I will share something about the book of Nehemiah that will revolutionize it for you, in case you've never seen it before. I learned it while doing my degree work in Christian Biblical Psychology. It's all about restoration, and it is pertinent to the rebuilding of a broken person, as well as the entire Church. As are all the histories of the Jewish people, they are all written for our instruction.
Today I saw something a little different that I hadn't noticed (maybe I was taught it before, but I don't remember). All the different people who worked on the wall are like all the different people we come in contact with when we are "under construction." The Lord will use various people to be His hands in our life when we need help. A great many people have been devastated emotionally and spiritually, and even physically (often as a result of those) and are in need of being healed and put back together. God doesn't use any one person (such as a counselor or pastor) to "fix" someone; otherwise I think we would take credit for "building" someone or for making them who they are to become. God uses teams, and He gets all the glory for it. The teams are organized by the Holy Spirit, and not necessarily in a way we can see. I can testify that while I was going through the greatest part of my restoration, that many people had a part to play in different areas in my life. Sometimes they didn't even realize that God was working through them for the purpose of healing and restoration. Others didn't realize they were getting in the way.
Notice that first Nehemiah assessed the damage, and then they began to work on the wall. Most people who have been through life traumas don't have anything in the way of proper defenses. This might be noticed in the lack of good boundaries, in behavior lacking in any kind of normal sense about what is healthy, and in the tendency to be overrun by harmful agents. The picture of a war-ravaged city, burned down and with the walls in ruins, is a powerful image to help us understand how damaged people can be. If you haven't been there yourself, I guarantee you know someone who is. Likely, you are one of the people who is working on your little section of the wall. When everyone does their part, a person is able to be restored to functioning more quickly. The deeper issues of healing then, are dealt with in a safer environment.
While all this work is going on, God nurtures us in the Secret Pavilion. It's the secret place of His presence, and it's there for all who fear God and trust Him. It's for the workers and well as those "under construction." Sometimes it takes a person a while to learn to trust God, as well as have the right kind of reverent awe of the Lord. When those around them are living in this place, it's a lot easier for them to be led to into it. No matter who's trying to do you in, or who's speaking evil against you, you're hidden from it in the Secret Pavilion. Even plaguing inner voices are shut down in this tent of peace, where the love of God surrounds you and protects you.
In the Secret Pavilion, you can also receive a vision of the Heavenly City, the New Jerusalem. "Blessed be the LORD, for He has shown me His marvelous kindness in a strong city!" Psalm 31:21 This vision of the wholeness, holiness, and oneness of the finished product of God's people-- what Jesus is working on and will finish-- is what gives the workers and the people being restored, hope enough to continue. It's what gives us courage, strengthening our hearts. And Satan will be just as surprised about the results as he was when Jesus was resurrected!
Questions to ponder:
Have you ever noticed how many loud and opposing voices there are all around you all the time? Have you ever experienced the peace and quiet of God's secret pavilion?
Who do you know that is in a broken and ruined condition? How is God moving through you to help rebuild the wall?
What was your impression of how Nehemiah communicated with the king? What kind of instruction does this give you for your own life?
Showing posts with label healing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label healing. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Monday, July 26, 2010
July 26, 2010 Bridge Over the Chasm of Doubt
I often have to be reminded of what I already know. Although I may feel ashamed for having "forgotten" something I had revelation on, and really felt I understood, I am grateful for the prodding I get from the Holy Spirit. He gently reminds me, and somehow gets across His desire that I do what He's saying.
Today He used this passage to do that kind of prodding with me:
But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” Romans 10:8-11 NKJV
I'm not suggesting that I used to be saved but now I'm backslidden and need to be reinstated. No, there's more to salvation than becoming born-again. We tend to use the term "backslidden" to mean "become unsaved," and that's a debatable concept anyway. Just because I might get close to a slippery slope of sin doesn't mean I've lost my salvation! But that's not what I'm talking about here. What I mean is: I'm not walking in total salvation because I forget to cross the bridge from believing to overcoming. What is that bridge anyway? We see the chasm, if we're honest, but we can't see the bridge.
Perhaps we don't see the bridge because whenever we reach that chasm, there is no bridge. We are put in the position of having to build it. We build the bridge over the chasm of doubt by speaking the word of truth that we believe and walking on it until we reach the actuality of our faith.
I'll use myself as an example. Through faith in Christ, I've overcome many obstacles in my life. Depression is one of them. Even though I was a born-again child of God, I still had chronic depression and bouts of severe and debillitating depression-- as I had suffered throughout my life-- until the last several years, where it has diminshed to only an occasional temptation. Quite a process and lots of help from others helped me understand how to overcome the depression. But I had to overcome it myself by walking on the bridge over the chasm of doubt.
All the Word and faith about who I was in Christ, His love for me, His purposes in my life, knowledge of the fruit of the Spirit, etc., wasn't going to defeat the darkness of depression if that truth stayed locked inside my heart. Only by speaking out loud the truth I believed in my heart, and walking upon the bridge it created, would I be able to exit the gross darkness I lived in and into God's glorious light. Declaring what I believed inside my born-again heart was the only thing that could dispel the lying reality that colored my mental and physical existence. Every time I did this, I was able to take another step into freedom from depression. Believing alone could not do it; faith demands action, and speaking is the first action we take.
Sometimes our cultural adages steer us away from believing the word of God. All our life we hear "actions speak louder than words," and so we believe we don't have to speak, only act. This is like saying "the car engine revving is louder than the turn of the key." Well, of course it is, but try getting the engine to rev without turning the key in the ignition switch! And just because the engine is revving doesn't mean we're getting anywhere. We do have to shift gears, release the brake, and put our foot on the gas. Our declared words of faith are like the key that gets it all going.
