The Joy of the Lord is Our Strength

Joy of the Lord - His purposes accomplished conviction and purification  

Nehemiah 8:1-12 - to hear the truth of God's truth, His commands that assure us of His love and keeping, purification and making - as with so much else, joy and experiencing joy, is a matter of perspective… God’s perspective, His eternal perspective. (Psalm 39; Luke 10:1-3, 16- 20-21)

Psalm 90:12  “So teach us to number our days, that we may present a heart of wisdom.”

Psalm 103:14  “For He knows our frame; He is mindful that we are dust.”

Unearthing joy, mining for joy*, experiencing the joy of our salvation (1Peter 1; Psalm 51)

*or in the case of “wisdom” (which is knowing God and His truth and the joy of life in and with Him) “...look for it as for silver and search for it as hidden treasure…” Prov 2:1-11)

Joy is very often buried underneath everything this world has done to us, everything sin has done - as true joy is only found in the fulfillment of our true and real purpose - and this world, and our experiences in it, so often wars against knowing that purpose and experiencing that joy. Our purpose is only found as we discover why we were created - by whom, for whom, to whom we were created, and living that life’s joy that is in us by Spirit and Truth. 

This purpose is discovered when we see God in the face of Christ, Jesus - and there, there is joy.  

Though the joy be there, it can sometimes feel fleeting… Now, our experiencing that joy can be diminished by sin and its consequences - this does not mean our joy and its source are gone, but that we have often put ourselves in a position to have difficulty seeing and experiencing it - whether that be by the consequence of sin and the discipline that comes - as “no discipline is pleasant” (Heb 12) - but in the end it brings joy because when endured it produces “righteousness” which is, Christ-likeness.

Or by our perspective… The 3 people illustration - proximity and experiencing joy   

Joy IS ever-present and never removed - because it is the fruit of our salvation (Luke 10; 1Pet 3; Gal 5:22), yes, it is often blunted by sin and its consequences, BUT/AND ALSO, as well by the perspective our finite selves tend to have of our circumstances.  

All of this is why “rejoice…” is commanded and exhorted all through the New Testament as it is - the writers of the scriptures, these letters of love, are imploring us to raise our eyes above the temporal to the eternal - knowing that that eternal perspective will shape the temporal, the now.  And, vice-versa, that remaining in a temporal perspective will skew our understanding of God’s intentions and rob us of that eternal, God perspective - the truth of what ACTUALLY is. 

We’ve been created to know God, to be known by God, to enjoy God, and be enjoyed by Him (Jer 24:7; 30:22; 32:38-39; Ez 11:20; Rev 21:1-7,22-25; 22:1-5,14,17)

Therefore, joy is found in and through our sufferings, as our suffering is the mining for joy.

God knows, in order for us to truly be the expression of His glory that He intended and the truth of who we are in Christ, we, what have been made to be, must be extracted from the lies that that sin has made us.  As by the truth of who and whose we are is revealed and made known, the lies being removed, make way for the truth of who we are to emerge and be revealed.  

As this truth is made known we see the image of what we were by God’s first intention (“made in His image and likeness” Gen 2), and are now becoming in Jesus (“created in Christ Jesus…” Eph 2:10), what we are being created to be emerges, and as it is revealed joy begins to rise - because when we are discovering who we really are in Christ, which is our purpose, we see we are becoming all that we were meant to be – like Jesus! (Rom 8:29; 1Cor 15:49; 2Cor 3:18; Phl 3:21; Col 3:10; 1John 3:2).

The words of God are the tools of God’s mining and purifying in the hands of the Spirit.

As we were exposed to the truths embedded in His word, all of the impediments, the adulterations, the dirt and drawse, are exposed and brought to the fore (“light” John 1:1--5; 3:21). As the process of refining commences, the truth and the Spirit work together to strip away what does not belong causing the face of the miner, the refiner, to emerge in the pure gold, the pure silver, that we were meant to be - the image of the creator begins to take shape and form. (Psalm 66:10; 1Peter 1:3-9)  (Notes on “glory to glory”)

Psalm 66:10 “You have tested us, O God; you have purified us like silver.”

1Peter 1:7 “These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.” NLT

Romans 5:1-5

1Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we a have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we b boast in the hope of the glory of God. 3Not only so, but we c also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

Heb 12:4-13

4In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says,

“My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline,

and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,

6because the Lord disciplines the one he loves,

and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.” a

7Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? 8If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. 9Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! 10They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. 11No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

12Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. 13“Make level paths for your feet,” b so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.

There are so many ways God works

Matthew 20:1-16; 25:14-15

And every time it is in line with each person and their specific and unique needs. That is the grace of our Father and the good gifts that He gives - to each - and - to all - 1Cor 12:7, 11; Eph 4:7

7Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, a and to still another the interpretation of tongues.11All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.

Be careful to not compare the Father’s provision or God’s caring for someone else to what He provides to you or how He cares for you

He loves you too much to just give you another’s gift of need. It doesn’t always seem fair - but, what is right or just or fair? It is in wisdom and “...the transforming of the attitude of the mind” that we can begin to discern God’s will, “...His good, pleasing, and perfect will” (Matt 20:1-16; Prob 1:3; 2:9; Rom 12:2) Is that a stone… or could it be bread? (Matt 7:9-11)

God is most interested in bringing each, and all, of His children, to glory - into Him, for Him, with Him, in Him and to Him

And this, in the way that will do just that for (each of) them, as they have been made, and are known by Him. (John 17:22; Rom 8:28-30; Heb 2:10; 2Cor 3:18; Phil 3:21; 2Thes 2:14; Psalm 139; 1Cor 12)

Rom. 8:28-30
28And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who i have been called according to his purpose. 29For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

2 Cor 3:18
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

And God’s care (for us and to us) is as unique to us as we ourselves are unique - and that’s grace of a good Father, our good Father - a gift - a good gift - to each according to the need of each (Eph 4:7; Heb 2:4; Rom 12:3-8; 1Cor 12:7-11;James 1:16-18)

So yes, there is a “peace that transcends understanding” - Phil 4:4-8 -

And this, is, God’s care, His provision, His good gift. But, that peace, our peace, is not contingent upon God’s removing the thing that is causing us stress, or anxiety, or fear, but to give us a peace that transcends it, that rises above it, that is there in spite of the circumstance… beyond understanding! See, that’s the point!

