THOMAS

On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. … Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.” Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:19-20, 24-28 ESV)

            The church, the bride of Christ, is a unique blending of personalities, which was part of God’s design from the beginning. Since the time of the Lord’s earliest disciples, it has taken many types of people to make the church function.

            Think about the original disciples. What a great arsenal of giftings. The New Testament portrays a few of them in the following way: James, the methodical; John, the loyal; Peter the impetuous; Judas, the deceiver; and Thomas, the doubter. These are the descriptive words most readily given to these members of the Twelve

            I have heard many evangelist and pastors state that they best identify with Peter.  In other words, they see themselves as people who act first, think second and regret forever.  Peter had hoof in mouth disease, a chronic condition involving open mouth, insert foot, and clap down firmly.

            Imagine a church full of Peters as seen in the Garden of Gethsemane. Everyone going around inflicting wounds yet no one there to administer healing. God gave the Jameses to salvage the blunderings of the Peters. God gave the Johns to show the compassion behind the decisions of the Jameses. I do not fully appreciate the role of the Judases but they have a place in the church as well.

            The church is also comprised of faithful doubters, people like Thomas. I understand them most of all. He did not doubt the existence of God and His ability to perform miracles, healings, or the supernatural. Rather, he questioned what some call a miracle, what some attribute as a healing, and what some portray as supernatural.

            A Peter more eagerly declares something as extraordinary, while a Thomas initiates an investigation. A Peter quickly claims an occurrence as a miracle, while a Thomas analyzes the evidence. A Peter estimates the size of a gathering, while a Thomas takes an actual head count.

            How does a doubting Thomas fit into a faith community?

A Thomas clarifies truth

            They are the demanders, not satisfied with anything less than genuine and real. They are the investigators who search for and validate truth. Think about it, because of Thomas the disciples received another encounter with the resurrected Lord.

            In the Pentecostal church people often call marginal events miraculous. What is the pit-fall of such behavior? They become immunized from and quit looking for pure manifestations of the supernatural.

            Are Spirit-filled believers guilty of calling common occurrences wondrous? In these situations, a Thomas demands higher expectations. Under these circumstances, a Thomas would call for clear and undeniable proof.

A Thomas makes others reach out for more

            A Thomas investigates more thoroughly, demands to see the authentic, and desires greater accuracy through their gift of skepticism. In their hesitation they do not deny faith but look for genuine workings of faith. They may doubt a certain event but not the ability for an event to occur. They may question a particular healing but not divine healing.

            When these kinds of people ask the church to look for a clear witness of divine intervention, they take the risk of being misunderstood by fellow believers. They are willing to hazard ridicule for the benefit of the church. They want the actions of the Lord to be validated and broadly proclaimed.

Thank God for a Thomas personality

           

            When overseeing a church, I appreciated the actions of the Peters and the compassion of the Johns. Yet the Thomases caused the greatest improvements.

            Thomases demand better and drive the church to excellence in areas still containing mediocrity. Their gift chastens and refines the church. They bring out the best by reflecting on the worse. The Johns fortunately encourage believers while a Thomas keeps up the pressure for more perfect outcomes.

            I do struggle liking the Judases. They are the ones who put faithful and dedicated followers of Jesus on the cross, a humbling and purifying action that is occasionally needed.

Everyone has a function

            All kinds of personalities make-up the kingdom of God.  Everyone has a place, everyone has a role in God’s overall scheme, and no gifting is excluded. The church would be in terrible shape if full of just one kind of disposition.

            No one should expect all believers to be the same and always in agreement. God, in His genius, knew what was required for the church to function perfectly. The call to everyone who loves the Lord is to appreciate and love one another.

            God is not offended when the church looks for genuine manifestations of His supernatural power. A Thomas challenges believers to raise their expectation, to raise the bar of excellence.

            As you can probably guess, I best identify with Thomas. I have been accused of being a pessimistic-optimist, which is another way of calling me a realist. I quickly assess the worst-case scenario before determining the best course of action, similar to the gospel. People must recognize their sin, know they are heading the wrong direction, see Jesus, turn around, and aim for the celestial city, in that order.

