InEssence

The Redemptive Community and Love

2011-02-08T09:00:00.000-05:00

A redemptive community is patient,
A redemptive community is kind
and a redemptive community is not jealous;
A redemptive community does not brag
and a redemptive community is not arrogant,
A redemptive community does not act unbecomingly;
A redemptive community does not seek its own,
A redemptive community is not provoked,
A redemptive community does not take into account a wrong suffered,
A redemptive community does not rejoice in unrighteousness,
but a redemptive community rejoices with the truth;
A redemptive community bears all things,
A redemptive community believes all things,
A redemptive community hopes all things,
A redemptive community endures all things.
A redemptive community never "fails"

(1 Corinthians 13:4-8a)

God Feels!

2006-02-17T17:26:00.000-05:00

God feels!

One of the obstacles that people may encounter in pursuing the knowledge of the love of God is the obstacle of theology. Theology is not a bad thing; it’s a good thing. However, when our theology hinders our ability to really “hear” what the Bible is saying, it becomes an obstacle. The Bible is the Word of God. It should shape and form our theology, not the other way around.

In this article, we’re going to be examining one very important aspect of what God’s love for us is like. But first, let’s see how theology can get in the way of recognizing this aspect of God’s love for you. Let’s begin with a little theology lesson…

Anthropomorphic language

According to Merriam Webster, the definition of anthropomorphic is: described or thought of as having a human form or human attributes

In Christianity, this term is basically used of Biblical language that describes God as having any attributes that are thought to be “human.” Here’s an example: and they saw the God of Israel; and under His feet there appeared to be a pavement of sapphire, as clear as the sky itself. Exodus 24:10

This verse describes God as having feet. Many scholars would say: “Well, God is a Spirit, He’s not a man. He doesn’t really have feet! This is just anthropomorphic language.”

And when they say it’s just anthropomorphic language, it’s as if they are saying, “This verse is just ascribing something human to God in order to give us something we can understand since we can’t really understand what He’s like. We’re not really supposed to think that God has feet!”

These people think of anthropomorphisms as if they are conveying something which is untrue. But, let’s examine this more closely:

2 Timothy 3:16-17 ¹⁶ All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; ¹⁷ so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

There is a lot of anthropomorphic language in Scripture. Why? Anthropomorphisms are the Spirit’s attempt to help us understand something about God. This language is not conveying something untrue. Rather, it’s conveying something MORE. For instance, in the same way we hear, God hears more. MORE! He hears MORE!

Here’s another example: “Just as a father has compassion on his children, So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.” Psalm 103:13

He will have MORE compassion! His heart will respond like a loving Father—MORE!

Anthropomorphic language in the Scriptures is highly revelatory.

Let’s look at: Psalm 94:8-9 ⁸ Pay heed, you senseless among the people; And when will you understand, stupid ones? ⁹ He who planted the ear, does He not hear? He who formed the eye, does He not see?

The correct answer to that question, according to the context is: “Of course He hears! He hears MORE! Of course He sees, but He sees MORE!”

Here’s a similar question to the one we just looked at in Psalm 94: He Who formed the heart, does He not feel?

God Feels MORE!

Now, let’s examine some verses that talk to us about the emotions of God. Remember, these verses are not conveying something untrue about God, as if “God doesn’t really feel. That language is just because we can’t really understand Him.” Rather, just as God formed us with emotions, God also feels—He just feels MORE.

Try to read the following verses with the emotion noted before the verse is quoted. Ask for illumination into God’s heart from the Holy Spirit. Try to center your attention on the love God has for us. God’s heart is filled with loving devotion towards us. When we are unfaithful God’s heart feels utterly betrayed, broken, bereft, grief stricken and extremely angrily jealous! God wants us to know His passionate intense personal love!

God Who Delights!

The LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love. Psalm 147:11

Yahweh the Smitten God:

Isaiah 62:3-5 ³ You will also be a crown of beauty in the hand of the LORD, And a royal diadem in the hand of your God. ⁴ It will no longer be said to you, "Forsaken," Nor to your land will it any longer be said, "Desolate"; But you will be called, "My delight is in her," And your land, "Married"; For the LORD delights in you, And to Him your land will be married. ⁵ For as a young man marries a virgin, So your sons will marry you; And as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, So your God will rejoice over you.

Jehovah Who Pines For You - Is God Wistful?

Jeremiah 2:32 ³² "Can a virgin forget her ornaments, Or a bride her attire? Yet My people have forgotten Me Days without number.

Jeremiah 3:6-7 ⁶ Then the LORD said to me in the days of Josiah the king, "Have you seen what faithless Israel did? She went up on every high hill and under every green tree, and she was a harlot there. ⁷ "I thought, 'After she has done all these things she will return to Me'; but she did not return, and her treacherous sister Judah saw it.

Adonai the Broken Hearted …

This verse is very powerful. There is a word in Hebrew that testifies to God’s heart being broken in pieces. If this wasn’t in the Bible, I don’t know that I would dare to make this statement.

Ezekiel 6:9 "Then those of you who escape will remember Me among the nations to which they will be carried captive, how I have been hurt (broken in pieces, ruined) by their adulterous hearts which turned away from Me, and by their eyes which played the harlot after their idols; and they will loathe themselves in their own sight for the evils which they have committed, for all their abominations.

He is a Jealous Husband:

James 4:5 ⁵ Or do you think that the Scripture speaks to no purpose: "He jealously desires the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us"?

The Lord Who Longs

The Lord regretfully remembers better days. He remembers and longs for former faithfulness.

Jeremiah 2:2 "Go and proclaim in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, 'Thus says the LORD, "I remember concerning you the devotion of your youth, The love of your betrothals, Your following after Me in the wilderness, Through a land not sown.

Elohim Who Looks Forward to…

He looks forward to the restoration of the relationship and determines to strengthen the bond so that the separation doesn’t happen again.

Hosea 2:19-20 ¹⁹ "I will betroth you to Me forever; Yes, I will betroth you to Me in righteousness and in justice, In lovingkindness and in compassion, ²⁰ And I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness. Then you will know the LORD.

Jeremiah 24:7 ⁷ 'I will give them a heart to know Me, for I am the LORD; and they will be My people, and I will be their God, for they will return to Me with their whole heart.

This is God’s heart. He is a feeling God. He feels towards you. His love for you is intense and emotional. It is deep and real.

Can you imagine today by faith that God’s heart yearns for you? Do you see how passionate He is about His relationship with you? Can you sense His devotion, affection, deep personal love? Do you believe that He is jealously longing for you, looking forward to eternity with you? God wants you to embrace the feeling heart of God today! He is the God Who Delights in you.

Ephesians 3:19-2A ¹⁹ … to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God. ²⁰ Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, ²¹ to Him be the glory …

Can "Phileo" and "Agape" be Synonymous?

2006-02-10T09:16:00.003-05:00

Phileo is used in Matthew.

"They love (phileo) the place of honor at banquets and the chief seats in the synagogues, and respectful greetings in the market places, and being called Rabbi by men. (Matthew 23:6-7)

Agape is used in the parallel in Luke.

"Woe to you Pharisees! For you love (agape) the chief seats in the synagogues and the respectful greetings in the market places. (Luke 11:43)

We've been told that "agape" and "phileo" are two different types of loves. That isn't necessarily so, is it?

three verses where "agape" is used four times - interesting

2006-01-26T11:51:00.002-05:00

Not profound, just studying along...

Luke 6:32 "If you agape those who agape you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners agape those who agape them.

John 14:21 "He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who agapes Me; and he who agapes Me will be agaped by My Father, and I will agape him and will disclose Myself to him."

1 John 4:7 Agaped one, let us agape one another, for agape is from God; and everyone who agapes is born of God and knows God.

Benefits: Relationship

2006-01-18T17:10:00.000-05:00

Benefits of Knowing God’s Love: Relationship with God

Psalm 103:2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget none of His benefits;

Ephesians 3:19 and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.

Relationship with the Father

Last month we began to examine some benefits of knowing the love of God. From Ephesians 3:19 we learned that the “fullness of God” in the Body is received through knowing Jesus’ love. We observed that in His relationships with God and creation Jesus is the pattern for what fullness looks like (Col 1:19;2:9). Every benefit we receive from knowing the love of God eventually leads to this: being conformed to the image of the Son. This transformation is our ultimate destiny:

Romans 8:29 For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;

This month’s topic is relationship with the Father.

The core of Jesus’ identity as a man is clearly His relationship with His Father. In the Gospel of John, Messiah spoke of God as “Father” over 120 times. In the Synoptics, Jesus spoke of God as “Father” over 90 times. Think briefly about this. There are many times wherein He used the word “father” to discuss earthly fathers. But mostly, when Jesus used the term “father” it was in relation to His Father. Jesus was constantly talking about His Father! It’s not stretching Jesus’ priorities to say this was the central relationship of His life. Jesus had (and has) perfect communion with the Father. If we are seeking to model our lives after the Messiah, to grow in “Christ-likeness” the first step, by necessity, is this issue of relating to the Father

When we examine Jesus’ self-disclosure we find that His entire life and ministry was relational. Looking at Jesus’ words, we find that He professed to know the Father, to see the Father, to hear the Father, to know what the Father was doing. He maintained that the Father was revealing Himself to Jesus, and claimed to be able to reveal the Father to others.

“For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself is doing.” John 5:20a

“…He who sent Me is true; and the things which I heard from Him, these I speak to the world." John 8:26b

28 So Jesus said, "When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and I do nothing on My own initiative, but I speak these things as the Father taught Me. 29 "And He who sent Me is with Me; He has not left Me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to Him." 30 As He spoke these things, many came to believe in Him. John 8:28-30

"I speak the things which I have seen with My Father …” John 8:38a

The secret of this relationship was not primarily the maintaining of His own holiness, practices of piety or love of humanity. Here is the secret of His relationship to God: He knew Abba loved Him and He knew Abba’s love. This love Jesus experienced has become the foundation of our mandate to abide in His love: “Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love.” (John 15:9) We really are to know Jesus’ love in the same way the Son of God knew His Father.

I believe that Jesus maintained His “first-eternal consciousness” of Father. The pre-incarnate Son had this awareness, “Father lovingly, devotedly, absolutely loves Me,” from eternity past. Jesus never lost this awareness and in maintaining it, Jesus lived with an incredible spontaneity in His relationship with Abba.

Look at this: John 8:31-36 31 So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, "If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." 33 They answered Him, "We are Abraham's descendants and have never yet been enslaved to anyone; how is it that You say, 'You will become free '?" 34 Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin. 35 "The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son does remain forever. 36 "So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.

Was Jesus offering a freedom He did not have? No -- He knew that He was loved. He did not live in some sort of spiritual straightjacket. It came from the freedom of a deep bond with God. This bond was developed through His response to the revelation of His Father’s initiating action. The Father showed His Son everything He was doing. The Son responded in cooperative partnership. This blossomed into the type of relationship in which the Son could choose to reveal the Father.

The Messiah knew God-as-Father so well that He could anticipate what God would do. He knew what would please Abba. He was able to recognize the Father’s activity in the lives of others. The man Jesus really knew His Father!

Look at Jesus’ indictment of His antagonists: “…You have neither heard His voice at any time nor seen His form.” John 5:37b

First of all, in this charge it is indicated that people are responsible to know God. The first commandment, “You shall love the LORD your God…” implies relationship. The God of the Bible is constantly seeking humanity. He is knowable and desires to make Himself known.

In this statement is the implication that the Messiah knew Father’s voice and saw His appearance. (The Greek word is ‘eidos’ which refers to what is visible to the eye form, (external) appearance) Let me ask you a question: Do you know the people you live with? Does your time with them give you insight into their personalities? Are you aware of issues that are important to them, things they enjoy, what they strongly dislike? If this is true in most human relationships, will our experience of abiding in Jesus and His love produce less?

Just as Jesus knew the Father, so we are called to know Him. Jesus knew the Father’s character and personality. He knew Father’s plans and desires. He saw the Father’s activity and knew His power. The Messiah walked in an ongoing relationship with God.

One of the results of knowing God as Jesus did is the capacity to reveal the Father to others. When God wanted to reveal Himself to humanity He chose to do so through someone who knew Him, the Son. This revelation of God was put into Jesus’ hands. The Son could ‘will’ to reveal the Father.

Matthew 11:27 "All things have been handed over to Me by My Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father; nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.

The Son, who knew the Father, who could choose to reveal the Father, was the revelation of the Father

Hebrews 1:1-2a God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, 2 in these last days has spoken to us in His Son,

The Living God has redeemed us so we may have a loving relationship with Himself. Through abiding in this relationship we are filled with the fulness of God. The primary benefit we receive from knowing Jesus’ love is entering into a relationship with God that resembles the interaction of the Trinity. They communicate and know One another. This relationship is open to us. We enter in as we are filled with the knowledge of His love.

How broad, long, high, deep?

2005-12-31T22:21:00.001-05:00

Broad enough to include me, long enough to last me for the journey, high enough to overshadow, deep enough to find and under gird me – This love is mine!

Ephesians 3:18-19a 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the Messiah's love which surpasses knowledge...

Are there different degrees of agape's strength?

2005-12-23T11:14:00.001-05:00

Luke 7:42-43 "When they were unable to repay, he graciously forgave them both. So which of them will love (agape) him more?" Simon answered and said, "I suppose the one whom he forgave more." And He said to him, "You have judged correctly."

A cry for mercy - what a reality! Ps. 143:2

2005-10-25T13:53:00.002-04:00

Psalm 143:2

And do not enter into judgment with Your servant,

For in Your sight no man living is righteous.

Common Cleigh IM

2005-10-22T08:30:00.001-04:00

DavidHarwoodNCC: If you were different you'd be different --- -that's true, I suppose - but all we are is clay
DavidHarwoodNCC: we can dress ourselves up to some degree
DavidHarwoodNCC: call ourselves Cleigh
DavidHarwoodNCC: but it's still clay

Ephesians 3 - A. T. Robertson

2005-10-19T06:08:00.001-04:00

A. T. Robertson commented on Ephesians 3:16. He called this inspired petition “… this greatest of all Paul's prayers ... Nowhere does Paul sound such depths of spiritual emotion or rise to such heights of spiritual passion as here.”

No Man goeth abroad...

2005-10-01T20:26:00.001-04:00

No man safely goeth abroad who loveth not to rest at home. No man safely talketh but he who loveth to hold his peace. No man safely ruleth but he who loveth to be subject. No man safely commandeth but he who loveth to obey... Thomas a Kempis, Of the Imitation of Christ [1418]

Favor can be sought!

2005-09-17T18:10:00.001-04:00

Favor must be sought

Psalm 119:58 I sought Your favor with all my heart; Be gracious to me according to Your word.