James 1:2-5 A matter of perspective… or, wisdom…

Trusting God in the midst of the storm to bring peace in, and through, and from, the storm!

God's ultimate goal is not that you have a “good” life here, but that you have life in Him, Jesus’ life, life eternally…. It is God’s intention that we would, by persevering…

· Grow in character and hope - Rom 5:1-5

· Faith and trust, rescaling Jesus person and character - 1Peter 1:3-6

· “Be mature and complete” ...growing in wisdom - James 1:2-5

· Grow in assurance and confidence - 2Peter 1:7-9

· That we would, in Him, by Him, from Him and with Him experience a “peace that transcends” these difficult times, guarding and renewing our mind, refreshing and strengthening our heart - Phil 4:7-8 (2Cor 10:3-5)

God does care, and he cares enough to treat you as you need and as you are where you are to get you where he wants you - a good place. James 1:16-18

Though each storm – trial, testing and temptation - we encounter is significant in its own right, very often, the storm we go through today is preparation for the storms to come, sometimes even deeper and more profound, that we will go through later. These things do not happen in a vacuum, but in fact, are intrinsically linked, one to another – and not only for ourselves, but that we might also comfort others going through much the same. (1Cor 1:3-7)

Suffering, sin, suffering having sinned

John 4…All suffering is because of sin, and though we suffer when we sin, not all suffering is because we’ve sinned.

Regardless of the reason for our suffering, we must understand that relief, real relief, may not be in being removed from the suffering or have the suffering removed from us, but having had the peace of God instilled in our hearts when we have encountered Jesus in our suffering, whatever the reason.

The weight of sin’s effect in this world is inescapable – as our bodies, souls, and spirits are constantly barraged by the ill effect of sin: weathering and weakening our bodies sapping our strength, vitality, and health; the temptation of sin, to sin – the weathering and weakening of our flesh, our soul – in an attempt to drag us down and discourage; and sin’s - the tempter’s - attempt to distract our spirit’s fellowship and worship of God and our obedience to God as sin calls to us to live for someone, something, other than the God of our salvation and the goodness of His call.

We need not be defeated, discouraged, or dismayed, but in fact, we can rejoice – knowing that Jesus loves us so much that He joined us here, suffered with us, and overcame this world. So that now, we, who are in Him, have and can overcome this world as He strides here with us, for us, giving us His victory…

John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

John 4…

Even Jesus felt the weight… in Hebrews, it says that Jesus suffered and was “tempted just as we are”

Hebrews 2:10-11 “10In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered. 11Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters.”

Hebrews 2:17-18 “For this reason, He had to be made like His brothers in every way, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, in order to make atonement for the sins of the people. Because He Himself suffered when He was tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted.”

Hebrews 4:15 “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet he did not sin.”

But there is relief to be had – Jesus’ life in and for us – Jesus’s Spirit, a well of living water gushing up from within as we are forgiven, accepted, indwelled, empowered, and renewed; Jesus, the bread of life, feeding our soul’s longing for right standing with the Father, God, with a righteousness not of ourselves, but as a gracious gift love from God, in Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:21 “God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.”

Suffering – the storms of life (Mark 4:35-41; John 21:15-21)

Temptation, trial, testing will come… and God will there in the midst – in the midst – and God cares, deeply, He does care, He does care for you… can we, will we rejoice?  How much does He care for each of us, who we are, to make us what He would have us be - the fullest, best, most complete version of who and what He has made - in Jesus - and each of us, all of us, together...

John 20:15-21

There are so many ways God works - And every time it is in line with each person and their specific and unique needs.  That is the grace of our Father and the good gifts that He gives - to each - and - to all

Be careful to not compare the Father’s provision or God’s caring for someone else to what He provides to you - He loves you too much to just give you another’s gift of need. It doesn’t always seem fair - but, what is right or just or fair? (Matt 20:1-16; Prob 1:3; 2:9; Rom 12:2) Is that a stone… or could it be bread? (Matt 7:9-11)

God is most interested in bringing each, and all, of His children, to glory - into Him, for Him, with Him, in Him and to Him - and this, in the way that will do just that for (each of) them, as they have been made, and are known by Him.  (John 17:22; Rom 8:30; Heb 2:10; 2Cor 3:18; Phil 3:21; 2Thes 2:14; Psalm 139; 1Cor 12)

And God’s care (for us and to us) is as unique to us as we ourselves are unique - and that’s grace of a good Father, our good Father - a gift - a good gift - to each according to the need of each (Eph 4:7; Heb 2:4; Rom 12:3-8; 1Cor 12:7-11; James 1:16-18)

So yes, there is a “peace that transcends understanding” - Phil 4:4-8 - and this, is, God’s care, His provision, His good gift.  But, that peace, our peace, is not contingent upon God’s removing the thing that is causing us stress, or anxiety, or fear, but to give us a peace that transcends it, that rises above it, that is there in spite of the circumstance… beyond understanding!  See, that’s the point!

James 1:2-5 A matter of perspective… or, wisdom… 

Trusting God in the midst of the storm to bring peace in, and through, and from, the storm!

