For the past two weeks we have looked at what the impact would be if we believers lived with eternity in our hearts. We talked about looking out for the daily Divine “kairos” moments that would trigger a series of continuous events leading to breakthroughs and transformation. For that to happen, we need to change the way we think and do life. We need to come to a place where we live our lives believing that our prayers and our interactions with people around us are intentionally making the impossible possible. We need to change our default setting about what is possible and impossible.

Heaven’s default mindset

The default mindset in heaven is “with God all things are possible”. It has it source from who God is and what He is able to do. God Himself has established this mindset.

Jeremiah 32:27 (NKJV) “behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for me?

The heavenly beings have the same mindset. We see this in the response the angel gave to Mary during the announcement of the birth of Jesus.

Luke 1:37 (NKJV) For with God nothing will be impossible.

Jesus had the heavenly mindset

Jesus was subjected to the same human limitations we are, but he had a default mindset that believed all things were possible with God. We see this in Jesus’ daily interactions with those who came to him seeking the miraculous.

• In response to the rich young ruler

Matthew 19:23-26 (NKJV) Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

• In response to the father of the epileptic child

Mark 9:23 (NKJV) Jesus said to him, “if you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”

• In response to unbelief at the grave of Lazarus

John 11:39-42 (NKJV) Jesus said, “take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to him, “Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days.” Jesus said to her, “did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?” Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. And i know that you always hear me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that you sent me.”

What is noteworthy of this passage is that the mindset that “all things are possible with God” was so engrained in Jesus, so much so that praying for Lazarus to be raised from the dead was unnecessary for Jesus. He not only believed God could do it but he knew God will do it.

• At Gethsemane, the hour before Jesus was betrayed

Mark 14:36 (NKJV) and he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Take this cup away from me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what you will.”

Paul embraced this heavenly mindset

One can only assume that the disciples of Christ adopted the same mindset seeing the miracles that occurred in the early church. We know for a fact that the apostle Paul had embraced this mindset.

Philippians 4:13 (NKJV) I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

As we seek to bring the supernatural, miraculous, heavenly atmosphere wherever we are, we need to embrace this mindset which was prevalent in Biblical times – “with God all things are possible”. That requires us to think big. Much bigger that our finite minds can ever comprehend. Nothing is impossible with God. When we have that mindset embedded in us, we stop second guessing God possibilities. The only way we can make the impossible seem possible is if we look at it through the lenses that “with God all things are possible”.

Think big

The challenge we have before us is to think big. We need to stop limiting our ideas of God to our finite minds. The problem with modern day Christians is that we have this idea we are far superior in our intellect and understanding and that we know better than the ancient Biblical writers. We think because we are so much more advanced in technology, science and medicine that we are able to demystify the Bible and make it more palatable to the modern day reader. How foolish can we be not to realise that we have reduced an infinite God into our finite minds. Malcolm Muggeridge warned that this would happen. Speaking of humanity he said, “… at last, having educated himself into imbecility, and polluted and drugged himself into stupefaction, he keeled over – a weary, battered old brontosaurus – and became extinct”

Just because we find it hard to believe the things we read in Scripture. Just because it doesn’t make sense to our modern day educated mind. Just because we haven’t seen such things in our lifetime. It does not give us the right to alter the Scriptures. All we have is the right to choose – believe the Scriptures or reject it. That is our only choice. We do not have the prerogative to pick and choose. Neither do we have the authority to tone down the supernatural so as not to offend our intellect. Believe the Scriptures and live or reject the Scriptures at your own peril.

I am convinced that the reason why we aren’t seeing the miracles the early church experienced is simply because we do not have the same belief they shared. They saw God as He revealed Himself in Scriptures, through His Son and through the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit manifesting Himself in their midst. They was no question in their mind that God was able to do “exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us”. We have given too much credence to modern day preachers and less honour to what God is saying through His Word.

Not our faith but our attitude

For a long time, I have been convinced that I needed more faith to see the miraculous occur again in our lifetime. The disciples had the same concern. They asked Jesus to increase their faith. Jesus’ response to that appeal is quite telling. He wasn’t concerned about their level of faith. He was more interested in addressing their attitude towards their service to God.

Luke 17:5-6 (NKJV) and the apostles said to the Lord, “increase our faith.” So the Lord said, “if you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.

