Healing of the Soul

Christ? Wash my feet?

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washingfeetshort1Would Christ wash my feet? It depends on who you ask and upon the condition of the feet. I guess in these days of manicures and pedicures it does not matter. I know the Lord washes feet. The Bible says so. It is just so hard to imagine. I mean after all he’s….Jesus.

So I am trying to imagine myself reclining with them at that table. I would be thinking, “Is this all necessary for him to wash their feet and even mine?” Is he rubbing this in, forgive the pun, because we did not do the most simple of cultural practices at that time? He would use this as an object lesson demonstrating how we should serve one another. I get that. But the feet, man…the feet they are so dirty. My feet are so dirty. Yet no one even thought about it. Jesus said nothing at first.

Roads were muddy and dusty back then. People wore sandals. Feet were rough and abused. In most homes water was provided so people could wash their own feet.  Rich people had a slave who was in charge of foot washing in their homes. You know what bothers me? We are eating reclined at a low table so dirty feet are an issue-at least with me. Seriously, who wants some Apostle’s dirty feet near your food?

Jesus still -saw my filthy feet and still went on with the dinner and teaching the new commitment God was making with us. This bread is MY BODY…this cup IS MY BLOOD. Then he fed us. This was his object lesson about His body being broken for our healing and his blood was being spilled for our forgiveness. Although it was just bread and drink something spiritual was happening. It was as though he gave us spiritual meat and drink so that we could know that we live in HIM, and HE lives in us (John 6:56).  We are and were healed. Awesome.

What could show his love for us more than this? NOTHING. So, what did he have to prove? He could have waited just to show his love later on the Cross. Instead he does THIS.  It seems he uses as many opportunities as he can to show his love to us. So I began to think that it must have mattered they had dirty feet. 

I mean Jesus let the disciples eat with dirty hands one time (Mk. 7:1-23) and explained that it is not unwashed hands but a dirty heart that was the issue. That time He left them as is, but not here.

Dirty feet and all, raw, uncultivated rejects of society (I fit in there, insert name) he selflessly and tangibly loves us. He goes right ahead and touched and washed their dirty feet. Then Christ, the eternal Son of God washes my feet and I am still confused why he would do this for me (John 13:7). All I could do is touch his shoulder and say, “Thanks Lord” and probably start crying. What else can you say to such an unmerited act of grace? But again what I sense is more than clean feet. The whole thing was refreshing. Then he tells us that we are all clean, except one. Judas. His feet were clean but not his heart.

Christ washes us by his name and Spirit. (1 Cor. 6:11). Hearing about Jesus will cause us, his genuine followers, to be filled with his presence. By this He refreshes my soul and your soul. (Psalm 23:3). He has cleansed us. He has washed us. He rejuvenates us and we feel refreshed.  We are and were washed.

He washes us because he loves us perfectly. This is why I plead with preachers and churches to preach the Word-even Jesus, the living Word. This is why we should study and contemplate the scriptures, which focus on revealing Christ, the Word becoming flesh (John 5:39; John 1:14).

All this just shows he rejects the dirt not the disciple. We often think of Christ being so repulsed at us that he must wash us because we stink so bad. Nothing could be further from the truth. He washes us because we are his own. He does not wash us because he is repulsed at us but because we are his body. We are one with him.

He said that if he does not wash us we have no part with him (John 13:8). Jesus prays at a later time and says, “For their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.” (John 17:19).  Sanctified in this context would mean he is clean so we are clean. As he is, so are we (1 John 4:17). We are made clean through his Word, the truth and Jesus is the Word and Truth. He brings a washing-not out of repulsion but love. He washes us because we are one with him. The mystery of the church is that it is his body, his flesh and his bones (see Eph. 5:23-32). We are and were one with him.

The Lunatic in the Mirror

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PatienceA very bad week is over. It is amazing how the Lord can help you recover.

Here is a tip for going through trials: you may feel strong emotions-nothing wrong with that-but you can choose how react despite what you feel without letting your emotions become your tyrants driving you to do things you will regret.

Don’t let anyone try to put you down by saying you are emotional. Unless they have recently had a lobotomy they are emotional too. You blew it? You got angry or something. Look, all is forgiven. Let it go, guilt will only make you more irritable and uncontrolled guilt will make you miserable.

