Promoting wholeness

On another Sabbath he went into the synagogue and was teaching, and a man was there whose right hand was shriveled. The Pharisees and the teachers of the law were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal on the Sabbath. But Jesus knew what they were thinking and said to the man with the shriveled hand, "Get up and stand in front of everyone." So he got up and stood there.  Then Jesus said to them, "I ask you, which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?"  He looked around at them all, and then said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He did so, and his hand was completely restored.

Luke 6:6‭-‬10 NIV

How many times had that man with a shriveled hand attended Sabbath gathering and been overlooked as "impure"?  How many times had he been ignored or overlooked.  How many times had people wondered if it was his own sin or his parents's sin that resulted in the condition of his hand?

How did the man feel when Jesus asked him to stand up in front of everyone? Did he keep his shrivelled hand hidden under his garment? 

Jesus's question to us is polarizing.  I am either doing good or evil, helping save people or destroying them.  Jesus gives me no middle ground.  When I marginalize or ignore people, I am doing evil and destroying people.  But when I love people and heal them, I am partnering with God to save life and do good.

Taking notice of people and beholding them is the first step (implicit in v.6).

Father, your heart is always to do good and save.  Jesus, thank you for your example of partnering with Father in beholding, loving, teaching, healing, saving, and restoring.  Holy Spirit, thank you for your love and power - the same love and power that you shared with Jesus, you share with me.  Please teach me and use me.  I love you, and I ask in the name of Jesus.

Supernatural abundance is a sign of the Kingdom

Reading Luke 5:1-11, the first time Jesus tells Peter to cast his nets, and they catch a big haul. Then the fisherman left everything and became disciples Jesus.  

Holy Spirit showed me that supernatural abundance is one of the signs of the Kingdom.  Like Jesus feeding the 5000.  Peter Jordan has taught us the last couple of Sundays that signs point to Jesus.  We don't love the signs; we love Jesus.  

Father, I praise you for your goodness and abundance.  I think abundance is part of the lesson on "joy" for me this year.  Like an overflow of laughter.  Jesus, thank you for your examples of abundance.  Holy Spirit use me to make more signs (e.g., supernatural abundance) in my daily life to show more people your goodness and point more people to love Jesus.  I love you, not for the abundance of things you provide, but for who you are. You are and amazing person.

How many demons stay quiet in churches?

Then he went down to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and on the Sabbath he taught the people. They were amazed at his teaching, because his words had authority.  In the synagogue there was a man possessed by a demon, an impure spirit. He cried out at the top of his voice, "Go away! What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!"

Luke 4:31‭-‬34 NIV

When I was a kid, I used to think that demons weren't around anymore.  But now I think that most of the time they operate more inconspicuously here in the U.S., especially in church meetings. 

What if we spoke and lived with the authority that Christ walked in and the authority that He delegated to us? Would the collision of the Kingdom of Heaven which we bring be more obvious?  Even in church gatherings?

I think it would be especially obvious in church gatherings.

Father, thank you for making me a son in your Kingdom.  Jesus, thank you for delegating your royal authority to me and for giving me your Holy Spirit.  Holy Spirit, I want to be used by you to reveal your power to implement the lordship of Jesus here on earth as it is in Heaven.  Teach me.  Show me the next steps.  I love you, and I ask in the name of Jesus.

Healing is a sign promised to all believers

[Jesus] said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.  Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.  And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues;  they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well."

Mark 16:15‭-‬18 NIV

First, Jesus explains that if you believe the Gospel, then you will be saved. Second, in the next sentence, Jesus explains that if you believe, then you will heal the sick.

I think I have been thinking that healing is only for a select few.  But Jesus includes healing as a sign for those who believe the Gospel.  I believe the Gospel, therefore I am able to be used by Him to heal.

Father, thank you for your desire to heal.  Jesus, thank you for your promises of signs for those who believe the Gospel. Holy Spirit, please show me how to walk in your promises.  I love you.

I want to echo Holy Spirit

Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.

Mark 13:11 NIV

I would prefer not to be arrested, but I would like to channel the Holy Spirit.

I had the opportunity to pray for a lady at lunch yesterday who does not yet know Jesus personally.  I told her that her Father loves her and wants a personal, conversational relationship with her.  And then I prayed for her, asking Holy Spirit to show himself to her in clear ways.  I hope that I was saying what the Holy Spirit was saying.

I suppose that the way to learn which voice to channel is to practice channeling the voice that I think is the Holy Spirit.  If it produces the fruit of the Spirit, then I will know that it was the Holy Spirit.  If not, then I ask for mercy and try again.

Father and Jesus, thank you for giving me the Holy Spirit. Holy Spirit, thank you for your patience with me as I learn to tune in to your voice.  I love you, and I want to be able to single your gentle voice out of a roaring crowd.  I want to be so centered on you that my own thoughts submit to your lordship. May your love and power be clearly shown through me. I love you, and I ask in the name of Jesus.

Restoration of Bartimeaus

Mark 10:46‭-‬47 NIV

Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (which means "son of Timaeus"), was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"

I think it is interesting that Mark explains that "bar" means "son of".  That is like explaining that "el niño" means "the niño".  But maybe it was a subtle hint to take a look at the meaning of the name Timaeus?

Timaeus (Τιμαῖος) means "highly prized".  I imagine that Bartimaeus might have felt like his name was sarcastically ironic, as he sat there begging day after day, many people overlooking him and ignoring him, or pretending that they didn't see or hear him.  I wonder if he ever felt like his dad was highly prized, but he wasn't.  

But actually, every person is highly prized because we inherently bear the glory of our Father. We are made in His image.  

When Bartimaeus heard that Hope was near, he called out for mercy from Jesus (Ἰησοῦς), the one whose name means, "Yahweh saves".  Bartimaeus also called Him "Son of David", a term associated with the Messiah (Christ), the announced one who ushers in the fulfillment of the promises of God.

Jesus took time to notice Bartimeaus and ask him what he wanted.  And Jesus gave him sight.

Indeed, Jesus sees us all through the eyes of divine favor, and He has already purchased our freedom from darkness.  With a simple ask of faith, we can walk with spiritual sight.

Father, thank you for making us all highly prized like you.  I want to see the worth that you have given each of us.  Jesus, I want to continue your ministry of restoring people to wholeness.  Holy Spirit, please guide me and empower me.  I love you, and I pray in the name of Jesus.

Stewarding our children to love Jesus

Last night, I read the story of Eli and Samuel from the Adventure Bible to my kids.  It seems like Eli trained Samuel, but why didn't Eli train his sons to love Yahweh?  And as high priest (one who was acutely aware of God's passion for holiness), why didn't Eli discipline his sons?

This is speculation, but maybe when Eli was a new father, he didn't understand the importance of training the next generation to love God.  Maybe he was too focused on his career and trying to become high priest.  Or maybe he treated Samuel differently because he thought his sons were his own but he knew that Samuel belonged to someone else.  

I think sometimes we take better care of something/someone valuable when we are aware that we are stewards, not owners, because we know that we are accountable to the owner for the quality of our care.

Last night, Jude told me, "You're the best dad! Well, second-best." I smiled and told him, "Thank you, Jude!" He gets it.

Father, thank you for the wonderful family that you have entrusted me to steward. Help Brandi and me guide our kids to know you and love you because they are fundamentally your children.  I want to be faithful to that reality.  Holy Spirit, please bless our home with awareness of your presence.  I love you, and I ask in the name of Jesus.