Do we really understand what we see?

 

Jn 20:1-17, “Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him." So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus' head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; 9 for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead. Then the disciples went back to their homes. But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. They said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him." Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?" Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away." Jesus said to her, "Mary." She turned and said to him in Aramaic, "Rabboni!" (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, "Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, 'I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'"”

Here are three different reactions to a vision. First, Mary Magdalene saw something. She saw that the stone had been taken away from Jesus’ tomb. Without looking any further, she ran to tell the apostles that somebody had taken the Lord’s body away! Had anybody taken His Body away? Of course, not! She did see something, but she misinterpreted it. We regularly hear or witness these sorts of things when people see or hear a piece of something and write a whole scenario out of it, only to admit later on they made a mistake.

After listening to her, two disciples ran to the tomb. The first arrived looked further than the stone which had been moved and saw the linen cloths which had been used to wrap Jesus’ body (an Eastern custom), but he did not go into the tomb. I am sure he was afraid. On the contrary, Peter, who seemed determined to get to the root of the matter, went in and saw even more things. He saw the absence of the stone, the linen cloths and also the face cloth which was folded up in a place by itself. Since nothing was happening to Peter, the other disciple mustered some courage and also went into the sepulchre. He saw and believed. Great! But what exactly did he actually believe? Because verse 9 tells us that they did not yet understand that Jesus had to rise from the dead. So, they saw the stone, the linen and the face cloths and probably assumed, just like Mary, that someone had taken the Master’s body away. They did not investigate any further and went back to their homes.

Mary stayed. She was weeping. She desperately wanted to know what had happened to the body. She did not want to leave without an answer. She had called for the apostles; they had come, but had been unable to provide her with an explanation. She really cared about the LORD’s body. That’s why she came to the tomb as soon as the Sabbath was over and in spite of the fact that it was still dark. She was desperate. She needed an answer and would not go back without accomplishing that which she had come to do. So, she stooped to look into the tomb and saw two angels; then, turning around, she also saw the LORD Himself, who finally explained the mystery to her.

Like these three characters, I have also often jumped into conclusions too quickly. Indeed, this story reminded me of all the times when I thought too soon that I had understood the meaning of some of my dreams/visions. Those times when I had hastily interpreted what I had seen. The times when I only thought afterwards (when the real meaning now became obvious or when things didn’t go as expected), that I should have stayed there like Mary, waiting on God to explain to me what He actually meant and wanted to tell me. All those times when I did see something in a dream/ vision, believed GOD and what I had seen, but had hardly understood what I had seen...

Are you certain that what you have seen in the spirit or broad daylight really means what you think it does? I pray that God grants you wisdom.

Here are two pictures of what is believed to be Jesus’ tomb in Jerusalem (the entrance and the inside). I took them on a recent trip to Israel.

                      

Have a great week in CHRIST JESUS!

Investing in preparation…

 

Once again, the snow has arrived in Europe and as usual, has 'surprised' everyone. One may wonder how can the same scenario repeat itself year after year and still cause the same effects: airports and schools closed, buses parked, trains and undergrounds (subways) doing minimum service, and Public Administration and shops almost void of everyone. All of these have a disastrous impact on the economy (and tax payers).

I can understand the need to close some airports, but I can hardly understand the rest. Let me explain: Canada, USA (some states) and Russia, to only name a few, always have worse winters than Europe; yet, life goes on normally. These countries have taken all the necessary measures a long while ago to ensure that they are not paralysed every time winter shows up. In Europe, we know how they dealt with the problem, talk about it, but do not do what it is needed to get the same (good) results. We wait until the last minute to see whether the winter will be harsh, before looking for solutions. Wisdom will say that if you live in Europe, live as if there will always be a white Christmas and January. If this doesn’t happen, then alright; but if it does, you will always be ready for it.

In general, it is only the main roads which are salted and people are stuck at home waiting for the thaw. However, one just needs to give more money to local authorities, so as to enable them take care of small local roads and people will go to work. Yes, it costs a lot; but it costs even more when nobody goes to work or school for days. Last week, a school canteen prepared their 600 usual meals and only 25 students were able to make it to school. They had to throw 575 three-course meals away!  

This reminds me of how some Christians also live their lives without preparation and foresight. They spend their time reacting instead of pro-acting. I had a pastor who loved to say: “We are not of those who wait for things to happen, but of those who make things to happen.” Abraham Lincoln also said that if he had eight hours to chop down a tree, he'd spend six hours sharpening his axe. He was emphasising on the time that we need to invest in preparation when we want to succeed: 75% of our time in preparation (energy, money, analysis etc.) and then, 25% in actions that cannot fail therefore, to be effective.

In Catalysts of Favour, I explain how/why those who desire to become men or women after God’s heart need to prepare themselves. They spend time acquiring the character which attracts the LORD’s favour. Coincidentally, the first part of the book, which is devoted to preparation, entails approximately three-quarters of the book.

Do not be taken by surprise. If you want to achieve all the resolutions that you have taken this year, prepare yourself accordingly. If you want to become X, Y or Z in 5 or 10 years, it is now that you have to look around and see those who, like Russia and Canada, have already mastered the process of what you wish to be or obtain. Follow their steps. Is this investment too costly (efforts, money, time)? Well, if you REALLY want to succeed, nothing will stop you. But if you are only DREAMING about success, you will naturally wait for a better timing, more money or more spare time in your schedule.

2Ti 2:6, “It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops.” French versions imply that the farmer must first work hard before enjoying the harvest.

1Co 9:24-27, “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath… 26 So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body...”

