There are portions of Scripture in the Bible that are hard to understand. Mostly, these are just read and passed over. I feel that, though they are about people of a different time and circumstance and seemingly irrelevant to ourselves, they are there for a purpose. Sometimes only an experience of deep emotional "trauma" in our lives that chases us to His Word for comfort and understanding will cause such a seemingly irrelevant portion to come alive. I apologize for the long stretch of "silence" in this blog, but I have been going through just such a time of deep searching and waiting on the Lord for understanding and did not have the anointing to write. This morning I woke with the urge to share this experience.
One of those "hard to understand" portions came to "tease" and draw me to take another look. There are so many truths on which to meditate in the 21st chapter of John that the last part of the chapter concerning Peter's death slips into the "just read" category for me. John 21:18-23 (NLT) 18 “I tell you the truth, when you were young, you were able to do as you liked; you dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others will dress you and take you where you don’t want to go.” 19 Jesus said this to let him know by what kind of death he would glorify God. Then Jesus told him, “Follow me.” 20 Peter turned around and saw behind them the disciple Jesus loved—the one who had leaned over to Jesus during supper and asked, “Lord, who will betray you?” 21 Peter asked Jesus, “What about him, Lord?” 22 Jesus replied, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? As for you, follow me.” 23 So the rumor spread among the community of believers that this disciple wouldn’t die. But that isn’t what Jesus said at all. He only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?”
I had been meditating on the words "follow Me" when I turned to this portion. It is difficult for people to know how to follow Jesus in this day and age. We tend to follow doctrine, ritual, what others tell us we are to do and we think this is all there is to following. Until we allow the Holy Spirit to teach us we can only follow people who teach us. That is a wonderful way to start, but it is not to be the only way we are taught or we remain babes in need of milk. Jesus refers to us as "sheep". Only a few of the sheep follow the shepherd. The rest follow sheep. This is one way to get distracted and wander off. We must get our eyes on the Shepherd in order to follow Him.
In this portion of Scripture Jesus is continuing His quest of opening Peter's eyes to see Jesus as the only way Peter is going to fulfill his destiny and know the satisfaction of being what God purposed him to be. Like the rest of us, it was easy for Peter to so identify with his own opinion of himself, others and how things should be, that he didn't really listen to what Jesus was saying.
What God does in the world, in others' lives, in our own life, in His Church and in our own church, may seem totally beyond our understanding. The crucifixion of Jesus was just such a circumstance to the disciples. Their reaction was the result of their own focus. There is no doubt in my mind that Peter loved Jesus. His isolation from the rest of the disciples was the result of his own focus. This realm still had too much control in forming Peter's opinions. Jesus set out to change this focus. If we listen to what Jesus is saying it can be effective in each of our lives. It is part of the Holy Spirit's ministry to teach you. Listen to what Jesus says concerning the ministry of the Holy Spirit to you.
John 16:14-15 (NASB) 14"He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you. 15All things that the Father has are Mine; therefore I said that He takes of Mine and will disclose it to you."
This is how we follow Jesus. He walked out the path of full maturity of sonship for us. We can stop anywhere along this path or we can follow Jesus all the way. This is what He is saying to Peter. Don't follow sheep, follow Jesus. How God leads some one else is God's business. It is your business to follow Jesus. Only the Holy Spirit can reveal Jesus to you, manifesting His victory into you, so you can follow Him and not your own opinions.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Responsibility of Covenant
In these pages I have tried to show you the two sides of covenant. I have shown the need for response to covenant "expectations" by showing the example given us in the marriage covenant. Giving the response to authority is the most liberating, satisfying action we can have. Satan has clouded this with wrong ideas of authority which is not dominance. Jesus has authority over His church but the church is lifted to be what He wants by the church moving in His authority. The Holy Spirit is given to be our guide and Teacher. When the Holy Spirit is guiding the church, the church moves forward in the authority of the Head, Jesus Christ.
