Tag: gospel

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With healing in his wings.

Reading Time: 4 minutes

A woman in the crowd had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding. She had suffered a great deal from many doctors, and over the years she had spent everything she had to pay them, but she had gotten no better. In fact, she had gotten worse. She had heard about Jesus, so she came up behind him through the crowd and touched his robe. For she thought to herself, “If I can just touch his robe, I will be healed.” Immediately the bleeding stopped, and she could feel in her body that she had been healed of her terrible condition. ‭‭Mark‬ ‭5‬:‭25‬-‭29‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This story that Mark captures is one of my favorite miracles in the gospels! It certainly highlights Mark’s purpose for writing his accounts taken from Peter’s direct experiences with Jesus. Jesus has power to heal sickness and in Jairus’ daughter, power over death itself. However, there was an interruption in the story. As crowds pressed Jesus after landing on the shore, Jarius makes his desperate plea and Jesus begins making his way to the home of a very sick little girl. But there is also a desperate woman in that crowd.

Mark summarizes her situation. She had been suffering from a trifecta of hope-sucking events. She had some kind of genetic disorder that would not allow her blood to properly clot after she had her cycle. So she was constantly losing blood for twelve years. “Doctors,” tried everything they knew to try. I’m guessing their answers were a mix of wife’s tale wisdom and tips they’d shared in the ancient medical community. I’m not saying they weren’t smart, or knowledgeable, but they could not have had advanced training on the human anatomy and certainly not what they needed to know about diseases concerning the blood. She suffered because of constantly having hope deferred. And now she was broke. To top it off, she was extremely lonely. Her blood disease made her “untouchable,” no friends, no family, no community. Folks at that time were not allowed to be around an actively bleeding individual because of the possibility of spreading the cause and making one “unclean.” The priests were very involved in not allowing someone like this woman to have any contact with another human being until they could verify that she was completely healed. She had no human contact, sans doctor’s examinations for twelve years. She wasn’t just dying from anemia, she was dying of “Touch starvation” as well – it’s a real medical condition!

Here in Mark, the brave woman put herself and others at risk when she ventured into the crowd. Normally, she would be forced to announced that she was “unclean,” giving people a chance to stay clear of her. On this day, she remained silent but laser focused. Her “eye was on the prize,” as they say. What was she trying to do? She believed that Jesus was the Messiah before she ever determined to risk it all and break the law!

But there was a particular piece of Jesus she was after and it wasn’t his robe as the Bible translations try to explain. Sure the Greek word, “himation” is a garment, cloak or tunic, but that’s not what she wanted to touch. She wanted to touch Jesus prayer shawl (Tallit), one of the tassels of his prayer shawl to be more specific.

Every orthodox Jewish male had a weaved prayer shawl and at each of the four corners they had a tassel made of beautiful blue threads with knots. The prayer shawl would hang over their shoulders on the outside of their outer robes. This special prayer tassel was given to them by their mothers, as prescribed by Numbers 15:9. “Give the following instructions to the people of Israel: Throughout the generations to come you must make tassels for the hems of your clothing and attach them with a blue cord.” The knots on the tassels were a way to remember each of the laws of God as you prayed. It was a wearable reminder to pray.

One of the more interesting things with these prayer shawls is a unique folklore about the Messiah. There was a unique prophecy out of Malachi 4:2, “But for you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings. And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture.” The people knew that the title “Sun of Righteousness” was THE MESSIAH. However, they didn’t exactly know what Malachi meant by healing in his “wings.” It came to be understood that the Messiah’s Tallit tassels would have supernatural abilities to heal those who touched it. The Jewish mothers, thinking their sons might just be the Messiah, began making the Tallit tassels more vibrant blue and actually began extending the length of these tassels over time.

Of course Mary would have given Jesus his Tallit. And, like every Jewish momma before her, she would use vibrant blue threads and extra long tassels. It is absolutely a fact that Rabbi Jesus often wore his Tallit. On this day, in the crowd, this woman would make her way to Jesus, specifically believing that he is THE Messiah and that his and only his Tallit tassels had the power to heal her of her disease.

