Blessings Without Measure

She said to herself, "If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed."

Matthew 9:21

As the young mother turned back to the shopping cart she found her son rifling through everything. “Shane, sit back and leave things alone!” she admonished.

He heeded her warning for all of ten seconds. That’s when the four-year-old spotted one of his most favorite things in the whole world: ice pops! Seeing his mom’s attention directed toward the shelves, Shane stretched out his hand, reaching as far as he could. The prize remained just out of reach. Undaunted, he reached down and unbuckled the little seatbelt holding him in place, and nimbly climbed toward the ice pops. Just as he grabbed the unfrozen popsicles Mom turned to place something else in the cart.

“Shane Kaufman…!” She began…then stopped herself, staring in wonder at the tenacity of her son. He would not be put off. He would achieve his goal, nothing would deter him.

As much as she knew that blatant disobedience could cause problems in the future if not given the proper direction, she couldn’t help but be impressed by his persistence. The look of triumph in his eyes made her smile.

†

In today’s text Jesus, full of the Spirit without measure, was walking along the streets of Capernaum, pushing a virtual shopping cart full of blessings. Among the great throng crowding against Jesus, this woman with the issue of blood was the only one who understood that there was power available to heal her. So, in faith, she reached in and took what she needed, appropriating her healing through unwavering faith! Jesus even commended her for such tenacity, “Daughter, your faith has healed you.”

Oh that we would have the simple faith of a child to believe that every blessing we will ever need is at our disposal through the power of the Holy Spirit.

True faith believes and appropriates what it needs, knowing it is available. And the only way we will know is to draw near enough to God to hear His heartbeat.

Prayer

“I want to know You for Who You are, Abba Father. Not that I might have power for myself, but so that I might know You, and Your Power. Amen.”

Intrepid

Forgetting what is behind…I press on toward the goal.

Philippians 3:13, 14

Jim Sessions, co-host of the hunting show Intrepid Outdoors, headed into the Apache Kid Territory of New Mexico, with his cameraman, Dean Taylor, looking for bull elk.

Six miles up the trail, his horse hit an impasse. Undaunted, they backtracked a short distance to an area they’d passed earlier. It was suitable for camping, giving Jim time to have a meal and listen for bugling bulls at sunset.

Following a hearty meal they hiked a short distance to a high ledge overlooking several draws. Jim smiled at Dean as several bulls bugled, challenging each other in the fading light. The elk were close!

The next morning Jim and Dean set out in the direction of last night’s bugles.

Choosing a spot, Jim began calling to the bulls using his cow call. Two bulls answered! Closing the distance, calling intermittently then sneaking closer, it took less than an hour to call in and kill a beautiful 6 x 6 bull with his muzzleloader; all caught on tape!

What appeared to have been a setback to their reaching better hunting grounds failed to dampen Jim’s pursuit of his goal, all because he didn’t look at the blocked trail in defeat and dismay. Instead, he adjusted his plans!

†

The word intrepid means: fearless; courageous; adventurous; bold; brave; undaunted. The name of the show was chosen because they hunt that way, always pressing on, courageously looking for a way to reach their goal, no matter what obstacles pop up.

There is a spiritual parallel to their hunting mindset.

When we hit spiritual barriers we are given choices. We can either give up and quit, or we can reassess the situation, deciding to be flexible, and refuse to give up.

God is not caught unaware by the impasses of our life. He awaits us at each one, ready to give us input. His hope? That we’re ready to intrepidly adjust our plans and press on!

Prayer

“Help me keep a right attitude when I encounter trials, Lord. Show me which adjustments I need to make to reach the goal You’ve set before me. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Our Advocate

We have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous

1 John 2:1

As the judge raised his gavel the defendant’s attorney stood and shouted, “Wait, Your Honor! I have one final appeal!”

Curious, the judge asked, “And what could you possibly have to say that hasn’t already been said, counselor?”

The attorney stepped from behind the table, glanced from the prosecutor to the judge, and said, “My client is guilty of all charges,” he began. “As a matter of fact, there are several more you might have brought if you’d only known about them. But…” he cut off any interruption, “I ask that all charges be dropped against my client…” The courtroom exploded in chaos with his flamboyant appeal!

“Silence!” the judge hollered, repeatedly slamming his gavel into the coaster on his desk. “There will be silence or I will have this courtroom cleared!”

