THE BODY IS A BODY AND THE KEY IS LOVE

THE BODY OF CHRIST

THE BODY IS A BODY

• The body of Christ is a body. Each part of the body supplies the other parts of the body with their particular function, gifting, and anointing.
• The thing that keeps the body of Christ divided is when one part of the body thinks they are the answer to all things and they don't need the rest of the body or they consider themselves to be elite and better than the rest so everyone else is in error!

What does the Word say? 

• It says the 5-fold gifts are for building up the body.  It also says that through the joints which is the connectivity of the body, one part supplies another. 
• When someone claims to be better and separates themselves from the rest of the body, they not only keep themselves from being able to receive from that body part but they keep themselves from being able to contribute to another body part! 
• This is a body­ wide problem that will be corrected by Christ himself when he brings us all into unity, which he will do!

CRUCIFIXION OF THE BODY

• Until then we need to not crucify one another as the people that hung the body of Christ  on the cross of Christ did. 
• We can sit anywhere in the body and plug in the body of Christ as long as the Spirit of the Living God is there!  
• In that place we can receive from the 5-fold ministry situated there and also contribute our own supply.  
• The body of Christ needs to stop arguing with each other and just build up yourself and others wherever you are in the body!

Eph 4:11-16 11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

1 Corinthians 12

 1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant: 2 You know that[a] you were Gentiles, carried away to these dumb idols, however you were led. 3 Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit.
4 There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all

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12 For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into[c] one Spirit. 14 For in fact the body is not one member but many.
15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? 17 If the whole bodywere an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling? 18 But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased. 19 And if they were all one member, wherewould the body be?
20 But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. 21 And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22 No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. 23 And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty, 24 but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, 25 that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. 26 And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.
27 Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. 28 And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But earnestly desire the best[d] gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.

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and then it goes on to talk about love but I just wanted to post about the body.... but love is the key to keeping the flow in the body!

CUT OFF THE POOL AND THE POND WILL STINK

Now sure you can cut yourself off from the flow and say I only want the flow in this body and really you will dry up because what looks like flow is really no flow because there's no connectivity!

The true error is in the cutting off from other body parts. That's where what looks like a pretty pool really becomes a nasty pool that may look good on the surface but dig a little deeper and the water is stagnate and the bottom is murky because there is no flow so all manner of snakes, bugs, and grime is lurking in that place.

Love for the body is what creates flow, not being right! That's good preaching Lisa! Unfortunately that is what denominational division has created in the body of Christ. It's created a mentality of "us four and no more," and groups of people so protective of pet doctrines the stop loving and flowing! It's okay to gather where you agree but not if you stop loving what you don't agree with! Amen!

1 Corinthians 1:10 Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. 11 For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe’s household, that there are contentions among you. 12 Now I say this, that each of you says, “I am of Paul,” or “I am of Apollos,” or “I am of Cephas,” or “I am of Christ.” 13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?
14 I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 lest anyone should say that I had baptized in my own name. 16 Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas. Besides, I do not know whether I baptized any other. 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect.

All scriptures taken from:  http://www.biblegateway.com/  (New King James Version)

Characteristics of A True Friend

CHARACTERISTICS OF TRUE FRIENDS

  

Ecclesiastes 4:9  Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor.

Proverbs 18:24 A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

While studying Joshua 9 for my last blog, I became interested in what the bible says about friendships.  I saw that representatives from a nation came pretending to be someone they weren't with the intent of deceiving Israel into entering into an agreement with them. This got me thinking about friendships so I looked up some of the characteristics of true friendships.  I've listed just a few below and hope you enjoy the read!

• True friends don't turn you away from God!

Deuteronomy 13:6

If your brother, the son of your mother, your son or your daughter, the wife of your bosom, or your friend who is as your own soul, secretly entices you, saying, ‘Let us go and serve other gods,’ which you have not known, neither you nor your fathers, 7 of the gods of the people which are all around you, near to you or far off from you, from one end of the earth to the other end of the earth, 8you shall not consent to him or listen to him.

• True friends are not greedy!  They gladly share!

1 Samuel 30:26
Now when David came to Ziklag, he sent some of the spoil to the elders of Judah, to his friends, saying, “Here is a present for you from the spoil of the enemies of the LORD”

Remember, the friends David shared with were those too tired to pursue but they had been with him all along.  Some of the men wanted to keep all the rewards for themselves but David was faithful.  They were friends and they were not forgotten or cut out of the deal!

• True friends speak face to face and are not pretenders.  What you see is what you get!!

