Breaking Tradition

Breaking TraditionWhile he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, “Have nothing to do with that just Man, for I have suffered many things today in a dream because of Him.” –Matthew 27:19

Men, Pontius Pilate has reviewed the case against Jesus, found no fault in Him, and now stands Barabbas beside Jesus and asks the people to make a choice between the 2.  One will be released. At that moment, Pilate’s wife interrupts by a messenger. She sends word to her husband, “Have nothing to do with that just Man, for I have suffered many things today in a dream because of Him.”

In this time, regardless of religion, it was unusual for a wife to interrupt a husband from an official role. Some extra Biblical sources suggest that this wife may have become a convert to Judaism, but not likely until this point or later. In addition, this dream came before Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit was loosed upon mankind in Acts 2.

Like the question Peter answered earlier, “Who do you say that I am?” When the question holds the weight of eternity, it seems that those who are available for the gift of hearing from heaven are imparted with clarity on the matter at hand.

As Peter knew and answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” this wife also knew Jesus was a “just man”. Like Peter, flesh and blood hasn’t revealed this knowledge to her. She sent word via messenger to say she had “suffered much”. Clearly there is deep conflict within her heart. How often do people breach traditional protocols because of a dream? The “suffering” she experienced because of the dream must have been at deep odds with what she thought she knew, and what was expected of her under normal circumstances.

How available are we to hear from heaven? We could argue that her hearing from heaven was positional, being the wife of the man trying Jesus in a capital case. Even so, she also had the option to dismiss the dream and hold tightly to the gods of Rome. This woman recognized truth and validity in a dream and acted upon it with the power she had.

Move forward in like manner! Make the choice if granted heavenly truth. Test all things by the Word of God, and obey His voice.

Vance Durrance

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Be Patient

Be Patient“Noah was 600 years old when the floodwaters engulfed the earth.” –Genesis 7:6, NET
Consider the age of Noah and his three sons (who were roughly around 100, see Gen 5:32). Surely the norm at this time was to have a very large family (consider the multiplication of the human race). So a man with only three sons (and it took 500 years), who themselves had no children after living a century, must have seemed rather… unblessed?
Children are a reward from God (Psa 127:3) (although it doesn’t always FEEL as such). The LORD says He blesses His loyal followers and increases their numbers (Psa 115:12-16)? So did this glaring fact ever become an obstacle?
Did Noah, like his descendants (Gen 11:30; 25:21), struggle with his wife’s seeming barrenness—and for hundreds of years? Was Noah tempted as Job to wonder what profits a man to live for the LORD’s pleasure (Job 21:7-15; 34:9)? Did his sons ever throw a hammer down in frustration wondering how they could trust a God who had withheld such an important blessing?
Or did they remember the promise of salvation and keep in perspective the LORD’s timing in all things?
What about us? Do we get focused on selfish desires and outward blessings, and forget the undeserved promise of salvation? Or do we keep in perspective the LORD’s timing? This life is but a short inception to an eternity of rest that lies on the other side of judgment. This portion is not for leisure but preparation (Eph 6:15; Isa 40:3; Rev 21:2), and is but a flash and a vapor (Psa 39:5; Jam 4:14).
“So be patient, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s return. Think of how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the ground and is patient for it until it receives the early and late rains. You also be patient and strengthen your hearts, for the Lord’s return is near.” –James 5:7-8
Billy Neal
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Secret Schemes

Secret Schemes

In that hour Jesus said to the multitudes, “Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to take Me? I sat daily with you, teaching in the temple, and you did not seize Me.  But all this was done that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.”

Then all the disciples forsook Him and fled.
— Matthew 26:55-56.

Men, Peter has just struck the servant of the high priest and cut his ear off. Jesus orders a “stand down”, and speaks to the assembly. “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to take Me?” Jesus has made Himself a public figure, teaching in the temple, and town centers. While Jesus taught in front of these men, during the day time they made no arrest, but now, in the dark, they’ve come with fierceness.

Jesus goes on to say to them, “But all this was done that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Jesus isn’t making a defense plea. He is making a case for fulfillment. Jesus states the obvious to make a point. There was nothing against Jesus that could form a legitimate indictment in the light, but now, in the dark, in secret, there is an action.

Jesus cares for individuals as much as nations. Jesus is speaking reason to the mob that they may see which side they’re on and come to repentance. Why else tell them in concession “that all this is done that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled?” Though being arrested, in route to torturous death, Jesus is still at peace, bringing light into darkness.

Our natural response to trouble, especially false or erroneous claims is to emphasize defense, even with hostility. Not Jesus. Jesus has eyes to see the much larger picture of events and purpose and allows these things to unfold.

