God’s Living Words

Posted on August 7, 2009 by Jody Neufeld

Leave It There by Rev. Dr. Charles A. Tindley

If the world from you withhold of its silver and its gold,
And you have to get along with meager fare,
Just remember, in His Word, how He feeds the little bird;
Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there.

Chorus:
Leave it there, leave it there,
Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there.
If you trust and never doubt, He will surely bring you out.
Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there.

If your body suffers pain and your health you can’t regain,
And your soul is almost sinking in despair,
Jesus knows the pain you feel, He can save and He can heal;
Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there.

When your enemies assail and your heart begins to fail,
Don’t forget that God in Heaven answers prayer;
He will make a way for you and will lead you safely through.
Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there.

When your youthful days are gone and old age is stealing on,
And your body bends beneath the weight of care;
He will never leave you then, He’ll go with you to the end.
Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there.

I’ve been listening to this song almost every day on a CD. If you are familiar with this hymn, the version I have been enjoying may be – different. It is done with drums and electric keyboard and guitars. The style of the hymn may have changed but I bet that Rev. Tindley would approve if he saw how his inspired hymn continues to draw us closer to the Lord almost 100 years after he first heard it in his heart.

I decided to use this hymn for my devotion today because I do believe that God continues to give His inspired word to us today. How do I know? Because words like those found in this song, line up with the 66 books of Scripture that most of us know. God isn’t silent. He loves us. When you love someone, you do want to speak to them!

So as you celebrate Sabbath this weekend, allow the songs to speak to you just as Scripture speaks to you. Maybe even make a note of the songs that you sing so you can meditate on them through the week. You can find song lyrics on the internet. (www.google.com and put in the title in quotes) Allow God to continue to speak to you every day.

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Doing Well

Posted on August 6, 2009 by Jody Neufeld

For we hear of some who walk among you in rebellion, who don’t work at all, but are busybodies. Now those who are that way, we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.

But you, brothers, don’t be weary in doing well.            2 Thessalonians 3:11-13 (WEB)

I once read a blog from a well-known Christian person who quoted part of this as a basis for not giving money to people who stand on corners with signs asking for money. The tone of the piece was very condemning and self-righteous. Again, I am taught a lesson about taking Scripture out of context.

When I read a verse of Scripture, if I am to truly begin to absorb the truth of what God is saying to me, I must read more than just A verse. It is more than the paragraph. It is more than the chapter. It is even more than the book that the verse is contained. History, culture, the author, and even my current situation all play a part in what God is saying to me in a given verse.

These verses are a disciplinary word to me about the times that I have been a Christian busybody! Discussing a person’s prayer need and crossing the line into gossip when I asked for more information. I do not need details to pray! Paul says, “Jody, pay attention to what God is telling you to do – which does not include criticizing the spiritual lives of others!” Ouch.

“doing well” is doing what God wants me to do. It is walking obediently in what He wants me to do and think. It is walking my life in the footsteps of Jesus. Following His example. Grow weary in doing that? Absolutely.

Weariness may comes from 24/7 life that is in service, prayer, and personal study. It can easily become un-balanced. How many burned out ministers and missionaries do you know? Or people who were very involved in the work of the fellowship and then – resigned from every committee and even stopped coming to church. Burned out. Remember how many times we read in the gospels that Jesus went to the mountains or went apart from His disciples? Jesus knew He needed to regenerate and He did that. This weekend, I am going to regenerate. I am going to spend time with friends and recharge my spiritual batteries. With balance, I will continue “doing well”!

Kingdom work is the best work! It takes me into places I never dreamed of going! It brings me into network with people I do not believe I would have every met or had an opportunity to join in work. The work brings wonderful, usually unexpected moments when Jesus is present and blessings abound!

Let us in quietness seek Jesus’ direction in our day. In humility let us obey His commands and serve without applause or fanfare. Let us follow Jesus’ example of a balanced life so that we do not grow weary in doing good.

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Who Will Be in Heaven?

Posted on August 5, 2009 by Jody Neufeld

Behold, one came to him and said, “Good teacher, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?” Matthew 19:16 (WEB)

I spent some time today chatting with a man who was very concerned about his father. “J” said that his father went to church all his life but “I’m not sure he really knows Jesus”. Like many of us, “J” wanted his dad to profess his faith so that he, “J”, would know that his dad will be going to heaven when he dies.

When I am looking for answers to questions I usually start in the gospels to say what Jesus says. In this passage of Matthew’s gospel, Jesus tells the rich young man to “obey the commandments”. (v. 17) When the young man said he had done all of that and wanted more assurance of his destination, Jesus told him to “sell everything and then follow me”. (v. 21) Hmmm. Jesus did not say that the man had to make a ‘public profession of faith’, did He? Although if I obey God’s commandments and follow Jesus, my life is a profession, isn’t it?

