idol bliss or idleness is worthless worship

Kingdom Principle:   God provides worth & wisdom, you are to give him your work as worship.

Work as if your Worth depends on it, Live in Freedom because it doesn’t

Isaiah 12

Isaiah 65:17-25

2 Thessalonians 3:6-13

Luke 21:5-19

Life in the Kingdom Come is filled with meaning & purpose – this is embraced in discovering your worth. This post does not directly address worship, as other have, but here the call is to live your life in the fullness of the Kingdom. Which is to live your life (an expression of labor) as an act of worship. Every second of your life is designed to be significant – God wastes nothing, for in Him we move and live and have our being. (Acts 17:28) When we go through life without capturing each moment’s meaning and purpose, we may still appear to others as busy, but it is more likely we are busy-bodies avoiding looking clueless and dizzy. We miss our meaning and purpose as we are flooded with Fear & Anxiety which lead us into idleness or idol bliss. Idleness quickly leads us to worship our own control and comfort, idol bliss quickly leads us to worship our own creations.

In idleness we are without purpose and direction – hear believers retain their faith – but have no action. When our hands are idle, they become tools of wickedness. This is not a call to be busy, rather it is a contrast to what most value as important is truly acting as a busybody. Busybodies can be overly busy, or consumed by their to do-list which actually freezes them from doing anything productive. Regardless of “production or not” our call is to find ourselves, being at peace with the King filled the joy of the Kingdom.

Idol bliss is found is often outwardly seen as the opposite of idle. When we are “busy” and our life it full it can quickly become a state of idol bliss. In this pursuit of bliss, we are building our “kingdom” rather than seeking first the Kingdom of God. In this state we are exchanging Heaven’s blessing (favor) for idol bliss. In both idleness and idol bliss we become frozen in fear or driven to performance.

Jesus say’s “Follow Me”, Paul says “imitate me” – this is not a mimicked act or copying of what they are doing but in the discovering of how they live and their being. It is an invitation into intimacy and discover of one’s true identity. They (Paul & Jesus) live a life of intimacy with the King of the Kingdom, which revealed their calling, and purpose in this world. Paul calls the believers to follow the example set for them, and to hold to the teachings (traditions) they have been given. There is a thread throughout all of history (as it is His Story) which breaths live into our being. (Genesis 2:7) Where are we find such an example today? Who’s teachings and traditions are the right ones?

Jeremiah says is this way, (6:16) This is what the Lord says:

“Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths,
ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.

The good way is under the care of the good shepherd. Meditate on Psalm 23, and as yourself, am I walking in this teaching, does is produce life in my being? Jesus echo’s Jeremiah (or is it the other way around in Matthew 11:28-30

²⁸ “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

The yoke of Jesus is his teachings and ways of life. Paul offers us the same call; to move with a clean conscience, not to fear or worry about defending one’s self, but to expect and overcome persecution and to press into the work hard which must be done. In this way we shall never getting tired of doing what is good.

How do we live such a life?

We first stop trying to interpret and solve the issue of the current times. This pursuit will drive us to idle-ness or idol bliss. We are called to be anchored in our identity through intimacy with the King of the Kingdom. In this way we proclaim our inheritance (the kingdom – Matt 25:34, Eph.5:5, Col. 1:12)  There is not a puzzle to solve, rather there is a mystery to embrace. This mystery is revealed unto the very body of Christ as the church and why Paul commands us to follow in this way. (Eph. 3:7-13)

Thus to Follow Jesus, to follow the teachings, to imitate, to discover is to celebrate one’s

Identity, Intimacy and Inheritance.

To encounter intimacy with God – experience www.athoe.org  the call here is not to solve it, or even approach it as a teaching or “content”, rather it is an invitation to be “born from above” (again).

To encounter identity with God – is a call to formation. There are many tools which can assist you on this journey. On this path, you will embrace the need for Self-awareness, Self-disciple, and Self-reflection.  Each of these play a very particular role in your formation www.souleader.org lays out the holistic lens of formation. If you want tangible tools – see the resource box on the side of the blog or simply reply and ask.

To encounter inheritance with God – is a call to walk on earth as it is in heaven. While atheo is an invite to intimacy, (also found in Ps. 23 and Matt 5-7) to live that in relationships around you is to fully express the Kingdom of Heaven as a reality on this earth. www.ocnsandimas.com is being set up to assist this in become a reality. We are invited to transform this world with the power and authority of Heaven at our lips. May we Pray, Declare and Command the Kingdom of Heaven Come!

The invitation has been sent – the banquet hall will be filled – COME, let’s sing and dance of the Joy of our Salvation.

My Marriage will end by Death

Kingdom Principle:  The Kingdom is the measure by which time is tested and made true.

Haggai 1:15b-2:9

Psalm 145:1-5, 17-21

2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17

Luke 20:27-38

I’m not talking about murder, but my vows were until death do us part.  Marriage was not designed to work in heaven, as it does on earth. And when something does not work and it has no worth, it is time to get rid of it. We will return to the concept of marriage below.

The Kingdom is the true measure of worth, and for this post we are looking at the value of time.  2 Peter 3:8 tells us that with the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. You can set your life according to the time of the Kingdom and you will always be on time. There is both chronos and karios aspects of time in “this age” – you can review that if you wish – but here the aspect is not about how time moves in “this age”, but rather how you move into the times of “the age to come”.  Another angle on this concept is how control, keeps your focus on time in this age, for in the age to come there is no such concept.   Many go through life with God in their pocket. This is a reference to your phone which can control your day and set your schedule. If we get fixed on time as it is set in this age, then we will struggle to have freedom in or abide by time that is beyond this age. In the Kingdom we must come to flow with time, living in both this age and the eagerly anticipating and participating in age to come at the same time.  Imagine trying to control every aspect of your marriage. Exhausting! And truly a waste of time, energy and effort – Marriage is a relationship and not designed to be controlled. Once you are in control, intimacy is no longer possible, for the relationship is not longer one of love, rather it is based in fear.

God’s flow of time is set to move you in this age, so that you encounter the age to come. When you are in the Kingdom of God – which is everlasting – your experience of time is altered to meet God not the other way around. This week we encounter 4 passages that are all about time, both in “this age”, and the “age to come”.  But first I want us to be on the same page with the concepts of “this age”, “age to come”, and “resurrection”

“This age” (Mark 10:29-30, Eph. 1:21, Matt 12:32) is the time prior to the return of the Lord. This age is also clearly under the siege of the enemy of God. (1 Cor. 2:6-8, 3:18, 2 Cor. 4:4, Gal. 1:4) “The age to come” is that which follows Christ’s return. (Matt. 13:24-30, 37-43) The “End Times” focus on events that separate this age and those to take place in the age to come – create controversy  and questions arise for many here.  I am of the perspective that Christ will return, His Return will not be known ahead of time, His return will only take place once, (which means no rapture, prior to a second coming) and there is not a literal 1000 year reign after this return. (Persecution and the signs of the times will intensify until His return) Much more can be said – look here.

