The Industry of Accusation

19 Monday Sep 2011

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 1 He entered again into a synagogue; and a man was there whose hand was withered. 2 They were watching Him to see if He would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse Him.  Mark 3:1-2

      Trying to catch someone sinning, doing something illegal or unpopular is not new.  These tattle-tales have been around for years.  In Jesus’ day they were like spiritual spies ready to report back to headquarters incidents when people didn’t comply with the religious standards.  There were more people around to catch the nonconforming than there were to help people find a real relationship with God. 

      What does it say about a society that is more interested in catching “wrong doers” than it is in reforming them?  In Jesus’ day it was the religious folk that spearheaded this type of agenda.  Unfortunately, the industry of accusation is still going strong today.  The paparazzi is prowling around right now hoping to catch someone in an indiscretion or compromising situation. 

      Jesus confronted these ne’er-do-wells with a single statement.  He asked, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save a life or kill?”  (Mark 3:4)  Jesus is basically saying, “I am here to do good and to save people… even on the Sabbath.  Can you perceive it?”  Afterwards, Jesus waited for a positive response but never received it. 

      This is one of the few occasions where Jesus became angry and grieved.  He was not angry at people, but angry at hard hearts.  Hard hearts cannot be moved to see the good in people.  Hard hearts are selfish and stubborn.  They are unable to detect any real movement of God.  But note, these same folks had front seats in the service, ready to correct any real move of God. 

      I encourage you if you want to see God move in yourself and others, then stay far away from the industry of accusation.  It grieves the Lord and hardens your heart.  Choose instead to help the Lord in His ministry of reconciliation.  Choose to play for the winning team and bless others!   

Help Me Lord, I’m Leaning the Wrong Way!

18 Sunday Sep 2011

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5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight.  Proverbs 3:5-6

       There is a wonderful promise here in Proverbs.  The Lord will make our paths straight if we will trust Him, acknowledge Him and resist the temptation to order our lives around our own reasoning.  Most believers know the importance of this verse and even have it memorized.  How about you… do you have it memorized?  It is easier to quote than walk out on a daily basis.  Why?  We find ourselves “leaning” the wrong direction! 

      We are instructed to “lean” on God, to put our full weight upon Him.  We lean upon our own understanding when we give our limited knowledge more power than God.  A big part of faith is not simply discovering Who to place your faith upon, but letting go of the place where your faith once rested.  Most people’s faith is on autopilot.  They simply trust and believe because they have seen it work in the past.  Someone said, “You go to a doctor whose name you can’t pronounce. He gives you a prescription you cannot read. You take it to a pharmacist you have never seen. He gives you medication you do not understand and yet you take it without question”.  We follow these well worn ruts, not even giving them a second thought. 

      Real spiritual faith cannot simply exist on autopilot.  Why?  It will be challenged at every turn.  Like the analogy above, you will receive words, promises, and instructions from a God you cannot see.  This God goes by numerous names which are in Hebrew and Greek… you struggle to pronounce.  You are to believe His words, when all the world says different.  Not only are you to believe them, you are called to stand firm when everything within you say run, lean on your own understanding!  As you stand believing this invisible Lord, an invisible enemy attacks you as you stand on those words… all for no apparent reason.  For the most part you are on your own.  No one really understands exactly what you’re going through.  Still you are called to trust.  This is the reality and essence of sincere faith! 

“Being Fed” – The Third Stage of Our Process

15 Thursday Sep 2011

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So they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves which were left over by those who had eaten.  John 6:13 

      The last two blogs have focused upon the “testings” and times of “strengthening” the Lord brings in our lives to cause real growth in the believer.  While we may mess up the first two stages, it is imperative we constantly feed ourselves with the Lord’s revelation.  For the true disciple, it is always feeding time.  One of the interesting events of this passage is someone had to help the Lord distribute this enormous meal to the people.  Can you imagine witnessing first hand the miracle of Jesus?  Can you imagine taking that miracle and giving it away to thousands of hungry people?  

      What happened to the disciples when this happened?  Did they eat some of the miracle food too?  According the scriptures there were twelve baskets left over, one basket for each disciple.  Each disciple had a testimony of what the Lord had provided.  Jesus strengthens our faith with miracles in order that we may serve others in the power of His name.  It is good to know as we go out to help others in Jesus’ name, Christ Himself has a supply for us as well. 