2 Corinthians 1:11 you also joining in helping us through your prayers, so that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the favor bestowed on us through the prayers of many.

Seek favor!

Four us!

2005-08-10T13:19:00.002-04:00

We’re supposed to put 2+2 together and conclude He is for us.

“For Messiah died for sin once for all the righteous for the unrighteous to bring you to God…” (1 Peter 3:18a)

This is God’s motivation. God, rescuing us, has brought us to Himself.

A searching question

2005-08-02T08:34:00.002-04:00

Have you ever so abhorred a temptation that you utterly, decisively determined, that even if you were never happy again, you would not yield to that temptation and then found yourself set free?

Is Humility the Chief Virtue?

2005-07-26T07:14:00.001-04:00

1 Corinthians 12:31 ... I show you a still more excellent way.

Is agape more excellent than humility?

What is it like to be a creation?

2005-07-21T08:29:00.001-04:00

It seems that we need so much help in becoming what God intends that words providing direction and principles were not enough.

It is as if God said, "This is what it means to be a creature... let Me demonstrate."

Peddling the Word

2005-07-04T10:10:00.001-04:00

2 Corinthians 2:16b And who is adequate for these things? 17 For we are not like many, peddling the word of God, but as from sincerity, but as from God, we speak in Messiah in the sight of God.

How do these two phrases work together? What is this saying?

Please comment.

friend: not sure how one peddles the gospel, it is free
DavidHarwood: well, - if you send me a $20 love offering, I'll explain it to you

Those who peddle present themselves as 'adequate.'

Redemption and Relationship First

2005-07-02T15:44:00.001-04:00

Israel was already in covenant with God and had received deliverance from bondage before the Torah was given at Sinai. So with us, Jesus’ commands are to keep us in His love, not get us into His love.

2005-06-30T23:46:00.000-04:00

2 Corinthians 1:13-14 For we write nothing else to you than what you read and understand, and I hope you will understand until the end; 14 just as you also partially did understand us, that we are your reason to be proud as you also are ours, in the day of our Lord Jesus.

Proud - Greek - to boast

We have an opportunity to contribute towards others’ rewards. This verse speaks of our being proud of one another at the judgment.

I can understand the apostolic position: ‘I will be rewarded for establishing these believers.’ However, here the mutual support means that the church is also a recipient of reward for the success of the apostolic mission.

We’re very connected. We actually share in the eternal rewards one another receives.

Why "because... therefore"?

2005-06-21T10:20:00.000-04:00

Some say God chooses and then loves.

This text says God loved and then chose.

Because...Therefore

2005-06-18T09:16:00.000-04:00

Deuteronomy 4:37 "Because He loved your fathers, therefore He chose their descendants after them. And He personally brought you from Egypt by His great power,

LIFE MESSAGES

2005-06-12T14:46:00.000-04:00

1. What are the 10 (an arbitrary number) most important things you have learned from God?

2. Of those 10, what would you most like to communicate to others? If they were to embrace them, which would do them the most good?

3. What character and ministry qualities have been noted by others in your life?

4. There are principles which you have consciously or unknowingly embraced (in the midst of life situations or through teaching, or by "revelation") which have produced a unique walk with God. What are these principles?

5. Put another way ... What principles of spiritual life would a corporate group, or an individual, have to embrace to develop the same walk with God you have?

6. What Biblical narratives or principles are illustrated through your life?

7. What is the Lord trying to say to the world and the Body of Christ through the epistle of your life?

8. Have you urgently, seriously, sought God about increasing the calling and ministry to which you have been called?

9. Don't covet another's inheritance! What parcel of land are you to possess?

10. Pray about God's depth and Jesus' ministry being expressed through you...

11. Don't be satisfied, there is much land left for you to possess!

The Prize

2005-06-07T23:33:00.000-04:00

In John 15:9 Jesus commanded His disciples to abide in His love. It is not straining the text to clumsily paraphrase “Abide in My love” as: “Remain in a conscious awareness and experience, an awareness-experience… a faith-provoked, experiential awareness, of My love for you.” Besides being a directive we must obey, this command communicates several other things to us. First, this command contains desire. Jesus was saying to His disciples “I WANT you to remain in My love for you.” He commanded them to abide because it was important to Him. Jesus really wants us to know His love!

The very fact that Jesus commanded this communicates that it can be done. Messiah does not demand the impossible. He’s saying, “Abide in My love”, not, “Reverse the law of gravity.” It is implicit within the command that we will be able to abide. We haven’t been asked to do something beyond our grasp. Abiding in His love can be done. In addition, this mandate tells us that God’s love is at hand; it is accessible. This is not the divine equivalent of ‘bait and switch.” Jesus is not teasing you. When we say, “Lord, I want to know your love,” He doesn’t reply, “Gotcha!” He will not say “Abide in My love” and then ignore you or treat you like He hates you.

We must look at this commandment within the context of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection. This is not some foreign god, some cold, calloused indifferent being giving us a detached and arbitrary commandment. This command comes from Jesus, who gave His very life for us. If Jesus loved us enough to redeem us when we were in our worst state (Romans 5:10) then we can be confident that He wants us to know His love, that this can be done, and that His love is accessible to every one of us.

We must realize that knowing God’s love is not only a command, it is also a prize. It is worth fighting for. It is worth pursuing. We must see His love as something good which God has determined we should have. We must contend for this in our own lives. Yet many people experience obstacles that prevent them from pursuing this most wonderful prize.

One thing we must overcome is the natural tendency to ignore this love. The prophetic principle “The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief corner stone.” (Psalm 118:22) is fulfilled as we in our own wisdom pursue apparently noble goals and ignore the point of redemption. Eternal life is knowing God (John 17:3). And in knowing Him, John 15:9 tells us He specifically wants us to know His love! The wisdom which puts the pursuit of God’s love on the shelf is actually earthly, soulish and demonic.

Another obstacle is “throwing the baby out with the bath water;” reacting against abuses and misuses rather than simply obeying scripture. There may be some who say, “I am abiding in God’s love,” but never hear God’s heart for anybody but themselves. This does not invalidate the call to abide. Some use the grace of God as a license to sin. Does that mean we shouldn’t receive God’s grace? Some use the Scriptures to hide from the Savior. Does that mean we shouldn’t study? Some want to “minister” so they may be admired by others. Does that mean we shouldn’t serve?

Some may use truths about God’s love as an excuse to stay in a perpetual state of spiritual infancy. However, I have seen the command to abide vindicated in the lives of sincere believers. If the thought of taking His invitation seriously and actually abiding in His love causes you to fear you’ll never accomplish anything, you’re wrong. Jesus stayed in an awareness of His Father’s love and effectively fulfilled His Father’s will. Jesus abided in His Father’s love and accomplished redemption. The end result of our relationship with Jesus’ love will also be redemptive labor.

Not only must we overcome our tendency to ignore God’s love, and overcome the propensity to overreact because of the failings of others, but we must also recognize that the cosmos and the spiritual forces behind creation are adverse to the knowledge of the love of God. In many ways the creation (in which death is active) is hostile towards the experience of knowing God’s love (eternal life). But Jesus shed His blood so that you may know this love and when we consider His resurrection we know that He has accomplished this victory.

Paul defiantly challenged creation, “Who shall separate us from this love?” The gauntlet thrown down, he enumerates our adversaries:

Romans 8:35-39 35 Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 Just as it is written, "FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE BEING PUT TO DEATH ALL DAY LONG; WE WERE CONSIDERED AS SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED." 37 But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Look at the vast array of forces potentially marshaled against this knowledge. Count them up. They are impressive. No wonder it took the Incarnation and Calvary to establish this victorious reconciled relationship over the hostile created order. How do we contend against these foes to maintain this relationship? We contend through abiding in the love of Jesus.

I have seen people that for all intents and purposes, are going through four levels of Gehenna and nothing can comfort them. They are inconsolable because the love of God for them has ceased to be, or never became, their prize. There is good news for the believer. When the prize and goal of life is to know the love of Jesus, then nothing can separate you from it. Indeed, nothing has the power to do it.

Jesus interacted with multitudes of religiously exhausted countrymen and said, "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. [29] "Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and YOU SHALL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. [30] "For My yoke is easy, and My load is light." (Matthew 11:28-30) A good translation of the word that is translated “easy” (chrestos) is “kind.” Read the verse again: “My yoke is kind and My load is light.” Jesus said, “Come ... rest,” and many have gone to Jesus for the Sabbath of forgiveness and restored righteousness. Jesus is also inviting us “Come, abide in My love, rest in My love.”

Remember, the Person who has commanded us to live in His love is omnipotent. This Omnipotent One came to seek and save that which is lost because He loves us. The knowledge of this love is supposed to be a fundamental cornerstone of our awareness. This is the foundation of the Gospel: this glorious holy One loves us.

Every believer has a spiritual worldview. It is best to develop one deliberately rather than simply allowing it to happen. My suggestion is that you use God’s love (as expressed in the Bible) as your defining spiritual worldview – a means of interpreting life. I encourage you to actively pursue the knowledge of God’s love.

Consider this; most never actually take time to concentrate upon apprehending this love. Go for it and see what happens. Believe He exists and will reward you if you diligently seek Him about this matter. Engage your faith. Hebrews 11:6 says “without faith it is impossible to please Him. But he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek him.” In response to Hebrews 11:6, take a step towards God.

“Lord Jesus, I believe that You are there. I believe You want me to experience Your love. Please help me.”

He will say, “Yes I will help you.”

Life Eternal

2005-05-12T18:49:00.000-04:00

Eternal Life

Abiding in God’s love is the present experience of eternal life. In John 17:2-3 Jesus said, “Thou gavest Him authority over all mankind, that to all whom Thou hast given Him, He may give eternal life. [3] "And this is eternal life, that they may know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent.

In these verses we find that eternal life comes from Jesus and can be defined as knowing God the Father and Jesus the Messiah; in essence, eternal life is a relationship with God. Eternal life is knowing God by experience, not just knowing about God, or believing in God. The point of redemption, on our end, is that we may experientially know God.

If we want to know what “knowing God” looks like, we must look at the Messiah’s relationship with His Father. Nobody ever has or ever will know God better than Jesus! Looking at Jesus is the best way to see spiritual truth. Our hearts might rebel, saying, “No let’s look at my own experience…” But the Bible says “Let’s look at Jesus.” So, what was Jesus’ experience of knowing God like?

Looking at Jesus

“Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you. Abide in My love. If you keep My commandments you will abide in My love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in His love.” (John 15:9,10)

In these verses, Jesus is giving us instructions for our relationship with Himself, but He is also revealing some important things about His relationship with the Father (after all, His relationship is the pattern for ours!) Here we see that Jesus knew that the Father loved Him. (“…the Father has loved Me”) We also see that He understood what this love for Him was like; how else can He say “just as He… I have also…?” So, Jesus knew His Father loved Him, and He experienced this love. Not only that, but He goes on to tell us that He abided in (remained in, stayed in, experienced an ongoing awareness of) His Father’s love. Jesus’ relationship with God was filled with receiving the love of His Father! This foundation established His relationship with Father. It is the core of a spiritually mature relationship with God. It is the experience of eternal life.

Looking at Jesus’ description of His experience, we see that knowing God includes interacting with holy love. For Jesus this meant the awareness of the affection, devotion, commitment, and approval directed toward Him. If you think the only times Jesus ever heard “You’re my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” were when God spoke “publicly,” you are probably mistaken. After all, Jesus said He abided in His Father’s love; this was an ongoing experience. Jesus wants us to have this same experience. We too are to live in the awareness of His affection, devotion, commitment, and approval for us. Jesus graciously commanded us to abide in His love because He desires His disciples to have the same relationship with Him as He had with the Father. We are called to an unimpeded, unhindered, ongoing fellowship with the risen Messiah right now.

Religion Revolts Against Abiding

Looking at the record of Jesus’ life, we also see that Jesus’ relationship with His Father (abiding in the Father’s love) produced fruit. This fruit was manifest in the living river of love and power flowing through Him to others. Jesus’ knowing Father’s love resulted in other people’s deliverance and salvation. In the same way, through abiding in His love, we will manifest the fruit of love towards others and experience the power to set them free from hellish strongholds. As men and women of God we will be enabled to go into situations and have God’s love revealed through us because we experientially know the heart and love of God.

Bearing fruit is the result of an ongoing encounter of His love. It is a result of the experienced reality (not merely the idea) of His love. Yet, there are some who resist this emphasis. There’s something about being commanded to stay in a conscious awareness of God’s love that rankles the religious view of reality; religion just doesn’t like to receive.

Religious motivation seeks to increase the load of overburdened souls. Religion generally hates the justifying work of the Messiah. Religion’s pathetically helpless pride hates the gift of imputed righteousness. Religion demands that we labor to earn absolution or toil to purchase pardon.

Sometimes religion bows to Jesus’ justifying work only to rebel at a different level. It manifests in resistance to the very reason justification has taken place; the experience of God. It is possible to pursue apparently noble goals (such as spiritual disciplines, personal holiness, or effectiveness in ministry) and ignore the whole point of redemption! The prophetic principle, “The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief corner stone” (Psalm 118:22) is constantly being fulfilled in our day. God is calling, “Come, get to know My love.” But religious scruples say, “Require me to do something burdensome.” Religion says, “Command me to flagellate myself. Obligate me to do something, anything, which is either unpleasant or punitive. Then I’ll feel better about myself. I can earn God’s love.”

This is whitewashed tomb language. This is the appearance of godliness rather than the heart of sanctity. The heart of sanctity is receiving. The heart of sanctity is loving God in response to the experience of abiding in His love. The heart of sanctity is grateful reciprocation to the act of love which brought about redemption. The heart of sanctity is a relationship with the God who is love. That is the heart of sanctity.

Jesus told us that there is one primary command. What does it say? Does it say, “You shall love the idea of God with all of your heart mind soul and strength. You shall love the information about Him.”? Does it say, “You shall love the ethical demands which proceed from Him with all of your heart mind soul and strength.”? Or perhaps, “You shall seek to serve Me and labor hard for Me with all of your heart, mind, soul, and strength.”?

No, it doesn’t say that. It says, “You shall love the Lord your God. You shall love the God Who has redeemed you, He with Whom you are in covenant.” Each redeemed believer is in covenant with God through the wounds and the blood and the death of His Son. “You shall love Him with all of your heart.” That’s the heart of sanctity.

There’s a reason the first commandment is the first. Jesus emphasized this as foremost because it is intrinsically the most important! How will we ever fulfill this commandment? Jesus gives us a secret. He says, “Receive.” You get saved by receiving. How do you grow? 6 Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude. (Colossians 2:6-7)

Jesus told us, “he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing..” (John 15:5). In the same passage, He also commanded us, “abide in My love.” Receive the command. Receive Jesus’ love. Don’t let religion fool you. If you abide, you will bear fruit.

