Well, Listen up here is the first installment of Ask Mom And Dad. Let us know what you think.
What Do You Long For?
Hell's Waiting Room
Strive to enter though the narrow door. "
“And someone said to him, “Lord, will those who are saved be few?” And he said to them, “Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. When once the master of the house has risen and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, open to us,’ then he will answer you, ‘I do not know where you come from.’ Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.’ But he will say, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of evil!’ In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God but you yourselves cast out. And people will come from east and west, and from north and south, and recline at table in the kingdom of God. And behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.”
-Luke 13:23-30 ESV
Jesus tells the disiples to strive to enter the narrow door. Its clear in the scripture in many places that Jesus states that He is that door and in knowing Him we find our way. It's a narrow path, one entrance, pretty clear, so I found myself wandering thorugh the rest of the text and three statements were jumping at me this morning as I read. I find them worth sharing. So here they are in a relatively raw form as I journaled them. I find myself challenged, I pray you will as well.
1. "But we ate and drank in your presence.... you taught in our streets...."
2. "You will see but, not be able to access..."
3. "Depart from me....workers of Evil...
1. Exclusive access: This gospel that we have is exclusive. It is reserved for those who are in Him. those who have connected with him. Not for those who have been around while he was in the room. Not for those who have just heard the message. "you begin to say..." Jesus cuts off the argument in the story. There is not excuse for ones who have lingered with the message and not responded. The narrow door is simple. Jesus is the door. He makes that clear in several places in scripture.
Hell's Waiting Room
2. To see but not grasp: No matter what anyone wants to say about hell. How it's described in the scripture is always the same in one respect. The descriptives used are not important relative to the fact that at its core, Hell is separation from God. The description here is reflective of the story in Luke 16 where the rich man could see Lazarus but he himself could not find relief. We cloud our thinking when we grieve over the possible torment of a fiery or torturous existence. The real torment is separation from God for all eternity. When that is put into perspective those who are here on earth alive today are merely in Hell's waiting room. The separation they now have from God is a future they face. Only then, as opposed to now, they will see clearly what is lost and then grief will hit them hard. The self torture of grief and gnashing teeth in frustration will be far stronger than anything anyone could ever do to them. Hell, in this since, is an ultimate form of self abuse more than a imposed penalty that God places on one.
3. A word about Self help: One who works good in the eyes of man but does not lead one to become closer to God in his actions is actually doing evil because a temporary patch for the pain is not a cure. Why would one only ease suffereing when the cure is readily available and at hand? We are called to bless other by bringing them into the presence of God. Not ease pain only. So a listening ear is good but without godly counsel at the proper time it's useless. If someone walks away from you feeling better about himself but not knowing any more about who Christ is to them then you have worked an act of Evil because any hope without Christ is a false one.
To be in the presence of someone is not to know them. To hear them speak is not to know them. Just because someone has been to church does not mean they know Jesus. They need those around them who know Him to introduce them to Him. You and I who are frieds of God need to help others make their way to recline at the table. The narrow door Jesus speaks of it clear. It's him. We are to strive to know HIM and nothing short of that. We who do know Him must introduce Him to those who do not know. It is in striving to know Jesus that we will find access through the narrow door.
Father, help me to strive to be always and only seeking You in all things. Lead me to fully undestand the fate awaitng those who sit in Hell's waiting room such that I would never seek to just ease suffering when I stand readily able to offer a cure for the sickness. -In Jesus I stand convicted, Amen
We all need (The Right) someone to lean on.
Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, greets you, as does Mark, Barnabas’s cousin (concerning whom you have received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him), and so does Jesus who is called Justus. These alone of the circumcision are my coworkers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me. (Colossians 4:10-11 HCSB)
"These Alone of the Circumcision" (Jews) Paul was a Jew among Gentiles. He was a man of vast learning among a sea of people who were ignorant of the life, culture and way of Judaism. Some were following him, some were fighting him and some were sharing the load with him (three to be exact). It is not good to be alone in the mission field. Paul was called and glad to be on mission but needed the encouragement of others to get the work done. Not just any others. Paul found value in the company of those he could connect with who already got him. Those who already understood his plight without the need of much exhausting explanation.
We all need some people in our lives that already have the comfort we need because they have been where we have... or further. Those who are outside the life and culture of Christ or those who are new to it and have minimal understanding of the life in Christ cannot always bring to you the relief you need. You need someone alongside that is like you already and can strengthen you and give you the comfort you need for the Journey. You need a small community of people who are where you are and in whom you find strength to continue and say "they have been a comfort to me."
Don't Settle For Management
"For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. So you also are complete through your union with Christ"
What more needs to be said. In Jesus is everything God is. What's the logical conclusion. When Jesus said, "seek first the kingdom and all these things will be added to you." It has the weight of authority that comes from being the very source of life. He speaks with the authority that grants that truth. Because He said I AM truth. What else do you need to look for. Why look to management when you have access to the founder an owner?
