Ever learning, but never arriving at a knowledge of the Truth vs. having a “know it” all attitude

Within the mystery and foolishness of God (1 Corinthians 1:25), Truth is a person, the person of Jesus Christ (John 14:6). And to confuse things even further, Truth is the Logos, the rational argument, and the Logos is this very same person (John 1:1). And we can know a person, yet never fully plummet the depth of who they are. And if this is true of human beings how much more is it true of God? But does this sound like a lot of nonsense to you? Well, even little child knows that if you could understand God you would be God, and do we not have to be as little children to enter the kingdom (Matthew 18:3)?

So part of what the first of the two scriptures (2 Timothy 2:3) implied in the title of this post means, is that we can know a great deal about the person of Jesus Christ, yet never enter into relationship with Him. And while entering into relationship with Him is what eternal life is all about (John 17:3), it is a big step since it requires repentance, turning from our sin, and absolute surrender (Mark 1:15; Romans 12:1).

The second implied Scripture is from 1 Corinthians 8:2 which says “And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know.” the previous verse says “Knowledge inflates with pride, but love builds up.” And we see pride in the Pharisee, we see it in the church, and was see it in the world. So can we have correct doctrine and still get things wrong? Let me count the ways!

Father, the question of my friend “How’s a chap supposed to know,” is so relevant here. Part of the answer, is that we cannot know a person unless that person reveals himself to us. And you have told us Your condition, namely that we will search for You and find You when we search for You with all of our heart (Jeremiah 29:13). So it’s not a matter of intellect, it’s a heart matter. These are serious issues, with eternal consequences, and I need Your mercy Lord for times I have not represented You well (2 Corinthians 2:16). Thank You Lord that Your mercy is great, and that all who call upon the name of the Lord will be saved (Romans 10:13) In Jesus Name Amen

Death is Swallowed up in victory

In the same passage (verse 54) Paul tells us that Jesus is the first fruits of them that sleep (1 Corinthians 15:20). Sleep here refers to death, and the thing about first fruits, is that it showed the tree was fruitful, and gave the promise of much fruit in season. And though Jesus was not the first to be raised from the dead (i.e Lazarus), He was the first to be raised in a body that would never again die. In particular, He could do even better than the “Beam me home Scotty,” sort of thing in Star Trek. In this body He could pass through walls, but He could also eat and drink (Luke 24:43; Matthew 26:29).

Paul describes this new type of resurrection, as our mortal body putting on immortality, corruption putting on incorruption, and death being swallowed up, overpowered if you like by the same resurrection power that raised Jesus from the dead into His immortal body (verse 54). And I believe this, not because it’s the most logical thing, but because I have come to trust the Book that knows me, the One who inspired it (2 Timothy 3:16), and the One with whom I have communion every day.

It is hard for me this morning, to describe the longing that I have for this body that is so, so subject to corruption, this mortal frame that is so susceptible to “every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us” (Hebrews 12:1), to describe the longing I have to be in the place where all trials and temptation end, where death has lost its sting because there will be no more death nor mourning nor crying nor pain (Revelation 21:4). Indeed, though with Paul in Him for me to live is Christ in ever growing abundance, with meaning and hope and joy, nevertheless for me to die is gain (Philippians 1:21).

Father, thank You again this morning, that with Paul I can say that I know You whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that You are able to keep that which I have committed to You against that Day (2 Timothy 1:12). And I pray this morning Lord for the revival that will bring more and more of the ones You are calling to this place and far, far beyond. I truly believe "We ain't seen nothing yet." Even so come Lord Jesus in Your Holy and Lovely and Precious Name Amen

But while they still did not believe for joy …. (Luke 24:41)

Have you ever experienced something that you thought was just too good to be true? There’s no such thing as a free lunch right? The disciples were experiencing an emotional roller coaster ride, from the depths of despair, to the unbelievable. It’s an interesting question to ask why it was unbelievable, Jesus had raised others from the dead, and He had told them that He too would rise from the dead (Mark 9:31).