Faith!

2005-05-09T08:49:00.000-04:00

The most elementary principle of faith, and, in my opinion, the key to all others, is the law of sowing and reaping. Abundant, persistent, sowing (if the field is maintained) produces a bumper crop.

If you sow faith toward God you will reap a reward by the Spirit.. Jesus said, "Your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you openly."

In order to receive from God, one must sow faith! James 1;5-8 reads, "If any of you lacks wisdom, should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt , because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double minded man, unstable in all he does." Brethren, herein is contained the most basic principle of answered prayer. Unadorned faith.

In Galatians 3:5 Paul questions all who will ever employ a "carrot - stick" theology, "Does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you because you observe the law, or because you believe what you heard?" Brethren, this is a question worth looking at! Do you believe what you have heard?

Persistence

Another faith principle is found in Isaiah 62:1,6,7, "For Zion's sake I will not keep silent, for Jerusalem’s sake I will not remain quiet, till her righteousness shines out like the dawn, her salvation like a blazing torch. I have posted watchmen on your walls O Jerusalem; they will never be silent day or night. You reminders of the LORD, give yourselves no rest, and give Him no rest till He establishes Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the earth." Here we find that persistent diligence is enjoined. God ordained intercession day and night until the answer He had already established came. God's priesthood worked three 8 hour shifts, every day. Remember, God's dealings with Israel are windows into spiritual reality. Faith perseveres in prayer.

Knowing His Will

1 John 5:14,15 reads, "This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us whatever we ask - we know that we have what we asked of Him."

What do we truly believe is according to His immediate will? If that is settled than we know that He hears us! We receive His will.

The following are some questions to ask yourself: What do you truly believe is God's will in any specific situation in your life. In your family's, friends' or fellowship's lives? When you have determined what you believe, pray along those lines!

The Problem of Presumptuous Prayer

Praying with presumption is taking the promises and principles of God's word and divorcing them from His purposes.

When this prayer is not absolutely riddled with selfishness, we can charitably call it "Overextended Faith." Do not overextend your faith. Extend your faith to the limit of, but not beyond, what you truly believe. This is abiding in Messiah and being a responsible steward of your relationship with God.

We see examples of this with Jeremiah's confrontations with the attitude of Judah (Zion theology) and with a false prophet the extrapolation of that false theology: “We can never fall, God’s temple is here!”).

Overextended faith demoralizes the believer. It alienates the believer from a] the true degree of faith he has, b] the witness of the Spirit, and c] God's purposes.

Some alternatives and ways of avoiding "overextended faith" are, a] having an overarching understanding of the sweep of scripture and praying in line with that, b] hearing the current "word," of the Spirit, and c] subordinating impressions to the scripture and the brethren (remember the two or three Jesus spoke of ?).

Faith is the Friend of Relationship to God.

Faith in the "trustworthiness" of our Active God is the foe of fear! The Gift of Faith is produced by the Holy Spirit through our spirit/soul and body. Our entire humanity (the image of God) experiences it and releases it and then "the waters part!" God acts salvifically in situations where - apart from faith - things would remain the same.

The gift of faith is informed by the Scriptures:

The Word is the wood,
The quickening of the Spirit is the spark,
Faith is the flame!

Praying according to God's will, as revealed in the Scriptures, is a sure guide to fellowship with God. Presumption comes through having one's own agenda. We must remain faithful to God.

Sealing Petition With Praise

You know your faith is real when it can be truly accompanied with thanksgiving! (Philippians 4) This is necessary because the enemy comes to steal the word of the Kingdom, the promise God has made plain to you.

Do you believe you will receive what you have asked? Then thank Him for the answer. Praise Him for the Divine Characteristics that make the answer sure.

It is good to memorize, quote, pray, and speak (in conversation at "relevant times") the verses that have made faith real to you. This strengthens your heart and is part of using the Sword of the Spirit, the rhema of God. {a definition of rhema: the spoken logos (word)}

There is a pattern given in Hebrews 13 - "Because God has said, ... So we say with confidence, ... " Find what God has said, respond verbally. Hebrews 13:15 encourages us to give thanks verbally, "The fruit of our lips, giving thanks." When we vocalize, the entire man -- spirit soul and body -- is involved. The entire man is the image of God.

When Peter walked on the water. His confidence in Messiah needed to be maintained. When God's image, in Jesus's name (standing in redemption), offers thanks at the end of prayer, the faith that energized prayer is maintained and guarded. This is important so that the answer may come. Maintain your confidence to the end until your answer comes.

Lynn Replied

2005-04-25T10:14:00.000-04:00

Response to A Formal Invitation to Review a Manuscript"
I am far from prepared
And yet I do dare
To take a quick look
Through your so-called book -
Though the font is quite daunting
And my projects are mounting
If it's by Wednesday you please
I shall give it a breeze,"
Said the editor with a sulfurous sneeze.
It was allergy season, you see.
After giving brief pause
To a dependent clause,
She sought to deliver
A response beyond thither --
Then recalled what was needed,
and finally conceded:
"This rhyme's a waste of time,
what with pages a-numbering 179!
"And said, in utter abandon of wit,
"In short, I'll do it."

A poem written to some friends

2005-04-22T08:50:00.000-04:00

Psalm 12:6 6 The words of the LORD are pure words; As silver tried in a furnace on the earth, refined seven times.

We have finished the first rough draft of The Love of God Workbook. This is very rough. Shira and Katie worked very hard. Shira's initial critique and complementary writing was very helpful, indeed. Either over the next day or the next week we'll be sending it to some friends for their perusal and brutal help. I wrote a poem to Carl, asking for help...

A Formal Invitation To Review A Manuscript
By David Harwood
Are you prepared to slog
Through my writing on God
And changes to propose
Redundancies expose?
To help me, as I'd help you?
To rejoice - or say, "Ewwww...
“You call that good thought?
“I say it is not!"
To comment
And foment
With antagonism
To help me in writing
This prose syllogism?
Will you be ruthless
If it is truthless?
And see as to whether
There’s truth or there’s error?
If so, then read on
If not, say, “Be gone.”

Nevertheless

2005-04-12T09:23:00.000-04:00

Matthew contains an extraordinary account of Gethsemane.

Matthew 26:37-39 37 And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and distressed. 38 Then He said to them, "My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; remain here and keep watch with Me." 39 And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will."

Matthew 26:42 He went away again a second time and prayed, saying, "My Father, if this cannot pass away unless I drink it, Your will be done."

Jesus determined to drink the cup because it was His Father’s will (vss. 39,42). He freely chose the Father’s will. This was a free offering of His own life.

Later that night, Jesus said, “Father would still deliver me if I but ask.” Father would have put at His disposal legions of angels to deliver Him. (vs. 53)

Jesus was not legalistically doing Father’s will. The Lord Jesus would have dwelled in His Father’s favor even if He had asked to be delivered.

Matthew 26:53 "Or do you think that I cannot appeal to My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels?”

Does your relationship with God look anything like this?

Love and War

2005-03-25T11:34:00.000-05:00

I was chatting with a protege who asked me where our congregation stood on the issue of determinism and free will.

I explained that we believe in the reality of Love & War.

What do you think?

2005-03-10T18:36:00.000-05:00

Sometimes knowing the love of God for every human being can produce a certain healthy type of holy insecurity called "the fear of the LORD."

Why?

2005-03-03T15:00:00.000-05:00

2 Timothy 3:1-5 But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. 2 For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, 4 treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these.

What leads the list?

Why?

Response

2005-03-01T10:29:00.000-05:00

Paradoxically, progressively knowing God’s love, seeing it deeper, higher, longer, broader, eventually brings us to the end of our capacity to respond in kind. We fall short. We find ourselves incapable of reciprocating according to His worthiness. However, in coming to the end of ourselves we also go back to God, receive forgiveness, receive His life and continue to receive His love. Then the process begins over and over and over again.

Eventually we, even in our failure to appropriately respond to this great love, begin to look a little bit more like the One we are seeing. Our heart longs, “Oh, I wish that I loved Him more…”

Then, all of a sudden, someone says, “I haven’t seen you in 7 years. You have really grown in your relationship with God. I can tell that you love Him so much more.”

And you’re saying to yourself, “If only you knew. If only you knew as to how much I do not love Him in the way of which He is worthy. If only you knew.”

They’ve observed growth. They’re seeing maturity.

What are you seeing? All you are seeing is the worthiness of the Lamb and the lack of capacity to return that love - His limitless love, your finite response.

Until heaven or the resurrection (when we are finally, utterly changed and transformed) our love may be rather limited and conflicted. Yet, the love of God continues to pursue us. As that love unfolds we become increasingly consecrated to Him - if we stay in a real relationship with Him… if we stay in the fire.

Some may appear like they have put their consecration and growth on hold.

I have seen the aftermath of God working on people over periods of years. I have seen spurts of growth and transformation in lives where I would just have to say, “Look at that person, they have become a worshipper.” And now they are worship leaders. Before, they were cold, uptight, and non-responsive. Their emotions couldn’t be reached. Then God hammered away at them five years, ten years and the change came. I’ve seen this type of thing happen with people.

I hope to see this happen more in my own life.

No Honor

2005-02-25T07:00:00.000-05:00

Matthew 13:53-58 When Jesus had finished these parables, He departed from there. 54 He came to His hometown and began teaching them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished, and said, "Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers? 55 "Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not His mother called Mary, and His brothers, James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? 56 "And His sisters, are they not all with us? Where then did this man get all these things?" 57 And they took offense at Him.

But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and in his own household." 58 And He did not do many miracles there because of their unbelief.

We can also find this story in Mark 6:3-5 3. That's not a big surprise, after all, the synoptics share a lot of the same material.

However, although the occasion for Jesus giving this proverb is not mentioned, this is one of the few sayings from the synoptics that is brought into John's gospel.

John 4:43-44 After the two days He went forth from there into Galilee. 44 For Jesus Himself testified that a prophet has no honor in his own country.

Legitimate ministry must know dishonor.

New Definitions: Covenant

2005-02-22T13:03:00.000-05:00

Covenant: a sacred, committed, mutual interest

2005-02-21T10:11:00.000-05:00

A word about being ‘saints”

“Set apart for God.” That’s what being holy is.

Our sanctification, the process of our becoming more and more holy, is the result of having been made holy.

There is an extraordinary difference between one who hallows the name of the Messiah and one who ignores or demeans that Name. There is an essential difference between one who reveres the work God has done at Calvary and the person who does not. There is an extraordinary difference of foundational existence.

Sanctification proceeds from the foundation of being set apart. We grow in holiness through the give and take of both God’s initiative and our corresponding response. Sanctification is a living thing that is essentially relational. It is the result of cultivating an ongoing relationship with God

We don’t grow into the status of being holy. Through Calvary’s labor actuated by faith, we are a holy people. We are progressively transformed as we develop what God has placed within us. In essence, it’s an outworking of our real identity and destiny. We’re instructed to act in accordance with that which is worthy of our calling. Not being … ingrates.

“Ingrate” is a great word by the way. It helps to describe the person who has received the grace of God and has nevertheless refused to respond in a fashion that looks in any way commensurate to the love God has displayed for that individual. So, I suppose most of us will always have to plead “guilty” to one degree or another. However, in recognizing where one falls short we receive grace to persevere

He loves you although you are what you’re like. Recognizing this is part of abiding in the love of God. It is part of the tension of being saved and hearing the resultant upward call. I don’t know if we will ever be released from that tension while we’re on this planet, or pre-resurrection.

This produces stress in many. That stress can be illustrated in this question, “How do I abide in Jesus’ love while I am so unworthy of His devoted affection?”

Answering that type of question is what the Love of God project is about.

Knowing

2005-02-16T19:00:00.000-05:00

Eternal life is knowing God.
Not knowing about God, or believing in God.
Eternal life is knowing God.
We’ve been justified in order that we might know Him.
We have been crucified with Him in order that we might know Him.
We’ve been raised up to sit with Him in order that we might be able to know Him.

Enduement due to delight...

2005-02-15T22:15:00.000-05:00

Matthew 12:18

"Here is my servant whom I have chosen,

the one I love,

in whom I delight;

I will put my Spirit on him ...

Take Initiative

2005-02-15T13:59:00.000-05:00

What do you think about this?

John 5:30 … "I can do nothing on My own initiative. …
John 8:28-29 28 … I do nothing on My own initiative, ...
John 8:42 ... I have not even come on My own initiative, …
John 12:49-50 … I did not speak on My own initiative…
John 14:10-11 … I do not speak on My own initiative…

John 10:18 "No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father."

Called to Experience Jesus' Love

2005-02-13T17:38:00.000-05:00

Last month we were discussing the directive Jesus gave to remain in a conscious knowledge of His love. This is a significant spiritual statute. Through it the door to experientially abiding in Jesus has been opened. The command is divulged in John 15:9, "Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love." This directive is the clarification of His decree, “…Abide in Me.”

Nobody ever remained in the awareness of God’s love like Jesus did. He still desires to pass this grace on to those who belong to Him. He is the Master Teacher. If anyone could ever teach us how to experience God, He can.

In John 15:9 Jesus was saying, “My love for you is the same type of love I have been receiving from Father. Abide in Me through abiding in My love for you.” As we rightly value this command we gradually get into synch with God’s priorities. This command is essential. We must do it.

According to John, it is so important to remain in Jesus that the Holy Spirit has been given to enable us to abide!

1 John 2:27 As for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him.

John’s gospel identifies this anointing with the manifestly active presence of the Paraclete. The Holy Spirit is intent upon teaching and strengthening us to abide in Jesus. His fiery focus is often instinctively contested by earnest hearts: “No, this can’t be so! Surely, the purpose of the anointing is for us to do the work of the ministry!” Instead, power for service is supposed to be an aspect of the fruit of abiding in Him. Again, the anointing has been given for the expressly to teach us to abide in Him.

Let’s read the next verse: John 15:10 "If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love

In 10a the text says, "If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love…”

This call to conversion is actually a little startling. I probably would never have written that. Most likely, I would have written this: “If you keep My commandments you will end up having a holy character and nature.” or this: “If you keep My commandments you will become a whole human being.” or this: “If you keep My commandments you will finally be pleasing to God.” Yet we find Jesus saying that the object of keeping His commandments is completely different from normal godly goals.

What does the text say? Let’s make believe we’re in school and test our knowledge. Please “fill in the missing word.”

John 15:10a “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My ____”

Many might fill in the missing word with ‘work’ or ‘ministry.’ “You will abide in My work! Yes, if you keep My commandments you will abide in My work just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His work.”

The work is important, but that’s not what is says! Let’s rehearse what it actually says:

John 15:10 "If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love.”

