May 11
1 Sam 10:1-11:15 | PS 107:1-43 | Prov 15:1-3 | John 6:43-71
We read in Romans 12:1-2, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." Often we think of our walk with God as a series of action steps, and indeed there is a moving required on our part. But more important is our release. If we hold onto our "self" we can't allow ourselves to be transformed by Him. We must never forget that God absolutely loves us. He will place events and people in our paths, some good and some bad, to assist in this release process. The other day I was speaking to a patient of mine who unfortunately was given her second cancer diagnosis in two years. Both appear early stage and curable. My patient seemed deflated, which is understood. She asked the "Why God" question. After explaining that only God can answer that, I went on to explain that God can use this all for good, if she allows her mind and soul to seek Him, that most find Him not in the mountaintop experiences, but in the valleys. I explained that God loves her, and has never taken His eyes off of her, but it was now time for her to place her eyes on Him. We prayed together, then I explained the importance of getting to know Him through His Word. She stated we had this conversation before, but always finds the bible difficult, that she needs a very easy form. I recommended "The Message" by Eugene Peterson, which is not really a translation, but a paraphrase, which she stated she will look into.
We see Saul anointed as king in 1 Samuel 10:1, "Then Samuel took a flask of oil and poured it on his head, and kissed him and said: “Is it not because the Lord has anointed you commander over His inheritance?" But after this outward ritual nothing really changes. We then read Samuel's prophetic words in 10:6, "Then the Spirit of the Lord will come upon you, and you will prophesy with them and be turned into another man." There will be a transformation when Saul leans less on himself and allows the Spirit to transform Him. We see this occur as he meets a group of prophets, and then in 11:6 when confronted with a difficult situation. Many do not accept this transformation. We read nearly 1000 years later, when Jesus, the Son of God was teaching, that many would not allow their minds to transform around His words, as we read in John 6:41-42, "The Jews then complained about Him, because He said, “I am the bread which came down from heaven.” And they said, “Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How is it then that He says, ‘I have come down from heaven’?”
Jesus went on to say in John 6:51, "I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world.” Death can mean separation of our consciousness from our body as in physical death, or separation from God consciously as in spiritual death. Jesus was talking of spiritual death. Many were unwilling to allow their minds to transform, as Jesus went on in 6:63, " It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life." Though many failed to release from their flesh, Peter did,, as we read His statement in 6:68-69, "But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” He created you and He loves you. We need to remember this when things happen to us. Rather than resisting Him, we need to release and accept Him, and allow His Spirit to transform us. This will not be forced, as He will not overpower our free will. This comes down to trust, true trust. He knows what is best and what we need. May we all submit to His Lordship.
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: