Jesus Wrong?

“Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power.” — Jesus (Mark 9:1)

Some point to this verse to say Jesus expected his return to be in the lifetime of his followers. The reasoning goes, then, that since he was wrong about that, maybe he was wrong about other things, too.

What’s wrong is thinking he is talking about his second coming by taking his statements out of context with the events that followed.

About his second coming Jesus actually told his disciples

“The days will come, when ye shall desire to see one of the days of the Son of man, and ye shall not see it.” (Luke 17:22)

So who saw the Kingdom of God come with power? That is answer in the very next verse where Jesus took Peter, James, and John for prayer and his appearance changed. Jesus was seen before them in all his glory and it really gave them such a shock they didn’t know what to say!

That coming of the Kingdom of God with power was seen on the day of Pentecost where the Holy Spirit filled the disciples hearts and they were awestruck!

That coming of the Kingdom of God with power is seen today when a man or woman, young or old, decides to let Jesus be the boss — holding nothing back.

“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name” (John 1:12)

“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me…” (Acts 1:8)

“He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive:” (John 7:38)

I don’t think Jesus was wrong, he knew exactly what he was talking about.

– fritz

Ancient Object Lessons — Ark’s Composition

Ancient religious relics so long ago — why do we need to know how they were made, where they were placed, how they were used? Because they weren’t just for an ancient people but for today. They were recorded, Paul says,

“…for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come (1st Corinthian 10:11)

The Old Testament Tabernacle, relates to the body of a believer in Christ.¹ The Ark of the Covenant, the believer’s heart — not the blood pump but the core of being!

Notice the Ark’s composition — Wood overlayed with pure gold.²
Wood speaks of humanity, gold speaks of deity.

When we give ourselves to Christ he come into our very being and covers us with himself. We are said to have “put on Christ”.³ Our frail humanity is overlayed with Christ.

Over our renewed self God places his angels to cover us with wings of protection.⁴ It is there, at the core of our being covered by Christ, God himself speaks⁵.

How do we know these things? When Christ died the temple veil preventing access to the Holy-of-Hollies was torn open — God did it (from above, top to bottom)⁶ He invites us to enter and fellowship with him, to see what he has done.

The invitation stands

[N]either knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him. Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. — Matthew 11:27b-28

– fritz

1 – See Ancient Object Lessons – Part One (February 11, 2012)
2 – Exodus 25:10-11
3 – Galatians 3:27
4 – Exodus 25:18-20, Psalm 91:4
5 – Exodus 25:22, Romans 8:16
6 – Matthew 27:51

Leo Tolstoy’s (1828-1910) Confession…

The Russian author, Leo Tolstoy, describes his life’s journey this way…

What happened to me was something like this: I was put into a boat (I do not remember when) and pushed off from an unknown shore, shown the direction of the opposite shore, had oars put into my unpractised hands, and was left alone. I rowed as best I could and moved forward; but the further I advanced towards the middle of the stream the more rapid grew the current bearing me away from my goal and the more frequently did I encounter others, like myself, borne away by the stream.

There were a few rowers who continued to row, there were others who had abandoned their oars; there were large boats and immense vessels full of people. Some struggled against the current, others yielded to it. And the further I went the more, seeing the progress down the current of all those who were adrift, I forgot the direction given me.

In the very centre of the stream, amid the crowd of boats and vessels which were being borne down stream, I quite lost my direction and abandoned my oars. Around me on all sides, with mirth and rejoicing, people with sails and oars were borne down the stream, assuring me and each other that no other direction was possible. And I believed them and floated with them.

And I was carried far; so far that I heard the roar of the rapids in which I must be shattered, and I saw boats shattered in them. And I recollected myself. I was long unable to understand what had happened to me. I saw before me nothing but destruction, towards which I was rushing and which I feared. I saw no safety anywhere and did not know what to do; but, looking back, I perceived innumerable boats which unceasingly and strenuously pushed across the stream, and I remembered about the shore, the oars, and the direction, and began to pull back upwards against the stream and towards the shore.

That shore was God; that direction was tradition; the oars were the freedom given me to pull for the shore and unite with God. And so the force of life was renewed in me and I again began to live.”

Tolstoy, Leo (2008-04-24). A Confession (mobi) (Kindle Locations 767-768). MobileReference. Kindle Edition.

