He darted around a Pharisee whose arms were raised so high and straight, Chatta was amazed they didn't fall off from weariness. Goodness, they hadn't even entered the temple yet!
Chatta rushed into the temple, head down, eyes focused on the dirt he didn't deserve to touch. The Pharisee's endless prayer seemed to echo off the walls and bounce into his heart. He skidded to a halt at the Pharisees next words.
"God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector."
Why did the words sting so much? It was like a lion had run his mighty paw down his face, ripping away the façade and exposing just how worthless he was. Why was he even in here? He shouldn't be.
His voice broke as he uttered the only words he could say to God. "God, be merciful to me, a sinner!"
It was all he could ask.
Based on Luke 18:10-13
Do you ever feel like the confused main character from a Disney movie?
I grew up on Disney movies like Beauty and the Beast, Mulan, Aladdin, and The Little Mermaid. One theme I always see is self worth.
The characters always discover their self-worth by the end of the flick, but our lives are not an hour and a half movie filled with soul-bearing songs and talking animals. So how do we figure out our self worth in the real world? How do we determine our self worth when it comes to God.
It's easy. God's already given it to us.
"No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you." John 15:15
Friends of God. Friends of the King. Friends of the Creator. I mean, is there a higher honor then that? Our worth has never been determined by our actions. Our worth is off the charts high because of God's love for us.
"Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.' But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!'" Luke 18:10-13
Look at the parable of the tax collector and the Pharisee. The tax collector knew how retched and horrible he was. Everybody did - the Pharisee made that clear. None of that mattered though, because God's love covered the tax collector just as much as it covered the Pharisee.
You don't have to be the self-righteous, pompous Pharisee to gain God's love, or to understand your worth in Him.
You just need to understand this verse.
"No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you." John 15:15
You are God's friend. You are worthy because He said so. Stop trying to do everything right. Stop trying to ignore your faults. Stop trying and just be. Be God's friend. You are worthy because of His love and grace. If it can cover a tax collector, a Pharisee, a murder, and endless other sinners, it can cover you.
V. Joy Palmer
Tuesday, July 7, 2015
"His Determined Purpose"
For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling.
And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,
that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. 1 Corinthians 2:1-5
I love that Paul knew and understood that it was never going to be about him and his might and abilities. He said, 'For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.' His one purpose was to declare Jesus! He had put that purpose first and foremost in everything that he said and did. He himself shared that he knew he wasn't there because of his great oratory skills. He said that he didn't come because of his 'excellent speech' or his own great 'wisdom' but that he was there for one purpose and one purpose alone; to share Jesus Christ and Him crucified. Paul knew that everything he said and did was due to the power of God at work in and through him. He knew that 'his speech and his preaching weren't his persuasive words of wisdom, but in reality they were the demonstration of the Spirit and of the power God at work.' He knew that everything he did was motivated by the purpose in his heart; to share Jesus. He had determined that one thing!
He confessed that he was there 'with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling.' Despite his weakness, his fear, his trembling ...He declared anyway! He put his one purpose ahead of his own weakness, fear, and trembling! He didn't allow his own personal feelings and or his reputation to take center stage! He didn't claim any of the glory for his success for himself, or allow his own self-image issues to take that center stage position in the grand scheme of things either. Paul didn't allow anything to stop him from accomplishing the one thing that was in his heart to accomplish.
His one purpose was to declare Jesus Christ and Him crucified. Why? He told us the answer. It is so that 'your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.'
His one purpose was to declare Jesus Christ and Him crucified so that you and I could have the opportunity to declare for ourselves that we too could have the chance to give Him center stage and to proclaim for our selves:
Sunday, July 5, 2015
"Heroes Of Faith"
And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also David and Samuel and the Prophets: who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouth of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of aliens.
