notes from Luke 22

Learn of Christs love and that it is present even in Peter’s failure. Much as it is present in us even when we fail.

Luke 22:39-40 Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. On reaching the place, he said to them, "Pray that you will not fall into temptation."

God knows whats right around the corner. He will often put on our heart to seek him in prayer to keep us away from the coming temptation or to empower us to overcome it. Knowing the future, He prepares and guides us.

Luke 22:41-42 He withdrew about a stone's throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done."

This is a window into the relations of the trinity. The cup is the fury of the Father that will fall upon Him on the cross. The wrath of God.

Isaiah 51:17

Awake, awake!

Rise up, Jerusalem,

you who have drunk from the hand of the Lord

the cup of his wrath,

you who have drained to its dregs

the goblet that makes people stagger.

The cup of unmerrited favor is passed to us at the table so that we could become the righteousness of God. But Jesus' cup had a great price that He would become sin for us nailed to a cross. Knowing this and desiring another way Christ still in love surrendered His will.

Hebrews 5:7-9 During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him

Jesus had to come under the authority and be obedient to the will of God even unto death. He none the less wrestled with this. As we also wrestle, so we too must be obedient to the Lord's will in our life... every word of His will for us. This is love just as Christ’s obedience to the Father was His love for the Father and also for us.

Luke 22:43-45 An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow.

Marks account of this tells us He came back to them three different times and told them to stay awake and pray. Now i think it’s often assumed that the reason they kept falling asleep was out of laziness. But i think it was because of sorrow. Such a strong overwhelming emotion that kept them from prayer and drained them to the point of sleep. This is what happened to Peter. He wasnt praying as he should. He was spiritually sleeping and unprepared thus easily being lead into denying the Lord. Be awake. Be prayerful.

Luke 22:46-48 "Why are you sleeping?" he asked them. "Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation." While he was still speaking a crowd came up, and the man who was called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him, but Jesus asked him, "Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?"

I'm sure you have been betrayed. But what about when it’s from a close family member. What about when a member of the body of Christ hurts you deeply. Run to the One that understands betrayal. Run to the arms of Jesus. He understands how it feels to be betrayed from your closest of family.

Luke 22:49 When Jesus' followers saw what was going to happen, they said, "Lord, should we strike with our swords?"

We are pretty tough on the disciples here but it was Jesus who just recently told em if you don't have a sword its time to go buy one. The problem here is that they ask Jesus but don't wait for Him to answer. They ask and then jump into the wrong action impatiently because they didn't stop to listen.

Luke 22:50-51 And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear. But Jesus answered, "No more of this!" And he touched the man's ear and healed him.

Christ in his love fixes our mistakes. If he hadn't fixed the ear, history may very well had shown all four of them crucified together. U just don't go and cut off a high priest guard’s ear without a severe punishment.

Luke 22:52-53 Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple guard, and the elders, who had come for him, "Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come with swords and clubs? Every day I was with you in the temple courts, and you did not lay a hand on me. But this is your hour—when darkness reigns."

The religious leaders didn't arrest him during the day from fear of the people seeing and protecting or reacting in anger. But Jesus knows that God has allowed this. It’s not outside of Gods control and its not unseen by God. It needs to happen and Christ in love allows it knowing that he must willingly lay down his life.

Peter was sleeping when he should have been praying and now makes another mistake in following Jesus at a distance. Christ doesn't want us to follow him at a distance. He wants us to follow him completely. Too many "Christian" s will follow at a distance so that people at work don't judge them. What are you reading? "An ancient manuscript of historical literature", or "the Bible"? How do u respond? Are u trying to hide that you follow Christ so that you aren't socially crucified?

Luke 22:54-55 Then seizing him, they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance. And when some there had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them.

He warms himself by the enemy's fire. This is what you have done when you seek your comfort among the world. When you hide your God and before long you are no longer hanging with the world but soon you too are doing just as they do. It’s a very slippery slope my friend. Don't be found at the wrong camp fire. If you are there then get up right now and get where you are supposed to be. Stand up by Christ.

Luke 22:56-60 A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, "This man was with him." But he denied it. "Woman, I don't know him," he said. A little later someone else saw him and said, "You also are one of them."

"Man, I am not!" Peter replied. About an hour later another asserted, "Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean." Peter replied, "Man, I don't know what you're talking about!" Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed.

Peter in his failure did what he thought he would "never" do. We can't anticipate the future in over confidence. We are capable of every kind of sin under the sun in our flesh. Do not look down on a fellow believer and ever say of their sin that you would "never" fail in the same way.

Luke 22:61-62 The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: "Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times." And he went outside and wept bitterly.