Jesus has given us a covenant that is powerful, totally complete and everlasting. We are responsible for the response we give to this covenant. As I meditated on the need to be free of this realm's bonds to know God, I echoed the cry I have had for many years, I want to know You. Not as I think You are, nor as I have heard You are, but the You without the limits and restraints we have put on You. The Spirit spoke to me something I will be meditating on for a long time. "People limit God by the revelation He gives." His love and mercy are far greater than any revelaton that we have received so far.
Instead of broadening us, we allow new limits to exist by the revelation we receive. It becomes one more thing by which to judge others because they do not "receive" that revelation from us. The Spirit reminded me of Elijah. He complained that he was the only one left to serve and worship God. God reminded Elijah that He had 7,000 who had not bowed the knee to Baal.
Baal was to Israel what "liberal thought" is to us. So invasive to life that it was not considered wrong. Everyone thought it was fine. No one argued it or stood against it that Elijah knew. But God knew that 7,000 people refused to bow down to Baal. When "liberal thought and attitudes" invade the church, people grow cold and passive toward God. They rely on religious activity to justify themselves. The intimate, constant relationship of worship and trust yields to study of self improvement. The realization that it is not about us but all about Him fades to an examination of behavior. Less awareness of His Holiness causes an acceptance of what we want to do. We do not realize that we are bowing our knee to Baal.
My husband has said quite often, "He must be Lord of all or He will not be lord at all." Let us examine ourselves to see if any area of our lives is not yet yielded to His Lordship. His mercy and grace, His love and faithfulness are everlasting and extend far beyond our limits.
Jesus has given us a covenant that is powerful, totally complete and everlasting. We are responsible for the response we give to this covenant. As I meditated on the need to be free of this realm's bonds to know God, I echoed the cry I have had for many years, I want to know You. Not as I think You are, nor as I have heard You are, but the You without the limits and restraints we have put on You. The Spirit spoke to me something I will be meditating on for a long time. "People limit God by the revelation He gives." His love and mercy are far greater than any revelaton that we have received so far.
Instead of broadening us, we allow new limits to exist by the revelation we receive. It becomes one more thing by which to judge others because they do not "receive" that revelation from us. The Spirit reminded me of Elijah. He complained that he was the only one left to serve and worship God. God reminded Elijah that He had 7,000 who had not bowed the knee to Baal.
Baal was to Israel what "liberal thought" is to us. So invasive to life that it was not considered wrong. Everyone thought it was fine. No one argued it or stood against it that Elijah knew. But God knew that 7,000 people refused to bow down to Baal. When "liberal thought and attitudes" invade the church, people grow cold and passive toward God. They rely on religious activity to justify themselves. The intimate, constant relationship of worship and trust yields to study of self improvement. The realization that it is not about us but all about Him fades to an examination of behavior. Less awareness of His Holiness causes an acceptance of what we want to do. We do not realize that we are bowing our knee to Baal.
My husband has said quite often, "He must be Lord of all or He will not be lord at all." Let us examine ourselves to see if any area of our lives is not yet yielded to His Lordship. His mercy and grace, His love and faithfulness are everlasting and extend far beyond our limits.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Resurrection with Purpose
Romans 1:1-4(NLT) 1 This letter is from Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, chosen by God to be an apostle and sent out to preach his Good News. 2 God promised this Good News long ago through his prophets in the holy Scriptures. 3 The Good News is about his Son. In his earthly life he was born into King David’s family line, 4 and he was shown to be the Son of God when he was raised from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit. He is Jesus Christ our Lord.
Jesus identified Himself many times in the Gospels as the Son of Man. It was as the Son of Man, full of the Holy Spirit, that He ministered, healing the sick, casting out demons, raising the dead, walking out the fulfillment of the Law and preaching the Good News. It was as the Son of Man that He endured the shame of the cross and completely fulfilled all the Father had sent Him to do.