I'm saying all this to help you, as well as myself, so we can get our heart beliefs out where they can activate our salvation. I'm believing God for healing and restructuring of some physical problems that are hindering my life progress. The things I'm wanting to receive from God are stated clearly in the Word-- they are not gray or cloudy. I have complete faith in their truth, and in God's will for me. So why am I not getting saved in those areas? Because I forget to declare the truth out of my mouth. I forget to put the key into the ignition and turn it. I forget to build the bridge and walk on it.
Understanding and practicing this concept can save us a lot of frustration, disappointment, shame and even anger with God. The above Scripture tips us off as to how to get saved, and keep on getting saved. We believed the truth, and we confessed our faith when we were born again. We have to keep practicing that to get to where we're walking in all that Christ bought for us by His death and resurrection. Christ is the Word, and He is the Salvation. We unveil Him once again in our lives at every point of decision whenever we speak the truth we heard and believed.
What hinders you from confessing your faith? Ask the Lord to show you the things that keep you from speaking the word that's in your heart, so that you can walk on the bridge of faith until you own salvation in that area of your life.
Today He used this passage to do that kind of prodding with me:
But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” Romans 10:8-11 NKJV
I'm not suggesting that I used to be saved but now I'm backslidden and need to be reinstated. No, there's more to salvation than becoming born-again. We tend to use the term "backslidden" to mean "become unsaved," and that's a debatable concept anyway. Just because I might get close to a slippery slope of sin doesn't mean I've lost my salvation! But that's not what I'm talking about here. What I mean is: I'm not walking in total salvation because I forget to cross the bridge from believing to overcoming. What is that bridge anyway? We see the chasm, if we're honest, but we can't see the bridge.
Perhaps we don't see the bridge because whenever we reach that chasm, there is no bridge. We are put in the position of having to build it. We build the bridge over the chasm of doubt by speaking the word of truth that we believe and walking on it until we reach the actuality of our faith.
I'll use myself as an example. Through faith in Christ, I've overcome many obstacles in my life. Depression is one of them. Even though I was a born-again child of God, I still had chronic depression and bouts of severe and debillitating depression-- as I had suffered throughout my life-- until the last several years, where it has diminshed to only an occasional temptation. Quite a process and lots of help from others helped me understand how to overcome the depression. But I had to overcome it myself by walking on the bridge over the chasm of doubt.
All the Word and faith about who I was in Christ, His love for me, His purposes in my life, knowledge of the fruit of the Spirit, etc., wasn't going to defeat the darkness of depression if that truth stayed locked inside my heart. Only by speaking out loud the truth I believed in my heart, and walking upon the bridge it created, would I be able to exit the gross darkness I lived in and into God's glorious light. Declaring what I believed inside my born-again heart was the only thing that could dispel the lying reality that colored my mental and physical existence. Every time I did this, I was able to take another step into freedom from depression. Believing alone could not do it; faith demands action, and speaking is the first action we take.
Sometimes our cultural adages steer us away from believing the word of God. All our life we hear "actions speak louder than words," and so we believe we don't have to speak, only act. This is like saying "the car engine revving is louder than the turn of the key." Well, of course it is, but try getting the engine to rev without turning the key in the ignition switch! And just because the engine is revving doesn't mean we're getting anywhere. We do have to shift gears, release the brake, and put our foot on the gas. Our declared words of faith are like the key that gets it all going.
I'm saying all this to help you, as well as myself, so we can get our heart beliefs out where they can activate our salvation. I'm believing God for healing and restructuring of some physical problems that are hindering my life progress. The things I'm wanting to receive from God are stated clearly in the Word-- they are not gray or cloudy. I have complete faith in their truth, and in God's will for me. So why am I not getting saved in those areas? Because I forget to declare the truth out of my mouth. I forget to put the key into the ignition and turn it. I forget to build the bridge and walk on it.
Understanding and practicing this concept can save us a lot of frustration, disappointment, shame and even anger with God. The above Scripture tips us off as to how to get saved, and keep on getting saved. We believed the truth, and we confessed our faith when we were born again. We have to keep practicing that to get to where we're walking in all that Christ bought for us by His death and resurrection. Christ is the Word, and He is the Salvation. We unveil Him once again in our lives at every point of decision whenever we speak the truth we heard and believed.
What hinders you from confessing your faith? Ask the Lord to show you the things that keep you from speaking the word that's in your heart, so that you can walk on the bridge of faith until you own salvation in that area of your life.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
July 7, 2010 Sticks, Stones and Word-Grenades
I remember learning a sort of proverb when I was a kid: "sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me." Children try to believe what their elders tell them-- it's in their basic make-up to do so. But when their own sense of right and wrong contradicts what they've been told, it's very confusing. The old adage wasn't true, of course; it was a terrible type of denial, that instead of protecting me, left me very vulnerable to the injury of other people's words. Lying statements about a person, when undetected or undefused, go deep down into a person's psyche and erode like acid, or they can later go off like bombs, debilitating and even destroying them.
Today we came across the very short, and somewhat hidden statement about Jabez (if you don't at least skim the geneologies and other parts of the Bible you consider boring, you miss important nuggets, or even a best-selling book!). Here was an innocent kid being told over and over, simply by hearing his name, that he was a pain! (and possibly other words of a mother who had a bad attitude): "Come here, YouCausePain, and do these dishes for me. That's the least you can do to make up for the suffering you've caused!" Ouch!
