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The Three Mile Experience
The day we had patiently waited for finally arrived. It was our second annual fishing trip to Three Mile Lake, down around Afton, Iowa. My brother, a friend and myself planned to spend the whole day on the lake, fishing out of my Bass Tracker.
The lake is known for its good sized crappie and walleye, and has acres and acres of underwater structures which make for some of the best fish habitat in Iowa. It only takes about an hour to get there from my house, but that’s plenty of time to be thoroughly stoked with excitement! As the boat is unhooked from the trailer and dropped into the lake, everyone’s adrenaline is so pumped anticipating that first strike, that first hit, and ultimately, that first fish, we could just about walk across the lake without the boat.
Just about.
It was a beautiful morning! We had arrived early enough to be on the lake at sunrise. One of my favorite things to do is get out on a lake real early in the morning so I can watch and listen as the animals, birds, AND fish start their day.
What an experience!
Little did we know, before the day was done we would have an experience none of us would soon forget.
“Save me, O God, for the floodwaters are up to my neck. Deeper and deeper I sink into the mire; I can’t find a foothold. I am in deep water, and the floods overwhelm me.” (Psalm 69:1-2 NLT)“Many waters cannot quench love, nor can rivers drown it…” (Song of Solomon 8:7a NLT)
As I said, it was a beautiful morning; kind of chilly, but beautiful. Later in the afternoon we’d be roasting as the temperature would climb to 101 degrees! But when all you’re thinking about is the “big one”, some things are simply overlooked.
Or forgotten!
Allow me to step away from this story for a brief moment to ask a question. Why do bad things happen to good people? Ever wonder about that? Well, I can tell you why MOST of the bad things happen to good people (and bad people): people, good or bad, don’t always pay attention to what they’re doing, or SUPPOSED to be doing.
Okay, back to the story.
After an hour or two of trolling, and catching only a few small fish, the wind and the waves started to pick up. But, hey, that’s fishing! So, we didn’t pay much attention.
We stopped fishing around noon, docked the boat, and went ashore to have lunch with some other friends who met us there. About an hour passed by, and when we ran out of food and fishing stories, we climbed back into the boat.
Time to REALLY get serious!
Did I tell you the wind and waves were picking up?
After a while, because I’d used my trolling motor so much in the morning, I was down to just a bit of a charge. So, to conserve the battery, we decided we’d let the wind push us along.
We’d been drifting and driving, driving and drifting, for a couple of hours when, all of a sudden, the wind blew my favorite fishing hat off my head and into the lake. Rats! I quickly told the others to bring their line in, we’re going after my hat.
As I hurriedly cranked my line in, somehow it snagged something on the transom; probably the motor. I told my brother to switch places with me and I’d get it unsnagged.
We were about to have something bad happen to us, due largely to my impatience. I really wanted to retrieve my hat!
By the way, Bass Tracker’s are very difficult to sink.
However, if one doesn’t pay attention to the water build up in the bilge, is in too big a hurry to make sure the boat is balanced correctly, and allows himself to be flustered to the point of confusion; well, let’s just say we came very close to losing everything that day.
Deep was definitely calling to deep!
We were about 10 minutes from the dock. Instead of bailing the water out enough to get the stern out of the water, I decided to make for the dock. Almost made it; got within 10 feet and the motor quit.
My motor was water logged.
The other two jumped off into the water; one went for the trailer while the other held on to the rope clamped to a cleat on the boat. When secured, I then climbed into the lake.
By this time, the back half of the boat was submerged, the gas tank was floating on top of the water, and our fishing tackle and snacks were drifting away from the boat. Every compartment was full of water, including the battery boxes.
The trailer was slowly backed down the ramp, but because the boat was about to go completely under, we couldn’t let it get very far from the shore. So we put the bow on the trailer, winched it up a little, backed up a little more, winched again, and repeated the process until the boat was completely on the trailer. I pulled the plug, turned on the bilge pump, and let the boat drain, while parked on the ramp, for at least 30 minutes.
What a mess!
But it could have been a lot worse!
“He reached down from heaven and rescued me;
he drew me out of deep waters.” (Psalm 18:16 NLT)“When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown.” (Isaiah 43:2 NLT)
God saved us, in spite of my stupidity.
Maybe stupidity is the wrong word. Perhaps words like lack of attention to critical details, or wrong priorities, and maybe an unbalanced load would work better.
