Life

When It Is Done, It Is Done!


Mark 7:24-30  – “Now Jesus got up and went from there to the region of Tyre.  And when He had entered a house, He wanted no one to know about it; and yet He could not escape notice.  25 But after hearing about Him, a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit immediately came and fell at His feet.  26 Now the woman was a gentile, of Syrophoenician descent.  And she repeatedly asked Him to cast the demon out of her daughter.  27 And He was saying to her, “Let the children be satisfied first, for it is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” 28 But she answered and *said to Him, “Yes, Lord, but even the dogs under the table feed on the children’s crumbs.” 29 And He said to her, “Because of this answer, go; the demon has gone out of your daughter.” 30 And after going back to her home, she found the child lying on the bed, and the demon gone.”

As I prayed, read, and mused on the Word of God today, several things challenged me.  Can you imagine having a child being destroyed by the demonic and going to your only possible source of help and being insulted and rejected?  In Mark 7, the Syrophoenician woman had a demonized daughter and came to Jesus only to have Him call her a dog.  Nothing deterred her, and because she refused to be insulted and offended, He said, “It’s done!”

Imagine coming to Jesus, hoping to discover what act you can do.  You earn your way into heaven to be told that all you’ve done is insufficient.  One thing you lack.  What?  Everything!   Give Me your whole self.   Give Me your heart, your dreams, your possessions, and your position.  Imagine the disappointment the man had.  He had done so much, but it was not enough.

In Mark 11, Jesus came to the fig tree that had form but no fruit and cursed it.  The disciples were amazed but completely missed the messages hidden therein.  The connected revelation began with a warning about appearance vs. fruit.  He connected being wholly surrendered to functional miracle-working faith.

Speak from faith, not speak to create faith.  (Faith comes by hearing God speaking – connection and abiding in Him.)  Speak from expectation.  Believe in your heart that it is going to happen, not just hope it might happen.  (Expectation).  Believe that you have received it.  That is looking beyond self and circumstances to the Cross!   It is Finished!

Then, the overlooked Key – Forgiveness!   Forgiveness from us and to us links us to God.  In that union, faith lives and possesses the promises!  If there is an absence in reception, it would behoove us to look carefully to see if there is a speck or hint of unforgiveness.   Remember v. 26, “But if you do not forgive, neither will your Heavenly Father who is in heaven forgive your transgressions.” God Misses Nothing! 

If we give God everything, we receive everything in return.  God sees what is left rather than what has gone from our stash.  If God has us, we have everything, and faith is the natural fruit of our lives!

LORD, help us to trust in the Finished Work of Jesus in All Things!

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The Power of Expectation


Mark 4:40 – “And he said to them, “Why are you cowardly?  Do you still not have faith?”

As I read, prayed, and pondered the Word of God today, the word “unexpected” flooded my consciousness.  Unexpected?  I found that fascinating since, for a very long time, I’ve been drawn to the thought of ‘Expectation.’

In Mark 6, after the feeding of the 5000, the disciples, while obeying Jesus, found themselves in the midst of a storm.

Jesus was not in the boat but could see them.  He sees everything!   They were straining at the oars.  That is an interesting revelation.  Their carnal mindset causes them to try to rectify the problem and row through it in their own power and ability.  Had they not rowed, they would have perished.  Was rowing the best they could have done?  No, but in their condition, it was essential.  They had another option but could not see it, so unless and until we see that option, it is essential to strain at the oars!

He came to them at their most desperate moment.  He came to them at an Unexpected time and in an Unexpected way.  We develop our authorized ways and timing for God to operate in, and He often surprises us with the Unexpected!

I guess we could say we should expect the unexpected!  But if it is unexpected, how do we expect it?   Their other option was the same as the earlier event, with boats and storms, as described in Mark 4.   Jesus exercised faith and spoke to the storm.   He asked them in verse 40, “Why are you so cowardly?  Why are you overflowing with fear?  Why is your confidence in anything other than God?”

Our struggles do not mean God’s disfavor!   Struggles are opportunities to see God’s power!  It sometimes takes storms to help us grow in faith and demonstrate trust!  Each time, we grow stronger and more confident in His promise.

Therefore, in life’s Unexpected times, Expect Him to do the unexpected in an unexpected way and at an unexpected time.  The bottom line is Trust Him!   In the middle of a storm, be assured that He is aware of it, and He will come!  He does not fail.

LORD, help us to Expect Your Answer even in the Unexpected!

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Press Into His Presence


2 Chronicles 5:11-14 – “The priests left the Holy Place. All the priests who participated had consecrated themselves, no matter which division they represented. 12 All the Levites who were musicians, including Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun, and their sons and relatives, wore linen.  They played cymbals and stringed instruments as they stood east of the altar.  They were accompanied by 120 priests who blew trumpets. 13 The trumpeters and musicians played together, praising and giving thanks to the Lord.  Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals, and other instruments, they loudly praised the Lord, singing: “Certainly he is good; certainly his loyal love endures!” Then a cloud filled the Lord’s temple. 14 The priests could not carry out their duties because of the cloud; the Lord’s splendor filled God’s temple.”

As I read, prayed, and meditated on the Word of God today, I heard, “Press into the presence.” 

In 2 Chronicles 5:11-14, we see that the glory cloud filled the temple!  We clamor for the glory and miss something powerful.  The glory came after the priest had ministered in the Holy Place, and all had worshipped.  Then, I believe that to help us understand something powerful, we come to 2 Chronicles 7:1.  They did not pray in the presence; they prayed out of the presence.

They entered His Presence in Worship, and then they petitioned.   If we are in His presence, we see with spiritual eyes and hear with spiritual ears.  We stop trying to twist God’s arm of reluctance and seek His purposes.