As Christians, we tend to name our children truthful and empowering things, and for a good reason! God didn't change people's names for kicks-- He knew what names can do to people. Names, when well-chosen, can help a child reach his or her full potential in God. Parents should continue in that vein, speaking the truth in love over their children, as well as nurturing them in other ways. We're going to make mistakes, obviously, but if we discover we've said something hurtful or untrue, it is "best practice" to immediately ask a child's forgiveness and replace the untruth with the word of God. Children also need to be taught what to do when they are ridiculed and picked on, since everyone is at one time or another. Sensitive children, especially, can really be hurt by this and need reinforcement. The earlier we learn to receive God's comfort and allow Him to build us up with truth, the better.
We're not told how Jabez managed to become "more honorable than his brothers"-- God may have sent someone along to help him. Since we're told about his prayer, he must have early turned to God in his disappointment.
I wish this happened more often, but I have listened to the stories of many adults whose personalities were twisted and whose minds were warped by the things they were called as a child (along with other problems of their environment). We see, however, that if a person will call out to God in faith, He will take up their case, deliver them from evil, restore their personhood, and bless them in their life with His favor. Jabez even asked for a greater platform in which to testify of God's goodness. God was able to use for good what the enemy meant for evil. This is true for anyone who will turn to the Lord rather than remain in bitterness.
God was able to use the lying statements of the Jews about Paul to get him to an even higher platform. This could not have happened if Paul had buckled under the barrage of accusations being flung at him for years. It is extremely important that we learn to hear God's words over us, over our life and person. We have to believe Him and not the rest of the world, abusive or flattering as it may be. If there's ever a time of "tearing down" in our life, it probably has a lot to do with tearing down the ways we operate based on lies we've believed about ourselves. We can only reach our full potential if we are standing on the truth. God says of you:
"Rejoice, you who put your trust in Me;
You will shout for joy, because I defend you;
You will be joyful in Me, because you love My name.
I the LORD, will bless You, because you are the righteous in Christ;
I will surround you with My favor as with a shield." from Psalm 5: 11-12
Today we came across the very short, and somewhat hidden statement about Jabez (if you don't at least skim the geneologies and other parts of the Bible you consider boring, you miss important nuggets, or even a best-selling book!). Here was an innocent kid being told over and over, simply by hearing his name, that he was a pain! (and possibly other words of a mother who had a bad attitude): "Come here, YouCausePain, and do these dishes for me. That's the least you can do to make up for the suffering you've caused!" Ouch!
As Christians, we tend to name our children truthful and empowering things, and for a good reason! God didn't change people's names for kicks-- He knew what names can do to people. Names, when well-chosen, can help a child reach his or her full potential in God. Parents should continue in that vein, speaking the truth in love over their children, as well as nurturing them in other ways. We're going to make mistakes, obviously, but if we discover we've said something hurtful or untrue, it is "best practice" to immediately ask a child's forgiveness and replace the untruth with the word of God. Children also need to be taught what to do when they are ridiculed and picked on, since everyone is at one time or another. Sensitive children, especially, can really be hurt by this and need reinforcement. The earlier we learn to receive God's comfort and allow Him to build us up with truth, the better.
We're not told how Jabez managed to become "more honorable than his brothers"-- God may have sent someone along to help him. Since we're told about his prayer, he must have early turned to God in his disappointment.
I wish this happened more often, but I have listened to the stories of many adults whose personalities were twisted and whose minds were warped by the things they were called as a child (along with other problems of their environment). We see, however, that if a person will call out to God in faith, He will take up their case, deliver them from evil, restore their personhood, and bless them in their life with His favor. Jabez even asked for a greater platform in which to testify of God's goodness. God was able to use for good what the enemy meant for evil. This is true for anyone who will turn to the Lord rather than remain in bitterness.
God was able to use the lying statements of the Jews about Paul to get him to an even higher platform. This could not have happened if Paul had buckled under the barrage of accusations being flung at him for years. It is extremely important that we learn to hear God's words over us, over our life and person. We have to believe Him and not the rest of the world, abusive or flattering as it may be. If there's ever a time of "tearing down" in our life, it probably has a lot to do with tearing down the ways we operate based on lies we've believed about ourselves. We can only reach our full potential if we are standing on the truth. God says of you:
"Rejoice, you who put your trust in Me;
You will shout for joy, because I defend you;
You will be joyful in Me, because you love My name.
I the LORD, will bless You, because you are the righteous in Christ;
I will surround you with My favor as with a shield." from Psalm 5: 11-12
Saturday, July 3, 2010
July 3, 2010 Turn At the Light
God's word testifies today of the power that His light and truth have to turn a person, or even a nation to Himself. God had mercy on Josiah because he turned to the Lord, but the nation still had major consequences to deal with because of their great idolatry. Paul the Apostle had a magnificent conversion when he encountered the glorious Christ on the road to Damascus. He had a lot of suffering to deal with in his life, but the Lord used him to reach many souls for Him-- his letters minister to us so much even today.
I remember many years ago-- as a backslidden young woman lost in darkness-- coming to myself just like the progidal son did. The description in today's 2 Kings reading reminds me so much of how I felt back then. Suddenly, my eyes were opened, and I was overwhelmed when the Lord showed me how every area of my life was sin! But because I turned to Him when He revealed himself to me, He cleansed me and healed me, and is in the process of restoring all that was lost through my rebelliousness and idolatry. God is so good! He will do the same for anyone that turns to Jesus as their Lord and Savior in true repentance, and He will lead them in the Way, the Truth and the Life.
