(10) A MONUMENTAL TASK (gaining perspective)

Gaining perspective is a monumental task!  

Monuments

Anyone who has traveled for long distances in a car with young children has probably come to appreciate the many large and small, “Points of Interest,” that pepper our nation’s highways. Squirming, biting, kicking, and malicious touching can usually be abated when the car comes to a stop at one of these roadside attractions. 

Sweet relief can come in many forms as we leave the containment of the auto to relieve ourselves from our discomforts.

These, “Roadside Attractions,” frequently highlight geological landmarks, cultural oddities, or historical events. They are usually centered around some monument commemorating a famous person, group of people, or significant accomplishment. 

Human civilizations throughout recorded history have enshrined events, and historical figures in this way.

In a similar way we, as individuals can create memorials in our own thinking.  

We often create memorials to the traditions or beliefs that we are comfortable and familiar with. 

We tend to venerate cultural, religious, and family traditions, or strong personal values. 

Our expectations about these,” monumental beliefs,” can be a problem.

If the people around us do not share our specific values, they can become a source of conflict. Conflicts over simple actions like, sitting down immediately to eat a meal, “when it is hot, ” as contrasted with, waiting for the others to arrive, “to eat together,” may create feelings of disloyalty or betrayal. 

    Activities like shopping and visiting can have dual meanings. 

Sharing our happiness about, “what a good deal we got,” can be contrasted with how much we appreciate finding something of quality, and, “what good taste we may have.”

It is hard to understand how other people’s values can be so different from our own and much to easy to make hurtful, and condescending judgments that can harm our relationships with them.

Distorted Thinking

Those of us who struggle with anger and depression often create monuments significant to our past. We tend to build monuments around the hurts and injustices we or those close to us have suffered. 

We build monuments to our need to see justice or retribution. Often we build monuments of blame. Some of us talk freely about it; others keep it hidden. We may experience it deep in our emotions, and not even be consciously aware of it, but those around us usually are.

These beliefs can be very threatening to the people around us. We may feel rejected when our loved ones distance themselves from us because of our feelings of blame. Their distancing can cause us frustration and hardship that seem to confirm our beliefs. 

When confirmed, we build our monuments higher, sometimes with an almost religious fervency. 

Allegiance to these, “monumental truths,” can seem so obvious to us that we can’t imagine thinking differently. Many of us have surrendered large portions of our lives to the task of maintaining these monumental investments to our emotional pain.

    

 When we are motivated by anger, we tend to blame others for the things we are feeling, or in the case of depression, we often blame ourselves, perhaps for allowing them to make us feel the way we do. 

Regardless, if others are controlling our feelings, then the only way to keep from being overwhelmed is to somehow gain control of the people around us.

We may think, if only they would do this, or think that, or believe such and such.  If only they would change in some way, or do what we feel is important at the time, then it would be better, then it well be all right. 

But no matter how much they try to accommodate our whims and complaints or “be careful,” as though, “walking on eggshells,” it never really seems to really get any better.  

When our emotional attention is frozen in the past, we rarely can see, much less accept the reality of the present. Improvements may happen, but the significance is somehow lost.

Consider the account of Peter, one of Jesus’ disciples. Peter was a person who was outspoken, eager to please and anxious to win approval. His beliefs were strong, and in many ways He is an example to all of us. 

In the following verse, Peter is commended for his outspokenness and accuracy.  Jesus speaks hope into his life, and encourages Peter’s heart. 

NIV Matthew 16:13-26

 13.  When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?"

14.    They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets."

15.    "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?"

The text continues:

NIV Matthew 16:13-26

 16.  Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."

 17.  Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.”

 18.  And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.

 19. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be  bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."

20. Then he warned his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Christ.

Peter may have said to himself, “Rock! Rock! Why that’s the meaning of my name! This sounds like a personal commission! Imagine, I have been called out from among all of the disciples to become... 

The Foundation Church of the Kingdom of Messiah!

The very foundation! There is nothing more important than the foundation to a structure! Imagine, me? I am to be given such great authority and such great power! What an incredible honor! You can trust me Lord! I won’t let you down!

Peter had been following Christ with such ambition. He had left his former life and followed unwavering in his commitment. He was committed... 

But what were his commitments too?

