Pickle Heaven Press-James R. Johnson

something to help you laugh and think about life with Christ

Tag: Jesus

angels abounding — December 4, 2024

angels abounding

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Did you know that angels have health issues?   I learned this at a worship team rehearsal one night.  We were singing All Hail the Power of Jesus Name, let angels prostrate fall” – only the tenor was singing, “Let angel’s prostate fall.”      

The rest of us laughed and he didn’t understand why.  I explained that the word “prostrate” means to stretch out on the ground, face down, as an act of worship.  Whereas the prostate is a gland in the male reproductive system.

The angels had falling prostates!  What a difference a letter makes!

They must have been feeling better when they gathered to celebrate the birth of Jesus.  First came the herald who told the shepherds of the birth and then the reinforcements appeared.  Luke wrote, “Suddenly a vast, heavenly army appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among people with whom he is pleased!” – Luke 2:13-14.

Luke used the words vast and army to emphasize how massive this gathering was.  They stretched from horizon to horizon.  This unique army proclaimed peace instead of war. 

How impressive – a colossal congregation of angels appeared and reverberated with joy.  But a vast army seems a bit much.  I mean it took only one angel to conquer the 185,000 Assyrian troops that surrounded Jerusalem (Isaiah 37:36)   Why so many? 

After a bit of study, I found that the advent of Jesus was the first time in history that such a gathering of angels took place on earth.  And why not?

The arrival of Jesus had been anticipated since the garden when the cursed couple learned that a child would be born who would strike the serpent on the head – ending his reign of terror (Genesis 3:14-15).

Abraham was promised a descendent through whom all the nations on earth would be blessed (Genesis 22:18).

King David was promised a son who would rule for eternity. The Lord told him, “When the time comes for you to die, I will raise up your descendant, one of your own sons, to succeed you, and I will establish his kingdom. He will build a house for my name, and I will make his dynasty permanent – 2 Samuel 7: 12-13.

Then there was the prophet Micah who foretold where Jesus would be birthed (Micah 5:2), and Isaiah who told us that He would be born of a virgin and be known as “God with us” – Isaiah 7:14.

Jesus came to end the reign of terror of Satan and redeem the people that the angels were tasked to protect.  So, when He finally made His entrance, God pulled out all the stops and dispatched a multitude of angels to mark the day.   The archangel Michael passed the word around and said, “Party’s on!”   

The party eventually ended, and they returned to their angelic duties – but I discovered one other time when all the angels come together again.  It will be triggered by the second advent of Christ.   Jesus said, “When the Son of Man comes in his glory and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne” – Matt 25:31.   

All the angels will be present and accounted for when Jesus returns and is finally seated on His throne. 

His advent is still an occasion to celebrate!   I challenge you to think and to do, just one unique thing this year to honor the birth of the King.  Help your family and community to think on Jesus. 

As for me, I created a piece of yard art – a big white star, bordered with lights, with an illuminated crown of gold set in the middle of it.  In union with the angels, this Christmas Season I will proclaim to my community that I celebrate the historical birth of the Lord Jesus Christ and that I look forward to His glorious return to rule this earth.  Come Lord Jesus!

A PRAYER: Lord, help us to creatively communicate the joy of your birth.

This has been Jim Johnson and pickleheavenpress.com

May the grace of our Lord be with you

Scripture references are from the NETBible ®

safer than an alley — November 20, 2024

safer than an alley

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I live toward the end of an alley in Texas – a Tornado Alley.  The term was coined in 1952 to describe the region of the U.S. where tornadoes are most frequent.

My son lives in Kansas in the middle of Tornado Alley.  When we make the drive to visit him, we sometimes play, “I spy” and count the number of homes we pass that still have Wizard of Oz styled storm shelters. 

Earlier this year we were on the road in north central Oklahoma.  We heard a report on the car radio of twisters in the neighborhood.  Shortly after, we saw a storm chaser vehicle, which was when we turned back making our car a storm eluder vehicle.

Tornados can be terrifying, but great stories can come out of gruesome storms. 

