Rivers of Living Water

I drove by a martial arts studio today that teaches ‘aikido.’  It made me think of a demonstration I saw about thirty-five years ago.  The ‘master’ had a young lady stand up, asked her to point her arm at about a forty-five degree angle forward, then asked a young man to push her arm down.  He easily did so.  Then he asked the young lady to now picture her arm as a fire hose that had to shoot water which flowed from her ‘gut’ toward the State Capitol.  The young man could not push her arm down, until she broke her concentration.

I was reminded of a verse John 7:38, “He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.” KJV.  This was predicated on the verse before stating, “if you are thirsty, come to Jesus, and drink.”  Also John followed with an explanation that Jesus was speaking of the “Holy Spirit” (v. 39).  Modern translations translate koilias (belly) as ‘heart’ or ‘innermost being’ or ‘within.’  Those translations essentially convey the meaning, but they lose that ‘gutsy,’ literal word ‘belly.’  The word occurs 22 times in the NT.  Interestingly the same word is also translated as ‘womb.’  As in Elisabeth declaring, “Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.”  Luke 1:42. The meaning of ‘belly’ and ‘womb,’ significantly implies that the Holy Spirit comes from a place of intensity, depth of feeling, new life, and power.  

During the month of August we are praying, for any who are thirsty, hungry, discouraged, depressed, despondent, etc.  I am doing what I can to prepare myself for this season.  I am reading a book on prayer, and one on ‘inner healing.’*  And I am pondering scripture, what does it mean when it says ‘from the belly?’  What does it mean to ‘pray in the Spirit?’  (I think saying ‘tongues’ is only partially right.  My opinion only.) What does a ‘fervent, effectual prayer of a righteous man or woman’ look and sound and feel like?  Perhaps for me, believing in faith that God wants to ‘pray through me,’ with those ‘unuttered groanings of the Spirit.’ (Rom 8:26).  The lesson of the ‘aikido master,’ is that great and effective power is possible through intense focus.  The lesson of Jesus the Master, is that drinking of Him, being thirsty for Him, total trust in Him; will allow the Holy Spirit to ‘gush’ from within, bringing salvation, healing and deliverance for ourselves and those we pray for.

Finally, I am contemplating these verses as well:  John 4: 1-42 (woman at the well), especially v. 10, 14, ‘living water’ that Jesus offers, and ‘water (Jesus) gives is a well of water that springs up to eternal life.’  And Isaiah 12, esp. v. 3 “..with joy shall you draw water out of the wells of salvation.”  I believe we all desire to ‘draw out that water,’ and give others that ‘living water.’  I sense a solemnity upon this season of prayer.  It is an opportunity to ‘get right’ with God.  It is a time to ask for the salvation of children, or parents, or ourselves, neighbors, coworkers.  It is a time of growing deep in our faith, Holy Spirit baptism, making life decisions, deliverance from habits, demons, etc.  My only concern is not that we ask too much of God, but too little.  I am praying folks come only with faith, believing that God wants to ‘show His hand.’ 

*’The Prayer Life’ by Andrew Murray, and ‘Risky Living - Keys to Inner Healing’ by Jamie Buckingham

Life in Babylon - Who do you trust?

The midterm election cycle is already upon us.  Not sure if anyone cares other then politicians, those who live for politics, and the media.  We hear a lot of discussion about what kind of government we have or should have.  Some want to keep things as they are, some want a little change, and others call for drastic changes.  Some would even overthrow our form completely.  The Church is not immune from such discussions.  Some are actively involved in political issues and others not at all.  The Church generally represents a wide cross section of society, thus it is only natural that a plurality of thought and belief exist within it’s walls.

