The greater One

P3521 Stay adaptable.

/ DVH

“Now, even though I am free from obligations to others, I joyfully make myself a servant to all in order to win as many converts as possible. I became Jewish to the Jewish people in order to win them to the Messiah. I became like one under the law to gain the people who were stuck under the law, even though I myself am not under the law. And to those who are without the Jewish laws, I became like them, as one without the Jewish laws, in order to win them, although I’m not outside the law of God but under the law of Christ. I became “weak” to the weak to win the weak. I have adapted to the culture of every place I’ve gone so that I could more easily win people to Christ. I’ve done all this so that I would become God’s partner for the sake of the gospel.” 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 TPT.

This man of God’s chosen attitude was to be like a chameleon. No matter where he ended up, he was there for Jesus’ sake, to release Christ’s blessings toward others. So he put aside his own identity and preferences and adapted. He knew, firsthand, what being “In Christ Jesus” meant, and he chose to live in that world’s mess, because teaching people how to know Jesus was all that mattered to him. Paul knew where his real home was. It was wherever Jesus wanted him to be, for as long as the Lord wanted him to be there!

He had so identified with His Saviour’s will, that his affiliations and religion simply became another avenue of motivation to teach this man love. When they opposed him, he used that opportunity to learn how to love more deeply. Furthermore he deliberately laid aside his own strength, and this man was an expert in the law, in order to allow heaven itself to touch people. He chose to stay adaptable. Paul understood that his old life of preferences and loyalties were gone, now his first allegiance was to Christ and His cause, not to a country or a creed. Many times he ended up in prison, beaten by rods, stoned, and reviled, when he could have just as easily had the admiration of his peers. But now he stood up for Christ.

This is how we are to live now. The Lord knows that the people around us, who are in one kind of prison or another, need to hear about Jesus too. That kind of puts our fear of going to talk to the grumpy neighbours in a whole new light! Paul met plenty of grumpy people! Plus insulting people, arrogant people, ignorant people, and people who hated him, and his new beliefs. Just because we know the Saviour, that does not mean people are going to be thrilled to hear about Him.

Paul could do all these things because he did not rely upon his brilliant mind, or great strength of character, or dedication to a task – He relied upon what Christ did. When this man met Jesus, who he used to be died … on the spot! He stopped being Saul, which means — “asked for”, “prayed for”, or “borrowed.” And the moment God Himself addressed him, he became Paul — “small,” “humble,” “least,” or “little.” Paul knew reality when it hit him. Do we know reality? Or do we keep on trying to pray or excuse it away? Are we adaptable? The way forward is clear – we are to be like Jesus. Wherever the Lord puts us we’ve been sent to blossom and release the sweet fragrance of His love wherever we go.

And our faith needs to be more than a theory, because theories fall over under pressure. Lately it seems like many of us are … ‘under pressure’ … and I am not sure that is going to get any better any time soon. But we can use this time to get better at letting go and letting God.  Paul regarded serving our Father’s kingdom as his greatest privilege, and that meant that whatever happened to him didn’t matter. Hardship didn’t matter. Loss was irrelevant. “Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For His sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.” ESV. Philippians 3:8.

If we want to see the Lord at work in our lives then we need to follow Jesus’ example, like Paul. His testimony was this –  even if he had nothing, he was rich because he had Jesus. We also need to regard this world’s privileges, trappings, adventures, recognition, assets etc. as nothing, when we compare it with the joy of knowing Jesus personally, intimately. We’ve been reborn into a better Kingdom where serving and cherishing those who are all around us, is a way of life.

The greater One lives in us so we can have fellowship together. Love is a magnificent equaliser. It’s theology goes beyond our wildest dreams! The Holy Spirit knows how and what we should say. I’ve learnt that He doesn’t need clever people … He needs available people. Just be available today and every day. I do whatever He gives me to do … today. If I’m sick, then I’m sick today, it may not go on all day, that is up to Him. I tell myself, “I can do this for the next minute, hour, day! Tomorrow ain’t here yet!” Don’t let the idea of tomorrow, cloud today. Live for Jesus today.

