Category: Jesus

A dear friend was given the opportunity to share a brief word with a group of missionaries. This was his encouragement: “Be your message.”

If your message is faith, live by faith. If your message is generosity, be generous. If your message is mercy, be merciful. If your message is love, then love.

What if your message is Jesus? Was Paul arrogant to write, “I urge you to imitate me”? Paul confessed being the chief of sinners, yet he knew the mystery of God: “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” As he yielded himself to His Savior, Paul knew Light would shine forth. “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Paul knew he was becoming his message. He never claimed to arrive, but he knew the aim of the journey. “I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.”

How do I become the message of Jesus? No doubt God must do a mighty work in my heart, but what work am I to do? “Then they asked him, ‘What must we do to do the works God requires?’ Jesus answered, ‘The work of God is this: to believe in the one He sent.’” Oh to believe in the One God sent… every moment… every day… in every situation. If I believe He is the Way, I will want to spend time with Him and listen to His words. Oswald Chambers wrote, “It is natural to be like the one we live with most; then if we spend most of our time with Jesus Christ, we shall begin to be like Him, by the way we are built naturally and by the Spirit God puts in.”

So if you want to be merciful, sit at the feet of Jesus and know His mercy… then put into practice what you learn. If you want to love like God does, hang out with Jesus and receive the love this world desperately needs… then freely give what you freely receive. If you want to be the message that brings life, draw close to the One who is Life… then be Life to all around you.

“When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.” Acts 4:13

Teachers (especially math teachers) cherish the moments when the “light bulb comes on” and a student understands what has been taught. Sometimes a concept can be taught weeks without being understood. Without understanding, a student may have been going through the proper steps, perhaps even getting an occasional problem correct, when, for some unknown reason, the “light bulb comes on” and he exclaims, “Oh… now I get it!”

Understanding is much more critical before the Master Teacher. Why doesn’t everyone see that without Jesus there is no hope? How can the things of this world rival eternity? Until certain “revelations” take place, we are captive to a spiritual enemy. “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”

God holds revelation in His hands. Jesus called many blind that thought they could see. He quoted the prophets who predicted a lack of understanding. “You will be ever hearing but never understanding; ever seeing but never perceiving.” It almost seemed that the advantaged ones were the poor, the uneducated, and the despised.

When the revelation of sin comes, a man can feel undone. “What a wretched man I am!” Paul wrote. “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” Peter cried. Without the knowledge of sin, a person might live a carefree life. People around might think he’s the happiest guy in the world, but such is not reality. The revelation of sin brings despair, but where there is truth there is hope. At such points one might search for a Savior. “Who will rescue me from this body of death?” There is One who can. There is One who paid the price, but only sinners know they need Him.

When Peter answered the question Jesus asked about what people thought about Him, he answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus knew his friend had been given a revelation. “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.”

In our day of enlightenment, we think we figure things out on our own, but don’t we need revelation? If I truly saw Jesus as the King who created me and then died for me, would I live for myself? If I truly fathomed the price paid for my sin, would I fail to repent? If I truly comprehended the love of the Father, would I put anything before Him? If I fully understood the mercy I have received, would I ever withhold mercy from another? Jesus praised His Father for revealing the hidden things to the ones the world overlooked. May He show such kindness to us.

“I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.” Matthew 11:25-26

“I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.” Ephesians 1:17-19

“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge -that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:16-19

The Instigator spoke the Word, darkness understood and light appeared. With sin, another darkness came into the world… an evil darkness that leads to death.

So God spoke again. The Word entered the darkness, but this time, the darkness did not understand. He was despised and rejected by man. Though full of life, He was put to death and sealed in a tomb. But the Instigator of light will not be defeated by darkness or death. The risen Word now invites us to receive life and walk in the light as He is in the light. “Your Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.”

Those that walk with Him continually instigate light in a dark world. “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.” John 1:1-5

I guess this will be my last writing for a while as we are coming to the close of another school year. Some have noticed the Yahoo advertising on recent writings: “Get a free psychic reading… your online answer to life’s important questions.” When Jesus approached the spirits at work in this world, they would often shout the truth that was hidden from most men: “I know who you are – the Holy One of God!” Interestingly, Jesus would sternly tell the evil spirits to be quiet.(see Mark 1:21-28) He did not want the good news proclaimed by demons.

He wants the good news proclaimed by us! “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

Those who know Jesus can tell people where the answers really are. Of course, Jesus does not just give answers… He is the Answer. When we come to that place where we see Him as our Everything, life takes on new meaning. This sounds too simple for some, but it is true. When the things of this world cloud this truth, or when my own faithlessness or laziness prevents me from participating in the fellowship Jesus offers, I always weaken.

A dear missionary friend wrote us a note this week. Anna’s words proclaim the Answer, our hope: “It is all about Christ… who He is, as He gives Himself to us and helps us become more like Him. He is constantly calling us to “alignment” with Himself and His will. Often we miss this as are trying to do His will because we can be so caught up in the task ahead instead of the Person ahead – Him.”

