As Christians we are followers of Jesus. We want to be like Him. We see His life in the Bible, reading about His teachings and the great works He did. But sometimes in our zeal to imitate Him we overlook the heart from which His words and actions proceed. Have you ever wondered why Jesus’ prayers were answered, and ours may or may not be heard? We believe that our prayers are answered according to our faith, but being like Jesus has more to do with faith than the usual attributes of faith, believing and confession.
Jesus’ prayers were heard by His Father because of His reverent submission to God (Heb 5:7). It was His attitude towards His Father which caused His heart to submit to suffering, learn obedience, and become our Savior (Heb 5:8-10). Jesus kept His eyes on God’s big plan for humanity. He didn’t ask God to become part of His little plan for Himself. And this is why His prayers were heard.
We might look at the suffering of Christ as something that was part of God’s plan for our salvation, and that it is not necessary for us to do the same. If we follow this line of reasoning and don’t want to imitate that part of Jesus’ life, but we want to do great things for God, then we might say “Let’s imitate Paul’s life.” After all, he did mighty things and God surely answered Paul’s prayers too. Yet Paul said that he wanted to “know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings, becoming like him in his death and so, somehow to attain to the resurrection from the dead.” (Phil 3:10-11). It sounds like Paul is saying that he wanted to become like Jesus, and to do so he must also suffer.
Human beings do not like to suffer. In fact, we look to Jesus to relieve us of our suffering. He mends broken hearts, heals afflictions, and sets the captives free of both spiritual and physical oppression. So how does a Christian look at suffering, and why is it a part of learning submission?
A child learns submission through correction, nurturing, and instruction. When good examples (nurturing) and instruction do not prevent a child from doing wrong nor inspire him to do right, the parent corrects the child. Since the nature of a child is based on self-interest and gratification of his desires, it is necessary for him to learn unselfishness by correcting the natural inclinations of his nature, which we call the “flesh”. Though children suffer by not having what they want, this correction is a process whereby they grow to become thoughtful and considerate adults.
As an adult, we also suffer correction for the desires and actions of our flesh. All correction brings suffering, yet by it we are molded into righteousness (Heb 12:11). We find that, though in the natural we would like to avoid the putting down or crucifying of our flesh, in the spiritual it is the only way to become like Jesus. And herein is true faith; the belief that as He was, we are on this earth (1 Jn 4:17). Becoming like Jesus is not a magical thing that happens at the end of our days on this earth, but a process we partake in, if we truly want to be Christians.
In Jesus’ days some followed Him for the loaves and fishes. They wanted to see the miracles, and the same is true today. Yet, our prayers for healing and other works of power will be better heard by our Father if we partake of Jesus’ nature and become a part of God’s bigger plan for humanity. Submission can best be seen in our willingness to empty ourselves of our own plans and desires and following after God’s plans. This submission is how we truly follow Christ, and we learn it by suffering. Though it is unpleasant, we become as Jesus was, and that is the true definition of being a Christian, and the highest calling of our faith. Amen.
Friday, December 31, 2010
Saturday, December 25, 2010
God's gift - freedom
Today I was busy deleting many old emails which, though I had intended to read them, I hadn’t. The Lord asked me why I felt bad cleaning up the emails. I confessed that I didn’t want to seem unteachable, as the emails contained lessons in them. What He said was very liberating; “I don’t want you to be held captive by accusations.”
Suddenly I saw a strong tower of accusations crumble, and the fresh Word of God was a stone tower that took its place. I felt God’s freedom and saw that what the Lord intended for us was the fresh word; fresh manna. Do we walk in the newness of God’s word to us every day? Or are we accused by the enemy of our soul of not learning past lessons?
The job of cleansing us by the Word of God may seem like it belongs to us. However, we read that Jesus prayed for the Father to wash us by His truth (Jn 17:17) and again in Ephesians (5:26). Though we want to be presentable to God so that we can come near Him, making us presentable is God’s job and not ours.
We are vulnerable, in the hands of One who has the power to save or condemn us. He sees our every thought, though we try to cover over those which seem offensive. Though our enemy accuses us of impurity, it is not his job to perfect us. Today, let us trust the Perfect One who gave us the gift of His word and Spirit, for He will accomplish that which He has set out to do in us. He will present us to His Father. But we need to leave satan’s accusations behind us and walk into trust of Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our souls. What a glorious gift to be reminded of on Christmas Day. Amen.