The prayer shawl, nor its tassels actually held any power, but Jesus did and the woman’s faith – even in a misinterpreted folklore of Malachi’s prophecy held the belief that she would be healed! It was actually faith in who Jesus is that brought healing to her thin, anemic body. But Jesus also brought a complete healing of soul and spirit when he turned and spoke to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace. Your suffering is over.” It just gives me chills to hear the love and mercy in those tender words. Jesus indeed has healing in his wings!

Prayer

​Dad,
I am so moved by this story about Veronica. I see your compassion and mercy in Jesus’ words and behavior towards her. These stories give me hope for those who are suffering. I know that you are the God that heals! Amen.

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The two original reformers.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

While Paul and Barnabas were at Antioch of Syria, some men from Judea arrived and began to teach the believers: “Unless you are circumcised as required by the law of Moses, you cannot be saved.” Paul and Barnabas disagreed with them, arguing vehemently. Finally, the church decided to send Paul and Barnabas to Jerusalem, accompanied by some local believers, to talk to the apostles and elders about this question. ‭‭Acts ‭15‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This is a primary role of an Apostle – shut down heretical teaching. This example of bad orthodoxy is just one of many wrong teachings that floated about during the early Church. The group became known as the Judaizers. The judaizers believed in the Jesus+ gospel. Yes, it is Christ that saves, but there are a couple of other things a believer must do to “truly” be saved. This one practice is a very old physical mark of a contractual agreement between men and God – circumcision. The cutting of flesh as a covenant sign of following God. It was commanded by God in Genesis 17:10, “Every male among you shall be circumcised.” In the Old Testament it was a clear sign of being a covenant keeper of God by physically “cutting” a deal with God.

In the New Testament the physical cutting of the covenant was permanently and finally done through Jesus cutting the deal for us! So, the danger of adding anything- ANYTHING to the finality of what Jesus did for us would outside of God’s will and would be no longer be the gospel. Anything humans add or subtract from the once and for all payment for sin by Jesus would be a grave error in teaching.

What’s so interesting about this “conflict” that arose in Acts 15, was in fact a critical necessity in the message and acceptance with the Gentile (Greek or non-Jew) to become a part of the Church. This circumcision as an “extra step” was accepted as truth before Paul and Barnabas called it out. This well known “heresy” or contrary to orthodox belief was completely accepted by most Jewish believers until Paul and Barnabas contested it! Of course, the Gentiles weren’t in agreement! And even though Paul & Barnabas argued with the men from Judea, it was accepted and taught as a part of this “new” faith, known as Christian faith.

This confrontation led to the Church’s first summit or gathering and would later become known as a “ecumenical council.” There have been a number of them over the centuries. The first seven councils were generally accepted by all the denominations (sects of Christianity), but after that there are differences between Catholic & Protestant Councils. Today only trinitarian (God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit) believing denominations take part in protestant (non Catholic) councils.

I have always been amazed that there were and are teachings within Christianity that are just ACCEPTED as truth, even using the Bible as the main argument for its belief. But they are not true at all! Some of these teachings just continue to float about even in our churches today. These errored teachings come and go like stubborn warts that won’t go away. We no longer seem to have a sense of “Apostles” confrontations nor legitimate councils that take in these teachings and call them out as wrong, or worse, outright heresy. There are still councils that meet in modern times.

I find it encouraging that Christ said that he would build his church and the gates of hell would not overtake it. I also find it interesting that Jesus told us that there would be “tares” or weeds sown right alongside good wheat. Jesus said to NOT pull the weeds because it may harm the young seedling. I believe the tares or weeds to be similar to bad teaching. And, I wonder how much harm we do when people take it upon themselves to police all the preachers out there – looking for heresy, then they blast it out on social media.

I also believe all the major theological issues were highlighted and dealt with in the first 500 years of the Church. I don’t think there’s anything “new,” that we already consider dangerous and damnable. The old heresies just seem to recycle through with new names and a fresh coat of nonsense.

The best way to guard against false teaching is like the Bereans did in Acts 17:11, “And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth.”

Prayer

​Dad,
I love that you entrusted the Church to us as human beings. I know that the gospel will withstand any and all evil schemes that come against it. I just hope that we can maintain a civil and unified message presented as one body of Christ and not thousands of factions jabbing and poking one another. Help us Oh Lord. May your word continue to go forward with power.