Peter and Thomas

            I was privileged to work with a nationally known evangelist for a few years. He was a wonderful brother in the Lord. We had been acquainted with each other for quite a long time. My wife had earlier babysat his children, and eventually we all became friends by my serving as chairman for a couple of his citywide crusades. Both events had been highly successful.

            He was a creative, gifted, and witty communicator, able to clearly give the message of grace and hope to the average person on the street. He possessed a natural charm and magnetism, and was passionate to tell everyone about Jesus. He wanted to personally bring a million people to the Lord in his lifetime. I feel strongly he probably achieved his goal. Yet there were many pressures caused by his varied interests and demanding schedule that required special and unique assistance.

            I was a member of one of his oversight boards when an unexpected phone call came. He said, “Bob, I want you to come work with me.” I was a Thomas; he was a Peter. We were both risk takers, yet I was very meticulous and thorough, while he could be a bit reckless and occasionally brazen. I immediately saw a train wreck in the making and replied, “Even though we’re good friends, trust me, you really don’t want me working with you.” I saw the potential of a highly frustrating work environment.

            He was not the kind of individual who liked being told something could not work. My “no” response fanned a flame inside him. He was determined to prove we could make it amiable.

            The phone calls came fast and furious, coming at all times of day and night, even at inopportune moments. In the middle of a church service a deacon answered the office phone and was shocked by who was on the other end of the line. He quickly came to me in the service and simply said I had an urgent phone call. When I said hello and heard his voice I immediately told him I was busy and hung up. Did that end the phone calls? Not at all!

            Our personal habits were part of the challenge in obtaining a working relationship. I, on the one hand, am a morning person while he was a nocturnal animal. By late afternoon I quit making decisions, register information in the back of my mind, and consider them in the morning. He, on the other hand, came up with some of his most creative ideas well after dark and enjoyed late night conversations.

            Weary of the constant phone calls, I decided to be perfectly candid about all the reasons why a joint-labor relationship was not feasible. Not surprisingly, he had a response for every argument. Eventually he asked, “Would you at least pray about it?” I did, and came away from prayer realizing this was a divine appointment. I agreed to take the assignment on one condition: If he would not call me after 10:00 PM, I would not call him before 8:00 AM.

            Not long after linking up, a phone call came around 1:00 AM. As I laid quietly in bed listening, he excitedly told me his latest idea. When he was done I said, “Let me think on it and get back to you.” I called him back at 5:00 AM and said to a very drowsy guy, “I’ve had a chance to think about it and here is my take on the proposal ….” He never called after 10:00 PM ever again.

            He placed me second-in-command and we experienced many fun and happy moments. We also had several private, drawn out, and strenuous discussions, typical of two type “A” personalities. Between the two of us the volume and tone would sometimes intensify, but he knew I loved him and wanted him to be highly successful. He understood I was always cheering for him, was a big fan, and had his best interest at heart. If I was going to help him, I had to go toe-to-toe with him from time to time. I often went home totally exhausted after these moments. Yet my job was to hang in there, no matter what, and help him avoid needless disasters.

            One day we were sitting and relaxing, enjoying light conversation. He was sharing a couple of funny situations that recently happened during a crusade and a few of his hilarious jokes. We were both utterly amused and enjoying our time.

            During this lighthearted moment, after we were physically weak from laughing so hard, he unguardedly said, “Do you know what I don’t like? You never let me dream. As soon as I tell you my idea, you list the problems and shoot it to pieces. I know you’re right, but I just wish you’d let me dream for a while before you give me the full picture.”

            He was right. My strength was also a weakness. Having an ability to make quick and accurate assessments was hurting our relationship. From that moment on, whenever he told me a dream I simply listened and affirmed him, not necessarily the concept. Eventually, when he was ready, he would come back and ask my thoughts on the idea. The waiting proved beneficial. I was able to more accurately consider the proposal, come up with possible alternatives, and prepare a kinder reply.

            After I transitioned to another assignment, we casually kept in touch and briefly talked at various events. About twenty years later he was being recognized for his years of service and honored during a special celebration. I drove a couple hundred miles to attend. While sitting in the auditorium before the ceremony, I saw him standing by himself in a side hallway. I went over to say hello. As I was approaching a big smile came across his face. We started talking and laughing, like in the old days. Neither of us wanted to stop reminiscing. It was a great moment.

