When Jesus asked His disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” I believe that He already knew the answer to that question. There is no doubt that He knew who He was. Nonetheless, He asked the question anyway. However, the problem with asking this question is that the answer would be based on people’s assumptions, ideas, perceptions, experiences and a reputation that has been perceived—not necessarily reality, or actuality. Other people’s opinions of Jesus was just that, they were opinions based on perceptions that were concluded by a reputation that had been concluded by their own perceptions.
Assumptions, perceptions and opinions aren’t necessarily reality. However, they definitely can be thought of as such. Jesus in asking the question, knew what others were saying about Him. He knew how others perceived him. Nevertheless, he asked His disciples, “Who do you say that I am.” But the disciples answered with what others said, “Some say that you are John the Baptist, others say Elijah and some say, Jeremiah.” and the Jesus said, “But who do you say that I am?” And of course Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God.”
Jesus answered the Peter was correct and that he was blessed because know what taught him that, but that Jesus Father had revealed that to him. It wasn’t flesh or blood or reasoning or personal perception that had revealed that to Peter—it was God. You see our opinions and perceptions are not as important as what God is saying or what the Holy Spirit is revealing to us. We can have an opinion, but it’s just an opinion. Others can have an opinion, but it’s just an opinion. All of our perceptions and opinions are formulated through many sources and variables.
Jesus knew who he was and he knew who and where he had come from—His Father in heaven. It’s important to know who you are. Not what others say about you, but who you really are. The person you really are, because that’s who God knows and that’s who God loves. The real you! God really knows us and He loves us unconditionally. Have you ever had someone say something about you and you say or think, “That’s not true! That’s not who I am.” Jesus probably thought the same thing, especially when they called Him a blasphemer or Beelzebub.
If we asked God who He says we are He would say that you are forgiven, justified, righteous, redeemed and holy. He would say that you are a new creation in Christ. He would say that you are a work of progress that is continually being shaped in to His image. You see it’s not as important as what others say as it is what you say. Don’t say what God is not saying and don’t always believe what others may say either. What you say and what others say aren’t as important as what God and His word is saying. Our opinions and others opinions are based on perceptions, assumptions and opinions, but what God and His word says is the eternal truth and it is our compass for receiving acceptance and wholeness. Allow God and His word to reveal to you who you are in Him.
Sanballat was very angry when he learned that we were rebuilding the wall. He flew into a rage and mocked the Jews, saying in front of his friends and the Samarian army officers, “What does this bunch of poor, feeble Jews think they’re doing? Do they think they can build the wall in a single day by just offering a few sacrifices? Do they actually think they can make something of stones from a rubbish heap—and charred ones at that?”
Tobiah the Ammonite, who was standing beside him, remarked, “That stone wall would collapse if even a fox walked along the top of it!” Nehemiah 4:1-3
When God was talking to Nehemiah about rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem, God said something out of the ordinary. He told Nehemiah to use the burned stones. More specifically, use the stones that have been through the fire; the stones that are charred and blackened. *(The ones that had been through the fire—the ones that had been tried and tested, He said, build with those stones).
And the Ammonites mocked Nehemiah because he used the burned stones. They didn’t believe the stones would be strong enough because they were “stones from a rubbish heap – and charred ones at that.”
Have you ever heard the saying… *what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.
What about the *bumper sticker—yeah but did it kill you?
Here’s what I want to say:
*dont allow it to make you bitter—allow it to make you better and the bigger person.
*you may have gone through something, but you don’t have to smell like it. (3HC)
The Ammonites didn’t think Nehemiah should have built with those stones, but God said, “That’s the exact kind of stone I want you to use.” When God wants to do something, He doesn’t always look for the “perfect” stone. He doesn’t always look for “perfect” people. He often uses people that have been through the fire. He prefers to use the stones that have been burned and charred.
Maybe you’ve been burned by the fires of life. Maybe you’ve been burned by a failure. Maybe you’ve been burned by a mistake. Maybe you’ve been burned by some business deal. Maybe you’ve been burned by someone.
