“Rooted” with Billy Huddleston
Written by scoopsnews on September 1, 2019 – 5:00 pm -
Billy Huddleston
Kingdom Power
Mark 9:14-29
“And he [Jesus] said unto them,
“This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.”
Mark 9:29
Powerless.
There’s no other way to describe the disciples’condition in Mark 9:14-29. The tragedy is this: A life was literally hanging in the balance. You’ll remember that there is a father that has brought his son to Jesus. They’ve come because the boy is in a desperate condition. Mark tells us that he is overcome with “a dumb spirit”.
In other words, there is a spiritual battle going on. This is not simply a physical condition. The kingdom of darkness desires to claim this boy as its own. And, sadly, the representatives of the Kingdom of Light are powerless against it. The father looked to them in Jesus’ absence (remember—He had taken Peter, James, and John up on the mount) to do for his son what needed to be done. But, they can’t. Left to them the kingdom of darkness would be victorious.
Don’t you want to jump to the disciples’ defense?
I know I do . . .
He’s Jesus . . .
. . . they’re just men . . .
. . . C’mon dad . . .
. . . Don’t put that on them . . .
That’s just not fair.
It’s natural to want to defend them.
But, I can’t.
I can’t because I know that whenever you approach the Word of God, you approach it as a whole. Meaning, you can’t divorce a section of the Word from the rest of the Book. In other words, you interpret the part by the whole, not the other way around. Scripture interprets Scripture.
Mark 6 (you should go back and refresh your memory by reading the first two sections) shows us that they had done it before. The disciples had gone out under the authority of the Kingdom. They operated under that authority and Kingdom power was displayed. They literally healed the sick. They touched people who were out of their minds, and God’s power put them in their right mind. (By the way, don’t you wish that would happen with a few people you know?!?)
So, it was natural that the father would ask.
He did.
And, they couldn’t.
Why? They had been rebelling against the Kingdom. For six days (see Mark 9:2) they had been arguing with Jesus about what the Messiah had come to do. Jesus was saying that He had come to die. Peter, as the mouthpiece of the twelve, said it doesn’t and it won’t happen that way.
They had rebelled against the Kingdom.
They had argued with the Authority of the Kingdom, Jesus.
You cannot rebel against Kingdom authority and expect to operate in Kingdom power.
In other words: We can’t do it our way. It has to be His.
Disobedience hinders the work of God.
Jesus drives the point home in His teaching at the end of the narrative. He says that Kingdom Power can only be displayed through dependency and desperation. He says it like this, “this kind can only come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.”.
Dependency.
Desperation.
Do those words describe you?
Are you dependent upon Him more than you are your smart phone?
Are you desperate to see His power revealed in your family, church, world?
If not, is there any wonder why we’re powerless?
Kingdom Power flows through people that are dependent and desperate for Him.
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“Rooted” With Billy Huddleston
Written by scoopsnews on August 18, 2019 – 11:48 am -
Billy Huddleston
As I travel, many people have come up to me and said, “Billy, I remember the revival when…” and describe a wondrous work that God did in the past. Sometimes, the conversation will end with, “Oh Billy, I believe that God will do something like that again one day. Maybe my grandchildren will see it.”
When I was doing my study on Psalm 63, I found something interesting about verse two that made me wonder, is the next big thing really far off in the future? Or, can it be felt now, in today’s time? Let’s read together…
The King James Version says, “To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.”
This verse speaks of the same thing we long for in our day and time – a fresh word from heaven. But, did you know that translators word this verse differently throughout their translations? That means that you might read it in the NIV and the verse is all in the past tense… “I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory.” Then, you might turn to the ESV and see the verse in the present tense… “So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory.” Or, you might come across the Good News Translation and find this verse in the future tense… “Let me see you in the sanctuary; let me see how mighty and glorious you are.”
What is one to do with such a dilemma?
While it might seem complicated, it’s actually pretty simple. You see, Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever – that means every translator got it right. God has worked in the past, He is working right now and He will continue to show His power in the future. The question is, are we longing to see Him work in such a way? Is He our one consuming desire?
If a group of people consistently seek God’s face and desire to see Him move in their church and communities…there is
no telling what kind of revival will break out. When God’s children seek Him, He will do it again!
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“Rooted” with Billy Huddleston
Written by scoopsnews on December 16, 2018 – 2:10 am -
Rooted With Billy Huddleston
“For I will work a work in your days, which ye will not believe, though it be told you.”
