Authorization Cleared.

Are you an “authorized dealer”?

Not everyone is authorized to conduct kingdom business. On Sunday Pastor Andy briefly referred to an incident involving the sons of Sceva, men who were not authorized to use the name of Jesus:

God was performing extraordinary miracles by Paul’s hands, so that when even handkerchiefs or aprons that had touched his body were brought to the sick, their diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them. But some itinerant Jewish exorcists tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were possessed by evil spirits, saying, “I sternly warn you by Jesus whom Paul preaches.” (Now seven sons of a man named Sceva, a Jewish high priest, were doing this.) But the evil spirit replied to them, “I know about Jesus and I am acquainted with Paul, but who are you?” Then the man who was possessed by the evil spirit jumped on them and beat them all into submission. He prevailed against them so that they fled from that house naked and wounded. (Acts 19:11-16, NET)

At a local store, a couple of people in the checkout line had an in-depth conversation about a celebrity. The conversation was peppered with the phrases “I heard that…”; “I read that…”; but there was no indication of an intimate relationship. They had never met the person, so there was no personal knowledge. It was all hearsay. This was the hard lesson learned by the sons of Sceva. These seven men were overpowered and defeated by an evil spirit. Why? Because, though they were trained in exorcism, they had no personal relationship with the Lord whose name they attempted to invoke during the deliverance ministry.

Authorized dealers have more than just training in what to say; these specialized dealers have intimate knowledge of the brand and product they carry in their store. In the case of Peter and John, their use of the name of Jesus was backed by their relationship with Him.

When he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple courts, he asked them for money. Peter looked directly at him (as did John) and said, “Look at us!” So the lame man paid attention to them, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, “I have no silver or gold, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, stand up and walk!” Then Peter took hold of him by the right hand and raised him up, and at once the man’s feet and ankles were made strong. He jumped up, stood and began walking around, and he entered the temple courts with them, walking and leaping and praising God. (Acts 3:3-8, NET)

As we pray on behalf of those who need the power of God to touch their lives, let us remember that it is not enough to merely be trained.

God, as we grow in our relationship with You, please commission us as authorized dealers of Your mercy and grace.

Petition Condition

Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time for prayer, at three o’clock in the afternoon. And a man lame from birth was being carried up, who was placed at the temple gate called “the Beautiful Gate” every day so he could beg for money from those going into the temple courts. (Acts 3:1-2, NET)

In Sunday’s sermon, Pastor Andy shared with us from Acts chapter 3. In the first two verses, we are given information about three men.

-Peter and John, two of Jesus’s disciples, went to the temple to pray.

-An unnamed third man, who was born lame, was brought to the temple courts to beg.

These men were in the vicinity of the temple at the time of the evening sacrifice. It was a time of the day when it was common for the people of Israel to offer prayers to God. We see this alluded to in Psalm 141:2: “May my prayer be established, rising up like incense before You; may the uplifting of my hands be like an evening offering.”

Peter and John had established a routine of petitioning God.

The lame man had established a routine of petitioning people.

What is our routine? Who are we petitioning for help? Who do we expect to supply the needs we have every day?

Lord God, You are the only One who can supply all that I truly need. As I go through my days, for every day that You give me life, please grant me the grace to look to You and to petition You in prayer.

Food Court.

Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” So Simon Peter, when he heard that it was the Lord, tucked in his outer garment (for he had nothing on underneath it), and plunged into the sea. Meanwhile the other disciples came with the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from land, only about a hundred yards. When they got out on the beach, they saw a charcoal fire ready with a fish placed on it, and bread. (John 21:7-9, NET)

In John 21:7, we read that Peter reacted quickly when he heard that it was the Lord who was speaking to the seven disciples who had gone fishing. It seems the boat was not fast enough for Peter: he jumped out and swam to shore, as the other six disciples followed in the boat. The narrative then makes an interesting point: When they got out, they saw a charcoal fire, fish, and bread.

After a long night of unfruitful works, the men were blessed with a breakfast served by the Lord Himself.

Perhaps there are situations we can look back on: issues with school, work (or lack of work), family concerns, or even needing the basics of food and water. Perhaps the depth of our struggles led us to say, “God, You’re taking too long… I have to work this out for myself.”

For some of us it may not be a past event: it might be today that we, figuratively speaking, are about a hundred yards away from shore. It’s just enough of a distance that we’re unsure if it’s Jesus we’re seeing. We, like those seven disciples, might not even recognize His voice calling to us. But the disciples’ confusion was immediately erased when they obeyed His instruction. There was the benefit of fish in the net, and there was an even greater benefit on the shore: Christ Himself, the Lord of Glory, present to share in fellowship with those He loved. He fed them. He feeds us.

Where do you find yourself today?

Are you out on the sea, making your own way?

