Greetings to all! The game is afoot! What amazing path will be opened to us by the Spirit? He is so faithful, and has such a great love towards us. Each day is brand new for those who count Jesus as friend. I was blessed by the Lord, to have a few independent pieces come together. The theme and direction it seems for us is to find out what is the will of God. By that, what do we do actively, and what do we wait for. How do we know what we are spending our time and effort in is aligned with His will? And can we get in deeper (perhaps beyond our imagination!), penetrate through the activities of modern Christianity, and touch His power?
I believe it is for us to experience, the quickening of His purpose in this time, in this city. So in praying about these lofty question, one book came to the forefront, the book of Ruth. Hopefully everyone reading along and contributing will be placed in the flow of life as we find out our relationship to His will.
As we are transitioning, I might as well present my spiel and disclaimer again. The disclaimer is very comprehensive: believe only the Spirit inside of you. Live by that witness. If I go off on some academic tangent, or spill into flawed theology, my apologies beforehand. This is not a quest of knowledge, or display of mental machinations. We are here to find life. If you find life, share it! If you don't find life here, do something else that is fruitful! By all means, and at every opportunity, seek life. I am very hungry for spiritual meat, and strong drink that comes from His table. You are the ones who can get that meal, and share it with myself and everyone else you meet with. Praise God for that supply of life!
For the promotion side, forward any of these along to someone you might think is interested. We can accommodate plenty more. And if someone is interested in editing or learning about HTML and blogging, there are a few things that can be done with our material now. Feel free to inquire. These are easy non-time consuming tasks, and if you are planning on doing some writing, can be great training. Ok, enough of that, lets get started with the meeting.
I got a great question about where to go next after Jonah from a faith filled reader here. It was right in line with what the Spirit was speaking to me: "... knowing when we must heed God's call to action and when we should be still and know that God is in control." There was a clear witness in my spirit about this being the direction to go next. Then two other saints within a few days raised the same basic question. I love how He makes things clear to us. This is the first lesson in His will! If you think you are hearing something from the Spirit, that same Spirit lives in the saints in the body. He will speak it to you through them, and more than once.
We need not rely upon ourselves, nor upon another man, for our guidance. Rely upon Christ in the body. Rely upon the Spirit in the believers in the body where you meet. I have never been led astray by that choice of council. Even in things that were hard to hear, or strange in my understanding. He has never left something undone if I am open to the practical council of the Spirit in reality.
Now for the book of Ruth, you may have had a brief second of "What?" Don't worry, I did as well. But the unfolding of this book has already begun in my inner man, and it is pure glory to Him. So much in there about what He really wants, and how we know we are in His will. Amazing, I can't wait to hear all the riches you will find in this book. If you are unfamiliar with the story, or have not read Ruth in a long time, it is quick, and has a plot structure making it easy for us to access at first. Read the whole thing this week, and get ready for what the Spirit will be speaking in your heart.
The first verse sets the stage for where things are, and what the state of the people of God is. Throughout this book, there are many times we will compare the natural and the promise of faith. The physical (descendants) people of God vs. the innumerable children of Abraham through faith. It all begins in the first verse where a man of Bethlehem Judah left his people and went to Moab. It is the time of judges, and famine has come upon the land. This period had a few bright spots, but the age of judges was not particularly one of following the Lord closely. However, it would be presumptuous to link the famine with failure in the camp, take it as you see it.
At this verse it is quite pleasing that place names and condition come together. In fact, throughout the book of Ruth, many names are "statements of condition" that contribute to the picture. So we have from "Praising God in the House of Bread" (Bethlehem Judah) a presumably hungry man who sets out. He heads to the land of Lot's descendants of illegitimacy (Moab). The result for this man isn't great. So for a simplistic end, praise God in His house! Don't leave! Sometimes I get hungry, even in His house, so I must find more of Him! And praise the Father there is never a famine where we are, in this Kingdom.
By this we find the first component of His will in Ruth. He wants us to be in His house, and He wants to feed us. I believe it is His will for me and all who call upon the name of Jesus.
For this meeting, here is the current agenda:
Prayer and Thanksgiving:
I want to thank Him in the assembly, for being faithful to shake us free of ourselves. I get absorbed in work, and kids, and my own mentality... Then go for days without being completely open with my friend and King. Yet He loves us far beyond our expectations! Thank you Lord. Please everyone, consider now the afflicted you know. Many are dealing with viruses and infections, and some we know are fighting daily for physical life itself. Enter into the throne room, with supplication on behalf of each. He is our physician, and amazingly, appointments are readily available. There is no waiting room at the office, and you can even get help for someone else while you're there!
Open questions:
Any last threads to wrap up with Jonah? The last message was a bit disjoint, and the conclusion was as stark as Jonah itself. If you want something answered, or need more consideration of what went down with the word from God to Jonah, send a note along. It was powerful for me, and will soak inside for a while.
Current topic:
Lets read Ruth 1:1-4 and get into the book. Actually, it would be good to read the whole book, as some sections are in a literary style, and may go by fast. Enjoy the word!
Conclusion:
Be filled in love! I hope that each will enjoy Ruth, and get hungry for all the riches He has for us. May your week be abundant in eternal life, and may your eyes be open each day to all the good things He prepared for you.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
No More Need to Struggle
Salutation and blessing! It is the end of the road for the book of Jonah, and what a great journey. I have received such wonderful sustenance in this book, with mysteries unveiled, many new revelations of the abounding glory, what can I do but praise our King? My prayer and desire for each that have read, contributed, or will find this in the future is that the Spirit would highlight the path leading to more eternal life for you personally as well as corporately for those you meet with. May we join together in His house at the table as brothers and sisters, even co-inheritors of the Kingdom with our Messiah and Saviour!
Now Jonah, the man who was miraculously used as a living prophesy, even saved from the depths of darkness, responded to the word of God and walked in that word. Yet the outcome of His ministry in Nineveh, the practical reality of his service, did not fit his expectations. He was delivered from death, and called to a incredible work, through which many men responded, yet it did not fit Jonah's expectation. The outcome was not as Jonah intended. He parks himself off to the east of the city in his own hut. More importantly, he takes the helm of his own heart, apparently turning away from God in anger and frustration.
Can this happen to us? Saved, delivered, living in the life. Worshipping God, living with His people. Then called to a work, called to step out in faith and serve God in an amazing way. Has this happened to you? I believe it is His pleasure to lead us in amazing works. Especially works that are impossible for us. In my own life, in my inner man, I found that it is very liberating to view those things around me with this perspective: "Could I have done this by myself?" My first thought some days is that I could not make it through a whole hour with peace if I were in charge!
This type of perspective is a winnower of faith. From the simple to the complicated, it quickly exposes the heart, and draws me towards trusting, believing, even relying upon the limitless energy in Christ. For example, my mind specializes in criticism, exploration, and evaluation. I am horrible at focusing on a topic where there is no stimulation in these areas. So even the act of returning to a specific subject, like Jonah for instance, over and over again, with focus and consideration, is not something I could do naturally. And to ice that argument, throw in ADHD and my naturally ponderous, wandering, obfuscatory palaver and we definitely have a miracle from God!
Likewise, any man could have wandered the streets of Nineveh proclaiming destruction. Given a hundred thousand people, I bet you could go to a similar city and find twenty or thirty people in various mental states proclaiming destruction for all. But it was the word of God Jonah delivered, and no man can do that in himself. What a wonderful thing, we have been called to speak that word! Each of us, by faith, are set apart for good works, to speak life into each other and the world.
Now for the subsequent experience of Jonah, that of his own heart, of his expectations. I have been in a similar place, and undoubtedly will be there again. For some this may be in the individuals realm of expectation, be it money, life choices, jobs, friends, any of the personal concerns in this world. My faithful encouragement is that He loves to provide for us, everything we need. But the concerns of personal life are minor, and pass away quickly in time. The concern of the Kingdom, the will of God, this is our hearts deep desire to attend to.
In that I have been like Jonah at times. Seeking to be useful to Him, to move in life, to see Him move in this realm. And when it happens, when it is the Spirit moving, how incredible the response in my heart! My spirit worships Him in response to His love, His moving. Yet feelings fade, expectations are not what I imagine, "... life goes on ..." Even the patience required to believe in the promise when there is nothing in sight can wane. All can accumulate in my heart, and cause frustration. Oh, it is so easy to fool myself as well! To worship Him, pray and read. To love my family and the saints. To love the lost around me. All this He will do in me, yet at the same time my heart is wrestling over something. Struggling with the Lord.
