Tag: Faith

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Gap Fillers.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

“How we thank God for you! Because of you we have great joy as we enter God’s presence. Night and day we pray earnestly for you, asking God to let us see you again to fill the gaps in your faith.” ‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭3‬:‭9‬-‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

If you want to read the Apostle Paul’s most genuine, generous and gentle letter to a church – read Thessalonians. Paul was only able to stay with this new church plant for a few weeks. And, although it was difficult, he had to leave them. His young sidekick, Timothy, kept the Apostle in the loop as to what was happening in this baby church.

Soon after Paul left there was horrible persecution. It was so bad that Paul often wrote about the wonder and glory of end times, of heaven, to help them deal with suffering. God had not abandoned them, God was WITH them in the struggles, even in martyrdom! Paul wanted to return in person, but that never happened. Oddly enough, Paul tells the church that their perseverance, their dedication brought joy to his heart. Like a proud papa, Paul extended his own faith in deep and sincere prayer for them.

Paul used an interesting phrase and a word to describe how desperate he was to see them again. The New Living Translation gives us a glimpse into Paul’s thinking, he wanted to “fill in the gaps” in their faith. The other translations use the direct translation from then Greek word, husteréma, which is lacking, a defect or shortcoming. The root word, hustereó, helps a bit more. This word means to come late, be behind or come short. What was lacking? What did Paul want to catch them up on?

The general consensus is that Paul was able to share the gospel, how one is saved through faith and given grace as a gift, not through works of our own. But, he was not able to instruct the new church about end times. Since people in the church were being put to death, there was a lot of questions about where they would go and how long it would be until Jesus came back. They had heard the part about Jesus returning, but when. They had hoped it was very soon.

Where most people see the apocalypse, or end times, as terrifying, folks who were under extreme persecution saw it as HOPE. Hope for justice for the innocent, hope for a better life than struggling in starvation or constant mocking of their faith. The Thessalonian church was eager for it all to be over and get on with eternal life! The gap fill was a proper understanding on suffering, perseverance, persecution and what life AFTER death looks like!

Do we know what life after death looks like? Does our friends and neighbors understand that life, our physical body and soul continue to exist? There are few choices to be made when our culture removes God – the God – out of the equation. One is reincarnation, coming back again and again – trying to get it right. One lives “good,” and you come back as a “higher” existence as a more advanced creature. A horrible person comes back as a despised creature, like a mosquito or a tick! The other is the idea of annihilation, where nothing and no one exists at all. It’s just over and you’re gone.

Believing God means that there is life after death! However, this life and definitely the afterlife has consequences attached to it. For the church folk Paul was writing to, they did not have answers or proper teaching on life after death, so they were very concerned. Let me just ask? What are the gaps in your faith? What are things you’ve heard about and wonder if they are true? What questions do you have that you’re afraid to ask, because someone might think you’re silly or too simple? Do us all a favor – ASK anyways! One of the biggest regrets I have in the church is for folks to be shamed or silenced into not asking questions. This is not of God, and it is wrong. Ask me if you’d like. I can’t guarantee I’ll have the answer, but I won’t think less of you for asking – in fact, I’ll be proud of ya.

Prayer

Dad,
I sure had A LOT of questions as a new believer. I wasn’t afraid to ask! I think people knew that I was new in my faith, so they didn’t shame me. However I did get a ton of over-simplified answers and Bible references that didn’t make sense and had nothing to do with my question. I would have rather them be honest and tell me they didn’t know the answer. I want people to feel comfortable with asking to fill in the gaps of their understanding of You. I don’t want folks lacking in their faith because it leaves them unsure of their future or relationship with you. Help me, help us be better gap-fillers for others. Amen.

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Stacked memory makers.

Reading Time: 2 minutes

“When all the people had crossed the Jordan, the Lord said to Joshua, “Now choose twelve men, one from each tribe. Tell them, ‘Take twelve stones from the very place where the priests are standing in the middle of the Jordan. Carry them out and pile them up at the place where you will camp tonight.’” ‭‭Joshua‬ ‭4‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This miracle crossing of the Jordan river was a monumental moment in Joshua’s life, the twelve chosen men and the people of Israel. It was a mini-miracle compared to the Red Sea, but significant and remarkable nonetheless. There was no Egyptian army, with horse-driven chariots thundering at their back. There was however, a massive, flooded river blocking their way to continue their journey. However, this miracle involved more people.

