Where have all the ‘great ones’ gone?

Hjørdis was not my ‘aunt’ in terms of being a relative. All the same, the children who attended the nursery-class at the Sunday school in Stavanger in the late 1950s called her ‘aunt Hjørdis’. I don't know how many years she had been doing the ministry, but I believe it must have been for the major part of her life. For me she was always an ‘old’, but very important person. 

Because my parents went to the ‘Battle-School’ to be trained for officership, I was only four years old when we moved from the city. However, I know ‘aunt Hjørdis’ remembered me, prayed for me and every time I came back for furlough, she talked to me - and I was one of many who received her care. I felt seen, loved and affirmed even when I was an adult and had become an officer myself. I don't think she ever thought that she was one of the ‘great ones’ in God’s Kingdom, but when I read what Jesus said, I believe she was:

Then Jesus said to them,
“Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me;
and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.
For it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest.”
Luke 9:48

The memory of her was triggered by General Peddle’s: ‘Call to Raise and Nurture Every Generation’, which is the first point of the charge to take responsibility (1). Praise God, we still find people who are ready to be engaged and prepared to take responsibility for children’s ministry. The challenge is that they are 'red-listed' because they belong to the endangered species – particularly when we speak about a long-term ‘aunt Hjørdis-commitment’.

It is not so hard to get people to engage in a one-time event. However, in an ‘instant’ society where the benefit of having a multitude of options to choose from is considered the highest value worth striving for – we still need people who are willing to say “I am ready to welcome and invest in children!”

‘Manna’ for today:

‘Welcome Jesus, welcome!’

-------------------------------------
(1) A Call to Raise and Nurture Every Generation: We must accept responsibility for children, young adults and emerging leaders – equipping, growing, empowering and discipling our present and future Salvation Army.

‘The art of waiting’ – an important strategy

Part of being ‘battle-ready’* is to respond to the Spirit. Jesus started teaching about the Holy Spirit in the very beginning of the training of the disciples. Jesus said clearly that the Holy Spirit is the best gift his Father can give:

“If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
Luke 11:13

When I experienced the Holy Spirit as a real power in my life in 1972, this verse became one of my favourite verses. When I some years later became a father and wanted the best for my children, the verse made an even stronger impact on me. 

The challenge is that God never intrudes into the privacy of his children. We have to ask him to give us the Holy Spirit, just like Jesus taught his disciples. Therefore, it may seem strange that he just before he ascended to heaven, said:

“Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.”
Acts 1:4

However, this is only strange if I regard the ‘art of waiting’ as a passive strategy. I can hardly imagine anything more active than children who at Christmas are waiting for the moment when the presents are to be unwrapped. Waiting in the Bible is more related to expecting, simply because I am waiting for something to come true in my life. In the narrative about the Baptist, Luke wrote that “the people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Messiah” – Luke 3:15.

God has left it to my initiative to receive the Holy Spirit. The strategy is to pray and wait ‘expectantly’ – after all God has already done his part through the pouring out of his Spirit.

‘Manna’ for today:

I expect The holy spirit to speak and lead - now!

----------------------------------
* General Peddle’s call:

 'I believe we need to be ready for what God wants to do with us and through us. This is a call to prayer, a call to holiness and a call to be "battle-ready" now. There is an urgency to this call that cannot be ignored. Men, women and children need Jesus.'
NB - this reflection is linked to General Brian Peddle's "Call to Mission - NOW"

Prayer is more than 'just' asking

Last week I shared some thoughts about prayer and I included the message from General Brian Peddle with a call to prayer (1). If you read last week’s entry, you are likely to remember that I asked you to reflect on this verse during the week:

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
Luke 11:9-10

Bible-readers will be familiar with these verses, but many think that they are three expressions of the same matter - a so-called 'pleonasm'. I think this presumption is a fallacy. Already in the first teaching about prayer, Jesus gave a clear message that prayer is much more than plain asking. Unfortunately, our prayers are very often limited to asking God for something. However, prayer is also about

