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God chooses outliers.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

”The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.” ‭‭Genesis‬ ‭12‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Just to be transparent. These exact verses came up a year ago, but I have recently been in a sermon series called, “Stepping into God’s Story,” so I’ve been marinating in Abram’s call all week. I’m copying over some discoveries from my notes, because it is absolutely fascinating to see how God chooses and who He chooses to allow them to partner with Him to save humanity. Here’s what we know about Abram…

▫️His dad was an idol worshiper. The Bible confirms that his father, Terah, was an idolater, worshiping other gods (Joshua 24:2)
▫️ He was considered to be a pagan, a non-God or multi-god believer.
▫️ God pursues him, speaking to him, promises are made.
▫️ At 75 years old – he listens, believes, and obeys God.
▫️ Abram was wealthy.
▫️ Sarai was stunningly beautiful, but barren, she could not have children.

And even though God reminds Abram several times that He will keep His promises, Abram still has a lot of questions. He BELIEVES, but tries to figure out how the promise could be fulfilled because he and Sarai were barren and old! Abram asks God how it will happen!

Maybe you were taught or believed that you could not ask God questions. Maybe you were taught that questions equal doubt or disbelief. I am here to tell you – that’s just not true. Here we have the most famous, ancient patriarch of Judaism asking God a lot of questions! Now, I realize, God did not answer him with specifics, but continued to reinforce His promise and His ability to fulfill that promise. It’s almost a comical dance that takes place when Abram asks about his future kids, God says “look at the stars, count them – that’s how many kids you’ll have.” God didn’t give details He gave an object lesson in truth and trust! Isn’t that beautifully FRUSTRATING! We want details, God just says, “TRUST ME.” Faith over form! Let God handle the details. Thats hard for us as “checklist,” scheduled, calendared people! We want to control the details and the timeline, but that is not our job. Our job is to believe and obey!

Abram and Sarai get themselves in the biggest mess by trying to circumvent or help God with His plans! Sarai gets weary of waiting, gives up on God’s plan, and makes her own. She convinces Abram to use their slave girl as a surrogate to produce an heir. The Ishmael/Isaac story is one of the most famous feudal fiascos of all time! And, we are STILL paying the price for that decision thousands of years ago.

A couple of things we can learn from all this: 1. God often chooses the least likely people to accomplish His purposes. Maybe God is calling you to listen, obey and follow, no matter where He leads. 2. God makes and keeps His promises. Through the Holy Spirit, God wants us to listen for His voice, His leading. God wants us to believe and have faith in Him. God wants us to obey and follow him, even if no one else does.

Prayer

God,
As I read Your living Word, sometimes I have to remind myself that life is, or can be, very simple. By listening, believing and obeying – it becomes so uncomplicated. Not easy, but simple. Faith is difficult but also very freeing. Looking back on my life I know this to be true because you chose me – the outlier, the underdog, the underperforming nobody. This alone brings gratefulness and joy. It brings a humble confidence, not at all in myself, but in you. It also has me convinced, if you can do this wondrous work in my life, you can do it through anyone! It has not been easy, but it has been good, because you are good. Amen.

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Compelled to go?

Reading Time: 3 minutes

The Spirit then compelled Jesus to go into the wilderness, where he was tempted by Satan for forty days. He was out among the wild animals, and angels took care of him. Mark‬ ‭1‬:‭12‬-‭13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I have read this story, and these words, dozens of times. Mark’s gospel is gritty and filled with gut-wrenching reality checks – if we slow down and read it without the preconceived, sermonized pictures in our head, it’s powerful. Mark’s short, punchy delivery is what makes it so shocking! Just a couple verses ahead of the Spirit compelling, Mark has Jesus being baptized, heavens splitting, the Holy Spirit descending and a voice from heaven declaring the Father’s love for his son! Whhhhhaaaattt? Then… the Spirit says GO!

Of course, the other gospels take much more time to develop the details of these moments. Matthew gives the baptism five verses, with a lot of background on John the Baptizer. Luke gives us two verses on baptism, but thirteen verses on Jesus temptation in the desert. John has six verses about Jesus baptism, but none on his desert experience. All three Spirit compelled journalists write about Jesus’ being led (anagó or agó), but Mark chooses a different word to describe what the Spirit of God did to lead Jesus’ to His missional, next steps. Mark writes, the Spirit compelled (ekballo: I throw, cast, put out, banish) “ballo” to throw or cast and “ek” is just out. Obviously, the Spirit “leading” is so much more gentle, even delightful.

