How do we know if we are submitting to God or to our human flesh? One way is in how we forgive others.
God's grace enables us to forgive, it is not a power we possess in our own flesh. In essence, we will never be able to muster up within our human flesh to forgive like God forgives. You see, when we submit to our human flesh, we aim for recompense and revenge; but if we are submitting to God, w...e aim for recompense and restoration.
Recompense and restitution are certainly important elements in a distressed marred relationship where hurt and pain have developed. But the forgiver that is working in the Grace of God uses these as a way to restore the relationship not continue to unravel and destroy it.
"Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness. Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble. But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going because the darkness has blinded them." 1 John 2:9-11.
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Ministry Leaders are Subject to Weakness
It is important to remember as Ministry Leaders that we, too, are subject to weakness. One way that we can tell if we have lost sight of this is in how we treat others that have fallen away from God or those who have not matured in their faith.
If we have become impatient and dictatorial, then we have forgotten our own frailty and need for a Savior.
But if we have become gentle, patient and willing to walk with those that need to return to the Lord and need to grow in His love and His word, we have not forgotten our frailty, we have embraced it remembering that the honor to lead God's people was not something we chose, but was chosen for us by God. We are humbled by His choosing and dependent on His forgiveness. And out of that humility and forgiveness we lead like our gentle Savior, Who is ultimately the High Priest we follow.
"Every high priest is selected from among the people and is appointed to represent the people in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he himself is subject to weakness. This is why he has to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people. And no one takes this honor on himself, but he receives it when called by God..." Hebrews 5:1-4
If we have become impatient and dictatorial, then we have forgotten our own frailty and need for a Savior.
But if we have become gentle, patient and willing to walk with those that need to return to the Lord and need to grow in His love and His word, we have not forgotten our frailty, we have embraced it remembering that the honor to lead God's people was not something we chose, but was chosen for us by God. We are humbled by His choosing and dependent on His forgiveness. And out of that humility and forgiveness we lead like our gentle Savior, Who is ultimately the High Priest we follow.
"Every high priest is selected from among the people and is appointed to represent the people in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he himself is subject to weakness. This is why he has to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people. And no one takes this honor on himself, but he receives it when called by God..." Hebrews 5:1-4
Being Perfect Before God
Being perfect before God is being justified. Being justified simply means to be guiltless. Now this guiltless state does not mean we have obtained holiness. Being perfect is a position we hold because of Christ's sacrifice, but being holy is a process we cultivate by His Spirit.
Let’s look at the tabernacle for a minute. Moses was told by God on the mountain to build the tabernacle, a place wher...e God’s Spirit could dwell among the people; it was also a place where the people could be justified daily for their sins. The building of this tabernacle was to be perfect in its construction. God told Moses specifically, “See to it you make everything according to the pattern shown to you on the mountain.” Why? It was the shadow of God’s holiest place: Heaven It was the replica of ultimate perfection and holiness residing together in its fullness.
Jesus died on a mountain. His life on earth was a life of complete perfection; he was completely justified by God because He had no sin. But Jesus was also holy; he was the perfect and holy bread of heaven that came to earth. He was the epitome of perfection and holiness combined as our example to follow. And His example was and is specific; there is no alteration to His example; there is no other way to be, not even in the slightest. He is our pattern!
So, being holy is a process in which we prepare our souls after the pattern of Jesus. This process involves a life that chooses to live without sin and chooses to resist it when it comes our way. It is a change in our thoughts, our actions, our hearts, our emotions and our decisions in life; a change that boldly decides to be different from the imperfection (non-justified) life we use to live to fulfilling the perfect (justified) life we are living today. It is renewing ourselves day by day by God’s truth. We build with His resources not the world’s.
Think of holiness this way: just like it took many years for the Israelite's to build the tabernacle after the pattern by which God gave Moses, it is taking many years for us to pattern our lives after the life of Jesus. That is called Holiness! It is a process by which we construct our souls in preparation to meet Jesus face to face when He comes a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him. Our completion date for holiness does not reach its fullness until we have stepped over into heaven, the place where perfection and holiness reside in its fullness. Can’t wait! But I have much work to do in this process until that day comes. Amen?
“For by one sacrifice He has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.” Hebrews 10:14
Let’s look at the tabernacle for a minute. Moses was told by God on the mountain to build the tabernacle, a place wher...e God’s Spirit could dwell among the people; it was also a place where the people could be justified daily for their sins. The building of this tabernacle was to be perfect in its construction. God told Moses specifically, “See to it you make everything according to the pattern shown to you on the mountain.” Why? It was the shadow of God’s holiest place: Heaven It was the replica of ultimate perfection and holiness residing together in its fullness.