God doesn't give up on us when we fail. He turned to go and show by his action just how much he loves us. Now peter is broken and goes to wept. Christ loves peter and sinners alike. He is mocked and beaten for peter and for us. Christ endured not only physically but also emotionally as they mocked. He was beaten to a greater degree because he was blind folded. Completely different than seeming the punch or kick coming. Far greater damage is inflicted when you don't seen it coming.

Isaiah 52:14 Just as there were many who were appalled at him—

his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any human being

and his form marred beyond human likeness—

Christ was beaten beyond recognition as a human... for us.

Luke 22:63-71 The men who were guarding Jesus began mocking and beating him. They blindfolded him and demanded, "Prophesy! Who hit you?" And they said many other insulting things to him. At daybreak the council of the elders of the people, both the chief priests and the teachers of the law, met together, and Jesus was led before them. "If you are the Messiah," they said, "tell us."

Jesus answered, "If I tell you, you will not believe me, and if I asked you, you would not answer. But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God." They all asked, "Are you then the Son of God?"

He replied, "You say that I am." Then they said, "Why do we need any more testimony? We have heard it from his own lips."

Why was Christ crucified? Because he was who they said he claimed to be. Only the Messiah could fulfill the prophecies in just such a way.

As you walk in faith, please remember to be real because you too can fall into the same failures as peter. We all have the human ability to fail to pray, to allow emotion to overwhelm us and forget and to deny and to become lazy and scared and sit at the enemies fire. We aren't perfect. Pray and stay awake follower of Christ. Don't follow at a distance but stand fully known as His disciple. If you find yourself at the enemies fire, stand up and stand for God. If you have found that you have lived even shortly in failure, then turn from that and accept the loving forgiveness of Christ. He has poured out for you and for no other reason than to redeem you.

week of 07/26/11 4th recorded HighQuest Psalm 145:1-7

The passage I read was Psalm 145:1-7

You can find that passage here:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%20145:1-7&version=NIV

The verse that most stood out to me:

3 Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise;
his greatness no one can fathom.

As I reflect:

This is one of those passages that can’t be read into as metaphorical with any kind of symbolism. It is flat out worship. That being said, I thought it best for my reflection to put this passage into my own words to praise God.

1 and 2) I will praise your name and give you glory all day, every day.

3) You are so great and worthy of far more that I can give. I can’t even begin to understand how great you are.

4) I have heard from my last father of some of the great things you had done in his life. He told me how wonderful you had been to him when he was down range in the Army and spending time reflecting on your word.

5) He told me how beautiful the scenery was and that he sat upon a hill watching the sun set and was fully consumed with how glorious you were. I’ve often thought of what he told me and in meditation have even experienced this beauty for myself.

6) As I ponder your creation, it is obvious to me that it is an evidence of your existence that is simply undeniable, and I find that I am not only 100% convinced of your Lordship, but also that I must tell others about you and what you have done throughout creation and my life personally.

7) As I have heard from him, I have also heard from your other children about how wonderful you are to us. I join them in experiencing joy and singing to you about how good it is to have you in our lives.

My response to the Lord:

My reflection today is also my response. Quite simply, I’m giving it all to God. All the glory, and honor, and praise, and everything I’ve got as well as all that I am.

week of 07/26/11 3rd recorded HighQuest Psalm 78:1-8

The passage I read was Psalm 78:1-8

You can find that passage here:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+78%3A1-8&version=NIV

The verse that most stood out to me:

⁸ They would not be like their ancestors—
a stubborn and rebellious generation,
whose hearts were not loyal to God,
whose spirits were not faithful to him.

As I reflect:

I don’t think that there is much to read into on this passage. So my reflection today is short but my meditation and application will be daily from the time I wake till the time I sleep again. A simple psalm from Asaph, I hear the message being communicated as one stating the importance of sharing from one generation to the next. I live in a world that is falling apart because so many have failed to share in this way from the time of Abraham on. The truth of the matter is that history is destined to repeat itself. God however is outside of time and has inspired wonderful advice here as the way out of the loop of repeated history is to communicate the past to the present in light of the future.

For the Christian, we are to teach our children the word of God, explaining the history and praying with and for them that they might understand by the past as well as by our accurate example of life current, how to live in their future. By this I mean, we are to explain what God has said, how man has reacted, and what the punishments and rewards for those reactions were (to include of course the gospel message as well). I think there is much to be learned when we hear of Israel’s falling and being lifted up over and over again. For a child to grasp this and understand those many stories as they apply today, would be a wonderful help to developing their moral understanding of their own life.

Consider this, that a child hears of God’s grace and forgiveness countless times upon His children. That child if he too will know the Lord, will know that they are accepted and loved despite their failures. This is a child far less likely to be doomed to suicide, self mutilation, drugs or illegal actions to gain the acceptance of peers, etc. If this same child were also taught properly what happened as a result of turning away from God and turning to the idols of this world, and being disobedient to God repeatedly and that the Israelites also faced judgment and punishment from a just God, then that child might also be less likely to break both the laws of man and the laws of God. It’s pretty simple in concept to just say that if we teach someone the value of doing what is right and the punishments for doing what is wrong, that that person stands a far better chance of living a morally upright life. Again, for the Christian, this is not just advice, but one of the very few words from God on how to raise our children. Proverbs 22:6 Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.