Further, I believe in a physical resurrection, meaning our bodies will be raised physically. I cannot and will not attempt to explain this mystery here – but resurrection is certainly not mere a spiritual experience. (1 Cor. 15:20, 51-54, 2 Cor. 5:1-5, Phil. 3:20-21) (Nor do I believe that resurrection of our bodies must wait until the age to come – it can and does begin now as we call our physical senses to be spiritual portals of the Kingdom Come – see www.athoe.org)What is more is that after the return of Christ, and the full resurrection (Acts 24:15, 1 Thess. 4:15-17) there will be a final judgment. (Matt. 24: 3-31; John 5:21-30, 6:39-54, 12:47-48)This judgment will be the final act of all that was in “this age” including the judgement of the power and thwarting efforts of Satan  and those who followed his ways will be cast into the lake of fire. (Rev. 20:10-15) And one final note –Eternal life  and the Kingdom of Heaven beings in this age, not in the age to come. (Luke 17:21, John 17:3)

So – back to the texts this week….

To live in the Kingdom is to have your identity rooted and established in the love of Christ. (Eph 3:14-21)We have seen this over the last few weeks in our Worth. When our worth is redeemed, and salvation is granted unto us… our identity is found in intimacy with Jesus. This intimacy “in this age” is often represented (although poorly) through the marriage bed relationship between a husband and wife. (Ephesians 5:8-10, 17-21, 22-33) But “in the age to come” there will be even greater glory in intimacy with God such that the former will no longer even be practiced. This is why those who choose celibacy and not marriage are choosing what is better for they have their focus on the intimacy of the “age to come” NOW. (1 Cor. 7:1-9, Matt. 19:10-12) This same concept holds true throughout all of Scriptures. (Read the book of Hebrews…and track the concept of better/greater) However regardless of where you find yourself, you are at the right time NOW! For now is the moment of engagement for you, and the LORD hears your cry and will save you. This is true now and forever more, for the Kingdom is from Everlasting to Everlasting.  All this is because of the Truth that set’s us Free and it is the Spirit of Truth (John 1:14, 8:36,14:15-17) who brings about this work in our lives such that we can stand firm and hold fast.

Therefore:

Your Identity is the Key to your Freedom.  The trick of the Sadducees question was that they linked the woman’s identity to her dead husband(s), and “if” there was a resurrection (which the Sadducees did not believe in) then how can her identity be given to her from all 7 (number of perfection) husbands.  Is your identity formed by this of this age or of the age to come? Steven Covey, in The 7 Habits of Highly Effective people– suggests that your center or Identity comes from where you derive your Wisdom, Power, Guidance and Security.

True Freedom is found in Self-Control. This means that nothing outside of you – controls you. Since you have been washed and redeemed, buy the Blood of the Lamb (John 1:29)sin no longer is your master. (Romans 6:12-14) Rather the Spirit of God is in you producing the fruit of Self-control. (Gal. 5:22-23)This Control is not to avoid doing bad, rather self-control is choose to believe what God says about us, rather than believing or acting on the lies of the enemy. (John 8:42-47, 2 Timothy 1:7, Eph. 2:1-10)

Self-Control moves toward Intimacy by Faith.  (Titus 2:11-14) As I abide with Christ and choose (where I choose – I exercise self-control) to be with Him, rather than to be tempted by the addictions of this world, I continue to grow in my trust and faith in Him. This exchange of time with the King, rather than to give into temptations of the world yields an intimacy that moves beyond this age into the next.

The worthy know their true worth

Kingdom Principle:  Only the Righteous are worthy to seek justice.

The worthy receive justice, and the worthless receive truth.

Joel 2:23-32

Psalm 65

2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18

Luke 18:9-14

You don’t have a soul, you are a soul. You have a body. – C.S. Lewis

You are not a human being in search of a spiritual experience. You are a spiritual being immersed in a human experience. –  Teilhard de Chardin

Prior to the Lectionary Scriptures this week – I wanted to make a not on human worth… if you have that figured out – skip down to below. Human worth begins in our being made in God’s image. (Gen. 1:26-27) We are created beings, fearfully and wonderfully made, and all the days of our lives were written in God’s book before we were ever born, confirming God’s prior knowledge and plan for our lives. (Psalm 139:13-16, Eph 2:9-10) Therefore no human being is worthless, regardless of their actions. However not all humanity has been made worthy.  God’s has chosen his children to be for the praise of His glory, and that we have an inheritance in heaven with Him. (Eph 1:4, 13-14)  This brief intro is intended to bring forth the value and worth which God sees in us, as well as establish that our worth is based on what God has done for us. (Romans 5:8) Our worth does not come from things we have done for ourselves, nor have we earned or deserved them. (Even justice is not deserved because we earned it – rather it is due us because the law of God established it.) This is why Christians joyfully proclaim “while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us”. What is worse than simply being sinners, is that we “were dead in trespasses and sins”. (Eph 2:4-9) There is no worth in that which is dead. For this reason, God imputed (gave to us) His own righteousness not because we were worthy of it, but because we were unworthy, unlovable, and unable to make ourselves worthy in any way. (2 Corinthians 5:21) But , because of this act and God’s love for us (John 3:16) – we now have infinite worth. To be known and loved is to experience my worth as God has declared it.

Therefore, we can conclude that our worth is not really of the “self” at all; rather, it is worth given to us by God. In fact, apart from God we remain in an unworthy state of being. (Romans3:23) The truth is that this does not make us worthless – rather like an empty soda can that is not recycled – it has worth but it must be redeemed. This value and worth is given and established by God because of the price He paid to make us worthy—the death of His Son on the cross. It is only through the blood of Jesus that our lives are filled with worthy and are fully redeemed. (1 Cor. 15:10, Acts 20:28)

To conclude, our self-worth which is too often based on what other people tell us about ourselves it truly of no worth at all, The one, true authority on our self-worth is Jesus Christ, and since He gave His own life up for us by dying on a cross, that informs us just of just how valuable we really are.

