The first verses in John are some of my favorites in all the Bible. There is so much glory in them, they seem to shine and glow! What a contrast to the darkness and insanity going on in the book of Judges, and in today's world as well. Those times and these have very much in common. People then did whatever they felt like, and now it is the same.
The Kingdom of God is a reality that I am now totally and completely hooked on! Light and life-- the essences of heaven. And a Book whose words are alive with the life of the Author. What a privilege it is to partake of Him and His words. I never want to demean this by making devotions into a mindless habit or a religious observance. I open His book with anticipation, for the Word is the door into heaven, because Jesus is the Word.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
April 28. 2010
The things that Gideon did, and that happened to his family, after he fought off the Midianites are very instructive to me. It's too easy to let it go to our head when God uses us. Now, I can't be sure this is what happened to him, but that's the application I see in it for me. God can use us mightily, but if we don't let God deal with our self-nature issues, our pride can most certainly cause us, and others, to stumble.
It's particularly dangerous if a person makes lots of money from whatever anointing they may have received, or gain lots of fame and attention from people. Human beings don't deal very well with these things. So many people seem to go off the deep end when they're super-successful, whether or not they started out with God. I dealt with some of that stuff a long time ago (in my miniscule brush with fame), and I may have talked about that a little, I can't remember. But I am very glad that the Lord has seen fit to keep me hidden from view for a very long time, while He's worked through so many messed-up things in me, to form Christ in me. I'd like to stay totally hidden until "it's no longer I that lives, but Christ who lives in me." But really, it's up to the Lord as to what He wants to do with us. My choice would be to stay out of view, but I wouldn't have much influence that way, and it would probably be like burying the talents or hiding the lamp under a bushel.
All I can say is, we've got to stay humble and not get a big head when He does something through us. It's His power and ability, not ours.
Jesus statement on the cross says it all to me, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." It's not until we can love God with our whole heart, soul, mind and strength-- and trust Him enough to let go--that we can ever get over our self.
It's particularly dangerous if a person makes lots of money from whatever anointing they may have received, or gain lots of fame and attention from people. Human beings don't deal very well with these things. So many people seem to go off the deep end when they're super-successful, whether or not they started out with God. I dealt with some of that stuff a long time ago (in my miniscule brush with fame), and I may have talked about that a little, I can't remember. But I am very glad that the Lord has seen fit to keep me hidden from view for a very long time, while He's worked through so many messed-up things in me, to form Christ in me. I'd like to stay totally hidden until "it's no longer I that lives, but Christ who lives in me." But really, it's up to the Lord as to what He wants to do with us. My choice would be to stay out of view, but I wouldn't have much influence that way, and it would probably be like burying the talents or hiding the lamp under a bushel.
All I can say is, we've got to stay humble and not get a big head when He does something through us. It's His power and ability, not ours.
Jesus statement on the cross says it all to me, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." It's not until we can love God with our whole heart, soul, mind and strength-- and trust Him enough to let go--that we can ever get over our self.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
April 27, 2010
What do you do if somebody mocks you? I don't mean just playing, I'm mean really. They're trash-talking you-- really belittling you, and maybe by implication, God. I haven't had a person do this to me in a long time, but the devil tries to do it in my thoughts sometimes. What do you do?
When Jesus was mocked, He didn't reply. He didn't get angry or mock back. He didn't fight them off when they put a crown of thorns on his head, mocking him. He certainly didn't do what Gideon did! Jesus, while dealing with the people, was silent, except to offer forgiveness, even as He died on the cross. He didn't try to prove himself, defend himself, or take revenge.
On the other hand, with d'devil, it was different. Jesus totally trounced Satan, breaking into his domain, and taking from him the keys of hell and death! We don't know what Jesus said to Satan then, but He would never engage in prideful mockery; perhaps He warned Satan of his future imprisonment, and his eventual destruction. For once, Satan was probably speechless! I still don't think he's gotten over Jesus rising from the dead.
Follow Jesus' example when dealing with mocking people. When dealing with the devil, do what Gideon did (in a spiritual sense). Be aggressive when the devil mocks you and tries to steal your confidence in God. (You have to watch out for the lies after you have a great victory. Beware!) Don't listen to anything the devil has to say-- just say no! Fight him with the Word-- what Jesus has said and done-- and that will be like torturing the devil with thorns; then tear down his stronghold.
When Jesus was mocked, He didn't reply. He didn't get angry or mock back. He didn't fight them off when they put a crown of thorns on his head, mocking him. He certainly didn't do what Gideon did! Jesus, while dealing with the people, was silent, except to offer forgiveness, even as He died on the cross. He didn't try to prove himself, defend himself, or take revenge.
On the other hand, with d'devil, it was different. Jesus totally trounced Satan, breaking into his domain, and taking from him the keys of hell and death! We don't know what Jesus said to Satan then, but He would never engage in prideful mockery; perhaps He warned Satan of his future imprisonment, and his eventual destruction. For once, Satan was probably speechless! I still don't think he's gotten over Jesus rising from the dead.
Follow Jesus' example when dealing with mocking people. When dealing with the devil, do what Gideon did (in a spiritual sense). Be aggressive when the devil mocks you and tries to steal your confidence in God. (You have to watch out for the lies after you have a great victory. Beware!) Don't listen to anything the devil has to say-- just say no! Fight him with the Word-- what Jesus has said and done-- and that will be like torturing the devil with thorns; then tear down his stronghold.
Monday, April 26, 2010
April 26, 2010
Empowerment: that is the word that comes to me through the readings today, and yesterday's too (I'm sure you've noticed, I'm not writing on Sundays). I see the theme of God rising up through His faithful people to come against evil and oppression. "For He is coming, for He is coming to judge the earth. He shall judge the world with righteousness, And the peoples with His truth." Psalm 96:13 Yes, Jesus is coming again as the Righteous Judge and King! Come quickly, Lord! In the meantime, He does call people to rise up and lead people to fight against wickedness, as we see in Gideon, and yesterday, in Deborah.
I often wonder how often the Church is responsible for what goes on in the world. How many times is it our turning away from God that allows evil to work, and how often is it our prayerlessness and lack of vigilance that allows evil to continue? Righteouness and judgment are part of God's nature. How does that affect us? Whenever the Israelites started serving other gods, they got overrun and oppressed by enemies. When they called out to God in repentance, they were given judges to help them overcome. You never know-- you might end up to be a Deborah or a Gideon whom the Lord might call and empower to fight evil. And like Jael, you might be a stay-at-home mom who the Lord uses to fight evil, right there in her own home!
It is so significant that Gideon's revelation of God was Jehovah-Shalom: The Lord is Peace. Did it ever occur to you that Jesus, always knowing what was in people's hearts and what would happen, told the disciples to bring swords so that He could teach them (even while He was being arrested) that God's battles are not fought with human strength, and that we must seek His strategies. Peter's lack of internal peace caused him to act impulsively out of fear and anger, cutting off a servant's ear. Without this on-the-field training, he could have become the next anti-Roman revolutionary. [A bonus spiritual insight: if we speak, even the Word of God, impulsively and without a love motivation and the leading of the Spirit, we can wound people and hinder them from being able to hear God's voice for themselves].
I've noticed two particular extremes of thought and behavior: 1) activists who want to take on every evil they see, and seem to do it passionately and with every means possible, righteous or not; and 2) "separatists" who want to think only of our future in heaven and who don't pay any attention to what is going on here. I really don't see the leading of the Spirit too much in either of these stances. The way I see it, if you're stuck in a "program", it's the program leading you, not the Lord. Our mindset needs to be: know the Lord and do what He says.
I'm not trying to get into a debate about war here, and I'm not answering questions about whether nations should go to war or not. What I'm talking about is individuals and their response to God. I'm talking about spiritual warfare, not natural. It should be clear, by now, that the Israel in the Old Testament was a living parable about spiritual things. God's not telling you to take a tent peg and hammer it through somebody's temple! He's not telling you to bomb an abortion clinic or to assassinate someone. But that doesn't mean we're supposed to sit around and do nothing. "And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?" Luke 18: 7-8
Jesus went to the cross because mankind needed to be delivered from the power of darkness. He now sits on the right hand of God, in power and authority. Satan is defeated, and yet, he seems to be running rampant in the world. What to do? What to do?
I don't claim to have answers for everything. I know that there are end-time things that are happening, absolutes that have been prophesied and cannot be changed. Satan will be allowed to do things, and we won't be given power to stop him, not until the Lord comes back and we fight Satan together. However, one thing I know: we, each and every Christian, have been given authority to put an end to all demonic activity and oppression in our own life. If every Christian alive on earth never allowed Satan to do anything in their own areas of dominion, starting first and foremost in their own mind, what would this do on Earth?
This is one goal of mine, after being led at all times by the Spirit of Truth, and that is not to give the devil a single opportunity. If every Christian walked free, as Christ means for us to do, the level of freedom in each of our nations would rise as well. If we desire to fight spiritual wickedness in high places-- principalities and powers that have a hold over many areas of influence, people and nations-- we must first win on the personal front.
Gideon was not expecting the visitation he received. Gideon had never been to war as far as I know-- he was a farm-boy. Yet the angel of the Lord greeted him, "The Lord is with you, you mighty warrior." Gideon saw himself, in the natural, as a weak nobody. But he could apparently hear God, and maybe he was an intercessor. "Go in this might of yours and deliver Israel."
Do you think of yourself as weak, or a nobody? God sees you differently! If you have received Christ and are born-again, then you have the Spirit of God in you! You have the Word, the Sword of the Spirit! Jesus, the King, is mighty in you! Your next battlefield is whatever comes up in your life that fights against the Truth! God has called you to be an overcomer. And whatever you overcome in your own life will be what God can work through you in to deliver others. No need to use a fleece. You've got more than Gideon did: you've got a new nature, and the internal leading of the Spirit! Go in this might of yours and conquer!
