On Stage

Ephesians 3:10 He did this so that now, through the church, the wisdom of God in all its variety might be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realm.

I am not commenting today but I turn it over to BARNES NOTES ON THE BIBLE:

One grand purpose in the creation of the universe was, that the wisdom of God might be clearly shown by the church. It was not enough to evince it by the formation of the sun, the stars, the earth, the seas, the mountains, the floods. It was not enough to show it by the creation of intelligent beings, the formation of immortal minds on earth, and the various ranks of the angelic world. There were views of the divine character which could be obtained only in connection with the redemption of the world. Hence the universe was created, and man was made upon the earth, not merely to illustrate the divine perfections in the work of creation, but in a still more illustrious manner in the work of redemption. And hence the deep interest which the angelic hosts have ever evinced in the salvation of man.

If it is to be retained, it means that this display is to be made under the gospel. "Now, since the Messiah is come; now, under the Christian dispensation, this revelation is to be made to distant worlds."

Unto the principalities and powers - To the angelic hosts - the intelligent beings that surround the throne of God; see the notes at Ephesians 1:21.

By the church - By the incarnation of the Redeemer to save it; by I the mercy shown to it; by the wise arrangement made to recover his people from the fall; and by all the graces and beauties which that redeemed church will evince on earth and in heaven.

The manifold wisdom of God - Literally, "much-variegated." It means the "greatly-diversified wisdom." It does not mean merely that there was "great" wisdom, but that the wisdom shown was diversified and varied; like changing, Variegated colors. There was a "beautiful and well-ordered variety of dispensations" toward that church, all of which tended to evince the wisdom of God. It is like a landscape, or a panoramic view passing before the mind, with a great variety of phases and aspects, all tending to excite admiration. In the redemption of the church, there is not merely one form or one phase of wisdom. It is wisdom, ever-varying, ever-beautiful. There was wisdom manifested when the plan was formed; wisdom in the selection of the Redeemer; wisdom in the incarnation; wisdom in the atonement; wisdom in the means of renewing the heart, and sanctifying the soul; wisdom in the various dispensations by which the church is sanctified, guided, and brought to glory. The wisdom thus shown is like the ever-varying beauty of changing clouds, when the sun is reflected on them at evening. Each aspect is full of beauty. One bright; cloud differs in appearance from others; yet all tend to fill the mind with elevated views of God.

Why we proclaim the Blood of Jesus

As unusual people, we Christ followers sometimes speak or “plead” the blood of Jesus over a person or situation. Now I know that this is going to seem far-out to some of my friends, but we Christians have experienced some supernatural things. Think about it. We have been influenced by things we cannot see with our eyes. We have felt the Holy Spirit of Jesus in such a real way that we invite him to be the leader (Lord) of our very lives.

We believe in angels. We also talk, I mean pray, to Jesus who is a person in another dimension. We even believe that a spirit helped human beings write a book that has eternal meaning. All pretty supernatural, don’t you think?

The blood of Jesus is a symbol, a symbol of his life. (Life is in the blood.) He was obedient to God even unto death in fulfillment of the plan that God devised. That makes him the mediator between God and us. His success became our success. What he accomplished also gave us victory. We are his way in. He is our way up. The earth that has been largely taken over by evil will someday be taken back by good. Now he has authority in the earth if we invite him.

Authority over whom, one may ask? Sorry guys, but there are opposing forces at play here. The good book says…For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places (air). Ephesians 6:12

Backstory: Adam was given the earth by God. He then obeyed God’s enemy which allowed Satan to take Adam’s power. Jesus later came and gave us back authority on the earth if we partner with Him. Sounds like a great movie. Good versus evil and all, but we’re in it too because we have to choose our leader, Jesus or Satan. But Satan is sneaky. Because being your own leader is still like being on his side. Being your own God is his thing. Satan is going down and he wants to take human beings down with him.

1 Peter 5:8 reminds us to be clear minded, and stay on guard; because your adversary the devil, is as a roaring lion, sneaking about, seeking whom he may devour.

So speaking the blood of Jesus as a confession, or prayer is one good way for a Christian to bring God into a situation where we suspect that evil forces are causing trouble for someone on the earth.

Speak the blood of Jesus over the things you are struggling with today.

Remember too that His blood is not like our blood. Our blood is tainted with the rebellion of our first father, Adam. Jesus was born of a virgin so his blood was clean like Adam's was when God first breathed into him. Jesus's blood was pure and innocent and sent from heaven. We must wonder if the very Spirit of God was pulsating through his veins. Then his blood became a visual of his sacrifice for all of us when Jesus held the cup of wine and asked us to always remember what he was about to do just before he allowed his life blood to be spilled.

What does God want from us?

