The Miracles (Don’t) End Here

Our journey through the miracles of Jesus is coming to an end.  The next three, especially, struck me as uber powerful because of what Jesus was going through at the time.  It was the last days of his time on earth.   At this point, Jesus clearly knows that He is going to be crucified soon.  Yet He is still touching people’s lives.  How do you do that?  

He encounters some blind beggars.  The crowd seems to be annoyed by them.  Maybe embarrassed by their brashness.  One of them, Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, is known by Mark.  They are VERY loud as they are crying out to Jesus.  When I read the description of how loud they were, it reminded me of a time I was visiting a convalescent home and there was someone (with dementia) who was just screaming…with no care as to how their screaming was affecting anyone else.  Such an unnerving sound. 

 The crowd tried to quiet down the beggars.  Were they afraid the beggars would offend Jesus?  Did they think they weren’t worthy of Jesus’ attention?  

Jesus did take notice.  He was impressed with their faith.  As soon as Jesus called them, they threw aside their beggars garments. It seemed they were sure that once they would meet Jesus, they wouldn’t need to be a beggar anymore. 

 What is my ‘beggars garment’?  Self sufficiency?  Control?  Fear?  Anything that hinders me from getting to Jesus.  Am I ‘too polite’ and accepting of status quo?  What about: ‘you don’t have because you don’t ask’? (From James 4:2) or ‘you ask with wrong motives’? (James 4:3) 

It is clear that Bartimaeus asked with the right motive.  And how do we know that, you ask?

Well, as soon as Jesus healed him he became a follower of Jesus. 

This next miracle is a bit baffling to me.  Jesus made a fig tree wither up never to produce fruit again.  This happened on the heels of a flurry of activity. He had healed the blind, had been lauded by the people as their Savior, Coming King.  Then He ‘cleaned house’.  He was seriously offended by the temple merchants and their wicked business practices.  After He takes care of that business, He healed the lame and blind that came to Him while He was there.  Again he hears, “Hosanna to the Son of David”, in the temple area as the children are chanting.  The chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the incredible things He was doing…and didn’t like it. 

 Jesus, again, returns to Bethany, one of His most common stomping grounds.  Being famished, He was hoping the fig tree would provide the nourishment He needed.  It didn’t.  And that was the end of that tree.  Many of the commentaries I read suggested it represents the religious leaders of the day.  The people were parched, in need of nourishment, and the leaders had nothing to offer them.  One commentator said, ‘Let us greatly fear the doom denounced on the barren fig tree.”   Yes, indeed! 

Then Jesus ‘bailed’ Peter out of a tough situation…again.  Peter had a tendency to act before he thought.  He let his emotions override what God had called him to do.  Judas came to do what he was paid to do.  Hand Jesus over to the officials so they could arrest Him…in the dark of night.  Peter’s response seemed logical and honorable…protect his Master/Teacher.  But Jesus chided him for it…and didn’t allow it to distract from what He knew needed to be done.  Afterall, it is why he came to earth…right?!  

This must’ve been the most confusing time for Peter!  Why would they be arresting Him?  He was only ever helping people.  Those that couldn’t help themselves.  And His teaching was like honey.  He had such wisdom and knowledge.  He hung out with some of the lowliest of society.  He had an incredible relationship with God…whom He called His Father…and showed us that we could call God our ‘Father’.  

So why wouldn’t Peter defend Him?  He had just promised he would stand by His side…even to the point of death.  Of course he would defend Him.  He was a fisherman…not a soldier or swordsman.  So an ear would have to do.  With better aim, he probably would’ve taken the life of the official from the High Priest’s office.

But oddly enough, Jesus seemed fine with being arrested.  He had avoided this kind of altercation before.  Why not now?  And He even healed the man’s ear, the severed ear of an enemy?  That seems such a kind gesture for someone who is falsely accusing you.  Seriously?  I wonder if healing his ear, once again, took away any legitimate reason for arresting Him?  What do you think?

Matthew Henry had a great thought in response to Peter’s action. “Corrupt nature warps our conduct to extremes; we should seek for the Lord’s direction before we act in difficult cicumstances.  Christ was willing to wait for his triumphs till his warfare was accomplished.”  There are so many places in the Bible that affirm this thought…not to mention John 15:5  “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”  

At times I am tempted to chide different people on the path of God’s story.  But, it doesn’t take long for me to be humbled with my frailties and imperfections, my selfishness and stubbornness.  And that is where the last miracle we are going to talk about comes in.  

Peter, Peter, Peter!  His name comes up again and again as one who speaks or acts without thinking.  But yet Jesus sees something in Peter that causes Him to want Peter on His team.  Oh, this gives me hope.  Joy that I have hope and hope that God can use me as part of His story.  

Peter and Jesus meet again on the shores of the Sea of Galilee with a miraculous catch of fish.  How sweet this must’ve been for Peter.  Jesus, his Friend, his Teacher, his Redeemer.  Jesus, who called him on these very shores to follow him and become a fisher of men.  Jesus, the one who predicted that Peter would deny him, who cleaned up his ‘anger mess’ right before He was crucified.  Here Jesus was reminding Peter of the calling on his  life.  God’s plan for his life didn’t change just because he got stupid for a bit.  There was still much work God had for him to do.  And being perfect was not a requirement.  Being faithful was.

