Stretched Out

Sometimes as you read the Bible, a word stops you and “asks” you to investigate it further. Recently, as I was reading Acts 12:5 (CSB), that word was “fervently.” Now, it’s not the first time that I’ve paid attention to this word. It’s that kind of word that jumps out at you to be noticed. This time, however, the Spirit intended to take me deeper.

I looked up the Greek word used by Luke. It is ektenos, which means fervent, earnest, or intense, but I also noticed that it is from a verb that means to stretch out the hand or to be stretched out. The latter made me think of prayer warriors stretched flat out on the ground in prayer, in this context, for Peter’s rescue from Herod. This is a serious position in prayer. So, yes, that’s an echo of other studies of this passage that I’ve done.

However, as I moved forward in the chapter to Acts 12:11, after Peter was set free by the angel, I read Peter’s words, “Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from Herod’s grasp and from all that the Jewish people expected.”

Herod thought he had Peter in his grasp, just as he had had James, who he killed with the sword. But the truth was the Church through prayer (12:5) were stretching out God’s hand to grasp Peter. Notably, that’s the power—the faith expressed—when Christ Followers take the work of prayer seriously.

Jesus taught the disciples, in a parable, “to the effect that they ought always to pray and not to turn coward (faint, lose heart, and give up).” (Luke 18:1 AMPC) Meyer’s NT Commentary notes that this parable in Luke 18 “was calculated to stimulate them to unremitting prayer.” As the Amplified Bible describes, that’s the kind of prayer that doesn’t give up, the kind of prayer that stretches out the hand. If I had a movie of this parable in my mind’s eye, it would be of the widow down on her knees or even face down stretching out her hand to the judge as she pleads against her adversary before him. She persisted in prayer until she received her answer.

The parables aren’t just nice stories. They are the Word of God written to instruct us. Paul wrote, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” (2 Timothy 3:16 NKJV)

The question Jesus asked as He ended the parable was, “When I, the Messiah, return, how many will I find who have faith and are praying?” (Luke 18:8 TLB)

Are we in these times as the end draws near stretching out our hands exemplifying faith in prayer? Our world is running out of time. We need to be a part of their rescue out of the hand of our adversary.

So be it!

Encouragement, i.e., Words to Strengthen Your Heart

This past week of mid-July, my Scripture reading plan had me reading the book of Isaiah. As I read chapter 21 in the Amplified version, verse 16 stood out to me. Isaiah’s writing in previous verses spoke of God’s plan, specifically His plan to deal with rebellious, wicked nations. Note the last phrase of verse 16: “For the Lord has said this to me, “Within a year, according to the years of a hired man [who will work no longer than was agreed], all the splendor of [the tribe] of Kedar will end.” Doesn’t sound much like good news.

So, the encouragement that stood out to me? It’s that middle phrase clarified by the Amplified in brackets.

The plans of the Lord God Almighty happen—not one day late nor one day early, not even one minute late nor even one minute early. God’s timing is perfect, never too long, never too short. He is always on time. Always and exactly.

Whatever the plan of God entails, He Himself said, “Just as I have intended, so it has certainly happened, and just as I have planned so it will stand.” (Isaiah 14:21 AMP) Did you catch that the tense of His words is past, is accomplished already?

That means, as Christ Followers, we can be sure that statement is not just true of the punishment of those who reject the Lord, but it is true of us. Every moment of our life is timed perfectly on the schedule of our lives for His good purpose—never too early and never too late. It’s just as Paul wrote—

And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose. … What then shall we say to all these things? If God is for us, who can be [successful] against us? (Romans 8:28, 31 AMP)

For this reason, we can be encouraged and have peace in the craziness of this land of the living. The perfect peace of Christ, our God of peace, is ours as we keep our mind steadfastly committed and focused on Him in both inclination and character (See Isaiah 26:3 AMP), as we abide in God’s love which Jesus Himself and the Apostle John both urge of us.

It’s the same peace indicated by Isaiah 66:12, “This is what the Lord says: “I will give her peace that will flow to her like a river. The wealth of the nations will come flowing to her. Like babies you will be nursed and held in my arms. You will be bounced on my knees.” (International Children’s Bible)

So, as you face all that this life throws at you each day and just want to throw it back, remember the Sovereign Creator God who orchestrated—from the beginning—the path of each star to mark out the signs and seasons for the people of this earth. He has a plan for you within all the happenings of this life that is perfectly timed for you. Let His peace amidst those things be a flood of peace washing over you.

And keep in mind that the One who sent you into the storm has a great purpose. It’s in the storms of life that we get to see the glory of our God while we grow from faith to faith. So, rest in the fact that the One whose throne is in heaven and whose footstool is on earth has got you! Amen and amen!

Weedless Sanctuary

There’s something satisfying about watching a jungle of a yard mowed and trimmed and edged until all the disorder is made, neat even if only for a time. That is because if not maintained, the lawn will grow grass high enough one has to wade through and thick enough it will cover or hide toys, flowerpots, and other bits left laying around. Bushes and trees will get scraggly. Leaves and dirt will compost and make soil thick enough to cover up patios, sidewalks, and driveways. Ivy and other vines will wrap around whatever they can cling to and even wind themselves through siding and shingles into structures. A neighbor experienced this when a vine put forth leaves into their bedroom decorating the wall. The beauty of the vine on the side of their house had lost its attraction.

It takes consistent, persistent maintenance to have a yard that is neat and sweet. It takes hard work to have a lawn that’s a sanctuary to retreat to and enjoy. Without someone’s hard work, the jungle takes over, sort of like the tomato plants in our garden. And not only that, but critters also move it to make it their home. The ivy around several trees at my in-laws had become so overwhelming that when it was finally trimmed, mouse after mouse burst from their hiding places. Mouse after mouse after mouse! We lost count as the brush was cleared.

