bondage breaker

      For one of the classes I am taking this fall, I have to read 8 books in 8 weeks.  We are now into the sixth week of the class.  I have enjoyed most of the books quite a bit as it helps to show different counseling methods and models.  This week I initially resisted the ideas presented in the book by Dr.Neil Anderson called "The Bondage Breaker".  I don't know that he really presents a counseling model, but he does remind us that there is a spiritual battle going in in the believers life and this battle starts in the mind.  One of his big ideas is that we are to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ 2 Corinthians 10:5

    While I am not endorsing all of the book since I don't believe that believers can be influenced by demons and things like that, I do think that it is a good reminder that what we believe about ourselves is often how we behave.  It is also a good reminder that Satan does not want us to understand who we are "in Christ".  That little phrase "in Christ" is used often, particularly by Paul the apostle, in describing our relationship with God.  It is a key to understanding how God sees us and how God can welcome us with open arms into his family.  Because we are victors in God's eyes over sin because of what Jesus did on the cross and the power of the resurrection.

     So, it is important to replace lies with truth.  Lies can be subtle, but also very dangerous.  An example that is mentioned in the book "Search for Significance" by McGee is that this

   "I am what I am.  I cannot change. I am hopeless." (McGee, 1990).

     A lot of people believe they cannot change.  In truth, they don't want to change.  Change is sometimes painful and difficult.  But, the truth is that under the power of Jesus nobody is hopeless.  And you can overcome sin and change and become more christ-like.  You can have victory.  It isn't just for the super spiritual.  God does accept you and loves you, but also wants you to experience more of that love and grace.  Another lie goes like this:

    "I must be approved by certain others to feel good about myself."

    There are people who commit suicide or do all sorts of foolish things when they experience peer pressure because they think they must be approved by certain people.  The truth is that even if nobody approves of your actions or likes you God still loves you.  When you base your self-worth on what he thinks about you rather than other people's opinions then you can experience peace knowing that God loves you.  If others don't want to be your friend or like you then that is their loss, not yours.

Sent

      Jesus said, "I can do nothing on My own initiative, As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is just, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me."  John 5:30

    Years ago, I went to a church where there was a sign at the end of the parking lot.  It said, "Now entering mission field".  The truth is, that though there are professional missionaries who get paid to go to other places and do mission work we are all on mission.  A lot of the time most christians forget that and think they are simply here to do their own will instead of God's.  Jesus Himself repeated many times that he was on a mission that the Father had sent him on.  You'll notice, particularly in the gospel of John, that the word "sent" is used numerous times.  What were you "sent" to do?

    I say this because I think it is easy for us to get off of God's agenda for our lives and get on to our own.  We can get caught up in the attraction of having things or doing things that are good and miss the best.  I think this is why Jesus spent so much time in prayer.  The temptations were there for him both big and small.  They wanted to make him king more than once.  But, he steadfastly refused because he understood that was not a part of his mission.

    I think this is one of the things that makes the gospel something that brings hope to people.  That God gives us a purpose and mission also.  Back in 1988, I went on a mission trip with several other people to the state of Nevada.  We did some backyard bible clubs (poorly organized) and VBS (I think I worked in about 5 that summer) and I did some preaching (poorly).  After coming back someone asked me why I went and what I had learned.  I remarked that the only thing I learned was that I didn't want to go out west.  Sometimes it is still hard to see where and why God sent me to some places or if God did.  But, God's word does not return void.

     But, I think we also need to be careful about trying to get God to bless our agenda.  We can fool ourselves sometimes with our motivation.  God's people do all sorts of things for their own agenda and reasons instead of his.  That doesn't mean that he is going to bless our agenda or mess that we create.  He patiently waits for us to get on the same page as Him and that requires humility, solitude and prayer.  It requires for us to get our priorities right.  It requires for us to be quiet.  Do you know how hard it is for some people just to be quiet for one second?

 

Loaves and Fishes

    In several places in the gospels, the story is told of Jesus taking a few fish and loaves and feeding a multitude.  One story it is 5,000 men and another situation is 4,000 men not counting women, children and slaves.  Have you ever wondered why these stories are emphasized so much in the gospels?

     In Matthew 14:13-21, we have the story of the 5,000 that were fed.  It says that the disciples realized the people were getting hungry and told Jesus that he should send the people away that they might buy food.  But, when they said this Jesus replied, "They do not need to go away; you give them something to eat!" verse 16.   The disciples are quick to point out the impossibility of this claiming that they only have five loaves and two fish.  These fish were more like sardines and what is that among thousands.

  In Marks account of this same story in Mark 6 it says that one of the disciples remarked that it would take two hundred denari (about 7 months wages) for them to have something to eat and even then they wouldn't be full. 

  Why, in God's infinite wisdom, did he allow them to get into this situation?  Did you ever notice that sometimes God will allow you to walk into a situation where there is a crisis of faith?  Jesus himself walked into the wilderness to face temptation early on in his ministry.  Peter had to step out of the boat and walk on water to Jesus.  Faith must be tried through the furnace of affliction to be purified.  The disciples faith was still very weak.  So, he put them in this situation to teach them to trust Him.

   One of the things you don't see in this passage is Jesus in a panic.  He already had a plan.  What looked impossible to the disciples was plain and ordinary to Jesus.  I think it is the same with us.  Sometimes he just says to us "Go and look" and lets us see how impossible the situation is and waits for us to bring it to him.  Notice in this passage in Matthew 14:18 Jesus says, "Bring them here to me."  Then, our weak efforts and insufficient efforts are more than enough.  Only then, are we adequate.  Because we are conquerors only through Him.