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Departing The Heart
Who Can This Be?
Episodic Study of the Character of Jesus – Book II

In this book, I explore a strange Gospel episode found in Matthew 15:21-28 and Jesus’ treatment of a Gentile woman seeking His help.

What would you call a religious leader who would purposefully ignore someone desperately seeking help for their tormented child? A person who then sides with his friends, agreeing that the mother is annoying and needs to be sent away? Not only that, but he is openly bigoted, mocking her with a racist slur. What?

I’ll let you come up with the appropriate descriptor for a religious leader who behaves so hypocritically.

So, I ask what many in His day asked of Jesus, “Who can this be?”

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Excerpt from Chapter 4 of DEPARTING THE HEART

Come On, Jesus! Practice What You Preach!

“. . . 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!” But He answered and said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.” – Matthew 15:21-26

“A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” —Luke 6:45

“As Christians, we’re irritated when we see other Christians behaving badly. We grow frustrated when we see people inside the church treating others unkindly.” —Jim Daley, President of Focus on the Family

To What Standard Should We Hold Jesus?

Acknowledging my struggles with judging others (including myself) as jerks, I’m working on it. I can say, however, that there are not a lot of things in this world that I truly hate. One of them, though, is the Double Standard.

The “Double Standard” is defined by Merriam-Webster as: a set of principles that applies differently and usually more rigorously to one group of people or circumstances than to another.

Although the application of the double standard is universally frowned upon, we see it applied across society. We see it in social clubs and schools when someone with a lower eligibility ranking gains entrance because of other influences such as racial, ethnic, religious, political and socioeconomic biases.

Those who excel in business, sports, or academics seem to get away with things that the rest of us can’t. People who are inside the government often benefit from a different set of rules. Our laws can be adjudicated unevenly merely because some can afford to hire better legal representation. Unfortunately, we see plenty of examples in which our moral leaders fail to practice what they preach.

One of the things that attracts people to Christianity is the premise that we, as human beings, are all in the same boat. According to the Bible, we all have sin in our lives and we all fall short of the perfection of God. But the Christian Good News is that Christ died for all as a sacrifice for our sins, and all of us are now offered equal access to God. God does not favor anyone based on racial, ethnic, religious, political, or any socioeconomic differences (although he does seem to have an affinity for the poor).

Matthew records Jesus as He speaks out against this behavior by the religious leaders of his day in Matthew 23:3-7: “Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do. For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries (scripture boxes) broad and enlarge the borders of their garments. They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi.’”

Some Get All the Breaks

I particularly don’t like it when I find myself keeping to the rules and looking around to see others flaunting their rebellion. In the U.S., we often have some recourse when the abusers are identified, and sometimes it’s corrected. But, with the wealthy and powerful and connected, there seems no recourse; it’s just part of the system. Because of this double standard, people become jaded and apathetic, and you find a growing culture of people trying to take advantage wherever they can. Rules and laws lose their meaning and purpose.

So, what do Jesus’ critics say when they see Jesus seemingly behaving badly? More importantly, what do Christians do when Jesus Himself does not seem to be behaving consistently with the moral standards taught by the New Testament writers and even with Jesus’s own teachings?

What do Christians do with that? Christ-followers can rely on their knowledge of Jesus’ inherent goodness, but don’t we want to know why Jesus does all that He does?

As a Christian, one is encouraged, beseeched and instructed to live up to a higher moral standard that takes them beyond keeping the letter of the Old Testament Commandments and laws to allowing God to develop a certain character in the Christian. Our motivation is to become more like the one who authored our salvation—to put on the character of Jesus.

In Paul’s letter to the Colossian church, he writes, “Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free (no distinction or double standard), but Christ is all and in all. Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do” (Colossians 3:11-13).

So, what are the major New Testament moral teachings that Christians are taught to live up to? Without republishing the entire New Testament, I’ll list some of the major instructions I have gleaned, in addition to the Colossians 3 teaching identified above.

Consider how some of Jesus’ words and behavior while interacting with the Phoenician woman fit with the New Testament teachings on how Christians should behave.

• Matthew 7:12 (NIV) (The Golden Rule) “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”
• Matthew 5:44 “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.”
• Romans 12:21 “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
• 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (The love chapter, not just for married couples) “Love suffers long and is kind . . .; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, endures all things.”
• Matthew 5:3-12 (The Beatitudes) “Blessed are the poor in spirit, . . . Blessed are the meek, . . . blessed are the merciful, . . . blessed are the peacemakers, . . . blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, . . . blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven.”

Finally, there is what I consider the core scripture describing the Character of Jesus: Galatians 5:22-23 (The Fruit of the Spirit) “But the Fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.”

So, do we find Jesus acting righteously loving in this particular episode?

The Old Covenant standard for righteousness was found in the Mosaic Law—the Ten Commandments and all the rules built around the Commandments.

The New Covenant standard is of the heart and the Spirit which is succinctly summed up in Galatians 5:22-23 above which concludes with, “Against such there is no law.” This substantiates the truth that if your heart expresses the Fruit of the Spirit, there is no need for the Law.

If this is the standard, as I go through the Gospels Jesus does not always seem to live up to the standard of the Fruit of the Spirit. As an example, do we see love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control in his speech and behavior toward this woman? Reading through this episode it is hard to see Jesus demonstrating the full Fruit of the Spirit.

The only other mention of the Fruit of the Spirit is found in Ephesians 5:8-10: “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the Fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.”

It appears that all of the Fruit of the Spirit mentioned in Galatians 5 rests on these three things: goodness, righteousness, and truth. When you look at the original Greek, this is the fruit that overlaps the two passages that mention the Fruit of the Spirit. In my estimation, these three are the foundation of all the Fruit. But how do these three work together?

Foundational Fruit Example

We had just gone to my eldest son’s college graduation. Unfortunately, I did not have time to make plans for lunch afterward, and many area restaurants were already booked, so we ended up at a Chili’s restaurant. After we finished our entrées, we all agreed that we would share one of their infamous lava cakes for dessert. Chili’s offers a chocolate and a vanilla lava cake. We took a vote and all agreed on ordering the vanilla and gave our order to the waitress.

Minutes later the waitress returned with the lava cake, put it down, and distributed the spoons. We looked at each other a bit stunned until I spoke up and announced, “I’m sorry, Miss, but this is chocolate and we ordered the vanilla.” She immediately recognized her error and replied, “I’m sorry. You’re right. I’ll be right back with the vanilla cake.” She left the cake and came back in five minutes with the vanilla cake.

I can only imagine what she thought by the look on her face when she returned to see only a few crumbs of the chocolate lava cake left on the plate and all of us still licking off the chocolate smeared on our lips. The truth was that the chocolate lava cake was good but it wasn’t right.

Whatever God does meets all three standards—it is all perfectly good, it is all perfectly right, and it is all perfectly true. . . For more go to:

Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” – Matthew 24:3

“Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, And prudent in their own sight!” – Isaiah 5:20-21

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Wow!

I don’t know what you’re looking at but I see a world that is being turned upside down and inside out. A time where growing numbers call evil good, and good evil. A world increasingly looking like what Paul describes in 2 Timothy, chapter 3*

More and more I am hearing Christian leaders citing signs of Biblical end times. What are those signs? Matthew 24:6-8 records the signs that the end is coming as, “And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.”

But before that list Jesus declares in verses 4 & 5, “Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.” I had always taken this as a precursor or warning that we should pay attention to the signs then listed in verses 6-8. Yet, many of those signs (wars, famines, pestilences, earthquakes, etc.) we’ve seen happening over the years to varying degrees. What I recently realized is the deceiving itself is perhaps the greatest sign of all. The real key to recognizing the “beginning of sorrows” is the incomprehensible growth of the level of DECEPTION in our world.

With all the ludicrous ideology being foisted on people today, I keep thinking, Surely rational thought will take over, and the world will come to its senses. If we can just elect the right people!

But, then I’m reminded this is not about conscious rational intellect deciding to do the right thing. It is so evident that it is a Spirit of Deception overtaking growing numbers of people who have been convinced they can go to any extent to destroy what is decent and good.

Israel Versus Hamas

This war between Israel and Hamas/Palestine is evidence of masses of ignorant people justifying demonically evil acts as a righteous fight over land and freedom.

I watched people tearing down pictures of innocent Jewish victims of terror and kept asking myself, Why? What could possibly motivate people to do that? And then one day one of these people caught in the act said the “why” out loud: “It is Israeli propaganda. The Israeli’s have staged all this as a pretense to attack the Palestinians.”

It struck me that despite all of the evidence to the contrary we have a generation of people being deceived or believing they are being deceived. For them, what is evidently the truth must be a deception. If it is good and righteous, it must be evil. Somehow we have created Generations of skeptics for anything that is good.

As best I can discern this particular battle is about the Jewish people defending themselves against others carrying out their stated desire to destroy them. As one commentator said, “If the Palestinians laid down their weapons, there would be peace and prosperity. If the Jews laid down their weapons, they would be destroyed.”

Do Not Be Deceived

In Matthew 24 when the Disciples ask Jesus about His return, He speaks to not being deceived four times using the Greek word Planēsē – To be led astray, caused to wander.

