"But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men suddenly stood near them in dazzling clothing; and as the women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, "Why do you seek the living One among the dead? "He is not here, but He has risen. Remember how He spoke to you while He was still in Galilee, saying that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again." And they remembered His words, and returned from the tomb and reported all these things to the eleven and to all the rest."
"Now they were Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James; also the other women with them were telling these things to the apostles. But these words appeared to them as nonsense, and they would not believe them. But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen wrappings only; and he went away to his home, marveling at what had happened."
"And behold, two of them were going that very day to a village named Emmaus, which was about seven miles from Jerusalem. And they were talking with each other about all these things which had taken place. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus Himself approached and began traveling with them. But their eyes were prevented from recognizing Him. And He said to them, "What are these words that you are exchanging with one another as you are walking?" And they stood still, looking sad. One of them, named Cleopas, answered and said to Him, "Are You the only one visiting Jerusalem and unaware of the things which have happened here in these days?" And He said to them, "What things?" And they said to Him, "The things about Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word in the sight of God and all the people, and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him to the sentence of death, and crucified Him. "But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, it is the third day since these things happened. "But also some women among us amazed us. When they were at the tomb early in the morning, and did not find His body, they came, saying that they had also seen a vision of angels who said that He was alive. "Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just exactly as the women also had said; but Him they did not see." And He said to them, "O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! "Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into His glory?" Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures. And they approached the village where they were going, and He acted as though He were going farther. But they urged Him, saying, "Stay with us, for it is getting toward evening, and the day is now nearly over." So He went in to stay with them. When He had reclined at the table with them, He took the bread and blessed it, and breaking it, He began giving it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized Him; and He vanished from their sight."
"They said to one another, "Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road, while He was explaining the Scriptures to us?" And they got up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found gathered together the eleven and those who were with them, saying, "The Lord has really risen and has appeared to Simon." They began to relate their experiences on the road and how He was recognized by them in the breaking of the bread. While they were telling these things, He Himself stood in their midst and *said to them, "Peace be to you." But they were startled and frightened and thought that they were seeing a spirit. And He said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? "See My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself; touch Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have." And when He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet. While they still could not believe it because of their joy and amazement, He said to them, "Have you anything here to eat?" They gave Him a piece of a broiled fish; and He took it and ate it before them. Now He said to them, "These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.""
"Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and He said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Christ would suffer and rise again from the dead the third day, and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. "You are witnesses of these things. "And behold, I am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high." And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. While He was blessing them, He parted from them and was carried up into heaven. And they, after worshiping Him, returned to Jerusalem with great joy, "
Luke 24:1-52
Showing posts with label Luke. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Luke. Show all posts
Sunday, April 05, 2015
Sunday, November 17, 2013
The Holy Spirit removes our blinders ...
Sometimes I get to just look at myself and laugh! I grabbed a new pair of reading glasses off my counter and put them on to do a little reading and was confused that the vision before me was more blurry than without the spectacles. I pulled them off and put them back on a couple of times with no improvement.
Thinking that the glasses must have been mislabeled in the store, I put on another pair to check the label on the frame, only then noting that there was a plastic cover on both lenses! It took one pair of glasses to see the need to remove the cover off the next pair of glasses.
The Holy Spirit works like this in those who have come into a redeemed relationship with our Lord, Jesus. The Bible shows us that it is only by the Spirit of the Lord, that we are able to discern the deep secrets in His Word.
"So he said, "You have been given knowledge about the secrets of the kingdom of God. But to others they are given in parables, so that 'they might look but not see, and they might listen but not understand.'" Luke 8:10
"But, as it is written, "What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him"— these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned." 1 Corinthians 2:9-14 (ESV)
The Holy Spirit has removed my blinders, and maybe yours as well. The rest of life is picking up the glasses, putting them on and searching for deeper things.
Thinking that the glasses must have been mislabeled in the store, I put on another pair to check the label on the frame, only then noting that there was a plastic cover on both lenses! It took one pair of glasses to see the need to remove the cover off the next pair of glasses.
The Holy Spirit works like this in those who have come into a redeemed relationship with our Lord, Jesus. The Bible shows us that it is only by the Spirit of the Lord, that we are able to discern the deep secrets in His Word.
"So he said, "You have been given knowledge about the secrets of the kingdom of God. But to others they are given in parables, so that 'they might look but not see, and they might listen but not understand.'" Luke 8:10
"But, as it is written, "What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him"— these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned." 1 Corinthians 2:9-14 (ESV)
The Holy Spirit has removed my blinders, and maybe yours as well. The rest of life is picking up the glasses, putting them on and searching for deeper things.
Monday, January 31, 2011
urgently meeting the needs of others
KLOVE gave us this verse in their "Encouraging Word" daily email last week:
"Our people must learn to do good by meeting the urgent needs of others; then they will not be unproductive." ~ ~ Titus 3:14, NLT
"... meeting the urgent needs of others ..."
"... meeting the urgent needs of others ..."
Frequently I over analyze the needs of others brought into my view, allowing opportunities to pass that should have bless someone else, and bless me in the giving. I learned long ago that giving is far beter than receiving, but I still struggle to hold on to that which is really not mine to begin with.
"Hear, O My people, and I will speak; O Israel, I will testify against you; I am God, your God. I do not reprove you for your sacrifices, And your burnt offerings are continually before Me. I shall take no young bull out of your house Nor male goats out of your folds. For every beast of the forest is Mine, The cattle on a thousand hills. "I know every bird of the mountains, And everything that moves in the field is Mine. If I were hungry I would not tell you, For the world is Mine, and all it contains. Shall I eat the flesh of bulls Or drink the blood of male goats? Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving And pay your vows to the Most High; Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I shall rescue you, and you will honor Me."
~ Psalm 50:7-15 NASB
He owns it all.
He owns it all.
Ask those who know me well and most will likely tell you that I am a "giver". Far too frequently, however, I pick and choose, I analyze, I weigh my cost before I let go. That's not what God tells us and that's not a strong show of trust in Him who provides.
Every time I have had an urgent need, that need has been met, provided by God, through the hands of others or through purposeful circumstance. Shall I do less with the resources God has entrusted to me?
