John 4:1 Therefore, when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John 2 (though Jesus Himself did not baptize, but His disciples), 3 He left Judea and departed again to Galilee. 4 But He needed to go through Samaria. 5 So He came to a city of Samaria which is called Sychar, near the plot of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. 6 Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied from His journey, sat thus by the well. It was about the sixth hour. 7 A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, "Give Me a drink."
Have you ever been in that place when/where Jesus asks you for something? Are you kidding? Do you mean…me?
Sometimes when we least expect it, when we feel least deserving, when we feel least able – that is the time Jesus shows up and asks something of us. Can we not see His heart in this? Here we are going about our life, depraved or otherwise enthralled with the morass of everyday issues and problems, and Jesus shows up with an answer in the form of a question.
Basically, “Hey, can you do something for me?” Have you got a minute? Can I trouble you for a sec?”
Would you, "Give Me a drink?"
Jesus is ALWAYS interested in drawing us into His circle, His discipleship. The last thing Jesus desires is for anyone to be an outsider. The fact is if you’re going to remain an outsider, you’re literally going to have to do so over Jesus’ dead body. He is just that serious about drawing each of us into His influence. But are we open to it?
Sometimes - in fact most times - what Jesus asks of us instead of a drink, is for just a little bit of our time. And that may seem strange at first, considering we are ‘Samaritans’ and we are steeped in sin and we know it. But still, Jesus says, "Give Me a drink.”
How we respond determines who we are capable of becoming in Christ. You see, the Lord will never violate our will. If we are open to the first step, He will lead us to the second, and so forth. If we are closed to any offer of extending ourselves in His direction, He will never impose. We may find each and every day’s experience to be just like that.
Tomorrow morning, first thing, when Jesus asks for you to “Give Him a drink” - (just a moment of your time) – how will you respond? John 4:13 Jesus answered and said to her, "Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life." There is a principle of eternal multiplication and reciprocity in everything we do for the Lord. No matter how small. The returns are more than we can ask, think, or imagine.
- Pastor Bill
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Matter of Time
Time is something we can’t quite figure out, can’t grasp, cannot fathom.
It seems a blessing that it moves so slow when it comes to the length of our lives, but a curse that it moves so slowly when it comes to something we want.
This week is my son’s birthday. As he has matured, his desire for his birthday to come is waning. It used to be he would be practically counting down the days, then the hours, then the minutes in the weeks and days leading up to his birthday. This year he announced to me he really “wasn’t that excited” about his birthday. What a change!
And that’s the way it goes with this matter of time. We don’t know why or how it changes, but it does. It seems relative to us because it is. That’s one thing we sort of inherently understand.
Now try eternity. If we have a tough time grasping time, which is linear and palpable – and real to us in our existence, imagine coming to grips with eternity. Imagine the finite grasping for the infinite. Poof!
Jesus wants us to know what is coming. We actually do know what is coming but we have a great way of putting off thinking about it because time moves so slowly relative to the perceived length of our life.
So Jesus comes along and says, “Excuse Me, but I’d like to talk to you about your eternal destiny.”
That’s exactly what happened when Nicodemus came to see Jesus in the evening after a long day’s teaching and ruling over the Jews. Nicodemus came for one thing and left with another. He came seeking to know what Jesus was doing right now, and Jesus sent him away with a certainty about what He is doing forever. Imagine the interruption in the train of thought.
John3:1 There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, "Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him." 3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."
Talk about a reversal of direction. Nicodemus comes to inquire of Jesus, and Jesus sends him on a mission to inquire of himself. The question he MUST ask himself – this religious leader, this teacher of the Jews, this one who has given his entire life to the church: “Are you born again?” You MUST be born again, nothing else matters. Are you born again? Nicodemus? You MUST be born again. Are you born again? Are you? Are YOU? Time matters, but eternity matters more.
- Pastor Bill
It seems a blessing that it moves so slow when it comes to the length of our lives, but a curse that it moves so slowly when it comes to something we want.
This week is my son’s birthday. As he has matured, his desire for his birthday to come is waning. It used to be he would be practically counting down the days, then the hours, then the minutes in the weeks and days leading up to his birthday. This year he announced to me he really “wasn’t that excited” about his birthday. What a change!
And that’s the way it goes with this matter of time. We don’t know why or how it changes, but it does. It seems relative to us because it is. That’s one thing we sort of inherently understand.