Habakkuk 1:5
The book of Habakkuk may not be the first place you would look for a Christmas verse, but the Lord has impressed this one on my mind this season. In Habakkuk’s small book, we find him asking God a lot of questions that surprisingly, seem to be almost identical to the things we ask the Lord in our day and time.
To paraphrase, Habakkuk sums up the world he lived in by saying, “God, I’m looking around me and there’s nothing but trouble.”
Sound familiar?
Pay close attention to God’s reply in verse five, “For I will work a work in your days, which ye will not believe, though it be told you.” In Habakkuk’s day, the work spoken of in this verse was the promise of Jesus’ birth, the Christmas story. The promise that He would come down to us when we could not go to Him. When it seemed like there was no way and no hope – God was at work. And you know what? Just because Jesus came over 2,000 years ago and grew up to die for our sins on the cross does not take away from the promise of Christmas. Instead, we are incredibly blessed because today we live in the midst of the promise. Because He has come, there is healing, hope, restoration, provision, and so much more!
That’s Christmas.
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Rooted With Billy Huddleston
Written by SGN Scoops Staff on July 8, 2018 – 6:32 am -
Billy Huddleston
Just What He Needed
Mark 2:1-5
This week’s Rooted is a little longer than normal. I hope that you’ll read it all the way through. This is one of the most beautiful pictures that I’ve seen in Scripture – the way that Jesus deals with an outcast – in quite some time. I pray that it will speak to you like it has spoken to me.
He was tortured—not only by his condition but also by his mindset. He was a paralytic. His body was useless. He couldn’t do any of the things normal people would do. Simple things such as going for a walk, feeding himself, going to the restroom alone, cleaning himself, and going to synagogue were all out of the question for him.
He was completely dependent upon others to complete these simple tasks that we so easily take for granted. Physical needs can be tended to. Perhaps begrudgingly, but there would be those who would care enough to do what was necessary. They would bear the burden of another. They would tend to this man’s physical needs.
We’re more than just physical beings, however. We’re packed with feelings, and powerful emotions. He was not exempt.
Of course, no one can know—no one besides the man—what he was truly feeling. However, we doknow how others felt about him. With the exception of his four genuine friends, others believed he was getting what he deserved. Surely his affliction was a penalty for a huge sin in his life. (Remember the question in John 9:1-5 that the disciples asked about the blind man: Is this man blind because of sin in his life or sin in his parents’ lives?) It’s the same idea as the leper; because of sin in his life God has removed His hand of mercy.
This was payment.
This was deserved.
Memory Is a Powerful Thing
If you’re told something long enough—regardless of reality—you begin to believe it. If a father tells his son he’s stupid over and over again, he’ll eventually believe it. Memory is why elephants can be controlled with simply one small chain attaching one foot to a tree stump.
Rooted With Billy Huddleston
When the elephant is still a baby, the owner chains it to something heavy, so he won’t escape camp. It’s free to roam during the day, but each night it’s chained. Eventually, the elephant grows in size, weight, and strength. When the chain is put back on his foot and fastened to a small stump, he could easily pull the stump out of the ground or even break the chain. But because of the elephant’s strong memory, he believes the chain is stronger than he is. While his foot is chained, he is forever a prisoner to the chain.
Transition to the paralytic.
For years he’d been chained to feelings of inadequacy.
He was tortured.
Ostracized. The name-calling. And so many questions.
Why him? Why this? Will it ever end?
Maybe the stain went much deeper. Maybe he knew what he’d done. If the paralysis was the result of some terrible accident later in life, perhaps he could point to the sin, the cause for this result. No one else might know, but he did. He felt he deserved it, that this was fair penalty.
If only he could go back . . .
make different decisions . . .
his life would be different.
The mat was a sentence—
a life sentence that he would have to accept.
Taken to Jesus
He was tortured.
But, Jesus was in the house.
They carry him to Jesus.
You remember the scene in our last chapter. We witnessed the effort of the four friends. Their care and concern was evident. But, the house was overflowing. They’ve got to get to Jesus. This burden had become too much to bear. Touching Jesus was all that mattered.
The curiosity of the crowd kept them from getting through the door. The desperation of their circumstance and the determination not to let this opportunity pass found them on the roof. They lay him down in the corner and spring into action. Unroofing the roof. Removing the tile. Digging through the thatch and mortar. As they labor, he’s once again alone with his thoughts. . . .
