Our Extravagant God

By Richard

Jesus tells a parable in Matthew 20:1-16 to illustrate the great reversal – the first ending up last and last ending up first.

An estate manager hires people to work his fields, in the early morning, at noon and at 3 pm. The work completed everyone gets the same pay. Of course those who worked longer complained the greater, “That’s not fair!”

Jesus reminds that it’s not a question of God being unfair but that he’s extravagantly generous. One of the marks of the kingdom is generosity – without calculation of worth and what you might get in return. Christ wants his followers to be extravagantly generous too.

To be honest I tend to be calculating in my generosity, weighing up whether it’s deserved, or what I can expect in return. Our challenge, as Christ followers, is to have a kingdom generosity that is focused on giving, not receiving. A giving that extends kindness and generosity to those we deem the least deserving. A generosity that overcomes our human tendency to calculate the return! One of the marks of God’s kingdom and his followers is generosity.

The Problem of Riches

By Richard

Jesus reminds us that wealth makes it difficult for people to follow God. In Matthew 19: 24 we’re told that it’s, “Easier to gallop a camel through the eye of a needle than for the rich to enter God’s kingdom.” (the Message).

The church is Europe is in serious decline with much debate as to why this is so. I don’t think that it has anything to do with faith being found wanting rather it’s about the majority wanting wealth instead of God. We’ve been blinded to God by the glow of our riches.

But all is not lost. Despite the seeming impossibility of the situation Jesus promises that God can still do the “impossible”. He can squeeze the rich through the eye of a needle and into his kingdom. He can pull people, who are bogged down in the gooey mud of their wealth, onto the firm ground of his kingdom (even if they have to lose their wellies in the process).

I’m praying that God will do whatever it takes to see a massive reversal in faith for currently wealthy Europeans. I’m praying for the seemingly impossible.

The One Thing That Comes Between

By Richard

In Matthew 19: 13-22 we read that a man comes to Jesus and asks what he needs to do in order to have eternal life. Jesus tells him, “Simple, radically rid yourself of the one thing that comes between you and God – your money!

It’s probably a good, but I agree very daring question, to ask ourselves what are the things that we might hold onto so dearly that they come between us and God. Then having discovered those things will we clutch them tightly, as we walk away, or will we drop them and follow after Jesus?

The Largeness of Marriage

By Richard

Jesus is pressed by the Pharisees to give his opinion on marriage. He reminds them that God’s plan from the beginning is that a man and woman leave their families and bond together in an inseparable relationship. Divorce, Jesus reminds them, is not God’s will, but is something that mankind has devised through hardness of heart. Indeed, Jesus goes on, divorce is offensive to God. (If you are divorced, and reading this, then please hear me carefully – while God might hate divorce I do believe he greatly loves the divorcee).

Jesus’ strong stand on marriage takes the disciples aback. “So it’s better that someone doesn’t get married, right Jesus?” I love the way that the Message version of Matthew develops Jesus' response. Jesus reminds them that marriage is a good thing but that it takes maturity, wisdom and grace. It should not be entered into lightly and is only for those who are, “Capable of entering into the largeness of marriage.” (Matthew 19: 12, the Message).

It’s my observation that the many crumbling marriages around us are rooted in a selfish immaturity that erodes the relationship. It would be wise to remind ourselves that good marriages don’t just happen; a healthy marriage is a large undertaking! God is asking the married to face the huge challenge of growing together with maturity and grace. And to give the relationship with your spouse everything you’ve got!

Forgiveness - A mark of the Kingdom

By Richard

Several times in the Gospel Jesus tells us what the Kingdom of God is like... In Matthew 18: 2-25 we discover that the Kingdom of God is characterised by forgiveness. Those living within the Kingdom of God should be so conscious that God has so massively forgiven them that they are more than happy to forgive the minor offences of others. In His kingdom the forgiven become forgivers. Are we struggling with forgiving someone? We need to remember that the power of forgiveness begins with a grateful awareness of the generous forgiveness of God offered through Christ’s death on the cross. Knowing I am forgiven will give me the strength to forgive.

Two are better than one

By Richard

In Matthew 18: 20 we read the often quoted verse, “When two or three of you are together because of me, you can be sure I’ll be there.” (Matthew 18: 20, the Message).