Mark wanted us to know it was much more forceful, kind of like God kicking the first couple out of Eden and facing life with their newfound “knowledge” of evil! No more walks with God in the cool of the good and gorgeous environment of Eden, it’s the hard knock life of toiling and the reality of facing a formidable enemy! Jesus was banished to the wilderness by the Holy Spirit.

Why I am being so dramatic about Mark’s brief, but powerful word-choice picture? Hello! If we think for one moment that God would take His own Son and banish him to face the struggles and challenges of a wilderness experience. Then leave him to have a world-class showdown with Satan himself at Jesus’ weakest moment in body, soul and spirit. Why would we believe that God would not or will not do something similar with us? The Spirit of God pushed Jesus out there!

For those who know God, listen to God, and choose to follow Him there could be a Spirit-compelled invitation to walk with Him in a wild-wilderness, even a sifting, shaking temptation season of our life! It seems, this experience was the first step on Jesus’ agenda to be on mission! Go out and begin to RECLAIM Eden for all of us! For Eve, the tree was beautiful, delicious and would give her wisdom. For Jesus, the bread loaves were beautiful. The ideation of his indestructible durability was irresistible. And, the promise of ultimate control and power was palpable. The snare of taking a shortcut was set – there was a better way, a less painful way, an easier path if Jesus so desired. The good life on this planet could be his and humanity would be lost forever.

God sent Jesus out there, would I go? Would you? Because Jesus faced those temptations, we will too. However, because Jesus won those battles, we can too!

Prayer

Dad,
Whew! What a powerfully deep thought for the day. I can’t say that I have been compelled or pushed out into a wilderness to purposefully be exposed and exhausted. Then to face the lures and snares of Satan, designed specifically to my longings and desires. I certainly don’t remember a season like that. But I do know what it’s like to hear, see and feel the glitter of those shiny-lights of promise to just have my own way and yield to, give into, whatever my flesh (as Paul puts it) wants. I am definitely aware of those battles! It gives me hope that Jesus willingly accepted the challenge to reclaim Eden and win back even the ability for me to say “NO” and walk away. I am thankful for your mercy! Amen.

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God is listening.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Bend down, O Lord, and hear my prayer; answer me, for I need your help. Protect me, for I am devoted to you. Save me, for I serve you and trust you. You are my God. Be merciful to me, O Lord, for I am calling on you constantly. Give me happiness, O Lord, for I give myself to you. O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help. Listen closely to my prayer, O Lord; hear my urgent cry. I will call to you whenever I’m in trouble, and you will answer me. Psalms‬ ‭86‬:‭1‬-‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

What would you like to say to God? What do you want to tell Him?

David, the beloved King of ancient Israel was no saint. It’s hard to say, but likely he was a way better sinner than you or I will ever be! Sure he was brave (or arrogant). Sure he was confident (or cocky). Sure he was charismatic (or manipulative). But, David gave us more insight into his own life AND a more authentic prayer life than any other character in the Bible!

David was prolific in being real before a Holy God! This Psalm is one of many where David is hurting and afraid, yet it does not stop him from pouring out his heart and soul to God. “Bend down, hear me, answer me – I need your help.” It’s raw and unfiltered, he’s certainly not pandering for spiritual points, trying to make it look like his life is all together!

It’s because these prayers, these pursuits of conversations with God that we too can let it all out, say what we’ve got to say, and know we are safe in our relationship with God. There is SO MUCH to learn from Psalms like this one. My question is, “do I talk with God with as much unpolished presence as David?” God is listening! I can’t say that God is waiting around, fretting about our prayer life. But I can confidently say this – God wants to hear from us when we are at our best and our worst.

When things are good, give God a shoutout of praise. Thank Him for His mercy and grace, blessing and favor. And when things are bad, TELL HIM. If you need some help with verbalizing or converting a mess of emotions into words, then PRAY David’s prayer in this Psalm. Don’t just read it – PRAY IT – OUT-LOUD. God knows our heart, He is willing to hear the wrestling in our soul. Talk to Him while driving through traffic. Talk to Him when you wake up in the night. Greet Him in the morning. And, say goodnight before you close your day. Just pray – He is listening. Maybe He will speak to you in the storm, in the quiet, in the battle, in the confusion or raging anger. Get it all out, then quiet your soul and listen.

Prayer

Dad,
I know you hear me when I pray! I know you answer me when I feel trapped, surrounded, overwhelmed or afraid. I am so thankful for your love and patience with me. I am so grateful that you know my sin and my frailty. I love everyone one of the moments when we talk. I pray, you listen. I listen and you speak to me through Your Holy Spirit. I am comforted by Your presence and have never regretted our time together. Plus, I can’t wait until I see you face to face and spend all of eternity with you and the people who love you. Amen.

