MARKED BY:
A. Compassion
B. Humility
C. Love
D. Peace
THREATS TO TRANSFORMED HEARTS:
• defended against vulnerability 83
• shame
• focus on works
• brittle not broken
• condemnation
• unable to go from mad to sad
Scripture makes it clear that a transformed heart is the point. All through the Old Testament and right into the New we read time and time again how God is not pleased with self-serving sacrifice, but would rather have devotion. Hosea 6:6 It is us humans who would rather have religion with all of it’s rules and regulations, it’s ordered and predictable life. 1 Samuel 8 Religion may feel comfortable and secure, yet we are called into relationship.
It is out of relationship that we are transformed. Rules and regulations will never change the human heart. Control of self or others will never change the human heart. Time and time again we are reminded that, unlike mankind, God looks to the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7
Transformed hearts can be identified by how we treat people. Hearts transformed unto the Lord are expanded to carry compassion and empathy. Transformed hearts are able to see all individuals as valuable and precious in the sight of the Lord, and therefore, in each other’s sight.
Transformed hearts give off a different aroma in all of their dealings. A transformed heart cannot be discounted. Religion can be argued with. Expanded love and care cannot. Rules can be reconsidered but compassion is a law unto its own that nothing can stand against. Colossians 3:12-17
The Bible does not say that others will know of God by how well we win arguments, how well we can explain scripture, how big our churches are, how often we can be right, or even how well we manage to live, rather, scripture makes it clear that God and His people are known for and by their love. John 13:35
But to love others we must first know that we are loved. We must allow the compassionate grace of our Lord to penetrate our shells of self effort and self condemnations. Our own hearts must be transformed by the presence of our Lord. We must let Him in.
Miracles can be all around us but without soft hearts, we will not perceive or understand. Near the end of Mark 6 Jesus is with the disciples on a boat crossing over the Sea of Galilee unto the Lord and others. They had witnessed many miracles and yet in Mark 6:12-13 we read, “None of this had yet penetrated their hearts” Mark 6:52b The MSG. How tragic.
We want God to penetrate our hearts. We look at Compassion, Humility, Love, and Peace.
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75. TRANSFORMED HEARTS – 1A. COMPASSION
“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them,
because they were harassed and helpless,
like sheep without a shepherd.” Matthew 9:36 ESV
The compassion of Jesus was noted at his most personally difficult ministry times. In exhaustion we find his heart moved to come toward people and their need. In fact, each verse that speaks of Jesus having compassion occurs when there are large crowds of people and he was either at the end of his day, or time, or energy. And yet, compassion is what moved him to take action and to come toward people when all he really wanted to do was to take a break and have some quiet time away from people.
We come to see that the opposite of compassion is simply inaction. Without compassion we do not move towards others and are incapable of being part of the solution. Right from the start God came walking in the garden at the cool of the day. He moved toward Adam and Eve even though they had sinned. Genesis 3:8 God has always been compassionate and we learn to be like him.
Colossians 3:12-13 “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones …
Luke 6:36 “You must be compassionate…
Luke 7:13 “His heart overflowed with compassion …
Galatians 6:2 “Bear one another’s burdens …
Psalm 78:38 “He, being compassionate, atoned for their iniquity …
NOTE: Take the time to look up these verses.
WHEN COMPASSION IS MISSING:
• condemnation and judgement
• unable to really hear others
• driving intensity that is not of God
• working to fix people
• hard heart
• we see other’s faults and not their hearts
• exacting measures
• no room for mistakes
• consumed by the wrong others are doing
• hatred for self is imposed on others (subconsciously)
• our attitude reflects satan more than God
• we refuse to take action in service of others
KEY: The biggest indicator of a lack of compassion is a disinterest in the concerns of others. The attitude beneath our inaction is loaded with condemnation and contempt, with no ability to really listen in order to hear others. Without compassion we are merely hating ourselves, and in some cases and cultures, acting that out in hatred towards others.
