Faithful on Fridays Blog

Let’s Talk About Heaven

When you were a child you probably looked up and asked someone about heaven, most kids do. It’s a topic that warms the soul and gives you hope. The afterlife is one of the foundational teachings of the Bible and yet isn’t discussed much, except at a funeral. For the next few Midweek Messages from the Archive I will discuss this topic and see what scripture has to say on the subject.

We do know some things about heaven: we know that God, through Jesus Christ, created and sustains it, has authority over it, and He dwells there (Col. 1:15-17). We know it’s a destination for the believer after death and that it’s an actual place (Luke 16:19-31; 1 Peter 1:4). I want you to think for a moment if heaven is just what we see when we look up, amidst the clouds and the blue sky, or is it more, much more than that? My Pastor likes to use the phrase “heaven and earth overlapping” at times and I really like that. It causes me to stretch my thinking that heaven is more than what I can see with my eyes; on one level it’s what I experience every day and on a higher level it’s my future. Jesus tells us in Matt. 5 that heaven can be envisioned as a kingdom when heavenly principles overlap with our earth and we see that interconnectedness. Let’s delve into that divine connection with more clarity.

When God reaches down with His hand of grace and mercy in our lives we know that heaven has connected with earth or God has connected with man. When the final days of this earth have arrived and a new epoch or distinctive period of time begins, we will see a new heaven and a new earth. Now that’s something to think about! Yes, heaven is the place that a believer’s spirit goes at the moment he dies. Yes, heaven is a wonderful place; a place where you are in the presence of God. But heaven isn’t just that, it’s much, much more. It’s an awareness that God is active in our everyday lives and there is evidence that we can see of His activity. Jesus prayed, “May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10 NLT). That should be our prayer also.

This week, may you have a new awareness of the overlapping of heaven and earth in your life. Watch for those times and places when God shows up to let you know that He loves you and wants to be an active part of your life.

These miraculous signs will accompany those who believe: They will cast out demons in my name, and they will speak in new languages. They will be able to handle snakes with safety, and if they drink anything poisonous, it won’t hurt them. They will be able to place their hands on the sick, and they will be healed. Mark 16:17-18 NLT

Signs, wonders, miracles, healings, and deliverance: what’s the point? All through scripture we find supernatural evidences of God’s power manifested to His people by the Holy Spirit. The Third Person of the Trinity is quite active in human affairs and chooses to display His Presence in amazing ways (Heb. 2:4).

Consider the prophets Elijah and Elisha. 1 Kings 17 begins the story of Elijah and the supernatural power of God manifested in his ministry. Miracles achieved, predictions accomplished, dead raised, demonic realm confronted, experiences of the fire and voice of God, and last but not least, led into a mentoring role in the life of Elisha. This guy was so full of the Holy Spirit that King Ahab’s prime minister, Obadiah, was afraid the Spirit would carry him away unexpectedly. Elijah’s life was a foreshadow of a believer.

The power behind Elijah’s ministry was obviously the Spirit of God but it didn’t end with him, it was transferred to Elisha (1 Kings 19:16-21) who participated in twice the number of miracles! God told Elijah to cast his cloak on Elisha as a sign that God had anointed him. What is the significance of the cloak? Interestingly, the cloak is protective clothing worn in Bible times but also a sign of God’s majestic and superior power. That’s one aspect, a vital one, of the role of the Spirit in a believer’s life. The Hebrew word for cloak/mantle is used to describe God’s superior power: adir. When Elijah covered Elisha he was symbolically covering him with the majestic power of God’s Spirit, in fact, scripture tells us it was a double portion (2 Kings 2:6-16). Elisha received double the portion of God’s power to achieve double the miracles.

This lower story is seen in the New Testament as well. Consider the hem of Jesus’ garment (Matt. 14:36), Peter’s shadow (Acts 5:15), or the handkerchieves and aprons of Paul (Acts 19:12). Signs and wonders, scripture tells us, will follow believers. We can’t make them happen, that’s God’s prerogative, but we can be ready if he chooses to use us. All through the book of Acts, the beginning of the Church, we find signs and wonders producing salvation and deliverance; isn’t that what we want today? It’s not about us but about the imagery of the cloak, the mantle of the Spirit, clothing us in His power. The gifts of God’s Spirit are evidence that He is working among us and I don’t know about you but I desire people to be saved and delivered from Satan’s power into God’s kingdom (Acts 26:18). How about you?