God's ultimate goal is not that you have a “good” life here, but that you have life in Him, Jesus’ life, life eternally…. It is God’s intention that we would, by persevering…

·  Grow in character and hope - Rom 5:1-5 

·  Faith and trust, rescaling Jesus’ person and character - 1Peter 1:3-6

·  “Be mature and complete” ...growing in wisdom - James 1:2-5

·  Grow in assurance and confidence - 2Peter 1:7-9

·  That we would, in Him, by Him, from Him and with Him experience a “peace that transcends” these difficult times, guarding and renewing our mind, refreshing and strengthening our heart - Phil 4:7-8 (2Cor 10:3-5)

God does care, and he cares enough to treat you as you need and as you are where you are to get you where he wants you - a good place.  James 1:16-18

Though each storm – trial, testing and temptation - we encounter is significant in its own right, very often, the storm we go through today is preparation for the storms to come, sometimes even deeper and more profound, that we will go through later.  These things do not happen in a vacuum, but in fact, are intrinsically linked, one to another – and not only for ourselves, but that we might also comfort others going through much the same. (1Cor 1:3-7)

Bringing it All Home: The Least. Giving to the Least.

Matthew 25:31-46 “the least of these”...Matthew 5-7 bringing it all home: the least giving to the least

The extraordinary miracles performed by Jesus were not merely those things done for the body, but, as profound as those miracles were, maybe even more profound is what He did for the person, their soul, the dignity and esteem of their person.

There are many bodies that were not healed, that are not healed, that continue in their deformity.  In fact, every body, even if healed, will die. Hear again, every BODY will die. In other words, everybody’s body will die. But, not so the soul and spirit - the person.

Let us not misunderstand, what we do for the body is important, as when we do so, we are actually ministering to the soul and spirit that reside in the body - and this care, this rendering of aid, means something.  It means, as we interact with that person and there is a need for them - even the body - when we render aid, we are treating the person - the soul and spirit of the one who dwells in that body - as the body is the vessel, prepared by God, for each of us to engage with our world as well as those with whom we journey..

Every body represents the person who dwells in it… and, is the first thing we encounter that most often, gives us our first, and sometimes, most lasting impression… which can be sad… because that would mean that as we judge the person based on their body, we have kept ourselves from actually getting to know the person - the one who is, to a degree, shaped by what happens to them in the body, sometimes, by the body, or at least, because of the body - not them, themselves - the person who resides in the body.

So it is ours to see the body, and then, beyond the body.  Seeing beyond… the body. Theirs, ours, at all, and then, into eternity. 

When you did it to the least of these, you did it to… ME.  My Body. 

Bringing it all home: Jesus’ last recorded message to those who would listen.

This teaching of Jesus does not stand alone, in a vacuum, but is the culmination of sorts of all that Jesus had come to do, to say, to declare.

Whether this is to be interpreted as one’s actions toward the Jewish people, or a more general admonition in regard to all ought to be treated is moot in this context - the principle remains true: when you see someone… in any state of need - meet them where they are with what they need, mercy, grace, love and wisdom.

• How do we know that this is an overriding principle?  By the SHEEP’s answer vs. the GOAT’s answer: when… when did we see you and…?

• They were both oblivious because for each, their treatment of “the least” was an extension of their character, the nature of their being, a reflection of their particular King/king.

Developing the heart and character of the King we serve.  Be renewed in the attitude of our minds…

seeing Jesus for who He is and what He has made us to be  (Romans 12: being changed by God’s Spirit and Truth: Jesus and the Word).  If we are a new creation then let us be renewed - conformed - into Jesus and see others as Jesus sees me, them, us. (2Cor 5:16-21)

Seeing ourselves as the least helps us see “the least” for what they are - worthy.  

Matthew 5:3 “Blessed are the poor (in spirit)...” when we recognize our poverty, and God’s great love expressed to us through mercy and grace, we are then, gladly, always looking up… at everyone, not just God.
 

As... 

• ...having been dignified, esteemed, I can now dignify and esteem.  

• ...having been given to and blessed, I can now give and bless.

• ...having been healed and made new, I can now be part of the healing and restoration.

• ...having been seen for who I am and loved, I can now see others for who they are and love…

Simply:

• If I have the means… because I have been given the means, it is my privilege to give the means… 1John 3:14-18; 4

• If I have the time… because I have been given the time, it is my privilege to give the time, and with it, the wisdom by which I have been treated… Eph 4:29-32

To whom? 

The least of these: here, there, and everywhere.  (why?) because it is the outgrowth of the character, the Spirit, that makes me what I am (as a person)

What are the means?

• Prayer 

• Resources 

• Presence 

• Wisdom and guidance

• Admonition and discipline

How determined?  

• Love and wisdom (see Proverbs 2:; Eph 4)

• Available resources, or not (Mark 8:5; Acts 3:5; James 2:12-26)

• “I know someone who knows someone” (taking them to Jesus: Matt 4:24; 8:5-8; Mark 2:4; 9:14-29; Luke 5:19; John 1:40-42 Naman’s servant girl

Corinthians 8:13

It is not our intention that others may be relieved while you are burdened, but that there may be equality.

2 Corinthians 9:12

For this ministry of service is not only supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanksgiving to God.

1John 3:14-18

14We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love each other. Anyone who does not love remains in death. 15Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him.

16This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. 17If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? 18Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

Jesus dignifying the person (among nearly every interaction Jesus had with those in need… (me too?)):

• Matthew 9:20-22

• Matthew 20:29-34

• Mark 5:25-34

• Mark 7:31-37

• Mark 9:14-29

• Mark 10:13-16

• Mark 10:46-52

• Luke 8:25-43

• John 2:1-12

• John 4

• John 8:1-11

• Hebrews 1&2

Like 8; Mark 4:35-41 “Don’t you care?!” | Peace in the storm, peace through the storm, peace from the storm

Like 8; Mark 4:35-41 “Don’t you care?!”  

Peace in the storm, peace through the storm, peace from the storm

Of course He does… 

“6Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” 1Peter 5:7 

...but that’s just it, He cares for “you” and therefore His care looks different from person to person and circumstance to circumstance - almost never the same - because He cares - and because of that, we need to learn some truths about God’s care 

...and, His care, how He shows it, is not always what we would have imagined it to be… Jesus DOES calm the storm - He brings peace, He gives the seeker what they need, but, His answer, His provision, doesn’t always look the same... 

