Heaven's Will and Earth Collide

What is it that stopped Jesus in His tracks to tend to Bartimaeus' need in Luke 18:35-43? 

Here's a man who thought money or goods were his greatest need as he sat on the road begging that day.  That is until he overhears that Jesus is passing by.   Something stirs within him.  His spirit leaps when he hears that the Man of Compassion is in his midst.   Faith arises.  Bartimaeus becomes desperate to receive more than what a fallen world had dealt him.   He becomes bold.   He pushes past the fear of men; men, who had sight, yet were blind to what his soul was reaching for.   He refuses to keep silent.   He no longer accepts “the bad report,” but to trust in the Name above all names. 

 

Heaven’s will and earth collided that day.  Bartimaeus walked away with far more than eyes that could see, but a life changing encounter with Love Himself.  

 

 

Begging for what I thought

To be life’s greatest need

Until Love’s presence passed me by

And my soul cried to be freed

 

Refusing to keep quiet

A heart in desperate plea

To reach the ears of Messiah

Simple words - that I believe

 

Unashamed persistence

Abandoned fear of man

Confident pursuit in the One

Who holds my need in His hands

Relentless in pursuit

Crying out all the more

The King of Glory turns to me

“What is it your soul longs for?”

 

Simple faith and confidence

Stopped Mercy in His tracks

Healing my sight to fully see

True Love move on my behalf

 

-etb

It's Time

 

Prisoners function, but they're not free. We often learn to function in dysfunction - emotional, mental, physical, spiritual - becoming so accustomed to bondage that we settle with the condition. 

We learn to live with it. 


It becomes comfortable.   


It becomes familiar.


It becomes normal.    

Functioning through life but never free!

You are meant for so much more. Going through the motions of life isn't living.  It's time to quit settling!  It's time to stop seeing yourself through the lens of your past.  It's time to stop defaulting back to the familiar because it's what your mind has been conditioned to. It's time to aspire beyond limits others have led you to believe that you have. It's time to make a decision.


Quit hiding the chains. Quit bringing color to them through excuses as to why it's okay to remain bound. A finely decorated prison cell is still a prison cell. 

 It's time to kick off the shackles and reposition.  Your environment, your choice of entertainment, or the people you surround yourself with may have to change in order for you to blossom into all you were created you to be. You may want what's best for others, but not everyone wants what is best for you. Our choices deeply matter.  Life is too short to remain indecisive. Don't let not making a decision become your decision. Lost time can't be purchased back.
 
 Jesus came to set us free!  It's time...


^"The Spirit of the Lord [is] upon Me, because He has anointed Me [the Anointed One, the Messiah] to preach the good news (the Gospel) to the poor; He has sent Me to announce release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to send forth as delivered those who are oppressed [who are downtrodden, bruised, crushed, and broken down by calamity]." Luke 4:18

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pD2zIuiC2g 

Worth It

As I walked one afternoon, I began meditating on a couple of scriptures that may be quite familiar to some of you:

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

 “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

 

God loved us smack dab in the middle of our sin.  He demonstrated His love while we rejected Him.  He poured His life out as an offering with the chance we may never love Him back.  Why would He lay Himself down for us in the midst of our wickedness? Why would He provide a way of escape for us when we lived a life that mocked His ways?  Why?  In that moment of question, I felt Him gently speak, “Not because you're worthy of it, but because you're WORTH IT.”

 

Immediately I was reminded:

 

“This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” John 15:12

It is not a suggestion, but a commandment to love as He loved.  We are called to love those who do not deserve it.  It's far more than voicing the words "I love you."  Love is a verb and demands action.  It is demonstrated in our choices, in our attitudes, in our words spoken towards EVERYONE… yes, even the unlovely.  Yes, even the one who disrespects you, the one who speaks evil of you, the one who has smeared your name, the one who has broken your heart, corrupt leaders, misguided politicians, the harsh boss that takes you for granted…

We have become so accustomed to the thought that we need to only respect and love those who are deserving of it and those who have earned it.  God’s ways are much higher than our human logic:

