Dull, but Loved
By Shirley Mitchell
"And He said, 'Are you also even yet dull and ignorant (without understanding and unable to put things together)?' "
Matthew 15:16 (Amp)
"One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him."
John 13:23
In John Mac Arthur's book Twelve Ordinary Men, he says that Jesus "chose to work through the instrumentality of those few fallible individuals rather than advance His agenda through mob force, military might, personal popularity, or a public - relations campaign." Jesus was not about using strategies to enlarge His group of followers. He did not use marketing techniques. He preached the truth, confronted the religious establishment, and focused on transforming individual lives.
The most amazing part of His strategy is that not only did He use twelve disciples who were not perfect, at times, they were difficult to tolerate. InLuke 8, the disciples wake up Jesus who is sleeping through the storm because they think they are going to drown. Jesus rebuked the wind and the raging waters, and the storm subsides. Then He asked them disappointedly, "Where is your faith?" In Luke 9, when Jesus comes down from the Mountain of Transfiguration with Peter, James, and John, the other nine disciples cannot cast the demon out of the boy - even though they had cast out evil spirits previously. Jesus said, "O unbelieving and perverse generation. How long shall I stay with you and put up with you?" Also in Luke 9, the disciples argued about who would be the greatest. Jesus tells them that whoever is the least will be the greatest. In Matthew 15 when the disciples do not understand the parable, Jesus asked them, "Are you still so dull?" In John 14, on Jesus' last night with them, Philip asked Him to show them the Father and that would be enough. Jesus answered him, "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father."
They were slow learners. They could be spiritually dense. They made mistakes. Their faith failed. They may have frustrated Him and abandoned Him when He needed them the most, but they were His disciples. And He loved them. They knew it. Above all other emotions, the prevailing one Jesus demonstrated to them was love.
The disciple John refers to himself by a title which underscores Jesus' prevailing attitude toward this group of frustrating men. He repeatedly calls himself, "the disciple whom Jesus loved" (John 13:23, John 20:2, John 21:7, John 21:20).
In a recently released movie, a man is recounting the love story of two young people to a lovely woman with Alzheimer's disease in a nursing home where they live. The man is her husband telling her the story of how they fell in love. Every day, he tells it to her in the hope that she will remember him for a few moments. The majority of the movie is scenes from their youth when they fell in love. However, by the end of the movie, the interesting part of the story is no longer the couple in their youth but the couple at the end of their days. The love of the elderly couple had built a life together, endured time, survived hardships, and the loss of physical and mental abilities. While the circumstances of their physical life had worsened, their love for each other had grown even deeper. The love between a man and a woman can be different from God's love in some ways. In other ways, it gives us a picture of God's heart for us and our response to His love. Usually, the love in movies is a dream. No person can love another like that! However, God can. He can love us better than our dreams.
John was taught much about love. He changed from one fighting to be the greatest to one who talked repeatedly about Jesus' love and loving each other. Decades after Jesus left, John still identified himself in his writings by the description meaning the most to him throughout his life - "the disciple whom Jesus loved." This love grew deep roots and invaded his entire being. This love endured time. This love deepened through the hardships. This love built a life together. This love defined who he had become.
Oh, precious one, do we really understand Jesus loves us this deeply, too? He wants His love and our love in return to grow deep roots. He wants this love between Him and you and between Him and me to invade our entire being. This love should sustain us through hardships. This love should build a life together. This love should define who I am and who you are. Does it? Has it invaded you? Is it shaping who you are becoming? Oh, how I pray that we let this love shape every part of our being.
Pray with me: Almighty God, thank You for loving us so much! We know that we can be frustrating at times. We know we can be slow, dull, and faithless. Thank You for being patient with us. Thank You for loving us more than we can imagine. May this love build a life together with You, define who we are, and last a lifetime. It's in the Name above all names, in Jesus' Name, Yeshua's Name, we pray. Amen.
Excerpt from the Jesus Lives Bible study
Copyright 2009 © Christ Compels
"For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again." 2 Corinthians 5:14-15
Friday, July 31, 2009
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Light into the Darkness
Light into the Darkness
By Shirley Mitchell
Interview of Terri MacGregor
For more information go to: www.sonlightpower.org/tmacgreg
"I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
John 8:12b
My very good friend Terri and I have studied the Bible together for years at work. We have laughed and cried together as God has revealed Himself to us through His Word. We also have been in the Lexington Passion Play which portrays Jesus' last days on earth. One year the director put us short girls on the front row, and we called it "praise row" because Terri and I truly love to worship Him and don't mind letting it show.
Through the process of getting her master's degree in engineering, God revealed to Terri her calling. She had been praying for years that God would use her engineering degree for His kingdom. God answered her by giving her the passion to bring electricity to some of the poorest people in the world through installing solar panels. God connected her to a non-profit ministry called SonLight Power that changes the lives of people in Central and South America as well as Africa. She went on her first solar mission trip to Honduras in June and is headed back in July. Terri said "This is the kind of thing I've always dreamed of doing. I really believe I am making a significant difference in someone else's life, and it feels great."
These people live in areas where there is not a supply of affordable electricity. I never realized how much having electricity impacts our lives in the USA and how much it hinders other people's lives in the quality of their medical care, in their education for their children, and in their everyday life. The people are not just poor in monetary terms, but they are poor in spirit. They have lost hope. Some of these places are the most spiritually dark places on earth. When Terri and the team arrived, they brought hope to them. They showed that they care about them by meeting their physical needs. It proved to the people that God loves them and opened the door for them to listen to the Gospel of Jesus Messiah.
With tears in his eyes, one father said of this ministry, "You have taken the machete out of my daughter's hand." His daughter has the opportunity to have a better life and to not toil in the fields. Terri went to one school where the children prayed every day for a year to have their school selected for a solar panel system. God answered their prayers by sending Terri's team. She went to a medical clinic that did not have a working refrigerator. Through her work, they are now able to keep life-saving medicines for the people.
When I think about many things that people are able to do in this physical world because of light, it makes the Scriptures come alive about what we have in the spiritual realm. Jesus said in John 8:12, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." A man who walks in the dark does not know where he is going (John 12:35). We are a royal priesthood called out of the darkness into His wonderful light and are commanded to live as children of the light (1 Peter 2:9 & Ephesians 5:8). We are to put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light (Romans 13:12).
Just like the people whom Terri is serving no longer have to live in physical darkness, believers were not intended to live in spiritual darkness where there is sorrow, oppression, despair, and sin. We are to live in the light. We are commanded to live as people who have received the blessings of the light. These people in Honduras are examples to us of what God has done spiritually for every Christian and what He longs to do for every believer. Because Jesus is the Light, we never have to walk in spiritual poverty and blindness again.