My response to the Lord:

Lord, I thank you that though my childhood was diverse spiritually as well as physically, you brought me around. You worked some ideas and teachings into me that set me apart and though I did experiment and sow my seeds in the world at first, when I was broken and at rock bottom, I did remember the lessons you got through my dark existence so that one day I could see light. I thank you for raising me in this way. But Lord, I also thank you that every failure I had due to my sin and selfish ambitions in life gave me the experience to add to the stories I now tell my children from your word. I thank you that my children are raised in the word and that I have the opportunity to tell them about the past and to live well as an example in the current that they might go on to live a future that gives you glory. I pray Lord, that you would work what we teach them into their hearts so that they when grown will not depart from your word. Bless them Lord and multiply their every effort that is for you. In Jesus’ name.

week of 07/26/11 2nd recorded HighQuest Genesis 17:1-8 & Isaiah 59:21

If you like the picture "Covenant between God and man", please go to http://www.oilandwaterministries.org/ArtbyMatthewArndt.htm and see more by Matthew Arndt.

The passage I read was Genesis 17:1-8 & Isaiah 59:21

You can find those passages here:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2017:1-8&version=NIV

&

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah%2059:21&version=NIV

The verse that most stood out to me:

Isaiah 59: ²¹ “As for me, this is my covenant with them,” says the LORD. “My Spirit, who is on you, will not depart from you, and my words that I have put in your mouth will always be on your lips, on the lips of your children and on the lips of their descendants—from this time on and forever,” says the LORD.

As I reflect:

As I looked at these two passages, bearing in mind that the theme of my men’s study group this week is “the model of multiplication”, I noted one similarity. I noticed that God, before making these covenants that applied to later generations as well, offered that there was qualification for said covenants. So, although the reflection should generally focus on the multiplication idea (which in this case would likely be a time of reflecting on how one person’s actions would result in the blessing of their generations to come), I instead focused on the required actions to receive said covenants.

In Gen 17:1 God says, “walk before me faithfully and be blameless.” In verse 2 He said, “Then I will make my covenant”. So There was a definite qualification for the covenant. Abraham (then Abram) had to continue to walk before the Lord faithfully (as he had done) and be blameless. There is a similarity in the Isaiah passage. Verse 21 (the assigned by our book) doesn’t actually show it, but go back and read the chapter and what you find is a completely sinful generation that is covered in guilt and requires a kinsman redeemer. In verse 20 we read, “The Redeemer will come to Zion, to those in Jacob who repent of their sins,” declares the LORD. So again notice the qualification here is to repent of their sins. Again, be blameless. Though I’m not preaching a performance based salvation by any means (For it is by grace that you are saved through faith), I am saying that there are characteristics of the heart such as it being repentive to receive this covenant with God. The latter covenant actually applies directly to us as believers who have repented. We have the offered covenant of God’s Spirit being on us and His words being in our mouth. Now regardless of your blood line, if you are a believer in Christ and by actions you display that God is your Father, then you are by spirit of adoption a child of Abraham as well. Meaning that the covenant in Genesis also applies to you/us. So we (because Abraham walked blameless) also have yet another covenant for the Lord God to be our God eternally (and all that that in tells).

I think it’s easy after this reflection to consider just how strongly our actions in this life may affect the generations to come following us. Not only our own children either because we as Christians also understand the spirit of adoption just as we ourselves have been adopted into the Israelite 12 tribes and engrafted into the vine that is our Lord. In this way, we can more fully understand the reach that what we do today may have on those of tomorrow. For me, I chose to repent of my sinful past, and walk blameless in my life so that those who follow me, may be blessed by the example of my actions and by the Lord multiplying those actions in them. And sure, I know I will make mistakes, but thankfully I have a kinsman redeemer that has already paid for those mistakes that I may be considered blameless in my walk even though I deserve blame. In the New Testament, we are several times advised of a new covenant of forgiveness that stems from this living Redeemer. These are just 2 of many old testament verses that hint at what was to come.

My response to the Lord:

To my Kinsman Redeemer on High, I cannot with words thank you enough for paying for my crimes. Accept my life that I willing lay down if you would in any way use me for your glory. Yahweh my God, I ask you to multiply my efforts; my actions in this life that my children may learn from my example and do even greater things for your glory than I. I ask that you would not only multiply my efforts, but also bless them in their obedience to you. Multiply also their efforts Lord and bless others through them. In Jesus’ name.

week of 07/22/11 5th recorded HighQuest Matthew 10:1-15

The passage I read was Matthew 10:1-15

You can find that passage here:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+10%3A1-15&version=NIV
The verse that most stood out to me:

5 These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. 6Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel.

As I reflect:

God doesn’t call the qualified. He qualifies the called.