Several years ago, a tornado was headed toward Marshall, Texas.  As it approached, an employee of the Domino’s Pizza store happened to see it coming. 

Customers and employees were gripped by a wave of terror.  Some wanted to jump in their cars or run to a bigger more substantial building, but the quick-thinking manager rounded everyone up and led them into the walk-in cooler. 

Seconds later, the storm whipped its way over them.   They could feel the cooler tremble from the ferocious winds.  Urgent silent prayers were offered.

Once it passed, they emerged.  The building that had once housed the cooler was entirely leveled – reduced to a pile of rubble.  The only survivors – the walk-in cooler and the people who had sheltered there.

How wise!   Instead of trying to outrun the storm, they ran into a safe place.

I imagine we all could use a safe place. David wrote of such a place in Psalm 91, 

“As for you, the one who lives in the shelter of the Most High and resides in the protective shadow of the Sovereign One. I say this about the Lord, my shelter and my stronghold my God in whom I trust” (vrs. 1-2).

David tells us that the Lord Himself is this place of safety. It is in knowing Him and doing life with Him that security is found.  And this security is comprehensive.  Those folks in Marshall, found a temporary shelter in the storm, but David speaks of living in and residing in the protective shadow of the Lord. 

He went on to say, “He will certainly rescue you from the snare of the hunter and from the destructive plague.  He will shelter you with his wings; you will find safety under his wings.  His faithfulness is like a shield or a protective wall (vrs. 3-4).

Like baby chicks, we gather under the wings of the Lord, and find protection from predator and plague.  He is as immovable and stout in His defense as a wall made of massive stone blocks.

David also said, “You need not fear the terrors of the night, the arrow that flies by day, the plague that stalks in the darkness, or the disease that ravages at noon.   Though a thousand may fall beside you, and a multitude on your right side, it will not reach you” (vrs. 5-7).  NETBible ®

He made a point of mentioning night-terrors.  I am over 70 and yet it still seems that whatever fears I may have, seem to be exaggerated in the dark. Daylight tends to put the things that scare us into proper focus, while there is no limit to them at night.  Our foes seem to be far more terrible and our troubles more troublesome when the lights go out.    

But David said, “You need not fear the terrors of the night.” We need not fear those imaginations of terrible things that could potentially happen.  We need not – if we know the Lord and are doing life with Him.

What anxieties visit you when you close your eyes at night?  Tame them! Read Psalm 91 before bed and thank your protector in prayer for keeping you secure.

A PRAYER: So glad that we have You our Lord!

This has been Jim Johnson and pickleheavenpress.com

May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you!

Scripture references are from the NETBible®

skip church — November 13, 2024

skip church

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Jesus had every reason to skip church!  

OK technically Jesus did not go to church, but He was actively involved in His local synagogue (Luke 4:16).  That was how Jews in the first century kept the Sabbath day holy. 

Each Saturday He would join the congregation to sing Psalms, read Scripture, listen to a message and pray (and maybe go out to eat at the Golden Corral afterwards).  In fact, He was often invited to speak Himself. 

During His ministry years, Jesus made His home in Capernaum (Matt 4:13).  The Biblical record finds Him in the local synagogue very often. 

But here’s what puzzles me. Jesus had lots of reasons not to go.

For instance:  The building there had no heat or AC and it was crowded and full of smelly people that rarely bathed (Mark 2:1-2) and there was a gaping big hole in the roof (Mark 2:4).  And the seating was horrendous.  The pews in every synagogue back then were flat blocks of cold stone (Oh my hemorrhoids). 

As for the people, well, there was a crazy guy in the congregation who was demon possessed and when he spoke, it sent icy shivers down one’s spine (Luke 4:33-34).  But then that guy got serious with God and became what you might call a holy roller (Luke 4:35).

And then there were also two long-time members in the congregation who were serious hotheads.  They were nicknamed the Sons of Thunder (Mark 3:17).  You didn’t want to sit next to one of them.    

The culture of the congregation was toxic.  It was all about do’s and dont’s – what you could eat and when you could work.  And – if you were a woman, you were required to sit in the back while all the men sat up front. 