How gracious that Jesus was making them breakfast.  Breakfast?!  I don’t think He needed to eat anymore.  (Not sure about that little detail.)  But he knew those fishermen would be HUNGRY.  But even more gracious is his restoration of Peter.  That is the greatest miracle…IMHO (In My Humble Opinion)

He’s in the business of changing lives.  Giving hope. Redeeming brokenness.  Making wealthy the poor….in spirit.  Healing broken bodies and hearts and minds.  His miracles showed His authority.  His miracles showed His grace.    His miricales haven’t stopped.  He’s still in the business of healing broken bodies and hearts and minds.  He is still in the business of giving hope, redeeming brokenness, blessing the poor.  How He works in each of our lives is different.  But He works none the less.  I pray you see Him working in your life.  He promises this: “But even there you can look for the Lord your God, and you will find him if you look for him with your whole being.”  Deuteronomy 4:29(NCV)

This has been quite a journey.  I hope you sense how much God loves you and that He would send His only Son to this earth…to restore a right relationship with us.   And He didn’t hold it over our heads that He was God.  He came humbly…lived in very humble circumstances…hung out with some of the least lovable…and loved…to the death…and life…for us.  His story hasn’t ended…it has just begun…and He wants us to be a part of His…story.  Have you joined Him?  It is quite the right time.

Blessings, Girlfriend!

Oh Lord, today, a new day.  Thank you for this day!  Thank you for your life.  Thank you for our life…our abundant life.  Thank you for this incredible world.    Thank you for walking this journey with us!   Thank you for guiding us on this journey.  Thank you for letting us be part of your redemption plan….as recipients and as advocates.  Thank you for renewing a right spirit in us.   I want to see you at work today!  Show me your ways!!   They are right and true.  Thank you for using me to love like you do.  Help me do it well, please!  I pray the same for my friends.    Amen.

I’m not sure where we’ll go next.  I’ll let you know!  Thank you for joining me.  

Not Everyone That Encounters The Divine Is Changed

Sometimes I focus too much on how others are affected by their encounters with God.  I can get consumed in my grief.  I then lose sight of my encounters with Him.  

In this section of miracles we have a crippled woman and man with dropsy was healed on the Sabbath.  We have 10 lepers healed (only 1 acknowledged the healer).  And miracle of miracles, Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead.

How can you not be radically affected by these???  I should correct my statement.  How can you not be drawn to God like a moth to a flame?  Many were radically affected.  Some were forever changed as they saw the love and power of God in and around their lives.  Yet others were repelled by it, to the point of seeking His death…in the name of ‘the best interest of the people’.

And then, how is Jesus affected by these moments?  I see glimpses of ‘shock and awe’ with Jesus at the faith of othersand disappointment at the self-focus of others whom he touched miraculously and others who witnessed and/or heard of these miracles. Yet with Lazarus, I see heart-wrenching emotion.

Let’s start with the crippled woman.  What was with the religious leaders?  Why did they value so little the life change in their people?  They were so hung up on ‘obedience’ to the law that they missed the ‘faith’ element of life with God.  If they looked at their history, walking with God required faith.  But we don’t have much control when we walk by faith.  

I’m reading a great book, Spiritual Parenting, that talks about what parenting should look like for believers.  Michelle Anthony, author of this book, talks about James’ concept, ‘faith without works is dead’.  It just dawned on me (yes, I’m a little slow) that the religious leaders in Jesus’ day were all about works…the works of obedience. But their walk required vey little faith.  

In America, we often talk about people who proclaim faith in Jesus, yet their lives give no evidence to their faith.  I’m sure there are many who ‘work’ without the ‘need’ to rely on God.  Doesn’t Jesus say that He would not recognize those folks in heaven.  (Yes, I’ve had my fair share of both of these…faith without works and vice versa!)  

With the one, I’m only fooling myself.  There will naturally be an outpouring of God moments as I walk in my daily reliance on God and what He has called me to do and how He is calling me to live.

With the other, I might be pleasing some folks or ‘looking good’ because I’m doing nice things.  But I want God to be thrilled with me.  Hebrews 11:6 says that ‘doing good things’ isn’t enough to please God.  It says that without faith it is impossible to please God.  We must believe He exists and He’ll reward those who diligently seek Him.

The religious leaders thought they had God all figured out.  They put Him in a nice and tidy little box and nothing outside that could possibly be from God.  (Could it be they were uncomfortable having had no control of what was going on outside that little box. And control is crucial when we’re trying to show the world that we have it all together and people should be as ‘good’ as we are.)

Thankfully, God isn’t concerned about what others think about His plan.  He just moves when He wants to move. And gratefully for this woman, He wanted to move…on the Sabbath.  How incredible to be freed from this torment after 18 years of suffering!

And then again on the Sabbath, He healed a man with dropsy.  You can see the religious leaders just seething with His actions.  He was making them CRAZY!  His actions flew in the face of their traditions.  He wanted to move in these lives.  How often do we hamper His work because it isn’t tidy?  I’m so sorry for that!

Then 10 lepers are healed. But only 1 acknowledges Jesus for healing them.  But he was shouting his gratitude and glorifying God.  He kneeled at Jesus’ feet.  He couldn’t thank Him enough.  Interestingly he was a Samaritan.  Did the others think they were entitled?  (Yes, I’m throwing in a little of my Western mindset into this moment.)  Jesus’ response to him is that his faith healed him and saved him.  (Were the others not saved?)  

Then Lazarus was raised from the dead.  I saw some incredible things in this healing that I have never seen before.  John 11:35 was my favorite memory verse as a kid.  