• Do not come under my roof - and at that moment to the servant was healed - from a distance - Matt 8:5-13

• Woman with bleeding - healed without knowing she was there - Mark 5:25-34; Luke 8:43-50

• Man by the pool - healed without being asked, maybe even with the recipient not wanting it - John 5:1-15

• Blind man - healed with hiccups - Mark 8:22-26

• Couldn’t, wouldn’t heal (Mark 1:35-39 - hometown; Mark 6:1-6)

Sometimes God just lets the body and the illness take its natural course or used common treatments to aid in the healing

• Natural function of healing -

  • Sick almost to the point of dying, got well, saved me sorrow upon sorrow - Phil 2:25-30

  • Timothy - no water, drink wine for your stomach - 1Tim 5:23

Sometimes, there was no apparent relief from the stressors at all... 

• No healing at all “My grace is sufficient for you” - All healed and some feelings. But not in his case, not in this case - 2Cor 12:9

• “The man went away sad… because had much” - Matt 19:22; Mark 10:22

Sometimes, it just seems as though God’s apparent will and purposes are just unfair… 

• “What about Him?!”  Jesus said “What is that to you? Would you follow me” - John 21:21

There are so many ways God works - And every time it is in line with each person and their specific and unique needs.

That is the grace of our Father and the good gifts that He gives - to each - and - to all

Be careful to not compare the Father’s provision for someone else to what He provides to you - He loves you too much to just give you another’s gift of need. It doesn’t always seem fair - but, what is right or just or fair? (Matt 20:1-16; Prob 1:3; 2:9; Rom 12:2) Is that a stone… or could it be bread? (Matt 7:9-11)

God is most interested in bringing each, and all, of His children to glory, and this, in the way that will do just that for (each of them) as they have been made, and are known, by Him.  (John 17:22; Rom 8:30; Heb 2:10; 2Cor 3:18; Phil 3:21; 2Thes 2:14; Psalm 139; 1Cor 12)

And God’s care (to us) is as unique to us as we ourselves are unique - and that’s grace of a good Father, our good Father - a gift - a good gift - to each according to the need of each (Eph 4:7; Heb 2:4; Rom 12:3-8; 1Cor 12:7-11)

So, there is a “peace that transcends understanding” - Phil 4:4-8  but that peace is not contingent upon God’s removing the thing that is causing us stress, or anxiety, or fear, but to give us a peace that transcends it, that rises above it, that is there in spite of the circumstance… beyond understanding!  See, that’s the point!  

Trusting God in the midst of the storm to bring peace in, and through, and from, the storm!

God's ultimate goal is not that you have a “good” life here, but that you have life in Him, Jesus’ life, life eternally. 

That we would, by persevering…

• Grow in character and hope -  Rom 5 

• Faith and trust, rescaling Jesus person and character - 1Peter 1

• “Be mature and complete”  ...growing in wisdom - James 1

• Assurance and confidence - 2Peter 1

• Peace that transcends these difficult times - Phil 4

God does care, and he cares enough to treat you as you need and as you are where you are to get you where he wants you - a good place

Jesus: God is God! No, really!

Luke 11:1-13

Luke is talking to a pagan, a gentile, who’s God’s were capricious and fickle, who’s worshipers were forced to try to guess what would make this pantheon of God’s happy and or gods forbid, would anger them.

Matthew 6:9-13 is speaking to Jews whose God was so awesome and mighty and holy and righteous one must not even utter His name.

Jesus instructional prayer as explained to each recipient is designed to help the one who prays to see God, in a new way, for who He is, certainly a glorious God, but also, a good God. Jesus did this so that they would know that the God who they pray to is a loving Father, an “Abba”, a Daddy, who cares deeply for his children and their affairs.

Jesus wants us to see the Father that He knows… (John 17)

So first Jesus wants us to see that - God is good? Yes. And we need to recognize that anxiety robs us of seeing that God and His goodness.

What concerns do you bring this morning? Take a moment and dwell on them. Write them down. Some are legitimate concerns, some, on the other hand, are unreasonable and irrational.

Anxiety happens when even legitimate concerns become bigger than God. in fact, I would suggest, that the enemy has designed anxiety in such a way as to make us believe that that which assails us IS bigger than God… so big in fact, that our concern can be swollen to such a point that it squeezes God right out of our minds and in turn shrinks Him in our hearts to such an extent that we begin to feel as though God does not even care...

This is where truth comes in.

Anxiety is designed to dwarf God. To eclipse Him. To draw our mind away from the truth of God being God and focus it on the “truth“ of this fear- that this fear is so big, that God Himself can’t do anything about it! A “truth” that makes the (actual) truth of God being God, and good, a lie.

It is here now that we must take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ (2Cor 10:4-5). In other words, as Peter put it, we are to “...set Christ apart as Lord in our hearts.”.

How do we do this? Well, first, we have to remove that anxious thought that we have allowed to reign in our minds off the throne and place Jesus back His rightful place. (and repeat)

Then, having seen the difference between the reign of terror that is anxiety and the peace God who now reigns with love, we can boldly and confidently “give the reason for our hope when we were asked...” and even do so “...with gentleness and respect.” (1Peter3; Philippians 4:4)

Because for us, in our humanity, putting Jesus on the throne almost always means removing something else from the throne in our heart

Taking captive every thought is the process of anxiety being removed from our minds by the truth - by taking each and every thought captive, compare it to the truth of Jesus and who we are in Jesus and who Jesus is to be for us, and subjecting that thought to that truth - and thus demolishing it!

Anxiety is always the god of our fears, supplanting the God of our salvation.

Why is it important for us to understand Matthew and Luke’s audience? Because for each one of us, there are moments when God appears to be capricious and fickle, aloof and uncaring; angry and unapproachable or so mighty and righteous, so holy and big, that He cannot possibly care about me and the things that trouble me. But Jesus says that this is just not true!

The changing of mind and heart.

Romans 12:2 “transformed by the renewing of your mind…” Life and its circumstances can be overwhelming in such a way as to distract us from what is true - robbing us of the peace we have as God’s children and replacing that peace with fearful and anxious thoughts.