Jesus died on a mountain. His life on earth was a life of complete perfection; he was completely justified by God because He had no sin. But Jesus was also holy; he was the perfect and holy bread of heaven that came to earth. He was the epitome of perfection and holiness combined as our example to follow. And His example was and is specific; there is no alteration to His example; there is no other way to be, not even in the slightest. He is our pattern!
So, being holy is a process in which we prepare our souls after the pattern of Jesus. This process involves a life that chooses to live without sin and chooses to resist it when it comes our way. It is a change in our thoughts, our actions, our hearts, our emotions and our decisions in life; a change that boldly decides to be different from the imperfection (non-justified) life we use to live to fulfilling the perfect (justified) life we are living today. It is renewing ourselves day by day by God’s truth. We build with His resources not the world’s.
Think of holiness this way: just like it took many years for the Israelite's to build the tabernacle after the pattern by which God gave Moses, it is taking many years for us to pattern our lives after the life of Jesus. That is called Holiness! It is a process by which we construct our souls in preparation to meet Jesus face to face when He comes a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him. Our completion date for holiness does not reach its fullness until we have stepped over into heaven, the place where perfection and holiness reside in its fullness. Can’t wait! But I have much work to do in this process until that day comes. Amen?
“For by one sacrifice He has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.” Hebrews 10:14
Don't Shrink Back into Your Sin
The more a person focuses on their sins; they are more apt to continue in them. They also become more and more removed from our Savior.
When we keep our conscience constantly aware of our sins that we have done that were/are forgiven, we forget that “the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleansed our conscience from those acts we did that led to death.” We ultimately ignore Christ’s sacrifice.
To continue dwelling on our forgiven sins is to say two things: Christ’s sacrifice was not enough; He needs to suffer more for me and God is a liar and His gift was a hoax.
This causes our experience of forgiveness to feel unreal in our life and we halt our ability to serve the Living God. We continue to add to our sins that need forgiveness. It is a vicious cycle of: sin-doubt-more sin-guilt-and-ultimately bondage from the abundant life God offers.
The root of this problem is found in a lack of confidence in God’s power to forgive. And let me remind us that God takes no pleasure in those who shrink back in their doubts. Why? Because it shows a lack of faith; it is faith that pleases God. This faith is not just a faith that God exists, for even Satan has that kind of faith. It is a faith that embraces the gift of forgiveness He offers, believes its power, and rejoices in it by living forward in God’s grace and freedom.
“How much more then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!” Hebrews 9:14
“You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised….And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back. But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith are saved.” Hebrews 10:36-39.
When we keep our conscience constantly aware of our sins that we have done that were/are forgiven, we forget that “the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleansed our conscience from those acts we did that led to death.” We ultimately ignore Christ’s sacrifice.
To continue dwelling on our forgiven sins is to say two things: Christ’s sacrifice was not enough; He needs to suffer more for me and God is a liar and His gift was a hoax.
This causes our experience of forgiveness to feel unreal in our life and we halt our ability to serve the Living God. We continue to add to our sins that need forgiveness. It is a vicious cycle of: sin-doubt-more sin-guilt-and-ultimately bondage from the abundant life God offers.
The root of this problem is found in a lack of confidence in God’s power to forgive. And let me remind us that God takes no pleasure in those who shrink back in their doubts. Why? Because it shows a lack of faith; it is faith that pleases God. This faith is not just a faith that God exists, for even Satan has that kind of faith. It is a faith that embraces the gift of forgiveness He offers, believes its power, and rejoices in it by living forward in God’s grace and freedom.
“How much more then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!” Hebrews 9:14
“You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised….And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back. But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith are saved.” Hebrews 10:36-39.
Does God Dig Religion?
I have heard it said so many times that Christianity is not a religion but a relationship. And this would be a true statement. But I have found that God does dig religion; it's just not the kind the world delivers. The world's view of religion is inner focused, filled with rituals that attempt to purify oneself from sin and open the pathway to heaven forging the fires of hell. This type of religion is all about saving one’s skin! And it never works!
But the religion God digs is pure, faultless, and outer focused. What God desires in religion is "to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." James 1:27
Notice the difference. The former view is all about helping oneself in our own distress through self-abasing works and practices. It's about me, me, me! Conversely, the latter is outward – looking to those in need and reaching out to make a difference in the heart of a hurting soul.
Now, if we take a closer look at this verse in James 1:27, there is one part that is important when it comes to ourselves: “keeping oneself from being polluted by the world.”
