Five Days: The Young Shuffle

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Day 45 of Making the Omer Count – 5 Days to Pentecost

“In 1983, 150 world-class runners converged on Sydney for the grueling 543.7 mile endurance race from Sydney to Melbourne, Australia – the world’s longest and toughest ultra-marathon. On the day of the race, a toothless 61 year old potato farmer and sheepherder named Cliff Young approached the registration table wearing overalls and galoshes over his work boots. At first, people thought he was there to watch the race, but to their surprise, Cliff Young declared his intention to run and requested a number. The incredulous staff issued Cliff #64. As he mingled with the other runners at the starting line, spectators couldn’t believe their eyes. When the gun went off, bystanders snickered at Cliff, left behind in his galoshes and overalls as the other runners with their sculpted bodies and running gear briskly began the race. Snickers gave way to laughter when Cliff began to run, not like the other runners, but with what could only be described as a leisurely, odd, shuffle. All of Australia was riveted to the live telecast as they watched the scene unfold. Five days, 15 hours, and 4 minutes later, Cliff Young came shuffling across the finish line in Melbourne, winning the ultra-marathon! He didn’t win by a few seconds, or even a few minutes. The nearest runner was 9 hours and 56 minutes behind. How did it happen? Everyone knew that the only way to win the ultra-marathon was to  run for 18 hours, then stop and sleep for six hours. But no one told Cliff Young. He just shuffled along, day and night, night and day, without stopping to sleep. Cliff broke the previous race record by nine hours and became an overnight national hero.” (written by David Allen, March 13, 2019)

It’s five days to Pentecost. What difference can five days make? As Cliff Young illustrates, all the difference in the world. You may recall that in our last blog the Disciples had been sealed with the Holy Spirit for salvation and were now instructed to wait for the Baptism of the Spirit. Acts 2 records what happened. From this outpouring of the Spirit the church was birthed, followers of Jesus were empowered to be evangelists, prophets, and ministers of Jesus with power. From Peter’s preaching – filled with the Spirit – three thousand souls came into the Kingdom of God. But guess what? It wasn’t enough. Why do I say that? 

Acts 4:5-8 “And it came to pass, on the next day, that their rulers, elders, and scribes, as well as Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the family of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem. And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, “By what power or by what name have you done this?” Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said…”

What was the result of Peter being filled with the Spirit? Acts 4:13, 21 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. ….So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way of punishing them,….A lame man was healed, the religious leaders recognized they had been with Jesus, yet they still threatened them to not speak in the Name of Jesus. Peter’s Response as he returned to the Church? Acts 4:29-31 Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.” And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness. Did you catch that? Peter who was sealed by the Spirit in John 20, baptized in the Spirit at Pentecost, and filled with the Spirit before the religious leaders – now stood before the church praying, and being filled with the Spirit once again. 

Cliff Young won the race because he didn’t stop to sleep. He kept on with his shuffle and finished the race in record time. As true followers of Jesus, active faith – activated faith – finishes the race through being filled, and refilled with the Spirit. As Cliff Young demonstrated one step at a time. We too keep seeking the Kingdom of God, the infilling of the Spirit, one day at a time – never stopping to sleep spiritually. As Paul exhorted the believers in Ephesus:”….but keep on being filled with the Spirit. (Ephesians 5:18 ISV Translation)

 

Circumstantial Christian: It Isn’t Enough

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If you could meet any one from history – who would your top candidate be? The top contenders in 2026? Pope Leo XIV, Abraham Lincoln, or George Washington. In my limited research I was surprised to see these three outpaced Jesus.

I must confess that I have an ulterior motive in asking this question. Most followers of Jesus, asked this question, would usually reply by shouting, “Jesus!” These would elaborate by stating, “If I could meet Jesus, experiencing the things He did – my life would never be the same.” But is experiential knowledge of Jesus enough? Was it enough for the followers of Jesus 2000 years ago?

Over the years I have heard some pretty amazing things. Pastor if I had more time I would pray and read the Word. Pastor if I made more money I would tithe. Pastor if I didn’t have to work I would be at church more. Pastor if I had the relationship with Jesus that these other people have I would be more involved with ministry. Can I let you in on a little clue? If you are not choosing it now – you won’t choose it later. Any of the things mentioned above are circumstantial. In other words they are dependent on circumstances. Circumstantial Christians are tossed about by the wind and waves of life. They rarely stand for anything because they’re too busy falling for everything, waiting for the ideal circumstance to come along.