Now try eternity. If we have a tough time grasping time, which is linear and palpable – and real to us in our existence, imagine coming to grips with eternity. Imagine the finite grasping for the infinite. Poof!
Jesus wants us to know what is coming. We actually do know what is coming but we have a great way of putting off thinking about it because time moves so slowly relative to the perceived length of our life.
So Jesus comes along and says, “Excuse Me, but I’d like to talk to you about your eternal destiny.”
That’s exactly what happened when Nicodemus came to see Jesus in the evening after a long day’s teaching and ruling over the Jews. Nicodemus came for one thing and left with another. He came seeking to know what Jesus was doing right now, and Jesus sent him away with a certainty about what He is doing forever. Imagine the interruption in the train of thought.
John3:1 There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, "Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him." 3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."
Talk about a reversal of direction. Nicodemus comes to inquire of Jesus, and Jesus sends him on a mission to inquire of himself. The question he MUST ask himself – this religious leader, this teacher of the Jews, this one who has given his entire life to the church: “Are you born again?” You MUST be born again, nothing else matters. Are you born again? Nicodemus? You MUST be born again. Are you born again? Are you? Are YOU? Time matters, but eternity matters more.
- Pastor Bill
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Water Pots
John 2:6 Now there were set there six water pots of stone, according to the manner of purification of the Jews, containing twenty or thirty gallons apiece. 7 Jesus said to them, "Fill the water pots with water." And they filled them up to the brim. 8 And He said to them, "Draw some out now, and take it to the master of the feast." And they took it. 9 When the master of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom.
Wedding feasts were a very big deal, culturally speaking, (even bigger than weddings of our day,) and so you can imagine the amount of planning and expense that were invested in the proceedings. There was to be joy all around in the celebration, and nothing depicted that joy more than the presence of wine. Historically, for the Jews, wine and joy have always been inextricably linked.
And suddenly, the wine was gone. Mary, Jesus’ mother, became aware of the situation and alerted Jesus to the potential problem. Her concern over the wine may have indicated that she was in some way a participant in the planning of the wedding, or even a close relative of the wedding party.
What happened next is a startling revelation of the work Jesus has come to do on earth, and a picture of the transformation process which takes place in the lives of believers.
It is a simple command, really. "Fill the water pots with water." But for those not knowing what to expect it may not have been so simple. We seem to have a built-in resistance to things which either don’t make sense to us, or are not clearly defined for us. But the servants conveyed Jesus’ exact wishes, and they filled the water pots to the brim.
A.W. Tozer used to say you can have all of The Holy Spirit you will allow. I suppose the opposite is also true. Will you allow yourself to be filled to the brim – or are you hesitant, not really certain of what it might all mean? It is, after all, undefined territory.
Jesus brought about an amazing transformation when those pots were filled, but not before. He changed the water into wine. He turned the mundane into the sublime, and, in so doing, the water pots – and what they contained - became presentable to the master of the feast. Prior to the transformation they would have been unacceptable.
And when the master of the feast tasted the wine, he called the bridegroom. Do you see the picture? Will you allow yourself to be filled at Jesus’ command? - Pastor Bill
Wedding feasts were a very big deal, culturally speaking, (even bigger than weddings of our day,) and so you can imagine the amount of planning and expense that were invested in the proceedings. There was to be joy all around in the celebration, and nothing depicted that joy more than the presence of wine. Historically, for the Jews, wine and joy have always been inextricably linked.
And suddenly, the wine was gone. Mary, Jesus’ mother, became aware of the situation and alerted Jesus to the potential problem. Her concern over the wine may have indicated that she was in some way a participant in the planning of the wedding, or even a close relative of the wedding party.
What happened next is a startling revelation of the work Jesus has come to do on earth, and a picture of the transformation process which takes place in the lives of believers.
It is a simple command, really. "Fill the water pots with water." But for those not knowing what to expect it may not have been so simple. We seem to have a built-in resistance to things which either don’t make sense to us, or are not clearly defined for us. But the servants conveyed Jesus’ exact wishes, and they filled the water pots to the brim.
A.W. Tozer used to say you can have all of The Holy Spirit you will allow. I suppose the opposite is also true. Will you allow yourself to be filled to the brim – or are you hesitant, not really certain of what it might all mean? It is, after all, undefined territory.
