Day 322

I want to get a shirt that states: Your lack of planning is NOT my emergency.” Some individuals live in the mindset of procrastination. And when they realize that something needs to be done, it always happens to be in an emergent manner. And then their anxiety becomes my anxiety. Because once I am a part of their problem, they stop worrying about it, for the simple reason being that they have passed on their problem over to me. I used to get dragged into those types of situations all the time. Once it was someone that I went to school with decades ago. She reached out to me for help. It was the strangest thing, I asked her why me? We hadn’t seen each other in almost 20 years. She told me that a mutual acquaintance, another student we went to school with around the same time, told her to reach out to me. That was really insane because I hadn’t spoken to that individual in about 15 years. She proceeded to tell me that the mutual acquaintance told her that she could count on me to help. For the life of me, I still don’t know why. But help I did.

Now when I helped the first two times, I was frantic. I had to make sure that I was filling in the gap wherever she needed. She had kids and did not have a stable environment for them to live, less than thrive. By the time we got to emergency numbers 4 and 5, my bank account was getting to the point of being overdrawn. But I had to help her, right? Forget the fact that I was a Christian, I felt so guilty. She was in a situation that broke my heart. And I couldn’t help but wonder if I had pushed her down that path. When we were teenagers, good friends. But then there was a boy. A boy that I liked began hanging out with her. I got jealous and let me tell you that teenagers can be quite mean.

The Bible tells us: A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; jealousy is like cancer in the bones.” Proverbs 14:30. And I let that terrible cancer eat me alive. I became so harsh and cruel to her when she needed the love of Jesus exemplified to her the most. So when I found out later in life that she did not have a roof over her head, and that her children were struggling, my heart broke. What if I had been kind and not mean? What if I had been like Jesus, and not like me? Those questions meant nothing now because I could not rewrite the past. So, I reached in my wallet, hoping to buy my peace and forgiveness from her.

I apologize for what I said and did that one day 20 years before. She laughed at me because she barely recalled it at all. But it had burdened me for decades. When I started to realize that her constant state of emergency was not going away, I had to tell her that I could no longer help financially. I offered to provide her with other resources, but she was not interested. After a while, the phone calls stopped coming. I wonder where she is now. I pray that she’s okay. I pray that God will send someone to her that will fully show her who He really is. That He loves her with an everlasting love. That all the things that have happened to her that broke her heart and tried to kill her spirit, that He was there, loving and crying with her. Desperate that she gives her life over to Him so that He could show her that this life isn’t the final curtain.

I’m thankful that when my lack of planning turned out to be an emergency that God did not let me go through it alone. Maybe we need to take a deep breath and find out how we can help people without enabling them, love them without judging. Maybe then we’ll have fewer emergencies and more stability, more peace. The type of peace that only God can provide: Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27.

Day 318

Today someone from my past reached out to me on social media. I remember primarily good times with this person, so I was excited when I saw them flash up on my screen. Their message read along the lines as “Hey (insert my college nickname here), how are you doing? Let’s connect sometime. You can message me on here, or email me at (insert their email here).” I immediately clicked on their email link and messaged them. I asked them how they were doing and we should catch up soon. Within a few moments, I received an additional message from them about an opportunity to get involved on the ground level of something that they are passionate about. The hurt that flashed across my face when the reality of their reaching out, hit me by surprise. This reason for them reaching out was for a professional/financial hookup, not a friend link up. I supposed in the circle of friends we remain on the outside, acquaintances. Sigh.

Was I disappointed? Yes. Because someone had not only thought of me out of the blue, they took that extra step and reached out. I wish her all the success in this venture, I really do. But from where I am sitting, I don’t have the desire to even research what this newfound passion is even about.

I wonder how God feels about us when He hears us reach out to Him. Does He get all excited to start a conversation, to dialogue in our hearts and minds, looking forward to an opportunity to grow our relationship? Only to get an “I want from You” transactional request. How distraught do you think God feels? Now if we are made in His image (Gen. 1:26) and the reason why we even have relationships, is because He designed us to be relational beings, how do we think God processes our rejection of Him.

