Do you have a friend or
family member who is need?
Are you challenged by her illness,
her lack,
her suffering,
her constant woes?

Does it seem
that no matter how hard you pray,
even if a little spark flies
here or there...
there seems to be no real light
at the end of her tunnel?

Now it happened on a certain day,
as He was teaching,
that there were Pharisees and
teachers of the law sitting by,
who had come out of every town
of Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem.
And the power of the Lord
was present to heal them.

Then behold, men brought on a bed
a man who was paralyzed,
whom they sought to bring in
and lay before Him.
And when they could not find
how they might bring him in,
because of the crowd,
they went up on the housetop and
let him down with his bed through
the tiling into the midst before Jesus.
When He saw their faith, He said to him,
“Man, your sins are forgiven you.”
Luke 5:17-20

Who’s faith was being challenged?
Who went to the farthest ends possible
to get in the healing presence of Jesus?

Because it wasn’t the man
who was in need of the miracle...
the ill friend or family member.

Rather it was them.
They were the ones who had been praying.
They were the ones who shared his burden.
They had known his needs,
they had given him rides,
they had brought him meals,
they had taken care of his children
they had posted on Facebook his prayer request,
They had wondered...
is this faith truly working?

For their friend didn’t seem
to ever get better no matter what they did.

So they did what was no longer reasonable.
They stretched their faith beyond the normal limits.
When they were left outside,
and couldn’t get in where miracles happen
they wouldn’t take no for an answer.

They had to get to Jesus, where...
the power of the Lord
was present to heal.

So they set their minds on higher things,
and didn’t take no for an answer.

When He saw their faith,
their friend, who was no longer
strong enough to hope for himself,
was healed... was made whole.

Sometimes the one most desperate,
the one in the darkest place,
who is barraged by illness,
challenged by
her lack,
her suffering,
her constant woes...
is left without the faith to carry herself
to the place of healing

But that's where friends and family
​like them are needed most.
​They stretch their faith for the one
who no longer can.

And they lift their friend to Him.
​For He honors their faith.

Is there someone you need to pray for?
Someone who's request seems
out of bounds?

Maybe your just needed, like them...
who can help when they lift prayers
past the point of reason
to the God of unreasonable hope.

Maybe be you can be faith
when your friend or family
has no more left.

Jesus will honor the healing prayers
when He sees your faith in action.
Dont quit until you see the miracle.
​
Word of God
train me today...
To stretch my faith for my friend
even when hers has run low.

To join with them in love, action, and
support, bringing her closer to Jesus'
​tender touch with every daily prayer.

I've heard it said
that the two greatest days
of your life,
are the day you were born,
and the day you find out why.

To know one's purpose.
That is something people
have pondered for centuries.

Why am I here?
It's a question even asked
by those who don't believe in God.

But not one ever asked
by God Himself.

In fact, very early in Jesus ministry,
even before He had chosen
all of His disciples, he was very clear
about that which was His purpose.

He had just begun traveling about
and the crowds were beginning
to notice Him and tell
of His signs and wonders.

His only disciples at the time
were Simon Peter, and his brother Andrew.
Along with the brothers John and James.
They all had just left the home of
Peters mother-in-law, when the crowds
began to grow by word of mouth.

For He had come into her home
and healed her of fever.
And immediately she got up
and started to serve Him.

And as the sun began to set on that day,
people brought their sick to Him
to be healed by His hand.
Even those possessed by demons
were cleansed, the evil spirits came out
saying, "You are the Son of God."

And for all the signs and wonders
the people were amazed and
wanted Him to stay with them.

But Jesus clearly spoke
that He could not stay in one place.

Now when it was day,
He departed and went into
a deserted place.
And the crowd sought Him
and came to Him, and
tried to keep Him from leaving them;
but He said to them,
“I must preach the kingdom of God
to the other cities also,
because for this purpose
I have been sent.”
Luke 4:42-43 NKJV

It's interesting to ponder...
because we are all used to the life of Jesus
as it is already written.
He lived His life traveling about.

But don't you think He could have
settled down somewhere and
the people would still have come to Him?

I mean, I'm sure it would have been
more convenient to have just
taken up residence somewhere nice
and live a more comfortable lifestyle.