No, it's not always easy. There are many times when I choose to hold on to "mine" because I have a personal need or desire and I don't let go to avoid cutting myself short. That's an understandable human reaction, but I'm supposed to be "led by the Spirit".
"For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, "YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF." But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another. But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law." ~ Galatians 5:13-18
Maybe if I spend less on my "desires of the flesh" I will not cling so tenaciously to that which might be handed over. Maybe if I spend more time "counting the cost" before spending and less time acting on personal whimsy, I might do more with far less for myself.
I certainly don't have all the answers. I don't have unlimited resources, but my Father does and I should trust Him to provide through me to those in need.
Our God measures out to us that which He knows we can be entrusted to steward for Him.
Acting in good stewardship and avoiding foolish behavior, perhaps I may always be ready when an "urgent need" is before me.
"Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure--pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return." ~ Luke 6:38
Father, help me by moving my selfish desires, my "knowledge", my flesh, me, out of Your way. Move in me to meet the urgent need of others.
Tuesday, December 07, 2010
Merry Christmas?
Was Jesus born on December 25th? No, probably sometime in September.
"That night in the fields near Bethlehem some shepherds were guarding their sheep. All at once an angel came down to them from the Lord, and the brightness of the Lord's glory flashed around them. The shepherds were frightened. But the angel said, "Don't be afraid! I have good news for you, which will make everyone happy. This very day in King David's hometown a Savior was born for you. He is Christ the Lord. You will know who he is, because you will find him dressed in baby clothes and lying on a bed of hay." ~ Luke 2:8-12
Was Jesus visited in a manger by three wise men? No; the Bible tells us they visited sometime after his birth, and that Herod had reason to believe he might be as old as two years.
"When Jesus was born in the village of Bethlehem in Judea, Herod was king. During this time some wise men from the east came to Jerusalem and said, "Where is the child born to be king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him." When King Herod heard about this, he was worried, and so was everyone else in Jerusalem. Herod brought together the chief priests and the teachers of the Law of Moses and asked them, "Where will the Messiah be born?" They told him, "He will be born in Bethlehem, just as the prophet wrote, 'Bethlehem in the land of Judea, you are very important among the towns of Judea. From your town will come a leader, who will be like a shepherd for my people Israel.' " Herod secretly called in the wise men and asked them when they had first seen the star. He told them, "Go to Bethlehem and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, let me know. I want to go and worship him too." The wise men listened to what the king said and then left. And the star they had seen in the east went on ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. They were thrilled and excited to see the star. When the men went into the house and saw the child with Mary, his mother, they knelt down and worshiped him. They took out their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh and gave them to him. Later they were warned in a dream not to return to Herod, and they went back home by another road. After the wise men had gone, an angel from the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Get up! Hurry and take the child and his mother to Egypt! Stay there until I tell you to return, because Herod is looking for the child and wants to kill him." That night, Joseph got up and took his wife and the child to Egypt, where they stayed until Herod died. So the Lord's promise came true, just as the prophet had said, "I called my son out of Egypt." When Herod found out that the wise men from the east had tricked him, he was very angry. He gave orders for his men to kill all the boys who lived in or near Bethlehem and were two years old and younger. This was based on what he had learned from the wise men." ~ Matthew 2:1-16
Does exchanging gifts honor Jesus? I think He would be more honored by giving the money we spend on the season to the poor and to those in need.
Do the trees, garlands, bright colors, tinsel, etc., have anything at all to do with the birth of our Lord? No; these are just trappings of the tradition of the holiday; some even curse the Christmas holiday because of the pagan origin of all these things.
Should a Christian participate in all these traditions "in the name of Jesus"? Not in His name, in my opinion, but I have no problem with the holiday tradition, the exchanging of gifts, Santa Claus, the tree and all the rest either. I'm just not going to do it as a false tribute to Jesus. I'm going to do it because it's fun!
So is it really a crime to say "Seasons Greetings" instead of "Merry Christmas"? That's up to you. I'm going to say "Merry Christmas" because it's fun, it's tradition and because December 25th is "Christmas", not "Season".
Is there any real Jesus in the holiday at all? I think that all believers and followers of Jesus' teachings should take every opportunity to proclaim the name of our Lord whenever and wherever possible. I think we can come together as fellow believers and join in song, praise and worship and celebrate His birth with a sincere heart and honor Him in this way. I think that it's wonderful that so many come together on this one time of the year and that we have an opportunity to share Jesus with those who remain in the dark. Let us shine in our smile, in our greeting at the church door, in the warmth of our homes (decorated or not) and in the generosity of our giving. I think we can take this annual opportunity to promote Him to the world as best we can.
So, let's make room in the pew for the "once a year church-goers" and greet them with a warm and inviting smile! Let's drop those coins in the Salvation Army buckets! Take a picture of your children with Santa and be as goofy as you can during this holiday! Give richly and with a cheerful heart, forgetting NOT those outside the walls of your home!
And let's all enjoy a giddy and merry Christmas season and holiday!
"That night in the fields near Bethlehem some shepherds were guarding their sheep. All at once an angel came down to them from the Lord, and the brightness of the Lord's glory flashed around them. The shepherds were frightened. But the angel said, "Don't be afraid! I have good news for you, which will make everyone happy. This very day in King David's hometown a Savior was born for you. He is Christ the Lord. You will know who he is, because you will find him dressed in baby clothes and lying on a bed of hay." ~ Luke 2:8-12
Was Jesus visited in a manger by three wise men? No; the Bible tells us they visited sometime after his birth, and that Herod had reason to believe he might be as old as two years.