Yes, I say rejection in this context. Because when I received the “I want from you” portion of that message from the person from my past, I felt rejected. I felt like they only wanted to reach out because they wanted something from me and that was not a genuine connection, although we connected through social media. Listen to what Jesus has to say about relationships: Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father in heaven.” Matthew 10:32. Here’s Luke’s version: I tell you, everyone who confesses Me before men, the Son of Man will also confess him before the angels of God.” Luke 12:8.

The first thing I want to know is what does Jesus mean by “confess?” We don’t have to wonder long. The Greek word used for “confess” in both of these texts is the combination of “homou and logos;” which means “to assent, i.e. Covenant, acknowledge (Strong’s Greek).”

Did you see that?! Tell me you did! That Jesus said whoever covenants with Him, that He will covenant with them even before God and the angels. Jesus is saying look, if you want to be in a relationship with Me, let’s keep it on the up and up. You have no problem letting people know on this earth that you belong to me, and I have no problem letting the God of the universe and the ministering spirits which are extremely powerful, that I belong to you!

Mind blown. Jesus doesn’t want a “booty-call” type of relationship. Where we contact Him only when we need something from Him to satisfy a want of ours. He wants a “covenantal” type relationship with Him. Where we lie the life He created us to live which is to be fulfilled in knowing our purpose and living in a constant state of other-centered love. That means being kind to those who are rude to you, not getting angry while traffic is backed-up or when someone cuts you off. That means forgiving the unforgivable, or the ones who have never even asked for your forgiveness, or that refuse to admit that they did anything wrong, that means not living for yourself where you are willing to trample on anyone or anything to get something for you.

Don’t have Jesus feeling some sort of why in your relationship, not knowing if you guys are really friends, or “I want/need something from you” type of friend. Jesus should be in the circle of friends on the inside, in you, not on the outside looking in. He’s knocking on the door of your heart, asking to come in, will you open the door?

Day 310

There’s a Bible verse which describes someone’s desire to just be in the presence of the Lord: One thing I have asked of the LORD; this is what I desire: to dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and seek Him in His temple.” Psalm 27:4. And I really never understood this verse. And I think it was because I had never really been in love with someone who made me feel safe, accepted, better just by being with them. I recall a few times people who would flock to my home and stay the entire day with my family. I love people, but I also enjoy my personal space. One day I asked my father why these individuals never leave. And my dad told me that it’s because they don’t have families of their own. And that hit me in the heart, hard. To know that people, even grown adults, were searching for a place to feel loved, safe, and just over all better after being there. That’s what David experienced when he was in the presence of God, and that’s what I strive for when people are now in my presence.

There’s a couple that I have known since I was young. They were the youth leaders in my church. Young people wanted to be around them all the time because they knew how to draw people who were hurting. It did not matter what walk of life you were in, Herb and Sue were always available to shower love on you. It’s been over 25 years, and they’re still reaching out to the youth. Every Friday night they have Bible Study and feed people. Now because of the pandemic, they’re doing it on Zoom. But once a month they have a drive-thru breakfast and feed anyone who wants a meal. These people have developed the heart of God. The love of God has spilled over into their lives and they are drawing people to Him.

When Jesus was on earth, people flocked to Him. Because even though they were sinners, He made them feel whole, loved, and safe. Just being around Jesus made them better. One person who sat at the feet of Jesus was Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus. Martha wanted Mary to help her with getting the food ready for the guest, but Mary wouldn’t leave the presence of Jesus. When Martha asked Jesus to help her out He said: But only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:42.

That verse alone tells us where God’s heart is also. We’re not the only ones searching for meaningful intimacy, He is as well. So much so that He gave us a covenant to seal that reality. Unfortunately, we’ve broken His covenant and abused His gifts. You’d think He’d be done with us, but instead, He came to save us from ourselves and each other: And Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who sold and bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you make it a den of robbers.” And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple, and he healed them. But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying out in the temple, “Hosanna to the Son of David!”  Matthew 21:12-17.