 Jesus had taught many times about, “the Kingdom of God, “and to be honest it was a confusing subject. What does it mean, “The Kingdom of God is within you?” 

“One thing Peter knew for sure. He had been taught since childhood that Messiah would come to restore the Kingdom to Israel and drive out the Romans! 

That He knew for sure!”  But what was motivating him to this belief? Was it loyalty to Christ, or loyalty to his past? 

Did these motivations and beliefs fit his present situation?

The text continues:
NIV Matthew 16:13-26
21. From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.
22. Peter took him aside and began to rebuke Him. "Never, Lord!" he said. "This shall never happen to you!"

      

Peter’s loyalty was strong as well. He was a man of courage and action. Peter acted on his beliefs, and he believed he needed to rebuke the Lord! After all wasn’t Jesus relying on him for support! Didn’t Jesus say that Peter was the foundation? 

Somebody had to take control! “Didn’t you hear what Jesus was saying? How could He say that! 

What about the Kingdom?”

Jesus was talking about, “the Kingdom,” but Peter had built a shrine to his own beliefs and could not hear what Jesus was saying! It seemed that Peter could not hear anything that interfered with his personal goals or expectations.

Consider:

Peter was in the very presence of Christ! Jesus had set aside time to commend Peter and point out the value He placed on Peter and the significance Peter would have in the future.  

Jesus was sharing from his heart the Father’s plan for, “the Kingdom,” the very thing that Peter was to be so instrumental in, and Peter would have no part of it! He was too insecure to trust Christ! 

Peter had a different plan. Satan did too! At Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness, Satan also suggested an alternate route. Peter didn’t know it, but his thoughts and emotions were coming through the filter of his fallen human needs and were empowered by hell.

Jesus recognized the, “Kingdom,” that Peter was responding too, and contrasted it to His own Kingdom.

The text continues:

NIV Matthew 16:13-26

23. Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men."

24. Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

25. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.

26. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?

 

Too lose ourselves, is to surrender. It is to unconditionally surrender! To surrender our rights, our beliefs, our needs, and even our sense of justice!

We are called to surrender to Christ and accept

His judgments!

God is the only one who can make truly

righteous judgments!

He is the only one who can execute

absolute justice!

Christ invites us to tear down our shrines and monuments. To see them as the false idols they truly are. He gives us the desire and power too repent, that means, “to agree with God,” about them, and reject them. In Colossians it states:

NIV Colossians 3:15-17

15. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

 16. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.

 17. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Our hearts were meant to be empowered by our liberator, the Lord Jesus Christ! Not to be energized by our enemy the devil!

Jesus promises freedom to all who will abandon the bondage of trying to, “be God,” and submit to His Lordship.

                Let’s Bring The Monuments Down!  

 REWIRED  FOR

  SERVICE  

(click picture twice and zoom for detail)

In the model,

“#1 EXTERNAL OCCURRENCES,” includes the things that you are presently experiencing that cause you stress or pain and may be perceived as a threat and are often out of your control.

---- All of the steps that follow----

become increasingly

under your voluntary control

“# 2 YOUR MIND,” includes your surface thoughts about yourself and the things you consider important at the present time. It is quickly flooded with emotional content, (represented by the purple arrow) during a 911 response. The quality of content and accuracy of your perceptions are influenced by the deeper emotions of your heart, which in turn are being changed through your personal relationship with Christ, who is freeing you from the bondage of your heredity, history and habits. Your surface thought will report the content of your deeper emotions when you are experiencing stress, and Christ will sustain and strengthen you through hardships.

-- King James

MATTHEW 12:34b  …for out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.

 S elfTalk ---personalizing God’s purpose, linking current emotions with past emotional experiences and beliefs in your of the heart.

(Activity:talking to yourself)

(under your breath, or in our mind)

E xpectations----of God’s faithfulness even though your body may be is telling you something is wrong! You are assured in your heart that He will not let you suffer needlessly, you are free to yield yourself to pain without fear, or to confidently and boldly protect yourself without a need for retaliation!

(Cautious, pondering, problem solving,)

( looking for God’s purpose to be fulfilled)

E valuation---Deciding how to glorify God, whether to hold steady, confront or escape.