How much trouble would we all avoid in this world if we truly believed Jesus at His word and just looked to Him for all the answers, all our needs, all our comforts and all our provision? How much simpler would our lives be if we took Him at His word when He said come to me and I will give you rest.? What would our world look like if those who declare to follow Him actually trusted completely The Word of God who is The resource for all of life.
Scripture quoted Colossians 2:8-15; Matthew 6:33, John 14:6, John 1:1
Fighting Mental Problems
Lately the "battlefield" of spiritual things has been escalating around me. It seems that I have dealt with one battle after another among our budding church planting team. Indeed, I would agree that we are facing some real obstacles here because we are trying to make an impact on the community for Jesus. It is important to realize that we cannot assume to waltz into Satan's stronghold and just take up residence without a fight. And this enemies preferred battleground is fought in the mind.
Proverbs 23:7 says "as a man thinks, so is he." (A little Yoda voice works here well). So if we are to seek to do battle on this field we need to be very aware that the mind will be full of MINES (Watch yo step).
I think the events of the last week have been extreme but if we all go back though our struggles since our arrival, all of the things that have plagued us have been things that work on our minds and the reactions that result from these thought life items that are particular to each of us. If its' security, seeing our self as God does, achievement needs, pride, sexual temptation, fear of loss, temper, paranoid loneliness...etc. #mindwars
Paul confirms that the battlefield is real in his letter to Corinth.
“For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 6 And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete.””
After a short discourse about the battle being not of the world Paul affirms that the Battlefield is in the mind. Paul says to "take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ." We take those thoughts captive and punish disobedient thoughts only when we get into connection with God. The battle is only effectively fought when we are connected to the only power that makes a difference in us. It's why, when we gather, we discuss the importance of the practice of a disciplined time alone in reading, study and prayer. This is so we can connect with God and get an accurate reflection of the world aligned with the truth of the scripture. We do so to be able to differentiate between the real battles and the psychological warfare that Satan wages in the world. To know the difference between the mind mines and the truth within us.
We have to be diligent to fight the battle where it is fought. To question every thought and argument that would disagree with the truth of the Gospel which we hold dear in our hearts AND MINDS. When we see that there is a thought out of whack with God we are to be ready to punish it. Paul writes further
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.”
Toe fight well, we need to be aware of the foe we are dealing with. The fight is against these rulers and spiritual forces that actively seek to destroy us. In short, Paul says here that we need to be aware of its true origin (12), prepare to war against it (13), Engage it on the battlefield of prayer (18). He then elaborates on prayer: Pray always in the Spirit, Hang in there and don't give up and pray for the ministry of the Gospel that we would have the boldness to proclaim it faithfully.
That's all I have time to elaborate on today. But take some time and think about it. NO, take some time and prepare yourself to battle in the mind-field. You are on the battlefield. Be aware and prepared to engage the enemy with the power to defeat Him.
The Source of Power and Courage
And now, Lord, consider their threats, and grant that Your slaves may speak Your message with complete boldness, while You stretch out Your hand for healing, signs, and wonders to be performed through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.” When they had prayed, the place where they were assembled was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak God’s message with boldness. (Acts 4:29-31 HCSB)
These guys had just come from spending the night in jail for healing a man without permission. They were released under serious threats. They had seen what can happen when the powerful get agitated by the activity of people they decide they don’t like. So they turned to prayer and literally extolled God for the work He had already done and the work that He wanted to do. They asked God for that cool reserve under pressure. And they received a literal earth shaking response.
After Jesus was arrested he stood before the Governor and remained quiet:
Then Pilate said to Him, “Don’t You hear how much they are testifying against You? ” But He didn’t answer him on even one charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed. (Matthew 27:13-14 HCSB)
Just arrested, badly beaten and thrown at the feet of the governor, Jesus felt no need to defend himself. This amazed the governor. Most accused would argue for their freedom but Jesus was calm and in control, even when it appeared that he was not in control.
What’s in common among these two stories. Both find their strength and power though prayer. Jesus was not just cool in this storyline. He was composed and set in his destinity. The night before Jesus had spent agonizing in prayer asking His Father if there was any other options. He was not cool and collected there. He was in agony. But when the time came and God had not give an option 2 for Jesus, he instead provided him with the cool resolve that Jesus walked to the cross with.
The Disciples, likewise faced dire circumstances and found themselves rattled. They too turned to prayer and the result was courage that carried them forward without fear but instead they were greatly enboldened.
Believers talk a lot about prayer but we need to see and embrace its practice. That act of connecting to God gives us the power to walk though the most harrowing of difficulty and the strength to face our fears and overcome them daily. We also need to pray for a boldness for evangelism. We are deterred in our generation with the fear of possible ridicule. So many men and women in the bible stood up to that kind of ridicule and pressed on without fear.
Father, Teach me to be more diligent about connecting to you in prayer. Help me to find strength, not in what I can figure out, but in time with you spent discovering your will and strength.
In The News
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