Gossiping about God

Will Rogers once said: "Live in such a way that you would not be ashamed to sell your parrot to the town gossip."

 

I have listened to enough gossip about God all my life.  It wasn’t until I started listening to Him that I really got to know Him.  You can find His expressions everywhere. You can see Him physically in the creation.

 Romans 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made,

You can find Him in His Word that can illustrate Him to our minds:

2 Timothy 3:16-17 16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

 As we manifest His spirit in our lives, we see Him and so do others.

Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. 

If we want we can have the complete package in our physical, mental and spiritual life. We are three part humans that have the privilege to completely know God.

When someone else tells you something about someone, it may or may not be true. That’s the danger of gossip. It is always a wise choice to go to the source. I don’t want to hear gossip about God. I want to know Him.  We may listen to a few parrots for a while but in the end the best teachers are not gossips or parrots. They are ones who always direct you to the source.

El Shaddai

When we look at Genesis 17, who is the star of the show?  Throughout the Old Testament there are great examples of people walking under the powerful wings of God.  Yet so often people read about what Abraham did and Joseph did and all those who received the promises of God and then they magnify the act rather than the source. What they did was simple because they did just one simple thing – relied on God’s all-sufficiency and power to take care of whatever needed to be taken care of.

What was going on around Abraham was Abraham’s culture and challenges. The same was true of Joseph. None of these men were gods. They were examples because they  knew and applied the heart of God to their particular situations. God doesn’t want us to roam around the Arabian Peninsula or mosey around Egypt to exhibit our believing.  He wants us to look to Him in the details of our own lives with believing expectation and confidence.

Genesis 17:1 And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.

The word “perfect” does not really mean what we think it means (Thank God for that!). If you look at the Hebrew word, this word means whole, sound, or complete.

Somethings in life are challenging, BUT God is our all-sufficiency. He is our El-Shaddai! We live in a different era than Abraham or Joseph. We live in the grace administration. This is a uniquely powerful time to live. Through the work of Jesus Christ we have unlimited resources. Our lives are laid out in
Ephesians 3:20.

 Now unto him (God) that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

So what is our need? Job? Place to live? Relationship? Please don’t go stoic on God, he doesn’t need you to do a ton of  pious sacrifices to prove your love. Just believe that He truly is your sufficiency!

Genuine Believing

In our home we have several items that produce heat. There is the furnace, the stove, the fireplace, lightbulbs, matches, my computer cord are just a few. In the middle of winter with temperatures as low as 5 or 10 below, it would be not the best choice to choose matches or lightbulbs as a source of heat. To really do the job with the greatest impact would be to choose the right source of heat. In life there are a lot of ways to believe, but only one way releases the power of God. It is by way of the faith of Jesus Christ. We should not be content with lightbulbs or matches, they can’t even warm a piece of pie! I’ve sat in a few pews that were chilly, but thankfully things of God are by free-will choice! When it comes to spiritual heat, I like nuclear!

In the Old Testament men and women of God could believe God. Abraham was called the father of believing. Old Testament believers such as Nehemiah, Joshua and Deborah could believe by taking action to stand for God. Today we can too by making a decision to love God and act accordingly. In addition we live in the grace administration today whereby it is available to have the inner spiritual development of the faith of Jesus Christ. On the Day of Pentecost God made it available for believing people to receive His power within. Faith was made available through Jesus Christ.

Galatians 3:22-26, 22But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. 23But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. 24Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.25But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. 26For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

It is important to distinguish between these two words ‘faith’ and ‘believing’ even though they are both translated from the same Greek word ‘pistis’. It takes looking at the context to distinguish what is meant. If we examine the word ‘belief’ in various contexts, it can several different things.  It could mean tenet, doctrine, persuasion, opinion, thought, confidence, view as well as many other things. Context is important.

Faith of Jesus Christ involves his death, resurrection, ascension to the right hand of God bringing on the outpouring of holy spirit to each individual believer. Believing involves accepting God"s power and applying it in life’s situations helping others as well as ourselves as God energizes.