Exodus 33:11
So the LORD spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. And he would return to the camp, but his servant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, did not depart from the tabernacle.

• True friends will tell you the truth, even if it hurts.  Their truthfulness has a healing effect!

Proverbs 27:6
Faithful are the wounds of a friend, But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.

• True friends don't abandon you in hard times. On the contrary they comfort you.

Job 2:11 Now when Job’s three friends heard of all this adversity that had come upon him, each one came from his own place—Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite. For they had made an appointment together to come and mourn with him, and to comfort him.

• True friends are your friends when you have money and when you don't!

Proverbs 14:20
The poor man is hated even by his own neighbor, But the rich has many friends.

Proverbs 19:4
Wealth makes many friends, But the poor is separated from his friend.

Proverbs 19:6
Many entreat the favor of the nobility, And every man is a friend to one who gives gifts.

Proverbs 19:7
All the brothers of the poor hate him; How much more do his friends go far from him! He may pursue them with words, yet they abandon him.

• True friends show kindness when you're down and out!

Job 6:14
“To him who is afflicted, kindness should be shown by his friend, even though he forsakes the fear of the Almighty.

• True friends do not undermine one another! Undermine- meaning to deal secretly by removing support or to secretly attack with the intent of deceiving or seeming harmless with actions bringing devastating results.  True friends do not do this!

Job 6:27
Yes, you overwhelm the fatherless, And you undermine your friend.

• True friends rejoice with you!

Luke 15:6
And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’

• True friends don't mock and scorn.

Job 12:4
“I am one mocked by his friends, who called on God, and He answered him, The just and blameless who is ridiculed.

Job 16:20
My friends scorn me;My eyes pour out tears to God.

• True friends don't only flatter.

Job 17:5
He who speaks flattery to his friends, even the eyes of his children will fail.

• True friends don't forget you!

Job 19:14
My relatives have failed, And my close friends have forgotten me.

• True friends don't turn against you when you don't have money.  Maybe like Job you had money and it seemed everyone was your friend but when they hard times came, they were nowhere to be found.

Job 19:19
All my close friends abhor me, And those whom I love have turned against me.

• True friends pray for their friends.  They also forgive friends that have wronged them.  God's favor is upon those that forgive and pray for friends.

Job 42:10
And the LORD restored Job’s losses when he prayed for his friends. Indeed the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.

• True friends don't gossip about each other!

Psalm 15:3
He who does not backbite with his tongue, nor does evil to his neighbor, nor does he take up a reproach against his friend.

• Gossip separates friends!  True friends don't do it!

Proverbs 16:28
A perverse man sows strife, And a whisperer separates the best of friends.

Proverbs 17:9
He who covers a transgression seeks love, But he who repeats a matter separates friends.

• True friends do not betray!  Remember Judas, the betrayer!

Psalm 41:9
Even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted, Who ate my bread, Has lifted up his heel against me.

• True friends love no matter what. They're there through thick and think. They walk through adversity with you!  Adversity will reveal who is a true friend and who is a self-seeker!

Proverbs 17:17
A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity.

• True friends are friendly!  If someone's not friendly, they either aren't your friend or they still have a lot to learn about relationships!  Jesus is your best friend and when it seems you have no friends, there is a friend that sticks close by!

I hope you've enjoyed this post!  Just studying these passages alone makes me want to be a better friend.  I hope it's done the same for you!

*All scripture references taken from:  http://www.biblegateway.com/keyword/index.php?search=friend&version1=NKJV&searchtype=all&limit=none&wholewordsonly=no&startnumber=26&startnumber=51&startnumber=76

Two Methods Same Devil

TWO METHODS SAME DEVIL

In Joshua 9, Joshua was leading the armies of Israel into the promises of God's covenant.

They had won two important battles in their promised land- both Jericho and Ai.

God had told them to drive out all of the inhabitants!

Each king of the surrounding nations had heard and each king was afraid.  They were quickly scrambling to figure out how to preserve their place, ensure their futures and keep their territory!  Remember we are not now driving out people but we ARE driving out the enemy of the souls of men! The other nation chose instead not to fight but to reserve their territory through deception!  If the devil can't get you to fall, he may try to make a deal!

DISTRACTION OR ATTACK

We need to stay focused on the plan of God in our lives and be alert to any devises of the enemy to lead us off track including friendships that appear to be one thing but are really another and agreements that look nice but are really distractions!