Seeking

I really dislike seeking for things I cannot find, but I love to discover new things. Therefore, it becomes much more interesting to think that: Prayer is to be on a journey of discovery, and on this journey, I will all the time find discover new things that are important for my development. I learn more about God and more about myself. Moreover, prayer is about

Knocking

Jesus was very concerned about perseverance - also in prayer. The parable of the persistent widow is a typical example (2). I have often used the illustration of a game I sometimes played together with other kids when I was a boy – the name of the game was a rhyme in Norwegian, and I suppose the translation "knocking and mocking" will work in English. We simply knocked on a random door, ran, hid and imitated the look on the person's face when he understood that he had been tricked. Not very nice, but fun for kids…

Prayer is knocking on the God’s door and remaining by the door until it opens. In many ways, knocking takes place on both sides of the door (3). It is also part of praying that the Lord will enter the door of my heart. Fortunately, he too is persistent!

‘Manna’ for today:

I will keep knocking!

-----------------------------------------
(1) 'I believe we need to be ready for what God wants to do with us and through us. This is a call to prayer, a call to holiness and a call to be "battle-ready" now. There is an urgency to this call that cannot be ignored. Men, women and children need Jesus.'
(2) Luke 18:1-8
(3) Revelation 3:20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.
NB - this reflection is linked to General Brian Peddle's "Call to Mission - NOW"

Do you know what prayer is?

It may be that some will think: 

‘Doesn’t everyone know what prayer is’?

If you ask me if I know what prayer is, my answer is: ‘Yes, I know a little bit’. The reason why I only know a 'little bit' is because the subject of prayer is boundless. I have so much to learn about prayer and contemplation through living close to Jesus, and I also learn from other believers from the whole spectre of denominations.

For me the journey of prayer has been long and a journey of exploration and it is not finished yet. When Jesus walked together with his disciples towards Jerusalem, the disciples faced a situation they could not handle. So when they asked “Why couldn’t we?” – Jesus replied:

“…this kind does not go out except by prayer…”
Matthew 17:21

Jesus gave this as part of the reason why the disciples ‘could not drive out’ a demon. Earlier in their ministry the disciples had been with Jesus while he was praying. Afterwards one of the disciples said: “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” (1)

Jesus answered by teaching them the Lord's Prayer. I shared three reflections from this prayer in the Advent-season, and will return to elements from this prayer later. However, after teaching the disciples the prayer, Jesus continued:

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
Luke 11:9-10

Please keep these verses in mind this week. I will return to them next week.

‘Manna’ for today:

I have always more to learn about prayer

-----------------------
(1) Luke 11:1
NB - this reflection is linked to General Brian Peddle's "Call to Mission - NOW"

Now is the time

We are already a few days into 2019. A new year always makes me think about time. One of the Bible-passages I love to read again and again, is Jesus’ personal mission-statement, simply because His mission is my mission (1). In the statement, Jesus said:

In short, the Spirit is upon Me to proclaim that now is the time;
this is the jubilee season of the Eternal One’s grace.
Luke 4:19 (The Voice version)

Many translations say that Jesus came to proclaim ‘a year of God’s favour’ – a year of grace. However, time is neither past nor future; time is always ‘now’!

God is the great “I am” = God is the “Eternal Now”. 

Paul had discovered this, and wrote:

Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
2 Corinthians 6:2b

For this reason, I can pray: “I am here, God, and I know that you are here too, and I know that 'now' is the accepted time of grace!”

‘Manna’ for today:

Grace is that ‘now’ is always the right moment!

------------------------------------
(1) It is the mission of all disciples, because as God sent Jesus into the world, Jesus is sending us into the world – See John 20:21.
* Source
NB - this reflection links in with General Brian Peddle's "Call to Mission - NOW"

Advent – more to wait for!

When I last week asked the question “What am I waiting for?” – I answered “Your kingdom come!”.
Of course this links very well with the forthcoming celebration of the coming of the King of kings.