Now to the Lectionary this week:

We see in today’s text there is a great variance between

Self-Righteousness  looks holy on the outside, yet is hollow on the inside

Savior’s Righteousness leaves your holes on the outside, but is hallowed on the inside

I am convinced that a life filled with Thanksgiving is a mark of Christ in you. And yet, the Pharisee this week is “represented” as one who is thankful, but is missing the gift of justification as Christ is longing to give it. His self-worth is high, but he remains un-redeemed in the eyes of Christ. So again we return to the fact that actions are not enough when the attitude is not matched with the love of Christ.  The Pharisee is thankful that God is good and that his life represents God’s goodness. The works of his life demonstrate his devotion and dedication to God’s law, therefore he is especially aware of how good he is when compared to how bad it could be if his life looked like that of the tax collector.  When we make life an issue of good verses bad, we are engaging in a self-righteous trap. The true quest is in know that which is life-giving verses death. This is contrasted by the tax collector who declares that his life is a mess and he is deserving of judgment, yet it is his desire is to seek the mercy and grace of God to that he might be redeemed.  For the Pharisee, he is already convinced that his own righteousness is complete in his works. This error is not as easy to see in ourselves as it is in others.

One key to seeing this in yourself clearly is to walk in humility.  Humility is at the edge of the Kingdom. Humility comes as you steward your sufferings.  If you lack stewardship of suffering – you will lack awareness of your need for God. If you lack stewardship of your relationships you will lack awareness of your need for others. While the Pharisee lacked these – he did not lack the stewardship of resources. Therefore he did enjoy the returns of this world.  The Pharisee is receiving his full reward. (Matt 6:5) Paul models stewardship on all fronts. As the end of his life is drawing near, there is no bitterness, regret or resentment.  Whether the metaphor is a fight, a race or keeping the faith, Paul seeks only the Lord’s approval and the Lord’s appearing. Paul’s eyes are always up and looking forward. He holds nothing against those who bring him harm and caries no resentment for his sufferings. This again is the mark of humility. This attitude is one of having no shame, based not in pride but in deliverance.  Again the tax collector’s hope is deliverance which frees him from his shame. By contrast the Pharisee as well has no shame, but this is rooted in pride and elitism – this is rationalization of life in comparison to the world. The tax collector’s removal of shame is based in revelation.

Forgiveness and Humility build one’s worth.  Forgiveness as addressed above is the initial act of accessing worth.  It is a gift of grace. Humility is grown through our actions of stewardship and our willingness to forgive others.  A humble life anchored in receiving forgiveness removes the shame that can decrease or negatively affect our acceptance of worth granted by Christ.  Shame prevents us from seeking the justice which is to be granted by God.  Justice must be sought, and will only be done by those who have fully known grace and mercy. Knowing grace and mercy will yield a life of forgiveness and humility such that justice will flow freely.

Let’s look at what modern-day Pharisees’ (those who have self-righteousness) look like:

First – they don’t seek justice – for they don’t think there is any need for it. They have been focused on their own righteous deeds rather than the righteousness of God our Savior.  Justice is based on what is due where an injustice is be leveled against you or it is the desire for judgment against sin. If we don’t see our sin, and at the same time consider ourselves to be better than others – justice is already being served.

Second, they don’t seek forgiveness – for their awareness of others sinful behavior is greater than their own.  Jesus deals with this greatly in the Sermon on the Mount. (Matthew 5-7) Modern-day Pharisees  focus on other’s shortcomings, and their own actions of holiness that must be upheld. Therefore the focus is on calling out others sin so that it does not contaminate them,  which requires maintaining isolation and distance in order not to compromise their “holiness”.

Therefore – Bitterness fills their bones, rather than humility filling their heart. Anytime a sinner is justified, the focus for the Pharisee is on what should have been deserved.  (Bitterness begins with a  should list.) This is a win-lose mentality. In order for the Pharisee to win  – the tax collector must lose. However those who exalt themselves will be humbled, while those who humble themselves will be exalted. If both individuals were to walk in humility the Pharisee will enjoy greater  exaltation for he will enjoy favor  based on the fruit of faith (not earned) and justice based on the righteousness of God (not earned either). Yet, as it is, the Pharisee does not enjoy either, for he seeks to earn God’s favor through works-righteousness, and never seeks justice for it is already served.  This leaves the Pharisee to enjoy this life, which he does,  but constantly aware of the joy found in others which is beyond his reach. When the modern-day Pharisee looks at others lack of effort and work, but sees their joy in deliverance, bitterness set’s in.  The only way to break from bitterness is through thanksgiving which is anchored in humility (mercy) and forgiveness (grace).

How to be set free…?     Walk the www.athoe.org journey.

Embrace God’s willingness to pour out His Spirit on all people. Joel  is a prophet of humble status – this is the only text of all three years lectionary, we don’t know when it was written, nor who he really was… And Joel exalts the female servant to be on par with the elderly sage who is a man is beyond the comprehension  of most as they both are to receive the Spirit.  May we be released in this life from the need to have our expectations met. May we seek only the Cross of Christ to be our rule and judge. At the foot of the cross my we find mercy and grace such that we enjoy the forgiveness of God much more than any justice that may be served on our behalf.

A man should carry two stones in his pocket. On one should be inscribed, ‘I am but dust and ashes.’ On the other, ‘For my sake was the world created.’ And he should use each stone as he needs it.

Get what you deserve – Justice!

Kingdom principle: Seeking Justice means you have known Grace & Mercy

Desire Mercy, Be Thankful for Grace, Never Give up on Justice.

Jeremiah 31:27-34

Psalm 119:97-104

2 Timothy 3:14-4:5

Luke 18:1-8

Our prayers don’t change God – they change us…. the passage in Luke is not about being persistent to get what we want. If persistence gets you what you want then prayer is based in possibility thinking and law of attraction. (It’s Not) The self-absorbed judge of Luke 18 is not like God and God is not like that judge of that passage….   Yet, God is the ultimate and final judge, therefore we are to come to Him with our cries for justice. The persistent widow cries out because of her awareness that justice is due her, and her faith leads her to continue to cry out in faithful expectancy. We too are to model this hope, not based on our needs, rather based on the Character and Promises of God. God has sufficient mercy and grace for us – and both of these are freely given, our invitation today is to learn to cry out in prayer for justice. When we pray we are not to “bugging” and “nagging” God until we get what we want. We are to cry out for the promises that God has committed to us.

