Flames + Games

Of Flames and Games

    There is word that the Olympic torch will pass our area soon. We learned about Mount Olympus in high school. The mythical god ‘Zeus’ and his wife ‘Hera’ lived there with many, many others, some in charge of crops, others of war, others of beauty and everything else you could imagine. Look up Greek mythology. The dictionary explains ‘myth’ is a made up story or fiction. The problem was that people worshipped, sacrificed, and prayed to these characters.

    The Olympic museum tells us how what goes on today ties in with ancient heathen practices. “The choice of Olympia as a departure point emphasizes the link between the ancient and modern games and underlines the profound connection between these two events…In the sanctuary of Olympia, where the ancient Olympic games took place, a flame burned permanently on the altar of the goddess Hestia, guardian of the city’s fire…fires were lit on the altars of Zeus and Hera, situated in front of their temples. To honor these gods, animal sacrifices were made in the same place. Today, nothing remains of the altars, but the present ceremony for the lighting of the Olympic flame in front of the temple of Hera acts as a reminder of these events. ”

    …”Ancient torch relays in Athens were part of religious ceremonies rather than sporting events. The flame was transmitted by runners and the first competitor to arrive at the altar of the god had the honor of renewing its fire. At a set time before the start of the ancient Olympic games, messengers wearing olive (branch) ‘crowns’ announced in other cities the exact date of the competitions…”

    Lighting the flame today all begins in Olympia, Greece. “A few months before the opening of the Olympic games, a ceremony is organized on the original site of the Olympic games, at the ancient sanctuary of Olympia. The flame is lit in front of the ruins of the temple of Hera by actresses playing the part of priestesses. The choreography and costumes used in the ceremony are based on those of antiquity. The flame is lit according to the ancient method of the sun’s rays in the parabolic mirror. The Olympic flame can only be lit in this way. The flame is placed in an urn and transported into the ancient stadium where it is given to the first runner by the high priestess responsible for this operation. This process takes place months before the opening of the games, in order to allow for the relay to take place and bring the flame to the host city.”

    Many people participate in the relay, bringing the flame to its destination. “The highlight of the opening ceremony of the Olympics is the entrance of the Olympic flame into the stadium. The final torchbearer often does a lap of the stadium before lighting the monumental cauldron with the Olympic flame…the flame remains lit for the duration of the games and is only extinguished at the closing ceremony.”

    At some point the Christian has to look at how much glory, praise and honor he should give a man. We are to respect and honor those in authority over us—parents, elders, those in leadership. Worship belongs to God alone.

    Greek mythology was around at the time Paul preached at Athens. (Acts 17:16-34) The people in Ephesus rioted when their business was impacted by people turning from idols to Jesus. (Acts 19:23-41)

    Christianity has a very real living connection with the Living God. There is Spirit and life in the Gospels that moves us from seeing ‘what happened back then to those guys’ to ‘Jesus is speaking to me right now by what He said. Are we ‘one’?’ (John 17: 20-26)Biblically the Creator of the heavens and earth is fussy about having loyal followers, clean and separate from ’strange gods’. It’s like a faithful relationship –eternal blessings to those who remain ‘true’ for life.

    The things of this world grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.

He cared about what God Said

A Man Who Cared About What God Said or One In Spirit

    About 538 B.C. Cyrus, king of Babylon proclaimed that those people that were captured seventy years earlier would be released to return to their homeland. These exiles were God’s Chosen people. The temple in Jerusalem had been destroyed and needed to be rebuilt. Many went to do this job. The rebuilding of the temple was a massive project. After two years the builders had finished laying the foundation. There was a celebration with priests in their apparel blowing trumpets and playing cymbals praising God. The people sang and gave thanks and “all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid.” (Ezra 3:11)

    Whereas God’s people were rejoicing, enemy peoples that had settled in the area while God’s people were captive in Babylon were not in support of the temple rebuilding, or the nation itself. They succeeded in stopping the project for fifteen years.