 

Six kings gathered together to strategize against Israel. This was the obvious thing enemies would be expected to do and did not catch Israel unaware or off guard.

One nation however did not join the unified front against Israel.  They approached the problem in an entirely different matter- a plan of self-preservation and deception!

Know for certain that your enemy wants to retain a foothold in your life!  If he can't get you to fail one way, he'll attempt to stop or hinder you another way! We must be alert to the plans and devises of the devil!

1 Peter 5:8   Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

We must not be ignorant!  We must be aware that we do have an enemy that would do anything to stop us!  He is not stupid and will try various ways to stop us.  This is not to project fear.  We have courage, authority and the Word of God but we also have wisdom and discernment!  We just need to be aware and on our toes and be aware that the devil is wicked and we are in the war of the ages- the battle for the hearts of men and the devil wants to render us ineffective and retain footholds.  These men were supposed to be run from their place but because of trickery, they were preserved.

ANOTHER METHOD

Contrasted with the kings of nations that banned together to physically fight Israel is another nation called Gibeon.  They didn't take the obvious route but tackled the problem from another direction.  Take a look at Joshua 9: 3-6

Joshua 9: 3- But when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and Ai, 4 they worked craftily, and went and pretended to be ambassadors. And they took old sacks on their donkeys, old wineskins torn and mended, 5 old and patched sandals on their feet, and old garments on themselves; and all the bread of their provision was dry and moldy. 6 And they went to Joshua, to the camp at Gilgal, and said to him and to the men of Israel, “We have come from a far country; now therefore, make a covenant with us.” 

The definition of craftily is skillful in underhanded or evil schemes, cunning and deceptive (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/craftily)

We should not be caught unawares - but should be wise with understanding hearts.  The bible tells us to be alert!

2 Corinthians 2:11 11 lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.

• These sought to preserve themselves through deception. 
• They pretended to be someone they were not.  
• Their motives were for self-preservation.
• They had their own agenda!  Watch out for friends with agendas!
• They became a distraction and a hindrance.

Israel was forced into an agreement they never should have been in.

Because Israel was not alert and aware they are still experiencing problems today- thousands of years later!

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

On a practical note:

• We should not be quick to enter into agreements.
• We should know those that seek to covenant with us and we should know their motives.
• People aren't always who they say they are and their story isn't always true!
• Be careful of people that want to attach themselves to you but their motives are wrong.

This doesn't say that we should be suspicious of every friendship but just to know that as we walk through our spiritual journey, if the devil can't stop us with warfare, he will attempt deception and/or distraction!

The bible says the devil is crafty.  It says he walks around as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.  We need to be as wise as serpents but harmless as doves, know those we enter into agreements with and be careful to stay focused on the plan of God without distraction!  Amen!

The Devil Doesn't Stand A Chance

Joshua 9

 

New King James Version (NKJV)

 1 And it came to pass when all the kings who were on this side of the Jordan, in the hills and in the lowland and in all the coasts of the Great Sea toward Lebanon—the Hittite, the Amorite, the Canaanite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite—heard about it, 2 that they gathered together to fight with Joshua and Israel with one accord.

THE DEVIL DOESN'T STAND A CHANCE

Joshua leading the children of Israel is the best Old Testament example we have of God leading his people into the promises of his Word!  Joshua and the armies had just won two battles- one in Jericho and one in Ai.  Prior to those victories, they had already become famous among their enemies.

Look what Rahab the harlot told them when they were still only scouting the land:

Joshua 2:9b  I know that the LORD has given you the land, that the terror of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land are fainthearted because of you.

Now you know you've got something going on when you attract not one devil but many!  When they can't defeat you alone, they try banding together!  They were on this side of the Jordan- in the promised land and were in the process of driving out the inhabitants and taking over territory.

We are called to walk in our promised land spreading the good news. Today we are not physically removing people from our surroundings but we are translating their hearts out of the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light.  However, as far as Israel is concerned, this is the physical land God promised them and to this day, because Israel never fully took their land, they are still fighting battles that would have been unnecessary had they done all God told them to do.

In the verses above, we see on group of kings- Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites.  It says they heard about "it" and gathered together in one accord to fight against Israel and Joshua as Israel's leader.  This was not a surprise.  What was the "it" they had heard?  They had heard about Israel's victory over the first two cities in the promised land- Jericho and Ai. They had also heard of their victories beyond the Jordan.  God was with them and had been with them and as long as they had obeyed him God had fought for them.

