Mission Impossible - It's Worse than I Thought

S - Matthew 19:23-30 (NLT): "Then Jesus said to his disciples, “I tell you the truth, it is very hard for a rich person to get into the Kingdom of Heaven. 24 I say it again—it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!” 25 The disciples were astounded. “Then who in the world can be saved?” they asked. 26 Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.” 27 Then Peter said to him, “We’ve given up everything to follow you. What will we get out of it?” 28 And Jesus replied, “I assure you that when I, the Son of Man, sit upon my glorious throne in the Kingdom, you who have been my followers will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or property, for my sake, will receive a hundred times as much in return and will have eternal life. 30 But many who seem to be important now will be the least important then, and those who are considered least here will be the greatest then."

O - In the world of human beings, including the world of religion, the poor, meager and disheveled are barely allowed in and for the most part are just tolerated by the affluent, substantial and orderly. In the kingdom of Jesus the poor, meager and disheveled are all shoo-ins and the affluent, substantial and orderly are in desperate straits with doubtful futures. Left to ourselves the rich are the mission impossible and the impoverished are the ones with a "leg up". So disabled are the rich, Jesus says that they are humanly the truest and surest "mission impossible". The good news is with God all things are possible. So, first off, the folks who look like they have the greatest blessings from God are the same ones at the greatest risk of missing it all. Secondly, when you do leave everything to follow Jesus he intends on giving it all back … times a hundred in this age and eternal life in the age to come. Perhaps the issue is not so much how much we currently have but rather have we ever left it all or given it all away? One thing seems pretty clear - how it looks now is most often NOT how things will be when it really counts.

A - I live in the top 2% of this world's population … and though I am in no way considered wealthy in my culture - on this planet I really am filthy rich. So, first off for me, I am at the greatest risk - the top 2% - to miss it all. Secondly, Jan and I have left it all four times in our lives together and now once we've had it "taken" away by those in power over us. Jesus tells me that since all of this was for him I don't have to worry about my "return"; in this age the return will be 100 times. I do have to "worry" about my true status because looks are deceiving right up to the very end. It seems like the only way to not miss it all is to leave it all (at least once) and to admit the true and real desperate state I live in. I need a miracle from the Lord every day while it's called today because with me on my own - it is impossible!

P - High King of Heaven and Lord and Savior of the Whole Earth,

Today while it is called today - I need a miracle. Lord, I admit my true rich condition and that without your direct intervention in my life I will miss big and eternal. Thank you for allowing us to leave it all, for the pain of this willing activity as well as the pain of having it taken from us. All of this will end as you say and we will even be glad for it. What is uncertain is my participation and true status here and hereafter. Jesus, I don't feel threatened by hell but I do recognize the tragic state of my own fallen nature and perspective. I want to follow no matter what; to live in the abundant freedom and provision you call us all to here and hereafter. Lord, thank you for the unending shower of grace and the shaping in your image. Let me live out loud the life which is truly life … I ask in the miracle power of your Name.

Steve

For or With? The Difference is Bigger than Goliath

S - 1 Samuel 17:41-47 (NIV): "Meanwhile, the Philistine, with his shield bearer in front of him, kept coming closer to David. 42 He looked David over and saw that he was only a boy, ruddy and handsome, and he despised him. 43 He said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. 44 “Come here,” he said, “and I’ll give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field!” 45 David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the LORD will hand you over to me, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. Today I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. 47 All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.” "

O - Goliath is the way of the world (even the religious world). He's bigger than life, dramatic, judgmental, self-assured and has a record of accomplishing what he sets out to do. David is the way of the Spirit. He is unrecognized by those "in authority" on both sides of the battle, disrespected by his older brothers, mocked by his opposition and confident in the God he serves and over the course of his life will accomplish what others say can't be done. The world thinks it is an issue of resource and skill alone. David is convinced it is all about God's will on earth and his purposes and his ways. Goliath will engage with his might, experience and weapons as priority … David will engage with the Lord's Name and his faith as priority - everything else will follow and flow behind these. When they do, there's nothing that can't be done. When they don't there's nothing that will last.

A - Jesus made it very clear that the Father IS working and that he IS working with the Father … my assignment is to work (or fight) with them rather than for them. David is NOT fighting FOR the Lord … he is fighting with him. The difference is neither subtle nor mere semantics. Jesus did not do everything that could be done; he did what he was assigned to do (completing the work he was doing with the Father). As he was sent so he sends us. The question is not what can I do but rather what is the Lord doing and calling me to do with him? I must engage each day and each assignment with him, his will, name and spirit in the lead. When I work with him and fight with him there's nothing impossible. When I work for him I find many things, lawful things, well intended things, become impossible. The Lord does not save by sword or spear … but he allows us to partner with him with tangible activities and risks so that we may share his joy. I think the Lord is less concerned with how I am participating (sling shot, sword or spear) and more concerned with where I am participating and why I am. David wasn't trying to make a name for himself but to engage the circumstance BECAUSE of the Lord's name. This requires the effort of seeking, listening, restraint and release according to the Kingdom which can never end and the King to whom nothing is impossible, nothing too difficult and nothing too wonderful.

P - Warrior God who fights for us and calls us to fight with him,

Thank you for the gift and provision of this day and ALL that is in it … from grace to Goliaths, from the known to the unknowns … for you are WORKING everything for good. Lord, thanks that I can do good whenever I wish and you have provided so many options for us all to do so in each day. Yet, there are specifics which you have deigned for us to engage and I want to give myself fully to these. Lord, I want to work WITH you, fight WITH you, and do all that you've dreamt and died for me to do. You decide its scope, timing and reach … I get to determine my priority and focus. I will lead with your name and the confidence which comes from your presence and the obedience inspired by faith … unto that which lasts and which is too wonderful for me.

In Jesus' Name,

Steve