Calling

What is your calling?

What does that even mean?  Is that only for preachers and missionaries?

From what I understand, a person who found their calling is someone who has discovered how the talents they have line up with the works  the Lord has prepared for them to do.

Ephesians 2:10 tells us, "For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." (NIV)

Now the amazing thing about our calling is this, we have been given the talents and the desire to actuallywant to do this!

What I mean by this is, although it is true that the Lord may ask us to step out of our comfort zone, (and what is that really, other than just letting go of control?) he gifts us with talents that go along with the calling we have.  We already desire it, for he has given us the desires of our heart.

¹³ For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. Philippians 2:13 (NLT)

For example, someone who loves to cook may have the gift of hospitality and servanthood.  They may not want to be a greeter at a church, but they love to bless people with the items they bake. or make.  That is a calling, sometimes an act of kindness from someone with this gift can totally change a person's day, or even their life!

So what is your calling?  Are you asking the Lord to help you find it?  It is not a matter of asking for a calling, for we all have one.  It is a matter of seeing what is already there, recognizing our gifts, and knowing how we can best serve God with them.

Kingdom of Heaven, part 3

So how should we live as members of the Kingdom of Heaven?

Jesus began his great sermon on the mount with these words, ""Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:3 (NIV) and then he went on for three chapters teaching us what life in the Kingdom of God means. You could spend a lifetime just studying that sermon!

But for now, let's take a look at one verse that finds itself right in the center of the sermon.

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:19-21 (NIV)

That is the heart of it, right there.  What do we live for every day?  What do we do with our time, talents and treasures? 

I have to admit, I am challenged by these words even as I write them here.  We are so programmed by the kingdom of this world to get all we can.  To live for ourselves, go get our "me time".  Yet Jesus teaches that this is how we lose our life, not keep it as the world promises.

Jesus ended his sermon with these words, "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.  The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash." Matthew 7:24-27 (NIV)

I would encourage you to read Matthew 5-7, prayerfully.  Let's ask the Lord how our lives measure up to life in his Kingdom.

Kingdom of Heaven - part 2

So what is the Kingdom of Heaven?

Although there are many nations, both past and present, there are really only two kingdoms.  There is the kingdom of darkness (those who belong to Satan) and there is the Kingdom of God, (or Kingdom of Heaven) those who have been born again and belong to God. 

Everyone on earth belongs to one or the other whether they do this knowingly or not. 

In Colossians we read, 

"For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." Col 1:13 (NIV)

Being saved is more than just sins washed away and a ticket to heaven.  It's about a a change in allegiance.  For lack of better words, it's membership in an entirely different nation.  We become a people, united with every other believer on the face of the earth.  Regardless of what language they speak, clothes they wear, or continent they live on.

And our kingdom is at war.

Paul famously changed sides when he went from killing Christians to preaching the Gospel.  At the time of his conversion he asked Jesus, "Who are you, Lord?" 

Jesus' reply clearly shows the change in allegiance and the Kingdom responsibility.

"'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,' the Lord replied.  'Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen and will see of me.  I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them  to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.'  Acts 26:15-18 (NIV)

What is the Kingdom of Heaven?  Simply put, it is the family of God.  Membership is automatic when we accept him as Lord. 

Kingdom of Heaven

Probably one of the most famous Bible verses has to be John 3:16.  I'm sure most of us know it by heart.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. " John 3:16 (NIV)

But what is lesser known is that this famous quote from our Lord Jesus came during a nighttime conversation with a man named Nicodemus that began like this.

"Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council.  He came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him."

Jesus replied, "Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again." John 3:1-3 (NIV)

Nicodemus was showing respect to Jesus as a great teacher, referring to him as Rabbi, and acknowledging he was from God. 

But notice what Jesus says before launching into his lesson, before even mentioning being "born again."  Back up just a little further to three very significant words.

"kingdom of God"

There is a kingdom  which you cannot enter without a spiritual rebirth, because it is a spiritual kingdom.  And as such, it transcends nationality, political parties, even dare I say? Church membership!

I'm challenged by this thought.  What does it really mean to be a part of this kingdom?  

