Provoke

Fascinating word. Provoke is one of those words that we can see a visible reaction to the cause, stimuli. You do realize that it has as many positive attributes as it does negative... yes? According to Webster: 

   "to call forth (a feeling, an action, etc.) : EVOKE; provoke laughter; to 

    stir up purposely; provoke a fight; to provide the needed stimulus for

    will provoke a lot of discussion; to incite to anger"

It's the 'stir up' and 'provide the needed stimulus' that can be the positive. What I have always been a bit amused and amazed about is that the same stimuli can evoke a negative reaction in one person and a positive impetus for another. Then again, it probably relates to our own personal philosophies and experiences; and how we reflect these in our responses. All words, in my world of words, have both the potential for positive as well as negative reactions.

 The King James Version of the Bible defines provoke as:

   "PROVO'KE, v.t. L.provoco, to call forth; pro and voco, to call.

      *To call into action; to arouse; to excite; as, to provoke anger or wrath 

        by offensive words or by injury; to provoke war; 

      *To make angry; to offend; to incense; to enrage.

      *To excite; to stimulate; to increase. 

      *To challenge. 

      *To move; to incite; to stir up; to induce by motives.  

For me, it is the 'challenge' point that typically trips my trigger. Challenges, in my world of definitions is always a positive because it always leads somewhere - confirming or refining what you believe/know.

   "and let us consider [thoughtfully] how we may encourage [provoke] 

    one another to love and to do good deeds," (Hebrews 10:24, AMP)

Scripture notes over 64 verses that speak to provocation... mostly what man has done to God, thus causing His wrath. But there are many ways to consider 'provoke' and what our behavior evokes. We don't always need to take the low road. We can provoke to good, to positive, to meaningful and helpful. Bottom line is that it is our decision to react to a stimuli in a negative manner, remembering that there are these times that need to occur. But we can also choose to look at the cause to see if there are redeemable parts and focus on that.

Really and truly saved?

This question is especially directed to the new Christian, though it can rear it's head for us all at various times in our lives. You do remember that the devil does NOT want you saved... or if you insist, that you are ineffective as a Christian. The question: were we really and truly saved? Did we say/do the 'right' thing(s)? Or have we missed it? Perhaps. unthinkingly, we committed the unpardonable sin (Mark 3:28-29)? Actually you can't accidently commit the unpardonable sin - it is always a conscious act.

Bottom line really is: Is there evidence in our lives that we did accept the Lordship of Jesus, that our lives changed? I think for some, the answer is a resounding - Yes, absolutely! However there are those who look at themselves and wonder. And it is the lack of evidence that trips us up. And sometimes this is an issue of not seeing the forest for the trees. Remember: first - salvation is never something we are good enough for, or earn, or can accomplish through our own behavior. Salvation is a gift:

   "For whoever calls on the name of the Lord [in prayer] will be saved.” 

    (Romans10:13, AMP)

   "Therefore He is able also to save forever (completely, perfectly, for 

    eternity) those who come to God through Him, since He always lives 

    to intercede and intervene on their behalf [with God]." (Hebrews 7:25, AMP)

   "And you [He made alive when you] were [spiritually] dead and separ-

    ated from Him because of your transgressions and sins, ... 

    we all once lived in the passions of our flesh [our behavior governed by 

    the sinful self], ...  

    But God, being [so very] rich in mercy, because of His great and won-

    derful love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were [spiritually] 

    dead and separated from Him because of our sins, He made us [spiritually] 

    alive together with Christ (for by His grace—His undeserved favor and 

    mercy—you have been saved from God’s judgment)." 

    (Ephesians 2:1,3a,4 AMP) 

I could stop with these 3 scriptures as evidence for you, but there is sooo much more. God doesn't stop with who we were, what we did, and how we did it... He has much more for us. If you don't see the evidences in your life... then you may have stopped on your path. It's time to start your journey... or continue it.

As for 'once saved always saved', there are arguments on both sides of this issue.

   "For [it is impossible to restore to repentance] those who have once 

    been enlightened [spiritually] and who have [a]tasted and consciously 

    experienced the heavenly gift and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and 

    have tasted and consciously experienced the good word of God and the 

    powers of the age (world) to come, and then have fallen away—it is 

    impossible to bring them back again to repentance, since they again 

    nail the Son of God on the cross [for as far as they are concerned, they 

    are treating the death of Christ as if they were not saved by it], and are 

    holding Him up again to public disgrace." (Hebrews 6: 4-6, AMP)

I believe that you are fully saved UNLESS you consciously deny and turn from the Lord. Denying, however, is not complete (in my thinking) because even Peter did this when we was fearful... and then regretted it deeply. Denying, is a continuous act - walking away from your gift of salvation and repudiating the Lordship of Jesus. Then, I believe, we see the fulfillment of the scripture. Remember, the Lord does not force people to accept Him.

