Chapter 6 – The Speaking Voice

As a speech/language pathologist, I enjoy thinking about communication, whether it is social or technical, spoken or written.  I’m pretty well educated in the events and lessons of the Old and New Testaments of the Bible.  Yet, in this latest chapter, Tozer again taught me concepts that had never occurred to me before and had never been taught to me in 30-some years of listening to sermons and Sunday School teachers. The ideas are simple and straightforward, so they reveal the ongoing need for me and for all of us to just see God for Who He has revealed Himself to be.  We know He is complicated beyond our understanding, so we try to match that complex expectation with our human ideas, not realizing that He has made the greatest truths of Himself simple and straightforward so that anyone of us can understand.

The first of these great truths is that God is speaking.  I think of Genesis and how God spoke the universe and all of His creation into existence, and I think of that as being past tense; however, the truth is that His voice continues to resound throughout all of existence.  Tozer explains, “the expression of the will of God is the breath of God filling the world with living potentiality.”  For each of us, this begins when He creates each individual by choosing the parents for a fledgling soul, the time in history in which he or she will experience life on Earth, and what continent, government, and culture will surround him or her.  God gifts each one with talents and strengths as well as weaknesses so that each of us is given potentiality according to God’s wisdom and timing.

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with Whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.” ~ James 1:17-18

The second truth is that the voice of God is all-powerful, for His voice alone creates and sustains the energy we call life.  From the tiny amoeba to the giant blue whale, God’s voice is the life force that grows dandelions and redwood trees, but it also sustains the dynamic activity of all the weather systems and tectonic forces here on Earth.  Not only that, but His mighty voice is so free and far-reaching that it is constantly creating and sustaining energy and life throughout all the star systems in all the galaxies in all of creation, across eons of time and space, where there are natural phenomena we are only beginning to recognize and attempt to understand.

“God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands. Nor is He worshiped with men’s hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things. And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live and move and have our being.” ~ Acts 17:24-28a

While Christians, for the most part, revere the written Word of God, they (and I) have historically paid little or no heed to the spoken Word. We have been taught the idea that the Scripture is sacred, truly the written word of the One True God. We accept that. We aim to live according to its precepts and follow the wisdom contained therein, as we are commanded.

“Knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke [as they were] moved by the Holy Spirit.” ~ 2 Peter 1:20-21

“All Scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” ~ 2 Timothy 3:16-17

While we tend to think of the Bible as ancient teachings that we can apply to our modern world today, God doesn’t exactly view the situation in that way.  The third truth is that He is still alive and well, so His voice is still active, moment by moment, day by day. Our challenge in the modern world is to hear it even as the ancients did. The most obvious place we can hear His voice is by reading scripture and allowing God’s Words to speak to our spiritually receptive hearts.

“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” ~ 2 Tim 2:15

I once heard the story of a woman who determined to do exactly what the Bible said under every circumstance. Her little boy was a mischievous rascal, and one day, her patience worn thin, she closed her eyes, flipped her Bible open, and pointed at a random selection of scripture. She read, “The soul that sinneth, it shall die.” (Ezekiel 18:20a) Let us hope that she had more sense than to act on that!  This is not an example of a “diligent” student of the Bible, who is “rightly dividing the word of truth”. God expects us to familiarize ourselves with His word, so that we do not misinterpret piecemeal sections of individual scripture.  He wants us to gain the wisdom to understand the overarching message of Who He is, so we can therefore accurately discern what His character dictates in various situations.

“How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word. With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments! Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.” ~ Psalm 119:9-11

Still we must remember that the Word of God, whether written or spoken, is eternal, even as He is eternal. It is powerful, even as He is powerful. It is alive and continually creating and generating life energy, even as God is so. The reason this is possible, that God’s person is synonymous with His Word, is that the second person of the godhead, Jesus Christ, actually is the Word.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men.” ~ John 1:1-4 (KJV)

It is impossible for us to overestimate the life-giving power of God’s Word. Tozer reminds us, “The Word of God is quick [alive] and powerful. In the beginning He spoke to nothing, and it became something. Chaos heard it and became order; darkness heard it and became light.”

The fourth truth included in this chapter by A.W. Tozer was the idea that “God lives in His spoken words, constantly speaking His words and causing the power of them to persist across the years. God breathed on clay and it became a man; He breathes on men and they become clay. ‘Return, ye children of men’ (Psalm 90:3) was the word spoken at the Fall by which God decreed the death of every man, and no added word has He needed to speak. The sad procession of mankind across the face of the earth from birth to the grave is proof that His original word was enough.”

We understand about the creative process where God breathed on clay and it became a living soul, the first of mankind. But what does Tozer mean when he says, “He breathes on men and they become clay”? After Adam and Eve ate the fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, they changed. Sin had entered the garden and their hearts in the form of doubt and disobedience. No longer could they commune with God heart to heart and spirit to spirit, because His holiness could not coexist with darkness. No longer would they live eternally in His presence. Instead, they were forced, by their own poor choices, out of the garden of life and into the sinful environment of death that they had caused.

• Instead of being spiritual beings, they were limited to a material/physical existence.
• Rather than being eternally alive in the presence of God, they were limited to a temporal existence on the earth, separated from God.
• In place of a life of empowerment through communion with God, they were enslaved by the power of sin.

Everything we see here on Earth is but a degraded shadow of God’s intended magnificence for His creation, and yet, still, His life and creative energy are teeming everywhere we look. For this reason, those who claim that there is no god, according to the Creator, will have no words to defend themselves.

“For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, [even] his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.” ~ Romans 1:20

Because God foresaw the Fall of mankind, He included a divine plan to reconcile men and women to Himself, and that plan was revealed in Jesus Christ.

“He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, [even] to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” ~ John 1:10-14 (KJV)

The voice of God calls out to all, searching and seeking for those who will listen.

“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” ~ Revelation 3:20 (KJV)

May I digress for a moment?  Right after I got out of college, I took the only job I was offered after sending out dozens of resumes and applications in my field.  I had wanted to move to a specific out-of-state location, I needed someone willing to oversee my clinical fellowship year, and I hoped to earn enough to support myself and begin to pay off my student loans.  Unfortunately, the federal government had just put a cap on the payment of speech/language services, so people in my field were losing their positions, and hiring was severely depressed nationwide.  As a consequence, the job I took offered only 50% of what I should have been earning once I finished college.  Said all that to say, after I got situated in my new home and new job in a pediatric clinic, it wasn’t long before I realized that I needed to supplement my income.  I thought about addressing envelopes at a local mail-serve company or doing retail sales in the evenings, so I got up early one Saturday morning, got dressed and prepared to head out the door to start filling out applications and going through the interview process.

Just as I stepped over the threshold, I heard His voice in my ear, speaking two words… nursing home.  The problem was, I didn’t have any real depth of nursing home experience, where your clients are frequently facing life and death situations.  Nevertheless, I turned around, sat down, and “let my fingers do the walking” through the yellow pages.  The first nursing home listed was Avante’, so I called and asked to speak to their head speech pathologist.  When I asked her if she had any need for part-time help, she responded, “Boy, did you call at the right time!”  I warned her that my experience was limited, but she insisted, “It’s a piece of cake — I’ll teach you myself.”  Keep in mind, she hadn’t even met me yet!

Those words — nursing home — would have been meaningless to many others, but when God spoke them to me, they represented a clear direction and an answer to my specific prayers.  This is just one very small example of the day-by-day love God extends to each of His children.

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.  ~ Psalm 32:8 (NKJV)

Reflections:

• Have I asked Jesus to be the Lord of my life, and for His Holy Spirit to transform me with His gift of eternal, spiritual life?
• Now that I am attuned to God’s Spirit, do I make the time to ask Him for direction before I make important decisions?
• Do I listen for His “still, small voice” — a voice that always aligns with His Word, but is personalized as God whispers directly to my spirit the words that are relevant to my circumstances?

BUY 4HIM

WHERE THERE IS FAITH

From the album Chapter One …a Decade

By 4HIM

(Click to listen)https://onewhitetree.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/11-where-there-is-faith1.mp3%20I believe in faithfulness
I believe in giving of myself for someone else
I believe in peace and love
I believe in honesty and trust but it’s not enough
For all that I believe may never change the way it is
Unless I believe Jesus lives

CHORUS
Where there is faith
There is a voice calling, keep walking
You’re not alone in this world
Where there is faith
There is a peace like a child sleeping
Hope everlasting in He who is able to
Bear every burden, to heal every hurt in my heart
It is a wonderful, powerful place
Where there is faith

There’s a man across the sea
Never heard the sound of freedom ring
Only in his dreams
There’s a lady dressed in black
In a motorcade of cadillacs
Daddy’s not coming back
Our hearts begin to fall
And our stability grows weak
But Jesus meets our needs if only we believe

CHORUS

Chapter 5 – The Universal Presence

The parameters of our physical reality seem to be the universe in which we live — a singular universe with boundaries, if they exist, so far-reaching that they have only in recent decades become “measurable” with man’s calculations and man’s numbering system. I imagine God laughs at our folly.

He is the One presence in our physical reality whose knowledge is complete, because He is the Creator of all that we observe. He is far above mere physical reality, yet in the material world He is ever present, no matter where we are in the universe, and no matter when we exist. He was there before the beginning, from the moment when He began to speak His Creation into existence, and He will still be present after our physical reality has ceased to exist.

“Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, Or ever You had formed the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, You [are] God.” ~ Ps. 90:1-2

“But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain You. How much less this temple which I have built!” ~ I Kings 8:27

“Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven, You [are] there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You [are there]. [If] I take the wings of the morning, [And] dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, Even there Your hand shall lead me, And Your right hand shall hold me.” ~ Ps. 139:7-10

There is no place within this Creation that God is not present, so no matter where we go or how alone we feel, it is absolutely certain that He is there, not just watching as a casual observer, but seeing all the physical truth, all the emotional truth, and even the spiritual truth. We may feel intimidated by our circumstances, overwhelmed by our feelings, or out of touch spiritually; but that is merely a demonstration of the natural limitations of our perception, understanding only our own life experience, our own familiar places, and our own assigned time in history.

It is also indicative of our egotistical, selfish outlook on life in general, which is a pervading theme throughout scripture. Fortunately for us, God loves us as individuals and is extremely invested in reconciling us to Himself in spite of that!

“O LORD, You have searched me and known [me]. You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off. You comprehend my path and my lying down, And are acquainted with all my ways.” ~ Ps. 139:1-3

“Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When [as yet there were] none of them. “~ Ps. 139:16

“Would not God search this out? For He knows the secrets of the heart.” ~ Ps. 44:21

“For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things.” ~ I John 3:20

“For the word of God [is] living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things [are] naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we [must give] account.” ~ Hebrews 4:12-13

“You have set our iniquities before You, Our secret [sins] in the light of Your countenance.” ~ Ps. 90:8

God’s omnipresence — being everywhere all the time — his omniscience — knowing everything about everything — and his omnipotence — holding ultimate power over all that is — should not surprise us, because what else would we expect from the one true God?  He is not a stone statue we can place on an altar and worship. He is not a paper-mache likeness that we can parade through the streets and call “god”. He is not the pantheistic version of god, who is one with the volcano, the tomato, and the mosquito. These are all man-made imaginations that endeavor to bring the eternal, almighty God down to the level of our earthly existence and understanding.

Even the most civilized and educated members of society worship a god of their own making: the god of scientific “facts”, the god of celebrity and wealth, or the god of power and influence. In our churches, we try to put God in a tidy little box that is tame, controllable, understandable. Religious rules, man-made assumptions presented as scriptural truths, and watered-down distortions of God’s version of reality have become the norm.  C.S. Lewis recognized this fact: “‘Safe?’ said Mr. Beaver…  ‘Who said anything about safe?  ‘Course he isn’t safe. but he’s good.  He’s the King, I tell you.'” [The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe]

“For our God [is] a consuming fire.” ~ Hebrews 12:29

“I am the Alpha and the Omega, [the] Beginning and [the] End, the First and the Last.” ~ Rev. 22:13

Tozer points out that in light of these facts, one would expect God to be celebrated universally by all; however, the reason that this is not so is revealed by Jacob in “Genesis 28:16 (KJV) — “Surely the LORD is in this place; and I knew it not.”

When relationships or life’s circumstances seem like a tsunami barreling toward us, we need to remember the majesty that is God. He is the Master of matter and the Designer of all natural laws, whether here and now on Earth, or in the distant regions of space and time. He is already present; but unless we acknowledge Him, we will not view our relationships and circumstances with eyes of faith.

“For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard [it].” ~ Hebrews 4:2

Recently I watched an episode of Doctor Who which featured beautiful statues called “Weeping Angels”. Doctor Who exhorted Sally Sparrow, “The only rule is this: don’t turn your back, don’t look away, and don’t blink!” The reason for his curious directions became evident as the threatening statues moved closer and closer, yet never seemed to move at all. Although they were completely alive and present, the weeping angels only became active when not under the scrutiny of others; in the fraction of a second when you blinked.