OK, maybe it wasn’t really.  But it always made me laugh.  “Jesus wept.”  Two words.  Even I could memorize that one.  🙂  

As I grew up, it became and incredibly powerful passage in my life.  Jesus wept.  Jesus wept.  Jesus wept. In the original language it depicts a gut-wrenching agony of grief.  That changed my view of Him on a couple levels.  He was as human as they come.  And He is passionate about His people…namely, me…and you!  

This time I learned that one of the reasons he waited until Lazarus died before He came to his aid was because the religious zealots were trying to kill him.  They were hanging out near Lazarus’ home knowing that Jesus would rush to his aid as soon as He got word that he was taken ill.  It wasn’t time yet for his death.  He couldn’t go.  Once Lazarus passed away, His would be captors figured it was no use.  They left.  Then Jesus was free to go.

As Jesus arrived at Mary and Martha’s home he was moved by the grief of His friends.  This word, ‘moved’, means to snort as an expression of anger or to express violent displeasure.  I don’t know about you, but when I read the word ‘moved’, that definition isn’t anywhere close to what I pictured.  He was (can I graciously say) TICKED OFF!  This was no run of the mill healing.  This one cut Him at His core.  To watch His friends have to grieve like this because people, that were supposed to be representing Him and His kingdom and drawing people to Him, were so off base that He had to allow His friend to die and allow his grief-stricken friends and family to experience such pain was overwhelming.

There are moments in our lives when incredibly uselessly painful events occur.  Even though God will shine through them, He grieves at what we must needlessly suffer through.

In reflection, many experienced and witnesses these miracles, yet they had completely different responses.  Oh, my friend, please see the One True God for who He is and who He wants to be in your life.  Sometimes life doesn’t make sense.  He doesn’t always choose to miraculously take challenges away or heal everyone from illnesses.  Look at His own life.  Death for crimes He didn’t commit was the agenda for His life.  He isn’t a genie in a bottle. There are many factors as to why He does what He does when.  

It’s His story.  He’s unfolding it as He said He would before time began.  He gives us the opportunity to be a part of it.  How are you a part of this story?  Are you seeing God around you?  Are you coming to know Him.  I’m looking for His hand.  I’m looking for His touch.  His beauty and graciousness surounds us…even in the midst of grief.  Do you see it?  I pray so…for you and me.

Love you, girlfriends…and guy friends.

Lord, your compassion moves my soul.  Your sacrificial love draws me in.  Your graciousness humbles me.  Your beauty and creativity excites me.  Your moving in my life sustains me.  Thank you.  Thank you for caring about all of our lives, all of our struggles.  Thank you for giving us every opportunity to life a full and complete life in you.  It is there for the taking…even when life is hard.  Help me see your bigger picture.  Help me understand how you have ordained life. Thank you for responding when I call and blessing as we earnestly seek you.  Your compassions never fail.  You are the expert in restoring the heap of our lives and making them spectacularly beautiful.  Help me with my doubt and pride.  Help me not get in the way of others encountering You!  Amen!

Our final journey through the miracles of Jesus include these:

34 Restores Sight to Bartimaeus – Mt 20:29-34, Mk 10:46-52, Lk 18:35-43 

35 Withers the Fig Tree – Mt 21:18-22, Mk 11:12-14 

36 Heals a Servant’s Severed Ear – Lk 22:50-51 

37 Second Miraculous Catch of Fish – Jn 21:4-11

I’ll be checking in soon, Girlfriend!

Better To Be Honestly Blind Then To Be Blind And Not See It

Over & over again, Jesus responded to the religious leaders that they were blind and had no idea.  Sometimes as I look at these miracles I’m befuddled.  How about you?

In our first miracle, Jesus heals a man that was blind since birth.  I get the impression that this man’s suffering was for the sole purpose of glorifying God.  What a hard concept for me to wrap my head around.  The extra challenges that the parents of a blind child face is somewhat overwhelming.  And they had to endure that.  And in this man’s case, it seems no one went to Jesus to request that he heal him.  This healing took place at Jesus’ initiation.

Then did a hornet’s nest get stirred or what???  The religious leaders were furious.  Why were they furious?  Who sinned?  In this ailment, sin had nothing to do with it.  They were sure Jesus couldn’t be from God.  They were tight with God…so they thought…so how could anyone from God do anything they wouldn’t recognize?  Yes, they were blind and had no idea.

The man whose sight was gifted to him when he was an adult seemed to not only have received physical sight.  In the Message it states in John 9:30-33, “The man replied, ‘This is amazing!  You claim to know nothing about him, but the  fact is, he opened my eyes!  He got it.

It’s well known that God isn’t at the beck and call of sinners, but listens carefully to anyone who lives in reverence and does his will.  The act of opening the eyes of a man born blind has never been heard of–ever.  If this man didn’t come from God, he wouldn’t be able to do anything.'”  How can you refute the personal testimony of this man?

I was so moved by the statement, “but listens carefully to anyone who lives in reverence and does his will.”  Lives in reverence and does his will…it seems that is how we have eyes to see.  It is so true in my life when I am not walking tight with God, my perspective gets skewed…and I seem to be spinning my wheels.

Then here comes Jesus’ observation of the Pharisees who seem very unhappy with his assessment.  In verse 41, “Jesus said, ‘If you were really blind, you would be blameless, but since you claim to see everything so well, you’re accountable for every fault and failure.'” 

