A new move!

When we read the stories of the Old Testament, it is not difficult to see how God is moving in and through his chosen people, and how he also reveals to them what his plans are. The author of the letter to the Hebrews has captured this and described it in this way:

In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe.
Hebrews 1:1-2

The belief that Jesus Christ was present in God – the ‘first mover’ – when the world was created, was very important for the first followers of the Way, who later were called Christians. When God became flesh, his presence and identification with his creation became even more evident. God was not just a distant Creator, but lived as a human being among ordinary people, “tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin” (1).

The prophets saw that this would happen, and Isaiah described it in this way:

For this is what the high and exalted One says—
he who lives forever, whose name is holy:
“I live in a high and holy place,
but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit,
to revive the spirit of the lowly
and to revive the heart of the contrite.
Isaiah 57:15

Therefore, the birth of Jesus Christ is so vital for the Christian faith and for the momentum of God’s plan of salvation. In the incarnation the first mover is giving his creation a new move. Some of Jesus’ last words were: “Go therefore…” 

- If we do not grasp the mystery of the incarnation, but still want to do what he asks us to do, we are likely to try to move but with the parking-brakes on. More about incarnation in the reflection on the ‘third move’ next week.

‘Manna’ for today:

I move because He is with me always (2)

-------------------------------
(1) Hebrews 4:15b

(2) Matthew 28:20

The promise of the Father – a time for everything *

NORSK
This is the fourth time I quote the same verse in this series, and I guess it will be the last for now:

And look, I am sending the promise of My Father upon you. Luke 24:49a

I love to be reminded of God's promises. It strengthens the faith to see the fulfillment of the promises in the Bible. It is likely that the promise Jesus was referring to is the same Peter used when he spoke to the great crowd on the day of Pentecost: “This is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: ‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people.” (1).

Thus Jesus repeated the promise and Peter did the same when he came to the end of his speech. He urged the audience to repent and receive forgiveness for sins, followed by the promise:

“And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
Acts 2:38b-39

Therefore, the promise applies to all who receive the call – even we who are ‘far off’ many generations later. I know it is true because I have experienced it myself.

‘Manna’ for today:

For he who gave the promise is faithful. (2)

-------------------------------------------------- -
(1) Acts 2:16-17a, which is taken from Joel 2:28-29
(2) Hebr 10:23b
* 'A time for everything' is connected with the Bible's teaching about a 'season for every activity' Eccl 3 This series is about the teaching in the time between Easter and Pentecost

The charge piece by piece

NORSK
When our children were small we used to cut a slice of bread into small pieces for several reasons. Firstly, it was easier for them to put the small pieces in the mouth. Secondly, they ate more bread because it was some topping on each piece. When we gave them a full slice, they would eat the topping first and leave the bread alone.

Today I will attempt do the same with the charge Paul gave to Timothy in order not to miss any nourishment. The charge is actually a summary of the mission:

Preach the word - because the Word is Jesus (1)
be prepared in season and out of season – because the Word is a support both on the good and bad days (2)
correct – because the Word is truth (3)
rebuke – because the Word is like a two-edged sword (4)
and encourage – because the Word is full of grace (5)
with great patience – because the Word gives patience (6)
and careful instruction – because the Word is 'sound doctrine' (7)
2 Tim 4:2

‘Manna’ for today:

The Word is complete but can be digested in small pieces

--------------------------------------
* OK - it seemed to work - occasionally ..... (sorry Silje)
(1) John 1:1
(2) Matt 28:20
(3) John 14:6
(4) Hebrews 4:12
(5) John 1:14
(6) Rom 15:4
(7) 2 Timothy 4:3

Hunting season all year around

NORSK
We have an old house in rural Drangedal in Norway. There is a lot wild life in the big forests and fish in the lakes. It is impossible not to be affected by the huge hunting interest in the municipality. I am not interested in the hunting itself, but the people’s excitement for the pursuit fascinates me. I think that we are all born with kind of hunting instinct.

Paul appeals to this hunting instinct in us in several of his letters, and the letters to Timothy are no exception:

Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
2 Timothy 2:22

I have touched these qualities worthy of pursuit earlier in the series, but today I will reflect more on the last exhortation: 

“Pursue peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart”

Why does Paul limit the pursuit for peace to those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart?

A few days back I quoted "Make every effort to live in peace with everyone" (1), but I think there is a simple explanation for the exhortation to Timothy to focus on peace with this limited target group. The reason is linked to the theme of the reflection 'Avoid quarrelling about words' which deals with the fact that there may be differences of opinion between two individuals call on the Lord from a pure heart.

The context shows that Paul was of the opinion that there were several who were focused on creating controversy for controversy’s sake, and where the pursuit of the Lord with a pure heart was more or less forgotten.

It is possible that we may still find such people in the church in our time, but I meet very many sincere believers with whom I love to share fellowship. Therefore, I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of "interdenominational meeting-series" and joint prayer-weeks for our cities. It gives an important signal to the world that we who believe, stand together and call on the Lord out of a pure heart even though we represent a diversity of views on theological issues of minor importance.

‘Manna’ for today:

Peace with everyone means unity in diversity

---------------------------------------
(1) Hebrews 12:14

It is about fruit that gives hope

NORSK
I have always claimed that there is at least three variants of faith:

1. The faith that God has already laid in our hearts = the ability to believe (1)
2. The gift of faith = the gift of the Spirit (2)
3. The quality of being faithful = the fruit of the Spirit (3)

The Bible is very clear that the faithfulness like the other qualities of the Spirit is a divine attribute:

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.
Hebr 10:23

Yesterday Magna preached saints, holiness, heroes and role-models. I have written about my granddad before (4) on the blog. Like the people Magna mentioned, he was also very human. But every time I hear the word faithfulness, I always think of him. I discovered this quality in him very early, and his faithfulness remained an integrated part of him until his promotion to glory.

When he was 80, he bought his first PC. It was not many at that age who bought a PC in 1995, but he needed it to write his memoirs. He chose to give his book the title: “He cares!” – and to this image of God, he remained faithful. It affected him and he affected us who were his closest of kin, but his faithfulness and care also reached out to those who fell outside the community. For them he represented hope.

‘Manna' for today:

Holiness and faithfulness gives hope!

--------------------------------------
(1) Rom 12:6
(2) 1 Cor 12:9
(3) Gal 5:22
(4) Han ga alt...

It is about fruit that gives inner tranquility

NORSK
Yesterday our corps officer, Captain Alexander Yacubovski, preached about the vine and the fruit of joy. He has more knowledge about the vine than I have, and that gave me new insight. He told that the vine has hormones that influence the growth, and some species depend upon the plant’s hormones being ‘stressed’ so that the fruit will get the right quality.

It is very interesting to keep this in mind when I now look at “peace”, which is the third quality of the fruit of the Spirit. Peace is often regarded as antidote to stress, but I was quite young when I discovered that the divine peace is different. Because when I was 16, I memorized this verse:

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
John 14:27

Still, I managed sometimes to give the wrong answer when people asked me how they could know what was the will of God: “Do what you have peace to do!”. It is more correct to say “Do that which make you uneasy!”. The uneasiness can be God’s way of stressing the branches of the vine so that the fruit of peace can grow when the disciple is doing his Master’s will.

Even in the stress of this world’s chaos, there can be a fruit of peace, like Magna and I experienced in the terrorist attack in Istanbul and made the journalist chose this heading on the article in the War Cry: “Peace in the midst of terror”.

God's children are called to bear the fruit of peace:

Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
Matt 5:9

And the link between peace and holiness is very clear in the Bible:

Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.
Hebr 12:14

 ‘Manna’ for today:

Holiness is about a peace that gives inner tranquility

------------------
(1) The fruit of the Spirit is ….peace – Gal 5:22

It is about fighting the misconceptions

NORSK
If I believe that God is holy and believe in the Trinity, it is impossible to question the holiness of Jesus. Therefore it is interesting to look at something of what we know about the man Jesus in light of the three misconceptions which are often linked with holiness:

1. Holy people are not tempted

Is a misconception because: We know that Jesus was tempted without falling (1).
Many pious people blame themselves because they experience temptations they thought they had overcome, and Satan is using this to produce the feeling of guilt and shortcoming. Jesus was tested in everything just as we are, but without sin (2). This truth gives me confidence.

