In Genesis 28, Jacob sees heaven and earth come together in his vision, and he calls it Bethel. "The House of God." Angels are ascending and descending.
In John 1:50, Jesus tells Nathanael that if sticks with Him, he will see great things. He will "see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man." In other words, Jesus is saying, "I am Bethel." "I am the House of God." Forever.
Jesus is where heaven and earth come together. That's exactly where I want to be. Because that is where we really can bring some authority and healing into the world. When we bring heaven to earth and earth to heaven. That connection is THE connection.
That is why deep prayer is needed. Courageous prayer. Lonely prayer. Prayer, that like Gethsemane, leaves behind even our inner circle and goes "a little farther." Prayer that uncovers who we really are and lays it bare before God. Honest prayer that lifts the blanket off our self-deception and rips open our hearts to God.
That brings new meaning to the last verse of Psalm 23. "And I will dwell in the house of God forever." In Bethel. In the place where heaven and earth meet. In Christ.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Monday, May 24, 2010
Seeing IT Coming
There's a common complaint in our Weds night Bible Study: "I stink." "I'm tired of failure."
Well - putting out the fires is exhausting. It's the reason so many people leave jobs in teaching. But I've been in education long enough, as administrator, teacher and coach, to know one thing: if you see IT coming and prevent IT from ever happening, you will not only survive, but grow to enjoy it.
It's a simple concept: If you're always putting out fires, you will eventually burn out.
One of the things an experienced teacher can do to prevent this is to watch carefully in a class, lunchroom or recess. You get to the point where you can see things coming, eliminating problems before they happen.
This is why disciplined prayer is so important. You get before God and into His Word every day and you can start sniffing out problems before they develop. You can see IT coming, whatever your IT is. You won't be trying to put out IT's fire all the time
Well - putting out the fires is exhausting. It's the reason so many people leave jobs in teaching. But I've been in education long enough, as administrator, teacher and coach, to know one thing: if you see IT coming and prevent IT from ever happening, you will not only survive, but grow to enjoy it.
It's a simple concept: If you're always putting out fires, you will eventually burn out.
One of the things an experienced teacher can do to prevent this is to watch carefully in a class, lunchroom or recess. You get to the point where you can see things coming, eliminating problems before they happen.
This is why disciplined prayer is so important. You get before God and into His Word every day and you can start sniffing out problems before they develop. You can see IT coming, whatever your IT is. You won't be trying to put out IT's fire all the time
Friday, May 21, 2010
Disarming Satan
There are three ways that we can disarm Satan in this present life:
1. Psalm 8:2 "From the lips of children and infants You have ordained praise because of Your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger."
When children praise God, Satan is silenced. What can he say in the face of such a simple understanding of the Creator of the universe and of His love for us? Satan knows that there is a basic simplicity in our belief in God and he wants to complicate it with our arguments and man-made "theologies." He wants to muddy this pure water, to the point that we are confused and powerless. But the water is pure to the children, and there is nothing he can do but wait until they "grow up" and start over-thinking it.
2. I Corinthians 15:55 "Where, O death, is your victory? Where O death is your sting?"
If Satan can get us to think that death is an ugly end to our life, then he can get us to struggle for every breath and grieve uncontrollably over every loss. The cross of Christ destroys this stranglehold and releases us to live every moment now in an eternal way.
When we understand that death is defeated, that it's stinger is removed, we can start releasing the things of this world instead of hoarding them. We can die gracefully instead of kicking and screaming for one last breath. The fear of death, the fight for "one more day," is a major weapon of the enemy. When that's removed, there really isn't much left he has to hang over us. We can let this world go.
II Corinthians 2:7 - 11 "Now instead you ought to forgive and comfort him . . . reaffirm your love for him . . . in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes."
In the first letter to the Corinthians, Paul tells the church to deal with a man who is living in a sinful situation. (Chapter 5). He knows that the church must be distinct in its holiness from the world, so that it can hold out the Light in the darkness instead of blending in.
