The Table of the King

I was thinking about Mephibosheth. Thanks to a song I heard. (John Mark McMillan and his song “Carbon Ribs”.) The song is a puzzle to me, because the goal for me is no more cripples! And certainly none at His table!!

So I figure the song is speaking of Mephibosheth. 2 Samuel chapter 9 and 16 and 19. And that is a story. A mystery, really, towards the end. Who’s side was he on? What were his motives? King David didn’t know. David made a decision and changed Mephibosheth’s status. God never added input to the situation, pro or con. Mephibosheth maintained his innocence, but admitting guilt would have probably been deadly. So it is a puzzle.

So I think of Jesus. I think Jesus would know the answer. And if I were the cripple at His table, I think He would know my answer too.

The thing is, Mephibosheth was blessed to be at the table. And for years he was there. Dining at the king’s table. What an honor. Probably completely loyal and grateful. The last remaining heir of Saul in a position of honor at the new royal table, a lifelong position of honor and fellowship.

But one day, there is a change. A reversal of fortune for the King David, he is on the run and things look bad for everyone, both for the king and for his plotting son. But, if you are in the right place at the right time, it could be a fortuitous position to be in, if you were the last remaining heir of a former royal family. You would have a choice to make, two roads before you: Loyalty to the king on the run, or stepping into something for yourself. Or a third, loyalty to the new guy, if he looks like he’s going to win.

We sit at Jesus table, and His banner over us is Love. And today we are grateful, and so glad to be near Him. We sit at His feet like Mary. We drink Him in. And if we were foolish, we might think we will be this way forever. We will always be at this table and feel just like we do now.

But Jesus knows what things look like down the road. He knows that there will be times when it looks to us like He is on the run. And He knows what we will think at those times, and He knows what we will do. He knows when we will fail. He knows when we will overcome. He sees the end from the beginning. Jesus knows we only have this moment to live in, our choices are sequential, and not reversible. Time moves forward, not back.

Still He says Come and eat. Sit with Me, let’s share a meal. The bread is already broken for you! I know today was hard. Tomorrow will be better. I know the trouble isn’t over. But have some meat, it’ll help you grow up big and strong.

If I were Mephibosheth, and really I might as well be, Jesus invites me in, regardless. Whether the motives were good or bad, Jesus knows us, and He is not afraid of our crappy motives. He can work with us. He can transform us, TRANSFORM!!! Do you think Jesus is a moron? He’s not!! He’s just not afraid of our sin.

It seems the only requirement He has is to come and eat. Knowing it is His table, knowing who we are, and what we just did, and coming anyway. Knowing it is only Him who can transform us. There is no point to anything else.

Dog Years

What if we are drawing closer and closer to the end times?

What if the shakings and rumblings in the world are shaking and rumbling us right into the end of the age? What if God’s timing is drawing near?

Israel exists!!! That which was scattered for over a thousand years, almost TWO THOUSAND YEEEARS!!! is now sitting quietly over there in the middle east, fighting for its existence, but still, there it is. Israel is kind of important in the bible. And a lot of what the bible says about end-times seems to hinge on Israel. And for almost TWO THOUSAND YEEEARS!!! Israel did not exist. A lot of church doctrine was determined during those almost TWO THOUSAND YEEEARS!!! So it makes sense that not many churches give a second thought to end times, it’s not in their doctrine.

But up pops Israel. And now, my generation, we don’t even bat an eye at the significance.

What if end-times have been set in motion?

What if the time is shorter than we think?

What if the lovers of Christ, His bride, have awakened to Him? Do they have oil in their lamps? Are they ready to shine?

Because His bride will have oil, and she will be shining and radiant and powerful.

Sometimes I catch a glimpse of His bride being shining and radiant and powerful. I also get way more than a glimpse of the shaking and rumbling, and I think to myself: Time is Short.

And if Time is Short, what we do with the time is worth so much more.

So it’s like Dog Years!!!

To a human a year is a year, but to a dog a year is 7 years, because their time is shorter.

If we understood how short our time is I think we would use it differently, more wisely. What we do can be valuable and concentrated!!! The container is smaller, the content can be richer!! I am seeking God to understand how He wants me to use my time, His time. Dog years!!

You used up all the water!!!

There is a teaching that is common in circles I run in.

Before you pray, before you worship, you must confess your sins and become clean. So your prayers will be answered and so God will hear you and be pleased with you.

But as a result I become sin conscious.

This is what happens: I want to approach God, but now because I don’t want to mock God with prayers from a sinful person, I will search my soul and dredge up every nasty thing I’ve done all day and all week or whatever and try to confess it. Then I notice what a lot of crap it is and then I think, this is a losing battle, and what am I doing talking to God anyway.

We need to stop being sin conscious, we need to be Jesus conscious!!!

