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“A man will be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth, and the recompense of a man’s hands will be rendered to him.”  Proverbs 12:13, NKJ

Now there is an interesting word that we rarely hear used:  recompense.  What in the fudge does that word mean?  The Hebrew is g^emûwl, pronounced ghem-ool´; means treatment as in an act of good or harm.  The implication in today’s text is that it’s an equitable payback in the form of a reward for good or punishment for evil.  King Solomon’s Proverbs are full of this thought:  “So they shall eat of the fruit of their own way and be satiated with their own devices” Proverbs 1:31, NAS; “From the fruit of a man’s mouth he enjoys good, but the desire of the treacherous is violence” Proverbs 13:2, NAS; “A man has joy in an apt answer, and how delightful is a timely word” Proverbs 15:23, NAS;  “With the fruit of a man’s mouth his stomach will be satisfied; he will be satisfied with the product of his lips” Proverbs 18:20, NAS;  “If you say, ‘See, we did not know this,’ does He not consider it who weighs the hearts?  And does He not know it who keeps your soul?  And will He not render to man according to his work?” Proverbs 24:12, NAS.  Not only Solomon but other Old Testament personalities have conveyed the same message:  Elihu – “For He pays a man according to his work, and makes him find it according to his way” Job 34:11, NAS;  Isaiah – “Say to the righteous that it will go well with them, for they will eat the fruit of their actions.  Woe to the wicked! It will go badly with him, for what he deserves will be done to him” Isaiah 3:10-11, NAS; and King David – “And lovingkindness is Yours, O Lord, for You recompense a man according to his work” Psalms 62:12, NAS. 

There is plenty of reason to be cautious about our words and deeds.  We should be careful about our vows, judgments and the imposition of our ideas for selfish means.  Caution doesn’t necessarily mean that we should fear.  Today’s text isn’t like a buzzard on a high wire.  It’s not that kind of message.  We just need to be aware that the product out of our mouth and from our hands has a return… literally.  I like the fact that Solomon encourages us to speak the good fruit, the sweet refreshment of a person’s heart.  By speaking that kind of blessing, we actually heap a blessing back upon ourselves.  Oh, how we need this truth cycled over and over in our life!

I’m asked all the time, “What does it mean to be a prophetic person?”  It means that you speak and live in a life element.  You understand that what you say, what you do, really does push stuff around in the spirit realm.   And when you push stuff around in the spirit realm, you can expect feedback.  Good for good and bad for bad.  It’s that simple really.  Speak life, give life, be life and you’ll get life in return!

Please take a minute and read Matthew 12:33-37.  List 5 truths of revelation out of this passage.  Is any of this new to you?  How do you practically apply what you’ve read and heard today?

More from the project.  Hope it helps!  -MDP-

“He who covers a transgression seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates friends”  Proverbs 17:9, NKJ ;  “He who conceals a transgression seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates intimate friends.”  Proverbs 17:9, NAS

What a valuable gem this verse is to the Body of Christ!  This very morning, I awoke to headlines in the national news about a young man who was arrested for public intoxication and indecency.   It is St Patrick’s Day, so I figured the guy was just getting an early start.  The problem is that this man’s face and name is attached to a movement that has gained national attention to bring justice to a tyrant that is exploiting children in a third world country!  This thing has actually caught momentum with our government officials and military!  My first thought when I first saw the headline was:  WTH?… I hate the ^#@%*’n devil!  My second thought was:  wonder who is going to love this guy through this Niagara Falls of shame that is about to hammer down on him?  The third thought was: we need to focus on the good here (stopping crimes against children), keep moving forward and not get emotionally hung up and lose momentum because of one person’s stumbling.  Surely, we can get past this tiny blip on the radar?  Right… surely we can?  Right?

Scripture is full of instructions and encouragement to forgive and restore people from their stumbling.  Even when Peter questioned the Lord about how many times is forgiveness appropriate, he got a response that pretty much spoke to all of us that forgiveness is always required… yeah, every single time.  Here, check it out for yourself:  Matthew 18:21-22 and Luke 17:3-4.