“You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy; But I tell you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you to show that you are the children of your Father Who is in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the wicked and on the good, and makes the rain fall upon the upright and the wrongdoers alike. For if you love those who love you, what reward can you have? Do not even the tax collectors do that?  And if you greet only your brethren, what more than others are you doing? Do not even the heathen do that?  You, therefore, must be perfect [growing into complete maturity of godliness in mind and character, having reached the proper height of virtue and integrity], as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Matthew 5:42-48

Each one of us was once lost in our sin and living a life separated from God… and yet - Jesus found us WORTH IT.  When we are tempted to pull our judgmental swords and  withhold “the love of God that has been shed abroad in our hearts” let’s remember where we came from and love those who have not yet found The Way. 

"And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?"  Romans 2:3-4

The goodness of God.  The goodness of God in what Jesus already did, the goodness of God in our everyday lives, and could it also be the goodness of God THROUGH US to others that will lead them to true repentance?  

 

May our love walk demonstrate the God who loved “while we were yet sinners.” May God's love in action - in us - be the very tool that gains us access to speak the Truth into those people’s lives who Jesus found WORTH IT! J

 

Memorial Day

 

Father, thank You for Jesus - the One who willingly laid His life down for our eternal freedom.

Thank You for the men and women who have served and are currently serving our country. Like Jesus, they have committed themselves and their time for the sake of freedom. They have unselfishly laid down their lives for us and even a future generation yet unborn.

Thank You for the Holy Spirit, our Comforter. Comfort the families who have lost their loved ones while battling for our country's freedom. We are so thankful for the price they've paid. Comfort the families whose loved ones are away. Give them strength and courage to face each day.

We lift up those who are on the battle lines now and those who could be called at any time. We pray for their protection and safe return. We pray that their purpose in fighting for our peace not be in vain.

We pray for the servicemen and women who do not know You. Send laborers into their path. May the blinders be removed and their eyes be opened to the Gospel message. We pray Jesus would become their hope and comfort; that they would then unashamedly share their experience with Him to others. We pray for a domino effect - that the saving message and love of Jesus would spread like wild fire!

We pray that the United States would fall in love with You. We pray that revival would be sparked in the hearts of all - that a great awakening would strike the land and Jesus would be glorified in America. Bless our country, Father. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arSiv9PRo04


https://thewarriorsjourney.org/

Trust Him

 

As Jesus spoke to the multitude of people, He said things that didn’t make sense to their natural mind.  Much of it sounded quite bizarre; leading some to think that He was a crazy man.  At the conclusion of His talk, the Bible says:

 

“From this time many of His disciples turned back and no longer followed Him.  "Do you also want to go away?" Jesus asked the Twelve.  Simon Peter answered Him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”

 

Notice that Peter doesn’t stop there, but goes on to say, “Also we have come to BELIEVE and KNOW that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”  (John 6:66-69)

 

When we come to the realization that Jesus IS who He says He is, we can fully trust Him when He tells us something or directs us in a way that doesn’t make sense to us.  We can trust Him even when the multitude mocks and when those who once followed Him walk away. 

 

“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:9)

 

TRUST HIM!  And trust that His plans for you ARE good! (Jeremiah 29:11) :)

Do You Love Me?

 

"Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me."

It's an amazing concept that whatever we do to others, good or bad, we are doing to Jesus Himself.  Verbal confession of our love for God is not a true measure of our relationship with Him.  Our level of love and commitment are equivalent in how we treat others!   

Are we kind or sharp tongued?  Do we use our words to build up or tear down?  Do we take time to listen to others or do we tune them out if we deem it irrelevant?  Do we lay down our agenda to help or do we find that doing for others is an interruption to our lives?  Do we have a cheerful heart when we serve or do we grumble and complain when it’s not accompanied with recognition?  Are we quick to give when there is a need or do we hoard what we have?  Do we understand that God blessed us in order to get His blessing to others or do we see it as our hard work and accomplishments for only us to enjoy?  Are we selfless or selfish? 

The Scriptures are clear that God takes an account of everything - down to EVERY idle word we speak!  Is our day filled with encouraging words?  We have only so much time in a day; only so many breaths before our lives on earth are over.  What are we doing with them?  How are we using our numbered breaths that we are so fortunate to still have?