It’s interesting how this verse gets branded around at poorly attended prayer meetings. I guess to encourage our hearts in a room full of vacant seats and a smattering of faithful souls, who are all wondering why they made the effort to show up in the first place.

It’s interesting that in the context Jesus is talking about issues of how a church deals with a person who is hurting the church community. Christ’s wisdom is more accurately found in a Christ focused group than by a Christ focused individual. Leadership of churches should always be plural. There’s a greater chance that we’ll be a healthier Christ follower if we’re integrated into a community of faith. The different perspectives offered in the community of faith enrich our understanding of Christ and keep us balanced.

Truly this verse reminds us that we will find Christ together. There’s a lot more going on than a simple metaphor when we say that the church is his body. If you are not already doing so then get plugged into a church. If you in a church community then take a moment to thank God for the richness and balance that others can bring to your understanding of Christ.

Let nothing come between

by Richard

In Matthew 18 Jesus tells us that if our, “Hand or [our] foot gets in the way of God , chop it off and throw it away…if [our] eye distracts us from God, pull it out and throw it away.” (Matthew 18: 8, 9 the Message)

In the context Jesus is answering a question that the disciples had concerning who of them would have the highest rank in God’s kingdom. He tells them to be like children that are not motivated by rank but by relationship. Indeed our desire for, and the consequent blessings from, an intimate relationship with God should lead us to chop down anything that gets between us and God, and in particular our pride and desire for status. Of course the words of Jesus concerning the removal of body parts are metaphorical but his message is never the less meant to be very strong. Let nothing come between you and God, and in particular don’t seek rank but relationship.

Taxes

By Richard

It’s ironic…I’m just getting together all the information I need to file taxes. I’m worried because so much of our income is tied up in our ministry and how do I go about proving that to the tax authorities. Then I read this story today from Matthew 17: 24-27, about how the tax officials questioned Peter regarding Jesus’ fiscal status. Later, Jesus tells Peter that in theory the King (Jesus) and his children (those who follow Jesus) don’t have to pay tax. But, he tells Peter, so as not to create an unnecessary local problem, to head off to the lake, catch a fish, open its mouth, and inside find a coin that would cover both of their taxes.

Combined with yesterday’s thoughts I think that Christ is reminding me I need to have the faith that I can tackle my taxes together with him. He’ll provide a way through and we won’t be taxed out of our ministry in Spain. Faith on our part is to go to the lake, trusting Jesus that we will not drown in the deep lake of Spanish taxes. We need to fish for tax deductibles. We need to wade in and gain experience that will help others with their taxes. And, even if we have to pay up more than we can afford, we need to trust Christ that the king of the universe has a fish for us, somewhere out there, which will cover whatever might be demanded.

When We Have Faith!

By Richard

We read in Matthew 17:14-23 that a man brought his son to Jesus to cast out a demon causing him terrible suffering. We discover that while Jesus had been away on the mountain, where he had revealed his glory, those disciples left behind had tried, unsuccessfully, to get rid of the demon. We read that Jesus gets a little upset with their lack faith, he orders the demon gone, and instantly the boy is well.

Jesus reminds the disciples that if they only had the tiniest bit of faith, like a poppy seed, they could move mountains. He tells them that with faith, “There’s nothing you wouldn’t be able to tackle.” (Matthew 17: 21, the Message).

Faith is not believing you can move mountains but believing that God can move your mountains. It’s praying to, and living out the reality of, a mountain moving God - a God who can tell the most stubborn of demons, “Be gone!” and instantly make a tormented boy well.

What mountains do you have in your life that you would like God to help you tackle? Here are some of the mountains that I am currently asking God to help me tackle

Figuring out how to effectively share my faith in a society that has largely grown cold towards God

Meeting and attracting more people to Mountainview

Distilling our discoveries through our Mountainview reloaded services into an updated, mission, vision, values and strategy for Mountainview

Raising significant funds to send several people to Christian Associates’ annual staff conference in Holland

Sorting out my Spanish taxes

Finding the school fees for Joel, Caleb and possibly Ethan for the coming school year

The Glory of Jesus

By Richard

I’ve never noticed this before!

