Yes

S - “But as God is faithful, our word to you is not yes and no. For the Son of God, Christ Jesus, who was preached among you by us-by me and Silvanus and Timothy-was not yes and no, but is yes in Him. For as many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes; therefore also through Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us.” 2 Corinthians 1:18-20 NASB

O - The promises of God are yes "in Him." The "in Him" is the sole focus of Paul's speaking and living. The "Him" is Jesus … Jesus the person not Jesus the concept. The "in Him" is NOT primarily a description of status but of relationship, person to person. Religion puts its focus on principles and status while the Kingdom is focused on a person and relationship. This is why Jesus answered the question about doing the work of God the way he did. “Therefore they said to Him, "What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?" Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent."” John 6:28-29 NASB

A - Religion taught me to put my trust and confidence in principles from Scripture and in a status based on promises. The problem is that the principles and promises are not self-contained. They are yes ONLY in a person. They are not yes in the concept or plan regarding a savior from heaven but literally in his person. He's not offering amnesty but adoption; not a change in status but in personal experience and ongoing relationship. Religion tells us to believe Scripture and then teaches us to live contrary to its teaching. "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding (Proverbs 3:5)." I am not to lean on my own understanding of promises and principles but on a person in whom all of them are already yes. He is eternal life and all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to him, not to principles, promises or concepts. His call and invitation remains the same "follow me."

P - God who relentlessly loves the world,

I accept your invitation and focus to follow Jesus unto the life that is really life. He is the good news and only in him are your promises yes. Thank you for offering, giving, your very self to all people and asking for all to return the favor. I say yes to you this day and every day. Thank you for letting us live and pray in Jesus (the person not a status).

Steve

There is no Cause of/for the Real Christ

S - "But on the night immediately following, the Lord stood at his side and said, "Take courage; for as you have solemnly witnessed to My cause at Jerusalem, so you must witness at Rome also." Acts 23:11 NASB … “Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel, so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else,” Philippians 1:-12-13

O - These verses are the two times in the NASB New Testament where the idea of a cause for or of Christ is presented.  Both times the term "cause" is completely absent in the Greek.  In Acts 23 Jesus actually says to Paul "as you have solemnly witnessed the things concerning me".  He did NOT give witness to a cause but to a person.  In Philippians it says literally "the bonds of me manifest in Christ" i.e. imprisonment in Christ … not in a cause.  Humans want other humans to think there is a cause worth giving one's life to. Hell wants humans to think they are called to a cause. Heaven wants all humans to know they are not called to a cause but to a person.  Jesus never called one person to a cause … only to himself.  "Follow Me" is the call (money, missions [i.e. causes/projects] and methods all want to divide us). Jesus wants us all together in one spirit, mind and heart following him. Any cause for Christ comes not from heaven but from earth or hell.

A - Communists, Capitalists, Atheists, Military, Political and Religious Leaders all love causes.  The cause provides them with a tool to enlist, direct, judge and even execute others.  All causes eventually end in division and death … all of them (religious causes are among the worst).  Jesus calls the entire human race to himself … never to a cause.  While he has given me various assignments over the years they were never the point of my life or daily activity.  He is the point … and all who follow him are known by the only one qualifier he identified: all will know you are following me if you love one another. The cause will want me to love it more than someone who appears to be hindering or resisting it.  It's what tragically divided Paul and Barnabas (cf. Acts 15:36-39). Jesus doesn’t' want us divided but united.  It's very specific in his living (John 10), teaching (John 15) and praying (John17).  We're called to Jesus and to live as an answer to his prayer rather than a cause of it.  I want to be an answer and not a cause … I will follow him.

P - Lord who is life,

I accept your call to yourself … and am grateful to work with you in what you've already decided to do.  Thank you for wanting us to work with you and never for you.  Thank you for not calling me to a cause but to your very self.  You lead and I'll follow according to love. 