2. All holy people have a peaceful temperament

Is a misconception because: Jesus could be angry – I even imagine that he could be furious (3). A sanctified temperament in one person does not need to look like a sanctified temperament in another person – what the two temperaments have in common is that they are lead by the will of God.

3. All holy people have an ascetic lifestyle

Is a misconception because: Jesus participated in the regular life, both on the ordinary and festive occasions, and he was called ‘…a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’(4) Jesus was in but not of the world. Likewise it is with his followers (5). I believe this "discovery" will be a great asset in holy living.

'Manna' for today:

The way of holiness can be hard to travel because of misconceptions.

------------------------------------------
(1) Matt 4:1-11
(2) Hebr 4:15
(3) Re: The cleansing of the Temple e.g. Mark 11:15-19
(4) Luke 7:34 NKJV
(5) John 17:16

It is about an important part of the package

NORSK
I have often heard Christians say that they feel uncomfortable when we speak about anointing. Normally it is because they have not spent much time reflecting on the subject. Many think that it is a special ‘emotion’ or ‘experience’.

Anointing is one of the attributes of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, anointing has nothing to do with my emotions but all to do with me giving him permission to access my life. Likewise, the human Jesus had a free will and chose to give the Holy Spirit access to His life. This is made very in his statement when he started his mission:

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
Luke 4:18-19

Since Jesus was depending on the Spirit’s anointing over his life, I regard it as a ‘must’ for me. Anointing is not something I can hide under the “not applicable”-label – it is a prerequisite for true life.

Spiritual growth is about the desire “to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ” (1). Many of David’s psalms point to Messiah. Yesterday I quoted psalm 133, and mentioned the oil on the Aron’s head, running through the beard and down on his robe.

I believe Jesus is our high priest (2). I believe Jesus is anointed. I believe Jesus is the head of which body I am a part. Therefore, I believe that the logical consequence is that the oil from the head of high priest runs all the way down over me. I cannot avoid it!

When I read about revivals, I recognize the same characteristics and qualities as those of the oil, which have also been the focus of the reflections lately. That is why I believe that anointing is needed if I seriously mean what I pray in the Lord’s prayer: “Your Kingdom come!” (3).

Christian activity without the anointing is in its best version able to protect the interests of those who already believe and “socialize” them into continued faith, but it may be like walking in the desert. Anointing is part of holiness. It cannot be opted out. If I still do, I will destroy the whole package.

‘Manna’ for today:

Anointing is part of holiness

--------------------------------------
(1) Eph 4:15
(2) Hebr 4:14-16
(3) Matt 6:10

It is about healing

NORSK
When I mention the sacred anointing oil, many straight away think about ‘healing’. There is nothing wrong in such an association, because, as I will reflect on tomorrow, the sacred anointing oil filled a function even in the treatment and cleansing of the sick under the old covenant. In addition the practice of using oil was prolonged in the Christian tradition:

Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven.
James 5:14-15

Our youngest daughter, Janne, had severe problems with asthma from a very young age. A couple of times the attacks were so heavy that we were afraid we would lose her, and we saw the wards in many hospitals. My mother at that time worked as the administrational leader of a municipal health department, and since she worked close to several doctors, she addressed one and asked:

“What can we do?”
The doctor, who was not a Christian, just looked at her and said: 
“James 5:14-15!”
This shows that we can find just as much faith among those who do not confess faith, as among those who do. Since the oil is a symbol of the Holy Spirit, the oil also symolized relief and healing.

I have often used oil when I have prayed for the sick, but also on other occasions. It is important to be obedient when the Spirit urges me to do it. On several occasions, remarkable healings have taken place when anointing oil has been used. Yet, I am convinced that God has not made himself dependent upon any physical remedy, because he always looks to the heart (1). In a few isolated instances, I believe that the anointing has been important and even decisive for the person ministered to, because it has functioned as means of faith ignition – where the faith has not gone to the means, but to the pioneer and perfecter of our faith (2).
 
