"Although"

"Although" ... What an interesting word. In spite of all of the amazing points of God's provision, there remains one thing that is irreplaceable and overwhelmingly desirable...One thing that we need... WE NEED HIM!

Have you ever stood in the middle of the flow of a massive crowd that was moving in the opposite direction that you were? Have you ever been caught in the fierce force of the ocean's undertow? Have you ever found yourself in a vehicle that had hit a patch of black ice and you were caught helplessly in the spin off into the unknown? Have you ever felt the waves of vertigo that would not allow you to lift your head? 

Have you ever faced the words "you best get your life in order!" ? Have you ever held the stillness of a small lifeless child and virtually drowned in the tears that fell from your eyes? Oh, if only You had been here! 

We have immense promises and possibilities that flow from the heart of God to us as His beloved children. His very character displayed in creation and described in scripture shout the untiring greatness of His power, the inexhaustible nature of His provision, the selfless focus of His loving-kindness and His ever renewing faithfulness. Why the delay ... wasn't Lazarus and His sisters(Mary and Martha) loved by Jesus? 

It was even clearly stated in John 11:5 "Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus." Well yes we could learn of the powerful provisions of God here -- 

- Time does not limit the works of God, 

- sickness doesn't terrify our Savior, 

- and death has absolutely no finality with our God. 

- Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life. 

These are all great truths from a distance and especially when we are not in the passenger seat of catastrophe. 

Although, I truly think a greater truth was revealed in this passage, and it was found in Martha's words when Jesus arrived on the scene (potentially late by earthly standards). John 11:21 - "Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if Thou hadst been here, my brother had not died." and in her sister Mary's words soon after in verse 32 ... (almost like she had been coached by Martha) "LORD, If Thou hadst been here, my brother had not died." 

We have no idea of the truths that are at our disposal in times of great duress and distress. We often sit under the false counsel of disappointment because of the pressure of time, sickness and death; But God does not penalize us for our fragile spiritual reflexes. He knows that we too will murmur under the sound of our breath - "Lord, if only you had been here!" 

Years ago I taught an extremely small but elite Sunday School class. It consisted of 2 students - My youngest Son, Jeremy, and the older adult handicapped son of one of our couples that attended church. This handicapped young man was at possibly half the mental capacity of Jeremy though Jeremy had just hit 13. I was reading from one of the Gospel stories that told of the paraplegic that was healed... as both Jeremy and this young man listened on intently. 

I felt overwhelmed by the mental and physical handicaps of this young man; and internally was hearing my own internal voice saying "Lord, if only you were here!" So I took a risk and asked the question - "What would you say to Jesus if He ... physically ... was right here?" 

Jeremy was potentially in the same frame of mind as I was -- so I directed the Question to this young man. I repeated the Question because I wasn't sure if he really heard me. All of a sudden the young man began to rock back and forth with excitement and shouted out while pretending to hug someone that he felt was there - "I would say - Jesus, O Jesus, I love you and I would give You a big hug!" 

Both Jeremy and I were challenged by his response. He didn't even consider his own healing, like the story ... He just wanted to hold and to love Jesus. We were wondering if we might be the ones that were handicapped. 

All the provisions for protection, peace and prosperity can be found in Him ... but the true test of what we really need is found when all those provisions are challenged... then we truly find the best thing ... we only need Him. 

Psalm 18:2 - "He is my Rock (my cliff), my fortress (siege works, prey net), my deliverer (my escape), my God (my mighty one), my strength (cliff rock wall), in whom I will trust (seek refuge), my buckler (covering shield), the Horn of my Salvation (flask of my victory, ray of light of my deliverance) and my high tower ( inaccessible height)"

 .... "ALTHOUGH" even with all of these verbalized provisions... by verse 6 distress had arrived: "I will call upon the LORD, and I cried unto my God: and He heard my voice out of His temple, and my cry came before Him, even into His ears." 

