New Kind of Purification

As I have been reflecting on the 2nd chapter of John I was struck by the first sign that Jesus performed.  The Holy Spirit caught my eye with one small detail, Jesus turned water into wine in the waterpots that were used for the Jewish custom of purification.  Abba reveals a new way to be pure by drinking the wine (later a symbolic of the blood of Jesus shed for initiating the New Covenant).  Abba chooses to do this for a bunch of people not in a solemn church service but at a party and a wedding.  A sign points towards something, this sign is pointing towards the wedding of the Bridegroom Jesus and the Bride (the Body of Christ).  The amazing thing is that God initiates the purification, chooses the people to be cleaned, and provides the method (the blood of Christ) to be the cleansing.  The people that Jesus turned water into wine did not even know what they were drinking, only the headwater comments on how most people save the cheap wine for the end of the party but this is the best wine.  I believe this points to the superiority of the Covenant in Christ's blood over all the animal sacrafices and previous covenants.  It encourages me to see that the role of purification is not only carried out by God but also initiated by God, not up to me to purify myself to be presentable before God.  This sign also stands in stark contrast to the later part of John 2 when Jesus clears the temple with a whip because the moneychangers were making money off the animal sacrafices.  Here Jesus attacks the hypocricy of religion which is attempting to make a person right before God but is actually perpetuating corruption and wickedness.  This religious system which had twisted the Law of God and they believed was meant to purify them through animal sacrafice was rejected by Jesus because it was man's attempt to reach God rather than accept God's way to have relationship with man.  I see in the heart of our Abba how much He hates religion but desires geniune relationship with us that He would bridge the farthest chasm in history through the death of His Son.  I even see the Father's zeal to be in relationship with us as Jesus clears the temple with a whip, God doesn't honor what man created but what He has made.

Abba's Way,
Bret

Can God's Heart be Moved?

As I was reflecting on John 2 I was struck by the section of Scripture where Jesus tells His earthly mother that it is not His time and yet His mother presses Him and He responds.  We know from the life of Jesus and what He says that He only says what He hears the Father say and only does what He sees the Father do.  Since He was in continual communion with the Father, the Father must have responded to Mary's faith and decided to do a miracle.  We so often paint a picture of God's faithfulness over thousands of years, many generations, and to His covenants.  This is good and right, yet what do we do with a passage of Scripture that seems to point to the fact that God changed His Mind or heart.  As I wrestled with God to understand this, one thing I see is that the Lord was moved by Mary's faith.  We see this through Luke 18:8 "I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?"  God is drawn by faith, Hebrews 11:6 tells us "And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. "  As I wonder aloud with God about His heart being moved by faith, I see how much more He values trusting Him and relying on Him than I do.  Obviously, God is omnipotent and knew that Mary would ask so it was not a surprise.  We also know that Mary was a woman who had faith because she believed the promise through the angel Gabriel that she would give birth to the Son of God and she received the promise believing it all the way to His birth.  Also she was most favored of all women by God.  Reflecting on this I think of another woman of faith, the woman who had the issue of blood.  This woman pressed her way through crowds, risking public humiliation, and touched the Hem of His garment (the part representing the promise of healing under the Old Covenant).  Jesus commented about her  "Daughter, take courage; your faith has made you well." At once the woman was made well." (Matthew 9:22)  When people seek God in faith, He is moved to action.  While I don't believe we can manipulate God because He is quite secure in His identity, it is amazing to see that faith touches the very heart of God.  We live in such a culture of unbelief (in God's promises) that has invaded the Christian world.  May the Holy Spirit stir faith deep inside of you, to believe God is good and faithful to His promise.

