A Watching World

And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, 'Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?'--which means, 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?' When some of those standing near heard this, they said, 'Listen, he's calling Elijah.' One man ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink. 'Now leave him alone.
Let's see if Elijah comes to take him down,' he said. With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last. The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, heard his cry and saw how he died, he said, 'Surely this man was the Son of God!' Mark 15:34-39 NIV

I am awestruck and touched by the centurion who watched Jesus died and was converted. My own Grandfather accepted Christ on the day he passed. Before taking his last breath, he sat up in bed -- previously without his own strength since his body was overcome with cancer -- reached out his hand and said "Lord". Then he took his last breathe. Although I was already a Christian, I was absolutely humbled by his death. I knew he was found worthy by the Lord, our Savior, as He came for him. This centurion knew by watching Jesus' death that this was different from
what he had witnessed before. Will we be found different by a watching world? Are we living a life set apart? We are to live in the world without becoming part of the world. We are called to be set apart, even when it means we feel alone. To turn away from the norms of the world for the arms of our Savior so in the end of running our race, we too
will taste the victory, to be home at last so that even through our death, others will see God, the Father's glory. In those last moments when all of our sins were heaped upon Jesus and the Father turned away from the sin, Jesus knew that although He felt alone, He was not. If you're struggling, in the quietness of your soul, cry out to Him who
knows your struggles. Our race is like the child when they see you and start running towards you with their eyes open wide - He's running - where are you going? He'll be by your side these arms that are holding you.

Redemption

Prior to Jesus' coming, many had turned their hearts away from the Lord Jesus Christ. Others were looking towards the law passed down by God, trying to live rightly and continually falling short and thereby feeling discouraged or frustrated. There is a reason. To fall short of the law, is to experience the curse which is God's ultimate condemnation and His wrath.

But there is good news!!

God so loved us, in all of our sin and imperfections, that he sent His son, his only BELOVED son to die for you and me. Not because we were worthy but because we were loved. Jesus came to earth to feel what we feel, see the world He spoke into existence through our eyes, to relate to us on our level. God always meets us where we are, just as we are.

One day out of the year, the Jewish nation celebrate Yom Kippur, the day of Atonement as stated in Leviticus 16:29-34. On this one day out of the year, the sins against God, not against other people, are reconciled for the past year. On this one day, the traditional dress is to wear white symbolizing purity and calls to mind the promise that our sins will be made as white as snow as spoken in Isaiah 1:18.

Jesus Christ came to so that we, Gentiles and Jews, would be reconciled to God every day. God desires a relationship with you and with me! The law that was crushing down on us - Jesus covered us and took upon His flesh all of God's wrath. Galatians 3:10 says "All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law."" To do everything in the Book of the Law was impossible for man so Jesus became the incarnate law when he was up on the cross. He did this so it would be full filled and we would be saved from God's wrath, the curse. This was what Jesus spoke when He said, "It is finished." We who were living in the world were bought out of the world through the blood of Jesus Christ. When Jesus went on that cross, voluntarily for no fault of His own, He became the worst murderer, the worst liar, the worth thief the world has ever known. He did this to atone for all the sins of the world so that we could have relationship with the one that created us, who knows us so personally, and who loves us completely.

But how do we believe that this was for us? Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because "The righteous will live by faith." The law is not based on faith. Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us [by covering us]. He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Giles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit. To redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. Because you are sons [and daughters], God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts [the Holy Spirit], the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father." So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir. [Galatians 3:11-14, 4:5-7]

And so it is, dear ones, that we are made free by Christ Jesus' sacrifice. We live by Faith. We express our freedom in Christ Jesus through our Faith. We build our faith by relationship.

David and Goliath

David, the youngest son of Jesse, was a sheep herder or shepherd. Jesse [David's father] replied "There is still the youngest, who is tending the sheep." David is described as "ruddy, a youth handsome to behold and making a splendid appearance." Samuel anoints David in his youth to be King "and from that day on, the spirit of the Lord rushed upon David." We get this early glimpse of David in 1 Samuel 16:11-13.

In verse 18 David is described by others in the community: "A servant spoke up to say: 'I have observed that one of the sons of Jesse of Bethlehem is a skillful harpist. He is also a stalwart soldier besides being an able speaker, and handsome. Moreover, the Lord is with him.'" The Psalms were written by David, many from playing his harp, which reflecting an intimate relationship with the Lord our God.

In verse 21, David was made an armor bearer. Webster defines an armor bearer as "a person who carried the armor or weapons of a warrior." Another website defines an Armor Bearer as someone having a servant's heart:

• is a servant, anointed by God to serve a leader of the Kingdom of God.
• is called to walk with his leader, assisting in any way necessary, to cause his leaders "God Given Vision" to come to pass.
• will intercede for the leader and his family declaring victory on every battlefront.
• stands between his leader and danger both in the spirit and in the natural.
• is humble, faithful, trustworthy and loyal.

Not only did David serve his father as a shepherd, he also served Saul, the current King of Israel. In verse 23 "Whenever the spirit from God seized Saul, David would take the harp and play and Saul would be relieved and feel better, for the evil spirit would leave him." This is also good advice for us to rid the devil when he begins his attacks -- to focus on the Lord and listen to that music which brings the Lord our God glory.

Now Goliath was the prize giant of the Philistine army whose height was six cubits and a span. The NIV converts this measurement to over nine feet tall (1 Samuel 17:4). He challenged the Israelite army for forty days:
In verse 26, David hears Goliath's taunting for the first time and asks the men standing near him, "What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?" An uncircumcised man represented a man who was not under God's covenant.

David goes down to the camp and hears the taunting of Goliath for the first time. The camp is discussing the situation. David asks the men at the camp about the situation and the reward for the family of the one who defends Israel. Some of the men hear David speaking and relay this information to Saul who calls upon David where David acknowledges that he will fight the Philistine. I'm glad that David did not just rush out to fight the Philistine because it gives us a great view into David's faith. David tells Saul that "When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, 35 I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. 36 Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. 37 The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine." David and the living God have history together, they have experiences and therefore a relationship. David draws on these experiences in his own life, knowing that the Lord has delivered him and will continue to be with him. His experiences, or relationship, with the Lord have allowed him to stand on faith that he, and consequently Israel, will be delivered him from the Philistine army.

Saul sends him out, first trying to dress him in armour in verses 38-39. David tries it on but quickly takes it off as it was uncomfortable. When we try to fit the calling of God into our own understanding, it is uncomfortable.

David grabbed five smooth stones and went to meet Goliath with his slingshot and his Shepherd's staff in hand. Goliath is shocked too see this young warrior. The world often is shocked to see who God calls, surprised by the packaging. David says in confidence to Goliath, 45Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. 46This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. 47And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD's, and he will give you into our hands. "

David took one stone from his shepherd's bag and sent it flying from his slingshot into Goliath's head. This one stone killed Goliath and David did take his head. Afterwards, the Philistine army fled in terror. The Israelite army overtook an defeated them just as David said.

Isn't it wonderful how one person's relationship with the Lord can produce a faith that can save a whole nation? Not through the understanding of the world but instead by being just who God created us to be? We are not clay to fit into a mold. Instead, God crafts the clay to be its own creation to fulfill a purpose He designs for a specific time and place.

Jehovah Nissi

What does it mean that Moses called an altar Jehovah Nissi in Exodus 17:15?

Jehovah Nissi means "The Lord is my Banner"

The Amalekites came to attack the Israelites while they were wandering in the desert. Moses remembered what God had already done for them. While Joshua gathered an army to fight the Amalekites, Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill with the staff of God in Moses' hands. Moses raised his hands in FAITH to extend them to the throne of God knowing in his heart all the promises of God. That He goes before the Israelites, He goes behind and He is among them by Faith. While Moses raised his hands in faith, the Israelites would win. When Moses became weary and he lowered his hands, the Amalekites would win. So… to keep Moses' from being weary, Aaron and Hur physically uplifted Moses and kept his arms raised. At the end of the day, the Israelites won the battle.