Although - You just have to read what happens next -- Look out enemies Here He Comes! 

HLFA, 

Jeff

The Piercing Shield

If only I could adequately describe the vision of "the refuge" where "the Ache" can lead us. What form or image of defense has the King provided for those that Love His Name? The Spirit teaching us Scripture has an amazing way of devotionally pulling our hearts into that wonder if we let Him.

Here is some strong devotional advice from a seasoned Saint, known as the Scarlet Sinner: "I heard the Voice of Love singing ever so sweetly ... 'Want not My Word to find evidence that thou art right; desire not to read My Love-letter to correct thy fellow Saint or to the waylaying of the froward, hold this Song fast in your heart as the wreathed, thorned crown of our suffering Savior, who loved our souls unto death and back' ."

Meditate momentarily on the Crown - the encircled wreath of thorns ... that momentarily protecting as well as piercing the brow of the Savior. O the irony of the pain on both sides of the thorns; the former of the crown could not fashion it without a piercing, the brow could not receive without a piercing; and the image of the crown so distanced and shielded our Savior that it would be just Him and the Father to deal with the only sacrifice that could perpetually offer salvation to those who would believe. 

"He that believeth on the Son, hath everlasting life; but he that believeth not the Son, shall not see life... but wrath of God abideth on him." John 3:36

"Destroy Thou them, O God; let them fall by their own counsels: cast them out in the multitude of their transgressions; for they have rebelled against Thee."

"But let all those that put their trust in Thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because Thou defendest them: let them also that love Thy name be joyful in Thee."

"For Thou, LORD. Wilt bless the righteous; with favor wilt Thou compass him as with a shield." Psalm 5 :10, 11, 12.

("Thou compass him as with a shield.")The Shield - the favor, the surrounding, the wreath, the piecing, the barb, the hook, a large shield and buckler, the cold of snow, the thorn, the crown ... The blessing!! All these are wrapped in the image of His shield provided by His favor for the kids of the King. 

The Shield is what allows us to fearlessly serve others in this life and serve with the full protection of eternity. However, on this side of the eternity, the shield is not seen; but the power of this Shield of Favor will be and needs to be... realized, and gratefully accepted. 

The shield provides His distance in the connection between the temporal and the eternal. This is why (experienced by His Kids) ...out of nowhere comes a sense of safety, an eternal call, a humble comment, a shared brokenness, a vital conversation, a radical conversion, a spiritual blessing; 

... and alternatively ... at the same time the shield can create a sense of unrest, a fearful glance, an angry outburst, a contemptuous reply, and a hurtful turn. There is pain and promise on both sides of the Shield.

Remember:  This is a devotional thought and can feel a little mystical; but isn't it amazing how God's people struggle to connect with Him ... Many times it is because the imagination has been numbed by lifestyles and choice of mental stimulation. Somehow imaging the greatness and glory of our God beaming out of eternity in our favor is treated as taboo. 

Children and young believers are constantly chided for thinking that God somehow personally intervenes in the affairs of humanity. What does it mean to you -- "Emanuel, God With Us" "Touched by the feelings of our infirmities." "He first loved us." ... How we see God loving us the link to our effectiveness in encouraging others of His love. 

When our total being is vested fully in His love for us, it will effectively spill over into the lives of others. Imagine being loved by the God of all creation, let it thrill your heart and then share it with all that you come in contact with. The shield will protect you!

Like the Psalmist, cry out in desire for the favor of the Piercing Shield... He is with you children.

HLFA,

Jeff

Dog Lick Deliverance

Drenched in his own sweat, his own tears, his own blood, and the blood of his enemies dripping from his weapons... there in the midst of the battlefield he stood. Some would say he was the champion, but his heart was telling him something very different. As his eyes panned the scarred earth and torn bodies around him, he realized he was the only one standing. There were no cheers, no songs, no witnesses, no admirers: no mercy. What had he done? What had he won?

