Category: Jesus

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Embrace the suck

Michael J. Weiss, Sr.

Written by Dave Coffield

“God is far more likely to use pain, suffering, sorrow, grief, troubles, and such to grow us up into the character and image of His Son than He is to use happy times and pleasure.  I know what I like better.”  

“There is a reason that James says to ‘count it all joy when you encounter various trials’ and Paul says, ‘not only this but we also exult in our tribulations‘.  What would it be like to rejoice in the goodness of the Lord in the difficult times that He brings into our lives to accomplish good things in us?”

“The Army has a term I like.  ‘Embrace the suck’.  The understanding that you will be in environments that are difficult, painful, stressful, etc.  You endure it.  Hebrews says of Jesus, ‘Who, for the joy set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame…‘”

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Brand New Dad Reflects On Sleepless Nights

Michael J. Weiss, Sr.

Shared with permission, written by an Airborne Artillery Officer.

Zechariahs Prophecy. Yet another cannonball-sized movement in my heart from the Spirit. 

Luke 1:78-79

78  “because of the tender mercy of our God, 

whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high 

79  to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, 

to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

Those last four words are what did it for me. ‘The way of Peace‘. That sounds like a distant dream for me right now. We were up nearly all night trying to figure out how to calm our two-week-old Son; ultimately, we tried everything and made him so overtired that he didn’t fall asleep until he was on his Mom’s chest around 3 am. 

These days feel like combat for me, far from the way of peace. The days are unpredictable, and there seems to be no routine despite our efforts to set one. It’s combat. That’s the only way I know how to describe it. I thought last night, during the chaos of my all-nighter air assault mission that led directly into another movement at 3 am during my artillery platoon’s evaluation cycle at the National Training Center before deploying to Iraq. I remember feeling so deflated when I was called to the commander’s Humvee less than an hour after finishing this long, drawn-out failure of an air assault mission. I couldn’t believe I was going to have to do it again, and I was going to have to lead another platoon movement to a new firing position. This was insanity, and I could barely keep my eyes open. I remember leading the convoy, literally dozing in and out under my night vision goggles… 

Yep, that’s how the nights feel right now. Exhausted and battered, only to be called to the commander’s Humvee again and again. So why do those words ‘the way of peace‘ stand out to me so much? In my angry prayers for respite last night, I began to sense that this was indeed a time of testing from the Lord. How to answer the test? I haven’t figured it out yet. Except that these words this morning point me back to the purpose and mission of Jesus. And to the way in which he accomplished it.  

In my journey of faith, at least in recent years, I don’t think I have been physically and emotionally tested in the way that I am now. So, what does this mean, Lord? 

He leads my eyes back to verse 79… “to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.” Wow, I actually chuckled to re-read that. That’s exactly how it feels in the midnight hours—sitting in literal darkness, under the shadow of death, in this case, death being physical exhaustion and weariness. But the word clearly states that Jesus will be a light in this place, and that he will guide us out of it, into the way of peace. 

Hebrews 12:11

“For the moment, all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later, it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”

Thinking back to that all-nighter air assault mission. Why did they [the evaluating cadre] allow it to go on for that long? How was it beneficial? It taught me how to keep going. When there is nothing left. Literally nothing. It taught me to endure. To put on my helmet, brief the platoon, and get moving. To get through the breach and know that there would be rest on the other side, at some point.

I don’t know that I can pinpoint a time in Iraq when this testing came to bear fruit. Except maybe the night our howitzer exploded, and a mass casualty event kept us awake until the sunrise. And what did I do then? I got it done, and eventually I slept when it was all said and done. 

The way of peace is narrow, as Jesus himself said it. The way of being a new parent is rough. And I have a choice to make, each and every night. I have to choose that I am going to trust the one who is training me. I have to choose that I will believe in the fruit it will yield. 

Prayer

Jesus, as you always do, thank you for giving me space and clarity to write. To think through these things occurring in life. To see, to hear, and receive your teaching. My heart is full again now that I have understanding. My heart has joy to know it is all for good. Jesus, I will try, I will not quit, but will keep on trying to commit my heart to you during these late nights. Teach me when to engage our Son. Teach me Lord, to be following your way for my feet, and to let go of my own way. 

