Proverbs 14:4 KJV  Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.

I heard a discussion on the radio yesterday about how professional athletes make it look so easy, as if they just came by these skills, while, in actuality there was an incredible amount of work that brought them to that level of excellence. They may have been born with a natural talent, but it was the maintenance of that talent that refined their performance. For every one of them there was a personal dream of what it would mean to be the best in their sport, and to obtain that goal, they were motivated to do whatever it took. Rising early in the morning for hours of practice and working out, studying the techniques of the champions, and humbling themselves to listen and do what their coaches and instructors directed them to do, they knew that, while all of this might be a challenge to their flesh, the reward was significant enough to endure it all. In fact, they came to feed off of and enjoy the maintenance as it began to produce evidence that they were moving towards their goals. Once there was significant value associated with the process, the flesh could no longer dominate when it was decided whether or not they would take care of their gift. The promise of reward was so great that there could be no consideration of anything other than diligently and on purpose giving themselves to enduring any challenge of the flesh.

For the athlete there is a specific set of challenging maintenance chores that will make success possible. For the farmer those chores are of a different nature, but there is a similar understanding that in order to gain the strength of the oxen in producing a valuable crop, some maintenance is required for its health and strength. For anything in life that is achieved on a level that brings value and reward there is a certain amount of maintenance required, some chores that will have to be done. Otherwise the body, mind, and spirit will never gain their necessary strength and that thing that could have been done so easily will remain not only very difficult, but impossible.

Mark 9:29 KJV  And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.

Jesus made it look easy, almost as if no effort was necessary at all. There was a reason for the ease of His performance, though, and it had everything to do with how highly He valued the strength and power produced only by the care given to prayer and fasting. You would think all His other qualifications would have been sufficient and His answer to the question of His disciples could have been, “You couldn’t cast out the demon, because you’re not me. After all, I’m the Messiah and I get all this power because of who I am.” The reply He did give, though, produced within His disciples a vision of making a difference in the kingdom and bringing deliverance and freedom to those in need. This was something they could very well do. This was something within their ability to pursue diligently and with purpose.

Each of us is specifically gifted to excel and be strong in various ways. For each of these ways there will be a certain path of maintenance that will make it possible to perform them. In pursuing the kingdom and the will of God, there are also challenges in the flesh that will have to be addressed. There will be no strength available for producing the crop (of salvation) or championship performance (of healing) apart from consistent care given to prayer and fasting. There will be a need for healing, direction, and deliverance both personally and in the life of someone we may touch. With focus on the valued vision of deliverance, the chores will be done diligently and God’s desire to embrace and impart in and through us will be accomplished.

John 12:36 As you have the light, believe in the light. Then the light will be within you, and shining through your lives. You’ll be children of light.” Jesus said all this, and then went into hiding.
37 All these God-signs he had given them and they still didn’t get it, still wouldn’t trust him.
38 This proved that the prophet Isaiah was right:
God, who believed what we preached?
Who recognized God’s arm, outstretched and ready to act?
39 First they wouldn’t believe, then they couldn’t—again, just as Isaiah said:
40 Their eyes are blinded,
their hearts are hardened,
So that they wouldn’t see with their eyes
and perceive with their hearts,
And turn to me, God,
so I could heal them.

I had just dropped Hunter off at school yesterday and was driving down the lane towards the street. A young child caught my eye as he was running towards the lane across a grassy area to the left. I moved my foot to the brake anticipating him possibly running into my path, but he stopped suddenly, grabbed a tall stalk of seeding grass, pulled it up and promptly stuck it in his mouth. It was such a display of innocence and the lack of awareness that something unsavory might happen to be on that piece of grass. I immediately wondered what else he might just as quickly pop in his mouth.

This apparent lack of concern about what might be connected to stuff that makes it into the mouth is something that I’ve noticed with regard to close relationships in the home. Definitely with my wife, but also with my children, there is no apparent repulsion with drinking after them or cleaning up their plate. Ok, I know maybe I’m just revealing something uniquely creepy about myself, but for me this directly relates to the bonding of hearts and how connected I am to these loved ones. It’s not that I don’t like someone outside of this little family circle of mine, but as soon as a morsel is identified as having been touched by an outsider, for some reason there is this strong repulsion to ingesting anything that might have touched their mouth. The germs might not be any worse on the glass from which they have drunk, but I am very unwilling to receive even the tastiest looking treat into my mouth if they have touched it with theirs. With my family, though, for some reason I am open to accepting the good, the bad and the unknown from the one that has my heart wrapped around their little finger without questioning or rejecting it. Where there has been a bonding of hearts there is openness to not only embracing them, but taking in all that they have touched no matter how it might otherwise be objectionable.

