Goblets of Gold or Cups of Clay?

So he sent for him and brought him in. Now he [David] was ruddy, with bright eyes, and good looking. And the Lord said, “Arise, anoint him; for this is the one!” 1^st Samuel 16:12 (NKJV)

David was the youngest of 8 brothers. The sons of Jesse were strapping men who evidently displayed what we humanly most admire and tend to bestow honor; stature and good looks. As the youngest, it seems David was not even considered worthy enough by his father to be brought in from tending the family’s sheep to be considered in the kingly selection process.

A king is expected to look the part, strong and regal, a charismatic leader and champion, a goblet of gold. The prophet Samuel thought the same way, and the Lord had to correct his thinking. While David was only a shepherd, in God’s eyes, David broke the kingly mold.

He was called to be king in his early teens. He would not achieve the full honor of his kingship over the entire nation of Israel for probably another 15 to 20 years. At his anointing as a teen, he was honored by the God of heaven, not because of his physical stature, or charismatic personality but because of his love and commitment to Him. 

David was a young man after God’s own heart, even in his broken state. He made some glaring mistakes through his disobedience as king, yet as he repented to his death he remained that man after God’s own heart. God even being promised he would have a kingly line for eternity (2nd Samuel 7:13). We see David was God’s cup of clay, crafted by His own hand to His perfect plan. With all his cracks and chips, David still held water.

God more often than not chooses the weaker vessel to hold His living water. The most amazing thing in that is even a broken vessel can hold it to the brim. He chooses the least expected or honored, not to embarrass or magnify their flaws but to magnify His power and sound wisdom. Apart from Christ we can do nothing. With Him impossibility is impossible (John 15:5, Jeremiah 32:17) Vessels of low order quinch the thirst as well as goblets of gold. Jesus said out of your innermost being will flow rivers of Living Water (John 7:38).

 The need for worth and acceptance is a basic part of the human condition. There are times and circumstances where we may feel real or imagined slights, disregarded, or at worst, ignored. I imagine that might have been how young David felt in this instance. “Go tend the sheep, David. We have grownup things to do.”

God knew David would blow it but chose him anyway. He sees beyond our circumstances and at our heart. We don’t have to be strong, ruddy, with bright eyes, or even physically appealing. He’s not looking to use the bold and the beautiful. He excels in using the weak and the broken to His glory. You just must have a heart that with every pulse beats to know Him in a deeper relational way.

Current circumstances are inconsequential to your worth in Christ. As David, He’ll use the least expected, cracked, broken, or dirty, He’ll fix you and clean you up. Every one of us is broken in some way, yet He still makes us drip proof vessels of honor and if you are His child the honor will be all yours.

Ken

It Can't Be Too Soon

looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. Titus 2:13

If you are aware, in any way, you are aware that things in life are in a sad state of affairs. If you’re one to bury your head in the sand of non-news, then you surely see and feel it in your personal relationships, and family life. Let’s face it, life on earth can feel, at times, pretty miserable and perhaps somewhat hopeless.

But while circumstances may seem that way, our Great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, tells us hope remains. It is not a blasted hope, as one wag put it. It is a blessed hope in the logos (Word) of God, Christ our Lord (John 1:1, 1:14).

Not only does He tell us our redemption will be fully finished when we finally stand in His presence, but it is also the word (promise) of the Word that He consistently gives us (Numbers 23:19, Isaiah 46:11, Revelation 21:5). It is the promises of His physical return and redemption of all things that are His bond. He tells us these things before they come to pass, that when they do, we may believe (John 14:29), for they are faithful and true.

Titus, a Gentile convert to the Christian faith, and traveling companion of the Apostle Paul, wrote of this 2000 years ago. Christians of that age sincerely believed the promise of the return of the risen Christ was imminently near, and they were expectantly looking for it. But it wasn’t the Father’s time yet (Acts 1:7). His patient love and grace have been extended to all who would believe for the past 2000 years. Amazing Grace!