Granted this is only a beginning discussion on salvation but it is a foundation from which we can build who we are and our relationship with the Lord. The journey is fantastic (did not say, easy) and it is wonderful because it really and truly never ends... we are always discovering and growing.

Sugar Daddy

You do realize, don't you, that God is not a Sugar Daddy? I sometimes think that we do... or that we harbor some kind of hope that He is. Not. Wrong designation. Many new Christians do have this misconceptions and become frustrated when this is not the case. How they come, how anyone would come, to the conclusion that this is His role now that you have accepted Him as Lord is baffling. There is nothing in scripture that even hints that He is - that now that we have accepted His Lordship - that any and everything we need is automatically provided has no real conception of who they were prior to being blessed to become part of His family.

Being a Christian is never a walk in the park. WE are now in a position to become who we were always meant to be. But God is not about to wave some 'magic' wand over us and make all the bad disappear and only the good be in evidence. We are the ones that need to do a makeover of us. No, not throwing everything away that was and still is who we are, we are now in the refining state - becoming. It is challenging, exciting, frustrating but never boring. We are now on a new adventure of discovery.

So, if God isn't a Sugar Daddy... who is He? What does He do? He gives us a manual (Bible) that provides us all what we need to learn on our path to understanding. It also helps us know how we activate (fill in the blank) in our lives. For me.. the bottom line is that I believe Father God is seeking a relationship with us... not that far off type, or when I am in crisis mode. Actually, how would YOU like to be considered in that light? Being brought out only when it was convenient for someone else. 

Perhaps your relationship with your earthly father was far from positive and to consider God as a Father is antithetical to your experiences. Regardless of your relationship with your earthly father, God is a Father who walks with us guiding, encouraging, providing throughout our lives to help us be all we can be. However, it is when we look into His Word that we can begin to glimpse who God says He is.  

   "Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the Lord, 

    the Creator of the ends of the earth Does not become tired or grow 

    weary; there is no searching of His understanding. He gives strength 

    to the weary, And to him who has no might He increases power." 

    (Isaiah 40:28-29. AMP)

   "As for God, His way is blameless. The word of the Lord is tested [it 

    is perfect, it is faultless]; He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him."

    (Psalms 19:30, AMP)

   "And He will also confirm you to the end [keeping you strong and free 

    of any accusation, so that you will be] blameless and beyond reproach 

    in the day [of the return] of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful [He 

    is reliable, trustworthy and ever true to His promise—He can be 

    depended on], and through Him you were called into fellowship with 

    His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord." (1 Corinthians 1:8-9, AMP)

   "But God clearly shows and proves His own love for us, by the fact 

    that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8, AMP)

And these scriptures only scratch the surface on some of the attributes that define and describe God. Learning who He is, what He does, how He does it will become a lifelong discovery and understanding of God, of your relationship with Him, and as a result - who you are.

 

Have we lost the art of concentrating?

Sound like a facetious question? Not. A legitimate wondering. Think about it... When there is something you want to remember, what do you do? The answer is that typically people make a note in their choice of techie devices that is currently their go to. We don't even try to remember (fill in the blank). And if we're really savvy, we place the info into our calendar in our device so we cover all the bases. But... just how much do we remember of the initial conversation that caused the inclusion into our techie device? 

A different question is... when you are in a conversation with others, when they are talking, do you begin formulating your reply before they are finished? Sometimes that means responding to the first half of their sentence without knowing what the ending may be. Or... think about those times when others have obviously done this to you... what did you think and feel? I think I've (finally?) gotten to the point of rude because I typically ask them if they've actually listened to what I was saying. 

Part of the problem could be that we lead such busy and hectic lives and our techie devices evolved to fill the gap of needing to remember everything! Sometimes I think this defines who we are and that verges on tragic. There's a delightful ad that shows just one person going against the tide of people coming their way. They keep on their path but do get quizzical looks from others. Maybe that is a message. ??? 

Where is your head? What are you, and what do you think about? And yes, scripture does speak to this...