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Dare to mess with the Holy Spirit?

Reading Time: 3 minutes

But there was a certain man named Ananias who, with his wife, Sapphira, sold some property. He brought part of the money to the apostles, claiming it was the full amount. With his wife’s consent, he kept the rest. Then Peter said, “Ananias, why have you let Satan fill your heart? You lied to the Holy Spirit, and you kept some of the money for yourself. The property was yours to sell or not sell, as you wished. And after selling it, the money was also yours to give away. How could you do a thing like this? You weren’t lying to us but to God!” Acts ‭5‬:‭1‬-‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Luke writes this book to tell the story of the early church and the Apostles who led them. Some believe this entire book was a testimonial account, written for Paul to deliver to Caesar himself. It reads very much like a continuation of the gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) recording the acts and stories of Jesus.

Luke writes, ”Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, a distance of half a mile” (Acts 1:12). It is explosive reading from a “well, what happens now?” perspective. Acts 2, the Church explodes on the scene with the Holy Spirit bringing supernatural signs and wonders. Peter finds his voice, preaching to his own people, the Jews, and sounding very much like the Prophets of old. As a result, there is transformation in the lives of thousands of people. Even among the rise of persecution for being a Christian, the Church grew rapidly. The rulers, elders and teachers of religious law even met together, still hell-bent on crushing this “new” faith and belief in Jesus. Yet, more decisions, now an additional 5,000 people following the ways of Christ!

Luke records the “believer’s” prayer, and it is powerful. They prayed for God to, ”Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus” (4:30). And God answered with this, “After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness” (4‬:‭31‬).

It with this context that Luke records that the Church came together with an incredible sense of unity, writing, “All the believers were united in heart and mind.” Chapter five seems to come out of a story that points out that there were some who were kind of faking it? Just regular folk who may have had good intentions, desperately wanting to be a part of this supernatural move of God in the community of faith. Maybe they were just caught up in the excitement, an electricity in air, where God was doing miracles. Seized with this fervor, they also sold some property and decided to give it to the community fund that was used to both help the poor, but also pay for any expenses that this new and expanding Church would need.

But there was a problem, deep in the heart of this couple. They wanted to sell the property, but didn’t want to give ALL of the profits, believing that some or most of the proceeds would suffice. To be clear, there wasn’t, there isn’t, anything wrong with selling property, giving some of the profits away and keeping some for themselves. The decision, on both their parts, was to make it look like they sacrificed to give it ALL away. Ananias and Sapphira brought part of the money to the apostles and CLAIMED it was the full amount!

As Ananias handed the money over, the Holy Spirit must have told Peter there was something very wrong with this particular gift, this transaction. It was given with subterfuge! Peter called it and spoke it out, “You lied to the Holy Spirit!” When Ananias heard Peter openly reveal the content of his own heart, he dropped dead! Peter, then knowing how this “gift” came to be, gave Sapphira a chance to come clean. Like a parent who already knows what happened before they ask their child, Peter asked, “Was this the price you and your husband received for your land?” “Yes,” she replied, “that was the price.” At this point, it was pretty Bold for Peter himself to let her know that God would also deal with her – O.T. style 😳. Saying, see those guys with the sheet…they just buried your husband and now they are here to help you – TO THE GRAVE! Whoa. This story also went out in the faith community – don’t mess around with the Holy Spirit!

Prayer

Dad,
You give us a ton of grace, mercy and patience. Yet, you will discipline those you love! And, I know your love for the Church is just as passionate and powerful as it was then. I’ve seen some friends of mine, uh, “drop” way earlier than expected because the motives and games that were being played in their heart, completely disregarding your Holy Spirit and presenting absolute lies to the body of Christ. You are faithful and just to forgive, but also faithful and just to bring out truth and keep the shady shadows out of your Church! Thank you for loving us and loving Your Church!

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If only it was this simple.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

”Then Samuel took a flask of olive oil and poured it over Saul’s head. He kissed Saul and said, “I am doing this because the Lord has appointed you to be the ruler over Israel, his special possession.“ ‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭10‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This whole story of God relenting and giving Israel what they were BEGGING for – a KING, is amazing. Like little kindergartners in the global playground, Israel’s leaders wanted to be like all the other nations surrounding them. Samuel warned them that they did not fully understand what they were asking for, but they wanted a King nonetheless. Here in these chapters is the process by which God selects their first King FOR them. God only does this kind of selection a couple of times, before Israel decides for themselves. I am fascinated of how gracious, kind and thorough God is in this process of their first King appointment.