If you have read my previous posts in the last election cycle, you already know what I think about the affairs of politics and religion.  My whole point has been that as Christians, we should never put our trust in politics or politicians.  We should give them what we owe them, but nothing more and nothing less.  Engaging in politics for the Christian has always been a challenge.  The danger is being co-opted by those in power.  Political bodies have always been more then willing to take allegiance from anyone, making them wild promises in return for their vote, money, and assistance.  Usually it leaves the Christian feeling disenfranchised, once they realize they have been ‘had.’  It would do all of us well to remember the title of the Harvey Mackay book,  ‘Beware The Naked Man Who Offers You His Shirt.’  So many promises made by those that have so little to offer.

So, who should we trust in?  Christians will affirm the obvious answer, but it’s not as easy to live out as it is to say it.  It’s kind of like the old joke, “The Sunday School teacher asked the class of children, ‘What has four legs and howls at the moon?’  And a little girl spoke up and said, ‘I know the answer is Jesus, but it sure sounds like a dog to me!’”  Of course we answer that we should trust in God; after all, it’s written right on our money, lest we forget the ‘right’ answer.  The spoken answer is easy, but it’s the answer that’s ‘unspoken’ in the heart and mind that is the real answer.  The real answer is the one we act on.  It’s the one that keeps us awake in the middle of the night.  It’s the one that makes us yell at the TV or radio in the car.  It’s the one that makes us worry about the future.  So now I ask, who do I trust in?

In Mark 9: 23-24, the young father brings his child to Jesus for deliverance,  and ‘Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”  Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe;  help my unbelief!”’ So here we are.  Here I am.  I think it is safe for me to say, “Lord I trust in you, but help me in the areas where I don’t.”  He likes honesty; and remember, ‘True worshipers are those that worship in Spirit and in truth.’  I don’t think God minds at all when we admit we are struggling to believe and to trust.  In fact, I think He rejoices over us when we are honest.  That’s the place where we ‘cry out with tears,’ and call for ‘Help!’      

Socialists trust in the state.  Capitalists trust in the market.  Libertarians trust in themselves. And anarchists trust in no one.  Democrats, Republicans, Independents, Socialists, and the rest all vie for our vote, allegiance, trust, money, time,  etc.  But there is a better way.  Yes, let’s vote under God’s guidance, but let’s not be snookered by any of them.  Let’s reserve our ‘trust’ for God and God alone.  How does that look?  How do we express that ‘trust?’  By doing what is right in God’s sight, by loving our families and our neighbors, by not growing fearful or angry when politicians don’t ‘go our way.’   In fact, when we don’t worry as everyone else does, we are testifying to what God has done in our life, and that we are really trusting in Him.  Where we can effect change, doing good, restoring justice and righteousness, we should do it.  But where we can’t do those things due to circumstances beyond our control, just putting our faith and confidence in God will still go far; demonstrating patience and long suffering will impact those around us.  Having peace and contentment in the storm will speak to those in power.  Church, we hold the ‘keys to the Kingdom.’  Let’s not be afraid to unlock the doors of God’s grace in our lives, letting it spill out with joy to those around us!  In God we trust!

Following Your Star

“Behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem.  Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews?  For we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him…….and lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.  When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.  And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him:  and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts: gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.” Matthew 1:1-2, 9-11

This passage has always fascinated me.  I think about the magi or wisemen, and how they left the comforts of their own home and followed a sign in the sky, a star, or comet, or something.  Scholars say they would have been familiar with the night sky.  They were likely astronomers, scientists, who studied the cosmos, probably making calculations about when spring would return, when the right time to plant was, when the next eclipse would occur and so forth.  But this sign would have been out of the ordinary. The amazing thing is that they knew what it’s portent was.  And even more amazing, they followed it right to where Jesus was, and to me this is the most amazing thing of all:  they fell down and worshipped him!  Perhaps now older then a baby, maybe a toddler.  These three kings, these three scholars fell to the ground and worshipped this little one.  What did they know?  Did they know he was God in the flesh?  I am certain Mary knew something, but from scripture we are not even sure how much she knew.   And yet these kings it says ‘rejoiced when they saw the star’.  The star would have been something they understood.  They studied the stars.  They knew about signs in the sky.  That was their specialty.  But to know that this star was special?  I can only think by divine revelation.  To fall down and worship another human being? Yes, people would bow to kings, but to ‘fall down’ and worship? A little child? Probably a child in rather humble circumstances as well.  And this without someone saying ‘that’s a king, you better honor him’.  This came natural to them, no one prodded them to do this.  No one forced them to bow.  They seemed to know who He was.