In his followup letter, he acknowledges their faithfulness in doing this, but now asks them to pull this man back in and show him love and forgiveness. He knows that Satan uses these things as a burden around the necks of men and churches. Our inability and unwillingness to forgive a brother who sins against us is a weight that drags churches to the ground, grinding them to a halt. Satan knows this - it's one of his favorite "schemes" against the church.
When we forgive, we disarm Satan. It's one less weapon in his arsenal.
So - simplify your faith, simplify your life, and start releasing those you're holding in your own personal captivities.
1. Psalm 8:2 "From the lips of children and infants You have ordained praise because of Your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger."
When children praise God, Satan is silenced. What can he say in the face of such a simple understanding of the Creator of the universe and of His love for us? Satan knows that there is a basic simplicity in our belief in God and he wants to complicate it with our arguments and man-made "theologies." He wants to muddy this pure water, to the point that we are confused and powerless. But the water is pure to the children, and there is nothing he can do but wait until they "grow up" and start over-thinking it.
2. I Corinthians 15:55 "Where, O death, is your victory? Where O death is your sting?"
If Satan can get us to think that death is an ugly end to our life, then he can get us to struggle for every breath and grieve uncontrollably over every loss. The cross of Christ destroys this stranglehold and releases us to live every moment now in an eternal way.
When we understand that death is defeated, that it's stinger is removed, we can start releasing the things of this world instead of hoarding them. We can die gracefully instead of kicking and screaming for one last breath. The fear of death, the fight for "one more day," is a major weapon of the enemy. When that's removed, there really isn't much left he has to hang over us. We can let this world go.
II Corinthians 2:7 - 11 "Now instead you ought to forgive and comfort him . . . reaffirm your love for him . . . in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes."
In the first letter to the Corinthians, Paul tells the church to deal with a man who is living in a sinful situation. (Chapter 5). He knows that the church must be distinct in its holiness from the world, so that it can hold out the Light in the darkness instead of blending in.
In his followup letter, he acknowledges their faithfulness in doing this, but now asks them to pull this man back in and show him love and forgiveness. He knows that Satan uses these things as a burden around the necks of men and churches. Our inability and unwillingness to forgive a brother who sins against us is a weight that drags churches to the ground, grinding them to a halt. Satan knows this - it's one of his favorite "schemes" against the church.
When we forgive, we disarm Satan. It's one less weapon in his arsenal.
So - simplify your faith, simplify your life, and start releasing those you're holding in your own personal captivities.
Friday, May 14, 2010
The Mean Christian Life
"Let your gentleness be evident to all . . .. "
What has happened to the gentleman Christians? I see over and over in Scripture the call for the Christian man to be gentle - to have a sweet spirit that is contrary to the striving, competitive, arrogant spirit of the natural man. But I don't see it. I see mean Christians throughout the churches.
I understand foolish. I even understand weak. But I don't understand mean.
Part of the problem for men is that anger and meanness are almost seen as badges of honor. Lust can never be admitted to. But anger? That's a sin men will confess in any small group because it sounds strong. Lust sounds weak, and it takes a humble man to pour that out before his friends.
But again, anger is strong, and they will then be able to excuse their meanness as a by-product of that anger. I don't get it. The fruit of the Spirit and the commands from the Scriptures all call for a gentle, calm, humble Christian man to step out from the mean and nasty way of the world. A gentle spirit will shine like a light in the darkness.
The mean Christian man and woman is simply not walking in the Spirit, but in the flesh.
What has happened to the gentleman Christians? I see over and over in Scripture the call for the Christian man to be gentle - to have a sweet spirit that is contrary to the striving, competitive, arrogant spirit of the natural man. But I don't see it. I see mean Christians throughout the churches.
I understand foolish. I even understand weak. But I don't understand mean.
Part of the problem for men is that anger and meanness are almost seen as badges of honor. Lust can never be admitted to. But anger? That's a sin men will confess in any small group because it sounds strong. Lust sounds weak, and it takes a humble man to pour that out before his friends.
But again, anger is strong, and they will then be able to excuse their meanness as a by-product of that anger. I don't get it. The fruit of the Spirit and the commands from the Scriptures all call for a gentle, calm, humble Christian man to step out from the mean and nasty way of the world. A gentle spirit will shine like a light in the darkness.
