Golem

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In Jewish folklore a “Golem” is a clay creature that has been magically brought to life through the use of Jewish witchcraft, or kabbalism. The name comes from the Hebrew word “golem,” which means something incomplete or unfinished, like an embryo. The Talmud relates a tale of rabbis who grew hungry while on a journey–so they created a calf out of earth and ate it for dinner. The  rabbis did this by utilizing a formula set forth in the Sefer Yetzirah, or Book of Creation. Just as God speaks and creates, in the Genesis story, it is believed that certain rabbis can do the same. (The word Abracadabra, incidentally, derives from avra k’davra, Aramaic for “I create as I speak.”) Thus, under the rarest of circumstances, a human being may imbue lifeless matter with that intangible, but essential spark of life: the soul. This idea inspired such tales as Frankenstein and “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice.”  Sometimes the golem saves the Jewish community from persecution or death, enacting the kind of heroism or revenge unavailable to powerless Jews. Often, however, Jewish folktales about the golem tell what happens when things go awry — when the power of life-force goes astray, often with tragic results.

It’s interesting to imagine speaking certain words in order to see a clay figure come to life. But in one sense that’s what Jesus, the Word become flesh, did for us. Hearkening back to the creation account, God formed man from the dust of the earth. But God didn’t just speak a word to have us come to life. He breathed into us His Life. In other words, He “kissed” us to life. When God brought us to life He placed us in the Garden of Eden which existed within earths’ bounds. We became sons and daughter of earth, dirt, or soil. In essence you could make a case that God’s Kingdom had come to earth. What’s really intriguing is that when you read Scripture you can make the deduction that the rest of the earth wasn’t like the Garden: Gen. 1:28 And God blessed them and said to them, Be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it [using all its vast resources in the service of God and man]; and have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and over every living creature that moves upon the earth.  Thus you see 4 Commands regarding the earth: Be fruitful, multiply, subdue, and have dominion. But then in Gen. 2:7-8,15 it states something different in reference to the Garden: Then the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath or spirit of life, and man became a living being. And the Lord God planted a garden toward the east, in Eden [delight]; and there He put the man whom He had formed (framed, constituted)….And the Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to tend and guard and keep it. (If you ever want to do an interesting word study check out the Hebrew meanings for the individual commands) Thus you can draw the conclusion that Adam and Eve’s call and commission from God was to make the rest of the earth like the Garden.

Yet after the fall, and rebellion of man, we became “golems” with the condition of our earth, and its soil coming under a curse. Three dominions vied for control:

satan’s dominion = Jn. 14:30 I will not talk with you much more, for the prince (evil genius, ruler) of the world is coming. And he has no claim on Me. [He has nothing in common with Me; there is nothing in Me that belongs to him, and he has no power over Me.]

Man’s dominion = Rom. 8:5 For those who are according to the flesh and are controlled by its unholy desires set their minds on and pursue those things which gratify the flesh,… 

God’s Dominion = Rom. 8:5 …but those who are according to the Spirit and are controlled by the desires of the Spirit set their minds on and seek those things which gratify the [Holy] Spirit…

Jesus, the Son of Man (Adam = dust, soil, or earth), comes to our cursed and contaminated soil now dominated by satan, his golems, and He speaks. When He speaks He addresses the condition of the soils in His Parable of the Sower or Soils. In His parable He describes 4 conditions: rocky, thorny, fertile, and crow infested. Each soil condition competes with the Word of God. We know from Scripture that Jesus is the Word of God and that the conclusion could be drawn that these soil conditions are actually competing with Jesus, the Word of God, being manifested in us. In fact we could say that what exists outside of us also exists inside of us.

Eternal life then is seeking to grow God’s Garden to overcome the crows, rocks, and thorns inside of each of us. Jesus, the Master Farmer and Gardener, has established His mission of seeing God’s Kingdom – His Eternal Life Existence – Grow, displacing the works of darkness. The question is are we going to continue to be “golems,” under the bidding of a manipulative sorcerer or are we going to receive the Word of Life in the Garden of God? It’s really about obedience and conformity to the Words of God.


Snake Oil or Elixir?