Keeping oneself from being polluted is to stay clear of the bottomless pit that engulfs us to a place of complete despair. That despair can look enticing believe it or not; but once there, it wounds and it damages.
When I think of keeping myself from being polluted by the world, I stay away from things that will destroy my joy, such as selfishness, the desire for wealth and things, being arrogantly right instead of scripturally holy.
I have found it easier to keep myself from such destructive pits by running to Jesus vs. running from these things. The more I seek His face, His character, the less attractive these worldly things look. In fact, they look detestable, ugly, and repugnant.
Yet, while the second part of James 1:27 is about us, it is really about seeking Jesus. It still takes our focus off of ourselves and places it upward. The true way to accomplish this outward and upward focus is to implement James 4:7 in our lives,“ Submit therefore to God…after this submission it is a lot easier to …Resist the devil…the devil has no choice but to flee from you…because he sees Jesus in you and that is a horrifying sight for him, because when the devil sees Jesus, he sees all that he is not. He so wants to be God, but the mere glimpse of Jesus shows him what a complete failure he is. And when the devil looks at us and sees Jesus, we get to take part in making the devil feel like a LOSER! Amen?
“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” James 1:27
But the religion God digs is pure, faultless, and outer focused. What God desires in religion is "to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." James 1:27
Notice the difference. The former view is all about helping oneself in our own distress through self-abasing works and practices. It's about me, me, me! Conversely, the latter is outward – looking to those in need and reaching out to make a difference in the heart of a hurting soul.
Now, if we take a closer look at this verse in James 1:27, there is one part that is important when it comes to ourselves: “keeping oneself from being polluted by the world.”
Keeping oneself from being polluted is to stay clear of the bottomless pit that engulfs us to a place of complete despair. That despair can look enticing believe it or not; but once there, it wounds and it damages.
When I think of keeping myself from being polluted by the world, I stay away from things that will destroy my joy, such as selfishness, the desire for wealth and things, being arrogantly right instead of scripturally holy.
I have found it easier to keep myself from such destructive pits by running to Jesus vs. running from these things. The more I seek His face, His character, the less attractive these worldly things look. In fact, they look detestable, ugly, and repugnant.
Yet, while the second part of James 1:27 is about us, it is really about seeking Jesus. It still takes our focus off of ourselves and places it upward. The true way to accomplish this outward and upward focus is to implement James 4:7 in our lives,“ Submit therefore to God…after this submission it is a lot easier to …Resist the devil…the devil has no choice but to flee from you…because he sees Jesus in you and that is a horrifying sight for him, because when the devil sees Jesus, he sees all that he is not. He so wants to be God, but the mere glimpse of Jesus shows him what a complete failure he is. And when the devil looks at us and sees Jesus, we get to take part in making the devil feel like a LOSER! Amen?
“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” James 1:27
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Insignificant Important Words
We can read the Bible so many times it is easy to miss very important words, words that seem so insignificant; so ordinary. On this morning I saw a word that I have read over and over; even pondered many times why it so often stood out to me, yet in my inability to recognize the reason for its importance, I have shrugged it off not giving it another thought. At least until I read it again; I would ponder and wonder, then wave it away. And then, TODAY the Holy Spirit spoke and was clear. Now I know why this seemingly insignificant common every day word has such meaning to mankind. And the funny thing, I had no idea how the passage I was reading was really a Christmas passage! The word: TODAY. The passage: Hebrews 3:7-4:2.
This is one of my favorite passages on rest that I often go to when I am in need of a reminder that rest is part of God’s plan for His people including me. I began reading this passage and again came across verse 7, “So, as the Holy Spirit says…” I stopped and realized the Holy Spirit is speaking, And then I thought, what is He saying, “…Today, if you hear His voice…” I kept thinking, “Yes, Lord. I have today and what You say is what I will do. Help me Lord not to be so distracted by the many voices and demands that are not of You!”
Moving along, thinking that the word “today” literally meant today (there I go again, waving it away), I read on and came to “…their hearts were always going astray and they have not known My ways…” I pondered that thought; truly the Israelite’s hearts were always going astray. Moses had a difficult congregation to lead, indeed. It takes good followers as well as good leaders to make a people most effective in God’s kingdom. And Moses was under a challenge! But then, these people only had the law to lead them, not the experience of the indwelling Spirit of God. They saw live miracles and wonders performed right before them, yet without the indwelling Spirit of God they only saw the Spirit’s external blessing, a shadow in the coming. Their rebellion resulted “in God’s anger, they did not enter God’s rest.” I began to focus on the word “rest.” “What is that exactly, Lord?” I asked.