The mean Christian man and woman is simply not walking in the Spirit, but in the flesh.
Friday, May 7, 2010
Being There
Luke 7:7 "That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to You. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. "
The centurion in Luke 7 understood the reality of who Christ was -that's why Jesus commended his faith. He understood that Jesus didn't even have to be under the roof of his house to heal his servant - that He simply had to say the word and it would be done. He understood that the authority of Christ was immersed in this world and that His physical presence was unnecessary.
However - I believe that Christ demands that we go into the funerals and touch the coffins. (see previous post) We cannot simply stand off from a distance and pray and hope that lives will be touched and changed. We need to go into these places.
I remember being called to go to a home that I didn't really want to go to. I sat in my car and prayed to God, "You are the God of all of the universe, can't you simply hear my prayer right here and fill that house with your presence and healing?" I could feel God speaking into my heart: Yes, I could do that - but you must go. You must enter into that home. That's the plan. We are how He enters these homes. We bring Him with us, and there's something about our physical presence in these places of hopelessness and darkness that matters. Sometimes our ministry is simply being there.
The authority of Christ is invasive and immersed in all Creation. WE are that invasion and immersion. Let's enter into these funerals. Let's reach out in tears and touch these coffins.
The centurion in Luke 7 understood the reality of who Christ was -that's why Jesus commended his faith. He understood that Jesus didn't even have to be under the roof of his house to heal his servant - that He simply had to say the word and it would be done. He understood that the authority of Christ was immersed in this world and that His physical presence was unnecessary.
However - I believe that Christ demands that we go into the funerals and touch the coffins. (see previous post) We cannot simply stand off from a distance and pray and hope that lives will be touched and changed. We need to go into these places.
I remember being called to go to a home that I didn't really want to go to. I sat in my car and prayed to God, "You are the God of all of the universe, can't you simply hear my prayer right here and fill that house with your presence and healing?" I could feel God speaking into my heart: Yes, I could do that - but you must go. You must enter into that home. That's the plan. We are how He enters these homes. We bring Him with us, and there's something about our physical presence in these places of hopelessness and darkness that matters. Sometimes our ministry is simply being there.
The authority of Christ is invasive and immersed in all Creation. WE are that invasion and immersion. Let's enter into these funerals. Let's reach out in tears and touch these coffins.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Touch the Coffins
Luke 7:12 - 15 "As He approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out - the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her. When the Lord saw her, His heart went out to her and He said, 'Don't cry.' Then He went up and touched the coffin, and those carrying it stood still. he said, 'Young man, I say to you, get up!' The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother."
My poor niece. She was over my house the other day and started yelling at my son when he killed an inchworm. I didn't have the heart to tell her that in a few days I was going to be committing "inchworm genocide." My trees are going to be sprayed because I can't let these inchworms do what they did last year - eat every leaf off every tree.
Last year the trees did end up "releafing" themselves within a few months, which encouraged me. (I want to say that the trees "releaved" themselves but that just doesn't sound right.) But my neighbor told me, and I believe him because his daughter has a degree in botany, that every time a tree has to "releaf" itself it is weakened severely. It has only a limited amount of times that it can do it before it is in danger of dying. So I'm not taking any chances this year and I'm having them sprayed.
What does this have to do with Luke 7 when Jesus raises the young man? I believe that we need to start raising the dead young men that are all around us, and we have to start doing it now, before they're past the point of restoration. I'm not saying that we don't have a huge God who is capable of complete restoration when we think anyone is past their limit. What I'm saying is that in our own humanity - apart from His divinity which can raise the dead - but again, in our own humanity we don't have a lot of personal resuscitations in us.
The body is a finite thing and it does wear down and I have seen countless people get to a point where they try to "revive themselves" over and over again, and then they simply fade away and die out before the healing hand of Jesus can ever touch them. Our flesh is weak and will eventually wear out. You can see it in their faces every day when you walk past them. They have nothing left.