This brought to my mind the parable Jesus told in Matthew 12:43-45 of the demon returning to the cleaned house and reoccupying it. The house was cleaned but that wasn’t enough.

Just like it’s not enough to one-time clean our yard or our house and be satisfied. It takes frequent, continuous work to maintain that state. Author Ron Graham wrote, “We learn the lesson from this parable that, when we get rid of evil, we must fill the void with good, otherwise the evil will come back with a vengeance. It is like weeding a garden but neglecting to fill it with good plants and leaving the ground bare. Many more weeds will soon infest the soil than you removed.”

Therefore, to have a satisfying walk with Jesus, one that has order, one that is sweet, one that is keeping out the weeds and critters of life, we must be willing to do the work it takes. We have to willingly fill our lives with the work of worship, prayer, and digging into God’s Word, which will affect our walk of faith and make our witness be one that reflects the joy of the Lord as our strength. That will make our lives a sanctuary and draw others to Jesus.

This is exactly what the life of every Jesus follower should look like. We are meant to be weedless sanctuaries filled up with the Presence of the Lord.

And, oh dear, that brought to mind Jesus using a whip to clean up the Temple in Jerusalem—twice! His desire is for us to be sanctuaries cleansed from the world and ones that honor Him. I think that means much of the work that Paul wrote of in Philippians 2:12-13 (NLT).

So, dear friends, let us work hard to show the results of our salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in us, giving us the desire and the power to do what pleases Him. In the Name above all names, Jesus, may it be so!

Pet Stress and Character

As I write this, I am feeling stressed about my husband leaving me for almost a week with all three dogs (and the three cats—but they don’t count) while he travels to California to judge a dog field trial. Caring for three energic Labradors—well, at least two since one is almost 11 years old—is not something I’m looking forward to. They are mostly indoors unless they are out in the field doing training. That is indoors in a single story, about 1,200 square feet, ranch style house. It will be days of early mornings, so I’ll need to get used to early to bed nights to compensate. Oh, and did I forget to mention one of them is pregnant and has been having the effects of occasional bouts of nausea? The 11-year-old has learned that if he doesn’t want to go outside, he rolls over and plays like he’s a log. And as of yesterday, he has bandages and boots on two feet, each with an infected toe. Sigh.

A quiet moment.

As I wrote, I’m feeling stressed and a bit irritated about it all. And then…well, then, I read these words in the book, “Jesus Followers.” ---- “The phrase small irritations brings to mind the many pets we’ve had over the years, which were not only sources of pleasure but also sources of aggravation that God used to develop our character.” Catch that last phrase? “To develop our character.”

Isn’t that just like God to make a point drive deep? It’s not like He and I haven’t already been having conversations about this upcoming week of dog care. So, He knows my attitude isn’t what it should be. “Our faith is walked out in our everyday attitudes and actions,” (“Jesus Followers”) which includes being the caregiver for these three pet children.

The Lord used Rachel-Ruth Lotz Graham’s words to remind me that I need to reshape my attitude since He’ll be there to see me through being their sole caregiver. So, in my reading journal, I jotted, “Lord, help my stress with pets develop godly character.” That’s the hope for every trial/struggle/problem we face—that as we walk with Jesus through them, He will shape us into His likeness. He’ll give us His attitude, His character.

I am reading an advance copy of “Jesus Followers,” by Anne Graham Lotz and Rachel-Ruth Lotz Wright. The focus of their book is leaning into Jesus in all parts of our lives, striving to run our race of faith with responsibility, diligence, and perseverance so that we pass that Baton of Truth onto the next generation, to those who are watching how we live out our faith, especially when we are stressed and irritated by the struggles of life or when we are in pain and suffering.

“Jesus Followers” is brimming with real life examples from both the authors’ personal lives and their observations of those with whom they did life with, particularly close relatives, which include Billy and Ruth Graham. And I do mean “real life” examples. Their stories reveal lives lived that modeled what it is like to walk trusting the Lord in difficult situations, worshipping Him when all your humanity wants to do is complain and/or cry.

Anne and Rachel-Ruth's book reminds us that we who have that identity are to live “aware of life’s brevity” so as to “prompt us to live each day with greater intention so that we leave a legacy of faith for those who follow” and in order that they, too, will carry forward the Baton of Truth.” A pew research of university students recently revealed that it’s long before students go to college that this baton slipped out of their hands. That means it was starting to slip before they left their parents’ home and their home church. “Parents, hands down, are the biggest influence on a child. Our children imitate whatever they see us doing.” (“Jesus Followers”)

It’s vital for each Jesus follower to live out an intentional, moment-by-moment, totally committed, totally surrendered walk with Jesus in every circumstance that proves He is our strength and joy. That’s how that Baton of Truth is passed. That’s what helps the next generation grasp that baton firmly and run their race.

I recommend that you make this a must-read book to encourage you as you follow Jesus so that you are helped to hand off the Baton of Truth to those in your life. As I write this, the book is in preorder status. But if you preorder, you’ll benefit by receiving some bonuses which are available until October 4, 2021.

Adequate Versus Inspiring

Have you ever wondered why so many Christian church buildings are beyond just what is adequate, beyond what simply will work or be sufficient to get the job done? Have you ever said to yourself that money could have been used for the poor, the homeless, the needy?

Hmm. I’ve often thought that myself when looking at cathedrals like Notre Dame, the Crystal Cathedral, or even my own church’s castle-like structure. 

However, as I read “Person of Interest,” J. Warner Wallace’s new book, I had to rethink my opinion that these churches were wastefully elaborate and overly costly. My perspective was changed when I read J. Warner Wallace’s chapter on how Jesus’ followers influenced art—which would include architectural design.