While we do not set dates of the return of Christ, He has told us of the signs of the age which would be going on that would alert us to His return. They will tell us to look up (pay attention) for redemption of heaven and the Earth  is close at hand (Luke 21:28).

There have never been so many obvious signs, the most important of them began on May 14, 1948, when Israel, for the second time in her history, became a nation restored to its ancestral land after a forced displacement of 1,878 years. No other nation in the history of Earth can make that kind of claim!

Jesus showed Himself to be the appointed Mashiach (Messiah) of the Jewish people by fulfilling all 300 messianic prophecies in the Tanach in every aspect of His life. There are yet 1000 prophecies related to Messiah establishing His kingdom yet to be fulfilled. If Jesus of Nazareth faithfully fulfilled the first 300, He can faithfully fulfill the remaining 1000.

“Behold, I come quickly [or suddenly],” are His closing words to John the Apostle (Rev 22:12). We do not know the exact day or hour, but we can know the season, or approximate time (Matthew Chapters 24-25, Luke 21:6-36). It is our Blessed hope in the trueness of His physical resurrection, life, power and return. Keep your eyes on heaven and in the blessed hope of the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.

His first mission was to redeem the heart from sin, through the shedding of His blood on the cross. In doing so He became the perfect and final Lamb that takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29, Hebrews 9:11-15).

His second advent will be to redeem the times and rule and reign on the eternal throne promised to His ancestor David. A promise kept is a promise performed and He has proved Himself as the Eternal Promise Keeper. Look forward with confidence to the very soon appearing of the Lord, Jesus Christ, if you know Him. 

If it frightens you, you have yet to know Him, but you can. Trust in His invitation to be your Peace and forgiveness of all your sins. If you’re not sure how you can, you can do it simply by asking Him. While all you need is to believe (Acts 16:30-31), praying, “Jesus, I want to trust you to forgive my sins and ask that you would come into my life and be my Lord,” will be heard and honored by Him. It will give you a starting point in your journey of faith.

Look forward to the return of our great God and Savior! It can’t be too soon for me, and hopefully for you, too.

Ken

Like Watching Paint Dry

Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.” Luke 11:1 (NKJV)

Not meaning to be sacrilegious, but honestly, I believe those who feel praying is like watching paint dry is probably in the 90% range, and I’m being kind. The percentage is likely higher. Prayer is one of the hardest and most neglected of the spiritual disciplines God offers. Sometimes our difficulty comes in its silence, sometimes the timing, and at others believing that while God hears, He just doesn’t care. Prayer time for most is like living in Snoresville. Hey, I’m just being honest here.

In the gospels it is documented that Jesus would find time for early prayer, or to spend an entire night in prayer (Mark 1:35, Luke 5:15, 6:12). His disciples watched with careful observation and were apparently so encouraged with what they witnessed they desired to learn and practice this strength in their own lives (teach us to pray).

Many Christians have asked, me included, “So, if God knows everything we need, even before we ask, as Jesus Himself said, why bother to pray? That feels like a waste of time.” Jesus’ statement in Matthew 6:8 brings a question that is asked in all seriousness, and it deserves a serious answer.

First, in today’s witnessed account it says, “when He [Jesus] ceased [praying],” shows us there’s a time for focused prayer and a time to tend to business. Please note Jesus did not respond to this disciple’s question with, “Shhh, I can’t communicate with you now, I’m praying.” He answered him.

It doesn’t mean you are any less of a Christian if you stop breathing or thinking prayer in order to do what needs to be done. God doesn’t stop working toward your highest good if you take a break from your time of prayer. When Paul wrote to the Colossian church to be devoted to prayer, he meant to be earnest or diligent towards it (Colossians 4:2).  

Some of the most amazing evidence of Christ working and leading in my life came when I wasn’t praying! It sounds counterproductive but those times surely established a deeper trust in Him, that He had heard me when I had prayed and immediately began moving. He sees in your prayers, and in you, that same worth!