But only the Son of God could do the work He accomplished during the 3 days He was in the heart of the earth. He broke the power Satan's usurped authority had held over mankind and preached to the spirits held prisoner.
I Peter 3:18-19 (ASV) 18 Because Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God; being put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit; 19 in which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison,
I Peter 4:6 (ASV) For unto this end was the gospel preached even to the dead, that they might be judged indeed according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.
Ephesians 4:8-9 (ASV) 8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended on high, he led captivity captive, And gave gifts unto men. 9 (Now this, He ascended, what is it but that he also descended into the lower parts of the earth?
Ephesians 4:10 (NLT) And the same one who descended is the one who ascended higher than all the heavens, so that he might fill the entire universe with himself.
This is the triumph of God and the assurance we have a complete salvation all the way to the sharing of His triumph. We are assured that we are not only born into His family but are heirs of God, joint heirs with Jesus Christ. Sons in the image of their Father!
Without the Resurrection of Triumph over all things, the cross is meaningless. The disciples were told to be witnesses of His Resurrection. The cross was the means to this triumph. Without death there is no resurrection. The same goes for you. Unless you die to self, identify yourself with His death, you do not live in His Victory. Paul said he was crucified with Jesus, but he lived in Jesus Christ.
Galatians 2:20 (NLT) My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Jesus said, "If you abide in Me..." Let the hold this realm has over you be surrendered to the Lordship of Jesus Christ and live in faith of the triumphant Son of God.
Jesus identified Himself many times in the Gospels as the Son of Man. It was as the Son of Man, full of the Holy Spirit, that He ministered, healing the sick, casting out demons, raising the dead, walking out the fulfillment of the Law and preaching the Good News. It was as the Son of Man that He endured the shame of the cross and completely fulfilled all the Father had sent Him to do.
But only the Son of God could do the work He accomplished during the 3 days He was in the heart of the earth. He broke the power Satan's usurped authority had held over mankind and preached to the spirits held prisoner.
I Peter 3:18-19 (ASV) 18 Because Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God; being put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit; 19 in which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison,
I Peter 4:6 (ASV) For unto this end was the gospel preached even to the dead, that they might be judged indeed according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.
Ephesians 4:8-9 (ASV) 8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended on high, he led captivity captive, And gave gifts unto men. 9 (Now this, He ascended, what is it but that he also descended into the lower parts of the earth?
Ephesians 4:10 (NLT) And the same one who descended is the one who ascended higher than all the heavens, so that he might fill the entire universe with himself.
This is the triumph of God and the assurance we have a complete salvation all the way to the sharing of His triumph. We are assured that we are not only born into His family but are heirs of God, joint heirs with Jesus Christ. Sons in the image of their Father!
Without the Resurrection of Triumph over all things, the cross is meaningless. The disciples were told to be witnesses of His Resurrection. The cross was the means to this triumph. Without death there is no resurrection. The same goes for you. Unless you die to self, identify yourself with His death, you do not live in His Victory. Paul said he was crucified with Jesus, but he lived in Jesus Christ.
Galatians 2:20 (NLT) My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Jesus said, "If you abide in Me..." Let the hold this realm has over you be surrendered to the Lordship of Jesus Christ and live in faith of the triumphant Son of God.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
A Sign for Judgment
Matthew 12:38-42 (NLT) 38 One day some teachers of religious law and Pharisees came to Jesus and said, “Teacher, we want you to show us a miraculous sign to prove your authority.” 39 But Jesus replied, “Only an evil, adulterous generation would demand a miraculous sign; but the only sign I will give them is the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40 For as Jonah was in the belly of the great fish for three days and three nights, so will the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights. 41 “The people of Nineveh will stand up against this generation on judgment day and condemn it, for they repented of their sins at the preaching of Jonah. Now someone greater than Jonah is here—but you refuse to repent. 42 The queen of Sheba will also stand up against this generation on judgment day and condemn it, for she came from a distant land to hear the wisdom of Solomon. Now someone greater than Solomon is here—but you refuse to listen.
