Building

Desire without knowledge is not good, and whoever makes haste with his feet misses his way. When a man’s folly brings his way to ruin his heart rages against the Lord.

Proverbs 19:2-3

I’ve been thinking about building lately and specifically building His Church .   Psalm 127.1 reminds us that building is a vain work unless the Lord constructs.  We know Jesus is the one who is building his church and all the examples we are given throughout the Old Testament show us God’s involvement in the things He has destined to build and establish. We have the example of Noah and the ark, Moses and the tabernacle, David and the building plans for temple. God is the Master Builder.  We work for him.  Each OT story shows us the instructions and the preparations that came with the building process.

Within the developing new work God established

through the death and resurrection of his son, Jesus Christ; we see and discover something that has never existed before, “we’ve not gone this way before.”  This great work of building His church was initially committed to the oversight of twelve men, discipled and trained by the Lord himself.  Jesus ascended but did not leave them alone.  The Helper has come and empowered them.  He now brings to remembrance all things Jesus has said.  He is the Spirit of truth who promises to guide them into all the truth.  He will show them things to come so they are prepared.  This helper is the revealer of the heart and mind of God who continues to teach them.  Their dependency upon this Helper was absolutely vital to the building of His church and has set precedence and pattern for the continued building process so that the gates of hell will not prevail against.   They will attack but shall never prevail because He has decreed it so.

Thus we have our admonition from the book of Proverbs.

Desire without knowledge is not good, and whoever makes haste with his feet misses his way When a man’s folly brings his way to ruin his heart rages against the Lord.  Proverbs 19:2-3

Hasty actions with no knowledge brings ruin and we are…..mad, offended, disappointment,  casting off, quitting….you pick, but the condition of a raging heart can only be resolved through repentance.  We know from the book of Nehemiah when mens hearts fail them they cast off the work given.  Lack of knowledge, wrong knowledge, opens all of us to potential disappointments.  Please note the verse in proverbs hinges, not on hasty work, but hasty work that holds no knowledge.

How many ‘good ideas’ have we put our hands to, without taking the time to determine His activity in them. The Tower of Babel is a good example.  We are to move “with” him. Called to be “with” him, “sent” by him and we find faith begins where the will of God is known.  Every word He decrees is filled with potency to produce.

  Once we hear, we have the wisdom of God.  We hold knowledge and understanding as we add our yes and amen to His instructions.  Step by step, faith to faith, we walk this process of building with Him and with His Helper….. and no man having put his hand to the plow and looking back is fit for His Kingdom.

The faithful witness

“The faithful witness”

Revelation 1:5

Helps Word Studies ~  Faithful (4103/pistós) describes the Lord Himself (1 Cor 10:13; 2 Cor 1:18; 2 Thes 3:3; 1 Pet 4:19; Rev 1:5) as well as the believer remaining full of (and obedient to) faith.  Heb 11:11: "By faith (4102/pístis), also Sarah herself . . . since she deemed (the Lord) faithful (4103/pistós) . . . ".

Jesus is described as a faithful son over his Fathers house from Hebrews 3:6…

Now Moses was faithful as a servant in all God’s house, testifying to what would be spoken later. (6) But Christ is faithful as the Son over God’s house.

He is described as Faithful and true from Rev.19:11 and this very nature has been imparted to us.  We are partakers of this divine nature and with this truth we find faithfulness a fruit of the Spirit.  So, unfaithfulness would be our unwillingness to commit our lives to His service.

Matthews gospel reminds us the faithful and wise servant is the one whom his master has set over his household to give food at the proper time. Blessed is that servant who his master will find so doing when he comes.  Truly I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions.

Remaining stedfast and enduring hardness while facing tribulation are dynamics that  can create opportunities to cast away our confidence or become complacent in our service to the Father.     

Paul's admonition to us to run our race requires a forgetting of those things that lie behind and a pressing on for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

When Jesus asks the question about the son of man finding faith on the earth when he returns, he means that he will be looking for those who have remained faithful in their commitment and obedient service to the end. We don’t want to just “endure to the end’’.  We want to endure while we press. That’s the faith he’s talking about.

Our English word ‘faithful’ is described as remaining loyal and steadfast.  Proverbs 20:6 tells us many will proclaim their own loyalty, but can you really find a faithful man?

The ability to commit ourselves to a faithful God is difficult for us when we assign our own imperfect level of faithfulness to God.  We might mentally assent to God being faithful but I guess we know we believe if we don’t keep trying to solve our own problems and control every event of our lives by trusting in ourselves or others.  What we have committed to Him, we have yielded our right to order and construct.  We live from hearing and obeying. Understanding is nice to have but not necessary for obedience.  Faithfulness is seen through continued obedience

There are many plans in the heart of a man but it’s the purpose of the Lord that prevails.

Proverbs 19:21

Just as Jesus continued entrusting himself to the one who judges justly, we are exhorted in Peters Epistle to entrust our souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.

Please remember faithfulness, as a Christian, is not a lack of ability, it is rather a lack of willingness to commit ourselves and our purposes to him.  So, todays question ~ Am I a faithful child over my Fathers House?

That's hard to hear

When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This is a hard saying: who can listen to it?” 

John 6:60

HELPS Word-studies on the words ‘hard’ and ‘listen’ ~

skléros: hard, rough, violent, harsh, stern.

4642 sklērós – properly, hard (because dried out); (figuratively) stiff, stubborn (unyielding) describing people who "won't budge" (bend, submit), or what is unyieldingly harsh.

akouó: to hear, listen; comprehend by hearing;

191 akoúō – properly, to hear (listen); (figuratively) to hear God's voice (akoúō) is the root of the English term, "acoustics."]

Ultimately the Father’s goal is to grow us up into Christ in all things, all ways, all areas, mind, body and spirit.  Since he is always at work in us to will and obey his purposes, this activity will be an ongoing and eternal working.  What I won’t hear and receive now, I will hear and receive ‘there’ (eternity).  We are to increase with the increase of God and grow from glory to glory.  With every season and age holding, not only the potential, but the grace to increase with the measure given to each of us for our times.

