SPEAK THE WORD ONLY

"Just speak the word only, and my servant will be healed." Matthew 8:8

The centurion begged Jesus, "One of my servants is home sick of the palsy, grievous tormented!

Jesus didn't hesitate. "Come on, let's go right now!" Jesus was more than ready, willing and able to accompany him back to the house, but the centurion said, "No, I am not worthy to have you under my roof, but just say the word, and I know my servant will be healed. I know this because I am under the authority of my superior officers, and I have authority over my soldiers. I only need to say, "Go," and they go, or "Come," and they come, and if I say to my servant do this or that, he does it. Matthew 8:9 

Just speak the word only and my servant will be healed.

When Jesus heard this, he was amazed. Turning to those who were following him, he said, "I tell you the truth, I haven't seen faith like this in all of Israel. "Go home. Because you believed, it has happened!" And the servant was healed that same hour. Matthew 8:13  

And his servant was healed that same hour. Matthew 8:13

So I ask you, what boss calls the doctor for you, or seeks such help for one of his employees? This employer was no doubt in upper management. You'd think he'd be too business-minded to worry himself over one employee. At the very least, he might have his immediate supervisor give him a call, but most likely not even a manager would bother.  I've never had a boss call me to see how I was doing. If they did call, it was to ask when I was coming back to work. 

So when will you be coming back to work?

I have one of those mothers-in-law that smothers her son with as much coddling as she can squeeze in. She literally pats him on the back or gives him a little squeeze on his arm.  She often oversteps her bounds, usurping the role of both wife and overprotective mother. No one could possibly love or care for her son the way she can. In doing so, she is condescending, patronizing and elevates herself to a place of superiority in every micromanaging way possible. Recently, her son had knee surgery that required quite a bit of aftercare. She was right there, making sure I did every little thing to her exact specifications, such as, "be sure to wear gloves when you change the bandage, and you will change the bandage in the morning, won't you (not a question) ... I'll be calling to make sure you do." And with that, she gave me 'the look.' As she was leaving with all maternal pomp and circumstance, I reassured her not to worry ... that I would take very good care of 'her son' to which she replied, "Oh, I know you will ... I've been watching you!" As much as she would like me to think she was complementing me, she wasn't; she was bestowing her approval, which I didn't seek or need. I was particularly offended -- more than other times when I felt watched and controlled by mother-may-I as if I worked for her rather than with her. 

As soon as she was out of sight, I ran to the Lord with my complaint, but instead of ministering to me after her outlandish offense, the Holy Spirit began to remind me of this story about the centurion and his servant. I had no idea where the Lord was going with this. It seemed He was always taking me the roundabout way to somewhere else ... like a parent changing the subject, hoping maybe I'll forget about my disgruntled irritation, and our little heart-to-heart will end with a laugh or two ... eh, eh ... and maybe --- just maybe -- after my tears are dried he'd hear me say, "Oh Lord, how did you do that trick? I feel so much better now!" But, no. He told me a parable with a personal message that was tailored just for me ... a little mystery for me to figure out. And figure it out I did! It was like a gift ... a great big present wrapped with pretty paper brimming over with oodles of swirling ribbon under a big fat bow  ... and inside was a wonderful, unexpected surprise!  

This isn't a story about a centurion, or a boss, or a manager. It's a beautiful picture of God, Himself. He is the one with the trusted, faithful, willing and obedient servants. He is the one who cares about the one and the only, you! God is not a micro-manager! Those of us who work for Him have autonomy. We come and go, and our boss doesn't get out the white glove or monitor our every move. He cares more about our welfare than our work. He'd rather see us use our gifts and calling in a creative, expressive way rather than follow a list of chores.  He doesn't have a checkoff list for us to sign. He makes sure we have all that we need so that we lack nothing to get the job done well, and He meets those needs with carefulness, compassion and concern. Our approval will come later when one day we will hear Him say, "Well done, my good and faithful servant!" 

This is why He was so amazed by the centurion's declaration of faith that he had to turn to those who were following Him saying, "I've never seen such faith in all of Israel!" The centurion saw a glimpse of the Father that no one in Israel ever saw before ...

GOD IS NOT A MICRO-MANAGER!

Needless to say, I wept at how carefully my heavenly Father orchestrated a story that ministered so expressly to me, and set me free from the bondage of an overbearing, controlling and oppressive spirit. The message and its meaning is this: I don't work for her. I am not her servant. I am a staffer in the House of the Lord, and freely and gladly do whatever my Master asks me to do. When He says, "Go," I go, and when He says, "Come," I come. In like manner, the Lord demonstrates the same for us so that we may say, "Just say the word and I know you will do it." We are created in His image and in His likeness. He is the true Caregiver ... the Good Samaritan ... the one who crosses over to the bleeding side of a helpless man otherwise left for dead, and He does it with love, dignity and a high regard for His people. He doesn't overlook or dismiss us!

For he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden. Luke 1:48

For the rest of the week I took care of 'the patient' the way the centurion cared of His servant, and I did it all as unto the Lord. No one could be better suited for the job than the one God calls, whether it be to do this or that, or to go here or there. He doesn't always call the qualified, but He does qualify the called by placing Christ in you, the hope of glory! Therein is what Jesus meant when He said, "I have meat that ye know not of." (John 4:32) The fulfillment of His work was to do the will of His Father.