Jesus was debunking the myth that the bigger the miracle, the bigger the faith that is required. He uses the smallest of seeds and the most inconsequential of miracles to explain to them that faith is usually not the problem for the servant of God. All you need is faith the size of a mustard seed to do an act so impossible and of no significance, yet it will happen. A minute amount of faith to do what we would consider unachievable and unnecessary. So if it is not the size of our faith or the nobility of the act we are seeking the miracle for, what then is the obstacle that stands in our way to see the miracles Jesus did?

After the brief treatment to address the plea for more faith, Jesus goes on to uncover the real reason behind the lack of ability to make the impossible possible. It isn’t faith that is the issue, it is our attitude. Using the harsh expectations of human masters, Jesus highlights the effective nature of true servanthood when applied in the service of God.

Big thinking requires an attitude of a servant

As we delve a little more into Luke 17:5-10, we can see two attitudes that get in the way of the mindset that is needed to see the impossible become possible. I’m calling them trappings – the trappings of instant reward and the trappings of entitlement.

Luke 17:7-10 (NKJV) And which of you, having a servant plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and sit down to eat’? But will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare something for my supper, and gird yourself and serve me till I have eaten and drunk, and afterward you will eat and drink’? Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I think not. So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.’ ”

Within this passage I can see two unhealthy attitudes that may be inadvertently cultivated by a disciple which hinders the miraculous from becoming a norm in our daily lives.

The trappings of instant reward

Luke 17:7 (NKJV) and which of you, having a servant plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘come at once and sit down to eat’?

There is an implied expectation that servants may expect instant reward when the tasks of the day have not been completed yet. After completing one of the tasks half way through the day does a servant expect a red carpet rolled out and he be served by his master? Jesus is not saying a servant should not expect a reward at the end of the “day”. It is the expectation to receive reward when the job is halfway completed.

The “give me now” attitude stems from the modern day microwave, “ultrafast fibre” generation we live in today. Isn’t that what the younger son suffered from in the prodigal son story. ‘Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.’ He wanted his inheritance now. He wasn’t prepared to wait for the process of natural transition of wealth from father to sons. He didn’t appreciate the time it takes to form character in a person who was to inherit such a glorious inheritance. We all know the tragic events that would unfold in this young man’s life once he received his instant reward. He squandered his inheritance in “wasteful living”.

We expect instant responses from God, as if He is the waiter in a five star restaurant and we are highly valued patrons. We don’t say this aloud, but there are times when we feel we have done God a favour, toiled for hours and served Him in the field – did a fast for a week, prayed on the matter for nearly a year, spoke in tongues for 30 mins a day for the past year – I’ve done what I’m supposed to do now where is my reward? Like a servant who has become so familiar with his master, we begin to expect an invitation to the table before the “day” is complete.

This “instant reward” attitude nearly cost Abraham his promise. Tempted to sit at the table before the “day” was complete, he opted for a quicker option. Ishmael was not the promise. He had settled for something that would have long term consequences. We are still experiencing the ramifications of the son born out of a “give me my reward now” attitude. Abraham had to learn that the “day” was not over yet. There were tasks to do before he could sit at the table and feast on his promise. It took 25 years from the when the promise was given, for the “day” to be over.

The prophet Jeremiah is an example of a true servant. He struggled to stay focused on his chores for the “day”. He had to learn to keep preaching to a crowd who was not only hostile to his prophecies but threatened his life. Even though the first part of his prophecy was fulfilled in his life time, the people of Israel who now were in exile, still refused to believe the second part of his prophecy that the exile would last for seventy years. He wasn’t able to see the fruit of his ministry in his life time. The fulfillment came after his death.

The trap of instant reward will get in the way of big thinking. We need to make an attitude change if this is something we are struggling with.

The trappings of entitlement

It’s not just the “instant reward” expectation that will effect our ability to see the impossible become possible. Another dangerous attitude that can creep up on us is the trappings of feeling the sense of entitlement. Here the servant not only has an expectation for reward, he has developed a sense that he is entitled for the reward.

Luke 17:9 (NKJV) does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I think not.

This very subtle attitude can hide behind feelings of disappointment, discouragement or even a sense that God has let us down. I like to call it the “I deserve better” attitude. If the first attitude was similar to the youngest son in the prodigal son story, this attitude is more closely aligned to the eldest son.

Luke 15:29 (NKJV) so he answered and said to his father, ‘lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends.

