The difference between Romans 7 and 8

I have been reflecting on holiness and I heard a message by Dallas Willard when something caught my attention. A woman said, "I identify with what Paul says about my spirit is willing, but my flesh is weak." 

Dallas responded by saying, "Oh, so you are stuck in Romans 7. You need to move on to Romans 8 because in the Spirit we are freed from the law."

Hmmmm. I knew I had to study this I have quoted this and heard countless followers quote this. So, the last two mornings, I have been reflecting on Romans 7 & 8. Yesterday, I made my lists. It is so messy, but wozer.  I love how Romans 7 exposes the law and the flesh while Romans 8 shows us the beauty and strength of life in the Spirit.

Dallas' statement made me wonder how many followers of Jesus are stuck in Romans 7, but need to move on and live out Romans 8?  

How have we so identified with that statement that we never moved on to freedom?

Where do I live as if still bound by the law?  Do I live in the freedom I have received by the Spirit through Christ?

Our children could write a whole comedic show on the errors we made as young parents that were bound by the law. Often our family stories are of them making fun of us. Our early child rearing definitely showed we were bound by the law. They had to endure our struggle to mature in Christ. Thanks be to God they now see we are free indeed. 

This is so worth meditating on. Are you stuck in Romans 7? How can you move toward Romans 8?  Or said differently, are you still bound by the letter of the law or are you free in the Spirit?

We serve the law with our mind. We serve the flesh with sin. We serve the kingdom of God by the Spirit. Which one is ruling you?

Shalom y'all.

The Holy Spirit Helps

Well over fifteen years ago I attended a prayer conference where Dutch Sheets talked about intercessory prayer. He said something so transformational for me that I memorized it on the spot and never forgot it. I have shared it endless times in many places. 

He said that the word “helps” in Romans 8:26 is “Sunantilambanomai”. WOW! I was blown away by this seventeen-letter word. So much so that I never forgot it and even remembered how to spell it.

When the Holy Spirit helps us, it means that “together with us, with whatever is against us, the Holy Spirit will come alongside us and assist us.” Now that is worth repeating! Our four-letter word "help" does not give the full meaning justice.

Last night as I taught a class for Crown University this word, God blessed me again with a reminder of the power of intercessory prayer. We are so uniquely blessed to have the Holy Spirit praying for us. There is no other religion that has such a beautiful and powerful present God at work on their behalf.

As an intercessor, we do this for others as well. We join them. Together with them, whatever is against them, we come alongside them, and we assist them. If you pray for me then you do this for me and when I pray for you, I do the same. It is humbling and lifting all at the same moment.

Thank you for blessing me with your “help” and thank you for joining the Holy Spirit as He prays. I love to quietly “help” those I am just sitting amidst. They have no idea that someone is sitting among them coming alongside them with whatever is against them and assisting them in prayer. This just delights me! Especially in light of prayer being attacked. No one can stop what GOD is doing in us and through us as we pray. 

EM Bounds says that our presence joins heaven and earth through the suffering of Jesus to bring about God’s will. Our prayers make heaven and earth collide to bring about eternal solutions. What a gift we have in Jesus!

Shalom y'all!

Do you love me?

Have you ever asked someone, "Do you love me?" Have you ever been asked by someone, "Do you love me?" This question is always asked to reveal what is in the heart. In today's shepherd story, we will discover that Jesus asked Peter three times, "Do you love me?" (John 21:15-22). We will see that Jesus wanted Peter to know what was in His heart. We will also discover that Jesus met Peter where he was at not where Jesus knew he would be someday or where he had been in the past.

I noticed something today I had not seen before. In John 21:5, Jesus called the disciples "children" when He invited them to come eat. This would not be seen as derogatory, but more as a term of endearment, familial, like a father calling his sons. Children are vulnerable, open, and still learning. Jesus helps them catch fish and then says, "Come, let's eat together." Again, Jesus modeled the spirit of welcome that we feel in our family as we sit and eat together. When we eat together the familial fellowship of familiarity allows us to be real and if holy, heal.

