Dare To Joyfully Receive (what you didn't ask for)

One of the first things which happened after followers of Jesus were filled with the Holy Spirit on Pentecost was the healing of a lame man at the gate of the Temple.  Peter and John were going to the Temple at the hour of prayer when a beggar asked for money.  Acts 3:4-5 reads, "And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, "Look at us." ⁵ So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them."  I imagine some people walked by the beggar as if he did not exist, and others dropped a coin into his lap without a word.  But Peter and John stopped and spoke to the man, and he gave them his full attention because he expected to receive something from them.

The man had asked for money, but what Peter said next must have amazed him and all who stood by.  Acts 3:6-7 says, "Then Peter said, "Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk." ⁷ And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength."  This is a bit out of the square, isn't it?  The man sought a charitable donation, but Peter offered healing and strength by the power of Jesus Christ.  Immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength from God, and the man stood to his feet.  Has it ever occurred to you that there are content beggars in the world?  They are quite comfortable shaking coins in a cup at passersby, and some who claim they make more begging than working!  The expectancy of this man was rewarded with healing, and the passage tells us he rejoiced to receive this gift he didn't ask for from God.  Acts 3:8 tells us, "So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them--walking, leaping, and praising God."

It is common in some households to know what a Christmas gift is because it was asked for!  I have seen people disappointed after opening a gift to discover it is not what they asked for or "what they really wanted."  We Christians rightly ask God for many things, but you might have noticed He doesn't always give us what we want.  The question is, will you receive what God has for you joyfully - even it is isn't what you asked for?  The lame man dreamed of receiving silver or gold from a generous soul, but a man who had neither silver or gold provided something through Jesus he perhaps stopped dreaming of:  healing and strength for his weak and lame feet.  How tragic it would have been for the man to stand to his feet healed, then sit back down and place his garment in his lap, sighing and disappointed silver or gold wasn't on offer.

The man who entered the temple walking, leaping, and praising God is a great illustration of how we should respond to all gifts from God - even when we didn't receive what we hoped for.  God allows us to experience injuries, pain, and limitations in our lives for the purpose of drawing us closer to Him.  A gift from God might be a loss He can transform into practical and eternal gain.  God is good and He is able to cause to work for good all things in the life of a Christian.  Even when you haven't received what we wanted or asked for, in looking to God expectantly we will receive good things beyond price.  Let us give God our full attention, expecting to receive all we need from Him.  Ephesians 3:20-21 provides a fitting conclusion:  "Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, ²¹ to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen."

Windows Of Heaven

The Bible speaks of opening the "windows of heaven," and this is used in a literal and a metaphorical sense.  When God judged the earth in the days of Noah, the windows of heaven were opened to send a deluge of water which covered the planet (Gen. 7:11).  This term is also stated figuratively in a promise to those who give their completed tithe in Malachi 3:10:  "Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and try Me now in this," says the LORD of hosts, "If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it."  The windows of heaven are figurative, but when opened can provide quantifiable increase and fruitfulness from God.

It appears the windows of heaven are able to pour out judgment upon the unbelieving wicked and blessing upon those who fear God and are obedient to Him.  There is only one other occasion in scripture when this phrase is used, and it contains a useful application.  The city of Samaria had been besieged by the Syrians and the situation was dire.  The famine had grown so severe people had resorted to eating their own children to survive.  Though the seige had been long and the outlook hopeless, God promised a complete and almost immediate reversal of the situation in 2 Kings 7:1-2:  "Then Elisha said, "Hear the word of the LORD. Thus says the LORD: 'Tomorrow about this time a seah of fine flour shall be sold for a shekel, and two seahs of barley for a shekel, at the gate of Samaria.' " ²  So an officer on whose hand the king leaned answered the man of God and said, "Look, if the LORD would make windows in heaven, could this thing be?" And he said, "In fact, you shall see it with your eyes, but you shall not eat of it."

The adviser to the king could not believe the word of the LORD spoken through Elisha.  With the horrors he had seen perhaps he wondered if God existed at all, and if He existed was He able to make windows in heaven to supply their needs?  It seemed beyond improbable; it was impossible and unthinkable!  Through miraculous circumstances, the two-fold prophesy of Elisha did come to pass:  God provided abundant provision and salvation for the people in Samaria, and the man who did not believe saw with his eyes but did not eat of it because he was trampled by starving people in the gate.  The lesson for us is there are windows of heaven, and God is able to open them.  He is able to bless and curse, to destroy and save.  He is the God of the impossible.  Those who believe God are those who will see and receive the good things God has prepared!

