Temptation of Unified Sin. . .

"Then herod, with his men of war, treated him with contempt and mocked him, arrayed him in a gorgeous robe, and sent him back to pilate. that very day pilate and herod became friends with each other, for previously they had been at enmity with each other." 

luke 23:11-12

February 14, 2012     

     I am brought to a stopping after reading these verses. That last part, "that very day pilate and herod became friends with each other..." before this time, we are told that they had been at "enmity" with one another. A word that takes me back to its origin within scriptures, back to the garden of eden. When satan tempted eve and man fell into sin, the curse from god, as consequence, was stated, 

"i will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel" (Genesis 3:15).

     It was long foretold that such a scene would take place, that enmity would be apart of the consequences of sin, and here we see that where enmity had been between two before, at the price of christ, it ceased. When two men came together in unity accusing jesus of his claim to be the son of god, we see the consequences of enmity highlighted, the effects of sin clearly portrayed. unified sin, revealed. two men who had been at opposites, joined together with commonality at the sight of christ. however, not the kind of change that comes from surrender before christ when a heart is soft, but the scene of a hard heart---by accusing christ, by mocking him, by dis-regarding his words, they found unity. they were unified in the sin of rejecting jesus. they were unified in the sin of disregarding his word. they were unified in compromising the fear of the lord for the approval of man. 

     the disciple james wrote to us, "Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with god? whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of god" (James 4:4). when we be-friend the world, we put ourself at enmity with god. jesus came to conquer the enmity that had come into the world through man's sin in the garden. however, he overcame this enmity by purity--by separation from the lusts and temptations of this world; being not of this world. his followers must like-wise separate themselves and live not unto this world nor follow the lusts of it any longer. god expects his people to walk and live in purity, cleansed from the surrounding temptations of the stains of enmity. be-friending the world by compromise to the word or respect of god, brands the mark of enmity in our lives. when herod and pilate both unified with the world by rejecting the christ, enmity's mark was seen, and friendship with one another established. 

     we cannot be both, friends of god and friends of this world. the decision must be made continually in our lives. temptation to unify with the world will constantly call out to us, the people cried out, "Crucify him!" and these two leaders gave into their cries. these distant cries continually echo, temptations to "crucify" our lord by setting aside his commands, rejecting his voice, becoming comfortable within the seats of the enemy. When we join into a conversation not pleasing to christ, when we complain about a leader in authority over us, when we grumble with one another instead of being thankful. and it goes beyond to when we remain silent when we ought to speak; when we allow others around us to mock our savior and remain silent. times of silence can be times of be-friending the world. 

     notice also that these men along with herod and pilate were men of war. men with the potential of victory. they were warriors with the choice to fight for good or evil. light or darkness. just as you and i, the battle is constantly before us, what side are we fighting on? friendship was found between these two men when they be-friended the world together, what came next? a crucified savior, and a world of men convicted by what they had done, realizing that he truly was the son of god. 

this same jesus is still brought before us daily, what will we do with him? array him in the robe he deserves, crowning him as our master and king, obeying his voice? or mocking him and be-friending the world through unified sin? lord jesus, train us to be your people of godly warfare, not entangling ourselves in battles we need not undertake or that will distract us from our purpose on earth, we are to bear witness for you. cleanse us from the stains of enmity that we have undertaken by compromise to purity.

What do you hear? What do you see?

What do you hear? What do you see?

February 7, 2012     

     Took a walk down to the shore yesterday, a place that I commonly visit. Expecting to find there, a nice soft breeze, beautiful waves, and quietness. I commonly come to this place to get away from everyone else, and to have some time alone. As I walked along the way, the Muslim speaker ringing, the call to prayer echoing--a sound less than quiet. As I walked along the way, desiring to be unnoticed, over and over people stop what they are doing to call you what you are, a "muzungo" meaning, a white person--a attention less than desired. As I walked along the way, approaching the shore, I found the breeze to be far from gentle. A strong wind and white capped waves, a less than enjoyable weather to be sitting within. Nevertheless, I had made it to the shore, I had made it to my destination, where I could still do what I had set out to do, spend some time alone, thinking, praying.