Woman received their dead raised to life again. And others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. Hebrews 11:1-35
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11:6
Lord, that we would be faithful in bringing You pleasure as we live a life of faith. Lord, help us to live in such a way that proclaims not only our belief that You are God but Lord help us to live in such a way that our every action declares our faith! Lord, that we would know beyond a shadow of doubt that You and only You are at the other end of every Promise! Let us raise up a standard in both words and deeds that not only declares that You ARE, but that You CAN, and that YOU WILL fulfill every word!
O Lord, I pray that we, in this day, in this hour, we too would arise as heroes of faith to 'subdue kingdoms, work righteousness, etc. like the excellent witnesses that have gone before us!' I pray that we too would not waver at Your promises through unbelief, but instead that we would be strengthened in faith, giving glory to You, being fully convinced that what You have promised You are more than able to perform. Romans 4:20-21
God Bless!!!
Saturday, July 4, 2015
Spiritual Duct Tape
"One day the widow of one of Elisha's fellow prophets came to
Elisha and cried out to him, 'My husband who served you is dead, and you
know how he feared the Lord. But now a creditor has come, threatening
to take my two sons as slaves.'
'What can I do to help you?' Elisha asked. 'Tell me, what do you have in the house?'
'Nothing at all, except for a flask of olive oil,' she replied.
And Elisha said, 'Borrow as many empty jars as you can from your friends and neighbors. Then go into your house with your sons and shut the door behind you. Pour olive oil from your flask into the jars, setting the jars aside as they are filled.'
So she did as she was told. Her sons brought many jars to her, and she filled one after another. Soon every container was full to the brim!
'Bring me another jar,' she said to one of her sons.
'There aren't any more!' he told her. And then the olive oils stopped flowing.
When she told the man of God what had happened, he said to her, 'Now sell the olive oil and pay your debts, and there will be enough money left over to support you and your sons.'" 2 Kings 4:1-7
This is a story of a mother and her debt. Her husband, who had served the Lord, was dead, and things were so bad that the man who she owned money to was going to sell her sons to pay off her debt. She had no money, no way to pay. Things looked like they were over.
Enter another man of God, the prophet Elisha. He knew that God had not forsaken this woman. She probably thought that he had, but this is God we are talking about. The God who has promised never to leave us or forsake us.
When Elisha asked what she had in the house, do you think it was coincidence that the one thing that she had left was olive oil? When you hear about olive oil in the Bible, it is a picture of the Holy Spirit, or God's anointing. That is why kings and prophets were anointed with it, to show that God was anointing them to be something great. It's also why James 5:14 talks about anointing those that are sick among us with oil. God's anointing fixes things, it's like super duct tape, holding us together when we, without Him, would be falling apart.
I know its a foolish analogy, but seriously, but not a bad one. I've seen duct tape fix countless things such as pipes, cars, shoes, and any number of others things as well. I've even seen clothes MADE of duct tape. Some people use it on everything, to fix it, or just to reinforce it. And that's just how we should be with God. When something goes wrong, we just slap some of God's anointing on it, and we are good to go. Those problems don't have to stop us.
The jars in this story are also symbolic. The Bible talks about God being a potter (Isaiah 64:8), making us as He would clay jars. God saved this woman by doing something that He does for us, pouring His olive oil (His anointing) into clay jars (people) and filling them up to the brim. And then, she sold them, sending them out into the world, just like God sends us. I think that this symbolism is so cool! And, of course, it was no coincidence - God planned it that way.
God knew the troubles that this woman had. He also knows the troubles that you have had, the ones you have now, and ALL the ones that you will have. And He has prepared a way for you to survive them. Don't forget, He knows. Listen for when He has a solution, and don't get bogged down trying to find your own way. And most importantly, keep your duct tape handy.
Sam
'What can I do to help you?' Elisha asked. 'Tell me, what do you have in the house?'
'Nothing at all, except for a flask of olive oil,' she replied.
And Elisha said, 'Borrow as many empty jars as you can from your friends and neighbors. Then go into your house with your sons and shut the door behind you. Pour olive oil from your flask into the jars, setting the jars aside as they are filled.'
