Monday, October 29, 2012

Heavenly Perspective (Luke 20:27-40)


Heavenly Perspective

We could get smart with our criticizers as my last devotion stated by answering a question with a question, or we could just simply ignore them, and stay focused with our assignment at hand. But, here in Luke 20:27-40 as the Sadducees tried to discredit Jesus (for they did not believe in the resurrection), he responded to them by answering their question about marriage, not for the sake of the Sadducees who were blinded to the truth through their traditions but for His disciples and the others who may needed that question answered, before it became a stumbling block. 

We must remember that natural minded people will never be able to grasp spiritual things, but those who have ears to hear will listen and receive spiritual truth. So in each conflict we must be aware of those around us so that our response though it may not make any sense to the one we are in conflict with yet it is transforming to it's bystanders.

The relationship between husband and wife and with their children is to model the relationship God desires to have with mankind. It is a tool to draw people closer to Him. In Heaven everything has become perfected, complete, lacking nothing. On earth we only know in part, in heaven we will know fully. Nothing will be the same! Our satisfaction will come through our Heavenly Father alone. We are now married to the lamb of God. All our relationships will be different. 

What we experience on earth is just a foretaste of what we experience in Heaven. Somethings we just cannot fully grasp yet it's beyond our imagination, they are God's mysteries yet to be revealed. I love surprising my son's with the desires of their hearts going even beyond what they expected. Just celebrating Elisha's birthday I secretly put together a ping pong table in the basement and just couldn't wait until he had his cake, finished opening the gifts he expected and then brought him downstairs to show him the big surprise. The look on his face does such joy to my heart. I delight in blessing him! 
This is how our God is regarding heaven, "eyes have not seen nor ears have heard what He has planned for us, His beloved."

Will we still be with our spouse in Heaven as a married couple? What if we have had more than one wife Marriage is about two becoming one, it is about our rib returning to our body as our very own. How that looks in heaven I can't even imagine, yet I know how good my God is, and that their will be no disappointments, we will be fulfilled, and as joyful beyond what we could ever think

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Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Critical Response (Luke 20:20-26)


Critical Response

This week's Presidential debate was heated. If you don't like criticism, politics is not for you! For one person to get the advantage over the other they scrutinize every word and action their opponent makes with the hope that they find a flaw and can discredit them.

Luke 20:20-26 actually deals with politics for Jesus is asked about taxes, which was a big part of the debates discussion. Now understand that as Christians we have no choice but to vote. God is the author of government and we need to vote for the individual that leans most towards biblical principles. We cannot just vote for a political party, for we are not of the elephant or the donkey but of the Lion and the Lamb. I prayed to the Lord about this election and He told me to vote for Family and for Life.

This message though is not really about politics as neither was the question the religious leaders asked Jesus. It is all about how we respond to criticism, for the enemy's agenda is to discredit and destroy us, that is where politicians and Christians have much in common. The rate this nation is going with special interest groups pushing their agenda the more criticism we are going to continue to face. The sad thing as Jesus experienced is some of the heaviest criticizers are those you would expect are on the same side, like family, friends, other Christians.

There are a lot more critics in the world than encouraging people, even in the church. We have all been criticized and we have all responded in a way that we are not proud of. I know Christians who cannot hold a job simply because they can't deal with criticism. We got to understand that we can't make everyone like us, and because Jesus is in us, we are an enemy to the world. It never feels good to be criticized whether justly or unjustly but it is a tool that either makes us or breaks us.

Jesus teaches us as His followers in this chapter how to respond to criticism?

1. When responding to judgmental individuals it is best to ans `wer a question with a question.

We must beware of the motive behind people when they ask us a question so we can respond appropriately.

There are people around us waiting for us to say the wrong thing, or words that they can twist to give us a bad name.

2. Don't let critical people distract us, stay focused and continue with our God given assignment. If they move us the enemy now has a foothold.

3. We must not take it personal, Jesus get's in people's way so they must find a way to get Him out of the way, it is not about us, it is the one within.

4. Understand whom are enemy is, so we are not ignorant of His devices.

Jesus greatest enemies were those who you would think would be his greatest allies.
The counterfeit, (those whom have a form of godliness but deny the power thereof), oppose the genuine, they are too proud to admit their lack of credibility and instead criticize and appoint judgment when in fact they are jealous.

5. It is best to take a step back and reconnect with the Holy Spirit when necessary. 

We have been given the Holy Spirit whom will give us the words we need when we need them. It is vital that we stay sensitive to the promptings and the still small voice within. Unnecessary trouble can come when we respond in the wrong manner.

Wisdom as it is says in Proverbs is always within our grasp if we are listening. When in the heat of a conversation it is easy to get in the flesh but only in the Spirit does wisdom come. A harsh response will get a harsh reaction. A wise response will silence those whom oppose us. 

