The Rich Young Ruler (or Surely I am Missing Something)
Mark 10:17-21 AMP
(17)And as He (Jesus) was setting out on His journey, a man ran up and knelt before Him and asked Him, Teacher, [You are essentially and perfectly morally] good, what must I do to inherit eternal life [that is, to partake of eternal salvation in the Messiah's kingdom]? (18)And Jesus said to him, Why do you call Me [essentially and perfectly morally] good? There is no one [essentially and perfectly morally] good--except God alone. (19)You know the commandments: Do not kill, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not bear false witness, do not defraud, honor your father and mother. (20)And he replied to Him, Teacher, I have carefully guarded and observed all these and taken care not to violate them from my boyhood. (21)And Jesus, looking upon him, loved him, and He said to him, You lack one thing; go and sell all you have and give [the money] to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come [and] accompany Me [walking the same road that I walk]. (22)At that saying the man's countenance fell and was gloomy, and he went away grieved and sorrowing, for he was holding great possessions.
The story of the rich young ruler has been told over and over again by countless preachers, teachers and theologians. Most with the same admonition, "Don't get too attached to stuff!". Yeah, that's a true statement. You can't deny the lesson here because Jesus follows up with His disciples in the next verses like this:
(23)And Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, With what difficulty will those who possess wealth and keep on holding it enter the kingdom of God! (24)And the disciples were amazed and bewildered and perplexed at His words. But Jesus said to them again, Children, how hard it is for those who trust (place their confidence, their sense of safety) in riches to enter the kingdom of God!
Okay, I get it. If you get caught up in what the world values instead of what God values you miss the boat. But let's take another look, focusing on verse 21. It says that Jesus looked at the rich man and loved him. That seems rather out of place in this story. Jesus is just about to tell the disciples how hard it is to be rich AND saved at the same time. But there it is, Jesus looked at the man and LOVED him. What could possibly evoke that from Jesus? Let's look at the rich man's question and statements a little closer:
"Good Teacher" said the rich man, " what do I need to do in order to be a part of God's kingdom."
Jesus gives him the sunday school answer (I believe) the man expected. Don't kill, don't steal, don't lie, don't covet, and honor Mom and Dad. I think it is the next statement from the rich man that prompted the swell of affection from Jesus.
"Jesus", said the man, " I've done that since I was a kid!"
If I may offer a paraphrase here, "There must be something else" is what I believe he was trying to say. Or possibly " Jesus, there has to be something I am missing." Or maybe, "If this is all there is I'm not sure I want it."
I believe the fact that the rich man was questioning all that RELIGION had to offer gave Jesus hope. Maybe Jesus thought to Himself, "That's it son! Reach a little further past the rules you've been taught by religion and find Me!" So Jesus answered, probably with some enthusiasum, "Yes! You are right! There IS more than cold rules and dead religion! Sell all that stuff your religion has convinced you is a blessing from God and follow Me!"
Jesus' heart must have ached a little as the rich man walked away.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Help, I did something Stupid!
This past Sunday we had the pleasure of meeting with Brother Kim Vedros, or Master Kim as he is affectionately known, at our house church gathering. I am always challenged by his understanding of the Word and unique perspective. Bro. Kim shared a word from Psalm 107 concerning God’s faithfulness to us when we cry out to Him.
So, because of Master Kim I have been meditating on Psalm 107. This is the part that caught my heart:
Some are fools [made ill] because of the way of their transgressions and are afflicted because of their iniquities.
They loathe every kind of food, and they draw near to the gates of death.
Then they cry to the Lord in their trouble, and He delivers them out of their distresses.
He sends forth His word and heals them and rescues them from the pit and destruction. Oh, that men would praise [and confess to] the Lord for His goodness and loving-kindness and His wonderful works to the children of men! And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving and rehearse His deeds with shouts of joy and singing!
(Psalm 107:17-22 AMP)
This caught my attention mainly because, like most of us, I can appreciate being “afflicted” because of my iniquities. Did you ever do something stupid that you can’t fix? Or been faced with a problem you TRY to fix and it only gets worse? I know I have. Then when it finally gets bad enough, the light bulb comes on. “I know”, I say to myself, “I’ll call on God!”
This passage in Psalm 107 reminds me of the story of the woman with the issue of blood in the Gospel of Mark:
And when Jesus had recrossed in the boat to the other side, a great throng gathered about Him, and He was at the lakeshore. Then one of the rulers of the synagogue came up, Jairus by name; and seeing Him, he prostrated himself at His feet and begged Him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay Your hands on her, so that she may be healed and live.” And Jesus went with him; and a great crowd kept following Him and pressed Him from all sides [so as almost to suffocate Him]. And there was a woman who had had a flow of blood for twelve years, and who had endured much suffering under [the hands of] many physicians and had spent all that she had, and was no better but instead grew worse. She had heard the reports concerning Jesus, and she came up behind Him in the throng and touched His garment, for she kept saying, “If I only touch His garments, I shall be restored to health”. And immediately her flow of blood was dried up at the source, and [suddenly] she felt in her body that she was healed of her [distressing] ailment. Jesus, recognizing in Himself that the power proceeding from Him had gone forth, turned around immediately in the crowd and said, “Who touched My clothes?” The disciples kept saying to Him, “You see the crowd pressing hard around You from all sides, and You ask, Who touched Me?” Still He kept looking around to see her who had done it. But the woman, knowing what had been done for her, though alarmed and frightened and trembling, fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth. He said to her, “Daughter, your faith (your trust and confidence in Me, springing from faith in God) has restored you to health. Go in (into) peace and be continually healed and freed from your [distressing bodily] disease.” (Mark 5:21-34 AMP)
Now it is not my intention to say that this woman was a “fool” or “afflicted” because of her iniquities. But because of her ailment she “had endured much suffering under [the hands of] many physicians” AND gave them all her money. The result of her physicians’ ministrations even left her worse off than before! Then the woman heard about Jesus. “If I can just touch Him” she said. Psalm 107 says they “cry out in their trouble”. If our crying out doesn’t touch God what good is it? In Psalm 107 they “touched” God by crying out to Him and He sent forth His word and healed them.
The Gospel of John calls Jesus the Word of God:
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. (John 1:14 KJV)
The woman cried out and reached out to touch the Word (Jesus) sent by God. And on top of it all Jesus turns to this frightened, trembling woman and calls her “daughter”. Now that’s when you have really touched God.