We are expected to exercise self control even when we are offended or irritated by another's actions.  Why?   Because we have to, in order to be effective lights for Jesus in a dark world.  We ultimately misrepresent and bring shame to His name when we choose unkindness and mistreatment of others.  It's the love of God that leads men to repentance.  If we can't love others with God's love, we cannot reach them for Christ.   

I think it’s also important to remember, this doesn’t just apply to how we interact with our neighbors, co-workers, fellow church goers, or family we see on occasion.  If we have any dose of  self-control at all, that can be fairly simple.  For those who are closest to us, it may not be as easy. However, the reality that how we treat them is how we are treating Jesus is still the same.  The way we treat those living under the same roof affects them greatly.  Our homes should be a safe haven of edification and peace.  A place where our children, when they are grown, can look back and say, “That is my goal for my family.”  Don’t create a life for them that leaves them with years of unraveling what childhood did to them.  We as parents will give account one day for this.  Did our actions draw our children to the hands of the Father or did their embittered spirits cause them to resist Him?  We have to remember, our actions bring the reactions in our children, not our words.  If our words and actions line up, this is healthy soil for our children to thrive.  If we are telling them to love God and love others and our actions are not so, our actions trump our words.  Woe to us who would cause them to stumble. Very scary thought, really.

"After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love Me more than these” “Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love You.”  “Then feed My lambs,” Jesus told him.  Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love Me?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love You.” “Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said.  A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, You know everything. You know that I love You.”  Jesus said, “Then feed My sheep." 

Our actions mirror our hearts.   Is there enough evidence in how we treat others to convict us of being true lovers of Jesus?  Jesus is asking us the same thing, "Do you love Me?"

(Matthew 25:31-45, Matthew 12:36, Matthew 5:14-16, Mark 9:42, Genesis 12:1-3, 2 Cor. 9:8-12, 1 Cor. 13, Prov. 12:25, Prov. 19:17, Prov. 25:11, Eph. 4:32)

Love Your Neighbor

 

 

Is it merely a rule to live by?  Is it a way to prove our love for God?  Do we do it in hopes for a "blessed life?"  Surely loving others should be an attribute of those who say they love God, and there are indeed blessings in obedience, but ultimately all guidelines that God lays out for us are laced with an eternal purpose much bigger than ourselves.

The way we live our lives isn't only about us.  It isn't about being able to put a check mark on the clean conscience section of our Christianity.  It isn't even about hearing one day, "Well done, you good and faithful servant."  It's about people.  It's about every single person that God so chooses to cross our paths.  Starting in our homes with our spouse and children and stretching through every phone conversation, email exchange, and our day to day interactions.  All people.  We love others and do good because it is the right thing to do, yes, but also because in doing so it touches lives... for Him. 

When Jesus walked the earth, He presented a way of living among the people that reflected the Father.  This God they read about, this God they heard about... Jesus brought a visual of who that God was.  He came with a face to show He is a reachable God; making Himself available to all who called upon Him.  He came with skin to reveal He is a touchable God.  He came as a friend to confide in, and yet a servant that ultimately laid down His life for not only His friends, but for those who rejected Him.

We are called to do the same.  We are to put a face to the God we serve to everyone we encounter in life.  Our interaction with others is so far beyond doing right and being a nice person.  It is for the sake of THAT person.  We may never know on this side of Heaven what our influence will do, but it is so worth it.  Allowing God to shed His love upon others through us, what a privilege and responsibility to take seriously.

Think about this! Those who lowered the Apostle Paul through the window to escape the death threat on his life were actually letting down 13 books of the Bible! You never know the affect you have when you do something to help or encourage another... Your act of love could reshape one's entire future.  A generational domino effect!  :)

Woman at the Well

 

 

"You've been married FIVE times, are living with a man, and engaging in sex before marriage." 

Words of condemnation?  Was Jesus telling her she was unclean and needed to repent? OR were these words of compassion spoken from Love Himself? Perhaps revealing her secret in order to receive her heart.