You’re the stone God wants to use! The fires you’ve been through make you even more suitable to be used by God. When God wants to build something great, He looks for people that have been through the fire. It’s okay that your life isn’t perfect. You’ve been through the fire and withstood the test—God wants to build something with you.
No matter how good you are or how perfect you think you may be we are we are all human. We all have flaws and we all have imperfections. We all have those moments in our lives where we’ve been burnt by something or someone.
The encouraging thing about this passage is that God chooses to use us in spite of ourselves. As leaders we lead and as leaders we build, and God chooses to use the things that we’ve been through to build upon. Those things that we went through that we thought would destroy us, but actually they developed us. Charred and burnt stones, but tried and tested and strong enough to build upon.
So here’s a prayer we could pray for God to build upon:
“Lord, Teach me to number my days, so that I may become wise in how I live my life.” Psalm 90:12 ERV
“Lord, our God, be kind to us. Make everything we do successful. Yes, make it all successful.” Psalm 90:17 ERV
As long as you hold onto what you have—it will never become more than it is, but when you give what you have—it always has the potential to become more.
In Matthew 14 Jesus had a need. He needed to get away to be by himself. John the Baptist had just been beheaded and he wanted to spend time alone and pray to his father, but the crowd was there and they had a need. They were hungry and there was no place to get food. However, there was a little lad there that had a lunch. Jesus knew and His disciples knew it. It was the only source of food there, but it wasn’t enough, that is until it was given away and blessed by Jesus. The little lad gave his lunch away, and what wasn’t enough—became more than enough! The little lunch of the lad fed multitudes that day. But, it didn’t have the potential to become more until he gave it away. Why did he give it? Did he give out love? I would like to think so. Most people don’t just give to give they give because they love or because they believe in a cause, or a purpose. They desire to be a part of something that is bigger than themselves—something that is greater than what they currently have or that they are capable of on their own. Luke 12:15 says, “People do not get life from the many things they own.” A little boy with a little lunch, gave it away and it fed thousands. When we give it always has the potential to become more and when we give it always outlast us and lives on in the life of others.
We are never more like God than when we give. For God so loved—that He gave. Giving to meet a need is benevolent and admirable, but giving from a place of love is beautiful and lasting. Mother Theresa said, “It’s not how much we give, but how much love we put into our giving.”
We should give out of love. We should be a conduit. A conduit is a channel by which resources are received, conveyed and then distributed.
A seed has to be sown to produce a harvest.
A tree has to planted to bring forth fruit.
When we give it always has the potential to become more.
Jesus knew exactly who was there and what was there in regard to resources.
He sent his disciples out to get what was there and bring it to Him so that he could bless it and break and then the disciples gave back what they had gathered.
They collected what was available and then they distributed it back to those in need.
That’s what the foundation does. They collect and distribute. The foundation is a conduit.
Giving to an immediate need not only meets the need in the moment, but it also provides a way to make the world a better place for people in the process.
The little lad had what no one else had—he had lunch, but when he gave it away it became more than it was and fed multitudes.
I’m also reminded of two Old Testament stories about two widows who had an exchange and an encounter with an Old Testament prophet. One was with the prophet Elisha and one was with the prophet Elijah. One was in regard to some oil and flour and one was concerning a small jar of olive oil. Both widows had a need and neither had enough to provide for their need or for their future. Their need wasn’t met until one expanded capacity and one gave away what she already had.
The Bible says (Luke 12:48), “To whom much is given—much is required.” I say, “We are never more like God, than when we give!” Therefore, we see a need, we care, we love, and we give. And when we give it has the potential to become more and continue to live on in the lives of others. May you continue to be a conduit that blesses others, while creating opportunities for things to become more and better in the process.
As long as you hold onto what you have—it will never become more than it is, but when you give what you have—it always has the potential to become more.
