Violence just isn't the way.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Friday, March 28, 2008
Things that Happen at Bethel (my Church home)
One the benefits of belonging to a Charismatic congregation is the practice and working of the charismata (spiritual gifts). Despite some of its abuses and silliness, it sure is great being in a community of believers who believe for practically just about anything and everything (nothing is off limits).
Three days ago Andrea and I made what I consider to be a big decision that I had really only shared with a handful of people. I can’t say that I was in fear of the decision but only a little nervous. Well, while at Bethel last night, I went to the front for prayer and this evangelist who previously didn’t know me, knew more than what he was supposed to know. As he was prophesying over me he talked about the areas of the decision I had made that were making me nervous and basically said that I had no reason to worry—God has it all under control.
If that sounds like an isolated incident, I will have to disagree (at least not at Bethel) for it happens every week. God is so good, and He has given us means by which we can edify, encourage, and unite the Body of Christ. I could share with you dozens upon dozens of prophetic testimonies but will have to settle with only one (which was given to someone else yesternight).
Last night there was a certain member of the congregation present who is a doctor by profession. This man is awesome, loves Jesus with all his heart, and loves to take the gospel across the world (specifically Nigeria). He also went up to the front last night for prayer and when the prophet/evangelist came up to him he began to talk about his hands (The hands of the doctor!) and began to say that God has used his hands to help people, to save lives, etc, etc. And then he began to say how God was going to use his hands to heal the sick in new ways. That he would lay his hands on the sick and they would be healed.
Much more was said that I can’t recall but I simply love to see how God affirms and encourages his children. God actually knows us. He knows what we do, where we work, and He knows the desires of our hearts.
Three days ago Andrea and I made what I consider to be a big decision that I had really only shared with a handful of people. I can’t say that I was in fear of the decision but only a little nervous. Well, while at Bethel last night, I went to the front for prayer and this evangelist who previously didn’t know me, knew more than what he was supposed to know. As he was prophesying over me he talked about the areas of the decision I had made that were making me nervous and basically said that I had no reason to worry—God has it all under control.
If that sounds like an isolated incident, I will have to disagree (at least not at Bethel) for it happens every week. God is so good, and He has given us means by which we can edify, encourage, and unite the Body of Christ. I could share with you dozens upon dozens of prophetic testimonies but will have to settle with only one (which was given to someone else yesternight).
Last night there was a certain member of the congregation present who is a doctor by profession. This man is awesome, loves Jesus with all his heart, and loves to take the gospel across the world (specifically Nigeria). He also went up to the front last night for prayer and when the prophet/evangelist came up to him he began to talk about his hands (The hands of the doctor!) and began to say that God has used his hands to help people, to save lives, etc, etc. And then he began to say how God was going to use his hands to heal the sick in new ways. That he would lay his hands on the sick and they would be healed.
Much more was said that I can’t recall but I simply love to see how God affirms and encourages his children. God actually knows us. He knows what we do, where we work, and He knows the desires of our hearts.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
A Mini Participation With God
There are three different “mini-sters” of God in the Bible: Angels, Governments, and Christians, and each has a different “mini-stry.” The reason for the “mini” is simply because both the “ster” and the “stry” are such a mini little tiny part of what mighty God is doing. In his own twisted way the devil also has a mini-weenie-stry.
Each agent has an authority, or a spoon, given to them by God that allows them to “ster” into the physical and spiritual things of this world that God be cooking.
The funny thing about some of us Christians though, is that at times we like to try and stick our spoon in the pot of the government or maybe the pot of the angels and help them stir. Silly Christians. By now we should know that we were never meant to stick our spoon in the pot of the government—it is just not our “stry.” Our ministry is of a different kind.
Sometimes the angels wish they could look into our pot to see what we are stirring (1 Peter 1:12) but they know better then to be sticking their spoon where no authority has been given to them. Perhaps we should learn from their example.
