Walking With A Limp

Life happens. At various times in our lives we have incidents take place that effect how we walk, talk, or move about. Some are more tragic, while others can be overcome by therapy. Some may be more emotional than physical. But many of us have those moments that are game-changers so to speak. ---Jacob wrestled with the angel of God (Gen.32:22-32). Many theologians believe this was the pre-incarnate Christ (that's just theologian talk, meaning that it was Christ before he came here as a baby.). After this wrestling match with God, the Bible says that Jacob walked with a limp. This limp was a reminder of the meeting. It was also a reminder that he overcame. Jacob was still alive! Jacob also received a blessing from God, and this limp would be a reminder of that as well. --- In 2Cor.12:9 Paul wrestles with God over a "thorn in the flesh". Many have speculated over what Paul's thorn in the flesh might be: from bad eyesight to a secret sin that he struggled with. Paul was a prayer warrior. God had allowed him to heal other people. God had pretty much brought Paul back from death or the brink of death on a number of occasions, so this wasn't a matter of a lack of faith. Yet God would not answer this prayer of Paul with a "yes." Instead, Jesus spoke to him "My grace is sufficient for you, and my strength is made perfect in weakness." Paul learned that this "thorn", whatever it was that slowed him down, was meant to show Jesus' power. Paul learned to embrace the thorn or we'll say the "limp." It was what kept him grounded and trusting in the power of Jesus, not himself. Think about it, the more God lets you get in on the action, the more you and I could think more highly of ourselves than we ought to. There is a purpose in the thorn. It reminds us of who the boss is. So, as you walk with that spiritual limp each day, remember it is for the best. You get to see the power of Jesus in action, because you're not "all that" with your thorn or limp. Embrace your weakness, for Christ's strength is made complete in your weakness. Glory in the LORD in all that you do.

Coffin Toucher

Lk.7:14-15 Then he walked over to the coffin and touched it, and the bearers stopped. “Young man,” he said, “I tell you, get up.” Then the dead boy sat up and began to talk! And Jesus gave him back to his mother. Jesus is just walking through a crowd, and he walks up on a funeral procession. A widow had lost her only son, and Jesus is moved with compassion over this. He tells the momma not to cry, and he walks over to the coffin and touched it, telling the bearers to stop. ---Then he tells the dead boy to get up. And he did! He began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother. Wow! Jesus has compassion. He cares about people. Jesus can even throw a funeral in reverse! Those that cross his path find life, even if they’re in a box. Did you get that? How can any of us ever be the same after seeing or hearing about this Jesus? He interrupted a funeral. He was brash enough to walk over to the casket and touch it. He stopped the funeral procession. He talked to a dead person and told that person to get up...and he did! Who does that? ---Great fear swept the crowd that day.

Settlers

The Book of Numbers is often treated like a bypass. People start with a mind to read the Bible through in a year and then they get slowed down in Leviticus and then possibly derailed in Numbers. Yet, there is great stuff in both of these books if you don't speed-read (all of it). I could smell the end of Numbers as I hit chapter 32, but then the Spirit tripped me up as I was about to speed by some stuff. ---You see, the Israelites are poised to cross the Jordan River and take the land God is giving them back. God had promised this land to Abraham, and they've been gone 400 years since Jacob left for Egypt. After the Exodus the people have spent 40 years wandering in "time out" getting their attitude adjusted. They had a couple warm up battles, and they've seen God's mighty hand at work. What glorious days as they are about to go into the Promised Land! But then, tribal leaders from Reuben and Gad approach Moses saying that they want to stay on the other side of the Jordan. They don't want to cross over. The land on the east of Jordan is "good enough" for them. After 400 years of slavery and adding another 40 years of waiting on this promise of God ...His glorious offering to the people...they have the audacity to say they don't want the promised land. They are willing to settle. Oh, there are so many implications there. God always offers the best. And yet, over and over again we settle for something less. Adam and Eve did it. We still do it. We will settle for what we can see and touch rather than trusting what God has just ahead is the best. The Jews would settle with the Law when God sent His Son. Men will trust in works when God sends mercy and grace. ---Moses was ticked with these tribal leaders, because he knew at the root of this was a rebellious heart. Oh, we can justify our rebellion. "The fruit looks good to eat." "The land is just right for all of our cattle." Perhaps they even suggested that there will be more land for you guys. Moses nipped one thing real quick. He told them that they would have to cross over and fight with their brothers. (Unfortunately, God lets us settle if we so desire.) I'm betting they just said yes to save embarrassment, but also knowing that was the way it would have to be. (I'm saying, I don't think they really wanted to fight. But Moses called them out.)---The sad part of this is that they settled. Even in our churches, many will settle in the seats of the soft chairs, and will never participate in the war. God has some land out there that is for the taking. God has some glorious stories out there ahead of us. Yet, we must understand at the heart of laziness is a rebellious spirit. Moses reminded these people that it was that very rebellious spirit that had just allowed 600,000 of their family members to spend 40 years in the wilderness to die and not see the Promised Land. Settlers in church today are folks that are fat and happy with the status quo. Let's never settle for good enough!---Arm up and let's go, for the Battle is the LORD's and the land belongs to us.