The folks in general, were shameless takers.  The congregation drained Jesus for everything they could get out of Him (Mark 1:32-37) and then deserted Him when He needed them (John 6:59-66). 

As for the leaders – they were the worst.  They were all about the money (Matthew 17:24-27).  Most were hypocritical, heartless nitpickers that focused on the rules and neglected compassion (Mark 2:5-7).

And sadly, Jesus didn’t have a best friend in the congregation and in fact was personally disliked by many there and sometimes even laughed at (Mark 5:40). 

Now these issues feel familiar to us, don’t they?  Because we have experienced one or more of them at our local churches – and some of us are maybe wrestling with them now. 

So why didn’t Jesus quit going?  If I were Him, I might have stayed at home and watched a tele-rabbi on TV.  Or maybe I would gather others who were disenchanted and do a home synagogue (with padded stone benches).

But not Jesus!  He was ever faithful to be there.  He loved the Father and He demonstrated that through His obedience.  He was there for His Father, not the congregation.   He kept holy the Lord’s Day even at the famously flawed synagogue of Capernaum!  I bet he even dropped some cash in the basket.

This doesn’t mean He approved of everything that happened in that place.  He did not in fact.  Yet He was faithful to attend there, or when traveling, at some other synagogue.  

God expects His people today to be in relationship with a local church.  He expects us to be regularly involved. His word to us is Hebrews 10:24-25, “And let us take thought of how to spur one another on to love and good works, not abandoning our own meetings, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and even more so because you see the day drawing near.” – NETBible®

We may have a thousand legitimate reasons to stay home, but we have one supreme reason to go – to honor the will of the one who saved us.

I’ll see you at church!

A PRAYER: Lord, help me keep my eyes on you and not on the congregation.

This has been Jim Johnson and pickleheavenpress.com May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.

the secret of Chick-fil-A — November 6, 2024

the secret of Chick-fil-A

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I passed by the Chick-fil-A today.  As usual the drive-through was jam-packed with fowl-hungry feeders. 

I sometimes wonder why the chain is so successful.  True, the food is tasty, and the employees are friendly. But I suspect the most important factor has to do with their practice of closing on Sundays.

Obviously, the Lord has blessed their commitment to honor the Lord’s Day, but I think there is more.  You see, when we drive by a Chick-fil-A store, we experience a subconscious urge – a thought that goes something like this: “I can’t always get this when I want it, so I’m gonna get me some right now.”

Let’s face it – we are chicken hoarders.

But seriously, the fear of going without, tends to fuel a stockpile syndrome within us.  That pallet of post-Covid toilet paper in your garage is proof enough.

The prices these days only seem to exaggerate this tendency.  The cost of the basics jump up every week. We want to buy 3 of an item at the current price because we know it will be more expensive the next time.  

I was shocked recently to find that my car insurance went down by a couple dollars.  .05% to be exact. I nearly cried tears of joy.

OK, but what if we had an all-powerful, all-knowing, all-caring, greater than life God, who would intervene and actively care for us?  Would that be enough to quiet that fear?

According to Mark’s Gospel, Jesus’ and His disciples were well overdue for some R&R time.   So, they took a cruise on the sea of Galilee to a lonely place to be by themselves (6:31) But the ambitious mob that followed Him, took off on foot, and intercepted them on the other side.    

Jesus saw them and understood their desperate need.  Mark says, “He had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd” (6:34).  Because of that compassion, He reengaged and began to feed them with His life-giving teaching.

It turned out to be an all-day session.  The sun began to dip beneath the sea and His disciples wanted to wrap things up because it was dinner time.  They were in a desolate place, and they told Jesus that the people were hungry. Or maybe it’s because the disciples were hungry. 

There wasn’t enough money to feed the multitude and even if there was, the nearest bodega was many miles away.  Of course, that’s when Jesus decided that He would literally take things into His own hands, by miraculously multiplying the 5 loaves and 2 fish.