I often wonder how often the Church is responsible for what goes on in the world. How many times is it our turning away from God that allows evil to work, and how often is it our prayerlessness and lack of vigilance that allows evil to continue? Righteouness and judgment are part of God's nature. How does that affect us? Whenever the Israelites started serving other gods, they got overrun and oppressed by enemies. When they called out to God in repentance, they were given judges to help them overcome. You never know-- you might end up to be a Deborah or a Gideon whom the Lord might call and empower to fight evil. And like Jael, you might be a stay-at-home mom who the Lord uses to fight evil, right there in her own home!
It is so significant that Gideon's revelation of God was Jehovah-Shalom: The Lord is Peace. Did it ever occur to you that Jesus, always knowing what was in people's hearts and what would happen, told the disciples to bring swords so that He could teach them (even while He was being arrested) that God's battles are not fought with human strength, and that we must seek His strategies. Peter's lack of internal peace caused him to act impulsively out of fear and anger, cutting off a servant's ear. Without this on-the-field training, he could have become the next anti-Roman revolutionary. [A bonus spiritual insight: if we speak, even the Word of God, impulsively and without a love motivation and the leading of the Spirit, we can wound people and hinder them from being able to hear God's voice for themselves].
I've noticed two particular extremes of thought and behavior: 1) activists who want to take on every evil they see, and seem to do it passionately and with every means possible, righteous or not; and 2) "separatists" who want to think only of our future in heaven and who don't pay any attention to what is going on here. I really don't see the leading of the Spirit too much in either of these stances. The way I see it, if you're stuck in a "program", it's the program leading you, not the Lord. Our mindset needs to be: know the Lord and do what He says.
I'm not trying to get into a debate about war here, and I'm not answering questions about whether nations should go to war or not. What I'm talking about is individuals and their response to God. I'm talking about spiritual warfare, not natural. It should be clear, by now, that the Israel in the Old Testament was a living parable about spiritual things. God's not telling you to take a tent peg and hammer it through somebody's temple! He's not telling you to bomb an abortion clinic or to assassinate someone. But that doesn't mean we're supposed to sit around and do nothing. "And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?" Luke 18: 7-8
Jesus went to the cross because mankind needed to be delivered from the power of darkness. He now sits on the right hand of God, in power and authority. Satan is defeated, and yet, he seems to be running rampant in the world. What to do? What to do?
I don't claim to have answers for everything. I know that there are end-time things that are happening, absolutes that have been prophesied and cannot be changed. Satan will be allowed to do things, and we won't be given power to stop him, not until the Lord comes back and we fight Satan together. However, one thing I know: we, each and every Christian, have been given authority to put an end to all demonic activity and oppression in our own life. If every Christian alive on earth never allowed Satan to do anything in their own areas of dominion, starting first and foremost in their own mind, what would this do on Earth?
This is one goal of mine, after being led at all times by the Spirit of Truth, and that is not to give the devil a single opportunity. If every Christian walked free, as Christ means for us to do, the level of freedom in each of our nations would rise as well. If we desire to fight spiritual wickedness in high places-- principalities and powers that have a hold over many areas of influence, people and nations-- we must first win on the personal front.
Gideon was not expecting the visitation he received. Gideon had never been to war as far as I know-- he was a farm-boy. Yet the angel of the Lord greeted him, "The Lord is with you, you mighty warrior." Gideon saw himself, in the natural, as a weak nobody. But he could apparently hear God, and maybe he was an intercessor. "Go in this might of yours and deliver Israel."
Do you think of yourself as weak, or a nobody? God sees you differently! If you have received Christ and are born-again, then you have the Spirit of God in you! You have the Word, the Sword of the Spirit! Jesus, the King, is mighty in you! Your next battlefield is whatever comes up in your life that fights against the Truth! God has called you to be an overcomer. And whatever you overcome in your own life will be what God can work through you in to deliver others. No need to use a fleece. You've got more than Gideon did: you've got a new nature, and the internal leading of the Spirit! Go in this might of yours and conquer!
Friday, April 23, 2010
April 23, 2010
As much as I wanted to get into a less weighted topic than yesterday's, I couldn't help honing in on this verse, as it seemed to deserve our focused attention: “But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.” Luke 21: 34-38
[It is a very good study to look up the words in this verse in the Greek--I did.]
I was brought up believing in the Rapture (the doctrine that says Christians will be taken off of Earth while the unbelievers suffer through the tribulation and God's wrath). When I began to see that Jesus' exhortations and prophecies were meant to help us "endure until the end," I then had a big question about the above verse-- Jesus telling us to pray we'd be counted worthy to escape. I've never heard a Rapture doctrine about being worthy, only about being a Christian, and then, of course, about people getting saved afterward, such as in the "Left Behind" series. As as good friend of mine used to say, "The only way to get out of here is to die."
I wish that there was such a thing as being Christlike enough to get lifted off the world and out of trouble. I think of Enoch as an example. But as that leaves little hope for me, and probably for you either, I'm searching for a better answer. What does Jesus mean-- counted worthy to escape? Are people like Enoch and Elijah the only ones who get to escape? I hope not, because "all these things that will come to pass" don't sound too pretty. I seriously want to escape! You?
Jesus was well aware of this desire to escape, and addressed it in the above verses. “But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life." Most of us avoid the carousing and drunkenness, don't we? But most of us are certainly weighed down with the cares of this life. Negative thoughts swirl about our heads, things like "it was sure nice when life was good." The temptation of escapism is greater than it has ever been. And the modes of practicing escapism are grand and varied indeed. It's hard to resist getting lost in whatever form of entertainment appeals to us at the moment.
It is easy for me to imagine staying lost in some awesome BluRay movie, cool video game, or fantasy novel for the rest of my life. Then what: I couldn't stand before the Lord: I'd be covered in shame, with what excuse-- I didn't have the strength to watch and pray, and to get His help in staying mentally, emotionally and spiritually sober. No difference whatsoever, from when I was lost in drug-land long ago. The motivation would have been the same: I couldn't handle life. (I still enjoy movies, games, and books in moderation, don't get me wrong. I still have to be careful I don't use them wrongly. God ministers to our hearts, each on the things we need to deal with. I use myself as an example.)
I've come a long way from my drug-using days, and yet, I still feel intense pressure to escape. Things in the world are hard to face-- I can't fix them. I sometimes feel at a loss to even deal with things in my own firsthand world. It would be nice not to think about them. And yet the Lord challenges us to stay awake, watch for Him, live for Him. The Holy Spirit is our constant helper.
There is a great Harvest of souls to come out of the world and into God's Kingdom, and I want to be here to work in that field. People are frightened and hurting, dazed and confused. Jesus Christ Himself is what we have to give them, and if we keep our eyes open in the spirit, we will be able to do "whatever I see my Father doing." We have to live on the Earth in order to do that. How will we survive in such a dangerous time as this? I'm so glad you asked.
Psalm 91 showed up right when I needed it! This Psalm has been such a comfort for me ever since I was first born-again. It speaks to me of how we can escape the evil and dangers of the last days and keep our wits about us too. We are to dwell in God: "Because you have made the LORD, who is my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place, No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; 11 For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways." Psalm 91: 9-11 We can dwell in the Secret Place of the Most High!
Jesus is our secret place, and we know that we are in Him and He is in us-- we are seated in the heavenlies. We enter into this reality by faith, by spending time with Him and allowing Him to establish this reality in us, so that we can experience it. It takes focus on heavenly things, laying aside everything that keeps us weighed down. Once we realize that we can be empowered to overcome, here on Earth, for His purposes, it makes it a lot easier to watch for Him, trust Him and do His will.
If we're listening, we won't be surprised, or ashamed, at His coming!
For further study-- people and situations in Scripture who escaped the judgments of God without leaving Earth:
Israel in Goshen and at Passover
Lot and his family from Sodom [his wife didn't "stand"]
Noah and his family when God flooded the earth
(There are more, I'm sure, but these are what I thought of right away.)
Jesus is the Refuge we run to.
Jesus is our Hope for our future.
Jesus is our Safe Home.
[It is a very good study to look up the words in this verse in the Greek--I did.]
I was brought up believing in the Rapture (the doctrine that says Christians will be taken off of Earth while the unbelievers suffer through the tribulation and God's wrath). When I began to see that Jesus' exhortations and prophecies were meant to help us "endure until the end," I then had a big question about the above verse-- Jesus telling us to pray we'd be counted worthy to escape. I've never heard a Rapture doctrine about being worthy, only about being a Christian, and then, of course, about people getting saved afterward, such as in the "Left Behind" series. As as good friend of mine used to say, "The only way to get out of here is to die."
I wish that there was such a thing as being Christlike enough to get lifted off the world and out of trouble. I think of Enoch as an example. But as that leaves little hope for me, and probably for you either, I'm searching for a better answer. What does Jesus mean-- counted worthy to escape? Are people like Enoch and Elijah the only ones who get to escape? I hope not, because "all these things that will come to pass" don't sound too pretty. I seriously want to escape! You?
Jesus was well aware of this desire to escape, and addressed it in the above verses. “But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life." Most of us avoid the carousing and drunkenness, don't we? But most of us are certainly weighed down with the cares of this life. Negative thoughts swirl about our heads, things like "it was sure nice when life was good." The temptation of escapism is greater than it has ever been. And the modes of practicing escapism are grand and varied indeed. It's hard to resist getting lost in whatever form of entertainment appeals to us at the moment.
It is easy for me to imagine staying lost in some awesome BluRay movie, cool video game, or fantasy novel for the rest of my life. Then what: I couldn't stand before the Lord: I'd be covered in shame, with what excuse-- I didn't have the strength to watch and pray, and to get His help in staying mentally, emotionally and spiritually sober. No difference whatsoever, from when I was lost in drug-land long ago. The motivation would have been the same: I couldn't handle life. (I still enjoy movies, games, and books in moderation, don't get me wrong. I still have to be careful I don't use them wrongly. God ministers to our hearts, each on the things we need to deal with. I use myself as an example.)