I pray, on the anniversary of our "independence," that our nation will likewise have a great conversion. We may still have to accept hard consequences for our mistakes, rebellions and idolatries. But God will have mercy on any one who comes to Him humbly. If enough of us turn to Him with our whole heart, perhaps this country may again shine His light as we are called to do. As a nation, as well as individually, we must not trust in our wealth or our power to save us; we must humble ourselves before God and rely on Him alone.
"The rich man’s wealth is his strong city,
And like a high wall in his own esteem.
Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty,
And before honor is humility." Proverbs 18:11-12 NKJV
I remember many years ago-- as a backslidden young woman lost in darkness-- coming to myself just like the progidal son did. The description in today's 2 Kings reading reminds me so much of how I felt back then. Suddenly, my eyes were opened, and I was overwhelmed when the Lord showed me how every area of my life was sin! But because I turned to Him when He revealed himself to me, He cleansed me and healed me, and is in the process of restoring all that was lost through my rebelliousness and idolatry. God is so good! He will do the same for anyone that turns to Jesus as their Lord and Savior in true repentance, and He will lead them in the Way, the Truth and the Life.
I pray, on the anniversary of our "independence," that our nation will likewise have a great conversion. We may still have to accept hard consequences for our mistakes, rebellions and idolatries. But God will have mercy on any one who comes to Him humbly. If enough of us turn to Him with our whole heart, perhaps this country may again shine His light as we are called to do. As a nation, as well as individually, we must not trust in our wealth or our power to save us; we must humble ourselves before God and rely on Him alone.
"The rich man’s wealth is his strong city,
And like a high wall in his own esteem.
Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty,
And before honor is humility." Proverbs 18:11-12 NKJV
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
May 4, 2010
What a good role-model is John the Baptist! He faithfully and passionately carried out his mission from God: to prepare the people for the Messiah. He was a great preacher, and got results. Lots of people followed him. But when the Messiah was indeed revealed to him, just as God had told him, John the Baptist gave way to him. "He must increase, but I must decrease." He had joy, not resentment when the fulfillment of his calling had brought his ministry to an end. His testimony about Christ is one of the most clearly articulated in Scripture: he left no doubt as to who Jesus was and what He was here to accomplish. It would be good for us to meditate on John the Baptist's words and get them deep into our hearts.
There is plenty of practical application of John the Baptist's gracious giving-way to Christ. Parents' ministry is to raise children to grow up and have their own life. Ministers are preparing the saints to mature and carry out their own callings. If we do our job well, we will come to an obvious place of having to release that which we birthed, for it has a life of its own.
I came to the Lord as a broken and dysfunctional person who had no idea who she was. My personhood had been stolen from me. The Lord Jesus, by His Spirit and Word, and through His godly ministers, nursed me back to health, restored me to healthy functioning, and gave me a sense of worth, identity and purpose. He gave me back myself! It was so awesome to finally feel good about myself and about being alive. Then I truly had the opportunity to "lay down my life" for Him. Before that, I had little to offer, only a "broken and contrite heart", which we know He does not despise. Now I'm in a different place of making way for Christ.
I think it is important to note that John the Baptist said, "He must increase, but I must decrease." The Lord certainly increased in me, building me up from the inside out, starting from a below-basement level of destruction. As I learned who I was, I discovered my weaknesses and how He could fill them. I discovered my empty places and how He could fill those too. He revealed my wrong thinking and replaced it with His truth. He showed me my strengths and how He could empower them for His glory. There's much, much more to do, (I'm far from being Christlike) but at least now, I know how to let Him live in me.
At a certain point in my life, however, I became aware that He was "letting go." He again gave me a choice to follow and serve Him. Now that He had restored me, He was setting me free! Is this amazing or what? Of course, it wasn't a difficult choice for me. I was like that Old Testament picture of the slave who didn't want to be set free because of love for the master, choosing to become a bondservant for life. My ear has been pierced! I totally belong to Him! He chose me first, but then He gave me a chance to choose Him back. I chose Him, and I have never regretted it.
Now, as I live for Him, study His Word and get more revelation of Him, He continues to grow in me; it gets very uncomfortable for my "self" and I have to make more room for Him by letting go of pride, an agenda, or anything else that doesn't fit with Him. I don't just try to get rid of something about myself or "kill myself off". Picking up your cross and following Him daily is not the same as trying to crucify yourself! That just doesn't work. It leaves holes in us that can be filled with something other than Him if we're not very careful. I think it's dangerous to try to decrease yourself so that He can increase. The Lord will expose deeper holes in you that need to be filled with Him (He's done this to me more than once lately, through some trials). He will also discipline us if we're resisting Him. Seek the Lord with as much of your heart as you can, being as pliable as you are able, and let Him increase. Present yourself to Him, obey Him, and He will take care of the rest.
Jesus Christ is the Author and Finisher of our faith. I have total confidence in His ability to finish the work He started in me, and in you too. He knows what He's doing. He is the Author and Finisher of the Church too, and He is in charge (the Head). We should trust Him in forming us, and in forming the Church. He's going to present us to the Father without spot or blemish. What a glorious day that will be!
There is plenty of practical application of John the Baptist's gracious giving-way to Christ. Parents' ministry is to raise children to grow up and have their own life. Ministers are preparing the saints to mature and carry out their own callings. If we do our job well, we will come to an obvious place of having to release that which we birthed, for it has a life of its own.