This is appropriately the first time the 12 were called apostles because the word means “one who is sent out” and that is exactly what Jesus is doing. He is sending them out. Looking back, remember these were all ordinary men with no qualifications for ministry whatsoever. Just like you and I were called to follow after Jesus and when we came to salvation we had no qualifications to share the word in any way. But God has qualified them just as He has qualified you and me for our respective callings to share the word. The apostles went down in history to be forever known as the early church starters and as those who faithfully kick started this relationship with God offered to the world in the package of Christianity and Messianic Jews. We are called to do no less in the name of Christ than to share the love of God with others and in this way also communicate the gospel truths that they may also chose Heaven or hell; God or Satan.

The proper order of ministry.

As I read I came across verse 5 where Jesus told them, “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans.” I admit I was a bit perplexed until while researching the passage I came across a reminder of Romans 1:16 which says, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.”. So Jesus was in the process of ministering to the gentiles when He gave this command to “go out”. It’s not that the disciples didn’t later preach to the gentiles, but that Jesus (and others) were doing so at the time and later the disciples would reinforce this initial work after preaching initially to the Jews. Makes sense. This is the order and process of the spreading of the Gospel message. The priority makes sense when you consider the position of Israel’s relevance throughout history as God’s people.

So the disciples are sent initially to the “lost sheep” of Israel. As we also are sent not to the spiritually healthy but to the spiritually sick to provide the message of forgiveness and healing in Jesus.

Trust God on your journey

Verse 9-12 explain the expectations of how the 12 were to provide shelter and food for themselves. It’s fairly basic when the over all picture is examined. God would support them on their journey with a select few who would welcome the disciples as they came and supply food as well to them. There would be those that would not welcome the disciples as well. For them, the wrath of God awaited as punishment. So pretty simple overall plan boils down to , “trust in God” and “use discernment”.

Daily application

All in all, the passage seems to focus mainly on the overall goal of ministry as well as the result of maturity in Christ. These men were taught and grew mature to the very day of their being sent out to do the work of God. We are in fact an army of God and we also are training today and every day but for many of us we are not waiting until a single day comes when we are “sent out”. Instead we have realized that every day on the internet and in the “real world” we are already sent out and are actively ministering to all those we come across that are lost sheep in need. For this reason, may we always be mature in our walk and use spiritual discernment. Surely our battle field also has a great many that will not welcome us or the message we bring. But trust in God and continue answering the calling placed on our lives Christian. Never turn a deaf ear to the needy, but be deaf to the insults to us and our God. Never turn a blind eye to the lost, but be blind to the scar that sin can give your eyes. And do not fail to bring God to the sinner, but fail to join in sin when in the sinner’s presence. Remember, we are the body of Christ. Let’s be a busy body doing the work of the Lord.

My response to the Lord:

Lord, I thank you for daily working on me. I thank you for your Holy Spirit here with me. I thank you for your life guide that is the Bible. Please help me to be faithful to you always. Please help me to recognize daily the many opportunities in my life which to reach out to others. If you desire for any reason that I go elsewhere, then Lord I pray you guide me there to do your will. May I use spiritual discernment in this daily mission field to reach the lost sheep. Lord, work in and through me as you desire. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

week of 07/22/11 4th recorded HighQuest Hebrews 5:5-14

The passage I read was Hebrews 5:5-14

You can find that passage here:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%205:5-14&version=NIV

The verse that most stood out to me:

¹⁴ But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.

As I reflect:

First off, the focus of this passage isn’t in verse 5-10 to me. It’s in verse 11-14. Verse 5-10 are explained in more depth in chapter 7 of Hebrews but this portion is not the proper place for going into the depth and meat of comparing the priesthood of Aaron, Melchizedek, and Jesus. Though, it should have been, the Hebrews in Jerusalem were not ready for such an in depth discussion and first had some other things that needed discussing. Paul knew that many of these Jews who had accepted Christ as the Messiah and converted to either Messianic Jew or Christianity, were in turn reverting back to previous beliefs because of their lack of spiritual maturity to understand and discern certain things. They have become “dull” and no longer try to understand. This is a passage that is close to me but I’ll not share the reason as I’m quite sure the person it regards would not have me do so. None the less, in generalizing, I believe I can still share my reflection and have hopes that you too will chose to reflect on this passage perhaps writing down your own results.

