Why me? - a time for everything *

NORSK
It has happened more than once that I have asked God: “Why me?”. The question has come both in gratefulness to the boundless mercy and blessings I have received, like expressed in Kris Kristofferson's song: ‘Why me Lord what have I ever done to deserve one of the pleasures I've known?’ (1). 

Other times, the question has come when I have felt the burden of the mission: “Why me?”. Sometimes both feelings are present at the same time, like in the challenge I believe the disciples experienced when Jesus had clarified the mission. They must have known both the blessing and the burden of the huge task Jesus was entrusting them, and maybe Jesus sensed their thoughts and the question “Why me?” and simply answered: Because:

You are witnesses of these things.
Luke 24:48

I have witnessed that the gospel is true. I have witnessed that what Jesus did, brings salvation even today. To discover this is of course a great blessing, which I realise that I have not deserved. However, it makes me a witness, and with the status of a witness follows a responsibility: I have to share my experience with others.

‘Manna’ for today:

I am a witness of these things!

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(1) Kris Kristoffersen - you can hear his own testimony and the song HERE
* '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. 

Guaranteed space - a time for everything *

NORSK
If the catch of the 153 fishes is a prophetic event that includes all peoples, there is even more important lessons to learn in the practical teaching that takes place on the See of Galilee. An example is in the last part of the ‘statistical’ verse:

It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. John 21:11

Although the gospel of salvation embraces the whole world, it does not ‘tear’. In other words, the entrusted mission is a possible mission. If I return to the start of the journey ‘up to Jerusalem’, it was at the very start that Peter and the disciples got clarity on what the mission is all about (2). They should (after the resurrection) confess that Jesus is the Son of the living God, this confession is the "rock" on which the whole mission rests, and it is accompanied by a promise:

“…on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” Matt 16:18

A net that tears will be the same as being overcome by the gates of Hades. However, the gospel will withstand any pressure – both from the inside and the outside.

Since many of the disciples suffered martyrdom, I think this lesson was important for them to learn and remember. And guarantee of the gospel is valid also in our present troubled times 2000 years later. The gates of Hades do not have power; the net will never break.

Today's 'manna':

Salvation comes with guaranteed space

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(1) I am not 'sponsored', but I have chosen this Coach-company on several occasion because they guarantee space...
(2) Knowing what the mission is - a step on the journey
* '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.

Knowing that it applies to all - a step on the journey

NORSK
... and this step will be the last in this reflection series. Easter week confirms that Jesus includes everyone.

Maybe some of the readers were a little bit puzzled when I yesterday wrote that we need the rich. It was not to exclude the poor or anybody else - rather, my intention was to include the rich as well. When I today read the resurrection message once again, it is the women who are entrusted with the marvelous mission to convey that Jesus is risen. The angel said to them:

“He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”
Matthew 28:6-7

I have never understood those who dare to challenge God's commissioning of women as messengers of the gospel’s most important confirmation that life has triumphed over death. Therefore, I have to be very clear when I address people in cultures where old gender roles affect women's rights to equal ministry with men inside the church.

But it is not just women and rich that are included in the Easter gospel. When Jesus came to Jerusalem, he went directly to the temple and I read that the children shouted in the sanctuary: “Hosanna to the Son of David.” The scribes were indignant and asked if Jesus heard what they were saying, and Jesus replied:

“Yes, but have you never read, ‘From the lips of children and infant you, Lord, have called forth your praise’?” (1)
Matt 21:15-16

The children were included, so were the sick, the robber, the roman soldiers who crucified Jesus, Mary and the disciples. All are included! 
However, it is my choice whether or not I want to be included.

‘Manna’ for today:

I am included in the new life. I have made a very good choice!

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(1) Psalm 8:2

Knowing that we need the rich - a step on the journey

NORSK
When the disciples asked Jesus, "Who then can be saved?" the question came after Jesus had explained how difficult it was for the rich to be saved (1). Jesus’ conclusion is that it is impossible for everyone, but that which is impossible with men is possible with God. 

The Easter Story makes it evident that God is able to touch the hearts of the rich people:

As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him.
Matthew 27:57-58

I believe God loves all irrespective of social status, and for assignments he needs people who are rich. With regard to the burial of Jesus, a rich man was just what he needed. One of the most known prophecies about the suffering and death of Jesus is found in Isaiah 53. Perhaps Isaiah had seen some strong visions? I do not know what he heard or saw, but he did notice that:

They intended to bury him with criminals, but he ended up in a rich man’s tomb
Isa 53:9a

Fortunately, God would have needed Josef on his team even if he had been the poorest of the poor, because then he would have been able to contribute with something else. However, in this situation it was “a rich man's tomb” he needed, and it so happened a man with a burning heart happen to have that. Everyone with a burning heart has something to contribute, and sometimes God needs something we never thought that he would ask for. 