First, let us understand Mercy – It is difficult to be thankful for that which God withholds from us – but in his Mercy judgment is withheld from us – for we are sinners and death is what is due us all.  When we become aware of Mercy we respond with Thanksgiving.  Grace is receiving from God that which what we don’t deserve. (In Mercy God withholds, In Grace God gives) When we receive Grace from God, we experience His leading, teaching, guiding, and conviction. When we become fully aware of Grace, we respond with Obedience. (see 2 Timothy regarding how the Word of God is to be preached) This work of Grace & Mercy is an act of the Holy Spirit granted unto us by the life and blood of Jesus Christ.  It is not until when we acknowledge Grace in our lives, that we can begin to steward God’s mercy toward others – this increases our faith, joy and eternal rewards.  Where a faithful follower of Christ is not encountering Mercy or Grace – the Enemy is thwarting the very desire and will of God. Living a consistent lifestyle of Thanksgiving is an indicator that Grace & Mercy has been made complete. There are two main reasons why this thwarting can take place – either the enemy is intruding, or we have invited. Where there is intrusion we are to cry out for JUSTICE. Where there is invitation we draw upon the Grace & Mercy of God. The Widow was crying for Justice.

God’s justice is the overriding rule that the peace and prosperity of the Kingdom are to be yours in abundance. This commitment is not alone spiritual or eternal, it is that God’s promised abundance to walk in the fullness of the Kingdom Now,  has been stolen and thwarted by the enemy. God’s justice is rooted in our identity and inheritance of the Kingdom. It is the final answer, God has freely given grace & mercy, but because we live in this age and in this age there is an enemy, Justice must be included. If there is not intrusion, there is no need for Justice. Justice is served when the enemy or an agent of the enemy intrudes into a believer’s life. The enemy is not stupid, he will always wage war where he is most likely to win.  When we invite (see below) and the enemy brings chaos, tumult and destruction – this is only stopped by an act of Grace. Not every invite results in chaos – in this case Mercy was executed over us. This ought to move you to thanksgiving. In response to mercy, we are to move toward grace.  Therefore, God’s children are called to put on the righteousness of Christ and mediate on the Word of God.  In Christ’s righteousness, which is grace given to us, is there no invitation of sin. Therefore every time the enemy moves against you (intrusion) , as you are clothed in righteousness – You are deserving of Justice. Justice is the ultimate payback, with a huge spiritual dividend and physical blessing.

• Invitation – When we invite destruction through sinful actions or passive agreement with our flesh nature or worldly desires.
• Intrusion – When Satan breaks the Spiritual laws violating the rule & reign of the King.
• Justice – the movement of God towards his children in response to Intrusion
• Grace – the teaching and instruction of God to remove further invitation to the enemy
• Mercy – the withholding of judgment as we are careless in our invitations to the enemy

Let us be quick to invite the LORD to rule and reign and just is quick to resist the enemy. While Grace and Mercy are given freely we must seek, cry out for and demand for Justice. This Engagement is an act of prayer that shifts our focus from what is happening to what can happen. Prayer shifts our focus from the reality of this world to the realm of the heavens. When we pray and lament to God for what was due us and how the enemy has tormented us – we are asking for what we deserve –that is Justice. Again grace is being given, what we don’t deserve. Prayer guides us in the journey of faith, teaching us the will of the Father. When we say, “Prayer Changes things”, the very “thing” that is being changed when you engage in prayer is You. Justice being delivered restores you to the rightful place in which God has already established and prepared for you. Therefore this is not a change in you, it is a confirmation of what we hoped to be true- now realized.

Finally –

There is no longer any shame in the life of the believer who has received Grace or needs more Mercy. (Romans 1:16, 2 Cor. 10:8, Phil 1:20, 2 Tim. 1:8, 12, 16; 2:15,  1 Peter 4:16) (It is complete much like our hope in justice) This is because  grace was fully dispensed and sin atoned for on the cross.  If we error and sin – resulting in an invitation to the enemy to bring destruction, we simply confess our sins and he is faithful and just. (1 John 1:8-9)  ATHOE  Everything that happens in our lives, which is not an act of God’s Grace or Mercy can and will be re-paid with Justice. This nullifies the shame of the act, and lead us to embrace consequences of our actions with Thanksgiving. So all this to say – Be Alive and full of live in the Kingdom of God. Boast in your weakness, be not ashamed of your life. God is at work in you and for you. Cry out to him and you will see – the Mercy, Grace and Justice that he is longing to bestow on you.

It feels good to be rich

Kingdom Principle: Stewardship of resources is a matter of thanksgiving and generosity.

Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15

Psalm 91:1-6, 14-16

1 Timothy 6:6-19

Luke 16:19-31

• In business there must be a profit margin which demonstrates good business.
• In ministry there must be a prophet margin which demonstrates godly ministry.

The Good life is a Godly life where there is a value for both profit and prophet. The profit margin leads you to enjoy all the resources & riches the Lord has provided. The prophet margin calls us to be rich in good deeds, filled with thanksgiving and generous and as we share with all those in need. (Micah 6:8, Matthew 25:14-46)

I have worked in not-for-profit organizations (churches, city transformation teams, & counseling and coaching groups) and well as in for-profit industries (Entertainment, education & sales). No “job” (where you receive financial compensation) will last without making a profit. The difference between the not-for-profit and the for-profit is who benefits from the profit. (Not-for profits, must make a profit, but the benefits are NOT to be owned or controlled by the leaders of the organization, rather they are put back into the organization to fulfill its mission. For-profits can put the profits in the pockets of its leaders and owners, for that is the mission of the business.  Our lives need to have both profit margins and prophet margins. The Bible says, the poor will always be with you, and it addresses the rich not as the problem. Rather the problem is when the rich find their identity in their wealth. For this reason the command of 1 Timothy is not against money, nor that money is evil, rather it is to find joy in all God provides, being rich in good deeds and generous by sharing with those in need.

Last week the “rich man” had a stewarding problem, which turned out to be a relationship issue. This week the rich man has a stewarding problem, which is both a relational issue and also a financial issue. The rich man was neither generous to nor thankful for the poor man, Lazarus while on earth. God is generous to all… Those who do not live a life of Thanksgiving and Generosity – miss life altogether and are left with bitterness and jealously when they finally realize what they missed. To be rich is not the problem. To not be rich in love and good deeds is the problem whether you have financial resources or not. The rich man of Luke 16 was not rich in good deeds. Jesus had followers who were rich (Luke 8:1-3) Joseph of Arimathea was “rich”, and Lydia was “rich” to Paul. Jeremiah demonstrates that God has given him provision and peace through buying land that has no value in the current/impending threat of captivity and destruction of Judah. To steward according to a prophet margin in primary to the profit margin. Meaning you must value the richness of good deeds, over the value of riches. However, if you follow the prophet margin and the profit margin, you will have more riches with which to be generous.