Secondly, while God certainly knows what you need, you don’t. You’re not praying for God’s sake, but your own, to learn, grow and trust. You learn how to effectively know Christ in a deeper and more personal way. He’s not wanting you to get religious, He’s wanting you to get relational. 

Then follows trust. When you don’t know what to pray for, the Holy Spirit does, and He intercedes for the right thing to the will of God. He does so with a depth that is incomprehensible but perfect for you (Romans 8:26). We come to know Him deeper still and see just how trustworthy He is to see to our needs perfectly.

When is God answering your prayer?  He never stops and is constantly working on your behalf. Read the report an angel brought to the prophet Daniel in Dan. 10:12, after Daniel prayed. God’s response to him was immediate. His response to our fervent prayers is immediate and affirms His great love, capacity, and capability. A slow revelation isn’t always due to you but might be to things in the unseen world involving spiritual warfare. Perhaps it may not always be the case, but it is something that, in consideration, could help us understand and persevere as we wait.

Finally, Jesus tells us we ought always to pray and not give up. He gives us the parable about an unjust judge (Luke 18:1-8). A corrupt and uncaring magistrate who deferred justice to a certain woman. She refused to stop hounding him until she received it. He finally gave her justice just so she’d leave him alone. The Lord’s point was, and is, if this wicked judge gave justice through a person’s constant petition, how much more will your loving and perfect Father do the same for you to your best interest?

God works in more of a miraculous fashion. But He is always at work, and because He is perfectly holy, everything He does is perfect. An artistic masterpiece is done slowly with different tools, some larger, and some smaller that bring greater beauty and finesse.

The prayer Jesus gave in verses 2-4 is a model with reminders of necessary things that guide us in what to pray for. You can add to it with your own list. I have different methods in my communication with Him. I have a list of praises and petitions I have typed that I will read and pray over. Sometimes I will open the Psalms and pray them. With David’s heart, it’s easy to do. Sometimes I just sit quietly and ponder His power and purity and just be in awe of Him with praise and worship, and it's enough. Prayer can be done sitting, lying, kneeling, standing, walking, or driving. It’s not the posture of the body, but of the heart.

Imagine His pleasure when you begin to pray, as He turns His eyes toward you and says, “I’ve been waiting for all eternity for you to say that. Now, I am working on your behalf.” He calls those things that do not exist as though they did (Romans 4:17).

Maybe watching paint dry to many might be Snoresville, but when it’s on and dry, the color enhances what it touches. With prayer He waits, He hears, He moves. He trains us to persevere in prayer and in that training builds trust, painting us a brand-new picture every time. Pray without ceasing. Pray without giving up. His angels are immediately sent on our behalf when we do.

Ken

Yes, I Know You

For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded thar He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day. 2^nd Timothy

 I have often wondered where Jesus tells certain people who believed they were His children that, in reality, they never were, and to their utter shock and amazement will say to them, “I never knew you. Depart from Me,” (Matthew 7:21-23).

It is evident that many in the church today are wanting enough of Jesus to remain comfortably lazy, yet a relationship of obedience to the full Word of God is lacking. While only approximately 2% of churches today teach the whole word and counsel of God, many others continue to ignore basic Judeo-Christian teaching and values, even casting anger and contempt upon the ¼ prophetic portion of Scriptural teaching, including the prophetic foretelling’s of Jesus Himself! Amazingly, Paul writes that in the last days some people in the church will even be seduced by teachings inspired of demons (1^st Timothy 4:1).

Being on the vine but not connected and drawing from its lifegiving source is a serious place to be. The disconnected branch dies and can only be cast away. Paul urges us to be living sacrifices (Romans 12:1) abiding, and growing in the True Vine, Christ Jesus.

