Samson's Demise - repost

The Philistine's sought to find Samson's strength, but their victory was assured when they exploited his weakness (Judges 16).

It's wonderful to recognize our strengths. But when we begin to think that we are invincible because of them, we enter dangerous territory unless we are wide-awake to our weaknesses.

After we are alert to them, we must then exercise self-control, pursuing righteousness through the Word, Godly counsel, and humble fellowship with our Father.

Lead with your strengths. Grow in them. Let the Lord and the Word mature you in these. He can use you mightily.

But don't neglect dealing with your weaknesses. Seek the Lord with a humble heart and close the door on the Philistines.

Boldness, Confidence, and Anointing

"...having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus..." (Hebrews 10:19).

"Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise..." (Hebrews 10:35-36).

The same Greek word, "parrhēsia", is translated into these two English words, "boldness" and "confidence".

This is one disadvantage with which we are left when reading the Bible in a translated language - which most of us must do!

When we link these two thoughts - Paul's encouragement to enter boldly and his counsel to retain confidence - we understand the power of our association with God.

When we can enter the Holiest boldly, we can walk in His will confident. Not in arrogance, but in awe.

Dr. TL Osborn once told me that what most of us call anointing in others is actually experience with and confidence in God. Once we have seen God do something, we recognize when He is about to do it again, and we help to facilitate the environment to produce the same result.

Our entering boldly helps to establish our affiliation (fellowship and experience) with Him. Our confident pursuit of His will positions us to receive the reward - the privilege of bringing Him glory.

Enter boldly and carry the confidence.

His Work, His Glory, Our Hands

What a privilege to be called into His service! It is still remarkable to me that God uses us for His purposes.

"Let Your work appear to Your servants,
And Your glory to their children.
And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us,
And establish the work of our hands for us;
Yes, establish the work of our hands." (Psalm 90:16-17)

We are truly, as Dr. TL Osborn says, "partners with God in BIG KINGDOM BUSINESS".

But we must remember that it is His work, His glory, and our hands.

In our empowerment culture it seems that we can, at times, ask Him to put His hands to our work, instead of the opposite - as if we are owed His participation in what we are working on.

It is His work - and we participate with our hands. Then He establishes the work as His for His glory.

What are you believing Him for right now? Whose work is it?

Defending One's Self - remix

Jerusalem was rife with drama as the Man (Whom many were proclaiming to be King) was brought before the authorities.

False accusations and lies were thrust at Him, "But Jesus kept silent." (Matthew 26:63).

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Defense of one's self, particularly in our culture, has become somewhat of a right. But the higher way is the way that Jesus showed us.

Much of the time our words are used to create, correct, or restore our own public image. It can be difficult to resist the temptation to defend, to explain, or to return a barb.

In our defense of self, our words, unless spoken from absolutely pure motive can only inflame.

In our silence, God will speak.

How much do we trust God? Will we let Him speak in the silence? Or will we fill it with our words? Jesus showed us the way:

^{1 Peter 2:20} "For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. ²¹ For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:
²² “ Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth; ²³ who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously;"

Sometimes the accusation can even come through a believer. Paul, talking to those "who are loved by God and called to be saints" (Romans 1:7), said:

^{Romans 2:1} "You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. ²Now we know that God's judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. ³So when you, a mere man, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God's judgment? ⁴Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance?"

Understand that each of us is tragically capable of joining the accuser (Revelation 12:10) in passing judgment on someone else. Even under the most clear circumstances, this is a chancy habit. We're probably best-served by applying the accusation to ourselves to see if there is anything that can be found, first, in us.

Jesus, perfectly fit to "cast the first stone", didn't cast it.

The late Ed Cole, teacher and mentor to men, said, "Knowledge of God's Word is a bulwark against deception, temptation, accusation, even persecution. "

When accused or slandered, know what God says about you and believe it. In this way, He speaks in your silence. To you. And the voice of the accuser is silenced.