I've come a long way from my drug-using days, and yet, I still feel intense pressure to escape. Things in the world are hard to face-- I can't fix them. I sometimes feel at a loss to even deal with things in my own firsthand world. It would be nice not to think about them. And yet the Lord challenges us to stay awake, watch for Him, live for Him. The Holy Spirit is our constant helper.
There is a great Harvest of souls to come out of the world and into God's Kingdom, and I want to be here to work in that field. People are frightened and hurting, dazed and confused. Jesus Christ Himself is what we have to give them, and if we keep our eyes open in the spirit, we will be able to do "whatever I see my Father doing." We have to live on the Earth in order to do that. How will we survive in such a dangerous time as this? I'm so glad you asked.
Psalm 91 showed up right when I needed it! This Psalm has been such a comfort for me ever since I was first born-again. It speaks to me of how we can escape the evil and dangers of the last days and keep our wits about us too. We are to dwell in God: "Because you have made the LORD, who is my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place, No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; 11 For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways." Psalm 91: 9-11 We can dwell in the Secret Place of the Most High!
Jesus is our secret place, and we know that we are in Him and He is in us-- we are seated in the heavenlies. We enter into this reality by faith, by spending time with Him and allowing Him to establish this reality in us, so that we can experience it. It takes focus on heavenly things, laying aside everything that keeps us weighed down. Once we realize that we can be empowered to overcome, here on Earth, for His purposes, it makes it a lot easier to watch for Him, trust Him and do His will.
If we're listening, we won't be surprised, or ashamed, at His coming!
For further study-- people and situations in Scripture who escaped the judgments of God without leaving Earth:
Israel in Goshen and at Passover
Lot and his family from Sodom [his wife didn't "stand"]
Noah and his family when God flooded the earth
(There are more, I'm sure, but these are what I thought of right away.)
Jesus is the Refuge we run to.
Jesus is our Hope for our future.
Jesus is our Safe Home.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
April 22, 2010
The Scriptures in which Jesus talks about the end times are, to me, some of the most important ones we can study, and hear His voice in, for NOW. He tells us these things not to frighten us, but to prepare us and comfort us. All these "dreadful portents" are indications that the Kingdom of Heaven is soon to be Christ's reign on Earth! How could these things be our doom? They are only foreboding to those who reject Christ, and to the rebellious kingdoms of the earth. If we endure, we very well could be among the generation to see "the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory" !
Jesus made it clear that these terrible signs and events should give us a sense of expectation, not the fear and confusion that would be characteristic of the nations of the earth. "Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near." Luke 21:28 Our response should be to get ready and be watchful-- keeping our eyes on heavenly things and our focus on Jesus Christ. It is time to renew our commitment to serving the Lord, putting aside all the idols that distract us and take our attention away from Him. It is time to lay down all the things in the past that keep us focused on ourselves and that hinder us by causing us to have a victim mentality.
It is time to rise up and show the world that there is an unshakeable Kingdom, with a glorious King who reigns with love and wisdom, and to call people into it. We are in this Kingdom already, because we are in Christ who is the King. We will have righteousness, peace and joy if we will actually live in the Kingdom we are part of. We are, in truth, high above all that is happening on this earth.
I believe we have physicalized the concept of the "Rapture" because we took the things in Scripture and interpreted them the only way we knew how, naturally. But if we can see things according to the Spirit, we will realize that we are ALREADY "seated in heavenly places with Christ Jesus". "But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus." Ephesians 2: 4-7
Oh, how the Spirit of the Lord is singing over us right now, desiring with fervor for us to get a hold of this REALITY!
"Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son" Colossians 1:13 KJV
"He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love" NKJV
"For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves" NIV
"For he has rescued us from the one who rules in the kingdom of darkness, and he has brought us into the Kingdom of his dear Son" NLT
"He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son" ESV
"el cual nos ha librado de la potestad de las tinieblas, y trasladado al reino de su amado Hijo" RVR
"He has delivered us from the dominion of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son" RSV
"who did rescue us out of the authority of the darkness, and did translate us into the reign of the Son of His love" ASV
"who delivered us out of the power of darkness, and translated us into the Kingdom of the Son of his love" HNV
It has already been done! Can you hear the music? Will you sing it with Him?
P.S.
The sudden switch of tone and perspective in the second half of Psalm 89 reminds me of the way we think and feel when we do not realize what God has already accomplished in Christ, for us.
P.P.S PLEASE READ THIS!
So you don't get the wrong idea from what I'm saying:
Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come.
2 Thessalonians 2: 1-2
Jesus is still returning in person to reign on Earth, and we will reign with Him!
I suggest reading this chapter, as well as chapter 1. Paul is encouraging the brethren who are enduring persecutions and tribulations. Jesus said we would have these things, and that is why we must endure. But our endurance and patient perseverance is going to be dictated by our internal outlook and perspective.
"that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer;
since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels. . . when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed. Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power, that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. " 2 Thessalonians 1: 5a-7,10
Jesus made it clear that these terrible signs and events should give us a sense of expectation, not the fear and confusion that would be characteristic of the nations of the earth. "Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near." Luke 21:28 Our response should be to get ready and be watchful-- keeping our eyes on heavenly things and our focus on Jesus Christ. It is time to renew our commitment to serving the Lord, putting aside all the idols that distract us and take our attention away from Him. It is time to lay down all the things in the past that keep us focused on ourselves and that hinder us by causing us to have a victim mentality.
It is time to rise up and show the world that there is an unshakeable Kingdom, with a glorious King who reigns with love and wisdom, and to call people into it. We are in this Kingdom already, because we are in Christ who is the King. We will have righteousness, peace and joy if we will actually live in the Kingdom we are part of. We are, in truth, high above all that is happening on this earth.
I believe we have physicalized the concept of the "Rapture" because we took the things in Scripture and interpreted them the only way we knew how, naturally. But if we can see things according to the Spirit, we will realize that we are ALREADY "seated in heavenly places with Christ Jesus". "But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus." Ephesians 2: 4-7
Oh, how the Spirit of the Lord is singing over us right now, desiring with fervor for us to get a hold of this REALITY!
"Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son" Colossians 1:13 KJV
"He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love" NKJV
"For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves" NIV
"For he has rescued us from the one who rules in the kingdom of darkness, and he has brought us into the Kingdom of his dear Son" NLT
"He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son" ESV
"el cual nos ha librado de la potestad de las tinieblas, y trasladado al reino de su amado Hijo" RVR
"He has delivered us from the dominion of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son" RSV
"who did rescue us out of the authority of the darkness, and did translate us into the reign of the Son of His love" ASV
"who delivered us out of the power of darkness, and translated us into the Kingdom of the Son of his love" HNV
It has already been done! Can you hear the music? Will you sing it with Him?
P.S.
The sudden switch of tone and perspective in the second half of Psalm 89 reminds me of the way we think and feel when we do not realize what God has already accomplished in Christ, for us.
P.P.S PLEASE READ THIS!
So you don't get the wrong idea from what I'm saying:
Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come.
2 Thessalonians 2: 1-2
Jesus is still returning in person to reign on Earth, and we will reign with Him!
I suggest reading this chapter, as well as chapter 1. Paul is encouraging the brethren who are enduring persecutions and tribulations. Jesus said we would have these things, and that is why we must endure. But our endurance and patient perseverance is going to be dictated by our internal outlook and perspective.
"that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer;
since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels. . . when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed. Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power, that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. " 2 Thessalonians 1: 5a-7,10
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
April 21, 2010
I love how the Bible illuminates itself! Saying it that way sounds funny to me, but really, it's Jesus, the Word, shedding His light on the written Word that I'm talking about. Somtimes though, in the One Year Bible, the Scriptures come together in just the right way to really light up the truth of the gospel, enlightening the eyes of our understanding.
While the Sadducees asked some totally irrelevant questions, Jesus brought reality into clear focus. He spoke of an "age" in which "those who are considered worthy of a place in that age" will have resurrected bodies that will not die, like the angels. It doesn't say that we will be angels, as some believe! He also didn't say "in heaven"-- clearly this is an "age" on Earth. He continues to discuss the Kingdom of God, speaking of the Messiah, giving them a chance to get some revelation about Who the Messiah was.
Psalm 89 gives us so much revelation about the promises of David to which Jesus referred. The whole psalm prophesies of Christ! Of course, we know that Jesus is the Christ (Messiah). "I will make him the firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth. Forever I will keep my steadfast love for him, and my covenant with him will stand firm." vs 27-28 The awesome thing is that the covenant is between God and Christ, who will never break the covenant. As long as we are "in Him", the benefits of the covenant are ours. Jesus took care of the fact that, in our natural state, we are consistent covenant breakers. He's got us covered while we grow as children of God (grace).
Part of God's covenant is that Christ's throne will be established forever. Only a person who cannot die could have a throne "as long as the heavens endure."vs 29 Just as Jesus was the Messiah then, even though most of the Jews didn't see it, or receive Him as such, Jesus is the King now, even though many don't receive Him as such, or recognize the Kingdom. While He was on the earth, He said the Kingdom of God is at hand. Then He rose from death, and went to sit at the right hand of the Father, telling us that all authority on heaven and earth had been given to Him. Doesn't that mean He's the King? The highest of all? I guess that means we're already in the Kingdom Age!
If we recognize and serve the King, we acknowlege that we are in the Kingdom age already, although it is not yet visible on Earth. At Christ's return, it will be.
What does it mean to have a King? How real is this to you?
Bonus:
Jesus is not dead, awaiting the resurrection-- He's alive! That says to me that, if it's not here already, the Resurrection Age is at hand. If that is true, what does this mean for us? What are the implications of walking in Christ's resurrection power and life? Are you aware of any Scriptures that give light on this subject? As for me, I'm keeping my eyes and ears open for more understanding of what is really going on in REALITY.
