Not very long after his death Jesus met with two of his disciples along a road to a town called Emmaus and engaged them in conversation. The scripture says they recognized him only after he broke bread with them. The scripture also says he opened their minds so they could understand the scriptures.
This mind opening experience was obviously something that never happened before or ever again in the same way. Maybe this was also preparation for what they would later experience in Jerusalem, the infilling of the Holy Spirit.
This event was so important remaining in Jerusalem until it occurred was a command not a request from Jesus. This was not just another happening in the lives of the disciples who followed him, but this would become the one dramatic event that would change their lives forever.
The book of Acts states (Acts1:8) what would happen when the Holy Spirit descended. The word witness (martus)in the verse means martyr. They would be filled with the Spirit of a martyr, the willingness to die for what they believed and die they would.
Most of the disciples died some violent deaths. Peter beheaded, Andrew his brother crucified, James beheaded, Matthew speared to death, Bartholomew beaten then stoned, and these are just a few there were more. Yet with these violent deaths not one would ever deny Christ as they did before the experience in Acts.
Yes these we’re different men, the infilling power of the Holy Spirit would change their lives, as he does ours today. Take a moment and think about this, there must be something in your life he is asking you to die to.
We have no excuse today, we have the Holy Spirit and he has entered the believer’s heart. The same spirit of God that brings the conviction of a Martyr.
Jesus asks His disciples (Matt 16:14) “Who do men say that I am” they responded by referencing several different people. He then asks an apparent pre-determined question, “Who do you say that I am”? The apostle Peter answers him with clarity and insight just having received revelation, (Matt 16:17) He saw Jesus just as He was and stated “thou art the Christ the Son of the living God”.
It’s apparent he witnessed something profound by his statement. The Christ (divine nature) Son of the living God (person) this was a deep look into who Jesus really was, provided by the only means possible, God.
This ability and capacity is deposited into every believer so they too can look past the surface into the true nature of a thing.
Paul spoke of this ability when he stated (2 Cor 5:16) how he once viewed others and Jesus from a worldly (human / superficial) view but no longer looks through this lens. It appears this God-given capacity is to be used in how we view others while arriving at opinions of them.
Engaging this would diminish issues and confrontations common between people. They would view each other differently reducing the possibility of offences which damage and often destroy good relationships.
We are equipped by God to realize there are spiritual agitators behind the attitudes people express.
Look at the conversation between Jesus and Peter (Matt16:23), not long after Peter received the revelation of Christ. There was almost a confrontation between them but Jesus deflects it by speaking not to Peter but the spirit (Satan) that motivated Peter’s words.
The church is founded on a rock, that rock we know is Jesus who deposited in us (as the Church) the same spiritual capacity of revelation He walked in.
It was the cross that provided the best example. Jesus demonstrated His powerful ability and deep insight in one of His final statements (Lk 23:34) to those who taunted, ridiculed and nailed Him to that cross, “Father forgive them they know not what they do” He just looked beyond the veil.
Not only does He look beyond the people to the true motivator but this insight empowers Him to forgive. People will engage this more readily when they understand the true motivator behind negative actions.
When the cover is lifted off the deceiver (2 Cor 2:11) what has been unmasked is one of his many schemes. Those schemes are design to steal, kill and destroy yet we were told that the church would operate at such a level the gates of Hades would not withstand it.
People are responsible for their actions I am not endorsing abdication; however as Christ followers armed with this understanding we become the empowered body the Lord expects.
The story of Gideon has many hidden instructional themes; however, my focus is on what happens at the water hole. Gideon is faced with a mandate to destroy the enemy (the Midianites). He doesn’t begin with a great deal of faith, so to have God whittle his army down must have been challenging. God toys with the numbers and makes a powerful point in the process.
God reduces the men to a number only He (not man), could empower and use. God doesn’t always count numbers, He makes the numbers count. He goes on to use a method of separation that again, only He (in His wisdom), would come up with.
One group of men stand to drink water, the others kneel; regardless of how they drank, the position in which they did, is key. This method, standing versus kneeling to drink, is worthy of attention because it is repeated twice in the scriptures.