(Confident direct and honest thinking,)

(Staying on target with God’s purpose)

            Your perception of being:
                    W ronged
                    A ttacked
                    R ejected
                    T hreatened
                    H elpless

            Your conclusion:

That your emotional impulses suspicions,

and beliefs may be true but you are
free in Christ to choose a plan
that can redeem a bad situation
and reveal God’s plan.

(Consider the words of Joseph)

(talking to his brothers who betrayed him.)

KJV Genesis 50:20

20. But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.

“#3 WHAT YOU BELIEVE IN YOUR HEART, or, “GUT,”

These are the deeper emotions described in #2, and include strong values, beliefs, or feelings that move you internally. You may not be aware of many of them until they come to the surface. Some make sense and some seem illogical.

These include the area of thought commonly called the subconscious, but are not so much ideas or concepts, as emotional memories that carry a great deal of expressive motivational energy.

These impulses are deposited through emotional experiences, (History).The content is influenced by our genetic predisposition, (Heritage), parental and social influences, habitual response patterns, and the adaptations to stress we have learned through the emotional history of our life, (Habits).  As we remain surrendered to Christ, this area becomes a reservoir of strength. This is the area where God sifts us to become the people he desires.

“YOUR REFLEX REACTION,”

Usually is the path of least resistance that we take when we react to a situation without taking the time to think it through carefully.

This action is frequently energized by the, “fight or flight, stress response,” described earlier. It is greatly influenced by the feelings we have from our past, experiences. It is usually motivated by our beliefs and empowered when our heart or gut responses are stirred up and our thoughts are not examined objectively.

All four of these response patterns are ROOTED IN FEAR.

As we learn to trust Christ in more areas, we will rely less and less on these reactions.

“#4 HOW YOU RESPOND AFFECTSWHAT YOU BELIEVE IN YOUR HEART, or, “GUT,”

Most of us prefer to avoid effort that seems unnecessary. Our minds and emotions desire the well worn paths, which often repeat and reinforce self defeating habits. 

In Christ we have learned that much of the comfort and sense of security we had was false.

Our acting out can now be seen for what it really was. 

Hurtful and Destructive! As we follow Christ, and “Put off the old man,” we will experience change, and these changes will reinforce and strengthen our confidence, faith, and ability to trust God. 

Instead of merely suffering through the hard times; We will gain strength and wisdom, and recognize the support God alone provides. 

What others believe about us will change, and eventually what we believe about ourselves will change as well.

(11) Seeing Past the Present (Christ's Patience with Us)

SEEING PAST THE PRESENT

Christ’s patience

SEEING PAST THE PRESENT
Christ’s patience

As Americans we are taught to struggle and fight for our rights and privileges. 

The, “Bill of Rights,” penned by Thomas Jefferson describes us as being, “endowed by our Creator with inalienable rights which include life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”  

Unfortunately obtaining happiness is much more difficult than pursuing it.

Most of us who struggle with feelings of fear, anger, rage or depression have found life to be anything but happy. Having been molded by our past, the process of pursuing our desires and ambitions has not been satisfying. 

Our expectations for ourselves and others have not been met, and we have not experienced the degree of freedom or comfort we anticipated. 

Never the less we continue to try to control our world, on our own terms.  In doing so, we often act as though we are god or king over our own lives, and sometimes as ruler over the lives of those around us. 

We may not intend to do so, but our needs motivate us to become manipulative and judgmental of those around us who do not meet our expectations.

As we surrender to the Lordship of Jesus, He will begin to set us free from the need to try to rule over and judge those around us!

He will increasingly give us the freedom to be in His presence, and in the presence of others in the, “here and now.“

He gives freedom to move past the filters of the past and out of our insecurities.

He will free us, as we surrender our beliefs. He will free us if we will allow it, but we have to allow Him to replace the old man. This means a dying process.

NIV 2 Corinthians 5:16-17

 16.  So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer.

17.    Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

Many of us have a desire to please God, and even, “Become Christ-like.” We become disappointed with ourselves and withdraw when we seem to fail. 

Consider Christ’s response to those who disappointed Him.

Continuing with Peter, (from Chapter 10)

We see that Peter’s distraction and resistance continued through the time of the Passover. The narrative continues in the Gospel of John:

NIV John 13:3-10, 12-17

 3.  Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God;

 4.  so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist.

