Post on 19-Mar-2016
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Dearest Reader,
Wow! is all I can say about this month’s new
magazine. Obviously if you are a frequent
reader you will automatically notice the
extreme difference and if you are a new
reader chances are the difference is what
made you pick this up. Let me assure you that
our focus has not changed; we still aim to
study the Word to show ourselves approved
and to offer devotion based conversational
writing that will hopefully make you think.
The difference then is that the magazine will
be more magazine-like in structure. We look
forward to any comments or suggestions
you’d like to make. I pray that this new style
will be beneficial to you and that it will
increase our outreach attempts. We are living
in end times, friends and we endeavor to
awaken and instruct as many people as He
will enable us to. May His hand be upon you
as you read the pieces herein and may He
empower you to reach your potential and
serve your purpose in this Body!
Peace and blessings,
Ginny Mink
www.delightabidelove.com
deal to you but the fact
Matthew reveals Judas’
betrayal of the Christ makes
me think that he’s telling us
that Jesus knew Judas’
ultimate purpose. Not that
this is shocking in and of
itself. What really gets me
though is that there are
other verses that say satan
entered Judas, so basically
I’m thinking that even the
enemy gets his power from
above. Not that God wants
satan to do the things he
does, but that satan can’t
do anything without God
allowing him to. Judas was
sent to heal diseases and
cast out demons just like
the other disciples, Christ
imparted power to him. If
He willingly handed power
over to His enemy, I have to
wonder how much greater
is the power that He
bestows on those who love
Him.
Chugging along we come to
verse 8 where Jesus tells His
disciples to use the power
He’s given them for the sole
purpose of helping others
without personal gain. I bet
there are a lot of people
that find this concept
problematic. What if
everyone who claimed to be
“called” to something did
whatever it was they were
“called” to, for FREE? Dare I
say there’d be a lot more
starving artists and
preachers and teachers and
writers? The truth is, no
Matthew Continued
Last month we ended in
Matthew 9:29 and so we are
going to take a look at
Matthew 9:37 now. This is an
interesting verse as it makes
me think of all the farming I
don’t do. Yes, you read that
correctly, I don’t gather like I
should and as we’ll see later
we are told that if we aren’t
gathering, we’re scattering.
This world has been planted
with God’s children and the
enemy’s seed and it’s up to
His children to plant and
water and then harvest. I
suspect that we have a
problem with the word
laborer as so many of us have
an abject hatred for work.
That’s probably why Jesus
tells us to pray that God will
send people out to do the
harvesting. I guess that gives
some of us a bit of a way out,
if you are too chicken to
participate in the labor then
at least support those who
aren’t by praying that others
will be led to come to their
aid.
Since we are going through
Matthew together, you will
realize that we have reached
chapter 10. It starts off with
Jesus sending His disciples
our cast out spirits and heal
diseases. What caught my
attention though is verse 4.
Notice that Jesus includes
Judas in the group He sends
out. Perhaps that’s not a big
one, not even modern day
“Christians” are willing to do
things, those that might be
deemed work, for FREE.
Everybody expects something
and that’s why Christ felt it was
necessary to give His disciples
that directive. I suspect they
were just like us, human, and no
doubt they would have at least
appreciated some sort of
thanks or recognition if not
money in the bank. Thankfully
Christ adds verse 10 which lets
us know that we will be
reimbursed for our labors. I
think really Jesus was telling His
disciples, “don’t set a price on
these works, you will be given
what you deserve.” Perhaps
these TV evangelist need to
read that verse before they try
to sell me a prayer shawl.
I’m jumping to verse 20 now.
You see, we are promised and
warned even that the world is
going to hate us, that it’s going
to persecute us and that
ultimately we may be
imprisoned or killed for our
faith. I don’t know about you,
but I suspect that will be pretty
anxiety inducing for me.
However, I find great comfort in
my Savior’s promise that the
Father will speak through me at
that moment. If you read on to
verse 22 you see what I am
talking about with regards to
being hated, but thankfully
there’s another bit of
inspiration there, and that’s the
fact that if we’ll endure until the
end (whatever that might be),
we WILL be saved!