But what I find curious is that the event started with some instructions, “Then He directed them all to sit down in groups on the green grass” Mark 6:39.

How peculiar!  Why specify that they needed to be seated on “green grass?”  Why was this minor detail so important to Jesus? 

Well maybe because green grass is not necessarily common there.   The land is brimming with rocks and dirt.  There is green for a short part of the year until the heat quickly turns the grass brown.   But evidently there was some green grass nearby, and Jesus insisted that they get off the rocks and dirt and sit upon the grass.

Why? Well, where else would you expect sheep to be when it was dinner time?  Those sheep without a shepherd were led to graze in green pastures by the Good Shepherd who deeply loved them and made sure they had what they needed.

I believe Jesus wanted them to connect their experience with Psalm 23 where David wrote, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures.” (Psalm 23:1-2) KJV

What a wonderful picture of Jesus our Good Shepherd!

Hey, maybe it’s time for us to lose the hoarding mentality.  Let’s leave the rocks and dirt behind and trust Him to provide the green grass.

A PRAYER: Lord, we want to trust You and your provision.  Please strengthen our faith!

This has been Jim Johnson and pickleheavenpress.com

May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.

Scripture passages are from the NETBible ® unless otherwise noted.

pinky toe — October 17, 2024

pinky toe

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I was in church one day and the pastor got to his feet and began preaching about his feet. He cited 1 Corinthians 12 where Paul compared the body of Christ to a human body. 

Paul argued that every part of the body is necessary.  He wrote, “The eye cannot say to the hand, “I do not need you,” nor in turn can the head say to the foot, “I do not need you.” On the contrary, those members that seem to be weaker are essential” – 1 Corinthians 12: 21-22.

Pastor said, “You may be a pinky toe, but even you are important” (I wonder why he looked at me when he said that?)

A pinky toe?  Well, the only time you ever notice a pinky toe is when you stub it on a table leg.  Is it really that important? 

Well, I found an article on the internet titled, “Surprise, Your Pinky Toe Does Serve a Purpose” by Alia Hoyt

She says the foot has a tripod of balance which consists of the heel, pinky toe knuckle and big toe knuckle. To lose any one of those elements would incline us to topple and inhibit our ability to skip, run or walk.

“The purpose of the pinky toe is to provide balance and propulsion,” says podiatrist Dr. Bruce Pinker (with a name like Pinker I guess he should know). As one takes a step, the foot rolls from the outside to inside. This motion helps us “push off” to the next step.  When the pinky is harmed, the gait is affected.  If it were missing, we could stumble and fall.

So those little pinkies are very important.  Sure, a person could lose one and learn to compensate, but God’s original design requires a pinky on each foot.

And God’s design for his body, the church, includes pinkies too. But you may be thinking that you are nothing but a stinky picky. 

But wait! Paul wrote, “those members that seem to be weaker are essential, and those members we consider less honorable we clothe with greater honor (23).

So who decided who got to be the face and the ears and the pinkies.  Paul said, “God has placed each of the members in the body just as He decided.” (18)  No part is more essential than another.   Without the pinky the face might fall on his face.

Pastors consider pinkies a plus in their congregations.  Like the toe, they are the kind of people that the rest of us tend to take for granted – those that clean the church, and care for the infants; and greet visitors at the door.  All are super necessary to the work of the church. 

Like the toe in my shoe, they are the kind of people who are usually hidden.  They make visits to the homes of the sick, and prepare the after meals for the funerals, and pray daily for the church.   Oh, how we need these people.

But listen!  Sometimes we are mean to our pinkies and jam them into pointy toed shoes.  Bursitis, bunions, hammertoes and corns can result.  The throbbing pain that is produced nearly cripples us.  A reminder that pinky toes and pinky people need TLC too.

The most important thing to note, however, is summed up in verse 27, “Now you are Christ’s body, and each of you is a member of it.” 

Each one of us is an essential member of the body of Christ, placed in a local congregation with a purpose to serve.  You may have a good idea how God has equipped you.  Great – plug in at church and do what God created you to do.    