Jesus emphasized that keeping His commandments is the means of staying within His love. They are boundaries. It is impossible to consciously remain in His love without keeping His commands.

This injunction was given to apostles, but even they were not fully mature and holy. Although they were clean through the word He had spoken to them (John 15:3), let’s recall that they had just been arguing about who was greatest amongst them, had refused to wash one another’s feet and were about to desert or deny Jesus. These are the clean ones He is exhorting to keep His commands that they may abide in His love.

It is so easy to fall into the trap of the rich young ruler. Immediately after Jesus said one must receive the Kingdom as a child, he appears upon the scene. With impeccably bad timing he asks, “What must I do to inherit the Kingdom?’ One doesn‘t do anything to get the Kingdom, one receives it as a child.

Israel was already in covenant with God and had received deliverance from bondage before the Torah was given at Sinai. So with us, Jesus’ commands are to keep us in His love, not get us into His love.

Look at the way the Psalmist describes God’s commands. Let’s agree with David‘s evaluation of God‘s commands found in Psalm 19:7-10: The Torah of the Lord is perfect, restorative sure, right and sweet.. The commandments of the Lord are pure. They rejoice the heart. They make the simple, wise. They are more desirable than gold!

Yes, the commandments of God are beautiful in and of themselves. God’s ethical demands are exquisite. Yet, according to Jesus, His commandments are not to be kept out of an overflowing appreciation for their beauty. He is not looking for, “I love these ethics. I love the commandments of God. Let‘s keep them!”

No. Jesus instructed His disciples that keeping His commandments are a means to an end. Have we learned that lesson yet?

Paul manifested the heart of the Holy Spirit when he travailed in prayer for the spiritual development of the Galatians (Galatians 4:19). There should be no doubt in anybody’s mind that the Spirit is continually also laboring to produce “Christ-like” character in every believer. (Romans 8:26)

Father is seeking to ‘raise children’ who will be conformed to the image of His Son. Philippians 3:10 is the corresponding reciprocal cry of the called to God’s search for those who are willing to suffer, die and live for that which impassions His heart (that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death;).

It is impossible for this to be reproduced in any person without the sanctifying effort of the Holy Spirit. However, God does not want ‘holy character’ to be our prize. He wants our prize is to be the Lord, Himself, and a specific aspect of God is the point of the prize.

John 17:3 states that eternal life is the experience of knowing God. It is a Biblically sound presupposition that God wants us to know Him. Upon closer examination we find that He wants us concentrating on knowing His love. The quality of which John wrote (1 John 4:8 “… God is love…”) is the essential characteristic God wants us to know about Himself.

Jesus said, “… abide in my love…”

We might reply … “How do we do that?”

He replies, “If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love.”

What was the Messiah’s motivation for calling us to abide in His love?

Let’s ask Him a question…

“Lord, why are you saying these things to us? Why are you sharing these priorities?”

He replies: “These things I have spoken to you that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be made full.” (John 15:11)

Jesus urged the disciples to diligently abide in His love so they may experience His joy. But why does He want us to have joy?

Well, He wants us to have joy because He … because He … loves us!

John 15:11 "These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.

The Messiah calls us to abide in His love. By keeping His commands, we remain in the experience of our redemption - the love of God. The commandments are pure and perfect, but the point of obedience is to remain in the experience of the love of God. Jesus desires us to obey His commandments so we may have the joy of abiding in Him through remaining in the conscious awareness of His love.

Let’s pray, “Lord, teach us how.”

Made Sin

2005-01-28T13:10:00.000-05:00

2 Corinthians 5:21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

This is a familiar scripture to many of us.

The text states that Jesus gave Himself so utterly that Father was able to make Him, Who knew no sin, sin on our behalf.

This happened judiciously… perhaps it happened when the Lord cried out. “My God, why have you forsaken Me?” or, “It is finished!” Maybe (my opinion) it was simply the culmination of all He experienced at Calvary.

We might ask - "What does it feel like to become sin, Lord?"

He might answer - "Like being crucified."

Being the Subject of Our Own Ministries

2005-01-23T09:07:00.000-05:00

The charismatically called person tends to take the Word heard or read, taught or preached and apply it to themselves according to their own motivations.

Before we give an example, remember, we may substitute any of the lifestyle callings from Romans 12 or 1 Corinthians 12:28-30 in the place of ‘prophetic.’ (i.e. teaching, mercy, leading, helping, evangelism, administrating, etc.)

Example:

The prophetic person hears the unctioned word from a pastorally called person, subjects it to their own prophetic grid and takes in what gets through the spiritual sieve of the charismatic colander. This results in the building up of the prophetic grace within himself.

For instance, the ‘prophetic’ person hears some practical instruction on ... hospitality.

They in meekness listen to this ‘elementary’ teaching and begin to see in the spirit the grieved heart of God. "This God, Who is so hospitable, wants the Body of His beloved Son, to receive one another as they have been received."

They see with deep cuttings all of the places and the roots of selfishness in their own soul that has cut others out of their lives through a desire to preserve their own time, life, space. "This is incredible rebellion against the HOLY ONE Who has called His children to be hospitable.

"The grief! – and what about the rest of the Body? What about this congregation? We are all so superficial…"

The prophetic person begins to have a sense of the One Who was born outside of normal hospitality, born in a stable!!

"Look! We’re doing that to one another – leaving one another out in the cold. Forget about this being willing to take one another into our homes – what about TRUE hospitality? What about taking one another into our hearts?! Oh the intensity of the calling to truly be able to hear and confide in one another – heart-to-heart.

"That would be ‘true’ hospitality – yet, nobody is really trustworthy, who can dare to open up to another? Surely the one who opens up his heart to another is just inviting betrayal and a sharing in the sufferings of the Messiah…

"I must fast and pray for myself and the brethren… Lord, You are worthy of a people who are truly hospitable… wait – I think this may be a word for the congregation…"

On and on the prophetic person goes…

Meanwhile, the teaching was about: a. being open to spontaneously eating with one another; b. enjoying one another’s company; c. taking an interest in the other person’s daily life and trials; d. the simplicity of showing hospitality in contrast to the stress of ‘entertaining’ one another.

This is a wonderful thing, but it also cuts off grace. (Definition of grace in this context: enabling favor.) God wants to build mature communities of believers through the developing of well rounded disciples. We must be open to the grace and unction of God through other believers – we need what they have.

1 Corinthians 12:14 14 For the body is not one member, but many.
Romans 12:4-5 4 For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.

Busting a Superstition

2005-01-22T09:33:00.000-05:00

Intro:

Yesterday I read that the Muslim community will be sacrificing 100 lambs to Allah in North Carolina. “The attorney for the farmers said the slaughter in observance of Eid al-Adha isn't that much different than hog killings.” The State Agriculture officials said they’d keep an eye on the festivities.

Apart from the fact that the choice words, ‘hog killings’, was used to typify what these people intend to be a holy sacrifice (this is somewhat insulting and ludicrous in the light of the Islamic attitude towards ‘pig’), I wonder why they are sacrificing…

Is it mere commemoration, or for thanksgiving? or atonement? or preparatory for a feast?

If you know, please let me know.

Point:

(This is part of the entire Biblical instruction about prayer.)

Having been involved in developing an intercessors’ network, I have come across the emphasis that we need to replicate and even go beyond the devotion of those who call upon false gods, false conceptions of Deity or outright witchcraft and devil worship.

So, what I would expect to hear is something like this:

“The Muslims are sacrificing 100 lambs!!! Quick, let us set up a 100 church prayer-chain… no, let us gather centrally and pray for 100 hours before and after their sacrifices.”

I have heard things like:

“The Buddhists are praying 24 hours a day. We must pray to overcome their prayers by praying 25 hours a day!”

This has always struck me as mildly insane.

Messiah said, “… for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words. 8 "So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.” (Matthew 6:7-8)

“… do not be like them…”

Look at Elijah’s example.

1 Kings 18:25-29

So Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, "Choose one ox for yourselves and prepare it first for you are many, and call on the name of your god, but put no fire under it."

26 Then they took the ox which was given them and they prepared it and called on the name of Baal from morning until noon saying, "O Baal, answer us." But there was no voice and no one answered. And they leaped about the altar which they made.

27 It came about at noon, that Elijah mocked them and said, "Call out with a loud voice, for he is a god; either he is occupied or gone aside, or is on a journey, or perhaps he is asleep and needs to be awakened."

28 So they cried with a loud voice and cut themselves according to their custom with swords and lances until the blood gushed out on them. 29 When midday was past, they raved until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice; but there was no voice, no one answered, and no one paid attention.

Go back and read that narrative slowly. Savor it… then come back.

Elijah confronted-challenged the prophets of Baal and waited until they were exhausted after an impressive display of vain spirituality.

James referred to the origin and outcome of this spiritual conflict thusly:

James 5:17-18 17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months. 18 Then he prayed again, and the sky poured rain and the earth produced its fruit.

The One Who lives within us is far greater than all the principalities and powers combined.

1 John 4:4 4 You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.

He is able to express Himself through the believer within their spheres of ministry and authority utterly effectively. If He leads you into prayer that is in specific conflict with any Baalim, victory is assured as you obey His Voice.

Jesus is risen from the dead. He is the head of every principality and power. He lives within us by His Spirit.

Dare you believe that your nature is like Elijah’s?

Pray for effectuating faith.

1 Kings 18:36b-38 ... Elijah the prophet came near and said, "O LORD, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, today let it be known that You are God in Israel and that I am Your servant and I have done all these things at Your word. 37 "Answer me, O LORD, answer me, that this people may know that You, O LORD, are God, and that You have turned their heart back again." 38 Then the fire of the LORD fell and consumed the burnt offering and the wood and the stones and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.

2005-01-18T01:09:00.000-05:00

Commanded to Know His Love

The serious disciple lives on a pilgrimage in their relationship with God. In the course of their journey they may travel down some paths leading to unanticipated dead ends. Some camp out in these cul-de-sacs, some turn around and resume their journey to fruitfulness.

These sincere disciples face specific snares. Those oriented towards ministry may be tempted in subtle ways. For instance, they may be tempted to view God as a means to get an anointed, successful ministry.

At times the genuine servant is delivered when the unseen motives of unmet ego needs are revealed by the Spirit. Sometimes that believer may reject this light, utilizing the Scriptures as a shield against conviction. “After all,” he rationalizes, “I know what I must do. There is a Great Commission, I can only accomplish this by God’s power. I must seek Him for power to get it done.” When actually, God wants us to seek Him with unadulterated devotion, find Him and walk with Him, not use Him as a means to a lesser end.

Another common detour occurs when serious disciples confuse their priorities. They make their main objective to be conformed to the image of Jesus. Although this is an admirable aspiration, our primary calling is to know Him. Instead, they find themselves enticed to exploit God and His word to accomplish this worthy goal. This is a self defeating determination. Our eyes are to be fixed on Jesus, not given to incessant introspection.

We are called to come to the place where we live primarily to “know Him.” As we get to know the Lord, we hear Him calling us to know His love.

In beginning a study of the love of God, a serious disciple might have some questions. The first question might be—where do I start? Or it could be: isn't attempting to know the love of God for myself just a waste of time? How important could this possibly be? I should be out doing things.

Is pursuing the knowledge of God’s love a distraction? Is this important or irrelevant? If it is important, why is it important?

While these questions are understandable, a more important--and relevant--question is: What does God want?

We can find out what He wants by considering what Jesus said. In John 15, we read that knowing God’s love is something God esteems as vital for us. Let us examine the text and then estimate its importance.

Jesus said to His disciples "I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. [2] "Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it, that it may bear more fruit. [3] "You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. [4] "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you, unless you abide in Me. [5] "I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in Him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing. [6] "If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch, and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. [7] "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it shall be done for you. [8] "By this is My Father glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples. (John 15:1-8)

Here is the context: Jesus is about to leave His disciples. He is urgently teaching them. He wants them to remember what He says. He wants to impart what was closest to His heart. Let us consider the soul of His message. What was His priority?

Messiah desired His disciples to remain in vital union with Himself. He was about to return to Father and wanted the apostles to prioritize keeping their relationship with Him alive. He wanted to maintain communion with them just as when He was physically present with them.

Messiah said, "… abide in Me…” five times in this section. If I had been there, I’d have asked, “So, You’re commanding me to ‘abide in’ You, but what does that mean, Lord? What is abiding like? How do I do that? Where do I start?”

Perhaps Jesus anticipated those questions, because in the next verse, He defined what abiding in Him is like. The key to abiding in Jesus is entrusted to us in John 15:9, "Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love."

“… (A)bide in My love…” is an imperative. But the command is also a clarification. The directive “…abide in My love,” is the further explanation of His decree, “…Abide in Me.”

As obedient disciples, we are called to abide in Him and the way towards abiding in Him is by abiding in His love for us. In remaining in Jesus’ love, we not only have the key to maintaining a relationship with Jesus, but we also get to experience the same type of love that Jesus received from the Father. To paraphrase, Jesus was saying, “Abide in Me through abiding in My love for you. My love for you is the same type of love I have been receiving from Father. Abide in My love.”

We are receiving this command from the Master Abider. Jesus dwelled in a conscious awareness of His Father’s love. This was such a vital part of His life that He wanted his disciples to do the same thing.

When you abide in Jesus, you get to know and understand Him. You get to know His character. We have learned of His character through the Scriptures: He is faithful, He is kind, He is just, He is trustworthy. Abiding in Him brings us into conscious contact with His character. But there’s more! The Lord, Himself, has a personality! Every believer should be convinced that since Jesus is a person He has a personality. But have we encountered it, or do we merely ‘take it by faith?’

To me, this is an incredible thing – how can we stop at getting to know His character and not press on to know Him so personally that we actually end up experiencing and knowing the God-Who-Has-A-Personality? In our experience of God, do we know the God-Who-Has-A-Personality? Or do we just know the God-Who-Has-A-Wonderful-Character?

Not only does God have a character and a personality, but He has plans. If you spend sufficient time with anybody, you get to know their character, their personality, and their dreams, desires and plans. You get to know their immediate focus and become familiar with their long term goals.

It’s almost as if He promised: “If you spend time with Me, you’re going to know my character, My personality, and you’re going to know My dreams, desires and plans. You’ll get to know what I’m focused on, where My attention is.”

Do you want to experience Jesus’ character, personality, and plans? “Abide in Me.” Do you want to see where He is directing His attention? “Abide in Me.” Do you want Him to point your attention in the same direction as He is currently focused? “Abide.”

Jesus has commanded us to abide in Him. He said that in order to abide in Him, we must abide in His love. It is therefore safe to conclude: experiencing the love Jesus has for us is very important.

