His faithfulness, not our methods.

 

John answered, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not follow with us.” But Jesus said to him, “Do not stop him, for the one who is not against you is for you.”    Luke 9:49-50 (ESV) Methods vary; principles do not. Because something “works” does not mean that we should emulate the method. Often God works though hearts that are right, and the methods are just that, methods. I am sure there are people who have come to Christ due to various self-imposed crises in their lives. Yet, we would be foolish to promote self-imposed crises as an evangelistic method. Our actions will always be suspect to criticism, and, almost without exception, when we look backwards, we see that we could have, and maybe should have, done things differently. We will always operate with limited vision. We will never really know the future. We can never really know how individuals will respond to what is said or done. A method that worked today with one group of people may not work tomorrow with another. It is our heart that God looks at and blesses. We need to make sure our hearts are right and then move ahead with boldness. If success is found, we can rejoice in His faithfulness, not our methods.

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The only greatest...

 

An argument arose among them as to which of them was the greatest. But Jesus, knowing the reasoning of their hearts, took a child and put him by his side and said to them, “Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. For he who is least among you all is the one who is great.”   Luke 9:46-48 (ESV) Why is it we concern ourselves with who is the greatest? Our body does not argue about what body part is the greatest. A healthy body functions without highlighting the individual parts. It is silly to begin to assign importance to various parts. Mature believers know that the body of Christ is operating best when Christ alone is magnified, and they will avoid all opportunities to point to themselves. When a person is praised, God’s role is diminished, and the door to idol worship is open. Healthy people live in context. They understand that they are the created ones, not the creator. They know that they are dependent upon God for sustaining them, and they are often reminded of the devastation of sin and the frailty of this life. Mercy and grace are important to the healthy because they know God’s mercy gives us entrance into His family, and His grace allows us to live abundant lives. The only greatest one is God, and those who try to take His place will be disgraced and humiliated. For now, the choice is ours.

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Focus on enjoying God

 

And all were astonished at the majesty of God. But while they were all marveling at everything he was doing, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let these words sink into your ears: The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men.” But they did not understand this saying, and it was concealed from them, so that they might not perceive it. And they were afraid to ask him about this saying.    Luke 9:43-45 (ESV) It is difficult to change a mind that is made up. The text tells us that, for some reason, the truth here was concealed from them at this time. This shows that God is at work in our hearts and reveals things to us when we are ready for them. There will be times of confusion with us, but we must always remember that God is never confused, and as we wait upon Him, in His presence, He will sort out the blurry details. We also need to see that we have a tendency to believe what we already believe. It seems the disciples wanted Jesus to be an earthly Savior or King, yet, He was speaking of dying, raising then leaving. It seems that the common notion of who Jesus should be was being shattered, and therefore, the believers remained confused. When we do not understand what is happening, it is okay to ask God and to confess to Him that we are confused, knowing that He is not. He will answer us in a manner that will demand faith and be consistent with what we can actually handle. We need to focus on enjoying God, not understanding or controlling Him.

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Alive and Well

 

Now about eight days after these sayings he took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray. And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white. And behold, two men were talking with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.    Luke 9:28-31 (ESV) Imagine having a conversation with Moses and Elijah. For those who are in the family of God, you might just do that one day. So often we are fixed on our lives today, and what is happening around us, that we lose sight of what is to come. We forget that people like Moses, Elijah, David, Daniel, Joseph, and more are alive and well and enjoying the blessings of eternity. They all have finished their work and are now enjoying eternity. It is fascinating that Jesus decided to talk with Moses and Elijah, as if they just needed to chat a bit. Today, all who have lived and died before us are very much alive somewhere doing something. Those who have been ignoring God all their lives will try to convince themselves and others that this life is all there is. They will live as if that is true. They will live a lie and one day be laughed at by the evil one as they suffer for eternity for their choice to ignore God. Those, like Moses and Elijah, who knew and followed God, will be enjoying eternity with God. Conversations with God will be normal, as they had been all their lives, and their demonstration of their love for each other will continue, face to face, for eternity. For now, the choice is ours.

