MORE!

Some who have read this far may think the picture I have drawn for this all-in life is some sort of 21^st century marketing hype for Jesus. You may have watched other Christians or been one yourself for a long time, and this is not your experience. Instead of letting Scripture cut across the fiber of our flesh, we unknowingly attempt to bring Christianity down to our experience. If so, each of us now knows too much to fool ourselves any longer. And if we can’t get out of life, then let’s plunge fully into life. Experiment for one year as if this is all true. It is! Plus much more.

I have not always walked out this journey well. Discouragement still plagues me at times, yet I have learned to “bounce well.” Certainly, I have attempted to be faithful on my journey. However, God’s steadfast faithfulness keeps me on track, not my performance. In God’s big-picture move through history, He always works through a remnant, a smaller part of the whole, those who are all-in. For instance, Jesus poured His life into the Twelve, focusing on the few in order to reach the many. Make no mistake. Jesus passionately pursues the entire world to restore each one to intimacy with His Father. His strategy, however, focuses on the committed remnant with full allegiance, trained to see beyond today.

As I reflect on my life, the best summary of my journey is “more.” Not more that I receive since I believe we received all we ever need at salvation. But “more” that we appropriate or fully embrace. Reflect.

• If God is Father, Son and Spirit, full of eternal life, love and light, and we are His image-bearers, it only makes sense if we intend to grow into Christlikeness that God will reveal more.
• If God’s Word is His Love-letter to His Bride where we hear His voice and feel His heartbeat, then there is more for us there.
• If we are servant-warriors of the King of kings and He has given us His delegated authority, then more open doors await us.
• If God instantly restored us as His beloved children and His beautiful bride when we came to Christ, then more is available in relationship with Him and with others.
• If God causes all things to work together for good for His people, then as we penetrate the depths of trials and tough times in our lives, He has more good treasures for us.
• If His initiating first-love constantly pours into our lives like the sands of the sea, as I respond with “Here I am, Lord. I’m all-in with You,” we will experience more of His surrounding love.
• One great danger in the Christian life is to “settle.” If God is the God of “more,” then the only sane response is: “Full allegiance, Jesus!”

This is Reflection #50 in my book, Foundation Stones. I also have a web-site with tools, books and "more than Bible studies" that have helped me to live out of this spiritual DNA. You may want to explore www.JimFredericks.com

All-in Wholehearted Allegiance

A diligent social research scientist studied people for ten years. Paraphrasing her three-fold conclusion: (1) “wholeheartedness” provides the most crucial key for healthy lives since people exist for connection; (2) a deep sense of shame debilitates people, breaking connection and undermining wholeheartedness; (3) most conclude the world is unsafe.

Kudos on excellent observations…directly from Genesis 1-3! The Fall severed this connected relationship, resulting in guilt, shame and a deep sense of unworthiness (Gen. 2:25). God designed us to give Him full allegiance (wholehearted). In turn He gives us Himself, which includes healthy connections with people, freedom from shame and a safe haven.

Kudos, yet she appears to have no compelling answer how we live a wholehearted life. And more particularly, wholehearted toward Whom?

As we begin to answer life’s two essential questions more accurately (“What is God like? “How does this God see and know me?”), we move towards a healthier, more connected life. When we see God as He truly is, we gladly commit our full allegiance to the King of all kings. We are all-in, wholehearted, which is the only completely sane response to three such amazing Friends (Romans 12:1).

In Genesis 3, Satan deceived Eve with three implied questions. “Am I enough?” “Am I worthy?” “Am I loveable as I now am?” Eve dialoged with our enemy. She falsely answered all three, “NO.” She attempted to carve out her own answers separate from God, eating from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. The serpent deceived Adam and Eve to grasp for what God had already freely given them as their heritage. This same deceitful strategy lies at the heart of sin today, our illegitimate attempt to meet legitimate, God-given needs in our own way and with our own resources. As God’s redeemed children, we must know ourselves as God does, or we will fall for the devil’s traps.

In a word, God wants us to be wholehearted for Him. If we answer any of the three questions above in the negative, it undermines God’s provision. Then we believe God failed us in some way. Especially in tough times, we must know God is our all in all. Jesus shouts, “Yes, you are more than enough, worthy because of Me!”

 

Knowing ourselves as unconditionally loved transforms the way we look at God, ourselves and the world. It releases our God-given creativity and ingenuity, turning us into agile, servant-first prepared influencers with the skill of learning on the fly. Develop confidence that you (and others trained like this) learn to process new info and make course adjustments, working toward solutions to each problem on our journey. “Have it all, Lord!”

