3 Lessons from Questioning Jesus' authority

As we are getting closer and closer to Easter many people are so focused on the Easter bunny they are missing out. Others are so focused on rules and regulations they are missing out on the freedom Jesus offers us.

The big question that the rule following Pharisee's had was what gives Jesus the right? Jesus had a unique way of answering this question. Sadly, inquiring minds never found out the answer. Because they were too scared to answer Jesus's questions.

Jesus entered the temple courts and while he was teaching, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him. “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you this authority?” 

Jesus replied, “I will also ask you one question. If you answer me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. John’s baptism—where did it come from? Was it from heaven, or of human origin?” 

They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’ But if we say, ‘Of human origin’—we are afraid of the people, for they all hold that John was a prophet.”
So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.” 

Then he said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things. - Matthew 21:23-27

What lessons can we learn from the Chief Priests questioning Jesus' authority?


Disown / Deny Christ?
This story brings so many questions. But first it reminds me of another verse.

But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven. - Matthew 10:33

The Chief Priests and Elders had spent so much time trying to trap Jesus that all they could see was a trap. They started analyzing Jesus question to them. If we say this then .... and if we say that then... No, I don't believe Jesus was trying to trick them. In reality, Jesus was trying to offer than truth. If they would have denied that John's baptism was from God then he would need to start a different way.

If they believed John's baptism came from God then they were half way there. That wasn't a trick, it was an opportunity to acknowledge Jesus. It was step 1 to believing in him. Because they refused to answer he refused to answer them.

Because of their fear they couldn't be right or wrong. They were lukewarm.


Hot, Cold, or Lukewarm?
In Revelations, we're reminded that God wants hot or cold, but not lukewarm.

So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. - Revelations 3:16

Here is a perfect example of lukewarm. They could have denied him, or they could have acknowledged him, but instead they decided to stay out of it. God doesn't want us to fear making a mistake so much that we are lukewarm. No, he wants us to make time to know his will and his love.

But that means testing the spirit.


Testing the Spirit?
Jesus was testing the beliefs and spirits of the Chief Priests. We must also test the beliefs and spirits of those we deal with.

Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world. -1 John 4:1-3

If the Spirit is from God it will acknowledge Jesus and his authority from God. If they aren't well they won't. Another thing we need to look at is their fruit. Is it good or bad? In our world, so many come stating they believe in Jesus, but their fruit isn't good. We must beware of this as well.

Don't be like the Chief Priests and Elders. If you have questions about Jesus, read his words, ask questions. Don't let fear keep you from knowing Jesus.

Dear Lord, As I work on living fearlessly, help me to make decisions. Help me not to fear the wrong decision so much that I stay put. Help me to put my trust in you, testing the spirit of those who wish to lead me. Help me to forever hold on to your hand. In Jesus Name, Amen

I notice we all gravitate toward certain lessons. Which of these 3 lessons are something you are working on?

Unwavering Faith to beat Fear this year!

Once upon a time I had faith. That faith grew and grew, and then I stumbled upon a lie. As I let that lie sit there, I pondered it. The lie, oh it was horrible. I wasn't sure what I was going to do. Eventually, that lie led me down rabbit holes that filled up quickly with feelings of inadequacy and depression.

Let me tell you what. I have those moments of pure hope, and faith. It is in those moments I feel like I could move mountains.

This reminds me of a story of something that happened in Jesus last week.

Early in the morning, as Jesus was on his way back to the city, he was hungry. Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” Immediately the tree withered.  When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?” they asked.  Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” - Matthew 21:18-22

I'm guessing that you are wondering how this story has anything to do with my rabbit holes of fear and lies? 

See those lies led me to feeling completely alone and abandoned, which made my fear even worse. How could anyone bear to be around me, if I couldn't pull myself up by my bootstraps? How could God love me, when I let fear steal my faith? I am making that leap today. 

Okay, I've been jumping from one lily pad to another for the past few months, but today I take a huge hop and jump further, and hopefully onto solid ground. 

This verse reminds me that if I have faith and do not doubt, I can do more than wither a tree, I can move mountains. See those faith filled days, I really could move that mountain. The mountain I am going to move today is fear. 

See the same spirit in that was there when God created the word, was also inside Jesus. Guess what...that same spirit lives inside me. This plus God's wonderful love give me the ability to do great things, but what about unwavering faith. Well that comes in not pondering the lie, not following it down the rabbit hole. 