Thinking about this experience, the Lord reminded me that a lot of people have the same “sinking feeling”, but without the boat. They don’t pay attention to critical details in their lives, such as a water build up. Their priorities are out of whack; too much attention to pleasing self (gotta get the big one). And unbalanced in life; too much work, or too much play, or, well, you know, too much.
When you’ve taken on too much water, just the slightest bit of extra weight in the wrong place can spell disaster.
We finally got the boat home. Exhausted, but very thankful for God’s help.
I’ve learned some valuable lessons about boating because of that day. And I’ve learned a few more lessons about life.
Some say experience is the best teacher. Possibly, if you live through it.
Maybe you’ll learn from my experience. Take care of your life, pay attention, don’t just focus on your wants and needs, and let God show you how to balance things out.
Jesus is the balance we all need, and the experience we all desire.
“Our God is a God who saves! The Sovereign Lord rescues us from death.” (Psalm 68:20 NLT)
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Destroying the Green-Eyed Monster
There’s a green-eyed monster on the loose.
I’ve seen it! Maybe you have, too.
No, I’m not referring to the Steppenwolf song, “Monster”, or “Green Eyed Lady” by Sugarloaf. I’m not mixed up; though some may argue that point. I’m not even HALF insane.
And, I have not listened to Michael Savage for at least a year!
There IS a green-eyed monster; not the bridge troll in “Three Billy Goats Gruff”, or something you’d see in a class B movie.
At times it is hard to detect; like a chameleon, it blends in very well with its surroundings.
But it’s loose.
It could be male or female, young or old. It cares nothing about anything, except itself.
It has no political preference. Religion doesn’t seem to bother it, as it has been seen a number of times sprawled all over church pews.
It actually prefers the slogan seen on a lot of bumpers, “Coexist”.
But it’s not wise to try and coexist with something as deadly as a green-eyed monster!
And it makes a lousy pet.
The green-eyed monster I’m talking about is ENVY (its partner, its “significant other”, is known as Jealousy).
“Some people don’t know what it is to work hard. They have so much and don’t even have to work for it. I’ve never had much and have had to work hard all my life.” Such is the remark someone said to a friend of ours the other day; referring to some unnamed “lazies”.
It sounds as though the one who made the comment has green eyes. Green with envy and jealousy. Like they had been bitten by ol’ Green Eyes.
Ever heard of such a thing? Have you ever met a person who talks that way?
Have you? Do you?
What color are your eyes?
Are you envious of others? Are you irritated when others appear to have more than you?
Why?
Do you know EVERYTHING about the person you envy? Is it just barely possible you know little to nothing about the lazy bum you are jealous of?
Yes, some folks seem to “have it made”! They seem to have “the touch”. Everything they set out to do succeeds. But even those people work harder than most people realize, or want to admit.
I have this attitude, when I hear of someone succeeding: Great! Praise God! I hope God is the One blessing them, for “The blessing of the Lord makes a person rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.” (Proverbs 10:22 NLT) Because if God is blessing them, I can believe God will do the same for me. God is no respecter of people. He doesn’t have favorites; ALL His kids are His favorites!
“Rich” doesn’t necessarily mean a lot of money; but it doesn’t mean a person WON’T have a lot, either. It DOES mean that the blessing of God enables a person to have more than enough for their needs, so they can bless others.
“But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.” (2 Corinthians 9:6-8 NKJV)“And we have such trust through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God…” (2 Corinthians 3:4-5 NKJV)
Scripture teaches the blessing of God is upon the giver; the one who delights in giving. It is my experience, I’ve seen it numerous times, one cannot be envious or jealous of others and be a generous person at the same time. It just won’t work. Jealousy and envy act like chokeholds around the neck of generosity. They clinch their bony fingers around the person’s heart, refusing to allow anything out.
“No! You can’t, you won’t, give! I won’t let you give!”
Unfortunately, by allowing nothing to LEAVE, they allow nothing to ENTER.
And it is impossible to receive if everything is shut up tight.
Maybe it’s time to check up on your heart?
Instead of complaining about others having “so much”, how about learning God’s fundamental principle of generosity. Forget all about what YOU should have, and start asking God what you can do to BLESS OTHERS. Rejoice when others are blessed. Rejoice and complain not!