In The Salvation Army, there are many who will not be counted among the rich on ‘goods and gold’, but they are infinitely rich on many other ‘values’. It is good that we can work together with those both in our movement and outside who are rich in assets who have a burning heart to share in order to build the kingdom of God. I thank God that also in our time of need, God has people from all social strata in his great herd of disciples, whose hearts burn for the fulfilment of the Great Commission.

What these disciples have in common is that God has touched their hearts with fire so that they do what he wants. Each and every one of us, are rich on something we can contribute with.

‘Manna’ for today:

Thank you Lord for including my contribution!

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(1) See "Who can be saved and how"

Knowing who can be saved and how - a step on the journey

NORSK
I have discovered that there are many people who wish that they could say: ‘I am saved!’. It may even be that some of them have made several efforts to gain salvation. 

However, to gain salvation by achievement is just as impossible as threading a rope through the eye of a needle - or a camel through the same eye if you prefer to try that option (1). When Jesus taught his disciples in this way, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?”- an entirely human and understandable reaction, and I think it was exactly what Jesus wanted in order to present his point:

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Matt 19:25-26

The big challenge with salvation is that I cannot come to God with my private solution to salvation, but I have to commit myself totally to his salvation through Jesus. To confess that I am saved is therefore not "bragging" because of something I have done, but an expression of gratitude that I am included in what Jesus did when he came to Jerusalem to die on the cross. In spite of the fact that it is impossible for men to be saved, I know that whosoever will can be saved because God has made it possible. My contribution to my salvation is to accept the sacrifice he made, he made for me and then tell him and others that I have accepted this salvation.

‘Manna’ for today:

What Jesus did is enough!

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(1) In the original language, the words for rope and camel are almost identical - but it really does not matter which translation we choose since both options are impossible.

Knowing what the mission of Jesus was and is - a step on the journey

NORSK
A couple of weeks back I had the following manna: ‘To get to know the mission takes more than one step’, I did not think that I would write more about the mission in this relatively short 'Up to Jerusalem'-series.

However, today's verse is definitely one more step in the understanding of the mission:

For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost
Matt 18:11

"You and I, Jesus, always you and I!" was another manna not long ago. This includes complete identification with his mission. For soldiers in the Salvation Army this identity should be part of our DNA. We wear two ‘S’-insignias on our uniform to remind ourselves that we are “Saved to save”.

Sometimes this can be quite hard. In Eastern Europe we are frequently confronted with people whose purpose seem to make life difficult for us. Last Friday on a border crossing in the pass-port control they demanded that I should give up my car because the required travel document in the car (who is filled out by the secretary each month) lacked the letter ‘u’ in Hyundai. 

When I did not agree to giving up the car, I was threatened because I opposed authority. In such situations it is good to be able to be calm, give them time and pray a little, and once again it worked out in the end. Even among people who represent regimes and systems there will be people who are lost and who need to be loved back into the kingdom of God. Like a shepherd looking for a lost sheep that has gone astray, Jesus will be looking for souls who need him. That's why I'm here too.

‘Manna’ for today:

I share the mission of Jesus

A step on the journey: To discover who Jesus is

NORSK
It is important that the headline is read correctly. It does not say ‘one’ step, but ‘a’ on the journey. To discover who Jesus is not one step, but many steps and I must take one step at a time. 

Personally I have taken quite a few steps and expect that there will be many more before I finally meet Jesus face to face.

Peter is a good example of such a development. He walked with Jesus both before and after the ascension of Jesus, and for Peter it was a journey with ongoing new revelations of who Jesus is. Peter knew a great deal about Jesus before he and the other disciples were challenged to answer the question: “Who do you say I am?” I do not know if Peter realized the scope of the confession he gave:

“You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
Matt 16:16

It can hardly be said briefer and more accurate. Anyway, Peter's confession made a strong impact on Jesus. Like his Father, Jesus loves to hear confession. It becomes evident in several of the stories recorded in the Bible, and Paul summarizes it in an important verse:

Trusting with the heart leads to righteousness, and confessing with the mouth leads to salvation.
Rom 10:10 

In a salvation-historical perspective, it may be a bit premature to say that Peter was saved through this confession, but his confession was sufficient for Jesus to launch his teaching about the necessity for him to go up to Jerusalem to lay the foundation for salvation.
 
