Zimmerman and Martin

I want to caution you against focusing on the news concerning George Zimmerman and Trevon Martin.

As with other high profile criminal cases in our country, it will be difficult to avoid contact with this story, but (in this case) it is important that you try.

This is a tragedy. 

The Martin family has lost a son and their lives will never be the same.  Though alive for the moment, the possibility of George Zimmerman ever having a normal life is gone.  But, why all of the focus on this case?

2010 is the last full year the FBI has released data on murder.  In 2010 there were 12,996 murders in the USA.  That’s 35 per/day.  In the 100 full days since this event with Martin and Zimmerman 3,500 murders have been committed in the US.  Yes, 3,500 murders.

[By the way, I realize that Zimmerman has only been charged with 2^nd murder.  I’m not saying he’s guilty by quoting those statistics.]

With OUR focus on the Holy Spirit, why has the World focused on this 1 alleged murder and not the other 3,500?  We can’t possibly believe that those 3,500 murders didn’t result in the tragic death of someone’s son or daughter... in the death of someone’s husband or wife... in the death of someone’s father or mother.

So, what is Satan attempting to do through this situation?

Satan, through the national media, is attempting to spread an evil spirit of anger and hate. 

[Jas 1:19]  My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20  for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.

We’ve all been angry at one point or another and done something stupid – that’s what Satan is hoping for.  The devil wants you to walk around in anger and hate over Martin/Zimmerman and sin towards someone in a totally unrelated situation. 

Martin/Zimmerman is an opportunity for Satan to manifest anger and hate in the lives of millions.

It is a stroke of satanic genius.  Martin/Zimmerman is a brilliant, evil, spiritual PR campaign in favor of anger and hate.

What do you do if you find yourself struggling with a spirit of anger or of hate?  The answer is simple – resist the devil. 

You need to say out loud, “That spirit of anger I resist you and you must flee because I have peace in the name of Jesus.”

The opposite of anger is peace, and you have peace.  Where does peace come from?  Spirit of Jesus living in us.

Gal 5:22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23  gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

If someone is in the world apart from Christ they don’t have any real peace.  Indifference is the best they can do.

So, if peace is the opposite of anger, what is the opposite of hate?  Love.

Part of the deception in all of this is the idea that Satan and his World system cares about Martin family – they don’t care.

     Answer this question.  Does Satan love or hate the Martin family?  Hate.
     Answer this question.  Does Satan love or hate the Zimmerman family?  Hate.  

The news media, these race based organizations, and all the other hangers on that would like to take advantage of this tragedy to make a dollar are all a part of Satan’s world system.

All of those worldly parties don’t love the Marin and Zimmerman families because their motivation (the god of this world) doesn’t love them.  The world can’t love Martin and Zimmerman because their god Satan hates them.

In the end a verdict will come out of the trial. 

     Will that pacify the anger and hate?  No.
     Will a guilty verdict pacify the evil spirits of anger and hate? No.
     Will a verdict of not guilty pacify the evil spirits of anger and hate?  No.

No outcome will pacify the devil, because he hates ALL OF US.

How do we avoid anger and hate in this situation? We can avoid focusing on Martin/Zimmerman as much as is possible.

1Th 5:22 Avoid every kind of evil.  This situation is evil.  I have started to turn the channel the moment the news says either Martin or Zimmerman.

I will not speculate as to the facts of the case and I STRONGLY suggest that you avoid doing so too.

If asked for an opinion your answer should be “I’ll wait for the trial.”  If asked about it during the trial your answer should be “I’ll wait for the verdict.”  If asked about the case after the trial your answer should be “The jury found him to be…”  If people press you for more than that, just tell them that you don’t want to talk about it.  And, don’t get sucked into a conversation in the break room at work by some sort of controversial statement that someone throws out there.

This is what you should think about…

Php 4:8  Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9  Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Does Martin/Zimmerman fit all of these criteria for what you should think about?  Is it true?  There are things that have been made public, but that doesn’t mean that any of them are true.

