Healing Rays of Righteousness

Living Bread for Hungry Souls

In John 6:35, we hear Jesus declaring, “I am the bread of life.  Whoever comes to me will never go hungry and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”  And again in verse 51, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven.  Whoever eats this bread will live forever.”

Just the day before, on the other side of the Sea of Galilee, Jesus fed the large crowd who had gathered on the mountainside to see and be healed by this miracle-working Jesus.  And the crowd was not disappointed as they witnessed the miracle of one boy’s lunch feeding the entire crowd with more than enough food.

But the next morning the crowd discovered that Jesus and his disciples had left them.  Thinking that Jesus must have crossed over the sea to Capernaum, they immediately got into their boats and went across the sea to Capernaum searching for him.

The hungry crowd was hoping Jesus would continue supplying their daily food, just like God did when their forefathers were in the wilderness, by sending fresh manna from heaven each morning.  But instead, Jesus accuses them of being more interested in miracles and free meals than they were in believing that he was the Messiah, the Son of God.

Being the Messiah, he came to satisfy their deepest hungers, that is, their hunger for belonging and significance, for forgiveness of sin and peace with God.  Jesus rebuked them for only wanting their bellies satisfied, and admonished them, “Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you.” (6:27).

Many years earlier, a prophet named Isaiah challenged his people with a question, “Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy?” (Isaiah 55:2).

And so, to the hungry crowds, both then and now, that the bread that they are searching for, the bread that is abundantly sufficient for each day’s need, the bread that sustains life in the dry wilderness and threatening darkness, the bread that reminds us to trust in the grace of God rather than in our own anxious and frenzied attempts to satisfy and secure life, Jesus says, I am that bread.  Feed on me.  “I am the bread of life …. I am the bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever.” 

Our Christian faith is all about God getting personal with us in and through Jesus by deeply loving and engaging us, giving provision and direction to our lives, and daily breathing life into us by filling us with his empowering Holy Spirit. “For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” (6:33). 

And our Christian faith is all about our getting personal with Jesus.  Jesus is more than an interesting person, idea, or ancient miracle-worker.  Jesus came down from heaven, has identified himself with us humans and offers us this incredible, inexhaustible and satisfying feast of life.  He is the fresh, living bread from heaven, and the only bread that can satisfy our soul’s many hungers.

And, are not our souls hungry?  Is not this the hunger that lies underneath the insatiable need to consume more and more – to buy and buy and buy?  We fill our garages and closets to the brim with stuff, and numb ourselves with all kinds of entertainment, relationships and self-help programs, trying to satisfy the hunger of our soul.

To all who hunger and thirst for something better, Jesus says, “I am the bread of life.  He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.”

In the same way that Nicodemus was invited to be born again by “water and Spirit” and the woman at the well was urged to quench her thirst by drawing and drinking “living water” so are we invited to feed on Jesus, the living bread of life.

To be a disciple of Jesus is a very personal matter of being encountered by a person, Jesus, and being invited into a relationship with him that is very personal and intimate, a relationship of love, trust and submission to his Lordship our daily living.

When Jesus decided to leave behind a living reminder of the depths of God’s love for a sinful world, “he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, ‘This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.’” (1 Corinthians 11:24).

“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – July 31, 2019

www.geigler13.wordpress.com

Ray M. Geigley

Get Wisdom

Ray M. Geigley

In her book, Footprints of Fire, Noel Moules states, “In a world obsessed with facts, figures, data and information there is a disturbing absence of wisdom, almost an indifference to it.  It is rarely spoken of on the streets, in the popular media or even in church.”  Would you agree?

King Solomon exclaims in Proverbs 16:16, “How much better to get wisdom than gold, to get insight rather than silver!”  And in Proverbs 9:10, he gives us a clue regarding how to get this wisdom, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”

The Hebrew word frequently translated “fear” in our Bibles, leans more toward the feelings of awe, love, and reverence; much like the feeling a lover has towards their beloved, and not wanting anything to spoil the relationship.

