Hallowed by thy Name

Hallowed by thy Name

Revered as holy, respected, honored. It starts there. Without this foundation, all else is but a dead religion of laws and rules and works. Truth starts with the hallowed name of God, reverence for greatness and power that we can not even fathom.

Hallowed begins at the revelation of that greatness, the overwhelming glorious righteousness, the unending power to speak universes into existence. There is none like this but God.

Our prayers, our walk, our lives must be rooted in the foundation of due respect for God's holiness and sovereignty. It must be real, the guiding force of our every act. The "fear of God" which gives birth to wisdom comes from this realization of unfathomable power.

What if the "lords prayer" stopped there? What if it was true and all the world walked in reverence to the hallowed holy name of God? There would be no more crime, no more abuse, no more cheating, no more suffering, no more evil at all, because men would remain in awe of the god of creation. All prayers would be answered in this one truth...

Hallowed be thy name.

Not me, not you, not your favorite personality, not your favorite author or group, but God and God alone. He is so far above all else, all else is but "filthy rags" by comparison. We put God alone as worthy of praise, no one else.

Any man, any, that draws attention to himself, in any way, violates this. Any man that claims ability of himself is deceived. Any man who claims success of himself, deceives others. Truth is in our humility because all good things come from above, not from within. Are we to steal God's glory? Are we to claim ourselves worthy of praise? Heaven forbid! Only God's name is to be revered. Only His name is to be praised. He is not one of many, He is all.

Jesus said to start prayer with this, hallowed be they name, because this is the beginning of all. Go to the Father and give Him proper respect, ask Him to reveal His holiness to you. Ask Him to let you see His glory! Moses did... And God allowed it. He, your loving Father, wants to reveal Himself to you too. Just ask.

It all starts with respect, with honor, with revelation of who God really is. Let our prayer be to truly honor our Father with the sovereign respect He deserves. Once we experience that in a deep and personal way, everything else falls into place.

God is not religion,

God is not religion, He is not a set of rules and laws, He is not an invisible "force", He is not a faceless "power" to be manipulated, He is not a teaching to learn.

God is love, God is a father, God is the Father.

He is an individual personality that created you, me, and all we know. He is a loving creator watching longingly over a rebellious and hurting creation. He knows both the big picture of His creation and you, your individual life and problems.

We don't force him to act by praying right, by pleading with him, by following some rules, by appeasing him. That sort of non-sense is the stuff of religion. The silly notion that we could do something to influence God through our actions goes back to the garden where a snake says "you will be like god!". We don't manipulate God! He is not some formula or process or power to be used. He is our dad.

As a dad, He loves us. He knows you and all your problems, and He loves you fully just as you are. You don't have to earn a fathers love, it is given simply because of the relationship. You, the child, did not create that relationship... He did! He chose to make you, and love you as you are.

Some have not had such an earthly father as an example. Some have had a father who does not love and care freely, some that do not love and care at all. But listen, you do have a perfect father. Even if you earthly father did not exemplify that love, you Do have a father who longs to wrap His arms around you and hold you tight and safe, to provide all that you need, to be your dad.

You father in heaven knows your every need right now. Prayer does not inform him of anything new. He already knows. You will never surprise Him nor persuade Him. He already knows. He has a plan. He waits for you to step into His plan.

Being fully known and still loved. That is heaven.

A wise man once walked down the isle of a typical church, tears streaming down.

A wise man once walked down the isle of a typical church, tears streaming down. He was distraught over seeing pew after pew with little plaques proudly displaying "donated by Mr and Mrs Jones". Name after name. Why distraught? Because he realized that those name may well have their only reward in that plaque! They traded a earthly reward in place of a heavenly reward.

Jesus warns us of such. Seeking fame, recognition, reward of any kind for our good deeds, becomes the end of that reward.when a name is praised on Earth, it may be unknown in heaven. How sad!

This isn't to say that we should limit our good deeds, but it says we need to look deep in our in hearts. Ask ourself, ask God "why" we do those deeds. The "why" is always more important than the"what". If the answer of why involves thanks, recognition, fame, reward of any sort, we missed it. 

