Knowing is more than being introduced...

Some of the people of Jerusalem therefore said, “Is not this the man whom they seek to kill? And here he is, speaking openly, and they say nothing to him! Can it be that the authorities really know that this is the Christ? But we know where this man comes from, and when the Christ appears, no one will know where he comes from.” So Jesus proclaimed, as he taught in the temple, “You know me, and you know where I come from. But I have not come of my own accord. He who sent me is true, and him you do not know. I know him, for I come from him, and he sent me.” So they were seeking to arrest him, but no one laid a hand on him, because his hour had not yet come. Yet many of the people believed in him. They said, “When the Christ appears, will he do more signs than this man has done?” (John 7:25–31)

In the past few days I’ve heard some unusual statements about the identity of Jesus. In a European country, a Christian told a resident about Him and heard this: “Who is Jesus? Is he a friend of yours?” This person had no knowledge of Him at all.

Another person on a social media site said Jesus is the true God that everyone should worship Him and not Jehovah. He had no idea of the deity of Christ and that He is Jehovah who came in human flesh to save us from our sin.

Many think that this name is just a swear word. They also do not realize the truth of His claim: 

“I am the one who bears witness about myself, and the Father who sent me bears witness about me.” They said to him therefore, “Where is your Father?” Jesus answered, “You know neither me nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father also.” (John 8:18–19). . . .  But you have not known him. I know him. If I were to say that I do not know him, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and I keep his word. Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad.” So the Jews said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?” Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” (John 8:55–58). . . .  I and the Father are one.” (John 10:30)

He told them if they did not believe His words, then believe His deeds, but that didn’t convince them either. This is one reason that I believe the identity of Jesus must be revealed by God to the human heart and mind. Otherwise, we don’t get it, at least not in a way that changes our destiny. This is why God says:

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. (Ephesians 2:8–9)

All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, or who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.” (Luke 10:22)

These things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. (1 Corinthians 2:10)

The Holy Spirit searches me too. Many times I’ve not realized reasons for my problems, or the puzzles of life, but in seeking Christ, the answers are revealed, mostly in the Bible, sometimes through others, even the odd time in dreams. Key is to keep looking and being open to what God says.

Jesus, You know everything. You are God in human flesh, God who can answer all my problems and meet all my needs. You know what it is like to be human, but without sin. I marvel that Your goal is to transform me to be like You. This can mean being misunderstood, even rejected, yet what a glorious hope. You revealed who You are to me, and that means no turning back or forgetting who You are. Praise Your holy Name! Amen!

 

The source of discernment…

About the middle of the feast Jesus went up into the temple and began teaching. The Jews therefore marveled, saying, “How is it that this man has learning, when he has never studied?” So Jesus answered them, “My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me. If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority. The one who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory; but the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and in him there is no falsehood. (John 7:14–18)

This passage tells me that the Lord gives discernment to those who trust Him. With the amount of knowledge and so-called knowledge flying at me, this is an anchor. It fits with this OT wisdom:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones. (Proverbs 3:5–8)

My daughter just sent me a link that says science is now discovering that cutting back on salt actually increases the problem less salt is supposed to solve. Of course the companies that make pills for the related problems want people to buy their ‘solutions’ yet these so-called cures are not fixing the real problem but making it worse.

The Word of God says that discernment is given to those who do not trust anything or anyone unless He says it is true. Since there are no chapters and verses on what medications to take, or not take, that means having an intimacy with Him that hears His take on all issues.

I know — there are many people who justify even evil deeds with “God told me” and that is not from an intimate relationship. Wanting to do the will of God means knowing as much about Him as possible. Can anyone read and understand the Bible and think that it is okay to do what God calls sin? 

I’m reading the Psalms again and those writers knew that others will twist what God says to justify their sin. These people will either be judged or shown mercy and be changed by grace. No one can escape the knowledge and discernment of God.

That said, He is quite willing to guide those who trust Him. Only by doing it do I discover His power to lead me concerning every detail of life. I know what to buy or not, what to ignore or heed. 

For you are my rock and my fortress; and for your name’s sake you lead me and guide me; (Psalm 31:3)
With upright heart he shepherded them and guided them with his skillful hand. (Psalm 78:72)

This week I had a few days of negative thoughts about growing old and unable and He gave me this verse — without me even looking for it:

Even to your old age I am he, and to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save. (Isaiah 46:4)

The key to discernment is not being smarter but being humble, needy, relying on the One who knows rather on my own understanding. It is in admitting how I need Him and His wisdom, turning from my own ideas and from evil rather that trusting whatever sounds good or appeals to me. 

Jesus, I am so grateful that You make Your will known and that I can trust You with all my heart and with every question and issue of life. Thank You and may I praise Your name forever!

 

Serving God is not a competition

Now a discussion arose between some of John’s disciples and a Jew over purification. And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, he who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you bore witness—look, he is baptizing, and all are going to him.” John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.’ The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. He must increase, but I must decrease.” (John 3:25–30)

John was truly humble. He could have envied what Jesus was doing. He could have taken credit for pointing others to Him. He could have boasted that God had sent him to do this important task. Yet he did not have “I” problems that reveal self-centered pride. He knew that the root of pride is saying that we can do without God. He also knew that pride is sin.

C. S. Lewis said: “The most obvious fact about praise escaped me for the longest…” pointing to the fact that we are created in His image and made to reflect that image to the world. It is why we exist, and this is not just about Christian service:

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved. (1 Corinthians 10:31–33)

Pride thinks I know best, that I can do it myself, that I am adequate. This is not a description of Abraham who is the father of faith:

No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. That is why his faith was “counted to him as righteousness.” But the words “it was counted to him” were not written for his sake alone, but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification. (Romans 4:20–25)

How to do it? First trust Him for everything and give Him glory by recognizing and publicly acknowledging His supreme worth and significance. Ascribe weight to Him, calling accurate public attention to His importance and proclaiming what He is and does. This is my fundamental purpose — to please, honor, and bring glory to my Creator and in every dimension of life, even eating and drinking.