Dependent upon what version of the Bible you read, you will note a variety of explanation in verse 11 using such phrases as “you no longer try to understand”, and , “you have become dull of hearing”. Either way, it is apparent to me that this is a state of being that the believer was not originally in. They grew into this state of lazy study from a place where perhaps they once cared more for an in depth look for the truth. I think from here to the end of the passage any and all Christians can take the message personally. We are to be teachers. Each and every Christian is called to teach those around them and sharpen each other as well as deliver the Gospel to the unsaved (which of course also requires teaching). It’s part of being a Christian. You can’t stay a baby forever. At some point we all have to stop living only for the milk of a feel good sermon and start walking with the wisdom found in the meat of the word and application to our lives. In the last verse here the NIV says “But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. I looked up other versions (older) to see if there was perhaps more insight on the “training” part. The King James Version reads, “But strong meat belonged to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” Interesting difference. It actually answers the question of how one trains saying, “have their senses exercised.” I know that for each physical sense we have it’s spiritual counterpart and this shows that by that spiritual counterpart’s exercise in our lives and in others, we gain the discernment of good and evil (which I believe is referring not only to the general sense of good and evil but also to the idea of correctly interpreting the word vs. inability to do so from lack of maturity). Some examples of that may be touch. The spiritual since of touch being exercised may look like being moved by a song or by someone’s predicament in life. Perhaps allowing your heart the ability to be touched by external circumstances is an exercise that builds discernment. How about the sense of hearing? The spiritual sense of hearing being exercised may look like listening not only to the words someone says or the sentence read in a book, but paying the extra attention to the unsaid for what is really meant by the said. That certainly exercises a sense to build discernment. What about sight? Have you learned to look with God’s eyes? Do you have a Biblical world view yet? When you see someone that could easily be judged by the external, have you exercised your ability to look past that at who they are to God? This builds discernment and by discernment we can have a matured understanding of good and evil.

My response to the Lord:

Father, I have a great desire to know you well. Following that desire is my desire for others to know also. I pray that you would use me to reach others be them saved and in need of correction or encouragement, or be them lost and in need of love and truth. Lord, because this is a daily journey and because there is such a weight on the message being delivered, I ask that you would help me to continue maturing and that you would guide my words as well as actions to properly reflect your child and disciple as I ought. For myself and for others, may I never become spiritually numb or dull and lazy, but rather may I be active in seeking more knowledge and wisdom form you that I may then share with the world as you have shared with me. I pray these things not as a double minded man but as a believer trusting in you with my life and praying to you in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

week of 07/22/11 3rd recorded HighQuest Colossians 1:28-2:7

The passage I read was Colossians 1:28-2:7

You can find that passage here:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians%201:28-2:7&version=NIV

The verse that most stood out to me:

⁶ So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, ⁷ rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

As I reflect:

Follow Christ, not me. And don’t water down the Gospel

This passage has a few similarities with the 1 Corinthians 3:1-15 passage I recently reflected on. One of those similarities is that Paul desires people to follow Christ and not to follow Paul. We also see in the 1^st two verses of this passage that Paul has no desire to water down the word or only deliver a little bit of Gospel along with a few short stories about himself. No, Paul (like us) is called to minister to everyone in his path, sharing the Gospel with all his strength and for all the truth that the Gospel is. He hides nothing . In the last passage I reflected on (as far as my recorded Bible studies), Paul must have been very frustrated with the elders of the Corinthian church for their carnal hearts refusing maturity. Here we see that Paul’s desires every believer to fully mature in Christ.

Be encouraged and unite. Group Christianity is better than trying to figure it out alone.

Continuing into chapter 2, Paul explains that despite his never having been there in person, the Laodicean church and the church in Colossi were both on his heart. He relays the following message to them: Be encouraged and be united in love so that you may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ. A few quick notes on this. Firstly, I wonder if the believers at Colossi were in some way already discouraged by an event of the times and if Paul (being aware of this) was speaking directly to it. He gives excellent advice for growth here that we can still see helping Christians to mature today. Don’t just get “saved” and then segregate yourselves. Get into a church, get some fellowship, and love each other. Uniting with other believers is an essential part of following Christ because we are a body of believers that is fully functional together and we support one another both in function and in understanding. Where I am weak, my God is strong. And often that is shown in pairing me up with a brother in the body that is strong where I need strength. It works both ways and is a magnificent design.

Is the Mystery really hidden?

Verse 2 actually flows right into 3 “2…may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” So what does he mean by telling them they can “know the mystery of God”? What does he mean by “hidden”? Well, this is actually a dynamic that is still in play on both the spiritual and the physical battlefield of today’s modern religions. There were then as there are now men that are very good at delivering a close to true message. It will look similar to the truth, sound similar to the truth, and be enticing to those who desire knowledge and wisdom. Back then it may have been the Gnostics who believed a great deal of knowledge was required for salvation and they would write down this knowledge and lock it up for only themselves. So in that way people (namely the believers in Colossi) could have been quite tempted to follow another way. It was a common popularity status of the time to seek knowledge and wisdom and so many people claimed to have some knowledge that wasn’t otherwise common in hopes of gaining a following to disciple after them. For those that wished to know the hidden messages of these Gnostics, Paul is instead warning them of that danger while at the same time letting them know that Christ is the mystery of God. That’s it.