(This is something I learned from Joseph Prince, he rocks!!!)

So this is what I believe; all of our sins have been forgiven forever, we can come boldly to the throne of grace to worship and pray no matter how bad we have screwed up. And He is always pleased to see us!! Always!!!

But then I get a moment of doubt. I just read a teaching that said all of this but only worship was mentioned. It excluded the word pray. And I thought, maybe you do have to confess it all before prayer, it’s worship that is a freebie. Maybe prayers need to be from clean people, but anyone can worship. No, my doubt is clearing up. I’m not willing to give this grace up. Prayer and worship, it’s all a freebie in Christ Jesus.

So then I was thinking, Wash me Lord. Because if the Holy Spirit convicts me, I want to confess, but I do not want to be condemned or discouraged, because that’s not from the Holy Spirit. But if there is something to be washed away, wash me so I can pray.

But then this Holy Spirit thought entered my mind: Jesus turned water into wine.

Yes, you know, it’s the first miracle, the wedding at Cana in John 2. Water into wine. But, one of the details about the miracle is what water he used.

John 2:6-8:

Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.

Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim.

Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.”

So then, I’ll paraphrase, the master of the banquet tastes it and says “you have saved the best wine till now!!” So hot dog!!

So let’s review, what water? The ceremonial washing water.

Apparently, WE DON’T NEED IT. Apparently, if we needed to use that water for washing, Jesus would have turned some other water into wine. Because I can’t wash now, even if I wanted to, because Jesus went and turned all the water into wine. So it is not possible for me to get any cleaner, I guess.

But what can I do?

I can drink.

I can drink wine.

I can drink good wine. The best wine.

And then I can drink some more because, if I do my math, there’s at least 120 gallons of very fine wine.

So what does the Savior say to me?

No more washing. Let’s drink.

Take it in. Drink deeply.

This is my blood, shed for thee.

More than you will possibly need.

Drink. Remember.

This communion, it is proclaiming His death. The sacrifice is made.

Your sins are forgiven forever.

It is finished.

Praise God.

So what else does the Savior say?

He’s laughing.

Sorry about your water.

I know you’re really good at that whole washing thing, but I kind of thought it would be fun to use the water for something else.

Would you like a drink? It’s good! That guy over there, he really likes it.

Would you pass this to my Mom, she’s been waiting. Thanks.

Disclaimer: This little blog is not a statement about alcoholism, or doctrines about alcohol, or any kind of thing like that. Thank you for no condemnation!!!

Zachariah had a quiet time

Let's just get this out of the way, I believe Zachariah was struck mute as a sign, not as punishment!! I don't believe God punishes! I just don't!! God corrects!! God gave Zachariah a quiet time!!! Don't call it punishment!! I'm going to try not to get all worked up.

Consider: Barren for your whole life, Sure there's an angel there but there were 2 impossible factors here! Asking for a sign, that doesn't seem so bad!

Luke 1:19 The angel answered, "I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. 20 And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their proper time."

"because you did not believe my words" - to me this means "because you requested a sign and my words were not enough for you".

But I'm wrong there, because, Gabriel is not deceived, or confused, or interpreting behavior and body language and tone of voice. Gabriel knows that Zachariah does not believe. I cannot interpret that any other way.

But even in his weakness, Zachariah is going to get something from Gabriel. Not only does he get this Fantastic news, this mind-blowing blessing, this glorious promise, but also: He received a sign.

And this is what I call the sign: Wonderful!!! Every single time that he couldn't say "Yes, I want fries with that!" he was walking in the sign of what God was going to do!!! The strength and certainty of it must have been awesome!!!

Punishment to me would be "Hey, Zach, I'm giving that baby John to some other family who will believe me because you don't believe me and you are just a big jerk, and I'm striking you mute anyway, forever." Okay, I'm getting a little carried away there. But did that happen? No!

God will take us wherever we are spiritually and use us to His glory! Isn't that great?!! He will take our weaknesses and mold us, He will cleanse us of unrighteousness!! The more I talk about this, the more I just love it!!

So I will get worked up, because the way God loves us is awesome!! The plans he has for us are glorious!! No matter where we are now!

Every blessing to you this glorious holiday season.

Grace is not afraid that things aren't going to change

Sing with me!!

--> -->John Mark McMillan: Londontown

There is a lion

Coming into Londontown

Walking on the promenade

Standing in the underground

He's not afraid of rain, the pain,

That things aren't gonna change

I can feel it in my veins.

He's not afraid of rain, the pain,

That things aren't gonna change

I can feel it now.

The thing is, I don't know if those lyrics are right, there are none printed on the cd case.
However, that is what I hear, that is what I sing. That is what rings true for me, it resonates in my spirit: Jesus is not afraid that things aren't going to change.

