The all of me

 

Take All of Me

 

Reading the last chapter of Ecclesiastes is quite a refreshing look to all the valleys and mountaintops the rest of the book takes me through. Yet, I am reminded that I need to understand the importance of the entire book.

Besides being wise, the Preacher also taught the people knowledge, weighing and studying and arranging many proverbs with great care. The Preacher sought to find words of delight, and uprightly he wrote words of truth.

 The words of the wise are like goads, and like nails firmly fixed are the collected sayings; they are given by one Shepherd.  My son, beware of anything beyond these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh.

 The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.[r]  For God will bring every deed into judgment, with[s] every secret thing, whether good or evil. – Ecclesiastes 12:9-14  ESV

There is a little summary here and also a tiny message that warns that too much study, chasing human wisdom, is limited and transitory and therefore is not sufficient. However, more importantly, is the desire to reverence and obey God for this is giving my all, it is my purpose. This is the struggle through the whole book – for this call of mine, this duty; this purpose is in complete opposition to the things of this world which is called “vanity.” The things of this world will pass, but my relationship with God will endure – and then there is the judgment. My priorities need to be not of this world, but the things of God.

When I look at what Jesus accomplished and He stated that greater works we would do, I know my journey is far from what He has purposed for me. I think about this story in particular and I am amazed of what must have been put in place for this miracle to happen.

 When they came to Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax went up to Peter and said, “Does your teacher not pay the tax?”  He said, “Yes.” And when he came into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do kings of the earth take toll or tax? From their sons or from others?”  And when he said, “From others,” Jesus said to him, “Then the sons are free.  However, not to give offense to them, go to the sea and cast a hook and take the first fish that comes up, and when you open its mouth you will find a shekel.[g] Take that and give it to them for me and for yourself.” – Matthew 17:24-27  ESV

First of all, I love the fact that Jesus knew that paying taxes were not really necessary. However, in order that He does not cause offense, Jesus arranges for the money.

This is where the miracle takes place. Look at how much control He has over the situation and how precise this miracle is. The fish yields the exact amount needed to pay the taxes, and it is the first fish that took Peter’s hook or that he pulled from his net. The purpose and pleasure of Christ’s will – which all creation obeys – guided that single fish out of multiple schools in the lake. Jesus, Lord of Creation, controls all things – the sea’s fish and the earth’s silver.

I loved the fact that not only did Jesus pay for Himself, but He also paid for Peter. What a vision of Jesus coming alongside and saying they were in relationship. We may be servants but we are more than that.

There is a need for me to grasp that the greatness in the Kingdom comes from service and humility. Jesus’ phrase, “not to give offense” motivates me to walk in meekness and wisdom as I give all of me to Him.

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Reminding us about Jesus

 

Heart of God [Audio] – Hillsong Young & Free

 

The Holy Spirit – tasked with the responsibility of reminding me about Jesus.

The scene where this promise was given was at the Last Supper. Jesus was trying to tell His disciples that it was almost time where He would no longer be with them. They are troubled by this news. Jesus assures them that they will not be alone, that He would send the Holy Spirit who will come and remain with them forever. One of the tasks of the Holy Spirit was to keep the memory of Jesus’ teachings alive and to disclose new insights into the meaning of Jesus’ life and actions.

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. – John 14:26  ESV

This is an incredible word of encouragement. The scene of the Last Supper was not one of joy. It was not even a great time to be a disciple of Jesus. It would seem that things were in a spiritual downturn. Judas was about to show himself to be a traitor, Peter had just been told that he would deny Jesus in the next 24 hours. The Jews wanted to get rid of Jesus and His disciples. Of course the worst blow I shared earlier, the statement of Jesus saying He was leaving.

Enter the Holy Spirit, another Counselor, another Advocate. A powerful promise of one who was coming to indwell us. He was coming to be a Helper. He was going to pick up where Jesus left off. Jesus was saying something like this:

“I am going to leave you now. But I am going to send you someone who is always going to be there for you. No matter what your problem, no matter what your circumstance, no matter what your trial, frustration, or irritation, no matter what you come up against, this helper will be with you”

I need to allow the Holy Spirit to engage me each morning not just so I know more about Jesus but that I am actually getting to know Him. Allowing the Spirit to remind me about who Jesus is would take my meditation of His word into a whole new arena of understanding.

