and true? We read or hear the story of His incarnation, life, death and resurrection and its meaning. In hearing or reading, we watch Him speak and act. We consider the purpose and plan of God in this story and how He speaks and relates to us!
Then the mighty grace of God opens the eyes of our heart. That is what the connection between John 1:14 and 1:16 says: “We have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth ... [For] from His fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.” Grace opened our eyes to see.
We see and know the truth and glory of Jesus because of the work of the Holy Spirit. “By this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us” (1 John 3:24). “By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God” (1 John 4:2). The Holy Spirit opens our eyes to see that this person is “from God.”
When this happens we say, “Jesus is Lord!” And then Paul adds, “No one can say ‘Jesus is Lord’ except in the Holy Spirit” (1 Corinthians 12:3). Our seeing that Jesus is Lord is the work of the Holy Spirit, and it is the witness of the Spirit in our lives.
I am praying that God would move among us in power. O that He might open our eyes more and more to the fullness of Jesus glory. Lord, remove all blindness. Lord grant that we would see Jesus and be changed into His image from glory to glory! I remain…
inHISgrip,
~J~
And later we see this with Jesus’ and His encounter with Thomas. Thomas needed to see Jesus’ wounds to believe He was really resurrected! Jesus had us in mind when He said to Thomas, “Have you believed because you have seen Me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29). The point here is that though we can’t see Him physically, believing is still possible. It happens through the words of the eyewitnesses.
Jesus’ point is that those who have not seen Him physically are not at a disadvantage. We can still see Him the way we need to in order to believe in Him and have eternal life. Many saw Jesus physically and did not believe. Some saw the amazing miracles and wanted to kill Him because of them. They didn’t see the glory of God.
Even the disciples were slow to see with the eyes of the heart what they were seeing with the eyes of the head. For example, Jesus said to Philip, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:9). The divine glory of Jesus broke in on the disciples in different ways and at different times.
So it is with us who see Jesus now. Though we do not see Him physically, nevertheless we see Him through the witness that John bore to Jesus. The Gospel of John (and the other Gospels) is a portrait where we look and see Jesus. We also have the same mixed reaction that the people did in Jesus’ day. Of some it was said, “seeing they do not see” (Matthew 13:13). Some of us see the portrait of Jesus in the gospel and do not see the compelling, divine glory of the Son of God full of grace and truth. Others do.
The Apostle Paul knew that he was sent to open the eyes of people who could not see Jesus physically, but who could see Him spiritually and be saved. Jesus said to Paul, “I am sending you to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins” (Acts 26:17-18). Paul knew that Satan was blinding the eyes of unbelievers to keep them from seeing divine glory in the portrait of Jesus. “The god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God” (2 Corinthians 4:4).
How do we see Jesus as compellingly, self-authenticating, beautiful, divinely glorious and true? We read or hear the story of His incarnation, life, death and resurrection and its meaning. In hearing or reading, we watch Him speak and act. We consider the purpose and plan of God in this story and how He speaks and relates to us!
Then the mighty grace of God opens the eyes of our heart. That is what the connection between John 1:14 and 1:16 says: “We have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth ... [For] from His fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.” Grace opened our eyes to see.
We see and know the truth and glory of Jesus because of the work of the Holy Spirit. “By this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us” (1 John 3:24). “By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God” (1 John 4:2). The Holy Spirit opens our eyes to see that this person is “from God.”
When this happens we say, “Jesus is Lord!” And then Paul adds, “No one can say ‘Jesus is Lord’ except in the Holy Spirit” (1 Corinthians 12:3). Our seeing that Jesus is Lord is the work of the Holy Spirit, and it is the witness of the Spirit in our lives.
I am praying that God would move among us in power. O that He might open our eyes more and more to the fullness of Jesus glory. Lord, remove all blindness. Lord grant that we would see Jesus and be changed into His image from glory to glory! I remain…
inHISgrip,
~J~
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