Posts

Never Forget!

/in /by

Amos 1:9,11 ….because they [as middlemen] delivered up a whole [Jewish] population to Edom and did not [seriously] remember their brotherly covenant….11 because he pursued his brother Jacob (Israel) with the sword, corrupting his compassions and casting off all pity, and his anger tore perpetually and his wrath he kept and heeded forever.

Human nature is a funny thing. We are only a month and a few days to an event that happened twenty-four years ago: September 11, 2001. Never Forget was the common refrain used to remember the September 11th terrorist attacks and honor the victims, first responders, and all those affected by the tragedy. Fast forward twenty-four years later and the headlines read: Zohran Mamdani wins NYC mayoral primary over Andrew Cuomo. He is known as a Shia Muslim, and a democrat socialist. Never Forget? We can rest assured many have fallen back to sleep and have totally forgotten. In fact it’s an interesting parallel between the Scripture reference above, Esau and his descendants, who kept his wrath and heeded it forever.

Forgetfulness is a big deal to God. Some say we are to forgive and forget based on the Scripture in Micah 7:19 that states God hides our sin in the sea of forgetfulness. Isaiah 43:25 echoes this metaphor stating: “I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; and I will not remember your sins. One Biblical theologian from my teen years stated: It’s not that God forgets our sin – it’s that He chooses to not bring them up anymore. He chooses to release us from the debt He knows we owe Him. This is why forgiveness is an even bigger deal with God than forgetfulness. There is an interesting connection between forgetfulness and forgiveness. Dt. 4:23 Take heed to yourselves, lest you forget the covenant of the Lord your God which He made with you,… Dt. 6:12 states: …beware, lest you forget the Lord who brought you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage. Don’t forget where you came from, and don’t forget Who you have made covenant with. Jesus amplifies this in His Parable of the Unjust Servant. Matthew 18:23-30 Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 25 But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. 26 The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, ‘Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ 27 Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt.28 “But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’ 29 So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ 30 And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. 

We fail to forgive when we forget the debt that has been paid for our sins. It’s really that simple. Only those who aren’t aware of the depths of their sin can casually throw another in to the prison of their making. Sadly many a person have forged their own chains through unforgiveness being tormented by something far worse than a measly offense. Psalm 119:165 states: Great peace have those who love Your law, and nothing causes them to stumble. Those who know the Word know it’s Jesus. Jesus is the Word. Jesus is the Law or the Instruction or Teaching. Those who can’t remember, can’t forgive, stumble over the Stumbling Stone of the Chief Cornerstone, Jesus. Why? 1 Peter 2:7-8 explains: Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, “The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone,” 8 and “A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense.”They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed. They stumble because of their disobedience, and their disobedience reveals what they consider to be precious.

Beauty From Ashes

/in /by

Daniel 1:8 But Daniel determined in his heart that he would not defile himself by [eating his portion of] the king’s rich and dainty food or by [drinking] the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might [be allowed] not to defile himself.

Mental Performance Coach, Bryan Cain wrote: Unbroken is a book by Laura Hillenbrand, and a movie by the same name. Unbroken is the story of Louie Zamperini and his amazing journey of:

• Being a boy who was bullied and always in trouble to…
• Running in the 1936 Olympics to…
• Enlisting in the military during WWII to…
• Surviving a plane crash in the Pacific to…
• Surviving an amazing 47 days adrift in a raft to…
• Being captured by the Japanese navy, being sent to a POW camp, and becoming the favorite target of a particularly cruel prison commander to…
• A life of severe post-traumatic stress disorder to…
• A life filled with forgiveness, service and peace.