God wanted the priest’s feet and their faith to be the catalyst for the supernatural. Now, on the other side…now that they crossed the Jordan, what was next? Situations leading up to miracles are incredibly stress-filled moments. Heightened nerves, shallow breath, dry mouth, racing heart – it feels like one is on the edge of a panic attack! One side of a miracle is apprehension, the other side a surreal celebration. Which side of a miracle are you on today? What sea needs to split? What river needs to recede? Remember Yahweh-Shammah, God is there!

The other side of a miracle is a wonderful place to pause, set up camp and create a very physical object lesson for yourself and your family. Gather some friends, some family to collect some artifacts from the miracle. God instructed Joshua to send twelve guys back into the river, not to activate their faith, but to graft gratitude and wonder into their story, their memories. “Take twelve stones,” God said. Physical objects from the place of the miracle. Cool huh.

Here’s what I think. If my miracle happens in a river that has supernaturally stopped flowing, I’d grab stones. But let’s say it’s a medical miracle, or a miracle excursion, or a financial blessing – grab a wristband, some sand from the exotic beach, a picture of debt cancellation. Grab something from the moment and make a memory. Stack stones and take a picture, build a box filled with tangibles, mod-podge a collage. When the time comes and a friend or family member pulls out that box or grabs a picture from the past and asks, “what does this mean?” Tell the story of God’s providence, His provision, His blessing. This powerful miracle, this magnificent memory making moment tells me to pause more. It tells me to grab a physical reminder. It also tells me to hold on to it for a while, then bring it out from time to time, to tell the story of how God cares for us.

Prayer

Dad,
What a beautiful, true story of your grace and presence being with Your people at critical moments in history. However, it brings memories to my own mind. Memories of how you have done similar in my life, my family, my story. Wow! You are good. Thank you for being Yahweh Shammah for them and for us today.

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Jesus’ little brother pulls no punches.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

“What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone?” ‭‭James‬ ‭2‬:‭14‬ ‭NLT‬‬

You don’t want to belief-spar with James, Jesus’ brother. He watched the gospel become the fulfillment of God’s plan from the inside out. What was it like being the little brother to Jesus? Did Jesus prank James? Hide dead bugs in his bed? Tell Mary what James was really up to at a “friend’s house”? James didn’t believe his brother was the Messiah until after the resurrection! Did James seriously think Jesus was holding out for the long con?

I’ve often thought about James’ book and it’s hard-hitting, guilt-triggering truth! James grew up watching Jesus say a lot of stuff about God and about himself. But I can tell, James also watched Jesus physically follow through with every one of his beliefs, sermons and promises. Jesus said what he was going to do and he did it! There’s an old axiom that actions speak louder than words, I can guarantee, Jesus lived a very loud life.

James’ crystal-clear clarity message: faith absolutely translates into behavior. And if it doesn’t… it’s a dead, worthless faith to hold on to. “So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.” James‬ ‭2‬:‭17‬. Ouch! James also speaks the truth, calling out the nonsense between conservative and liberal practics. Conservatives say, it’s what you think, believe and talk about. Liberals say, it’s what you do, live, rally and physically take part in. One gives money, the other gives time. I know that’s exaggerated, but either way – James declares, it’s both and! He writes, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” Nonsense – James says.

This connection, this necessity, is so vital that James compares the air in our lungs to the requirement of life itself, writing, “Just as the body is dead without breath, so also faith is dead without good works.” Good works, applying the truths and principles of God’s Word through service, love and behavioral application is the very air of our faith.

This challenges me to constantly translate what I read, hear and learn from the Bible directly into obedience and action. If I spend my life only hearing, only reading, only listening to Bible preachers and podcasts and never DO WHAT IT SAYS, Jesus himself said, I’ve just built a really nice life completely on the sand! First storm and it all comes crashing down. Faith without works becomes the curse of a shabby build, maybe it looks pretty but it’s not sustainably secure.