So, what is it that Jesus is saying to us that we are finding hard to hear? I think in most cases it would be ultimately rooted in some kind of fear.  Fear is a driving force and most of ours are built from a sense of self preservation.  We build things in our lives based off of the negative experiences we’ve suffered with a false believe that these will protect us, AND they do.  Unfortunately, what they protect us from is this growth process that is ordained for us in God.

It isn’t until we come into this understanding and acceptance of ‘perfect love’ that fear can be driven out from it’s stronghold.  Jesus works at all times, in all ways, through all resources to bring us into this place of perfect liberty.

For where the spirit of the Lord is there is liberty.  It’s a human dynamic we all want freedom, but we want it on our terms.

Jesus is freedom, but we have to accept him and it on his terms.  It’s the hearing, receiving, and obeying the hard things he says that produce growth in us.

The Apostle Paul, meeting Jesus on the road to Damascus, Acts 9:5; 26:14, learns “it is hard for you to kick against the goads”. Where we meet the opposition in our lives, it is necessary to know that we can never fight against God and win.  Submission is the key to victory.  God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.  Sometimes I wonder how many of us have our own “Balaam’s ass” moments.  What are we harming through our own stubbornness before coming to a place of receptivity with repentance and obedience.

The scary part of John 6 to me personally is how the Lord allows each of us to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling.  He does not change the word he proclaims to make it ‘easy’ for us to hear it, but rather acknowledges our right to choose.

This whole scenario occurred with his ‘disciples’ so, we all have issues to deal with.

He Sends Out His Word

He sends out his word…

Psalm 147: 18

I think the majority of you ‘Good Word’ readers have a heart that treasures the word of God understanding the value and place it holds in our lives but today I want to add a further thought I had as I meditated on Psalm 147:18-20.

In context verses 18-20 read:

He sent out his word, and melts them, he makes his wind blow and the waters flow. He declares his word to Jacob, his statues and rules to Israel. He has not dealt thus with any other nation; they do not know his rules.  Praise the Lord!

I’m impacted today with not only the need, but desire as well, to allow this truth to deeply saturate my soul. It speaks to me of the overwhelming love and care God has displayed through the covenant He made with his people. He has not dealt thus with any other nation.  They do not know his rules.  I will be their God and they will be my people.  Almighty God, faithful to the words He has decreed, has blessed his chosen people with the favour of the words He has and does send out.    

He sent his word as a two edged sword.  It is the word decreed and the word made flesh. It’s the seed sown, watered, nourished in good soil that brings forth fruit unto life. cp. Mark 4:14  Ephesians 6:17; Hebrews 4:12.

His declarations provide life to all who receive and believe them. His words established boundaries to keep them safe, healthy, and provisioned. Many would say they are the boundaries that prevent them from enjoying life, but that would only be those who are lovers of darkness and sin.

He declared his word to Jacob, his statues and rules to Israel.  He has not dealt thus with any other nation, they do not know his rules.  Praise the Lord!

The favour that has come upon His chosen ones through the words He has spoken becomes the life line for all.  No man is limited from receiving these words, except by his own dis.belief.

From the Old Testament into the New, we find abundant life contained in the power of these words.  Abundant life, held within a structure that establishes boundaries for us.

The Old Testament shows a history of Kings, priests, prophets, and people, who having removed themselves from the instruction that His sent word brought, suffered the consequences of their dis.belief and dis.obedience.

The history of Jehoshaphat, King of Judah, from 2 Chronicles 17:7-10 shows us the value he placed upon God’s ordinances.  He took officials, certain Levites and two priests and sent them throughout all the cities of Judah teaching them the law of the Lord and the fear of the lord fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were around Judah.

It wasn’t until they returned to the sent words that life improved for them.  This reminds me of the prodigal son.  History, especially bible history, is simply a story for each of us to glean from.  The trials and errors of others are to teach us the good way to walk.  A wise man will learn from others.

How can a young man cleanse his ways, by taking heed to your word.

Psalm 119: 9

  We see this in David’s confession of his sins regarding Uriah and Bathsheba.

“ Against you and you alone have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment.” Psalm 51:4

He sent His word and healed them and delivered them from their destruction, has been, will always be the heart of God to those who will receive it. He has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness through the precious gift of His son as we hold the value of the word He has sent.

The Power of Restraint

This weeks conversation ~ The power of restraint, OR developing the character of meekness: power under restraint.

Helps Word Studies defines the Greek word 4239/praüs ; meek, as ~

Being meek, in Scripture, is not being weak.  Rather it refers to exercising God's strength under His control – i.e. describing power used without undue harshness.

[The English term "meek" often lacks this blend of gentleness (reserve) and strength.]

1. ("gentle while strong") describes the blend of: insisting only on what is necessary (in God's eyes), and all that is necessary. This divinely-produced balance reveals "active submission" by the believer who responds to people, God's way.

I have much to say about you and much to judge, but he who sent me is true and I declare to the world what I have heard from him.  John 8:26

From Jesus’ own testimony we learn in Matthew’s gospel he is ‘meek and humble in heart’.  His invite is to come and learn from him His quality of meekness and humility.  Our scripture today gives us a glimpse into the discipline Jesus exercised over his own will and speech.  If there was ever a moment we would yield to - it would be when we felt the need to defend and justify ourselves, yet Jesus shows us here power under restraint.

From the Epistle of James we are reminded, “…if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.”  From Hebrews we find Jesus “learned obedience by the things he suffered”.

How do you learn to say ONLY what you are hearing from your Father?  I think it starts by developing the ability to be slow to speak.  My own opinions, unchallenged, leave opportunity for me to ultimately express them.  Solomon’s wisdom stands us in good stead here -

‘In the multitude of words, sin is not lacking but he who restrains his lips is wise’,

Proverbs 10:19.

The psalmist cried ‘put a guard over my mouth, keep watch over the door of my lips!’  Ps. 141:3.

The flip side of slow to speak is quick to hear.  Where I am unwilling to hear what he wants to say, I am unable to join with Him in His righteousness and justice.

From John chapter 8 we learn that Jesus had much to say and much to judge but the time was not in the moment he then stood.  Take time to examine John 5:30 where Jesus displays the standard for righteous judgment. Rees Howell’s comment. “only the impartial can know the will God” has served to remind me of the many times I am personally guilty of holding opinions, and in some capacity, self-serving judgments.