It also means honoring Him above myself, and putting Him on display in both small and significant matters far deeper than religious expression, but in how I speak, work, what I wear and eat, how I care for myself and others, how I use the skills He gave me, and tell others how He cares for me.
All creation exists “from Him and through Him and to Him,” so I exist for His glory and through Christ’s life and death, with ultimate aim toward God’s glory. His grace is not meant to honor me nor is His glory is some sort of cosmic egotism. Instead it reveals Him with the goal to magnify human desire to know Him and be saved, like John said. He must increase, but I must decrease.

Jesus, I understand this by the difference I see in others when I tell of my achievements or when I point to You as the reason for anything good in my life. No one wants to be like me, but when I glorify You they seem drawn to You — with the hope that they can trust You and know Your grace and blessings. If I can be an expert in anything, it is the willingness and ability to decrease while You increase in all that I think, say, and do.

 

The power of memory

The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple he found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the money-changers sitting there. And making a whip of cords, he drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and oxen. And he poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables. And he told those who sold the pigeons, “Take these things away; do not make my Father’s house a house of trade.” His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.” So the Jews said to him, “What sign do you show us for doing these things?” Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jews then said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days?” But he was speaking about the temple of his body. When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken. (John 2:13–22)

A few weeks ago I told someone that if they had any unsolvable problems to call to Jesus; He would always be there for her. Later, I told a prayer warrior what I’d said but doubted that other person would remember. She encouraged me with, “God will bring it to her mind when she needs to hear it again.”

Memory is a problem for me. I have enough ADHD that if something isn’t written down, I usually forget it. One college professor told me lack of a good memory skill was my biggest flaw. Yet the praying friend has it right; if I really need to remember, God brings it to mind, at least He has. However, the older I get, the more I need it written down.

God isn’t stumped by my inabilities. In this case, He put me in the habit of daily Bible reading long before He redeemed me. I didn’t understand His Word then, but the habit was important. Now, I daily refresh my memory and have done so for more than fifty years. The fight against forgetting has not changed and may increase with age, but the Lord is faithful. He will help me remember what He says and use it to pick me up when I falter, just as He has always done.

I’ve sometimes worried about memory loss. My father had dementia. My mother had Alzheimer’s, yet they were happy and contented as their memories faded. My mother once said, “I’ve been through a lot. Worse things could happen to me.” I can say the same thing — and trust the Lord to remind me of that decision.

Lord, I’ve been purging my home and my computer and laugh at some of the stuff I’ve saved, never used, and wondered why I saved it. I also know that none of it will enter eternity with me. Such folly, yet there are some good things, and I’m so thankful that You have allowed and helped me remember many blessings of Your goodness to me. Thank You dear Lord.

 

God writes the endings…

Pilate addressed them once more, desiring to release Jesus, but they kept shouting, “Crucify, crucify him!” A third time he said to them, “Why? What evil has he done? I have found in him no guilt deserving death. I will therefore punish and release him.” But they were urgent, demanding with loud cries that he should be crucified. And their voices prevailed. So Pilate decided that their demand should be granted. He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, for whom they asked, but he delivered Jesus over to their will. (Luke 23:20–25)

While no one is innocent except Jesus, Pilate was willing to put Him to death for his own selfish gain. He didn’t want to lose his position. Such is the power of sin.

We watched a television series about a very popular police woman who rose to a top position because she was good at her job. But she was also willing to kill anyone who stood in her way. She did it in such a way that others took the blame until finally she was discovered, arrested, and charged for her evil ways.

This fiction story makes me wonder what happened to Pilate. History gives no definite story. He did govern Judea for a few more years, but used violence against Samaritans and was charged then exiled. After that, various groups created legends from regret, to suicide, to an eventual conversion with honor. Only God knows his final destiny.

The TV story ended with the police woman in a jail cell and with me relieved at justice accomplished. I could not imagine this fictional woman becoming a Christian. What does that say about loving my enemies? If this story had been real, I may have wanted her crucified, maybe forgetting or ignoring the fact that Jesus had already taken that punishment in her place. 

As hubby and I discussed it, and the sermon from Sunday about Jonah’s hate for the Ninevites, we agreed how challenging it is to pray for the Pilates of this world. At least Pilate realized that Jesus was not worthy of death. Today’s truants seem to have no idea about fair play, justice, or the daily stresses of life for ordinary people. Like the police woman in the fiction story, whoever gets in their way or opposes what they are doing is in grave danger. Some lose their jobs. Some mysteriously die or simply disappear.

When it comes down to innocence, we cannot say that any person is without guilt, at least before God. If He gave me what I deserve, I would not be here. But His love and mercy is why Jesus didn’t try to fool Pilate or the Pharisees; He spoke truth and died for the whole world, including me.  

Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. (1 Corinthians 6:9–11)

Pilate did wrong to crucify the innocent Son of God, but “this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.” (Acts 2:23–24)

God used this sinful decision of Pilate just as God knew He would, then raised Him from the dead — eternal life cannot die — so I (and Pilate) could be forgiven and receive that forever life.

Jesus, as Your redeemed child, being put to death by Your enemies could be the way You take me home. Fearing death is not the end, only a doorway. The Pilates of this world may win for a while in life or in fiction, but their story also has an ending. All of us, saints or stubborn rejectors, will wind up where You want us to be.