When silence ensued, the judge asked the defense attorney, “And by what reason would you think I could entertain such a far-fetched notion?” he asked. “You yourself admitted his guilt! Why would I dismiss all charges against a guilty man?”

“Your Honor,” he began, “I’m not asking you to dismiss the charges. I would like to take my client’s place. I would ask the court to allow me to serve his sentence.” The collective gasp sucked all the air out of the room!

“Do you understand what you’re asking me to do?!” the judge said, incredulously.

“I do, Your Honor,” he quietly replied.

In an act never before witnessed, the judge slammed his gavel one last time and said, “Bailiff…take this man into custody! He is to serve the full extent of his client’s sentence!”

†

When a defendant is found guilty, someone must serve the sentence. And as far-fetched as today’s scenario might seem, it is exactly what Christ has done for everyone who has accepted His sacrifice on Calvary. He has taken our punishment in-full, and commuted our sentence.

In an act so unnatural that it defies belief; Jesus stands as our Advocate, ready to take the punishment our sin demands before a righteous Judge.

The choice is yours…please let Him serve your sentence.

Prayer

“I ask today, Lord Jesus, that You take my place and serve the sentence my sin requires. Make me ‘not guilty’ before the Father. In Your Name I pray, Amen.”

Unnecessary Punishment

For Christ died for sins once for all…to bring you to God.

1 Peter 3:18 (author’s emphasis)

It had been a sleepless night, full of questions. Myriad thoughts wound their way through Mitch’s mind…and hopefully to a listening God’s ear. Around 5am God whispered, “Your sin has already received the punishment necessary.”

Immediately Mitch’s mind argued, “I know Jesus’ blood covered my sin. But I keep making mistakes!”

“And?” God asked lovingly.

“I feel so careless. How can You still be pleased with me?”

“I was pleased with you before you awakened at 2:00 am when all this started, before you had any input in your day,” God gently chastened. Then He said, “You are Mine, and I am always pleased with you! You are looking for punishment that isn't coming.”

Knowing Mitch wasn’t convinced, God set in motion a series of events to show His loving faithfulness: his devotions that morning held meaning to each of last night’s questions…a song he listened to spoke of God’s unfailing love…and to settle the matter, when Mitch went for his morning walk, he encountered Tom, a brother in the Lord, who just happened to be working on the hiking trail in his remote area of the county. Tom greeted him with a message that could only have come from the Lord!

†

Many Christians suffer from a performance-based mentality pertaining to our relationship with God. The Father’s love, or withholding of that love, is based on whether we are living a godly life at the moment.

Mitch and Tom’s meeting was not by chance. God was leaving no room for doubt as to how He felt about Mitch. This divine appointment settled the matter in Mitch’s heart.

When Jesus died on Calvary’s cross it was for all sin…for all time! Not just for those of the past and present, and those in someone else’s future. Yet, many of us still question how our sin can’t deserve further punishment.

The complete answer is deep, and not to be stumbled upon. As you come to the Father for answers, He will provide them…much as He did for Mitch. But rest assured…your performance has nothing to do with God’s being pleased with you.

Prayer

“Although I don’t fully understand it, LORD, bring me to the knowledge that all my sin was atoned for on Calvary…and while I’m getting there, lead me in love. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

That Center Cross

Date

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:16

Collin and Diane loved their daughter, Alex. Because of that love, they made some decisions that would benefit her as she matured. One of those decisions was to invest in a college fund so Alex would have the opportunity to attend the school of her choice.

At eighteen months of age, Alex had no knowledge nor understanding of her parent's choices that would have a such a profound effect on her future. She sensed only their love.

For the first sixteen years, Collin and Diane would contribute to the plan as sole depositors. However, from Alex's sixteenth birthday on, she was required to work part-time and contribute 20% of her earnings to the account, giving her personal and partial responsibility for her education. So, at sixteen, Alex would either contribute or her parents would discontinue their role as benefactors, leaving the account well short of any college's annual tuition.

In other words, they had no problem blessing their daughter, but at a reasonable age she must make the choice to honor their financial sacrifice.

†

There is no perfect human scenario that can symbolize salvation, but this is a close representation. Our Heavenly Father has made the Ultimate Deposit, sacrificing Jesus, sending Him to die on a cross to make right what was wrong. Until a certain point in our lives, that 'Deposit' doesn't require any action on our part. But at the age of accountability, He asks us to make a choice; the love shown on that center cross, or eternal separation from our Creator.