Was he embarrassed? I wish they wouldn’t. I didn’t ask for this.
Was he angry? You have no idea how I feel! And you’re only making it worse!
Was he self-conscious? Once again, the center of attention. The stares never end.
Was he grateful? Thank you! You’re enabling me to accomplish what I could never do on my own.
He Was Confused
He probably felt a mixture of all the above. Plus—he felt judged!
Let’s not lose sight of what’s going on here. He was the punished—the outcast seemingly as judgment of God.
Now, he’s had a stark reminder of how the people felt about him as they refused to let them pass through the door. He was able to hear the insults, to see the looks of disdain. It was simply the reality of his condition—the repeated percussion of worthlessness and despair.
On top of this, the men who had carried him here were now doing the unthinkable. They were tearing a hole in the roof. Do you realize how improper this action is?
Normal people don’t act this way.
The roof is there for a reason.
It affords shelter from the elements and shade in the day.
It’s protection from intruders of all kind and provides warmth on a cool night.
You simply don’t destroy another’s property.
What would the homeowners say?
What would they do?
This is completely out of line!
It’s an Interruption
Don’t forget what’s going on inside the house—what they’re about to interrupt. The Teacher is there. After all, that’s why the crowd has come. This is a teacher unlike any other. He teaches as though He actually knows what He’s talking about.
He speaks with authority!
Rabbis or teachers didn’t like to be interrupted.
It wasn’t looked upon favorably by either student or teacher.
But, that’s exactly what was going to happen.
Questions mounting.
An unclean, unwanted, unwelcome vandal. That’s what he has become.
What would be the reaction of the crowd?
How would the homeowner respond?
What would the teacher do?
Tortured.
There’s no other word for it.
He felt tortured.
It pulsated through his veins.
It taunted his thoughts.
It seared like a branding iron on soft skin.
All the questions would soon be answered. The men approach. With bleeding, dirty hands they take the corners of his prison. They lift and carry him to the hole they’ve made in the roof.
They lower him down. In front of everybody . . . right to the feet . . . of Jesus.
Look at him. Do you see the concern on his face? It’s written all over. The fear? The worry? Life has treated him harshly.
Jesus saw.
Wow. Aren’t you thankful that we have a Jesus who’s concerned about the entire individual? There it is: The benefit! Can you place yourself on that mat? It’s all about you. You’re center stage. Christ’s eyes are focused on you.
He saw his physical need. There’s no question about this. Everybody could see it. He’s on a mat. His body is a twisted, tangled, useless mess. After all, that’s why they brought him here. He can’t walk. He can’t do anything. Physically, he’s broken. His life had become nothing but a burden, to him and everyone else.
What Jesus Sees
Jesus sees beyond the exterior to the interior. He is aware of much more than just the physical brokenness of this man. Looking beyond the shell, He sees the isolation, hurt, questions, and messy emotions. In other words, He sees the torture. He cares for the whole person.
Questions. Fears.
Feelings of inadequacy.
Tortured.
How would the teacher respond?
All questions are answered as Jesus begins to speak:
When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic,
“Son, your sins are forgiven you” (Mark 2:5).
Did you hear it?
“So . . .”
That’s how He begins. The first word He says is son.
That’s a big deal.
You see, it really is about YOU.
May we pause here for just a minute?
If we’re not careful we’ll read right over and miss the beauty of what’s going on. It’s easy to assume that this type of speech was common in Jesus vernacular. But it wasn’t.
This type of language is familial language. In other words, it’s the language of family. In the context of Jewish society in this biblical time if you were referring to one as son, he was actually your son.
Or, if you called someone child or daughter, she really was your child or daughter. It’s family talk. It’s very intimate. And, Jesus simply didn’t talk like this often. He would use the word son if He were speaking of one’s son, or daughter if He were referring to one’s daughter. But for Him to actually address someone as son or daughter was rare.
Three times.
That’s all.
That’s a big deal.
It’s a really big deal when you begin to realize that the only times you hear Him talk like this is to the outcast, the unwanted, the insecure. The words come from His mouth as an embrace to a fearful child. In the midst of turmoil He speaks comfort, peace, reassurance. Such a beautiful sound!
The only other times Jesus does this is in Mark 5:34 and in John 13:33.
They brought him to Jesus.
The callousness of the crowd made the house impenetrable.
A hole has been torn in the roof.
The instruction time of the Teacher has been interrupted.