When the bible says they heard about it, they took an action.  The devil isn't concerned about you if he can keep you in a defeated place but when he hears about your victories and about how you are defeating his kingdoms and tearing down his strongholds he will begin to strategize. If you aren't being fought, you probably aren't winning any battles! In fact the devil may have you right where he wants you- in a state of complacency.  It's the ones who are winning battles and taking ground for Jesus the devil fears and takes action against!  The bible says here they joined together in one accord to fight against Israel. 

One of the main things to note here is that all the kings joined together in one accord to fight against Israel.  You know you're feared of the devil when he has to join forces with other devils just to strategize against you.  The devil isn't omni-present or omni-powerful.  When it takes more than one devil to come against you, you know you've got something he's afraid of.  In Joshua 5 it says the hearts of the surrounding kings were melting an they had no breath in them. 

That was prior to the walls falling in Jericho.  The armies of Israel with Jesus as their captain and Joshua as their leader went on to defeat Jericho and Ai, fighting armies larger and more fortified than themselves but yet victorious in every way!

Here in Joshua 9 they had heard with their ears and actually perceived that Joshua was no ordinary leader and this was no ordinary army.  They feared their future. Surely by now they knew that the God of Israel had ordered their extinction!  No wonder they pooled together in an attempt to preserve themselves and to stop the armies of God.  They had heard about Israel's victories in both Jericho and Ai.  They knew they didn't stand a chance alone.  What they didn't know was that they didn't stand a chance even unified against Israel because Israel had God on their side!  You know you've got something about you to be feared with the devils unite forces against you! Hallelujah!

Note:  Time and space doesn't permit me to continue with more detail now but this plan of the enemies' turned out to be futile.  It was shortly after this Israel did battle these kings and it was in that battle the sun stood still for Joshua so the thing to know is that as you go forward in your purpose in God's kingdom, with God on your side, no devil, devils or other enemies can stop you!  God will fight for you even in he has to stop the sun on your behalf!  Amen!

Let the Church Examine Herself

Let the Church Examine Herself

I hear a lot of people say the some people don't come to church because the presence of god is too strong and they're too convicted and don't want to turn from their sin.

I say, "Could it be that when they do come they see religion and hypocrisy?" Maybe they see a lot of competition and backbiting; a lot of selfishness and striving. Maybe they see the division among denominations and witchcraft manifested in control and manipulation. Maybe they've had preachers manipulate them into giving, just to see their face plastered across headlines for immoral behavior. Has it ever occurred to us that maybe we should take a look at ourselves and read the whole bible and make sure our own lives are conforming to the cross before we start bashing others for their sin? I'm just saying.....

It is time for judgment to begin with the house of the Lord. It seems to me Jesus was more concerned with sin, religious appearance without conformance, jealousy, strife and envy within the religious crowd than he was the clothing of a sinner or the drinking of the tax collectors!

If we're going to unleash on sinners, let us first examine our own tree for each and every piece of fruit mentioned in Galatians 5:

Gal 5:17-26
17 For the desires of the flesh are opposed to the [Holy] Spirit, and the [desires of the] Spirit are opposed to the flesh (godless human nature); for these are antagonistic to each other [continually withstanding and in conflict with each other], so that you are not free but are prevented from doing what you desire to do.

18 But if you are guided (led) by the [Holy] Spirit, you are not subject to the Law.

19 Now the doings (practices) of the flesh are clear (obvious): they are immorality, impurity, indecency,

20 Idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger (ill temper), selfishness, divisions (dissensions), party spirit (factions, sects with peculiar opinions, heresies),

21 Envy, drunkenness, carousing, and the like. I warn you beforehand, just as I did previously, that those who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness,

23 Gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law [[f]that can bring a charge].

24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus (the Messiah) have crucified the flesh (the godless human nature) with its passions and appetites and desires.

25 If we live by the [Holy] Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. [If by the Holy Spirit [g]we have our life in God, let us go forward [h]walking in line, our conduct controlled by the Spirit.]

26 Let us not become vainglorious and self-conceited, competitive and challenging and provoking and irritating to one another, envying and being jealous of one another. (Amplified)

THROUGH THE ROOF

THROUGH THE ROOF


My meditations on a sermon preached by Bishop Howard Bass of The Destiny Center:

Jesus, sitting in a room, maybe even standing- teaching, ministering under the anointing, doing what he's always done before.  In his presence are the hungry and the thirsty, pressing into him for their every need, their every desire, hearing a sound from his mouth and feeling the deepest parts of their every longing met. 