However, it must not stop with the celebration of the coming of Christ more than 2000 years ago; or with the coming of Christ in and through his body of believers today. Until Christ returns at the end of time, what I will be waiting and longing for is covered in the prayer:

“Your will be done!”
Matthew 6:10

The good news about what the will of God is, was made known by the angel at the birth of Jesus:

“a Saviour has been born to you!”
Luke 2:11

The whole purpose with “Christmas” was to give the world a Saviour so that “whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life”(1). When the first Christians prayed the Lord’s prayer, they knew that the greatest desire of God is that: “God our Saviour, … wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth”(2).

When I am waiting for God’s will to be done, it is a challenge when I already know what his will is. It would be simpler if I didn’t know and could ask him what it was. I cannot ask him to save the world, because he has already done it. The challenge is that so many people in the world do not know this truth. When I know the will of God and that he has already done his part, I am the closest one to do something with what I know. When I in advent-expectations pray: “Your will be done!” it is very likely that solution is found in the

‘Manna’ for today:

Sometimes I have the key to the answer to a prayer in my own heart.

-----------------------------------------
(1) John 3:16b
(2) 1 Timothy 2:4

What am I waiting for?

The question is relevant at all times, and for my part, it always gets a special focus in the Advent-season. The word Advent is borrowed from Latin (1) and describes a time when something first comes or appears. It is a time when Christians focus on the coming of Christ. Traditionally, this will be linked to the celebration of his first coming in combination with the expectation of his second coming.

Of course this also my focus; however, I will in this blog and the following reflections in Advent share what I am waiting for and longing to see. The longing is expressed in the Lord’s prayer:

“Your kingdom come!”
Matthew 6:10

In a time when the ‘kingdoms’ of this earth again are experiencing the rise of nationalism resulting in enmity, martial laws, breeches of agreements and treaties; in a time when human rights are heavily under attack and the sanctity of life seems to be a forgotten concept; in a time when wars and embargos are causing small children starving to death; in such a time I am not only praying but also crying out: “Our Father, let your kingdom come!”

When the King of kings stood in front of Pilate, he came with this statement:

“My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.” John 18:36

You and I represent this kingdom. Our mission has all to do with this kingdom. And in reality it is already here:

“The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is in your midst.”
Luke 17:20-21

So when I pray “Your kingdom come”, I also realize that the

‘manna’ for today is:

The kingdom of God is in our midst.

I am waiting and longing to see more of its effect.
-------------------------------------
(1) Latin = Adventus

Why am I here?

A philosopher will say that this is a typical existential question, and I agree. However, I will not focus on the existential side of the question today. In light of the theme: “Momentum” (1), the question simply relates to the fact that I am serving God in Eastern Europe Territory today, and have done so for some years.

Last weekend we were together with people who are considering the calling to become an officer in The Salvation Army, and we reflected on many subjects linked to the calling. In the final meeting on Sunday morning, I preached on the most important pre-condition of all: 

Availability. 

When I prepared for the sermon I realized that I could have chosen a huge number of Biblical texts that support the importance of availability. I ended up with using the brief narrative about the calling of Levi:

After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. “Follow me,” Jesus said to him, and Levi got up, left everything and followed him.
Luke 5:27-28

I don’t think that Jesus primarily was looking for a tax collector or any other particular skills when he was creating his team of disciples. He was looking for people who were available. People ready to move with the calling. In the ‘Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard’ (2), the landowner did not ask for qualifications when he went to hire workers in his vineyard. He hired those who were available at ‘any hour of the day’. I believe God is constantly looking for available people. The Bible tells us that he does not always succeed. “I looked for someone among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found no one.” (3) When Jesus called Levi, he was available and he showed his availability through immediately responding to the calling by getting up, leaving everything behind and following Jesus.

That I am available is the main reason why I am here and I thank God for the opportunity. In the everyday life of my ministry in this exciting part of the world, I want to be available for the prompting of the Spirit at ‘any hour of the day’. I wish for the same for all my brothers and sisters sharing the same ministry!

‘Manna’ for today:

Here I am Lord – available!

----------------------------------------
(1) Momentum – the movement caused by the impulse from The holy spirit is the theme for 2018 in Eastern Europe Territory.
(2) Matthew 20:1-16
(3) Ezekiel 22:30

What is the 'one' baptism?

Immediately it may seem equally difficult to find an answer to what the ‘one’

baptism is, as it is to find answers to what the ‘one’ faith is. Looking at the discussions that have taken place through the history of the church, it often narrows down to a question about infant Christening or adult baptism, and whether the rituals should be perceived as symbolic or if the ‘act of grace’ happens in the ritual elements or in the ritual act itself.

Paul actually referred to several types of baptism. He asked the disciples in Ephesus what kind of baptism they had received. When Paul learned that it was John’s baptism, he spoke to them and the result was that they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus (1). Following this, Paul laid his hands upon them and they were baptized in the Holy Spirit.

When Paul referred to the ancestors, he wrote that ‘they were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea’ (2). This indicates that baptism is a transition into a new phase of life with a new direction.

In his teaching on keeping the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace (3) where he also writes about one baptism, I do not think Paul neither had the baptism in the water or the baptism of the Holy Spirit in mind. I believe he solely thought about the fact that we are ‘baptized into the death of Jesus’. This baptism is the ‘one’ and same for all born again believers. How the different churches choose to celebrate this is subordinate to the fact that ‘we have been united with him in a death like his’ (4). Jesus also spoke about his own death as a baptism (5).

I believe that the context of ‘one’ baptism strengthens this interpretation. The ‘one’ hope assumes that I have grown into Christ in a death that is like him, so that I also will be united with him in a resurrection like his (6). Because, if I claim to have ‘one’ Lord, this can only happen after my ego has died with him to enable me to live in him. In view of this I can only see one real baptism. How churches choose to symbolize this is without any value if it does not lead people into living the resurrection life as new creatures in Christ Jesus.

‘Manna’ for today:

There is only ‘one’ baptism that unites us with Christ and with one another.

_________________________________________
(1) Acts 19:3-4
(2) 1 Corinthians 10:2
(3) Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism... Ephesians 4:3-5
(4) Romans 6:3-4
(5) Luke 12:50
(6) Romans 6:5
* Thanks to Bodil Østergreen for letting me use this picture of the cross she bought in Assisi. On FB she writes: God stretches out his hand to you. You can choose whether you want to accept God's hand and stretch your hand to your fellow human beings.

‘…without us God will not’

The headline is the last part of St. Augustine’s famous saying:

‘Without God we cannot, but without us God will not!’

There is substantial Biblical support for the first part of the quote. In the parable of the vine Jesus focused on the importance of bearing fruit and stated:

apart from me you can do nothing.
John 15:5b

There is no doubt that God can without us. When the Pharisees asked Jesus to rebuke the disciples who praised him when he entered Jerusalem on Palm-Sunday, Jesus answered:

“Listen—if they were silent, the very rocks would start to shout!”
Luke 19:40

However, Augustine was right, God wants to work in us and through us (1). Many years back I listen to a devotion by Bill Himes on the proclamation “No rock is going to cry in my place!” – a man who has dedicated all his talents and all that he is to God, has credibility when he makes a statement like that (2). William Booth had the same conviction and dedication, that is why he could say: “I am a move of God!”.

When I think about “a move of God”, a chess-board is the first image that pops up in my mind. During my first year at the Training College in 1974, the second year Cadets of the Soldiers of the Cross session prepared a drama for their commissioning in Royal Albert Hall. The drama followed the music of the piece "The Holy War" (3) played by The International Staff Band, while the cadets acted a game of chess symbolising the fight between good and evil. 

The performance was powerful. However, the spiritual war is not a performance, it is real. Without God we cannot, without us God will not. We are a move of God in the world in our time, and that means war with the weapons of love. The terrible beauty of the cross, is its testimony about love conquering evil. That testimony is still the content of God's moving in and through his followers 2000 later.

‘Manna’ for today:

A move of God, will always be a move of love.

-------------------------------------
(1) See: The revolutionary third move
(2) Bill Himes is a composer and song-writer. His song “All that I am” is sung all over the world.
(3) Brass-enthusiasts will know this beautiful and demanding piece of Ray Steadman Allen written for the Salvation Army’s Centenary Celebration in 1965.

How do I unwrap the gifts of the Spirit?