God’s spokesperson, Samuel, is given the responsibility of setting up a private meeting with a young man named Saul, and telling him exactly what God will do in him and through him. When we read these verses, 10:2-6, we find four specific moments that Samuel tells Saul exactly what will happen and who it will happen with and where it will take place. Amazing! The who, what, when and where of God’s plans for Saul’s life at the start. If it were only this simple today!

Samuel explains what would happen next, in perfect order: First two men at Rachel’s tomb and what they will say. Then three men at the oak of Tabor, and what they will say (plus! the bonus of a couple loafs of bread – always a treat). Then at Gibeah, a band of prophets, along with the instruments they will be playing. And finally, the Spirit of the Lord will come on him and Saul will prophesy with the band! And, Samuel tells Saul “you will be changed into a different person.” It happened exactly as Samuel said it would. Saul did not tell his father about any of it!

Yet, even with all that detail, and powerful confirmation moments that God is choosing Saul to be Israel’s first King, what happens when the big announcement goes out and Samuel wants to present God’s choice to the people? Saul goes AWOL. ”So Samuel brought all the tribes of Israel before the Lord…” Even though Samuel knew who God’s choice was, he still went through the process of using Urim and Thummim (polished round stones that were a part of the High Priest’s robe) to “cast lots.” Family by family, until finally down to one individual was determined. Of course, it was Saul. But where was Saul? He was HIDING! When it came down to it, even after all the supernatural confirmations that God was leading him – Saul was terrified, scared to death to be chosen. The people found him, cowering, hiding, and brought him out to be their King.

There is so much here about why and how God chooses individuals to lead. There is so much truth about how many of them have a difficult time believing it, even with overwhelming proof. Saul is not the only one who struggled with such an overwhelming calling on his life. What has God called you to be, to do? What is God supernaturally laying out before you to convince and confirm to you that He wants to use you in His great plans in the Kingdom of God. No, it may not be the position of a king, but who knows? Saul had everything laid out for him, yet still he had enormous doubts. Even his friends and family kind of mocked him after he went home. Sure, Saul was tall and handsome, but people could clearly see that he was no leader! But God, right? Same with you and me. Maybe you don’t see it. Maybe your family and friends don’t see it. But God sees it, he sees you and who you will become!

It’s funny to think, “yeah, if all those crazy things happened to help me believe… then I’d say yes.” Really? Those things did not convince Saul either. I said this in a sermon yesterday, “Know God. Believe God. Follow God.” He is trustworthy to believe and God knows what He’s doing. Just say YES and start moving forward.

Prayer

Dad,
I still remember how hard it was for me to say “yes.” I still remember feeling awkward and uncomfortable, not really knowing what I was saying yes to! It took years to figure out, I wasn’t saying yes to a position, calling or pursuit, I was simply saying “yes” to You. The more I tried to figure out what I was supposed to do, the more I had to learn to listen and obey you. I wanted a supernatural roadmap of how my life would go and the only thing I discovered was I needed to get better at listening, not actually leading anything. You have been faithful. You are still faithful. Others get impatient that I don’t lead or do what they expect, but I am only called to please YOU, by obeying You. Thank for your grace and mercy as I muddle through this wonderful life of mystery.

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Think Different.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

”Later on, after John was arrested, Jesus went into Galilee, where he preached God’s Good News. “The time promised by God has come at last!” he announced. “The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!”“ Mark‬ ‭1‬:‭14‬-‭15‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Mark’s gospel quickly references Jesus being baptized, then a brief sentence about Jesus going out into the wilderness to be tempted, saying nothing about fasting for forty days. Mark gets right to it.

When Jesus came into Galilee, a favorite location on the shore of the lake, he immediately announces the Kingdom of God was near, it’s coming, he says! The four gospels are called gospels because of what Jesus said. Jesus preached the good news. He says he brings “euaggélion: – the Gospel – literally, “God’s good news.”” This amazing Greek word that comes from the root word, “euaggelizó,” meaning a messenger of goodness or wellness. It’s where we get the word “evangelist,” or “evangelize” or “evangelical” – those words have some powerful, cultural connotations! How far we have fallen when “evangelical” has been redefined as a political, social group instead of the real meaning of bringing a good message?