     Is Martin/Zimmerman noble? No.
     Is Martin/Zimmerman right? No.
     Is Martin/Zimmerman pure? No.
     Is Martin/Zimmerman lovely? No.
     Is Martin/Zimmerman admirable? No.
     Is Martin/Zimmerman excellent or praiseworthy? No.

THEN DON’T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT!

Now, you may say, “I can’t help but think about it!”  Yes you can help it.

2Co 10:3 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

You can choose to focus on “…whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable anything that is excellent or praiseworthy…”  I know that in the coming months it will be very important to avoid anger and hate spurred on by the Martin/Zimmerman situation and trial, but if we can learn the lesson of controlling what we think in this situation we will be able to apply it to other areas of our lives and experience victory in those areas too.

Consider A Stream

John 7:38 says, “Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him."

You are walking through a dense alpine forest when you suddenly come to a stream.

 

Think about that stream. 

The source is high in the mountain.  The water it carries is not its own.  The stream keeps very little of the water passing through.  It has received the water from above and generously passes the water to points below. 

The stream exerts very little effort as the water rushes by.  It sits and is motionless and yet it is rushing by. 

When you were back in the forest and long before you saw the stream you heard it.  You heard the rushing, gurgling, happy, splashing water.  Now, as you stand on its banks, the stream fills your ears and eyes.  You feel the cool spray.  You look closer and you notice that there is life in the stream-–fish swim, crayfish crawl, and plants sway. 

The stream seems endless.  You look up the mountain, but can not see its beginning.  You look down the mountain, but can not see its end.  The water is endless.

You can be God’s stream.  You can increase the flow.

The Origin of Life

Col 1:16  For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth,

visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all

things were created by him and for him. 17  He is before all things, and in

him all things hold together.

There is a beautiful hibiscus bush just outside my very dirty office window. 

I love that bush.  It gives me something pretty to look at out my window, and I enjoy watching the humming birds and chickadees that visit for nectar and bugs.  Yesterday, I was writing Sunday’s sermon and praying over it as I went when the Lord took my thinking somewhere unexpected.

Before I go any further, isn’t that just like God?  I’ve got an agenda, my sermon, but He’s got something more immediate in mind.  And, isn’t that the adventure of relationship with Jesus Christ and life in His Spirit?  You never know where He’ll lead you!  That’s exciting!!!

I was meditating on the never-changing nature of God and the ever-new exploration of the person of God when He gave me an open vision of my hibiscus bush.  In the vision, I rapidly saw the bush grow from the small thing that was planted many years ago to the large bush that it is today.  Suddenly, I understood the changes that the plant went through, and the Lord gave me a revelation that He is the source of life not only for my hibiscus, but for all living things.  

Jesus Christ is the origin of life, the source of life, and the fountain of living.  Knowing Christ is not only what you now know, but more than you now know.

The closer you get to Jesus, and the more you act on your relationship with Jesus, the more your life and living will grow to look like Jesus.

What Was I Thinking?

For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. ⁴ The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. ⁵ We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 

 -- 2 Cor 10:3-5

I have to "make" my thoughts obedient to Christ.  Jesus Christ has set me free spirit, soul, and body, and I choose what I think about myself and those around me.  Please note that it's not that I CAN choose I already DO choose what I think about. 

Freedom abdicated is still a free choice.  I am always free to turn to the Lord in prayer.  I am always free to turn to the Lord for His Wisdom.  I am free to act on His Word, but all of this starts in my thoughts.

I should never be surprised if my world reflects what I am thinking because my actions originate in my thoughts.  I must take my thoughts captive and make my thoughts obey Christ.

How do I do that?  I pray and ask the Lord to show me what thoughts are pleasing to Him and what thoughts are not.  I read and meditate upon His Word, and I refuse to think negatively.  And, I am getting better at it every day, because God is in me.  He wants me to succeed, because He loves me.

I pray that you too can take captive all of your thoughts and make them obey Jesus Christ.  It is in Jesus’ name I pray and receive – Amen.

