The Good Captain

A captain sails his ship on the sea. The wind fills the sails and the wood hull cuts through the glass of a turquoise sea. He consults his maps and charts his course. During the day, he positions his ship by the sun and at night he takes bearings from the stars.

But soon a storm is upon his vessel. The seas turn gray and the waves turn white. A strong wind blows him off course. Clouds cover the skies for days and weeks on end and he cannot get his bearings. He bravely sails on, the best he can, keeping his ship afloat until the hurricane blows past and the clouds dissipate.

One night, the stars shine again through a break in the clouds and he quickly takes a brief reading and runs to his map to plot his position. He finds he is miles off course. At his current heading he will be lost in open sea for months and probably perish there.

He takes immediate action, marking a new heading, adjusting the sails and plotting a course to reach the original destination. It will take longer to reach the port, and certainly more effort now that they must travel further to get back on course, but the ship and the captain sail onward toward home.

The captain corrects his navigation without guilt and does not condemn himself for being off course. It is a force of nature to be blown so hard and have all navigational markers obscured. He is a capable captain and he has kept his ship sound and whole in order to sail on when the storm finally passed.

If he were to turn the ship wrong in the waves, causing it to wallow and take on water, if he did not do everything in his power to keep his ship and crew safe, if he did not take his bearings at the first available opportunity and make corrections to his navigation, then he would be found guilty of negligence and derelict of his duty.

We all sail our little ships on the giant seas of life. And sooner or later, the storms will come. Sometimes it is a brief thunderstorm with loud noise and a quick deluge. But many times, it is a record breaking hurricane, hundreds of miles across, taking its sweet time to pass through our lives and, many times, blow us off course.

God expects us to keep our ship secure in the storms, to point safely into the waves with His word so that the waves do not hit us broadside and sink us. He asks us to keep the faith that the clouds will eventually give way to starry skies, and to correct our navigation when possible.

The Apostle Peter sailed along with Jesus, but when the storms of persecution and peer pressure blew him off course, he ran away, weeping bitterly, knowing he had betrayed his Lord. His ship floundered and began taking on water. But, even in these dark conditions, he held fast. His navigational correction came when he jumped out of his fishing boat into the water in order to be the first one to reach a resurrected Jesus on the shore. This new direction, this “on course” Peter, sailed on to preach a sermon where 3,000 people believed in Jesus.  And this same Peter went on to write one of the greatest statements of faith in the New Testament.

God is not surprised when we get blown off course and watches over our ship even when we are sailing in the wrong direction. And if we do find ourselves headed toward the abyss, we do not need to punish ourselves with scolding, rebuke and guilt because He is as near as our own breath to help us back on course. We only need to look to the heavens and get our bearings.

All the Lord desires for us is to sail safely home, so sail on.

• Matt. 26.75
• Mark 14.72
• John 21.7
• Acts 2.14-41
• 1 Peter 1.3-5

     Written by 

Jody Ward

    

He Is – Our Provider

On Sunday morning Linda delivered a communion message at our retreat. This is the text of what she said.

April 13, 2014

We need food to maintain our strength and good health. God has used food to illustrate our dependence on him many times.  Think of the abundance of food freely given to Adam and Eve; until they allowed themselves to be tempted by power.  This single lapse is the reason we must work for our food all of these years later.

God generously rained manna from heaven to provide for His beloved children while they wandered in the desert.  But, he only gave what was needed each day.

The Bible is full of examples where the Lord told His people to share His provision with one another.  To share the food and the story of how He provides, so others will know just how He cares for His people.

In Exodus 16:32 - Moses said, “This is what the Lord has commanded: ‘Take an omer of manna and keep it for the generations to come, so they can see the bread I gave you to eat in the wilderness when I brought you out of Egypt.’ ”

The Old Testament is also full of examples of the offerings He instructed His people to bring Him for various reasons.

Judges 6:20 says: The angel of God said to him, “Take the meat and the unleavened bread, place them on this rock, and pour out the broth.” And Gideon did so. 

Food and drink given to others appears in several places in the Bible; either as an act of service or an offering to show respect.  Here are two huge turning points in the Book of Samuel where food plays an integral part in human history.

1 Samuel 17:17 -Now Jesse said to his son David, “Take this ephah^[a] of roasted grain and these ten loaves of bread for your brothers and hurry to their camp…” 

This act led David along his path to becoming a great King who reigned over Israel for 40 years.  Imagine if he had behaved like many of the young men we know today.  He would have stopped to hang with some friends, who might have eaten the loaves of bread and given some of the grain to a cute girl along the way.  Imagine if David had been too late to face Goliath.  How would his reign as king suffered at the loss of his brothers?

