Jibbooo

Phillipians 4:6
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;

I was reading this verse and realized, I’m not really sure I know what supplication actually is.

sup·pli·cate (sŭp’lĭ-kāt’)
v.   tr.

1. To ask for humbly or earnestly, as by praying.
2. To make a humble entreaty to; beseech.

v. intr.

1. To make a humble, earnest petition; beg.

I really like the last one … to humbly and earnestly beg.  I recently was researching one of the words in the new testament for worship … which is proskuneo and one of the meanings of that is to kiss towards (as a dog licks his master’s hand).  I think the imagery of praying in an open, honest, humble manner in the same manner a dog begs humbly for something by licking their master’s hand.

The definition of supplication really illustrates our posture in prayer.  Be earnest. Be real. Be humble. We are in no position to demand anything.  We are making a plea to One who is in authority. We are petitioning … making a formal request.  Something God already knows we need or want.  If He already knows, then why does he require us to make entreaty (formally request)?  My opinion is He wants to see in what manner we ask.  I know with my kids, I appreciate it when they ask in cute ways.  Or are polite.  Or show their emotions tied to what they are asking.  I think our heavenly Father is the same way.  He knows what we want, but He loves to see how we are going to ask.

So, throw away your formal prayers. Throw away your formulas.  Understand our position.  We’re kids trying to convince our Father.  Reveal your heart.

Arthur Burt is a 97 year old preacher from the UK who has been a treasured spiritual influence in my life for almost 40 years. He began preaching so long ago that he traveled in a horse drawn covered wagon throughout the north of England. On one evangelistic tour he parked his wagon near a dairy farm run by a gentleman who was also a believer in Jesus. Being a generous man, he told Arthur,

“I have plenty of milk. If you want some in the morning to go with your breakfast, come on by. I’ll give you all you want”.

The next morning Arthur remembered the generous offer, picked up a coffee cup, climbed out of his caravan, and found the dairy farmer in the barn with the cows. When my preacher friend walked up holding his little cup, the farmer looked at Arthur, looked at the cup, looked at his cows, and then looked back at Arthur with disgust.

“Bucket or nothing!” he said.”What?!” Arthur said.”Bucket or nothing! I’m not going to waste my time filling up that little cup. If you want some of my milk, bring me a bucket… bucket or nothing!”Arthur scratched his head, then ran off to get a bucket. Every morning the farmer filled it up. Here is the moral of the story. Arthur frequently remembered the dairy farmer over the years as he was asking God for things. He discovered over and again that God wanted to do more for him than he wanted Him to. Often we go to Him with a coffee cup when He wants us to bring a bucket. Our lack of faith reminds me of this verse: “Yes, again and again they tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel” (Psalms 78:41).

II Kings 4 records the story of the poverty struck widow woman whose sons were about to become slaves to pay off a debt. When she appealed for help to Elisha the prophet, he asked her what she had in her house. She said,

“Your maidservant has nothing in the house but a jar of oil. Then he said, ‘Go borrow vessels from everywhere, from all your neighbors, empty vessels; do not gather just a few. And when you have come in, you shall shut the door behind you and your sons; then pour it into all those vessels, and set aside the full ones’” (I Kings 4:2-4).This story has a happy ending. When she ran out of the empty pots the oil stopped flowing. Then, and only then did it cease! She had more than enough to pay off her debts and live on the rest. By faith, the widow woman tapped into the fullness of God.

The Lord didn’t determine the amount of oil she got, she did. He never runs out. We just need to learn how to access heaven’s bounty. It is time to stop limiting God.

reposted from Waking Up

If you’re like me, you struggle with consistency and motivation in your devotion times.  Why is it so hard to be disciplined?  Is it the flesh battling against the spirit?  Is it genetics?  I was reading John 15 (the vine and the branches) today and saw a promise that I would like a “Yes and Amen” to … that I could ask for whatever I desire and it will done for me by my Father in heaven.

John 15:7-8

⁷ If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. ⁸ By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.

So, unless I am amiss in my understanding, it appears that Jesus is saying that if God’s Word lives in me (not simply knowledge stored in my not-so-picture perfect memory, but lives and effects my thinking and emotions), then He will do whatever I ask … so that the Father may be glorified and I would see God’s hand in my life (ie: fruit).

I’m reminded of a powerful scene in the movie “Cool Runnings” where Yul Brenner is looking at a picture of this enormous house, dreaming of living there some day.  And along comes Sanka who crushes his dream by limiting his thinking to what people think can be achieved.  I like to think of this as Satan trying to put thoughts into our heads which cause doubt.  Along comes Junior, who takes the crumpled picture of Buckingham Palace, and encourages Yul to not give up hope, not to give up faith, but to keep striving for the impossible.  I see this as the how the Father sees us … “stick with me kid … nothing is impossible with Me”.  …ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you

Cool Runnings -

Yul: … after I win the olympics, I’m going to live right down there (shows a picture to Sanka).