There you can see that the temple, which was supposed to be a safe place for those to seek the presence of God had been turned into a money-making opportunity without regard for human life or suffering. And when Jesus saw how those who were responsible for teaching others about the character of God were purposefully maligning His character for their gain, He got angry. And rightfully so. He interrupted the status quo and demanded that they do better or move out of the way. And isn’t it interesting that after they fled that is when the blind, lame, and even the children came running to Jesus. And He accepted them with open arms.

The passage below is from the book of Isaiah, where Jesus had quoted that His house shall be called a house of prayer. I want you to see the type of God that is speaking here. One who loves all people. One who desires to be in covenant with us. One who will gather the outcast into His everlasting loving arms…

“Let not the foreigner who has joined himself to the Lord say,
“The Lord will surely separate me from his people”;
and let not the eunuch say, “Behold, I am a dry tree.”
For thus says the Lord:
“To the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths,
who choose the things that please me
and hold fast my covenant,
I will give in my house and within my walls
a monument and a name better than sons and daughters;
I will give them an everlasting name
that shall not be cut off.
“And the foreigners who join themselves to the Lord,
to minister to him, to love the name of the Lord,
and to be his servants, everyone who keeps
the Sabbath and does not profane it,
and holds fast my covenant—
these I will bring to my holy mountain,
and make them joyful in my house of prayer;
their burnt offerings and their sacrifices
will be accepted on my altar;
for my house shall be called a house of prayer
for all peoples.” The Lord God, who gathers the outcasts…” Isaiah 56:3-8. 

Day 306

C.S. Lewis was a brilliant Christian apologist that wrote the most fascinating things. One such comment is clothed with intrigue but bares the naked truth: Eros will have naked bodies; Friendship naked personalities.” Eros, being the Greek equivalent for erotic, sexually expressed love. To fully realize that type of expression, one must remove the layers of clothes that separate their bodies, one from another. Believe it or not, it is the same thing when it comes to being exposed internally as it is externally. Layers must be removed. So many of us build layers around ourselves because we do not think that we are worthy to be loved, as is. I know this is true because one of the most popular inventions within this century is the photo “filter.” Such apps like Instagram and Snapchat have millions of subscribers who use their features to “upgrade” their look. And the desire that people have to obtain “likes” has pushed individuals to the extreme. But are all these layers that we have placed between ourselves and the rest of the world beneficial to us? Christopher Shearer of the online print publication stated: ‘Creating low self-esteem empowers companies, so how do we stop it, and do we even want to?‘ on his article entitled “Filters and photo manipulation on social media sites are creating a generation of deluded adolescents.” (Shearer, 2016). Was this the image that God had when He said “Let Us create man in Our Own image“?

If we’re reading the Biblical narrative correctly, of course not. God created mankind to be in an unbroken covenant with Him and with their fellow human being. But one moment of distrust, which was due to the mischaracterization of the character of God, changed the way we related to each other and Elohim, forever. When God came to spend time with Adam and Eve in the cool of the day, the once happy pair who spent their first waking hours of life basking in the presence of God, now ran from Him presence and hid from His face. In order to feel comfortable again, they thought what they needed to do was to place distance between themselves and God. How they accomplished that was 1) cover their naked bodies with giant fig leaves, 2) literally place physical distance between them and God by running and hiding.

When God came to talk to them, His heartbroken over what they had done and what they must have been feeling, He had to help them figure out their true north. Because sin had confused the mess out of them. They thought that if they disobeyed Love, that they would be more like God, but the scripture already said that they were like Him (Gen. 1:26-28). They thought that running from Him and putting fig leaves on themselves would create distance between them and God, but their sin had already done that (Isaiah 59:2). So God asks a simple yet profound question: Where are you?”