Prayer

Dad,
So the real struggle here is not how much of your Word I can quote and cram into my brain, it’s how much of your Word can I apply, can I obey, can I put to work to change my behavior, get my hands dirty in serving – right? Am I missing something? I love Your Word! It didn’t just save me it SAVES me. I love learning more about you, your character, your will, your ways. But if I am not careful to work out obedience and service seeing physical changes in my behavior, then what happens to your Living Word in my heart and life? If I don’t yield, doesn’t my heart harden? If I don’t obey, doesn’t it turn bitter in my soul? There seems to be a stern warning about how I handle the Word of truth, letting it work in me and through me rather than just storing up quotable knowledge like a spiritual wikipedia. Help me yield, obey, change and put your Word to work! Amen.

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Dabblers in darkness

Reading Time: 3 minutes

“At the foot of the mountain, a large crowd was waiting for them. A man came and knelt before Jesus and said, “Lord, have mercy on my son. He has seizures and suffers terribly. He often falls into the fire or into the water. So I brought him to your disciples, but they couldn’t heal him.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭17‬:‭14‬-‭16‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Oh, you can bet the enemy, the liar, seducer, the diabolos, is coming for our children! Mark’s gospel does a better job giving the context of this explosive story. There’s a high moment on the mountain and there’s the devil waiting when you come down the hill! It happens almost every time God is working in us at high moments, when we are winning.

A crowd had already gathered and there was a lot of commotion because a father had brought his child to the disciples for help and the demon inside this boy was manifesting – that’s what they call it today. The demon was acting out what its intentions are for every human who would fall prey to its seduction – pain, suffering and a complete lack of control over our minds and bodies. But how did it get into an innocent child, this young boy? I believe that someone allowed it or even invited in!

The father seems most likely because, in Mark, he’s willing to admit his boy was his responsibility and he didn’t protect him. In fact, it maybe possible that the community let this young man down by intentionally inviting evil to be a part of their town. Jesus, perceiving there was much more going on said, “How long has this been happening?” Jesus asked the boy’s father. He replied, “Since he was a little boy.” (Mark‬ ‭9‬:‭21‬). I believe there were adults that failed to protect the child and likely explored dark and evil practices that opened a door to a very nasty spiritual realm. No matter how it happened or who was responsible, there was a young boy now suffering.

Jesus was irritated by evil perpetrating the innocent and the lack of adult faith to deal with it. Jesus was looking for the tiniest bit of faith, and couldn’t find it. Had evil consumed all hope? Had fear vanquished all belief? The town was stunned and the disciples were stumped. Jesus’ righteous indignation rose in anger as his time on earth was coming to an end, He said, “You faithless and corrupt people! How long must I be with you? How long must I put up with you? The word Matthew uses for corrupt is interesting. The word is diastrephó: thoroughly turned. Jesus called out their distorted, twisted, perverted practices. There was definitely something else going on behind this seemingly “random” act of possession! The town may have been filled with dabblers in darkness.

Also, when Jesus says he “puts up with,” the word is anechó: to hold up, bear with. Jesus tells them I won’t be here long to “suffer with you” in these kind of attacks on humanity. The community was in pain, the boy’s dad was in pain and the child was definitely in pain – but Jesus was also in pain! If you’ve ever had a friend continue to invite evil into their life, if you’ve ever seen parents invite or allow evil into their home, you begin to understand how Jesus felt. It is crushingly painful. You feel helpless to fix or change the situation.

I believe the father had a change of heart when he asked Jesus to help him in his own unbelief. It wasn’t just a lack of faith to exorcise a demon, he needed a new faith to reconstruct his entire life! Jesus, please help those in unbelief! Help us to quit inviting evil into our homes, our schools and our cities.

Prayer

Dad,
Help us Oh Lord in our unbelief, our impatience, our impertinence, our corrupt, perverted attempts of reaching for evil to solve our sinfulness. We cry mercy! We repent and ask for forgiveness. For the sake of our children and the young among us – save us, rescue us from ourselves. Amen.

