Hear the Voice?

Matthew 3:11 - I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

I just wanted to see how something from the Word would progress. I had no subject or plan. I decided to start in the New Testament for a subject. And the first scripture I read was Matthew 3:11. It was quite evident that the main point was the Holy Spirit. I wanted to see where this would take me. Where I thought I would go, I didn't!

The scripture above came from the voice of one crying in the wilderness, John the Baptist. He was crying out that a Messiah was coming soon. He was crying out that repentance for remission of sins among the people. He could only proclaim this but this Man who was to come would give even more.

John the Baptist...the first to begin to preach...about a Man he thought he didn't know. From this one man's obedience to do the will of the Father... ...the word of God came to John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness (Luke 3:2). How did that word come? Through the power of the Holy Spirit.

John the Baptist proclaimed the Christ. He did it by faith in God. He did it in obedience and in the power of the Holy Spirit, which had filled him before he was born. Referring to John: For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. (Luke 1:15) John didn't know it would be his own cousin! Later he would be directed by God. He became "The voice of one crying in the wilderness: prepare the way of the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. The glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together; for the mouth of the LORD has spoken." (Isaiah 40:3,5)

We need the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. It guides us to truth. By what I see in this world, very little of God's Spirit exists. (Probably why we are told following Christ is a narrow road with few people on it.) We would not have the violence, hatred, anger, disagreements if it did. And the fact that anything related to God is met with opposition means people don't want to know truth. It amazes me that people can think if they don't believe in or commit themselves to God He will just go away and life will be fine. That ain't ever gonna happen. Let's move on...

Joel 2:28-29 - "And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall have visions. And also on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days." God is still using His Holy Spirit in the lives of people. When we come to Christ we are filled with His Spirit. Evidence is a change in our lifestyles. What once was so important has been replaced with what God deems important, like wanting to read the Bible, hearing God speak, learning what truth is, what sin is...and opting to believe what the Word says hands down. And Jesus tells us that we "shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. (Acts 1:8)

Jesus came, as John has already shown us, to seek and save the lost. John preached repentance. Jesus offered forgiveness based on that repentance. He also offered eternal life, in Him. It's all about Him. That's why it is important, necessary, to understand whether one has a true knowledge of who Jesus is. He is not just Someone who died 2,000 years ago so all would have eternal life. That is false preaching. He came for all...but only for all who would receive Him. Remember, it's all about Him.

When one has received Him it is natural for one to want to share this Savior, what He has done for us, how He has changed us. It is our responsibility to share Christ with others...we are now His disciples. We are commanded by Christ, as the early disciples were, to: Go therefore and make disciples of all 
the nations... (Matthew 28:19)

We are to share the gospel, in love and truth and through what the power of the Holy Spirit has shown us. The truth is in the words of Christ. We are to show others Who He is, what He has done and what He has to offer. I know that not everyone will listen. I try to do my part. My wish is that all would understand where I come from. I have heard the truth. ...of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel, which has come to you, as it has also in all the world, and is bringing forth fruit, as it is also among you since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth... (Colossians 1:5-6) This word came to me and brought the hope and grace mentioned.

We already know that the truth of God's Word is being preached...and that even in our own country is  being despised...but it will continue at any cost. Jesus told us: And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come. (Matthew 24:14)  And then the end will come...the more God's word is despised these days, the sooner He may return.

All I know is what I believe. The power of the Holy Spirit has given me this knowledge. Like John the Baptist cried out in the wilderness, we who know Christ are to cry out in the wilderness to the lost souls in this world. We can all have this power. John didn't know Jesus, his own cousin, was this Man. He just knew there was Someone coming. Well, people, He has come and He still lives. I have not met this Man face to face, but I know Him because my spirit has met His. And that is an amazing thing.

If you have not had this experience, heed the words of those crying out in the wilderness who tell the truth based on God's Word. They may be preparing your way to Christ. By the power of the Holy Spirit you, too, might receive.

Romans 10:16-18 - ...For Isaiah says, "LORD, who has believed our report?" So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. But I say, have they not heard? Yes indeed: Their sound has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.
Isaiah 40:8 - The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever.

Go Ye Therefore

Mark 5:19 - However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, “Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you.”

As delivered and redeemed children of God, it is our responsibility to become disciples and proclaim the name of Jesus, to tell all what great things He has done for us. For some He has done amazingly miraculous deliverance; for others He has seemingly quietly changed their lives. In either case, Jesus has set us free from the burden of sin and guilt; we are new in Christ. It is the change in us that is seen which matters.

The scripture above was referencing an unnamed man Jesus and His disciples came across. This man lived a horrific life in the mountains living among tombs. He was demon-filled, quite vocal, uncontrollable, unable to be confined and often cut himself with stones. Demon possessed.

When Jesus appeared the man, because of the absolute power of the Lord, fell at His feet. The man, more likely the demons, cried out to Him not to torment him. We are reminded that even the demons tremble at God (John 2:19). This man had no control whatsoever over his own body.

I think about the day when He returns and we all will be able to see Him. Some day every knee will bow and tongue confess Jesus is Lord (Romans 14:11). Not one person will be able to stand in His presence. All will bow before Him. I pray my bowing will be graciously, without force.

