Jesus Story Teller - Part 5

Intro:
Dog in Raybans: The galaxy is here!

Agent K: What do you mean ''here''? Galaxy's millions of stars and planets. How's it here?

Dog in Raybans: You humans! When will you learn size doesn't matter? Just because something's important, doesn't mean it's not very small.

Agent K: How small?

Dog in Raybans: Tiny. Like a marble or a jewel. If you'll excuse me, I gotta be walked before my flight.

Wisdom from a Dog in Raybans!

Read:
Matthew 13:31-33

31 He told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. 32 Though it is the smallest of all your seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and perch in its branches."

33 He told them still another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough."

Think:
Just because something is important doesn't mean it is not very small! Jesus, the story teller, reminds us that the Kingdom of heaven is something that might well begin very small. How small? Well, small enough to be easily overlooked.

Sometimes the smallest things can have a greatest impact.

We might say that a car key is small compared to the Porsche 911 it starts ... but the power it creates cannot be ignored. A mustard seed may be small but the end result isn't. Yeast may be small but it is the catalyst that works its way throughout and makes dough rise.

Sometimes the smallest things can have a greatest impact.

The kingdom of God could be easily overlooked, misunderstood or maligned but it is a powerful thing in our human story. How do you measure the impact of a seed that goes into the ground and dies? You measure it by what comes up from the ground later.

So, how do you measure the impact of the Seed that was ignored, spat upon, mocked, rejected, murdered and put into the ground? You measure it by what comes up out of the ground 3 days later!!! You measure it by the impact that Life has on all the other lives it touches!

Sometimes the smallest things can have a greatest impact.

Think of how it started in your life. It started with accepting Christ as Savior. It grew by allowing Him to operate as Lord. He moved with grace from one untidy room in our lives to the next. Like a skillful surgeon He cuts and cleans and heals. Relentless. This Kingdom that started out as an invitation to salvation is pretty invasive!

Think of what God wants to do with our lives. Jesus seeks to work His kingdom into our world through us. That is a pretty overwhelming task. Fortunately it only takes a mustard seed and dying to ourselves ... He does the rest! Are you qualified for this task? No ... but God is in the business of using the weak and the "nobodies".

While Jews clamor for miraculous demonstrations and Greeks go in for philosophical wisdom, we go right on proclaiming Christ, the Crucified. Jews treat this like an anti-miracle—and Greeks pass it off as absurd. But to us who are personally called by God himself—both Jews and Greeks—Christ is God's ultimate miracle and wisdom all wrapped up in one. Human wisdom is so tinny, so impotent, next to the seeming absurdity of God. Human strength can't begin to compete with God's "weakness."

Take a good look, friends, at who you were when you got called into this life. I don't see many of "the brightest and the best" among you, not many influential, not many from high-society families. Isn't it obvious that God deliberately chose men and women that the culture overlooks and exploits and abuses, chose these "nobodies" to expose the hollow pretensions of the "somebodies"? That makes it quite clear that none of you can get by with blowing your own horn before God. Everything that we have—right thinking and right living, a clean slate and a fresh start—comes from God by way of Jesus Christ. That's why we have the saying, "If you're going to blow a horn, blow a trumpet for God.

1 Corinthians 1:22-31 from The Message

Sometimes the smallest things can have a greatest impact.

Do:
How encouraging to know that God uses weaklings and nobodies. How encouraging to know that God can take the smallest seed of trust and work His Kingdom into our lives and the lives of those around us. It isn’t about us … never has been … never will be. This is about God and His Kingdom.

Remember what we pray, “Thy Kingdom come”? There’s a reason for that. Maybe another prayer could be: “Lord I believe, help my unbelief. Take what little faith I have and do amazing things with it. I will die to myself that you might live through me. Expand your Kingdom through my life today. Amen ”

DevoLink: Devotions to help you Link with God.

Jesus Story Teller - Part 4

Intro:
Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Have you made a committment this year to NOT go into debt on Black Firday? Will you choose to only buy what you can afford in cash? Debt is such a prison. Remember the one in debt is slave to the lender. The moneylender holds your freedom in check.

Today and for the balance of this week let's reflect on this story about gratitude.

Read:
Luke 7:36-47

36 Now one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, so he went to the Pharisee's house and reclined at the table. 37 When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, 38 and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.

39 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner."

40 Jesus answered him, "Simon, I have something to tell you."
"Tell me, teacher," he said.

41 "Two men owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he canceled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?"

43 Simon replied, "I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled."
"You have judged correctly," Jesus said.

44 Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 46 You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. 47 Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little."

Think:
Imagine having Jesus at your Thanksgiving feast! This Pharisee gets to have the King of Kings and Lord of Lords in his home for dinner! God in four walls! Amazing.

This is a story about gratitude. This is a story about understand our debt. This is a story about total debt forgiveness.

Dave Ramsey can give great advice about getting out of debt. He will tell you to cut up your credit cards (do a credit card "plastictomy"). He will tell you to create an emergency fund. He will tell you to tackle your debts one at a time. He will NOT, however, write you a check! He will help you get out of debt but will not pay all the debts for you!

I wish he would. But that's not real. If you are in debt it is your burden to repay. The culture frowns on people that do not pay back what they owe. There is a reason they call the guy that collects on a debt a "loan shark"! They do not call him the loan bunny!

In this story Jesus wants us to reflect on our debt burden. We are not talking about money, we are talking about life choices. We are talking about how we measure up to the 10 Commandments. We are talking about how we measure up to a holy God. Paul said,

"There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one. Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit. The poison of vipers is on their lips. Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness. Their feet are swift to shed blood; ruin and misery mark their ways, and the way of peace they do not know. There is no fear of God before their eyes." Romans 3

When we rightly understand our debt we will better understand what it means to have that debt totally paid for. We will understand how significant it is when the Moneylender cancels all our debts.

Jesus spells out the rest for us and really shows us the key to an attitude of gratitude: "he who has been forgiven little loves little".

This does not mean that the price Jesus paid was worse for the prostitute than for the smug Pharisee. The price for their sin was the same. So, in what way can someone be "forgiven little"? Only in their understanding of their debt! The debt paid to release the angry man is the same to release the murderer. The debt to release a white liar is the same to release the defrauder old people's retirement.

He who has been forgiven little loves little and he who has been forgiven much will love much out of gratitude.

Do:
How much have you been forgiven? Are you in touch with your debt? Pretty amazing that Someone is willing to pay for it ... all of it.

Reread the section from Romans 3 above. Is the Holy Spirit speaking to you about any of those "debts"?

Take time to love on Jesus some this Thanksgiving. Take time to tell Him how grateful you are for your debt cancel notice. Oh and spread that gratitude to your family this week. Let them see what it looks like to love Jesus. Let your home be filled with the perfume of praise.

DevoLink: Devotions to help you Link with God.

Jesus Story Teller - Part 3

Intro:
I grabbed a book off a friends bookshelf this past week called, simply enough, How To Communicate. Did you know that communication is more about listening than speaking?