He wants us to learn… He wants us to learn…That we need him to be our king. That although we may become smart, strong, and great kings. He will always be smarter, stronger, and greater. He wants us to realize that He is our leader and we should never try to rule above Him, on earth, or in eternity. He wants us to learn…That things on the earth are not the way that they could have been if Adam and Eve would not have rebelled. Once upon a time earth was a lot more like heaven. Earth is now full of war, selfishness, and arrogance (racism). It is the result of mankind being in charge of earth. But none of that is in heaven where God rules. He wants us to learn…To be a peacemaker. We will be peacemakers when we are living in the heavenly dimension. Hopefully we can bring some of that to earth right now. Jesus was not an expert sword fighter. He did not invent martial arts. He was able to speak the words of the bible to quiet his enemies. He wants us to learn…That we are not alone on the earth. That God can be our king right now. He is a friend that sticks closer that a brother. (Proverbs 18:24) The Holy Spirit is our invisible friend who is inside our head and heart if we have invited him in. We can each have conversations with Him in our minds, without even speaking. He wants us to learn…That he loves us like a good father loves his child. Like a mother is consumed with affection for her newborn. Yet, even more. Because we do not see many parents who love as deeply as God does. Maybe it is not possible. Our parents are damaged by living on earth. If they don’t know Father God’s unconditional love for them, then they can’t give it either. He wants us to learn…That God will not give up on us. His offer to us never expires. His love never stops. No matter what we might experience in this messed up world, he is still waiting for us to turn to him and say, “Help me. Be my leader. I was not made to be king. I want to follow you. I can’t do this alone. Thank you for loving me like a son (daughter)”. He wants us to learn…That Jesus is the way. (Plain and simple, catchy and cliché.) The father made it easy. Follow Jesus and you are on the right track. Jesus knew how to please the father. Obedience even unto death because he knew there is new life after death. Adam messed it up, but Jesus got it right. He wants us to learn…That the bible is our gift. Jesus used the scriptures. We use the scriptures. The Holy Spirit uses the scriptures. Some scholars say it is flawed. I don’t know. All I know is that God uses it to communicate, and confirm the things he is saying to me, and doing on the earth. There are lots of voices speaking to us. You know it is God if it does not contradict the bible. He wants us to learn…what justice is. No one can ever accuse God of being an unfair ruler of heaven. When people realize that God is King they also instinctively know they deserve punishment for their rebellion. But God answered in love. He let Jesus be the payment for our punishment. Now we are completely guilt free.

Adjust your Sails

Sailboats are beautiful. It is so relaxing to watch them glide through the water, letting the breeze carry them. I have felt the Lord reminding me to be a sailboat, led by His Spirit.

Go With The Flow- I am a planner, a controller. If I were in a ship’s crew I would be the navigator. I want the Lord to show me the destination and I will help and direct until we get there. Upon arrival, we promptly set a new goal. I have good intentions. But I think I will try sailing in a way that allows the Lord to be the navigator and make changes to my direction as we go.

Listen to the Breeze- Learn to hear and respond to the leading of the Spirit. God’s spirit has been poured out on the earth. It’s everywhere. It is in you. So it is everywhere you are, always whispering. We don’t have to set a meeting, or go through certain prayers, or read 2 chapters. Just have a willing and open heart. Many times we sail along with the Spirit and don’t realize it until we look back. I wasn’t sure at the time, but yes, the Lord was there and He led me through those waters. From my experience the Holy Spirit will definitely do a few things. He will draw us into the bible, either by reading or by listening. He will be gentle and loving, not demanding or condemning. Our challenge is to be led by His breeze and not to be blown about by all the other distractions on the lake.

Don’t be a Motor Boat- It is awesome to serve the Lord. Our zeal makes us want to get up and DO something for God. Accomplish some real change for Christ! I want that so badly. But we humans can get into such a hurry that we become the leader. I am profoundly guilty of this myself. Our service for God can actually cause us to disconnect from the flow of the Spirit. Turn off your motor and sail for a while. See if the wind is blowing fast and furious today, or if it is time to just float and enjoy the sunshine.

Like Flags of Glory- I have this vision of many sailboats on the lake. Moving like choreographed dancers. Their sails are all different colors. They are high and beautiful. It is peaceful. It is joyous. It is God moving among his people, the church.

It’s Valentines Day… Again

One Valentine’s Day I was at my grandparent’s house when Grandpa proudly brought home a giant heart shaped box of chocolates for Grandma, just like he did every year. He set it on the counter in front of her and she cordially smiled and said, “Thank you.” I was very excited to see all that candy and wondered why she didn’t seem to be. What a grand gesture he made! Then I noticed that, just maybe, she seemed a little more like an obligation than his passion?

Just like Grandma I am not one of those predictable wives that wants the same gift every year. My interests are constantly changing. For a few years I really wanted Lowrey’s Chocolates and it was the only time of year I got them. Some years I longed for a rose, some years I craved a weekend away, one year it was a really soft caramel-colored stuffed bear. The point is my poor husband cannot cruise on this. He has to be in tune to me daily. You see, if I am wishing for chocolate covered strawberries and he gives me Whitman’s chocolates it just magnifies the fact that he is not intimate with me. Maybe life is too busy and pulling us in different directions, or maybe something else has taken the place of me being the apple of his eye. But something is off. And even though I will stay married and eat my yummy candy, I will probably have a little ping of sadness in my heart.