On the first time Jesus asked Peter, "Do you love me?" Jesus used agape love which is God's unconditional love. Peter responded by saying, "Yes, LORD, You know I friendship love you." Peter used phileo love which is man's friendship love. We don't know why Peter responded with a different type of love, but he did. Maybe it was because he knew he failed already three times and was not able to love Jesus no matter what.

Notice that Jesus did not point out the difference. 

Jesus said, "Feed my lambs." I cant help, but see the connection to the call of "children" from verse five. A lamb is even more vulnerable than a sheep and sheep are considered the most vulnerable of all herd animals. 

Remember, a good shepherd will seek out the small, vulnerable young ones to care, protect, bless (feed), and build his flock. Why? Because the young ones (vulnerable) require more attention, time, affection, tenderness, and help. A good shepherd pursues the most vulnerable.

In this moment, Peter is the vulnerable one. This scene follows after Peter's denial, Jesus' death, burial, and Resurrection. It is the third time the gospels reveal Jesus interacting with the disciples after His Resurrection. Is it possible that Peter was dealing with an internal struggle that needed to be dealt with because of his denials of Jesus?

Jesus sought him out. Most believe to restore Peter. I noticed that Jesus' restoration of Peter held some important processes. It was in front of the ones that knew Peter denied Jesus. Peter needed to be affirmed in front of the ones he lost face and soon will lead to reach thousands.

Jesus used Peter's full name. "Simon, son of John, do you love me?" I know that when my mom uses my full name two things are happening. I need to stop and listen and I am being reminded of who I am. There is a gift in this. It helps me to know the levity of the moment because usually I am in trouble or not paying attention to something very important. It also helps me know I am not alone. It is my story, my history, my lineage all wrapped up in my name. Jesus was reminding Peter of who is and where he comes from. 

Listen, listen! Jesus needed Peter to be ready to respond.

Jesus then told Peter what it will be like for him as he grows older. John points out that Jesus told Peter that his death would be on a cross. This futuristic affirmation points out that Peter will no longer deny, but die like Jesus. 

Jesus said, "Feed my lambs." "Tend my sheep." "Feed my sheep." There is alot of feeding and tending when you care for sheep. But it is different in what you will feed a lamb versus an adult sheep. It is almost as if Jesus is saying take notice of the differences and do so accordingly. 

"Follow me!" Jesus affirmed.

As I meditated on this passage, I realized that Jesus was asking Peter about his commitment level. This is not about Jesus being affirmed, but Peter being confirmed. Peter needed to settle in his heart. He seemed to understand the universal lesson of following and sacrificing. But then he falls prey to comparisonitis. Peter points out John, the beloved one, and asks, "What about him?" I wish I could hear his tone as he asked this question.

Jesus gave Peter a mandate. "Follow me!" This mandate is for all believers, but in this moment Peter needed to understand that when Jesus is speaking to him, it is not about another person's journey. It is about HIS journey. "Follow me." This almost feels like a second layer of "Will you love me more than these?" Maybe this is why Jesus had to say it twice, "Follow me!"

It is all about follow through. 

Follow Jesus.

Feed His lambs.

Tend His sheep.

Feed His sheep. 

It is all about trust. Trust in the one you follow.

As I meditate on the Good Shepherd today, I am challenged to ask myself. 

Am I willing to love with agape (God's unconditional love) more than in phileo (friendship love)?

Am I willing to feed the little ones (most vulnerable), tend the flock, and feed the flock?  

Am I willing to focus on Jesus and not what others are doing?

Do I trust Jesus to meet me where I am and lead me? 

Shalom y'all!

Safekeeper

Sometimes, it only takes one verse to stop us in our tracks. For the last few weeks, I have been asking God for one word to focus on in my prayers each day. Today, I was struck by SAFEKEEPING! Oh my! What a good word! As I study David as a shepherd boy to shepherd king and Jesus as the Good Shepherd one of the key words that a good shepherd will live out is protection. 