The altar was built afterwards by Moses to remind himself and the Israelites that the act of FAITH fought and won the battle. It is a claim that when we reach up in faith, we too hold to the promises God has for us in our lives and He fights our enemies for us. God goes before us to win the battle. What do you do to remind yourself what the Lord has done for your life? As you look back and recall what you have come through and see where you are today, you must know you were not alone, that it was not by your strength or skill that you are where you are. By Faith we can cry out Jehovah Nissi because God made good on what he said. That while we were lost, we did not perish but have overcome through the act of faith by claiming the promises of God in our lives. I have been brought through and will continue to rely on this faith.

And where has God called you today? Are you called to lift up others? Are you to needing to raise up your hands in faith, saying AMEN to all that God does for us? Are you on the front lines to uphold the Lord our God? Our perhaps God is asking you to build an altar in your life to recall all He has done for you? Where ever you are, my brothers and sisters in Christ, I know you are not alone, that it is our Faith in action that allows us to triumph over the enemy.

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist [knowing who we are in Christ, our relationship with Him, is what holds us up], with the breastplate of righteousness in place [our hearts and lives in alignment with His will], and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace [knowing the words of God in our hearts and minds where they can be recalled quickly]. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occassions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always praying for all the saints [this is us dear ones]." Ephesians 6:10-18, italics added

God's Refuge

If you feel alone and not able to fit in with those around you, I bring you peace and hope for your heart. You are truly not alone! A soujourner is a resident alien in a foreign land. Jesus said we are to live in the world, but not be part of the world. This place we live in is not our home. We have something better waiting for us!

I have been told repeatedly this week that if God tells you something more than once, stop and listen because He is really trying to tell you something. I want to share this with you.

In Exodus chapter 20, God gives us the law through the ten commandments. Perhaps being a soujourner makes it difficult for you to feel the Joy of the Lord? Exodus 20:21 says "The people remained at a distance, while Moses approached the thick darkness where God was." God was in the thick darkness! Do not fear the darkness in your life for He is there.

In Exodus Chapter 21, God gives us Grace, directly following the law. He says in 21:12-13: "Anyone who strikes a man and kills him shall surely be put to death. However, if he does not do it intentionally, but God lets it happen, he is to flee to a place I will designate." I have unintentionally harmed others through my words and sometimes my deeds. God has promised a place for us to find refuge.

In Numbers 35: 6-21, God provides six cities of refuge to anyone who unintentionally kills someone. Six represents man; it is the picture of humanity. The key to this is it cannot be premeditated harm to another.

In Joshua 20, God tells Joshua again to designate the cities of refuge. This time they are named by God - cities to be set apart - places we can run to in times of trouble. In order, the six cities are:

• Kedesh in Galilee - translates to Sanctuary.
• Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim - translates to shoulder. To whom do we get comfort when we cry?
• Hebron in Kiraith Arba in the hill country of Judah - translates to fellowship or communion.
• Bezer on the east side of Jordan of Jericho - translates to a fortified place or a strong hold.
• Ramoth in Gilead - translates to Height. A city on a hill.
• Golan in Bashan - translates to joy or exhultation.

Do you have a complete picture of what God was and continues to give us? Through His Grace we have a place to find refuge. Through grace, we have not just a place but a person to run to. To whom do you seek? To where do you run? Are you choosing to live in the law or under Grace?

God be with you as you go through the week!

All blessings come from God

Job said, "God giveth and God taketh away."

Many times the Israelites came against the Philistines and their armies. Tony Evans says the Philistines represent oppression -- anything in our lives whether it is a issue or situation which keeps coming back and rearing its ugly head in our lives. Why are we not overcoming?

God tells the Israelites [and us] to first remove the Baal altar and the Ashtoreth poles (sometimes translated in the Bible as sacred poles or groves). These two false gods represent fertility and blessings. The pole in particular was considered a blessing pole. Have we removed our blessing pole or are we relying on God?

God is a jealous and righthly so. He does not want something else to take His place in our hearts. Rely on the blessings that come from these false securities. Or, reach out in faith, tear these false securities down and rely on the one true God to direct our paths and overcome.

