Category: Daily Musings

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When just following Jesus isn’t enough…

Matthew 26:47–50 (NASB 2020):

47 And while He was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, came accompanied by a large crowd with swords and clubs, who came from the chiefpriests and elders of the people. 48 Now he who was betraying Him gave them a sign previously, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the one; arrest Him.” 49 And immediately Judas went up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed Him. 50 But Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you have come for.” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and arrested Him

In v.50 Jesus refers to Judas who just betrayed him as friend. The Greek word used is hetaíros – properly, a companion (normally an imposter), posing to be a comrade but in reality only has his own interests in mind.

Compare that to John 15:15 where Jesus calls those that are part of the true vine friends. The Greek term used is phílos – a friend; someone dearly loved (prized) in a personal, intimate way; a trusted confidant, held dear in a close bond of personal affection.

In many evangelical churches today the “gospel” being preached is what I call pre-resurrection gospel. The just follow Jesus gospel. Life stressing you out? Follow Jesus. Your marriage is a wreck? Follow Jesus. Your finances are in need of financing? Just follow Jesus. Judas followed Jesus and yet Jesus was only “Rabbi” to him. A wise teacher. Someone he followed with his own selfish intentions in mind. This type of “gospel” has no life change.

The gospel of the Bible doesn’t leave out post-resurrection teaching. The reason for the resurrection. The only way to get grafted into the true vine as John 15 speaks of.

Yes, follow Jesus. But, the following is a response to accepting the gift of salvation and a new kife offered in the death and resurrection of Christ Jesus.

Just following Jesus isn’t enough…

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Daily Musings…Sin is my brother

1 Kings 20:42–43 (NASB)

“42 He said to him, “Thus says the Lord, ‘Because you have let go out of your hand the man whom I had devoted to destruction, therefore your life shall go for his life, and your people for his people.’ ”
43 So the king of Israel went to his house sullen and vexed, and came to Samaria.”

When reading the Old Testament always on the forefront of my mind is what truth about who God is can be garnered from the text and applied to my life. In 1 Kings 20 we have an account of Ben-Hadad king of Aram trying to attack and destroy Isreal. This king of Aram had previous committed blasphemy and thus paved the way for God to judge him by destroying him. God spoke to the king of Isreal telling him that he would be victorious and to destroy the king of Aram who was mounting an attack against Isreal. The king of Aram escaped and pled for his life after having his army wiped out twice. The king of Isreal agreed to spare his life because they were brothers. In v.42-43 we have God passing judgement on the king of Isreal for disobeying His command to kill the king of Aram (his brother).

How often do we as Christians do the same thing? The king of Aram is likened to sin in our life. God hasn’t told us to go kill someone but He has told us to kill sin in our lives. Sin that we have already been given victory over if we obey His will. Yet, we choose not to because we relate to and think about the sin as humans rather than as God sees it.

God’s truth is that He is just and righteous. All are subject to the consequences of disobedience. I wonder if the victorious life spoke about by the Apostles isn’t being achieved because of our micro-disobediences? If Heaven (God’s Kingdom) is the best destination then our best life is Kingdom living now.

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Faith files…part 3

Unwavering Faith

Mark 11:22-24 (NASB)

22 And Jesus *answered saying to them, “Have faith in God. 23 Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it will be granted him. 24 Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you.

Unwavering faith is sincere and unbending.  To believe God without question.  When you pray with unwavering faith you are to believe as if it has already happened.  The verse in Mark sounds absolute.  But what does “whatever” mean in the context of this teaching?  Does it really mean whatever?  No it doesn’t.  If it did I would have 3 Lamborghinis, a summer beach house in Hawaii, and a Swiss bank account because God knows I’ve prayed for them! James 4:2-3 tells us that we don’t receive what we pray for because we ask wrongly.  We ask for selfish things.  So “whatever” has exclusions. I John 5:14-15 tells us that whatever we pray for things in line with God’s will He hears us and grants them. 

Unwavering faith depends on us having assurance that He will grant the request.  If we don’t know for sure then it is impossible to pray with unwavering faith.  When you pray “not my will but thine be done” it is an admission that we do not know that what we are praying for God will grant.  That’s doubt.  So we must know God’s promises in order to pray with unwavering faith.  God’s promises are found in the Bible.  Some of those promises are:

  • Romans 10:13 God promises to save all those who call upon Him for salvation
  •  Hebrews 12:14, Romans 6:22 God will sanctify all who have been redeemed
  • Philippians 4:19 If we seek first the Kingdom of God He will supply all our needs. Need depends on the goal you are trying to achieve. You will always have all that you need if your goal is to continue to do God’s will.
  • Romans 8:28 In everything God works for good all who love Him.  When our specific requests are denied it is because something is being prepared that is better.  So we can pray with absolute confidence that God will provide what is best for us.

If we pray for these things, we can pray with unwavering faith that they will come to pass.  Knowing this should reshape your prayer life.