Jesus brought about an amazing transformation when those pots were filled, but not before. He changed the water into wine. He turned the mundane into the sublime, and, in so doing, the water pots – and what they contained - became presentable to the master of the feast. Prior to the transformation they would have been unacceptable.
And when the master of the feast tasted the wine, he called the bridegroom. Do you see the picture? Will you allow yourself to be filled at Jesus’ command? - Pastor Bill
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Hands-On
John1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.
Much is made of this very famous text theologically speaking. It is hard to imagine our Bibles without this verse. Of course, one of the great certainties we have of Divine Authorship of the Word is its Completeness. There is nothing the Bible lacks, and there is no area that says more than needs to be said. In a word, The Word is perfect.
How many books authored by the hand and mind of man can make that statement?
The text of John 1 is foundational in so many ways, especially establishing the eternality of Christ. John makes every effort to have us completely understand the true nature and character of Christ – and therefore of God.
But beyond understanding, there is something even more here for us: John1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
When I received Christ it was on this point: He dwelt among us. For me personally, it was not God’s awesome wonder that drew me to Him, it was His personality. His personable-ness. His personal appearance. His dwelling among us.
I can remember the very first time it struck me God had walked the earth, and it gave me chills and fear and awe to consider the possibility of having been in His literal presence. It still has that affect on me today. My heart goes to its knees before the personally-appearing love of Christ.
Gospel-author John himself gets at this point later on in his first epistle. 1 John1:1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life-- 2 the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us-- 3 that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. 4 And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.
I focus on verse 1 of 1 John 1. John says they have “handled Christ with their hands.” This is not an impersonal God. Can you imagine?
- Pastor Bill
Much is made of this very famous text theologically speaking. It is hard to imagine our Bibles without this verse. Of course, one of the great certainties we have of Divine Authorship of the Word is its Completeness. There is nothing the Bible lacks, and there is no area that says more than needs to be said. In a word, The Word is perfect.
How many books authored by the hand and mind of man can make that statement?
The text of John 1 is foundational in so many ways, especially establishing the eternality of Christ. John makes every effort to have us completely understand the true nature and character of Christ – and therefore of God.
But beyond understanding, there is something even more here for us: John1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
When I received Christ it was on this point: He dwelt among us. For me personally, it was not God’s awesome wonder that drew me to Him, it was His personality. His personable-ness. His personal appearance. His dwelling among us.
I can remember the very first time it struck me God had walked the earth, and it gave me chills and fear and awe to consider the possibility of having been in His literal presence. It still has that affect on me today. My heart goes to its knees before the personally-appearing love of Christ.
Gospel-author John himself gets at this point later on in his first epistle. 1 John1:1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life-- 2 the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us-- 3 that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. 4 And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.
I focus on verse 1 of 1 John 1. John says they have “handled Christ with their hands.” This is not an impersonal God. Can you imagine?
- Pastor Bill
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Just One
Ezra 7:10 For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel.
Have you ever longed to be the ONE in the crowd who could make a difference FOR God?
I don’t really think that is such an uncommon desire – especially among true Bible-believing Christians. After all, that is exactly what Jesus commanded us to do – make a difference in the world.
We have a couple men who are bent on making a difference right now in a very public way. We call them presidential candidates. The most profound part of their message is they both want to “change things.”
Again, that is not an uncommon desire. Most of us would like to “change things.” Only if we could.
We tend to think presidential candidates have a greater opportunity to do that – change the world that is - but I don’t think that’s true. In fact, there are NO political solutions which change the world…
But you can.
Ponder that for a moment. How can you change the world? How can I change the world?
It begins with a desire planted in your heart by Jesus Christ – not a political affiliation. Ezra is a great example of this to us.
Here we see a small man in a distant time carving out a huge part of enemy territory FOR God. The reason Ezra was successful where so many others failed is because he prepared his heart to seek the Law of the Lord, and to teach others.
It does no good to teach others if you have not prepared your heart to seek the Law of the Lord, and it does little good to prepare your heart seek the Law of Lord if you have no desire to teach others. Both things must be in place to be useful to God to change the world. Your world.
Ezra focused on changing his world. He sought to affect a change in the hearts of the men and women he knew personally - his brothers and sisters. He had no idea in doing so what a profound affect he would have on the entire history of the world by preserving the Law of the Lord, one person at a time. Just one.
- Pastor Bill
Have you ever longed to be the ONE in the crowd who could make a difference FOR God?