So, because of Master Kim I have been meditating on Psalm 107. This is the part that caught my heart:
Some are fools [made ill] because of the way of their transgressions and are afflicted because of their iniquities.
They loathe every kind of food, and they draw near to the gates of death.
Then they cry to the Lord in their trouble, and He delivers them out of their distresses.
He sends forth His word and heals them and rescues them from the pit and destruction. Oh, that men would praise [and confess to] the Lord for His goodness and loving-kindness and His wonderful works to the children of men! And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving and rehearse His deeds with shouts of joy and singing!
(Psalm 107:17-22 AMP)
This caught my attention mainly because, like most of us, I can appreciate being “afflicted” because of my iniquities. Did you ever do something stupid that you can’t fix? Or been faced with a problem you TRY to fix and it only gets worse? I know I have. Then when it finally gets bad enough, the light bulb comes on. “I know”, I say to myself, “I’ll call on God!”
This passage in Psalm 107 reminds me of the story of the woman with the issue of blood in the Gospel of Mark:
And when Jesus had recrossed in the boat to the other side, a great throng gathered about Him, and He was at the lakeshore. Then one of the rulers of the synagogue came up, Jairus by name; and seeing Him, he prostrated himself at His feet and begged Him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay Your hands on her, so that she may be healed and live.” And Jesus went with him; and a great crowd kept following Him and pressed Him from all sides [so as almost to suffocate Him]. And there was a woman who had had a flow of blood for twelve years, and who had endured much suffering under [the hands of] many physicians and had spent all that she had, and was no better but instead grew worse. She had heard the reports concerning Jesus, and she came up behind Him in the throng and touched His garment, for she kept saying, “If I only touch His garments, I shall be restored to health”. And immediately her flow of blood was dried up at the source, and [suddenly] she felt in her body that she was healed of her [distressing] ailment. Jesus, recognizing in Himself that the power proceeding from Him had gone forth, turned around immediately in the crowd and said, “Who touched My clothes?” The disciples kept saying to Him, “You see the crowd pressing hard around You from all sides, and You ask, Who touched Me?” Still He kept looking around to see her who had done it. But the woman, knowing what had been done for her, though alarmed and frightened and trembling, fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth. He said to her, “Daughter, your faith (your trust and confidence in Me, springing from faith in God) has restored you to health. Go in (into) peace and be continually healed and freed from your [distressing bodily] disease.” (Mark 5:21-34 AMP)
Now it is not my intention to say that this woman was a “fool” or “afflicted” because of her iniquities. But because of her ailment she “had endured much suffering under [the hands of] many physicians” AND gave them all her money. The result of her physicians’ ministrations even left her worse off than before! Then the woman heard about Jesus. “If I can just touch Him” she said. Psalm 107 says they “cry out in their trouble”. If our crying out doesn’t touch God what good is it? In Psalm 107 they “touched” God by crying out to Him and He sent forth His word and healed them.
The Gospel of John calls Jesus the Word of God:
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. (John 1:14 KJV)
The woman cried out and reached out to touch the Word (Jesus) sent by God. And on top of it all Jesus turns to this frightened, trembling woman and calls her “daughter”. Now that’s when you have really touched God.
Monday, May 18, 2009
He ain't heavy....
It has been a while since I have posted anything, but the house church is still going well. The hustle and bustle of daily life has captured my time lately. This Sunday was a good time of communion with my brothers and sisters. The scripture passage I keep coming back to lately is Hebrews 12:14-15:
“Strive to live in peace with everybody and pursue that consecration and holiness without which no one will [ever] see the Lord. Exercise foresight and be on the watch to look [after one another], to see that no one falls back from and fails to secure God's grace (His unmerited favor and spiritual blessing), in order that no root of resentment (rancor, bitterness, or hatred) shoots forth and causes trouble and bitter torment, and the many become contaminated and defiled by it” (AMP)
Paul’s encouragement to the early church in verse 14 was “strive” to live in peace with everyone. The word strive is defined in the dictionary as follows:
To exert much effort or energy; endeavor; To struggle or fight forcefully; contend.
This is not a very passive word. “Striving” for peace takes effort and requires endurance. Paul is saying. “Boys and girls, peace is worth the effort. Put your back into it and fight for peace.”
But that’s not all. On top of the hard (dare I say impossible) task of trying for peace with EVERYBODY, Paul says “pursue holiness”. Here we are faced with another verb, yet another action word. “Pursuing” is anything but passive. “While you are striving”, Paul said, “put on your track shoes and run after holiness, ‘cause if you don‘t have that you won’t even see God.” So here we are with our boxing gloves on fighting for peace and our track shoes on running after holiness. You do remember that Paul was writing to the church?
Now, as if we don’t have enough to do with all the striving and pursuing Paul throws in “looking out for one another”. Don’t I have enough to do already?! It’s hard enough trying to look out for myself, now I have to watch out for others too? I think maybe Paul is being a little unreasonable. But there it is, “see that no one falls back from and fails to secure God's grace”. What grace is it that has to be “secured” or held onto? I think John said it best in his gospel:
“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me. And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” (John 1:14-17 KJV)
So in light of Paul’s “encouragement” to the church, am I doing all I can? Or am I so busy looking out for myself I can’t watch out for my brother? Am I sure that my brothers and sisters are secured, strapped down, tied onto, and carried by the “grace and truth” that IS Jesus Christ?
“Strive to live in peace with everybody and pursue that consecration and holiness without which no one will [ever] see the Lord. Exercise foresight and be on the watch to look [after one another], to see that no one falls back from and fails to secure God's grace (His unmerited favor and spiritual blessing), in order that no root of resentment (rancor, bitterness, or hatred) shoots forth and causes trouble and bitter torment, and the many become contaminated and defiled by it” (AMP)
Paul’s encouragement to the early church in verse 14 was “strive” to live in peace with everyone. The word strive is defined in the dictionary as follows:
To exert much effort or energy; endeavor; To struggle or fight forcefully; contend.
This is not a very passive word. “Striving” for peace takes effort and requires endurance. Paul is saying. “Boys and girls, peace is worth the effort. Put your back into it and fight for peace.”