As with our own church building and those I mentioned and many, many others, the desire of early Christians as well as Jesus’ followers today was and now is to worship in buildings that represent well the light, the glory, and the majesty of the Lord of lords, the God of gods, and the King of kings. The latter is said to be the reason our church building looks like a mini castle.

Additionally, what stood out me in this portion of “Person of Interest” is not just that Christians built such beyond the adequate buildings but how, in the process of constructing buildings that inspired, they made advances in structure that have transformed architectural design itself. The use of domes was mastered by Christian builders. The use of windows, large windows, purposed for great beauty and to stream in light necessitated structural innovations. Christians also mastered the art of stained-glass windows, something my church boasts of in all shapes and sizes.

All this occurred because Christians were motivated to move from the barely adequate meeting houses to places that “better reveal the identity of Jesus and the reality of heaven.” They wanted their surroundings to help them set their minds on God’s heavenly throne as they worshipped. And they wanted to create something that would honor Jesus…not just in their eyes but in everyone’s eyes.

When I was dwelling on this, I thought of Mark 14:3-8. Jesus tells us there that to make the opportunity to honor Him is worth it, is noble. He said the poor would always be with us. That’s not sidestepping caring for the poor. I think Jesus is pointing out that we always have that responsibility to help the needy. But, at the same time, we can choose to do what’s in our hearts to reveal His glory in practical ways, such as the Lord God had the Israelites do in building the tabernacle and in building the temple. One does not negate other. That’s most likely the attitude of our forefathers in the Christian faith. It is our purpose to glorify God with all parts of our lives.

So, our forefathers choose to move from tiny, dark crowded houses to meeting together in larger groups in more suitable buildings. As they did so, they progressed in building structures with domed and arched ceilings, perfecting how to bring in light using hidden light wells, strategically placed windows, and even secondary walls with windows. History shows their desire to create buildings that spoke to the glory and splendor of God forever changed architecture. Additionally, these cathedrals became places that displayed artwork painted on the ceilings and walls, and statues that stood tucked into niches. Not only that, these buildings became places where musical expression was encouraged and even transformed. That’s another cultural “fallout,” as J. Warner Wallace calls it, that is demonstrated in “Person of Interest.”

J. Warner Wallace wrote that worship centers “became monuments to the impact Jesus had on culture in the common Era. In fact, no person of interest in the history of persons of interest had the kind of impact Jesus had on art and music.”

The evidence is laid out clearly in the book, not just in print but in detailed illustrations. There is no one, not one person in history, who has had the influence, the impact on our lives today that Jesus has. If you take Jesus out of history, today’s culture globally would be unrecognizable. Every person on earth owes so much more to Jesus, history’s Person of Interest, than just our salvation that John 3:16 speaks of.

Want to expand on this truth? I’d advise picking up a copy of “Person of Interest.” You’ll want to read and reread it and keep it as a reference book when others ask you, “Why does Jesus matter to me?”

For the Love of Education, Jesus Matters

I just finished reading an advance copy of J. Warner Wallace’s new book, “Person of Interest,” in which he notes that studies show—contrary to what parents often think—that many youth who are raised in the Christian faith reject Christianity by the time they are surveyed in their university years, meaning this is something that began much earlier in their lives. Youth start questioning between the ages of 10 and 17. That means their falling from faith isn’t a university thing. It goes back several years prior to the time they pack their U-Haul and head to college. This is crucial for Christian parents to understand. It is they who have far more impact on the beliefs of young Christians than professors. And I think that is also key for the Church to grasp.

Today’s universities and colleges are no longer the places most were created to be. Most now promote the ideas and theories of the world. That’s today. But not so in years gone by.

I wrote “created to be” because our education system owes much to Jesus’ followers. The top 15 universities today were all fruit of Christians who wished to use education as a means to advance the values of their Master, Jesus, our Person of Interest. J. Warner Wallace notes that Christ followers not only celebrated the use of intellectual and rational abilities, but they also protected and collected knowledge, holding education in high regard. Jesus’ followers embraced teaching as a cultural part of Christianity and a responsibility towards living in truth. They used education to spread the Word of God and the Gospel; and in doing so, they ignited the education movement as something that should be available to all people.

Take a moment to think on this. To share the Word of God, people had to be able to read. And, to read, people had to have a written language. The Cyrillic alphabet was created and used to translate the Bible for Slavs without a written language. This alphabet is still used for more than 200 million people representing over 100 languages around the world. Just this one invention has opened doors for a global education movement. Thus, as J. Warner Wallace writes, “Jesus’ followers are largely responsible for advancing literacy across the globe.”

How many books are in your home? If you’ve read a book you’ve been impacted by this educational movement. Jesus’ followers, among other things, were behind the invention of the printing press, were behind the organization of public schools and compulsory education, promoted the education of the poor, of children, and of the disabled. Within the pages of “Person of Interest,” the evidence is laid out in a way that once you see it, you can’t unsee it. It will impact the way you not only look at the venue of education but also the way you look at music and the arts and, yes, even science.

You’ll enjoy reading the depths of the research done by J. Warner Wallace and his team of researchers, highlighted by artwork done by J.W. himself. The book is easy to read even as you take in all the evidence that is recorded within its pages. And it won’t take long for you to see that Jesus matters because truth matters. And this is truth. God has orchestrated history—what is described as the “fuse”—leading up to Jesus’ arrival as the “Person of Interest,” so that His coming would be noticed. Our historical timeline is even divided by His arrival. After His arrival, the “fallout” is clear. No other person in all of history has had the impact, the influence on all venues of life as has Jesus.

