A radical life is characterized by that which is the effective in bringing change. The radical is that which is spoken of as being complete, far-reaching, thorough, major and even of being rigorous.
As of a person: one who is zealous, and revolutionary!
John 2:13-17
13 Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 And He found in the temple those who sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers doing business. 15 When He had made a whip of cords, He drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen, and poured out the changers' money and overturned the tables. 16 And He said to those who sold doves, "Take these things away! Do not make My Father's house a house of merchandise!" 17 Then His disciples remembered that it was written, "Zeal for Your house has eaten Me up."
NKJV
Zeal for Your house has eaten Me up!
This zeal, this passion and fire has eaten Me up. Yes, Jesus had a passion. His zeal was that which consumed all His time and attention. He was passionate and was led by that passion to minister to everyone. He did not just see the rich and the famous, but He saw and spoke with those who made up the crowd of the"down and out". He spoke to those who made their living by asking for "handouts"! Jesus' concern was for that which concerned His father God and made for a radical life to live. In what we have seen of Jesus and His life, it started far from the ways our lives began. His mother was overshadowed by the Holy Spirit, carried Him to full term, gave birth and laid Him in a manger. He lived in a home with many siblings and of His life, at the young age of 12 years old, He was found with the teachers, and spoke with wisdom!
I remember being 12 years old and having many teachers in school and spent time with the Math teacher more than all the rest. Well, for one, it was the NEW MATH, and my parents did not understand what the new teaching was about! And for wisdom, not likely, other than I knew I needed the "help" & needed it from the one who knew it well! (I wanted to pass the grade with my peers!)
As a young child, I started out with zeal for not being locked in by doors, gates or any kind of fence. Ask anyone who knew me when I was but three and they will have the story to tell. Yeah, no fence was going to keep me fenced in, where I did not want to be. I wanted to be free, run, and keep running!
Jesus gave with zeal. He captured people with that passion that consumed Him. Yes, meeting Jesus we all had a decision to make. It was entirely based where you wanted to spend eternity: heaven or hell! He did all by the AUTHORITY given to Him by God!
Yes, when we read on in Chapter 2, Jesus was questioned on His conduct. Jesus remained the focus. He kept the "fire" burning as well we should do also.
When honoring God, it is a thing of the heart. It is one which is serious. In what Jesus found was the "Market for Business" and it was in the Temple which was for God and service to Him only.
Ezekiel 33:30-33...30 As for you, son of man, the children of your people are talking about beside the walls and in the doors of the houses; and they speak to one another, everyone saying to his brother, "Please come and hear what the word is that comes from the LORD." 31 "So they come to you as people do, they sit before you as My people, and they hear your words, but they do not do them; for with their mouth they show much love, but their hearts pursue their own gain. 32 Indeed you are to them as a very lovely song who has a pleasant voice and play well on an instrument; for they hear your words, but they do not do them. 33 And when this comes to pass---surely it will come----then they will know that a prophet has been among them." NKJV
That prophetic word can come, like it did for those as we see from Ezekiel. In referring back to some church services, one can see people excited for one praise and worship leader but cut down another, rather because of not liking the songs of the second choice "leader" chose for that service. Even though said "leader" has the anointing, prays in tongues, yet is reviled by those who think: music is either too loud, too slow, not enough drums, too many singers on the platform, or there is not enough "bass" guitar players playing. Or that they, the reviler, could do the job better! Yes, it is back to doing a better job than Ms. So and So or Mr. So and So could ever do.
Meaning of greed: intense and selfish
the desire that is heartfelt for being wealthy, being number 1, being the best at any thing
it is coveting something.........and remember what God spoke about that.
Covetousness-- "pleonexia" meaning having a desire for more.
It is found in Colossians 3:5 So kill (deaden, deprive of power) the evil desire lurking in your members [those animal impulses and all that is earthly in you that is employed in sin]; sexual vice, impurity, sensual appetites, unholy desires, and all greed and covetousness, for that is idolatry (the deifying of self and other created things instead of God). Amp.
Proverbs 15:27
He who is greedy for unjust gain troubles his own household, but he who hates bribes will live.