"When Jesus was born in the village of Bethlehem in Judea, Herod was king. During this time some wise men from the east came to Jerusalem and said, "Where is the child born to be king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him." When King Herod heard about this, he was worried, and so was everyone else in Jerusalem. Herod brought together the chief priests and the teachers of the Law of Moses and asked them, "Where will the Messiah be born?" They told him, "He will be born in Bethlehem, just as the prophet wrote, 'Bethlehem in the land of Judea, you are very important among the towns of Judea. From your town will come a leader, who will be like a shepherd for my people Israel.' " Herod secretly called in the wise men and asked them when they had first seen the star. He told them, "Go to Bethlehem and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, let me know. I want to go and worship him too." The wise men listened to what the king said and then left. And the star they had seen in the east went on ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. They were thrilled and excited to see the star. When the men went into the house and saw the child with Mary, his mother, they knelt down and worshiped him. They took out their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh and gave them to him. Later they were warned in a dream not to return to Herod, and they went back home by another road. After the wise men had gone, an angel from the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Get up! Hurry and take the child and his mother to Egypt! Stay there until I tell you to return, because Herod is looking for the child and wants to kill him." That night, Joseph got up and took his wife and the child to Egypt, where they stayed until Herod died. So the Lord's promise came true, just as the prophet had said, "I called my son out of Egypt." When Herod found out that the wise men from the east had tricked him, he was very angry. He gave orders for his men to kill all the boys who lived in or near Bethlehem and were two years old and younger. This was based on what he had learned from the wise men." ~ Matthew 2:1-16
Does exchanging gifts honor Jesus? I think He would be more honored by giving the money we spend on the season to the poor and to those in need.
Do the trees, garlands, bright colors, tinsel, etc., have anything at all to do with the birth of our Lord? No; these are just trappings of the tradition of the holiday; some even curse the Christmas holiday because of the pagan origin of all these things.
Should a Christian participate in all these traditions "in the name of Jesus"? Not in His name, in my opinion, but I have no problem with the holiday tradition, the exchanging of gifts, Santa Claus, the tree and all the rest either. I'm just not going to do it as a false tribute to Jesus. I'm going to do it because it's fun!
So is it really a crime to say "Seasons Greetings" instead of "Merry Christmas"? That's up to you. I'm going to say "Merry Christmas" because it's fun, it's tradition and because December 25th is "Christmas", not "Season".
Is there any real Jesus in the holiday at all? I think that all believers and followers of Jesus' teachings should take every opportunity to proclaim the name of our Lord whenever and wherever possible. I think we can come together as fellow believers and join in song, praise and worship and celebrate His birth with a sincere heart and honor Him in this way. I think that it's wonderful that so many come together on this one time of the year and that we have an opportunity to share Jesus with those who remain in the dark. Let us shine in our smile, in our greeting at the church door, in the warmth of our homes (decorated or not) and in the generosity of our giving. I think we can take this annual opportunity to promote Him to the world as best we can.
So, let's make room in the pew for the "once a year church-goers" and greet them with a warm and inviting smile! Let's drop those coins in the Salvation Army buckets! Take a picture of your children with Santa and be as goofy as you can during this holiday! Give richly and with a cheerful heart, forgetting NOT those outside the walls of your home!
And let's all enjoy a giddy and merry Christmas season and holiday!
Monday, September 13, 2010
and we all need to stop "giving power" ...
Islam must turn other cheek
"“But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you."
“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ lend to ‘sinners,’ expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful."
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
He also told them this parable: “Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit? A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher. “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye." " ~ Luke 6:27-42
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
dodge, duck, parry and heal
I'm reminded of a scene from The Matrix; Neo is being fired upon by his enemy and has learned that he can move at super speed to dodge the bullets as they whiz in his direction. Most miss him, but one brings him down; just one. That bullet reminds Neo, that, while he can resist, he is not invulnerable.
Many of us are wrestle with a variety of difficult and challenging areas of our lives, while enjoying freedom and victory in others. We have learned to deflect, parry, dodge and absorb many of the "bullets" flung in our direction, but occasionally one will bring us down, for a time, "for a season". Depending on the proximity of that wounding to our "heart", the recovery time may be short or lengthy, and, if we allow it, it can be permanently crippling or even deadly to us.
"Trust in Jehovah, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on his faithfulness. Delight thyself also in Jehovah; And he will give thee the desires of thy heart. Commit thy way unto Jehovah; Trust also in him, and he will bring it to pass. And he will make thy righteousness to go forth as the light, And thy justice as the noon-day. Rest in Jehovah, and wait patiently for him: Fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, Because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath:" ~ Psalm 37:3-8a
I have wounded people in my days; some have forgiven me, others have not, some use it as a bludgeon against me. I can not undo my actions, only repent, attempt to reconcile and seek forgiveness.
I have allowed wounds to embitter me and to withhold that same forgiveness for others. That's the crippling and deadly wound; the wound that alters the course of my demeanor, my heart. That's the wound that not only hardens me against the person who "flung the bullet", but grows skeptical hardness against innocent bystanders.
And that's the wound that most needs to heal.
"And when they came unto the place which is called The skull, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand and the other on the left. And Jesus said, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do" ~ Luke 23:33-34a
Father, help me to forgive with the same heart that Jesus called upon, Yours.
Heal my wounded heart, Lord, and bring healing to the hearts of those I have wounded.
In Jesus name, I bring this prayer to you.
Amen
Many of us are wrestle with a variety of difficult and challenging areas of our lives, while enjoying freedom and victory in others. We have learned to deflect, parry, dodge and absorb many of the "bullets" flung in our direction, but occasionally one will bring us down, for a time, "for a season". Depending on the proximity of that wounding to our "heart", the recovery time may be short or lengthy, and, if we allow it, it can be permanently crippling or even deadly to us.
"Trust in Jehovah, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on his faithfulness. Delight thyself also in Jehovah; And he will give thee the desires of thy heart. Commit thy way unto Jehovah; Trust also in him, and he will bring it to pass. And he will make thy righteousness to go forth as the light, And thy justice as the noon-day. Rest in Jehovah, and wait patiently for him: Fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, Because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath:" ~ Psalm 37:3-8a
I have wounded people in my days; some have forgiven me, others have not, some use it as a bludgeon against me. I can not undo my actions, only repent, attempt to reconcile and seek forgiveness.
I have allowed wounds to embitter me and to withhold that same forgiveness for others. That's the crippling and deadly wound; the wound that alters the course of my demeanor, my heart. That's the wound that not only hardens me against the person who "flung the bullet", but grows skeptical hardness against innocent bystanders.
And that's the wound that most needs to heal.
"And when they came unto the place which is called The skull, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand and the other on the left. And Jesus said, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do" ~ Luke 23:33-34a
Father, help me to forgive with the same heart that Jesus called upon, Yours.