A disciple is not above his teacher, verse 24 tells us. I am amazed by my own arrogance sometimes, an perhaps you have felt that way about yourself. Listen, Jesus only got to walk this planet 33 years (the fact that I say “got” reveals my arrogance immensely as if being down here with us was some tremendous privilege that His death on a cross for my sake brought to a regrettable end- I have to shake my head at myself). Anyway, what I mean is that we need to understand, particularly those of us whom have lived beyond our 33rd year, that life is a gift and the fact that we have one to live should make us consciously indebted to the One who gives us breath. Yet, I find myself thinking I should be further along in life, more recognized as a writer, a prolific speaker, something more notable. What a snot I am! I am reminded of a Johnny Cash song which is really just a poem (and I’m not sure who wrote the thing) that says something about how unaccomplished from a worldly sense Jesus was, no books written, no college degree, no stadiums reserved for His conferences etc. While Christ’s sphere of influence as He walked this planet was miniscule the longevity with which that influence and impact has exhibited is tremendous and should certainly remind us that we will never be better than Him, never more popular or more powerful. As He says in verse 25, it is enough that we be like Him, but how many of us are?
And yet, when we read on we discover what being like Him will mean to us. Verse 25 also tells us that if the world called Him horrible names, beelzebul (the devil), how much meaner to us will the world also be. Maybe you’ve never been persecuted for your Faith, maybe you’ve never been called names, fired, ridiculed or physically and verbally assaulted for aligning yourself with the Messiah. If that’s the case then chances are you’re not really looking forward to the occurrence either. Can I tell you that is a sad position? Yes, I said it’s sad not to be mistreated for being a Christ follower. I’m sure there are “believers” that would disagree with me but we find elsewhere in Scripture that we are blessed when we are persecuted for His name’s sake. Listen, if you have never had any repercussions for following after Him then perhaps you need to reexamine your own walk, check your Faith as Paul tells us to do (2 Corinthians 13:5). It’s easy to be a Christian when there are no consequences therein and that’s what Christ was trying to get across, there will be consequences. Surely you’ve come across the verse that tell us to pick up our crosses, that’s no easy task, that requires laborious devotion and painful dedication, and dear one, that’s what being a real believer is all about.
I know that probably wigs a bunch of us out. No one wants to hear that the world will hate you and say bad things about you. No one wants to think about trudging across the desert with a large beam on your back. I suspect that’s why our Beloved Redeemer added verse 26. We are not supposed to be afraid of those people, the ones who call us names, take our jobs, mistreat our families, no indeed, Jesus tells us to have no fear of them because all their badness can’t be hidden forever, all those things they’ve done that they don’t want anyone to know about, all their self-righteously hidden infractions will be brought to light. Man, I have to tell you that the erasure of sin is one of the greatest parts about following the King. I don’t ever have to worry that you’ll see how heinous I was before He washed me clean, but all the people who have persecuted me for that same Faith, will indeed have that Power Point on display on judgment day!
Matthew
10:28
We left off knowing not to
fear our enemies. Jesus must have looked at His disciples and seen that inevitable, “yeah right!” eye roll going on because in verse 28 He clarifies the concept for them. I have to laugh a little about this because we are all guilty of assigning to man more strength and power than he/she is due. Jesus shows them just how limited mankind is, He says, “Don’t fear people, all they can do is kill you. Instead, you need to be more concerned with the One that can affect your eternity, namely My Father and yours.” This isn’t a do as I say, not as I do, statement either because Jesus demonstrated for us what it meant not to fear man. Pilate tries to instill some semblance fear in our Savior when he claims to have the power of life and death and Jesus real quick tells him that he only has power because God gave it to him. Listen, there are things way worse than death and the average human doesn’t seem to get that. Perhaps that’s a good enough reason to start worrying about other people and the eternities they face, maybe it’s enough of an instigator to make a harvester or laborer out of you. Regardless, make sure you know Who to fear.
[Sidebars are great for calling out important points from your text or adding
I just came across 1 Corinthians
12:18-19 & 25. Truth is, I was reading
the devotion assigned by Our Daily
Bread. Actually, the whole truth is, I
never read the author's commentary
on the verses, I just read the verses
that the editor selected for the day's
reading. Not that you really care
about all that but I just wanted you
to get the background information.
Anyway, I came across verse 18 and I
thought this concept of God choosing
the parts of the body to be exactly
what and where He wanted them
was interesting. I mean, how many of
us feel like we don't belong, like we
have no real purpose, like we are
totally unconnected to those around
us, even all those lovely people we go
to church with. Then, I started
thinking about myself. I just had a
baby and though I am attending
church still, I feel like I have lost a
valuable connection in that I have to
leave the service after the music so
that my wee-one (whom is breast-
fed) doesn't disturb everyone else
and certainly not the preacher (even
his daughters take their kids out). So,
I miss the service, basically. I mean
yeah, we can hear through the
speakers in the fellowship hall, but
generally we are having our own,
totally not related conversation. I am
bothered by this, really I am and it
makes me wonder, "What am I doing
here?" Have you ever felt that way,
even in a place you should totally feel
at home, like church? Well, I guess
I've got great and sucky news for you,
you aren't alone. Perhaps that's a bit
of a stretch given the verses I've
chosen here, but then again, maybe
it makes complete sense to you.