Here are a few scriptures that may help sort this thing out:
“There is one who scatters, yet increases more; and there is one who withholds more than is right, but it leads to poverty. The generous soul will be made rich, and he who waters will also be watered himself.” (Proverbs 11:24-25 NKJV)“Honor the LORD with your possessions, and with the first-fruits of all your increase; so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.” (Proverbs 3:9-10 NKJV)
“Be generous: Invest in acts of charity. Charity yields high returns. Don’t hoard your goods; spread them around. Be a blessing to others. This could be your last night.” (Ecclesiastes 11:1-2 MSG)
“Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life.” (1 Timothy 6:17-19 NLT)
“Remember this – a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop.” (2 Corinthians 9:6 NLT)
I’ll say it again – one cannot be envious or jealous of others and be a generous person at the same time. If you are worried about what others are getting, how easy they seem to have it, or how unfair God appears to be, you will continually sabotage any kind of blessing the Lord may be trying to send your way. And eventually you will become bitter towards God; your joy will turn into sorrow, your beauty into ashes, and strength into weakness.
So, the next time you hear of someone receiving a blessing, an honor, or anything good, REJOICE! GIVE smiles, GIVE heart felt compliments, GIVE congratulations, etc.
You will find the blessing of God running throughout your life!
And that old green-eyed monster will starve to death!
“GIVE, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you. (Luke 6:38 ESV)
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Ask!
Looking for God? Are you sure He’s around? What if He doesn’t want to have anything to do with you?
Maybe there really isn’t a God! Perhaps you’re just wasting your time looking for someone who isn’t real in the first place.
Okay, suppose there is a God; what makes you think He gives a rip about anything happening in this crummy, old world? And especially anything going on in YOUR world!
Really, now, why does mankind everywhere have this preoccupation with God? And though they may say they don’t believe in God, or a God, they fill their lives with all sorts of pseudo-gods; someone or something they can worship. EVERYONE worships; no exceptions.
Something within each person cries long and loud for God. They may not see it as such, but EVERYONE hungers and thirsts for God.
I cannot PROVE to you God exists. I BELIEVE He does; in fact, my experience witnesses to me there IS a God. But I can’t prove it to you. I can’t convince you by arguing with you about the reality of God.
I would never be able to pressure you into believing, nor would I even try.
If you have any questions about God: is He real, does He care for me, will He answer prayer, is there more to this life than I’m experiencing, does He care if I’m a Catholic, Baptist, Lutheran, Pentecostal, or a whatever; there’s only one thing to do.
Ask Him.
Ask Him?
Yes, ask Him.
If you will only be honest with yourself, and God, you will begin to experience the reality of God. I’m not referring to some new age mumbo-jumbo, or an ancient spiritist’s “all paths lead to God” mentality.
I’m simply saying, if you REALLY want to know God, act like it and ask Him.
You see, if you were REALLY hungry or thirsty you’d not have a problem asking anyone and everyone for some food and water.
“But I don’t know who to ask for, where or how to call, and what the proper protocol is when addressing deity.”
Just ask!
Find yourself a quiet place, a place you can at least appear to be alone. Then, begin to say what’s on your mind and heart. Though you may think it sounds foolish, ask God to reveal Himself to you. A sincere heart is a heart God desires to commune with.
Of course, you can call out to God in a very loud place; a place so noisy you’d think the world just came to an end. It doesn’t matter to God. He hears the heart’s cry of the serious searcher.
A number of years ago I wasn’t sure about this “God thing”. But I knew part of me could not rest until I got some answers. So I asked.
“When you come looking for me, you’ll find me. “Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I’ll make sure you won’t be disappointed.” (Jeremiah 29:13 MSG)“The high and lofty one who lives in eternity,
the Holy One, says this: “I live in the high and holy place with those whose spirits are contrite and humble. I restore the crushed spirit of the humble and revive the courage of those with repentant hearts.” (Isaiah 57:15 NLT)
God revealed Himself to me, through His Son Jesus Christ. He opened the eyes of my heart, helping me see that He had been “wooing” me all along.
The Lord became real to me, and is desiring to reveal Himself to you. To the one who is serious about “finding God”, new life is available for the asking.
So ask.
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Arrogance
Do you know anyone who seems arrogant?
Have you noticed anyone who has arrogance written all over their face?
In case you aren’t sure, here’s a definition of “arrogance”:
ar·ro·ganceˈer-ə-gən(t)s, ˈa-rə-
noun
: an attitude of superiority manifested in an overbearing manner or in presumptuous claims or assumptionsExamples
in his arrogance the president of the club made all the arrangements for the annual banquet without consulting the membersOrigin: (see arrogant ).