Working on staff at church, I often wrestle with this.  I do not want to end up in a situation where Jesus’ assessment of me is that I boast of fully understanding and yet have no clue.  “Lord Jesus, open my eyes!”

Then our next miracle is casting a demon out of a young boy.  It seems he had been possessed for most of his life. This miracle encourages my heart in a way I didn’t expect.

The father of this young boy was one of the religious leaders of the day. Being very educated in the Mosaic law, the scribes were to help the common man understand the law. As we have shared, even in the miracle of the blind man above, the religious leaders got pretty worked up about Jesus. He didn’t seem to fit their paradigm of their interpretation of how God operated.

But when his son had been in such a desperate situation for so many years, it seems he gave himself permission to question his knowledge that he, almost worship like, had come to rely on. Out of desperation, he humbled himself and sought the help of Jesus’ disciples. And discouraged again, he went straight to Jesus. (It seems there was some skeptical push by his cronies.)

Jesus seemed to be disappointed in the lack of faith his own men had. Had they not been experiencing life with Him for quite some time now? And they had not just experienced an incredible mountaintop moment with Jesus that had been powerfully affirmed by God? Oh ye of little faith.

Jesus decides to take the reigns on this one. All it takes is a little faith with prayer and fasting. The scribe, from the depths of his pain, cries out. Tears streaming down his dusty face, “I believe, Lord! Help my unbelief.”

Finally, the arguments over the law didn’t matter. All that mattered was a touch from Jesus for his tormented son. Have you ever been overwhelmed with something your kids seem to be consumed by? You’ve probably even cried out to God.

And interestingly, the demon didn’t give up without a fight. That is why the need for prayer and fasting. But our kids are worth the fight! A young boy freed from this bondage and a spiritual leader receives his sight…all in one miracle. What did his peers think? Did they now see their fellow scribe as a weakling? Someone who has succumbed to the illogical, emotional movement of the crowd? Did they snub him? Probably! But his son was FREE! Worth it all!

From there Jesus pays the Temple Tax from a coin found in the mouth of a fish. What?? From a fish?? And He technically didn’t even owe it. So like redemption…He pays the price for what is not his debt.

Then as if a blind man healed and a demon possessed young boy isn’t enough, they bring him a blind, mute and demon possessed pathetic wretch. No challenge for Jesus. And instead of being amazed, the religious leaders again think he’s up to something evil. Seriously??? Jesus refutes them with the idea that their argument doesn’t even make a lick of logical sense. Really? Satan is going to wipe out Satan? Come on boys, you are just getting ridiculous now. Just stop it!

But I’m taken back by the woman in the crowd who applauds Mary. How blessed is she who bore this miracle worker, man of compassion. Yet Jesus stole her thunder with truth. You and I can be as blessed as this woman thought Mary was, even though we will never bear the Son of God or even if we have the worst kids in the world. (I’m sure your kids are wonderful!!) 😉. If we hear the Word of God we are half way. Once we keep God’s word in our minds, hearts and life, we be blessed. I’ve been there. Have you?

Let’s go there today, friend!

Good morning, Lord! How I want to be blessed by you. My soul can’t live without you! Like Jacob, even if it takes a wrestling match that gives me a limp, I want your word so deep in my soul that I can’t not keep it!! I pray this for my friends, also! Expose any blindness I have. Shed light in my dark places and open my eyes! I need you more than air and water! Please give me what I need for today. In the name of the Light of the World, amen!
 
 

And next we will look at these miracles:

30 Heals a Crippled Woman – Lk 13:10-17
31 Heals a Man With Dropsy on the Sabbath – Lk 14:1-6
32 Cleanses Ten Lepers – Lk 17:11-19
33 Raises Lazarus from the Dead – Jn 11:1-45

Blessings on your day, my friends! 😘 

And We Begin Again

Welcome back…to me. How I’ve missed my time here. There will be no rash promises. I’m here for today. We’ll take it one day at a time.

I’m feeling a bit famished. That’s what relying on my own strength does in time. Last December we brought our grand nephew to live with us. The reality of my humanness has been laid bare before me. Ugh! Praise be to God for his grace and mercy!!

And then in August I became the Children’s Ministry Director at church. I resisted the position feeling wholly inadequate. Yet God made it clear to me that is where he wants me…for now. My response to him was, “Are you kidding??!!??!!??!!”

To that He replied, “No! It’s not about you. I’ve given you and will give you what you need. And the biggest thing you need is Me. I am the vine and you are the branches. If you abide in Me and I in you you will bear much fruit. Apart from me you can do nothing.”

And so the journey begins. Why do I so resist abiding in Him? It is so foolish. So here I am, again needing to dig deep in His word. It is my nourishment, my direction, my hope, my calling.

For now I will continue where I left off with looking at his miracles. Lord knows I could use some miracles! How about you?

Blessings to you as you join me in this journey.

To bring you up to speed again, these are the miracles we are looking at this week:

25 Heals a Blind Man at Bethsaida – Mk 8:22-26
26 Heals a Man Born Blind – Jn 9:1-12
27 Heals a Boy with a Demon – Mt 17:14-20, Mk 9:14-29, Lk 9:37-43
28 Miraculous Temple Tax in a Fish’s Mouth – Mt 17:24-27
29 Heals a Blind, Mute Demoniac – Mt 12:22-23, Lk 11:14-23
.