Jesus came on the scene announcing that the fulfillment of God’s plan was here at last. And, if we think about it, a longtime promise fulfilled is a joyous occasion, right? Proverbs reminds me, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life.” (13:12). Jesus was saying the time had finally arrived, the earth itself and all nature groaned in anticipation of that day – and so did the Jewish people (Romans 8:22).

Jesus told us what to do when this good news of God’s Kingdom became a reality. Repent of our sins and believe. What does repentance have to do with receiving and believing this fulfillment of a very long promise? We’ve always seen “repentance” as a religious word, a spiritually powerful word, laden with stereotyped-stories and pictures of wearing gunnysacks and whipping ourselves. At least that’s what comes to mind for me. If you’ve been a churched person, in a protestant expression, you know that repentance has not been taught that way. But even in the protestant tradition, repentance is still seen as a physically humbling act of emotional tears and deep sorrow. I get it, that’s not a bad response for realizing what a turd I’ve been and the awful destructive things I’ve done.

Jesus was joyfully announcing another picture. It’s more like the picture of someone who has driven several miles past their exit on the freeway and realized they were not paying attention and are heading the wrong direction! Have you ever done that? If you’re alone, you just angrily beat yourself up for being so unaware. But what do we do then? We exit, we figure out how to get back on the freeway, going the opposite direction. We’ve have turned around to get to our intended destination. This is what the original Greek word, “metanoéō” means. It’s two words, “after-effects” and “thinking,” – think differently afterwords. It’s been described as a 180° turn around because it’s easy to understand, but it really means “the effects of changing our minds.”

Of course we have to change our minds if we are going to even begin to understand what God has really done for us! We absolutely better think and behave DIFFERENTLY after we see our sin and the consequences of what it has done in us and others. Steve Jobs, in 1997, came out with Apple’s grand-slam marketing slogan, “Think Different,” but that wasn’t really his idea. It was Jesus who said, think different and believe the good news. Salvation, rescue, exoneration has come to save us from ourselves and free us from prison of pursing whatever we feel like doing, no matter the consequences. This was and still is explosive, headline news! Think different and believe. Hmmm, sounds catchy.

Prayer

Dad,
Sometimes I hardly recognize myself! I’ve got a long ways to go in looking like Jesus, but I have come so far since I first believed. I am not who I was, but still not completely who I want to be. I find it interesting that I’ve had many times I still need to repent. Not just of sin, but realizing that I wasn’t going in a godly direction and had to think different to change that. I am so thankful for your amazing good news. It has definitely changed me, my life, and those around me. This whole experience of repentance and belief has been the greatest thing ever to happen to me.

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What’s beyond church hurt?

Reading Time: 3 minutes

“O God, you know how foolish I am; my sins cannot be hidden from you. Don’t let those who trust in you be ashamed because of me, O Sovereign Lord of Heaven’s Armies. Don’t let me cause them to be humiliated, O God of Israel. For I endure insults for your sake; humiliation is written all over my face. Even my own brothers pretend they don’t know me; they treat me like a stranger.” Psalms‬ ‭69‬:‭5‬-‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

King David, writing much of the psalms, had some real self-reflection, self-awareness moments throughout the book of songs. Oddly, this psalm was an actual song David sung, because the Bible translators give an accompaniment – to the tune of “Lilies.”

We might think that leaders across the spectrum of all our own societal structures as stalwart, solid, sure and absolutely arrogant in their bravado. At a time when trust is at its lowest, I wonder if David’s honest humility might be more appropriate, even in modern times of crisis. David writes and sings these psalms of confession, these admitted weaknesses and failures. This is such a loud voice in these seasons of “church hurt.” David’s line jumps off the page when I think of our own context today, “Don’t let those who trust in you be ashamed because of me, O Sovereign Lord of Heaven’s Armies.” I was just talking with a friend and saying something similar. Leaders, like church folk, are not perfect! Mistakes will be made, hot words will be spoken and slow responses to bad actors in the body of Christ will be apparent. Will I be the leader, the under-shepherd/pastor to hurt others? Maybe it’s inevitable. But can I own the fact that I have and will make mistakes, behaving un-Christlike in the way I handle people. Can I admit when I’m wrong, own it and apologize? These are apparently rare traits in societal leadership today. It’s more like blame, coverup, and lie your way out of it!

David owned his sin and his failures. He even put some of them to song! However, earlier in this psalm he wrote a lot about sinking in a sea of misappropriated responsibility. He owned up to his part, but would not take the fall for his enemies lust for power and control.