Pray with me: Oh, Jesus, You are the great light to people living in darkness (Matthew 4:16). We lift up Terri and the mission team traveling to Honduras this weekend. We pray for their protection from the enemy and from all harm. We ask, LORD, that You give them the eyes of Elisha to see into the spiritual realm and the wisdom and discernment so they can take action for whatever they encounter. May the people they are serving have their eyes opened to the Gospel. Lord of the harvest, send more workers to the harvest because the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. It's in the Name above all names, in Jesus' Name, Yeshua's Name, we pray. Amen.
Copyright 2009 © Christ Compels
By Shirley Mitchell
Interview of Terri MacGregor
For more information go to: www.sonlightpower.org/tmacgreg
"I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
John 8:12b
My very good friend Terri and I have studied the Bible together for years at work. We have laughed and cried together as God has revealed Himself to us through His Word. We also have been in the Lexington Passion Play which portrays Jesus' last days on earth. One year the director put us short girls on the front row, and we called it "praise row" because Terri and I truly love to worship Him and don't mind letting it show.
Through the process of getting her master's degree in engineering, God revealed to Terri her calling. She had been praying for years that God would use her engineering degree for His kingdom. God answered her by giving her the passion to bring electricity to some of the poorest people in the world through installing solar panels. God connected her to a non-profit ministry called SonLight Power that changes the lives of people in Central and South America as well as Africa. She went on her first solar mission trip to Honduras in June and is headed back in July. Terri said "This is the kind of thing I've always dreamed of doing. I really believe I am making a significant difference in someone else's life, and it feels great."
These people live in areas where there is not a supply of affordable electricity. I never realized how much having electricity impacts our lives in the USA and how much it hinders other people's lives in the quality of their medical care, in their education for their children, and in their everyday life. The people are not just poor in monetary terms, but they are poor in spirit. They have lost hope. Some of these places are the most spiritually dark places on earth. When Terri and the team arrived, they brought hope to them. They showed that they care about them by meeting their physical needs. It proved to the people that God loves them and opened the door for them to listen to the Gospel of Jesus Messiah.
With tears in his eyes, one father said of this ministry, "You have taken the machete out of my daughter's hand." His daughter has the opportunity to have a better life and to not toil in the fields. Terri went to one school where the children prayed every day for a year to have their school selected for a solar panel system. God answered their prayers by sending Terri's team. She went to a medical clinic that did not have a working refrigerator. Through her work, they are now able to keep life-saving medicines for the people.
When I think about many things that people are able to do in this physical world because of light, it makes the Scriptures come alive about what we have in the spiritual realm. Jesus said in John 8:12, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." A man who walks in the dark does not know where he is going (John 12:35). We are a royal priesthood called out of the darkness into His wonderful light and are commanded to live as children of the light (1 Peter 2:9 & Ephesians 5:8). We are to put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light (Romans 13:12).
Just like the people whom Terri is serving no longer have to live in physical darkness, believers were not intended to live in spiritual darkness where there is sorrow, oppression, despair, and sin. We are to live in the light. We are commanded to live as people who have received the blessings of the light. These people in Honduras are examples to us of what God has done spiritually for every Christian and what He longs to do for every believer. Because Jesus is the Light, we never have to walk in spiritual poverty and blindness again.
Pray with me: Oh, Jesus, You are the great light to people living in darkness (Matthew 4:16). We lift up Terri and the mission team traveling to Honduras this weekend. We pray for their protection from the enemy and from all harm. We ask, LORD, that You give them the eyes of Elisha to see into the spiritual realm and the wisdom and discernment so they can take action for whatever they encounter. May the people they are serving have their eyes opened to the Gospel. Lord of the harvest, send more workers to the harvest because the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. It's in the Name above all names, in Jesus' Name, Yeshua's Name, we pray. Amen.
Copyright 2009 © Christ Compels
Monday, July 27, 2009
Who Am I?
Who Am I?
By Shirley Mitchell
“Then King David went in and sat before the LORD, and he said: ‘Who am I, O Sovereign LORD, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?...Is this your usual way of dealing with man, O Sovereign LORD?...How great you are, O Sovereign LORD! There is no one like you, and there is no God but you...”
2 Samuel 7:18, 19b, 22a
King David was known as a man after God’s own heart (1 Samuel 13:14). He showed his passion for God in the many psalms of praise that he wrote. He showed his love for God when after all the years that he had to run from Saul, David is finally made king and lives in the palace. When David reflects on the fact that he is living in splendor, but the ark of God is in a tent, he decides to build a temple for the ark. The Word of the Lord came to Nathan that night changing their very good plan.
The Lord told Nathan that this bright idea was not His idea. Instead, God moved from place to place with a tent as His dwelling as long as His people were mobile. Then He said to David, “I took you from the pasture and from following the flock to be ruler over my people Israel. I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies from before you. Now I will make your name great, like the names of the greatest men of the earth.” When David died, God would raise up his son to succeed him, and God would establish His kingdom. This son would build a house for God. Then He promises in verse 16, “Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.”
Nathan told David this entire revelation. David went in and sat before the Lord. The Hebrew word gives the image of David on his knees, rolling back and forth. He prayed the prayer in today’s Scripture. I imagine he was quite shaken knowing that God had singled him out from the pasture, to be ruler, to know his son would be blessed to build the temple, and to be the head of a dynasty that would endure forever and ever. The first words out of his mouth were, “Who am I?” David was saying, “Why do I deserve this honor, Lord? I had no idea that God would ever relate to man like this. I am amazed.” I think David’s “Who am I?” moment was one of the greatest moments of his life.
One of the greatest experiences of my life was my “Who am I?” moment. The story begins when God orchestrated for my friend Pam and me to meet two women who became two of my best friends at a Cracker Barrel restaurant just south of Cincinnati after the popular Christian teacher Beth Moore’s speaking engagement called Living Proof Live (LPL). One of them, Carla, was going to be the event coordinator for the LPL event the following summer. These women combined with three other women to form the event planning committee. God glued these godly women together. Incredible friendships were formed that have endured the passing of time.
Carla asked me to write a 14-day devotional for the event. I had only written a few devotions for my church’s newsletter at the time. She trusted the Holy Spirit within me. I had to trust God to give me the words. God wrote every word on every page. It was a beautiful masterpiece because it showed how God can take the pen or control the keyboard to make sure His messages get communicated.