Don’t be deceived by the look-a-likes.

You don’t have to follow after Joyce Meyers who preaches false doctrine, or be comforted by the lies spoken into your heart by prosperity preacher Joel Osteen. You can have the mysteries revealed to you in Christ. Don’t fall into the worlds deceiving temptations. Of course they aren’t obvious. You wouldn’t believe or follow anything they say if it was obvious that they spoke in contradiction to the word. That’s why you have to be mature in your walk and fellowship with other like minded Christians that are mature in their walk and spend time seeking these treasured truths in the word that God has given you. If you are a “new” believer, get around mature believers who walk the talk. Listen and learn and compare to the word of God what they say. All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are found in Christ. Not your TV evangelist asking for your Credit Card #. In verse 4 he says, “I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments.” I tell you believer, do not be deceived for there are even more deceivers today than there were when Paul first wrote this warning. God to the Rock and stand by His word… No matter how good the lies may sound and regardless of their credentials. A paper on the wall in a frame doesn’t mean you have a relationship with God any more than a great smile and good speech mean you’ll make a wonderful president. Ok, I’ll withdraw that last remark. I pray for Obama and he needs our support, not our bashing of his failures. But I hope you get Paul’s point and mine.

Encouragement – You’re doing good so far. Keep it up.

Wrapping up the passage, Paul encourages the believers of Colossi that his warning wasn’t meant as a condemnation for failures already in play. He says in fact that he delighted in their discipline and how firm their faith in Christ is. He encourages them as his goal in verse 2 saying now in verse 6 and 7, “⁶ So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, ⁷ rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”

My response to the Lord:

Father, as I share your gospel which I should surely do more of, may the people I speak to hear you and not me. May they be directed to follow you and not me. May my stories never take from your stories or from the purpose of sharing them. Father, be glorified in all that I do and say. I pray that you would help me to fellowship with other likeminded believers as this (as you know) is a struggle of mine and surely I could use the extra support. Lord thank you for revealing so much to me through your word, my brothers, and through life experience. It is not now, nor ever will it be questioned by me whether or not your Holy Spirit has been at work in my life. I see it and am thankful for that redeeming work. I pray for discernment as given by that same Holy Spirit that I would not fall captive to the lies of the enemy no matter how persuasive his liars and teachers are. May I always see right through those false prophets and teachers. May I always be receptive to my brothers in Christ that should I become blind to a false teacher, I would hear from my family in Christ about that teacher and then know the truth. Lord, thank you for encouraging me in this walk. I know that my suffering doesn’t compare to that of your Son who took the weight of a punishment meant for me. However, what suffering I have endured You have guided me through and out of. I know that even now there is an end to my current trial and I look forward to the light at the other side. Thank you Lord. Thank you.

week of 07/22/11 2nd recorded HighQuest 1 Corinthians 3:1-15

The passage I read was 1 Corinthians 3:1-15

You can find that passage here:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+3%3A1-15&version=NIV

The verse that most stood out to me:

⁷ So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.

As I reflect:

Who are we talking about?

In verse 1 Paul starts off defining those he is addressing as being saved (“brothers and sisters”) but being immature and worldly (at least to some degree not yet convicted of some carnal natures and corrected to be of right heart with God).

What a way to open up the chapter. This passage deals with an often controversial subject simply because it is so very easy to take this out of context. I’ll do my best not to do that here. First off, Paul is talking to the leaders of the church in Corinth that he started while he was there. He laid the foundation of Jesus for the church and since then, there has been some trouble in the way that the Corinthian church leaders have grown. Or rather their lack of growth. In verse 2, I see the way that Paul addresses these Christians who are not yet ready to grow and take hold of deeper teachings. He still provided milk. I too have Christians like this that come into my life from time to time. People who at some point took the message at a very infant level and then chose not to grow into deeper understanding and application of that message. The message remains the same, but the recipient is what is deferent from person to person. I wonder how many years I would have spent at surface level Christianity if my God had not allowed me to become fully broken before Him.

What’s the issue?

In verse 3 – 9, Paul breaks down one of the many issues the Corinthian church leaders are facing in their spiritual walk. They are being prideful and in every way worldly as they argue over who is following the greater leader. The church has in a way separated (among the leaders) into those who say they follow Paul, and those who say they follow Apollos, but Paul is saying that neither of them should be followed as they are co-laborers and God is the one who makes people grow. It’s hard for a worldly person to wrap their mind around that idea because it requires understanding that our salvation and our maturity doesn’t come from our own merit, but rather it comes from God and we are to be pliable into His will for us. Man is raised to think that if anything is done, he must take the credit for having done it. Here the concept is much different and these baby Christians don’t yet understand how the church (the body of Christ) is built on God’s merit through our efforts as co-laborers and not on our efforts as individuals to compare to each other who is a better worker.