Our motivation for good works must by compassion, desire to help, love for others. Our motivation should be always to please God, not man. We do what we do because we want, desire, crave the blessings of our father being pleased. 

Store up rewards in heaven, by being silent in our deeds. Don't draw attention to yourself. Resist seeing your name in lights, on a plaque. How much better to let Jesus get the glory! He alone deserves it.

How simple! Here is the answer!

How simple! Here is the answer! 

Jesus waited. He went up the mountain and sat down waiting. Those that came, we're blessed with the words if life, the answer to their hearts desire.all they had to do, was seek Him. That's it! Jesus honored their desire to find truth. They did not have to do anything, prove anything, become anything... All that he required was to seek Him.

Yet, simplicity is not ease! Jesus was on the mountain! Seeking him meant going to Him, up, away from this world and it's distractions. They had to go to where Jesus was... A mountain.

Today nothing has changed. We, you and I, have the same opportunity! We can sit at the Master's feet and absorb the words of Truth and life. He is waiting for all who seek him, he waits for you. Leave the distractions of your life, your day, your needs, and seek the mountain where Jesus waits. 

Jesus gives freely, to all who seek him, who follow him to the mountain. The world can offer nothing in comparison! All that is good, all that fills and soothe our heart is on that mountain where Jesus waits. 

Go, now, to sit at his feet. 

He waits for you.

Words... The stuff of wisdom and life.

Words... The stuff of wisdom and life. All that is was brought about by words, and words are the tool to restore what we lost. 

Not thoughts, but words. We can't think ourselves healthy, we can't fill that deep void inside with unspoken concepts. Only words carry the significance and power to touch souls.

Jesus preached, here in Matthew we have a near complete example of HOW he spoke. As one with understanding, authority. His words opened the door to deep concepts long forgotten. His words cut deep though the muck and mire of our existence to expose our own hidden darkness, to promise true light and peace to our weary hearts. His words were and are still life. 

Yet his words were death, to him. The very light he brought to a hurting world so angered the leaders of the day, they plotted to silence him through death. They could no longer be the ones in charge, because their own words were dark, empty, useless when compared to the light and life Jesus spoke. His words must be silenced so that these dark souls could remain in their darkness where they controlled the masses.

And silenced him they did. Within a few years they succeed in Jesus death, his silence. Or so they thought. But darkness can not snuff out a light! Jesus turned their moment of dark success into an eternity of light! His words persist, changing lives, filling souls, rescuing the dieing, comforting the hurting. His words bring life, power, peace.

Know that words have power, words can bring light or dark. Words can heal or hurt. Words can create or destroy. We must speak, but must speak life. 

Sometimes our words are the only Jesus heard by those around us.

Speak life.

Ever feel like you are walking in the dark?

Ever feel like you are walking in the dark? Unsure where to turn? What is the way? What to do? Feel lost?

What a glorious promise this is! 

God cleary says here that He will guide YOU in your everyday life! Wow! The Creator of the universe whispering in your ear the path to success! What more could we ever ask for? Where else would we turn? Who knows better than God?

And better yet... That day is today! Jesus said that when the Holy Spirit is given to the believers, He would guide them in all righteousness. He is the gift spoken of here's in Isiah. And that happened 2000 years ago at Pentecost! 

No longer do we need to stumble around in our own blindness. No longer do we need to rely on "experts" to guide us. We have the wisdom of the Creator within us! He whispers the way all day, every day. All we must to is learn to listen more. The teacher is here, and he is available to each believer today. 

Wish the scriptures would come alive with meaning and pertinence? Wish the questions in your life were answered? Wish you could walk in confidence in your life? It's all possible, right now. 

Ask the Holy Spirit in, submit to His quiet guidance. Trust and obey. Lean on Him as our teacher, our comforter. 

Yes, this is real. God is real. God's voice in your life can be real. We are not meant to be alone, just ask Him in!

Gentle, meek.

Gentle, meek. These terms tend to conjure up thoughts of weakness, quiet, submission. 

That, is unfortunate! 