Paul knew he was abiding in that Vine and was fully convinced of his place in the Son. He knew what he had committed to Him would stand at the Last Day. He also knew whom he had believed and believed the One in whom he believed knew him. I don’t want enough of Jesus to just be warm and fuzzy. I want to grow up in His strength and vibrancy, blossom, and bear fruit!

We Gentiles were not part of the original tree. By God’s grace and mercy, as “wild branches” we were grafted into the Root of His redemptive purpose (Romans 11:17). We can do nothing to gain it except to ask to be grafted to Him and then abide in the full word of God. Believe, Abide, Grow, and Bloom. When you do, you’ll know in whom you have believed. 

When we do when we finally meet our Savior face-to-face, we will hear the blessed words, “Yes, I know you.  Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the Joy of your Lord!” Know and grow.

Ken

The Better Bread

Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24 (NKJV)

The Jewish observance of Pesach (Passover) has very special meaning to Jewish people worldwide. The holiday, referred to as the festival of liberation, usually coincides around the time when Christians celebrate Easter and the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Pesach commemorates the tenth and final judgment God had to make against Egypt for its refusal to free the nation of Israel from their slavery. Two things factored into their freedom; (1) the blood of a lamb was to be applied on the tops and sides of the doors of homes; (2) and that no leaven (yeast) was to be used in their cooking. The blood of the lamb would turn away God’s judgment (Exodus 12:12), causing the angel of death to Pass over that home, sparing it.

The Jews’ freedom was so imminent that there would not even be enough time for their bread to rise. The night before their freedom God had commanded them to eat the unleavened bread with belt fastened, sandals on their feet and staff in hand. They were to eat it in haste (Exodus 12:11).

Leaven in Scripture is portrayed as sin and corruption. The Apostle Paul gives a word picture of it as a corrupting influence. As a small portion is able to rise a whole lump of dough (1^st Corinthians 5:6-8, Galatians 5:9), so a little sin, left to sit ferments and corrupts hearts and minds. It will eventually affect our relationship with God, and each other, keeping it from working to our fullest good.  

 Before Pesach arrives, a Jewish household scrupulously works to rid itself of every aspect of leaven. The children are included in the lesson of finding and purging every trace. It is called Bedikat Chametz, The Search for Leavened Bread. They will go throughout the household by candlelight, with feathers and wooden spoons to brush and scoop every evidence of leaven, from the pages of every book to the cracks in the floor, so thorough is the cleansing! Ten items of leaven are hidden throughout the household to be found. If only nine are found, the search continues until all ten are accounted for. All the items, including feathers and wooden spoons, are burned the following morning (Burning of Chametz).

A Jewish child beginning Bedikat Chametz, 

(The search for leavened bread).

Unfortunately, being freed from the slavery of sin doesn’t mean we no longer sin. Sin remains a problem that will be only be done away with when we leave these current bodies. While we cannot have full freedom from sin, we have full freedom from being enslaved to it. That is, we have the Power of Christ in helping us to choose not to sin. Before that, overcoming it in righteousness was not an option. If you have put your trust in Christ, now it is.

Anxieties, sinful thoughts, and desires will be with us throughout our lifetimes and can manifest themselves like little bits of leaven, that if left unchecked will work into our lives and grow into sins that will choke our spiritual growth.

I always know when I have leaven fermenting in mind and soul. I have to hide it. Leaven creates bitter bread, full of mold and weevils.   

Jesus is the Bread of Life, whose righteousness He tells us to consume (John 6:53-54). No leaven needed, for He is the Better Bread which fully satisfies the hungry soul (John 6:35).

Ken

The Profoundest Pronoun

Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” Then the Jews said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you will raise it up in three days?” But He was speaking of the temple of His body. John 2:19-21 (NKJV)

I once read an account of how a dying man told his family God would raise him from the dead three months after he died. Three months after his death his family had his body exhumed, fully expecting their loved one to be returned to them alive. 

The story sadly related them tapping on the casket with a shovel handle and calling to him to come out. He never did. The family left the cemetery that day with the finality of his death in their hearts as the cemetery personnel reinterred the man’s mortal remains.