 

Is the end close?

And they asked (Jesus), “Teacher, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when these things are about to take place?” And he said, “See that you are not led astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and, ‘The time is at hand!’ Do not go after them. And when you hear of wars and tumults, do not be terrified, for these things must first take place, but the end will not be at once.” Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven. But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name’s sake. This will be your opportunity to bear witness. Settle it therefore in your minds not to meditate beforehand how to answer, for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict. You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and some of you they will put to death. You will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your lives. (Luke 21:7–19)

I know a person that seldom listens well. It seems she is busy planning her response and when it comes, the evidence of not listening is sometimes annoying, or at best, humorous. Really listening is an art. 

That said, I’ve written about the folly of trying to predict the day Jesus will come back. He said that even He does not know when His orders will send Him. We are just supposed to be ready. Is it possible that this description is telling Christians what to be ready for? And saying how important to listen rather than try to plan what will happen.

As I look at the list, the first item says many will come in His name claiming to be Him. Has that happened yet? Being ready means knowing Him so well that I’m not fooled by imposters. Listen.

Then it says there will be many wars with nations rising against nations and this must happen. He does not say why this is necessary, but I think it is one way people will realize their need of God, and Christians will see Him using the tumult of war to draw people to Himself. This tells me how to pray and not be terrified. Listen.

He also says there will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. While minor quakes happen frequently, it seems major quakes are increasing. Statistically, this is debatable, but it also tells me not to be anxious about things that only God can control. I cannot understand how He can use horrible events to draw others to Himself, but I can listen.

That most dreaded threat of severe persecution, even from family members, has been happening for centuries. Is it increasing? Reports say that approximately 388 million Christians face high levels of persecution, representing an increase of 8 million people compared to prior counts. Being ready involves being so certain that the worst others can do results in the best that can happen to me!

As for the actual return of Jesus, all these events signal it will happen, particularly the fear, but this is not to be feared because: 

“And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” (Luke 21:25–28)

Jesus, the daily news is often shocking, but it should not be fearful. As it unfolds, it verifies what You predicted and tells me to be ready, even excited. I will see You face to face and everything that causes fear will no longer exist. Come, Lord Jesus, come.

 

I can’t do this but I will say YES …

But he (Jesus) said to him, “A man once gave a great banquet and invited many. And at the time for the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’ But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it. Please have me excused.’ And another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to examine them. Please have me excused.’ And another said, ‘I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.’ So the servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house became angry and said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and crippled and blind and lame.’ And the servant said, ‘Sir, what you commanded has been done, and still there is room.’ And the master said to the servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled. For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet.’ ” (Luke 14:16–24)

My dad gave a title to those who made excuses for not doing much. He called them “Can’t men” as he urged us to not be like that. If asked to do a new thing, or a chore that we didn’t like, we were told to give it our best effort without making excuses.

Jesus did the same with this illustration of what some will do when invited by the Holy Spirit to feast with Jesus in the kingdom of God. This is the same invitation as being invited to trust Him for eternal life, the same invitation to trust Him to forgive their sin and make them His own. They didn’t want to do it and all their excuses were related to running their own lives. As the OT says, this is His definition of sin:

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:6)

The first part is like Sinatra’s song: “I will do it my way.” The second part gives the cure for sin; God put all of it on Jesus and He got what our sin deserves — death. This is why Jesus can make this startling statement: 

So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple. (Luke 14:33)

Becoming a Christian is entrance into living another way, feasting on what God provides rather than relying on our own desires, wants, or even our abilities. This transformation is both instant and a process. We are made into a child of God and adopted into His family, but it takes time to learn how to live like what we already are.

It is something like being drafted into the army; instantly a soldier, but boot camp and the front lines bring out the skills and teach us how to rely on the Lord instead of trying to do it my way. This involves falling in the mud and picking myself up — over and over again. It also works backwards. Instead of getting easier, the training never lets up and in some ways gets more difficult.

Someone once gave the excuse that he “could become a Christian any time I want” but I told him the more he said NO the less he would be invited. He was one of those “Can’t Man” types that made excuses to have his own way the rest of his life.

Jesus, all of this humbles me. Salvation is an amazing miracle of grace, an invitation to join You in an eternal family and an eternal feast. You worked in me such a hunger that when the invite came, saying YES seemed like the only decision. Amen.

Thy kingdom come…

He said therefore, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? It is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his garden, and it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches.” And again he said, “To what shall I compare the kingdom of God? It is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, until it was all leavened.” (Luke 13:18–21)

Jesus speaks prophetically. The Jews expected their Messiah would act quickly but He used two similes to tell them that His kingdom would start small yet grow large and the progress would be slow.

The first description was well-known in the Jewish world. This little seed often becomes a tree so tall that a man could climb up into the branches or ride beneath it on horseback. However, at that time it seemed impossible that one man and a few followers would become a large element like this common scenario of a little seed becoming a tree with spreading branches.

The second description is about how that kingdom changes the hearts of those who enter it. Leaven at that time was a lump of sour dough that was introduced into a far greater mass of fresh dough. It then produced the same condition into that greater mass which eventually became a wholesome, agreeable food. This type of bread is common today with many bakeries specializing in it.

Jesus used it to illustrate how quietly and silently His teaching and message would make its way into human hearts. He also said that those who spread it “will not quarrel or cry aloud, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets.” (Matthew 12:19) During His life, this seemed impossible yet it was already at work.In a century and a half after He said these words, the whole civilized world knew something of Jesus’ history and teaching. His disciples were counted by tens of thousands. 

