Loved Much...Given Much

Loved Much...Given Much

Luke 7:36-50

  November 30, 2011

   

     She came in need, she left satisfied. She came stained and hopeless, she left forgiven and accepted. She came with love, she left with greater love. But within this story we see that she came ready to give. She did not come expecting anything, she came with the purpose of blessing her Savior purely because she loved Him, and in return she left receiving more than she gave.

She viewed her Lord as her "Hosanna" her hope, the only one who could save her. She was aware of her present state, her need, but overwhelmed the more by her hope in His ability to do more than she could ask for; therefore she thrust all she had before Him.

     How did she have such hope? Her present condition lent her to a place of seeking deliverance. Just as trials in our lives commonly bring us to our knees, drawing us nearer to our Savior because we acknowledge afresh that He alone is our hope. She presented herself before Jesus as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1-2). Coming before Him she gave her mind--using all she knew, "when she knew that Jesus sat at the table in the Pharisee's house" (Vs. 36). Somehow she had received knowledge that Jesus was near, and applied it in action, she came. However, not to come empty handed, she brought before Him her earnings, she "Brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil" (Vs. 37)--sacrificing as a gift before Him. In this action, she showed forth that she believed that He was able to give her more than she could ever give. That He is able to give much more to those who are willing to give up what they have in their hands, their temporal treasures (2 Chronicles 25:9). Next we see her giving of her tears--allowing her struggles to fall before His feet, "Began to wash His feet with her tears" (Vs. 38). Onward, her hair, "and wiped them with the hair of her head"(Vs. 38)--the crown of her head, caring not of her outward appearance, but pursuing a beauty in surrender (1 Peter 3:3-4). She gave of her lips--clothed with humility as they touched His feet over and over, a surrender of her speech before her Lord, "Kissed His feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil" (Vs. 38). Leaving her lips with the oil upon them, she exemplified lips seeking the anointing of His Spirit upon that which comes forth. Lastly we see a giving of her heart--abandoned, genuine, true before Him, "for she loved much" (Vs. 47).

     In this giving, in this loving, she was given much. She received from Jesus, forgiveness and a promise of security--eternally and at the present. Her faith was secure for eternity, He promised her that she was saved, and she was commanded by Him to at the present, "go in peace"(Vs. 50). A woman who entered weeping and in turmoil, was now leaving in peace. Only our God, only Hosanna, can provide such blessings to those who give...truly within His kingdom to those who love little, the same is found in their lives, but to those who love much, much will be found in their lives in the means of spiritual blessings. Those who surrender their all to Him are able to experience ALL of Him in their lives.

     Father, may this be so in our lives! I desire to be found as this saint. Reading such a story causes me to think, am I living in love with and viewing my God as my Hosanna? If He truly the only One who can save me? Than shall I not surrender all I have before Him? My mind, my wealth--the plenty or lacking, my body, my struggles, my lips, my heart, that I may hear those words when He brings me home, "Well done My good and faithful servant." Amen.

"God's smile and a dungeon are enough for a true heart..."- C.H. Spurgeon

Am I Strong Enough?

Am I Strong Enough?

Lord, am i strong enough? Im scared?

Within my my heart cries, Lord, I dont know if iam strong enough yet?

Nonetheless, He who is above all, knows strength beyond our comprehension.

In Acts, chapter 3, we find a lame man healed and the Lord glorified.

The lame man sat at the gate of the temple daily, begging to all who walked by. Yet he was never satisfited, he never found what he was unknowingly searching for until he found the power of God. After ecperiencing the Lord's power, he stood...he stood for Christ, and he stood in soundness, unafraid of the lack of strength he should possess to face life.

Perhaps you feel as the lame man? Perhaps you have become lame in someway. Maybe a life situatuion has left you lame. A broken heart, a lost friend, a betrayal, a financial loss, whatever it may be, it has left you lame and you now find yourself begging. Begging for healing. search for deliverance, to stand on your feet again. Yet you shall never find the soundness and strength you seek until you put your faith in the One who is able. As God's apostles said to the lame man, "Silver and gold I do not have, but what i do have i give you: in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk." (Vs.6) We too must come to this realization, that all we could search for, all the silver and gold, all the different remedies for our lameness will never truly satisfy us until we experience the power of God.