I love you back,

Steve 

First does not Mean Exclusively

S - "You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this. … For Moses said, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you must listen to everything he tells you. Anyone who does not listen to him will be completely cut off from their people.’ “Indeed, beginning with Samuel, all the prophets ... have spoken have foretold these days. … When God raised up his servant, he sent him first to you to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways.” "(Acts 3:15, 22-24, 26 NIV)

O - Peter's explanation and exhortation to the people is exclusively focused on the person, name and resurrection of Jesus. Jesus was sent to earth to clarify once for all the person and purposes of God. God "sent him first" to the Jews but not exclusively to them. Jesus was sent and given to all. To this the Scriptures have consistently witnessed and "foretold these days". The great and tragic misunderstanding of the religion of Jesus' day was that the Christ was only for those belonging to that religion. This deceptive and divisive error remains in many of the religions of our day, with Christianity sadly leading the way. It is time, as Peter points out, to "listen to everything he [i.e. Jesus] tells you. Anyone who does not listen to him will be completely cut off".  He says: "“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd." (John 10:14-16 NIV)

A - What if I/we believe Jesus about Jesus instead of someone else about Jesus? What if I/we believe Jesus about earth and not just heaven?  What if I/we decide to admit that religion is just culture and welcome God's Kingdom on earth the way they do in heaven? Intentionally, humbly and without exception. Jesus said to Nicodemus and he says to me/all: "Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things?" (John 3:11-12 NIV)

P - Shepherd of the sheep and friend of sinners,

I want to welcome you and your kingdom on earth, in me and through me just like they do in heaven. I am so glad you are calling the whole world to yourself and not to a religion, cause or particular world view. Thank you for sheep from many flocks and for letting me be among them. I love you back. You lead and I'll follow.

Baaaaa:),

Steve

Forget the Outcome and Ask Anything

S - "When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?” they asked. Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” … Jesus said to them [the Pharisees], “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him." (Matthew 21:20-22, 31-32 NIV)

O - Two very different statements to two very different groups of people and yet the point is the same for both. What exactly are the disciples to believe so that they will receive whatever they ask for in prayer?  What exactly was the way of righteousness that John showed the Pharisees which they did not believe?  The answer? Jesus; Jesus the person not the theological concept.  He is to be the recipient of a faith which does not doubt and he is more than the way of righteousness. In fact, he is righteousness itself. The one who believes Jesus can ask anything. The one who believes Jesus will enter and live in the kingdom of God and his righteousness. Jesus is the exact image and representation of his Father, the righteous One.  

A - Religion taught me to "believe and not doubt" an outcome.  If the desired outcome did not materialize then the obvious and only cause was that I had doubted and ruined the whole thing.  So, the next teaching of religion was that I had to get and keep out all doubt.  Any flicker in me would produce another complete failure.  Finally, it taught me that even though neither of the previous "lessons" worked if only I engaged them with more intensity and stamina I would finally get what I asked for … but that didn't work either.  Now I am discovering what Jesus meant and how he lived. Jesus believed in his Father, not in withering trees. He didn't work at keeping doubt out he lived continually in his Father and his Father lived in him … the exact relationship he wants and offers to all who will follow. He's not requiring us to get doubt out but to let him in and abide in him.  On the heels of a faith failure He said to the twelve: "Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you. “(Matthew 17:20; cf. Luke 17:6 NIV) The person of Jesus makes nothing impossible; he keeps everything possible for the one who believes.

P - Lord Jesus,

Thank you that the work of God is to believe your person and this alone makes and keeps everything possible … it's the only dynamic which enables anyone to ask anything unto mulberry trees in the ocean and that which is too wonderful.  I welcome the beauty of you who are righteousness living in me and me living in you unto all you already have in mind to do and me asking whatever I wish.  I accept your invitation and instruction … I believe you and then ask for anything … and then it is done for me rather than me trying to do for you.  Amazing … because you are.

All in and all my love,

Steve 

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