The subject was of such importance that we find John the Baptist preaching about it up until his imprisonment.  And then Jesus' first message after being tempted by the devil in the wilderness was the same, 

"From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near." Matt 4:7 (NIV)

What is the kingdom of heaven? Give that question some thought, and these as well.

What does it mean to be a member of this kingdom?  How should our lives be different because of it? What do we do to build the kingdom?  Does this kingdom have an enemy?

Shout for Joy

I thought it fitting, with Black Friday upon us, to not let the Thanksgiving holiday pass without at least one more mention of giving thanks to the Lord.

I know the shopping has already begun.  The countdown to Christmas is here, but before we get caught up in that, let's just take a moment and pray the words of this Psalm.  I think it is good to ignore the shouts from all the advertisements, designed to get us to rush into a purchasing frenzy. 

Perhaps even print this one out and make it a daily prayer during the Christmas season.

Psalm 100 (NIV)

A psalm. For giving grateful praise.

1 Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.

2     Worship the Lord with gladness;

    come before him with joyful songs.

3 Know that the Lord is God.

    It is he who made us, and we are his;

    we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving

    and his courts with praise;

    give thanks to him and praise his name.

5 For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;

    his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving is here, and before the turkey is cold and cut up into sandwiches, our thoughts will quickly move toward Christmas.  Many may even be shopping this very day.

But before we get caught up in the holiday rush, take a moment to maybe write down what you are thankful for from this past year.  Perhaps this has been a rough year for you.  Or maybe it's been an amazing year.  More than likely it is a combination of both, still, there is always something to be thankful for.

God is good, all the time.

So, I will wish you a very happy Thanksgiving and leave you with this Scripture.

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;

    his love endures forever. "(1 Chronicles 16:34 (NIV)

Give Thanks... part 2

Continuing with Psalm 107 today...

10 Some sat in darkness, in utter darkness,

    prisoners suffering in iron chains,

11 because they rebelled against God's commands

    and despised the plans of the Most High.

12 So he subjected them to bitter labor;

    they stumbled, and there was no one to help.

13 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,

    and he saved them from their distress.

14 He brought them out of darkness, the utter darkness,

    and broke away their chains.

15 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love

    and his wonderful deeds for mankind,

16 for he breaks down gates of bronze

    and cuts through bars of iron.

Some chains do not have to be made of iron to bind us. 

Some years ago I rebelled against God in an effort to find some kind of "freedom."  But the more I sought what the world had to offer to make me free, the more in "utter darkness" I dwelled.  It took some time living that way before realizing my need for the Lord. 

What amazes me about the prisoner is this, he is in chains because of his rebellion to God, yet when he calls out to that same God, he is freed and forgiven. 

If you can relate to the prisoner, then take a moment to give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his ability to cut through the bars of iron that enslaved your soul.

Give Thanks...

With the approaching Thanksgiving holiday being within days, I thought it only fitting we take some time to read through Psalm 107. 

Life can often be difficult, and we can struggle to find something to thank the Lord for.  But this Psalm is a wonderful reminder of where we were when the Lord found us, and how to give thanks for his hearing our cry for help.

Psalm 107 begins with an exhortation to give thanks to the Lord for his goodness and love, and then for the redeemed of the Lord to tell their story.

Psalm 107 (NIV)

1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;

    his love endures forever.

2 Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story—

    those he redeemed from the hand of the foe,

3 those he gathered from the lands,

    from east and west, from north and south

What's amazing to me is the honest depiction of the different types of people there are out there, and how when they reached an end, cried out and found the Lord.  Perhaps as we read through, you and I will identify with one or more of these.

For example, the wanderer.

4 Some wandered in desert wastelands,

    finding no way to a city where they could settle.

5 They were hungry and thirsty,

    and their lives ebbed away.

6 Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble,

    and he delivered them from their distress.

7 He led them by a straight way

    to a city where they could settle.

8 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love

    and his wonderful deeds for mankind,

9 for he satisfies the thirsty

    and fills the hungry with good things.

Can you relate to that, were you the wanderer?  Perhaps you were not literally wandering about, unable to settle, but maybe, like me, you wandered through different kinds of escapes, trying to simply find peace.   And then, when all energy was spent, you cried out to the Lord and he heard you!

Take a moment to recall that time, the time of wandering and the time of deliverance, and give the Lord thanks!