At the end of Matthew 16 Jesus speaks about the end of the world and how he will come in glory. He says, “Some of you standing here are going to see it take place, see the Son of Man in kingdom glory!” (Matthew 16: 28 the Message)

I’d always wondered what Jesus was saying when he talks about some of the disciples seeing Jesus in his kingdom glory - we know that the disciples are long-dead and 2000 years later we still await Christ’s return.

I like the way that the Message develops the probable explanation of what Jesus was saying. It says in the very next verse, the introduction to the story of how Jesus was transfigured on the mountain, the following: “Six days later, three of them saw that glory. Jesus took Peter and the brothers, James and John, and led them to a high Mountain. His appearance changed…Sunlight poured from his face. His clothes were filled with light.” (Matthew 17, 1, 2 the Message)

So then the “some” who were going to see it take place were the three disciples! But, a day is coming when all will see the glory of Christ – all who love him, all who are neutral about him, and even all who hate him. Jesus calls us to get ready for the coming reality when his face and clothes will shine brighter than the sun!

Let Jesus Drive

By Richard

We read, “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What kind of a deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? What could you ever trade you soul for?” (Matthew 16: 24-26, the Message)

I like to drive my car and Riekje, my wife, usually graciously sits in the passenger seat! I probably like driving because I think that I can do a better job and I don’t trust Riekje behind the wheel as much as I trust myself (now I’m not saying that she’s a bad driver!). On long journey’s I like to drive, as it keeps me occupied and helps the kilometres to pass.

I guess it’s the same with Jesus. He wants to be in the driving seat of our lives. We need to let go and trust that he’s a far better driver, and one who knows where he’s going. We need to see that as we let Jesus drive we can start to focus more on the life/lives that fly past us day in and day out at a 100 km/hour. That far from getting bored, as we focus on life we’ll find a richer meaning in all we do. That in time we will see that Jesus is driving us away from the dark destruction of our selfish ways and into the eternal light of self discoveries that are focused on him.

So…budge over to the passenger seat and let Christ drive!

Self-Centred

By Belinda

I was reading Matthew chapter 7, and although I've often read verse 12 before, it really hit me between the eyes this time, which I take to mean that God is trying to tell me something. Jesus says, "So whatever you wish that [people] would do to you, do so to them; for this is the law and the prophets".

This is worth thinking about at some length. What do you wish people would do for you? My list would include:

- I wish people would always have a smile and a kind word for me

- I wish they would remember things about me, about my life, to show a genuine interest

- I wish they would offer to help me in specific ways when I need it, not just a vague "if there's anything I can do"

- I appreciate affection, praise, encouragement, keeping promises, saying thank you...

I am often on the receiving end of all these good things, but not nearly often enough taking the trouble to think properly about other people (notice Jesus doesn't say `friends').

Many of us aren't selfish, but self-centred. The self-centred person would give you the shirt off his back, but he doesn't know you need it. My prayer is, Lord, please help me to know! is, Lord, please help me to know!

Bad Yeast- Good Yeast?

By Richard

In Matthew 16: 1-12 we find that the religious leaders were so hard of heart that they were missing the obvious signs of God at work. So unreceptive were they that all Jesus could do was to turn and head the other way. So Jesus and the disciples leave by boat and head off across the lake in search of people more receptive.

On the way Jesus warns them to be on red-alert for the yeast of the religious leaders. They think that Jesus is making some cryptic jab about how they have forgotten to bring along some bread. Jesus reminds them, “Bread’s not the issue - remember how I fed the thousands from just a few loaves of fish and bread. No, keep a sharp look out for teaching like that of the religious leaders, because they don’t help people to find God as they ought. No, they blind and deafen, they stop people feeling, touching, tasting and experiencing the power of God. They end up inoculating people against God!”

There seem to be a couple of warnings here. Firstly, make sure you are not being led away from God by "Pharisee teaching" and becoming so inoculated to true faith that no matter how “religious” you may seem on the outside deep within you have firmly closed your heart to God. Secondly, we need to make sure that we leading others, with our deeds and words towards God. We need to be the good yeast, living examples of God, that help the Kingdom of God grow and expand within our local community.