The will to hear and obey; for true submission is only seen through the act of obedience,  yields the fruit of righteousness where we are able to join with Jesus in only hearing and saying what we have heard the Father say - EVEN when we have many things to say and judge. This is the power of restraint and the quality of meekness,

The church.4

From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Matthew 4:17 ESV

John the Baptist prepared the way of the Lord, Jesus continued with the same message and showed us the way into Family.  His death and resurrection has secured this eternal place for His body, the church, now left here to carry on His ministry and His message for the ultimate purposes of making disciples of Christ. 

This message begins with repentance. A very neglected word revolving around another neglected word ~ sin. Both leading to uncomfortable conversations within the construct of church, yet absolutely necessary to provide the ongoing transformation into the state of “holy and without blemish.”   

Every child of God enters salvation through repentance.  Repentance only occurs with the acknowledgement of sin.  

Lets define sin, from the Greek hamartia (ἁμαρτία, 266) is, lit., “a missing of the mark,” but this etymological meaning is largely lost sight of in the NT. It is the most comprehensive term for moral obliquity. It is used of “sin” as (a) a principle or source of action, or an inward element producing acts

 (Vine, W. E., Unger, M. F., & White, W., Jr. (1996). In Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words (Vol. 2, p. 576). T. Nelson.)

And from Helps Word Study ~ hamartía (a feminine noun derived from 1/A "not" and 3313/méros, "a part, share of") – properly, no-share ("no part of"); loss (forfeiture) from not hitting the target; sin (missing the mark). 

Now the Greek word for repentance ~ metanoeo~ lit., “to perceive afterwards” (meta, “after,” implying “change,” noeo, “to perceive”; nous, “the mind, the seat of moral reflection”), in contrast to pronoeo, “to perceive beforehand,” hence signifies “to change one’s mind or purpose,” always, in the NT, involving a change for the better, an amendment, and always, except in Luke 17:3, 4, of “repentance” from sin. 

 (Vine, W. E., Unger, M. F., & White, W., Jr. (1996). In Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words (Vol. 2, p. 525). T. Nelson.)

Helps word Study notes metanoeo focuses on the change of behaviour after a change of thinking.  3340 (metanoeō) brings "about face" in behaviour 

John the Baptists message demanded ‘fruit meet for repentance’ and herein lies the absolute need for discipleship.  

…Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you… Mathew 28:18. 

How does one know, without being taught?  Instruction comes in two forms - words and demonstration, precept and example.  The apostle Paul wrote to the Philippians, those things that you have learned and received, heard and seen in me, do. Phil.4:9.  His constant exhortation to the churches was to ‘be followers of me’ even as I am of Christ, 1 Cor. 1:11. 

My personal belief is that a saving message carries with it the commitment of discipleship.  Jesus called forth his twelve to be with him and they followed Him, learned from Him and were given opportunity to do what He did, always with encouragement, instruction and correction. This is discipleship, growing up into Him in all things.  

While we live in a culture that values independence and privacy, we find the the church in Acts a different and very intimate community.  Living closely enough to know the true condition of a neighbour’s soul; like family.  The concept of extended family is the simplest and perhaps greatest expression of community; an intimate sharing of lives.  

This message, ministry and method within His true church has not changed. We have been left with this Great Commission and been empowered to do all that He has assigned for His body to accomplish.

We must work the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day; night is coming when no one can work.  John 9:4

There is so much left unsaid in these good words regarding the church, but I trust they have been sufficient to cause us all to stop and examine mindsets and practices and align ourselves with His heart and mind. 

May His grace and peace be upon us all as we continue to faithfully work with Him as He builds His house for His glory.

The Church.3

So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family. 20 Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself.  21. We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord. 22 Through him you Gentiles are also being made part of this dwelling where God lives by his Spirit.

Ephesians 2:19-22 NLT

These verses give us a very clear idea of who we are as ‘the church’. Remember the ekklesia are those ‘called out from and called into’. I stress this because once called out  we can never allow ourselves to look back. We are no longer of this world. ‘No one having put their hand to the plough and looking back is fit for the Kingdom for the Kingdom of God’.  It was a snare to the children in the wilderness to hold a longing for the things left behind.

These verses from Ephesians emphasize a membership in God’s family, which has been carefully joined together in him.  This family has become a holy temple where God lives by his Spirit, declaring that we too, are a holy people.

From Helps Word Studies we learn this Greek word for holy is…

[40 (hagios) implies something "set apart" and therefore "different (distinguished/distinct)" – i.e. "other," because special to the Lord.]

Holy describes to us what the ekklesia is ~ those ‘called out from and into’ have now been ‘set apart for’.

We have been ransomed and redeemed by Father with the price of His son’s life.  We have been set apart, different, distinct, special and now we are no longer our own.

1 Cor. 6:19 …do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God?  You are not your own, for you were bought with a price.  So glorify God in your bodies.

Our entrance into this family, this community, came by invite from the Father.  Once we accept, we find were called unto His full sonship.  Once received, it is recognized sonship comes with discipline, learning to yield our will, submitting to the Father of spirits.  Jesus learned obedience through the things he suffered and we learn the same way.  Discipline doesn’t seem pleasant at the time it is administered but when submitted to, yields righteousness.  These things are to be freely and willingly embraced.   

 “Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”

Matthew 16:24

Every disciple chooses to follow.  It is the first requirement of becoming a part of the ekklesia. Calling upon His name indicated a surrender of our rights to self.  We didn’t abdicate our will, we submitted it to the Father of Spirits for life.  He disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness.  Discipline trains us unto the peaceful fruit of righteousness, Hebrews 12. 7-1, thereby enabling us to express to the nations what is right in the heart and mind of God.

We ‘know’ this but we need to actually show it, for this world holds great criticism against ‘the church’. We are called a peculiar people; a chosen generation to show forth the praises of Him who has called us out of darkness and into His marvellous light.

Citizens along with all of God’s holy people, we are now members of God’s family. Together, we are his house, carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord and through him we are being made part of this dwelling where God lives by his Spirit.

May we live in the grace He pours our enabling us to live holy.

The Church. 2

I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth.