    Meanwhile back in Babylon, King Cyrus died and Darius took the throne. He enforced the original decree made by Cyrus and helped financially to see the temple completed. He ruled “I decree that if anyone changes this decree, a beam is to be pulled down from his house and he is to be lifted up and hanged thereon. ” (Ezra 6:11)

    A scribe named Ezra who knew the Mosaic law well was dispatched from Babylon to get God’s chosen people back on track. He knew how the sacrifices were to be done, and how God wanted His people to live. His commission was serious from the king: “Ezra, after the wisdom of thy God, which you possess, appoint magistrates and judges to administer justice to all the people… and you are to teach any who do not know them. (Mosaic laws) Whoever does not obey the law of your God and the law of the king must surely be punished by death, banishment, confiscation of property or imprisonment. “(Ezra 7:25)

    The people of Israel had not kept themselves separate from heathen nations. There had been intermarriage and children born of these marriages. Ezra was appalled. Everyone who trembled at the words of the God of Israel gathered around him and sat appalled until the evening sacrifice. Ezra prayed and quoted to the Lord His command, “The land you are entering in to possess is a land polluted by the corruption of its peoples. By their detestable practices they have filled it with their impurity from one end to the other. Therefore, do not give your daughters in marriage to their sons, or take their daughters for your sons…” (Ezra 9: 10-12) It was a tough time. There was much weeping, praying, confessing. Then Shecaniah, came up with this word: “Let us make a covenant before our God to send away all these women and their children, in accordance with the counsel of my lord and of those who fear the commands of our God…we will support you, so take courage and do it. ” (Ezra 10:3,4) Difficult as it was, the exiles did as was proposed.

    Shecaniah had an excellent, humble, pure spirit. He cared about what God said. He respected and honored that so much as to suggest a most difficult solution. As we grow in our spiritual life, we will need to make difficult decisions. Jesus was heard to pray “Not My will, but Yours be done” at a most difficult time in His life.

    Way back in history not everyone had the ability to read and write. Today, things are different. To whom much is given is much required. We can know God’s ways through His Holy Word and the Holy Spirit who dwells in each one who has received Jesus as Savior and Lord. Human nature wants to distort or find ways around what God said. We look for other angles, or a way that ‘it doesn’t really apply now’ or ‘there are other things to consider.’ Imagine God in His glory speaking His Word to us as we read the Bible.

    ”The words of the Lord are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace of clay, purified seven times.” (Psalm 12:6) It is no accident that Shecaniah’s name resembles Shekinah.    

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Raspberries

Raspberries

    Years ago my neighbor called and said, “If you want any raspberries, better come and pick ‘em.”     By the time I got there others had picked most of the berries. For me picking was very slow—one here, one there. It took hours, but my fondness of pure raspberry jam kept me working.

    After a while at home I gazed on the day’s work: three pints of pure raspberry jam, all sealed and cooling! From out of nowhere the idea to give away 2 of these to people who had hurt me came to mind. I resisted. No! Anything but these! I sat quietly knowing it was a God-thing. The enemy wouldn’t want me to bless them who cursed me. I knew what was the right thing to do, yet my feet weren’t moving. Maybe there was another way…

    Realizing if I focused on putting one foot ahead of the other, I could obey. Two jams left home for relocation.

    Spiritually, this physical obedience paid off big time. The recipients were completely shocked, blessed and sorry. Personally was freed from negative thoughts and emotions regarding these and all that happened or was soon to unfold. The impossible happened. Friendships were birthed. There is no explanation for how that could happen. Good overcame evil. There was power in obeying Jesus’ directions: “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, Do not resist and evil person, if someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.’ (Matthew 5: 38-45) As time went by, I also needed to pray for these, in order to maintain our relationships. At first I might say, “Lord, I’m sorry I don’t mean this blessing, but I’m praying it in obedience. ” Later, my heart changed and the prayer was sincere.

    To the natural man, this is impossible and unappealing. To us with confidence in Jesus, we know He called out for forgiveness of those who hurt Him. In the early church, Stephen also called out for those stoning him to not be punished. Saul’s conversion to apostle Paul came shortly after.

    We may not understand spiritual dynamics, but Jesus has clearly stated what will cause God to get involved in our lives. Sometimes it’s not easy to obey. Fortunately we have the same Spirit as Jesus living in us. Know His leading, make the flesh follow suit. The blessing of God in the situation is then released. He keeps His Word. He cannot lie.

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Sweet Dreams

Sweet Dreams from the Lover of my soul

    As a child, I had nightmares. Not that I was watching scary movies or reading scary books, these weren’t allowed. Religion was every Sunday, and I learned scary things from catechism. I found out after I died I’d go to a torture place to pay for my sins. I tried to find peace by buying statues. I had a Mary and Joseph and Jesus with His heart showing. Later, I got a Theresa necklace pendant from my grandmother. The cross in my room had Jesus’ body on it. It was scary, too.