   "Set your mind and keep focused habitually on the things above [the 

    heavenly things], not on things that are on the earth [which have 

    only temporal value]." (Colossians 3:2, AMP)

   "...let us run with endurance and active persistence the race that is 

    set before us, [looking away from all that will distract us and] focusing 

    our eyes on Jesus, who is the Author and Perfecter of faith [the first 

    incentive for our belief and the One who brings our faith to maturity], 

    who for the joy [of accomplishing the goal] set before Him endured the 

    cross, disregarding the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the 

    throne of God [revealing His deity, His authority, and the completion of 

    His work]." (Hebrews 12:1-2, AMP)

   "For there are many, ... who focus their mind on earthly and temporal 

    things.  But [we are different, because] our citizenship is in heaven. 

    And from there we eagerly await [the coming of] the Savior, the Lord 

    Jesus Christ;" ( Philippians 3:18-20, AMP)

All of that tells us what we should concentrate on... how we need to put the right accent on the right syllable... not the wrong sy-lla-ble. Concentration is part of this process. Too often the lack of concentration only means a lack of attention. But we don't need to be and do this. The more I think about it... concentration is a form of honoring, valuing both the other person as well as the relationship. Ever thought about concentration in this light?

Walking in another person's moccasins

I'm certain that phrase would, in today's world, be construed as a racist comment. Not. But had you ever considered that you were judging someone without understanding, since you weren't walking in their moccasins? Or maybe you were on the recipient end - that you were being judged and/or boxed but the other person had no idea what you were feeling or who you were? It truly is a philosophy and one I was raised with.  Simply it means... don't judge, especially too hastily. I also had a reinforcement from scripture:

   "Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults— 

    unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit 

    has a way of boomeranging. It’s easy to see a smudge on your neigh-

    bor’s face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you 

    have the nerve to say, ‘Let me wash your face for you,’ when your 

    own face is distorted by contempt? It’s this whole traveling road-

    show mentality all over again, playing a holier-than-thou part 

    instead of just living your part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own 

    face, and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor." 

    (Matthew 7:1-5, MSG)

Little doubt, at least to me, that we should never judge recklessly and certainly not speak it out cavalierly. Does that mean that we never judge? Of course not. There are many scriptures that direct us to do precisely that - judge and act on it. It often is our 'how' of judging that can be at issue - the basis of our judging and what we do about bringing a brother to repentance (Luke 17:3). But that judging is far different and it has scriptural bases for that judging. 

Another example: when the church in Corinth was chastised by Paul when a member was committing blatant sin and later, after the brother repented, to bring him back into fellowship. Paul says:

   "For [godly] sorrow that is in accord with the will of God produces a 

    repentance without regret, leading to salvation; but worldly sorrow 

    [the hopeless sorrow of those who do not believe] produces death." 

    (2 Corinthians 7:10, AMP)

Bottom line is really on what basis do we judge and what action proceeds from that. So simple questions: do you know why the other person acted as they did? Have you walked in their experiences? Even if they are totally wrong, are you attempting to help them to see their misguided-ness? Are you looking at the situation from their view?

It seems to me that too often we ignore or dismiss out of hand the reasons why someone may be acting in the way they are. If we really believe the scripture that tells us to bear one another's burdens (Galatians 6:2), then, if we want others to try and understand ... we have to extend this grace to others (and that means even if we haven't experience this).

Walking in another person's moccasins is a mindset that starts from the position of grace and mercy, especially remembering that this was extended to us by the Lord so that we could experience life, and abundantly. It never ignores sins but seeks to discover the other person's basis for their actions in order to help them to repent and come into life. My bias is that this is the best form of judging.

Much Given

This is a companion piece to "Greater Things" - 

 

   "From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; 

    and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more." 

    (Luke 12:48, AMP)

I interpret this verse to mean that to those of us who know that the Lord has bestowed much on us, that we will be required, entrusted, and be expected to do 'much'. However, don't miss the last of the sentence... all the 'more'! How does the Lord define 'much' and 'more'? Obviously, there undoubtedly is no universal definition but are we aware of how we define 'much been given', 'much required', and 'all the more'.

Do we consider ourselves as 'much given'? Again, this is our definition A 'little' to one person may be 'more' to another or vice versa. These questions speak to what kind of relationship are we developing with the Lord, do we trust Him in all, and do we feel empowered to do what's 'required'? And those are only some of the questions that spring to our minds. Will we 'suffer'? I do think we immediately think in terms of loss or 'paying the piper' for what we've received. Do we remember that the Lord said to us that He would never leave us (Hebrews 13:5)? Do we remember Hs words that tell us we are more than conquerors (Romans 8:37)? Do we remember that we can do all things through Him who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13)? Then... if suffering is what we may face, we also have a great deal available to us to endure.

