A Reason to Love

Isn’t it interesting that whenever a person attempted to find fault with Jesus, it was their faults that were ultimately revealed? Bad attitudes, impure motives and evil intentions all rise to the surface when exposed to the pure light of Jesus’ life. John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine; and ye say, “He hath a devil.” The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, “Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners!” (Luke 7:33,34) In the eyes of some people, you can never do anything right. That’s because they’re not looking for what’s right… only for what’s wrong. That’s a perfect description of the religious leaders of Jesus’ day. So determined were they to discredit Him that they even attributed His miracles to Satan. Imagine having to live under such constant scrutiny. That was the story of Jesus’ life.

Even under the guise of a friendly dinner invitation, the Pharisee’s true intent was to trap Jesus in His words that day.  So focused was he on his mission, that the common courtesies normally extended to such an “honored guest” were completely ignored. No washing of the feet, anointing with oil … not even the tender welcome of a holy kiss. Jesus deserved better, and though uninvited, in walked someone who dared to be the host that Simon refused to be. Was she the lost sheep that wandered far from the fold, or the Prodigal who chose to turn her heart toward home? For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. (Luke 19:10) Believing in His forgiveness, she now came to Christ to receive the assurance His   forgiveness brings.

Many were the barriers that had to be overcome.  The “unwelcome mat” was in full display. Except for Jesus, there was no conceivable reason for her to be there. Love tends to bring us to places we’d never think of going. We long to be where He is; we need to be with Him. For water, she poured out her tears, for a towel, her hair, the oil no doubt, was the best she had to offer. In other words, she expressed her love by giving herself. Jesus deserved nothing less.

What striking contrasts are presented to us in this story.  This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: FOR SHE IS A SINNER. (7:39) That was all the Pharisee could see – a sinner, deserving of scorn.  Jesus saw her as forgiven, and overflowing with gratitude and love.

By condemning the woman for the sins of her flesh, he exposed the equally appalling sins of his own spirit - sins he excused while finding fault with others. Just like Simon the Pharisee, we tend to compare ourselves with those we judge to be worse than ourselves. Compared to Jesus, we ALL have much to be ashamed of.  We ALL have much to be forgiven. And if we could see it, we ALL have just as much reason to love Him in return.

Wherefore I say unto thee, “Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.” (Luke 7:47) Allowing us to see the depth of our sin, and the extent to which we have been forgiven, is one way in which Jesus helps our love for Him to grow.   

Prayer: Lord, please help me to love You as much as You have forgiven me!

Expecting or Accepting?

Don’t doubt in the dark what God has shown you in the light. Dark times come into the lives of every believer. The Mystics called it the “dark night of the soul.”  Our experience might not be so intense, but we all have our times of questions, doubts and fears just the same. When Pastor Greg Laurie’s son was suddenly killed in a car accident, Greg’s Pastor, Chuck Smith, helped him at a time when his faith was being sorely tested.  “Don’t give up what you do know for what you don’t understand.“ At times like these, our faith needs something solid to stand on: something firm to hold on to. The hymn writer expressed it well… “On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand… all other ground is sinking sand.”

In today’s study, Jesus heals a dying servant, resurrects a widow’s son, and leaves John the Baptist to languish in a lonely prison, all in the same chapter. (Luke 7) Later, in Acts 12, the Lord allows James to be killed by Herod’s sword while he sends His angel to deliver Peter in answer to prayer. Tradition informs us that each of the Apostles died a martyr’s death except John the Beloved who lived to a ripe old age and died of natural causes.  God doesn’t always answer our prayers the way we think He should, nor does He treat us all the same. There come times in our lives when we find ourselves questioning, “Are You really all that You say You are?” Or as the Baptist put it, “Art thou he that should come, or look we for another? (Lk. 7:19)

Granted, many of our problems are our own fault and can be attributed to a lack of faith, willful disobedience, or stubborn pride. But at least there we know what to do: repent, get our eyes back on the Lord, and trust Him to make things right. But when after searching our hearts, we still haven’t a clue as to why things turned out the way they did, it’s then that we need to lean hard on who Christ is as revealed in His Word. This is when character and relationship need to be trusted and embraced.