David Coffield, Featured Writers, Guest Post, J3 Khai Restoration, Jesus, Recommended Reading, Testimonies

Our faith grows to the extent that we grow in our connection and relationship with Jesus.

Michael J. Weiss, Sr.

It is a great privilege to share with you my experience as a broken man with a mighty God.  The older I get, the more impressed I am with Him and the less impressed I am with me.

I think Hebrews 12 has great advice for us.  “Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith.”  Endurance is basically hanging in there, moving on when we would rather stop.  I have run a 20 miler.  The question at mile 17 was no longer whether I could run again, but whether I could keep walking.  

Our couple’s study was working on James 2 last night and our discussion helped my understanding.  Faith is an ongoing connection with God.  It is not a one-time intellectual assent to God’s existence.  The noun (faith) and the verb (believe) share the same root word.  Our faith grows to the extent that we grow in our connection and relationship with Jesus.

Pick up the Bible, listen to the voice of God as He speaks.  Respond to Him.  It is as simple and profound as it gets.

Nobody does it well all the time.  Nobody gets it right all the time.  No one.  And it is ok because every believer has been clothed in the righteousness of Christ, all our sins have been forgiven, we have been adopted into His family, we are completely loved and accepted, we have eternal life.  Incredible. 

When Thanksgiving rolls around, I am drawn to Hebrews where it says, “Through Him, then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name.”  Giving thanks is a sacrifice we give to God.  Proud people are never thankful, they are entitled, they deserve it.  Humble people recognize that everything they have that is good comes from the hand of our loving Father (the bad and the good).  And we give thanks.

Your brother,

David

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God is Pro-Life and Pro-Choice

Michael J. Weiss, Sr.

I acknowledge I don’t know, understand or can comprehend the pain you are experiencing about the choice(s) you need to make. But, God does!!! The God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob does. The One True God who revealed his Name, Yahweh, to Moses, which means the all sufficient one, does. The God and Father of Jesus does. Jesus himself, the Son of Man, does. And of course Holy Spirit, the comforter, does. When we choose life we have their full support, love, grace and kindness.

King David said he choose to fear no evil while in dark valley’s becasue he knew his Shepherd was with him (Psalm 23.1). Is the Good Shepherd Jesus with you and his comforting Spirit within you?

Posted as part of the ministry of J3 Khai Restoration Ministries.

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The Creator of All Things

Michael J. Weiss, Sr.

By Charles J. Roles

“For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him (Colossians 1:16; also John 1:3; Hebrews 1:2).”

“Creation, revelation and incarnation are the three mightiest strands of witness available to us in aiding our minds to comprehend the reality of God. The creation demonstrates His power and appeals to the human reason, the revelation declares His purpose and appeals to the human conscience, while the incarnation displays His presence and appeals to the human heart. In creation, the mighty and the mite, the stupendous and the small, the tremendous and the tiny, the lofty and the lowly contribute their witness to His intricate work and infinite wisdom.”

“The enormous range of creation is beyond our powers of comprehension. Some worlds are so ponderous that human means of reckoning cannot estimate their size. Stars are so numerous, human calculation cannot determine their measure their expanse. Ages are so tremendous, human conception cannot comprehend their dimensions. How impotent and incompetent man appears in the light of such magnitudes! Well did David remark, ‘What is man, that Thou are mindful of him?’ (Psalm 8:4).”

“Within the bounds of our understanding, when we behold the height of the heavens, the sublimity of the sky, the splendor of the stars, the luster of light and the cosmos of color, we admire with wonder the celestial regions. In the sphere of our physical surroundings we may have our senses engaged and enriched by the symphony of sound, the melody of music, the majesty of mountains, the shimmer of streams, the variegation of valleys, the foliage of forests, the fullness of fountains, the flavors of fruits, the beauty of birds, the glint of gems, the sparkle of sapphires and the gleam of gold.”