Suddenly I saw a strong tower of accusations crumble, and the fresh Word of God was a stone tower that took its place. I felt God’s freedom and saw that what the Lord intended for us was the fresh word; fresh manna. Do we walk in the newness of God’s word to us every day? Or are we accused by the enemy of our soul of not learning past lessons?
The job of cleansing us by the Word of God may seem like it belongs to us. However, we read that Jesus prayed for the Father to wash us by His truth (Jn 17:17) and again in Ephesians (5:26). Though we want to be presentable to God so that we can come near Him, making us presentable is God’s job and not ours.
We are vulnerable, in the hands of One who has the power to save or condemn us. He sees our every thought, though we try to cover over those which seem offensive. Though our enemy accuses us of impurity, it is not his job to perfect us. Today, let us trust the Perfect One who gave us the gift of His word and Spirit, for He will accomplish that which He has set out to do in us. He will present us to His Father. But we need to leave satan’s accusations behind us and walk into trust of Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our souls. What a glorious gift to be reminded of on Christmas Day. Amen.
Friday, December 17, 2010
Healing, and the goodness of God
I have often prayed for sick friends, some of whom have suffered long illnesses. Last night I was with a dear friend who felt that the Lord wanted her to embrace her illness, even though she was slowly dying from it. To her, the trial would bring her closer to Jesus and cleanse her from her many complaints and any unkind attitudes that came upon her. Though she would have loved to be healed, she was talking herself out of her faith for healing by telling me all that God was teaching her through her trial. As I drove home I asked the Lord how a person, such as my friend, could maintain faith in Him for healing during a long illness. We never seem to run out of things to be cleansed of, but as time goes on we lose faith for Him to end our trials. It just didn’t fit the picture of being more than a conqueror, nor of one working in God’s kingdom. Tonight He brought His answer to my question. Though we know that God doesn’t always bring healing, the lesson gives insight into how important it is to Him to be allowed to be good to us. Here is the lesson;
“It is not more important for Man to learn from his trials then it is for Me to do good. As men get closer to Me they feel their unworthiness. Though I walk with a man daily, cleansing and nurturing him, it is a temptation for him to make his walk with Me about cleansing. He looks at trials as if he deserves them and steels his mind against relief. The never-ending trial is this man’s flagellation, and he finds at the end of his life that he is no cleaner than before the trial began. Why is this, that a life of suffering wouldn’t work My nature in a man? Because suffering isn’t all that I am. It is knowing Me and My nature that causes a man to be formed into My image (Phil 3:10). A man may know Me in suffering, but he should also know Me in healing and blessing.
If a man would get to know Me he would want to know what is important to Me. My goodness is important to Me. All creation declares My goodness (Ps 33:5 KJV), yet some men have no faith for Me to be that very nature they need. Man needs to see goodness in his life. If the trials were the most important thing, I would not create an escape from them (1 Cor 10:13). But My ear is ever listening to My children. I do not seek after those who endure the longest trials, but those who seek to know Me in good and bad, sickness and in health, until death brings them to their heavenly home.” Amen.
“It is not more important for Man to learn from his trials then it is for Me to do good. As men get closer to Me they feel their unworthiness. Though I walk with a man daily, cleansing and nurturing him, it is a temptation for him to make his walk with Me about cleansing. He looks at trials as if he deserves them and steels his mind against relief. The never-ending trial is this man’s flagellation, and he finds at the end of his life that he is no cleaner than before the trial began. Why is this, that a life of suffering wouldn’t work My nature in a man? Because suffering isn’t all that I am. It is knowing Me and My nature that causes a man to be formed into My image (Phil 3:10). A man may know Me in suffering, but he should also know Me in healing and blessing.
If a man would get to know Me he would want to know what is important to Me. My goodness is important to Me. All creation declares My goodness (Ps 33:5 KJV), yet some men have no faith for Me to be that very nature they need. Man needs to see goodness in his life. If the trials were the most important thing, I would not create an escape from them (1 Cor 10:13). But My ear is ever listening to My children. I do not seek after those who endure the longest trials, but those who seek to know Me in good and bad, sickness and in health, until death brings them to their heavenly home.” Amen.