How you steward your money is the key importance to whether your money will become a vice or a virtue in your life. Stewardship begins with your primary relationships and the way you learn to either use people or invest in people. (or if you feel used or invested in) The same is true for finances.  When you use your finances to get what you want – you learned it most likely in your primary relationships. This must be confronted and healed, and will only take place in the presence of a prophet’s message – You are loved by the God who is generous – Follow God’s ways.

The life you live on this earth is to be a foretaste of what you will enjoy for eternity. Heaven on earth is to begin now – I call it ATHOE. God’s desire is not for you to be miserable (suffering, poor, living in want and destitute); rather it is for you to be saved from the Kingdom of darkness. (1 Tim 2:3-6, Colossians 1:13-14) Joy and contentment are the roots of thanksgiving in the midst of trials and troubles in life. (James 1:2, Romans 5:3-5, & Philippians 4:10-14) Further because of your salvation by faith, your life is to be filled with Good works. (James 2:14-24 , Romans 12:1-3, 9-21, Philippians 2:19-22, 25, 4:2-3)  Therefore, in Jesus we have all we need to enter into that life of faith and fulfillment. For, it is not a sin to be rich, rather it is the temptation to be rich which ensnares many people and a sin to pursue the glory of riches – for it will lead to ruin and destruction. How much more we are called to pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness, for out of such things generosity and thanksgiving will flourish.

So what about the $$$ – Steward what you have generously and with thanksgiving. Lazarus died just like the rich man died– you too will die, so don’t fear or avoid death. Rather pursue life, the make the most of materials of this world are not eternal, but what you do with them does have eternal impact.  The Rich Man found himself in a place of torment seeking comfort and pity from Lazarus, whom all his earthly life he had not the slightest compassion toward – and now he is asking for the good deeds he never offered.  Death and punishment has prompted the rich man to see the true value of money. (much like last week – the manager’s fear opened his eyes) Money has no value in the life to come – so the call is to figure out the value of money in this life.

That value riches and money is two-fold;

1. for those in need     (both your needs and that of others – food & clothing)
2. for your enjoyment (both your enjoyment and that of others – thanksgiving & generosity)

Anyone who reads this and thinks – “I have a need” – is missing the point for in fact when you have Jesus – then – No, you don’t have any need – for all needs are met in Him. (If you are reading this and don’t have Jesus fully in your life – please reach out to me  – I want to know why you are still reading this – I’m fascinated by your dedication– I’ll pay you $$$ to hear your thoughts) Thus we must discover what is true joy in this life, and as the Psalm points out this week that joy is to have no fear, and to be loved and in love with God Our Savior. To return to the beginning, we need a prophet & profit message in our lives:

• The prophet message:

Be filled with Thanksgiving & Generosity demonstrating your Hope in God!

• The profit message:

Be filled with Thanksgiving & Generosity so others put their Hope in God!

Shrewd Stewards always have enough

Kingdom Principle: Stewardship of relationships yields eternal wealth

Jeremiah 8:18-9:1

Psalm 79:1-9

1 Timothy 2:1-7

Luke 16:1-13

Last week we addressed how we can identify ourselves as saints, sinners, fools or evil in the Kingdom of God. The call last week was to see ourselves as saints. This week we see that saints act as stewards.

Stewards are placed in charge or called to manage another’s person’s resources. Saints are the stewards of God resources.

• Saints are Stewards
• Sinners are Savers
• Fools are Spenders
• Evil are Steal’ers. (Sorry Pittsburgh)

Sinners are savers because they fear they never have enough. They are focused on the problems and not the solutions. (The Luke passage this week commends the shrewd steward as he sought solutions rather than being stuck in a problem.) Savers are holding out for “rainy” days, rather than believing that God is reigning over them in all ways. A sinner can never save enough, because they truly believe they are not “enough”. Shrewd stewards always have enough, because they are not looking to prove, protect or pleasure with resources. Rather they walk as saints in the perfection of their King.

Fools are spenders because they lack wisdom. Spending is not the problem, for a steward must spend to be about their owners business.  In our current culture fools view credit cards as stewardship, but that is foolish. It appears that you are managing, but in reality you are shifting and rotating your debit, rather than experiencing freedom. Jeremiah laments that the foolish actions are being called to account by the debit collection of God, they have overextended their credit, rather than turning to God for freedom.

Evil are stealers because they find satisfaction in taking what does not belong to them. They have greater enjoyment in taking from others, rather than from building and establishing capital for themselves. In fact, they lack all creative ability, as they focus on destroying another creation as the means as to make their mark in this world. Evil can appear to be very wealthy, but this was built on other backs. Evil  and fools will be owned by their possessions, rather than owning of possessions.

Let us return to the call to be Saints who Steward. Stewardship is a principle, that is built upon your ethics and values. Being a steward need not merely be financial.. In this way, saints are not merely managers of God’s kingdom resources, (as if that is outside of themselves or objectified) they are the very embodiment of God’s ways in the Kingdom. Saints steward and leverage everything, even their very lives for the Kingdom.

Stewards are not savers, because accumulation is not their goal, but they are not spenders because it costs them nothing to reallocate their masters resource. In all this, the gain or the loss return is for the “master’s” benefit not their own. Stewards are not seeking to increase their own pleasure or protection rather they receive it all is hearing the voice of the master say, “well done good and faithful servant”. Here are ideas to help you on your way of stewardship.

Steward your time – Are you always running behind, then you are never fully present with people. Release your anxiety and need to perform for others. Plan ahead, Covey tells us to plan the big rocks, and let the pebbles fall where they may. (Big Rock are always relationally based) How much time do you dedicate to your own renewal? We all have 168 hours each week – How will you not spend or save time this week – rather how you will you see your time, and not your own, but rather as a gift to steward.

Steward your money – next week’s post

Steward your sufferings – in two weeks

Steward your faith – Who will benefit from you coming along side them, who is struggling or is filled with doubt? Sharing your story (this is a time issue not money) is to steward your faith. Allow the provision of God to be multiplied as you give it way, as he is your Shepherd, you will no longer have want.

Steward your relationships – This can been done through time, faith, money or sufferings… Imagine your life as a network of relationships. How can you help make valuable connections between those who at his point are disconnected?  (Thank you social media for helping us) Where might you invite someone into relationship with you, not for your gain, but for their surplus.