Convictions

Do you go along with the crowd?  Or, do you take your time, think about and maybe research something before you come to your conclusion?

And when you have a conviction, do you stick to it?

Reading Mark today, I could not get over how fickle the people are.  Look at these two verses.

Mark 14:1-2 (NLT) "Now the Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread were only two days away, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were scheming to arrest Jesus secretly and kill him.  "But not during the festival," they said, "or the people may riot."

and  then, not very long after, when Jesus was before Pilate,

Mark 15:9-14 "Do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews?" asked Pilate,  knowing it was out of self-interest that the chief priests had handed Jesus over to him. But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have Pilate release Barabbas instead.

"What shall I do, then, with the one you call the king of the Jews?" Pilate asked them.

"Crucify him!" they shouted.

 "Why? What crime has he committed?" asked Pilate.

But they shouted all the louder, "Crucify him!"

The same people the chief priest were afraid would mob them to protect Jesus when he was teaching, turned on him after what seems like a little stirring up from them.  I guess it was no longer fashionable to support Jesus after his arrest?  I'm not sure, frankly I read this and I'm baffled by it.

But it does show that shallow convictions are not convictions at all.

I see this all the time.  I see people doing this still today.

 

Do you follow the crowd?  Do you go with what is popular?

Or do your convictions run deep?

Focus - part 2

Yesterday I  read,

" As Jesus was leaving the Temple grounds, his disciples pointed out to him the various Temple buildings. But he responded, "Do you see all these buildings? I tell you the truth, they will be completely demolished. Not one stone will be left on top of another!"

Later, Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives. His disciples came to him privately and said, "Tell us, when will all this happen? What sign will signal your return and the end of the world?" Matthew 24:1-3 (NLT)

I mentioned that the disciples question here is very telling.  They want to know "when."  But Jesus never told them. 

What he does tell them is what to look out for, and what to focus on.

In other words, he tells them how to live, so that the "when" becomes irrelevant.

So what do we focus on? 

The only lasting thing we can focus on is the Kingdom of God. 

Take a moment and try to read the next scripture as if you never heard it before.  Pretend that you have no pre-conceived notions about Christianity and see what Jesus's words say to you.

Matthew 6:19-34 (NLT)

 "Don't store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal.  Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal.  Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.

 "Your eye is like a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is filled with light. But when your eye is unhealthy, your whole body is filled with darkness. And if the light you think you have is actually darkness, how deep that darkness is!

 "No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.

 "That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn't life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don't plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren't you far more valuable to him than they are?  Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?

 "And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don't work or make their clothing,  yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.  And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?

 "So don't worry about these things, saying, 'What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?'  These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs.  Seek the Kingdom of God[e] above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

 "So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today."

Something to think about?  How does this apply to your life, right now?  What should you change about your life with regard to these words?

Focus

I was taking a walk during my lunch hour the other day.  I work in a place that has a lot of four- and five-story office buildings around it. 

The thought occurred to me, how nothing truly lasts forever.  These buildings seem so solid and permanent.  But there will come a time when they will no longer look the way they do now.  No longer in use.

It's inevitable, it has happened to every great civilization. 

Reading Matthew 24 today

" As Jesus was leaving the Temple grounds, his disciples pointed out to him the various Temple buildings. But he responded, "Do you see all these buildings? I tell you the truth, they will be completely demolished. Not one stone will be left on top of another!"

Later, Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives. His disciples came to him privately and said, "Tell us, when will all this happen? What sign will signal your return and the end of the world?" Matthew 24:1-3 (NLT)

I find the disciples question here very telling.  They want to know "when."  But Jesus never tells them. 

What he does tell them is what to look out for, and what to focus on.

In other words, he tells them how to live, so that the "when" becomes irrelevant.

So what do we focus on?  What will truly last?

More on that tomorrow.

Learning by Doing

Having played guitar for over thirty years, mostly by ear, I never had the need to learn to read music.  Sure, I knew some basic note values and staff positions, but nothing that I could consider real music reading skills.

But for piano, I decided to finally give this a go, to really strengthen that skill.

And right now, reading music takes a lot of mental effort, it is rather difficult.  I make a lot of mistakes.

