truth – Page 8

Little Children

Children reaching to Jesus

Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and don’t forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” — Matthew 19:13-15

Men, little children are brought to Jesus, but the disciples rebuke them. Jesus answered them “Let the little children come to Me, don’t forbid them, for of such is the Kingdom of Heaven”. The Jews understood that we are all born in to sin.

These parents brought their children to Jesus with this knowledge clear in their minds, hoping Jesus would bless them, recognizing that Jesus was a person of significant notoriety. Having important people bless your child was a common practice in these times, and Jesus probably got a lot of these types of interactions with people. It’s unclear what Jesus’ day has held but the 12 seem to think Jesus shouldn’t be bothered. Regardless, Jesus welcomes them and lays His hand on each of the children. “For of such is the Kingdom of Heaven”.

The Kingdom, through Jesus is wide open to any who come with humility. These little children needed Jesus and He welcomed them. A child sees life simply. They are in need, or they are satisfied. They are welcome or they are not. Especially small children. It’s not complicated. Kingdom is available to such. We’re in need, we are welcome through Jesus.

Move forward men, embracing Jesus in simple terms as a child. Be welcomed into His presence that He might place a blessing on you. Be sure not to rebuke any who come unto Him. Little children play where they are and don’t know they’re dirty. Most of us don’t know how dirty we are inside as we engage life where we are. Jesus still welcomes us all, as dirty as we are.

Vance Durrance

Follow Him Forward

“Do not say, ‘Why were the old days better than these days?’ for it is not wise to ask that.” –Ecclesiastes 7:10

As we proceed into the election and a pivotal point (one of many) for “we the people” who determine the direction of our great country, let us ponder this verse. Are we trying to grasp at “better days” in memory past? Are we trying to return to simpler times when this country better suited our own comforts and preferences? Not only is it foolish to desire yesterday and miss the blessing of today (Psa 96:2), but we overlook the errors of our past (Deu 9:7). We cannot dwell in regret (2Co 7:10, but if we do not learn from our history (Ecc 1:9-11), then we despise God’s mercies (Lam 3:23) and return to our vomit (Pro 26:11).

We cannot keep looking back as if we can return to Eden—that way is blocked (Gen 3:24). Nor should we think we can find our own way forward, thinking ourselves god, determining our own responsibility and trying to captain our own destiny (Jer 10:23). Rather, we must set our eyes upon the One who has carried us thus far (Deu 1:31) and will see us through till the end (John 6:39).

Jesus is our only Hope (Titus 2:13). Jesus is the only one we should seek to make great (Phi 3:8). Jesus is the only one who can rescue and save (Acts 4:12). Focus on Him and follow Him forward.

“Instead I am single-minded: Forgetting the things that are behind and reaching out for the things that are ahead, with this goal in mind, I strive toward the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” –Philippians 3:13b-14

Billy Neal

Spiritual Stench, Part 2

“Jesus, intensely moved again, came to the tomb. (Now it was a cave, and a stone was placed across it.) Jesus said, ‘Take away the stone.’ Martha, the sister of the deceased, replied, ‘Lord, by this time the body will have a bad smell because he has been buried four days.’” – John 11:38-39

Bad odors have a purpose, letting us know that something has gone wrong and that something harmful is threatening life. Whether spoiled food, a dead carcass in the yard, or an infected injury. In all of these circumstances, we would not ignore such a thing. We would throw it in the trash, bury it, and have the infection quickly treated.

Yet why when we smell something wretched with another, we run from it? If we love our neighbor, can we dismiss the spoiled food on the counter? If we love others as we should, do we just watch the vultures congregate in front of their door, just hoping the wind direction doesn’t bring any foulness to ours? How can we love one another and not plead with them to visit the physician when we know their concealed infection will ultimately lead to their destruction.

I suspect that it is not a refined righteous nose that causes us to stay away spiritual stenches, because there is only one righteous (Acts 3:14), and He was not deterred by a bad smell. Rather, I propose that it is the rot within our own hearts that we don’t want exposed. It is faithless hearts that protest the removal of the stone—that weighty lie that says it’s better to remain bound (v.44; see Exo 14:13-12).