It is the Enemy of this world using deception to confuse and make what is good look evil and vice versa. He only seeks to steal, to kill and to destroy. In Revelation 12:9 Satan is called “the one who deceives the whole world.”

Unfortunately, I’ve heard Matthew 24:4&5 used to warn of evil within the church – being led astray by bad churches preaching bad doctrine. I don’t necessarily agree. I may not like some Christian doctrine and see some Christian doctrine as really bad, but I don’t believe in this case Jesus is talking about Christians being deceived by bad doctrine.

No, it seems clear to me that these particular scriptures are referring to an enemy from without. The deceivers who are trying to tell us that the “Christ” is someone other than Jesus – that there is another way to salvation. Matthew 24:5 says, “For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.” “Come in My name” means coming in Jesus’ identity as Savior.

Verse 11 says, “Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many” The Greek word for false prophets is Pseudoprophētai, meaning a spurious prophet, a Pretended foreteller or religious impostor. It likely does not mean a Christian who seeks to exercise the gift of prophecy.

And then in verses 24 & 25 Jesus repeats “For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.” These are deceivers who fraudulently point to another way to salvation. (a recent phenomenon in Christian circles referred to as Christian’s Deconstructing Their Faith often seems to lead to the adoption of a different Gospel)

Personally, I think we best stop beating up on one another within the Elect and band together to battle the enemy to the core Gospel – the Good News we all agree upon.

We do have some instruction from Jesus in this regard. Jesus taught the following in Mark 9:38-40, “Now John answered Him, saying, “Teacher, we saw someone who does not follow us casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow us.” But Jesus said, “Do not forbid him, for no one who works a miracle in My name can soon afterward speak evil of Me. For he who is not against us is on our side.”

What Is Truth?

With all the deception, counter-deception, fraud, disinformation, conspiracy theories, false flags, and political games, who can tell what is true? What I see as plainly evident as truth is seen by seemingly rational others completely differently. Is it just the news outlets we watch? Am I the one being deceived? l all seems so amorphous these days. Like Pontius Pilot, we ask, “What is Truth?”

Jesus stood silent before Pilot, not speaking a word in response to his question. Why? because Hefore us bruised and beaten for our sins as the embodiment of all that is Good, right, was the answer. Jesus stands be and True.

To make it perfectly clear, Jesus boldly declared to His Disciples, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6) While Isaiah prophesied of Jesus that “He had done no violence, Nor was any deceit in His mouth.” (Isaiah 53:9) Jesus is the truth, and He does not deceive.

For me, the growing level of deception and confusion in our world today is the clearest indication that we are entering the beginning of the end of this age.

For those of us who know personally the living God, Jesus says in John 16:33, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

We actually can be of GOOD CHEER in the midst of a world spinning out of control. But how?

My first inclination is to physically escape from the craziness. I’ve posted before about a growing desire to escape to another place (January 28, 2021, Go Ahead . . . I Triple Dog Dare You! ). But where to? Where in the world can you escape to avoid the turbulence of the times?

Our only escape is by and to the truth that is in Christ Jesus.

• Ephesians 2:2 – “in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience,”
• Romans 8:1 – “There is therefore now no condemnation (there is freedom) to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.”
• 2 Corinthians 5:6-7 – “So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by sight.

It is becoming increasingly evident that Christians need to walk in the Spirit—to break the chains of deception, look past the deceit of this physical realm, and see the truth through spiritual eyes while relying on the rock-solid foundation of God’s word.

In this season of Thanksgiving, be of Good Cheer! Do not be deceived and give thanks for the victory our Savior has already won!

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*2 Timothy 3:1-9  But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith; but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, as theirs also was.

Last year I wrote a 4-part series on Smith Wigglesworth. The posts have been, by far, the most viewed on my site. I am not sure why. Is it just general interest in the person and ministry of Smith Wigglesworth, or are people looking for answers to the “Kicking the Baby like a Football” episode? I don’t know. But, based on this interest, I’ve decided to revise the posts and add some additional content to compile it into a short book.

The book, The Wigglesworth Dilemma, is now available on Amazon.

The ministry of Smith Wigglesworth has come to be known for resorting to violence, slapping, punching, and kicking those who would seek out miraculous healing from God. His life and ministry are controversial among some Christian circles today. He claimed that God would instruct him to get physical with the infirm who came to him.
Many celebrate his dedication to hearing God’s voice and to faithfully acting on God’s instruction, with miraculous results. But some other Christ-followers are offended by his actions and reject him as an authentic minister of God.

Perhaps his most infamously challenging episode is the healing of a child with spina bifida by throwing the baby against a wall and then kicking it. Based on my requirements for confirming a word from God, this book details my research and conclusions about this episode and Smith Wigglesworth’s life and ministry.

Below is a snippet from the additional material in my new book.

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There is a Strength in His Grip That Won’t Let Go

Some Christians would go so far as to challenge the ministries and the very salvation of the lives of these two men, based upon Smith Wigglesworth’s use of “violence” and, perhaps more significantly, Lonnie Frisbee’s engaging in homosexual behavior. While only God truly knows any man’s heart, I have no doubt they are nestled in the bosom of our heavenly Father at this moment.

But I have come across many Christians who struggle with the fear of losing their salvation based upon some sin in their lives.

I believe in the scriptures that indicate Eternal Security, also known as Once saved, Always saved. It is the belief that, from the moment anyone becomes a Christian, they will be saved from eternal damnation and cannot lose their salvation. Once a person is truly “born of God” or “regenerated” by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, nothing in heaven or earth shall be able to separate them from the love of God. After having become a Christian, there is nothing that can pull us from His mighty grip. Therefore, based upon their heartfelt expressions to follow Jesus, there is no doubt in my mind about Lonnie’s and Smith’s salvation.

Our Security Is in Christ Alone

John 3:16-18 – “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in (clings to) Him is not condemned;”

Based on John 3:18 and according to Jesus, what must a person do to keep from being judged for sin? Must we stop doing something? Must we make promises to stop doing something? Must we have a clean past? The answer is so simple. All Jesus requires is that the individual “believe in” Him.

Powerful scriptures confirming the security of our salvation in Christ are:

• Romans 10:9-10 – “that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”
• Ephesians 1:13 – “In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,”
• Romans 8:38-39 – “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
• John 10:28-29 – “and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.”
• Hebrews 13:5 – “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
• Psalm 118:14 – “The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation”
• Philippians 3:12 – “Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.”
• 2 Timothy 2:13 – “If we are faithless, he remains faithful for he cannot deny himself.”

My firm opinion is that there is nothing that can pull us from God’s Saving Grip.

Done!

BUT . . . Can We Consciously Decide to Depart from God? Will God Let Us Go?

Hmmm? I guess you’ll have to read the book. . .

Or, you may find the answers in my next post.

Do you Ever Feel Like You’re Being Kicked Around?

In the growing chaos and instability of this world, I have come to understand that Jesus is the only true source of peace, comfort and joy. If you feel something is missing in your life, Jesus is the only one to fill that empty space.

If you have never put your faith in Jesus to know the peace and comfort of His eternal security, you can do that at any moment – even right now!

Romans 10:9-10 says, “that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”

Jesus is calling to you, “Follow me.” From there it starts with a simple prayer where you call out to God and invite Him into your life. . .

Pray:

“Jesus, come into my life.
I want to know you, I want a relationship with you.
I know I have fallen short of your glory.
Today I repent and turn from my old ways and desire to follow you.
I believe Jesus died and was raised from the dead to cleanse me of my sin.
Thank you, God, for forgiving me and making me brand new.
In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen”

If you prayed that prayer, you have been saved by God’s grace and entered into an amazing journey of knowing God. I’d love to hear from you and encourage you on this great journey.

God loves you. Be blessed

“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do because I go to My Father.” – John 14:12

“For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.” – Romans 12:3

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I recently met with a good friend and also a very smart, wise Pastor to discuss a theological point of difference. Each time we meet I’m stumped by some question he raises. It is good to be challenged. Why? Because it challenges me to go to God and get answers – maybe even revise my thinking about what I believed to be true. (Read Romans 12:3 above again – which basically says, Don’t think so highly of your own opinions)

The last time we met we discussed Jesus’ challenge in John 14 where Jesus says that His followers could do what He did and even greater things/works. I’ve written a post and even a chapter in my book Emptied about this so I won’t repeat my argument – that concludes what Jesus was referring to in John 14:12 was not limited to the church body as a whole and exclusive to making converts (I do acknowledge that as the greatest “thing/works”). I maintain that it is also meant for individual followers and for all the “things/works” pertaining to the earthly ministry of Jesus.

The issue we focused on was my position that the reason we don’t see every follower expressing the fullness of Jesus’ ministry is the fact that Jesus had the Spirit without measure (John 3:34) while we have the Spirit with measure (Rom. 12:3). However, based on that my friend argued Christ-followers can’t experience the full ministry of Jesus, so why should we expect that we can do even greater things? In other words, if God provided Jesus with the fullness of the Spirit and only gives us a portion, how can we operate in the full ministry like Jesus? Hmm? Good question.

First, I make the distinction between the Gospel Mission of the Son of God and His Ministry on Earth. Jesus’ as the Son of God/Messiah had a unique mission on earth that only He could fulfill. But, while on earth Jesus provided the perfect example of the ministry that (I believe) Christ-followers can imitate. We have Jesus in us and access to His fullness but as imitators of Jesus, we will fall short.