As He submits to their charge, the disciples forsake Him and flee. How many of us walk with Jesus daily, but when things get beyond our understanding, presuppositions or control, we turn and run back to the familiar asking “WHY?” Jesus doesn’t say anything new. He reminds everyone present, that this all was prophesied.

Move forward men, bringing light into darkness with peace and long-suffering. Jesus knew their hearts, and had authority in Heaven, yet spoke in simple terms to offer truth upon deception, light upon darkness, and legitimacy upon secret schemes.

Vance Durrance

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Come in Surrender

Surrender

“But I will warn you whom you should fear: Fear the one who, after the killing, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him!” –Luke 12:5, NET

For humanity, the Devil is not our problem. God is.

Let that sink in.

“See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god beside me; I kill and I make alive; I wound and I heal; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand.” –Deuteronomy 32:39, ESV

It is the sovereign God who is responsible for “both calamity and blessing” (Lam 3:38). He has made for us times of prosperity AND times of adversity for a purpose (Ecc 7:14). Thus, we must be willing to accept both good and bad from the Lord (Job 2:10). Consider this: if you feel forces coming against you, know that it is not “the devil keeping you down.” It is the LORD who is using the “cords of affliction” to reveal to us that we are “behaving proudly” (Job 36:8-10).

And if you do not know God (2Th 1:8), there is no escaping His wrath (Isa 13:6). You are His enemy (Rom 5:10).

“It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” –Hebrews 10:31, NET

Yet He is a compassionate and kind God who desires that sinners live (Eze 18:23). So He comes with an outstretched arm of mercy (Eph 2:4-5). As long as you draw breath, the door to His ark remains open. Do not delay, you do not know if He will spare you another day (Jam 4:14). Run to the ark of your merciful enemy in full surrender for salvation (Jer 21:9). There is no other way (John 14:6).

“Please obey the Lord by doing what I have been telling you [and surrender]. Then all will go well with you, and your life will be spared.” –Jeremiah 38:20b

Billy Neal

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Is it I, Lord?

Blood Money

 He answered and said, “He who dipped his hand with Me in the dish will betray Me. The Son of Man indeed goes just as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born.”

Then Judas, who was betraying Him, answered and said, “Rabbi, is it I?”

He said to him, “You have said it.” — Matthew 26:23-25

“Lord, is it I?” The disciples have asked in turn, and Jesus now answers. “He who dipped his hand with me will betray Me.” Consider the callousness of a heart that could betray a man to death and then sit and eat a meal alongside Him, with no one else being suspicious. Jesus confirms the path He is on to death, but says “Woe to the man by whom the Son of God is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he’d not been born.”

The betrayal of Jesus will not go unmet. Judas, perhaps like a child, unsure if he’d truly been discovered, and faced with the shame which comes with the expressions of disbelief and disgust from his peers, asks: “Rabbi, is it I?” Judas didn’t have to ask, he’d already been paid. He had already collected. Judas calls Him “Rabbi”, or Teacher. No room has been made in the heart of Judas for Christ Jesus as Lord. Jesus, where Judas is concerned, remains Rabbi. Jesus responds to Judas’s question, “You have said it.”

At this point, Judas has only asked a question, but Judas did say it as he negotiated with the chief priests. What Judas thought had been accomplished in secret was known to Jesus. He had been discovered in the very act.

Who is Jesus to you? Is He an ancient teacher? A novelty of your church experience? Part of your family traditions and customs? Is He Lord? What betrayal of His precepts and trust do we still find ourselves guilty today? Will the Lord God fail to interpret our misdeeds and motives?

Move forward men. Stop eating with Jesus while violating His Lordship. Prepare your heart to receive Christ in truth, as a betrayer in need of His saving. Will we ask, “Is it I Rabbi?” Or will we cry out to Him— “Lord, it has been me, but cleanse me!”?

Vance Durrance

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Idle Pleasures?

Goats and Sheep

“Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’

“Then they also will answer [a]Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’ Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ — Matthew 25:41-45.

Men, at the end of the tribulation, after the sheep are gathered to His right and goats to His left, Jesus will say to those on His left, “Depart from Me, you cursed, into everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels”. Jesus was given no food while hungry, no drink when thirsty, nor was any other charitable deed done on His behalf. Jesus, with Holy Spirit, searches out the heart of mankind. Jesus grants opportunity for those desiring to be His to be His hands and feet.

If we reject Him here, deny Him here, or disregard Him here, an everlasting fire awaits. “Everlasting” here is as long as the eternity that those on His right will experience.