He knew her.  He knew her pain. He knew her past.  He knew her present.   At that very moment, Jesus became the face of the Father that loves us no matter how stained and soiled we are.    Right smack dab in the middle of her mess, He initiates a relationship with her. 

This woman knew all about religion and the law.  I’m sure her family taught her the rules and traditions of what "worship" was to look like.  Yet her heart still ached.  There was a void that wasn't being filled by knowing all the right things to say and do.  She probably mastered the "art" of appearing religious, while maintaining a hidden lifestyle.   She grew to understand that acceptance and love are only given when you act a certain way and maintain a certain look.  Yet Jesus comes along and shows her another way.  He wasn’t interested in her weekly "timecard punch” at church, her singing a few songs, her fluent Christian lingo, or her proper and polite speech...  He wanted her eyes to be opened to true worship. Worship is about Him having all of her, and her having all of Him.  True worship is birthed out of relationship. 

He says, "I want you to understand My heart toward you.  I want you to know that I love you regardless of yourself.  I know all your weaknesses and sin struggles, and I still love you.  I already know that apart from My Spirit you cannot fix it yourself.  It’s out of a love relationship with Me where your true freedom is found.  Stop trying.  Stop beating yourself up because you keep messing up.  The more you drink of My life-giving water, you will learn how to just be.  It won't be striving anymore for you.  The only "doing" you need is to stay close to Me.   Staying close to Me is what worship is all about.  As I pour into you, who I've created you to be will come out naturally."

 

 

Drawing from a source

That is only temporary

A thirst never quenched

Issues only buried

 

A desire that is craved

But you never truly get

No matter how much you have

The need is never met

 

Come see what I offer

You’ll never again thirst

It’ll become a well within you

In which eternal life is birthed

 

If I told you all your secrets

And counted your failed tries

Would you draw from My well?

Where you’ll finally be satisfied?

 

(John 4)

 

Worth It

As I walked one afternoon, I meditated on what may be two familiar verses to some:

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

 “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

 

God loved us smack dab in the middle of our sin.  He demonstrated His love while we rejected Him.  He poured His life out as an offering with the chance we may never love Him back.  Why would He lay Himself down for us in the midst of our wickedness? Why would He provide a way of escape for us when we lived a life that mocked His ways?  Why?  In that moment of question, I felt Him gently speak, “Not because you were worthy of it, but because you were WORTH IT.”

 

Immediately I was reminded:

 

“This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” John 15:12

It is not a suggestion, but a commandment to love as He loved.  We are called to love those who do not deserve it.  Just saying we love people isn’t what He meant.  Love is a verb.  It is demonstrated in our actions, in our attitudes, in our words towards EVERYONE… even the unlovely.  Yes, even the one who disrespects you, the one who speaks evil of you, the one who has smeared your name, the one who has broken your heart, corrupt leaders, misguided politicians, the harsh boss that takes you for granted…

We've become accustomed to the idea that we are only to respect and love those who have earned it and are deserving of it. However, God's ways are much higher than our human logic:

“You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy; But I tell you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you to show that you are the children of your Father Who is in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the wicked and on the good, and makes the rain fall upon the upright and the wrongdoers alike. For if you love those who love you, what reward can you have? Do not even the tax collectors do that?  And if you greet only your brethren, what more than others are you doing? Do not even the heathen do that?  You, therefore, must be perfect [growing into complete maturity of godliness in mind and character, having reached the proper height of virtue and integrity], as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Matthew 5:42-48

Each of us was once lost in our sin and living a life separated from God… and yet - Jesus found us WORTH IT.  When we're tempted to pull our judgmental swords and withhold “the love of God that has been shed abroad in our hearts” let’s remember where we came from and love those who have not yet found The Way. 

"And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?"  Romans 2:3-4

The goodness of God.  The goodness of God in what Jesus already did, the goodness of God in our everyday lives, and could it also be the goodness of God THROUGH US to others that will lead them to true repentance?  

 

May our love walk demonstrate the God who loved “while we were yet sinners.” May God's love in action - in us - be the very tool that gains us access to speak the Truth into those people’s lives who Jesus found WORTH IT! J

 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xx0d3R2LoU