Patience, The Rewarded Virtue

The biggest thing I gleaned from this chapter is patient endurance. Now I must admit, I don’t have this one down.
🙂 How about you?

There are a few poignant examples:
The faithful farmer. Oh, the patience of the ancient farmer. His irrigation systems fully relied on the annual rains. In my book, that requires tremendous patient. The ultimate patience, which should be the easiest patience, waiting on God. If I truly believe God will take care of me, this patience comes without strain. When there is strain, it is usually from my doubt.

James tells us how to be patient. I’m glad, because I do better with instructions. Establish your hearts. In other words, be resolute, steadfastly set, strengthen. The only way I know to do this is to make sure my mind is set on the truth of God’s character!

Another evidence we are letting our patience slip through the cracks of our belief is when we start groaning against fellow Christians.

How did the prophets hang on? It had to be a firm confidence in God. Often they didn’t see accomplished in their lifetime what God showed them and required them to share with the people.

And then we have Job. What a life. Yet, through it all, God is faithful and full of ‘tender pity & compassion’.

Beyond patient endurance, James had more practical counsel. Apparently, there was difficulty with keeping your word and misusing other people’s trust in his day.

Not hard to imagine in our culture. Haven’t you heard, ‘What happened to handshake agreements?’ In my job, I see this over and over. People’s word is not as good as gold. James challenges his listeners to honor their word. If you say yes, let it mean yes.

And once again he emphasizes how important God is in EVERY area of our life! Hardships, happy times, sickness. And we need each other. ‘Call on the elders to pray.’
(On a side note, it’s interesting to me that he doesn’t tell the elders to call on the sick.)

It’s pretty bold of James to use the example of the prayers of Elijah as an example of the power of prayer. Or is it?

Elijah, as we see in the scriptures, is not different from us. He had his emotional ups and downs and times he wrestled with God. Fortunately forbid, God isn’t looking for perfection. He takes care of that.

He’s looking for us to come to Him and He’s wanting us to involve Him in our world. He covers a multitude of sin in our life.

And then as we are amazed at how incredible He is and how He is full of ‘tender pity and compassion’ towards us, we will reach out to others who have no longer let God be a part of their world and no longer seek to be a part of His. Who will you touch today?

Lord, thank you for covering a multitude of my sins and reminding me that I have no reason to doubt you. Often I wrestle with praying for patience. It seems that when I do, life tries mine. But you call me to pray for wisdom and with wisdom comes patience. My lack of patience is often evidence of my lack of belief. Thank you for showing me areas I need to hand over to you. Today I trust you. Help me with my weak trust.

Please show me who you want me to encourage today. Who you are drawing back to yourself that needs a reminder that you are worthy of our trust?

Amen.

Next week’s assignment:

We’re going to go back and finish up the miracles of Jesus

Dec. 17-23
25 Heals a Blind Man at Bethsaida – Mk 8:22-26
26 Heals a Man Born Blind – Jn 9:1-12
27 Heals a Boy with a Demon – Mt 17:14-20, Mk 9:14-29, Lk 9:37-43
28 Miraculous Temple Tax in a Fish’s Mouth – Mt 17:24-27
29 Heals a Blind, Mute Demoniac – Mt 12:22-23, Lk 11:14-23
.

We Have An Approachable God

James 4 is a hard-hitting chapter.

He has a clear agenda for his audience.  STOP QUARRELING & FIGHTING!  What you’re fighting is not your fight.  You’re fighting to satisfy unmet desires.  You have unmet desires because you’re not asking for them or you’re asking for them with wrong motives.

The older I get , I have a different perspective on my wants and needs.  Spending for the first half of my life not wanting to admit I had them.  In reflection, the fights I’ve had over the years seriously had to do with unmet needs and wanting them met by the wrong people or by people who didn’t have the means to satisfy my needs…whether or not they should.  Sometimes my fights generated from times I unsuccessfully tried to meet my own needs in unhealthy ways and then feeling guilty.  My guilt made me edgy.  Here was my answer all along.

Don’t befriend the world.  Fall into the arms of my gracious creator.  Even beg to have our needs met.  He knows better than anyone what my needs are.  HEEELLLOOO!!!  He made me.  Of course, He knows me better than anyone and has the ability to meet those needs.

James uses some intense language.  We aren’t to sit back and hope it all works out.  We need to be proactive.  Don’t sit on the fence.  The world can titillate, but it can’t satisfy.  The world can entice, but it can’t deliver.  The sooner we realize this, the better off we are.  The sooner we receive the exceedingly large and mighty divine influence on our hearts and reflection in our lives.

Not only did God create us, he chose us to be his permanent residence.  No wonder He says there’s not enough room in our hearts for Him and the world.  How insulting it is for us to even consider it.  Yet we do…daily.  Instead, I will to humble myself before God.  Put myself under obedience to God.  I’m to arrange in a military fashion under the command of my leader, Almighty God.

Here James says that God resists the proud and then intentionally uses a similar  word, “resist”, to encourage us to resist the devil, the false accuser.  The word, “resist”, means to set himself against.  God sets Himself against the proud.  He ranges in battle against.  When I think of resist, I think of a defensive posture.  This sounds more offensive to me.  So as God ranges in battle against the proud, we are to set ourselves against the devil.  The best part is he will flee from us when we do.  How different life would be if Adam and Eve had been less human and more of an example to us on how to do this.  🙂  But that’s a-whole-other story.