Heal my wounded heart, Lord, and bring healing to the hearts of those I have wounded.
In Jesus name, I bring this prayer to you.
Amen
Monday, July 19, 2010
Standing In The Gap
Derek Prince provides a quick and decisive lesson on intercession.
Lesson link: The Teaching Legacy of Derek Prince: Standing in the Gap.
Excerpt:
"Ezekiel 22:23–31 records a different scene - similar to the last one in that it portrays the sins of God’s people, yet it is different in that no intercessor was found to stand between the sin of the people and God’s judgement.
And the word of the LORD came to me, saying, “Son of man, say to her [the land of Israel]: ‘You are a land that is not cleansed or rained on in the day of indignation.’ The conspiracy of her prophets in her midst... Her priests have violated My law... Her princes in her midst are like wolves... The people of the land have used oppressions, committed robbery, and mistreated the poor and needy... So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found no one. Therefore I have poured out My indignation on them.”
All sections of the population had utterly failed— prophets, priests, princes, people. Each of these stands for a certain element in society. The “prophets” are those responsible to bring a message direct from God. The “priests” are the leaders of institutional religion. The “princes” are the secular rulers. The “people” are the rest of the population, the common people. The order in which these four
elements are listed is significant. The process of decay began with the spiritual leadership; then the secular government was corrupted; finally the whole nation was affected. (This has been the order in modern America and many other nations.) Even though every part of society was corrupted, the situation was not yet hopeless. God looked for one man, an intercessor, to stand in the gap and make up the hedge so that He could spare the whole nation. But because He could find none, He poured out
upon them His indignation and “consumed them with the fire of [His] wrath.” One man—one intercessor— could have saved an entire nation from judgement!"
Scripture References:
1 Timothy 2:1
Isaiah 53:12
Luke 23:34
Hebrews 7:25
Genesis 18:20-33
Exodus 32:7-14, 32-35
Psalms 106:19-23
Numbers 16:41-47
Ezekiel 22:23-31
Lesson link: The Teaching Legacy of Derek Prince: Standing in the Gap.
Excerpt:
"Ezekiel 22:23–31 records a different scene - similar to the last one in that it portrays the sins of God’s people, yet it is different in that no intercessor was found to stand between the sin of the people and God’s judgement.
And the word of the LORD came to me, saying, “Son of man, say to her [the land of Israel]: ‘You are a land that is not cleansed or rained on in the day of indignation.’ The conspiracy of her prophets in her midst... Her priests have violated My law... Her princes in her midst are like wolves... The people of the land have used oppressions, committed robbery, and mistreated the poor and needy... So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found no one. Therefore I have poured out My indignation on them.”
All sections of the population had utterly failed— prophets, priests, princes, people. Each of these stands for a certain element in society. The “prophets” are those responsible to bring a message direct from God. The “priests” are the leaders of institutional religion. The “princes” are the secular rulers. The “people” are the rest of the population, the common people. The order in which these four
elements are listed is significant. The process of decay began with the spiritual leadership; then the secular government was corrupted; finally the whole nation was affected. (This has been the order in modern America and many other nations.) Even though every part of society was corrupted, the situation was not yet hopeless. God looked for one man, an intercessor, to stand in the gap and make up the hedge so that He could spare the whole nation. But because He could find none, He poured out
upon them His indignation and “consumed them with the fire of [His] wrath.” One man—one intercessor— could have saved an entire nation from judgement!"
Scripture References:
1 Timothy 2:1
Isaiah 53:12
Luke 23:34
Hebrews 7:25
Genesis 18:20-33
Exodus 32:7-14, 32-35
Psalms 106:19-23
Numbers 16:41-47
Ezekiel 22:23-31
Friday, July 16, 2010
little sin? big sin? greater sin?
"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them.
For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and Exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures.
Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them. For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error. And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; {they are} gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.
Therefore you have no excuse, everyone of you who passes judgment, for in which you judge another, you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. And we know that the judgment of God rightly falls upon those who practice such things." ~ Romans 1:20 - 2:2
According to the passage above, who is more wicked; the homosexual or the liar? Who is more deserving of God's wrath; the glutton or the murderer? Who is more shameful; the gossip or the prideful? Are they not held in the same regard of failing HIM WHO IS?
Shall the disobedient child escape God's just reward any quicker than he who shows no mercy to others? Will God let the troublemaker walk while caging the closed minded? Are not each of these worthy of the same punishment?
Will she who berates her children be held in esteem instead of him who does not keep his word. Will the lesbian be punished more sternly than the greedy woman who fails to help her fellow man in need? Does not each of these warrant God's promise of judgment in equal portions?
Each of us has a struggle and none of us is any "better" in the eyes of God for the type of sin we are given to. Lest any of us attempt to hold a prideful or scornful demeanor against another, let each of us remember that ALL sin is sin and there are NO greater or lesser sins before God.
I ask you, the next time you encounter an adulterer, confront a liar, discover a disobedient child, catch a thief or see my fat, gluttonous body waddling toward you, that you show each of them (us) mercy and that you show that same mercy to the rest of the sinners who surround us and return our gaze in the mirror.
"Godly" people railing against the sin of "ungodly" people; like that pot and the kettle, are avoiding the fact that we are all in the same boat, the human condition.
"For God so loved (all) the world, that He Gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him (anyone, anywhere, any time)shall not perish, but have eternal life." ~ John 3:16
Those of us who have found forgiveness in Jesus should be about the Father's business, sharing that treasure with others.
"and He answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself." ~ Luke 10:27 KJV
For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and Exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures.
Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them. For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error. And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; {they are} gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.
Therefore you have no excuse, everyone of you who passes judgment, for in which you judge another, you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. And we know that the judgment of God rightly falls upon those who practice such things." ~ Romans 1:20 - 2:2
According to the passage above, who is more wicked; the homosexual or the liar? Who is more deserving of God's wrath; the glutton or the murderer? Who is more shameful; the gossip or the prideful? Are they not held in the same regard of failing HIM WHO IS?