Sanka: Hahaha Hahaha

Yul: (angry) What are you laughing about?

Sanka: That’s Buckingham Palace.  (Yul take a second look at his picture)  If you plan on living there, you’re gonna have to marry the queen.

Yul: <crumples up his motivation>
….
Junior: Go ahead Yul Brennar you go get your palace.

You can see this scene in its entirety by skipping to 8:30 in the video below:

Then see the conclusion of the scene in this video:

Sometimes it strikes me how simple it is in concept to lead a life that pleases God. Yet somehow with all of life’s happenings and complexities, we somehow get confused as to what to do or how to act.

Colossians 3
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

In Colossians 3 I found these two verses which give some really simple guidance.

1. Fill yourself with the Word of God.  Sharing it with others and use it to praise the Lord.  The best thing is, it doesn’t have to be some done in some religious setting like a sermon.  God gives us a bunch of ideas on how to distribute the Word which lives in us, teach one another, write poems, sing songs.  We are made in the image of our creator … which by nature infers that we are indeed creative.  Be creative in expressing the Word that lives in you.

2. Do everything for the Lord. So it doesn’t matter if your feeding the kids, washing the dishes or emptying the litter box, do everything in a manner which glorifies the Lord.

3. Lastly and most simply … give thanks.  Give thanks for your blessings.  Give thanks for your family.  Give thanks for your troubles.  Fill your heart and mind with thanks to the Lord, there won’t be much room for anger, sadness, depression or jealousy.

Of course by now, everyone has heard the Carolina representative’s outburst and everyone has their own opinion on whether he was out of line or justified or amusing or insulting (personally, I find it highly amusing yet very disrespectful to the seat of President)  Either way, it doesn’t matter (or at least its not the point I’m trying to get across).  I was struck by some verses today that seem to apply to this matter:

Ephesians 4:25-32   Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are members of one another. ²⁶ “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, ²⁷ nor give place to the devil. ²⁸ Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. ²⁹ Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. ³⁰ And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. ³¹ Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. ³² And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

It seems that country is in turmoil right now.  We have politicians telling us convenient, partial truths. We have misinformed and uninformed citizens crying out in ignorance and anger.  We have kids shooting and stabbing one another in schools.  How did this country reach this stage?  I think we’ve gotten away from love.  We’ve walked away from God’s word.  Whether you’re a Christ follower or not … can’t we all in the least do verse 32:  And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.   If we would simply learn to be kind and forgive others, our country could begin to return to being a leader in the world.  As it is now, the nations of the world are in awe of our power and wealth, but not of the ways we live and treat each other.

We all know that we are made up of 3 parts:  body, mind, and spirit.  Most of the time we all walk around with our body or feelings dictating what we do (should I eat? I feel tired).  Other times, our mind is in control (I need to study for this test.  I should exercise because its keeps my body healthy).  But when do we let our spirit decide what we should do?  If we did let our spirit take control … what are the desires of the spirit?

Matthew 26:41

Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

What is our spirit willing to do that our minds and bodies aren’t willing to do?  It says our flesh is weak.  Our bodies and minds are limited.  Our spirit working in line with God’s will is indeed very strong.

Could we fellowship in greater intimacy with Jesus?   Could we pray on a whole other level?  Could we access power of Jesus to deliver healings?  Could we be like the guy Paul mentions that is caught up to the 3rd heaven?  Might we be truly be able to walk around in pure joy?

Ephesians 4:23-24

and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, ²⁴ and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.

So, how do I reverse the order?  To put my spirit man in charge of my mind and body?   We know the things of the spirit do not make sense to the mind.  Will I have to do something foolish and offend my mind in order to allow my spirit have control?

God, renew my spirit with the new creation I received and am still receiving through salvation.  Teach me how to access and enter Your kingdom by giving my spirit man control over my body and mind.

So I was recently reading a book about faith (a great book by the way called “The Good Fight of Faith” by Alan Vincent) … and in the book, he describes some of the symbolism in the bible.  One of the examples he refers to is where Jesus curses the fig tree because it was not bearing any fruit.  Alan’s point goes on to illustrate how the fig symbolizes religion.

When I say “religion” I am referring to man’s construct of rituals and laws designed to make us feel adequate in God’s sight (even though only the blood of Jesus can do that).  We feel that if we go to church enough or do enough good things that we will somehow be justified in God’s eyes.

Genesis 3:7

Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings.

So, anyways, I read this verse this morning, which reminded me of Alan’s concept of the “fig” as a symbol of religion and if you’ll recall what happened after God has his little run-in with Adam and Eve after they’ve eaten of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, God replaces their fig leaves (religion … our self-prescribed solution to cover our nakedness and fallen/sinful status) with tunics of skin.  After the original sin, mankind tried to “cover” himself with his own remedy: fig leaves (religion) instead of coming to God for forgiveness and the true remedy for sin.

How much greater is God’s covering for our sin, than religion?