The look of concern was on the man’s twisted face.
Tortured.
Jesus sees this man. Really sees him. Sure, He sees his physical need. However, He’s sees much more than that. First and foremost, He sees a heart that needs to be reconciled to his Father. He’ll deal with that for sure. His perception is perfect. There’s nothing hidden. He sees the feelings of inadequacy, hears the questions from his heart of why?
The incorrect thinking was obvious and needed to be corrected. So, with a word He verbally caresses the discomfort . . . erases all concern . . . embraces him with His word.
Son.
The first word He says.
He knew him.
He loved him.
He called him son.
Jesus lifts the man from the mat emotionally before He ever lifts Him physically.
His word spoke life.
Just what He needed.
Listen.
And, hear Him speak words today that you need to hear . . .
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Rooted with Billy Huddleston
Written by Staff on July 1, 2018 – 7:25 am -
An Unexpected Interruption
She Was Broken Physically. . .
“And suddenly, a woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years,
came from behind. . .” (Matthew 9:20)
Mark adds this:
“. . . and had suffered many things from many physicians” (Mark 5:25-26).
Twelve years
4,383 days
6,311,520 minutes
378,691,200 seconds she had dealt with this issue.
It wasn’t normal. It wasn’t right. She had tried everything she knew to do. Doctors visited. Prayer after prayer has been prayed. Medicines taken and applied. Home remedies: Two chicken feathers dipped in lamp oil and matted with freshly shorn wool. She tried it all, but nothing would bring the relief she needed and longed for. What hopes were lingering now are beginning to diminish. She’s had her last doctor visit. She was no longer welcome to any physician.
She Was Broken Financially. . .
“She had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse”
(Mark 5:26).
What little glimmer of hope she may have had in the medical profession was now gone. Considering that even if there were a wonder doctor that relocated to her area she wouldn’t be able to see him. Or, if some miracle cure was discovered, some newly researched medical breakthrough, it would be of no help to her. Why? She couldn’t afford it. She had written her last check. The bank had closed her account. Everything was gone. She had exhausted her funds. What a mess.
She Was Broken Spiritually. . .
Deserved. That’s what they thought. It’s a working out of the sin in her life. She must be some sort of pervert . . . she’s receiving punishment. God’s punishment. He had removed His hand from her life. She saw it in their eyes. The judgement. The disdain. All this had her an emotional wreck.
She Was Broken Relationally. . .
She’d never have a family of her own. Her condition made it impossible. Whatever bed she sat on, she would defile. She was unlovable, unwanted. Certainly she was being punished. She might as well just wait for it all to come to an end.
Broken.
That’s what she was. There’s just no other way to put it.
Completely broken.
What do you do with broken things?
Throw them out.
Get rid of them.
Carry out the trash.
The garbage must be discarded.
But, not the Artist. . . He’s at work and He sees a masterpiece.
She matters to the Father. He’s willing to move heaven and earth to help her. It’s all about her.
That’s how long she’s been waiting, how long she’s suffered. That’s how long she had been broken. But today something’s about to change.
“When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd
and touched His garment. For she said,
‘If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well’” (Mark 5:27-28).
With the words “If only . . .” on her tongue, she makes her way to Jesus. I’m sure her heart sinks as she sees the crowd crushing in. She uses what little strength she has to edge her way through that crowd. They’re relentless. She’s weak, frail.
Tossed around like a ping-pong ball, she pushes her way through. In an instant she’s thrown to her knees. . . but, she can’t stop now. She’s almost there. When she gets within an arm’s length of Jesus, she reaches out her frail, trembling hand and grabs the edge of His garment and:
“Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up,
and she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction” (Mark 5:29).
Immediately.
In an instant what she had given everything for she received. What she had sought after for twelve long years she found in a touch of the Artist. Reworked. Restored. She came to Him in pieces, now she leaves in His peace.
Billy Huddleston
An unexpected interruption.
That’s the only way you can describe what just happened.
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“Rooted” With Billy Huddleston
Written by scoopsnews on June 11, 2018 – 10:30 am -
God’s Got Your Back
“And when he came to his disciples, he saw a great multitude about them, and the scribes questioning with them. And straightway all the people, when they beheld him, were greatly amazed, and running to him saluted him. And he asked the scribes, “What question ye with them?”
– Mark 9:14-16
A crowd comes looking for Jesus. In that crowd, there are members of the religious leadership. You know the story; these religious leaders are always looking for a way to trip Him up. But this time, Jesus isn’t there, so they decide to go after His men. So, they begin to argue and fuss at the disciples.