And don’t worry about what you are going to say to others –  just let love be the umpire. Pray for them. Paul knew how to live a fulfilling life rich in love. He simply stayed adaptable, and kept on falling in love with Jesus, over and over again. Wherever he landed, he preached Christ! A life lived for His sake is never wasted. Bye. 👋

P 3443 We influence them, this world does not influence us.

/ DVH

It can be so easy to pick up the habits, fears and general atmosphere around us, and be pressured into conforming with it, even verbally. We need to be aware that we are thermostats, not thermometers. What’s the difference between a thermostat and a thermometer? A thermometer measures temperature, while a thermostat controls it.

We have been given the Lord’s authority to set the atmosphere of any room we enter, simply because we bring the King of all glory with us!  We are not here to just measure or create atmospheres – we are here to usher in Jesus – He does that stuff all by Himself! He makes His Presence known without embarrassing people, or pontificating over them.

When we read the Gospels we see Jesus lovingly expose other people’s hearts! Maybe that is why He once said angrily to His disciples: “you don’t know what spirit you are in!” What they’d said lacked love. The only people who were offended with Jesus were the religious. Those people who like the rules, and love to wave them about like a banner. However, many people were drawn to Jesus, when they were rejected by religion. He has chosen us to be a demonstration of His kingdom, right here, right now.

There are people who find that they cannot be themselves around Christians who use religious language, simply because it hinders the flow of the Spirit of God through them. But other dear souls are so sweet about what they say, it is not at all offensive. Like I’ve said before, it’s the heart that matters. So many souls are bruised these days, it’s not our job to poke at their bruises. The heart that wants to ‘straighten someone else out’ is probably not listening well. Sadly, most of the time, religious talk makes me want to leave the room!

Jesus didn’t do it, and neither should we.

On another note, I can’t watch the news anymore because first of all, it’s all bad! … And secondly, it doesn’t seem like the news to me. It is more like a chat room with many many opinions. Criticism and condemnation and the worst kind of humour flourishes.The Lord tells us that ‘we are to be as wise as serpents and as gentle as doves.’ I strongly suspect this verse means that wisdom makes its own room, and gentleness will disarm angry people. It makes me so sad when the media has so much influence, but it uses it carelessly to destroy other people’s lives – for profit. 

It is almost like the news,  publishing organisations, social media etc. itself has become a courtroom deciding who is guilty and who is not. Life is complicated and people do awful, hateful things – however how can my opinion do anything but become further gossip at a time when that person needs forgiveness and wisdom? People in terrible trouble need prayer not hatred. Yet the media fosters hatred by the way they slant things.

My thought today is this – it is great to share Psalms, Hymns, spiritual songs, uplifting sermons, exhortations and, or life lessons on social media etc. But if we choose to stand by, saying nothing … while that very same avenue projects the whirlwind of public opinion while it is shredding people’s lives. Then aren’t we behaving exactly like Paul did when he agreed with killing off Christians?  Jesus had to blind Paul to help him see! 

That story in Acts 9 is about Paul, and it teaches us a story about this servant of God and how he temporarily lost his sight. Plus it reveals Ananias’ bravery. It also shows us that human beings often follow leaders without questioning them. People stood with Paul, and as he consented to other people’s deaths, so did THEY. They were persuaded that murder was the only answer to stopping the preaching of the Gospel. Some of them even carried out the murders, in God’s Name. 

We can’t afford to participate in popularity polls in the church, mainly because we can be very poor at using the gift of discernment when it comes to leadership. We often pick the popular guy, not the man of His Presence and the Lord’s principles. We are more likely to go to the church run by a man or woman who tickles our ears, than listen to someone who says the things we don’t want to hear … yet we need to hear them. 

Suspicion and discernment are two different things. One closes down honest interchanges of ideas, and the other sees the person behind all the talk, and identifies the spirit leading them around by the nose. Jesus is the judge and He has already paid for everyone’s sins. And Proverbs 18:13 says: “He who answers a matter before he hears the facts—it is folly and shame to him.” James 1:19: “My dear brothers and sisters, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger.” 

Our influence on this world must not be underestimated, the Greater One lives in us. Perhaps we all need to repent for allowing the world to enter our ship and colour our opinions about who is in and who is out. A Christian’s quest for holiness must not be the vehicle we use to crush any human being who has no faith, or less faith than we have. Bye. 👋