In His presence is His power.   In His presence is His provision.   In His presence is transformation.  We need to focus more on His presence than on our petitions.  Our petitions will become prayers of His promise as we learn to enter and abide in His presence.

In His presence, the robe of flesh is peeled away.  In His presence, He reveals Himself.   In His presence, there is peace.  Out of that peace comes confidence, enabling us to lay hold of His promises and receive His provisions.

Instead of praying for a move of God, we should pray for the presence of God.  Out of that place in His presence, we can pray with power and see His move!   More of You, LORD, more of You!

LORD, give us your Presence and we will fulfill your Purpose!

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Stay Full, Stay Ready, Stay Prepared


Matthew 25:-1-13 – “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of the virgins were foolish, and five were wise. 3 When the foolish ones took their lamps, they did not take extra olive oil with them. 4 But the wise ones took flasks of olive oil with their lamps. 5 When the bridegroom was delayed a long time, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. 6 But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Look, the bridegroom is here!  Come out to meet him.’ 7 Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, because our lamps are going out.’ 9 ‘No,’ they replied. ‘There won’t be enough for you and for us.  Go instead to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’ 10 But while they had gone to buy it, the bridegroom arrived, and those who were ready went inside with him to the wedding banquet.  Then the door was shut. 11 Later, the other virgins came too, saying, ‘Lord, lord!  Let us in!’ 12 But he replied, ‘I tell you the truth, I do not know you!’ 13 Therefore stay alert, because you do not know the day or the hour.”

As I read, prayed, and meditated on the Word of God today, Matthew 25 captured my thoughts.  The parable of the ten virgins touched me.  One of the messages was “Stay Full, Stay Ready, Stay Prepared.”

In keeping with that theme, we begin in verse 14 and see a powerful truth—gifts, ability, usage, reward, and judgment.  Verse 14 is a picture of Jesus after His earthly ministry (after the Cross).  Verse 15 depicts the ministry and purpose of His followers as they await His return.

Gifts are given according to ability (not equal distribution).  The gift, talent, or ability comes from God.  What we do with it is on us—Matthew 25:21—five talents doubled by use.  The praise and reward come to the faithful steward of God’s gift and call.

Matthew 25:23 – Lesser amounts, but the exact same response.   It is not amount but faithfulness that brings reward.  Matthew 26:25 – No development or use received the ire of the kingdom.  Not only no reward, but also loss of heaven.  God is not focused on numbers or even exploits, but faithfulness.

Gifts and talents can grow with use.  We are not responsible for another’s gift, call, or ability.  We are not to concern ourselves with or become jealous of another.  Our sole focus is our assignment!

Focus is the key.  Matthew 22:36-40 reveals a life pattern that propels us into God’s presence and enables us to develop our talents.   Love God with Everything!   Love Him with the whole heart, soul, and mind.   Love others equal to ourselves.   Love is demonstrated, not simply verbalized, but also moved to action by compassion.

Our love for God is reflected in our love for others.  Our love for God and others is reflected in how we use our gifts, talents, and abilities.

Matthew 25:31-46 is not just a picture of the final judgment but also of how to live now!   If we love God completely, we will serve.   To serve effectively, we must use our gifts fully.  The words well done are not based on the amount or magnitude of exploits but on faithfulness in what we have been given.  Little is much when God is in it.

LORD, help us to stay full, stay ready, and stay prepared!

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What Do You Really Want?


Matthew 20:32 – “Jesus stopped, called them, and said, “What do you want me to do for you?” 

As I read, prayed, and pondered the Word of God today, I was challenged deeply by the Holy Spirit.   The question Jesus asked the two blind men in Matthew 20:32 gripped my heart.   They were crying out, praying for mercy.  Jesus heard that cry but pressed them for more specificity.   Mercy is good.   Mercy is needed.   Mercy is valuable, but what is it they were asking?

He asked, “What do YOU want ME to do for YOU?”   Before we can truly answer the question, we must surrender ourselves to Him.  Before He does something for us, He works in us so He can achieve His goal of working through us.   He never desires to bless us so that we will be blessed, but to enable us to bless others.

He asked, “What is it that you want from Me?”   They said, “That our eyes be opened.”  

What about us?   What do we want (specifically) from Jesus?  Why do we want what we want?  What is the foundational motive?   What will we do with what we receive?

Go back a few chapters and consider another view of this.  Remember Peter’s question in Matthew 18:21?  How often shall or must I forgive?  Is there an extent of forgiveness?  This was focusing on wrongs or perceived wrongs done to us by another person.  It implies the same wrong repeated over and over.   Surely, there is a limit on that.  Look at the response of Jesus.  “I do not say to you, up to seven times (numeric specific), but up to seventy times seven (unlimited or infinite).”

In Matthew 18:35, we have the key that unlocks the door regarding forgiveness and the answer to the question, “What do you want from Jesus?”   Forgiveness is to be unlimited and must always be from the heart.  Heart forgiveness releases and does not use the wrong in making decisions about the offender.

That we may see!   If we see the Cross, this is possible.   If we see human frailty —knowing, we could become the offender and need mercy —this is possible.  If we see eternity and understand that what we have is insignificant compared to eternity, this is possible.

So, What Do You Want Jesus To Do For You?   What is your greatest need and desire?  Why do you want what you want?  What will you do with and because of what He does?

LORD, let my eyes be open.   Let me SEE what You see, HEAR what You hear, so I can DO what You do.  I want to decrease so You can increase in and through me.

LORD, help each of us to examine our hearts and discover what we really want and why.

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