What's interesting is, the only way to do this is to do it.  I can have that music book propped up on my keyboard all day long, but it won't get any easier by itself.  There is no way to learn to read unless you actually start doing it.

The same can be said of our walks with the Lord.  We can't wait until we "get our act together " to begin following him.  The only way to practice our faith is to do it.

" Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear."- Philippians 2:12 (NLT)

Thanksgiving...

When I think back to some of the things I did in my younger years, (and even my not so young years) I wish I could go back to that rebellious time and make better choices. 

That is the amazing thing about walking with the Lord, no matter how much we messed up in the past because of the foolish things we have done, he can take our broken life and make something beautiful with it.

Take a look at this part from Psalm 107 as Thanksgiving day quickly approaches!

"17 Some became fools through their rebellious ways

    and suffered affliction because of their iniquities.

18 They loathed all food

    and drew near the gates of death.

19 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,

    and he saved them from their distress.

20 He sent out his word and healed them;

    he rescued them from the grave.

21 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love

    and his wonderful deeds for mankind.

22 Let them sacrifice thank offerings

    and tell of his works with songs of joy. (NIV)

Has your life  been restored?  Do you look at all the mistakes you made and realize (with a shudder) where you would be had the Lord not reached down and saved you from that path? 

Then give him thanks for his love that never fails!

Words...

The days we live in give us access to technology that allows anyone, for free, to express whatever is on their mind at any moment. 

Facebook and Twitter, for example, give the "common" person broadcasting ability that only a few years ago was not possible for the average person. 

This can lead to a lot of knee-jerk reactions and responses to anything from what someone ate to their political views.

With that in mind, think about your use of social networking, and then read these words from James.

"Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way.

We can make a large horse go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth.  And a small rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot chooses to go, even though the winds are strong. In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches.

But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire.  And among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself." James 3:2-6 (NLT)

Keeping those words in mind, let us make it a practice to stop, pray and think before we put our words out there.

Running on Empty

When you ride a motorcycle, you notice things that you don't always see from a car.

This past weekend we were coming out of Raleigh and stopped at a light.  I notices a car ahead of us open their door and pour out the contents of what looked like a cup of soda.

As we sat at the light, I could see the small stream of liquid make its way toward me as gravity aided its decent. 

I thought, "that little stream of soda had to leave a small part of itself along the way, but soon there will be nothing left. It would just stop flowing and eventually dry up."

Our lives can feel that way at times. That's why we have to stay close to the source of true life and follow his leadings, in this way, you will never run dry.

"On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, "Anyone who is thirsty may come to me!  Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, 'Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.'" (When he said "living water," he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him. But the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet entered into his glory.)" John 7:37 - 39 (NLT)

Meanwhile, Behind the Scenes...

The book of Esther is the only book in the Bible that does not mention God by name.

Because of this, some have even questioned its place in the Bible, but, in reality, the absence of God's name fits perfectly with the theme of the book.

The point of the book of Esther appears to be showing us how God works behind the scenes.

Even though there are no miracles and no direct intervention from God, his hand is clearly seen

In Esther's story, the Lord takes care of His people through the faith and courage of one strategically placed woman and her cousin. Throughout the whole book, things are happening behind the scenes to bring about this final outcome.

So many times we sit back and wait for a sign from heaven in order to move. We pray for guidance, expecting a voice from heaven to tell us what to do.

But, as in the book of Esther, sometimes if we pay attention to the details of our lives, we can clearly see his leading. And as long as this lines up with what we know the Bible teaches, we can safely move ahead.

Back to Basics

At first, learning to read music can seem a bit overwhelming.  Taking a look at a complex music score can have almost no meaning.  Just a series of dots, lines, dashes.

It looks impressive and important.  It looks like something that can bring challenges as well as joy.

It's been years since I learned to read music, and even, then not very well.  But as I've embarked on learning how to play the piano, the challenge of reading music has come right alongside this.

At first I found the very scope of it overwhelming.  But then, as I started to break it down to basics, to understand small parts, the whole task seemed far less intimidating and actually very enjoyable.  Matching the notes on the paper to the keys on my keyboard brought a great sense of satisfaction.

It reminded me of how many people feel about reading the Bible.  They know it's important, but the very scope of it seems overwhelming.