Historical proof is different from scientific proof, but without going into any of that, you have to know that the disciples believed that Jesus had risen from the dead. The reason I say this, is that with the possible exception of John, all of them died for their faith. And you don’t die for a lie, especially when renouncing the “lie,” gets you off the hook!

And I believe that Jesus rose from the dead, because of the many mini resurrections that have happened in my own life (resurrected knees for example), and in the lives of those I am in fellowship with. Just this morning, there was a partial healing of a ladies back that I prayed for in Jesus name. She was satisfied with a 20% healing (her estimation not mine). I told her that there was more, but she walked away. It can be a bit scary, when somebody prays for your healing in Jesus Name, and it starts to happen! As for me, I am contending for divine health, it’s coming, but it’s not there yet!

Thank you Lord, that You are the same yesterday today and forever. You healed 2000 years ago, and you heal today, and I have seen too much to continue in unbelief. And yet Lord there are still pockets of unbelief in me, but like the disciples of old it’s a mixture of joy, unbelief and amazement. I want more Lord, there is always more and I thank You and give You all the honour and glory and praise again this morning in Jesus Name Amen!

Resurrection, fact or fiction?

For some, faith is believing seven impossible things before breakfast. The little boy’s definition of faith “believing something you know is not true.” In fact, if you can disprove the resurrection then you totally and absolutely demolish Christianity. But I do believe in the resurrection, so have I believed something that is impossible?

In Hebrews 11:1 we read “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” I am in a long conversation with an old friend of mine who says he does not believe because he doesn’t see the evidence for it. He is looking for scientific evidence, but to prove or disprove things of ancient history by science is not possible. And in three paragraphs, it is not possible to discuss all that needs to be discussed, for example what do we mean by proof, what do we mean by evidence etc. etc. But if God does exist, and the universe was created in an instant by a single word from Him, then nothing is impossible, and it takes faith of a different kind to rule out in advance of any discussion on the subject, the possibility the One who claimed to be God was resurrected from the dead.

The Scripture compares the work of the Spirit to a wind, and if the wind is strong enough there’s plenty of evidence that something has passed by. And in the circles that I moving I am seeing backs healed, a man who had Parkinson’s disease being restored before my very eyes, I am seeing broken lives put back together by their faith in Jesus Christ, I am experiencing healing in my own body, heart and mind, and I am at the place where at least for me, these many resurrections point clearly to the conclusion that I have not believed cunningly devised fables (2 Peter 1:16).

Father, thank You for the substance of faith, thank You for the evidence You show me daily of You the invisible God of love, peace, grace, joy and hope. Thank You Lord for what You have done for me, bringing me out of a desolate pit, establishing my steps, putting a song in my mouth, song of praise unto You, and thank You for your promise that many will see and fear and put their trust in You (Psalm 40:1-3). In Jesus Name Amen

Friday has come and gone… But it’s Sunday tomorrow

Saturday, the day after Good Friday, the day after the disciple’s hope had been completely dashed, and it felt even worse than it had the previous day. They had had so many hopes, they had followed Him for three years and they “were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel” (Luke 24:21). Now he was dead, and so were all their dreams. How many of us have been there, or are there now, a lost marriage, dashed hope of a decent job, hope of promotion passed and gone, a friend of mine in jail his hope of parole unrealized? It’s Friday, Jesus is dead, our dreams are dead, …. we had hoped. It’s Friday, but Sunday is coming!

There is a line from a song we sing “Into the darkness You shine, out of the ashes we rise, there is no one like You, none like You (Our God is greater). You see for the Christian there is light, there is hope, when for the rest of the World there is no hope. The point is that we believe in the God of Resurrection, and He can and does restore what the enemy has stolen (John 10:10a). Well, He may or may not restore a broken marriage, we may not get the job back that we lost, but He has promised that He is actively at work for the good of those who love Him and have responded, or are choosing to respond in the midst of the trial, to His call (Romans 8:28). And as we were saying the other day, even when we have totally blown it He, the Potter, will restore us to a useful and fulfilling life as we submit to Him. Yes it is Friday, but Sunday is acoming!