I continued and there was that amazing word again, “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts…” “Why is this word so stark to me, today?” It was if today the word "today" was not going to be passed along. I kept reading and came across “His rest still stands.” Aw, back to that word rest; this rest still stands, still exist, is still available. Now I know I am getting closer to what TODAY means and what REST is. I can feel it!
I read 4:3, “For we also have had the good news proclaimed to us, just as they did, but the message they heard was of no value to them, because they did not share the faith of those who obeyed.” Good News stood out to me and the Holy Spirit recited in my mind, “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you; You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” I quickly turned to Luke 2:11-12 and sure enough what I heard was there! And there was that so insignificant important word: TODAY. I realized at that moment that the word today refers to the Day our Lord became flesh, the day when Jesus the long awaited Savior was born, the day that OUR REST finally arrived! Now I am excited! No more shrugging of seemingly unimportant words, no way!
Not only does Today refer to our Savior's birth, it also refers to the good news Jesus' life brought to mankind. It refers to the day that Jesus became our REST; it refers to the day we no longer are a slave to sin; the day that freedom reigns in our souls; the day we can start our eternal life with the Father; Today refers to the day we no longer have to experience the external blessings of the Holy Spirit; today, my friends, we can have Him in us, we in Him! We can now succeed at obedience, because His power resides in our souls! What a GLORIOUS TODAY!
Before Jesus was born, mankind had experienced 400 years of silence from God. The world was in complete despair and darkness. Oppression marked the very lives of the Jews. It was their life! God’s last words to His people that we know of came through the prophet Malachi; they were filled with warning, judgment, yet, God also ended that prophecy with the hope of a new day called Today!
I closed my eyes in gratitude to God’s provision TODAY, then my mind saw the angels singing over the shepherds as they announced the birth of our Lord and my heart broke out singing:
One day when Heaven was filled with His praises
One day when sin was as black as could be
Jesus came forth to be born of a Virgin
Dwelt among men, my example is He
Word became flesh and the light shined among us
His glory revealed
Living He loved me, dying He saved me
And buried He carried my sins far away
Rising He justified freely forever
One day He's coming, oh, glorious day, oh, glorious day
One day they led Him up Calvary's mountain
One day they nailed Him to die on a tree
Suffering anguish, despised and rejected
Bearing our sins, my Redeemer is He
Hands that healed nations, stretched out on a tree
And took the nails for me
'Cause living He loved me, dying He saved me
And buried He carried my sins far away
Rising He justified freely forever
One day He's coming, oh, glorious day, oh, glorious day
One day the grave could conceal Him no longer
One day the stone rolled away from the door
Then He arose, over death He had conquered
Now He's ascended, my Lord evermore
Death could not hold Him
The grave could not keep Him from rising again
Living He loved me, dying He saved me
And buried He carried my sins far away
Rising He justified freely forever
One day He's coming, oh, glorious day, oh, glorious day
Glorious day
One day the trumpet will sound for His coming
One day the skies with His glories will shine
Wonderful day, my beloved one bringing
My Savior Jesus is mine
Living He loved me, dying He saved me
And buried He carried my sins far away
Rising He justified freely forever
One day He's coming, oh, glorious day, oh, glorious day
Glorious day, oh, glorious day
Glorious Day by Casting Crowns
This is one of my favorite passages on rest that I often go to when I am in need of a reminder that rest is part of God’s plan for His people including me. I began reading this passage and again came across verse 7, “So, as the Holy Spirit says…” I stopped and realized the Holy Spirit is speaking, And then I thought, what is He saying, “…Today, if you hear His voice…” I kept thinking, “Yes, Lord. I have today and what You say is what I will do. Help me Lord not to be so distracted by the many voices and demands that are not of You!”
Moving along, thinking that the word “today” literally meant today (there I go again, waving it away), I read on and came to “…their hearts were always going astray and they have not known My ways…” I pondered that thought; truly the Israelite’s hearts were always going astray. Moses had a difficult congregation to lead, indeed. It takes good followers as well as good leaders to make a people most effective in God’s kingdom. And Moses was under a challenge! But then, these people only had the law to lead them, not the experience of the indwelling Spirit of God. They saw live miracles and wonders performed right before them, yet without the indwelling Spirit of God they only saw the Spirit’s external blessing, a shadow in the coming. Their rebellion resulted “in God’s anger, they did not enter God’s rest.” I began to focus on the word “rest.” “What is that exactly, Lord?” I asked.