While the Sadducees asked some totally irrelevant questions, Jesus brought reality into clear focus. He spoke of an "age" in which "those who are considered worthy of a place in that age" will have resurrected bodies that will not die, like the angels. It doesn't say that we will be angels, as some believe! He also didn't say "in heaven"-- clearly this is an "age" on Earth. He continues to discuss the Kingdom of God, speaking of the Messiah, giving them a chance to get some revelation about Who the Messiah was.
Psalm 89 gives us so much revelation about the promises of David to which Jesus referred. The whole psalm prophesies of Christ! Of course, we know that Jesus is the Christ (Messiah). "I will make him the firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth. Forever I will keep my steadfast love for him, and my covenant with him will stand firm." vs 27-28 The awesome thing is that the covenant is between God and Christ, who will never break the covenant. As long as we are "in Him", the benefits of the covenant are ours. Jesus took care of the fact that, in our natural state, we are consistent covenant breakers. He's got us covered while we grow as children of God (grace).
Part of God's covenant is that Christ's throne will be established forever. Only a person who cannot die could have a throne "as long as the heavens endure."vs 29 Just as Jesus was the Messiah then, even though most of the Jews didn't see it, or receive Him as such, Jesus is the King now, even though many don't receive Him as such, or recognize the Kingdom. While He was on the earth, He said the Kingdom of God is at hand. Then He rose from death, and went to sit at the right hand of the Father, telling us that all authority on heaven and earth had been given to Him. Doesn't that mean He's the King? The highest of all? I guess that means we're already in the Kingdom Age!
If we recognize and serve the King, we acknowlege that we are in the Kingdom age already, although it is not yet visible on Earth. At Christ's return, it will be.
What does it mean to have a King? How real is this to you?
Bonus:
Jesus is not dead, awaiting the resurrection-- He's alive! That says to me that, if it's not here already, the Resurrection Age is at hand. If that is true, what does this mean for us? What are the implications of walking in Christ's resurrection power and life? Are you aware of any Scriptures that give light on this subject? As for me, I'm keeping my eyes and ears open for more understanding of what is really going on in REALITY.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
April 20, 2010
How great is the faithfulness of our God! When I read this verse, "Not a word failed of any good thing which the LORD had spoken to the house of Israel. All came to pass." Joshua 21:45, my spirit sighs a sigh of contentment. I am proud to have a God like that. He promises wonderful things to His children, and He keeps His promises without fail. I want to be like that.
Our God is also faithful to stand up for us and defend us when He has authorized us to do something. No matter what anyone says, if you're obeying the Word of the Lord, stand your ground. Jesus always had the ultimate answer for any of His detractors, the statement that made His enemies close their mouths. I want to be like that.
Ethan the Ezrahite, the writer of Psalm 89, extolled the Lord and His faithfulness in this beautiful song. I want to be like that too.
God is faithful! As I meditate on His intrinsic faithfulness, thanking and worshipping Him, His nature and His character will be imparted to me. As I practice walking in godly faithfulness (something I have far to go on), He will strengthen and uphold me.
As we grow in faithful obedience to God's Word, we grow in authority. As we demonstrate His characteristic faithfulness, people will be drawn to the Lord, because it is a very winsome quality indeed!
Our God is also faithful to stand up for us and defend us when He has authorized us to do something. No matter what anyone says, if you're obeying the Word of the Lord, stand your ground. Jesus always had the ultimate answer for any of His detractors, the statement that made His enemies close their mouths. I want to be like that.
Ethan the Ezrahite, the writer of Psalm 89, extolled the Lord and His faithfulness in this beautiful song. I want to be like that too.
God is faithful! As I meditate on His intrinsic faithfulness, thanking and worshipping Him, His nature and His character will be imparted to me. As I practice walking in godly faithfulness (something I have far to go on), He will strengthen and uphold me.
As we grow in faithful obedience to God's Word, we grow in authority. As we demonstrate His characteristic faithfulness, people will be drawn to the Lord, because it is a very winsome quality indeed!
Monday, April 19, 2010
April 19, 2010
All the passages today, from Luke on, seemed to speak to me of the consequences of rejecting the Word of God. Jesus wept over Jerusalem, prophesying that “If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. For days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment around you, surround you and close you in on every side, and level you, and your children within you, to the ground; and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not know the time of your visitation.” Luke 19:41-44
As I read Psalm 88, it seemed like the psalmist (not David) was seeing ahead to that day of destruction and expressing the feelings of a people who had experienced that destruction. He seemed not to see the restoration, but that doesn't mean there was not to be one. It reminds me of the times I have been in the throes of deep depression and hopelessness. It does truly feel like a waking death. However, I can testify that if we will continue to cry out to the Lord, He will come to us, and again reveal Himself to us and restore us, if we will respond to Him and believe His word to us. He will come with whatever we need-- conviction, correction, healing-- but He always comes with love.
How often, I wonder, does our Lord visit our life with His presence and weep for our lack of response to Him? It does not give Him pleasure to have to bring discipline, or to have to allow us to "hit bottom" so that we will turn to Him. But one thing is certain, when we do realize we are in need of Him, He will answer our cry for help. He will come with "the things that make for our peace."
As I read Psalm 88, it seemed like the psalmist (not David) was seeing ahead to that day of destruction and expressing the feelings of a people who had experienced that destruction. He seemed not to see the restoration, but that doesn't mean there was not to be one. It reminds me of the times I have been in the throes of deep depression and hopelessness. It does truly feel like a waking death. However, I can testify that if we will continue to cry out to the Lord, He will come to us, and again reveal Himself to us and restore us, if we will respond to Him and believe His word to us. He will come with whatever we need-- conviction, correction, healing-- but He always comes with love.
How often, I wonder, does our Lord visit our life with His presence and weep for our lack of response to Him? It does not give Him pleasure to have to bring discipline, or to have to allow us to "hit bottom" so that we will turn to Him. But one thing is certain, when we do realize we are in need of Him, He will answer our cry for help. He will come with "the things that make for our peace."
Saturday, April 17, 2010
April 17, 2010
I want to challenge you to grapple with those Scriptures that you tend to "gloss over," especially the things that Jesus said in the Gospels. The Lord delights in explaining Himself to us, all we have to do is ask and listen. It's right to ask the Lord, "What is it that hinders me from following you?" He will always answer you, but you have to be willing to receive the answer and let Him help you with it.
Jesus is always going to put His finger on the core issue of our heart. When He said, "How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the Kingdom of God," He wasn't just talking about money. Money is a big issue, but there are many other things that can have a hold on us. Whatever we value the most is the thing that can keep us from entering in. Although it's quite impossible for us to let go of our idols by our own willpower, the Lord made it clear that He would help us. All we have to do is cry out to Him the way the blind beggar did.
Why is it so hard for us to let go? Jesus promised to give us "very much more in this age, and in the age to come eternal life." I can testify that no matter how many times I've laid the things down that my heart clung to, the Lord has more than made up for it. Our only issue is not seeing Him for who He really is, and not understanding His heart towards us.
If you really want to follow Jesus into the Kingdom, then go out on a limb and ask Him to help you. He most certainly will.
Jesus is always going to put His finger on the core issue of our heart. When He said, "How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the Kingdom of God," He wasn't just talking about money. Money is a big issue, but there are many other things that can have a hold on us. Whatever we value the most is the thing that can keep us from entering in. Although it's quite impossible for us to let go of our idols by our own willpower, the Lord made it clear that He would help us. All we have to do is cry out to Him the way the blind beggar did.
Why is it so hard for us to let go? Jesus promised to give us "very much more in this age, and in the age to come eternal life." I can testify that no matter how many times I've laid the things down that my heart clung to, the Lord has more than made up for it. Our only issue is not seeing Him for who He really is, and not understanding His heart towards us.
If you really want to follow Jesus into the Kingdom, then go out on a limb and ask Him to help you. He most certainly will.
Friday, April 16, 2010
April 16, 2010
I woke up today feeling kind of old, wondering how I was going to ever be able to do all the things the Lord had put before me to do. I was wishing I had done them when I was young, thinner and much more energetic. I'm so glad I read the Scriptures today, for they really spoke to me about all this.
Even though I heard my call when I was 14, in an unmistakeable way (not an audible voice, but one that couldn't be missed), I wasn't in the place to walk it out. In fact, I outright rejected it, more intent on my own way of doing things than worrying about what God wanted. The next seven years was pitiful indeed! Since then, every seven years has brought a new fresh call, a renewal of the very first call, with an increase. God has never given up on His vision for my life. He has never given up on His vision for yours, either.
I was so impressed with Caleb, who went to Joshua and asked for the inheritance that the Lord had promised him. "I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadesh Barnea to spy out the land, and I brought back word to him as it was in my heart. 8 Nevertheless my brethren who went up with me made the heart of the people melt, but I wholly followed the LORD my God. 9 So Moses swore on that day, saying, ‘Surely the land where your foot has trodden shall be your inheritance and your children’s forever, because you have wholly followed the LORD my God.’ 10 And now, behold, the LORD has kept me alive, as He said, these forty-five years, ever since the LORD spoke this word to Moses while Israel wandered in the wilderness; and now, here I am this day, eighty-five years old. 11 As yet I am as strong this day as on the day that Moses sent me; just as my strength was then, so now is my strength for war, both for going out and for coming in. 12 Now therefore, give me this mountain of which the LORD spoke in that day; for you heard in that day how the Anakim were there, and that the cities were great and fortified. It may be that the LORD will be with me, and I shall be able to drive them out as the LORD said.” 13 And Joshua blessed him, and gave Hebron to Caleb the son of Jephunneh as an inheritance. Joshua 14: 6b-13
At first, I was reading that thinking, "That sure doesn't fit me!" But the Lord showed me otherwise, for two reasons. One, I can do all things in Christ who strengthens me-- it's Christ's righteousness and work in me, not my own, that makes me worthy and gives me the ability to carry out God's will. Only faith and obedience is necessary. That is all. I haven't always been so great on the obedience part, and that's the only reason I am still struggling to take my inheritance. But I see now that the faith part has always been there, although many times as good as dead from lack of corresponding action. But I am still believeing. In my spirit, I am more vigorous than ever, and because I know my God more than I did when I was 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, 49, 50, and 57 (everything gets refreshed at the 50th year, the Jubilee), I think I am able to say: Now, then, give me this mountain!
