OUR BLESSED HOPE

In John 5:44-47, Jesus said to the Jewish religious leaders of the day - 

"How can you believe since you accept glory from one another but do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?

But do not think I will accuse you before the Father. Your accuser is Moses, on whom your hopes are set. If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me. But since you do not believe what he wrote, how are you going to believe what I say?"

Between the time that The Law and all the prophecies about The Messiah were written and the time Jesus arrived, many individuals in history claimed to be The Anointed One of God; The Messiah; The Savior. Every one of these claims failed to be supported.

However, Jesus Christ of Nazareth not only backed up His own words as He spoke them, but fulfilled His prophetic Word spoken years earlier through the prophets by fulfilling everything written about The Christ.

Here in this confrontation with the Pharisees, Jesus attempts to hold a mirror up to them physically, mentally, socially, culturally and spiritually. 

Christ's question from the start - "How can you believe since you accept glory from one another but do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?  - speaks directly to their issue - pride. Belief or the lack thereof in The Messiah was not the only deficit in view for these religious leaders. They held what was considered a socially, culturally, and spiritually lofty position in society in order to obtain praise and glory from humanity. This is what mattered - since you accept glory from one another but do not seek the glory that comes from the only God.

With this in mind, Jesus points out - that which you place your hope in has the right to accuse you also. Thank the Lord, Christ is not our accuser. Jesus is our Savior. The Accuser for every believer in Christ is Satan.

The accuser for the Pharisees and Jewish leaders was the very person that brought Israel the Law and regulations of life - Moses. Because Moses spoke of The Christ, Jesus re-emphasized the point that their condition was not only a lack of belief in Him concerning the Messianic Prophesies, but the deceptive manipulation of the priestly role which was driven by pride. 

But do not think I will accuse you before the Father. Your accuser is Moses, on whom your hopes are set. If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me. But since you do not believe what he wrote, how are you going to believe what I say?"

The Pharisees willfully designed a scheme that would benefit their position in life without the real essence of God involved. They "corrupted [their] wisdom because of [their] splendor" (Eze. 28:17). 

My plea to us all today is not make this mistake. Do not overlook the Promises of God and possibly miss a visitation by Him in order to receive the glorification of men for your position in life. 

Believe in Christ Jesus only, because He was the one who claimed - "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6) - and He proved this claim by His life, teachings, miracles, death, resurrection and ascension. Not only put your belief in the right person, Christ Jesus, but place your trust, faith-walk, praise and position in life in The Savior because He is our supreme happy expectation everyday, Our Blessed Hope (Titus 2:13).  

SOME MIRACLES ARE PROCESSES

I am guilty at times of perceiving Miracles as instant acts of God. Survey says, (buzzer sound) wrong! Not that God does not work instant miracles, but some miracles are processes. In this sin stricken, death and decay ravaged world, our faith must be lived out through our trials.

The first miracle Jesus ministered, the water turned into wine, was a process. Let us look at the Scripture.

"Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.

Jesus said to the servants, 'Fill the jars with water'; so they filled them to the brim.

Then he told them, 'Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.'" (John 2:6-8)

So, we have six stone water jars, vats or containers. The stone vats were empty otherwise Jesus would not have instructed for the servants to fill them - 'Fill the jars with water'. The reasonable assumption here is that the servants went and drew water from the well to fill the stone vats. 

Unless the servants had the cup of an attendee itself, which would be unsanitary to dip in the vat, I would submit the servants were instructed to take pitchers and dip them into the vats and then serve the master and his guests cups the new wine. Then he told them, 'Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.'  It was a Process.

From the instruction of Jesus to the well, to the filling of the vats, to the dipping of the pitchers, to the serving in the cups - this process and others like it have made me ask The Lord many times..."Lord, will you not just minister your miraculous power instantly?" Most of the time in my life His answer is "No."

Sometimes I get the lesson of waiting, sometimes I am absolutely frustrated, but Christians are in good company. The woman with the issue of blood had to endure her condition twelve years before her opportunity of healing came along in person (Matthew 9:20-22). 

The man by the pool of Bethesda was out maneuvered to the pool where the waters were stirred for healing by an agent of God for thirty-eight years. Then Jesus came by and with a few words healed the man (John 5:1-9). 