Jesus had the Spirit without measure because of His sinless life and His absolute devotion to the Father, while we are limited by our ongoing sin and the distractions in our life. Even if faith is something that is a gift and a distribution from God (as some argue by 1 Cor 12:9 – “To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;”), God supplies up to limits based on our level of devotion and whole-heartedness toward Him. Yet, God promises in Hebrews 11:6 – “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” What are the rewards? – most likely a deeper relationship and knowledge of God which leads to the gift of increasing faith. (Romans 10:17, “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word (Rhema) of God.” – Faith comes by hearing to the point of living out God’s word.)

Note: Those who commit to following Jesus are absolutely forgiven for our sins by God’s gracious work through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, yet, we still have ongoing sins and distractions that cause us to be limited in being fully filled with the Holy Spirit and exercising the full ministry of Jesus – even while it is all available to us.

Or, it can be argued that God does fill each one of us up to the brim but the filling is limited to the space we allow for the Holy Spirit. Why do I go through the drive-through and order a soda without ice? Because I’m a cheapskate and I want a full cup of soda, not a lot of ice and little soda. If we fill up a jar of water that is already filled with rocks, there is not a lot of room left for the water.

So, once again, Jesus uniquely had the Spirit without measure based upon John 3:34 – “For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit” because he was a perfectly clean vessel that God filled to the brim with His Spirit. Whereas, Believers have the Spirit by measure Rom 12:3 – “. . . each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.” limited by the room we allow for God to fill us up. If we, therefore, determine to make more room, God fills us up more.

Someone might say that this mentality smacks of a works-based faith – that we have to earn our increasing faith. It is not about earning it but being rewarded/entrusted with more for a growing desire to have more. If I want to give an expensive gift to someone, say a guitar, I do that based on their expressed desire to play the guitar.

And, as far as Christ-followers being limited in the fullness of the Holy Spirit – it does not preclude that when we are led by the Spirit to step out in faith, we can’t do some of the Things Jesus did or even a Greater Work. God is generous to allow us to partner in His work regardless of our level of faith because He wants us to grow in our faith and knowledge of Him. (Colossians 1:9-10) Jesus exercised all the Spiritual gifts to the fullest but as imitators of Jesus, we will never replicate all Jesus did. That does not mean we cannot do the things Jesus did and some even greater things. It can be argued that there are many examples of works that Jesus’ followers do that are what Jesus did and to even exceed what Jesus did. (Jesus walked on water but Moses parted the Red Sea. Which is greater?)

Why do I push this narrative? Because Jesus said it in John 14. I take it at face value with a reasonable argument. And, I have seen some of the same miracles Jesus did that led to increasing faith and salvation.

That’s not to say that others who believe differently (likely the majority of Christians) are wrong, it’s just what I believe. However, I do believe the interpretation that “greater things/works” is restricted to the church as a whole, and a greater reach of the Gospel seems to me to be a construct to rationalize why many don’t do or see the other related “things/works” Jesus spoke of in Luke 7:22-23, “Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard: that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.”

Note: Just to be clear, God loves us. His love is not predicated on our wholeheartedness. If we have embraced Jesus as our Savior but we draw a line in the sand and say that is as far as I go in my faith – He loves us. However, He is always on the other side coaxing us with open arms to draw closer to Him, and is so pleased when we step out further in faith.

Anything in My Name

In the next post, I will take a look at the verses that follow – John 14:13-14. More challenging scriptures where Jesus promises He will do anything that you ask in His name. Anything? Yahoo! Cha-ching!

Or, does He?

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” – Galatians 3:28

The English Civil War of the 1650s once again pitted 2 Christian groups against one another. Cromwell’s New Model Army under the Anglican Church of England invaded Presbyterian Scotland. While the battle was not really about religious differences, it is another example of Christ-followers ignoring the Biblical call to oneness established by the Unity of the Spirit found in Ephesians 4:3 – “endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

However, for the people of Block Island, it was a fateful encounter. These Scottish Highlanders fought, were captured, marched a death march to Durham Castle, survived the starvation and squaller, to be put on the ship named “John and Sarah” for the hellish 2-3 months at sea sailing to the American Colonies. There they worked off their 7-8 years of servitude in the ironworks of Massachusetts. A number of these men played a key role in the settlement of Block Island. Below is my fictional account of their fight, capture, and survival from my latest novel – Block Island Brotherhoods.

Chapter 7 – Scotland – September 1650

Robert Guthrie and Henry Merrow looked out over the rolling hills of the Highlands, illuminated by the bright full moon. They stood as close to the small fire as possible, holding their hands out and allowing the heat to rise under their tartan kilts to warm their bodies. Both twenty-five years of age, they were the older and more experienced of their small unit.

Robert looked over his shoulder at the young soldiers lying on the ground behind them. “Aye, the laddies sleep like babes withoot a care.”

“I guess it’s an advantage not ta know what lies ahead in war. True, such babes. Look at young Will Mackintosh. He’s no more than sixteen, and the others canna be much older.”

“I’d venture William Colquhoun be seventeen, and Alexander Innes, James Danielson, and Duncan MacWilliams no more than eighteen.”

 “The better question is, kin they fight? We’ve stayed mainly ahint the strong fortifications in and around Edinburgh for so long. I dinna know if they can even fight.”

“Aye, I’d say that Thormut Rose is at least twenty. He has fight. Yoo know his skill wi’ the Lochaber ax?”

“The lad has forearms like thighs ae a bull, twirling the ax like it be a stick. Aye, I think we have another Donald ‘Black Taylor o’ the Ax’ tearin’ up the clan Mackintosh at Bun Garbhain.”

“Well, we can rest up here on Doon Hill. It’s good high ground looking down upon Dunbar and the Berwick Rood. Our David Leslie has given no place for Cromwell to escape back ta England. We have him trapped. Charles the Second, King o’ Scotland will soon be back on the throne.”

“Aye, but did yoo not hear?”

“Naw, what?”

“We are ta attack. Leslie plans ta bring our forces down from Doon Hill and approach the town, ta secure the road south over the Spott Burn, and prepare ta attack Cromwell’s encampment.”

“Down from this lovely ground? Naw!” Guthrie quickly turned to climb out of the small gulley on the high ground where they camped. He surveyed the terrain and then returned, announcing, “Our men are moving. I dinna know what Cromwell can see, but I see our main body wedged between the deep ditch of the Spott Burn and the slopes o’ the Lammermuirs behind them. If Cromwell realizes his opportunity, our laddies will be trapped.”

“Aye, but our orders are ta hold the right flank. That is all I know.”

“But we are thin here. If Cromwell makes a push against our right while they’re in the ditch, we’ll roll back, and they’ll be done.”

Merrow held up his hand. “Quiet. Can yoo hear some movement down near the Berwick Rood?”

“Aye, Henry. We best get the laddies’ arses up. It is near daybreak, and if they’ve seen our main body moving, then if Cromwell’s officers are as smart as they seem, they’ll be makin’ a charge soon.”

~~~

Thormut Rose looked across the thin line of his Highlander countrymen. The right flank of the Covenanters was ready. The sun was just breaking over the eastern hills when the large body of English soldiers stepped forward into the open. Thormut squeezed the handle of his Lochaber ax as he raised it in front of him. He ran his hand over his precious partner in war.

The ax’s six-foot-long wooden handle was rubbed smooth, except for the notches carved from previous exchanges. The sharp iron spike on the end had proven to be most effective at close combat in a thrusting motion. The long ax head on the side, coupled with the pole, delivered a powerfully deep, gashing blow. The razor-sharp edge of the rounded blade could slice right through a man’s torso, if not for the thick wooden handle preventing its progress. He rubbed the curved hook on the backside. It served well for scaling walls and provided for his favorite pastime, hooking cavalry off their horses. I hate the cavalry, He mused.

Thormut looked past his ax to see that Cromwell had quietly moved a large contingent of his men to the right flank, and their numbers kept growing. The young Highlanders along their flank began raising their long pikes and nervously looked at one another.

The English movement was slow and methodical as they fell into lines. An order was called out, and suddenly the air cracked open with their battle cry, “The Lord of Hosts!” The English began charging up the hill like a swarm of white and red ants.

“Courage, lads!” Robert Guthrie called out. “Close ranks! These are not Highlanders. By the time they climb Doon Hill, they’ll be gaspin’ and beggin’ ta be run through wi’ yer pikes!”

The English reached the Scottish line. The Highlanders’ long pikes poked and stabbed the English, keeping them at bay, as their lines collided and bunched up. The fallen wounded bottled them up further, but a few broke through the Scottish ranks.

Guthrie screamed, “Hold the line, laddies!”

Thormut stood behind his countrymen with their pikes. As Englishmen broke through the line, he jumped forward to quickly dismiss them with a thrust or one swing of his ax. The English white uniforms piled around them. Slowly, the Scottish line on either side was pushed back under the weight of superior English numbers until its lines started to break. The numbers of the English reaching the Scottish line grew to a crushing wave, and the ranks of their countrymen on either side disintegrated.

Guthrie and Merrow continued to yell at the young Highlanders, “Fight and hold your ground!” The Englishmen in front of them began to fall back and sweep around them through the open lines on either side. The small troop found itself on an island. They looked around as the fighting stopped for a moment. But suddenly, the ground began to rumble, and the loud sound of thunder approached from below them.

Thormut jumped up with his kinsmen to the front line to see the wave of stomping horseflesh and riders charging up Doon Hill. He turned the handle of his Lochaber ax around in his hand and hissed through his teeth, “Cavalry.”

Guthrie called out, “Gather up ta a closed formation, laddies!”

The men circled together, with their long pikes protruding from the center. Thormut readied his ax hook. The English cavalry raced around them as the pikes lanced riders and horses. Thormut pulled down rider after rider with his hook and, once down, swiftly sliced them open with his ax.

He looked over and saw Guthrie knocked down by a horse, losing his weapon. While he was getting back up, another rider drew his sword down upon him. Thormut Rose leaped over and swung his ax hook, hooking the rider’s armor and jerking him off his horse to the ground. He then swung the ax around and buried it into the downed rider’s neck. He turned to help Guthrie up and saw him holding his abdomen, with blood dripping through his fingers.

Thormut turned back around and stood in front of Guthrie, swinging his ax, with Englishmen stacking up around them. The Highlanders’ numbers were dwindling, and soon the English army and cavalry surrounded them.

Guthrie called out to his men, “It is finished, lads. Throo dun yer weapons.”

The Highlanders dropped their pikes and swords. Thormut Rose reluctantly dropped his bloodied ax and looked at those who were still alive. Robert Guthrie was on the ground, struggling to sit up. Henry Merrow stood beside him, bleeding from many wounds. The others left were not men but boys, covered in blood—young Will Mackintosh, William Colquhoun, Alexander Innes, Duncan MacWilliams, and James Danielson.

They had stood their ground while the rest of the Scottish right flank had retreated. Thormut looked to the north and over to the center of their lines. The main body of the Scottish army, hopelessly wedged between the Brox Burn and Doon Hill, broke rank, and it too was scattered.

Robert Guthrie sat on the ground, holding his bleeding abdomen. He called to his men, “T’was a good fight. Yoo fought valiantly, laddies. Whatever yoo do now, fight ta stay together. We dinna have another hope ta survive!”

