one step: vision break

And on the banks, on both sides of the river, there will grow all kinds of trees for food. Their leaves will not wither, nor their fruit fail, but they will bear fresh fruit every month, because the water for them flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for healing.

Ezekiel 47:12

For the month of July, this devotional will shift from a daily devotional to a weekly devotional. Each week will take a moment to share what we believe God wants to see in North Gate Church. The hope is that you and I might catch the vision, as it’s a vision that God has for His people, regardless of where they live or what community of Christ they engage in. I pray that it’s a blessing to you and draws you closer to God and to His depths. I encourage you to take a moment today to read Ezekiel 47:1-12 to provide some context for this conversation.

The vision for North Gate Church is based upon portions of Ezekiel 47: to see people sourced rightly, healed completely, discipled deeply, and giving generously. This week focuses on “giving generously.”

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Giving generously. These two words hold worlds of meaning in each of them.

When we think of giving, many in our culture first think of money. We think of giving as a transfer of funds from one account to another for the purpose of accomplishing something in the life of another. It’s considered giving and not purchasing because nothing is expected in return. Other cultures primarily think of giving possessions when they think of giving. In cultures where bartering serves as the most prevalent way of doing business, giving may look like passing along an extra item without expectation of return. Maybe around Christmas this sort of giving comes to mind more quickly. No matter how you think of giving, there are probably ways outside of how you normally give or think of giving.

When was the last time you thought of giving your time? Giving your skills, abilities, or talents? When was the last time you thought about giving away your knowledge or experience? When you hear about giving, does giving faith come to mind? When we give, what are the limits?

Generously refers to the amount given and the attitude with which you give. If attitude were wrapping paper, is the gift wrapped in love, gratitude, and excitement, or something else? When given, does the gift meet the bare minimum of the need, or is the gift above and beyond?

To generously give time, talents, resources, money, skills, and faith to another, one must give with the right attitude and in the right amount.

In Ezekiel 47, we see the fruit and the leaves of the trees being given to serve others. This ongoing lifestyle of giving is the result of new fruit each month. The fruit is not hoarded, but is given freely as it comes. This generous giving does not come without risk; it requires trust in God. For trees to give their fruit, they are passing along the ability to replicate themselves as the fruit contains seeds. For trees to give up leaves, however, they give away what brings themselves life. Without leaves, trees die. This kind of giving requires trust in God.

We believe that God wants His people to be people who give all of who they are with the right heart to see His Kingdom come. This does not mean we live a life of no boundaries (we are limited after all). To give all that you are at the wrong time could mean your family gets none of who you are. What it means is that when God says to give, we act upon it and we put all that He tells us to give into it even if it looks like risk.

Imagine this:

Two people came into a town. They did not come in together, but they had a similar encounter: they were approached by people riddled with hunger. You see, these people had fallen upon hard times and did not have what they needed to acquire food.

The first person saw the need, walked up to a man, handed him a sandwich, said a prayer for the people of the village and walked away.

The second person saw the need, ordered enough food to feed the entire village a 5-course meal, and dined and laughed with them, sympathizing with their hurts, and wishing them well.

Who gave generously?

This is a difficult question. Who gave above and beyond? Who gave with the right attitude? Who asked God what to give and how much and did so? In real life, only God knows. In my story, the first person gave generously. The first person came from a very poor family, only had a sandwich to eat for that entire day, and gave it cheerfully trusting God that another sandwich would come tomorrow. The second person had the gifts, talents, knowledge, experience, connections, and resources to establish a new industry in that village that would completely disrupt the local economics for the better. Jobs would be created, new trade routes would emerge, auxiliary and complementary industries would sprout, it would serve as an example for other entrepreneurs, and generations would be changed. However, this person chose to give a meal. After praying, and sensing a leading from the Lord to do great things for this village, this person decided to do what was easiest and convenient but would still feel good in the moment.

My story inspires these questions: What is God saying to you today? What need do you see that you could meet? What is your default means of giving? Is it money? Time? Experience? Something else?