How we get from one to the other:
WAY-MARKERS ON A JOURNEY FROM INACTION TO COMPASSION:
| WE BEGIN WITH: | WE THEN: | WE FIND: |
| Personal Brokenness | Experience the Grace of God | Quietness with God |
| – our religious ideals are unattainable – God’s hand opposing – failure of some sort | – our desire for God is greater than self preservation – we ask for help – we find God does not condemn, he acts on our behalf | – the presence of God brings silence to our soul – we live kindness and gentleness to others – we aren’t overwhelmed by the pain of others – we move toward others |
IN COMPASSION:
• we move toward others in spite of our weariness and concern for self
• we are willing to extend more than we think we have to give
• we easily forgive self and others both personally and generally
• self-effort of religion is crushed — religious self-effort dies
• demands upon ourselves and others are released
• we go from seeing only darkness and evil to seeing the Lord’s splendour and light
• our hearts are changed and we perceive differently – we see people not problems
• divisions are gone – our attitude is generous toward others
• we experience the welcome of God on a daily basis
• we give out this welcome to everyone else without hesitation or reservation
• we know God’s love
• our service is multiplied by the Lord
• we find empathy and understanding
• we sacrifice our priorities for the betterment of others
STORY: I was in a small village in Africa. The pastor I was with was having a crusade. The church congregation was there as well as many onlookers from the community.
This particular day there was Wilson, the town drunk greeting and wanting to speak with me. I got the impression that nobody paid any attention to Wilson except to tell him to go away. In fact, there were a couple of people trying to keep him away from the crusade.
But I wanted to talk to him. I wanted to know the pain beneath his drinking problem. For I know that people turn to drugs or alcohol because they are deeply hurting inside. Because I am experienced in praying healing for the deepest hurts within people, I wanted to touch Wilson’s pain with the compassionate touch of Jesus Christ.
Even though Wilson could not carry on a long conversation, as I spoke with him he revealed that he believed that God had abandoned him and he also shared how much he was missing his wife who had died some six years earlier. Ah, this was the core of his pain and of his alcoholism. As a response to out compassion he spoke out his deepest pain. We remain in prayer for Wilson, for the healing of his life.
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75. TRANSFORMED HEARTS – 1B. HUMILITY
“The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life.” Proverbs 22:4 ESV
The strongest of all strengths, humility is the beauty of the Lord lived out in our midst. Consider this quote: “Humility is a mediator. It will always be the shortest distance between you and another person.” 84
God came to us as a babe in a manger, in great vulnerability, in great humility, in order to mediate our restoration, healing, and wholeness in the Lord. This, is the same call to each of us who claim the name of Jesus Christ — we are to mediate God to others and others to God, humility is key to this.
Proverbs 3:34 “… but to the humble he gives favour.”
Psalm 149:4 “… He adorns the humble with salvation”
Psalm 25:9 “He leads the humble in what is right …
Philippians 2:5-8 “Though he was God he did not …
James 4:7-10 “So humble yourselves …
NOTE: Take the time to look up these verses.
WHEN HUMILITY IS MISSING:
• sense of superiority or inferiority (both are distortions of the real self)
• has an agenda for others
• no patience
• unable to receive from others
• draw attention to self (we subconsciously bring attention to our superiority or inferiority)
• with undercurrents of ‘I am always right’ or ‘I am always at a loss’
• we go with what we want without ears for what God wants
• with a preoccupation to make others like us
• often mean to others
• milking for pity (we speak condemnation of self so others will argue for our greatness)
• others must feel what we feel, think what we think,
• our sacrifices must be valued by others (deeds done before others)
• ego always demands centre stage
The biggest indicator of no humility is when people draw attention to themselves, either what they are good at or what they lack. Overly focussed on self they cannot help but speak their focus. This interferes in everything.
How we get from one to the other:
WAY-MARKERS ON A JOURNEY FROM SELF-PITY TO HUMILITY:
| WE BEGIN WITH: | WE ENTER INTO: | WE FIND: |
| Personal Failure | Repentance | Ease of Life |
| – tragic brokenness – moral failure – profound loss – a heart that breakswithout becoming bitter is the first sign of humility | – no more blaming – taking 100%responsibility for one’slife – contrition – sense of new freedom – sober-minded clarityabout self | – kindness to self / others – nothing to prove – soft heart & spirit – begins to enjoy life – takes self lightly – begins to live out hopesand dreams |
IN HUMILITY:
• we can no longer be humiliated
• all (obsessive) self-protection is gone
• there is no need to prove anything
• we do not count ourselves better than any other person
• we realize that we all struggle much the same
• God becomes big enough for every single thing we face
• religious spirits die
• we turn easily and quickly to the Lord
• we bring our ugly to God
• hunger for God is bigger than our own shame
• regrets die
• we are up for a big game
• we see beyond ourselves
• we see God’s heart and plans undistracted by self
• we go from making suggestions to being part of the solution
STORY: It was my last week in the country. I was invited to attend a Bible study one evening shortly before I was to fly home. During the evening the Lord washed me in the Spirit. This is normal
for me. God always ministers to me at the beginning of a trip and as I finish off and prepare to go home. The folks at the Bible study had a beautiful spirit of the Lord upon them and I was deeply refreshed.