I love this phrase he writes, “Even my own brothers pretend they don’t know me; they treat me like a stranger.” Have you ever sinned and had to face the consequences among friends and family? Have you ever made horrible choices that almost destroyed your life and hurt those around you? Uh… David did as well. Most people feel as though they can’t face the people that knew them BEFORE things fell apart. They feel the shame-stare moments, believing that all eyes are on them in judgment and dismissal. David felt that. He even had this as a line in his song, “I am the favorite topic of town gossip, and all the drunks sing about me” (vs 12‬). Read the rest of Psalm 69, you’ll discover you are not alone. It wasn’t the end of David’s life, nor will it be the end of yours. Come back, come home, endure the pain, push through the shame and do what David did, “…I will praise God’s name with singing, and I will honor him with thanksgiving.”

Prayer

Dad,
I do not want to be the kind of pastor that makes mistakes, especially when it comes to hurting others – but I know I have and will continue to do so. I can’t promise to not make them, but I can promise to try to own them and humbly apologize and reconcile when I do. However, I decided early on, that I will not let anyone or anything create distance between you and me! I will not allow anyone’s bad behavior to wedge into my relationship with you. I will not give the enemy that kind of foothold into my life! Help me, help us, Oh Lord to continue to be people of forgiveness and reconciliation. Help me show mercy, even as you have show me mercy. Show grace, because you gave me grace. Amen.

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The Promise.

Reading Time: 4 minutes

”When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am El-Shaddai—‘God Almighty.’ Serve me faithfully and live a blameless life. I will make a covenant with you, by which I will guarantee to give you countless descendants.” At this, Abram fell face down on the ground. Then God said to him, “This is my covenant with you: I will make you the father of a multitude of nations! What’s more, I am changing your name. It will no longer be Abram. Instead, you will be called Abraham, for you will be the father of many nations. I will make you extremely fruitful. Your descendants will become many nations, and kings will be among them!“ ‭‭Genesis‬ ‭17‬:‭1‬-‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Nothing captures the depth and breadth of God’s promise keeping ability like the story of Abraham. I am a huge fan of quality shows and movies and one of the best depictions of Abram & Sarai’s story is the 2023 movie, His Only Son. David Helling wrote and directed this little project for the ultra-low price of $250K. It showed in theaters and made over 13 million dollars worldwide! Sure, there are critics of this film’s slow pace, minimal dialogue and small cast. However, the movie captures the environment of ancient Israel, and it was shot in the Mojave Desert, California! Here’s the point that think Helling made crystal clear – for God to physically, audibly, supernaturally, connect with a human being and make a contract of such magnitude is mind-blowing!

This is Yhvh, Yahweh himself, telling Abram He is El Shadday, Almighty God! And Yahweh doesn’t just tell Abram about this contract, this promise, this covenant. Yahweh goes so much further than just making or “cutting” a contract with a human being. In ancient days, a contract between two men was “cut,” by taking a knife to the thigh or arm making a blood covenant or blood bond. You can see the idea, by what we would know as becoming “blood brothers.” When there is a familia bond of blood, there is no breaking it.

But how does one “cut” the thigh of God? There was another way to make a blood covenant, which was just as effective as cutting one’s own flesh. It was the cutting of an animal and using their blood as the substitute for your own. If you’re thinking what I was thinking, it would be, “wouldn’t it be easy to break this ‘substitute’ blood bond?” I mean it’s just the life of an animal. The answer is horrific!

You see when this kind of contract is made with a substitutionary animal there is a caveat. The two contractual parties would mercifully kill the animal, then cut the animal in two, laying each half on either side of a sloped ravine, where the blood of the animal would run and pool in the middle. Then each party would walk through the blood, barefoot, having the blood splash onto their clothing. Here’s the serious part. When this physical, blood walk was done it was understood that if either party BROKE the contract, the blood covenant, the other party could rightfully take the life of the promise-breaker by physically doing to them what they had done to the animal! Can you believe this! Both parties took the blood walk.

Now you know why most ancient contracts were done by cutting a small incision on the thigh or arm! This substitutionary animal contract was expensive, time consuming and very serious! This kind of contract would normally be saved for major contracts between nations over land or joining their tribes together. Here’s the thing, God made the animal sacrifice contract with Abram! And God didn’t just do this with one animal, he had Abram choose five animals! Five animals representing a sacrifice from the most expensive (the heifer), which the wealthy could afford, to the least expensive (pigeon), which the poor could afford. God himself mercy-killed the animals and cut them in half (except for the two birds). Genesis 15:9-18 gives the whole account. After all the animals were laid out, Abram did not walk through the blood pact, committing to the contract. The most shocking part, God himself blood-walked the covenant! Whoa.