The next verse reads, "And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediatly his feet and ankle bones received strength." (Vs.7)

It was when he allowed the "right hand of help" to lift him that he received the strength he was in such a desperate need for.

"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, i will help you, i will uphold you with My righteous right hand." 

(Isaiah 41:10)

Upon accepting the help of the right hand, the man "So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them--walking, leaping, and praising God. and all the people saw him walking and prasising God...and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him." (Vs. 8,9)

He not only stood, but was given the strength to go walking and leaping--in order that he may praise his God, that his God may be glorified.

His testimony was also used for others to see and to cause their faces to gaze upon the Lord Himself..."And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all." (Vs. 16)

Soundness: free from fault, error, or illness.

When this once lame man, accepted the help of the righteous right hand, he was freed from his lameness, and was given strength...strength through faith in the name of Jesus.

So my soul, as you question this day, am i strong enough? May you remember that you were once lame, yet you have been healed by the strips of the righteous right hand, accept His help to rise...to face that which you fear you are too weak to face. Go walking and leaping and praising God in faith and a perfect, soundness, more than enough strength shall be yours through Him. Amen.

AGAIN . . .

AGAIN . . .

"Then He arose from there and came to the region of 

Judea by the other side of the Jordan. And multitudes gathered to Him again, 

and as He was accustomed, He taught them again." 

Mark 10:1

November 3, 2011

     When I read this verse, what strikes me is the repeat of such a word, "Again". Two times within this verse we read, "again". The word again usually implies a repeat to something already done. Most people, myself included do not enjoy doing things multiple times. If I explain to someone how to do something and than am asked again moments later, my patience is tested as i repeat the words i had already spoken. I think of such a scene, it was nothing new, just another day in Jesus' life that multitudes were following Him. Did He ever get a moment of privacy? Did He ever have a moment apart from multitudes gathering around Him? He had just crossed to the other side of the Jordan, and there waiting for Him, more people, again. I put myself in such a place, and flashing before me, a desire to be alone. Yet as i read on in this verse, it does not say that Jesus walked away,or that Jesus showed emotion, but rather, "as He was accustomed, He taught them again."

     I am convicted. My Jesus, although in the midst of another, "again-moment" did not react in impatience, annoyance, or isolation; instead He taught them. He imparted blessing from His lips to the multitude before Him. He gave what He had to them. He gave forth wisdom from His speech--truth and life from His words. Again. 

     How quickly I become impatient in "again-moments". The tone of my voice changes, body posture shows that I would rather be somewhere else, my eyes no longer look into the face of the person I am speaking to, love is left behind. But this should not be so. As Jesus was accustomed to teaching these lost sheep, so I have been called to be accustomed to loving others. Love is patient, love is kind (1 Corinthians 13:4). Again and again, love never fails.

     Father, thank you for the example you set, thank you for teaching us time and time, again and again. Thank you for patiently enduring with us, help me to have a heart that denies the sighs of frustration and embraces the call to give what I can to one gathered before me, whatever the request may be, and to once again put on love. There is no limit to Your love, freely I have received, help me to freely give. AMEN.

Prepare the Way . . .

Who was this John the Baptist?

Scripture gives several different descriptions of him, "My messenger", "the voice of one crying in the wilderness" "just a voice", but who is he?

We know other things about him, that he dressed in camels hair, and ate wild locus and honey. We know that he was bold, for we read of the things he preached, and we also know that he was imprisoned for his ministry and eventually was beheaded. But who is he?

He was a righteous man who ministered before the Lord. He understood what the role was for a minister of Christ. 