Shall the disobedient child escape God's just reward any quicker than he who shows no mercy to others? Will God let the troublemaker walk while caging the closed minded? Are not each of these worthy of the same punishment?
Will she who berates her children be held in esteem instead of him who does not keep his word. Will the lesbian be punished more sternly than the greedy woman who fails to help her fellow man in need? Does not each of these warrant God's promise of judgment in equal portions?
Each of us has a struggle and none of us is any "better" in the eyes of God for the type of sin we are given to. Lest any of us attempt to hold a prideful or scornful demeanor against another, let each of us remember that ALL sin is sin and there are NO greater or lesser sins before God.
I ask you, the next time you encounter an adulterer, confront a liar, discover a disobedient child, catch a thief or see my fat, gluttonous body waddling toward you, that you show each of them (us) mercy and that you show that same mercy to the rest of the sinners who surround us and return our gaze in the mirror.
"Godly" people railing against the sin of "ungodly" people; like that pot and the kettle, are avoiding the fact that we are all in the same boat, the human condition.
"For God so loved (all) the world, that He Gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him (anyone, anywhere, any time)shall not perish, but have eternal life." ~ John 3:16
Those of us who have found forgiveness in Jesus should be about the Father's business, sharing that treasure with others.
"and He answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself." ~ Luke 10:27 KJV
Thursday, December 24, 2009
merry christmas
About that time Emperor Augustus gave orders for the names of all the people to be listed in record books. These first records were made when Quirinius was governor of Syria. Everyone had to go to their own hometown to be listed. So Joseph had to leave Nazareth in Galilee and go to Bethlehem in Judea. Long ago Bethlehem had been King David's hometown, and Joseph went there because he was from David's family.
Mary was engaged to Joseph and traveled with him to Bethlehem. She was soon going to have a baby, and while they were there, she gave birth to her first-born son. She dressed him in baby clothes and laid him on a bed of hay, because there was no room for them in the inn.
That night in the fields near Bethlehem some shepherds were guarding their sheep. All at once an angel came down to them from the Lord, and the brightness of the Lord's glory flashed around them. The shepherds were frightened.
But the angel said, "Don't be afraid! I have good news for you, which will make everyone happy. This very day in King David's hometown a Savior was born for you. He is Christ the Lord. You will know who he is, because you will find him dressed in baby clothes and lying on a bed of hay."
Suddenly many other angels came down from heaven and joined in praising God. They said: "Praise God in heaven! Peace on earth to everyone who pleases God." Luke 2:1-14
Mary was engaged to Joseph and traveled with him to Bethlehem. She was soon going to have a baby, and while they were there, she gave birth to her first-born son. She dressed him in baby clothes and laid him on a bed of hay, because there was no room for them in the inn.
That night in the fields near Bethlehem some shepherds were guarding their sheep. All at once an angel came down to them from the Lord, and the brightness of the Lord's glory flashed around them. The shepherds were frightened.
But the angel said, "Don't be afraid! I have good news for you, which will make everyone happy. This very day in King David's hometown a Savior was born for you. He is Christ the Lord. You will know who he is, because you will find him dressed in baby clothes and lying on a bed of hay."
Suddenly many other angels came down from heaven and joined in praising God. They said: "Praise God in heaven! Peace on earth to everyone who pleases God." Luke 2:1-14
Saturday, June 28, 2008
I was just reading about the controversy in the Presbyterian denomination concerning their homosexual clergy ban.
It grieves me that so many, who lay claim to the name of "Christian", are ready to bolt from the true faith in the name of "a way to live together amid great diversity of opinion".
Hebrews 6:11-20"
Now we want each of you to demonstrate the same diligence for the final realization of your hope, so that you won't become lazy, but imitators of those who inherit the promises through faith and perseverance.
For when God made a promise to Abraham, since He had no one greater to swear by, He swore by Himself: I will most certainly bless you, and I will greatly multiply you.
And so, after waiting patiently, Abraham obtained the promise.
For men swear by something greater than themselves, and for them a confirming oath ends every dispute.
Because God wanted to show His unchangeable purpose even more clearly to the heirs of the promise, He guaranteed it with an oath, so that through two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to seize the hope set before us.
We have this hope--like a sure and firm anchor of the soul--that enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain. Jesus has entered there on our behalf as a forerunner, because He has become a "high priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.
Unchanging, unbending, unwavering, God.
Who are we, if we are they?
Luke 11:17
Knowing their thoughts, He told them: "Every kingdom divided against itself is headed for destruction, and a house divided against itself falls".
Luke 11:23
Anyone who is not with Me is against Me, and anyone who does not gather with Me scatters.
Neil Anderson stated in one of his devotionals, "Christians are not being narrow-minded when they stand on what God has declared."
We, the church, must stand together and reside firm in the faith.
Revelation 22:6-14
Then he said to me, "These words are faithful and true. And the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent His angel to show His servants what must quickly take place."
"Look, I am coming quickly! Blessed is the one who keeps the prophetic words of this book."
I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. When I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who had shown them to me.
But he said to me, "Don't do that! I am a fellow slave with you, your brothers the prophets, and those who keep the words of this book. Worship God."
He also said to me, "Don't seal the prophetic words of this book, because the time is near. Let the unrighteous go on in unrighteousness; let the filthy go on being made filthy; let the righteous go on in righteousness; and let the holy go on being made holy."
"Look! I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me to repay each person according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. "Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city by the gates".
The world has been orchestrated to separate us from the one who is "faithful and true" and to weaken our witness for Him.
1 John 4:4-6.
You are from God, little children, and you have conquered them, because the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. They are from the world. Therefore what they say is from the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God. Anyone who knows God listens to us; anyone who is not from God does not listen to us. From this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of deception
Listen, pray hard, stand together on the truth that comes from the One who is true.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Then He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: In My name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new languages; they will pick up snakes; if they should drink anything deadly, it will never harm them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will get well." (Mark 16:15-18)
"… they will lay hands on the sick, and they will get well."
Jesus said that I will get well; that's a promise.
Several weeks ago, as I prepared to begin a new set of treatments for swollen lymph nodes brought on by leukemia, four believers laid hands on me and prayed for my healing. During their prayers I recalled this verse and grabbed on to the peace that came with the remembrance.