On the night of the actual event, the speaker Beth mentioned part of a devotion because she had done it herself. When Beth talked about it and she mentioned the story that I wrote about Sophia, I couldn’t believe she talked about my daughter and me in front of all those people! I just felt like David when he learned that God would bless his son with the honor to build his temple.
There were 18,000 women there who would have loved for Beth to read their devotions and mention them to such a large audience. Out of 18,000 women, He chose me. Nothing of what she said in the next minutes entered my mind. My thoughts were that I should run out of the arena to the preparation rooms in the back, fall on my knees, throw my hands up in the air, and exclaim, “Who am I?” like David did!
I felt like God pressed a soft hand to my head and told my spirit, “No child, you sit right there and listen to every word of this. You’ve prayed to hear my Word taught by Beth for over a year. You’ve led others in what to pray. It is time for you to let my Spirit fall on you. Take the honor I give to you and enjoy it.”
All I could think about was who am I? Who am I? What am I that God would bestow such an honor upon me and my family? God is so loving to deal with me this way! I deserved to be in broken pieces; yet, He put me back together and honored me. I am a sinner and the worst of sinners. My past is so ugly, and my reputation was so soiled.
Yet, in one moment, God showed me His pleasure with me. He bestowed upon me honor. He is incredible! He removes the shame of the repentant. He gives honor to those who have a heart for Him. Those who seek Him are blessed with riches that the world does not know. If you need this, also, Beloved, He can do it for you, too! Give Him everything you have, and He will give you 10-fold, 100-fold back and more. Fall passionately in love with Him and make Him everything in Your life. Then see how God showers you with His love.
Pray with me: Oh, Dear Heavenly Father, only You can bring us far from our destructive nature, remove our sins, and give us an honorable reputation. I ask that every person praying these words will have their “Who Am I” moment when You astound them and knock the breath out of them. May our faithfulness result in our loved ones being blessed by You. It’s in the Name above all names, in Jesus’ Name, Yeshua’s Name, we pray. Amen.
Copyright ©2009 Christ Compels
By Shirley Mitchell
“Then King David went in and sat before the LORD, and he said: ‘Who am I, O Sovereign LORD, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?...Is this your usual way of dealing with man, O Sovereign LORD?...How great you are, O Sovereign LORD! There is no one like you, and there is no God but you...”
2 Samuel 7:18, 19b, 22a
King David was known as a man after God’s own heart (1 Samuel 13:14). He showed his passion for God in the many psalms of praise that he wrote. He showed his love for God when after all the years that he had to run from Saul, David is finally made king and lives in the palace. When David reflects on the fact that he is living in splendor, but the ark of God is in a tent, he decides to build a temple for the ark. The Word of the Lord came to Nathan that night changing their very good plan.
The Lord told Nathan that this bright idea was not His idea. Instead, God moved from place to place with a tent as His dwelling as long as His people were mobile. Then He said to David, “I took you from the pasture and from following the flock to be ruler over my people Israel. I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies from before you. Now I will make your name great, like the names of the greatest men of the earth.” When David died, God would raise up his son to succeed him, and God would establish His kingdom. This son would build a house for God. Then He promises in verse 16, “Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.”
Nathan told David this entire revelation. David went in and sat before the Lord. The Hebrew word gives the image of David on his knees, rolling back and forth. He prayed the prayer in today’s Scripture. I imagine he was quite shaken knowing that God had singled him out from the pasture, to be ruler, to know his son would be blessed to build the temple, and to be the head of a dynasty that would endure forever and ever. The first words out of his mouth were, “Who am I?” David was saying, “Why do I deserve this honor, Lord? I had no idea that God would ever relate to man like this. I am amazed.” I think David’s “Who am I?” moment was one of the greatest moments of his life.
One of the greatest experiences of my life was my “Who am I?” moment. The story begins when God orchestrated for my friend Pam and me to meet two women who became two of my best friends at a Cracker Barrel restaurant just south of Cincinnati after the popular Christian teacher Beth Moore’s speaking engagement called Living Proof Live (LPL). One of them, Carla, was going to be the event coordinator for the LPL event the following summer. These women combined with three other women to form the event planning committee. God glued these godly women together. Incredible friendships were formed that have endured the passing of time.
Carla asked me to write a 14-day devotional for the event. I had only written a few devotions for my church’s newsletter at the time. She trusted the Holy Spirit within me. I had to trust God to give me the words. God wrote every word on every page. It was a beautiful masterpiece because it showed how God can take the pen or control the keyboard to make sure His messages get communicated.
On the night of the actual event, the speaker Beth mentioned part of a devotion because she had done it herself. When Beth talked about it and she mentioned the story that I wrote about Sophia, I couldn’t believe she talked about my daughter and me in front of all those people! I just felt like David when he learned that God would bless his son with the honor to build his temple.
There were 18,000 women there who would have loved for Beth to read their devotions and mention them to such a large audience. Out of 18,000 women, He chose me. Nothing of what she said in the next minutes entered my mind. My thoughts were that I should run out of the arena to the preparation rooms in the back, fall on my knees, throw my hands up in the air, and exclaim, “Who am I?” like David did!
I felt like God pressed a soft hand to my head and told my spirit, “No child, you sit right there and listen to every word of this. You’ve prayed to hear my Word taught by Beth for over a year. You’ve led others in what to pray. It is time for you to let my Spirit fall on you. Take the honor I give to you and enjoy it.”
All I could think about was who am I? Who am I? What am I that God would bestow such an honor upon me and my family? God is so loving to deal with me this way! I deserved to be in broken pieces; yet, He put me back together and honored me. I am a sinner and the worst of sinners. My past is so ugly, and my reputation was so soiled.
Yet, in one moment, God showed me His pleasure with me. He bestowed upon me honor. He is incredible! He removes the shame of the repentant. He gives honor to those who have a heart for Him. Those who seek Him are blessed with riches that the world does not know. If you need this, also, Beloved, He can do it for you, too! Give Him everything you have, and He will give you 10-fold, 100-fold back and more. Fall passionately in love with Him and make Him everything in Your life. Then see how God showers you with His love.
Pray with me: Oh, Dear Heavenly Father, only You can bring us far from our destructive nature, remove our sins, and give us an honorable reputation. I ask that every person praying these words will have their “Who Am I” moment when You astound them and knock the breath out of them. May our faithfulness result in our loved ones being blessed by You. It’s in the Name above all names, in Jesus’ Name, Yeshua’s Name, we pray. Amen.