Yet one of the researchers told J. Warner Wallace that Jesus doesn’t matter because He influenced the world. Jesus influenced the world because He matters. The Truth turned the world upside down!

“Person of Interest” is available now at your favorite outlet. Be sure to pick up a copy and a study guide and stay tuned as the study DVD will also be available soon.

The Light of His Presence

My heart…your heart…all our hearts have suffered much this year. Undoubtedly, much, too much angst has hit us in 2020. Yet those of us who know the Lord have a place to take our “angst”—the Throne, where the writer of Hebrews (4:16) tells us that we can receive mercy and find God’s grace to help us.

We come to this place via our prayers of faith. Sometimes that prayer is in the form of words. Sometimes just tears. But, when we can put our prayers into words, especially written words, there’s just something more impactful that happens.

That is what Anne Graham Lotz did with her prayers—she journaled them. And some of those prayers have now become her new book, The Light of His Presence.

I have been reading an advanced digital copy of her book which has now launched and is available for purchase. I’ve found the prayers she journaled and shares with us are so applicable to what I am facing in this season, what many of us are facing. Without question, her book is for such a time as this.

 

God put this book in my hands, so to speak, to give me encouragement and to remind me that He is—He is always current. He is always powerful and merciful to my needs, to what is happening to me, and to what is happening to others across this world. Anne’s book is perfect to read and pray along with no matter your circumstance, i.e. prayers for peace and protection, for cleansing and revival, for deliverance, for strength to stand, etc. One prayer that struck me was a prayer for restored beauty in the body of Christ.

 

As Christ followers, we have a huge responsibility to be His (beautiful) Presence through living in His Spirit among the people who walk this land of the living with us. We can do that by reflecting His image, as Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 3:18, from glory to glory, and, as Anne wrote, by bowing down in joyful, humble surrender to the Living God with our allegiance declared to Him alone. That joy is a beauty that reflects His glory, especially in these times when we have to choose to keep standing in His truth without allowing popular opinion or cultural norms to be deciding factors in how we live life.

I would echo Anne's prayer—Lord, “Call out for Yourself a remnant of followers who will stand firm on the truth, and having done all we can do to impart it to others, may we still stand even if we are the last ones to do so." In the Name above all names, amen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Normal

The storms reveal the lies we believe and the truths we need.

Susie Larson, "Fully Alive"

 

Susie's words made me think about the storms we are currently in, particularly the storms the Church is facing. The thunder of storms is what wake us up to the danger of lightning. It causes us to pay attention. We need to wake up and pay attention. It's time to identify the lies we believe.

 

Is it possible that one of those lies is the "normal" we've been taken out of and that we are now seeking to return to? Could it be that our "normal" is a comfort zone that the Lord wants to shake us out of?

 

Sometimes things become so normal to us that we forget those things aren't normal at all.

 

But, praise be, God works in our storms. He uses them to catch our attention. Storms drive us to cry out to Him from the deepest part of our hearts. The Gospels record that Jesus personally stormed the Temple with a whip to remind His people that this dwelling place of God was/is to be a house of prayer. It’s that important.

 

Prayer itself, though, can be a stormy place. It is a place where God will shake us out of our norm, where the lies are hidden, into the truth we need. And sometimes, like any storm, that can be scary.

 

Perhaps that is one reason we don't pray as we should. It's discomforting. But then, like when the sun comes out brighter after the clouds have fled, we find that prayer is the place that renews our lives and gives us more than normal ever offered.

 

One thing I know is that a return to normal is not what God desires. Normal will not make the Church strong enough to face what is coming.

 

And it is coming.

 

But until that time, these intensified birth pangs—storms—are meant to get us out of normalized comfort. They're meant to get us on our knees so we can endure. 

 

 

But keep your hope to the end and you will experience life and deliverance.

Matthew 24:13 (TPT)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Paperwork

We have an elderly uncle. He is 93 years old and getting around his assisted living facility in his power chair. Due to his season of life, though, he no longer has a driver’s license for anything with four wheels and a gas engine. When he asks to take his car for a drive, we have to remind him that he no longer is allowed to drive legally. His license is expired. He protests that’s not the case. So, we ask him to take out his wallet. Well, his wallet is at this time unlocatable. (Thankfully, we’d long ago removed important things out of it.) So, we remind him that the law requires the proper paperwork if he were to drive.

 

Paperwork is essential for many things other than driving. Proper receipts not only get you out of Costco, they now get you out of Walmart. A Social Security card is necessary when applying for a job. A birth certificate if often needed if registering for school. To receive veterans’ benefits, you will need a copy of your discharge papers…and other things we have found. Paperwork is also necessary to secure a loan for a house. Sometimes you can get by with the digital “paperwork,” but it’s still paperwork.

One thing most all types of paperwork have in common is a  signature, a stamp or a seal of approval. That’s what makes it official, usable for the purpose desired.

It’s no different when we leave this land of the living. The future of eternity requires paperwork, the paperwork of the Lamb’s Book of Life, as John wrote in Revelation 21:27. The word “only” in that verse speaks to the essentialness of this paperwork. Our name has to be officially recorded on this paperwork in order for us to enter the place of eternity John tells us about in Revelation 21 4—that place where God wipes away every tear, where there will be no death nor mourning, where there will be no crying or pain. It’s the place where the tree of life offers healing fruit and the water of life flows freely. It’s the place where the curse and all wrong are banished.

Paperwork. Any attempt to live without it here on earth just isn’t reality. Any thriving business will tell you, to use a colloquialism, “that’s pie in the sky.” You can’t live eternally without it either.