Who is this Jesus that we follow? How do we see Him in the Bible? What has the Holy Spirit revealed to us about Him? Luke portrays Him as one who is full of compassion, who knows our every need and is touched with the feelings of our infirmities.  One who was moved by a soldier’s cry, a widow’s loss, or the inner turmoil of a faithful follower and friend. He never leaves or forsakes, never makes a mistake, and won’t let anything separate us from His love. He alone sees the greater needs in our lives and doesn’t limit His help to our short-sighted requests. And perhaps most of all, we see Him as one who has an interest in our eternal well-being and works all things together for our ultimate good. (Ro. 8:28,29)

As his children, we have a right to expect good things from God.  We pray because He hears and answers prayer. We stand upon His promises and praise Him for His goodness.  But when things don’t always turn out as we expect, then God will give us the grace to accept the thing He has allowed to occur in our lives.   I recently heard Greg Laurie say ” A faith that cannot be tested is a faith that cannot be trusted.” Jesus said, “Blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.” (Lk. 7:23)

Prayer: Lord, I believe. Teach me to trust You more and more. Let my heart rest in Your faithfulness and love.

What gives YOU the Right!?

“Question All Authority!” It’s one of the more disturbing bumper stickers that I’ve run across in my daily travels. Unfortunately, it reflects an attitude that is far too prevalent in our troubled society. It’s like the kid in school who refused to obey me when I told her to go back to class. “I don’t have to listen to you… You’re not my father!”  Somehow, I got the impression that being her father, her teacher, or anyone else for that matter, wouldn’t have made any difference. Nobody was going to make her do anything she didn’t want to do – and that was that! 

But if we want to succeed in life, learning to recognize and submit to authority is essential. From the moment we come into this world God places people over us (beginning with our parents), to teach us the value of humility and the blessing that comes through obedience. These two qualities were what gave Jesus the authority to move in the power of the Holy Ghost and caused demons to flee at his command. God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God. Also unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy… (Psalm 62:11,12a)

Power and mercy - what a wonderful combination. Not only is Jesus all powerful, but because of his mercy he uses that power to benefit those he loves, no matter how undeserving we may be. I wonder how the centurion came to this conclusion. Even Jesus himself marveled at his great faith.

In today’s story (Luke chapter seven), a group of Jewish leaders were sent to Jesus on behalf of a Roman soldier and his dying servant. Even though he was a Gentile, the centurion was highly regarded as one who loved their nation, and who had built a synagogue for them. As far as they were concerned, he deserved to have his request granted. As far as he was concerned, he didn’t.
Being worthy wasn’t the issue. Being humble and desperate was. Though highly regarded by others, compared to Jesus he knew he had nothing to boast of. None of us does. Looking away from himself, he considered Jesus and dared to put his hope in him. This is the essence of faith.

As Jesus neared the house, the centurion sent friends to block his way. Speaking on his behalf they said unto him, “Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof: … but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed.” (7:6,7) He then went on to explain what he knew about authority and why he recognized it in Jesus.  

The right to command comes to those who have first learned to obey the commands of others. His authority as a Roman leader was not handed to him, but rather earned and maintained by his continued submission to his superiors. As a result, those who refused to follow his orders had the Roman Government to contend with. So much greater was the obedience of Jesus to His Heavenly Father, and so much more powerful was the authority of His word.  Sickness, devils, and nature itself are all subject to his command. “Just say the word and all will be well.”

There have been times in my life when I felt particularly unworthy to approach the Throne of Grace.  My failures weighed me down; Satan’s attacks were unrelenting. It is at such times that the Holy Spirit reminds me of the words of our Savior, “Verily, verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father IN MY NAME, he will give it you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing IN MY NAME: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.” (Jn. 16:23,24) As His follower, I am given the right and privilege to come to the Father in the Name of His Son. Nothing I have or haven’t done need hold me back!

In myself I have no right to expect anything from God. In Jesus, Eternity’s the limit… AND BEYOND!  Hallelujah!

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for Your compassion and power. Teach me to walk in Your authority, by daily obedience, and keeping my eyes on You.

Don't Scramble the Eggs!

Among the many questions that have plagued mankind over the centuries, there are few that have sparked such heated debate as the age-old dilemma, “Which came first the chicken or the egg?” Perhaps you are among the many who have come to the conclusion “Who cares?” but the answer to this question is more significant than most of us realize.  For within that answer a person’s basic theology and world view is revealed. The Creationist believes that God started with the chicken, creating it with the ability to reproduce. (Genesis 1:20-23) With God the creature always comes first.

In today’s Bible Story, we are faced with a similar question, the answer to which will determine our understanding of the love and purpose behind God’s holy commands.  Jesus and His disciples were walking through the grainfields on the sabbath day. To satisfy their hunger, they broke off some of the heads of wheat, rubbed them in their hands and put them in their mouths. Although it required very little effort on their part, it was too much for the Pharisees to swallow. “Why do ye that which is not lawful to do on the sabbath days?” (Luke 6:2) And if that wasn’t bad enough, on another sabbath, Jesus actually had the nerve to heal a man with a withered hand in their synagogue - an act that drove the scribes and Pharisees into a mad rage, sparking a discussion as to how they might destroy him. Blinded by their religious zeal, they chose suffering over satisfaction and death over life.