Once we do this, we too will start facing these challenges running towards the enemy -- the oppression, the obstacle -- secure in the knowledge that this fight belongs to God because we belong to God. He is our God and we are His people. Stand secure praising God and saying in faith that the Lord God will defend His name and His people for His glory. Then watch how the Philistine army will run!

The Trinity

This morning I woke up and God revealed to me more of this passage and wanted me to share it with you before I left today and before anyone read this message. I'm so glad that He did.

In the beginning, God created our souls in Chapter 1:26-28. This is how we are all numbered, all thought of before the beginning of time.

Then, He created our flesh, or humanity. We are clay, works in progress, mean to be molded and shaped. We are clay in the potter's hands.

Then, He breathed His spirit into us. He did this so that we may live and have life abundantly.
He did all of this before giving man a name. It is not until after all of this takes place that we see the man has a name -- Adam -- lest we think that all of this was unique to him. No my brothers and sisters, this is for all of us. God in all of His infinite wisdom and efficiency has shown us here His plan from the beginning for all of us. God the Father then sent the Son. The Son sent the Holy Spirit so that we may have life abundantly in Him again, after the fall. God knew and has always known us.

Isn't that beautiful?

Be blessed!

Alleluia

Who is worthy of being praised in your life? Is someone striving for perfection? It is one thing to want to be worthy in God's eyes of the sacrifices we give Him. It is quite another to strive to be perfect in man's eyes, also earthen vessels meant to be broken. Jesus covered our imperfections when He took our place. So are you running from or to something? The victory in your life is already won, brothers and sisters in Christ!! Hold your banner high declaring "the leader of your band." Just make sure it's the right leader. Once we rely on the Lord instead of our own understanding, we will begin to see the Lord truly work miracles in our lives. Ready your hearts in praise for He that truly deserves all Honor, all Praise, all Glory! For the Joy of the Lord is our Strength!
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I am lifted up above the enemies that surround me. I offer sacrifices of joy. I sing and make music to the Lord. (Psalm 27:6)

God’s goodness is so great! He has stored up great blessings for me because I honor Him. While everyone watches, He pours them out on me. He hides me in the shelter of His presence. He protects me from those that conspire against me and falsely accuse me. Praise the Lord! He shows me his wonderful love. He keeps me safe when I am under attack. When I pray, He hears me and rescues me. I Love the Lord and I am loyal to Him and He protects me. I am strong and courageous because my hope is in the Lord!

(Psalm 31:19-24)

I sing and make music to the Lord. He deserves my praise. I praise Him in song and with musical instruments. The Word of the Lord is true. He can always be trusted. His unfailing love surrounds me!

(Psalm 33:1-5)

I put my hope in my Savior and my God. I will always praise Him.

(Psalm 42:11)

I sacrifice praise to God and keep my promises to Him. I call upon Him when I am in trouble. He delivers me and I praise Him.

(Psalm 50:14-15)

I praise God’s promises! I trust Him and I am not afraid. No one can harm me.

(Psalm 56:4, 10-11)

I trust in the Lord. He surrounds me now and forevermore.

(Psalm 125:1-2)

I go out in joy and I am led in peace. The hills burst into song before me and the trees clap their hands.

(Isaiah 55:12)

I live my life worthy of the Gospel of Christ. I stand firm in the Spirit and work with one mind for the faith of the Gospel. I am not intimidated or afraid of my adversaries. This is proof of their destruction and my salvation from God.

(Philippians 1:27-28)

The peace of God guards my heart and mind.

(Philippians 4:19)

Atonement

Prior to Jesus' coming, many had turned their hearts away from the Lord Jesus Christ. Others were looking towards the law passed down by God, trying to live rightly and continually falling short and thereby feeling discouraged or frustrated. There is a reason. To fall short of the law, is to experience the curse which is God's ultimate condemnation and His wrath.
But there is good news!!

God so loved us, in all of our sin and imperfections, that he sent His son, his only BELOVED son to die for you and me. Not because we were worthy but because we were loved. Jesus came to earth to feel what we feel, see the world He spoke into existence through our eyes, to relate to us on our level. God always meets us where we are, just as we are.