I’ve wondered about this passage from John where the prophet is quoted, how people would be unable to be healed because of blinded eyes and hardened hearts. Why would anyone be turned away from receiving of His goodness? This came after Jesus was challenged for his claim to be the Son of Man and the need to be “lifted up”. Instead of directly replying, Jesus began talking about becoming children of the light and allowing the light to be ‘within you’. This was similar to when He was talking about having to eat His flesh and drink His blood. (John 6) Although many had seen the miracles and wonders He performed, it was a few that actually believed in Him. The blinding of eyes and hardening of the hearts might have something to do with the reception of the light and the presence of Jesus as more than just a concept, but rather an inner-circle family member. Until there is a total family bond with Him to where He is ingested along with everything He has spoken without consideration of what might not make sense or what might otherwise be questionable, there can be no faith or reception of the healing that comes in that ‘family only’ understanding. Until He is ingested, the good, the bad (to old ways of seeing), and the unknown the heart bond has not yet been made and nothing about Him will be savory.

Before attempting to wrap a thought around the wonder of who He is and somehow reconcile what He’s said with circumstances and challenges of the world around us, it is most necessary to just get up in His lap, hear His heartbeat and in worship know Him as Father and inseparable family member. Then, with our heart wrapped around this relationship, all that He has spoken and all that He has touched will not only be seen and accepted, but ingested and part of who we are.

Hebrews 4:1 KJV  Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.

Now, I’ve become a bit of a rest fan. The Sunday afternoon rest has been a valued and savored activity throughout my life. After a morning of worship and a tasty and filling lunch, the appointment with the pillow has been a very high priority. Also, I remember in college an afternoon nap was an essential part of my daily routine. If I didn’t shut down for a little while late in the afternoon, my evening study time wouldn’t be very productive. It was sort of like rebooting and resetting for a fresh approach. As essential as rest has been, though, I’ve never really been afraid of having shortened rest– aggravated?- maybe, but fearful?- nah.

So how could it be that fear would be associated with coming short of rest? Might is be that entering into His rest is more than just getting a little shut-eye? The third verse that follows indicates that there is a direct connection between believing and resting, that those who believe are the ones who enter into a place of rest. In this rest is more than just the recovery that comes with sleep. This is entering into a state where all things are possible. Jesus said in Mark 9:23 that all things are possible to the person that believes. Personal limitations and abilities can no longer inhibit in the least, because the very power of God is accessed in the rest that is obtained in believing. Where there is no appreciation for the possibilities in God, there may be no value placed upon this rest, but where eyes have been opened to an understanding of just how valuable this is for all of life, losing it will bring fear like that of losing a priceless treasure.

I’m looking forward to a nap today and the refreshing it will bring to my body, but there is a much greater rest that is our promise today in the presence of God. May it be valued, accessed and experienced.

John 2:2 Jesus and his disciples were guests also.3 When they started running low on wine at the wedding banquet, Jesus’ mother told him, “They’re just about out of wine.”4 Jesus said, “Is that any of our business, Mother—yours or mine? This isn’t my time. Don’t push me.”5 She went ahead anyway, telling the servants, “Whatever he tells you, do it.”

For the heart that is connected by more than just a name there is a commitment that goes far beyond just monitoring progress. This heart, in anticipation of emerging purpose, is proactive in helping that purpose along by words and other demonstrations of faith in the loved one. For Mary there must have been this incredible perception of how Jesus’ glory and true purpose were to become exposed for all to see. It was this same bonding of heart that would keep her at his side through the glory of the miracles, but also through the trial, torture and crucifixion that was all part of His ultimate purpose. It was as if she was almost in front of Him all along, believing, speaking and pulling Him forward. As much as He was the Son of God and empowered with the life of His Father, he was also human and directly impacted in His emotions by the rejection and betrayal of those He came to serve. Throughout the great emotional struggle that was a necessary part of fulfilling His destiny, there was a point of reference in the unwavering love and belief of His little mother that continually encouraged and amazingly pulled Him along, not only in performing His first miracle, but rising from the fall the cross imposed upon Him to continue to the place where He would offer Himself upon it. Her heart never wavered from a belief that continually propelled her to a position in front of her passion – speaking, encouraging, touching, and ever setting before Him a vision of hope and joyfully fulfilled purpose.