So she did as she was told. Her sons brought many jars to her, and she filled one after another. Soon every container was full to the brim!
'Bring me another jar,' she said to one of her sons.
'There aren't any more!' he told her. And then the olive oils stopped flowing.
When she told the man of God what had happened, he said to her, 'Now sell the olive oil and pay your debts, and there will be enough money left over to support you and your sons.'" 2 Kings 4:1-7
This is a story of a mother and her debt. Her husband, who had served the Lord, was dead, and things were so bad that the man who she owned money to was going to sell her sons to pay off her debt. She had no money, no way to pay. Things looked like they were over.
Enter another man of God, the prophet Elisha. He knew that God had not forsaken this woman. She probably thought that he had, but this is God we are talking about. The God who has promised never to leave us or forsake us.
When Elisha asked what she had in the house, do you think it was coincidence that the one thing that she had left was olive oil? When you hear about olive oil in the Bible, it is a picture of the Holy Spirit, or God's anointing. That is why kings and prophets were anointed with it, to show that God was anointing them to be something great. It's also why James 5:14 talks about anointing those that are sick among us with oil. God's anointing fixes things, it's like super duct tape, holding us together when we, without Him, would be falling apart.
I know its a foolish analogy, but seriously, but not a bad one. I've seen duct tape fix countless things such as pipes, cars, shoes, and any number of others things as well. I've even seen clothes MADE of duct tape. Some people use it on everything, to fix it, or just to reinforce it. And that's just how we should be with God. When something goes wrong, we just slap some of God's anointing on it, and we are good to go. Those problems don't have to stop us.
The jars in this story are also symbolic. The Bible talks about God being a potter (Isaiah 64:8), making us as He would clay jars. God saved this woman by doing something that He does for us, pouring His olive oil (His anointing) into clay jars (people) and filling them up to the brim. And then, she sold them, sending them out into the world, just like God sends us. I think that this symbolism is so cool! And, of course, it was no coincidence - God planned it that way.
God knew the troubles that this woman had. He also knows the troubles that you have had, the ones you have now, and ALL the ones that you will have. And He has prepared a way for you to survive them. Don't forget, He knows. Listen for when He has a solution, and don't get bogged down trying to find your own way. And most importantly, keep your duct tape handy.
Sam
"The Big Miraculous Rescue"
But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob.
And who formed you, O Israel:
"Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by your name;
You are Mine.
When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
And through the rivers,
They shall not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire,
you shall not be burned,
Nor shall the flame scorch you.
For I am the Lord your God,
The Holy One of Israel, your Savior; Isaiah 43:1-3
I think that sometimes in today's world its easy to forget that no matter what the situation, God will see us through! So often the words, "Fear not," or "Don't be afraid," are spoken throughout the Word of God just before He does something to do the big 'rescue.' He always comes through because it is His promise, to us whom He has redeemed. It is His words that say, "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, They shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you." His words. He is telling us that we can trust Him to take care of us and to keep us, no matter the situation.
So how about you? Do you have a need? Do you look to Him for the solution? Is He the one you put your trust in? We know that He parted the Red Sea to rescue the Israelites and to make a way for them leave their life of bondage in Egypt. We know that He rescued the three young men from the fiery furnace and that they were completely untouched by any effects of the fire. We know that the Word, from beginning to end is full of occasions were we see Him coming through with the 'rescue' as people turn to Him in faith, trusting Him to bring His words to pass in their lives. What about you? Do you let His words, His promise to you win out? Do you expect Him to 'rescue' you or do you look elsewhere for the solution?
Take note because His word to you today is, "Fear not!" Fear not because He won't let you be drowned by you situation if you'll look to Him. He won't let you be burned and consumed in the fire of your event if He is the one you'll put you trust in.
His word to you today is simply, "Fear Not ...I've got this!"