King David got it too ... "Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere." Psalm 84:10 

Many people say that more hours in the workplace would make all the difference, particularly in austere economic times. But a recent report suggests that we are more concerned with our independence, rather than the contents of our bank accounts. The research, a big stats-crunching study of 40 years' worth of data from 63 countries and 420,000 individuals, examined the national levels of well-being by looking at psychological health, anxiety and burnout. Thy authors compared these measures with the calculations of wealth determined by *gross domestic product (GDP) and autonomy (the felling of being independent.) Across all measures, autonomy had a larger and more consistent effect on well-being than wealth. (More Money or More Freedom, Which Would You Choose?; Forbes; Sebastian Bailey 2013) 

Jesus said, "My yoke is easy, my burden is light, and my commandments are not grievous."

Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed unto him as a few days because of his love for her. Genesis 29:20

Like King David, you and I can serve the Lord with gladness, and come before His presence with singing! Psalm 100:2 

We love Him and serve Him because He first loved and served us ... with autonomy rather than micromanaging.  Yes, my friend, God has regarded your low estate and is concerned more about your liberty (autonomy) than placing you under a yoke of bondage (micro-management) 

*The Bureau of Economic Analysis measures nominal GDP quarterly, which is the best way to compare gross domestic product between countries.  

THE UNKNOWN FACTOR

But Jesus, overhearing their conversation said, "Do not be afraid, only believe." Mark 5:36

This morning a very dear friend of mine sent me a text that read:

"I had two biopsies and markers inserted yesterday.  Bandaged up and on the mend now. My doctor wants me to come in for an MRI" to which she added, "kind of scares me, but probably just a precaution."

I wrote her back ...

When you think about it, every second has an unknown factor built into it, and because it is unknown, it kinda scares all of us. I'm thinking about Mars Hill where Paul discovered a shrine for every idol under the sun, including one to the unknown God. It was right there among every other idol already named. Now this unknown god in particular was also there in case there happened to be a god they hadn't yet thought of so Paul preached that the unknown god was the God who made the world and everything in it. Acts 17:24. I'm thinking the unknown factor in every second also needs to be filled with God. He has a name, the name of Jesus. I believe that is how we replace our unknowing fears with His all-knowing peace. I believe when the Lord takes His rightful place in the unknown factor of our lives, we are no longer afraid, but have peace with God no matter what comes our way.   

When you think about it, every second of our day does have an unknown factor built into it. We go about our business as if nothing could stop us. I once heard someone say, "Life is what happens when you're busy making plans." It's true, isn't it? 

There have been some very serious events of late that will serve to illustrate my point. Hurricanes with up to 185 mph winds devoured -- in one moment -- someone's life as usual. Unquenchable fires burning thousands of acres along with homes and livestock stopped someone's life as usual. The recent earthquake in Mexico with a magnitude of 8.1 destroyed someone's life as usual. What about the recent flood in Texas that has left thousands of people without the resources to make plans as usual?  Someone will get into their car today expecting to drive from here to there, but no one expects the possibility of an accident. These unavoidable factors have the power to waylay postpone, rearrange, change or just do away with the plans people make. 

The Guardian / Flooding in Texas

Hurricane in progress

Fire threatens to destroy homes and lives

Recent earthquake in Mexico with a magnitude of 8.1

I am not one to consider the possibility of a traffic jam, road construction, parking issues or detours, let alone something more devastating as an earthquake, a fire or a flood -- I just aim to arrive on time as the crow flies -- but from minor inconveniences to major catastrophes, these are just a few examples of the unknown factors that can arise, interfere with, and/or disrupt our personal plans. As my friend so aptly worded it, "kind of scares me."

What about one's health?  One can feel perfectly healthy one minute, see a doctor for a routine checkup, receive devastating news, and one's life is dramatically changed before leaving the doctor's office. Yes, our plans and expectations are subject to the unknown factor. They can be life-changing one minute, and life-threatening the next.

I once heard a story about a man who decided to walk to the store for a new pair of shoes. On his way he bumped into a friend of his who asked him where he was going, to which he replied, "I'm off to buy a new pair a shoes." His friend relied, "You mean you're off to buy a new pair of shoes, Lord willing," to which he replied back, "No, I've got my money right here in my wallet; the store is open, and they have the shoes I want ... I've seen them in the storefront window ... so there's no Lord willing about it. I'm off to buy a new pair of shoes and a new pair of shoes I shall buy." They said their good-byes and on he went to the shoe store. On his way, he crossed an alley where he got mugged, robbed, beat up and left for dead. By the time he came to, the store had closed and it was dark. As he hobbled home hunched over in pain and limping, he saw his friend again who asked what happened? After describing his woes, he asked, "Well, where are you going now?" to which the disheveled man answered, "Home, Lord willing!"

