August 11, 2010 The Secret Pavilion

I will share something about the book of Nehemiah that will revolutionize it for you, in case you've never seen it before.  I learned it while doing my degree work in Christian Biblical Psychology.  It's all about restoration, and it is pertinent to the rebuilding of a broken person, as well as the entire Church.  As are all the histories of the Jewish people, they are all written for our instruction.

Today I saw something a little different that I hadn't noticed (maybe I was taught it before, but I don't remember).   All the different people who worked on the wall are like all the different people we come in contact with when we are "under construction."  The Lord will use various people to be His hands in our life when we need help.  A great many people have been devastated emotionally and spiritually, and even physically (often as a result of those) and are in need of being healed and put back together.  God doesn't use any one person (such as a counselor or pastor) to "fix" someone; otherwise I think we would take credit for "building" someone or for making them who they are to become.  God uses teams, and He gets all the glory for it.    The teams are organized by the Holy Spirit, and not necessarily in a way we can see.  I can testify that while I was going through the greatest part of my restoration, that many people had a part to play in different areas in my life.  Sometimes they didn't even realize that God was working through them for the purpose of healing and restoration.  Others didn't realize they were getting in the way.

Notice that first Nehemiah assessed the damage, and then they began to work on the wall.  Most people who have been through life traumas don't have anything in the way of proper defenses.  This might be noticed in the lack of good boundaries, in behavior lacking in any kind of normal sense about what is healthy, and in the tendency to be overrun by harmful agents.  The picture of a war-ravaged city, burned down and with the walls in ruins, is a powerful image to help us understand how damaged people can be.  If you haven't been there yourself, I guarantee you know someone who is.  Likely, you are one of the people who is working on your little section of the wall.  When everyone does their part, a person is able to be restored to functioning more quickly.  The deeper issues of healing then, are dealt with in a safer environment.

While all this work is going on, God nurtures us in the Secret Pavilion.  It's the secret place of His presence, and it's there for all who fear God and trust Him.  It's for the workers and well as those "under construction."  Sometimes it takes a person a while to learn to trust God, as well as have the right kind of reverent awe of the Lord.  When those around them are living in this place, it's a lot easier for them to be led to into it.  No matter who's trying to do you in, or who's speaking evil against you, you're hidden from it in the Secret Pavilion.  Even plaguing inner voices are shut down in this tent of peace, where the love of God surrounds you and protects you.

In the Secret Pavilion, you can also receive a vision of the Heavenly City, the New Jerusalem.  "Blessed be the LORD, for He has shown me His marvelous kindness in a strong city!" Psalm 31:21  This vision of  the wholeness, holiness, and oneness of the finished product of God's people-- what Jesus is working on and will finish--  is what gives the workers and the people being restored, hope enough to continue.  It's what gives us courage, strengthening our hearts.  And Satan will be just as surprised about the results as he was when Jesus was resurrected!

Questions to ponder:
Have you ever noticed how many loud and opposing voices there are all around you all the time?  Have you ever experienced the peace and quiet of God's secret pavilion?
Who do you know that is in a broken and ruined condition?  How is God moving through you to help rebuild the wall?
What was your impression of how Nehemiah communicated with the king?  What kind of instruction does this give you for your own life? 

July 30, 2010 Wearing The Armor of Light

I never noticed before that the passage which says to "put on Christ" is the same passage that says to "put on the armor of light."  I think that's awesome!  In order to wear this armor, we have to put off the works of darkness.  These works are related to being asleep, as the world is.  When we're awake, we're walking in love, and this isn't compatible with the works of the flesh, which is the self-centeredness of the fallen nature.  Once we've awakened to the reality of our salvation, and we get dressed with the brilliant glory of Christ, what darkness can overcome us? 

Again, I'm struck with the prophetic vision of David.  He had a relationship with Christ even then, and understood the armor of light.  He had no need to fear when he found himself in a dark valley shadowed with evil, enemies, and death.  "Dwelling in the house of the Lord forever" takes on a deeper meaning when we understand that it's not necessary to get rid of our natural bodies in order to live in a divine tent of perpetual light that goes wherever we go. 

"You are with me" becomes a little more intimate when we're thinking of wearing Christ!  It also becomes more public.  There's no hiding our salvation or our relationship with the Savior when we're wearing the armor of light!  The days of "my faith is personal" (meaning "I don't share it with anyone") are over!  When you're dressed in light, can you help but be noticed by people who are in the dark?  They might be afraid and run away, but many will be drawn to the light that covers you.

Jesus lives in us by His Word and Spirit when we're born again.  But salvation has to be more than just an inner belief, as we have discussed earlier.  Having light than shines out from the inside and covers us from the outside is the only effective way to be a witness for Christ.  If you're dark, you stay hidden in darkness and nobody notices you.  Not to mention how Jesus feels about that!  The times we walk around incognito are basically times we're denying that we know Him.  I'm not saying we have to be religious about our witnessing!  I've known people who talked a lot about the Lord, but were essentially walking in darkness.  I've been there myself-- and as "easy" as it is to be asleep, being in the dark is torment when you're a child a God. 

The devil feeds on "dust" (Genesis 3:14) which is our self-nature; when we don't put off the works of darkness, he can get us even more entangled in webs of deception, addiction and bitterness than we were before we got "saved."  When he's prowling around looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8), he's looking for someone who's not defended, not wearing their armor of light.  When we're walking in love, and therefore in the light, we're well defended and have nothing to fear.

