This episode we dive into a important scene that John describes in his letter Revelation. 

We see John describe Jesus through two images a Lion and a Lamb. 

We ask what these images represented for those who would have heard this letter spoken to them in John's day.

We question what does this mean for us today?

I hope something in this message has encouraged you. 

Keep up to date with podcast via @thejmpcast on Instagram.

Thanks have a great week

*this podcast episode was recorded in early September 2020 the name I forgot of the other presidential candidate  was Joe Biden*

Season 1- episode 14

Beautiful Surrender: He Has My Yes

Part 3: The Results of Surrendering.

Chapter 13: To The One Who Conquers

"What if Jesus were to write a letter to you and your church about where you were at spiritually? What do you think he would say? In the book of Revelations Jesus does just that in the form of seven letters. These letters, although contextual to each church in their specific situations, have timeless truths and insights into struggles that all churches will face. In each letter there are both warnings and promises of blessing for those who overcome. What I find super interesting is that if you read each blessing for the churches, all of them speak to eternal rewards (salvation, responsibility in heaven etc.) but only a couple of them have a promise for a reward that will happen on this side of eternity. For example; the church of Thyatira is promised to receive the morning star (eternal reward). They are also told if they conquer (stay the course) despite challenges they face they will be given authority over nations (earthly reward). That isn’t an eternal promise but one that would be fulfilled through their lifetime on earth. Another example would be the church in Philadelphia. Their eternal reward is that they would be a pillar in the temple of God in New Jerusalem. Their promise for today was that if they conquered their challenges, the city would come to them to learn, because of their great love for God and for each other. Unlike the church of Thyatira or Philadelphia the church of Ephesus is promised that if they overcome, they would eat from the tree of life in paradise. They were given an eternal reward but there is no mention of them receiving an earthly reward for their conquering.

This has taught me that we cannot control the fruit we see on this side of heaven. We are all promised salvation for those who follow Jesus. We are not however guaranteed to have a great luxurious life. Some of us will experience luxury. It is not up to you or me, but is up to God to decide. He is good, faithful and wise in deciding who gets what, when. He is worthy to be trusted. I find this super encouraging because sometimes in my life it seems like other followers of Jesus I know have life a lot easier than it has been for me. I am just being honest. There has always been a part of me that wonders if I am doing something wrong and that’s why others are seemingly more ‘blessed’ than me. What these letters have taught me is that what you receive doesn’t reflect your worth or your value to God. He loves all of His children equally, though the way He expresses this is intentionally different. Jesus loved all seven churches intensely and equally. He died for all seven. He gave all seven His Holy Spirit. He wrote all seven a letter. Yet through His wisdom He didn’t give all seven the same rewards. Again, the reward does not reflect the value of the individual or the church. When we fully surrender to God, we are trusting Him with the results of our life. We are freed from living for ourselves and therefore we are able and free to celebrate the breakthroughs and blessings that our brothers and sisters experience, even when we don’t.

The seven churches were not in competition with each other in pursuit of God’s approval and love. He already approved and loved them through His Son. As a result of this truth I believe these churches would have celebrated and encouraged each other with their specific eternal and earthly rewards that were promised. I don’t believe there would have been jealousy among the churches. I believe they would use these letters to encourage each other and remind themselves of what God had in store for them"

Thanks for listening!

Season 1- episode 13

Beautiful Surrender: He Has My Yes

Part 3: The Results of Surrendering.

