Tag Archives: God’s grace

Compassion: A Movement of the Heart

March 7, 2023 ITWMinistries Leave a comment

Motivation for compassion

Throughout this series we have focused on compassion: its definition, its motivation, and its costs. We defined compassion as a willingness to relieve the suffering of another. Compassion is generally motivated by an individual’s awareness of suffering and the effort it would take to relieve it. Included in that assessment is the costs to become engaged in extending compassion. The Parable of the Good Samaritan helped us visualize the different factors that impacted the extension of compassion.

How can I develop compassion?

There are various teachings in psychology and sociology that suggest that there are ways individuals can increase their compassion IQ.

One school of thought is that compassion is natural and it comes in the “flow of life”. We have compassion for our friends who experience loss or groups of people who experience displacement due to a natural catastrophe. “Feelings of compassion don’t need to be forced,” they say. Simply open your heart, let yourself be moved, and let compassion flow through.” They also recommend activities each day to “open oneself” to compassion’s flow.

However, as followers of Christ, we believe compassion is achieved by more than an intellectual assessment, the natural flow of life, or exercises we can practice. For believers, our display of compassion is motivated by something greater.

A meeting of the hearts

Brené Brown in her book, Atlas of the Heart, describes compassion this way.

Compassion is the daily practice of recognizing and accepting our shared humanity so that we treat ourselves and others with loving-kindness and we take action in the face of suffering. Compassion is a “virtuous response that seeks to address the suffering and needs of a person through relational understanding and action.”

In her description, Brené captures the connecting link between us and those we see suffering. It is our humanity. It is important that we continually acknowledge the “humanity factor” and the fact that we each are created in the image of God (Gen. 1:27) and therefore, are to be treated with both love and respect. It is our humanity that extends beyond our intellectual lens of who are deserving of our mercy and kindness (Micah 6:8).

Compassion is a spiritual response.

The previous sources of compassion where intellectually derived. In contrast, God’s compassion is spiritually based. Can a non-Christian show compassion? Of course. The difference is the motivation that leads to their act of mercy and kindness.

In the Parable of the Good Samaritan, the first two travelers’ motivation to intercede was influenced by their flesh. Their final choice was based on what best satisfied their “flesh”: self-comfort, self-preservation, and self-importance.

The Good Samaritan, on the other hand, saw the need, and then resolved to help because he looked with “spiritual eyes”. He looked at the man and saw his humanity. Like himself, the beaten traveler was in the image of God and deserving mercy. Setting his fleshly responses aside, the Samaritan then showed him compassion.

Are we ready to show compassion?

Compassion for the believer is motivated by two things: our identity in Christ, and our relationship with God. Our spiritual position demands a “different response” to the situations and circumstances we experience in this “fallen world.”

To increase our compassion IQ, I recommend we become more like Jesus. Jesus’ compassion was extended to the helpless crowds (Matt. 9:36), the sickly masses (Matt. 14:24), the hungry people (Mark 8:2), and to all in need of “love and mercy” (Isa. 61:1-3).

The true center of Christian living is that we be extensions of Jesus to those in need. These needs can be social, political, or financial. They can be resolved through advocacy, philanthropy, sponsorship, or personal involvement. Jesus’ compassion still flows to and through us today. As the elect of God, holy and beloved, we are to put on bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, and longsuffering (Col. 3:12).

Dear Jesus,

Help me to daily see the humanity in others. Let me not be moved by my head but by my heart. As You saw and were “moved with compassion”, let me be moved by love and bowels of mercy. Help me be your hands and help those whom You send into my life.

Knowing God

Am I Compassionate?

March 1, 2023 ITWMinistries Leave a comment

Ask me a question…I’ll tell you no lie.

This series on compassion was inspired by a question someone asked me. “Do you think I’m compassionate?” My first thought was, “why are you asking me this question?” Had I bored them with sharing the rigors of my last six-months including the death of my only sister? Had they been overwhelmed with the traumatic events rehearsed continually on the evening news and social media?

I didn’t have an answer. However, I thought it admirable that they cared enough to ask the question.

Do you think I’m compassionate?