Could God’s command have really meant to let the hungry remain in their hunger and the hurting to continue in their pain?  Was rest more important than people and the law more important than mercy?  The Pharisees thought so – and without exception!  Jesus knew better… he knew his Father’s heart.

The question came down to this … “Which came first … the man or the commandment?” The answer is easily found. “So God created man in His own image … male and female created He them. … And the evening and the morning were the sixth day. (Ge. 1:27 & 31) And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it He had rested from all His work which God created and made.” (Ge. 2:3) The Pharisees’ philosophy was God made a commandment and needed to create someone to obey it, while Jesus taught that God created man, and needed a commandment to ensure his health and spiritual well-being.  You see the difference? The Jewish leaders honored the law above the life and heaped on men unreasonable burdens to keep the commandment from being violated. They decided what constitutes work! Jesus accused them of condemning the guiltless by their traditions. (Matt. 12:7)

Their harsh attitude revealed just how blinded they were to God’s original purpose in issuing this command. Jesus called attention to examples in the scriptures where God made certain allowances in order to meet a more pressing need.  By the Pharisees’ standards, David, the Priests, and God Himself were all guilty of breaking the law. This lack of mercy grieved Jesus deeply and caused him to look on them with anger. (Mark 3:5) And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath. (Mark 2:27)

Jesus never violated any of God’s commands but often disregarded the commandments of men. As a matter of fact, He seemed to go out of His way to do so in order to teach them the difference. As revealed in the Sermon on the Mount, there is a letter of the law (the command), and a spirit of the law (its purpose), and we have to be careful to keep them both.  Their leaders turned everything into a moral issue. Jesus taught that man is not defiled by what goes into him but rather by what comes out. (Matt. 15:16-20)

I wonder how often we have grieved the Lord by putting our own construction upon God’s Word rather than seeking the Spirit’s interpretation. How many souls we may have turned away by insisting on our idea of holiness rather than His. The Scripture warns that the natural mind is an enemy of God (and man as well). These things need to be spiritually discerned. (I Cor. 2:14) Now the end [purpose] of the commandment is [love] out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned. (I Timothy 1:5)

God’s word never changes – people and circumstances do.  Let all things be done with love.

Prayer: Merciful Heavenly Father, give us discernment. May the Holy Spirit help us to apply Your Word with understanding and help us to see through Your eyes.

STOP PRAYING!

Southern hospitality; no one did it better than Percy and Susie Samuels. After loading our plates with more chicken than a human should be allowed to consume in one sitting, then came the vegetables and a mountain of mashed potatoes.  Wash it all down with sweet tea and “be sure to leave room for dessert.” Such was my introduction to Fredericksburg, Virginia where I served as a young minister in my first church. That was over forty years ago.  (I was 22 at the time.) My indigestion has long since passed, but the deep impression this godly couple made on me that day remains with me still. They taught me a lesson in faith.

Bowie and I were glued to our seats as Brother Percy shared one story after another about their spiritual journey and the trials they encountered along the way. This elderly couple’s simple faith didn’t come without a cost. He told of the time Sister Susie had taken ill and how long they had wrestled in prayer and fasting as she slowly but surely drifted ever closer to death’s door.  Such long-lasting trials can be very wearing on the soul. Their Pastor at the time, Brother Charles Andrews, sensed that this was happening as he made his daily visits to their home. His counsel, though wise, was highly unconventional. “You stop praying … we’ll take over from here.” Far from an empty promise, he immediately called the church together to pray Sister Susie through to victory. You could almost feel their relief as they cast their heavy burden upon the shoulders of the family of God. And so, prayer was made without ceasing of the church for her. Many years later, as a testimony to God’s faithfulness, Sister Susie was standing there, serving me and Bowie a quarter of an apple pie each for dessert ... No kidding!

Today we read in Luke chapter five, “And when he [Jesus] saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee.“ (vs.20)  Thank God that we can have faith for one another.
Isn’t that what intercession is all about and why we engage in corporate prayer? The paralyzed man in our story was unable to get to Jesus on his own.  He needed friends to carry him. But not the kind of friends who would bring him back home as soon as they saw the crowd blocking the door, but friends who had faith - the kind that overcomes obstacles. Friends that wouldn’t give up until they made contact with the object of their faith – Jesus Christ the Great Physician. Climbing onto the roof, they lowered the cot over the place where Jesus stood. That’s when Jesus saw their faith! Their faith in Jesus was expressed by the extent to which they were willing to go, in order to get to Him.  James tells us, “Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, [impossible] and I will show you my faith by my works.” (James 2:18)

We might not be required to climb a house or tear up a roof, but obstacles present themselves in a variety of ways both natural and spiritual. A bank account, a doctor’s report, discouraging advice or worsening symptoms can all make up the “crowd” that stands in our way. Add to these the “wait factor” and too often our faith doesn’t last the time it takes to receive the answer. But like the links of a chain, my faith joined with that of other believers, forms a much stronger bond that stretches all the way to Jesus.  If two of you agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. (Mt. 18:19)

Not only did the man walk home that day, but he received so much more than he came for.
Jesus had authority to both heal the sick and forgive the sinner. Both had to flee at His command.  Healing explained his ability to walk - forgiveness explained the spring in his step. Now it was his turn to find someone “to carry.”  