It is not easy controlling your emotions. Some people are just more emotional than others-that is they way God made them and it is part of his own fingerprint on them.   It is not easy putting a leash on emotions but I think that is what patience is all about. I mean I used to see patience like an picture of a Roman Catholic saint a person with a serene look and a halo over their head. Nah, that’s not it at all!

While reading this article to my wife, she got me thinking as she pointed out that there are people who just seem more patient or who can hold it together better than others. That is so true. Those people just have not encountered a circumstance or person that will bring out the lunatic we are used to seeing in the mirror everyday. But you know what?-God made every kind of personality or life would be dull.

In all this you will really need the Holy Spirit’s help.  The Holy Spirit produces patience in us. That is what HE Does. He does it, not you. The Holy Spirit reveals Jesus to us and seeing the real biblical Christ is calming to the heart of a Christian. As you read scripture Jesus is always saying, “Fear not” or “Peace be with you.” and if I might paraphrase, “It will be all right, take it easy. I will take care you and this problem.”

Is that it you say?  Yes.

Can you be patient on your own? So what is the choice, another face plant after you lose your cool? Or, believe the truth of God’s incredible and profuse promises that are …wait for it…all TRUE! Much more true that your emotional reactions. All you need to do is say, “Holy Spirit I know you are in control of my life and circumstances. I know you are in control of my emotions as well.”

You are going to make it and God’s promises are still true-FOR YOU.

You see this picture?

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DV0103You see this picture? Its from John 8. The woman caught in sin.

You and I were caught. No, it is not a scandal in the news perhaps but the shame and fear of consequences does something to our entire being.

Your mind and heart has a race and you cannot catch your breath. God catches people doing everything from stupid to evil things, everyday, all the time.

See the frowns of the religious, even so-called church people and the tenderness of Jesus?

Yes he is looking at you. he stands in between you and them.

The jury of the religious are powerless to hurt you despite your sins.

This is the day Jesus says with a smile of love, “I don’t condemn you, go and sin no more.”

Today, is the day Jesus showed you forgiveness of sin and freedom from sin.

He shows you mercy despite your crimes.

You did not ask, he just does it. Your spirit comes alive and your desires now have changed.

Jesus Christ shows you justice as well.

The justice of the cross.

He died in your place. He was glad to do it. He loved you as he did it. He loves you gladly now.

All the LAW and its law-men could do was justly bludgeon you with stones.

You see that smile? Jesus has spoken in his justice and righteousness and all is well.

You will never be condemned. The consequence and power of sin has been broken by Christ the Almighty Savior. 

Beautiful Words

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il_340x270.623982910_pj66When Christ announced the fulfillment of the wonderful day of God’s good news, freedom, recovery, healing and favor in which we live the scriptures declared, “All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips.” (Luke 4:22).

The word for gracious is charis. It is the word we use for grace. His words of grace spoke then and reverberate now not like an echo but a continuing transmission.

Despite the rejection of some, blinded by unbelief (2 Cor 4:3), these words Jesus spoke immediately exerted an influence upon those that heard them.

All of a sudden the light of Christ shined into the hearts of the people like when the first words God spoke in the empty chaos of earth and said, “Let there be light.” (Gen 1:3) in the Old Creation, but NOW in the new Creation (2 Cor. 5:17) the gospel speaks and brings the light of the glory of God-not planetary light, or the sun, moon and stars but the uncreated light of the face of the SON-Jesus in dark empty hearts. (2 Cor. 4:6). In him was light, shining in the darkness that could not put that LIGHT out (John 1:1-5).

In Jesus a bright undeniable light shined in in what was once called, “Death City.” (Mt 4:16). These gracious words were like “honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” (Prov. 16:24). Gracious words are words of beauty.

Christ shepherds us with two shepherd’s staffs and he named one “Beauty or Favor and the other Union or Unity” (see Zech. 11:7). We have the favor God showed Christ, the union Christ had with his Father. You see, Christ is our unending, unbroken covenant. “This is what the LORD says: “At just the right time, I will respond to you. On the day of salvation I will help you. I will protect you and give you to the people as my covenant with them. Through you I will reestablish the land of Israel and assign it to its own people again.” (Isaiah 49:8NLT). 