Copyright ©2009 Christ Compels
Thursday, July 23, 2009
He Knows
He Knows
By Shirley Mitchell
"All this also comes from the LORD Almighty, wonderful in counsel and magnificent in wisdom."
Isaiah 28:29
When my husband Doug needs some help finding things in the house, he doesn't go to me or our oldest two daughters. He asks our youngest daughter Victoria. When he doesn't know where he left his keys, she'll jump up, run to the exact location, and bound back to her father with the keys. When we forget what time a party starts, we ask Victoria (Tori). When we forget someone's name at school, Victoria remembers. Not only has this developed her confidence, it has brought out her personality. Almost every day an incident occurs. She will smile and put her pointer finger on the side of her head, tap her temple, and say, "Tori knooows, Tori knoooows."
Although she is only six-years-old, she doesn't miss much that is going on in our home. She observes, listens, and quickly jumps in to help. She usually has the right answer. On rare occasions she has not been right, and she says sadly, "Tori didn't know. Tori is only six and still learning."
Her quest for knowledge and wisdom is a picture of God for me. Our God is wonderful in counsel and magnificent in wisdom. He is omniscient which means, "having complete or unlimited knowledge, awareness, or understanding; perceiving all things. One having total knowledge." It is an attribute that can only be described of God. No one's counsel can compare to the counsel of the Lord. He understands the human heart and mind, and He knows every detail of the past, present, and future. Psalm 44:21 tells us that He knows the secrets of our hearts. Psalm 94:11 says that God knows the thoughts of man. Psalm 139 says that He knows our every movement, when we sit, rise, go out, and lie down. He perceives our thoughts and knows every word before it is on our tongues. He has ordained all of our days.
When I think about all the digital information available out there now, I am amazed that God knew it already. He already knew everything contained in public records, financial information, and medical records. Every day the world transfers billions of dollars, God knew about them and the motivations behind them. Everything that makes a Facebook entry and the ones that don't, He knows it all. Grocery stores and credit card companies are just now tracking where you and I spend our money, but God has known all along. Every day millions of people seek counsel either from a professional counselor or a trusted friend. God knows everything they share, and He is the one who can give the right counsel and wisdom.
If all of the information from all the universities in the world was collected in every subject - science, history, engineering, art, music, sociology, social work, psychology, education, architecture, finance, accounting, dentistry, and on and on, then our God would know it all.
He spent only six days creating the universe, and yet it is filled with His glory. Proverbs 3:19 tells us, "By wisdom the LORD laid the earth's foundations, by understanding he set the heavens in place; by his knowledge the deeps were divided, and the clouds let drop the dew." We see God's wisdom by how systematically nature is arranged. From the path of the sun, to the changing of the seasons, to the intricate designs of each form of life to live in their particular habitat, God was methodical in His creation. We see God reflecting His glory in the beauty of the earth from majestic waterfalls, to the rugged snow-capped mountains, to the meadows filled with flowers of the richest colors.
Proverbs 3:13-18 also tells us that wisdom and understanding is precious to us, too. It is more profitable than silver, and yields better returns than gold. It is more precious than rubies, and nothing we desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who embrace her; those who lay hold of her will be blessed.
Can you think with me of the things that happen every day that we don't know? I don't know how I'm going to get everything done for the day. I don't know which activities to say "yes" to and which to decline. I forget important things like people's birthdays. While I counsel many women, sometimes I can't solve my own problems. My friend Anne said to me something so precious. She said, "I started thinking I just don't know what is going to happen this year - with my ministry, with Israel. I don't know what the Lord has in store. Then God brought Jeremiah 29:11 to me in a new way. He said to me, "You don't know, Anne, but I know. For I know the plans I have for you.plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Our God is aware of everything. Let's allow Him to be our Counselor and give us His wisdom. Let's seek Him first in every decision and issue in our lives.
Pray with me: Oh, God, You are wonderful in counsel and magnificent in wisdom. You laid the foundations of the world in perfect wisdom, order, and beauty. You know the secrets of our hearts and the thoughts of our mind that we never shared with another. We trust You in Your perfect wisdom and love to deal with us. So we lay before You the things where we need Your counsel. We ask You, Lord, to give us the wisdom we need to guide our days so that we may live the life of blessing, honor, and bring glory to You. It's in the Name above all names, in Jesus' Name, Yeshua's Name, we pray. Amen.
Copyright 2009 © Christ Compels
By Shirley Mitchell
"All this also comes from the LORD Almighty, wonderful in counsel and magnificent in wisdom."
Isaiah 28:29
When my husband Doug needs some help finding things in the house, he doesn't go to me or our oldest two daughters. He asks our youngest daughter Victoria. When he doesn't know where he left his keys, she'll jump up, run to the exact location, and bound back to her father with the keys. When we forget what time a party starts, we ask Victoria (Tori). When we forget someone's name at school, Victoria remembers. Not only has this developed her confidence, it has brought out her personality. Almost every day an incident occurs. She will smile and put her pointer finger on the side of her head, tap her temple, and say, "Tori knooows, Tori knoooows."
Although she is only six-years-old, she doesn't miss much that is going on in our home. She observes, listens, and quickly jumps in to help. She usually has the right answer. On rare occasions she has not been right, and she says sadly, "Tori didn't know. Tori is only six and still learning."
Her quest for knowledge and wisdom is a picture of God for me. Our God is wonderful in counsel and magnificent in wisdom. He is omniscient which means, "having complete or unlimited knowledge, awareness, or understanding; perceiving all things. One having total knowledge." It is an attribute that can only be described of God. No one's counsel can compare to the counsel of the Lord. He understands the human heart and mind, and He knows every detail of the past, present, and future. Psalm 44:21 tells us that He knows the secrets of our hearts. Psalm 94:11 says that God knows the thoughts of man. Psalm 139 says that He knows our every movement, when we sit, rise, go out, and lie down. He perceives our thoughts and knows every word before it is on our tongues. He has ordained all of our days.
When I think about all the digital information available out there now, I am amazed that God knew it already. He already knew everything contained in public records, financial information, and medical records. Every day the world transfers billions of dollars, God knew about them and the motivations behind them. Everything that makes a Facebook entry and the ones that don't, He knows it all. Grocery stores and credit card companies are just now tracking where you and I spend our money, but God has known all along. Every day millions of people seek counsel either from a professional counselor or a trusted friend. God knows everything they share, and He is the one who can give the right counsel and wisdom.
If all of the information from all the universities in the world was collected in every subject - science, history, engineering, art, music, sociology, social work, psychology, education, architecture, finance, accounting, dentistry, and on and on, then our God would know it all.