Jesus, after hearing that Lazarus was gravely ill, did not visit the one He loved until Lazarus was dead and buried for four days. Yet, the stone was rolled away, the King of Life called Lazarus's name and commanded him to come out of the grave - not some half-dead zombie weirdo, but an alive, healed and whole person that He knew and loved (John 11:1-44).

These cases took time and tested the faith of all those around the experiences. Jesus could have been there in the beginning of the blood issue and healed the woman. Jesus could have made provision for the weak man by the pool to have his healing early on in the pool, if not by some other means. Jesus could have come immediately to the bedside of Lazarus at the news of the illness that eventually took his life and said a word or just touched him to save him from that ordeal.

However, if we observe the prayer of Jesus before the raising of Lazarus, we get a glimpse of hope, we see a glimmer of a plan.

"Then Jesus looked up and said, 'Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.'" (John 11:41-42)

I have to believe that God has a plan, because to believe otherwise is utter chaos and Yahweh is the God of order. Even in God's orchestrations I desire His wonder-working power to be instant, but we all have to realize Some Miracles Are Processes.

COME AND SEE THE MAN AT THE WELL

If Jesus has come to you and you have decided to follow Jesus, then let us both introduce Jesus to others. The Samaritan woman at the well reminds me of the kind of heightened joy and excitement I experienced when I accepted Christ as my Savior. Let us recall what happened when she spread that joy, excitement and her testimony.

"Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, 'He told me everything I ever did.' 

So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. And because of his words many more became believers. 

They said to the woman, 'We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.'" (John 4:39-42)

Wow! Cultural barriers were broken between Samaritans and Jews this day! Plus, the woman's witness was so powerful that many from the town believed in Christ based on her testimony alone. 

Because of what Christ promised and the woman's testimony new believers and others sought Jesus. After urging Him to stay and teach more, Christ did not stay for a couple of moments, nor a few hours, but Jesus stayed for two whole days - "And because of his words many more became believers."

Some may already know Him, some may not, but many do not know your story - so tell them and allow them to hear your testimony first. 

Afterward, tell them where they can find a meeting with The Savior - reading in His Word, in prayer, in singing worship songs and the teaching of His Word. When you can lead people to The Savior and leave them in His capable hands then we are likely to hear them say, "We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world." Just lead them to Jesus. Just Come And See The Man At The Well.

THE SOURCE OF POWER

When I think of the word Power, my mind goes to concepts such as might and creative resources. God has unlimited supply of each. He is The Source of all Power and should be recognized as such.

The selfish "I will" command of Lucifer in the beginning (Isaiah 14:13-14) and continued attempt by Satan to mold humanity into this type of self-reliant creature is what takes Power out of our lives.

People who claim to be self-made in anything are deluding themselves. Anyone who is a do-it-yourself type individual is relying on the knowledge of somebody else. They may do the research to propel themselves forward on their own, but they are still using others and their wisdom as stepping stones to their goal. 

I believe it is important to recognize The Source of one's Power. Rarely do we think about the plug in the wall that provides power or electricity for whatever device, yet the plug is not The Source. Even less seldom do we think of switch boxes, the electrical boxes at the street, transformers on poles and power stations - yet all these are still not The Source of Power. The Power Plant is The Source of Power and how many times do we think or recognize this source every time we plug up our devices?

Jesus recognized where His Power resided. Christ gave credit where credit is due - to Father God. In John 12:49-50, Jesus said, 

"For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken. I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say."

Wow! What if Christians were that dialed in, that connected to The Holy Spirit of God? As believers in Christ we would have an incredible relationship with God and an incredible relationship with others. Our personal fellowship time with God would be that much sweeter. Then the Great Commission (Matt. 28:16-20), our personal Calling (Ephesians 4:11-13), and Spiritual Gifts (1 Corinthians 12:7-11) would be highly impactful. 

These are three huge areas of the Christian walk, but God desires our entire lives. This is what wholehearted devotion means - to seek Him first in everything. One way I recognize God's Power in my life is claiming Him as My Counselor. I listen to His voice and try my best to convey the encouraging words I hear in my spirit via the many blogs I write.

What are you doing to recognize to yourself and others that your gifts, talents, skill, calling and Power come from God? They say that recognition is the first step. So, whether verbally, written, publicly, or privately - Christ deserves to be recognized in the Christian's life as The Source of Power. 