Even when God seems silent, He is still active and present. However, when God doesn’t seem to be speaking or moving it is difficult, especially for those of us that desire to have an active present relationship with Him. A relationship where you feel like He is active, present, communicating and leading. Nonetheless, I find myself looking back when it doesn’t seem like there is anything happening actively in the present. Most of it is not on my own doing, but through facebook memories that just come up. However, they remind me that God has been faithful! Therefore, if He has been faithful, He is always faithful—because he doesn’t change and He can’t be anything except who He is. So I want to encourage you today and remind you the He is with you and that He is working all things for your good—even when you can’t see it, He is. At some point our faith has to produce a confidence that is developed by remembering God’s faithfulness in past situations, while believing He will be faithful in the moment that you are being faced with right now! Selah
We are in the Advent Season and today is the second Sunday. Our word for today is—Love. Advent- means: coming or arrival. Most the theologians believe that it was around 400 years between the time that the prophets had declared that there would be a promised Messiah, and the time that an angel spoke to Mary and said that she would give birth to a child that would be of the Holy Spirit. They believed, but they waited—they waited but they believed—and He came! God in the flesh—Emanuel, God with us. And they called His name Jesus, for He would save His people from their sin. They waited, but He came.
Our reality, as God’s people, is that we are still in a season of waiting. We know the promise of Christ, who has already come, but we wait for God to come and make all things right—but waiting is hard. Today we are reminded, through words spoken by Zechariah in Luke 1, that even in the waiting we have the hope of God’s continued promise. They waited on the promised Messiah and we wait for God to move in our lives in His way and in His time.
This morning I want to talk to you about what we’ve entitled, “Changed In the Waiting.” This a story about Zachariah and Elizabeth becoming pregnant and giving birth to John. They had waited for years and God had not yet answered their prayer, but in this moment he had, and Elizabeth would now become pregnant and they would bring fourth John who would be the forerunner of Christ and would ultimately baptize Jesus in the river, Jordan. Zachariah in this passage goes from “How Can It Be So?” To this is what God did and this is what’s going to happen now. He prophesied about Jesus and prophesied over John. Zachariah went from doubting to proclaiming… He was changed in the waiting.
Anytime that there is a coming or an arrival there is a waiting period. And waiting is never easy and it is often frustrating . However, the waiting period is what allows us time to prepare or to make ready, it is also the time that allows us to change, grow and deepen our faith.
Waiting is usually connected in some way to feeling forgotten.
*(dr. appointment | procedure)
But here’s what I want you to know: even if God is delayed in moving towards us in a tangible way—He still never forgets us and He always hears our prayers. Luke 1:13– “But the angel said to him, “Zechariah, don’t be afraid. Your prayer has been heard by God. Your wife Elizabeth will give birth to a baby boy, and you will name him John.” *he didn’t say your prayer has been answered, he said it has been heard.
Some Things About Waiting:
Waiting doesn’t change God, but it usually changes us.
Waiting brings out the best and the worst in us.
Waiting changes our perspective.
Waiting deepens our faith.
Waiting will causes us to prioritize.
Don’t Waste Your Wait! *(how do you waste it)
⁃ If you wait and don’t learn.
⁃ If wait and don’t grow from it.
⁃ If wait and don’t change.
⁃ If you wait and don’t deepen in your faith.
⁃ If you wait and don’t broaden your understanding and perspective.
3 Reasons Why God May Allow Us to Wait:
1. To deepen our trust.
2. To wait for people to change.
3. To give time for situations to align.
What About Elizabeth and Zachariah?
As we unfold Zechariah’s words, we are reminded that pregnancy itself is also about a season of waiting. There is a wait to announce the pregnancy. There is a wait to know the gender. There is a wait to hear the heartbeat for the first time or feel the first kick from inside the womb. Finally, there is a wait for the baby to make their grand arrival during labor and delivery. The words spoken by Zechariah are found in silent waiting.
What About Elizabeth and Zachariah?
Zechariah and Elizabeth waited so long that they had forgotten, but God hadn’t forgotten!
They waited on the promise of their prayer to be answered and now in their old age they were going to be waiting on the arrival of a new baby.
What About Elizabeth and Zachariah?
They Were Old
– When we wait time passes and we feel like the years are wasted.
– When wait we feel like it’s too late now.
– When we wait we feel like if it hasn’t happened yet—it won’t happen now.