Intimacy is not quick, it is not easy, and it is not for cowards.

The husband and wife relationship is God’s way of showing us a glimpse of what our relationship with Him could be. The Holy Spirit is not saying the same thing to us year after year. We are growing and our world is constantly changing. If our conversations with God and our prayers are the same as they have always been, maybe we are causing that little ping of sadness in God, an unfulfilled longing, a missed connection. Maybe something else has taken priority in our lives and God is not number one. Maybe we are too busy or preoccupied running our own lives to daily connect and be intimate with our Heavenly Father.

Being together is not the same thing as being connected. A man can be in the room with his wife and not know what is going on in her heart that day. We know God is always with us. But unless we talk to Him and listen to Him we may never truly connect.

How wonderful a wife feels when her husband shows her that there is nothing more important than her and he will not allow anything to come between them or their time together? She can rest in his love. She can feel safe and she will bloom. And her greatest desire becomes blessing him. And the cycle of love spirals upward.

Yet God has done that very thing! He will not allow anything to separate us from his love. But we have free will. What will we allow? Will we protect our time with God? Will we turn our thoughts to Him? Will we cultivate a love that spirals ever upward? Just like the wife, the Holy Spirit longs for true intimacy. After all, we are the church, and the church is the bride of Christ. Is there anything more intimate than that?

Communion - All you can eat… Free!

Read Acts 2:42, John 6:53-58, 1 Cor. 11:17-34

I present for your consideration some thoughts on “Holy Communion”, which has become the eating of a tiny cracker and thimble full of juice at church, and the wonderful, ginormous meaning behind it.

The ceremony of Communion is a metaphor of eating the word of God. Scripture often refers to eating our daily bread. Man can not live by bread alone but by every word of God. Taste and see that the Lord is good. Ps 34:8

Communion replaces the Passover meal that the Jewish people ate every year and still do. But what Jesus did at the cross was become the Passover lamb and the perfect sacrifice for all people. It also draws a reference to the manna that Moses and the Isrealites received straight from heaven. When Jesus breaks bread the supply never stops. He fed 5000 with a loaf and 2 fishes.

Communion is a word that means “common participation.” Commune. This draws all believers together. What Jesus did is for all people, not just the Jewish people. It speaks of unity among rich and poor, Jews and Gentiles.

It also draws the metaphor that we need to eat to live. If we do not eat we die. Likewise if we do not eat what Jesus provided we spiritually die.

When the bible says to “examine yourself” it is talking about some people who were treating the remembrance ceremony like it was not special. It is not for examining yourself to see if you need to ask for forgiveness of current sins. Maybe you are sinless this week? Of course not! Maybe you do not need Jesus? Of course you do, we all do. Maybe you have failed lately to live up to God’s standards. Welcome to the club. So we need the sacrifice that Jesus’s body provided. Examine yourself to see if you are acting like his body and blood are just another tradition, or a regular meal to rush through (or get drunk on).

So what did the body of Jesus provide for us? Isaiah 53:5 “He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.” In other words…”He was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.”

Yes, please.

Could it be that many are sick and weak and dead because we FORGOT that Jesus’s body was provided to take our sickness? Taking communion is a way for us to draw strength by remembering.

And what did the blood of Jesus provide? The true sacrifice that wipes out our sin from God’s remembrance as far as the east is from the west. His blood was pure and straight from heaven and not spoiled by sin, rebellion or selfishness. This is the blood sacrifice that stopped all animal sacrifices.

How often did Jesus envision that we have a communion ceremony? The bible does not say. But we do know that Passover was once a year. But we also know that bread and wine were staples in Jesus’s time. They were eaten all the time. Could it be that every time we eat and drink it is an opportunity for us to remember what Jesus did (and does) for us?

Ding! It is Finished. Come and Get It!

One day as Gramma Grace was baking she heard the shuffle of little feet. She looked down and was surprised to see her busy young grandson slowly carrying his time-out chair to her. He explained that he had broken a rule in the living room and now he just couldn’t seem to feel very happy. When Gramma Grace saw how sorry he was it touched her heart. So she sat him on his time out chair and set the timer. But after a minute or two she told him he could get up and go play again. Yet how could he? He saw that the timer was still ticking and the punishment was not over. Then, to his surprise, Grace sat down on the chair! She stayed there the whole time while he freely enjoyed his toys. When they finally heard the bell chime she said, “It is finished” and she stood up. The boy felt so loved that he ran to his Gramma and gave her his tightest hug ever. And to thank her, he even “helped” in the kitchen that afternoon.

What Gramma Grace did reminds us of what Jesus did.
You see, before we were ever born the people of earth rejected God. This brought many bad things into our world. But then God sent Jesus to the earth. Now Jesus already served the punishment for all people. When he was on the cross he said the words, “It is finished”.

All we have to do is open our heart to Him. And because God hears our thoughts we can talk to him without even speaking. Just the two of us. We each get to choose who is king of our own heart.

That is the Christmas baby...the one who showed us grace and paid our punishment. He makes it possible for us to know God.