I can believe to light a match, turn on the stove or flip the switch on the furnace if I feel chilly. It's my choice. The results will be contingent on what I choose. I prefer the furnace cause it keeps me warm  everyday of the week 24/7. God is a 24/7 God.  His love is constant and meets every need and keeps the fires burning everyday with purpose. 

Leaders

Leaders inspire people that is why they are called leaders. It is as simple as that.  No fancy titles, no lofty elitism, stiff respect or futile fawning. Leadership is a quality not a title. It is a living breathing component or characteristic of people who are led by something greater than themselves. In the Bible the greatest leaders were those who loved God and believed Him, people like Joseph, Debra, Nehemiah, Mordecai, and ultimately Jesus Christ.

The word ‘inspiration’ comes from a word meaning 'to breathe in'. When we breathe oxygen into our bodies, it is sent to our cells and when combined with food produces energy which is vital to the activity of the body. Oxygen is an essential ingredient required to keep the body fired up. So is inspiration to the mind.

Inspiration is quite different from authority. Inspiration provides the essential component for action. It stimulates action. Authority is positional and it is the right to control, command or  determine what’s what. Paul was an example of a man who had authority. He was:

 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; (Phil 3:5)

He was a member of the Sanhedrin. He had position upon position. When he came to the realization that it was not what his heart was about, he gave all up and became the true leader of the first century church. God was able to work in him to set down the heart of the mystery as a result of the resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ. The Word of God in the seven church epistles is inspiring to every individual who sees himself in them and wants to help others see all they could be in Christ. He became a man of inspiration and still is today.

In Acts 15 we see a great example of Paul’s leadership characteristics. He just doesn’t back away from standing up for the church that God had established in the grace administration. He boldly communicated his heart in the conflict about circumcision. He communicated with James, the Jerusalem saints and Peter and held the line on what was dragging the newly formed church down in their thinking and in their exercising of positional authority rather than the heart of the mystery.

Jesus Christ’s life was an inspiration. He trained the twelve, he sent them out, he sent out the seventy. He taught and led, and sent. His first Words to Peter and Andrew were “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” Following and leading go hand in hand and are mutually dependent on each other as they interchange according to the circumstances. All of us are leaders in some form or another, be it as, friends moms, dads, husbands, wives, or workers in any capacity of life.

I love the quote John Quincy Adams quote,  “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.
”

By their fruits you shall know them

A friend of mine whom I have known through the years has a knack of knowing just the right time to call me.  She believes and loves God and has a way of putting the Word straight in front of my heart. Sometimes when I’m being a knucklehead, my husband says to call her because he knows she’ll straighten me out. We both have been so blessed by her life. This lady loves God’s word and she truly manifests God’s love because of it.

We live in a world that is full of challenges, but God provided His Word, His son, and His holy spirit in us to help us through its hills and valleys. We need others that love us enough to really care for our hearts and we need to do that for others.

 ‘What the world needs now is love, sweet love… ♪♫♪♫’. It is God’s love that is so genuine and exactly hits the mark. It is based on the renewed mind  which is fed by the spirit of God. There’s no mistaking God’s heart. Human love is quite different. Human beings can love but without God it is very ordinary. Human love can invite a boatload of problems at times, especially when people have a lot of fear behind it. For example, too much human love can smother or spoil and cause all sorts of unnecessary evil. Too little can harden or confuse or discourage. So how can you tell the difference?

18There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. I John 4:18

 Matthew 7:16-17a , 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; 

  Fruit are the results of  actions. God’s love edifies and produces fruit. There is no mistaking it when you are the object of that love. It hits exactly on what you need. It does not cause strife, jealousy and confusion. Decisions based on God’s standard and urging have so much impact that one just bubbles over with the same kind of love to others.

 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. James 3:17

Fruits are manifested by actions. When humans love with the love of God,  they manifest God’s wisdom and the results are amazing!  It is how the family of God is supposed to live together.

The Right of Sanctification

Sanctification is the right by which we are made holy. Oh my! watch out! We actually can be holy!!! That doesn't mean we go off the deep end and develop 'holier than thou' attitudes. It simply means we are 'set apart' as God's kids and enjoy great privileges as such.

Romans 6:22 
But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness (sanctification), and the end everlasting life.