So God must get us outside ourselves. Like after an extended time away from home, we are confronted with an unpleasant odor upon entry. Or when we sense a peculiar aroma in a neighbor’s house. These things should cause us to seek out problems within.

So God confronts us with the decay of others. He makes the smell of another’s death permeate our nostrils to remind us of our own end without Him (Amos 4:10; Isa 66:24). He allows us to taste the rotten fruit produced from another tree separated from its Root and Source (Luke 6:43-45; John 15:1-4; Rev 22:16). He leads us to situations where the offensive odor of another’s actions demonstrates how repulsive our actions are to Him (Jer 27:13).

So let your heart be humbled by allowing our aversion to the scent of another’s sin cause us to reflect upon our own issues. And may we invite others into our lives to help us detect the death that Christ still needs to remove. Before seeking to correct the odious actions of another when they get too near, consider that God is reminding you of your own abhorrent behavior (Mat 7:3-5).

And in those areas where the sweet fragrance of life is now enjoyed (2Co 2:14), remember who called out what stank and brought to life what was once dead (1Co 6:11). We must remember it is all by His grace (1Co 15:10; Eph 2:8), and that we won’t be completely free of this decaying flesh until we enter glory (2Co 5:4-10).

Only in humility can we truly love our neighbor and be equipped to help them, no longer callously leaving them to perish, nor arrogantly calling from the street that they leave death behind. Rather, a humble heart is a remembering soul, an obedient disciple who gets close to where the dead lie, and do not protest when the Lord asks us to expose what is detestable. We simply obediently role away the obstacles and allow our great and powerful Savior to call dead men to rise!

Billy Neal

Spiritual Stench, Part 1

Recently, a few brothers and I were blessed to be able to volunteer with Samaritans Purse and help with disaster relief in Louisiana. I was involved in mostly outside roof tarping and limb cleanup, but one house in particular stood out to me. The outside was decently maintained, even though there was a lot of debris from metal work, boat repairs, and bins of empty drink cans spilling from the garage. But as soon as we entered the house, we were meet with an almost tangible odor. We were grateful that the main living area had a front and back door that we could prop open, so that we could work with some fresh airflow.

The homeowner was a kind, old, war veteran. He smoked, but the unpleasant smell of cigarettes only served to partially mask the rotting smell coming from his kitchen. It was a mess, with food decomposing on the counter and in the sink. I had to wonder how his children and grandchildren (he lived alone) allowed him to live in such a mess. I confess, I didn’t want to be the one to work in the interior (even though I did).

But it struck me, is this not the spiritual condition of all our hearts without Christ? In fact, this is the state of any part of our being that has not surrendered itself over to Life? It is dead. And death stinks.

Sure, we’ll keep the outside manicured, for that’s what our neighbor sees (1Sa 16:7), even though some of our internal trash keeps spilling out. We may allow certain individuals inside, but we keep certain recesses where we know death permeates hidden. Yet bad habits and destructive tendencies are only the scent of deeper decomposition. The problem is, our flesh fatigues (i.e. olfactory fatigue), and so becomes accustom to the filth and oblivious to the stench (Rom 8:5-8).

At least for ourselves.

When it comes to others, we would rather stay away. Oh, we might coldly tell them as we exit that they offend. Or we may politely say nothing and just stay on the door step.

But Jesus did not shy from the smell. He demanded that death be exposed, that the stone hiding it be removed. Because if rotting bodies are not exposed, if breathe (John 20:22) and light (Eph 5:13-14) are not allowed to enter, dead men don’t walk out of graves.

Billy Neal

Know the Difference

And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him; and the child was cured from that very hour. — Matthew 17:18

Men, an epileptic boy is brought to Jesus. Jesus rebukes a demon and immediately it came out of him and the boy was healed. Today, 2000 years or so later, there is still no real cure for epilepsy. It can be “managed” with rest, medication, avoiding flashing lights and abstaining from drugs and alcohol, but can’t be cured with any known medical treatment.