Born with a mission far greater than any other being that would ever breath, Jesus was also challenged in ways that would exceed any other experience of life. In order to fulfill this mission He was provided with an understanding of His identity and His relationship with His Father through the scriptures. He was filled with the Holy Spirit and anointed to preach, heal, and deliver. Possibly the most precious provision that enabled Him to complete His purpose, though, was the heart of the simple human being that never left Him from the moment the angel first spoke of His conception. Her place in His life was not just a nice little touch, but was an essential element that equipped the part of Him that was most human to press on to the ultimate glory. She probably didn’t know any of the details that would transpire as a result of her actions at the marriage or the cross, but in both, her role was neither unnoticed nor insignificant. Her heart believed through till the end with essential anticipation-motivated actions of love.

There are precious hearts we’ve been blessed with as much more than just acquaintances to casually observe. There is significant purpose in each of those hearts that requires identity and spirit empowered anointing, but there is also a great necessity in their purpose for the simple word or action of faith, encouragement and inspiration that will come from us. There is a glory to be revealed in each of them that is actually the continuation of Jesus’ purpose that Mary touched. In them will be the fulfillment of that joy that was set before Him as our hearts are disabled from purpose denying discouragement to destiny empowering faith actions that unrelentingly anticipate and lovingly pull along to exposure of that glory that is already theirs in Christ. They can and they will. This is our purpose.

22 And oft-times it hath cast him both into the fire and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do anything, have compassion on us, and help us. 23 And Jesus said unto him, If thou canst! All things are possible to him that believeth.
Mark 9:22-23 (ASV)

‘If thou canst!’ – doesn’t have a question mark, but, rather an exclamation mark, indicating a declaration instead of an inquiry.

It’s so easy to go right online and get a list of reviews about just about anything on the market. I recently was searching for a scanner that would convert slides and film into digital files. Several years ago my brother, Scott, and I went on a mission’s trip to Africa, and then spent two months in Europe, riding the trains and staying in hostels. We took several rolls of film, many of which had been developed as slides, and I’d been wanting for some time to get all the pictures organized in way that at least Scott and I could enjoy from time to time. I found that there is a wide range of options for getting this done, from several small little dedicated film/slide scanners to these big professional ones that cost thousands of dollars. I definitely wanted something that would do a great job, but at the same time would have a reasonable price. Advertisements always present just the attributes and features as if each model is the exact product that will be more than what you need. To really find out what they were able to do and their actual performance I spent a great deal of time going to forums and reading reviews that were as simple as one liners and as detailed as whole pages of examples and graphic comparisons.  This was useful in determining the best option for me, but there was something else I discovered- that, while a product was made to function in a way with optimal results, there were always people that thought it wasn’t performing correctly, not based upon its ability to perform, but their ability to operate it. On the review list it seemed there was always someone who flatly declared this was a terrible product that they would not recommend to family and friends. Though in my opinion these scanners are capable of some pretty miraculous transformations, they are completely subject to being configured correctly and operated in the correct manner for which they were designed. I even found with the one I acquired, that my first attempts were without success, until I went through the step-by-step instructions that fixed nothing on the machine, just my ability to operate it.

If there is anything in our technologically advanced world that is impressive in its capabilities, there is a Miracle Worker who is capable of feats that are greater than all of man’s concerted and collected creations. In Him is the ability and power to not just make existing parts work together in amazing ways, but to actually create the ones who design and produce these machines. When approaching Him about what He might be able to do, there will never be a question of His ability, just a statement of needed operation. If there is only belief, nothing will function in an unsatisfactory manner, nothing will be impossible, and no one will leave disappointed. To read the reviews in the world today regarding the performance of our God, there will always be the ones who would not recommend Him to family friends, but in every case, the failure is always on the part of the operator, because where there is only simple operator belief, with Him all things are possible.