Past Series Posts: Intro Part 1 Part 2

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Faith files… (part 2)

Great Faith

Matthew 15: 21-28

21 Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. 22 A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.”

23 Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.”

24 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.”

25 The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said.

26 He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”

27 “Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.”

28 Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment.

Christian faith is based on God’s promises, rather than feelings, or things you can see. Great faith holds fast regardless of outward appearances.

Great faith is properly focus, repentant, reverent, persistent, and humble. In the text above you find a Canaanite woman coming to Jesus. This is a Pegan woman whos culture worshiped idols and false gods. Upon encountering Jesus she places the focus on Him. This wasn’t a “pray for me, send good thoughts, send good vibes my way” kind of situation that I see way too often on Facebook (and from Christians I might add…). Jesus was the focus of her request. Jesus was the focus of her worship. Jesus was the focus of her faith.

Great faith is repentant. In verse 22 she cries “…have mercy on me!” Mercy denotes the giving of something that is not deserved. She is coming at Jesus from a stance of unworthiness. Being in a culture that worships idols and false gods her coming to Jesus indicates that she turned from them to God. That is repentance.

Great faith is reverent. Again, in verse 22 she addresses Jesus as “Lord, son of David…”. She calls him Lord. The Greek translation uses the word Kyrios meaning master, or one who exercises absolute authority or ownership rights. She is recognizing Jesus’ sovereignty. She also calls him son of David. That is a Messianic title making reference to His right as King. Her acknowledgement of Jesus’ position is an act of reverence.

Great faith is persistent. In the text you notice first that Jesus doesn’t respond to her. Silence. His apostles finally come to him urging him to send her away because she keeps yelling. This indicates that some time has past. She just kept yelling. This reminds me of my kid’s persistence with the “Daddy, daddy, daddy…”. When Jesus does respond He says “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel”. Not dissuaded she responds “Lord, help me!”. Jesus throws up another barrier by saying “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.” Not to be denied she responds “Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.” Wow! First Jesus ignores her, then disqualifies her, and then calls her a pet and her response after all that was “even so, help me…” Great faith is persistent.

Great faith is humble. As you read in verse 25 she knelt before Jesus. More accurately translated as kneeling down and putting your face in the dirt. She put her face in the dirt, said no I am not a Jew, I am not of your chosen people, but you are not just the son of David, you are Lord, an I am subject to you. Humble.

There is one other place in the New Testament where Jesus makes reference to someone with great faith (Matthew 8:5-13). Here Jesus is dealing with a Centurion (Roman commanding soldier). A couple of interesting observations about these two instances of Jesus acknowledging great faith. One, their faith was focus on Jesus and their ask was for others. Great faith is not asking and believing in a “financial break through” or that “new car”. Two, the Centurion and the Canaanite lady were non-Jews. Great faith is not steeped in tradition or dependent on culture. It is rooted in faith that is counter-cultural and non-traditional. Great faith is genuine faith.

Have you had a situation where you had to exhibit great faith?

Past Series Posts: Intro Part 1

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Faith files…(part 1)

Growing Faith

2 Thessalonian 1:3

3 We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters,and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing.

Without Growing Faith it is impossible to succeed in any other steps of faith. Growing faith is what initially places faith in Christ. Growing faith increases from weak to strong as one matures as a Christian. Faith grows through increased knowledge and understanding of God. Increasing your knowledge of God is obtained through reading His Word. So, Growing Faith grows through reading the Bible. Now, just reading is not enough. Apply God’s Word daily is a necessity as well.

Christian faith is based on God’s promises, rather than feelings, or things you can see. Great faith holds fast regardless of outward appearances.

Growing faith is linked to spiritual growth. One of the ways the Bible speaks to this is in terms of craving milk as babies and solid food as you mature (1 Peter 2:2, Hebrews 5:11-14). A strong indication of faith not growing is an immature Christian (or “Carnal” Christian).

(2 Peter 1:5-8) 5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

What a beautiful picture of what growing Faith looks like…Is your faith growing?

Past Series Posts: Intro

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Faith Files…(Intro)

Christian faith is based on God’s promises, rather than feelings, or things you can see. Great faith holds fast regardless of outward appearances.

The Bible talks a lot about different types or “levels” of faith. Some types are related and some are distinctly different. Hebrews 11:6 says “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Faith is foundational for Believers. Faith leads to salvation, faith incites good works, faith helps you stand up in the midst of adversity, faith is necessary to please God.

With faith being so utterly important to Christianity don’t you think we should know more about it? Spend more time understanding what God’s Word says about it? I think so and because I think so and this is my blog I will be studying the different levels of faith in the Bible and posting what I learn. I hope you come with me on this journey!

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For those who have ears…Part 2

Matthew 5:14-15 NASB

14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; 15 nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.”