“Then the devil left Him and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.” Matthew 4:11
“Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God……..For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience sake. For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing.” Romans 13:1,4-6
“Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart.” 2 Cor. 4:1
“Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.” 2 Cor. 5:18
As Christians we need to resist, even as Jesus wisely did, the temptation of Satan to go sticking our spoon where no authority or mandate has been granted to us. Let us learn from Luke 4:5-8
“So he took Him up and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. The devil said to Him, ‘I will give you their splendor and all this authority, because it has been given over to me, and I can give it to anyone I want. If You, then, will worship me, all will be Yours.’ And Jesus answered him, ‘It is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.’”
If we want an answer as to “why do the nations rage, and the people plot in vain,” it is simply because the nations or kingdoms of this world are under the authority of Satan (the prince and power of the air). If we wish to change that fact, we must not think that the authority given to us by Jesus in Matthew 28:18-20 is something that is meant to be exercised from a position of worldly government.
“Then Jesus came near and said to them, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’”
Jesus clearly stated that his “kingdom is not of this world” because if it were, his “servants would fight.” If we are going to teach the people of the nations to observe everything that Jesus has commanded then we must teach them the simple truth that our fighting and wrestling is not with the physical principalities but with the spiritual. The spiritual existed long before the physical and something at me hints that it might be the more real of the two realities.
No matter how seductive the pot of government control might appear, let us stir our spoon where Christ has taught us to stir. For we have been given the ministry of love, peace, reconciliation, and much more.
Each agent has an authority, or a spoon, given to them by God that allows them to “ster” into the physical and spiritual things of this world that God be cooking.
The funny thing about some of us Christians though, is that at times we like to try and stick our spoon in the pot of the government or maybe the pot of the angels and help them stir. Silly Christians. By now we should know that we were never meant to stick our spoon in the pot of the government—it is just not our “stry.” Our ministry is of a different kind.
Sometimes the angels wish they could look into our pot to see what we are stirring (1 Peter 1:12) but they know better then to be sticking their spoon where no authority has been given to them. Perhaps we should learn from their example.
“Then the devil left Him and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.” Matthew 4:11
“Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God……..For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience sake. For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing.” Romans 13:1,4-6
“Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart.” 2 Cor. 4:1
“Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.” 2 Cor. 5:18
As Christians we need to resist, even as Jesus wisely did, the temptation of Satan to go sticking our spoon where no authority or mandate has been granted to us. Let us learn from Luke 4:5-8
“So he took Him up and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. The devil said to Him, ‘I will give you their splendor and all this authority, because it has been given over to me, and I can give it to anyone I want. If You, then, will worship me, all will be Yours.’ And Jesus answered him, ‘It is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.’”
If we want an answer as to “why do the nations rage, and the people plot in vain,” it is simply because the nations or kingdoms of this world are under the authority of Satan (the prince and power of the air). If we wish to change that fact, we must not think that the authority given to us by Jesus in Matthew 28:18-20 is something that is meant to be exercised from a position of worldly government.
“Then Jesus came near and said to them, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’”
Jesus clearly stated that his “kingdom is not of this world” because if it were, his “servants would fight.” If we are going to teach the people of the nations to observe everything that Jesus has commanded then we must teach them the simple truth that our fighting and wrestling is not with the physical principalities but with the spiritual. The spiritual existed long before the physical and something at me hints that it might be the more real of the two realities.
No matter how seductive the pot of government control might appear, let us stir our spoon where Christ has taught us to stir. For we have been given the ministry of love, peace, reconciliation, and much more.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
A Mormon Experience
While walking home from work yesterday, and singing the song “How Great is Our God” I was stopped by two Mormon missionaries. Elder Tucker from Arizona, and Elder Higgins from Utah (both are left handed). The irony about my little encounter with them yesterday was that the place at which we stopped to talk to each other was just about the exact same place that I met Mormon missionaries for the first time ever (which was only last semester). My first two Mormon missionary friends were Elder White (from Jamaica) and Elder Arguile (from Utah) who I was so excited to have met and to have come over to the apartment for conversation. Before they came, I had spent all day in prayer asking God to reveal to them the fullness of His Son, and was more than ready to contribute to that revelation in whatever way I could. But when they came, it was very clear that they also had an agenda. Thus we had a battle of agendas.