When I was baptized in the Spirit at the age of 16, I wanted to share this blessing with as many as possible. Therefore, I said to the Lord: “If you want me to tell the Army about this, you need to give me an opportunity to do so at the territorial congress next summer!” 

– I did not tell anybody about this agreement, and even though I have been involved in many congresses since I was 16, I have only once been asked to give my testimony. It happened the ‘next summer’. In 1973 I stood in large sports-hall testifying to the big crowd about what I had received and that it is available for all believers. “He has already given it. However, the gift has to be unwrapped!” was my message 45 years ago, and it is still the same.

If you have already accepted the fact that the gift has your name-tag on it, you are already moving towards the process of unwrapping the gift. The day I surrendered my life to Jesus and in doing so also was determined that this was a lifelong commitment, I was convinced about one thing:

“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Luke 6:38

In my understanding this was very straight forward. If I gave Jesus my life, he would give me his. If I gave him my gifts, he would give me his. If I forgave, he would forgive and so on (1).

It was just a matter of starting on the journey of exploring. I read about how other people had received the gift of the Spirit and I realized that they were very ordinary people, just as I am. It fitted the biblical image of the first disciples as very ordinary, and of the very human people making up the first body of believers as portrayed in Acts of the Apostles and Paul’s letters.

After having accepted that this is for me, the next step is to count it as an integral part of my new life in Christ. One simple example: 

If I am in Christ and he is in me, it means that when I pray for people and lay my hands on them, the hands become the hands of Christ. It is a new way of thinking; it is part of the unwrapping of the gift of Spirit.

‘Manna’ for today:

Walking in the Spirit is an ongoing journey of exploration.

---------------------------
(1) The Lord’s prayer – Matthew 6:12

Four factors influencing movement

When I last week wrote about passion, I introduced the first of four factors of importance for my mission as a follower of Christ:

1) Passion
2) Personality 

3) Talents
4) Spiritual gifts

They are all part of my identity as a disciple. Today I want to share a few thoughts about personality. When I read how Jesus chose the twelve disciples who he should train for three years, I am so glad to discover how different personalities they had. I am also grateful to Luke for reminding us that

The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others.
Luk 8:1b-3

Like their male colleagues, the women were very different both with regard to personality, social background and status. Sometimes I meet people who have lost momentum because they say: 

“I am not like that!” 

They compare themselves with other Christians and think that their personality does not fit in. When we look at the first group of followers, we see that there were no status, gender or personality issues. An extrovert and impulsive Peter could easily walk alongside an introvert Thomas who needed time to check out more facts before he was ready to move. There was space close to Jesus for both of them - when Thomas moved, he moved in the right direction. Peter sometimes also moved in the wrong direction. All the same, realising he was on the wrong track, there was a way back to Jesus even for Peter. In close relationship with Jesus, our personalities will be refined and the beautiful nuances preserved.

‘Manna’ for today:

In Jesus there is room for everyone.

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

The last important lesson - a time for everything *

NORSK
Most Bible-readers know that Luke wrote both a gospel and the book of Acts (1). The gospel ends with Jesus being taken up into heaven, while the Apostles' acts begin with the same event. There is full harmony between the two versions as the road between Jerusalem and Bethany crossed the Mount of Olives. The version of the event in Luke is very short, but I love the brief account:

When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven.
Luke 24:50-51

The last memory the disciples have of Jesus is that he raised his hands blessed them, and then he was taken up into heaven while he blessed his disciples. I think even that in this last event there is an important lesson:
"You are never closer to heaven than when you bless one another!"
 
Obviously, the last memory of what Jesus did, was an important example. And down through history disciples have followed his example. We bless because Jesus did it and we know why: It is because God's blessing, God's good word over us, is the best gift we can give and receive. Perhaps Jesus used the words all Jews knew, but maybe he made them personal: “I bless you and keep you; I make my face shine on you and am gracious to you; I turn my face toward you and give you peace” (2).

‘Manna’ for today:

I will lift up my hands and bless people!