Maybe God Allows Personal Anguish Because…

“Someone was telling me this week that nobody can make a violin speak the last depths of human longing until that soul has been made tender by some great anguish. I do not say it is the only way to the heart of God, but I must witness that it has opened an inner shrine for me which I never entered before.”

– March 15, 1930
Frank Charles Laubach (September 2, 1884 – June 11, 1970) Evangelical Christian missionary to the Philippines, founder of the “Each One Teach One” literacy program used to teach about 60 million people to read in their own language, and the only American missionary honored by a US Postage Stamp.

Letters by a Modern Mystic (p. 18). Purposeful Design Publications. Kindle Edition.

Ancient Object Lessons — The Tabernacle

I recently caught a glimpse of the symbolical meaning of the famous Ark of the Covenant which God commanded Moses to build. It was Israel’s greatest treasure, the place where they knew God resided.

It wasn’t intended as just a religious shrine but an object lesson of God’s presence in the life of those in Christ.

The Bible says the tabernacle, altar, and priesthood were all really

“only a hint of what goes on in the true sanctuary of heaven, which Moses caught a glimpse of as he was about to set up the tent-shrine. It was then that God said, “Be careful to do it exactly as you saw it on the Mountain.” – Hebrews 8:5b (Message Bible)

Moses saw the real sanctuary in heaven and the way God designed every human being — both are the true sanctuary. When a person gives his/her life to Christ, his/her body becomes the temple of God on earth:

“You realize, don’t you, that you are the temple of God, and God himself is present in you?” – 1st Corinthians 3:16

While the meanings of all these are not spelled out, we can learn from them.

So what are some of these object lessons? The tabernacle, itself, for one.

Comprised of three parts (Outer Court where anyone could visit; Inner Court for only the priests, and the Holy-Of-Hollies separated by a vail and only available once a year for the high priest alone) the Tabernacle is comparable to how God made every person; Body, Soul, and Spirit — the body where we interact with everyone; our inner soul where our mind, will, and emotions work; the human spirit where the subconscious rules (that mysterious inner place even we don’t fully understand).

It was in that inner sanctum, the Holy-of-Hollies, where the ark of the covenant was housed. That’s where God’s Spirit goes when a man or woman asks Jesus to come into their “heart” and be their savior.

“He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive” — John 7:38-39a

– fritz

Ask Mike Bickle: How can I have an effective prayer life?

Mike Bickle

Take less than eight (8) minutes and watch/hear a good explanation by Mike Bickle, director of International House of Prayer, on how to develop an effective prayer life.

click here

Wild Honey

“John (the Baptist) wore a garment of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey” — Matthew 3:4.

A former beekeeper, myself, I know bees don’t take kindly to being robbed. We wore special clothing and took special precautions to avoid being stung — but John ate wild honey. He would just reach in and get some! Why?

Evidently he valued the taste of honey more than the sting.

Now let’s focus on a passage from Saint Paul:

We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.” — 2nd Corinthians 4:7-10

For the Apostle, following Christ sometimes stung — troubled, perplexed, persecuted, cast down. Yet he kept at it! Why?

Evidently he valued the taste of Christ more than the sting.

There is sweetness in Christ found nowhere else that, once tasted, causes some to value it more than anything else. That’s what we have — Wild Honey, and it’s great!!

– fritz

God’s Other Plans.

[Samson's] father and mother objected. “Isn’t there even one woman in our tribe or among all the Israelites you could marry?” they asked. “Why must you go to the pagan Philistines to find a wife?” But Samson told his father, “Get her for me! She looks good to me.” His father and mother didn’t realize the LORD was at work in this… — Judges 14:3-4

Every parent wants the best for their child — to make right choices, avoid heartache, and have a good life.

Sometimes it just doesn’t happen regardless how much parental love, encouragement, cajoling, even prayer is applied. Sometimes God has something else planned the parents can’t imagine.

Our children are just on loan to us and only for such a short time. We love them, try to help them the best we can, then we pass them on to God and his purposes trusting He knows best and is at work.

– fritz

How to know when God calls?

How do you know, our pastor asked, when God is calling you to be his or to a particular service or ministry?

One little boy describes it this way, he said, “It’s like fishing. You can’t see the fish or hear it, but you feel it tugging on your line.”

God’s call is like that, when he’s calling you may not see or hear anything new or different, but you feel Him tugging on your heart.

– fritz
Related Post: “What’s My Calling” – June 27, 2010
Related Post: “Itchy” – January 11, 2012

Learning Something Everywhere

“The tax men came to Peter and asked, “Does your teacher pay taxes?” Peter said, “Of course.”