Blazingly Alive

By Richard

We read in Matthew 15:31 that the people saw Jesus at work and exclaimed, “That God was blazingly alive among them.” My simple prayer is this. That God be blazingly alive in me. That he be blazingly alive at Mountainview. That he be blazingly alive in believers around the world. That the light alone, created by God’s blazing presence, draws thousands back to him.

Just a Scrap

By Richard

In Matthew 15: 21-28 the Gentile woman wanted healing for her daughter. Jesus ignored her! Her continued pleadings drove the disciples crazy. Sick and tired of her askings they took Jesus aside and begged him to help her – so they could at least have some peace and quiet. Jesus tells them, “Listen guys I’ve got more than enough work to do just looking after Israel. It’s just not right to take the bread that’s for the children’s sandwiches and throw it too the dogs!” The disciples laughed at the pun (Gentiles, and women, were considered to be no better than a dog.). But their laughter was broken by the woman who, without missing a beat, quickly comes back, “Yes! But, Jesus, even the dogs get to lick up a few crumbs from under the dinner table!” Silence descends, eventually broken by Jesus who cries out in amazement at her faith. Immediately her daughter is healed.

This Gentile lady understood an important truth. Even the smallest “scrap” from Jesus was blessing for a life time. One way I see this played out in our modern church is that I often hear that people want some “deep teaching”. What they really mean is that they want some "maps" and "dates" and "syntax", and some pretty colour pictures of the tabernacle. They want to hear about some of the mysteries of Scripture that are hidden to the average man. What they really want some is “meat” that’s too big to bite and too tough to chew, that's charcoaled black by bible school trivia, something really hard to swallow. They want “meat” that will help them overlook the crumbs – the simple, profound, life-changing, truths of scripture.

It takes faith to pick up a crumb from the bible, chew on it, swallow it, absorb it and allow it to bless our lives. Where I am going? I am wondering that myself? I guess what I am saying is this – in our search for deeper teaching let’s not over look the multitude of plain and obvious truths of God; like humility, loving our enemies, and generosity. A friend of mine used to put it this way, “Understanding the bible is not too difficult. Applying it to your life, now that’s the hardest part!”

Don’t Put On a Show!

By Richard

In Matthew 15 Jesus complained about the religious leaders,

These people make a big show of saying the right thing, but their heart isn’t in it.
They act like they’re worshipping me, but they don’t mean it.
They just use me as a cover for teaching whatever suits their fancy
(Matthew 15: 8-9, the Message)

The outward does not wash in the least with God. He wants us to have a heart for him, a will for him and a mind for him.

Jesus goes onto remind the disciples that it’s not the outward that makes us clean/unclean…it’s the heart. We’re not called to wear a tie on Sundays, speak Christianese and genuflect at the sight of a cross. No, God calls us to have a heart that’s stayed on loving him. For when we focus on this, a garden of visible good, with genuine roots, will grow naturally from the fertile soil of our heart.

Just a touch

By Richard

I’ve heard it said by some sceptics that Jesus’ healings can be explained by herbal medicine. They claim he knew the herbs of the field like no other man and fooled uneducated crowds into thinking he was a miracle worker!

I was reading in Matthew 14 that when they reached Gennesaret, the news about his arrival spread through the whole neighbourhood and they (the local people), “Rounded up all the sick, who asked permission [just] to touch the edge of his coat. And whoever [just] touched him was healed.” (Matthew 14: 34-36 the Message – my emphasis).

Now that seems like some pretty powerful herbal medicine to me! Listen! Let’s not wallow in the mud of our “scientific” excuses. Let’s quit any notions of Jesus being the master of voodoo brew. There’s a power here than can only be God - just a touch is all that's needed to be healed. Between the lines we find a call that we stop folding our hands in doubt and reach out and touch him. There’s a plea that we not allow our ignorance to stop us from finding out first hand (pun intended) that he really is the powerful one, who is able from within himself to give us life!

Time for People

By Richard

We read in Matthew 14:13 that Jesus wanted to retire to a quiet place so that he could be by himself. But news gets around and before long the crowds are flocking to his quiet out-of-the-way location. Honestly, if this happened to me I’d be grumpy. I’d give off a few tell-tale signs of my displeasure, the odd glare here and there to let it be known that I’m hoping the visit, more like intrusion, is a short one.