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Scraps for the scrappy

Reading Time: 3 minutes

“Then Jesus left Galilee and went north to the region of Tyre and Sidon. A Gentile woman who lived there came to him, pleading, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! For my daughter is possessed by a demon that torments her severely.” But Jesus gave her no reply, not even a word. Then his disciples urged him to send her away. “Tell her to go away,” they said. “She is bothering us with all her begging.”” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭15‬:‭21‬-‭23‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Matthew sets us up with a rare treat when Jesus travels to these two Gentile areas. I say rare, because Jesus almost exclusively stayed within Jewish territories. Here, while escaping the constant harassment of the Pharisees, Jesus and his friends escape to some of the most beautiful rural scenery. It’s there that a Syro-Phoenician woman, a Canaanite, approaches Jesus.

Matthew helps us compare this woman’s “story of the one,” with the verses that follow in vs. 29-31. The seemingly forced conversation over one little Canaanite girl being healed and the multitude of healings of the Jewish people in vs. 31 – “A vast crowd brought to him people who were lame, blind, crippled, those who couldn’t speak, and many others. They laid them before Jesus, and he healed them all.”

The shocker, after the mother begged Jesus for mercy, Jesus was SILENT. One commentator wrote, “Christ silent to a sufferer’s cry is a paradox which contradicts the whole gospel story.” and, he’s right. It feels unsettling. There were protocols and mission, purpose and intention behind every action that Jesus took! Here, we get a glimpse of God’s singularity to hold true to a promise made to the people of Israel. His favored people had priority of timing and revelation of what God was doing in these few years compared to centuries of preparation. Jesus’ silence was painful for all present.

The disciples, both showing some disdain for the woman and a sense of protectiveness over Jesus, blurted out – breaking the awkwardness of the moment. Dismiss her! (a word specifically used of divorcing a marital partner) She is croaking or shrieking too loudly. Jesus finally speaks and says, “I was (apostelló) sent on a defined mission by God the Father and it is to the people of Israel.” Jesus was always ON MISSION.

The dilemma was clear. Does Jesus veer off course for one cursed and suffering mother and child? Would Jesus then have to follow her into her neighborhood, exorcise a demon and deal with all the others suffering nearby? Would there be another healing mob, all of which would be Gentiles? It wasn’t meant to be cruel, it was to express the seriousness of Jesus’ own purpose and obedience to that calling. It would seem odd to us, but Jesus, having the wisdom and urgency of God’s will over his own, knew that even one misstep could have unintended consequences.

But then the woman threw herself at his feet, worshipping and pleading saying, come, rescue me! This moved Jesus to NOT send her away just yet, but instead gave her a reason for his hesitation to get involved. He gives her an illustration of how difficult it would be to fulfill her request. Jesus responded, “It isn’t right to take food from the children and throw it to the dogs.” Even though it sounds like Jesus is calling her and her kind, dogs compared to Jewish children. It wasn’t like that at all. Jesus was comparing to the different loves in a family household: the beloved children and the beloved family pet. Both are loved! Certainly, if a choice had to be made of which one lives and which one dies of starvation, the child would take priority. The thought of a parent taking food out of the starving mouth of their child and then turn, and throw it down to the family pet would be considered a horrible act of abuse. Jesus really did a good job framing the true struggle behind his decision. First he had her pleading for mercy. Then she recognizes who he is by calling out his God-given lineage, connected to Israel’s greatest king. Then she falls at his feet worshipping him! Come on… this is very intense and real.

Ah, but then the woman says something that goes above and beyond the average person begging God for help. She basically says, “Oh, I would never be so bold to think I am worthy of taking the bread from a child’s mouth, but I don’t need the whole bread. I only need the crumbs that may fall as the bread is eaten! I’m not greedy and I know my place, my station in life. I’m just asking for the bits of crumbs that may fall.”

Jesus was obviously impressed with this woman’s faith. Jesus told her that her faith was great and her daughter was healed. God loves it when we cry out to Him. He loves it when we worship and humble ourselves before Him. But, boy oh boy, God really loves our FAITH. And that faith moves the heart of God.

Prayer

Dad,
Wow, I’d really love to have the kind of faith that this woman had! And, I believe that a mother’s prayer, a mom’s request, has got to be the most powerful kind of prayers! Thank you God for momma’s and their faith.