Jesus even used the number three. He could have meant the division of people into body, soul, and spirit, but this number is also a symbol of completeness, signifying that God's purpose would influence all of humanity and the time when all nations would worship Him. 

It started small: He was was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:6–11)

Jesus, that was more than 2000 years ago and Your hearers never dreamed of a slow and quiet building of Your kingdom. They expected speed and Your speedy return to earth, yet what You said in two short descriptions tells me to be patient — yet expecting and ready. You always do what You say and I can trust You to complete the task of building Your kingdom. It will be perfect and everlasting. 

 

Being the person God created…

In the meantime, when so many thousands of the people had gathered together that they were trampling one another, he began to say to his disciples first, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops. (Luke 12:1–3)

Hypocrisy is when a person says one thing but does another. This word is usually attached to morals. Example: A driver honks and screams at cars for changing lanes too fast, then cuts across three lanes without using his signal lights. In broader terms, it is giving rules for how others should live, but breaking those rules in my own life. Jesus says this sort of life eventually is exposed.

Christians are often called hypocrites. We know how God wants us to live, talk, even think, yet we do things, or say things, and even think the opposite. While that sort of problem has an explanation, so does the cure. First the explanation:

But that is not the way you learned Christ!— assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. (Ephesians 4:20–24)

We who have a saving faith in Jesus Christ are given a new nature to live by, and though the old nature is termed ‘dead’ (that means ‘separated from God’ rather than unable to act, talk, and think), we do have a choice, not an excuse. It is simple:

But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. (Romans 13:14)

We need to change our thinking: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:2)

Anyone who uses the accusation of ‘hypocrite’ know the difficulty and challenge of changing how to think or even admit the need to change. This not an excuse, but it is a matter of faith. Do I believe I know better than God? Do I even know what God thinks about concerning what I pray about? I have a friend who says, “Why pray when you can worry?” illustrating how easily it is to be a hypocrite if worry is a person’s habit of life.

Humility pops into this equation too. If I think I am right all the time (pride), listening to God’s view and putting it into practice is not easy. I have to see myself as weak, needy, and often downright stupid. This is not popular in a world that tells us we need to have a positive self-image. God’s ways are not our ways. Pride blocks them.

God, You know every thought I think or whisper and what opposites exist in what I say compared to how I live. You call it how You see it. I’m not to be as the Pharisees, but to be like Jesus, and the only way to do that is to keep my sins acknowledged, confessed, and abandoned, then be filled with Your Spirit and walk that way with no provision for the flesh. You give me what is needed. My choice is to believe You and live like it. 

Light that changes lives

“No one after lighting a lamp puts it in a cellar or under a basket, but on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light. Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light, but when it is bad, your body is full of darkness. Therefore be careful lest the light in you be darkness. If then your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, it will be wholly bright, as when a lamp with its rays gives you light.” (Luke 11:33–36)

In context, Jesus seems to be talking about Himself and the light that He sheds, but other passages use these terms to tell the disciples to shine the light He gives them so it might be seen or experienced by others. At the same time, His words indicate that the light we have must be pure. If there is sin present, then it becomes dark or untrue or hidden. Others cannot see truth in the way that I live if I don’t live according to the light that Christ gives me.

This is not a guarantee that if I live it, they will see it. Jesus lived a perfect life and they missed it. Even the reality of His resurrection was not discerned by their dark eyes.
This is logical. Our light depends on the reality of His eternal life:

Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. (1 Corinthians 15:12–14)

This passage goes on to say, “If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.” (1 Corinthians 15:17–19)

Whatever light God has given depends on this one truth. If Jesus was not raised, then I have nothing to tell people that is powerful for them. Living a good life means nothing. Even answered prayer can be called a ‘coincidence’ by those who hear such things. Key to believing the gospel is the reality of the resurrection, not my light or the light shone by all the godly living of all His saints. It may get the attention of those who want a better life for themselves, yet if that light is perceived only as something I’m doing apart from the living Lord Jesus, they are still in the dark. Paul knew this, which is why he wrote: “By the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.” (1 Corinthians 15:10)

And Lord Jesus, if my testimony is about me and what I have done and what I believe, and full of me, me, me, then I am not shining — a huge part is the dark when I foolishly rob God of His glory by telling others what I did or in any way make the gospel about me. That is a huge lack of discernment about the real needs of others, and even boasting or hypocrisy on my part. Shame on me. 

 

 

Loving? Or showing off?

One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee’s house and reclined at table. And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. 
Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner.” 
And Jesus answering said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” 
And he answered, “Say it, Teacher.” 
“A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?” 
Simon answered, “The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt.” 
And he said to him, “You have judged rightly.” Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” 
Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?” 
And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” (Luke 7:36–50)

Learning the difference between loving and selfishness doesn’t always seem so obvious. However, I’ve often said I could have various motivations for taking a fresh pie to a new comer. I could genuinely welcome them to the neighborhood, or just want to show off my pie-baking skills. Or I could invite a movie star, or a local politician, or a pastor over for dinner to show off my house or cooking or whatever, or I could be invited by such a person for whatever their reasons and go to boast about it. I’ve eaten with famous writers, so I know I can boast about that. Sigh. Or I could be genuinely interested to know them, or meet their needs, or simple care and love them. 

One motivation is all about self. The other demonstrates that I’ve realized I am nothing yet God has forgiven my sin and changed my life. Simple. Or is it?

Most Christians struggle with “I” problems and the older we get, the deeper the struggle. We have learned the power of prayer and the devil knows if he can toss a sin in the mix, God will work on that issue instead of what I’m praying for. My godliness is more of a priority to Him than whatever I think is important.

The Pharisees asked who is this one who forgives sins. They should have wondered why they did not love Him as much as this sinful woman loved Him and what needed to happen so their sin was forgiven.