But as soon as they were in the house, Jesus confronted him. “Simon, what do you think? When a king levies taxes, who pays—his children or his subjects?” He answered, “His subjects.” Jesus said, “Then the children get off free, right?

Jesus finds a Kingdom lesson everywhere, even paying taxes. He pointed out to Peter (and to us) that kings don’t charge their children taxes — their children live there for free.

Same with God, he lets his children enter his Kingdom free, too.

Receiving Jesus as Lord and Savior makes one a child of God.

So then, you are no longer a slave but a child. And since you are his child, God will give you all that he has for his children. – Galatians 4:7 (Good News Bible)

If you are Christ’s come to God as his child not his servant; it will change your prayer life!

– fritz

But, Can He Do It Again?

Whence should we have so much bread in the wilderness, as to fill so great a multitude? And Jesus saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven, and a few little fishes … And they that did eat were four thousand men, beside women and children. — Matthew 16:33

Many don’t know this was the second time Jesus fed a multitude — the first was reported two chapters earlier.

So similar are the two that some think they were the same event. Not so, the timeline and details are different. What is the same is the disciples first reaction — “What?!”, they said both times, “Where are we going to get the food?!”

We stand amazed at those forgetful, faithless disciples — ’till we realize we do the same thing. No?

What is our first response to another danger or need? How often are we in disarray even after God just took care of our last crisis?

God can do again what he did before. We didn’t become too old, too sinful, or too anything to prevent God’s grace in Christ.

I’ve been carrying you on my back from the day you were born, And I’ll keep on carrying you when you’re old … I’ve done it and will keep on doing it, carrying you on my back, saving you.” — Isaiah 45:4 (Message Bible)

– fritz

Smart Decisions

The Jordan Valley was well watered everywhere like the garden of the LORD, … So Lot chose for himself all the Jordan Valley … Abram settled in the land of Canaan…

The LORD said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him, “Lift up your eyes … and there he built an altar to the LORD. — Genesis 13:10=18

We don’t always get the opportunity to make the decisions we want. Sometimes the smartest guys in the room take the best for themselves.

What appears to be an inferior situation, however, turns out to be the best opportunity when God is there.

Abraham was wise enough to know that; Lot was not.

– fritz

Enjoy, but remember…

…Be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; – 1st Timothy 6:17

“Christ, …is our life” — Colossians 3:4

[All the faithful saints before us] … confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth — Hebrews 11:13

God gives us “richly all things to enjoy”! We must, however, hold them loosely for though they come into our lives, they are NOT our lives — Christ is; we are just passing through, and so are they.

God picks us up, gives us what (and who) we need for as long as we need, then it/they/we move on. Trying to hold too tightly brings worry, fear, and eventual grief.

– fritz

Itchy

Jesus and Nicodemus

“There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: The same came to Jesus by night …” – John 3:1-2

Many focus on the Bible’s most famous passage, John 3:16, where Jesus tells a man he must be born again, but few ask why that man was there in the first place.

What would make a highly educated, deeply religious, upper class man risk his reputation to visit a supposed uneducated street preacher?

An itch.

Something in Nicodemus needed relief. Itches are like that, they have nothing to do with social class, race, creed, or gender. They can be ignored a while but must be satisfied to achieve any rest.

God’s call is like that, too. It has nothing to do with social class, race, creed, or gender. It can be ignored a while but it, too, must be satisfied for any lasting peace.

Jesus had a public ministry to all — but saved his best for those who had a holy itch.

Sound Bite: God heals itchy people.
Prayer:“Thou hast made us for thyself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in thee..” — St. Augustine (November 13, 354 – August 28, 430)

– fritz

Slow Checkout Lines and Jesus

“A man named Jairus besought [Jesus to] come into his house: For he had one only daughter … and she lay a dying.

But as he went the people thronged him. And a woman … came behind him and touched … Jesus said, Who touched me? When all denied, Peter and they … said, … the multitude throng thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? … [finally the woman] came trembling, and falling down …

While he yet spake, there cometh one … saying … Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master.” — Luke 8:41-49

Whichever line I choose at the store stops. Five people checkout at the next line while I wait with two items for the one person in front of me to get a price check, call an absent manager, have a credit card denied, and/or fill out a return receipt. I don’t know how I do it!

I get impatient though I have nothing important compared to Jairus; his daughter was on her deathbed, Jesus her only hope.