Here’s another one I heard: “Pastor if I had been taught by Jesus Himself I wouldn’t be living like I’m living. If I knew more stuff I could be a better follower of Jesus. If I had more knowledge I would witness. If I could pray like you pray I would pray more. If I knew the Word like you know the Word I would spend more time in Bible reading.” No you wouldn’t. Knowledge wasn’t enough, neither was proximity to Jesus’ miracles. Seeing and hearing Jesus – in the flesh – wasn’t enough. All of these things were not sufficient to transform their lives.

There’s a scene from the Billy Crystal movie, City Slickers, in which Billy Crystal’s character, Mitch, asks Curly, a rough and tumble cowboy, What’s the meaning of life? To which Curly replies, extending one finger in the air, “One thing. Just one thing. You stick to that and the rest don’t mean…” (I will leave the ending to your imagination). The implication being that you must stick to that one thing and ignore everything else. The one thing that the followers of Jesus needed was the Baptism and Infilling of the Spirit. It was so essential that Jesus told those same followers it was good for Him to go away. Why? Because the Holy Spirit was coming to dwell among, and in, the believing, followers of Jesus. (Emphasis on Active Faith)

By now you know where I am going with this argument. If Jesus, the Son of Man, needed the Holy Spirit, and the followers of Jesus needed the Holy Spirit. Then do we not also need the Holy Spirit. But it doesn’t end there. John 20:22 And having said this, He breathed on them and said to them, Receive the Holy Spirit! Guess what happened after they received the Spirit? John 21:3 Simon Peter said to them, I am going fishing! They said to him, And we are coming with you! So they went out and got into the boat, and throughout that night they caught nothing. Now you might want to throw the whole argument in my face. The disciples received the Holy Spirit and instead of fishing for men they went fishing for fish. The resurrection appearances of Jesus meant nothing. Even this was not enough. What was the one thing they needed? Acts 1:4-5 And while being in their company and eating with them, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem but to wait for what the Father had promised, Of which [He said] you have heard Me speak. For John baptized with water, but not many days from now you shall be baptized with (placed in, introduced into) the Holy Spirit. Receiving the Holy Spirit, and being sealed with the Spirit for salvation was not enough. They needed the Baptism of the Spirit.

It’s seven days to Pentecost. Are you making the grain of His Word count. Speaking of grains, are you taking all of this with a grain of salt? An idiom implying something is meaningless, worthless, unreliable, and not to be believed. Are the grains of His Word of greater value than your idiom? 

Jesus Needed?

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Count the Omer – Countdown to Pentecost: Day 41

Matthew 1:20 “But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.” NIV

Would you agree that Jesus, the Son of the Most High God, the only begotten (unique, one of a kind, of the same divine nature of God) – was conceived by the Holy Spirit? Would you agree that you can’t get much closer than that? Would you also agree that Jesus is the Second Person in the Triune nature of God – fully equal to God? Yet the greatest mystery of all time is what is recorded in Php. 2:5-11 when he referenced Jesus emptying Himself of equality with God. Jesus, Almighty God, became one of us – a Son of Adam. He was fully God, and fully man. Yet, He limited His divinity when He lived as a man. In a sense you could say He was God with His arms behind His back.

Would you also agree that God needs nothing? He is the sum total of all existence, provision and life. Yet, Jesus, the Man – experienced thirst, hunger, pain, weariness, heartache, etc. The God Who needed nothing became as nothing in need of something. What was the something He needed as a man? Obviously He needed food, liquids, companionship, and rest – just to name a few. Scripture said He needed the Father. But there was one more vital thing His life was missing. What was that one thing? Luke 3:22 answers the question:”…and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” Luke 4:1, 14 records the rest: Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,..Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside.

News about Jesus really didn’t begin to spread until He was filled with the Spirit. Selah – Pause and think about that. No one really knew His power for ministry until He was filled with the Spirit. Jesus, the Son of Man, needed the Holy Spirit to accomplish the assignment the Lord had for Him. Selah – Pause and think about that. Would you agree that Jesus needed to pray, to read and study the Word, to attend synagogue (church), to fellowship with other believers, to worship, to give, sacrifice, obey, and to serve? Jesus, the Son of Man, did.

Why do we NEED a countdown to Pentecost? Because, like Jesus – the Man – we are sons and daughters of Adam too. If Jesus needed all these things then we must conclude we need them too. But guess what? Apart from the Holy Spirit all these things become meaningless. Jesus, the Man, needed the Holy Spirit. More specifically He needed the Baptism and Infilling of the Spirit. If Jesus needed the Holy Spirit Baptism and Infilling – don’t you think you do too? 

Making the Omer  – “count” is synonymous with saying, Make the Word of Life count! Make it matter. Make Jesus, the Word of God, count! Do you make Jesus’ life count? Does His Life in you matter? Does Jesus’ crucifixion, resurrection and ascension matter – to you? Does Eternal life matter – to you? Have you made it count? Have you made the count?