– When we wait we get discouraged and quit believing.
– When wait we get disappointed and give up.
*I want to tell you today—with God all things are possible and it’s never too late and you are never too old.
They Were Good People vs. 5-7
– They were from a good line and good family
– Zechariah—from Abijah’s group *(king of Judah, judge, priest and Jeroboam’s son)
– Elizabeth—comes from Aaron’s family.
– They were good people who loved God.
– They did everything the Lord commanded them.
– They always followed His instructions completely.
*Why is this important?
*Because there’s a formula to how we feel: when have to wait we forgotten, and we feel forsaken, but we also feel like we did something wrong—like God is mad at us. God is not mad at you. God loves you and His timing is perfect! Zechariah and Elizabeth had to wait and God’s timing was perfect concerning them and the birth of John.
God’s timing is perfect concerning you because He knows what you don’t know and He can see what you can’t see. You see I believe is this: Zechariah and Elizabeth gave birth to John right at the time it was supposed to happen. None of the prophecies could have been fulfilled the way they were if not. John would have not been filled with the Holy Spirit in his mother’s womb. He wouldn’t have been the forerunner of Christ and ultimately baptize Jesus in the Jordan. The wait was worth it! *Gods timing was perfect concerning Zechariah and Elizabeth and it is perfect concerning you and me.
What About Elizabeth and Zachariah?
They Faithfully Served God
– They didn’t waiver in their faith—they kept believing and serving, even when disappointment came and what they prayed for didn’t come when they expected it to come—they still waited on God and served faithfully.
We are in the same position as Zechariah and Elizabeth. We wait and don’t know the outcome. When we read their story, we see God’s faithfulness, but when it was happening in real time they didn’t know what we know now. We have hindsight, but they didn’t and we don’t either for current our situations. They trusted God and waited and we have to do the same.
This is the love of God—that He came to us and Zechariah declares the divine plan and providential timing of God in these verses about Jesus and John.
“Then Zechariah, John’s father, was filled with the Holy Spirit and told the people a message from God: “Praise to the Lord God of Israel. He has come to help his people and has given them freedom. He has given us a powerful Savior from the family of his servant David. This is what he promised through his holy prophets long ago. He will save us from our enemies and from the power of all those who hate us. God said he would show mercy to our fathers, and he remembered his holy agreement. This was the promise he made to our father Abraham, a promise to free us from the power of our enemies, so that we could serve him without fear in a way that is holy and right for as long as we live. “Now you, little boy, will be called a prophet of the Most High God. You will go first before the Lord to prepare the way for him. You will make his people understand that they will be saved by having their sins forgiven. “With the loving mercy of our God, a new day from heaven will shine on us. It will bring light to those who live in darkness, in the fear of death. It will guide us into the way that brings peace.” And so the little boy John grew up and became stronger in spirit. Then he lived in areas away from other people until the time when he came out to tell God’s message to the people of Israel.” —Luke 1:67-80 ERV
*God’s love | While we were yet sinners | John 3:16
Most of us, if we were going to cut down a tree, probably wouldn’t use an ax nowadays. Maybe a chainsaw, but probably not an ax—except for splitting the wood from the tree. However, the analogy in Ecclesiastes 10 is not just about an ax, I believe it’s actually a metaphor about us and it’s about being dull instead of being sharp. It’s about how it takes more effort when we lose our edge.
The word dull simple means, “lacking.” Have you ever felt like that you have lacked wisdom, lacked vision, lacked creativity, lacked imagination, lacked good judgement, lacked confidence, or lacked compassion. Me too. This realization should demand a change. It should initiate a reset. It should cause us to reset, reevaluate, and restore ourselves by refreshing and recharging.
Nonetheless, there is another word that stuck out to me in this verse as well. That word is wisdom. Wisdom means: good sense, skill and prudence. Prudence means: the ability to govern and discipline oneself by the use of reason. Another words, wisdom makes me aware that I’m dull. It allows me to realize that I’ve lost my edge. It lets me know that I need to take time to refresh. It also gives me the ability to govern myself in order to do something about it! And, ultimately, over time, this will bring with it desired success.