As we are set apart we become more and more adept in our what we can do for Him. As we go to the Word and find out about this right, we grow away from sin and we are less burdened down by the things that can so easily detract us from the most enjoyable work on earth. Not only here in this life but in the future, we have the hope of Jesus Christ's return and eternal life!

Does that mean we hide out and 'tsk tsk' the world. We are 'in' this world, but we are not 'of' this world. We live life without the 'of' things like fear, condemnation, unworthiness, lack of confidence, and the big one - insecurity (drum roll please). These things we don't have to partake in. We definitely will have better relationships even with people who don't care about God.  We fully claim our rights as sons of God and say 'absolutely not' to the awful things and move towards the 'aweful' and exciting things that go with a sufficient and rewarding life of being one of God's kids. The more we see our lives reflected in the church epistles, the more sanctified (not sanctimonious) we will be in our walk.

Let's face it, not many of us have seen a burning bush, not to mention one that talks to you. But we may have seen the Word alive in a sanctified believing person. Since the day of Pentecost, God doesn't need to burn up bushes any more.  He set 12 men on fire and they in turn set more on fire by showing and teaching them the Word. What a privilege and it is ours today!

Good Gift- The Right of Righteousness

Righteousness -

Our God is a great Father. He has provided us access to His heart through believing, love and hope. We know that all scripture is inspired by God and helps us by providing doctrine, reproof and correction as embodied in the seven church epistles specifically addressed to us. The three doctrinal letters are Romans, Ephesians and Thessalonians. Roman's theme centers around the justness of God and our  access to righteousness by believing. Ephesians is the expression of God's love in this age of grace.  Thessalonians is about the hope and our eternal future that is now available through Jesus Christ.

Righteousness is our God-given justification, whereby we can enter the throne room of God without a sense of sin, guilt or condemnation. We have standing because of the risen Christ.  'We can come boldly to the throne of grace' for whatever we need and God will answer.

Luke 11:13  If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

Absolutely nothing stands in our way of our access to Him. We don't have to go through anybody else. God deals with each of us as we believe. Sin-consciousness can be a roadblock to this direct access. It has to be left at the door.  Realizing what Jesus Christ did for us in justifying us is the key. Just look at every chapter in Romans.
(For uses of Righteousness in the book of Romans, see Digging Deeper)

Lowliness of mind - tapeinophrosune

When one hears the word 'lowliness' a common picture flashes in most minds, that of the downtrodden Christian who is the doormat of the world. This view is not accurate.

The name 'Christ' refers to the Messiah. He was the risen one! Christ rose from the dead and ascended to the right hand of God.  In the corporate world, this would be equivalent to the 'top of the ladder' and the 'cornerstone office with a view'. Seated in his elevated position he is the head of the body of believers to which we belong. We have awesome rights because  of his position and he didn't get there by clawing his way up, quite the contrary. He did it God's way.

The Greek word for 'lowliness' is tapeinophrosune.  It is used 7 times in the NewTestament. In Colossians there are a couple of uses that are very interesting:

Colossans 2:18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen , vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 19And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God. 20Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, 21(Touch not; taste not; handle not; 22Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? 23Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body: not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.

 'Will worship' comes from man when man decides that he can go far beyond what God expects  and  focuses on his own self-righteousness as a result. It is ultimately the source of man-made religions. It negates grace and refocuses on the works of man.

Our worship should come from a heart for God and respect for His son. We worship God by that which is spiritually true. We have his Word and we have holy spirit.  We are completely outfitted for all that we need to do. 

In Ephesians 4:3, 'lowliness' is the first and foremost step in keeping the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace.  It' is really a humbleness of mind that is built on the integrity and accuracy of God's Word.  Nothing worthwhile happens without it. 

Even in a worldly corporation where everyone is not jockeying for place but focused on doing their own part, the result is an organization that excels and exceeds expectations. Everyone is honored. Even more so in the body of Christ, accomplishing God's business is beyond expectations because of God's wonderful power. Everyone gets a great corner window view cause we're seated in the heavenlies with the Head.