But if you take the time and make the commitment, each thing you learn from the Holy Spirit will build on itself and soon you will find yourself asking why you didn't start sooner.

It really begins with a choice... to begin.

"For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires."  Hebrews 4:12-13 (NLT)

Unity

If this past election has anything to show us, it's that our nation appears to be more divided than it ever has been.  Friends and families find themselves at odds, co-workers have heated debates, friendships can be altered or even ended.

Although different opinions are actually healthy for any relationship, discord never is.  For a nation this could prove disastrous, for the Body of Christ, it is actually unacceptable.

Because in spite of what church you may attend on Sunday, in the kingdom of God, there is only one body.

As Paul tells us.

"There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called;  one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. -Ephesians 4:4-6 (NIV)

In light of this, let's join Jesus in his prayer in John 17:21 

"I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me." (NLT)

Unity in the body of Christ is essential for the health of us all.

Today's Issues

Like everyone else I have watched our nation's history unfold over the past years.  Everyone seems to have an opinion on where the church of God should land on many of the issues facing us today.

However, take a moment and reflect on what these words mean.

"I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—  for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.  This is good, and pleases God our Savior,  who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth." 

1 Timothy 2:1-4 (NIV)

How does this apply to you, today?  Is this something you take to heart as the word of God?  Have more complaints left your lips than prayers?  Are you discussing issues more than praying about them?

How will you continue for the next four years, now that you have read the above Scripture?

Making Music

A little while ago, I decided to purchase an inexpensive keyboard and learn a thing or two about playing the piano.  Having some musical knowledge, I was able to begin plunking away making some nice sounds.

Then I decided to see what was out there on YouTube that I could learn from. 

What amazed me is the beautiful music a true piano player can produce with access to the same notes I have.

The instrument can be exactly the same, what makes the music amazing, or not, is the hands that play it. 

The same can be said of our lives.  When we are in charge of our own decisions, we are playing with our life.  But when we surrender to the master, our lives can take on a beauty that we never dreamed possible.

Reading Jeremiah 18:1-6

"This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord:  "Go down to the potter's house, and there I will give you my message."  So I went down to the potter's house, and I saw him working at the wheel.  But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him. 

Then the word of the Lord came to me.  He said, "Can I not do with you, Israel, as this potter does?" declares the Lord. "Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, Israel. " (NIV)

Are you allowing the Lord to play, or have you shoved him aside to make your own music?

Individuals

Last time, we were looking at a healing that always baffled me.  I presented it, and asked you to think about a few things,

As a reminder, this was the scripture.

Mark 7:31-35 "Then Jesus left the vicinity of Tyre and went through Sidon, down to the Sea of Galilee and into the region of the Decapolis. There some people brought to him a man who was deaf and could hardly talk, and they begged Jesus to place his hand on him.

After he took him aside, away from the crowd, Jesus put his fingers into the man's ears. Then he spit and touched the man's tongue.  He looked up to heaven and with a deep sigh said to him, "Ephphatha!" (which means "Be opened!").  At this, the man's ears were opened, his tongue was loosened and he began to speak plainly." (NIV)

My questions were, why would he do all that?  Why is this healing so different from others?  Why did he take the man away from the crowd?  What's with the spit and sticking his fingers into the man's ears?

Jesus is able to heal a person without them even being present (as with the centurion's servant,), so why all this apparent drama?

I think this is an example of how God treats us all as individuals.  Although he could have healed this man differently, this is the way he chose. 

We have a habit of wanting to put people into categories.  We tell people they are certain personality types that can then be classified and dealt with accordingly. 

I'm thankful that we serve a God who sees us, each one of us, for all the wonderful complexity of who we are.

Only an all powerful God is capable of that.

Healing

There is a healing that always baffled me.  I honestly don't have a definite answer, so I'll simply present it to you to you to think about.

Mark 7:31-35 "Then Jesus left the vicinity of Tyre and went through Sidon, down to the Sea of Galilee and into the region of the Decapolis. There some people brought to him a man who was deaf and could hardly talk, and they begged Jesus to place his hand on him.