Here in this chapter, God asked Abram to take his people, his men and have them “cut” a covenant as well. We know it as circumcision. All of this is amazing when you see the full picture of God’s story, His plan and promises being fulfilled over thousand of years of human history. But you know what? The promise to Abram, later, Abraham was also to all who would follow, even Gentiles (Non Jews). How? These people would not take a blood-walk, not make the substitute animal promise, but would eventually have faith that Jesus was that one who fulfilled our inability to keep the contract with God, He became the blood sacrifice, not a temporary one, like with animals, but the final, eternal one to fulfill the contract that we broke. And according to the covenant rules, Jesus what not just die, but also give his blood as the payment. What should have been done to each of us, was done to Him.

How can this be? What does it require from us today? The same thing God required of Abraham – FAITH. Faith to believe. Genesis 15:6, “Abram believed in the LORD and He counted it to him as righteousness.” The Apostle Paul echos this in Romans 4:20-24. So it is with us as well, “God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.”

Prayer

Dad,
What can I say? What can I do? But offer this heart, Oh God, completely to you. That song by Hillsong is true. I am eternally grateful for the fulfilled contract through Jesus and the fulfilled promise of life with you here and for eternity! Amen.

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Two Baptisms?

Reading Time: 4 minutes

”John announced: “Someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not even worthy to stoop down like a slave and untie the straps of his sandals. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit!” ‭‭Mark‬ ‭1‬:‭7‬-‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Mark writes that John, the baptizer, comes on the scene with the fire and fury of an Old Testament Prophet. But this announcement of “someone coming,” would bring excitement and frustration to his original audience and to every believer and every denominational tribe still today! Who was John referring to, when he said one is coming? John clearly said that he was authorized by God to do the dippin’ in the physical and symbolic act of going under the water, submerging into death as it were, and coming up clean, alive and ready to live the life of a follower of Jesus. Water baptism IS a big deal, not just because it is a commandment, “be baptized,” (Mark 16:16, Matthew 28:19, Acts 2:38) but also it is a physical experience and expression of the believers declared faith in Christ.

But John just had to push the baptism object lesson/illustration even further. John said, “but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” Who will baptize? And, what will he baptize with?” Mark uses the same Greek word here for both baptism with water and with the Spirit – baptízō – properly, “submerge”. One is a water experience, the other a Spirit experience.

I just have a few questions for you, the reader. One, when does Jesus do this? Hint: you’ll find it in the gospels. Two, HOW does Jesus do this? (also in the gospels). And three, does this still happen today in every believer’s life? Obviously, water baptism is a sacrament (a regular practice) still today. What about John’s other promise/proclamation?

I encourage every believer to answer that question for themselves! Search the scriptures, ask God the questions. Don’t get all caught up in denominational or even interpretative theological arguments. You have the Word of God for yourself! That battle of having, reading or listening to the Bible yourself was resolved over 500 years ago. Don’t even get all hung up over the myriad of translations of the Bible, just pick a solid one and study. Be like the Bereans that search the scriptures for themselves! (Acts 17:11).

This is important for every believer to know and settle for themselves! Does Jesus still baptize with the Holy Spirit? When and how does Jesus baptize you with the Holy Spirit?

Before I became a believer I would randomly go to church, a few times by myself as a child. Then, later with my mom, attending my sister’s church. It was a wild, loud, very active pentecostal church. The pastor yelled his sermons with a lot of passion. The congressional worship was also loud, demonstrative and also very emotional. Every bit of it scared me. I sat in the balcony just observing, but I did not want anything to do with whatever they were all doing. I did not know anything about spiritual things, but I was not drawn to, nor desired or impressed with anything I saw happening. It was flat out scary to me.

Fast forward to when I was fifteen. I had a supernatural experience with God when I answered His challenge to give Him my life and in exchange He would be my Dad. I did not believe I deserved such a thing. Many of my life decisions flashed before my eyes. I felt the guilt and shame of those decisions. I told God how awful I had been and couldn’t figure out why He still wanted me. After crying over and contemplating such an offer, I said “yes.”