Check for a Heart Murmur

The story begins like this. “Look what God has done in my life! He turned everything around and now I’m back on top! He performed a miracle for me! God is truly all-powerful and He fought for me.” Sound familiar? When the circumstances of our life are going well we give God all the credit. However, what is our heart-attitude when life circumstances take a turn against us? We may not outrightly blame God but is there a periodic murmur or a grumble in there?

If you’re breathing then the answer is ‘yes.’ But don’t be too hard on yourself, it was true for the people of Israel as well. Ex. 15 gives us the account of their deliverance from bondage in Egypt in a type of song. They were joining their leader Moses in rejoicing that God had come through for them. They sang of His triumph, His strength, and His salvation. They even called Him a Man of War. He fought for them and gave them victory. Here’s the clincher. After that incredible worship service with tambourines and dancing they were led directly into the wilderness.

Victory to wilderness. Do you see the pattern? One difficult situation after another? Really, God? The Israelites progressed from rejoicing right into grumbling or murmuring. Instead of recounting God’s past faithfulness, as they had done previously, they complained incessantly to their Leader. Bad idea.

Are you familiar with a heart murmur? It’s that low, indistinct, continuous sound a heart produces that alerts a doctor. Is there a connection between our physical heart and our heart-attitude? I think there is. When we follow the pattern of rejoicing in God when times are good and slipping into complaining, whining, and being discontented with life, God, the supreme Cardiologist, hears that heart murmur.

In Ex. 15 & 16 there are forms of the word ‘grumble’ (also translated complained or murmured) ten times! The Hebrew word is pronounced loon. It not only means to complain but to stop and stay there. Interesting. When we murmur there is an undertone of dissatisfaction and discontentment. There is a mumble under your breath. This Hebrew word is a word play for those of us who speak English. A loon is a dive-bomb bird with a laugh-like cry. We act like a loon when we loon. Is there a time to vent? Yes, but be sure your listener will not let you stay there.

In the midst of this story is this phrase, “… and there He tested them.” Don’t worry about this test from God, if you fail it, you will retake it: again and again and again. Also, don’t miss one of God’s names in 15:26. I am the LORD, Your Healer. Was God making a connection between disease or sickness and murmuring? Be encouraged this week to stop and stay in God’s presence as Jesus recommends in John 15. It’s a much healthier and happier place to remain.

The word rush has various shades of meaning: moving rapidly, sudden surge, forceful flow, and even football and sorority rushes. The Holy Spirit also rushes from time to time as God surges forcefully on people with distinct purpose. We saw it with Samson, now let’s look at Saul and David.

Two kings, two dissimilar personalities, and two different destinies; let’s begin with Saul. After being anointed as Israel’s king, scripture tells us the Spirit of the LORD rushed on him and he not only prophesied but ‘turned into another man’ and was given another heart (1 Sam. 10:6-7). What’s the meaning, ‘another man’? After reflecting on Saul’s life he seems to be a foreshadow of the contrast of remaining in our sin nature or receiving the new nature in Christ (John 3).

He saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior.
Titus 3:5-6 NLT

After receiving a third spiritual rushing by the Spirit Saul began his decline. He didn’t remain in God’s presence; he walked by the flesh. Due to his impatience and foolishness God rejected him and the Spirit departed. Thank God that today His Spirit remains in us, even when we’re foolish or impatient; He’ll never leave you.

David, on the other hand, after receiving his rush of the Spirit (1 Sam. 16:13) became the most revered king in Jewish history with Messiah coming from his family. What a contrast of kings! Don’t get me wrong, David was a sinner just like you and me but he had a different mindset than Saul as we learn from his Psalms. David acknowledged his sin, cried out for mercy, and asked God to wash and cleanse him. He desired that Titus 3 passage: a clean heart, renewal of his spirit, and presence of the Spirit active in his life (Ps. 51). David’s experience with the Holy Spirit caused him to be overwhelmed with wonder and praise (Ps. 139) as he realized his strength was a gift from God.