But that’s not all. On top of the hard (dare I say impossible) task of trying for peace with EVERYBODY, Paul says “pursue holiness”. Here we are faced with another verb, yet another action word. “Pursuing” is anything but passive. “While you are striving”, Paul said, “put on your track shoes and run after holiness, ‘cause if you don‘t have that you won’t even see God.” So here we are with our boxing gloves on fighting for peace and our track shoes on running after holiness. You do remember that Paul was writing to the church?
Now, as if we don’t have enough to do with all the striving and pursuing Paul throws in “looking out for one another”. Don’t I have enough to do already?! It’s hard enough trying to look out for myself, now I have to watch out for others too? I think maybe Paul is being a little unreasonable. But there it is, “see that no one falls back from and fails to secure God's grace”. What grace is it that has to be “secured” or held onto? I think John said it best in his gospel:
“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me. And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” (John 1:14-17 KJV)
So in light of Paul’s “encouragement” to the church, am I doing all I can? Or am I so busy looking out for myself I can’t watch out for my brother? Am I sure that my brothers and sisters are secured, strapped down, tied onto, and carried by the “grace and truth” that IS Jesus Christ?
Sunday, May 3, 2009
BJ's Graduation Party Invitation
Join us on Saturday, May 16, from 5-8, to celebrate BJ's graduation from LSU.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Will you be my friend....
This past Sunday we met at the Hill household for our communion time together. We shared a Mexican fiesta (not siesta) of south-of-the-border style casseroles and sides.
During this past week Sharon and I were discussing the word friend as it pertains to the body of Christ. One of the worship songs that we sing on occasion is “Fire of God”, and the chorus says:
Fire of God, burn in me,
Consume all my wickedness
So I will not love this world
So I will not be a friend of this world any longer
So I will not be a friend of this world any longer
When we were thinking about this chorus these questions came to mind; what does it mean to be a friend of the world? What does it mean to be a friend of God?
The chorus of this song is a reference to the scripture in the epistle of James:
"Do you not know that being the world's friend is being God's enemy? So whoever chooses to be a friend of the world takes his stand as an enemy of God." (James 4:4 AMP)
The interesting part of this passage is that the intended audience is the church. It is addressed to those who claim to know and follow Jesus. The friendship with the world that James is referencing was happening inside, not outside, the church.
So how do we become friends of God instead of the world? Let’s look at another passage in the book of James:
“Was not our forefather Abraham [shown to be] justified (made acceptable to God) by [his] works when he brought to the altar as an offering his [own] son Isaac? You see that [his] faith was cooperating with his works, and [his] faith was completed and reached its supreme expression [when he implemented it] by [good] works. And [so] the Scripture was fulfilled that says, Abraham believed in (adhered to, trusted in, and relied on) God, and this was accounted to him as righteousness (as conformity to God's will in thought and deed), and he was called God's friend." (James 2:21, 22 &23 AMP)
Abraham believed God and proved it by obeying Him. Jesus said the same thing in the Gospel of John:
“This is My commandment: that you love one another [just] as I have loved you. No one has greater love [no one has shown stronger affection] than to lay down (give up) his own life for his friends. You are My friends if you keep on doing the things which I command you to do. I do not call you servants (slaves) any longer, for the servant does not know what his master is doing (working out). But I have called you My friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from My Father. [I have revealed to you everything that I have learned from Him.].” (John 15:12-15 AMP)
The only thing that Jesus requires is obedience and He calls us friends. What a wonderful promise. Jesus will be our friend if we just obey. What a novel concept!
During this past week Sharon and I were discussing the word friend as it pertains to the body of Christ. One of the worship songs that we sing on occasion is “Fire of God”, and the chorus says:
Fire of God, burn in me,
Consume all my wickedness
So I will not love this world
So I will not be a friend of this world any longer
So I will not be a friend of this world any longer
When we were thinking about this chorus these questions came to mind; what does it mean to be a friend of the world? What does it mean to be a friend of God?
The chorus of this song is a reference to the scripture in the epistle of James:
"Do you not know that being the world's friend is being God's enemy? So whoever chooses to be a friend of the world takes his stand as an enemy of God." (James 4:4 AMP)
The interesting part of this passage is that the intended audience is the church. It is addressed to those who claim to know and follow Jesus. The friendship with the world that James is referencing was happening inside, not outside, the church.
So how do we become friends of God instead of the world? Let’s look at another passage in the book of James:
“Was not our forefather Abraham [shown to be] justified (made acceptable to God) by [his] works when he brought to the altar as an offering his [own] son Isaac? You see that [his] faith was cooperating with his works, and [his] faith was completed and reached its supreme expression [when he implemented it] by [good] works. And [so] the Scripture was fulfilled that says, Abraham believed in (adhered to, trusted in, and relied on) God, and this was accounted to him as righteousness (as conformity to God's will in thought and deed), and he was called God's friend." (James 2:21, 22 &23 AMP)
Abraham believed God and proved it by obeying Him. Jesus said the same thing in the Gospel of John:
“This is My commandment: that you love one another [just] as I have loved you. No one has greater love [no one has shown stronger affection] than to lay down (give up) his own life for his friends. You are My friends if you keep on doing the things which I command you to do. I do not call you servants (slaves) any longer, for the servant does not know what his master is doing (working out). But I have called you My friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from My Father. [I have revealed to you everything that I have learned from Him.].” (John 15:12-15 AMP)
The only thing that Jesus requires is obedience and He calls us friends. What a wonderful promise. Jesus will be our friend if we just obey. What a novel concept!
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Broken Bread or stale toast?
The first "Easter" service observed was of course when Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James and the other women went to the tomb where Jesus’ body was. They went to anoint His body with spices they had prepared for burial, but what the women discovered was an empty tomb.
"But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, [the women] went to the tomb, taking the spices which they had made ready. And they found the stone rolled back from the tomb, But when they went inside, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus." (Luke 24:1-3, AMP)
To be fair they really did not expect an empty tomb. However, they did bring what "they had made ready." The spices they prepared were brought to the tomb to anoint His body. What these women made ready was not for them at all, but for the Lord they loved.
We, as Christians today, also bring what we have "made ready." The difference is what we have made ready is ourselves, spent on our own selfish desires. We get dressed up in our new Easter clothes, dye eggs, give the kids candy and "go" to church instead of being the Church. We go to the tomb of our religious obligation and call it a "sacrifice" because it is a sunrise service.