            Since then, he was gone home to be with the Lord, and I miss my friend.

Thankful

            My memories of our time together make me thank God for the Peters, and the Thomases that help them refine their efforts. A doubting Thomas keeps the church aiming for higher expectations, both in the natural and supernatural realm, and are very much needed. Welcome them!

DIVINE REVERENCE

And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. (Acts 2:42-43 ESV)

            Years ago I read in a periodical, “Do you wonder where the wonders went? They went with the wonder!” The writer was communicating a central truth: A direct correlation exists between a sense of awe and the manifestation of signs and wonders. Awe expresses reverence toward God, along with amazement at the miraculous accomplishments of the Holy Spirit.

            The sense of awe is always on account of the Lord’s doings, and is not owing to any efforts happening in His name. Awe is a reaction to an amazing God, not an idiom about an exciting event. It is inappropriate to speak of events as awesome, only the acts of Jesus create such wonders. A purely awesome moment is experienced when standing amazed at His presence, and nothing less.

            Awe is a response of people, while wonders are a product of God. Holy and genuine signs and wonders naturally produce feelings of astonishment, a reverence for God that creates an atmosphere conducive for continued supernatural occurrences. The unknowable is what came first in each circumstance, awe or wonders?

Irreverence

            “He went away from there and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. And on the Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished, saying, ‘Where did this man get these things? What is the wisdom given to him? How are such mighty works done by his hands? Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary…?’ And they took offense at him … And he could do no mighty work there…he laid his hands on a few people and healed them.” (Mark 6:1-3,5 ESV) Reverence is critical for seeing an abundance of wonders manifested by the Spirit.

            The quality of any relationship depends greatly on a person’s attitude toward them. When someone is treated flippantly or with disrespect, very little benefit comes out of the relationship, very little profit grows out of the association. Especially if that someone is in authority.

            This is definitely true about the Lord. When He is treated frivolously, heavenly abundance is strangely lacking in the human soul.

Reverence

            Reverence comes from the word revere, meaning “to show deference, to have deep admiration, to cherish tender feelings.” The word translated from the original language is also rendered shamefacedness. Modesty and restraint should characterize fellowship with God. Reverence is a quality of spirit designed to permeate the inward character, the very core of human existence.

            God is not desiring for any follower of Jesus to be afraid of Him. People were originally created for fellowship with Him. Yet no one cannot really love, worship, and serve the Lord and Master without reverence. You cannot enjoy a vibrant connection with Him unless there is a well-developed sense of honor and esteem.

            Paul reminds the church that the Lord is “Abba, Father!” (Galatians 4:6) Contemporary speakers frequently comment about the term communicating intimacy. They occasionally convey the idea using the endearing word “Daddy.” Yet the word in the original language is Father, not Dad, suggesting one of the most loving of all human ties yet warranting admiration and respect.

Reverence is not a spiritual straitjacket

            Some people associate reverence with staid, solemn church gatherings where no one dares make a sound apart from a rigid program. In reality, awe is often experienced amid sounds of joyful praise and great celebration. A heavenward respect, however, must be present and conveyed within both the realm of silence and in the atmosphere of exuberance. One posture is not necessarily more conducive than the other to a sense of astonishment and amazement.

            Spirit-filled worship has been accused of irreverence. Unfortunately, there are valid reasons for such conclusions. Problems will become manifested when a group of believers move out of the realm of the Spirit and into the energy of the flesh. If elements of the fallen nature get in the way of adulation and adoration, undesirable and unbecoming behavior is quickly manifested. A close encounter with God should never digress to corrupt reactions.

            Greater sensitivity is needed to discern when divine liberty has ended and human enactments has taken over. Intimate worship of the Lord must include reverence, accomplished solely by being constantly and continually in tuned to the Spirit.

Familiarity breeds contempt

            Thoughts and feelings toward someone can become so common and comfortable that eventually consideration and courtesy disappears. When this transpires undue liberties are often taken. If this treatment is allowed to continue the relationship deteriorates, especially with the Lord.