The truth is: God is near…

“...the Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything… prayer and petition with thanksgiving…” Phil 4:6 God does not want us anxious and distracted, but at peace with Him - in and through everything - trusting the truth that He is “for us”! (“...if God is for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:31)

Anxiety: a restriction of the mind, a constrictor of the heart, and a distractor of prayer.

Anxiety: excess, or even irrational, worry and fear is the process of our minds “blowing things out of proportion”, to distort what is true.

Lies are the fuel for anxiety

The more we think about and entertain the lie the tighter the squeeze - and the tighter the squeeze, the more we doubt the our Father loves us, is with us, or near, and that He actually “...works all things for the good of those who love Him…”. (Rom 8:28)

“...know my anxious thoughts…” Psalm 139:23 These lies often begin as everyday thoughts and concerns in our minds, but once entertained and engaged, these thoughts and concerns begin to swell, taking up more and more space, until finally they overwhelm and distort the truth, and begin to cause us to doubt what is true, then the Truth, then the One who is Truth and Truth giver, and then, because everything is now out of proportion - these fears and anxieties make the truth out to be a lie. At this point, if we think about God at all… we think “Where is God!? God can’t possibly be for me!”

So, in our desperation, we call out in hopes that maybe God will answer… but, if we have not dealt with the lies, even our Father’s response, the gift that God gives us in response to our calling out (because He DOES answer - because He always does) doesn’t look like what it (actually) is. (bread vs. stone)

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true… think about such things” Phil 4:8

The truth is, God knows where we are, what we’re in, and exactly what we need and when we need it.

What we need, isn’t always what we thought we needed...

He knows what we need before we ask - the question is, can we see the answer for what it is, as God’s loving response to and intention for what we need… not necessarily, what we thought we needed? (James 1:1-18)

Write out what you see… “what do you see here? (In the verse)

If prayer is about nothing else, it’s about submission - our submitting ourselves, our will, our lives - and our mind’s thinking - to God. With every request…

Trust, as much as you can, and entrust what you can.

Grow in trust, entrust, some more, and entrust as we grow in trust

As we learn to trust God and His Truth - about Him and His love for us - we will be more and more able to trust that He ALWAYS has our best in mind - and gives us what is good and best - always. He.loves.us. He loves us. He loves us. God loves us. And as we grow more in trust, we will grow to entrust more.

Changing our mind

The transformation of the attitude of our mind is by the renewing of our mind - what you know to be true: comparing our thoughts to the Truth (2Cor 10:3-5)

● Reminded of the truth

● Remember the truth

● Read the truth

● Recite the truth

● Repeat the truth

● Ruminate on the truth

Heart - change and transformation of the heart - as the mind is being transformed (by truth) itchanges, anxiety is stilled - things are put back in proper proportion. And, as the mind clears, the heart begins to relax, as the heart relaxes, peace and clarity descend on both mind and heart (Rom 12:2; Phil 4:7).

Having our minds and hearts at peace, in turn, changes our prayers and our prayer’s perspective - as we now begin to desire God’s will and purposes in this thing. This is because our perspective and prayers are (now) being aligned with the Truth, the word, Jesus - able to say “your will to be done”.

It is here we begin to discern the truth (Rom 12:2), and this, with and by the Spirit of Truth - Who will always remind us of (the) Truth - Jesus - and the wonderful and true truth of who we are in Him and to Him. (John 15:26; 16:13-15; 4:23-24; 14:17; 1John 4:6; 5-6).

Now, we can see the Truth for the truth that it is: TRUE! God IS near, He DOES love me... I am, we are, His children, He is our God and Father, and He IS for us! (Ezekiel 37:27; Jer 31:33; 2Cor 6:16; Heb 8:10; John 14:23; Rev 21:3,7) I do matter to Him, this moment matters to Him… (Psalm 9:9; 18:3; 23; 28:2; 34; 39:12)

Romans 12:2 “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Philippians 4:7 “...the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

So when we are anxious, angry, complaining - and we continue to entertain those conditions - our mind becomes more and more confused and chaotic, this condition of our mind, if not dealt with by (submitting to the) transforming power of Truth, makes in us, an increasingly constricted heart.

But, the Spirit, whether we know it or not, faithfully intercedes by reminding us of our Father… Coming to our senses, we remember the Truth, most importantly, about our Father… (Luke 15:17)

Luke 15:17 ““When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death!”

Remembering, reading, reciting, repeating, and ruminating on truth we, our minds and hearts, are properly, restored. (Psalm 1:2; 16:7; 63; 77; 86; 119)

Through the discipline of submitting our minds and hearts to Truth our…

● Mind is transformed, diverted from anxiety to proper thought - perspective and proportion

● Heart is rerouted, from distorted desires to proper desire and intent

● Prayer goes from distracted, frustrating and selfish to compassionate, gracious and blessing.

○ What is “blessing”?

■ To speak well of… wanting favor, favoring what is best (in God's eyes - including for self - which might mean pain and sacrifice)

■ Wanting, preferring what is best for others - to con (to honor with) what is beneficial - which might mean your apparent loss - (prior (or) flesh) perceived loss - which in God’s (actual) blessing (want and prefer what is truly Good) loss = gain, no = yes, give = get, suffering = joy

● Now, exhibiting (the) self-control or self-discipline of the Spirit in us, our anxiety quelled, we are able to pray… (2Tim 1:7; 1Peter 4:7)

When we pray… here’s Jesus’ instructions in both Matthew and Luke (twice!!)

● Trusting to ask

● Persistence in the asking

● Patience in the waiting

● Wisdom to see

● Grateful for the answer

● Joyful in the receiving

● Generous with God and others with the blessing we have received

And remember to check your motives at the door… James 4:1-3

Prayer, an Exchange of Wishes: Changed Heart, Changed Perspective

Luke 11:1-13 Romans 12:2 “Transformed by the renewing of your mind…”

The changing of mind and heart - life and its circumstances can be overwhelming in such a way as to distract us from what is true - robbing us of the peace we have as God’s children and replacing that peace with fearful and anxious thoughts.