That’s a good question to ask especially in this age when we’re often told to “suck-it-up and keep it moving’. We daily are traumatized and stressed by events of our world. We are awakened each morning with updates of the war in at least 2-3 countries, at least two “natural disasters” (one international and one nationally), and let’s not forget the threats “seen and unseen” (Psa. 91:5-6). Perhaps these fears are the reason we emotionally “tune out” what’s happening to us in order to protect ourselves. Why do we “shut down”?

Recently published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology is this insight about why people resist experiencing compassion for others, despite it being a generally positive feeling.

More people are finding it increasingly difficult to engage with each other, and as people are overwhelmed with the amount of suffering right now due to the pandemic, it may make compassion particularly difficult.

The cost of caring

Without a doubt, showing compassion costs. The cost is expressed in both emotional commitment and physical engagement. The characters in the Parable of the Good Samaritan considered the cost. This would include their understanding of the situation which would determine their engagement. They would then consider the effort it would take to resolve the problem. A little or a great deal?

The priest “saw the traveler and moved to the other side.” The priest evaluated the situation. He probably thought the man was dead. What would he do with a dead man on the road? Bury him? Take him with him? He didn’t even know him. Too much work! He also knew that involvement with a dead person would make him ceremonially “unclean” (Num. 9:7). The uncleanness would last for at least seven days, until he could be purified again. He wouldn’t be able to conduct his duties at the temple. He had to protect his job. Based on the effort and his understanding of the situation, he left the man on the road. Do his responses sound like ours when we see someone in need?

The Levite “came and looked”. He saw that the traveler wasn’t dead, so why didn’t he help? The text doesn’t say, and we choose not to speculate. Regardless, the result was the same as with the priest, the Levite “passed by the other side.”

What would we have done in this situation? Hindsight is 20/20. We know the back drop for the parable and how the story ends. But in 2023, when we are faced with pain and suffering, do we also “pass to the other side”? Do we need to understand all the details and effort required before we engage in others pain?

Compassion—a mental or spiritual challenge

Why was the response by the Samaritan different than the priest and the Levite? What was the principle Jesus was attempting to share with the lawyer (Luke 10:25-29) and also to us living in 2023? We are to show mercy and compassion, like the Samaritan.

The word compassion in the Luke 10 passage is used almost exclusively to describe Jesus’ response in the Gospel accounts. It is a verb (action word) showing the deepest level of compassion (Luke 7:13). It means to have the bowels yearn. When Jesus’ compassionate response was described in this way, the occasion was often the turning point in someone’s life (Mark 1:40-42; Matt 9:33-38)

Called to be compassionate

While there are mental processes that we use to engage in compassion, we must focus our responses on that which God expects. God expects us to show compassion to those He places in our path and sphere of influence. Jesus expects us to act like the Samaritan and “show mercy” (Luke 10:37).

God calls each of us to have compassion for others. That call is more than an appeal for us to “feel pity for the needy”. It is a call to care enough to become involved. Like Jesus’ compassion, we are expected to take action that will set others’ lives on a fresh, new course.

Victorious Living

God’s Compassion: A Study in Contrast

February 21, 2023 ITWMinistries Leave a comment

Our Emotional Response (ER)

Last week, we described compassion as a willingness to relieve the suffering of another. With that definition we introduced a series of emotional responses (ERs) to the pain and suffering we experience. The intent was to help us better understand the differences in our emotional response to the anguish and distress of others.

Our ER can fall on a continuum ranging from pity to compassion. This is summarized below:

As we survey our cities, nation, and the world, we appear to be more jaded in our feelings concerning the plight of others. This cynical view has begun to infiltrate, not only our personal response but has become reflected in our reaction to the growing social issues and “human problems” we face each day. For example, can we honestly say that our education, health, and social systems reflect compassion for the people they are to serve? Are we REALLY our brother’s keeper (Gen. 4:9)?

I wonder what God has to say about our ER to the conditions of our world. Does God view compassion in the same way we do? This week we will explore how our view of compassion differs from God’s view.

Will the compassionate people please stand?

How would you describe a compassionate person? Would you describe yourself as compassionate? You may be sometimes and then at other times, not compassionate at all? Why the difference in ER?

The Greater Good of Berkeley University define compassion as a mental state or orientation toward suffering (your own or others’) and includes four components:

- Bringing attention or awareness to recognizing that there is suffering (cognitive)
- Feeling emotionally moved by that suffering (affective)
- Wishing there to be relief from that suffering (intentional)
- A readiness to take action to relieve that suffering (motivational)

This explanation does not consider other factors that may also impact our ability to respond with compassion, such as understanding the nature of the situation and the effort required to resolve the situation.