It is building a structure, a lusted-for thing, like being CEO of a company and no real credentials to do the job. Whatever a person lusts after in their heart, that is the thing that will be erected in their heart to be gratified. The question asked most today to the young.......those of grade school is: What do you want to be when you grow up? And their answer of well over 80 percent was that of the "super" athlete. So the other question asked was: What about a Dr. or lawyer...........the Dr. came in 2nd and the lawyer came in 3rd place next after the Super Athlete at number 1. Wow! I wonder where on the list was the grocer, the pharmacist, the street sweeper, the pastor of a church, the nurse, the elder care person, and the welder, and ship-builder?
In reality, how attainable is that really for average person, that super athlete? For most know that it takes hard work and some amount of gifting, again from God, to play that pro-ball. And those who last, are those who have the passion for it. They enjoy it, and do well in that sport. They are always training, and their thoughts are playing with a team.
Jesus spoke to those about God, and He gave them that needed instruction. Some wanted it, some reviled Him for that correction and many just walked away. Like what we read in Ezekiel 33, we find that which so spoke of those Jesus came in contact with.
That prophetic word can come, like it did for those as we see from Ezekiel. In referring back to some church services, one can see people excited for one praise and worship leader but cut down another, rather because of not liking the songs of the second choice "leader" chose for that service. Even though said "leader" has the anointing, prays in tongues, yet is reviled by those who think: music is either too loud, too slow, not enough drums, too many singers on the platform, or there is not enough "bass" guitar players playing. Or that they, the reviler, could do the job better! Yes, it is back to doing a better job than Ms. So and So or Mr. So and So could ever do.
Meaning of greed: intense and selfish
the desire that is heartfelt for being wealthy, being number 1, being the best at any thing
it is coveting something.........and remember what God spoke about that.
Covetousness-- "pleonexia" meaning having a desire for more.
It is found in Colossians 3:5 So kill (deaden, deprive of power) the evil desire lurking in your members [those animal impulses and all that is earthly in you that is employed in sin]; sexual vice, impurity, sensual appetites, unholy desires, and all greed and covetousness, for that is idolatry (the deifying of self and other created things instead of God). Amp.
Proverbs 15:27
He who is greedy for unjust gain troubles his own household, but he who hates bribes will live.
It is building a structure, a lusted-for thing, like being CEO of a company and no real credentials to do the job. Whatever a person lusts after in their heart, that is the thing that will be erected in their heart to be gratified. The question asked most today to the young.......those of grade school is: What do you want to be when you grow up? And their answer of well over 80 percent was that of the "super" athlete. So the other question asked was: What about a Dr. or lawyer...........the Dr. came in 2nd and the lawyer came in 3rd place next after the Super Athlete at number 1. Wow! I wonder where on the list was the grocer, the pharmacist, the street sweeper, the pastor of a church, the nurse, the elder care person, and the welder, and ship-builder?
In reality, how attainable is that really for average person, that super athlete? For most know that it takes hard work and some amount of gifting, again from God, to play that pro-ball. And those who last, are those who have the passion for it. They enjoy it, and do well in that sport. They are always training, and their thoughts are playing with a team.
Jesus spoke to those about God, and He gave them that needed instruction. Some wanted it, some reviled Him for that correction and many just walked away. Like what we read in Ezekiel 33, we find that which so spoke of those Jesus came in contact with.
For some heard Jesus and others only wanted to revile Him. And many heard when He taught as a Rabbi in the Synagogue, yet many did not hear. AND many did not do the Word! That zeal Jesus carried in His heart proved what some would know as disastrous, but Jesus saw it bring Him closer to the Cross. For anyone today, who goes to the House of God and shows love, but their hearts pursue their own gain, they are those who were much like those within the Temple that day Jesus drove the money changers out. What a mob scene that probably looked like!
The One standing for the honor of God and to His glory and those who just wanted gain in their pockets owing it all to greed, and then we saw the chaos ensue. These were men wanting things their "own way" and that which brought financial gain into their hands.
There is a day coming when man or woman will have to leave business at the door and come with open hearts to give honor and glory to God only. There is coming a day when one will be asked to give up their old life for that which brings life and not the deadly path so many encounter today.
In building that God intended, was that which is completely holy to God. The temple was going to be found in us. And nothing could be brought into the temple that would take away from God!
The One standing for the honor of God and to His glory and those who just wanted gain in their pockets owing it all to greed, and then we saw the chaos ensue. These were men wanting things their "own way" and that which brought financial gain into their hands.
There is a day coming when man or woman will have to leave business at the door and come with open hearts to give honor and glory to God only. There is coming a day when one will be asked to give up their old life for that which brings life and not the deadly path so many encounter today.