Learning Abba's Ways,
Bret

Whose Fatherhood

I recently heard a message on Hebrews and specifically 4:14 which talks about "...let us hold fast our confession."  As the word for confession was explained from the Greek, it is homologia which has a primary meaning of agreement.  So holding fast to your confession means to come into agreement with what Jesus has done on your behalf and then to speak it out.  I have also been learning from Genesis that God's design for us is to be "...fruitful and multiply".  Both men and women are to being nurturing but the fatherhood of men is a unique form of nurturing.  As we see the Fatherhood of God displayed in Jesus, we see a redemptive healer who restores what is broken, smashed, or destroyed.  Jesus contrasts the Fatherhood of God coming through Him with the father of lies, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly." (John 10:10)  I believe we unknowingly come into agreement with the father of lies, when we agree with his perspective on situations.  We often come into agreement with things that are really death (like lies about our identity, sickness, disasters, financial loss, or hopelessness).  If I am under the influence of the Father of Heaven, I will look toward life, redemption, hope, and wholeness.  In our modern church culture I believe we have often agree with confusing messages about the nature of God by saying God sent disasters that killed many as judgement on people.  We might even come into agreement that a gay man got AIDS as judgement for his sin, what picture does this portray of our Father.  I believe one of the most important priorities for the Body of Christ is express the true nature of God but for this to happen we must agree with all Jesus did on our behalf.  Who we agree with has power to direct our life.  The Lord spoke to my heart one time and said that when I agree with lies about my identity, then functionally I am experiencing the fatherhood of the father of lies (the Devil).  Jesus confronted the Pharisees on this when they were not agreeing with who He was but even attributing the works of Jesus to the Devil.  I am concerned for the Body of Christ that we agree more with the father of lies, than with the Father who created us and loves us eternally.  Those under the fatherhood of God will experience life and love.  Our Father is nurturing, healing, and redemptive Father.  We see the express nature of the Father displayed in Jesus as He went about healing and doing good.  I have included "The Father's Love Letter" which is a YouTube video that expresses the Father's heart for you.  I pray that you would be upheld by His love today and continually receive His healing for your heart.

In His Grip,
Bret

Little Child in Abba's Lap

The Lord gave me a revelation of Himself as Abba when I was facing a fear in my life, He showed me that I need to come to Him as a little child.  Jesus said it this way, "Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.  Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."  (Matthew 18:3-4)  The Holy Spirit further showed me this through John 1:12 "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name..."  I was struck by the reality that it does not say we were given the right to become adult children of God but simply children of God.  We live in a world system that pushes kids to grow up so fast, that doesn't value kids in their innocence, dependence, or trusting stage.  The Holy Spirit was showing me that I still try to be adult and strong at times and this is part of why I don't receive the comfort or strength from Him because I am relying on my own.  You give a kid a gift and they jump for joy, give an adult a gift and they are quickly trying to figure out your motive.  Kids are genuinely better receivers than adults.  I am realizing a huge key in this journey of grace is learning how to receive from my Abba, since under Law we attempt to earn something as a reward for obedience or right behavior.  This all sounds like a contrast from what is said in 1 Corinthians 13:11, "When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I  became a man, I did away with childish things."  I am continually amazed by God because through His Word He can bring truth in two things that seem paradoxical.  These child like things the Holy Spirit is referring to in this passage are fleshly ways, not the wonderful qualities God put in children.  These are things they developed to get their needs met in selfish ways, like blaming other instead of taking responsibility for your choices.  My point is that I believe we have failed to see children through God's eyes and because of this we have failed to see part of who we are.  There is freedom to be vulnerable, weak, and trusting when we realize these are qualities that draw the Spirit of God.  Our adult facades are often covering over our childlike insecurities, fears, or needs.  There is something about people who have the freedom to be a little boy or girl in their Big Daddy's lap, there is an innocence and vulnerability in these children.  It is amazing that Jesus said to become greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven we need to humble ourselves and become like a child.  When I look at my children I don't see worry on their faces that they will get a meal, have clothes, get taken to school, or get love.  I believe they have a lot to show me about the Kingdom of God, yes I have things to teach them but it goes both ways.  I pray this video at top will give you a renewed picture of our Abba and the freedom of living as a little child in His arms, Leif Hetland is like a big kid.

In Abba's Arms,
Bret