1 Samuel 22 shows us the horror of someone who has totally allowed their jealousy and fear to become their own reality. King Saul feared David would kill him and instead, he became the killer. When David fled from Saul’s unrelenting rage, he ended up going to the Priest Ahimelech for bread and a sword. Ahimelech had no clue that David had fled King Saul and that what he was doing was considered treason in the eyes of Saul. So of course he helped King Saul’s mighty man! Sadly, he did not know that Saul was not a safekeeper. 

When we do not deal with our inner turmoil it ends up hurting so many. Sin never happens in a vacuum. One of Saul’s warriors, Doeg, saw Ahimelech help David and he ended up telling Saul. Saul demanded that Doeg kill all the priests, the women, children, infants, ox, donkeys, and sheep. Doeg did it! He killed 85 people that day because Saul feared David so much that he was willing to kill anyone connected to someone who helped David. 

Psalm 52 is believed to be the Psalm that David wrote about what Doeg did. A few words that David used to describe Doeg are a tongue that plots destruction like a sharp razor, a worker of deceit, a lover of evil, a liar instead of telling the truth, and a deceitful devourer. These are vivid antonyms for safekeeping. David pointed out that Doeg was only seeking out his own destruction. I can’t help but wonder if it was meant for Saul, too, but David couldn’t say it against Saul as the king. 

David then poetically pointed out that he is like an olive tree in the house of God. This was where he dwelled and sought refuge. Why? Because God was trustworthy and His steadfast love endured forever. He recognized the truth that a safekeeper is motivated by love.

By definition a safekeeper is someone who keeps their word; a person who watches, guards, or takes care of someone or something to protect; secure, and provide a safe presence. 

To the one priest who fled and survived that day, David said, “Stay with me; do not be afraid, for he who seeks my life seeks your life. With me you shall find safekeeping” (1 Samuel 22:23). 

As I read through numerous scriptures that emphasize safekeeping these are the words that we should think of… peace, refuge, safety, protection, rest, security, fortress, rock, comfort, light, salvation, dwelling, shelter, tent, songs of deliverance, help, presence, trust, steadfast love, defense, fortified, power, leading, uphold, strengthen, overcome, guard, rescue, and confidence.

“Stay with me; do not be afraid, for he who seeks my life seeks your life. With me you will find safekeeping.” 

A good shepherd will comfort you, include you, find common ground, and provide safekeeping. I can’t help but sit and dwell on this verse. Last night, as Greg and sat down to rest for the evening, I was physically hurting and honestly, I didn’t even know that I was grumpy because of my body. He suggested something for us to watch on TV and I snapped at him not because of anything he said, but because my body was grumpy. UGH! Praise GOD I am dwelling on what it means to be a good shepherd. I immediately just started praying aloud, confessed my sin, and asked God and Greg to forgive me. I want Greg to know more than anyone that he is safe with me even when I am grumpy. I am to be his safekeeper just as he is with me. Maybe this is why safekeeping and this verse made me stop and spend two hours this morning dwelling richly on the truths that need to transform me. 

I love that David included this priest. He didn’t ask him if he aligned with him. He accepted that his presence showed good faith and because they had the commonality of Saul’s narcissistic spiral, David promised to be Abiathar’s safekeeper. We must realize that things were not easy for David. He was on the run from a maniacal king with a band of men who were in distress, debt, and bitter soul (1 Samuel 22:2). 

David wasn’t worried about whether Abiathar would fit in. He knew it was his role as the good shepherd to provide safekeeping. The reason that David was able to do this was because he knew he was in safekeeping. He was secure in the LORD. He knew that he could trust the living God. He knew where his dwelling place was and whose presence provided him nourishment like an olive tree in a well-watered garden. 

This makes me realize how often when I do not act like a safekeeper it is simply because I have forgotten that I have the Great Safekeeper as my LORD. Whenever I act insecurely or unrighteously it is because in that moment I have forgotten the most important truth of all. Our GOD is trustworthy and His steadfast love endures forever! He is our SAFEKEEPER! Hold fast to Him!

Shalom y’all!