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Dressed in White
The times we live in are truly a time of trouble for Christians and non-believers alike. This year has seen death steal young people from families. As well, a friend shared that her adult children have had divorce, insanity, poverty and other calamities enter into their lives. There is a spiritual climate around us that contains warfare, yet we do not see the forces that are at work to destroy lives, families, and the works we do for the Lord. These adverse events cause us to pray for our loved ones’ protection and God’s favor on our lives.
This morning the Lord had me read Ps 86:2; “Guard my life, for I am devoted to You. You are my God; save your servant who trusts in you.” On 11/21/10 I posted a lesson on devotion. It is a life-style that results in a close walk with the Lord. This morning the Lord spoke about that walk, and how it will bring protection into our lives.
In Rev 3:5-6 it is written that “He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before My Father and His angels.” In the spiritual war we are experiencing, we need the Father and His angels to take our protection as their cause. To have our name before them, or in front of their vision, we must walk with Jesus in white (see Rev 3:4).
We see another comment about the garments we wear in Jude :23. There we read that it is the corruption of our flesh that stains our garment. Yet, it is our Lord and Savior that has the ability to keep us from falling, and to present us “without fault” to God our Father. Our walk with the Lord will contain the process of on-going sanctification so that we will be presentable to the Father. Our sanctification cleanses our garment, making it white.
Jesus asks us to be dressed, and ready. In Luke 12 we read the parable about being God’s servant. Jesus asks His servants to be “dressed ready to serve and keep your lamps burning,” (Lk 12:35). He contrasts the faithful servant with the unfaithful, showing that the delay in His return brought out the worst in the second servant, who ate, got drunk, and beat the servants he was supposed to care for (vs 45). Because the servant grew tired of waiting, he doubted, and because of doubt, he went into a walk of the flesh. Doubt became the door-opener into a self-centered, self-serving life-style. Instead of living a life devoted to serving the Lord, the unfaithful servant served himself and was not “dressed ready to serve.”
Walking in our flesh hinders us from being prepared for Jesus. When we walk in our flesh we do not serve God, but we serve ourselves, and this stains our garment. Jesus asks us to “watch” by being clothed, and warns us that He will come as a thief, catching some unprepared. For those who have walked with Him in white and not fulfilled the desires of their flesh, He brings rewards. But for those who are caught with stains on their garments he will take from them and give to those who have been faithful, thus being a “thief” who takes what has once been given.
Jesus tells us that His coming will be like a thief, catching some naked, without any clothes on (Rev 16:15). If we are not walking with Him in white, we will be shamefully exposed. Yet, if we allow the sanctifying ministry of the Holy Spirit into our lives He will confess our names to the Father and His angels. Taking into consideration the times of spiritual warfare we are in, we need to ask ourselves if the desires of our flesh are worth losing God’s grace and protection over. Do we want to see God glorified in our lives, making a difference in our families and our communities? Then let us walk with Him in sanctification, allowing the troubles in our lives to cleanse our robes until they are white (Rev 7:14). Our walk of devotion will reach up into the heavens, bringing our name before the Father and His angels. Amen.
This morning the Lord had me read Ps 86:2; “Guard my life, for I am devoted to You. You are my God; save your servant who trusts in you.” On 11/21/10 I posted a lesson on devotion. It is a life-style that results in a close walk with the Lord. This morning the Lord spoke about that walk, and how it will bring protection into our lives.
In Rev 3:5-6 it is written that “He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before My Father and His angels.” In the spiritual war we are experiencing, we need the Father and His angels to take our protection as their cause. To have our name before them, or in front of their vision, we must walk with Jesus in white (see Rev 3:4).
We see another comment about the garments we wear in Jude :23. There we read that it is the corruption of our flesh that stains our garment. Yet, it is our Lord and Savior that has the ability to keep us from falling, and to present us “without fault” to God our Father. Our walk with the Lord will contain the process of on-going sanctification so that we will be presentable to the Father. Our sanctification cleanses our garment, making it white.