However, the resurrection story does not stop there. They discovered the empty tomb and something else:
"And while they were perplexed and wondering what to do about this, behold, two men in dazzling raiment suddenly stood beside them. And as [the women] were frightened and were bowing their faces to the ground, the men said to them, Why do you look for the living among [those who are] dead? He is not here, but has risen! Remember how He told you while He was still in Galilee That the Son of Man must be given over into the hands of sinful men (men whose way or nature is to act in opposition to God) and be crucified and on the third day rise [ from death] And they remembered His words." (Luke 24:4-8, AMP)
The women went to the tomb seeking to serve the Lord and were reminded just who it was they were seeking. They were reminded that Jesus is the Lord of the living not the dead. What if the angels who were at the tomb with Mary Magdalene that day were at most of our resurrection celebrations? The message would probably still be "why do you seek the living among the dead" just like it was back then. Most church-goers today think Jesus will be right where we left Him last Easter; just like the two Marys and the other women at the tomb of Jesus on that resurrection morning. So why do we seek the living among the dead? Do we think our cold religion will keep Him frozen in place for our next visit?
Later in the Luke chapter 24 Jesus actually shows up:
"And behold, that very day two of [the disciples] were going to a village called Emmaus, [which is] about seven miles from Jerusalem. And they were talking with each other about all these things that had occurred. And while they were conversing and discussing together, Jesus Himself caught up with them and was already accompanying them. But their eyes were held, so that they did not recognize Him." (Luke 24:13-16)
Why didn’t the two disciples recognize Jesus? Could it be they did not expect Jesus to be in their everyday walk? Since they were discussing the recent events, they probably thought Jesus was just where they left Him. Could that be why so many today don’t find the living Jesus? Maybe we think that Jesus is still where we left Him.
Fortunately that is not the end of the resurrection day story:
"Then they drew near the village to which they were going, and He acted as if He would go further. But they urged and insisted, saying to Him, Remain with us, for it is toward evening, and the day is now far spent. So He went in to stay with them. And it occurred that as He reclined at table with them, He took [a loaf of] bread and praised [God] and gave thanks and asked a blessing, and then broke it and was giving it to them When their eyes were [instantly] opened and they [clearly] recognized Him, and He vanished (departed invisibly)." (Luke 24:28-31, AMP)
The recognition of Jesus took place in the breaking of bread, not the partaking of the bread. A common phrase that means "fellowship" is "breaking bread." Isn’t it amazing that they finally recognized Jesus in the breaking of the bread. Brokenness reveals Jesus every time. And brokenness must occur before we can partake of what Jesus offers.
We don’t want a broken loaf these days. We want the unbroken and stale bread of religion. We would rather choke on religion than share what we have by the "breaking of bread" (fellowship) with Jesus and each other. Isn’t it time that we give up our holy days of obligation and playing christian dress up? Isn’t it time we become the Church, the Body of Christ, and allow Him to walk with us daily?
The tomb is empty folks and He is risen.
"But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, [the women] went to the tomb, taking the spices which they had made ready. And they found the stone rolled back from the tomb, But when they went inside, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus." (Luke 24:1-3, AMP)
To be fair they really did not expect an empty tomb. However, they did bring what "they had made ready." The spices they prepared were brought to the tomb to anoint His body. What these women made ready was not for them at all, but for the Lord they loved.
We, as Christians today, also bring what we have "made ready." The difference is what we have made ready is ourselves, spent on our own selfish desires. We get dressed up in our new Easter clothes, dye eggs, give the kids candy and "go" to church instead of being the Church. We go to the tomb of our religious obligation and call it a "sacrifice" because it is a sunrise service.
However, the resurrection story does not stop there. They discovered the empty tomb and something else:
"And while they were perplexed and wondering what to do about this, behold, two men in dazzling raiment suddenly stood beside them. And as [the women] were frightened and were bowing their faces to the ground, the men said to them, Why do you look for the living among [those who are] dead? He is not here, but has risen! Remember how He told you while He was still in Galilee That the Son of Man must be given over into the hands of sinful men (men whose way or nature is to act in opposition to God) and be crucified and on the third day rise [ from death] And they remembered His words." (Luke 24:4-8, AMP)
The women went to the tomb seeking to serve the Lord and were reminded just who it was they were seeking. They were reminded that Jesus is the Lord of the living not the dead. What if the angels who were at the tomb with Mary Magdalene that day were at most of our resurrection celebrations? The message would probably still be "why do you seek the living among the dead" just like it was back then. Most church-goers today think Jesus will be right where we left Him last Easter; just like the two Marys and the other women at the tomb of Jesus on that resurrection morning. So why do we seek the living among the dead? Do we think our cold religion will keep Him frozen in place for our next visit?
Later in the Luke chapter 24 Jesus actually shows up:
"And behold, that very day two of [the disciples] were going to a village called Emmaus, [which is] about seven miles from Jerusalem. And they were talking with each other about all these things that had occurred. And while they were conversing and discussing together, Jesus Himself caught up with them and was already accompanying them. But their eyes were held, so that they did not recognize Him." (Luke 24:13-16)
Why didn’t the two disciples recognize Jesus? Could it be they did not expect Jesus to be in their everyday walk? Since they were discussing the recent events, they probably thought Jesus was just where they left Him. Could that be why so many today don’t find the living Jesus? Maybe we think that Jesus is still where we left Him.
Fortunately that is not the end of the resurrection day story:
"Then they drew near the village to which they were going, and He acted as if He would go further. But they urged and insisted, saying to Him, Remain with us, for it is toward evening, and the day is now far spent. So He went in to stay with them. And it occurred that as He reclined at table with them, He took [a loaf of] bread and praised [God] and gave thanks and asked a blessing, and then broke it and was giving it to them When their eyes were [instantly] opened and they [clearly] recognized Him, and He vanished (departed invisibly)." (Luke 24:28-31, AMP)
The recognition of Jesus took place in the breaking of bread, not the partaking of the bread. A common phrase that means "fellowship" is "breaking bread." Isn’t it amazing that they finally recognized Jesus in the breaking of the bread. Brokenness reveals Jesus every time. And brokenness must occur before we can partake of what Jesus offers.
We don’t want a broken loaf these days. We want the unbroken and stale bread of religion. We would rather choke on religion than share what we have by the "breaking of bread" (fellowship) with Jesus and each other. Isn’t it time that we give up our holy days of obligation and playing christian dress up? Isn’t it time we become the Church, the Body of Christ, and allow Him to walk with us daily?