This is the open secret that often escapes the serious seeker. This simplicity is an unexpected stumbling stone in the path of the earnest follower of Jesus. Many never expect that Jesus is commanding them to prioritize His love. His yoke is easy.

2005-01-13T08:54:00.000-05:00

John 1:18 “No man has seen God at any time; the only begotten God, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him.”

Jesus is the explanation of the Father.

Jesus reveals the Father in a context we understand.

What is that context?
Is it first century Judaism?
Is it being an occupied people under the heel of a despotic power?

No, that’s not the context we are able to easily understand. It takes work and study to understand that history and culture.

Is it being a man who is fully aware of every aspect of the spiritual realm?
To clearly understand and comprehend the angelic and demonic realm takes .... more grace than I have, anyway.

In Jesus, God reveals Himself to us within the context of humanity -- being human in relationship to other people. It is in that context we are most easily able to see Jesus completely revealing the Father: What is God's heart towards people?

Through the Messiah we can see God in contrast to our hearts. We can see what He has in common with us as we see God in harmony with our hearts. We can see how we maintain and pursue our relationships contrasted with how and why Jesus acted.

What is God like? To what type of life are we called?

Holy Spirit, reveal the Son.

2005-01-09T17:33:00.000-05:00

On the Love of God

Today as I was teaching, I realized that I was actually getting my two heart's desires as I pursued abiding in Jesus' love.

a. My first goal was to be 'like' Jesus
b. My second goal (which became my first goal in priority) has been to know Him

He said
As the Father has loved Me
So have I loved you
Abide in my love

So, there we have Messiah calling us to relate to Him in the same way that He related to the Father (goal a. - being like Jesus).

Secondly, the doorway into knowing Him (goal b. - knowing Him) is receiving His love - that is His first priority to bring us into relationship with Himself.

In receiving His love, I get both.

Both.

2005-01-08T01:32:00.000-05:00

This is the testimony of Raymond Lull - the first 'missionary' to the Islamic peoples. He was a knight who lived in the 13th century. This was penned by Zwemer...

One evening the seneschal was sitting on a couch, with his cithern on his knees, composing a song in praise of a noble married lady who had fascinated him but who was insensible to his passion. Suddenly, in the midst of the erotic song, he saw on his right hand the Savior hanging on His cross, the blood trickling from His hands and feet and brow, look reproachfully at him. Raymund, conscience - struck, started up; he could sing no more; he laid aside his cithern and, deeply moved, retired into bed.

Eight days after, he again attempted to finish the song and again took up the plea of an unrequited lover. But now again, as before, the image of Divine Love incarnate appeared - the agonized form of the Man of Sorrows.

The dying eyes of the Savior were fixed on him mournfully, pleadingly: "See from His head. His hands, His feetSorrow and love flow mingling down:Did ere such love and sorrow meet,Or thorns compose so rich a crown?"

Lull cast his lute aside, and threw himself on his bed, a prey to remorse. He had seen the highest and deepest unrequited love. But the thought that "Love so amazing, so divine,Demands my soul, my life, my all," had not yet reached him.

The effect of the vision was so transitory that he was not ready to yield until it again repeated itself. Then Lull could not resist the thought that this was a special message for himself to conquer his lower passions and to devote himself entirely to Christ's service.

He felt engraved on his heart, as it were, the great spectacle of divine Self-sacrifice. Henceforth he had only one passion, to love and serve Christ. But there arose the doubt, How can I, defiled with impurity, rise and enter on a holier life?

Night after night, we are told, he lay awake, a prey to despondency and doubt. He wept like Mary Magdalen, remembering how much and how deeply he had sinned.

At length the thought occurred: Christ is meek and full of compassion; He invites all to come to Him; He will not cast me out. With that thought came consolation. Because he was forgiven so much he loved the more, and concluded that he would forsake the world and give up all for his Savior.

2005-01-07T08:45:00.000-05:00

Essence of the Confirmation Process

Spiritual adolescence may be a problem, but it can be part of the normal development of a faithful person. Through faith in God and the resultant fruit of the Spirit it is possible for a spiritual adolescent to remain faithful through what turns out to be a confirmation process.

The confirmation process is not institutional by nature, it is relational.

The faithfulness which needs to be displayed towards man and God is not towards a task or ministry (although that is important). The faithfulness-that-confirms is actually the maturing of relational integrity.

This integrity takes place within the context of divinely given responsibilities. These ministries occur because of loving human relationships and a manifest divine calling.

These human relationships have their origins in (are initiated by) God. They are maintained unto the Lord, by His power according to the person's calling.

This faithfulness towards God and man is finally manifested in unctioned confirmed service.

The confirmation comes from God and the Body.

2005-01-05T17:13:00.000-05:00

Spiritual Adolescence

Adolescence is a time many parents dread. Living with an adolescent can be like living through a decade of the ‘terrible twos’ (only with an adult sized body). Sometimes the child grows past the parent. Sometimes the child’s capacity for logic (along with the information available about certain subjects) rivals those of their parents.

Along with this astonishing time of growth comes a push for independence and the differentiating of identity from that of the parent.

One delightful piece of information made available over the last few years is that the part of the brain that controls decision making (judgment/evaluation and action/risk) is still growing until the person is in their early twenties. This is scientific truth, much to the chagrin of certain adolescents I know.

Take a look: http://www.childwelfare.net/SJDC/braindevelopment.html

It is an example of grace when children go through adolescence without going into out-and-out rebellion. In many instances it is only the faith of believing adolescents which keep them in a lifestyle of ‘honoring’ their parents. The tendency of the adolescent is to find their identity amongst their peers.

The young believer begins to grow up…

Amazingly, all of a sudden they discover that they know as much as, or more than, their spiritual parents! (LOL!) Perhaps they come to different doctrinal conclusions. They begin to find different sources of spiritual nourishment than their elders. The way things have been done are so... old.

This is different from deep character flaws. The spiritual adolescent is experiencing growing pains. They are coming into their own sense of identity and mission.

The wise adolescent works through these times, maintaining a relationship with those who have nourished him

The foolish adolescent?

Well ... perhaps they no longer communicate, as they cut their parents off. They tend to hang out with others who feel the same way about their parents. In a worst case scenario, they run away from home. Then they complain about being ‘fatherless’ as they tear down the work of their spiritual parents.

Actually, they’ve opted out of the confirmation process.

2005-01-03T08:58:00.000-05:00

Aborting the Confirmation Process

Let’s set up a normal situation:

Someone shows up in a local congregation. They have either just been saved or are experienced believers. They have a desire to contribute or lead in the congregation. They begin to serve.

Everyone hopes they will mature and be able to contribute to the life of the fellowship.

They’re in the confirmation process. Leaders are looking at them hoping they will mature and prove faithful.

So many get derailed…they never finish the training period.

Why?

The first reason with which I’m familiar is ‘spiritual adolescence.’

2005-01-03T07:42:00.000-05:00

1 Timothy 3:10 10 These men must also first be tested…

Had Timothy been tested?

Acts 16:1-3 … And a disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek, 2 and he was well spoken of by the brethren who were in Lystra and Iconium. 3 Paul wanted this man to go with him …

There was enough known about Timothy’s track record to impress Paul.

Timothy went through the confirmation process and then advanced to another place of faithfulness. His life is a success story.

Are you in a confirmation process? What type of track record are you developing?

2005-01-02T19:46:00.000-05:00

"Let them be tested."

1 Timothy 3:10 10 These men must also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach.

Paul is telling Timothy that those who are being called to recognized service in the Body are to be tested by others who are part of the Body. Leaders are to put aspiring servants through trial.

Let them serve for a ‘trial’ period.

If they get through it with a record of being effective and having a good attitude, then let them serve.

“Timothy, set up a trial period for these people”

It seems that after ordination the Lord does the testing.

Being tested by people is a breeze.

When God puts your soul in the fire He does a thorough job.

2004-12-31T17:17:00.000-05:00

‘Fulfill.”

This is the second imperative in the verse. “Archippus, fulfill your ministry.” This exhortation is echoed in Paul’s fatherly command to Timothy.

2 Timothy 4:5c ... fulfill your ministry.

This is part of the confirmation process. Will “Archippus” fulfill his ministry? After all, he received it in the Lord. Surely he’ll take it seriously.

Not many do.

2004-12-30T18:25:00.000-05:00

“Archippus, take heed to the ministry … that you may fulfill it.”

“Take heed”
This is an imperative, not a suggestion. The Greek implies “look at it, concentrate upon it.”

“Archippus, do you know what you’ve received?
"Pay attention to it.”

Sometimes we receive tasks from the Lord and don’t know the value of the ministry we've received. He is watching the smallest effort. He rejoices in faithfulness. Our attitudes can bless or grieve Him.

He has strategic reasons for these assignments.

Our hearts may say, “But it is so insignificant…”

I have to ask, “How do you know?”

Suppose you were the lad with the few fish and loaves.

The Lord could be saying,
“Bring that to the meeting.”
“Bring that to a friend’s house.”
“Bring that to the world”

But it’s so insignificant.

2004-12-29T09:15:00.000-05:00

Archippus

Faithfulness is required

Colossians 4:17 Say to Archippus, "Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it."

Archippus “received” his “ministry” “in the Lord”.

In the spiritual realm there is a stark contrast between those who are serving in what they have “received in the Lord” and those who have manufactured their own ministries.

From the top down – because the church is also a human institution (a human, culturally defined phenomena) - there are often merely-human leaders in the church. They are posers. They have the t-shirt but never made the trip.

They have positions and titles but are made up of something which is of a fundamentally different nature.

This is different from immaturity.

A person who is in training or actually functioning in their calling can have the internal spiritual reality and lack the type of loving humility and relational integrity that should be the norm for those who have received their ministry in the Lord.

Here’s an illustration of immaturity from the life of “The Twelve.”

Luke 9:46 An argument started among them as to which of them might be the greatest.

In that brief sentence we see the disciples giving an amazing illustration of the wisdom that is from beneath.

James 3:15-16 This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing.

It can be argued, “Wait, this is before they were sent out. They were not yet apostles.” (That happened, however, in the very next chapter!) With this type of track record, would you have sent them out on an apostolic journey? Apart from the Lord’s intervention, I wouldn’t have… Jesus did!

For the sake of being reasonable, let’s agree with this perspective and say: “Good illustration, but they weren’t sent out, yet.”

Yet, we have a repeat of this same stupid argument mentioned in Luke, chapter 22.

Luke 22:24 And there arose also a dispute among them as to which one of them was regarded to be greatest.

The context of this argument is right after the Lord Jesus instituted communion.

The disciples were immature, but they were still apostles. They were not the type of people I would want to follow, would you? Yet, if you wanted to hear the true testimony of Jesus, you would have to listen to them. Despite their character and relational weaknesses, they had the substance of the office working within them. Their calling was genuine.

The record of their embarrassing time of training and character development is in the Gospels, Acts and some narratives in the epistles.

It is possible to receive a heavenly calling to serve in the Body, to function in that calling, to progress in that calling and not be perfect.

Those of us who are ‘older’ in the Body need to remember where we came from.

Those of us who are working out our callings within the context of the community of believers should not get discouraged by the weakness of our sanctity. The apostles’ focus was often off the goal, but they were genuine.

2004-12-24T11:24:00.000-05:00

An Exception, An Exceptional Example

Although what I wrote yesterday is basically true, there are exceptions.

John the Baptist never went through a proving process within a community of believers.

However, John recognized Jesus’ divine ordination at the Jordan. He was the witness who proclaimed Jesus to be the Messiah.

Even Jesus was confirmed by someone else.

2004-12-23T11:38:00.000-05:00

2. Has it been confirmed?

It is possible to believe you’re called to function in a specific way and yet not be received.

However, if the calling is genuine there will usually be a corresponding open door accompanied by others seeing that the calling is complemented by natural capacities and spiritual gifts.

Jesus saw rudimentary skills of fishing as the seeds of apostolic evangelism.

A couple of decades ago I was approached by a believer who informed that “he” was called to lead worship in our congregation.

This is how the dialogue went:

“I am called to lead worship, here.”

Can you sing?

“No.”

Can you play any musical instrument?

“No.”

Have you ever done this before?

“No.”

Why are you ordering me to receive you as a worship leader?

“God told me.”

I’m sorry, but I disagree.

At this point, the person’s face became astonished, sullen, resentful, offended and accusatory.

Now, it is always possible that I missed God. It is feasible that if I had allowed this person to lead the worship team that God would have miraculously given that person a voice and musical aptitude.

What if the exchange had gone like this?

“Pastor, I have something I’d like you to consider. I can’t sing, or play a musical instrument, therefore this seems highly unlikely, but I believe that God has called me to lead worship here. Perhaps, despite my natural inabilities we could experiment and see if God confirms it.”

Maybe… maybe the interchange would have gone like this:

It does seem highly unlikely. However, you really believe God has spoken to you?

“Yes.”

You realize that it may not work?

“Yes.”

You’re willing to suffer possible humiliation if it doesn’t work?

“Yes.”

Would you be willing to try this in a couple of months, not right away?

“Yes.”

Well, in that case, what do we have to lose? Let’s give it a try. In a few weeks, come to a musician's meeting and we'll see what happens.

Arrogant unrealistic hyper-spirituality is seldom looked upon favorably by leaders.

If a person is called to a specific function, they will begin a confirmation process that begins with humility.

2004-12-22T17:12:00.000-05:00

Just who are you, exactly?

Every believer has the potential of these three words being spoken over their lives: called, chosen, faithful.

Revelation 17:14b … He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the called and chosen and faithful."

Called: God places a call upon the believer’s life.

Chosen: Should the believer respond appropriately to the calling, following Jesus into the life of service, they qualify for the realization of the calling – they are chosen to serve within a specific sphere.

Faithful: It is up to the disciple to serve the Lord in their spheres of service by the power He provides.

The call can be to any of the ministries mentioned in Romans 12 or 1 Corinthians 12. Have you responded to your call enough so that through the development of an obedient life you are fit to be chosen?

The calling must be pursued by faith. This faith must be exercised through responding in obedience.

Some have a hard time obeying the calling, they are not ‘mixing the word with faith.’

Hebrews 4:2b … the word they heard did not profit them, because it was not united by faith in those who heard.

Why not? They don’t believe enough to act. To this, Jesus asks:

John 5:44 "How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and you do not seek the glory that is from the one and only God?

Why should the desire for glory from one another cut down on belief? Biblical belief involves obedience to God. Following Jesus is not popular.

Romans 16:26c ... obedience of faith;
Hebrews 11:8a By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed ...

Who are you called to be?

2004-12-21T11:19:00.000-05:00

Breaking Free of the Need for Man’s Approval

How do we relate to people in the light of this?

By faith.