God does not want us anxious and distracted, but at peace with Him - in and through everything - trusting the truth that He is “for us”! (Romans 8:31)

Anxiety is a restrictor of the mind, a constrictor of the heart, and a distracter of prayer.

Lies are the fuel for anxiety - the more we entertain the lie the tighter the squeeze - and the tighter the squeeze, the more we doubt the truth that our Father loves us, and “...works all things for the good of those who love Him…”. (Rom 8:28)

These lies often begin as everyday thoughts and concerns in our minds, but once entertained and engaged, these thoughts and concerns begin to swell, taking up more and more space, until finally they overwhelm and distort us, and begin to cause us to doubt what is true, then the Truth, then the One who is Truth and Truth giver, and then, because everything is now out of perspective and proportion - it makes the truth out to be a lie.

So, we call out and hope that maybe God will answer… but, not having dealt with the lies, even the gift that God gives us in response to our calling out (because He DOES answer - because He always does) doesn’t look like what it (actually) is. (bread vs. stone) He knows what we need before we ask - the question is, can we see it for what it is as God’s loving response and intention? (James 1:1-18)

Changing Our Mind

The transformation of the attitude of our mind by the renewing of our mind - what you know to be true: comparing our thoughts to the Truth (2Cor 10:3-5)

● Remember the truth

● Read the truth

● Recite the truth

● Repeat the

● Ruminate on the truth

Heart - Change and Transformation of the Heart

As the mind (is being transformed) changes, anxiety is stilled and the heart begins to relax. As it relaxes, peace and clarity descend (Rom 12:2; Phil 4:7). and this, in turn, changes our prayers and perspective as our perspective and prayers are being aligned with the (Spirit of) Truth. Who reminds us always of Truth - Jesus - and the truth of who we are in Him. (John 15:26; 16:13-15; 4:23-24; 14:17; 1John 4:6; 5-6)

Romans 12:2 “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Philippians 4:7 “...the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

So When We are Anxious, Angry and Complaining…

…and we continue to entertain those conditions - our mind becomes more and more confused and chaotic, this condition of our mind, if not dealt with and transformed by truth, makes in us an increasingly constricted heart

But, the Spirit, whether we know it or not, faithfully intercedes by reminding us of our Father… Coming to our senses, we remember the Truth, most importantly, about our Father… (Luke 15:17)

Luke 15:17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death!”

Remembering, reading, reciting, repeating, and remunerating on the truth we are properly, restored.

(Psalm 1:2; 16:7; 63; 77; 86; 119)

Through this our…

● Mind is transformed, diverted from anxiety to proper thought - perspective and proportion

● Heart is rerouted, distorted desires to proper desire and intent

● Prayer goes from distracted, frustrating and selfish to compassionate, gracious and blessing.

○ What is “blessing”?

■ To speak well of… wanting favor, favoring what is best (in God's eyes - including for self - which might mean pain and sacrifice)

■ Wanting, preferring what is best for others - to confer (to honor with) what is beneficial - which might mean your apparent loss - (prior (or) flesh) perceived loss - which in God’s (actual) blessing (want and prefer what is truly Good) loss = gain, no = yes, give = get, suffering = joy

● Now, exhibiting (the) self-control or self-discipline of the Spirit in us, our anxiety quelled, we are able to pray… (2Tim 1:7; 1Peter 4:7)

Praying in and about a recent stressful circumstance

I was incredibly anxious and distracted - I could not settle down or keep my prayers straight, I was so frustrated. Then, I remembered, read, recited, repeated and ruminated on the truth… about my Father.

My prayers - without my realizing the transition - suddenly shifted from chaos and confusion, frustration and fighting (within myself to change what my kind knew was a selfish prayer) the prayers I was praying to this moment of clarity and grace where my prayers were now compelled to be for the person involved - and the prayers were no longer mine from my confused and confounded mind, but the expression of a heart released to love graciously the person I should have been praying for

And then, truly trusting God for the outcome, whichever way it would go - that all would be blessed

This may be the process of seeing and affirming God's will

I could not change my mind!

The action and attitude of my mind - couldn’t make it do what I wanted it to do, what I knew was the right thing to do, and do it in the right way

Only the truth could change my mind which in turn releases my heart and thus permit the Spirit inside of me to - pray - on my behalf what it wanted to pray (which is always good and right) and my spirit released to agree with the Spirit in me and join in the prayer “the amen”

This is prayer and petition, this is garners thanksgiving, this changes our definition and perspective of blessing - as it changes stones into bread, snakes into fish, scorpions into eggs,

Not necessarily changing the moment and circumstance, but providing transcending peace within the moment and circumstance.

And the Miracle is not that God plucks out of the circumstance, that is simple. We might even be able to do that ourselves, but the miracle is that He gives us a sense of peace in the midst of the circumstances. And this peace is not a peace that is fleeting, but a peace that transcends understanding – or a peace that should not exist in the confines and context of the circumstance – a peace that (then) guards hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. (Phil 4:4-8)

Helping us keep the right perspective, the right attitude, right understanding, confidence, and prayers

God has given us everything we need to do this

Sometimes on our own… but many times, we need help. Sometimes we need to pray with somebody who will remind us of the truth, will encourage us to be renewed in our thinking, someone who can walk with us through the changing of our mind, and pray with us that our mind and heart would be changed

There can be an awkwardness to prayer, as the flesh truly wants what’s contrary to the Spirit and the Spirit to the flesh. So our minds can be our own enemy when it comes to prayer. We feel anxious, awkward, embarrassed or ashamed. Just having the courage to overcome those things, to engage with God’s truth - that He is good and He is God and He gives good gifts. To believe that He prefers the best for his children. That we would engage Him openly and honestly.