The tomb is empty folks and He is risen.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
You gotta serve somebody...
Today at house church we shared Ms. Jan’s favorite meal, homemade grilled hamburgers. Ken mixed up some 100% ground beef with seasonings and we grilled ‘em fresh. They were good. But before all of the eating stuff, we shared with each other what the Lord has shown us individually during the week.
Sharon shared with the group that she had been listening to a CD by Rita Springer. The song All My Days has a line in the bridge that says “Here am I so in Love with serving you”, “you” being God. So many times our thoughts about “loving” God are just thoughts. What does it mean to serve God? Jesus made it plain to His disciples that our love for one another should be so evident that the world would know we are His. “I give you a new commandment”, Jesus said to His disciples, “that you should love one another as I have loved you. By this everyone will know you are my disciples, by your love for one another.” (John 13:34 & 35, paraphrased). I think it has been mentioned before, but for clarity sake, love is an action word. Love is proven through relationship, sacrifice and service. The “proof” of our love for God is our love for each other.
This “love” that we are COMMANDED to have for one another is not optional. The americanized gospel taught today puts the premium on serving self rather than others, especially our brothers and sisters in Christ. Wouldn’t it be refreshing if we simply obeyed the commandments of God? There might be revival in that kind of thinking……
Sharon shared with the group that she had been listening to a CD by Rita Springer. The song All My Days has a line in the bridge that says “Here am I so in Love with serving you”, “you” being God. So many times our thoughts about “loving” God are just thoughts. What does it mean to serve God? Jesus made it plain to His disciples that our love for one another should be so evident that the world would know we are His. “I give you a new commandment”, Jesus said to His disciples, “that you should love one another as I have loved you. By this everyone will know you are my disciples, by your love for one another.” (John 13:34 & 35, paraphrased). I think it has been mentioned before, but for clarity sake, love is an action word. Love is proven through relationship, sacrifice and service. The “proof” of our love for God is our love for each other.
This “love” that we are COMMANDED to have for one another is not optional. The americanized gospel taught today puts the premium on serving self rather than others, especially our brothers and sisters in Christ. Wouldn’t it be refreshing if we simply obeyed the commandments of God? There might be revival in that kind of thinking……
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
The Grace of God
This past Sunday we met at Kandris’ house. Ken asked if we sing the song “Your Grace is Enough” by Chris Tomlin. The song praises God and expresses thanks for His mercy and grace to us. This led us to other songs such as “Amazing Grace” and “Nothing But the Blood” that give thanks for God’s grace.
Here is a bridge that we have added to “Nothing But the Blood”:
Nothing but the blood of Jesus sets me free,
From the sin that chains me to my past,
Prison bars are broken,
The door swings open,
And I am free at last
I believe this short refrain expresses the tremendous power in the blood of Jesus. According to Romans 3: 20-26, the blood of Jesus is an expression of His grace to us:
"For no person will be justified (made righteous, acquitted, and judged acceptable) in His sight by observing the works prescribed by the Law. For [the real function of] the Law is to make men recognize and be conscious of sin [not mere perception, but an acquaintance with sin which works toward repentance, faith, and holy character]. But now the righteousness of God has been revealed independently and altogether apart from the Law, although actually it is attested by the Law and the Prophets, namely, the righteousness of God which comes by believing with personal trust and confident reliance on Jesus Christ (the Messiah). [And it is meant] for all who believe. For there is no distinction, since all have sinned and are falling short of the honor and glory which God bestows and receives. [All] are justified and made upright and in right standing with God, freely and gratuitously by His grace (His unmerited favor and mercy), through the redemption which is [provided] in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward [before the eyes of all] as a mercy seat and propitiation by His blood [the cleansing and life-giving sacrifice of atonement and reconciliation, to be received] through faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in His divine forbearance He had passed over and ignored former sins without punishment. It was to demonstrate and prove at the present time (in the now season) that He Himself is righteous and that He justifies and accepts as righteous him who has [true] faith in Jesus." (Amplified)
In the KJV verse twenty-five of this passage reads as follows:
"Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;"
The blood of Jesus doesn’t just cover over or whitewash or sins. Jesus’ blood offers the remission, or removal, of even past sins. Often we are held captive to the sins of our past keeping us frozen in the present. If our past sins are truly remitted by the blood of Christ we are no longer held captive to them. AND we are freed from sin. The prison bars are truly open; we are no longer bound by those sins that enslaved us.
Here is a bridge that we have added to “Nothing But the Blood”:
Nothing but the blood of Jesus sets me free,
From the sin that chains me to my past,
Prison bars are broken,
The door swings open,
And I am free at last
I believe this short refrain expresses the tremendous power in the blood of Jesus. According to Romans 3: 20-26, the blood of Jesus is an expression of His grace to us:
"For no person will be justified (made righteous, acquitted, and judged acceptable) in His sight by observing the works prescribed by the Law. For [the real function of] the Law is to make men recognize and be conscious of sin [not mere perception, but an acquaintance with sin which works toward repentance, faith, and holy character]. But now the righteousness of God has been revealed independently and altogether apart from the Law, although actually it is attested by the Law and the Prophets, namely, the righteousness of God which comes by believing with personal trust and confident reliance on Jesus Christ (the Messiah). [And it is meant] for all who believe. For there is no distinction, since all have sinned and are falling short of the honor and glory which God bestows and receives. [All] are justified and made upright and in right standing with God, freely and gratuitously by His grace (His unmerited favor and mercy), through the redemption which is [provided] in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward [before the eyes of all] as a mercy seat and propitiation by His blood [the cleansing and life-giving sacrifice of atonement and reconciliation, to be received] through faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in His divine forbearance He had passed over and ignored former sins without punishment. It was to demonstrate and prove at the present time (in the now season) that He Himself is righteous and that He justifies and accepts as righteous him who has [true] faith in Jesus." (Amplified)
In the KJV verse twenty-five of this passage reads as follows:
"Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;"
The blood of Jesus doesn’t just cover over or whitewash or sins. Jesus’ blood offers the remission, or removal, of even past sins. Often we are held captive to the sins of our past keeping us frozen in the present. If our past sins are truly remitted by the blood of Christ we are no longer held captive to them. AND we are freed from sin. The prison bars are truly open; we are no longer bound by those sins that enslaved us.