What is so incredible about today’s verse is in His speaking of His bodily resurrection from the dead, Jesus said, “I will raise this temple [His physical body] up.” The Power behind the Pronoun is not merely a reflective radiance of the Profound God, it is the exact nature and essence of the Father. If Scripture tells us God raised Jesus from the dead (Ephesians 1:20, Acts 4:10) and Jesus said “I,” will do it, then it appears there is a mutually symbiotic relationship with God the Father that cannot be readily explained away nor denied. In spite of what critics may say that Jesus never made any references to Deity, He in fact did, in this instance, and John 10:30-33, 17:5, Luke 22:70-71 to name a few. There are also the testimonies of credible eyewitnesses (John 1:14, 2^nd Peter 1:16-18, Revelation 1:13-18).

Everything we believe about the Deity of Jesus of Nazareth revolves around the central and historical event of His resurrection from the dead. If this hub of evidence is removed the wheel of Christianity flies apart and it becomes just another religion of rules and regulations.

Even though many centuries have distanced us from that first Resurrection Morning, Jesus Christ, the Profoundest Pronoun, continues to be as powerfully alive now, as when He first stepped out of that tomb. He who says I am the only way anyone can come to God, condescended to us to join us to redeem our fallen race. This personal interest in us is about to culminate in Eternal Triumph. This same Jesus will return for those that have put their trust in His redemptive work (Acts 1:10-11). 

The One that said, “Behold, I am coming soon,” will do so, first for His church, then a second time to rule in a righteous reign eternally on the throne of His ancestor, David (2^nd Samuel 7:16). On that day we who are alive will rise to meet Him in the air, and none in the grave who have trusted on Him for the forgiveness of their sins will leave the cemetery disappointed. They’ll leave it in the flash of the eye to an eternity beyond description! Christ has risen. Christ has risen indeed. And so shall all who have believed on Him, living and dead. What a comfort that is (1^st Thessalonians 4:18). Happy Resurrection Day.

Ken

Anywhere on the Bus

That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel, Ephesians 3:6

Anywhere on the Bus

Those of us old enough to remember the early American Civil Rights Movement will remember Rosa Louise Parks. On December 1, 1955, Parks, who was black, refused to give up her seat on a Montgomery, Alabama bus to a white male.

In accordance with Southern “Jim Crow” laws at the time, Parks was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct. She was fined $14.00, plus court costs. Her case was appealed but was denied. However, her quiet and courageous act would become the premier event that began the American Civil Rights Movement and was instrumental in bettering racial relations nationally.

 

 

Rosa Parks arrest by the Montgomery, AL, PD, 

December 1, 1955

In the early church there was a lot of bigotry by Jews toward the Gentiles. Jewish belief had always been that any association with them made them ceremonially unclean. As far as any Jew was concerned, no Gentile sat at the back of the bus, they weren’t even allowed on the bus.

Paul’s preaching of the gospel to the Gentiles is one of the main reasons Jewish leaderships were always so annoyed with him. Jealousy was the other (Acts 13:45, 22:21-22).

Paul was simply not one who was ahead of his time in not being ethnically challenged. He was one sent, and he went, to the non-Jewish world because God saw the Gentiles worthy of inclusion in His plan of redemption. Paul allowed any cultural or personal prejudices to die away and to let the love of Christ rule his heart. With that, a great harvest was reaped of new believers into the household of Israel. In Yeshua, Christianity is fully Jewish.

Thank God Paul walked in the Spirit, realizing, that ethnically speaking, Christ’s blood was thicker than religion. His blood was the Supremacy of a new and personal Second Covenant, offering full acceptance to we Gentiles. His atoning blood was and is the only thing powerful enough to defeat the satanic realm and open the veil for us into the holy presence of our Father in heaven. Because of Christ not only are Gentiles now allowed on the bus, but praise the Lord, we can sit wherever we want.

Ken