‘Manna’ for today:

Holiness is also about relief

-------------------------------------------
(1) e.g. 2 Chron 16:9 and 1 Sam 16:7
(2) Hebr 12:2

It is about penetration

NORSK
The first quality of oil I want to focus on is the ability to penetrate. The author of Hebrews writes that: “the word of God is alive and active.” and he continues by stating that: “it penetrates” (1). It should not be a surprise for a Bible-reader who knows that “All Scripture is God-breathed” (2), and again I see the clear connection between the Spirit and the image of the sacred anointing oil.

After two years in college, and one year as an assistant corps-officer, I finally had an apartment at my disposal. I had just been appointed the Commanding Officer in Vik i Sogn (Norway). One of the first things I bought myself, was a new tablecloth. I was so fascinated when I spilt some water on it and discovered that it was floating on the tablecloth and I could just pour it into the sink. When I a couple of days later spilt oil – it was a different story. The oil immediately penetrated the surface of the cloth.

The thought leads directly to the concept of anointing. An anointed testimony

penetrates the listener’s surface of self-protection. An easy way to discern genuine anointing is to look for the “breakthrough” of the gospel.

Samuel Logan Brengle often referred to his experience of holiness as a “Baptism of love”. The same Brengle is known for this quote: “In God’s school we learn through the Heart rather than through the head, by Faith rather than logic.” 

For the Holy Spirit to break through, the message must go from heart to heart.

‘Manna’ for today:

Holiness is a breakthrough of love

---------------------------------
(1) Hebrews 4:12
(2) 2 Timothy 3:16

It is about an important distinction

NORSK
I am going to write more about the triune image, but first I want to share some thoughts about an important distinction. Many years ago, to be exact, during the autumn of 1978, I was acquainted with an elderly soldier who was eager to mentor young officers. He has long gone to be with the Lord, but I will never forget his assertion: “You will never experience spiritual growth, least you manage to distinguish between soul and spirit!”.

I cannot underwrite his assertion, but I believe it is important to be aware of the fact of soul and spirit not being the same thing. It is interesting to notice that the author of the letter to the Hebrews, who by the way was very focused on holiness, also writes about this division. May be he also regarded it as important for being able to grasp an aspect of the mystery of holiness?

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
Hebr 4:12-13

The soul is swiftly stirred by the senses of the body, like e.g. what I see, smell, feel or hear. There is nothing wrong in this, but they are also impacts copied by this world to provoke the same kind of emotions. Therefore, it is important not to be fooled by the moods of the soul in a meeting or in  human excitement. So what is causing the moods - the soul or the spirit?

To be able to distinguish is important because it is that which is of the spirit that builds up over time, while that which is of the soul can be a volatile mood.

Tomorrow comes another example of “my image” that hopefully will contribute to enhance the understanding of the difference between soul and spirit – so hang on!.

‘Manna’ for today:

There is difference of soul and spirit!

It is about the forces of nature

NORSK
When I read the Bible that an earthquake can be linked to a revelation of God's spirit, I understand that this may seem like a provocation for people whose lives have been hit by an earthquake’s destructive forces. Therefore, it is important to emphasize that when God reveals Himself in a nature phenomenon, it is of a non-destructive kind.

It is evident in the story of the burning bush that this was a non-consuming fire (1). Likewise, I have several times pointed out that it was important for God to reveal himself to Elijah, irrespective of natural phenomena like e.g. an earthquake (2).
 
Nevertheless, there are several stories in the Bible where an earthquake is linked to the activity of God’s spirit. When Jesus gave up his spirit at the cross, it is just a foretaste of what was to come a few weeks later. The earth shook, the rocks split, the curtain of the temple was torn - and many saints came out of their graves (3).
There was noise and a rattling sound when Ezekiel spoke to the dead bones in the valley, and then the breath of God brought them to life (4).
In Acts, I see that the prayers of the disciples caused an earthquake (5), and furthermore how earthquakes opened the prison doors (6).

Why does the Holy Spirit reveal himself in this way?
 
I think in the following verse contains the answer:

At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain.
Hebrews 12: 26-27

The contrast between shaking of heaven and earth and the Kingdom of God that cannot be shaken, is evident wherever the Holy Spirit is present. Therefore, it should not be a surprise that shaking also can be noticeable on people in the presence of the Holy Spirit – I know it from my own experience, and it explains today’s illustration*. It is familiar also in Salvation Army settings, and both Bramwell Booth (7) and Samuel Logan Brengle (8) testify to such manifestation.