Yes, in this place, this time, the dawn breaks, light comes streaming in. Perhaps even a sultry wind blows, causing great discomfort inside. There is no strength left to struggle with Him, the frustration leads to fainting of the heart. Jonah was ready to perish again. Proclaiming his justification, stating his argument one last futile time. No matter, it was the end. For us, the body of believers, that end is in Christ. He was executed for such a struggle between the natural man and the Eternal. And we enter into that death. We can proclaim it in faith and by experience, "I have been baptised into His death!"
All of our dreams, our promises, even the hope in Christ must exist in faith. From the most practical of daily activities to the life changing decisions of great sacrifice, all is empty and transient unless He inhabits the path and provides the impetus. I believe that each step is at its core the same choice, irregardless of the circumstance, be it great or small. It is to actively choose eternal life, and actively lay down the natural self. It must be practical, it must be graspable, but it is in the Spirit that these seemingly foolish and simple ideas are unveiled. Even so, we have such a wonderful God, that He provided pictures of how this works, even speaking clearly to our hearts. Open our ears to hear Lord!
The knife blade, even the scalpel of God came upon the heart of Jonah. The Eternal spoke to Jonah, revealing Jonah's deficiency. Jonah's joy, his relief came form a plant raised in darkness. The same plant perished in darkness. It was miraculous, but it was not the light of the world. It was God moving, but not His abiding presence. Jonah's heart was filled with joy, yet tied to the dead realm.
Let me speculate for a moment. I claim no new doctrine, or special interpretation here! Use your built in life-o-meter in all that you read. There are two men. One man comes form the earth, and the other comes from heaven. There are two people in time, a natural, physical people of God, and those who enter into the New Kingdom. The God of Abraham, raised up a nation, a people out of darkness, by miracles and wonders. Delivered them from captivity. Yet they perished in darkness. Even the miracle of Moses, the holy law handed down, did not save them.
Why make this parallel? Why did God compare a gourd to a city full of the enemies of Israel? Is the life in the gourd the metaphor, or the life in the city? Or is the even more striking reasoning of God this: He gave consideration for them, being no better or worse than the nation of Israel that Jonah has tied his heart to, and even gave consideration to their beasts. Yes, there is verse in Ecclesiastes 3:18,19 which reveals to us there is one end for all, man (be he Assyrian or Hebrew) and beast, and that is death. Please enjoy the time to read that insightful passage and ponder it in this context.
Even here it seems what the Lord has shown Jonah in parallel is that Israel also knows not its right hand from its left (perhaps even Jonah has not discerned well the moving of God at this time...). What is this? A child has not yet learned cleanliness, and cannot remember what hand is for wiping (the left in ancient days). A child can not discern what is foul waste from clean purity. Likewise, the natural man does not know what is of the Spirit, can not discern the movement of God form the spirit of the world. He is born in darkness and perishes in the same place, eaten by the worm.
Hallelujah! That is it! One of the starkest endings to any book in the scriptures. But I am changed by this word. I am driven by this word, transformed by it. Jonah lived. All the implications of that are amazing, and even more so that this book was written, and ended in such spiritually forceful way. The natural man can not enter into the ministry of this word, can not lay hold of it, perceives it as foolish and trite. Even the scholar could discount what is contained in these last two verses as a simple comparison.
But He has pierced into the heart. I have frustrating things, even as I write, that are difficult to let go of. Expectations of His promises over my life. The desire to find those open hearts in Him, that supply of riches. Even practical attachments to empty practices in our modern culture, be it labeled secular or Christian. Praise the Father of all we see and know for providing a way, even His very son, to enter into eternal peace. We have no more need to struggle. Believe it! And remember, Jonah lived on... perhaps to wrestle with God again on a different day (though not recorded). Oh how He loves us! We are in Christ beyond the struggle.
For this meeting, here is the current agenda:
Prayer and Thanksgiving:
Can you pick someone, a saint you know, and seek the Lord in a special way on their behalf this week? One name may come into your mind. Ask that the Spirit would come forward in them. Ask for a special anointing for them to bring forth life in the gathering of the faithful. Be specific, ask for a healing through them, or a prophesy, whatever He puts on your heart to ask for. Even that they would find some golden teaching for your benefit as well! Expect it to happen, believe for that one to function in a new spiritual capacity.
Open questions:
Last call for recommendations as to where we go next. I have some guidance now, but am very flexible and want to be sensitive to His leading. You can even send me those huge (or small) questions of great importance you want answered. We will see what wonders await.
Current topic:
We will find out next week what is current.
Conclusion:
Many thanks to all, Christ in you has made this alive!
Lord, draw near to each one, with that closeness, even the comfort that exceeds all. Let each enter into your dining hall. To enter in and rest, to eat with You, to recline next to you. Grab us by the hand, draw us into the chamber. Cause us to eat and drink. Oh how we need You! We can not live without You, without Your provision we fall away and perish. My spirit praises You. Father of all there is, what a perfect plan You set!
Now Jonah, the man who was miraculously used as a living prophesy, even saved from the depths of darkness, responded to the word of God and walked in that word. Yet the outcome of His ministry in Nineveh, the practical reality of his service, did not fit his expectations. He was delivered from death, and called to a incredible work, through which many men responded, yet it did not fit Jonah's expectation. The outcome was not as Jonah intended. He parks himself off to the east of the city in his own hut. More importantly, he takes the helm of his own heart, apparently turning away from God in anger and frustration.
Can this happen to us? Saved, delivered, living in the life. Worshipping God, living with His people. Then called to a work, called to step out in faith and serve God in an amazing way. Has this happened to you? I believe it is His pleasure to lead us in amazing works. Especially works that are impossible for us. In my own life, in my inner man, I found that it is very liberating to view those things around me with this perspective: "Could I have done this by myself?" My first thought some days is that I could not make it through a whole hour with peace if I were in charge!
This type of perspective is a winnower of faith. From the simple to the complicated, it quickly exposes the heart, and draws me towards trusting, believing, even relying upon the limitless energy in Christ. For example, my mind specializes in criticism, exploration, and evaluation. I am horrible at focusing on a topic where there is no stimulation in these areas. So even the act of returning to a specific subject, like Jonah for instance, over and over again, with focus and consideration, is not something I could do naturally. And to ice that argument, throw in ADHD and my naturally ponderous, wandering, obfuscatory palaver and we definitely have a miracle from God!
Likewise, any man could have wandered the streets of Nineveh proclaiming destruction. Given a hundred thousand people, I bet you could go to a similar city and find twenty or thirty people in various mental states proclaiming destruction for all. But it was the word of God Jonah delivered, and no man can do that in himself. What a wonderful thing, we have been called to speak that word! Each of us, by faith, are set apart for good works, to speak life into each other and the world.
Now for the subsequent experience of Jonah, that of his own heart, of his expectations. I have been in a similar place, and undoubtedly will be there again. For some this may be in the individuals realm of expectation, be it money, life choices, jobs, friends, any of the personal concerns in this world. My faithful encouragement is that He loves to provide for us, everything we need. But the concerns of personal life are minor, and pass away quickly in time. The concern of the Kingdom, the will of God, this is our hearts deep desire to attend to.
In that I have been like Jonah at times. Seeking to be useful to Him, to move in life, to see Him move in this realm. And when it happens, when it is the Spirit moving, how incredible the response in my heart! My spirit worships Him in response to His love, His moving. Yet feelings fade, expectations are not what I imagine, "... life goes on ..." Even the patience required to believe in the promise when there is nothing in sight can wane. All can accumulate in my heart, and cause frustration. Oh, it is so easy to fool myself as well! To worship Him, pray and read. To love my family and the saints. To love the lost around me. All this He will do in me, yet at the same time my heart is wrestling over something. Struggling with the Lord.