    There was a particularly bad nightmare that seemed to start every night when I fell asleep. It went on for a long time. The scene was this: I was walking in the alley and a gang of big teenage boys were chasing me and yelling bad words. They had knives. It was dark.

    I was scared of the dark. I didn’t want to go to bed. I’d pray the rosary, but it made me think of the brutality of the crucifixion.

    Finally, the mercy of God intervened. The nightmare started as usual. The chase was on—but wait—a brilliant gold coin about the size of our toonie was on the ground ahead. I picked it up and saw what I perceived to be the face of Jesus on it peacefully smiling at me. I said, “Jesus” and clutched the coin to my chest. The big dark figures ran away and I never had another nightmare.

    Needless to say, Jesus became my hero. Since I’ve grown up and come to understand the Bible, I thank Jesus for impressing on me to focus on Him instead of idols and statues. It would be nearly two decades before I understood that Jesus died for me and I wouldn’t have to suffer for my sins. I readily invited Jesus into my heart and life and wanted to know more about Him. The Bible became my mentor. When I couldn’t understand the Old Testament, I’d flip to the New Testament red letters—the words of Jesus. They brought comfort and truth that gave me discernment and sound judgment. They taught me to only pray to my Heavenly Father in Jesus’ name. Check out Proverbs 3:21, 24: “Keep sound judgment and discernment… when you lie down, you will not be afraid, when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.” Praise Jesus, it’s true.

    People tell me things have changed in the church of my youth. I am skeptical, as when I visit friends of that faith, they still live among statues. The idea of Mary as ‘born without sin’ has grown to make her ‘queen of heaven’ to whom incense is burned. When I first discovered the Bible concordance and learned how to use it, I was able to look up these man-made doctrines in the Bible. Purgatory, mass, rosaries, immaculate conception, assumption, coronation, confessional are all non- Biblical. A person would have to check out history to find out when and why these were invented. As Paul felt as he entered Athens and saw the idolatry, so too my soul is ‘deeply distressed’ (Acts 17:16) for those who were taught as I was. There is one mediator between God and man and that’s Jesus. As Son of God, His death on the cross was for all mankind who would turn from their sin and follow His ways. Beyond the peace that Jesus immediately gives to our soul upon repentance, there follows an awesome assurance of eternal life from Holy Spirit, when that infilling takes place. Flee idolatry, it’s sinful. Resurrection life and peace come from Jesus alone. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX    

Amazing Grace

Amazing Grace

    Have you ever felt inadequate, ill-equipped or unworthy to do what you understand to be the will of God in your life? Good news—His grace is available to empower and enlighten all who will ask Him for it. Grace is defined as “God’s divine influence on the heart and its reflection in our life. It is undeserved favor.” One of the most precious resources the Christian has is access to God’s grace. Paul encourages us to approach the throne of grace “with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16) We need God’s help to do what He has called us to do; God’s help to overcome.

    In his book: ‘Grace—Power Beyond Your Ability’ Dennis Burke explains: “The real strength of Jesus’ message is not our ability in ourselves, but our potential in Him. …God does not call you to do what you are capable of doing in your own strength…His plans can seem overwhelming from the human point of view…See your situation through the eyes of God and what He promises in His Word in order to stretch beyond the limits of your ability and draw instead upon the infinite resources of His ability.” The fulfillment of His tasks comes according to His grace (power) not our ability. ”

    Jesus was filled with grace and truth. We are saved by grace through faith.

    Paul comments : “I am the least of all apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God, but by the ‘ grace’ of God I am what I am, and His grace to me was not without effect . No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.” (1 Corinthians 15: 9, 10)

    Andrew Moyo had an overwhelming experience of the grace of God show up at a morning service. He recalls: “In 1996, we conducted a 7 day believer’s conference in the rocky mountain city of Kabala in Uganda. Hordes of people flocked the facilities 5 hours before start time, just to get a seat. These people prayed fervently for God’s touch and impartation upon their lives. I was invited to the platform to minister, The minute I took the pulpit, I closed my eyes, lifted my hands to the Father and worshipped Him with words of love and adoration. …The anointing of God was so strong that the entire church was slain in the power of the Holy Spirit. For hours everyone was on the floor. Many were set free from demonic oppression, receiving healing in their bodies and received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, with the evidence of speaking in other tongues. Hours later, they got up and testified of what God had done in their lives. Everyone had a personal experience with the power of God and a praise report to glorify God. I had never seen anything like that before. Once and for all I knew God wanted to use me even more than I ever imagined, but I needed to know what He was doing to help me stay in the center of His prophetic purpose in my life. As I waited in His presence, He spoke to me, “Son, what you witnessed and encountered this afternoon is My grace.”