Maybe you aren’t sure where you fit.  Pick a place of ministry and get on board.  Ask God to equip you for success.  He will, and you find a pleasure in serving that will surprise you.

I pinky swear it!

A PRAYER: Lord, I truly enjoy serving you in pinky capacities.  Thank you for inviting me in.

This has been Jim Johnson and pickleheavenpress.com   

May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you

Scripture references are from the NET Bible.

where to hide? — October 2, 2024

where to hide?

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After I had preached at church one Sunday, when a lady approached me and said, “I have been visiting here for several weeks, and I must tell you something! “ 

Of course I am ready to hear, “We just love this church.”  But that’s not what came out.  She said, “You are youngest looking old person I have ever seen.”  What?  I was about 50 at the time – at an age where I still thought I was 30. 

But things tend to balance out over time.  I have now passed the 70 thresh hold – definitely old!   And I was visiting a senior living facility recently where I learned that one of the residents there refers to me as, “the kid with the mustache.”   Wow!  That’s nice, unless she was commenting on my level of maturity. 

People perceive and sometimes misperceive us.   I wonder though, how we appear to God?   I suppose the answer depends on where we choose to hide.

My mind races back to the garden.  Adam and Eve were given a veritable Eden in which to dwell – blessings and privileges over which we salivate today.  They had the most open and honest relationship with God any two human beings have ever experienced.  They had but one rule by which to abide – but abide they did not. 

The text says, “…she took some of its fruit and ate it. She also gave some of it to her husband who was with her, and he ate it.  Then the eyes of both of them opened, and they knew they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves” – Genesis 3:6-7.

They blew it!  The innocence that once defined them was instantly and forever lost.  They were embarrassed by their fallen condition and thought they could hide it with a fig leaf frock.   

And then the Almighty approached them. “… the Lord God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?” The man replied, “I heard you moving about in the orchard, and I was afraid because I was naked, so I hid” (3:9-10).

Their fig leaf fashions weren’t enough.  They hid themselves in the fig tree forest – but the piercing eyes of God saw them.  They were naked in more ways than one.  The righteousness that once clothed them had been shredded into rags. 

We know how that feels don’t we?  There are things that we have done that prompt us to run for cover – to hide from the glare of God.  We knew better but we did it anyway and the guilt of it still clings like a sweaty T-shirt.  

There is just nowhere to hide from God – but – we can hide – in God. 

Paul wrote to the Colossians about how to overcome sin.   The church had already pledged their faith to Jesus.  They belonged to Him. Which is why Paul could say to them, “You have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God” – Colossians 3:3.

They were dead but alive.  They spiritually died with Christ on the cross and were then raised in new life with Him (Galatians 2:20).   Therefore, it could be said that their lives were hidden with Christ in God.

The fig leaves could not mask the ugliness of Adam’s sin from the Almighty. But when He looks upon the one who has trusted in Christ, He sees them through the person of Christ.  They are hidden, enveloped by Christ’s righteousness. 

When my grandson facetimes me, he obsessively uses a feature that replaces his image with a cartoon image.  The image mimics his movement, but all I see of him is the image.

Likewise, when God looks at the believer, He sees us through the character and righteousness of Jesus – and He is delighted. It is the best hiding place ever!  Safe, secure and serene. 

So where is it that you are hiding? 

A Prayer:  Lord, I love the security of being “hidden in Christ.”  Thank You

This has been Jim Johnson and pickleheavenpress.com

May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you

Scripture references are from the NETBible ®

the clueless coach — September 17, 2024

the clueless coach

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When I was a kid, soccer was something you did to your sister. 

I had never actually touched a soccer ball until the first day of practice, but I had a first grader who was an aspiring Pele.  The coach concluded that first session with a plea.  He needed parents to serve as assistant coaches.  I got volunteered! 

Three times a week I showed up and ran the kids through the drills that the coach assigned.  They learned to dribble, pass, juggle, trap and do something called headers.

And I did my best to coach them with insightful commands such as, “Run faster; quit picking your nose and pay attention” and, “you kicked the ball in the wrong goal!”