This is Reflection #49 in my book, Foundation Stones. I also have a web-site with tools, books and "more than Bible studies" that have helped me to live out of this spiritual DNA, www.JimFredericks.com

90 Minute Extended Time of Prayer

Come with a heart prepared for worship. Perhaps fast a meal. Keep short accounts with God. Come unencumbered, without your to-do list or thoughts of what you have scheduled next. Don’t bring a mobile device or other distractions. Do bring a Bible, notebook, writing device and perhaps some water to drink. Feast on how satisfied our Family-of-Three is with you. And arrive a few minutes early so you are not rushed.

1. Begin on time with ten minutes of worship by “popcorn” praise to God. Pray short bursts of prayer praise and thanksgiving, focused on who God is and what He has done. Or a CD with worship.

2. Then read a Psalm around the group. Note quick “uplifts” to share as popcorn responses with the group. This is fast paced, about ten minutes total just to prime the pump, although you may want to begin your private time with more time in this  Psalm.

3. Break up into space where you will not be interrupted in your private prayers, thirty minutes. Don’t go so far that you don’t get back in time. Don’t pair up. This is for you and God alone together.

a. Private prayer of praise: Tell Him how very much you adore Him.

b. Listen: Take some time interspersed throughout (more if you do alone) so God can speak to you. Expect your Father to speak and journal it.

c. Confess: Hopefully you have come without unresolved issues between you and God. Confess how very much you need God and give yourself to Him. At times, He reveals what we are unaware of. Make it right.

d. Ask: For purpose, clarity, priorities; for family, friends, your needs…or whatever else is on your heart.

4. Call the group back to debrief together, about twenty minutes. How did you hear God’s voice in your private time of prayer? Our confidence rests more in His ability to speak than in our expertise to hear. What did this focused time of prayer mean for you? Could an extended time of prayer be something you may want to add to your normal rhythm of life? If so when and how often?

5. Finish with the remainder of the time (twenty minutes) interceding together for each other and for the spiritual life of the church and city. Keep your prayers focused on personal requests. Feel free to pray more than once. Pray conversationally, meaning we pray for a person or topic for a while, like we converse with one another, before moving on to a different topic and person.

6. Whomever is leading, watch the time so that we dismiss on time after 90 minutes, honoring others’ time. Some may want to voluntarily hang out longer, which is fine.

This is Reflection #48 in my book, Foundation Stones. I also have a web-site with tools, books and "more than Bible studies" that have helped me to live out of this spiritual DNA, www.JimFredericks.com

Jesus Invites Us into His Epic Crusade

In Matthew 28:18-20, our Commander-in-Chief issues our marching orders, “make disciples of all people groups.” Many call this the “Great Commission” because it’s so crucial to understand our call, even though it’s one of five commissions. Notice first the context. Jesus had just been raised from the dead through the power of the Father, breaking the chains of death. Through faith in Jesus Christ, a sure way now exists for the Father to restore relationship. Before His death, Jesus had instructed the eleven disciples to return to Galilee after His resurrection. What a bold statement for one about to die! And they obeyed, some worshipping Him and some doubting, just like us today (Matthew 28:16-17).

First focus on the two “bookends” that surround the one command to “make disciples.” Jesus has universal authority throughout all space and time. The “therefore” in verse 19 implies what other Scripture makes clear. Jesus now delegates His authority to His people. We carry His authority. Jesus then concludes with the encouraging words that He is perpetually present wherever we go and whatever we do and say (28:20). What assurance, His authority and His presence until the end of the ages!

This commission only has one command, “make disciples of every people group,” with three descriptors showing us how to do this. In the 1^st century, a disciple was one who learns from a person in an interactive, question/answer, life-to-life way, rather than only from books or in classrooms. The world was Jesus’ classroom so He taught both formally and informally on the go. Jesus discipled the Twelve in primary groups of three or four (gathered together as the Twelve). What He taught flowed from who He was, so they saw Him up-close-and-personal. They were changed as they beheld (2 Cor 3:18). Jesus’ strategy is timeless, working to make disciples in any culture at any time since the world is on His heart. And how can we make learners or followers of Jesus today?

• Evangelize (“go”): The Father sends us to live life outwardly as His witnesses in the world, just like He sent His Son, Jesus.
• Enfold (“baptize”): Baptize means to plunge fully in. Our water baptism testifies that we belong to God through faith in Christ. For the church body, baptism signifies this person is immersed or enfolded into our faith-community for mutual support/care.
• Equip (“teach to do”): Not just teaching information; a lifestyle of willing obedience to multiple other followers (Ezra 7:10).