"You're at a dinner party. Someone is telling anecdotes, someone is complaining, someone is bragging about his promotion. Everyone there is anxious to talk. Suddenly you get the feeling that no one is listening. While the talk goes on you notice that people's eye's wander. They are perhaps rehearsing their own remarks. It is as if they have secretly agreed: "I'll be an audience for you if you'll be an audience for me." The party may be a success, but people go home without hearing or knowing each other."

How To Communicate, p.5

Read:
Luke 16:19-31

19 "There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. 20 At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores 21 and longing to eat what fell from the rich man's table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.

22 "The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. 24 So he called to him, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.'

25 "But Abraham replied, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. 26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.'

27 "He answered, 'Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father's house, 28 for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.'

29 "Abraham replied, 'They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.'

30 " 'No, father Abraham,' he said, 'but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.'

31 "He said to him, 'If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.'"

Think:
The rich man in this story has a problem. It wasn't that he had many good things in this life. It wasn't that he didn't share with others. It wasn't even that he probably wasn't grateful for what he had. The problem is that he didn't apply the things he heard at the Temple. He didn't listen. He didn't pay attention.

There are many like him in the Church today. They come. They fill the seats. They might get come political power from it. They are satisfied by things. But they do not listen. This doesn't translate to their homes or their business ethics. This does not lead to compassion toward others. This doesn't make them more like the God they come near to worship.

That is the point of the parable. The message about Abraham's bosom and a look behind the curtain of eternal things is not what Jesus is teaching. It is interesting to be sure but not the point.

Remember, Jesus tells these stories to make a point. These stories are designed to get a picture past our defense systems. These are designed to help us listen.

Isn't it interesting that the hope Jesus offers is found in the OT? If they listen to Moses (the Law) and the Prophets they have a better chance of recognizing the Law fulfiller and prophecy completer. As it is, 'if they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead."

The rich man had many opportunities to listen and recognize the coming Messiah. Every Temple small group, or Saturday School Class, every sermon, offered an opportunity for him to listen.

Had he listened, he would not be in hell or in torment. He would have learned of a God that desired mercy and not sacrifice. He would have treated others differently. He would have been prepared to meet the Messiah.

Do:
Sorry for the sobering parable. This is where God led me this day. I wonder how much of what I hear at church or in my Bible reading time actually makes it to my heart? Someone once wisely said, "the distance between heaven and hell is only 18 inches .... the distance from your head to your heart".

As we come to the Thanksgiving table this week, as we worship in our usual place let's ask the Lord to help us to hear. Let's listen to the sacred silence ... listen to the holy Word.

Do you want to have a test of if you are listening well or not? How do you treat others ... especially those that offer you nothing in return? How well are you seeing Jesus Christ in your daily life? Do you recognize His hands and feet?

It requires listening.

DevoLink: Devotions to help you Link with God.

Jesus Story Teller - Part 2

Intro:
A pastor just finished his morning sermon when Ms. Jones approached him and said, "You know pastor, you are becoming one of the greatest preachers of this generation." Unfortunately he believed it.

As he was loading the kids in the car he said to his wife, "Ms. Jones thinks I am one of the greatest preachers of this generation." His wife said nothing. He decided to push it a bit. "I wonder how many great preachers there are in this generation?" To which his wife finally replied, "One less than you think!"

So hard to be humble ... even for those we assume are always humble!

Read:
Luke 19:9-14

9 To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: 10 "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.'

13 "But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.'

14 "I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

Think:
How we view ourselves matters to Jesus. How we view ourselves is also noticed by God in heaven. That is the point of this parable.

In this story Jesus creates tension by the selection of the two men: a Pharisee and a tax collector. This would be the same as choosing a pastor and a thief. Culturally one is respected and the other repulsed.

That's what we see but not what God sees. When both of these men show up at church and pray only God hears them but Jesus lets us listen in.

The Pastor:
"I'm ok. I have no needs. I've made good choices in my life. God's help might be nice but it is not necessary. I am better than others."

Remember this is not being said out loud! This is in his heart. This is how he views the world. Also notice that he does not ask God for anything. There is no request in this man's prayer.

The Thief:
"I'm not ok. I am needy. I've made bad decisions in my life and I take advantage of others for my own gain. God, have mercy on me ... I am one that has missed the mark."

This is also coming from the heart. This is how he views himself. Unlike the pastor in the story this guy does ask God for something ..... for mercy! This is not just a cimple request, this is a command. He is telling God that he needs mercy to make it one more day.

***********

Jesus told this story to challenge those who were confident in their own rightness before God. The Pharisee was sure he was covered and that God was pleased with him. His basis for such confidence was his own holiness. The tax collector was not sure he was even redeemable by God.

Jesus also told this story to encourage those who were humble before God that they could be made right with Him based on what HE did and not what they did!

Do:
Not sure what we can do with this .... this is more of who we ARE not what we do.

Be sure God really knows what we are at the heart even if those at church cannot tell. This can be a good thing or not.

The one thing we can do: humble ourselves. Did you know there is no place in Scripture where God is asked to humble someone? In every case we are told to humble ourselves.

DevoLink: Devotions to help you Link with God.

Jesus Story Teller - Part 1

Intro:
Some people worry ... other people pray.
One finds darkness ... the other a ray.

Just made that up! Now If I would only apply it. :) There are some that pray a lot. Their lives are marked by a dependence on God in prayer. Others worry and work harder. I wonder if we prayed harder and worked less what we'd find?

"I can hardly believe her disease is ordinary, for her life is bitter to her; she sleeps none, but cries as a woman travaling in birth ... and I am at present exercised with the wrestlings of God. Remember our estate to the Lord. It becomes us to knock, and to lie at the Lord's door, until we die knocking. If He will not open, it is more than He has said in His word. But He is faithful. Welcome, welcome cross of Christ, if Christ be with it."

Samuel Rutherford, 1630, on the suffering of his wife, age 30.

Read:
Luke 18:1-8

1 Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. 2 He said: "In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared about men. 3 And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, 'Grant me justice against my adversary.'

4 "For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, 'Even though I don't fear God or care about men, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won't eventually wear me out with her (continual) coming!' "

6 And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8 I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?"

Think:
Jesus was a master story teller. He would often tell a story to help drive a point home. For today, it is pretty safe that Jesus wants us to know that we should always pray and not give up. Got to love a parable where the main idea is laid out for you! We dumb sheep need it simple!

What can we learn from this widow about prayer?
1. She was confident (v. 3)
Her request is a command! She is telling the judge to listen and act on her behalf. This is not a weak request by a feeble, frail, old widow. This is the confident prayer of a woman in need.

We are to also come before God with boldness ... make our requests known to Him. Try to influence the outcome. Some things are locked in God's will and unchangeable. Other things God allows us to influence. We should be bold on those things.

2. She was consistent (v. 3, 4, 5, 7)
She kept coming to the judge ... continually ... over time ... day and night! She was undeterred in her quest for justice. Maybe someone was trying to take her children for a bad debt left by her husband. Maybe someone was taking over her land or inheritance. Regardless, she was not going to be denied justice.