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Wisdom or Weakness.

Reading Time: 4 minutes

When I first came to you, dear brothers and sisters, I didn’t use lofty words and impressive wisdom to tell you God’s secret plan. For I decided that while I was with you I would forget everything except Jesus Christ, the one who was crucified. I came to you in weakness—timid and trembling. And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit. I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God. 1 Corinthians‬ ‭2‬:‭1‬-‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The Apostle Paul reminds the churches in Corinth that he didn’t show up to impress them with wisdom. Rather, Paul showed up with humility. What gifted orator would show up and hide their greatest gift? Paul would. And, he did. I am reminded that Paul gave more of his authentic self than he did his authoritative self. Paul had the credentials in both top level learning, having been trained by the best of the best rabbi’s – Gamaliel. However, Paul’s body bore the credentials of an outcast, a rebel and persecution – just read 2 Cor. 11:16+!

The interesting thing about Paul’s teaching approach to the Corinthians, is that Corinth is was oozing with wisdom, learning and endless philosophical debates. Mars Hill was known for its impromptu gatherings of the sharpest minds in the Roman Empire. It would be like pastoring in Berkeley, Boston or New Jersey. Contrarily, Paul did not come to impress, he came to empower. Corinth didn’t need another windbag, brainiac. The city needed someone who LIVED the gospel, not just knew it.

It’s the struggle with the old churches in the United States today – filled with knowledge about God, but limited in the behavior of a Spirit-filled, Spirit-led people. Paul knew the churches didn’t need better lectures they needed better examples of the godly life. Paul would purposely forget everything except Jesus and his crucifixion. Jesus dying in this manner of a criminal and not using the power of God for his own will and ways was considered to be weakness! Paul came in this weakness, this timidity and trembling. His messages weren’t dripping snappy sayings or meme-filled sound bites, they were filled with the power of the Holy Spirit! Paul wanted the church needy and dependent on the same – the power of God.

How did Paul get this power? Through faith and obedience. By being led into synagogues and streets where the message of Christ was not accepted and he was beaten for delivering it. Paul went where the Holy Spirit directed even if he didn’t see results (ie: Troas or Crete). He determined to go to Rome to deliver the gospel to the Caesar himself, even though he was warned that it would mean imprisonment. The power of God came through humility of being poured out for the cause of Christ. It wasn’t impressive at all!

Paul knew what we should know today, people are not impressed by our memorized orthodoxy! But people will listen to our orthopraxy. We can explain love, spell love, define love and tell stories about love. But if we do not love, it’s just noise. It’s not preaching without good theology, but it is preaching out of humility and God’s power. Even the Corinthians, with all their heady, pride-puffed lives could see the difference. Paul did this so the church would not trust in human wisdom, but in the power of God.

The church still has a lot of name and claim it, church growth promises. Seven steps to get people in the front doors. Five steps to closing the back doors. Three steps to next steps. Get in, get saved, get pumped, get involved and just keep showing up to do church. The promise is that your church will grow. Was this Paul’s plan with the churches he planted? What was Paul’s sermon content while in town? What was Paul’s church growth instructions? I don’t think it was clever and persuasive training. Paul worked in the outdoor mall during the week and had hundreds of conversations with shoppers and other business owners. He was a tent maker by the week, went to synagogue on the Sabbath and church on Sunday. He preached Christ is risen in both places. He shared his own testimony of being a hitman for God, persecuting the very people that he would come to know as the Church. And in synagogue he would often be thrown out for heresy. And in churches he would be confronted as fake, a money grubbing charlatan. This is where Paul would practice the gospel!

Prayer

​Dad,
We have really over complicated Your Church. We’ve systemized the Spirit. We’ve worked at perfecting our message and methodology rather than our humility and dependency on Your Spirit doing the work of changing our human hearts. Do I come in humility as I lead or speak? Am I thinking about tickling ears, scoring amens, or hearing the occasional praise of “good sermon pastor?” Do I show weakness? Do I show a heavy heart for those I know are broken and going through excruciating relationships or physical problems in their bodies. Help me Oh Lord to depend more on your power than my own. Help me to lean on Your wisdom rather than my own. Help me live the gospel LOUDER than I speak about it. Amen.