“Stop praying … we’ll take over from here.”  It just might be our turn to carry someone as well.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for friends that carry me to You in my need. Open my eyes to see when I should do the heavy lifting for someone else.

Follow First!

“Too many coaches, not enough players” would be an apt description of the motley crew Jesus chose to be his beloved Apostles. Like so many of us, they were more interested in making something of themselves, than in following the Master. James and John wanted to be seated on His right and left hand. Judas dreamed of dollar signs and the rest argued among themselves as to who would be the greatest. No wonder in the 21st chapter of John, the Resurrected Christ did something to bring them back to their first, highest, and ONLY call: “Follow Me.”

Within that original call (as is always the case), were underlying principles essential to making their future ministries both fruitful and effective. In Luke chapter 5 we read that the disciples had fished all night and caught nothing.  When Jesus found them, they were cleaning their nets and packing it up for the day. However, as far as Jesus was concerned, their day was far from over. “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch” (verse 4). You can imagine what was going through their minds. “What does this carpenter know about fishing?”  If nothing more than to humor Him, they complied. What followed was life changing.

And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking (verse 6). When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!” (verse 8)

Now the PRINCIPLES:
1. We have fished all night and caught nothing…
    You’ll never know better than Jesus about ANYTHING!  Don’t even try.
    (That includes everything natural as well as spiritual).

2. Nevertheless at your word I will let down the net.
    Obedience to Christ is essential in EVERYTHING!  The sooner the better.

3. Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!
    None of us in ourselves is worthy to be His disciple. 
    That’s a privilege and an honor.

4. Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. (Matthew 4:19)
    The call is to FOLLOW. Jesus will do the MAKING.

Some years later, a bit bewildered and confused, a handful of disciples returned to doing what they knew best – fishing for fish. Though recent events had brought many changes into their lives, Christ’s call over them had never changed. He came to remind them.  

Many of us have found that it’s one thing to know the call of God, it’s another to understand how He plans to work it out in our lives. The Apostle Paul teaches us to pray not only to be filled with the knowledge of His will, but also to seek for wisdom and spiritual understanding as well (Col. 1:9). Things often turn out very different from what we expect. God may give us the CALL, but He keeps the BLUEPRINT.

At times when ministry feels like a lifeless chore, with little joy and even less fruit, it’s then that Jesus reminds me to get back to the call. It’s not my performance that’s lacking, but rather my following. I’m either lagging behind or running ahead. I’ve become too busy to spend ample time at His FEET, in His PRESENCE, over His WORD. Like the Prodigal, I must return to my Father and say, “Make me” instead of “Give me” (Luke 15). Follow me, and I WILL MAKE YOU fishers of men.

A good “Life Verse" can be found in John 12:26: If any man will serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honor.   God may use my gifts and talents but it’s me that He wants.

So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him (Luke 5:11).
Let us do the same.

Prayer: Dear Lord, I am grateful that You ever called me to follow You. Let me be humbly obedient as I stay close to Your side, allowing You to do whatever You wish in and through me.

Seeker or finder?

As a teenager I liked (and still enjoy), listening to a contemporary singer/songwriter by the name of Keith Green.  He came from Sheepshead Bay, not far from our church here in Canarsie. In a documentary of his life, he told how before his conversion, he used to perform at little clubs and cafes in the city. At that time, everyone was singing songs about the meaning of life, and searching for answers. His songs were well received… until the day he found the answer. When he started singing about the new life he found in Jesus and the satisfaction that knowing Him brings, they didn’t want to listen to him anymore.  Evidently, they loved the search and didn’t want it to end. People are funny that way. Jesus had them in His day as well.

Many a Jew spent much of his/her life awaiting the appearing of their long-promised Messiah.  To this very day, most are still waiting. However, when questioned, it is soon revealed that they are  not at all in agreement as to exactly who or what they are waiting for. For some, “The Messiah” has become no longer a person, but perhaps an event which will restore their nation to the prominence they once enjoyed.  They take pride in their seeking.  We are all like that at times. Skydivers never want the fall to end. Hunters call it the “thrill of the chase.”  Seeking becomes more important than finding.

