bff

John was a bff of Jesus.

You know, the John who wrote the Gospel of John, 4^th book in the New Testament.

He was Jesus' disciple for 3 years.

He walked with Him,

talked with Him,

ate with Him,

slept around Him,

woke up around Him & saw Him first thing in the morning,

peed & pooped with Him,

watched Him do miracles,

got rained on with Him,

watched Him laugh & laughed with Him,

saw Him walk on water,

heard Him speak countless times,

saw Him transfigured with Moses & Elijah,

went swimming with Him,

sat around a campfire late at night with Him,

watched Him sit & play with children,

saw Him deal with the Pharisees,

saw Him naked sometimes,

& every once in a while would probably just simply sit & look at Him & wonder.

In short, John lived a pretty close & extremely familiar & intimate 3 years with Jesus.

I figure after all that, what John might write about Jesus could have a strong level of authenticity.

Here's what John wrote about the personhood of Jesus at the very beginning of his account, his gospel, of Jesus' life...

John 1

1 In the beginning the Word already existed.

  The Word was with God,

  and the Word was God.

2 He existed in the beginning with God.

3 God created everything through him,

  and nothing was created except through him.

4 The Word gave life to everything that was created,

  and his life brought light to everyone.

5 The light shines in the darkness,

  and the darkness can never extinguish it.

  6 God sent a man, John the Baptist, 7 to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony.

8 John himself was not the light;

he was simply a witness to tell about the light.

9 The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.

  10 He came into the very world he created,

but the world didn't recognize him.

11 He came to his own people,

and even they rejected him.

12 But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.

13 They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.

  14 So the Word became human

and made his home among us.

He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness.

And we have seen his glory,

the glory of the Father's one and only Son.

  15 John testified about him when he shouted to the crowds,

"This is the one I was talking about when I said,

'Someone is coming after me who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before me.'"

  16 From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another.

17 For the law was given through Moses,

but God's unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ.

18 No one has ever seen God.

But the unique One, who is himself God, is near to the Father's heart.

He has revealed God to us.

blunted but wrecked

I remember the irst time I heard this song.

It was being sung by the lady who wrote it – Rita Springer.

She's not a person who sings timidly.

She sings full out, wide open, nothing held back.

I was at a conference with the worship team at Christ Chapel.

That time now seems like “long, long ago, in a galaxy far, far away”.

The song wrecked me - it wrecked the whole team.

My life is a little more blunted now.

But it still wrecks me...

Rita Springer – Worth It All

I don't understand your ways
Oh but I will give you my song
give you all of my praise
you hold on to all my pain
with it you are pulling me closer
and pulling me into your ways

Now around every corner
up every mountain
I'm not looking for crowns
or water from fountains
I'm desperate in seeking, frantic believing
that the sight of your face
is all that I'm needing
I will say to you

Its gonna be worth it,
Its gonna be worth it all,
I believe this.
Its gonna be worth it,
Its gonna be worth it all,
I believe this.

You're gonna be worth it,
You're gonna be worth it all,
I believe this.
You're gonna be worth it,
You're gonna be worth it all,
I believe this.

friends of who?

Ok, there's no need for comment from me about these verses,

other than I was supposed to read just chapter 4 this morning,

but I had to spill over & include chapter 5 because neither one makes sense without the other.

Romans 4

18 Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping—believing that he would become the father of many nations.

For God had said to him,

"That's how many descendants you will have!"

19 And Abraham's faith did not weaken,

even though, at about 100 years of age, he figured his body was as good as dead—and so was Sarah's womb.

  20 Abraham never wavered in believing God's promise.

In fact, his faith grew stronger,

and in this he brought glory to God.

21 He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises.

22 And because of Abraham's faith, God counted him as righteous.

23 And when God counted him as righteous, it wasn't just for Abraham's benefit.

It was recorded24 for our benefit, too,

assuring us that God will also count us as righteous if we believe in him, the one who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.