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At one time, everyone from Adam to the present, has experienced spiritual death. And just like the script from “The Sixth Sense” we see dead people and many of its actors share the fate of Bruce Willis’ character. (They haven’t figured out that they’re dead) Yet, through Christ’s resurrection all mankind has received an invitation to wake up (not from a terrified little boy – but from the Son of God) from our spiritual slumber of death into life. This is the hallmark of eternal life. Before the fall of mankind our ancestors walked in communion with God – in the Garden. Was it a coincidence that Jesus’ favorite place to pray was in a garden? Even His tomb was located in a garden where He chose to rise from the dead. The empty tomb still beckons for us to join Him – to know Him. For we can’t live until we’ve died. (One of God’s delightful paradoxes.) As God looked for our delinquent great grandparents in the Garden – He’s the One Who came calling. He’s the One who drew attention to their hiding place among the “leaves” of their own making. Good news is that Jesus says the Father is still looking: A time will come, however, indeed it is already here, when the true (genuine) worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth (reality); for the Father is seeking just such people as these as His worshipers. God is a Spirit (a spiritual Being) and those who worship Him must worship Himin spirit and in truth (reality). John 4:24  And that’s what eternal life is all about – relating to the Godhead on a spiritual level.

1 Corinthians 2:10-16 describes this spiritual existence: Yet to us God has unveiled and revealed them by and through His Spirit, for the [Holy] Spirit searches diligently, exploring and examining everything, even sounding the profound and bottomless things of God [the divine counsels and things hidden and beyond man’s scrutiny]. For what person perceives (knows and understands) what passes through a man’s thoughts except the man’s own spirit within him? Just so no one discerns (comes to know and comprehend) the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have not received the spirit [that belongs to] the world, but the [Holy] Spirit Who is from God, [given to us] that we might realize and comprehend and appreciate the gifts [of divine favor and blessing so freely and lavishly] bestowed on us by God. And we are setting these truths forth in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the [Holy] Spirit, combining and interpreting spiritual truths with spiritual language [to those who possess the Holy Spirit].  But the natural, nonspiritual man does not accept or welcome or admit into his heart the gifts and teachings and revelations of the Spirit of God, for they are folly (meaningless nonsense) to him; and he is incapable of knowing them [of progressively recognizing, understanding, and becoming better acquainted with them] because they are spiritually discerned and estimated and appreciated. But the spiritual man tries all things [he examines, investigates, inquires into, questions, and discerns all things], yet is himself to be put on trial and judged by no one [he can read the meaning of everything, but no one can properly discern or appraise or get an insight into him]. For who has known or understood the mind (the counsels and purposes) of the Lord so as to guide and instruct Him and give Him knowledge? But we have the mind of Christ (the Messiah) and do hold the thoughts (feelings and purposes) of His heart. 

Now that’s an amazing description of a life lived in the Spirit. Consider the following propositions: (a) we are taught by the Spirit; (b) He speaks in a spiritual language to us; (c) we are able to interpret this spiritual language; (d) we are able to grow in knowing, and understanding progressively – the Godhead; (e) we are able to accept and welcome the gifts, teachings and revelations of the Spirit of God; (f) and we now possess the Mind of Christ – knowing His thoughts and purposes. That folks is eternal life. Note that verse 14 states that the man without the Spirit, or the non-spiritual man, can’t even know these things. It says they are foolishness to him. And there in plain view is the characteristic of a symptom that’s infection has spread far and wide throughout the church. That disease, which should cause a dis-ease, has left the church goer uninitiated into the world of the Spirit. In fact I would dare say that the average church attender would find the above discussion foolish nonsense. They would be bored by the proposal. In fact it is my observation that our ancestor’s fig leaves have gotten so immense, and overgrown that they have successfully obscured the whole point of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection reducing it to a matter of sentiment. That sentiment blocks our vision making us incapable of hearing the still, small whisper of God’s Spirit inviting us to walk with Him – to know Him. Sunday, after Sunday, church attenders by the millions sit within inches of the cure for their own disease. Its Jesus’ own “elixir,” that guarantees resurrection, from the bite of the serpents’ lies. Jesus’ “elixir” isn’t the fake, snake oil sold by the box load Sunday after Sunday. It isn’t the stuff of man’s clever speech or persuasive words guaranteed to produce one more failed “do it your self” salvation project. No, it’s resurrection power unveiling the life we were meant to live – an eternal life lived walking with Jesus now; knowing Him. Question is: Why do we prefer to swallow the snake oil instead of the Elixir drawn from Immanuels’ veins? The Elixir of the Fountain of Eternal Youth?

The Investment

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Last night at Bible study we were discussing all the nuances of our salvation found in Jesus and one of the things that came up was the parable of the talents. It wasn’t a lengthy conversation, more of a passing reference, but the Spirit of God whispered some revelation regarding its meaning. Let me share with you my discovery.