Be caught up in Jesus this summer.

“The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights.” Habakuk 3:19

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood shed on the cross.” Colossians 1:15-20

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20

Why did Jesus leave this message with His disciples before ascending to the right hand of His Father? Even after Jesus gave His life and was raised from the dead, He knew there was a further mission. Sin was defeated at the cross, but salvation only comes to those who hear and believe Jesus is Savior and Lord.

Jesus gives a great commission to His followers so the lost will not remain lost. In these words, Jesus demonstrates the same love that moved His Father to send His only begotten Son to this world.

“Go, Son. There are so many misconceptions about Me. Go show the world who I really am. Show the world how much I love. Bring the lost home.” Are we not given the same charge?

“You know Me and love Me; go tell others. There are many misconceptions about Me. Go show the world who I really am. Show everyone how much I love. Bring the lost to Me.”

Chemo makes the mind quite cloudy, so I didn’t write too much a couple of years ago. But occasionally I had a clear thought. Below is a writing from one of those rare times. I’ll be away next week. May we all be ambassadors for Christ wherever we go!

WALKING ACROSS EGYPT

Daddy, why am I an only Son?

We’ve just not created the rest of the family, Jesus. Do you want brothers and sisters?

Yes, Father. That would be awesome! Do You want more children?

I do, Jesus, but I want to tell you there will be a great cost to have them.

I’ll help, Daddy! I want Heaven to be full of your children – my brothers and sisters!

Daddy, are You still resting?

Yes, Son. It’s the 7th day. What are you thinking about?

Daddy, I want You to know that these last six days have been the most incredible I’ve ever seen.

We had fun, didn’t we?

Do you remember us talking one time about a bigger family? Are Adam and Eve a part of that family?

That’s the start, Jesus. I want to remind You again, though, that this desire for many children has much pain and struggle involved.

But You still want many children, don’t You?

Yes.

And I still want brothers and sisters. So I’m excited!

Son, what would You be willing to do to bring this family into existence?

Do You remember that hot, sun-baked spot we created on Earth? The country with much sun, much desert, and miles of wilderness?

Do You mean Egypt?

Yes, Egypt. Daddy, I would walk across Egypt to bring You more sons and daughters.

Son, You are really something!

Oh, Daddy!!! They have messed up. How could they have been so stupid? Oh no! They can’t live with us now. What about our family?

You’re right, Son. Adam and Eve have messed up. But there is still a way for the family to come about. I’m afraid the cost is almost unthinkable, though.

Oh but Daddy, I told you I would walk across Egypt to bring you a family. Tell me what I must do!

You must go there.

Where?

To Egypt. To the Earth. You must live as a man. This is the only way to bring Me sons and daughters.

How will they become your children – given their present state?

I will make it quite simple, really. They must admit they need us. They must love us. And they must believe with all their heart that You are my Son.

That doesn’t sound too hard. Surely they will admit they are in need – just look at them now! And how can they not just love You with all their heart – especially when I remind them who You really are and how much You love them. And surely they’ll just know I am Your Son.

Jesus, I am sending You, my only begotten Son at great risk. I am sending You to make the people we have created a part of our family. I am Your Father and I love You with an everlasting love.

Daddy, I’m here! It sure is hot down here in Egypt – but we’re going to have a family soon!

Daddy, these people have a hard time admitting they are in need! What’s the deal?

It is sin, Jesus. That’s the deal.

We need to get rid of this sin, then.

Keep walking, Son. I am proud of you.

Daddy, a bunch of people down here say they know and love You, but they don’t know You at all. And they sure don’t love You. What’s worse, they are keeping others from seeing who You really are!

It’s sin, Jesus.

We’ve got to get rid of this sin, Father.

Keep walking across Egypt, Son. You’re doing great.

Daddy, how am I going to get people to believe I am your Son? You’ve let me break about every natural law we set in place and they still don’t believe. I don’t understand.

Signs and wonders won’t do it, Son. Jesus, there’s only one way people will really know You are my Son. The cost is great.

I’m ready to finish the walk, Dad. You’ve prepared Me. Please let Me finish. I know Your Love is the only power great enough to overcome these obstacles. Let Your Love flow through Me, Father. Bring sons and daughters into Our Kingdom!

Son, My tears will flow like rivers these next days. I love you with an everlasting love. Finish Your walk.

Daddy? Daddy? I don’t know if I can do it! Daddy, where are You? Is there another way, Father? Oh God! Oh God! Help Me, Daddy!

I can’t carry it any further! It’s too heavy! I’m falling!

Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me; weep for yourselves and for your children. For the time will come when you will say, ‘Blessed are the barren women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’ Then “they will say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us!’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us!’” For if men do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?

I’m thirsty!!!

My God, my God, why have you forsaken Me?

IT IS FINISHED!!!