God's humor in stopping a killer king

I often feel like irrational behavior cannot be stopped. But irrational behavior can be stopped! Sometimes, the best way to stop it is comically. We would be wise in asking how we can pray for a humorous stop to irrational behavior.

As I have been reading, 1 Samuel 18 and 19, I noticed that King Saul's irrational behavior just kept spiraling. It started with jealousy then progressed to fear that kept escalating. At first he threw spears at David, then King Saul tried to use the Philistines, his servants, his son, his daughter, more spear throwing, and more Philistine battles to get David killed. To no avail King Saul was out of control.

Then King Saul decided to send messengers to kill David. But God put a stop to their journey in the most unusual way. God allowed them to encounter a company of prophets. As they encountered prophets of God, suddenly, this band of killer messengers started prophesying. Imagine Saul getting word that his killer messengers were now praising, preaching, and praying instead of killing David!

So Saul sends a second band, but they also encounter the prophets and start prophesying. At this point you would think Saul would stop to question why, but not so. 

He sends a third band of messengers only to have them start prophesying, too. So what is a mad King to do but go himself? I imagine King Saul's heart attitude was "if you want a job done you just got to do it yourself!" 

Saul was so bent on his rage against David, he just knew the company of prophets were no problem for him. I visualize him moving through a wooded area only to enter the space where his band of prophesying messengers were humbled before God and the company of prophets ready to whip them all into action, but... What does he do when he encounters the prophets? He takes off his royal robes and starts prophesying, too. Would be killer becomes prophet!

By definition a prophet or to prophesy is someone who speaks by the inspiration of God. It is NOT about fortune telling. It is about praising, preaching, or praying under God's inspiration. 

We are not told what they said that day. But we do know that Saul was bent on killing David, BUT GOD DID NOT ALLOW IT. Instead God stopped King Saul's men and him in their tracks. God caused a humbling moment and caused them to take off their royal robes and surrender to God's inspiration in praise, preaching or prayer. What a powerful moment visualizing God's intervention and humor! 

This scene makes me laugh. Chapter 19 ends with a sarcastic question, "Is Saul among the prophets?" 

When I read true stories like this one and consider God's humor, it gives me greater insight into how to pray for those that serve as enemies. Why not pray the LORD thwart their efforts by turning them into prophets... even if it only lasts for a moment it can thwart their plans and allow the one under attack to flee safely.

I love that God is humorous! Don't you!

How far am I will to walk to serve my parent or my God?

How far am I willing to walk to serve the living God? Will I proclaim the truth even after a long journey? Will I remain steadfast even when those I am trying to help give me what I don’t need or what hasn’t been tested? Will I fight the good fight even when the enemy taunts daily the people of God? 

These are a few of the questions the LORD put to me recently as I studied David and Goliath’s battle. It was one of those mornings where I woke up in the wee hours of the morning and decided around 4:00 am to go ahead and get up because sleep was elusive. I had a very deep time with the LORD as I studied this battle and by 6:00 am I decided to take a nap until 7:00 am before I should get up to take care of things before an 8:30 am meeting. I went into the kitchen to make Greg’s famous eggs in the air fryer. He just discovered this method of frying an egg and I wanted him to show me. We set it up and I went to get ready while they cooked. When I came back into the kitchen the air fryer had tripped the fuse which turned off the refrigerator and probably a few other things. Greg set out to fix this. 

Then the fire alarms went off and would not stop. Apparently, the toaster downstairs burnt the toast. At this point, our stress levels were heightened. My goal for the morning was to take it slow and relax as I focused on quiet work because I was fasting for a shot in my spine to alleviate symptoms of spinal stenosis. The morning was anything but peaceful. I finally sat down after texting my boss three times to say I needed to delay our meeting when the phone rang. It was Mom. She was obviously having a hard time breathing. She needed me. The worker did not show up and Papa needed care. She tried, but it was too much. Without thinking I walked into the room and said, “I am about to get in a meeting.” Mom immediately felt attacked. She got defensive and then before I knew it we were in a fight. It was awful and honestly looking back stupidly funny. Once I sucked in my stupidity and did somewhat of a moment of let's get it together and remember your heart is good and so is mine, I set about helping Papa. As I helped Papa, the need to protect him and bless him immediately took over my heart and peace covered me. I knew how to handle that process, but when it comes to my mom being stressed I lost it pretty quickly. I am ashamed to say that I am not as quick to remember my role in serving. 

