Enemies of God Exchanged to Sons of God

When I was in Elementary school, there was a small group of guys my age who always picked on me.  I had never done anything to them, but I guess since I was small for my age, I was an easy target.  They were determined to be my enemies.  That would have been okay, but they were bigger than me and mean.  Once on the bus ride home, one of them shot me in the temple, almost in my eye, with a folded piece of paper, launching it with a large rubber band.  IT STUNG!  I just looked back at the direction of the projectile and leered at the two of them laughing and pointing at me.  Then they proceeded to get off the bus and wanted to fight me.  Man I was scared.  What had I done to these clowns?  I ran inside thinking “No way am I going back out there.”  Then I summonsed the courage - or stupidity – to go back out and face the two of them. My even smaller brother was there with me.  A very large pile of rocks lay between us and them.  For some reason, my brother reached down and picked up a hand full of rocks and started hurling them one at a time a the two bullies.  Throwing rocks, I can do that.  So I joined in and the two bullies were shocked that these two little guys could throw so accurately – they just started running away and the fight never happened. They never messed with me again. Thanks little brother for the helping hand.

Now I am not condoning what we did – though it did save my hide.  But I does remind me that like those two bullies - without cause – were my enemies and I had not done anything to them.  In the same way, we are enemies of God - without cause.  

Paul writes in Romans 

For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. Romans 5:10

This is a one sided hatred towards another, kind of like the bullies from my elementary days.  I was a nice guy, I had done nothing to them to provoke them to “hate” me, but they were set to do anything against me.

In the same way, sinful man wants nothing to do with God or His ways.  Some call it rebellion, but Paul uses the strong word of enemy.  Man I don’t want to be an enemy of anyone especially someone as powerful as God. But that is what everyone in history was/is.  We do not want anything to do with God or anything of God.

That means we would eternally be separated from God; He does not was that at all.  That is not His plan - 

It is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones perish. Matt 18:14.

That is why from the foundation of creation, God had a Plan – as Paul stated in Romans 5:10

For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. Romans 5:10

We did nothing, but God did all the work to reconcile us to Him.  Again Paul’s word choice is spot on. He using the word apokatallaxai which is a compound word that when read literally seems strange  – fellowship of the two is destroyed but Exchanged.

So here is the deeper meaning from this one word.  The fellowship we could of had with God was destroyed by sin and we wanted nothing, not even an inkling of relationship with Him.  But Jesus happened and our trashed relationship with God was EXCHANGED with Jesus’ relationship with God on the Cross.  Stop and think about that a moment.

For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him (Jesus) and through Him (Jesus) to reconcile all things to Himself (God), having made peace through the blood of His cross. Col 1:19-20

Jesus and God were “tight”  so much so that when Jesus described their relationship, He said, “I am you and you are me.”  “No one can tell the difference between My Father and I” .  So in the drama of the His crucifixion, we see when God turns His face away from Jesus because all of our sins, past, present and future, were laid on Him.  God turned from Jesus and faces US.  The exchange was complete. 

This word exchange was used in the area of commerce.  Where money was exchanged for goods.  Jesus paid it all! And God now accepts US!  WOW! And they did this while were hated them!  Man.  What an awesome savior!

But there’s more….

Now that we have an exchanged life, we are to ambassdors of that same truth.  We are now compelled to Reconcile our relationships with those we love and know.  We are called to be “little Christs” as the term Christian literally means. We are called to reconcile our relationships. Here are some hard scriptures as examples:

You have heard that the ancients were told, ‘YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT MURDER ‘ and ‘Whoever  commits murder shall be liable to the court.’ “But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court ; and whoever  says to his brother, ‘You good-for-nothing,’ shall be guilty before the supreme court ; and whoever  says, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell.  “Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar and go ; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering. Matt 5:21-24

 Wait a minute now, there are some people I am getting tired of forgiving! Come on God, that’s not fair …  Of course Jesus’ answer:

“I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. Matt 18:22

That’s very hard to do but with Grace! All things are possible.  Okay God – I’m working on that.

There are other scriptures pertaining to marriage – to be reconciled to one another, and build harmony in the family by forgiving wrongs done and work towards living in unity.

Man, that’s a lot to handle but that is what Easter is all about – Reconciliation. Tough Stuff.

I did become friends with those bullies in junior high, not best friends, but not enemies either.  God can work miracles in your life too because of Easter!

NOTE: I wanted this to be shorter and link my pastor’s sermon from Easter Sunday about Reconcilation, but it is not one line yet.  If you are interested go to www.btbf.org and go to Resources from the menu and select Current Message.  It should be updated this week.

Thanks for Reading!

The Sounds of Easter

It is said that we have better memories of things that involve our senses.  I learn and remember sermons or lectures best when I take notes.  I am using my ears to hear and my hands and eyes to record what I hear, I remember points better longer.