God knew where they were, but the reality of what they had done, really did not settle in their minds yet. It’s like they were coming off of a high (I don’t speak from experience but from research), without having a clear view of what was going on, or where they were mentally. But God knew, and He knew that human beings would rather strip off their clothes and participate in Eros than to strip off the layers of their heart and engage in Agape. We didn’t know what it looked like, to have intimate relational integrity (aka be in covenant), so He came to show us. And for God to show us what it looked like to be in covenant, He had to strip down: but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” Phil. 2:7-8.

When He stripped Himself of His power, He came down to show us what Agape looked like. To show us what we were supposed to look like, being made in the image of God: Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13. Believe it or not, God wants to be your friend. While He was on earth they called Him “Master” and He was. But that was not the relationship He was seeking: No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not understand what his master is doing. But I have called you friends, because everything I have learned from My Father I have made known to you.” John 15:15. The “Master-Servant” relationship was warranted and appropriate. Because He is God, after all. But that was not what He was searching for. In being His friend, there still is an element of obedience. Not because you are scared, but because you trust Him.

If a really good friend of mine tells me something, like “You should bring an extra water bottle” for a trip. I will do it. Not because I’m scared, but because my friend knows me so well, and the situation ahead of time, that me bringing an extra water bottle will be beneficial to me. And so when God says: You are My friends if you do what I command you.” John 15:14, He means the same thing. That you trust Me enough to do what I say because I will always want what’s best for you. Trusting also means revealing parts of yourself. Being naked and exposed before someone and having them love you for all your weird quirks, is the most affirming thing we could ever experience in this universe. God is standing there with arms wide open, He knows what you’ve done and still wants to friends with you and be in covenant with you, for all eternity. Eros may have naked bodies, but after a while they get cold. God will never leave you out in the cold. So why don’t you come into a relationship with Him today? It’s the best thing since sliced bread (speaking from experience).

Day 259

We are 107 days until this trial year is OVER. When we go to war, we have an enemy that we can see, who we can combat. They have their territory, and we have ours. But the last 200 plus days have been a full on attack in a guerilla-like format on our senses, wallets, freedoms, dignities, and our lives. But through all of the darkness that 2020 has brought, the good shines oh so much brighter! I watched a video of strangers coming together to rescue a family. You can watch the video here. In it the family of 5 was trapped in their car in a flash flood. The children were scared as the waters rushed over and filled the car. While it looked like there was no opportunity for safety, these strangers came upon them and stated repeatedly: “We’ll get you out don’t worry.”

The clip, couldn’t be more than 2 minutes long, captures the danger that both the family and rescuers, who were ordinary people, were facing. Putting their own lives at risk, they braved the powerful waters and extended their hands and essential their hearts, so the children and the father trapped behind the waters could be saved. The fear was real almost palpable for all parties involved. The fear of losing one life, nade them work all the more harder to save a life. And if complete strangers were willing to do this for others, would not the One who made you do it for you? Could God have been going through the same type of emotions?

Here He was, the Creator God of heaven and earth. And a dangerous flood came over His children, and this flood was one of sin and imminent death. He watched as our choices left our fellow human beings tattered and broken. He saw the enemy lay traps that would engulf us, with wave after wave of pain, suffering and heartache. He came upon us and knew He had to do something, to save us. But saving us meant handing Himself over to death, in our place. He didn’t have to do it, but He did. God stepped in and gave us more than a helping hand, He gave us His hand of life. Then He told us to go and help others find their way out of the dark, out of danger, so that they would have a chance to live. And as we go through the difficulties of this life He gives us this promise:
But now thus says the Lord,
He who created you, O Jacob,
He who formed you, O Israel:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name, you are mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
and the flame shall not consume you.
For I am the Lord your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.” Isaiah 43:1-3.