This seems an odd analogy, but I think faith is the opposite of this. God is always alive, always present; but He will not show Himself to us unless we are actively seeking, consistently looking, carefully observing. This doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time for the old lenses of disbelief to clear.  This is not so much a physical phenomenon as a spiritual one. Tozer instructs, “He is manifest only when and as we are aware of His presence. On our part, there must be surrender to the Spirit of God, for His work is to show us the Father and the Son. If we cooperate with Him in loving obedience, God will manifest Himself to us, and that manifestation will be the difference between a nominal Christian life and a life radiant with the light of His face.”

Manifestation is a fancy term that means recognizing God’s presence in our relationships and circumstances, acknowledging His hand at work and His will as an ongoing standard. To my mind, this is what the phrase “walking in the Spirit” looks like; faithful trust in and obedience to God, based not on fear but rather on reverent love and admiration for Who He is.

Tozer suggests that the key attribute necessary for “a high road of spiritual living far above the common way” is spiritual receptivity. I call this a “teachable spirit”. We need to be humble and know that God is smarter than us! He is wiser than we will ever be! He knows us better than we know ourselves! A teachable spirit is not something we turn on in time for the Sunday worship service and then turn off when we go back into the “real” world. No, it must be a consistent effort, an ongoing decision to actively surrender to the Holy Spirit’s call so that we might know the Lord more intimately, more completely, and more assuredly, seeing him in each and every situation, day in and day out.

To return to the analogy of the weeping angels in the Doctor Who episode entitled Blink — the reason that they were feared was that they were actually creatures who fed on the future potential of others, so that if they crept up and touched you, your future there ended, and you would be transported into the distant past, in another place and another time. What if this were also the opposite of our situation where God is concerned? What if, the more we look steadfastly for Him, listen for the guiding voice of His Spirit, and obey whatever He shows us, the more future potential we are given?

“[When You said], ‘Seek My face,’ My heart said to You, ‘Your face, LORD, I will seek.'” ~ Psalm 27:8

“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues [in it], and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.” ~ James 1:22-25

“But without faith [it is] impossible to please [Him], for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and [that] He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” ~ Hebrews 11:6

BUY BT CHOIR

ORDER MY STEPS

Music and lyrics by Glenn Burleigh

From the album Favorite Song of All

by the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir

(Click to listen)https://onewhitetree.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/09-order-my-steps.mp3%20Order my steps in Your word, dear Lord
Lead me, guide me every day
Send your anointing Father, I pray
Order my steps in Your word
Please order my steps in Your word

(Repeat Chorus)

Humbly I ask Thee, teach me Your will
While You are working help me be still
Though Satan is busy, God is real
Order my steps in Your word
Please order my steps in Your word

Bridle my tongue, let my words edify
Let the words of my mouth be acceptable in Thy sight
Take charge of my thoughts both day and night
Order my steps in Your Word
Please order my steps in Your word

I want to walk worthy, my calling to fulfill
Please order my steps, Lord
And I’ll do Your blessed will
The world is ever changing
But You are still the same
Please order my steps, Lord
I’ll praise Your name

Order my steps- In Your Word
Order my tongue- In Your Word
Guide my feet- In Your Word
Wash my heart- In Your Word
Show me how to walk- In Your Word
Show me how to talk- In Your Word
When I need a brand new song to sing
Show me how to let Your praises ring
In Your Word, in Your Word
Please order my steps in Your Word
Please order my steps in Your Word

(Repeat Chorus)

by Ted Kooser

Just past dawn, the sun stands
with its heavy red head
in a black stanchion of trees,
waiting for someone to come
with his bucket
for the foamy white light,
and then a long day in the pasture.
I too spend my days grazing,
feasting on every green moment
till darkness calls,
and with the others
I walk away into the night,
swinging the little tin bell
of my name.

One of the biggest complaints I hear from people who are non-believers is that God, if He exists, is not taking care of all the problems in the world.  I imagine a number of believers wonder about this too.  As human beings, limited by time and space, we have a very linear perspective — We are born, we live a very short span of time, and then we die, as Ted Kooser’s poem so picturesquely describes.

We have no control over the era of history into which we are born, or the culture in which we will be raised.  We cannot choose our parents or grandparents, whether rich or poor, honorable or ignoble.  Even our genetic make-up is decided within the womb, and we have no choice in the matter.  These are all God’s decisions.  He has his reasons, and we cannot know them or judge them.  God’s character, based upon what His Word tells us, is really all we can know for certain; and we know His decisions and actions are a product of His character, and therefore above reproach.  Here is a passage that shows us Who God is, and what qualities describe Him:

“I will betroth you to Me forever;
Yes, I will betroth you to Me
In righteousness and justice,
In lovingkindness and mercy;
I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness,
And you shall know the LORD.
Then I will sow her for Myself in the earth,
And I will have mercy on her who had not obtained mercy;
Then I will say to those who were not My people,
‘You are My people!’
And they shall say, ‘You are my God!’” ~ Hosea 2:19-20, 23

Is God really responsible for everything that happens? 

1.  God has delegated responsibility to us, just as He has given us freedom of choice.  

We are created in His image, and as such we are given a certain sphere of control and influence for good or for evil; but staying on the fine line between evil on the right or evil on the left is rather like fighting to stay upright during a raging hurricane.  It’s like precariously balancing on a tightrope with a hungry alligator snapping at your heels!

If we lean too much one direction, we take on too little responsibility for the widespread oppression, violence, and injustice on our planet.  We close our eyes to the suffering and focus instead on our own petty little problems. We want to enjoy the freedom of self-indulgence and apathy without facing the truth — or the inevitable consequences.

If we lean too far in the other direction, we take on too much responsibility, looking on everything through the eyes of big government — social welfare enforced by federal officials on an unwilling working class, or perhaps “big church” — religiosity enforced by legalistic and judgmental people on naive, well-meaning believers.  This steals our God-given freedom of choice and places it in the hands of those who are egocentric and ruthlessly power-hungry.

2.  God gave us a clear outline of where our responsibilities and freedoms begin and end. 

God put mankind in charge of the earth and its resources, giving us the freedom to make wise decisions, but also the responsibility for its care.

So God created man in His own image, in the image and likeness of God He created him; male and female He created them.  And God blessed them and said to them, Be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it [using all its vast resources in the service of God and man]; and have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and over every living creature that moves upon the earth.  ~ Gen. 1:27-28 AMP

O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth!
Your glory is higher than the heavens.
You have taught children and infants to tell of your strength,
silencing your enemies and all who oppose you.
When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers—
the moon and the stars you set in place—
what are mere mortals that you should think about them,
human beings that you should care for them?
Yet you made them only a little lower than God
and crowned them with glory and honor.
You gave them charge of everything you made,
putting all things under their authority—
the flocks and the herds and all the wild animals,
the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea,
and everything that swims the ocean currents.
O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth! ~ Psalm 8, NLT

Of equal importance is mankind’s commission, clearly mandated by our Lord, to be our brother’s keeper and to care about our neighbor. 

Now Cain talked with Abel his brother; and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him.

Then the LORD said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?”

He said, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?” 

And He said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground.” ~ Gen. 4:8-10

Just then a religion scholar stood up with a question to test Jesus. “Teacher, what do I need to do to get eternal life?”

He answered, “What’s written in God’s Law? How do you interpret it?”

He said, “That you love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and muscle and intelligence—and that you love your neighbor as well as you do yourself.”

“Good answer!” said Jesus. “Do it and you’ll live.”

Looking for a loophole, he asked, “And just how would you define ‘neighbor’?”

Jesus answered by telling a story. “There was once a man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho. On the way he was attacked by robbers. They took his clothes, beat him up, and went off leaving him half-dead. Luckily, a priest was on his way down the same road, but when he saw him he angled across to the other side. Then a Levite religious man showed up; he also avoided the injured man.

A Samaritan traveling the road came on him. When he saw the man’s condition, his heart went out to him. He gave him first aid, disinfecting and bandaging his wounds. Then he lifted him onto his donkey, led him to an inn, and made him comfortable. In the morning he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take good care of him. If it costs any more, put it on my bill—I’ll pay you on my way back.’

“What do you think? Which of the three became a neighbor to the man attacked by robbers?”

“The one who treated him kindly,” the religion scholar responded.

Jesus said, “Go and do the same.”  ~ Luke 10:25-37 MSG

3.  Where our duty begins — a strong foundation

As long as we honor God’s law, our decisions will reflect His will and His wisdom.  As long as we fear God reverently, we do not have to fear anything else.

The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul;
The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;
The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes;
The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold,
Yea, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
Moreover by them Your servant is warned,
And in keeping them there is great reward.  ~ Ps. 19:7-11

True freedom is living a life that is open before God and man, knowing in Whom we have believed, and understanding that all His instructions for us are intended for our ultimate good.  When we live authentically, we can be transparent — we don’t have to wear a mask, because we don’t have anything to hide.

All has been heard; the end of the matter is: Fear God [revere and worship Him, knowing that He is] and keep His commandments, for this is the whole of man [the full, original purpose of his creation, the object of God’s providence, the root of character, the foundation of all happiness, the adjustment to all inharmonious circumstances and conditions under the sun] and the whole [duty] for every man.  For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it is good or evil.  ~ Eccl. 12:13-14  AMP

Staying out of trouble is just part of the equation;  we have to go the extra mile by spending ourselves for others, just as Jesus did.  And we must do it with right intentions — not to impress others — but to be obedient, to please the Lord, and to give Him the glory.

He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?  ~ Micah 6:8

3.  God expects us to be responsible, productive members of society.

God tells us what to do, and it turns out, it was exactly what Jesus did.  Although it is possible (and necessary) for us as individuals to demonstrate these actions in our daily lives, we can accomplish so much more in unity with our local church or with large reputable organizations, such as Compassion International.

“Thus says the LORD of hosts:
‘Execute true justice,
Show mercy and compassion
Everyone to his brother.
Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless,
The alien or the poor.
Let none of you plan evil in his heart
Against his brother.’ ~ Zech. 7:9-10

I think we can all agree that our government, since it is representative of the people, should demonstrate good judgment and “true” justice, without secret pay-offs and agreements behind closed doors that benefit the powerful and the wealthy.  Surely we can agree to helping those who are overwhelmed by situations completely outside of their control, such as war, hunger, and disease.  And we must fight against evils such as sexual trafficking, substance abuse, and violent crime.

Then one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, perceiving that He had answered them well, asked Him, “Which is the first commandment of all?”

Jesus answered him, “The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is one.  And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’   This is the first commandment.  And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’   There is no other commandment greater than these.”   ~ Mark 12:28-31

It’s difficult, if not impossible, for one government to tell another how to run their country, so in those instances, it is certainly more productive to use a grass-roots approach to change the status quo.  Some countries will allow large Christian organizations to help out; others will not.  Some will allow individuals to help out; others will not.  But in whatever capacity we can help, we are bound to do so.  People in so many places experience dire needs and daily suffering; yet do we give those people even a moment’s thought as we live our busy lives?

“As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.   If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.   

These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.   This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.  Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.  

You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.   No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.   

You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.  These things I command you, that you love one another.”  ~ John 15:9-17

4.  God has given us the freedom to choose and He wants us to choose wisely.

So what can we do within our own countries to form and maintain a government that honors our God-given responsibilities to the earth and to mankind, yet also preserves our own and others’ freedom to life, liberty, and the pursuit of wisdom (which I consider to be more true to scripture than “the pursuit of happiness”)?  Following are some scripture verses that demonstrate how God has given us the freedom to choose, and His admonishment to choose wisely:

I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live.  ~  Deut. 30:19

To “choose life” means to be positive rather than negative, to build people up rather than tearing them down, and to nurture life in ourselves spiritually, physically and emotionally.  We should also obey God’s Word and “choose life” when making decisions in governmental matters, such as capital punishment, abortion, environmental issues, and seeking peace and pursuing it.  Warren W. Wiersbe said, “The heart of victory is the heart.”  When making decisions, we must make sure our hearts are set on obeying God’s Word and his direction in our individual situations.

5.  God intends for us to act as His ambassadors.   

A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches,
Loving favor rather than silver and gold.  ~ Prov. 22:1

Why is a good name important?  Primarily because we claim to represent Jesus Christ.  As His ambassadors, our integrity is of the utmost importance.  Of wealth people say, “you can’t take it with you,” but your honor will remain with you always, even in eternity.  Riches are a blessing because they give us the freedom to be a blessing.  Our riches include financial wealth, but can also be our time, our effort, our knowledge, our experience, or our wisdom.  God has given to us abundantly so that we can give abundantly, so this too becomes an area of responsibility.

I have chosen the way of truth;
Your judgments I have laid before me.  ~ Ps. 119:30

For those of us who are not blessed with financial riches during our short sojourn on this earth, we are nonetheless blessed, because God has given us the Word, which are His eternal riches.  This Word is like no other book because it contains life in itself (Hebrews 4:12), it gives life (I Peter 1:23-25), and it nourishes life (I Peter 2:1-3).  No matter how low you are, no matter how guilty you feel, and no matter how terrible your sins, God’s Word can revive and strengthen you, and even give you eternal life!  (Romans 10:9-10)

6.  We don’t give God credit for all the good things that happen; but then we blame Him for evil that is the work of Satan and a result of sin.