One thing I have learned from studying God's Word is that you do not take His Word lightly or passively. To be in covenant is a very serious thing. God honors His covenants so much and He loves mankind so much that He Himself made provision for us to escape the punishment of not honoring His covenants by breaking and not accepting His provision. Within the Law, He gave feast days when Israel was to come before Him three times a year. Those Feasts were open ended as a part of His covenant. Keeping the Feast of Passover was a part of the New Covenant and is continued for us in our celebration of His table of communion. It is important for us to study His Feasts for each Feast was renewed and brought into new understanding in the New Testament (Covenant) for the Church.
Jesus made His burial and His time in the heart of the earth a sign for the generation to which He had come. He emphasized it by comparing it to Jonah's internment in the belly of the sea monster. Both His birth and His death and resurrection have been distorted by Satan into celebrations by the world that have nothing to do with Him. Santa Claus and the Great Exchange as well as the Easter Bunny and egg hunts have nothing to do with the love God has shown us in giving to the world His Son.
I recognize the need for the Church to celebrate both His birth and His Resurrection at a time when the world can be reached by these significant times with a message of hope. I am thankful and take a joy in celebrating the worship together with my church family at a distinct time set aside to do this. But we should not be deceived by Satan's manipulation to distort these times. Our children must understand these celebrations are not as the world sees them but as acts of God at a designated time. We should not ignore Satan's deceptions cloaking these precious times.
One thing I have learned from studying God's Word is that you do not take His Word lightly or passively. To be in covenant is a very serious thing. God honors His covenants so much and He loves mankind so much that He Himself made provision for us to escape the punishment of not honoring His covenants by breaking and not accepting His provision. Within the Law, He gave feast days when Israel was to come before Him three times a year. Those Feasts were open ended as a part of His covenant. Keeping the Feast of Passover was a part of the New Covenant and is continued for us in our celebration of His table of communion. It is important for us to study His Feasts for each Feast was renewed and brought into new understanding in the New Testament (Covenant) for the Church.
Jesus made His burial and His time in the heart of the earth a sign for the generation to which He had come. He emphasized it by comparing it to Jonah's internment in the belly of the sea monster. Both His birth and His death and resurrection have been distorted by Satan into celebrations by the world that have nothing to do with Him. Santa Claus and the Great Exchange as well as the Easter Bunny and egg hunts have nothing to do with the love God has shown us in giving to the world His Son.
I recognize the need for the Church to celebrate both His birth and His Resurrection at a time when the world can be reached by these significant times with a message of hope. I am thankful and take a joy in celebrating the worship together with my church family at a distinct time set aside to do this. But we should not be deceived by Satan's manipulation to distort these times. Our children must understand these celebrations are not as the world sees them but as acts of God at a designated time. We should not ignore Satan's deceptions cloaking these precious times.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Our punishment
Crucifixion was the most cruel of all possible methods of execution. Death came as dehydration pulled every muscle into withered straps squeezing life from every organ. The cramping of those muscles began almost immediately as bonds held arms in unnaturally extended position bearing the body weight. The nails piercing the wrist where nerves went to the brain increased this cramping that caused severe neck and shoulder pain. The shock to the system caused fluids to gather in the abdomen, increasing the weight on the arms. If this punishment was for the broken covenant, what is the punishment for those who refuse to accept God's covenant provision? If we could comprehend what that punishment is, we would never let the unsaved go heedlessly into it without warning. At whatever cost to ourselves, we would sound the alarm.