~~~

Guthrie’s men huddled together on the cold, dank floor of Durham Cathedral. It had been several weeks since thousands of Scottish soldiers were forced on a death-march south toward England, to prevent any attempt by the Scots to rescue them. No food or water was given. The wounded, ill, and starving who collapsed along the way were beaten, stabbed, and left to die. Robert was grateful—his men carried him and Henry Merrow, caring for them as best they could.

Now, in the dark, dank cathedral, there was little food or water to be had. The prisoners were left to scavenge for themselves or trade anything they could find with the guards for their pottage.

Guthrie’s men had established a spot in a corner of the church as their territory. Robert lay on the cold stone floors. He spoke in a whisper to Merrow as his friend tended to his abdomen wound. “Henry, I heard say that some five thousand were captured at Dunbar. Look at this church—I don’t see more than fifteen hundred still alive. Those left are fighting each other to survive. All the wood is burned, and nothing remains to trade for food. We must hang t’gether if we will make it out alive.”

Merrow asked, “Whit kin we do?”

Guthrie called his young Highlanders together, and they came around him. “Where’s Thormut?”

The others shrugged their shoulders and shook their heads.

“Well, laddies, if the jailors are ta show any compassion and bring another few buckets o’ mush and water, yoo must work t’gether—not fight for yourselves but work t’gether.”

The lads all nodded their heads. “But how?” Merrow asked.

“Well, when they wheel in the buckets, young Will should go straight for a bucket, while the rest o’ yoo lads fight the others off and protect Will ’til he comes back ta our corner.” He nodded his head. “We must survive lads, so that we may make a new life for wherever they send us.”

Will Mackintosh’s lip quivered, and he dropped his head. “Should we never return ta the lovely highlands of Scotland?”

“No, lad. They may let us live, but truth be told, they will ne’er let us see our Highlands agin. They have begun ta take men away, and the word is that they are being put on ships. We must hold on, and keep our strength, and trust in the Lord o’ Hosts ta sustain us.” He looked at the dirty, sullen faces of the boys standing around him. “Aye, cheer up, lads. We have each other, and if we stay t’gether, we can make our way oot o’ this prison and make a life in the colonies.”

Thormut Rose walked over to their corner, looking even grimier and dirtier than the rest of them. Guthrie called to him, “Thormut, where have yoo been? Have yoo found anything for trade?”

With his lips tightly pursed, Thormut shook his head and held out empty hands. The others sighed, and their shoulders drooped.

Guthrie sighed, “Aye, that is disappointing.”

 Thormut grunted. The men turned to him. He looked around to make certain no one else was watching. The young ax-man squatted down and spit something out into his hands. He smiled. They all looked more closely as Thormut opened his hands to reveal several bejeweled gold rings and a gold chain.

Guthrie peered into Thormut’s hands and whispered, “Glory ta God.” They all looked at Thormut as Guthrie asked, “Where did yoo find this treasure?”

“Aye. Crawling through the catacombs, there was a hidden tomb still unopened. I pried it open and the resident jist gave it all up withoot a fight.”

“Aye.” Guthrie chuckled. “Thormut, yoo saved ma arse once, and I do believe you’ve done it agin.” He turned to the others and encouraged, “Hold on jist a wee bit longer. We must stay t’gether as a Brotherhood. Yoo kin survive this prison, laddies. And the colonies kin provide us wi’ a new life.”

---

The Bible promises that wherever we are and whatever state we are in (even as a slave) we can have freedom and a new life by choosing to follow the living God, Jesus.

Romans 10:9-10 – “that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”

Corinthians 5:17 – “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”

The Walking Dead Alive

“And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many.” Matthew 27:50-53

Going on 45 years of following Jesus and His written word ceases to amaze me. Still, I know I continue to only just scratch the surface. For what seemed the first time this Easter I took a greater interest in an element of the Passion story that I always shook my head, said That’s crazy and moved on. But this time it really jumped out at me. (Knowing it wouldn’t be the first time that I’ve found something to be a great revelation that most everyone else is already aware of. Duh!)

But, how amazing is Mathew 27 when it says that at Jesus’ death; 1. the temple veil was torn, 2. the earth quaked followed by 3. many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised. Whoa! Part 3 is worth spending a little time on.

The Walking Dead?

At first, the imagery of part 3 makes me think of the popular series, The Walking Dead. It seems that the world has an obsession with the idea that dead people could be raised up to walk again but still stay dead to terrorize the living. What a gloriously different reality we have, that those who are raised up again, not from death to death, but from death to life!

So, for what seemed the first time, I meditated on that last component. Many bodies of the saints who had died were raised! What? How many were raised? Who were these people? And why did this happen? And, for the first time, I realized how critical this piece of evidence is to verify the power of Jesus’ death on the cross and resurrection to defeat sin and death.

How Many Were Raised?

Verse 53 of Matthew 27 uses the Greek word Polla translated as many. How many? We don’t know but it is the same word used in numerous scriptures describing the large crowds that gathered to hear Jesus. We know that in some cases, as large as 3,000 to 5,000 people. Even if it were say, 50 that would be more than enough to create a shockwave throughout Jerusalem.

Who Were These People?

It describes them as Saints or the Greek Hagiōn, meaning those who are set apart by (or for) God, holy, sacred. These might be described as True Believers – those who while they were alive, only God could see their FAITH and the desire of their hearts as being set on Him. And, I would assume these people’s lives had reflected a God focus and would not be surprising that others would realize that if anyone were raised, it would be them.

Why Did This Happen?

The symbolism alone is powerful. With Jesus’ death and resurrection, sin and death were defeated. Immediately, when Jesus rose from the dead, a whole host of believers were literally brought from death to life. The graves that had been cracked open by the great earthquake now had dead bodies made alive walking out of them. Amazing! If anyone had doubted Jesus was raised from the dead or believed the resurrection was only for Jesus, there were now many people who had been dead and buried now wandering through Jerusalem as living billboards to the resurrection power of God!

“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.” – John 5:24

But beyond that, for all those in the city of Jerusalem who were not at Golgotha or did not visit Jesus’ empty tomb, there were “many” husbands, wives, mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, cousins, and neighbors who had died and were buried now wandering the streets as evidence of the powerful truth of Jesus’ words and the reality of the power of God. Can you imagine the stir in the city?

I’m sure there were many in the city who could have dismissed all that was happening – Okay, Jesus was tried and found guilty and died on the cross. Coincidently, when he died there was a great earthquake that did some major damage, and then our leaders told us that his followers stole the body from the tomb a few days later. So what? But, to then see “many” who were dead and buried brought to life to walk through the streets of Jerusalem? The connection to Jesus’ life and death seems undeniable. Try coming up with an alternative rationale for that?

I Can Only Imagine What This Looked Like

I would go back several weeks earlier in the Gospel accounts to the precursor to this; the death and resurrection of Lazarus. Just as Lazarus came forth on the 4th day in the tomb still wrapped in his grave clothes, I envision that this group of Hagiōn may have been those who had been buried 3-4 days earlier. With their tombs cracked open by the great earthquake, after Jesus was resurrected, they were shuffling around the city until someone would come and unwrap the gift to discover their family, friend or neighbor who had recently been buried was now alive. Wow!