Kings of Mountains & Kings of molehills

Remember the game - "King of the Mountain"? In this self-explanatory game, the one standing on top of whatever is deemed "the mountain" tries to stay there while others who want that position attempt to knock him/her off, claim The King's spot and then defend their newly acquired role as King from "dethronage". If you can stay King through all the attacks, you have won.

There are many who still seek to "play" this "game" in adulthood. The exception is The Mountain is now an organization, a council, a board position, a family or a nation. All who seek to "play" are seeking to rule their prospective mountain. However, sometimes that which they rule is truly a mountain and sometimes that which they rule is just a molehill.

Funny thing about molehills or smaller mountains is that you have to determine - are they on the rise to great, high peaks of splendorous vistas or on the decline to gently, rolling hills of peaceful retirement? Just like knowing which battles or complications in life are worth taking on, so it is with knowing what hilltops to invest in if you desire to be King/Queen of a particular thing.

To me, there are three ways to keeping one's rule or kingship once you have secured your position, whatever it may be.

1. Might
2. Intelligence
3. Presence

Might does not always have to be displayed physically or militarily. One can show might by having great support from the right people. Power can come in the control and manipulation of people, places and things.

Intelligence feeds what kind of Power or Might needs to be distributed. If you have a great network of people and resources at your disposal, then the greater your intelligence is going to be for every decision.

Presence feeds Intelligence and Might in that it is a passive and active force to be reckoned with. As a king, if you have your presence represented in all of your towns and cities, then you have ears to keep you informed and a voice that can declare your orders. This is more of the passive essence of presence - representation everywhere. Then you have the king's more active, bodily presence that commands respect and immediate action when he proclaims an edict, especially if Might and Intelligence are working for him properly.

These three keys - Might, Intelligence and Presence - are all associated with The Office of the King. I see this as separate from the qualities of the person - The King. We have as our perfect example - King Jesus. Christ Jesus, our Lord, is All-Powerful (Might), All-Knowing (Omniscience/Intelligence) and Everywhere (Omnipresent). These are the descriptions of His office as King of kings. The person that makes up Christ, The King has qualities that describe Him as wonderful, faithful, true, anchor, almighty and everlasting. 

If we want to learn how to become those priests and kings of God that we are suppose to be, then we need to take our example from King Jesus. No matter what you are trying to master - a seemingly small mound or a very large peak in life, with God's Might or Power in your life, with Christ's Intelligence or Word in your life and with God's Presence or Holy Spirit in your life - we can be Kings of Mountains & Kings of molehills.

How Do You Serve THE KING?

For someone who is known as Alpha and Omega, The Beginning and The End, from Everlasting to Everlasting, Faithful, True, The Good Shepherd, The Good Teacher, The Way, The Truth and The Life - for somebody who is known now by Christians and later by all as King of kings and Lord of lords (Revelation 19:16) - how do you serve THE KING who has it all?

The whole unfolding of The Great Story, for the lack of a better title, is a mystery. If one goes all the way back to when God created everything, the book of Job states that the angels were around to see the material universe formed by God (Job 38:6-7). So, with this in mind, God must have created that which we know as spiritual, first. 

In my book, "Angels: More Than Messengers", I mention this as the origin of angels. In addition, I document that all angels were originally created in a holy state of being. For it was sometime later that God said about Lucifer, "You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created till wickedness was found in you." (Ezekiel 28:15) Pride was a creation and development of Lucifer. Christians and many non-Christians know this beginning, but the catch for me is God's All-Knowingness and will to still execute His Plan of History, His Plan of Salvation and His many Promises. 

Before the angels were created, before time was set in motion and all the physical universe was spoke into existence - there was The King. He knew Lucifer would eventually have a pride issue that would lead to The Fall of creation and humanity. He also knew beforehand and planned beforehand to make the ultimate sacrifice for the corrupt, fallen creation and relationship that had come about from disobedience in The Garden (John 17:24; 1 Peter 1:20).

Christ Jesus has done this - fulfilled everything He said He would do up to this point in history. Just a study on all the prophecies of Christ's first visitation is enough to put you in awe of Jesus and the faithfulness of His Word. This is another major factor in - how do you serve THE KING? With confidence, knowing that because all His promises have been fulfilled and are "Yes and Amen" in Him, then what He says about the believer's future can be assured. David and Paul, Old Testament and New Testament, help in this confidence, this convincing.