I have received a variety of interpretations on this verse. Some say, "It is not for today" but I can't find anything in the Bible that supports their view.
Others say, "Only the 12 apostles had that power" but Jesus said "these signs will accompany those who believe" and I count many more than 12 believers in the world; at least five were in my dining room that day.
Some would argue that I am taking the verse out of context. In the preceding verses Jesus is rebuking the eleven apostles because of their unbelief.
Then after this, He appeared in a different form to two of them walking on their way into the country. And they went and reported it to the rest, who did not believe them either. Later, He appeared to the Eleven themselves as they were reclining at the table. He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who saw Him after He had been resurrected. (Mark 16:12-14)
Hardness of heart affects our level of belief.
Strong's Concordance tells us that the Greek word used for believe is pisteuo, "to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), that is, credit; by implication to entrust (especially one's spiritual well being to Christ): - believe (-r), commit (to trust), put in trust with.".
A believer is one who has placed their faith, their trust, in Jesus; in what He said and in what He did; one who believes and trusts that Jesus is true. A believer trusts that Jesus has paid the price for their sins. His shed blood covers them from the cross. A believer trusts that Jesus's promise to give them an eternal life is true. A believer commits himself to Jesus as Lord of his or her life.
I know the four who prayed for me that day would fit into this category. I know they believe that Jesus is true.
Earlier in Jesus' story, He gave specific authority to the 12 disciples to heal (Matt 10, Luke 9)
Summoning His 12 disciples, He gave them authority over unclean spirits, to drive them out and to heal every disease and sickness. (Matt 10:1)
As you go, announce this: 'The kingdom of heaven has come near.' Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those with skin diseases, drive out demons. You have received free of charge; give free of charge. (Matt 10:7-8)
Later He expanded the authority to include 70 others.
After this, the Lord appointed 70 others, and He sent them ahead of Him in pairs to every town and place where He Himself was about to go. (Luke 10:1)
Heal the sick who are there, and tell them, 'The kingdom of God has come near you.' (Luke 10:9)
He gives it to us.
And these signs will accompany those who believe: (Mark 16:17a)
He gave a commission to the eleven to be passed on.
Then Jesus came near and said to them, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age." (Matt 28:18-20)
The authority was passed on to others and signs and wonders followed.
Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people. (Acts 6:8)
Philip went down to a city in Samaria and preached the Messiah to them. The crowds paid attention with one mind to what Philip said, as they heard and saw the signs he was performing. For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed, and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. So there was great joy in that city. (Acts 8:5-8)
I can't find any times limits on this authority, nor can I find any cause to believe that it was a short term assignment. Jesus told us that those who believe will manifest signs, among them the laying on of hands and of healing.
I have seen it, it has been done through me and it has been done to me. Why will I doubt it now?
Why do we struggle with sickness? Why do we tolerate illness among us? Why is the church not a vibrant, healthy testimony to an unbelieving, unhealthy world?
"Repent," Peter said to them, "and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus the Messiah for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children, and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call." And with many other words he testified and strongly urged them, saying, "Be saved from this corrupt generation!" So those who accepted his message were baptized, and that day about 3,000 people were added to them.
And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, to fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayers. Then fear came over everyone, and many wonders and signs were being performed through the apostles.
Now all the believers were together and had everything in common. So they sold their possessions and property and distributed the proceeds to all, as anyone had a need. And every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple complex, and broke bread from house to house. They ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And every day the Lord added to them those who were being saved. (Act 2:38-47)
The key to our receiving the promises of God lies in, I believe, the "simplicity of heart". We struggle to lay hold of God's promises because our world, our culture, our minds rebel at the very notion that Jesus is speaking to us across the sands of time and that it is, should be, can be, will be, just that simple.
Jesus said "these signs will accompany those who believe".
Why is it so hard for us to believe that line?
When they reached the crowd, a man approached and knelt down before Him. "Lord," he said, "have mercy on my son, because he has seizures and suffers severely. He often falls into the fire and often into the water. I brought him to Your disciples, but they couldn't heal him."
Jesus replied, "You unbelieving and rebellious generation! How long will I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring him here to Me."
Then Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him, and from that moment the boy was healed. Then the disciples approached Jesus privately and said, "Why couldn't we drive it out?"
"Because of your little faith," He told them. "For I assure you: If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will tell this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you. (Matt 17:14-20)
Faith, the size of a mustard seed, is required. We must grab on to the promise of God and not let it go! This miniscule portion of faith required to see God work is sometimes overwhelmingly huge in our eyes and in our minds!
I have seen sick bodies healed and restored. I have received this same healing in my own body and have seen others healed as God worked through the touch of my hand. In moments of uncompromising faith, I have seen God work, Jesus' promise fulfilled.
The norm, however, is that I think too much and doubt God's Word. I don't believe it every time. My faith is weak, unstructured and lazy.
Then He asked them, "What are you arguing with them about?"
Out of the crowd, one man answered Him, "Teacher, I brought my son to You. He has a spirit that makes him unable to speak. Wherever it seizes him, it throws him down, and he foams at the mouth, grinds his teeth, and becomes rigid. So I asked Your disciples to drive it out, but they couldn't."
He replied to them, "You unbelieving generation! How long will I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring him to Me."
So they brought him to Him. When the spirit saw Him, it immediately convulsed the boy. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth.
"How long has this been happening to him?" Jesus asked his father. "From childhood," he said. "And many times it has thrown him into fire or water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us."
Then Jesus said to him, "'If You can?' Everything is possible to the one who believes."
Immediately the father of the boy cried out, "I do believe! Help my unbelief." (Mark 9:16-24)
Oh Lord, help my unbelief!
Herein lays the difficulty most of us face; we do not believe God's Word all the time, or we do not believe all of it all the time! We struggle with unbelief.
Jesus said ""these signs will accompany those who believe"".
Why do I have a problem believing that 24/7?
Unbelief. A weak heart.
"On the contrary, what does it say? The message is near you, in your mouth and in your heart. This is the message of faith that we proclaim: if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. With the heart one believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth one confesses, resulting in salvation.