Come with me -- if you're willing -- to Mars Hill, a place in Athens, Greece where Paul is waiting for Silas and Timothy to arrive. He has been dropped off after some brothers helped him run for his life to escape from yet another life-threatening mob scene -- this time in Berea -- for what? for preaching the word of God. Paul experiences one unknown factor after the other ... always something threatening his life while endeavoring to stick to the plan. The longer Paul waits in Athens, the angrier he becomes because he discovers the city is a junkyard for every idol imaginable. Having already endured so many unknown factors in his own personal experience, he can relate to a bunch of useless, unknown gods never stepping up to help in time of need.

   

Downtown Athens is a great place for serious gossip. There are always people hanging around, natives and tourists alike, waiting for the latest intellectual tidbit on most any subject. He takes note that the Athenians take their religion seriously. Paul seizes the moment and takes his place in an open space at the Areopagus. He lays it out to them that their unknown factor is the God who made the whole world and everything in it. Acts 17:24.

He begins ...

 "When I arrived here the other day, I was fascinated with all the shrines I came across. And then I found one inscribed, TO THE GOD NOBODY KNOWS. I'm here to introduce you to this God so you can worship intellectually, and know who you are dealing with." 

Paul preaches about the God nobody knows at the Areopagus in Athens

• When you think about it, every second has an unknown factor built into it, and because it is unknown, it kinda scares all of us. 
• I'm thinking the unknown factor in every second needs to be filled with God. He has a name, His name is Jesus. 
• I believe that is how we replace our unknowing fears with His all-knowing peace. 
• I believe when the Lord takes His rightful place in the unknown factor of our lives, we are no longer afraid, but have peace with God no matter what comes our way.  
• I believe this is how Paul learned to handle all the unknown factors that came his way, and why he was so fired up to preach about the unknown god.   

Do not be afraid, only believe Mark 5:36    

AND THE WORD WAS GOD

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1

By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. 2 Peter 1:3

So the Word became human and made His home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen His glory, the glory of the Father's one and only Son. 1 John 1:14

Recently, I had an opportunity to share my testimony with a dear friend who asked what happened to convince me of my decision for Christ. This wasn't the first time our conversation led to questions about my faith in God.

"Did you read the Bible or have some sort of epiphany?"

With tears welling up, I told him, "I experienced the love and forgiveness of God. I remember the exact day it happened," I replied. "It was the evening of September 2, 1973."

"So do you believe the Bible is necessary to experience God?" 

My immediate response was, "No, not in my case," but the Word of God does prove that my experience was with God and not some powerless epiphany. One day you'll see that both the Bible and the experience go hand in hand."

To further argue his point -- that the Bible had been mishandled by men and that men had left out many important books and others facts that should have been included if the Bible is to be deemed as anything more than a book of fables, old wives tales and myths -- he concluded by my own confession, the Bible isn't necessary to experience God. And on top of that he exclaimed with glee,

"You just proved my point!"

And so, our conversation ended with one final question:

"Are you telling me that if millions of people don't agree with the Bible, countless people from cultures and faiths around the world are going to hell?"

To which I answered, "Unless they have received Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, the Bible says, "YES!"

He was outraged with my narrow-minded, naive and ludicrous response. He laughed out loud, certain he had won his case by concluding anyone can have an experience with God without believing in the Bible. Buddha is just as real as Jesus, or any other great teacher of choice.

So I asked him, "What sounded better to him ... an encounter with your creator, God of the universe, who desires a living, loving, and lasting relationship with you ... who desires to lead and guide you into all truth and guide you on the right, safe, good and everlasting way, or merely a belief in the teaching of a dead man?" I asked him to think on it and get back to me.

The Thinker - Michelangelo

We said our usual goodbye's but on the drive home I was troubled with the way our conversation ended. I remembered a story in the book of Acts when Paul encountered a similar inquiry after touring Mar's hill (Acts 17:22-31).

It should be explained that all the Athenians and foreigners in Athens spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell or to hear of some 'new' thing. So when they saw Paul they were curious about his teaching.

"You are bringing some new and strange ideas to our ears and we would like to know what they mean."

Paul stood up and said, "Men of Athens, I see that in every way you are very religious (suspicious) for as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with the inscription, 'To an unknown God.' He is the God who made the world and everything in it. He does not live in temples made by man as though he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life, and breath, and everything else, and satisfies every need. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any of us."

Paul preaches that the unknown God is Jesus Christ, 

The Bible tells us that Paul encountered the Lord Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus between AD 34-36, after the crucifixion and resurrection of our Lord between AD 30-33. Since He never met Jesus during His earthly ministry, how else could Paul know so much about God unless he knew both the scriptures and the risen Lord?

Paul encounters Jesus Christ on the Road to Damascus

Then God spoke an astounding truth to my heart:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the WORD WAS GOD.

For the first time I realized that the Word of God -- and God -- are exactly, precisely and perfectly equal. One is not an alternative to the other or merely bearing witness to the other but the two are entwined and inseparable. They are one in the same.

The Bible is LIVING proof that the LIVING God IS GOD, and points to the only WAY, the TRUTH and THE LIFE. The Bible tells us that eternal life comes by no other name than by the name of Jesus Christ. The Bible reproves men of sin, which leads to repentance, which leads to forgiveness, which leads to a new and eternal relationship with the living God, which leads to truth, which leads to complete and total trust in God for our life and godliness, past, present and future. The Bible is the righteousness of God revealed.

