Take A Rest!

On the day after Jesus' death on the cross, while little is recorded from the gospels of the happenings within Jerusalem and with the disciples, there are large ramifications of Christ's resurrection and our rest So, as we anticipate the celebration of Christ's resurrection with believers locally and globally, let's take a rest today and gain from these ramifications. 

 The only gospels which record any activity on the day after Jesus' death on the cross are Matthew (27:62-66) and Luke (23:56). I only plan to write on the Luke passage. For our convenience, here is Luke's account,  Then they returned and prepared spices and perfumes. And on the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment. (Luke 23:56 NASB) 

 Now, on the surface you may think, "yeah, so what?" But let's consider what God has in store for us. In the Bible, there are three ways to understand the word "Sabbath." There is the Sabbath God discusses on the seventh day after He created everything in six days (Genesis 2:2; Exodus 20:8-11; Hebrews 4:4). The second Sabbath in the Bible is found in the Promise Land of Canaan (Deuteronomy 12:9; Joshua 21:43-45; Hebrews 3:11). This was Israel's inheritance from God. For New Testament believers, our inheritance can be found in Christ and all He gives to us (Ephesians 1:3ff; 2 Peter 1:3ff; Col 2:10). Finally, there is a third Sabbath known to all believers as Heaven (Hebrews 4:9; cf Revelation 14:13). 

While the women of Luke 23 were enjoying the first Sabbath (as defined above), God was resting in His finished work through His Son, Jesus Christ. It is this rest/Sabbath (as defined in #2 above) that God is inviting you and me into today. But in order for us to enjoy this rest, we have to do exactly what rest means - cease or stop all activity, abide; and to continue. In Hebrews 3:7-4:13, there are three ways to abide in the rest (Sabbath of enjoying our Spiritual inheritance in Christ's resources).

I will give you rest - Jesus

   

 1. Be watchful for others - Hebrews 3:7-19. The writer reminds us our rest in the inheritance of Christ is an exercise of faith as was our salvation was an exercise of faith in Christ's death for my sin. But for some in this group were allowing their hearts to harden against God. How does that happen? I had a Prof at Bible College who said, "The same sun which melts the wax, hardens the clay. When we reject (disbelieve) what God says and neglect (forget) what God has done for us, this will lead to a hard heart. Apparently, some of these believers had allowed their hearts to grow hard. So the author of Hebrews directs believers to watch out for this in others. He says this not to beat others up or judge them, but to encourage them (3:13). As you are resting today, is there someone who needs some encouragement in the Lord? Call, write, FaceTime, or connect with them in a meaningful way. Hey, why not pray for them - there's a novel concept, right? 

 2. Take care of my own heart - Hebrews 4:1-10. Next, the writer reminds each of us that we, too, are not exempt from a hard heart. So he says, "Therefore, let us fear..." (4:1), which can be understood to mean - beware or take care. So, how do we examine our own heart and how do we prevent heart problems in the future? Hebrews encourages us to keep trusting the Word of God as we are reading it, studying it, and/or having it taught to us. The other encouragement is to reflect and take heart in the past works of God in our lives. The Children of Israel saw God rescue them from the Premier Military Power of their day - Egypt. They saw God provide food and water for them in the midst of a desolate wilderness, and they saw God protect them from warring marauders. Yet, on the verge of inheriting the land God promised them, Israel rejected God's promise (Word) and neglected God's past works. Then, they attempted to return to Egypt (you can read this in Numbers 13, 14). Their heart, made of clay, had hardened. Hebrews tells us, don't let that happen; be on guard and be alert to your own heart. Practically, let's consider we enjoy our rest today by reflecting, remembering, and recording the works of God in our lives this past year or just the first three months of 2013. I would encourage us to do so by keeping a journal. Hebrews also tells us to keep receiving and believing the Word of God. Moses clearly told Joshua that God's Word was his life (Deuteronomy 32:47)... and friend, it is our life, too (John 7:37, 38; 10:10; 14:6). The heart of every problem is a problem with my heart. Keep believing, friend, so we enter His rest of all that Christ has given to us! 