Here Jesus merely appeared and the demons shuddered. This was not just one demon but many, as was pointed out when he gave Jesus his name of Legion. Legion: regiment, according to Strong's Concordance and can be 6,000 in number or more! Imagine being utterly controlled by that amount of force.  But the power of God was and still is greater than any amount of demons...if we choose Jesus...and confess His name. Those demons knew what they were up against and it seems they believed if they could be transferred from this man to another being, in this case 2,000 swine, they might have a chance to at least survive.

Little did these demons know the reaction of the swine. When they entered the swine they barreled down the side of a cliff into the sea (of Galilee). This man, set free from the power of those demons, wanted to be part of Jesus' entourage. Who wouldn't? But Jesus said no, instead telling him to spread the news of what happened to him, how the Lord had compassion on him and healed him. People were able to see the difference in this man. There was no doubt he had been delivered by a greater Power than those demons. Think about this: These demons indwelled him. When we know Jesus, He indwells us...this Man whose power is so much greater.

Imagine all the people who have been in addiction for anything. Imagine even those people who are so distressed they, too, cut themselves. Addiction of any kind is a form of possession, obsession. It is not normal; it does not come from God but from satan. In some cases might even be called demon possession. Our enemy is a demon.

Imagine also someone who has been set free of an (or many) addictions. Imagine the change that takes place. The life that is changed. The freedom experienced. The exaltation. True deliverance comes through an encounter with Jesus Christ. There are many programs available for the addict but not one has the same healing power of Christ. The physical part might be cleaned up but not the spiritual. Without the spiritual healing possession can return.

We may never be filled with a legion of demons but we are still sin-filled and in need of a Deliverer. We are all as filthy rags in the eyes of God until we receive the Christ who takes away the sins of the world. We all start this life dead to our sins. We all start life on equal footing. We will not all end our lives on equal footing in Christ, however. Some will cling to their old man...and even their demons.

We are called, whether demon possessed or just finally aware of our sinful spiritual condition, to proclaim the great things the Lord has done for us and His compassion for us. When people can see the difference they too might take this Jesus seriously. But it is up to us to do as this man: proclaim all that Jesus had done for him so that all will marvel.

Lord God, I ask that You renew this spirit in me that I might proclaim the wondrous things You have done. I thank You for Your compassion toward me, for gently wooing me into Your presence, for setting me free and opening my heart, eyes, mind and ears to all You are. Thank You for Your Word of truth and encouragement and comfort...words that are just as relevant today as they were back in the days when they were first written or spoken. Your words bring life to all who cling to them. Praise You!

As our pastor, Terry Fischer of The Church in Wisconsin, pointed out on Sunday, Jesus is the Word made flesh. Jesus made the word something more than you hear, but something you see. Jesus may not physically be walking on the earth today, but He is walking this earth in [those who have been delivered by Him]. So saints of God, let the message you preach be more than words, but let it be a message that is seen.

Matthew 28:19-20 - Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”Amen.

I Have Equipped You

2Corinthians 5:13 - If I acted crazy, I did it for God; if I acted overly serious, I did it for you. (The Message)  


Jesus came humbly to earth, down from His seat at the right hand of God. He came to show the world that He was the Way, the Truth and the Life. He gathered men from the four corners of society...laborers (fishermen), "office" workers (tax collector, banker), very well educated (physician), even a political activist (Peter), among others whose occupations are not divulged, to become his disciples.  


You see, He made friends with all sorts of people. You see again, He comes not for the destitute or "really bad" sinner, but for all people. He mingled with sinners and spiritual leaders of the day. It was His mission to touch the lives of all people.  


When Jesus knew it was time for His ministry to end, to give His life for all, He commissioned these men. He had groomed them. On the job training. He gave them His Word. Now it was time for them to go out knowing what they had seen and heard from their Master and Teacher and continue to teach. He told them if people persecuted Him, they too would certainly be persecuted (John 15:20), just for believing in Him, for carrying out His ministry, for being His followers, for using the same words He spoke.  


Jesus was the Word. And His Spirit wrote the Word (Bible). We have that same Word at our fingertips, as well as His Spirit within us, to learn from. If we are equipped with the Word, the Word and God's Spirit, we are well armed. One of the battle weapons in this world is the sword of the Spirit, His Word. You might picture a preacher with his hand held high holding his Bible to make a point. He's wielding the the sword.


Should we be any different today? If we have understood, been face to face with the reality of our own sin, received Christ and now know that our own sins have been forgiven, shouldn't we also share this forgiveness with others, try to reach them for their own moment of forgiveness through the healing power of Christ?  


If we are in Christ we are His followers and disciples. We are to do as the disciples of His day. Be about His business of introducing others to Jesus, that they may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, [to] attain to the resurrection from the dead. (Philippians 3:10-11)  


I have been equipped, like these men. I am crazy about the Lord; knowing Him is exciting. His Spirit resides in me. The way I serve my God is not like everyone else. I still am my own person, with my own style, my own way of speaking. It's only wrong if I am telling untruths, if my words do not line up with the Word of God. Am I always right. No. Am I always gentle in my speech? No. But I know without a doubt that what the Lord has placed in me I would like more people to understand so they might know Christ. And sometimes this has to come in serious times...times of difficulty for others. Why? Because lives depend on it. And He is opening a door.  