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Ashamed?

 

For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels."   Luke 9:26 (ESV)  Why would we be ashamed of God and His words? Why is a child embarrassed by an involved parent? It seems we desire, even strive towards, independence. The words of God show that we are dependent upon Him. Often the words of our parents show our dependence upon them. In time, normally, the child who has been ashamed to be seen with his/her parent, is proud of them, and delighted to be his/her child. In time, as you spend time with God, you become delighted to be His child. The immature are self-focused or absorbed; the mature focus on others. Those who are ashamed of God’s Word and involvement in their lives do not know God. Those who do not know God do not know Him because they choose to not know Him. Are you ashamed to identify with God?

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Life comes from death.

 

For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?"   Luke 9:24-25 (ESV) “The gain is present. Self-love, love of the world, or the things of the world, as a primary and all-absorbing principle of the soul, is ruinous to the entire life—the soul. But the man who sets his affections on Christ and things above—such a man saves his soul and secures his interests for eternity. This consecration to Christ brings present gain. A man gives himself up to the service of God, and what follows? He keeps his life.”  (J. T. Higgins) We may learn why it is the happiness of Christians is so imperfect. They have only partially denied themselves; are only partially resigned to the love and service of their Maker. Hence they are still in part devoted to the world and fettered by it blot till the last link is sundered, and their souls entirely absorbed in Christ, can they attain to a perfect joy. Not till they are wholly dead can they wholly live. (R. D. Hitchcock, D. D.) This is one of the clearest principles in Scripture. Life comes from death. There are no exceptions. Learn More at Relate365.com

That Which Is

 

"For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?"   Luke 9:24-25 (ESV) It seems easy to work at preserving something we cannot preserve. We try to gain life by focusing on life when life is only found in dying in this life. In fact, real life, eternal life, starts when this life ends. For the grieving, a phase of life has ended, and only the unknown lies ahead. For the parting, new and abundant life awaits them. I have often wondered what those who have gone before us would say to us if they had the chance. I cannot know for sure, but I would think it would have to do with the foolishness of all the time we spent trying to find life, in life. I think they would warn us about missing out on what will be certain for that which is and will always be uncertain.

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Religious Zealots

 

And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.   Luke 9:23 (ESV) Denying self is something that can easily turn into a fuel line for pride, arrogance, and give a false sense of importance due to our self-abuse. We must be careful to recognize both the cart and the horse, and not allow the cart to get in front of the horse. Denying self is something people do when they realize that the urges and desires of self are a dead-end street, and they choose to listen to the commands of God because of who He is. If we know God, really know Him, we want to listen to Him, and when we listen to Him and find His ways in conflict with our ways, we adjust our ways. When we adjust our ways without knowing Him, we become religious zealots who do more harm to the Kingdom than good. The message in this verse is simple, direct, and life transformational for those who choose to listen.

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Simple, Clear and Easy to Distinguish

 

And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me."    Luke 9:23 (ESV) “I cannot help thinking that our Christianity in these days would be considerably improved if we had a little more of it infused into our daily lives. What is it? It is just when we begin to yearn for the likeness of Christ, and long to be conformed to His image—when we begin to see clearly that the path which the Master trod was one of humiliation and reproach, and that there are plenty of sorrows to be borne, and plenty of difficulties to be battled with—it is just then that Satan will, if he can, prevent even this new-born light arising within our soul, and endeavour to turn that very light into darkness.” W. H. Hay Aitken Denying self is the foundational brick of Christianity. Picking up our cross, or purpose, daily is our primary function. In this verse we see the most basic of instructions that yield the greatest effect. Its yield is so great that Jesus claims that we are not followers if we do not demonstrate these two qualities. This is simple, clear, and easy to distinguish. How are we doing on this?