The red-letter stuff is serious business no doubt, but the thing I saw in today’s Proverb was the process of love in any act of real restoration.  The Hebrew word for conceal or covers means to plump, to fill up the gaps; and by implication it suggests to cover one’s shame or nakedness; to hide a person who is overwhelmed or exposed.   I think it’s probably not necessary to point this out, but I will anyway, we hide them for their benefit and not because we are embarrassed or we’re trying to deny something.  The fact that we are vested in them, regardless of their crap, confirms that we are well aware of the failure and are clearly in touch with the fact that we are also vulnerable to moral failure.  But, giving them the space, covering, filling the gaps, protecting their heart, as they attempt to rebound from the bump in their road, is the same way the Lord has restored all of us.  This is totally the love of Jesus!  People who are hurting because of their own sin or bad choices, can’t be loved any better than this.  Solomon also gives us a contrast:  the person who is lovingly restored, but won’t change and continues to sin.  We already have our orders that we have to forgive, but their cycle of sin does separate them from those who have already shown a vast capacity to love them through their mess.  This is where we have to trust God that eventually they’ll open their eyes and see the gift they have had in your covering love.

How comfortable are you with talking about the moral failures of people you know or know of in the public’s eye?  What emotions surface in you when you get a bad report on someone?  What’s the hardest walk you’ve ever made with another person’s sin?

“When all of our idols are taken away, all our securities and defense mechanisms, we find out who we really are.  We’re so little, so poor, so empty — sometimes, even so ugly.”  Richard Rohr from The Great Themes of Scripture.

The friar is talking about what happened to the Hebrews once they departed Egypt unified and apparently strong in their quest for deliverance into freedom!  The wilderness (the place where no one sees you spin to earn your spiritual legitimacy) only echos the sounds that we make, but no one else hears it.  There is a sound there that constantly washes you in white-noise.  It numbs until you hear nothing but your own heartbeat.  You won’t notice it with only a short visit.  A vacation, a day trip, a frolic only allows for you to see beauty of what you can only process in your shallowness.  It takes years for the desert to do it’s work on you.  For Israel, the number was close to 40.  The temptation is to take yourself out of the heat and barrenness.  Nothing creates a thirst for simple fruitfulness, like the endless cravings of barrenness.  That is when we begin to see what is on the inside of “me”.  The stripping has begun, the fig leaf has fallen and the real begins to creep out from behind all our grand illusions and empty projections.

This isn’t theory to me.  It feels like a lifetime ago, but I’ve lived in the wilderness.  It was necessary and I will be forever grateful for His process in my life.  He knew the preparation that I needed for the next step of the journey.  Sometimes being stripped in the desert feels like abandonment or divine neglect.  It’s not.  It’s on purpose.  But, you’ll have to forge your mind against the devil’s attempt to bait you with self-pity and rescue.  There are whispers from the throne that you’ll never hear until you can still your heart and mind in the solitude of wilderness.  There is a promised land, but will you allow the desert to do its work so you can really see it?

This is not a broad stroke that applies to everyone.  It could be, but not all are willing to risk this kind of helpless vulnerability.  I know me and I would have never voluntarily enlisted.  I was drafted for the desert.  I could have never imagined the ways the He would reveal himself.  There was some green in the cracks and moisture in the clay.  He was there all along.

-MDP-

The following text is the material I read in my message at The Gathering on Monday, February 13th and Emmanuel Christian Fellowship on Sunday, February 5th.   You should be able to download the message via podcast or the website.  Hope it enriches your study!  -MDP-

1 Timothy 3:16   

By common confession, great is the mystery of godliness:
      He who was revealed in the flesh,
      Was vindicated in the Spirit,
      Seen by angels,
      Proclaimed among the nations,
      Believed on in the world,
      Taken up in glory.

ADDITIONAL NOTE ON 1 Timothy 3:16

Christ’s existence before his incarnation was purely spiritual (ἐν πνεύματι). He was in the form of God (Philippians 2:6): He was the effulgence of God’s glory and the express image of his substance (Hebrews 1:3), and God is spirit (John 4:24).

From this condition he came into manifestation in the flesh (ἐν σαρκί). He became man and entered into human conditions (Philippians 2:7, 8). Under these human conditions the attributes of his essential spiritual personality were veiled. He did not appear to men what he really was. He was not recognised by them as he who “was in the beginning with God” (John 1:1, 2); as “the image of the invisible God” (Colossians 1:15); as one with God (John 10:30; 14:9); as he who had all power in heaven and earth (Matthew 28:18); who was “before all things and by whom all things consist” (Colossians 1:17); who was “the king of the ages” (1 Timothy 1:17). On the contrary, he was regarded as an impostor, a usurper, and a blasphemer. He was hated, persecuted, and finally murdered. He was poor, tempted, and tried, a man of sorrows.