Matthew 25:14-30 contains the Parable of the Talents. When I was a new believer I assumed that this parable was referring to special abilities, such as athletic, creative, or artistic aptitudes. But, this interpretation was mistaken. Jesus is actually referring to a weight used to measure money. The “master” in the parable has invested a sum of money in his servants expecting a return. Now that’s interesting for we can see the obvious parallels. The Master of the tale – obviously a picture of the Father and His Son – has invested several things. What things you may ask?

a) First and foremost, God has given to us the gift of life.

b) He has given unto all mankind, His Son, a gift of eternal life, for all who will receive Him.

c) Lastly, Jesus has deposited His Spirit and Grace into our spirits.

Near the conclusion of the parable the “master” calls his servants together to report on their investments. Now after a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. And he who had received the five talents came and brought him five more, saying, Master, you entrusted to me five talents; see, here I have gained five talents more. His master said to him, Well done, you upright (honorable, admirable) and faithful servant! You have been faithful and trustworthy over a little; I will put you in charge of much. Enter into and share the joy (the delight, the blessedness) which your master enjoys. And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, Master, you entrusted two talents to me; here I have gained two talents more.  His master said to him, Well done, you upright (honorable, admirable) and faithful servant! You have been faithful and trustworthy over a little; I will put you in charge of much. Enter into and share the joy (the delight, the blessedness) which your master enjoys. He who had received one talent also came forward, saying, Master, I knew you to be a harsh and hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you had not winnowed [the grain]. So I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is your own.  But his master answered him, You wicked and lazy and idle servant! Did you indeed know that I reap where I have not sowed and gather [grain] where I have not winnowed? Then you should have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent away from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents. For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will be furnished richly so that he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have will be taken away. Matthew 25:19-29

Obviously the master had an expectation that his servants would make investments, receiving a return. True servants see it no other way. In fact the point could be made that grateful servants work hard to see that their master gets his return. The servant, with a dim view of his master, doesn’t work at all – he hides and buries it. He obviously has no relationship with the master, projecting onto his master his personal fears, and stinginess. Interestingly enough he is still viewed as a servant by the master – although ungrateful, disobedient, and stingy.

The take away from this parable is that there will be an accounting based on what is done with the Father’s investment of life, His Son and His Spirit. Presently we find that we exist in a Laodicean Church age of cheap grace, and no expectations. Everyone receives a trophy, all are treated the same, and God is made in our image. But in this parable, each servant is not treated the same. They are rewarded differently based on what they did with the masters investment. Any human that draws breath is a servant of something or someone – whether we like it or not – as Bob Dylan observed many years ago.

Peter, the apostle, adds a reminder in 2 Peter 3:18 But grow in grace (undeserved favor, spiritual strength) and  recognition and knowledge and understanding of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (the Messiah). To Him [be] glory (honor, majesty, and splendor) both now and to the day of eternity. Amen (so be it)! Again the Heavenly expectation is that we will grow what has been invested in us. You may ask, “How is grace invested in us?” Over the years I have learned to despise the acrostic for grace as being God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. I despise it because it doesn’t define how we are to respond to this grace. I prefer the following definition: grace = the empowerment to do the will of God; to respond to God’s riches It’s interesting that the Greek word for grace is charis. Charis is used synonymously with the Spirit of God. Grace and the Spirit go hand in hand. I know from Scripture that the Spirit has been given to us for more than just assuring our salvation. He is our Source and Supply of Supernatural Empowerment to be molded into the image of Jesus. I grow His Supernatural Unction, or Fervor as I agree and cooperate with His whispers in my Spirit. Those whispers come in the form of thoughts to be conformed to Jesus, His Word, or examples. For example I may have a sudden desire to be more loving. I’ve learned that no good thing exists in me. When these thoughts cross my “mind” (the interpreter of our spirits) it’s an invitation to grow spiritually, and come to know Jesus. I may develop a certain interest in or desire to pray, fast, evangelize, memorize Scripture, worship, fellowship, heal the sick, or prophesy. Again those thoughts are whispers from God’s Spirit to grow, an invitation to get a return on our Masters investment. That is why Paul is so adamant about not quenching the Spirit’s Fire (1 Thess. 5:19). I have personally experienced His Grace in several areas of life while my spiritual dullness dismissed the invitation. In fact many times I have taken this grace for granted only to find later that my actions, performance and behavior were not based on any good merit of my own but only by God’s Precious Grace. On one hand, I’ve known people to receive God’s grace to free them from addictions and demonic strongholds, only to turn back later spurning the gift and failing miserably. I believe that there will be weeping in Heaven over these missed opportunities. People are quick to remind me, “But Robert there is no crying in Heaven.” To which I respond by reminding them, “Then what does the Bible mean that He will wipe every tear from their eyes?”  Rev. 21:4