Geographically, this was a relatively short trip. Spiritually, it was a long and challenging journey for the disciples in general, and for Peter in particular, but it is a very exciting journey.
 
‘Manna’ for today:

To confess who Jesus is, is an important step on the journey.

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I am born of God!

NORSK
This is a strong statement, but there is biblical evidence for the claim. I sometimes wonder why many believers seem to find it easier to confess “I am created in God's image”, than to say “I am born of God”.

In the prologue of John's Gospel, it is often the 12th verse many believers learn by heart:

Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God
John 1:12

I use this verse very often, and a couple of days back I used it as the biblical foundation for praying the ‘prayer for salvation’. When I prayed this prayer, I became a child of God, and John concludes that they who do that are:

children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
John 1:13

Being a child of God implies that I am born of God. It pushes the limit of what can be grasped by my human reason, and it is possible that is the reason why some believers find the claim threatening. It's okay to confess that: “I believe”, “I am a Christian” - even that “I am a child of God”, but many are struggling to say “I am born again” or “I am born of God”- at least in Norway. Therefore Norwegians have created the odd term “personal Christian” to distinguish him from a nominal Christian who does not confess a faith, but has a membership in a church.

I have already written – John is crystal clear: A child of God is born of God. However, it is still I who decide if I will define myself as a child of God - and the condition is unchanged: I become his child through receiving him and believe. More about the journey to the place of birth tomorrow.

‘Manna’ for today:

I am born of God!

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Prayer for salvation

NORSK

Last Thursday I skyped with Marit Dehli who is a journalist in the Norwegian ‘War Cry’. The reason for the call was an experience I had when I told about the "Prayer for salvation" at a Whit sun Convention in Tana (very far north in Norway) in 2013. Magna and I were there as keynote speakers, and during the day as we were waiting for the next session to begin, I took the opportunity to promote the ‘War Cry’ (1) as a tool for evangelism.

“I've actually heard about several people who have read the magazine and have been saved through praying the ‘prayer for salvation’!” I said. 
An elderly woman interrupted me and said:
“Yes, that happened to me!”
“Are you telling me that you came to faith, prayed the prayer published in the ‘War Cry’, and therefore you are saved and are here to celebrate Whit sun?" I asked.
“Yes!” she replied with a smile and beamed with joy.

I have heard similar stories when I've been traveling and it can be a great asset to find written words as a help to shape a prayer, particular when you are alone. Even more important than the words of the prayer is that the prayer comes from the heart.

Here is the prayer that is published in all editions of the War Cry – a procedure that has been in place for many years:

Jesus, you have said that everyone is welcome to you, and now I want to come. 
I know that you gave your life to atone for the sin of men, and I believe that you died for me.
I ask forgiveness for what I have done wrong. I know you came to open the way for me into God's presence, and I understand that I need you.
Thank you for loving me, both because of and despite of who I am.
Thank you for coming into my life and help me to believe and to live.
Thank you for saving me now and giving me your blessing.
Thank you, Jesus!  
Amen.

And here is the Biblical guarantee that you have been heard:

Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.
John 1:12

'Manna' for today:

Thank you, God, for your salvation!

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(1) I like to advertise for the War Cry at any time – however, in 2013 the War Cry was also part of my responsibility. I was proud to be part of the publication of such a good product.

I am saved three times

NORSK
In the last chapter in his letters to Timothy, it is evident that Paul is preparing for a new court trial and that he expects that this time he will face death. Yet it seems as though he lived a relatively normal life despite of this situation, and that he must have thought that it could take some time. It is also evident that he did not regard being saved from the lions (1) as a true salvation. This he made clear in this way:

The Lord will deliver me from every evil work and save[a] me into His heavenly kingdom.
2 Timothy 4:18

Like most "theologians", Paul saw salvation in three stages:

1. Jesus' sacrifice was a “righteous act” which “resulted in justification and life for all people” (2). Ergo, I was saved on Calvary together with all people.
2. This is the gospel. However, because of our free will salvation must be made valid for every individual through faith by confessing this as true for themselves (3). Ergo, having done so, I am saved today.
3. The last stage is “to depart and be with Christ” (4) - and that is what Paul is referring to in today's greeting to Timothy. Ergo, I will be saved when I one day I “depart to be with Christ” in eternity.

‘Manna’ for today:

I am so glad that I was, am and will be saved.

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(1) In the previous court trial Paul was "rescued from the lion's mouth" v 17b - a description that probably was literally. Many Christians became food for lions in the circus.
(2) Romans 5:18
(3) Romans 1:16-17
(4) Phil 1:21-23