After my first meeting with Elders White and Arguile, I met with two other eager couples who were more than ready to convert me (and I them). But after the last couple, I knew that I wasn’t getting anywhere and decided to just chill for awhile and not meet with any of them. I needed to hear from God on how I should further communicate.
Not until yesterday, do I believe I heard from the Lord.
When Elder Tucker asked me if I had ever met some missionaries like them before, my answer was yes. He said that he didn’t believe it was irony that they had met me (he believed rightly), especially, since both of them are naturally non-confrontational and shy people (meaning they hadn’t had much luck talking to people). While he was telling me about everything they had been doing, my heart was moved with compassion to pray for them.
Before we said our goodbyes I asked if they would allow me to pray for/with them and they gladly accepted. Rather than praying that Christ would show them the truth, and wipe away all error from their lives, I simply prayed that He would bless, protect, and reveal to them every day the greatness of His love. I prayed the love of the Father and Son over their lives. I prayed that the revelation of God’s love would be so great upon their lives that they would be ruined for everything else. I prayed in love. And as I prayed in love I felt the Lord tell me that “this is right.”
Love will travel places where the intellect may not be able to go. Love is the better way to showing people who Jesus really is.
After my first meeting with Elders White and Arguile, I met with two other eager couples who were more than ready to convert me (and I them). But after the last couple, I knew that I wasn’t getting anywhere and decided to just chill for awhile and not meet with any of them. I needed to hear from God on how I should further communicate.
Not until yesterday, do I believe I heard from the Lord.
When Elder Tucker asked me if I had ever met some missionaries like them before, my answer was yes. He said that he didn’t believe it was irony that they had met me (he believed rightly), especially, since both of them are naturally non-confrontational and shy people (meaning they hadn’t had much luck talking to people). While he was telling me about everything they had been doing, my heart was moved with compassion to pray for them.
Before we said our goodbyes I asked if they would allow me to pray for/with them and they gladly accepted. Rather than praying that Christ would show them the truth, and wipe away all error from their lives, I simply prayed that He would bless, protect, and reveal to them every day the greatness of His love. I prayed the love of the Father and Son over their lives. I prayed that the revelation of God’s love would be so great upon their lives that they would be ruined for everything else. I prayed in love. And as I prayed in love I felt the Lord tell me that “this is right.”
Love will travel places where the intellect may not be able to go. Love is the better way to showing people who Jesus really is.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
How Important is Forgivness?
“If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained. John 20:23
It is very foolish to fear or resent the authority of the Church, for that authority is the basis on which she forgives our sins.
When he was asked why he became a Catholic, G. K. Chesterton, the great English writer, replied: “To get my sins forgiven.” Jesus came to earth for that purpose. “You shall call his name Jesus (Savior), for he will save his people from their sins” (Mt 1:21). And the Church, since she is his Body, continues his work. Therefore the Church’s purpose on earth is to extend through time and space this kingdom of forgiveness.
Not merely forgiveness, but Christ’s forgiveness. Forgiveness, like the Church herself, is wholly Christocentric.
How important is forgiveness? Eternally important! “Were there no forgiveness of sins in the Church, there would be no hope of life to come or eternal liberation. Let us thank God who has given his Church such a gift.” Catholic Christianity, Peter Kreeft
Catholicism has always interested me with all of its rituals, traditions, practices, mysteries, stories, and scandals. I thought that I knew all there was to know about Catholicism when growing up in Mexico but as I have been discovering over the past few years, I knew so little. The Catholicism that I grew up around is almost a completely different kind of Catholicism taught in America’s religious textbooks.
In my opinion, from my readings, Catholicism says a lot of things right, some things I am not sure about, and some/many things I believe they have gotten wrong. Protestants do the same thing.
Catholicism is religion practiced to perfection.
I have always disagreed with the practice of certified priests forgiving the sins of its people, and people feeling that that is the only way to be forgiven. But if they are not interpreting John 20:23 right, then how should we interpret it. I don’t really here much said about this verse and the practice of the Church forgiving sins within the Protestant movement.
We know that we do have personal access to Christ’s forgiveness, but can we take it as far as the Catholic Church has taken it? Is there a balance somewhere? It is the last paragraph of the quote that I really have beef with. What do you think?