Nothing evil will be permitted in it—no one immoral or dishonest—but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

Revelation 21:27 (TLB)

Whitespace

I had just finished reading chapter 10 in Tonya Dalton’s new book, “The Joy of Missing Out,” when I saw on Facebook this quote by Elisabeth Elliott;

Rest is a weapon given to us by God.

The enemy hates it because he wants you

stressed and preoccupied.

 

Chapter 10 of “The Joy of Missing Out” is titled “Harmonize Whitespace.” On these pages of her book, Tonya reminds us that whitespace is necessary for life. Whitespace is necessary for us to thrive. She wrote, “In reality, to be truly productive we need to give our brains a little space to plan and explore—some unstructured time.”

Whitespace is essential for another reason—connection. And not just to connect but to be enabled to connect. Whitespace helps us cultivate in our own lives “love, happiness, and compassion” so we can extend those same feelings to others. Tonya quotes John Maxwell who said, “To bring out the best in others, I first have to bring out the best in me. I cannot give what I do not have.” Perhaps that is why Jesus commanded us to love others just as we love ourselves.

We need the whitespace in our lives to rest and be refreshed, not just for what is obvious—our bodies but also for the inner workings of our brain. Our brain needs times of rejuvenation—times of quiet and stillness.

It is in the whitespace where we slow down and savor life. It’s from there we can rise up—because we’ve given ourselves moments of nurture. This whitespace, in fact, makes us live more. This echoes the subtitle of Tonya Dalton’s book, “Live More by Doing Less.”

Perhaps that is why David wrote in Psalm 4:4b (NASB), “meditate within your heart on your bed and be still. Selah.” The word David used for “be still” is “damam” and it is used again in another of David’s Psalms. He writes, “Surely I have calmed and quieted [“damam”] my soul; Like a weaned child [resting] with his mother, my soul is like a weaned child within me [composed and freed from discontent].” (Psalm 131:2 AMP)

Do you struggle with stress? Are you so preoccupied you are running on empty and have no defense against the enemy’s darts?

Of course, I’d suggest that you do what David did. Meditate on the Lord God and lean into Him.

And then my next suggestion would be to consider learning from Tonya Dalton how to have joy and live more by doing less. Her book, “The Joy of Missing Out,” is available now for preorder.at https://www.readjomo.com/ from several of our favorite online retailers. And there’s bonuses if you preorder.

P.S. Love this cover! Doesn't it just speak to how we are trying to do "more"?

 

Secure. Sealed. Identified. For ALL Time!

In his high school years, one of my son’s well-liked classes was pottery. In fact, it was a great disappointment to him to find out that the pottery studio at college was only available to art majors.

However, lingering around our home—and the homes of others—are multiple pots created by his hands. And they are all different. We’ve even gained a few more as an inheritance—gifts he’d given his grandparents.

Every pot is clearly identified, permanently, by his initials. Well, all but one. Somehow, discovered too late, one pot has another mystery student’s initials. That pot, even though in our home, clearly belongs to another child.

In Anne Graham Lotz’s new book, “Jesus in Me,” chapter 25 speaks to the seal placed on the followers of Christ by God when we are born again. Anne writes, “He has sealed you with His stamp of proof [of ownership], the Holy Spirit.” We are marked as belonging to God. In fact, “the seal apparently is visible to the unseen world because it identifies us throughout the universe as authentic children of God.” All spiritual powers—in the whole universe—know who you and I are. We are the beloved children of the Father, the Creator, the Most High God! Just like my son’s initials, baked into the clay, identified pots that belong to Him, each child of God is permanently marked.

Secure. Sealed. Identified. For ALL time!
 

And you also became God's people when you heard the true message, the Good News that brought you salvation. You believed in Christ, and God put his stamp of ownership on you by giving you the Holy Spirit he had promised.

Ephesians 1:13 (GNT)

 

You can preorder "Jesus in Me" at https://www.annegrahamlotz.org/jesus-in-me/ from your favorite retailer. If you order prior to October 1, Anne has some bonuses for you!

 



The Lord is a Sun

As part of my daily devotions I do some Bible verse writing with word definition focused on the Names of God. Recently, the Name of God on the list was Sun. The scripture was Psalm 84:11 (NASB), “For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord gives grace and glory; no good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly.”

 

The definition, one would think, for the word sun would be obvious. It’s the Hebrew word shemesh. And, yes, it means to be brilliant, the sun. But Strong’s adds more. It also means to be a notched battlement or a window. Interesting. Battlement.

 

This same word is also in Isaiah 54:12, “Moreover, I will make your battlements of rubies, and your gates of crystal, and your entire wall of precious stones.

 

I was still thinking on these verses when I was reading chapter 24 in an Advanced Reader copy of Anne Graham Lotz’s new book, “Jesus in Me.” The chapter is titled, “Trust in His Pledge.” The Holy Spirit in us is God’s pledge to those who believe in Jesus—His covenant symbol, our “engagement ring,” Anne wrote. She then retold a story of her own engagement ring, it’s a beautiful reminder of her husband’s love and commitment.

 

I was struck how her story fit what I’d read in Scripture. In fact, Isaiah 54 is, in essence, referring to the marriage of Israel (God’s people) to the Lord God as their husband.

 

The Lord Himself is our shemesh. Anne writes, “The Holy Spirit within us is our “engagement ring.” He Himself is the promise…the guarantee…the pledge…that Jesus loves us. That He is committed and faithful to us. And that one day He will return to take us to live with Him forever in the home that He is preparing.”

 

And that home? Revelation 21 tells us of its beauty and adornments.

 

Anne ends this chapter with, “Gaze at your “engagement ring,” the Holy Spirit. …would you choose to trust Him? Relax. Rest in Him. You are precious to the Son, and therefore precious to the Father and precious to the Spirit. The Holy Spirit is absolutely committed to fulfilling His responsibility to take good care of you until the day you are presented as a glorious bride to your Bridegroom.