I don’t really think that is such an uncommon desire – especially among true Bible-believing Christians. After all, that is exactly what Jesus commanded us to do – make a difference in the world.
We have a couple men who are bent on making a difference right now in a very public way. We call them presidential candidates. The most profound part of their message is they both want to “change things.”
Again, that is not an uncommon desire. Most of us would like to “change things.” Only if we could.
We tend to think presidential candidates have a greater opportunity to do that – change the world that is - but I don’t think that’s true. In fact, there are NO political solutions which change the world…
But you can.
Ponder that for a moment. How can you change the world? How can I change the world?
It begins with a desire planted in your heart by Jesus Christ – not a political affiliation. Ezra is a great example of this to us.
Here we see a small man in a distant time carving out a huge part of enemy territory FOR God. The reason Ezra was successful where so many others failed is because he prepared his heart to seek the Law of the Lord, and to teach others.
It does no good to teach others if you have not prepared your heart to seek the Law of the Lord, and it does little good to prepare your heart seek the Law of Lord if you have no desire to teach others. Both things must be in place to be useful to God to change the world. Your world.
Ezra focused on changing his world. He sought to affect a change in the hearts of the men and women he knew personally - his brothers and sisters. He had no idea in doing so what a profound affect he would have on the entire history of the world by preserving the Law of the Lord, one person at a time. Just one.
- Pastor Bill
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Do It for Me
Ezra 5:1 Now Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the prophet, a descendant of Iddo, prophesied to the Jews in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel, who was over them. 2 Then Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and Jeshua son of Jozadak set to work to rebuild the house of God in Jerusalem. And the prophets of God were with them, helping them.
The job was going undone.
The people had faded from the original assignment God had stirred their souls to perform. In chapters 1 and 2 of the Book of Ezra, we read of how the Lord had called His people out of Babylon after 70 years of exile. They had left everything behind to follow after their hearts – just as God had called them to do.
Upon arriving in Jerusalem, they encountered negatives which undid everything God had called for. In the first case, they found piles of destruction and rubble which made it impossible to conceive of ever cleaning up the mess left behind in the destruction of Jerusalem 70 years earlier, and in the second case they found themselves opposed by an unlikely source – those who had supposedly wanted to help them rebuild the temple.
Zerubbabel and Jeshua had wisely rebuffed the efforts of the Samaritans to lend a hand. (We can only suppose what might have happened had they allowed the Samaritans to join in the work.)
Well, it became pretty clear after they were rebuffed. The Samaritans became a thorn in the side of those called to build the House of God, discouraging the people, and even going as far as hiring professional counselors, (see lawyers,) to oppose their building efforts at every turn. We can just imagine those lawyers rearranging the zoning laws and over-turning building permits and so on and so forth. (Sounds very modern, doesn’t it?)
In the face of all the negativity the people simply wore down and wore out. They got as far as completing the foundation of God’s House, and then they simply quit. Too much opposition…For 20 years, the foundation of the Temple rested, waiting.
But is anything too hard for God? We ALWAYS have to remember what we have been told to DO.
The place for prophets of God is with the people, helping them. In this office and in this practice we find both Haggai and Zechariah, amidst the people who had returned to Jerusalem with a job to do for God. In all this opposition, God says, “Remember Me?”
- Pastor Bill
The job was going undone.
The people had faded from the original assignment God had stirred their souls to perform. In chapters 1 and 2 of the Book of Ezra, we read of how the Lord had called His people out of Babylon after 70 years of exile. They had left everything behind to follow after their hearts – just as God had called them to do.
Upon arriving in Jerusalem, they encountered negatives which undid everything God had called for. In the first case, they found piles of destruction and rubble which made it impossible to conceive of ever cleaning up the mess left behind in the destruction of Jerusalem 70 years earlier, and in the second case they found themselves opposed by an unlikely source – those who had supposedly wanted to help them rebuild the temple.
Zerubbabel and Jeshua had wisely rebuffed the efforts of the Samaritans to lend a hand. (We can only suppose what might have happened had they allowed the Samaritans to join in the work.)
Well, it became pretty clear after they were rebuffed. The Samaritans became a thorn in the side of those called to build the House of God, discouraging the people, and even going as far as hiring professional counselors, (see lawyers,) to oppose their building efforts at every turn. We can just imagine those lawyers rearranging the zoning laws and over-turning building permits and so on and so forth. (Sounds very modern, doesn’t it?)
