Author: Pastor Bryan Lowe

A repentant rascal with definite issues, but who is seeking to be authentic in his faith to Jesus Christ. An avid reader and a hopeful writer. Husband and father. A pastor and Bible teacher. A brain tumor survivor. Diagnosed with clinical depression, and now disabled. Enjoys life, such as it is, in Alask.a (Actually I have it pretty good.)

Entertainment or Encounter?

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“Then he said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.”

Exodus 3:5

Moses was a man who encountered God in a special way. He was called up a mountain to meet with God for an uniqus purpose.

Isaiah, the disciples at the Transfiguration, Paul and John all had face-to-face meetings with the Lord. From these special times came their power for faith and ministry.

The New Testament believer has access to God’s presence unknown to most believers previously.

“Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus.”

Hebrews 10:19

Will it be entertainment or an encounter? I wonder sometimes about my own heart. I know there are times when I settle on something else than a meeting with the Lord God, my Father.

Sometimes I wonder about this. Perhaps our pews need seatbelts and our ushers need to hand out life jackets. Maybe a fire extinguisher and a pastor trained in CPR would be wise. Who knows what will happen if God decides to really show up?

He forgives me, and that I suppose the principal thing. He seeks me out to come into His presence. His blood opens the way.

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We are Waiting, [2nd Coming]

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“The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.”

Revelation 22:17

“You and I get so weary in our experience of the wilderness, but Christ’s heart is never wearied, it is as freshly set on the bride as when God chose us in Him before the foundation of the world.”

  –G.V. Wigram

I simply believe that a spiritually romantic love really rules history and its events– all the twists and turns. Everything is simply being poured into this cosmic, eternal romance. Nothing else matters– except Jesus and His bride. Believe me when I say, I could do this in a myriad of ways. (But I won’t, so don’t hold your breath, lol.)

Maybe this is one of those things you have to take with a bit of faith.

Now– I’m not suggesting the “divine romance” is one of those absolute, mandatory doctrines that you must believe in order to go to heaven. Rather I think it is one that makes the most sense to me.

First. It explains much, ordering certain things to be worked together like a loomer weaves a rug.

Second. If romance is at the heart of the “real” universe– we start to see that the future is brighter that the past. And, perhaps we need that more than ever.

Think of your “romantic seasons” of your life. Those incredible intervals of bliss and love. Happy, content, and generous–  it was so very easy to live, and love! We found ourselves elated by presence of our beloved person,  joyfully doing everything necessary to be with them. Walking from the subway in dark and the rain, right past the muggers and drug dealers! Recall Jacob’s labors for Rachel? His love took seven years to transmogrify into just a few short moments of time. He was soooo in love!

I AM PRAYING FOR YOU right now. I so desperately want this teaching to be poured on you, I want you to see the Church as she really, truly is. She is the Bride of Jesus Christ! Song of Solomon (this book at the center of the Bible) contains the keys that will open up each door, and every treasure chest, in the Bible. It’s all about the love.

“We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things [the entire Cosmos] work together [and cooperating] and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God [the Church] and are called according to [His] design and purpose [the Bride]”

Romans 8:28, AMP

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https://brokenbelievers.com/2013/10/25/jesus-romancer-of-the-church/.

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Suggested Reading list–

Each at http://www.amazon.com

  1. Destined for the Throne, by Paul Billheimer
  2. Song of Songs, by Watchman Nee
  3. Thy Hidden Ones, by Jesse Penn-Lewis
  4. The Power of the Blood Covenant, by Malcolm Smith

They Are Bread for Us! [Challenges]

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“Only do not rebel against the Lord. And do not fear the people of the land, for they are bread for us. Their protection is removed from them, and the Lord is with us; do not fear them.” 10 Then all the congregation said to stone them with stones. But the glory of the Lord appeared at the tent of meeting to all the people of Israel.”

Numbers 14:9-10

Exactly, how do we see our challenges? During the time of Moses and Joshua, and when the land of Canaan [still out there] had yet to be conquered, was still waiting, this happened. But there were many [most] who wanted out. In their limited experience, they saw some serious problems– disaster, becoming a slaughter. They were terrified.

An attempt to stall this insurgency, a few speak up. They call it what it is– rebellion. The people [enmass] begin to organize. More a mob than a crowd, things get nasty. Moses stands up, and speaks loud enough to be heard. [He is not a public speaker.] “And do not fear the people of the land, for they are bread for us. Their protection is removed from them, and the Lord is with us; do not fear them.”

Many times we have to choose. The decision to follow Him is almost always dangerous. It requires daring ideas, and is against much of we label common sense. People will always speak doubtful things, and we find little support for our faith to launch out.

Bread is there to build us up. It is good food that might strengthen us. It becomes the metaphor for strength that increases. I grew up with “Popeye” eating spinach out of a can. He found lots of energy, with amazing new abilities. [It almost persuaded me to eat it.] The enemies in the land may seem to be formidable, and without the presence of God they were.

But we are really strengthened by our foes. That which did not weaken us, but only made us stronger. What is bread? Why it is “the staff of life.” In 1 Corinthians 16:9, “There is a wide-open door for a great work here, although many oppose me.”

Victory is never easy. It would be easy if it is always found in a can of spinach. But it is not. It is exclusive to the “presence” of God. Our foes will only fortify us. And that’s a promise for you.

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The Gift of Sight, [Our Blindness]

“Jesus took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village. Then, spitting on the man’s eyes, he laid his hands on him and asked, “Can you see anything now?”

Mark 8:23

What an amazing and gentle thing for Jesus to do.  He offers his hand in order to guide this one to a better environment for that which he is about to do.  Jesus really is quite considerate, and very aware of the “circus” he causes in the town.

In many ways, we are so like this blind man.  We have no spiritual sight, we stumble and bumble through life.  We are doomed to live this way, blind to anything of significance.  But along comes Jesus, he takes us by our hand.  We walk through the streets, with him leading us.  Little do we know, that in just a moment we are going to see.

This blind man is being led by a stranger, who is leading him down dusty streets to an undisclosed location.  Yet, for some reason, he trusts Jesus, and allows himself to be led.  As he walked holding the hand of Jesus, his faith grows.  By the time they arrive at the spot outside the walls, we just know what is going to happen next.

Jesus spits!  Right into each eye. He puts his thumbs into them and brings a complete reconstruction of each eye.  Jesus is standing right in front of him. He asks, “Now can you see?”  I can see him blinking, and rolling his eyes, squinting and trying very hard to see.  And he does– but only limitedly.  Things are still blurry.

Jesus doesn’t berate the man, or belittle him for not getting a complete healing.  He just repeats this process, and within a minute the blind man now sees the world that before he only staggered through a moment ago..

If you must know, I am that blind man, I walked in spiritual darkness.  Things have not ever been easy.  I have stumbled and tripped through life.  I have been the butt of schoolboy pranks, and I have begged for crusts.  I have gone hungry a lot of the time.

But this man, Jesus found me.  He healed me. And my ugly, pathetic life was changed.  I am now a witness to what he can do–and does!  I added nothing to my healing, it was a miracle. I just opened my eyes.

“Of all the senses, sight must be the most delightful.”

–Helen Keller

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