We find another rush of the Spirit in Acts 2 during Pentecost. Jesus, our Mediator with God, departed our world but sent His Spirit to be Another Advocate for us (John 14:12-31). The promise is that He’ll remain with us forever, counseling, comforting, teaching, reminding, and strengthening us in life. The Third Person has been poured out so that we can be filled with Him; it’s a gift that needs to be unwrapped. We become another person, with another heart, by Another One. The fullness of the Holy Spirit gives us power to be His witnesses in this fallen world (Acts 1) and we, like David, bring His comfort to others as we tell of His faithfulness, love, and mercy in our story. Be His witness this week.

Stay Close

Since today’s message is from the archive (written several years ago), I was writing from Germany. My partner and I were on a prayer assignment driving and praying throughout this wonderful nation. This is a peek at what the Lord was speaking to us from my prayer journal.

For the last three days I have been walking the streets of Berlin reflecting on the history of this city. The rise of Hitler and the Nazi’s from about 1933-1944 is difficult to imagine as you look at the city sites but it happened nonetheless. It’s also hard to believe that so many people could have been deceived by one man, but they were. I am constantly comparing Germany to America. Could it happen in our country? When people rely on the government to solve their problems in life and not on God there will be eventual consequences, even in America.

God is the only One Who can intervene in your life and bring the wisdom you need to make the right decisions at the right time. He desires to be that One. The nation of Germany took their eyes off that reality, Jesus Christ, and put their trust in a man. He said the right words to reassure them but his words were only a cover up for a hidden agenda. How can you tell the difference? How can you know the truth? Prayer and spiritual discernment.

Our Lord will give direction to America if we ask for it. Unfortunately for Germany, not enough people were asking. They were trusting in themselves and in this one man who promised them everything but gave them nothing.

There was a group of true Christ-following pastors in Germany who stayed close to God during this time of Hitler’s reign. They called themselves the Confessing Church. Their confession was that Jesus is Lord and no one else. They preached repentance and total reliance on the Savior to help their nation. They confessed the truth of the Bible and preached to the people to follow His ways but they were not well-received. Few people followed them, undoubtedly due to fear, and these confessing pastors suffered the consequences of the angry dictator. Many were punished with loss of their churches, homes, or suffered imprisonment and some were even exiled to the death camps. Diedrich Bonhoeffer is one example. He was executed, martyred, by the Nazi’s.

What’s the answer? What is the lesson in the history of Germany that cries out to the United States? I think it’s this: stay close to God, walk in the truth of His Word, and be courageous in your confession. As the Confessing Church of our own time, trust Him to give us wisdom and discernment as the scriptures promise.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. (Proverbs 3:5, 6 NLT)

The Book of Judges enhances the backstory of the Holy Spirit during the period of time called the sin cycle because God’s people didn’t drive out the enemy. After Joshua died the new generation was not taught to know God and remember His love. These lower stories give us insight into the Third Person and His role in our lives because that cycle can be active today. Hmmm…

Four men, four assignments, four deliverers: meet Othniel, Gideon, Jepthah, and Samson. Each one had a temporary encounter with the Spirit of God for a mission to bring help to His chosen people.

Othniel (Jud. 3), whose name means power or force of God, was visited by the Spirit to bring rescue to Israel in response to their crying out in repentance; they had forgotten God. He is the first of the Special Forces in this book and his leadership brought deliverance. That’s the lower story. A believer in Jesus Christ has the same power of God to break the sin cycle in their life. Power was given at Pentecost (Acts 1:8) but not temporarily, permanently, that’s the upper story.

Gideon (Jud. 6), whose name means cutter, was clothed with the Spirit for his assignment. He cut off and cut down the enemy to bring God’s rescue to Israel. The upper story is the truth that we ‘cut off’ the enemy by the power of the Spirit. We have authority in Christ (Matt. 28:17; Luke 9:1) and are clothed for that battle as Eph. 6 instructs us. You can be a cutter, using the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, when you declare scripture over yourself and family.