Can you imagine what kind of reports were sweeping through the city, connecting this event to Jesus’ death and now his empty tomb? What an unbelievable testimony to the reality of what had just happened. We know the Jewish leaders and the Romans were creating their narrative that Jesus’ body had been stolen. Well, I’ve got to believe that this completely shot that narrative down as numbers of dead were now risen from the grave and made alive.

On the Road to Emmaus

In Luke 24 after Jesus’ resurrection, the unrecognizable Jesus comes alongside a few of his followers. Cleopas tells Jesus of the “things” happening in Jerusalem. Jesus asks “What Things?” And Cleopas explains all that happened. Now, if Cleopas was in Jerusalem when Jesus rose from the dead, though it is not detailed, I’m guessing that ‘dead people brought to life and walking through town’ was one of the major “things” he shared.

Primed for Pentecost

Jumping forward to Acts 2, and Peter’s powerful speech where 3,000 souls were added. Yes, it was the power of Peter’s testimony and the clarity of his explanation as to who Jesus was and what was required of them, accompanied by signs and wonders (ultimately, all the move of the Holy Spirit). But, I’ve got to believe that those same 3,000 were primed by seeing the dead brought to life in the streets of their own town – having experienced the physical reality of all that Peter was preaching.

From Death to Life

I have had the privilege of being part of a prayer team that prayed for someone who had “Fallen asleep” (i.e. clinically dead) and through our prayers, God raised him from the dead. (You can get the full account in my post A Black Rock Resurrection Story (Parts I & II) in April 2019). While seeing the hand of God show up in very real and powerful ways is transformational, it pails compared to the life-altering power for those who are spiritually dead and then given the gift of eternal life. At its core, this is the greatest gift that Jesus promises.

We were the Walking Dead, but by Jesus’ death with His resurrection, He raised the dead so that we now walk in the fullness of life. What can we say but Thank You God!

“But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus” – Ephesians 2:4-6

“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.” – 2 Corinthians 4:7

Much like when I investigated the controversy surrounding Smith Wigglesworth, there is some contention surrounding the ministry of Lonnie Frisbee. The movie Jesus Revolution could not address the full scope and power of his ministry. In addition, it does not address the stigma that almost had him erased from the recorded history of the Jesus revolution movement(s).

Lonnie Frisbee – Saintly Relentless Pursuer of God or Serial Sinner & False Prophet?
The person of Lonnie Frisbee and how God used him has intrigued me for decades. As mentioned in my previous post, we had some small contact with him but his life and ministry had a pivotal impact on our lives. Over the last few decades, I have read and watched everything that has become available about his life. Based upon his personal testimony and the testimony of those closest to him, I provide the following thoughts:

The Catalyst

Lonnie Frisbee was the catalyst God used to instigate and stir up several powerful moves of God – starting in California and moving across the country and across many parts of the Globe. He moved powerfully in the sign gifts of the Spirit. Yet, by his own testimony, he was a deeply damaged individual from the corruption of this world – experiencing mental, physical, and sexual abuse at a young age. Then the hippie drug culture of free sex led him into sexual encounters with both sexes. This sin was initially part of his testimony of what God had rescued him from but he was asked to remove it by church leaders as it was considered too controversial at the time.

However, a growing awareness of this as part of his past led to claims of Lonnie being a homosexual. The damage that led to his acting out in this way was ignored. Then when he confided in fellow church staff that he struggled with this, the confidence was broken and rumors began to spread. Those rumors plagued him throughout much of his later life, likely leading to further episodes of sin which led to his death from AIDS in 1993.

Lonnie always denied that he had ever embraced the homosexual lifestyle and always preached on its sinfulness.
Make no mistake, Lonnie’s dedication to acting on and being led by the Holy Spirit meant that He was a challenge to control for church leaders who rely more heavily upon and were more comfortable with 1 Corinthians 14:40, “Let all things be done decently and in order.” That meant for Lonnie, a repeated experience of being rejected by the father figures in his life.

Whatever encounters he had with the same sex was a response to his emotional woundedness that up until a few years before the end of his life, he had not fully addressed. The same churches that built their ministries on what God did through Lonnie failed to be there for him and even pushed him out. Very sad.

To be fair, these ministries and leaders were dealing with huge movements that demanded every moment of their time and attention. Their ability to focus on any one issue that they were likely not equipped to handle particularly, based on the social stigma of this issue at that time was very limited. There is evidence that some leaders tried to step in to help provide healing for Lonnie. Either the attempt was misguided or rejected by Lonnie as what he saw as another effort to remove him from ministry and abandonment. At some point, Lonnie became very leery and jaded with anyone’s attempt to correct or minister to him.

Yet, even with today’s “enlightened” society, we find that even in some of the most blessed and Spirit-filled ministries there are deeply emotional and psychological wounds that go unattended. As Christians, we say to those who are damaged, “Just Pray!”, “Just put it behind you and move on!”, “Just be more Spiritual!” and the damage is never truly healed. We often assume with our brethren there is complete healing at the point of “salvation”. But, that which we assumed has been healed has only been hidden.

REMEMBER TO FORGET
Back in January of 2021, I posted a study of one of my favorite sections of scripture found in Philippians 3:12-14 where Paul says that the one thing he does is forgetting – “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

What I did not really address is that in some cases, one of the elements of forgetting is actually remembering. We must open up the locked doors of our lives to let Jesus come in to do the required surgery. (Matthew 10:34, “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword.) Often opening up these dark places cannot be done on our own but with help from those skilled and gifted to assist in opening those doors for deeper healing. In the late 1980’s after his anger and resentment drove all he loved and ministered with away, Lonnie finally had a Christian counselor by the name of Rich Buhler who, along with other counselors, provided healing and the capacity to forgive opening the door for a revival in his life and ministry. Buhler wrote this in Part 3 of Lonnie’s autobiography (Not By Might Nor By Power: Set Free):
“As Christians, when we are pretending about this pain, we’ve sealed it off. We’ve sealed it into a container in our lives and don’t want to look at it. We don’t even want to know it’s there. We’ve not allowed Christ to enter that place, so we’ve prevented the gospel from happening in that broken part of our lives. People sometimes ask me, “Isn’t Christ enough? Isn’t the gospel enough? Isn’t Scripture enough?” The answer is yes. But if we have sealed off an entire portion—and really, the foundation of our lives—from the power of Scripture and the Holy Spirit, then we’ve not benefited from his power in those broken places. That’s why I call a good recovery almost like being evangelized all over again. It’s taking the gospel to a portion of my life that I have never applied it to before.”

What Does It Mean to BE Gay from a Christian Perspective?
I hear professional Christian Critique’ers – those who position themselves as “defenders of the faith” who hold to certain theological/doctrinal beliefs and opinions but tear down other Christians who hold different legitimate and Biblically defensible opinions, declaring the rumors that Lonnie was Gay to be the actual truth. How can that be true? I thought most Christians believed that no one is born a homosexual and that it is a perversion put upon by the enemy of this world? Then how can Lonnie be declared a “Homosexual?” It is a matter of same-sex attraction and living homosexuality as a lifestyle. There is no one I can find who testifies that Lonnie lived a gay lifestyle – only to the rumors.

Lonnie denied living this lifestyle and repeatedly acknowledged it as a sin and admitted his own sin. And those who were closest to Lonnie, many being long-time roommates and even his ex-wife (all solid Christians) deny that he was ever actively living a gay lifestyle as a Christian.

In a documentary video about Lonnie, several people made the claim that Lonnie was gay. Based on their testimony, I assumed this to be true. In the video, Kenn Gulliksen – A Pastor at Calvary Chapel, founder of The Vineyard Fellowship, and longtime friend of Lonnie Frisbee added to the claims by indicating that Lonnie was gay.

Now, after reading the 3 autobiographies chock-full of solid Christians who knew and lived with Lonnie for years, saying there was no indication that he lived this lifestyle. Kenn Gulliksen, himself testifies in Not By Might Nor By Power: Set Free with the following statement:
“In his own brokenness, Lonnie did sin (as we all do)—where he had unresolved wounds. But for those who hear and believe rumors, Lonnie was not a homosexual. I repent over perpetuating that lie. In a so-called Christian documentary, I was asked if Lonnie was a homosexual and answered “yes” due to false information that I was given from some church leaders. A great lesson is that in Christ we still sin, but we are no longer sinners by nature.”

So, was Lonnie’s contracting AIDS due to leading a homosexual lifestyle?
Accepting that what Lonnie and others closest to him claim that he never lived the homosexual lifestyle is true, we ultimately do not know the full extent of this sin in his life. As far as I can tell, there is no certainty as to when Lonnie contracted HIV/AIDS. More than likely it was during a 2-year period in the late 80s when Lonnie had backslidden, was living alone in a rough part of San Diego, and likely entered into this sin. Then when Lonnie started to come out of this period and began to be healed and restored, he claimed that on two different occasions, he was targeted and overpowered by sick men who trapped and raped him. Do we really need to know any more about this part of his story?

Do we have examples of heroes of the faith who failed in their flesh? The Bible and Church history is filled with them. Even Paul wrote in his letter to Romans 7:15-24, “For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do . . . For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice . . . O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?”