“Even greater values than these await us in the spiritual realm, where we learn to revel in the triumph of truth, the kindness of kinship, the fidelity of friends, the sympathy of souls, the touch of tenderness, the character of constancy, the raiment of righteousness, the joy of justification, the happiness of hope, the pleasure of peace, the luster of love, the vestments of virtue and in millions more of such marvels which are all marked with the tracery of His fingers and the impress of His creative hands. ‘Without Him was not any thing made that was made’ (John 1:3). Marvel of marvels that such a Dignitary should submit tot he cruelty and crime of being crucified and become involved in what was known as ‘the scandal of the cross.’”

 Charles J. Rolls, The Indescribable Christ: Names and Titles of Jesus Christ: A-G (Loizeaux Brothers, 1984).

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I am Alpha and Omega (Revelation 22:13)

Michael J. Weiss, Sr.

As we Americans celebrate our independence, shall we say our beginning, today, July 4th, 2023, let us consider Jesus who has provided for our greatest freedom and who has not beginning or end.

“Other than you Jesus, no person exists who is in possession of titles and designations beginning with every letter of the alphabet, and no one can truthfully say that your names are merely incidentals casually coined. Every title you bear Messiah Jesus is wisely selected with a set purpose in view, and the profound accumulation of so many such, which rank highest in renown, vouch for that famous unchallengeable declaration made in your Word that a name is given to you, ‘which is above every name’ (Philippians 2:9). No other person, so manifoldly potential in capacity and so many-sided in practical ability, exists.”

“In majesty of power, in dignity of grace, in beauty of virtue and in eternity of love, you are without compare Messiah Jesus. The expansive orbit of your incorruptible glory never diminishes, the high tide of your imperial authority never recedes, and the floodlight of your immortal loveliness never declines. Age cannot palsy your perennial power, nor can the throes of time terminate your thoughtful tenderness. The years cannot compel you to yield your youthful vigor, nor can the centuries circumscribe your complete control. Duration cannot disintegrate your dominion, nor can millenniums mutilate your matchless majesty or mar your mercy.”

“What a glorious luster environs your abiding love Jesus! What a gorgeous miter engraces your attractive brow! What a gracious scepter engages your almighty hand! What a generous nature expresses your heavenly mind! Yet, withal, the tender touches of your wondrous grace and the silken sympathies of your plenteous mercy are dispensed alike to all; for you are no respecter of persons.”

“Can any one of us, or all our capacities combined, ever expect to fully comprehend you, Gods Messiah? How profitable it is to pause a moment and muse on your regal majesty and royal meekness. How edifying it is to think for a while on your replete might and resplendent mercy. How delightful the exercise to contemplate for a time your renowned merit and resourceful ministry. Each of these features surpasses in value and virtue the noblest estimates of the most venerable minds. Appraisers and valuators are altogether out of place in this domain; for the only suitable attitude is reverent worship.”

“When we attentively consider you Jesus, behold, your bountiful blessings are without boundary, your ocean-wide sufficiency is without trace of a shore, your lustrous lovingkindness is without limit, your care and considerateness are without circumference and the fervor of your fragrant faithfulness is free from all faction or friction, formality, or frustration. No artist, musician or poet can make you perfect. If we attempt to portray your obvious qualities and virtues using earthly analogies, we will need to utilize thousands of them. Should we venture to present your vocations and virtues even partially, we should require a whole host of types, symbols, memorials, images, and figures of speech to depict the range of your renown and to voice the riches of your resource within the visible realm, to say nothing of those functions which remain unrevealed. No other known Leader is so admirable, no other Ruler is so adaptable, no other Deliverer is so acceptable, no other Helper is so accessible, and no other Lover is so adorable as you are, Jesus Gods Messiah.”

 Charles J. Rolls, The Indescribable Christ: Names and Titles of Jesus Christ: A-G (Loizeaux Brothers, 1984). (Reworded into a personal prayer by J3 Khai Restoration Ministries)

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“The Builder of the Temple”

Michael J. Weiss, Sr.

“Behold the man whose name is The Branch … and He shall build the temple of Yahwehthe Lord (Zechariah 6:12; also Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 2:20–22).”