But there’s something I want you to see in this passage that I believe will bless you. It’s in verse sixteen. As Jesus, Peter, James and John come down from the Mount of Transfiguration, Jesus doesn’t go up to His disciples and say, “Okay guys, what are you talking to the religious leadership about?” No, Jesus goes to the religious leadership and says, “What are you debating, discussing, and arguing about with them?”
When I take in everything being said in this passage, verse sixteen tells me a blessed truth – Jesus has my back. If I will stand for Him, He will fight for me!
Friends, unlike earthly kingdoms, that are defined by a group of people, politics or slogans, the Kingdom of God is defined by the nature of its King – Jesus. The more we pray, meditate and imitate Him, the more Kingdom life will be lived through us. This is important because Mark’s gospel says, “The Kingdom of God has come.” Meditate on the words has come, for a moment. This does not mean that we live our daily lives for self and someday when we get to heaven we’ll have a mansion on the hilltop. What it does mean is that we don’t have to wait for the Kingdom of God to come – it’s already here. That’s what this section of Mark’s Gospel is all about, how to live in the Kingdom today!
What does that have to do with the passage above? Well, here’s the nugget of truth. When you live for Jesus and walk in the fullness of God, Jesus will fight for you. When the enemy comes and tries to pull you down – He’s got your back!
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“Rooted” with Billy Huddleston
Written by scoopsnews on May 27, 2018 – 7:51 am -
Compassion Recognized
Mark 1:40-42
Today, a leper comes to Jesus.
With nowhere else to turn. No place else to go. This broken creation makes his way to the Master Artist.
Have you ever noticed that wherever you find Jesus, you usually find crowds of people? Except for those solitary times of prayer—there are always crowds of people—and usually at least twelve guys somewhere in the shadows.
Many times, we see hundreds. Sometimes there are even thousands. There’s just something about Jesus that seems to draw a crowd. Today would be no different. Jesus has been advancing the Kingdom. Matthew puts this event in chapter eight, right after the Sermon on the Mount. If that’s accurate then the crowd would have surrounded Jesus.
Do you see it?
Jesus is surrounded by the multitude.
Everyone seems to be captivated by His presence. That is, everybody except for the group of people toward the back. They’re whispering, pointing. What’s the distraction?
You’re there. You’re part of the crowd. Go ahead. Turn around and see what’s happening.
Looking in the direction where one is pointing, you see him. He’s hobbling toward the crowd—toward you. You can’t help but notice hisunkempt hair, torn clothing, and covered face.
Gasp!
It’s a leper.
“Hey! What’s he doing here?”
“Someone lasso the trash and drag him back to where he belongs!” You notice those around you covering their noses, and you smell it, too—the odor of decaying flesh. The stench of rotting skin is unmistakable. Several begin to gag.
But the leper continues. He’s not looking at the crowd.
He’s focused on an audience of One.
The people know if they breathe the same air, touch the same ground then they, too, will be defiled. So they back away.
But look! As the multitude parts . . . Jesus stands firmly in place, unwavering. Undaunted. Unafraid.
This leper continues toward Jesus with hishead cast down, ashamed of his condition andfearing for his life. Watching from a distance, you see him fall on his face before Jesus.
We listen as he begins to worship at His feet. We hear him as he begins to speak. Listen to his trembling voice. What’s he saying?
Compassion Requested
“If You are willing, You can make me clean” (Mark 1:40).
Notice, he’s not saying, “If You’re able.” In fact, there’s no question of ability in that statement. He obviously believes that Jesus has the ability and the authority to restore his life.
In the context of this day, the people would have believed the following. He’s getting from God exactly what he deserved. This is payment—a penalty for his sin. God had removed His hand of mercy from this pitiful man’s life.
See, that’s how the people could justify their lack of compassion. If God didn’t love this man,why should they? But, the leper believes if Jesus is the Promised One—the One who acts on God’sbehalf—then He could, should He choose, extendHis hand of mercy. He could show compassion, and love, and restore his broken life.
Compassion’s Response
How would Jesus respond? Keep watching.
“Then Jesus, moved with compassion . . .” (Mark 1:41).