As I reflected on this moment, it occurred to me that I don’t have to walk six hours like David to do what the LORD asks of me. I only need to walk down a flight of stairs. But sometimes it is so hard to do the LORD’s will. As I studied David’s battle with Goliath I realized that David had to get up very early in the middle of the night to go take food for his brothers to be at the battle line at the start of the day. I looked it up. It is 30.7 km from Bethlehem to the Valley of Elah where the battle took place. David had to walk that distance which would take approximately six hours by foot. How far have you traveled to do an errand for your parent, your siblings, or a family member? 

David immediately went to where his brothers were on the battlefront and when he saw that Goliath was taunting the living God of Israel he was willing to speak up about it. Word got back to his older brother Eliab and Eliab actually called David evil for saying, “Who is this that defies the living God of Israel?” What David said was holy and righteous, but Eliab had a different perspective about his little brother. He assumed he was out for evil and just out to see the battle. David responded with a typical sibling whine, “What did I do now?” 

As if that was not enough, King Saul tried to put on David his own armor. Now, we must remember that we are told that Saul stands a full head taller than all of the people in the land. This man was not small and David was but a youth. Anyone in their right mind would know that his armor would not fit and would not be wise to use in a battle. King Saul should have had that armor on and stood in the front line to fight for his people, but instead, he was somewhere removed enough to offer his armor to a young boy. I love David’s response, “I cannot use this because it is not tested!” David was wise enough to know that in a battle you need to be comfortable with what you take to the battlefront. You cannot wear someone else’s armor without knowing how your body will respond to it. A wise person slows down and remembers what has been effective in the past. 

David faced so much in that morning, but David kept his eyes on what mattered. He knew that the living God of Israel was where victory happened. He alone was the one who would deliver them. He was willing to walk a long journey to honor his dad and brothers, but even more so the living the God of Israel. He was willing to speak up when everyone else cowered. He was willing to press in even when his brother called him evil. He was willing to say, “No!” when King Saul tried to dress him in his armor. David knew that the battle belonged to the living God. He alone gave victory. He trusted God above all else. He was willing to risk his life and take on a giant because his belief in God’s presence and victory had proven faithful in the past. 

I had to inhale and exhale for a moment as I pondered the story. Sometimes, I think it is hard to walk down a flight of stairs to honor my parents. I focus on circumstances like a blown fuse, fire alarm, body stress, emotional words, etc. instead of the living God and His presence. 

I have a lot to learn from David. I am enjoying studying David because I truly see someone who is in the middle of all the stuff of life really trying to honor God just like me. He was a kid seeking to honor his dad, a child of God seeking to fight for His honor, a younger sibling putting up with big brothers, and a citizen trying to honor his king. I realize that my battle is not against a giant like Goliath, but I do feel the pressure and frustration of circumstances and need the reminder that the living God is present. He delivers. He gives victory. He saves. Even when a morning routine is not what you expected. He is present. I want David’s strength of belief to be evident in me even when I only have to walk down a flight of stairs to serve. Don’t you!

Yes, LORD! Amen!

Dwell and Delight

Greg and I are delighting in the birds as they suddenly ascend for their morning feast. We cannot help but pause. If they see us move they fly away just as rapidly as they appeared. 

Don't you know that God delights when we come to feast on the good food HE provides for us!

When we truly want to dwell with engagement, it will always be filled with delight. 

God desires us to dwell richly with Him and to know the delight of permanence of presence with Him. Even if we fly in suddenly and unexpectedly, He delights in watching us feast. Even if we fly away because we see Him moving. He delights in us. He always longs for us to know the blessing of His good food. He wants us to settle in and enjoy Him.

Shalom y'all!