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How did Jesus know?

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Jesus knew immediately what they were thinking, so he asked them, “Why do you question this in your hearts? Is it easier to say to the paralyzed man ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk’? So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!” And the man jumped up, grabbed his mat, and walked out through the stunned onlookers. They were all amazed and praised God, exclaiming, “We’ve never seen anything like this before!” ‭‭Mark‬ ‭2‬:‭8‬-‭12‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Mark’s gospel captures the moment when Jesus heals a man who was paralyzed and was carried to Jesus breaking through the roof of Peter’s mother-in-law’s house. Jesus addressed the most critical need of this man first, saying, “your sins are forgiven.” This was shocking to everyone who was there. It is still shocking today. But some teachers of the law criticized Jesus in their own minds. Mark tells us, Jesus knew what they were thinking. Stop right there.

Jesus not only knew what the paralyzed man needed most, he also knew what the religious leaders were thinking! Was this a guess? Was Jesus just “reading the room”? Jesus answered their thoughts and verbally responded to them! This isn’t the first time this happened. It is often noted that Jesus knew the thoughts of those around him. Yet, in some cases, like the woman with a genetic blood disorder, Jesus had no idea who touched his prayer tassel? What’s going on?

Here’s the question; how did Jesus know the thoughts of those around him? If our answer is, “oh, that’s easy, Jesus is God, therefore of course he knows the thoughts of others.” But the Apostle Paul tells us that Jesus laid those abilities down as a human being, “being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.” Phil 2:6-7. Did Jesus “know” out of his divinity or his humanity? The reason I ask, “how did Jesus know”, is because I believe Jesus wanted his followers to do the same kinds of miracles he did. Jesus sent them out to heal the sick and kick out demons. Would his disciples need to know the thoughts of others too? Could they? There is very little written about this from Bible Commentaries and I get it – it feels sketchy to even think about it, like it’s extra-Biblical and should not be talked about. I do not want to theologically wander outside of scriptural lines at all. But I have always wondered if Jesus, being fully human and fully God did not humanly, lean on the wisdom and power of the Holy Spirit in situations like this.

Clearly, we are told that the Holy Spirit came down on Jesus (Luke 3:22) and he was also full of the Holy Spirit (Luke 4:1). And, Jesus also his disciples to receive the Holy Spirit (John 20:22). So it makes sense that Jesus was simply modeling something he expected his disciples to follow in, namely, to depend on both the leading and power of the Holy Spirit. Paul does write about discernment as a spiritual gift in 1 Corinthians 12:10 – a form of God’s wisdom and knowledge in distinguishing between good and evil. This is just one of my constant curiosities as we learn to be a disciple and make a disciple. Can we know? Should we know?

Prayer

Dad,
You are fully aware of those moments in my life that you have asked me to step out in faith to speak or do something specific to help someone who is hurting or in need. In those moments, I believe that I “knew” things that would be impossible to know on my own. The problem was that I had to figure out a way to say it without being religious or weird. I generally asked if what I was hearing was something they were dealing with. While my heart was pounding out of my chest, I would proceed with caution. It was terrifying to step out in faith in those moments, but I was obedient. Nowadays, there has been so much nonsense and hurt in these areas of “speaking words” over or with people, that I just have a harder time being obedient. Now, as an “older” Pastor, I want to be more “careful,” and that makes it even more difficult to discern and be obedient. Help us, God! Help us be completely dependent on your Holy Spirit and still be able to serve those who need you!

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Cults that diminish Jesus’ divinity.

Reading Time: 2 minutes

”Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son he created the universe. The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven.“ Hebrews‬ ‭1‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Hebrews, chapter one, is the gold-standard verse against dozens of cults that proclaim that Jesus is just another… and fill in their own blank. A high-ranking angel, or the brother of Satan. Cults that walk our neighborhoods, knock on doors and stand around our city corners spreading lies, made up from Satan himself. Cults will give some pittance of honor to Christ, but ALWAYS diminish his divinity.

It’s one of the oldest heresies known since the first century. The early church was on constant guard and teaching against this warped theology. They will say that Jesus is the elder brother to Satan and “other churches,” have given the devil a bad rap. They will say that Jesus was also a created being, giving a false and damnable hope that humans can obtain a similar standing as a god. Folks, if Jesus was not God himself, as the Bible declares him to be so, then there is no salvation. There is no redemption or restoration back to God.

