365 Reflections

You either accept that God can do the miraculous or you don't. It's often that simple. Rejecting God can do the miraculous, however, leads one to the most silly readings of scripture imaginable. For instance, I find it hard to believe how some commentators treat this passage: Exodus 12:37  (ESV)   And the people of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand men on foot, besides women and children .  The number that messes them up is the 600,000 men on foot, or fighting men in some translations. That would mean there were 2 to 3 million Israelites coming out of Egypt after just 400 years of slavery. Some commentators try to change the number based on the word "eleph" for "thousand" to become something far more manageable. They cannot imagine that many people being there! Think about that for a moment. They want to reduce God's multiplication. It's very laughable. For one, that number is repeated several more times with...

Will a miracle make someone believe? The answer is no. A miracle does not make you believe. The obvious evidence is that after Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, those who did not believe in Jesus saw it and doubled down on their efforts to kill him and now the resurrected Lazarus! Psalm 78 is proof positive of the stubborn heart of man when it comes to faith and miracles. The first 31 verses recount all the miracles God had done for Israel... rescuing them from slavery, feeding them in the wilderness, water from the rock... splitting the sea... amazing wonders. But no matter what God did, they kept rebelling and refusing to trust Him... Psalm 78:32 (ESV) In spite of all this, they still sinned; despite his wonders, they did not believe. So if miracles and wonders do not cause belief, what does?  Look at what it says two verses later! Psalm 78:34 (ESV) 34 When he killed them, they sought him; they repented and sought God earnestly. What? Whe...

God responds to faith. Sometimes we are so busy waiting for Him to do something for us or on our behalf when I believe He's waiting to honor an act of faith from us! At the last supper, Jesus spent a good deal of time imploring the disciples to act. It's almost as if He wanted to make absolutely sure they didn't for a second think this movement was about sitting in a church waiting to go to heaven: John 14:12–14 (ESV) “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. 13 Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it. Look at these promises! Do greater works than Jesus? Whatever we ask? If we ask in His name He will do it? God wants to move in your life. I'll say that again. God, the Almighty creator of the universe... wants to move in YOUR...

The story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead is a unique depiction of God's love in action. But what strange love is this? John 11:5–6 (ESV) Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6 So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was. Hearing Lazarus was sick, Jesus stay where he was for two more days. In those two days Mary and Martha watched their brother's condition worsen, his body weaken, his spirit fall and his eyes close for what seemed like the final time. Where could Jesus be? What's taking Him so long? And the footnote of verse 5 becomes very strange... "Jesus loved Martha and her sister (Mary) and Lazarus."  Now we have a choice with this text. We can either think John didn't really know how Jesus felt about them, or we can rethink God's idea of love . Of course we know Jesus loved them. But how He loved them is far different from how we think God should love us. God...

Jesus was not a cosmic killjoy. He was not the guy you avoided having over for a good time. How do I know? John 2:1–2 (NLT) The next day there was a wedding celebration in the village of Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, 2 and Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the celebration. Why would Jesus be invited to a wedding if He didn't know how to have fun? And these weddings were 7 day affairs in which people celebrated and feasted together in joyful communion. If there is one thing I cannot stand it is the stuffy Jesus so many people settle for in the Church. The Jesus who never smiles and never has fun. I don't think that is Jesus at all. While He was serious and straight to the point with some, there is ample evidence Jesus knew how to laugh... Some of his parables had such exaggeration, a first Century Jew would have been in stitches. The thought of a man who owed 100 years wages in Matthew 18 asking for more time to pay it back ri...

There is a funny little story in Acts 20. A young man is sitting by a window on the third floor while Paul preaches into the night. He is overcome by sleep and falls dead. His name is Eutychus. Paul will revive him back to life and restore him to his parents. What's interesting is when this all happened. Acts 20:7 (ESV) On the first day of the week... Second, it was a fall from the third story. Third, they had just broken bread to celebrate the Lord's Supper. In this little story we have a reminder of what Christians are called to gather around. We gather around resurrected life. Our's is a faith that anyone can be raised to life from the dead no matter what. Death will not have the last word. The Early Church did not solemnly gather in mournful rows trying to stay awake during a boring presentation of religious jargon.  They did not do their "Christian duty" by showing up once a week. No!  They gathered together and enjoyed the Word preached until midnig...

Earlier in Acts, the Holy Spirit prevented Paul and his team from going into Asia. Now we come to a point where we get a possible reason why (see later). God does some powerful things in this area that are reminiscent of the early days of Christianity in the book of Acts. Acts 19:1–8 (ESV) And it happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the inland country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples. 2 And he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” 3 And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They said, “Into John’s baptism.” 4 And Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus.” 5 On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and...

The Early Church didn't pray for miracles... they prayed for boldness to accompany them. Acts 4:29–31 (ESV) And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, 30 while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” 31 And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness. I like this prayer. It starts in Verse 25 with the address, "Sovereign Lord..." God is sovereignly doing something right now.  Our job is to jump on board with God and talk about Jesus in any situation. The Early Church saw what God was doing, and made the main issue to preach Jesus.  We ask for miracles to make our lives better or free of pain. But that was not the pattern of the movement of Jesus in the beginning. Think about it, ...