He fell to his knees in the midst of the carnage and wept. He realized that his heart was satiated with the contempt of his enemies, the proud. With the fire of hate still raging against his senses, he felt as if there was absolutely no room for anything of true worth in his life. His heart was so heavy and so full of darkness that there couldn't be any space for the smallest light to flicker. There on his knees he gave into his total exhaustion and fell into a deep sleep. O Proskuneo where are you? Just then a large wounded mastiff crept up to the warrior, licked his hand, and lay down beside him.

"Unto Thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens. Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the LORD our God, until that He have mercy upon us. Have mercy upon us, O LORD, have mercy upon us: for are exceedingly filled with contempt. Our soul is exceedingly filled with the scorning of those that are at ease, and with the contempt of the proud." Psalm 123

Wiping the sweat from his brow, and sighing, then loudly exclaiming, "Man, glad that was only a dream!" NOW ... Hauntingly, he realized that the dream had revealed the deep truth of contempt's captivation of his heart: though he hated the attitudes shown to him in the past, the treatment of "the scorner" and the mockery of "the proud" ... Over the days and years of quietly bearing the embarrassment, he had allowed disdain to fill his heart, and he had become what he hated. He was so exceedingly full of contempt that there was no room for the things that could bring healing to him and others: he could not find room for forgiveness, mercy, grace, faith and love in his life.

Although he thought he was a skilled spiritual counselor with plenty of lifetimes of wisdom's experience, he had become a source of negative attitude, controlling decisions, discouraging conjecture, hasty opinions, and woeful cursing of the life of others. The scariest thing was he began to cast away people who truly loved him ...with this overwhelming contempt. Either, or ; black and white; no gray in his perspective, and a hard hearted, stubborn answer had become the reflex of his lips. He knew the answer and didn't have to think about (or did he?); but what he had no power to offer, had become his greatest need ... MERCY.

O Proskuneo where are you? He slid out of his bed, fell to the ground and lifted his eyes ... looking and longing with his soul for the comfort of the Masters hand. O he would kiss that hand if he could find it offered. Tears seemed unquenchable in this moment, but it was here ... in his new found worship, in the midst of his tears... that he found Mercy offered. Worship prevailed! 

Until we face the exceeding contempt that we could be harboring beyond fullness, we stand stubbornly in a battlefield with only one unsung, one self proclaimed ... hero. And the song that we sing in that painfully awkward solitude carries the saddest of all melodies right to the heart of God ... Sing away, hear Him say - "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28 

HLFA, 

Jeff

His Love, Our Identity

It was a long way from the angel's song, the shepherd's awe, the wise men's visit, the Star's shine, and the manger's humility -- but The Unfolding moments were the culmination of the events that overshadowed the Birth. The Passover was near: preparations were in place, Glory was to come, the traitor had been treated as the guest of honor and had left into the night ... The inner circle was on the edge of the cliff, while the world was being prepared for the reception of the idea of "Crucify Him!"

"Therefore, when he (Judas) was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him in Himself, and shall straightway glorify him. Little children, yet in a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you. A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." John 13:31-35

Under these circumstances the "Little children" of the Kingdom were being prepared for their change, their royal robes, their new identity, and their place in the world: Jesus' Love extended to one another.

Christ Follower: Our ethnicity, our nationality is His Love... though We will live as strangers and pilgrims.

Lovers of Jesus: Our supernatural color is Love... O Rest in the difference of the Color of His Love.

Kids of the King: His banner over us is Love... Humbly but securely let Him fly it over us.

His Love should be what overwhelmingly adorns and defines us. 

The problem is that we think that we thrive within our critical view of other's failures and suffering. Our exploitation of God-events in our lives should be for the sole purpose of drawing us closer to him, not as an advertised example of "this is what you get when you are right with God"(How does that work for a faithful servant who is suffering with a terminal disease?). 