It is very foolish to fear or resent the authority of the Church, for that authority is the basis on which she forgives our sins.
When he was asked why he became a Catholic, G. K. Chesterton, the great English writer, replied: “To get my sins forgiven.” Jesus came to earth for that purpose. “You shall call his name Jesus (Savior), for he will save his people from their sins” (Mt 1:21). And the Church, since she is his Body, continues his work. Therefore the Church’s purpose on earth is to extend through time and space this kingdom of forgiveness.
Not merely forgiveness, but Christ’s forgiveness. Forgiveness, like the Church herself, is wholly Christocentric.
How important is forgiveness? Eternally important! “Were there no forgiveness of sins in the Church, there would be no hope of life to come or eternal liberation. Let us thank God who has given his Church such a gift.” Catholic Christianity, Peter Kreeft
Catholicism has always interested me with all of its rituals, traditions, practices, mysteries, stories, and scandals. I thought that I knew all there was to know about Catholicism when growing up in Mexico but as I have been discovering over the past few years, I knew so little. The Catholicism that I grew up around is almost a completely different kind of Catholicism taught in America’s religious textbooks.
In my opinion, from my readings, Catholicism says a lot of things right, some things I am not sure about, and some/many things I believe they have gotten wrong. Protestants do the same thing.
Catholicism is religion practiced to perfection.
I have always disagreed with the practice of certified priests forgiving the sins of its people, and people feeling that that is the only way to be forgiven. But if they are not interpreting John 20:23 right, then how should we interpret it. I don’t really here much said about this verse and the practice of the Church forgiving sins within the Protestant movement.
We know that we do have personal access to Christ’s forgiveness, but can we take it as far as the Catholic Church has taken it? Is there a balance somewhere? It is the last paragraph of the quote that I really have beef with. What do you think?
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Solo Love
For some time now, Holy Spirit has been filling my heart and mind with the revelations of God’s irresistible great love. And everything in my life is being turned upside down with the understanding that God loves me. That He really, really, really loves me. I can tell you about it, but for you to truly know what I mean you must experience it. Even now, His love fills my heart and all I can do is smile. I am loved—deeply loved. And I feel His love. I know His love. How great it is to be accepted, to be loved, and to be held in the beloved.
A great passion of my life is to write, and though, I don’t get to spend anywhere near the amount of time writing that I would like I am beginning to do it more and more. My reason for sharing this is because I want to write books. And I feel that this desire within me is right. I feel and I know that I must write. With that said, I say the following.
I want to write a book, essay, something, about the great love of my God and the role that love plays within our lives.
The title that has been coming to me over and over again (for several months) is something along the lines of Solo Love, which is a play on the cry of the protestant reformation “solo fide” (only faith).
I have often felt that what is sometimes lost in the great debate of works vs. faith is love. I am of the opinion that faith outside of love is fake and false, and works done not in love are illegitimate.
1 Corinthians 13:2-3 says it best, “And though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow (works) all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.”
True saving faith cannot grow but in the love of Christ. If we interpret faith as a kind of trust then surely we would all agree that trust is only nurtured in relationship—specifically in a relationship/friendship of love. Our relationship/friendship with God is one that rests on Him having made the first move. That first move was and is always a move of love whereby our faith is given ground upon which to stand. As I see it, true faith must stand upon the love of Christ.
Concerning works, Ephesians 2:10 states, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”
Only in Christ do “good works” become a living possibility.
I am convinced that our modern concept of “work” is hugely redefined in the light of God’s love. Love has a way of turning concepts upon their heads. Take for example what happens when a man falls in love with a woman (or vice versa), and because his heart is filled with love, what would normally be a task or difficult becomes easy, even pleasurable.
As originally intended, work was never meant to be a task or painful, (that happened with the fall) but work was meant to be good and something we take pleasure in. And I am convinced that this is what happens in Christ—who becomes our Peace.
Something that I have heard my brother Ryan Couch say is that “lovers will always outwork slaves.” How very true.
In a debate over faith and works I heard it said that “real faith works.” I think that more specifically, “real faith works in love.”