What about the Signs and Wonders? Does it always Accompany the Move of God?
Some in the Christian community do not believe Sign Gifts are for today and if they are practiced it invalidates the ministry. So they question the validity of Lonnie Frisbee’s ministry and of the movement. Yet, there is no denying the well-documented incredible Signs and Wonders that were often a part of Lonnie’s ministry experience, led thousands to see the reality of God and enter into a right relationship with God. God has used Signs and Wonders in many past significant movements of God and continues to do so. (the Asbury Revival)

However, I do find it really fascinating that when Lonnie began the process of deep healing he was led to a powerful ministry, not to be in ministry but to be ministered to. Lonnie, who God had used to do great and miraculous things, in the late 80’s early 90s ended up at Set Free, a church worshipping with hip hop and rap music, filled with bikers, ex-cons, and rough characters. This church experienced dramatic growth without the reliance on powerful Signs and Wonders. Their ministry was referred to as the “Biker church” – drawing in the hard edge of society. While the expression of their worship reflected this edgy culture, their theology was very conservative and relied upon imitating the sacrificial love of Christ with little emphasis on exercising the Sign Gifts of the Spirit. It was there that Lonnie was loved on and restored and even where most of his family came to follow Christ.

I would say that the lynchpin to any movement of God is that it is a powerful expression of God’s love. No clanging cymbals just pure love. How God chooses to reveal His love is up to God.

Did Lonnie’s Life have a Happy Ending?
Some would describe Lonnie’s life as a tragedy with a sad ending. There is no doubt that sin is tragic and leads to tragic consequences. In the end, Lonnie accepted and admitted that fact. He sought forgiveness, was forgiven, and rested in peace. In spite of the tragic beginning to his life, God saw the deep desire in his heart and turned what was meant to destroy him, blessed Lonnie, and glorify God.

Happy ending? That all depends on what you call a happy ending. Having been used to dramatically impact the world for God’s Kingdom, seen God work in miraculous ways, experienced the deep intimacy of God’s loving grace, fallen to sin and then forgiven to ultimately declare God’s goodness, and in the end, to go home to be with God in glory. A portion of his life was tragic but not a happy ending?

I’ll always have a soft spot for Lonnie Frisbee. He is part of my spiritual roots that led to me and my Wife’s salvation and by extension has impacted and continues to impact many for Christ.

EMPTIED

In my book, Emptied, I make the case that Jesus, the Son of God, chose to empty himself of His power and prestige to walk the earth fully as a man by the guidance of the Father and under the power of the Holy Spirit. In his humanity, He is our perfect example to follow. Some Christians believe that there are limits to how fully we can imitate Christ. We may limit ourselves but I believe that God does not limit us as to how far we can imitate Christ in his humanity.

Lonnie believed there were no limits and even in his brokenness, he lived His life striving to be the fullest imitation of Jesus possible. Very few Christians that I know of or am aware of strive to imitate Christ in the ways Lonnie Frisbee did. Those closest to him testify that ministering with Lonnie was enthralling and even scary. Scary, for his determination to follow the Father’s will and act upon the leading of the Holy Spirit – doing what the Father showed Him to do and saying what the Father told him to say. As far as I can tell that produces powerful results but not necessarily an easy life.

I honor the life of Lonnie Frisbee for being something like the Apostle Paul who even as he wrestled with failing to always do that which was right, could boldly proclaim as in 1 Corinthians 11:1, “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.”

Lonnie’s life is a testimony of what God can do with a broken vessel exercising his faith to the fullest of God’s provision. Luke 6:38 says, “Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”

I choose to thank God for Lonnie Frisbee and believe the man deserves his due as it says in Proverbs 3:27 – “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act. If you have the power to do good, do it as unto the Lord. God bless and do tell the Lord thank you.”

For Lonnie Frisbee I say – Thank You, Lord!

“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” – James 4:8

The first day the movie Jesus Revolution was available in theatres we attended a showing. My wife Eleni and I were excited to relive the period that led to the most momentous event in our lives. If you have any interest in getting insight into My and Eleni’s Spiritual Journey, go see the movie Jesus Revolution.

In 1979 I had just graduated college the year before with a business degree and landed a job that took me from Connecticut to Los Angeles. Eleni was out there also looking for work. She made friends with a gal named Connie who invited us to a Christian concert. A rock concert at a church? What’s that? Eleni had a certain spiritual hunger and jumped at the chance. I just rolled my eyes and said “Okay”.

It was a Friday night, May 11^th, 1979. We pulled into the parking lot of this church called Calvary Chapel in Costa Mesa, California (The Church highlighted in the movie). We got out of the car and I was immediately stunned. The air was electric. The place was packed with young people carrying Bibles, smiling, skateboarding, and having fun. Young people with a lot of long hair and facial hair but clean and dressed nicely – very Southern California cool.

I was in a daze taking it all in. Connie led us inside to a sanctuary with stadium seating. This is a church? We found our seats and the bands came out to play. I really liked the music but strangely the lyrics were all about Jesus. What is going on?

The music ended and this young, bold guy came out and spoke with authority about the good news of Jesus Christ. I remember thinking, Who is this kid and why should I believe him? The kid was Gregg Laurie (the main character in the movie) but he was saying things that I knew were absolutely true. When he challenged those in the audience to come forward to accept the gift of eternal life and commit to following Jesus, a battle in my spirit ensued. Fortunately, Eleni responded like being hit by lightning, grabbing my hand, and dragging me forward. (My testimony is that my wife dragged me into the Kingdom! Thank God!)

When I went forward I was saying to myself, I know what were spoken rings true. But, everyone here is treating Jesus as if he is alive and real – a real person. But, I don’t know this person. How can I make a lifetime commitment to someone I don’t know?

It was at this point that I decided I was willing to make this commitment but I would fully expect that God would show up and demonstrate He is real. If not, then I simply would not have to keep my end of the bargain. It seems almost heretically a quid-pro-quo arrangement but the dynamic is one found throughout scripture – We step forward in faith and God responds as highlighted in James 4:8 – “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.”

So, after coming forward, we were taken into a back room where someone explained further what had just happened, gave us a new testament, and prayed with us. While we were there I noticed a commotion going on at the other side of the room. I looked over and someone was laying hands on people with people crying and dramatic things happening. It was kind of scary and I was happy to pack up and leave. I realized later that it was Lonnie Frisbee (the hippie preacher in the movie) ministering on the other side of the room.

Our friend Connie then took us out to dinner for our first experience with authentic Mexican food – tortilla chips, salsa, nachos, and this heavenly green dip called guacamole! (Wow! Right then we knew we had died and gone to heaven!)

After that night, God kept showing up to demonstrate His reality in our lives. Ever since then, that has been the proven spiritual dynamic. When we step out in faith to draw near to God, He responds.

The next week we attended Calvary Chapel with my brother Steve and when the invitation was given, he shot forward like a rocket. For weeks later we attended Sunday services with Chuck Smith (The preacher highlighted in the movie) preaching and God’s word came alive.

Then Eleni went to a Wednesday evening prayer meeting and afterward, they held what they called an Afterglow. A man was calling out things that needed healing and one was that a woman had a skin condition on her face that God would heal. Eleni had these small wart-like bumps on her face and she was certain he was speaking to her. Within days they were gone. It was Lonnie Frisbee. Amazingly, I recently read in Lonnie’s 2^nd of 3 autobiographical books Not By Might Nor By Power: The Great Commission that he had claimed to have a “wart-healing ministry” at the time. Crazy stuff!

To top it off, a few weeks after we made our commitment we went to Pirates Cove in Newport Beach (the beach shown in the movie) and there we were baptized in the Pacific Ocean. It was glorious!

1979 was considered to be at the tail end of this particularly powerful move of God but we were blessed to get the full experience from the place and the people God used to so powerfully impact (and continues to impact) millions across the world.

What Are Our Connections to the Jesus Revolution?

So, the Lineage of our salvation is that we were invited to Calvary Chapel in Costa Mesa, where Lonnie Frisbee led Gregg Laurie to the Lord, who then led us to the Lord. We were fed the Word of God by Chuck Smith and continued to be fed through a Calvary Chapel tape ministry when we moved back East. We were Baptized at Pirates Cove and for good measure, Eleni was healed through Lonnie Frisbee’s ministry. Pretty much the Whole Enchilada.

Now, how important is it that our salvation is linked back to the ministry of Lonnie Frisbee? I affectionately embrace that fact. But, obviously what’s of the only real value is that I am now a child of the most High God, descended from the spiritual line of Jesus. (Perhaps of some value is that for anyone who questions the authenticity of the ministry of Lonnie Frisbee then I guess they would have to question the reality of my salvation and millions of other faithful servants of Christ.)

Months after our salvation we moved back East and eventually plugged into Black Rock Church in Fairfield, Ct. a solid Bible-teaching church. It has been a wonderful loving community that has been an awesome blessing to me and my family for over 40 years. We have grown, the church has grown and the world around us both near and far has been impacted powerfully for Christ.

Now, I sense we’ve moved into a season where growing numbers desire to explore and participate in a supernatural move of the Holy Spirit. As much as we individual Christ-Followers and as a Community desire to draw near to God and keep in step with His Spirit, God will respond to continue to see lives healed, restored, and saved by the loving grace of Jesus Christ.