    This was an intensive empowering of an entire church that was hungry for God’s power to save, heal and rescue its people. All these people would make an impact everywhere they went from that service forward. They would have abundant faith to help others to find freedom. There would be much joy because of all the healings and freedom from oppression.

    As we pray at home, we may need healing in our heart because of brokenness or abuse. God’s love often soothes and releases in a gentle way. This too is grace. The weak gain strength by God’s grace. Thanks to Jesus, we are free to ask for mercy and grace at anytime and our promise from the Word of God is: “Ask and you shall receive.” Never linger in the wasteland of sin, guilt, shame, condemnation, unforgiveness or addictions. God wants us to live an abundant victorious, outreaching, Christian experience by His power.

    ”May the God of peace sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The One who calls you is faithful and He will do it.” (1 Thessalonians 5: 23, 24) Grace says: “You can do it, I’ll help.”    

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Immersed Into The Reality

Immersed Into the Reality

    There is a perfect disciple training program within the Gospels. Jesus wanted those He discipled to tell others all He said and so raise up other believers.

    Sometimes a few words change everything. Jesus was filled with grace and truth. This is the perfect combination. Both are necessary to be disciples. Love without the truth of Jesus isn’t eternally enough. Sound Biblical doctrine without love isn’t much either. Everyone has a head and a heart.

    Paul wrote that even being abundant in spiritual gifts was nothing without love. (1 Corinthians 13) Love is the first listed fruit of the Spirit. Jesus taught to love not only God, but each other, our neighbors, strangers and our enemies. That about covers everybody.

    A Christian can teach a friend for years, yet a second Christian come by and offer a hug and meal, and then the friend can’t resist joining the fellowship of believers. Later at the worship, the friend is healed of a long time troublesome sore. All parts work together. Did the teacher not love the friend? Of course she did, or she wouldn’t have invested time in the area of planting God’s Word. (1 Corinthians 13:6) Teaching is always partnered with prayer. Paul observed that the more he taught the truth, the less he was loved. The truth has to be spoken, but it is generosity and kindness that helps people make a move.

    The early church saw this need for service and ministry. (Acts 6:1-7) All were filled with Holy Spirit yet many jobs needed to be done, for the Body of Christ to work successfully. Today we have maintenance people, greeters, cooks, administration, counselors, evangelists, pastors, teachers, prophets, church planters, childcare workers, missionaries, musicians. Jesus Christ is the head of the church. We are of one mind, one Spirit. As we work together, we learn from one another and grow. It’s unity of prayer and worship that makes the vital connection to God.

    I like how the Jewish Bible quotes Jesus: “All authority in heaven and earth has been given to Me. Therefore, go and make people from all nations into disciples, immersing them into the reality of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you.”(Matthew 28:18-20)

    Each believer grows to be more Christ-like. Jesus had the Spirit without measure. All aspects of evangelizing, healing, delivering, teaching, loving, helping , and prophesying were evident in His life. We have been given the same Spirit who calls us to “preach the Gospel to the poor, heal the brokenhearted, preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty the bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord. (Luke 4: 18,19) God bless all who serve. It’s an awesome functioning Body.

In His Time

In His time

    To win the Jews, Paul put himself in their position. With many reports of Jews coming to Christ, it may be helpful to recall some signs they were given after Jesus left earth and prior to the destruction of the Temple about 70 A.D.

    Four notable signs occurred that should have indicated to the people that Jesus was their Messiah and that atonement sacrifices were no longer needed. The Bible tells us that God wanted the non-Jews or Gentiles to first receive Jesus, then later the Jewish nation. This is God’s timing we are seeing fulfilled.