He told another story. “God’s kingdom is like a farmer who planted good seed in his field. That night, while his hired men were asleep, his enemy sowed thistles all through the wheat and slipped away before dawn. When the first green shoots appeared and the grain began to form, the thistles showed up, too. “The farmhands came to the farmer and said, ‘Master, that was clean seed you planted, wasn’t it? Where did these thistles come from?’

“He answered, ‘Some enemy did this.’

“The farmhands asked, ‘Should we weed out the thistles?’

“He said, ‘No, if you weed the thistles, you’ll pull up the wheat, too. Let them grow together until harvest time. Then I’ll instruct the harvesters to pull up the thistles and tie them in bundles for the fire, then gather the wheat and put it in the barn.'”  ~ Matthew 13:24-30 MSG

Jesus dismissed the congregation and went into the house. His disciples came in and said, “Explain to us that story of the thistles in the field.”So he explained. “The farmer who sows the pure seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, the pure seeds are subjects of the kingdom, the thistles are subjects of the Devil, and the enemy who sows them is the Devil. The harvest is the end of the age, the curtain of history. The harvest hands are angels.

“The picture of thistles pulled up and burned is a scene from the final act. The Son of Man will send his angels, weed out the thistles from his kingdom, pitch them in the trash, and be done with them. They are going to complain to high heaven, but nobody is going to listen. At the same time, ripe, holy lives will mature and adorn the kingdom of their Father.

“Are you listening to this? Really listening?  ~ Matt. 13:36-43 MSG

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.  I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.”  ~ John 10:10-11

7.  Man’s riches are temporary, but God’s riches are eternal — and His intention is to draw people to Himself for eternity.    

“Is this not the fast that I have chosen:
To loose the bonds of wickedness,
To undo the heavy burdens,
To let the oppressed go free,
And that you break every yoke?

Once we have experienced freedom in Christ, we are given the awesome responsibility of carrying this gift to the world; but like Jesus, we do not share only the Word of truth, but also minister to people’s physical and emotional needs.

Is it not to share your bread with the hungry,
And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out;
When you see the naked, that you cover him,
And not hide yourself from your own flesh?

God is in favor of families having “quality time” as He reminds us not to “hide yourself from your own flesh”.  He wants us to build strong family relationships.  But then he wants us to open up our families to those who have none, make room at our tables for those who are hungry, and give shelter to those who have no home.  There was a day when it was next to impossible to help others in faraway lands who did not have fresh water, daily bread, or a safe place to lay their heads at night.  But today we have the opportunity to reach many of these people through agencies like Compassion International and Living Water International.

“Then your light shall break forth like the morning,
Your healing shall spring forth speedily,
And your righteousness shall go before you;
The glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.”

Giving of ourselves blesses us and those to whom we give.  It glorifies God by demonstrating the eternal love of Jesus Christ in tangible form in the here and now.

When people look at all the sorrow and sadness and suffering in the world, and say, “God is dead”, they are “dead wrong”.  God is still on His throne, and His Spirit is here now, calling every believer to do His work on earth.

“Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer;
You shall cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’” ~ Isaiah 58:6-9

When the cries of the oppressed reach up to heaven, the Lord does answer — by sending us.  We are responsible for giving His answer to a dying world.  We are responsible for providing His answer to the hunger, to AIDS, to divorce, to child abuse, to genocide, to any sorrowful situation that humans experience.  We are His voice, His hands, and His feet, because only in Jesus are we raised above the ordinary…  only in Jesus do our lives extend beyond the here and now.

Reflections: 

• Do my ideas of God’s motives and actions accurately reflect Who He is according to His Word?
• When I “do good”, what are my true intentions?  What does God see deep within this heart of mine?
• God directs us to choose.  Do my choices reflect a purposeful objective to know God’s’ character and obey to His Word?
• What sort of riches do I value — those of this temporary world, or those of our eternal God?  Does my life demonstrate this?
• If I believe these truths — to what extent do my life choices reflect my acceptance of my God-given responsibilities?

BUY NN

Music and Lyrics by Nichole Nordeman

From the album Recollection

(Click to listen)https://onewhitetree.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/07-legacy-recollection-album-version-2002-digital-remas.mp3%20I don’t mind if you’ve got
something nice to say about me
And I enjoy an accolade like the rest
You could take my picture and hang it in a gallery
Of all who’s who and so-n-so’s that used to be the best
At such’n’such … it wouldn’t matter much

I won’t lie, it feels alright to see your name in lights
We all need an ‘Atta boy’ or ‘Atta girl’
But in the end I’d like to hang my hat on more besides
The temporary trappings of this world

I want to leave a legacy
How will they remember me?
Did I choose to love? Did I point to You enough
To make a mark on things?
I want to leave an offering
A child of mercy and grace who
blessed your name unapologetically
And leave that kind of legacy

I don’t have to look too far or too long awhile
To make a lengthly list of all that I enjoy
It’s an accumulating trinket and a treasure pile
Where moth and rust, thieves and such will soon enough destroy

Not well traveled, not well read, not well-to-do or well bred
Just want to hear instead, “Well done, good and faithful one…”

Chapter 4 – Apprehending God

This chapter focuses on the manner in which we think about God. Which of these best describes your belief?

• The evidence indicates that He must exist, so I believe.
• Others have told me that He exists, so I believe.
• I believe that God is another name for the essence of good that pervades all things.
• I believe that God is another name for the sense of order in the universe.
• The phenomena of life and creativity represents what God is to me.
• My creed is that God is a person, my heavenly Father, so I therefore believe.
• God is a personal being Whom I know through experience and spiritual discernment, so I therefore believe.

As humans, we experience the world around us through our five senses, and Scripture speaks to that reality:

“Oh, TASTE and see that the LORD is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!.” ~ Ps. 34:8
“For in You, O LORD, I hope; You will HEAR, O Lord my God.” ~ Ps. 38:5

“The LORD looks down from heaven upon the children of men, To SEE if there are any who understand, who seek God.” ~ Ps. 14:2

“And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-SMELLing aroma.” ~ Eph. 5:2

“Bow down Your heavens, O LORD, and come down; TOUCH the mountains, and they shall smoke.” ~ Ps. 144:5

Even as we recognize the physical world by using our physical senses, it is possible to recognize spiritual realities by using spiritual discernment.  This ability, once obtained through faith, enables us to know God and experience spiritual life through Him.  This fact is supported by the Word of God:

“Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” ~ Romans 5:5

“That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him.” ~ Eph. 1:7

“For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.” ~ Col. 1:9

The ability to spiritually discern the truth is not given to unbelievers. It simply is not possible for the unregenerate spirit to understand spiritual truths.  Only those who have been spiritually reborn through faith in Christ are given insight into spiritual realities.  Yet many who actually are believers, and have received the earnest of the Holy Spirit within their spirits do not experience the “habitual, conscious communion with God which Scripture offers”. How can this be possible?

Son of man, you dwell in the midst of a rebellious house, which has eyes to see but does not see, and ears to hear but does not hear; for they are a rebellious house.” ~ Ezek. 12:2

The simple answer is rebellion and unbelief. If we fall into this state, our spiritual faculties are no longer operational, because the spirit of an individual absolutely requires faith in God to properly function. Only then will we have “eyes to see” and “ears to hear”.

John 14:21-23:

“He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.”

Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, “Lord, how is it that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?”

Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.”

Today we are surrounded by intellectuals and skeptics, who scoff at belief in God and so-called “blind” faith; however, it has always been so. The world laughed at Noah… until the rain began to fall. Once God’s reality, the world of spirit that encompasses us, has begun to open to our faith-filled eyes and ears, our outlook of every facet of life — eternal life — begins to change. The idea of walking in the Spirit is no longer a paradoxical expression, but rather a reality of daily experience. For the true believer, his faith reveals God’s reality vs. the world’s reality as black and white, and speculation is unnecessary.

Tozer explains, “The Christian is too sincere to play with ideas for their own sake. He takes no pleasure in the mere spinning of gossamer webs for display. All his beliefs are practical. They are geared into his life. By them he lives or dies, stands or falls for this world and for all time to come.”

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” ~ Heb. 11:1

But without faith [it is] impossible to please [Him], for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and [that] He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” ~ Heb. 11:6

These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced [them] and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.” ~ Heb. 11:13

We comprehend the physical world with our physical senses; but the Scripture maintains that the spiritual world is every bit as real and immediately present; and for the believer, this spiritual, eternal existence is our goal.

The secret of a life that pleases God is a life of faith, a life that actively trusts God and obeys God.  Henrietta C. Mears, in her book What the Bible Is All About, states: “There is nothing mysterious about faith. It is a simple act of the will. Either we will believe God or we won’t. We decide. It is as simple as turning [on] an electric light switch. This is not a difficult or baffling or mysterious thing to do. But the result? Light and power. When we decide to believe God absolutely, then supernatural life and power enter our lives. A miracle is wrought within us.”

To join the heavenly company of believers and experience true knowledge of God and His spiritual truth, only one thing is necessary: Yield everything to Christ, believing that He is God, and that God is trustworthy.  Although our sinful nature separates us from the holiness of God, the good news is that Jesus died to pay the ultimate price for sin, to purchase our souls for Himself.  Yet we can only come to Him by yielding.  We are not cattle that belong to God, but rather creatures made in His image with freedom of choice. Each of us must make the decision to believe and then to yield and be filled with the Spirit of the living God. As Tozer maintains, “Every man must choose his world.”

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares [us], and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of [our] faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ~ Hebrews 12:1-2

BUY Steve Green

Music and Lyrics by Steve Green

From the Find Us Faithful album
(Click to listen)https://onewhitetree.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/04-find-us-faithful-find-us-faithful-album-version.mp3%20We’re pilgrims on the journey
Of the narrow road
And those who’ve gone before us line the way
Cheering on the faithful, encouraging the weary
Their lives a stirring testament to God’s sustaining grace

Surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses
Let us run the race not only for the prize
But as those who’ve gone before us
Let us leave to those behind us
The heritage of faithfulness passed on through godly lives

CHORUS:
Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful
May the fire of our devotion light their way
May the footprints that we leave
Lead them to believe
And the lives we live inspire them to obey

Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful

After all our hopes and dreams have come and gone
And our children sift through all we’ve left behind
May the clues that they discover and the memories they uncover
Become the light that leads them to the road we each must find

REPEAT CHORUS

Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful
Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful

Chapter 3 – Removing the Veil

What is the chief purpose of man?

Certainly, to give our Creator pleasure: “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for Thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created.” ~ Rev. 4:11 (KJV)

And not grief: “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole [duty] of man.” ~ Eccl. 12:13 (NIV)

But also, not that our relationship with him would be one-sided, but that it would be mutual. This is extremely important to God, as Jesus’ dearest friend, “the beloved disciple” John, reveals to us through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit (I John 4:7-19 NKJV). Tozer calls this “divine communion… the sweet and mysterious mingling of kindred personalities”.

Men of God: one reminds me of Jesus and another of John

“Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son [to be] the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.

No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.

Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son [to be] the Saviour of the world.”

“Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. We love him, because he first loved us.”

Tozer reminds us, “We have broken with God. We have ceased to obey Him or love Him, and in guilt and fear have fled as far as possible from His presence… [Therefore], the whole work of God in redemption is to undo the tragic effects of that foul revolt, and to bring us back again into right and eternal relationship with Himself.”

prevenient grace = before one can seek God or even think a right thought about God, God must first have sought that person and opened his/her eyes to wisdom.

God looks at our sinful hearts and He moves us to return to Him. We feel the deep hunger and longing, and our hearts are restless and unsatisfied by the emptiness the world has to offer, so we decide, like the prodigal son, “I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee.” ~ Luke 15:18 (KJV)

In Old Testament times, the Temple was designed by God to illustrate the barriers that our sin had erected between ourselves and a Holy God. But it was also meant to foreshadow the coming of the Savior.

• In the outer court was an altar, where a blood sacrifice had to be offered for the remission of sin. When I survey the wondrous cross, On which the Prince of Glory died
• The laver was also in the outer court, a place where one washed after completing the sacrifice. My richest gain I count but loss, And pour contempt on all my pride
• Passing through a veil that obscured all natural light, the supplicant was bathed in the light of a single golden candlestick, which represented the Light of the World. See from His head, His hands, His feet, Sorrow and love flow mingled down
• The shewbread symbolized the Bread of Life, and the altar of incense represented unceasing prayer. Did e’er such love and sorrow meet, Or thorns compose so rich a crown

The high priest alone was allowed to approach the final veil, which separated the sinful world from the Holy of Holies, where the presence of Almighty God dwelt above the mercy seat. But as we approach that veil today, we find that it is torn open, and there, God is welcoming us into His presence.