 

I have been so privileged to be a part of the “Jesus in Me” Book launch group. This is a book that reminds us of our constant, loving companion, the Holy Spirit. We need that reminder for such a time as this more than ever.

 

 

You can preorder her book at https://www.annegrahamlotz.org/jesus-in-me/. This site will direct you to your favorite retailer AND will also garner you free bonuses if your order prior to October 1, 2019.

 

Do I recommend this book? A resounding, “Yes!”

The Sound of Hope

A while back, my husband was watching a Revolutionary War movie, and even though I was in another room, I could hear the booming of canons. It made me think that perhaps that sound stirs up fear so much so that it is the reason we fear, at times, the sound of thunder. And then the musical notes of flutes resounded. Their “voices” were the sound of hope overcoming and drowning out the booms, the fear, and inspiring courage.

This is what God’s Voice, His Word, does. It speaks over the booms, the fear, sounding in our lives. It speaks of the Lord’s great power and mercy. His Voice is the sound of hope, the song or musical notes that we can echo in our hearts to give us courage and make us march forward with bravery.

The prophet Jeremiah, as the enemy “boomed” around him and Judah, heard the voice of the Lord say, “Just as I brought this great disaster upon My people, so will I do all these good things I have promised to them. Property will be bought and sold once again in this land about which you say, “This land is a wasteland—not fit for man or beast—for it has been handed over to the Chaldeans.” Property will be bought and sold once again for silver—deals will be made and deeds signed in the presence of witnesses—in the territory of Benjamin, in the vicinity of Jerusalem, in the villages of Judah and the hill country, in the villages of the western hills, and in the cities of the Negev. In all these places I will restore them from their exile.” (Jeremiah 32:42-44 VOICE)

This prophecy was God’s Voice to Judah to give them hope. It was the sound of flutes meant to overcome the booms of the enemy. Although they were in the midst of disaster, restoration was coming.

The Lord speaks over our lives in a similar way through the words of Peter as inspired by the Holy Spirit. “Celebrate with praises the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has shown us his extravagant mercy. For his fountain of mercy has given us a new life—we are reborn to experience a living, energetic hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. We are reborn into a perfect inheritance that can never perish, never be defiled, and never diminish. It is promised and preserved forever in the heavenly realm for you! Through our faith, the mighty power of God constantly guards us until our full salvation is ready to be revealed in the last time. May the thought of this cause you to jump for joy, even though lately you’ve had to put up with the grief of many trials.” 1 Peter 1:3-6 (TPT)

We may have grief and trials today, but tomorrow celebrations will arise. Keep the sound of hope echoing in your hearts so you are listening, alert, and standing tall in the faith, courageous and strong. (from 1 Corinthians 16:13)

 

*****

On a much different note, this same movie had a scene where the characters were debating what to do with some dogs that had been left behind. One suggested they eat them. My husband said that at that point, Justified—a year old labrador, who was sitting on the couch beside him, looked at the television and then at him and then back at the TV as he couldn’t believe it! Eat the dogs!! No!!!

“Not the Mama!”

Remember the animatronics television series of a while back called “Dinosaurs”? It only ran a few years in the early 1990s. (I guess that certainly dates me!) Well, one of the memorable lines was from the baby, who when the mama had to be away, would tell the papa, “Not the Mama!”

 

The papa was trying to fill the mama’s role, but the baby was not going to have anything to do with it. Baby dinosaur knew the difference and wanted the real thing, no substitutes.

 

It is easy to settle for what is disguising itself, attempting to be a substitute for something else. Modern-day Jews and Christians alike have been caught up in such a deception but should be echoing the baby dinosaur, “Not the Mama!”

 

I’ve always felt there’s something suspicious about the Temple Mount. This summer, God’s Word and several archaeologists have made it clear why. The Temple Mount is, so to speak, “Not the Mama!”

 

The Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the “I am,” told the disciples as they stood outside the Temple that “not one stone here will be left upon another, which will not be torn down.” (Matthew 24:2 NASB) Not one! When God speaks, His word is always true to the detail. No exception.

 

The prophet, Micah, foretold that the Holy City would be plowed under (3:12). And, so it happened. Many years after the Temple was destroyed, in 135 A.D., the Romans under Hadrian destroyed Jerusalem to the extent they ran a plow over much of it, including the ground where the Temple once stood. It happened just as our God said it would.

 

But there’s more. Various Old Testament scriptures liken the City of David to Mount Zion and Mount Zion to the Temple location, which means the location of the three share an identity. The Temple was in the City of David, just south of the current Temple Mount.

 

And there’s even more. Historians, including Josephus, identify the so-called Temple Mount as the Fortress Antonia, built and named by Herod. Josephus adds that the Temple and the Fortress were separated by 600 feet. If this is true, those praying at the Western Wall are praying at the foundation wall of an enemy’s fortress. It's definitely not a Temple wall of any sort as Jesus said, "not one stone here will be left upon another."

 

Yet, will this eye witness truth in today's time of information availability make a difference to modern-day Israel? I’m not sure. Somehow, I doubt it. Tradition is hard to overcome. Most are so set on this “Not the Mama” they even argue against the plain word of Scripture, rebuking those who claim otherwise. As Jesus once said, man’s tradition has a way of nullifying the word of God.

Do some research yourself. This is the age of information. For example, here is one link (among many available) to an article by Robert Cornuke that makes the facts plain and simple: http://www.khouse.org/articles/2015/1223/.

 

You decide. Is the current Temple Mount “Not the Mama”?

 

 

Success in a Battle

But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news

about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ,

they were being baptized, both men and women.