I came to the Lord as a broken and dysfunctional person who had no idea who she was. My personhood had been stolen from me. The Lord Jesus, by His Spirit and Word, and through His godly ministers, nursed me back to health, restored me to healthy functioning, and gave me a sense of worth, identity and purpose. He gave me back myself! It was so awesome to finally feel good about myself and about being alive. Then I truly had the opportunity to "lay down my life" for Him. Before that, I had little to offer, only a "broken and contrite heart", which we know He does not despise. Now I'm in a different place of making way for Christ.
I think it is important to note that John the Baptist said, "He must increase, but I must decrease." The Lord certainly increased in me, building me up from the inside out, starting from a below-basement level of destruction. As I learned who I was, I discovered my weaknesses and how He could fill them. I discovered my empty places and how He could fill those too. He revealed my wrong thinking and replaced it with His truth. He showed me my strengths and how He could empower them for His glory. There's much, much more to do, (I'm far from being Christlike) but at least now, I know how to let Him live in me.
At a certain point in my life, however, I became aware that He was "letting go." He again gave me a choice to follow and serve Him. Now that He had restored me, He was setting me free! Is this amazing or what? Of course, it wasn't a difficult choice for me. I was like that Old Testament picture of the slave who didn't want to be set free because of love for the master, choosing to become a bondservant for life. My ear has been pierced! I totally belong to Him! He chose me first, but then He gave me a chance to choose Him back. I chose Him, and I have never regretted it.
Now, as I live for Him, study His Word and get more revelation of Him, He continues to grow in me; it gets very uncomfortable for my "self" and I have to make more room for Him by letting go of pride, an agenda, or anything else that doesn't fit with Him. I don't just try to get rid of something about myself or "kill myself off". Picking up your cross and following Him daily is not the same as trying to crucify yourself! That just doesn't work. It leaves holes in us that can be filled with something other than Him if we're not very careful. I think it's dangerous to try to decrease yourself so that He can increase. The Lord will expose deeper holes in you that need to be filled with Him (He's done this to me more than once lately, through some trials). He will also discipline us if we're resisting Him. Seek the Lord with as much of your heart as you can, being as pliable as you are able, and let Him increase. Present yourself to Him, obey Him, and He will take care of the rest.
Jesus Christ is the Author and Finisher of our faith. I have total confidence in His ability to finish the work He started in me, and in you too. He knows what He's doing. He is the Author and Finisher of the Church too, and He is in charge (the Head). We should trust Him in forming us, and in forming the Church. He's going to present us to the Father without spot or blemish. What a glorious day that will be!
Monday, May 3, 2010
May 3, 2010
Magical thinking seems to be a basic characteristic of fallen Man. Human beings have such a capacity to take things, even spiritual things, and turn them into idols! The story of Micah is one such example, and his creation of an idol and the hiring of a priest to serve it for him, shows how one man's idolatry can spread to a whole clan, as his did to the tribe of Dan.
The passage in John has interesting (although perhaps not obvious) connections to this story of Micah and his idol. Jesus, in His conversation with Nicodemus, says, "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life." John 3: 14-15
If you'll remember, back in Numbers, the Israelites complained against the Lord, and were struck by a plague of "fiery serpents" [this Hebrew word saraph can, interestingly enough, be translated poisonous serpent, winged dragon, or seraphim]. When Moses prayed for the people, God told him, "Make a saraph, and set it on a pole; and it shall be that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, shall live." Numbers 21:8 God provided the antidote.
But the Israelites seemed to have the same darkened understanding as Nicodemus, who replied to Jesus statement about being born-again with, “How can these things be?” Instead of remembering and trusting in God's greatness and goodness, they fell into idolatry once again, and a godly king had to make corrections:
[Hezekiah] removed the high places and broke the sacred pillars, cut down the wooden image and broke in pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had made; for until those days the children of Israel burned incense to it, and called it Nehushtan." 2 Kings 18:4
Magical thinking is a developmental issue. Young children attribute unrealistic powers to themselves and things when they wrongly interpret events and make assumptions about cause and effect that are not based on truth. I made a wish and blew out my birthday cake candles, and I got what I wished for. When people don't develop properly, and continue to make wrong assumptions about things they really don't understand, magical thinking progresses into superstitions and idolatry. These things can get entrenched into families and cultures, forming belief systems that strongly resist logic and truth.
In His conversation with Nicodemus, Jesus was dealing with a strongly entrenched religious system that was as much based in tradition and magical thinking as it was on the Jewish heritage of Mosaic law and the prophets. His answer to how can these things be? was “Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things? Most assuredly, I say to you, We speak what We know and testify what We have seen, and you do not receive Our witness. If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven." John 3:10-13
I never saw, until now, that Jesus was speaking of His being "seated in heavenly places" before His death and resurrection. You can take His statement as prophetic, or as a statement of His condition at the time He was speaking. I see it as both. He was saying to Nicodemus that if you are born-again of the Spirit, you live in the heavenly realm as well as the natural. Until you are born-again, you interpret everything naturally, even spiritual things-- even God's actions. That is why most of the Pharisees saw what Jesus did, such a healing people, as a physical action only.
Seeing Christ on the cross, when interpreted spiritually and understood with the born-again mind enlightened by the Spirit of Truth, is the antidote for everything that afflicts mankind. As the "type and shadow" bronze serpent on the pole was the antidote for the venomous bite of a serpent, so is what Christ accomplished on the cross the antidote for the effects of believing the lies of Satan, ("So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world" Revelation 12:9).