This passage is a comfort to me and I hope it becomes a comfort for you too. When life feels like it’s too overwhelming or that we won’t last another massive hit from this strange year, God tells us that we are not alone. We know that in this life we will have plenty of problems, but going through it with someone else, having another individual to shoulder the burden can make or break you. God does not want us to be broken in despair, but He does know that in this world we will face life-shattering moments. He has given us Jesus, the Holy Spirit, our guardian angels, and each other. This is why the enemy works so hard to place differences between us as negatives, and he attempts to wear down our empathy one for another, so that we do not have the strength of our fellow human beings to get through this life. Sure, there’s 107 days left of this year. That leaves us with at least 107 opportunities to reach out to others and let them know that they are not alone in this world and that you care for them. So let me be the first to say it to you “We’ll get through this together, don’t worry, you’re not alone.”

Day 249

I think about all the frontline caregivers that are providing life-saving services to those who are sick and in the hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, assisted livings, and the likes. I think about teachers who are not able to teach virtually and are providing an education to today’s future. I think about the grocers and cashiers that bag our groceries and have a smile available for us as they ring us out. All these people provide services that we need to keep our society functioning, and they have face to face interactions with people who may carry a deadly virus designed to lower the immune system, and is designed to kill. We call this important group of people collectively essential workers.

Meaning we need them. Without their contributions, the majority of society would be at a standstill. But they don’t get paid their worth. Let’s take a look at the national sports teams. No one was able to show up for the games, seasons were postponed, other seasons were canceled altogether. And yet, while people might have gotten bored from not being able to be entertained by sports athletics, society did not run into a standstill. Life kept going, because those who were essential, kept showing up for their job, doing their part, putting others first before themselves.

Who are the essential people in your life? Who are the ones who show up day in and day out to make sure that things aren’t falling apart? Who are the ones who put themselves at risk for things to work smoothly? And we know that they are not receiving the praise that they are due nor the recognition for their work. Instead, they remain consistent, humble and through their sacrifice, we can live functioning lives.

A few of the essential people in my life are my parents, my brothers, my team, which hasn’t taken time off since this pandemic occurred. I want to thank those who have stepped up their game and who keep moving forward when life’s pressures keep pushing back. If we don’t take the time out to recognize those who are special to us, we miss out on a vital part of growing our relationship with them. This is something that successful business know: When a manager recognizes an employee’s behavior, personally and sincerely, both feel proud, gratified, and happy. There’s a human connection that transcends the immediate culture to create a shared bond. The power of this bond is stronger than you might think; indeed, it’s the power that holds together great organizational cultures.” – Erik Mosley and Derek Irvine, co-authors of The Power of Thanks: How Social Recognition Empowers Employees and Creates a Best Place to Work (Snacknation.com).

And I know One person who came to this earth when it was a completely hazardous environment. He did whatever was in His power to do to save you. This love that He had for us, the One who breathed life into your body, who created, reconciled, and redeemed you. He had to come here and day and day out work out salvation on our behalf. And instead of thanking Him and magnifying His name, He was cursed at, spat on, and crucified:
I offered my back to those who beat me and my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard. I did not hide my face from mockery and spitting.” Isaiah 50:6. You’d think after that sort of treatment, that He would wash His hands and be rid of us. But instead He said: For He hath said, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” Hebrews 13:5.

I don’t know who the essential people are in your life. But I suggest that you take a moment to tell them how grateful you are for them, and for the difference that they make in your life, and hopefully you’ll hear from someone else how essential you are to them. And while you’re out there sharing gratitude, don’t forget to tell God, too!

Day 240

How hungry can the human spirit be for love? When I was in college I used to go to a fastfood restaurant and only use their drive-thru at a certain time during the day. You might wonder why would I be doing that to myself, and what is so special about that drive-thru. Well, it wasn’t “what” as much as “who.” There was a late middle aged Black woman who would be the cashier, when I came through. And everytime she would hand me my order, she would follow it up with “here you go Love” or “have a great day Love.” And she said it with such conviction, that I truly believed that this woman, who I did not know from Adam, really meant it, she really considered me her “Love.” And so I gained a few pounds that summer, sometimes giving the food I purchased away to my friends in my college dorm room, because I was hungry for something that fast food combo could not satisfy. I had no idea that I starving for the type of love that made you believe that you can accomplish anything. And I think that every human being is desperately searching and is starving for that same type of love, because that is how God created us to be.