Christ is The Promise, our promise. He is The oath, our oath. That was God’s promise directly to Christ! It was primarily to the eternal Son of God, Jesus Christ he said, “In the time of my favor I will answer you, and in the day of salvation I will help you.”  He helped Christ through his death through HIS glory (Heb 5:7; Rom 6:3). Now those promises are ours because it is to Christ we belong and he belongs to us. For us in CHRIST- “no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.” (2 Cor 1:20).

Today Jesus himself has beautiful feet, though nail scarred, with beautiful words good news, freedom, recovery, healing and favor for you (Isaiah 52:7). Just hearing the steps of the Son of God and his gospel has already started the process, enlightened your eyes, opened your ears, make you leap for joy (Isaiah 35:5) and revived your spirit (Gen 45:7). He has made you glad (Ps. 92:4).

You will taste these gracious words and see that the Lord is good. (Ps. 34:8).

-Stephen Gibney

GOD’S PEACE IS YOURS

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jesuscalmingstormGod’s peace is yours today. It really is yours.

He says, “Peace I give, MY peace I leave with you.”

Just trust these words. You do not have to make anything happen.

  • Anxiety has no stranglehold over you anymore.
  • Fear will no longer enslave you.
  • Loneliness will no longer dog your steps.
  • Addictions power is broken by the blood of Christ.

You are his beloved child!

Symptoms and circumstances do not rule your life. Christ does. JESUS IS LORD! His grace, mercy and PEACE are multiplied in your life.

Multiplied is made up of two words in the original “fill” and “multitude.”

It means abundance, overflowing, increasing and to fill to maximum potential.

May God give you more and more MERCY AND HELP and GRACE AND FAVOR and PEACE AND TRANQUILITY OF SPIRIT, SOUL AND BODY as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord.

Believe your Lord, He can be trusted. He never fails. He loves you all the time.

HE SEES WHEN I SIT AND STAND

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known“You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.”

God our Father seems so interested in us. We would think he has better things to do, but He is watching us from the beginning of our day to the end of it. He closes the distance with his presence in everything we do. He watches every time we sit, or stand. When we wake up and go to bed. It is hard to imagine.

He sees with perfect knowledge our thoughts, words and actions. We know we fall so far short that we are ashamed. Instead of seeing a smiling proud Father, we see him as one who frowns and is frustrated and even angry with his children. This could not be further from the truth.

What God sees is that we are seated with Christ in heavenly places. Just as the Son of his love, Jesus Christ sat down on the right hand of His Majesty on high, the highest place of honor, so we are seated with Christ. He loves us as he loves Christ.

He sees when we sit down.

He sees us doing all to stand, as we use the armor he gave us, the armor Christ wore, the armor of designed by God. He sees us standing upon his Word and in prayer: in truth, righteousness, peace and faith. His royal sons and daughters fighting against Satan and his schemes.

He sees us when we stand.

JESUS KNOWS YOU

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PS 139“O LORD, you have examined my heart and know everything about me.”

Do you realize how much God KNOWS you. He knows your heart. You do not have to be afraid of that knowledge.

If you are a child of God. God no longer sees a heart that is desperately wicked and deceitful above all things. Why would he? That was the old you. That was B.C.

He loved you as a sinner. Christ died for you as a sinner. He took your sins to the cross and forgave you, forever. This power of the gospel cannot be underestimated.

God has given you a new heart! He has put a new spirit in you! You no longer have a heart of stone-he removed it. Now you have a soft heart and God’s Spirit dwells in you. His decrees and laws are written on the very fiber of your being.

This is all his work and it is marvelous in our eyes and he delights in you.

EXPOSING THOSE THAT LIVE A LIE PART 2

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Truth Lies Wallpaper__yvt2

Jesus said to them, “I am telling you the truth: everyone who sins is a slave of sin.”

Christian, if sin dominates your life-you are its slave. If you continue in a sin or sins and have no repentance, no sorrow, no plan to deal or resist that temptation, simply you treat sin lightly. You can be sure that you are a child of the devil. You cannot have a permanent relationship with sin and call yourself a child of God. Why?

Jesus said, “A slave does not belong to a family permanently, but a son belongs there forever.  If the Son sets you free, then you will be really free.” A slave is only a temporary employee, an outsider, not a family member. No slave belongs to a family permanently.