First use: 14th century
Synonyms: assumption, bumptiousness, consequence, haughtiness, hauteur, high horse, huffiness, imperiousness, loftiness, lordliness, masterfulness, peremptoriness, pomposity, pompousness, presumptuousness, pretense (or pretence), pretension, pretentiousness, self-consequence, self-importance, superciliousness, superiority, top-loftiness
Antonyms: humility, modesty, unassumingness, unpretentiousness
I have been someone who, until tonight, believed the way to act around such people was to give them a dose of their own medicine. You know, act like them, strut like them, sneer like them and maybe they would see what they look like, and change.
Problem is, it doesn’t work!
But then The Lord showed me that the way to deal with, cope with, and minister to the arrogant is through humility!
Humility keeps my heart guarded while allowing God’s Spirit to work in the other person. It allows the love of God to be very real and tangible; His love never fails.
You and I cannot change the heart of anyone else. But God can melt even the hardest of hearts, and can capture the souls of the proudest of men and women.
Maybe things can change in other’s lives after all. Let’s not be so arrogant as to believe otherwise.
Mockers are proud and haughty; they act with boundless arrogance (Proverbs 21:24 NLT)
“If your enemies are hungry, feed them.
If they are thirsty, give them something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap
burning coals of shame on their heads.”Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good (Romans 12:20-21 NLT)
In other words, don’t yield to the same arrogant spirit; rather conquer it by being the opposite.
Amen?
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Let’s Vote On It!
Let’s vote on it!
Those 4 little words carry a lot of weight with the American people. Whether it pertains to the national presidential election every 4 years, a local school board election, who should be the next winner of American Idol, or trying to decide which restaurant has the best breaded tenderloin sandwich in the city, voting means a lot!
The old saying, “the majority rules”, is true. The majority rule definition, from the Free Dictionary, is “a doctrine by which a numerical majority of an organized group holds the power to make decisions binding on all in the group.” The majority makes the decisions, the majority rules.
But the majority is seldom right.
At least according to biblical examples:
Adam and Eve – The wrong tree looked like the right tree, but only to the majority.
Tower of Babel – God said, “Scatter”, but the people disagreed; God was wrong and didn’t know their needs.
Sodom and Gomorrah – The angels were, oh! so mean; what right did God have to intervene?
The Golden Calf – It wasn’t Aaron’s fault the calf was made, the people cast their vote; he just obeyed.
The 12 Spies – 2 said, “let’s go!” 10 cried, “Oh, no!” 83% ran the show.
Israel wanted a king – They had to be like all the rest; not realizing, God knew best.
People complain about not having any say in what happens at their church. Now they may not have a position of authority such as an elder might have, but EVERYONE has a say, a voice. It’s called prayer.
“I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity – the man Christ Jesus.” (1 Timothy 2:1-5 NLT)
People who DEMAND to be heard typically are people who really should be ignored. But people who take their petitions to God, are the ones God anoints and uses to bring about His plans and purposes.
Most people in any given congregation know as much or more than the pastor. But their knowledge, experience, and voting power does not negate or supersede God’s calling.
American Christians seem to believe the Kingdom of God operates like a democracy. But it’s not a democracy, it is a theocracy. God ruled, God governed. He does have people called and equipped to lead as Moses led Israel, but God is still the leader.
“And now, a word to you who are elders in the churches. I, too, am an elder and a witness to the sufferings of Christ. And I, too, will share in his glory when he is revealed to the whole world. As a fellow elder, I appeal to you: Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly – not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example. And when the Great Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor. In the same way, you younger men must accept the authority of the elders. And all of you, serve each other in humility, for “God opposes the proud but favors the humble (1 Peter 5:1-5 NLT)
For the last couple hundred years, or so, pastors have been “called” and “chosen” by a majority vote. It’s just the way church is done. Right or wrong, it is what it is. Typically the preacher submits a resume to the church’s pulpit committee, the committee picks out a few candidates to look at more closely, interviews are scheduled, and the candidate that outshines them all is given an opportunity to meet the congregation, and vice versa. Then, the candidate gets to show how well they can preach their favorite and best sermon. Following the oral exam, the congregation is allowed to vote on whether the candidate is the pastor they want.