Now for comparison, here’s the problem with the ax being dull, you don’t know it is dull until you begin to use it. And, you don’t realize that you’ve lost your edge until you begin to engage in something that demands intentional effort. Nonetheless, when you do realize it, you need to stop chopping and start sharpening. Step away and refresh, recharge, reflect, refocus, reset, and realign.
So what happens when you don’t resharpen? What happens when you become dull? What happens when you lose your focus? What happens when you lose your edge?
Work gets harder and tasks take more energy.
You don’t have the strength to put forth the effort that is needed.
Things become a bigger deal and you feel overwhelmed.
Your mind consistently drifts and you lose focus easily.
Frustration becomes inevitable because goals appear unattainable.
So, what do you do?
You have to step away from the routine of the process in order to sharpen the edge.
Sharpening an ax and chopping with an ax are two different postures—you stand up to chop, but you sit down to sharpen.
Take time for yourself and sharpen your edge. It will make everything easier, and in time you will achieve greater success.
What matters most to you? Does it get the best from you? Does it get the best you? Does it get your attention and time? Do you just value it, or do you prioritize it? Do you prioritize what you value? Because if you don’t prioritize what you value it won’t be a priority.
Most of the time we prioritize what we prefer, but then we get deterred.
There are also times when things can take our time and get our attention that are not necessarily that important. Those things are usually a distraction or a dramatic moment.
Don’t allow distractions to distract you from your priorities.
Distractions and drama will zap your energy, and they will unknowingly realign your preferred priorities.
Whatever is a priority in your life should have your time, attention and effort.Your highest priorities should be what you fight for and invest your time and energy in.
However, if we were honest we would probably have to confess to the fact that we actually spend a lot of time, energy, and effort on things that don’t really truly matter. We exhaust our energy on things that take our time, but they don’t produce lasting and fulfilling results.
Here’s the problem, when we focus on what doesn’t matter—we don’t have the energy for what does. Prioritizing takes effort, energy, and intentionality. So when we prioritize what doesn’t matter—we don’t have energy left over to invest in the things that do truly matter.
Therefore, if you don’t make time for what matters, what you say is a priority, in all actuality, it won’t be a priority after all.
It takes awareness, effort and intentionality to prioritize. Those things that you put first and make time for by being intentional will become the priority in your life. Nevertheless, nothing becomes a priority by accident—it becomes a priority only on purpose.
You must be intentional and truly prioritize what matters! What is a priority in your life? Your relationship with God? Your career? Your marriage? Your spouse? Your children? Your family? Your health? Have your priorities gotten out of order? Only you can answer that—only you know, but here’s what I know: “What you don’t make a priority-won’t be!”
I want to encourage you today to be intentional and prioritize those things that matter the most to you. You will be more effective, you will have more order, and you will have peace in your life when you are intentional about prioritizing—because what you don’t make a priority—won’t be.
We all have potential in some area that needs to be developed no matter what our level of expertise may be. Obscurity is where potential is often developed. David, Jesus, and John the Baptist all had significant moments in the mundane routines of obscurity. However, in life, in sports, and in our spiritual journey no one usually sees the processes that lead to success.
Nonetheless, David practiced in private what gave him skills in public. When David faced the giant Goliath for the first time—it wasn’t the first time that he had picked up a sling shot and threw a stone. He had been on the back side of a mountain with his father’s sheep while his other brothers were on the battle lines. However, when David arrived to the battle he was ready because he didn’t waste those moments of obscurity when no one was watching.
This time of obscurity built his faith and developed his confidence. David had faith in God, but he had confidence in his skills. He also had to have courage to act upon what he believed in, and desired to see happen. You see, you can have all of the faith in the world, but if you don’t have confidence and courage, you will never act on what you believe in or desire to see take place.
I want to encourage you today to develop your potential in times of obscurity, because that’s where you will develop the confidence and courage to act on what you desire to see take place. Have faith in God, have confidence in yourself and have the courage to take action and you will begin to see what you desire. Don’t waste those mundane moments in the routines of obscurity.