Monday, March 23, 2009
The Heart of David
This week at house church we talked about a word that Ken Lang, a good friend of ours, e-mailed to us concerning the heart. It concerns the convicted condition of the heart when we sin against God. So that we are all on the same page, sin is not just what the world considers bad, like murder or theft. Sin is disobedience to God. Sin is not determined on a sliding scale of "how evil is it?" Sin is disobeying God. Period.
A convicted heart is a sign that God wants to forgive AND you really want to be forgiven. It is when the heart no longer feels God's conviction that we are hopeless. Here is what my brother Ken Lang had to say on the matter:
1 Samuel 24:1-6
(1) And it came to pass, when Saul was returned from following the Philistines, that it was told him, saying, Behold, David is in the wilderness of Engedi. (2) Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and went to seek David and his men upon the rocks of the wild goats. (3) And he came to the sheepcotes by the way, where was a cave; and Saul went in to cover his feet: and David and his men remained in the sides of the cave. (4) And the men of David said unto him, Behold the day of which the LORD said unto thee, Behold, I will deliver thine enemy into thine hand, that thou mayest do to him as it shall seem good unto thee. Then David arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul's robe privily. (5) And it came to pass afterward, that David's heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul's skirt.
2 Samuel 24:10
(10) And David's heart smote him after that he had numbered the people. And David said unto the LORD, I have sinned greatly in that I have done: and now, I beseech thee, O LORD, take away the iniquity of thy servant; for I have done very foolishly.
"We know David had a heart after God, but apparently his heart also convicted him when he sinned. One is when he cut Saul’s skirt and the other is when he numbered the people. If you are familiar with the first passage, then you know David was being chased by Saul who wanted to kill him. The reason being David excelled at all he did and more honor was attributed to him than Saul. It is amazing how jealousy can even affect even the king. In the process of Saul chasing him, David eased up near him at a vulnerable time and cut Saul’s skirt. I am sure out of frustration David simply wanted Saul to know he could have killed him if he wanted, but let Saul live out of respect for his office. Even so, David’s heart knew despite Saul’s murderous intentions he allowed Saul to influence his behavior. David didn’t like what he saw in himself. Perhaps in your dealings with the world, or possibly church leadership, you may have allowed another’s sin to push you into a sinful wrong response. If your heart is convicted, then it is a good sign you can stop before the influence goes any further."
Thank you Ken for your insights and your willingness to share with the body.
A convicted heart is a sign that God wants to forgive AND you really want to be forgiven. It is when the heart no longer feels God's conviction that we are hopeless. Here is what my brother Ken Lang had to say on the matter:
1 Samuel 24:1-6
(1) And it came to pass, when Saul was returned from following the Philistines, that it was told him, saying, Behold, David is in the wilderness of Engedi. (2) Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and went to seek David and his men upon the rocks of the wild goats. (3) And he came to the sheepcotes by the way, where was a cave; and Saul went in to cover his feet: and David and his men remained in the sides of the cave. (4) And the men of David said unto him, Behold the day of which the LORD said unto thee, Behold, I will deliver thine enemy into thine hand, that thou mayest do to him as it shall seem good unto thee. Then David arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul's robe privily. (5) And it came to pass afterward, that David's heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul's skirt.
2 Samuel 24:10
(10) And David's heart smote him after that he had numbered the people. And David said unto the LORD, I have sinned greatly in that I have done: and now, I beseech thee, O LORD, take away the iniquity of thy servant; for I have done very foolishly.
"We know David had a heart after God, but apparently his heart also convicted him when he sinned. One is when he cut Saul’s skirt and the other is when he numbered the people. If you are familiar with the first passage, then you know David was being chased by Saul who wanted to kill him. The reason being David excelled at all he did and more honor was attributed to him than Saul. It is amazing how jealousy can even affect even the king. In the process of Saul chasing him, David eased up near him at a vulnerable time and cut Saul’s skirt. I am sure out of frustration David simply wanted Saul to know he could have killed him if he wanted, but let Saul live out of respect for his office. Even so, David’s heart knew despite Saul’s murderous intentions he allowed Saul to influence his behavior. David didn’t like what he saw in himself. Perhaps in your dealings with the world, or possibly church leadership, you may have allowed another’s sin to push you into a sinful wrong response. If your heart is convicted, then it is a good sign you can stop before the influence goes any further."
Thank you Ken for your insights and your willingness to share with the body.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
As in the days of Noah...
Today we meet together at Ken and Carolyn's home. We visited together and shared our week with one another. Conversation is never a problem with friends you enjoy being with.
Kandris shared a word from Matthew 24: 35-42 that has been on her heart this week:
(35) Sky and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.
(36) But of that [exact] day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
(37) As were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.
(38) For just as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, [men] marrying and [women] being given in marriage, until the [very] day when Noah went into the ark,
(39) And they did not know or understand until the flood came and swept them all away--so will be the coming of the Son of Man.
(40) At that time two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left.
(41) Two women will be grinding at the hand mill; one will be taken and one will be left.
(42) Watch therefore [give strict attention, be cautious and active], for you do not know in what kind of a day [whether a near or remote one] your Lord is coming.
Kandris shared a word from Matthew 24: 35-42 that has been on her heart this week:
(35) Sky and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.
(36) But of that [exact] day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
(37) As were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.
(38) For just as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, [men] marrying and [women] being given in marriage, until the [very] day when Noah went into the ark,
(39) And they did not know or understand until the flood came and swept them all away--so will be the coming of the Son of Man.
(40) At that time two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left.
(41) Two women will be grinding at the hand mill; one will be taken and one will be left.
(42) Watch therefore [give strict attention, be cautious and active], for you do not know in what kind of a day [whether a near or remote one] your Lord is coming.
This particular passage is a Jesus' response to His disciples inquiries about the "end of the age". "What will be the sign of Your coming", they asked. The verses above are the latter part of Jesus' answer. The question Kandris asked herself thinking about this passage is "in the busy-ness that is our lives today, are we busy about the right things." Just like in the days of Noah, when everyone was attending his own business, the flood happened. That's what the coming of the Son of Man (Jesus) will be like. Everybody is minding their own business and He will show up. Notice verse 42 and the warning offered by Jesus. Watch, give strict attention, be cautious AND active. What should we be active in? Here's a few things that came to mind:
- Be in fellowship with God and each other (1 John 1:5-7)
- Be Light and Salt to your sphere of influence (Matthew 5:13-16)
- Rejoice, Pray, and be Thankful (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
Sometimes these things are easier to list than to do. But what would you rather, to be caught up with Him, or caught unaware?