Our salvation is free, bought and purchased by the precious Blood of Jesus, but it will cost you your life to grow, and invest it. A master would expect nothing less from his servants, and a grateful servant would expect nothing less than to give it.

Church Work Day – Saturday, at 8AM

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This Saturday we will be trenching the playground at the front of the building in order to drain the excess water which builds following a good rain. We will need shovels, strong backs, and possibly wheelbarrows. Looking forward to seeing you. Contact John David or Allen Poovey for more information.

Don’t Ask the Fish

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As I mentioned in a previous blog a worldview answers four necessary questions: origins, meaning, morality and destiny. That worldview must answer individual questions in correspondence to reality, and the sum of those answers must be coherent, or in agreement. Many persons have the mistaken notion that they have reasons for their beliefs. Unfortunately after some discussion the discovery is made that those opinions are not based in fact, but hearsay. Ravi Zacharias states: “One of the most shocking lessons one learns in countries where culture is interwoven with religion is that living within a certain framework all the time is, in a sense, the surest way to be detached from it.” Hence the Chinese proverb: “If you want to know what water is, don’t ask the fish.” Ravi continues: Most Hindus know little about Hinduism’s scriptures or it’s development in dogma. Most Buddhists know little about Buddhism. Religion is much more a culture to most people than it is a carefully thought-through system of truth. Even Islam finds the same ignorance. Dare I say most Christians know very little about the teaching and history of their own beliefs …Then the conclusion is inescapable: What I now believe may be good, but it’s not good enough.”

As I grow older I have come to the realization that much of what I put my faith in was only an entry way or door into a whole other realm I never knew existed. Unfortunately for me and others, we have mistaken the door for the entire house. This is why the Lord would have His Church, His Bride to awaken to the inheritance we have in Him. Notice I did not say eternal life. Many have mistaken eternal life as a final destination when Biblically it is an ongoing, experiential relationship. Luke 17:21, alluded to in a previous blog, states that we have God’s Kingdom inside of us through our connection to Jesus. John 10:10 states eternal life has brought us to life to live for Him. John 14:30 states: I will not talk with you much more, for the prince (evil genius, ruler) of the world is coming. And he has no claim on Me. [He has nothing in common with Me; there is nothing in Me that belongs to him, and he has no power over Me.] Eternal Life progressively transforms us so that eventually we have nothing in common with the evil one. After our being born-again, we may have a mild distaste regarding sin, but Jesus hates it. He hates any and all things that stand between us and His love for us. That’s why Eternal Life is more than just a shadowy, dream world in the not so present future but a concrete reality in the now. And it has to be. Shallow, shadows of existence and perception can do little to transform our affections or uphold us like the concrete reality of experiential love. Love, like Eternal Life, is the personification of Jesus.

Our inheritance guarantees freedom from harassment, and oppression from the evil one. Acts 10:38 How God anointed and consecrated Jesus of Nazareth with the [Holy] Spirit and with strength and ability and power; how He went about doing good and,  in particular, curing all who were harassed and oppressed by [the power of] the devil, for God was with Him. Jesus was anointed – as God limited by humanity – to free others who were being harassed and oppressed by the power of the devil. What will a Resurrected, and Ascended Jesus do now for those He loves and adores?

As co-heirs with Christ Jesus He is saving us to break chains of slavery to sin, addictions, traumas, demonic strongholds, ungodly beliefs, cycles of sin, and all the multiple works of darkness. Romans 6:16-18 Do you not know that if you continually surrender yourselves to anyone to do his will, you are the slaves of him whom you obey, whether that be to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience which leads to righteousness (right doing and right standing with God)? But thank God, though you were once slaves of sin, you have become obedient with all your heart to the standard of teaching in which you were instructed and to which you were committed. And having been set free from sin, you have become the servants of righteousness (of conformity to the divine will in thought, purpose, and action).We have become inheritors of freedom and righteousness (rightly related to God and man). Hardly do we think of ourselves when mention is made of being rightly related to our fellow man. Yet, Sunday after Sunday, church attenders find themselves not rightly related to themselves (Truth be known how can they be rightly related to God and man?) The call of Jesus is a call to be rightly related to Who Jesus is within us. Rightly related to who He made us to be. Rightly related to what’s been crucified and defeated. Rightly related to the Spirit of God within our spirits. We find our “stride,” or “sweet spot,” in He Who has made, and is making His Home within us.