 3. Be ready for God's next move - Hebrews 4:11-13. From the disciples' perspective on that Sabbath, things didn't look good. We find them closed in a room on Sunday when Jesus enters (John 20:19-29). Even after He appeared to them once, Thomas refused to believe until he touched Jesus wound in his hand and side. Paralysis occurs when their is prolonged analysis. I have a friend of mine that says, "change, when left to chance gives birth to conflict." The difference between the disciples on that Sabbath day and 40 days later on Pentecost is very simple: Jesus was raised from the dead!  Jesus is alive and that reality empowered and emboldened the disciples and he gives that same powerful resurrected life today to anyone who believes in him.  Power is just a portion of Jesus' inheritance he wants to give to us.   When the disciples believed Jesus was alive after they saw Him, they were changed men.  

That's the difference for us today!  We have to believe (rest that) this is true! We have Christ in us and all his resources and qualities, e.g., love, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, boldness, etc.  Whatever is true of our Savior is true of us, because He is in us, living His powerful resurrected life through us.  This, we must believe, if we are to enjoy his rest!

While the disciples were down to nothing, God was up to something. That is exactly what God was doing on that Sabbath in Luke's account... and He began to act on Sunday morning, raising Jesus to a victorious resurrection. And when God seems silent and still in your life, He is really up to something. Remember that! 

 So, how can we be assured God is up to something in His silence?  Hebrews tells us we know from God's past actions in our lives and in the lives of others recorded in the Bible - God's Word.    This very Word we read today of Christ's death, burial, and resurrection is the same Word God used to change the lives of those disciples. God has always used His word to change  lives. He has not changed that strategy. So, take His Word, read it, believe it.  It is His word which changes lives (Hebrews 4:12, 13). It is His word that contains life! 

 So, while you are enjoying your "Sabbath:"  Be watchful for others, giving encouragement and support to any heart that may show signs of disbelief. Take care of your own heart, reviewing the great works of God in your life, while reading his promises for you today. Remember to record both His works and His promises.  Finally, Be ready for God's next move... get ready to join Him as He uses His Word to display His life through you, so He changes lives around you!

Skyfall, Technology, and that Old Time Religion

This is the end; Hold your breath and count to ten...

I know, I know... It's about time. I just saw the latest James Bond movie, Skyfall. First, let me just say, I enjoy Adele and her musical style. It's a song with retro theme of Sean Connery and "Dr No." The movie itself has a flavor of retro to it; from Daniel Craig's suits to his Aston Martin, they all bring back the old time memories of James Bond. When it comes to the latest Bond movie, there is a consistent tension between James Bond and modern technology. "Q" is now a young twenty-something. He brags he can destroy computer systems of countries in his pajamas, while Bond brags about how he has to decide between who and who not to kill... Then, he challenges Q that he could never do that in his pajamas. This is only one example of how Bond represents "old school" and Q and the others inside MI6 represent modernism. In the end, Q and Bond both realize there can be a happy marriage between the old spy ways of doing things and the use of modern technology. If you need more information on this, go see the movie...again, if necessary. How does this relate to that "Old Time Religion?" This is too easy and I know many of my contemporaries know where I am going with this one. There is a mindset in many evangelical churches and blogs that the old ways of doing things are passé and must be replaced by more modern and contemporary methods. The old school folks in the church quickly dig in their heels and cross their arms and refuse to consider anything new, quoting, "there's nothing like that old time religion." Maybe there's a lesson the church can learn from Skyfall. That lesson is there is room for a marriage between the foundational principles of the old time religion while implementing today's methods of social media and technology. So, we can say, this is not the end, even if

The skyfalls when it crumbles we will stand tall face it all together.