I continued and there was that amazing word again, “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts…” “Why is this word so stark to me, today?” It was if today the word "today" was not going to be passed along. I kept reading and came across “His rest still stands.” Aw, back to that word rest; this rest still stands, still exist, is still available. Now I know I am getting closer to what TODAY means and what REST is. I can feel it!
I read 4:3, “For we also have had the good news proclaimed to us, just as they did, but the message they heard was of no value to them, because they did not share the faith of those who obeyed.” Good News stood out to me and the Holy Spirit recited in my mind, “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you; You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” I quickly turned to Luke 2:11-12 and sure enough what I heard was there! And there was that so insignificant important word: TODAY. I realized at that moment that the word today refers to the Day our Lord became flesh, the day when Jesus the long awaited Savior was born, the day that OUR REST finally arrived! Now I am excited! No more shrugging of seemingly unimportant words, no way!
Not only does Today refer to our Savior's birth, it also refers to the good news Jesus' life brought to mankind. It refers to the day that Jesus became our REST; it refers to the day we no longer are a slave to sin; the day that freedom reigns in our souls; the day we can start our eternal life with the Father; Today refers to the day we no longer have to experience the external blessings of the Holy Spirit; today, my friends, we can have Him in us, we in Him! We can now succeed at obedience, because His power resides in our souls! What a GLORIOUS TODAY!
Before Jesus was born, mankind had experienced 400 years of silence from God. The world was in complete despair and darkness. Oppression marked the very lives of the Jews. It was their life! God’s last words to His people that we know of came through the prophet Malachi; they were filled with warning, judgment, yet, God also ended that prophecy with the hope of a new day called Today!
I closed my eyes in gratitude to God’s provision TODAY, then my mind saw the angels singing over the shepherds as they announced the birth of our Lord and my heart broke out singing:
One day when Heaven was filled with His praises
One day when sin was as black as could be
Jesus came forth to be born of a Virgin
Dwelt among men, my example is He
Word became flesh and the light shined among us
His glory revealed
Living He loved me, dying He saved me
And buried He carried my sins far away
Rising He justified freely forever
One day He's coming, oh, glorious day, oh, glorious day
One day they led Him up Calvary's mountain
One day they nailed Him to die on a tree
Suffering anguish, despised and rejected
Bearing our sins, my Redeemer is He
Hands that healed nations, stretched out on a tree
And took the nails for me
'Cause living He loved me, dying He saved me
And buried He carried my sins far away
Rising He justified freely forever
One day He's coming, oh, glorious day, oh, glorious day
One day the grave could conceal Him no longer
One day the stone rolled away from the door
Then He arose, over death He had conquered
Now He's ascended, my Lord evermore
Death could not hold Him
The grave could not keep Him from rising again
Living He loved me, dying He saved me
And buried He carried my sins far away
Rising He justified freely forever
One day He's coming, oh, glorious day, oh, glorious day
Glorious day
One day the trumpet will sound for His coming
One day the skies with His glories will shine
Wonderful day, my beloved one bringing
My Savior Jesus is mine
Living He loved me, dying He saved me
And buried He carried my sins far away
Rising He justified freely forever
One day He's coming, oh, glorious day, oh, glorious day
Glorious day, oh, glorious day
Glorious Day by Casting Crowns
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Shake Us With Your Boldness, Lord!
Acts 4:31-34
"After they (the believers) prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. There were no needy persons among them."
The word “prayed” in the Greek means “desired.” I beleive that it was because of the their deep desire for God’s grace and His power that God literally shook their environment. He not only shook their environment, He shook their very own heart and mind, so much so that God placed each in perfect unison as ONE. In that Oneness, God was able to move their longings for belongings to a place of offering! In one accord they spoke with power, they gave with compassion, they received God’s grace to finish out their commitment and there was not one needy person among them! Everyone was totally full of God’s benevolence.
At River Club we desire to be and remain in this state of ONENESS! Pray with me for our church:
God, You are all we desire. Make our hearts like yours, filled with benevolence, compassion, power, and offering. Help us Lord when we pull back, to instead press forward. Thank you for the freedom to give and the privilege to see our giving change lives! Lord, bless River Club with Your resources, for what You have in mind for this church far outweighs what we can imagine. Make us bold as the believers of Acts so that our very hearts and minds are shaken and placed together in Your Oneness. It is only in Your Spirit that we are able to have flawless love. Move our environment, shake us with Your boldness, and draw every heart this Sunday to Yours. We give ourselves to You with complete abandon! In Jesus Holy Name, Amen.
"After they (the believers) prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. There were no needy persons among them."