   "Consider it nothing but joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you fall

    into various trials. Be assured that the testing of your faith [through

    experience] produces endurance [leading to spiritual maturity, and inner

    peace]. And let endurance have its perfect result and do a thorough work, 

    so that you may be perfect and completely developed [in your faith], 

    lacking in nothing." (James 1:2-4, AMP)

Honestly, I never appreciated this verse until I began looking at it with different eyes. If you start at the end of verse 4 you see - 'lacking in nothing'! Now begin at the beginning of verse 2. There's a purpose, a reason for our less than positive times in our lives. We can use them as equipping times to further us in our upward call in Christ (Philippians 3:14).

Struggles and sufferings are not just times to go through - we are to use those times to become strengthened in what we are called to and who we're becoming. Firstly we know the source of those struggles (John 10:10) and it isn't the Lord who tempted us (James 1:13) and He knows our struggles and provides a way through (1 Corinthians 10:13). 

Do you see and understand just how much the Lord has given us? That we all fall into the 'much given' category. He never has given us 'more'/'much' so that we would feel we were obligated. He gave because of His love and care. He continues to do this. We only need to recognize our much given and then to Stand (Ephesians 6:13-16) because that's all we need to do.

   "I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] 

    peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, 

    but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; 

    I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, My 

    victory abiding.]" (John 16:33, AMP)

Even when we think or feel that what's being asked is far beyond our ability to accomplish... remember these words and do what's at your hand to the best of your ability. That's what's asked. 

Greater things!

   "Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me; otherwise 

    believe [Me] because of the [very] works themselves [which you have 

    witnessed]. I assure you and most solemnly say to you, anyone who 

    believes in Me [as Savior] will also do the things that I do; and he will 

    do even greater things than these [in extent and outreach], because I 

    am going to the Father. " (John 14:11-12, AMP)

WOW! Do you believe these scriptures? If not, then you are telling the Lord that He is a liar, because it is He who is speaking these words!!! Jesus even re-enforces the words when He says... I assure you and most solemnly say... If you don't accept these words... what do you do with and about them? Do you try and ignore them?

And if you do accept this as YOUR commission then how does it make you feel? Frightened? (Not of the Lord) Excited? (Not of the Lord) 'Bemused, Bothered, and Bewildered'? (Not of the Lord) Humbled? All the above? None of the above? But regardless, what do you think? If it was too great, you never would have been given this authority. But look at the words - in extent and outreach. It is not telling us that we will be greater than the Lord but that the potentiality exists that we can reach more lives. Jesus' ministry lasted only 3 years and look at what He accomplished! Ours can last longer and because of what's available we can 'do more'.

Personally, I have always been challenged by this scripture. When I look at what Jesus did... I don't even come close. And that bothers me. If the Lord chose to provide the equipping and authority to do all that He did for me... why am I not walking in this? And if I'm not, how can I ever possibly do 'greater' things. I feel I fall so far short from what I can do, but it is a stimulus not a 'whip'. At least that's my chosen mindset... don't always accomplish this.

Then again... maybe focusing on the 'greater things' shouldn't even enter into the discussion. Where our focus should be is what's at our hand. What can we be doing right now... right where we are. ? Why should we be focusing on what our 'greater things' may be when we aren't even doing what we can? Think about it... perhaps part of our 'greater' is looking at what we can be and do... here and now.

In the trenches... revisited

In 2015 I wrote a post that I titled... 'In the trenches'. Perhaps because of the times we live in, I thought a bit of a revisit was in order. I, obviously, can't speak for you but, for me, there are times that this is precisely how I feel. YET... I have nothing to complain about and 'in the trenches' is more of an intellectual and spiritual sense - not a physical one. [when you see this bracket, it means a thought added in 2021]

Back in 2015 I wrote:

  First - don't assume that 'in the trenches' is a negative or painful place to 

  live. Sometimes it is, but we can still laugh and love and grow in our time 

  here. This is where most of us live the majority of our lives... in the trenches. 

  We live in our day-to-day which allows us to define what that means and how 

  we respond to the challenges and opportunities, threats and obstacles existing...

  many times, in the moment and sometimes feeling like they all are present

  simultaneously.

  Don't make the assumption that this is always warfare, because it isn't. Life 

  isn't only made up of a series of obstacles, difficulties, and loss. There are

  surprises, opportunities, success when we stop to realize this. John Gardner

  wrote: "We are continually faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly

  disguised as unsolvable problems." [Perhaps a mindset to cultivate?]

  Brilliant! I like that! This mindset is a paradigm shift in how to think about 

  and look at our problems, dilemmas and consider them as opportunities. So

  often we feel overwhelmed by the issues we face in the trenches that we 

  miss an out of the box new discovery. Plus, do we take the time to learn the

  lessons provided in previous positive, successful and new discovery times? 