He spent only six days creating the universe, and yet it is filled with His glory. Proverbs 3:19 tells us, "By wisdom the LORD laid the earth's foundations, by understanding he set the heavens in place; by his knowledge the deeps were divided, and the clouds let drop the dew." We see God's wisdom by how systematically nature is arranged. From the path of the sun, to the changing of the seasons, to the intricate designs of each form of life to live in their particular habitat, God was methodical in His creation. We see God reflecting His glory in the beauty of the earth from majestic waterfalls, to the rugged snow-capped mountains, to the meadows filled with flowers of the richest colors.
Proverbs 3:13-18 also tells us that wisdom and understanding is precious to us, too. It is more profitable than silver, and yields better returns than gold. It is more precious than rubies, and nothing we desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who embrace her; those who lay hold of her will be blessed.
Can you think with me of the things that happen every day that we don't know? I don't know how I'm going to get everything done for the day. I don't know which activities to say "yes" to and which to decline. I forget important things like people's birthdays. While I counsel many women, sometimes I can't solve my own problems. My friend Anne said to me something so precious. She said, "I started thinking I just don't know what is going to happen this year - with my ministry, with Israel. I don't know what the Lord has in store. Then God brought Jeremiah 29:11 to me in a new way. He said to me, "You don't know, Anne, but I know. For I know the plans I have for you.plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Our God is aware of everything. Let's allow Him to be our Counselor and give us His wisdom. Let's seek Him first in every decision and issue in our lives.
Pray with me: Oh, God, You are wonderful in counsel and magnificent in wisdom. You laid the foundations of the world in perfect wisdom, order, and beauty. You know the secrets of our hearts and the thoughts of our mind that we never shared with another. We trust You in Your perfect wisdom and love to deal with us. So we lay before You the things where we need Your counsel. We ask You, Lord, to give us the wisdom we need to guide our days so that we may live the life of blessing, honor, and bring glory to You. It's in the Name above all names, in Jesus' Name, Yeshua's Name, we pray. Amen.
Copyright 2009 © Christ Compels
Thursday, July 16, 2009
The Higher Call
The Higher Call
By Shirley Mitchell
"As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, 'I will follow you wherever you go.' Jesus replied, 'Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.' He said to another man, 'Follow me.' But the man replied, 'Lord, first let me go and bury my father. Jesus said to him, 'Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.' Still another said, 'I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say good-by to my family.' Jesus replied, 'No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.' "
Luke 9:57-62
I find this passage so interesting because it tells us that Jesus encountered many people who had to make a decision to follow Him, not just the 12 disciples who were specifically appointed. Many others received the opportunity of a lifetime, and Scripture records just a few in this passage to serve as a reminder to us that not everyone chooses to accept the call of Jesus.
To the first man, Jesus warns that a follower must be prepared for some loss. He says there is a loss of ownership. Jesus makes it clear that He is homeless. A follower will not have a place to lay his head. "My" and "mine" are gone for the sake of the kingdom. These are some of the first words children learn because they have a tendency to hoard their things. A follower will no longer be able to hoard and depend on his own provision. There is a loss of independence and security. Additionally, there is a loss of physical comfort. A follower trusts in God's decision for provision for each day whether God provides a warm bed, or at other times He provides a rock for a pillow.
The next two men (who decided to not follow Him) said the same words, "First let me go." One man wanted to bury his father first. Burying the dead was a sacred duty. We do not know if the father was dying or if he was already dead. We only know that the man wanted to do something else first. He was not ready to commit himself to follow Jesus. His words show an unwillingness to forsake the earthly life for the kingdom life. It shows an unwillingness to relinquish control to God for the next move. "First I must do what I want to do, Lord."
The last man wanted to tell his family goodbye. Jesus says "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God." He is referring to 1 Kings 19:19-21, when Elijah calls Elisha into the ministry. Elisha was plowing a field. He stopped and never looked back. Actually, he slaughtered the oxen as an offering to the Lord. This act removed any temptation to return to his former lifestyle. God wants us to be willing to abandon everything that gives us worldly security. We can't have one hand on the plow and one hand in His. Sooner or later we find that we are still anchored to that fixed point and can't continue until we sever the tie. We have stretched that rubber band to its breaking point.
Jesus talks another time to the crowd about the cost of discipleship. In Luke 14:25-27, He says that a person can't be His disciple without hating his or her family. Of course, Jesus was not saying that His followers must have a burning hate for their families. Family was highly important in the Jewish community. He is saying that compared to your love for God, your love for your family should pale in comparison. God should be your first love, and it should not be sparing. It should be extravagant. He should be your first loyalty.
I would never suggest irresponsibility, nor does this give us permission to neglect. We dare not misconstrue this to mean that we can be irresponsible. I know that my highest call is to be a godly wife and a mother. My family is my first ministry. God has allowed me more kingdom work in women's lives that requires many sacrifices but never neglect of my family. I have left my daughters in Doug's care as I had brief God assignments. The key is the discernment to know "when Jesus calls." If Jesus called, then a follower who left the plow or who did not bury his father was not irresponsible or neglectful of his responsibilities. He was following God's higher call.
These three men's opportunities to follow Jesus were open for a brief time and then shut. It was not open-ended. If they didn't seize it at that time, then they could not regain it later. God usually does not give second chances, only next opportunities. What I mean by "next opportunity" is that the situation may change, but He offers another opening to step out in faith and follow Him.
There are many ways God can pick up the details. Sometimes when the leader moves out of a responsibility, someone else will step up and fill the gap left behind. As we mature in Christ, it is our responsibility to ask God how we help grow others and if we need to get out of the way for someone else to have an opportunity to grow. Other times, no one may rise to take the vacant role. Why would God leave a hole? He is sending a strong message to all including family, friends, and coworkers that their friend left behind something so wonderful for something of greater worth: to serve in the kingdom and to reach hurting humanity. How hurting humanity needs a Savior! Oh, what a testimony a woman leaves! She shows that God is worth leaving her life of self-absorption. Her eyes are no longer blind to others' hurts. She prioritized their needs. There she finds greatest fulfillment for her life. The gap left behind can be a gaping hole to serve as a reminder to other friends, family, and the next generation. They will be encouraged to lay down their nets, their plows, their comforts, their security, and their "knowns" to exchange them for the unknown glorious life.
Lastly, if He calls us to leave something behind, it may be for a reason that we will never know until we get to heaven. We can seek confirmation of the calling. Then you and I must trust that His ways are higher than our ways, and His thoughts are higher than our thoughts. If He has called us to leave a post, then He is responsible for the consequences and the outcome.