We saw Jesus teaching that men ought to pray and not give up. Yet, He wanted to know if, when He showed up, would He find enough faith so that we could receive the answer to our prayer.
Jesus has shown up over and over again to answer my prayers, and yet, I was still not ready enough to keep exercising my faith in His promises to stand firm when the giants came to try and steal it. I am determined to see it though this time, with His help. He's not going to do my life for me, or without me. But when I take my Sword up and my shield of faith, He's going to be right there strengthening me, and fighting for me. I think I even have enough faith in His creative power to get back my youthful vigor!
What about you? What's He promised you? What's your inheritance in Him? Are you just going to stand there and wait another 7 years? I don't think so! It's time to act out our faith and say: NOW, THEN, GIVE ME THIS MOUNTAIN!
Even though I heard my call when I was 14, in an unmistakeable way (not an audible voice, but one that couldn't be missed), I wasn't in the place to walk it out. In fact, I outright rejected it, more intent on my own way of doing things than worrying about what God wanted. The next seven years was pitiful indeed! Since then, every seven years has brought a new fresh call, a renewal of the very first call, with an increase. God has never given up on His vision for my life. He has never given up on His vision for yours, either.
I was so impressed with Caleb, who went to Joshua and asked for the inheritance that the Lord had promised him. "I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadesh Barnea to spy out the land, and I brought back word to him as it was in my heart. 8 Nevertheless my brethren who went up with me made the heart of the people melt, but I wholly followed the LORD my God. 9 So Moses swore on that day, saying, ‘Surely the land where your foot has trodden shall be your inheritance and your children’s forever, because you have wholly followed the LORD my God.’ 10 And now, behold, the LORD has kept me alive, as He said, these forty-five years, ever since the LORD spoke this word to Moses while Israel wandered in the wilderness; and now, here I am this day, eighty-five years old. 11 As yet I am as strong this day as on the day that Moses sent me; just as my strength was then, so now is my strength for war, both for going out and for coming in. 12 Now therefore, give me this mountain of which the LORD spoke in that day; for you heard in that day how the Anakim were there, and that the cities were great and fortified. It may be that the LORD will be with me, and I shall be able to drive them out as the LORD said.” 13 And Joshua blessed him, and gave Hebron to Caleb the son of Jephunneh as an inheritance. Joshua 14: 6b-13
At first, I was reading that thinking, "That sure doesn't fit me!" But the Lord showed me otherwise, for two reasons. One, I can do all things in Christ who strengthens me-- it's Christ's righteousness and work in me, not my own, that makes me worthy and gives me the ability to carry out God's will. Only faith and obedience is necessary. That is all. I haven't always been so great on the obedience part, and that's the only reason I am still struggling to take my inheritance. But I see now that the faith part has always been there, although many times as good as dead from lack of corresponding action. But I am still believeing. In my spirit, I am more vigorous than ever, and because I know my God more than I did when I was 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, 49, 50, and 57 (everything gets refreshed at the 50th year, the Jubilee), I think I am able to say: Now, then, give me this mountain!
We saw Jesus teaching that men ought to pray and not give up. Yet, He wanted to know if, when He showed up, would He find enough faith so that we could receive the answer to our prayer.
Jesus has shown up over and over again to answer my prayers, and yet, I was still not ready enough to keep exercising my faith in His promises to stand firm when the giants came to try and steal it. I am determined to see it though this time, with His help. He's not going to do my life for me, or without me. But when I take my Sword up and my shield of faith, He's going to be right there strengthening me, and fighting for me. I think I even have enough faith in His creative power to get back my youthful vigor!
What about you? What's He promised you? What's your inheritance in Him? Are you just going to stand there and wait another 7 years? I don't think so! It's time to act out our faith and say: NOW, THEN, GIVE ME THIS MOUNTAIN!
Thursday, April 15, 2010
April 15, 2010
It's one of those days I just have to spend extra time with the Lord and get filled up. Psalm 84 really resonated with me today! My heart is on pilgrimage, and if I don't keep my focus on Christ, as He's my destination, I won't see the desert turn into springs. If I don't stay filled up with His water and light, I might end up turning into a pillar of salt, having preferred the "refreshments" of the world. Just being in the Lord's presence, soaking in the music of heaven, feasting on His words, and taking the burdens of life before His throne are the things that keep us going on our pilgrimage. We need one another and we need to shine our lights in the world. But if we're not filled up, we're not going to be a blessing for anyone else, and our light will be darkness. Psalm 84 is a lifestyle of the heart. I hope you will always take time to be with Jesus, who is our life.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
April 14, 2010
The Luke passage again reminded me of the problem of offenses (remember the walled city). What He says shows us how very serious offenses are. Here, Jesus is teaching us about what we need to do to avoid offenses. Then He said to the disciples, “It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come! It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones. Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.” Luke 17: 1-4
Notice that everybody's talking in the last scenario. Offenses come when we don't talk to our brothers and sisters. He's speaking about our family in the faith-- people in a Family whose whole foundation is God's total forgiveness. He instructs us to tell them what they did wrong, that is, when they do something to us that is sinful (He doesn't mean go around and correct everybody for everything! This is personal). And He doesn't say, go point out the person's repeat errors. He says if they do it again and come and repent to you, let them know you forgive them, over and over. This is a great way for us to get trained in a righteous behavior, by practicing accountability. Notice that this brother is not offended, since he keeps asking for forgiveness. And we are walking in forgiveness, which means we've released it to the Lord.
Pay attention, though: Jesus said "Take heed to yourselves." We're being careful here not to create an offense. And not to take offense ourself. We all sin on a regular basis. We get offended when we don't get things aired out. If I let someone sin against me over and over, and I don't point it out to them, it is too easy to become hard of heart, bitter and unforgiving. Soon my fellowship with God and others is ruined. This is offense. Jesus didn't say, "If your brother offends you." We choose to be offended. If we do as Jesus said, we keep ouselves clear. Guarding against offense means we must act against it before it comes, because once we're offended, we're probably going to need to be rescued (delivered).
We must understand how we could possibly create an offense, so we can be careful not to do so. We help create an offense by not speaking correction at the proper time. Consider this: what if, later on, the person realizes they've been sinning all this time, and you didn't tell them. What if they reaped all sorts of bad consequences for their sin that could have been avoided by honesty.
We also create a situation for offense when we wound someone and do not admit it and ask them to forgive us for our sin. It's not enough to repent privately to God and know we're forgiven. If someone is harboring something against us (we used to call it "an ought" from the King James, and all that means is "something"), then things are not healthy, and we are all hindered. The Kingdom of God is a lot about right relationship. These things can contribute to people taking offense-- not only against you, but against the whole church, and eventually God. They create opportunities for the devil to steal, kill and destroy.
The direst circumstance of creating offense is against "one of these little ones." I see this as little either in the natural, as a young child, or young in the family of God. I think a "little one" can be anyone you are have authority over. When a person in authority-- such as a parent, or a spiritual leader-- sins against those in their protection-- those who trust and follow them-- they create a situation where the rebuke-repent-forgive scenario (open communication) cannot usually take place.
"Little ones" will usually be too afraid to approach the authority to confront them about a sin. If they do attempt it, most of the time, they are repelled, and will never attempt it again. The young, untrained, and immature have the ability to forgive a parent or leader's sin without speaking about it to them (and most of the time to no one but God), but if the sin is very heinous or repeated, and it is not humbly confessed, this places a burden on these little ones that, too many times, cannot be overcome without help.
Parents are mistaken if they think they should never admit wrong to their children. [In order to keep from defiling them unnecessarily, we confess only what the child already knows about]. Humble repentance is always in good order. Children respond very gracefully to it, are very forgiving (unless they are already offended), and learn by the example.
Our responsibility as Christians, especially if we are in a place of maturity and leadership, is to do everything we can to guard against offense. Offense causes people to build terrible walls around their heart and life. These walls become fortresses that keep people from loving and receiving love, and often make people lash out angrily. If we realize we have helped create an offense, we must get on our face and repent before God, seeking Him as to how to restore the person or people. It will not be easy, but nothing is impossible with God.
Having been in the place of offense myself, on both sides, I can testify that the feeling is much like Jesus described: a millstone tied around one's neck and drowning in the sea. Until we realize how horrible it is to treat people in this way, and how unbearable it is to be in this place, we will not be diligent enough.
I have not discussed sinning against, and causing offense, in unbelievers. How has the world been affected by the professing Christian who does not walk in love or obey Christ's commands? What must we do to deliver the world from offense?
Notice that everybody's talking in the last scenario. Offenses come when we don't talk to our brothers and sisters. He's speaking about our family in the faith-- people in a Family whose whole foundation is God's total forgiveness. He instructs us to tell them what they did wrong, that is, when they do something to us that is sinful (He doesn't mean go around and correct everybody for everything! This is personal). And He doesn't say, go point out the person's repeat errors. He says if they do it again and come and repent to you, let them know you forgive them, over and over. This is a great way for us to get trained in a righteous behavior, by practicing accountability. Notice that this brother is not offended, since he keeps asking for forgiveness. And we are walking in forgiveness, which means we've released it to the Lord.
Pay attention, though: Jesus said "Take heed to yourselves." We're being careful here not to create an offense. And not to take offense ourself. We all sin on a regular basis. We get offended when we don't get things aired out. If I let someone sin against me over and over, and I don't point it out to them, it is too easy to become hard of heart, bitter and unforgiving. Soon my fellowship with God and others is ruined. This is offense. Jesus didn't say, "If your brother offends you." We choose to be offended. If we do as Jesus said, we keep ouselves clear. Guarding against offense means we must act against it before it comes, because once we're offended, we're probably going to need to be rescued (delivered).
