Faithful on Fridays Blog

Episode One: Before

There’s a central theme throughout Scripture that’s often neglected and yet valuable for our everyday walk with God this series will explore: The Kingdom of God was a reality before, it’s already now, and not fully experienced … yet.  Jesus called it ‘the gospel of the kingdom’ (Matt. 4:23) and since He hadn’t yet died and resurrected it can’t be only that part of His story. Digging a little deeper we find Jesus praying to His Father saying, 

And now, Father, glorify Me in Your own presence with the glory that I had with You before the world existed. John 17:5

Since God is outside of time the Trinity decided to create humanity to bear His image and likeness (Gen. 1:26) along with the earth creating time. That reflection of God would be the recipient of all His love and love Him in return. Sometimes people wonder why God would go ahead with the plan knowing in advance that we’d rebel, but His love isn’t based on anything we do right. It’s foundation is His unreciprocated love. The Westminster Confession of 1646 asks what is the meaning and goal of human history or ‘what is the chief end of man’? The answer is that our purpose is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. A simple plan before time, however, we should know what’s ahead and not only what’s behind us. The Kingdom of God was before creation, before the fall, and before Jesus was born. 

The Lord sits enthroned over the flood; the Lord sits enthroned as King forever; Ps. 29:10

This ‘kingdom’ began as God, the sovereign King, gave mankind authority and position in Eden. The word used is dominion meaning to bring into subjection, conquer or overcome, and to cultivate. This royal reign over creation was planned before time; God’s people were meant to have kingship over the earth. His image and likeness bearers were predestined to rule and reign with Him as kings and queens. 

The heavens are the Lord’s heavens, but the earth He has given to the children of man. Psalm 115:16 

Our mission from God was, and still is, to represent His kingship on earth, unfortunately we abdicated that position and God gave temporary authority to Satan, a lower ruler.

… in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— Ephesians 2:2 

Abraham Kuiper wrote that “the kingdom in the Garden of Eden has retreated back to the heavenlies until the coming of Messiah.” Well said.

God was not taken by surprise at man’s weakness, He already had a plan before time that included our dominion and rulership to be reinstated at just the right moment.

… written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain. Revelation 13:8b

That’s quite enough for this week.

On Earth as in Heaven: Part Four

This topic of connecting God’s kingdom from heaven to earth reaches down from the heavenlies into earthly visions/dreams, miracles, deliverances, and healings or into the natural realm of life. However, the scope is magnified in the ordinary, daily life of a believer in Jesus Christ. 

Peter experienced this overlapping of heaven and earth while on a rooftop when God visited him in a trance (Acts 10:9-48). The heavens opens and a great sheet descended connecting heaven and earth with divine purpose. Peter, who lived in strict obedience to the Law of Moses, was instructed by God to eat what was considered unclean. Through that act God was communicating with this future leader of the Church that He was opening the door of the gospel to Jew and Gentile alike. 

This entrance into faith, open to all people through the Jewish Messiah, caused some confusion. It was only the priests who could declare clean and unclean, permit and forbid, grant or refuse, but now God was changing things. The Church was now given authority to unlock the door of salvation to whosoever would believe. Jesus referred to this when He spoke to Peter:

And I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. Whatever you forbid on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven. Matthew 16:19 NLT

Peter declared his revelation that Jesus was the long-awaited Messiah and was given priest-like authority to declare entrance into kingdom living to those with like-faith. Jesus told Peter he would make some decisions in the future that would affect this new entity called the Church. These keys would lock and unlock, permit and forbid, grant and refuse. The connection of heaven and earth is clear; God has permitted entrance to all people, therefore, the Church follows. As time progressed we know that other things were forbidden or permitted. Circumcision was required for a Jew, but no longer necessary for a Christian. In Jesus’ day fellowship between Jew and Gentile was forbidden: not true in the Church. There were many day and food restrictions under the Law of Moses (Col. 2:16), however, in Christ every day and all food has already been blessed by God. 

Today, the Holy Spirit teaches us what is permitted or forbidden in heaven and therefore on earth; these doctrines or teachings of the Church help us navigate when ‘hot topics’ cause confusion. We need direction from heaven since our culture seems to permit everything these days.