This means first, a true child of God does not keep on sinning against God because they have the nature of God. They love God and hate sin. This does not mean they do not fail God, but they treat sin and temptation aggressively. They repent immediately, obtain god’s forgiveness by the Cross and they seek for God’s strength not to do it again through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Secondly, a slave of sin cannot be a permanent relationship because SIN will KILL it victims, its slaves. The Puritan writer said well, “Be killing sin or sin will kill you!” Only children are family members and they must be born into that family. We are all born slaves in an unseen prison and only through the intervention of God’s Holy Spirit can we be given a new life and a new nature.

The church goers Jesus addressed were not of the family of Abraham and God’s family because they were sinners by nature and birth. They were spiritually dead because of their disobedience and sins. They followed the world’s evil way, their selfish desires; and they obeyed Satan who controls all who disobey God. God was angry at them! (see Eph. 2:1-3).

Jesus makes it clear that all people are NOT the children of God. They can only become thee children of God by being born again (John 3:3-8). Only those who obey Christ’s teaching will never die. Jesus says, “If the Son sets you free, then you will be really free!”

Jesus is actually the only holy child of God, the only begotten, God the Son! He is the eternal Son of God begotten before all worlds! He is the firstborn son among many brethren. He is the only one who can set people free! Jesus makes it clear to them that IF they were God’s permanent children spiritually and children of faith like Abraham they would love him. A person who does not love Christ is a slave on borrowed time and is a child of the devil.

Jesus makes it clear that if they do not accept the teaching his Heavenly Father has shown him, they are under the control of Satan (v. 34-41). In fact, the children of the devil hate the truth so much some have gone to the extreme and murdered those that taught the liberating words of Jesus. But most are like those who you may have heard say, “They are dead to me?” This means that they ignore their existence. They treat them as though they were dead. That is how many people crucify Christ afresh by ignoring his words and teaching. He is dead to them and they are dead in sin.

Jesus makes it clear that many people do not understand his message because they cannot bear to listen to it (v. 42-47). He insists that only those who are from God listen to God’s words. It makes me weep that Jesus is saying to some church goers today, “I will go away; you will look for me, but you will die in your sins. You cannot go where I am going…You are from this world, but I am not from this world. That is why I told you that you will die in your sins. And you will die in your sins if you do not believe that ‘I Am Who I Am’.” All they have is devil’s faith and are of their father the devil. 

Some church people today they reject God’s words. They become furious and incensed at anyone who exposes their sin and error. Anyone who dares question whether they are children of God! In fact, the most intense persecution are by those who attend so called churches that persecute truth preachers. They may not physically kill them, but they ostracize them, ignore them and treat them as if they were dead. They will think that by doing this they are serving God.” (John 16:20). The Bible and Church history has shown this to be true. Rejoice for so they persecuted the prophets which were before you!

Are you a child of God? Has Christ set you free? Wishing and hoping is not the way. He says whoever the Son sets free is free indeed! Free in reality and activity. Free in experience. Christ is not only our Savior but our Liberator-setting us free from the power of sins forgiven. Those who he sends out forgiven and says to them, “Stop sinning.”

The Dawn of God’s Mercy Heart has Visited Us

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1-Its-A-New-Dawn-Its-A-New-Day-Its-A-New-Year...-Im-Feeling-Fine...A new day has dawned in Christ.

“Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us. To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

The morning light from heaven has broken the darkness of our lives.

God acts with tender mercies for broken hearts wounded from the pain and consequence of sin and raw from repentance need the nail scarred tender hand of Jesus comforting them with acceptance love and forgiveness.

There is “the tender mercy of our God…” (Luke 1:78).

Spurgeon points out that the original phrase is, “The mercy of the heart of our God.”

It means the mercy of God’s very soul. Mercy is vitally connected with God’s own existence-his heart. God’s “mercy heart” shows that he will forgive those who ask for for forgiveness, because he is faithful and just to forgive their sins and cleanse them for all unrighteousness.

How is this forgiveness experienced?

God calming us down after screaming aloud until hoarse?
With the uttering of a repeat-after-me prayer?
Or is it a divine psychology that says, “That’s OK no ones perfect?”
NO!!!
It is like the sun slowly rising in the east bathing the shore in endless light and warmth. As the sun slowly but steadily takes over the night realm and rises as the dawn- so is God’s tender mercy and love seen.  His forgiveness and acceptance will be like the sun warming your face. It is God’s smile upon you dispelling the shadows of guilt and the dense darkness of shame upon you and brings before your the eyes of your heart an endless horizon that shows only God’s love and favor. The sun rising with healing in its wings dislodges any doubt and removes the very thought, words and acts of your transgressions.Then Luke (1:77-79) speaks of the the mercy heart of God and the dawn of Christ’s  life and love as having VISITED us.A visit is when someone temporarily spends some time with us. That is not far from the meaning of this word.