Can we pause here for a moment? When we read that Jesus is “moved with compassion” we need to know that this is really strong language. “Moved with compassion” in the Greek language is splanchnizomai. It’s pronounced: Splangkh-nid’-zom–ahee. And it means: to be moved as to one’s bowels; to feel deep sympathy for; to be moved with compassion. The bowels were thought to be the hub of love and pity.
It’s referring to a deep inner emotion that’sgenerated from the seat of passions. It’s an arousal of emotion that results in response. This is coming from the place where anger is born, where frustration exists or indignation is found. But, it’s also the birthplace of tender affections such as love and care. Jesus is moved by a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow, so much so that it’saccompanied by the strong desire to alleviate suffering.
In other words, it broke His heart.
He saw the isolation. He recognized the hurt, the pain.
Jesus was moved by the leper’s condition.
This strong phrase (“moved with compassion”) is used almost exclusively in Scripture to describe what happens inside Jesus.At least eight times in the Gospels we run across this phrase. We see it four times in Matthew, three times in Mark, and twice in Luke. It’s referring to what’s going on inside of Him.
Please.
A leper comes to Jesus. Begging. Pleading: “If You are willing. . . . ”
What would Jesus do? With the Father’s heart pounding in His chest, He. . .
“. . . stretched out His hand and touched him,”
Jesus does the unthinkable.
And He does it without hesitation!
He reaches out and touches the unclean. Canyou see how far compassion is willing to go?
What others were afraid of, Jesus was not.
When all society was willing to throw this man away, Jesus would not.
When everyone else turned their backs, Jesus could not.
He touches the untouchable! He reaches down, takes the man by the face and lifts it so they’re looking eye to eye. When he looked into Jesus’ face he saw the Father’s heart and heard as He . . .
“. . . said to him, ‘I am willing; be cleansed’” (Mark 1:41).
I want to.
I am willing.
Be clean.
Compassion’s Result
“As soon as He had spoken, immediately the leprosy left him,
and he was cleansed” (Mark 1:42).
Life is restored. Jesus didn’t receive what the man had when He touched him. The leper received what Jesus had. Real life. Restoration. The outcast is now part of community. His life is changed.
It was the Father’s tender heart pounding in His chest.
It moved Him.
It’s what He wanted to do.
It’s what He’s still doing.
Touching the unclean places of our lives.
Making whole what we’ve broken and tried to hide.
He places His holy hands onto our tear-stained faces—and lifts our eyes to meet His.
And He makes us whole.
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Rooted With Billy Huddleston
Written by scoopsnews on May 20, 2018 – 7:13 am -
Chosen
John 3:16
“For God so loved the world (you),
that He gave His only begotten Son,
that whosever (you, me, everyone, anyone)
believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
The third grade is a wonderful time in a child’s life. It’s that time when little boys begin to notice little girls; when they begin to realize that there’s something different about them . . . something wonderful. So, they begin to try to get their attention by pulling their hair and punching them in the arms. You know, to show them how special they are. It’s how little boys express themselves.
It was certainly a memorable time in my life.
I was a student at Williams Avenue Elementary. And, as a little boy, I was now beginning to notice girls. Not thegirls my age. Instead, I had my eyes on a greater prize: Miss Parsons, the music teacher. She was smart. She was talented. She was kind. And, to top it off, she was beautiful. Childhood crush . . . she was my kind of woman!
Rhonda’s story was different. Because . . . well . . . Rhonda was different.
Rhonda lived around the block from me and was in my third grade class. She came from a home where life was anything but easy. Mom and Dad lived their liveswithout much regard for her. Or at least that’s how it seemed. She was heavier than the rest of us and wasn’t taught much about personal hygiene. She didn’t have the nicest of clothes and often whatever she wore on Monday she would still be wearing on Friday. Needless to say, we noticed, and we let her know how different she was. Children can be cruel.
Life can be tough when you’re different. Life was tough for Rhonda.
Not only did Miss Parsons notice, she cared.
We often had activities in music class that required a partner. Whether it was sharing an autoharp, dancing or singing a duet in our choir, the Melody Makers, we’d have to partner off. Sometimes those partners were assigned, other times we’d choose.
All the boys would line up against one wall and the girls on the other. From the first boy to the last partners would be chosen. That was a process that could be exhilarating. If you were in the front of the line you had the pick of the litter. It was a process that could be excruciating: If you were at the end of the line you were stuck with whomever wasn’t chosen. The process was humiliating. Rhonda was always that one not chosen.
