Restoration

In the book "The Jesus Creed" by Scott McKnight (yes dad, I'm actually reading it!), the author talks about what Jesus' goal was in giving and living the 'Jesus Creed' found in Matt. 22: 37-40. A major part of this is the idea of Restoration. We see it in the healing of the paralytic, the bleeding woman, Lazarus raised from the dead, the woman's son at the funeral procession raised from the dead, etc. McKnight notes that the result of each of these was that Jesus was able to restore and make whole their lives in ways that were specific to them. An important part of following Jesus is imitating His actions in restoring people.

With that context in line, I've been blessed to be a small part of a friends life as God works to bring that restoration in their life. After suffering for years from an affliction of sorts, God finally delivered them from it and it's been great to see them experience deliverance, healing and the freedom that Christ promised and gave to us. Restoration is many times a process, with ups and downs, but it's encouraging to see this person realizing and experiencing things they never thought would be possible.

So, here's to Jesus and His awesome love through restoration! May you experience it as well!

Seminary

Last week's Bible Study about God's summons was quite poignant in my life right now, as I'm considering going to Seminary. Yesterday I had my admissions interview and I've got all the balls rolling that way. It's interesting when God calls how everything seems to fall into place!
One of the major triggers in pointing me this way was my exploration of joining the Army Chaplain Corps. Since then, I've have met several people that have offered to put me in contact with either Chaplains or Chaplain canditates. I've found in my life that it's often scary to seriously consider major life changes and many times I'd imagine I've chosen to stay comfortable, rather than step out in faith and trust that God's got my back.
But, there's something different when God summons you; He doesn't let you get away! I'm glad God's not letting me get away here. Even if it ends in a dead end, I know I'm following what I think is His call in my life and that obedience is what's most important.

I would encourage anyone who reads this to try and stay the course in waiting on the Lord for His summons, and if you've recieved it already, trust God and be faithful to seek after it, remembering that He is always faithful!

Now, thinking of God's faithfulness is a great way to end the week!

A Summons

(Matt. 10:1, 5-14; 28:18-20; and Acts 9:3-6, 15-16)
In Matthew 10, Jesus sends out the 12 disciples on their first mission. Most translations will read in Verse 1 "Jesus called His disciples to Him and said..." However, in the NASB version, it says Jesus 'Summoned' His disciples to Him.

Have you ever recieved a jury summons? It gives the air of responsibility, something larger than you, a sense of responsibility. It's not something you can just skip, it carries a weight and responsibility that a calling doesn't.

Wouldn't it be wierd if you 'summoned' someone? Instead of saying, 'I called so and so,' you say 'I summoned so and so.' I think (hope) you get the idea.

So, after the summons in verse 1, Jesus goes on to give them instructions for their mission (vs. 5-14).

I may go into detail on this later (no promises :D!), but I'd like to briefly parallel this 'summons' with two others; the 'Great Commission' and Paul's Conversion.

In each of these examples, there are two clear actions that happen.

1. Jesus summons those He wants. (Matt. 10:1, 28:18; Acts 9:3-4)

2. He gives instruction/direction on what He wants them to do. (Matt. 10:5-14, 28:19-20; Acts 9:15-16.

I can't tell you what or how Jesus will 'summon' you to the task He created you to do, but I do know this; That when He does summon you, you will know it and He is always faithful to point the way to what that is.

So to that end, my challenge would be this:

Pray and seek for His patience in waiting for the summons, because that waiting time is one of the hardest things to endure. I know from experience!

Once it comes, be faithful to follow it, no matter how hard or crazy it might seem. Becuase He will be faithful and will provide all that you will need to fulfill His summons in your life! And the fulfillment you desire will be found in that place that Jesus leads you.

Amen!

Grace

I think it's a common mistake among Christians to only accept just enough of God's grace to make us feel like we are forgiven by Him, but not by ourselves. Because of the sacrifice that Jesus made for us, when we ask for forgiveness, it's total. Many times I've found myself not really willing to accept the full measure of His grace, leaving myself wallowing in guilt and weighed down by my own imperfection.

However, I don't believe that this is what God intends or desires for us. I think that when we ask God's forgiveness and recieve it, we are completely clean and guilt no longer has a place. We must be able to fully accept His grace and move forward as if blameless in His sight, for that is what He sees. I think it is a powerful tool of Satan to hold us down with guilt over sins God has forgiven us for. By paralyzing us in that, he keeps us from truly honoring and loving God. Becuase, are we really being faithful to God if we ask forgiveness, but only allow ourselves to accept it partially?

I would contend that being faithful to Christ and honoring Him means we do not try to pay 'penance' for our sins, but rather fully accept his grace and forgiveness, praising Him for these things in the context of understanding that we in no way even come close to deserving it.

Next time you sin, don't pay your 'penance' and then ask for forgiveness. Do it right away and accept it. It'll feel wierd, awkward and underserving. But, God gives it to us anyway, because He loves us in spite of our selves! That's pretty ridiculous, too!

May God's grace be full in your life and give you the freedom He inteded it to.