I think about these things because I ask myself, ‘what is the sign that God has sent in my life’?  And actually it is plural, ‘What are the signs’?  And am I following these signs?  And if I do recognize the signs and follow them, do I fall before the Christ and worship?  I think the signs can be different for all of us.  We share the common ones; baptism, communion, reading the Word, prayer, etc.  But I think there are others.  Appreciating a glorious sunrise, camping by a lake, hiking in the mountains, watching the stars at night (like the wisemen), listening to beautiful music, loving our families, cooking a meal for friends, visiting a shut in, helping the elderly with a task, doing an errand for someone, letting someone in front of you who got in the wrong lane, smiling at a mother in a checkout lane who is wrestling a toddler and letting them know ‘you have been there too’, and so on.  This list could grow into thousands of pages as it would in the final analysis, be infinite.  Why?  Because God is infinite.  His goodness knows no limitations.  And He made us in His image, to imitate Him.  It is His will for us to be like Him, and when we follow the ‘signs’ by doing good, being like Him, it gives Him pleasure.  It brings ‘the Kingdom to earth, just as it is in Heaven’.  And what a delight for God, what a blessing, when we recognize that we ‘did it unto Him’.  It is the ‘worship that is in spirit and in truth’.  Even participating in those things that are not necessarily benefitting someone else, the ‘listening to music’, sunrises and sunsets, etc; these also bless Him.  Why? Because we are appreciating the beauty, the majesty, the creation, the imagination; His creation!  He who created all things also gave us the senses to appreciate them.  He gave us the ability to create and invent like Him.  It is recognizing that we can ‘feel His pleasure’ when we use our abilities and talents and gifts to their fullest extent. It blesses Him.  He is the one who is honored.  And we get to share in His delight, as He really does allow us to ‘feel His pleasure’. (Eric Liddell, ‘Chariots of Fire’).  So be like the wisemen, follow the ‘stars’ that God has put before you.  They lead to Him, and He will gladly receive our worship!

Remember, the servant that hid the ‘talent’ in the ground?  His offense was that he did nothing with what the Master had given him.  He handed it back at the end and thought he had done well.  But the Master called him wicked and lazy.  He basically said ‘you should have let someone else use it for you’.  God wants us to appreciate, be generous, to love, to honor, to bring increase, to follow that thing (like the wisemen’s star) that in the end brings us to Him.  Matthew 25: 14-30.

Merry Christmas!

Imago Dei - Part 2 - 'What Belongs to God?'

Imago Dei

Part 2

‘What belongs to God?’

Now because we are “stamped" (created) in God’s image that means something; especially as indicated in Part 1, it gives us great value first of all.  Next it means we owe something to our Creator.  And we owe something to the rest of creation. That is why God can command “Love the Lord your God with all of your heart, soul, mind, and strength; and your neighbor as yourself.”  How we respond to or love God and how we love or treat our neighbor is an indicator of how much we recognize that we are made in God’s image. Generally we have an idea in our heart that we 'love' God, but He puts us to the test by asking us if we love our brother or neighbor too.   I John 4:20 puts forth this idea that we 'cannot say we love God whom we haven't seen when we do not love our brother whom we have seen'.  So this idea of loving God and neighbor is a key foundation to understanding that being made in His image means something; i.e., it means that we must 'give to God what belongs to Him'.  So what kinds of things must we give God?   I am not going to say this list is all inclusive, as that would be impossible, but it's a place to start.   I am also not going to reference everything, as a general scriptural search will turn up dozens of references and for the truly curious will turn up even more. 

