I'll Believe It When I See It

Luke 11:29-32

Anyone out there ever been skeptical? Not believed because something wasn't what you thought it would be, or was too inconvenient or uncomfortable to consider?

This generation wasn't willing to humble themselves in order to believe. Do you see how belief requires humility? It requires submitting yourself to whatever it takes to know the Truth. Wanting it so badly, you'd risk anything and everything. The Ninevites' reaction to Jonah's preaching amazes me every time... "The Ninevites believed God." And they literally dropped everything, even their very bodies dropped to the ground, and they sought God.

What kind of attitude must one have that at the moment she hears a warning from God, she immediately believes? No skepticism, no thought of what one may look like to the rest of the world. Just that full realization that if I'm not right with God, the other concerns of my mind and myself won't matter one bit.

Spiritual Protection

In today's passage Jesus drives out another demon, then gives us a lesson on how this spiritual realm works. First of all, it sounds like casting out demons wasn't that uncommon, as Jesus speaks of their followers doing so. Even in our age of medical knowledge and technology, we need to know that there are still other evil spirit beings at work. For example, one may not physically stop you from being able to speak, but may use other ways to keep you from talking (fear, self-doubt, anxiety).

Next he speaks of a strong man, fully armed, guarding his own house. He's done all he can to protect himself, and it seems to work. He looks very healthy, seemingly no weaknesses, and the things he cares for are safe. Problem is, there's always someone stronger. Jesus tells us that when the attack comes (not if, but when), he is overpowered, his armor is stripped away, and he loses everything.

We are not safe, even when all appearances seem fine and good. There is always someone stronger than us. We need more protection than we can find in ourselves, but Jesus goes one step further. If we are not with him, that not only means we leave ourselves vulnerable to attack, but that means we are working against him! If we are not working with him, we are scattering and making things more difficult! Picture a toddler working against you as you try to clean up a mess... We not only hurt ourselves, but we hinder what God wants to do. Seek and find your protection in Jesus, allow him to work through you, and great things will happen!

Finally, Jesus speaks of a constant need for protection. We are not safe once we have been set free. Our condition can get much, much worse. Constantly recognize your need for Jesus, especially when things seem "swept clean and put in order." See 1 Peter 5:8, Ephesians 4:27 and 6:11.

More Than a Good Gift, part 2

After Jesus gives us a prayer to pray, he further explains what prayer is.

First, let's look at Jesus' parable. What is the man's situation who is doing the asking? What is he asking for? There are reasons Jesus uses this specific illustration, and not any other. None of his words are ever wasted.

The man is making a request on behalf of a friend. He wants his friend's needs to be met and to generously show him hospitality and favor (Why three loaves? It seems that's two more than what he would need... maybe he includes one for himself to share and then an extra one, just for good measure?). ASK BIG! What would you want for your friends who are in need? You know they need something that you can't give them, so ASK! Be persistent! And don't ask for just enough... ask for three loaves!

Then Jesus tells us that familiar promise: "Ask and it will be given you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you."

Then he repeats the promise... why? Why does he say it twice? Does he not want us to miss it? For emphasis? Picture him talking to his disciples; picture him repeating his promise... He didn't misspeak; he really meant it! And be confident that God won't give you something harmful. His gifts don't hurt. Only good can come from Him.

Now here's the kicker... what is the best gift God can give us?

I've been reading a little book called Quiet Talks on Power, by SD Gordon. It was written over 100 years ago, but it's message is transcendent and powerful. Let me share a bit of it here:

"How is it possible, you will be ready to ask, for me to lead the life the Master's ambition has planned for me, with such mixed motives, selfish ambitions, sinfulness and weakness as I am beginning to get a glimpse of -- how is it possible?

There is one answer to that intense heart-question, and only one. We must have power, some supernatural power, something outside of us, and above us, and far greater than we, to come in and win the victory within us and for us."

He goes on to describe all the needs for God's power for different kinds of people. "If society young people are to remain in the world, and yet not be swayed by its spirit", "to keep sweet in the home, where if anywhere, the seamy side is apt to stick out... to be gracious and strong, and patient and tender, and cheery, in the commonplace things, and the commonplace places."

"... Now, I have something to tell you tonight that to me is very wonderful, and constantly growing in wonder. It is this -- the Master has thought of all that! He has thought into your life. Yes, I mean your particular life, and made an arrangement to fully cover all your need of power. He stands anew in our midst today, and putting His pierced hand gently upon your arm, His low, loving, clear voice says quietly, but very distinctly, "You -- you shall have power." For every subtle, strong temptation, for every cry of need, for every low moan of disappointment, for every locking of the jaws in the resolution of despair, for every disheartened look out into the morrow, for every yearningly amibitious heart there comes tonight that unmistakable ringing promise of His -- ye shall have power."

Tell me... do you know of a greater gift? His power comes through the Holy Spirit, and good fruit comes from the Holy Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, kindness, faithfulness, and self-control. We can ask for these things, and God will give them! So start knocking!

More Than a Good Gift, part 1

Oh, I am bursting with words to tell you. Will you sit with me awhile on today's passage? I'll try not to make it too long...

How thankful I am that Jesus shares with us what prayer looks like, and how it works. I am only beginning to know the power and wonder that prayer holds. Any time spent in prayer, whether 5 minutes or an hour, or two!, yields great and wonderful things we will never quite understand this side of heaven. Because we ask, seek, and knock at God's door, what awesome things does he have in his house that could be ours? Have confidence in his love for us and ask!

Now go with me through Jesus' prayer...

Praise and glorify God, our father.
Pray that his will and influence and reality be at work and visible here on earth, where we sometimes don't have eyes to see it.
Pray for our (not my, but our) needs to be met, and provision to make it through the day.
We recognize our need to be forgiven and ask for it, and promise to give it to others.
We pray for spiritual safety, for protection from the thing that will break our precious relationship with him.

Pray this prayer with me now...

Then come back tomorrow for the rest of the lesson!

Only One Thing

Martha, Martha...

"Simplify" is a hot buzz word lately in our culture. How easy it is to get caught up and tied down by so much... stuff. But we're not necessarily meant to live a monk's life (who can also fall in the same trap as Martha).

Look at the words used to describe Martha: distracted, worried, and upset. Martha didn't necessarily have too much stuff in her life, but she certainly had too much stuff on her mind. Her thoughts were consumed by so much junk, she didn't fully appreciate that JESUS was sitting there in her living room, speaking words of life.

Now look at the words that describe her sister, Mary: sat, listened... and most importantly... chosen. "Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."

Are you feeling distracted, worried, or upset, or all three?

Remember, only one thing is needed... and we can choose to do that one thing, too.