I refuse to be afraid either!!!! I am going to hear the calling He has placed on me, I'm going to focus on him, I'm going to fast for longing of Him!! I'm not going to despair at the worldliness around me, I'm not even sure how I got out of it, and the longer that I'm in this deeper place, the less I understand why I thought what I used to think!! The less I can make a rule for how to keep someone out of that worldliness, or make a formula to get them into the deep!!

The other thing that is ringing through my spirit in this hour is GRACE!!! Is it true that God has forgiven all our sins, past, present and future?? I'm still trying to figure that out!!

Is it true that He will never be angry with us again?? He gave Noah the rainbow as a sign of no more floods, He told Isaiah that just like He promised Noah, He promises to never be angry with us again!!! Is He really not angry with me if I screw up? Is there really therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus?

What is the balance between Holiness unto the Lord and Grace which He died and rose to give us? I'm still looking for a formula!

I am beloved, I am being transformed into a spotless Bride!! My righteousness is as filthy rags, He Is My Righteousness!!!

This Holy Spirit is Moving!! I'm not going to be afraid that things aren't going to change. They are changing. Jesus, let Your Kingdom Come!!!

Believe God, I mean BELIEVE GOD

Believe God, I mean BELIEVE GOD

My dear child comes to me yesterday and has a little clipboard. On it are written: Name, Clue, Anything Else is Possible. Apparently there is deductive reasoning in education these days. We try to decide what mystery to solve. So there has been a mystery in our home for weeks and weeks now. What happened to Goodnight Moon? Has anyone seen it? Where did it go? I have looked and looked. But it seems that dear child is up for some systematic deduction and serious searching, so we're ready to solve this little mystery. So first, I say, we have to pray about it. Because God knows exactly where that book is. He knows what it is under, next to, behind. He knows the last time I saw it and said to myself, that doesn't belong there, I'll have to move it back, and then never did! He knows which of these children moved it and when and He knows where it is right now. And, if we pray together, one puts a thousand to flight, 2 puts 10 thousand to flight, and I don't know how many we would put to flight, but it would be a lot!!! I can't do the math! So dear child says Dear Lord, please help us find Goodnight Moon this week.

And I said NO. Dear Lord, TODAY, this afternoon, show us where it is, help us to find it, help us remember where we saw it. Thank you Lord! We pray in Jesus' name.

What do you think? Is that bad parenting? Was I setting this child up to be scarred for life? NO, I said. You will believe God for more than that. We can believe God for more than that.

In the end I think it only took 10 minutes to find it, PRAISE GOD. I'm not kidding, I have looked and looked for that book. AND THERE IT WAS.

I just think God wants to do some work in our lives!! Let me all cap that: I JUST THINK GOD WANTS TO DO SOME WORK IN OUR LIVES!!!

I must keep the all caps:

HE WANTS US TO BELIEVE THAT HE CAN DO IT!!!

HE WANTS US TO ASK HIM!! WHILE WE ARE BELIEVING HIM!!! ALL AT THE SAME TIME TOGETHER!!

What is it that Gary Wiens says, He wants us to thank Him, and ask Him for help again.

Thank you Lord!!!

Help us!!!

Respectfully submitted to spread the blessing!

2 Timothy 2:22

2 Timothy 2:22

22 Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

I found this yesterday and it reminded me of youthful people, and I thought as I looked it up today that it is an easy "address" to remember.

So I want to ponder it for a moment:

FLEE!!! Flee those evil desires of youth! You youthful people!! With your evil desires!! Just Kidding, I believe we all have evil desires, that we have had from our youth and hung on to. So Flee! Everybody! from those evil desires. (lest you be dragged away and enticed!!! See James 1 for that, it's in there somewhere.)

Pursue: Chase After: Make a point to find: Go out of your way to get:

righteousness, faith, love and peace: All good stuff!!

We can't have righteousness without repentance: REPENT!!! Walk in repentance! (ADD ON: Walk, don't grovel! We can come boldly to the throne of grace. He won't love us any more than he does, and we don't score points for guilt. We are the righteousness of God in Christ, apart from our performance. Repent, move on. He is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness, so let Him cleanse you!! Don't strive!)

We can't have faith if we don't believe: BELIEVE!!! We can't believe if we don't know: STUDY, LEARN, BE TAUGHT!!

LOVE: I can't synopsize love. We know what love is, don't we? But do we know how much love there is for us to receive? Open your heart to receive a little more of the love of Christ - RECEIVE IT!! EXTEND IT!!

PEACE: Peace passes all understanding, doesn't it? So that means I can't explain it! Praise God!!

"along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart."

Along with: be reinforced in the fellowship of other believers, with pure hearts, not strange motives. And those who have a pure heart SEE GOD!!

May we all SEE GOD!!!
One more time:

2 Timothy 2:22

22 Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

Blessings to you