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness. 2 Timothy 3:16

By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. 2 Peter 1:3

During the sixties I was a young truth seeker. I had heard the stories from the Bible throughout my childhood but I was never able to connect the Word of God with the emptiness in my heart until the night God opened my eyes to understand what was written in the Bible. That very night I had been watching Billy Graham on TV. He was preaching in Seoul, Korea on one of his crusades. Of course he quoted scripture. Of course he read from the Word of God. How else could I become convicted of sin? Why else would I beg for His forgiveness? By what other power would I surrendered to God and give the care of my own life over to Him? It was true! The Word was God!

Yes! In the beginning WAS the Word, and the Word WAS with God and the WORD WAS GOD.

Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ. Romans 10:17

God told Adam and Eve they would SURELY die if they ate the fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Although everything Eve needed for a blessed life was already covered by her loving Father -- God had them covered from head to toe -- the devil was able to deceive Eve by causing her to doubt that God hadn't told her EVERYTHING regarding her survival, her future, her life. The possibility that God hadn't opened her eyes to 'know' good -- and evil -- left her perplex, confused and in a quandary.

"Eve turned to Adam and basically said, "If God hasn't told us everything, we might as well know what He knows!" 

In an effort to care for her own life, Eve usurped God's role as caregiver -- just to be sure -- and encouraged Adam to do the same. All of a sudden their nakedness was so overwhelming, the sewing of fig leaves didn't begin to cover them. God took the skins of animals to cover them instead. Now, under a new order, even the animals that God had created were sacrificed to cover Adam and Eve.

God said "No, I told you that if you eat the fruit of THAT tree, you will resort to taking your life into your own hands, and if you do, you shall surely die."

Satan argued, "No, you won't die. God knows in the day you eat thereof you will know how to take care of yourselves just fine without Him."

In the Gospel of John, Jesus reassures us by affirming, EVERYTHING MY FATHER HAS TOLD ME I HAVE TOLD YOU.

I no longer call you servants because a master doesn't confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father has told me. John 15:15

God never intended for man to be a slave -- he who sins is a slave to sin -- nor did God desire to be a slave master. His desire was to be our Father and for His children to be sons and daughters, heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ. His heart broke when Adam and Eve were no longer under His complete care and protection -- for whatsoever is not of faith is sin. Romans 14:23

The key to a joyful, peaceful, rich, fulfilling and powerful life is to live under the Father's care.

The key to a stressful, anxious, fearful and worrisome existence is to figure it out on your own. Just how much God cares for His own is written throughout the Old and New Testament.                                                                      

The expression, "Can you cover the bill?" is on the table right now. If you cannot, God is ready to cover you with His great love and provision. The Bible says, "Love covers a multitude of sins." (1 Peter 4:8)

According to Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, man cannot survive without air, food, water, shelter, clothing and sleep. It's lonely at the top without the covering of our God, who gathers us under His wings and covers us there with His hand.   

Yet, many homeless people are on the streets struggling to survive. If only they knew how perfectly God would cover them. If only they believed.

                                                                 

To know God, you need to know the Word of God. Timothy said, "Study to show thyself approved unto God." Then you will be convinced that God and His Word are one in the same, and you will have an unquenchable yearning to share Him, His love, and His Word with a lost and dying world.

THAT I MAY KNOW HIM

I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised Him from the dead. Philippians 3:10

Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples. John 13:35

When I was a new Christian I oftentimes felt judged, so I judged. And if I felt condemned, I condemned. When too much was expected of me, I expected too much of others but when I spent time with the Lord, I went in with nothing and came away with love. He filled me with love. Love changed me. Love improved my relationships with people. Love improved my attitude toward everything. Love caused me to consider my neighbor as myself. Love caused me to want more of Jesus.

So they pulled their boats up on the shore, left everything and followed Him. Luke 5:11

I believe it was love that drew the disciples to forsake all and follow Jesus. Love was what had been missing in their fishing nets (the value of the fisherman rather than the fish they caught) and why Jesus said they would catch men instead. He said, it was more blessed to give than receive. Anyone can receive, not everyone can give. Therefore "more blessed" means it is more powerful to give; more powerful to love; more powerful to truly know Him.

Luke 24:13-53 - Two followers of Jesus were walking together along the road to Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem. As they walked along Jesus himself suddenly came and began walking with them. But God kept them from recognizing Him.

He asked them, "What are you discussing so intently as you walk along?

They stopped short, sadness written across their faces. Then one of them, Cleopas, replied, "You must be the only person in Jerusalem who hasn't heard about all the things that have happened there the last few days!"

"What things?"

"The things that happened to Jesus, the man from Nazareth," they said. He was a prophet who did powerful miracles, and He was a mighty teacher in the eyes of God and all the people. He was crucified, laid in a tomb but now His body is gone and no one knows where He is! We had hoped He was the Messiah who had come to rescue Israel. This all happened three days ago! Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and the prophets, explaining from all the scriptures the things concerning himself. But they still didn't recognize Him.

By the time they reached Emmaus Jesus acted as if he were going on, but they begged Him, "Stay the night with us since it is getting late." So he went home with them. As they sat down to eat, he took the bread and blessed it. Then he broke it and gave it to them. Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And at that moment he disappeared. 