    The first sign had to do with the Yom Kippur or Day of Atonement ritual. The high priest randomly chose a stone from a container, one stone was white, the other black. For 200 years before 30 A.D. he would select a black stone as often as a white. The random choosing determined whether the sacrificial goat would be ‘for the Lord’ or “scapegoat’. Beginning in 30 A.D., (estimated time of Jesus resurrection) the chance drawing of the stone was always black. For forty years in a row the black stone was randomly picked. To the people this was considered a dire event and signified something had changed in this ritual. (goat no longer had to be sacrificed ‘for the Lord’)

    The black stone being chosen signified ’scapegoat’. The high priest would confess the sins of the people over the scapegoat. A red piece of cloth was put on the goat and a piece of this cloth also on the temple door. The goat would be chased into the wilderness and when he died there the piece of cloth on the temple door would supernaturally turn white, signifying that the sins were forgiven. According to Jewish history that red cloth on the Temple door turned white consistently at this annual ritual, until 30 A.D. after which it never turned white again. (Scapegoat death was no longer the way to get forgiven of sin, faith in Jesus’ blood was the new sacrifice for humanity)

    The Third unusual sign concerned the menorah in the Temple This was a candlestick or lamp stand that had several branches on it. The lamps at that time were of oil with a wick in them. Each was separate. Usually the western branch was kept burning and the other branches of the lamp were lit from this end. The western lamp was to always be lit, never going out. The priests made sure about it. After Jesus, every night for 40 years, the western lamp went out, and this in spite of the priests each evening preparing it so it would remain burning all night. Over 12,500 times in a row this happened. (the lamp and oil represented Jesus light of the world and Holy Spirit, the presence of God; the change after Christ was that now the presence of God is within each believer)

    A fourth documented event in the Talmud in the time between 30 A.D. and 70 A.D. that the people knew about involved the temple doors. The temple doors of the inner court were made of Corinthian bronze. There were two of them and they were huge. It took twenty men to open these doors and that with great difficulty. Beginning in 30 A.D. these doors opened on their own every night for 40 years . (signifying that all may now enter into the holiest sections of the Temple)

    The Jews at the time were unable to understand the significance of these events. God darkened their understanding until the fullness of the Gentiles came to Christ. Today we see Jews coming to faith in Christ. This is God’s timing. Paul wrote to the early Hebrew church that indeed it was true that without the shedding of blood there was no remission for sin (Hebrews 9:22); but Jesus offered one sacrifice for sins for ever (Hebrews 10:12) for all people. The Talmud is a book that is widely respected by Jews, containing rabbi writings and documented these events. See Yoma 39 a,b.

    Jesus was a Jew. He taught that salvation comes from the Jews. (John 4:22) They received the ten commandments of God and kept all they learned alive for us to this day. Can we return a bit of the favor they have blessed us with—our Bible– and pray for and support laborers for them at this time?    

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Receive and Don’t Rollover

Receive is a verb

    Consider a couple of old TV shows—Get Smart also Mission Impossible. Though completely different, the similarity of secret agent ‘receiving’ his assignment is the focus of the moment. A secret agent would ‘receive’ a document outlining what job needed to be done. He could use all the company’s resources, but had to work out the details on his own. Certain contacts had to be made, certain criminals exposed, and all this had to be timed with law enforcement being present.

    Through this thought we see the ‘receiving’ of the assignment as more than the secret agent just accepting a piece of paper. ‘Receive’ the verb in this case was more of a ‘joining to’ or ‘pledging allegiance to’ the project set before him until the mission was accomplished. If things didn’t go smoothly, a plan B would be adopted. By ‘receiving’ the assignment, the work would continue until the report could be brought to the boss—’mission accomplished.’

    Can we parallel this to our Christian walk? Everything we need to do what God calls us to do is available. It is ‘at hand’, or close by. “Ask and receive”,’ Jesus taught. Receive is an action word…

    ”To all who ‘received’ Jesus, gave He the right to become sons of God.” (John 1:12) Beyond accepting the historic fact of His life and death, the Christian joins to and pledges allegiance to the One who has paid his ransom.

    The same sense of the word ‘receive’ is in the words of Jesus: “Receive the Holy Spirit.” (John 20:22) Beyond wait for and accept, we cling to and pledge allegiance to Jesus’ revelation of Holy Spirit. A teenager told me the other day that she didn’t believe in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. “The people you hang around with have a bearing on how close you get to God. It took me a long time to receive this part of the Gospel.” I replied. ‘Receive ‘is the issue. Jesus came so that we could be filled with the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 3:11) Do we join to, hold fast to, pledge allegiance to Bible truths regarding Holy Spirit? (John 14: 15-17, 25; 15:26, 27; 16:7-15; Acts; and 1 Corinthians 12-14)    

    We also see ‘receive’ in Acts 1:8. “You will ‘receive’ power when the Holy Spirit comes on you…” The Christian learns to step aside from what’s possible naturally and believes God to do what He’s inspired you to pray for. Like a child grows up, the ‘born again ‘believer also grows to maturity (1 John 2: 12-14) learning through truths of God how to release the power of Holiness within to glorify the Father.