Also around him are the religious, the deceptive and all of those with motives to corner him and trap him.  One wrong word and they've got him!  They fill every part of the room. There's standing room only and even those standing are pressing against one another- each trying to move closer inching in for every available space and slowly filling it, ensuring they are the ones to receive what they came for.

Along come four men, carrying a friend- a friend that once moved with ease and agility but is now paralyzed,  his paralysis from injury keeping him from moving forward.  He wants to get up but somehow he can't. He is blocked. He is dysfunctional.  His brain says yes but his body says no and so there he is, collapsed into the only place he has found for himself- his bed!   There he lies day by day on his bed with no energy, no ability and no will.  Outside there is also a press at every window and doorway- crowds and lines of people pressing each other on every side and blocking the way.  No one can get in and no one wants to get out!  Now what?  His friends have brought him this far through the streets and to the house just to have their dreams crushed?  No!  Their expectation is to see their friend get up.  Here is the man that can help!  Here is their only hope!  They've come this far¸ carrying their friend, knowing they would be able to walk in as four men carrying another but walk out as 5 friends, all on their feet together!  They will not be stopped.  They look around for another answer.  One of them gazes up and gives voice to the thought that passes through his mind, "What about the roof." There's no one blocking the passage to the roof.  No one cares.  Everyone is there for themselves- to each his own!  There's no answer on the roof.  The roof has no entrance.  The roof is nothing more than a blockage to keep the rain out.  The roof is a covering for the place they want to be.  The roof is a blockage, not a passage.  No one wants to go to the roof.  They can't hear the master through the roof and they can't find a good place to rest on the roof that gets them close to the master that can fill their every longing.  The friends pick up the stretcher once again and head for the passage and when they make it to the roof- tired, panting, sweating and breathless, they lay the friend beside them, ensuring his safety and they begin to dig.  They tear into the surface, knowing that if there is no passage, they'll make one.  They will not be denied what they came for even if it means they do the unthinkable- dig through the construction of another man's house, but it's worth the risk.  It's the only way.  All other ways have been exhausted.  They may be accused of vandalism.  They may be met with opposition.  Surely there  will be accusation and wrong assumptions but it's their only hope and their expectations are high.  They know he has what they need if they can only get beside him.  A hole in the roof can be tended to but they need answers and they need them now!  They dig and dig and dig and suddenly they see glimpses of the inside.  Their calculations are confirmed.  The master is just below.   Having carefully chosen their position they begin to clear the way and they lower their friend, right in front of the master.  The entire atmosphere changes as the master sets eyes on the scene in front of him.  The one who changes has been changed.  His plans have changed.  His eyes and thoughts have been redirected to this team of  5 rebels who refuse to be denied.  Those competing for position are angered and appalled.  They are burning with envy and even hatred.  They begin to devise plans of what they will say.  Others are amazed and just stare in awe of the scene that is playing out before their eyes.  The master, seeing the expectation and faith of these men begins to address the one on the stretcher.  He explains his condition is not because of sin.  He says, "Your sins are forgiven you. Stop thinking that way!"  The religious men with only their own selfish desire for position, power, authority and recognition say in their minds but not out loud, "What right does he have to say this! How can he forgive sins. He is blaspheming!"  They're glad they've finally caught him in something they can hold against him.  The master hears their thoughts- not their words.  He knows by the Spirit what they are thinking.  The master brings peace yet these men want to strive.  The man on the stretcher is sincere in his search yet these men are deceptive and self seeking, even self exalting and surely self­-preserving.  Instead of arguing, the master begins to demonstrate.  He doesn't demonstrate with a magic wand or even his hands but he demonstrates with  the power of his words and with authority!  He says, "So you may know the son of man has power and authority to forgive," and he says to the paralytic, "Arise and walk.  Take up your bed and go your way!"  With just one Word spoken from the master, the brain and body begin to function again!  The man who was stuck in his place can move again!  That which was blocking him and had been stopping him no longer had any power over him.  The expectations of the friends were not disappointed.  The ones willing to crawl, carry a load with and of their friend, and peel their way through the roof and make space in a place that had no space, changed everything.  They redirected the attention of the master, stirred up even more envy and anger among the haters, stunned the onlookers and ignited the anointing of the one with the answers- and saw him do what he had never done before!  Everything in their world changed in a moment!  They got what they came for and went forward, not only having received all they came for but became a walking talking bible for generations to come!"  Expectation that changed an atmosphere and was not disappointed!"  (Amen, my morning meditation of a sermon delivered yesterday by Howard Bass- preaching from Mark 2)