25 He was handed over to die because of our sins,

and he was raised to life to make us right with God.

Romans 5

1 Therefore, since we have been made right in God's sight by faith,

we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.

2 Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand,

and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God's glory.

  3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials,

for we know that they help us develop endurance.

4 And endurance develops strength of character,

and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.

5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment.

For we know how dearly God loves us,

because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

  6 When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners.

7 Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person,

though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good.

8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.

9 And since we have been made right in God's sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God's condemnation.

10 For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son.

11 So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God

because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.

big statement

Big statement by Paul to the followers of Jesus in Rome...

BIG statement for us all...

Pivotal statement about what God did to make us able to connect with Him...

Basic statement of how faith – simply believing – is the linchpin to this whole thing of following Jesus...

Incredible...

Scandalous...

Romans 3

21 But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law,

as was promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago.

22 We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ.

And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.

  23 For everyone has sinned;

we all fall short of God's glorious standard.

24 Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous.

He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.

25 For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin.

People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood.

This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past,

26 for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time.

God did this to demonstrate his righteousness,

for he himself is fair and just,

and he declares sinners to be right in his sight when they believe in Jesus.

  27 Can we boast, then, that we have done anything to be accepted by God?

No,

because our acquittal is not based on obeying the law.

It is based on faith.

28 So we are made right with God through faith and not by obeying the law.

  29 After all, is God the God of the Jews only?

Isn't he also the God of the Gentiles?

Of course he is.

30 There is only one God,

and he makes people right with himself only by faith,

whether they are Jews or Gentiles.

31 Well then, if we emphasize faith, does this mean that we can forget about the law?

Of course not! In fact, only when we have faith do we truly fulfill the law.

92

I read this psalm yesterday, but I think it's something we should consider.

I wish I could encourage you enough to read a psalm every day.

Just start with Psalm 1 & just read 1 every day, sequentially.

It will change your perspective on all kinds of things in all kinds of ways.

Just sayin'...

Psalm 92

1 It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to the Most High.

2 It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning, your faithfulness in the evening, 3 accompanied by the ten-stringed harp and the melody of the lyre.

4 You thrill me, LORD, with all you have done for me!

  I sing for joy because of what you have done.

5 O LORD, what great works you do!

  And how deep are your thoughts.

6 Only a simpleton would not know, and only a fool would not understand this:

7 Though the wicked sprout like weeds and evildoers flourish, they will be destroyed forever.

8 But you, O LORD, will be exalted forever.

9 Your enemies, LORD, will surely perish;
  

all evildoers will be scattered.

10 But you have made me as strong as a wild ox.

  You have anointed me with the finest oil.

11 My eyes have seen the downfall of my enemies;

  my ears have heard the defeat of my wicked opponents.

12 But the godly will flourish like palm trees and grow strong like the cedars of Lebanon.

13 For they are transplanted to the LORD's own house.

  They flourish in the courts of our God.

14 Even in old age they will still produce fruit; they will remain vital and green.

15 They will declare,

"The LORD is just!

  He is my rock!

  There is no evil in him!"

believe

This ia a letter by Paul, the apostle, written to the followers of Jesus who lived in Rome, the capital of the Roman Empire.

Romans 1

16 For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ.

It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes - the Jew first and also the Gentile.

17 This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight.

This is accomplished from start to finish by faith.

As the Scriptures say,

"It is through faith that a righteous person has life."

(Fyi – the reference that Paul makes to scripture is in the Old Testament; Habakkuk 2:4)

I think a possible stumbling block for some is that the whole basis of our connection with God through Jesus is based on simply believing.

Some people would say it's blind faith.

I don't think it blind – we have a lot of prophetic writings in the Old Testament, & eyewitness accounts in the New Testament.

Plus, we have the advantage of testimony from 2000+ years of people who have followed Jesus.

But simply believing is a problem for some.

It seems that some think there is more to it than that – that there has to be more that we have to be or do to eligible for connection with God.