It may be a security issue: Are we secure enough in what His Love is doing for us, that we are not threatened by God blessing someone else. Are we sure enough of His leading, that the mandate to love others is not measured by what always appears to be bad timing and fumbled words: His Love will always reveal itself as -- "We will be the eternal interruption".

Psalm 133 --- His Love is the bond of Unity! 

Merry 10th Day of Christmas! 

HLFA, 

Jeff

The Shadow Ache

He appeared to be no more than a Shadow. For so many years he had maintained vigil at this spot, at this particular time of year, while the ebb and flow of life passed him by. Rarely considered of enough worth to gain a stray care filled glance or a momentary attentive ear; he still positioned himself to smile and welcome all. He seemed relentless in holding to The Hope, the Hope that the long awaited promise might be made known in these days of fading light. Year after year, he would lift his voice to all within hearing range, and passionately remind patient listening hearts, "He is coming, do not fear, lift up your hearts for His Rescue, for He is near!"

Romans 8:22 - "For we know that the whole creation groaned and travails the in pain until now." 

The Ache ... "O there has to be a way out!" "Rescue me, deliver me, help me, save me, hide me... O Lord!" So many stories throughout the centuries that have extended from and led right back to the Cross. All of our stories will and must lead us at some point to the Cross of Jesus, for without that confrontation there is no forgiveness of sins, there is no everlasting life: there is no Hope for Heaven. Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no man comes unto the Father but by Me." 

Without the healing power of the Spirit of God through the Word of God in our lives "The Ache" will sooner or later lead to our bitter destruction. The sad thing is that it usually manifests itself in an increasing numbness and widening distance from the Voice of God. He doesn't stop calling, even unto our last breath...because "He is not willing that any should perish" ... But as we turn a deaf ear to His loving pleas out heart begins to harden; and the longer we habitually turn our eyelids upward, the easier it is to let His voice fade into the sea of devalued opinions and strayed God-void notions.

"The Ache" is the driver, the harsh connection within the futility of our own efforts against an unseen enemy that stacks the odds against us. "The Ache", is also the driver that can be empowered by God to keep our hearts, not only connected to Him (because we need Jesus, we need Him every breath of our life), but broken for others.Jesus is very intimately aware of "the Ache" - "Jesus wept." John 11:35 

As our High Priest, He has purposely positioned His emotional response within the groanings of our infirmities, in the intimate knowledge of our inexpressible feelings. Romans 8:26 - "Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities; for we know not what we should pray for as we ought; but the Spirit Himself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered." Fear not "the Ache" - don't hold back the tears - reach out for cleansing so that you can arise with the song of the Spirit. 

"O Sing unto the LORD a new song, sing unto the LORD, all the earth." Psalm 96:1 

Our fragile broken song is so needed in these days of truth jilted by arrogant doubt, and light hampered by selfishly dark improv. Let us rise up and welcome the Coming King in the Spirit that He has imparted to His rescued aching kids.

Merry Christmas and God Bless everyone!

HLFA,

Jeff

Until These Camamities Be Over Past

Psalm 57

Vs. 1 - "Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in Thee: yea, in the shadow of Thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be over past." 

And the battle unexpectedly erupted in a furious clash of uncontrollable emotions, indistinguishable expressions, inaudible exclamations, and a blinding flurry of defensive and offensive movements. In totality, all strength was expended beyond the man; and then exhaustion overtook the scene as it melted into a smoky mist and a narcoleptic silence. I awoke with that feeling of "I can't catch my breath" type of panic.

Vs. 2,3 - "I will cry unto God most high: unto God that performs all thing for me. He shall send from Heaven, and save me from the reproach of him that would swallow me up. Selah. God shall send forth His mercy and truth."

The night had long blanketed us within the stench of burning garbage (or was it flesh?); my sleep was violently restless with dreams filled with the cries of the innocents. Not daring to open my eyes, I cried out fearfully but without a voice, I had fallen mute ... Because I knew not my bearings in the thick black of this abandonment, fear had gripped me in a choke hold. 