I recommend you go see the movie Jesus Revolution and encourage others to see it. If not for getting a taste of our personal spiritual heritage but for the beautiful Gospel message that continues to draw hearts back to a very real God.

For those of you who see the movie and feel like you missed the boat, you have not. Jesus Revolution-like displays of God’s powerful Spirit of Goodness, Righteousness, and Truth are breaking out all over.

Pray for it, look for it & live it!

“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” (James 4:8) and “without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6)

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The Lonnie Frisbee Dilemma

Much like when I investigated the controversy surrounding the ministry of Smith Wigglesworth, there is much controversy surrounding the ministry of Lonnie Frisbee. What the movie could not address is the full scope and power of his ministry. In addition, it does not address the controversy that almost had him erased from the recorded history of this amazing revival.

The next Post will address my conclusions about Lonnie Frisbee – the diminutive, damaged saint, and sinner, but relentless pursuer of God and the things of His Spirit.

“that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge filled with all the fullness of God.” –Ephesians 3:17-19

Pastor Josh at my home church preached a great message on the above scripture highlighting what God’s love is – Incomprehensible, Unconditional, Infinite, Active, Unfailing, Present, Unending and Transforming. Then experiencing God’s love results in – Gratitude, Confidence, Joy, Trust, Peace, Comfort, Expectancy, and Love. To come to understand the full love of Christ.

His message took me back to a study I had done on Ephesians 3:19 and the distinction between knowing and knowledge or knowing beyond knowledge. Hmmm? What does that mean? I thought I’d revisit the study and post my thoughts/conclusions.

The Greek word for “to know” is the verb gnōnai. It has broad applications with many implications. It is a verb so it means that it is active. While the word for “Knowledge” is gnōseōs. It is a Noun meaning what is known, doctrine, or wisdom.

The difference is that one is about actively and experientially/relationally knowing something/someone as opposed to having a fixed knowledge about something/someone. Head knowledge versus relational knowledge. I can know a lot about someone by reading their biography but that doesn’t compare to what I know from a close, intimate relationship with that person.

It made me consider the words we use to describe the reality of our spiritual state. As Christians, we often refer to our spirituality in Christ as our FAITH. I’m not sure that is the best way to define and describe our life in Christ. We use nouns such as hope, belief, and trust but most often we refer to it as our FAITH.

How do we Describe Our Spiritual State?
As I see it, there is a Continuum of words/elements that conveys our spiritual state or reality. Certainly, it is not really as linear as what I propose but it represents a maturing from something that is less firm/less tangible to something that is more concrete. My 10-step continuum of a Christian’s spiritual state/reality is as follows:
1. It starts with a DESIRE for something greater – wanting to fill a void that only God can fill
2. That desire then springs into HOPE – considering there is something that can fill this void
3. We are then challenged to step out into FAITH – accepting that what is unseen is real
4. As we step out, our faith grows to BELIEF – treating what is unseen as real
5. From there we extend our belief to TRUST – acting on what is unseen as more real
6. We then grow in our COMPREHENSION/UNDERSTANDING – Satisfying our intellect with what is unseen
7. That matures into growing CONFIDENCE – Stepping out to actively express all the prior elements
8. Which generates OPTIMISM/EXPECTATION – A heightened level of Confidence
9. Which then blossoms into staunch CONVICTION – Being sold out to the Cause of Christ in our life

How much more concrete can our spiritual state be than Total Conviction?
I would humbly make the case that there is one more level.

10. Beyond Conviction is intellectual, experiential, and relational KNOWLEDGE – the highest spiritual state is TO KNOW

Knowledge: The fact or condition of knowing something with familiarity gained through experience or association.

Oooh, Does Spiritual Maturity Mean Attaining all Knowledge? Is it Time to Give Up? Not Yet

Consider A Court of Law
If we are called to testify as a witness to the reality of God and the reality of our relationship with Christ we often talk in terms of our faith or what we believe, or how we trust in God, or we speak of our strong conviction in the reality of God.
BUT, the highest standard of what a witness is to testify to is as to what they KNOW – our KNOWLEDGE of what has been demonstrated to be true.
If we are called to testify in a courtroom we are called to speak of that which we KNOW. If we begin to speak of that which we believe or think, we will hear lawyers scream OBJECTION! IRRELEVANT! or HEARSAY!

I have often relied on giving testimony to others about God in my life based upon expressing it in terms of faith or belief or trust. And I believe that is true of many Christians.
Now, don’t get me wrong, we cannot be in a relationship with God without all the elements defined above – faith, belief, trust, etc. All of it is critical. In fact, we know we are saved by faith and that it is impossible to please God without faith.

However, author Dallas Willard writes, “The difference between belief and knowledge is huge and affects every area of life. Not having knowledge of the central truths of Christianity is certainly one reason for the great disparity between what Christians profess and how they behave.”

Still, I believe the truth is that there is so much more that we KNOW or can KNOW to be true that is so much more powerful when we share, testify, or express our Life in Christ.

There is a body of knowledge (God’s Word) about God and about Jesus that scripture encourages us to grow in:
•Proverbs 1:7 – The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.
•Proverbs 18:15 – The heart of the prudent acquires knowledge, And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
•Hosea 4:6 – My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.
•1 Corinthians 1:5 – that you were enriched in everything by Him in all utterance and all knowledge,
•Ephesians 4:13 – till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man
•Colossians 1:9 – that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;

In Why We Can Trust Spiritual Knowledge by Dallas Willard, he writes that a core branch of learning for the early major teaching institutions (Yale, Harvard, etc.) included Knowledge of such things as the very existence of God, the presence of God in the world, Moral values – who is a good person and how to become a good person, the reality of Christ in the spiritual life. It was understood that there was and is an indispensable role of knowledge in faith and life – that there is a body of uniquely Christian knowledge, one that is available to all who would appropriately seek it and receive it—whether Christians or not.
The body of knowledge that our earliest Institutions of learning were founded to advance is no longer taught there. Harvard and Yale and many other Universities were established to promulgate what is known of God. If it is taught at all, it is no longer taught as knowledge of God but is relegated to one of many belief systems and philosophy or traditions or legends. According to them, true knowledge is only found in the “concrete” sciences.
Willard says that God’s statement, “The truth shall make you free,” primarily a reference to moral truth appears on more university walls than any other statement— though most faculty and students today have no idea of what it means, where it came from, or why it is there.
He goes on to detail the core Knowledge that establishes our faith and belief, identifying that even the sciences growingly, reluctantly are more and more coming to grips with the fact that there is a master designer behind all the science from the beginning and the evidence supports the knowledge that this designer continues to make His presence known in our world today.

So our challenge is, What do each one of us really KNOW about God? What is it I really KNOW? What do we KNOW of our Christianity that we can testify to? It is all well and good when we share our faith and belief and quote scripture but it must be substantiated by what we KNOW to be true – the reality of God showing up in our lives.

You Better Know!

When my wife, Eleni, and I first came to Christ we were at a Christian concert and after the concert, a young longhaired kid (Greg Laurie) came out and shared the message and gave the invitation. I thought, “What does this kid KNOW?”
I was challenged to step out in faith and follow Jesus for the rest of my life. I thought, “Wow, you’re asking me to make a lifetime commitment to someone I don’t even know?”
Fortunately, by the words spoken and the scripture quoted, I had, over my life, come to know that they were true. So I stepped forward, believing that if this God is real, he would make himself known to me. I’ll step out in faith and you demonstrate you are real. (Which God did and continues to do)
Days afterward, with our Bibles fresh in hand, we met with a childhood friend – one of these smart guys who will debate anything and everything. We shared what happened to us and he grilled us about our faith. Once we demonstrated we knew very little he left telling us, “Boy, you guys better know what you’ve gotten yourself into!”
Truer words were never spoken. So, this has been an ongoing challenge for me that whatever I share with others I better know to be true for myself. All of who God is – his love, peace, joy, grace, goodness righteousness, truth, power, and justice and his guidance for my life. Ultimately, we are encouraged to move even beyond our knowledge and by His Spirit to be an expression of the Fruit of the Spirit.

Even as scripture promotes advancing in Knowledge, it makes clear that we must be wary of just relying on our knowledge/intellect:
•1 Corinthians 8:1 – “Now we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies.”
•2 Corinthians 8:7 – “But as you abound in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us—see that you abound in this grace also.”

Moving our Knowledge from the Head to the Heart.
This is where the distinction between knowing beyond knowledge lies in Ephesians 3:19 “to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
When Pastor Josh lists God’s love as Incomprehensible, Unconditional, Infinite, Active, Unfailing, Present, Unending, and Transforming it is not about head knowledge of a distant God we learn about in books. It is about a God who is not only present and active but interactive and who when we call, answers. When we draw near, He embraces us in very real and tangible ways. That’s what I call a Relationship. (For me, distant relationships just don’t work)
The Bible is God’s living word. It is alive and God speaks powerfully to us through it. Yet, if we are in a real relationship, it must go beyond book and head knowledge to something experiential and relational.