Others it seems also think that the simplicity of the who “just believe” thing is a prime indicator that the whole thing isn't real.

And there's a whole lot of other modes of thinking that seem to indicate that “faith does it all” just can't be true.

All I can say is faith is who gets you on the bus.

God has presented us with a means of connecting to Him through & because of Jesus.

That's all there is to it.

That is the scandal of what God offers – if we believe what He says He did, we're in.

It shouldn't be that simple.

But it is.

So, even though we say we're not, how many of us are being & doing stuff so we can be sure God will accept us as His child?

It's not about what we can be or do that will get us in connection with God – it's by simply believing what God says He's provided is true.

It's NOT about what we are or do before or after we want a connection with Him – it's about believing in this scandalous gift He offers.

Have I beat this drum enough? ;-)

Embrace the gift He offers...

let's not try to be & do stuff so He'll accept us...

it doesn't work that way...

believe.

91

In a world that gets more crazy, dangerous, & chaotic every day, maybe it would help ig we read through this psalm every once in in a while...

Psalm 91

1 Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

2 This I declare about the LORD:

He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;

  he is my God, and I trust him.

3 For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease.

4 He will cover you with his feathers.

  He will shelter you with his wings.

  His faithful promises are your armor and protection.

5 Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day.

6 Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday.

7 Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you.

8 Just open your eyes, and see how the wicked are punished.

9 If you make the LORD your refuge,

if you make the Most High your shelter,

10 no evil will conquer you;

no plague will come near your home.

11 For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go.

12 They will hold you up with their hands so you won't even hurt your foot on a stone.

13 You will trample upon lions and cobras;

  you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet!

14 The LORD says,

"I will rescue those who love me.

  I will protect those who trust in my name.

15 When they call on me, I will answer;

  I will be with them in trouble.

  I will rescue and honor them.

16 I will reward them with a long life

  and give them my salvation."

pushing back the chaos

I feel like God gave me this psalm to hold on to this year.

It's the first time I feel like He's given me a whole psalm.

I read it when it especially feels like our world seems to be spiraling down even more higgledy-piggledy into unprecedented chaos.

And folks, a word of advice – never read passages in just 1 translation that seem to be crucial or important to you – go to biblegateway.com & read them in 4 or 5 different translations there.

Psalm 37

1 Don't worry about the wicked or envy those who do wrong.

2 For like grass, they soon fade away.

  Like spring flowers, they soon wither.

3 Trust in the LORD and do good.

  Then you will live safely in the land and prosper.

4 Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart's desires.

5 Commit everything you do to the LORD.

  Trust him, and he will help you.

6 He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn, and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun.

7 Be still in the presence of the LORD, and wait patiently for him to act.

Don't worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes.

8 Stop being angry!

  Turn from your rage!

Do not lose your temper - it only leads to harm.

9 For the wicked will be destroyed, but those who trust in the LORD will possess the land.

10 Soon the wicked will disappear.

  Though you look for them, they will be gone.

11 The lowly will possess the land and will live in peace and prosperity.

12 The wicked plot against the godly;

  they snarl at them in defiance.

13 But the Lord just laughs, for he sees their day of judgment coming.

14 The wicked draw their swords and string their bows to kill the poor and the oppressed, to slaughter those who do right.

15 But their swords will stab their own hearts, and their bows will be broken.

16 It is better to be godly and have little than to be evil and rich.

17 For the strength of the wicked will be shattered, but the LORD takes care of the godly.

18 Day by day the LORD takes care of the innocent, and they will receive an inheritance that lasts forever.

19 They will not be disgraced in hard times; even in famine they will have more than enough.

20 But the wicked will die.

  The LORD's enemies are like flowers in a field - they will disappear like smoke.

21 The wicked borrow and never repay, but the godly are generous givers.

22 Those the LORD blesses will possess the land, but those he curses will die.

23 The LORD directs the steps of the godly.

  He delights in every detail of their lives.