My eyes were challenged by what I saw in the pale morning light... Shockingly -- Vs. 4 - "My soul is among lions: and I lie even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword." Even with this fearful unfolding vision sending terror through my veins, strangely there was something rising like churning waves of melody, harmony and rhythm from my innermost being; though frail in its delivery, it had begun: I cried - Vs. 5 - "Be Thou exalted, O God, above the heavens, let Thy glory be above all the earth." 

Vs. 6 - What was this that had caused me to awe? "They have prepared a net for my steps; my soul is bowed down: that have digged a pit before me, INTO THE MIDST WHEREOF THEY ARE FALLEN THEMSELVES. SELAH!" 

The trap laid for me was now their adversity - the roar, the threatening, the peril of being held between pity and cruelty had almost overwhelmed me against the blaze of their unbridled passions...was now stifled in the pit prepared for my demise. I was free!!!

Standing there in the midst of my enemy's defeat, the song began to crescendo and it began to take wings and rise: Vs. 7-11 - 

"My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed:

I will sing and give praise. 

Awake up, my glory;

Awake, psaltery and harp:

I myself will awake early.I will praise Thee, O LORD, among the people:

I will sing unto Thee among the nations.

For Thy mercy is great unto the heavens, 

and Thy truth unto the clouds.

Be Thou exalted, O God, above the heavens:

Let Thy glory be above all the earth."

For those of us who stand in peril - arise and sing of His deliverance!

For those of us who stand in darkness - cry out for the Light of His Love!

For those of us who have been freed from the threat - Let us Arise, and exalt our God and Savior ... Let His mercy and glory shine through us!

HLFA,

Jeff

PS .. Dec.1 - Happy Birthday Mammaw, Mom Ruth, tasting Heaven, rest. 

        Dec. 2 - Happy Birthday to my brother David - Standing in the Promises, don't give up.

"I am not a Christian"

"I am not a Christian!" - quoted from an interview of a notably famous persona in the Music industry. The interview was almost interesting until this statement was made, then the persona seemed to lose focus and fail to connect with relevance... Duh!

What an overused, cowardly, politically correct phrase: "I am not a Christian!" For so many who think that this makes them more neutrally acceptable and noted as "educated", they have actually stigmatized their lives... Especially when they try to quote Jesus' Words as "Someone once said". Wow!!! "Declaring themselves to be wise they became fools."

Oh, I understand the historically warped and irrelevant events of the past that have been unearthed by self-proclaimed experts in their field; dusted off, and polished in an insidious way too bend the events' actual history to create a hatred for the term "Christian". I also, too keenly, understand the inerrant wicked evil that loves the darkness and hates the light, but appears to the naïve in our generation as an "Angel of Light". This entity is powerfully persuasive in his portrayal, master in his lying presentation, and viciously accusatory of the followers of Christ. He makes sure that true believers take the fall for events where wolves in sheep clothing hid their sin under the guise of the Cross. 

We live In such an arrogantly ignorant time in History; a time of literal educational suicide: where current and historical events can be virtually altered to create unbelievable biased public opinion. Many swayed by the media are taking the cowardly way out by not identifying with the term "Christian" but making claims that they are very knowledgeable of the Bible. 

I have a feeling the title may have made you wonder about what was going on in my life. There have been times in my life where I have observed good, trusting, and giving people being hurt by those claiming that they were Christians; and to boot many of the scarred scenes seem to have been inflicted by those in ministering or ministry situations. I can understand at a personal level why someone would not want to identify with the abusers; but those of us who are Christians because we have been crucified with Christ (never the less we live, by the Faith of the One who loved us and gave His life for us)... are following Jesus, and hopefully our identification marks are "kingdom" commendable. 

There are only 3 verses in the New Testament where the name "Christian" is called out: 

- One time in Act 11:26 where "The disciples were first called Christians in Antioch" ... because they gathered together as a called out assembly to learn and followed the teachings of Jesus Christ"... more than likely they marked by "love for one another and others" and thus Called Christians (Note: they did not call themselves Christians). 