For only a sinless human can accomplish the payment necessary for our sins. Jesus became human and lived among us as fully God, fully human. Verses following in Hebrews, tell us it impossible for any angel to fulfill that requirement. Subjugating Jesus to be a created being, an angel, is an insult and impossibility for our salvation! Hebrews writes, “For God never said to any angel what he said to Jesus: “You are my Son. Today I have become your Father.”

It is forbidden to worship angel’s, because they are created servants who are supposed to be serving humans. John fell at an angel’s feet and was told not to worship, saying “Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your fellow prophets.” (Rev. 19:10) Worshipping anyone or anything other than God is a direct violation of God’s command to worship him alone (Deut. 5:7). Jesus received worship because He is God! The Magi worshipped Christ at his birth, the disciples worshipped him after the storm, and the women worshipped Christ after his resurrection. Don’t be misled, anyone who denies Christ as God or claims that Jesus is a created being is false and should be called out as a cult.

Prayer

​Dad,
These cults, these lies are not even trying to hide what they believe! Each one will say that we are all “believers,” and a part of Your Church, but it is not true. They have caused so much harm, so much confusion, and I find it difficult that they would be allowed to continue to spread their cheap knock-off beliefs. Help us know you, know the truth, know Jesus! Give us your mercy and grace to believe and share the gospel – the good news of Your salvation! Amen.

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Is marriage a distraction dilemma?

Reading Time: 4 minutes

”I want you to be free from the concerns of this life. An unmarried man can spend his time doing the Lord’s work and thinking how to please him. But a married man has to think about his earthly responsibilities and how to please his wife. His interests are divided. In the same way, a woman who is no longer married or has never been married can be devoted to the Lord and holy in body and in spirit. But a married woman has to think about her earthly responsibilities and how to please her husband. I am saying this for your benefit, not to place restrictions on you. I want you to do whatever will help you serve the Lord best, with as few distractions as possible.“ ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭7‬:‭32‬-‭35‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The Apostle Paul was never afraid of weighing in on hot topics or super controversial conversations. Pity the fool who thought, or thinks they can take on Paul and win a philosophical, theoretical or theological argument!

Paul was a fierce thinker, a natural debater. That’s just one of the reasons God chose him to take on the rigorous religious paradigms of his day. Remember, God didn’t try to argue with Paul to win his heart, He simply floodlit him on the way to being judge and executioner of innocent believers. The voice from heaven broadcast, “Why are you persecuting me?” Paul didn’t even know who was talking, saying “who are you?” Jesus replied, then blinded Paul for three days so he could see a little more clearly.

Here, in Corinthians, Paul lays out a ton of solid Biblical instruction, but also gives some of his own wisdom, as he writes – this time on marriage! Paul is honest and clear about this point. He writes about young women desiring to be married and says he does NOT have a command from God for them. He adds a critical, contextual phrase that helps us understand the situation Paul is addressing, “because of the present crisis,” they should remain single.

Paul uses the word, anagké, which is a word for constraint, or better yet, a compression. We know the cultural pressures of that time was severe. Persecution was at its highest and the demented Roman authorities were using the torture of family members to coerce confessions out of believers, getting them to deny Christ. Google “Blandina,” and you’ll see what Paul was writing about. Also, because of the great persecution, Paul absolutely believed the parousia, the snatching, the 2nd coming of Christ was near! So in his mind, the priority wasn’t on getting married, having kids and owning a home – it was on spreading the gospel, the good news, because the end was near. This was the time of soul-harvest, not settling down, in Paul’s thinking.

So, definitely content, culture and context play a huge part in Paul’s seemingly anti-marriage message. But Paul is not anti-marriage! He is anti-distractions. If you read all of the book of Acts, then all of the letters Paul wrote to the churches, you’ll find that Paul lived on MISSION! He was driven to do what God called him and gifted him to do. There was winning people to Jesus, there was church planting and there was mentoring young men and women to the high calling of being a pastor. Paul had zero time for dating. Who would want to be married to a man that was so passionate about mission that he traveled constantly and started riots in many cities where he preached. What kind of married life, father image would that be?