Now the Scripture says, No one who believes on Him will be put to shame, for there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, since the same Lord of all is rich to all who call on Him. For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
But how can they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe without hearing about Him? And how can they hear without a preacher? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: How welcome are the feet of those who announce the gospel of good things!
But all did not obey the gospel. For Isaiah says, Lord, who has believed our message?
So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the message about Christ." Romans 10:8-17 (HCSB)
Faith comes through hearing and hearing through the Word of God.
Ten years ago, shortly after I came to know our Lord, I was continuing to struggle with sinful thoughts and desires, impurities that I thought should have been "washed away". I cried out to God and asked Him when these thoughts and desires would leave me.
He let me know that it had taken 44 years to fill my mind and my body with the knowledge of and desire for sinful things and that it would need to be gradually washed out, flushed out, by the filling of His Word.
I received a picture of my body, filled to the brim with sin. The lid, my mind, was now off and ready to receive new information, God's Holy Word. His Word would gradually flush out the filth within me until I was full of Him instead of sin. His promise to me that day, was that a new mind would accompany a new body, the new creation, but that I needed to do the work and allow Him to do His work in me.
I have not been faithful over these ten years, to allow this work to proceed as planned, to allow myself to be consistently and continually "flushed out and filled up".
"Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God. For by the grace given to me, I tell everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he should think. Instead, think sensibly, as God has distributed a measure of faith to each one." Rom 12:1-3 (HCSB)
My faith level has not grown according to what God has designed for me to have. My "measure of faith" is weak because I have not allowed my mind to be "transformed" according to the plan God gave me. I have not been faithful in daily study, prayer and fellowship with God.
A weak will performs weakly.
In understanding the weakness of my faith, however, I am jubilant in that understanding.
Ten years ago, God gave me a message of renewal. That formula is good for today.
I can still be "transformed by the renewing of (my) mind" and my faith will become stronger by the hearing of the Word. In that strengthened faith I have the hope of seeing God's promises lived out in my life and in the lives of others.
Can we "move mountains" today? Can the sick be healed with regular consistency through the hands of believers?
Early in the morning, as they were passing by, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots up. Then Peter remembered and said to Him, "Rabbi, look! The fig tree that You cursed is withered."
Jesus replied to them, "Have faith in God. I assure you: If anyone says to this mountain, 'Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore, I tell you, all the things you pray and ask for--believe that you have received them, and you will have them." Mark 11:20-24 (HCSB)
I believe, based upon my understanding of God's Word, that healing is available to us today through prayer and the laying on of hands of faith filled believers.
Lord, help me to not doubt!
I believe that God's Word is true, from cover to cover.
Lord, help my unbelief!
I believe that I have been healed of my leukemia through the laying on of hands of faith filled believers.
Lord, help me to see that which is!
My wife asked me why I was continuing treatment if I believed that I had been healed.
Why indeed?
Lord, help me to walk in my belief!
My white cell counts have returned to normal and the pain I have been experiencing is almost gone.
I thank God and I praise Him for his mercy to me.
"… they will lay hands on the sick, and they will get well."
Jesus said that I will get well; that's a promise.
Several weeks ago, as I prepared to begin a new set of treatments for swollen lymph nodes brought on by leukemia, four believers laid hands on me and prayed for my healing. During their prayers I recalled this verse and grabbed on to the peace that came with the remembrance.
I have received a variety of interpretations on this verse. Some say, "It is not for today" but I can't find anything in the Bible that supports their view.
Others say, "Only the 12 apostles had that power" but Jesus said "these signs will accompany those who believe" and I count many more than 12 believers in the world; at least five were in my dining room that day.
Some would argue that I am taking the verse out of context. In the preceding verses Jesus is rebuking the eleven apostles because of their unbelief.
Then after this, He appeared in a different form to two of them walking on their way into the country. And they went and reported it to the rest, who did not believe them either. Later, He appeared to the Eleven themselves as they were reclining at the table. He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who saw Him after He had been resurrected. (Mark 16:12-14)
Hardness of heart affects our level of belief.
Strong's Concordance tells us that the Greek word used for believe is pisteuo, "to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), that is, credit; by implication to entrust (especially one's spiritual well being to Christ): - believe (-r), commit (to trust), put in trust with.".
A believer is one who has placed their faith, their trust, in Jesus; in what He said and in what He did; one who believes and trusts that Jesus is true. A believer trusts that Jesus has paid the price for their sins. His shed blood covers them from the cross. A believer trusts that Jesus's promise to give them an eternal life is true. A believer commits himself to Jesus as Lord of his or her life.
I know the four who prayed for me that day would fit into this category. I know they believe that Jesus is true.
Earlier in Jesus' story, He gave specific authority to the 12 disciples to heal (Matt 10, Luke 9)
Summoning His 12 disciples, He gave them authority over unclean spirits, to drive them out and to heal every disease and sickness. (Matt 10:1)
As you go, announce this: 'The kingdom of heaven has come near.' Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those with skin diseases, drive out demons. You have received free of charge; give free of charge. (Matt 10:7-8)
Later He expanded the authority to include 70 others.
After this, the Lord appointed 70 others, and He sent them ahead of Him in pairs to every town and place where He Himself was about to go. (Luke 10:1)
Heal the sick who are there, and tell them, 'The kingdom of God has come near you.' (Luke 10:9)
He gives it to us.
And these signs will accompany those who believe: (Mark 16:17a)
He gave a commission to the eleven to be passed on.
Then Jesus came near and said to them, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age." (Matt 28:18-20)
The authority was passed on to others and signs and wonders followed.
Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people. (Acts 6:8)
Philip went down to a city in Samaria and preached the Messiah to them. The crowds paid attention with one mind to what Philip said, as they heard and saw the signs he was performing. For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed, and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. So there was great joy in that city. (Acts 8:5-8)
I can't find any times limits on this authority, nor can I find any cause to believe that it was a short term assignment. Jesus told us that those who believe will manifest signs, among them the laying on of hands and of healing.
I have seen it, it has been done through me and it has been done to me. Why will I doubt it now?
Why do we struggle with sickness? Why do we tolerate illness among us? Why is the church not a vibrant, healthy testimony to an unbelieving, unhealthy world?
