Too Familiar

Have you ever thought you could know someone too well and your own misconceptions kept you from really know them? Jesus' own disciples eat, walked, worked, ministered along side the Savior but like everyone else saw all that was done with a slant on it. When forced to think about it they knew Jesus was the Son of God (Mat. 14:33) but somehow that kept getting pushed to the sidelines and each time something miraculous was done they were astonished. Even more important some reverence was lost as they did life together, that's why Jesus said, "A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown and among his own family." (Mat. 13:57). Today I read that Jesus was transformed before Peter, James, and John and a glimpse of His glory was shown to them as He stood with Moses and Elijah. Peter was quick, like always, to speak and wanted to make three tabernacles for each of them but then a bright cloud overshadowed them and a voice from heaven began to speak. With great fear they fell on their faces, realizing they were in a holy place and something was happening that they did not understand but what I got out of it was that even though they heard the Father speak from heaven that day they had been living with God since the day they decided to follow Jesus. One thing I've learned from reading the Bible is that many times it seems, at first glance, chapters and verses seem to talk about many different things and we read them as if they are all separate but in fact when looked at closer the chapters and verses are placed as they are because there is one main idea and that is true in Matthew chapter 17. We see the disciples become too familiar with the person of Jesus but forget that He is God and at the end of the chapter we see their faith is lacking. No wonder Jesus said in verse 17, "You faithless and corrupt people! How long must I be with you? How long must I put up with you?" Jesus loved them but He wanted them to see more than they were willing to believe. The disciples and the people lacked faith when they saw that the boy was not healed, not realizing that God was with them whether it was Jesus praying or His disciples.

Pressing In

Today I read about a woman who cried for help but Jesus "did not answer her a word" (Mat. 15:23). Seems strange doesn't it? There must be something deeper than what appears to be happening on the surface. The Bible said Jesus "withdrew" to parts of Tyre and Sidon after healing, teaching, and feeding a large crowd of people. No one knew what He had in mind but only one encounter was recorded, as if that was His main purpose for going there. So why did he seem to look the other way when this woman asked for her daughter to be healed? Jesus' disciples saw that the woman was persistent and that Jesus seemed to be bothered by her begging but I think Jesus used this situation to shape his disciples hearts for He knew their thoughts. How many times have actions spoke louder to us than words? I believe Jesus wanted His followers to understand that He came not only to deliver Israel but the world and that others needed a Savior also, He was increasing their vision! Not only that but Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit of God when He tested the faith of this mother. He knew that if He pushed too hard she might walk away but He also saw her desperation and determination. Even still had she not pressed in this great opportunity would be lost. It was her faith that compelled her to continue even though it looked as if her Savior had other plans.

I Know You Are Here

Lord, we need you tonight. Come Holy Spirit and meet us in our desperation for we know you are the only real hope we have. Lord capture our anxieties and replace them with your peace. It's in the silence, after the crowds have gone home, that we can feel you near and the remaining stillness reveals your presence and our fears also but you are with us and you've been here all along. You make us to lie down in green pastures and you lead us beside still waters. So Lord be with those who weep tonight and make sure their feet so they don't fall, remind them of the foundation on which they stand and cause your light within to push back all fear so that you may be in the forefront of our minds and we see you clearly once again so that we might worship you O, Lord not because of what you have done but because of who your are.

You are loved

You who belong to Jesus have been adopted by a great King, the King of Kings and you are loved more than you could ever imagine! When Jesus heard about John the Baptist being beheaded, in sadness, he left the people to go be alone and pray but when the people heard where He was going they met him there and as He got out of the boat He could have turned them away but instead He had compassion on them. Jesus laid down His needs for the needs of the people and today He does the same for us. Does that mean we no longer feel pain? No, we all have known pain but He is with us when we do, for He will not leave us in our hour of need. There are many questions why that we cannot answer, it is simply not for us to know but ours is to only trust and obey Him. He is the Good Father and we are but His children. I know one day this race will be ran and we will see Him face to face and our ears will hear Him say, "Well done, my good and faithful servant."

Take courage traveler for God is with you and one day the race will be ran. So run withholding nothing because this is your time to know the depth of your Savior’s love. Soon there will be a homecoming feast beyond comprehension! (Luke 13:29 MKJV) And they will come from the east and the west, and from the north and the south, and will recline in the kingdom of God.