The justification or vindication of what he really was did not therefore come out of the fleshly sphere. He was not justified in the flesh. It came out of the sphere of his spiritual being. Glimpses of this pneumatic life (ἐν πνεύματι) flashed out during his life in the flesh. By his exalted and spotless character, by his works of love and power, by his words of authority, in his baptism and transfiguration, he was vindicated as being what he essentially was and what he openly claimed to be. These justifications were revelations, expressions, and witnesses of his original, essential spiritual and divine quality; of the native glory which he had with the Father before the world was. It was the Spirit that publicly indorsed him (John 1:32, 33): the words which he spake were spirit and life (John 6:63): he cast out demons in the Spirit of God (Matthew 12:28): his whole earthly manifestation was in demonstration of the Spirit. These various demonstrations decisively justified his claims in the eyes of many. His disciples confessed him as the Christ of God (Luke 9:20): some of the people said “this is the Christ” (John 7:41): others suspected that he was such (John 4:29). Whether or not men acknowledged his claims, they felt the power of his unique personality. They were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority (Matthew 7:28, 29).

 Then followed the more decisive vindication in his resurrection from the dead. Here the work of the Spirit is distinctly recognized by Paul, (Romans 1:4). See also (Romans 8:11). In the period between his resurrection and ascension his pneumatic life came into clearer manifestation, and added to the vindication furnished in his life and resurrection. He seemed to live on the border-line between the natural and the spiritual world, and the powers of the spiritual world were continually crossing the line and revealing themselves in him.

In the apostolic preaching, the appeal to the vindication of Christ by the Spirit is clear and unequivocal. The spiritual nourishment of believers is “the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:19): the Holy Spirit is called “the Spirit of Christ” (Romans 8:9; Galatians 4:6): Paul identifies Christ personally with the Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:17); and in Romans 8:9, 10, “Spirit of God,” “Spirit of Christ,” and “Christ” are used as convertible terms. The indwelling of the Spirit of Christ is the test and vindication of belonging to Christ (Romans 8:9). Thus, though put to death in the flesh, in the Spirit Christ is vindicated as the Son of God, the Christ of God, the manifestation of God.   WORD STUDIES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT by Marvin R. Vincent D. D., 1886.

Another entry for the project. -MDP-

“Like one who grabs a wild dog by the ears, so is the person passing by who becomes furious over a quarrel not his own.”  Proverbs 26:17, NET

Golf courses and airports are good places to find out what is inside of a person.  Mastery of both is next to impossible.  As enjoyable as golf is to millions of people, it is also gives constant feedback that there is room for improvement and perfection is fleeting.  I’ve seen the most gentle of personalities, go “apeshit” over the loss of a stroke because of a bad shot.  Well, ok, maybe that was me, but you get the point.  Managing one’s composure is a very significant part of the game.  The pros have learned how to walk away from disaster and be “all there” for the next shot.  Taming the head might be more important than grooving the swing.

Airports are also a hotbed of frustration because just getting to your gate in order to board a plane is a lot of work.  Airline marketing tactics wax hard to present some assurance that flying is easy.   That would be silly-talk right there!  Delays and cancellations are a fairly common occurrence.  It’s all about chain reactions.  A bad weather day in Dallas can disrupt the entire nation’s travel patterns.  Fog in Atlanta is causing heartburn in San Francisco.  A blizzard in Minneapolis is ruining vacation plans to Jamaica.  I suspect that there is lots of money to be made inside of airport drinking holes.  People inside of airports are tightly wound with very short fuses.

Patti and I recently spent 26 hours in the DFW airport waiting to take a 25-minute flight to Waco.  Delay after delay, cancellation after cancellation, we sat in amazement that we were so close, but yet so far.  You have to stay chilled.  Throughout various episodes of boarding and de-boarding, we watched the rising tide of frustration swell in various individuals.  The desk agents are only the messengers, but you’d think that they had personally sabotaged the whole affair.   Even though Granny is ready to bust open a can of whupass on someone because Sheba, her Dramamine induced Pomeranian is hyperventilating in it’s case, it doesn’t do anyone any good to take up her offense while she’s exploding on the gate agent.  Granny will settle soon enough, but there is always someone around that is more than happy to incite their own passion to join the fray.

Wisdom suggests that this is not a good idea.  Don’t think domesticated pet here.  Think about the serious consequences of grabbing a wild dog (by the ears).  Yep, you are going to get yourself bitten… maybe even mauled.   Most conflict is due to unbridled passion and limited understanding.  You’d best keep the cuckoo in the clock friend.  The whole world is not plotting for your personal inconvenience.

In The Pages

Can you stay out of another person’s quarrel?  When tension levels rise in public, how do you react?  Can you keep quiet or do you have to vent?