Speaking as God’s mouthpiece, the prophet Jeremiah tells us, “And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” (Jer. 29:13) Could it be that our half-hearted seeking has kept us on this endless road to nowhere and blinded us to the truth that is staring us right in the face? In Luke chapter five, Jesus returned from His Temptation in the power of the Holy Spirit. He immediately began to teach in their synagogues and made quite a favorable impression with the people - that is until He came to His own town of Nazareth. On the Sabbath, He entered the synagogue and opened the scroll to the book of Isaiah. Reading the passage from the sixty-first chapter, He proclaimed Himself to be their long-awaited Messiah. That didn’t sit well with many of them; they wouldn’t receive it. “We may not know who the Messiah is, but we are sure he couldn’t possibly be you!” So offended at the thought, they attempted to throw Him off a cliff. How tragic. So willing was Jesus to “open the eyes of the blind,” but they refused (and so their search continued).

Jesus left Nazareth in search of those who would receive Him and His message.  By His gracious words and miraculous signs, He found them - even among the Gentiles. Even the demons recognized who He was and obeyed Him. How sad that the devils had more discernment than His own people. Could that be said of us as well? The rest of the chapter tells us that for a time at least, Jesus had much success ministering in the surrounding towns and cities. Multitudes came out to meet Him and He healed them all. The chapter that began with rejection ends quite differently - “And the crowd sought Him and came to Him, and tried to keep Him from leaving them … “(vs. 42)

Why is it that we have so many in our churches who have become “professional seekers” (for years in some cases), but never “finders”?  They hear His words and consider His claims but never take Him as their own.  Maybe it’s because finding requires much more from us than seeking does.  Once we find Christ, we have to do something with Him – or rather let Him do something with us. Not everyone is willing for such an upset in their lives.  Seeking is much more comfortable for the time being, but everyone’s seeking will come to an end one day - that’s for certain. It will either end in our finding Jesus to be our all in all, or Him finding us to be wanting (i.e., lacking) in that day.  Isaiah said it best – “Seek ye the Lord while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near.” (Isa. 55:6)

To know Him is to desire Him,
To desire Him is to seek Him,
To seek Him is to find Him,
And to find Him is everything!
L.M. Judd

Prayer: Gracious God, don’t let me get lost in the seeking – draw me into Your Presence today.

Temptation is TEMPTATION

In answering the question as to whether Jesus was truly tempted in the wilderness as we are, I recently heard a Pastor reply: “Temptation is temptation.” In other words, there must be an appealing to some desire within us, some allurement, that draws us to reach out for the thing being offered.  If not, then temptation has not occurred.

In the passage that we considered in Matthew, it clearly states, “Then was Jesus led up of the spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.” (Matt. 4:1) The Gospel of Mark states it even more emphatically when it says that Jesus was driven by the spirit into the wilderness to be tempted. (Mk. 1:12) That speaks of the control of the Holy Spirit that Jesus came under at his baptism. Why does God allows us to be tempted? The devil wants us to fall. God wants to prove to us that by trusting in the power of His Spirit, we can stand and be victorious. Like iron in the fire, the testing only tempers the steel.

Hebrews 4:15 tells us, “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.” That ought to forever answer the question, “Does Jesus truly understand what I’m going through when tempted?”
Not only does Jesus know what temptation is like, but he has experienced the full force of the devil’s power in a way that we never have or could.  For us, the power of temptation tends to increase until we can no longer resist whereas in Jesus’ case, he endured temptation far beyond the point where we would have long ago given in to it.  

So now we ask the question, “What desires could the devil have appealed to in Jesus to lure him into sin?” We were born with a sinful nature and possess many fleshly desires that the enemy can address, but with Jesus it was not so.  He was born absolutely sinless with a holy nature, pure and spotless. However, the devil knows our weaknesses and doesn’t waste his efforts where there is no interest. There were legitimate desires in Jesus to which Satan directed his attacks. After fasting for forty days Jesus desired to satisfy his natural hunger as soon as possible. “Turn these stones into bread!” He wanted the people to recognize him as the Christ who would “suddenly come to his temple.” (Malachi 3:1) From the pinnacle of the Temple the devil challenged him to make a dramatic entrance and “Cast thyself down!” As later seen in Gethsemane, Jesus naturally would have wanted to avoid the suffering and untold agony connected with going to the cross. “All this I will give you, if you will bow down and worship me!” Two thousand years later the devil is still up to his old tricks.