They were headed to war. The goal was to destroy the enemy. One group of men was so captivated by the pleasure of water they went down on bended knee to get it; they were now out of fighting position. The group standing had the same need (water), but stood and remained in a position ready for battle.
Here’s the truth: Whatever distracts you from the Goal of God is a pleasure you must be separated from.
Our Father is always concerned about the focus of His children. When our focus is lead astray by any pleasure greater than His agenda in our lives, we are misled and often potentially destroy the very thing He has given us to build. How many times have we seen this happen in the body of Christ? How many times have we seen the distraction of pleasure destroy a vision?
Jesus gave us a rule of measure as He has many times before in scripture, it’s found in Matthew 16: 23. The scenario however, is played out in the verses preceding it. There is a conversation with Peter just after Jesus speaks about falling into the hands of the chief priests, the elders, and being raised to life on the third day. Note His statement has to do with the giving of His own life for ours, He is speaking about redemption.
However, His words with Peter lead to the greatest rebuke of God (Jesus) recorded in scripture as Peter takes Him to the side and tells Jesus what will not happen to Him. Jesus follows this by rebuking the spirit (Satan) that motivated Peter’s words (there’s a lot to be learned about what motivates our words) He confronts Satan.
You would think Peter’s profound revelation of Jesus as the Christ in verse 16 would have some impact upon him here but it doesn’t. It’s just Peter being Peter which is just one problem. Jesus points out the main issue, He calls Satan’s approach an attempt to place a stumbling block between them which is to create an offence.
This is a normal tactic for Satan as he seeks to destroy relationships or any entity of promise, in this case he’s going after the church which Jesus stated He would build, in His prior conversation with Peter.
The rule of measure for our lives can be found in the next word Jesus states, “you do not have in mind the things of God but the things of men”. Every person on earth has one or the other as their focus in life. You either desire the things of God which unlike Peter’s actions here, lead to God–centeredness or things of men which like Peter are very self–centered.
We are told to beware of the spiritual climate of the day (2 Tim 3:2) people loving themselves first, the things of men. This would become mankind’s primary approach to everything, especially relationships. This is a primary reason for so many failed relationships today.
You can measure your own life very easily to see which it falls under. God wants us to live outward, God-centered, and proof of this are in the next words Jesus states regarding His followers.
“Deny yourself.. then follow me”
There have been so many different approaches to this subject and what’s been dominant among all is the focus on finances yet the subject is much broader. The intent of this blog is to highlight the importance of this subject and remind you, the reader, how important this subject is in your life. I have pointed out just a few points of concern regarding the believer and his responsibility.
Stewardship is the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one’s care. The scriptures speak of God’s ownership (1 Cor 6:19) which I believe God has the legal right to claim since it belongs to Him. I don’t know many people who would accept someone claiming the right to something they own, yet we resist God over what He owns, our lives.
The medium of exchange was the blood of Jesus. In the realm of the natural, money is the medium of exchange and has an assigned value given it, however, in the realm of the spirit, the blood of a sinless man (Jesus) was the medium of exchange and enough to satisfy God.
Since ownership belongs to God, He gets to call the shots. The real issue, will the believer surrender to His ownership and benefit from the direction only God can give. We live in a culture that is self-driven, self-consumed and whose primary focus is self-gratification. Most of what we see in the media, read in popular books, see in magazines or television sends us one key message, “get all you can now, you deserve it”. The church has bought into this mindset and we hear far more teaching weaved with humanism than ever before.
There is a pervasive spirit and attitude that reflects our times listed in 1 Tim. 3, which is highlighted by self-love. In no way does this promote stewardship but it is in direct conflict with the whole idea. I like this statement I read recently that says “Stewardship is the act of organizing your life so God can spend you”. The writer of these words, Lynn. A Miller has managed to sum up the way every believer should view their life.