Where’s the compassion?

If we look at Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:31-37), what were the orientations or mental states of the travelers, as described by The Greater Good.

Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Likewise, a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came, and looked, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion.

Where did the train go off the rails? The priest “saw”. The Levite “came and looked.” Only the Samaritan moved passed the cognitive response and moved directly to motivational. “The Samaritan came where he was and when he saw him, he had compassion”.

So, he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.

More like God

The Hebrew and Greek words sometimes translate “compassion” to have a broader meaning such as “to love” and “to show mercy.” Synonyms for compassion in English are “to be loved by,” “to show concern for,” to be tenderhearted,” and “to act kindly.” Do these words describe you?

Compassion is an inherent part of God’s very being (Exod. 34:6). In the Old Testament, God’s compassion was rooted in His covenant relationship with His people (2 Kings 13:23).

In the New Testament, God’s compassion is demonstrated in His Son’s ministry and among His people. Jesus’ messianic compassion was extended to the helpless crowds (Matt. 9:36), the sickly masses (Matt. 14:24), the hungry people (Mark 8:2), the demon possessed (Mark 5:90), the unclean lepers (Luke 5:12-16), and to all in need of “love and mercy” (Isa. 61:1-3).

In our generation, Jesus has extended compassion to each of us—the hopeless sinner (Rom. 5:8). While compassion is not a uniquely Christian response to suffering (Luke 10:33), Christians have unique reasons for nurturing our compassionate disposition. God compassionately and truly cares what happens to us. We will talk more next week about how to develop a more compassionate disposition and its importance in navigating 21^st century living.

Victorious Living

Have a Heart!

February 15, 2023 ITWMinistries Leave a comment

Here’s how it all began

A businessman was called away to attend a critical meeting in a neighboring city. Because it was not very far away, he decided to drive versus fly. As often is the case in car travel, he decided to stop at a familiar rest area along the way. Unfortunately, during that stop, he was robbed and brutally beaten while exiting his car.

As he laid on the concrete, two travelers like himself stopped, but when they noticed him bleeding on the ground, retreated back into their cars and quickly drove away. Finally, a traveler pulled alongside him and seeing his situation, came to his aid. This last traveler loaded the businessman into his car and took him to the nearest hospital.

Does this story sound familiar? This is my 21st century version of the Good Samaritan found in Luke 10:25-37. The context for Jesus’ teaching was the question posed to Him concerning loving others and defining who is one’s neighbor? Who are we to love or have a heart for?

I will use this familiar text to begin our study on compassion. What is compassion and why is it important for us to express it to others?

What’s it all about?

Dr. Luke’s story, sad to say, is not unfamiliar in our society today. We’ve heard stories about crowds who witnessed harm to another person right in front of them but chose to turn their head or back on the situation.

On a broader scope, we see social injustices and human needs accelerate in our cities. Homelessness, food insecurities, and economic disparities, are all too familiar examples of where society has figuratively, turned their back. Why? What are we missing? Do we have a heart? Where is our compassion?

Compassion by any other name

There is much confusion as to the difference between pity, empathy, sympathy, and compassion. Perhaps because we tend to use these nouns to describe our reaction to pain and suffering. While these words are close cousins, they are not, however, synonymous with one another.

While there are broader details around the meaning of these emotions, I will try to be as simple as I can, for the purpose of this teaching.

- Pity. We acknowledge a person’s suffering. “I really feel sorry for those who loss their life in the earthquake.”
- Empathy. We understand what the person is feeling. “I felt the same way when I loss my job.”
- Sympathy. We feel what a person is feeling. “I was also harassed during high school.”
- Compassion. We are willing to relieve the suffering of another. “I will help you end your pain.”

Authors studying these emotions, find that placing them on a continuum helps us better understand their differences including the key factors that affect our response to human suffering and pain, i.e., effort, understanding, and engagement.

Compassion is the feeling of sorrow or pity excited by the suffering or misfortunes of another.

Compassion is made up of two words: “com” which means with or together; “pati” which means to suffer. Together one suffers with another.

What’s our response?