Justice and God

The book of Esther is a book about rescue and restoration of God's people during a time of great darkness. The book is about a Judean woman named Esther who was instrumental in saving her people from destruction. Esther played a significant role and it was the effective leadership of her guardian, Mordecai, a man of integrity who listened to God and was not afraid to stand up for what he believed in as he saved the Israelites from destruction. He is a great man to study for qualities of leadership. He truly served God in obeying at the very most crucial times and is living proof that no matter how dark the environment God can work when people listen to him as Mordecai did. Esther respected that about Mordecai as she also respected God. She listened and carried out his instructions. Mordecai encouraged her to carry out what she needed to do.

It was not a great time. Regular God-respecting people rose up to become God's superheroes to pull off the most magnificent turnaround just at the right time. What does it take?

In Philippians 4:6-8 it says:

6Be careful (anxious) for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

What great words! True, honest, just, pure, lovely, good report, virtue, and praise! These are the characteristics of the justice of God!

In the time in which we live, in the grace administration, among those who so choose to believe, there are Mordecais and Esthers, and Nehemiahs (another restorer) working all over the place in government, at schools, in the work place and in homes. These are people who see the justification God has given us and act on it. God's justification is what they thrive on and depend on and therefore they are able to accomplish much in prayer and in their subsequent actions.

Mary Magdalene was the first person to see the risen Christ. It could have been Peter,  John, Nicodemus, Joseph, the Jerusalem Tribune, Pilate or anyone else. It was Mary whom God chose. What an incredible privilege, and it is easy to see from what is written there that she loved the master. She was thankful and caring. Her visits to the grave exhibited how she felt. If one very carefully follows the sequence of events integrating the four gospels, it was on her third and fourth visits to the grave that the greatest event in all history was revealed to her, that Jesus Christ was alive!

On Wednesday at dusk Mary and the other Mary (Matthew 27:61) saw Joseph of Arimathaea put Jesus' body in the sepulchre. They observed he had not done the ceremonial anointing (Joseph actually believed that Jesus' death was temporary) These women did not see Nicodemus actually do the ceremonial burying later, so it was in their minds that Jesus had not been properly taken care of. Thursday was a high holy day, a special sabbath, so they did nothing that day.  On Friday they bought and prepared spices for burial anointing. The next day was Saturday and it was the weekly sabbath and they rested that day until the end of the sabbath Saturday evening. (Hebrew days ended and started at sunset) On Mary's second visit to the sepulchre with the women carrying the ointments and the spices, they saw a guarded grave with a big stone rolled over the opening. The authorities were concerned that something might happen to the body and the tomb was heavily guarded.  They went home with their spices and ointments because they couldn't get into the sepulchre. This is the background before Mary's spectacular third visit to the tomb later, when it was dark (Sunday). 

On her third visit Mary went back alone (can you imagine what was in her mind?). The stone was rolled away and the body was gone! She then ran back to tell Peter. Peter and another disciple went to the grave (Mary followed - her 4th trip) Peter assessed the situation (stone rolled away, no body) and went home. Mary stayed and looked in and saw two angels and then turned around and saw Jesus  and he made himself known to her.  So Mary was the first to see evidence that Jesus had gotten up from the dead and the first to actually see him and talk to him.

Mark 16:9-11: 9Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils. 10And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept. 11And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not.

Peter had just been there along with the other disciple (whom Jesus loved), but it was Mary that first saw the risen Christ. Jesus Christ ministered to her heart. That was his first recorded act in his risen body to a human being.

Is there any question who it was that deceived Eve? Just look around at what seems to drive the systems of this world! Have you turned on the TV lately or read a newspaper? Hey it's not at all about horns, a pitchfork and a bright red suit.  It's about control.  God is about free will, that's why things are going on like they are. So do we just grin and bear it? Heavens no, we've been redeemed! We make a choice. I personally like God's logic better. God is our sufficiency, not the government, not pilates, nor the stock market or banks, not bunnies and colored eggs or chocolate fudge brownies.

Redemption is the act of freeing or a releasing deliverance. Jesus Christ by his own free will endured the cross so that all that was lost in Adam might be gained in the son of God.

Romans 4:21-26: But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely (without cost)by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

 We have been set free from our missteps and we have assurance of eternal life. Not bad.  I'd rather have that than Governmental Health Care.