- Second Time ... Acts 26:28 where King Agrippa responded to Paul's passionate Gospel persuasion "Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian". The name "Christian" now being identified with the sacrificial obedient following of Jesus Christ... for what ever personal reason, King Agrippa had not the will to take on the that stigmatic snapshot of life. 

- Third Time ... I Peter 4:16 - "Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf." Peter knew what it felt like to deny Jesus, and wasn't about to let other believers make that mistake by suffering as a "love promise" breaker. The believers choice to sin puts Christ's name in jeopardy of being undesirable instead of irresistible by His Spirit and Love.

Let's raise the bar of His Love through us - let others discover the goodness of God that leads to repentance - and do everything to stay close to Jesus; but if we fail and fall- and we will at some point in time... I John1:9 - "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 

Perfection is not expected - but integrity (transparency in our struggles, our open reflex to trust Jesus, and a humble admission when guilty) is a great place to start when under the scrutiny of seekers. 

We will always have adversaries, God will take care of them. 

Let's long for others to see Jesus in us! 

HLFA, 

Jeff 

PS - I AM A CHRISTIAN - early in my walk with Jesus, I was told by a Satanist that I was and that being a Christian was my weakness (though he was physically terrified of me).

Oh yeah? Oh yeah!

The Judaean night was as brisk as the season had promised, bringing with it the cool evening dew and clear night sky. His station in the field though: was not his choice ... It was the luck of the youthful draw. "It is your job tonight!" ... He heard his older brother Eliab, say over and over again, night after night. So "Beloved, David" submitted to the care of the flock.

On the night, of the day, that his three oldest brothers joined the army of the King; "Beloved" sat alone in the field, head bowed in sorrowful abandon, he spoke prayerfully ..."Is anyone mindful of me? Does anyone remotely care that I exist?". At that moment as he might have drifted into a tearful nap, he felt the warm brush of a lambs tongue against his chilled cheek; opening his eyes and wrapping his arms around the little lively body of the lamb - He reveled once again in the memory of the power of that childlike faith that had slain the bear and tore the lamb from the jaws of the lion; He lift up his eyes and voice to the skies:

"Your amazing Heavens declare Your Glory, O God; the way you have laid out your shining ones, undeniably, shows your Artistry. Day talks to day and night to night as your eternal knowledge is being spoken. There is no speech nor language, where the voice of these shining ones is not heard." Psalm 19:1-3 

This same Childlike faith had no issue taking on a 'larger than life", threatening, entity that cursed the Eternal Source of his Love and the objects of that Love... The God of Israel and His people; and that battle lasted only moments with God's giant-killing-guidance-system empowering a small smooth stone to embed itself in skull of the Giant. The battle was won by a Child-like faith that submitted to the God over All.

It is hard, with the "older and wiser" eyes of adult-kind to see the true power of the innocent faith of a child. The purity of knowing, that the God of the impossible "can and will" perform valiant acts of Love in our favor, is the reason Jesus would say "Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven". 

Before a child is corrupted by the psycho babble of an adult (who only believes as far as his fear will allow him) ... Fear forces the child to become dependent on One stronger for protection, and that fear becomes the launching pad for "My Daddy is bigger and Stronger than yours!" Oh yeah? Oh yeah!

Listen to Matthew 18:3 again, devotionally and see your faith strengthened. The dialogue was set up by a question, "Who is greatest in the Kingdom?" And Jesus set a small child in the midst of them to make the point clear ... "Amen, I eternally say unto you; unless and with no exception, that you allow God to turn you around so that you are no longer caring about your former "missed-mark" direction; and come into His-story... Onto His stage ...as His toddler; you shall not even begin to entertain the potential of the God possibility of the Royal Power of the Vaulted Expanse (Heaven) ... Conferred on His Kids with all of its splendor and dignity." 

