God has a purpose for all things Romans 8:28 tells us.
The first detail in Acts 3 given to us by the Holy Spirit regarding this beggar is that he had expectancy.He expected to recieve something from Peter and John.
We also see that he had no where to turn to but up, due to his medical condition. I love the fact that those whom he had been looking towards for help had no silver and gold. They too were poor servants of Jesus. God calls not many wealthy to the kingdom. What Peter had, he was willing to give.
Then taking him by the right hand and raising him up, immediately his ankles and feet were made strong.
This beggar was now a leaping praiser, rejoicing everywhere in the temple. The people who had witnessed this miracle were filled with wonder and amazement.
God had a purpose, a time, and place for this beggar's healing, albeit, the road getting there came with great humiliation, discouragement, and difficulty. He had even become a burden upon those who were forced to take care of him.
But let's forget about the beggar for a moment and take a look at two other points in our narrative.
Firstly, Peter and John had to take him by the hand- and then, they had to raise him up. Oh how this man was dependant upon some other person God had granted position and authority too. They had to believe God for him! Life's circumstances had crippled his ability to walk upright. They had to excersize enough faith to take him by the hand and trust that God would have done the rest... and the rest is what God had done.He was healed!
This man's restoration came three ways. He had to ask and expect. Peter and John had to be willing and believe, and God then completed the task.
In all three positions, the beggar, the believers, and the Restorer had a part in the miricle.God used a broken vessel which He had made. He used the faith of His chosen vessels, which he had given, which in turn, gave God the opportunity to display His power and glory. The best part about the miracle was that everyone who witnessed it were amazed.
We all fit today in one of two positions. Either we are sitting, being wholly dependant upon the Lord for our very sustenance, vitality and service,or, we are those who are dependantly walking realizing that that may be us sitting one day.
To refuse to sit at the temple and be helped by others is pride, but to turn our heads away from an opportunity would be equally as bad, as it would rob God, and a person and many others the opportunity to rejoice, and thus be a witness to the love and mercy of God.
We see Jesus illustrated in both ways here. As a beggar, He is in the poor, the weak, the helpless, the sick, seeing if we will stop and help. Likewise as servants, He is seeing if we will stop and help.
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Shock & Awe (Act 2)
You may be hard pressed today to find someone who has forgotten the US invasion on Iraq. In 2003, America displayed to the world our sovereign power by executing Operation “shock & Awe“.
That one decision from the US has had a major global impact. Everything has changed in our world because of it.
But that war was only a taste of what is to come. The Old Testament patriarchs and prophets were but a taste of what was to come. And then came Jesus- the incarnate Christ, the crucified and now risen Savior. Then just as planned, Pentecost arrived in Shock & Awe fashion.
It first came with a mighty sound of a rushing wind, with tongues of fire, then continued with Peter’s prophetic sermon with three thousand being saved because of it. Soon awe came to every soul!
Pentecost came and conquered and most likely will never be repeated again. I am thankful that God never duplicates. I am also thankful that a new form of shock and awe is right around the corner.
In the mean time, while Pentecost, the event is over, the spirit of it lives on today in the lives of the people it has effected.
How are we appropriating the spirit of pentecost which empowered the Apostles and graced the early church?
Perhaps we need a little shock and awe?
That one decision from the US has had a major global impact. Everything has changed in our world because of it.
But that war was only a taste of what is to come. The Old Testament patriarchs and prophets were but a taste of what was to come. And then came Jesus- the incarnate Christ, the crucified and now risen Savior. Then just as planned, Pentecost arrived in Shock & Awe fashion.
It first came with a mighty sound of a rushing wind, with tongues of fire, then continued with Peter’s prophetic sermon with three thousand being saved because of it. Soon awe came to every soul!
Pentecost came and conquered and most likely will never be repeated again. I am thankful that God never duplicates. I am also thankful that a new form of shock and awe is right around the corner.
In the mean time, while Pentecost, the event is over, the spirit of it lives on today in the lives of the people it has effected.
How are we appropriating the spirit of pentecost which empowered the Apostles and graced the early church?
Perhaps we need a little shock and awe?
Thursday, November 26, 2009
A wireless Thanksgiving message
I am thankful today that Jesus atoned for my sins, and that He adopted me, that He justified me, that He reconciled me, that He sanctified me, and that He will glorify me. I am thankful for my family, and friends, and to all who show their love to me. Happy Thanksgiving!