Think for a sec. If you were hurt, and alone with someone, and they had to pick you up and carry you to safety, would you want someone who is gentle? Of course! But to pick you up gently, they must be STRONG! Only a strong man can gently pick up an injured person without causing more pain.

Gentleness requires great strength under careful control. 

"Meek" is much the same. Meek is the thought of gentle strength with a humble attitude. Not flaunting the strength, using it wisely in only the proportion required. 

Jesus was the strongest man ever to walk this earth. Strong in spirit, soul, and body. He "could" do anything! Yet He chose to use his tremendous strength only when necessary, only to the extent necessary, and only to accomplish the will of the Father.

So why do we praise the strong boisterous man today? Why do we feel secure in the proud man? Politicians, athletes, celebrities, doctors, law enforcement, so often we tend to praise those who flaunt their power, even their pride! How is that of God? How can we personally seek to be gentle yet praise the boisterous?

Jesus is speaking of quiet strength here. This is a rare virtue in our world of strongmen, of pride, of flesh. It is the quiet that brings success to the strength. A loud boisterous strength is not of God, not something we should celebrate.

It is the quietly humble yet strong that God sends to inherit the earth. Samson was strong without humility, Jesus was strong with humility. 

Be strong in the Lord, strong enough to move mountains, to cast out demons, to calm storms, but walk in self-control as Jesus did and gently carry the hurting to peace.

When the storm comes...

When the storm comes...

So often we do everything in our power to avoid the storm. Then we turn to God and pray, plead, even beg Him to remove the storm. Storms are scary and often painful. Our cry is "no storms!" We seek a calm sunny day to sit outside and enjoy.

But! There is one little word in this scripture we can't ignore... "WHEN" the storm comes.

Storms are inevitable in life. They cannot be avoided. We waste our energy and time when we work so hard to avoid the storm. It says "when", not "if". The storm IS coming, again and again. The goal then, the deep truth that Jesus speaks of here is not avoidance, but preparation. Be ready!

But it goes even one layer deeper. Look at this story. The stormy weather, the flood, is actually a tool of God for good! The storm tests the building, exposing its internal architecture. The storm reveals the hidden truth of the foundation. The visible portion of a house can be beautiful, perfect, elaborate... But the whole thing can be a death trap. This is revealed by the storms that come.

Are we calm in the storm? Do we stand steadfast in Jesus promises, with a faithful and willing heart? Are we at peace as the wind and rain rages against our dreams and hopes? Are we still as all that is not of God washes away outside? 

Embrace the storm! It is for good, not evil. When you are safely in the hands of Jesus, what can come of a storm but purification? Glory? This is how God shows Himself to those around us... through storms. our strength, peace, thankfulness in a life storm is perhaps the greatest witnessing tool possible to a lost, fearful world. 

Instead of praying away a storm, embrace it! Know our prayer for God to use us is being answered! Pray for peace, calm, strength. Pray that all of the world washes away from our own heart. Pray that others see Jesus in our words and deeds of the storm. Can we pray for MORE storm?!? 

Storms, floods, these are not bad, but good. So long as we are safe in a house built on Jesus and Him alone. What is there to fear? Rejoice in the storm! It is the answer to your prayer.

Who will answer the call?

Who will answer the call? 

All night... No sleep... Spending time alone in the presence of the Father. This is where ministry begins. Prayer.

Jesus spent much time alone in prayer, much time. Not just here or there, not just the weekly prayer meeting at the church, not just at every meal or event. No Jesus lived a life of prayer, often all night alone in prayer. This is where purity of thought and purpose is born, this is where hearts are transformed, this is where power is endowed. Prayer, alone, for hours.

Who will answer the call of the Father today to enter into this life of prayer? Who will stay on their knees all night seeking God's way? Who will take time to wait in the Lord? It's so much easier to attend seminars, class, read books, listen to videos, and get a good night's sleep. But God looks for the ones willing to seek Him and Him alone, those who do not rely on man's ways, those who know that God's power and presence is always the only answer. He seeks those willing to spend all night in prayer.