What level we are at will determine our outcome, if we are in the flesh we are grounded and Satan has the high ground, if we are in the Spirit, we have the upper hand, and are not ignorant of His devices and fly above His scheme not snared in His trap.

Another major issue discussed at the debate was oil, the prices continue to go up, and it is effecting gas, electricity, food, etc. Who has the best plan to lower the gas prices? 

The reason we as Christians respond to criticism in a worldly manner is because we are out of gas. We are not filled up! The price of gas is too much. Is there a price? Yes, our lives! What does that mean? Daily we must empty ourselves before Him and He will respond by filling us up. We cannot face the enemy if we don't have on the face of God.
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Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Weeping and Yelling! (Luke 19:41-48)


         I wish I could force people to change but I cannot, each person has a free will, all I can do is lead by example and hope they will follow. It is so hard to witness someone you love choose to go down the path of destruction. Sometimes learning the hard way is the only option. All I can do is pray and hope that when destruction comes they will truly surrender to God so He can help them recover.

Jesus in Luke 19:41-44 weeps over the city of Jerusalem. The people refused to receive it's Savior for they would not accept the package He came in. They wanted outward peace while He came to give them inward peace.

If we had a friend or family member who kept getting beat up fighting we would want to help them out, but if we realized they were the cause of the fight would it be just to fight with them when they are in the wrong.  It is hard to see loved ones beat up but only when they get beat up bad enough will they eventually surrender.  So sometimes letting God have His way is letting the devil have his way (so he thinks) for a time being.  

Jesus in Luke 19:45-48 goes from weeping to yelling as He sees the temple being used as a market rather than a place of prayer.  The reason for destruction as we see above is from separation from God.  Jerusalem had religion but without any power for there was no prayer.  People often use church for their own gain, as a marketing scheme for self-promotion.  When the church is praying community transformation follows.  We see so many communities with churches on every corner yet sinful activity prevails.  Believers gathering together for whatever reason means nothing without the primary reason being prayer.  Looking religious does not impress God.  The bible says our faith is what pleases God.  Faith is a verb meaning action, so prayer, responding in action is what impresses God.  Christ the head brings forth His will to the body by prayer and moves as we respond in obedience.

Would Jesus respond the same way in our church today is the question we must ask, would He go around kicking over the useless self promoting junk we fill our churches with?  Is communicating with Jesus the main object of our church commitment?   The Pharisees response to Jesus was to kill Him.  How many church leaders today do the same regarding the Holy Spirit because they have their own agenda in God's place?

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Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Because the Lord has need of it?


Because the Lord has need of it?

Do we truly understand that all we have is not our own? Everything we have should be available for the Master's use when He needs it, including our spouse, children, material possessions, money, etc. This is the case here in Luke 19:28-40, Jesus Triumphant Entry. When the disciples began to untie the colt, the owners asked what they are doing, in which they said the Master has use for it, enough said!
Walking out our salvation means to live a surrendered life. We no longer have any rights, so we cannot base our decisions on how we feel but by the word of God in faith. This means that everything we are and own, we surrender.
As a colt was set apart for the Master's use, so have we been set apart for His use. We may feel insignificant, our life wasted, but despite how we feel, God sees us fit for His use. As a child feels so special when their Father needs their help so let us feel the honor of being the Lord's chosen vessel.
As the colt was loosed by it's owners let us be loosed from whomever and whatever has tried to own us apart from our God. Jesus paid the ultimate price for us, death on the cross, He found us that worth it. He believes in us so let us believe in Him, if He finds us worth saving then we know He finds us worth using.
He rode the colt to get from point A to point B, but with us we are made His permanent dwelling place through the Holy Spirit. We are His entry into the world to establish His eternal victory. We are His body and without our obedience His power is limited. So let us like this wild independent colt allow Jesus to take full reign and be the ones who carry His presence into the world.

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Friday, September 14, 2012

Greatest Investment


Greatest Investment

I don't know much about the stock market, but I know it is best to invest in what you believe will bring the best results. If you invest too wide, in too much, very little profit follows. It is best to invest much in little for the greatest payoff. Now it just takes good discernment to realize what to put that investment in.
God has recently taken me to a place of brokenness realizing that I have been investing too thin. I have placed my interests in too many directions and therefore I am not seeing the results that should be expected. I no longer possess anything, I am in Christ, I am just a stewards of what is His. Therefore, He is my Shepherd, my guiding force, and as His sheep, I just follow. 

God has given us field's, first of all our own heart, then our immediate family, extended family, spiritual family, and those in our neighborhood, work, school, etc. He commands us to bear fruit. We are only capable of cultivating just so much. When we overextend ourselves the proper care that each plant in each field needs is neglected and weeds grow choking out the seeds resulting in fruitlessness. When fruitfulness comes, multiplication follows, but it comes as each plant grows and blossoms and as fruit abounds, seeds spread, and other plants develop.