As I was reading through the Easter story last night it occurred to me that there for every event, there is a sound.  My minds started putting those sounds to each major events in the Easter story.  Hopefully it will help you remember the Passion of Christ as it has helped me.

The Sounds of Easter

Anguish as it dripped from His face.
Pursed lips that smacked of betrayal.
Clanking chains that lead him away
Shouts of death that formed from Hosanna
Rips of chin hair that stung of mockery
Crunch of knuckles meeting His cheek
Prick of thorns penetrating His brow
Streaming water that cleansed falsely
Whistling Cat of nine tails dissolved His flesh
Clunk of the cross that crushed Him to the ground
Pounding of spikes piercing His hands and feet
Silence of the Father who turned His back
Exhale of air that last left His lungs
Sorrow that shrieked as He was laid to rest
Rumble of earth as death was defeated
And Hope that springs eternal from His resurrection.

I hear these sounds in my mind and I remember what my Savior did for me.

I pray that you will hear them too.

And Jesus Prayed for You!

 

When people are in distress, death in the family, someone is sick, we always say, “I’ll be praying for you.”  People always seem to appreciate that gesture.  I know I always appreciate it when people pray for me. 

As I am reading the Easter story this year, I came across the passage of scripture that is sometimes missed because of where it is placed in the Gospel narrative.   It’s a passage set during Jesus’ last days, tucked between His triumphant entry  into  Jerusalem and  just before he enters the Garden to be betrayed. It is the passage in John 17 where Jesus is praying to God for his disciples.  In this time, before His betrayal, His trial, torture  and crucifixion – Jesus takes time out to pray to God on our behalf.  Jesus prays for YOU! He prays for me. 

That really blows me away when I think of the weight of stress that Jesus knew was coming His way, that the Author of creation takes pause to pray for me and not just for me but for my salvation as well. In 33 A.D., Jesus knew I would accept Him as my Lord and Savior and He took the time to pray for me. 

Here it is: 

“I do not ask on behalf of these alone (disciples), but for those also who believe in Me through their word John 17:20 

“For those who believe in Me through their word”  That is all of us who have come to know Christ through the words written in the Bible.   But our salvation is  not all He prays for. Next He prays that we would receive the love of God that Jesus experienced: 

O righteous Father, although the world has not known You, yet I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me; and I have made Your name known to them, and will make it known, so that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them. John 17:25-26. 

Here is the Son of God just hours away from the worst day of His life and His utmost concern is that I learn the love of God He has experienced.  Not, “God I can’t believe I have to go and die for this wretch, look what he is going to do! You want me to suffer for him!”  No, it “may he come to know You – Your love the way I have.” “May he become a son of God through my work on the cross and experience You that way I experience You.” Wow, what prayer that Jesus prayed for us. And next He prays that we be where He is – in the Presence of God. 

“Father , I desire that they also , whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am , so that they may see My glory which You have given Me, for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. John 17:24 

 This whole passage uses different verb tenses and can get very  confusing.  This verse is no exception.  Jesus is speaking about being in the presence of God. Jesus knows about His death, resurrection and his ascent ion – He is God.  He knows He lives in the presence of God and His pray is that those whom God has given Him be with Him in heaven.  That is awesome.  Jesus prayed over 2000 years ago that I be with Him in heaven.  Wow. 

Isn’t it amazing that with all Christ had before Him that night, He took time out of His, dare I say, stressful day to stop and pray for you – for me!  That we would believe in Jesus by understanding the Love of God and therefore have eternal life Him in heaven. If you got someone like Jesus praying for you, then what else do you need? Oh What a Savior! He prayed for You!

Putting on God’s Armor

Wow, we had an awesome sermon today about the Armor of God.

At first when hearing a sermon about a familiar scripture, I, having a B.A in biblical studies and 2 years of seminary, often- Pride fully, say,  “nothing new here, I know this passage.”  But I have a new set of hears and a heart that is seeking God a new and this time I leaned in to hear if God has something new for me today.

It was an interesting way to start a sermon, but Jo – an associate pastor – showed young military men, in their fatigues, praying, getting ready to ship out to Afghanistan. But praying – they were new Christians going into physical battle and having just been dropped into a new Spiritual battlefield.

Then Jo came walking out on to the stage in her fatigues – ready for spiritual battle.  Ephesians 6:10-12

10. Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  11.Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

 There are three points here: Strong – Struggle – Stand

We are to be Strong - but strong in the Lord.  The word here is a passive command – meaning we are to surrender (tough word for some of us) to allow the strength of God be at work in us.  This implies that we can be in the way of God’s strength working in us when we try to accomplish “things” in our own strength – in our own legalism.  We are to surrender to God’s perfect will.  Sometimes that is uncomfortable, most of the time it is the opposite of our selfish desires. (Ouch).  But how do we surrender?