We are to also come before God continually. We are to bring our requests to Him day and night. We are not to let up in our desire to hear from the Lord. It becomes us to knock, and to lie at the Lord's door, until we die knocking.

Do:
Our God is not an unjust judge. He is an awesome Father that wants the best for us. He desires that we pray and not give up. He desires that we live like the widow in this parable. We are invited to be confident and consistent in prayer.

Do you do this much, Christian? Are you confident before God in prayer? Do you come knowing that He cares about you and wants to hear you? Do you come knowing that He is waiting to answer certain things but wants you to pray about them FIRST? If you pray first and then He answers there is less likelihood that you will miss His hand in the mix.

Make it your pledge to pray and not give up. Will you do this now? Go knock at His door. A just Father is waiting!

DevoLink: Devotions to help you Link with God.

The Spirit in the Church - Part 5

Intro:
How good is a coffee cup without any coffee in it? How good is a mechanical pencil without any lead? How good is a car without any gas? How good is a Twinkie without any white stuff?

Not so good!

All of these are things that require filling.

Ok then, how good is a believer without any Holy Spirit?

Read:
Acts 4:23-31

23 On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. 24 When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. "Sovereign Lord," they said, "you made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. 25 You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David:
" 'Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?
26 The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against his Anointed One.'

27 Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. 28 They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. 29 Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. 30 Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus."

31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

Think:
In this passage we see the Holy Spirit at work in the Church. There are a couple of cool things that are worth noting.

First, the Holy Spirit gave them God's words. The Holy Spirit spoke the Scriptures through people. The Bible is not the collection of men's thoughts but the words of the Holy Spirit written down through men. When David penned the words quoted above I am not sure he knew that he was writing Scripture but the Holy Spirit was writing through David.

"The main thing to keep in mind here is that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of private opinion. And why? Because it's not something concocted in the human heart. Prophecy resulted when the Holy Spirit prompted men and women to speak God's Word."

1 Peter 1:20-21 from the Message

Second, the Holy Spirit gave them God's presence. The Holy Spirit indwells all believers. We have God on the inside. God with a body. It is a great privilege to be have God on the inside but some believers experience more of God than others. You see, all are indwelt but not all are filled. Filling is a condition based on our dependence on the Spirit. As we are surrendered and dependent on Him so we are filled with Him.

As the disciples prayed they were filled. The dependence reflected in their prayers honors the Lord. There might be a principle here for us to learn.

Finally, the Holy Spirit gave them God's boldness. The disciples were facing death for sharing the good news about Jesus. Once filled they were without fear. They were able to finish the mission of sharing the word and presence of Jesus through the Holy Spirit.

We all live with some level of fear, rejection and pain. The Holy Spirit enables believers to speak about Jesus with boldness. In fact, this might be a good test as to our filling with the Spirit. If we are fearful of sharing Christ, if we are allowing our worry of rejection to override our calling to talk about Jesus we might need to pray as ask for boldness.

Do:
Seek to be filled with the Spirit of God. How do we do this?
1. Read the word He spoke! Read and expect God, the Holy Spirit, to speak to you. Read with an eye for obedience.
2. Pray for filling! Though this is not what they prayed for here in Acts, it is a byproduct of their prayer for boldness. I think it is good to ask the Holy Spirit to fill us and use us each day.
3. Speak Jesus to others! There are few things that honor God more than to speak about His Son. I can tell you that many times I have shared Christ with someone I usually get a strong sense of the Spirit's filling. Sometimes He will even give me the exact words to say to someone. This happens more often than not.

So many great things waiting for you today if you are filled with the Spirit. Be a Twinkie ... be filled ... seek it!

DevoLink: Devotions to help you Link with God.

The Spirit in the Church - Part 4

Intro:
I can imagine that being adopted might feel weird at times. I would guess that I might feel like a cat among a group of meerkats! Similar but different.

When we are filled with the Holy Spirit we are adopted into God's family where we fit right in.

Read:
Galatians 3:1-7

1 What I am saying is that as long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. 2 He is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. 3 So also, when we were children, we were in slavery under the basic principles of the world. 4 But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, 5 to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. 6 Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father." 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.

Think:
Knowing God is relational. We were not saved to rote religion or to some legalistic adherence to rules. We were saved to be sons and daughters of a King.

Because we are sons and daughters of God God sent the Spirit to us. What do we learn about this Spirit?
1. This is the Spirit of Jesus, the Spirit of His Son. Sometimes we can be tempted to think that the Holy Spirit is some mystical force or simply a power. The Bible makes clear that this is a Person. A Person not a power. The Spirit of Jesus Himself living on the inside. No wonder Jesus knew it was good that He go away and send the Spirit. He wanted to live on the inside of us.

2. This Spirit is in our hearts. We share incarnation with Jesus ... God in man. Jesus was incarnated, God took on a body. Now in the Church, God takes a body once again. It is YOUR body! The Spirit of God came to live in people. In our hearts.

"To all who've been born of the Spirit, and who share incarnation with Him. Who belong to eternity stranded in time and wearing of struggling with sin. Forget not the hope that's before you and never stop counting the cost. Remember the hopelessness when you were lost. There is a joy in the journey, there's a Light we can love on the way. There is a wonder and wildness to life and freedom for those who obey."

Michael Card

3. This Spirit seeks intimacy with the Father. This relationship with the Spirit enables us to approach God in ways no one but Jesus had ever known. Before Jesus no one ever called God "father" or related to Him in such ways. The Spirit seeks intimacy with the Father and we are the benefactors of that intimacy. Please pay attention to the words in the passage:

"the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father."

Who is crying out "Abba, Father"? The Spirit is doing that on our behalf. He is our adoption agent! He is our casual link. He is our advocate.

This Spirit seals the deal, applies the payment Jesus bought for us and makes us sons and daughters of a King. That's relational!

Do:
If you are in Christ you are adopted into God's family. You have all the rights of a child in God's home. The Spirit guarantees this new standing and works to draw you closer to your Father.

Have you ever reflected on the truth that you are part of an incarnation? That God lives inside of you? That is a wild thought! You have all the rights and privileges of ownership. You are a child of the King. You are an heir to His estate.

Take time to pray to your Abba today. Thank Him for His desire to know you. He killed his own Son so He could have many more sons brought to glory. You are part of that story. You are adopted.

DevoLink: Devotions to help you Link with God.

The Spirit in the Church - Part 3

Intro:
What runs on the inside of a computer? Where does the processing power come from?

Intel, right?

Remember those commercials? Intel ... on the inside ... da, dah, dadah. The Intel company wanted to make sure those of us that bought PCs knew where the processing power was coming from. We couldn't see it from the outside but the effects of the power were obvious on the outside.

Read:
John 16:7-16

7 But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8 When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; 10 in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; 11 and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.

12 "I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. 13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 14 He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. 15 All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you.

16"In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me."

Think:
"It is for your good that I am going away" ... seriously? How could Jesus leaving be good?

