More than Information

S - "The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God, as it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way” — “a voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’ ” And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins." (Mark 1:1-4 NIV)

O - John begins to call people to think differently about sins (μετάνοια) Jesus will call all people to think differently about everything.  The NIV begins Mark's account with the phrase "The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah (my emphasis).  The Greek is properly translated of not about … the difference isn't minor.  Jesus didn't just bring good news he is the good news.  The good news of Jesus is not just information about him; the good news of Jesus is Jesus himself! "Then Jesus cried out, “Whoever believes in me does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. The one who looks at me is seeing the one who sent me." (John 12:44-45 NIV)

A - Heaven isn't calling the world to believe things about Jesus. It is calling the world to believe the person of Jesus.  "Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”" (John 6:28-29 NIV) Any and all information about Jesus has its true significance exclusively in the context of personal response to his person. "You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life." (John 5:39-40 NIV)

P - Father in heaven,

Thank you for sending the good news in the person of Jesus and in him giving us your very self. I admit that when I see and hear him I'm seeing and hearing you. I welcome the essential help of your spirit to know him and to engage the transformed thinking, living, speaking and loving which is your will on earth for all. Thank you for letting us live and pray in Jesus name.

Steve

When Using Earth's Logic -- Think Again

S - "When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.” Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.” “Tell me, teacher,” he said. “Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?” Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.” “You have judged correctly,” Jesus said. Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.” Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”" (Luke 7:39-50 NIV)

O - Simon's thinking is very logical and very wrong. In his religious thinking he assumes that the righteous recoil from the unrighteous; the holy separates from the sinful.  Simon assumes that the Teacher Jesus, if a prophet, would not only know the "condition" of this woman but would also act as he himself had been trained.  Logical, religious, wrong.  Jesus is a prophet and does know exactly who is washing his feet.  She is completely forgiven based on love and Simon is left in the failure to love his neighbor as himself.  Jesus will go on to speak openly of the woman's forgiven state.  This incites a great question from the other guests. Too bad they didn't continue with heaven's logic … only God can forgive sins so who is this? AWESOME!

A - Religion taught me that God hates sin because he is holy.  Jesus teaches something very different.  He is categorically the friend, not the enemy, of sinners.  He is the exact representation of the Father (Hebrews 1:1-3).  He does nothing by himself and only what he sees the Father doing (John 5:19). In fact, when we see him we see the Father (John 12:44-45).  Since Jesus is the friend of sinners we must accept that God the Father is also the friend of sinners. This year my friend, Guy Effomi, lost his battle with liver cancer.  For eight years he fought against it. For eight years I hated Guy's cancer. But I didn't hate the cancer because I don't have any.  I hated it because of what it did to my friend and brother.  God's hatred for sin is NOT because he is holy (i.e. without sin) but because of what sin does to those he loves … the whole world (John 3:16). 

P - Lord who is the friend of sinners and therefore the friend of me and all,

I love you back!  I admit that I so very capable of logical but wrong thinking.  I accept my needed for consistently transformed thinking … the repentance you call all people to. Not just transformed thinking about sin but about everything. I am very grateful that not only is your kingdom near but so are you.  Please do everything in me and through me you already have in mind.  I welcome new wineskins unto mulberry trees in the ocean and that which is too wonderful for me.  Thank you for Guy … and for our future together.

All in in Jesus' Name,

Steve 

When Risk Management must be Refused

S - "Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful. Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop—some thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times what was sown.”" (Mark 4:16-20 NIV)

O - All these years later these dynamics are in force for everything the Lord says and does.  When he first speaks, reveals, acts the joy is intense and confidence is strong.  Yet, "when trouble or persecution comes" … and it does come, then we see if we will trust the Lord's person or wither under the opposition earth can bring.  We choose if our roots will go deep in the soil of what he's doing/speaking.  Even with deepening roots the risk remains that desires for lawful things and blessings will choke out what has been growing and it will never come to its intended fullness.  But if anyone will let the roots grow deep and refuse the earthly logic of worry, the lure of wealth and the distraction of lawful desires the result is fantastic … the very least is a 30 times return. Who wouldn't engage a dynamic where the worst outcome is a 300% increase?  Forget risk management … trust is the key.  The working definition of trust: fierce personal loyalty.  Not loyalty to a principle, promise or concept but to a person; a person who is fiercely loyal to us.  

A - I admit that I am still very capable of withering … even in realities I've lived out before.  I admit that earth's logic, lure and distractions of needed and lawful things can choke out the beautiful and intended abundance heaven has been leading, calling and helping me towards.  The resolution for me does not come exclusively in reviewing my history … though so far it’s all proved true.  This review is encouraging but is not a remedy for the threat of withering heat and earth's lure.  The remedy is found in a personal response to the person of Jesus according to trust.  Today, while it is called today, I will engage the fierce personal loyalty he offers and deserves … unto new wineskins, mulberry trees in the ocean and that which is too wonderful for me.

P - Lord Jesus,

Thank you for not only showing us the way and being the way but for enabling us to engage the way that is life forever … starting now.  I welcome the vibrant irrepressible life you are to come into and out of me unto the very things you've been sowing into me these years.  I am grateful to be in your company and for the dignity of choice.  I choose you back.  I am encouraged by your presence and your personal guarantee.  I do believe you about earth.

Trusting,

Steve