When we view the misfortune of others on social media, are we moved to sorrow or pity? As we look at famines and wars in countries thousands of miles from us, what is our emotional response? Sympathy? Does your response change, based on the specific situation or person? What moves us from pity to compassion?

I close with a few quotes on compassion to help us understand it is needed more than ever for what afflicts us in the 21^st century. What does it take for us to have a heart?

True compassion is more than flinging a coin to a beggar; it comes to see that an edifice which produces beggars needs restructuring. Martin Luther King, Jr.

I would rather make mistakes in kindness and compassion than work miracles in unkindness and hardness. Mother Teresa

When we focus on ourselves, our world contracts as our problems and preoccupations loom large. But when we focus on others, our world expands. Our own problems drift to the periphery of the mind and so seem smaller, and we increase our capacity for connection or compassionate action. Daniel Goleman

Compassion is an action word with no boundaries. Prince

The LORD is gracious and full of compassion. Psalm 111:4

Eastertide

The Resurrection

April 19, 2022 ITWMinistries Leave a comment

Resurrection every day

We have celebrated Resurrection Sunday 2022. However, we must never limit our understanding of the power that is ours in Christ’s resurrection that extends beyond the “one day” commemoration. Daily we are invited to live out our lives in resurrection power.

To increase our understanding what that really means, I’d like to spend the next few weeks exploring the resurrection experience so that we might gain new knowledge as to its impact on our faith walk.

Since resurrection is more than a singular event that occurred in the past, “how does Christ’s resurrection affect my daily life?”

What emotion do you feel?

The discussion of the resurrection can produce a wide range of responses from people. For those outside the family of Christ, it can be a point of disbelief or irritation.

What do you think when you read scripture concerning the resurrection? What emotions rise within you? Confidence or confusion? Gratefulness or embarrassment?

The historical “event” of Christ’s resurrection occurred over 2,000 years ago. Yet it still exerts an unprecedented and recurring influence in the hearts and lives of believers around the world. It offers us exuberate hope, embolden witness, and empowered service.

The power of the Resurrection message

We believe Christ has paid the price and penalty for our sins. Jesus was crucified, dead and buried. He rose from the grave victorious over sin and death. Jesus the Christ is now ascended to heaven and sits exalted at the right hand of God the Father. We too have been raised with Him (Ep. 2:6) and will spend eternity with Him. That is the gospel message. Hallelujah!

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26, NRSV)

Therefore, we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. (Rom. 6:4-5)

When you came to Christ, you were “circumcised,” but not by a physical procedure. Christ performed a spiritual circumcision—the cutting away of your sinful nature. For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead. (Col. 2:11-12, NLT)

Resurrection power is that supernatural force God used to raise Jesus from the grave (Eph. 1:19-20). It is that same power that has delivered us from sin and its penalty. It still offers salvation and deliverance to those who would believe. It will continue to save us until we are glorified with Jesus in heaven (1 Cor. 1:18). We are renewed and risen with Christ.

Lenten Season

Perfected Obedience

March 22, 2022 ITWMinistries Leave a comment

So, what have we learned about obedience?

According to Webster, obedience is defined as submission to authority. Operating with that definition, our natural response is to challenge, resist, and even disavow.

On the other hand, obedience from a Christian worldview is more than just following the letter of the law. It is discerning what God wants and choosing to seek that outcome. In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word for obey means to hear.

It is described as an attitude and faith-rooted disposition (2 Cor. 2:9; Phil. 2:12). It is the outward response of the heart that hears God and turns to Him.

Where does obedience come from?

Obedience is evidence of a personal relationship with God. It is not motivated by guilt or shame but by love (John 14:15). We agreed last week that mature obedience is both the outcome of our faith walk AND how we can achieve spiritual maturity. Each time we make a decision or choose a direction, or reply to an action, we are challenged to “response with a heart that hears God”.

Jesus our example

The writer of Hebrews offers us another perspective on obedience—perfected obedience.

Though He [Jesus] was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him. Hebrew 5:8-9 (NKJV)

Our text gives us a clue into how our obedience becomes “perfected”. It begins and ends with a clear understanding of Jesus and His walk of perfected obedience.