Are you troubled? Do you need a touch from God in your life? In your ministry? In your family? The answer is found in prayer... earnest , heartfelt, honest, continual prayer. 

Who will answer God's call? Who will climb the mountain and spend the night seeking God? Not for an hour, not for an evening, but until there is an answer from heaven.

Anger -- Jesus was angry!

Anger -- Jesus was angry!

We often limit our view of the Savior as that of a meek and humble man, always quiet, always loving and kind. Yet here in the Gospel of Mark we see Jesus speaking "in anger". 

Anger itself is not a sin. Anger is a natural reaction, a God given emotion. If Jesus felt anger, then it can not be wrong to feel angry at times. Yet the scriptures also say "Be angry but sin not". That is the key

Here Jesus was angry, grieved deeply at the church leaders hard hearts. These leaders were concentrating on their own position, their own interpretation of laws and rules, their ability to walk in power and heightened view of the people. They were more concerned about the "rules" than the suffering of the people. That grieved Jesus greatly. Being close to the Father, Jesus knew full well that the Father had granted these priests a position of authority, to shepherd the His flock. Yet instead they took those awesome blessings and used it for their own gain. They cared more for themselves than those they were empowered to lead.

Yes, he was grieved and angered! So what did he do? Did he lash out at them? condemn them? attack them? call names? block them off his social media? NO! Jesus in infinite wisdom and self control, quietly IGNORED them. He didn't play to their little games of intimidation, He didn't launch endless debates, He didn't even address them directly. He simply did what was right to do, in full view of them and the crowd. 

You could call this an act of willful disobedience. These priests were technically in charge of the church. The "made" the rules and interpreted them for the people. Yet their corruption required Jesus to stand against them in truth. Yet he did so quietly and respectfully. 

We get angry about things. It is normal. The question is simply "what do we do with that anger?" Jesus did good with respect to those He was angry towards. He put truth and righteousness above the anger. This is the lesson we so desperately need to follow. "Be angry but sin not"... always turn every situation over to God, let the Holy Spirit guide us in truth and righteousness. 

Next time anger well up inside you.. ask the question, "Lord, what am I to do about this situation?" and then do not act until you hear an answer. Wait on the Lord, and He will guide you.

Are you troubled, depressed, anxious, tired, worried, attacked, suffering?

Are you troubled, depressed, anxious, tired, worried, attacked, suffering? 

Get to the mountain!

The mountain is where Jesus spent a lot of time. Alone with the Father. Quiet solitude away from the distractions that cry out. Away from the needs of the world, distanced from the wisdom of man.

You see, the mountain is where Jesus gained strength and wisdom. Not school, not friends, not self help, not books, not even church! The mountain! Power and peace comes from quiet solitude with the Father. What a revelation!

There is no place, no exercise, no source as powerful and healing as being in the presence of God alone. He is real, and waiting for you to seek him. Head to your mountain and find what your soul thirst for, cries for. Time alone with your creator.

Hard day? Mountain time!
Troubles? Mountain time!
Needs? Yes, mountain!

Put down all those videos, take leave of your friends, close the books and get alone with God. Cry out to Him. He and He alone is the answer to every question, the solution to every need.

The Christian life is work in the valley, rest on the mountain.

Compassion...

Compassion...

Like the woman caught in adultery and brought to Jesus.
Like the man at the pool waiting a lifetime for a touch.
Like the possessed and uncontrollable child.
Like the church leader seeking Jesus under the cover of darkness.
Like the tax collectors, evil politicians that sold out for money.

Jesus had compassion on those undeserving of compassion. He saw their hearts crying out in pain under the weight of their own sin. He saw the person inside, not the sinful dirt on the surface. And he had compassion. He did not "judge" them, he freed them, healed them, and warned them to not sin again.

Do we walk in compassion? Do we feel deeply sad for those living in sin? Do we hurt for those who attack us!? Or... Do we delight in justice, the punishment they deserve? Do we feel peace when another suffers justly for their own sins?

The people Jesus had compassion on, were sinners, evildoers, harming others and living a life unworthy of blessing. They didn't deserve compassion, they deserved death! Punishment! Yet, Jesus showed compassion. And so must we.