That lie filled rabbit hole leads to death and destruction. But this kind of faith leads to broken chains, and everlasting life. So today, join me as I say mountain of fear, into the ocean you must go. Oh yeah, fear, no peaking out of the ocean, for it will swallow you. 

Dear Lord, I know you love me. Yes me, I come to you in faith asking you to remove this fear. I know this fear is not of you, so may it produce no more fruit. Help me to have unwavering faith, as lies come. In Jesus Name, Amen

Living Fearlessly; My one word for the New Year

If you have known me for any of 2011-2015 you know that have been fearful. God doesn't want me to live in this fear. As I have been journaling (writing Scripture) this month. I have encountered "Do not be afraid". It feels like it has appeared constantly, but I think that is because God wants me to live in freedom.

 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. - Luke 2:10

Living in freedom means not being afraid. 

So before I tell you about what I hope living fearlessly in 2016 looks like. I want to tell you about living in fear.

I accepted a job because I was scared nothing else would come around. That I wouldn't be good enough. I mean, I applied to a job that I thought I would be perfect for and they went with someone else. Without even telling me. 

I have ignored God's voice telling me it is okay to allow others in. Yep, I am a true loner. I would be fine sitting in my apartment all by my lonesome. Ok, that is so not the truth, but it is what I want people to think.

I took a break from my church jobs, yet I still worked on these things, because I didn't want to be replaced. Yep, so break or no break. I didn't rest like I needed. God is pointing out this in my pure exhaustion.

I have ignored God leading me to start my own business.  Except in those moments when I am tired of the toxic work environment, I have grown accustomed to.

All this time, I have yearned for the faith to move, in these areas. Yearned for God's protection if I did move. Yet, I see the holes in the plan and am concerned that God will let me fall through them. So in 2016, I want to live fearlessly.

How am I going to live fearlessly?

1. I am going to work on starting that business. I have an idea, a deadline, and my plan is coming together. When I am exhausted, I know I need to move forward, but can't see how. I have reached that point with this, but I have a plan to work it out while also resting.

2.  I am once again going to take a break from my church duties. Not everything, but I am no longer going to strive to do it all. We were never meant to do it all. God has others who are capable of doing some of the things I do. So I will let them stretch their wings and grow.

3. I am going to let people in. I am still working on this plan. In the past, the plan worked but then fell through because I said yes, but reacted with a no. So I'm working on this, but I am going to try and follow God's lead and let people in, and get out and do stuff as well.

These are the biggies. I hope that you will join me as I try to live 2016 fearlessly. Oh, and if you want to pick one word for your 2016.  It isn't too late. You can do it, check out one word 365 where you can decide to live intentionally and find your one word. If you do I would love to hear your one word.

If you're a blogger, link to your post about your one word, so I can check it out, and help encourage you.

If you want to follow my journey you can subscribe to my blog. I promise to not take advantage but to treat it like I would want mine treated.

Overcoming Fear with God's Love and Truth

Charlie the Dragon Slayer: Standing over his Fears.

Fear, I'm positive I have talked about how my fear has a tendency of paralyzing me. Fear and fright hit me, I stand still. I hate this process. I have moved to a new step. I finally took a step, and now I can't help but be fearful that it wasn't led by God like I thought.

Have you ever felt this way. Standing still in fear and then fearful the decisions you have made are all wrong? It was this that lead me to do a Bible study on Fear. I know I'm not the only person who deals with fear, so here you go.

Time to combat some fear!

In God's word we're reminded that when we are fearful we need to refocus and put our trust in God.

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? - Psalms 56:3-4

We are also reminded that God is for us!

 Record my misery; list my tears on your scroll[d]— are they not in your record? Then my enemies will turn back when I call for help. By this I will know that God is for me. - Psalms 56:8-9

 The reminder that God is for us means that we can take comfort in him. We can dwell in his shelter like a bird dwells under it's mother. He is the wall around us that keeps us safe.

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.[a]  I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” - Psalms 91:1-2

 He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, - Psalms 91:4-5

 If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will  overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. - Psalms 91:9-12

Because he[b] loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.” - Psalms 91:14-16

 These verses serve as a reminder that we should not fear, because 1. God loves us, he puts his angels in charge of our protection. 2. God is our refuge where we can rest from our worry.  This doesn't mean disaster will never come, but that when it does we know that God will take care of our needs.

Do Not Fear for God is with You!

You remember how I said I felt I had made the wrong steps. Well guess what God's word covers that too.