1 Timothy 3:14-15 ESV

• KJV :…the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

• NASB:…the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.

• NIV:..the household of God. This is the church of the living God, which is the pillar and foundation of the truth.

The church of the LIVING GOD is a household, a family, a community of people.  Again,

ekklēsía(from 1537 /ek, "out from and to" and 2564 /kaléō, "to call") – properly, people called out from the world and to God.  Every family in heaven and on earth derives its name and nature from God  according to Ephesians 3, Hudsons Translation.

This ekklesia is the household of God and is the pillar and buttress of the truth.

A pillar is defined as something used as a support.  The word buttress (ESV)  is defined as something that increases the strength of or justification for; reinforce.

With this we can begin to understand our role within the ekklesia.  We support and reinforce by our very lives, words and actions the character and nature of the living God.  The privilege of being chosen and invited into this family now carries with it a responsibility to express not ourselves but Him, his thoughts, his ways, his truth.

I would like to consider, from Bishop Elliott’s commentary, the following thoughts ~

First, In the house of God.—The image is from the Old Testament, where “the house of God” denotes, in the first place, the Temple of Jerusalem, and, in the second, the covenant-people. It is here used (in our verse today) for the congregation of believers among whom God dwells—the true and enduring Church of living souls.

Next, The pillar and ground of the truth.—The imagery is here changed, and the “house of God” which the Apostle had just defined to be the Church, or congregation, belonging to the living God, and in the midst of which He was pleased to dwell, is now defined to be “the pillar and ground” (or, basis) “of the truth.”

In the first picture, the Church is painted by St. Paul as a vast congregation, with the living God dwelling in its midst: in the second, the same Church is painted as a massive pillar, holding up and displaying before men and angels the truth—the saving truth of the gospel.  (Ellicott).

The Jamieson, Fausett, Brown Bible Commentary adds this thought ~

It is no objection that, having called the Church before "the house of God," he now calls it the "pillar"; for the literal word "Church" immediately precedes the new metaphors: so the Church, or congregation of believers, which before was regarded as the habitation of God, is now, from a different point of view, regarded as the pillar upholding the truth.

The summation of these thoughts would be, we as His household, now steward His truth.  This is not subjective.  A subjective truth is a truth based off of a person's perspective, feelings, or opinions. His household supports and reinforces His truth.

• The psalmist wrote ~ Forever O Lord you word is settled in heaven, 119:89.

• From John 17:17 Jesus prays for us to be sanctified in truth, declaring ‘God’s word is truth’.

As those who are a part of His household we have been commissioned by God to carry out His purposes here on this earth.  We are the pillars and the supporters of His truth.  We are to be his workers here on the earth able to correctly handle the word of truth.  We are to be lovers of truth and grow in the knowledge of His truth.  We are to proclaim the gospel of truth so others will know the truth, so that the truth they will know, will set them free.

His church ~ a pillar and buttress of the truth.

The Church

And he (God) put all things under his (Jesus) feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

Ephesians 1:22

“The church” is not the building we attend on Sunday mornings BUT RATHER an -

1577 ekklēsía(from 1537 /ek, "out from and to" and 2564 /kaléō, "to call") – properly, people called out from the world and to God, the outcome being the Church (the mystical body of Christ) – i.e. the universal (total) body of believers whom God calls out from the world and into His eternal kingdom.

[The English word "church" comes from the Greek word kyriakos, "belonging to the Lord" (kyrios). 1577 /ekklēsía ("church") is the root of the terms "ecclesiology" and “ecclesiastical."]

HELPS WORD STUDY DICTIONARY

The first  New Testament reference to this Greek word, ekklesia, is found in the words of Jesus from Matthew 16:18, where, following Peter’s revelation, Jesus says he will build ‘my church’ and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.

I believe if we hold a right biblical mindset about what ‘his church’ actually is, we would align our expectations with what is required of us as His body corporate and members individually. Throughout the coming weeks, I would like to examine with you some biblical realities of His church so we could, knowing and believing, become something greater than mere men and women.

This week, let us simply note the Greek word for church again -

ekklēsía(from 1537 /ek, "out from and to" and 2564 /kaléō, "to call") – properly, people called out from the world and to God.

From Colossians 1:13 we actually see the reality of ‘out from and into’

He has delivered us from darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved son….

From Colossians chapter one we learn all things were created through him and for him, (speaking of Jesus).  He is before all things and in him all things are held together.  He is the head of the body, the church and his creative and redemptive work has given him the right to be preeminent in everything.

Jesus is the head of his body, the church, and we become the ekklesia as members individually of his body, called out from the world and into His kingdom.

We did not choose him, but he chose us; Ephesians 1:4, John 15:16, and our decision to acknowledge Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour gave us entrance into His family. Under his leadership and direction, Jesus begins building his church.

We are the living stones Peter writes about in 1 PETER 2: that are being built into a spiritual house.  We have become the temple of the living God who desires to live in and among us, expressing His life and nature into the world through us. Just as Jesus physical body was the express image of God as he walked on the earth, ‘the church’ now has this role and responsibility.

Romans 12:1 reminds us therefore, to present ourselves as a living sacrifice, holy and and acceptable to God which is our reasonable service or true spiritual worship.

Being born again is the first step we take ‘out from’ and ‘into” Him.  The next steps begin a lifetime of becoming sons and daughters conformed to His image and growing up into Him in all things.

Next week -

I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth.

1 Timothy 3:14

IF ANYONE HAS EARS TO HEAR…..

“If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.”

Mark 4:23

The stumbling times of prayer in my life have come when I’ve heard the Holy Spirit, ever so quietly, endeavouring to lead me places I don’t want to go.

• John 16:12 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.

I am convinced once we do hear, His grace comes with His instructions enabling us to do.  The thing required from us is believing and obeying. Thats why Hebrews 3:7 warns us, “…as the Holy Spirit says, “Today, if you hear his voice, harden not your hearts…”

He will not speak and instruct us in things we are not able to bear but when he does speak there is a truth he wants us to know that will prepare us in some way for the purposes of God.

I suppose the real question for us would be, are we willing to hear the truth.  The apostle Paul’s life by his own admission was filled with hardships, persecutions, trials and through them all Gods answer was “ my grace is sufficient”.