Now, my parents are wonderful. They have and continue to shower their love upon me. But it was the way that this woman said it, that really touched my spirit. Have you ever had a conversation with someone in your family, and they compliment you when you don’t feel like the compliment runs true? But then you think, or say if you’re bold “you have to say that, because we’re family.” I think that’s how I felt about my parents. Yes you say “I love you” because I’m your kid! Hearing it from someone who doesn’t owe you that familial contractual obligation, awakens something in your soul. And don’t get me wrong, I believe it is vitally important that we tell our family members that we love them and spend as much as time as possible with the ones God has given us to get through this life. But have you heard of phrase “Friends are the family you choose?”

If you hear that “God loves you” (which if you’ve been following this devotional blog at all, you know that this is the foundation of every single post that I have put up), you may shrug your shoulders and say, “Yeah, He has to, He made me. Oh, and died for me.” And all of that is true and wonderful. But God loving you, is more about Him and His character, than it is about you. Let’s be honest. God is faithful and embodies the Hebrew word for Chesed. Which is covenantal faithfulness and loving kindness and mercy all wrapped into the arms of grace. Beautiful, yes, but what does that really have to do with you? We know that even while we were the enemies of God that He still choose to die for us (Romans 5:8). But what does God think of you as a person? I hope you’re ready for this. God not only loves you, He likes you.

Let that sink in while I give you some contextual verification. After 3 1/2 years, Jesus is coming down to His final few moments on this earth. And He takes a look at the group of people that have become His family: For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.” Matthew 12:50. They were His family. But in a matter of a few years, the time that they had spent with the Savior of the world, something had happened: No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not understand what his master is doing. But I have called you friends, because everything I have learned from My Father I have made known to you.” John 15:15. Jesus, the Master of the universe, called His group of misfits “friends.”

And to me, that is insane. But Jesus was here on earth for almost 4 years, and I guess it would make sense that they would eventually become friends. They hung out together, cried together, rejoiced together and even had a few disagreements among themselves with the disciples not understanding the nature of Jesus true mission, but they always came back together. Jesus was after all human, although He was divine. So I guess part of my brain and fathom the idea that Jesus had humans for friends. But to think that God in the fullness without human attributes, would have humans for friends is almost unimagainable.

Because how much more awesome and infinite is He, compared to: As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more.” Psalm 103:15-16. We’re here one day and gone the next. It makes no sense for God to befriend someone who is not like Him. He is omniscience (all knowing), omnipresent (everywhere at the same time), omnipotent (all powerful), we are none of those things. But yet listen to this:
Are You not our God, who drove out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel, and gave it to the descendants of Abraham Your friend forever?” 2 Chronicles 20:7.

By the time this event was happening in 2 Chronicles when they were calling out to God in prayer, Abraham had been dead for over 500 years! But just because Abraham, God’s friend was dead, it did not mean that God’s memory of him, and the reality of their friendship was gone. God, the all knowing, ever present, powerful God, wants to be your friend. And that longing that you feel in your heart to be loved and known is one that He can only fulfill. And what’s great is that you don’t have to go to a drive-thru to hear someone say “Love” because He is the bread of life: Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” John 6:35. If your soul is starving for that affection you so desperately need, call on Him, because He loves you (yes), but He also likes you, and wants to be your friend too.

Day 168

Today I saw a man lying under a shaded portion of a shopping mall. I wondered how many people saw him lying there, how long had he been there, and had anyone even tried to speak to him. So many of our disenfranchised are also the invisible persons of our society. If Jesus was walking among men, He would have made a beeline for the guy on the floor, not wondering who spoke to him. I wanted to do more, but what could I do? Preaching the gospel may be our calling, but our duty is to meet people where they are and to help satisfy their needs. This is something Jesus always did. And sometimes our needs are not necessarily physical. But sometimes we don’t even know how to voice what we need, but God places people in our lives to help us get what we really need, and that’s an interaction with Jesus.