The Lord loves you and has made provision for you;

Return to the shore of His grace.

Command Performance.

When it was already very early morning, Jesus stood on the beach, but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. So Jesus said to them, “Children, you don’t have any fish, do you?” They replied, “No.” He told them, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they threw the net, and were not able to pull it in because of the large number of fish. (John 21:4-6, NET)

Jesus could have asked, “Guys, why are you out here fishing? Didn’t I take you away from all this?” But He did not say that. In His love and compassion He asked, “Children, have you caught any fish?”

Jesus met the disciples in the midst of their failing attempt at self-sufficiency. He does the same for us. And, what is even more amazing is that He blessed them, just as He blesses us, with a demonstration of His miraculous provision. Yes, you are professional fishermen, but I am the one who spoke life into all the fish. I can command the fish to swim into your net, instead of away from it.  

Let us learn a lesson from the disciples, and from our Lord: without the presence and help of Jesus, our best efforts are in vain. But, when He intercedes on our behalf, we see the “impossible” become reality; we become witnesses of His grace and power; we are encouraged to let go of our personal agendas, even the agendas that seem logical; and we fully submit ourselves to God, who is Lord over all.

Lord God, our Father and King, You are all that we want… and You graciously supply all that we need. Thank You.

Don't Go There.

Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. It happened this way: Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. (John 21:1-3)

Early in Jesus’s ministry, Jesus had called Peter away from the world of commercial fishing. But after the crucifixion, burial, and resurrection of Christ, and even after having had personal encounters with the resurrected Christ, Peter made an astonishing decision: I’m going back to what Jesus told me to leave.

So Peter, and some of the other disciples, went fishing that night. It seemed to be a great idea. After all, Peter had been a professional in the trade. He knew the best time to go fishing is at night. And, in a context where they feared for their lives, it was certainly safer for the men to go out at night instead of broad daylight. So they went. They fished. They caught nothing.

I wonder if you and I are in this story.

I wonder if we, even after having encountered the resurrected Christ, still hold in our hearts a desire to do our own thing and make our own way. We have a problem of sorts: we are gifted. We have some things that we can do very well, and we can enjoy the accolades of men. Some of these things will even make us money, and we might even give the money to God’s work. But if that thing we do well is in opposition to the calling God has placed on our lives, then we can be sure that we, like the disciples of old, will find ourselves “catching nothing” for our extended hours of effort.

Yes, we have experienced crisis and sorrow and even death, whether of persons or of dreams. And yes, in our anguish Jesus has appeared to us, more than once, to assure us of His risen life in us. And yes, for some of us our crisis is tempting us to step away from our calling and instead do something that is expedient, something that we do with excellence, something to alleviate our inner fears... something that is no longer part of God’s script for our life-play. Today, I pray that we will not give in to that temptation.

Christ, the Desire of Nations, is risen! May all other desires be obscured by His Light.

Afterward…

As we walk through the rest of this Easter week, let us reflect on Jesus’s third appearance to the disciples after His resurrection. Today’s reading is taken from John’s Gospel.

John 21:1-14 (NIV)

Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. It happened this way: Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.

He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”

“No,” they answered.

He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.

Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.

Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.

Glossa On Pray-cation.

As we walk through Holy Week 2014, I encourage all of us to spend time in prayer and private devotion to Jesus, our Lord and King.

Glossa Water devotions will resume after Easter Sunday.

Blessings and peace to you.

I Love You!

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39)

I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I had heard and seen them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who had been showing them to to me. But he said to me, "Don't do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your fellow prophets and with all who keep the words of this scroll. Worship God!" (Revelation 22:8-9)

Nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God... not even the good things of life. 

In this past Sunday's sermon Pastor Sam noted that the "neither-nor" list in Romans 8 is one that contains extremes. Yes, there are demonic forces that would seek to turn our eyes from God. But there is also the risk that encounters with angels might turn our focus from God. We might be just as distracted by future hopes as we are by present pains. But, we are assured that the love of God is eternally existent and eternally available. He is Love, His love never ends, and He loves us.

Is there some bad thing that has seized all your attention?
Is there some good thing that has captured your heart?
Today I pray that we will turn our gaze away from circumstances, the bad and the good, and that we will bask in the incredible love of God.

Have we been chasing after the good things of life, instead of resting in the love of God?

Lovers, Inseparable.

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? (Romans 8:35)

Martyrdom. It is a word that we don't hear much in the United States of America, but martyrdom still occurs. There are many countries in our world where professing faith in Jesus Christ will cost you your life.