Paul the apostle was known for performing great miraculous works. He heals many, he cast out demons, he established churches, he survived beatings imprisonments and riots. The supernatural hand of God was upon him in many ways. If there was something supernatural to experience, Paul experienced it. What a great life that must've been! But that's not all that Paul got. Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. (2 Corinthians 11:24-27 ESV) This is why Paul can say that he bore in his body the...

Do not think that this saying of Jesus means that anyone could possibly be beyond help: Then it goes and brings seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there. And the last state of that person is worse than the first.” (Luke 11:26 ESV) It was Mary Magdalene who possess this condition before Jesus found her, saved her and delivered her. Jesus said these things right after telling us to ask for the Holy Spirit, knowing with full confidence that God will give it to us. His Spirit is all the power we need to encounter all the demonic forces of hell. But Jesus makes sure to mention the fact that demons being cast out is a sure sign that the kingdom of God is here. The kingdom of God leads to a reversal of fortunes. That's the reality of the kingdom at its heart. The poor arbalest, those who mourn are comforted, and prostitutes or seven demons become the first evangelists of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. The thief doesn't just stop stealing, h...

I don't want to go to far in creating some sort of pseudo Christian "magic formula" to get what we want from God.  But the birth of John the Baptist was a miracle which happened when certain things came together.  It should be noted that the miracle Zachariah and Elizabeth received wasn't even something the texts mentioned them asking for.  So again, this is not twisting the arm of God. Luke 1:8–11 (ESV) Now while he was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty, 9 according to the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10 And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense. 11 And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. First, Zechariah and Elizabeth were devout people "walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord." VERSE 7.   But also: Verse 8 says he was serving...

Hebrews 11 is the Hall of Fame for the people of faith.  It lists the great ones: Abraham, Moses, David, Samson, Gideon, etc... All the people we herald for their unflinching commitment to God's unseen presence and unbelievable power. We look at them and think in some small way - maybe we can achieve such great testimonies of faith.  To stand with the hall of heroes knowing that we aimes for permanent rewards and performed miraculous victories, deliverances, and conquests for the Kingdom of God. I especially like the content of verse 35 where people were raised from the dead!  Wow! But oh how quickly, the page turns in Verse 36. Hebrews 11:36–38 (NLT) Some were jeered at, and their backs were cut open with whips. Others were chained in prisons. 37 Some died by stoning, some were sawed in half, and others were killed with the sword. Some went about wearing skins of sheep and goats, destitute and oppressed and mistreated.  I don't know about you, bu...

Mark 6:30 (ESV) The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught. Mark 6:35–37 (ESV) And when it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the hour is now late. 36 Send them away to go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” 37 But he answered them, “You give them something to eat.” And they said to him, “Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give it to them to eat?” Look at the sequence of Mark 6… The "Apostles" go out and do miraculous things through all the towns.  They come back and report how much they did for Jesus.  This must have been thrilling and exhilerating. Notice the crowds chase them down because they "recognized them ." It was no longer Jesus alone who attracted crowds.  The disciples had experienced recognizable success!  They were demon chasers!  Here they are!  Wow! YET… just 7 verses later - the...

Mark 5:35–36 (ESV) While he was still speaking, there came from the ruler’s house some who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?” 36 But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.” Jairus the synagogue leader has come to Jesus in desperate need of his daughter's healing.  A man who associates with those looking to get rid of Jesus has found himself in absolute need of Him. Funny how life can do that to anyone. Along the way to the home of Jairus a woman with a severe hemorrhaging issue comes up and touches Jesus' clothes believing that one touch will heal her for sure.  It does heal her, but it also stops Jesus, right in His tracks on the way to Jairus' home.  He wants to know who she is - even though He already knew.  He wants her to not only benefit from Him, He wants her to MEET Him.  That's the heart of God.  He doesn't just want to GIVE you His g...

Mark 2:6–7 (ESV) Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, 7 “Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” Mark 2 is a really funny chapter.  Twenty eight verses of give and take between Jesus and the religious leaders of His day.  Jesus does something and they have a problem with it. Jesus does something else and they have a problem with that too.  Jesus does another thing, and there they are questioning what on Earth He's doing!  I wonder if Mark penned this chapter with a grin. God shows up and the people who should have been so schooled to recognize Him miss Him completely.  I wonder sometimes, who would that be today?  I hope it would not be me. FACT: God is God.  He's going to surprise you.  He's going to blow away YOUR expectations.  He's going to undo your presuppositions.  He's going to unravel your traditions.  Why?  Because He's Go...

Matthew 8:1-17.  The narrative of Matthew dramatically turns from the authority of Jesus' teaching (Matthew 7:29) to the authority of Jesus' power! As a Pastor I emphasize obedience to Christ.  What we should do as a follower of Christ.  Sometimes, to many times, I forget to simply marvel at HIS POWER. He did incredible works. There was no one like him before or after. He did things no one else even claimed to do. Let us not forget the power of our SAVIOR! We do not follow a religious leader or inspiring teacher, we follow the Son of the living God!!! He heals the Centurion's servant from a distance. Then Jesus said to the officer, “You may go home now. Your faith has made it happen.” Right then his servant was healed. (Matthew 8:13 CEV) He casts out demons with a word. That evening many people with demons in them were brought to Jesus. And with only a word he forced out the evil spirits and healed everyone who was sick. (Matthew 8:13, 16 CEV)...