Yes, in this place, this time, the dawn breaks, light comes streaming in. Perhaps even a sultry wind blows, causing great discomfort inside. There is no strength left to struggle with Him, the frustration leads to fainting of the heart. Jonah was ready to perish again. Proclaiming his justification, stating his argument one last futile time. No matter, it was the end. For us, the body of believers, that end is in Christ. He was executed for such a struggle between the natural man and the Eternal. And we enter into that death. We can proclaim it in faith and by experience, "I have been baptised into His death!"
All of our dreams, our promises, even the hope in Christ must exist in faith. From the most practical of daily activities to the life changing decisions of great sacrifice, all is empty and transient unless He inhabits the path and provides the impetus. I believe that each step is at its core the same choice, irregardless of the circumstance, be it great or small. It is to actively choose eternal life, and actively lay down the natural self. It must be practical, it must be graspable, but it is in the Spirit that these seemingly foolish and simple ideas are unveiled. Even so, we have such a wonderful God, that He provided pictures of how this works, even speaking clearly to our hearts. Open our ears to hear Lord!
The knife blade, even the scalpel of God came upon the heart of Jonah. The Eternal spoke to Jonah, revealing Jonah's deficiency. Jonah's joy, his relief came form a plant raised in darkness. The same plant perished in darkness. It was miraculous, but it was not the light of the world. It was God moving, but not His abiding presence. Jonah's heart was filled with joy, yet tied to the dead realm.
Let me speculate for a moment. I claim no new doctrine, or special interpretation here! Use your built in life-o-meter in all that you read. There are two men. One man comes form the earth, and the other comes from heaven. There are two people in time, a natural, physical people of God, and those who enter into the New Kingdom. The God of Abraham, raised up a nation, a people out of darkness, by miracles and wonders. Delivered them from captivity. Yet they perished in darkness. Even the miracle of Moses, the holy law handed down, did not save them.
Why make this parallel? Why did God compare a gourd to a city full of the enemies of Israel? Is the life in the gourd the metaphor, or the life in the city? Or is the even more striking reasoning of God this: He gave consideration for them, being no better or worse than the nation of Israel that Jonah has tied his heart to, and even gave consideration to their beasts. Yes, there is verse in Ecclesiastes 3:18,19 which reveals to us there is one end for all, man (be he Assyrian or Hebrew) and beast, and that is death. Please enjoy the time to read that insightful passage and ponder it in this context.
Even here it seems what the Lord has shown Jonah in parallel is that Israel also knows not its right hand from its left (perhaps even Jonah has not discerned well the moving of God at this time...). What is this? A child has not yet learned cleanliness, and cannot remember what hand is for wiping (the left in ancient days). A child can not discern what is foul waste from clean purity. Likewise, the natural man does not know what is of the Spirit, can not discern the movement of God form the spirit of the world. He is born in darkness and perishes in the same place, eaten by the worm.
Hallelujah! That is it! One of the starkest endings to any book in the scriptures. But I am changed by this word. I am driven by this word, transformed by it. Jonah lived. All the implications of that are amazing, and even more so that this book was written, and ended in such spiritually forceful way. The natural man can not enter into the ministry of this word, can not lay hold of it, perceives it as foolish and trite. Even the scholar could discount what is contained in these last two verses as a simple comparison.
But He has pierced into the heart. I have frustrating things, even as I write, that are difficult to let go of. Expectations of His promises over my life. The desire to find those open hearts in Him, that supply of riches. Even practical attachments to empty practices in our modern culture, be it labeled secular or Christian. Praise the Father of all we see and know for providing a way, even His very son, to enter into eternal peace. We have no more need to struggle. Believe it! And remember, Jonah lived on... perhaps to wrestle with God again on a different day (though not recorded). Oh how He loves us! We are in Christ beyond the struggle.
For this meeting, here is the current agenda:
Prayer and Thanksgiving:
Can you pick someone, a saint you know, and seek the Lord in a special way on their behalf this week? One name may come into your mind. Ask that the Spirit would come forward in them. Ask for a special anointing for them to bring forth life in the gathering of the faithful. Be specific, ask for a healing through them, or a prophesy, whatever He puts on your heart to ask for. Even that they would find some golden teaching for your benefit as well! Expect it to happen, believe for that one to function in a new spiritual capacity.
Open questions:
Last call for recommendations as to where we go next. I have some guidance now, but am very flexible and want to be sensitive to His leading. You can even send me those huge (or small) questions of great importance you want answered. We will see what wonders await.
Current topic:
We will find out next week what is current.
Conclusion:
Many thanks to all, Christ in you has made this alive!
Lord, draw near to each one, with that closeness, even the comfort that exceeds all. Let each enter into your dining hall. To enter in and rest, to eat with You, to recline next to you. Grab us by the hand, draw us into the chamber. Cause us to eat and drink. Oh how we need You! We can not live without You, without Your provision we fall away and perish. My spirit praises You. Father of all there is, what a perfect plan You set!
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Testing the Heart
Greetings to all! May your walk be filled with light this week. It is a time of testing, of digging deep into the Spirit to find that priceless flow, the energy and life that satisfies. I hope and pray that each one who receives the words here would find Him, and get a sustaining measure. We left Jonah last week in a troubled state, even disturbed enough to rashly call out to God for an end of it all. Our beloved Father replies to Jonah, inquiring if Jonah is justified in his anger. The word of God is exposing Jonah's heart, sidestepping all the details of Jonah's situation and revealing the condition of the heart.
This is the man whom God allowed to be sacrificed, and saved with a incredible miracle. Jonah's whole existence is credited to the Eternal. And can we recall the recent words of Jonah, "What I vow I will pay..." However, here we find Jonah in the throws of himself again. I get from this such faith. Our Father is crafting His son's life in us. I can not turn that work on or off. Just as it was impossible to save myself in the beginning, it is His hand, His work, for His pleasure to raise up in me the life of His son. And here is a prophet, who experienced miraculous salvation, that is now arguing with God about his unfortunate circumstance. Jonah could not escape himself. The anger was taking control of his heart.
Jonah heads off in a huff, to the east of the city and sits in the shade of a self constructed hut. There he intended to wait and see what would happen. This is my condition sometimes. I seek the Lord, asking for Him to move. Petitioning God for more life, for those I love and meet. Frequently He will move, but perhaps not how I wanted. I can get frustrated at not seeing the timing of His plan, and then stand back waiting to see what happens. But it is my own heart that He is transforming.
These feelings, sometimes anger, sometimes frustration, perhaps resentment at times, are like little tents inside of us. Our own little house, shielded from the light. A place were we can "enjoy" our own self righteousness. In this place our beloved Father loves us. He made it possible to escape the self, to come out of my self righteous emotional insulation. I lay these down on the altar, by the power of Christ, by His method that surpassed death itself.
The Eternal now performed a special miracle for Jonah with a shady vegetable. Consider for a moment the context, Jonah made a tent, and sat in the shade of it. Perhaps he was a lousy tent builder, and needed more shade. I prefer to think of this as a time line. He was going to wait out the forty days by my thinking. Being stubborn and obstinate myself, that is what I would do. And perhaps the hut was lashed about by the winds, or was made of flimsy sticks. We do not know, so I am speculating, but somehow, Jonah was in the scorching heat again, and God made to grow over Jonah a plant providing shade.
The ASV has this as "to deliver him (Jonah) from his evil case." So the situation Jonah was in became downright 'evil', or in a polite way, he was experiencing severe discomfort. I could construct the result of this miracle as "snatch away (his) discomfort". It is not good for the soul to stew away in anger. And here the Lord miraculously delivers Jonah from that discomfort. Jonah became exceedingly glad. Filled with glee and joy.
Have you experienced a miracle just for you? The Lord does such things! Miraculous delivery from our affliction. I am believing for that manifest reality even now. Our God has no favorites, simply His son. And by that love we are assured of miraculous things! Find more of Christ and miracles follow.
But Jonah did not budge. Glad as he was, his intention would still appear to be one of waiting for the prophesy to be fulfilled. He is still in conflict with God. Still letting anger lead him. Now I am not creating a reason for the worm, or implying that if Jonah left, some other result would have happened. This is just a simple possible context, let the Spirit guide you in truth. For me, when I give up my little house and let Him clean things up, I can stand in the light, with joy and thanksgiving. And that means truly letting go of the source of irritation, the cause of my anger or resentment.