But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord. - Jeremiah 1:7-8

If God sends you, He will give you words and protection. In the example I mentioned earlier I felt that God was leading me to take a step forward. I took that step and everything went smooth. Well at least in the beginning. God protected me and guided my steps. W

hy did God protect me? It is because I am valuable to him, and so are you!

 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. - Luke 12:6-7

Do you know what the opposite of fear and worry is? It is faith!

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God[a]; believe also in me. - John 14:1

So in those moments when fear sneaks up on you. When you start to become paralyzed, pray that God will give you words to say and lead your steps. He will. Why because He loves you so much, and You are worth it. 

Dear Heavenly Father, Please touch each person reading this. Give them the strength they need, the words to say. Help to increase their faith and help them to trust You. In Jesus Name, Amen

Burned out




Photo by The Ewan

God warned me as I gradually got worse. He warned me that the path and the rate I was taking the path weren't healthy. Yet something inside told me that this was the life God had for me. I started to believe that I was put on this earth to be over used and abused (lie).

 

I sat across from my mom at my kitchen table almost in tears as I finally let those words I had been holding escape. It was terrible, yet liberating all at the same time. I had started believing that I was all used up, of no use to anyone, even God. (Lie)

 

What a terrible place to be, but finally speaking my mom almost in tears because she is tired too. Gave me some much needed truth. God loves us, both of us. He came to give us rest, yes he wants us to do work for him but not at the cost of relationships. The most important relationship being with him.

Photo by The Ewan

 That is exactly what God warned me of, I can't lead or even teach without him. Without spending time with him, I am forgetting love and grace. Without love and grace the words I say are nothing but noise. 

 

Now for a little bit of truth; if Satan can pull us from God long enough we forget love and grace; then he steals our purpose. Our purpose of giving grace and love to others while pointing to the author of it all.

 

So I am trying to rekindle my relationship with God. Seeking him knowing he has promised to be found. I was reminded of where I was while reading another blog called The Good Life.  This blog reminded me that God didn't put me on this earth to be over used and abused. No that is a lie, God went through great efforts to show his love.

While I feel like I have been used up to the point of being useless. That is a lie, God always uses the least expected and most unqualified people. Think about it, God uses Moses who had a speech impediment, and Paul who persecuted his followers. Yet these are just a few examples of people God used that didn't fit the mold. So know I just need to rest, and be ready for God to use me.

As long as I don't allow Satan to take my voice, and I seek God with all of my heart, I am useful; and so are you.

Dear Lord,

I praise you for your wisdom. I thank you for the opportunity to get closer to you. Please continue to draw me toward you. Help me to find you, where I can understand and share your love and grace.

In Jesus name,

Amen

A boast in faith?

After my lesson, I was energetic. I couldn't wait to start down the new path God has for me. I've been here before and it didn't end with me following the path. The thought of when did my faith become so weak. Dear Lord, give me faith to follow you.

That prayer sounds good right. I was reading my long list of blogs and I found one that convicted me, because of my lack of faith. This blog post gave me a new view. Instead of looking up, I have started looking around, and I see that God has given me enough faith to do what He has called me to do.

In reality my faith is not at all what stops me from walking that path. It is fear. Fear that has attached itself to me. What is even worse is that I have even caught myself feeding the fear with lies. Isn't that what fear is anyway. The Bible tells us that perfect love casts out fear. The only perfect love comes from God. So when I am not following God down this new path, I'm standing maybe even living in that lie.

The faith chapter, Hebrews 11, tells of people who used their faith to step out of the boat, to take the path God had for them. They were commended for this. Jesus told a parable about the two sons, found in Matthew 21:28-32. 

In this parable the father asked both sons to go work in the fields for him. The first said no, but changed his mind and went. The second said yes, but then changed his mind and never went. I would like to say I'm standing and haven't answered. That would be nice, but I have told God yes, I will go. But I'm standing here still thinking about it.

The problem is the longer I think about the path, the longer I stand here in fear, the bigger the chance I'm going to be the second son. I don't want to be the second son, I want to be commended for my faith. I want to be an example to those who are hearing the same lies. I want them to say, if God can heal her, if he can use her, if he can help her overcome the lies, then he will do the same for me. I want God to use me to free those around me.