But not Jesus! We read that when the crowds arrived, “He was overcome with pity and healed their sick.” (Matthew 14: 14, the Message). He spends the whole day with them, and at supper time he breaks fish and bread so that crowds can hang around and have a good meal rather then head off to the local restaurants. The sun going down he helps the disciples push the boat out into the lake and waves them goodbye. Turning to the crowds he prays over them and sends them on their way. Finally, he can head up into the hills for some time alone with his Father in Heaven. Late into the night he prays and recharges in the silence, but it’s not long before he must hurry off - to rescue his disciples, who are in the thick of a Galilean storm.

I’m reminded that Jesus had A LOT of time for people. The truth carried by the story, through 20 centuries, is that he has time for each of us too. But there’s a challenge too for people like me, who often far too conscious of time. Do I have enough time for others? Can I overcome my frustration at interruption and focus on the needs it may lay before me? When necessary will I put aside my well-earned rest so that people can receive the care they need?

The Shopkeeper

By Richard

Have you ever been to one of those village stores, small and pokey, but somehow they seem to have at least one of almost everything you need. “Have you got a replacement washer for the hose on my Bosh 560 dishwasher?” “Yes sir, it’s all the way to the back, last shelf on the left, underneath the goldfish bowl”. Sure enough, somewhat disbelieving, you take a look and lo and behold there it is!

Jesus said that everyone, “Well trained in God’s Kingdom is like the owner of a general store who can put his hands on anything [people] need, old or new, exactly when [they] need it.” (Matthew 13: 52, the Message)

I like Jesus imagery. Our lives are supposed to be like village shops, filled with good things. But concurrently we are supposed to be like the shopkeeper who’s developing the skills to help people find what they need.

I’m praying that we will all be storing up good things in our lives – through reading the scriptures, prayer and Godly actions. But I’m also praying that each one of us will be developing unique skills to be able to share those good things with others. These skills might include; a listening ear, a love for the bible and an ability to share its message with others, praying for people, wise counsel, opening your home to others etc. (Hey, the list is a varied as there are people on the earth!)

Store up and share out the good things of God!

Lukewarm Christianity

By Richard

This is somewhat related to yesterday’s blog. A few short thoughts!

Do you feel that your faith is lukewarm? Think of it this way. We cannot warm water without a “fire”. If we are going to warm our faith we need to get close to the fire; Jesus. I keep reminding myself! I keep telling others! If we stay close to Jesus we’re going to warm up and in the long run our faith is going to make (more) sense. So then, rather than try to make ourselves warmer, let’s get closer to Jesus, and let him take it from there!

Worth Giving Everything

By Richard

In Matthew 13: 44-46 Jesus explains to the disciples what God’s Kingdom is like…It’s like treasure hidden in a field that is accidentally discovered. The finder is so overjoyed that he sells everything he owns to buy the field and so become the legal owner of the treasure...It’s like a merchant, who comes across the pearl of all pearls and sells everything he has, and even re-mortgages his home, to get a hold of the pearl.

I don’t know about you but I’m sometimes concerned about people’s lack of commitment. Other day’s I get saddened by the way that materialism dilutes our passion for Jesus. I’m tempted to cry out loudly, “COMMIT”. But if we look closely Jesus doesn’t focus on “commit” he focuses on “find”. Our calling as leaders in the church is not to legislate for commitment but to help people find – to really see, taste, touch, hear, smell, and experience the Kingdom of God. For the parable says that when we truly find it we will give everything for it.

So perhaps the question is not “why are we lacking in commitment?” but rather, “Are we really helping people find the treasures of God’s Kingdom?”

Our Father in heaven
Holy be your name
You kingdom come…

All Christ’s Work

By Richard

Jesus explains to the disciples that the one, “Who sows the pure seed is the Son of Man.” (Matthew 13: 37, the Message).

I know that this might be a little off track from the main point that Jesus is making here, but never the less I believe Jesus hints at an important truth here; the extension of God’s kingdom is all Christ’s work. It’s not about Christ helping me to do the work. It’s not about me helping Christ to do the work. It is about me allowing Christ to do his work through me.