Those on His left ask when they missed an opportunity to serve Jesus. Jesus answered, when they failed “to do unto the least of these”. Interestingly, this judgment is not about the violation of a command or statute. This judgment is poured out upon the sin of idleness. They did nothing, when they should have done something.

Today, in our time, it is becoming more and more common to withdraw from the world around us and hide behind our castle doors where we have everything brought to us. We numb ourselves to the pain and brokenness around us by immersing ourselves into sports, entertainment and small cliques of like minded peers. Obviously, no one among us can be everything to everyone, everywhere at every time. But to those on His left, the indictment reads, they did nothing. What can you do? And will you?

Move forward men, feeding, clothing, visiting and praying for those in need. We may not have more than a whole hearted hug for a brother in need. So be it. Let that man be held with the love of Jesus through you. Do something, for something for someone in need is more than doing nothing, and doing nothing is damning. Where is Christ’s heart broken within your reach? Go and serve.

Vance Durrance

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Enter Together

Noan and Family Entering the Ark

“You will enter the ark—you, your sons, your wife, and your sons’ wives with you.” – Genesis 6:18b, NET

This is the first time the family is mentioned to be included in the purpose of the ark. Noah was not to be alone in this large vessel, but to bring along “seven others” (2Pe 2:5), totaling “eight souls [to be] delivered through water” (1Pe 3:20).

Did you know the Chinese word-picture for boat = vessel + eight + people. And the Chinese word-picture for flood = water + total (which breaks down into together + earth + eight). Think about this. I believe this is not only a testament to the validity of a worldwide cataclysmic flood, but a beautiful reminder that salvation is for the family—together.

“For the promise is for you and your children, and for all who are far away, as many as the Lord our God will call to himself.” -Acts 2:39, NET

This is why God made the instruction of the family central to the prosperity of His people (Deu 4:9). Discipleship starts at home. Much more than a pleasant verse adorning our walls, it should be a defining mark on all our works, our thoughts, and how we live (our goings and comings) (Deu 6:8-9; 1Co 2:16; 2Co 10:4-5). The words of God should be incorporated into EVERYTHING we do—whether we sit, walk, lie down, and get up (Deu 6:7-9). God’s blessings depend upon it (Deu 11:19-25).

Not only this, but everything is futile apart from God (Ecc 1:2), including raising and building a family. If the Lord is not in it, a house is built in vain (Psa 127:1). If Christ is not at its center, then it is a worthless endeavor, for all its labor will be burned up in the end (1Co 3:12-13).

Notice, “you” proceeds the others. In order to instruct, we must hear His commands first (Deu 4:10). So let us make sure as they follow us, we are following the one that provides the rest (1Co 11:1). And we MUST make every effort to enter that rest, assuring that no one behind us follows a pattern of disobedience (Heb 4:11). If we neglect so great a salvation (Heb 2:3), we will surely have the blood of our children on our hands (Psa 95:7-11; Eze 3:18)? At the very least, we will subject our families to wilderness wanderings (Num 14:33).

Do not delay like Lot, being content to live among the world, enjoying the honor of men and their pleasures (Gen 13:10-11; 19:1). Living in anguish over evil is not enough (Gen 19:7; 2Pe 2:7-8). You will end up sacrificing your family to please men (Gen 19:8). Do not wait for the final moment when you are ripped from your home (Gen 19:16), barely escaping with your life and suffering great loss (1Co 3:15). You will only leave behind a legacy of death (Gen 19:26) and disgrace (Gen 19:36).

Endeavor whole-heartedly to bring your family aboard the ark of life. Only sons (of God) and wives (of the Lamb) may enter salvation (Gal 4:7; Eph 5:32; Rev 21:7,9). So make every effort to enter together, expending our lives to bring others into the family of God and thus into His great ark of salvation.

Billy Neal

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Covenant

covenant“But I will establish my covenant with you, and you shall come into the ark,” –Genesis 6:18a, ESV

There is such a disconnect for us when it comes to covenant keeping. Our society thinks little of integrity, honor, and honesty. We have developed complex and crafted contracts, because we are always looking for loopholes, ways to escape responsibility. We miss the visual of “cutting a covenant” (Gen 15:9-11,18), the gore of sacrifice, the flowing blood that is trampled upon by the parties that pass through it—symbolizing the future of those that do not hold the word as binding.