How incredible it is that even now….so long after Adam and Eve…God wants us to approach him.  As we do, he gladly comes more than halfway.

James wanted to make sure that those who were seeking satisfaction from the world didn’t take the change lightly.  He told them to wash their hands and purify their hearts.  Stop their foolish laughing, mourn, humble yourself.  Preparing to spend time with God was an involved process.  But the reward is having the gentle hand of God lift us up…far higher than we or anyone else could lift us up.

Once again, he says stop the deflecting of your lack of needs by telling lies about your brothers.  He says the word, “brothers” several times in this text.  I needed the reminder that “family” is VERY important to James.  How much did he slander his brother or fight and quarrel with him.  It seems he was speaking from experience.  Oh, the wisdom experience can bring!  🙂

Always remember that we are fleeting on this earth…only a vapor.  Life’s too short to get caught up in all the junk.  I want to know God well before I get to heaven.  I want to experience what he has for me know.  There is so much!  How about you?

Father God, with my heart bowed low, I come to you.  Cleanse me of my pride.  Keep my eyes open to the truth of my stupid bickering and fighting.  Even the thoughts of these things.  You are my provider.  You can use humans to meet those needs, but I rely on you first. Thank you for your super-sized grand grace.  It is because of your grace I can live by faith and not by whether or not my needs and wants are being met by those around me.  Thank you for your provision and your wisdom.  I need it!  Amen.

Next weeks schedule:

February 11-17 – James 5

On our knees, share with me your stories of grace this week.  🙂

Does My Faith Show?

I don’t know about you, but this section was filled with conviction for me.

Many in our nation profess faith in Jesus Christ, yet in many areas it doesn’t show.

Our low morality rate shows the mortality of our faith. I hate to say it, but we need a wake-up call in our faith. We’re deceiving ourselves if we think our faith shouldn’t interfere with anyone else’s life. It can’t but help affecting others.

So you say, “Guaren, seriously? I don’t want to offend or push my faith on someone else.”

Of course!!! We shouldn’t seek to offend. We shouldn’t be ashamed of our faith. And true faith shows up in our lives…not just our words.

Three times in this passage, James says faith without works is dead. Dead, like one who has breathed his last or who is lifeless. There is much lifeless faith. Too much. And surely I’m not just speaking to you all. I’m speaking just as loudly to me. I do not want my faith to show up dead.

One way we show our faith is helping those in need. Sometimes I wrestle with this. Out of fear of enabling someone, I don’t help anyone. That’s not godly.

Wisdom. That’s what I need! Wisdom. And we learned recently that all I need to get wisdom is to sincerely request it from God.

The idea that demons believe in God and shudder is powerful. Demons oppose God. But they believe he exists. And they even know his power. Yet they don’t rely on him for life. James addresses this right after he compares their faith using a truth they knew full well. They have spoken a verse out of Deuteronomy their entire lives.

Hear O Israel, The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Deuteronomy 6:4

And here James says if you believe this you are doing well. But he cautions them to be careful. Just believing he exists and is powerful isn’t enough. It’s believing that Jesus is enough for us.
James works over and over to show that if we believe that, it will show up in what we do. Faith is our partner in labor with our works. Our faith is completed by what we do. Works adds what is yet wanting in order. It renders faith full.

Abraham’s actions shows the state of him as he ought to be. His actions made him a friend of God because he believed enough in God to do what he called him to do.

The next picture he gives was powerful to me. Like the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead.

What a spot on analogy. I had the privilege of being near my dad when he passed away. (If you had asked me if I wanted to be there even two weeks before, my answer would have been a resounding, “NOOOOO!!!!!!” But it turned out to be a very precious thing.)

What a contrast. My dad alive v. my dad dead. Obviously no comparison. Even one of my sisters commented on how different he looked. Hearing about the difference is nothing like seeing it.

Do I want my faith to be alive or dead? With that picture, it’s a no brainer! Lord, let my works shine!!

As James continues, he charges teachers to a higher standard. How interesting that he says their biggest challenge is their tongue. Such a seemingly insignificant part of the body.

Yet, oh, the venom it can wield. But that venom is not the fault of our tongue as much it is the fault if our heart. The tongue is just the delivery agent of deep seated bitterness, jealous, unhealthy self promotion. On the flip side it can wield balms of healing and help.

The first comes from our natural, earthly, sinful selves. That’s why it’s incredibly easy to spew and so terribly destructive.

Wisdom from God flows from our lips as we allow the Holy Spirit to transform our hearts. When we speak from a pure, peaceful, gentle, yielding to others, full of mercy & good fruit heart, without prejudice and transparent, ready to believe in goodness, we are right on track in our faith. As we sow peace, we reap peace.

Lord, I long for my faith to be evidenced by my life. Do what you will with my heart so that your goodness and wisdom flows from my life.

Thank you for the life of James, who grew up knowing Jesus. Who saw first hand his life. Who saw first hand as truth rose to the top.

If anyone knew of a reason not to believe in Jesus, it would be James. And yet his passion grew. He realized that He was sent from you as the long awaited Messiah, God in the Flesh. The one who spoke this world and each one of us into existence.

Help me ‘get’ what James ‘got’.
Wisdom and understanding I need. Please fill me. Amen.

Next weeks assignment:
February 4-10 – James 4

Have a blessed week!

Impressed By Bling, And Not The King

Oh, to dig into God’s Word.  Rich doesn’t begin to describe how valuable and wonderful it is.