‘Manna' for today:

I will hold on to that which cannot be shaken!

-----------------------------

* Quakers (Community of friends) got their name because the presence of the Spirit was identified through the physical manifestation of shaking in the person on whom the Spirit had given a message for the community.

(1) There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. 2 Gen. 3: 2
(2) Cf. 1 Kings 19:11-12
(3) Matthew 27:50-53
(4) Ezekiel 37:7-9
(5) After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. Acts 4:31
(6) Acts 16:25-26

(7) “Later on, in Meetings of The Army, we had far more wonderful scenes of this nature. During an ‘All-Night of Prayer,’ for example, there would be a certain movement apparent among the people, and sometimes when prayer was being offered, and at other times during the singing or the address of a particular speaker, here and there among the audience people would be observed to fall to the ground. At times they appeared to fall with great violence, yet I have never known of anyone being really hurt. On some occasions there would be perhaps in a meeting of several hundreds of people only half a dozen such manifestations, although I have known as many as fifty or sixty in one gathering. Sometimes the younger people were in the majority, but at other times those thus influenced were mainly from the older portions of the audience.”
Bramwell Booth in “Echoes and Memories” ch. VII ‘Signs and Wonders’ – SP&S 1926 p 53

(8) “At times, the influence of the Spirit came in waves, and there was shouting, but never confusion—never any loss of what seemed Divine control of the meetings. .. . All these brought immeasurable blessing to my soul until it seemed to me that if I ever got much nearer Heaven, gravitation might turn the other way and I might not get back to earth. . . . All these manifestations of God’s presence, in rich variety, and yet Divine unity, fill and thrill me with the hope for revivals in all parts of the earth.”
Samual L. Brengle in letter to Rev. Dr. John Paul, Chicago Evangelistic Institute (Sept. 18, 1933) – quoted in R.D. Rightmire: “Sanctified Sanity” 2003 p 48. 

It is about wind

NORSK
The first images of the Spirit are connected to the meaning of the word ‘spirit’. I have already reflected on spirit as in 'air' and 'breath'. Each of them add to the insight about the person of Holy Spirit and his functions. When I today reflect upon wind, I primarily connect this image with power.

The strong elements of the nature are in several mythologies related to the activities of the gods (1).

Even in the Jewish/Christian faith, such elements are occasionally interpreted as divine manifestations (2). At the same time I should not forget the important incident in the life of Elijah that testifies to the fact there is no rule that God is present in the strong elements of nature. When the Lord passed Elijah, he was neither in the powerful wind, the earthquake nor the fire, but in a gentle whisper (3).

Still – on the day of Pentecost, the first manifestation the 120 noticed, was the wind:

Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.
Acts 2:2

Several times during my life together with the Holy Spirit I have experienced his presence as a powerful wind that literally has blown me over. I do not understand why it happens, but accept that I am part of a mystery which by far exceeds the limited capacity of my thoughts. But, I believe that it was the power of the Holy Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead, and that this power is at work in us who believe (4), I should not be surprised that his power occasionally will manifest itself in a strong manner.

“The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
John 3:8

This is part of Jesus’ teaching about being born again. The one who is born by the Spirit, becomes like the Spirit. That means that through being led by the wind, he becomes like the wind. I have met believers who through what they say and do confirm this image. Humanly speaking, I have no idea as to where their “contribution” comes from, but because they are born by the Spirit and led by the Spirit, I get the ‘picture’. I also know that they will continue to do the ‘unpredictable’ – in other words: I do not know where they are going.

It is interesting that also the angels are linked to the wind:

Of the angels he says,
“Who makes his angels winds,
and his servants flames of fire.”
Hebr 1:7 RSV

‘Manna’ for today:

The life of holiness is living in, and as, the wind

------------------------------
(1) In Norse mythology, a phenomenon like lightening and thunder is associated with Thor and his hammer.  
(2) The manifestation of a god is called Theophany
(3) 1 Kings 19:11-12
(4) Eph 1:18-20