We must understand how we could possibly create an offense, so we can be careful not to do so. We help create an offense by not speaking correction at the proper time. Consider this: what if, later on, the person realizes they've been sinning all this time, and you didn't tell them. What if they reaped all sorts of bad consequences for their sin that could have been avoided by honesty.
We also create a situation for offense when we wound someone and do not admit it and ask them to forgive us for our sin. It's not enough to repent privately to God and know we're forgiven. If someone is harboring something against us (we used to call it "an ought" from the King James, and all that means is "something"), then things are not healthy, and we are all hindered. The Kingdom of God is a lot about right relationship. These things can contribute to people taking offense-- not only against you, but against the whole church, and eventually God. They create opportunities for the devil to steal, kill and destroy.
The direst circumstance of creating offense is against "one of these little ones." I see this as little either in the natural, as a young child, or young in the family of God. I think a "little one" can be anyone you are have authority over. When a person in authority-- such as a parent, or a spiritual leader-- sins against those in their protection-- those who trust and follow them-- they create a situation where the rebuke-repent-forgive scenario (open communication) cannot usually take place.
"Little ones" will usually be too afraid to approach the authority to confront them about a sin. If they do attempt it, most of the time, they are repelled, and will never attempt it again. The young, untrained, and immature have the ability to forgive a parent or leader's sin without speaking about it to them (and most of the time to no one but God), but if the sin is very heinous or repeated, and it is not humbly confessed, this places a burden on these little ones that, too many times, cannot be overcome without help.
Parents are mistaken if they think they should never admit wrong to their children. [In order to keep from defiling them unnecessarily, we confess only what the child already knows about]. Humble repentance is always in good order. Children respond very gracefully to it, are very forgiving (unless they are already offended), and learn by the example.
Our responsibility as Christians, especially if we are in a place of maturity and leadership, is to do everything we can to guard against offense. Offense causes people to build terrible walls around their heart and life. These walls become fortresses that keep people from loving and receiving love, and often make people lash out angrily. If we realize we have helped create an offense, we must get on our face and repent before God, seeking Him as to how to restore the person or people. It will not be easy, but nothing is impossible with God.
Having been in the place of offense myself, on both sides, I can testify that the feeling is much like Jesus described: a millstone tied around one's neck and drowning in the sea. Until we realize how horrible it is to treat people in this way, and how unbearable it is to be in this place, we will not be diligent enough.
I have not discussed sinning against, and causing offense, in unbelievers. How has the world been affected by the professing Christian who does not walk in love or obey Christ's commands? What must we do to deliver the world from offense?
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
April 13, 2010
Strategy: that's the theme that came forward to me today. Joshua had God's strategy to defeat Ai. The strategy he used in that battle is also a strategy the devil uses to try and get us into a place he can attack us from behind. Good thing we have God's glory as our rear guard. He's covered me many a time when I was being stupid. And it's good to know our friends are covering our backs too!
I think Ai was being pretty stupid to leave the city undefended! We should never use past experience as a guide for creating a strategic plan! God changes His strategies often. In case you haven't noticed, Satan isn't that flexible. He keeps using the same tactics that worked before, until he suffers a major rout, and then he might change something. God may have given me an overall strategic plan for accomplishing something, but if I don't "inquire of the Lord" on a daily basis, I can miss His input that would have given me the advantage. The idea that a day ahead of us is just routine, and launching out on autopilot, is a good way to get tripped up on something, even a basically stupid something!
There are many different battlefields we deal with every day, such as "the world, the flesh and the devil." If we're not careful to uphold the victories we have already gained, we can fall down on something we've neglected while we're charging ahead after a "biggie". It's not always the battles we're focused on, but the ones we're not paying attention to, that creep up on us from behind, that take us out. Keep your guard up: that's different than building up walls of defensiveness.
As an example, I charged into this year with a strong desire to dig into the Word and proclaim the Lord in the areas of influence the Lord has given me. I knew that He wanted me to have an emphasis on relating more to others, and not just being studious or creative all by myself at home. That desire was from the Lord, and He's been with me. But I quickly found that all the interaction and outward focus was distracting me from prayer. I'm not going to continue being effective if my prayer life is extinct! In the past, the times I've been most caught up in alone time with the Lord, in prayer and worship, have been the times I neglected to reach out to others. So, God's strategy for me this year is to learn to keep a balance of intimate times with Him and connecting with others. I'm thankful that the Lord has brought some actively praying saints in my path to keep me reminded on that particular front!
Practicing the art of being led by the Spirit, moment to moment, has always been key for keeping me on the narrow way. That narrow way has always seemed like a balancing act to me, especially since I'm not naturally balanced. On each side of the way are ditches, to use Rick Joyner's phrase. For me, it's easy to tell if I'm off. One side is a ditch called anxiety, and the other side is a ditch called depression. I get anxious if I spend too much time focused outward, and depressed if I spend too much time alone. The narrow way is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, and that's Kingdom!
Not only are we walking, or not walking, on the narrow way, but each of us is in a spiritual war, like it or not. We might as well have our armor on, and have God's strategic plan and tactical directions so that we can daily experience the victory Christ has already won for us.
What other strategies did you see in the Scriptures today? I saw some in the Luke and in the Psalm, and didn't even get to those. Let us know what you find!
I think Ai was being pretty stupid to leave the city undefended! We should never use past experience as a guide for creating a strategic plan! God changes His strategies often. In case you haven't noticed, Satan isn't that flexible. He keeps using the same tactics that worked before, until he suffers a major rout, and then he might change something. God may have given me an overall strategic plan for accomplishing something, but if I don't "inquire of the Lord" on a daily basis, I can miss His input that would have given me the advantage. The idea that a day ahead of us is just routine, and launching out on autopilot, is a good way to get tripped up on something, even a basically stupid something!
There are many different battlefields we deal with every day, such as "the world, the flesh and the devil." If we're not careful to uphold the victories we have already gained, we can fall down on something we've neglected while we're charging ahead after a "biggie". It's not always the battles we're focused on, but the ones we're not paying attention to, that creep up on us from behind, that take us out. Keep your guard up: that's different than building up walls of defensiveness.
As an example, I charged into this year with a strong desire to dig into the Word and proclaim the Lord in the areas of influence the Lord has given me. I knew that He wanted me to have an emphasis on relating more to others, and not just being studious or creative all by myself at home. That desire was from the Lord, and He's been with me. But I quickly found that all the interaction and outward focus was distracting me from prayer. I'm not going to continue being effective if my prayer life is extinct! In the past, the times I've been most caught up in alone time with the Lord, in prayer and worship, have been the times I neglected to reach out to others. So, God's strategy for me this year is to learn to keep a balance of intimate times with Him and connecting with others. I'm thankful that the Lord has brought some actively praying saints in my path to keep me reminded on that particular front!
Practicing the art of being led by the Spirit, moment to moment, has always been key for keeping me on the narrow way. That narrow way has always seemed like a balancing act to me, especially since I'm not naturally balanced. On each side of the way are ditches, to use Rick Joyner's phrase. For me, it's easy to tell if I'm off. One side is a ditch called anxiety, and the other side is a ditch called depression. I get anxious if I spend too much time focused outward, and depressed if I spend too much time alone. The narrow way is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, and that's Kingdom!
Not only are we walking, or not walking, on the narrow way, but each of us is in a spiritual war, like it or not. We might as well have our armor on, and have God's strategic plan and tactical directions so that we can daily experience the victory Christ has already won for us.
What other strategies did you see in the Scriptures today? I saw some in the Luke and in the Psalm, and didn't even get to those. Let us know what you find!
Monday, April 12, 2010
April 12, 2010
As I read today in the Joshua passage, I saw something that simply took my breath away! It's possible that I may have heard it taught before, but I don't remember it, and I certainly never "got it" with such impact. What I saw in the story about Jericho was intercession and spiritual warfare over individuals and cities. I'm not saying that we should do literally what the Israelites did, but that it is a symbolic word picture through and through, as well as the historical account.
The Lord brought a Scripture to my mind that upheld what He was saying to me (He is always so kind, isn't He, to help us understand). "A brother offended is harder to win than a strong city." Proverbs 18:19 [Many people are offended with God-- I think it's true of anyone who won't receive Him or others.]
When I read of Joshua encountering the Captain of the Hosts (He was Jesus, the Word, wasn't He!), it absolutely gave me chills. It is His battle-- we are fighting with Him as part of the army of God, and it's a spiritual one, not fought with flesh and blood, but with effective weapons against spiritual enemies-- and He is victorious! Only, we must bow before Him and obey His commands.
Rather than try to pick the story apart for an exact strategy, I will share the things that became energized to me today. I saw the seven days, seven times, seven priests, seven trumpets, as God's perfect and complete plan of redemption and restoration, the trumpets as praise of God and announcing His presence, and the circling in silence as forgiveness. What did Jesus say, "seventy times seven?"
Oh, I could write a long essay on this! Have we ever been able to win a person who has a hardened heart-- or with walls of defense built up around them-- by trying to batter the walls down? No! And yet, it has been done to me, and I have done it to others. I have learned the hard way that if I haven't interceeded for a person, coming before God with a humble heart (to be circumcised of the selfishness, or to have the log removed from my own eye), the Lord will not allow me to speak. If I do it without His permission and in His timing, the walls will not fall down, they will only be fortified, and often I will be the one attacked. Most of the time, a confrontation is not needed when intercession is done, declaring the Word over a person (in private, as the Spirit dictates only), and declaring the truth of their deliverance to the enemies who hold them captive-- until their enemies melt with fear. And at the proper time, we can shout the praises of God for the victory, and the walls come down without ever having attacked the person.