Chapter 12: An Unsuspecting Weed

"When I was 16, I was taught about surrendering and hearing God’s voice, which was incredible to me. There were certain things I was taught that I wouldn’t agree with now, but that is all part of the journey. Why I want to bring attention to this season of my life is because of what I have learned retrospectively from it. When I encountered Jesus and learned to hear from Him, so much of my time was dedicated to hearing from God and sharing the gospel with people through telling people my story of how I encountered God. Now I don’t have a problem with seeking God with everything you have. I hope that fire I have in my heart that was sparked in that season, and still hasn’t burned out to this day, never goes out. I love pursuing God with no motive or agenda other than to simply just be with Him. The challenge I have with that season of my life is that although I had a great passion to share Jesus with others through sharing my story, I realize now, a lot of my subconscious motives in that season was that people would walk away hearing my story of suffering and think “Wow Josiah is amazing”. I desired for people to look at my life and say, “Wow that kid’s inspiring.” The problem I have with this is, even though I had been transformed in not letting my health problems dictate my life, I still very much let it define me. You see even though it used to define me as being a failure, now I let it define me as being special, and I longed to be affirmed in that specialness from those who heard my story. Instead of letting God’s word itself affirm me, I used my story ‘in the name of sharing the gospel’ in pursuit of being affirmed of my significance. I searched for this significance all through my high school years and into my first couple years at university. Anyone and everyone who met me would hear me tell my story of suffering within our first three encounters together. I believe Paul when he declares that one can share the gospel with bad motives and God can still use it. I know God used my story in that season to encourage others, but again in hindsight the Holy Spirit has shown me that even though I thought I was freed from my health issues, I was still very much a slave to it. I became a slave to my story, as opposed to living free as a son."

Thanks for listening!

Season 1- episode 12

Beautiful Surrender: He Has My Yes

Part 3: The Results of Surrendering.

Chapter 11- They Called Him A Dreamer

"A lot can be learned through this story. I want to highlight how I understand the story of Joseph relates to the results that come from living a life fully surrendered to God. Despite having such a great destiny over his life, Joseph’s circumstances for many years never aligned with the two dreams that God had given him as a young man. What is amazing is that even though Joseph must have experienced a great tension between the reality he lived in and the call he knew he had over his life; he chose to live in accordance to the call. Joseph lived in response to what God spoke over him and not what he saw or experienced in his day-to-day life. God gave this man a dream that revealed he would be a man of great influence and authority. In contrast, Joseph found himself first a slave and then soon to follow, a prisoner. Despite these titles and experience, Joseph served as if he was already a man of influence. As a result, the bible said he found favor in God’s sight and everything he touched was blessed. We witness this in both seasons of his being a slave and a prisoner.

Some of us readers have also felt like God has told us we will do something of great significance during our time on earth. Yet, when we look at our past and current situation, it may not look any further from the truth. Like Joseph we have a choice whether we will believe and live according to what God has said, or let our circumstances determine our outcome. I am not talking about wishful thinking. I am talking about being faithful in the step we currently live in. I personally find this very challenging. I naturally dream and think about all the things I want to achieve someday. I don’t believe this to be a bad thing, for it is part of how God uniquely designed me. I have however found I need to be very careful in my life to be faithful in the current step I find myself in and not to get tripped up on a future step that is farther down my life’s path."

Thanks for listening! 

Season 1- episode 11

Beautiful Surrender: He Has My Yes

Part 3: The Results of Surrendering

Chapter 10- Generations and Nations 

"Right before Jesus is about to be betrayed and crucified, He is at His friend Simon’s house in Bethany. While He was there a woman came to Him and poured out a very expensive ointment on His head.  His friends/disciples who witness this act are horrified for two legitimate reasons. First, He allowed a woman to touch Him which is a very scandalous and almost sensual act to let happen. Secondly, they were upset because they felt like the ointment could have been sold for great profit and the proceeds could have been dispersed to the poor. Jesus rebukes His disciples and affirms that this woman is doing the will of God. He takes the conversation further and tells them that her story will be known wherever the gospel preached, throughout the generations and to all the nations![2] An unnamed woman in scripture becomes an example for all of time of one who is moved to participate in an approved action of God.

What I love about this story is that from a purely objective view of this woman’s action, it doesn’t seem overly significant. In our life and our own pursuit after Jesus we will also do things that may seem at times pointless. This woman was not anointing Jesus out of a desire for fame or fortune, but out of a genuine pursuit after Him. I don’t think she understood the significance of the action the Father asked her to do. Yet she desired to follow God no matter what the cost. The result was Jesus not only affirmed her publicly, but brought spiritual enlightenment to those who witnessed it confirming the significance and the impact of her simple obedience."

Thanks for listening!