Many have given to my family and I. Many have given to North Gate Church to see God’s Kingdom come and will be done in San Diego, California. Our gratitude cannot be expressed enough. I just pray that we live as a people who give generously, passing along the gift of Christ to others and reflecting the generosity shown to us.

Today, take a step.

Maybe today the one step God wants you to take is to give in a new creative way. Perhaps God is asking you to adjust your attitude when you give. Maybe today God wants to speak to you on when to give and when not to give and how much to give. Maybe someone in your life has run out of faith for the miracle they need and God would have you share your faith with them. Perhaps God wants to redefine giving generously for you today.

Whatever the step, ask God to direct it. Take a moment to take that step. Invite Him to speak. He will.

Life is a long road. Walk it with Jesus. Take a step today… just one is fine.

Feel free to comment at the bottom of this page! We would love to hear from you!

one step: vision break

Going on eastward with a measuring line in his hand, the man measured a thousand cubits, and then led me through the water, and it was ankle-deep. Again he measured a thousand, and led me through the water, and it was knee-deep. Again he measured a thousand, and led me through the water, and it was waist-deep. Again he measured a thousand, and it was a river that I could not pass through, for the water had risen. It was deep enough to swim in, a river that could not be passed through.

Ezekiel 47:3-5

For the month of July, this devotional will shift from a daily devotional to a weekly devotional. Each week will take a moment to share what we believe God wants to see in North Gate Church. The hope is that you and I might catch the vision, as it’s a vision that God has for His people, regardless of where they live or what community of Christ they engage in. I pray that it’s a blessing to you and draws you closer to God and to His depths. I encourage you to take a moment today to read Ezekiel 47:1-12 to provide some context for this conversation.

The vision for North Gate Church is based upon portions of Ezekiel 47: to see people sourced rightly, healed completely, discipled deeply, and giving generously. This week focuses on “discipled deeply.”

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How deep is deep enough when it comes to discipleship?

When Jesus commanded the disciples to “go make disciples,” what did He mean (Matthew 28:19-20)?

He meant to make replicas of themselves: people who followed Jesus and His ways with the idea that those who follow Him would become like Him. This is not a quick process, nor is it a process easily completed. The work of becoming more like Christ spans a lifetime and reaches into eternity. The opportunity for discipleship is wider than we venture and deeper than we swim.

The angel of the Lord invited Ezekiel into a process of dipping into the outflow of the Temple of God. He measured and experienced its width and depth. It was too much for him to span. Ezekiel could not reach across on his own, and he could not touch the bottom on his own. Christ invites us into these waters.

Jesus invites us all into a journey of discipleship of Him that goes wide and deep. It spans a lifetime and reaches into eternity. God wants to see a people willing to go into the waters of His Spirit to become more like Him.

If we believe, we must follow. If we follow, we must learn. When we learn, we must become. In becoming, we look more and more like Him; we look more and more like who God created us to be.

But who do you believe? Who do you follow? Who are you becoming? In a world of “following” on social media, famous pastors, and life-coaching books, whose disciple are you? In Jesus’s day, the disciples of the Pharisees could only get so far with the Word. Many missed the Word Made Flesh named Jesus. The disciples of John could only travel with John until his imprisonment and subsequent death.

We are to live as disciples of Jesus. Who we follow will determine who we become. Who we follow will determine how far and how deep we go.

How deep are you willing to go? How far will you go into His presence? How long will you walk the road with Him? What are you willing to let go of to take hold of His higher call? Who are you following?

Today, take a step.

Maybe today the one step God wants you to take is to choose to engage in a discipleship of Christ that abandons what is comfortable. Perhaps God is asking you to reach wide or wade deeply into His presence. Perhaps God invites you today to remember whose disciple you need to be — Who you need to follow. Maybe Jesus is asking you to be discipled deeply.

Whatever the step, ask God to direct it. Take a moment to take that step. Invite Him to speak. He will.

Life is a long road. Walk it with Jesus. Take a step today… just one is fine.

Feel free to comment at the bottom of this page! We would love to hear from you!

one step: vision break

Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for healing.