Focused and Faithful

 

And he strictly charged and commanded them to tell this to no one, saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.”    Luke 9:21-22 (ESV) Jesus knew suffering, misunderstanding, and hardship was going to be part of the plan, and He still was willing to work the plan. He understood that He would be lied about, hated for no cause and beaten by the very people He created to love. Yet He remained focused and faithful. Being focused and faithful is necessary for those who are successful in life, and, ultimately, successful in death. Focused and faithful allows one to care about what matters and healthily ignore what does not. Being focused and faithful gives hope during hopeless times, gives help when helpless, and gives night vision in the dark. When one has legitimate power and authority, they need not prove it to anyone, for it will be proven, in time, in a proper manner. Jesus was God’s Son, God in the flesh, and came to this earth to die for the very sins that were being committed against Him. He was the definition of love and responsibility. The world today can ignore Jesus or deny Him, as they did back then, but why would anyone want to do that?

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Repentance provides the only gate to restoration.

 Now it happened that as he was praying alone, the disciples were with him. And he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” And they answered, “John the Baptist. But others say, Elijah, and others, that one of the prophets of old has risen.” Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” And Peter answered, “The Christ of God.”   Luke 9:18-20 (ESV)

The crowd cannot determine what is right or wrong. It can only determine what is normal. If we allow the crowd, or the Godless mob, to define normalcy we will see the ugliest side of human behavior. What is worse, those who teach that the truths of God’s Word should be normal will be considered deviants.

Crowds/Mobs will always punish what they consider deviant behavior, for the very presence of those they consider deviant might destroy the foundations of their ideology.

Ideas have consequences, for all the actions of man were birthed in ideology. When the ideology is altered, our behavior is altered.

If we want to see what is coming or we want to know why people think the way they do today, we need to examine what ideologies they were taught throughout the educational system. Since we have not seen the danger of educators embracing liberal ideologies, we have lost a generation, and are on the verge of losing a culture. Repentance provides the only gate to restoration.

The scriptures do not teach an ideology. They teach truth on which all ideology will be judged.

Impossible situations are only impossible to man.

 

Now the day began to wear away, and the twelve came and said to him, “Send the crowd away to go into the surrounding villages and countryside to find lodging and get provisions, for we are here in a desolate place.” But he said to them, “You give them something to eat.” They said, “We have no more than five loaves and two fish—unless we are to go and buy food for all these people.”   Luke 9:12-13 (ESV) The disciples were in a great position to learn about God, life, and opportunities. They would learn that God had no limitations. They would learn that life can be exciting and fulfilling. They would learn that the greatest apparent problems in life are often the greatest opportunities. If they were paying attention, they would also learn that problems were there to be solved, not to be moaned about. Proclaiming that there were hungry people gathered in a desolate place was obvious and a waste of time and energy.  Looking for a way to show who God is through the situation brings hope, develops a plan, and begins a process that God could bless. Impossible situations are only impossible to man. Nothing is impossible with God. I need to act in accordance with reality instead of in accordance with my fears.

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Freedom in Service

And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal. And he said to them, “Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not have two tunics. And whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart. And wherever they do not receive you, when you leave that town shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them.” And they departed and went through the villages, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.   Luke 9:1-6 (ESV) It is easy traveling if you have no burden. They were on His business, sent by Him, and He assumed their care, and forbade them to trust themselves, or any other but Him. What a load of care goes off with this, what a burden of responsibility is removed; but what faith and humility is needed! Some of them had been called away from full nets (Luke 5:11), and it takes faith to follow under such circumstances. Many would start if they were permitted to carry the fish, but they are afraid. Afraid—of what, or whom? How strange to their eyes would some of us appear, as we go forth to our work, clothed in rags of self-righteousness and wrappers of pride, loaded with burdens of care and sin? Too much like the Israelites, leaving Egypt with flocks and herds, clothes and kettles, bread and kneading troughs; delivered from bondage, but knowing nothing of the manna, or the water from the rock. Others are afraid to go, fearing to swing off from their earthly base of supplies, and trust the promises of God. But it is all explained in the word, “Lo, I am with you away.” And what for? (Sunday School Times) How free they must have felt to be able to focus on their ministry rather than their provision. What lessons can those who raise support today learn from these directives?