We learn that worship belongs to God and to God only.   When Satan tempts Jesus in the wilderness after His 40 day fast; Jesus retorts in Luke 4:8 "worship the Lord.....only".   We are only permitted to worship God.  Any worship toward another person, creature, etc is idolatry and takes us away from the fact that we are made in God's image.  We essentially are declaring through worship that we want to be like the object of our worship.  Anything less then God in worship is a fatal mistake.  God loves us too much too not make that clear and it is pointed out continually in scripture.  From Genesis through Revelation.

And if we are to love Him with our 'heart, soul, mind, strength' then those things too, belong to Him.  So in the end, really everything that we may think belongs to us, belongs to Him.  Our 'heart, soul, mind, strength', our worship; these things do not belong to Caesar; they belong to God.  The mistake often made in ancient times with Caesar, and in recent times with the state, is thinking that somehow these things can belong to government, or worse yet a 'co-mingling' of Caesar and God.   God says He is a jealous God.  He does not share His glory with anyone or anything.  Communism was an attempt for government to assume the role of God.   The state gives 'meaning' and decides how you will perceive yourself (your image).  But we cannot lay all of the blame at 'communism' either.   Many Christians (although well-meaning) in the United States have decided that aligning themselves with one political party or the other is what will establish God's Kingdom.  They would deny it, but when questioned they act as though Christianity and the Church must be part of one party or the other, lest God fail and we plummet into a 1000 years of darkness. 

Whatever the outcome of this election, Christian's are called to be a people of hope, a people of 2nd and 3rd and 4th chances (and so on), a people of God that do not quit or give up, but work to see God's Kingdom established; not their own, not a political party's, not anything less then righteousness and peace.  Not anything less then the care of widows, foreigners, orphans, the hopeless, the needy, the homeless, the sick, and so on.  So we come full circle.  It is an old story, but must be retold again and again.  It must be lived over and over.  Government (Caesar) likes to talk about 'people' as some great collective that they will manipulate and control.  The Kingdom of God is about not only the group, but the individual as well.  Personal salvation matters.  We baptize individuals or perhaps groups, but still groups of individuals.   The personal confession of Christ matters.  Because you are made in the image of God, you matter, you are his creation and He 'knew you in your mother's womb'.   Only when we are in agreement with Christ can we speak of the 'community' of Christ, i.e., the Church.  That is where communion comes in.   It is the fellowship meal of believers.  You can think of  these things this way:  Baptism is the individual public confession of Christ and Communion is the group public confession of Christ. But I digress a bit.

In conclusion, your vote does matter because you matter.  Hear from God and do your best.  But more importantly, know that the sun will come up tomorrow no matter who wins this election, because the love of God holds the moon, the sun, the stars, the planets in place.  He holds your life in His hands, your families, your community, your church, too.  Do not grow weary of doing good.  Fight the good fight.  Confront Caesar when necessary, with love, charity, and humility.  Take care of the needy.  Love and comfort your family and friends.  Hasten God's Kingdom.  The Lord's prayer teaches us that it is His will for His Kingdom and Will to be done on earth just like in Heaven, and His Kingdom is eternal.  Caesar?  Not so much!

Imago Dei - Part 1 - 'What belongs to Caesar?'

Imago Dei

Part 1

 'What belongs to Caesar?'