Backslide?

To backslide is to lose ground, a falling away from what was once known. To know what that means in terms of being a Christian we have to ask ourselves what being a Christian means. In the first twelve chapters of Matthew it is clear that we must forsake the life we live apart from Christ (Mat 10:38) and turn to follow Him. Not only that but as followers of Christ we believe that He is the Son of God, not just a teacher or prophet sent by God but Jesus said when we look at Him we see the Father! Today I read about a parable Jesus told about a farmer who planted seed and the different types of soil the seed landed on as he scattered it. Two of the places that seed landed shows examples of a backward sliding. The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message about the Kingdom and don't understand it. Then the evil one comes and snatches away the seed that was planted in their hearts (Mat 13:19). Although brief take note that Jesus said the "seed" was planted in their hearts, which indicates that they did receive Jesus into their hearts but because they did not understand what they had the evil one snatched it away. Next we see something even more revealing, the seed on the rocky soil. This ground represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. But since they don't have deep roots, they don't last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God's word (Mat 13:20-21). Jesus' own words "They fall away..." describes this backwards movement. Let me say after years of consideration I believe we have people on both sides of this ideal of backsliding that are simply wrong, although intending good but in fact causing harm. Some say of these two types, well they were never saved in the first place but they cannot determine the happenings inside someone else's heart. Others say we have to earn our salvation and be careful for one wrong move and what we were given will be taken from us but both ideals are misguided. When we come to Jesus and accept Him as Savior and Lord absolutely nothing or no one can take away what He gives us - we are secure. But at any point in the journey we can choose to leave behind what we once knew, meaning we can accept Him and be accepted ourselves by Him but because of a lack of understanding or problems or persecution we are free to walk away and leave behind all that Jesus gave us. If that offends I am sorry but my burning desire is that people are not blinded by a belief that this salvation offered by God is not costly, for it cost God His only Son and He asks of us to give up everything to follow Him.

(Matthew 10:38-40 NLT) "If you refuse to take up your cross and follow Me, you are not worthy of being Mine. If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for Me, you will find it. Anyone who receives you receives Me, and anyone who receives Me receives the Father who sent Me."

A prayer of rejoicing

Lord, thanks for the music I find in you. For you saturate my life and you lead me on to your purpose. You make my life worth living, for all it's ups and downs, ins and outs one thing remains and it is because of you I can dance. I read your Word and you tell me that you delight in me and my heart wells up with delight in you too! Nothing I could ever do or say would even begin to express what you've done - you have separated me from fear and despair, you have set my feet to dancing and I will raise my voice in praises to your holy name. Now all the days of my life I will dwell in your temple for I cannot leave your presence. King David said, "If I go up to heaven, You are there; if I go down to the grave, You are there! If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there Your hand will guide me, and Your strength will support me." You have taken my inner most being and woven it with your gladness therefore I rejoice in You! O, Lord I shout because you make me to stand in your victory and triumph.

Do You Dance?

Jesus gave warning to the people who came to expect miracles but took no action to move towards true, lasting change. (Matthew 11:16-17 NLT) "To what can I compare this generation? It is like children playing a game in the public square. They complain to their friends, 'We played wedding songs, and you didn't dance, so we played funeral songs, and you didn't mourn.'" How often do we seek God's blessings in our own lives but are frozen with indifference when He gives us the opportunity to bless someone else? If you are ready to be completely honest test yourself this way, when you catch someone doing wrong is your first reaction to criticize or pray for them? Too many times I have criticized. See we are not given God's light for our own purpose but it is to move us, as He moves. We are to show compassion as He has shown us compassion. Jesus spoke to the crowds in parables or stories so the people might understand what the Kingdom of God is like. Luke records one such story in chapter 12. There Jesus tells of a master who leaves a servant in charge of his household and this servant was tested by the way he cared for those under him. As you can imagine he would be rewarded for doing good or punished for doing bad when his master returned. "And a servant who knows what the master wants, but isn't prepared and doesn't carry out those instructions, will be severely punished." (verse 47). (Luke 12:48 NLT) "But someone who does not know, and then does something wrong, will be punished only lightly. When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required." So you've been asking for music in your life - God has given you the music but will you dance? When someone rejoices do you rejoice with them or do you sit and stare? When someone mourns do you come along side them and mourn too or do you turn and walk away?