Firstly, Jesus never sinned. Jesus had no need to become perfect for His work of salvation. Jesus was perfect in His nature (1 Pet. 2:22; Heb. 4:15). Imagine that! Even as a rambunctious child, a growing teenager, and a vibrant young man—Jesus never sinned. No defiance, no hiding behind excuses. To fulfill God’s requirement for a “blameless sacrifice for sin” (1 Pet. 1:19), Jesus suffered and was obedient unto death (Phil. 2:8).

Secondly, Jesus learned. What did He learn? Jesus learned what it meant to be human by experiencing all the emotions and sensations that we as frail humans feel. Why? So that He could identify with our depravity and brokenness.

Jesus willingly experienced the full range of emotions He had placed in us at Creation (Heb. 4:25). Jesus was moved with compassion (Matt. 9:36; Mark 6:34); He cried (Luke 19:41, John 11:35); He withdrew (Matt. 14:13); Jesus condemned (Matt. 23:1-12).

But it is in Jesus’ passion that we see the greatest evidence of humanity. In the Garden of Gethsemane, He was in excruciating agony, sweating drops of blood (Luke 22:42; Mark 14:36). Ultimately, Jesus bore the full weight of our sins by hanging on a Cross and dying. (Matt. 27:50)

Jesus was perfected

Finally, Jesus was perfected. The literal translation of perfected is “to bring to an end a proposed goal”. Jesus accomplished the purpose crafted by God before the foundation of the world—to bring redemption, restoration, and reconciliation to all mankind. Jesus became the “all and everything” that was needed to bring salvation to fallen man.

Jesus learned about humanity and why His sacrificial death was the only solution for the sin problem. He became “the author of eternal salvation” (Heb. 5:9), the “firstborn among many brethren” (Romans 8:29), and the “first-begotten from the dead” (Rev. 1:5).

Jesus’ perfecting was accomplished through His obedience. Jesus’ submission to and love for God resulted in the greatest gift we as believers will ever receive—freedom from sin and eternal life. To put into words the enormity of God’s plan of salvation is impossible.

Perfected obedience—a new level of love and gratitude

I close with these words from F.B. Meyer on “The Perfecting of Christ”. May his words move your spirit to new levels of obedience.

For the long and steep ascent of life, our Father has given us a Companion, a Captain of the march, a Brother, even Jesus our Lord, who passed through the suffering of death, and is now crowned with glory and honor (Heb. 2:9-11). He has passed along our pathway, and climbed our steep ascents, that He might become our merciful and faithful Friend and Helper. In this sense He was perfected, and became unto all them that obey Him the Author of eternal salvation. But if we are to walk with Him, and realize His eternal salvation, we must learn to obey.

Understanding perfected obedience is captured in the life and love of Jesus the Christ. Jesus is our model and the example we daily strive to emulate. Let us endeavor, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to be conformed to His image and ultimately transformed into all that God has purposed us to be (Eph. 2:10).

Our Faith Walk

Throwback Wednesday for the New Year

January 12, 2022 ITWMinistries Leave a comment

It’s that time again. Throwback Wednesday. It’s the time when we choose a favorite WordBytes from the past. It’s also a time for remembering that God never changes (Mal. 3:6). It doesn’t matter the year, God’s message is still one of hope, promise, and possibility for everyone who will hear it.

To align with the New Year, we’ve chosen a WordBytes that will encourage us to lay hold in 2022 to our rich inheritance in Christ.

Let’s begin this year knowing that we have everything we need to be successful in addressing the challenges we face (2 Pet. 1:3-4). May this “blast from the past” move us confidently through the year.

Our Inheritance with Christ

Advent/Christmas

After Christmas 2020

December 29, 2020 ITWMinistries Leave a comment

For many of us, Christmas is our favorite time of the year. We exchange cards that reflect our feelings about this very special season. Many cards speak of the love, joy, and peace of Christmas. Others extend season’s greetings and happy holidays.

With Christmas comes the hope of “peace on earth and good will toward men.” We need both after 2020.

However, after the cards are sent, the tree comes down, and gift giving ceases, what will we do with Christmas? What happens to the spirit of Christmas?

The Spirit of Christmas

What exactly is “this spirit” we talk about so much this time of year? It is a shift in our usual behavior that is extended to others, especially to people we may not know personally.

It is exhibited in more generosity and kindness than normally seen. This includes but is not limited to the following.