            For example, a leading cause for wondering if an assignment was coming to a close and if I should become open to a transition was the following: Has the relationship between the congregation and myself deteriorated to a point where my leadership can no longer be effective? If the signs were clearly evident of disproportionate and debilitating familiarity, I started to question if God was about to work a change and if another quest was on the horizon. Normally the answer came within a year.

            Throughout my years of church leadership, I never actively pursued any of my assignments, ever. On the other hand, I never wanted my continued presence to hold a congregation back from further advancement.

            I knew better then to leave on account of or during conflict and unrest. That is when leadership is needed the most, a time when sheep clearly need a shepherd. All my transitions occurred when everything was peaceful and rather serene; yet the required respect for leadership was gone and showed little or no signs of ever returning. In every profession, when the necessary and essential high regard is fully exhausted, a leadership change becomes imperative. Either the leader or the people transition.

Reverence protects against flippancy

            When it comes to eternal matters, a dangerous attribute is poking fun instead of being still. (2 Peter 3:3; Psalms 46:10) Believers who reflect the most sensitivity to the stirrings of the Spirit invariably demonstrate the highest quality of reverence, respect, and regard.

            From the home, to the classroom and to the workplace, the spirit of the age is rude and crude. The average person increasingly shows disdain for all kinds of authority, even within the ranks of people who claim to love God. No one can cherish the Lord without respect for those in responsible positions. There is no love for God while there is disdain for anyone, even enemies perceived or real.

            Jesus has a beautiful way of removing coarseness from the human spirit, if allowed. He makes people bold without rudeness or harshness. He gives believers confidence that does not degenerate into contemptuous familiarity.

Awe

            The current generation increasingly accepts permissiveness and moral laxity, showing themselves in many aspects of everyday living, even church life. Yet pure and undefiled respect and admiration for the Lord is needed in order to witness the mighty and miraculous works of Christ.

            Help restore a fresh infusion of reverence and sanctifying power in the church. Create sacred environments, instrumental for holy awe moments, where signs and wonders occur in greater frequency.

GAINING CHRIST

Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. (Philippians 3:8-11 ESV)

            Paul addresses one of the greatest blessings in following Jesus: Knowing the power of Christ’s resurrection. What does it take to fully attain this level of revelation?

            The average believer makes knowing Jesus a far too casual effort. Many mistake a mere introduction to Him as a full realization of Him. Have they become satisfied with just a little knowledge on account of the cost involved?

The meaning

            Gaining Christ means developing a relationship in which Jesus becomes the pre-eminent power in and over you, as well as everything associated with you. Paul had a noble religious background, was highly educated by one of the best scholars of Judaism, demonstrated unparalleled zeal for God, and showed flawless outward righteousness based on perfect standards. Yet Paul wanted to gain Christ in order to be found not having a righteousness of his own.

            People struggle constantly with a human tendency to take delight in their own form of virtue. They often try to experience the fullness of God by offering the worthless coupons of self-righteousness.

            The moment a person establishes a self-created standard of superior living, even such honorable yet sometimes pharisaic behavior as church attendance, benevolence, and the avoidance of evil, a wedge is driven between them and Jesus until correct drives, motivations and ambitions takeover.

            Gaining Christ means becoming completely enmeshed with Him. There can be no intimate encounter with Jesus while having the least bit of independence from Him. This is the perpetual battleground, and the reason for a snail-pace growth in spiritual formation.

            Some mistakenly revert back to religious pathways, beginning right and ending wrong. They begin in the Spirit yet attempt to finish in the flesh. Gaining Christ is not a once-for-all act and is also in constant motion, requiring walking in the Sprit daily.

Experiencing the fullness of God

            “I want to know Christ” can never happen until Jesus masterfully rules your life, involving complete identification with Him. By connecting to the sufferings experienced by Christ and becoming like Him in the crucifixion, then the manifested power seen when Jesus came back from the dead is personally witnessed. Yet when unwilling to undergo the prerequisites, you fail to experience resurrection power.

            Naturally, people make every effort to avoid and escape agony. Yet resurrection, the mightiest manifestation of omnipotence, cannot be demonstrated or fully embraced apart from the fertile soil found in the valley of death. No wonder many end up short of the fullness of God.

            Followers of Jesus are not masochist, yet the sorrow exemplified by Christ is necessary for resurrection. There must be a dying to self, which occurs on the roadway of grief, to flow in resurrection power.