The 'Imago Dei', 'image of God', it resonates throughout the scripture, summed up in Genesis 1:27 "So God created human beings in his own image.  In the image of God he created them, male and female he created them."
This is a foundational statement for Christian faith, ethics, and so forth.  You are made in the image of God and the fact that He made you (in His image) gives you great value and worth. As the psalmist wrote 'I am fearfully and wonderfully made.'  Some think this is obvious and does not need to be stated, but I find the opposite is true, people don't believe it.   They sense that their lives do not matter to God or to man.  It is the lie we hear played over and over in our heads, that we do not matter, that no one cares, that God is too busy to notice us, and that our life doesn't matter.  And because we believe that lie, we can easily fall prey to those who would try and give us value in God's place.
It's an important idea.   More than an idea really.  One of the essentials that holds humanity together.  And an essential that if misunderstood can destroy us.  There are several directions we could take this thought, but since we are still in the election season, I am still focusing on politics.  You see, because we are made in the image of God, He has a claim to us.  A right and authority over our lives and because of that 'right' it brings up that question about Caesar.  What belongs to Caesar, and what belongs to God?  I first want to discuss what belongs to Caesar.  You see the statement from the previous blog is still in my thinking.   What does belong to Caesar?
To understand what belongs to Caesar I think one has to grasp what is upholding Caesar.  Is he an opposing power, meaning equal to God?  Or is he part of God's plan and subject to Him as well?  If you study the scripture in the Old Testament, it would seem that God had a system of judges in mind at first to rule His people (this is of course not taking into account that ultimately God's desire was to simply have fellowship with mankind in the garden), but they wanted something more, a king like all the other kids on the block had.  And so God granted them their wish, letting them know that they would also get taxes, wars, and the king's will along with it.  But God also said 'that the heart of the king is in his hands...like a river he turns it as He wills.'  Proverbs 21:1.   And from my last post, I suggested reading Daniel chapter 4 for a deeper understanding of God's role in government.  If you do read it, then call to mind the very last verse (37), "Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, exalt and honor the King of heaven, for all His works are true and His ways just, and He is able to humble those who walk in pride." This was said after the king regained his reason and if you go back to verse 30 you find out that Nebuchadnezzar said: "Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?" and then a voice from heaven said (v 31, 32) "This is what is decreed for you, King Nebuchadnezzar: Your royal authority has been taken from you. You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes."  NASB.  So God actually demonstrated grace upon King Neb; as he showed him that He is even in control of the King’s life, and King Neb in the end recognized that. 
So the lesson for us is to know that no matter who is ruler, what they are like, it is God that determines their limits.  We may suffer or enjoy their reign but it is God that is in control. And he reminds us in His word that He will have the final say and in the end close out all that rule and reign; (see Revelation 19:11-16) but see v. 15, 16:  ‘From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty. And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, "KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS."’
And in light of these boundaries what does belong to Caesar?  From the story (Mark 12:13-17) where Jesus says to “give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s” we at least learn that we owe Caesar taxes, as it’s his money stamped with his image, so give it back to him.   (We’ll come back to this idea of ‘image’, so don’t forget that you are ‘stamped’ with God’s image!) Other things we owe Caesar include (see Romans 13:1-7):  “to do good” v3, “be in subjection” v5, and finally whatever “is due” including “tax…custom…fear…honor” v7; (see also I Peter 2:13-20).   I am not saying this is fun, the way to get ahead, or even from the current state of society and government, seemingly worth it; but it is to obey Christ, one who did submit to the Roman authorities, even to the point of death.
So we can conclude that there are things that God has given the government reign over.  As indicated in my previous post, I will vote, whether I like the candidates or not.  My ‘liking’ or ‘disliking’ is immaterial.  I will vote out of obedience to the governmental system under who’s authority I am under, by the grace and will of God.  And I will vote to honor those who have defended that right.  No matter the outcome, or whether my vote seemingly mattered, I will rest in knowing that I obeyed God, giving honor and fear to the democratic republic I am a part of.
Now, this is not the final word on this matter, as there is an entirely new set of questions to be answered.   You see, when Jesus said to “give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s”, ‘Caesar’ is only part of the issue.   We must also give to ‘God’ what belongs to Him.  This is where it really starts to get interesting, as these two ‘renderings’ sometimes come into conflict.  They are not really in conflict if we ‘render’ rightly, but sparks may fly nonetheless! At least from our perspective on earth.  From God’s perspective in heaven there is not really a conflict as He knows His perfect will is to be accomplished no matter what; and He asks us to trust Him in this matter. 
Be comforted in the knowledge of being made in His image!  He will never leave or forsake us, no matter what the outcome is.  God asks us to trust Him with our future.   Do not lose hope!

NEXT:

IMAGO DEI – PART 2 – ‘WHAT BELONGS TO GOD?’