As a church planter I’m often tempted to worry about the "what else's" I can be doing to help the church grow. Or, I can wish I had 144 hours in the day to the many things that I know would help Mountainview to be firmly established. But when I stop and I think about the fact that it’s all Christ’s work, it is actually quite liberating. It means for example, that even when I go to sleep, or get delayed on some time consuming errand in the name of Spanish bureaucracy, that Christ is still working to establish Mountainview and to extend his Kingdom in Spain.

Here’s a prayer by Hudson Taylor that we mentioned in our Mountainview Reloaded Service in March. It’s profound. I hope we will make it our own. I hope we will make it a corporate prayer of Mountainview.

I used to ask God to help me.
Then I asked if I might help Him.
I ended up by asking Him,
to do his work through me.
James Hudson Taylor (1832-1905)English missionary and founder of China Inland Mission.

Let’s keep praying this prayer and enjoying seeing Christ at work.

Are we walking towards or away from our promises?

Ian Beedham, Southwell Baptist Church England

I was reading in the life of Abram, (Gen.12:10f) that after God called him, at the second hurdle (the first was not listening closely enough and talking his extended family with him), he starts walking away from his promises his purpose and his power.

There was, as there often is a test to his faith. This time in the form of a famine in the land and so he packs up everything including the kitchen sink and flits off to Egypt.

Now I know how he felt, I have done it myself from time to time and wanted to do it many more times than that.

The problem is that when God calls and promises to travel along with us it is often spoilt by our tendency to wander off the track, loose the plan and forget the purpose for which he has called us. The result is sometimes a slipping of standards, a reliance on our own ingenuity and sadly a fall into sin. This is all because we start walking away from our calling.

It’s a wonder that God has anything to do with us at all!

Not wanting to stop on a low note, by Chapter 15 of Genesis we read “After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, “Do not be afraid Abram. I am your shield and very great reward””

God continues to reestablish his covenant with Abram.

When we find ourselves walking away from the promises God has make to us, or the purposes for which he called us and the power he has promised; don’t be afraid to come back to where you started and trust God’s Great Grace and restoration.

While Reading The Gospels

Belinda Coombes

These are just a couple of thoughts that came to me recently while reading the Gospels.

John 14 and 15
What comfort there is here, and what plain-speaking instructions from Jesus: "Abide in me, and I in you......if you keep my commandments you will abide in my love.....This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you". It doesn't get much clearer than that!


John 15:13
I realize now that i have always misunderstood this one. ("Greater love has no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friend"). Jesus did not mean just literally (dying to save a friend) but figuratively. He who saves his life will lose it.......I think Jesus is calling us again to put others and their needs before our own.

Sorry if everyone else got this ages ago!

Responding to God’s Word

by Richard

Jesus seems to suggest that there are 4 ways that we can respond to God’s word.

We can throw it away and let the devil eat it up

We can suck it up but give up when the going gets tough

We can smoke it (but not inhale it of course) until the worries of life choke it out of us

We can cultivate it until it produces a, “harvest beyond [our] wildest dreams.” (Matthew 13: 23)

Catch 22

By Richard

We read in Matthew 12 that, “Whenever someone has a ready heart for this [God’s truth], the insights and understandings flow freely. But if there’s no readiness, any trace of receptivity soon disappears.” (Matthew 13: 11, the Message)

I often hear people say that they won’t believe until they can understand. But Jesus seems to be saying that we can’t really understand until we believe. A catch 22 situation! Here’s a solution that I thought up. Maybe we need to believe like it’s absolutely true for say 6 months. Then, if we are still not satisfied we could ask for our money back!

If we take up the 6 month challenge then perhaps the best place to start is the parables of Jesus. Jesus said that, “I tell stories to create readiness, to nudge the people towards receptive insight.” (Matthew 13: 12, the Message)

Take up the challenge and be prepared for the ride of your life!

Story Time

By Richard

A quick blog today!

We read at the beginning of Matthew 13 that Jesus told stories (parables) so it would help people to be more receptive to the truth. Let’s become masters of story telling at Mountainview. Learn to tell your own story, of how God has blessed and shaped your life! Think up (learn from others) analogies that describe Christian truth. Captivate audiences with stories about God so that in time He may capture their hearts.