Now, one of the great things about the Love of God is that it is simply not a pretty little metaphysical concept floating around in the world but it is a historical fact. Love incarnated human flesh and dwelt among us. If we want to know what love is, it is found and seen in the life of Christ. Christ is our definition of love. Oh, what great and awesome love.
In Christ the definition for love is taken out of the shadows and embodies a tangible and empirical reality. To define love outside of Christ is to speak in relative terms without any possibility of finding an absolute. Outside of Christ love becomes like the wind whereby its affects are surely felt but its real source and substance are never truly obtained.
When a Christian speaks of love he speaks of a very different kind of love then that of which modern cultures and subsequent religions speak. For the love of which scripture speaks is a love that is defined in Christ, and Christ alone.
Love is the better way because Christ is the best way-the only way.
A great passion of my life is to write, and though, I don’t get to spend anywhere near the amount of time writing that I would like I am beginning to do it more and more. My reason for sharing this is because I want to write books. And I feel that this desire within me is right. I feel and I know that I must write. With that said, I say the following.
I want to write a book, essay, something, about the great love of my God and the role that love plays within our lives.
The title that has been coming to me over and over again (for several months) is something along the lines of Solo Love, which is a play on the cry of the protestant reformation “solo fide” (only faith).
I have often felt that what is sometimes lost in the great debate of works vs. faith is love. I am of the opinion that faith outside of love is fake and false, and works done not in love are illegitimate.
1 Corinthians 13:2-3 says it best, “And though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow (works) all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.”
True saving faith cannot grow but in the love of Christ. If we interpret faith as a kind of trust then surely we would all agree that trust is only nurtured in relationship—specifically in a relationship/friendship of love. Our relationship/friendship with God is one that rests on Him having made the first move. That first move was and is always a move of love whereby our faith is given ground upon which to stand. As I see it, true faith must stand upon the love of Christ.
Concerning works, Ephesians 2:10 states, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”
Only in Christ do “good works” become a living possibility.
I am convinced that our modern concept of “work” is hugely redefined in the light of God’s love. Love has a way of turning concepts upon their heads. Take for example what happens when a man falls in love with a woman (or vice versa), and because his heart is filled with love, what would normally be a task or difficult becomes easy, even pleasurable.
As originally intended, work was never meant to be a task or painful, (that happened with the fall) but work was meant to be good and something we take pleasure in. And I am convinced that this is what happens in Christ—who becomes our Peace.
Something that I have heard my brother Ryan Couch say is that “lovers will always outwork slaves.” How very true.
In a debate over faith and works I heard it said that “real faith works.” I think that more specifically, “real faith works in love.”
Now, one of the great things about the Love of God is that it is simply not a pretty little metaphysical concept floating around in the world but it is a historical fact. Love incarnated human flesh and dwelt among us. If we want to know what love is, it is found and seen in the life of Christ. Christ is our definition of love. Oh, what great and awesome love.
In Christ the definition for love is taken out of the shadows and embodies a tangible and empirical reality. To define love outside of Christ is to speak in relative terms without any possibility of finding an absolute. Outside of Christ love becomes like the wind whereby its affects are surely felt but its real source and substance are never truly obtained.
When a Christian speaks of love he speaks of a very different kind of love then that of which modern cultures and subsequent religions speak. For the love of which scripture speaks is a love that is defined in Christ, and Christ alone.
Love is the better way because Christ is the best way-the only way.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
The Story of a Homeless Man
John Lubanski, Robert Reynoso, and my beautiful wife and I had the privilege of hosting this Wednesday a service on the corner of Montrose and Westheimer in Houston. It is a place where a bunch of homeless people, prostitutes, gang members, etc. all come out to be fed both the physical and spiritual bread of life. It was great being out there and getting to pray with, talk to, and hug some of the people that came.
It was a real treat getting to see Brett whom I had met on my last visit to the outreach. He remembered who I was and said that I had been the first to ever tell him that supernatural/existential visitations with the spiritual world were even possible. The first time I met Brett was during an altar call back in November. I probably spent about an hour and a half talking and listening to him share with me his life story, including how he ended up on the streets.