“I think we will be more surprised by who is in heaven than who is not in heaven.” – Henry Neufeld

For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; who desires all people to be saved and come to full knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:3-4 (WEB)

When I am considering the salvation or spiritual health of someone, I believe that I first must remember that Jesus is the only one who will be judging who goes to heaven and who does not. But maybe I am not attempting to judge another – I am just concerned about them. Then here are some questions for me to ask myself:

Am I living my life in Spirit and Truth? Am I who I profess to be to others? More importantly, does Jesus know my true profession or would He say He never knew me? (Matthew 7:23)

Am I servant like Jesus? (Matthew 25:21-46)

If I answer those questions in the affirmative, then whoever has my concern will have known Jesus through me. It is the first, even best step, that I should take. Then, when the Holy Spirit gives the opportunity, sharing my experience with Jesus can be given to the person. Questions come. That is what Jesus did. He proclaimed the Good News as He lived the Good News.

Remember also Jesus’ parable about the vineyard workers. (Matthew 20) Jesus told parables to teach. And I think a side benefit to His parables was to often ‘poke’ at religious leaders who thought they had all the answers. In this parable, Jesus reminds us all that whether we have worked in His Kingdom all our life or whether we said we work for the Kingdom on our deathbed – the reward is the same – eternal life. And as I consider this parable I come back again to the important point – it is not my job to judge and determine the rewards of others. It is the job of the One – THE ONE – who is the owner of the vineyard!

So let us be about sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ – but make sure we are sharing it like Jesus did.

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Standing … Clinging … to His Promises

Posted on August 4, 2009 by Jody Neufeld

“…you whom I have upheld since you were conceived,

and have carried since your birth.

Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he,

I am he who will sustain you.

I have made you and I will carry you;

I will sustain you and I will rescue you.” Isaiah 46:3-4 (NIV)

This Scripture is on my wall, above my desk, next to my computer monitor. The words are ones that I stand on. Some days, I cling to them. Paul said that God’s promises are “Yes” and “Amen”. (2 Corinthians 1:20) That is the glue of my faith. God does not lie. God does what He says He will do.

There is a disconnect between what God says and what I understand. And so I spend more time with Jesus so as I learn Him so I will also learn about the Father. I press in with the Holy Spirit to gain understanding and wisdom.

What are the verses that you are standing on or clinging to today? Keep them close and allow them to simmer in your spirit. God bless you!

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Hang Out with Jesus!

Posted on August 3, 2009 by Jody Neufeld

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him. Without him was not anything made that has been made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men.          John 1:1-4 (WEB)

The WORD is JESUS. He has always been. The WORD – JESUS became flesh and lived with us. (v.14) A concept that my limited mind can not understand: Jesus was fully God AND fully man. Jesus was no less human than me. He was also God, Who had no beginning and will have no end.

John 2 tells the story of the wedding in Cana that Jesus attended with his new disciples. WHY? Why did Jesus go to that wedding? Why do you go to a wedding? Because you are invited! And why are you invited to a wedding? Because the people like you! (Unless you are a ‘have to’ relative!) Jesus must have been someone that others like to be around. They wanted Him at their home; at their celebrations.

Do you like Jesus? If you like Jesus, do you like hanging out with Him a lot? To get to know someone, I have to spend time with them. What would happen if I spent only 1 hour/week or 1 day/week or even less than 1 hour/day with someone? What if I spent that little bit of time with my husband? With my children? How would I know them? I want to be a disciple of Jesus. The first disciples spent 24/7 with Jesus for three years and still they did not understand Him! They expected the Messiah to come with power and restore the kingdom of God on earth! That was not Jesus’ mission! Even a learned man like Paul writes like he expected Jesus to come back in his life time. Jesus did not.

When Henry does not react or answer me the way I expect him to answer – what is my response? Sulk. Ignore. Pull away. “You don’t really love me!” “I must have done something wrong or you would have given me what I wanted!”

I do the same to Jesus. When the answer does not come or “no” comes instead of “yes” – I pull back. Will that get me an answer to the “Why did you do that, Jesus?” question?

In the story of the prodigal son, Luke 15, the father is watching, watching, always watching for the son to return home. The father never stops watching – because his love is never-ending. And then there is the other son who has done all that his father has ever asked – and that son also does not realize the love his father has for him. Jesus told that story because He wanted me to get it that He – God – loves me. Whether I am new in my relationship with Him and do not realize how much He loves or whether I have been walking with Him for 50 years – there will still be more love to realize! And as our relationship grows – so will my trust for Him grow.