They said to each other, "Didn't our hearts burn within us as He talked with us on the road and explained Scriptures to us?"

Something more powerful than following or walking with Him took place while they remained with Him.    

It is not enough to be a follower of Jesus. It's not enough to walk with Him and talk with Him. All those who walk and talk with Jesus don't all know Him. All those who invite Him to come home with them don't all sense His presence. It is only after we've walked, talked and shared sweet fellowship with Jesus, and have partaken of the blessed and broken bread; and experienced our eyes being opened and our hearts burning within us that we recognize why the disciples left everything to follow Him. Peter said, "Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life." John 6:68

Until we realize God's purpose for catching up with His followers was to instill a deeper reason for their existence than merely following, walking or hanging out with a prophet that did great miracles or was a mighty teacher in the eyes of God and the people. Jesus wanted to make sure He left them with something more ... a relationship built on a burning love with the living God.

The Emmaus Road into Jerusalem was twenty miles long. Jesus joined them on the last stretch of their journey with seven miles left to go. How many of us walk as followers of Jesus without ever actually walking with Him? When we do finally walk side by side we don't know Him any better than when we were following Him.

The Road to Emmaus into Jerusalem and into Bethany

So Jesus led them to Bethany with these words ... "But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with the power from heaven." Then they saw Him taken up into heaven. So they worshiped Him and then returned to Jerusalem filled with great joy.

Walking with God, as He created us to walk, does not end in Jerusalem. It compels us all the way to Bethany. It does not end at home. Its does not end at the supper table. It does not end with the breaking of the bread or when our eyes are opened or when our hearts are burning within us while we look back and realize just who had been walking with us all along the way. And it surely didn't end when He suddenly disappeared from their sight.  In fact, it never has to end. The burning in our hearts is evidence that He is with us even though we cannot see Him.

Though you have not seen him, you love him, and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy. 1 Peter 1:8

... and they spent all of their time in the temple, praising God. Luke 24:53 

True believers, who have been touched with the power of His love, are more than followers. They are more than disciples. They are more than witnesses. He burns within their hearts with an everlasting love -- a loves that heals, a love that saves, a love that adds value to their ordinary lives, a love that never fails, a love one can no longer live without and a love that demands expression. A close relationship with the Lord is what the disciples longed for; it's what we long for, and it's what the whole world is longing for ... that I may know Him!

But if the same spirit of God who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit. Romans 8:11 

I must have Jesus in my whole life
I must have Jesus in my life
In my walking, in my talking 
In my sleeping and my waking
I must have Him in my life.  

I went in with nothing and came away with love, and because of love, I want to spend every moment with Him. If you want to share the Good News of the Gospel, share the powerful, life-changing love of God.  By it you will prove to the world that He is here -- God is with us -- and He will never leave us nor forsake us.  

A FISH FOR A NIGHT

TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART; DO NOT DEPEND ON YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING. Proverbs 3:5

"Well then," Jesus said, "Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God." His reply completely amazed them. Mark 12:17

Preach the word of God. Be prepared whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching. 2 Timothy 4:2

For my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory. Philippians 4:19

Rejoice with me for I found the coin that I lost. Luke 15:9

PAYING THE TEMPLE TAX

Upon entering Capernaum, Peter was approached by tax collectors with yet another plot to stir up more controversy about the law. Little did they know they were setting up the perfect opportunity for Jesus to drive home deeper truth about who and who is not required to pay the Temple tax. Let's pick up the story in Matthew 17:24

On their arrival in Capernaum, the collectors of the Temple tax came to Peter and asked him, "Doesn’t your teacher pay the Temple tax?”

"Yes, he does," Peter replied. Then he went into the house.

But before he had a chance to speak, Jesus asked him, “What do you think, Peter? Do kings tax their own people or the people they have conquered?”

“They tax the people they have conquered,” Peter replied.

“Well, then,” Jesus said, “the citizens are free! However, we don’t want to offend them, so go down to the lake and throw in a line. Open the mouth of the first fish you catch, and you will find a large silver coin. Take it and pay the tax for both of us.” Matthew 17:24-27

                            

The annual Temple tax requirement was two drachmae (Greek currency) equivalent to about a half shekel (Jewish currency). The typical coin used for paying taxes was a didrachma, which was the same as two dracmae. The coin in the fish's mouth was probably a Tyrian silver shekel. Because Roman coinage was only 80% silver, the purer (94% or more) Tyrian shekel was required for the Temple tax in Jerusalem and was probably the coin that paid both Peter and Jesus' taxes.

One shekel (Jewish currency) is the equivalent to four drachmae (Greek currency)

The idea of giving a small piece of silver was mentioned in the time of Moses when the Lord explained the reasons and criteria for this particular offering:

Then the Lord said to Moses,“Whenever you take a census of the people of Israel, each man who is counted must pay a ransom for himself to the Lord. Then no plague will strike the people as you count them. Each person who is counted must give a small piece of silver as a sacred offering to the Lord. (This payment is half a shekel, based on the sanctuary shekel). All who have reached their twentieth birthday must give this sacred offering to the Lord. When this offering is given to the Lord to purify your lives, making you right with him, the rich must not give more than the specified amount, and the poor must not give less. Receive this ransom money from the Israelites, and use it for the care of the Tabernacle. It will bring the Israelites to the Lord’s attention, and it will purify your lives.” Exodus 30:11-16

What can we learn from these verses in Exodus Chapter 30? Why was an Israelite required to give a small piece of silver?