Brett had been an art graduate from a university up in New York where he met and married the love of his life who graduated from NYU with a doctorate. To make a long story short, they ended up moving down to Houston and during they’re time there things got rocky in their marriage. And thus they divorced against his will. The divorce sent him to drinking and for a whole year he said he was drunk every day. Sometime, during that first year of drinking he said that he began to see things while wide awake. I am not sure how awake you can be while drunk but I will take his word for it. These so called “things” he said he was seeing were sings, banners, and angles that would tell him that Jesus was Savior, King, etc. The most interesting, in my opinion, were the banners that had written across them something to the affect of “Jesus is Savior” and the banners would also sing it.
During his period of drinking he ended up moving in with his grandmother (because he had quit his job and couldn’t pay the bills) and when he told her and the rest of his family about the visions they all thought he was crazy. He said that he was raised agnostic and thus all the vision stuff was totally foreign to both him and his family. And so with a heart drowning in grief, his body full of alcohol, a boat-load of debt, and his family calling him crazy for having all these visions and him not know what it all meant, he ended up moving to the streets where he has continued his drinking but is now finding answers to his visions.
Brett is not your typical homeless guy. He is smart, witty, funny, and usually knows what he is talking about. Brett now understands that there is a God who loves him and who loves him so much that He sent His only son (Jesus Christ) to save his life. He knows that Jesus is the way, but as he told me last night, he has just not been able to give up the bottle and choose that way—at least not yet. For all who may read this I ask you to please pray for Brett. Perhaps the streets of Houston will be his sycamore tree where, like Zacchaeus, he will be able to see Jesus and respond to His invitation. Pray that he will find his home in Christ.
It was a real treat getting to see Brett whom I had met on my last visit to the outreach. He remembered who I was and said that I had been the first to ever tell him that supernatural/existential visitations with the spiritual world were even possible. The first time I met Brett was during an altar call back in November. I probably spent about an hour and a half talking and listening to him share with me his life story, including how he ended up on the streets.
Brett had been an art graduate from a university up in New York where he met and married the love of his life who graduated from NYU with a doctorate. To make a long story short, they ended up moving down to Houston and during they’re time there things got rocky in their marriage. And thus they divorced against his will. The divorce sent him to drinking and for a whole year he said he was drunk every day. Sometime, during that first year of drinking he said that he began to see things while wide awake. I am not sure how awake you can be while drunk but I will take his word for it. These so called “things” he said he was seeing were sings, banners, and angles that would tell him that Jesus was Savior, King, etc. The most interesting, in my opinion, were the banners that had written across them something to the affect of “Jesus is Savior” and the banners would also sing it.
During his period of drinking he ended up moving in with his grandmother (because he had quit his job and couldn’t pay the bills) and when he told her and the rest of his family about the visions they all thought he was crazy. He said that he was raised agnostic and thus all the vision stuff was totally foreign to both him and his family. And so with a heart drowning in grief, his body full of alcohol, a boat-load of debt, and his family calling him crazy for having all these visions and him not know what it all meant, he ended up moving to the streets where he has continued his drinking but is now finding answers to his visions.
Brett is not your typical homeless guy. He is smart, witty, funny, and usually knows what he is talking about. Brett now understands that there is a God who loves him and who loves him so much that He sent His only son (Jesus Christ) to save his life. He knows that Jesus is the way, but as he told me last night, he has just not been able to give up the bottle and choose that way—at least not yet. For all who may read this I ask you to please pray for Brett. Perhaps the streets of Houston will be his sycamore tree where, like Zacchaeus, he will be able to see Jesus and respond to His invitation. Pray that he will find his home in Christ.
Sunday, March 2, 2008
May Our Eyes be Enlightened
Read Carefully
Ephesians 1:15-23
15 Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16 do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, 18 the eyes of your understanding[a] being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power 20 which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. 22 And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.
“may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him.”
Why is it important for us to have wisdom and revelation? Because the natural mind does not receive the truths of God “naturally.” We need divine wisdom and divine revelation in order to receive the truth of God’s Word.
Information must undergo a process of revelation in order for there to be a holy transformation. What do I mean? Having tons of information: facts, events, dates, numbers, names, locations, philosophies, and theologies, etc doesn’t compel us or move us to the things of God. It is only when the Holy Spirit takes that information and reveals the truth behind it to our hearts and minds that we are able to respond to it. Thus what we need is not more information but greater amounts of revelation for us to truly begin to see transformation. Lord, give to us the spirit of revelation.