Jesus was in Peter’s house. Peter’s mother-in-law was sick and Jesus healed her (Mark 1; Luke 4). When she received healing she went about running the house. And what a full house it became when people heard that Jesus was there! The house became so full that: there was no longer room [for them], not even near the door; and Jesus was discussing with them the word [of God].” Mark 2:2. What would happen if people knew that they could find Jesus in your house? Just a question… Well due to the overflowing of people in Peter’s house, four men were desperate to find a way to see Jesus.

Now they were not alone. We have read stories of people who were so desperate to see Jesus, that they climbed Sycamore trees to run into Him. What about the man that came at night? Or the woman that crawled on the floor between a multitude of people to just touch the tip of His garment? And at every scene, Jesus was found by them. This was a promise He gave long ago: You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13, and it still stands today.

But what is so different about these four men, is the fact that they were not seeking Jesus out for themselves. Instead, they desperately were seeking Jesus for someone else! I am blown away by that. Because in the promise that is given in Jeremiah 29, it does not say that “if you seek me for yourself” but when “you will seek me…you will find me.” These four men were determined to find Jesus, even when the other people in the house had blocked their way. And I pause for a moment to discuss this. How often have we been in the way of others finding Jesus? I know I am guilty. I recall once as a teenager, I had written the meanest letter to a young woman who was about my age. She had not been raised to know Jesus, and her family took the chance to send her to a school that claimed that Jesus lived there. But what she found was pain and rejection, not love and healing. And I was a part of that pain. I sang the songs about Jesus’ love but was never able to live out that truth during that time. And it still hurts me to think of the damage I did to that girl and her family, so long ago.

Sometimes too many of us stand in the way of others seeking Jesus. And we don’t make a path like we should. No, we instead, create barriers and blockades for those who desperately need Him. But thank God for these four nameless men! They would not let anything or ANYONE hinder them from finding Jesus: When they were unable to get to Him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above Jesus; and when they had dug out an opening” Mark 2:4. Did you read that correctly? They could not get to Jesus because of the crowd, so they used their ingenuity to make a way out of no way. They had a purpose, and they were not going to give up. But what was their purpose: Some men came carrying on a stretcher a man who was paralyzed, and they tried to bring him in and lay him down in front of Jesus. But finding no way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof [and removed some tiles to make an opening] and lowered him through the tiles with his stretcher, into the middle of the crowd, in front of Jesus.” Luke 5:18-19.

Their mission, which they choose to accept, was to bring their paralyzed friend in front of Jesus. These four men were living the gospel commission before Jesus ever proclaimed it in Matthew chapter 28. They went and they inspired hope in this paralyzed man who needed Jesus but did not know how to get to Him. But they did. And when the crowd tried to block them, they found a way to lay the man right at the feet of Jesus. These men lived the life that God has called us all to live. To go and tell the world where they can find hope, healing and wholeness, all at the feet of Jesus. But telling them is not going to be good enough. We have to lead them, sometimes fighting crowds and obstacles, in order to get them to where they can hear Jesus say: “Man, your sins are forgiven.” Luke 5:20.

That is what the man needed more, out of everything. He needed to know that he could be right with God. And the only way that can happen is to let everything go at the feet of Jesus, asking His forgiveness for the wrongs that we have done to Him and to others, and even ourselves. And Jesus, who is waiting for you to seek Him with all of your heart, desires to tell you “your sins are forgiven.” Once you are able to let go of that load, the physical healing is just icing on the cake. And then we will be able to witness and glorify God for what He will do in their lives: He said to the paralyzed man, “I say to you, get up, pick up your stretcher and go home.” He immediately stood up before them, picked up his stretcher, and went home glorifying and praising God. They were all astonished, and they began glorifying God; and they were filled with [reverential] fear and kept saying, “We have seen wonderful and incredible things today!” Luke 5:24-26.