By putting on the Armor of God. When we dress in the morning for Battle, we have to be deliberate, taking the Word of God and applying it to our lives.  We choose to put on the full armor of God – then we feel different, we act different – in the Spirit. We are weak when we try to accomplish things on our own – in our own strength. We cannot stand against the schemes of the Devil. We are frail in our own wisdom – trying to figure out what works best. 

But GOD… He is strong and He is wise.  We have to engage in drawing upon His strength and wisdom – fully arrayed in HIS armor.

God is shown as a warrior in the Old Testament.

The LORD is a warrior; the LORD is his name. Exodus 15:3

Righteousness will be his belt and faithfulness the sash around his waist  Isaiah 11:5

He put on righteousness as his breastplate, and the helmet of salvation on his head; he put on the garments of vengeance and wrapped himself in zeal as in a cloak. Isaiah 59:17

Hey, wait a minute these are all items Paul says we are to put on.  Belt, sash, breastplate, helmet, cloak.  Cool – we are putting on HIS armor.  I always missed that before.  I knew it was armor that God gave us, but I missed that it is His actual armor.

Next we are in a STRUGGLE. That word means Hand to Hand combat.  That is the worst kind of combat because you can see your enemy and sometimes he can be very intimidating in looks.  You can hear him breath, smell the stench.  Not as pleasant as shooting a sniper rifle or dropping a bomb.  But this is real spiritual warfare.  Not only can you smell him, but he can whisper in your ear he’s so close. “you’re not good enough”, “God, can’t use someone like you, you failed.”  “Look at your knees, they are bloodied because you fell again, your garments are dirty.” and he laughs. 

But GOD… We have divine power to demolish the spiritual strong hold of the devil.  This is an invisible fight, but we have the Bible acting as Night vision goggles, to expose the things that are hidden.  The Bible tells us how Satan operates, what he looks like and how to stand against him.  For space let me list: Isaiah 14, Ezekiel 28, Daniel 10, and Matthew 4; Acts 19:11-20

We are not without means to STAND against Satan because he is not ALL powerful. Only God is All powerful. We are not asked to WIN against the devil; Jesus has already completed the battle and the war at the Cross.  The real question is who will STAND. 

Paul writes, “STAND firm against the schemes of the Devil.” These schemes are lies he whispers in our ears during the hand to hand combat.  We have to stand though he lies about God’s sovereignty, our salvation, God’s grace. Satan will draw lines between husband and wife – the relationship that Paul described earlier in Ephesians as the picture of Jesus and the Church; but the husband and wife must stand together against the schemes of the Satan to break up their marriage with divorce. STAND as an example to the world that God is stronger.  STAND against the schemes.  And as christians we are to STAND together, locked arm and arm. As one we are not so strong, but as the community of Jesus Christ – we are powerful!

 STAND YOUR GROUND.

WOW, that was quite a sermon today and one I really needed to hear since I feel am in a battle for my life.  I am encouraged by what Paul wrote and I will daily decide to put on GOD’s armor as I can STAND STRONG in the STRUGGLE for my soul, my family, my community and those who look to me as an example of Christ.

God, thank you for Jo’s sermon today, thank you for guiding her in Your word and giving her the words to say today.  I really needed to hear this.  I pray that I keep my eyes on You and the stand firm in Your strength for I know in my our power I can do nothing.

Thank you for sending Your Son to die for my sins and for the gift of my salvation. In Jesus Name -AMEN!

 

Am I a Proud Or A Broken Person?

What I am working through is not new and unique to the world, but it is new and unique to me.  Mainly, because I have not been attentive to my wife and my kids.  My wife has relayed questions from my kids, all of whom are older (early 20′s to mid-teens) wonder what’s dad’s problem. 

I just shrugged it off as teenage angst or overly sensitivity of my family, but in actuality,

IT’S ME!

I do not physically abuse my family, but I do something far worse, I live as a proud person. – something I pickup from my Dad.  It’s not really a great trait to have because it grows out of a lack of self-esteem that seeks to raise itself up on the esteems of others. 

It is an evil quite sin that destroys relationships quietly and slowly like water and ice does to the cliffs.  Small droplets fall into the small cracks and freeze causing one side to move away from the other side.  It is gradual and progressive and eventually there is a gulf between you and those you love.  The gradual erosion of a relationship goes unseen by some, while others are raising questions, what’s happening, but the other side is blind to the small cracks until, CRACK, the gulf appears.

The relationship is not necessarily broken or lost forever, especially if the foundation of the relationship is Christ and those involved are willing to do everything possible to pull the two sides back together.  The relationships can even be strong with both sides looking for the small cracks and working in unison to protect the relationship going forward. 