Notice the language of entitlement in the eldest son’s response to the father. “I have been serving you – you never gave me”. I’ve been doing my part, you have been slack on yours. Basically I’m saying to you “I deserve better”.

The psalmist gave us an honest assessment of his struggle with the trappings of entitlement.

Psalms 73:1-3 (NKJV) Truly God is good to Israel, To such as are pure in heart. But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; My steps had nearly slipped. For I was envious of the boastful, When I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

The psalmist was able to recognise his folly because he had a good foundation in his relationship with God. “Truly God is good”. It is never God that is the problem. When there is a need for an attitude adjustment it will never be on God’s side. It will always be mine. God is truly good – all the time. Realising that God is not at fault, he begins to take stock of the feelings he was having as he looked at the proud and wicked all around him. They were prospering in their wicked deeds and it just seemed that God was favouring or rewarding such evil behaviour. He walked into a very slippery slop when he began to think “I deserve better”. I’m the “pure in heart” and they are getting the reward.

Thankfully he enters into the very environment that medicated his soul.

Psalms 73:16-17 (NKJV) When I thought how to understand this, It was too painful for me. Until I went into the sanctuary of God

This is the key to understanding God’s ways. From within His sanctuary and not without. The worst thing we can do in the midst of our toxic thinking of “I deserve better than this”, is to try and figure things out without God. For the psalmist, he credited his attitude adjustment to him being in the presence of God and experiencing the goodness of God afresh. The antidote for the trappings of entitlement is experiencing God afresh on a daily basis.

The trappings of “instant reward” and the trappings of entitlement, will get in the way of big thinking.

Big thinking requires the attitude of a true servant

Luke 17:10 (NKJV) So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘we are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.’

If this sounds offensive to you, I recommend an attitude adjustment. If we want to see the miracles the man Jesus did, and greater things because he is now with the Father, we need to embrace the attitude he had in his service to the Father. Look at the language of a true servant:

John 5:19 (NKJV) then Jesus answered and said to them, “most assuredly, I say to you, the son can do nothing of himself, but what he sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the son also does in like manner.

Matthew 26:39 (NKJV) he went a little farther and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, “O my Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”

If we want to see the impossible happen in our lifetime we need a change in our default thinking. We need to adopt the heavenly mindset “with God all things are possible”. Such big thinking however requires an attitude of a true servant. Watch out for the trappings of “instant reward” and the trappings of entitlement. They get in the way of big thinking.

Think big but start small

As we draw this reflection to a close, I want to point out that big thinking does not necessarily mean big acts. Sometimes we have lofty thinking and it can stop us from doing anything at all. We get paralysed by the magnitude of the possibilities God can do, that we fail to do anything at all. We look at the things we are doing and assume it they are just too small and insignificant to make even a dent in this mammoth task that is before us. We need to remember that small is big in the economy of God. Let us not despise small beginnings. The parable of the goats and sheep in Matthew 25:31-40 emphasise this idea that small acts done for Christ have eternal impact.

Matthew 25:40 (NKJV) And the king will answer and say to them, ‘assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.’

The servants were surprised at the impact they had on Christ. “When did we do such a lofty thing like serve the King of kings? When did we feed You, as if we had the capability to feed one who owns the universe? When did we cloth You, the One who clothes the lilies of the valley? When did we visit You? We would have known it if we did such a spectacular thing like this.”

The response of the king must register in the depth of our being. Small acts of kindness have eternal consequences.

The flip side to this parable is passage the in Matthew seven, where Jesus warned those who think it is the big acts that get them top marks.

Matthew 7:22-23 (NKJV) Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’

Big thinking does not require towering acts of service. Big thinking merely requires small beginnings. Start somewhere. Do small acts and see what that mindset that “with God all things are possible” will produce in those small acts. So think big – “nothing is impossible with God”. But start small – even the most insignificant act of kindness matters when we do it with eternity in mind.

Last week we looked at the Biblical concept of time. We saw that our concept of time will give us the context weare living in. Our context will determine the choices we make and the actions we take. The tribe of Issachar were “men who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do”. Discerning correctly the times we are in, will ensure we know the appropriate course of action we should take.

We also looked at three Hebrew words for time which speak of three distinct time concepts found in the Bible. The passage in Ecclesiastes 3:1-11 introduces us to these three different ideas of time – zemân, ‘êṯ, and ‘olam. (See last week’s blog for an understanding of these three time concepts.)