Jesus’ simple plan is spiritual multiplication with a solid spiritual DNA. Four grow together, then become 16; 16 to 64 in three spiritual generations, multiplying faith-communities as small as 3-5 people. Are you becoming more like Jesus and bringing others along with you?

This is Reflection #46 in my book, Foundation Stones. I also have a web-site with tools, books and "more than Bible studies" that have helped me to live out of this spiritual DNA, www.JimFredericks.com

Three Dynamic Pictures

New believers in the 1^st century responded quickly out of Christlike character with the upward response (worship/prayer), outward response (mission), and inward response (agile disciple-making in community to mature and multiply).

Who would have thought that this one generation would indirectly impact hundreds of millions to follow Jesus?

 

Our Team-of-Three plants His people in soil with all three “cultures” or “nutrients” necessary for thriving growth. Community (inward response of Family, cultivating us as beloved children, training together for the “Family biz” with community- and Word-based growth fused with the Spirit). Mission (outward response of the Kingdom, thrusting us out into the world as servant/warriors with full allegiance to our Team-of-Three on our quest to battle for the hearts of the lost world of people). Worship (upward response with the picture of Marriage, emphasizing personal intimacy with God, His availability and connectedness).

 

As you develop spiritually, the catalytic intersection of all three together becomes a “force multiplier.” No wonder God’s plan is not just to add disciples, but to multiply disciples as we form faith-communities like our Family-of-Three. Like his Master before him, Paul built through small, primal groups, from the bottom up, life-on-life. The fruit of an apple tree is not ultimately an apple, but other apple trees. The fruit of a community is other communities. Jesus’ ministry sweet spot is both wide and deep, His “miracle grow!” Intend to reproduce!

 

As His people, we are caught up into God’s plan for the ages. He invites us into the awesome privilege to partner with Him…before we fully understand Him and His plans. Our little stories now have eternal meaning because they are lived out within His eternal story, a ministry that is both wide and deep. The same God who spoke the entire universe into existence desires to partner with us in Jesus’ ongoing epic crusade as one of His intimate allies. His unfinished mission defines our destiny together since He uses us as His touch and His voice to draw others in.

 

We undermine the mystery and God’s power to transform if we undervalue either of the three dynamic pictures. This healthy blend of all three responses flowing from “Christ in us, our life” are essential. Insist on compassionate mission; invest in intimate worship; inflame life-on-life community. As we experience His pulsating life as lifelong life-learners and doers, pass it along. God intends to use you and me since He created us as fully engaged partners. Who is God now highlighting to you?

This is Reflection #45 in my book, Foundation Stones. I also have a web-site with tools, books and "more than Bible studies" that have helped me to live out of this spiritual DNA, www.JimFredericks.com

Judging or Discerning?

In Matthew 7:1-5, Jesus teaches on a very crucial topic for interpersonal relationships. Judging is a big-time community breaker. Judging shuts down openness in the one being judged and severely hampers the one judging from experiencing life to the full. When we judge, we “play God,” usurping God’s unique role as the One and Only Judge. He is the only One who can both love and judge at the same time.

Jesus begins in 7:1-2 by simply commanding us not to judge…no exceptions. Judging injures all parties. We will be judged by whatever measure we use in judging others. What a powerful motivation! Which of us wants to be judged by others? Judging has at least two clear marks.

1. Judging imposes our own standards on others, even if we Christians quote our personal interpretation of Bible verses.
2. Judging evaluates the other negatively, speaking down on or against them, even if only in our hearts (James 4:11-12).

God designed us as image-bearers to observe accurately, leading to healthy discernment. In Matthew 7:20, Jesus instructs His people to discern true from false believers by their fruit. God designed us to observe and test ourselves and others against a life lived out like Jesus so we may grow. We must observe/discern or we cannot practice the NT commands of Galatians 6:1 and Matthew 18:15.

Since the Fall in Genesis 3, observation now easily degenerates into devastating judgment. So how do I differentiate between observing/ discerning and judging?

 

In the humorous story in 7:3-5, Mr. Plank observed a speck in the eye of Mr. Speck. The observation was accurate. Jesus commanded Mr. Plank first to discern the plank in his own eye to develop compassion, or he is a play actor (“hypocrite”). First discern and deal quickly with our own stuff. “Does observation first turn within, using the event as a mirror to reflect on my inner life (discern) or first look down on the other (judge)?”

 

Judging or discrimination holds this against them; discernment holds it for them to help. Release life by asking: “What is their real need?” Then Mr. Plank sees more accurately to come alongside Mr. Speck to help him align with God’s ways, if he is willing (7:6). We desperately need others to speak life into us (Gal 6:1).