      The Lord has set aside a basket of manna just for you.  As His people, we need to expect His meals regularly and enjoy them.  Where are you in your process of spiritual growth?   If you are not in a time of testing, you are probably in a season of feeding.  This means He is building you up and causing growth to occur.  Whatever season you find yourself, enjoy it now.  Why?  It will soon change as the Lord moves you from one state of glory to the next.  The important thing is to receive from His hand that which He gives, because it will always be exactly what you need.

“Strength” – Second Stage of Our Spiritual Process

14 Wednesday Sep 2011

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“There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are these for so many people?” 10 Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand. 11 Jesus then took the loaves, and having given thanks, He distributed to those who were seated; likewise also of the fish as much as they wanted.  John 6:9-11

      It was noted in the previous blog that “tests” are allowed in our lives to reveal our real beliefs and faith.  Tests are supposed to bring us to our “wits end” so that we draw the conclusion, “I really need the Lord.”  God has great expectations of all believers.  One of the things most Christians do not realize is that God does not expect us to become an overnight super saint who is ready to die a martyr.  The Lord takes what little we can give Him and builds upon it. 

     In our story, note the different places Phillip and Andrew were in spiritually.  This difference appears to be so miniscule.  Andrew exhibited enough faith to go out looking for something Jesus could use to feed the crowd.  I believe this is why Jesus started with Phillip, because he lacked faith and needed a boost. (test)  Even though Andrew wanted to bring back more from his search, he did bring something back to the Lord.  The point is God wants to use what we do have.  He doesn’t want to hear us lamenting about what we don’t have.  Jesus strengthens us by taking what little faith and resources we do possess and uses it.  As soon as Andrew returned, Jesus started moving to create this wonderful miracle.  I am sure Andrew was as surprised as everyone else, because he knew exactly what was in the boy’s lunch. 

      Jesus still moves the same way today.  If the Lord is testing you, then celebrate!  He is about to demonstrate His power in your life so that you will know He is with you.  If you choose to keep lamenting about what you “don’t have“, then you will quit your spiritual process and never see the miraculous in your life.  Choose to give the Lord something to work with in your situation, instead of agreeing with Phillip and telling the Lord, “it is impossible.”  Be like Andrew and give the Lord something to work with regardless of how meager your resources may appear.  Jesus will take what little you give Him, strengthen your faith, and perform a miracle.  Remember, the Lord is not trying to torture you and watch you fail.  He is trying to bless you and put you over to the next level.

“Tests” – Part of the Spiritual Process

09 Friday Sep 2011

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Therefore Jesus, lifting up His eyes and seeing that a large crowd was coming to Him, said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these may eat?” 6 This He was saying to test him, for He Himself knew what He was intending to do.  John 6:5-6

      Let’s face it, most believers are in denial concerning the testings of the Lord.  Whether we admit to it or not, the Lord does allow times of testing so that we might know where we stand, spiritual speaking.  These “pop quizzes” are opportunities for us to discern whether we are making it or faking it!  Tests are God’s diagnostic tools.  Yeah!  The Lord is not out to hurt us, but to help us along in our journey to be like Christ. 

      Like the test in our passage today, our times of testing are predetermined by the Lord.  Jesus knew what He was going to do in situations like this, but Phillip and the rest were totally confounded.  It is my observation that if the Lord gives you a test, especially your first time through the test, you are usually going to fail that test!  Failure is not a bad thing.  Remember, tests are a part of the growing process, not opportunities for you to appear like a perfect Christian before the Lord.  If you really have your act together, you wouldn’t have received the test. 

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you;  I Peter 4:12

      Our goal should be to welcome all the movements of God in our lives, including tests.  The truth is God grows us in our weakness and failures, not in our successes.  Most us are just like Phillip in our story today.  We struggle with the tasks the Lord gives us.  We cannot feed 15,000 people with no resources.  We say things like, “I’m just struggling with the will of God.”  We say it like God’s will is an obstacle to overcome.  We are suggesting that ministry would be easier if God were out of the picture.  The real struggle is not with God’s will, but our will!  So we say things like, “How am I going to get all this done with so few resources.   Where am I going to get enough bread, enough fish, enough resources to feed all of God’s people.” 

     Like Phillip, God tests us enough times until we have seen the situation enough to recognize the testing and then grow.  The Lord requires that we “find Him” inside the test.  The real test is to find God when you absolutely need Him most! 

      How are you going to feed the multitudes in your life?  Find the Lord and find the answer.  Whatever you are going through, find the Lord in the midst of your time of testing and everything will change.  The Lord is not trying to pull you under, but to put you over to the next level.