“The Lord said to him, ‘Take for me a heifer, a goat, and a ram, each three years old, along with a dove and a young pigeon.’ So Abram took all these for him and then cut them in two and placed each half opposite the other, but he did not cut the birds in half. When birds of prey came down on the carcasses, Abram drove them away. When the sun went down, Abram fell sound asleep, and great terror overwhelmed him.” –Genesis 15:9-12, NET

So we think little of God’s covenant with mankind, our inability to uphold our part to be “blameless” (Gen 17:1), no matter how much we promise (Exo 19:8; 24:3,7; 32:1-6; Jos 24:16-21). No wonder Abram was terrified. He saw the assurance of his doom.

But God does not abandon His people to their futility and shame, but upholds the covenant with a promise (Heb 6:17-18). His predestined plan, made before the foundation of the world (Eph 1:4-12), will be accomplished by His immense power (Eph 1:19-21). It is impossible for man to thwart it (Job 42:2), even in our stubborn rebellion (Num 11:23). And in this “everlasting covenant,” God Himself walks through the blood for us (Gen 15:17—He is Spirit, and so His presence is represented by type and shadow), atoning for our guilt and shame (Eze 16:63).

“When the sun had gone down and it was dark, a smoking firepot with a flaming torch passed between the animal parts. That day the Lord [cut] a covenant with Abram.” –Genesis 15:17-18a, NET

“I will establish my covenant with you, and then you will know that I am the Lord. Then you will remember, be ashamed, and remain silent because of your disgrace when I make atonement for all you have done, declares the Sovereign Lord.” –Ezekiel 16:62-63, NET

O LORD, press upon our hearts Your great sacrifice. Let us see the enormity and preciousness of the blood paid on our behalf. Let our minds perceive the judgment to come and race to enter your ark of rest—Jesus Christ!

Billy Neal
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Serving Up Proper Food in Due Season

lunch lady

“Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing. Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods. — Matthew 24:45-47

Men, the end will come, like a thief in the night, but in the meanwhile… “who then is a faithful and wise servant?” Jesus says that He will make servants “rulers” over His household, to “give people food in due season”. “Blessed is that servant whom his Master, when He comes, will find so doing.”

Jesus is “the Word”, who called Himself “the bread of Life”, who gives “living water”. The servants of God serve people the Word, the message, the Way the Truth and the Life. As a High School lunch lady comes early, prepares the appliances and ingredients, taking responsibility for the needs of all who come in hungry, the faithful servants will be found at the end diligently, prayerfully seeking the Truths, Wisdoms, Counsels and Revelations of the Lord our God in the Law, the prophets, history, and the narrative provided to us by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus says that His servants will be given authority in His household to administer to the needy out of the abundance of His own household. Ephesians tells us “we have been given every Spiritual blessing under heaven for good works”. It has been “given” to us.

We already possess the tools, wisdoms, truths and knowledge for all good works as a faithful servant, but we fail to access that “food” from His household. We fail to wield the provisions appointed for use by His servants in the storehouses of heaven, God’s household to meet the needs of those surrounding us. Jesus says the faithful will provide appropriately in “due season”. Not all the hungry are ready for a 4 course banquet. In Christ’s household is milk for the young and meat for the mature. His sufficiency is all inclusive.

Move forward men, blessed when He returns as He finds us diligently working to provide the sustenance of His Word in accordance to the appetites of the hungry who need the bread of Life to strengthen and sustain them. Feed His sheep, all who love the “Son of Man”, the Lord our God.

Vance Durrance

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Salvation Work

Noah-Builds-the-Ark-Genesis-6“Make for yourself an ark….” –Genesis 6:14a, ESV

Let’s revisit the first few words of this passage.

See that Noah was to “make.” In other words, he was “to work, labor, fashion” a means of salvation. Not that his work saved him, for it was “by faith Noah, when he was warned about things not yet seen, with reverent regard constructed an ark for the deliverance of his family,” (Heb 11:7a). Yet faith without works “is dead” (Jam 2:17). We hardly trust God’s warning of future judgment or His promise of deliverance if we do not act on His commands “to build” (Eph 4:12).

And let us note Noah was told to first build “for [him]self.” We cannot save another. We can only make all diligence to “work out [our own] salvation with fear and trembling,” (Phi 2:12), and “make every effort to add to [our] faith,” the attributes of the Spirit such as excellence, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly affection, and unselfish love, in order to be productive in our work (2Pe 1:5-8). We plead that our faith covers our whole household (ex: Act 16:31), but each is judged independently (Eze 33:20). So let us make our election sure (2Pe 1:10), and be found faithful, even if only we ourselves are saved (Eze 14:14; Luke 14:26).

“So then, my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence but even more in my absence, continue working out your salvation with awe and reverence, for the one bringing forth in you both the desire and the effort—for the sake of his good pleasure—is God.” –Philippians 2:12-13, NET 

Billy Neal
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