You Are My Joy

I was listening to David Crowder Band's song You Are My Joy when the Lord hit me – Jesus Christ IS my joy. 


Now, that may seem like "duh," but think about it... 

If I don't live my life practicing His presence and constantly aware of Him in my life, how can I possibly experience His joy? Or His love...Or His peace...Or any of fruit of the Spirit? I can't.

I have to train my mind to think about Him and fellowship with Him all of the time. I've got to ponder His goodness and open myself to be continually filled with all that He is.

I believe that this is the antidote for what is commonly called going through a “dry” place or season spiritually. If I trust in my feelings to understand God's presence in my life rather than His Word, then eventually I start looking for emotions instead of looking for Jesus.

I'm not anti-emotion, but the Kingdom of God is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit, not in my flesh. I'm not there yet, but my emotions should always be subject to the Holy Spirit and not to any external circumstance or internal mood. 

If I look into my own heart, I always find Jesus Christ and He brings joy .

If I focus on the Holy Spirit, who is the Lord, then I will always have JOY!


Here's the video...

Prayer:

Daddy, I come to you in Jesus' name, and I ask that you give everyone who reads this a revelation of your presence and the joy you bring to their lives. Help them to fellowship with your Spirit in ever-closer ways. I believe that I receive all of this in Jesus' name – amen. 
   

Soul Winning Brings Glory to God

All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.

--2 Corinthians 4: 15

Please take a moment and remember how you felt towards Jesus Christ when he first came into your heart.

Do you remember the love, the gratitude, and the relief you felt?  Do you remember the feeling of being different?  On the inside?  Do you remember being amazed that God loved you THAT much?

There you were -- born again.  The angels celebrated.

Does your adoption as a child of God bring glory to God?  Yes!

You are a part of the body of Christ.  You are part of His glorious inheritance (Eph. 1:18).

So, would you leading others to the Lord bring Him glory?  Yes!

Take the leap of faith by sharing your faith.  Tell someone about how "the grace" reached you, and then close the deal by leading them in a prayer asking Jesus to come into their heart.

Prayer:

Daddy, I ask that you would touch everyone who reads this with great boldness to share Jesus, that the spirit of the world that blinds the lost would be bound, and You would be glorified in bringing many to glory.  I receive all of this in Jesus' name -- Amen!

Centurion Faith

Matthew 8:5-13 When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help.  “Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed and in terrible suffering.”

Jesus said to him, “I will go and heal him.”

The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed.  For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

When Jesus heard this, he was astonished and said to those following him, “I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.  I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.  But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go! It will be done just as you believed it would.” And his servant was healed at that very hour.

What made the Centurion’s faith so great? 

The level of trust he showed toward Jesus.  All Jesus had to do was say the word.

The subtleties here are important…

The Centurion had choices in seeking help for his servant, but he chose to go to Jesus.

We have lots of choices in what we do, but we should go to Jesus first.  We should pray and listen to what the Lord wants us to do.

You may be able to do a lot about the circumstances around you, but if you act without trusting Jesus you’ve left faith and are walking in the flesh.

The Centurion knew he was powerless and went to Jesus.  What power do you have apart from Jesus Christ?  None.

I pray that our Heavenly Father give you insight and wisdom concerning this teaching, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Amen.   

Faith part 4

 “…the righteous shall live by his faith.” – Habakkuk 2:4

Faith is more slippery than we realize. 

We all tend to live life from the outside in rather than the inside out because it's just "natural".  But, we’re the Temple of the Holy Spirit.  We’re supposed to live by faith in HIM. 

Here’s a quick test. 

Which of the following statements is a statement expressing faith?

a)   The blood of Jesus Christ has removed that cancer.

b)   I hope the blood of Jesus Christ will remove that cancer.

c)    If it’s God’s will the blood of Jesus Christ will remove that cancer.

The answer is “a”. 