1. Judging imposes our values on others; discerning looks through God’s perfect standard to focus on what is clear and crucial.
2. Judging unfavorably places us above the other; discerning agrees that we are still in-process; then builds up others as equals.
3. Judging eyes unseen motives (“You meant to…”); discerning, visible fruit. Only God is able simultaneously to love and judge.

This is Reflection #43 in my book, Foundation Stones. I also have a web-site with tools, books and "more than Bible studies" that have helped me to live out of this spiritual DNA, www.JimFredericks.com

Four Soils of the Heart

It’s crucial how we listen as we study Scripture.

As an illustration, look at the parable of the four soils in Mark 4. Jesus finishes the parable by calling His disciples to listen attentively (4:9). When His disciples were alone with Jesus, He took the initiative to explain the parable (His way of training them after the “basics”). This parable is so crucial that Jesus explained: if His disciples have difficulty understanding this, how could they understand any teaching (4:14)? The seed is the Word of God sown into people, with four different conditions of their heart in this particular season. God’s Word, His Love-letter to us, is sown:

First, along a trampled path. Over the years, the enemy of our soul has incited people to trample on hearts. Jesus says that Satan comes and snatches away the Word as soon as they hear, before it germinates.

Second, on shallow soil where the rock beneath the thin layer of soil has not been broken up to allow the roots to sink deeply. They initially receive the Word with joy, but quickly turn away when hard times come.

Third, on distracted soil. The soil is fertile and so bears fruit. Fruit is quickly choked though by three very common practices in our society. The worries of this life; the deceitfulness of wealth; the desires for other things. Fertile soil will grow more than just good seed.

Fourth, on good soil. They have prepared their hearts to hear, accept, and respond, thus producing a flourishing crop of fruitful increase.

What is the state of your heart as you approach God’s Word? Which one soil best represents your heart today? ________________________

1. Trampled Soil: Satan immediately comes alongside and you listen to Satan’s whispered lies. “You will never understand this.” “Others maybe; not you” “You are not enough.” “You don’t measure up.”
2. Shallow Soil: Have you allowed the tough times of your past or present life to make you bitter or better? We all experience the hot water of trials…none are exempt. Place an egg, potato and coffee beans in the same hot water. One hardens, one softens and one releases flavor. What is the state of your heart? Has it been cultivated and prepared for a rich harvest by good responses to tough times?
3. Distracted Soil: Is your life full of worries about tomorrow, chasing after wealth and a desire to have more stuff than you now have? These very common societal goals will crowd out the Word of God in our hearts so truth does not have room to flourish in us.
4. Fruitful Soil: This is what Jesus is after, a life that produces a 30-, 60- and even 100-fold increase in what He sows. God’s grace provides what is necessary for us to be able to respond quickly.

This is Reflection #42 in my book, Foundation Stones. I also have a web-site with tools, books and "more than Bible studies" that have helped me to live out of this spiritual DNA, www.JimFredericks.com

God’s Amazing Grace

Webster’s 1828 Dictionary defines grace as “The free unmerited love and favor of God, the spring and source of all the benefits men receive.” God’s many faces of grace is like the dew. It covers and drenches His people as we rest quietly, bringing vitality to all. God first pours out His grace (his action-love) to us in salvation. Then into every aspect of our journey to enable us to do life. Grace is God’s unearned and undeserved favor, contrasting with our performance. A performance-to-please mentality can never fully satisfy our inner ache for God.

God designed humanity to be most alive when we live in full allegiance to Him. It’s God’s amazing grace that fuels this process, like high-octane gasoline fuels a high performance auto. God’s grace transforms us, sustaining us in the ups and downs of our journey, in times of ease and also during fiery trials and gnarly temptations.

Our entire life is a gift of His grace. At salvation, God plants us into His amazing grace, His rich soil for flourishing growth (Romans 5:2). Ephesians 1:3-13 is unparalleled in its description of provision from the Father, Son and Spirit, initiating to freely give all we need for our life and godliness. Three times Paul drives this home with: “To the praise of His glorious grace.” We can also fall short of God’s grace by not fully embracing it, experiencing roots of bitterness instead of His lavish grace (Heb. 12:15). And God designed our lives with certain portals that are wide open to receive God’s outpoured grace. So I encourage us all to cooperate by developing habits that fully align with our design (I call them “transforming responses”). Here are a few “means of grace.”