Rahab, a prostitute who had come to fear God and believe His Word, was saved along with her family, and everything else was devoted to destruction! There was a heavy penalty for anyone who would take something that was supposed to be destroyed. It is so important to let the Lord deal with anything in us that would hold a person to their sin, especially someone we are close to, such as a spouse,child, or close friend. It is too easy to become attached to the one we used to know, or out of some unmet need, to try to save the very things that God is burning. You could call that co-dependency. I know by experience that it is painful to go through the process of having the walls fall down, and the sinful nature burned up-- when I'm there myself, or when I'm around another who is going through the process. But we must allow the Captain of the Host to do His work.
Salvation rarely looks the way we think it should. So often it offends our proud and self-righteous spirits (religious). Just when we think the process is done within ourselves or in another, something else begins to burn or fall down. Don't forget the picture we saw of the loving Father, who forgives, receives, restores and rejoices over the one who had gone astray-- or the Good Shepherd, who leaves the 99 and goes after the one.
Now, take this picture and see how the Spirit of Wisdom might apply this to winning cities for the Kingdom of God!
The Lord brought a Scripture to my mind that upheld what He was saying to me (He is always so kind, isn't He, to help us understand). "A brother offended is harder to win than a strong city." Proverbs 18:19 [Many people are offended with God-- I think it's true of anyone who won't receive Him or others.]
When I read of Joshua encountering the Captain of the Hosts (He was Jesus, the Word, wasn't He!), it absolutely gave me chills. It is His battle-- we are fighting with Him as part of the army of God, and it's a spiritual one, not fought with flesh and blood, but with effective weapons against spiritual enemies-- and He is victorious! Only, we must bow before Him and obey His commands.
Rather than try to pick the story apart for an exact strategy, I will share the things that became energized to me today. I saw the seven days, seven times, seven priests, seven trumpets, as God's perfect and complete plan of redemption and restoration, the trumpets as praise of God and announcing His presence, and the circling in silence as forgiveness. What did Jesus say, "seventy times seven?"
Oh, I could write a long essay on this! Have we ever been able to win a person who has a hardened heart-- or with walls of defense built up around them-- by trying to batter the walls down? No! And yet, it has been done to me, and I have done it to others. I have learned the hard way that if I haven't interceeded for a person, coming before God with a humble heart (to be circumcised of the selfishness, or to have the log removed from my own eye), the Lord will not allow me to speak. If I do it without His permission and in His timing, the walls will not fall down, they will only be fortified, and often I will be the one attacked. Most of the time, a confrontation is not needed when intercession is done, declaring the Word over a person (in private, as the Spirit dictates only), and declaring the truth of their deliverance to the enemies who hold them captive-- until their enemies melt with fear. And at the proper time, we can shout the praises of God for the victory, and the walls come down without ever having attacked the person.
Rahab, a prostitute who had come to fear God and believe His Word, was saved along with her family, and everything else was devoted to destruction! There was a heavy penalty for anyone who would take something that was supposed to be destroyed. It is so important to let the Lord deal with anything in us that would hold a person to their sin, especially someone we are close to, such as a spouse,child, or close friend. It is too easy to become attached to the one we used to know, or out of some unmet need, to try to save the very things that God is burning. You could call that co-dependency. I know by experience that it is painful to go through the process of having the walls fall down, and the sinful nature burned up-- when I'm there myself, or when I'm around another who is going through the process. But we must allow the Captain of the Host to do His work.
Salvation rarely looks the way we think it should. So often it offends our proud and self-righteous spirits (religious). Just when we think the process is done within ourselves or in another, something else begins to burn or fall down. Don't forget the picture we saw of the loving Father, who forgives, receives, restores and rejoices over the one who had gone astray-- or the Good Shepherd, who leaves the 99 and goes after the one.
Now, take this picture and see how the Spirit of Wisdom might apply this to winning cities for the Kingdom of God!
Sunday, April 11, 2010
April 11, 2010
I think it would be wonderful to make a "scrapbook" or "memory book" of the things God has done in our life. Don't you? We take photos of our kids growing up, and the major events in our life, like weddings and birthdays, and we document our vacations and our mission trips. We collect memorabilia from our various activities and event we want to remember. Then we look at them occasionally, and these scrapbooks bring back the memories or our best times, strengthening them every time we do. We talk to our kids about our life before they were born: "Look, there's mommy and daddy with really funny hairdo's and clothes!" or the funny things they did when they were little: "There you are at one year old, with a pie pan on your head!" It's easy to laugh and share with our kids with something to look at that's organized and picturesque.
God did similar things with Israel it seems, only they didn't have iphones! When Joshua led them across the flooded Jordan, heaping up the water, the Lord instructed them to take twelve stones out from the Jordan and pile them up in the Promised Land as a memorial for what He had done for them. "Then he spoke to the children of Israel, saying: “When your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, ‘What are these stones?’ then you shall let your children know, saying, ‘Israel crossed over this Jordan on dry land’; for the LORD your God dried up the waters of the Jordan before you until you had crossed over, as the LORD your God did to the Red Sea, which He dried up before us until we had crossed over, that all the peoples of the earth may know the hand of the LORD, that it is mighty, that you may fear the LORD your God forever.” Joshua 4: 21-24
If we are to accomplish the things that God gives us to do, it is imperative that we bring to remembrance the times that He has worked in our life, the times He has empowered us and brought us through. Otherwise we tend to lose faith in the midst of difficulty. This has been one of my largest shortcomings throughout my Christian walk. I'm a great starter, but carrying through is not so easy, and finishing something has always loomed before me like an impossible task.
I very much related to this Scripture verse today: "For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it— lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish’? Luke 14: 28-30 The thing is, when I start something by the inspiration of the Spirit and the word of the Lord, I know the Lord can do it through me, because I know His power and ability. But do I really count the cost?
Jesus knew the kinds of trials, struggles, temptations and oppositions we would face as we walked through life as His disciples. He gave us the perfect antedote to failure: "pick up your cross and follow me," and "whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple." The cost of fulfilling God's will and following Christ to the end, the finish line, is EVERYTHING. You just don't quit! And you let nothing stop you from obeying Him, not even yourself.
A scrapbook of remembrance, in lieu of stone monuments, might help us remember not only God's faithfulness to us and to our ancestors; but it might also remind us of the times we chose, yet again, to commitment ourselves to faithful discipleship. We need reminders that we were once willing to pick up our cross and give up everything, so that we will continue in that choice when we feel ready to quit.
I like how so many of the verses tied together today, and I like how Proverbs sums up the concept of follow-through:
The lazy man does not roast what he took in hunting, But diligence is man’s precious possession. In the way of righteousness is life, And in its pathway there is no death. Proverbs 12: 27-28
There is only one righteous path, and that is Jesus Christ. If we stop following Him, we fail, but if we continue to follow Him, enduring until the end, we succeed, because there is no death or failure in Him.
God did similar things with Israel it seems, only they didn't have iphones! When Joshua led them across the flooded Jordan, heaping up the water, the Lord instructed them to take twelve stones out from the Jordan and pile them up in the Promised Land as a memorial for what He had done for them. "Then he spoke to the children of Israel, saying: “When your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, ‘What are these stones?’ then you shall let your children know, saying, ‘Israel crossed over this Jordan on dry land’; for the LORD your God dried up the waters of the Jordan before you until you had crossed over, as the LORD your God did to the Red Sea, which He dried up before us until we had crossed over, that all the peoples of the earth may know the hand of the LORD, that it is mighty, that you may fear the LORD your God forever.” Joshua 4: 21-24
If we are to accomplish the things that God gives us to do, it is imperative that we bring to remembrance the times that He has worked in our life, the times He has empowered us and brought us through. Otherwise we tend to lose faith in the midst of difficulty. This has been one of my largest shortcomings throughout my Christian walk. I'm a great starter, but carrying through is not so easy, and finishing something has always loomed before me like an impossible task.
I very much related to this Scripture verse today: "For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it— lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish’? Luke 14: 28-30 The thing is, when I start something by the inspiration of the Spirit and the word of the Lord, I know the Lord can do it through me, because I know His power and ability. But do I really count the cost?
Jesus knew the kinds of trials, struggles, temptations and oppositions we would face as we walked through life as His disciples. He gave us the perfect antedote to failure: "pick up your cross and follow me," and "whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple." The cost of fulfilling God's will and following Christ to the end, the finish line, is EVERYTHING. You just don't quit! And you let nothing stop you from obeying Him, not even yourself.
A scrapbook of remembrance, in lieu of stone monuments, might help us remember not only God's faithfulness to us and to our ancestors; but it might also remind us of the times we chose, yet again, to commitment ourselves to faithful discipleship. We need reminders that we were once willing to pick up our cross and give up everything, so that we will continue in that choice when we feel ready to quit.
I like how so many of the verses tied together today, and I like how Proverbs sums up the concept of follow-through:
The lazy man does not roast what he took in hunting, But diligence is man’s precious possession. In the way of righteousness is life, And in its pathway there is no death. Proverbs 12: 27-28
There is only one righteous path, and that is Jesus Christ. If we stop following Him, we fail, but if we continue to follow Him, enduring until the end, we succeed, because there is no death or failure in Him.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
April 10, 2010
The Bible says that the Lord knew Moses face to face! Deut. 34:10. I always thought of it the other way around (i.e., Moses knew God face to face), but I even checked out Exodus 33:11: So the LORD spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend.
It seems that Jesus expects this kind of open-faced knowing from us as well. What do you think? I saw it here in this Scripture:
Then one said to Him, “Lord, are there few who are saved?” And He said to them, “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able. When once the Master of the house has risen up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open for us,’ and He will answer and say to you, ‘I do not know you, where you are from,’ then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets.’ But He will say, ‘I tell you I do not know you, where you are from. Depart from Me, all you workers of iniquity.’ Luke 13:23-27
What does it take for the Lord to know us? He certainly put an emphasis on that here. And it wasn't just about being in the same vicinity and having the same nationality. Obviously, the Lord knows everything, and He of course know us inside and out, as He made us and is omniscient and omnipresent. So what does it take for the Lord to know us? I want to know! I want to make it through that narrow gate!