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Hardheaded Humans we be

Reading Time: 3 minutes

“Some of the people went out anyway on the seventh day, but they found no food. The Lord asked Moses, “How long will these people refuse to obey my commands and instructions? They must realize that the Sabbath is the Lord’s gift to you. That is why he gives you a two-day supply on the sixth day, so there will be enough for two days. On the Sabbath day you must each stay in your place. Do not go out to pick up food on the seventh day.” So the people did not gather any food on the seventh day.” ‭‭Exodus‬ ‭16‬:‭27‬-‭30‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Even when God speaks and God provides hard, physical evidence of His existence and care, we still tend to “walk out on the 7th day looking for food.” Oh they heard what Moses had said. But “some” just had to see for themselves. Faith becomes really hard for some of us!

I see a sad story, a dark comedy in what God asked Moses, “How long will these people refuse to obey my commands and instructions? They must realize that the Sabbath is the Lord’s gift to you. That is why he gives you a two-day supply on the sixth day, so there will be enough for two days. On the Sabbath day you must each stay in your place. Do not go out to pick up food on the seventh day.” So the people did not gather any food on the seventh day.”

“How long?,” God asks. Answer: A very long time. In fact, we discover, we will refuse to obey for the entirety of our human story. It has completely flipped in modern days, for “some” will obey, but now, the majority will still theoretically go out looking for food on the seventh day.

Folks swear that signs and the absolute surety of evidence will convince the most determined atheist of the reality of God – they will not. Dig up Noah’s ark, find the elusive Ark of the Covenant, open the mysterious box with God’s finger written covenant on stone and the two quarts of manna still fresh as the day it fell! Find and test the possible burial shroud of the living Christ. Don’t we get it? This is not how most come to faith! Some say it was all about the evidence, and how it was undeniable. Good for them. But I believe because God made Himself real to me with a simple proposition, “give me your life,” He said. God made a promise to be the Dad I never had! God promised to more than just BE life FOR me, He wanted to DO life WITH me. The physical reminders and object lessons of His reality are certainly cool, but I did not come to faith because of a newly discovered jar of manna hidden within the Ark of the Covenant! God didn’t tell Moses to put some manna in a jar to prove His existence to future doubters. “Then Moses said, “This is what the Lord has commanded: Fill a two-quart container with manna to preserve it for your descendants. Then later generations will be able to see the food I gave you in the wilderness when I set you free from Egypt.”” God wanted later generations to remember His provision and care in the middle of a gigantic desert experience in their own lives.

I just want to live a life that hears God’s voice and obeys what He says. I don’t want to be that guy that walks out on day 7 looking for food and then blames God for being a liar. Nah, instead, I’ll just trust and obey.

Prayer

Dad,
Oh, I can clearly see myself in these ancient stories, where I read and chuckle to myself about the stubbornness of people back then. Ah, but when I search my own heart I quickly see the duplicity of my thoughts. I often understand what you command, I just have this compulsion to either test it or try to find some other way to accomplish my own will rather than yours. Thank you for your patience and lonnnnnng suffering towards me, and for all of us.

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Barrier crossing is a big deal!

Reading Time: 3 minutes

“Then Joshua told the people, “Purify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do great wonders among you.” In the morning Joshua said to the priests, “Lift up the Ark of the Covenant and lead the people across the river.” And so they started out and went ahead of the people. The Lord told Joshua, “Today I will begin to make you a great leader in the eyes of all the Israelites. They will know that I am with you, just as I was with Moses. Give this command to the priests who carry the Ark of the Covenant: ‘When you reach the banks of the Jordan River, take a few steps into the river and stop there.’”” ‭‭Joshua‬ ‭3‬:‭5‬-‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Moses was gone and now leadership rested fully on Joshua’s shoulders. Joshua had learned a lot in the time he was coached and mentored by Moses. God had also prepared the hearts of the people by directly dealing with those who complained, disobeyed or sowed discord. Joshua was ready to lead and the people were ready to follow. However, that did not mean there were not barriers and battles yet ahead!

The Jordan river crossing was a mini-reminder of the big Red Sea crossing. The Jordan river was huge, in the springtime of the year, when the river is in its flood stage, it was wider than its normal width of 90-100 feet and deeper than its average 3-10 feet. A 100+ feet wide and 10+ feet deep in a swift-water crossing meant guaranteed death for 2 million+ people. The Jordan river crossing has multiple applications for the Hebrew people (The word “Hebrew” is עברי (Ivrie) means “to cross over, or pass through”) and for us today.