There are always going to be leadership and follower-ship issues in the Body.

Leaders are always going to be tempted to please people.

People are always going to be tempted to please leaders.

Try dealing with the fear of man, or the fear of people through these questions:
1. Who has God called you to be in the Body?
2. Has it been confirmed?
3. Are you walking in it?
4. Is it enough for you?

God willing, tomorrow we’ll begin to break this down.

2004-12-03T15:41:00.000-05:00

Living in such a way as to gain God’s …

Approval
2

It is amazing that those of us who believe in God continually fear men. I see this in me and am astonished… A symptom of this can be seen as we seek peoples’ approval. Often, the approval of people is opposed to God’s way.

John 12:43 43 for they loved the approval of men rather than the approval of God.

Nobody walks around advertising that they make decisions based upon other peoples’ approbation. In this way, it’s similar to pride. No one I know interacts with people consciously knowing they are conceited. It’s a hidden motivation.

But God knows.

1 Corinthians 4:5 5 Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men's hearts; and then each man's praise will come to him from God.

Hebrews 4:12-13 12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.

We can seek the approval of constituencies of people we should be serving and leading. We often seek the approval of people who are leading us… What a convolution. No wonder there’s confusion.

Proverbs 29:25 25 The fear of man brings a snare, But he who trusts in the LORD will be exalted.

We’re not to fear man when we render judgment in a situation.

Deuteronomy 1:17b … You shall not fear man, for the judgment is God's…

This is true not only when we’re judging a situation, but when we’re making decisions about our direction.

We’re not to fear man as if our justice comes from a mere human.

Proverbs 29:25-26 25 The fear of man brings a snare, But he who trusts in the LORD will be exalted. 26 Many seek the ruler's favor, but justice for man comes from the LORD.

If we do fear man, the prophetic word strongly admonishes us to stop it.

Isaiah 2:22 22 Stop regarding man, whose breath of life is in his nostrils; for why should he be esteemed?

This is important to us if we are seeking the Lord’s approval. It is part of the besetting sins that need to be put aside.

Hebrews 12:1b-2a ... let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus …

Cry out for mercy.

2004-12-03T13:22:00.000-05:00

Paul wrote:
2 Cor. 5:14 For the Messiah's love controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died;

We are constrained by the love of God.

There is precedent for this.

Our Creator's love for us constrained Him to act redemptively.

Any constraint to love by the presence of the Holy Spirit within us, is merely a restoration into the image of God.

2004-12-02T15:34:00.000-05:00

Living in such a way as to gain God’s …

Approval

Ultimately, our significance is not determined by winning God’s approval. Our significance is determined by what He has done in creating us to be so valuable to Him. Only the ransom price of Calvary sufficiently demonstrated this worth.

So, we are justified, in good standing, on our way to heaven or the resurrection of the just. In that sphere of wellbeing is it possible to still long for God’s approval? Yes.

2 Corinthians 5:9-10 9 Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

It seems as if all of life is going to be reviewed. No wonder we long for this approval.

I’ve a friend who doesn’t want to hear this: Matthew 25:21 21 "His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.'

He believes that it is too ‘low level’ for a ‘son.’

On the other hand, I long to hear those types of words from Jesus.

Even THE Son sought to do the things which were pleasing to the One who sent Him.

John 8:29 29 "And He who sent Me is with Me; He has not left Me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to Him."

We are called to learn to live the same fashion.

Ephesians 5:10 10 trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.

We have a Master to please. He inspects the quality of our work.

2 Timothy 2:15 15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.

Don't be surprised if you find within you a motive to gain God's approval. Don't confuse it with your desire to be 'saved.'

Every believer has this motive.

2004-11-30T23:24:00.002-05:00

1 John 4:8c reads, "God is love."

It is good to know that He loves you out of the eternal wellspring of Who He is, not because of the character or personality qualifications you may possess!

God is love.

When John wrote, "God is love” he was communicating that God's essence is love. Now that sounds very, very deep... What in the world does that mean?

This is what I believe it means. It means that He is, at heart, a loving Person. According to His nature and essence, He loves. He loves everything He has made. That includes you and everything else.

Thankfully this is true. Yet, (please don’t laugh at this…) it does not answer questions like, “Why does God love humanity more than He loves a bug?”

Jesus said, "You are worth more than many sparrows!"

God is love, but this love is not evenly distributed, is it?

Why is that?

2004-11-23T22:07:00.000-05:00

Remember this text?

Galatians 4:6 6 Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!"

Sometimes we think that a real encounter with the Spirit will be similar to Isaiah’s.

Isaiah 6:3-5 3 And one called out to another and said, "Holy, Holy, Holy, is the LORD of hosts, The whole earth is full of His glory." 4 And the foundations of the thresholds trembled at the voice of him who called out, while the temple was filling with smoke. 5 Then I said, "Woe is me, for I am ruined! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I live among a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts."

However, Galatians 4:6 does not say:

Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying out in horror and dismay!

The text does not say:

Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Holy! Holy! Holy!!”

No.

What is the Spirit crying out within us? “Abba.”

What Spirit is that?

“…the Spirit of His Son.” He’s not a second hand Spirit. This is Jesus Himself animating us with His own Spirit.

God is so holy that the whole universe must bow at the sight of Him. Yes, but that is not the foundation of our relationship with Him in the Messiah.

The foundation of our relationship with Him in the Messiah is “Abba.” If we’re not experiencing that, then it’s not just a matter of weak theology. It’s a matter of our not having an appropriate communion with the One who within us cries, “Abba.”

Father's Son's Spirit.

2004-09-24T17:53:00.000-04:00

The Heart of Sanctity

The heart of sanctity is loving God in response to abiding in His love.

The heart of sanctity is loving God in response to the act of love which brought about redemption.

That’s the heart of sanctity.

The heart of sanctity is a relationship with the God who is love.

2004-09-16T14:52:00.000-04:00

Rosh HaShanah

Romans 4:13-18 13 For the promise to Abraham or to his descendants that he would be heir of the world was not through the Law, but through the righteousness of faith. 14 For if those who are of the Law are heirs, faith is made void and the promise is nullified; 15 for the Law brings about wrath, but where there is no law, there also is no violation. 16 For this reason it is by faith, in order that it may be in accordance with grace, so that the promise will be guaranteed to all the descendants, not only to those who are of the Law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all, 17 (as it is written, "A FATHER OF MANY NATIONS HAVE I MADE YOU") in the presence of Him whom he believed, even God, who gives life to the dead and calls into being that which does not exist. 18 In hope against hope he believed, so that he might become a father of many nations according to that which had been spoken, "SO SHALL YOUR DESCENDANTS BE."

Every year, the story of Abraham binding Isaac is read in the synagogue.

Abraham is the father of our faith

Abraham stood alone -- he still does. Nobody who is sane relates to knowing the voice of God well enough to do what he did.

Are we "of the faith of Abraham"?

2004-09-09T10:19:00.000-04:00

A Mystery In Job

The person, Job, speaks of Someone else.

What is the point of this book?

Many have used Job as a model for every believer. They teach that the devil can only have access to a believer’s life if God gives express permission.
(No comment.)

I heard one of my favorite teachers say that Job takes its place in Wisdom Literature by stating, ‘human wisdom is bankrupt.’
(I agree.)

A friend said that the point of Job was the developing of an intercessor.
(Good point.)

We remember that due to Satan, Job lost
his possessions,
his children,
his health,
his fellowship with his wife (who became his first accuser),
his reputation,
and became subject to accusation from his friends as they sought an explanation as to ‘why’ this happened to an apparently righteous man.

Consider this…
What fault was there in Job that all of these horrible things happened to him?’

The Biblical answer, the answer Yahweh gave, is that there was no fault in Job whatsoever.

Consider these questions…
What fault was there in God that His angels should rebel?
What fault was there in God that He should become bereft of His children?
What fault was there in God that His world would come under the sway of the evil one?
What fault was there in God that He should be subject to the accusations of angels and humanity?
What fault was there in God that He should be subject to the loss of His reputation?
What fault was there in God that He should have to be defended weakly by His ‘friends’ seeking to divine a good ‘reason’ that ‘He allows’ evil to run rampant?

At Calvary, Jesus revealed the Heart of God. Alone, despised, weak, rejected, suffering under the loss and alienation of that which was made through Him…

There is no fault in Him.

See Him suffer.

Look at Job.

2004-08-18T08:32:00.000-04:00

“Lord Jesus, shepherd Your people!”

Isaiah 40:10, 11
10 Behold, the Lord GOD will come with might,
With His arm ruling for Him.
Behold, His reward is with Him and His recompense before Him.
11 Like a shepherd He will tend His flock,
In His arm He will gather the lambs and carry them in His bosom;
He will gently lead the nursing ewes.

As I've sought to care for the flock of God, I've seen how limited my ability is to accomplish the supernatural task of tending God's sheep. As my heart was breaking for people I have come to love, the Shepherd began to reveal something of Himself to me. I began to rediscover, Jesus's sufficiency as the Great Shepherd of the Sheep. I began to see Jesus’s ministry as Shepherd from a fresh perspective.

The first time in Scripture God is referred to as ‘Shepherd’ surprised me. I thought that it would be about the Lord shepherding His flock. Surely the relationship would be likened to a shepherd to corporate group, like ‘the Shepherd of the House of Israel.’ I was wrong.

Surprisingly, Israel (Jacob) referred to God as ‘my shepherd.’

Genesis 48:14 But Israel stretched out his right hand and laid it on the head of Ephraim, who was the younger, and his left hand on Manasseh's head, crossing his hands, although Manasseh was the firstborn. 15 He blessed Joseph, and said, "The God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has been my shepherd all my life to this day, 16 The angel who has redeemed me from all evil, Bless the lads; And may my name live on in them, And the names of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; And may they grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth."

Jacob proclaimed that the result of God’s shepherding activity in his life was knowing His oversight, redemption from evil, blessing, divine destiny, multiplication in the midst of a hostile world.

“My Shepherd” … this is Psalm 23 language, isn’t it? Let’s read that familiar psalm.

Psalm 23 - A Psalm of David.
1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside quiet waters.
3 He restores my soul;
He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake.
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I fear no evil, for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You have anointed my head with oil;
My cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life,
And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

It’s amazing at how individualized the Shepherd’s attention is. Only God can do this. Notice how the individual celebrates the Shepherd’s care. Let’s review these verses:

1. The LORD is my shepherd I shall not want
2. He makes me lie down
He leads me
3. He restores my soul
He guides me
4. Though I walk in deep darkness
I fear no evil
You are with me
Your rod and staff comfort me
5. You prepare a table for me
In the presence of my enemies
My cup overflows
6. Goodness and mercy shall follow me
I shall dwell in His house

What a psalm. What a Shepherd! What individual care. What an expression of personal confidence. If this psalm is indicative of what a personal relationship with Jesus is about, then let’s get the Shepherd to be more active in the lives of those we love.

The Lord’s determination to be each one’s shepherd has profound implications for the way we lead and pray. We should point God’s sheep to Him and pray they enter into a relationship with their Shepherd.

People need this relationship with their Shepherd.

The counsel of the Shepherd

John 10:1 "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter by the door into the fold of the sheep, but climbs up some other way, he is a thief and a robber. 2 "But he who enters by the door is a shepherd of the sheep. 3 "To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 "When he puts forth all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 "A stranger they simply will not follow, but will flee from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers." … 10… I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

The Lord has promised to lead us by His voice. The Shepherd is caring for His flock, but the flock is gathered to Him through individual sheep responding to His voice. Those who respond to His voice are the ones who can see the initiating leadership of the One who ‘goes ahead of them.’ Those staying in the fold refuse to obey the voice of the Shepherd and never know the abundant life He came to give.

The Father has commanded true disciples to listen to the Son. Luke 9:35 Then a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is My Son, My Chosen One; listen to Him!"

This command is in harmony with Moses’ prophecy about the coming prophet. Deuteronomy 18:15 "The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your countrymen, you shall listen to him.

The ones who have heard the Lord speak to the deepest part of their spirit are often surprised as they hear what He has to say. He encourages places which are hidden from human view. He often addresses matters that are completely obscured by the busyness of our souls. Many times, we are concentrating so intently upon certain aspects of life that we completely miss what Jesus is after. His encouragement is always valid, relevant and when received, strengthening.

When Messiah comes with reproof, it is often to challenge our hearts where we have become desensitized to the Word, the counsel of brethren and the occasional message hidden behind the difficulty of our circumstances. That is when the Good Shepherd most decisively acts. His sheep hear His voice and they follow Him.

Psalm 95:7-11
7 … He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture and the sheep of His hand.
Today, if you would hear His voice, 8 do not harden your hearts, …
9 "When your fathers tested Me, they tried Me, though they had seen My work.
10 "For forty years I loathed that generation,
And said they are a people who err in their heart, and they do not know My ways.
11 "Therefore I swore in My anger, truly they shall not enter into My rest."

Jesus intends to cause us to inherit all He has planned for us. We are warned to pay attention when He speaks. If we don’t listen, we may end up disqualifying ourselves from becoming or doing all He wants for us in this life.

For this reason, we’re warned to pay close attention to the Voice of our Shepherd. Philippians 2:12 So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. We must recognize that it is possible to harden our hearts. When the Shepherd draws near and gives encouragement, direction or reproof, it is wise to pay close attention!

Thankfully, we don’t have to be in the best spiritual shape to hear from Jesus! The issue is often desire and faith, not personal holiness. Luke records that no matter the character and lifestyle of the person they can still draw near and listen… Luke 15:1 Now all the tax collectors and the sinners were coming near Him to listen to Him. Many times, those who have their lives in order have a lack of hunger to hear from the Shepherd. The Lord responds to the cries of the one lost sheep.

In case we are wondering as to where the voice of the Shepherd is easily accessible, the hungry in heart have been given a secret. Luke also gives a location to find Jesus. Luke 21:38 And all the people would get up early in the morning to come to Him in the temple to listen to Him. The Lord is often found in the vicinity of corporate worship and prayer.

Micah 5:4
And He will arise and shepherd His flock in the strength of the LORD,
in the majesty of the name of the LORD His God.
And they will remain, because at that time He will be great to the ends of the earth

It takes faith to believe that people can be guided, guarded and groomed for future usefulness by the Lord, Himself. Some don’t trust the Lord to adequately counsel the believer! However, when the Lord rises up to personally shepherd His people it is effective, holy and produces lasting fruit!

The voices of human shepherds are important. They need to be received. However there is only one indispensable Voice, the voice of the Shepherd.

Wouldn’t it be better to trust the people of God over to the God of the people? They need to learn to listen to His voice and suffer the consequences of confusion or chastisement should they ignore Him… How will they learn? If we are constantly intervening, what are they learning? Are they learning to walk with Him?