We change the world by making one disciple at a time who makes other disciples. The question is are we investing enough into those whom God has put before us. When we are too busy we don't have time for the relationship factor that is truly needed for discipleship to develop.

We see this teaching in the Parable of the Ten Servants (Luke 19:11-27). Jesus gives this parable to help His followers understand that our time on earth is all about investing into the future. Taking what He gives us and planting it into whom He gives us. Not just being idle while waiting around for His return or pursuing fruitless gain but making the most of what He has given.

Good servant are ones who are faithful in what little that has been given to them and therefore He promises much will come in return. The question I have been asking myself is will God say to me, "well done good and faithful servant." It would be sad if I was one who would say I did this and I did that in your name, and He tell me depart from me you worker of iniquity.

What we do does not matter unless He is the one doing it. If He is not abiding in me then fruit can never follow. Only in obedience is His presence.
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Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Rich or Poor (Luke 19:1-10)


Rich or Poor

In the previous chapter we see the story of the rich ruler who obeyed the law yet would not obey Jesus when it came to selling everything he owned, we then heard the story of the blind beggar, who desperately cried out to Jesus and was healed, and now we have the story of a rich tax collector, Zacchaeus.
With the rich ruler Jesus described the difficulty of the rich entering the kingdom of God and the disciples asking who then can really get saved? Jesus responded what is impossible with man is possible with God. God has no limits! He can reach anyone!

The problem with the rich ruler was He was not seeking Jesus, He was seeking to be justified by His good works. Many today believe they are going to heaven because they are a good person. One seeks God because they realize they need Him! As long as one is teachable they are reachable, this is what we see with Zacchaeus. He didn't let his bad image and short-comings get in the way! The bible says "those who seek Him will find Him" and "if you draw near to God He draws near to You." There are no requirements to meet Jesus but seeking Him, no matter one's past, no matter one's background, those whom seek Him, find Him.

In my small community, growing up, the Christians were looked down as low class, hypocritical, phonies. When I got saved it was one thing to say I was a Christian but to be identified with the local church was a completely unacceptable social norm. I was ostracized by most of my "so called" friends and had to build brand new relationships with the outcasts of the community. Jesus does not care about our image all He wants is that His image be seen in us.

It takes brokenness and humility to seek God, such as Zacchaeus, and it is these that Jesus will have fellowship with and therefore transform. Zacchaeus after his encounter with Jesus, repented of his ways by getting right with God and with man, returning to each one the lawful requirement four times what he stole.

We don't look for something unless we know it is lost, until we realize we are lost without God, knowing Him personally will never be found.
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Thursday, September 6, 2012

Are You Desperate? (Luke 18:35-43)


Are You Desperate?

In my natural eye I am drawn to people whom look good, dress nice, and walk confidently. Many of these folks are often full of pride and not desperate enough to truly seek God. So ministering to them would have little to no life changing effect. Often, it is those that look a mess who are desperate enough to cry out to God. It is those who have had enough of living on their own, who are tired of being blind, that their hearts have now been opened to receive Christ, in His fullness.
Jesus here in Luke 18:35-43, heard the blind beggar shouting "have mercy on me!" "Shut up!" the people yelled at him. Though he was shunned by man, Jesus heard his plea, and responded by healing him.

It is the cry of desperation that God responds too. We must remain in a place of desperation to remain continually connected to Him. We must daily acknowledge our need for Him, like a child clings to their parents when afraid we must cling to God with holy fear of the consequence of living apart from Him.

This blind beggar became undignified before Jesus, He didn't care what others thought, He wanted Jesus attention and shouted loud enough to make sure. Why do we think we can ever arrive in a place where we are too dignified to cry out to God? Is it only when our circumstances are drastic enough, why can't we see that every day no matter our circumstances we need Him.

God is not just a rope we grab a hold of when drowning but He is our lifeline every day. Only in Him do we have life, apart from Him we are nothing. Often we are bewitched to believe our nothing is really something that our good works really matter to the world. God alone is the author of life and only when we are filled with Him do we have any good to give away.

We need to forget about pleasing man, and truly worship God, undignified, with a desperate cry for Him. It is those that come to Him hungry and thirsty that are given food (word) and drink (spirit). We must realize that we are all blind unless He allows us to see. The bible says the pure in heart see God. When we cry out to God, He comes like the rain, cleanses us from our sin and clothes us in His righteousness. Then and only then can we see as He sees and not be blind to the true reality of the spiritual world all around.

When Jesus touches us like the blind man in Luke 18:35-43 we live in a continual place of Praise because we see God in everything and therefore we can count all things as good.

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