The Process of Spiritual Growth

08 Thursday Sep 2011

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Therefore Jesus, lifting up His eyes and seeing that a large crowd was coming to Him, said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these may eat?” 6 This He was saying to test him, for He Himself knew what He was intending to do.  John 6:5-6

      On many occasions Jesus sat down in front of His followers and taught them like many of the other rabbi’s who preceeded Him.  But for those who were called His disciples, Jesus did far more than teach.  They willingly entered into a process which Jesus used to grow believers.  There is a difference between a superficial follower of Christ and a disciple.  Which camp do you consider yourself to be in today?  Notice that only those closest to Jesus were tested! 

     All of life is a process.  A plant cannot grow unless it is first placed in good soil, watered, and given ample sunlight.  A child will not mature correctly unless he/she is nurtured, fed, and loved.  Are Christians any different? 

       Why do Christian’s believe that being a follower of Christ is different?  Most do not really believe God has them in a process.  If they do believe in a process, they cannot describe the steps and stages of growth.  Unfortunately, most simply believe spiritual growth happens automatically through osmosis.  This is precisely the reason they do not grow and mature. 

      The truth is the Lord uses a process to grow us into the image of Jesus Christ.  When we understand His process, we can cooperate with Him.  In John 6:1-14, we can see the three-fold process the Lord uses over and over again to create growth in our lives.  The Lord is always testing us, strengthening us, and feeding us.  This cycle is endless as we (disciples) constantly move from one stage to the next and eventually back to start over again in the next process.  The question is whether we are cooperating or resisting His efforts.  Join me in the next few days as we examine this process.

Top Ten Ways To Know You’re Growing In The Lord (V)

07 Wednesday Sep 2011

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      This is final installment of  ways to know you are growing.  We will be discussing the top two indicators. 

      9.  More Silence In Your Prayer Time!  Good friends enjoy silence with each other.  Because their relationship is matured, they don’t feel the need to fill the vacuum of silence with chatter.  I have even had the Lord tell me, “you talk too much.”  Ouch!  Suffice it to say, I have had to learn that prayer is more than just talking to God.  Prayer involves a deeper level of intimacy that mere words dare to tread. 

      Someone asked Mother Teresa one time, “You pray hours a day.  What do you talk about all that time?”  She said, “Mostly, I just listen.”  This simple answer was puzzling to the questioner.  He further inquired, “You listen to God?  What does He say?”  She answered, “Mostly He just listens too.” 

     Have you learned to enjoy and appreciate the comfort and presence of the Lord?  Or…does your prayer time have to be filled with words all the time?  I believe Jesus knew how to enjoy the presence of His Father.  He knew heaven’s discourse, how to ask and receive from the Father. 

      10. Unceasing Prayer!  When asked how long you pray each day, you should have no idea.  The scriptures exhort us to “pray without ceasing” (I Thessalonians 5:17) and to “pray always.” (Ephesians 6:18)   It is imperative all believers have quiet times with the Lord.  The problem is we have a tendency to “lock” God out of the rest of the day.  We relegate prayer to that “special time” with God we set aside each day.  Our quiet moments with the Lord are not meant to be the end all, but should set the tone for the rest of our day. 

      I am amused by polls that reveal the average Christian prays about 45 minutes a day.  This means many believers are not praying at all.  Wow!  If you are truly growing in the Lord, you have grown way past this point.  Those who desire to mature in the Lord know that constant prayer changes everything, including themselves.  Make it your goal to stay connected to the Lord 24/7.

Top Ten Ways To Know You’re Growing In The Lord (IV)

06 Tuesday Sep 2011

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      We are continuing to examine the top ten ways to know you’re growing.  This is the fourth installment. 

      7.  A New Generosity!  Since God gives and gives of Himself, we are just being like Him when we give.  As we grow in Him our level of generosity is raised to new levels.  Where we place our money, time, resources, and energy reveals where our heart is.   The Lord wants all His children to become “cheerful givers.” 

      Jesus spent a lot of time speaking to the “internal” issues of a person’s life.  Giving is an external demonstration of an internal conviction.  The Lord doesn’t want us to just go through the motions of giving to others.  He wants us to be blessed by the process as well.  The more we receive from heaven, the more we will be able to give of our own resources, as well as heaven’s.  Is there an open channel from heaven to you and then to others? 

      8.  Joy In Anonymous Acts!  It is said of Jesus that “He went about doing good”  (Acts 10:38)  The growing believer will leave a trail of blessed people in his/her wake.  Have you found the joy of giving without expecting anything in return?  Our real blessings come when we never demand or expect anything in return. 