First John 2:16 defines the areas in which the devil tries to tempt us: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life. Since the Garden of Eden his tactics haven’t changed.
He’s still trying to get us to put our natural wants before our spiritual needs. Whereas Jesus taught us to “seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things (would be added unto us).” (Matt. 6:33) He (Satan) appeals to our pride and desire that drives us to seek recognition and the honor and praise of man. While Jesus said we are to “seek the honor that comes from God only.” (John 5:44) We are tempted to compromise our integrity in our service to God in order to avoid suffering and conflict. Jesus said, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” (Luke 9:23) As always, being led by the Spirit and walking in obedience is God’s way of meeting the legitimate desires He has placed in our hearts, not by yielding to the devil’s suggestions.

I knew of a young Bible School student who confided in one of his teachers of his struggle with a certain temptation in his life. “I try to resist it with all my strength, but it always gets the best of me in the end.”  The teacher wisely pointed out the problem, (i.e. - I resist with all my strength). “The next time temptation comes, don’t try to resist it by yourself but rather turn your attention to Jesus within you. Worship Him… sing and praise, until He manifests Himself and overcomes that temptation in you.”  

Remember, “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not suffer (allow) you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” (1 Cor. 10:13)

Jesus is that way of escape.  We in ourselves, may not be a match for the devil but the devil is never a match for Him!

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for showing us that You understand us completely, and for making a way for us to overcome temptation by yielding to Your Holy Spirit within us. You are in charge - have Your way in my life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

"YOU CHOSE THE BEST"

Antonio, a humble Christian waiter from New York City, scraped up the little money he had in order to attend the funeral of a dear relative back in Mexico. His rich cousin met him at the airport and drove him to the funeral. Much of the conversation in the car centered on his great success as an architect, pointing out buildings he himself had designed along the way. Antonio listened graciously. After the Burial Service, the same cousin invited the family to a fancy restaurant at his own expense. All they had to pay was attention… attention to his arrogant boasting and listen to his lofty aspirations toward even greater wealth and notoriety. Then, turning to Antonio, he condescendingly asked, “So Cousin, what are your goals in life? What do you one day hope to achieve?” (The two had chosen very different paths in life). Antonio thanked him for asking.  Standing to his feet, he reached into his suit jacket and pulled out a well-worn Pocket New Testament. Opening to the passage we read Wednesday morning (Luke 3), he turned to the place where Jesus was baptized in the River Jordan. “The heaven was opened, and the Holy Ghost descended in bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven which said, “Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.”  Closing his Bible, he answered with a firm but gentle voice, “This is my goal in life - that one day my heavenly Father will be able to say of me as well: “This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased.” A holy hush fell over their gathering as his cousin came under deep Holy Ghost conviction. Then out of the silence rose the sound of weeping, weeping which turned to sobbing. His rich cousin, with head buried in hands, cried out in heartfelt remorse, “Oh, Antonio! … you chose the best my cousin - you chose the best.”

John preached the baptism of repentance, but Jesus had nothing to repent of.  However, to perfectly identify with sinful humanity, Jesus came to be baptized of John. Jesus modeled for us the life a man or woman must live in order to please God.  He showed us how to seek God and to study His Word. He taught us how to pray and to depend upon the Holy Spirit to guide us.  Most of all, he showed us how to trust our heavenly Father and to live a life of perfect love - yet not in our own strength, but by the anointing and infilling of the same Holy Spirit that descended upon Christ at his baptism. We too can live a life pleasing to the Father as we learn to allow Jesus to live his life through us.

With what was God well pleased? Up until this point Jesus had lived a rather “ordinary” life for the first thirty years. He hadn’t preached any sermons, performed any miracles or given his life as our ransom on Calvary. He was simply a godly young man, fulfilling his daily responsibilities with a desire to honor and glorify his Father. Perhaps, pleasing God is not dependent upon our having large ministries or great spiritual gifts. This story is teaching us that it’s in our everyday living as housewife, plumber, teacher, etc., God finds great pleasure in us. Learning to rejoice evermore, pray without ceasing and give thanks in everything is a matter of the heart and can be practiced while fixing the car, doing the dishes or studying for an exam. Let us be careful not to minimize the importance of striving to please God in the ordinary and routine. After all, that’s where we spend most of our time.

Not only did the heavenly voice confirm to John that Jesus was truly the one God had sent, but it was a great encouragement to Jesus as well. Now under a fresh anointing of the Holy Ghost, Jesus was ready to face the tempter in the power of the Spirit and to usher in the Kingdom of Heaven. There would be countless sermons, teachings, and miracles in the days to come.  There on the Mt. of Transfiguration as Jesus was about to finish the work God had given him to do, he would hear that same voice of approval upon his life and ministry.

We may not all be called to do great things for God, but we can all be great for Him. There are two paths before us – Live to please God or Live to please ourselves. One has the smile of God shining upon it, the other the shadow of regret. Now’s the time to choose which one you will follow.