It doesn't do any good to make a religious icon out of a spiritual picture, and worshipping such becomes idolatry. A crucifix doesn't heal anything, although some faith in God's power to heal might bring some healing to someone looking at a crucifix, even if the faith was misplaced onto the crucifix. Eventually, though, the faith will be extinguished and the crucifix will become an idol, when seen through the eyes of flesh.
Faith based in the reality of who Jesus Christ is and what He did is not magical thinking. "For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." 2 Corinthians 5:21 The more we exercise our faith in Him, the more we will be delivered from the power of deception and sin, the more everlasting life we will experience. Whatever we need to be saved from, Christ is the antidote, received by faith.
Bonus study: the commonly used symbol for the medical profession is possibly related to the image of the serpent Moses used; but there are other ancient symbols that it is related to, of idolatrous meaning. If a person can receive healing from God through a doctor, then God used the doctor as an instrument; but if a person looks to the medical profession as its savior, how much healing are they going to get? The pagan symbolism is much more fitting for the magical thinking and idolatry that has become so prevalent in today's society.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caduceus
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rod_of_Asclepius
The passage in John has interesting (although perhaps not obvious) connections to this story of Micah and his idol. Jesus, in His conversation with Nicodemus, says, "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life." John 3: 14-15
If you'll remember, back in Numbers, the Israelites complained against the Lord, and were struck by a plague of "fiery serpents" [this Hebrew word saraph can, interestingly enough, be translated poisonous serpent, winged dragon, or seraphim]. When Moses prayed for the people, God told him, "Make a saraph, and set it on a pole; and it shall be that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, shall live." Numbers 21:8 God provided the antidote.
But the Israelites seemed to have the same darkened understanding as Nicodemus, who replied to Jesus statement about being born-again with, “How can these things be?” Instead of remembering and trusting in God's greatness and goodness, they fell into idolatry once again, and a godly king had to make corrections:
[Hezekiah] removed the high places and broke the sacred pillars, cut down the wooden image and broke in pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had made; for until those days the children of Israel burned incense to it, and called it Nehushtan." 2 Kings 18:4
Magical thinking is a developmental issue. Young children attribute unrealistic powers to themselves and things when they wrongly interpret events and make assumptions about cause and effect that are not based on truth. I made a wish and blew out my birthday cake candles, and I got what I wished for. When people don't develop properly, and continue to make wrong assumptions about things they really don't understand, magical thinking progresses into superstitions and idolatry. These things can get entrenched into families and cultures, forming belief systems that strongly resist logic and truth.
In His conversation with Nicodemus, Jesus was dealing with a strongly entrenched religious system that was as much based in tradition and magical thinking as it was on the Jewish heritage of Mosaic law and the prophets. His answer to how can these things be? was “Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things? Most assuredly, I say to you, We speak what We know and testify what We have seen, and you do not receive Our witness. If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven." John 3:10-13
I never saw, until now, that Jesus was speaking of His being "seated in heavenly places" before His death and resurrection. You can take His statement as prophetic, or as a statement of His condition at the time He was speaking. I see it as both. He was saying to Nicodemus that if you are born-again of the Spirit, you live in the heavenly realm as well as the natural. Until you are born-again, you interpret everything naturally, even spiritual things-- even God's actions. That is why most of the Pharisees saw what Jesus did, such a healing people, as a physical action only.
Seeing Christ on the cross, when interpreted spiritually and understood with the born-again mind enlightened by the Spirit of Truth, is the antidote for everything that afflicts mankind. As the "type and shadow" bronze serpent on the pole was the antidote for the venomous bite of a serpent, so is what Christ accomplished on the cross the antidote for the effects of believing the lies of Satan, ("So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world" Revelation 12:9).
It doesn't do any good to make a religious icon out of a spiritual picture, and worshipping such becomes idolatry. A crucifix doesn't heal anything, although some faith in God's power to heal might bring some healing to someone looking at a crucifix, even if the faith was misplaced onto the crucifix. Eventually, though, the faith will be extinguished and the crucifix will become an idol, when seen through the eyes of flesh.
Faith based in the reality of who Jesus Christ is and what He did is not magical thinking. "For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." 2 Corinthians 5:21 The more we exercise our faith in Him, the more we will be delivered from the power of deception and sin, the more everlasting life we will experience. Whatever we need to be saved from, Christ is the antidote, received by faith.
Bonus study: the commonly used symbol for the medical profession is possibly related to the image of the serpent Moses used; but there are other ancient symbols that it is related to, of idolatrous meaning. If a person can receive healing from God through a doctor, then God used the doctor as an instrument; but if a person looks to the medical profession as its savior, how much healing are they going to get? The pagan symbolism is much more fitting for the magical thinking and idolatry that has become so prevalent in today's society.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caduceus
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rod_of_Asclepius
Monday, April 19, 2010
April 19, 2010
All the passages today, from Luke on, seemed to speak to me of the consequences of rejecting the Word of God. Jesus wept over Jerusalem, prophesying that “If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. For days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment around you, surround you and close you in on every side, and level you, and your children within you, to the ground; and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not know the time of your visitation.” Luke 19:41-44
As I read Psalm 88, it seemed like the psalmist (not David) was seeing ahead to that day of destruction and expressing the feelings of a people who had experienced that destruction. He seemed not to see the restoration, but that doesn't mean there was not to be one. It reminds me of the times I have been in the throes of deep depression and hopelessness. It does truly feel like a waking death. However, I can testify that if we will continue to cry out to the Lord, He will come to us, and again reveal Himself to us and restore us, if we will respond to Him and believe His word to us. He will come with whatever we need-- conviction, correction, healing-- but He always comes with love.