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Only a fool would disagree...

 And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal. And he said to them, “Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not have two tunics. And whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart. And wherever they do not receive you, when you leave that town shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them.” And they departed and went through the villages, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.   Luke 9:1-6 (ESV)

It is interesting that Jesus told those He sent out to take nothing with them. Was this because He wanted them to be poor? Was it because there was nothing to take? Was it to force humility?

Jesus knew what He was talking about. He left Heaven, all His power, all His glory, all His majesty, and more. He left on a mission to earth to live among His people. He depended upon God alone.

Jesus did not seem to leave contingency plans. He said go, live within the means that those you minister to provide for you. Focus on ministry, not on money.

Jesus knew that about what He was talking. Only a fool would disagree with Him.

“Awe” is the “fruit” of healthy thinking.

 

And when he came to the house, he allowed no one to enter with him, except Peter and John and James, and the father and mother of the child. And all were weeping and mourning for her, but he said, “Do not weep, for she is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. But taking her by the hand he called, saying, “Child, arise.” And her spirit returned, and she got up at once. And he directed that something should be given her to eat.   Luke 8:51-55 (ESV) Jesus was about to demonstrate that He was God. People laughed. The idea that Jesus was God, that He controlled life and death, was ludicrous to the Godless. There are many truths that are ludicrous to the Godless such as these: The idea of an all-powerful God who created and sustains the universe. The idea of sin and its devastation to all relationships The idea of truth The idea of finding life in death We tend to marginalize and ridicule the things in life we do not understand, yet there is so much we do not understand. If we decided to ridicule everything we did not understand, we would live a most miserable life. Healthy people are usually awed by things that are too big for them to understand, and those things usually bring them to God. Unhealthy people lose their awe, try to come up with explanations for everything even if they need to make it up and live miserable self- centered lives. Those who examine the wonders of creation will be in awe, for “awe” is the “fruit” of healthy thinking.

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Just Believe?

 

But Jesus on hearing this answered him, “Do not fear; only believe, and she will be well.”  Luke 8:50 (ESV) When we read this encounter, we see the importance of “believing” or faith. We are told in Hebrews that without faith we cannot please God. It is clear that those who are successful in God’s eyes are people who believe, people of faith. Yet the idea of belief and faith by themselves falls short. It is not important that we believe in something. It is important that we believe in God, the one and true God, the only God. It is not important that we believe in someone’s rhetoric, but in truth. Our belief or faith is only as good as the object in which it is. If we believe in ourselves, then we are only as strong and powerful as we can be. If we believe in government, church leaders, or educational systems, we can only be as strong as those institutional leaders are strong. In order to have any benefit from a belief system or our faith, we must believe/have faith in something worthy of belief. God is the only one who fits that category. Those who do not believe in God, or who have trouble with faith in God, do not know Him, for when you know Him, you rest in what you know about Him. It is not necessary to have understanding in order to have faith, it is necessary to know the truth, and when you apply the truth, you are living out your faith. “Just believe” is a nice ditty that is an incomplete thought that will lead people to destruction should they just believe in something other than God.

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Faith in?

