The two quotations below came within the same week, Holy Week, and I rejoice to ponder them and learn from them, as the Holy Spirit takes me on a bit of a Camino, or journey. Perhaps you will be Blessed as well …

Palm Sunday is celebrated to remember the day Jesus triumphantly entered the City of Jerusalem, fulfilling Messianic prophecy to become, as the Baptist testified, “The Lamb of God, Who takes away the sin of the world.” For Believers in Christ today, “we should celebrate His triumphant entry into US !!!” (Anita Dugan, Dayspring Christian Fellowship)

“We live caught in the tension between the already and the not yet.” (Amanda Cronin, Operations Coordinator, Humanities and Social Sciences, Biola University)

Jesus Christ doesn’t come “into” us without purpose. His “triumph” over death, hell, and the grave is not just for the days past, as for others, but also for us, in the now. This is why WE can rejoice, because He is available to us, now, for whatever victory we need.

But we are caught between the ‘already and the not yet’! Isn’t that a great insight? What HAS happened is so wonderful, yes, but we can’t live in or upon the past. What we face right now is so dominant in our lives that the future is hard, sometimes, for us to grasp. The “not yet” seems to stifle our faith! We can weaken in spirit because of the “not yet.” Perhaps the entire concept of ‘backsliding’ is because of the “not yet,” as we give up on the Promises of God.

Don’t give up! God is not dead! His Promises are certain, because He is Faithful. We may be between the ‘already and the not yet’ but that doesn’t limit the power of Almighty God. He isn’t deterred by time. He isn’t taken off His game by the mistakes of mankind. Just think of what the Power of Forgiveness has done for you! Just think of what the Power of Forgiveness could do THROUGH you!!! Today, right now, dare to believe! Risk the step of Faith that God is calling you to take! The ‘already’ has happened, and proves God’s Love and incomprehensible ability to do whatever He wishes to do. The ‘not yet’ is about to unfold, and it will most certainly be according to His Victory In Us!!!

It is Good Friday, and this little phrase came to me: CONCENTRATIONS OF POWER. But why? What is the Lord trying to say to me? To us?

We know that in team sports, CONCENTRATIONS OF POWER are not only sought, but necessary to win.

We know that in the world of commerce, companies buy up one another in CONCENTRATIONS OF POWER, to better compete in the marketplace.

We know that in the history of the world, one country after another has launched CONCENTRATIONS OF POWER to advance their national or political agenda.

What we see in the world’s religions today are CONCENTRATIONS OF POWER to win both converts and economic advantage. The desire to ‘win’ is a pretty normal thing in the animal kingdom.

Jesus Christ talked about another Kingdom. His Kingdom.

It seems to me there are CONCENTRATIONS OF POWER happening right now, not only on earth, but in the Spiritual realms. Look at the newspaper, or TV, or any source for news you have. It’s impossible to miss the tension developing all over the world between Islam and Christianity.

And yet, somehow, we must understand that Christianity is not a power. Christianity is a following. Christianity is a relationship with a person. Christianity is a faith IN someOne.

The Power in Christianity is not us; it is Jesus Christ. The Kingdom of Christ is His. His rule. His reign. His Power. It’s not like we join the winning side in some human contest and we win the trophy! Jesus Christ is the Victor, and we, if we will, are His.

It’s Good Friday, for us! His sacrifice was for us! His Victory is for us!

The great CONCENTRATIONS OF POWER going on right now, however they might be, have an outcome already decided. Jesus Christ defeats the other powers, builds His Kingdom, and unfolds eternity …

As we read through the 5 books of Moses we can’t escape the haunting questions about why Almighty God, the Eternal One, or whatever Name you like best to describe Him, would have entire populations of men, women, and children killed, to erase that people group from the Earth.

It doesn’t seem to square with the concept of a loving and merciful and forgiving God. We want to believe that everyone is redeemable, everyone can be saved, and find a way for that to happen. This is what WE want, the kind of a deity WE want.

We also believe in a ‘just’ God; One who does the right thing. But what is ‘right’? And who gets to say so? Let me tell you, this is the subject of great theological debate in every Seminary in the land. Certainly a ‘just’ God requires ‘justice.’ So what is the ‘justice’ for someone who firmly and repeatedly rejects the very One Who is offering to save them?

The Old Testament is story after story of how God dealt with people. He didn’t hide what He wanted from them. He explained Himself over and over. He told them what He was going to ask of them, then He told them what He wanted, and then He told them what He had previously told them! The entire concept of God’s “Blessing” is based upon His righteousness, yes, but also upon our obedience. In the Old Testament, failure to obey could be deadly.

I know this short piece won’t answer all the questions. It cannot. You are too good at trying to phrase a question to God that you think, as in a debate with the Almighty somehow, He has to answer your way. Me too. So let’s at least give Him thanks for the NEW TESTAMENT, and the available salvation to any through Jesus Christ. After all, it’s Easter-time, and we should focus on what He has done for us. Talk about mercy, grace, forgiveness, AND justice!

Does this New Covenant in Jesus Christ speak to you? Does it answer ANY questions about what God Almighty wants? If you’re having trouble reconciling the God of the Old Testament with Jesus Christ, God of the new Testament, can you at least make a decision about Him? Is Jesus Christ God? Is the Bible account of His life accurate, or myth? Is your faith in Him, or in man’s interpretations? How can you know? Is there a Spirit at work in YOUR life to help you? Is the Lord absent from your life, or have you shut Him out in spite of His repeated attempts to help you? Are we so selfish in our attempts to get what WE want that we completely forget that He wants to Bless us, if we would simply follow Him?