Have you ever been so full of gratitude that all you can do is overflow with thankfulness?  Honestly, that is where Patti and I are right now, today… overflowing with gratitude for the past 4 years.  Our lives have been blessed, impacted and changed in the most magnificent ways… ever since that surprise debrief with “D” squad in Swazi, 2008.  The World Race has brought a redemption to our souls and healing for 26 years of plowing in small plots that the Lord has had us steward.  The hungry pull of racers, the unbridled passion for the Holy Spirit, the power and embrace of brokenness and the change in young men and women all around us has been the most expansive run with freedom that we have ever know.  David, we get it!  Psalms 23:5 “…You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows.”  We cannot say THANK YOU enough!

To the World Race Staff, you are some of the most amazing people that we have ever been associated with in our entire life.  Walking with you has changed us!  We can only anticipate the increase that is forming over your life!  Your love has been His love.  God with skin you are.  Your development has been precision with no bounds.  Thank you!

To the Leadership of AIM, thank you for entrusting us with His choicest jewels.  Indeed it has been a treasured experience.  Thank you!

To Seth, Andrew, Gary & Tom, look at what the seed has done.  It’s still amazing.  Thank you!

To Michael and Kathy, when we grow up, we want to be like you.  Onward… team… together!  Thank you!

To Nicole, Paige, Steve & Jon, you’ve taught us more than anyone.  You still do.  Thank you!

To Isabel, Jones, Lewis & Baby Brew, you always bring the refreshment we need!  Thank you!

To our spiritual sons and daughters around the world, in our heart, you glow in the dark!  We see you.  Thank you!

Lord, thank you.  It’s been worth it.  All of it, it’s been worth it!

Even though our duties with The World Race are dissolved, our obligations to the sons and daughters that we disciple, continue without pause.  Nothing has really changed in that regard.  Until the Lord says otherwise, we live in Gainesville, Georgia, we are committed to:  discipleship, the development of The Gathering in Gainesville and other locations, and earnestly accept our call to live in pursuit of the young men and women who desire community, spiritual relationship and a shared life.  Our hearts are full and our hope is inflamed!  What a great time to be in the Kingdom!  FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS!!!

Mike & Patti

We finally (Thank You  Matthew Snyder!!!) have found our way through the techno-babble and digital maze to offer The Gathering messages via iTunes Podcast.  The following link will take you to a page where you can select to sign-up for the podcast through iTunes.  Slick!  Very slick indeed!

 Click Here for the scoop!

My devotional reading today.   Hmmmmmmmmmm.

A man shocked me one day when he said, “You Christians don’t love Christ.  You hate Christ.  You hate what Christ stands for.”  He continued, “You cover up your own hatred and fear of Christ by talking about how much you love Jesus.  But if you love Jesus, why don’t you love your enemies?  If you love Jesus, why don’t you really obey the gospel, most of which you ignore?”

I heard these words and trembled inside, thinking, My God, is that true of me?  Brothers and sisters, just open Mark’s Gospel.  Most of us haven’t paid attention to nine-tenths of it.  Most of the passages are just conveniently ignored by the institutional Church and by ourselves.  In fact, I find we very often do the exact opposite of what Jesus teaches about, as if a bigger lie is easier to cover up.  Christians and their bishops have been condoning and participating in war, greed and false security for centuries, while calling themselves the Body of Christ–or even the magisterium!  Matthew 23 would seemingly make us unwilling to wear a long robe or tassels ever again!  Strange isn’t it?

When was the last time you heard that someone was thrown out of the Church for not rejoicing and exalting when they were criticized?  Did anybody ever think of it?  Well, Jesus taught that:  “Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don’t like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble” Matthew 5:11-13, MSG.  How come we don’t make that a matter for excommunication?  The thought never entered our minds.  – Richard Rohr O. F. M., from Letting Go:  A Spirituality of Subtraction.

This is painfully necessary.  It’s so out of “character” for us.  We need a real download to overcome the default reflex to protect the false-self.  I would like to think that we’re growing towards what Richard is proposing here.  But, top to bottom… there doesn’t seem to be a whole lot of evidence otherwise.  The part about this that wears me out, is that people, who we could be influencing, are watching, fortifying their position with claims that it’s ALL hogwash.  Not just the wounded-angry , but the true seekers.

-MDP-

te/na/cious – not readily letting go of, giving up, or separated from an object that one holds, or a position, or a principle.  Not easily dispelled or discouraged; persisting in existence or in a course of action.

I do not personally know this chick, but I WANT TO!!!  No one forwarded this video to me.  I stumbled across it on a page I check for news infrequently.

The tenacity of  KENDELL  HALL – must see video!!!.   Not only her’s, but all those caregivers and professionals who served her, tirelessly encouraged and stayed the course.  The images are riveting.

An automobile accident left her paralyzed from the armpits down.  She decided to fight.

-MDP-