"To prepare the way of the Lord; Make His paths straight" (Mark 1:3). Before royalty would enter a town, a servant would be sent out to prepare the path. To ensure that the roads were as smooth as possible, and if there be holes or ditches to fill in the holes and patch the ditches. The servants role was to get the appearance worthy for royalty to come through.

What a beautiful picture painted for us in serving and ministry,

Are you truly being a servant? Sent out, faithfully doing your job to prepare the way of the Lord, to do your best in all you do, that the appearance may be worthy of royalty, that the road may be as smooth as possible. 

It is not our job to bring people to salvation, but to prepare the way of the Lord that He, through His Spirit's working, may bring sinners to salvation, change His people, and bless the work of our hands for His glory.

We often become discouraged or stressed in our ministry when we are attempting to do that which we are not called or equipped to do. It is not your role, as a minister of Christ, to see a great work of God go forth, you cannot cause that to happen, but you can, and you are called to, prepare the way of the Lord, that all may be "Straight" or ready, that His Spirit may freely flow in the midst of a people, in the midst of a ministry, in the midst of your life, without hinderance, that His work may be done--that His name may be glorified and lives may be changed.

We are to do the groundwork for His coming...not always a glamourous job, not always in the front where others can see, often times behind the scenes work that no one knows about, fixing that pothole, or putting together those children ministry packets, but in it all, God sees, and it is the preparing of these things that allows royalty, His Spirit, to come through smoothly and touch the hearts of His people.

Let us not grow weary in doing good, but to prepare the way of the Lord.

John declared, "I indeed baptize you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit" (Mark 1:8). John understood that He could not cause the Holy Spirit to work, but he could use that which was available to him, "water" to prepare the way for the Lord to do His work.

Are you using the "water" or that which is available to you to prepare the way of the Lord? Perhaps it is a pen and paper, or a ball to play sports, perhaps it is a open hand to greet those who enter the Lord's house, muscles to set up chairs, arms to push a broom, Perhaps it is an instrument, perhaps it is your voice, perhaps it is a puppet, perhaps a needle and thread, use that which He has given to you, to prepare the way of the Lord.

John was nothing to behold with the eyes; yet many were coming out to see him, because what he said was genuine. was refreshing to those who were desiring the truth. he was simply on fire for Jesus Christ, and they came. He did not advertise, have a cool coffee shop, money, etc. He simply was real. true. and this was light to those who sought after light--whose hearts were ready to receive. God is seeking for genuine ministers. those whose hearts are set on doing their job to prepare the way, and who are real, genuinely loving God. Seeking nothing else...just to live the truth.

John the baptist was simply a man, who sought after righteousness. Understanding that righteousness could only come through Christ in Him, and as he lived "rightly", preparing the way of the Lord, Christ would be glorified and be His righteousness before God the Father.

Father, please take our lives, lead us, send us out to the path that You have planned for us, the ministry You have ordained for us to prepare for Your way, for Your working, for Your glory. (Eph. 2:10). Amen.

This is EARTH, it is not HEAVEN.

This is EARTH, it is not HEAVEN.

     How we know this statement to be true, yet often times we somehow forget this reality in the midst of earthly lots. We often times get into a habit of thinking that as God's people, we should not have to endure the sufferings of this world. That somehow, because we are His, we should be prone to the lots of sin and suffering. Have we forgotten that this world is fallen? Earth is plagued with sin, and it is only by God's grace that we were snatched out of the condemnation it still remains within? 

     This is earth, sinful earth, where sin and the ramifications of it are present. Why than do we question God's grace or love when we go through hard times? When the ceiling is all you can see from your position in bed, when the doctor brings grave news, when suffering is felt, when your heart is broken, when finances seem weak, when the car won't start, when the job lets you down, when relationships are wounded, when disappointments block the sun, why do we immediately turn to doubting His goodness? Dear sinner, within this earth is sin, it is only by His goodness that you have been saved from the eternal captivity of it. Our eternity has been changed, has been given promised hope by His blood. There remains a rest for the people of God, that rest within heaven. Nevertheless, this day, we still remain on earth.