Clearly the greatest thing that has ever happened on the planet was Jesus walking on earth. Creation. Fall. Flood. Nation. 4000 years. Jesus. He is the answer to the question. He is the the Chosen One ... the Matrix buster!

The whole OT points to His coming. The prophets proclaimed His coming. All the priests ministered in the temple anticipating His arrival. The people longed for healing from sin.

Yet, here we are with Jesus in the NT saying, "it is for your good that I am going away".

Can you imagine how these words sounded to the disciples? They've walked with Jesus for a couple of years. They gave up everything to follow Him. They set their hope on Him. They put all their chips down on His number. He was it and now He's leaving? How can this be "good"?

This could only be "good" if what He was about to do was better. For Jesus, leaving meant more of Him for His followers. What He was able to do by being with them He could now do greater by being in them. What He could only impact externally He can now impact internally.

The Holy Spirit was to be for His disciples Jesus on the inside. It was better for Jesus to leave and yet return, so to speak.

Jesus promised the disciples that He would be with them after He went to heaven. He told them that he would continue to communicate with them. He told them they would see Him again.

"In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me."

So, today we get to see Jesus through the Holy Spirit. We have Jesus on the inside. He is with us, He communicates and He allows us to see Him.

Praise God for sending the Holy Spirit.

Do:
Close you eyes while you listen to Holy Spirit Rain Down by Hillsongs in the DevoLink Worship Center. Ask the Lord to fill you with the Holy Spirit. Ask the Lord to be with you, communicate to you and show you Himself.

DevoLink: Devotions to help you Link with God.

The Spirit in the Church - Part 2

Intro:
So, is the Christian life all about trying to be a good person (or at least better than your neighbor)? Is it about having perfect kids? Is it about voting conservatively? Is it about living the safest life possible?

Or is there more? Could we be stuck in a Christian "Matrix"?

Could there be more dynamic from God than just assimilating the principles of the next "How To" sermon we hear? Could it be that He wants us to be Jesus to others and operate with some of the power Jesus did? Is that what Jesus meant? Didn't He say we would do more and greater things than He did when the Holy Spirit comes?

The matrix is comfortable. The matrix offers control. But ... the matrix is boring and might not be working out so well (as evidenced by our divorce rates, our kids and our moral choices of entertainment!).

Maybe there is more ....

Read:
1 Corinthians 12:7-11

7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.

Think:
The Holy Spirit gives gifts to believers for the common good. He gives these gifts to build others up in their trust in the Lord Jesus. He gives gifts to believers and intends to use them in ministry.

The Holy Spirit also gives gifts as he determines. These are gifts at His discretion. We do not get to pick and choose what gift we want as one might choose a desert at a buffet line. The Spirit gives to each one just as He determines.

Put these thoughts together: God chooses what gifts I have and what they are for. God gives me a gift to give to others for their good.

But .... what kind of gifts? Is God giving out gifts of money or encouragement or helps? What kind of gifts does He want to give the Church for the common good of others?

1. the message of wisdom
2. the message of knowledge
3. faith
4. gifts of healings
5. miraculous powers
6. prophecy
7. distinguishing between spirits
8. speaking in different kinds of tongues
9. the interpretation of tongues

Unless you are in a "charismatic" church you do not see these gifts very often. Most evangelicals are uncomfortable with these types of spiritual expression or afraid of being out of control. And so we create theology to make us believe that God the Holy Spirit does not want to work in this way any more.

We are content to be principally-driven "bible expositors", more concerned with the "how to" part of Christianity. If I have a good marriage and good kids and if I go to church and give my 2% then I am ok.

But God might want to do more. God might want to give "uncomfortable" gifts to us for the common good of other believers. God might want to use us to speak into someone else's life or to heal them or communicate a word of knowledge about something going on in their life.

Unfortunately, if we are in the matrix we will be unable to hear Him or recognize when He is doing this.

Do:
Are you open to the Holy Spirit working in your life? Are you willing to be used by God in ways that might be uncomfortable? Are you willing to awake from the Christian Matrix?

Ask the Lord to use you in any way He wants. Ask Him to speak through you into the lives of others. Ask God to give you wisdom and power for the good of others.

Finally, remember the Giver is always more important than the gift as a home builder has more honor than the home he builds. Seek the Giver not the gift. Seek the person not the power. Be open to His leading. He will do the rest.

He is the Matrix buster ...............

DevoLink: Devotions to help you Link with God.

The Spirit in the Church - Part 1

Intro:
Is the Holy Spirit active in the Church like He was in Acts? Does God still communicate with believers? How does God interact with us today?

Clearly God speaks through His Word but does He speak through the Spirit and if He does, what does that look like?

We will look at the Spirit in the Church for this next series.

Read:
1 Corinthians 12:1-6

1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware. 2 You know that when you were pagans, you were led astray to the mute idols, however you were led.

3 Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus is accursed"; and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit.

4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit.

5 And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord.

6 There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons.

Think:
God is active in the Church today and He still speaks. He is a God of communication. From the very beginning to today God is communicating.

The Puritans rightly recognized God's communication in creation. They called it the "first book of God" and told believers that they had to "read" it.

All Christians through all time have recognized that God has communicated through His word, the Bible as well.

God is always communicating.

The folks in Corinth had turned from "mute idols" to the living God. Their dead idols were also dumb idols! They could not communicate.

Not so with God! He is active and communicating. The Holy Spirit is always at work revealing the things of God to the people of God. He is active, giving wisdom and knowledge ... revealing and speaking.

The Trinity is active in church ministry (v. 4-6). We have gifts given by the power of Holy Spirit. We have ministries happen by the power of the Lord Jesus. We have different outcomes and effects by the power of God the Father.

Interesting that we do not control what gifts we receive, where we get to use them or how effective those gifts will be. The Lord works all this after His will.

Ours is to be open to the Lord in our lives.

Do:
Are you open to hearing from the Lord? He is speaking. The Holy Spirit, as you will see this week, is open for business. He does not have laryngitis!

Ask the Lord to speak to you this week. As you read the Word, ask the Lord to speak to you.

We will see our need of dependence on the Lord this week. We will see how significant the Spirit is to our walk with Jesus.

DevoLink: Devotions to help you Link with God.

Jesus in the OT - Part 10

Intro:
I trust by now you clearly see that the Bible is essentially a book about Jesus. I trust you appreciate the sacrifice that the uncreated One made to become human. His choice to limit Himself, His choice to fell pain. His choice to become like us so He could save us.

Looks like He saved a lot of other people on the way (Moses, Shadrach, Gideon, Samuel, Hagar, Eve, Abraham, Jacob, Baalam and many more).

Why did He do this? For the sake of the gospel, for our good and ultimately for God's glory.

Read:
Hebrews 2:5-18

5-9 God didn't put angels in charge of this business of salvation that we're dealing with here. It says in Scripture,

What is man and woman that you bother with them; why take a second look their way?
You made them not quite as high as angels, bright with Eden's dawn light; Then you put them in charge of your entire handcrafted world. When God put them in charge of everything, nothing was excluded. But we don't see it yet, don't see everything under human jurisdiction. What we do see is Jesus, made "not quite as high as angels," and then, through the experience of death, crowned so much higher than any angel, with a glory "bright with Eden's dawn light." In that death, by God's grace, he fully experienced death in every person's place.