Almost immediately after saying yes, I was still crying and just started exploding with emotion and thankfulness. I believe my life had instantly changed. In those moments of gratefulness, I ran out of words to express what I was feeling. And that’s when I felt this overwhelming presence of God come over me. I heard words come out of my mouth but I could not understand them. I was speaking but the words were not making any sense. That’s when I realized, I was speaking in tongues and it terrified me! I remembered the experiences of being in that pentecostal church and not liking what I was hearing. I immediately stoped speaking the unknown words and told God, “I’m not sure I want to do this.” That experience, those unknown words and unfamiliar feeling overwhelmed me. In the same gentle way that God offered to be my Dad in exchange for my life, I heard God say, “trust me.” For the second time I said yes, and continued to cry, pray, praise and speak in an unknown language. There was no one close by, and no one knew what was happening under that little table in the foyer of Oak Knoll Lodge in Big Bear, California. I know it sounds odd, but I knew virtually nothing about the Bible or how God works. It happened, it was real and I discovered it is Biblical! By the way, I wasn’t baptized in water for several months after I became a believer. That’s how I found out there are two baptisms.

Prayer

Dad,
You are amazing! I will never forget what you have done in my life. I am beyond grateful for saving me, changing me and teaching me yours ways. I love you and absolutely love Your Word! All I can say is thank you.

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The Powerful Messiah.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

“The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit in the place of honor at my right hand until I humble your enemies, making them a footstool under your feet.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭110‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This Psalm, written by David, sometime after his fall from grace, speaks of the future where Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father and is given the power to rule, reign and crush the enemies of God.

Jesus himself picks up this Psalm in a discussion with the religious leaders in Matthew 22:41-46. Jesus stumps the Pharisees by asking them who they thought the Messiah might be, “What do you think about the Messiah? Whose son is he?” They replied, “He is the son of David.” They agreed that the Messiah would come through the bloodline of David, but Jesus pressed them further when he quoted this Psalm. ”Jesus responded, “Then why does David, speaking under the inspiration of the Spirit, call the Messiah ‘my Lord’?” How can a father refer to his son as “Lord?” ”Since David called the Messiah ‘my Lord,’ how can the Messiah be his son?” So what’s the mystery, what’s the point?

One, David is prophesying about the Messiah, who will come and judge all things on the earth.

Two, it is clear that no one could figure out exactly what or who this Messiah would be. The war-language of enemies and footstool only lends itself to the idea that the Messiah would be a mighty warrior, a conquerer. The only problem with that is, as humans, we only interpret that as a world leader, bringing peace and prosperity to the people in the Messiah’s kingdom. But, do you remember Jesus saying, “My kingdom is not of this world,” in John 18:36? I wouldn’t be so hard on the Pharisees for being confused. The war-language, the battle over good and evil is far more than just bringing justice to bad actors of this world. It’s not like the warmongering doesn’t deserve judgement, because it does. And, it’s not like we don’t deserve death for our individual and collective selfish choices, because we do. What is far more powerful is that the Messiah, Jesus has conquered and made sin and evil itself his footstool – which is totally a reference to the earth itself as well (Isaiah 66:1). The Messiah has the power to create the new heaven and new earth, setting justice and God’s ways back to order.

Three, the Messiah has come to free the earth and its inhabitants from the ruler who had taken over the planet – Satan! We read the word, “enemy” as if it’s the people Jesus died for! We see the word “judgement” as though God wanted to rid the earth of people. Jesus has come to free people from sin, rescuing and redeeming our lives destined to destruction by our own choices of joining with Satan.

When Jesus returns, to fulfill the finality of all things, He brings justice and judgment to end evil and end the reign of terror on the planet from its ruler – Satan. When David wrote this Psalm, he had real enemies and Israel had real enemies as well. Those enemies were countries, tribes and people under the curse of sin as well as the spell of Satan. These groups were led and driven by ambition, gain and lust for more. Most of these countries and tribes had committed themselves to very real demonic influences, all of which God classified as idols. Behind the wooden and stone poles and statues of Ashtoreth, Baal, Chemosh, Dagon and multiple Egyptian gods there were very real demons desiring to lash out at God and destroy humanity. Even then, the enemies behind the maniacal, narcissistic men were all variations of Satan and the angels who rebelled against God. The Messiah would conquer the issue of human sin and death first. Then He will bring all evil to justice, starting with the prince of the power of the air, as Paul makes reference in Ephesians 2:2. I look forward to that day!

Prayer

Dad,
I know that evil permeates every part of the world. Evil is not an isolated, “American” problem, it’s global – every country, tribe or town has bad actors, making evil decisions. However, behind our human choices and behaviors, I also know there is a very real enemy that works to seduce and enslave us! It is that entity, that liar which is laying the foundation of enmity between us and you. Thank you for the Messiah that did not just come to save us, but will return to finally put evil, injustice, hate and destruction under His feet. Thank you that a new heaven and a new earth is coming. Your Kingdom come and thankfully your will be done! Amen.