Author: Craig

The Rubble, The Babble, and The Spirit

/ Craig / Leave a comment

IMG_7907

4And I said to the angel who talked with me, “What are these, my lord?” 5Then the angel who talked with me answered and said to me, “Do you not know what these are?” I said, “No, my lord.” 6Then he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts. 7Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain. And he shall bring forward the top stone amid shouts of ‘Grace, grace to it!’”

8Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 9“The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also complete it. Then you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent me to you. 10For whoever has despised the day of small things shall rejoice, and shall see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel.  Zechariah 4:1-10

Small beginnings.

Zerubbabel was tasked by God with what seemed impossible: rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem from the large pile of rubble, a mountain of rubble, currently occupying its former space. His small beginnings were an object of contempt among his detractors. But God awakened Zechariah to encourage Zerubbabel to continue laying out the stones so that he could choose the cornerstone that would set the foundation and the walls of the temple.

God’s grace.

Large tasks and visions have their temptations. The leader is tempted to rely on her own wits, authority, and power. While these require skill and political awareness. The spiritual leader called by God has an ultimate point of reliance. The spiritual leader relies on the Spirit of God. God says, “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit.”
Jesus promised the Holy Spirit to His disciples. Jesus fully intends to build His church. Therefore He continues to give “impossible” tasks to His disciples. But He gives His Word. And He gives His Spirit as our Helper.

26“But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me.John 15:26

 

6But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart.7Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.8And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment:9concerning sin, because they do not believe in me;10concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer;11concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.12“I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.13When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.14He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.15All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.  John 16:6-15

Dreams from the heart of God

What’s the great mountain standing between you and the dream God has put in your heart? Last weekend Origin Church explored God’s Word to Zerubbable as a word for us. In our spiritual journey we believe disciples are graced with dreams of Jesus’ work in the lives of people. Every great dream has small beginnings. We must not despise the day of small beginnings. Although we bring all we’ve got we do not rely on ourselves as the ultimate force. Spiritual leaders rely on the Spirit of God “to build the house.” God brings the grace that fully exceeds our strengths and our weakness.

Here’s our encouragement: God says, “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit.”

 

Unlimited Access

/ Craig / Leave a comment

IMG_0207

1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. Romans 5:1-5

Through my online reader I see headlines from several national newspapers. When I see what interests me I go to it. But after I reach the mark of “ten articles per month” my access is limited. It is so disappointing to click on an article and then see the screen popup with the message: “For only $___ a month you can get unlimited access.” You see my frugality now.

Thankfully, God is not like this. When difficulties and challenges arise we do not run out of access to God. Through Jesus we have access to God the Father. We obtained access to this grace, the peace with God through Jesus Christ, by faith in Him. Access  does not run out. We have unlimited access. This is good news to me because the challenges that produce pain for me have not run out either.

Discipleship through challenges

The text describes a massive feedback loop essential to discipleship: A challenge, and then rejoicing because we have knowledge of a process and the experience of God’s love.

The process: suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

The experience: Love poured into our hearts. Jesus Christ mediates our access to God and has made peace. Our access to God is reality by the Holy Spirit. He has poured God’s love into our hearts. God’s love that takes the shame out of our suffering. God’s love that moves us into a growing, persisting, full, and hopeful life when we are hurt.

To rejoice in our sufferings seems ludicrous and impossible were it not for a firm conviction of God’s love for us through Christ Jesus and our unlimited access to Him.

 

A story of two trees

/ Craig / Leave a comment

IMG_0212

9And out of the ground the Lord God made to spring up every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.  Genesis 2:9

 

Two trees were notable among the many in The Garden of their communion. Only one had a boundary built around it: the tree of knowledge of good and evil. And that boundary was built on love. Here’s your freedom; you may choose to be in communion with God even as God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit keep choosing each other.

 

God said, “You may eat of all the trees in the garden except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.” God intended them to eat of the tree of life. But they chose the tree of knowledge of good and evil instead of remaining in His love and in the dependence of their communion with Him. So then, in this state of separation God gracefully put them out of the garden so they did not eat of the tree of life in this condition.

 

From the communion of God Jesus came to make a way for our life with God. He is the Tree of Life from which we may partake and enter in to His communion. It took at tree, a cursed tree, and there on the Cross we observe the terrible consequence of the tree of knowledge and evil borne by God Himself. Our forgiveness cost.

 

Which tree are you living under? Which do you see as a refuge? Which do you believe to be your life?

 

Jesus says,

1“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God;believe also in me.2In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.4And you know the way to where I am going.”5Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” 6Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.7If you had known me, you would have known my Father also.From now on you do know him and have seen him.” John 14:1-7

Jesus is our Tree of Life!

You know you want it.

/ Craig / 3 Comments

IMG_4672 - Version 2

4Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.5I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.  John 15:4-5

 

You know you want it: a dynamic and fulfilling life.

 

Quit looking for “the next great thing” to give you a sudden boost of satisfaction and fulfillment in your life with Jesus.

 

There are no energy drinks for the abundant life.

 

A dynamic life with Jesus has no secret formula.

 

Jesus described the life like this: I am the vine and you are the branches.

 

Seek Jesus, stay with Jesus, be with Jesus, follow Jesus, obey Jesus.

 

Abide: make your home with Him; as He is making His home in you.

 

The Holy Spirit creates this desire for us, a sort of holy ambition.

 

Yet, “tapping into” the reality of His life, will require your own set of “little rules” or daily habits that direct your affections, attitudes, and decisions into Jesus.

 

Create patterns of abiding with Him both in solitude and in community.

 

When do you meditate on His goodness?

When do you mediate on His Word?

 

What cues have you put into your living space and day to remind you of His grace?

 

When do you pause to listen to Him?

 

When do you disclose through word and deed your delight in Him?

 

When do you pour out your heart to Him?

 

When do you say “thank you?”

 

When do you limit the the conspicuous consumption of all your position and status allows you because of your respect for Him?

 

The fruitful life Jesus gives is borne out of the intent to stay with Him.

 

A hundred small decisions.

 

Under Grace

/ Craig / Leave a comment

IMG_1460

For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.
Romans 7:14

 

For me the whole book of Romans turns on this statement. Paul argues that Jesus has radically altered the environment in which we live. No longer are we under the law, but now in Christ we are under grace.

 

To be “under” is to be subject to the authority, rules, manners, and destiny of another. The phrase “a man under authority” (Matthew 8:9) was used by a Roman centurion to describe his character and position, and his understanding of Jesus’ ability to heal without actually coming to his house. Jesus was amazed at his faith.

 

Throughout the letter we call Romans, Paul, is working out what it means to be under law and subject to it and what it means to be under grace and to be subject to Christ Jesus. Our understanding of what we are living under has profound implications on our character and life.

 

What are you living under?

 

In Christ Jesus, I am under grace.

 

I am under the abundant riches of His work at the Cross.

 

I am under the extravagant expression of His love.

 

I am under the power of a new kingdom regime.

 

I am under grace.

 

Our world needs to see

 

a woman under grace;

 

a man under grace;

 

a community under grace.

 

It will be amazing!