Daniel, and Louie had one thing in common: determination. The AMPC translation uses the word “purposed”. Figuratively in the Hebrew it means to set a direction for or towards. Long before Daniel and Louie ever got to the challenges they faced they had set a direction for their lives. That direction of their hearts had taken them from one challenge to the next. But with each challenge they chose to ascend and not set up a camp, or turn around and retreat. It’s interesting that often the Bible talks about the Mountain of the Lord. Isaiah 2:2-3 states: It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be [firmly] established as the highest of the mountains and shall be exalted above the hills, and all nations shall flow to it. 3 And many people shall come and say, Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, that He may teach us His ways and that we may walk in His paths. For out of Zion shall go forth the law and instruction, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. It’s the ascent up to and into His Presence that teaches us, molds and weaves us into the tapestry of the Master Weaver, and Master Potter. We are shaped by our circumstances becoming things of beauty that glorify Him – as long as we submit to the process of weaving, and molding. Throughout Colorado you will see dead pines as far as the eye can see in many places. These pines are the victims of the pine beetle. Forest management enforces the policy of leaving these dead trees standing. Unfortunately for those living in or near the foothills and mountains these free standing pines can become kindling for fires you cannot even imagine. Fortunately, others have been permitted to cut the trees down, processing them at sawmills throughout the region. From the milled wood many a carpenter has fashioned them into beautiful, and unique pieces of furniture that can’t be found any where else. Every piece of wood has a unique color, hue, and grain pattern. From tragedy comes beauty, or unimaginable destruction. The outcome is determined by the choices we make through the process.

Thanksgiving PAC

/in /by

Before the presidential election Elon Musk made the news announcing America Pak. Through it Elon Musk promised a million dollar sweepstakes to anyone who was willing to sign a petition endorsing the US Constitution. Musk stated, “We’re going to be awarding a million dollars randomly to people who have signed the petition every day from now until the election.”

Sunday, before last, I challenged you to make a commitment to be a giver. A giver who knows how to be a receiver. A giver who knows how to forgive. A giver who knows how to give thanks and a giver who knows how to encourage. I’m not promising a million dollar reward for putting these actions into practice. What I am encouraging you to do is to seek to live a life that freely and extravagantly gives in all the areas above. Begin your week with 10 things you are thankful for and increase the thanksgiving by 5 additional things with each consecutive day. Let’s PAK America and the Heavenly Realms with thanks GIVING – being mindful that Heaven’s King gave everything to paupers like you and me. Seek to be a good receiver who gives away to others what has been freely given to you: forgiveness, thanks, and encouragement. Do it loud and do it proud.

Trust Fall

/in /by

When I was a youth minister I used many exercises to develop team spirit and leadership. Inevitably we would use the trust fall. A trust fall is a team building exercise where one person falls backwards while others catch them, trusting that they will be caught. The exercise is intended to build trust between participants by having them rely on each other for safety and success. Once, while making a point about the reliability of even the weakest members of our group I decided to be the example. To make it even more impressive I stood on a wall and decided the point would be more powerful if I fell face first. After arranging the participants to form two lines – shoulder to shoulder, and face to face, I gave my encouraging pep talk. Taking my place on the wall I had them count to three and yell, “Fall!” And I did – believing, in theory, that the girls I had selected to catch me could do the job. Unfortunately for me some of the girls had not been adequately “pepped” causing them to scream and run away as I plummeted trustingly to the gym floor. Fortunately for me and the panicked girls I had some training in how to fall correctly breaking my fall through my extended fingers and feet. Nothing was broken, and nothing was bruised – but trust.

There are two passages in the Bible that have intrigued me for years when positioned side by side: John 2:24 But Jesus [for His part] did not trust Himself to them, because He knew all [men];…AMPC and 1 Corinthians 13:7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. NIV

