Leaving My House

Then each went to his own home. But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.
John 7:53-8:1

Each person who “went to his own home” were people like many of us today, more at ease with status quo of society, they were Pharisees, those who rejected Christ Jesus.  We need to decide, to either go “to your own home” – go your own way – or you go the way of Christ.  Is it easier to go with the crowd, to go with the flow, to be socially right, politically correct, … to be in agreement with those who disagree with the Lord God; those who reject Jesus? 

 

Where are you going today?
To the ease of your home and the worlds comfort ... or … up the mountain where Jesus has gone? 

Can we together go up the mountain to be in prayer and with compassion to received God’s Spirit in strength and power; that we can bring others from their home and into the Kingdom of Heaven. 
 

It may be uphill, but the view, once at the top, is glorious.  
“But Jesus went …” …  “But I am going …” 

Leaving my house,  

Owen<><   

Keep Your Line in the Water

I love to fish. No matter the fish size, species, or water environment.  Trout in small mountain streams, smallmouth bass in rivers, bluegill in farm ponds, black bass in reservoirs, pike in glacial lakes, and Snook, reds, shark, rays, or tarpon in saltwater.  Now, picture in your mind a place that is unique in its beauty to the eye. Now, picture fishing there and understand that no matter the type of water, there are has basic rules catching fish – current, cover, drop-offs, and the most important thing, key to catching fish, you have to have a line in the water. 

The picture of keeping your line in the water is the key for good fishermen.  That is why, as Jesus walked along the shore the Sea of Galilee he called out to two brothers, Peter and Andrew holding the line as they cast their net.  His words were also our call, “Come, follow me and I will make you fishers of men.”  

Jesus wants followers to adapt to the environment or culture, as we bring the same gospel message of salvation—the mission of all who claim to be Christ followers. A bad example was Jonah.  Jonah’s problem wasn’t being swallowed by a fish, oh no, it was that he hated the people who needed him to bring them the message of God.  Jonah refused to step into the big picture and keep his line in the water, being disobedient to God’s call, word, and mission.

On following Jesus,    

Owen <><

What to Wear?

Robert Colman notes that, “Reflective man produces new philosophies; it is only regenerate man who holds the clue to a society that is really new.”  The regenerate person is renewed, born again of Spirit, they are the person who will “put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator” (Col 3:10). 

The philosophies of man births only ills and sufferings that society’s institutions were to heal.  A society that wears Christ is one where we are not reflecting on mankind’s philosophies, but where we “do by not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but [are] transformed by the renewing of your mind,” to be like Christ, knowing “what God's will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:2-3).

It would be a renewed society, community in which to “Clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature” (Romans 13:14).

 Owen <><

God is my Co-Pilot

Having served with the Air Force I often heard the faithful phrase “God is my co-pilot.”

The phrase expresses faith in God being with you—to help and protect you—it is a comforting testimony.  Military pilots fly risky missions to accomplish orders given by commanders, but they are alone after take-off because their commander stays behind. 

On such a mission one needs God alongside.  God has a mission and sends us out to fulfill His will on that mission, His mission is also risky—it is a spiritual war that rages where angels and demons have taken flight.

As a Christ follower we take part in God’s mission.  Unlike the military pilot, who goes out alone on mission, you have God’s Spirit with you.  God is without worry of compromise for his own safety by being with you, not as co-pilot, but Lord and King.  this was revealed when Jesus was tempted by Satan and when He suffered upon cross—then as now, God is faithfully present with His faithful followers.

Christ then is next to you, in fact, in you, not as a back-up, not as a co-pilot, not as a ready reserve, but as Lord of Lords who comes with power upon you to carry out His mission.  All we have to do while on mission is remember the words of Jesus, “obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matt 28:20).      

Owen <><

Fortune Cookie Gospel

Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him,
because he always lives to intercede for them.   
~ Hebrews 7:24b-25

I was thinking back on an occasion when my bride worked late, so this lazy guy stopped on the way home for my favorite Thai meal.  After eating, I sat looking out the window thinking about the Lord in my life, just reflecting upon how He placed me into His favor, blessed me eternally, and ensures our provision; and all this flows out of God’s love … unmerited love.

 

Then, a big Thai smile got my attention as I was handed my check … and for some odd reason the customary “Chinese” fortune cookie.

 

I cracked open the cookie to read my fortune, it read:

 

“Someone is speaking well of you.” 

 

My spirit jumped, bringing to mind, “Christ Jesus, … was raised to life – is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us” (Rom. 8:34). 

 

In that moment He poured over my spirit with the soothing oil of the Spirit’s presence, ministering with a healing salve for my soul. 

Know that Jesus is “speaking well of you” to the Father this moment.  Christ’s Spirit quenches all emptiness with the fullness and infilling of his presence, bringing an immeasurable peace and true joy deep in your soul.  When Jesus is on your mind, you were already on His lips, you are always in his words, you will find Him wherever you are … and He will be interceding for you there at that moment, “speaking well of you.”

Owen <><

        

On Following Jesus: A Matter of Discipline

We all have a goal to live life in a way that we grow in the Lord’s salvation.  We desire to live the Gospel, pray deeper and more meaningfully; delve into studying the Bible, and to allow God’s Spirit to guide and empower us.  Oddly, when an opportunity is given by a spiritual leader to help you grow, the answer to the invitation is less eager.  We soon waffle, we don’t have time, or an absolute surrender to the Spirit is not meant for you, you are just not ready. 

Our response goes against what we said we desired and what Jesus said to his disciples, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me” (Matt 16:24 NLT).  The distinction is this, are we following Jesus, or just thinking we’re good enough to get into heaven sometime convenient?  
We must ever remember:

“God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” ~ 2 Timothy 1:7

A Disciple is disciplined to follow,

Owen <><

Following Jesus Naked

In a truthful, soul searching thought, what matters most when things are at their worse?  If Jesus were to be ripped away from you, if you are stripped naked of the freedom to openly speak of and follow Jesus’s ways, how would you appear, how would you be “clothed” to others?  Would you be left naked, uncovered as a follower of Christ, … or well dressed in societies finest?  In example:

“A young man, wearing nothing but a linen garment, was following Jesus.

When they seized him, he fled naked, leaving his garment behind.” —Mark 14:51-52

The young man made a decision between earthly or heavenly clothing.  A major world change or small, daily situations will leave you with such a decision. 

 

You will remain comfortably wrapped in the global society’s correctness. 

 

Or, you will flee, run away naked to escape human destruction, clothed only in Christ’s Spirit; fully clad in the power to continue following and proclaiming Jesus.  

 

 

 

I hope your and my heart is prepared to be embarrassed, willing, surrendered to stand naked in Christ. 

~ Owen

"Follow boldly in your Master's steps, for He has made this rough journey before you. Better a brief warfare and eternal rest than false peace and everlasting torment."  ~ Alistair Begg