 

• Study God’s Word, learning to saturate our lives with Scripture.
• Meditate on Truth, taking time to reflect so it penetrates deeply.
• Practice Relationship-Based Prayer, joining God as we adore Him and ask for His desires and our needs in life.
• Fasting, saying “no” to something in our lives in order to focus intensely for a time on what God has laid on our hearts.
• Solitude and Silence, blocking out the hurry and scurry of life to rest quietly in God’s awesome presence, scattering “One-Minute Sabbaths” throughout our days and weeks.
• Serving Others, since God is a Giver at heart. He uses our measure of generosity as His measure to pour back into our lives (Luke 6:38). Serving itself is its own reward.

Of course, even as we focus on God’s amazing grace, it’s equally important to be full of both grace and truth (John 1:14). Joy and freedom are the keynotes so develop good habits as a response to the grace-laced life of Jesus, rooting ever more deeply into the soil of amazing grace.

This is Reflection #42 in my book, Foundation Stones. I also have a web-site with tools, books and "more than Bible studies" that have helped me to live out of this spiritual DNA, www.JimFredericks.com

Knowing God’s Will

Do you want to know God’s will?

 

If so we must first answer this question. “Why do I want to know God’s will?” To decide if I want to do it? Or to actually do it quickly?

 

We will struggle to know God’s will as long as we believe we cast the final vote. God is in charge not us. Everything our loving Father does leads us by the hand to know our Family-of-Three more easily and return His love more readily. This loving relationship is the good goal and end of our life. All of our choices are means, steps toward enjoying and partnering with God. With our end-goal now clearly in sight, we are able to tackle the art of decision-making.

Filter One: God’s Character: God will never call us to do anything contrary to who He really is. No wonder why we need to sharpen our answer to the 1^st essential question: “What is God like?” If the choice or opportunity violates God’s true revealed character, do not pursue.

Filter Two: God’s Love-letter, the Bible: God does not hide His will from us but for us. So in His Word He reveals a number of specifics from Scripture that tell us His will (some, not all). We don’t have to guess. Major on pursuing these. We know for certainty these are God’s will.

1.      Salvation and Sonship (1 Timothy 2:4, Ephesians 1:5);

2.      Saying thanks, praying and rejoicing always (1 Thess. 5:16-18);

3.      Sacrifice toward sanctification (Romans 12:1-2, 1 Thess. 4:3);

4.      Submission (1 Peter 2:13-15);

5.      Suffering (1 Peter 4:19); yes, God invites us into a fuller life;

6.      Supplication for those in authority (1 Timothy 2:2-3 + 8);

7.      Serving others (Ephesians 6:6);

8.      Spirit filled living (Ephesians 5:17-18).

Filter Three: More General: In deciding between two good choices:

1. Research the issue since God has given us minds to use.
2. Ask counsel from appropriate people. I don’t ask, “What should I do?” Rather, “From your view, what have I overlooked anything?”

Trust your “reasoning heart.” Psalm 37:4 states: when we delight ourselves in God, He gives us the desires of our heart. Why?

 

Now our heart-desires align with His. Don’t be tripped up by an OT view of our hearts as untrustworthy (Jeremiah 17:9). In Christ, God has redeemed and restored His image-bearers. The NT now calls God’s people holy and complete. We have the mind of Christ and everything pertaining to life and godliness…and also are still in-process. Are you consistently delighting yourself in the Lord? Then trust your “reasoning heart.”

Bottom-line: our Father loves us intensely and has our best on His heart. I trust His ability to speak more than my ability to hear.

This is Reflection #41 in my book, Foundation Stones. I also have a web-site with tools, books and "more than Bible studies" that have helped me to live out of this spiritual DNA, www.JimFredericks.com

Radical Change from OT to NT

Since “we become what we behold,” it’s important for us to develop a healthy view of the relationship between the OT and the NT. God progressively revealed His heart and ways over time in the OT, then leaped forward with the revelation of His Son in the NT.

Until Jesus’ birth as the incarnate Son, aspects of God’s character and humanity’s purpose remained hidden in mystery. So the NT builds upon the OT like adulthood builds upon our childhood. Read the OT, inserting yourself into the story in your imagination to learn how to live…in part (1 Corinthians 10:6+11 for a lens into the OT). And also know that in these days God has spoken even clearer through His Son, Jesus Christ (Hebrews 1:1-3) so don’t rest satisfied in an OT faith.

Paul demonstrates this radical change from the OT to the NT with three powerful “how much more” arguments in 2 Corinthians 3:7-11. Paul’s argument recognizes Moses as one of the great OT figures of faith. Then he argues from the most astounding event in his eventful life, when God spoke face to face with Moses and gave him the tablets of the Ten Commandments. When Moses came down from the mountain, his face glowed with the reflected glory of God (Exodus 34:29).