Faith and morals are pivotal points in the Church as we discuss forbidding and permitting or binding and loosing. Jesus told Peter later in this passage (Matt. 16:23) to set his mind on heavenly things, kingdom ways, and refuse a worldly viewpoint and Paul repeated the command in Col. 3:1-4. It’s not always easy or comfortable, certainly not politically correct, but it’s how His kingdom comes on earth as it is in heaven.

5:13-20

Pastor James closed his letter by asking if anyone is suffering, reminding us of his opening: meeting trials of various kinds, or being tested (1:2-3)? If the answer is yes, then the solution is prayer. Sounds too easy, I know, but communing with Jesus via the Spirit, being in His Presence, is where you receive the wisdom you need (1:5) to stay out of crisis and stay in joy. 

Well, you’re not suffering at the moment, everything is going well; James anticipated that answer so he continued that if anyone is cheerful, then he should be singing praises to God and worshipping Him. Prayer and Praise.

What if you’re sick or exhausted? The solution is calling on the elders of your church, who’ve been trained in God’s Word and full of faith to pray over you with anointing oil as a visual of the anointing of the Holy Spirit. Let’s consider that.

The first mention of anointing oil is when God’s people were wandering in the wilderness under Moses’ leadership and God desired to be with them. He gave specific instructions to build a place for His presence and distinct ways His people could come to Him. The priests were anointed with oil to show their dedication, position, and God’s blessing to represent them to Him and represent God to them. In the New Testament believers experienced a type of anointing of the Spirit for the first time at Pentecost when they were filled with the Spirit and power to be His witnesses.

The apostle John later mentioned the anointing of the Spirit that dwells in us today (1 John 2:20, 27) to give us knowledge as He teaches us. 

When an elder, or even a mature believer, anoints someone with oil for healing it’s a visual representation of their faith in God as healer. After a time of confession and repentance the oil and the prayer of faith sets the stage for the Lord to heal; the believer is simply the vessel while God controls what happens next. It’s crucial to remember that Pastor James was encouraging his congregation that there’s great power in their prayers for each other. We need that reminder as well. As an example of great power in prayer Elijah prayed for no rain and for 3 ½ years there was a drought. When he prayed again, it rained and fruit appeared on the trees! Mega-power in prayer.

Lastly, this pastor concludes his letter with a heart-cry for those who have strayed from faith. He told them that love for their faith family will have a definite impact, even if it’s tough love, to rescue them from their wandering into spiritual death. This isn’t salvation by faith, but a rescue for weak, impotent, or exhausted believers (vs. 15 ‘the sick’) who have undoubtedly let the trials and testings of this world overcome them (1:2).

Let this pastor’s words encourage you today in your faith-filled walk.

On Earth as in Heaven: Part Three

Opulence. What a great word! Some people view opulence, possessing great wealth, as negative, worldly, even sinful, but the Bible tells a different story. King David accumulated a treasury which was filled with silver, gold, and jewels: opulence. He passed that treasury on to his son Solomon who added more to it. Why would God give His people such extravagant wealth if it was sinful or worldly? 

Let’s look at this picture of treasures from the perspective of connecting heaven and earth: the lower story and the upper story. There’s a play on words in Matt. 6:19-21 that helps us:

“Don’t store up treasureshere on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasuresin heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasureis, there the desires of your heart will also be. Matthew 6:19-21

The phrase ‘store up’ is actually from the same word for ‘treasure’. The Greek literally reads, “Don’t treasure treasures … treasure your treasures in heaven.” God has an opulent treasury in heaven, consequently, David and Solomon’s treasury was just a snapshot, a lower story. I guarantee you that God’s treasury is not filled with gold or silver; He paves streets with that stuff. Scripture tells us it’s filled with heavenly things like understanding His mysteries, wisdom, and knowledge (Col. 2:2-3); those are heavenly treasures.

Jesus assured us that if we treasure those treasures then we have tapped into connecting heaven and earth. Paul encouraged us to set our minds on heavenly things not earthly ones (Col. 3:2). What are those heavenly things? Jesus’ words from Matt. 6 should ring in our ears: generosity to the poor, prayer and fasting for personal strength, and forgiveness for others: all samples of treasures in heaven that reveal our hearts. Our storehouse should be filled with heavenly treasures that last throughout eternity not earthly ones that are only temporary (Matt. 19:21).

One last thought. Paul talks about a ‘heavenly account’ in Phil 4:14-20 when he commended believers who were generous to him. He wasn’t concerned about the financial help, those earthly treasures, but with the heavenly treasures they were accruing. What does your financial plan look like from God’s perspective? Has your heavenly ledger accumulated more on the giving or receiving side? 