Jepthah (Jud. 11), whose name means opener was declared a mighty warrior, however, he was also foolish. After the Spirit came upon him for battle he made a vow that cost him dearly. Not every mighty warrior gets it right. Jepthah gave in to emotion, even under the influence of the Holy Spirit, and opened his mouth with a foolish promise. What words are spoken when you open your mouth? Paul says there’s proof that Christ speaks through us (2 Cor. 13:3-4) when we’re living in the power of God. Open your mouth to word of life.

Samson (Jud. 13), whose name means distinguished began with rushing power of the Spirit (sudden success) but ended in self-centeredness. His remarkable life shows us that prodigals can return (Heroes of Faith of Heb. 11) even after having one foot in the Spirit and one foot in the world that led to his death. We are warned in Gal. 5:16-26 to walk by the Spirit, staying in communion with Him, and not get caught in the middle of those two opposing forces: flesh and Spirit.

We, therefore, are distinguished in power and authority to cut off the sin cycle in our life with faith-filled words. Begin now to be an Othniel, Gideon, Jepthah, and Samson.

Typically Christians don’t celebrate Hanukkah. Why is that? Undoubtedly because we don’t know the backstory to help us understand the importance of the celebration. As we relate the Old to the New Testament, lower and upper story, the divine connections are amazing.

The Hebrew word chanak means to dedicate or inaugurate (begin) something with purpose. We find a dedication of the altar within the Tabernacle in Num. 7:84, 88 and again with Solomon (2 Chron. 7) as he dedicated the Temple of the LORD (Ps. 30). These were holy places, designed by God, to house His Presence. This lower story is important as we develop the tradition of Hanukkah today. God required a holy, dedicated, and sanctified place of honor among His people.

Seventy years after the Babylonians destroyed Solomon’s Temple, God allowed His people to return, in stages, and rebuild (Neh. 12:27). There was a re-dedication of the wall with great celebration as God returned to live among His people.

Eventually, as Daniel prophesied (ch. 11), the Greek Empire took control from the Persians and began to rule what was then called Palestine. Within a few years an evil man, Antiochus Epiphanes, ruled over this area including the Jews. He sacrificed a pig on the altar and erected an idol of Jupiter thus rebelling against the God of the Jews and polluting their Temple (168AD). Keep in mind this historical account was occurring during the 400 year silence between the Old and New Testaments. God was not communicating with His people during this intertestamental period but life continued under Greek rule.

Approximately 150 years before the birth of Christ, the long-awaited Messiah, a Temple needed to be ready for Him. A re-dedication of this second Temple is a Hanukkah and it was again sanctified. The feast or celebration included a reading from Ezekiel 34 which was an indictment against the shepherds or pastors of the Jewish people. God, therefore, declared that He will seek, gather, rescue, and feed His sheep by the One Shepherd, His servant David (Messiah).

Fast forward to the time of Jesus and we read in John 10 that it was winter, during the time of the Feast of Dedication (Hanukkah), where Jesus identified Himself as the Good Shepherd, the Ezekiel Shepherd. He was undoubtedly referring to this prophecy as He celebrated Hanukkah. That’s the lower story but what about the upper story?

God’s desire remains to dwell with His people yet not in one place; He now dwells in a believer’s heart and remains there. We are called to dedicate and re-dedicate ourselves to Him daily, therefore, living in the power of His Spirit. As the Good Shepherd reminds us, we know Him, hear His voice, and are accepted into His fold.

Historically, the Jews celebrate the Feast of Lights (Hanukkah) as a miraculous, historical event. A day’s oil was not depleted for eight days in the Temple after the victory over Antiochus: a miracle. But, as miraculous as that was, the true miracle is the opportunity to rededicate our lives to His service and the true Hanukkah for a Christian.

As we continue our trek through the backstory of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament, we come upon a man that God calls by name: Bezalel. He’s not only called by name but is filled with the Spirit of God: Ruach Elohim. Why does God choose certain people to fill with His Spirit at specific times? Divine assignments. Not only is Bezalel called by name and filled with the Spirit but also filled with wisdom, understanding, and knowledge for the task before him: build the tabernacle (Ex. 31, 35-39).