Are You Prepared?

Though most people try to avoid it or get it over with as quickly as possible, you can’t overemphasize the importance of preparing. When something doesn’t turn out just right or the job turns out to be much harder than expected, the problem can often be traced back to lack of adequate preparation. We didn’t bother to put down a prime coat or wait for the spackle to dry completely before we started painting. We didn’t dig down deep enough when laying the foundation or take the time to assemble the scaffolding, convincing ourselves that a ladder would be good enough. Had we just taken a moment to jot down a shopping list, we could have spared ourselves that second or even third trip to the grocery store. We’ve all been there more times than we’d like to admit. Preparing involves having a clear understanding of what needs to be accomplished, and the best way to go about it. Preparation is vitally important.

This morning we considered the ministry of John the Baptist (Matt. 3 & Luke 3) as foretold by the prophet Isaiah some hundreds of years before: “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God…’ “(Isa. 40:3).  It has been said that much of the success of Jesus’s ministry was a direct result of the work of John. “For he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah… to make ready a people prepared for the Lord” (Luke 1:17). These words were spoken by the angel Gabriel as he announced the coming birth of John to Zacharias.  Of all the prophets that had preceded him, John had the special privilege of being a contemporary of the Messiah and calling to repentance the very people that Jesus himself would minister to.  Among those born of women, there had not risen a greater prophet than John the Baptist (Matt. 11:11). He knew his call and fulfilled it by the Holy Ghost.

John preached the baptism of repentance, and multitudes came to hear his message. He was very specific about the attitudes and lifestyles they needed to repent of. He spoke of our obligation to the poor and needy, of not taking advantage of our fellow man, of being honest and harmless in all of our dealings. Nor did he back down when the self-righteous Pharisees and Sadducees came to denounce his message. He was not impressed with their relation to Abraham (for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God – Romans 3:23). He demanded absolute sincerity. Words were not enough. We must show by our actions that we are truly turning away from our sin.

But that was only half of what John preached – his message was two-fold.  Not only are we to turn from our sin, but we must turn to the Savior. “(There is coming one after me), the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he will baptize you with the Holy Ghost and fire.”  (Luke 3:16) “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29) First John made them see their need of a Savior, then he pointed them to the very one who could meet that need. Pointing people to Jesus was his greatest joy and made his work complete. The Holy Ghost is still doing that in lives today.

Holy Ghost conviction is among our greatest needs in this day and age. Have you ever experienced the frustration of trying to convince someone to see a doctor when all the while they keep insisting they aren’t sick? Likewise, how can we expect people to turn to the Great Physician if they are not willing to admit that they are sinners? That’s where the work of God’s Holy Spirit comes in. Our supposed righteousness falls far short of God’s righteous standard for our lives.  Only the righteousness of Christ can satisfy the heart of our Heavenly Father, and Jesus has made that available to us by faith.  He came to save us from our sins.  Coming to him for lesser reasons only results in a “half-baked” salvation - one that’s missing the main ingredients, which is really no salvation at all. 

Proper preparation is of the utmost importance.  It’s worth all the time and effort you put into it. So how do we prepare for life and ministry? Humbly turn from sin and seek to be filled with the Spirit of God!

God's GPS

In our study this morning we considered the story of the visit of the wise men in Matthew chapter two. By this time, Jesus was a young child around the age of two.  Joseph and Mary were still living in Bethlehem, but now residing in a house.  Perhaps they had hoped to settle down and make Bethlehem their new home. (Little did they know that their journey had just begun.)  Proverbs tells us, “We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps.” (Prov. 16:9 NLT) We see this illustrated repeatedly in the lives of our Bible characters.

First there was the Star, indicating to the Magi that the King of the Jews had been born. It is assumed that by means of ancient prophetic writings they had come to anticipate this glorious, world-changing event. The Star led them on a journey to the land of Israel.  When they lost sight of its guiding light, they naturally went to Jerusalem to inquire at the palace of the then-reigning King Herod. The news of a newborn king was not received well, to put it mildly.

Next were the Scriptures. King Herod gathered the chief priests and scribes together to inquire as to where the Christ should be born. Their immediate response showed that they were well- acquainted with Micah’s prophesy concerning the place of the Messiah’s birth.  Perhaps they dissected and debated among themselves its exact meaning.  Strangely though, we read nothing of them doing anything about it. Gentiles living hundreds of miles away made more of an effort to find Jesus than those Jews who lived in walking distance from Bethlehem. When they departed from Herod, they rejoiced to see that the Star had reappeared and stood over the house where the young child was.