We must stop giving people more help than they should receive. Each person needs to work out their own salvation with fear and trembling because it is God that is working in them. The voice of the Shepherd is needed. The strength of the Spirit is needed.

Many of us are deeply concerned about the determination of many believers to delineate their own discipleship boundaries. It seems as if many in the congregations have determined to have ‘a little Jesus on the side.’ He is an addition to life, not ‘the life.’ No matter how we’ve strived with them in the Word or in counsel, it seems as if they’re ‘not getting it’ or are ‘not going there.’ “Let’s not go there’ has become less a joke, than a stronghold which is stubbornly surrounding many hearts.

The good news is that these hearts are not hidden from the Lord. Neither is the fortress of rebellion as impregnable as it appears. Jesus is able to speak to the church. Jesus is able to speak His word to the deepest parts of the soul. His love is able to conquer the rebellious and set the captives free.

We need the Body of the Messiah to arise, in harmony with its Head. True disciples should be able to fellowship and cooperate with one another upon the foundation of each one’s current personal relationship with Jesus. I long to see the day when believers are following Jesus to the degree that we resemble a Body and not a business; a bride and not a board meeting; a living temple and not theatergoers, combatants and not clientele.

The church seems to resemble a service organization or a huge self-help community. Our programs emphasize the meeting of human need, or rather, our clients felt needs. Instead, we’re called to be a holy community of priests who are both before Him and sent to bring Him to others.

1 Samuel 12:23 "Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you; but I will instruct you in the good and right way.

It is the responsibility of human shepherds to feed the flock of God. But what we are actually called to do is give them the opportunity to eat. Our messages are opportunities for others to eat. Watchmen are called to give the message. It is up to the sheep to receive. We are not to hold them down, pry open their jaws and cause them to ingest the Word of Grace. No, we are called to give them the tools so they may feed and grow. The shepherd leads to the pasture, the sheep eat by themselves. If they’re hungry, they will eat.

Most leaders spend time in study and preparation. However, it seems as if the pastoral role of chief intercessor for the flock is often lacking. Perhaps this is a reason that there doesn’t seem to be the type of spiritual growth we would hope to see. Let’s appeal to the Great Shepherd in prayer and then let us instruct.

Our Messiah, Jesus, is the Shepherd. Revelation 7:17 for the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and will guide them to springs of the water of life; and God will wipe every tear from their eyes." He is proficient. He is trustworthy. His is the voice they need to hear. He has walked in our shoes – He experienced being led by His Shepherd, God the Father.

The Shepherd is caring for His flock, but the flock is gathered to Him through individual sheep responding to His voice. Those who respond to His voice are the ones who are able to see the initiating leadership of the One who ‘goes ahead of them.’ Those who stay in the fold and refuse to obey the voice of the Shepherd will never know the abundant life He came to give.

Let us pray:

Psalm 28:9 Save Your people and bless Your inheritance; be their shepherd also, and carry them forever.

under mercy,
Pastor David Harwood

2004-07-18T08:20:00.000-04:00

There are those who maintain that it is impossible for God to truly desire love.

In their view, this desire for love must be picture language -- anthropomorphic. It is not spiritual depth calling to deep -- it is surface truth calling to those who are children in their understanding.

Well, it's the children who enter into the Kingdom of God.

2004-07-16T06:27:00.000-04:00

We know that there are many believers who take by faith the Father’s love, who refuse to believe in the Father’s pleasure in them.

Jesus said that the Father would love us just like He loved Jesus.

Somehow, this has not been emphasized... Or perhaps it has been twisted to mean that although He wouldn’t love us, per se, He would treat us like Jesus because of what Messiah has done, but not because He means it.

For some people the gospel is, “God loves Jesus, not you. However, you can experience what it feels like to be loved by God for Jesus’s sake.”

John 16:27 for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me and have believed that I came forth from the Father.

John 17:23 I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me. ... 26 and I have made Your name known to them, and will make it known, so that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them."

2004-07-06T17:53:00.000-04:00

Does God love some more than others, or is His love the same for all?

Yes.

Can we act in such a way to increase His love for us, or is it constant and never-changing?

Yes.

2004-06-30T11:29:00.000-04:00

Holiness and loving God

Holiness for the purpose of knowing God.

Holiness without which no man will see the Lord.

God is Pure.

Purity of heart is necessary to relate to the Pure One.

2004-06-30T11:00:00.000-04:00

to a beloved child of God:

You have been saved from wrath and are in the spiritual dimension of the Kingdom of God's Love, where Jesus reigns. The believer can look at tragedies, trials, triumphs through a tested means of interpretation. Should the entire panorama of creation and all of your experience prove hostile and conspire against knowing God's love in Jesus, all the universe would be rendered helpless!

Nothing can separate you from the love of God which is in Messiah Jesus our Lord. Should, like Job, all the hedges be removed and you were stripped of all you are in this world and of every supportive human relationship, you would still be a person that God loves.

The apostle John was very bold with this principle and we should be just as bold!

He was the apostle uniquely entrusted with Jesus's words, "abide in My love." John took these words to heart.

When John referred to himself in his gospel he called himself "the disciple whom Jesus loved." He didn't define himself by his name, parents, gender, ministry, location, tribe or nation. John so obeyed the exhortation to abide in Jesus's love that it became the determination of his identity.

How about you? Do you define yourself in this way?

For many, the way others view and relate to them shape the way they relate to themselves and their world. No other person's evaluation of your worth is worthy to compare with God's appreciation of your value! Ultimately, His perspective is the only one that solidly endures.

2004-06-28T18:45:00.000-04:00

I was ministering on the topic of God's love about ten years ago and it seemed as if the Lord gave me the word “Pretense.”

And of course, my first response was, “Is it I?”

But I began to realize that people basically believe God pretends that he loves them.

God is not just singing in the room. He's singing to you.

2004-06-23T23:46:00.000-04:00

FOOL VERSE 2

Jeremiah 17:11 "As a partridge that hatches eggs which it has not laid, So is he who makes a fortune, but unjustly; In the midst of his days it will forsake him, And in the end he will be a fool."

2004-06-19T16:30:00.000-04:00

Consider this...

Only those who are holy can have a heartfelt friendship with the Holy One or other people. We are called to be holy for relational reasons.

2004-06-19T14:43:00.000-04:00

Knowing...

Understanding how and why God acts brings about an increased relationship with God.

Sometimes we are commanded to “know” and the meaning is “to experience”.

Sometimes we are enjoined to “know” and the definition would be “to believe,” or “to acknowledge”.

Both forms of knowledge are Biblical. They complement one another.

One builds and prepares for an increase in the other.

Sometimes experience is given to produce understanding, a deeper wrought faith.

At other times understanding is given to prepare us for a more extensive encounter.

2004-06-16T17:46:00.000-04:00

Colossians 3:13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.

The Greek word here for ‘forgive’ has to do with forgiveness upon the basis of 'favor.' The person who is forgiving is favorably disposed towards the offender. The offended person wants to forgive – the offended person wants the relationship restored. It’s a “grace/favor” word.

To think that His motivation for forgiving us is like that... Wonderful.

2004-06-12T08:49:00.000-04:00

Notable quotes:
“We worship God… that's who we are… it’s what we do.” --- Elaine Harwood
“Check your watch at the door.” --- Pastor David Harwood
“It’s moments to us.” --- Marianne Walker

2004-06-08T06:36:00.000-04:00

Shira wrote...

We should never be afraid to ponder the truth, especially if it conflicts with our sense of reality.

I love the way my daughter thinks...

2004-06-07T14:13:00.000-04:00

IM

Me: did I tell you the assignment for the Love Class - defining agape? I gave them 15 pages of Bible verses - every time agape is used in NT -- they have to read the scriptures -- and they have to come up with their own definition from the text

Friend: that's good

Me: I've gotten a couple of responses... I'm so happy with their response

Friend: so how would you define agape?
Me: 'love'
Me: :)
Me: lol
Me: lol

Friend: thanks for the thoughtful response

Me: lol
Friend: :-D

Me: I like short definitions!

Friend: only God can love with agape love
Me: you have a loftier definition than I -- but He does bring it to perfection: :)
Friend: in Christ
Me: yes, definitely, the standard of excellence

Friend: the unconditional, no strings, attached kind of love
Me: well, I wonder, is that exactly true... but - no quibbling. When i get their definitions, i am going to post them and comment and invite comment.

Friend: Why? Are there strings attached to God's perfect love
Me: He is looking for a return, yes. "Return"
Friend: true

Me: He values and desires that which He loves, not 'altruistic' and unattached -- passionate desire - highly valued - really loved - jealousy, rage, all these things --- they come from agape - agape - the root of holiness
Friend: then the definition of unconditional has conditions
Me: His patience runs out
Friend: yes

Me: But that is not inconsistent w agape. He also agapes justice, etc. He "agapes" some things more than others. For the sake of some things that He "agapes", He hates other things.
Friend: yes
Me: We are His beloved in Messiah Jesus

Friend: so agape has limits
Me: yes and no -- it defines all that God does ... so, then, no -- but the benefits of agape can be missed

Friend: but God limits his limitlessness
Me: right, He does, but will eventually take it up, again - 1 Corinthians 15
Friend: yes

Me: He's humble, He will eventually 'arise'
Friend: indeed

Friend: phone - gotta go
Me: bye

2004-06-06T07:35:00.000-04:00

From Shira

" Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."

If this is just simply the way love is...and I think it might be...I mean, think about it--when people are in love, don't they delight in pleasing each other? Don't they overlook the other person's faults, sometimes to their own detriment? If they're really in love, and the object of their affection wants the last piece of cake, don't they give it to them? Anyway...what was I saying? Well, it's something to think about being loved this way, all the time. And I am. And you are. By the perfect One, who did not even withhold the life of His only Son in order to bring us in to relationship with Him... It's quite a thing to ponder.

We should never be afraid to ponder the truth, especially if it conflicts with our sense of reality.

2004-06-06T07:33:00.000-04:00

From Marianne Walker

I had made an interesting observation about the apostle John recently, He did not call himself ONE of the disciples that Jesus loved but "THAT DISCIPLE WHOM JESUS LOVED"

Hmmm

In addition, there is something of this kind of security of heart that I see in the apostle Paul when he said to those in a ship with him:"For this very night an angel of the God TO WHOM I BELONG and whom I serve stood before me...

John knew himself as the ‘that disciple whom Jesus loved’ and Paul knew ‘to whom he belonged.’

I wonder if this was what Jude meant when he said,
"keep yourselves in the love of God"?

Its in the Book...
John 15:9 "Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love.

Does this mean that the focused, exclusive love that the Father has toward Jesus is my portion too?

Jesus speaks further about the result of this;v 11 These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.

I believe...help me grasp it Lord Jesus.

2004-06-05T08:45:00.000-04:00

Lyrics from '02/03

I will sing praise with You my Lord
To the Great Father we adore
I lift my voice to join Your own
Our praise ascends up to His throne

Our praise ascends to You, Great Lord
I with Your Path and Truth and Door
I with the Great Priest, Your own Son
I with and through this worthy One

Chorus:
Lord our God
Father, King
You will reign forever

I love to sing with You my King
I through Your sacrifice do bring
Praise through Your wounds O worthy Lamb
Together we offer to I Am

Worship and praise I know He’ll hear
For with and through You I draw near
With You I give my offering
Singing with You my Priest and King

Bridge:
We stretch out our hands
With the Lamb, Abba, Father
We’re grateful
In Him we’re Your own

For of You and through You
And to You are all things
Almighty God
On the throne

Who IS and WAS and IS to come

David Harwood 2002/3

2004-05-30T23:49:00.001-04:00

Exodus 17:11 So it came about when Moses held his hand up, that Israel prevailed, and when he let his hand down, Amalek prevailed.
we begin in prayer,
we begin to see the victory
then we 'rest'
Amalek prevails

2004-05-28T08:00:00.000-04:00

seeking to tap into a greater grace...

James 4:6 6 But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, "GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE."

a GREATER grace

2004-05-24T08:13:00.000-04:00

Volition - the fountainhead of agape!

What a concept... I hate it.

2004-05-22T01:42:00.000-04:00

In both Matthew 24:14 and 26:13, the Lord talks about the gospel going into the entire world.

One is the gospel being preached for a witness, precipitating the end of the age. The other is about what Mary did when she anointed him.

Jesus said, "Truly I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be spoken of in memory of her."

For years I wondered, "Why?" A few months ago, I received a satisfying answer.

Should we ever wonder what degree of repentance and devotion is appropriate in responding to the Gospel, just look at what that woman did.

This woman's devotion to Jesus is an example of what He is looking for.

This woman's devotion to Jesus is the example of what He is looking for.

2004-05-21T10:44:00.000-04:00

When the Son of God was incarnated as Jesus of Nazareth He revealed God’s love. The degree of this love has not diminished now that Jesus is at the Father’s right hand.

Jesus has been exalted to the same degree of glory He shared with the Father before the world was. He took with Him, into that glory, the same love that was manifest in the incarnation.

Through Jesus, that love for every person is enthroned at the center of the universe -- the throne of God.

2004-05-21T09:25:00.000-04:00

Jesus said "I will build My Church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it".

Many of us in the past read this, and read into it, that the object of building up the Church is to overcome the gates of Hades.

Actually, Messiah is building up His people because He loves them.

All the active strategies, all the counsels, every power and place of authority the Enemy can command cannot, and will not, ever overcome Jesus’s active love.

Love edifies.

He will build His covenant community. His motive in building us is because He loves us. Through us and with us, Jesus has determined to love others.

2004-05-18T22:58:00.000-04:00

Shira wrote:

But God being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us even when we were dead in our sins made us alive together with Messiah...so that in the ages to come He might show us the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness towards us in Messiah Jeus...For we are His workmanship, created in Messiah Jesus for good works which God prepared beforehand so that we could walk in them.
Eph 2
...

But God being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved me even when I was dead in my sins made me alive together with Messiah...so that in the ages to come He might show me the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness towards ME in Messiah Jeus...For I am His workmanship, created in Messiah Jesus for good works which God prepared beforehand so that I could walk in them.

if that's not awe-inspiring coolness...yeah...

2004-05-07T14:16:00.000-04:00

God EXPERIENCES things…

'Taste'
Imagine 'taste' magnified
Imagine 'moral taste'

'Smell'
...

2004-04-30T07:50:00.000-04:00

Mark1:7 And he was preaching, and saying, "After me One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to stoop down and untie the thong of His sandals.