Dear Lord, You have given me the faith I need to overcome the lies, and to fight off the fear. Give me another opportunity to step out in faith. Use me to free those around me who have been lied to as well. Give them freedom from seeing me move. In Jesus Name, Amen

Opposing opinions:

As a human I often find times where my views don't sink up with my friends, family, or even my neighbor. As a christian, I find my views different then my brothers and sisters in Christ.
Because of my leadership role in my church, I make excuses.What excuse do I make? The excuse that I don't want to bring judgement on my family, my teaching style, but most of all I don't want to bring judgement on myself. I fear my views will be seen in a negative light, by people with closed minds judging me. (The thing we aren't supposed to do).

So I don't post links to amazing blogs because they have different opinions of those around me.  I don't know if I can handle my friends opinions about me. I fear being told I can't teach, or lead in my church because my opinions are different. My role is a role I take very serious. Something I have done so long that the work I do for the Lord has taken up my identity. Almost my entire identity.

So I sit quietly, not sharing where God is ever changing my perspective. Where God is pushing me to love others as he first loved me. Where love is seen as a verb. Love is to serve others, no matter who they are, what they do or believe, just love them.  Unconditional love doesn't look at picking right and wrong out of that person, it looks at showing them love because they were created by God for a purpose, because they too are human, and loved by an almighty God.

I do believe in repentence and that through that repentence we are made whole. I also believe that there are clear lines of right and wrong, but I see so many people who just up and leave people who are doing wrong because of their behavior, or who they are.

I thank God my perspective has changed, and may people see this change in me. May he take away my fear and give me boldness to say what I feel. May love shine around me, love that comes from the Father God and his Son.

When in doubt follow Jesus' example...

At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.
But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.
At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”
“No one, sir,” she said.
“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.” - John 8:2-11

 Jesus didn't come to condemn us...

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. - John 3:17-18

So, go now and condemn no one. Don't say that because someone sins in a way that is blatant and disrespectful they don't deserve love. Love them. Never abandon someone you disagree with, because they may be the loneliest out there, and never quarrel over matters of convictions.

Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters. One person’s faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted them. Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand. - Romans 14:1-4

Now if they are asking you to partake in the sin, then by all means run. Run fast and far away. Always ask God to help you discern what is around you, and to give you wisdom when you shouldn't be somewhere or do something.

Dear Heavenly Father,

We praise you for your love for us. That you don't condemn us for our shortcomings. Please give us the grace and wisdom to do the same.

 In Jesus' Name,
Amen.

Why finding your way isn't impossible!

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;  in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight" - Proverbs 3:5-6

 So I have this really odd feeling that I am missing something, something that God is pointing me toward. This feeling can't be shaken off, no it won't disappear and yet I feel like the arrow is right in front of my face, but I can't see it. Okay, maybe I can see it, but I feel like I'm too late. The opportunity like many in the past is gone. I hope that it isn't because I'm not completely sure what to do at the moment.

A few months ago I wrote 2 posts that deal with directions from God. Trust in God, He sees the whole picture which was about how I felt God was asking me to trust him in one specific area of my life. The second post: Lean Not on your own Mis-understanding was about how I was trying to follow God's leading but still doing everything my own way.  Guess what, I still haven't followed where God was leading me, and boy oh boy do I feel more lost than ever before.

There were days where I felt so sure of what was ahead, yet fear made me completely immobile. In my mind, I can move forward, in reality, it is as if the fears and lies that have been ingrained into me act as walls. Okay, they don't act, they are walls. Huge walls. Walls that I need a helicopter to come lift me over because I can't find my way around, and I don't know how to knock them down. Walls that I don't like, but that I have built to keep myself from getting hurt, and from feeling disappointment. Walls that are comfortable.

There are other days, (these are happening much more frequently now), where I feel like the pathway has become overgrown with weeds and to walk it would be impossible. With God, nothing is impossible, right. Yet, the weeds that are lies have grown so thick that I can't make it through them, I can't find the path that was right in front of me a few months ago.

I am sitting here thinking about how I have strayed so far off of the path that was in front of me, I'm not even worthy of the blessings on that path. Lies, everything I am thinking is a lie and I'm believing it. The song He Loves me Anyway just came on the radio. At this moment, I needed to be reminded that God loves me and all those feeling and thought racing through at this moment are lies.

It may be true that the direction God was leading me, and the chance he wanted me to take that I never did, may be lost, but the path is still there. If I journey on then a new opportunity may be found. One that will bring its blessings just the same.

In Revelations we are reminded that we should find our first love, Jesus. That is how we get back on the right path.

Have you ever felt like you missed the blessings God has for you? I would love to hear how you found your path again.