“And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him… the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put [it] on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on [his] feet: And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill [it]; and let us eat, and be merry: For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.” ~ Luke 15:20, 22-24 (NKJV)

Oh, the wonderful cross, Oh, the wonderful cross,
Bids me come and die, And find that I may truly live;
Oh, the wonderful cross, Oh, the wonderful cross,
All who gather here, By grace draw near and bless Your name;

Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.

Tozer goes on to apply this to my everyday life. Now that Jesus has freed us to enjoy fellowship with a Holy God, “God wills that we should push on into His presence and live our whole life there… every moment of every day.”

This “divine communion” occurs when the Holy Spirit indwells our spirit, at the moment we enter the Holy of Holies by the blood of the Lamb.

How amazing to contemplate that a Person Who is eternal – unconstrained by time – and immutable – never changing but always constant and true – and omniscient – all-knowing – could possibly dwell within me? He created all the stars, and all the solar systems, and all the galaxies, and all the universes… yet He dwells within me, loves me, and cares about me. He is unfailingly good – the epitome of love, mercy, and righteousness — all these qualities are underlined by His perfect holiness. Who could not love Him? Surely it is impossible for anyone who has truly known this awesome God not to love Him!

Those who have been in His Presence are like prophets rather than scribes: For as Tozer explains, “the scribe tells us what he has read, and the prophet tells us what he has seen.” Yet, Tozer speaks of another veil that can separate us from that Holy Presence – a veil of sin that is unrecognized, unconfessed, unjudged, and therefore, unforgiven. This goes back to the idols of self that we fail to surrender. Now we see anew how crucial it is to “count all things loss, for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord”. ~ Phil. 3:8 (NKJV)

Tozer warns us that the power of self-life is that it is not based on what we do, but rather on who we are. So profound – our actions are but a reflection of our inner character. The sinful nature of the self-life is based upon:

• Self-righteousness (not recognizing my own failings, but critical of others’)
• Self-pity (self-absorption to the extent that others’ needs are not noticed or acknowledged)
• Self-confidence (taking credit for talents and gifts when credit should be given to God)
• Self-sufficiency (taking credit for provision of my needs when credit should be given to God)
• Self-admiration (exhibitionism/pride/self-promotion instead of humility)
• Self-love (egotism/selfishness instead of putting others first/having a servant’s heart)

The danger of these pitfalls is that they are often touted as positive, healthy ways to think and be; however, this is a lie from Satan. Even in the most admired Christian circles, leaders may promote self under the guise of promoting Christ. That is how easily these sins of the self-life can creep into our best intentions. So what is the cure?

Tozer reminds us that “There must be a work of God in destruction before we are free.”

James 4:7 – “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

We must invite the Holy Spirit to destroy the sins of self-life within us, first of all by helping us identify them (some of which may not be listed above – that’s just a small sampling!).

”Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if [there be any] wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. “ ~ Ps. 139:23-24

James 4:8 – “Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”

We must bring our self-sins to the cross for judgment, relentlessly praying that God will root out every trace of evil. In the Bible, the word “confess” seems to mean “to state the obvious”; however, our sins are only obvious to God (and probably to everyone around us), never to us. So once the Holy Spirit starts dragging these ugly vices to the surface, we have to examine our hearts, even though it’s not fun. The tendency is to breezily pronounce that all our sins are forgiven and assume it is so.

This is like a physician opening up a patient’s chest to discover that her heart is full of poisonous worms, so he hastily smacks a Band-Aid on it, sews the patient back up (out of sight, out of mind) and declares, “She’s cured!” The unfortunate result of sin that is not honestly and openly dealt with is anxiety, stress, unhappiness, and even physical pain and illness. The word “wicked” in Ps. 139:24 (KJV) is translated elsewhere as “offensive” (NIV) and even “hurtful” (NASB, literally “way of pain”).

James 4:9 – “Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom.”

We must prepare ourselves for an ordeal of suffering, which will, to some extent, resemble Jesus’ suffering. Let’s face it, heart surgery is never easy. Proverbs 13:15 warns us, “the way of transgressors [is] hard.”

Galatians 6:7 reminds us, ”Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”

Even though we are covered by the blood of Christ, this does not undo the laws of cause and effect or sowing and reaping that are part of God’s order in Creation. So sin will have its consequences, and we can’t always foresee how far-reaching they will be. My first inclination, a cowardly one I fear, is to pray for mercy, for myself and for others I may have influenced or harmed by my actions.

James 4:10 – “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” We must resist the temptation to “fix it” ourselves – our job is to yield and trust, wait for the suffering to cease, and then – only then – will we experience resurrection glory and power.

”If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” ~ I John 1:9 (NIV)

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only [that], but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.” ~ Romans 5:8-11 (NKJV)

Excerpts from Hebrews 12 — (NKJV)

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares [us], and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of [our] faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (vs. 1-2)

For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin. And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: “My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; For whom the LORD loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.” (vs. 3-6)

If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected [us], and we paid [them] respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? For they indeed for a few days chastened [us] as seemed [best] to them, but He for [our] profit, that [we] may be partakers of His holiness. (vs. 7-10)

Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” (vs. 11)

“See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more [shall we not escape] if we turn away from Him who [speaks] from heaven, whose voice then shook the earth; but now He has promised, saying, “Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven.” Now this, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.” (vs. 25-28)

“For our God [is] a consuming fire.” (vs. 29)

Chapter 2 – The Blessedness of Possessing Nothing

The whole idea of what we value being “on the throne” in our hearts is, according to Tozer, “not a mere metaphor, but an accurate analysis of our real spiritual trouble.” The things that God gifted to us, which were intended to be outwardly enjoyed while He reigned on our inward, spiritual throne, have become “necessary — a development never originally intended.”

“Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? “ ~ Matt. 16:24-26 (NKJV)

Jesus’ use of the words “profit” and “gain” suggest the deep-rooted selfishness of our possessive, sinful hearts. This enemy within cannot be tolerated. Jesus tells us to do three things in order to keep Him on the throne:

• Deny ourselves
• Take up our cross
• Follow Him

“Blessed [are] the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” ~ Matt. 5:3 (NKJV)

Tozer explains, “These blessed poor are no longer slaves to the tyranny of things… Free from all sense of possessing, they possess all things.” He further exhorts, “If we refuse one step (of this holy pursuit), we bring our progress to an end.” This principle is exemplified in the historical tale of Abraham and Isaac, because the long-awaited child of promise became such a delight to his old father’s heart that he soon became the center of it, an idol on the throne.

God’s request that Abraham sacrifice Isaac on the altar directly confronts this wrong priority in Abraham’s heart, a priority that is so easily understood by any parent. Isaac was not just any son; he represented the promises of God, the covenant with God, the hopes of the past and the Messianic dream of the future. How was Abraham able to offer this child on the altar of sacrifice?

“And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together.” ~ Gen. 22:8 (KJV)

The answer is TRUST. Abraham trusted God, and believed that He could raise Isaac from the dead, so he rose early and prepared to obey God to the letter. As he lifted the knife above Isaac’s throat, God’s voice stopped him, for now, God knew that once again, He was on the throne of Abraham’s heart.

It’s important to notice that TRUST is followed by OBEDIENCE. What happens in the heart is demonstrated in the deed.

“Then the Angel of the LORD called to Abraham a second time out of heaven, and said: ‘By Myself I have sworn, says the LORD, because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only [son]– blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which [is] on the seashore; and your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies. In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.'” ~ Gen. 22:15-18 (NKJV)

Abraham was wealthy in cattle and goods, family and spiritual blessings; however, the sense of possession had no hold over him. Through the world’s eyes, it seemed as though he had a great many possessions, but in his heart, the real treasure was God Himself.

When fear keeps us from surrendering those things/people who are closest to our hearts, we can remember these words of the Lord:

“I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have [it] more abundantly. ~ John 10:9-10 (NKJV)

Even our inherent abilities and talents can become idols; however, we can no more take credit for intelligence or for creativity than we can for the color of our eyes or height of our bodies. These are only on loan to us by God, as He has seen fit to give us.

“For who makes you differ [from another]? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive [it], why do you boast as if you had not received [it]?” ~ I Cor. 4:7 (NKJV)

How am I to react and respond to the revelation of the evil tendencies of my own heart? Tozer suggests two very important steps:

1. Don’t make excuses or try to defend yourself. “Let him come defenseless before the Lord and he will have for his defender no less than God Himself. Let the enquiring Christian trample under foot every slippery trick of his deceitful heart and insist upon frank and open relations with the Lord.”
2. Remember that “this is holy business”, so crucial to our relationship with Christ that just as Abraham willingly took a sharp knife in hand to immediately sacrifice Isaac, even so we must be willing to quickly and severely amputate anything that has taken the place of God in our affections. When the self begs for mercy and begins to rationalize, it is necessary to steel ourselves and extract it “in agony and blood”.
3. Our time of testing may come upon us when we least expect it, but “our whole future will be conditioned by the choice we make”.

The Story of the Rich Young Ruler ~ Luke 18:18-35

Now a certain ruler asked Him, saying, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”

So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one [is] good but One, [that is], God. “You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’

And he said, “All these things I have kept from my youth.”

So when Jesus heard these things, He said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”

But when he heard this, he became very sorrowful, for he was very rich. And when Jesus saw that he became very sorrowful, He said, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

And those who heard it said, “Who then can be saved?”

But He said, “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.”

Then Peter said, “See, we have left all and followed You.”

So He said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or parents or brothers or wife or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who shall not receive many times more in this present time, and in the age to come eternal life.”

Thoughts from Warren Wiersbe’s The Bible Exposition Commentary:

• This young man had a superficial view of sin, man, the Bible, Jesus Christ, and salvation. He did not realize that sin is rebellion against the holy God. It is not based simply on action, but rather is an inward attitude that exalts man and defies God.
• When Jesus pointed the young man to the Law of Moses, he wanted him to see himself as a sinner bowed before the holy God. The mirror of the Law is meant to show us the truly “dirty” face of our sin. The Law can bring a sinner to Christ, but it cannot save him — only grace can do that.
• The young ruler claimed to have kept all of the Law — all of it! — but Jesus focused on the real problem. “For the love of money is a root of all [kinds of] evil.” (I Tim. 6:10 NKJV) Money was his god: he trusted it, worshiped it, and got his fulfillment from it.
• Jesus answered him according to his individual life situation:

• Motivation: He wanted to “earn” eternal life and retain the credit for earning it too = “What shall I do?”
• Rich: Be willing to give up your material possessions as you are called to do so = “Sell all you have”
• Ruler: Humble yourself before God = “Come, follow me.”
• Jesus responded, “You still lack one thing.” He recognized that he was missing the most crucial part — a living faith in God. Jesus offered the gift of eternal life, but it is difficult to accept a gift when your fists are already clenched around money and the things money can buy.
• “Money is a marvelous servant but a terrible master.” We should use the blessings God has given us to bless others.
• The world view would consider the rich young ruler to be at the head of the rat race; however, this is an apt demonstration of the biblical truth that the first become last while the last become first.

Reflection:

• Have I put Christ on the throne of my heart and my life?
• Am I willing to remove those affections that would take His place?
• Is His peace present as evidence of this right relationship in my life?
• Have I accepted Christ’s terms for my life?

EMBRACE THE CROSS

Music and Lyrics by Steve Green

From the album The Mission

I am crucified with Christ
Therefore I no longer live
Jesus Christ now lives in me
(Repeat twice)

Embrace the cross
Where Jesus suffered
Though it will cost
All you claim as yours
Your sacrifice will seem small
Beside the treasure
Eternity can’t measure
What Jesus holds in store

Embrace the love
The cross requires
Cling to the one
Whose heart knew every pain
Receive from Jesus
Fountains of compassion
Only He can fashion
Your heart to move as His

Oh, wondrous cross our desires rest in you
Lord Jesus make us bolder
To face with courage the shame and disgrace
You bore upon Your shoulder

Embrace the life
That comes from dying
Come trace the steps
The Savior walked for you
An empty tomb
Concludes Golgotha’s sorrow
Endure then till tomorrow
Your cross of suffering
Embrace the cross
Embrace the cross
The cross of Jesus

Chapter 1 – Following Hard after God

prevenient grace = before a man can seek God or even think a right thought about God, God must first have sought the man and/or opened his eyes to wisdom. Tozer calls this “the secret cause of all desiring and seeking and praying”.

“No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him” ~ John 6:44a (NKJV)

First Love. “The modern scientist has lost God amid the wonders of His world; we Christians are in real danger of losing God amid the wonders of His Word.”

This makes me think of the church of Ephesus as described in the book of Revelation: “…you have left your first love.” ~ Rev. 2:4 (NKJV)

How He Draws Us Near. “He communicates with us through the avenues of our minds, our wills, and our emotions.”

Yes, in this personal one-on-one manner, God interacts with each believer, calling us to make Him our First Love. But I think it’s important to remember that this is not the only way that He communicates with us. The Scripture is also direct communication to us, which is why it is so important that we learn to understand and handle it respectfully and skillfully. He can also speak through the counsel of wise believers, although I think in this day and age they are extremely rare and precious. It’s a rare blessing for us that certain authors, like Tozer, have the ability (and can therefore be trusted) to share Glory and Truth without inserting their own “spin”.