 5.  After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

6.   He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?"

 7.  Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand."

 8.  "No," said Peter, "you shall never wash my feet." Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me."

 9.  "Then, Lord," Simon Peter replied, "not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!"

10. Jesus answered, "A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean….”

    continuing in verse 12

12. When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them.

Notice the power struggle that went on as Peter continues to resist, and then tries to direct Christ. Even when Jesus encourages Peter to be patient and trust, Peter resisted. 

This event was similar to the conversation God had with Cain, before he slew his brother Able. 

(If you are unfamiliar, see Chapter 8 Be Angry An Sin Not) 

Here, our, Wonderful Counselor, Jesus, patiently teaches and models the principles of, “the Kingdom.” Jesus does not attack, become exasperated, disappointed or hostile. Jesus does not passively ignore Peter’s misdirected requests. Jesus stays on track attentive to the will of His Heavenly Father.  

The text continues:

NIV John 13:3-10, 12-17

 13.  "You call me `Teacher' and `Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am.

 14.  Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet.

 15.  I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.

16.    I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.

17.    Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

In the Gospel of Luke it also states:

NIV Luke 22:25-33

25.  Jesus said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors.

 26.  But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves.

 27.  For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.

 28.  You are those who have stood by me in my trials.

 29.  And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me,

30.   So that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

 31.  "Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat.

 32.  But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers."

 33.  But he replied, "Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death."

NIV John 13:33-38

 33.  "My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come.

 34.  "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.

The text continues:

NIV John 13:33-38

35.  By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

 36.  Simon Peter asked him, "Lord, where are you going?"   Jesus replied, "Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later."

 37.  Peter asked, "Lord, why can't I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you."

38.    Then Jesus answered, "Will you really lay down your life for me? I tell you the truth, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!

Before the betrayal and crucifixion, Peter presented himself as courageous, bold and brash! Standing at the side of the Messiah, it appears that he believed he was on the brink of ushering in God’s earthly Kingdom! Peter was looking for power and glory! 

But Jesus wasn’t preparing him for that kind of glory, at least not at this time. Jesus was preparing him for service. Peter had repeatedly resisted Christ’s Lordship and teachings about service. He had actively ignored the preparation Jesus had provided. He was not ready to serve, but he was ready and willing to fight and die! And hopefully rule with Messiah! 

Peter had been living in a dream world.

Many of us who struggle with strong emotions like Peter feel a similar willingness to work hard, fight great opposition, and make great sacrifices for our Savior. 

We may have intense feelings of loyalty, duty, and a strong sense of responsibility. We may even be leaders or people in positions of authority. Never the less, if Christ is calling us to something else, we are defying His Lordship and walking in disobedience when we ignore and defy His direction. 

He is the one who directs our path. 

                

The Gospel of John continues:

NIV John 18:3-11

 3.  So Judas came to the grove, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons. 

The text continues:

NIV John 18:3-11

4.  Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, "Who is it you want?"

 5.  "Jesus of Nazareth," they replied.   "I am he," Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.)

6.   When Jesus said, "I am he," they drew back and fell to the ground. 

Jesus was prepared to deliver the disciples from the hands of the crowd and soldiers that approached him! Even as he had been delivered many times from the angry crowds in the past, His supernatural power was demonstrated here. 

Earlier Jesus stated:   

KJV John 10:17-18

“Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.”

The text continues:

NIV John 18:3-11

 7.  Again he asked them, "Who is it you want?"   And they said, "Jesus of Nazareth."

 8.  "I told you that I am he," Jesus answered. "If you are looking for me, then let these men go."

 9.  This happened so that the words he had spoken would be fulfilled: "I have not lost one of those you gave me."

 10.  Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant's name was Malchus.)

 11.  Jesus commanded Peter, "Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?"

Here again Peter was out of sync with Jesus. Jesus had said, “Let these men go,” and Peter ignored Him! Jesus was deescalating the situation, to allow the disciples to escape. He had demonstrated His power, and was now requesting a bloodthirsty mob to act rationally.

Peter on the other hand was ready to attack and usher in, ”the Kingdom.” His moment for glory had arrived, so he escalated the conflict to battle mode. 

Peter drew his sword and struck!  Here again he is acting like Cain. But this wasn’t his moment of glory. Peter was just lashing out at the closest person in an effort to seize control.