One of those at the Bible study was a young girl of about nine-years old. As the evening went on I realized that she carried a great gifting of the Lord, an authority of prophetic strength and clarity and vision. And I knew that I wanted her to pray over me. So, at the end of the evening I said to her, “I see that you have a great gifting of the Lord upon you and I would love to have you pray for me, would you pray for me?”
She, of course, was humble enough to say yes. And so I got on my knees and she placed her hand on my head and prayed the Lord’s deep peace and refreshment upon my heart and spirit. We must note that it is important that we are humble and contrite enough to receive from any in the body of Christ, no matter their age or gender or station in life.
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75. TRANSFORMED HEARTS – 1C. LOVE
“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and
whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.” 1 John 4:7 ESV
Without love we cannot enter into problems to become part of the solution. Love is a precursor to living out the love of God. We do not love on our own. We may try but it will be a love that is not love enough. Yet, we can ask God to give us love.“God, help us to love more.”
Often God asks us to do more than the love that we have. This causes us to admit our need to the Lord for the love from him required for the work he calls us to. And he responds. God builds and grows love in us that enables us forward. We then live his love to others.
Matthew 9:13 “I want you to show mercy, not sacrifice …
Colossians 3:12-15 “Since God chose you to be holy …
1 Peter 4:8 “Show deep love …
1 Corinthians 13:4-8 “Love is patient and kind …
1 Corinthians 16:14 “Let all that you do be done in love …
Luke 6:35 “Love your enemies …
NOTE: Take the time to look up these verses.
WHEN LOVE IS MISSING:
• obsession with one’s own comfort
• content in one’s own righteousness
• work oriented with both self and others
• exacting retribution
• intent on ‘who must pay?’
• cannot see past our own needs and priorities
• incapable of empathy
• ministry is self serving
• cannot receive another’s truth
• rejects others
The biggest marker of a lack of love is the inability to set aside comfort for the good of another. Without love we draw attention to our sacrifice and our discomfort. Without love we are miserable and everyone must know it.
How we get from one to the other:
WAY-MARKERS ON A JOURNEY FROM IDOLATRY OF COMFORT TO LOVE
| WE EXPERIENCE: | WE BEGIN: | WE LIVE: |
| Self is Demolished | Seeing Beyond Ourselves | For Others |
| – internal false self is broken down – opportunities bigger than ourselves which force sober clarity | – realizing how little we love – crying out to love like God loves | – does not draw attention to personal inadequacies – lives out of God’s sufficiency (not self) in service to others – we set others free to live out their hopes & dreams |
IN LOVE:
• we realize we do not love enough
• we find that love truly covers a multitude of sins
• we hear below what people speak to hear what they are saying
• we come close to God for deep transformation
• we trust the Lord to change us
• we trust the Lord to work in others
• we do not take on the role of Holy Spirit in the lives of others
• we are not afraid of dying
• we find joy at every turn
STORY: I was in India. I had been speaking at a church for a couple of days. The pastors that I was alongside told me about a woman in their congregation who had suffered demonic terror every single night for many years.
Every evening at about 8pm the demon would take over and she would become agitated and distraught and unable to be normal in any way. Unable to sit still, to eat, to cook, or to sleep, she was exhausted by this demonic attack upon her and within her. I was told that her husband and daughter did what they could to help her every night, ensuring that she didn’t step or fall into the fire, for instance.
The evening came when I was to meet her and pray deliverance for her. I had been praying for many that day and as the people went home she and her husband and daughter were the last ones I was to pray for.
What so struck me was the care and the love of her husband. I saw his gentleness and concern over her. As we prayed for her, and as the demon rolled her around some before it left, her husband attended to her, ensuring she was covered, safe, and not humiliated as we sought her deliverance.