Joshua 14:10-15 KJV
(10)  And now, behold, the LORD hath kept me alive, as he said, these forty and five years, even since the LORD spake this word unto Moses, while the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness: and now, lo, I am this day fourscore and five years old.
(11)  As yet I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me: as my strength was then, even so is my strength now, for war, both to go out, and to come in.
(12)  Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the LORD spake in that day; for thou heardest in that day how the Anakims were there, and that the cities were great and fenced: if so be the LORD will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the LORD said.
(13)  And Joshua blessed him, and gave unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh Hebron for an inheritance.
(14)  Hebron therefore became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite unto this day, because that he wholly followed the LORD God of Israel.

And it wasn’t like he was just sitting back in sweet repose this whole time. No, this was a man who, at forty, chose to go completely against popular opinion and actually believe the promise of God – that he would possess the land he went to spy out. Then, after outliving all the unbelievers in the in the ultimate survival of the wilderness, he was right in the middle of the battles for occupation. And finally, while many of the ‘athletes’ half his age were having knee problems and other ailments of activity and conflicts, he was no less functional or powerful at 85, and ready to take personal possession of his real estate inheritance.

A few things came to mind while reading about Caleb this morning: While first in line for the trusting game, he was dead last for the whining and complaining game; His ability to eventually qualify for the land was completely dependent upon what he did in the mean time, otherwise he would have died off or have been so stowed up he could never enjoyed it at all; Because he wholly followed the Lord it directly affected the discipline of his lifestyle and the maintenance of his health- it wasn’t just by the Spirit that he was still strong, but also by the exercise, diet and care applied to his God-given body; Though not in possession of any landscape for those forty five years, he was in continual possession of a promise that would sustain and preserve him more than any other- His relationship and nearness to His God; And finally, what would have happened even after all those years had he not reminded God of His promise, as it wasn’t until he placed his claim that he possessed it?

To come into a relationship with God is to come into a realm of promise that is not without its share of unpopularity, wilderness, opposition, and passage of time. Not one of us is without an assurance of not only a heavenly possession, but also victory, provision and possession here on this earth. So much of our ability to actually and eventually enjoy much of what is ours, though, has everything to do with what we’re doing with the promise of His presence right here and right now, and how it is affecting our life discipline and character. Where there is true belief and trust, there is an ability to act as if it is already done and the identity of the ‘owner’ is who we are long before the claim is made for the land. The body and existing possessions are treated with the honor and appreciation of a treasured gift just as significant as any other to come, while potential discouragements and setbacks are hardly even noticed compared to the largeness of the existing yet to be seen promise. For the one who hast chosen to cast the care of the wilderness and opposition upon the One who is their continual possession there will be the capacity to possess with joy and health the fullness of all that is rightfully theirs at the appointed time and when they so choose. Every moment to that point, though, will be filled with the contentment of one who has wholly followed in unwavering strength and confidence.

Psalms 27:13-14 KJV
(13)  I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.
Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

It reminds me of the Price Is Right game, where there is an opportunity to make a choice that will potentially impact your life. It’s your choice. Three doors are waiting to be chosen and behind each one there is a completely different set of possibilities. For the one who chooses wisely there will be a song to be sung somewhat like David’s here in the 27th Psalm, while choosing the other options will result in a much less favorable outcome.

This is similar to me because belief is a choice, the result of our decision to align our emotions and passions behind a particular option. We are presented each day with a large list of optional beliefs, one of which is to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. To dwell on Him, believing in His goodness and His mercy, will result in a strengthened and renewed spirit, while any other option that excludes Jesus will eventually result in a weakened and fainting state of being. While there may be much evidence to verify an alternate belief, for the one who has found their life in Christ, a place will always exist in the heart where belief in Him has come to stay. As the other options come loudly barging in to cast doubt upon the real source of life in Christ, there will always be this secret place of refuge to which the heart may escape and be renewed once again by choosing Him as its belief. Completely subject to the power of our choice, behind each belief door that opens to Him is an entrance into life’s abundance and salvation’s fulfillment.

Much more that singing some songs and reading a few scriptures, our time together is a joint choice of believing to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Where there may be a feeling of weakness or despair, where an enemy may have come to dislodge and cause havoc and defeat, there is an opportunity to greatly alter our future by choosing to see something far superior and much more fulfilling. Rather than vigorously embracing belief in those old bothersome pests, we set our sights on the Author and the Finisher of our faith, choosing to wait on and believe in Him.