• John 16:13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, …. And he will show you things to come.

Jesus’ ministry began with being led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. Matthew 4:1.  Jesus knew when his time was up.  Jesus knew how he would suffer and die.  Jesus ‘set his face’ to Jerusalem and did not turn aside from his willing obedience to serve the Fathers purpose.

In the same way, the Holy Spirit directed Paul’s life, declaring things that were to come.  Paul’s ministry began with God showing him the things he must suffer for his name sake.

• Act 20:22-24 And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me. But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

• Act 21:10-13While we were staying for many days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. And coming to us, he took Paul's belt and bound his own feet and hands and said, “ Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘This is how the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’ When we heard this, we and the people there urged him not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, ‘What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.’ ”

I guess my real thought today is, the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth, will lead us, guide us and reveal to us all things necessary for life and godliness IF we are prepared to hear even the hard unpleasant realities we may be destined to face.  So, this place of prayer must always include a hunger for hearing the truth, a willingness to hear things you don’t understand and perhaps don’t even align with your personal theology.

• John 8:32 And you shall know the truth and the truth will set you free

Sometimes the greatest freedom I need is the freedom from fear.  Fear of the unknown, fear of loosing control, but knowing the truth comes with freedom in it because with the truth and in the truth is the reality of Jesus.

Labouring

Epaphras who is one of you, a servant of Christ, salutes you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

Colossians 4:12

There are many things we think another should be, or do, but safe and effective prayers are aligned closely to ones already spoken/written for us in scripture.   It is always right to believe for others to conform to the image of Christ, to grow up into Him in all things.

Our problem comes in with our perceptions held by seeing with the natural eye.  Without bringing these first before the Father for right judgments we are again presumptuous in our prayers, assuming what we ‘see’ is what needs to be prayed.  While external displays are indicators of internal workings, we can still misjudge what God is touching in someones heart.

We can’t lean into prayer when there is no grace.  So again, right praying; effective prayers, begin with our alignment with His will.  We are going with Him into His work.

Epaphras labours: (75 agōnízomai (from 73/agōn, "conflict/struggle," the root of the English term, "agonize") – properly, to struggle, like when engaged in an intense athletic contest or warfare (Souter). Epaphras labours in prayer.

Many times our labours are ‘counsel’ rather than prayers.  Early in our pastoral ministry, David and I spent more time counselling people through their circumstances than praying them through. We ended up carrying burdens that were beyond the grace to carry. While we gave sound counsel, it wasn’t always received or implemented.

Only God can work these things in and through us and that simply requires prayer. Is any afflicted? Let them pray.  Sometimes our brothers greatest need is for help labouring in prayer.  Often, what we want is not what we actually need.

Nothing changes until there is a receptive and willing heart and that simply takes time before the Lord to break up our fallow ground.  Meanwhile our job for one another is to labour until the hearts are receptive so the Lord can sow righteousness into them.  Labour for open ears that are dull of hearing.  Labour for eyes to see where they have been blinded by the God of this world.  Lies and deceptions and strongholds can only be broken through revelation. Again, so much of our labouring is to help people come to a place of receiving the word God is doing their lives.

God is long-suffering, not willing for any to perish!   As we join with Him in our labours we do not become weary in well doing.  His yoke is easy and His burden is light.  As we learn of Him, his ways, we enter into a rest of soul while we labour; understanding God is the one doing His work, using our abounding labours and thankful prayers.

Thankful Prayer

“Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.”

Colossians 4:14

I would suppose all faith filled prayer holds a note of thankfulness.

Knowing Him, whom you are bringing the request before, brings a thankfulness for His  goodness, mercy and love.

Being confident about His words and ‘your ask’ gives assurance and joyful expectation of fulfillment.

If we begin with His “Yes and Amen” we can be confident about the end.  Our job then becomes to continue watchfully over our prayer.  A double mind man is unstable in all his ways. Being watchful in it, with thanksgiving, constantly holds check over our hearts state.  Is there evil unbelief lurking? Are there weeds that need pulling, rocks needing removal?

Where there is no thanksgiving there can be no believing.

Thanksgiving is simply acknowledging that God is at work to will and do His good pleasure.  He is working all things together for His good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.

Thankfulness is the appropriate response of believing.

The Apostle Paul seems to have a theology regarding thankfulness.  We are hard pressed to find it absent in his letters.  His thankfulness to the Father for those he watches over is paramount in his prayers.

Our discipling around prayer had taught us to pray His word.  From Old Testament to New there is someone’s prayer written covering every known condition that could be met this side of heaven.  When we found ourselves in a place of not knowing — ‘We don’t know what to do but our eyes are on you' (Jehoshaphat from 2 Chronicles 20).  We were taught to lean into the Holy Spirit who knew the perfect will of the Father.  These two dynamics have stood our test of time these forty plus years of ministry.

‘We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you….…’

Paul’s places of thankfulness were around his disciple’s growth, their increasing love for one another and their faithfulness to Christ in the midst of sufferings. This moved Paul to continuing in prayer on their behalf, often labouring until Christ was formed within them.

“And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”

Col 1:9-14

Like Paul, our desire is for Christ Jesus to be received as Lord.  Our walk being rooted and built up in Him, established in the faith, as we are taught, always abounding in thanksgiving.

With this place of watchful, consistently thankful prayer, I am confident we are able to continue stedfast in prayer, never losing heart!

Presumptuous Praying

We know not how to pray as we ought ~

The last few Good Words written about prayer have been with the hope it has confirmed or enlarged our understanding about communing with the Father.

Concerning prayer, let us remember He isn’t looking for perfection, rather simple engagement.  He’s quite comfortable with hearts desiring and engaging while learning and growing.

Prayer is not a formula.  Prayer is not a six step principal you tick off to make sure you’re getting what you want.  Prayer is the intimate communion we’ve been invited into with Almighty God as our heavenly Father.  We approach with reverence and awe, yet we hold this child like wonder of knowing the very special relationship we have with Him as Abba Father.   

This week I want to write about presumption being a danger to effective prayer.

Psalm 19:13. Keep back your servant also from presumptuous [sins]; let them not have dominion over me, then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.  KJV

From Strongs Concordance on ‘presumptuous’ ~ Zed: H2086 - proud, arrogant, insolent, presumptuous, over-confident; Presumption (behaviour) audacious or arrogant behaviour to which one does not have a right.