Does that mean justice is ignored? No! Those in a position of authority, tasked with carrying out justice, must. But, for everyone else, we are called to compassion. We are called to hurt for the victim and the criminal. Why?

But for the grace of God, there go I.

If we feel "better", " holier", "cleaner" then the criminal, we are deceived! Grace is a gift! Clean is an act of God, not us. We did not save ourself! What right do we have to feel more righteous than a sinner? None! We are all sinners, deserving of death for our actions, except for the grace of God.

Compassion for the criminal is an admission of humility. A recognition of our own nature. Lack of compassion is pride, self-holiness, self-righteousness. Compassion for others is recognizing the free gift of God given to us.

Compassion, what we freely received, that shall we give.

Have you ever wondered, "what can I do with my life today?".

Have you ever wondered, "what can I do with my life today?". Jesus did! And here us the answer that Jesus lived by. 

What God the Father is doing, what is in His heart, that is our call. That is what should occupy our day. That is our life mission.

Jesus walked moment by moment in compassion. Most of the stories left for us center on two things... Preaching life to crowds of any size, whoever would listen and touching the hurting. These really are the same thing! Some need a word, sone need a touch, many need both. But whatever the need, it is an individual that is needing. One is the magic number!

It feels great to "preach to 5000", to draw crowds and big numbers of responses. That sort of thing feeds our own ego well and brings the limelight near to justify our hard work in our own mind. But nothing is greater than meeting the need of the one! God cares about the individual! You, and me. Jesus likewise didn't preach to "A" crowd of 5000, He preached to 5000 individuals! He saw every eye, every heart, every need.

Doing the Father's work, is about the one He puts in our path today. The one who needs a word or a touch. If God cares, so should we. If God would take time to shed light on the one right beside us, we should be the bulb. 

You see, doing God's will and work is not about great ministries and numbers, not about best selling books, large ministries, big followings... No. Doing God's work is about the individual, whether one or a thousand, it is about individual need. God's heart is toward the one. Depth ! Touching the one where they need to be touched. Caring, taking time to meet the need of one.

God the Father directs our steps to bring the one in our path each day. It could be one alone or thousands of ones, but it is always individuals He wants to touch. Jesus touched and spoke to that one that the Father brought his way.

What will you do today? Try this: Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you the hurt and need of each one that crosses your path today. Ask Him to empower you to meet that need. Ask Him for compassion, for wisdom, for power, for love to meet that need fully and deeply. 

You are the light of heaven for all those around you to see today. You are the hands and voice of a Holy God. Concentrate your work on the one you encounter today. That is God's work.

Do you wish to get well?

Do you wish to get well?

Why would Jesus ask such a thing of an obviously sick man? For the same reason He asks you, now. Do you wish to get well?

God honors our free will. He does not force anything on us. He asks, "do you wish"? It's not a question of "what do you want?", it's a question of, "are you willing?". We must speak it! 

Our entire universe was spoken into existence. "Let there be light" was a spoken word, and likewise all that followed. The spoken word has authority and power, when we speak, when we answer.

Do you wish to get well? Are you willing to give up that pleasurable habit? That sin? That serving of flesh and self? That junk food? That focus on money? Whatever it is that has enslaved us into sickness through sin, are you ready to give it up? To pick up your pallet and start life anew? What's our desire, the fun and pleasure of sin or health? 

Do you want to get well? How often our own answer is no. We would rather cling to the sin! We want the consequences of sin to leave yes, but we would prefer to keep the pleasure of sin. 

But you cannot be "well" living in sin. Do you wish to be well? First be willing to leave sin and all it's fun behind. Then answer the question, "do you wish to be well?" and walk away. Speak, then act. Seek holiness and purity. Seek to avoid even the appearance of evil.

Do you want to be well?

Did Jesus walk past dozens of other suffering people ?

Did Jesus walk past dozens of other suffering people ? 

Most likely, yes.

It says here that the man had been sick for decades, and couldn't "heal himself" because others would beat him to the water. Others were there, waiting. Yet, Jesus went to one. Why?