Intercession and prayer for others is the clumination of stewardship of relationships via time and faith. You know an all-powerful, loving God who extends his hand to you in prayer. You have access to the throne room of grace and you are called to go there boldly and to ask for even more than you can possibly imagine -So Go -and ask on behalf of your relationships – it will increase your relationship, it will increase your faith, it will increase your time (in that you will not waste your time on efforts that produce results)

In Prayer and Intercession

• Proclaim the Freedom of the Lord to those who are in bondage, slavery and broken under oppression.
• Pray for Sinners, Fools and those who are evil that the Kingdom of God will become like honey to their lips and light to their darkened eyes.
• Pray for our government leaders and city councils that they may come to know God’s justice and mercy. …. Jeremiah will later teach this to the people in exile, “Seek the peace and prosperity of the city – Pray to the LORD for it, for if it prospers so shall you” (Jer. 29:7)

If Saints can’t lose are Sinners lost?

I wrote this post 3 years ago – and I believe and apply it more today than on the day I wrote it… ENJOY! I have now helped to write www.athoe.org to equip people to live as Saints.

Kingdom Principle: The King unconditionally accepts all into the Kingdom with uncompromising standards.

Jesus came to save sinners! An encounter with Jesus; will leave you a fool-hearted or saintly.

Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28

Psalm 14

1 Timothy 1:12-17

Luke 15:1-10

This post has nothing to do with why I am sending my children to San Dimas High where they will be “Saints”. But I can guarantee you once this comes to pass they will always identify as a “Saint” and never a “BearCat” (the other local High school mascot). Identity is a huge theme of the Kingdom and it is the goal of this blog to assist followers of Jesus to identify with the principles of the Kingdom.  So – do you identify more with the term sinner or saint? Those who find their identity in the Kingdom are saints. (this may be a bit presumptuous– but please don’t think – “I’m Not Perfect, but Forgiven” – for me that is just an excuse for Christians to identify as being just like everyone else – just better, because their sin doesn’t send them to hell. We (those who are redeemed by the blood of Christ) are saints because our identity becomes rooted and established in Christ & His Love alone, and in Christ there is no sin. This is the gift of His righteousness. I can expand on this, but biblical defense will be enough here (read for yourself )

The principle today is that regardless of who you are, or what you have done – you can and will be accepted into the Kingdom by the standard of Christ Jesus.  If you do not enter by the King’s standard then you do not enter. Those who enter are saints, which live their lives as servantleaders of the great King. Those who have not entered the kingdom are Evil, Fools, or Sinners.  I will define all these terms (being greatly assisted by the Word of God, and the book Bold Love.

Evil  – Person who is cold-hearted, and delights in destructive behaviors. With no ability to be empathetic (connecting emotionally with others) and through craft and deception, they strip others of hope for the purpose of inflicting shame and hatred on humanity. (An Evil person is a fool who continues to become hardened until their heart becomes  stone.)

Fool – Person who is arrogant and self-centered often filled with self-hatred, yet in complete denial of such reality. (You can not know yourself if you don’t know God – therefore the fool pronounces “there is no God”.  This leads them to reject wisdom and in exchange seek to increase pleasure and feed their own pride. They often live in the extremes of life (legalism or indulgence) disregarding consequences and rejecting constructive discipline. They avoid intimate & authentic relationships that call for integrity.

Sinner – Person who is capable of evil and at times acts like a fool. Sinners accept the standards of this world,  and are often blown by wind and crushed by the waves of change. Therefore they are control “freaks” or “victims” and in the challenges and confusion of life they do not seek wisdom.  Sinners struggle with envy, greed and poor judgment, their focus remains on their problems (sins and addictions) rather than in discovering solutions and growth.

Saint – Person who is capable of evil and at times acts like a fool. Saints surrender to the conviction of the Holy Spirit and in wisdom seek repentance and forgiveness. Saints may continue to struggle to honor God with all of their life, yet their focus remains on the Center-ness of Christ in their lives for the Kingdom of God is in them. Saints are often more honest or comfortable with sin (even their own sin), for shame and guilt have been crucified in them.

These terms are not intended to be labels by which you can judge others (that would be foolish), rather they are to serve you in your purist of identity with the King.

Paul – was a foolish legalist who was a blasphemer, a persecutor and violent man.  Paul killed Christians – in his misguided zeal, his actions were evil. In his ignorance, pride had crippled him and when he encountered Christ, he became transformed as a Saint.

I believe those who struggle with sin – do so because they focus on the sin (as a problem and not the Savior… their focus is on the uncompromising standard (which is holiness) rather than the unconditional acceptance. (which is love) To focus on the standards is to earn ones acceptance and to identify with the world.  The Fool has no understanding and does not listen… because it is a matter of the heart. (The Proverbs tell this well) It is their heart which is corrupt; it is for this reason the saints are called to pray, because prayer brings wisdom which changes the heart.

There is much behind this quick reminder of identity – Wisdom wastes no time with a fool and walks away from evil, and to righteous anger is what moves a saint to know when to walk away.  We are not to simply cut off from relationships, rather the goal is reconciliation. Further the only way to remove the barriers in relationships is through the leading with our ears that we love others.

Therefore the standard by which we are accepted into the Kingdom is Love.  Are you Loved? Do you Love? The acceptance of being loved by God is the movement of the King upon His People and only after this movement can there be a mission to love others. Rejection of this love is a foolish reaction, but it is an option. Sinners do not enjoy the peace and prosperity of the Kingdom because their identity is rooted in world and sin. Remaining in this place will call for a foolish expression even to say there is No God.

I’m a saint – by LeCrae

Greed Sucks, but sex, success and stuff doesn’t have too.

Kingdom Principle: Greed sucks the life out of you, thanksgiving sustains your abundance.

Hosea 11:1-11

Psalm 107:1-9, 43

Colossians 3:1-11

Luke 12:13-21

By its nature, greed will never stop sucking… it is like a black-hole. Greed sucks everything unto itself until it eventually consumes itself.  While I am not an expert on space, gravity or science in general, I have heard that you cannot escape a black hole either by feeding it or running away from it….  It is like trying to control our flesh/earthly nature – it cannot be done; the flesh must be crucified (Gal. 5:24)– totally destroyed or else its roots will again bear the fruit of this world.

Thanksgiving is counter-balance to Greed, where both seek abundance!

• Greed consumes possessions and passions.
• Thanksgiving confesses grace and truth.