I’ve used the phrase “the blood of Jesus Christ” on purpose.  And, I’ve used that phrase because it’s a ridiculous thought that somehow “the blood of Jesus Christ” miraculously takes away ALL the sin of the world but can’t cure cancer.  Chemo therapy can cure cancer, but the blood of Jesus Christ can’t?!?!?  I’ve smelled manure with a more pleasant aroma than that sack of…

Here’s the short list of walking in faith:

1)    Faith is trusting in Jesus Christ for everything.

2)    Faith is in the “now”.

3)    Faith speaks the answer.

4)    Faith prays, believes, and receives before seeing with the eyes.

5)    Faith comes by the Word of God.

6)    Faith is a rest.

7)    Faith never lets go.

I pray the Lord give you wisdom and strength to act on His word, in Jesus’ name, amen.

Faith Part 3

Romans 4:13 It was not through law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. 14 For if those who live by law are heirs, faith has no value and the promise is worthless…

Abraham became “heir of the world” the moment he believed God.  He and Sarah had one physical child, and that one physical child put in motion the fulfillment of the promise. 

Abraham has yet to receive the total fulfillment of the promise.  The fulfillment of that promise is still underway as new believers come to Christ. 

Abraham’s faith has had eternal consequences beyond even his physical life. Some of you will catch the implications of that last statement.

Romans 4:16 Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace…

Who makes the promises come?  Jesus Christ

I would want to ask the question “what makes the promises come?”, but faith in Jesus Christ isn’t about a “what”.  Trust is only as good as the person you’re trusting, and the Lord Jesus Christ is infinitely worthy of our trust. 

and may be guaranteed to all Abraham's offspring--not only to those who are of the law but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all. ¹⁷ As it is written: "I have made you a father of many nations."

How does one guy of one specific ethnic group become the father of many “nations”?  By our faith in Jesus Christ.  Genetically, Abraham could only have a child of his same ethnicity, but spiritual children are different and those "laws" don't apply to us.

He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed--the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were.

God says we’re Abraham’s kids and that’s good enough for me.

RO 4:18 Against all hope…

You know that hope is expectation, right?  Well, what did everyone around Abraham expect from him?  They expected him to die.  And, because he had no heir, they expected that when he died that they would have a big payday coming! 

The world, the flesh, and the devil expect that the promises God has given you will just dry up and die.  Does your hope line up with God’s promises or the world’s expectations?   It’s your choice.

Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, "So shall your offspring be."

What do you expect?  Abraham expected God to back up HIS promise.  The world expected death, but Abraham trusted God and expected life. 

The world’s expectations do not matter at all if we have faith in God and expect that HE delivers on His promises.

¹⁹ Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead--since he was about a hundred years old--and that Sarah's womb was also dead. ²⁰ Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, ²¹ being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. ²² This is why "it was credited to him as righteousness."

Abraham was no fool.  He knew that men his age and women Sarah’s age didn’t have kids, but he was FULLY persuaded that God was powerful to deliver the promise.  So…

HERE IS THE KEY! 

Abraham believed God above the physical.  Abraham didn’t care what the physical situation was his belief system was in proper order:

Spirit

  Soul

    Body       

He made his mind line up with God, and he expected God to deliver the natural results. 

You and I have been promised a resurrection, but we don’t yet have the physical manifestation of that promise.  We Christians believe in our hearts that we are going to be resurrected, because God has promised us.

This same faith in Jesus Christ, for the specific individual promise of resurrection, is how faith works in all circumstances for all promises.

So...

1. True faith outlasts a lifetime
2. Faith in Jesus Christ makes the promises come to us.
3. If our hope is in God the world’s expectations don’t matter
4. God is powerful to deliver His promises
5. Spirit first – above both body and soul

I pray that you get a hold of this message in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ amen.

Faith, Part 2

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.                                                                          - Hebrews 11:1

If it’s not “now” it’s not faith. 

Trusting in the Lord Christ Jesus is a full-time, 24/7, 365, every second of every day of our lives occupation, and we need to live ALL of our lives by faith.