"Set For Life"

When someone strikes it rich with money and fame, it is commonly said they are "set for life."  This is spoken of inventors, musicians famous for a "one hit wonder," actors, athletes with multi-million dollar contracts, corporate executives, and people born into great wealth.  I understand what is meant by the phrase, but I believe it masks an obvious lie because it does not take eternity into account.  Money and fame in this world provide privilege and opportunities coveted by many, but they have a downside as well.  Fame opens doors as well as closes them.  Money is useful but has its limits, and its personal benefits perish when a man does.

This morning I heard the beloved actress Carrie Fisher, famous for her portrayal of Princess Leia in Star Wars movies, suffered a massive heart attack and is in critical condition.  I pray for her recovery.  She is a world-famous actress whose net worth is counted in the millions, and some might say acting in the original Stars Wars trilogy had her "set for life."  The words of Jesus contradict this idea.  He said life does not consist in the abundance of possessions (Luke 12:15).  Our life is compared in scripture to transient things like a vapour, grass, or a flower in a field which is here today and gone tomorrow.  Money cannot supply life.  There is more to life than money or toil on this planet, for the souls of men were created to endure forever.

Jesus said to His disciples in Matthew 16:24-26, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. ²⁵ For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. ²⁶ For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?"  The only man who is truly set for life is the one who loses their own life for Christ's sake, the one born again through faith in Jesus.  There is infinitely more to life than what we call "the good life" on earth.  There is more to life than food, clothing, a career, fame, sex, music, and acquiring stuff.  We all like the idea of being "set for life," not having to worry about money in an uncertain world.  But God would have us without worry even when we do not have money, knowing our future is secure through Jesus Christ.  When we do have money the hearts of Christians should not be set upon it, but look to God who bountifully supplies our needs (Psalm 62:10).

Only the followers of Jesus are "set for life."  Life does not consist in good health, fame or recognition from others, money, in holidays, travel, or earthly security.  Life is found in losing our lives for Christ's sake, for in Him is eternal life we will enjoy forever.  Are you "set for life?"  What does it profit to gain the whole world but lose your own soul?

Heed Your Shepherd's Voice

Jesus often taught in parables, sharing profound spiritual truths through simple stories and illustrations.  These parables were much more than metaphors or a literary device designed to cleverly disguise the truth:  for those who believed Jesus, it would reveal truth from God impossible for unbelievers to comprehend.  God is the author and sole source of all divine wisdom, and He is the One who reveals Himself and provides guidance to those who trust in Him.

Jesus said in John 10:1-6:  "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.   2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.   3 To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.   4 And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.   5 Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers."   6 Jesus used this illustration, but they did not understand the things which He spoke to them."  Jesus is the exclusive Way; He is the Truth and the Life.  The only authorised way to be accepted in the flock of God and become a citizen of heaven is to come through the Door, entering through faith in Jesus Christ.  Because the people did not understand what Jesus meant (a very common occurrence - people often understood what Jesus said but had no concept of what He meant!), He went on to say in John 10:7-9, "Then Jesus said to them again, "Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. ⁸ All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. ⁹ I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture."

Jesus made an effort and took time to patiently teach people, and He offered explanations to those who didn't understand.  Often Jesus was approached by His disciples after the crowd dispersed and inquired into the meaning of His sayings and parables.  The Gospels all show Jesus was glad to answer these queries.  The passage above shows two major distinctions of the sheep in God's fold and those who have come another way:  they have entered it the correct way through Christ, and they follow Jesus because they know (or recognise) His voice.  These are good questions for self examination:  have I repented and trusted in Jesus as Saviour?  In my daily life do I obey the words of Jesus, fleeing from and rejecting all other voices I recognise are not Him?

As followers of Jesus and sheep of His pasture, we ought not be fooled by voices other than Christ which softly beckon for our attention.  They appeal to our good sense, sound reasonable and intelligent enough, and are attractive.  Yet if we will examine these various voices through the clear lens of scripture and the things Jesus Christ has already spoken, the messages of deceit are unmasked.  Comedy is all about good delivery, and good words are all about sound biblical content.  If the original message is lost, the messenger has failed in his task despite his polished speech and courtesy.  As followers of Jesus Christ, we must heed His voice and will almost instinctively flee from all others.  But as human beings we do not share the instincts of sheep.  We are allowed the freedom to weigh words and choose what we will believe and obey.  We can be led astray, and this world is filled with potential suitors.

If we will be saved, then we should listen to our Saviour.  This is only reasonable, and looking no further than myself I can say at times my feelings and ideas are completely unreasonable!  For this reason I must ensure I am listening for the voice of Christ and choosing to follow Him, not giving ear to imposters.  The most clever sheep are those who realise they are not so clever after all and choose to stay close to the Good Shepherd who loves them and leads them in an abundant life.