How often, I wonder, does our Lord visit our life with His presence and weep for our lack of response to Him? It does not give Him pleasure to have to bring discipline, or to have to allow us to "hit bottom" so that we will turn to Him. But one thing is certain, when we do realize we are in need of Him, He will answer our cry for help. He will come with "the things that make for our peace."
As I read Psalm 88, it seemed like the psalmist (not David) was seeing ahead to that day of destruction and expressing the feelings of a people who had experienced that destruction. He seemed not to see the restoration, but that doesn't mean there was not to be one. It reminds me of the times I have been in the throes of deep depression and hopelessness. It does truly feel like a waking death. However, I can testify that if we will continue to cry out to the Lord, He will come to us, and again reveal Himself to us and restore us, if we will respond to Him and believe His word to us. He will come with whatever we need-- conviction, correction, healing-- but He always comes with love.
How often, I wonder, does our Lord visit our life with His presence and weep for our lack of response to Him? It does not give Him pleasure to have to bring discipline, or to have to allow us to "hit bottom" so that we will turn to Him. But one thing is certain, when we do realize we are in need of Him, He will answer our cry for help. He will come with "the things that make for our peace."
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
March 31, 2010
The word "compassion" came to me today as I read about how Jesus responded to the people who came to Him. He preached the truth to them, healed them and fed them, even though He had gone aside to be alone. This was His habitual lifestyle.
Meditating on this, I began to think of how seldom I am in the place to feel compassion, or be moved by it. I work at home, where I am comfortable, have clothes to wear and food to eat. When I go on errands, I rarely see anyone in need. I am sheltered from the difficulties of life. I see photos, almost daily, and read of the disasters and other horrors in the world on the internet, and it is easy to become overwhelmed by all of it. But do I really feel compassion? My response to Haiti was to give money through Samaritan's Purse, for I truly hurt for them. But, in general, I find I can offer up prayer but little else. I think the shear magnitude of all of it causes it to feel unreal. If it all truly touched me, I think I would be crushed.
How different our Christian life would be if we walked about as Jesus did and really talked to people! Is it possible that true compassion takes eye contact? The sound of a voice? A touch? If we could again encounter the world's need on a daily basis, in our own sphere first, then I think we would find ourselves again moved with compassion as Jesus was. He still is! If we could find ways to put ourselves in the presence of others who have need, then we would find Him again moving as He did before, and we would see the miracles it often takes to meet those needs. It's just going to take deliberate action on the part of a modern-day person, on my part.
Meditating on this, I began to think of how seldom I am in the place to feel compassion, or be moved by it. I work at home, where I am comfortable, have clothes to wear and food to eat. When I go on errands, I rarely see anyone in need. I am sheltered from the difficulties of life. I see photos, almost daily, and read of the disasters and other horrors in the world on the internet, and it is easy to become overwhelmed by all of it. But do I really feel compassion? My response to Haiti was to give money through Samaritan's Purse, for I truly hurt for them. But, in general, I find I can offer up prayer but little else. I think the shear magnitude of all of it causes it to feel unreal. If it all truly touched me, I think I would be crushed.
How different our Christian life would be if we walked about as Jesus did and really talked to people! Is it possible that true compassion takes eye contact? The sound of a voice? A touch? If we could again encounter the world's need on a daily basis, in our own sphere first, then I think we would find ourselves again moved with compassion as Jesus was. He still is! If we could find ways to put ourselves in the presence of others who have need, then we would find Him again moving as He did before, and we would see the miracles it often takes to meet those needs. It's just going to take deliberate action on the part of a modern-day person, on my part.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
March 30, 2010
I would rather put my efforts into trying to touch Jesus with the faith that it takes to be completely healed, than to spend all my time and money on physicians, only to be disappointed.
These passages are a pivotal part of the Scriptural core that holds together my belief that Jesus is our Great Physician who we can always turn to for healing of all types. Of course, we all have to walk in what we have faith for. The woman above had faith in the doctors, until she realized they couldn't heal her. When she finally turned to Jesus in faith, He did what they could not do. I opt to just go to Him.
Jesus is Life. He can restore life to anything that needs it.
These passages are a pivotal part of the Scriptural core that holds together my belief that Jesus is our Great Physician who we can always turn to for healing of all types. Of course, we all have to walk in what we have faith for. The woman above had faith in the doctors, until she realized they couldn't heal her. When she finally turned to Jesus in faith, He did what they could not do. I opt to just go to Him.
Jesus is Life. He can restore life to anything that needs it.
Friday, March 12, 2010
March 12, 2010
Do you ever wake up in the morning with a sense of dread? I do sometimes. I learned a long time ago, from Joyce Meyer, that dread is just another form of fear. Fear is a core issue in my life, as I am sure it is with many of you. It stems from my temperament and from past experiences. These, of course, are no excuse for allowing fear to torment me and hold me back. Fear is an internal enemy, and it must be overcome.
The Psalmist had some fear to deal with as well. In Psalm 55 you can see a progression of feelings: troubled, distraught, anguished of heart, terrors of death, fear and trembling, overwhelming horror. vs. 1-5 At this point, he no longer has any fight in him, and just wants to flee. I can totally relate to these things, having suffered for many years from chronic anxiety and panic disorder. I could end up there again, but I have learned to deal with fear when it's still in its "dread" stage. When I sense dread becoming a dark cloud in my life, I go to the Lord and ask Him to shed some light on its causes.