The accounts of the crucifixion are not dwelt on with much detail in the Scriptures. The ones for whom the gospels were written knew well the process of crucifixion. It had become for Rome the main method of execution. Historically, if the governor of Rome chose not to use this method, he had another choice that was not public knowledge. A Centurion, leader of 100 soldiers, would take the prisoner away from the sight of onlookers, and offer them the "pot" provided by the governor. This money was to be given to the one soldier who could kill the prisoner. The hundred men would line up according to the straw drawn for his position in the line. The prisoner would be tied to a post short enough to let his head be above the post and the soldiers would strike the prisoner in the face with his fist. The one who killed the prisoner would get the money. It was important to be first in line, or close to the first, for few men could live through such a beating. But Jesus said no man took his life from Him, but He laid it down. The anger in those 100 men who could not kill Him was vented on Jesus in ridicule and cruelty. Matthew 27:27-31 (NLT) 27 Some of the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into their headquarters and called out the entire regiment. 28 They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him. 29 They wove thorn branches into a crown and put it on his head, and they placed a reed stick in his right hand as a scepter. Then they knelt before him in mockery and taunted, “Hail! King of the Jews!” 30 And they spit on him and grabbed the stick and struck him on the head with it. 31 When they were finally tired of mocking him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him again. Then they led him away to be crucified.
Isaiah 52:14 (NLT) 14 But many were amazed when they saw him. His face was so disfigured he seemed hardly human, and from his appearance, one would scarcely know he was a man.
David describes this punishment for our sin prophetically. Psalm 22:12-18 (NLT) 12 My enemies surround me like a herd of bulls; fierce bulls of Bashan have hemmed me in! 13 Like lions they open their jaws against me, roaring and tearing into their prey. 14 My life is poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart is like wax, melting within me. 15 My strength has dried up like sunbaked clay. My tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth. You have laid me in the dust and left me for dead. 16 My enemies surround me like a pack of dogs; an evil gang closes in on me. They have pierced my hands and feet. 17 I can count all my bones. My enemies stare at me and gloat. 18 They divide my garments among themselves and throw dice for my clothing.
The accounts of the crucifixion are not dwelt on with much detail in the Scriptures. The ones for whom the gospels were written knew well the process of crucifixion. It had become for Rome the main method of execution. Historically, if the governor of Rome chose not to use this method, he had another choice that was not public knowledge. A Centurion, leader of 100 soldiers, would take the prisoner away from the sight of onlookers, and offer them the "pot" provided by the governor. This money was to be given to the one soldier who could kill the prisoner. The hundred men would line up according to the straw drawn for his position in the line. The prisoner would be tied to a post short enough to let his head be above the post and the soldiers would strike the prisoner in the face with his fist. The one who killed the prisoner would get the money. It was important to be first in line, or close to the first, for few men could live through such a beating. But Jesus said no man took his life from Him, but He laid it down. The anger in those 100 men who could not kill Him was vented on Jesus in ridicule and cruelty. Matthew 27:27-31 (NLT) 27 Some of the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into their headquarters and called out the entire regiment. 28 They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him. 29 They wove thorn branches into a crown and put it on his head, and they placed a reed stick in his right hand as a scepter. Then they knelt before him in mockery and taunted, “Hail! King of the Jews!” 30 And they spit on him and grabbed the stick and struck him on the head with it. 31 When they were finally tired of mocking him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him again. Then they led him away to be crucified.
Isaiah 52:14 (NLT) 14 But many were amazed when they saw him. His face was so disfigured he seemed hardly human, and from his appearance, one would scarcely know he was a man.
David describes this punishment for our sin prophetically. Psalm 22:12-18 (NLT) 12 My enemies surround me like a herd of bulls; fierce bulls of Bashan have hemmed me in! 13 Like lions they open their jaws against me, roaring and tearing into their prey. 14 My life is poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart is like wax, melting within me. 15 My strength has dried up like sunbaked clay. My tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth. You have laid me in the dust and left me for dead. 16 My enemies surround me like a pack of dogs; an evil gang closes in on me. They have pierced my hands and feet. 17 I can count all my bones. My enemies stare at me and gloat. 18 They divide my garments among themselves and throw dice for my clothing.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
How did Jesus Judge?