Occasionally, you might even find elements of truth in the accusation. The enemy, in his rush to condemn, can bring conviction that can lead to Godly repentance. "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). In quiet, allow the Holy Spirit to use the words to speak to your heart about what is true and to nullify what is false. The Holy Spirit is the Great Teacher and Counselor, and will lead you into truth (John 16:13).

What about what others think? God will take care of them. Remember Psalm 62:5-7,

"My soul, wait silently for God alone,
For my expectation is from Him.
He only is my rock and my salvation.
He is my defense;
I shall not be moved.
In God is my salvation and my glory;
The rock of my strength,
And my refuge, is in God."

Christ was accused that we might not be condemned; and if at any time we find ourselves in this same position, we should remember that we cannot expect to manage with our words what He managed with His silence.

Found in Translation - The Mind of Christ

"Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross" (Phillipians 2:3-8).

I was listening to a friend the other day who is fluent in several languages. He was talking about how he has trained himself to think in English, since that is the primary language with which he is surrounded. He has found himself struggling, however, with his native language - having a difficult time finding the right word or phrase because it just isn't as available as it used to be.

We - who have the mind of Christ - should be so lucky! What would it be like to forget our first-nature mind language and to only speak out of our Christ-mind?

When we speak out of the language of the mind of Christ, our lives speak the Kingdom language - LOVE, and He is found in the translation our lives speak.

Be a faithful translation, speak the truth in LOVE.

Found in Translation - Sons and Heirs

I've had opportunity to minister using interpreters in at least 7 different languages. There have been times where my words have been accurately translated and others where this hasn't been the case.

When what I have faithfully said is faithfully delivered, there is a marked difference in the response.

It is this way with our representation of Christ. People see Him in us. Hence, this week's topic: Found in Translation.

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"For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise"
(Galatians 3:26-29).

This amazing proclamation secures our place in Him.

We aren't His children by nature (Jesus is the only begotten) or by creation (as Adam, the angels, and all mankind) but by divine adoption. We are made legitimate in Him by His sovereign act of grace in accepting us in the Beloved (Ephesians 1:6)!

Because we are children of God we are heirs of God. And because we are spiritual children of Abraham we are heirs of the promise!

Represent Him as His son and heir to the promise. In this spiritual posture - recognizing His sovereign act of grace in us, not by our works - He can be found in us.

Be a faithful translation. Walk as His son and heir.

Found in Translation - Our Meat is His Will

I've had opportunity to minister using interpreters in at least 7 different languages. There have been times where my words have been accurately translated and others where this hasn't been the case.

When what I have faithfully said is faithfully delivered, there is a marked difference in the response.

It is this way with our representation of Christ. People see Him in us. Hence, this week's topic: Found in Translation.

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"For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;..." (Colossians 1:9-10).

To be a faithful translation of Him we must abandon the search for knowledge for the sake of knowledge and understand the call to seek His will.

Paul writes that we "...might be filled with the knowledge of His will..". There is no greater knowledge than to understand His will for us! Then, after this is secured, there must be a practical carrying-out of what we know as we "...walk worthy...". It isn't enough to know His will. We then must be willing to walk in it!

This produces fruitfulness in every good work and causes an increase in our knowledge of God.

Many seek greater and greater knowledge of Him. That is a good thing. But our walk is affected by our knowledge of His will. And the fruitfulness will bring a greater knowledge of Him as the manifestation of His will in our lives produces fruit that represents Him.

We have a common cry for "more meat", meaning we want more knowledge. But Jesus said, "My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work" (John 4:34).

Be a faithful translation by seeking the will of God and walking in it. Make your meat His will and work.

Found in Translation - Walking in Him

I've had opportunity to minister using interpreters in at least 7 different languages. There have been times where my words have been accurately translated and others where this hasn't been the case.

When what I have faithfully said is faithfully delivered, there is a marked difference in the response.

It is this way with our representation of Christ. People see Him in us. Hence, this week's topic: Found in Translation.

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"As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving" (Colossians 2:6-7).