What happened here was not a prescription for managing symptoms. I wouldn’t dare say all epileptic cases are of demonic origin, but this particular case was in fact demonic indwelling which manifested in symptoms of epilepsy. I’m no doctor, but seeing a case of healing like this should have us standing up to take notice. The ability of Jesus to recognize a health matter in truth as a spiritual matter is something we should all take note of.

While history is filled with bad cases of overzealous spiritual healers condemning citizens of all forms of evil, neither is popping a pill down our throats the blanket solution for all matters of health. How can we know the difference between a legitimate health issue and an influence of evil? We can test the spirits, but please, do not allow Hollywood to be your guide into this subject. Jesus could “see” the difference.

The miracles that Jesus performed are giftings available to us as well, in the right context, with faith in Christ Jesus who overcame. Please, do not try to extract a demon from someone choking on a chicken bone next Sunday at the diner. But hope is not lost if you’ve exhausted all normal means of treatment as this man and boy had. Jesus can see, and He is the answer regardless of the issue. The Lord Jesus has authority on earth, water, air and the heavens. He has authority over all sickness and evil. Jesus is our answer.

Move forward men, in decisive faith in Jesus. Listen for His voice in your heart guiding us to clarity on matters of health and the heart. Allow His Spirit to aid us in discernment. Take all matters to Jesus who heals.

Vance Durrance

Perspective

So I brought him to Your disciples, but they could not cure him.”

Then Jesus answered and said, “O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him here to Me.”
— Matthew 17:16-17

Men, Jesus has just come down from the transfiguration and is confronted by a man with an “epileptic” son. His son needs healing and the disciples could not do it. Bringing the boy to Jesus, Jesus answers; “O faithless and perverse generation, how long will I be with you? How long shall I bear with you?” Jesus is roughly 6 months from the cross. Knowing His time is coming short, He really wants to see His followers understand what He came to do. Not just to die for sin, but to reconnect man to the Father, and to dominion. Jesus is disappointed here. Jesus calls them faithless. We often use faith and belief interchangeably, but that is not accurate. The 9 disciples who remained behind “believed” in Jesus. But they failed in faith, or “seeing” the world through Jesus’ perspective. Jesus calls them a perverse generation.

Our flesh is corrupted, and seeing the world through the eyes of our flesh perverts our sight and thoughts. Seeing through Jesus, by faith, purifies what we see. When you turn on the television to the nightly news, do you see opponents? Do you see a mess you’d like to be excused from? Do you see brokenness and opportunity to shine His light into darkness? Are you angry with what you see or are you hurt and burdened for what you see? What we see says everything about our level of faith. How long will Jesus bear with us? How long until we see what Jesus would do and act accordingly? How long until we stop seeing a sick child and try to heal issues on our own? How long until we see a sick child as Jesus sees it, so we can then be vessels of Jesus’ healing power on earth? I ask myself as well. I want to “see” more, and I hope you do too.

Move forward men, looking closer at Jesus to see what He seen.

Vance Durrance

What does the world look like to Him? We can’t engage the world as He would until we understand the world as He does. We must pan back from our circumstances and ask Jesus for a Holy vantage point from which to acknowledge our surroundings.

Keys – Kingdom Authority

Keys

And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” – Matthew 16:19 NKJV

Men, the gates of Hades will not prevail against “the called out ones” of Jesus Christ. Now He tells Peter, “And I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven”. Matthew 18 later let us know that all the disciples were given “the keys” as well. But what are these keys, what do they unlock, and what is behind these doors?

Let’s define a Kingdom as a territory/realm. Within the borders are protections, privileges, rights, responsibilities, protocols, and authorities. Jesus has come, not to set up a physical kingdom, that comes later, but a Kingdom system which is superimposed over the world system. The world system is governed by the ruler of the air, Satan (Eph2).

Having the keys grants those who have them the authority to act on behalf of Him who granted the keys, namely Jesus. In effect, having the keys grants those with keys authority to overrule the authority of the air, or the system of this world. When the world system is hurling insecurity and fear in our face, these keys grant us access to His peace and power and more. Peter was given keys to preach, and he did so with great affect, bringing in 3000 in Acts 2. Peter opened the door to Gentiles in Acts 10. Peter unlocked the door to healing miracles and more.