Moments after I sat, I was approached by a stranger. He began conversation by inviting me to prayer. From his dress, the direction he came, and the time of day, I knew he was a Muslim inviting me to the mosque. 

"No thank you" I replied. Thinking within, I simply want to be left alone right now.

He told me he would return after prayers. Thoughts began to do mathematics in my head, calculating approx. how much time alone that would give me before he would return.

     As I began to embrace my journal, and spend some time in solitude, another stranger walked up.

She began to talk with me of life and common conversational things. Yet when the conversation could of been left in silence, God's grace reminded me of why I was there. The real reason I was to be sitting upon that shore. I thought of that man who was in prayer at that moment, but not in prayer to Jesus, a man in need of the truth. Before me sitting a woman in need of the truth. Within me a selfish person, holding the truth, and not speaking simply because I desired silence instead of conversation.

All these thoughts rushing, and You clear voice, "I am here."

I asked her of Jesus and asked if she was born again. She pulled out a Catholic cross upon her neck and said she believed but that she was not born-again. In an exchange of a few more words, we bowed our head in prayer that she may be born-again and secure of her salvation in Christ. I prayed for her, she prayed in her mother tongue. Together, "Amen". A smile upon both of our faces. Two strangers moments before, now two sisters in Christ. The change, listening to what I heard through God''s voice and focusing on what I saw through eternity's sight.

     Soon, the Muslim returned from prayer, and began to talk with me of religious things. I spoke to him of Jesus and we engaged in a long-while conversation. Our views on Jesus still divided at the end, yet I left him with "a pair of glasses". Asking him questions that would cause him to think through what he believes of Jesus--he has a pair of potential glasses to see much more.

     As I looked out to the waves again, the white caps, the rough waters, the strong wind...a picture of the temptation in life to have a harsh and selfish ear and eye to things. If I listened in on only what was a struggle, the loud wind, I would not of been able to hear the voices of those around me. If I looked only at the rough waters, instead of the strangers eyes before me, I would of missed out on a heavenly glimpse. All this coming down to the personal question, "What do you hear? What do you see?".

 When I heard my Savior have a different plan for my time on the shore, I had a choice to make. When I saw my Savior chose company for me instead of solidarity, I had a choice to make. We call Him Lord, meaning "Master", but do we submit to His plans when they change our own?

     He changed my plans and through it taught me the beautiful sound of "Amen" in prayer with one of His own. He changed my plans and through it taught me to see the beauty of the rough seas, for sometimes they bring ashore opportunities to challenge one's eyes to see more clearly. My question to the Muslim similarly becomes my question to myself, when He has spoken to you, what will you do? 

What will you do with the words of Jesus? 

When I am Weak...

" For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him."

 2 Chronicles 16:9

     The apostle Paul penned the words, "When I am weak, then I am strong." What did he mean by such a statement? If you think about this, it does not make sense. It is only viewing it with eyes of faith that we can understand the profoundness of this truth. Paul's statement builds on itself, it is when he is weak that the word "then" appears, because he is weak, it leads to an opportunity to be strong (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). This week has led me to view this verse with faith, to cling to it and believe it to truth.

The eyes of our Lord are searching for those He may show Himself strong on their behalf. This means He is seeking those who are humble enough to confess their weakness and accept His strength. You cannot give someone strength when they will not confess a weakness. If I claim to be strong enough to deal with the task before me, than how can I be given more strength for the task? But if I confess a need for help, than He is able to show forth His strength and I can be used by Him to be a testimony to others. A witness of His strength. 

Heavenly strength is seen when 

earthly weakness is confessed.

If I will not confess my need, I cannot receive the solution. Paul learned this to be true in his life, that when he confessed his weakness, Christ's strength was able to seen in his life and observed by others. Christ and His strength dwells within each child of God, but the world cannot see what is beneath the surface on first glance. Those looking without eyes of faith only see what is apparent. But when the heavenly strength of Christ is all you are relying upon, because all earthly strength is gone, faith is being worked out in your life, and it will be evident to all who look on.