The receiving of Christ is a heart matter. It is a complete reception of Christ as fully God and fully man. It is surrender to Him in all his offices, as Prophet, Priest, and King and the acknowledgment and entire acceptance as Savior and Redeemer.

We also receive all blessings of grace along with Him, from Him, and through Him; as a justifying righteousness, the remission of sins, our adoption as children, and as an inheritance among all them that are sanctified.

Paul's instruction to walk in Him in this same way means, not only an imitation of Him as He walked (in grace, love, patience, humility, meekness, and obedience) but by faith in Him - always looking to Him, leaning on Him, and receiving strength from Him, so that we CAN walk in Christ, under His influence, by His direction, and through His assistance.

We then have what we need in order to have what others need.

Be a faithful translation by walking fully in Him.

Found in Translation - Christ in you

I've had opportunity to minister using interpreters in at least 7 different languages. There have been times where my words have been accurately translated and others where this hasn't been the case. This has been clear to me as I observe the response of the people as they receive the translated words.

When what I have faithfully said is faithfully delivered, there is a marked difference in the response.

It is this way with our representation of Christ. People see Him in us. Hence, this week's topic: Found in Translation.

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"To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27).

This first chapter of Colossians speaks to the faith of God's people, the preeminence of Christ, His victorious reconciling death, and the sacrificial service of His followers - the church.

This particular verse in context, above, when translated properly through our living, shows Him not only as the omnipresent God, but as the Source of special grace. The phrase communicates the full range of a revelation of Him in us, of our possession of Him, and of His dwelling in us by His Spirit.

It is a representation of His grace, since by works we cannot attain His indwelling.

But, in an accurate translation of His glory, His works will be manifest in us.

He is being translated by you to a world that primarily speaks in works. Your works are not your salvation - only by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8) - but they may be the salvation of another as His grace is translated into love by your works.

Be a faithful translation.

Found in Translation - Ambassadors

I've had opportunity to minister using interpreters in at least 7 different languages, that I can think of. There have been times where my words have been accurately translated. And others where this hasn't been the case (one translator actually told the people that a minister I was referring to was a Buddhist!). This has been clear to me as I observe the response of the people as they receive the translated words.

When what I have faithfully said is faithfully delivered, there is a marked difference in the response.

It is this way with our representation of Christ. Hence, this week's topic: Found in Translation.

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"Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God." (2 Corinthians 5:20)

This potent verse, teeming with God's confidence in us, speaks to the power of His love and the depth of His grace. He pleads through us.

What Christ committed to Paul, He committed to us.

He writes, just 6 short verses before this, "...the love of Christ compels us...". This is the prerequisite to representing Christ as His ambassador (entire passage here).

If people are to find Christ, they will find Him through us. Our translation of His Spirit-life into a flesh-form, once again, is the greatest hope for the reconciliation of all.

Be a faithful translation of the Word. Be compelled by the love of Christ.

"Yes - but it is not I!" - repost

The story is told of Augustine, after his conversion, passing a former mistress on the street.

The mistress, in an attempt to lure him, said, "Augustine! It is I!".

Augustine's response, without even stopping, was, "Yes - but it is not I!"

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." (2 Corinthians 5:17)

If we are truly born-again, we will allow God to change us. It is inevitable and welcomed in the heart of anyone desiring to be more like Him.

We can accommodate His work in us by submitting to His Word and to the Greater One Who lives in us.

"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." (Galatians 2:20)

A Word on Perfection and Persecution

The Apostle Paul penned a number of scriptures that encourage us in pursuit of perfection (Ephesians 4:13; Colossians 1:28; Colossians 4:12). James had some things to say, too (James 1:4; James 3:2).

I'd like to focus on something that Jesus said about perfection.

"Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect" (Matthew 5:48).

As with all scripture, we must look at this in context. What is the "therefore" there for?

This verse is one scripture from Jesus' "Sermon on the Mount", (Matthew 5, 6 and 7). This particular verse ties up 6 verses on the subject (as titled in my Bible), "Love Your Enemies".