So, are these keys available to us? Consider Luke 10. Jesus gave authority to 70 believers to “tread on serpents”. Serpents are demon rulers over territory here in the world. Jesus prayed for “oneness” in John 17. The Kingdom of God which Jesus preached will never fall or fail. Authority granted in Kingdom supersedes all other authority. We can access these keys, but like a Good Father, He waits on some who He can grow into responsible children who will possess the keys with understanding and humility.

Peter, the 12, and those faithful to pursue great depth in their relationship with Jesus have been given “keys to the Kingdom”. Keys grant us access to Kingdom privilege, power and gifts; unlocking opportunities beyond a surface level relationship, and come with responsibility. Jesus tells Peter and the 12 that with keys, they can also “bind on earth” and it “will be bound in heaven”.

In addition, Jesus tells them, “whatever is loosed on earth will be loosed in Heaven”. This is all in context of Kingdom. In this Kingdom, Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father and is judge. Binding and loosing are contractual, judicial, and legal terms. If someone or thing is bound, it is presided over by authority.

For example, the covenants of God, His promises, oaths, agreements and boundaries are binding. Obedience to His precepts and law “loose” specific blessings. If something is loosed, it is freed, unhindered, activated etc. Jesus is telling the 12, and us, that we reciprocate legal business, through the Holy Spirit, with heaven and earth.

There is an active role for Peter, you and I to participate in regarding Kingdom business on the earth. Consider 1 John 5:14-15. We can ask God the Father and Jesus for anything –within His will– and it will be done for us. God sits on His royal throne and issues legal judgments and decrees that are then carried back to the earth and Kingdom business is accomplished. Agreements made here are also binding in Heaven. No wonder Jesus told us not to make oaths. Yes, Jesus is a comforting friend, closer than a brother, He is our defense, but He also holds legal authority with God the Father over all things in heaven and the earth.

Move forward, men, with keys. Jesus called Himself, “the gate”… into the Kingdom. Salvation only takes us into the gate. By walking close with Him, we learn to navigate the system of Kingdom and He grants keys of access to His power. Move forward, men, in obedience to His Word and precepts to function in His will. Consider the legal protocols of Kingdom. Immerse yourself with full surrender in His will and ask of Him. Watch it happen on earth as it is decreed from Heaven.

Vance Durrance

Surely Die

apple

Something is missing from this passage…

[God said to Adam] “but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” –Genesis 2:17

Why aren’t Adam and Eve dead?

Lest we think the serpent spoke truth (Gen 3:4), let us examine this closely. Here are several points, all of which might be accurate.

First, consider that life is not just existence, but our spiritual fellowship with God, which was immediately broken at the fall (Rom 7:9-11). THIS is REAL death (Eph 2:1).

Second, death can be considered the process of our decay, and that at the very moment of partaking the fruit, humanity’s access to the Tree of Life was revoked (Gen 3:22-23), and they began to die.

Third, we might utilize the serpent’s question “Did God really say?” in a genuine search for wisdom (the purpose of the crafty snake, see Gen 3:1) in order to question our assumptions regarding what the Lord meant by “in the day.” Is not a thousand years as a “day” to the Lord in His patience (2Pe 3:8)? And note that even the oldest man fell short of 1,000 at 969 years (Gen 5:27).

Fourth, God is merciful, and has allowed them to live beyond the limits of His divine decree. This is not an unjust pardon, but a merciful delay, for every sin will be accounted for at the great white throne—or was accounted for at the cross (Rom 3:25; Rev 20:12-15).

“Or do you have contempt for the wealth of his kindness, forbearance, and patience, and yet do not know that God’s kindness leads you to repentance? But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath for yourselves in the day of wrath, when God’s righteous judgment is revealed!” –Romans 2:4-5

Lord, humble us to Your immense mercy today. Help us see the gracious breath that You do not withhold every day that we arise from our bed (Job 34:14). Open our eyes to the mercy of every ray of sun and drop of rain that continues to bless us with undeserved light and life (Mat 5:45). Grant us today a heart of thanksgiving for Your mercy!

Billy Neal

Drawing Out Faith

Then Jesus went out from there and departed to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him, saying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed.”