How Jairus heart must have sunk as Jesus was stopped along with the way for a discussion about feelings! How he must have felt such urgency — right up to the point when the bad news came! Too late!

But Jesus is never too late, even if it takes a lifetime of waiting.

Jesus … answered …Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole” — Jesus (Luke 8:50)

– fritz

Following a Follower

“Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.” — Apostle Paul (1st Corinthians 11:1)

Christ is the one we are to follow but some don’t, yet, have that connection. Some can’t “see” him and telling them to do so is ineffective.

But they do see us and some follow if not by their actions then certainly by watching our lives unfold — whether we realize it or not.

When Jesus said in his famous “Sermon on the Mount” that we are the light of the world and then added the analogy of a city on a hill (Mtt. 5:14) he meant that more people see a light than those in the light know.

I visited an uncle on his deathbed. We weren’t ever close and had never talked so I thought he knew little about me but when I walked in he said he knew I knew God and he asked me to tell him how to face eternity. He gave his life to Christ that night and sang for joy.

Embrace the calling as Paul did and follow Christ closely — little ones, and not so little, are watching.

– fritz.

Fruit Season

“He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season,” — Psalm 1:3

Fruitfulness is a longstanding metaphor throughout the Bible. Corrupted Israel was compared to summer fruit (Amos 8, Micah 7); Jesus said fruitless branches are removed (John 15); vineyards and orchards, wheat and weeds — all metaphors with meaning sometimes lost to urban readers.

Something to remember about fruit in the very first Psalm — it’s produced in its season. We expect “fruit” all the time and when things aren’t spiritually popping we think something is wrong when it could be that it’s just not the right time/season.

God’s admonition is to keep pressing on, keep praying, keep meditating on God’s word (the Bible) — fruit will come in its season.

– fritz
Also see: “The Church Clock” – July 30, 2010

Distractions During Prayer

Herbert McCabe (1926-2001)

Trace your distraction back to the real desires it comes from and pray about these.

When you are praying for what you really want you will not be distracted. People on sinking ships do not complain of distractions during their prayer.

- Herbert McCabe, English theologian

God, Christ and Us, pg. 187 (a compilation of twenty-seven sermons of the famous English theologian Herbert McCabe London: Continuum International Publishing Group, 2005). Quoted in Philip Yancey’s book, Prayer (Kindle Locations 4039-4041). Zondervan. Kindle Edition

Two (2) Metaphors for Life’s Focus

As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field. — Psalm 103:15-18

Ingrained in us is the desire to build/accomplish something permanent — isn’t going to happen! Life is not designed that way.

Only God and his purposes endure.

John the baptizer, in the Bible, uses an additional metaphor:

He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly …

He must increase, but I must decrease.” — John 3:29-30

The Best Man at a wedding knows the wedding is not about him and he’s happy with that.

As youth fades don’t be sad at the decrease, recognize your purpose and put the focus on the one whom life is, really, all about — our time comes later (Rev 19:9). Next time something you do, even with the best intentions, fails to produce results you want, offer those efforts, desires, and results as a sacrifice to Christ.

– fritz

God’s Poetry

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. — Ephesians 2:10

The Biblical word translated “workmanship” in this verse is “Poiema” — It is where we get our English word, “Poem”.

The Holy Spirit tell us we are God’s poetry.

– fritz

A Parent’s Greatest Joy

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth — 3rd John 1:4

Praying and Getting

…how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? — Matthew 7:11

… how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? — Luke 11:13

Philip Yancy

We pray for what God wants to give us, which may turn out to be good gifts or it may be the Holy Spirit. (From God’s viewpoint there is no better response to persistent prayer than the gift of the Holy Spirit, God’s own self.)

Like Peter, we may pray for food and get a lesson in racism; like Paul we may pray for healing and get humility.

We may ask for relief from trials and instead get patience to bear them.

We may pray for release from prison and instead get strength to redeem the time while there.

Asking, seeking, and knocking does have an effect on God, as Jesus insists, but it also has a lasting effect on the asker-seeker-knocker.

– Yancey, Philip (2008-09-02). Prayer (Kindle Locations 3330-3340). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

Real Value of Persistent Prayer

“The real value of persistent prayer is not so much that we get what we want as that we become the person we should be.”

– Yancey, Philip (2008-09-02). Prayer (Kindle Locations 3319-3320). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.

Who’s Carrying Whom?