Continuing in Psalm 55, David lists some causes for the fear he is experiencing. We all have different things we fear-- things we're dealing with internally and externally. It's good to face the things we fear, and to face the fact that we're fearful, but the cause is not really the issue. The cure is what matters.
"But I call upon God, and the Lord will save me. . . cast your burden on the Lord, and He will sustain you. . . I will trust in [God]." vs 16, 22
Dread can lead to avoidance of the very things we love and need the most, and doing that can easily lead to depression. If for some reason you begin to feel a dread of going to the Lord for help or just to be with Him, determine in yourself now that you will resist that dread with determination to overcome. If we give in to dread on a regular basis, the subtle fear will eventually become an overwhelming phobia. Satan would love for you to have a "God-phobia" so you would avoid Him at all costs. This is not the holy "fear of the Lord," but a deadly deception. Cry out to the Lord for help whenever you begin to feel dread concerning Him or His Word.
The Psalmist had some fear to deal with as well. In Psalm 55 you can see a progression of feelings: troubled, distraught, anguished of heart, terrors of death, fear and trembling, overwhelming horror. vs. 1-5 At this point, he no longer has any fight in him, and just wants to flee. I can totally relate to these things, having suffered for many years from chronic anxiety and panic disorder. I could end up there again, but I have learned to deal with fear when it's still in its "dread" stage. When I sense dread becoming a dark cloud in my life, I go to the Lord and ask Him to shed some light on its causes.
Continuing in Psalm 55, David lists some causes for the fear he is experiencing. We all have different things we fear-- things we're dealing with internally and externally. It's good to face the things we fear, and to face the fact that we're fearful, but the cause is not really the issue. The cure is what matters.
"But I call upon God, and the Lord will save me. . . cast your burden on the Lord, and He will sustain you. . . I will trust in [God]." vs 16, 22
Dread can lead to avoidance of the very things we love and need the most, and doing that can easily lead to depression. If for some reason you begin to feel a dread of going to the Lord for help or just to be with Him, determine in yourself now that you will resist that dread with determination to overcome. If we give in to dread on a regular basis, the subtle fear will eventually become an overwhelming phobia. Satan would love for you to have a "God-phobia" so you would avoid Him at all costs. This is not the holy "fear of the Lord," but a deadly deception. Cry out to the Lord for help whenever you begin to feel dread concerning Him or His Word.
Monday, February 22, 2010
February 21, 2010
I noticed some different ways of receiving healing in today's Scripture: it all had to do with people's faith, of course, since He often said " your faith has made you well" Mark 5:34
Sometimes people will be in a place where they will press through whatever, on their own, and come into Christ's presence, touch Him and receive His power to heal them. Others will come to Jesus for help, but will need Him to accompany them and reassure them, touch them or the person who is sick, and defend them from whatever will hinder their faith.
So many times we need a healing touch, and an encouraging word-- and we need it to come to us through a touchable person. I want to be the kind of person who can give these things, to take someone's hand and help them up, whether it be physically or emotionally, since that is what Jesus so often did. He is still moved by compassion, and He wants to heal through us. I want His power ("virtue") to go out from me, don't you?
Sometimes people will be in a place where they will press through whatever, on their own, and come into Christ's presence, touch Him and receive His power to heal them. Others will come to Jesus for help, but will need Him to accompany them and reassure them, touch them or the person who is sick, and defend them from whatever will hinder their faith.
So many times we need a healing touch, and an encouraging word-- and we need it to come to us through a touchable person. I want to be the kind of person who can give these things, to take someone's hand and help them up, whether it be physically or emotionally, since that is what Jesus so often did. He is still moved by compassion, and He wants to heal through us. I want His power ("virtue") to go out from me, don't you?
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
February 16, 2010
Sometimes I just have to be quiet and comtemplate the awesomeness of the Lord. How the glory of God filled the tabernacle when they were obedient, how Jesus healed the multitudes and still took time to be alone with the Father. How He defends us and encourages us when we're weak. Isn't our God great?! "Great is the Lord who delights in the welfare of His servant." Ps 35:27
Friday, January 22, 2010
January 22, 2010
When I read the Matthew passage for today, I couldn't help thinking of Haiti. Jesus had compassion on the multitudes and healed their sick. Then when they needed food, he multiplied the loaves and fish. I think we don't have much trouble seeing Jesus doing these things, if we believe in Him. But what if we could see ourselves doing these things?
Some people act like that's heresy, to say we could do what Jesus did. But He told the disciples, "They need not go away; you give them something to eat." Matthew 14:16 He was trying to get them to see what He was passing on to them-- what He could do through them if they would just believe. Peter walked on the water-- he got a little glimpse.
Sometimes I think I have a little glimpse, but I'm not doing it yet. I see it though, and if we can see it we can go there! In a world so wracked by disasters, famine and pestilence the children of God are the ones who can deliver: everything that God is and has. I know this to be true. I am praying for it to come to fulfillment.
Some people act like that's heresy, to say we could do what Jesus did. But He told the disciples, "They need not go away; you give them something to eat." Matthew 14:16 He was trying to get them to see what He was passing on to them-- what He could do through them if they would just believe. Peter walked on the water-- he got a little glimpse.
Sometimes I think I have a little glimpse, but I'm not doing it yet. I see it though, and if we can see it we can go there! In a world so wracked by disasters, famine and pestilence the children of God are the ones who can deliver: everything that God is and has. I know this to be true. I am praying for it to come to fulfillment.
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