Oh Jesus, I know that You love me. Why You do is not about me for I am nothing and not worthy. The why is who You are, the God who wants me to live for You because that is the best way for me to live. Your blessings are all about who You are, not who I am.

The value of humility

Now a centurion had a servant who was sick and at the point of death, who was highly valued by him. When the centurion heard about Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and heal his servant. And when they came to Jesus, they pleaded with him earnestly, saying, “He is worthy to have you do this for him, for he loves our nation, and he is the one who built us our synagogue.” And Jesus went with them. When he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends, saying to him, “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof. Therefore I did not presume to come to you. But say the word, and let my servant be healed. For I too am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me: and I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, said, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.” And when those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the servant well. (Luke 7:2–10)

On Monday I had another eye appointment. I’d earlier gone to my regular optometrist who suspected the beginning of problem with the other eye and sent me to a specialist who gave me weekly shots and said I’d need them for the rest of my life. However this one was several weeks from the previous shot. However, for some reason, I was even more nervous than usual. Getting a needle in the eye is not fun.

On the way there, I prayed, mostly for a calm attitude. However, I also asked for a good result. The surprise happened; the tests showed no more symptoms. I believed God could do that but didn’t know if He would. The next check up is months from now.

In the above passage, Jesus went with the centurion, not because of his good reputation. This man understood Jesus’ authority, but he also understood that he was not worthy to have Jesus in his home, and that He could heal from wherever He was. In other words, he knew that Jesus was no ordinary man. He was able to heal his servant without any merit or doing anything to deserve such a blessing.

In my car on the way to the eye doc, I was thinking more about my lack of worth and about this painful procedure than about deserving anything from the Lord, never mind a reversal on the tests from the last visit. Oddly enough, having that happen makes me feel even less worthy. It also makes me realize the important relationship between faith and humility. Those with great faith never feel as if they deserve blessings or rewards, the opposite of how even Christians can assume God owes them.

Lord, yesterday, people disappointed me and I felt unworthy. Today the same people blessed me, yet my first reaction was to thank God rather than think I was due that blessing. Jesus, being a Christian with faith in You is so different than being my old self. You said this: ”Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted” (Matthew 23:12) and Peter learned it: “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you” (1 Peter 5:6) so that I might learn it also. Again, I am blessed.

 

 

Proof of eternal life…

As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall become straight, and the rough places shall become level ways, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’ ” He said therefore to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruits in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” (Luke 3:4–9)

All through the OT God told His people how to live, and even though some of them trusted Him and were faithful, most of them could not do it. Trusting Abraham was not adequate to produce the lives God wanted. So the Lord had to do something drastic.

Yesterday I heard an expose on ten large churches that teach error regarding how to live for God. Almost all of them were encouraged to use “faith” to live for themselves. “Be healthy, wealthy, and wise, and God will bless you.” Earn it. The sad part is that for many this prosperity gospel works, particularly the leaders of those churches, but for this life only.

However, as John the Baptist, and Jesus, and the disciples, and millions of later followers preached, living the rules does not produce evidence of new life.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. (Galatians 5:22–24)

Joy that does not depend on external circumstances. Peace that deeply comforts no matter what. Patience in trials, kindness to all, even enemies… and death to selfishness and greed. This is Holy Spirit fruit and without Him in my life, I simply cannot live that way. Some can look good on the surface (I cannot) but the heart is all about self.

Since I’m not supposed to judge others, discerning false faith is a challenge. But out of the heart comes words that show me what to say and how to pray for those who are trying to earn their salvation, or are using religious practices with the hope of being “good enough” to earn God’s blessing. This passage is both helpful and a warning:

He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 18:9–14)

It is easy to exalt myself and rob Jesus of the glory He alone deserves. Pride is a big enemy of truth.

Lord, You alone save. I cannot bear fruit, or talk right, or think godly thoughts apart from You and the grace You give. Every day You remind me and I’m thankful that You patiently put up with my lapses — sins that You died for yet You forgive. More than that, You keep cleansing my heart and drawing me into humility and living for You. Protect me and help me to be grateful every day for Your incredible mercy.

Keep Praying

As they (the disciples) passed by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered away to its roots. And Peter remembered and said to him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered.” And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.” (Mark 11:20–25)

In a prayer time with others, we agreed that it often easier to walk by sight than by faith when it comes to praying. Each of us had long-term prayers that had not yet been answered. Sometimes God uses that kind of waiting to build our faith and patience. Sometimes He uses it to show us something we need to confess, like lack of forgiveness. But sometimes He is answering the prayer and does not show us the answer.

I heard the amazing story of a missionary in Africa who had been threatened by the natives who opposed him. However, they didn’t show up on the day they told him he would die. Much later, those natives became Christians and he asked them why they had not come when they said they would. He was told that they did come but the missionary and his co-workers were surrounded by a number of large “giants” and they fled in fear.

Much later, he was on furlough in his home church and told this story. Someone in the church asked the date that happened, then dug out the church records to discover that there had been a prayer meeting that day — attended by the same number of people as the number of giants his enemies had seen!

What can be said to that? Do I have any idea what God is doing because of prayer? Because of my prayers? 

There are two lessons in the words of Jesus. One is to keep praying without doubt in my heart. He hears and I cannot always see or even predict the outcome. 

The other is to keep short accounts. If I have any attitude or action in my life that is contrary to the will of God, He is going to deal with that first, not my prayer request. In other words, unconfessed sin means no answer or delayed answers to my prayers. Keep my life clean and who knows — God may turn my words into giants.