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Intel brain interface implants
For all you end of the world junkies...like me!!
http://current.com/items/91510805_intel-wants-brain-implants-in-its-customers-heads-by-2020.htm
http://current.com/items/91510805_intel-wants-brain-implants-in-its-customers-heads-by-2020.htm
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
No In & Out here...
Here is a painted rock cheeseburger from Wyoming. It is much like the deception in the church today.
God’s promises are worth waiting for (acts 1:4)
Right from the start of the book of Acts we find Jesus speaking differently than the Apostles. (remember the boat discussion back in Mark 12?)
Here the Apostles wanted to know when Jesus would restore the Kingdom back to Israel,
but Jesus had something different in mind. Jesus had been thinking of them personally. God’s methods are always different than man’s. Jesus’ method here would come with a personal promise now, while the Apostles methods were based on future promise later.
Which promise needed to come first? The personal promise.
How often do we see the big picture and immediately shoot for it, only to end up with a gigantic failure? Criticisms, finger pointing, closed door discussions, and nasty little labels get tagged on to our reputation only because we placed the general revelation pre-maturely above our own spiritual necessities?
God wanted Israel’s restoration His way. His ways are pre-determined by the Father’s counsel and are hidden and fixed by His authority alone.
Once we get a handle on this truth, the revelation we once engaged in will eventually come super-naturally by divine decree. What we need to do presently counts forever, and until we do the things we need to do now, the greater vision will not come to pass
(until much later than perhaps intended.)
So let’s prioritize. Let’s not fail to understand the promises He has for us today because we are too focused on the promises of tomorrow.
The Apostles had to wait, because the promise of God to them was the gift of the Holy Ghost. Once they were endowed with the Spirit, they became satisfied with just being about Jesus’ mission, and not kingdom restoration.
Here the Apostles wanted to know when Jesus would restore the Kingdom back to Israel,
but Jesus had something different in mind. Jesus had been thinking of them personally. God’s methods are always different than man’s. Jesus’ method here would come with a personal promise now, while the Apostles methods were based on future promise later.
Which promise needed to come first? The personal promise.
How often do we see the big picture and immediately shoot for it, only to end up with a gigantic failure? Criticisms, finger pointing, closed door discussions, and nasty little labels get tagged on to our reputation only because we placed the general revelation pre-maturely above our own spiritual necessities?
God wanted Israel’s restoration His way. His ways are pre-determined by the Father’s counsel and are hidden and fixed by His authority alone.
Once we get a handle on this truth, the revelation we once engaged in will eventually come super-naturally by divine decree. What we need to do presently counts forever, and until we do the things we need to do now, the greater vision will not come to pass
(until much later than perhaps intended.)
So let’s prioritize. Let’s not fail to understand the promises He has for us today because we are too focused on the promises of tomorrow.
The Apostles had to wait, because the promise of God to them was the gift of the Holy Ghost. Once they were endowed with the Spirit, they became satisfied with just being about Jesus’ mission, and not kingdom restoration.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Is Jesus dead or alive? (mark 16:9-20)
We finish Mark’s gospel with a rebuke!
After Jesus had risen, He appeared first to Mary Mag. and she was instructed to go tell the others He was alive. The problem was, they did not believe her. Again, two witnesses on a country road met Jesus and He commanded them to do the same. The disciples did not believe them either. Then the Master Himself shows up and rebukes them (as they were reclining at the table) for their unbelief and hardness of heart. This must have been about the thirtieth time they had been rebuked over the same issue.
How would you like to be reclining at a table with a group of friends, let’s say after dinner, over a cup of coffee of coarse, and Jesus show’s up and shellacs you for your stiffness? Almost as if to say that the group assembled was nothing more than a bunch of posers because of their lack of faith and hardness of heart?
What are some of the promises of God that have been spoken over your life that you’ve stopped believing Him for? I know, Jesus is dead right? All you have to hold onto anymore is a memory of what could have been. So what do you do now? How about repent? Guess what? If Jesus is dead, you will live like that. But if Jesus is alive, you will live like that. So what is it? Is Jesus dead or alive?
The rebuke followed up with a commission.
Go! Get up… Stop reclining. Start believing that what could have been can still be if you live like Jesus is alive.