The Music That Calls Us. In the tradition of the psalms of David, I’ve found this same gifting in some modern songwriters, who thirst to know the Lord in the deepest, most real sense of the word.

Show Me Your Glory by Third Day:

Show me Your glory
Send down Your presence
I want to see Your face
Show me Your glory
Majesty shines about You
I can’t go on without You, Lord

Open the Eyes of My Heart by Sonicflood:

Open the eyes of my heart, Lord
Open the eyes of my heart
I want to see You
I want to see You…
To see you high and lifted up
Shining in the light of Your glory
Pour out Your power and love
As we sing holy, holy, holy

In the Secret by Sonicflood:

In the secret, in the quiet place
In the stillness You are there
In the secret, in the quiet hour
I wait only for You
‘Cause I want to know You more

I want to know You, I want to hear Your voice
I want to know You more
I want to touch You, I want to see Your face
I want to know You more

I am reaching for the highest goal
That I might receive the prize
Pressing onward, pushing every
Hindrance aside
Out of my way
‘Cause I want to know You more

Hungry by Vineyard Music:

Hungry I come to You for I know You satisfy
I am empty but l know Your love does not run dry
So I wait for You
So I wait for You

I’m falling on my knees
Offering all of me
Jesus, You’re all this heart is living for

Broken I run to You for Your arms are open wide
I am weary but I know Your touch restores my life
So I wait for You
So I wait for You

I’m falling on my knees
Offering all of me
Jesus, You’re all this heart is living for

He Waits To Be Wanted. Tozer reminds us, “Acute desire must be present or there will be no manifestation of Christ to His people. He waits to be wanted.”

We need to rediscover the simplicity that is Christ and the peace that is Christ. My prayer is that I might be like Levi, the recipient of God alone — which is to say, “Please give me the most precious gift that I could ask for –Yourself.” Immediately I think — I don’t deserve to have anything, much less so the favor or friendship of God Himself. But I know this thought, although true, is not what God wants me to focus upon. His love is accepting and all-encompassing and never-ending, and my little peanut brain just has to accept that!

Respond To The Call. And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things — But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.” ~ Luke 10:41-42 (NKJV)

So, note to self: Stop being so engrossed in busy-ness such that there is no time left for the Lord. I need to get my priorities in order!

As they went from town to town, a lot of people joined in and traveled along. He [Jesus] addressed them, using this story:

“A farmer went out to sow his seed. Some of it fell on the road; it was tramped down and the birds ate it. Other seed fell in the gravel; it sprouted, but withered because it didn’t have good roots. Other seed fell in the weeds; the weeds grew with it and strangled it. Other seed fell in rich earth and produced a bumper crop.”

His disciples asked, “Why did you tell this story?”

“You’ve been given insight into God’s kingdom—you know how it works. There are others who need stories. But even with stories some of them aren’t going to get it:

He said, “Their eyes are open but don’t see a thing,
Their ears are open but don’t hear a thing. 

“This story is about some of those people. The seed is the Word of God. The seeds on the road are those who hear the Word, but no sooner do they hear it than the Devil snatches it from them so they won’t believe and be saved.

“The seeds in the gravel are those who hear with enthusiasm, but the enthusiasm doesn’t go very deep. It’s only another fad, and the moment there’s trouble it’s gone.

“And the seed that fell in the weeds—well, these are the ones who hear, but then the seed is crowded out and nothing comes of it as they go about their lives worrying about tomorrow, making money, and having fun.

“But the seed in the good earth—these are the good-hearts who seize the Word and hold on no matter what, sticking with it until there’s a harvest.” ~ Luke 8:4-15 MSG

So here it is. I’ve been out of the spiritual loop lately, not because I don’t love Jesus, and not because I’m involved in any overt or covert sinful lifestyle, but just because I’ve allowed complacency and mediocrity to quench the Spirit within me, when pleasing Him should be the passion of my life and the driving force in everything I do.

I’ve been lazy about reading the Word, even though I know that it has the power to search me, to reveal the truth to me, and to renew a right attitude in my heart. God’s Word makes me cognizant of the reality that the world doesn’t revolve around my selfish desires.

Yet in my arrogance, I feel cross and sulky when life doesn’t follow the script that I think is best (for ME, of course). I’m like the child who keeps complaining, “But it’s not fair!” I’ve allowed the cares of this world and my self-centeredness to overcome my devotion to Him, and have neglected the time and effort it takes to demonstrate that and nurture it in my life.

Other times I’m more like a rebellious teenager. I tend to think that I know it all, and anyone above me (including God) is just not paying attention to the “facts”. I’ve said whatever I wanted to say, done whatever I wanted to do, and “the consequences be damned”. After all, we only have one life to live, right? I think for most people it’s like, “I deserve to have a good time and do whatever it takes to be popular and cool!” You would think we would outgrow that, wouldn’t you? But we don’t, and I’m totally guilty of getting caught up in this trap, repeatedly, to my shame.

But more frequently my rebellion takes a form like this: “You people (in authority) think you are “all that”, but you are clueless. You pretend to care about others, but that’s just to advance your prestige, your power, your prosperity.” And this kind of political manipulation is not just in secular situations, like government, the media, and the workplace, but also in the church. I’m not talking about any particular church, because this phenomenon is rampant in the United States. It’s a control game based on “We make the rules, and you play by our rules or face condemnation.” So I’ve allowed this to give me a bad attitude as well. My opinion is that there are lovely, kind, trustworthy people out there, but they are not necessarily the people hugging you as you enter church.

What does this have to do with my bare-naked lady confession? Well, I have a genuine problem with envy and pride. On the one hand, I despise those who are the sharks in this world, those shining streaks of darkness that can ride any wave and inevitably stay at the top of the food chain, because they are ruthless and utterly self-centered. But on the other hand, I want to have what they have, not the evil part, but all the good stuff that comes with it — getting what you want, having others treat you like you are Somebody, being admired and living The Good Life. Guess I am pretty shallow, when you come right down to it. But this is a major source of discontentment and even at times, anger, in my heart, so my attitude has been one of dissatisfaction with God’s provision and I find myself complaining about His way of running things.

Lastly, I am a terrible steward of my finances.  I don’t think of myself as being materialistic, but I have always wanted my kids to have a certain standard of living, which included Christian school, nice clothes, and orthodontic work.  I managed to keep that going even when I was going to school full-time and working only part-time, by taking advantage of low-interest school loans.  Around the same time, I had a string of “bad-luck” situations, which made me skittish about making any kind of financial decisions.  I don’t even like to talk about personal finances and avoid it like the plague.   I equate all of this with fear, paralysis, and very negative feelings.  The days of digging in the floor of the car for gas money are long behind me, but I still feel like I’m there.  When I can help others financially or give gifts, it makes me feel better, and most times I can well afford it; however, I know my judgment is not reliable.

Okay, I’ve bared my soul.  Can anybody relate?

What do “good” parents do? They watch over their little ones diligently, and when they get off track and into trouble, the parent lovingly reminds them to make an adjustment. If they don’t listen, the parent uses a stronger method to remind them. And if they outright refuse to listen, they may be shocked at the price they are required to pay for their disobedience.  Sorrow.  Guilt.  Seeds that grab root in places for which we can only wish we had a “do-over”. The scariest part is, my sins don’t affect only me in this way; the damage is spread to my children, and their children, and on through future generations, as the Word warns us.

Thank the LORD, even when I am not, He is faithful.

O LORD God of hosts,
Who is mighty like You, O LORD?
Your faithfulness also surrounds You. ~ Psalm 89:8

It is good to give thanks to the LORD,
And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High;
To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning,
And Your faithfulness every night. ~ Psalm 92:1-2

O LORD, You are my God.
I will exalt You,
I will praise Your name,
For You have done wonderful things;
Your counsels of old are faithfulness and truth. ~ Isaiah 25:1

Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed,
Because His compassions fail not.
They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.
~ Lamentations 3:22-23

This is a faithful saying:
For if we died with Him, We shall also live with Him.
If we endure, We shall also reign with Him.
If we deny Him, He also will deny us.
If we are faithless, He remains faithful;
He cannot deny Himself. ~ 2 Timothy 2:11-13

There are several scriptural truths here that I need to remember, and maybe they will help you on your journey too.

1. What goes around comes around. I don’t SEE it coming around; in fact, the sharks seem to be doing just fine, everywhere, all the time. But God’s Word always speaks the truth.

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. ~ Galatians 6:6

Sow for yourselves righteousness; Reap in mercy;
Break up your fallow ground,
For it is time to seek the LORD,
Till He comes and rains righteousness on you.
You have plowed wickedness; You have reaped iniquity.
You have eaten the fruit of lies
Because you trusted in your own way,
In the multitude of your mighty men. ~ Hosea 10:12-13

And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. ~ Galatians 6:9

2. Don’t quit. Quitting sounds like I’ve decided to give up any activity at all; but what it really means is I’ve decided to turn my back on God.  I’m doing things my way, so I ignore His voice as He tells me to get out of the danger zone.

Do not fret because of evildoers,
Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity.
For they shall soon be cut down like the grass,
And wither as the green herb.

Trust in the LORD, and do good;
Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.
Delight yourself also in the LORD,
And He shall give you the desires of your heart.

Commit your way to the LORD,
Trust also in Him,
And He shall bring it to pass.
He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light,
And your justice as the noonday.

Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him;
Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way,
Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.
Cease from anger, and forsake wrath;
Do not fret—it only causes harm. ~ Psalm 37:1-8

3. “Do right… even if the stars fall… do right.” This is our responsibility and God’s intended use of our liberty in Christ. If you are a born-again Christian, this is your reason for living! I can’t say it better than the Word does, so read on…

I, Peter, am an apostle on assignment by Jesus, the Messiah, writing to exiles scattered to the four winds. Not one is missing, not one forgotten. God the Father has his eye on each of you, and has determined by the work of the Spirit to keep you obedient through the sacrifice of Jesus. May everything good from God be yours!

What a God we have! And how fortunate we are to have him, this Father of our Master Jesus! Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we’ve been given a brand-new life and have everything to live for, including a future in heaven—and the future starts now! God is keeping careful watch over us and the future. The Day is coming when you’ll have it all—life healed and whole.

I know how great this makes you feel, even though you have to put up with every kind of aggravation in the meantime. Pure gold put in the fire comes out of it proved pure; genuine faith put through this suffering comes out proved genuine. When Jesus wraps this all up, it’s your faith, not your gold, that God will have on display as evidence of his victory.

You never saw him, yet you love him. You still don’t see him, yet you trust him—with laughter and singing. Because you kept on believing, you’ll get what you’re looking forward to: total salvation.

The prophets who told us this was coming asked a lot of questions about this gift of life God was preparing. The Messiah’s Spirit let them in on some of it—that the Messiah would experience suffering, followed by glory. They clamored to know who and when. All they were told was that they were serving you, you who by orders from heaven have now heard for yourselves—through the Holy Spirit—the Message of those prophecies fulfilled. Do you realize how fortunate you are? Angels would have given anything to be in on this!

So roll up your sleeves, put your mind in gear, be totally ready to receive the gift that’s coming when Jesus arrives. Don’t lazily slip back into those old grooves of evil, doing just what you feel like doing. You didn’t know any better then; you do now. As obedient children, let yourselves be pulled into a way of life shaped by God’s life, a life energetic and blazing with holiness. God said, “I am holy; you be holy.”

You call out to God for help and he helps—he’s a good Father that way. But don’t forget, he’s also a responsible Father, and won’t let you get by with sloppy living.

Your life is a journey you must travel with a deep consciousness of God. It cost God plenty to get you out of that dead-end, empty-headed life you grew up in. He paid with Christ’s sacred blood, you know. He died like an unblemished, sacrificial lamb. And this was no afterthought. Even though it has only lately—at the end of the ages—become public knowledge, God always knew he was going to do this for you. It’s because of this sacrificed Messiah, whom God then raised from the dead and glorified, that you trust God, that you know you have a future in God.

Now that you’ve cleaned up your lives by following the truth, love one another as if your lives depended on it. Your new life is not like your old life. Your old birth came from mortal sperm; your new birth comes from God’s living Word. Just think: a life conceived by God himself! That’s why the prophet said,
“The old life is a grass life,
its beauty as short-lived as wildflowers;
Grass dries up, flowers droop,
God’s Word goes on and on forever.”
This is the Word that conceived the new life in you.
~ I Peter 1:1-25 MSG

Curiously, today is the first day of Spring, a perfect time for me to put an end to this winter of my soul and rejoice in newness of life in Christ. I’m asking for the LORD’s forgiveness, and I am also asking Him to show me plainly and precisely where I need to change, in my thoughts, in my words, in my actions, and especially in my motivations and my attitude. I trust Him. I know that He is all-wise and all-wonderful, and because He is love, I know that our relationship is of paramount importance to Him. And so it should be to me as well. I need to take Him seriously, and be obedient to His will. I want to take a stand for righteousness because of my love for Him, and be a strong, enduring, faithful friend to Him no matter what it costs me personally.  I want to live a life “shaped by God’s life, a life energetic and blazing with holiness“.  I can’t do this by myself, but He can accomplish this in me!

Calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to saving yourself, your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you? What could you ever trade your soul for?

If any of you are embarrassed over me and the way I’m leading you when you get around your fickle and unfocused friends, know that you’ll be an even greater embarrassment to the Son of Man when he arrives in all the splendor of God, his Father, with an army of the holy angels.”
~ Mark 8:34-37 MSG

Reflections:

• In reference to the Parable of the Sower:  If the Lord was to look at the evidence in your life and heart, how would He say you are receiving the Word –like the road, the gravel, the weeds, or the rich earth?
• The Bible teaches that the heart of man is deceitful — and there’s nobody we deceive better than ourselves.  What sins are you hiding from yourself?   What have you allowed to take the throne in your heart and interfere with your relationship with God?
• Are you one of those people who makes others feel judged or condemned?  Or are your words, actions, and attitudes humble like Jesus’ words, loving like Jesus’ actions, and non-judgmental and non-legalistic in attitude, even as Jesus was?  If you were too quick to think, THAT’S NOT ME, just remember that the Pharisees were sure it wasn’t them!
• Is your way of life shaped by God’s life, a life energetic and blazing with holiness?  If not, wouldn’t you like it to be?

Buy Aaron Keyes

MY SOUL FINDS REST (Psalm 62) 

From the album Not Guilty Anymore
By Aaron Keyes

Music & Lyrics by Stuart Townend

(Click to listen)
https://strength4fear.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/03-psalm-62.mp3%20

My soul finds rest in God alone,
My Rock and my salvation,
A fortress strong against my foes,
And I will not be shaken.
Though lips may bless and hearts may curse,
And lies like arrows pierce me,
I’ll fix my heart on righteousness,
I’ll look to Him who hears me.

O praise Him, hallelujah,
My Delight and my Reward;
Everlasting, never failing,
My Redeemer, my God.

Find rest, my soul, in God alone
Amid the world’s temptations;
When evil seeks to take a hold
I’ll cling to my salvation.
Though riches come and riches go,
Don’t set your heart upon them;
The fields of hope in which I sow
Are harvested in heaven.

O praise Him, hallelujah,
My Delight and my Reward;
Everlasting, never failing,
My Redeemer, my God.

I’ll set my gaze on God alone,
And trust in Him completely;
With every day pour out my soul,
And He will prove His mercy.
Though life is but a fleeting breath,
A sigh too brief to measure,
My King has crushed the curse of death
And I am His forever.

O praise Him, hallelujah,
My Delight and my Reward;
Everlasting, never failing,
My Redeemer, my God.

O praise Him, hallelujah,
My Delight and my Reward;
Everlasting, never failing,
My Redeemer, my God.

O praise Him, O praise Him, hallelujah, hallelujah,
O praise Him, O praise Him, hallelujah, hallelujah,
O praise Him, O praise Him, hallelujah! hallelujah!

O praise Him, hallelujah,
My Delight and my Reward;
Everlasting, never failing,
My Redeemer, my God.

O praise Him, hallelujah,
My Delight and my Reward;
Everlasting, never failing,
My Redeemer, my God.

(instrumental)
O praise Him, O praise Him, hallelujah, hallelujah,
O praise Him, O praise Him, hallelujah, hallelujah,
O praise Him, O praise Him, hallelujah! hallelujah!
O praise Him, O praise Him, hallelujah! hallelujah!

Photos came from a Compassion International trip to the Dominican Republic, where families traveled to meet the kids they sponsor.  As you can see, these children who have the benefit of a sponsor are healthy, happy, in Christian school, and attending a local church. Unfortunately, many kids in the Dominican Republic and all around the world are still waiting for sponsors. You can click on any photo to reach the webpage for Compassion International.

God’s various gifts are handed out everywhere; but they all originate in God’s Spirit.  God’s various ministries are carried out everywhere; but they all originate in God’s Spirit.  God’s various expressions of power are in action everywhere; but God himself is behind it all.

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Each person is given something to do that shows who God is:  Everyone gets in on it, everyone benefits.  All kinds of things are handed out by the Spirit, and to all kinds of people!  The variety is wonderful: wise counsel, clear understanding, simple trust, healing the sick, miraculous acts, proclamation, distinguishing between spirits, tongues, interpretation of tongues.

All these gifts have a common origin, but are handed out one by one by the one Spirit of God.  He decides who gets what, and when. ~ I Cor. 12:4-11 MSG

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Finding God’s Purpose

According to the Word, what is God’s purpose in giving spiritual gifts?

Each person is given something to do that shows who God is: Everyone gets in on it, everyone benefits. 

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This is God’s purpose for His Body of believers, his church.  We are meant to be a transformed community that demonstrates His caring, forgiveness, and compassion, living out the love of God with one another, and reaching out to a broken world, even to our enemies.  He calls us to be so completely filled with His compassion and love that we would reach out even to those who would reject us, oppose the work of God, and even kill us, and love them with the love of God.  That is the dignity and calling and purpose of God in the life of every believer.

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Any issues that we are up against, we can know without a doubt that God is sovereignly, lovingly at work even within those circumstances, using them to build our character and shape us so we can know His love.  He will manifest it in such a powerful way that we are convinced nothing can separate us from the love of Christ.  The Holy Spirit has anointed every one of us who have faith in Him with spiritual gifts, in order to bring to fruition His ultimate plan and purpose for His Kingdom. We are all here for God’s glory, wherever He provides opportunity.

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All Together in One Body

Everyone in the Body of Christ is actively partaking of the same Holy Spirit, regardless of who we are, so we all belong to one another. The gifting of God is not limited by ethnicity, by economic background, by level of education, by heritage, by race, or by gender. We all belong. While we tend to overlook this, Paul emphasizes it. We can only be fulfilled within our connectedness with the Body of believers.

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We may feel unworthy or unqualified, but this is not relevant; in God’s economy, every part of the body is equally important. No one in the Body is a “nobody” – each of us is vital. Each is created in the image of God and filled with the Holy Spirit. This means that any of us who looks down on others as though they are not important within the Body should be rebuked! Whether we are rich or poor, immigrant or native-born, young or old, of whatever race or color, all of us belong together as one Body in Christ.

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A church that is separatist in any way is therefore not representative of the Body of Christ. A church that is 100% “whatever” can still be a real expression of the church and the people of God, but it will be a handicapped expression without the gifting of the diverse members who are absent.

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The way God designed our bodies is a model for understanding our lives together as a church: every part dependent on every other part, the parts we mention and the parts we don’t, the parts we see and the parts we don’t.  If one part hurts, every other part is involved in the hurt, and in the healing.  If one part flourishes, every other part enters into the exuberance. 

You are Christ’s body—that’s who you are!  You must never forget this.  Only as you accept your part of that body does your “part” mean anything.  You’re familiar with some of the parts that God has formed in his church, which is his “body”:  apostles, prophets, teachers, miracle workers, healers, helpers, organizers, those who pray in tongues. 

But it’s obvious by now, isn’t it, that Christ’s church is a complete Body and not a gigantic, unidimensional Part?  It’s not all Apostle, not all Prophet, not all Miracle Worker, not all Healer, not all Prayer in Tongues, not all Interpreter of Tongues.  And yet some of you keep competing for so-called “important” parts.   ~ I Cor. 12:25-30 MSG

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We Need Each Other

The blessing of God on a church will not come because of any one individual. Our culture says YOU can be the independent spirit who takes the world by storm, but this is a lie from Satan. We need each other. The Body of Christ needs each of us, and all our gifts, to manifest the justice, compassion, and love of God within our local church.

Don’t say “I don’t belong”. But also, don’t say “I don’t need you”. Those parts of the body that seem weaker are indispensable. You are indispensable.

I’d venture to say that there are a large number of wounded people who have not experienced the love of Christ within the church.

This is a shame, because there are many who have faced unbearable life circumstances and are the most hurting and vulnerable, and these are the ones who need special attention. Their hearts and minds are filled with tenderness and frailty, such that they have difficulty understanding and accepting that they are part of the Body.

Because they are insecure, the Body of Christ is called to love them, to protect them, and to cover them. Those who have been abused, dishonored, mistreated, and oppressed have God’s special interest. In the midst of their troubles, He has filled them up with grace and honor, so that all might benefit.   They understand compassion, justice, faith and mercy more than the person who has never had to bear hardship or suffering, so they are rich in faith.

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Listen, dear friends. Isn’t it clear by now that God operates quite differently?   He chose the world’s down-and-out as the kingdom’s first citizens, with full rights and privileges. 

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This kingdom is promised to anyone who loves God. And here you are abusing these same citizens! Isn’t it the high and mighty who exploit you, who use the courts to rob you blind? Aren’t they the ones who scorn the new name—”Christian”—used in your baptisms? ~ James 2:5-7 MSG

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“But a beautiful cedar palace does not make a great king
Your father, Josiah, also had plenty to eat and drink.
But he was just and right in all his dealings.
That is why God blessed him.
He gave justice and help to the poor and needy, and everything went well for him.
Isn’t that what it means to know me?” says the Lord.
“But you! You have eyes only for greed and dishonesty!
You murder the innocent, oppress the poor, and reign ruthlessly.”
~ Jeremiah 22:15-17 MSG

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When we go to bless others, we come away having been blessed by them. We are humbled by their caring, compassion, giving, mercy, and faith. As the Body of Christ, we are all connected, all praying and caring one for the other. This is the beauty of the Lord’s family, operating according to His plan.

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Reflections:

1. Who benefits from the actions of the obedient believer?

2. What are the benefits of the trials that believers endure?

3. What factors in our local churches isolate us from the poor, the immigrant/refugee, those of a different heritage/race/ethnicity, or those of a different educational background?  What would be necessary for this to change? 

4. Why do we need those who are suffering the most within the Body of Christ and within our local church?

5. Have I allowed pride, self-interest or selfishness, hypersensitivity, a critical, judgmental spirit, or immaturity to keep me away from the church?

BUY PCD

THE WONDERFUL CROSS

From the album The Ultimate Collection

By Phillips, Craig, and Dean

(Click to listen)
https://onewhitetree.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/2-14-the-wonderful-cross.mp3%20

When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of Glory died
My richest gain I count but loss
And pour contempt on all my pride

Oh, the wonderful cross
Oh, the wonderful cross
Bids me come and die
And find that I may truly live

See from His head, His hands, His feet
Sorrow and love flow mingled down
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet
Or thorns compose so rich a crown

Oh, the wonderful cross
Oh, the wonderful cross
Bids me come and die
And find that I may truly live

Oh, the wonderful cross
Oh, the wonderful cross
All who gather here
By grace draw near and bless Your name

Love so amazing, so divine
Demands my soul, my life, my all.

Oh, the wonderful cross
Oh, the wonderful cross
Bids me come and die
And find that I may truly live

Oh, the wonderful cross
Oh, the wonderful cross
Bids me come and die
And find that I may truly live

Oh, the wonderful cross
Oh, the wonderful cross
All who gather here
By grace draw near and bless Your name

Won’t YOU sponsor a child through COMPASSION INTERNATIONAL?

Guilty as Charged

Regarding this next item, I’m not at all pleased.  I am getting the picture that when you meet together it brings out your worst side instead of your best!  First, I get this report on your divisiveness, competing with and criticizing each other.  I’m reluctant to believe it, but there it is.  The best that can be said for it is that the testing process will bring truth into the open and confirm it.  ~ I Cor. 11:17-19

WHO SAYS I HAVE A BAD ATTITUDE???

The believers at Corinth were being:

1.  Divisive.  Let’s see if Jesus has a position on this.

“I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you.  Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name—the name you gave me—so that they may be one as we are one.”  ~ John 17:11

“My prayer is not for them alone.  I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you.  May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one:  I in them and you in me.  May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.  ~ John 17:20-23

Jesus spoke these words in prayer.  It was vitally important to Him that all who believed in Him would be unified, and not just in a superficial sense, but rather in a complete, intimate sense.  Jesus wanted us to be just as close to the Father as He is, and to share the same relationship with God the Father that He does.  This circle of unity would include the believers, as well as both Jesus and the Father.

Jesus explains why this is so important to Him:  (1)  As a witness of Jesus’ authority given by God Himself: “to let the world know that you sent me” and (2)  As evidence of God’s amazing love for the believers: “[to let the world know that you] have loved them even as you have loved me”.  So what does this mean? 

• Our unity is a demonstration of Jesus’ authority over our lives, and also our obedience to that authority.
• Our unity should be a clear indicator of the close, trusting relationship we share with God Himself — the same intimacy Jesus shared with the Father.