Cutting through all the cultural context, there is still a question that must be answered, “Is marriage a distraction dilemma?” The answer, is yes! It CAN be, but it should not be. Paul nails it when he uses these two words, “think” and “please.” Marriage and family take up a tremendous amount of thinking and pleasing when it comes to our wife, husband and/or children – doesn’t it? Paul seems to be focused on something far deeper than the word “distraction,” because he uses these two much more serious greek words: think: merimnaó: to be anxious for and please: aréskō – properly satisfy. My take is that when a distraction becomes an obsession over and away from God working in my life then I have taken it too far!

Dr. Henry Cloud just came out with a great article on what he calls, “Focused Attention.” But it was what he wrote about distractions that got my attention. He wrote, “Today a countless amount of distractions will fight for your attention. They will come in the form of urgent and even good, but their subtle ability to pull you away from your main priorities prove that they can be the silent thief of success.”

Back to the distraction dilemma… my point is this. Husband, wife or kids should not be the number one priority in a believer’s life and rhythms! Wives, you will be at your best if Jesus is #1 and the benefactors will be your husband and kids. Husbands, guaranteed, if Jesus is #1, He will lead, guide and mature you as a man! Your wife and kids will absolutely benefit because of that proper priority. Single? Make Jesus #1! Not career, travel, hobbies or financial independence.

Paul’s point is true and throws no shade on marriage at all – do whatever will help you serve the Lord best, with as few distractions as possible! Without anything (aperispastós) drawing you away. Anything could become a distraction dilemma for our relationship with Jesus, it’s our job not to let that happen.

Prayer

Dad,
It’s a no brainer to figure out that bad things can and do draw me away from you. My own desires and evils are fairly easy to see. It becomes much more subtle to see that good things cause me to drift from you as the priority in my life. Busyness masquerades as doing good, then I just feel too exhausted to spend quality time with you, praying and reading Your Word. I just don’t have time, I say, as I shuffle off to one more crisis, one more new idea, one more good deed for others. I may not be the most focused person, but I can tend to what’s most important- and that is You. Thank you for being patient when I lose track of priorities. And, thank you for gently calling back to that place of quiet with you.

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Pep talks from prison.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

….so I rejoice. And I will continue to rejoice. For I know that as you pray for me and the Spirit of Jesus Christ helps me, this will lead to my deliverance. For I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past. And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die. For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better.” ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭1‬:‭18‬b-‭21‬ ‭NLT‬‬

God is still working even when it looks absurdly bleak. Paul’s situation is very real and should be seriously depressing. Prison is prison, ancient or modern, it still has to be one of the worst places to find yourself or to find God at work!

The Apostle Paul is the author of 13 epistles. That is almost 50% of the New Testament, and 62% of the letters written to churches. Paul wrote four of those letters from prison or house arrest (Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians and Philemon).

Paul knew he wasn’t free to share Christ in the marketplace as he made and repaired tents in open air malls throughout the city. He was an effective witness to the business community, leading dozens to Jesus (especially women business owners). Some of them had wealth and status in the city. He would disciple them and oftentimes ask them to open their homes to meet for Church. Many of the prominent churches in these cities were held in large homes and the home owners had large networks of friends and colleagues themselves. It was a brilliant plan that God used often. But for a couple of years, Paul found himself in lockdown. And, although he struggled with that for a number of reasons, he still found a purpose in his loss of freedom.

He was not free to work or travel, but he was free to have visitors and write letters. The visitors both carried the news of how the churches were doing, with letters back and forth. Letters were super effective in a lengthy question and answer format of that day. Paul’s teaching from these letters were a powerful example of God’s continued work among the believers and the churches they attended. And, in God’s providence, we are the beneficiaries of the Holy Spirit directed theology and conversations captured thousands of years ago.

Here in the letter to the churches in Philippi, Paul writes his most earnest, humble and beautiful expression of the gospel (Good news) at work even in the worst of times. Paul was simultaneously defending himself as a legitimate Apostle and equally “dividing the Word of truth (apologetics)” while his challengers and fake teachers continued to spread falsities among the churches he started. But even Paul admits, God will be honored and have His way no matter the circumstances we find ourselves in. Paul often wrote about being in states of plenty and going without, full of food and forced fasting, ease and extreme discomfort. The gospel of Jesus, God’s work continues regardless of our situations.