I still don't know why He chose me, I still can't come to grips
with His incredible patience and love for us while we were yet
sinners, but I am oh-so-thankful for it! So, if I can really
embrace the fact that I am important and of value to Him
then I suppose the next issue is to discover what I'm here for.
Obviously the Word tells us that we are here to bring Him
glory, to shine for Him, and for His enjoyment. The God of the
universe likes our company. It's really unfathomable but it is
truth nonetheless. So, since He wants us here, and since there
are other verses that tell us that we are here to do the good
works He planned for us beforehand, I have to ask myself,
and maybe you're asking a similar question, "What good
works has He planned for me?" I know all the pat-answers
that pop into my head, all the instant Christian-ese Scripture
quotations, and though I hate to say that I view them this
way: all the generic, applicable to everyone directives. Maybe
it's because I am a product of a me world, but I hear my heart
(deceitful above all things) saying, "Yeah but I want
something specific to me, what makes me special, what am I
here to do that no one else was designed for?" You'd think
that the sheer fact that our Redeemer knows us in our
mother's womb, that He desires us and died for us would be
enough to make us feel special but NOOOO, we want more
(as usual); we want to feel like we are indispensable. I kind of
have to laugh about that, because really, what are we?
Scripture calls us: worms, filthy rags, sinners, fallen short, etc.
Man, we are so full of pride (or I am at least)!
I have a tendency to ramble on so let me just go ahead and
move into verse 19. What stood out to me there was the fact
that we are actually here for specific duties. Even though it
might seem arrogant to expect to be something special in His
kingdom, this verse kind of tells me that indeed we are. I get
this picture of a really big human body. That insinuates to me
that since there are so many people who adhere to His calling
then each of them really only makes up a small part of the
body. Let me attempt to create the same imagery for you.
How many of us feel like we don’t belong?
Nope, I kind of blew each of them off,
if you want to know the truth, and
then I confessed to my husband. Of
course he's of the mindset that I
shouldn't care, not because he's
heartless but because the things that
these friends were confiding had to
do with their marriages and various
other relationships and my husband
thinks everyone should mind their
own business. Now, maybe that's a
man thing, they kind of keep each
other at a distance, but women, well,
we like to talk through our volatile
emotions and I just wasn't interested
in hearing anybody else's issues at
that moment. I was definitely dividing
myself from the body and doing all
that I could to not be concerned with
anyone else. What's interesting about
that though is the fact that when we
think we're better off taking a step
back from everyone and their
emotional needs, we discover that it's
pretty lonely.
Well, I can already feel the regret of
typing so much setting in, namely
because my knuckles are really
starting to hurt. I hope that I have
managed, somehow, to say something
of value here and if not, then as a
consolation prize I pray that I have at
least made you think. Let's seek His
will, accept our knuckle positions in
the body and do all that we can to
care about each other.
Here's what I'm thinking...What if we are individual veins, and
arteries and tendons and muscles and knuckles...I mean, the
human body really is made up of a bazillion intricate little parts and
when any of these parts fails to do its job inevitably other body
parts feel the repercussions. I can tell you that this concept is
particularly poignant to me right now because though I am sitting
here typing this for your reading pleasure (or at least for my
venting ability) I know I will almost certainly regret it in the
morning as there appears to be something (not carpal tunnel)
wrong with my hands. It's been suggested that something is
pinched, swollen or torn, or that arthritis is setting in, regardless of
the diagnosis though, it only takes one small thing to be wrong in
your hands and suddenly even the menial tasks are monumental. I
can't tell you how painful it is just to make a bed, or pull the coffee
pot out of the maker. So, if as believers we are as connected to one
another as Paul suggests in these verses, maybe it will become a
good deal easier to see why our country and our world is so rapidly
falling apart. We are not connected and if the knuckles aren't
attached to the muscles and tendons, well, we won't be able to flex
our Faith.