The majority rules. They may be off by a hundred miles, but the majority has their way. The candidate may be looking for a job, a paycheck, or to prepare for retirement rather than following a direct leading from God. The pulpit committee may have their eyes on natural things, such as Samuel when he first saw David’s oldest brother. Or, the congregation may be tired of the process and want someone who will fill the chair, regardless.
And we wonder why a lot of churches struggle and end up closing.
People who’ve been part of a thriving congregation for years will leave because they don’t like the new candidate. Folks will squabble about one thing after the next, if they don’t get to help make decisions. And regardless of whether voting is the best thing for the church, people must be kept happy; or they’ll take their tithes and offerings and find another church to “bless.”
I suppose there are some things a church could vote on; like the color of paint to use in the church kitchen, or what kind of meat to have at the annual church fund raiser.
But The Lord has a better way for His church to function. Find out through prayer and fellowship with God just exactly what He wants, and then obey Him.
“For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay no greater burden on you than these few requirements.” (Acts 15:28 NLT)
“Among the prophets and teachers of the church at Antioch of Syria were Barnabas, Simeon (called “the black man”), Lucius (from Cyrene), Manaen (the childhood companion of King Herod Antipas), and Saul. One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Dedicate Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them.” So after more fasting and prayer, the men laid their hands on them and sent them on their way.” (Acts 13:1-3 NLT)
Voting for a leader did happen once in the New Testament. They drew straws, rolled dice, pitched pennies; something to indicate which one of the two candidates would fill the open chair left by Judas Iscariot. This was shortly before the Day of Pentecost, when God would pour out His Holy Spirit upon them. The same Holy Spirit Who would lead them in their daily affairs, guide them into all truth, and empower them to change their world with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
One time.
Maybe I’m too much of a dreamer to think we could ever make it back to doing things God’s way.
What do you think?
Wanna vote on it?
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Equation For Ministry
If you take 58 and subtract 28, you end up with 30. I suppose you find that to be a simple math equation, eh? But here’s something that just might engage your mind and heart: 30 is the age Jesus was when He began His “public” ministry.
Maybe you’ve never heard of the phrase “ministry equation”, at least in those words. But you’ve probably heard or read teachings about “how to be truly blessed”, “God wants you to prosper”, and “how to put the swagger back into Christianity; in six easy steps.”
I submit to you that the “equation for ministry” is:
58-28=30
I use the numbers 58 and 28, because of the contents in Isaiah 58 and Deuteronomy 28. Please take a few moments and read those scriptures.
First from Isaiah:
“Shout with the voice of a trumpet blast. Shout aloud! Don’t be timid. Tell my people Israel of their sins! Yet they act so pious! They come to the Temple every day and seem delighted to learn all about me. They act like a righteous nation that would never abandon the laws of its God. They ask me to take action on their behalf, pretending they want to be near me.‘We have fasted before you!’ they say. ‘Why aren’t you impressed? We have been very hard on ourselves, and you don’t even notice it!’
“I will tell you why!” I respond. “It’s because you are fasting to please yourselves. Even while you fast, you keep oppressing your workers. What good is fasting when you keep on fighting and quarreling? This kind of fasting will never get you anywhere with me.
You humble yourselves by going through the motions of penance,
bowing your heads like reeds bending in the wind. You dress in burlap and cover yourselves with ashes. Is this what you call fasting? Do you really think this will please the Lord ?“No, this is the kind of fasting I want: Free those who are wrongly imprisoned; lighten the burden of those who work for you. Let the oppressed go free, and remove the chains that bind people. Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help.
“Then your salvation will come like the dawn, and your wounds will quickly heal. Your godliness will lead you forward, and the glory of the Lord will protect you from behind. Then when you call, the Lord will answer. ‘Yes, I am here,’ he will quickly reply. “Remove the heavy yoke of oppression. Stop pointing your finger and spreading vicious rumors! Feed the hungry, and help those in trouble.
“Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon. The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring. Some of you will rebuild the deserted ruins of your cities. Then you will be known as a rebuilder of walls and a restorer of homes.
“Keep the Sabbath day holy. Don’t pursue your own interests on that day, but enjoy the Sabbath and speak of it with delight as the Lord ’s holy day. Honor the Sabbath in everything you do on that day, and don’t follow your own desires or talk idly. Then the Lord will be your delight. I will give you great honor and satisfy you with the inheritance I promised to your ancestor Jacob. I, the Lord , have spoken. (Isaiah 58:1-14 NLT)
Now from Deuteronomy:
“If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully keep all his commands that I am giving you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the world. You will experience all these blessings if you obey the Lord your God: Your towns and your fields will be blessed. Your children and your crops will be blessed.