Or if Abigail had not chosen to take an offering to David after her foolish husband Nabal insulted him.  What if she’d chosen to let Nabal suffer the consequences? 

Instead, 1 Samuel 25:18 says, Abigail acted quickly. She took two hundred loaves of bread, two skins of wine, five dressed sheep, five seahs of roasted grain, a hundred cakes of raisins and two hundred cakes of pressed figs, and loaded them on donkeys.

 

Our sharing God’s provision in memory of His sacrifice is not a suggestion; it is a direct order from the Lord.  It is how we show our respect and gratitude for His love and protection, which has carried us this far. Choosing to honor Him through this blessed meal is accepting and giving a love offering. He Is Our Provider.  He Is the reason we are here. He Is everything we need.

Imagine the room where the meal we now know as The Last Supper took place.  A gathering of friends; many had shared the Passover Seder with Jesus the previous year.  Some of them may have been thinking of other places they could have gone for the evening.  Only one knowing the significance this night’s gathering would have.  It is difficult to the pain and sorrow that each man would face before sunrise.

Our traditions can become simple habits, and we may miss a chance to see or hear some small, but vital thing the Lord has been waiting to give us at just this moment. 

Jesus called us to remember Him through our communion.  We need to be mindful of the sacrifice He made for us.  We also need to celebrate His provision.  He became our sustenance when he died on the cross.  The pain of His suffering and humiliating death must not be overlooked.  But we can also celebrate; because we know that He did not simply survive a crucifixion – He overcame the power of death for us. He has gone ahead to make a special place for us.

1 Corinthians 10: 16-17 says, Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ?  And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ?  Because that is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all share the one loaf. 

We share bread and drink in remembrance of the meal He shared with his dearest disciples.

1 Corinthians 11:26 -  For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.

May we each share in many more meals of thanksgiving, as a part of the fellowship of believers.  May our faith walk draw others to the Lord, so they too will have a place at the table.

He Is our provider.  Let us honor Him by accepting His love offering.

Written by

Lynda Kinnard

Teaching on the Wedding Proposal as seen in Communion

4/17/14

The word, “wed” is derived from the term for “pledge” which is a solemn promise,

When we say I do, it means we pledge to partner with, remain faithful, and be true and loving

Malachi 2:15 MSG says, “God, not you, made marriage. His Spirit inhabits even the smallest details of marriage. You were united…by the Lord. In God's wise plan, when you married, the two of you became one person in his sight.” So guard the spirit of marriage within you.

Scripture uses the marriage image to paint our relationship with Jesus to help us realize and grasp how much God loves and cherishes us

Rev 19:7-8 NIV says: “Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear - Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.

Rich in imagery of proposals and marriages is Jesus’ Last Supper, which is actually the Passover Seder or meal. It was during the Seder that Jesus established the Lord’s Supper or Communion that when a young maiden caught an eligible bachelor’s eye, he and his father would go to the prospective lasses home. His dad would hammer out a deal with her father, which was called the Bride Price.

This is different than the bride’s dowry which was given to the newlyweds to help them get started. The bride price was to recompense the family for the loss of a worker and the cost of raising her, as she permanently become a part of the husband’s household

After they agreed upon a price, the prospective Bridegroom would go to his intended and offer her a chalice of wine of which he had just taken a sip, in effect offering his life to her. This was the actual proposal!  At this point, she could decline the cup, thereby rejecting his offer, or she could accept and drink from the cup and so signal her affirmation of the marriage covenant! At this time, there was no other culture in the world where a woman could refuse a marriage that had been arranged by the parents. This is a true picture of how God extends the cup of “Salvation” to each of us and we are given that liberty to accept it or reject it.

In Biblical times, you were considered already married when you were betrothed! The bride price had been paid. Cor 6:19-20 NLT states: Don't you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price.

So each was now taken, set apart, consecrated, bought with a high price, they were no longer their own. These are all terms that the writers of the NT used to describe Believers! This is sanctified.

After the bride-to-be accepted the cup, the young man and his father headed home where the bridegroom built a room addition for them onto his parent’s home, usually under his dad’s careful supervision. This soon to be wedding chamber and new home for his bride was built to the highest standards of which he was capable.

Building the home was the final element to be completed before returning to bring her home! Heaven only knew how long this would take! The process could take 6 months to a year during which the bridegroom did not see his bride again until he returned to bring her home! Jesus speaks of this very act, drawing a parallel between His relationship with His disciples and marriage:

John 14:1-3 NIV In My Father’s house are many rooms, if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.