Resurrection Today

            After serving as a staff pastor for a couple of fantastic preachers, my wife and I came to realize the time had come to experience our first solo flight. Shortly afterwards inquiries started to come asking of our availability.

            We visited a church located in a different State. The town had nice amenities, the church facility was newly built, the congregation was theologically solid and the finances were stable. We received a strong vote from the membership and an invitation to become their next pastor. Yet I sensed in my heart we were not to take the assignment. Both the congregation and State superintendent were disappointed, yet understanding and kind. We felt sad but knew we did the right thing.

            We visited another church within the State where we resided. The town was nice, the church was in good repair, the congregation was pleasant and the finances were okay. The congregation was meeting later in the week to consider our candidacy. While driving across the State to our home, my wife and I knew we were not supposed to be their next pastor. I called them and asked them to remove our name from consideration. We could not accept, if selected.

            We received a phone call from a church in Minnesota. We were not familiar with the culture or the climate of the State. We went to visit the church. The town seemed to have many nice features and the church building was located on a major thoroughfare. The facility, however, was on the verge of collapse.
            The structure was built in the latter part of the Great Depression using materials more readily affordable and available, some being second-grade or used lumber, bricks, and siding. Repairs were imperative. Paint was peeling off the siding, the roof was sagging, the shingles were cracked and water was constantly soaking the floors in the lower part of the basement. The lawn also had the most beautiful crop of dandelions my wife and I had ever seen. 

            A few people in the small congregation had some questionable beliefs but, overall, the members were amiable. Their theology appeared to lack solidity, showing slight shades of heresy. The finances were minimal. The congregation invited us to come and I sensed the Lord say, “Do it!” I became their next pastor.

            As is my natural inclination, I began to delve into the history of the church. The church had a roller-coaster past, averaging between 40 to 70 people for 40 years. The auditorium had a seating capacity of 95. I also discovered the average stay of a minister was two years, one only stayed nine months yet another made it to seven years. I eventually found out that pastors throughout the State considered the church a “preacher killer,” some leaving the ministry shortly after serving there.

            During one of our numerous conversations in the first year at this assignment I told my wife, “You know, if someone would ride this bucking bronco long enough I think it could be tamed.”

            The church was running 70 when we arrived but within six weeks was down to 40. Some did not like the message of Christ as presented from the pulpit and made a big splash while leaving. Ridiculous accusations were made and there was no lack of crazy rumors spreading throughout town about us, out of which a bazaar sense of humor evolved. The Proverb was proven true: “Laughter doth good like a medicine.”

            Although I was continually adjusting and hopefully improving my methods, attempting to make them less bothersome to people, I knew my theology was solid and could not alter the message. We said our goodbyes as kindly as possible to those leaving and were thankful for members who continued to support this inexperienced lead pastor.

            The whole journey was act of faith, including personal income. The deacons had devised a plan for providing a paycheck for the pastor. After determining what was weekly needed for upkeep and utilities, the rest of the offering was divided with 30% going to the pastor and 70% to the general fund. Some weeks gave little or no income. I was literally forced to learn how to take up an offering, encouraging people to be faithful givers, and never missed an opportunity.

            As a military veteran I still had some unused GI Bill funds available. For two years I attended a state university as a part-time student, pursuing an additional degree in business and finance. My first degree laid a good theological base but a weak administrative foundation. The additional funds from the GI Bill helped us survive financially and opened many doors of opportunity.

            The culture was radically different than anything we had ever experienced. My wife and I had a lot to learn. The customs were foreign. The store names were foreign. The product brands and various merchandise were foreign. The interests and topics of conversation were foreign. The mannerisms and traditions were foreign. We felt like foreign missionaries living in the different country. Other out-of-State pastors living in the region shared similar feelings. Regular fellowship and bonding with them was very helpful.

            The climate and weather was shocking. We knew cold but had never experienced frigid. The temperature went below freezing in November and below zero in January. Temperatures returned above zero in February and above freezing in April.
            Snow never melted in the winter but became coated with dirt, blowing about by frequently strong winds. Beautiful white snow took on an ugly gray appearance. We called it snirt. When the winds stopped the temperatures would dangerously plummet. Lungs could freeze without the nose and mouth covered.