In building that God intended, was that which is completely holy to God. The temple was going to be found in us. And nothing could be brought into the temple that would take away from God!
If God did not allow King David to build the Temple because he was a man of war, how much so in our time for those who go (who attend) the HOUSE of God? How much more today should we find our full attention given to Him Who gives life? How much more should our hearts be filled with that for God and not selfish "man" (Men).
Why?
David truly had heart to build that Temple because of the love he carried for God. But God wanted another to build and had chosen Solomon to do it. David raised the funds needed, and brought all that was needed as of the gold, the silver, and fine woods. Yes, where our heart resides will shine on others or darken on others. In what God had planned from the beginning was His HOUSE, " that body of Christ " that would be with its heart toward one God: (that devotion, that adherence to and faithfulness to God and His plan and not to that of man or men wrapped up in their deeds ( those lustful desires for me, myself and I) , yes the HEART issues that come from man's personal teachings or anything that would represent some earthly kingdom or thing !
For where our heart is, there is where we will go for an eternity! For what we treasure, that is that which holds us to, keeps us placed and maybe not in not such a good place, but never the less, the place we treasure and hold onto. Jesus saw the Temple where God would come, and was seeing the day when the Holy Spirit would come to abide and comfort. His interest was in maintaining that which was holy unto the Lord.
Why?
David truly had heart to build that Temple because of the love he carried for God. But God wanted another to build and had chosen Solomon to do it. David raised the funds needed, and brought all that was needed as of the gold, the silver, and fine woods. Yes, where our heart resides will shine on others or darken on others. In what God had planned from the beginning was His HOUSE, " that body of Christ " that would be with its heart toward one God: (that devotion, that adherence to and faithfulness to God and His plan and not to that of man or men wrapped up in their deeds ( those lustful desires for me, myself and I) , yes the HEART issues that come from man's personal teachings or anything that would represent some earthly kingdom or thing !
For where our heart is, there is where we will go for an eternity! For what we treasure, that is that which holds us to, keeps us placed and maybe not in not such a good place, but never the less, the place we treasure and hold onto. Jesus saw the Temple where God would come, and was seeing the day when the Holy Spirit would come to abide and comfort. His interest was in maintaining that which was holy unto the Lord.
It was not buying, trading and selling, but about having worship toward God. It was about employing prayer and having a relationship with God the Father. The temple was not about a few hearing and speaking to God, it was for all men and women alike to hear and speak to God. If people would only come there would be no need of war anymore! It would be a time when people would lay aside all that comprises them toward death. Those who continue to war, do not know God and have never met Him in the secret place! They have never laid anything at the Cross!
1 Timothy 6:17-19
17 Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. 18 Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, 19 storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life
NKJV
Our trust is not to be in "things" but in the living God who gives us richly all things to enjoy. I would rather have what God desires for me to bask in THAN something that is not life to me or anyone else. We are to be the ready to give, willing to share, and storing up that which is a "good foundation" for the time to come..........laying hold unto eternal life. We were to come to serve and love God!
For Lord, we certainly brought nothing into this world and we will not take anything with us when we exit.
Father, today we pray for people everywhere, to come to the Light of Jesus, and know He is life everlasting. For the rich Lord, in this world, we charge them not to be proud and arrogant and contemptuous of others, not to set their hopes on uncertain riches, but on YOU, God for YOU richly and ceaselessly provide us with everything for our enjoyment. Lord, I pray that we wold be rich in good works to be liberal and generous of heart, ready to share with others. And in all this, we are laying for ourselves the riches that endure forever as a good foundation for the future, so that we may grasp that which is life indeed.(1 Timothy 6:16-19 Amp)
MAY we truly focus on that which is life to us, and expect that as we wait on His goodness, those blessings will be poured on us His Beloved!
Father, thank You that having a radical life is one which looks like the devoted, not of one race or color but of many races and many colors. May our prayers be offered in reverence to Your Holy Name...........may the HOUSE of PRAYER be known and may people know that all are welcomed to come. It is in Jesus' name and to His glory we pray and believe for the HOUSE OF PRAYER TO OVERFLOW TO ALL WHO HAVE ZEAL FOR YOU OUR FATHER. We accept the radical life that honors You. AMEN.
You can also visit my Youtube channel The Voice of Prayer for more teaching at http://bit.ly/1tNyBhV
You can also visit my Youtube channel The Voice of Prayer for more teaching at http://bit.ly/1tNyBhV
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