10-13 It makes good sense that the God who got everything started and keeps everything going now completes the work by making the Salvation Pioneer perfect through suffering as he leads all these people to glory. Since the One who saves and those who are saved have a common origin, Jesus doesn't hesitate to treat them as family, saying, I'll tell my good friends, my brothers and sisters, all I know about you; I'll join them in worship and praise to you. Again, he puts himself in the same family circle when he says, Even I live by placing my trust in God.
And yet again, I'm here with the children God gave me.

14-15 Since the children are made of flesh and blood, it's logical that the Savior took on flesh and blood in order to rescue them by his death. By embracing death, taking it into himself, he destroyed the Devil's hold on death and freed all who cower through life, scared to death of death.

16-18 It's obvious, of course, that he didn't go to all this trouble for angels. It was for people like us, children of Abraham. That's why he had to enter into every detail of human life. Then, when he came before God as high priest to get rid of the people's sins, he would have already experienced it all himself—all the pain, all the testing—and would be able to help where help was needed.

Think:
Jesus chose to be human. He chose to take a body. He chose to be like us so He could save us and stand up for us in heaven.

As we have seen these past 2 weeks, Jesus is very active in the OT. There is not a time in the OT where we hear of God showing up physically that it is not our Lord Jesus Christ.

You can learn a lot about Jesus by these encounters. Most of the time He is saving someone (Gideon, Shadrach, Daniel). Many other times He is challenging someone (Abraham, Samuel, Baalam). Often these encounters are preserving the line of the gospel in the OT. Often these encounters picture the coming death of the Prince of Peace.


But why? Why would He do this?


Love.

"You and me we use so many very clumsy words, the noise of what we often say is not worth being heard. When the Father's wisdom wanted to communicate His love, He spoke it in one final perfect Word. He spoke the incarnation and then so was born the Son. His final word was Jesus, He needed no other one. Spoke flesh and blood so He could bleed and make away divine. And so was born the baby who would die to make it mine.

And so the light became alive and manna became man, eternity stepped into time so we could understand."

Michael Card

Do:
Reflect on the travels of Jesus in the OT. Pretty awesome to think about. As you go into this weekend, have fun with the kids, watch some sports, go on a date or a walk ... make a memory!

Regardless of what you do, make sure to carve out time to meet with the Lord in His word and in prayer. Remember proximity is everything.

Remember that He is the alive and active in your home right now. He is alive and active in the lives of your kids. He is alive and active in America, even if it is not as pronounced as we might like. He is alive and active in you.

He came that we might have life and have it filled to the brim. He came that we might not die.

Who is this God with skin? It is Jesus in the OT.

DevoLink: Devotions to help you Link with God.

Jesus in the OT - Part 9

Intro:
Are you a complainer? Is your life marked by negativity?

I can certainly get that way quickly if I have expectations that are unmet.

I was late to a meeting and found myself complaining about the lame, slow driving of practically everyone around me. Didn't they know I was in a hurry? Didn't they know I had a ministry leadership meeting at church to get to? Sad but true, people! Still have some growing up to do!

Take time to study this picture of Michelangelo's rendering of Moses and the bronze snake.

If you click the picture it should enlarge. Note the snakes that are moving among the people on the right. Notice where those people are looking. Contrast their faces to the folks on the left side of the picture.

Seems rough for a bunch of folks that were only complaining! (sarcasm implied)

Read:
Numbers 21:4-9

4-9 The people of Israel set out from Mount Hor, taking the road to the Red Sea to go around the land of Edom. But the people grew impatient with the long journey, and they began to speak against God and Moses. “Why have you brought us out of Egypt to die here in the wilderness?” they complained. “There is nothing to eat here and nothing to drink. And we hate this horrible manna!”

So the Lord sent poisonous snakes among the people, and many were bitten and died. Then the people came to Moses and cried out, “We have sinned by speaking against the Lord and against you. Pray that the Lord will take away the snakes.” So Moses prayed for the people.

Then the Lord told him, “Make a replica of a poisonous snake and attach it to a pole. All who are bitten will live if they simply look at it!” So Moses made a snake out of bronze and attached it to a pole. Then anyone who was bitten by a snake could look at the bronze snake and be healed!

John 3:14-17

14-17 As Moses lifted up the bronze snake on a pole in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him (looks at him) will have eternal life.

For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.

Think:
How many of us have John 3:16 memorized? Ok, how many knew that Numbers 21 was the context for this most famous of verses?

I remember the day I actually studied the passage for myself. I had probably memorized it 10 years before this. The context makes it rich with meaning. I've come to learn that there are many, many other contexts like this in the Bible.

I heard Chuck Swindoll once say, "I feel bad for some verses, verses like John 3:17". That's pretty funny! They never get picked on the team, rarely memorized and often overlooked. This is certainly true for John 3:14 as well.

The people were bitten by snakes for their grumbling and really for ungratefulness. Though God does not often judge folks immediately for their sin, He did on this occasion.

Do you like it when your kids grumble and are ungrateful? I sure don't. They can sound like these Israelites. Funny thing, the bread from heaven in the OT is called "manna" which is Hebrew for, "what is it?". I've heard my kids whisper such things when dinner is anything much beyond hot dogs and mac-n-cheese.

Now, when my kids grumble and show disrespect I will discipline them for it. I wouldn't put them in a room with snakes though! God's judgment seems harsh and even uneven. Yet we do well to remember that a larger gap exists between God and us then we wish to remember. We tend to not think ungratefulness as serious a crime as He does. I mean, how in the world does it make the nasty sin list of 2 Timothy 3:1-5?

As folks lay dying Moses intercedes. He steps in the gap on their behalf. He acts like Jesus does for us. God tells Moses to make a bronze snake and put it on a pole. Why a snake and why bronze? In the OT the snake represented sin and rebellion. Also in the OT, bronze represented judgment. So, the bronze snake represented judgment against sin.

When we come to John 3:16 we see that Jesus viewed Himself as the bronze snake in Numbers 21. He was the judgment against sin for us. Though He knew no sin He became sin for us. Though He did no wrong He paid our price. He thoroughly judged our sin on the cross.

So, Numbers 21 tells the story of our ultimate redemption.

That's Jesus in the OT!

Do:
Moses told the people to "look and live". Pretty simple isn't it? They had to know a couple of things:
1. That they were guilty before God
2. That they were paying for missing the mark
3. That they needed rescuing
4. That they had an invitation to "look and live"
5. That they had to make a choice to look and be healed.

We have the same opportunity when we come to Christ the first time. We need to work through these same 5 steps. Have you ever done that? Have you looked to Jesus Christ and found life?

Finally, let's take a grumbling inventory. Are you a complainer? I am ... at least my wife would say I am at times! Take stock of your words today. See what comes out of you. See if you have a complaining spirit. Let's make a pledge to only speak what is encouraging today. Let's see how that goes.