     In speaking to His disciples, Jesus said, "Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left houses or brothers or sisters or fathers or mothers or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel's, who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time--houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions--and in the age to come, eternal life" (Mark 10:29-30).  Jesus promised those who are His the blessings of eternal life, but not the escape of earthly persecutions. To those who lose their lives to find their lives in Him, He promises the blessing of fellowship with Himself, but He does not promise escape from hard times, instead He said, "WITH PERSECUTIONS". Life will bring persecutions, earthly lots will be dealt to us, and we will have to endure the casualties of this life; but oh for His sweet love that brings us comfort as we lay our difficulties before His throne of grace! Oh for His sweet love that promises us of that age to come! Heaven awaits. We ought to come continually, boldly to His throne-room in prayer as we cast before Him our earthly cares, that He may give us heavenly hope. When we turn our eyes from the temporal problems, to the eternal joy of fellowship with Thee, this short time of earth will soon be forgotten and heaven will be all we can see for all of eternity. 

     May we bring before Him this day our earthly persecutions, that He may give us eyes to see beyond the present difficulties to the coming light of His return. True, this is earth, but Heaven is coming. Amen. 

Living Life Un-Crutched

October 23, 2011

Today, the Lord allowed me to see many different people living with crutches in their daily lives--yet their crutch is only skin deep, instead of dwelling within the difficulties and frustrations of their crutch, their heart is alive and well, they are living lives un-crutched.

Passed by a man with only one leg this morning. Everyday of his life he uses a crutch to get around. I was unable to fully capture the details of his face, but as I looked back, I caught a glimpse of his white teeth--a smile upon that man's face. His heart was un-crutched by his undesired circumstances.

Arriving at church, this young boy arrived moments later. He is unable to walk straight, but he limps his way around at a angled glide, crooked but onward. Our God had a design through that when He created him to be so. He doesn't allow his crutch to keep him from getting to where he knows he needs to be, within the house of God--for it is there that he finds his life un-crutched.

She enters the classroom a little late, why such a tardy? Unknown, but fully understandable as you watch her shuffle her way in. Her legs do no proper functionally, she uses two crutches to get around; nevertheless, you never hear such a difficulty to be an excuse. And her tardiness, no longer remembered as you look at her sitting there. beautiful woman. beautifully dressed. A lovely heart...

a un-crutched Spirit ready to learn more from God's Word.

An elderly man is brought to church; so old you can see years written upon his face. He hobbles his way through the sanctuary doors, walking on the palms of his hands and his heels. Does his age keep him away? No. Does his lack of ability to walk upright keep him outside? No. He enters God's house, ready to worship His un-crutched Father...the ancient of all days, who he knows to never grow old or weary.

Only having one functioning eye, seen as a crutch to most; yet He worships His Lord. He cares not if his view of this earth be full and clear, for he chooses to look to His heavenly Father, and when looking up, the eyes of his heart see un-crutched.

Closing out the day, a blind man stands with his personal crutch in hand, a stick for finding and feeling his way. Asked a question, he does not just stand still as if he is unable to do anything without sight; he quickly responds to the request. His ears received and his hands went into action. Un-crutched response.

Jesus, please give us un-crutched heart! To smile in the midst of the crutches of our lives. Believing and clinging, not to our personal crutches, but to the truth that our God has a plan through these things. Our God uses the crutches and imperfections in our lives to shine forth His perfection. Our God is a God un-crutched and unlike any other...you can lean on Him.

Worship is a Weapon...Worship is a Gift

"And now for a little while grace has been shown from the Lord our God, to leave us a remnant to escape, and to give us a peg in His holy place, that our God may enlighten our eyes and give us a measure of revival in our bondage." 

