Original Intent: Working Together

Father God blessed Adam and then brought the animals to him and Adam named them. God told Adam to "be fruitful and multiply", bring the earth under his dominion and domesticate it. Adam, Eve and God were to collaborate in extending of the garden over all the earth. Earth was to be filled with men and women who worshipped and obeyed Father. That was original intent, as was the collaboration of God and man to accomplish it.

Later, when God was angry with His creation, He found Noah, an upright man, that "walked with God." Father God again pursued a collaboration with mankind. "Build me a big boat," were the directions given to Noah. Noah obeyed God, followed the instructions He gave him and the human race was saved.

When Noah and family came out of the boat, he made a sacrifice to God. Father gave new instructions, "be fruitful and multiply on the earth." They were actually very similar to what He had told Adam and Eve. Extend my reign. Fill the earth.

All through the Old Testament Father was looking for "someone to stand in the breach" so the people would be saved. Some times, as with Abraham and Moses, he found that intercessor.

Jesus established the new covenant and the intention hasn't changed. I will never leave you; I will send a helper; we are co-laborers with Christ are promises that confirm our relationship of co-laboring with Father to bring heaven to earth.

My yoke is easy and the burden is light. This is a result of working together.

Father doesn't want us to out there alone. Out there alone could mean that we are doing our own thing, without Father. Out there alone could mean that we are doing what Father desires, but by ourselves or in our own strength. Neither of these are His desire.

Father-God wants us to complete His plan using creatives ideas under His direction and in the power of The Holy Spirit. He wants us to collaborate with Him and He with us.

Teach the world in the practice of all I have commanded you. I'll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age. (Matthew 28:20) Let's do it together!

Original Intent

God's original intention is shown clearly in Genesis.

His desire was to be a father (Luke3:38) and a friend (John 15:15). He wanted to develop a perfect world, laboring together with man-kind as they collaborated with Him (Genesis 2:15, 19-20). Eternal God wanted the garden to be extended to cover the whole earth (Genesis 1:28), creating a world full of harmony, peace, love and beauty.

I think Ephesians 3:10-11 gives us reason to believe Father still wants us to spread His glory over all the earth. His original intent has not changed: Father's friends cooperating with Him where ever we are to show His "many-sided wisdom" on the earth and in the heavens.

How can you take Father's wisdom to your circles influence?

Ramblings on "taking God's love out of the four walls"

These are totally random and have no real order. They're just a bunch of thoughts and you must determine their value. You must allow the Holy Spirit to show you how to apply them to your life.

Why be light in dark places? Why get dirty? ...because He shined so I could see his love; He got dirty so I could be cleansed. For those reasons I love him, I want shine in the darkness and get "dirty". I want others to see his love and receive his cleansing and forgiveness.

How can I get dirty?  (Getting dirty has reference to previous thoughts shared and internet conversations with a few college students. Jesus, perfect and holy God, came and lived in the world, among the dirt and the dirty. We should do likewise. This is the reason for the question, "how can I get dirty?" Philippians 2:5-8)

1. Pray - Jesus spent hours in intimate relation with Father God. John 8:38 "I am telling you the things I have seen while with the Father; as for you, practice the things you have heard from the Father!" NET (New English Translation)
2. Go where the Father says go and do what the Father says do - Jesus did only what He saw the Father do. John 5:19 "So Jesus answered them, "I tell you the solemn truth, the Son can do nothing on his own initiative, but only what He sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, the Son does likewise." NET
3. Shine at all times - where ever Jesus went people saw the light.
4. Speak God's truth and demonstrate God's love where ever you go - Jesus ministered to Nicodemus, the woman at the well, the tax collectors, the prostitute and the rich young ruler there was no condemnation, just forgiveness and the charge to change.
5. Jesus the Christ and his life, death and resurrection are the good news, nothing else (1 Cor. 15:1-9). Never allow theology and being right or wrong to be the center and focus. I'm not saying correct theology isn't important, but Jesus' sacrificial love for us is the focus.
6. Share the love of God; shine the light of Jesus; show (demonstrate) the power of the Holy Spirit.
7. Do all for the glory and honor of the Father.