The offspring of your herds and flocks will be blessed. Your fruit baskets and breadboards will be blessed. Wherever you go and whatever you do, you will be blessed.“The Lord will conquer your enemies when they attack you. They will attack you from one direction, but they will scatter from you in seven! “The Lord will guarantee a blessing on everything you do and will fill your storehouses with grain. The Lord your God will bless you in the land he is giving you. “If you obey the commands of the Lord your God and walk in his ways, the Lord will establish you as his holy people as he swore he would do. Then all the nations of the world will see that you are a people claimed by the Lord , and they will stand in awe of you. “The Lord will give you prosperity in the land he swore to your ancestors to give you, blessing you with many children, numerous livestock, and abundant crops. The Lord will send rain at the proper time from his rich treasury in the heavens and will bless all the work you do. You will lend to many nations, but you will never need to borrow from them. If you listen to these commands of the Lord your God that I am giving you today, and if you carefully obey them, the Lord will make you the head and not the tail, and you will always be on top and never at the bottom.” (Deuteronomy 28:1-13 NLT)
I am not into numerology, or anything like it. I only find it interesting, that as I compare these passages, I see Jesus’ earthly ministry and the impact He made, and also a few reasons why the church isn’t making more of the same kind of impact today.
Deuteronomy 28 tells the people of God how to be blessed in every part of their life. Jesus did all Moses said, and The Lord set Him high above the nations! Father God took care of Jesus’ need for food, water, shelter; and everything He did prospered!
His enemy came at Him one way (on several occasions), and had to flee seven. People stood in awe of Him, wondering where did He receive such wisdom and learning. He never lacked anything He needed, and always had enough to meet the needs of those around Him. I’d call that blessed; how about you?
Deuteronomy 28:1-14 really speaks to the nation of Israel, and all the people of God. Yet it also points to the responsibility of every individual to do the right thing. Do things right, and receive God’s blessing for YOU.
“Well, if Deuteronomy 28 is true, then why can’t I get it to work for me?”
Here’s where Isaiah 58, the other part of the equation, comes into focus.
Jesus ministered effectively because His eyes weren’t on Himself, but on what other people needed. He wouldn’t fast, pray, or minister to please Himself, impress His Father, or even “build His church.” No, He ministered, gave of Himself, because people needed what He had to give.
The people in Isaiah’s day cried about how they had done so much for God, fasted and prayed, and all that jazz!
“But You don’t even notice”, they exclaimed to God.
“Oh, I notice”, God said. “I see just where your focus is. It’s on yourselves! It’s not where it should be; not at all. If you’ll change your focus, you’ll discover My focus will change as well! For if you will use your blessing to touch others, I will take care of you!”
That’s exactly what Jesus did, the disciples did, the early church did, and what we should do!
Jesus removed Himself and His needs from the equation, and found the grace of God to really minister.
Ministry begins when “self” is removed.
So, as I mentioned before:
58 (the dreams and desires of God for all people), minus 28 (the dreams and desires of man for themselves), equals 30 (the number that represents when true ministry begins).
The ministry equation.
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The Freak Show?
Have you ever been to a circus or county fair? I’m talking about the old-fashioned kind with cotton candy, ring toss games, the game to test how strong you are (ever ring the bell?), and, of course, THE FREAK SHOW!
Sometimes there’s a bearded woman, a man with 6 toes on each foot, or someone with 3 ears. I saw a guy once who was 8 foot 2 inches tall, back when I was about 4 foot.
Of course the really strange and freaky people can’t be seen unless you pay the extra 50 cents to peek behind the curtain. You know, the guy with only one eye stuck in the middle of his forehead, or something like that.
But have you ever seen a guy without a body? Just a head; nothing else. I realize it’s kind of freaky to think about, unless you’re a Christian in today’s church.
Now why did I go and say something like that?
Ask any “Christian” if they believe Jesus is able to do ANYTHING and EVERYTHING and you’ll probably hear a hearty “AMEN!” Ask them how can He do what He does and you’ll hear, “because He is God.” Follow up with “what is the body of Christ”, and you’ll hear a three point sermon about the church of Jesus Christ.