“The temple that was rebuilt by the remnant that returned to Jerusalem from Babylon was but a temporary structure. The five significant features that had been identified with Solomon’s temple were withheld. God did not write afresh the tables of the law, nor permit a new ark of the covenant to be made. He withheld from its precincts the divine oracle, the holy fire and also the Shekinah glory. However, He promised a greater Builder and a greater Glory, One who would far surpass in workmanship any of the structures erected by man. Living stones cut from the quarries of human nature and polished to excellence and perfection by the Spirit of God were to be built by Him into a holy temple in Yahwehthe Lord. The temple Christ builds is constructed from perfected lives, every stone bearing evidence of the character and nature of the Builder Himself. The inter-relationship of redemption is to be centered in eternal fellowship. The dedication of this temple when completed will mark the brightest and most blessed day that ever dawned; for it ushers in a reconstituted kingdom (Zechariah 6:13), a reconfirmed victory (14:4) and a regenerated world (14:9). Then we shall rightly adore the Builder for His wisdom, will and work, while angels wonder and worship (Ephesians 3:10).”

 Charles J. Rolls, The Indescribable Christ: Names and Titles of Jesus Christ: A-G (Loizeaux Brothers, 1984).

“Eternal Fellowship,” communion, relationship is the crux of the Gospel!!! Jesus says, “This is eternal life, that they might know you, the one true God, and him (Jesus himself) who you have sent. (Jn 17:3)”

David Coffield, Jesus

“I am completely accepted and delighted in as I am now.”

Michael J. Weiss, Sr.

I am ambivalent as I sit with the Lord in front of this paper. No blinding flash of brilliance, no keen insight, no remarkable perspective. No real sense of what God has in mind as I write. 

It does seem that guilt is a primary motivator in our experience as Christians. Maybe shame as well. Guilt and shame that we fall short so consistently. The nagging feeling that God is deeply disappointed with who I am and what I do. The realization forged through countless cycles of renewing zeal, striving mightily and still coming up short.

What if God were deeply delighted with who we were and what we were doing? What if God actually delighted in us because of the work of Jesus on Calvary? What if we were acceptable as we actually are right now? What if we would live in that mindset?

This is Good Friday. It is the day we celebrate the death of Christ on Calvary for our salvation. It is the great gift exchange. Jesus taking all of our sin and giving us all of His righteousness. It is 2 Corinthians 5:21 ‘He made Him, who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.’

I hope we never stray from the reality of Calvary and the wonder and miracle of salvation. I hope we grow in our understanding of grace day by day.

What are leaders afraid of? That people won’t grow without being pushed, exhorted, guilted? A healthy baby will grow. It doesn’t have to be pushed or watched or exhorted. It grows and it is happy to do so. 

Every day I am asking the Lord to help me come to the place where I serve Him with gladness. Where I delight to do His will. Where I see my relationship with Jesus as an incredible privilege and a marvelous opportunity. Where I am thrilled with the privilege of engaging with Him in relationship and in what He is up to and what he has designed me to do.

I am in the process of growing up in Christ. But I am completely accepted and delighted in as I am now. 

Your Brother, David

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Malawi Resurrection Weekend Conference

Michael J. Weiss, Sr.
Pastor Patrick Readson Welcoming the Ambassadors to the Conference

Friends, I, Michael Weiss, will teach during the Lion Of Judah Resurrection Weekend Conference in Malawi via Zoom.

Please join us at: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88371043387 (Passcode: HooYah)

There are going to be 7 sessions, the list below is in Central Standard Time.

Friday, April 7th at 1 pm

Saturday, April 8th at 2 am, 6:30 am and 12 pm

Sunday, April 9th at 2 am, 6:30 am and 12 pm

I do not know the exact time during each session when I will start teaching because there will be beautiful praise and worship first and we don’t know how long Holy Spirit will lead this time before He invites me to share.

But, please come join us for the worship time, Africians worship God with all their hearts, souls and bodies!!!

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God’s If, Then for you in Exodus 19

Michael J. Weiss, Sr.

Exodus 19:3–6 (NASB95)

3 Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain, saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob and tell the sons of Israel:

4 ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings, and brought you to Myself.

5 ‘Now then, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own possession among all the peoples, for all the earth is Mine;

6 and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the sons of Israel.”