Read John 1 and Luke 15. Spend time with our friend, Jesus, and begin to soak in the love that will grow the relationship. There is always more!

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Jesus, Son of God, Servant of All

Posted on July 31, 2009 by Jody Neufeld

Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he came forth from God, and was going to God, arose from supper, and laid aside his outer garments. He took a towel, and wrapped a towel around his waist. Then he poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.         John 13:3-5 (WEB)

When I think of Jesus as a servant, this is the passage that comes to mind. God-in-the-flesh washing the dirty, stinky feet of these men. I would have reacted like Peter – hiding my feet under my coat and refusing to let my Teacher do such a thing! And then when Jesus explained that if He was not allowed to serve me in such a way that I could not spend eternity with him – “Well, Lord, just go ahead and bathe all of me!”

Everything Jesus did, however, was about serving the common people. He made a point to take those who were thought as “less than” and elevate them as worthy of His care.

He healed a widow’s son. (Luke 7) He told a parable about a widow, using her as an example on how to pray persistently. (Luke 18) He acknowledge the unclean, sick woman and showed me not to be afraid to go after Him in my desperation.  (Luke 8 ) And the sinful woman, (Luke 7) Jesus points to her, not in condemnation, but as my example on how to worship Him – giving all that I have and without embarrassment.

No one was too disgustingly sick (like lepers), too young (children), or too old (Peter’s mother), to receive Jesus’ compassionate loving attention or His gentle touch.

Whom shall I serve today?

Have this in your mind, which was also in Christ Jesus, who, existing in the form of God, didn’t consider equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, yes, the death of the cross. Therefore God also highly exalted him, and gave to him the name which is above every name; that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, those on earth, and those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

So then, my beloved, even as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God who works in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure. Do all things without murmurings and disputes, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you are seen as lights in the world, holding up the word of life…        Philippians 2:5-16 (WEB)

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Check the Temptation – Kick Out the Tempter!

Posted on July 30, 2009 by Jody Neufeld

Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil. He ate nothing in those days. Afterward, when they were completed, he was hungry…

When the devil had completed every temptation, he departed from him – until another time.

Luke 4:1-2, 13 (WEB, my emphasis)

Here is another Scripture that testifies to me that Jesus was fully human. He was tempted. Satan tempted Jesus through human frailties.

– “Are you hungry?” “Is there something you ‘hunger’ after?” Satan can subtly point you down a path to get it! Want a plasma TV but you really can’t afford it? How about a payment plan or the ‘lose your job coverage’?

– Want to be ‘the best’? How much are you willing to pay in time and priorities to reach ‘successful’? What standard are you using to define success and to whom are you comparing yourself? What are you making your #1 priority?

– Are you doing destructive things in your life or have friends with influence that are destructive? Will you throw yourself off the tower of stress, addiction, and bad choices in order to avoid discipline or achieve success?

The devil is a crafty, sneaky, and subtle liar! He uses my ego and pride against me like a well-sharpened knife! Look at Luke’s words: he departed from him – until another time.

The devil will keep coming back and will turn away only when I order him to go with the power of Jesus and choose to stay as close to Jesus as I can get! Satan hates it when I worship Jesus!

Temptation and this world are synonymous. For now and until Jesus comes back, Satan owns this world – but he doesn’t own me! My feet are planted on the Rock, Jesus Christ, and I choose to stand there!

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Could oppression, or anguish, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Even as it is written, “For your sake we are killed all day long. We were accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” No, in all these things, we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.      Romans 8:35-39 (WEB)

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Leaving the Comfort Zone

Posted on July 29, 2009 by Jody Neufeld

Now it happened, when all the people were baptized, Jesus also had been baptized, and was praying. The sky was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended in a bodily form as a dove on him; and a voice came out of the sky, saying “You are my beloved Son. In you I am well pleased.”

Jesus himself, when he began to teach, was about thirty years old, being the son (as was supposed) of Joseph,…         Luke 3:21-23 (WEB)

Why did Jesus get baptized? I would think, primarily, to tell us to do it! I was baptized as an infant. For me, as a parent, this was an important ceremony in which I said, “This child is yours, Lord.” When I was 40 and made my commitment to Jesus, I decided to be baptized just as Jesus was. The ceremony did not make me His disciple but it was an outward sign of the change in my heart. Even now, 15 years later – I can remember how clean I felt coming up out of that water! I felt like a child basking in her Father’s unconditional love and approval.