From vocabulary.com we read; ‘The noun presumption pretty much means jumping to conclusions. It is taking something for granted — an idea, an answer, an event — without having any real knowledge about it, and that is usually not a good thing.

Making a presumption means assuming something is true or false without getting all the information necessary for verification. You can decipher this from the prefix pre, which means "before," together with the sume — from the Latin sumere, "to take." Because so many times a presumption turns out to be false, the word has a negative connotation to it; there's something reckless about making up your mind before you know all the facts.’

It’s a wise believer who doesn’t assume before he seeks.  Jesus invites us to ask, knock, and seek with the promise that we would find and receive, Matthew 7:7-8.  While we know all authority has been granted to us, it is still His authority.  We are invited to rule as He is ruling. We are invited to decree what He is decreeing.  Jesus with his disciples in the midst of a storm, rebuking wind and waves, does not do this presumptuously, but rather from the place of intimacy already birthed with His Father; knowing what to say and how to act.

The phrase given to us; ‘in the name of Jesus’ was never intended to be a blanket approval for our every thought and whim but rather a statement that decrees I am here in His place, doing AND saying EXACTLY what he is.  I’m actually declaring the knowledge I have about His purpose and His will in this moment.   Can we do that with confidence? We have many scriptural precedents we can copy but are they right for that moment?  We hold knowledge of many promises from the word, but are they the creative word of God for those situations?  Are we quick to lean into agreement with others asks without taking the time to understand first the ‘ask’ and then bringing that to the Father for His input and direction?  Presumption is not something we want attached to our prayer life.     

We want to be found ‘in Christ’ declaring with Him: “The words I say to you, I do not speak from my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does His works.”  Then, like Jesus, we know when our prayers are released they come with the creative working of God.

Lord, teach us to be effective in our prayers.

Prayer at Work

“An upright man’s prayer when it keeps at work, is very powerful.”

James 5:16 Charles B. Williams translation

My thought’s here on effectual prayer began with something my husband David had written; “You won’t/don’t have any grace to lead someone you won’t pray for.”  He went on to say,  “At best, without prayer, you could only lead them into being a little different version of yourself. And that usually has a lot of conflict along the way. You cannot, without prayer FOR them, lead them into the objective growth, found only in Christ. And….you won’t pray for someone you don’t love.  You may pray ABOUT them but that position of prayer is already tainted with your judgments and disappointments regarding their life and spirituality.  Leading Christians into growth requires the leader to love those being discipled, with the love and mind of Christ himself, to move either one of the players past their mutual sticking spot.” DW McGrew

This kind of love and heart requires us to be absolutely free of all opinions and judgments that would hinder.  I’m mindful of Jesus saying from John 5:30, I can do nothing on my own.  As I hear, I judge and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me.

Rees Howell remarked on John 5:30 this way, “Only the impartial can know the will of God.”

Our position of quiet submission before Him, allows Him to lead, instruct and write upon our hearts.  What flows from His will is effectual and dynamic in its work. Our prayers for others to be effectual must have His thoughts on all matters.   

Isaiah prophesied about Jesus holding the Spirit without measure, as we find written in chapter eleven, verse three, “…His delight is in the fear of the Lord.”  From this place, “He does not judge by what His eyes see or decide disputes by what His ears hear, but with righteousness he shall judge…”.

Did you notice William’s translation uses the phrase “keep at work” in our chosen verse? For our prayers to be fervent and effectual we must keep working at prayer.  It’s not that we keep asking God for the same things over and over but rather that we our purposeful about remaining united with Him in our prayerful oversight.  His words are creative. As we join with Him in speaking His desire, we join with Him in creation.  He watches over His word to perform it.

I suppose our weariness and temptation to give up is in being moved over what we see and hear; i.e., nothing changing, getting worse, etc.  BUT, we are to fix our eyes on what is not seen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.  2 Cor. 4:18. Paul went on to say, now we are to know no man after the flesh. 2 Cor. 5:16.  NLT reads ~ So we have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view.

Jesus help us!   God carries eternities view of his workmanship, so then to pray effectively for one another, we must hold His perspective. I can’t ‘know’ without becoming one with him at the very beginning of my supplications for others.  Again, ‘I can do nothing on my own’ is the position of humility and submission required for ongoing, effective prayers.

Effective Prayer

The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

James 5:16 KJV

• The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working ~ or The effective prayer of a righteous person has great power. ESV

The Apostle James has written this letter to believers, having been dispersed who were now living in cultural adversities and without the support of their former home church.  James writes to encourage them to remain stedfast in all things while they patiently wait for the return of the Lord. “He who endures to the end shall be saved” could be the background thought to James letter with the conclusion in chapter fives leaving us with his thoughts regarding prayer, praise and community.

An interesting note with regard to the King James Translation; the word “fervent” is not actually in the original Greek.  However it does use the Greek word ~ 2480 isxýō – properly, embodied strength that "gets into the fray" (action), i.e. engaging the resistance. For the believer, 2480 (isxýō) refers to the Lord strengthening them with combative, confrontative force to achieve all He gives faith for.

Let us begin with an understanding that all prayer is conversation with our Heavenly Father.  We commune; [to converse or talk together, usually with profound intensity, intimacy, etc.; interchange thoughts or feelings; to be in intimate communication or rapport:to commune with nature; interchange of ideas or sentiments].

It is through our communion with Him that we learn and grow up into Him in all things. We read our bibles in this position and attitude of communion. We read, we ask, we listen and we learn.  Leaning into Him to hear as He reveals truth to us about who He is and the way He works enables us to begin to hold ‘effective’ prayers.   

Our conversations (prayers) with our Heavenly Father begin by acknowledging our need to be rightly aligned with him :’Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven’.  Jesus’ prayer for his disciples was for this perfect union: “that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one.”

James used the Greek word 1162 déēsis for ‘prayer’  which means: (deō, "to be in want, lack"; see the cognate 1189 /déomai, "praying for a specific, felt need") – heart-felt petition, arising out of deep personal need (sense of lack, want). [1162 (déēsis) ultimately roots back to 1211 /dḗ ("really") which likewise implies a felt need that is personal and urgent.