This man was desperate. He could not help himself. Without Jesus, this man would have died sick and waiting. It is not Jesus being cruel here by healing one, it is man being evil by ignoring the one!

When we walk past, or drive past those who can not help themself, are we following Jesus, or man? We don't know here what Jesus said or did to the others present, but we do know that He helped the one who others ignored.

We are called to do the same... To help those least capable, the most hurting, the rejects of society! We aren't called to the rich and powerful but the sick and hurting, those no one else wants. The messy lives that others look down on. Those are the ones Jesus concentrated on, as should we!

Sin... Breaking of God's laws.

Sin... Breaking of God's laws. 

But WHY is there law? What is the purpose of all these rules?

Love. God gave law out of love for us. He is not some tyrannical dictator trying to control us, He is the creator explaining how to avoid consequences. 

Ever read an instruction book? We get some new "thing" and along with it cones a book. That book explains what the "thing" does, and how to use it. There are also inevitably a set of "do and don't" in that book. Is the creator of the "thing" trying to control you? Of course not. He is just sharing with you the details of the "thing" he created, so you can best enjoy using it. He wants to help you avoild ant consequences of misuse.

And so it is with The Creator of our world. He designed this world, this existence. He surely knows best how it works! "The law" then, can be perceived as our own instruction book of "how to live well". It is not a list of rules to control us! It is a list of understandings about life! We have the instructions to... Us!

Want to be happy? Follow the instructions!
Want to stay healthy? Follow the instructions!
Want to truly prosper? Follow the instructions!
Want to avoid problems? Yes... Follow the instructions!

The law was given out of love. God gave us insight into us, how to live, how to avoid pain. We wouldn't put water in the crankcase of our engine, and oil in the radiator, then complain when the car suffers. Why do we complain about natural consequences when we ignore our own creators instructions? Why would we value care for our car above care for our life?

"Do not sin" is not the cry of a controlling dictator over us, it is the gentle encouragement of a loving creator showing us how He designed things to work! "Do not sin" is His desire for us to live and live well. It is the insight into the blueprint of our universe and lives.

"Do not sin" is love, because sin is death and suffering. Not because God punishes us for sin, but because sin causes punishment of itself. Sin IS death. How would we avoid it without knowing what it is? The law shows us clearly.

Do not sin, because sin means bad is coming our way. Instead choose life abundant, by avoiding sin!

Have you ever felt watched?

Have you ever felt watched? Others scrutinizing your every action trying to catch something to criticize? Looking for a way to knock you down?

Here Jesus and the disciples were just quietly traveling along. They grew hungry and picked a few heads of grain to eat. The pharasees were watching! They did not watch to learn, they watched only to find fault! Their goal to catch any little mistake to discredit Jesus in the eyes of the people. They sought to tear Jesus down so that they could bring attention back to themselves.

We can face those same people. Today they might be called trolls... Sneaking around watchfully, looking for any opportunity to discredit us. Picking at every word, every action.

Jesus didn't "block them" as we tend to do on social media. He also didn't argue with them. He simply stated the truth and then moved on. Truth stands in its own, whether they listen or not. Truth does not need approval! It just is regardless of our opinions or feelings.

Jesus answered the trolls of His day with scripture, with truth. He didn't push them away, he tried to reach them. All who would listen are welcome. He didn't pick and choose who to talk to. He is truth spoken openly.

We too can walk in His truth. The Holy Spirit was given for this purpose. The same Spirit that filled Jesus with wisdom is here for us, to empower each of us to walk in that same truth. Don't be afraid of the trolls in our life, just speak truth and move on. Leave the results to God. Leave the doors open.

If they attacked Jesus, know that they will attack us. It is ok... As long as we rely on His wisdom, not our own.

Would you like to sit down with Jesus for dinner?

Would you like to sit down with Jesus for dinner? Think about that. Dining with the creator of the universe, the master of all, the king above all Kings.

Matthew did. Matthew and his friends did. They received a private audience with the King. What an honor!

And what great dead did they do to earn this great honor? What mighty feat was accomplished here? What warranted this reward? Only this... "They were following Him". That's it!