Give God the glory; not man.

Paul goes on to give credit where it is due. He says that the work he has done was done by the grace God gave him. And so it is with us. It’s not us who save, it’s God. It’s not us who change a person’s heart, it is God. We are the church that He uses but make no mistake it is God who does the work. We are honored to be used by Him and give him the glory in that use.

The Carnal Christian – yes, it’s possible at least on some level.

As the Lord uses us, it is important to be sure we are serving with right motivation, from Him, and for Him. For if we fall into the game of pride; the sin that destroys the inner man (along with lust), then those efforts will be worthless. As we labor we must use the purest of motivation ( a desire to further the kingdom for God who saved us). You cannot please the Lord without faith. Rely on Him and labor specifically to further His kingdom (not ours) and be sensitive to what His word says and what His Holy Spirit is doing in our lives and you can count on your work lasting and earning a reward. But if you are working only for what others see of you (pride) and if your labor is to build yourself up in the ministry (selfishness) then know that your efforts will be worthless and though you will still make it into Heaven (if indeed you are saved), you will have wasted your life and will have no crown to offer at the feet of God.

If you are the church, the body of Christ, the temple of God, then should you not be built with the greatest of characteristics? The temple wasn’t built with hay, or cardboard, or straw. These things would have been un unworthy dwelling place of the Lord. Likewise, do not build your selves up with cheap tricks to appear greater than you are. One should use marble, and granite, and beautiful strong stones to build up the temple of God. Likewise a follower of Christ should have the characteristics of the Lord’s work in his life; the fruit of the spirit. Zeal for God, not selfish ambition. Glory to God, not arguments over who is better than the other. A desire to co-labor to reach others with the Gospel, not a status as “bestest elder of the church”.

Controversy

Again a very controversial subject though, as many believe you are simply saved or unsaved, white or black, up or down. Make no mistake, this is not talking about being lukewarm. Nor is this a glimpse of proof in purgatory (as the Catholics may have you believe). This is talking about being immature in your walk and incapable of spiritual maturity because of your own choosing. Saved? Yes. Crown? No. Heaven? Yes. Well please Master? I’m thinking “no”. This is a Christian who has chosen to be fleshly in nature revealing little work of the Holy Spirit in their life. Perhaps one of the greatest reasons for the controversy on this passage is because there are ideals communicated throughout the word which project a picture of evidence of salvation being a part of being saved. Paul though, is not saying there is no evidence of salvation here. He is saying that in many (not all) ways, these new believers are refusing to spiritually grow up and stop being worldly. I understand where he is coming from. I have known and even been like these people in my past. I still know some people like this today that have come to Christ for salvation, but after receiving salvation, they have denied growth by the Holy Spirit’s work in their lives. They have chosen their worldly habits and characteristics but simply labeled themselves with Christianity speaking Christianese whilest arguing and trying to prove who’s better than the other. It’s really quite sad. And though I often become angry as these immature brothers and sisters, I take a note from Paul here to continue giving them milk, but to be honest about what type of relationship they are building and how Christ sees right through it. Perhaps one day they will listen and chose to be more “real” with others, themselves, and God.

Who am I? Who are you?

Throughout Corinthians Paul describes three types of men:

The natural man (1 Corinthians 2:14)

The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.,

the spiritual man (1 Corinthians 2:15)

The person with the Spirit makes judgments about all things, but such a person is not subject to merely human judgments,

And the carnal man whom we just read about in this passage)

My response to the Lord:

Jehovah, all the glory be yours. You alone have made me who I am and you alone can save the soul. Father, there are so many that are deceived. First and upmost I pray for them. I pray that you would work through the saved to show compassion, understanding, love, forgiveness to the lost and hurting. For the lost that don’t know they are lost, I pray you remove the scales from their eyes that they might recognize their hurt and deep need for you. May you work through your humble followers to reach those lost souls in need. Lord prepare their hearts and save them by your grace. For the saved that are still of worldly mindset; who listen to their flesh and understand not the Holy Spirit, may you speak ever louder not allowing them to stay as they are. Father I pray for growth and conviction in the carnal Christian, that he/she may inherit with great joy a reward on the day they meet Jesus face to face. For those in my own life that may be on approach to just “barely” make it in, Holy Spirit speak through me that you would churn their hearts and reach their spirit to impact them greatly and cause change. Lastly Lord, I pray that you may know how thankful I am that you didn’t leave me in that place. I thank you for answering that prayer so long ago and I hope that others also would pray for you to step strongly into their lives and do what must be done to align it with your will for them. In Jesus’ name I pray.

week of 07/14/11 4th recorded HighQuest Psalm 51:1-19

The passage I read was Psalm 51:1-19

You can find that passage here:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+51%3A1-19&version=NIV

The verse that most stood out to me:

¹⁰ Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
¹¹ Do not cast me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.
¹² Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

As I reflect:

This is the psalm David wrote after having committed adultery with Bathsheba. I wonder if we have ever felt this way and if we have been so honest and open with God following our own sins.