In Sunday's sermon Pastor Sam noted that the apostle Paul, when writing the letter to the Christians in Rome, had experienced six of the seven challenges listed in Romans 8:35-- all except "the sword". However, the day eventually came when Paul was beheaded for his faith. Our pastor shared with us that Paul was not fearful or sad; rather, he boldly proclaimed his readiness to be "poured out as a drink offering" (see Second Timothy 4:6). Paul was a man who had experienced the love of God through his relationship with Jesus. It is a love that, once a person embraces it, they won't let go... not even if you threaten them with death.

Jesus, our Lord and Christ, thank You for loving us with an everlasting love.

The Real Graduate.

As it is written: "For Your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." (Romans 8:36)

All day long my dishonor is before me and my humiliation has overwhelmed me, because of the voice of him who reproaches and reviles, because of the presence of the enemy and the avenger. All this has come upon us, but we have not forgotten You, and we have not dealt falsely with Your covenant. Our hearts have not turned back, and our steps have not deviated from Your way. (Psalm 44:15-18)

As we continue our Lenten meditations on the love of God, let us take time today to consider Pastor Sam's point concerning "kindergarten theology"-- that is, the belief that life's circumstances are always indicators of whether we are in good standing with God. As an example, our pastor shared a summary of the book of Job. In that book, most of the chapters are accounts of Job's friends insisting that Job must have done something wrong in order to have been the recipient of countless hardships. But God made it clear from the outset that Job's trials came not because of Job's sins, but because of Job's faithfulness. Satan, through the use of pain, was attempting to make Job turn away from worshiping God.

Regrettably, kindergarten theology is alive and well today. Many a Christian has opted to walk away from God when times get tough. They withhold His tithe. They stop praising Him. Or, worse, they assume that they must have engaged in some action that broke their relationship with God.

In Romans 8:36, the apostle Paul pulls a quotation from Psalm 44:22. In that psalm, we read of a situation similar to Job's: in a context of adoration and authentic worship of God, God's people encounter persecution and sufferings. Fortunately, the psalm is filled with worship even as the suffering is acknowledged. Kindergarten theology is nowhere to be found.

I encourage all of us to read Psalm 44 today. Reading the psalm will give us a better sense of why Paul quoted from it. Knowing the psalm will bring us a reassurance that we are not alone in our sufferings.

In the worst of day-to-day circumstances, we are known and loved by our great God.

Be encouraged today.

Love Life.

In yesterday's sermon, Pastor Sam continued the series Lenten Meditations on the Love of God. Let's begin our week of reflections by taking time to read the eighth chapter of Romans.

Romans 8 (New International Version)

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.

You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.

Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.

We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:

“For your sake we face death all day long;
    we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Today's Forecast...

The waters prevailed over the earth for one hundred fifty days. (Genesis 7:24, NET)

In Sunday's sermon, Pastor Martha noted that there are occasions in Scripture when the earth itself responds to the sinfulness and wickedness of mankind. In the story of Noah, we see that the waters on earth crossed their boundaries. Floods rose from beneath the earth and crested above the mountain ranges (see Genesis 7:17-20). Why did this happen? Because the people on earth had offended God through their acts of wickedness: "... every inclination of the thoughts of their minds was only evil all the time." (Genesis 6:5b) Eventually, the day came where opportunity for repentance had ceased.

It's not popular to speak a message which implies that time is a factor in repentance. But the God we serve has said, "My Spirit will not strive with man forever." (Genesis 6:3a) Our own mortality stands as a witness to the reality of limited time. It makes it all the more astounding that people, who know they are not guaranteed long life, would opt to live their lives in disobedience to the Lord who has called us to be gracious, honest, and compassionate.

• Are we interested in pursuing holiness and promoting healing, or have we opted to fill ourselves with thoughts and acts that are evil?
• If someone were to take inventory of the motives behind our actions, what would they find?

Lord, we who love You long to be accurate reflections of Your goodness and grace. Please help us to become more like You.

Righteous.

The LORD then said to Noah, "Go into the ark, you and your whole family, because I have found you righteous in this generation." (Genesis 7:1)

In this past Sunday's sermon Pastor Martha brought up an important question. Are we modeling righteousness to our family? Who are the people, or systems, that have the most influence in our household?

Noah may have looked ridiculous to his relatives and neighbors as he slowly, but faithfully, built the ark. And we may look ridiculous to our peers, or our unbelieving family members, as we carry out the assignments God has given us. But our hope is in the Lord God. We can be assured that, as in Noah's time, our God will bring His righteousness to bear in the earth: not because He is bent on wrath, but because righteousness is accompanied by justice. All that is wrong will be set right.

Are you, like Noah, surrounded by people who scoff at the provision of God? Don't worry. As you remain faithful in doing what God says, God will surely defend His own name. Righteousness will prevail.

As we go through our day today, let's take time to think of people in our lives who have served as models of righteousness towards us. And, let's endeavor to live as models of righteousness for the people we come into contact with every day.

Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people. (Proverbs 14:34)