    We ‘receive’ by combining Bible truth with words and faith. Jesus taught us that we are body, soul and spirit. If we don’t ‘receive’ this teaching, all we use is the ‘world’s’ resources and plod through life, like everybody else. As the seeds of His teachings take root, we ask and receive more. A crop isn’t much if only a few seeds take root. Grow in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ, Paul encouraged. ‘Receive’ has to be combined with Biblical truth, words and faith. No confidence, no words, no truth, no action. It’s just how God designed it all. As we get hold of, join to, hold fast to, pledge allegiance to Jesus and all He said, we become disciples who carry on His work.

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It’s No Time To Roll Over, Soldier

    Hallelujah! The Lord rescued me from the current flu bug in less than 24 hours. The Christian has the armor of God and needs to use. It. First off, we do at times receive a ‘flaming arrow ‘from the wicked one. We live in a fallen world—thistles are a sign of it. Take up the shield of faith. (Ephesians 6:16) Our confidence in God’s ability to overpower all attacks against us helps us speak in strength. Because we have submitted to God we resist the devil and he must flee from us. (James 4:7) Jesus taught us to speak to the difficulties directly and believe for the answer. “Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”(Mark 11:24) The child of God knows God’s will and prays for the things of His kingdom. Health belongs to the Christian. Jesus paid the price for this added bonus to our life now when He was whipped. Those stripes have power. The Blood has power. Jesus has all power in heaven and earth. It is His will we bring healing to the sick. We gain confidence in this when we fight according to His Word, and see victory.

    Use the Bible promises; declare Psalm 91. Declare it as a prayer. When you believe it, you say it differently. Powerfully demand and command all germs to die and loose you in Jesus’ name. Command headache to “Go.”

    Pray in the Spirit. (Ephesians 6:18) Paul writes that when we don’t know what to pray, God’s Spirit within does. (Romans 8:26) Go hard for half an hour or more. You can feel disease weaken. Declare praise to God who always gives us the victory through Christ Jesus our Lord. Rising from the dead is a sure sign of all power over satan’s kingdom.

Jesus is King of Kings. He will rescue His own. “Because he has set his love on Me, therefore will I rescue him. ” “Our help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:2)

    Four hours after the healing, a bit of sore throat and drip from the nose showed up. I’ve seen to too many people ‘lose their healing’ as symptoms resurface and attempt to ’steal’ what God has given. “You can’t curse who God has blessed.” I declared. Hang in. Rebuke every germ. Fight some more. Bind the liar and thief. Send him away. Pray in the Spirit. Resist and persist. Quickly symptoms faded. Two days after and all continues in perfect health. Hallelujah! Don’t take anything the enemy slips to you. Rise up. It takes faith to overcome (Hebrews 3:19) There’s strength in the battle, no doubt equipping us to bring victory to others.

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Soldier

Fight the good fight of faith, soldier

    Pop quiz. Who wrote most of the New Testament? Did the same John write John, first, second, third John and Revelation? Did Luke the ‘beloved’ physician write Luke and Acts? Okay, right –Paul wrote 4 pages more than Luke.

    It’s natural that a doctor would be interested in Jesus. Doctors are interested in healing people. Non Christian doctors see people healed by faith and are not sure what to do with the facts. How can images show that an incurable disease was there, now only scar tissue is left?

    Moving from generalities to specifics: I visited a Christian girlfriend yesterday Sept. 13, 2009 to find her still in shock as her doctor announced to her that she doesn’t have M.S. anymore. The ‘world’ would say this illness can’t be cured. Fortunately, God’s ability is not limited to human knowledge.

    My friend’s mind is trying to grab on to the truth of the tests. For 35 years, she’s believed that her condition would never go away. It might go into remission, but never completely be gone. At one point half of her body was paralyzed. The doctor reflected that possibly that had been stroke, and called for a new MRI. It was not a stroke, all medical records have been correct, she had M.S.