The word “prayed” in the Greek means “desired.” I beleive that it was because of the their deep desire for God’s grace and His power that God literally shook their environment. He not only shook their environment, He shook their very own heart and mind, so much so that God placed each in perfect unison as ONE. In that Oneness, God was able to move their longings for belongings to a place of offering! In one accord they spoke with power, they gave with compassion, they received God’s grace to finish out their commitment and there was not one needy person among them! Everyone was totally full of God’s benevolence.
At River Club we desire to be and remain in this state of ONENESS! Pray with me for our church:
God, You are all we desire. Make our hearts like yours, filled with benevolence, compassion, power, and offering. Help us Lord when we pull back, to instead press forward. Thank you for the freedom to give and the privilege to see our giving change lives! Lord, bless River Club with Your resources, for what You have in mind for this church far outweighs what we can imagine. Make us bold as the believers of Acts so that our very hearts and minds are shaken and placed together in Your Oneness. It is only in Your Spirit that we are able to have flawless love. Move our environment, shake us with Your boldness, and draw every heart this Sunday to Yours. We give ourselves to You with complete abandon! In Jesus Holy Name, Amen.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Pass the Salt, Actually, Pour It In Me!
Ever have a meal totally without salt? Not very tasty is it? We are all aware that salt brings out the flavors of food and makes it more enjoyable to eat. It also has the ability to soften the pain of certain physical ailments. Many of us are familiar with mixing salt in warm water and gurgling it for a sore throat; it does make the soreness go away. Salt is a wonderful mineral that God has created. But the biblical purpose of salt in God’s kingdom goes far beyond taste and comfort.
In 2 Kings 2:18-22, the men of Jericho said to Elisha, “The city is a pleasant place, but the water is bad and the land is unfruitful.” In other words, the land was cursed; they knew this because they drank it every day; the taste was stagnant, and certainly not refreshing. To add to the water’s inadequacy, the land proved to be unfruitful. Interestingly, this meant that the women were barren.
Taking a walk back into history, we find that the water and land of Jericho was indeed cursed. Many of you may remember the story of Joshua and the priests who marched with the people of Israel around Jericho; they marched around the city six times, then the seventh time they blew the trumpets and the people shouted; then the walls come tumbling down. Once the walls were down they were able to take hold the city, destroy everything and everyone in it, except the silver, gold, articles of bronze and iron. They also saved Rahab and her family, because she hid the spies that previously scoped out the land before taking it.
At this time in history when Joshua led the people of Israel, he made the people take an oath after the overthrow of Jericho. “…Cursed before the Lord is the man who rises up and builds this city of Jericho; with the loss of his first-born he shall lay its foundations, and with the loss of his youngest son he shall set up its gates.” (Joshua 6:26). And that is exactly what happened centuries later. “Hiel the Bethelite built Jericho. He laid it’s foundation with the loss of Abiram his first-born, and set up its gates with the loss of his youngest son, Segub, according to the word of the Lord, which He spoke by Joshua the son of Nun.” (1 Kings 16:34). The land was cursed by death and disobedience.
Now returning to Elisha and the men of Jericho who said to him that the water was bad and unfruitful, he responded with telling them to get a new jar and put salt in it. They did as he asked them; Elisha went to the spring and threw the salt in it. After throwing the salt, Elisha said, “Thus says the Lord, ‘I have purified these waters; there shall not be from there death or unfruitfulness any longer.” Thus the waters have been purified to this day, according to the word of Elisha.
We find many wonderful lessons in this small significant passage. This purification of the waters signifies the lifting of a curse and the mercy of God showering over this land. Salt was used in this passage to purify the water because it represented the covenant God made with His people. We find this covenant in Numbers 18:19, “All the offerings of the holy gifts, which the sons of Israel offered to the Lord, I have given to you and your sons and your daughters with you, as a perpetual allotment. It is an everlasting covenant of salt before the Lord to you and your descendants with you.” Leviticus 2:13 explains the purpose of the salt which is to employ the above covenant, “Put salt on every grain offering, because salt represents the covenant between you and God. (You must put salt on all your offerings.)
Salt plays a very important role; in addition to the binding covenant God has made with His people, we find that adding salt to the incense that was burned in the Tent of Meeting kept the incense pure and holy. (Exodus 30:35). Elisha shows us that its purpose provides healing and restoration to the bitter and barren. Amen! We, who are the bitter and the barren of eternal life have found healing and restoration in Jesus the salt of the sacrifice!