You know...
have all your stuff where you like it.
Not jammed in a small travel bag,
rummaging for some tiny sample size soap,
or running out of Q-tips on the road.

Surely word would spread
and those sick and desperate enough
would find a way to get to Him.

He could have even put a sign
outside His door that posted hours
that He was open for signs and wonders.
That way He could get some time off.
I mean, we all deserve a little of that, right?

But that's not what Jesus did.

Jesus saw... and felt the crowds.
I'm sure they pressed in, like people
tend to do when they want something.

But rather than thinking
only ic Hinself, He took the time
​to lay His hand on them
and heal each one of them.

And then...
when it was day,
He departed and went into
a deserted place.

The next day...
Jesus took time away from the crowds
to withdraw, not necessarily to a dry desert,
bur rather a place that was quiet,
where He could find solitude and peace.

And Mark gives us a better description
of His whereabouts...
Now in the morning,
having risen a long while before daylight,
He went out and departed
to a solitary place;
and there He prayed.
Mark 1:35

Maybe because He simply longed
to connect with His Father.
Maybe because He needed
to recharge His spiritual batteries.
Maybe because He needed to remember
what His purpose was and where
He was to go next.

Because it sure would've been
more convenient to settle.
Especially when the crowds demanded
that He stay with them.

I mean, how awesome when they wanted
Him to be with them.
What a great high it must have been
to have the crowds thrill to His presence.
​
But He knew that later, they wouldn't be
so welcoming and wonderful
about receiving Him and all He was.

No, Jesus knew His purpose.
And it wasn't to settle in one place
and be adored by the crowd.

“I must preach the kingdom of God
to the other cities also,
because for this purpose
I have been sent.”

Jesus wouldn't be able
to reach the whole world
with redemption, healing and salvation
by being adored in one place
by one group of people.

He stayed connected to heaven,
to His Father God who sent Him,
to keep His focus, to set His mind
on the greater purpose
that had nothing to do
with the perspective of this world.

He didn't come...
for comfort,
for adoration,
for settling into a life of ease.

All of that would come later...
on heaven's side of the Kingdom.

​Jesus had told them...
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me,
Because the Lord has anointed Me
To preach good tidings to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives,
And the opening of the prison
to those who are bound;
To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord,
Luke 4:18-19
as read by Jesus to the people of Nazareth
from the book of the prophet Isaiah.

Word of God
train me today...
To celebrate not only the day I was born,
but even more, Lord,
that You have revealed why!

To take time early, and each day,
set aside in prayer the reset of mind,
my perspective on the higher Kngdom.

Most days, I feel fairly confident
that I know who I am.

But then when I make the mistake
to use my peripheral vision
and start comparing myself,
measuring by the yardstick of
other people's accomplishments,
my insides get all twisted about
and I end up knotted and tanged
in self-doubt and discouragement.

And then whatever task
I was working on,
or whatever goal was in front of me
get's totally lost in the mess
of distraction and frustration inside.
It's like I can no longer focus
because all I can think
is that it won't be good enough,
because I'm not...
all that other person is.

But can you imagine...
what if the yardstick
standing nearby wasn't just
some plain ol' Jane.

What if instead, it was Jesus!
And...
Then there arose a dispute...
John 3:25 NKJV

Because that's a scenario
which actually happened.
It was a long time ago, mind you.

But there were some people
who knew John the Baptist
and they just did their thing,
of stirring up some trouble.

They were seemingly
traveling back and forth,
or at least listening to the talk
that was coming from where Jesus
was baptizing people in one river
and comparing it to the numbers of people
that John was baptizing in another.

As if Jesus was the newest
preacher in town trying to steal
the converts from John.

And if John hadn't known
who he was, and what his message
and purpose was with regard to Jesus,
then he could have really gotten mixed up.
He could have really struggled
with doubt and insignificance.

Because what if he let
those people divide his loyalty
from Jesus, rather than stir up
his support for Jesus?

What if John the Baptist
felt that Jesus didn't value him,
did't appreciate all that he had done
before Jesus came on the scene?

Let's sneak up on them and
see how he handled it.
John answered and said,
“A man can receive nothing unless
it has been given to him from heaven.