I asked her regarding this healing. She said that every day this year she has been speaking aloud healing scriptures from the Bible. She had many, all compiled by Gloria Copeland using the amplified Bible translation. My friend said the word of God got into her mind, then lips and after a few months of speaking, into her belief. “I started to believe them after speaking them so much. I’d carry a note in my pocket at work and keep saying that scripture until I knew it by heart. After saying them daily, I noticed my thoughts would often recall them during my work day. I was thinking on these scriptures of healing all the time and speaking the lot of them each day.”

All glory to God. His Word is full of healing promises. Faith believes them and speaks them over what the ‘world’ deems incurable. Here in Lloydminster the MRI images show that M.S. is no longer there—only scar tissue where it was.

God has promised good things for those who live according to His ways. From Exodus 15:26 through Psalm 103:3 through Isaiah 53:5 through Luke 6:6-19 through Hebrews 13:8 we see what God has declared. My friend is not the first person I’ve heard of who needed to say these promises often before she ‘believed’ them. Faith is beyond just thinking Jesus walked this earth years ago. Faith takes the promise. It trusts God to be true to His Word.

The human body is an intricate balance of physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. What God has said has power to renew and to restore. Those who trust in Him with their whole heart; lean not to their own understanding; acknowledge Him in all their ways; and shun evil can grow healthier. (Proverbs 3:5-8)

Luke must have renounced his hippo. oath to the gods and pledged allegiance to Jesus alone to have left such a lasting legacy of power over the ills that beset humanity. Thanks to his writings, healings continue thousands of years after he passed on. One day we’ll be able to thank him. The Bible wouldn’t be the same without his commitment and labor. Let’s leave the last word for Luke: (Jesus said)”What is impossible with men is possible with God.” (Luke 18:27)

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Change and the Love of God

Some Changes Come Easy

    I was reading a book “They thought for themselves” and saw how Jews who felt they were not close to God through rituals and tradition received the New Testament as the fulfillment of the Old Testament. Gladly they received the long awaited Messiah;–Jesus as Savior and their lives were dramatically changed for the better.

    Pondering how much difference a small change to the status quo could make; I moved my office stapler. For decades it rested on the counter away from where it is commonly needed. Why does it have to stay where I never use it just because that’s how it always was done? I took the bull by the horns and put the stapler on the other counter. Already it’s a welcome change. Why didn’t I change its location sooner?

    Think of the impact some individuals have made in the world because they were flexible enough to adjust to something new. The twelve fishermen that Jesus discipled left their fishing lifestyle and lived lives as Jesus taught them. What if none had bothered to write the events of their time with Jesus? Think of the impact each man’s energies left for generations to come.

    Where would we be if Paul had the Damascus road experience, then chose to quietly live out the rest of his days in a country cottage because he was ’saved by faith’? There would have been no need to write the letters to the churches. Our New Testament could have never been penned if some men hadn’t embraced the call to do new things.

    Where would we be had Martin Luther not labored in his life to expose ninety- nine errors the church of his day was practicing? People had slipped into following man’s teachings instead of the Bible. Would all those manmade ideas have kept us from receiving God’s forgiveness? Would our lives be flooded with guilt and fear awaiting the mythical purgatory where people supposedly suffered for the sins they had committed?

    We have received so much from those who have labored before us. We understand that more than the efforts of man have brought the church to where it is today. The very Spirit of life, holiness and truth within these believers kept all Jesus’ words alive. The Maker of heaven and earth was the first One to utter the word ‘church’. “Who do you say I am? Jesus asked His disciples. Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “Blessed are you Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of hell will not overcome it.” (Matthew 16:18)

    Had Peter decided not to continue, ‘church’ would still have come to pass. We see what has made us who we are as we compare the fisherman Peter to the born again Peter of the first and second Peter letters. Wisdom, revelation, holiness, faith, self-control, love—it’s all evident because of the Holy Spirit’s work in him. Look—he even wrote regarding the theory of evolution over a thousand years before Darwin dreamed it up: “…in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires…. They deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water. By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed.” (2 Peter 3: 4-6) Evolutionists don’t believe in the world wide flood. One Creation scientist, Kent Hovind, says that ‘deliberately forget’ means ‘dumb on purpose.’ Evolution is a Godless philosophy that doesn’t hold up under present day science.