"You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect" (Matthew 5:43-48).

To be perfect as Our Father in Heaven is perfect means that we shine on the just and the unjust. And that we bring refreshment to the just and the unjust.

Jesus is emphasizing that it isn't fit for us, in representing Him, to do anything but bless, do good, and pray for those who hate, curse, or persecute us.

Persecution is a different subject completely. We don't see persecution in the United States in the way that scripture talks about persecution, but we may someday. Believers in the early church or today in China and some Middle East nations would laugh at what we call persecution. We, in our entitlement-culture, just get offended because people don't agree with us - and call that persecution.

Here's the point: Live like the King. He rules over His whole Kingdom. Some people don't serve Him, some may even curse and hate Him, but He shines on and sends rain to them anyway.

And many, as they awaken to His goodness as manifest in His Body, will come to repentance (Romans 2:4).

In this way, according to Jesus, you can be perfect, as He is.

The Value of Submission

In considering fellowship, we understand that there are different types of relationships between members of the Body of Christ. My relationships with younger college-age folks are much different than with elders in the Body of Christ.

A specific level of fellowship is submission.

Peter urges Elders to:

"Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away." 1 Peter 5:2-4

Peter goes on to encourage the young to submit to this shepherding oversight.

And to the young, the writer of Hebrews says:

"Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you." Hebrews 13:17

And the community functions as designed - a family atmosphere with loving elders who have experience and wisdom that only comes from time in faithful service to the Lord, and those younger submitting to their care, not out of obligation, but willingly.

It is not a concrete pecking order, but a living expression of life in an ordered Kingdom with God as our King.

In submission we entreat the influence of those who have gone before us who, by reason of experience, are equipped to help us because they've been there.

Mutual submission is the overriding principle (Ephesians 5:21; Philippians 2:3).

Enjoy and value submission. Recognize the worth of this Godly discipline.

Revolutionary Prayer

Prayer is, in our Protestant perspective, something we talk about a lot. Along with Bible Study, it is heralded as a core element of what separates us from the unbeliever and as a vital organ in the Body of Believers.

But it must be a part of the whole of our work in Him - our worship, our service, our giving, our loving, our celebration, our sacrifice, our silence, our fasting. As we "carve out" dedicated times for prayer we must recognize the possibility that we could develop a habit of being "in" or "out" of fellowship with God - with the "carved out" times being our moments of spirituality.

If we want to have revolutionary prayer - prayer that changes things - we must recognize that our dedicated times of prayer are part of our ongoing fellowship with the Father. And that the fellowship never ceases. "Prayer without ceasing", as Paul talked about (1 Thessalonians 5:17; Phillipians 4:6), is not burdensome prayer that separates us from the world, but enlightening and ongoing fellowship in the moment that positions us to change the world. This perspective brings life to our prayer time, as we are not "pigeon-holing" it or checking it off of our "Christian To-Do List".

The purpose of revolutionary prayer is to develop such an on-going conversation with God that our lives carry the very will of God as received in dedicated AND ongoing fellowship with Him.

Prayer does not burden us any more than wings burden a eagle. Fellowship with the Father is what carries us, suspends us, and provides us with perspective. When we leave a dedicated time of prayer, no matter how short, we are centered in His plan and able to continue in fellowship for the sake of Him advancing the Kingdom THROUGH US! WE become the agents of change (ambassadors) as we walk out what the Father has prepared us for.

We don't pray so that God has more power to do what He wants to do - He is already All-Powerful! We pray so that WE are empowered BY HIM to do what He wants US to do.

We carry the instructions received "in the closet" and "on the go" to engage the world as we are sent for His purposes, in constant fellowship as partners with Him.

Relationships and Volcanoes - remix

In our work with young people, we have seen many relationships flourish and then die, rushed through a process that, had it been taken in God's time, may have produced something fruitful or, at least, life-time friendships. Instead, these rushed relationships leave in their path two people who have a tough time being in the same room together. When they have been physical, the damage is even greater, as one or both feel ashamed and used.