Acts 8:12 (AMP)

 

The 2015 edition of the Amplified Bible has a footnote for this verse, Acts 8:12. The editor wrote: “In ancient Greece the word translated as “good news” or “gospel” was used to denote any good fortune, including success in a battle. So, I took a look in Strong’s at the word used in the passage and its definition.

 

The word in this verse is euaggelizo. Strong’s definition says it is to announce good news especially the gospel; to declare or bring glad tidings, to preach. Thayer’s Greek Lexicon adds that in the New Testament the word is “used especially of the glad tidings of the coming kingdom of God, and of the salvation to be obtained in it through Christ, and of what relates to this salvation.” The obtaining of salvation certainly relates to success in battle, the victory over sin and death.

 

As an ancient Greek word, we see it used in the Septuagint (LXX, from the 2^nd century BC) in 2 Samuel 4:10 (2 Reigns 4:10): “for the one who told me that Saoul had died—and he was as one bringing good news before me—and I seized him and killed him at Sekelak, to whom I ought to have given a reward of good tidings.” In this case, though, the good news was only in the minds of those bringing it—they thought they had success in battle—for David, but it turned out David did not receive it as such.

 

Cicero (1^st century BC) used this word in a letter to Atticus to describe the good news of another being acquitted of a charge against him. Plutarch (1^st century AD) used the same word to describe a victory in Mantineia. Other ancient writers also used this word in various ways that really emphasized that the glad tidings were ones that would bring great celebrations and joy far beyond the usual happy face.

 

That’s the real significance of euaggelizo as we read of the effect of the gospel throughout the book of Acts and throughout the history of the church to modern times. The gospel bears the impact that is revealed in the definition of euaggelizo that the editor of the Amplified Bible wrote of—the good fortune of success in battle. The life we live on this earth is a daily battle, always a spiritual battle and often a physical battle. It is the gospel—the good news of the victory of Christ—that gives us victory as well. That is good fortune wrought by the Lord Jesus Christ!

 

And therein lies the “good news of the kingdom of God” in this land of the living, "news of great joy." It was the message given to the shepherds.

 

Don’t be afraid! Listen! I bring good news, news of great joy,

news that will affect all people everywhere.

Luke 2:10 (VOICE)

 

 

“Out of Egypt”

Recently, well, at least to me, God has emphasized that when He told Moses the Israelites would be brought to worship Him at “this” mountain—in Midian—that’s exactly what He meant and exactly what happened. But mainstream Christianity, though not all, have been distracted by a tradition created centuries after the fact to think that the mountain, Mount Sinai, is in what became to be called the Sinai Peninsula.

 

The Bible is clear that “this” mountain was and is in Midian, in Arabia—Saudi Arabia to be current. In these the last days, as the angel told Daniel (Daniel 12:4), knowledge is increasing, and things that have been previously hidden are being revealed. The evidence of the location of Mount Sinai has always been there, however, and the local Bedouins can attest to it. Mount Sinai, Mount Horeb, is in Arabia, just as Paul wrote in Galatians 4:25, right where it’s always been in spite of the traditions of man and in spite of almost all of our current Bible maps.

 

God took the Israelites “out of Egypt” the very day they started walking. That phrase repeats itself in Exodus 12-14. They embarked on a journey through the peninsula along the straighter route to Midian avoiding the easy route that would have taken them near the Philistines. But at one point, before they could round the Red Sea (Gulf of Aqaba) into Midian, God had them turn back taking them south through a wadi’s narrow valley to the huge beach of Nuweiba on the right finger of the Red Sea.

 

There, the fire of God stood between them and the Egyptians protecting them as the Red Sea parted in front of them so they could cross. This was the perfect provision of God as Isaiah 43:16 (NASB) says, “Thus says the Lord, who makes a way through the sea and a path through the mighty waters.” Here at Nuweiba is a raised “bridge” of land under the water from shore to shore with easement slopes suitable for today’s wheelchair ramps. It is the only place in the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aqaba, where this is possible. And not only that, the floor of this portion of the Red Sea is easily walkable sand, supposedly kept thin by the passing of the current over it.

 

After the Israelites crossed safely, God removed the Egyptian pursuers’ chariot wheels and the sea came down over them. Isaiah 43:17 records God’s description as He was the One, “Who brings forth the chariot and the horse, the army and the mighty man (They will lie down together and not rise again; they have been quenched and extinguished like a wick).” (NASB) Many have photographed such wheels encased in coral. Just Google it.

 

The Israelites then made their way to “this” mountain, God’s Mountain, what the locals have called for centuries the mountain of Moses, Mount Sinai. All the physical evidence and biblical evidence supports its location. God used the tradition of man (as well as the Saudis) to preserve the truth of the Exodus for such a time as this.

 

Perhaps, in His scheme of things, He is again turning us from the traditions we set up to His truth that is the reality we need to live in, especially in these last days. We need to remember His miraculous provision is not just for the Israelites. God takes notice of us, just as He took notice of the Israelites (Exodus 2:25 NASB). He is the great I AM for our lives, too.

 

His Voice

On a Live PD episode, a tweeter asked Officer N. Carmack, “If a bad man knew the commands you give to Shep [his K-9 dog], would he be confused?” Officer Carmack said, “No, he only knows my voice.”

 

This immediately made me think of John 10. In verses 4-5, Jesus said (of the shepherd), “…the sheep follow him because they know his voice. A stranger they simply will not follow, but will flee from him because they do not the voice of strangers.” (NASB)

 

Then Jesus said (10:27), “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them and they follow Me.”

 

This also makes me think of Acts 2 where some heard the disciples “speaking of the mighty deeds of God” in their own languages and others said they were drunk.