But you don’t simply wake up and start to be thankful one day when you have led a life of greed. Let us first discover how deep the roots of greed reach, then how to foster a life of thanksgiving so that we don’t fall into the never satisfied gravity of greed. Contrast the roots of the Spirit with the shoots of rebellion which are the 7 deadly sins.)

Greed is never satisfied – it just keeps accumulating.  There are many expressions of greed. Greed is closely associated with idolatry, because greed places you as the god at the center of all things. The 10 Commandments bookend with revoking idolatry and greed: Thou shall have no other god’s before me and Thou shall not covet. (Exodus 20:3,17)  Greed is a root that thrives in the soil of a wicked heart, where greed is allowed to continue the heart become more wicked. Greed is a sin of excess. Greed is expressed outwardly in many forms….

One shoot of rebellion in the body is sexual immorality. (Gluttony & Lust) Sexual immorality includes anything that “feeds” the desires of the body including but not limited to adultery and homosexuality, pornography to prostitution

One shoot of rebellion in the soul is impurity of mind and emotion. (Wrath & Envy) Impurity includes anything that “feeds” the desires of the soul this is often expressed as lustful passion and evil desires

One shoot of rebellion in the spirit is arrogance and self-righteousness. (Pride & Sloth/Acadia) Self-Righteousness justifies one’s actions or avoidance of actions as superior in comparison to another.

Beware any prideful stance to speak of sexual immorality or impurity as detestable things that others do (as opposed to you) for this road is paved by generations of individuals who are arrogant, overfed and unconcerned with the needs of the poor. (Ezekiel 16:49) It is for this reason that Sodom was destroy and we find the focus of the Hosea passage resolving the issues of Israel’s greed..  It is for this reason that the love of money is declared to be the roots of all kinds of evil. (1 Tim. 6:10) This is the focus of the Luke passage.

• Greed is always accumulating, Thanksgiving is always appreciating.

To appreciate is the increased value and awareness of an asset as unpacked in 2LAF with regards to listening and relationships. Since greed is taking more than you need or require, the way to eradicate greed is by re-establishing what your needs are. This is captured in Col. 3 as by being raised with Christ and setting you hearts on things above. In this our old ways (flesh or sin nature) is taken off, and the new self is renewed in the righteous image of Christ. The LORD satisfies and fills the one who is wise and ponders the loving deeds of the God. (Ps. 107:8-9, 43)

The Church in Acts understood the solution to being overcome with greed, the tangible outcome was they sold their possession and gave to those who had a need and were filled with thanksgiving. (Acts 2:42-46) The rich man whom Jesus spoke of in the parable today completely missed it. He obsessed in his abundance, and attempted to store it away for later, yet he never saw  the purpose of his labor or his life. How far have most people come from this today?

The Problem is ownership by possessions not ownership of possessions.

When your possessions and passions own you, your flesh is your master.  Therefore, if you can’t tithe for fear of the bills that will come, or when you are working so hard to make the money you need, that you have no time to talk with a neighbor  or care for others you have succumbed to ownership by possessions. Your stuff owns you, not the other way around….

Take 10 minutes and walk around your house, look at what you own, as well as what emotionally or financially owns you. (Anything that you are in debt with on/to owns you, as well as possessions that you can’t bear to part with from a certain outfit to heirlooms) And since no one can serve two masters (Luke 16:13) we must declare to the world in whom do we trust.

There is no real security in wealth, but there is wealth in real security.

Trusting in the provision of the LORD is the only true security. Real security is discovered by being satisfied in God’s deliverance.  If you read all of Psalm 107 you discover the pattern, either you are thankful for what you have in God, or you are focused on what you want, which leads to rebellion and suffering. To which God will intervene for His love endures forever, and he will reject his promises.  Yet this intervention is not always pleasant, and often it is a painful reminder of the selfish coveting/greedy choices you have made and the consequences that follow. Discovering that the Lord has not left you but delivered you always bring an expression of thanksgiving.

Stewardship and Generosity increase our Thanksgiving which overcome Greed…

Stewardship is the call to manage, invest and leverage all that God has made you a steward (manager) of…. In this a true steward knows and declares, none of “this” is mine – there is no possession for a steward. (this includes your children, your work, your success or your failure) Stewards have been entrusted to care and maximize all they have been entrusted with.

• Stewardship is a call to Obedience.  (Luke 16 & Matthew 25)

Generosity is the call to give, distribute and bless using all that God has place at your disposal. In this God is the giver and you are the steward, and you must constantly check-in with the Holy Spirit to know how much and to whom to give, but your call is not to first meet your own needs, but rather trust in God to be your shepherd and care taker.  And in the same way God calls you to do the same for your brother or sister.

• Generosity is a call to Compassion.  (Luke 14:12-34, 21:1-4, Matthew 20:1-16)

May Stewardship and Generosity become your redeemed story to tell.

 

 

Relationships Redefined

Kingdom Principle: The Kingdom yields rights not rules in our relationships.

Hosea 1:2-10

Psalm 85

Colossians 2:6-15, (16-19)

Luke 11:1-13

This is not about being able to define relationships, rather this is expressing the reality that God redefines our relationship with everything else when we are in relationship with Him.

• The relationship between Hosea & Gomer is not as it as it seems…
• The relationship between Israel & the Land is not as it seems…
• The relationship between God & the disciples is not as it seems…
• The relationship between Christ and the church is not as it seems…
  • Each relationship has been redefined.

This redefinition is the core of transformation. In this way all the rules that were applied before the relationship are no longer applicable. In this way there are no longer rules that govern the relationship, rather there are new rights. In the Kingdom of God – freedom is a right, Grace is a right, forgiveness is a right, Mercy is a right. These are declarations of truth that are fully given to you on the path of life in the Kingdom. In this realm of relationship, it is yours to explore rather than having rules to follow.  When Jesus says “Follow Me” this is not followed by rules or guidelines, it is followed by a journey across the land.

When we follow the rules expecting to be rewarded, the rule is a means to an end. In the Kingdom the King rules. This rule is not a means to an end, rather it is the end and the reward rolled into one thing – A Relationship. When we follow Jesus, the reward is not in the completion it is in the transformation. Hosea is transformed in his obedience, yet to be obedient to God as King, he must deviate from the rules and expectations that had been set before him. This is a mark of surrender.  In this way he is transferred into a new “land” and transformed in his obedience. When you read Hosea and wonder – WHY?, HOW? Or any others state of perplexed wonder – the reality must set in that this is exactly what Jesus has done for us.