This week we want to focus on the third concept which is ‘olam translated as eternity in Ecclesiastes 3:11.

Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NASB alternate reading) He has also set eternity (‘olam) in their heart, Without which man will not find out the work which god has done from the beginning even to the end.

The word ‘olam means a series of times. It’s the linking of an unlimited series of Divine kairos moments that are working out God’s eternal salvation plan. The author of Ecclesiastes is saying there is another time clock that’s exists in life which is separate from chronological time we live in. It is embedded in the heart of everyone. It is called eternity. The only way one can discover or discern what God is doing is to be in touch with this internal Divine time clock called eternity. You can go on living in “chronos” time and get lost in the futility of life, or you can choose to be guided by that internal time clock called eternity and live your life in partnership with God.

Jesus put it this way “my father is always working, and so am I” (John 5:17). Jesus had this mindset while on earth – God was always working His salvation plan – seeking and saving the lost. So everyday, Jesus looked for Divine activity (kairos moments) and joined God in His work. Transformational momentum is created when we live like that. I want to give you 2 examples of what happens when we live with “eternity in our hearts”.

Example 1: The momentum for healing

In this example we will see how the faith to believe for their miracle of healing developed a life of its own as people stepped out of the box and began pushing the limitations of their faith. A momentum was created by these Divine kairos events.

People touch Jesus and get healed

Luke 6:19 (NKJV) and the whole multitude sought to touch him, for power went out from him and healed them all.

Luke tells us that it became somewhat of a norm for the sick to push their way into a crowd in order to touch Jesus and receive their healing. Where did they get the idea that if you touched Jesus you will get healed. Someone one day must have stumbled on this. He or she must have bumped into Jesus in the crowd and suddenly realised they were totally healed. Word must have got around and now multitudes have come to believe that if they get close enough to Jesus and touch him they will be healed.

The woman with an issue of blood

Matthew 9:20-21 (NLT) just then a woman who had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding came up behind him. She touched the fringe of his robe, for she thought, “if I can just touch his robe, I will be healed.”

We need to understand a little bit of Old Testament culture in order to fully grasp the significance of what this woman did. The woman had been suffering from a physical condition where she was constantly bleeding for twelve years. In the Mosaic law it stipulates what a woman had to do when she was going through her monthly menstrual cycle.

Leviticus 15:19 (NKJV) If a woman has a discharge, and the discharge from her body is blood, she shall be set apart seven days; and whoever touches her shall be unclean until evening.

Leviticus 15:25 (NKJV) ‘If a woman has a discharge of blood for many days, other than at the time of her customary impurity, or if it runs beyond her usual time of impurity, all the days of her unclean discharge shall be as the days of her customary impurity. She shall be unclean.

This poor woman had to keep herself in isolation for twelve years as she continued to seek treatment for her medical condition. This one time she decided to risk it all because Jesus was passing her way. Not only does she risk breaking the law by mingling with the crowd, she was now considering touching Jesus for her healing. She probably was thinking if she did touch Jesus, the Old Testament law will render Jesus unclean for a whole day and he would have to go through the purification ritual to make himself clean again. So instead of touching Jesus, she decides to just touch the fringe of his garment. She was healed.

We see a development now from people who believed that if they touched Jesus they will be healed, to a woman who believed she didn’t need to touch Jesus – just touching the fringe of his robe would be sufficient.

Peter’s shadow healing the sick

Acts 5:15-16 (NKJV) they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them. also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed.

Fast track to post resurrection. We see the momentum for healing pick up with the number of healings increasing exponentially after Pentecost. By the time we get to chapter five of the book of Acts, we see that the city of Jerusalem was so charged up with the atmosphere of faith that people began to believe that God was not restricted by the need to have physical contact with the one carrying the anointing to heal. The crowds believed that healing was possible if they just close to Peter, just close enough so his shadow would touch them.

Paul’s unusual miracles

Acts 19:11-12 (NKJV) now God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul, so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them.

Things sure picked up steam and by the time we get to chapter nineteen, the faith of believers had reached a place where they were no longer restricted by touch or distance.

Example 2: Momentum to eradicate poverty

Another example of how one event seemed to have triggered a series of events that created momentum for faith to increase and thrive is in the area of helping the poor. Ministry and concern for the poor featured much in the New Testament. It began right from the onset of the early church and continued to spread among the Greek churches planted by Paul. What I want to highlight is the shape and form the ministry took on as time went on.