            Most of the United States measures snow in inches, but Minnesota measures in feet. An eight-foot drift was in our driveway on five separate occasions in our last February at this location. Eventually there were no more places to put the snow while shoveling. A church member whose farm was close to town came with his tractor, having a gigantic snow blower attached. He blew the snow over the roof from the front to the back of the house, reducing the risk of further drifts blocking our entranceway.

            The summer months were often humid and suffocating. Sweat literally dripped off my nose onto my plate while sitting at the kitchen table for supper, and the mosquitoes were so big that wood ticks could hang off their legs. I often wondered if people enjoyed the environment or considered it a worthy opponent to overcome.

            By our third year finances stabilized and a solid growth pattern, though minimal, started to develop. Needed facility repairs and corrections were well underway, smiling faces were seen in the auditorium and a livable paycheck was provided for us. By the end of the fourth year the deacons approached me and said, “Pastor, you have been working hard, so we took action to increase your percentage of the offering to 40%.”

            Suddenly, the windows of heaven burst opened. I really do not know what happened, what made the difference. Was it a response for responsible members taking on a new mindset, a mindset of generosity? Was it a response to their desire so see their pastor and his family adequately cared for, embracing Paul’s comment about not muzzling “the ox while he is threshing…” (1 Corinthians 9:9-15)? Was it a response to their venture of faith to trust God in greater measure for the church finances? It was as if the Lord said, “I think this little band of believers warrants a special blessing.”
            Explosive growth occurred, impacting every age group. Pews became spaced 30 inches from each other with the first roll just eight feet away from the platform. Folding chairs were added to the back of the auditorium. People came 15 minutes early to the services to get a seat. Those coming late were handed a folding chair and sat in the aisles. (Obviously, the Fire Marshall did not attend the church.) Two children programs were added in different parts of the basement, as well as regular nursery care. The church grew to 175.

            The offerings skyrocketed. My wife and I became uncomfortable with the size of our personal income and secretively arranged for the Treasurer to divert some of our revenue to the building fund. The Deacons excitingly commented at our monthly meetings about the growing balance, while the Treasurer looked at me with a slight smile. They and several others started to give to the building fund, as well.

            For the next 52 straight weeks, at least one person decided to become a Christ follower in a Sunday morning service, and during the same 52 weeks at least one person yielded to the supernatural enduement of power from the Holy Spirit during a Sunday evening service. In my years of ministry, this had never occurred before or since. Excitement constantly reverberated throughout the entire congregation.

            At the end of our fifth year the Lord directed us to a different assignment. The church members we left proved to be some of the cream of the crop in the region. We love them dearly to this day.
            After we left, the congregation bought property closer to the University campus and eventually built a new facility. Praise the Lord!

            My Minnesota experience became my unaccredited doctoral program – solidifying my theology, strengthening my preaching, developing my inward grit, honing my administration skills, and affirming my divine calling. And one of the happiest moments of our lives came while living there; the birth of our fourth and final child, completing and crowning (the meaning of his name) our home.

            So why the story? One of the most profound lessons came while on my knees during one of my daily morning times at the church altar. Near the end of my fifth year I was reflecting on the goodness of God and the many gracious people now attending the church. I sensed the Lord speaking to my heart in a clear voice, “Not only did Jesus have to die for the Church but someone must be a crucible for the local church, and that someone is usually the pastor. If a church leader is unwilling to walk in the all-encompassing footsteps of Jesus, their church will never witness resurrection power.”

            Since then, I have been a guest speaker in several churches and often ask someone, in casual conversation, to tell me their story. Sooner or later attention is given to a person who served as a crucible, usually the pastor but sometimes a deacon or prominent church member. To date, I have yet to hear the story of a vibrant and alive church that did not have a crucible.

When you pray

            Many followers of Jesus began the first full week of this new year spending extra time in prayer, some privately and others with one another. The essence of all of Paul’s prayers is “I want to know Him!” All other petitions are simply facets of this earnest plea. To know Jesus is to partake in the very life of God. And to know the power of His resurrection involves tasting His sufferings. The results? Abundance!