No Titillation

By Richard

The Pharisees demand that Jesus show his credentials. They want to see him perform a miracle, as some kind of hard evidence that he’s God. Jesus knowing how hard their hearts really are replies, “All you want is something to titillate you curiosity, satisfy your lust for miracles.” (Matthew 12: 39)

Jesus reminds them of the Ninevites who repented at the preaching of Jonah and of the Queen of Sheba who travelled half way round the world to listen to the wisdom of Solomon. Jesus' words, and the wonders that he performed, are not meant to titillate but to transform lives.

We need to be honest. Is our search for proof to titillate our curiosity? Do we really intend to kneel before the truth when we find it? I believe that if we honestly seek the truth then it will find us, but if we dishonestly seek the truth then we run the grave danger of potentially blinding ourselves to the truth.

Not in the Dictionary

By Richard

Jesus reminds the crowd, “The fruit tells you about the tree…It’s your heart, not the dictionary, that gives meaning to your words. A good person produces good deeds and words season after season. An evil person is a blight on the orchard.” (Parts Matthew 12: 33-37, the Message)

These verses remind me that Jesus is not interested in a show of good deeds, crafted for an audience, and the eloquence with which I speak about him. No, he’s most interested in my heart. For when that is good, it will give a Godly meaning to my deeds and words. Without polished performance and eloquent elocution they will have the power to speak volumes of truth to others about Jesus.

I pray that everyone at Mountainview will work fore mostly on the heart of faith…and secondly on their ministry skills. I pray that season after season we will be known as “passion fruit” for Jesus.

Don’t Cut Yourself Off from God!

By Richard

In Matthew 12: 22-37 we find the difficult to understand passage about blaspheming the Holy Spirit. We find the Pharisees, cynical about Jesus’ power, claiming that Jesus was using a nifty bit of “black magic” to drive out demons. Jesus warns them,

“If you reject the Son of Man out some misunderstanding, the Holy Spirit can forgive you, but when you reject the Holy Spirit, you’re sawing off the branch on which you’re sitting, severing by your own perversity all connection with the One who forgives.” (Matthew 12: 31-32, the Message).

Now I still don’t understand quite what Jesus is getting at. But I like how we are reminded that cutting ourselves off from God is something we do, through pride and arrogance, not something that God willingly causes. So much of Jesus’ words are warnings about the dangers of our pride. We have a choice. Will we humbly listen? Or, will we block our ears, pick up the saw and start cutting ourselves off from God?

A Flexible Heart

By Richard

In Matthew 12 we find the disciples walking through a field of ripe wheat. Hungry, they grabbed the odd ripe head of wheat and rubbing the kernel within their hands they extracted a few tiny seeds of grain to nibble on. Some Pharisees looking on complained, “Hey Jesus your disciples are doing some serious harvesting there, and boy are they breaking the Sabbath rules.” (My words)

Jesus reminds them of King David, their hero, who was hungry and went into the sanctuary and took some of the holy “communion” bread. He reminds the religious leaders that they break their own rules every time they preach on a Sunday morning. The Pharisees, to hard headed to get the point, walk off in a huff and start plans to get rid of Jesus.

Jesus tells us all, “I prefer a flexible heart to inflexible ritual” (Matthew 12: 6)

Jesus wants a relationship with us not rules. These are some thoughts on rules and relationship

Rules are like driving a train. We simply follow the tracks. The destination is etched in steel. We don’t have to be involved and can sleep all the way. Success is all about staying on track. There’s no freedom or individuality. We teach others to follow the track and we hate them when they get off track. Most importantly, we can get there blindly, and without God!

A relationship is like sailing a boat. There is a second by second interplay between the sailor and the wind. While the destination is known the exact route is determined the wind. Everyone takes a slightly different course as they play with the wind. The dynamic relationship with the wind keeps us constantly involved, on our toes and alive. There’s freedom and exhilaration. Success is all about how well I know the wind. We teach others to know the wind and are slower to judge when they take a different course, for it might just be a better one. We cannot get anywhere without wind (God).

Know Jesus and let Him determine the course of your life. A relationship with Jesus may not be "plain sailing" but the freedom it brings will keep love alive.