    Break free of old habits and philosophies that don’t line up with Jesus ‘ teachings. We are creatures of habit and don’t even consider changing some things. (like the place the stapler sat for years) The Bible encourages us to be flexible and respect Jesus enough to set aside wayward philosophies. Now more than ever we need take thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:5) There are false prophets and cults abounding, following man’s teachings instead of Jesus’. Typically doctrines distorted are: the virgin birth of Jesus, Jesus being Son of God, hell, Holy Spirit, cross, resurrection, idolatry forbidden, eternal life and respect for the Bible. At first sign of false doctrine, speak desire to move to truth. Trust Jesus to lead you to a church that believes the Bible and preaches the Gospel.

    Thank God for the individuals who followed Jesus and made it possible for future generations to know what happened way back then. Thank God for those who have fought to keep the church holy. Each change towards Jesus is a step that He will honor and bless.    

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A thought on the Love of God

    In our culture, an introduction is often followed by a handshake. The person extending his hand is saying “pleased to meet you.” It’s an impulse to shake that extended hand, and next to impossible to resist such a gesture. That’s a good thing. People need to connect. It’s built into us—a basic need is love; it’s the way God made us. The Bible tells us God is love. Jesus says the love of God should be practiced. (Luke 11:42)

    The love of God; how could anyone hope to pen this topic? Consider the size of the universe, imagine the One who made it all and realize His hand is stretched toward each person ever created in a gesture of kindness. He’s given a beautiful planet on which to live, interesting plants and animals, and people to love who love us back. He sends rains to nourish the land, and makes sure the flowers bloom. He is perfection. He sees the wrongdoing of mankind and realizes that justice demands punishment. Yet in His love He rather sends a substitute to bear the wrongs and judgment due this creation. He will have mercy and not sacrifice. All the best we can do is filthy in His eyes, yet He says the ‘just shall live by faith.’ If we repent, trust Jesus, and are born again we shall be justified on judgment day. (found to be completely innocent, free from sin charges). Praise the Lord whose mercy endures forever. He has promised an everlasting kingdom where righteousness reigns, mansions, streets of gold, peace and joy. He will personally wipe away every tear. He keeps our tears in a bottle the psalmist says. (Psalm 56:8) Our hard times are especially noticed by Him. He draws closest to the brokenhearted.

     To some who have been deeply wounded by loved ones, the love of God reaches to you saying “I will never leave or forsake you. I long to know you, I love you.” We are His precious creations, wonderfully made. Surround yourself with songs about the love of God. Receiving love again is a decision first; then action. Protective walls may have come up around the heart. The love of God bids “Trust Me.” Let the pain out and healing will come in. God is not in a hurry. Take as long as it takes to have Him restore your soul. You will have something great and of eternal value to offer others when you’ve learned to receive and give God’s love. It’s higher than the love of the world offers.

    The love of God is available at all hours of the day and night to as many as would speak to Him. He strengthens us when we are weak, makes a way out of every temptation. He never lets burdens be more than we can bear. He knows tenderness, gentleness and can calm the turmoil of life. He’s dependable and true to what He has said. His love upholds us and believes in all we could be. It beckons: “You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you.” God’s love is free and available to all. He doesn’t prefer any one person over another. We are all equally precious, beloved, eternally loved by Him.

    Jesus promised that “Whosoever comes to Me, I will not cast out.” We are accepted, never rejected. He patiently waits our whole lifetime if necessary, if we are unsure regarding accepting His offer of forgiveness. (His extended hand awaits our ‘handshake’) He’s done all He can to show us His love. He awaits each person’s response. Nothing is forced, all is freely our decision. We receive by words. Jesus gains us access and power over the kingdom of sin and its penalty. He’s offering a forever relationship and desires a response that is long lasting.

    How many people have ever lived? How much wrongdoing has occurred? How much mercy is God extending to us? This song sung by the Daae family helps us comprehend:

The love of God is greater far than tongue or pen could ever tell/It goes beyond the highest star and reaches to the lowest hell/ The guilty pair bow down with care God gave His Son to win/ His erring child He reconciled and pardoned from his sin./ The love of God how rich and pure , how measureless and strong/ It shall forevermore endure the saints and angels’ song./ Could we with ink the ocean fill and were the skies of parchment made/ Were every stock on earth a quill and every man a scribe by trade./ To write the love of God above would drain the ocean dry/ Nor could the scroll contain the whole though stretched from sky to sky.

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