Lord Jesus, this story motivates me, not just to pray about the problems and needs that I can see, but for Your people at work in the world that I cannot see, anything or anyone that You put on my heart. Nothing is too hard for You and no problem or evil is unsolvable or impossible to deal with. You don’t need to show me what You are doing. Just keep building my faith so I trust that You are hearing and doing what needs to be done!

 
 

Two become one…

And Pharisees came up and in order to test him asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” He answered them, “What did Moses command you?” They said, “Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of divorce and to send her away.” And Jesus said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart he wrote you this commandment. But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’ ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” (Mark 10:2–9)

My first husband died several years ago. My current hubby and I have been married more than fifty years. We have been asked what is the secret for a long marriage. My hubby says “patience and forgiveness.” I say “Jesus” because without Him and the grace of the Holy Spirit, neither patience or forgiveness happen easily or last very long.

Sometimes we disagree and talk it out, but many times one of us says something like, “We should invite … for dinner” and the other one says, “I was just thinking the same thing.” 
Over the years, several thoughts help us build unity. For example, when both of us seek to better know the Lord, we become closer to each other. This week I heard another truth that hit home…

A man was asked how he could stay married to the same woman for 57 years. He said, “She wasn’t the same woman.” He went on to explain that from age 22 to age 79, she changed. It doesn’t take much imagination to think of how that happens. Being a wife changes a woman, as does being a career person, and/or a mother, and a grandmother. Life itself changes us.
He said he was not the same man either. He was following Jesus Christ and by doing that, God was changing him. This is the destiny of all who belong to Him:

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. (Romans 8:28–30)

These are incredible words for a life, but also for a marriage. God uses all things to make a man and his wife more like Jesus. Cooperating with Him means loving like He loves — forgiving and patient, but also through thick and thin, better or worse. Just knowing the power of God to use one another’s quirks and foibles for good is like glue rather than like causes for wanting a divorce.

Lord God, how many times have we done things that would make most people walk away, yet You used them for good. You are our Savior and Lord, the One who not only overcomes our sinful selfishness, but takes the worst of it to draw us to You and to change our attitudes. Yes, the secret of a long and happy marriage involves cooperation with You, but those who are without You may be the reason for a climbing divorce rate.

Teamwork is a wonderful thing!

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18–20)

While Jesus said this to His disciples, it has been assumed that this ‘Great Commission’ applies to all Christians. Those who cannot go to all nations are told that their mission field is the people around them. If a believer is not gifted in evangelism, we hear that we must obey this command anyway.

Whatever others might say, it seems to me that this command is not singular in that sense, but it is speaking to the body of Christ. We are to obey it as a unit. That is, some are specifically told to pack up and go while others do their work of obedience at home or in the support of those who are able and active in the work of making disciples. 

As part of the body of Christ, I can financially support those in the mission field, and encourage them in various ways. One couple in a far-away country told me that I was the only one that actually wrote letters to them, a bit of a shock but helped me realize the value of having verbal support as well as monthly dollars.

Also, those who cannot go out but are confined to home by illness, or small children, or a number of other reasons can help make disciples by praying for them. As Paul said:

. . . . take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. (Ephesians 6:17–20)

Paul wrote that from jail, so he was obedient to this ‘great commission’ wherever he was at, yet obviously aware that not everyone was called to take his role and also aware that he needed their prayer support. 

Besides financial support, prayer, and encouragement, part of this task is teaching to others all that God has taught me. Several years ago after a long involvement with a Christian writers organization, I left my very busy role of leadership, partly because it gave me no time to develop writing skills or use them. I asked God, “What next?” And He clearly said, “Publish what I am teaching you in an online blog.” 

I was stunned. At that time, the only blogs I’d read were self-serving rants, so I was a bit horrified too, but now realize this was His way of plugging me into being part of His commission. I didn’t have to go anywhere except into His Word and do what He said to me, then tell others.

Jesus, You know that when we have communion on a regular basis in our church, the sense of being part of a family and a united work force sweeps over me with great joy. I know that You are using all of us to reach out, whether we teach, talk, share our lives, pray, send money or whatever He asks of us. Sometimes my co-workers undergo trials and need extra support and prayer. Most of all, we need to encourage one another to love You and love those around us. Teamwork is a beautiful thing!

 
 

Quit guessing

But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left. Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. (Matthew 24:36–44)

Yesterday I repeated to my praying friends that I’ve never been able to second-guess God. I’ve learned that too much of my prayer requests are more like telling Him what I want Him to do, and His response is never what I thought it would be and always a surprise, not a surprise that He answered, but exactly what He did about the issue.

This means that that He has taught me to stop speculating. I cannot say, “Maybe God will do this or that” because I have no clue what His plan is or what He will do. I am not God and even making suggestions to Him about how to answer my prayers is simply impertinent. 

As I read what Jesus said about His return, it seems important that even He does not know the day or the hour. Some might say this is His humanness talking, but as God He must know. Yet I read it again — He says only the Father knows, not the Son.

Why? Well, if I am to be like Jesus, this is a trust issue. He is coming back. My role is not speculation about the time or how it will happen, but to be doing what He says. I could waste a lot of time researching all the definitions and descriptions when He asked me to have coffee with my neighbor who needs to hear the gospel. He will let me know what I should be doing, not what He is doing.

Even if I could figure it out, the last line verifies that being ready is more important, for He will not show up when I expect it. So all my ideas are useless anyway.

Jesus, You convince me to be alert to Your Spirit and involved in whatever Your will is for me. Only vanity can make me think this day or year or whatever. You also convince me that how and when You do show up, no one will be able to say, “I told you so.” 