"Repent," Peter said to them, "and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus the Messiah for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children, and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call." And with many other words he testified and strongly urged them, saying, "Be saved from this corrupt generation!" So those who accepted his message were baptized, and that day about 3,000 people were added to them.
And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, to fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayers. Then fear came over everyone, and many wonders and signs were being performed through the apostles.
Now all the believers were together and had everything in common. So they sold their possessions and property and distributed the proceeds to all, as anyone had a need. And every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple complex, and broke bread from house to house. They ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And every day the Lord added to them those who were being saved. (Act 2:38-47)
The key to our receiving the promises of God lies in, I believe, the "simplicity of heart". We struggle to lay hold of God's promises because our world, our culture, our minds rebel at the very notion that Jesus is speaking to us across the sands of time and that it is, should be, can be, will be, just that simple.
Jesus said "these signs will accompany those who believe".
Why is it so hard for us to believe that line?
When they reached the crowd, a man approached and knelt down before Him. "Lord," he said, "have mercy on my son, because he has seizures and suffers severely. He often falls into the fire and often into the water. I brought him to Your disciples, but they couldn't heal him."
Jesus replied, "You unbelieving and rebellious generation! How long will I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring him here to Me."
Then Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him, and from that moment the boy was healed. Then the disciples approached Jesus privately and said, "Why couldn't we drive it out?"
"Because of your little faith," He told them. "For I assure you: If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will tell this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you. (Matt 17:14-20)
Faith, the size of a mustard seed, is required. We must grab on to the promise of God and not let it go! This miniscule portion of faith required to see God work is sometimes overwhelmingly huge in our eyes and in our minds!
I have seen sick bodies healed and restored. I have received this same healing in my own body and have seen others healed as God worked through the touch of my hand. In moments of uncompromising faith, I have seen God work, Jesus' promise fulfilled.
The norm, however, is that I think too much and doubt God's Word. I don't believe it every time. My faith is weak, unstructured and lazy.
Then He asked them, "What are you arguing with them about?"
Out of the crowd, one man answered Him, "Teacher, I brought my son to You. He has a spirit that makes him unable to speak. Wherever it seizes him, it throws him down, and he foams at the mouth, grinds his teeth, and becomes rigid. So I asked Your disciples to drive it out, but they couldn't."
He replied to them, "You unbelieving generation! How long will I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring him to Me."
So they brought him to Him. When the spirit saw Him, it immediately convulsed the boy. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth.
"How long has this been happening to him?" Jesus asked his father. "From childhood," he said. "And many times it has thrown him into fire or water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us."
Then Jesus said to him, "'If You can?' Everything is possible to the one who believes."
Immediately the father of the boy cried out, "I do believe! Help my unbelief." (Mark 9:16-24)
Oh Lord, help my unbelief!
Herein lays the difficulty most of us face; we do not believe God's Word all the time, or we do not believe all of it all the time! We struggle with unbelief.
Jesus said ""these signs will accompany those who believe"".
Why do I have a problem believing that 24/7?
Unbelief. A weak heart.
"On the contrary, what does it say? The message is near you, in your mouth and in your heart. This is the message of faith that we proclaim: if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. With the heart one believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth one confesses, resulting in salvation.
Now the Scripture says, No one who believes on Him will be put to shame, for there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, since the same Lord of all is rich to all who call on Him. For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
But how can they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe without hearing about Him? And how can they hear without a preacher? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: How welcome are the feet of those who announce the gospel of good things!
But all did not obey the gospel. For Isaiah says, Lord, who has believed our message?
So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the message about Christ." Romans 10:8-17 (HCSB)
Faith comes through hearing and hearing through the Word of God.
Ten years ago, shortly after I came to know our Lord, I was continuing to struggle with sinful thoughts and desires, impurities that I thought should have been "washed away". I cried out to God and asked Him when these thoughts and desires would leave me.
He let me know that it had taken 44 years to fill my mind and my body with the knowledge of and desire for sinful things and that it would need to be gradually washed out, flushed out, by the filling of His Word.
I received a picture of my body, filled to the brim with sin. The lid, my mind, was now off and ready to receive new information, God's Holy Word. His Word would gradually flush out the filth within me until I was full of Him instead of sin. His promise to me that day, was that a new mind would accompany a new body, the new creation, but that I needed to do the work and allow Him to do His work in me.
I have not been faithful over these ten years, to allow this work to proceed as planned, to allow myself to be consistently and continually "flushed out and filled up".
"Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God. For by the grace given to me, I tell everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he should think. Instead, think sensibly, as God has distributed a measure of faith to each one." Rom 12:1-3 (HCSB)
My faith level has not grown according to what God has designed for me to have. My "measure of faith" is weak because I have not allowed my mind to be "transformed" according to the plan God gave me. I have not been faithful in daily study, prayer and fellowship with God.
A weak will performs weakly.
In understanding the weakness of my faith, however, I am jubilant in that understanding.
Ten years ago, God gave me a message of renewal. That formula is good for today.
I can still be "transformed by the renewing of (my) mind" and my faith will become stronger by the hearing of the Word. In that strengthened faith I have the hope of seeing God's promises lived out in my life and in the lives of others.
Can we "move mountains" today? Can the sick be healed with regular consistency through the hands of believers?
Early in the morning, as they were passing by, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots up. Then Peter remembered and said to Him, "Rabbi, look! The fig tree that You cursed is withered."
Jesus replied to them, "Have faith in God. I assure you: If anyone says to this mountain, 'Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore, I tell you, all the things you pray and ask for--believe that you have received them, and you will have them." Mark 11:20-24 (HCSB)
I believe, based upon my understanding of God's Word, that healing is available to us today through prayer and the laying on of hands of faith filled believers.
Lord, help me to not doubt!
I believe that God's Word is true, from cover to cover.
Lord, help my unbelief!
I believe that I have been healed of my leukemia through the laying on of hands of faith filled believers.
Lord, help me to see that which is!
My wife asked me why I was continuing treatment if I believed that I had been healed.
Why indeed?
Lord, help me to walk in my belief!
My white cell counts have returned to normal and the pain I have been experiencing is almost gone.
I thank God and I praise Him for his mercy to me.
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