Pray with me: Oh, Lord, give us the heart to trust You when You call. May we not say, "Lord, first let me go," but may we be like Isaiah and say, "Lord, here I am. Send me." Empower and encourage us to live the life of the highest calling in service to You. It's in the Name of above all names, in Jesus' Name, Yeshua's Name, we pray. Amen.
By Shirley Mitchell
"As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, 'I will follow you wherever you go.' Jesus replied, 'Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.' He said to another man, 'Follow me.' But the man replied, 'Lord, first let me go and bury my father. Jesus said to him, 'Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.' Still another said, 'I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say good-by to my family.' Jesus replied, 'No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.' "
Luke 9:57-62
I find this passage so interesting because it tells us that Jesus encountered many people who had to make a decision to follow Him, not just the 12 disciples who were specifically appointed. Many others received the opportunity of a lifetime, and Scripture records just a few in this passage to serve as a reminder to us that not everyone chooses to accept the call of Jesus.
To the first man, Jesus warns that a follower must be prepared for some loss. He says there is a loss of ownership. Jesus makes it clear that He is homeless. A follower will not have a place to lay his head. "My" and "mine" are gone for the sake of the kingdom. These are some of the first words children learn because they have a tendency to hoard their things. A follower will no longer be able to hoard and depend on his own provision. There is a loss of independence and security. Additionally, there is a loss of physical comfort. A follower trusts in God's decision for provision for each day whether God provides a warm bed, or at other times He provides a rock for a pillow.
The next two men (who decided to not follow Him) said the same words, "First let me go." One man wanted to bury his father first. Burying the dead was a sacred duty. We do not know if the father was dying or if he was already dead. We only know that the man wanted to do something else first. He was not ready to commit himself to follow Jesus. His words show an unwillingness to forsake the earthly life for the kingdom life. It shows an unwillingness to relinquish control to God for the next move. "First I must do what I want to do, Lord."
The last man wanted to tell his family goodbye. Jesus says "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God." He is referring to 1 Kings 19:19-21, when Elijah calls Elisha into the ministry. Elisha was plowing a field. He stopped and never looked back. Actually, he slaughtered the oxen as an offering to the Lord. This act removed any temptation to return to his former lifestyle. God wants us to be willing to abandon everything that gives us worldly security. We can't have one hand on the plow and one hand in His. Sooner or later we find that we are still anchored to that fixed point and can't continue until we sever the tie. We have stretched that rubber band to its breaking point.
Jesus talks another time to the crowd about the cost of discipleship. In Luke 14:25-27, He says that a person can't be His disciple without hating his or her family. Of course, Jesus was not saying that His followers must have a burning hate for their families. Family was highly important in the Jewish community. He is saying that compared to your love for God, your love for your family should pale in comparison. God should be your first love, and it should not be sparing. It should be extravagant. He should be your first loyalty.
I would never suggest irresponsibility, nor does this give us permission to neglect. We dare not misconstrue this to mean that we can be irresponsible. I know that my highest call is to be a godly wife and a mother. My family is my first ministry. God has allowed me more kingdom work in women's lives that requires many sacrifices but never neglect of my family. I have left my daughters in Doug's care as I had brief God assignments. The key is the discernment to know "when Jesus calls." If Jesus called, then a follower who left the plow or who did not bury his father was not irresponsible or neglectful of his responsibilities. He was following God's higher call.
These three men's opportunities to follow Jesus were open for a brief time and then shut. It was not open-ended. If they didn't seize it at that time, then they could not regain it later. God usually does not give second chances, only next opportunities. What I mean by "next opportunity" is that the situation may change, but He offers another opening to step out in faith and follow Him.
There are many ways God can pick up the details. Sometimes when the leader moves out of a responsibility, someone else will step up and fill the gap left behind. As we mature in Christ, it is our responsibility to ask God how we help grow others and if we need to get out of the way for someone else to have an opportunity to grow. Other times, no one may rise to take the vacant role. Why would God leave a hole? He is sending a strong message to all including family, friends, and coworkers that their friend left behind something so wonderful for something of greater worth: to serve in the kingdom and to reach hurting humanity. How hurting humanity needs a Savior! Oh, what a testimony a woman leaves! She shows that God is worth leaving her life of self-absorption. Her eyes are no longer blind to others' hurts. She prioritized their needs. There she finds greatest fulfillment for her life. The gap left behind can be a gaping hole to serve as a reminder to other friends, family, and the next generation. They will be encouraged to lay down their nets, their plows, their comforts, their security, and their "knowns" to exchange them for the unknown glorious life.
Lastly, if He calls us to leave something behind, it may be for a reason that we will never know until we get to heaven. We can seek confirmation of the calling. Then you and I must trust that His ways are higher than our ways, and His thoughts are higher than our thoughts. If He has called us to leave a post, then He is responsible for the consequences and the outcome.
Pray with me: Oh, Lord, give us the heart to trust You when You call. May we not say, "Lord, first let me go," but may we be like Isaiah and say, "Lord, here I am. Send me." Empower and encourage us to live the life of the highest calling in service to You. It's in the Name of above all names, in Jesus' Name, Yeshua's Name, we pray. Amen.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
A Life that Really Matters
A Life that Really Matters
By Shirley Mitchell
"You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me."
John 12:8
Jesus said in John 12:8 when Mary poured out the oil from her alabaster box to anoint Him for His burial, "You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me." As long as the curse of sin is in the world and the curse of sin is on the ground that requires man to toil and to remove the thorns and thistles (Gen 3:17-18), then there will be plenty of people in despair. As long as the prince of the air rules this world, people will be hungry and live in oppression.
Doesn't Jesus' statement just hurt that the world will always have the poor? When I was reading my Bible recently, this verse just nailed to my heart. Some people will be reduced to begging and pleading for help. They are destitute of wealth, influence, position, and honor. There will always be those in need of clothing. I mean truly in need of clothing. When my friend Cissie returned from a mission trip to Haiti last year, she said one thing that seared me. She talked about a village that she visited where the children just didn't have any clothes. She didn't take many pictures from that village since they just ran around naked. We will always have the hungry and those who need clean drinking water. There is a new picture by my computer of two boys in Africa drinking the dirty water - lapping it up like a dog to remind me that there are always hurting people who need Jesus! There will always be those orphaned by the world, needing to find the God who adopts them all as sons and daughters.