Jesus has been this salt for us in our current state of sin and His sacrificial life was given for the curse sin has held over us. Jesus represents that covenant God ultimately promised to His people and has extended to the Gentile world. Interestingly, salt itself can lose its saltiness; however, Jesus represents the everlasting salt that solidifies God’s covenant with us forever. Jesus, who never loses His saltiness, became human flesh, the unsalted, yet without sin, to be the perfect, holy and pure sacrifice for us to find redemption and salvation.
Bringing the purpose of salt to our reality, we find that while this salt is a mineral of the earth and a commodity of God’s creation, it obviously shows a tangible functional parallel in our relationship with God. The New Testament takes this salt and brings it to a whole new level of intimacy.
In Mark 9:50, Jesus says, “"Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with each other." Notice where the salt resides in this passage: “in” you is what Jesus stated. “In” us is where it resides. With salt living inside us, what are we able to be with others in our lives? We are able to be at peace. This is impossible without the sacrifice of Jesus; this is impossible without the Spirit of God living inside us. Without salt, we are unable to be who Jesus says we are: at peace with others. When we find ourselves not at peace with others, we need to question ourselves with, “Where is the salt?”
Jesus takes it further, “You are the salt of the earth…” (Matthew 5:13). Just before this verse Jesus describes what this salt looks like in virtue:
• poor in spirit, those who recognize that they have great spiritual needs;
• those who mourn here on earth for the lost, destitute, and the hurting;
• the humble who are always putting themselves out there for others, even the unlovely;
• those who hunger and thirst for righteousness and know that the only thing that truly satisfies is Christ and His Word;
• the merciful that grant mercy to the undeserving and guilty;
• the pure in heart who seek the good to dwell on and the clean to live by even when tempted to do otherwise;
• the peacemakers who seek peace when all they want to do is get even;
• and those persecuted for righteousness for they realize that looking up is superior than looking out.
In summary, salt represents purity, holiness, an agreement with God, healing, and peace with others.
Understanding what salt was used for in the Old Testament, and what Jesus said it represents gives Colossians 4:6 whole new meaning: “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” Grace in this verse means to turn people to Christ; to keep, strengthen, and encourage them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindle them to exercise the Christian virtues as aforementioned in Matthew 5 above.
Looking at Colossians 4:6 with new meaning, let us see it for what it really is to us, “Let your conversation turn people to Christ, encourage them to live virtuous lives; season your words with purity, holiness, constant agreement with God, and healing; and why should we do this? So that everything we say to others will promote peace and foster unity in God’s Spirit.”
This Christmas season, when you salt your turkey or those yummy mash potatoes, think of salt’s purpose in your life? Ponder your part in being the salt of the earth. Do you possess the virtues God can use to heal others, turn others to Christ, kindle Christian virtues in the lives of others; does your life promote peace with others, healing, and illuminate the covenant God has with His people?
Spiritual salt has a source. It’s Jesus. He is the salt that should impede our sinful lives. He is the One who interrupts our will with His Father’s will. He is the One Who makes us tasty and useful to flavor and spice our life with holiness and purity. He salts us with His word and He uses His word to savor our influence around us. I pray to the Lord “Lord, don’t just pass me the salt, frost me, cover me, saturate me with Your salt!”
In 2 Kings 2:18-22, the men of Jericho said to Elisha, “The city is a pleasant place, but the water is bad and the land is unfruitful.” In other words, the land was cursed; they knew this because they drank it every day; the taste was stagnant, and certainly not refreshing. To add to the water’s inadequacy, the land proved to be unfruitful. Interestingly, this meant that the women were barren.
Taking a walk back into history, we find that the water and land of Jericho was indeed cursed. Many of you may remember the story of Joshua and the priests who marched with the people of Israel around Jericho; they marched around the city six times, then the seventh time they blew the trumpets and the people shouted; then the walls come tumbling down. Once the walls were down they were able to take hold the city, destroy everything and everyone in it, except the silver, gold, articles of bronze and iron. They also saved Rahab and her family, because she hid the spies that previously scoped out the land before taking it.
At this time in history when Joshua led the people of Israel, he made the people take an oath after the overthrow of Jericho. “…Cursed before the Lord is the man who rises up and builds this city of Jericho; with the loss of his first-born he shall lay its foundations, and with the loss of his youngest son he shall set up its gates.” (Joshua 6:26). And that is exactly what happened centuries later. “Hiel the Bethelite built Jericho. He laid it’s foundation with the loss of Abiram his first-born, and set up its gates with the loss of his youngest son, Segub, according to the word of the Lord, which He spoke by Joshua the son of Nun.” (1 Kings 16:34). The land was cursed by death and disobedience.