• If the Law that brought death came with glory, then the NT ministry of the Spirit will be even more glorious (3:7-8).
• If the OT ministry that condemns is glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness (3:9-10).
• If what was fading away was glorious, how much greater is the glory that lasts forever (3:11).

Yes, in time gather a good working knowledge of the OT because the OT launches the NT. But make our priority to soak in the NT. Get key books under your belt as a priority, which the “DiscipleMaking Companions” aim to do. “Christ in us” depicts our source of all effective life and ministry. It’s the resurrected life of Jesus within that flows out of our hearts to touch others. Make the life of Jesus your lifelong passion. Note a few of the promises below, and start gathering your own words from the Lord.

• Are you insecure? Your God will never leave you nor forsake you (Heb. 13:5).
• Inadequate? You can do all things through Christ (Phil. 4:13).
• Guilty or Shameful? There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ (Rom. 8:1).
• Worried? God has offered to trade His peace for our anxiety
  (Phil. 4:6-9; 1 Peter 5:7; John 14:27).
• In doubt? God provides wisdom for the asking (Jas 1:5).
• Overwhelmed? God never gives us too much (1 Cor. 10:13).

This is Reflection #40 in my book, Foundation Stones. I also have a web-site with tools, books and "more than Bible studies" that have helped me to live out of this spiritual DNA, www.JimFredericks.com

 

“In Adam” or “In Christ”

I invite you to marinate in Romans 5:15-19 with me. As time permits, also soak in chapters 5-8, one of the most important passages in Scripture. These words have awakened my heart to a profound awareness of my union with Christ, received as an initial gift of God at salvation. Not as a theological construct, but as a power-point on my Christian journey. This releases in me a more peaceful, secure rest and a less hurried rhythm to life. Paul reflects back on the key chapters of Genesis 1-3, the creation and Fall of humanity. In a real sense, the rest of the Bible is a commentary on these three chapters, particularly Romans 5.

Adam as God’s representative chose to disobey God (Genesis 3) with crushing consequences to all humanity and to all the universe. At that time, the entire human race was in Adam and Eve. Since they were constitutionally changed (Genesis 5:3), all their offspring down through today have been born into this same fallen humanity. Adam’s race is now fallen, separated from God, radically different than God intended. This “solidarity” of humanity is the only basis by which we can now be rescued and restored in our solidarity as one “in Christ.” Paul writes that through faith in Christ we gained access “into this grace in which we now stand” (Romans 5:2). This is true of the entire new race “in Christ.” He then follows up with a five-fold contrast of what we lost in Adam through his disobedience and what God reversed “in Christ” through His obedience. The choice: existing in Adam or living in Christ because of our 2^nd birth.

• In Adam all died through his trespass, but in Christ God’s overflowing, “much-more” grace abounded, bringing life, 5:15.
• In Adam judgment brought just condemnation, but in Christ the free gift brings justification, paying sin’s penalty in full, 5:16.
• In Adam death reigned over all, but in Christ God’s people reign in life, 5:17.
• In Adam condemnation came for all, but in Christ justification and life are available for all, 5:18.

In Adam many were made sinners, but in Christ many are made righteous, 5:19.

To which race of people do you belong? The old humanity in Adam brings the penalty of death and the new humanity in Christ gifts us with the unmerited favor of every spiritual blessing. Every person is in Adam by birth, but not all are in Christ by new birth. It takes an act of faith to be rescued from the dominion of darkness and death and transferred into the Kingdom of His dear Son. Once we are in, then we learn to walk “in the Spirit” and not after our “flesh” or self-life (Romans 8).

This is Reflection #39 in my book, Foundation Stones. I also have a web-site with tools, books and "more than Bible studies" that have helped me to live out of this spiritual DNA, www.JimFredericks.com

Meet Jesus in the Gospel of Mark

Mark was the first of the Gospel writers to write down the oral story of Jesus’ life. Mark 1 is the BIG-Story that makes sense of life as we fully abandon ourselves to Jesus. Trace these themes through Mark and see how attractive Jesus is. Gazing on Jesus in the Gospels puts flesh on God. As we respond to Him, He won’t leave us unchanged.