Well, we did not have a winning season.  But the parents and kids were all very appreciative.  They gave thoughtful gifts to each of the coaches. Mine was a book – “Soccer for Dummies” and I am not kidding either.

The end of the season was kind of late to discover that there was an instruction manual available to me.

Now most of us are busy with things that are far more complicated and consequential than soccer.  Some are working through the snags of marriage.  Others are piloting the waters of parenting.  Some are overwhelmed by the challenges of the workplace.  Many of us are trying to pay the bills with a paltry income and some are spiritually ambitious but stuck.

What we need to know, is that the God who individually crafted us, has given us a fantastic resource to help us succeed.   Psalm 119 is a song that magnifies the value of the Word of God for life. 

For instance, this is where we find written, “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path” – Psalm 119:105. 

But also written there is this very interesting thought, “And I will walk at liberty, for I seek Your precepts” – Ps 119:45.

How incredibly ironic!   The Psalmist tells us that he lived a liberated life- a life of success and freedom – because he fastidiously was focused on knowing and living the truths that are written in the Word of God. 

He understood that the training he got in his home was insufficient.  He knew that his schooling was sometimes skewed.  He listened to podcasts that were broadcast by people with their own set of problems.  He knew that. 

So, he wisely zeroed in on that one singular inspired resource that provides flawless wisdom.

So many today want freedom but they believe it comes by improvising on the truth or even ignoring it altogether.  The Psalmist tells us that an enjoyable and effective life comes from closely adhering to the Word of God.

And it’s all there.  Fulfilling Marriage?  We are told to love and respect one another and are given particulars on how to do it in Ephesians 4:25-32 and 5:25-33.  Pleasant Parenting?  There are answers in Ephesians 6:4.

What about work?  “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men” – Colossians 3:23.

We even have a financial advisor in the Bible.  For instance it says, “The generous man will be prosperous, and he who waters will himself be watered” – Proverbs 11:25 (NASU).

Of course, it all is funneled through our spiritual frame of reference which is why Jesus said, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” – Matthew 6:33.

The Scripture portions that I cited are not magic bullets but prime samples of the vast storehouse of wisdom in the Word of God.

Here’s the thing.  When your season ends, you don’t want to be given a Bible that is subtitled, “Life for Dummies.”   Pick it up now and experience liberty in your life.

A PRAYER:  Lord, I was almost twenty when I finally discovered, “Life for Dummies.” Thank you for your patience and the gift.

This has been Jim Johnson and pickleheavenpress.com

May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you

Scripture references are from the New King James Bible unless otherwise noted.

my redneck tesla — September 11, 2024

my redneck tesla

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I decided to convert an old Toyota Sienna into a camper van.  My kids thought I was crazy (and I guess I am).  I had fun doing the conversion myself.  Now folks who follow behind me on the road may be puzzled by the 3-prong household plug that pokes out of my van.   I tell people that’s where I connect my redneck Tesla to the charging station.

Power is necessary to redneck Teslas and to Christians in general.  Our gracious God understands this, and He provided the Holy Spirit to be our charging station.

So, what do we know about the Holy Spirit?   He is not an “it” or a “something,” nor is He the holy “influence” of the Father.  Seven times Jesus referred to Him as a “He” in John 16.  For instance, “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth.” (John 16:13).  He is a full-fledged person possessing intellect, emotion, and a will.  

Granted, He is a different kind of person, existing as a spirit.   But He has the capacity to manifest Himself in a physical form such as He did at the Baptism of Jesus.  Then He appeared in a form that compared to a dove (Matthew 3:16).  

What’s more is that He is a “holy” Spirit – a member of our triune Godhead.  He possesses the same attributes as God.  He is all knowing (1 Corinthians 2:10-12); all powerful (Job 33:4); omnipresent (John 14:16); and eternal (Hebrews 9:14).