In conclusion don’t be asking the contented, pew sitting “fish” how the “Water” is. Instead look for those swimming in the Spirit of their inheritance through Jesus. Feel the radiant, glow from their faces as they light up talking about Him. Listen for their Jesus-centered, worship as their hearts swell, overflowing into a life-time of praises. Looking and listening carefully will lead you to a discovery that’s beyond the door; to an Ocean of endless, and eternal joy, Whose Name is Jesus. He’s our inheritance. He is eternal life. Come on, let’s jump in and learn how to swim.

Raised From Rote, Rut, and Rot

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The gift of eternal life is as multi-faceted as Jesus containing qualities that are eternal and multidimensional. Consider Paul’s words in Eph. 3:14-21 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,  that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,  to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. This passage translated in the New King James version demonstrates the multi-dimensional levels of God’s Love and eternal life found in Jesus Christ. What’s really interesting is to read the same passage in a translation of the Bible that brings out the original language nuances not found in our thought by thought translations. Here’s Pauls words again: For this reason seeing the greatness of this plan by which you are built together in Christ], I bow my knees before the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,  for Whom every family in heaven and on earth is named [that Father from Whom all fatherhood takes its title and derives its name] May He grant you out of the rich treasury of His glory to be strengthened and reinforced with mighty power in the inner man by the [Holy] Spirit [Himself indwelling your innermost being and personality].  May Christ through your faith [actually] dwell (settle down, abide, make His permanent home) in your hearts! May you be rooted deep in love and founded securely on love, that you may have the power and be strong to apprehend and grasp with all the saints [God’s devoted people, the experience of that love] what is the breadth and length and height and depth [of it]; [That you may really come] to know [practically, through experience for yourselves] the love of Christ, which far surpasses mere knowledge [without experience]; that you may be filled [through all your being] unto all the fullness of God [may have the richest measure of the divine Presence, and  become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself]! Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]— To Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen (so be it). Can you hear the richness of these words? the Amplified Classic translation breathes life into the words calling to our dry bones to come together, standing up to become the army of Jesus’ Kingdom.

Our eternal life has the power to release in us the very power that raised Jesus from the dead. The very same power that was released when creation was set in motion by the Word of God. You are a new creation and have been born-again to experience God’s Promise of making all things new. The multi-layered, multi-faceted, multi dimensional aspect of our salvation contains more than a two dimensional quality to it. Modern Christianity has dumbed it down placing 2 -3 dimensional caps on how God’s Spirit can express Himself. (And when I say modern Christianity I am referring to the Christianity which slowly began to take the place of Biblical Christianity when the Emperor Constantine made Christianity the state religion of Rome in 320 AD.) Unfortunately for us the legacy left behind has caused us to crawl out from the rubble in the cemetery many call church or Christianity. 1700 years of religion without relationship has left us with nothing more than rote, ruts, and rot. Routine has become “lord” in the life of the church. A.W. Tozer has said, “That would be perfectly alright and proper for a cemetery. Nobody expects a cemetery to do anything but conform. The greatest conformists in the world day are those who sleep out in the community cemetery. They do not bother anyone. They just lie there, and it is perfectly alright for them to do so. You can predict what everyone will do in a cemetery from the deceased right down to the people who attend a funeral there. Everyone and everything in a cemetery has accepted the routine. Nobody expects anything out of those buried in the cemetery. But the church is not a cemetery and we should expect much from it, because what has been should not be lord to tell us what is, and what is should not be ruler to tell us what will be. God’s people are supposed to grow.”

When Scripture is read afresh we see that Jesus’ version of eternal life called for the very Kingdom of God to be released in our hearts. Luke 17:21 says it’s so. Jesus said the Kingdom wasn’t out there but in here (I’m pointing at my heart and yours). For the church to glumly pray, “Thy Kingdom come,” Sunday after Sunday like a funeral dirge has wrung the vitality out of our Lord’s declaration of war on death. Paul said that the Kingdom wasn’t a matter of talk but of explosive, dynamite power. What’s happened to the power of our salvation?