One, God told the people to prepare beforehand, “purify yourselves.” This was a learned ritual of washing, praying, fasting and even refraining from marital relations! It was a way of putting the body, soul and spirit on high alert for what’s ahead.

Two, God made sure the people followed the Ark of the Covenant, which was symbolic of the presence of God. God didn’t live in the box, but He wanted them to understand that His covenant (the law) and specific memory items were represented as object lessons. At that time the ark contained the gold jar of manna, Aaron’s staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant. The priests carrying the ark went first and when their feet touched the river-water, the miracle of stopping tons of cubic feet of rushing water, began miles up, at the city of Adam.

Three, God had the priests, stand with the Ark of the Covenant in the middle of the river as yet another physical reminder of “passing by” in the safety of obedience to God’s leading, “Meanwhile, the priests who were carrying the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant stood on dry ground in the middle of the riverbed as the people passed by. They waited there until the whole nation of Israel had crossed the Jordan on dry ground.”Vs. 17‬.

And fourth, after everyone safely crossed over God commanded them to stack memory stones at their campsite, marking the supernatural event and provision of God. Knowing one day the children would ask about the stones, “We will use these stones to build a memorial. In the future your children will ask you, ‘What do these stones mean?’” (4:6‬). Joshua even stacked 12 stones of his own in the middle of the Jordan river and the Bible says they still stood in that day as a reminder.

The Jordan river experience is a lasting example, a life lesson, that getting to God’s promises will normally mean crossing some kind of barrier. And, crossing those barriers in faith is not for the weak or faint of heart! But also, every barrier crossing should be celebrated and memorialized as praise to God and reminders that He is faithful to His promises.

I love the verse in 1 Corinthians 16:9 where the Apostle Paul reminds us of this Jordan river principle – “There is a wide-open door for a great work here, although many oppose me.” With God’s help, barriers, like rivers and oppositions are meant to be met and crossed.

Prayer

Dad,
There are barriers and opposition everywhere I look! Yet, with faith, I can see beyond them and find opportunities that lie ahead of me. Great opportunities + opposition = faith in You. Jesus even said there’d be tribulation, but be of good cheer because He has overcome the world! I am up for the great adventures and opportunities ahead.

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Spiritual Superstition?

Reading Time: 3 minutes

“After they had crossed the lake, they landed at Gennesaret. When the people recognized Jesus, the news of his arrival spread quickly throughout the whole area, and soon people were bringing all their sick to be healed. They begged him to let the sick touch at least the fringe of his robe, and all who touched him were healed.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭14‬:‭34‬-‭36‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Matthew and Mark have this story in their gospel accounts. These miracles were one of 37 miracles of Jesus written. In chronological order, these come in at number 21.

What is interesting is Matthew and Mark both mention the immediate recognition of Jesus and this fascinating idea that people were clamoring to touch the “fringe” of Jesus robe. The touching of the fringe was first mentioned earlier in the gospels when a woman was seeking healing for her issue of blood. She had been suffering for 12 years. She had heard about Jesus’ healing ability as well, and thought to herself, “If I can just touch his robe, I will be healed.” ‭‭Mark‬ ‭5‬:‭28‬.

The timeline Jesus’ miracles means that the gospels connect Jesus first visit to the shoreline of Galilee (healing of the mad naked man) and Jesus return to the other side of the shore of Galilee where he healed the woman’s physical condition. Jesus’ popularity had risen dramatically along with this idea that folks could touch his robe and be healed.

Here’s the shocker. Touching Jesus’ robe came out of a very old story, almost a “wives’ tale,” about the future Messiah. It wasn’t Jesus robe they were reaching for, it was wasn’t even the fringe of his garment. What they were reaching for was Jesus prayer tassels!