The story goes that during WW2, C. S. Lewis was talking to a small group of young RAF Airmen who were showing him the equipment used in the new technology of radar.  During the conversation, every one of the Airmen told Lewis that they were Christians, but when he asked them if God understood how radar worked their unanimous answer was no! 

Those RAF Airmen had so segregated their faith from the other areas of their lives that they didn’t recognize that they held two contradictory beliefs at the same time.  As Christians they believed in an All Knowing God, and as RAF Airmen they knew something that God didn’t. That’s dangerous thinking.

It’s dangerous thinking, because those gents had left having faith in God in EVERY area of their lives.  They were operating in their own thinking and abilities.  They’re actions and attitudes were Worldly.  And, I know they would have been better Airmen had they included God in their radar facility.

I too have to guard myself against ignoring God in areas of my life where I think of myself as “competent.”  Whenever I think “I know that” I’ve closed myself off from trusting God for His wisdom.  Whenever I act like “I’ve got it” I’ve chosen my strength instead of His power.  I’ve got to choose faith in Jesus Christ in the now of every area of my life – even in the areas that I think I do well.

This is my prayer, and I invite you to join me too . . .

Daddy, I come to you in Jesus’ name, and I ask that you would make me aware of the areas in my life where I turn down the volume on your still small voice and live like I don’t need you.  I thank you for your wisdom, and I choose faith in you in every situation in life.  I receive now in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ– Amen!

Faith; Part 1

”"Look up at the heavens and count the stars--if indeed you can count them." Then he said to him, "So shall your offspring be."

Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness.”

--Genesis 15:5-6

Has it ever occurred to you how weird it is that Moses writes down all these stories about Abraham?  I mean, here’s Moses, the law giver, writing all this stuff about Abraham, the father of faith.  God gives Moses the law.  Moses gives the Israelites the law.  God expects the Israelites and Moses to follow the law, but, oh by the way, here’s all these stories about your flesh and blood ancestor and his – FAITH?  Why does God have Moses do that?

The answer to that question is in our passage.  God gives the Israelites the story of Abraham so that they can see that faith in the Lord works.  God promised Abraham; "So shall your offspring be", and there the multitude of Israelites stood.  They were the partial fulfillment of that promise.  God is faithful.

Why did Abraham believe the promise?  Because of who had spoken to him – God!  It’s not a stretch to say that Abraham wouldn’t have believed it if anyone else had said it.  God is the only one who could have called Abraham righteous.  Why did the Lord do that?  Abraham had faith in God. 

What does God expect from the Israelites when he gives them the law?  He expects them to obey and trust just because He said so.  If you look in your Bible, you’ll see that it’s the law of the LORD and not the LAW that is lord.  God was speaking to the Israelites and that should have been enough for them.

What does that have to do with us today?  Well, how do we know Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins?  We have his word on it.  How do we know that Jesus Christ rose from the dead?  We have his word on it.  That word may come to us in the form of the Bible, a testimony of Jesus, a preacher’s sermon, or the way a believer lives, but just as the Spirit of God spoke to Abraham all those hundreds of years ago he speaks today.  The Spirit of Jesus spoke to us told us that what we heard was real, powerful, and effective for you and for me today.  We believed it just because he said so, and the Lord gave us righteousness.  So, then . . .

Faith is trusting Jesus Christ. 

Now, you may say, “I know that.”  Well then, let me ask you this – is that sentence you “know” in the past tense or in the present tense for you? 

To be continued . . .

Happy New Year!!!

“During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake.  When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. "It's a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear.

But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."

"Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water."

"Come," he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!"

Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"

And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down.  Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God." “

–         Matthew 14:25-33

A recent conversation . . .

          Sister: “Did you hear about . . . in the news?”

          Me: “It’s just wind and waves.”

The Virgin Mary lived in Nazareth.  Nazareth was NOT a nice place to live.  Nazareth was a backwater of the Roman Empire – a place forgotten.  Mary was young, poor, and engaged to an older man.  Her future didn’t look particularly bright, but then the angel came and changed all of that forever.  Let’s take another look at that list of what Gabriel said about Mary’s baby, Jesus.  The baby will be:

·         Great

·         Son of the Most High God

·         King

·         Given David’s Throne

·         Reign forever

What would you have expected from life after an angel lists out all that?!?!  I can’t speak for Mary, but I know what I would have expected.  I would have expected life to get a whole lot easier, but it didn’t get easier for Mary.