When they are two people from the same circle of friends it is even more difficult, as the drama extends beyond them and affects the whole community.

We always encourage young folks to "pursue the friendship" and let God lead. No sense in rushing the second most important decision of your life. It has been said that 90% of our happiness or misery will come from this one decision.

Yesterday, the image came to me of a volcano. And the words, "Relationships and volcanoes are a lot alike. They are easy to get into, but hard to get out of".

My counsel...approach the beginning of a relationship very carefully. If it is right with God, you should be willing to absolutely give your life in the process. If it is not right, it is almost impossible to get out without someone being burned.

Guys:

Job 31:1
"I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a girl."

Girls:

Song of Solomon 2:7
"Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you
by the gazelles and by the does of the field:
Do not arouse or awaken love
until it so desires."

Determination - A Time Trial

My family just started work on a really large puzzle. It's an old-fashioned grandfather clock that, when completed, will actually tell time. It has a built-in clock.

It's not an easy puzzle. The size (over 4 feet tall!), shape, and intricate patterns make it especially challenging.

In talking about whether or not we are up to the challenge, we spoke of it being a "hard" puzzle. But "hard" is no reason to quit anything. But this is "REALLY hard!"

At what point do we get to quit?

The writer of Hebrews:

"Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (12:1-2)

He goes on to say, "...you have not yet resisted to bloodshed." (12:4)

The references here have to do with our resisting sin, but the strength of the words is sobering.

This service to Christ is serious business.

We cannot quit. We cannot fall back. We cannot give in.

Serving Him is a great pleasure with joy unspeakable and rewards beyond anything that mere living can offer. We must remember this. No matter how "REALLY hard" it gets.

Availability

My kids seem to be more interested in my availability than my ability. They don't seem to care that I'm not very good at "freeze tag" (the rules are too fluid for me); they just want me to play. I'm not even all that sure that they respect my fluency in "Pig Latin" but Logan wants to speak it with me most of the time anyway.

I think God values our availability, too. We need to make ourselves available to Him for His purposes and, as often as we can, for simple fellowship with Him. That is when our instructions are sealed.

Sometimes this stuff just can't be scheduled. We must be alert to opportunities to "steal away" with Him - while alone or with others - and just be available. That means we have to shut down our outer and inner dialogue and just be with Him.

When it comes down to it, the skills - and even the language - don't really matter. It's the availability that does.

Ave-hay a-yay ice-nay ay-day.

The Greatest Gap - repost

It's nice to know - and to see evidence - that we believe in God. But what a revelation to recognize how much God believes in us!

Let's look at the facts:

1) He placed us here, in an unfriendly environment (the enemy was already here!), and gave us a powerful mandate (Genesis 1:28),

2) He paid a precious price to buy us back,

3) He freed us from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2),

4) He expects us to do what He did and greater! (John 14:12)

Wow. What faith He must have - in US!

No doubt there are significant gaps between the real and the ideal and the seen and the unseen, but there is no gap between what God expects and what is possible! He lives in a realm where anything is possible. He invites us to believe what He believes, to strive for what He sees, and to go where He leads!

The greatest gap is the gap between what we believe about ourselves and what God believes about us.

Bridge the gap by believing what God says about you and by acting on His Word!

What Jesus Said, Jesus Meant - Turn the Other Cheek - repost

^{Matthew 5:38} “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ ³⁹ But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. ⁴⁰ If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also."

We must accept the fact that what Jesus said, Jesus meant.

I don't believe there is any deep or esoteric message in this passage.

So many times we are RIGHT. But RIGHT-ness is not always the issue. We may feel like we deserve revenge, or to retrieve something that we have unjustly lost, but there is more at stake than that.

Jesus was calling us to a higher way of living. This translates into a daily discipline that includes disarming conflicts that we are entitled to win.

Consider disabling an argument that you should win - with love.

Proverbs 21:14 "A gift in secret pacifies anger,
And a bribe behind the back, strong wrath."