The Key - Let Him convert us from our rebellious selfish will ... and convert us to His lavish love ownership ... And begin to truly belong to Him!

If ... We are His ... Let this truth sink in ... We belong to Him!

And the Giants will fall!

HLFA,

Jeff

No First Name

Do we even begin to consider the treasures of Heaven that are loaned to us, while in this temporal place that we try to establish as our own? We search out the perfect community, that has the most potential for safety, accessibility, and comfort. We purchase our claim. We bring in the professional land surveyors, drive in the boundary stakes, set up elaborate fences and then boldly proclaim this mirage of a parcel is our own. We build a house on the sand, and stress the ever fading "curb appeal" to gain admiration from all that pass by. We garnish our possession with sheds, garages and vehicles that also state that we are "somebody". 

How could we fail in a community called "The Place of Fragrance".

Nine long months of waiting ... Longing ... Dreaming... Living within the precious promises and love of their Father. Timaeus and his wife were expecting no less than God's best. For they had heard His voice, they had performed their vows, they had opened their hearts to the needy and downcast, and they were "all in" for God's plan ahead for their lives. As one in Him, and His purposes in heart... There was No turning back - they proclaimed "only blessings ahead!".

The day finally arrived ... The window of Heaven opened with the beautiful fragrance of eternity as Timaeus' wife labored intensely to deliver their bundle of Joy. Oh such a beautiful baby boy (at first glance)... But then the joy of the moment was interrupted by the sobbing of the midwife, for the little boy was marred ... He had no sight - HE WAS BLIND!. 

In that moment of great disappointment ... All the choices for given names that were attached to parental dreams were no longer important; for who has great dreams for the blind and what namesake even begins to bring encouragement? So the boy was called the Bar(Son of)-Timaeus. And by this name, his father took the blame, and shouldered the proclaimed curse.

Oh, if only they had known the glory that was ahead for this blind boy without a real first name. 

Oh, If only they had known of another little Boy that had been born about 18 miles away in a town known as the "House of Bread", who would bring to light the gift in store for this boy born blind. 

Oh, If only they had known that this little Boy from the House of Bread would take on the curse via a greater curse - "death on the tree", and that He would lift the curse from their little blind boy and the curse of Sin from the world.

Although Bar-Timaeus could not see, the misty veil of physical blindness had not completely removed hope from his listening heart throughout the years of begging. He had heard and waited on the Lord, and today his heart would be overwhelmed. This was the day! 

He heard the crowds murmuring at the purposeful steps of Jesus as he came through town. And Bar-Timaeus waited, as always, at the exit gate knowing just what he would say; ... Sensing Jesus was near: he cried out - "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" Although his peers tried to squelch his crying, he just cried out the more ... "Oh, Son of David(the Beloved), have mercy on me!" 

When Jesus stopped and called for him, the crowd stopped and changed their tone from a harsh "hush" to a helpful encouragement. Within the heart of this blind man there was absolutely no hesitation to come... he left his outer garment behind, potentially with no intentions of going back. 

When asked what could be done for him... Reflexively he cried , "Lord, that I might receive my sight!" ... (Lord? There must have been a holy hush from the crowd in anticipation of what would transpire next, Lord?):In what ever delay was perceived, one thing was certain, Bartimaeus (Meaning Son of Timaeus ... No real first name), and his family now stood on the threshold of the blessing that was waiting in store at that intersection of faith. Here in that waiting and longing mode to be freed from the curse were the seeds of hope to be fulfilled. Jesus would call it Faith.

Mark 10:52 - "And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed (continued to follow) Jesus in the way."

Let's not spend our days under our own self proclaimed curse of life; Let's Open our eyes; and claim the Glory and the Power of the Gift of God's Grace on our situation. Whether we find ourselves in a life altering set back, a life long handicap, a broken relationship, an overwhelming hardship, a life threatening illness, a debilitating pain, or a deep depressing failure ... Let's not lose sight of the power of His Name. Call unto Jesus, the Son of God! 