This morning I was meditating in the Word using some discipleship material called “The Disciples Prayer Life.” He posed a question regarding the Disciples Prayer in Matthew 6 asking “what kind of things are disciples to ask for?” When I read this I thought of another principle T.W. Hunt, it’s author, teaches: “Why should God answer this prayer?” Why indeed? Why should God answer the prayer if we are not willing to cooperate in the process of His grace, and Spirit exploding like dynamite in our spirits? Why should the Father trust us with the atmosphere of Heaven – His Kingdom – on earth, bringing dead things back to life; causing blind eyes to see and deaf ears to hear? Why, when we keep closing our eyes and ears to the call of His Spirit and Word?

Ultimately we are back to A.W. Tozer’s thoughts: Have we allowed the lord of routine to bury us in the cemetery of rote, rut, and rot? Don’t you think it’s time to begin praying and believing for a resurrection?

Perspective Warp

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Perspective control is a procedure for composing or editing photographs to better conform with the commonly accepted distortions in constructed perspective. The control would:

  • make all lines that are vertical in reality vertical in the image. This includes columns, vertical edges of walls and lampposts. This is a commonly accepted distortion in constructed perspective; perspective is based on the notion that more distant objects are represented as smaller on the page; however, even though the top of the cathedral tower is in reality further from the viewer than base of the tower (due to the vertical distance), constructed perspective considers only the horizontal distance and considers the top and bottom to be the same distance away;
  • make all parallel lines (such as four horizontal edges of a cubic room) cross in one point.

The Western Church’s perspective regarding our worldview is not the only thing that needs an adjustment. As the definition above states, “Perspective control is a procedure for composing or editing photographs to better conform with the commonly accepted distortions…”  Here lies the Western Church’s problem. Rather than adjusting our vertical interaction with the Spirit and the Word we have allowed the “commonly accepted distortions” to determine our perspective. Last Thursday I posted that a worldview will define and determine – origin, meaning, morality, and destiny. Without a Biblical worldview your interaction with the Vertical and horizontal will be warped and distorted at best. Consider the popular misconceptions of eternal life. Ask your average church goer their definition of eternal life and they will define it in terms of the after life. Jesus readjusted that understanding making His focus, or perspective, be about living – not dying. For example John 3:13 states: And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but He that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. Interestingly enough when comparing this verse to other translations this passage has been distorted to match the commonly accepted distortions. But when you read it you can see that Jesus’ life lived on the horizontal plane of earth was actually lived from a much higher vertical perspective. One more example: John 17:3 And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. Here again Jesus reiterates that our focus isn’t to be on dying but living in knowing the Father and Jesus the Son. Jesus echoes this in Matthew 22:29-32 Jesus answered and said to them, “You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels of God in heaven. But concerning the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was spoken to you by God, saying, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.”  In the Gospel of Luke the angel rebukes the women coming to Jesus tomb asking, “Why do you look for the Living among the dead?” I capitalized the “Living” to make the point that we serve the One who conquered death and is not dead but alive forevermore and gives this victory to all who would place their trust in Him.

What the western church needs more than ever is a perspective warp like the Star Trek Enterprise that will launch us in to seeing Jesus’ life – in us – from a much higher Vertical perspective. You and I were made for much more than looking at the back of someones’ head calling it worship. Can you imagine aliens visiting our planet, observing our worship, and noting how uniformly we worship the back of someone’s skull? This is why Jesus was crucified at Golgotha, the Place of the Skull, sending His cross and blood to penetrate and permeate that globular sphere of rancid fruit we call knowledge. The fruit of this tree only leaves us barren, and naked, hungering for something more that really satisfies. But those who have truly met the conditions of a Jesus-centered, Salvation, will know so much more for they have received the Mind of Christ. (1 Cor. 2:16) Now that is an alien concept to a western church that has fallen so far away from New Testament Christianity.


What’s Your Worldview?

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Sunday morning I was meditating in Psalm 37 and found an interesting parallel to one of the Beatitudes. In fact Psalm 37 mentioned this Beatitude 6 different times. Think about that. Why would the Psalmist mention this Beatitude 6 different times? It must be important. Right? Here’s what they say: 3 Trust (lean on, rely on, and be confident) in the Lord and do good; so shall you dwell in the land and feed surely on His faithfulness, and truly you shall be fed.; 9 For evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait and hope and look for the Lord [in the end] shall inherit the earth. 11 But the meek [in the end] shall inherit the earth and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. 22 For such as are blessed of God shall [in the end] inherit the earth, but they that are cursed of Him shall be cut off.29 [Then] the [consistently] righteous shall inherit the land and dwell upon it forever. 34 Wait for and expect the Lord and keep and heed His way, and He will exalt you to inherit the land; [in the end] when the wicked are cut off, you shall see it.