You yourselves bear me witness,
that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’
but, ‘I have been sent before Him.’
John 3:27-28

Wow.
Sounds to me, like John
was pretty clear from the start,
before Jesus even showed up,
that he had told them he was NOT
they one they were waiting for.
But that he was only sent to prepare
them for the ONE.

He who has the bride
is the bridegroom;
but the friend of the bridegroom,
who stands and hears Him,
rejoices greatly
because of the bridegroom’s voice.
Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled.
He must increase,
but I must decrease.
John 2:29-30

Even more impressive.
John the Baptist gives them
such a great example of Jesus
as the groom, but lets them know
that even as the friend of the groom,
he has a place, he is significant,
and he can be joyful about
who he is as the friend of the groom.

Even in his statement about
Jesus increasing
and John decreasing,
I sense humility
but not self-doubt or insignificance.

He who comes from above is above all;
he who is of the earth is earthly
and speaks of the earth.
He who comes from heaven is above all.
He who believes in the Son
has everlasting life;
and he who does not believe the Son
shall not see life, but
the wrath of God abides on him.”
John 3:31, 36

John the Baptist clearly
knew his purpose.
He was to go before Jesus.

Not to be pridefully competing
for the glory or the numbers,
but to point the way to the One
who had the power and authority.

And John didn't let
shallow people who like
to stir things up and cause trouble
distract him from that purpose.

Not in his actions,
not in his head.

He was focused,
directed,
purposed and
planned.

But through it all
he remained humble,
knowing that...
A man can receive nothing unless
it has been given to him from heaven.
and
He who comes from above is above all;
he who is of the earth is earthly.

Word of God
​train me today...
To give thanks to You first, knowing that
all blessings from above are for Your glory.

To not be distracted by comparison to others,
but rather to stay focused and purposed
on the paths You direct in my life.

Traditions.
They don't seem to be celebrated
with the same sentiment today
as I imagine in times long ago.

But I sure do like the idea
of having a dear old family tradition.
I was not raised in a home
where we held true to many, but
I so admire those who have kept them.

Even as we near the holiday season,
it makes me long for something nostalgic,
some tried and true tradition
that others would cling to as well
and celebrate with me,
remembering how it used to be.

Because that's what makes
a tradition special.
The honor of it.
The respect and quiet solitude
you show toward whatever actions
others began with intention
that made it sacred, that kept it true.

Tradition.
That's what always comes to mind
when I read this account of Jesus
turning over the tables of the merchants
who set up theirs booths in the temple.

At least it's now one of the burdens
I realize behind His actions,
once I understood that to Him,
yes, this was a sacred place, a holy temple...
But this was also an annual event.

Jesus had come to Jerusalem
as did many other travelers
because it was the Passover Festival,
the tradition celebrated annually
by the Israelite people
to remember their heritage...
their Exodus from Egypt,
their freedom from slavery,
the faithfulness of their God.

And it was part of Jesus' family tradition...
Every year Jesus’ parents
went to Jerusalem for the Passover festival.
Luke 2:41 NLT

And it also marked a significant life event
when he was left behind
at the age of twelve, while his family absently
headed back home without him.

His parents were devastated
during the three days of searching.
But when they found Him,
He was safe in the temple,
calmly sitting among a crowd of scholars
discussing higher things.

And He seemingly could not understand
their confusion or despair when
He replied to His parents...
“Why were you looking for Me?
Do you not know that I must be
in My Father’s house?”
Luke 2:49 

Jesus, even as young as twelve,
was simply comfortable, and at home
in the House of God.
He had taken up residence, literally.
I mean, his parents had left him behind.
So He needed a place to stay.

And when these men took Him in,
gave him a place to sleep
and meals to eat,
I imagine they found Him
quite unique and surprising,
at ease, even in His left behind state.

He knew that this was
His Father's house.

You know, like when you go back home
to visit and know you're way around.
Maybe it's not where you live all the time,
but it's still a comfortable place to be.
Often times it holds memories and tradition.

And Jesus simply belonged there,
even though his parents
did't understand.

Nor could these money changers
and merchants who had now set up shop.

Can you imagine?
Jesus comes back into Jerusalem.
Just as He always did...
every year for the Passover festival.