If we want the “true” knowledge of Jesus let us begin to pray for wisdom and revelation. There is no other knowledge more important to us than this-the knowledge of Christ. It will not be obtained by the reading of many books or the hearing of many sermons, but only through the revelation of the Holy Spirit—who was sent to lead and guide us into all truth. I might also add that wisdom and revelation don’t come through wishful thinking but through wrestling with God in prayer, meditation, and the reading of the Holy Scriptures.
“The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know..”
What is being said here cannot be said enough. It is of extreme importance that we stop, read carefully, and listen intently. If you can hear, feel, taste, see, and touch what Paul is saying in these verses you are going to be revolutionized from the inside out. Paul is praying that the eyes of their understanding might be enlightened, so that they may know. We might be Christians, but yet still be as blind as a bat concerning the truths of God. Spiritual blindness is the will of the devil. If he can’t undo what Christ did on the Cross for us then he will put all of hell’s legions to work in trying to keep you from being able to see what it was He did. And not only will satan work at keeping us blind, but our spiritual apathy and laziness will likewise blind us. For if we choose not to feed off of the Bread of life through prayer and the reading of the Word then we will soon discover that our spiritual senses begin to starve, weaken, and fatigue.
Paul is praying that the eyes of their understanding might be enlightened so that they may know.
Know What?
The hope of His calling.
The riches of the glory of His inheritance for the saints (that is us).
The exceeding greatness of His power.
What Paul is praying here is for the eyes of the Ephesians to be enlightened toward three things: The hope, the riches, and the power of Christ.
I am of the opinion that if the early Church in Ephesus needed the revelation of these three things back in their time, then how much more do we need this revelation today. Brothers and sisters, we need it like never before. It will mess us up for the glory of God.
And the same power that Paul was praying for them to know, he says, is also the same power that raised Christ from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places.
“which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.”
Christ, our King of kings has been seated at the right hand of the Father (catch the Trinitarian language) in the heavenly places. The same heavenly places of which Paul speaks about in Ephesians 1:3—“who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.”
And in these heavenly places Christ has been seated “Far Above” allll…
All What?
“All principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.”
Do you see what this is saying! Christ has been seated above every single power, force, and authority there is. He has been seated over every name that is named. Just trust me when I say this “there are a lot of names out there.” And Christ is seated above them all. He is seated above death, sin, cancer, aids, racism, war, hurt—all of it. All of it must answer and bow down before the King of kings.
He is seated above the big and the small. You name it, and He is seated above it.
“And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.”
And all things were put under His feet.
How many things? All things!
Where? Under His FEET.
“and gave Him to be head over all things to the church. Which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.”
So if “all things” were put under the feet of Christ and if we are the body of Christ then does that mean that all things were put under the feet of the body of Christ? I dare say yes.
“Which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.”
Christ fills His body with his presence and power!!
We, the Body of Christ must “walk out” the will, power, and authority of Christ. On the cross Christ maid the decision/sacrificial act to conquer sin, death, sickness, depression, etc. And we the Church need to have the eyes of our understanding opened so that we might know the hope, inheritance, and power of Christ—to know all that was accomplished on the cross for us—to know all the privileges and blessings given to us on the cross. And only after having our eyes opened to this new knowledge will we be able to walk in it and walk it out.
When thinking about the body, we typically think of the head as being the place where decisions to will, act, and respond are made. Christ our Head made some pretty powerful decisions on the cross that He is desiring to work out, or walk out through His Body. But, because of our impoverished vision, most of us in the Body, have no real genuine knowledge of what Christ did on the cross and thus have contributed to a paralyzing of the Body. We all need a greater vision.
I end here but the revelation continues forever.
15 Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16 do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, 18 the eyes of your understanding[a] being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power 20 which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. 22 And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.
“may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him.”
Why is it important for us to have wisdom and revelation? Because the natural mind does not receive the truths of God “naturally.” We need divine wisdom and divine revelation in order to receive the truth of God’s Word.