All three were present at the Baptism of Jesus.  The Father spoke from heaven, the Spirit descended from heaven, as the Son was dipped in the waters of the Jordan (Matthew 3:16-17)

And He plays an extremely important role in the life of the believer.  When Jesus ascended to heaven, He made sure that His replacement descended and took up residence in the life of a every born-again Christian.  The apostles and their brethren were gifted on the day of Pentecost.  Believers today receive Him the moment we come to faith (Ephesians 1:13).

His role is to teach us (John 16:14); to convict us of sin (John 16:8); to intercede for us (Romans 8:26) to guide us (John 16:13); to gift us (1 Corinthians 12:4-11); and especially to empower us.

Before Jesus left, He wanted His disciples to know that the Spirit would be sent to energize their efforts.  He told them to, “Stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high” – Luke 24:49. Like an American Express Card, they were not to leave home without it.

This Pentecostal power filled their prayers so that the supernatural became a reality (Acts 12:5-8). It bathed them in courage and conviction to be bold witnesses of the risen Christ (Acts 1:8).  It strengthened their battered hopes (Romans 15:13); and provided a means with which to resist the caustic influence of sin (Ephesians 3:14-21). He empowered them, and today empowers us to live victorious lives.

And this power is continuously supplied.  We don’t need to stop every 272 miles and plug into an EV charging station and sit there baking beneath the windshield for 10 hours. 

This power is always there for us, unless we should offend the Spirit.   Because this power comes through a person, we can sometimes disappoint and even grieve that person through spiritual insensitivity, disobedience or rejection (Ephesians 4:30).  When this happens, the power goes poof!

And there amid the 12- lane highway of life, during rush hour, with the draft of semis shaking our car – we helplessly sit – powerless.   

But because He is a gracious and forgiving God, He welcomes a contrite plea for forgiveness and will respond to a request to be filled again (Ephesians 5:18).  He is our recharging station, and how blessed we are that He resides within us. 

If your spiritual batteries are full, good for you!  If not, talk to the Holy Spirit about it.   

A Prayer: Lord, more power please!

This has been Jim Johnson and pickleheavenpress.com

May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you!

Scripture passages are from the NETBible®

presence — July 31, 2024

presence

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A storm was brewing, but the grass needed mowing.  Amid thunderous, flashing skies, I pushed the equivalent of a metal lightning rod through the grass. 

It started to rain but I persevered.  Like captain Ahab at the prow of a mighty whaling ship with the wind-driven spray of the sea lashing my face – I courageously (or maybe foolishly) pressed on. 

But then I was joined by a big old mangy dog that was obviously terrified by what he did not understand.  He jumped with every clap of thunder, and he followed me – stuck to me like glue with every turn.

He was more afraid of the thunder and lightning than the noise of my Briggs and Stratton.  Being near me seem to bring him a measure of comfort and a sense of security.  

So, for a half an hour we plowed through the lawn together and as we did, I began to reflect on what I had just read the night before in my Bible. 

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” – Ps 46:1.  These words sound as if they were written by someone who had experienced them.

Actually, scholars suspect that King Hezekiah of Judah was the author.  He had prayed for deliverance from his enemy and God answered by sending His angel to slay the 185,000 Assyrian troops that were there to topple the capital city. 

God proved to be a stone-walled refuge and the strength of His people.  The King was full of gratitude and a Psalm. 

The latter part of the verse fascinates me.  He referred to God as a “very present help in trouble.”

When we are in trouble, we typically need help.  It might come from afar such as from your dad who Venmo’s some money to help you get your car fixed.  In the same way, a person can rely on God to dispatch help from heaven when it is needed.

But the Psalmist said that God was a “present help.”  This would be like dad driving several hours and taking his weekend to work on your car himself.  The Psalmist said God is like that.  He shows up when you need him.   Or as they say in Texas, “He shows up and shows out.” 

But the Psalmist adds that little qualifying word, “very.”   God is a “very present help.”

Not only is He present, He is very present.  Sometimes a person can be present without being present.  You see, dad might make the drive and show up, but maybe he is not hugely concerned about your problem.  Maybe he doesn’t listen to you when you describe the noise your car is making.  His kind of help is not very helpful. 