This brings me to verse 25, no division in the body; its parts should
have concern for one another. I don't know how to better state
that than Paul did, but I can tell you something I experienced
recently that made me a wee bit disturbed. Some friends had
contacted me, a few weeks ago, with some of the issues they were
enduring. They'd sent me texts and emails and asked for prayer,
they'd confided in me (and quite possibly no one else) and I found
myself feeling the following statement, "I don't care." I felt hugely
guilty for the thought and the emotion, but really that's where I
was, I just didn't care, I couldn't make myself care either. I tried,
trust me. I didn't offer my usual encouragement and I certainly
didn't offer my normally readily available shoulder and ear.
I still don’t know
why He chose me;
I still can’t come
to grips with His
love for us while
we were yet
sinners…
My hair is in need of a
good dye job, the grays are poking through everywhere I look. I am pretty familiar with the tangled locks that inhabit this odd head and yet I can honestly tell you I have absolutely no idea how many there are. I love, completely treasure and adore both my husband and my darling children and yet I can’t tell you how many hairs are there. This verse is so powerful and it comes after we’re told not to fear mankind and that we’re worth more than the birds. While life may sometimes seem like it’s for the birds, not a single one perishes without our Father’s knowledge and neither will a hair fall from your head without His permission. Now that’s love!
“But even the hairs of your
head are all numbered.” (ESV)
Life may sometimes seem like it’s for the birds but not a single one perishes without the Father’s knowledge…
“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny…”v.29
Again, in verse 31 Jesus tells us not to
fear, He reminds us how valuable we
are! Then we reach verse 32 and this
is a biggie, friends. If you are scared
to tell others you know Him, He
warns you that He won’t
acknowledge you either.
I’m reminded of the popular kids in
school, no, I wasn’t one of them (I
was a band nerd if you must know the
truth). Anyway, I knew tons of those
popular kids, was friends with
cheerleaders and football players or
at least I thought I was. Here’s the
thing, there are people in our lives
that will acknowledge our existence
only when it’s beneficial to them.
Jesus isn’t that kind of friend and we
need to make sure we aren’t either. I
can assure you we aren’t the ones
with the reputations to protect. There
are times in life when claiming the
Faith is beneficial and there are other
situations in which you will suffer for
such a proclamation. What our Savior
is saying here is essentially, “bite the
bullet; acknowledge Me wherever
you are so that when you get here, I
can introduce you to our Dad.”
Otherwise we’re all gonna be treated
like the band nerds in the middle of a
cheerleader party.
Worthy? Yes, that’s what He says, if we don’t take
up our crosses then we are not worthy of Him. Now obviously Grace is a gift and thusly our King is not telling us to earn His love, or labor our way towards becoming valuable to Him. He loves us period and yet, there is something we must do, that’s love Him back. Taking up the cross of alien-hood, of denial of self, well that’s demonstrative of loving your Savior and if you aren’t willing to sacrifice popularity, acceptance, greed and pride, well, then what need have you of redemption? If you truly recognize your own worminness then you’ll have no problem desiring to pick up that cross no matter how hard it is to do and when you’re walking that road, bearing the beam, He says that those who accept you, accept Him! Yeah, they see Him through the crosses we bear, if we’re willing to pick them up. Are you?
It probably seemed like we spent forever in chapter 10, but good news, we’ve reached
11! Jesus is preaching in all the surrounding cities and John the Baptist (who’s in jail)
hears about Him. Jesus tells John’s disciples to report back to John what they’ve seen.
He tells the crowd that they’re wishy washy, that they came out to see John but must
have been expecting something other than who he was. Then He tells them that they
have a wrong view of who He is as well. Later He shares some woes with those cities
that refuse to acknowledge Him. Finally He declares who He is and the power He has
in verse 27. It is amazing to me how seemingly ignorant the people of His time were.
Yet, I suspect we’d be just as thick headed. This verse tells us why, “no one knows the
Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.” I hope
you understand the magnitude of that statement. It’s really easy to look down at the
Pharisees and Sadducees and wonder what was wrong with them that they denied
Christ. Yet, He tells us that the only people who can know Him and the Father are
those whom He has chosen to experience that privilege. Listen dear one, you are
saved by the Grace of God, surely, but your salvation was a conscious decision on His
effort more than it was yours. He chose you! I can’t imagine that there’s another verse
in the Bible that’s more revealing of our value to the King. From my perspective it kind
of makes me feel sorry for the religious leaders of that time, they missed out on
knowing the King and that’s exactly the way He wanted it. I know some people will be
bothered by that predestined insinuation but please remember that Jesus tells us in a
parable that the enemy has seed here too. Jesus knows who are His and who belong
to the evil one, we don’t so just be glad you’re on His side!