I try to stick with the Scripture reading of the day (there's so much in them!), but when I picked up my tea to go warm it up again, the Lord reminded me of these verses: "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction." Proverbs 1:7 "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." Proverbs 9:10
We might start out so afraid of God, like Moses (Exodus 3:6), that we won't even show our face. We're not going to get to know God like that! But the Lord's saying, "Where are you? Open up! Why are you hiding?" Like He did with Adam and Eve. If we allow fear, shame and the need to belong (thank you, Eldon, for that great teaching!) to keep us from showing our face to God, we'll remain foolish, because how will we overcome those issues if we will not receive instruction? If the Lord's saying "I do not know you," it's because we're too proud to let Him in. If we're going to go through His gate, He's going to first have to come in through ours.
Jesus said to those of His nation who would not believe in Him: "See! Your house is left to you desolate; and assuredly, I say to you, you shall not see Me until the time comes when you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!’” Luke 13: 35
I'll never forget the day I realized, with a huge shock, that God saw everything about me! I had spent my life deperately trying to hide from Him, in spite of the fact I'd called myself a Christian for most of it. I was in the middle of a rather wretched fight with my husband, and it was going nowhere. I felt so hopeless. Suddenly, the Lord revealed where I was at. I remember falling onto the floor and weeping uncontrollably when I realized that God saw through my defenses. I decided then that I had to stop hiding from the Lord behind the masks and walls I had built around myself to protect me from hurt, real or imagined.
Even though I had gotten revelation, it took years before I was willing to totally lay down the things that I used to shield myself from others and from God. I was so expert at creating defenses that most of them were hidden even from myself. I'm still not sure they're all gone, but at least now I am willing to be shown, either by the Lord or a person that He might speak through. The more I reveal myself to Him, the more He reveals Himself to me.
Have you ever seen a child, who, by covering her eyes, thinks she is hiding from her parent? I have! A child quickly figures it out, but it is funny when they first do it. We are like that with the Lord, and yet how slowly we come to the reality that we must not try to hide from Him. He can see us anyway. And the great truth is, that He loves us, so much more, than we love our own little children.
It is wisdom to uncover the face of our heart when we go to the written Word, for in it we will find Christ, if we will only open our eyes and let Him see us.
It seems that Jesus expects this kind of open-faced knowing from us as well. What do you think? I saw it here in this Scripture:
Then one said to Him, “Lord, are there few who are saved?” And He said to them, “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able. When once the Master of the house has risen up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open for us,’ and He will answer and say to you, ‘I do not know you, where you are from,’ then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets.’ But He will say, ‘I tell you I do not know you, where you are from. Depart from Me, all you workers of iniquity.’ Luke 13:23-27
What does it take for the Lord to know us? He certainly put an emphasis on that here. And it wasn't just about being in the same vicinity and having the same nationality. Obviously, the Lord knows everything, and He of course know us inside and out, as He made us and is omniscient and omnipresent. So what does it take for the Lord to know us? I want to know! I want to make it through that narrow gate!
I try to stick with the Scripture reading of the day (there's so much in them!), but when I picked up my tea to go warm it up again, the Lord reminded me of these verses: "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction." Proverbs 1:7 "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." Proverbs 9:10
We might start out so afraid of God, like Moses (Exodus 3:6), that we won't even show our face. We're not going to get to know God like that! But the Lord's saying, "Where are you? Open up! Why are you hiding?" Like He did with Adam and Eve. If we allow fear, shame and the need to belong (thank you, Eldon, for that great teaching!) to keep us from showing our face to God, we'll remain foolish, because how will we overcome those issues if we will not receive instruction? If the Lord's saying "I do not know you," it's because we're too proud to let Him in. If we're going to go through His gate, He's going to first have to come in through ours.
Jesus said to those of His nation who would not believe in Him: "See! Your house is left to you desolate; and assuredly, I say to you, you shall not see Me until the time comes when you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!’” Luke 13: 35
I'll never forget the day I realized, with a huge shock, that God saw everything about me! I had spent my life deperately trying to hide from Him, in spite of the fact I'd called myself a Christian for most of it. I was in the middle of a rather wretched fight with my husband, and it was going nowhere. I felt so hopeless. Suddenly, the Lord revealed where I was at. I remember falling onto the floor and weeping uncontrollably when I realized that God saw through my defenses. I decided then that I had to stop hiding from the Lord behind the masks and walls I had built around myself to protect me from hurt, real or imagined.
Even though I had gotten revelation, it took years before I was willing to totally lay down the things that I used to shield myself from others and from God. I was so expert at creating defenses that most of them were hidden even from myself. I'm still not sure they're all gone, but at least now I am willing to be shown, either by the Lord or a person that He might speak through. The more I reveal myself to Him, the more He reveals Himself to me.
Have you ever seen a child, who, by covering her eyes, thinks she is hiding from her parent? I have! A child quickly figures it out, but it is funny when they first do it. We are like that with the Lord, and yet how slowly we come to the reality that we must not try to hide from Him. He can see us anyway. And the great truth is, that He loves us, so much more, than we love our own little children.
It is wisdom to uncover the face of our heart when we go to the written Word, for in it we will find Christ, if we will only open our eyes and let Him see us.
Friday, April 9, 2010
April 9, 2010
Today I received a personal word from the Lord from the daily reading, an encouragement and a greater understanding of what my purpose is for this particular blog. Here's the verse I read:
And again He said, "To what should I compare the kingdom of God? It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened." Luke 13:20-21
He said that I am to be like that woman, mixing the fresh word of God about the Kingdom into the One Year Bible daily devotional. It is, of course, up to Him to see that His Word ministers to people, but up to me to do my part of the work. I am reminded of the "leaven of the Pharisees" that Jesus warned His disciples not to have. Hypocrisy and unbelief come to mind when I think of that leaven, which would turn the good flour into poison bread. But the leaven of the Kingdom of God is much more effective, because it is motivated and nourished by God's love, and it will not puff anyone up, including myself, but will truly edify.
And again He said, "To what should I compare the kingdom of God? It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened." Luke 13:20-21
He said that I am to be like that woman, mixing the fresh word of God about the Kingdom into the One Year Bible daily devotional. It is, of course, up to Him to see that His Word ministers to people, but up to me to do my part of the work. I am reminded of the "leaven of the Pharisees" that Jesus warned His disciples not to have. Hypocrisy and unbelief come to mind when I think of that leaven, which would turn the good flour into poison bread. But the leaven of the Kingdom of God is much more effective, because it is motivated and nourished by God's love, and it will not puff anyone up, including myself, but will truly edify.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
April 7, 2010
lack of faith (leads to)= anxious mind (leads to) = idolatry
+repentance+
trusting God (leads to) = peace (leads to)= seeking the Kingdom
+repentance+
trusting God (leads to) = peace (leads to)= seeking the Kingdom
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
April 6, 2010
What a great God we have! His desire is for relationship with us, and He has gone to such great lengths to have it! The children of Israel had a God who would protect them and provide for them if they would be faithful to Him and not serve other Gods. We have the same God, and an even better agreement. We have a risen Savior who has made us right with God! And we can have the Holy Spirit living in us to help us truly walk with the Lord.
Yes, we should have the holy fear of the Lord. But we are constantly assured in the Scriptures that God loves us, and that we can love Him! He speaks to us every day, if we will only listen, teaching us and training us to love Him with our whole heart. How can we not be loyal to a God like that?
He had commanded the clouds above,
And opened the doors of heaven,
Had rained down manna on them to eat,
And given them of the bread of heaven.
Psalm 78: 23-24
Yes, we should have the holy fear of the Lord. But we are constantly assured in the Scriptures that God loves us, and that we can love Him! He speaks to us every day, if we will only listen, teaching us and training us to love Him with our whole heart. How can we not be loyal to a God like that?
He had commanded the clouds above,
And opened the doors of heaven,
Had rained down manna on them to eat,
And given them of the bread of heaven.
Psalm 78: 23-24
Friday, April 2, 2010
April 2, 2010
“If a man has committed a sin deserving of death, and he is put to death, and you hang him on a tree, his body shall not remain overnight on the tree, but you shall surely bury him that day, so that you do not defile the land which the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance; for he who is hanged is accursed of God. Deuteronomy 22:22-23
Meditation on Good Friday
They nailed you and hung you,
Son of God, on a tree,
Cursed you,
Spat on you, reviled you,
Though you'd never sinned.
It should have been me
Hanging there for all my sins,
Rebellion, infirmities,
defects. Mine,
Not yours. You were cursed
For me, in my place,
So I could shine
With your forgiveness
And mighty grace.
by Karen Gladys Henry
I am so thankful to the Lord Jesus for all He endured for me, so that I could be saved. Aren't you? He did it all for you too. He said, "It is finished." On the other side of the cross is freedom! Freedom from all that pertains to the fall of mankind. Jesus endured it all, then left it all in the grave. I am still struggling to comprehend what it means to pick up my cross and follow Him. To follow Him into freedom.
Meditation on Good Friday
They nailed you and hung you,
Son of God, on a tree,
Cursed you,
Spat on you, reviled you,
Though you'd never sinned.
It should have been me
Hanging there for all my sins,
Rebellion, infirmities,
defects. Mine,
Not yours. You were cursed
For me, in my place,
So I could shine
With your forgiveness
And mighty grace.
by Karen Gladys Henry
I am so thankful to the Lord Jesus for all He endured for me, so that I could be saved. Aren't you? He did it all for you too. He said, "It is finished." On the other side of the cross is freedom! Freedom from all that pertains to the fall of mankind. Jesus endured it all, then left it all in the grave. I am still struggling to comprehend what it means to pick up my cross and follow Him. To follow Him into freedom.
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