My poor niece. She was over my house the other day and started yelling at my son when he killed an inchworm. I didn't have the heart to tell her that in a few days I was going to be committing "inchworm genocide." My trees are going to be sprayed because I can't let these inchworms do what they did last year - eat every leaf off every tree.
Last year the trees did end up "releafing" themselves within a few months, which encouraged me. (I want to say that the trees "releaved" themselves but that just doesn't sound right.) But my neighbor told me, and I believe him because his daughter has a degree in botany, that every time a tree has to "releaf" itself it is weakened severely. It has only a limited amount of times that it can do it before it is in danger of dying. So I'm not taking any chances this year and I'm having them sprayed.
What does this have to do with Luke 7 when Jesus raises the young man? I believe that we need to start raising the dead young men that are all around us, and we have to start doing it now, before they're past the point of restoration. I'm not saying that we don't have a huge God who is capable of complete restoration when we think anyone is past their limit. What I'm saying is that in our own humanity - apart from His divinity which can raise the dead - but again, in our own humanity we don't have a lot of personal resuscitations in us.
The body is a finite thing and it does wear down and I have seen countless people get to a point where they try to "revive themselves" over and over again, and then they simply fade away and die out before the healing hand of Jesus can ever touch them. Our flesh is weak and will eventually wear out. You can see it in their faces every day when you walk past them. They have nothing left.
That’s why we have to touch the coffins of these young people now. Jesus reached into a funeral procession and touched a dead man's coffin. You just didn't do that in Jewish culture. It was the epitome of unclean. But if we are to bring the healing hand of Jesus to them, we have to first get into the funeral and then touch the coffin.
As we approach Mother's Day, I can think of no better gift or ministry than to start bringing sons back to their mothers.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
The Big 162
Luke 7:35 "Wisdom is proved right by all her children."
As I teacher, I sometimes struggle with handing out grades. I want everyone to know and master the material, and then to test out with the highest grades. If everyone got an "A" it wouldn't bother me. But then I realize that there has to be some kind of separation for those who are really trying, those who are truly gifted, from the pretenders and the lazy.
And really - life is like that. It will separate them, it always does. Given enough time, children will be produced that reveal what has been true and what has been false.
Baseball has a saying about the "Big 162." What it means is that the season is so long, 162 games, that contenders are eventually separated from pretenders. Winning streaks can be deceiving and the best team will survive the 162 games and end up on top.
This will happen, Jesus tells us, with His words and all other false religions. The children will eventually prove what is true and what is false. 2000 years later, I think the point has been proven. Jesus is Truth.
This will also happen with those in the church who are truly seeking to be His disciples and those who are putting on all the "dressing" but not really interested in following Jesus. Eventually, life will sort them out, and if it doesn't, the threshing floor will finish the task. I'm not looking for this to see people get punished, I believe in the judgment of God but do not wish it upon anyone. However, I am a little weary of those who claim to be in Christ but deny Him with their thoughts and actions.
As I teacher, I sometimes struggle with handing out grades. I want everyone to know and master the material, and then to test out with the highest grades. If everyone got an "A" it wouldn't bother me. But then I realize that there has to be some kind of separation for those who are really trying, those who are truly gifted, from the pretenders and the lazy.
And really - life is like that. It will separate them, it always does. Given enough time, children will be produced that reveal what has been true and what has been false.
Baseball has a saying about the "Big 162." What it means is that the season is so long, 162 games, that contenders are eventually separated from pretenders. Winning streaks can be deceiving and the best team will survive the 162 games and end up on top.
This will happen, Jesus tells us, with His words and all other false religions. The children will eventually prove what is true and what is false. 2000 years later, I think the point has been proven. Jesus is Truth.
This will also happen with those in the church who are truly seeking to be His disciples and those who are putting on all the "dressing" but not really interested in following Jesus. Eventually, life will sort them out, and if it doesn't, the threshing floor will finish the task. I'm not looking for this to see people get punished, I believe in the judgment of God but do not wish it upon anyone. However, I am a little weary of those who claim to be in Christ but deny Him with their thoughts and actions.
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