This means that you and I, the bride of Christ are awaiting Jesus, the Bridegroom, to come for us to take us home! Heaven only knows how long we will have to wait! When the chamber was finally completed; the Bridegroom, in keeping with Jewish tradition, would try to surprise his bride who was waiting for him! Typically the bridegroom tried to come when least expected so as to catch his bride unawares! Often it was near midnight as we hear from Jesus in:

Matt 25:5-6 NIV The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy & fell asleep. "At midnight the cry rang out: 'Here's the bridegroom! Come out to meet him! The Bridegroom would then fetch his wife home where they would become one flesh; and then the  wedding celebration would begin, sometimes lasting 7 days! Let’s tie this courtship process into the Passover Seder, one of the most important Jewish celebrations. During the Last Supper, Jesus offered his disciples a cup of wine. This would have been the 3rd cup of the Seder, called the cup of Redemption, what a beautiful image! 

We read in 1 Cor 11:25-26 NIV In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me."

Jesus offered this cup to his disciples. In imagery his disciples clearly understood, Jesus was in effect asking them to marry Him! This would seem odd, peculiar, or maybe even amusing if we didn’t know the background! The disciples knew that when they accepted that cup and drank from it, they were acknowledging their acceptance of a spiritual marriage to Jesus.

However, they had yet to understand that the bride price that Jesus would pay was His persecution, torture, and crucifixion. Now we realize why these final hours of Jesus earthy life was called the Passion of Christ, because of His passionate love for His bride… us.

Communion’s purpose is to remember Jesus, to receive His comfort and strength, and to rededicate our lives to our relationship with Him.

It is one of the two sacraments or ordinances instituted by Christ that He asked us, His people, to observe until He returns. Today, as we participate in Holy Communion, please consider, that as your drink from the cup, you are saying; “yes, I pledge myself to Christ and accept His offer of marriage”.  When you eat of the bread, you are saying; “Yes, I will devote myself to Jesus, and I will spend this lifetime and all eternity with Him”. 

Written by
Linda Garrett

THE DIVINE EXCHANGE

 4/1/14

There are many times when I take Holy Communion at home by myself. I kneel down, take the communion elements and thank Jesus for giving His life on the cross for myself and my loved ones. I quiet myself and allow the Holy Spirit to minister His peace and to speak words of comfort to my soul. As we walk through the Resurrection season, it is a blessing to meditate further on the cross of Christ and to understand its significance.

I asked the Lord to give me a clear revelation of what He accomplished through His death and Resurrection. He led me to the teachings of Derek Prince. Derek Prince was an international Bible teacher who lived from 1915-2003. He preached a message on the Divine Exchange in 1987. Prince declared that “On the Cross a Divinely ordained exchange took place. All the evil that was due by justice to the human race to each of us individually, was visited upon Jesus, that all the good due to the sinless obedience of Christ might be made available to us who believe. Jesus was punished for our transgressions and iniquities. Because He was punished, we can be forgiven, and being forgiven we have peace with God. Christ's work was the all sufficient sacrifice. What Jesus has accomplished is once and for all and is totally complete. He has provided every need for time and eternity in every area in the life of every person who trusts in Him.”

To clarify even further, Derek Prince has outlined 10 aspects of the work of Calvary.
They are as follows:

• Jesus was punished that we might be forgiven
• Jesus was wounded that we might be healed
• Jesus was made sin with our sinfulness, that we might be made righteous with His righteousness.
• Jesus tasted death for us that we might share His life
• Jesus was made a curse that we might receive the blessing
• Jesus endured our poverty that we might share His abundance
• Jesus bore our shame that we might share His glory
• Jesus endured our rejection that we might have His acceptance with the Father
• He was cut off that we might be joined to the Lord
• Our Old Man was put to death in Him

 As we ponder the ultimate love, grace, and power of a God who would lay down His life for His creation, let us in faith put every care, concern, and difficult situation into His hands. Let us show Abba Father our gratitude by trusting in the finished work of Calvary.

Psalm 50:15

“Then call on me when you are in trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory."

  

Teachings from Derek Prince 

shared by 

Cathy Friberg

RAVE REVIEWS

 3/2/12

 

I suppose we are all familiar with Internet reviews on products and services. I am grateful myself for these performance appraisals. Because of online recommendations by various customers I have been successful in finding competent appliance repair people, talented hairdressers, and excellent restaurants.