Yes, the Church is the Body of Christ. Jesus is the Head, the church is the body that belongs to the head.
Can I say something without making someone mad? Many believers have their theology correct; it’s straight in their mind: Jesus is the Head, the Church is the Body. But in practice, they treat Jesus like He belongs in a freak show, billed as the “Bodiless Man.” I say, “in practice”, because they distance themselves from the work of God. It’s either someone else’s job, or it’s God’s. It sure can’t be theirs! In real life the body and the head are supposed to be connected! The head gives the instructions, the body carries them out. The body lives to accomplish the will of the head, and the head makes decisions that will help the whole body.
“And the disciples went everywhere and preached, and the Lord worked through them, confirming what they said by many miraculous signs.” (Mark 16:20 NLT)
Notice The Lord worked THROUGH them. He didn’t work in place of them, nor did He tell them to go out on their own. The Head and the Body worked together!
I would venture to say a lot of prayers aren’t answered because believers don’t realize their responsibility as a body. Over and over the scriptures admonish us to care for one another, pray for one another, give to the one who has a need; but we want to leave it all up to the Head.
Paul wrote a lot about this subject; here’s a little example from 1 Corinthians.
“The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit. Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part. If the foot says, “I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand,” that does not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear says, “I am not part of the body because I am not an eye,” would that make it any less a part of the body? If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or if your whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything? But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it. How strange a body would be if it had only one part! Yes, there are many parts, but only one body. The eye can never say to the hand, “I don’t need you.” The head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you.” In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary.” (1 Corinthians 12:12-22 NLT)
Notice, “the head can’t say to the feet…”. And why would He want to? Jesus NEEDS His Body to act like it’s connected! Remember Jesus said, “Apart from Me you can do NOTHING”. (John 15)
Just imagine what could happen if we began to treat this Christianity thing like it really matters. If we’d find out from the Head what His plans and purposes are. If we’d acknowledge Him in all our ways and let Him direct our paths.
Well, we’d find ourselves growing up spiritually, increasing in wisdom and understanding, and being used by The Lord to do incredible things!
People might start wondering about our “strange ways”, and maybe even think we belong in the freak show.
That’s alright; at least the Head won’t be alone. Jesus said, “…that where I am, they may be also.” John 17
“This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ. Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.” (Ephesians 4:13-16 NLT) -
The Ponderosa Prize
It had been a long day. My wife and I had traveled about 500 miles and decided to stop in Greenfield, Indiana for the night. After checking into our hotel and cleaning up a bit, we went looking for a place to eat. Lots to choose from, but what really sounds good? Oh, there it is; the Ponderosa Steakhouse. Yum, yum!After trying out a couple of tables, we finally seated ourselves in a booth close to the exit. No particular reason other than it just seemed like the spot to be.
After praying over the food we were about to gather, we each grabbed a plate and started filling it with meatloaf, chicken, salad, a little fish, and a few other tasty items. On the dessert table was banana pudding, one of my favorites! I spooned out a nice portion from the corner of the pan that had not been touched; oh, happy day!
Well, as we were just about to finish, I noticed one of those “claw” machines about 10 feet from our table. You know the kind I’m talking about; the kind with different stuffed toys, animals, and…JAY CUTLER from the Chicago Bears! A doll of Jay Cutler for only 50 cents!
I can just about hear you say, “Why would a grown man want a doll of a football quarterback?” I have a couple of reasons, actually. First, I’ve been a Chicago Bears fan for about 30 years. Second, I thought it would be cool if I could actually win something from the machine. And third, if I won the doll, I’d have something to beat on while watching my team play (just in case they weren’t playing like I thought they should be).
After observing some teenagers spend a few dollars trying to hook some sort of doll (they weren’t trying for Jay), they finally clawed something and left the machine open for me to go to work. I had my two quarters in hand and my strategy in mind; ready to conquer.
I discovered it to be just a little harder than it looked. I was able to drop the claw around Jay’s neck, but I just couldn’t get him to budge. So, I decided I’d try a dollar bill, and get two more tries.
By this time I had an audience, a table of 4 somewhat elderly people, cheering me on! My wife was also encouraging me, along with one or two of the restaurant workers. My third try hooked a real trophy; a multi-colored cloth unicorn. As I removed it from the machine, I heard a lady from my cheering section comment about how much she liked the unicorn. Since I knew my wife wouldn’t want it, I walked over to the lady and gave it to her. She was ecstatic, but I still wanted that Bears doll.