God has a treasury in heaven (Dt. 28:12) waiting for you to draw from, however, the question remains, which holds more value to you, earthly or heavenly riches? Let’s learn to trust God as we practice accruing heavenly treasures and He promises to make them available, His divine opulence, to meet our needs. Live in the upper story.

And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen. Philippians 4:19-20 

5:1-12

Pastor James encourages and warns his congregation shifting his message to the rich once again (1:10, 2:5-7) following Jesus’ example of a true prophet,

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” Matthew 6:19-21, 24 

The ‘doomsday clock’ is moving closer to midnight and wealth won’t save you; it’s just temporary. When the rich oppress the poor the Captain of heavens armies (vs. 4) sees, hears, and will rectify that situation at just the right time. Our God is a God of justice and He will right every wrong; it may be on Judgment Day, the ‘coming of the Lord’ (vs. 7), but invariably He will judge. Therefore, he writes three times that the poor should be patient, remembering that Jesus is returning as sure as harvest time arrives every year.

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because He has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with His love. Romans 5:3-5

Being under the pressure of finances for your family is hard, however, James gives us the example of Job to encourage and gain strength. After losing his family, all personal possessions, and finally his health God stepped in and rewarded Job’s endurance with mercy and compassion (vs. 11) restoring and even multiplying what Job lost. Interestingly, this pastor views integrity above all as he addressed his church family (vs. 12), meaning you’re a person of your word; you tell the truth. If you said something it’s true; exaggeration, speculation, or ‘sorta true’ won’t cut it with God,

“Just say a simple, ‘Yes, I will,’ or ‘No, I won’t.’ Anything beyond this is from the evil one.” Matthew 5:37 

The Church needs to have a reputation for honesty, integrity, and trustworthiness as we represent Christ to the world as ‘doers of the Word’ (1:22-25). That high moral character is what people notice and Pastor James desires his new congregation to glorify God by caring for the poor and needy and not trusting in anything this world has to offer.

No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what He requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8

On Earth as in Heaven: Part Two

When my grandchildren are around and I’m cooking I often hear the question, “Can I have a taste?” They’re not asking for a full piece yet, only a sample of the final product. That’s the same idea as God’s kingdom: a foretaste. We’re not yet experiencing the fullness of Jesus’ reign here on earth, but it’s coming soon and we have the privilege to experience a taste, a portion of that kingdom rule, now.

You may be wondering what a taste of the kingdom of God looks like in your life. Good question. Let’s go back to the beginning of God’s creation and see what it looked like before sin. Gen. 1:28 tells us He spoke a blessing and instructed them to be fruitful and multiply; the blessing from the God of Heaven includes empowerment. Paul picked up on that truth in the New Testament:

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. Ephesians 1:3

It’s true, we only have a foretaste of every spiritual blessing from heaven now, but I wonder how many we are truly experiencing? Here’s just a taste:

• Redemption- Jesus paid the price for your sin.
• New Creation- you’re not the same person you were; you’re new in Christ.
• Holy Spirit empowerment- you can now live in the Holy Spirit and not serve your flesh.
• Forgiveness- through repentance you are forgiven every day.
• Grace- Jesus lavishes His love and favor on us even when we don’t deserve it.
• Face to face contact- we connect with God through worship, prayer, and intimacy.
• Victory- you now have the power to triumph over the devil’s schemes in your life.
• Position- Christ has given us a foretaste of being seated with Him in heavenly places when we walk in victory (Eph. 2:6).

Whenever we connect with God in any of these ways it’s as if heaven is reaching down, literally touching earth for our benefit. It’s imperative that we grow in our understanding of these heavenly things. Jesus warned,

If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things?

John 3:12

I desire God to explain ‘heavenly things’ to me so I can be a more effective Bible teacher, a better wife, mother, and grandmother, sister, or friend. The God of Heaven desires to rule in our lives now as a foretaste of His future, eternal, kingdom reign. He has already blessed you with every spiritual blessing from heaven, all you need is to be fruitful and multiply. I think that’s what Jesus meant when He told His disciples to pray for His kingdom to come on earth as in heaven. 

Believers in Jesus Christ are blessed or empowered by the Spirit to live as royalty, kingdom living, not as slaves to the world’s ways; be fruitful and multiply in His blessings.