So we can glean that this prayer is a petition that is both personal and urgent and with strength required to meet resistance; thus, fervent prayer.

Then we have the word effective to consider.  What makes our prayers effective; 1754 energéō (from 1722 /en, "engaged in," which intensifies 2041 /érgon, "work") – properly, energize, working in a situation which brings it from one stage (point) to the next, like an electrical current energizing a wire, bringing it to a shining light bulb.

What makes our prayers effective, I would say, is our position of being right before the Father.  Fervent, effective prayers flow from a righteous man.  A righteous man is right before God.

In all our prayers, we begin by acknowledging our personal and absolute need for God.  To begin by joining with him in his purposes, one in His thoughts, purposes and ways. We want to hold the spirit of wisdom, the spirit of understanding in the knowledge of His will.

The practical application of this would simply be ~ ‘How do you (Father) see this?  What do you say about this?  How are you at work in this?   How do I join with you in what you are doing here and now?’

We hold our desires, our needs in a place of absolute submission to His will.  We assume nothing, until we know.  Until we know His will, there is the place of leaning into the Holy Spirit who makes intercession for according to the will of God.  He holds the mind and heart of God and prays the ‘right’ things.

We must be cautious about presumptuous prayers.  James included in his letter the reason we have unanswered prayers:

And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—   you want only what will give you pleasure. James 4:3 NLT

Our right alignment with God is a key to answered prayer. We are learning. Our  communion with God is a learning of Him. As we go about our daily lives we are enabled through our knowledge and understanding of Him.  We  can come to the place where we only do what we see our Father doing, saying only what we hear him say.

The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

The book of James

James…… to the twelve tribes in the dispersion

James 1:1

The Apostle James outlines various conditions in his epistle that believers may face and a right response to them.  These dispersed believers are living outside of the community that had been birthed and developed in( Acts chapter two) up to the time of Stephen’s persecution.  Following Stephen’s death we learn the church in Jerusalem suffered great persecution and believers scattered while the apostles stayed in Jerusalem.

It is believed that this letter from the Apostle James was the first of the New Testament writings.  As the overseer of ‘the church’ in Jerusalem, there would be a desire to make sure these scattered saints where continuing in the apostles doctrine, daily prayers, communion and fellowship. To that end, his epistle is filled with practical and insightful words of truth and wisdom designed to lead all the readers into right living in the midst of varying cultures.

James begins the letter with an encouragement to remain joyful under the trials and tribulations they are now and will continue to be facing in these new environments without the same ongoing support of their Christian community and apostolic oversight. As we move through all the words that are profitable for instruction and correction, we come to his final admonitions in chapter five.

There, he exhorts them to be patient until the coming of the Lord.  They were all obviously looking for his return, and the danger of growing weary in well doing must have been foremost as James writes; ‘Establish your hearts and remain steadfast for the coming of the Lord is at hand’.

James concludes his letter with a series of questions and answers by

• Are you suffering? Let him pray.

• Are you cheerful? Let him sing praise.

• “Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord and the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick and the Lord will raise him up and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.

• Therefore confess your sins to one another and pray for one another that you may be healed, the fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

With these very words James has established a foundation that the church has built upon through the ages.

Praying at all times, in all circumstances with the ability to rejoice through them all, was key within the early believers.  Dealing with the same thoughts and feelings we experience today, James’ words still provide, when embraced and practiced, the same strength and help.

We have a promise from Our Father, as James writes inspired by the Holy Spirit,

“the fervent effectual prayer of a righteous man avails much” that I would like to take the next few Good Words and explore with you.

FELLOWSHIP OF SUFFERING

The Fellowship of Suffering

“Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?”

This is Jesus’ question to James and John, recorded in Mark 10:35-40.

During communion, I found myself praying for a receptivity not only to the blessing communion brings but also the discipline it invites.  The phrase “the fellowship of His suffering” rose up from my Spirit and I began to commune with the Holy Spirit around this and came to our scripture today.

“Are you able to drink the cup that I drink or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?”

‘Yes’ -at times- can be such a presumptuous answer.  The longer we live with Christ the greater our understanding of the cost required to serve Him.  The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak; yet, when sought, grace is found.  Jesus promised to never leave us alone, helpless or comfortless.

The bible tells us in Revelation 13:8 that Jesus was a lamb slain from the foundation of the world. His kingdom was prepared from the beginning in Matthew 25:34 and later that His was a body prepared.  Jesus, Hebrews records, delighted to do the will of His Father (Hebrews 10:5-7).  The Apostle Paul tells us, giving us an example to imitate, that his greatest press is to know Christ and the fellowship of His sufferings. (Philippians 3:7-12.)

From Williams New Testament translation we read from Philippians chapter 3 beginning with verse ten ~

“Yes, I long to come to know Him, that is, the power of his resurrection and so to share with Him His sufferings as to be continuously transformed by His death, in the hope of attaining, in some measure, the resurrection that lifts me out from among the dead.  It is not a fact that I have already secured it or already reached perfection, but I am pressing on to see if I can capture it, the ideal for which I was captured by Christ Jesus.”

The idea of dying daily is seen in Paul’s press.  The continuing process of transformation proceeds only through our choices of offering yielded obedience to our Lord.  Then, salvation from the temptation of sin flows in grace and peace that He alone brings.

This work yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who are being trained through the discipline of denial.

As those called, chosen and set apart, there is a cross for each of us to bear.  There is a cup to drink from and a baptism to engage.

It is through these experiences that we are shaped into the servants of our Lord.  That place of intimacy is not found by seeking positions of prominence and prestige, as we all do, in immaturity and ignorance.  We learn this is not to be so among us.  Rather a life of submitted humility, not to be served, but to serve and give our life as a ransom for many.

The story continues, verse 39 of Mark 10 ~

“They said to Him,”We are able.”  And Jesus said to them, “the cup that I drink you shall drink; and you shall be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized.”

Just for further contemplation ~ this Help Word Study reminds us baptism is a complete immersion.  No dipping of the toes.  And to clarify, I speak of the required total life discipleship that is immersed into becoming one with Him.