The word visit is “episkeptomai” in the original language shows us a person who cares about us come to look after, inspect and examine someone who is sick or in need. This person does not just come to show sympathy.

He comes with benefits in his hands. He comes with provision and healing.

Years ago, right into the mid to late twentieth century. Doctors used to carried a black bag and make house calls.

I knew Doctor Patten, I will never forget his hospitality and love. We could always come see him and his three wonderful daughters Wendy, Julia and Cynthia and his son John.  He was a Pastor in Maine and a MD. with a cool british accent. I will never forget him running into our bible college into the institute building with his black bag to visit a sick student. I can still see it in my mind. Strange how you remember some things.

It is the same way when Christ makes a house call. But in a way that is incredible. He is a sun and shield giving grace and glory not withholding anything good.

Jesus comes and we always experience God’s mercy heart and the smile of the dawn of grace, mercy and forgiveness in our lives.

Christ visits us.

When we sin, when we are hurt, broken, whatever the need- it will not be long until Christ rings the door bell and knocks. He turns the knob and walks in. He needs not ask. He does not need to be invited. Our home is his home. Our problems are his problems. His answers our now our answers.

The Great Physician with his great mercy heart and his smile that is like the dawn coming and visiting us. Even now he is at the door, knocking and opening-you can hear his voice, see the light of his presence and he has just what you need.

FOR THOSE WHO FEEL DESPAIR

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HoldOnGodKnowsWhatsHesDoing“In my desperation I prayed, and the LORD listened; he saved me from all my troubles.” (Psalm 34:6).

When you pray remember you serve the All Powerful God! God is a God of miracles. Does anyone doubt that? I don’t think so. The struggle is not that God can do anything but that he will answer our prayer (Ps. 17:6)

I realize we don’t live from miracle to miracle. But we make a lot of mistakes, act stupidly and we know it. But our frailties do not hinder God. As he answers our prayer he teaches us. But we are a blessed people, loved by God (Eph. 1:1-6).

God the Father did not withhold his Son from us so he might secure our salvation. He sets the standard of answered prayer by that act. He will withhold nothing from us. He hears and answers our prayers because He promised He would and he is our generous Father (Rom 8:32).

You may doubt or waver when you pray at first because of emotion, shock and even past trauma you may have a hard time believing. The life of faith is not automatic, it takes time but over time, “your faith will grow strong in the truth.” (Col 2:7NLT).

“Doubt is not unbelief. But it can become unbelief…Doubt is like an attention-seeking child. The more attention you pay to it, the more attention it demands. By worrying about your doubts, you get locked into a vicious cycle of uncertainty.” (Alister McGrath).

Deal with your doubts and move on. Unbelief is a serious thing it charges God with lying. Confess that to God! Ask his forgiveness and his help to believe and whether you feel like it or not begin to use the Psalms and scriptures to thank God for his desire and ability to answer prayer. I challenge to you tell God why you think he can’t or won’t help you. Go ahead see his response in your heart and the scriptures he will show you. You will have an attitude change for sure.

I am not big on the “confess it possess it” mentality but there is no use in saying lies when God word says differently. You keep saying God is against you? You thinking God has abandoned you? That is a UGLY LIE Satan that big fat liar is pounding you with and he is trying to plant seeds of distrust in your mind (Rom 8:31-19). Evict his lies IMMEDIATELY! (Luke 10:19). He is misrepresenting your God.

You may feel abandoned, anxious, fearful, lonely, discouraged and depressed. It is an emotional roller coaster, I know. Don’t deny it. Tell God! Pour out your heart to him. He does not mind, he knows it already. You don’t have to fake prayer with your all knowing Father. Don’t pretend everything is OK but go to God and just be honest with him (Isaiah 1:18).

His heart is moved when he hears your cry and pray. He is full of mercy and he pays attention to your tears, broken heart and crushed spirit. The High and Holy God promised to sit down with you and refresh you! (Isaiah 57:15).