2.  Competitive. 

“You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight.  That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family.”  ~ Matt. 5:9

Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives.  That means we will not compare ourselves with each other as if one of us were better and another worse.  We have far more interesting things to do with our lives. Each of us is an original.  ~ Gal. 5:25-26

Once we have stepped away from the circle of unity and entered into a spirit of divisiveness, we begin to compare ourselves with others, competing rather than cooperating.  We forget that our enemy is not our brother or sister in Christ, but rather the spiritual powers of darkness, who love seeing us at odds with one another.

3. Critical. 

Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself.  You might be needing forgiveness before the day’s out.  Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed.  Share their burdens, and so complete Christ’s law. 

If you think you are too good for that, you are badly deceived.  Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that.  Don’t be impressed with yourself.  Don’t compare yourself with others. 

Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life.  Be very sure now, you who have been trained to a self-sufficient maturity, that you enter into a generous common life with those who have trained you, sharing all the good things that you have and experience.  ~ Gal. 6:1-6

To create is to generate, to make something out of nothing.  If I’m not in unity with the Body, and I’ve taken a competitive viewpoint of myself vs. others rather than being cooperative, the obvious next step is to be critical, cutting others down in an effort to build myself up.  But God shows us we shouldn’t be in the de-construction business.  We aren’t here to tear our Christian brothers and sisters down, but rather, like Christ, to creatively build them up, especially those who are oppressed.

Our Most Valuable Helper

It takes maturity and an obedient, selfless heart to generate forgiveness, acceptance, and godly love rather than strife and a critical spirit.  I don’t know about you, but I don’t have a lot of spiritual maturity, obedience, or selflessness.  I have to create something out of pretty much nothing. 

The secret is that I don’t have to do it alone.  The Holy Spirit helps me to recognize the value of forgiveness — for myself and others.  He teaches me to accept others “just as they are” because He accepts me “just as I am”.  He teaches me to put God first, and to love others as much as myself, even though it goes against my sinful nature.

Just as teenagers rebel against their parents, we tend to rebel against our Heavenly Father.  We want our teens to trust us, to rely on our wisdom and experience.  But are we willing to trust Him?  To rely on His wisdom and experience?

But it doesn’t stop there.  We need to be “responsible for doing your creative best with your life”.  Wow! That is huge!  It doesn’t just say with your relationships, or with your finances, or with your career, or with your health, or with your free time, but rather ALL of life’s choices.

Being a Blessing and Getting a Blessing

And once we do begin to reach “a self-sufficient maturity”,we are to share it with others in the Body.  I don’t think this is an all-or-nothing proposition. There are areas of life in which I feel more strongly capable of helping others, and then those areas where I’m much less knowledgeable. Paul stated, “Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that.” 

He further explains this:

God’s various gifts are handed out everywhere; but they all originate in God’s Spirit.  God’s various ministries are carried out everywhere; but they all originate in God’s Spirit.  God’s various expressions of power are in action everywhere; but God himself is behind it all.

Each person is given something to do that shows who God is:  Everyone gets in on it, everyone benefits.  All kinds of things are handed out by the Spirit, and to all kinds of people!  The variety is wonderful: wise counsel, clear understanding, simple trust, healing the sick, miraculous acts, proclamation, distinguishing between spirits, tongues, interpretation of tongues. 

All these gifts have a common origin, but are handed out one by one by the one Spirit of God.  He decides who gets what, and when. ~ I Cor. 12:4-11

 Agreeing with God’s Plan

Paul clearly explains how we are to think about ourselves.

“If you think you are too good for that, you are badly deceived… Don’t be impressed with yourself”.  I am a created being composed of flesh, bone, water, and blood, and of course, my soul and spirit.  Where is my claim to fame?  What makes me stand out amongst all the great names that have filled ancient and modern history books?  The answer is:  There is nothing truly magnificent or significant that any one of us can claim apart from God.

But once we make the decision to serve Jesus as God Himself and the Lord of our lives, this dramatically and eternally changes.

• God forgives all our sins as Jesus’ death on the cross has paid the necessary price for our freedom.
• God sends His Holy Spirit to dwell within our spirits.
• God tells us that our names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.
• God adopts us into His family, and calls us His Beloved.
• God gives us the gift of eternal life with Him.
• God makes us ministers of the Light, called to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with any and all who seek Him.
• God empowers us to fill the particular need within His Body of believers for which he created us.
• God leads us and guides us so that we can fulfill our responsibility.

We are privileged to be part of all the honor and the glory, but it is only because of Almighty God and what He is doing in us.

BUY CHRIS RICE

SOMETIMES LOVE

From the album Deep Enough to Dream
By Chris Rice

(Click to listen)
https://onewhitetree.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/03-sometimes-love.mp3%20

Is our world spinning backwards?
What has brought about this change?
Can’t you see that people aren’t the same…

I wish I were dreamin’, and could wake up from my sleep
And find us all the way we used to be…

‘Cause the love that used to be is dyin’
Is anybody even tryin’?
And I don’t know how, I don’t know why
But somethin’ in my soul is cryin’…

Sometimes love has to drive a nail into its own hand
Sometimes love has to drive a nail into its own hand

One pair of hands broke some bread and washed some feet
Opened eyes and soothed an angry sea

Belonged to a Man Who could see our deepest need
And showed us love the way it has to be

‘Cause He knew the price that love requires
And He laid down His own desires…
He stretched out His hands to save His friends
And said “no other love is higher”
(so listen to me now singin’)

Sometimes love has to drive a nail into its own hand
Sometimes love has to drive a nail into its own hand

Love can change us, love can make a way
Only love can change us, love can make a way
Love can change us, love can make a way
Only Jesus’ love can change us, love can make a way

Sometimes love has to drive a nail into its own hand
Sometimes love has to drive a nail into its own hand

I wish I were dreamin’, and could wake up from my sleep
And find us all the way we used to be…

In Numbers 6, God outlines His instructions for Nazarites, who by taking a vow were consecrating their lives to God.  The word consecrate means to set apart or to devote to the service of God.  Terms that are similar in meaning are to ordain, to anoint, and to make holy or sacred.

God spoke to Moses: “Speak to the People of Israel; tell them, If any of you, man or woman, wants to make a special Nazirite vow, consecrating yourself totally to God, you must not drink any wine or beer, no intoxicating drink of any kind, not even the juice of grapes—in fact, you must not even eat grapes or raisins. For the duration of the consecration, nothing from the grapevine—not even the seeds, not even the skin—may be eaten.

“Also, for the duration of the consecration you must not have your hair cut. Your long hair will be a continuing sign of holy separation to God.

“Also, for the duration of the consecration to God, you must not go near a corpse. Even if it’s the body of your father or mother, brother or sister, you must not ritually defile yourself because the sign of consecration to God is on your head.

“For the entire duration of your consecration you are holy to God. (Numbers 6:1-8, MSG)

As we study and consider these concepts, it is really important that we allow Scripture to inform us, rather than allowing our own culture and values to be superimposed on God’s purposes, which would limit the impact of the living Word.  Let’s get started!

SEPARATION/HOLINESS:

As Moses went up to meet God, God called down to him from the mountain: “Speak to the House of Jacob, tell the People of Israel: ‘You have seen what I did to Egypt and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to me. If you will listen obediently to what I say and keep my covenant, out of all peoples you’ll be my special treasure. The whole Earth is mine to choose from, but you’re special: a kingdom of priests, a holy nation.’

“This is what I want you to tell the People of Israel.” (Exodus 19:3-6, MSG)  

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy. (1 Peter 2:9-10, NKJV)

Then Moses said to him, “Are you zealous for my sake? Oh, that all the LORD’s people were prophets and that the LORD would put His Spirit upon them!” (Numbers 11:29, NKJV)

‘ And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God,
       That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh;
      Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
      Your young men shall see visions,
      Your old men shall dream dreams.
      And on My menservants and on My maidservants
      I will pour out My Spirit in those days;
       And they shall prophesy.
       (Acts 2:17-18, NKJV)

As we can see from these verses, God clearly indicated that the time would come when all of his faithful believers would be Nazarites; all would be priests; and all would be anointed to serve Him.  But what does it really mean to be consecrated and holy?

• We are separated from sin
• We are dedicated to righteousness and justice

In Numbers 6, God gave the Nazarites quite a few “don’ts“.  Consider:  When God gives us “don’ts“, they are meant to protect us, or to direct us so we don’t miss out on His grace, blessings, and mercy. 

The grape products, also mentioned in Numbers 6, are meant to represent the pleasures and comforts of this world, which are potential obstacles to the believer’s commitment. 

Tell those rich in this world’s wealth to quit being so full of themselves and so obsessed with money, which is here today and gone tomorrow. Tell them to go after God, who piles on all the riches we could ever manage—to do good, to be rich in helping others, to be extravagantly generous. If they do that, they’ll build a treasury that will last, gaining life that is truly life.  (1 Timothy 6:17-19, MSG)

Reflections:

• Am I acting responsibly when I spend my earnings on frivolous things? 
• Has my culture created a superficial expectation and a false standard of living?

In Hosea, idols and raisin cakes represented personal pleasure and satisfaction.  These things hinder our ability to fulfil God’s purposes, which is the primary reason for our consecration.  For example, God has given each of us talents, gifts, and blessings that we are meant to freely give to others in His name. 

Then God ordered me, “Start all over: Love your wife again, your wife who’s in bed with her latest boyfriend, your cheating wife. Love her the way I, God, love the Israelite people, even as they flirt and party with every god that takes their fancy.”

I did it. I paid good money to get her back. It cost me the price of a slave. Then I told her, “From now on you’re living with me. No more whoring, no more sleeping around. You’re living with me and I’m living with you.”

The people of Israel are going to live a long time stripped of security and protection, without religion and comfort, godless and prayerless. But in time they’ll come back, these Israelites, come back looking for their God and their David-King.

They’ll come back chastened to reverence before God and his good gifts, ready for the End of the story of his love. (Hosea 3, MSG)

What is the meaning behind this passage in Hosea?

I am the Bride of Christ.  In this example, I am the cheating wife, the flirt, the one whose wayward eyes are captured by every god that takes my fancy. Instead of seeking to please God, I want to please myself.  But God has redeemed me and paid the price of Jesus’ blood so that I and all believers can be reconciled in His mercy and boundless love.

Reflections:

• In what areas am I squandering my time, thoughts, and efforts on selfish, ungodly priorities?
• Do I love other people based on man’s legalistic, judgmental principles?  Where – when – who?
• Is my love for others a true reflection of God’s covenantal love relationship?  Or do I make it all about me? 

MY STRENGTH/THE POWER OF CHRIST:

Now there was a certain man from Zorah, of the family of the Danites, whose name was Manoah; and his wife was barren and had no children.

And the Angel of the LORD appeared to the woman and said to her, “Indeed now, you are barren and have borne no children, but you shall conceive and bear a son.

Now therefore, please be careful not to drink wine or similar drink, and not to eat anything unclean. For behold, you shall conceive and bear a son.

And no razor shall come upon his head, for the child shall be a Nazirite to God from the womb; and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines.”(Judges 13:2-5, NKJV)

Samson’s strength was in his hair, which seems strange to me; however, it was an outward sign of his inward consecration. My job, just like Samson’s, is to be devoted to God and His Kingdom purposes. If I am not right-focused, the Holy Spirit will attempt to pierce my hard heart and change my outlook; but I may be too caught up in myself to be a teachable student, until like Samson, I find that I am chained in slavery, blinded by my enemies, and subjected to public defeat and humiliation.

The better way is for me to openly welcome the opportunity to turn away from my selfish ways, asking the Holy Spirit to show me and guide me with His conviction. This requires humility and a teachable spirit. Right choices lead to right commitment, and I want to be dedicated to the things that God finds important and valuable.

Another sign of Samson’s consecration as a Nazarite was the directive to steer clear of dead things. Why? Because God’s people are people of LIFE and not DEATH. How did Jesus demonstrate His divinity? By overcoming death and the grave.  Jesus is:

• The Creator of life ~ John 1:1-4, Hebrews 1:1-2 
• The Sustainer of life ~ Hebrews 1:3, Acts 17:28
• The Perpetuator of life ~ John 11:25-26, 1 John 5:20

We are to actively engage in life/light, rather than passively accepting death/darkness.  This means that my calling is to interact with those who are on the road of death and destruction, to be an example of God’s love, compassion, justice, and kindness —  and to resist becoming involved in sinful behaviors.  It is unwise to flirt with danger, to allow myself to be tempted by pleasure or to partake in evil.  We tend to make so little of sin, but God’s Word reveals to us what a really big deal it is.

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. (1 Peter 5:7-9, NKJV)

Blessed is the man
         Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
         Nor stands in the path of sinners,
         Nor sits in the seat of the scornful (Psalm 1:1, NKJV)

Reflections:

• Has God already prepared a purpose for our individual lives, even when we are still in our mothers’ wombs?  Where is the evidence of this?
• Some people like to show outward signs of consecration, but without the actual internal commitment to Christ.  In what areas of my life am I guilty of this?
• If I am unsure how to make right choices, who can help me?
• Historically, there are always particular groups of people who are oppressed by those in power.  Who are those people today?  What would be important and valuable to God in those situations?