• "I remain confident of this:  I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living." (Psalm 27:13)
• "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:37-39)

Jesus knew The Plan of Salvation from the beginning and He still went through with His torture, pain, suffering and death. There is a Michael English song that goes - "There's not a crown without a cross." However, Christ, THE KING, laid His crown down and picked up the trade of carpentry for a while when He came to earth the first time for our salvation. 

The excruciating suffering and pain Christ experienced in our place, for the restoration of our relationship with Father God is still unimaginable to me. But the writer of Hebrews says, "For the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2) Just a verse later, there is a beautiful plea to contemplate Christ and His ways because weariness and loss of heart are sure to pose a threat. The verse reads - "Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." (Hebrews 12:3)

How do you serve someone who knows it all, has all the power and you cannot escape the presence of? My answer is - read The Great Story from beginning to end and observe His love, His justice and His faithfulness. Confidence in God's promises showcases His faithfulness upon fulfillment. Confidence is the "I told you so" to every nay-sayer of God's Word for us whether it be a personal word or grand prophecy for all of Christiandom. My answer is because Christ first loved us "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all of your strength." (Mark 12:30) At least to begin with, this is How To Serve THE KING.

The Playground

Christians are God's kids that develop on this sandbox or playground we call Earth. We are created and known in God's mind long before we are born. However, when we are born and eventually come to know Christ as our Savior, we still have to deal with the Bully on the Playground, the devil. 

I have got wonderful news, God Almighty, sent His only Son to redeem, restore and reconcile The Playground and our relationship with God, but He also dealt with The Bully. All these goals were accomplished because Satan was defeated through the death, burial and resurrection of Christ Jesus. 1 John 3:8 states, "The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work." I believe Christ's words of "It is finished." sums it up nicely, but the empty tomb and The Risen Christ Jesus puts a nice exclamation point on it! For if Christ simply lived a perfect life then died for humanity - we would only have a martyr with no hope of resurrection and no hope of eternal life for ourselves. But praise be to Christ Jesus for His power over death, Hell and the grave - because by His resurrection we have new life and eternal life in and with Christ.  

Just as a parent eventually comes back to The Playground to pick up his/her child, so too will Father God send Jesus for His kids. Father God is going to instruct Christ that the time has come for Gabriel to blow the trumpet, the call/shout to be made and for Jesus to come pick us up. However, as we wait we need to be making every effort to enjoy our season in the playground but not stay there and move toward Palace Living. 

This Palace Lifestyle comes at a cost. His kids need to develop. Tests will come, hardships will seem to plague us, change will rub us the wrong way, but these are all to get us prepared and out of the sandbox or little playground and into the larger Playground of The World and eventually God's Palace. What we once held as toys, God desires to replace with tools for His purposes. In 1 Peter 2:2 the Scripture encourages believers to drink their young spiritual milk, play in the playground, experience in full what your young years have to offer. 

• "Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,"

Then other Scripture warns us, spiritual baby food is not good to continue to LIVE on.

• "Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness." - Hebrews 5:13

However, even if you know that you must mature in the kind of teachings you receive and responses to tests in your life, sometimes a situation is rushed from one level to the next. We desperately need good guidance here. In Paul's first letter to the believers in Corinth he stated this very idea - 

• "I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready." - 1 Corinthians 3:2

The words mature and develop have with them teammates to make their process successful. I have mentioned some of these teammates already - change, tests, hardships, pain and so forth. But it is not just the experience of these that matures or develops someone. Our response is the key to moving forward in Christ.  This is the answer to Paul's question if we are ready for "solid food" or more adult/heavy lifting teachings and experiences in Christ. Once we can see that we are handling issues and our own development in a mature manner, then we can approach the whole process another level up. Paul said,

• "And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." - 2 Corinthians 3:18

So, here we can observe the Christian has passed from the milk to solid food stage of development in Christ. He or she is now moving in glories - from glory to glory. This is a major level up; a great development; a display of maturity in Christ. Where are you in this spiritual journey? Hopefully you enjoyed your milk and time with the Lord in the sandbox, but don't plan to stay there, better things are yet to come beyond The Playground.