Living under the curse of our circumstances is like being a blind child in oppression, with no real first name! For there in no other Name under heaven, given among men, whereby we Must be saved ... That Name is Jesus.

Faith in His Name can make us Holy, Wholly, Whole in Him. 

Praise His Name and Live!

HLFA,

Jeff

Established; Relinquish

Strong and sturdy, rugged and true, stylish and festive, ardent and faithful, set like a flint, endowed and performing, ... The basic human element is the same, but the descriptors are a dream's desire to have recognized and declared about our lifestyle in the presence of our peers. No one has a goal to submit to suffering; no one dreams of the wonders of persecution; no one cries out to be abused and misunderstood. We all long for appropriately rewarded results for our efforts to put others first and to love others in a selfless way. 

To many, these moments of strength and prosperity are seen as a blessing , but to God, who is with us on the mountain as well as in the valley-- this is an opportunity for us to know Him with only the blessing and our pride as the distraction. Don't compare, don't complain, be grateful and know Him deeper.

Teachers of truth, be very careful not to heap unnecessary burdens on others because of your perception of God via your history with Him. Your story is not "the" example though it is an end-sample; and stories of encouragement of God's goodness should be declared. But His Goodness is not tied to steps of success or ingredients of a foolproof recipe. His goodness is tied to His faithfulness.

Every life is unique; and the Divine pattern for a solitary life is hidden in the mysteries and love troves of a God who has loved us even before the miracle of life in the womb.His plan for us is to be that pure and spotless object of His desire to love us. We cannot become that perfect desire without Him.

This Love Divine is what set the stage for the Crucifixion and the Resurrection of Jesus that would pour grace and mercy into our faith adventure to know Him. To say that following Him is guaranteed to bring tangible wealth or unwarranted sacrifice is a philosophy of a one sided opinion that will either motivate or discourage others in their unique walk with Him. To espouse and isolate either of these philosophies, will bring a personal pride that literally sets up an almost violent wall of judgment to any opposition to that espousal (We will defend what we espouse).

The only guaranty is that He loves us in and through whatever state of comfort or pain that we find our adventure taking us. Just "declaring" the truth of where we stand will only feel right until the situation changes... And it will. To have a grateful heart that glorifies Him, whether we "abound or abase" is learned while His Word is transforming us in His process, that makes us less and less like the world and more and more like Jesus. (Sorry no magic wand of instant glorification while we are still on this walk ... on this side of the Veil.) 

Broken and shamed, bruised and abused, handicapped and limited, scarred and ashamed, immobile and unlovable ... To some this would seem to be a curse, but to God, who is with us on the mountain and in the Valley -- this is also an opportunity for us to know Him with only our pain and pride as the distraction. Don't compare, don't complain; be grateful and know Him deeper.

A few verses to meditate on in the middle of these philosophies:

Isaiah 40:1-2 - Comfort is in the Lord - Wait on Him for strength for every season of life 40:31.

Matthew 11:28-30 - Life on this side of Heaven can be both exciting and unbearable - Take on His Yoke, knowing Him creates the lift.

Matthew 10:38; 16:24 - These passages continue to be misunderstood and philosophically bent by perspective and usually carry an "either or" bias instead of a "both, and" humility to learn. The "Cross", our cross... is way beyond just the thought of suffering and sacrifice. 

No matter what state we find our selves - through the Word and the Spirit: the Fruit of the Spirit will allow others to see Jesus through our temporal situation and will allow us to see Jesus the temporal situations of others. 

A devotional Hint in digging for treasure: -- our "cross" is moveable, already upright, it is where we take our stand, our defense, life's emphasis, it leaves us with no choice, and must go with us in Following Jesus (combine the meaning of stauros and histimi - "both, and", and pray How much of my established life do you want me to relinquish?)

HLFA,

Jeff