        Presently, across America, churches need to change, having lost and needing to regain an unadulterated sense of her mission. Pastors, it is going to cost! Are you willing to fulfill your calling so the Church can fulfill her assignment? With an undying love for Jesus and a passion to present to Him a spotless Bride, gain Christ and witness resurrection power!

HEALING FOR TODAY

And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.” And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. And he began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” (Luke 4:17-21 ESV)

The disciples of John reported all these things to him. And John, calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to the Lord, saying, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” And when the men had come to him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to you, saying, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?’” In that hour he healed many people of diseases and plagues and evil spirits, and on many who were blind he bestowed sight. And he answered them, “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to them. (Luke 7:18-22 ESV)

And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse. She had heard the reports about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment. For she said, “If I touch even his garments, I will be made well.” And immediately the flow of blood dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. And Jesus, perceiving in himself that power had gone out from him, immediately turned about in the crowd and said, “Who touched my garments?” And his disciples said to him, “You see the crowd pressing around you, and yet you say, ‘Who touched me?’” And he looked around to see who had done it. But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling and fell down before him and told him the whole truth. And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.” (Mark 5:25-34 ESV)

            The power of healing is directly linked to the atonement of Calvary. Isaiah connects the dots between the two: “By His stripes we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5) Healing is not an addendum to the message of Jesus. Healing is an important element of the story. Jesus came to make you whole – soul, mind, body, and spirit.

            The crucifixion addresses complete healing, starting with the healing of soul, made possible by entering an intimate relationship with the Lord. Yet God is just as concerned with your mental outlook, your emotional stability and your physical wellbeing. Healing can involve a moment in time or a journey.

            Life is comprised of visible and non-visible, tangible and non-tangible, outward and inward, physical and non-physical. Most of the attention to healing is given to the outward and physical, but the greater part of living involves the inner person, the non-visible. Could healing for today be needed more in the human psyche than the human body?

            With increasingly rapid research and quick access to information, the demands upon the human condition are increasing. New coping mechanisms are being asked of people as they encounter higher levels of stress and strain. Some are finding success holding up under new dimensions of pressure. Many are not. More and more people are failing to handle anxiety sufficiently.

            Personality studies divide people into four groups; two in the introvert category and two classified extrovert. Introverts usually react under overwhelming pressure with depression; extroverts respond to extremely anxious moments with anger. Depression and anger are both a form of the same emotion, expressed in a manner conducive to a person’s basic disposition. The God who designed human personalities has the perfect healing solution for every temperament when an unhealthy malady develops.

            What can be done to avoid buckling under pressure and falling into despair? How can you handle despondency caused by world events and economic instability? What can be done to avoid exploding with violent and destructive behavior? How can you handle rage caused by obstacles and setbacks?  The answer is found by going to the Great Physician for a flawless cure.

Finger or Faith

            The woman with a blood issue, recorded in the gospel narrative, most likely had an abnormal bleeding from her uterus. Physicians only added to her sufferings. Their cure was worse than the affliction.

            Her pushing through the crowd was an act of faith. Her reaching out to touch His garment was an act of faith. Her actual touch was an act of faith. Faith is often nothing more than being desperate. When desperate, a good reaction is to reach out in faith.

            Upon touching the garment, the flow of bleeding stopped. This was not a temporary solution. The very cause of the illness was eradicated. She knew she was healed and Jesus knew His garment had been touched.

            How did the Healer know the difference between a hurting woman’s touch and all the other people jostling Him? Her touch was the finger of faith. Jesus was so sensitive to a manifestation of faith that He knew when the contact was only His garment and not Him.

            Now comes the difficult question: She extracted from Jesus healing without His consent. Does this mean a person’s faith obligates God? No!

            As the submitted Person of the Godhead on earth, the Father controlled the power. The healing occurred through the Father’s gracious decision to bestow on her the power active in the Son. By an act of grace, the Father determined to bless the woman’s faith.

            Faith was instrumental in effecting her healing. “Your faith has healed you.” (V. 34) But grace is what honored her faith, “go in peace and be freed.” (V. 34)

            It would be a mistake to emphasize the garment. The lesson in the narrative is that God graciously honors someone willing to reach out in faith. A friend of mine said it beautifully: “It wasn’t her finger, it was her faith – it wasn’t His garment, it was His grace.”