Her body language began to tell the story. Wheneverit was time to partner off, she’d take her place with the other girls. She’d stand at the end of the line with her shoulders slumped, head down realizing that she was going to hear Miss Parsons force the last boy to be her partner.
I can’t imagine how that felt. Sure, there were plenty of times I wasn’t first choice and I know at least once or twice I was chosen last. But, every time? I can’t begin to understand what that would have done for ones self image at such a young age. Unwanted. Overlooked. Last choice. Rhonda.
I was helping Miss Parsons between classes oneschool day. (I always found a reason to be around Miss Parsons!) As I began to wrap things up so I could get tomy class she asked me to do her a favor. Of course! I’d do anything she wanted me to do! Remember, I had my eye on her. But I wasn’t ready for what she said next:
“Next time we have a partner time in class, I want you to pick Rhonda to be your partner. Will you do that?”
I couldn’t believe my ears. Didn’t she know what she was asking of me? Remember, this is the third grade. Little boys and girls are beginning to notice each other. If I partner with Rhonda that will be the end! How could such an ugly request come from such a beautiful mouth? No way, no thanks, I’d never do that. I didn’t really care for Miss Parsons anymore.
I turned to storm out of the room as she continued:
“But Billy, it’s what a Christian would do…”
I knew she was right. She knew I knew. I came from a church going family. But, to be honest, I didn’t care.
Time passed. I don’t know how long. Eventually it was time. Today in music class we would have a partner activity. Miss Parsons lined all the girls up along the wall. Rhonda took her place at the end of the line, head down, shoulders slumped. Then, she lined the boys up along the opposite wall. And, for some reason, today was my lucky day. I was right in the front. I was first. I’d have first choice.
I heard her voice: “Billy, pick your partner.”
My heart was pounding as I looked up and down theline. I saw Lisa, Lori and Lana. I saw all the girls whom I wanted to choose as my partner and was trying to figureout whose day I was going to make.
Then, I saw Rhonda.
Head down, shoulders slumped and my heart beganto pound faster. So, I made my choice:
“Rhonda.”
Do you know how special you are to Him?
I want you to remember this today . . .
God looked across time and spoke your name.
How will you responded?
You’ve been chosen.
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Rooted With Billy Huddleston
Written by scoopsnews on April 29, 2018 – 4:59 am -
How Would You Answer?
Mark 2:8-14
“Why does He talk like this? Only God can forgive sins.”
That’s what they’re saying.
The scribes and Pharisees—the religious leadership of the day—are in an uproar because of the statement Jesus has made. Their egos have been bruised! Remember, the people are saying that Jesus teaches better than these scribes and Pharisees. He teaches as one having authority, like He actually knows what He’s talking about. So, these insecure, intimidated religious leaders are now looking for any reason to discredit Him. Now, in their hearts, they think they’ve got Him.
Have you noticed that we can’t get anything by Jesus? He’s the Knower of our hearts. We simply think something, and He knows. So, Jesus knows exactly what these guys are thinking!
Jesus knew their hearts, but He could see on their faces they disagreed with His statement. He knows where they are, but He refuses to leave them there. Have you realized this about Jesus? He knows exactly where we are. He meets us there. But, He refuses to leave us in that position. He’s constantly working on His masterpiece—restoring it to what He knows it can be.
He knows exactly what these people arethinking, what’s going on in their hearts, where they are, yet He refuses to leave them there! Listen as He speaks:
“Why do you reason about these things in your hearts?
Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’
or to say, ‘Arise, take up your bed and walk’?”
Mark 2:8-9
Let’s think about this question for a minute.
How would you answer?
Before you do . . . which would be easier for the paralytic? Remember, his body doesn’t work. There’s no strength in his legs, no developed muscle. He’s the unwelcome, unloved outcast. All eyes are on him.
How about the scribes? What would be easier for them to hear as they sit in judgment and condemnation?
What about the crowd?
What about you?
How would you respond?
Let’s note that everyone is not at the same place in the story. We all come from somewhere, each has a perspective dictated by his or hercircumstance, all have a point of view. It’s too easy for us to quickly jump to conclusions and make judgments.
So . . . how would you answer?
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Rooted With Billy Huddleston
Written by scoopsnews on April 15, 2018 – 6:25 am -
Touching Jesus
Part Two
Last week we began a journey with some men that needed to get their friend to Jesus. Touching Jesus was all that mattered. So, let’s jump back into the story . . .