- Unmerited forgiveness and grace extended to irritable neighbors and estranged relationships
- Abundant care and concern seen in special collections, gifts and other acts of human philanthropy
- Indiscriminate displays of kindness and brotherly love for others

Unfortunately, many people confuse the spirit of Christmas with commercialism we see in advertising and media. This spirit often leads to dissatisfaction, materialism, and greed. The Apostle John described this as the “lusts of the eye” (1 John 2:16).

However, we who are in Christ have crucified the flesh with its affections and lusts (Gal 5:24). As believers, we have exchanged the spirit of Christmas for the “Spirit of Christ” (Luke 4:18).

The True Source

It is also important that we understand the “True Source” of the spirit of Christmas—Jesus Christ.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but shall have everlasting life (John 3:16).

Christ came that our joy might be full (John 15:11). He is our peace (Eph. 2:14).

After Christmas 2020

The COVID-19 experience has generated unbelievable acts of charity and kindness. For these, we are grateful. Extension of such graces will be critical as we move into 2021.

Financial uncertainty and loss of jobs will increase hunger and homelessness in our communities. Increases in COVID-19 deaths will require us to extend “comfort and mercies” to those in need ( 2 Cor. 1:3-4).

Organizations who are on the front line of this pandemic will need our special prayers AND financial support to provide assistance and relief.

The Spirit of Christ

The spirit of Christmas can only temporarily address the challenges we face in 2021. We need a long-term, effectual solution.

As Christ’s ambassadors (2 Cor. 5:20) we can extend “the Spirit of Christ”–His grace and love–throughout the year. This includes sharing His good news to those experiencing hopelessness and despair.

After Christmas 2020, how can we extend the spirit of Christ?

Spiritual Guidance

Who would you recommend?

September 8, 2020 ITWMinistries Leave a comment

In this new age of consumerism, people are always looking for the best deal. It’s understandable. If we’re going to spend our money, we want to insure we’re getting the greatest value for our buck.

Services such as Angie’s List, Yelp, and Business.com, offer us a way to hedge our bets before spending our money.

The modern consumer thrives on information. Before making a buying decision, customers have long sought out the opinions and experiences of others to inform themselves as to whether a company is creditable or not. Today, this process is quick, easy, and accessible to anyone with a computer and internet connection.

Consumerism and politics

We are rapidly approaching general elections in November. Unfortunately there is no service we can pull up on our computer to help with selection of the best candidates. During this “season” of health pandemics, social crisis, and family challenges, we are in search of individuals who can reverse the problems we’ve experienced in 2020. All the candidates, locally and nationally, claim to have the best “offer”. Who would you recommend?

In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus is presented as an active, compassionate, and obedient Servant who ministers to the physical and spiritual needs of others. Consequently, this gospel moves quickly to His public ministry where He performs many miracles (there are eighteen). Jesus used these miracles to demonstrate not only His power but also His compassion. As I look around at the needs of our city and our nation, service to and compassion for people are characteristics of one who will quickly attend to the problems and trials we face. Such was the case in our study text which is only recorded in Mark’s gospel.

Best qualified

In Mark 7:31-37, Jesus is found in the region of Decapolis by the Sea of Galilee. A man who is both deaf and speech impaired is brought to him. They recommended Jesus as the One best qualified for the task at hand. It isn’t clear whether those seeking Jesus’ help expected healing but they did ask that Jesus “put His hands” on the infirmed man. (v. 32) Sometimes we come to Jesus in our prayers not knowing what to ask. But Jesus, who is omniscient knows exactly what we need (Rom. 8:26-27).

Better than expected

I’m sure the man, unable to hear or speak, was curious as to what was about to happen to him. It is noted in one commentary, that Jesus in preparing the man for his healing used His own form of sign language: And He (Jesus) took him aside from the multitude, and put His fingers in his ears, and He spat and touched his tongue (v. 33). Then Jesus looked to heaven, and sighed, and said to him, “Be opened.” (v. 34) With one command, both impediments were cured. The crowd was astonished.

Although Jesus charged the crowds to say nothing about the miracle, they could not help themselves and in their zeal shared the miracle with this observation: “He has done all things well. He makes both the deaf to hear and the mute to speak” (v. 37). To do things well means to do things “excellently”. (1 Cor. 14:17; Gal. 5:7)

Consumerism, the soul, and Jesus

Unfortunately, consumers, as a rule, aren’t very intentional when it comes to matters of the soul. I don’t know where they go to seek out the opinions and experiences of others to inform themselves. Where do they go to insure their spiritual needs are addressed excellently? Where do they go with their fears and anxieties? Who would you recommend?