We can never merit God's love, but we can show him our sincere love and genuine appreciation by obeying him, sharing the good news and making disciples of all nations.

Faith without corresponding action is dead.

I came to you in the power of the Holy Spirit, not with fancy, convincing words.

Some of the darkest, dirtiest places in the world are clean, well lit offices.

Getting dirty is...

• being generous,
• not letting the right hand know what the left is doing (what you do, do it for God's glory, not for personal recognition, gratification or merit),
• caring for a friend,
• helping the helpless,
• encouraging the hopeless.

Getting dirty is being Jesus where ever you are.

Lazarus: a dead man walking

At four-thirty the curly headed drunk I call Lazarus wouldn't let me open the door at church, so I went to the store and bought us each a can of juice and a piece of bread.

As I opened the plastic bag to share the prize he mumbled, "when you left I thought you were mad at me."

I was a bit upset, but I let it go.

We sat in the van and ate and drank together. He continuously slurred incoherent words while he ate his breakfast, lunch and maybe supper for the day and I understood that he was thankful. As I said my good-byes his semi-toothless smile and dirty smelly hug let me know the twenty minutes it took and the two dollars I spent, instead of shaking him off him by dropping twenty-five cents for a fictitious tortilla, was worth it. Jesus was there.

I went inside to set up for class.

Maybe your Lazarus isn't a drunk; maybe he isn't dirty and smelly; but there is somebody in your life, today, that needs to be touched with the love, grace and patience of God.

Be ready.

Born in Bethlehem – Insignificance?

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth.  And she gave birth to her firstborn son… Luke 2:4-7 ESV

It doesn’t matter how insignificant you might feel or if others notice you, God knows you and sees your impact. Bethlehem was small and unimportant, yet God took note and sent His Son there to be born. Because of that birth, the world knows of Bethlehem and her Son; Jesus, the Christ.

As we allow God to be birthed into our lives, He will impact others and we will have a place in eternity’s history. As we allow God to move in us, He will bring security and peace to our sphere of influence and to the ends of the earth.

“Almighty God, thank you for noticing me. Fill me with your Spirit and move through me to bring security and peace to my world.”

The prophecy of Jesus' birth in Bethlehem: Micah 5:2-5

Advent 27 – She Laid Him in a Manger
Advent 1 - In the Beginning

The Spirit of the LORD is Upon Me

The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; 2 to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; 3 to grant to those who mourn in Zion-- to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified. Isaiah 61:1-3 ESV

God’s Spirit was sent for a purpose. Jesus didn’t minister publicly until the Dove descended upon him and His last commandment to the disciples was wait for the power of the Spirit. Years later, Paul encourages the constant filling of the Spirit. The “oil of God” is important for effective ministry.

The Spirit’s purpose is clear. He brings good news; strengthens the weak; frees the captive; opens blind eyes; encourages the repentant; and gives joy to the sad and crying. The Spirit plants us as solid oaks in His righteousness.

“Spirit of God come upon me as I share the good news and bring hope and healing to the hurt and discouraged. Strengthen me in Your righteousness as I live to bring you glory.”

Other verses: Luke 4:18-19; 24:49; Romans 1:17; 3:21-24; 2 Cor. 5:21; Eph. 5:18

Advent 18: The Shoot of Jesse, the Branch of Rightousness

Advent 1 - In the Beginning

The Servant King

Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations. He will not cry aloud or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; a bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice. He will not grow faint or be discouraged till he has established justice in the earth. Isaiah 42:1-4 ESV

Whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Mark 10:43 ESV

The title public servant is common but the concept of being a leader and a servant isn’t. Isaiah’s servant is anointed by the Spirit and brings justice, but his justice will not bruise or break. The Servant King, just as the Good Shepherd, will guard the weak and dependent, taking them in his arms to protect and carry them.

Jesus came to serve. He became a man and died an unjust death. He gave his life so we could live. Instead of pursuing a political kingdom with its riches and power, he humbled himself and become a servant. Through service his kingdom was established.

“King Jesus, anoint me with the spirit of service. Help me not promote myself, but to love, care for and bless others.”

Advent 15: Light for the Nations

Advent 1 - In the Beginning

The way up is down; the road to influence is the path of service.