Now in the morning, the Lord brought a worm to devour the miraculous plant. Jonah experienced great joy in the miracle of the Lord, and when that was taken away, he fell back into emotional doom. Was the Lord justified in this? Of course, yet the natural man's reaction is to question. But turn to the Spirit, and the initial word of God to Jonah, "Doest thou well to be angry?" The Eternal's concern is with the heart of Jonah, so Jonah's apparent joy was tested. The core of Jonah's anger, the source of his disappointment and frustration needed to be exposed. Even in the joy of Jonah's personal miracle he held on to hidden anger.
I have been in that place, where at every turn my mind and heart questions "Why Lord?" We can not judge how He gets to the depths of our soul, how He exposes what we are hiding. Both for His work in our lives, and in those around us. Even miracles taken away, blessing that withers, these are not always circumstantial. He loves us, and will do everything in that love to bring us closer to Him. Consider that from the perspective of His love, drawing us close is more important than our circumstance. It is the Fathers pleasure to see us grow in Christ.
Our wonderful God looked deep into Jonah, because of His love. That same love looks into us, praise God!
For this meeting, here is the current agenda:
Prayer and Thanksgiving:
Pray for the ones we know who are hurting from loss. Ask for the surpassing comfort that He can provide to be poured out on them. Let your prayers embrace the mourning, let them be heard in the assembly.
Open questions:
Jonah is complete next week, and I would really like to know where to go next. Please send me a couple of books that you would like to see explored in this way. If everyone sends in two or three choices, I will tally them up and we can see the casting of lots in action! Otherwise, it will be rather arbitrary, I will ask a few that are reading closely what they think of my personal list. Unless of course, we get some other vision, so ask the Lord where we should go!
Current topic:
We have come to the end of Jonah, and in this end, there is wonderful news. Read the final verses, consider what the word of the Lord is, and send in your thoughts.
Conclusion:
Many thanks to everyone for reading along and contributing your measure. We exist in a heavenly economy, where life flows out from the throne to each of us, and we give that life to one another and the world. May your gift of life return tenfold this week. As we will be switching topics, it is a great time to add anyone you know who might be interested in this adventure in the Spirit. Forward a copy, anyone who is interested can simply send along a note to be added. Remember, contributing only requires responding to the minutes, with as little or as much as you have. Be strengthened in Love!
This is the man whom God allowed to be sacrificed, and saved with a incredible miracle. Jonah's whole existence is credited to the Eternal. And can we recall the recent words of Jonah, "What I vow I will pay..." However, here we find Jonah in the throws of himself again. I get from this such faith. Our Father is crafting His son's life in us. I can not turn that work on or off. Just as it was impossible to save myself in the beginning, it is His hand, His work, for His pleasure to raise up in me the life of His son. And here is a prophet, who experienced miraculous salvation, that is now arguing with God about his unfortunate circumstance. Jonah could not escape himself. The anger was taking control of his heart.
Jonah heads off in a huff, to the east of the city and sits in the shade of a self constructed hut. There he intended to wait and see what would happen. This is my condition sometimes. I seek the Lord, asking for Him to move. Petitioning God for more life, for those I love and meet. Frequently He will move, but perhaps not how I wanted. I can get frustrated at not seeing the timing of His plan, and then stand back waiting to see what happens. But it is my own heart that He is transforming.
These feelings, sometimes anger, sometimes frustration, perhaps resentment at times, are like little tents inside of us. Our own little house, shielded from the light. A place were we can "enjoy" our own self righteousness. In this place our beloved Father loves us. He made it possible to escape the self, to come out of my self righteous emotional insulation. I lay these down on the altar, by the power of Christ, by His method that surpassed death itself.
The Eternal now performed a special miracle for Jonah with a shady vegetable. Consider for a moment the context, Jonah made a tent, and sat in the shade of it. Perhaps he was a lousy tent builder, and needed more shade. I prefer to think of this as a time line. He was going to wait out the forty days by my thinking. Being stubborn and obstinate myself, that is what I would do. And perhaps the hut was lashed about by the winds, or was made of flimsy sticks. We do not know, so I am speculating, but somehow, Jonah was in the scorching heat again, and God made to grow over Jonah a plant providing shade.
The ASV has this as "to deliver him (Jonah) from his evil case." So the situation Jonah was in became downright 'evil', or in a polite way, he was experiencing severe discomfort. I could construct the result of this miracle as "snatch away (his) discomfort". It is not good for the soul to stew away in anger. And here the Lord miraculously delivers Jonah from that discomfort. Jonah became exceedingly glad. Filled with glee and joy.
Have you experienced a miracle just for you? The Lord does such things! Miraculous delivery from our affliction. I am believing for that manifest reality even now. Our God has no favorites, simply His son. And by that love we are assured of miraculous things! Find more of Christ and miracles follow.
But Jonah did not budge. Glad as he was, his intention would still appear to be one of waiting for the prophesy to be fulfilled. He is still in conflict with God. Still letting anger lead him. Now I am not creating a reason for the worm, or implying that if Jonah left, some other result would have happened. This is just a simple possible context, let the Spirit guide you in truth. For me, when I give up my little house and let Him clean things up, I can stand in the light, with joy and thanksgiving. And that means truly letting go of the source of irritation, the cause of my anger or resentment.
Now in the morning, the Lord brought a worm to devour the miraculous plant. Jonah experienced great joy in the miracle of the Lord, and when that was taken away, he fell back into emotional doom. Was the Lord justified in this? Of course, yet the natural man's reaction is to question. But turn to the Spirit, and the initial word of God to Jonah, "Doest thou well to be angry?" The Eternal's concern is with the heart of Jonah, so Jonah's apparent joy was tested. The core of Jonah's anger, the source of his disappointment and frustration needed to be exposed. Even in the joy of Jonah's personal miracle he held on to hidden anger.
I have been in that place, where at every turn my mind and heart questions "Why Lord?" We can not judge how He gets to the depths of our soul, how He exposes what we are hiding. Both for His work in our lives, and in those around us. Even miracles taken away, blessing that withers, these are not always circumstantial. He loves us, and will do everything in that love to bring us closer to Him. Consider that from the perspective of His love, drawing us close is more important than our circumstance. It is the Fathers pleasure to see us grow in Christ.
Our wonderful God looked deep into Jonah, because of His love. That same love looks into us, praise God!
For this meeting, here is the current agenda:
Prayer and Thanksgiving:
Pray for the ones we know who are hurting from loss. Ask for the surpassing comfort that He can provide to be poured out on them. Let your prayers embrace the mourning, let them be heard in the assembly.
Open questions:
Jonah is complete next week, and I would really like to know where to go next. Please send me a couple of books that you would like to see explored in this way. If everyone sends in two or three choices, I will tally them up and we can see the casting of lots in action! Otherwise, it will be rather arbitrary, I will ask a few that are reading closely what they think of my personal list. Unless of course, we get some other vision, so ask the Lord where we should go!
Current topic:
We have come to the end of Jonah, and in this end, there is wonderful news. Read the final verses, consider what the word of the Lord is, and send in your thoughts.
Conclusion:
Many thanks to everyone for reading along and contributing your measure. We exist in a heavenly economy, where life flows out from the throne to each of us, and we give that life to one another and the world. May your gift of life return tenfold this week. As we will be switching topics, it is a great time to add anyone you know who might be interested in this adventure in the Spirit. Forward a copy, anyone who is interested can simply send along a note to be added. Remember, contributing only requires responding to the minutes, with as little or as much as you have. Be strengthened in Love!
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
God's Mercy
Welcome all to this wondrous gathering! It is with great joy that I write, as the Father delights in the increase of His Son, within us, and with new ones brought to life! Behold the two verses ending the third book of Jonah:
"Who knoweth whether God will not turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not?" And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil which he said he would do unto them; and he did it not.
Where did the king of Nineveh get this thought? Where did this hope of escape from destruction come from? Amazing! The word of destruction from Jonah carried with it a Spirit of hope. However, we who have seen the new life in Christ, know that the judgement of God could not be held at bay forever. They all perished, all have sinned. And that God did not turn away, but provided a pure sacrifice to satisfy that eternal judgement.
Yet the next verse is so provocative. The Eternal saw their works, and repented of the evil which was planned. Now, I personally don't care much for this translations treatment of this verse, however, there is no great difficulty. It just seems that in our day, the words repent and evil have religious baggage. The Spirit leads us to not stumble over such matters. So focus simply on God 'changing' His mind.