The tassels (Greek:kraspedon) of Jesus’ garments, which is mentioned in Numbers 15:38. A Jewish male wore these on each of the four extremities of his cloak. How did touching anyone’s prayer tassels lead people to believe they could be healed? Most likely that came from Malachi 4:2 where it says, “the Sun of justice shall arise, and health in his wings.” Malachi was speaking about the future, coming Messiah! Since no one really knew exactly how to interpret the word “wings,” in Hebrew it’s kanaph: wing, extremity. It can also be interpreted as “corner, edge, edges, ends, fold, or garment!” Thus, the belief began – the Messiah would have supernatural healing abilities in his “wings.” Mothers believed that their son one day, might actually be the Messiah, began making their young men these prayer tassels (which were a physical object lesson to remember to pray) These tassels were then made a little longer and over time a more vibrant blue. By the time of Christ, Mary would have made her son his own prayer tassels, and also made them a little longer and the blue a little more vibrant.

The woman with a desperate physical need wholeheartedly believed that the true Messiah would carry this healing with him and by touching his prayer tassels, would be healed. Veronica made her way through the crowd, violating the social health laws (she wasn’t allowed to be around anyone because of her bleeding), and snuck up behind Jesus. Jesus wasn’t even aware that she was there, nor did he feel her touch his tassel. He did, however feel power go out of him! Jesus declared her healed because of her faith and did not mention that the story, the superstition of the Messiah’s prayer tassel, had special properties on its own. It wasn’t Veronica’s faith in the tassel, it was her faith that Jesus was THE Messiah. He’s the one all the stories of God’s redemption were about. Her faith was in Christ!

The point, the story of being healed by touching Jesus robe, went out far and wide. By the time Jesus arrived on the shores of Gennesaret, months later, people were clamoring to touch his tassels! Here’s the surprise… “and all who touched him were healed.” Do I believe in superstitions and stories that may appear to have magical powers of healing? Not particularly. However, I am fully aware of God’s grace and mercy towards us. God can do what He wants. I’m not so quick to put down the wild ways God works to capture the hearts of humans.

Prayer

Dad,
Whether it’s Jesus’ pictures on toast, trees or clouds or prayer tassels, I believe you will do some crazy things to convince our stubborn, unbelieving hearts that you are real and that you love us. I am happy to serve a mysterious and supernatural God!

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The Exodus story lives on in us.

Reading Time: 2 minutes

“But the blood on your doorposts will serve as a sign, marking the houses where you are staying. When I see the blood, I will pass over you. This plague of death will not touch you when I strike the land of Egypt.” ‭‭Exodus‬ ‭12‬:‭13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

When one looks closely you can see the story of death, sacrifice and blood from Genesis to Revelation. God himself killed the first animal to clothe the couple in the garden, covering their nakedness (Gen 3:21). Some scholars disagree, but I believe it subtly showed up with Adam’s sons, Cain and Able. Able chose to give God the best of his flocks, the firstborn of his lambs. Cain just gave some of his crops (Gen 4:4). One was a blood sacrifice, one was not. God chose this object lesson about blood to span the eons of time for humans.

The Exodus is an eternal story of redemption and sacrifice that points to the Messiah, Jesus, and beyond. Yet, even after Jesus’ own innocent blood become the markings on a wooden cross for us, death did not pass over Christ. Jesus gave his life as the one and only perfect sacrifice for anyone who would believe and recognize his death, his blood, as payment for their sin. Remember, anyone who eats the fruit of the tree of knowledge will die! The couple ate and immediately, spiritually died and eventually physically died as well.

Every human being has also eaten of the forbidden fruit since! Every human being, ever born, has believed the lie, eaten the fruit, and disobeyed God. Thus, every human is destined to die both spiritually and physically. Jesus death, his blood becomes the “sign,” the covering, on the doorposts of our heart and our life. To believe means that through faith, we have applied that covering so the death angel will pass over us as well, because we are marked (the New Testament uses the phrase, sealed with the Holy Spirit).

In the final book, Revelation, the ending of all things, we see the same theme of the blood as an end-cap to God’s grand story of redemption, of exodus, of completion. A loud voice declares that believers in Jesus have conquered the slanderer by the blood of the lamb (Jesus) and the word of their testimony (they lived and spoke of – not their own truth, but of Christ’s truth). We actually “bear witness” through belief and telling of our own story of being rescued! The Exodus story still lives on, in and through our lives today. Once I was blind, but now I see. I was lost but now I am found. Amazing grace how sweet the sound.

Prayer

​Dad,
What a grand story we are living! I am so thankful to not just be alive today, but to be a part of Your very long story.