Make it a point today at this very moment to seek God and believe that He is the rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6)
After Jesus had risen, He appeared first to Mary Mag. and she was instructed to go tell the others He was alive. The problem was, they did not believe her. Again, two witnesses on a country road met Jesus and He commanded them to do the same. The disciples did not believe them either. Then the Master Himself shows up and rebukes them (as they were reclining at the table) for their unbelief and hardness of heart. This must have been about the thirtieth time they had been rebuked over the same issue.
How would you like to be reclining at a table with a group of friends, let’s say after dinner, over a cup of coffee of coarse, and Jesus show’s up and shellacs you for your stiffness? Almost as if to say that the group assembled was nothing more than a bunch of posers because of their lack of faith and hardness of heart?
What are some of the promises of God that have been spoken over your life that you’ve stopped believing Him for? I know, Jesus is dead right? All you have to hold onto anymore is a memory of what could have been. So what do you do now? How about repent? Guess what? If Jesus is dead, you will live like that. But if Jesus is alive, you will live like that. So what is it? Is Jesus dead or alive?
The rebuke followed up with a commission.
Go! Get up… Stop reclining. Start believing that what could have been can still be if you live like Jesus is alive.
Make it a point today at this very moment to seek God and believe that He is the rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6)
Friday, November 20, 2009
Now that’s a wrap! (Mark 15:43-46)
Often I get hungry for Mediterranean food. Kebabs are my favorite. A piping hot lamb’s wrap anointed with rich favorable spices on pita bread make for a very satisfying meal. Throw in some baba ganoush and hummus for dipping, and give me a nice Jordanian Muslim friend to dialogue about the differences of our religions….and I am good to go.
But consider this;
Could you imagine taking the dead, bloody, “lamb of God” down from the cross and wrapping His lifeless body in a shroud?
When Jesus was born, Mary, His mother, wrapped Him in swaddling cloths. When He died, Joseph (not his earthy father) wrapped Him in a shroud… Wow!!
This tells me that in every detail of Jesus’ life, there was significance, and, in every significant circumstance, we find a specific detail in the life of a person whom Jesus had touched. For instance, the Bible says here that Joseph took courage and went to Pilate.
As believers, if we can find revelation in swaddling cloths and shrouds, then we can certainly find revelation and significance in whatever embrace we find ourselves to be in today.
Like Joseph of Arimathea, take courage, because what appears to be dead today will mean life tomorrow in Christ.
Jesus is the resurrection and the life. (John 14:6)
Now that’s a wrap.
But consider this;
Could you imagine taking the dead, bloody, “lamb of God” down from the cross and wrapping His lifeless body in a shroud?
When Jesus was born, Mary, His mother, wrapped Him in swaddling cloths. When He died, Joseph (not his earthy father) wrapped Him in a shroud… Wow!!
This tells me that in every detail of Jesus’ life, there was significance, and, in every significant circumstance, we find a specific detail in the life of a person whom Jesus had touched. For instance, the Bible says here that Joseph took courage and went to Pilate.
As believers, if we can find revelation in swaddling cloths and shrouds, then we can certainly find revelation and significance in whatever embrace we find ourselves to be in today.
Like Joseph of Arimathea, take courage, because what appears to be dead today will mean life tomorrow in Christ.
Jesus is the resurrection and the life. (John 14:6)
Now that’s a wrap.
Jesus and fig tree's
I want to back track a second with more of my personal devotions that I had forgotten to publish recently. It’s taken from Mark 13:28-31 where Jesus explains the fig tree illustration.
I flesh this out from my own personal brokenness.
Jesus says that when the branches of the fig tree become tender, and begins to put out its leaves, you know summer is near. That is, though impervious, yet in the ordained time, as God has predetermined, the hardness of the branches soften, their leaves begin to grow, and figs soon spring forth, naturally.
How seemingly unfruitful our lives must become in this process of sanctifying hardness, when in moments like these, everything becomes dark, lonely and without purpose? Here in the depths of obscurity, is the opportune time provided for the devil, to launch his arrows and try to sift our faith through our weakness.
This is where faith gets tested. But for the elect’s sake (even) these days shall be shortened. For God knows how much we can handle. (1 Corinthians 10:13)
Soon, the barren tree’s circumstances begin to shift. The arms having become stiff by the drought of silent abandonment begin to soften, hands loosened in submission and obedience, and fruit springs forth super-naturally…
If in everything there is a season, ( eccles 3:1) then sink your roots deep into your dormancy, searching for the Living Water that sustains the inner-man. Trust also in Him, and He will bring it to pass. (ps 37:6-7)
I flesh this out from my own personal brokenness.