This week I find myself to be very weak. Where I thought I could be strong, in an area that I did not expect to need heavenly help, I find my foolishness. I find yet another thing to surrender, another place that needs to be confesses that His strength may overtake and overcome the battle before me. When I confess my weakness I find strength.

The beauty of His grace, that weakness is seen as beauty to Him. He delights in those who allow Him to be their strength, that He may then be seen strong on their behalf--in the dealings of their life. Difficulties and struggles that arise in our lives, if surrendered and weakness confessed, may be turned into opportunities for His glory. That the world may have a glimpse into the life of faith, into the life of everlasting strength found in Jehovah. 

So Jesus, what I am faced with today, use it to show forth Your strength on my behalf. I have nothing to offer but myself, a heart that desires to be loyal to You. I do not understand why You delight in such a weak vessel, but I choose to trust Your word to be truth. I sit beside Paul this evening, and confess I am weak, but I do not end with that, for I repeat with him, because I am weak, I can now be strong. In You, I can be strong, for You are everlasting strength. Amen.

Here and Now

January 22, 2012

The Blessings of The Here and Now...

You can live in His power for the here and now, or you can constantly 

fight off the fear of tomorrow

     Yesterday, my first memorable sight, sun beams streaming in my window and a beautiful sunrise. Yesterday evening, last memorable sight, sun beams streaming through the clouds and a beautiful sunset. I took a walk down a familiar road, but this time I went past the familiar end. Usually I would of turned, but this evening i walked on further and was met with blessings. My mind was deep in thought of what may come next in my life, thoughts of tomorrow, and so i walked on deeper. Greeted by many village children I learned some of their names, "Joy...Praisey...", and on went the list. Turning my distracted mind onto the important things in life. Joy. Praise. Eternity.

     I continued on the road and came to the shore line. Spent some time watching the water and thinking of the precious name of Jesus. The name that has given me joy. The name that has given me a reason to praise. The Maker of the view before me.

Helped a little girl carry some water part of the way home and talked with her about Jesus. Simple conversation, came up because He was on my mind. 

I continued making my way home and met those village children again. This time at first sight of me, they came running, I was encumbered with over fifteen smelly, dirty, poor, beautiful children embracing me in a hug. A moment i wish i could return to, oh! to explain the warmth your heart feels when you know you are able to love them through the eyes of Christ. It is not me who desires such dirty children to swarm, but the love of Jesus within me. That they may know that He loves them. They are so precious in His sight. After playing a basic game with them, i returned to my home, a smile spread across my face, a song in my heart. 

     This is the here and now. This is what it is all about. This time i went a little further and I was touched deeper. This time i took a little extra time, and He gave fulfillment in those moments. This time I focused on the here and now and was given a glimpse of eternity. Tomorrow can worry about itself. I have too much to experience today to allow tomorrow to rob today's joys and reasons to praise. I am called to nothing else but to love Jesus and allow His love and conversation of Him to pour out of my life. It is simple, it is a mystery, Christ in us, giving unto us the hope of glory.

"To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory." Colossians 1:27

Banked on Eternity

Banked on Eternity

"Our heavenly Banker delights to cash His own notes." -Spurgeon

Yesterday I went to the bank to exchange some money. I was uncertain as to what I would receive in exchange for the money I had in my hand. I was exchanging from Uganda Shillings to Kenyan Shillings, but in faith that it would be a good rate for the sign outside stated a rather high exchange number, I entered. Upon arrival to the counter I was asked for my form of identification...a passport or drivers license. Caught off guard to need such identification, I pondered and realized that I had no form of identification on me. The little bag I was carrying--nothing. I felt so vulnerable standing before the teller, unable to prove who I was! Thoughts raced in my head, I am in a place that is not my home, a foreign land, if something should happen to me, I have no way to prove who I am! There is no form of identification available. Nothing. 

These thoughts than transfered as You taught me a heavenly lesson through it. 