It was the will of God to destroy the city. The residents changed their hearts, called upon the living God, and He listened to them. He withheld judgement, and let them live. How merciful is our God! He inclines His ear to our cry, and delivers us from destruction!
But did He change His mind? Dear saints, each one must wrestle with the question of His wisdom, of His plan, inside of the heart. I believe that God has a plan, and that plan is to build a family. To grow up sons and daughters, clothing them with glory in His son. This purpose was set forth before the foundation of civilization, before the Moses and the Law. By the prophet Jonah, the Eternal is displaying His will, that none should perish, and all would come to know Him.
On that, He never changes. And in judgement of sin, of the reward for transgression which is death, there is only one path to eternal life. On that, He has not wavered. Yet all must choose life. Our Father will not force a man to follow after life. It must be by free will. That system of free will, that gift that sets us apart from the animals, even the angels of heaven, is jealously protected. There are no robots in Christ. We bind ourselves to Him by choice.
This same free will means man can choose to turn from God. Even to violence, to the envy and destruction of other men. It must be! If man were stopped at every turn, from every deed, there would be no free will.
Here is where the dynamic of the cross separates. A man may struggle against death in his own power during the days of his life. And God may hinder the curse of death. The Eternal may 'change His mind' concerning the destruction of a man. Praise God! Let us glorify Him for grace! Is not grace itself the Fathers 'changed mind'? That the sentence of death, of which we all came under through the natural man, was stayed, the execution on hold, until we made the choice of eternal life? Indeed, by grace I have been saved!
Now in the next verses at the beginning of chapter four, Jonah gets in a bit of a bother with the Lord. It displeased Jonah, that the Lord displayed His mercy, and held off the judgement of Nineveh. He knew God was gracious, merciful, slow to anger, and willing to withhold destruction. Now we get to the heart of things. Is Jonah simply a bitter old prophet who sees that the Assyrians have caused great harm and wants them to be destroyed? Or is he regretful that the prophecy of destruction has now led to mercy and repentance?
I laughed at myself when thinking about this. My natural inclination led me to think of the prophecy. A prophet who speaks, and yet the word does not come to pass, what is he? Nothing... according to man. Yes, my own natural man cringed at the thought of such a 'fall' from office. But the gift is in the Spirit! There is no natural office that matters in the city of light. The Lord is the one who directs the prophet to speak. Man can judge, yet that judgement is counted for nothing in the house of God.
For the social context, by Jonah, the enemy of Israel has just found deliverance from destruction. Perhaps there is no home worth going to after everyone finds out? For today, be confident that persecution can find you, even in the midst of the 'people of God', but it is to His glory, and He will be your strength! I don't want to shrink back from declaring the whole gospel, even the part about destruction, perhaps because I think it will cause a loss of social standing.
Later, as I considered the social context, or Jonah's own judgement of the Assyrians, I sensed it was perhaps something else. A clue comes forward, yet we will need to wait for the end of the book. My guess is that Jonah really does want the Lord to relieve him of the torment at this time, the torment of his own natural man. Whatever the case, it is reminiscent of Elijah, calling out to God, to take his life (before Jezebel's hordes find him). Even so, as we (with the scholars of today as well) surmise that Jonah wrote this himself, it becomes to me a treasure to dig for, the gold of why Jonah included (by the Spirit) this discourse with the Eternal.
For this meeting, here is the current agenda:
Prayer and Thanksgiving:
Pray for the manifest presence of our Saviour! That His intention, His power, His light would break through the shells we surround ourselves in. Pray for the increase, that new ones would see the power, see the light and come to know Him. Even the increase of our experience of Christ, that we would forgo the personal life of satisfaction and lean into the practical corporate expression of the body.
Open questions:
Obviously this weeks open question is why did Jonah want God to take his life?
What was the purpose or picture of having the beasts (i.e. livestock) fast? This question eluded me, but God is faithful! The Assyrians dominated their neighbors through military advancement. Modern technology so to speak, in the form of chariots (driven by horses) and cavalry. Fasting the horses represents putting the peoples security at risk. They were willing to sacrifice one of the most important parts of their socio-economic structure in seeking the mercy of the Eternal.
Current topic:
Next up is Jonah 4:4-7. A HUGE challenge to us, in our walk, with these verses. Have you heard anything similar from the Lord? "Are you right in feeling/thinking this way?" And we get a personal miracle just for Jonah!
Conclusion:
Please forgive my wordiness this week. I can not take lightly the matters surrounding the will of the Father. I pray that grace would cover your ears anyplace where I have strayed. To seek His will, to understand what pleases God, and how that happens practically in our lives is so important. Therefore, be blessed that you were called to be in the Family! Praise God for a moment! Be well in love.
"Who knoweth whether God will not turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not?" And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil which he said he would do unto them; and he did it not.
Where did the king of Nineveh get this thought? Where did this hope of escape from destruction come from? Amazing! The word of destruction from Jonah carried with it a Spirit of hope. However, we who have seen the new life in Christ, know that the judgement of God could not be held at bay forever. They all perished, all have sinned. And that God did not turn away, but provided a pure sacrifice to satisfy that eternal judgement.
Yet the next verse is so provocative. The Eternal saw their works, and repented of the evil which was planned. Now, I personally don't care much for this translations treatment of this verse, however, there is no great difficulty. It just seems that in our day, the words repent and evil have religious baggage. The Spirit leads us to not stumble over such matters. So focus simply on God 'changing' His mind.
It was the will of God to destroy the city. The residents changed their hearts, called upon the living God, and He listened to them. He withheld judgement, and let them live. How merciful is our God! He inclines His ear to our cry, and delivers us from destruction!
But did He change His mind? Dear saints, each one must wrestle with the question of His wisdom, of His plan, inside of the heart. I believe that God has a plan, and that plan is to build a family. To grow up sons and daughters, clothing them with glory in His son. This purpose was set forth before the foundation of civilization, before the Moses and the Law. By the prophet Jonah, the Eternal is displaying His will, that none should perish, and all would come to know Him.
On that, He never changes. And in judgement of sin, of the reward for transgression which is death, there is only one path to eternal life. On that, He has not wavered. Yet all must choose life. Our Father will not force a man to follow after life. It must be by free will. That system of free will, that gift that sets us apart from the animals, even the angels of heaven, is jealously protected. There are no robots in Christ. We bind ourselves to Him by choice.
This same free will means man can choose to turn from God. Even to violence, to the envy and destruction of other men. It must be! If man were stopped at every turn, from every deed, there would be no free will.
Here is where the dynamic of the cross separates. A man may struggle against death in his own power during the days of his life. And God may hinder the curse of death. The Eternal may 'change His mind' concerning the destruction of a man. Praise God! Let us glorify Him for grace! Is not grace itself the Fathers 'changed mind'? That the sentence of death, of which we all came under through the natural man, was stayed, the execution on hold, until we made the choice of eternal life? Indeed, by grace I have been saved!
Now in the next verses at the beginning of chapter four, Jonah gets in a bit of a bother with the Lord. It displeased Jonah, that the Lord displayed His mercy, and held off the judgement of Nineveh. He knew God was gracious, merciful, slow to anger, and willing to withhold destruction. Now we get to the heart of things. Is Jonah simply a bitter old prophet who sees that the Assyrians have caused great harm and wants them to be destroyed? Or is he regretful that the prophecy of destruction has now led to mercy and repentance?
I laughed at myself when thinking about this. My natural inclination led me to think of the prophecy. A prophet who speaks, and yet the word does not come to pass, what is he? Nothing... according to man. Yes, my own natural man cringed at the thought of such a 'fall' from office. But the gift is in the Spirit! There is no natural office that matters in the city of light. The Lord is the one who directs the prophet to speak. Man can judge, yet that judgement is counted for nothing in the house of God.
For the social context, by Jonah, the enemy of Israel has just found deliverance from destruction. Perhaps there is no home worth going to after everyone finds out? For today, be confident that persecution can find you, even in the midst of the 'people of God', but it is to His glory, and He will be your strength! I don't want to shrink back from declaring the whole gospel, even the part about destruction, perhaps because I think it will cause a loss of social standing.