 

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Training

 

Every day I am in training as God prepares me to be a disciple in order that I might disciple others.  I usually ask myself some questions like…

  • what Christ-like character and habits does God want me to develop and demonstrate?
  • what does it look like to “fear God?”
  • for what is God preparing and equipping me?
  • in what ways can I help others rely more fully on God instead of ourselves?

The other day I received an amazing podcast along these lines, and it went even deeper. If it had not been sent to me, I am sure I would not have listened. I could not go another day without sharing it with you. It will be the best 22 minutes you would have spent if you are asking the same questions I am.

The Place We Find Ourselves 

It comes with the mindset of the Kingdom and how we walk in it and it comes with an edge on counselling. It was a freedom setting for me. Enjoy.

Come to think of it, who would I say is a better model of what a disciple looks like? Would we say Peter or would we dare say the Canaanite women who met Jesus on the street? One a cornerstone of the church and the other a pagan woman, unnamed?

Jesus answer to the woman gave me some insight into what my prayer life could look like.

He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” – Matthew 15:24  ESV

I was thinking that maybe I need to be more focused looking more geographical or particular people group approach.

 

 

 

 

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Axiomatic

 

As a parent, I know that I must teach God’s Word and diligently bring it forward as a loving disciple, in a pattern of discipleship, throughout my children’s life.

Discipline your son, and he will give you rest;
he will give delight to your heart. – Proverbs 29:17  ESV

As a disciple of God’s wisdom, when I read God’s word, even today, I still come to the place where I know so little in comprehending God. He alone has experienced the breadth of the universe and has harnessed the full power of nature. Has anyone else?

Who has ascended to heaven and come down?
    Who has gathered the wind in his fists?
Who has wrapped up the waters in a garment?
    Who has established all the ends of the earth?
What is his name, and what is his son’s name?
    Surely you know!

 Every word of God proves true;
    he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. – Proverbs 30:4-5  ESV

There is no other son’s name than Jesus. He has the wisdom and power described here. Jesus has a name describing Him as “Word of God,” and so it is no surprise to find that in the next verse.

I am called on to know God, the One who sometimes shakes my foundations but the One who will not forsake me because I have put my trust in Him. I am called to follow the word of God and put action to His promises.

F.B.Meyer wrote, “What we are is more important than what we say. Our life is our best sermon. If we would expend as much care on the hidden man of the heart as many do on the outer, what lovely characters would result.“

What am I called to do with this wisdom imparted to me? There are eight parables in Matthew 13 and maybe the first and last ones may be the most important. The first one is the Parable of the Sower and here is the last one:

“Have you understood all these things?” They said to him, “Yes.” And he said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house, who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.” – Matthew 13:51-52  ESV

The teaching reflects my responsibility when I am taught what the Kingdom of Heaven is all about. I am a student, teacher and a leader. I feed into the household of faith. I have a rich, inspired storehouse of essential spiritual treasures from which I can draw on to perform what God has called me to do.

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Be the rescue

 

Rescue the perishing

 

There is something special about the person who rescues someone who seems to be drawing closer to losing who they are in Christ. It would seem that today I am being challenged to deliver them who are dying and to hold them back from going down that slippery slope.

Rescue those who are being taken away to death;
hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter.
If you say, “Behold, we did not know this,”
does not he who weighs the heart perceive it?
Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it,
and will he not repay man according to his work? – Proverbs 24:11-12  ESV

I may want to take the easy way out and think this is just about those who have suffered a miscarriage of justice and it is my duty to deliver them. That kind of leaves a pious or well-informed moral obligation on the table.  Since we are in Proverbs, I would like to think that Wisdom has no pleasure in the death of anyone, innocent or not. In the Septuagint, verse eleven reads like this…

 “Deliver those that are being led away to death, and redeem ( ἐκπρίου) those that are appointed to be slain; spare not (to help them)” 

If I help only those I know and ignore others, those are not good principles to follow. Why would I choose to be a selfish person? God knows my heart and He knows the truth – He knows that whatever excuse I use holds no water.  I am faced once again with the law of love which is limited by no circumstances.  Back to the Septuagint for verse twelve…

“But if thou say, I know not this man, know that the Lord knoweth the hearts of air; and he who formed ( πλάσας) breath for all, himself knoweth all things, who rendereth to every man according to his works.”

Lord, I trust You – let me help the one You want me to rescue.

 

 

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