24 Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the LORD holds them by the hand.

25 Once I was young, and now I am old.

  Yet I have never seen the godly abandoned or their children begging for bread.

26 The godly always give generous loans to others, and their children are a blessing.

27 Turn from evil and do good, and you will live in the land forever.

28 For the LORD loves justice, and he will never abandon the godly.

He will keep them safe forever, but the children of the wicked will die.

29 The godly will possess the land and will live there forever.

30 The godly offer good counsel; they teach right from wrong.

31 They have made God's law their own, so they will never slip from his path.

32 The wicked wait in ambush for the godly, looking for an excuse to kill them.

33 But the LORD will not let the wicked succeed or let the godly be condemned when they are put on trial.

34 Put your hope in the LORD.

  Travel steadily along his path.

He will honor you by giving you the land.

  You will see the wicked destroyed.

35 I have seen wicked and ruthless people flourishing like a tree in its native soil.

36 But when I looked again, they were gone!

  Though I searched for them, I could not find them!

37 Look at those who are honest and good, for a wonderful future awaits those who love peace.

38 But the rebellious will be destroyed; they have no future.

39 The LORD rescues the godly; he is their fortress in times of trouble.

40 The LORD helps them, rescuing them from the wicked.

He saves them, and they find shelter in him.

and as they went...

Luke 17

11 As Jesus continued on toward Jerusalem, he reached the border between Galilee and Samaria.

12 As he entered a village there, ten lepers stood at a distance,13 crying out,

"Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!"

  14 He looked at them and said,

"Go show yourselves to the priests."

And as they went, they were cleansed of their leprosy.

  15 One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting,

"Praise God!"

16 He fell to the ground at Jesus' feet, thanking him for what he had done.

This man was a Samaritan.

  17 Jesus asked,

"Didn't I heal ten men?

Where are the other nine?

18 Has no one returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?"

19 And Jesus said to the man,

"Stand up and go. Your faith has healed you."

I've been intrigued with those 4 words I underlined...

“And as they went...”

Lepers were terrible outcasts.

If a person got leprosy, they lost everything – family, home, job, social standing & contact – everything.

They had to go live outside the city, with other lepers, waiting to die a slow, horrible death.

If they were brave enough to be around healthy people, they had to constantly yell, “unclean!” to warn people to stay away.

Often people would throw rocks or offal or whatever at the lepers to chase them away.

The 10 lepers took a terrific chance to try & get the attention of Jesus.

It would not have been unusual for a large crowd like what was probably around Jesus to turn on the lepers & stone them to death.

But the lepers took the chance for healing.

And when they caught Jesus attention, He simply tells them to go show themselves to the priest, which was what anyone did to authenticate that they were healed of leprosy.

Imagine though the lepers situation...

Jesus says go show yourself to the priests, indicating that they were healed.

But when the lepers turned to go, they were still lepers.

It does not say when their healing occurred, other than that it happened as they were on their way to the priest.

It doesn't say if the healing occurred within 50 feet of Jesus, or a mile or 2 down the road.

It just says that “as they went”, they were healed.

Imagine the faith for those lepers to take one step after another toward the priest to present themselves, but yet they were still lepers.

And then, somewhere along the way, they realized they were all healed.

It is of note that only 1 came back to say thank you.

And he was a Samaritan – someone the Jews considered unclean, a heretic, a lower life form.

That was the person who came back.

1 out of 10 who came back to say thank you was a pretty good ratio.

It is my experience, particularly in this postmodern world, that a thank you is a rare commodity – entitlement is a strong concept.

I said all that to say this...

Often times when we ask for a miracle from God, we expect it to be instantaneous.

But I have found in my life, & in the lives of others, that frequently the miracle doesn't happen fully until we step out in complete unsubstantiated faith & start walking toward it &/or operating in it.

Who is that needs to hear that today, besides me?

Who needs to hold on to that shred of promise in an impossible situation.

Hold on to it today...

“and as they went...”