Many in the Christian world shy away from the experiential. Why? Because it can often be abused and can lead us away from the solid foundation and security we find in God’s written word. When James writes that faith without works is dead, I believe He is saying that we must act out our faith and beliefs and experience God in our daily lives. Step out in faith into real experience.
Growing in the knowledge of God is a lifetime journey. It is about seeking him in His eternal, living word and experiencing his reality walking and talking with him throughout our life. 1 Corinthians 1:5 says, “that you were enriched in everything by Him in all utterance and all knowledge,” – What we grow to know about him and how he speaks to us.

Many of the great heroes of faith not only testified to the perfect goodness of God’s law but to the beautiful experience of having a walking/talking relationship with God. This notion is embedded in the Greek word for Prayer – Proseuchomai which is made up of 2 root words:
1. Pros – is a preposition of direction to give a sense of place or location. forward – toward – alongside of – drawing close to. (Example: Matthew 14:29 – And He said, “Come!” And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus.) and,
2. Euchomai – to make your wishes known.

The image is of one coming alongside to walk with God and making your wishes known. And we know that He responds by 1 John 5:14-15 – “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us-whatever we ask-we know that we have what we asked of him.”

In the words of Dallas Willard – “Whatever your situation, there is nothing more important on earth than to dwell in the knowledge of Christ and to lovingly bring that knowledge to others.” And as Peter encourages in 2 Peter 3:18 – “but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

To know Jesus beyond knowledge is not a new notion. A walking, talking growing relationship with God is beautifully described in the great hymn written over 100 years ago, In the Garden

I come to the garden alone
While the dew is still on the roses
And the voice I hear, falling on my ear
The Son of God discloses

He speaks and the sound of His voice
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing
And the melody that He gave to me
Within my heart is ringing

I stayed in the garden with Him
Though the night all around me is falling
But He bids me go, through the voice of woe
His voice to me is calling

Refrain: And He walks with me
And He talks with me
And He tells me I am His own
And the joy we share as we tarry there
None other has ever known

“If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.” – Galatians 5:25

There is Nothing Quite Like a Good Laugh!
Only on two occasions in my life can I remember experiencing what I would call a gut-wrenching, roll-on-the-floor, can’t-stop, belly laugh. It’s actually painful and exhausting but so good.

The first one was from watching Jonathan Winters’ Gas Station destruction scene in ITS A MAD MAD MAD MAD WORLD. Wow! (You can guess that I grew up on a steady diet of 3 Stooges)

The other one is from the Pink Panther movies, when Inspector Clouseau would be attacked by his Chinese manservant, Cato (totally un-PC). In order to keep the Inspector’s fighting skills honed, at the most unsuspecting and inopportune times, Cato would spring from a hidden space screaming, “Saaaaaaaaaah” to attack Clouseau. The ensuing fights were long and vicious, as well as destructive to the furniture, and always interrupted by the telephone ringing, at which point they would become civil again. I think on one viewing I may have split the proverbial gut.
One of the infamous lines amid the ensuing martial arts battle would be Clouseau screaming, “Caatooo, This Is Not the Time!” followed by, “Now Is the Time!”
Of course, Clouseau’s screaming, “Caatooo, This Is Not the Time!” was his way of breaking Cato’s advantage. When Cato would stop, Clouseau would immediately scream, “Now is the time!” to gain the fighting advantage.
This is a line that is very recognizable to my family and often repeated amid some family hijinks.

Wait. Is There a Spiritual Application?
The quote makes me think of Ecclesiastes 3:1 – “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:” Ecc 3 includes in Verse 4 – “a time to weep and a time to laugh,” as well as Verse 8 – “a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.” Of course, the writer is indicating that there is not just any time for these things but certain or appropriate or appointed times for each of these things.

Keeping in Step with the Spirit – Now is Not the Time!
In Galatians 5:25 Paul writes, “If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.”
What is Paul saying when he wrote to keep in step with the Spirit? He is saying 1. Don’t get ahead of the Spirit’s pace (Now is not the time) and 2. Don’t lag behind (Now is the time) – be right in step.

According to the Bible God is perfect in all ways. In Matthew 5:48 Jesus declares – “. . . your heavenly Father is perfect.” And the Psalmist concurs writing in Psalm 18:30 “This God—his way is perfect;” If God is perfect and His way is perfect then His timing is perfect. Are we “living by the Spirit” by actively listening for His voice and being quick to act accordingly?

The Spiritual Discipline of SILENCE
There was an episode at a church meeting where I was advocating for something and another leader shut me down. I felt attacked and belittled with my character and good intentions besmirched. (How dare anyone question my inherent goodness?) In my flesh, I felt I had every right to respond and defend myself. In fact, many people would say that I must. But, at the time I heard God say (Though not in a goofy French accent) “Now is not the time.”

So, I obeyed and exercised the Spiritual Discipline of SILENCE. This Spiritual Discipline includes restricting your speech by not acting on the impulse to righteously defend yourself but to pray and trusting that God will step in. Exodus 14:14 says, “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still/silent.” We don’t always see the results of exercising Spiritual Disciplines but in this case, God clearly stepped in and spoke in unison to several leaders. What I was advocating for was implemented in a different way but with wonderful Kingdom results without me ever saying another word. (Soooo good when God does it!)
When I am feeling angry or frustrated, are these not legitimate feelings? Yes, but when I’m tempted to act out on them in an “It’s all about me” way I can often hear a voice saying, “Daaaviiiid, This Is Not the Time!”
This has happened many times in my life when I want to debate a point, confront a situation, or write an email or text response to something that has riled me. It’s often a knee-jerk response to defend myself or inject righteous judgment. God steps in to say, Take the time to meditate on what I would have you say or do.
When keeping in step with the Spirit we need only go back several verses in Galatians 5:22-23 – The Fruit of the Spirit as our guide for how we act and talk. Which for me is not always my initial inclination.
When I can remove any self-righteousness, and speak and act in God’s righteousness reflecting the full Fruit of the Spirit, I can hear God say, “Now is the time.”

There is No Time for That!
This brings to mind another powerful line in a similar vein from the movie, Gettysburg. There is a scene where General Robert E Lee confronts Maj. Gen. J.E.B. Stuart. Stuart has been gallivanting over the Pennsylvania countryside with his cavalry making headlines but not reporting back to Lee with critical intelligence on the Union troops. When Lee expresses his and others’ disappointment in him, Stuart wants to defend his honor and then offers to resign. The usually soft-spoken Lee yells, “There is no time for that!”
The application is that when facing the battle there is no time or energy to waste focusing on ourselves – soothing our egos or being sidetracked by being personally offended.
There have been occasions when I’ve been offended and inclined to retreat. But, on those occasions when I’ve taken those feelings to God I’ve heard him say, “Is my love and appreciation for you not enough? I’ve got so much for you to do. There is no time for self-pity and self-loathing. Let’s get back to doing what I’ve designed for you to do. Now is the time.”

Keeping in Step with the Spirit – Now is the Time!
I believe that God is speaking and more often than calling out “Now is not the time!” God is prompting us with, “Now is the time!” Are we listening? When we hear God speaking or giving instructions, do we act?
Pastor Jeremy of my home church recently spoke on responding to God’s prompting and being willing to get out of the boat and take risks. Hebrews 11:6 says, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him”. The writer is saying that God loves those who by His prompting are willing to step into the unknown. Why? Because they trust God that much.
Are we willing to put aside our agenda for the day or for a time to act on a prompting from God – to pay a visit, write a note, or meet a need? Now is the time. Often, I’ll tell myself I will act on it later but I miss the moment.
James writes, Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. The works James is referring to are not just working harder at a job but the acts we perform in response to God’s prompting. They are tangible evidence of our faith.

Inspector Jesus Clouseau
Even Jesus had somewhat of an Inspector Clouseau experience in the second chapter of John’s Gospel. Mary solicits Jesus to perform a miracle by providing a wedding party with more wine. Jesus declared, “Woman, my hour has not yet come.” Or, in other words, “Now is not the time!” I can reasonably conclude that Jesus (who declared in John 5:19 that He only does what He sees/discerns the Father reveals for Him to do), asked His Heavenly Father, “Is now the time?” His Father then confirmed, “Now is the time!” Based on that confirmation, Jesus complied with Mary’s request to perform His first public miracle. It was not in Mary’s time, not even in Jesus’ time but in the Father’s time.

Let’s remind ourselves that Now is not the time to focus on ourselves but Now is the time to listen and act on God’s prompting for the interests of others. Philippians 2:4 – “Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.”

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“Now is the time!” for Gloria
A little over a year ago Don Treash went to be with our King in glory. I couldn’t think then of many who exhibit the full Fruit of the Spirit as Don did so well. Certainly, one would be the perfect partner in their Ekbasis (Good Finish), Gloria. Last Saturday she joined Don to be with their King in Glory.
A few days before she passed she was, as far as I know, healthy and actively loving like Jesus to those around her. Our Group was on a Zoom call with her being in good health the night before she fell ill. But in the Father’s perfection, the next day He said, “Now is the Time.”
So, today I want to take this time to remember and honor our beloved leaders of our Community Group – teachers, friends, mentors, and their wonderful Ekbasis – how Gloria, like her partner Don led their lives right up through to a good finish. We will always love and cherish you for your loving kindness and for leading us into a deeper knowledge of God.
Our Community Group which they led for so many years rejoices in their reunion in Heaven and their union with our loving King.