      Where we give is important to people.  How we give is important to the Lord and indicates if we are really maturing in Him.  If you struggle keeping your acts of righteousness off the radar, then you need work in this area.  Jesus encouraged people to pray and give in secret.  (see Matthew 6:3-4)   Most of our prayer for others should be anonymous.  If you feel the need to keep reminding people how much you are praying for them, then it may indicate your lack of faith and confidence in the power of prayer and the Lord.  Have you learned to pray anonymously and leave the results to the Lord?  Praying and giving the way Jesus prescribed can change your life!

Top Ten Ways To Know You’re Growing In The Lord (III)

01 Thursday Sep 2011

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      We are continuing to examine the top ten indicators that signify if we are growing in the Lord.  So far we have examined our change of appetites, gaining a disgust for shameful activities, love for the believer, and possessing peace.  Now we are going to examine two additional traits of a growing believer.

       5.  Possessing Strange Patience!  Do you remember when crazy drivers, unloving people, and ungodly conditions found in the world upset you?   Sorry, maybe there is still some work to do here.  Patience appears strange to many because it is rare to see it at work in people’s lives.  Patience is a virtue and a fruit of the Holy Spirit.  Those growing in the Lord will possess this virtue because the Lord uses it in a mighty way for Kingdom advancement.  

      When we are patient and longsuffering like the Lord, we are able to minister to people who are currently displeasing to God.  Like the Lord, we are able to love the unloving.  Patience gives us “God’s Capacity” for people to meet people’s needs in the worst of circumstances.  This explains how believers can serve the Lord in homeless shelters, jails/prisons, and in other mission centers in the roughest of neighborhoods.  Is your patience growing or shrinking?  Allow the Lord to increase your capacity for Kingdom work. 

       6. Full of Joy!  Jesus said, “This is my commandment that you love one another, that your joy may be full.” (John 15 )  Many people (both believers and non-believers) have created an overbearing portrait of Jesus.  They view Him as a stern, grave, and serious figure.  Yet every picture the Bible gives us of the Lord is one of joy, laughter, and contentment.  For the growing believer, it is imperative to possess the correct picture of the Lord.  Why?  Because, “As He is, so are we in this world.”  (I John 4:17) 

      Finding joy and possessing joy on a daily basis gives us the inner strength we need.  “The joy of the Lord is our strength.”  (Nehemiah 8:10 )  Our inner strength doesn’t come from ourselves.  Real inner confidence comes from knowing the Lord and receiving constant revelation from heaven.  When we start looking to the Lord and worshiping Him in all circumstances…”the joy of the Lord becomes our strength.”  How about you?  Is your spiritual inner core stronger today than last year?

Top Ten Ways To Know You’re Growing In The Lord (II)

31 Wednesday Aug 2011

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      We are continuing to examine the top ten indicators that signify if we are growing in the Lord.  So far we have examined our change of appetites and gaining a disgust for shameful activities.  Now we are going to examine two positive indicators we should possess. 

      3.  A Genuine Love For Other believers!  Jesus emphatically told His disciples on several occasions, “By this shall all men know that you are My disciples if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35)  Jesus didn’t say if they went to church, read their Bible, witnessed effectively, or grew in numbers, then people would know they were His disciples.  No, Jesus said that the world at-large would know real believers by their love for one another. 

      The principle here is simple: the closer we are to Christ, the more we will love His people.  Conversely, the further we stray from Christ, the less concern we have for other believers and the more critical we will become of them.  In short, if we love Christ, we will love His people.  If we love the world, we will despise His people.  This is one of Jesus’ main markers to indicate whether we are truly growing in the Lord.  How are you doing in this area? 

      4.  Possessing Unusual Peace and Quietness!  With the recent upheavals in the economy, political arena, and in the natural world, it is a wonder that anyone could walk in tranquility.  The growing believer can!  There are numerous “peace” verse in the Bible.  This is for a good reason.  We need them! 

  • “For God is not a God of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.”  (I Corinthians 14:32-34)
  • “And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your minds and hearts in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-8)

      If you are growing in the Lord, His peace is your rudder.  His peace is supposed to be guiding, guarding, and steadying your walk in this world.  It is our lack of understanding and possessing the Lord’s peace in our hearts that keeps us from receiving real revelation from the Lord about futuristic events.  As Jack once said, “You can’t handle the truth.”  The reason we can’t handle the truth is because the Lord’s peace is not fully installed in our life.  This is why there was such a glaring distinction between Jesus and His disciples when they faced storms, demons, death, and other problems.  Jesus possessed peace, they didn’t.  Grow in the peace of God today!  The Lord will lead you to places you never thought you could go.