The core message of Proverbs declares that true, life-giving wisdom is based on a living relationship with God, who is the true source of all wisdom, as expressed in verse 7 of the opening chapter, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

This verse speaks of both knowledge and wisdom.  Both are recurring themes in the Bible and are related but are not synonymous.  A dictionary would define Wisdom as:   “the possession of experience and knowledge together with the power of applying them critically or practically.” A biblical definition is similar: “the skill and discipline of applying truth to the experiences of life.”

Knowledge, on the other hand, is defined as, “information gained through experience, reasoning, or acquaintance.”

The Southern Baptist preacher, Vance Havner, said, “If you lack knowledge, go to school. If you lack wisdom, get on your knees! Knowledge is not wisdom. Wisdom is the proper use of knowledge.”

Knowledge can exist without wisdom, but wisdom cannot exist without knowledge.  One can be knowledgeable without being wise, and many in our world are like that.  More importantly and most sadly, many who claim to be Christian and regularly attend church, know a lot about God, but very little of His wisdom, choosing rather to follow the foolishness of earthly wisdom.

In Proverbs 8, King Solomon, gives wisdom a voice by personifying wisdom as a woman.  By doing so, he is personifying a quality that is a part of God’s trinity personhood. As such, Lady Wisdom is not to be understood as a separate god or goddess, but rather a literary tool that Solomon uses to depict and describe the working of God’s Spirit.

King Solomon wants us to understand that wisdom is not a set of rules to live by, but rather a spiritual reality who speaks, and with whom we can have a relationship.  Christians understand this Lady Wisdom person to be the Holy Spirit who lives within us.

In these verses, Lady Wisdom is portrayed as an awesome, dynamic presence, eager to be heard (vv.15-16).  Her voice is heard as the queen of the universe, and it is to the whole of humanity that she speaks. (v.4).

With glowing terms Lady Wisdom speaks of how worthy and profitable her instructions are for those who choose to love her. She is generous and promises wonderful gifts to anyone who will embrace her — gifts of intelligence, truth, instruction, knowledge, justice, righteousness and wealth (vv. 5-21).

Lady Wisdom calls out for us to pause and ask ourselves, How much sweat, blood, and tears am I expending for the infinitely “much better” gifts of wisdom and understanding?  How much of my personal time is spent in relationship with Jesus, through studying the scriptures and praying, both alone and doing so together with other followers of Jesus?

Truly, God loves us and delights in us and eagerly desires that we be growing in our knowledge and relationship with Him and “in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man,” even as Jesus did (Luke 2:52).

Not everyone can become famous or wealthy or powerful, but everyone can gain wisdom regarding how to live and walk wisely with God and with other people. Every one of us can grow in our relationship with God, and build relationships with others that are deep, lasting and purposeful. It is in these relationships that we develop understanding and wisdom.

“How much better to get wisdom than gold, to get insight rather than silver!”  Do you agree?

“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – July 24, 2019

www.geigler13@comcast.net

Living Water for Thirsty Souls

She was a woman, a Samaritan woman, a very lonely woman thirsting for companionship. She had made some very bad choices in life, trying to satisfy this thirst. She knew she had made a mess of her life and was now considered an immoral outcast by her own townspeople. She also knew she was the daily gossip at the village well where her neighbors gathered during the cool of each morning and evening for their water supply.

And so, to avoid the stares and sharp pain of ridicule and rejection, she would make the much longer walk to Jacob’s well, about a mile from town, for her needed daily supply of water. She would do so during the noonday heat while her neighbors were resting in the shade of their houses. But the water from Jacob’s well could never satisfy her unquenchable thirst for respect, acceptance, peace, and happiness.

It was noon-time when Jesus and his little band of disciples came to a fork in the road near the town of Sychar. At this fork in the road was Jacob’s well. This was a spot rich in the history of the Jewish people. Centuries earlier, Jacob had dug this deep well for his family and animals.

What memories must have stirred in Jesus as he sat down at this well, “tired as he was from the journey.” The disciples had gone into town to buy food, while Jesus rested. It is very likely that on their way into town they would have passed the Samaritan woman coming out to Jacob’s well where Jesus was resting. I am wondering if they greeted or acknowledged her. Remember they were Jewish men and she was a Samaritan woman.

All the makings of the usual dramatic confrontation between Jew and Samaritan are present as the woman approaches the well. But Jesus only makes a simple, unexpected request of her, “Will you give me a drink?”