But He answered her not a word.

And His disciples came and urged Him, saying, “Send her away, for she cries out after us.” But He answered and said, “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Then she came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, help me!” –Matthew 15:21-25.

Men, Jesus leaves Gennesaret for the region of Tyre and Sidon. These are Pagan territories, and a Canaanite (Gentile) woman comes to Him crying out for mercy. Her daughter is severely demon-possessed. Jesus doesn’t answer her. The woman cried out so much that the disciples ask Jesus to send her away. Jesus replies, “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of Israel”. The “Lost Sheep” is a good study of its own. But then, she came and worshipped Him, begging Him, “Lord help me!”

We read this and find Jesus uncharacteristically cold and distant. Remember, this is Pagan lands and a Gentile woman. To grant her request without then being filled with Himself would leave her daughter vulnerable to a worse condition (12:43-45). Jesus is basically on a retreat here from His primary mission. He will soon leave with only this occasion recorded.

We are told to pray continually, to ask, seek and knock, it is written that many prayed day and night to God, others fasted with prayer. As with this woman, Jesus is drawing out our faith. Jesus could have healed the daughter without all this drama. It would have been cheap and forgettable. Jesus drew out her focus on Him as her only hope. This woman won’t be allowed to come and make a private plea for help and walk away to her other gods without a life changing moment to reflect back on. She is challenged to appeal to Jesus’ mercy from beyond any merit of her own. The woman now acknowledges Jesus beyond a resource to her need. V25 says she worshipped Him. “Lord, help me!”

This is our lesson today. How many of us will continue to pray while Jesus seems silent? How many will pray when we feel we’ve been denied His answer? How many will worship Him before we get what we want?

Move forward men, identifying Jesus as Lord regardless of how He responds. He is not God, because He is merciful to us. He does not belong to us that we should make drive thru value menu prayers to satisfy our wishes. Is He Lord God of your life?

Vance Durrance

Shattered Mirrors

Shattered Mirror

“Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God moving about in the orchard at the breezy time of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the orchard.’” –Genesis 3:8

When moving a giant wall mirror from my grandmother’s house, one of the men carrying it was negligent and one of its corners hit the ground, chipping off a chunk of its corner. What was once the centerpiece of my grandmother’s dining room gatherings, now sits covered and hidden in the dark recesses of my parents’ basement.

Consider the essence of the serpent’s accusation: “God is lying to you. He is hiding good from you.” And yet what happens immediately following mankind consuming the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, deciding for themselves right and wrong? The very image-bearers of God HIDE from God. The very ones meant to reflect God’s good character now must conceal and cover themselves. They immediately recognize that a broken mirror is useless, because it reflects a lie, especially when it’s purpose is to reflect the perfect holiness of God. And Adam and Eve did more than chip a corner in negligence, they willfully shattered it with envy, believing that there was something better hidden behind it.

So they cover themselves and hide in the dark.

Before the good news can truly be received, the bad news must be accepted. Not only about others, but about ourselves. We are broken, shattered beyond repair. And we properly feel the shame of the evil we have committed (Eph 5:12). To hide this is to only heap up further rebellion, not to mention foolishness under the all-seeing eye of the Lord (Heb 4:13).

But don’t miss something powerful here. God’s purpose in shame is not to drive us away from Him, but draw us close. “Cover [your enemies’] faces with shame, so they might seek you, O Lord,” (Psa 83:16). A thing is visibly broken to demonstrate we have mistreated it, and that repair is needed. But we were never meant to fix our brokenness, for a shattered mirror cannot be repaired but must be replaced by the manufacturer. Likewise, when we find that our life is lost, we should seek it’s source (Act 3:15; Col 1:16).

So do not hide your brokenness from the Maker, and do not try and mend what is irreparable—whether your own mirror or another’s. Rather, let shame drive you to seek His redeeming hand (Neh 1:10), and point other’s to the Great Miracle Worker who not only repairs humanity (Mat 21:14), but resurrects dead men to life (John 11:43; 1Pe 1:3).

Keep digging for that treasure (Mat 13:44).

Billy Neal