907 baptízō – properly, "submerge" (Souter), i.e. baptize (immerse, literally, "dip under").  907 (baptizō) implies submersion ("immersion") in contrast with 472/antéxomai ("sprinkle").

[As the root of 907/baptízō, 911 (báptō) signifies "dip under," "go below" which LS lists as a primary sense, along with "plunge, sink."  911 (baptō) is even used in antiquity of drowning.]

The Gospel of God

Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God and saying, “The time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent and believe in the gospel.”

Mark 1:14-15 ESV

Once again, we find the word Gospel here as a continuation of a message bringing the hearers Good news of victory. Mark identifies firstly the message as the beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God; a message about Jesus.   Now we learn Jesus continues the message identifying it as the “Gospel of God”.

The phrase ‘gospel of God’ does not change who the message is about but rather who the message is from. Simply stated the Gospel of God is the message of God’s promise fulfilled.

When the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. Galatians 4:4

Jesus announces “the time is fulfilled and the Kingdom of God is at hand”.  As Jesus begins to go about teaching and preaching His message, we learn it was a message with a new and living way. It was new wine not to be put into old wine skins.  It was a message with power and authority not seen before.  We learn this message upset the status quo in religious and political arenas.  We learn that Jesus’ message required “repentance and believing” to enter into this new Kingdom.  And, we learn that while it was received by multitudes, it was continually resisted.

The Apostle Paul enlarges the “gospel of God” in his letter to Rome.  From Chapter one,  where Paul declares he has been set apart for “the gospel of God” and continues in verse two ~

which He (God) promised beforehand through His prophets in the holy Scriptures, 3 concerning His Son, who was born of a descendant of David according to the flesh, 4 who was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord, 5 through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for His name’s sake,

The Apostle Paul emphasizes this message has its foundation from the beginning of time. This message originated with God (Genesis 3:15)  The prophets through the ages decreed it and then wrote it down.  For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. Faithful men and women believed it and watched for it. Luke 2:25-38. Now, we have been given a more sure word of prophecy in the fulfilment of God sending his son.

Jesus appeared in the fullness of time and his message still held a need for repentance.  Jesus preached, ‘Repent and believe in the gospel,' still being required to enter into this new Kingdom.  To those who believe he gave power to become the sons of God.

Now, with lives impacted and changed, we have been given stewardship of THIS message.  May we be found faithful stewards over His message.

That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome.  I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes……”  Romans 1: 15-16

The Beginning of the Gospel

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God

…Mark 1:1

From Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words we find the word Gospel originally denoted a reward for good tidings; later, the idea of reward dropped, and the word stood for “the good news” itself. The Eng. word “gospel,” i.e. “good message,” is the equivalent of euangelion (Eng., “evangel”)

I like looking at “the beginning’s” of something.  They generally hold the blueprint for future practice.  Our verse today tells us about the “beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.  It reveals to us that the beginning started with a message and a messenger.  “Behold I send my messenger before your face who will prepare your way.”

In Hebrew, the word for good tidings, or gospel, is besora and the bringer of the message is a mevaser. From an article written by Andrew J. Spallek @  http://www.ctsfw.net/media/pdfs/spallekoriginandmeaning.pdf. we find the word originally connected to messengers bringing word in battle.  It had connotations of victory. Spallek explains that since the message came to be associated with the battlefield and news of victory, every messenger from battle came, by extension, to be called a mevaser .This is the same word as evangelist in Greek.

We understand that this gospel of Jesus Christ is called “good news” because it announces to all that there is now a new King and Kingdom that gives life and liberty to all.

John the Baptist’s father, Zechariah, prophesied over his son decreeing John was the beginning of the Lord promises fulfilled to His people.  John would give knowledge of this salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercies of our God.  To give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death to guide our feet into the way of peace; Luke 1:67-79.

John the Baptist was literally the first messenger holding the good news of Jesus Christ. His message was not about himself, for we preach not ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord; and led people into an awareness of their sin, repentance and salvation.  How much of our message in the church has changed today!   

‘I am sending you to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’  Jesus to Paul in Acts 26:15-18.

Paul wrote to the church at Rome that he was not ashamed of the gospel of Christ for it was the power of God unto salvation.  How can they know unless someone tells them.  We hold this treasure in earthen vessels, committed with a word of reconciliation and charged with a ministry of reconciliation.  We, like the apostles in the upper room, have need of boldness to speak the word as we ought for signs and wonders to be done inHis name with all the glory unto Him. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the son of God, today continues with you and me.

Behold, I send my messenger before your face,

who will prepare your way,

the voice of one crying in the wilderness:

‘Prepare the way of the Lord,

make his paths straight,’ ”

Mother's Day

He (Jesus) answered them, “And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? 4 For God commanded, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ Matthew 15:3-4

Culturally, we set aside this day to celebrate Mothers.  From God’s view there is an honour and respect we are to show Mothers daily. 

The first commandment we are given as children of our Heavenly Father (the one who has defined family and given it is place of order and value) is to Honour our parents in the Lord; Ephesians 6:1. This commandment comes with the promise “it will be well with you and you shall live long on the earth.”

Honor is something with give because of the role someone else holds in our life.  Respect is earned because of the way and quality a role is fulfilled.  The bible reminds us that while respect may at times be challenged, honour is the value we place on others in recognition of God’s creation.  ‘Everyone is to be honoured’ because all have value. ‘Fearfully and wonderfully made’ every individual is His workmanship. 

Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honour to whom honour is owed. Rms 13:7

Maintaining honour does not seem to come naturally to us and so must be taught by precept and example.  As we learn God, we learn the value He has placed upon His creation. The first place we begin this learning is in our homes, watching our parents.  Watching the love, honour and respect displayed gives every child the safety and security needed for healthy and wholesome development.  Oneness, unity, in our home, flowing from the head commands the blessing of rest. 

Today, may we all take a breath, step back and align to the command that comes with a promise of well being and life and take time to honour what we have been given by God.  Everyone has been blessed with a Mother! 

“They also honoured us greatly, and when we were about to sail, they put on board whatever we needed.” Acts 28:10. 

Honour has a cost of investment.  Hugs, loves, words of affirmation and gifts, all go a long way to display the honour we hold for them.