Jesus has a need, and in politely asking this woman for help, cuts through centuries of suspicion and animosity, and treats her with respect and dignity as a human being. He treats her kindly even though he knows the immoral secrets she hides.

The woman responds with undisguised amazement, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” And so a dialogue is opened in which there comes an amazing reversal of roles. It is not long before the woman who has been asked for a drink of water is addressing the thirsty traveler as “Sir” and asking him for the water he offers.

Jesus offers this thirsty woman “living water” as “the gift from God.” He tells her that this water would quench her deepest thirst and longings, not just for a day, but forever; and that it is continuously fresh and abundant, “a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

“GIFT” – what a beautiful word of generosity and grace. But the gift cannot be received without the Giver, Jesus. Unless, the woman comes to know and accept the One who speaks to her, God’s gift of “living water” can never be hers. For God shares this living water only through his Son, Jesus.  And, yes, the gift is free, but it cannot be received without acknowledgment of thirst, confession of sin, and repentance. I encourage you to read the full story in the Gospel of John, chapter 4.

All through Scripture, water is a rich symbol of the spiritual life. Living water vividly described that everlasting spiritual water which could quench and revive the parched, dying human spirit.  So the Psalmist cries out, “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God.” (42:1). And the prophet Isaiah speaks of its rich spiritual meaning, “With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.” (12:3).

In his gospel, the Apostle John records that on the last day of the annual Jewish Feast of Tabernacles, Jesus throws out that urgent invitation to all who could hear him, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.” Then John explains, “By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive.” (7:37-39).

This is the invitation the Samaritan woman is hearing. And it is the invitation Jesus still gives to all whose lives are barren, lonely, and dried-up. It is the invitation given to all who keep dipping their buckets into the wells of the world for water that does not satisfy nor quench the deep thirst of the soul.

John W. Peterson seems to be echoing the testimony of the Samaritan woman in his hymn, Springs of Living Water: “I thirsted in the barren land of sin and shame, And nothing satisfying there I found; But to the blessed cross of Christ one day I came, Where springs of living water did abound.” (Refrain) “Drinking at the springs of living water – Happy now am I; My soul they satisfy. Drinking at the springs of living water – O wonderful and bountiful supply.”

May it be so!

                                                                                                                                                           Ray M. Geigley                                                                                          “Healing Rays of Righteousness” – July 17, 2019
http://www.geigler13.wordpress.com

“Ancient Scriptures” or the “Living Word”

For the past few years I have been hearing more frequently the phrase “ancient scriptures” when the speaker is making reference to or quoting the biblical texts. I do not know whether the speaker is using this phrase intentionally or because it is currently the more popular language among bible teachers. Either way, its usage gives me troubling concern.

Whenever I hear the word “ancient” I hear and visualize something very old and having outlived its usefulness; something lifeless, breathless and having no power; something antique and preserved for memories sake or tourist attraction; something I do not need for successful living in the modern culture.

For me to think and visualize biblical writings as “ancient scriptures” robs me of the thrilling and relevant teachings for living in today’s culture, and of the enabling wisdom and power they speak into my life.

So, with my questioning concern, I did a quick study of the words used in the Bible to describe these writings and to the dictionary to better understand their relevancy for today’s world.

Job 32:8 – “But it is the spirit in a person, the breath (inspiration) of the Almighty, that gives them understanding.”
2 Timothy 3:16, 17 – “All Scripture is God-breathed (inspiration) and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,”
2 Peter 1:21 – “For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though
human, spoke from God as they were carried along (moved) by the Holy Spirit.”

The word “inspire” means “to inhale; to breathe upon; to breathe life into.” The word “inspiration” means “the act of breathing in; inhalation.” And the word “moved” means “to progress in sequence, as in the development of a literary or musical composition; to prompt (someone) to some action; actuate”

From these several definitive sources, I am led to understand that the origin of these biblical words from ancient years are all God-breathed, and all have his almighty, eternal, abundant life and power breathed into them for all generations. Furthermore, it is only by the breath of the Almighty that we receive and are given understanding of these words.