He no longer lives with His parents,
but this is tradition,
this is a very honored celebration
and holy time for the Jewish people.

This is where Jesus remembers
spending time "camping out"
when He was twelve and first felt
really at home in His Father's house.

And Jesus expects to enter the temple
and speak to the same crowd of scholars
whom He sees each year.

He expects to be able to pray in peace
and sense presence of His Father.

But instead...
Now the Passover
of the Jews was at hand, and
Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
And He found in the temple those
who sold oxen and sheep and doves,
and the money changers doing business.
John 2:13-14 NKJV

Animals being sold...
not just for profit, but for sacrifice.
Because it was convenient.

So that people wouldn't have to "bother" 
with bringing their own firstborn 
from their heard at home all the way
on the long trip to get here.

They could just make a quick stop outside
the temple and buy a sacrifice
then give it to the priest.

Because that's what God wants... right?

Clearly Jesus walks upon a scene
that not only does not fit the tradition 
worthy of the Passover Festival,
but it has completely changed the meaning
of the sacrifice that was the basis of
a repentant heart coming unto God. 

And He has a reason to be upset.
His expectations are not met.
He has a just anger at their complete
disrespect for this holy place
and this tradition of the Israelite people.

This is His Father's house.
Who would tolerate someone
treating their father's house
with such disrespect and dishonor.

Jesus was a good Son
defending the House of His Father.
Jesus had a righteous anger
protecting the holiness
of a tradition that celebrated
God's deliverance and faithfulness;
Of holding true the meaning of sacrifice
and it's dedicated heart to God.

Are we also willing to stand up
for the holiness of our God?

Are we also in a habit
of showing up to the house of our Father
so often that we would know when
it was no longer honoring Him?

Let us not lose heart.
Let us not allow our flame to flicker
or grow dim.
But rather let us fan the flame
and burn hot for the passion
of God within.

Word of God
train me today...
To honor the glory of Your name.
To stand faithful in defense of Your righteousness.

It's a rare occasion
that you meet someone new
and start up a conversation
when they DON'T ask you
what you DO for a living.

You know...
Where do you work?
What's your profession?

And I get that people are trying
to make a connection,
to learn more about us,
in the hopes of finding
some common ground.

But too often, I think
we get tangled up
in doing, rather than being.

I particularly think that's true
within our Christianity.

I mean, haven't you ever
gotten caught up in the
To Do List of Religion?

Like...

• Attend Church
• Read the Bible
• Pray
• Tithe
• Have a Quiet Time

Or whatever else
you might put on your list,
it almost becomes
more like we are checking off
boxes to earn our way
into the good graces of God
rather than realizing that
His good grace was available
before we ever had a To Do List.

And to be very honest,
it's taken me most of my life
to get to the point where I can
wrap my mind around the concept
that God approves of me...
JUST AS I AM.

And just so you don't have to
struggle as long feeling that same way,
until you finally figure it out too,
let me share with you
what God has revealed to me.

When Jesus came to earth
He began life as a baby,
grew up as a boy and had
a pretty normal life until adulthood
so that He could gain the perspective
of what life was like for us...
so He could know how we see things,
how people treat us
and how we feel when they do.

But when it was time to begin
His ministry, and before He had performed
any miracles, or had chosen His disciples
He went to see His cousin
who had been sent ahead
announcing the coming Christ.

Then Jesus came from Galilee
to John at the Jordan
to be baptized by him.

When He had been baptized,
Jesus came up immediately
from the water; and behold,
the heavens were opened to Him,
and He saw the Spirit of God
descending like a dove and
alighting upon Him.

And suddenly a voice came
from heaven, saying,
“This is My beloved Son,
in whom I am well pleased.”
Matthew 3:14, 16-17 NKJV

​Now remember, that Jesus had yet
to PERFORM any miracles.
And here He was being baptized,
coming up from the water.

The Holy Spirit came upon Him...
the very same Holy Spirit
that lives on the inside of us.

And then this voice from heaven
proclaimed from the Father God, himself
that He was pleased with Jesus...
BEFORE He had even DONE
one miraculous thing.

God announced that He was
pleased with His Son...
just because He WAS His Son.