In Christ, we have been transferred from the Kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of Light. This new land is only accepted through the covering of Christ’s blood – the forgiveness of sin. In this land, sin no longer rules  – therefore it matters not what you eat or drink or if you observe religious services. It is the FREEDOM which is a right, yet in this right, we are subject to the rule of the King which guides and speaks to our heart and conscience. In this way we are slaves to righteousness rather than to the law.

Therefore: Does your relationship with the King yield more rights or rules in your life. In the Kingdom of Christ as King – it is rights. (If it feels like rules, seek forgiveness and embrace grace. What are the right you declare based on your relationship of the King. If you do not know the answer to this – Check out www.athoe.org go to I am renewed to discover prayers, declarations and commands of the Kingdom.

 

SHUT UP -to- listen!

Kingdom Principle: Leading with your ears is often thwarted by your mouth

Amos 8:1-12

Psalm 52

Colossians 1:15-28

Luke 10:38-42

James 1:19 says that we are to be quick to listen and slow to speak…. The last two weeks we have focused our efforts on being quick to listen, this week we focus on being slow to speak.

In the Gospels, Jesus told many of those he healed and his disciples not to tell others what he had done or that he was as the messiah.  (Mark 3:12, 5:43, 8:30; Luke 8:56, 9:21, Matt 8:1-4, 16:20, John 7:1-5) There are many who try hard as they may to understand the reason for this caution and call not to spread the good news. I am proposing here, that Jesus may be known a thing or two about who to spread the Gospel, and sometimes it is best to lead with your ears and not your mouth. Meaning – don’t say anything – you must learn 2LAF rather than trying to convince others of your own experience. There are various others explanations as to why Jesus says, “Don’t say anything. The most erroneous explanation came early in the 1900’s called the Messianic Secret stating that Jesus himself did not know that he was in fact “The Messiah” (anointed and chosen of God – savior of the world”) and therefore he wanted to keep his “power” or messiah features a secret. The more common and contemporary explanations range from theological explanations of God’s desire to conceal the truth from the “wise” not wanting the plans of God to be revealed before their time, -to- the need for Jesus to conceal his power so that people did not rush to him for healing, or for political revolution. This verbal concealment does not announce the good news, because of fear, and there is no fear in love – therefore I throw them out. Jesus is the very image of the invisible God… in His coming to earth there is no act of concealing, rather the act is revealing. It is for this revelation that Jesus was sent to dwell on earth with humanity.  The reasons for concealment given above are selfish and fearful, neither of which are in line with the Character of God. Two weeks ago it was established that leading with your ears is an act of love.  Therefore, Jesus is telling his disciples and those he healed to lead with their ears… telling them to close their mouths.

The “thing” prevents you from leading with your ears is your mouth.

Abraham Lincoln said it well, “It is better to remain silent and thought a fool, than to speak and remove all doubt.”  Keeping your mouth shut, gives you a fighting chance to win over those who seek to destroy you.  Those who are rooted in the Spirit will use the power of the tongue to proclaim hope, but as we, this week we see in Amos that Israel brought about their own judgment by saying….  “We do not care for the poor and needy, nor do we care for the feasts and festivals of God.” God reminds them of their frailty and desire to be in control while they refuse to listen to God. Therefore, God declares, I will speak to you no longer, “a famine of hearing the words of the Lord” will come because you do not listen to me. In a real sense, God is demonstrating that sometime the best way to get people to listen, is by ceasing to talk. Israel is quick with their mouths and slow with their ears – the exact opposite of what James calls us to be.  The Psalm is more direct, with regards the tongue, saying those who plot destruction and do not turn to God as their stronghold seek to destroy others with their tongues (the same root word is in verse 2 &7). Finally this week we encounter another passage that is as often misunderstood or misdirected as that of the call to “not tell others about healing or good news” the story of Martha and Mary.  Some have made this a passage about the elevation of the role of women as disciples, saying Mary sat at his feet, a place reserved for men. Others profess that this is a passage to highlight our need to “be” and not “do”, saying Mary choose what is better  – to sit and not be busy like Martha. The list goes and there is potential and real truth in all the above… But (I propose) that what is being revealed through the lectionary this week is that when Martha “opens her mouth” she fails to lead with her ears, in fact, she goes so far as to become the rebuke and instructor of the Lord, telling him what to do and say.  If Martha never opens her mouth, (but continues to do her work) how does the story unfold, we will never know – This is not to say that we are to simply “shut up and stuff our frustrations” rather we  are to “SHUT UP!” to LISTEN.

When your mouth open, your ears are closed.

 Martha may very well have been listening to the message of Jesus, look back as last week’s post I gave common errors in listening. Martha made them all. Each of Martha’s errors line up with the errors of listing with one’s mind, emotion or will, rather than being rooted or anchored and listening in the Spirit.

• Distraction is revealed when listening with your mind.  (Luke 10:40a)
• Irritation or Upset is revealed when listening with your will. (Luke 10:40b)
• Worry or Anxiety is revealed when listening with your emotions. (Luke 10:41)

(A Bonus Scripture note – read the story of the “Good Samaritan” (Luke 10:25-37) and “Mary & Martha” (Luke 10:38-41) as ONE UNITED story of example of how to be on mission (Luke 10:1-24) and the role of prayer in the mission. (Luke 11:1-13)

Saint Francis of Assisi has another quote that is not as well know –  “It is no use walking anywhere to preach, unless your walking is our preaching.” (the other paraphrased is “preach the gospel always, use words when necessary”) Let us have no need to proclaim the flesh, rather let it be crucified, let us walk in the power of the Spirit. Might the healed leper lead with their ears, rather than being rejected with their mouth.  Let our walking be our preaching, know that this does not silence us, rather it empowers us to lead with our ears and respond with our heart. WE are called to do act and do the Samaritan did (last week) as well as this week  to choose as Mary does to sit and listen at the feet of Jesus.

One moved in action & One moved in contemplation,

One male & One female,

One a Gentile & One a Jew,

Both leading with their ears…..

Jesus is revealing the reconciliation of all things, and these two are leading the way. Paul declares that it is God who has chosen to make known the glorious riches of this mystery. Might we live more fully to move as the nameless man who acted quickly, as well as Mary who was quick to listen, in this we will lead others to be mature in Christ. Let it begin in us as we learn close our mouths and opening our ears – so that our walking is our preaching.

This week when you have the desire to tell someone something that you know to be true, or good advice, seek to lead with your ears rather than your mouth.