  For most people of strong emotion who struggle with controlling anger, it is easy to lash out when our expectations are not met. Our fears can impair our judgment and distort our perceptions so much that we may feel justified, or even heroic when we vent the intensity of our emotion onto those around us. 

Fortunately, Jesus knows up from down, and wants to bring healing both to us, and those we cause harm to.  Jesus healed the man’s ear.

Jesus knew Peter. Peter’s heart was strong. He had prayed for him and He was working through the sifting to let Peter see the content of his own heart, even as He does in our hearts. Jesus is not surprised by our weaknesses, and failures. God uses them to demonstrate the depth of His love for us, and to bring us to repentance and restoration. Peter was an example of God’s graciousness to those of us who repeatedly mess up with great intensity!

 Peter eventually got the message, but not immediately. Jesus never gave up on Peter. He continued to call him to the service that had been prepared for him. Several days later, after His resurrection, Jesus speaks as though He is picking up on the same conversation right where He had left off. It is as though nothing had happened. 

Jesus remained on task, focused on the will of the Father for Peter, but Jesus’ persistence was hard for Peter. 

  

The text continues:

NIV John 21:1-23

 1.  Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Tiberias.  It happened this way:

2.   Simon Peter, Thomas (called Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together.

Do you Love me more than these?

   

 The text continues:

NIV John 21:1-23

 3.  "I'm going out to fish," Simon Peter told them, and they said, "We'll go with you." So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

 4.  Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.

 5.  He called out to them, "Friends, haven't you any fish?"   "No," they answered.

 6.  He said, "Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some." When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.

 7.  Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, "It is the Lord," he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water.

 8.  The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards.

 9.  When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.

 10.  Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish you have just caught."

 11.  Simon Peter climbed aboard and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn.

 12.  Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." None of the disciples dared ask him, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord.

13.    Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish.

14.    This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.

  15. When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?"   "Yes, Lord," he said, "You know that I love you."   Jesus said, "Feed my lambs."

 16.  Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?"   He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you."   Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep."

 17. The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?"   Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you."   Jesus said, "Feed my sheep.”

Jesus knew that Peter wanted to show brotherly love and loyalty to Him on his terms, even as a soldier would. Peter had demonstrated that. 

But Peter didn’t express any desire to, “Truly Love, Follow and Serve” in the way that Jesus was asking. 

The love Jesus was asking about is the, “agapao love,” described in John 3:16. This is the self sacrificing love that Jesus demonstrated toward us. 

For this Peter would need to change. He would have to love Christ more than these,… more than the familiarity of this life with these boats, fish and the money they represented.

More than these followers that respected and looked up to him for leadership, more than his pride and self confidence.

The text continues:

NIV John 21:1-23

18.    I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go."

19.                                                    Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he

      said to him, "Follow me!"

 20.  Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, "Lord, who is going to betray you?")

 21.  When Peter saw him, he asked, "Lord, what about him?"

22.       Jesus answered, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me."

Peter was still in denial. He was not ready to hear Christ’s concerns. He was still trying to hide from them. Instead of acknowledging his shortcomings, repenting, and accepting his assignment he tried to change the subject and began making comparisons and demands. 

Jesus was not distracted, or angered. He remained on task, but this time He stated His Fathers plan in the imperative. “You must follow me.” Earlier Christ had stated:

NIV John 12:24-26

 24.  I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. 

 25.  The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

The text continues:

NIV John 12:24-26

 26.  Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.

                                        

Peter had been sifted like wheat, and found wanting. He had repeatedly denied even knowing Jesus, and had led the other disciples back to fishing after watching his idol of false belief and control being torn down at Jesus' death. 

His dream of self-centered glory was dying, even as Jesus had warned, but this was only the beginning for Peter. 

Peter would still have to exchange his concerns for Christ’s concerns, his heart for Christ’s heart. Peter would learn to die to his old self, abandon his idols and tear down his monuments.

KJV Ezekiel 11:19-21

19.  And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh:

 20.  That they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God.

 21.  But as for them whose heart walketh after the heart of their detestable things and their abominations, I will recompense their way upon their own heads, saith the Lord God.

Identify at least two, "Cherished Beliefs," "Passionate Points of View, or, "Prideful Practices," that have become as, “IDOLS,” in how they distract you or control your responses and interfere with your true purpose or  calling in Christ? 