Monday, March 9, 2009
All of His benefits
One of the things we talked about this week was spurred by the following verses from the Book of Psalms:
Psalm 103:1-5 (Amp)
(1) BLESS (AFFECTIONATELY, gratefully praise) the Lord, O my soul; and all that is [deepest] within me, bless His holy name!
(2) Bless (affectionately, gratefully praise) the Lord, O my soul, and forget not [one of] all His benefits--
(3) Who forgives [every one of] all your iniquities, Who heals [each one of] all your diseases,
(4) Who redeems your life from the pit and corruption, Who beautifies, dignifies, and crowns you with loving-kindness and tender mercy;
(5) Who satisfies your mouth [your necessity and desire at your personal age and situation] with good so that your youth, renewed, is like the eagle's [strong, overcoming, soaring]!
So we took a little time to remember His benefits. Things like:
Psalm 103:1-5 (Amp)
(1) BLESS (AFFECTIONATELY, gratefully praise) the Lord, O my soul; and all that is [deepest] within me, bless His holy name!
(2) Bless (affectionately, gratefully praise) the Lord, O my soul, and forget not [one of] all His benefits--
(3) Who forgives [every one of] all your iniquities, Who heals [each one of] all your diseases,
(4) Who redeems your life from the pit and corruption, Who beautifies, dignifies, and crowns you with loving-kindness and tender mercy;
(5) Who satisfies your mouth [your necessity and desire at your personal age and situation] with good so that your youth, renewed, is like the eagle's [strong, overcoming, soaring]!
So we took a little time to remember His benefits. Things like:
- Salvation - Ephesians 2:8, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:"
- Peace - John 14:27, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
- Forgiveness of sin - 1 John 2:12, "I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake."
This is certianly not an exhaustive list. Just a few things that come to mind.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Breakfast at Kandris' house
We shared a breakfast meal this week at Kandris’ house. We dined on grits, scrambled eggs, sausage/gravy over biscuits and bacon quiche. Everything was well prepared and wonderful.
The great thing about house church is that it is not a “one man show”. So when we meet the emphasis is on how the members of the body of Christ relate to one another. Concerning Christian gatherings in the book of 1 Corinthians 14:26, Paul wrote “What then, brethren, is [the right course]? When you meet together, each one has a hymn, a teaching, a disclosure of special knowledge or information, an utterance in a [strange] tongue, or an interpretation of it. [But] let everything be constructive and edifying and for the good of all. “
This week Kandris had a teaching that she shared with the rest of us. It was from 2 Peter and specifically from the Amplified translation of the bible.
2 Peter 1:3-10
(3) For His divine power has bestowed upon us all things that [are requisite and suited] to life and godliness, through the [[d]full, personal] knowledge of Him Who called us by and to His own glory and excellence (virtue). (4) By means of these He has bestowed on us His precious and exceedingly great promises, so that through them you may escape [by flight] from the moral decay (rottenness and corruption) that is in the world because of covetousness (lust and greed), and become sharers (partakers) of the divine nature. (5) For this very reason, [e]adding your diligence [to the divine promises], employ every effort in [f]exercising your faith to develop virtue (excellence, resolution, Christian energy), and in [exercising] virtue [develop] knowledge (intelligence), (6) And in [exercising] knowledge [develop] self-control, and in [exercising] self-control [develop] steadfastness (patience, endurance), and in [exercising] steadfastness [develop] godliness (piety), (7) And in [exercising] godliness [develop] brotherly affection, and in [exercising] brotherly affection [develop] Christian love. (8) For as these qualities are yours and increasingly abound in you, they will keep [you] from being idle or unfruitful unto the [[g]full personal] knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One). (9) For whoever lacks these qualities is blind, [[h]spiritually] shortsighted, [i]seeing only what is near to him, and has become oblivious [to the fact] that he was cleansed from his old sins. (10) Because of this, brethren, be all the more solicitous and eager to make sure (to ratify, to strengthen, to make steadfast) your calling and election; for if you do this, you will never stumble or fall.
Just a few things to point out in this passage pertinent to our living a Christian life:
- Verse 3 tells us where we receive the power to live a Christian life (God)
- Verse 4 tells us that we should treasure the promises of God as “precious and exceedingly great”
- Verses 5 through 7 tell us that there is personal responsibility involved in this endeavor to be Christian. Notice the words “exercising” and “develop” are repeated over and over.
- Verse 8 tells us that this Christian development makes us fruitful and keeps us from being idle.
- Verse 9 emphasizes the need to recognize when we are missing the mark.
- Finally, verse 10 encourages us with the promise “if you do this, you will never stumble or fall.”
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Monday, February 23, 2009
This week in our weekly meeting we were honored by the presence of another group of friends with Oikos Ministries. Kim and Marianne have been involved with the house churches from Oikos Ministries from the inception; and the crowd that usually meets with them met with us also. By the way, this is not unusual for us to do. Occasionally we will gather with another group of friends and enjoy fellowship with people that we don’t see as often.
This past week I’ve been considering the word believe. Over and over the New Testament refers to believing or not believing. In Matthew chapter eight Jesus marveled at a centurion soldier’s faith and told him as he (the centurion) had believed, the thing he had asked was done. In Mark chapter five Jairus comes to Jesus because his daughter is sick and dying. When Jairus is given the news of his daughter’s death, Jesus tells him only believe. Unbelieving comes up a lot too. In Matthew chapter thirteen Jesus comes to His own town and “did not do many mighty works because of their unbelief”.
The scripture that caught my eye on the subject of believe is Mark chapter nine, verses twenty-three and twenty-four. Just to get us “up to speed”, these two verses are the dialog between a father, whose son is afflicted by “a dumb spirit”, and Jesus. In the earlier verses we learn that the dumb spirit “dashes him (the son) to the ground and he foams at the mouth”. It is also made apparent that Jesus’ disciples were not able to help at all. When Jesus shows up on the scene it is clearly chaos and, according to Mark, Jesus drives the dumb spirit out of the boy. Good ending. However, it is the dialog between Jesus and the boy’s father in verses twenty-three and twenty-four that speak volumes about the dichotomy between our belief and unbelief.