What is so amazing about our Savior is that He never leaves us where He finds us. And we should follow suit. We should never leave someone where we first find them, we should always be leading them to Jesus, even if it means we have to go around and over the crowds sometimes.

Day 140

Today I called a friend of mine to wish them a happy birthday. When I inquired about how many rotations had he made around the sun, his response was 40. I could not believe it! FORTY YEARS OLD? We joked how he’s been alive for an entire biblical generation, and how the next journey was into the land of Canaan, the land of Promise. After a brief prayer, we hung up the phone, and I thought, are we ready to enter into the Promise Land?

In Matthew chapter 24 Jesus gives several signs that would occur prior to His second coming. Some of the signs have rocked the world: “Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. 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.” Matthew 24:4-8. But do you see that He said these are all just the beginning? He continues to speak of even more disastrous events that will occur, that will turn people against each other and countries against their citizens: For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened.” Matthew 24: 21-22. These will be terrible times, but it’s still not the end! So what brings about the end so we can get to the Promised Land?

Right between the explanation of the problems and chaos that will overtake the world (which clearly we have reached its precipice) Jesus tells us what will bring about the end of the world as we know it: And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” Matthew 24:14. The preaching of the Gospel brings about the end of the world. But it’s not just the information, but the fact that it will be told and made available to the entire planet. When every person has had the opportunity to hear the Gospel, and every person has had the chance to choose if they will love God more than convenience, their belongings, other people; that the way that God chooses to govern the universe with other-centered love is the only viable way, when everyone is able to either accept or reject His free gift of salvation, THEN the end will come.

So let’s talk about this “Gospel.” Paul states that: For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth…” Romans 1:16. Why would anyone be ashamed of the gospel (which means good news) of Christ? Could it be in the manner that Jesus lived and died? The fact that He loved everyone, and broke all social barriers and rules when He touched and healed outcasts such as the lepers (Matthew 8, Mark 1)? Or the fact that He would not conform to the religious leader’s view of religion from His day (Matthew 9, Mark 3, Luke 13, John 5)? Or could it be the company that He kept? There was one woman that anointed Him with very expensive perfume and she had a soiled reputation. When the men began to talk about her, Jesus put an immediate stop to it and told them: “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, wherever this gospel [of salvation] is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told in memory of her [for her act of love and devotion].” Matthew 26:13.

It was that final act of Jesus standing up for someone with an unreputable reputation, that pushed one of His disciples over the edge to betray Him. Because, how could this guy really be the Messiah with the things that He does! Or could people have been ashamed that a Jew was placed on an instrument of Roman torture and died as a criminal, between criminals, and the fact that He was naked? There before the whole world, the One who was the Son of God, hung between heaven and earth dying from a broken heart, exposed for the entire universe to see His shame. Of this was what Paul said he was not ashamed because it is the power of God unto salvation. We know this because the Bible tells us: For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” John 3:16,17.

Paul knew that the power of the Gospel, of God, coming as a man to be with us, and to take upon our shame so that we might be covered with His righteousness, was nothing to be ashamed of. Because of what Love had accomplished, no one since Adam had been able to reconcile us unto God. And as God was dying on that cross He asked for forgiveness for those who were murdering Him, saying that they did not understand what they were doing! He still had compassion when no one had it for Him. And He said when the whole world finally finds out about His redemptive love for them, and what He did to save them, and everyone has had the opportunity to either choose love or reject it, THEN the end will come. Then we will be able to go to the Promise Land. But Jesus wants as many people as possible to come and be saved, and that is why He sends us to tell everyone of the love of God, and what He came to do, so you would not have to suffer the final eternal death. Jesus told us what the reality was: The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” And in order for us to have that life He had to do someting: I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.” John 10:11,11.

So then it is our duty to spread the Gospel of the love of God, so that others may know Him for who He really is, not what people have confused Him to be. And we can start by showing love to those around us, because: By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:35. And Jesus used the word “Agapao” or unconditional love towards each other. When that spreads like wildfire, He’ll be back before you know it…