This sacrifice was made with all your sin, past, present, and future, in mind. So don't let this choice slip away because you feel beyond redemption, because what you have or haven't done has no bearing on this offer. He did it because of the power of His great love!

Prayer

“Thank You for Your sacrifice, Father God. And thank You Jesus, for what You did for me on that center cross so many years ago. Come into my heart and change my life, amen.”

  

Thank You, Jesus, for the cross!

His Loving Don’ts

My son…let thine heart keep my commandments…and peace shall they add to thee.

Proverbs 3:1, 2 KJV

It wasn’t hard to tell Hanna was stressed over the choice she was facing. She really wanted to go on a weekend trip with Reuben. “God’s commandments say, ‘Don’t do this and don’t do that!’ I get sick of His constant control in my life! He proclaims my free will, and all the while He’s forcing me to abide by a set of rules He contrived to retain control of my life!”

In light of Hanna’s frustration, Jen was careful about phrasing her thoughts. “You know, Hanna,” she began, “you can go if you want. God isn’t going to stop you.”

“No, He won’t!” she countered. “But He’ll make me miserable if I do go!”

“Is it really God who would be making you miserable, or is this about you knowing it would be wrong to spend the weekend with Reuben before your wedding?” Jen suggested.

“Spending the weekend in the mountains is not a sin!” Hanna countered, rolling her eyes.

“No,” Jen said, “it’s not. But can you tell me that you haven’t been entertaining certain thoughts about what could happen if you go?” She softly added, “God isn’t trying to control your life, Hanna. He’s trying to save you a bunch of grief.”

“Grief my butt…” Hanna murmured.

“Maybe the reason you’re frustrated is because it is your choice and you want God to make it for you,” Jen volunteered. “That, my friend, is free will at its finest.”

†

God is not a Control Freak, in need of getting His way in our lives. He is, however, loving and considerate, and His Spirit will most certainly quicken within us when harm, through the possibility of wrong choices, threatens us.

When the frustrations of difficult choices arise, He’s asking us to trust His wisdom and omniscience so we can live in peace by submitting to the Spirit’s leading. But…He’s giving us the choice. And believe it or not, that makes some of us angry.

Prayer

“Sometimes free will feels like a sentence rather than freedom, Lord. Help me always yield to Your omniscience in the matters of my life, knowing You would never allow me to make poor choices without Your Spirit suggesting I re-think them. Amen.”

Unquestioning Obedience

Abraham built an altar there and…bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar.

Genesis 22:9

As Lee related the story of her sister’s miraculous survival of such a horrific accident, the clarity of God’s intervention sharpened with each detail.

She began by sharing about her father’s unconditional dedication to God. “In 1994, my father was called to a seven day fast. Unclear as to the why of it, he unquestioningly obeyed God’s directive of just seven sips of water each day.”

Continuing, Lee’s voice caught as the memory of her sister’s struggle came rushing back, “Not long after Daddy’s fast, my sister, Kim, was in a terrible wreck. Her car hit a huge rock, flipped end over end, rolling several times, and finally came to rest with the engine literally sitting in her lap. With numerous life-threatening injuries, she endured twenty-two hours of surgery just to reattach her feet.” Tears formed as she composed herself, the personal knowledge of God’s favor evident.

“Many years later, Daddy told us that God revealed to him that his obedience in that fast, doing exactly as God directed, had saved Kim’s life. God had been ready to take Kim home, but restored her to perfect health because of Daddy’s faithfulness. She even became pregnant, delivering a healthy baby girl, despite the doctor’s prognosis that she would never bare children!”

†

Lee’s account gives new meaning to God’s edict that, “Obedience is better than sacrifice.” 1Samuel 15:22 Not all who are called to fast will be asked to do so not knowing that their failure to obey might cost them their child’s life.

We may never see the fruit of our conformity, or know the consequences of our disobedience. But the importance of our unquestioning surrender to God is paramount in His ability to use us for the work of His Kingdom. He wants to know if we can be trusted to sacrifice our most precious possessions in order to carry out His plan.

Abraham, in light of his prior disobedience, and knowing that Isaac represented God’s promise, was willing to sacrifice his son. It is God’s desire that when He calls…we unquestioningly obey, leaving the future in His capable hands.

Prayer

“Teach me to respond immediately when You call, LORD. Give me strength and courage to trust in Your unconditional and fathomless love. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”