The Voice of the Lord

S - "That winter, Jesus was in Jerusalem for the Temple Festival.  One day he was walking in the part of the temple known as Solomon's Porch, and the Jews gathered all around him. They said, "How long are you going to keep us guessing? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly!" Jesus answered: I have told you, and you refused to believe me. The things I do in my Father's name show you who I am. But since you are not my sheep, you don't believe me. My sheep know my voice, and I know them. They follow me, and I give them eternal life, so that they will never be lost. No one can snatch them out my hand.  My Father gave them to me, and he is greater than all. No one can snatch them from his hands, and I am one with the Father." John 10 TS

O - Jesus is questioned by the religious as to his actual identity.  There's no doubt that they'll be lining up what he might say with their understanding of the Scriptures.  His answer was not about what he was saying but about what he was doing.  Without a spoken word the communication from heaven as to his identity was clear and unmistakable; and remains so to this very day.  Later in the same conversation Jesus will say "If I don't do what my Father does, you should not believe me.  But if I do what my Father does, you should believe because of that, even if you don't have confidence in me." Earth wants to argue about words.  Heaven sent the Word … the message, the good news: Jesus. He is still speaking to his sheep … sheep from different pens which he is bringing together.  

A -  Human beings, the experts tell us, communicate with a ratio of 10% verbal and 90% nonverbal. Recent studies reveal the breakdown is more specifically 55%nonverbal, 38% tone in the voice and 7% the actual words. Think of that … only 7% words for communication on the human plain.  Since God made humans how do we think he communicates with them?  The Lord's voice is not limited to words but is clearly expressed with his presence and activity.  This is the voice his sheep know and how the Good Shepherd communicates. The Lord's voice is more than words.  He communicates with us the way he made us … 90 - 10. While I am grateful for every word, I am so glad to be hearing his voice beyond words.  

P - Lord who speaks,

Thank you for wanting to communicate with the whole world, not just the religious world or the Christian world but with all … you love, you came for, the entire world.  You are the message to all people and all times and in all places and cultures.  You lead, I follow. Speak, Lord. Your servant is listening.

I love you back,

Steve

Religious or Relational Thinking and Living?

S - "One Sabbath, Jesus was having dinner in the home of an important Religious Expert, and everyone was carefully watching Jesus. All of a sudden a man with swollen legs stood up in front of him. Jesus turned and asked the Religious Experts and the teachers of the Law of Moses, “Is it right to heal on the Sabbath?” But they did not say a word. Jesus took hold of the man. Then he healed him and sent him away. Afterwards, Jesus asked the people, “If your son or ox falls into a well, wouldn't you pull him out at once, even on the Sabbath?” There was nothing they could say." Luke 14 TS

O - Religion can never get it right because … it is religious.  Religion is based on rules, concepts and assumptions "objectively" applied. Religious relationships are its byproduct.  The Kingdom of God is relationships … relationships are the Kingdom not its byproduct. It is only in the context and ongoing dynamic of relationships that any promises, principles or concepts are engaged. Jesus wasn't sent by the Father to work out amnesty but to call the world to engage adoption as daughters and sons.  Religion fears relational thinking claiming such will distort and compromise truth.  This very assumption distorts and compromises the Kingdom it claims to represent. Religion starts and ends with its rules.  According to Jesus, life in the Kingdom of God begins and continues with relationships. 

A - When Jesus was asked to teach us how to speak with God, he began where everything in the Kingdom begins … relationally.  The first two words of this globally famous prayer establish and confirm it. "Our Father …".  When thinking about the application of promises, plans, concepts and principles … the starting point and conclusion must always be the same - relational … a family of brothers and sisters following Jesus responding to their Father. According to Jesus we were not made for religious practice (humans were not made for the Sabbath; the Sabbath was made for them). We were not made for the Scriptures; the Scriptures were given to/made for us. I will start my thinking, speaking and living with Jesus; his person and the ongoing relationship he is giving to me and the whole world.  I will accept his counsel: "… don't be afraid! Your Father wants to give you the kingdom (Luke 12)."  

P - Our Father,

Thank you for making us children in your family not adherents in your institution or organization. Thank you for sending Jesus to clarify both your person and purposes.  I gratefully accept and engage the adoption you call all people to … personally, specifically and joyfully.  I promise to start where you do with all people and with all applications of the Scriptures you made for us.  You are completely amazing!

I love you back,

Steve

The Peak of Productivity

S - "Stay joined to me, and I will stay joined to you. Just as a branch cannot produce fruit unless it stays joined to the vine, you cannot produce fruit unless you stay joined to me. I am the vine, and you are the branches. If you stay joined to me, and I stay joined to you, then you will produce lots of fruit. But you cannot do anything without me. If you don't stay joined to me, you will be thrown away. You will be like dry branches that are gathered up and burned in a fire. Stay joined to me and let my teachings become part of you. Then you can ask for whatever you want, and it will be done for you." John 15 TS

O - The world (secular and religious) tends to be focused on productivity (fruitfulness) and dedicating all one's effort and energies to that end. Jesus says, please don't do it! Instead, focus your energies on intentionally staying connected to me … and you won't be able to miss. The fruitfulness Jesus is referencing is not limited in scope or category. It is not reserved exclusively to internal, spiritual dynamics. While such will be a part of  every productive outcome his followers engage, he clearly says "ask for whatever you want." A productivity without him ends in fire and futility. Connected to him the possibilities are limitless.

A - My religious/theological training taught me to see these words of Jesus as only related to matters pertaining to the same. While he said ask anything he only "meant" that in that limited context. Jesus is leading and teaching me something very different. His life and the lives of his followers demonstrated something unrestrained in application. Not just inner peace, prayer and teaching but wine for weddings, fishing excursions and paying taxes are included. I am accepting both the person and teaching of Jesus … unto the fruitfulness heaven already has in mind … exceedingly abundantly above all we can ask or imagine (Matthew 17:20; Ephesians 3:20).

P - Lord of heaven and earth,

I want and need to stay joined to you and for YOUR coaching, instruction to become a part of me … into transformed thinking, living and loving. I admit that the choice of where to focus my energies is mine. I also admit that in choosing as you say it will be impossible for me to sustain without direct and ongoing help from your Spirit. I choose you and rely on your help unto all you already have in mind.

Committed to you and to asking anything,

Steve