While thinking about this modern day phenomenon of Internet assessments, the Lord reminded me that we can offer other people reviews concerning Himself and His Kingdom. When led by the Holy Spirit, we can tell friends, neighbors, family members and co-workers what a difference Jesus has made in our lives. I heard a preacher on television the other night say that no one can argue with our testimony. We don't need to cajole or try to convince people to come to Christ. However, when we give a glowing review of how the Lord has miraculously intervened in our circumstances or even how He has given us peace and joy in the midst of adverse situations, we are planting the seeds of salvation in the hearts of others.

In my morning devotional times recently, I have been praying against the crime and wickedness in our land today. God has impressed me that the only real answer to this dilemma is for people to hear the gospel, be saved, to learn the ways of God and repent of wrongdoing.

I pray that the Lord give me the boldness to share the Good News of His love with those around me who need a touch from heaven.

“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. 

Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you 

to give the reason for the hope that you have.

 But do this with gentleness and respect.”

I Peter 3:15 

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; 

and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, 

and to the ends of the earth.”

 Acts 1:8

 “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; 

and he that wins souls is wise.”

By Cathy Friberg

THE APARTMENT MANAGER

“The following conversation was overheard when two friends reunited after several years.  “I heard you sold your apartment building so where are you living now?  It must be nice to be away from the difficult woman on the third floor.”

“Oh, Ms. Know-it-all?  She’s still there as she has tenure so won’t be gone until the building is no more. I’m still living on the ground floor but the new owner brought in his resident trainer to live on the second floor and he’s teaching me how to manage the building using the Apartment Managers Handbook so I can deal with her better. It was slow at first because I was new at it, but you know, she can’t help her attitude; it’s her nature. I’m learning to discern between her voice and His. You know what?  I’m tired of talking, let’s go shopping!”

As they left , I was envisioning that scenario, and it occurred to me:  I’m that building!  I am body, soul, and spirit!  When I was constructed at birth my body and soul were born but my spirit wasn’t alive until I accepted the new Owner’s offer to purchase me.  I've had been living on the ground floor with Ms. Flesh on the third floor and the second room on the second floor was empty.   Her voice of criticism, fearfulness, and doubt, is the heaviest weapon she wields to discourage and terrorizes me.  

When I accepted the price Jesus paid for me.  He moved in the Holy Spirit, who faithfully reminds me to study the Bible with Him and that I have to take responsibility of making the right choices in listening to the voices!  It’s an ongoing struggle but His weapons have, and still do, supersede hers, and Satan.  I am the manager, the one who is in charge, based on grounding in His word, the Bible, the apartment manager’s manual.  I am the apartment manager; I have to take responsibility.   

I also meet with other managers who want to be the best they can be for the new Owner, and we help newborn managers learn be the best apartment managers they can be. There are many of us out there, and we love to encourage!”

 Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, 

who is in you, whom you have from God, that you are not your own?   

For you have been bought with a price; therefore glorify 

God in your body.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 

Paul encourages: 

”Walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desires of the flesh.  

For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh 

so that you may not do the things that you please.”    

(22- 25)

 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience,

 kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, 

against such things there is no law.”

Galations 5:16 

“Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might, put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.  For our struggle isn’t against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 

Ephesians 6:10-18  

Written by
Sandy Schott

.

RAVE REVIEWS...

February Writing

I suppose we are all familiar with Internet reviews on products and services. I am grateful myself for these performance appraisals. Because of online recommendations by various customers I have been successful in finding competent appliance repair people, talented hairdressers, and excellent restaurants.

While thinking about this modern day phenomenon of Internet assessments, the Lord reminded me that we can offer other people reviews concerning Himself and His Kingdom. When led by the Holy Spirit, we can tell friends, neighbors, family members and co-workers what a difference Jesus has made in our lives. I heard a preacher on television the other night say that no one can argue with our testimony. We don't need to cajole or try to convince people to come to Christ. However, when we give a glowing review of how the Lord has miraculously intervened in our circumstances or even how He has given us peace and joy in the midst of adverse situations, we are planting the seeds of salvation in the hearts of others.

In my morning devotional times recently, I have been praying against the crime and wickedness in our land today. God has impressed me that the only real answer to this dilemma is for people to hear the gospel, be saved, to learn the ways of God and repent of wrongdoing.

I pray that the Lord give me the boldness to share the Good News of His love with those around me who need a touch from heaven.

 “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord.

Always be prepared to give an answer 

to everyone who asks you 

to give the reason for the hope that you have. 

But do this with gentleness and respect.”

I Peter 3:15 

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; 

and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, 

and in all Judea and Samaria,

 and to the ends of the earth.”

Acts 1:8 

 “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; 

and he that wins souls is wise.”

Proverbs 11:30

By Cathy Friberg