Ezekiel 47:12b

For the month of July, this devotional will shift from a daily devotional to a weekly devotional. Each week will take a moment to share what we believe God wants to see in North Gate Church. The hope is that you and I might catch the vision, as it’s a vision that God has for His people, regardless of where they live or what community of Christ they engage in. I pray that it’s a blessing to you and draws you closer to God and to His depths. I encourage you to take a moment today to read Ezekiel 47:1-12 to provide some context for this conversation.

The vision for North Gate Church is based upon portions of Ezekiel 47: to see people sourced rightly, healed completely, discipled deeply, and giving generously. This week focuses on “healed completely.”

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This verse in Ezekiel speaks again of the trees. While Ezekiel shares that the waters bring life, the leaves of the trees bring healing. James 5:16 shares,

Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.

Because the healing comes from the leaves (hands) of the trees (people), we see that God invites us into a community of God that plays a role in sharing the healing power of God with each other. Trees who are sourced rightly have healing to share. God wants to see this in the life of His people.

So why don’t we see it? Why do we not see people healed when we pray?

As believers, we live in the come, not-yet-come Kingdom. Meaning, when Christ Jesus came, He reestablished the Kingdom in its fullness which includes healing and wholeness, but we also have a part to play in bringing forth the Kingdom. Jesus invites us to welcome God’s Kingdom as we pray:

Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

2 Corinthians 1:10 provides language to this Kingdom work:

He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again.

The work of Christ happened on the cross, will happen in the end of all things, and is happening in our lives today like a slow-reveal of His Kingdom.

Like in all things, healing involves God’s part and our part. Knowing our part and His part and the difference between may be a challenge. If we have learned anything from going through the book of Matthew, though, we must remember that Jesus doesn’t operate in formulas. In asking “why don’t people get healed,” we can desire an answer, but we shouldn’t expect a formula.

Where does this leave us?

It leaves us with this knowledge: healing happens in community when relying on God as our source. His part involves miraculous power, our part is to place our hands on one another in prayer for healing.

The broken world we live in may not always provide a space conducive to healing, and surely there are instances that we do not understand or may not understand until heaven. We do know from the life and example of Jesus that we have a God who heals and desires to heal… completely.

What do I mean by completely? Body, soul, and spirit.

As triune beings made in the image of our triune God, we can experience sickness and brokenness in any of these areas. While difficult to map, these interlinked areas impact one another. Sickness in the soul can sometimes be felt in the body. Similarly, sickness in the body can be experienced in the soul. The spirit of a person plays a role in their life and well-being as well as spiritual practices such as fasting, Sabbath, and the like impact our bodies and souls.

Though we do not always see it, God wants to bring complete healing to His people. I’ve seen miracles of healing, and I know that complete healing is coming. Lord, let Your Kingdom come. Let Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Today, take a step.

Maybe today the one step God wants you to take is to live in the difficult space of the come, not-yet-come Kingdom that is unfolding by trusting Him when you don’t understand. Perhaps God wants you to be a part of unfolding His Kingdom by praying that it come. Maybe God wants you to take a step by laying hands on a friend and praying for healing. Perhaps God wants you to ask for that prayer. Maybe today God wants you to invite His healing into parts of who you are that you didn’t know needed His touch.

Whatever the step, ask God to direct it. Take a moment to take that step. Invite Him to speak. He will.

Life is a long road. Walk it with Jesus. Take a step today… just one is fine.

Feel free to comment at the bottom of this page! We would love to hear from you!

one step: vision break

Then he brought me out by way of the north gate and led me around on the outside to the outer gate that faces toward the east; and behold, the water was trickling out on the south side… As I went back, I saw on the bank of the river very many trees on the one side and on the other.

Ezekiel 47:2,7

For the month of July, this devotional will shift from a daily devotional to a weekly devotional. Each week will take a moment to share what we believe God wants to see in North Gate Church. The hope is that you and I might catch the vision, as it’s a vision that God has for His people, regardless of where they live or what community of Christ they engage in. I pray that it’s a blessing to you and draws you closer to God and to His depths. I encourage you to take a moment today to read Ezekiel 47:1-12 to provide some context for this conversation.