Love your enemies… And be like your Father in heaven. But, how do I do this? And why? | Part 2

We spoke of seeing and treating people as Jesus sees and treats me. As we read the Gospels we see Jesus’ love expressed to those He encountered - with patience, mercy, grace, and love. We need to learn to see ourselves in the person Jesus is encountering - how Jesus is with them, He is with “me”. As such, having received His love by mercy and grace, patience and forbearing, we are then equipped to see and treat in the same way those we encounter. (i.e. Luke 5; 14; John 3; 4; 8)

Having been loved while an enemy, I can now love my enemy...

Rom 5:1-11 speaks of being loved as an enemy, Luke 6:27-36 loving your enemies, being good to those who mistreat you, to pray for those who mistreat you, blessing those who curse you. First, let us be reminded that Jesus never commands us to do anything that He Himself was not willing to do - and to love our enemies is chief among the list. Why? Because it is what most profoundly tests the reality, the validity of the life born in us, and our corresponding capacity to love. (See Luke 7:36-50)

It is in the great context of having been loved while an enemy, a sinner, that provokes the depth of love in one who humbly recognizes that they are one forgiven, much...

Luke 7:36 “...therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven - as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little…”

We are Jesus’ ambassadors… and this, by His choice!?

According to Matthew’s recording of this epic teaching (Matthew 5-7), IF we are the “salt of the earth”, IF we are the “light to the world” THEN the evidence of these being true, of our having Jesus' life in us and our now being Jesus’ representatives IS our growing capacity for and ability to love - and especially to love those who do not love us in return, or maybe more especially, love those who hate us - and to love them just as we have been loved.

(Not just being here in His stead, not just knowing and adhering to the TRUTH, but also growing in this life, His LIFE in us, by how we live it, the manner with which we adhere to the Truth, by the WAY we live as one who not only is here in His stead, but living as He lived, thus also representing Jesus with respect to His Way of life, living and loving. As Jesus declared “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life…” (John 1:4,14, 17; 8:32; 10:7,9; 11:25; Heb 10:20; 1John 5:20).

Are you kidding me?!

Very often we see a command like this and we wonder “How in the world do I love my enemy?” “How do I actually look at the one who hates me, who is my enemy, and wants my destruction; this one who curses me or takes things from me - and we are to love them, pray for them, bless them, give to them without expecting anything in return?” (Matt 5; Luke 6)

This seems incredibly daunting and emotionally impossible...

Well, in our flesh that is true (Mark 14:38; Rom 7; Gal 5:13-26). Our flesh is weak and someone who is weak and wounded does not have the strength to be gentle, kind, patient, hospitable and generous. It is in fact when we are weak, wounded, and lacking, that we tend to strike out at those who hurt us, those who threaten us, those who wound us, those who offend us (even if they did not mean it - and that’s because in that state, we trouble discerning the intentions of others).

So, we have a couple admonitions that we need to cling to.

1. Jesus does not command us to anything that…

a. He Himself did not do

b. He has not equipped me/us to do

c. He has not enabled me/us to do

d. He has not empowered me/us to do

...Jesus does not set us up for failure… we may fail, but His grace then covers us, He forgives us, He is patient, forbearing and kind, and re-engages, heals, strengthens and redeploys us when we’re ready (not necessarily when we think we’re ready… that time would never come ;) but, when He knows we’re ready - ‘cause He knows.

2. It is important for us to recognize that Jesus came as a human being, too - He was as much man as he was God, and in so, had to work just as hard as we do to respond lovingly to who or what opposed him. (Gen 3:15; Isa 53; Hosea 13:14 (1Cor 15:55); John 1:14; 4:6; 19:28; Mark 6:3; Luke 2:52; 1Tim 2:5; Gal 4:4; Phil 2:7; Heb 2:1-18; 4:15; 10:5, 10; 1John 4:2)

Heb 2:18 “Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.”

Heb 4:15 “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet he did not sin.”

Heb 5:8 “Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered”

We must also realize that Jesus, in His humanity, set the standard. Jesus showed us that despite our fleshly weakness, (with) the Spirit that He promised to send and that is now in us, and with our cooperation (Gal 5:16-18, 24-26), that Spirit is capable of enabling and empowering and producing in us, by the “truth, the life, and way” the power to do things we ourselves could never imagine doing. (John 14:12; Gal 5:22-23)

“...it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. 11Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. 12Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.”

3. Next, seeing that it was “the Father living” in Jesus “doing His work”, and that, we too have the Holy Spirit (really, that same Spirit!). The problem is that we tend to underestimate the Holy Spirit’s ability to guide, protect, empower, and enable. Or, maybe, more accurately, we underestimate our ability to hear, listen, and follow the Holy Spirit. We must remember that God did not leave us as orphans, but gave us Himself by the Spirit – the very power that raised Jesus from the dead is now at work in us - and this for a purpose. And we must trust that all of this is true! (John 13-14; Eph 1:14; 2:8-10; 2Tim 1:7; Gal 5; 6; Rom 15:13; 1Peter 4:14)

(if I may…) isn’t it funny that so often we think that we are the one person in all of God’s kingdom that the Holy Spirit can’t use…? We are goofy!

4. Instead of seeing and knowing, trusting and relying on the truth of the Spirit in us, we tend to focus on the weakness of our flesh, our emotions, and our feelings - and often, this is because we tend to think that we are our body or our flesh - but, we are not, we are the soul and spirit within us, enlivened by His Spirit! So, because our focus is often on the wrong set of “muscles” we often fall back on our own strength and understanding, and use human logic and the human definition of “justice” which is actually for us to avenge, when in God’s economy, for the children of God, our taking vengeance is not “justice”. That is actually a sign of a lack of trusting faith and immaturity and weakness. Instead, we are to love (Turn to Romans 12:9-21)

Holding on to this human mindset keeps us immature[1] . We do have a natural inclination, a way our flesh, or our old self, sees and approaches people and things. Though we have been saved and given the Holy Spirit, there is a process we must go through to realize, or live out, the truth of our holiness and righteousness of Jesus’ life in us, in the everyday - that is the process of sanctification - or - our being (continually) transformed by the renewing of our minds while being conformed to His image and likeness (Rom 8:29)

The question here might be “immature?!” How do I mature? How do I know it is God’s Spirit speaking to me? How do I know what God wants from me?