Today I wish you a blessed celebration of the Ascension Day!
------------------------------------
(1) Both books are written to a man by the name Theophilus. My theory is that he was one of Paul’s converts in Rome.
(2) Numbers 6:24-26
* '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 initiative is left to me - a time for everything *

NORSK
I believe that Jesus started teaching about the Holy Spirit in the very beginning of the training of the disciples. In the collected teaching of Jesus, which we refer to as the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus is clear that the Holy Spirit is the best gift his Father can give:

“If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
Luke 11:13

When I experienced the Holy Spirit as a real power in my life in 1972, this verse became one of my favourite verses. When I some years later became a father and wanted the best for my children, the verse made an even stronger impact on me. The challenge is that God never intrudes into the privacy of his children. We have to ask him to give us the Holy Spirit. Jesus was completely aware of this and taught. Therefore, it may seem strange that he just before he ascended to heaven, said: 

“Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.”
Acts 1:4

But this is only strange if I regard the ‘art of waiting’ as a passive strategy (1). I can hardly imagine anything more active than children who at Christmas are waiting for the moment when the presents are to be unwrapped. Waiting in the Bible is more related to expecting, simply because I am waiting for something to come true. In the narrative about the Baptist, Luke wrote that “the people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Messiah” (2).

So it is left to my initiative to receive the Holy Spirit. The strategy is to pray and wait ‘expectantly’.

‘Manna’ for today:

God has taken the initiative by sending the Holy Spirit; my initiative is to receive.

-------------------------------------------------
(1) See “A passive strategy?”
(2) Luke 3:15
* '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 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

Is 'upon' an important word? - a time for everything *

NORSK
When I was young, I had lots of questions about the Holy Spirit. I read books and spoke with experienced disciples and discovered that many focused on the importance of the Spirit coming upon us. There is substantial Biblical support for such thoughts, and we find it in a verse I have already quoted a couple of times in this series of reflections:

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

When I surrendered to Jesus and invited him into my life at the age of 14, the Holy Spirit moved into my spirit. I believe that all who have received Jesus have also received the Holy Spirit. With the Spirit in us, we are new creatures and as such we are able to recognize the Holy Spirit when he comes upon us.

I have definitely had many experiences of the Holy Spirit coming 'upon' me both in solitude and in fellowship with many others. This can be very different in expressions and intensity, but even when the expression is unknown, the Holy Spirit can be recognized by the fruit – the presence of divine love. If what the Father has promised comes from on high, it may not be so strange that it will come ‘upon’ us. Paul urged us to search for it:

“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above”
Col 3:1a

The disciples also had to seek for that which was promised and they waited for it for ten days. For Paul, being raised with Christ is synonym with being a new creature. It shows that seeking for that which is promised to come ‘over’ me is an invitation that is still valid even though I live in a good relationship with the Lord.

‘Manna’ for today

I want the Holy Spirit to come over me!

------------------------------------------
* '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 ime between Easter and Pentecost

Well-dressed - a time for everything *

NORSK
Today, Norway celebrates the National Day.

May be the way my home country celebrates the 17th of May is the most unique with the country. What I like the most with the celebration is to see all the people in national costumes. The girls in our family have had costumes for many years and this year I could have been participating for the first time in my new outfit; however, today I am home in Moldova and happy to be here.

I admit that I felt well-dressed last Sunday when I used the costume for the first time in Adam's confirmation. Nor do I hide the fact that I like to use the Salvation Army uniform even though I belong to those who liked the old uniform with a stand up collar even better. Since the photo with the national costumes was posted two days ago, today's photo will have to serve the purpose of illustrating well-dressed people.

But there is a ‘clothing’ that is even more important than uniforms and national costumed, and I see this in this verse:

“I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
Luke 24:49

The original word, here translated ‘clothed’, actually means ‘sinking into a garment’. I like this idea. I am well-dressed in the ministry when I have sunk down and been clothed in power from on high. Without it, neither uniforms nor national costumes are worth mentioning. The ‘clothing from on high’ is an 'armour' for the good fight, and then it is acceptable to translate like my favourite Norwegian translation does in this case: ‘armoured with power’. It was important for Jesus to prepare the disciples for this event in the period between Easter and Pentecost.