As our Christ Compels Board Member Phil says about the poor, "If we serve someone food without telling them about Jesus, then all we have done is let them go to hell on a full stomach." At first when he said it, it took me by surprise, but I started to reflect on the true love at the root of his statement. We must minister to them both physically and spiritually. If there will always be the poor, then there will always be ministry to do. True ministry requires us to get dirty. True ministry requires our sweat. True ministry requires us to be stretched, uncomfortable, and to sacrifice - sometimes our own dreams and our own esteem.
When was the last time that you let God stretch you and use you for the sake of the poor? There is something for the kingdom that only you can do, and there is something that only I can do. The life worth living is the life that is poured out for the faith of others! This is the life that truly matters. It is human nature to desire to be significant. We want to be someone who is important. Without God, all that we do is futile and meaningless. We can't find happiness. With God, when we pour out ourselves for the sake of others for Christ, then we find meaning to life. We find significance. We find a life that matters!
Pray with me: Oh, God, teach me to minister. Teach me how You want me to minister to a world that will always need ministry. There are so many people hurting who need You so show me the ones to whom You chose for me to minister. Help me to get over the life of living for myself and pursue the life of living just for You. Bring eternal meaning to our limited time on earth. It's in the Name above all names, in Jesus' Name, Yeshua's Name, I pray. Amen.
By Shirley Mitchell
"You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me."
John 12:8
Jesus said in John 12:8 when Mary poured out the oil from her alabaster box to anoint Him for His burial, "You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me." As long as the curse of sin is in the world and the curse of sin is on the ground that requires man to toil and to remove the thorns and thistles (Gen 3:17-18), then there will be plenty of people in despair. As long as the prince of the air rules this world, people will be hungry and live in oppression.
Doesn't Jesus' statement just hurt that the world will always have the poor? When I was reading my Bible recently, this verse just nailed to my heart. Some people will be reduced to begging and pleading for help. They are destitute of wealth, influence, position, and honor. There will always be those in need of clothing. I mean truly in need of clothing. When my friend Cissie returned from a mission trip to Haiti last year, she said one thing that seared me. She talked about a village that she visited where the children just didn't have any clothes. She didn't take many pictures from that village since they just ran around naked. We will always have the hungry and those who need clean drinking water. There is a new picture by my computer of two boys in Africa drinking the dirty water - lapping it up like a dog to remind me that there are always hurting people who need Jesus! There will always be those orphaned by the world, needing to find the God who adopts them all as sons and daughters.
As our Christ Compels Board Member Phil says about the poor, "If we serve someone food without telling them about Jesus, then all we have done is let them go to hell on a full stomach." At first when he said it, it took me by surprise, but I started to reflect on the true love at the root of his statement. We must minister to them both physically and spiritually. If there will always be the poor, then there will always be ministry to do. True ministry requires us to get dirty. True ministry requires our sweat. True ministry requires us to be stretched, uncomfortable, and to sacrifice - sometimes our own dreams and our own esteem.
When was the last time that you let God stretch you and use you for the sake of the poor? There is something for the kingdom that only you can do, and there is something that only I can do. The life worth living is the life that is poured out for the faith of others! This is the life that truly matters. It is human nature to desire to be significant. We want to be someone who is important. Without God, all that we do is futile and meaningless. We can't find happiness. With God, when we pour out ourselves for the sake of others for Christ, then we find meaning to life. We find significance. We find a life that matters!
Pray with me: Oh, God, teach me to minister. Teach me how You want me to minister to a world that will always need ministry. There are so many people hurting who need You so show me the ones to whom You chose for me to minister. Help me to get over the life of living for myself and pursue the life of living just for You. Bring eternal meaning to our limited time on earth. It's in the Name above all names, in Jesus' Name, Yeshua's Name, I pray. Amen.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Doubts
Doubts
By Shirley Mitchell
“When John heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples to ask him, ‘Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?’ "
Matthew 11:2-3
John the Baptist said of Jesus in John 3:30, “He must become greater; I must become less.” He knew his ministry would dwindle when Jesus’ time had come. However, knowing it will happen and living it out are two different things.
In Matthew 11:1-6, John was in Herod’s prison for confronting the king with his sin of adultery with his brother’s wife. He was alone in a dark prison cell. I think the food in the prison would make even you and me long for a taste of those good ole locusts we ate in the wilderness. Some time back in the wilderness with wild animals would be better than the walls that enclosed him and the chains on his body while the prison’s creepy creatures crawled on him. I am sure he did not get prison yard breaks to get some fresh air and play some football. He was alone and in darkness...Plenty of time to think...Plenty of time to reflect on his life.
He sent word to Jesus and asked him, "Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?" I just wonder why he would ask Jesus if He was the Messiah. What was he was thinking all alone in that cell without his blackberry connection to the internet for information and a television to watch the evening news? Information only came through the prison guards and the message he was allowed to receive. I imagine that he thought something like this:
My father told my mother about the angel and that I would be born. He was right about so many things. Did he misunderstand that I would make a way for the Lord? Did he lie and add that part to the angel’s prophecy? No, he wouldn’t lie. I gave my life to You, God. My parents consecrated me since birth. I never drank fermented drink. My entire appearance showed my dedication...My hair, my clothes. Not only was I physically devoted, I was bold with the message I thought Your Spirit was leading me to say. I pointed my finger at those Pharisees. I told them their Jewish pedigree was not the key to a relationship with You. Yet, here I am in this desolate prison under the control of an evil man who makes decisions by his daily lusts. I told people Jesus was the Messiah. I called him the Lamb of God. Was He? I know I had to decrease, but when will He increase? I need to know. Was I wrong? Did I live my life for something that was not true?
I believe he was suffering from a severe case of doubt and took his question to the Messiah. This is the most shuddering question a once faithful disciple could think. Only the brave ask it and seek God to answer any doubts of His ability or willingness to act in their lives.
Has anything happened in your life to cause you to doubt God? Don’t think for a second God will throw His holy fist down on the armrest of His throne in anger over such honesty and willingness for confirmation of the truth of who He is or His involvement with your life. He already knows what you are thinking. A hard heart trying to conceal doubts will disappoint Him and give a foothold to the devil.
John doubted after all he had experienced. He took it to Jesus where his question would be safe. Jesus praised him. We do not have an insecure, tyrant God who zaps us or shelves us when we need strengthening. Our God is prepared for our emotions. Psalm 139:1-4 tells us He perceives our thoughts. He is familiar with all of our ways. He knows every word before it is on our tongues. He already knows so we can be who we really are with Him. We do not have to pretend or deny it.