Finally, there were the Dreams. Intending to report back to Herod as to the Savior’s whereabouts, the Lord intervened while they slept. “And being warned of God in a dream that they should not returned to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.” (vs.12)  I wonder how that worked. To whom did God speak? Or did a number of the wise men experience the same dream thus confirming its divine origin.  In any case, they obeyed. Upon discovering that he had been “mocked of the wise men,” King Herod erupted in a jealous rage leaving a path of untold heartache in its wake.

Joseph also received divine direction as he slept.  First, to take Mary to be his wife. Secondly, to flee to Egypt to protect Jesus from Herod’s wrath. Then, when it was safe to return to the land of Israel. And lastly, directing them back to Nazareth, all in fulfillment of the words of the prophets. (Perhaps the Lord speaks to us best while we sleep - when our minds are at rest and less likely to get in His way.) Again and again, God turned heaven and earth to ensure that Jesus would perfectly fulfill the mission for which he was sent. God is still doing that today.

Not so unlike Herod, we, too, are reluctant to surrender the throne of our hearts to another. This is the very essence of the pride of our sinful nature. “We will not have this man to reign over us!” It took the death of our Savior to break the power of sin in our lives and make room for Jesus to take his rightful place as Lord and King. Looking back, how much damage we have done to ourselves and others by refusing to let Him reign.

Be not deceived - knowing the scriptures is not the same as doing them. We, too, can be content to simply be acquainted with the word of God but never translate it into our words, attitudes and actions. Our Christian life too often centers in the written word instead of in Christ himself. God is looking for loving obedience, not just perfect doctrine.

The Psalmist reminds us, “The LORD directs the steps of the godly.  He delights in every detail of their lives.” (Ps. 37:23 NLT) How greatly we need the Lord’s direction. His ways and thoughts are much higher than ours, and left to ourselves we are sure to miss His perfect plan for our lives.  The good news is that God is still turning heaven and earth to see to it that Jesus perfectly fulfills his divine purpose in this world… and in our lives in particular. He may use a “star,” a dream or any  number of other means to guide us, but always in keeping within the confines of His Holy Word.

Our part is obedience, God does all the rest. Let’s see where He’ll lead us today!

Too Close for Clarity

In our study this morning we considered the passage from Luke 2 where Mary and Joseph returned to Jerusalem in search of Jesus. We are told that the family went there each year to celebrate the Passover.  As far as we know, this was the first (and only) time that Jesus was left behind. Before we judge the parents too harshly, we ought to consider the possibility that Jesus had traveled home in the company of family members before. Hadn’t he always returned home safe and sound? If you’ve ever lost track of your child for five minutes, you can only begin to imagine the concern that gripped the hearts of his parents after not finding him for at least three days. “Where did he sleep?” “Was he hurt, hungry, cold or frightened? These were just some of the questions that plagued their troubled minds.

Although greatly relieved when they found him in the Temple among the Elders, Mary’s motherly embrace was accompanied by a sharp rebuke. “Son, why have you treated us like this?  Your father and I have sought you sorrowing!” However, the boy Jesus gently turned the rebuke back on them: “How is it that you sought me? Didn’t you know that I must be about my Father’s business?” (also rendered, “I must be in my Father’s House). In other words, “Have you already lost sight of who I am and why I’ve come?” Had the natural life Jesus led among them for the first twelve years caused them to lose sight of the high and holy calling that would surely be fulfilled in God’s time? 

Oh, the mystery of the Incarnation!  God so perfectly veiled in human flesh, so imperceptibly blending in among his siblings and peers. This was a wakeup call for
them… and for us.  Just because he appears ordinary, he’s not. Even though he looks and acts like one of us, he’s so much more. This story serves as a warning to those of us who have become so familiar with holy things that we no longer see or look for the wonder and beauty in them. Statements like, “I’ve heard that Bible story a hundred times,” or “It’s just another Sunday Morning Service,” are sure indications that we have lost sight of the power and glory of God’s Holy Spirit and Word and have limited their potential to our natural expectations.

How do we free ourselves from such mundane Christian living?

- By believing that God has so much more for us than we are presently
   experiencing.

- By believing that He has something to reveal to us each and every day,
  and asking Him to open our eyes and ears to receive it.

- And by serving Him in faith knowing that He rewards obedience and fills
  the hungry with good things.

Just because life seems ordinary at times doesn’t mean it is… not for the child of God. Always keep in mind that behind the ordinary is a supernatural, wonder- working God and He’s doing more for you than you could ever imagine simply because you are believing Him to. Be patient, He is working out His plan and purpose according to His timetable, not yours. Be intentional when approaching the things of God.  The next time Jesus would show forth His glory would be eighteen years later at a wedding in Cana. Mary would be ready this time.