The Full Armor
Anthony Weiner, Dominique Strauss-Kahn and Arnold Schwarzenegger while these men don’t profess to know Christ their moral failures are being played out in the public arena. They are not alone several high profile Pastors have fallen to sexual sin, money and power. How do we build into our lives the safe guards that keep us from falling? There are some strategic areas of focus within our own character. The atmosphere is ripe with this spirit and the excuses for these failures continue to pile up. I know we are not to judge others but models of consistent character are desperately needed, the scriptures are clear “In this world we are like Him” (1 Jn 4:17), Jesus was our model and we should reflect His character in the earth. His strategies are clear regarding self –governing. Kingdom men must begin to get serious about their armor. The full armor is ours to put on (Eph 6:11) yet we continue to see many who have not prepared for the DAY OF EVIL (Eph 6:13) and one thing is sure, it will show up.
Mother’s day is here, it’s the time set aside when people everywhere honor those through whom they entered the world. God would even use his special creation, Woman, to enter human society and bring redemption for all mankind. The mother to child bond is very powerful and unique among all relationships. The life of Mary, the mother of Jesus, and his interaction with her provides many lessons and reveals many clues to what God has on his mind regarding ones treatment of a mother. Mary who knew the calling, and responsibility on her son would seek the young boy who was left behind in Jerusalem (Luke 2:49) like any mother we see her concern, and like a child he responds reminding her of his calling and purpose. Then we see Jesus on a cross and while dying he still demonstrates the concern for his mother by assigning the responsibility of her care to the disciple he loved, John. This man he personally mentored preparing him to love and care for his mother as he would (John 19:25-27), guaranteeing she would have food, clothing and a roof over her head. These lessons teach us all something very important, love and care for your mother as long as you have breath, it’s the God honoring thing to do.
Happy Mother’s Day to all my friends and those of you who support Truth for a Generation.
It seems like only yesterday we were celebrating a brand new year and here we are looking at another Resurrection Sunday (the great sacrifice). The years are moving with rapidity like so are many other things in our lives. The scripture is right on that says “…whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.” My view of James 4:14 took on a new reality for me with a recent heart challenge. I was diagnosed with something called Arrhythmia better known as A-Fib or a failed SA node. It’s when the normal electrical impulse of the heart beats in an unreliable pattern resulting in poor blood circulation. It often requires a surgical procedure to address. I underwent 2 procedures lasting 7 hours. Let’s just say, when you’re in the gym regularly, eat healthy and careful with your body there are certain things you don’t expect. For me, this was one of those unexpected things. So this week means a great deal to me and for most Christians. It’s a time we all recognize the great sacrifice Jesus made, that allows access to God, the creation of a greater covenant that provides, healing, provision and a security beyond the physical. This is a great time to develop spiritual disciplines and implement them lifelong. The last several months have renewed my commitment to him. It has deepened my understanding of his love for me and raised a greater passion for the work of the Kingdom: and all this because of his great sacrifice.
This is that time of the year when we begin to reflect on just what kind of year its been. I can say from my experience its been both interesting and rewarding. We don’t need to look very far to see life for some has become very challenging. There has not been much change in the state of affairs nationally, especially economically. Its been encouraging to watch many who have not allowed their challenges break them but only reveal their great resilience and faith in their creator. I pray this has been a year to remember primarily because you have experienced the same and Gods profound love for you. Merry Christmas
Have you noticed how many opinions we have of what God is like by so many people, church leaders especially. I am convinced after years of observation, study and just plain personal experience there is one example of God he would want us to hold onto. Like God we are designed to be givers. There are more people who are finding their lives unfulfilled because the realization is setting in they are not here to simply accumulate stuff, but if we would be honest with ourselves there is no other time we feel more fulfilled then when we are giving. The nature of God is love, we are created by this supernatural essence. A recent article in the New York Times spoke of a couple who decided to give away everything they did not use and keep only what they needed, even moving into a smaller apartment. They felt by paring down their lives they would get out of it more meaning. This is happening all over the world as I hear the stories, apart from God however life is never completely fulfilled yet I understood the deep need of this couple and others who follow this path. The current economic climate begs one to refocus on what their priorities should and should not be. Only when you give yourself away in any of several ways will you begin to unearth the true meaning of Gods intention for life. This I believe is a reality more Christ followers will come to discover.