1 Corinthians 13 describes the Agape Love of God as ALWAYS trusting. While John 2:24 seems to contradict this statement. Is Jesus’ love different from the Father’s or is there a deeper truth the Spirit wants to convey? Both passages use the same Greek word but how they are used shines light on the difference. The word can be used to convey a variety of meanings: to think to be true, to be persuaded of, to credit, place confidence in. Which helps us understand that Jesus was not putting His confidence in man’s nature because He knew all men. Which raises the question, Can you love someone without putting your confidence in them? Some may say an emphatic, “No!” But ask a father or mother this question regarding their toddling child, or hormonally charged teen ager. Can either parent love that child as God loves them and yet not trust their ability to do this or that? Absolutely! Can a marriage partner be unfaithful to a husband or wife through having an adulterous affair or looking at porn and still be loved by the faithful husband or wife? Some say, “No!” Yet, by the Grace and the Power of the Spirit, what seems to be humanly impossible becomes possible. Will the offended spouse trust them or have confidence in their fidelity? Probably not. But can that trust be rebuilt over time and through the Power of the Spirit? People may react strongly to this saying, Its impossible! It is – if you use soul power. But if you have become a new creation in Jesus you now have the Godhead living and expressing themselves through you and now you can do ALL things through Christ Jesus. You may quote the verse and display it proudly on your living room wall – but is it true – for you? Can you really do ALL things – loving those you don’t trust – through Jesus? If a parent can practice this – we all can. It simply comes down to a choice. Will I choose to be Jesus to this or that person? A person I don’t trust but I am commanded to love?

Rosh Hashana – Feast of Trumpets and What It Means for Christians

/in /by

Happy New Year! (From the Jewish Year 5783 to 5784) – From God, the Father.

Rosh Hashana, in Hebrew means head or beginning of the year, and marks the start of God’s new year as outlined in the Old Testament. Also known as the Feast of Trumpets, it is one of the seven appointed festivals prescribed by the Lord to Moses in Leviticus 23 and ushers in God’s process of renewal for the Jewish people.

The ten days between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) – which is the holiest day of the Jewish calendar – are the 10 Days of Awe, or the 10 Days of Repentance. During this period the Jewish people were expected to thoroughly examine their hearts and their standing before God; to repent and to give and seek forgiveness in preparation for receiving God’s forgiveness on Yom Kippur. According to Jewish tradition, the sincerity of one’s repentance and turning to God during these 10 days was instrumental in tipping the Lord’s judgment scale in their favor for the coming year. So, for Jews, God’s forgiveness on Yom Kippur was considered a temporary achievement. In order to keep your place in the Book of Life the process had to be repeated year-after-year.

While the importance of Rosh Hashana, the 10 Days of Awe, and the Day of Atonement in the Old Testament is God’s means of providing a process for his people to achieve and receive forgiveness and right standing can’t be understated, how should Christians view this today? Since we live under the New Covenant does this feature of Mosaic Law apply to us at all?

As a technical matter, no it doesn’t, because as Christians we no longer live under the Law. “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us.” (Gal 3:13) God, through Christ, provided a once-for-all way to forgiveness and reconciliation, “…He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us…” (Col 2:14). In fact, Paul specifically reminds us in Colossians 2:16: “Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day.” In other words, our concern is no longer festivals and rituals to improve our fallen condition. Our sole focus is faith in the work of Jesus.

Hebrews 10:1-10 summarizes our much-transformed and improved circumstance nicely: For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near. Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have any consciousness of sins? But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.

Therefore, when Christ came into the world, He said: “Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; with burnt offerings and sin offerings you were not pleased. Then I said, ‘Here I am—it is written about me in the scroll— I have come to do your will, my God.’ First, He said, “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them”—though they were offered in accordance with the law. Then He said, “Here I am, I have come to do your will.” He sets aside the first to establish the second. And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

So, since these festival days don’t serve the same purpose for Christians that they once did for the Jews, then how should we commemorate these days? By recognizing how God literally fulfilled his Jeremiah 31:34 promise to us: “For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.” What can be more worthy of celebration than that?

What our God, through Christ, has done in providing a perfect and permanent means for our reconciliation should overwhelm us and fill us with unending gratitude.