“My sheep hear My voice.”

 

Lord, I praise You that Your Voice speaks life and calls Your own into Your light. May we choose to keep close to You so that we always discern Your Voice and follow You.

Disrupted Fear

Mark Driscoll wrote in his new book, Spirit-Filled Jesus, “God keeps talking about our fears because we keep forgetting to live by faith in His kingdom.” True?

 

Oh, so true! Much we encounter in this world has the capacity to drive fear deep into our hearts, which is probably one reason there’s been a rise of people who struggle with panic attacks. Just to make a list of our sources of fear can stir up anxiety.

 

Yet, I think if we get down to the bare bones of our anxiety that it’s all about misplaced fear. That’s because, the truth is, we choose our fear source. And the source of our fear makes all the difference. When we make the decision to fear God, our fear turns to faith.

 

In Spirit-Filled Jesus, to be released on October 16, Pastor Driscoll offers a simple solution checklist of what we can implement when our fear begins to rise. One of these, well, more than just one, are particularly helpful, I think, because of the way our whole person—body, soul, and mind—is engaged and the Who we are engaged with.

 

Under Mark’s category of soul, he gives these self-check questions:

·    “How can you disrupt your fears by journaling, praying, reading, worshiping, or listening?”

·    “How can small daily practices keep you from building up a large deficit in your relationship with the Lord?”

 

Additionally—and really something key in our current busy American culture, under the category of life, Mark suggests we ask ourselves, “In the midst of your demanding schedule, how can you create recovery breaks?” Now question essentially draws attention to the fact that we need rest. But, as a woman in our church Bible study group pointed out, we just don’t seem to know how to rest.

 

Mark counters with “The bigger key to energy management and energy replenishment is to break free from fear-based living to live in faith-based living.” One connection to this statement and rest is that our busyness is often linked to our fear of missing out, of not “keeping up with the Jones’,” of being unsuccessful, and even the fear of saying no—we often see prestige in being overinvolved, our name here and there.

 

In keeping with that, I found this statement by Mark very poignant, “Exhaustion hits every believer, even the godliest and most gifted.” We mustn’t think we are immune and don’t need rest. Even Jesus took time out.

 

Wrong-sourced fear drives us away from faith and into all kinds of exhausting, detrimental behaviors and emotions. But faith enables rest and renewal, especially when we use Mark’s suggested daily practices, ones that slow us down and strengthen us—those practices are proactive and keep the fears of this world from ruling us. Instead, they move us into a deeper relationship with the One who casts out fear as His Presence invades our life through His Spirit. Mark wrote, “Faith in God’s loving Presence is the answer to our languishing fear.” That really sums it up.  Significant, too, is his description of the Presence of God in our life, the Holy Spirit, being “like the hand of God the Father reaching down to walk each of His sons and daughters lovingly and safely home to the Kingdom of God.”

 

In this light, those daily practices, i.e. journaling, praying, reading God’s Word, listening to God, all become precious practices that will take you from fear to faith, and, as the Apostle Paul wrote, from faith to faith and from glory to glory enabled by and through the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 1:17, 2 Corinthians 3:18) That’s because it will keep you focused on your real home, Zion, which will keep you going “from strength to strength [increasing in victorious power]” until you appear before your God. (Psalm 84:7 AMP)

Build up your faith—disrupt your fear!

And to help you do that, pick up a copy of Mark Driscoll’s new book.

http://spiritfilledjesus.com/

 

 

The Police

The police came to church this Sunday—not to worship, but on an official call. We’ve had paramedics more than once, but I don’t remember ever seeing two policemen calmly walk down the aisle during the sermon to the front of the church.

The reason was that, early in the service, a homeless young man meandered down the rows of pews to the very first pew of the middle section. He was obviously dirty, and he was noticeably smelly, even from where we were seated near the back. Throughout the service, he moved around on that pew, occasionally standing or changing to the second pew. At one point, during the sermon, he even approached the chancel table in front of the pulpit—he laid a piece of paper there. It was obvious that he has “issues.” During this time, a member intercepted and redirected him more than once with only short-term results. It only made him agitated and, I was told later, belligerent.

 

As I watched this young man’s behavior, I prayed that the Lord would direct an angel to sit with him, arm around his shoulders, to help him settle down. I prayed the Holy Spirit would free him from the troubling spirit and power of the enemy. I prayed and wondered who else was praying.

 

Our church’s second service is broadcast on a local radio station, so the listeners would not have known what was happening. Our pastor kept speaking on Acts 1:7-8 out of which he had pulled two main themes from Jesus’ words that point to God’s sovereign will and love: God’s timing and God’s mission.

 

Time, both the quantity and quality, are fixed by the Lord and are under His plan and strategy. He owns both the process of time and the actual events of time. In fact, both belong to Him.

 

This truth is to give us confidence and spur us to be about our business which is His mission—the mission to do what we’ve been appointed to do through the power that comes from the Holy Spirit’s presence in us which is to take the same love and grace we’ve received and extend it to others.

 

So, I was saddened when the two policemen appeared to escort the young man out of the building and off the premises—I saw him later hanging out on the lawn of a nearby office complex. If our God is sovereign over time—both the when and the what happens, then this young man’s presence in church today was not a surprise to the Lord. Perhaps, even, one could say, we were set up.

 

With the sermon complete, the radio broadcast ended, and with the young man out of the building but not out of our minds, the worship director prayed for him. After prayer, many of us were wiping away tears. I pray it was the Lord’s Spirit at work awakening us. Today is the day to be grace extenders, to be about His mission.

 

We need your grace, Lord. And we need to desperately extend your grace.

 

You, therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

2 Timothy 2:1 (CSB)