The Righteous Scepter

I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near: a star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel. Numbers 24:17a ESV

But of the Son he says, "Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom.” Hebrews 1:8 ESV

The star and scepter speak of the Messiah’s royalty and authority. He would rise a powerful king to destroy all the enemies of Israel. The religious leaders interpreted these ideas exclusively as a national, political leader that would free them from Roman oppression. They disregarded the Christ that walked and talked with them.

Hebrews extends the metaphor to a scepter of uprightness. Jesus came to rise as the righteous king of power and authority in our hearts, establishing his kingdom of righteousness there. We must therefore receive his authority and extend the Kingdom of Heaven to the ends of the earth.

“Righteous King, rule in my life. I accept your righteousness and authority. Empower me for the purpose of influencing others in just and moral living.”

Advent 10: Born of a Virgin

Advent 1 - In the Beginning

Sincerity

Sincerity is worth more than trying hard.

...a thought from July 3rd.

See post on A Look in the Mirror

A Strange Pligrim

While reading 1 Peter 2:11 today, I began to reminisce over the distant past and memories from teenage days long ago.

I call upon you as strangers and sojourners, to keep from the fleshly desires, that war against the soul. 1 Peter 2:11 Young's Literal Translation

I entreat you as pilgrims and foreigners... Weymouth New Testament

...foreigners and exiles... New English Translation

We are in this world but not of it. Through Jesus we are a totally new race. We are sheep among wolves. Our minds are to be transformed and metamorphazised into God's way of thinking . We have been moved from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of His dear son, Jesus. We are light in the darkness. All these are ideas of differentness. This is what we are to be; not weird, but different. The idea of being a foreigner and pilgrim, a stranger and sojourner has been a concept in my mind since I was a teenager. I guess it's always been an integral part of my destiny. It's part of who I am.

Being Christian, not participating in "the world", moving to a new city between my 10th and 11th grade in high school, going to Jamaica right after high school and then a year later living a in Venezuela for 13 months, all go together to put the Third-Culture-Kid into me [TCK - someone that is a combination of two cultures but doesn't fit completely into either]. Even though I grew up in the States the all of my early life, til I was 18, I have always had a bit of a different culture in me. And that is probably the reason I so identify with the idea of being a stranger and sojourner in this world.

Maybe that's why being a "foreigner" to me is no big deal. Maybe that's why moving from city to city is not a major event. Maybe that's why this Strange Pilgrim is such a content sojourner in this world. I'm still uncomfortable with change and uncertainty, but I'm willing and ready to go forward. And, I see that I'm even more uncomfortable with the status quo and the danger of becoming stagnant. What contradictions I find in my life, feelings and emotions! Desire for security and comfort, yet the need to take risks and move forward to new challenges and adventures. That's a part of who I am. I am a stranger, a foreigner and a pilgrim in this world. My home is in another land.

Looking

"You must look into people as well as at them." - Lord Chesterfield

 

Italics mine.

A Man of Full of God's Grace and Authority

Friday, May 9, I was asked to translate for a visiting speaker for a local pastors' seminar. Since I really enjoy translating and since I want to help out with the pastors' group when ever I can, I agreed.

It was quite an experience and an awesome blessing. The man I was translating for was Emma Okorie, founder of Living Word Ministries - Nigeria. I translated during the morning and was super tired... Having to listen very closely because of his distint accent and having to also translate was definantely taxing, but it well worth the effort. The morning session dealt with Honoring the Call on Your life and the afternoon was about Apostolic Government and the Church.

Wow. I've been around the bush a few times in these past 40+ of being in the church; I've heard and read a lot of things regarding apostles and apostolic ministry, but this was the best.

Walk in the grace God has given with a humble heart, a servants attitude and an intimate relation with Him were the central theme in his message. I know I've heard the same on various occasions before, but I could tell he was real, a true man of the LORD. God's grace and authority were on him. It was so good and God was speaking to me so much that a few times I almost had to stop translating to soak it all in.

I was blessed, challenged and encouraged.

If for no other reason, God sent Emma Okorie to Nicaragua for me. Thank you Lord.

Influence...

"The less you talk, the more you're listened to."

Abagail Van Buren