My identity is not in paper, but in standing-- I am Christs' and before God, the heavenly Banker, I am secure. My soul secure. Within this foreign land that I dwell, home awaits...eternity is yet to come. Our good Banker delights to give to His children, to those who are His. But just as I would only exchange that which i would use for this time, because the Kenyan Shillings would be worthless to me once I entered Uganda again, so should our dealings be with our identity in this world. We are called to be in this world but not of it. Do our dealings as necessary, but to truly spend and be spent on Christ and His people. Our aim should be for the exchange rate in the life to come--storing up treasure for the heavenlies. Seeking eternal rewards. 

Our Heavenly Banker is not short on exchange, the more you bring to Him, the more He returns. We bring to Him that which we cannot use on our own, He molds, and gives back to us that which we can use in this time to bring glory to Him. Think of the things He bestows in your life...gifts, talents, finances, ideas, strength, these things He gives that we would in turn use for His glory, for the furtherance of His Kingdom to come. Not that we may advance in this life, but to be preparing for the life to come. 

My identity? in nothing else, but the work of Christ that redeemed my life. My possessions? to be surrendered to the hands of Him who gives and takes away. My resources? coming from the source of Life who gives freely to those who ask. He is ready to give from His heavenly storehouse, but we must come to His bank, identifying ourselves with His Son, and seeking good things to be used for the good of His will and His work. These prayers, never left unanswered. Dear friend, what do you find in your hand today? What do you have that is ready to be exchanged for something you can use? Come before His throne of grace. He is ready to give you the security and blessings that come for one seeking to be banked on eternity. Amen. 

"How much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!" Luke 11:13b

A Missionary Walk

 A Missionary Walk

December 13, 2011

     Before packing a bag, boarding a plane, and coming to Africa for this season, I asked the Lord, "What does it mean to be a missionary?" I had spent many hours in a classroom learning of different cultures, ideas of how to reach different people groups, different methods to missions work, but when the clock is ticking and you are soon leaving to go out and put these things into practice, you want a simple, clear, and applicable definition to such a title, a missionary. 

     The Lord spoke to me in such a clear and sweet way, He said, "A missionary is someone who loves Jesus. Someone who walks with Me...thats it, just walk with Me along the road of life, love Me, serve Me, walk with Me, and help others along the way that I bring into your path." That simple, that profound. 

     After over 81 days here, keeping that simple truth in mind, but finding it to be a struggle to not over think things or become discouraged when you don't feel that you are doing or helping enough compared to the work to be done and needs surrounding, a four mile walk home reminded me of the joys of being a missionary.

     After giving away my transportation money to another in need, I found myself walking home with only enough change to get me half way, the rest would be on foot. Detours such as, traveling across the village with a child from Saturday club to fill a jerrycan of water, or conversation with friends along the way, or a stop at the weekly market, all lead to a meeting God had planned. Walking down the road a conversation with a young man pondering the question of being "born again." As we walked I learned that he was headed to a Christian fellowship night. I then asked, "Oh great! So you are born again?" His response, a puzzled look, a laugh, and a repeat, "born again?" He shared that he had recently been asked that question and regretted his response of "no". He seemed to be confused about what it meant to be born again, and how to apply the knowledge he had of God and the Christian walk, and how to overcome addictions he is facing. We walked along the road talking, sharing, I could feel the Lord walking with us. The walk ended with Amen, and we said farewell to a new friend, challenging him to go before the Lord with the things upon his heart and to live his life by faith, born again, to walk with Jesus. He smiled, and walked away. His posture, His countenance different than how we met him before the sun had set.

     This is what being a missionary is all about. Encouraging others to walk with Jesus, just as you are walking with HIm. It's not about us, who we are, or what we desire, its all about who we are in Christ. We need not please another, because we are spoken for, we are Christ's. Kept in Him. Living for Him. Walking with Him. Being available for His work. This evening, upon my walk home, I was able to be used by Him to minister to one of His beloved, and through it, I was reminded of how much He loves me, that He would use me, that He would bring me to this place, that He would give me a life with a mission, a purpose, a reason. Being a missionary is His design for all who are His. We have something to share, not in and of us, no, but in and of who we are in Him. His Word declares how beautiful are the feet of those who bring the good news, and He has called us to go (Romans 10 :15, Matthew 28:19) . 

We are His missionaries wherever we go, let's walk with Him, and leave the rest in His hands. Amen.

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