Here is the dialog between Jesus and the boy’s father:
23 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.
24 And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.
The word that Jesus and the boy’s father used for believe is Pisteuo in the Greek. This is the definition from Strong’s Greek/Hebrew Dictionary:
Pisteuo - pist-yoo'-o
to think to be true, to be persuaded of, to credit, place confidence in
of the thing believed
to credit, have confidence
in a moral or religious reference
used in the NT of the conviction and trust to which a man is impelled by a certain inner and higher prerogative and law of soul
to trust in Jesus or God as able to aid either in obtaining or in doing something: saving faith 1bc) mere acknowledgment of some fact or event: intellectual faith
to entrust a thing to one, i.e. his fidelity
to be entrusted with a thing
I would like to take the liberty to offer my interpretation of what may have been said
Jesus: “Are you fully persuaded? Anything’s possible for those who are convinced!”
Boy’s father: “Yes! I am fully persuaded! But please Lord, convince me!”
Sometimes in those moments between our believing and unbelieving there is room for a miracle if we just ask.
This past week I’ve been considering the word believe. Over and over the New Testament refers to believing or not believing. In Matthew chapter eight Jesus marveled at a centurion soldier’s faith and told him as he (the centurion) had believed, the thing he had asked was done. In Mark chapter five Jairus comes to Jesus because his daughter is sick and dying. When Jairus is given the news of his daughter’s death, Jesus tells him only believe. Unbelieving comes up a lot too. In Matthew chapter thirteen Jesus comes to His own town and “did not do many mighty works because of their unbelief”.
The scripture that caught my eye on the subject of believe is Mark chapter nine, verses twenty-three and twenty-four. Just to get us “up to speed”, these two verses are the dialog between a father, whose son is afflicted by “a dumb spirit”, and Jesus. In the earlier verses we learn that the dumb spirit “dashes him (the son) to the ground and he foams at the mouth”. It is also made apparent that Jesus’ disciples were not able to help at all. When Jesus shows up on the scene it is clearly chaos and, according to Mark, Jesus drives the dumb spirit out of the boy. Good ending. However, it is the dialog between Jesus and the boy’s father in verses twenty-three and twenty-four that speak volumes about the dichotomy between our belief and unbelief.
Here is the dialog between Jesus and the boy’s father:
23 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.
24 And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.
The word that Jesus and the boy’s father used for believe is Pisteuo in the Greek. This is the definition from Strong’s Greek/Hebrew Dictionary:
Pisteuo - pist-yoo'-o
to think to be true, to be persuaded of, to credit, place confidence in
of the thing believed
to credit, have confidence
in a moral or religious reference
used in the NT of the conviction and trust to which a man is impelled by a certain inner and higher prerogative and law of soul
to trust in Jesus or God as able to aid either in obtaining or in doing something: saving faith 1bc) mere acknowledgment of some fact or event: intellectual faith
to entrust a thing to one, i.e. his fidelity
to be entrusted with a thing
I would like to take the liberty to offer my interpretation of what may have been said
Jesus: “Are you fully persuaded? Anything’s possible for those who are convinced!”
Boy’s father: “Yes! I am fully persuaded! But please Lord, convince me!”
Sometimes in those moments between our believing and unbelieving there is room for a miracle if we just ask.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Monday, February 16, 2009
I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me
This past sunday we gathered at the home of our friends Ken and Carolyn. Ken asked if we could sing the song "Arms of Love", so we did. Here's the words for those who don't know it:
I sing a simple song of love,To my Savior, to my Jesus.I'm grateful for the things You've done,My loving Savior, oh precious Jesus.My heart is glad that You've called my Your
own.And there's no place I'd rather beThan in Your arms of love.In Your arms of love,Holding me still, holding me near,In Your arms of love
We took some time to go around the room and share what the Lord has impressed on us this week, as we studied His word individually. One of the things shared is out of the Gospel of John, chapter 17. This is the prayer that Jesus prayed before He went to the Garden of Gethsemane on the night He was betrayed. The section that I had never noticed before starts in verse 6:
6 "I have manifested Your name to the men whom You have given Me out of the world. They were Yours, You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word.7 Now they have known that all things which You have given Me are from You.8 For I have given to them the words which You have given Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came forth from You; and they have believed that You sent Me.9 I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours.
I find it interesting that Jesus would say specifically that He was not praying for the world, but for "those whom You (God) have given Me". Especially in the light of the fact that the same book of the New Testament contains one of the most quoted scriptures in the world (John 3:16) which begins with "For God so loved the world...".
I am not advocating that we cease praying for the world in general. I am not saying that God does not answer such prayers. What I am pointing out (however poorly) is that Jesus' heart was toward those men He was in relationship with. One if His last prayers on this earth was for those men that God the Father had entrusted to Him. If Jesus is our example are we praying for those that God has entrusted to us. Also, are we a faithful people to whom God CAN entrust people.
I have to say that later in this prayer Jesus does pray for the world. In verse 20 Jesus says "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word.". But he did not pray like we do. In His prayer He was sending those He loved best and those He trusted most to the world "God so Loved".
Monday, February 2, 2009
Fun 'n Games
Most of our house church members like to play games. We have frequent 'game nights' and many times we enjoy games on Sundays after communion. Here are a couple of pictures of us playing Bananagrams, (one of our newest games, and very fun.)
Another of our new games is ImaginIff. A sample card is "Imaginiff we were on a sinking boat with only enough time to save one item. Which player would save a blow dryer?" Seven out of eight players said Jacob would save the blow dryer. Seven out of eight players were right, and that only happens when you spend lots of time together. Because of the closeness in relationships, our house church knows things like this about each other. It's very refreshing. By the way, the eighth player that didn't say Jacob, was Jacob!
Another of our new games is ImaginIff. A sample card is "Imaginiff we were on a sinking boat with only enough time to save one item. Which player would save a blow dryer?" Seven out of eight players said Jacob would save the blow dryer. Seven out of eight players were right, and that only happens when you spend lots of time together. Because of the closeness in relationships, our house church knows things like this about each other. It's very refreshing. By the way, the eighth player that didn't say Jacob, was Jacob!
Monday, January 26, 2009
The Hill Oikos
Welcome to The Hill Oikos, the church that meets at Bobby and Sharon's house. Visit Oikos Ministries' blog page at www.housechurchesusa.com and check back here for more information coming soon.
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