HOW MUCH DOES IT COST

 

Thursday, April 18, 2024

 

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST

 

READ: Acts 8:16-20 and Matthew 19:16-20

 

Acts 8:20

20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.

 

Matt 19:16

16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?

 

          We have not advanced very far from the prevalent thinking of Jesus’ time. Both in Matthew and in Acts we see two examples of wrong thinking. Simon (the sorcerer) wanted to PURCHASE the ability to disburse the Holy Spirit and His effects. The rich young ruler wanted to know how he could assure himself eternal life and was willing to barter whatever necessary to obtain it.

 

          There is something incongruous about a “mega-church” and the life and times of Jesus. Now, there are larger churches that do not necessarily fit the term, but a huge church that promises more than can be delivered doesn’t fit Jesus’ template.

 

          Political “haninframus,” unjust justice, and positional entitlement were never part of Jesus’ plan. In fact, in John 16:33, He warned His followers that they would have tribulation and some trouble is an absolute side effect of believing in and receiving Christ. It is a package deal.

 

          The gift of God may not be purchased with money, or influence, or good deeds. While we, as beneficiaries, enjoy the things of God freely, the cost was incalculable to Jesus. These gifts are, therefore, to be received and enjoyed with thanksgiving and devotion only. Instead of riches and fame, Jesus indicated that the life of the Jesus follower would likely be one of need and obscurity.

 

Matt 6:19-21

19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

 

Dear Lord, thank you for promising that for all my needs there would be enough. AMEN

 

ROARING

 

Wednesday, April 17, 2024

 

ROARING

Ps 22:1

22 My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?

 

Matt 27:46

46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

 

          Our English word “roaring” can be found in Scripture sixteen times using six original root words. Psalm 22 is a song of David describing his agony and rage regarding his circumstances and his inner question of abandonment by his God. Jesus quotes David in Matthew’s account of the crucifixion.

 

          Most of us have endured pain that caused us to growl in agony or rage in fury against it. We feel a kinship with both David and Jesus in this. Perhaps we have even questioned God regarding our circumstance. Perhaps we have felt abandoned, alone, and in need of rescue.

 

          Jesus warned us that, near the end, we would see our culture roaring and all of nature groaning and in need of relief.  “And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring.”  Luke 21:25

 

          James reminds us in James 5:11 that, “The Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.” Paul reminded us in Rom 8:26 “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.”

 

          Turn your roaring into whispering. Breathe a prayer to the God who HAS NOT abandoned you because He is pitiful, and of tender mercy. Allow the Holy Spirit to plead your case and be at peace.

 

Merciful Father, bless those who roar in painful circumstances today. Give ear to the Holy Spirit who pleads our cause. Thank you, Lord. AMEN

 

WRESTLING FOR A BLESSING

 

Tuesday, April 16, 2024

 

WRESTLING FOR A BLESSING

 

Gen 32:24-28

24 And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day.

25 And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him.

26 And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.

27 And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob.

28 And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.

 

Jacob had purchased his brother’s birthright with a bowl of pea soup, had stolen his father’s blessing of the eldest by subterfuge, and now was wrestling for a blessing at the entrance into Canaan. An unknown person blocked his path and Jacob engaged him with all the mental energy and physical exertion at his disposal. This mysterious person was, most agree, the “angel of the covenant” which is none other than Jesus before He was born and took on a human body.

 

Jacob wrestled the Lord to a draw until, at dawn, Jesus touched his hip socket and pulled it out of joint. Still Jacob grappled and demanded a blessing and received one. Jacob’s name was changed to Israel which means “he will rule as God” or “prince of God.”

 

Col 4:12

12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

 

The idea of “wrestling” is seen in the actions of Epaphras who labored [wrestled] in prayer. The Greek which is translated “labouring” is agonizomai which means to struggle or to compete for a prize.

 

We agonize in prayer because we have become desperate for a blessing from God. We may emerge from the conflict with a perceptible limp, but the prize is often worth the pain. Jacob gained status as a prince. He now has access to the throne room where he may come uninhibited to present his requests.

 

By the blood of Jesus, we have been adopted into the family of the King! We have been given status and the scepter has been extended in our direction.

 

Heb 4:16

16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

 

Dear Lord, thank you that the battle is over and that we can come freely with our requests. AMEN