The vision for North Gate Church is based upon portions of Ezekiel 47: to see people sourced rightly, healed completely, discipled deeply, and giving generously. This week focuses on “sourced rightly.”

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Throughout Scripture, trees symbolize people (see e.g., Psalm 1:3, Isaiah 55:12, Jeremiah 17:8, Mark 8:24). In Ezekiel 47, Ezekiel sees trees planted beside the waters that flow out of the eastern gate of the temple. Of these trees, God says in Ezekiel 47:12,

And on the banks, on both sides of the river, there will grow all kinds of trees for food. Their leaves will not wither, nor their fruit fail, but they will bear fresh fruit every month, because the water for them flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for healing.

What makes these trees so fruitful? What makes these trees so beneficial? How is it that these trees can share healing and provide life and nourishment to others? How is it that they are sustained through every season, no matter the season when other trees are wilting or fading with the elements?

It’s because they are sourced rightly.

As humans, we naturally wander the roads of this life looking for a source. The way God designed humanity, we cannot source from ourselves. Meaning, when we need something, we have to go outside of ourselves for it. When we need comfort, we draw from something for comfort. When we need peace, we look for that in other things. Even when we need energy, we must go to food to provide it for us.

In the Garden of Eden, God created a space that made sourcing from the right places easy. Namely, sourcing from God for all of our needs was constantly within reach. When Adam and Eve sinned, they found their source of truth somewhere other than God (see e.g., Genesis 3:6). Since that time, humanity has attempted to meet its needs in all sorts of sources.

The trees in Ezekiel 47 were sources rightly. They were rooted in the waters of God’s Word.

Psalm 1:1-3 tells us,

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.

When we are sourced rightly, it changes everything. When we source all that we need from God, we have all that we need.

This world promises to meet our needs, but it cannot provide the love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, hope, faith, salvation, or life that we so desperately need.

I believe that God wants to see you sourced rightly.

The last time you needed comfort, what did you attempt to find comfort in? The last time you needed peace, what did you take inside of you for peace? When you last needed healing to the pain in your soul, where did you turn to?

Today, take a step.

Maybe today the one step God wants you to take is to consider where you attempt to find what you need. Perhaps God has been speaking to you about reestablishing Him as your source in an area. Maybe God wants you to renounce the lie that in any given situation, He isn’t enough.

Whatever the step, ask God to direct it. Take a moment to take that step. Invite Him to speak. He will.

Life is a long road. Walk it with Jesus. Take a step today… just one is fine.

Feel free to comment at the bottom of this page! We would love to hear from you!

one step: Matthew 17.3

He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”

Jesus tells the disciples that if they had but the faith of a small mustard seed, they could achieve anything. Yet, here they were with faith so small that they could not cast out a demon (something they had done before). Some scholars believe that the words of Jesus indicate that the disciples had transitioned from putting faith in Jesus to putting faith in their own ability to conjure power. They had forgotten that the power they wielded did not come from special prayers or certain words, but from the source of power: Jesus Christ.

Walking through the book of Matthew has brought formulas into the discuss a few times. Here again we are reminded that the power we need in this life doesn’t come from doing all of the right things. The power we need to bring freedom and healing to those around us does not come from performance. There is no formula for healing. It all comes from Jesus Christ.

Here is the question: what is your source?

Today, take a step.

Maybe today the one step God wants you to take is to once again abandon the formulas that you have created to try to conjure results. Perhaps God is inviting you to source your power in Him and His will instead of your own. Maybe God wants you to step out into the impossible today, empowered by His Spirit.

Whatever the step, ask God to direct it. Take a moment to take that step. Invite Him to speak. He will.

Life is a long road. Walk it with Jesus. Take a step today… just one is fine.

Feel free to comment at the bottom of this page! We would love to hear from you!

*Leon, Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew. Pillar New Testament Commentary (Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1992), 445–449, and Keener, C. S., Matthew (Vol. 1, Mt 17:14–20) (InterVarsity Press, 1997).