Later, as I considered the social context, or Jonah's own judgement of the Assyrians, I sensed it was perhaps something else. A clue comes forward, yet we will need to wait for the end of the book. My guess is that Jonah really does want the Lord to relieve him of the torment at this time, the torment of his own natural man. Whatever the case, it is reminiscent of Elijah, calling out to God, to take his life (before Jezebel's hordes find him). Even so, as we (with the scholars of today as well) surmise that Jonah wrote this himself, it becomes to me a treasure to dig for, the gold of why Jonah included (by the Spirit) this discourse with the Eternal.
For this meeting, here is the current agenda:
Prayer and Thanksgiving:
Pray for the manifest presence of our Saviour! That His intention, His power, His light would break through the shells we surround ourselves in. Pray for the increase, that new ones would see the power, see the light and come to know Him. Even the increase of our experience of Christ, that we would forgo the personal life of satisfaction and lean into the practical corporate expression of the body.
Open questions:
Obviously this weeks open question is why did Jonah want God to take his life?
Current topic:
Next up is Jonah 4:4-7. A HUGE challenge to us, in our walk, with these verses. Have you heard anything similar from the Lord? "Are you right in feeling/thinking this way?" And we get a personal miracle just for Jonah!
Conclusion:
Please forgive my wordiness this week. I can not take lightly the matters surrounding the will of the Father. I pray that grace would cover your ears anyplace where I have strayed. To seek His will, to understand what pleases God, and how that happens practically in our lives is so important. Therefore, be blessed that you were called to be in the Family! Praise God for a moment! Be well in love.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Repentance!
Welcome all, may you be blessed in this hour by the indwelling Spirit, the comforter and guide in the living word. We left Jonah proclaiming destruction upon Nineveh. Bringing forth the word of God to a people who are not of the Mosaic revelation. I keep thinking of Paul proclaiming the true circumcision being in the heart, and that Jonah's experience with God is one of separation within. Jonah is not shackled by the law, and can function in the word to a lost people.
The people believed God. That is cool. Very interesting. Here is a prophet preaching destruction, but in the word is life, and the evidence of God. They believed God, not "they believed Jonah", or any other response. So they jumped into sackcloth and proclaimed a fast. The sackcloth is not cushy burlap bags at this time in history, but thick, hot, dirty, hairy cloth which would be like curling up in a mohair carpet. They turned away from enjoyment, from food, from physical comfort to force their hearts into seeking God.
the word of God reached the king who laid aside his robe. This is relevant in that he has come out from his own authority and turned to God, acknowledging someone higher. This is the ruler of perhaps the largest empire at the time, Jonah was definitely in the flow! Now the king sat in ashes after putting on his hairy mu'u mu'u, some identify this with lowness, filth was hard to clean. I tend to see ashes as a symbol of death, that in this state one is proclaiming a need of life from God. With our own strength we can not avoid death.
Now the king makes a proclamation, a decree of fasting, of personal sacrifice, no comfort for any. Evey the beasts were included. In addition, " ... let them cry mightily unto God ..." Here is the king of a empire that plundered, pillaged, and generally destroyed anyone around, including the people of God, who now commands his people to cry unto the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Finally the king exhorts all to turn from their evil way. To turn from the violence that is in his hands. This absolutely amazes me. Jonah is the vehicle of God's word. That word is one of destruction, yet with the life and love of God within. The people hear the word, and even the king repents. The word from the king is one of calling on God, of repentance, of fasting and praying. Are not these words of the king our expectation of the gospel? Is the king of Assyria's proclamation the gospel of life as well? Something to ponder.
When I was letting these verses soak, especially the term "violence that is in his hands", I kept thinking of Cain. Cain was Abel's brother, and a representation of the natural man. Abel sacrificed unto God what was acceptable, but God rejected Cain's offering. Cain's "evil way" was envy, jealousy of his brothers position, and unwillingness to submit to God. The result of envy was violence. Even that he slew his own brother. Does the king of Nineveh recognize the heart of the natural man?
What amazing verses! I am strengthened by the word. Even in the singular point, the core principle, it is for all of us. Let all cry mightily unto God! Each of us can heed this word, in joy, in sorrow, from high or low places. The answer is to subjugate the natural man, and let the inner man cry out mightily to God! We don't need sackcloth or ashes, we have been baptised into His death! We put on the cross, a more perfect ministry. Praise God for this life giving reality.
For this meeting, here is the current agenda:
Prayer and Thanksgiving:
Thank the Lord for each minute of life with Him. Each hour of being together with the saints. Each day spent with family and friends. Let us seek corporately this week the release of any curses upon members of the body. Ask God to reveal any ties we have to this dead realm, that we could break them practically. Pray for freedom!
Open questions:
What was the purpose or picture of having the beasts (i.e. livestock) fast?
Current topic:
Next up is Jonah 3:9,10 and 4:1-3. Two separate topics, but each contains a similar principle. The core for next time is inside of Jonah. What is the anger really? What does it represent?
Conclusion:
May all receive great Grace in the coming week. The cares and stress of this world are no match for the indwelling life! Lord, release to each who are reading, even at this time, a measure of Your peace. Bring us into alignment with the highest purpose. Free our wills to choose the path of life each hour, to follow on after You. Be glorified in the good works You have prepared for use to walk.
The people believed God. That is cool. Very interesting. Here is a prophet preaching destruction, but in the word is life, and the evidence of God. They believed God, not "they believed Jonah", or any other response. So they jumped into sackcloth and proclaimed a fast. The sackcloth is not cushy burlap bags at this time in history, but thick, hot, dirty, hairy cloth which would be like curling up in a mohair carpet. They turned away from enjoyment, from food, from physical comfort to force their hearts into seeking God.
the word of God reached the king who laid aside his robe. This is relevant in that he has come out from his own authority and turned to God, acknowledging someone higher. This is the ruler of perhaps the largest empire at the time, Jonah was definitely in the flow! Now the king sat in ashes after putting on his hairy mu'u mu'u, some identify this with lowness, filth was hard to clean. I tend to see ashes as a symbol of death, that in this state one is proclaiming a need of life from God. With our own strength we can not avoid death.
Now the king makes a proclamation, a decree of fasting, of personal sacrifice, no comfort for any. Evey the beasts were included. In addition, " ... let them cry mightily unto God ..." Here is the king of a empire that plundered, pillaged, and generally destroyed anyone around, including the people of God, who now commands his people to cry unto the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Finally the king exhorts all to turn from their evil way. To turn from the violence that is in his hands. This absolutely amazes me. Jonah is the vehicle of God's word. That word is one of destruction, yet with the life and love of God within. The people hear the word, and even the king repents. The word from the king is one of calling on God, of repentance, of fasting and praying. Are not these words of the king our expectation of the gospel? Is the king of Assyria's proclamation the gospel of life as well? Something to ponder.
When I was letting these verses soak, especially the term "violence that is in his hands", I kept thinking of Cain. Cain was Abel's brother, and a representation of the natural man. Abel sacrificed unto God what was acceptable, but God rejected Cain's offering. Cain's "evil way" was envy, jealousy of his brothers position, and unwillingness to submit to God. The result of envy was violence. Even that he slew his own brother. Does the king of Nineveh recognize the heart of the natural man?
What amazing verses! I am strengthened by the word. Even in the singular point, the core principle, it is for all of us. Let all cry mightily unto God! Each of us can heed this word, in joy, in sorrow, from high or low places. The answer is to subjugate the natural man, and let the inner man cry out mightily to God! We don't need sackcloth or ashes, we have been baptised into His death! We put on the cross, a more perfect ministry. Praise God for this life giving reality.
For this meeting, here is the current agenda:
Prayer and Thanksgiving:
Thank the Lord for each minute of life with Him. Each hour of being together with the saints. Each day spent with family and friends. Let us seek corporately this week the release of any curses upon members of the body. Ask God to reveal any ties we have to this dead realm, that we could break them practically. Pray for freedom!
Open questions:
What was the purpose or picture of having the beasts (i.e. livestock) fast?
Current topic:
Next up is Jonah 3:9,10 and 4:1-3. Two separate topics, but each contains a similar principle. The core for next time is inside of Jonah. What is the anger really? What does it represent?