That's it...
because of the relationship.
Because the Father God
loved His Son, He was pleased
with Him.

Now let me backtrack a bit to creation.

A couple days ago, I posted
about how God spoke
the world into being.

And I marveled at
the creative power of words.
(click here to read post)

God spoke the world into being..
Day and Night
Heaven and Earth
Land, Sea, and Vegetation
Sun, Moon, and Stars
Birds and Fish
Land Animals

All of those wonderful creations
He made with words;
spoken commands that caused
inanimate objects to obey.
And some that never existed
to amazingly exist from nowhere.

But then,
the spoken commands ceased.
And God moved into a much more
personal form of creation.

For to create man,
He gathered some of His earth...
And the Lord God formed man
of the dust of the ground, and
breathed into his nostrils
the breath of life; and
man became a living being.
Genesis 2:7 NKJV

This a more personal creation.
This handheld, handmade, molded and crafted.
This face to face and breathed into...
the very breath of life.

And special enough
to be like Himself...
So God created man in His own image,
in the image and likeness of God
He created him; male and female
He created them.

And God blessed them...
And God saw everything
that He had made, and behold,
it was very good, and
​He approved it completely.
Genesis 1:27-28, 31 AMPC

Wait.
Stop and re-read that last part again.
Because we have read it so many times,
possibly without grasping what it really means.

This is KEY!
And God saw everything
that He had made, and behold,
it was very good, and
​He approved it completely.

Let me ask you...
have you ever made something
all... by... yourself?
Really, anything!

Even as a kid?
Like a science project for school,
a present for your mom on Mother's Day,
a lemonade stand that no one came to
but your Dad.

Or even as an adult?
It could be as simple as baking a cake.
As artsy as writing a song.
As fun as building a fort for your kids.
Or as career driven as completing
a big project at work.

But when you're finished...
you stood back and looked at it
and you realized that it was pretty good.

Then you walked away from it...
and maybe the next day looked again,
and realized...
Hey, that's actually, really good!
I did that!
And you get this pride that swells a bit
because that thing you made or did was good.

Now remember, that's just like
what God said about us.

But probably just a fraction of how God felt
when He made YOU!

God knit you together in
you mother's womb...
a more personal creation.
a handheld, handmade, molded and crafted.
face to face and breathed into...
with the very breath of life creation.

Yes, that's you!
God Created you for His pleasure.
And just like when Jesus came up
out of the water after being baptized
and before DOING or performing
one good thing for Him...
​He approved you completely.

You see, God is not waiting
for us to check off our religious To Do List
to get His approval.

He is not waiting for us to
get our act together,
to straighten up and fly right.

God is not looking for the perfect,
the planned out,
the righteous and holy ones.

God made you and me
the way we are
on purpose,
for a purpose... flaws and all.
And before we can get around
to DOING one thing for, or against Him
​He approved completely.

Because He made us for His pleasure.
He made us,
stood back and
was very glad.

But where we get all messed up
is the lie that we are not enough.
That our flaws disqualify us,
that our sin and shame makes Him
so mad at us that He cannot accept us.

That is a lie.
Because it is exactly those reasons
that He came
as a man to the earth
to sacrifice His life.

He knew all that stuff about us
before the world even began.

Look at this...
For God saved us and
called us to live a holy life.
He did this, not because we deserved it,
but because that was his plan
from before the beginning of time...
to show us his grace through Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 1:9 NLT

Did you read the whole thing
really thinking it out?

It's not about pre-destination.
Don't get wrapped up in that.
Or the part about being holy.

Focus on the part about...
NOT deserving it.
We can all wrap our minds around that.

Here, I'll use myself as an example
even though I applies to you as well.

God, who existed before time began,
knew I was going to be created.
And He also knew that He was going
to really love me, but that I would
screw things up for myself by sinning
and then having shame over my sin.

So He planned ahead and decided
upon this whole "saved by grace" idea.

That is the plan that even though
I don't deserve it, God gives me
the free gift of salvation...
the free forgiveness of my sin.

He wipes my dirty slate clean,
just as if I had never sinned
because He took my punishment...
the punishment of death, actually.

And then He miraculously raised from
the dead and gave me that too.
He gave me eternal life with Him forever.