Bravo God 🙌🏼 🙌🏼 🙌🏼.

When I was young in faith and in understanding of who You are, I thought these themes of sin, death and blood were so dark and creepy. Now, as I have matured, I see them as marvelously mysterious! I am not a huge fan of blood, I get pretty queasy, but I am a huge fan of being rescued and restored to a full and amazing life. I see more clearly now than ever before. And, I am hundreds of times more grateful.

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Lessons from an introverted leader.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

“But Moses pleaded with the Lord, “O Lord, I’m not very good with words. I never have been, and I’m not now, even though you have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled.”” ‭‭Exodus‬ ‭4‬:‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Moses, the man, the legend! Moses’ life is a great example of God’s calling on a person. His story is famous, but his journey to fulfill God’s call is often overshadowed by the amazing scenes of miracles God did through his frailty. Moses wasn’t a weak man, not in grit or girth, but in his self confidence he was weak. His view of himself was not at all what God saw in him.

At eighty years old, God catches Moses’ attention out in the middle of nowhere. And, God waited forty years to approach him. Forty years is plenty long for the death of one’s dreams. At forty, Moses’ anger had finally boiled over when he murdered an Egyptian foreman because the man was mercilessly beating one of his own people. Moses escaped and fled to Midian, the desert where people can disappear. Now at 80 years old, he curiously checks out this crazy fire-bush.

A casual conversation with God on the side of a mountain takes place. God tells Moses his plan. He says, “I’m getting my people out of Egypt, out of slavery and setting up a new place they will call their own. A beautiful place fill with plenty, but there are some folks already there, but I’ll move them out to make room for my people. I’ve heard their cry and I am ready to send someone to lead them out. I am sending you!

It was all a nice conversation until it came down to a command. It wasn’t a question, like with Isaiah, “Whom should I send?” No, it was an order. Moses protested! Moses asked the most telling question of anyone who has ever been called by God. “Who am I?” This wasn’t humility, this was truth. Moses saw himself as a nobody because he was a nobody! He was living a quiet, simple life with his whole new family. He was married, had a kid; Egypt and his former existence was a lifetime in the past. Yet, God would not take no for an answer, because it wasn’t a request, it was a command. God’s patience is sweet, but He would have his way. Moses protest goes on for a very long time, from 3:11 to 4:17, you’ll find every excuse presented and dismissed. But you’ll notice a shuttle shift in wording in verse 10. Moses changes his method from “protest” to “pleading.” Three specific protests and two pleas! The final one, “But Moses again pleaded, “Lord, please! Send anyone else.”” God relented and Moses thought he was off the hook, God said, “fine,” I’ll let your brother, Aaron do the talking, but YOU are still going! What an incredible exchange between the God of all creation and this broken, wash-up, now invisible man, living in the desert.

Who can tell God no? The fears and frailties are real. The common misconception is that God “prepares” those he calls. Ha! That’s funny. Yeah, God prepares alright! He says, “Here’s what you’re going to do… now obey me and get going!” That’s the prep! I don’t know who started this nonsense that somehow miraculously one slowly grows into what God sees in them, when they cannot see it themselves. I can tell you from my experience, I grew and learned through OBEDIENCE. There was no model, no template, no lectures on methodology and no practice test. There was only, “Here’s the plan, go and be obedient.” It required 100% faith to cut through the overwhelming fear that I was not enough. I was not old enough, experienced enough, nor knowledgeable enough. I learned about leadership through obedience. You can take dozens of classes. Listen to hundreds of podcasts about how others did it. Follow a more experienced person and try to emulate what you saw. NONE OF IT compares to obedience and faith. You just have to DO IT.

Moses obeyed and told his father-in-law, then Aaron, then the leaders of Israel, living in Egypt, then finally Pharaoh himself. He became an extraordinary leader, not perfect though. I still see the pattern in Moses’ life… God speaks, he obeys.

Prayer

Dad,
Obedience is better than sacrifice. Obedience is faith in action. Obedience is not in my beliefs, it’s in my behavior. I can imagine that I am obedient to your will, your way, all day long, but until my behavior follows through, it’s just a game, a pretense. Thank you your patience, grace and kindness as I get over myself and learn to just do what you say.