In the face of all the negativity the people simply wore down and wore out. They got as far as completing the foundation of God’s House, and then they simply quit. Too much opposition…For 20 years, the foundation of the Temple rested, waiting.
But is anything too hard for God? We ALWAYS have to remember what we have been told to DO.
The place for prophets of God is with the people, helping them. In this office and in this practice we find both Haggai and Zechariah, amidst the people who had returned to Jerusalem with a job to do for God. In all this opposition, God says, “Remember Me?”
- Pastor Bill
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
The Resurrection
It has been well-said that unless there is a death, there can be no resurrection.
This applies first and foremost in the life of Jesus Christ. We have recently studied the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and the meaning of both of those events is of paramount importance to each one of us – as well as to all the people who have ever lived on the face of the earth.
But this also applies in ministry. One of the first things that must take place in a life in ministry is a death. (The death to the flesh of the minister.) Sometimes this may take years. But before a life of ministry can arise, the death of the flesh must take place. There must be death to pride and ambition. Death to striving and seeking. Death to emotional response which obscures truth. Death to attraction to the world. When this death to self has occurred, the Lord Himself brings about a resurrection, and in that resurrection there lives a newness in ministry in which God alone is glorified. God will not share His glory with any man.
In the Book of Ezra we are bearing witness to another resurrection of sorts. The nation of Judah has all but been destroyed for its insolence before God. Jerusalem has been completely destroyed as a city of flesh, ground under for its falling away in idolatry and fleshly practices and abominations. In order for Jerusalem to be raised again, a death had to take place.
For 70 years, the people learned a hard lesson in exile. But now, in the spring season, there is a new life stirring again in the ashes of destruction. God is working. God is arranging. God is doing everything He said He would do. He is resurrecting His people from a tattered remnant.
Ezra 1:1 Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and also put it in writing, saying, 2 Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: All the kingdoms of the earth the Lord God of heaven has given me. And He has commanded me to build Him a house at Jerusalem which is in Judah. 3 Who is among you of all His people? May his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem which is in Judah, and build the house of the Lord God of Israel (He is God), which is in Jerusalem. 4 And whoever is left in any place where he dwells, let the men of his place help him with silver and gold, with goods and livestock, besides the freewill offerings for the house of God which is in Jerusalem.
Just as God raised His own Son, He can raise a people - and He will raise you. The Lord is in the business of resurrection. There is nothing too hard for the Lord.
- Pastor Bill
This applies first and foremost in the life of Jesus Christ. We have recently studied the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and the meaning of both of those events is of paramount importance to each one of us – as well as to all the people who have ever lived on the face of the earth.
But this also applies in ministry. One of the first things that must take place in a life in ministry is a death. (The death to the flesh of the minister.) Sometimes this may take years. But before a life of ministry can arise, the death of the flesh must take place. There must be death to pride and ambition. Death to striving and seeking. Death to emotional response which obscures truth. Death to attraction to the world. When this death to self has occurred, the Lord Himself brings about a resurrection, and in that resurrection there lives a newness in ministry in which God alone is glorified. God will not share His glory with any man.
In the Book of Ezra we are bearing witness to another resurrection of sorts. The nation of Judah has all but been destroyed for its insolence before God. Jerusalem has been completely destroyed as a city of flesh, ground under for its falling away in idolatry and fleshly practices and abominations. In order for Jerusalem to be raised again, a death had to take place.
For 70 years, the people learned a hard lesson in exile. But now, in the spring season, there is a new life stirring again in the ashes of destruction. God is working. God is arranging. God is doing everything He said He would do. He is resurrecting His people from a tattered remnant.
Ezra 1:1 Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and also put it in writing, saying, 2 Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: All the kingdoms of the earth the Lord God of heaven has given me. And He has commanded me to build Him a house at Jerusalem which is in Judah. 3 Who is among you of all His people? May his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem which is in Judah, and build the house of the Lord God of Israel (He is God), which is in Jerusalem. 4 And whoever is left in any place where he dwells, let the men of his place help him with silver and gold, with goods and livestock, besides the freewill offerings for the house of God which is in Jerusalem.
Just as God raised His own Son, He can raise a people - and He will raise you. The Lord is in the business of resurrection. There is nothing too hard for the Lord.
- Pastor Bill
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