“Bel boweth down, Nebo stoopeth, their idols were upon the beasts, and upon the cattle: your carriages were heavy loaden; they are a burden … Hearken unto me … even to your old age I am he … I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you. — Isaiah 46:1-4

“Bel” and “Nebo” were names of ancient deities. God, through the prophet Isaiah, tells his people an important difference between himself and the others — the maker carries what is made.

It’s a good test for authenticity. Are you carrying your “faith” through life, trying to keep it from harm, or is your “faith” carrying you?

– fritz

My Privilege

… God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities. — Acts 3:26b

Turning from sin and self-centeredness is a blessing to me not God. Prayer is my privilege.

God allows me (us) to enjoy Him, to worship Him, to do the right and moral thing — not because it makes His life easier but because it benefits me (us).

What a blessing to enjoy Him, to bask in His love, to walk in His fellowship, to know His people, to do things that have lasting value, to have an eternal home.

– fritz

What God Gets

“After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. — Revelation 7:9-10

A pastor friend used to say,

“When it is all over, the only thing God get out of all of this is the people” — Pastor Michael Cave

Churches and institutions can be helpful, companies can provide good service, countries can protect their people — the good ones should be supported but they will all eventually fade away.

What shall endure are individuals touched for and by Christ.

– fritz

For Such A Time

and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this? – Mordecai (Esther 4:14)

Esther, the only book of the Bible that never specifically mentions God, is a great read — it has romance, intrigue, conflict, deliverance, and an important fact to remember.

God put us into political, social, and/or personal positions of influence for a reason.

Whether to a nation, a company, an organization, a family, or just to a sibling, each of us have some influence for the purpose of being God’s blessing.

We don’t know when or how God intends to use us until He provides the opportunity, then it is our’s to do the right thing, point to Christ, and christ-like living.

“God has made us what we are. In Christ Jesus, God made us to do good works, which God planned in advance for us to live our lives doing. — Ephesians 2:10

– fritz

Not All The Same

Sennachrib

Beware lest Hezekiah persuade you, saying, the LORD will deliver us. Hath any of the gods of the nations delivered his land out of the hand of the king of Assyria? — Isaiah 36:18-19

The Bible tells of when a foreign king came to conquer Jerusalem under the reign of king Hezekiah.

Hezekiah was a good king and trusted God, encouraging his people to do so, too. The enemy tried to get them to give up by blurring the lines between their faith and that of others, saying they are all the same and all just as weak.

The same mantra is heard today — trying to get us think all faiths are the same, just as potent, just as weak.

They are not.

The Bible tells of God’s secret place, unknown by many.¹

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty … Surely he shall deliver thee … – Psalm 91:1-2a

That secret place has always been in Christ. The Old Testament saints trusted in the coming Christ who would save them, just as we look back to that same Christ who saves us. As Jesus said,

“Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. — John 8:56

Ours is a living faith in the living God and his Christ

“And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. — Revelation 11:14-16

– fritz

1. See Also: A Secret Society (but Anyone Can Join) — March 12, 2010

Putting a Thief In Charge

Judas Iscariot, … was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it. — John 12:4-6

When I get intense about being cheated, wanting to lash out, I am often reminded Jesus was so interested in money that he put a thief in charge of his group’s finances.

If Jesus didn’t sweat the small stuff, neither should I.

Called Out From What?

“I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” — Jesus (Matthew 16:18b)

The word used to describe what Jesus said he was going to build is actually a combination of two Greek words, “EK” (or “Ex”), meaning “out of” and “Klesia”, meaning to “to call”. It quite literally means those who have been “Called Out”.

But if our lives are the same as everyone else’s what is it, then, are we called out from?

If we still seek this world’s approval, evaluate things from this world’s perspective, do only what comes naturally, how is that a “calling out”?

Jesus said,

And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. — Luke 6:33

Prayer:Lord, Jesus, let me be and remain called out. Amen.
– fritz

Push, Push, Push

“Praise waiteth for thee, O God, in Sion: and unto thee shall the vow be performed. O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come.” – Psalm 65:1-2

“Push, push, push!” doesn’t have a place in prayer. Quiet waiting works better.

You asked what Moses did on the mountain for a week when he came to meet with Me, or Elijah by the brook as the water dried up, or Jesus all night in prayer? They just waited for Me. I don’t come on cue. I call to prayer. The whole world waits for Me and My timing is always right.

– November 7, 2011