Yes, some of biblical texts that were written by men inspired and moved by God, where written for a particular time and situation, and are clearly so stated. And yes, Jesus said that his coming fulfilled some of the earlier words from God. But most importantly, he claimed to bring God’s greater and clearer revelations and understandings to the earlier written inspirations and Holy Spirit promptings in men.

So for me and my fellow believers in Christ, please speak to us about the “Living Word” of God; or honestly clarify your intentions in choosing to use the characterization “ancient scriptures” when referencing God’s recorded messages. For I have experienced the following biblical characterization to be true and believe it will remain true until the end of time.

“For the word of God is alive and active.
Sharper than any double-edged sword,
it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow;
it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
Hebrews 4:12 (NIV)

“For the word of God is alive and powerful.
It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword,
cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow.
It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.”
Hebrews 4:12 (NLT)

“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – July 10, 2019
http://www.geigler13.wordpress.com

Freedom in Christ

The history of our country records many stories of people who left everything they owned and came to America with nothing but the clothes on their backs. They risked their lives and their future for what they valued more highly than everything they were leaving behind.

They were seeking freedom to live, work, and worship without suffering ridicule, persecution, imprisonment, or death. And their intense desire for this freedom prompted them to resist the governing authority of England and establish a new nation were these freedoms could be secured and enjoyed.

The Statue of Liberty stands at the entrance to the harbor of New York, holding a torch of lighted flame as a welcoming symbol of our nation’s commitment to the freedoms of life, work, and worship for all who become citizens of the United States of America.

These promised freedoms were at the core in the formation of our nation’s government. The Declaration of Independence states that freedom is from God and endows everyone with certain inalienable rights. And so, the right to live and worship in freedom is considered a birthright of every citizen and is guaranteed in our nation’s Bill of Rights.

Likewise, freedom is at the core of our Christian faith. And its welcoming symbol of freedom is the Cross of Jesus Christ standing on Golgotha’s hill. It may be less attractive, but is more amazing and awesome in its promise of freedom.

Just as the statue in New York harbor lifts her lamp, welcoming and lighting the way to political and religious freedom, so also the cross on Golgotha’s hill invites and lights the way to spiritual freedom and eternal life for whosoever will believe in Jesus as their Savior and Lord.

From that cross Jesus declared, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. …Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. … So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:12, 32, 36).

The New Testament begins with God’s announcement to Joseph that his “soon to be wife” Mary, would give birth to a son. God told Joseph that he was to name the baby, Jesus, “because he will save (free) his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21).

Jesus began his public ministry by announcing freedom as the purpose of his ministry and message – “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (Luke 4:18)

In his letter to the Galatians (5:1, 13-14) the apostle Paul declared freedom to be God’s gracious gift to us through Jesus’ suffering and death – “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.”

Having said that, I want to emphasize that although the foundational core element of our Christian faith and the predominant core purpose of our American politics are similar, the freedoms they offer are very different in scope and authority.

Spiritual freedom has very much to do with the preservation of political freedoms. I think it should be evident to us that spiritual freedom is the greater of the two, and is the strongest enabling power in the preservation of our national freedoms.

It is SIN, living apart from God, that prevents a person from experiencing spiritual freedom,
and it is SIN that deprives a nation of people from experiencing political, cultural, and religious freedoms. And so, I believe that there must be spiritual freedom before the other freedoms can be birthed and nurtured.

By accepting Christ’s gift of forgiveness and salvation, which he purchased for us with his own death on the cross, God sets us free from the guilt of sin. And by overcoming death through Jesus’ resurrection from the tomb, God sets us free from the fear of death.

Furthermore, in filling us with Jesus’ love and power through the indwelling Holy Spirit, God sets us free from self-contempt, insecurity, hopelessness, purposeless living, addictions, racism, and all selfish and unloving attitudes and actions toward others.

This greater and more amazing freedom that Christ offers to all who will believe and accept his Lordship is ultimate, complete, and eternal. And, I think that we who enjoy this freedom should celebrate its transformational liberty in our lives with grateful worship every day.

So, I say, let national freedom ring and let spiritual freedom reign, in the lives of people everywhere and in our nation always. Amen.

“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – July 3, 2019
http://www.geigler13.wordpress.com