  The positive lessons from these experiences don't always seem to transfer 

  into potential resolutions for the 'other' times.

  Since we live in the trenches, what do you do about your residence? Do you

  tailor it to meet your wants and desires... or, do you do so little to it because 

  you really don't like this locale? If you expect to be permanently 'rescued' 

  from your present abode, you might want to rethink this. In the second place, 

  if your expectation is rescue, you still don't know when that may be - yes?

  Though I don't always follow my own advice, it would seem we should take

  advantage of everything available to us in our good and bad times and places.

  In the trenches is a reality. And yes, the vast majority of the time may be in

  battle, but do you know who and what your enemy is? Never assume. There 

  are times the 'enemy' is our own unwillingness to look at our reality. If in a

  battle, we don't need to fight by ourselves - we always have a companion 

  to turn to... the Lord. We are or may be in a battle... but never alone. An

  important reminder is that we can always look at life as... an opportunity.

So why am I sharing a 6 year old post? Primarily because it does speak to our now, what many are calling 'the new normal' even though we're still in the midst of this world wide situation. It's not necessary to reinvent the wheel or throw the baby out with the bathwater, but it is an opportunity to reassess, reevaluate what is important, who we are, how we live our lives. If we can't change our circumstances, then how can we adapt them or ourselves? Remember the old saying, The Serenity Prayer - originally published in 1951 and (though somewhat controversially) attributed to Reinhold Niebuhr, a Protestant theologian, in 1951 

  

   "God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, 

    courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference."

Excellent advice... but advice one should adopt in one's life and apply it.

... in the name

 Have you ever thought about all the times God says "I Will..."? Whatever comes after those words were a done deal because God also said/says. 

   "So will My word be which goes out of My mouth; It will not return to Me 

    void (useless, without result), Without accomplishing what I desire, And 

    without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it." (Isaiah 55:11, AMP)

So you can see just how important God's word is and how we should view it. Therefore, when God says, I will, we should be alert. There are more than 43 statements in scripture that God tells us - I will. 

In a different context, we read Jesus' words when He was tempted by the devil:

   "But Jesus replied, “It is written and forever remains written, ‘Man shall 

    not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes out of the mouth 

    of God.’” (Matthew 4:4, AMP)

 

According to "Reason for Hope", scripture has 7 'I Will' statements made by Jesus in scripture. The 'I Will' statements from Jesus are:

   1. I will make you fishers of men. (Matthew 4:19)   

   2. I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28)   

   3. I will keep you. (John 6:37).   

   4. I will love you (John 14:21). 

   5. I will do what you ask in my name. (John 14:14)   

   6. I will come again and see you again (John 14:3, 16:22) 

   7. I will send the [Holy Spirit] to you. (John 16:7)

The question is - do you apply this to whatever situation you are facing? If not, why? When you possess all the authority you need, in the name of Jesus, why not act on this? Duly note the phrase... in the name of Jesus. That's your authority. That's the basis on which you can act in confidence.

Scripture indicates 50 verses that talk about declaring, commanding, acting on the basis of ... in the name of Jesus. A few examples are:

   "The seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are 

    subject to us in Your name.” (Luke 10:17, AMP)

   "And I will do whatever you ask in My name [as My representative], 

    this I will do, so that the Father may be glorified and celebrated in 

    the Son." (John 14:13, AMP)

   "And such were some of you [before you believed]. But you were washed

    [by the atoning sacrifice of Christ], you were sanctified [set apart for God, 

    and made holy], you were justified [declared free of guilt] in the name of 

    the Lord Jesus Christ and in the [Holy] Spirit of our God [the source of the

    believer’s new life and changed behavior]." (1 Corinthians 9:11, AMP)

   "If you ask Me anything in My name [as My representative], I will do it." 

    (John 14:14, AMP)

These 4 examples are only a sampling of what is available to us when we act and speak ... in the name of Jesus. So how many times do you bring the power from the name of Jesus to whatever you are facing? Is there a reason you aren't? You do remember that Jesus tells us that whatever we ask, in His name, as His Ambassador - He will do it. You do remember that He said that whatever we bind and whatever we free ... it is done?

   "I assure you and most solemnly say to you, whatever you bind [forbid, 

    declare to be improper and unlawful] on earth shall have [already] 

    been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose [permit, declare lawful] 

    on earth shall have [already] been loosed in heaven." (Matthew 18:19, AMP)

The old gospel song has it right... "There is power, power, in His name,"