Knowing the history of the author of the books and the culture of the day actually increases its applicability for my life today.  Often I look at my friends around me and how they live their lives without God.  If they could see God from the deepest parts of the Bible, they couldn’t do anything but be head over heals in love with Him.  Yet, when I’m not learning more and more about Him and experiencing Him in my life, my picture of Him lacks luster and other things or people grab my attention.

In this weeks verses I learned some things that aren’t obvious in the text that I hope to convey to you in a way that excites you, too.

The text is so practical and full of wisdom.  Yet, there are many examples in this passage, because of where James was coming from, add punch to the words.

As we shared before, James was Jewish.   Growing up Jewish, James knew the Old Testament and the traditions, and many traditions they have.  And James is addressing his teachings to a Jewish-Christian audience.  Coming from this perspective, Let me get started and hopefully I can share my heart in a clear way.

How many times did we hear our mom’s remind us that we should listen before we speak.  And to add to that, we shouldn’t let our anger get the best of us.  James adds that “man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.”   When we are young in our faith, it is often hard to separate our human responses to the responses God calls us to have.  Man, can I get mad at the simplest things!  And then I, for a long time thought it was wrong to be angry if you were a Christian.  The more I get into the Bible the more I see the fallacy of both of those reaction.

So what is righteous anger?  When should I be anger?  What do I do with my anger when it rears its ugly head?  Don’t ask me, I have no idea!!  Just kidding…sort of.  I’m still learning how to deal with it.  It is one of my weak-spots.  But I do know that I can’t get it under control fully on my own.  Now I don’t want to use the excuse, “That’s just how God made me.” or “The devil made me do it.”  

Darn it, both of those are lame excuses.  But as we discussed last week, according to James, we can ask God for wisdom and he will give us a boat-load without finding fault for asking.  And when I do that, He comes through every time.

It’s fascinating to me that we can be on fire for God and then we get comfortable or lazy or distracted and we don’t let what he has for us sink in.  We hear sermons, we read His Word, yet it doesn’t change us.  But then, change is hard!  We might have to sacrifice something dear to us.  We might get uncomfortable.  We might be convicted.  But as my husband says, “‘Mights’ grow on chicken’s rear ends.”  🙂  (Well, he doesn’t quite say it that way.)   

Also, how often do we just try to be better to please God?  I don’t know about you, but I need his help.  When was the last time you talked to God about changing?  Not just gloating a little when you’re making a bit of progress, or whining and wailing in remorse because you blew it…again…and again…and again?  He wants to help us.  He LOVES to help us mature!  HELLO!  He sent his Son to give us life…to the full.  Asking for his help is easy, breezy compared to that.  He’s already given us the Holy Spirit.  (Just so you know, that last paragraph was for me and you just got to listen in.  LOL)

And then, as we change and do, we get blessed.  We get blessed?  Yes.  Putting two and two together, James surely was familiar with the Sermon on the Mount recorded in Matthew.  He heard Jesus say over and over, “Blessed are those who…”

And He’s the one who empowers us to change!  What a deal that is!  Now His help doesn’t release us from our own hard work, so we need to make sure we have our workout clothes on.  Ha Ha!  Maybe that is what the armor of God is.  🙂

I love how James describes the law as the “perfect law that gives freedom”.  I don’t think of laws as freeing.  They feel confining.  Yet, this one doesn’t.  That is probably because of who the Author of that law is!  I want to look at that intently!  When we’re intentional, we can’t just sit on the couch to hope we see it.  Sometimes we have to get on our hands and knees to see it clearly.  Let’s not give up when we don’t seem to be making progress or when we are frustrated by others around us.

It seems the toughest work is with our(my) tongue.  And here James say that if we haven’t gotten our tongue under control, then anything we profess about our faith is worthless.  Ouch!  Not just hindered, but worthless.  And that going to church regularly, praying, studying the Bible isn’t helpful unless we are looking after orphans and widows and keeping ourselves from being polluted by the world.

To introduce this next section, James refers to Jesus as “our glorious Lord Jesus Christ.  Such a powerful description of who he is.  In our study this week, Beth Moore shared with us how this description may be referring to the word “glorious” in a broader sense than just that he was incredible.  In the old Testament, God made his presence known by the presence of the ‘Shekinah’ glory.  This was represented by the ‘pillar of fire’ at night and the ‘cloud’ during the day that led the Israelites through desert for 40 years.  It also showed up in the tabernacle and temple.  Again, James would have heard about the ‘Shekinah’ glory many times over the course of his life.  And here it seems he is showing us another example of his half-brother’s ‘ deity by giving us this descriptive word added to the powerful words, ‘Lord’ and ‘Christ’.  Isn’t that an incredible thought!  James was convinced!  That helps confirm it for me!

Another clear example of our lack of true faith is when we show favoritism.  At this time, it seems these believers were favoring the wealthy over the poor.  They were impressed by their showy dress, there ‘bling’, as it were.  Yet at the same time, the wealthy were exploiting them and slandering God.  Here they are insulting the poor, who seemed to be sincere, and stupidly be impressed with the deceitful wealthy.

James is asking them to be wise!  In other parts of the Bible, it charges us to not show favoritism either way…to the wealthy or to the poor.  We are love everyone…and when we do, we are doing right.  When we don’t we are NOT pleasing God.  And we will be judged by how we have judged.  It says in James 2:13, “because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful.”  Makes sense.