Entering the Rest of God – Through Striving?

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Making the Omer Count – Countdown to Pentecost

1 Corinthians 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 (interpret the divine will and purpose in inspired preaching and teaching).”

The Greek word for earnestly desire implies the following: to burn with zeal; to be heated or to boil with; to be zealous in the pursuit of good; to desire earnestly, pursue; to desire one earnestly, to strive after, busy one’s self about him; to exert one’s self for one (that he may not be torn from me).

Notice that it uses the word “strive.” It’s the same Greek word word used in Revelation 3:19 “So be enthusiastic and in earnest and burning with zeal and repent [changing your mind and attitude].” A similar idea is conveyed in the Greek translation of Hebrews 4:11: “Let us therefore be zealous and exert ourselves and strive diligently to enter that rest [of God, to know and experience it for ourselves], that no one may fall or perish by the same kind of unbelief and disobedience [into which those in the wilderness fell].” The Greek word used in this passage is defined as: “to make haste; earnestness in accomplishing, promoting, or striving after anything; to give all diligence, interest one’s self most earnestly.” This Greek word is even more specific. It’s saying make haste, don’t waste any time, striving after accomplishing, with diligence – to enter the rest of God.

Yet, How does one enter this rest? The answer lies in the next verse: Hebrews 4:12 For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart. The answer? Connect the two verses: make haste to accomplish, striving after with all diligence and interest – to Enter the Word of God. Given the context you could say, Make haste, strive after, and give all diligence to running into His Sword!

Did you catch the definition for striving used in 1 Cor. 14:1? To exert one’s self for one (that he may not be torn from me). There are two kinds of faith in our lives. Active faith and passive faith. But guess what? There’s nothing passive about striving, being in earnest, being zealous, or having diligent faith. This kind of faith doesn’t suffer even the possibility of being torn away from the One – Who burns with fire. Which you can rest assured (no pun intended) Jesus is zealous for His Father, His kingdom, and for us. Since Jesus is zealous, in earnest, diligent in pursuing us don’t you think for a moment that He is not striving after. He is the Word and no One has strived more to enter, become, and be His Father’s Word. Remember Jesus only did what He saw His Father doing. Only said what His Father said. And as Hebrews 5:8-9 state: Although He was a Son, He learned [active, special] obedience through what He suffered and, [His completed experience] making Him perfectly [equipped], He became the Author and Source of eternal salvation to all those who give heed and obey Him,…

If you are going to make His Omer Count then you will recognize and realize – the Rest of God. Where will you find the “Rest” of God? The “Rest of God” will not be found simply in ceasing  from activity. Why? Because the “Rest of God” is the “More” of God. The “More” found in a pursuit of the Spirit, the Gifts (He is the Gifts), Holy Spirit Love, hearing and recognizing the ways God speaks. These are just a few.

Question is, Are you making haste, striving, being diligent, zealous, boiling over – for the “Rest of God”? Are you seeking to exert yourself that He will not be torn from you; that the “Rest” He has for you will not be torn away? Some may object that we could never be torn from God. There’s some truth in that but John 15 implies a different perspective. “If you abide in Me…If you can abide in Jesus then there is the great possibility that you may not. In fact John 15:4 in the NIV states: Remain in me, as I also remain in you. Are you remaining in the Rest of God?

An Awakening

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Today Marks Day 34 of Counting the Omer – 16 Days from Pentecost. It was during that fifty day period between Jesus’ death, resurrection and ascension that the disciples were commanded to stay in Jerusalem and seek the promise of the baptism of the Spirit. Luke 24:49 states: “Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.”  For two weeks they gathered in the same upper room where their feet had been wash by Jesus. The same room they had observed their last Passover with Jesus. The same room that marked the horrible events that led to Jesus crucifixion and death. Strangely now that same room was filled with hope and promise. Jesus had risen and appeared – to them, and five hundred others. Now there was an awakening of a promise as old as Moses himself. Numbers 11:17, 29 records the event: Then I will come down and talk with you there. I will take of the Spirit that is upon you and will put the same upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, that you may not bear it yourself alone…Then Moses said to him, “Are you zealous for my sake? Oh, that all the Lord’s people were prophets and that the Lord would put His Spirit upon them!” Notice Moses’ desire: “Oh, that all the Lord’s people were prophets…” This is why Peter made reference to Joel when he recalled: “And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, that I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions, your old men shall dream dreams. And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; and they shall prophesy.” (Acts 2:17-18; Joel 2:28-29) Twice the prophecy states He would pour out His Spirit. Twice he states that they will prophesy. Twice he makes reference to what prophets do: see visions and dream and dreams.