Trouble

Mary is so pregnant that she’s about to pop when she has to travel to Bethlehem because of a census.  Now, that’s a little more than inconvenient. She gets to Bethlehem, and goes into labor, but there’s no room in the inn.  She gives birth to the King of Kings in a cold, dark, damp cave surrounded by barnyard animals.  That’s not exactly fit for the King.  She’s tired from traveling and from labor when all these smelly shepherds show up babbling about angels.  Are shepherds “great”?  Not so much.  If anyone could have had a bad attitude and have been justified it was Mary.  But, Mary chose something different.

Treasure

Now, you may ask, “What does this have to do with the verses from Matthew chapter 14?  Christmas is over!”  Well, Mary chose to look at the miracle of Jesus instead of the wind and the waves of trouble around her.  She chose to treasure all of these things in her heart. 

Walking on Water

You and I have the treasure of the Spirit of Jesus living in our hearts.  We are more than conquerors in Jesus!  His plan is for good in our lives.  His plan is hope for now and for the future, but just like Peter I mess up.  I sin by looking at my circumstances instead of having faith that Jesus Christ – the Man/God who defeated death itself – isn’t enough to overcome the storms in my life.  Sometimes I react with disappointment when God’s plan for me doesn’t look like I think it should.  I don’t always feel glorious.  I don’t always see the glory of God in others.

Hope

But, I take hope in Peter’s story.  He did at least walk on the water.  Jesus did pull him out of the drink when he was sinking.  Jesus did still the storm.  Jesus will do the same for me.  I repent and I am restored.

And, I take hope in Mary’s story.  Though it didn’t look like what anyone would have reasonably expected, everything the angel said to Mary took place.  She received everything she was promised!  Jesus will do the same for me.  I repent and I am refreshed.

Now, I want to encourage you.  No matter what 2011 brings Jesus’ plan for you is good and glorious!  If you have sinned – repent.  He is faithful and just to forgive and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Even with the wind and waves around you . . .

Keep looking at Jesus.  Keep trusting in Jesus.  Keep seeking Jesus.  Keep pressing upward in Jesus!  When you screw it up – repent and get back in the game.  All of God’s promises are yes and amen for you because you are in Christ Jesus!  Let me pray for you.

Prayer

Daddy, I come to you in Jesus’ name, and I lift up to you everyone who will ever read this post – grant them true repentance.  Strengthen their faith.  Help them to fix their eyes on you in the midst of the storms.  Give them insight to see what is eternal and what is temporary, and give them wisdom to act on that insight.  I receive all of this in Jesus’ name – amen.

Happy Birthday, Jesus!!!

"LK 1:5 In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. ⁶ Both of them were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord's commandments and regulations blamelessly. ⁷ But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren; and they were both well along in years.

^{LK 1:8} Once when Zechariah's division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, ⁹ he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. ¹⁰ And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside.

^{LK 1:11} Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. ¹² When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. ¹³ But the angel said to him: "Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John. ¹⁴ He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, ¹⁵ for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from birth. ¹⁶ Many of the people of Israel will he bring back to the Lord their God. ¹⁷ And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous--to make ready a people prepared for the Lord."

^{LK 1:18} Zechariah asked the angel, "How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years."

^{LK 1:19} The angel answered, "I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. ²⁰ And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their proper time."

^{LK 1:21} Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple. ²² When he came out, he could not speak to them. They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them but remained unable to speak.

^{LK 1:23} When his time of service was completed, he returned home. ²⁴ After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. ²⁵ "The Lord has done this for me," she said. "In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people."

^{LK 1:26} In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, ²⁷ to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. ²⁸ The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you."

^{LK 1:29} Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. ³⁰ But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. ³¹ You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. ³² He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, ³³ and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."