Not true of God.  His presence means that He stops what He is doing to give us His full attention.  He is engaged and aware and listening and incredibly able and willing to do what needs to be done. 

Because this is true, the Psalmist continued in verse 2 by saying, “Therefore we will not fear.”   How can a person possibly be afraid when our God is very present and inclined to help? 

His presence makes all the difference. 

So how does He make His presence known in troublesome times?  We might see Him in the specific answers to our prayers.  Some say they’ve heard Him speak words of comfort as He has directed them to specific Scripture.  Some say He has filled them with peace when He is near while others say they have actually heard his voice. 

One of the most common ways we experience His presence is through the presence of His servants.  That person who sits with us through our sickness, or the loss of a parent – that person becomes like the moon and reflects the rays of the sun.  

My presence made a small difference for that sad doggie, but God’s presence makes all the difference for us.

A PRAYER: Be with us Lord.  Your presence makes a difference.

This has been Jim Johnson and pickleheavenpress.com

May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.

to the test — July 25, 2024

to the test

/pickleheavenpress

I was a highly motivated school-boy.  I often finished my tests before the teacher had distributed them to the rest of the class. 

I was in such a hurry that I seldom took the time to read the instructions – which is why I usually got a score of either 100% or 0%.   You see sometimes I circled the right answers when I should have Xed out the wrong ones.  Oh well!

Fortunately, when the Word of God is tested, it always passes with flying colors.

One promise is found in Matthew 6:33 which says, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” – KJV.

This calls us to make God’s Kingdom business our highest priority.  Jesus promised that God will provide all the necessities of life previously mentioned in chapter 6 such as food, clothing, shelter – as we prioritize His Kingdom each day.

We might paraphrase it in this way, “When we take care of God’s business – He takes care of ours.”   OK, but how does this fare when tested?  May I offer an example? 

There was a time when a financial tornado swept into my house. 

My pre-teen daughter was told by the orthodontist that she needed braces.    The cost was $3,000 and he wanted half of it up front to get started.  That same day my accountant called and said, “You owe the IRS $3,000 dollars in taxes!” 

And then I went to start my car and it didn’t work.  I would have to hire a mechanic to fix it.  And then my wife threw a load in the clothes dryer, but it didn’t spin.  Alas more money for an appliance repair man.  

We were shocked, astonished and stunned.  All of this happened in one day.  Of course, financial problems occur.  It’s a given in life.   But they don’t usually come in a 4-pack.   Was our sovereign God trying to communicate with us?

We had always been responsible with our money.  We tithed and on top of that we provided financial support to three different missionary families.  

But the $600 in our checking account was not enough to cover the $6,000 we owed.  Where would we get all that money?

THEN to top it all off we came to realize that we were three months behind in the financial support that we had pledged to the missionaries. 

Well, I guess we weren’t doing such a great job of taking care of God’s business. 

My wife and I spent time in prayer.  We decided that the first priority was to take care of God’s business.  We had to send the money to the missionaries that we had promised.  They might be hungry!

We could file an extension on the taxes, postpone the braces, let the dead car sit, and use the laundromat for our clothes – but we had to take care of God’s business.  We must get the money to our missionaries.  So, we did that, and it zeroed out our checking account.

BUT – the very next day the Orthodontist called and said, “Hey I understand you are a pastor.   Well, we like to take care of our pastors so the braces will cost $1,500 instead of $3,000 and no downpayment is necessary.

Soon after the accountant called and said, “I worked through your taxes again, and found a way to reduce them.  Instead of $3,000 you owe $300 dollars this year.

And then I popped the hood on my car.  I found the problem and it was a cheap fix that even I could do.  I was on a roll, so I tackled the dryer.  Once again, I fixed it at very little cost.  By the end of the week, we had a surplus in the bank. 

When we take care of God’s business, He takes care of ours.  It’s true.  Even when tested, it stands.  It gives me the confidence I need to rely on His Word in all things.

A PRAYER: Lord, help us to trust every detail of Your Word.

This had been Jim Johnson and pickleheavenpress.com

May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.