A combination of all four gospels

The day Jesus was crucified actually begins Thursday at sundown after prayer in Gethsemane, betrayal by Judas, and arrest. He declared to the crowd,

“But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.” Luke 22:53b

The soldiers led him bound to Caiaphas, the High Priest, where He was illegally put on trial throughout the dark hours of morning and convicted without evidence. After spitting in His face, slapping and punching Him blindfolded, they mocked Him by commanding, “Prophesy!” Jesus was silent (Is. 53:7) until dawn when they led Him to Pilate who questioned Him; was He the Jewish Messiah? “You say so.” Frustrated, Pilate tried to release Him from the false accusations, but the Jews couldn’t deliver a death sentence, so they accused him of opposing Caesar. As the final Passover Lamb, Jesus knew His future was death, however, He wasn’t concerned.

“My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But My kingdom is not from the world.” John 18:36

Around noon Pilate sent Jesus to Herod, apparently He wouldn’t perform and was silent once again, unable to find anything illegal …  back to Pilate. Promising punishment by flogging (a whip with metal, curved tips ripping skin), it wasn’t enough so the religious leaders insisted on death accusing Pilate again of not being loyal to Caesar. As a riot was forming that fear drove him to acquiesce: Jesus would die.

Tradition was to release a prisoner during Passover, therefore, Barabbas’ freedom was granted as Jesus was sentenced to death. Sound familiar? We are Barabbas. Three times Pilate tried to release Jesus and three times the haters cried out, “Crucify Him!” So they mockingly clothed Him with a kingly robe, gave Him a mock-scepter, and a crown of thorns saluting and jokingly bowed at His feet. 

On the way to Golgotha, Skull Hill, with help from Simon, Jesus, along with women mourning and wailing was nailed to the tree along with two criminals. He was the ‘man in the middle’ with one being saved and the other condemned. “Today you’ll be with Me in paradise,” Jesus promised the one on the right. That’s you and that’s me.

While hanging there Jesus asked His Father to forgive them and His mother, aunt, and two more Mary’s watched in sorrow. “Here’s your mother … here’s your son,” Jesus said to John and His mother amidst abusive insults.

From noon to three darkness prevailed and Jesus cried out, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” As the end arrived He declared a physical and yet spiritual thirst praying, “Father, into Your hands I commit My Spirit.” His body died, but His Spirit remained alive, and with His last breath loudly cried out, “It is finished.” Jesus completed His mission and now immortality in the Kingdom of God is open for those who will repent and believe in Him.  

On Earth as it is in Heaven: Part One

As our children mature, we, as parents, still desire to hear from them. Our communication is different from what it was when they were kids, but it’s essential to maintaining our relationship. With God, it’s no different. He created the heavens and the earth with the spoken word, “Let there be light,” but with mankind He (figuratively) knelt down, took some earth, and sculpted the first man in His image. That truth shows us how heaven, God’s residence, and earth are eternally linked; that hasn’t changed but has been improved through Jesus.

Most of us have been exposed to the Lord’s Prayer, but have you pondered the meaning of Jesus’ phrase,

Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:10 

God’s MO, the way He operates, begins in His dwelling above the heavens and travels to the earth to accomplish what He intends (Is. 55:8-11). His creation receives that word and responds accordingly. Sometimes the miraculous happens as in Jacob’s vision of a stairway to heaven (Gen. 28:10-17) and at other times by answers to prayer in our everyday lives. God’s utmost desire is to have a relationship with you and He uses whatever means He chooses.

The Old Testament records figurative windows of heaven (Gen. 7&8) opening during the flood and the building of Babel whose name means gateway to God. Mankind has always wanted those windows and gates opened connecting with the Creator so let’s consider the example of Jacob.

This third patriarch of the Old Testament (Gen. 28) had deceptively received the firstborn inheritance: the blessing. In this chapter Jacob, fleeing from his angry brother Esau and searching for a wife, suddenly experienced God intersecting heaven and earth for him. This flight of stairs (Jacob’s Ladder) is a picture of what’s happening when God communicates with His people. The windows and gates to God are opened and He responds to His people with gifts of love and mercy, protection and guidance, healing and grace. His angels are active as they descend from heaven to earth and back to God again, continually. 

… angels are only servants—spirits sent to care for people who will inherit salvation. Hebrews 1:14 

God’s promise to Abraham was the focus of Jacob’s dream. God encouraged this leader to remember that He is faithful to fulfill all He declared to his forefather. That’s also true of believers, the seed of Abraham through adoption; God will do what His Word said He’ll do. Scripture is our promise. 