Now returning to Elisha and the men of Jericho who said to him that the water was bad and unfruitful, he responded with telling them to get a new jar and put salt in it. They did as he asked them; Elisha went to the spring and threw the salt in it. After throwing the salt, Elisha said, “Thus says the Lord, ‘I have purified these waters; there shall not be from there death or unfruitfulness any longer.” Thus the waters have been purified to this day, according to the word of Elisha.
We find many wonderful lessons in this small significant passage. This purification of the waters signifies the lifting of a curse and the mercy of God showering over this land. Salt was used in this passage to purify the water because it represented the covenant God made with His people. We find this covenant in Numbers 18:19, “All the offerings of the holy gifts, which the sons of Israel offered to the Lord, I have given to you and your sons and your daughters with you, as a perpetual allotment. It is an everlasting covenant of salt before the Lord to you and your descendants with you.” Leviticus 2:13 explains the purpose of the salt which is to employ the above covenant, “Put salt on every grain offering, because salt represents the covenant between you and God. (You must put salt on all your offerings.)
Salt plays a very important role; in addition to the binding covenant God has made with His people, we find that adding salt to the incense that was burned in the Tent of Meeting kept the incense pure and holy. (Exodus 30:35). Elisha shows us that its purpose provides healing and restoration to the bitter and barren. Amen! We, who are the bitter and the barren of eternal life have found healing and restoration in Jesus the salt of the sacrifice!
Jesus has been this salt for us in our current state of sin and His sacrificial life was given for the curse sin has held over us. Jesus represents that covenant God ultimately promised to His people and has extended to the Gentile world. Interestingly, salt itself can lose its saltiness; however, Jesus represents the everlasting salt that solidifies God’s covenant with us forever. Jesus, who never loses His saltiness, became human flesh, the unsalted, yet without sin, to be the perfect, holy and pure sacrifice for us to find redemption and salvation.
Bringing the purpose of salt to our reality, we find that while this salt is a mineral of the earth and a commodity of God’s creation, it obviously shows a tangible functional parallel in our relationship with God. The New Testament takes this salt and brings it to a whole new level of intimacy.
In Mark 9:50, Jesus says, “"Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with each other." Notice where the salt resides in this passage: “in” you is what Jesus stated. “In” us is where it resides. With salt living inside us, what are we able to be with others in our lives? We are able to be at peace. This is impossible without the sacrifice of Jesus; this is impossible without the Spirit of God living inside us. Without salt, we are unable to be who Jesus says we are: at peace with others. When we find ourselves not at peace with others, we need to question ourselves with, “Where is the salt?”
Jesus takes it further, “You are the salt of the earth…” (Matthew 5:13). Just before this verse Jesus describes what this salt looks like in virtue:
• poor in spirit, those who recognize that they have great spiritual needs;
• those who mourn here on earth for the lost, destitute, and the hurting;
• the humble who are always putting themselves out there for others, even the unlovely;
• those who hunger and thirst for righteousness and know that the only thing that truly satisfies is Christ and His Word;
• the merciful that grant mercy to the undeserving and guilty;
• the pure in heart who seek the good to dwell on and the clean to live by even when tempted to do otherwise;
• the peacemakers who seek peace when all they want to do is get even;
• and those persecuted for righteousness for they realize that looking up is superior than looking out.
In summary, salt represents purity, holiness, an agreement with God, healing, and peace with others.
Understanding what salt was used for in the Old Testament, and what Jesus said it represents gives Colossians 4:6 whole new meaning: “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” Grace in this verse means to turn people to Christ; to keep, strengthen, and encourage them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindle them to exercise the Christian virtues as aforementioned in Matthew 5 above.
Looking at Colossians 4:6 with new meaning, let us see it for what it really is to us, “Let your conversation turn people to Christ, encourage them to live virtuous lives; season your words with purity, holiness, constant agreement with God, and healing; and why should we do this? So that everything we say to others will promote peace and foster unity in God’s Spirit.”
This Christmas season, when you salt your turkey or those yummy mash potatoes, think of salt’s purpose in your life? Ponder your part in being the salt of the earth. Do you possess the virtues God can use to heal others, turn others to Christ, kindle Christian virtues in the lives of others; does your life promote peace with others, healing, and illuminate the covenant God has with His people?
Spiritual salt has a source. It’s Jesus. He is the salt that should impede our sinful lives. He is the One who interrupts our will with His Father’s will. He is the One Who makes us tasty and useful to flavor and spice our life with holiness and purity. He salts us with His word and He uses His word to savor our influence around us. I pray to the Lord “Lord, don’t just pass me the salt, frost me, cover me, saturate me with Your salt!”
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)