For many years I have read and absorbed these chapters of John to let the Spirit teach me concerning the love of God for me. I have found a pattern of Jesus' behavior during this crucial time that is amazing. In an earlier blog I discussed the cup and the agony it cost Jesus to drink that cup as in that drinking He absorbed the dregs of human darkness and so took that to the cross. But I am intrigued by His actions during the trials where He faced the powers of human rule, for He was also taking this aspect of humanity to the cross.
In the first court He faced the rulers of the Law He had given to Moses that was the only means up to that time of relating to God. These men were in the place God had provided to legislate His Law and judge those who broke it. Jesus stood in the place that untold numbers of people had stood through the years waiting the verdict of the High Priest. There was no action they could judge for Jesus was without sin. The only thing they could rely on were false witnesses twisting His words. They still could not pinpoint any one thing that would deserve death. Jesus said that no man took His life but He laid it down, so Jesus gave them that one thing. He quoted from Daniel 7:13 (NLT) As my vision continued that night, I saw someone like a son of man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient One and was led into his presence.
Matthew 26:64 Jesus replied, “You have said it. And in the future you will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power at God’s right hand and coming on the clouds of heaven.” He judged human nature by not fearing the consequences of proclaiming the Truth and identifying Himself with the prophetic Word. He had no fear of death. His witness was of Life.
Jesus also judged the human nature by His silence when He was accused wrongfully or had the opportunity to defend Himself. He judged our fear of pain and humiliation by submitting to their dominence of cruelty and becoming the Lamb to take our punishment for sin. In all ways and all things He took our place and what we deserved, He took. His joy was that we would have entrance to taking what He deserved. His Nature, His inheritance and His standing with the Father are His gifts to us. In His ministry, He walked out what He wanted us to see is our rightful expectation. He gave to us the right to use His Name to defeat all the enemies of God. Human response to this realm, diseases of the body, separation from God, pride and fleshly willfulness must yield to the power of His Name, for He has conquered and finished what He came to our realm to accomplish. All things have been judged and will fall to their final judgment at the time appointed. What you judge within your self-nature will not be subject to judgment later for you are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken. Hebrews 12:28-29 (NLT) 28 Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe. 29 For our God is a devouring fire.
In the first court He faced the rulers of the Law He had given to Moses that was the only means up to that time of relating to God. These men were in the place God had provided to legislate His Law and judge those who broke it. Jesus stood in the place that untold numbers of people had stood through the years waiting the verdict of the High Priest. There was no action they could judge for Jesus was without sin. The only thing they could rely on were false witnesses twisting His words. They still could not pinpoint any one thing that would deserve death. Jesus said that no man took His life but He laid it down, so Jesus gave them that one thing. He quoted from Daniel 7:13 (NLT) As my vision continued that night, I saw someone like a son of man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient One and was led into his presence.
Matthew 26:64 Jesus replied, “You have said it. And in the future you will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power at God’s right hand and coming on the clouds of heaven.” He judged human nature by not fearing the consequences of proclaiming the Truth and identifying Himself with the prophetic Word. He had no fear of death. His witness was of Life.
Jesus also judged the human nature by His silence when He was accused wrongfully or had the opportunity to defend Himself. He judged our fear of pain and humiliation by submitting to their dominence of cruelty and becoming the Lamb to take our punishment for sin. In all ways and all things He took our place and what we deserved, He took. His joy was that we would have entrance to taking what He deserved. His Nature, His inheritance and His standing with the Father are His gifts to us. In His ministry, He walked out what He wanted us to see is our rightful expectation. He gave to us the right to use His Name to defeat all the enemies of God. Human response to this realm, diseases of the body, separation from God, pride and fleshly willfulness must yield to the power of His Name, for He has conquered and finished what He came to our realm to accomplish. All things have been judged and will fall to their final judgment at the time appointed. What you judge within your self-nature will not be subject to judgment later for you are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken. Hebrews 12:28-29 (NLT) 28 Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe. 29 For our God is a devouring fire.
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