He has equipped me. We are all equipped if we know the Lord, whether our speech is flowery or plain. It just doesn't matter. He knows what works. It doesn’t matter where we are witnesses. And if someone doesn't quite agree with the way I say something or the way I do something because they wouldn’t do it like me, well, we are who we are. The Lord can use us in any way, even if it isn't perfect. As long as He gets glorified and His name is pronounced or announced.


2Corinthians 11:1 - Oh, that you would bear with me in a little folly--and indeed you do bear with me.

What Do I Do?

Matthew 22:37-39 - Jesus said to him, "'You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'"

We are asked to love our God first and foremost...and then love our neighbor. How do we do this? Who is our neighbor? God loves us unconditionally, which will never change. We are called to be like Christ and that includes loving others.

So what do I do? How do I do it? What outlet has God built into me that will allow me to be like Him? How can I be His heart to love, His hands to heal, His feet to carry His word, His eyes to see, His words to speak? I'm sure we all have some form of compassion within us. But do we reach out farther or do we turn a blind eye?

What do I do? This was the question after our final Truth Project study concluded Wednesday night. We are being asked to pray as individuals and for ourselves corporately. There is a need in this world, but even more closely, a need in our own community. What can we do? What can I do?

To become more like Christ we must undergo a transformation. Again the butterfly and the cocoon example came up. The butterfly goes through a transformation, a metamorphosis, where it once was a not so beautiful creature, but it morphs into this creature of beauty.

See more in this...a caterpillar is lowly, crawls around in it's little world on earth, barely seen. Then by nature it encapsulates itself in this cocoon, a sort confinement, a place like we may find ourselves at some point in our lives that we desire to be free from. This caterpillar is then transformed within that cocoon. To become free it must struggle to release itself but the struggle is well worth it. Out emerges this beautiful butterfly and isn't it amazing how we associate freedom with flight!

This is also what happens when we let the Lord do a work in each of us. I know without a shadow of a doubt that I am in a struggle right now but can't put my finger on what it is. It's an unsettled feeling inside. I suspect the Lord is setting things in place for that moment when I will absolutely realize what I need to change and when. I wish it would just happen. I suspect there will be some difficulty during this transformation, like the butterfly working it's way out of it's cocoon. But knowing that God's hand is on me means that flight of freedom afterward. That doesn't mean I'm finished. Oh no! It continues till my life in this world ends or the Lord returns.

What do I do? I think this question is linked to my struggle. Having to do something requires change. It requires prayer, motivation, faith and the ultimate stepping out to do...what God has called me to do.

We are called to reach out to the lost. We are called to be disciples. We are called to love God first then our neighbor. Our neighbor we found out (and actually already knew) is anyone. Remember the story of the woman at the well? Jesus reached out to this Samaritan woman, one Jews did not normally associate with. Recall the story of the good Samaritan...now we see the reverse, a Samaritan reaching out to a person they also did not associate with, a Jew. The barriers were down. As they should be.

We need to be willing to let go of preconceived ideas, attitudes, and pride to reach out to help someone in need. Are we willing to step down from our seemingly lofty places? Of course we must have wisdom in all circumstances and maintain a certain amount of caution that we are not in harm's way. But if you see a person in need of food and their appearance is unsettling, are you willing to step out of your little world to help them? Are you willing to help even someone as close as your own neighbor in need?

This is the heart of God in action. He saved the poor and lifted up the needy. He doesn't reach out for those who "don't need help." Mark 2:17 is proof of that: When Jesus heard it, He said to them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance." We all are in need of His saving grace, not just those we think need it more.

To do what He wants us to in this world means humbling ourselves. Jesus came in humility in every aspect...birth, life and death. He came not to be served but to serve. Think about it...did He stop serving? He healed, He taught, He guided, He had compassion on all people. He spent three years roaming the countryside receiving both rejection and acceptance. He had no home to call His own but I'm certain He thought a lot about His Kingdom in heaven. He knew the eternal destiny of all was in His hands and only through Him could they be saved. This was why He came to this earth. He came to seek and save the lost. He asks us to do the same.

A quote from C.S. Lewis was brought up in the study. It was the one thing that really stuck with me: "There are no ordinary people. You have never met a mere mortal [one subject to death]. You have either known an immortal horror or an immortal eternal splendor." We all have an eternal destiny and this is what I believe he was talking about. We have a choice to make today. Whichever way we go it's for eternity. The important choice should be Jesus Christ for eternal life.

Gentility and humility should be our standard. If this is what Jesus did so should we. That means being humble. Only a humble heart can take that step to help one who is needy.

In order to know what we are to do we need to know the One who created us. Then we need to seek His guidance. He's involved in our lives so we should be involved in His...with our hearts, hands, feet, eyes and mouths. We should love our neighbor, seek those who are lost, no matter who they are.

Matthew 5:43-47 - "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you...For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so?