The LORD is Your Tent

"The godly will rejoice in the LORD and find shelter in Him. And those who do what is right will praise Him."-Ps.64:10. So our small group had a $100 to bless someone whether it be a group or a person this week. We had a plan, but before we had executed the plan a need was made aware to us. A homeless man had requested a basic need, a tent. So we connected with him and got him a tent and some accessories to go with the tent. He was grateful to get the shelter, and I'm sure more grateful that night. Then I read this verse in Psalm the next morning, and couldn't help to pause and recognize the LORD's sweet voice. "The godly will...find shelter in (the LORD)." I pray for this man who says that he knows the LORD. I pray that he will truly find shelter... shelter in the LORD. No matter our life situation, we can find shelter in Him. The godly are those who have trusted Christ as Savior. We cannot be godly without his mercy and grace. He is the One that transforms us into something we're not from birth. Indeed, "the godly will rejoice in the LORD and find shelter in Him." When the storms of life come, we need a house; and the Scripture tells us that the LORD is the House to those who trust in Him.

The Eagles, Worship, The Front Row

Recently my wife and I were blessed by a sweet couple with tickets to go see a band from our generation, the Eagles. We were pumped. We drove over three hours to see them, and prepared to show up an hour early to make sure we weren’t late. Many of us would spend X#$ to sit in the front row of our favorite group’s concert. Many people worship every week and bring X#$ or the price of floor seating to a big name concert ...every week... to worship as on offering to God! God does mean that much to some people. We will travel a few hours, even in the rain, to a big event or to see an idol of ours. People will drive to worship on a rainy day, tired day, whatever kind of day to worship without a second thought. When we are devoted: heart, soul and mind, then money, time, and schedules just don’t seem to matter. What kind of devotion are you giving to the God who loves you? HIs love for you is unquestionable. The demonstration of HIs love is on the cross. How are you laying down your life for Him daily?--- The front seats at most churches are free and wide-open almost every week. Would it be so at X’s Concert? Would you stay and worship for three hours without complaining? (and that’s after you got there an hour early) Would you park a couple of football fields away, and walk in the rain?--- I think going to concerts, ball games, etc. are wonderful experiences. They show that we know how to prepare for a trip, reschedule, save money and give a disproportionate amount of money away when something is near and dear to our heart. God needs to see our passion for Him lived out. After all, Jesus said, “Love the Lord God with all your heart, soul and mind.” Jesus described devotion/passion in that one command. He said that that is what we are supposed to do.---How about when your pastor finishes the sermon this next week, call him out for an encore! Begin the chant: “we want more!” Prayer: Lord God, help us indeed to want more of you every day.

Who Do You Feel Like Hatin' On Today?

Who do you feel like hatin’ on today? There is a good chance that THAT person is the one God wants you to love on today! There is a good chance that God is wanting you to demonstrate His love to THAT person today. I know. I know. You gotta hate it. Nevertheless, God said that you will know His people in their love for one another. We look the most like Him when we love the unlovely, the ungodly, the people that peeve us off the most. --- We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.--1Jn.4:19-21---Try this today. Take a second, if you need it, to think about that person that really gets under your skin. Maybe that sent you a stupid text today or something. Maybe they did something and you’re pretty sure that they were “pushing your buttons.” Stop and take a love detour. Do not respond as the natural man would, giving hate for hate. Instead, see what happens to you and them when you do not respond in kind. The Bible tells us that “no man has seen God at any time.” Yet, it also tells us that we make God visible, when we shower the love of God on others, especially the undeserving. Try it. I guarantee, you will turn a nasty text conversation into a smiley face if you are genuine. Oh, by the way, this peeves Satan off, and it is okay to peeve him off. :)

A Work of Envy

After the Jewish leaders illegally arrested Jesus and illegally tried him, the leading priests, elders, and the teachers of the law bound Jesus. They took him to Pilate the Roman governor. They accused Jesus of so many things that Pilate could smell a skunk. He knew something was messed up. He just couldn’t quite put his finger on it. When called upon to pick a charge against Jesus, they went with “he calls himself the King of the Jews.” Pilate tried to get Jesus to respond to the charges, but he merely said, “you said it” and would not defend himself. ---It was plain to Pilate that the leading priests had arrested Jesus out of envy. In a sense, it was envy that put Jesus on the cross. Of course, we know that it was his destiny to carry out the work of the cross. However, it does illustrate the power of a “little” sin like envy. ---Pilate made a feeble attempt to get the people to vote on releasing a convicted murderer or Jesus. The leading priests and elders hearts were so hardened that they stirred the crowd in a frenzy against Jesus. For man’s part, the work of the cross was a work of envy. --Mark 15:1-13