Ezra 9:8

     The book of Ezra is  a book of restoring worship within Jerusalem. Captivity had nearly silenced the sound of God's people. The book is filled with conflict, and this verse comes within a chapter where once again, the people were in trouble. This time, it was not because of outside forces, but because of inward personal decisions. A lack of separating themselves from the inhabitants of the land. They had married people of the land outside of the holy seed. They had given into the attractions of their surroundings, they had lost focus of the job they needed to be doing as they build a house of worship for the Lord. The worshipers eyes had strayed, and now they had commitments to people they never should of been connected to. Worship is holy and pure, and they had defiled themselves when they should of been tuning themselves to live lives that are a sweet sound to the Lord. Their instruments had become out of tune. Their worship was hindered before the Lord, because sin was within the camp. It is from this place, that these words were penned. From the position of sin revealed and consequences to follow. 

     This verse is a foreshadowing of what Christ would accomplish through the cross. How His pure worship would give His people a remnant to escape the wages of their sins. How His blood would cover their defilement if they would come to Him in faith and confess their sins.

     Reaching beyond just deliverance, Jesus would become for His people their access into God's presence. God cannot dwell in the midst of sin; but through what was accomplished upon the wood of the cross, we have been given a peg is a piece of wood typically tapered at one end; it is used to hold things together. Through His hands and His feet, a instrument resembling a peg was hammered, He took the nails upon the cross, that our lives may be re-tunned before the Lord, prepared to worship.

     The verse goes on to describe the outcome of worship. Once we have come to Him and been made clean by the covering of His blood, entered into His holy presence, and begun to worship Him for who He is, God will enlighten our eyes, and give us a measure of revival in our bondage. 

Although washed clean by the blood of Jesus and made free in Christ; so long as we remain in these earthen vessels, our flesh is in bondage to the temptations of sin. We are instruments prone to get out of tune, to sin, and to wander. Nevertheless, this verse declares that He will give us a measure of revival through our bondage. Revival simply put means improvement in the midst of something. Our lives were held captive by sin before coming to the cross, but from the cross we were given life in Christ, and the process of sanctification began. He is continually sanctifying us, or reviving us even within the surrounding temptations of binding sin. When we enter into His temple to worship Him, when we get our eyes off of ourselves and onto His holiness, our sight is enlightened, life and freedom is found, and we may present ourselves as a sweet sound to the ears of God. 

     Man was created to worship God, and it is in the midst of worship that we are strengthened by Him to overcome the outward pressures of sin. Victory for the battle begins with worship. 

The worshippers were commonly sent out before anyone else in the midst of battles. We are in the midst of a battle between the sinful flesh and the Spirit, so may worship be that which goes before us. May we present ourselves before the Lord in worship. Coming to a place of looking up, to the One who is above, to the One who is greater, to the One who alone is worthy of all our praise, doings, thoughts, and plans. 

     Application for myself:

Worship is a gift from the Lord for this "little while time" as the verse described such a time. This time in-between salvation and glorification. Worship is a weapon given to us by the Lord to fight the battle of the flesh. Hand in hand, worship is only worship when I come to an end of myself, and lift Him up. Jesus said, if He would be lifted up, men would be drawn to Him. What a statement, is this not the desire of my heart? To see men coming to Christ? If this be the desire, than I ought to start with lifting Him up, i ought to start with worship. In my life, worship is something very near to my heart, it is the place where I can exercise my personal gift from the Lord; yet so often I feel the influences of those outside influences, tempting me to run from such a place, such a position of leading worship. Thoughts that I am not worthy to be apart of it. Not good enough. Unclean. Defiled from within. Not skilled enough. Not having a pure heart. Eyes off-focused, and on goes the list. But this is not my battle to fight. I am to worship, and allow my God to fight for me. He is the One providing the remnant of escape for my sinfulness. He alone can rescue. I need to look to Him when the enemy throws darts of discouragement at me, cause he's right, i am unworthy to be used by God in the area of worship, but through the pegs that Christ gave me, and through His Spirit, He has revived me to be used of Him, I have been given a job to do, and I would be a fool to walk away. Holy Spirit please strengthen me this day, bring me back and keep me there, the grace of worship.