Such practical instruction from James.  I hope it blesses you like it has blessed me!

Lord, forgive me for the times that I rest in my knowledge of you, but don’t let it change my life.  How foolish of me to be comfortable knowing about you and missing the knowing you.  Thank you for the wonderful insights from James.  I am in awe of how you orchestrate this life on our behalf.  I will listen more this week, check my anger at the door and seek to help those in need.  Holy Spirit, make room in my heart for this.  Whatever I need to get rid of to make room for what you have in store for me, I ask you to show me.

In the most precious name of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Glory.  Amen

Next week’s assignment:

January 28-February 3 – James 2:14 – 3:18

Don’t Be Deceived, Ask For Wisdom

Who is this James?

According to Matthew 13:55-56, Jesus had at least 6 half siblings. The oldest brother was James.

How do you grow up with a perfect brother? I tended to be the compliant child growing up. (Now if you ask my sisters or my mom, they’ll tell beyond a shadow of doubt that I was far from perfect!!) But to my sisters it felt like I was favored at times. ANNOYING!

Can you imagine what it was like for James.  Jesus did exactly what Mom & Dad asked him to do…except that time he stayed back at the temple after the family was headed back home.  And he grew in statue and favor with men and God.  But what about those ‘weird’ things he said.  Like, “Who are my mother and brothers?  You are,” speaking to the crowd.

James and his siblings had to have been completely irritated about how he seemed to be Mom’s favorite.  And then his life didn’t take the course they all expected.  He wasn’t a professional carpenter.  He hung out with the oddest crowd.  He didn’t set up house or look for a wife.  He just seemed to roam the streets.  And the world seemed to follow him everywhere.

What was it about him that attracted people?  It’s just Jesus.  Can’t you just hear James trying to figure this brother out.  He was quite the odd duck.  They could try to explain is ‘different-ness’ by his mysterious beginnings.  You know what they say.  “What a bizarre explanation”, he  surely thought.

The end of Jesus’ life was wild.  Arrested and crucified?  Why?  You know James agreed that he was nothing short of strange.  But a criminal deserving death???  Never!

Then things began to make sense, especially when Jesus made a point to meet up with him after he raised from the dead.  Jesus’ life started to make sense.  He wasn’t just the brother that lived life to the beat of a different drummer.  He was the drummer.  James should be living his life to the beat of his half-brother’s life.  And boy did it change his perspective on life…his perspective on God.

And now he shares that in his letter title simply, James.  James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.

A servant…of his brother??? his brother, Jesus?? Yes.  Emphatically, YES!

To the twelve tribes scatter among the nations.  Yes, scattered because of the persecution they received for following Jesus.

James was Jewish and had a heart for his family and friends whose lives had been tremendously impacted by his half-brother’s life.  His half-brother whose father was God, himself.  He was God.  He lived it.  He knew who Jesus really was.  He had seen what even the public had not seen.  He grew up with him.

And what does he say to those who have been scattered because of persecution?

Consider it pure joy when you face trials of many kinds…  He is encouraging them to hang in there.  It’s worth it.  I know it doesn’t make sense right now…but it will.  This is all part of the process.  Hang in there and you will become mature and complete, not lacking anything.  And if you aren’t sure how to handle it, ask God for wisdom.

James knew that all God needs for him to be wise was an ask.  Then he hands it out in buckets-full, without question.  All he had to do was ask with the assurance that he would receive it.

Can’t you imagine that there was a season when James’ doubts tossed him to and fro?!

James’ words show tremendous wisdom.  Comfort the poor with the knowledge that God absolutely loves them and remind the wealthy that they are poor because of their sin and even their wealth and life is fleeting…so God loves them, too.

So to all his Jewish friends that believed Jesus was the Messiah for whom they had waited centuries, God would surely reward those who endured the tough times with the crown of life he had promised.

For more wisdom, he gave them a reality check.  God does not tempt, nor can he be tempted.  We are responsible for sin.  We, in our weakness, allow ourselves to be deceived and move desire into sin, which leads ultimately to death.  Those desires and the temporary pleasure we receive in satisfying those desires on our own is not a gift.

True satisfaction, perfect gifts only come from God, who is the same day after day, year after year for eternity.  From the beginning he gave us birth through Christ.  He spoke us into being and he spoke us into a renewed relationship with God.  We are because Christ is and does.  We are his pride and joy.

What a privilege!

Lord, what must it have been like for James?  So many times in my life I have been confused and frustrated.  Only to have it make sense in time.  There are some things that still don’t make sense.  But I have seen you give me clarity in enough situations that I can trust…when I put my mind to it…everything about you.  Give us wisdom so we are not deceived.  

Thank you for the picture of James’ confident faith, knowing Jesus from the inside.

Continue to give us wisdom as we study this book.  Thank you, Amen.

Next week’s schedule:

January 21-27 – James 1:19 – 2:13

James

Have you ever wondered what it would’ve been like to be a sibling of Jesus? Oh, so many thoughts run through my mind! Some noble, some jealous, some ornery.

Join me as we look deep at what James was compelled to share with us after growing up as the half-brother of Jesus.

Our schedule will be:

January 14-20 – James 1:1-18
January 21-27 – James 1:19 – 2:13
January 28-February 3 – James 2:14 – 3:18
February 4-10 – James 4
February 11-17 – James 5

I am looking forward to venturing into James’ perspectives and insights with you.

Blessings, my friends & spiritual siblings!