• To be counted, one must pay a ransom for himself to the Lord
• To make oneself right with God 
• To be used for the care of the Tabernacle
• To bring the Israelites to the Lord's attention 
• To purify one's life
• To immunize against plagues 

We learn that the small piece of silver was never intended for the Temple tax but a sacred offering; it wasn't meant to be a hardship but a provision; it wasn't taken; it was given; it wasn't tribute money; it was ransom money.

Yet Jesus said, "Because we don't want to offend them, pay the tax." 

If Jesus reasoned with Peter that he was exempt from paying the Temple tax, why pay? Jesus was teaching Peter that he was free from the law. By paying the Temple tax he didn't break the law but fulfilled it. Temple tax wasn't mandatory for the citizens because the citizens were free. Jesus was demonstrating that Peter was free to 'give' rather than 'forced' to give just as Jesus was freely giving what was asked of Him.

• Jesus did not have to pay a ransom for himself; He gave His life a ransom to save the world.
• He did not have to make Himself right with God; He was God.
• The Israelites didn't need the Lord's attention; they had the Lord's attention
• His own blood purified lives    
• By His wounds we were healed 

He hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered (or counted) with the transgressors. Isaiah 53:12 

A FISH FOR A NIGHT

After not knowing how I was going to pay my bills, including this year's income taxes (an ongoing trial of faith for me), I remembered this story about the coin in the fish's mouth. By now the disciples had left all to follow Jesus. No longer could they rely on their paychecks for the necessities of daily living, which included the annual Temple tax. When the tax collectors approached Peter, he immediately went into the house to talk to Jesus about the inquiry. Jesus, already knowing what Peter was going ask Him, told him how this year's tax was going to be paid. 

Even though it is 2017 I, like Peter, have left all to follow Jesus. I, like Peter, haven't a regular paycheck, and I, like Peter, rely on the Lord to supply my every need each and every day. 

Soon after David became King of Israel, the Philistines were on the attack. 

So David asked the LORD, "Should I go out to fight the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?" The LORD replied to David, "Yes, go ahead. I will certainly hand them over to you." 2 Samuel 5:19

David was the king. He made executive decisions every day. Yet, he prayed to God for direction. 

So I reminded God of the coin and the fish, and I reminded Him of the woman who found the coin that was lost (Luke 15:8-10). I even searched for a photo of a fish with a coin in its mouth so I could look at it as a reminder of God's faithfulness. I needed a fish like that. I needed a way to cover my expenses. Like Peter, I wanted to just walk into the house and find Jesus already on it.  

That weekend I was called away to help with a documentary project that had nothing to do with spiritual matters. I prayed about it first and God said, "Go." I had a good friend in LA who had a good 60's story so I invited him up to be interviewed in the film. While waiting for the filmmaker to arrive we lightheartedly chitchatted about old times and caught up on our personal lives. And then something amazing happened. "You need money, right? Watch this!" Just like that, he handed over just what I needed to meet my expenses. After I understood it was a gift -- and not a donation for the film -- he quickly changed the subject. 

"Did I ever tell the story of how I became a fish for a night?" 

Did he just say, "FISH FOR A NIGHT?" He began telling me about a night long ago when he helped the 60's band, Country Joe and the Fish, carry their instruments onto the stage where they would be performing later that night. He overheard them saying that their bass player was sick. "I can play the bass," he said. Without enough time to find another bass player, they took a chance on him and that's how he became 'A fish for a night.'

He may have become a fish for a night as a bass player for the band, but on that day he became the first fish I caught with a coin in its mouth. Usually I would have declined such a generous offer but after praying for a fish, I believe the Lord led me to a fish. 

Interesting to note that Jesus told Peter, "Open the mouth of the first fish you catch." I wonder what he discovered in the second, third and fourth fish he caught up with that day.  

If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. Jeremiah 29:13

For when God made promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no greater, he sware by himself, Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee. And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.  Hebrews 6:13-15

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5 

  

   

  

  

THE HEART OF THE KING

WORK OUT YOUR OWN SALVATION WITH FEAR AND TREMBLING. Philippians 2:12

THE HEART OF THE KING IS IN THE HANDS OF THE LORD AND AS RIVERS OF WATER, HE TURNS IT WHERE EVER HE WILLS. Proverbs 21:1 

I WOULD HAVE FAINTED HAD I NOT 'BELIEVED TO SEE' THE GOODNESS OF THE LORD IN THE LAND OF THE LIVING. Psalm 27:13

I used to wrestle with how to bring heaven down to earth ... meaning, how to fit God's promises into my everyday battles, especially where Caesar was concerned. The Lord did say render unto Caesar what belongs to Caesar ... like bills and taxes, tires and car registration. David said, "I would have fainted had I not 'believed to see' the goodness of the Lord in the Land of the Living," which I believe means supernatural help for everyday life. He knew God was with him -- and we know God is with us -- but will the Lord deliver us in our time of trouble? David testified in Psalm 46:1&2 - God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in time of trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth be removed and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea. 