Some old thoughts:

The activity:

Preaching should be preparatory to people meeting with God in ministry time, or repentance and salvation, or healing, or prophetic ministry. “After me…”

What the Lord can do after the preaching may be more powerful than what the preaching did. “One … Who is mightier than I…”

The place:

Humility is the result of the wilderness, the fullness and leading of the Spirit. The wilderness tries our fears, our lusts, our ambitions, our motives. Only the wilderness could produce this type of prophetic voice.

The harshness of the wilderness – the quickness of bloom of desert flower and the transitory nature of the same equips and instructs the transitional man.

The person:

Blessed is the person who knows that he is a transitional figure. It is important for us to know when we are in a transitional time. Many of us get attached to “a time” or “season” of God’s moving and can’t move on. That is why the previous move always tends to persecute the immediate activity of God.

Blessed is the person, or movement, who honors the next move more than his own ministry when the next ministry actually arrives! It is one thing to prophesy it. It’s another thing to actually honor it when it is there and the emphasis of God shifts. Are we content, then, to fall into rank? Are we so attached to the message of the wilderness (the preparatory time) that we can’t make the transition?

2004-04-29T15:12:00.000-04:00

The Importance of Being Earnest

Paul & company wrote the new-born Thessalonian community a letter containing exhortation, explanation and emotional openness.

In this epistle we find a key to understanding how the pastoral care of a congregation continued even when the apostles were not present.

Apostolic follow up included prayer.

Paul described his team’s intercessory activity for the Thessalonian believers:
“… we night and day keep praying most earnestly …” (1 Thessalonians 3:10)

The New American Standard uses the word ‘earnestly’ to describe the state of Paul’s soul. The Greek allows for this description of the quality of soul, but there is another meaning of this word.

This Greek word describes the quantity as well as the quality of prayer. It’s utilized to emphasize the amount as well as the degree of intensity.

He prayed with intensity, yes. He also prayed a lot. Paul was praying ‘night and day.’

2004-04-27T12:06:00.001-04:00

Persist, pray, prevail!

We are at war. In Daniel 10 we get inspired testimony of demonic opposition to God's purposes.

Jesus's parable of persistence in Luke 18:1-8 records the words "Give me justice against my adversary! ... but when the Son of Man comes will there be faith in the earth?" The oppressed remnant is to exercise their faith throughout this age. This is manifest in persistent prayer for vindication against the adversary.

We have been informed that we are not "ignorant of the devil's schemes" (2 Corinthians 2:11). Nobody is exempt from spiritual warfare. (1 Peter 5:8,9). The enemy opposes the "knowledge of God" (2 Corinthians 10:4,5). What can we know about them and their devices?

In Deuteronomy 32:8,9 we read that the nations were divided according to the sons of God (LXX), but Israel belongs to YHVH. The nations were placed under the custody of the angelic realm. These principalities perverted their stewardship. They were empowered to rule, the nations worshipped them!

From Ephesians 2:12-19 we know that although the Gentiles are strangers to God. Yet, when redeemed, they are fellow citizens of God's kingdom along with the Israel of God (believing Jews -- Galatians 6:16).

The enemy has no "legal right" to oppress God's redeemed transnational people. In fact, this united "people" has been called into existence to display God's wisdom to the "rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms" (Ephesians 3:10,11).

In Daniel 10 the angelic forces that ruled Persia and Greece, who opposed God's will, are exposed to the faithful reader. (They are typical of all other principalities and powers that are not specifically unmasked.) YHVH decreed Israel's restoration and the revelation of His purposes to His prophet (Daniel 10:12-14,20,21). These principalities sought to delay or halt God's purposes -- to further their own! This is what they are like. This is what they do. Like Daniel, we must persist in prayer until they are overcome.

Paul instructed the Ephesian community that our protracted struggle is not against flesh and blood (i.e. humanity, human structures), but against wicked spirits (Ephesians 6:10-12). We are at war against every describable level of satanic opposition.

Describing the struggle, Paul wrote that these beings oppose the knowledge of God (2 Corinthians 4:4; 10:3-6). The apostle claimed that as God's people we can "demolish" these "strongholds" through the effective use of holy spiritual weaponry!

All these were created by God through the Messiah (Colossions 1:16). God created them and they are under Messiah's feet now (Ephesians 1:20-23)! They are part of things in heaven, on earth and under the earth that will bow at the name of Jesus at the final judgment (Philippians 2:6-10,11).

These beings are evil. Right now they are opposing God. In 1 Corinthians 2:8 we find they have authority in this world through human rulers and institutions (Revelation 13). They are partly responsible for Jesus's crucifixion.

They are similar to the Devil. They are under the authority of Satan (Revelation 12:9) and seek to alienate men from God (Ephesians 2:2), to trap men and to bring them to hell (2 Timothy 2:26), making them miserable when they are alive (John 10:10).

They can be overcome (James 4:6,7; 1 John 2:13; Revelation 12:11)! We need the armor of God in order to effectively stand against them (Ephesians 6:11,13).

The Messiah has guaranteed us protection from, and authority over, the enemy as we are involved with His work (Luke 10:20, 21). One snare to avoid is being distracted from our devotion to the Most High (2 Corinthians 11:3).

Remember, the enemy is not the focus of our lives. Doing the commandments of God are the focus of our lives (love the Lord, love the brethren, love the lost, seek first the Kingdom of God, etc.)!

Paul wrote that God would actively strengthen and protect His people (2 Thessalonians 3:3).

The Messiah is building His people. He promised that the schemes, and barriers of hell will not prevail against us (Matthew 16:18)! God will crush Satan underneath our feet (Romans 16:20)!

These are the scriptures cited:
1. Luke 18:1-8
2. 2 Corinthians 2:11
3. Peter 5:8,9
4. 2 Corinthians 10:4,5
5. Deuteronomy 32:8,9 (LXX),
6. Ephesians 2:12-19
7. Galatians 6:16
8. Ephesians 3:10,11
9. Daniel 10:12-14,20,21
10. Ephesians 6:10-12
11. 2 Corinthians 4:4; 10:3-6
12. Ephesians 1:20-23
13. Philippians 2:6-10,11
14. 1 Corinthians 2:8
15. Revelation 13
16. Revelation 12:9
17. Ephesians 2:2
18. Timothy 2:26
19. John 10:10
20. James 4:6,7
21. John 2:13
22. Revelation 12:11
23. Ephesians 6:11,13
24. Luke 10:20, 21
25. 2 Corinthians 11:3
26. Thessalonians 3:3
27. Matthew 16:18
28. Romans 16:20
29. Luke 11:5-11

2004-04-26T08:31:00.000-04:00

is this sick or what?

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20040425/D82633UO0.html

"Look at the pictures, look at the pictures," shouted abortion opponents, holding up big posters showing a fetus at eight weeks.

"Lies, lies," marchers shouted back.

2004-04-24T23:10:00.000-04:00

We believe the Lord has told us that He was going to both contend for and defend the voice of our community – His voice in our midst.

Our prayer strategy has been implemented again:
a. the prophetic word in ‘triplicate’
b. the ‘word’ being discerned by the government of our fellowship as valid
c. receiving a prayer strategy and releasing it to the Harp&Bowl intercessory worship meetings.

The section of Scripture we used in praying for this Sunday is 2 Thessalonians 3:1-3 –

1 Finally, brethren, pray for us that the word of the Lord will spread rapidly and be glorified, just as it did also with you; 2 and that we will be rescued from perverse and evil men; for not all have faith. 3 But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.

Probably Monday, I’ll share about this section of enscriptured prayer.

We are expecting the Lord to increase His dominion through His word being released to us, tomorrow.

2004-04-23T18:17:00.001-04:00

Interpretation of Prophetic Data 1

Consonants Without Vowels

Biblical and modern Hebrew has no written vowels. Originally, Biblical Hebrew had no spaces between the letters. Reading and interpreting it often depended upon its context. It is like looking at GDSNWHR.

When we add vowels it can look like:

GoDiSNoWHeRe

Then one has to determine whether or not those vowels spell:

GoD iS NoW HeRe

or

GoD iS NoWHeRe

It depends on the perspective. Maybe the vowels are wrong and it’s supposed to read…

GooD SoN, WHeRe?

Not only one’s perspective counts, the context of the consonants count, too.

Maybe the consonants are supposed to say…

Go Do SiN. WHeRe?

or

“Go Do SiN,” We HeaR?

If the context of these consonants appearing is a meeting where the Lord shows up, these consonants gdsnwhr would probably best be interpreted as:

GoD iS NoW HeRe!

In the same way these consonants can be interpreted or misinterpreted, so we must often rely on context when we are seeking to discern a vision, word or impression.

For instance if someone has a vision of a boot and reports it in a meeting, how can you know what it might mean? It may depend upon the context of the meeting.

Maybe you’re supposed to pray for Italy.

Maybe you’re supposed to pray for someone to fill somebody else’s shoes, or perhaps the Lord is speaking evangelism.

Maybe somebody needs boots because it’s cold and there’s GooD SNoW HeRe.

Some other alternatives: gdsnwhr
GuiDe iS NoW HeRe
GuiDe uS NoWHeRe
aGeD SNoW HaiR

2004-04-22T08:40:00.000-04:00

“I WANT IT PAINTED BLACK”

Religious Spirit 1:

The other month we had an intense encounter with a religious spirit operating through a person who came in off the street. In the time he was there, we were treated to a whirlwind of confusion and accusation.

1. The first thing he did was lie about his intentions: “I’m here to learn.”
2. He then said, “Please correct me if I’m wrong.” But this was false humility. (He was not open to correction or instruction. He had unique private interpretations of the Scriptures that he thought were absolute truth.)
3. He began talking to us haughtily putting down other ministries, looking for agreement.
4. His expressed perspective was that they don’t do enough for God, neither do you.
5. Then he displayed a great appreciation for God’s wrath, “God is not just a God of love.”
6. After he sat for a while, when we paused, he attacked praise and intercession – “That’s not real worship.”
7. Then he sought to usurp authority, seeking to wrest the leadership from the meeting.
8. He proclaimed that when Isaiah spoke of “the Holy One”, the prophet was referring to the Scriptures. He told us, “The Word is God.”
9. Resisting correction and feigning openness he then shared some other kooky interpretation of the Scriptures. When we interacted with what he said, he rejected the plain meaning of the text.
10. Then he attacked the leader’s authority.
11. Then he accused the leader of viewing himself as infallible.
12. When others tried to reason with him, he attacked them, accusing them of being dominated by the leader.
13. Then he returned to disqualifying the leader because of the stand against Islamic terror he had heard in one of our meetings.
14. As he was preparing to leave he attacked our ‘worldliness’, making plain that, “Things that are pleasurable are not good for you.” He was using food as an example of this. He told us that eating anything but unleavened bread and water should be forbidden. “The reason things taste good is because they’re poison.”
15. As he was leaving he testified to having a unique spiritual witness – a burning sensation in him. This subjective manifestation confirmed for him the rightness of his position.
16. As he left he manifested intense anger towards me.

This was a very sad encounter. It was only afterwards that we recognized it was a pure manifestation of the religious spirit we’ve encountered over the last 25 years.

2004-03-24T09:03:00.000-05:00

Three Strands

Israel had three distinct ministries pertaining to the people’s divine worship. These were the king, the priests, and the prophets. When these groups were operating in unity with God and one another, victory and peace were assured.

In every administration, the kings faced adversity. Many wars were recorded in the prophetic histories we find in the Bible. These prophetic interpretations of Israel’s history are found in the ‘historical books.’ These are not secular histories; they are prophetic interpretations of the events.

In God’s timing, righteous kings would take advantage of prophetic information and dispatch armies to either consolidate, defend or expand the dominion of the Theocratic State of Israel. When the people loved and relied on God, and were relatively clean of the sins of idolatry, oppression, immorality and participation in the occult, they were led from victory to victory.

All three ministries had to function. It was not enough to have a functioning priesthood. The prophetic was necessary even in times of shalom. It was not enough to have a functioning priesthood and an effective prophetic ministry. The kings had to be those who feared and relied upon God, as well.

When the kings did not fear Yahweh, the priesthood became corrupt and the prophetic ineffectual. When the kings were evil, the priesthood expedited idolatry; the prophets were reduced to soothsaying and flattery.

The king was the key to everything functioning well. The monarchy couldn’t function with God’s blessing apart from their maintaining the priesthood and hearing the prophets.

The king provided governance to the people of God. Uniquely anointed, in times of peace or war, he provided stability and direction. The priests assisted the people, offering sacrifices, reconciling them to God, instructing them in the ways of the Lord. The more privileged priests had the opportunity to draw near to God, to minister to Him, interceding for the people, beholding His glory. The prophets were uniquely called by God, hearing His voice, ministering to Him in worship, prayer and released His word to kings, Judah and the nations.

The distinct giftings necessary to carry forward a successful spiritual warfare are similar to the three offices that God sanctioned in the history of Israel.

To see the victory we desire, there must be a governmentally discerned prophetic voice that informs the direction of the prayer life of the church. There must be a priesthood who brings these requests before the Lord as they worship the Lord. According to God’s mercy, these things are not beyond us.

Three Strands in Biblical History

The first example we’ll look at is a well-known deliverance Judah experienced under King Jehoshaphat. The armies of several nations were threatening to overwhelm the Southern Kingdom. Jehoshaphat called the nation to fast and to cry out to God for help.

In the middle of this fast, the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jahaziel who prophesied direction to the nation. Jehoshaphat did three things. He discerned the Voice of the LORD in the prophecy. Then he exhorted the people to believe the prophetic word. Finally, he assigned the Levitical priests to worship the Lord upon the basis of the coming promise.

The enemies of Judah self-destructed.

Another illustration of this pattern can be seen in the initiation of the Davidic Covenant. A court prophet, Nathan, was sent to King David to tell him some great news. The news was that the Messiah, Israel’s eternal King, was going to be David’s descendent. David took this word from Nathan, received it and “prayed it through.” Then King David released this word into the prayer life of Judah. Through psalms sung by the Levites and the prayers in the synagogues, the coming of the promised Messiah was brought before the Throne of God day and night.

These prayers helped prepare the way for the ‘fullness of times.’

A means through which God determined to send Jesus was the faithful prayers and expectations of the people of God. We’re still praying for the ultimate answer to this prayer: “Come quickly, Lord!”

In these two examples, three dynamics are seen: a) the genuine prophetic is b) received by governance who then c) release the assignment to the priestly ministry

Three Strands Today

This paradigm may be used for praying in the midst of immediate emergencies and also to pray through the long-term purposes of God in a local or regional church.

We are seeking to establish 24/7 Prayer Centers on LI New York. The Harp&Bowl model we are using was developed at the International House of Prayer in Kansas City. We expect this ministry to be an arm and means of release for certain aspects of the regional church’s prayer ministry.

If you’re called to either develop a regional House of Prayer or Harp&Bowl intercessory worship in the local church, contact me.