The Beatitudes of Jesus say a similar thing: Mt. 5:5 Blessed (happy, blithesome, joyous, spiritually prosperous—with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the meek (the mild, patient, long-suffering), for they shall inherit the earth!

Now I have to be honest and admit that this promise has not been a bestseller for Christian bumper stickers, or refrigerator magnets. I don’t even think it made the list. Why the neglect, or apathy regarding this promise? It’s all about your worldview. Everyone has a worldview. It applies to you whether you are smart or average, rich or poor, religious or irreligious, Canadian or Australian – we all have a worldview. World views address 4 issues: origins, meaning, morality and destiny. In other words four crucial questions are answered: Origin – Where did I come from? Meaning – Why am I here? Morality – How should I live? and Destiny – Where am I headed? A worldview destitute of meaning and destiny will lead a person to draw the conclusion that they have no purpose for their existence. They aren’t going anywhere except to the grave and thus their lives have no meaning. Now over the years I’ve been in the ministry I have had some interesting interactions with varying world views among those who call themselves believers, or followers of Jesus. And I must say that until I received some revelation from the Lord regarding this matter that my world view was similar. What was the world view I encountered? That my destiny was wrapped up in dying and going to Heaven. Now I believed in the 1000 Year Reign of Jesus and all but the impact of the Scripture mentioned above hadn’t really settled in. That is until now. When I stumbled upon this promise it caused me to ask, “What’s the big deal?” I’ll just be happy to have a resurrected body, and worship Jesus. But when I prayed about it the Lord showed me an amazing truth. It’s found in several passages but I’ll only use a few. Rom. 8:17 And if we are [His] children, then we are [His] heirs also: heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ [sharing His inheritance with Him]; only we must share His suffering if we are to share His glory.; Heb. 1:2 [But] in the last of these days He has spoken to us in [the person of a] Son, Whom He appointed Heir and lawful Owner of all things, also by and through Whom He created the worlds and the reaches of space and the ages of time [He made, produced, built, operated, and arranged them in order].; Heb. 6:17 Accordingly God also, in His desire to show more convincingly and beyond doubt to those who were to inherit the promise the unchangeableness of His purpose and plan, intervened (mediated) with an oath.

Heirs receive inheritances. Jesus is the Heir apparent of all things. Meaning He gets to inherit all things: the worlds, outer space with its galaxies, stars, planets and moons, and the Heavens. But the mind-blower and kick in the pants is what Romans 8:17 states: And if we are [His] children, then we are [His] heirs also: heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ [sharing His inheritance with Him];…

Let that sink in. All that belongs to Jesus will also belong to us?! The eye opener? Didn’t it all belong to us in the first place, or at least to our Great Grandad and Mom: Adam and Eve? Our broken, weak, diluted, and thin world views need a Biblical upgrade. We were born-again with a purpose. In fact Heb. 6:17 states as much. This means our world view of waiting to die and go to Heaven to see loved ones, dip my toes in the crystal sea, and play a few rounds of golf, is way, way, way off. What’s really crazy is that you and I were made for more than just looking at the back of somebody in church and calling that worship. Paul gives us a hint in 1 Cor.6:1-3 Does any of you dare, when he has a matter of complaint against another [brother], to go to law before unrighteous men [men neither upright nor right with God, laying it before them] instead of before the saints (the people of God)? 2Do you not know that the saints (the believers) will [one day] judge and govern the world? And if the world [itself] is to be judged and ruled by you, are you unworthy and incompetent to try [such petty matters] of the smallest courts of justice? 3 Do you not know also that we [Christians] are to judge the [very] angels and pronounce opinion between right and wrong [for them]? How much more then [as to] matters pertaining to this world and of this life only!

Did you catch that? We will judge angels and judge and govern the world. Thus my recommendation for the Body of Christ is to get an upgrade from God’s Word and adjust our world views to match Jesus’ and His Word. Our center needs to be adjusted for it has been off for quite some time. Jesus have mercy on His Bride the Church.