Yet we also read that David, upon realizing his idea of placing the ark of God back in its rightful place wasn't working out like he thought, was afraid of the Lord that day. 

And David was afraid of God that day, saying, "How shall I bring the ark of God home to me?" So David did not move the ark into the City of David. Instead, he took it to the house of Obed-Edom of Gath. The ark remained there in Obed-edom's house for three months, and the Lord blessed the household of Obed-edom and everything he owned. 1 Chronicles 13:12-14  

Let's take a closer look at David: we see very clearly that, like us, David struggled too. The ark was on its way into Jerusalem after wrecking havoc in the Philistine camp as well as in the company of their idol, Dagon. It would seem that the very appearance of a driver-less cart coming up the road into Jerusalem hauling the ark of God was proof enough that God was back! But when Uzzah died so instantly after trying to steady the wobbling ark, David had to re-evaluate just how he was going to accomplish it. How was he going to bring heaven down to earth? He got alone with God to work out His own salvation with fear and trembling. 

Working out your own salvation with fear and trembling is all about faith. God is much more than a last minute savior. When he said the Kingdom of Heaven is within you, He meant it. But what did He really mean?

Let's take a look at Daniel. Try to imagine you are in the lion's den. From scripture we see Daniel trusted God to the point of possible death. Daniel wasn't bold and courageous in his own strength. He needed to know how to fit heaven into earth. We know from scripture that by refusing to bow to the Babylonian god, He was working out His own salvation with fear and trembling. WE can see God is protecting Daniel from the lions but who on earth did Daniel have to rescue him from the Lion's Den?

In Chapter 5 we read that there was a new king in Babylon. His name was Darius. Daniel was a leader at this point and King Darius chose men to help Daniel. The men didn't like the idea of this captive foreigner being their leader. They observed Daniel praying three times a day, refusing to eat the king's meat, and refusing to bow down to their god so the men persuaded King Darius to draft a law that would get Daniel out of their way. When the men reported to the king that Daniel refused to bow to their god, the king had no choice but to throw Daniel to the lions. Because Daniel was faithful to God, his actions, attitude and behavior stood out. He was different. Darius observed Daniel. Rather than bring attention to himself, Daniel's faith brought attention to the reality of Daniel's God! 

In our own experiences we might be praying at this point for God to change the law, but the law could not be changed. Even the king encouraged Daniel that his God would save him. The king fasted all night. He couldn't sleep. In the morning the king went to the lion's den. He called to Daniel ... "Was your God able to save you from the lions?" The lions had not hurt him. He told the king that God had shut the lions' mouth. The king was very happy! Daniel was safe. Not only had God saved him, but God put heaven in the heart of an earthly king. Someone in Daniel's everyday life was on Daniel's side ... even the very one who decreed a law that couldn't be changed.

Let's take a look at Ruth. We pick up the story in Chapter 1. After a famine and ten years of marriage, Ruth's husband died. Her sister-in-law, Orpah, had also lost her husband. The two men were brothers, Mahlon and Kilon, and both widows were now in the company of their mother-in-law, Naomi, who also lost her husband, Elimelek. Now try to imagine yourself in Ruth's place. This is the time we'd be trying to bring heaven down to earth. What a dismal, lonely and scary scene! Grand-children are on Naomi's heart. She urges her daughter-in-laws to head back to their homeland. "Best possible way to find husbands and have children while I am still alive to see them," she exclaimed. Go, I am too old to bear you husbands now." Orpah agrees, but Ruth ...? Ruth longs to remain with her mother-in-law even though the likelihood of finding a husband is slim to none. Nevertheless, Ruth implores Naomi, "Don't urge me to leave you, for where you go, I'll go, and where you stay, I'll stay. Your people will be my people and your God will be my God. May the Lord deal with me be it ever so severely, even if death separates you and me, I still want to go with you." Ruth 1:16. 

Naomi tells Ruth she can come with her but reminds her that she is heading back to where the elderly live. Ruth had observed Naomi's actions, attitude and behavior. She watched how she handled everyday life and so her hope, like King Darius, was in Naomi's God. Naomi had become very weary. She felt forsaken by the Lord and discouraged but Ruth was still hopeful. Like Darius, God had prepared Ruth's heart to encourage Naomi. You see, from scripture we see God's hand is on both Ruth and Naomi but who on earth was going to rescue these two helpless widows in the distress of everyday life?

Upon entering the city, the Bible says that the whole town was stirred up but did they give the women what they needed to survive?

v.20 - "Don't call me Naomi! Call me Mara, which means bitter. I went away full but the Lord has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi when the Lord has caused me to suffer, and the Almighty has sent such tragedy upon me?"

Here we see a weary Naomi who must have demonstrated strong and consistent faith in the eyes of Ruth. Yet, isn't this a vivid description of how we as Christian believers feel when we know God is with us but there is no sign of relief  from the battle of everyday life? 

v.22 - Nevertheless, we read on that when Naomi returned to Moab accompanied by Ruth, her daughter-in-law, they arrived in Bethlehem just as the barley harvest was beginning. God knew something that the women didn't see. 