Oil or Prayer

            “So they went out and proclaimed that people should repent. And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them.” (Mark 6:12-13 ESV)

            “Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.” (James 5:14-15 ESV)

            Today the tangible act of faith is not touching a garment but anointing with oil. Yet the emphasis of healing is connecting the anointing with the prayer of faith. God graciously honors the faith behind the anointing.

            The disciples failed to know the difference between the clamor of crowds and the touch of faith. Many following Jesus today lack spiritual sensitivity as well. Believers should continually and constantly ask Jesus to keep them attuned to any needs requiring the faith associated with the anointing of oil and prayerfully participate in the operating power of divine healing.

Grace upon grace

            There are many unknown reasons for the way God works in your life. What if the healing does not immediately occur? There is a grace for healing and a grace for enduring. Either way, believers are to live in grace.

            “So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:7-10 ESV)

            When it comes to physical health I have been extremely fortunate. Besides the occasional aches and pains associated with aging, I have no limitations and am not on any medications. I am thankful.

            Yet I am well acquainted with healing for the inward being. A few years ago I became a casualty of panic attacks. An average night’s sleep was just long enough to address exhaustion, approximately two hours. Slumber would end with my heart racing and my body drenched in cold sweat. My mind would slip into high gear and tussle with my circumstances, while sleep evaded me. Lifestyle changes needed to be made.

            I began my makeover by addressing eating habits and physical fitness. Yet diet and exercise did not adjust the third critical component for bodily wellness, rest. My best efforts to tackle my inward condition was coming up short. The damaged outlook continued unabated for months, almost a year, causing additional inward injury and personal danger. Sadly, a change in environment needed to happen.

            I suppose I could have continued on my proven pathway if I was willing to be medicated, sleeping pills and tranquilizers. Doctors and medicines are a viable aid to health and healing, and are visited or used when personally needed. Yet in this case my conscience said no. My mind could not accept a temporary antidote or a patch job. I needed a complete reengineering. The Great Physician knew best my psyche, and what would bring lasting transformation. The only One who consistently through the years proved Himself faithful and true was the only One I was willing to trust with my inner constitution and future.

            The next two years was a prolonged season of emotional recalibrating. Diet and exercise continued to be critical, but reconnecting and living among lifelong friends who knew me by my name instead of a title, and experiencing the safe environment and protection of their unconditional love and unqualified acceptance was essential. These action steps, along with extended periods of Scripture reading, prayer and meditation, provided healing to my outlook. I discovered in the overall process greater depths of humility bringing newer heights of grace.

            I am not the same as I use to be. I am much more sensitive to the tragedy of the human condition, the battle raging within that many people are losing. The look of anguish is becoming the new normal in this day and age, a facial expression seen on numerous faces giving testimony of a private world in chaos.

            I know the look very well. It used to be mine. Yet I can say without reservation there is hope in the Lord, and a peace that surpasses human comprehension.

            Knowing the cause of a dilemma or what is actually troubling within will not bring the ultimate solution. Knowing God, His boundless strength and awesome goodness, is the final answer. 

            I presently abide in a grace upon grace phenomena. I better know my boundaries and have built sturdier guardrails.  But more importantly, I have come to experience the unlimited boundaries of grace that exists in the Lord Jesus Christ, available by the touch of faith. He is the proven Healer.

Cleansing

            The radio preacher C. M. Ward, from the Revivaltime broadcast, gave some practical instructions on how to prepare for your healing. These actions were part of the process in my healing. And they are beneficial for every form of healing – physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. You will profit by applying them to your healing need.

            Cleanse your body. Diet and exercise matters. Fasting may be necessary. Poor habits cause illness.

            Cleanse your soul. Come to God and confess sin. The guilt of unconfessed sin causes illness.

            Cleanse your spirit. Get rid of any root of bitterness. Bitterness causes illness.

            Cleanse your mind. Be thankful! Ungratefulness causes illness.

            Trust God for your healing. He cares more than anyone about your complete health – soul, mind and body. Like the woman with uncontrollable bleeding you will know when you are healed. Until then, abide in grace and trust Him!