1. Jesus restores God’s original Eden-plan for humanity (1:9-13). With Jesus’ baptism, Mark deliberately points us back to the 1^st creation in Genesis 1 & 2 and God’s intent for humanity. The same Three Persons were active in speaking the 1^st creation into existence, God the Father, God’s Spirit who fluttered or hovered over the water, and Jesus, the Word (see John 1:1-2 + 14). Jesus demonstrated His full abandonment to His Father, just like baptism does for us today. Like Jesus, we also live under an “open heaven” with immediate access to the Father’s love and acceptance and the Spirit’s power. Notice. At once the Spirit sent Jesus into an alone place to test these fresh expressions of life, like with us.

2. Jesus brings the inbreaking Kingdom of God (1:14-15, 1:21-34). Mark describes Jesus Christ, the Son of God, inbreaking into history. His arrival creates a sense of crisis as He ruptures the status quo. “Gospel” or “Good News” means history-making, life-shaping news, not daily news, and calls for decisive action (note the use of “immediately” in Mark). Jesus embodies God’s Kingdom right to rule. So His arrival launches God’s restoration plan for all that was lost in Genesis 3. Jesus walked through life all-in with His Father and the Spirit (Acts 10:36-38). He drew people to Him as He patiently shared His Father’s words and demonstrated their authenticity with works of compassion and power. Jesus’ Kingship calls each of us to live all-in to His loving sovereignty, and the Father sends us just as He sent His Son (John 17:18; 20:21).

3. Jesus establishes His new Family of God (1:16-20). Jesus ushers us into His new creation Family, available for all who give ourselves fully to Jesus. This restores relationship with the Father. Then He trains up His band of brothers as His new Family (3:33-35) to follow Him in the “Family business” of winning and multiplying disciples, or followers (1:16-20; see also chapter 2 for the same themes). Jesus “focuses on the few to reach the many,” with the world always on His heart.

4. Jesus draws strength from time with His Father (1:35-37). Like Jesus, our true Source of love and power is intimacy fostered through leisurely time alone with the Father with “one foot raised” for action. Jesus retreated to prayer with His Father to prepare for more action, drawn into a rhythm of life determined by being in the Father’s presence.

This is Reflection #38 in my book, Foundation Stones. I also have a web-site with tools, books and "more than Bible studies" that have helped me to live out of this spiritual DNA, www.JimFredericks.com

Natural Adult Learning

Research points to at least four key factors releasing inner motivation in adult learners. The catalytic interconnection of all four accelerates learning and inspires Christians to become lifelong life-learners.

1. Relevance: Demonstrating value by relating learning to life: This desire to find meaning is fundamental to all humanity. In particular, adult learners dislike busywork. Propel learning out of the formal setting into our real-life experience, connecting truth with daily life. Jesus’ whole world was a learning laboratory. We cannot respond to life and remain unchanged. Adults possess a strong need to shape the course of our lives in relevant ways. Bringing these experiences back to debrief in group releases life and learning in us and in others. Such an environment where meaning-making promiscuously roams about births surprising changes.

2. Joy & Fun: Nurturing positive attitudes towards learning: Our attitude predisposes us in a certain direction, positively or negatively. Particularly since many western Christians have negative past experiences with learning, positive, realistic expectations are essential at the beginning. Encourage in one another a favorable outlook towards learning. This often comes as a playful sense of joy and expectancy is re-introduced. Provide a basis for hope. This perspective engages their will to take ownership, a key to learning, releasing pleasure…and fun!

3. Belonging: Connecting with each other accelerates growth: God designed us as social beings. On the horizontal plane, perhaps nothing is quite as powerful as community. Creating a safe environment of mutual cooperation in which we all feel respected and valued develops a relaxed, stimulating place to learn. As mutually-accepting, encircling partners, we care as much about the learning of our peers as we do about our own. This fluid, playful, inclusive collaboration with one another develops a different relationship with discovery, frees us to tell our 1^st-person stories, enhances retention, opens up rich possibilities for relevant action, and maximizes growth as we become influence-able influencers.

4. Competence: Experiencing growing competence in skills, values, and/or character powerfully motivates learning: As image-bearers, God created us to rule (Genesis 1:26-28). We explore and perceive, evaluate and change our surroundings like a thermostat, not a thermometer that only measures the surrounding environment. Growing competence taps into our God-given yearning to promote positive effects and to experience significance. Success to learn something useful cultivates expectancy for continued success. So early-on in the process, encourage incremental, easy-to-learn, “quick-hits” success. Success begets success.

This is Reflection #37 in my book, Foundation Stones. I also have a web-site with tools, books and "more than Bible studies" that have helped me to live out of this spiritual DNA, www.JimFredericks.com

The Drama of the Ages

Many feel they live unfulfilled, disconnected lives in an unsafe world.