If you'll trust Him and believe He will come through even if it takes a miracle to do it! After all He has heaped up the waters before. And don't forget, He is not afraid to be the fourth man in the midst of the fire either. He will show up with 'the big miraculous rescue.' Count on it! Why? Because He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow and more importantly, because He said He would!
Thursday, July 2, 2015
How Many Times?
Peter massaged his chin. So what was Jesus saying? He had just been talking about forgiving a brother who sins against you, and while everyone was nodding their heads like they understood exactly what Jesus was saying, Peter wanted to know more.
When is it enough?
His spine stiffened as he thought about the people who had wronged him in life. When did he have Jesus' permission to stop forgiving them? When could he tell them exactly how horrible they were?
Seven times? Yes, that seemed like a good, complete number. Once was just barely. Twice was probably enough, and three seemed like pushing it. In fact, Jesus only went to three times in his example about what to do when a brother sins against you.
Seven times, however, that was a lot. Peter smiled. Jesus would probably say, "No, that's too much."
Peter stood and walked towards Jesus. What an impressive question he was about to ask! The people and the rest of the disciples would be amazed at his attention to Jesus' words.
"Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? As many as seven times?" Peter stood tall and waited to hear Jesus' praise.
"No, not seven times, but seventy times seven!"
Peter's smile wavered and then fell off his face completely. Wait, He was serious!
Based on Matthew 18:21-22
Unrelenting. Unchanging. Completely. All the time.
V. Joy Palmer
When is it enough?
His spine stiffened as he thought about the people who had wronged him in life. When did he have Jesus' permission to stop forgiving them? When could he tell them exactly how horrible they were?
Seven times? Yes, that seemed like a good, complete number. Once was just barely. Twice was probably enough, and three seemed like pushing it. In fact, Jesus only went to three times in his example about what to do when a brother sins against you.
Seven times, however, that was a lot. Peter smiled. Jesus would probably say, "No, that's too much."
Peter stood and walked towards Jesus. What an impressive question he was about to ask! The people and the rest of the disciples would be amazed at his attention to Jesus' words.
"Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? As many as seven times?" Peter stood tall and waited to hear Jesus' praise.
"No, not seven times, but seventy times seven!"
Peter's smile wavered and then fell off his face completely. Wait, He was serious!
Based on Matthew 18:21-22
"Then Peter came to him and asked, 'Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?' 'No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, 'but seventy times seven!'" Matthew 18:21-22
I'm going to be brutally honest with you guys. Sometimes, I really struggle with loving and forgiving people. I've been burned a lot in my life by people who are supposed to love me. At some point, I start to shut down, shy away, throw up walls to stop them from hurting me.
How long do I have to forgive people who keep on hurting me?
I've asked this out of a place of desperation. This is a cry, a plea, a genuine question the broken, weary, bruised, and beaten down ask. I'm writing this to those of you who've ever felt like that. Those who are ready to give up. Those who genuinely want to know when enough is enough. Those who know to forgive, but still need to know when pull away from those hurting you. Those who feel like they have forgiven 490 times.
There is still no magic number.
Honestly, every situation is different, and God will direct you to do different things in every situation. However, there are two things God will never tell you to do differently: To forgive and to love. Those are not easy. They can feel like someone has your very soul in a pressure cooker, but these two actions are unchanging.
If you take away God's love and forgiveness, what are we left with? What's the point? There is no point anymore. While someone telling you for the 748th time to forgive so that you can be forgiven may make you want to punch them in the face, God says it for a reason.
We treat love and forgiveness like two separate things, but they go hand in hand. To fully love someone, you need to forgive them. To fully forgive someone, you need love. Not just any love. God's love. This doesn't mean you let those hurting you run your life, but it does mean that you operate in God's love and forgiveness.
Unrelenting. Unchanging. Completely. All the time.