This New Covenant asks us to follow Jesus Christ. And it too is deadly. But this time it’s our old nature that dies; that old self caring only about self. Let that thing die, and put on the new nature Jesus has for you. It is complete; it is full; it is exciting; it is amazingly wonder-filled; it is “Christ IN you, the hope of Glory,” now living a new life through you. Yes, you.

In Leviticus there are instructions for many things – ways to approach God Almighty – Laws. It can get kind of technical, seem lengthy, even a bit boring, if we’re not paying attention.

According to Strong’s Concordance, “the Hebrew word for ‘a memorial offering’ is that which calls to memory. It was the name of that part of the meat-offering which was burned with frankincense upon the altar; the sweet savor of which, ascending to heaven, was regarded as commending to God the ‘remembrance’ of the worshipper.’

So, does anything jump out at you about this?

God set up a system by which the people did things, sacrifices if you will, for the purpose of maintaining memory! Who’s memory? Was it so that the people would remember God, or that God would remember His covenant?

I’ll let you theologians work on that, but it surely included that the people would remember God. People tend to forget things; like healing, deliverance, and salvation. You know, the minor stuff.

Not only do we forget that God delivered His people out of Egypt, fed them, clothed them, led them, defeated their enemies before them, gave them children, taught them His Word, water, and a few other things I’m sure, but we also seem to forget that He asks OF US a thing or two.

Or maybe it was so that the people could keep reminding God of His covenant promises. After all, He might be getting forgetful in His old age.

Or, maybe it was a precursor. A foreshadow. A type of something to come. Perhaps God was ‘training’ His people, in preparation for Jesus Christ. Perhaps God was setting the stage for a Communion. Perhaps God wants His people, in the New Covenant, us, to obey the words of Jesus to “remember Me”.

By remembering Jesus Christ we accomplish both possibilities I think. We certainly get our minds back on the right track of faith in Christ’s work on the cross FOR US. That’s good. And we also remind God, every time we celebrate Communion, of what He has done for us, that wonderful New Covenant in His blood. This, I think, is always worthy of our study, for we are always the beneficiary.

I’ve been reading again the exceptional story of the Exodus of God’s people out of Egypt. Let’s face it, we don’t like being in captivity or bondage. We want out. We want freedom.

This happened thousands of years before America demanded freedom from the British, and yet we Americans have a passionate desire to KEEP our freedoms! What people on Earth would resist freedom? None! (The only freedom we would ever resist is the freedom of the other guy, so that WE could live better by having him be our slave.)
God shows up, tells Moses what to do, and helps the people out of bondage. Drinks all around, right? No; murmuring and complaining all around! What’s WITH these people?

As the story goes on it gets worse. Instead of being a people full of FAITH, convinced by the mighty Hand of God upon Egypt, they keep resisting Moses, and God Who is directing him. Moses goes to meet with God up on the mountain, and the people violate the previously given ‘commandments,’ by again ‘forgetting what God said’ and off to do their own thing. In this case an idol. (Doing our own thing doesn’t seem to be working.)

What happened to faith?

Why did the people so quickly abandon their faith?

I can quickly move into praising God as I read this story of such a stubborn, stiff-necked people of the Old Covenant, rejoicing that I now live in the time of the New Covenant. I can easily worship God when I consider what He has done for me in, with, by, and through Jesus Christ. He has paid the price, and I am set free. Glory Hallelujah! I must say, however, it humbles me to think that I am not so much different from those folks in the days of the Exodus.

What happened to faith?

And how do we get it back?

By doing what we’re doing now?

Or, do we need to make the leap?

Trust God. Believe. Rejoice. And let His Holy Spirit change things…

Introducing “Camino 3:52”

A “camino” is a walk, a path, and is meant to be an opportunity for spiritual discovery and growth. Walking gives one the time and solitude to be alone with God. Doug Terpening has shared how his walks, around his neighborhood, give him time to process life, and talk to God, so his testimony confirms what Carol and I discovered in Spain.

But not everyone can go to Spain, right? However, everyone CAN begin a Camino, and we will do so, together, for 2015!

This coming year we will all join in a “Camino of the Bible”- a walk through the Word of God!

Rev 12:11- we overcome by the Blood of the Lamb, AND the word of our testimony! But so many ask, “What is my testimony?” or say “I don’t have one,” etc.

Camino 3:52 may solve the problem!

Psalm 143:8-10 gives us 3 prayers to ask God, which will give us, on a daily basis, a testimony!

Each week we will read the Scriptures provided in the Reading Plan, found in the bulletin every week, and posted on our website.

Every DAY we will be looking at the text to answer our 3-pronged prayer. As God shows us in His Word how He answers these prayers, our personal testimony is revealed. Write it down on the pad provided.
Listen to Heb 8:8-12. Did you notice that it says we won’t have to teach each other? What? How can that be? What will happen to all the preachers in all the churches?

So, here is where it gets interesting. Every Sunday you will be able to share your testimony, fulfilling Revelation’s promise of overcoming Victory!

You won’t forget it, because you will have it written down, and in your Bible.

You’ll be able to tell others how God “showed” you how to walk, “rescued” you from an enemy, or “taught” you His will. Wow!

Not sermons, but testimonies of God’s intervention and power in your life!