 

"And all will be changed. . . . "

Then the Pharisees went and plotted how to entangle him in his words. And they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are true and teach the way of God truthfully, and you do not care about anyone’s opinion, for you are not swayed by appearances. Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, “Why put me to the test, you hypocrites? Show me the coin for the tax.” And they brought him a denarius. And Jesus said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” They said, “Caesar’s.” Then he said to them, “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” When they heard it, they marveled. And they left him and went away. (Matthew 22:15–22)

The Pharisees were more concerned about trapping Jesus yet they gave Him opportunity to make a point. Money is not about this life. The Bible also says that loving it is the root of all evil. 

I’m reminded that my ‘stuff’ falls into the same category. In the past few weeks I found myself reminding several friends that we cannot take our earthly possessions with us when we die, particularly money. This is true of all material possessions. By the grace of God we get to use them while we are here, but He is in charge of what we have. I’m only a steward and responsible for what I do with it.

The next passage is also about earthly issues vs. what is ours after death and in the resurrection:

The same day Sadducees came to him, who say that there is no resurrection, and they asked him a question, saying, “Teacher, Moses said, ‘If a man dies having no children, his brother must marry the widow and raise up offspring for his brother.’ Now there were seven brothers among us. The first married and died, and having no offspring left his wife to his brother. So too the second and third, down to the seventh. After them all, the woman died. In the resurrection, therefore, of the seven, whose wife will she be? For they all had her.” But Jesus answered them, “You are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. And as for the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was said to you by God: ‘I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not God of the dead, but of the living.” And when the crowd heard it, they were astonished at his teaching. (Matthew 22:23–33)

I had a long talk with a dear relative who is in a cult. His wife just died after years of suffering and in a wheelchair. He is comforting himself that when he dies, they will be together again. At this point, reminding him of the above truths was not appropriate. However, we did agree that God has kept us largely in the dark concerning the nature of eternity. 

Comparing these two thoughts means we do not take our current relationships with us either. Those with money will not be bulging at the pockets. Those with fancy clothes, cars, and other possession will not need them. And those married more than once do not have to wonder who their spouse will be for eternity. God’s plan covers all those issues.

Lord Jesus, Your church is Your bride. We will be fully united to You. All our needs will be covered even as they are covered here. Whether we spend eternity here on a renewed earth or somewhere else, heaven is not just a place but about being in Your presence with no more sorrows or tears, and all needs fully met. It is seeing You face to face with a deep realization of who You are and what You have done. For now, help me keep the difference between here and now sorted out from there and forever. 

 

Two become one...

Now when Jesus had finished these sayings, he went away from Galilee and entered the region of Judea beyond the Jordan. And large crowds followed him, and he healed them there. And Pharisees came up to him and tested him by asking, “Is it lawful to divorce one’s wife for any cause?” He answered, “Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” They said to him, “Why then did Moses command one to give a certificate of divorce and to send her away?” He said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. And I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery.” (Matthew 19:1–9)

Theologians and ordinary believers are uncertain how to interpret this passage, and I hesitate because I was divorced before I knew Christ or what He had to say about it. However, in more than fifty years of a second marriage, God has taught us many things about the meaning of this union. In knowing what He didn’t approve of, we learned much.

In Jesus’ day, some thought divorce was permissible if the husband ceased to love his wife, or had seen some one whom he liked better, or even because she cooked his dinner badly. Another group permitted divorce only in case of fornication, adultery, or some offense against chastity. Obviously, this had something to do with bringing the contention to Jesus. Taking either side would put Him in trouble with the other view. 

These days and in our culture, some people used to stick together for the sake of the children. Others decide that if the feeling is gone and there is no more emotional love then there is no reason to stay married. The issues can be complicated, but the divorce rate in North America is at least 30% and upward. 

Marriage challenges are common. We watched a show about newlyweds. He was a neat-freak and she kicked her shoes off at the door and left them there. Both felt unloved. A well-known book on love languages tells of givers married to people who feel most loved when people listen to them. The giver thinks those gifts say it, but the silence is all the other partner hears. Marriage bliss is complicated.

What does the Bible say about avoiding divorce? This makes the problem even greater:

Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body. “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband. (Ephesians 5:22–33)

In short terms, a couple is to be a picture of Christ and His church. He is to love and lead, and she is to respect and follow. Most women and many men think this is nonsense. Only those who do it find the joy of being in a ‘one flesh’ relationship. This means overcoming the differences in how each think. Imagine the challenge to a church to know and do the will of God. Imagine the challenge to lead a woman who wants to be her own leader and love her when she resists. Imagine the challenge to follow a man who refuses to seek God's will. Marriage that lasts is not easy, never mind happy.

Lord God, You stuck with the lessons and keep teaching me what it means to be a wife that does Your will. You also have taught my hubby much about loving me like You love me. Like he says, patience and forgiveness are vital. I can be a bossy and demanding person with a critical attitude. Yet here we are fifty-five years later. You are amazingly merciful to help us stick to ‘for better or for worse’ and amazingly patient with our many mistakes!

Genuine Forgiveness

Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times. Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt.” (Matthew 18:21–27)

Nearly every movie or television series I can think of involves lack of forgiveness. Someone hurts or betrays another person and retaliation follows. Yet Jesus speaks of the solution for such conflict and His cure rarely makes fiction never mind the reality of daily life.

From the War of the Roses in the 1400’s to the Hatfields and McCoys in the late 1800s, to modern family disputes, there are many feuds over everything from positions of power to who owns what, to what to call a family business, people fight over just about everything. Not only are some spats extremely petty, we travelled Europe several years ago and discovered people groups that held grudges against others for something that happened hundreds of years prior. 