Jesus says that when the branches of the fig tree become tender, and begins to put out its leaves, you know summer is near. That is, though impervious, yet in the ordained time, as God has predetermined, the hardness of the branches soften, their leaves begin to grow, and figs soon spring forth, naturally.
How seemingly unfruitful our lives must become in this process of sanctifying hardness, when in moments like these, everything becomes dark, lonely and without purpose? Here in the depths of obscurity, is the opportune time provided for the devil, to launch his arrows and try to sift our faith through our weakness.
This is where faith gets tested. But for the elect’s sake (even) these days shall be shortened. For God knows how much we can handle. (1 Corinthians 10:13)
Soon, the barren tree’s circumstances begin to shift. The arms having become stiff by the drought of silent abandonment begin to soften, hands loosened in submission and obedience, and fruit springs forth super-naturally…
If in everything there is a season, ( eccles 3:1) then sink your roots deep into your dormancy, searching for the Living Water that sustains the inner-man. Trust also in Him, and He will bring it to pass. (ps 37:6-7)
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
A message from Bethany (Mark 14:3-9)
As I continue my meditations through the Gospel of Mark this morning, “anointing” became my operative word, and thus will be throughout the remainder of the day,as I reflect upon God’s anointing on my own life.
Jesus is the one who does the anointing. He infuses us with the Holy Spirit at the very moment of regeneration.
Here are two contrasting points represented in my text.
1) the anointing of death (old covenant)
2) the anointing for life (new covenant)
The scope of the issue is that in order to be anointed for life, one must die before Jesus can infuse us with His spirit. In order to aid us in the death process,He had to first prepare the ground through the application of the Cross.
It is then by belief, faith, and confession that we get sealed unto salvation by grace through His anointing or baptism.
In contrast, the woman’s anointing prepared His seal for death, while God’s anointing prepares our seal for redemption.
I came up with a few antonyms…
The woman’s seal was temporary, God’s seal is eternal.
The woman’s seal was a pleasant fragrance that would soon dimish with time.
God’s seal is an aroma to life from glory to glory.
The woman’s seal was expensive, God’s seal is priceless.
The woman’s seal was a sacrifice from savings.
God’s seal is a results from His sacrifice for our saving.
The woman’s seal was inspired by God.
God's seal is God inspired.
Jesus said the woman had done a beautiful thing to Him.
I’d say for believers, He has done a beautiful thing for us!
May we be a beautiful fragrance, anointing the heads of one another in peace.
Jesus is the one who does the anointing. He infuses us with the Holy Spirit at the very moment of regeneration.
Here are two contrasting points represented in my text.
1) the anointing of death (old covenant)
2) the anointing for life (new covenant)
The scope of the issue is that in order to be anointed for life, one must die before Jesus can infuse us with His spirit. In order to aid us in the death process,He had to first prepare the ground through the application of the Cross.
It is then by belief, faith, and confession that we get sealed unto salvation by grace through His anointing or baptism.
In contrast, the woman’s anointing prepared His seal for death, while God’s anointing prepares our seal for redemption.
I came up with a few antonyms…
The woman’s seal was temporary, God’s seal is eternal.
The woman’s seal was a pleasant fragrance that would soon dimish with time.
God’s seal is an aroma to life from glory to glory.
The woman’s seal was expensive, God’s seal is priceless.
The woman’s seal was a sacrifice from savings.
God’s seal is a results from His sacrifice for our saving.
The woman’s seal was inspired by God.
God's seal is God inspired.
Jesus said the woman had done a beautiful thing to Him.
I’d say for believers, He has done a beautiful thing for us!
May we be a beautiful fragrance, anointing the heads of one another in peace.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Faith
Ask and believe! (mark 12:24)
Faith is regarded as a normal attitude of the heart and mind when one begins to pray. It is not a sudden burst of emotion or even an isolated act.
Faith contemplates the effect as potentially accompanying its exercise, though the actual fulfillment may be delayed. Faith is seeing the fulfillment, before it happens!
Faith is regarded as a normal attitude of the heart and mind when one begins to pray. It is not a sudden burst of emotion or even an isolated act.