For today, let’s meditate on God’s incredible goodness, let’s thank Him and acknowledge the absolute supremacy of Christ as our Savior and High Priest, and ask Him to help us be more like Him. Let’s challenge ourselves and our church family to seek a deeper relationship and a more active, empowered, Spirit-filled walk. Let’s pray against the spirit of complacency and for a new (kainos – recently made, fresh, recent, unused, unworn) spiritual awakening and revival. Amen!?

A brother in Christ

Confession & Declaration 12

/in /by

Ephesians 1:7 In Him we have redemption (deliverance and salvation) through His blood, the remission (forgiveness) of our offenses (shortcomings and trespasses), in accordance with the riches and the generosity of His gracious favor,

Thus far we have covered 5 aspects of how the Blood of Jesus empowers us to overcome the accuser of the brothers. Those 5 ways are: cleansing, propitiation, justification, redemption, and communion. Now that’s pretty impressive but there’s more. In fact we are jut getting warmed up. Ephesians 1:7 points out that through the Blood of Jesus we have remission, or forgiveness of sins. What does that mean? It means release from bondage, or imprisonment; forgiveness, remission, and pardon – as if they had never been committed. Literally it means “letting them go.” For example when I forgive someone I now have the understanding that I am “releasing them from the debt that I think they owe me.” The Godhead did that with ALL our sins. He released us from the “debt we owed Him.” In other words, He “let us go.” Before Jesus breathed His last breath the Bible records 2 things that made that final breath. One Gospel writer records that He simply said, “It is finished.” Another records, He shouted. In my personal opinion those were two of the same event. I believe that at Jesus’ last breath, He pushed up on HIs nail pierced feet, took in a deep breath, and shouted, “It is finished!” Now in the Greek that phrase is simply one word, Tetelestai. Tetelestai is an accounting, or banking term, which means, “the debt has been paid in full.” Jesus took the record of our sins, wrongdoings, transgression, trespasses, intentional, and unintentional sins and closed our account. He remitted the payment. Now when someone has a debt they can’t pay and its cancelled or remitted, someone still has to absorb that debt. Someone has to pay what hasn’t been repaid. That’s what Jesus did for us. He absorbed our debt, taking it upon Himself; transferring it to His account. That’s a sobering truth. The root word for remission or forgiveness is even better. It literally means “to send it away.” Not only has Jesus absorbed our debt, forgiven, pardoned and remitted it – He has sent it away. Now it would be really tempting at this point to say, Well Robert that takes care of my past sins – but what about the sins afterwards? Remember yesterdays confession and declaration? Remember 1 John 1:7? Your salvation and mine are continually abiding in the Eternal Now. Jesus’ Blood is continually washing away my sins – in the present. In Jesus, there is no past or future, just Now. He has adopted you and I into Him. For example if you were able to take a sheet of paper and record all of your sins on it, and then take a larger sheet of paper writing, “Jesus,” on it. Take that larger sheet of paper (Jesus) fold it down the middle, and place your smaller sheet of paper (a record of all your sins) – in the middle of “Jesus.” What would you see? Only Jesus. We have been enfolded into Jesus. That’s powerful. Let’s tell Him so and let us be transformed by the truths of Jesus. Let us forsake the lies the enemy has spoken about us. Let us embrace who He has made us to be. This is the Gospel!

Declaration 12: Heavenly Father I humbly bow before You slowly beginning to make sense of what You did for me at the cross. Yet I still cannot fathom the depths of Your Love and Mercy. I never will be able to. Thank You. Forever and ever I will thank You! You have forgiven, remitted, and pardoned my sins. You have closed my account of sins’ debt. You have released me from that debt and You have sent it away – forever away. Thank you for absorbing my debt and enfolding me into You. Thank You that all the Father sees is You. I have been hidden in You! Thank You Lord that my salvation is always in the present – in Your Eternal Now. I am always hidden in You. Hidden in Your Blood, forgiveness, washing, cleansing, healing, and freeing. I love You and I thank You for the Great Price You paid to secure my salvation. With You I shout, tetelestai! My debt has been cancelled, paid in full, and sent away! Thank You Jesus!