Religion is full of rules, ceremonies, rituals, demands... Things designed to make us worthy of God's presence. Paths laid out to take us to Him, to earn our way to heaven. Religion is man making himself worthy to be with God.

But it is all a lie!

We can not make ourselves worthy. It is impossible. We can not wash away our own sin. No ceremony will suffice. No words or actions will do. None. We will always fail at fixing ourself.

What to do then? Simple. The gospel is following Him. Just as we are! It is Jesus' job to fix us, all we must do is be there, invite Him in. He brings the light. He washes away the stains of our past. It is all Him! 

Matthew, his friends, were just plain sinners. They did not become holy to deserve Jesus presence for dinner. They became holy because they invited Him to dinner first! You don't need to do anything, don't need to fix anything, don't even need to "tidy up" first .. just invite Jesus in! Just as you are. Now, here. Open the door and ask him into your life, your problems, your mess. 

He is waiting not for those who are clean, He is waiting for those willing to follow, willing to invite Him in now as is. It is really that simple!

We can dine with Jesus. He will sit and talk, touch, help, and bring that peace we seek. Open that door, invite Him in now.

Would you climb that mountain?

Would you climb that mountain?

Jesus called for action. He did not heal so that the lame man could stay on his bed. Jesus called him to life! To action! To DO! He heals to restore the ability to live!

But it requires action. What if the man said no? What if he, knowing his reality of being lame, said no to Jesus. "I can't get up, I am lame". Would he have been healed? How would he ever know? You can't know you can walk till you try! How sad to be touched by God but refuse to act on it and miss the blessing!

To be healed, delivered, rescued, touched, we must get up! We must go on with life. That is overcoming! Not by our own strength, no... But by our resolve of faith. We "get up" by doing what we can and trusting that God will bring the results.

Need a job? Sure pray... Ask for help from above, but then "get up" and go look for one! Even if turned down a thousand times, ask God for help, then go look again. "Take up your pallet and go"! Need healing? Need a friend? Need deliverance? Need anything? Pray, seek God, but then "go"! 

God honors our actions when we seek Him first, and then "go". Don't forge ahead without hearing from heaven, but also don't neglect to forge ahead when you do hear! The Christian life is prayer followed by action! 

"Take up your pallet and go" is our call, after we hear from heaven. Hear first, then go, do, act, trust. If He tells you to climb a mountain, know that you now can. Start climbing!

Ever been desperate?

Ever been desperate? So desperate that you are willing to do anything to find an answer?

These guys were desperate! Look what they did! Think of this in modern terms. They so knew that Jesus was their only hope, that they just had to get to Him. With no way in, they dismantled the building itself. Imagine climbing on top of a home and cutting a hole in the roof to gain access to the inside, and Jesus. Wow!

Many of us are desperate today, but how often are we desperate for Jesus? How often do WE see Jesus as the answer to our need? 

It is common to be desperate for money, for medical help, for food, for a job, for a friend, for acceptance. We all have needs. We all suffer from moments that our own abilities seem unable to overcome, forcing us to look elsewhere. But where do we look? Our perception of the source of relief is our true center of faith. It is the moment of desperation that exposes our own heart, our true beliefs, our faith.

In the beginning, God cursed the ground. That was not a punishment as much as a blessing. He cursed the ground after the fall to help us by making life challenging, by exposing our own heart to us. Where do we turn when it really matters? When there is no hope? When all seems lost? Well, unless all DOES seem lost, we would never know!

Examine your heart! Ask God to reveal it to you. See where your trust is when things get tough. Our desperation must be to touch Jesus, to get to Him, to hear from Heaven! That is relief, that is solution, that is peace. If heaven seems far away, ask WHY? Ask where is God! Remove the roof, the walls, whatever is separating you from Jesus. 

When we know that Jesus is the answer, the only answer, then we become desperate for Him. We find that path and according to scripture, will not be disappointed. Jesus will not turn us away! He is there waiting for the desperate. Waiting to touch that need, and forgive that sin. 

Jesus is the answer, to every question. Be desperate for Him!