But before that can occur much prayer, counseling and healing need to occur. And as part of my working through my short comings, I have chosen to journal and then share parts of my journaling on this site in hopes of gaining insights from others who have trod this trail before me. 

In my readings on the internet, I came across a lady names Nancy Demoss. You may have heard of her from her books, Choosing Forgiveness, A Place of Quiet Rest, Brokenness: The Heart God Revives, Surrender.  She writes primarily for women, but I found one of her article that lists 34 pairs of statements comparing the Proud Person to the Broken Person.  I am learning that I was a Proud person, but I have been broken by my current circumstances.  But that means I have lots to learn concerning my brokenness and how I surrender my life to God to put it back together again. 

I want it to be different, for may Wife, for my Kids, for Me.  I want to be different so Christ’s light and Life can shine through me because I know in my Pride, I have been a wretched example of a Christian.  I always said the words,

Instead of being motivated by selfish ambition or vanity, each of you should, in humility, be moved to treat one another as more important than yourself. Phil 2:3

But I was not living them. I looked down my nose at others who failed, or who sinned. NOT ME! was what my t-shirt said.  Not a good example of Christ-likeness at all.  I must examine myself in light of the Word and allow God to purge me with the refiner’s fire of the dross that has been found deep inside my life.

So all I know to do for now is list these and pray that God will help me change my attitude toward those around me as I meditate on His word and these words that Nancy DeMoss so beautifully crafted.  

Proud people focus on the failures of others and can readily point out those faults.

Broken people are more conscious of their own spiritual need than of anyone else’s

 Proud people have a critical, faultfinding spirit. They look at everyone else’s faults with a microscope but view their own with a telescope.

Broken people are compassionate – they have the kind of love that overlooks a multitude of sins; they can forgive much because they know how much they have been forgiven.

 Proud people are especially prone to criticize those in positions of authority –their pastor, their boss, their husband, their parents – and they talk to others about the faults they see.

Broken people reverence, encourage, and lift up those that God has placed in positions of authority, and they talk to God in intercession, rather than gossiping about the faults they see in others.

 Proud people are self-righteous; they think highly of themselves and look down on others.

Broken people think the best of others; they esteem others as better than themselves.

 Proud people have an independent, self-sufficient spirit.

Broken people have dependent spirit; they recognize their need for God and for others.

 Proud people have to prove that they are right – they have to get the last word.

Broken people are willing to yield the right to be right

 Proud people claim rights and have a demanding spirit.

Broken people yield their rights and have a meek spirit.

 Proud people are self-protective of their time, their rights, and their reputation.

Broken people are self-denying and self-sacrificing.

 Proud people desire to be served – they want life to revolve around them and their own needs.

Broken people are motivated to serve others and to be sure other’s needs are met before their own.

 Proud people desire to be known as a success.

Broken people are motivated to be faithful and to make others successful. 

Lord ,

I see myself as the Proud person, help me to become the Broken man who relies on you, help me to see you in those around me, and put others first and not be self seeking,

In Jesus name – Amen

PW

Patience is better than Pride

The end of a matter is better than its beginning; likewise, patience  is better than pride. Ecclesiastes 7:8

Recently, I have encountered a trial that is beyond anything I have ever encountered before. It have shaken me to my very core, to what I believe about God, His grace, His love and His will.  I will not go into the matter here as it is still too new for me to even understand what is going on.

But I do know this, I have a problem that has contributed to the trial – namely pride. 

In any relationship, the health of that relationship is the responsibility of both parties.  I am very sad to say that I have contributed greatly to my trial through my neglect and narrow sightedness.

Its interesting, you think you are doing everything right, but when you never communicate, or stop to ask the person you are in relationship with “how are we doing”, you should not be surprised to turn around one day and find that relationship in crisis.

I have this confession to make,

I AM A VERY PROUD PERSON.

I laugh at myself saying that, because I used to think that was a good thing, but the situation at hand has wakened me from my prideful trance and I see, though dimly at the moment, that my pride has wounded those I love the most.

Pride is such an ugly “thing”.  A thing it is because it is not an emotion, those are more precious.  My pride has crushed the emotions of those I love.  They wonder what is the matter here and don’t understand. And rightfully so, they have not done anything to deserve the arrogance, the prideful anger that exploded all over them like a volcano under pressure.

So I started this blog to share my confession and to chronicle my growth out of the ashes.  I am working hard with the Lord, a councelor and the people I have injuryed, to reconcile my relationships.

But I did not get here over night and I know, though I something do not have the patience, that recovery will take time.  So, I open myself, with in limits, to the blog world to witness and lend a hand as I seek the Lord as I die deeper to self and the pride that is so ugly in my life.

Please pray for my loved ones as they wait patiently for me to mature; and me as I am patiently waiting on the Lord.

Patiencewaits