I came away from that experience convinced that the reason she was delivered that night is because the love of her husband created a statement in the spirit realm that the enemy would not have this woman. His love acted out the love of God. I saw only a little bit of this, but those I was with told me that this had been his habit, his love poured out, day by day for many years. His love partnered with God for her deliverance. As the demon left her she ‘awoke’ to peace flooded upon her, all her fears were gone.
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75. TRANSFORMED HEARTS – 1D. PEACE
“Let him turn away from evil and do good;
let him seek peace and pursue it.” 1 Peter 3:11 ESV
Without peace we may miss God’s directions. In our mistrust our thoughts scatter and flit here and there. In mistrust (the opposites of peace) we have no barometer and everything feels ultra scary. In contrast, with peace we are able to follow the Holy Spirit in confidence because we know the shepherd’s voice — with this sensitivity we are able to recognize the directing of the Lord sooner and easier. We test out God’s voice and directions through his peace. Without peace we are at war with others.
Our lives will always be a reflection of our inner persons. If our inner man or woman is not at peace with God our life will never be at peace with others. To live a life of peace we must be at peace both with ourselves and with God.
Isaiah 26:3 “You keep him in perfect peace …
2 Thessalonians 3:16 “May the Lord of peace give you peace …
Luke 11:35-36 “If you are filled with light with no dark corners …
John 14:27 “The peace I give you is a gift …
Philippians 4:7 “Then you will experience God’s peace …
NOTE: Take the time to look up these verses.
WHEN PEACE IS MISSING:
• little things throw us off
• big things take us down
• we may create division (often subtly)
• yet maintain peace at all costs (false, small, thinking) • bitter and unresolved
• no room for emotions, risking, or authenticity
• self preservation is our god
The biggest marker of a person without peace is an ever-present need to control all situations, circumstances and relationships. Because peace is not on the inside, the outside MUST look like there is peace. Without peace we create discord.
“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7
How we get from one to the other:
WAY-MARKERS ON A JOURNEY FROM DISCORD AND STRIFE TO PEACE:
| WE BEGIN WITH: | WE THEN BECOME: | WE FIND WE ARE: |
| Physical, Emotional, Spiritual Sickness | Intent to Live a Different Way | Coming to Peace |
| – loss of life from the inside out – eaten up in hatred and bitterness – worry consumes us – sin is destroying us | – change in words, actions, and manner – we begin to realize that God is a God of peace | – reconciling own past, people, failures, and experiences – living in gentleness and kindness and regard – we see with God’s big & higher perspective |
IN PEACE:
- the peace of God comes deep into our own hearts and minds
- we live out peace in our interactions and choices with others
- our once uncertain and nervous responses now experience stability and calm
- we find that peace has nothing to do with our circumstances but rather with the state of our hearts
- we live peace to a broken and chaotic world.
- we find that peace is an active agent of the Kingdom of God
- pour in peace and the enemy has no say
- we rest in God who is active and alive and well on planet earth
- we are at peace with self, trustworthy, doing what we say, helping others as the Lord directs, obeyingour conscience and the Spirit, unto goodness and peace
- we bring the deep secrets of our lives out before the Lord
- we do the good we think of doing for others
STORY: I have lived in a few places that did not contain the peace of the Lord. One place had a persistent presence of chaos and terror, as though a demonic spirit of terror lived there.It was at this time that I really learned about the power of peace. I used to think peace was passive and weak, but as I was in that house, and as I came into the habit of declaring the peace of God in that place, I learned that peace is very active and powerful.Each day, maybe a few times each day I would pray, “God, I declare your peace upon this house in the name and the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.”This is all I would say, simply stating that the peace of Christ would rule there. And by and by the spirits of terror became silent and unable to affect any longer. This is the same in all of our lives. We think we have to fight terror with terror, but we don’t. We think we have to fight evil with evil, but we don’t.We have the peace of God within us and we can declare that peace, and live that peace in our own homes and for the benefit of others around us. Though the assignments of the enemy are real we can live within the peace of God.
83 Defended against vulnerability is a term from Gordon Neufeld explaining our inability to attach, to learn, to adapt. When we are defended to vulnerability we cannot grow, because all growth requires vulnerability. Unless we are vulnerable we cannot perceive what we do not know, and we cannot go from what we don’t know to new things that we have previously not seen. Vulnerability is vital to growth and maturity in many ways. http://neufeldinstitute.org
84 from a HONY post on facebook on May 18, 2015
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