One day out of the year, the Jewish nation celebrate Yom Kippur, the day of Atonement as stated in Leviticus 16:29-34. On this one day out of the year, the sins against God, not against other people, are reconciled for the past year. On this one day, the traditional dress is to wear white symbolizing purity and calls to mind the promise that our sins will be made as white as snow as spoken in Isaiah 1:18.

Jesus Christ came to so that we, Gentiles and Jews, would be reconciled to God every day. God desires a relationship with you and with me! The law that was crushing down on us - Jesus covered us and took upon His flesh all of God's wrath. Galatians 3:10 says "All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law."" To do everything in the Book of the Law was impossible for man so Jesus became the incarnate law when he was up on the cross. He did this so it would be full filled and we would be saved from God's wrath, the curse. This was what Jesus spoke when He said, "It is finished." We who were living in the world were bought out of the world through the blood of Jesus Christ. When Jesus went on that cross, voluntarily for no fault of His own, He became the worst murderer, the worst liar, the worth thief the world has ever known. He did this to atone for all the sins of the world so that we could have relationship with the one that created us, who knows us so personally, and who loves us completely.

And so it is, dear ones, that we are made free by Christ Jesus' sacrifice. We live by Faith. We express our freedom in Christ Jesus through our Faith. We build our faith by relationship.

We are made in His image

In the very first Chapter in the very first book of the Bible, God reveals himself and his purpose in creation.

In the original Hebrew text, the word for God in this chapter is Elohim - Creator and Judge. "In the beginning, God (Elohim) created the heavens and the earth." Genesis 1:1 Elohim is a plural noun referring to a single nature of divinity -- the plurality within the Godhead. God the Father, the Son of God and the Holy Spirit are in unison of power and purpose when they created the heavens and the earth. No disagreement, no quarrels and no hierarchy. Although Jesus takes his authority from God the Father, He is not less important. He works in unison of purpose just as the Holy Spirit works in unison in purpose. Individually their nature compliments the others so perfectly that together they become one.

Elohim creates on day 6 the grand finale of creation:
26 Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, [b] and over all the creatures that move along the ground."
27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.
28 God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground."

After the grand finale, "God saw every thing that he had made, and behold, it was very good. (v31)" This is the end of the sixth day. The seventh day God rested and blessed creation.

It isn't until Chapter 2 that God created a physical body for both Adam and Eve.

7-8And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed.
15And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.
18And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help mate for him.
21-24And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.

Elohim created our nature or spirit -- both male and female -- on day 6. After the seven days, God then created the flesh in chapter 2 and breathed His life into Him and became alive. He gave us purpose before flesh.

Elohim also displays a pattern for communicating with His creation. He gives us purpose and then personally confirms it. In 2:15 the Lord God, in perfect harmony of relationship, confirms the man's purpose. He also lets Adam know he is incomplete by himself. Remember that a help mate was already prepared in chapter one. God does not forget anything. He creates a woman out of the man's rib while he sleeps and then presents the woman to the man. Immediately Adam recognizes her as a part of himself.

Both male and female were made in God's image, in God's likeness. In a marriage, male and female are united to become one flesh, to complement each other in purpose. Male and female need each other and will be incomplete without the other. If they separate, they must compensate for the loss. Jesus confirms this in Matthew 19:4-6 and Mark 10:6-9 (quoted below is Matthew):

4"Haven't you read," he replied, "that at the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female,'[a] 5and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh'[b]? 6So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate."

Men and woman were created in unison of purpose for creation with God as the third. Neither should dominate the other. One is not less than the other. Even the feminine nature is created in God's image. Is not our Lord like a new born mother who provides for our security, the mother listening to their babies cries and provides for their needs? Does not our Lord watch over us as we grow in Faith, learning to trust Him? He watches over us as we sleep, counting our hairs. I have seen many a mother do this as they hold their sleeping baby in their arms. God intended for us to respect each other, not compete with each other. Marriage is part of God's plan and designed from the beginning. To work together to accomplish God's plan for each other and His creation.