Whatever it Would Take
“And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd . . . ”
(Mark 2:4)
They start their journey. Gently—but firmly—they each take a corner of the mat that’s connected to wooden poles and lift. They begin to carry this man to the place where Jesus is. How far did they have to walk? Was it a few blocks or a few miles?
Obviously, the distance wasn’t a concern to them. The issue? Get to Jesus! Their arms become fatigued. Pain sears through their lower backs, and they’re realizing how difficult it is to carry a human across rocky paths,
up hills,
down dusty roads,
and through narrow streets.
Finally, they reach the home.
Now, their hearts sink.
They see the house. And they see the crowd spilling out the door and huddling around the windows. How will they ever get inside? They realize the nature of the crowd and the stature of a paralytic. They have to try.
Jesus was in the house!
Touching Him is all that matters.
They edge their way to the door.
Desperation has now become personified.
It’s their heartbeat. It’s the sweat on their brows.
It’s the agony piercing through their strained muscles.
They inch their way along the outside, but the crowd is ruthless. Someone screams, “Hey! We were here first.”
Another, “If we could move forward, we would! We can barely see and hear what’s going on. So, stop pushing.”
They can’t get in.
They don’t give up.
Desperation’s heartbeat only pulsates faster.
Rocks inside their open-foot sandals have rubbed their feet raw.
Their palms, sweaty and burdened from the weight, slip on the poles holding the mat. The four men tighten their grip and clench their teeth in conjunction with the muscle spasms. They are burden bearers.
Jesus is in the house!
They will not give up.
Desperation is alive.
“ . . . they uncovered the roof where He was . . . ” (Mark 2:4)
Unstoppable
They exert the effort to carefully carry this man up the stairs toward the flat roof. Desperation pushes each one of the eight individual feet up each stair.
The mat hits the wall.
One of the four men trips.
Regaining their balance, they continue up the stairs until finally reaching the roof. They’re actually on top of the house!
Let’s watch as they lay this man down. No time is wasted. They immediately spring into action. They’re surveying the roof trying to find the exact location where Jesus is teaching. It wouldn’t do any good to lower him toward the back or middle of the house. They’ve already seen the crowd’s response. That won’t be good enough. They need to get to Jesus!
When they find where He is, their action continues as they begin to “unroof” the roof. With their bare hands they begin prying loose the tiles.
It’s hard work.
It’s painful work.
Nails are turned back.
Flesh is sliced as they uncover the roof.
But the price is worth the cost as they work to get this man, this burden to Jesus.
“So when they had broken through. . . .” (Mark 2:4)
When the tiles are removed, the thatch that makes up the roof is exposed. They will not allow this barrier to stop them.
Jesus is in the house.
Touching Him is all that matters.
Desperation.
On all fours—and with Navy Seal Team Six precision—they begin to remove the barrier. With bare hands they dig. And they dig. And they dig.
Can you imagine being on the inside of the house at this point? You’re captivated by Jesus presence. You’re hanging on every word. Then, you begin to hear scratching from the roof. Squirrels? Raccoons?
You try to ignore it when something suddenly hits your shoulder. You brush it away as another piece hits you on the head. What in the . . . All of a sudden, another piece hits the ground as light begins to shine down. Your attention is now focused upward as you watch dust particles in the light coming from a hole in the roof!
The roof is caving in. The crowd pushes back as you see four sets of hands tearing through the roof; four sets of hands digging through until they begin to lower a mat right to the feet of Jesus.
Target Reached
“ . . . they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying” (Mark 2:4)
Hanging over the edge of the hole, they begin to carefully lower this man to Jesus’ feet.
Jesus was in the house.
Touching Him was all that mattered.
When the crowd wouldn’t let them through the door,
they uncovered the roof.
They had to get to the Artist.
What an incredible picture.
What beautiful desperation.
Let’s Get Personal
We have a lot to consider with this, don’t we? First of all, these four men give us a magnificent picture of genuine friendship. They also demonstrate their willingness to be burden bearers. And they display an intense desperation to have a legitimate encounter with Jesus.
We also learn a lot from the paralyzed man’s situation. When it seemed impossible for him to get to Jesus, Jesus moved the right men into his life to bring him to the Great Physician.
Can you relate?
It’s about you.
At times does it feel as though the distance between you and Jesus is just too far? The journey too difficult? The odds stacked against you are too high?
That’s why sometimes we need a little help from friends.
Real friends will move you closer to Jesus.
Whatever it takes.
For more information on Billy Huddleston: HERE
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