Paul’s famous phrase, “whether I live or die,” sums up much more than his own perceived restraints. Paul wanted his life to honor Christ – and he did just that! Paul’s teaching with phrases like “rejoice in the Lord always,” come from the worst possible circumstances. It should remind me that God is with me even when I am down, sick, or forced to be still. And, if I can get a proper perspective of my own purpose in the Kingdom of God, it should remind me that God still works in me and through me to accomplish His will. I am comforted and challenged by Paul’s pep talks from prison!

Prayer

Dad,

There is no place, no situation that I find myself alone. You are with me! And, there is no circumstance, no matter how disabling or debilitating it may seem, that you are not at work in me and can also be at work through me. Nothing catches you by surprise, Nothing can thwart your plans. Nothing can stop you from accomplishing your will. Help me when I feel the “prison” seasons in my life, to rejoice, to consider it pure joy because you are with me.

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Out-tricking truth.

Reading Time: 2 minutes

“Then what’s the advantage of being a Jew? Is there any value in the ceremony of circumcision? Yes, there are great benefits! First of all, the Jews were entrusted with the whole revelation of God. True, some of them were unfaithful; but just because they were unfaithful, does that mean God will be unfaithful? Of course not! Even if everyone else is a liar, God is true. As the Scriptures say about him, “You will be proved right in what you say, and you will win your case in court.” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬-‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The Jews are the chosen people of God, the deal was made a few millennia ago with Abram. Ever since that time, they have made religion a high level profession. Who better to try to outsmart, out maneuver God? They believed they could convince God they were perfect, sinless because they “kept” the law.

Paul, who is Jewish, and a former Pharisee himself, explains their foolishness in this idea. Circumcision, for example, was a physical mark of dedication to God, but it did not make them perfect, not even a little. Then, Paul masterfully walks them through how all people are under the “power of sin.” No work, no act, no effort could ever be enough to break that power and erase the infractions of sin.

It is wild to me that people still believe that actions or behaviors are still the only way to heaven. People, who deeply care about a sense of right and wrong, still struggle to figure out how many kind or good acts does it require to be made right with God and gain eternity? And obviously, there are others who get frustrated trying. They just push past their conscience and “sin-it-up!” Paul addressed this in v5-8. Just giving up altogether risks the hardening of our hearts towards God! This makes it harder and harder to hear the Spirit of God helping us make good choices not to sin.

The old evangelism explosion question was, “if you were to die today and stand before God and He asks you, ‘why should I let you into heaven’? Folks still try to justify or prove they are worthy by talking about the good things they’ve done or by comparing that they are not as evil as the next person. The belief in Jesus, the faith required is that Jesus is the only perfection possible. And, through Him, we are accepted before God and set on a path towards heaven. It is faith alone, it has always been faith in God’s way. It’s not our goodness or even attempts at being good. It is has nothing to do with us better better than the next person. This is the gospel, the good news. Even the chosen people of God (Jews) must come to Him through faith in the Messiah, Jesus.

Prayer

Dad,
I am not only well aware of my sin, I am also aware of my ideals of perfection in me and others. Any goodness that comes out of me is because of you. And anytime I choose to use myself as the standard of goodness as compared to others is just rubbish! It is Christ and Christ alone! My life is hidden within His perfection. And for others, I just want them to see you in my life.

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Blinded by lies, not light.

Reading Time: 2 minutes

“If the Good News we preach is hidden behind a veil, it is hidden only from people who are perishing. Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.” ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭4‬:‭3‬-‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Good news, God has a rescue plan for all. Bad news, Satan has a terrorist’s intent to thwart it. God has plans, Satan has lies. Satan doesn’t need a plan to damn humanity, just lies to keep us believing one of two things: we don’t need to be rescued or we can rescue ourselves!

The blinders that keep people from seeing this glorious light is simply self sufficiency; thinking there’s nothing wrong with me and I can create my own truth, my own destiny. These blinders are only effective because we crave this autonomy of choice to run our own life, host our own awards shows, and pursue anything and everything that our minds can imagine.