We pick up the scene in Chapter 2 with Ruth gleaning in the field along with the poorest people of the land.

What Ruth didn't see was a certain someone noticed her. God turned the heart of a man called Boaz in her direction. She didn't know that Boaz owned the field or that he arranged for the harvesters to leave more than usual behind for Ruth to gather. While she had been working out her own salvation with fear and trembling, God was at work in the heart of Boaz. God was moving heaven to earth for her.

Later, after he reveals himself as the one who redeemed her, we find Ruth sleeping at the feet of Boaz in overwhelming gratitude. He had already redeemed her before she saw him.

What a picture of redemption! Would that we would sleep in sweet peace at the feet of Him who alone has been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hast formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting thou art God. Psalm 90: 1&2   

Our father, which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done

On earth as it is in heaven ...

If we would truly believe what Jesus told the disciples after then asked, "Teach us to pray," we would understand what follows next ...

"Give us this day our daily bread."

Notice David didn't say, I would have fainted (passed out, given up the ghost, laid down and died) had I not SEEN the goodness of the Lord ... He very carefully proclaimed, "I wouldn't have survived had I not BELIEVED TO SEE the goodness of the Lord in the midst of my daily helplessness." 

Let's take a look at me. I recently prayed long and hard to the Lord for new direction in my life. I prayed for two weeks waiting on the Lord. I laid down my own ideas. I asked Him to level the playing field. I broke up my fallow ground. Afterwards, I was as weary and empty-feeling as Naomi. And then, God led me to do something I never dreamed possible: to open a business when I didn't have much money. He did this by reminding me of a scripture -- a scripture with which I had a great deal of trouble understanding ... "She 'considers' a field and buys it" from Proverbs 31. That was the scripture that sealed the deal for me to pull over and shake my fist at God!

"I have no money, Lord!" And yet I knew He was speaking to me. He was teaching me how to bring heaven down to earth ... how to 'believe to see' the goodness of the Lord in my everyday perplexities, like paying bills when there were more bills than money. He was showing me how to render unto God what is God's and how to render unto Caesars what is Caesar's. If He says we are whole, and entire, and in want of nothing, than we are not incomplete, empty or in want of anything. What does that mean? It means that by faith we work out what we see with what we don't see and consider what we need as though it were already so. God told Abraham, "I have made you a father of many nations." Now God spoke these words to Abraham while Sarah, his wife, was yet barren. Nevertheless, in time she conceived Isaac. The Bible says that it came to pass because Abraham believed in the God who brings the dead back to life and who creates new things out of nothing. Romans 4:17 (NLT). Abraham believed God who calls things which be not as though they were. (KJV).

Faith is further explained this way:

For unto us was the gospel (good news) preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. Acts 4:2

I tell you he will grant justice to them quickly! But when the Son of Man returns, how many will he find on the earth who have faith? Luke 18:8 

This was the concluding question to an otherwise disparaging story. In Luke, Chapter 18 Jesus taught about a certain widow who was experiencing one of those 'near fainting' experienced in her everyday life. He tells of a a judge who admitted he neither feared God nor cared about people. Even after he dismissed her case, she continued to beseech him to avenge her of her adversary. Jesus said he was an unjust judge but because she was wearing him out with her constant requests he saw to it that she got justice. In the end he rendered a just decision.

So don't you think God will surely give justice to his chosen people who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? Luke 18:2-7

Not long after I stepped out into this new field that I had not purchased but merely 'considered' for two years prior, the income I expected to glean from it was not happening. My landlord was becoming concerned -- and so was I -- that I wasn't going to be able to pay the rent. 

It was the king's decree. The contract was signed, and the law could not be changed. I became afraid of my landlord because I knew, like Caesar, he meant business. I believed God was with me ... but was He going to deliver me from the mouth of the lions? I had no idea that God was dealing with the heart of my landlord. When I stepped into the lion's den, the king (landlord) was merciful and postponed what I owed for rent, giving me more time to develop my business. God brought heaven to earth. The heart of the king was in His hands of the Lord and like rivers of water He turned it in my favor. 

God brought heaven down to earth. He did it for David, Daniel, Naomi, Ruth, Abraham and Moses. Other men and women of great faith are mentioned throughout the eleventh chapter of Hebrews -- also known as the chapter of faith -- and he'll meet all your needs according to His riches in glory for all that put their trust in Him. By faith these individuals were able to keep on going because they kept their eyes on the one who is invisible. Hebrews 11:27 (NLT). "Now how does one keep their eyes on something they cannot see? By faith." - Cindy Farias

God has a way in which to bring the ark of God home to you and to me. Sometimes it is in the opposite direction of where we think we should go. Remember the lame man at the Pool of Bethesda? He complained that every time he tried to get into the healing waters, someone else got there before him. When Jesus came by, notice that he didn't turn into a lifeguard, blow his whistle, and order everyone out of the pool so this poor man could finally have his turn. He took the man to another place and healed him.

 The kingdom of heaven is at hand. It is also within us, and in the His name, Emmanuel, which being interpreted means, GOD WITH US. And if He is with us, He is also with the king whose heart is in His hands.

Amen.