In Matthew 11:4-6, Jesus answered John’s question by saying, "Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me." Jesus did not tell John simply, “I’m the Messiah.” Jesus illustrated His title through the proof of His actions instead of stating His title with only words. Jesus was saying that He fulfilled the Messianic prophecies that describe His duties like in Isaiah 29:18-19, Isaiah 35:5-6, and Isaiah 61:1. You see, in Jesus’ eastern culture they would describe a truth in pictures or metaphors. Our western culture expresses a truth through words, bullet points, and definitions. Being fully eastern, John understood a picture reply. Additionally, since Jewish boys were educated and memorized large sections of the Torah, the Psalms, and the prophets, John understood the meaning of the picture words. Jesus painted His self-portrait that showed He was the Messiah.
Soon King Herod would succumb to his lusts and promise his brother’s wife’s daughter anything she desired after her provocative dance for him. Tragically, the gift was the life of the prophet who boldly spoke the truth of her mother’s sins (Matthew 14:1-12). Sadly, the mother thought if she squashed the voice of the truth that spotlighted her sin, then things would be better. Silencing the audible voice of truth never changes the truth, though. If only she had softened her heart and accepted the other truth John offered. If she had repented, then she would have received forgiveness which brings abundant life. Praise God, John did not die without asking his questions and receiving some answers – and some unsolicited praise by the highest opinion of the Anointed One he had proclaimed unashamedly. He was open to Jesus with doubts and Jesus settled them. God can settle our doubts, too – only if we let Him. Let’s take our doubts to Him.
Pray with me: Oh, God, You know the areas of our lives where we doubt that You care or are involved. You also know the times when we doubt who You are. We wonder if You are really good all the time. We question why did something bad happen to those who love You. So we bring our doubts to You and ask You to settle them. You are sovereign, and You are Lord of all. It’s in the Name above all names, in Jesus’ Name, Yeshua’s Name, we pray. Amen.
Copyright ©2009 Christ Compels
Excerpt from the Jesus Lives Bible study
By Shirley Mitchell
“When John heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples to ask him, ‘Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?’ "
Matthew 11:2-3
John the Baptist said of Jesus in John 3:30, “He must become greater; I must become less.” He knew his ministry would dwindle when Jesus’ time had come. However, knowing it will happen and living it out are two different things.
In Matthew 11:1-6, John was in Herod’s prison for confronting the king with his sin of adultery with his brother’s wife. He was alone in a dark prison cell. I think the food in the prison would make even you and me long for a taste of those good ole locusts we ate in the wilderness. Some time back in the wilderness with wild animals would be better than the walls that enclosed him and the chains on his body while the prison’s creepy creatures crawled on him. I am sure he did not get prison yard breaks to get some fresh air and play some football. He was alone and in darkness...Plenty of time to think...Plenty of time to reflect on his life.
He sent word to Jesus and asked him, "Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?" I just wonder why he would ask Jesus if He was the Messiah. What was he was thinking all alone in that cell without his blackberry connection to the internet for information and a television to watch the evening news? Information only came through the prison guards and the message he was allowed to receive. I imagine that he thought something like this:
My father told my mother about the angel and that I would be born. He was right about so many things. Did he misunderstand that I would make a way for the Lord? Did he lie and add that part to the angel’s prophecy? No, he wouldn’t lie. I gave my life to You, God. My parents consecrated me since birth. I never drank fermented drink. My entire appearance showed my dedication...My hair, my clothes. Not only was I physically devoted, I was bold with the message I thought Your Spirit was leading me to say. I pointed my finger at those Pharisees. I told them their Jewish pedigree was not the key to a relationship with You. Yet, here I am in this desolate prison under the control of an evil man who makes decisions by his daily lusts. I told people Jesus was the Messiah. I called him the Lamb of God. Was He? I know I had to decrease, but when will He increase? I need to know. Was I wrong? Did I live my life for something that was not true?
I believe he was suffering from a severe case of doubt and took his question to the Messiah. This is the most shuddering question a once faithful disciple could think. Only the brave ask it and seek God to answer any doubts of His ability or willingness to act in their lives.
Has anything happened in your life to cause you to doubt God? Don’t think for a second God will throw His holy fist down on the armrest of His throne in anger over such honesty and willingness for confirmation of the truth of who He is or His involvement with your life. He already knows what you are thinking. A hard heart trying to conceal doubts will disappoint Him and give a foothold to the devil.
John doubted after all he had experienced. He took it to Jesus where his question would be safe. Jesus praised him. We do not have an insecure, tyrant God who zaps us or shelves us when we need strengthening. Our God is prepared for our emotions. Psalm 139:1-4 tells us He perceives our thoughts. He is familiar with all of our ways. He knows every word before it is on our tongues. He already knows so we can be who we really are with Him. We do not have to pretend or deny it.
In Matthew 11:4-6, Jesus answered John’s question by saying, "Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me." Jesus did not tell John simply, “I’m the Messiah.” Jesus illustrated His title through the proof of His actions instead of stating His title with only words. Jesus was saying that He fulfilled the Messianic prophecies that describe His duties like in Isaiah 29:18-19, Isaiah 35:5-6, and Isaiah 61:1. You see, in Jesus’ eastern culture they would describe a truth in pictures or metaphors. Our western culture expresses a truth through words, bullet points, and definitions. Being fully eastern, John understood a picture reply. Additionally, since Jewish boys were educated and memorized large sections of the Torah, the Psalms, and the prophets, John understood the meaning of the picture words. Jesus painted His self-portrait that showed He was the Messiah.
Soon King Herod would succumb to his lusts and promise his brother’s wife’s daughter anything she desired after her provocative dance for him. Tragically, the gift was the life of the prophet who boldly spoke the truth of her mother’s sins (Matthew 14:1-12). Sadly, the mother thought if she squashed the voice of the truth that spotlighted her sin, then things would be better. Silencing the audible voice of truth never changes the truth, though. If only she had softened her heart and accepted the other truth John offered. If she had repented, then she would have received forgiveness which brings abundant life. Praise God, John did not die without asking his questions and receiving some answers – and some unsolicited praise by the highest opinion of the Anointed One he had proclaimed unashamedly. He was open to Jesus with doubts and Jesus settled them. God can settle our doubts, too – only if we let Him. Let’s take our doubts to Him.
Pray with me: Oh, God, You know the areas of our lives where we doubt that You care or are involved. You also know the times when we doubt who You are. We wonder if You are really good all the time. We question why did something bad happen to those who love You. So we bring our doubts to You and ask You to settle them. You are sovereign, and You are Lord of all. It’s in the Name above all names, in Jesus’ Name, Yeshua’s Name, we pray. Amen.
Copyright ©2009 Christ Compels
Excerpt from the Jesus Lives Bible study
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