This instruction from Jesus was to the apostles directly and to His disciples generally. In today’s times true believers are His disciples. We are called to be the light in this world. Getting our light from the true source which is Jesus we are to be candles or beacons. In this world filled with darkness, evil, and sin we are to fill the dark void with love for others (all others), charity for the sick and less fortunate, and hope which is the gospel.

Jesus also says we are a city on a hill. Our devotion to God should not be lived out privately. It should be seen from a far. The new life Christ has given us should be the seen like a city on a hill. A city on a hill that is a refuge from the ignorance and depravity that the ways of the world has to offer.

Darkness is the absence of light. Darkness only exists when light is not present. Evil is darkness. If evil is “prevailing” what does that mean?

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For those who have ears… Part 1

Matthew 5: 16 NIV

16 “No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment, making the tear worse.”

A little sprinkle of Jesus in your life doesn’t work. Adding Jesus to your life like a little seasoning on a meal is not enough. “Your marriage falling apart? Try Jesus” or “Your business failing? Look to the Lord” sounds good. So good that some of the largest Mega Churches these days deliver such messages every Sunday. These apply the patch messages does a disservice to the Body and sets up seekers for failure.

Don’t get me wrong, Jesus can and does turn those situations around in our lives and makes them flurish. But it doesn’t happen if your “conversion” is grounded in making a bad situation in your life better unless the bad situation IS your life itself. Jesus came to seek and save the lost. Jesus died on the cross and rose again to give us a new life not patch up our life in an area or two leaving the rest of our old life intact. God doesn’t share. He wants all or nothing at all.

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Ok…what now?

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A very popular and effective tactic in evangelism is to ask the person the question “If you were to die tonight are you sure you would go to Heaven?”  Now let’s say that the person accepts Jesus as their savior and they happen to wake up the next morning.  What are they supposed to do?

Matthew 28:19-20 

19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always , even to the end of the age.”

In this passage, famously known as the Great Commission, Jesus is speaking to the Apostles right before His ascension.  He provides clear instruction as to what His followers are to do until He returns.  Asking the “If you were to die tonight…” question is not bad as we are to be concerned with their soul.  But that question alone is missing the mark.  A second question should be asked as well which is “If you don’t die tonight, what will you do with your life?”  Jesus didn’t command Christians to gain supporters for Him.  He commands Christians to make Disciples for Him.  The Church is filled with many more people who believe that Jesus is Lord than those who believe in Jesus as Lord.

Do you agree?

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Why I’ve left the Left…

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Over the past year or so I’ve packed my ideological bags and have taken a journey.  The road has been narrow at times, steep at times, muddy at times, an full of forks.  Although I am still traveling there is one thing I know for sure.  I started on the Left but I will not be returning there.  The currancy which I have will not afford the trip back there.  As a Christian I have subscribed to God’s economy. YWHW’s economy to be exact so not to confuse which god I speak of.

There are many reasons for my decision but the one I will focus on is a highly charged one.  As a human we all have rights.  Every right has a positive and negative side to the equation.  For example, I have a right to be happy.  Being happy to me means living.  Living is a positive.  But in order for me to have my happiness and live it means that others must aquiesce to my right by not killing me.  To give me my happiness it requires a negative burden on other.  Now lets take the example of human’s right to water.  I have a right to water.  Even if I don’t have a dime to pay for it, it is still my right to have it.   Any sensible person would agree that in this case I need assistance in order to pay and receive my right to water.  Now from the Lefty’s point of view, which I will call The World’s economy, that assistance should be provided by the Government.  Well, in order for the Government to provide me assistance it requires resources.  To obtain these resourcing it turns to the society which it governs.  It does this in the form of taxes.  So in order for me to have my right which is a positive, a negative burden is placed on the government.  The government then places a negative burden on society since it’s ability to provide is limited or depenent on society.  Now society has to give up their right to use their resources as they choose in order for me to have my right to water.

This example is a classic one on how the World’s economy works.  Now let’s play this out in God’s economy.  Mark 6 gives a great picture of how His economy works.  In the feeding of the multitudes the apostles appeal to Jesus to feed the thousands of people because they had nothing or very little to do it themselves.  Jesus responded to their plee by saying “You feed them”.  Take what little you have and feed them and I will take care of the rest.  So they did and the result was that all were fed with lots of left overs.

Here is the difference.  In the World’s economy we depend on others (the Government) to provide for those in need.  The need is great so the Goverment has to grow.  Yet the Goverment doesn’t have an endless supply so it turns to society to fund it’s machine.  This vicious cycle never ends because the needs are never fully met.  In God’s economy, we as Christians meet the needs and depend on God to supply.  God has no limit, God is the eternal supply.  There is no negative burden placed on anyone.  There is only positive.  The needy are blessed by us, we are blessed by God, and God is glorified.  This is a foundational Christian concept that can be applied across all needs whether is be physical, mental, or emotional.

As a Christian I must subscribe to God’s economy.  YHWY’s economy.  That is why I’ve left the Left…