Jesus asks us to be dressed, and ready. In Luke 12 we read the parable about being God’s servant. Jesus asks His servants to be “dressed ready to serve and keep your lamps burning,” (Lk 12:35). He contrasts the faithful servant with the unfaithful, showing that the delay in His return brought out the worst in the second servant, who ate, got drunk, and beat the servants he was supposed to care for (vs 45). Because the servant grew tired of waiting, he doubted, and because of doubt, he went into a walk of the flesh. Doubt became the door-opener into a self-centered, self-serving life-style. Instead of living a life devoted to serving the Lord, the unfaithful servant served himself and was not “dressed ready to serve.”
Walking in our flesh hinders us from being prepared for Jesus. When we walk in our flesh we do not serve God, but we serve ourselves, and this stains our garment. Jesus asks us to “watch” by being clothed, and warns us that He will come as a thief, catching some unprepared. For those who have walked with Him in white and not fulfilled the desires of their flesh, He brings rewards. But for those who are caught with stains on their garments he will take from them and give to those who have been faithful, thus being a “thief” who takes what has once been given.
Jesus tells us that His coming will be like a thief, catching some naked, without any clothes on (Rev 16:15). If we are not walking with Him in white, we will be shamefully exposed. Yet, if we allow the sanctifying ministry of the Holy Spirit into our lives He will confess our names to the Father and His angels. Taking into consideration the times of spiritual warfare we are in, we need to ask ourselves if the desires of our flesh are worth losing God’s grace and protection over. Do we want to see God glorified in our lives, making a difference in our families and our communities? Then let us walk with Him in sanctification, allowing the troubles in our lives to cleanse our robes until they are white (Rev 7:14). Our walk of devotion will reach up into the heavens, bringing our name before the Father and His angels. Amen.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Firgiveness & intercession
God patiently waits over our failures and works to restore us to our place in Him. but the Bible tells us that one day, God will wait no longer (Rev 10:6). Today the Lord spoke of this time coming near, and what our role should be. Here is the prophecy;
A new time is coming on the earth. Because of the unbelief and evil of men they have tested God. Therefore He will not wait in mercy for men’s hearts to be converted, but He will bring His words to pass. His temperance will give way to the judgments recorded in Revelation, for men would not turn to Him. Though they see Him not, He will make His presence known.
The prayers of the saints are important. Wounding by man is an invitation to the throne room for the wounded one’s intercessory assignment. Those who choose to hate will not go there. Those who choose to love will abide there and be healed during their intercession for wrongdoers.
Therefore you are called “saviors” (Ob :21) for like your Savior, you intercede for those who have wounded you. God has no pleasure in the destruction of Man, yet men everywhere continue in evil, and I silently wait. I wait for My saviors to pray for and speak to them. I look for those helpers who stand in the gap and intercede, yet find few. For it is hard for men to forgive and to wish their enemies well. I do not want to come bearing judgment just because my own children could not forgive and stand in prayer on behalf of wrong-doers (see Isaiah 63:1-6). Yet men’s hearts are growing cold and love between brethren is tested daily on the altar of men’s lives. Who will love, and who will forgive? Because evil men think I do not care, or do not exist, I will come and make My displeasure of their ways known through judgments (Is 26:9-10). Pray that some will turn. Forgive, for their end is worse than yours. Amen.
A new time is coming on the earth. Because of the unbelief and evil of men they have tested God. Therefore He will not wait in mercy for men’s hearts to be converted, but He will bring His words to pass. His temperance will give way to the judgments recorded in Revelation, for men would not turn to Him. Though they see Him not, He will make His presence known.
The prayers of the saints are important. Wounding by man is an invitation to the throne room for the wounded one’s intercessory assignment. Those who choose to hate will not go there. Those who choose to love will abide there and be healed during their intercession for wrongdoers.