 

But Jesus said, “Someone touched me, for I perceive that power has gone out from me.” And when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.”   Luke 8:46-48 (ESV) God knows our pain, and He knows how to deal with our pain. He can relieve our pain or use our pain to make us strong. He can demonstrate His faithfulness though our pain, or use our pain to communicate with us. Some take these verses and put the cause of this woman’s healing on the woman’s back due to the fact that she has faith. They will take a passage like this and exhort others to have more faith in order to get God to give them what they want. Yet faith is a byproduct, not something we can produce for a moment. Faith comes from hearing the Word of God and applying it. Our faith is not in our ability to have faith, but in what God has said, what God has and is doing, and in God’s power, ability, love, mercy, and grace. Knowing God produces faith. Perhaps Jesus could have said this to this woman: “You know me well and have acted in accordance with what you know. Because of that, you have been healed.” However, it was much simpler and to the point to say that her faith had healed you.   If I want more faith, I need to spend more time with God and live in the context of what I know.

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We were made...

 

“And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and though she had spent all her living on physicians, she could not be healed by anyone. She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, and immediately her discharge of blood ceased."    Luke 8:43-44 (ESV)   Proximity to God is the most important ingredient to a successful life. If one is sick or in danger, lonely, tired, discouraged, or confused, close proximity to God allows you to rest. We were not made to go it alone, without God, our Shepherd. We were not made to fight the enemy because we have no need to fight when we are close to God. We were not made to fret or be anxious and we have no way of making fretting and anxiousness valuable. We were made to be close to God, to trust Him, to enjoy Him, and thereby enjoy each other and this life that He has given us. The evil one continually does what he can to lure us from Him knowing that on our own we are no match for him. For now, the choice is ours.

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Acknowledgement of God

 

Jesus then asked him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Legion,” for many demons had entered him. And they begged him not to command them to depart into the abyss."    Luke 8:30-31 (ESV) Satan and his followers know who God is and know that when He speaks, they must listen. It seems they know more than we know. Because of the unique love relationship God has for man, He gives us choice, real choice. With real choice comes real consequences, and although God is not tolerant, He is patient. A proper relationship starts with the acknowledgement of God as God, just as Satan and the demons seem to do, yet it does not end there. A proper relationship with God is demonstrated by those who obey God because of His love, not because they have no choice. One day we will be in the position where our choice will be gone, but while we have one, it is meaningful because of its demonstration to ourselves and to the world of what we believe. Those who fear God because of His love can live healthy lives. Those who fear Him because of His power and judgement will most likely experience His power and judgement both in ways they would rather not see. For now, the choice is mine.

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Where is our Faith?

"One day he got into a boat with his disciples, and he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side of the lake.” So they set out, and as they sailed he fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water and were in danger. And they went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and the raging waves, and they ceased, and there was a calm. He said to them, “Where is your faith?” And they were afraid, and they marveled, saying to one another, “Who then is this, that he commands even winds and water, and they obey him?”    Luke 8:22-25 (ESV) Jesus has no perspective, He only knows truth, which, in reality, is without perspective. Therefore, when Jesus asks, “Where is your faith?” He is really talking about what they believe, and the fact that they have yet to actually believe the truth that has been evident. We all have truth that is evident in our lives, and we all go through times when the evident truth is not so evident. It is at that moment that we need to ask ourselves the same question. Where is our faith, the faith we have studied about, proclaimed, taught, and supposedly love?

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Why Worship God?

 

"No one after lighting a lamp covers it with a jar or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light. For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light. Take care then how you hear, for to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he thinks that he has will be taken away.”    Luke 8:16-18 (ESV) Why would you hide the obvious? Is it possible to hide the obvious? Can we ever really have secrets? God sees all, knows all, understands all, and still loves us. We have never been able to hide from Him, keep any secrets from Him, or successfully lie or manipulate Him. At times, we think we have a private life, and we might when it comes to people, but with God and the Heavenly hosts, we have never had a private moment. This might scare those who do not understand the love of God or those who have worked diligently at a reputation that has been perpetuated on perception. God has no perception., He just knows things the way they are. He knows things the way they are and He still loves us, sent His Son to die for us, and wants us to enjoy Him now and forever. There are many reasons to worship God. His love for us is perhaps the most powerful.

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