Messages from God

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Sunday was a great day to be in the House of the Lord with my favorite people. I wanted to go around and “bear hug” all of you. Our trips to Indonesia and Maryland had exhausted us physically but created a greater desire to be back with our church family. What a welcome home we had with our guest Brad McClendon. I was left with the impression that no one wanted to leave church. (I believe we were here till 1:30) Many received prophetic words as tears flowed freely, and the Presence of God flooded the room. Matt Wagenmaker reported seeing the reflection of a “man” about 7′ tall standing behind Brad with his hand resting upon his shoulder. Matt rewound the video to see if the camera recorded the event but our “visitor” left no evidence of his visit. (How cool is that?) Also Brad asked at the beginning of our service if anyone was having shoulder issues to raise their hand. Several raised their hands in response. As a result, Cass Thompson reported that she had been suffering badly from a torn rotator cuff, and was having to wake up and take medication to lessen the pain. She reported that Ssnce Sunday’s meeting she has had no more pain. Praise the Lord!

After this Sunday’s service many of you received prophetic words and may be wondering, “What do I do in response?” Scripture teaches in 1 Thess. 5:20-21: Do not spurn the gifts and utterances of the prophets [do not depreciate prophetic revelations nor despise inspired instruction or exhortation or warning]. But test and prove all things [until you can recognize] what is good; [to that] hold fast. AMP Classic  Thus we are taught from Scripture to test the word from the Lord. But how do we test them?

1. A prophet must not contradict anything God has previously revealed. 

2. A prophecy must exalt Jesus Christ. 

3. A prophets life must be consistent with the prophecy he or she gives. Are they honoring Christ and bringing glory to Him, or are they bringing attention to themselves? Are they walking in humility, and does their ministry produce humility? Does their ministry produce the fruit of the Holy Spirit?

4. Because someone meets the above criteria does not necessarily mean that the message is from God. The leaders of each particular assembly should be the ones who make the determination. 

5. Prophets and prophecies should be submitted to the Shepherd or shepherds of the church. The prophet or the word should never circumvent the spiritual authority God has put in place (whether we like, or agree with that authority or not). 

6. A Prophet or prophecy should rarely give direction, or counsel. That is the job of the pastor.

7. Prophecy should meet the conditions of 1 Cor. 14:3: But [on the other hand], the one who prophesies [who [b]interprets the divine will and purpose in inspired preaching and teaching] speaks to men for their upbuilding and constructive spiritual progress and encouragement and consolation.

These are great guidelines but what if you have to wait to see if the word becomes a reality? Here are a few pointers:

  1. Some words are “destiny words” regarding your future. For example, in the book of Genesis, Joseph received dreams that he would rule over his father, and brothers. The shepherd boy David was anointed to be king by the prophet Samuel – even though Saul was still king. All destiny words are usually conditioned upon cooperating with the Lord in the process of becoming who He said you would be.
  2. Prophetic words will cause several reactions: “I can’t see it,” or “I can see it,” or “That’s confirmation regarding something I’ve had in my heart, (or were praying about.)” The prophetic word should support, confirm or clarify somethings we are already having clues about. Or they may cause you to pray about something you hadn’t even considered. (You see that in the case of Gideon).
  3. If you received a word you didn’t agree with simply release it. Those who have a prophetic ministry are simply stepping out in faith regarding what they believe is the Spirit of God. A practical reason why we are to test the words given.
  4. If you received a word that intrigued you even though you can’t see how it could ever happen. Then simply pray about it. Record the word, dating when and where it was given, and continue praying over it. The reason for doing this is because you will forget. If it’s from the Lord the enemy will try to get you to doubt it, or forget about it.
  5. The Lord does not want you to be passive regarding the word. He wants you to thank Him for it. Believe and trust that He will bring it to pass. Step out in faith positioning yourself to become a manifestation of that word. Also seek reputable resources to help educate you regarding the word, and position yourself among others who can help you grow into your word.
  6. Lastly if you have any questions regarding a word, or the gift of prophecy, please feel free to talk with me about it. I will do my best to answer any questions you may have, and provide wise counsel.

Paul exhorts us in 1 Cor. 14:1 Eagerly pursue and seek to acquire [this] love [make it your aim, your great quest]; and earnestly desire and cultivate the spiritual endowments (gifts), especially that you may prophesy…..Remember you are the Lord’s sheep and according to John 10 Jesus’ sheep hear His Voice. So pursue this gift, stepping out in faith to listen, and minister the word of the Lord. With every step you please the One Who made you to be like His Son. (Hebrews. 11:6).