As you know, the lower story gives us a physical picture of a spiritual reality and it’s a powerful truth in Bezalel beginning with the meaning of his name, ‘in the shadow of God.’ A shadow is a resemblance or likeness of an object whose light is blocked. Bezalel was a reflection of God due to the infilling of the Spirit. He was literally ‘job-shadowing’ God for the purpose of building Him a dwelling place for His Presence.

Consider this upper story. God has called you by name, He desires to fill you with His Spirit not only for divine assignments but to permanently dwell in your hearts (1 Cor. 3:16, 6:19; 2 Cor. 6:16). This longing for intimacy is still on God’s heart today and experienced in our relationship with Jesus by His Spirit.

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us … John 1:14a ESV

The dwelling or remaining presence is Jesus tabernacling in your heart and is as real today as it was to the Jewish people in their travels to the Promised Land. This, then begs the question, “What for? Is this just for my personal relationship with Jesus?” Paul would shout a resounding “No!” As wonderful as our relationship with Jesus is, it’s not the end game. God, Who supplies the Spirit of Jesus Christ does so to bring help and deliverance (Gal. 3:5; Phil. 1:19) to His people, the Church. The Spirit supplies us with the necessities (Eph. 4:11-12) of ministry to build up the body of Christ, that’s the purpose of the spiritual gifts. Bezalel experienced His gifts as a foreshadow for the Church. Wonderful.

God doesn’t want us to misunderstand or be uninformed concerning the spiritual gifts (1 Cor. 12:1) because there’s such a variety of them yet they’re all empowered by the Holy Spirit for the common good (1 Cor. 12:7, 11). He gives them individually as He wills so that the Body of Christ will be nourished and grow (2 Peter 1:5) into a holy temple (Eph. 2:21), dwelling place of God, strong, healthy, and mature.

He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love. Ephesians 4:16 NLT

Job-shadow God today, ask Him to fill you, and watch what happens.

Go ye therefore…

Spiritual authority is a truth that’s vital for Christians to understand and utilize. God working in and among us: that’s spiritual authority. It’s about following the ways of Jesus as He walked the earth and helping others reach their destiny in Christ. It’s not about a scene from The Exorcist and the demonic world that movies portray.

Here’s the chain of authority: God possesses sovereign rights and power that He delegated to His Son for His earthly mission. As the Sovereign, God chooses whom He’ll extend the scepter and grant those rights. The Son, therefore, has the right to bestow His authority to the believer (Matt. 28:18). God wants us free and His desire for us is to walk with Him in wholeness and not under any other authority.

And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. (Acts 10:38 NLT)

Making ourselves available for God’s power, His anointing, to be used is an important step. Our personal story, testimony, concerning our freedom in Christ can impact others. When we repent and get free from those emotions or actions that keep us bound, we’ve made ourselves available to God. We can then minister to others because we have an experiential history with God. Experience is always the best teacher so be aware that He may use your deliverance to help others and He’ll make sure you have the opportunity to share; you don’t have to go looking for them.

Being a good listener is another way we help others get free. Listen with spiritual ears and maintain a prayerful heart that asks, “Lord, how can I help them?” You’ll know if God wants you to share your story; He can be quite persistent. Walking in the Spirit is vital to a life of service and knowing when to share and when to pray are necessary skills. Staying connected to God often finds divine appointments with people that need to experience God’s power; use your authority to bring that victory.

But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. (2 Corinthians 2:14 ESV)

Praying aloud is another step in experiencing God’s authority. We often have these silent ‘popcorn prayers’ to God when in need but haven’t developed an intimate relationship with Him that recognizes His voice immediately. Conversing with Him and others is the springboard to exercising your spiritual authority and people will get free. When you depend on the Holy Spirit to give you words and power, you are well on your way to walking in His delegated authority to benefit others.

“I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, (you) go and make disciples of all the nations…” Matthew 28:18-19a NLT