After he took him aside, away from the crowd, Jesus put his fingers into the man's ears. Then he spit and touched the man's tongue.  He looked up to heaven and with a deep sigh said to him, "Ephphatha!" (which means "Be opened!").  At this, the man's ears were opened, his tongue was loosened and he began to speak plainly." (NIV)

Now my questions are, why would he do all that?  Why is this healing so different from others?  Why did he take the man away from the crowd?  What's with the spit and sticking his fingers in the man's ears?

Jesus is able to heal a person without them even being present (as with the centurion's servant), so why all this apparent drama?"

I have my own speculations, but for today I'd rather leave this one for you to simply ponder.

And I'll share my thoughts on this in the next Daily Rock

Lord, Teach Us...

Reading Luke 11 today, the chapter starts,

"One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples." (NIV)

Sometimes we just skip ahead in this scripture to get to the "meat" of it.

The Lord's prayer.  Even people who don't read the bible regularly, those who don't memorize Scripture, know this prayer.

But before reading on, think about this first verse.  Read it again.

"One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples."

Just hearing Jesus pray caused his disciples to ask him to teach them.

Do you know anyone like that today?  

Are you that kind of person? Someone whose prayer life inspires others to desire more just by hearing you pray?

What was it about Jesus' prayers that lead his disciples to ask?

I'm challenged by this thought, where are the prayer warriors today?

Something to think about?

In Step?

In Galatians 5:22-23, Paul tells us 

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." (NIV)

I recently read an interesting thought in the book "Forgotten God, written by Francis Chan.

He posed a question; based on the fact that  we have the Holy Spirit dwelling inside of us, shouldn't we have a supernatural advantage (over those who have not accepted Christ,) to excel in the areas that the fruit of the Spirit represent?

Shouldn't then Christians be the most loving?  The most peaceful?  The most patient?  Exhibiting the most self control?  This list goes on and on.

I am challenged by this.

Because if our display of these attributes are no different, or even worse, than someone who has not accepted Christ (and therefore does not have the Holy Spirit imparting them) then what does that say about us?

Perhaps we are not keeping as much in step with the Holy Spirit as we may assume we do?

As Paul goes on to say, "Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.  Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.  Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other." VV 24-26

Are we truly in step with the Holy Spirit?

The Holy Spirit

What could be better than having Jesus, in the flesh, walking with you day by day?

Jesus said to his disciples, 

"but now I am going to him who sent me. None of you asks me, 'Where are you going?'  Rather, you are filled with grief because I have said these things.  But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you." John 16:5-7 (NIV)

Jesus, speaking of the coming of the Holy Spirit, said that it was good that he left so that the Spirit would come.

Do we give any thought to the Holy Spirit?  Do we understand who he is or what his role is in our life?

What does this even mean to us today?

Take a moment and read this scripture where Jesus promises the Holy Spirit

"If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.  Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.  Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them."

Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, "But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?"

Jesus replied, "Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.  Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.

 "All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

 "You heard me say, 'I am going away and I am coming back to you.' If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe.  I will not say much more to you, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold over me,  but he comes so that the world may learn that I love the Father and do exactly what my Father has commanded me.

"Come now; let us leave."  John 14:15-31 (NIV)

What does this mean to you?

Our Greatest Need

Sometimes we think we know what is right, sometimes we feel if we had the power of God, we would know just what people need and give it to them.

Reading in Matthew 9,

"Jesus stepped into a boat, crossed over and came to his own town.  Some men brought to him a paralyzed man, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, "Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven."

Doesn't a paralyzed man need to walk?  Wouldn't that be the greatest need he had?  Why didn't Jesus simply heal the man?

Perhaps it's because Jesus knew that to simply heal him wasn't nearly enough for what was grieving this man's heart.  Jesus saw that his need for forgiveness outweighed the need to walk for this man.  Jesus also saw an opportunity, not only to forgive this man's sins, but to point to himself as being able to forgive all our sins.

Continuing to read...

At this, some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, "This fellow is blaspheming!"

Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, "Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts?  Which is easier: to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up and walk'? But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins." So he said to the paralyzed man, "Get up, take your mat and go home." Then the man got up and went home.  When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to man." Matthew 9: 1-8 (NIV)

After all, what good does it do any of us to have our needs for today met, if in the end we die in our sin?