The overlapping of heaven and earth is not always visible, but it’s true, nonetheless. When we communicate with God the window and gate is opened and He responds. At just the right time He’ll send your answer to prayer in whatever form He chooses connecting heaven and earth for us. It’s God’s will for His Kingdom to come on earth now as a foretaste of His eternal reign that’s coming. Ahh … He’s coming back.

4:7-17

What should you do if you find yourself thinking more like the world than like God? You’ve caved to temptations that rationalize sin and ignore God’s Word. Pastor James gave strong warning to his people, and us, that God will oppose that kind of prideful thinking, but He will favor the humble. When we come under His leadership we stand together against the devil’s temptations driving him to leave, allowing the Spirit to guide us back to the Word of Truth; the Spirit will not share His place in our heart.

For the Word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Hebrews 4:12

When we repent of our sin, drawing close to God, He forgives and cleanses our hearts so we don’t fall into that trap of double-mindedness. 

The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth. Psalm 145:18

James doesn’t leave it there, though, he told his people, as all pastors should, that we are sinners, wretched or deserving of God’s wrath, and for that reason we should mourn, we should grieve, and we should weep over our sinful nature. 

God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for Him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted. God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth. Matthew 5:3-5 

Going off on his church family again James warns of speaking evil against one another with judgmentalism. Don’t fall into that trap or temptation! God is the one and only Judge, not you, and He alone judges accurately. Your perspective will always be skewed in your favor as you defend or justify yourself. He questions his congregation, and so should we, Who do you think you are passing judgment on your neighbor (vs. 12) … God? 

I think we all need to be reminded that our life on this earth is only temporary and yet we do make plans for the future. Pastor James’ point is that our plans need to include God. He will lead us (‘come now’ vs. 13) to make the right decisions at the right time (that’s wisdom); without Him our life is self-centered instead of Spirit-centered. 

How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? James 4:14a

That’s a great question. Do your plans in life include a future of simply making lots of money? James told his people that kind of arrogance is evil and God considers it sin. On the other hand, if you seek God for your future and His will you’ll know the right thing to do; you’ll be led by the Spirit. Think this through and consider it, my friends, it’s sobering and yet hopeful that God is still in control and loves you with an everlasting love.

New is Good

Have you been watching the news recently and thought that our world seems to be spinning out of control? Just in our nation the statistics for the homeless, jobless, drug abusers, slave trafficking, poverty, child abusers, divorces, battered women, need I go on, are astounding. It’s enough to cause us to release a heavy sigh and feel a sense of helplessness. 

This is not going to be a Debby-Downer message today; it’s one of hope and good news. The Savior of the World, the Redeemer of Mankind, and the King of all Kings is coming back to rescue His chosen ones! That’s the best news ever. He’s not going to leave us in this present state forever; He’s returning to sit on His throne and be the Judge and King for eternity. If that’s not enough to make you get up in the morning with a smile, I don’t know what is. Yes, we live in a broken world and yes, all of the statistics are probably true, but believers don’t stop with the facts and the outward circumstances. We look beyond the numbers and toward the truth of … a day is coming. This world of crime and injustice against one another will come to an end and we will rule and reign with Him, now, that’s good news! 

Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory He will reveal to us later. For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who His children really are. Rom. 8:18-19

Did you notice that word eagerly? We are to be desiring, longing, and even yearning for That Day to arrive. The Day of the Second Coming of the Lord will be a glorious day that everyone on the planet will view; every eye will see Him appear. There will be no mistaking His arrival, no one will question His appearance, and all creation will breathe out a heavy sigh that this age is finally completed and a new one has arrived. Let’s remember that this fallen world in which we now reside will be transformed into a new kingdom from which we will spend eternity.

On a study note, there are several words that mean ‘new’ in Greek. One is new in time (neos) and the other is new in quality (kainos). God has a fresh start planned for His people (kainos); it will be new in quality and have a new form, refreshed and renewed. There will be a renewed heaven, a renewed earth, and a renewed Jerusalem. We’ll live in the new covenant, as a new creature, with a new name, and a new song! He won’t  recreate all of this, but will renew them in quality and form. Oh, what a glorious Day that will be. 

So be encouraged today:

For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come. Hebrews 13:14

He’s coming back for us!