Recently I read a disturbing passage in Revelation 2:4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Jackie and I were discussing it in reference to Revelation 2:5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent. Jackie asked, Do you think all churches have a lamp stand? We discussed this for a time and the following morning when I was having my time with the Lord I read in “My Utmost For His Highest” the following: “The fountains from which love flows are in God, not in us. It is absurd to think that the love of God is naturally in our hearts, as a result of our own nature. His love is there only because it “has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit…” (Rom. 5:5) If we try to prove to God how much we love Him, it is a sure sign that we really don’t love Him. The evidence of our love for Him is the absolute spontaneity of our love, which flows naturally from His nature within us.” After reading this I knew the Lord was speaking. I chose to look up Romans 5:5: Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. 

If we have truly been born-again – by the Spirit – then we can all give testimony to when the Holy Spirit shed abroad His love in our hearts. And here lies the key to returning to our First Love: return to the Holy Spirit. If you or I are ever going to experience Jesus as our First Love. If we are ever going to return to Him – once we had it and lost it – then the promise applies that what was lost can now be found again – simply by returning to the Holy Spirit. What does that look like? Make the seed of His Word count. Make bread from that dormant seed that has been sown in your heart. Obey His commands with all your heart. Seek Him through song, thanks-giving, Jesus-centered worship, and prayer. Desire the gifts of the Spirit. Desire to see visions and dream dreams. Desire to prophesy. Go to where you Know He is moving. Go to those you know He resides in and visits. Act like you are hungry and thirsty for Him. Did I say it? Pray. Pray that the Spirit would once again pour out His Love in your heart. Pray! Pray! Pray!

Down in the Valley

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Omer Count – Day 30 to Pentecost, or Shavuot

Pentecost (or the Hebrew word Shavuot) for Christians marks the day the Holy Spirit was poured out upon the newly birthed New Covenant Church, Jesus’ Bride. Yet it was far more than that. It marked an epoch. What’s an epoch? An epoch is a significant, distinctive period in history or geology, often marking the beginning of a new development or era. In history or geology? Yes, geology! Why geology? Pentecost was an earth shaking, history making event. Neither have been the same since. Even Paul said the earth is groaning for the sons of God to be revealed. Scripture alludes to the fact that the earth is in travail or labor – waiting for that day. What’s really amazing is that her contractions have begun, and they are getting closer together. Which means the sons and daughters of God are about to be birthed and revealed.

But Pentecost is significant for another reason. Lamentations 1:11 records: All her people groan and sigh, seeking for bread; they have given their desirable and precious things [in exchange] for food to revive their strength and bring back life. See, O Lord, and consider how wretched and lightly esteemed, how vile and abominable, I have become! Lamentations, historically, is attributed to the Prophet Jeremiah who walked the streets of Jerusalem seeing the pain, suffering, and destruction in the wake of the Babylonian invasion of 586 BC. Jeremiah was about to accompany these newly exiled people from their homeland. The prophet Ezekiel describes their spiritual condition in Ezekiel 37:1-3: The hand of the Lord was upon me, and He brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones. And He caused me to pass round about among them, and behold, there were very many [human bones] in the open valley or plain, and behold, they were very dry. And He said to me, Son of man, can these boneslive? And I answered, O Lord God, You know! 

Pentecost, or Shavuot marked the beginning of Ezekiel 37:9-14 Then said He to me, Prophesy to the breath and spirit, son of man, and say to the breath and spirit, Thus says the Lord God: Come from the four winds, O breath and spirit, and breathe upon these slain that they may live.10 So I prophesied as He commanded me, and the breath and spirit came into [the bones], and they lived and stood up upon their feet, an exceedingly great host.11 Then He said to me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. Behold, they say, Our bones are dried up and our hope is lost; we are completely cut off. 12 Therefore prophesy and say to them, Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I will open your graves and cause you to come up out of your graves, O My people; and I will bring you [back home] to the land of Israel.13 And you shall know that I am the Lord [your Sovereign Ruler], when I have opened your graves and caused you to come up out of your graves, O My people.14 And I shall put My Spirit in you and you shall live, and I shall place you in your own land. Then you shall know, understand, and realize that I the Lord have spoken it and performed it, says the Lord.

Israel, and their spiritually dead inhabitants, were in need of bread that assured a resurrection. They needed the Spirit of God to open their graves, and be poured out on them. But guess what? Nothing has changed. Spiritually speaking have we become like Israel? Have we reached the point in which we are groaning and sighing for His Bread? Have we yet reached the point in which we see our true spiritual condition: wretched, lightly esteemed, vile and abominable? That’s the true condition of a church and a follower of Jesus divorced from the power of the Spirit.