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Will the Crowd Persuade?

March 5, 2009 by Irmgarde Brown

Matthew 27:20
“But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed.”

My prayer, “Lord, don’t let the crowd sway me!” It so hard to go against the crowd. Generally, I confess, when the crowd is going one way (in conversation), if it’s uncomfortable, I will choose silence. It could be worse, I think. But then, I ponder those of us who were silent on the day Pilate brought Jesus out to be judged by the crowd, we might as well have cried out, “Crucify Him.” We did no better in our silence. Well, to stand, then, has some merit. But to speak would be better.

But… how do I stand, speak against the crowd, and still be humble? I don’t know. I really don’t know how to do that.

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Seek Confirmation

March 4, 2009 by Irmgarde Brown

Luke 1:42, 45
In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!… Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!

And all I can think about is that Mary, despite all that she had heard and seen and felt (in her own body), she still ran to her cousin, Elizabeth seeking wisdom, seeking confirmation. And there was no waiting for it. All was true just as she imagined it was. All was confirmed in a moment by Elizabeth’s proclamation before Mary could say one word.

And once Mary heard it, she received her confirmation … and she accepted it. From that day forth, I don’t believe she waivered about her role in birth of an man anointed by God, a king, the Messiah.

How often do we ask for confirmation and despite the giving, we ask again. That’s not persistence, that’s a chink in our faith. Forgive me, Father. I believe. Help me in my unbelief. (Mark 9:24)

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Build Faith

March 3, 2009 by Irmgarde Brown

Matthew 17:19-20
Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it [the demon] out?”
He replied, “Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

Jesus gave the disciples everything they needed to drive out the demons, to heal the sick, to proclaim the gospel. Jesus gives us everything we need to do the same. There is only one thing lacking: our faith. Each person must determine in his/her own heart, mind & spirit, what is blocking the building of faith? Are we looking for a sign or a miracle before our faith can be exercised? Or doesn’t that fly in the face of faith? Mustard seed faith requires a leap… a leap beyond logic, 3 dimensions, and expectations. Mustard seed faith has abandon. Mustard seed faith requires total surrender. “Lift up your heads, O you gates [of the heart]; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.” Ps 24:7.

Found this today in my mailbox, a quote by Jean Pierre de Caussade.

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Sign of Jonah

March 2, 2009 by Irmgarde Brown

Matthew 16:4
A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a miraculous sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.

When I re-read my notes on this passage, I discovered an interesting idea: that the sign of Jonah (that is 3 days of death followed by a resurrection) might actually be a “model” for other things. It’s a holy number, “3,” and it just makes me wonder. It’s similar to the “death of a vision” concept. Sometimes we have to be willing to allow an idea or “vision” to die before God can resurrect it in its “true state.” And so, I’m just thinking, maybe all decisions should wait 3 days … or before an action is taken, give it 3 days … or whatever. Something to ponder… for three days, I guess. 🙂

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Community = Church

March 1, 2009 by Irmgarde Brown

Just a quick response to the sermon this weekend. As I mentioned to Craig, his points were good but I still think there is more to community than learning to love ‘annoying’ [or difficult] people, keeping our minds on straight [accepting correction from others], and bringing the world to Jesus. I am more interested now in the koinonia concepts that we have been investigating in the study of Philippians… where there is a commitment and mutual benefit… there must be give and take. See more.

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Believe What You Ask For…

February 28, 2009 by Irmgarde Brown

Matthew 11:24
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

I think I’ve put too much emphasis on the last part of this sentence (“…and it will be yours”) and not enough on the middle “…believe that you have received it.” Now, I’m not an advocate for that 70’s “blab it and grab it” kind of faith, but I do think there’s a mindset that spawns trust. If I’m going to pray for/about something, do I or don’t I believe God is listening. Is God sovereign? Is God faithful? The answer is yes. So, why do I keep asking. Sometimes, it feels like there is a fine line between persistence and distrust.

The truth is probably closer to our disapproval of God’s answers. God doesn’t have a problem saying “no.” We have a problem with hearing it.

I think “believing what I ask for” includes believing that He is answering.

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Let Me Not Betray You

February 27, 2009 by Irmgarde Brown

Matthew 26:20-21, 25
When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve. And while they were eating, he said, “I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me” … Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, “Surely not I, Rabbi?” Jesus answered, “Yes, it is you.”

Here’s the thing… Jesus didn’t stop Judas. And I’m thinking, oh Lord, if I mess up so badly, please stop me. If I hold back, send me forward. If I start to speak evil, still my tongue. If I contemplate sin, scramble my thoughts. I invite you to interfere in my life, Lord. I invite you to make a difference. I need your wisdom and governance.

I had one of those teen/adult conversations with my daughter in which she insisted that teens just need to experience the sin sometimes to “get it.” They need to have the repercussions and the consequences of their choices. And isn’t that what we, the parents, are always trying to protect them from. Sometimes we can, but often, our advice, our instructions, our rules, don’t work and they go ahead anyway. And I confess, I do too.

But not today, then. Today, I yield.

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