Conclusion:
May all receive great Grace in the coming week. The cares and stress of this world are no match for the indwelling life! Lord, release to each who are reading, even at this time, a measure of Your peace. Bring us into alignment with the highest purpose. Free our wills to choose the path of life each hour, to follow on after You. Be glorified in the good works You have prepared for use to walk.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Jonah Preaches
Death, burial, and resurrection! This is the message of the cross. This is the ministry of our Messiah. This is the core of the Christian life. We are baptised into his death. Reckoned dead to sin by His supreme sacrifice. And by the new life He gave us, we bury our baggage. We leave the natural man in the dead realm. By this we find transformation, resurrection of a man inside who is not subject to death. How incredibly awesome is that!
But what does this new man do? What is the result of walking this path? Well, we have reached some verses that can bring light. Jonah is fresh from the experience of death, burial, and resurrection. Of course, he is a living prophecy, a picture to the world revealing the nature of our Messiah, and his salvation was by the hand of God as a display of the coming perfection. But I believe that the progression from Jonah's salvation to the preaching of God's word in Nineveh is a glorious continuation of His purpose.
Jonah responds to the call, and heads out on the month long trek to Nineveh. Perhaps he makes the trip with joy and thanksgiving? When he arrives, he begins to speak, walking throughout the city proclaiming its destruction in forty days. It is the the word of God that leads to life! He preaches the cross here, even the judgement of God upon the flesh. For us now, Jesus is the complete fulfillment of this ministry. The gospel of Jesus is one of destruction, even His life in exchange for ours. The perfect judgement of God has been decreed upon all. All have fallen short of His purpose.
It is this word of destruction that Jonah speaks. We may infer many things about what he said, who he talked too. Or weather he just went about yelling at the top of his lungs "Destruction! Forty days left for Nineveh!" No matter how it happened, the scripture only records the message of destruction. And that message prompted a response. This is the core of the gospel for me. The power in the word towards more life. My hope and joy is great at all the goodness He provides, at the abundance of love we share. Yet I must not shrink back from the reality that is the destruction of the natural man.
I believe Nineveh is a good parallel for our day, in this age. Perhaps number one or two at the time in largest cities throughout the world. Prosperous beyond competing societies. Powerful, full of riches. And destined for destruction. These are not the people of God (i.e. those He brought out of Egypt). In fact, the Assyrians sacked, looted, and conquered the Israelites many times. Yet our amazing Father displayed His will in Jonah. He intends for all man to believe. Salvation is for those who are destined for destruction. Directly after the "Sign of Jonah", the prophesy in picture, comes the preaching of the gospel to the world.
Can we see the amazing intention of the Eternal? More than seven hundred years before the Messiah, a living picture went out. A expression of God's will, of His love. And in these few verses, that love is the revealing light of man's condition. The proof of salvation's work in Jonah personally is displayed as evangelism to the world. And that ministry is filled with God's amazing love. Even though the message was one of destruction, even as a curse, it was light. It was truth. It was filled with compassion.
Our inner man bears witness to the message. The natural mans sees a angry vengeful God. The gospel of Christ penetrates to the core of the heart with that choice, where to dwell. What life to choose. Eternal life with the amazing Creator, or utter destruction.
As a aside, when I became a believer, I was one of the zealous sort, who annoyingly went to every person, friend and family alike, and beat them over the head with the bible. This is a defense mechanism, born of insecurity and immature faith. There are times for strong words, and times for strong light, but the life inside us delivers these by faith, and in love. By no means do I want to give an interpretation that all should go out and cry in the streets "Destruction is at hand!" Some of us may be anointed to do that. But what I see in these verses, and the encouragement I get from the Spirit, is to speak honest truth to those we share Life with. Don't shrink from sharing in love the result of living forever in darkness.
Jonah walked some 500 miles to do just that.
For this meeting, here is the current agenda:
Prayer and Thanksgiving:
Let us seek the Lord for grace and guidance to be given for the families we know. Lift up the children, that God would reveal life to them. Pray for grace upon each mother and father, that they would see with His vision how to raise up these young ones. Seek protection from the dead influences of the world upon all, especially in school. Ask for a special empowerment from the Lord for those you know with single parent households, that they would have His leadership in the home.
Open questions:
Do you think Jonah traveled to Nineveh with an entourage, an assistant?
Current topic:
Read Jonah 3:5-8 with the openness to hear the living word. Often I recite a few lines over and over, then come back to them in a couple days. It is like marinating a good steak, needs to soak for a while. Keep in mind a few thoughts: sackcloth and ashes, turning from evil, violence in hand. Anything odd strike you about the King's decree?
Conclusion:
May everyone have a fantastic week. I want to be true to the gospel this week, and speak of the cross to each that the Lord brings me in contact with. The word to the satisfied, to the consumer mentality is one of destruction. I hope that the burdens on your hearts are lifted up, share them with the body. Let us embrace one another and walk forward into the good works He has prepared.
But what does this new man do? What is the result of walking this path? Well, we have reached some verses that can bring light. Jonah is fresh from the experience of death, burial, and resurrection. Of course, he is a living prophecy, a picture to the world revealing the nature of our Messiah, and his salvation was by the hand of God as a display of the coming perfection. But I believe that the progression from Jonah's salvation to the preaching of God's word in Nineveh is a glorious continuation of His purpose.
Jonah responds to the call, and heads out on the month long trek to Nineveh. Perhaps he makes the trip with joy and thanksgiving? When he arrives, he begins to speak, walking throughout the city proclaiming its destruction in forty days. It is the the word of God that leads to life! He preaches the cross here, even the judgement of God upon the flesh. For us now, Jesus is the complete fulfillment of this ministry. The gospel of Jesus is one of destruction, even His life in exchange for ours. The perfect judgement of God has been decreed upon all. All have fallen short of His purpose.
It is this word of destruction that Jonah speaks. We may infer many things about what he said, who he talked too. Or weather he just went about yelling at the top of his lungs "Destruction! Forty days left for Nineveh!" No matter how it happened, the scripture only records the message of destruction. And that message prompted a response. This is the core of the gospel for me. The power in the word towards more life. My hope and joy is great at all the goodness He provides, at the abundance of love we share. Yet I must not shrink back from the reality that is the destruction of the natural man.
I believe Nineveh is a good parallel for our day, in this age. Perhaps number one or two at the time in largest cities throughout the world. Prosperous beyond competing societies. Powerful, full of riches. And destined for destruction. These are not the people of God (i.e. those He brought out of Egypt). In fact, the Assyrians sacked, looted, and conquered the Israelites many times. Yet our amazing Father displayed His will in Jonah. He intends for all man to believe. Salvation is for those who are destined for destruction. Directly after the "Sign of Jonah", the prophesy in picture, comes the preaching of the gospel to the world.
Can we see the amazing intention of the Eternal? More than seven hundred years before the Messiah, a living picture went out. A expression of God's will, of His love. And in these few verses, that love is the revealing light of man's condition. The proof of salvation's work in Jonah personally is displayed as evangelism to the world. And that ministry is filled with God's amazing love. Even though the message was one of destruction, even as a curse, it was light. It was truth. It was filled with compassion.
Our inner man bears witness to the message. The natural mans sees a angry vengeful God. The gospel of Christ penetrates to the core of the heart with that choice, where to dwell. What life to choose. Eternal life with the amazing Creator, or utter destruction.
As a aside, when I became a believer, I was one of the zealous sort, who annoyingly went to every person, friend and family alike, and beat them over the head with the bible. This is a defense mechanism, born of insecurity and immature faith. There are times for strong words, and times for strong light, but the life inside us delivers these by faith, and in love. By no means do I want to give an interpretation that all should go out and cry in the streets "Destruction is at hand!" Some of us may be anointed to do that. But what I see in these verses, and the encouragement I get from the Spirit, is to speak honest truth to those we share Life with. Don't shrink from sharing in love the result of living forever in darkness.
Jonah walked some 500 miles to do just that.
For this meeting, here is the current agenda:
Prayer and Thanksgiving:
Let us seek the Lord for grace and guidance to be given for the families we know. Lift up the children, that God would reveal life to them. Pray for grace upon each mother and father, that they would see with His vision how to raise up these young ones. Seek protection from the dead influences of the world upon all, especially in school. Ask for a special empowerment from the Lord for those you know with single parent households, that they would have His leadership in the home.