Jesus was 30 years old, the son of Joseph, the carpenter. We are told nothing of His life after age 12 until this day when He began the ministry that He had come to do. What did Jesus do for those 18 years? We are told He was obedient to His parents and grew physically and in wisdom. For 18 years, Jesus, God-in-the-flesh, life totally human. He went to school, did chores, worked with Joseph as a carpenter, and grew. He learned what it was to be a man and prepare to move on into His calling.

“Calling” and “ministry” sounds so holy and “church-y”. Jesus had a passion in His heart – just like me. God has given me a call and He has given me gifts to equip me. As I have grown up and learned and watched for the opportunities that God places in my path, I leave the comfort of my home (comfort zone) and set out on the path He has for me. Jesus left His family and the carpentry to do what He had been called to do. When He was facing a crowd that wanted to stone Him, He did not turn back. When He faced Jerusalem, He did not turn back. Jesus and the Twelve and all His disciples since that time have taken the passion, the call given to them, and did not turn back.

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Could oppression, or anguish, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Even as it is written, “For your sake we are killed all day long. We were accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” No, in all these things, we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:35-39 (WEB)

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Growing Up Like Jesus

Posted on July 28, 2009 by Jody Neufeld

It happened after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them, and asking them questions. All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. When they saw him, they were astonished, and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us this way? Behold, your father and I were anxiously looking for you.”

He said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?” They didn’t understand the saying which he spoke to them. And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth. He was subject to them, and his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.           Luke 2:46-52 (WEB)

I have found this passage to be troubling and not often used in sermons and Sunday School lessons. If the passage is used, we focus on Jesus’ divinity and how He was teaching the elders at a young age, pointing out that his parents were clueless as to why He had stayed in the temple.

Jesus is said to be listening and asking questions. If you are a Bible teacher, that is what you want your students to do. Not that as a teacher I think I have all the answers but if the student is listening and questioning, he/she is learning and may find answers! ‘Bumps on logs’ do not learn. At best they can only regurgitate what is told to them!

Jesus’ parents also discipline as I have. You question why the child would do something to cause you worry and fear. The first question should have been “What are you doing, Jesus?” to which He replied that He was about His Father’s work. Later – a reminder to let His earthly parents know prior to His actions or send word as to what He was doing might be a better plan.

And so we then read that Jesus went home to be obedient and grow physically – and in wisdom. It I doubted that Jesus was fully human – Dr. Luke has set me to face the Truth. Jesus as 12 was still a boy. He was not ready to begin His ministry. I also must ‘grow up’ in my faith, learning to be obedient and learning God’s wisdom.

Notice also that it does not say specifically that Jesus memorized books of the Torah or fasted three days a week or even attended synagogue every week. Luke may have assumed that we would all know that but may I am to learn through the way God desires to teach me instead of completing a checklist. God wants me to learn through my heart and make a life change. He wants me to grow into – an alien who is always longing for home!

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The Common Jesus

Posted on July 27, 2009 by Jody Neufeld

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [He] was in the beginning with God…

The Word became flesh, and lived among us.         John 1:1-2, 14 (WEB)

Jesus was a common name. It was like John or James. There would have been several boys named Jesus in Nazareth. Isaiah, the prophet, said that the Messiah would not be charismatic but common. Maybe Jesus had bad hair. Maybe He was even clumsy. We know He had calloused hands and dirty feet! And yet those hands brought healing and those feet received the loving tears of a forgiven woman and the nails of a sinful world.

I am common. I am Jesus’ disciple. It is Jesus’ plan to use me to show others His healing hands and forgiving heart. God had the eternal vision to come to earth – fully human – and show me The Way. Jesus had a frail human body that lost skin when He fell down. The sun burned His flesh. He was susceptible to fatigue and headaches. It may seem irreverent but Jesus was totally human! To see Jesus hitting His thumb with a hammer is to realize that He really knows what it means to have pain and need healing.

A disciple of Jesus is fully human. Jesus is my only standard and so I may not be self-righteous. I have only Jesus in me to give me righteousness. Just as Jesus was approachable and reachable because He was human, so God uses me to reach His hurting, lost children when I am real and humble. It has always been God’s only plan to use His children to reach out to their siblings. It is our very weakness that allows His strength to flow to lift and heal His children.

In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.        John 1:4-5 (WEB, my emphasis)

Remember how Jesus said that a person does not take a candle or a lamp and put it under a bowl but instead put it on a table so that it may give light to the whole room. (Matthew 5) Jesus wants His light in me to shine to the world. He wants me to be crystal clear so His light can shine unhindered.

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