Faith contemplates the effect as potentially accompanying its exercise, though the actual fulfillment may be delayed. Faith is seeing the fulfillment, before it happens!
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Fruitless Ministry
Jesus came to find a fig tree in leaf. (Mark 11:12)
This fig tree gave an appearance of having much fruit, but as Jesus searched, he found none.
The incarnational Christ came to earth to bring Diety to humanity, although, what we see in this passage is His humanity, a limitation - He was hungry. However, the greater emphasis here is on the tree that had leafed prematurely. So much for appearances. According to this illustration "actions speak louder than words".
The two points of consideration should be the following: 1) The state of the present day evangelical church, and 2) Personal conversion. Both in need of fresh revelation. With the easterly winds of pluralism and relativity pressing hard against the sails of true Christian orthodoxy, we find, because of our embrace, a church quickly becoming shipwrecked. We are in great need of a second reformation, a revival of truth. With our post-modern methods of orthopraxy becoming the nucleus of our gathering, rather than the proclamation of the word, we have become much like this fig tree of old. As Jesus looks for fruit - He finds none.
The same can be said of some professing believers. To think, like many do, that mere intellectual assent is sufficient for salvation is no different than inviting unbelievers to church without offering them Jesus and His word. If the Word is what transforms a life ( Ps 1:2-3; John 14:17; 17:17) then we must scatter it faithfully, regardless of the outcome, with the final product being more on the lines of confessing rather than professing. Otherwise we may just as well be likened to this fruitless tree- cursed.
This fig tree gave an appearance of having much fruit, but as Jesus searched, he found none.
The incarnational Christ came to earth to bring Diety to humanity, although, what we see in this passage is His humanity, a limitation - He was hungry. However, the greater emphasis here is on the tree that had leafed prematurely. So much for appearances. According to this illustration "actions speak louder than words".
The two points of consideration should be the following: 1) The state of the present day evangelical church, and 2) Personal conversion. Both in need of fresh revelation. With the easterly winds of pluralism and relativity pressing hard against the sails of true Christian orthodoxy, we find, because of our embrace, a church quickly becoming shipwrecked. We are in great need of a second reformation, a revival of truth. With our post-modern methods of orthopraxy becoming the nucleus of our gathering, rather than the proclamation of the word, we have become much like this fig tree of old. As Jesus looks for fruit - He finds none.
The same can be said of some professing believers. To think, like many do, that mere intellectual assent is sufficient for salvation is no different than inviting unbelievers to church without offering them Jesus and His word. If the Word is what transforms a life ( Ps 1:2-3; John 14:17; 17:17) then we must scatter it faithfully, regardless of the outcome, with the final product being more on the lines of confessing rather than professing. Otherwise we may just as well be likened to this fruitless tree- cursed.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Progressive Revelation
I am currently studying a doctrine called "progressive revelation". Charles Hodge strongly supported it, and I have always been taught it. Here are some thoughts in support of it.
Within the confines of His written Word, God gradually unveils:
* The attributes of His triune nature
* His purpose and plan for His creation
* His two-fold plan for saving and blessing his two elect groups of people;the remnant of Isreal, and the church which is His body.
God progressively reveals truth about Himself and His will throughout the Bible.
God progressively changes the people He deals with throughout the Bible.
God progressively changes the way He deals with people throughout the Bible.
Within the confines of His written Word, God gradually unveils:
* The attributes of His triune nature
* His purpose and plan for His creation
* His two-fold plan for saving and blessing his two elect groups of people;the remnant of Isreal, and the church which is His body.
God progressively reveals truth about Himself and His will throughout the Bible.
God progressively changes the people He deals with throughout the Bible.
God progressively changes the way He deals with people throughout the Bible.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Doing life with God
A. W. Tozer posed this question, "What do you concieve God to be like"?
Well, after over 30 years of doing life with God, I would concieve God as a shaper; a molder; a breaker, and then a re-shaper. But after over 20 years of doing life with God in His service, my perception of God is that He is all of that, but loving; He is all of that, but, generous; He is all of that and faithful. He is my Creator King.
Well, after over 30 years of doing life with God, I would concieve God as a shaper; a molder; a breaker, and then a re-shaper. But after over 20 years of doing life with God in His service, my perception of God is that He is all of that, but loving; He is all of that, but, generous; He is all of that and faithful. He is my Creator King.
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