I understand. I’ve been angry over nasty remarks and other less serious treatment, and griped far too long, finally realizing that my lack of forgiveness hurt me far more than it bothered the other person. What Jesus has done is illustrated in the story:

“But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.” (Matthew 18:28–35)

If I could total up my sins, I might go out and hang myself as Judas did, and then not experience the forgiveness offered by Jesus. Like the servant who owed more than he could ever pay, I have no right or reason to not forgive those who owe me or who have hurt me. 

Oh, forgiveness is not forgetting, or putting the injury out of mind. It is choosing not to hold against the other person whatever they did. No retaliation or revenge. No bad thoughts. No complaining or gossip to others.

One thing that helps me forgive someone is think about my own sins and how much Jesus has forgiven me.

Jesus. This is just another way to grow into Your image, to be like You. I’m not to hold grudges, but be quick to forgive. I would love to see that attitude in our selfish world, but right now, the best I can do is have it myself.

 

Proof of who Jesus is…

Then a demon-oppressed man who was blind and mute was brought to him, and he healed him, so that the man spoke and saw. And all the people were amazed, and said, “Can this be the Son of David?” But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this man casts out demons.” Knowing their thoughts, he said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. Or how can someone enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? Then indeed he may plunder his house. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come. (Matthew 12:22–32)

This tells how the religious leaders of Jesus’ day thought that His power came from Satan rather than God. Jesus called this the unforgivable sin. They, and many like them, do not think or teach that Jesus is God in human flesh. If the Holy Spirit is telling them otherwise and they are resisting Him, then this sin is not forgiven nor can it be — because the forgiveness included in redemption includes knowing who Jesus is. He is not “a son” or an empowered man, or only a prophet, or an angel, and certainly not an instrument of Satan. As been said, He is not a liar or a deceiver either. 

The difficulty is that His identity must be revealed to a willing heart, and only the Holy Spirit can do that. While He is unlimited in the ways He might use, to deny what He says is unforgivable because knowing Jesus in a saving relationship must include knowing who He is. Denying His deity is the same thing as denying the Holy Spirit and that equates to ‘unforgivable.’

This is he who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not by the water only but by the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. For there are three that testify: the Spirit and the water and the blood; and these three agree. If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater, for this is the testimony of God that he has borne concerning his Son. Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. Whoever does not believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has borne concerning his Son. And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. (1 John 5:6–12)

Not understanding how God can be triune and yet one God is not an excuse for rejecting this reality. All that do that rationalize that if they cannot figure it out, it must not be true. Deeper still, those who believe it realize that if God had to become a man and die for my sin, then there is nothing I could do to earn or deserve it. How humbling is that! Of course human pride resists the Spirit telling us we are helpless without Him.

Lord Jesus, You reveal Yourself and make known Your identity to those who know and accept this: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." (Ephesians 2:8–9) Thank You for making me  aware of how much the Spirit  of God is needed to be able to have a saving relationship with You through mercy and grace, and that my ‘goodness’ can never be good enough. I am eternally grateful!

 
 

Stand Up for Jesus

Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles. When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next, for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes. “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household. “So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 10:16–33)

Currently in our country and culture, all religions are allowed or tolerated. Only Christians are slipping out of that toleration in several ways. We cannot speak out against certain sins because this is now unlawful. While some ministries are admired, most of the time many non-believers consider us a bit weird or pay no attention to us at all.

As I read the above passage, I wondered if persecution is better than being ignored. When people protest truth, it is usually because they ‘get it’ but don’t want to hear it. No reaction at all could indicate a much harder heart. 

The point Jesus makes is that no matter how others treat us, He watches over us and as we continue to stand up for Him, He continues to represent us to His Father and promises His peace to those who rely on Him. 

Do you now believe? Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:31–33)

Many tend to think that the worst persecutors can do is put us to death, but forget that death shoves us out of this place into eternal glory with Him. No wonder He asks if I now believe!

Jesus, there are days I want to leave this life and be with You. Usually I’m feeling sorry for myself. Far better to join You because my life or words have convicted someone, eventually even brought them to their knees, then to be comfortable and safe but those around me remain without faith and are denied by You. You do not author fear but love and a sound mind. Grant me the love, peace and joy of the Holy Spirit that others can hear and hopefully see a clearer picture of You. 

 

Part of the job description…

And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” (Matthew 9:35–38)

Did the disciples pray as instructed? Likely. And the next few verses tell that they were the ones sent out to labor in His harvest!

Rarely have I heard anyone pray this way. Perhaps most are like me; I don’t want to ask God to send out workers because I’m not keen about being sent. My early excuses were three children who need their mother. Then my husband’s work keeps us moving too much and I cannot fit in missionary work with being a supportive wife. Other reasons may not have been as reasonable. Now I’m just too old.

Yet none of these are a problem for God. My sister had three kids, and ran a business, but she was also a harvester. Her grandchildren all love Jesus because she saw them as Jesus does — sheep without a shepherd. If that were my only example, it is enough to make me pray as Jesus instructed.

I’m finally learning how to put the Lord into everyday conversations. He keeps surprising me and as my story comes out, His Name is part of it. Sometimes just the mention of His Name results in meeting a brother or sister in Christ that I would otherwise not be aware of their faith. 

More often, most people say nothing. However, a wise sister in the Lord reminds me that God can bring my words back to them when they need to hear them. Praying this way might be more like planting seeds than bringing in a harvest. Or more like watering and nourishing someone else’s work than reaping the results, but when God nudges me to be the answer to my own prayers, how vital to realize the value of being part of His work in the lives of those who do not yet know Him.

Lord Jesus, I can make excuses, but You are able to bypass that foolishness and use people as You choose. Prayer like this merely makes us more aware and more willing. Work in my heart as I pray that You will keep working and putting Your people where we can do the most good to build Your kingdom.