No pain, no gain. Like labourers and athletes, Paul self-imposed some tough sacrifices in order to achieve his vision, goals and objectives. I pray that you do the same.

God bless you!

PS: if you live in Cameroon and are (or know people who are) interested in buying Catalysts of Favour, get in touch with me.

A pertinent reminder…

 

I wanted to write on another topic, but I heard a story on the radio last week that made me and continues to make me think. Listeners were asked to share their views regarding a mother who had given a bank card (debit card) to her four-year-old daughter. Yes, you’ve read right: 4-year-old! She gave her the card and also taught her how to withdraw money… at will…

Of course, almost everybody condemned the mother’s actions; some even pretty harshly. Most thought, just like me, that a bank card should only be given to somebody who is able to understand the concept and value of money. Yet, at an age when a child cannot even count up to one hundred, ten dollars or $1000 do not mean anything.

A listener also explained that it is easier for children to spend without restraint, when they don’t see their money ‘physically’ diminish. She gave the example of her teenage daughter who always pays more attention to what she buys when she realises that out of the £20 note (about $32) which was given to her, she is only left with £10 or less after buying just a thing or two. On the other hand, if that money was not physically in her hand or purse, she would feel she still have enough and would not have the same limitations or constraints.

This was the general line until one listener called and argued that in 10 to 20 years, people will barely use any physical money. She reminded us that increasingly, we could hardly do anything without using bank cards and that children will soon have to pay school canteens with bank cards as well. Therefore, it was better to teach the next generation how to manage money as soon as possible, and teach them to do it digitally/electronically.

This stirred something in me. Soon, very soon, we won’t be able to do ANYTHING without bank cards (in developed countries at least). Nowadays, it is already possible to spend more than one month without using cash ‘physically’. Everything can be done through cards, checks (increasingly outdated) or online payments and transfers. Even mobile phones are now banking tools, TV as well. I can pay my phone, TV and internet bills via a built-in app on my TV and this one doesn’t even need to be connected to a computer. You can have a chip installed on your car and you no longer have to stop at a toll gate. As you approach, the chip is flashed, recognised and the amount is automatically deducted from your bank account or credit card. You don’t have to worry about putting coins aside for this purpose. You can also have a chip implanted on your right wrist and this will greatly facilitate many formalities at the airport. You flash it and all your details will appear on a screen and what eventually needs to be paid is deducted from your bank account or a credit card. There is no need for physical money. Needless saying that this also allows Big Brother to know exactly where you are and what you are up to…

Yet, around 90 AD, the apostle John had a vision of the end times. He saw a beast -the Antichrist and his system- causing all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the forehead. And no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name (Rev 13:16-17).

When I became a Christian a little more than 20 years ago, this seemed absolutely incredible. Internet and mobile phones did not exist and nobody could imagine a world where it would be impossible to buy or sell without any form of physical money. However, it is now obvious that this is where we are heading to; but John saw this in the spirit more than 1900 years ago as a sign of the END. It was more than an accurate prophecy of the things to come; it was a warning against difficult and perilous times. All this reminded me that everything the Bible says is true. It is really the Word of God, and Jesus is coming back soon. Let’s watch, pray and ponder over a message which has disappeared from many preaching pulpits.

Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, who hear and keeps what is written in it, for the time is near. Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come. Rev 1.3-4

Have a ‘wonderblessed’ week.

New Year’s resolutions…

 

Hi,

I hope and pray you have entered 2013 with the right foot. As for me, I ended 2012 wonderfully and 2013 has started rather well. For us (as a church), this year is prophetically the year of multiplication and, since God’s word never returns void to Him, as the prophecy was uttered, we were all empowered to multiply. However, for this multiplication to materialise, there are certain things that we need to do or pay attention to.

1) Believe that God will definitely do what He said He would. Peter had vainly spent the night trying to catch some fish, but when Jesus told him to launch out into the deep and let his nets down, he replied: « Master, we have toiled all the night and have taken nothing. Yet at Your word I will let down the net. » He obeyed the instruction and they caught so many fish that the nets were breaking (Lk 5:4-6). No matter what has happened – or not happened- in the past; this month, this year, God is giving us a fresh and new start.

2) Act. Our actions show whether we have truly received the prophetic word. If we believe that this man can really help us with a miraculous catch, we let our nets down. If we really believe that He is the Resurrection and the Life, we roll the tombstones of our Lazaruses away (Jn 11:41). Faith without works is useless. My pastor emphasised on three areas where we will need to take special action this year, if we want to succeed and multiply.

· Determine the areas where you want to multiply and prayerfully fix some goals. These goals should be clear, precise, realistic and measurable. Nothing like: I want to evangelise Europe in 2013.

· Identify the qualities or virtues which can help you accomplish those goals, i.e. work on your character. Laziness, procrastination and slowness for instance, will not take you far. You might need to wake up earlier or go to bed later than usual. Read Catalysts of favour to find out the kind of virtues that will help you to multiply as you wish.

· Pay a close attention to relationships. Everybody is not going in your direction. Some people will pull you down; some others will pull you up. Know who you are, where you are going and do not be distracted by anybody: your life is way too precious for that. I explain this in detail in the second part of my book, Catalysts of favour. Pay attention to divine connections and destiny encounters. God will send key people your way and so will the devil...

By the end of this year, if we don’t behave like the bad servant who buried his talent, we will have all enjoyed a two, ten, thirty, sixtyfold multiplication or more (Mat 25:14-30 and 13:4-8).

Ps 37:4, “Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”

Once more, Happy New Year 2013!

God bless you.