As believers, we know one thing is sure. We have a Savior, Jesus Christ, who is more than equipped to handle the challenges we face today and tomorrow (Jude 1:25). He is best qualified to meet our every need—provisionally and spiritually, because “He does all things excellently”.

It is natural for us to expect Jesus “to save us” by doing miracles in our life, like the deaf and dumb man. And HE DOES. But Jesus also wants us to know that He can be trusted with the daily events of our life. Jesus’ grace will provide all we need to manage both our spiritual and temporal needs (Ps. 23:1-3). Why? Because He (Jesus) does all things well! (v. 37)

As we prepare for this day and the days ahead, look to the only One we can recommend to see us through these tumultuous and challenging times. Trust the only One who died for us (John 11:25); who never fails (Is. 55:10-11); who cannot lie (Num. 23:19). Jesus has the power and authority to do “all things” (Matt. 28:18). Jesus does all things well.

Spiritual Renewal

Wilderness Living

August 11, 2020 ITWMinistries 1 Comment

—

Are you experiencing wilderness living? I’m not talking about a survival challenge where one willingly goes into the wilderness to test their mental and physical endurance. This wilderness experience is usually thought of as a tough time in which a believer endures discomfort and trials. We are unable to enjoy the pleasant things of life.

Similarly, this new decade (2020) is testing both our mental and physical endurance. The stress and strain on our emotional health is unbelievable. The combined effect of the health pandemic, racial strife and financial strain is unrelenting. As a result, we have seen our lives played out like a bad dream repeated on a continuous loop.

I was encouraged when Michelle Obama shared her personal struggle with mild depression. Her transparency and vulnerability are character strengths we can model during these difficult times. In the same vein Israel needed support to help them successfully navigate wilderness living.

God revealed during wilderness living

Captivity was Israel’s “wilderness experience.” The nation was away from their land, their temple, and most importantly, their God. Therefore, God, through His prophet Isaiah, sent words of consolation to Israel during their wilderness experience. He promised to do a new thing (Is. 43:16-19).

New in Hebrew means to renew, rebuild, or repair. Most certainly, people today need these three actions during times of uncertainty and chaos. Our minds need to be renewed from the the insanity of the world (Rom. 12:1-2). Our relationships need to be rebuilt and repaired (Rom. 12:17-18). We are divided on so many things. Therefore, Satan uses these differences to further polarize us and negate Jesus’ mandate to love one another (Matt. 5:43-44).

Because of His love for Israel, God promised He would not only renew, rebuild, and repair what was loss during the exile, but also do the impossible. “For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring and my blessing on your descendants” (Isaiah 44:3). In other words, God would revive Israel physically and spiritually.

Facing wilderness living

Wilderness living is different for everyone. For example, for some people wilderness living may be relational—failed, estranged, or disappointing relationships. For others the experience may be professional—finding the right vocation or personal significance. But for some, wilderness living may be experiential—moments of personal loss, loneliness, or misfortune. No two wildernesses are the same.

Likewise our spirit man may also feel strained. What is God doing in the world and in our lives? We may feel alone and isolated. We may even think God has left us and no longer hears our prayers. Is God with us in our wilderness? He answers, “Yes!” It’s in His Word (Ps. 91:15; Isa.43:2; Isa. 49:15).

Living in the wilderness

Above all, regardless of the type of wilderness experience, we can trust God. We can relinquish control to God’s sovereign will and His steadfast love. God is for us and He cares about everything that keeps us awake at night—our family, our provision, and our future. God will sustain us. In short, while we have no forecast as to when and if our world will ever be the same again, we have the blessed assurance that God is with us. (Ps. 119:116)

After our wilderness experience

Through our wilderness experience God can renew, rebuild, and repair our lives (Ps. 130:5). As we strengthen our intimacy with Him, we will find true happiness, contentment, and peace (Rev. 21:7). God can do that for us individually. Likewise, He can also do that for our nation.

God can do the impossible and bring us back to a healthy, vigorous and flourishing condition (Isa. 40:31). We may not look the same but because of God, we will be better because of our experience in the wilderness (Job 23:10).