How has your allegiance to these beliefs affected you?

How has it affected your relationship with your family members?

Do these beliefs represent a need that you feel should be met?

What is the truth about these beliefs?

                        

(12) Reprograming (Our Heart Condition)

REPROGRAMMING

(some balancing scriptures)

 

Although our deepest feeling can be somewhat of a mystery to us, they are no mystery too our Heavenly Father. He is mindful of our feelings, or as psychologist would say, “our affect,” even before we are.

He knows our motivations, joys and fears. He understands our secret desires, and intentions, yet He remains constant in His love toward us. This area, of our inner man, is the area that He is most concerned about. The following are some verses that describe our condition before Him.

Our heart is our place of greatest need.

KJV Matthew 12:33-37
33.Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.
34.O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
35.A good man out of the good treasure of the heart brings forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.
36.But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
37.For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

KJV Jeremiah 17:7-11
7. Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is.
8. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.
9. The heart is deceitful above all things, and
desperately wicked: who can know it?
10.I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.
11. As the partridge sitteth on eggs, and hatcheth them not; so he that getteth riches, and not by right, shall leave them in the midst of his days, and at his end shall be a fool.

Psalms 51:6
Behold, Thou desirest truth in the inward being; therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart.

Proverbs 20:27
The spirit of man is the candle of the Lord, searching all the inward parts of the belly.

Psalms 90:8
Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, our secret sins in the light of thy countenance.

God created us to have a relationship with Him. He has been intimately involved with us long before we were aware of Him. The Bible states that we are created in the manner that pleased Him. The way we are is not a mistake.

NIV Psalms 139:13-17
13. For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.
14.I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are
wonderful, I know that full well.
15.My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I
was woven together in the depths of the earth,
16.your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written
in your book before one of them came to be.
17. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of
them!

God wants to work through our present circumstances to bring about His purpose in our lives and the lives of those around us.


NIV John 9:2-3
2. His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?"
3. "Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.

The result of our cooperating with God in this area is a change in our emotions, as our inner being is being remade according to his will.

King James
Psalms 16:7 

I will bless the Lord, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons.

Psalms 31:19-20
19.Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!
20.Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.

Deuteronomy 29:29
The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.

Psalms 91:1-3
1. He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the
Almighty.
2. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.

Psalms 25:12-21
12.What man is he that feareth the Lord? him shall He teach in the way that he shall choose.
13. His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth.
14.The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his
covenant.
15. Mine eyes are ever toward the Lord; for he shall pluck my feet out of the net.
16. Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me; for I am desolate and afflicted.
17. The troubles of my heart are enlarged: O bring thou me out of my distresses.
18. Look upon mine affliction and my pain; and forgive all my sins.
19. Consider mine enemies; for they are many; and they hate me with cruel hatred.
20.O keep my soul, and deliver me: let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in
Thee.
21. Let integrity and uprightness preserve me; for I wait on thee.

KJV Psalms 19:8-14
8. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the
Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.
9. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
10. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
11. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.
12. Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.
13. Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have
dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the
great transgression.
14.Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in
thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.

Consider the change in heart attitude that Peter had! Yes, the same Peter, who had repeatedly resisted, and even opposed God’s plan to have Messiah suffer and die to establish The Kingdom.

The same Peter who was so internally distracted with his own stuff that he ignored Jesus’ admonitions to prepare, pray, and to strengthen and serve his fellow believers during their darkest hour.

The same Peter who abandoned his ministry and led his brothers to leave their ministries as well!

The Peter that reopened his fishing business even though Christ himself had said that he was going to be a foundation stone of His Church!

Yes the same Peter, but changed! Consider his heart attitude as he writes to the young men.

He tells us to clothe ourselves, in humility as a display of our willingness to yield to God’s will and resist the enemy of our souls.

NIV 1 Peter 5:5-9
5. Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."
6. Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that He may lift you up indue time.
7. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.
8. Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion
looking for someone to devour.
9. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers
throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.




Describe at least two practical examples of how you could, “Clothe yourself with humility.”







Who are we humbling ourselves before when we do this?






What anxieties; List at least three that you could, “Cast them off.”






How does anxiety affect our ability to humble ourselves?