DevoLink: Devotions to help you Link with God.

Jesus in the OT - Part 8

Intro:
I got to see U2 twice this year. One time in Atlanta and one time in Los Angeles. Same band. Same concert. Same effects. Different experiences.

In the Atlanta we were in the seats far from the stage. Bono looked no bigger than a Ken or Barbie doll. Pretty disappointing.

In LA I made sure we got on the floor level. Bono was, well Bono. We were 10 people from the outer stage ... got real close.

You can see how close we were here!*
*right click the link and select "Open in New Window"

Proximity matters ... I know from experience.

Read:
1 Samuel 3:1-10

The LORD Calls Samuel
1 The boy Samuel ministered before the LORD under Eli. In those days the word of the LORD was rare; there were not many visions. 2 One night Eli, whose eyes were becoming so weak that he could barely see, was lying down in his usual place. 3 The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was.

4 Then the LORD called Samuel. Samuel answered, "Here I am." 5 And he ran to Eli and said, "Here I am; you called me." But Eli said, "I did not call; go back and lie down." So he went and lay down.

6 Again the LORD called, "Samuel!" And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, "Here I am; you called me." "My son," Eli said, "I did not call; go back and lie down."

7 Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD : The word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him.

8 The LORD called Samuel a third time, and Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, "Here I am; you called me." Then Eli realized that the LORD was calling the boy. 9 So Eli told Samuel, "Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, 'Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.' " So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

10 The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, "Samuel! Samuel!"
Then Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant is listening."

Think:
Proximity is everything.

I know many Christians (myself included) that can get discouraged by not seeing much of the Lord during the day. But I remind myself that proximity is everything. The closer I am to where the Lord is working and to what is important to Him the more likely I will see Him.

The boy Samuel is sleeping IN the temple where the "ark of God" was (v.3). The ark was God's Starbucks. It was the place to meet with Him. God told Moses, "There, above the cover between the two cherubim that are over the ark of the Testimony, I will meet with you and give you all my commands for the Israelites" (Ex. 25:22).

The boy would have known this. He would have known that this was how God chose to speak to the people. Proximity is everything.

Eli, the high-priest is sleeping in his "usual place". For him the mystique is gone. The word of the Lord was rare. Eli lost focus and drifted away. Remember, proximity is everything!

The Scriptures paint Eli as blind and heavy. Both words are metaphors for his spiritual condition. Eli was over indulgent and lacking eyes for the Lord. He is so thick at this point that it takes him 3x to realize that it was the Lord speaking to the boy!

I wonder how thick I am, don't you? Speak Lord for your servant is listening!


Proximity has its reward.

Samuel gets a chance to talk with the Lord. Not some mysterious voice. Not some flame burning between the angels on top of the ark. Not some mystical dream. The Bible tells us that the LORD "came and stood there calling as at the other times".

That's Jesus in the OT! That's God with skin on!

The Word of the Lord might have been rare at that time but God found someone who was willing to listen. God found someone that was willing to wait. God found someone that would draw near to Him.

Proximity is everything!

Do:
I see two lessons here for us today.

The first is pretty obvious: what choices do I need to make to make sure that I am in the right place with the Lord? In other words, what is my proximity? Is there anything that stands in the way of my walk with the Lord? Am I too busy? Am I too distracted? Am I allowing sin to control me? Am I living in "usual places" and not expecting to hear from the Lord? Am I daily in the Word and prayer?

"We are all agreed that God's word must be your daily meditation ... and that we must be constant, fervent and importunate in prayer. Do you perform this much faithfully or not? If you do, you may all the more confidently expect God should further reveal his will to you and resolve your doubts and guide you in the way that is pleasing to him. But if you omit the duty that all are agreed on and be unfaithful and negligent in what you know, how unmeet you are" to have God further reveal himself to you.

Richard Baxter, 1657

Stop and pray through these things. Listen for God to offer some of His own.

Second, we can be a conduit of blessing for our children but God might speak to them in spite of us. Better to be a resource for our kids rather than the example of what not to be! Eli missed the joy of being part of his adopted son's walk with the Lord. He missed hearing God speak. He did not lead.

Proximity is everything. If we will choose to hang out in the Lord's room we will get to hear Him when He decides to talk. We will also be more equipped to lead our children in the Lord.

Samuel met Jesus in the OT. How much more can we know Him now? Where are you right now? Proximity is everything!

DevoLink: Devotions to help you Link with God.

Jesus in the OT - Part 7

Intro:
What is God doing in the world? Where is He moving? Where is He dramatically showing Himself?

Where is the harvest?


Read:
Daniel 3:13-28

13 Then Nebuchadnezzar flew into a rage and ordered that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought before him. When they were brought in, 14 Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you refuse to serve my gods or to worship the gold statue I have set up? 15 I will give you one more chance to bow down and worship the statue I have made when you hear the sound of the musical instruments. But if you refuse, you will be thrown immediately into the blazing furnace. And then what god will be able to rescue you from my power?”

16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. 18 But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.”

19 Nebuchadnezzar was so furious with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego that his face became distorted with rage. He commanded that the furnace be heated seven times hotter than usual. 20 Then he ordered some of the strongest men of his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace. 21 So they tied them up and threw them into the furnace, fully dressed in their pants, turbans, robes, and other garments. 22 And because the king, in his anger, had demanded such a hot fire in the furnace, the flames killed the soldiers as they threw the three men in. 23 So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, securely tied, fell into the roaring flames.

24 But suddenly, Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in amazement and exclaimed to his advisers, “Didn’t we tie up three men and throw them into the furnace?”

“Yes, Your Majesty, we certainly did,” they replied.

25 “Look!” Nebuchadnezzar shouted. “I see four men, unbound, walking around in the fire unharmed! And the fourth looks like a god!”

26 Then Nebuchadnezzar came as close as he could to the door of the flaming furnace and shouted: “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!”

So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stepped out of the fire. 27 Then the high officers, officials, governors, and advisers crowded around them and saw that the fire had not touched them. Not a hair on their heads was singed, and their clothing was not scorched. They didn’t even smell of smoke!

28 Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego! He sent his angel to rescue his servants who trusted in him. They defied the king’s command and were willing to die rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.

Think:
When you take a stand for the Lord the Lord just might show up in support.

There are many stories where God elected to not do something as dramatic as this. I believe He does what He does to advance the gospel and to glorify Himself. A few come to mind:
*John Hus was a Christian reformer before Luther. He was burned at the stake.
*Jim Elliot was killed by the tribe he tried to preach to.
*Yearly, hundreds of thousands of believers are killed for their faith.

Was Jesus present at each? Sure He was! Did He rescue each of these? Well, yes and no. Not from their circumstances but from their real disease and separation from God. He brought them safely home.

Remember, our lives are to be spent for the will of our creator and redeemer.

So what happened to 3 Jewish teenagers that took a stand against their government because it violated the first commandment? They were rescued by a shiny guy! One that was able to shine brighter than a blazing furnace.

Who is that?

That's Jesus in the OT!

Do:
When you take a stand for Christ, Jesus stands with you. Sometimes we are not spared the pain or even death. When Stephen was being stoned for his testimony about Christ he declared that he saw Jesus standing up from His throne and preparing to welcome him home.

But, sometimes it is dramatic and obvious. Jesus changes the situation for the sake of the gospel and His glory.

True story. Recently in India a little girl died. Her father wrapped her in the customary white linens and placed her out front for the night. Traditionally they throw the body into the Ganghes river as some sort of cult practice.

There was a villager that had turned from Hinduism to Christianity a few weeks before this.

In grief, the father decided to bring his daughter to this man to pray for her. 12 hours after this girl had died a new believer was asked to pray that God would raise her from the dead. He didn't know any better. He didn't know that God didn't do stuff like that any more. So he prayed.

God raised that little girl from the dead! Right there, on the spot! As a result of this miracle some 40,000 Hindus have turned to faith in Jesus Christ! There is a huge movement of Jesus in India.

It is pretty clear that God IS moving in South American, Africa, India & China. The stories coming from these countries are alarming ... even if not covered by the media. Some reports indicate more than 20,000,000 coming to faith in Christ in China each year!

Don't be alarmed if you do not see this happening in your life. We are so scientifically oriented that we forget God can do ANYTHING! It is painfully clear that God is NOT moving in Canada, America or Europe. This calls for prayer and repentance. This calls for child-like faith. This calls for a willingness to face the fire of going against the grain. This might call some of us to go to India or China and be a part of what God is up to.

DevoLink: Devotions to help you Link with God.

Jesus in the OT - Part 6

Intro:

"Nakedness is not exposed flesh but exposed intention. Was Adam any more naked after he discovered shame? Yes."

Calvin Miller

Those words captured me the first time I read them over 20 years ago. Was Adam any more naked after he discovered shame?

What happened to him is both deep and profound and it's impact rippled through history like a large rock thrown in a puddle.

But, God.

Two of my favorite words in the Scriptures. Many places (Eph. 2) we get a dose of bad news only to find God right in the middle of the mess, ready to help.

We were enslaved to our lust and desire ... but God!

We were dead in our sins ..... but God!

We were separated from God ..... but God!

We were destined for hell ..... but God!

Read:
Genesis 3:8-13

8 Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden. 9 But the LORD God called to the man, "Where are you?"

10 He answered, "I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid."

11 And he said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?"

12 The man said, "The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it."

13 Then the LORD God said to the woman, "What is this you have done?" The woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate."

Think:
Imagine the garden of Eden like the stage of a play.

We have all the main players:
God
Adam
Eve
Serpent
Animals

We have all the drama and lies of an enemy:
"God is holding out on you"
"If you listen to me you will have everything and more"
"I will make you powerful"
"I will make you popular"

We have the tension of temptation:
Will they give in?
Will they trust the Lord's word?
What will happen?

We have the darkness of the choice:
They take the fruit and eat it.
They discover shame.
They discover exposure.
They experience decay and death.
They are alone.

A friend of mine rightly captured this when he said, "All choices we make move us closer to the darkness or closer to the light". There is no middle ground on this.

We have the resolution:
Enter the hero from stage right! It's dark. The enemy is laughing. You made the worst decision of your life. You are exposed and fearful.

Enter the hero from stage right! Who is he? What's his name?

It is Jesus in the OT!

Here we have Jesus in the garden looking for his kids that are broken and ashamed.

He calls them by name.

He addresses the issue directly. The loss is real.

He sacrifices an animal to cover their sin and shame.

He protects them from further damage by removing them from the tree of life in the middle of the garden.

How horrible a scene. Such a fall. Such a tragedy. But God .....

Do:
What have you done that is worse than what this couple did? Nothing. There is no sin you could imagine that is stronger than His love.

We make a mess of things, don't we? But God ......

We have been rescued by a God with skin on. We've been saved by a God that dies for us. We have been pursued by a lover that wants to know us. We have been with a God that is not afraid to get into the mess we have created and lead us out.

That's Jesus in the garden. That's Jesus on the cross. That's Jesus in your home.

DevoLink: Devotions to help you Link with God.

Jesus in the OT - Part 5

Intro:
We all live with a hedge of protection that we cannot see. When we are marked by Christ we have a new relationship with the world, with the Church and with the enemy of our souls.

If the Lord did not protect us at every turn we would be undone instantly.

Martin Luther got it right when he penned the word to A Mighty Fortress. Try reading these words aloud.

A mighty fortress is our God,
A bulwark never failing.
Our helper He amid the flood
Of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe
Doth seek to work us woe.
His craft and power are great,
And, armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.

Did we in our own strength confide,
Our striving would be losing,
Were not the right man on our side,
The man of God's own choosing.
Dost ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is He.
Lord Sabboth, his name,
From age to age the same,
And He must win the battle.

And though this world, with devils filled,
Should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God hath willed
His truth to triumph through us.
The Prince of Darkness grim,
We tremble not for him.
His rage we can endure,
For lo, his doom is sure.
One little word shall fell him.

That word above all earthly powers
Not thanks to them, abideth.
The Spirit and the gifts are ours
Through him who with us sideth.
Let goods and kindred go,
This mortal life also.
The body they may kill,
God's truth abideth still.
His kingdom is forever...

Read:
Exodus 13:17-22

17 When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, "If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt." 18 So God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea. The Israelites went up out of Egypt armed for battle.
19 Moses took the bones of Joseph with him because Joseph had made the sons of Israel swear an oath. He had said, "God will surely come to your aid, and then you must carry my bones up with you from this place."

20 After leaving Succoth they camped at Etham on the edge of the desert. 21 By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. 22 Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people.

Exodus 14:19-20

19 Then the angel of God, who had been traveling in front of Israel's army, withdrew and went behind them. The pillar of cloud also moved from in front and stood behind them, 20 coming between the armies of Egypt and Israel. Throughout the night the cloud brought darkness to the one side and light to the other side; so neither went near the other all night long.

Zechariah 12:8

8 On that day the LORD will shield those who live in Jerusalem, so that the feeblest among them will be like David, and the house of David will be like God, like the Angel of the LORD going before them. 9 On that day I will set out to destroy all the nations that attack Jerusalem.

Think:
Moses did what he was asked to do ... he guided God's people out of Egypt and into the desert. Remember, for 40 years he learned how to live in the desert. God never wastes anything in our lives!

When the difficulty came God did what only He could do ... he guided the people to safety and protected them from harm.

God guided the people with a pillar of cloud and a pillar of fire. He had a physical presence among them. When the cloud moved the people moved. When the cloud stopped the people stopped. When they got in a tight spot the pillar moved to protect them from harm.

Who is doing all this guiding and protection? The other passages I had you read make clear that the Angel of the LORD was actively protecting the people of Israel. He was saving them from certain death. He stepped in the gap. He provided the buffer from the enemy, allowing them time to flee.

Who did that? The angel of the LORD?

That's Jesus in the OT.