‘Manna’ for today:

I will dress for the good fight!

------------------------------------
* '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 ime between Easter and Pentecost

A new recipe for prayer – a time for everything *

NORSK
When the disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray, he gave them the prayer today named: “The Lord's Prayer”. 

The 'new recipe' does not reduce the content or position of this prayer, cherished and used by Christians worldwide. On the contrary, it reinforces “The Lord’s Prayer” and any prayer prayed in accordance with this charge:

Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.
John 16:24 

This verse is taken from the passage in which Jesus told about the post-resurrection period.

On the cross Jesus opened the way to the Father. All Jews knew that any human who entered into the presence of God would die. So Jesus died for us so that me so that could enter into God’s as already dead with Christ. However, also risen with him as a new creature with the to pray to the Father in Jesus’ name.

Therefor I approach my Holy God and Father as dead in Christ and in his name I can stand alive in front of His throne and pray "Our Father!" and utter all the prayers and praises I may carry in my heart. That is joy, complete joy. 

‘Manna’ for today:

I pray to the Father, in the name of Jesus, Amen!

-------------------------------------------------
* '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 ime between Easter and Pentecost

The small signs - a time for everything *

NORSK
The picture in yesterday's reflection (see below) was taken while I was speaking in Ialoveni last Sunday. The outstretched arms illustrate Jesus' hands nailed to the cross as a sign that God embraces the whole world in an expression of love.

That is how I also think he came to earth: As a little child with outstretched hands. The Christmas story tells us that Mary "wrapped him" (1) just after he was born. In Eastern Europe, we still see babies being wrapped, and then his hands are not visible. The expression of the embracing God is hidden.

It is strange that one of the worst examples of evil, crucifixion, stretched out the arms of Jesus to a wide embrace, which transforms the cross to a symbol of ultimate love.

After Jesus 'death, I read that Joseph from Arimatea took down the body of Jesus, “wrapped it in linen cloth and placed it in a tomb” (2). In other words, the symbol of God embracing the world was once again hidden by people who would only do the best.
 
I think that's why it was important that Jesus when he rose from the grave the left linen behind (3). It wasn’t just a sign that Jesus has risen and death was defeated, but also a sign that no power any longer has power to conceal God's extended love for the world. However, often with good intention, people are able to scourge the gospel in a way that people do not see the open embrace of love. Perhaps because we often meet expectations rather than love. Love must always come before expectations of response. If not, it's not love.

‘Manna’ for today:

Thank God, for all the little signs of your love.

-------------------------------------------------- ----
(1) See Luke 2:7
(2) See Luke 23:53
(3) See Luke 24:12 
* '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 ime between Easter and Pentecost

It is about sharing - a time for everything *

NORSK
Yesterday I wrote about the ‘holy unrest’ that was caused by the need to share an important experience with friends. The two who had walked from Emmaus to Jerusalem in the darkness of the evening managed to find their friends. I expect that they were taken by surprise and amazement when friends beat them on the ‘finish-line’ and proclaimed:

“It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.
Luke 24:34-35

The need to share can be so strong that I cannot afford to let it be. When Peter after Pentecost was commanded to stop speaking about Jesus, he answered:

As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”
Acts 4:20

I think Jesus was a model for his disciples even in the field of sharing personal experiences. Since Jesus was alone in several of his spiritual victories, he must have told his disciples about them. He was alone when he was tempted in the wilderness and he was alone when he fought with his own will in Gethsemane. 

I do not know when on the journey he shared the first experience with the disciples, but the Gethsemane experience must have been shared with the disciples after the resurrection. Simply because there was not much time to share it before the crucifixion. It means that it must have been shared in one of the meetings Jesus had with the disciples before his ascension to heaven.

The disciples saw and learned from Jesus' testimony. And when they used the same method themselves, I am convinced that they found it both useful to share their experiences, and a blessing on the ongoing journey.

One of the most important things in my life, is to share the testimony of who Jesus is and what he has done to me. I simply cannot help.

‘Manna’ for today

I just have to tell about it!

---------------------------------------------
* '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