Information must undergo a process of revelation in order for there to be a holy transformation. What do I mean? Having tons of information: facts, events, dates, numbers, names, locations, philosophies, and theologies, etc doesn’t compel us or move us to the things of God. It is only when the Holy Spirit takes that information and reveals the truth behind it to our hearts and minds that we are able to respond to it. Thus what we need is not more information but greater amounts of revelation for us to truly begin to see transformation. Lord, give to us the spirit of revelation.
If we want the “true” knowledge of Jesus let us begin to pray for wisdom and revelation. There is no other knowledge more important to us than this-the knowledge of Christ. It will not be obtained by the reading of many books or the hearing of many sermons, but only through the revelation of the Holy Spirit—who was sent to lead and guide us into all truth. I might also add that wisdom and revelation don’t come through wishful thinking but through wrestling with God in prayer, meditation, and the reading of the Holy Scriptures.
“The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know..”
What is being said here cannot be said enough. It is of extreme importance that we stop, read carefully, and listen intently. If you can hear, feel, taste, see, and touch what Paul is saying in these verses you are going to be revolutionized from the inside out. Paul is praying that the eyes of their understanding might be enlightened, so that they may know. We might be Christians, but yet still be as blind as a bat concerning the truths of God. Spiritual blindness is the will of the devil. If he can’t undo what Christ did on the Cross for us then he will put all of hell’s legions to work in trying to keep you from being able to see what it was He did. And not only will satan work at keeping us blind, but our spiritual apathy and laziness will likewise blind us. For if we choose not to feed off of the Bread of life through prayer and the reading of the Word then we will soon discover that our spiritual senses begin to starve, weaken, and fatigue.
Paul is praying that the eyes of their understanding might be enlightened so that they may know.
Know What?
The hope of His calling.
The riches of the glory of His inheritance for the saints (that is us).
The exceeding greatness of His power.
What Paul is praying here is for the eyes of the Ephesians to be enlightened toward three things: The hope, the riches, and the power of Christ.
I am of the opinion that if the early Church in Ephesus needed the revelation of these three things back in their time, then how much more do we need this revelation today. Brothers and sisters, we need it like never before. It will mess us up for the glory of God.
And the same power that Paul was praying for them to know, he says, is also the same power that raised Christ from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places.
“which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.”
Christ, our King of kings has been seated at the right hand of the Father (catch the Trinitarian language) in the heavenly places. The same heavenly places of which Paul speaks about in Ephesians 1:3—“who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.”
And in these heavenly places Christ has been seated “Far Above” allll…
All What?
“All principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.”
Do you see what this is saying! Christ has been seated above every single power, force, and authority there is. He has been seated over every name that is named. Just trust me when I say this “there are a lot of names out there.” And Christ is seated above them all. He is seated above death, sin, cancer, aids, racism, war, hurt—all of it. All of it must answer and bow down before the King of kings.
He is seated above the big and the small. You name it, and He is seated above it.
“And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.”
And all things were put under His feet.
How many things? All things!
Where? Under His FEET.
“and gave Him to be head over all things to the church. Which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.”
So if “all things” were put under the feet of Christ and if we are the body of Christ then does that mean that all things were put under the feet of the body of Christ? I dare say yes.
“Which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.”
Christ fills His body with his presence and power!!
We, the Body of Christ must “walk out” the will, power, and authority of Christ. On the cross Christ maid the decision/sacrificial act to conquer sin, death, sickness, depression, etc. And we the Church need to have the eyes of our understanding opened so that we might know the hope, inheritance, and power of Christ—to know all that was accomplished on the cross for us—to know all the privileges and blessings given to us on the cross. And only after having our eyes opened to this new knowledge will we be able to walk in it and walk it out.
When thinking about the body, we typically think of the head as being the place where decisions to will, act, and respond are made. Christ our Head made some pretty powerful decisions on the cross that He is desiring to work out, or walk out through His Body. But, because of our impoverished vision, most of us in the Body, have no real genuine knowledge of what Christ did on the cross and thus have contributed to a paralyzing of the Body. We all need a greater vision.
I end here but the revelation continues forever.
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