And there is something that is encouraging to me, and I was talking about it the other day - the deeper the pit, the more tragic the form of our “death,” the more spectacular the resurrection, the more fulfillment we have in the subsequent ministry, and the greater the Glory He receives.

Father, no wonder we call You redeemer, no wonder we call You friend, no wonder we call You Lord for so You are. Lord for many of us it is Saturday, the day in between the promise that followed the death of all our hopes, and the fulfillment of the said promise. Lord You have promised that in You we can rise out of the ashes of the mess. We need your help Lord we cannot do it without You. We were not intended to! Help us Lord to wait on You for we know it will be worth it. And we give You all the honour and the Glory and the Praise in Jesus Name Amen

Why is it called “Good” Friday?

I tend to forget that those outside of my own little bubble do not know what I have taken for granted for many, many years. I don’t even know why I asked the person the above question the other day, but the occasion was that this week it was TG IT rather than TGIF (thank you Lord it’s Thursday :) ).

She was puzzled. “How can it be good when Jesus was crucified on that day, it doesn’t make sense?” So I was able to share the good news that Jesus died for my sins, and that when I put my trust in Him there is no longer any condemnation (Romans 8:1), and I bear the guilt of my sin and shame no more.

But I do need to put my trust in Him. Jesus first recorded words in Mark are “repent ([have a change of mind which issues in regret for past sins and in change of conduct for the better) and believe (trust in, rely on, and adhere to) the good news (the Gospel)” ( Mark 1:15 AMP). This is how I receive his forgiveness and eternal life. There is no forgiveness, if I reject forgiveness! Scary!

Father, thank You that You loved us so much that You sent Your beloved Son Jesus so that You could be just and the justifier of those of us who put our faith in You (Romans 3:26), and You could begin the long process of changing us and making us fit to spend eternity with You. It is so scary to me father that You will grant the wish of those who wish nothing to do with You, the fountain of all goodness. Help me to live a life father that shows that You are real. Your word tells me that I am a fragrance of life unto those who are being saved, but a fragrance of death unto those who are perishing. And I am so insufficient for these things (2 Corinthians 2:16). Have mercy on us Lord, in Jesus Name Amen.

The vessel was marred in the Potter’s hand

Have you ever came for the place in your life when you suddenly realized, that you had totally and absolutely blown it, and it was all your fault? Perhaps it was a job gone wrong, a marriage on the rocks, all your hopes and dreams totally and utterly smashed. It can be a very good place to be! I say “can be,” because actually it is a crossroads.

A friend of mine, and I have permission to relate this, tells of a time standing on a bridge ready to jump, when the Lord whispered to her that there is a better way, and that she should follow Him. And she did and she does, and she does it for His glory! In this morning’s quote from Jeremiah 18:4, the Lord had sent Jeremiah down to the potter to watch him. Elsewhere we are told that He is the Potter and we are the clay (Isaiah 64:8). But sometimes the clay is unworkable, resistant, stubborn, determined to have its own way. And we reap the consequences (Galatians 6:7), and this, many times brings us to our personal crossroads.

The quote from Jeremiah goes on to say that the Potter made it again into another vessel, as it seemed good to Him. In this season of death and resurrection, it is good to be reminded that God never throws us away, that it is never too late to turn to Him, that He will redeem even our mistakes, and “restore the years that the locusts have eaten” (Joel 2:25). So the question is ”Will we let him?”

Father, there’s a song we used to sing “He made something beautiful of my life.” And I’m thanking You this morning Lord, that You are in the process of doing just that in my life, not in spite of what I have done, but because of what I have done, warts and all. It’s not in my strength that You receive the honour and the glory and praise, but rather in and through my weakness. In particular, if You can do what You have done for me, then You can do it for anyone. I bless You again this morning Lord in Jesus Name Amen