V. Joy Palmer
Wednesday, July 1, 2015
"His Report To You"
And behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue. And he fell down at Jesus' feet and begged Him to come to his house.
for he had an only daughter about twelve years of age, and she was dying. But as He went, the multitudes thronged Him.
Now a woman, having a flow of blood for twelve years, who spent all her livelihood on physicians and could not be healed by any,
came from behind and touched the border of His garment. And immediately her flow of blood stopped.
And Jesus said, "Who touched Me?"When all denied it, Peter and those with him said, "Master, the multitudes throng You and press You, and you say, 'Who touched Me?"
But Jesus said, "Somebody touched Me, for I perceived power going out from Me."
Now when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling; falling down before Him, she declared to Him in the presence of all the people the reason she had touched Him and how she was healed immediately.
And He said to her, "Daughter, be of good cheer; your faith has made you well. Go in peace."
While He was still speaking, someone came from the ruler of the synagogue's house, saying to him, "Your daughter is dead. Do not trouble the Teacher."
But when Jesus heard it, He answered him, saying, "Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well."
When He came into the house, He permitted no one to go in except Peter, James, John, and the father and mother of the girl.
Now all wept and mourned for her; but He said, "Do not weep; she is not dead, but sleeping."
And they laughed Him to scorn, knowing that she was dead.
But He put them all out, took her by the hand and called, saying, "Little girl, arise."
Then her spirit returned, and she arose immediately. And He commanded that she be given something to eat.
And her parents were astonished, but He charged them to tell no one what had happened. Luke 8:40-56
Today's message is about a moment that we all experience. It is the moment where we come face to face with a choice that only we can make. It is the moment where we make the choice about, "Whose report will we believe?" (Isaiah 53:1, Romans 10:16) In the above account we see the moment when Jairus was faced with his moment of decision. We know that he was 'a ruler of the synagogue' which means that he was fully aware of all the talk/debates of the religious leaders about who Jesus was and what he had doing. He may even have known about some of their attempts to 'trap' Him into saying or doing the 'wrong' thing. Truth is we don't really know what he had seen, heard, or believed about Jesus up until this moment. What we do know is that when it came to the welfare of his only daughter Jesus was the One he had come to with at least a measure of hope that Jesus would be able to help her. It says that he came 'And he fell down at Jesus' feet and begged Him to come to his house,' which gives the impression that by begging Jesus to come he is feeling that Jesus represents the last bit of hope that his daughter has. So, at this point he has seen or heard enough to feel that Jesus represent 'a chance' of life for his daughter.
Next comes the whole delay as Jesus deals with the woman with the issue of blood. He sees the healing that she receives just by touching Jesus, which must have sparked an increase in his anticipation for what Jesus could do for his daughter. At the same time he must have been feeling a certain amount of fear and anxiety caused by the delay. On the heals of this universal struggle (fear for his daughter, hope at the woman's healing represents as he sees it happen right there in front of him) the news he fears most comes. "Your daughter is dead. Do not trouble the Teacher." In and instant he receives the worst report possible! Hope dies.
This is that moment for Jairus. This is the moment when he lets hope die or he chooses to believe the words that Jesus speaks? Jesus had already agreed to go with him. The outcome was already decided the moment Jairus had believed in Him enough to ask Him to come and Jesus had started along the way. It says that, 'when Jesus heard it, He answered him, saying, "Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well." Jesus is always going to let you know that ... It is never too much trouble! Over and over and over and over He was always telling people to believe and that believing is what gets it done. Believing will move mountains! Jesus had already told him He would come and it doesn't matter what report comes after that! His is the report we need to believe! His report tells us that 'by His stripes we are healed.' Isaiah 53:5 His report tells us that 'signs and wonders follow those that believe,' Mark 16:17 etc. His report tells us that it really is just this simple. Believe His report! His report tells us ...He always wins!
Remember this; the next time a bad report tells you to not to bother or that you are faced with the struggle of which will in win your situation, fear verses hope. Remember that His report to you is, "Do not be afraid; only believe."
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