^{LK 1:34} "How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?"

^{LK 1:35} The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. ³⁶ Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. ³⁷ For nothing is impossible with God."

^{LK 1:38} "I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her."

– Luke1:5-38

“Zechariah asked the angel, "How can I be sure of this? . . .”

– Luke 1:18

“’How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?’”

– Luke 1:34

A recent sermon . . .

          Me: “What’s the difference between the two answers?”

          [dramatic pause]

          Me: “One doubts and one believes!”

A Guy, A Girl, an Angel

God sends one angel to talk to two people and gets two answers that seem to be very similar.  Zechariah doesn’t understand how Elizabeth is going to get pregnant because they’re old.  Mary doesn’t understand how she’s going to get pregnant because she’s a virgin.  Both questions seem to be a matter of logistics – how are you going to deliver that package?  But, Zechariah is the only one who gets in trouble.  Why?

Circumstances

The answer to the question why has to do with the circumstances of both Zechariah and Mary.  What was Zechariah doing when Gabriel appears to him?  He was burning incense in the temple.  It’s important to understand that burning incense in the temple was thought to carry the prayers of the people to God.  So, Zechariah throws the incense (his prayer) onto the fire and “poof” there’s Gabriel.  What does Gabriel say?  He says, “your prayer has been heard . . .” Note that Gabriel said “prayer” singular and not prayers plural.  Gabriel then tells him that he’s going to have a son.  So, what did Zechariah just ask God for in prayer?  A son.

Yes, already!

Think about it – one second it’s “amen” and the next second it’s angelic visitation!  The Lord’s answer to his prayer is a quick and resounding yes, but Zechariah isn’t jumping for joy.  He should be jumping for joy, but he’s not.  He doesn’t believe Gabriel, and Zechariah has trouble.  I really can’t imagine not talking for 9 months.  It must have been torturous.

BIG FAITH MARY!!!

Now let’s turn our attention to Mary.  What’s she doing when Gabriel shows up to talk to her?  The Bible doesn’t say.  It’s easy enough to speculate that she’s just going about her everyday life.  We know she’s planning her wedding.  She’s happy.  Then Gabriel comes along and tells her she’s going to have a baby.  Mary has one question, but she certainly has room for more questions if she wanted to ask them.  Let’s list out what Gabriel actually says about Mary’s baby.  The baby will be:

·         Great

·         Son of the Most High God

·         King

·         Given David’s Throne

·         Reign forever

Mary doesn’t question ANY of this huge stuff – she just believes!  What she wants to know is the logistics of having a baby without ever having had sex!  That’s a reasonable question.  Gabriel answers her question, and Mary believes his answer.  Mary is blessed.

The difference between Zechariah and Mary is simple.  Zechariah doubted.  Mary believed.  And, I can see a bit of myself in both of them.

I find hope for me in Zechariah, because though he doubted he still received his miracle.  I find hope for me in Mary, because she believed and received such great promises.  So, I find hope for me in both their stories, because no matter if I momentarily look at the circumstances around me and have my doubts, or if I surrender perfectly to the Lord’s word for me I know that the Lord is faithful to accomplish his word.  That’s real grace.  That’s grace I can use because . . .

There are times when I have to remind myself that the Church IS glorious – not that it will be glorious some day, but that it is at this very moment glorious.  The Spirit of Jesus and the Word of God say that the Church is glorious.  I just have to continue to believe him for a greater expression of his glory on the outside of you.  And, I know it will happen, because just as Mary said yes to the Lord’s offer, you have said yes to the Lord’s offer of eternal life in Christ Jesus.  The Spirit of Jesus makes his home in you, and that makes you GLORIOUS!

Let’s pray:

Daddy, I come to you in Jesus’ name, and I ask that you give every believer everywhere a revelation of your presence and your glory living on the inside of them and living in every other believer.  I ask that in some quiet unexpected moment you would surprise them by expressing your glory to them.  I believe I receive, in Jesus’ name, amen.