Therefore you are called “saviors” (Ob :21) for like your Savior, you intercede for those who have wounded you. God has no pleasure in the destruction of Man, yet men everywhere continue in evil, and I silently wait. I wait for My saviors to pray for and speak to them. I look for those helpers who stand in the gap and intercede, yet find few. For it is hard for men to forgive and to wish their enemies well. I do not want to come bearing judgment just because my own children could not forgive and stand in prayer on behalf of wrong-doers (see Isaiah 63:1-6). Yet men’s hearts are growing cold and love between brethren is tested daily on the altar of men’s lives. Who will love, and who will forgive? Because evil men think I do not care, or do not exist, I will come and make My displeasure of their ways known through judgments (Is 26:9-10). Pray that some will turn. Forgive, for their end is worse than yours. Amen.
Key to forgiveness
How many times do we forgive? 7 times 70? (Mt 18:22). And yet when unkind thoughts trigger the emotions of the past, we find that our memories are not full of forgiveness; they are unforgiving, and even requiring. All the injustices of the unkindness of others can come tumbling down to our heart in an instant once the memories are triggered by present circumstances.
Though God could control our present circumstances to protect us from re-living past unkindnesses, He doesn’t choose this way with His children. God would like us to have a heart like His; a heart full of compassion and mercy. If we complain that we, in reality, are people and He is God, and if we pursue this argument to justify our woundedness and pain, it is futile. Though God is God, He is still daily, hourly, even minute-by-minute making us into His image. And when we will lay down our justifications for unforgiveness, He will share His heart with us and bring deep and thorough healing there.
This morning the Lord awoke me after I had dreamt about 3 people who had injured me. Though I thought I had forgiven them, in the dream I didn’t do well. I was berating them, and not giving credit for the goodness they had done, nor the difficult circumstances from their own lives. In prayer I forgave them again. But the Lord is faithful to bring us to continuing deeper levels in our heart, and said to me, “You are having trouble with forgiveness, aren’t you?” Yes, how well the Lord knows me! It seemed I couldn’t make the forgiveness “stick”. Then He prayed this prayer through me;
“Lord, thank you for ________. She/he is your child and you love them. They have worth. Please show me your thoughts for them, and put blessings in my heart to pray for them. Thank you. Amen.”
I was given the realization that, until we can bless those who curse us, we cannot forgive (Mt 5:44). Until we can share God’s thoughts about those who wound us, we are left with our own, which grow sour over time. The key to forgiveness is to have God’s heart towards all people, whether they have wronged us a little, or a lot. And this is the beginning of walking in His resurrection power (Phil 3:10-11); prayer for those for whom we carry God’s heart. This gift of forgiveness that we give our brothers and sisters is rich, and enrichens us. How near it is, and available to us when we lay down our own mind about each matter. And how worth it to be shaped a little more into His image. Amen.
Though God could control our present circumstances to protect us from re-living past unkindnesses, He doesn’t choose this way with His children. God would like us to have a heart like His; a heart full of compassion and mercy. If we complain that we, in reality, are people and He is God, and if we pursue this argument to justify our woundedness and pain, it is futile. Though God is God, He is still daily, hourly, even minute-by-minute making us into His image. And when we will lay down our justifications for unforgiveness, He will share His heart with us and bring deep and thorough healing there.
This morning the Lord awoke me after I had dreamt about 3 people who had injured me. Though I thought I had forgiven them, in the dream I didn’t do well. I was berating them, and not giving credit for the goodness they had done, nor the difficult circumstances from their own lives. In prayer I forgave them again. But the Lord is faithful to bring us to continuing deeper levels in our heart, and said to me, “You are having trouble with forgiveness, aren’t you?” Yes, how well the Lord knows me! It seemed I couldn’t make the forgiveness “stick”. Then He prayed this prayer through me;
“Lord, thank you for ________. She/he is your child and you love them. They have worth. Please show me your thoughts for them, and put blessings in my heart to pray for them. Thank you. Amen.”
I was given the realization that, until we can bless those who curse us, we cannot forgive (Mt 5:44). Until we can share God’s thoughts about those who wound us, we are left with our own, which grow sour over time. The key to forgiveness is to have God’s heart towards all people, whether they have wronged us a little, or a lot. And this is the beginning of walking in His resurrection power (Phil 3:10-11); prayer for those for whom we carry God’s heart. This gift of forgiveness that we give our brothers and sisters is rich, and enrichens us. How near it is, and available to us when we lay down our own mind about each matter. And how worth it to be shaped a little more into His image. Amen.
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