5. So, we misunderstand or misinterpret, or, just don’t believe that when the scripture says “in my weakness I am strong” or “I can do all things through Christ…” whose life is in me “...who strengthens me” by His Spirit - this IS a new mindset, a transformed view accomplished by the renewal of the mind - (that we might have the mind of Christ - 1Cor 2:10-16)

a. We don’t believe

b. We don’t trust - as we don’t trust God, but grow in trust through life’s circumstances

c. So cannot entrust - me, this moment, my welfare to God and His truth and Spirit - and rest in Him, learning to trust that:

i. He has been there, too, before me

ii. He will be there, with me, and strengthen me

iii. He will work everything out for the good, for me

iv. He does have a plan and a purpose and will accomplish it regardless of what the world does around me or to me

d. This going and going through life’s circumstances is what enables to entrust…

Certainly…

Morally and ethically we can see that we have been loved and ought to love in the same way… that we should - as grateful and appreciative recipients of this kind of love, we ought to do the same.

But, it is the realization of that love - which is Jesus’ life in us - that will bring us to be compelled to love this way and to be held (rightly, justly) accountable if we do not - BECAUSE - not only have we been loved this way, we have been made (born again, (re)created) and empowered and equipped and enabled to love this way - we are truly “new creatures in Christ” (John 3:3; - so to not then love is to take all of this for granted and hold in contempt God’s kindness toward us)

And really, here’s where our hope lies, that spiritually, not only have we been loved this way, but we have the life of Christ, by His Spirit, Who is in us to love this way - that it is the Spirit (of the Father and the Son) in us to do the work of their, our, kingdom

Phil 4:13 “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”

2Cor 12:9-10 “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

Jeremiah 29:11-14 “11For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14I will be found by you...”

Judges 7-8 Gideon and God’s power

So what is our hope? How do I grow beyond this? We must be “transformed by the renewing of our mind” (or, mindset, attitude, perception). This transforming by renewing changes the way we see and perceive, interpret and understand our world - this process works to change our view of the world and our circumstances from a “worldly” point of view to a “Spiritual” point of view, or, from our’s to God’s (2Cor 5; 1Cor 2:14). In joining God in this process we begin to grow in (God’s) wisdom and develop the ability to gain insight and discernment and be able to see and approve of God’s will - “...His good, pleasing and perfect will” (Rom 12:2; James 1:2-5; Prov 2)

How can this be? We need to trust that God was being totally real when He said that His word is “alive and active… sharper than a double-edged sword... even dividing soul and spirit…” (Heb 4:12; Isa 49:2), that His word “does not return to Him” without having accomplished what He sent it to do (Isa 55:10-11), that His word “washes” or “cleanses” us or makes us “clean” (Eph 5:26-27; John 3:5; 15:3; 17:17; 1Cor 6:11; Col 3:16). And that He HAS placed in us the Spirit of Truth - who teaches and reminds us of all things Jesus. (John 15:26; 16:13; 1John 3:24; 5:6-8)

Love your enemies… And be like your Father in heaven. But, how do I do this? And why?

1Peter 3:(8-12), 13-18; Luke 6:27-36; Matt 5:38-48; Rom 12:9-21

We spoke of seeing, treating people as Jesus sees and treats me.

Rom 5:1-11 speaks of being loved as an enemy, Luke 6:27-36 loving your enemies, being good to those who mistreat you, praying for those who mistreat you, blessing those who curse you.

Very often we see something like this, and we wonder “how in the world would I do this?” “How do I actually look at the one who hates me, who is my enemy, and wants my destruction; this one who curses me or takes things from me - and we are to love them, pray for them, bless them, give to them without expecting anything in return?”

This seems incredibly daunting and emotionally impossible.

Well, in our flesh that is true (Mark 14:38; Gal 5; Rom 7). Our flesh is weak and someone who is wounded and weak does not have the strength to be gentle, kind, patient, hospitable and generous. It is when we are weak, wounded, and lacking, that we tend to strike out at those who hurt us, those who threaten us, those who hurt us or wound us, those who offend us (even if they did not mean it).

So, we have a couple admonitions that we need to cling to.

1. It is important for us to recognize that Jesus came as a human being

He was as much man as he was God, and in so, had to work just as hard to respond to who or what opposed him or who as we do. But, He set the standard, he showed us that despite our fleshly weakness, the Spirit in us is capable of enabling and empowering us to do things we ourselves could never imagine doing. (John 14:12)

“...it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. 11Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. 12Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.”

2. Next, in that, we have the Holy Spirit.

We underestimate the Holy Spirit’s ability to guide, protect, empower, and enable. Or maybe, more accurately, we underestimate our ability to hear, listen, and follow the Holy Spirit - like we’re the one in all of God’s kingdom that the Holy Spirit can’t use... We must remember that God did not leave us as orphans, but gave us himself – the very power that raised Jesus from the dead is now in us - and this for a purpose. (John 13-14; Eph 1; 2; Gal 5; 6)

3. We tend to focus on the weakness of our flesh, our emotions, and our feelings - and often because we think we are our body, or flesh - but, we are not.

We tend to use human logic and the human definition of “justice” which is actually to (or for us to) avenge, when in God’s economy, for the children of God, our taking vengeance is not “justice”. That is actually a sign of immaturity and weakness. (See Romans 12)

4. So, we misunderstand or misinterpret, or, just don’t believe that when the scripture says “in my weakness I am strong” or “I can do all things through Christ to strengthen to me”

a. We don’t believe

b. We don’t trust

c. So cannot entrust - me, this moment, my welfare to God and His truth and Spirit - and rest in Him, trusting that:

i. He will be there and strengthen me

ii. He will work everything out for the good

iii. He does have a plan and a purpose and will accomplish it regardless of what the world does around me or to me

Phil 4:13 “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”

2Cor 12:9-10 “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

Jeremiah 29:11-14 “11For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14I will be found by you...”