What’s wrong with that? Our dark hearts are bent and determined to choose only selfish, self-satisfying desires. And, very much like those who are blind, it leads away from God and towards evil and death. And in our “enlightened” state of darkness, we harm and destroy those around us eventually finding ourselves alone. Satan’s job is to steal, kill and destroy, but does so non-confrontationally through lies. We let Satan in by believing them and lock God out by our own choices. The message of Christ is truth. He is all good and has no lies, no tricks to con us. Christ is life itself. Believe Christ and live, or believe the lies and die.This is the hidden message.

Prayer

Dad,
I would not have found my own way. But you found me. You illuminated that foyer at Oak Knoll Lodge in Big Bear, California and showed me right from wrong, death and life. You offered me a deal that I could not pass up. And as that small space under a table lit up with truth I saw everything clearly for the first time. It was my time, my chance to choose and I will forever be grateful for that moment. Help me continue to live in that light, that truth and to continue to walk away from lies and darkness. Thank You!

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What is it about the Seven churches in Revelation?

Reading Time: 3 minutes 
“Write this letter to the angel of the church in Smyrna. This is the message from the one who is the First and the Last, who was dead but is now alive: “I know about your suffering and your poverty—but you are rich! I know the blasphemy of those opposing you. They say they are Jews, but they are not, because their synagogue belongs to Satan.” Revelation‬ ‭2:8-9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

​I don’t spend a lot of time in the book of Revelation. A book of endings. John, the revelator, is writing what he sees and it is filled with mystery, and God summarizing the finality of the story that began in Genesis and now has its apocalyptic conclusions here. John also gives us the letters to the churches, kind of an update on how they are doing and how the gospel either continues to thrive through the people or how it suffers because of sin, error or distractions. John says these letters are from Christ himself who brings praise, correction or judgment to the church’s behavior. There are seven churches listed. Each one, similar has an understanding from God about the struggles they face and most have a complaint or an admonition as well.

The church of Smyrna only has encouragement and a warning of severe suffering ahead. They were already suffering and poor, John notes, but more will be coming. Their enemies are strong and powerful, but God is with them. I find it interesting that these are individual churches in real cities at the time of John’s writing. These are not seven denominations because they all believe in the same thing. At this time there is no mention of differences in doctrine, polity or practics, they are all ONE church under Jesus. I think each church was too busy struggling for their life, or their sin to be splitting hairs over styles of worship (hymns, choruses, sitting or hands raised), sermons (exegetical, verse by verse, practical, or series), or even church management (elder led, pastor led, congregational, or committee). They were just living or not living the gospel and doing the best they could.

Did you know that some New Testament cities still have a “church” in them? Granted, most are just buildings and do not have a gospel witness through a group of people. Some of the buildings are now tourist attractions only. Some of the cities mentioned have no churches, building or otherwise in them. Take Ephesus for example, they have a lot of monuments and ancient ruins, but no thriving gospel witness in town at all.

The gospel itself is still going out to ALL the world and there are some places that it has not been able to go, thus no church presence has been formed. Much of the emphasis of missions continues to take the message of faith, of grace to these areas where the name of Jesus has not been heard. In the nineties, the church focused on the “10/40” window, highlighting the geographic equator lines where it has been difficult to share the message of Christ. The 10/40 window also refers to the “poorest of the poor” in our world. In the past ten years, there have been so many internal, political struggles within those areas, namely wars and genocides, that refugees have fled their own countries and migrated all over the world. These have been extraordinary opportunities for the them to hear the gospel message. Even in the darkest of political climates and radical religious oppression, God has been speaking to thousands through dreams. Through these powerful dreams, God has put a yearning, a curiosity in the hearts of men and women to find this Jesus that appears to them while they are sleeping. In these last days, we may have difficulty getting the gospel into a nation, but God is supernaturally bringing them out. Some of them may even be your neighbors! You might find yourself being a missionary on your own block!

PRAYER:

Dad,
I am so grateful you found me! I am so grateful for THE Church. I am so grateful for my local church as well. The body of Christ coming together to worship, pray and hear your Word. It is both encouraging and challenging these days because of another round of “falling way.” However, your Church will go on and your gospel will go out because you love us and have made a way for anyone who believes!