Open questions:
Do you think Jonah traveled to Nineveh with an entourage, an assistant?
Current topic:
Read Jonah 3:5-8 with the openness to hear the living word. Often I recite a few lines over and over, then come back to them in a couple days. It is like marinating a good steak, needs to soak for a while. Keep in mind a few thoughts: sackcloth and ashes, turning from evil, violence in hand. Anything odd strike you about the King's decree?
Conclusion:
May everyone have a fantastic week. I want to be true to the gospel this week, and speak of the cross to each that the Lord brings me in contact with. The word to the satisfied, to the consumer mentality is one of destruction. I hope that the burdens on your hearts are lifted up, share them with the body. Let us embrace one another and walk forward into the good works He has prepared.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Salvation!
Welcome friends and saints of the Most High! Please forgive the missing week, the 'editor and chief' rejected my copy, and I ran out of time this week to catch up. On that note, it is probably time for another quick disclaimer and explanation of the proceedings herein. First and foremost, any interpretation of scripture in picture or form is to be looked at with the eyes of your heart, and with the witness of the Spirit of God within you. Anything else is unprofitable. And I am VERY prone to wander off on extemporaneous discussions that perhaps do nothing for you. Furthermore, being a general 'know it all', I state things as fact at times when they are simply my own experience. Be critical in love, and take the life you find!
Two months have gone by, and my personal riches in Christ have grown by what we have found here. I hope and pray that those who I have not heard from are finding life as well. There is no requirement of participation, enjoy at your leisure. For those who have given responses, thank you for your contribution. We are called to be conduits of life, and I am continually blessed by the riches He has deposited in the saints. Each of you is a life giving spring! How amazing is our God!
We are discussing these verses, and for a bit of change, lets quote them here (Jonah 2:8-10, ASV):
"They that regard lying vanities Forsake their own mercy. But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that which I have vowed. Salvation is of Jehovah." And Jehovah spake unto the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land.
I read the first verse as Jonah speaking to himself, to his natural man. We could transliterate this as "paying attention to corrupt emptiness". When I live by my own choice, and that choice leading to death apart from God, I truly turn away from the supply of life in Christ, and the mercy He gives. Others interpret this more generally as a exhortation to idolaters, and that is fine. What greater idol than the self is there in this age? However, in the context of the following verse, it would appear Jonah is separating his heart, experiencing the circumcision of the heart.
What can be the sacrifice he makes? With a voice of thanksgiving, he offers up to the Lord his whole being. Remember, Jonah is not in the physical temple, and he has no convenient fatted calf or bullock to offer. Perhaps a bit wet for the altar fire in the fishes gut as well. And yet with thankfulness he sacrifices. For myself, this is the natural man Jonah is laying down. And in that sacrifice, there is the experience of salvation.
I pondered long about "paying what I have vowed". By His life, through His ministry, I live and breath. What can I pay? What vow would stand? Any promise to God that is not of Christ, in Christ, and by His life will fail. My vow is to lay down the natural self day by day. Giving Him more room to grow inside, more area to transform. What else can we pay? Beyond the personal there is Jonah as living prophecy, for these words can be only spoken in complete truth by the Messiah, no one else is able to pay. Lord, speak them in me!
Finally the word of the Lord to the fish, and onto dry land Jonah is deposited. As a aside, I calculated that the fish could have dumped him anywhere along the coast in the area given three days of swimming. Even slow Baleen whales would range 100 miles per day. So my fevered brain asked the obvious, "How much of the grueling trek to Nineveh would be saved?" But alas, even with optimal vomiting of the fish, he would still need to walk ~400 miles.
From these verses, one of our members perceived thoughtful context for Jonah in the fish: "God put Jonah in a place where he could see no salvation. He didn't call on God as a desperate plea for help, and say what he thinks God wants to hear, instead Jonah is ready and willing to sacrifice to the Lord. In that situation he receives salvation, no matter what the outcome of his personal ordeal. God puts Jonah back where he wants him, having taught him a lesson that he can pass on with conviction to others."
A lesson indeed! To let go of ourselves, and sacrifice to the Lord with thanksgiving! And in that God is faithful, delivering more life. What amazing love, that He would lead us in life, lead us in His walk. Praise God!
For this meeting, here is the current agenda:
Prayer and Thanksgiving:
Ask for the curse to be broken over all under affliction. Especially that we would see the healing of stricken ones in our midst. Thank God for opening the eyes of our hearts, that we may see His increasing Glory, that we may walk in the light.
Open questions:
Nothing comes to mind here this week.
Current topic:
Meditate on Jonah 3:1-4 seeking what the Spirit is revealing to us in this time. How about the forty days? Can you picture the size of Nineveh?
Conclusion:
Bless every saint you meet this week. May the Spirit well up in all with ever increasing love, even with that love He has for the bride. May we love the bride locally!
Two months have gone by, and my personal riches in Christ have grown by what we have found here. I hope and pray that those who I have not heard from are finding life as well. There is no requirement of participation, enjoy at your leisure. For those who have given responses, thank you for your contribution. We are called to be conduits of life, and I am continually blessed by the riches He has deposited in the saints. Each of you is a life giving spring! How amazing is our God!
We are discussing these verses, and for a bit of change, lets quote them here (Jonah 2:8-10, ASV):
"They that regard lying vanities Forsake their own mercy. But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that which I have vowed. Salvation is of Jehovah." And Jehovah spake unto the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land.
I read the first verse as Jonah speaking to himself, to his natural man. We could transliterate this as "paying attention to corrupt emptiness". When I live by my own choice, and that choice leading to death apart from God, I truly turn away from the supply of life in Christ, and the mercy He gives. Others interpret this more generally as a exhortation to idolaters, and that is fine. What greater idol than the self is there in this age? However, in the context of the following verse, it would appear Jonah is separating his heart, experiencing the circumcision of the heart.
What can be the sacrifice he makes? With a voice of thanksgiving, he offers up to the Lord his whole being. Remember, Jonah is not in the physical temple, and he has no convenient fatted calf or bullock to offer. Perhaps a bit wet for the altar fire in the fishes gut as well. And yet with thankfulness he sacrifices. For myself, this is the natural man Jonah is laying down. And in that sacrifice, there is the experience of salvation.
I pondered long about "paying what I have vowed". By His life, through His ministry, I live and breath. What can I pay? What vow would stand? Any promise to God that is not of Christ, in Christ, and by His life will fail. My vow is to lay down the natural self day by day. Giving Him more room to grow inside, more area to transform. What else can we pay? Beyond the personal there is Jonah as living prophecy, for these words can be only spoken in complete truth by the Messiah, no one else is able to pay. Lord, speak them in me!
Finally the word of the Lord to the fish, and onto dry land Jonah is deposited. As a aside, I calculated that the fish could have dumped him anywhere along the coast in the area given three days of swimming. Even slow Baleen whales would range 100 miles per day. So my fevered brain asked the obvious, "How much of the grueling trek to Nineveh would be saved?" But alas, even with optimal vomiting of the fish, he would still need to walk ~400 miles.
From these verses, one of our members perceived thoughtful context for Jonah in the fish: "God put Jonah in a place where he could see no salvation. He didn't call on God as a desperate plea for help, and say what he thinks God wants to hear, instead Jonah is ready and willing to sacrifice to the Lord. In that situation he receives salvation, no matter what the outcome of his personal ordeal. God puts Jonah back where he wants him, having taught him a lesson that he can pass on with conviction to others."
A lesson indeed! To let go of ourselves, and sacrifice to the Lord with thanksgiving! And in that God is faithful, delivering more life. What amazing love, that He would lead us in life, lead us in His walk. Praise God!
For this meeting, here is the current agenda:
Prayer and Thanksgiving:
Ask for the curse to be broken over all under affliction. Especially that we would see the healing of stricken ones in our midst. Thank God for opening the eyes of our hearts, that we may see His increasing Glory, that we may walk in the light.
Open questions:
Nothing comes to mind here this week.
Current topic:
Meditate on Jonah 3:1-4 seeking what the Spirit is revealing to us in this time. How about the forty days? Can you picture the size of Nineveh?
Conclusion:
Bless every saint you meet this week. May the Spirit well up in all with ever increasing love, even with that love He has for the bride. May we love the bride locally!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
Posts