Triablogue: The Origins Of The December 25 Date For Christmas

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FALL REFLECTIONS

Phoenix Pastors is now on Skype and Face Time. Both mediums allow us to have live conversations with you with one condition: you also need either Skype or Face Time. Let me know, if you would like to connect. Currently, God has me serving individuals with grief. This door has now opened where we are meeting to listen, discuss, and encourage those going through the journey of grief. All of them are experiencing the death of a close friend or relative. It’s been a challenge, but God is both teaching me and helping those in grief. One individual, we’ll call him “Ray.” He really needs your prayers. His wife died not too long ago. He doesn’t have a relationship with the Lord Jesus and isn’t too thirsty for the gospel. Please pray his heart and mind become free from the spiritual fortresses which keep him in bondage. Just a few weeks ago, God opened the door for me to preach the gospel to over 400 people at a Memorial. The man who had died was well known and well – liked by many people. Some of them were in “recovery” groups which this man led. Others were former co-workers, friends, and family. While it is not easy to measure the results of sharing the gospel, it was a thrill to share with so many at one time. Pray for those folks to reflect upon the words of the gospel and turn to Jesus Christ. Pray as well for the family. It seemed clear that they were not believers. This year, we have three in high school. Kelly is occupied, keeping the home operating and juggling schedules as well as car commutes to work, extra activities, and the homes of our children’s friends. You know, we are dealing with the typical teenager things many of you are aware. Finally, Paul is on the verge of co-producing and writing a manual to train “lay-chaplains.” This is exciting and may lead to future opportunities, including educational classes. We’ll keep you posted. Thank you for reading this and please feel free to share it with someone else who may be interested in knowing more about Phoenix Pastors.

Perfect Peace

I enjoy clarity. While I may not always communicate clearly, my attempt is to be simple and clear. That is why I enjoy the Prophet Isaiah. He is straightforward and clear. For example, Isaiah 26:3 says this: “The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, because he trusts in You." The clear point is God wants us to experience not just peace, but perfect peace. The word peace in Hebrew is "Shalom." You know this word. It means to wish blessing to another person, not just to them, but to their family and their work, crops, livestock, etc. In other words, may be you blessed beyond your imagniation. Now here's the kicker. Shalom is not only mentioned once, but twice in this verse. In fact, it is used by Isaiah back to back, "shalom, shalom." There is really no English equivalency in the translation, so the closest thing to it is "perfect peace." Ok, so how does one experience this perfect peace? Great question... Here is the answer. Usually, when trials and circumstances come into our lives, they become a distraction to us. These can distract us from many things, including our devotion and loyalty to our Lord. When we become distracted, our peace exits the back door too. Have you ever connected those two things? So, instead of allowing trials and circumstances to distract us, let's choose to use them to remind us of the faithfulness of God. When we do this, God promises to give us His peace. Actually, He promises to give us "Shalom - Shalom! In other words, God will give to us and allow us to experience His "perfect peace." Here is Paul's Principle: When life turns up the heat, trust God to cool you down with his peace, perfectly.

A Tale of Two Cinemas

Charles Dickens coined it - "It was the best of times; it was the worst of times," and each generation, I believe, experiences it. The experience I am referring is the value of human life. There are two movies opening this weekend which promote different views on the value of life: The Hunger Games and October Baby. The Hunger Games' agenda is simply this: life is expendable and meaningless as seen by the elite rulers'lifestyle and how they use fear to control the masses. In the movie, October Baby, the agenda is about the value of a single life. Instead of people living selfishly for themselves, October Baby shows how the values of unselfishness and love promote a culture that respects and fosters life. In a culture which is devaluing the human life, two cinemas offers the viewer two options: life or death. While I am not condemning anyone who views The Hunger Games, I am advocating a balance, if nothing else. If you are planning to see The Hunger Games, take the time to see October Baby also. You may be surprised just how good you feel about life and realize it's your best of times, so far.

Accessible & Available

This past week I had an opportunity to serve a family in a very special way. The way it went was the family had a death and were in need of a minister. After seeking many ministers' availability, someone told them to contact me.

I was not only available the day and time of their service, but also accessible then on the phone and the option to meet face to face to discuss the service.

This week, the service was held and the family was very pleased with the outcomes as were the friends. It was great to do this for them.

And here is the bottom line: Ministry is about being available and accessible for people in their time of greatest need. While we cannot be everywhere, where ever we are, we are completely there.

I am so grateful to God to be entrusted with this ministry. Check out my website for my services to individuals and families http://phoenixpastors.webs.com.

As always, have a blessed life..