He requests mercy following his sin against God. I also request mercy following my sin against God. I noticed though that he goes on to define God in his “unfailing love” and according to his “great compassion”. I think about perhaps us sinning against our fathers here on earth and knowing that when he gets home from work, we will reap what we sowed. And so when he comes in the door and mom says, “don’t you have something to tell your father?”, we begin in a most humble approach to compliment his merciful nature, “well Father, yes I have made a grave error today and would like to bring it to your most merciful attention knowing that you are a dad who is deeply compassionate and forgiving, I’ll not hide it from you.” Now, I’m not saying that David was trying to deceive God. I simply found it interesting that when it comes to confessing his own sin, he seems to only comment on the merciful side of God and not the side that includes wrath or accountability. David doesn’t fear God’s wrath but rather relates to God’s love. I think we all as followers and family members along with David can take from his example that we not only have this great responsibility to confess to our God, but also a great pleasure to come before Him knowing that we are deeply love by him and have no need to fear His wrath as we are saved already by His grace. None the less, we fall on our knees and confess asking him to “Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.”

David continues in his heart felt confession before God in verse 3- 6 as he states clearly that he is in fact a sinner, born into a sinful nature from the beginning and yet meant for so much more. I too have felt this when before God. I have felt as though everything I have done from birth to that moment was sinful and misaligned with God’s purpose for my life. I have felt even that my sin would separate me from God in a way that would cause Him to not want to hear from me anymore. I think it’s important to state here that that feeling isn’t of God. God wants us to come to him even when we have sinned and may feel far from him. He wants us to confess, and repent. He wants to hear from us. David knew this and didn’t let his sin keep him from approaching God. David longed to feel close to God again as our sin does in fact allow us to feel the gap it creates between us and creator. He says, “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.” What a beautiful prayer that we too should pray this way with deep longing for the presence of the Holy Spirit and true cleansing and forgiveness for our sins. David says that following his forgiveness and cleansing he would then teach other transgressors God’s ways so that they too would turn from their sins and to God.

As he continues on in verse 14, he request of God to deliver him from the guilt of his sin. This too, we can relate to. In a walk with Christ guilt can be the tool of the devil. The devil tries his hardest to get us to sin, and when he succeeds because our flesh is week, we have a choice to repent and turn from that sin, or to feel sorry for ourselves. The devil will use guilt to keep you from approaching God for forgiveness and to keep you from finding joy in your walk again. David is not ignorant to the dynamic at play here as he request deliverance from this game plan of satan’s. We likewise when feeling guilty for something should not only bring it to the Lord, but also request a renewed spirit that we not feel the weight of guilt that Jesus has already died to remove from our shoulders. Yes, we are guilty. No, we don’t have to carry that load anymore.

In the final portion of this passage, David makes a very realistic revolutionary statement. And many religions have missed this point. Many even of my own lifestyle’s “label” have missed out on this old testament teaching. He says, “You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise. “ The dynamic being shared here from David’s heart is one that many today still haven’t grasped. God wants all of who we are… Not all of what we can outwardly give. He doesn’t want your possessions, money, pets, or outward signs of faithfulness until he first has your inner person fully broken before Him. He wants your heart of hearts to first be for Him. This is the greatest sacrifice you can give to God, that you first lay down your life in His hands. That you come before a God that delights in your offering of yourself and all that you are for His will. Why would He want your outwards signs of obedience if He had not first a relationship with you? Why would He want your services when your heart is so far from Him. First, let’s focus on the heart of the matter and then build a relationship from that place outward. As that relationship builds, then come the outward signs of that walk of faith.

For me, I can take from my reflection today that It is good to know what the status of our heart is. It is bad to let it keep you from going to God for correction. The joy of our salvation can be so quickly restored if we only will fall on our knees with a broken spirit and contrite heart before God. Let Him build us up.

My response to the Lord:

God, may I never sin against you again. But should I fail in anyway in my walk with you, may I quickly be convicted by your Holy Spirit at work in my conscience and may I be brought to my knees before you with a contrite heart and broken. My Father, I know you are loving and forgiving and so merciful to me. May I not be convinced otherwise by the enemy when I do fail you. May the enemies traps be sprung before I step into them and may guilt never keep me from approaching your throne and bowing at your feet to repent of my sin. Lord, guide me always shining a light unto my path. In Jesus’ name. Amen.