The church in Jerusalem gave to the poor

Acts 2:45 (NKJV) and they sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.

We see that the early church right from its infancy began to provide for those who were poor. People were selling stuff that was hanging around in the garage, possessions they could do without and channeled sales to the poor among them.

The church in Jerusalem was able to eradicate poverty in their midst

Acts 4:34 (NKJV) nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold,

By the time we get to chapter four, the church took it up a notch. Christians sensed that God was in this and began to increase momentum in helping the poor among them. The wealthy who owned multiple houses and lands, began selling them to help the poor. The momentum built to a point where anyone who was poor, who allowed themselves to be part of this faith community in Jerusalem, found themselves being freed from the bondage of poverty. In fact Luke says there was “no one among them who lacked”. Imagine a community that becomes aware of what God was doing among the poor, joins in with Him and increases the intensity of their giving to the point they had eradicated poverty within their sphere of influence.

Christians in Macedonia gave beyond their ability

2 Corinthians 8:1-4 (NKJV) moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.

What started as people who were wealthy helping the poor, grew in influence to the point that those who were in “deep poverty themselves” tapped into divine resources and gave beyond their capacity to give.

We need to realise that every act we do in obedience to God’s word, has a potential of creating a momentum that will influence others to act in similar ways and result in large scale transformation. That’s what living with eternity in our hearts looks like. We have a choice to live the mundane “chronos” life and be caught up in the futility of life, or we could start living with this eternity time clock embedded in us. Discern what God is doing and respond accordingly. This kind of lifestyle will create momentum. The more of us living like that will create a tsunami of change, a supernatural transformation in our lives, our families, our communities, our city and our nation.

How do we do this? Is there a formula, a recipe, a blueprint so we can all follow. My experience and based on my study of the great men and women of faith in the Bible, we stumble into this life. It isn’t a science. We just put one foot in front of the other till we see God’s plan unfold in and through us. The best picture that is given to us is the story of the four lepers in 2 Kings chapter 7.

Stumbling into eternity

The story has its context in a time when Israel was in a severe famine. The city of Samaria was under siege by the Syrian army. The Bible tells us the famine was so severe that a donkey’s head sold for 80 silver shekel (about $50). Not only was it an unclean animal it was the worthless part of the body – and it was going for top dollar as if it was a rib eye steak. The desperate situation catapulted four lepers into what would be one of the most unusual and amazing miracles in the Bible.

2 Kings 7:3-4 (NKJV) They said to one another, “why are we sitting here until we die? If we say, ‘we will enter the city,’ the famine is in the city, and we shall die there. And if we sit here, we die also. Now therefore, come, let us surrender to the army of the Syrians. If they keep us alive, we shall live; and if they kill us, we shall only die.”

It wasn’t much of a faith declaration. In fact it was more of rolling a dice. “Let’s take a chance. We may have more luck with the enemy.”

Stumbling into victory

2 Kings 7:5-8 (NKJV) When they had come to the outskirts of the Syrian camp, to their surprise no one was there. For the Lord had caused the army of the Syrians to hear the noise of chariots and the noise of horses—the noise of a great army; So they said to one another, “look, the king of Israel has hired against us the kings of the Hittites and the kings of the Egyptians to attack us!” Therefore they arose and fled at twilight, and left the camp intact—their tents, their horses, and their donkeys—and they fled for their lives. And when these lepers came to the outskirts of the camp, they went into one tent and ate and drank, and carried from it silver and gold and clothing, and went and hid them; then they came back and entered another tent, and carried some from there also, and went and hid it.

They didn’t have a strategy. They didn’t follow a formula. They just put one foot in front of the other but unbeknown to them they were walking in step with God. Every step they took, all of heaven rolled on in front of them. They were clueless of what was happening. It wasn’t for them to know. They just had to put one foot in front of the other. They had stumbled into eternity time zone. They literally stumbled into their miracle.

We are living in unprecedented times and seasons. To continue to live our lives merely driven by “chronos” time will be a tragedy. God is doing something in our midst. Be aware everyday. Look out for those “kairos” moments of Divine activity. Because God is working all the time. Put one foot in front of the other and walk with God. Let’s see what God will do in and through us.