Putting our armor on is much more than a morning ritual!  Just declaring that we have put on our helmet of salvation, etc., isn't what gets us clothed in light!  It's waking up to what salvation really is, and making a command decision to leave the darkness behind.  It's called repentance.

We are the children of light!  The true light lives in us.  Christ's love is shiny and wonderfully resistant to attack.  Let's start a fashion trend and wear the light!  Shine, shine, shine! 

July 13, 2010 The Earth Trembles, The Trees Rejoice

King David and the Apostle Paul seemed to both have the understanding that the natural creation has an awareness of God and proclaims Him in a way that is unmistakable to man.  When the earth's quaking and the seas are roaring, it's because the presence of God is near-- He's getting closer.  Our response should be in accordance with this: acknowledge His mighty awesomeness, worship Him in the beauty of holiness, glorify Him and make thank offerings, and pray for deliverance from evil.  In the midst of all the shaking, we should be able to discern His nearness and rejoice along with the trees!  Nature is telling us something-- our salvation is at hand!

Nature also informs us of what is righteous and what is not.  Built into us is the knowledge of how God created us and how He created things to be.  He reveals His will in nature, and in our own being: spirit, soul and body.  As Paul states so powerfully, nobody has any excuse for doing things against nature and against God.  What people are doing these days truly follows the description in Romans 2, and it makes nature want to vomit.  

When humans "suppress truth in unrighteousness," they are given over to evil in a progression: a darkened mind, then a darkened heart, then darkened physical behavior.  It all starts with "exchanging the truth for a lie" and "worshipping and serving the creature instead of the Creator." Romans 1:25

If God gave people up to uncleanness and vile passions, I'd say that's part of His judgment.  Verse 18 says the "wrath of God is revealed from heaven."  I'm reminded of a a few others verses:  "the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God" James 1:20; and "If I whet My glittering sword, And My hand takes hold on judgment, I will render vengeance to My enemies, And repay those who hate Me." Deuteronomy 32:41 and  "Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, "VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY," says the Lord." Romans 12: 9 NASB  (caps were in the translation).  Paul said in prelude to that verse (I'm jumping ahead from our reading, I realize): "Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men." Romans 12:17-18

Jesus talked about cities that would have repented if they had seen His works (Luke 10).  Jonah's preaching brought the gigantic city of Ninevah to repentance in sackcloth and ashes (even though he was relishing the thought of their destruction).  That destruction is coming-- has already started in the people who reject God-- but it is up to us right now to shine forth the glory of God in a way that shows Who He Is.  Since God is enthroned in the praises of His people (Ps. 22:3) -- and true praise and worship makes way for the visible, brilliant presence of God-- then our proclaiming His praise would be one way of preaching the truth, and a way that darkened lives could possibly be enlightened again-- before it is too late.  

July 2, 2010 Life in the Strong Tower

Did you feel the refreshment in the Psalm today?  After such dark histories of human failings and selfishness, idol worship, the shedding of innocent blood, the uproar of a sea of humanity fighting against God-- we're thrilled by the pure, brilliant excellence of a simple call to praise God instead of rail against Him!  This is the atmosphere of heaven, which we can bring to earth through our faith: by words, songs, actions, attitudes.  Light and life overcome darkness and death.  They are in God.

"The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe." Proverbs 18:10  I've always loved this verse, and I like how it dovetails with the meaning of the Psalm.  Since the name stands for His character, nature and authority, a great way to "run into" the name of God is to meditate on His goodness and His mighty acts, and to speak, sing or shout them out in praise and thanksgiving.  This praise brings us into a strong tower of His presence--an awareness of who He is and that He is there all around us.  It brings us into the place of remembering to love and trust Him, and in this place of remembrance, we enter into a deep place of worship.  It is here we know that there is no place like God.  Here we are safe.  What evil could ever harm us in heaven?

Once we discover that we may live in this tower always-- we never have to leave it, that it goes with us everywhere when we are in communion with God-- we gain the courage to live a meaningful and selfless life. 

May 24, 2010 "The Right To Remain Silent"

Do you ever feel a weight of glory in the Scriptures?  Today I did.  Just one little part of what Jesus said has so much glory in it that it is really overwhelming if you contemplate it.  For instance, "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it." John 14:12-14

I find that my response to this kind of revelation varies depending on where I'm at in my life.  At this moment, I'm feeling like worshipping Him because I just came in from praising Him on the keyboard, and His presence is here.  It's hard to think of anything else except Him when He's around!  What He wants right now is for me (and you) to get what He's saying here.  He wants to do His works through us!  How awesome is that???

When I'm hearing Him say, "whatever you ask in My name, I will do, so that the Father is glorified," I'm going to listen extra closely to see what is in the Father's heart.  How does He want to glorify Himself in the Son today?  Jesus is authorizing me to pray.  I'm going to get my prayer answered, guaranteed.  I'm going to wait and hear and pray. 

I think we all feel like David did when we have a great victory, have our prayers answered, and experience the favor of God.  Why not follow David's example in praise, no regard for our dignified appearance or what others are thinking?  If we take Jesus at His word, we are going to have some great victories, do some awesome exploits, and be accompanied by the glory of God wherever we go.  Jesus' motivation was to glorify the Father, and so should ours be.  I do not want to deny Him before men by being afraid to praise and glorify Him freely in their presence.  I feel this opportunity will come up more and more often.  I relinguish my "right to remain silent."  Praise the Lord! 

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.