Our God is an awesome God He reigns from heaven above. Our God is an active God He rules from earth below too.

Do:
There is no enemy that can stand against you if Christ is protecting you. The enemy of your soul would seek to destroy you by any means necessary but God spares you ... daily! If God were not on our side daily, we would be dead and washed up.

The enemy of our souls comes to steal, kill and destroy. He would have you dispatched now if he could. But Jesus stands as your rear guard. He protects you from attack. He takes the fiery arrows of the evil one for you. He prays for you on a regular basis. He prepares a place for you so when you do die you can be with Him in heaven.

Someone wisely said, "We are immortal until God is finished with us on earth." In other words, we cannot and will not die until we have completed what God has called us to do. In the mean time we battle against powers of this present darkness with the LORD providing protection all the way.

Praise you Jesus!

DevoLink: Devotions to help you Link with God.

Jesus in the OT - Part 4

Intro:
Have you ever had your dreams crushed? I have. So many missed opportunities and failed experiments. Usually this is centered in careers and relationships.

A mom with a lost son. Didn't we raise him in the Lord?

A man with a dead end job. He thought his college degree would bring more than this.

A person that loses his spouse to cancer or sickness.

A car accident that makes walking painful.

There are many things in life that are dream crushers. BUT there is a God of dreamers! There is a God of broken legged people! There is a God of prodigal kids! There is a God for the lonely.

Read:
Exodus 3:1-6

1 Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the desert and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 There the angel of the LORD appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. 3 So Moses thought, "I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does not burn up."

4 When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, "Moses! Moses!"
And Moses said, "Here I am."

5 "Do not come any closer," God said. "Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground." 6 Then he said, "I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob." At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God.

Think:
Moses had the dream job. He was the adopted son of the president of the largest country in the world. He had it all .... until God showed up. When God showed up he opened Moses' eyes to the misery of the people of Israel. He put Moses on a crash course with his adopted, powerful daddy.

But moses had a waiting problem ... he started a mini-rebellion and got banished.

A double dream crusher. Not only did he give up his cushy life in the palace he also lost touch with God's calling on his life. He lost the best of the world and the best of God all in flash. From the palace to the desert. From soothing baths to swirling sandstorms.

Moses was in the desert. Literally. Longally too ... 40 years in the desert tending sheep and wondering what happened.

Until ...............

God showed up! Jesus in the OT appears to Moses. 40 years, right on time!

The angel of the LORD appears in a burning bush. A bush that burns but never burns up. A fire that requires no source to burn. Totally self-contained power. A God with no need for anything. A God with no need for anything but Moses. A God that chooses to use people as part of his redemption plan. A God that uses not just people but a special class of people ... the broken, the murdering Moses, the prostitute, the least in the clan (Gideon), the weak, the despised, the crushed.

The angel of the LORD speaks to Moses. This God in the bush wants to make sure Moses knows their working relationship. God is holy. Moses ... not so much. God is powerful. Moses ... tends sheep in a desert.

Yet God sees him. God knows his name. God knows his address. God wants to use him again.

This is what Jesus in the OT looks like. This is God with skin on meeting a broken man with crushed dreams and giving him something to live for.

Do:
The bush burning but not consumed tells me that God can live in weak things and not destroy them. God makes blind people see. God makes the lame walk.

Martin Luther said, "I believe in a God that can whittle rotten wood and ride a lame horse." How encouraging is that today?

Moses should have been done. Put a fork in him. But that is not how God works. He is amazingly patient and willing to work with us for His glory.

So ... feeling crushed by life? Stuck in a desert? Wondering what God has for you next?

God is more willing to speak than we are willing to listen. Keep tending the sheep in your life. Be faithful to what God has called you to now. Seek His face and look for burning bushes.

DevoLink: Devotions to help you Link with God.

Jesus in the OT - Part 3

Intro:
Right on time ....

Many movies build tension by putting the hero in an impossible place. The tension builds as we watch to see how this will be resolved. Usually, it is right on time.

Consider:
*Spiderman saving Mary Jane and a tram full of kids hanging from a bridge
*Han Solo rescuing Princess Leia from Darth Vader
*Will Smith figuring out how to destroy a space ship before it destroys earth
*An angel rescuing George from himself by reminding him that it's a wonderful life

All saved, right on time .....

Read:
Genesis 22:6-18

Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together, 7 Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, "Father?"
"Yes, my son?" Abraham replied.
"The fire and wood are here," Isaac said, "but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?"

8 Abraham answered, "God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son." And the two of them went on together.

9 When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. 10 Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. 11 But the angel of the LORD called out to him from heaven, "Abraham! Abraham!"
"Here I am," he replied.

12 "Do not lay a hand on the boy," he said. "Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son."

13 Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. 14 So Abraham called that place The LORD Will Provide. And to this day it is said, "On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided."

15 The angel of the LORD called to Abraham from heaven a second time 16 and said, "I swear by myself, declares the LORD, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17 I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, 18 and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me."

Think:
Many of us know the story of Abraham and Isaac. The imagery is disturbing. The tension real.

Imagine the request: "Abraham, sacrifice your son, your one and only son, the son that you love." What would you do? Would you run for it?

Abraham knew his God. He had proven Himself time and again. Isaac was proof. He was God's promise to Abraham. So, when Abe got this difficult request he figured that God would provide a way out of this or that God would raise his son from the dead (Heb. 11:17-19).

Think how crazy that sounded? Abe did not have a "Magic 8" ball or a way to see the future. He definitely did not have a model of the resurrection to count on. Yet he knew his God. God would provide a way. God would provide a lamb.

Of course we know the rest of the story. We know that God provides a lamb that would take away the sins of the world. We know that God does not spare His own son, the son He loved, but gave Him up for us all.

Ok, we know all that, but did you know that the One that would ultimately take Isaac's place, the One that would pay for Abe's sins and the One that would die to make all the promises of God ours is the same One that coordinates Isaac's rescue here in Genesis 22?

This is Jesus in the OT.

The angel of the LORD calls himself God in verse 16. The angel of the LORD speaks to Abe. The angel of the LORD provides a substitute. The angel of the LORD saves the boy. The angel of the LORD, Jesus on earth, chooses to be our sacrifice here in this moment, on this mountain, right on time.

Do:
What are you working through right now? Where is the tension building in your life? Is it in your work? Marriage? With your children? With another person? Are you going through a difficult time?

"We ought to give thanks for all fortune: if it is "good", because it is good, if "bad" because it works in us patience, humility and the contempt of this world and the hope of our eternal country."

CS Lewis

Can I encourage you that there is nothing God will give you that He has not worked in you to handle. He doesn't change our circumstances so much as He changes us to meet our circumstances. If it gets too difficult He will rescue ... right on time.

Thank God for His indescribable gift of the Lord Jesus Christ. Thank Him for rescuing you from sin and death and hell. Thank Him for walking with you today. If He was willing to walk on earth in the OT how much more will He not show Himself to those that are filled with the Holy Spirit today.

DevoLink: Devotions to help you Link with God.