Hey, what’s another dollar? Slipped in the buck, moved the claw, hit the button to drop it and started to bring the doll up when, NO! It dropped again! But it was close, and I still had one more try.
The cheering section was going wild! I felt like a contestant on “The Price Is Right”! They were cheering, coaching, holding their breath, clapping…people throughout the restaurant knew something big was happening over by the exit. Just before I made my last attempt, the lady who I gave the unicorn to came up waving a dollar bill for me. She wanted me to keep trying for the quarterback! And folks, we were just outside Indianapolis! Not exactly Bears territory!
I moved the claw and was about to drop it, when one of my encouragers hollered from his table, “Go for the legs! Go for the legs!” So you know what I did? Took the guys advice, dropped the claw on Jay’s legs, and won myself a quarterback! SWEET!
Jay Cutler cost me a buck fifty, but the experience was worth a lot more. To be surrounded by people I’d never met, cheering me on in a place I’d never been, was so invigorating! As we finally left the restaurant, my wife reminded me of what a good picture of encouragement those people were. It was like they truly wanted to see me succeed.
Wouldn’t it be something if we could be that way with each other? After all, the prize we’re all after is worth much more than even a Chicago Bears doll. How much more important is it that we cheer one another on, lift each other up, and maybe even toss a dollar or two to someone when needed?
Paul and Barnabas did that very thing. Luke wrote about their ministry: “strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.” (Acts 14:22 ESV)
Paul’s admonition to the Thessalonians is one for us, as well: “So encourage each other and build each other up…” (1 Thessalonians 5:11 NLT)
We may feel someone is wasting their time and resources going after some stupid looking doll. We may be right. But why not leave that issue with the One Who truly knows? Instead of figuring out everyone’s motives, let us rather see what we can do to encourage them, spurring them on to a life of greatness, of achievement, and one of obtaining the prize.
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I’m a Believer!
I am a believer. A believer in God. A believer because of God. A believer born of God. A believer filled with God.
A believer in Jesus Christ!
I choose to believe God’s word, rather than what my senses whisper to my brain. I agree with the Spirit’s witness within my heart instead of siding with the opinions of the world around me.
My friends may forsake me, and walk quickly away; my foes rise against me, threatening to slay. My banker may declare the ledger’s sad story, but the story isn’t finished until The Lord receives the glory.
I am a believer. That’s who I am.
I am a believer. That’s what I do.
I am a believer, but I don’t believe everything I hear.
I am a believer. I know what I should believe because I’m picky about what I read, study, listen to, and meditate upon.
I’m a choosy believer!
I am a believer. The Author and Perfecter of my faith lives in me; leading me into all truth and showing me things to come; and what to believe.
I am a believer. I’m connected with other believers to form what God calls the Body of Christ, the House of God, the Pillar and Foundation of the Truth, the Church of the Living God.
I choose to believe, exercising my right as God intended. I could choose to NOT believe, because I have a choice. But I’ve come too far, learned too much, and experienced the reality of God and His Love too often, to be talked out of believing.
Yes, I have a choice. I choose to believe. That makes me a believer.
His believer.
His satisfied believer.
How about you?
“For the Scripture says, ‘Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed.’” (Romans 10:11 NASB)
“And we also [especially] thank God continually for this, that when you received the message of God [which you heard] from us, you welcomed it not as the word of [mere] men, but as it truly is, the Word of God, which is effectually at work in you who believe [exercising its superhuman power in those who adhere to and trust in and rely on it].” (1 Thessalonians 2:13 AMP)
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Help with an experiment?
Would you help me, please? I’m conducting an experiment; a quasi-scientific test. All you need to do, if you’d like to participate that is, is share this post with just one person. No, it’s not a chain letter; you won’t be blessed or cursed depending on your decision to share, or not to share. You won’t receive a million dollars in the next 5 days (that I know of), and I’m not promising you’ll win the Publisher’s Clearing House Sweepstakes.
I’m wondering what could happen if one person shared a message with one person. If each person who reads this message shared it with one person, or one media group, and that person (who read it) shared with one person, how long would it take to reach a lot of people?
You may use any type of social media you’d like. At the bottom of this post there are a number of different ones to choose from, so help yourself. Just share it once, though; and see what happens.
Will you help me, please? I’ll post the results in a week or so.
Thank you for sharing.
Jan Grace
adding God's Word into my world…