Every society seeks answers to this colossal struggle between good/evil. Like a drama with seven acts, Jesus came and brought a new kind of life to fulfill God’s original design and intent. This astounding life-to-death-to-life drama is simple enough to diagram on an envelope.

1^st ACT: PRIOR: The relational God, Father, Son and Spirit, is the eternal Creator & King of all, both in the heavens and on earth.

 

He has always existed before time as a Community-of-Three. What God creates reflects who He is. God is relational at His core, good (6 times in the creation account), great (God spoke; it happened), and generous in His bounty (vast variety in creation).

2^nd ACT: CREATION: This generous, loving God created the universe as the theater of His glory, placing His crown-jewel in the center.

 

God initiated to create image-bearers, vessels as much like Him as created beings could be. Why? To receive and give away His life and love. God created humanity for (1) relationship (image/likeness), (2) purpose (cultivating our unique world of people to release life), and (3) to be blessed. God’s drama of the ages begins with this “original goodness” as His Eden-intent.

3^rd ACT: FALL: Part of God’s creation rebelled against their King and Creator, choosing to go rogue.

 

A third of the angelic beings followed their leader, Satan, in his rebellious coup against God. Sin seeks to pull others down. So God’s arch-enemy deceived the crown-jewel of God’s creation at the point of God’s simple test of love and obedience (Gen 2:16-17). All humanity joined Satan’s rebellion, pulling down all of creation with them since God delegated rule to humanity. This choice to join Satan’s coupe fractured who we are as image-bearers, separating us from God’s life, removing our “original goodness,” and making us less human than God designed. Satan then usurped humanity’s forfeited trusted rulership over the earth (Eph. 2:2).

4^th ACT: TESTING: From Genesis 4 until the coming of Jesus, God initiates to demonstrate His faithfulness despite the unfaithfulness of His people.

 

Humanity is now born in Adam’s likeness and image (Genesis 5:3), a distortion of God’s original intent. Read the repeated cycle of humanity in the Old Testament (OT) as they fail every test. Even though God blesses His people, their eyes wander, turning to their own ways. When the weight of their fractured lives becomes too heavy, they cry out to God. God then faithfully and patiently intervenes… until His people turn away again. Humanity repeatedly proves it cannot lead a satisfying life on his/her own.

5^th ACT: RESTORATION: Because of God’s compassionate heart, King Jesus invaded His world to pay the greatest price imaginable to restore humanity.

 

Only the Creator could stand in the place of His creation, providing the unique way back to the Father’s heart. Jesus came from heaven, lived and died, and was raised by the Father’s love and power to make relationship with God accessible for all. Through these acts of full abandonment to the Father, Jesus defeated Satan and made His eternal life and authority available to all by faith. Only you can keep you from God. As we give our full allegiance to our Creator and King, He breaks the chains that bound, restoring us to the Father’s love. The rescued then become the rescuers as Jesus calls together a multi-generational, multi-racial Kingdom army to restore the world of people to Him. We are all-in as we become more like Jesus in both our being and our doing out of our restored image.

6^th ACT: PARTNERSHIP: We now live in the gap between Jesus’ smashing victory and its consummation. Jesus now calls each of us to merge our small stories into His one Big-Story by responding to Jesus with: “I give you my wholehearted allegiance, my King!”

 

At the instant of faith (faith = resting our lives completely on Jesus), we receive His life in full, authentic life with His delegated authority, like in Genesis 1. At the instant of faith, God restores His original design and purpose for His crown-jewel, restoring spirituality, calling us to belonging and purpose, releasing true beauty and engaging us in His battle for justice. God’s call is to something greater than ourselves, something worth investing our entire lives into. Now God has placed all His people in strategic places to actively invite those in our sphere of influence to join Jesus in this epic adventure. We must be all-in since battlefields do not have bleachers for spectators.

7^th ACT: CONSUMATION: We eagerly await the great Day of the LORD when Jesus returns again, triumphant in His great power and glory. At that time, He will bring completion to all He began in the Garden…PLUS!

 

On this Day of the Lord, God will reward His people and punish those who chose to rebel. His 2^nd Coming will restore the full Reality of His creation-intent since Jesus’ victory over God’s arch-enemy was full and final. Satan is defeated, but not yet destroyed, the “already, but not yet” of the Kingdom of God.

Commission: Until Jesus returns again, God’s people stand in His authority at the intersection of the clash between the Kingdom of God and the dominion of Satan. Partner with Jesus in this warfare (1:38-39).

This is Reflection #35 in my book, Foundation Stones. I also have a web-site with tools, books and "more than Bible studies" that have helped me to live out of this spiritual DNA, www.JimFredericks.com