How exciting to be called by the LORD Himself to eternal life!  What a privilege to be actively accomplishing His purposes, and bringing glory to His name!  But I am not unfamiliar with the Scriptures…  When we choose the selfish way of the world, our journey may be one of comfort and ease, pleasure and popularity; however, when we choose the selfless Way of the Lord Jesus Christ, there will be persecution, struggle, and suffering.  Why would anyone choose this difficult road?  Once you have experienced the love and saving grace of Jesus, the answer to this question becomes clear.

By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward. (Hebrews 11:24-26, NKJV) 

Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel (2 Timothy 1:8-10, NKJV) 

APPLICATION:  The following  are my thoughts on how to begin so that I might be consecrated to the Lord…  with thanks to my daughter, Sailor, for her wise counsel.  I invite you to join me in this Fellowship of the Burning Heart.

1.  Follow hard after God.  It’s not enough to just be identified as a Christian.  My heart needs to follow His heart, to see things as He sees them, to hear what He hears, and to feel what He feels.  This is an ongoing journey.  Jesus patiently waits for me to seek Him; and He is the greatest treasure in existence, so why have I fearfully grasped at the meager offerings of this life? 

2.   Trust and obey.   I need to truly live this, as a friend and favorite of the Most High, wholly surrendered, utterly obedient, possessing nothing beyond the treasure of the inward, eternal Christ.  To fearlessly turn everything over to Him, my gifts and talents, my family, my love for recognition, attention, comfort, sophisticated toys, my strengths, my weaknesses, my excuses.  All.  So that He might reign with power in my life.

3.  Honesty and a thirst for holiness.  Relentlessly tearing down walls of sin day by day and moment by moment, with my eyes wide open to the presence of sin in my life and its destructive nature.  Knowing confidently that this is His will for me, and He will help me to walk in His grace and redemption.  This is what relationship with a Holy God is all about.  Complete openness and honesty in His presence.

4.  Nurture spiritual awareness and discernment.  I need to choose, moment by moment, to live in the ultimate reality – the eternal, spiritual realm of God’s reign in the here and now.  Tozer says, “Every man must choose his world.”  Spiritual battles, spiritual beings, spiritual victories – it is all more real than the pinch I feel when I squeeze my flesh.  My senses tend to fool me, so I forget this truth; however, it is still truth.  I need to live according to spiritual truth.

Burning Bush by Laura Bolter

Just happened across this artist ~ Laura Bolter ~ on http://www.flickr, and if you click on the painting, it will take you to her website, where you can see many examples of her art. If you happen to read Hebrew and can interpret the word or words written in the flames, please let me know!

So have you figured out where I found a burning bush? 

Long time, no see!!!  I’ve been preoccupied with winding up the 2008-2009 school year, summer vacation, enjoying my darling children and grandchildren, and then getting back on track at work now that school is again in session.  I enjoyed the Sundays I spent at New City Fellowship in University City, Missouri.  We took a road trip to Nashville, spent a long weekend at the aLoft hotel there, where the kids and I enjoyed the pool, the comfy beds, and the big-screen TV.  Very lazy days!  We also watched a show at the MUNY in Saint Louis, a live performance of “Meet Me In Saint Louis“, and spent a lovely cool day walking around the city’s Zoo.  Visiting with my Mom, my sister and her husband, both my brothers and their wives and kids, even playing with the kitty-cats and my doggy friend Rudy, it was all lovely and memorable.

Nevertheless, it was great to get back to my routine.  I feel really blessed, because I love my work.  I love my students, the school where I am employed, my friends and coworkers, and life in Taiwan.  It’s currently muggy and hot as blue blazes here, but every time a wisp of a breeze blows through, we are hopeful that autumn can’t be too far away.  When I first moved here, I was appalled by the lack of architectural organization and man-made landscaping.  But the warmth and goodness of the people here have won me over, and I have learned to love the wooded mountains surrounding our valley.   

But I can’t live in a bubble.  On my television screen, I watch the frightening images of terrorism in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Israel, to name a few; oppression, disease, and starvation in Africa; and strong-arm tactics in Iran, Myanmar, and North Korea, where people are still denied the most basic of human rights.  In the USA — “the land of the free and the home of the brave” — violent crimes occur on a daily basis.  On top of all that, we see ongoing economic turmoil, global warming, and so many other concerns.  Here in Taiwan, it is peaceful, free, and safe; but just across the Taiwan Strait, China has missiles pointed directly at us.  Our day-to-day security is precarious at best, no matter where we live.

We think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters, about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia.  We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it.  In fact, we expected to die.  But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead.  And he did rescue us from mortal danger, and he will rescue us again.  We have placed our confidence in him, and he will continue to rescue us.   And you are helping us by praying for us. Then many people will give thanks because God has graciously answered so many prayers for our safety. ~ 2 Cor. 1:8-11  NLT

One of the sermons I heard at NCF this summer was based on Numbers (verses 9:15-17, 10:11-14, and 10:29-36), which talks about God’s preparation for Israel to be a light in the world.  The world at that time had certain groups that considered themselves to be ethnically and/or religiously “superior” to others — Babylon, Egypt, whoever happened to be in power.  This type of thinking, at least in the minds of those who reigned, meant that everyone else was “inferior”.  In this way, they rationalized their oppression of those who were different than themselves. 

Sept. 11, 2001 - Never Forget.

Even today, we live in a broken, incredibly troubled world because of sin.  As mentioned previously, we see it on our TV screens continuously!  God hates sin and its destructive, oppressive, and demeaning effect on His creation.  The fact of the matter is that God allows more evil in this world than we would, and that is so hard to comprehend!   How are we, as Christians, supposed to think about that? How are we to react to that? What does it all mean?  Has God abandoned planet Earth?  A thousand times, NO.
  

He left His ambassadors, who have experienced His salvation, who have been redeemed from the slavery of sin, who have access to His wisdom, His grace, and His listening ear, with the responsibility of caring for our hurting brothers and sisters around the globe.  We tell our teenagers that with more freedom comes more responsibility.  God is saying that same thing to His church.  Even though we are thankful for courageous soldiers who are willing to defend our freedoms, and we respect and honor our military servicemen and -women, Christians are not to rely on military or political power; we are to rely on God.  Politicians or military leaders can mislead us; but God will never do so.  Furthermore, in God’s economy, we are all supposed to be soldiers for Him!

While we are in the midst of this fight of GOOD vs. EVIL, we cannot rely on others, not even on ourselves; only God is completely trustworthy.  Yet He clearly expects us to be disciplined and trained by hardship and suffering, so that we are capable of accepting the responsibility of being His ambassadors to a hurting world.  I’m preaching to myself here it would seem, because even as I type this, I’m hearing the Spirit speak to my spirit, So why are you living a life of comfort and luxury?  Where is your hardship?  Where is your suffering?  Where is the evidence of your love for Me?

How can I be a light in the midst of the darkness unless I enter into that hostile environment?  Matthew 17:20 describes “mustard seed faith”.  Nothing is impossible for God, or if you turn that around, everything is within the realm of possibility for God.  According to the Word, no opposition will win against the Kingdom of our Almighty God. 

So, is EVIL winning the day?  Faith would answer, Absolutely NOT.  What difference would my contribution make?  That depends upon what I believe about God’s abilities!  Do I look at a situation from God’s perspective, or do I have a fleshly, selfish perspective?  Jesus moved a mountain when He died on the cross.  Many have suffered and died so that justice might be advanced in the Kingdom of God.  

Photo credit SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images

The lesson that God was trying to teach the Israelites in the wilderness was to humbly trust and obey Him.  He showed them that they could not win by human power and might, but only by His leadership.  And why should they trust Him?  God had entered into a covenant relationship with Israel, just as He has established a covenant with all who believe in the saving power of Jesus’ blood.  Because of that covenant, He promised to lead them, just as He has promised to lead us.  God loves it when we want to follow Him, to serve Him, and to serve His people.   Numbers 10:29-31

Even as we work to shed His light in the darkness of the world, God will scatter our enemies.  Numbers 10:35-36   And what do we gain from this?  According to Romans 5:1-5, we should be full of joy and triumph when we face tribulation, because we will gain:

• Perseverance = patient and unswerving endurance, in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement
• Maturity of character = proven faith and moral or ethical integrity in the face of pressure, hardship, or affliction
• Hope = the habit of confident and joyful assurance not only of eternal salvation, but also of the knowledge that we will experience and enjoy the glory of God!

BOUND4LIFE - Pro-Life Group

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

 

And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.

 

Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. ~ Romans 5:1-5 NKJV

It’s easy to claim Christianity when it costs us nothing.  But of His followers, Jesus requires TRUE WORSHIP.  What does this look like? 

• Internal devotion = For many, devotion is just another convenient mask;  not so for the true believer — Jesus defines who we are, in every sense:   “Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.   God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.”  ~ John 4:23-24 NLT
• A life of service = Total sacrifice:   I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.   And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.  ~ Romans 12:1-2 NKJV
• His goodness poured into us:   “You are the light of the world.   A city on a hill cannot be hidden.   Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.   In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”  ~ Matthew 5:14-16 NKJV
• His forgiveness in Christ:   “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.   If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”  ~ John 1:8-9 NKJV
• Reconciliation with God and with one another:  “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’   But I tell you:   Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.   If you love those who love you, what reward will you get?   Are not even the tax collectors doing that?   And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others?   Do not even pagans do that?   Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”  ~ Matthew 5:43-48 NKJV

I wish I could tell you that I’m heading straight for the mission field, or something like that, but I’m not.  I have lots of financial obligations, so I am tied to this job I love for some time to come; however, this sermon does give me a clear sense of purpose:  First, I feel confirmation (if that was even necessary) that I need to get out of debt as soon as possible.  Secondly, I need to be more diligent about continually seeking God’s direction as to where He is leading me to reflect His light. 

I’ve felt ever since I was a kid that I was called to be a mother to many, like Jo with her Plumfield in Little Men.   Maybe that is where you will find me one day.  Or maybe not.  Only God knows what the future holds!  But we can be completely confident that as long as we are following His lead (even if it’s in the tribulation of interminable waiting while He builds His perseverance in us), we are exactly where we should be.

Reflections:  

• Am I worshiping God in spirit and in truth?
• Am I willing to follow Him no matter the cost?
• Where/How can I shine the Light of Christ today?

BUY P, C & D

THE HEART OF WORSHIP

From the album
The Ultimate Collection
By Phillips, Craig & Dean

(Click to Listen)
https://onewhitetree.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/2-04-the-heart-of-worship.mp3%20

When the music fades
And all is stripped away
And I simply come

Longing just to bring
Something that’s of worth
That will bless Your heart

I’ll bring You more than a song
For a song in itself
Is not what You have required

You search much deeper within
Through the way things appear
You’re looking into my heart

I’m coming back to the heart of worship
And it’s all about You
It’s all about You, Jesus

I’m sorry, Lord for the thing I’ve made it
And it’s all about You
It’s all about You, Jesus

King of endless worth
No one could express
How much You deserve

Though I’m weak and poor
All I have is Yours
Every single breath
I’ll bring You more than a song
For a song in itself
Is not what You have required

You search much deeper within
Through the way things appear
You’re looking into my heart

I’m coming back to the heart of worship
And it’s all about You
It’s all about You, Jesus

I’m sorry, Lord for the thing I’ve made it
And it’s all about You
It’s all about You, Jesus

I’m coming back to the heart of worship
And it’s all about You
It’s all about You, Jesus

I’m sorry, Lord for the thing I’ve made it
And it’s all about You
It’s all about You, Jesus

I’m coming back to the heart of worship
And it’s all about You
It’s all about You, Jesus

I’m sorry, Lord for the thing I’ve made it
And it’s all about You
It’s all about You, Jesus

It’s all about You…
It’s all about You…
It’s all about You…

HERE I AM TO WORSHIP

(Click to Listen)
https://onewhitetree.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/2-09-here-i-am-to-worship.mp3%20

Light of the world
You stepped out into darkness
Opened my eyes, let me see
Beauty that made this heart adore you
Hope of a life spent with You

Here I am to worship
Here I am to bow down
Here I am to say that You’re my God
You’re altogether lovely,
Altogether worthy
Altogether wonderful to me

King of all days
Oh so highly exalted
Glorious in heaven above
Humbly You came to the earth You created
All for love’s sake became poor

Here I am to worship
Here I am to bow down
Here I am to say that You’re my God
You’re altogether lovely,
Altogether worthy
Altogether wonderful to me

I’ll never know how much it cost
To see my sin upon that cross

I’ll never know how much it cost
To see my sin upon that cross

I’ll never know how much it cost
To see my sin upon that cross

I’ll never know how much it cost
To see my sin upon that cross

Here I am to worship
Here I am to bow down
Here I am to say that You’re my God
You’re altogether lovely,
Altogether worthy
Altogether wonderful to me

Here I am to worship
Here I am to bow down
Here I am to say that You’re my God
You’re altogether lovely,
Altogether worthy
Altogether wonderful to me

My Child,

You may not know me, but I know everything about you.
~ Psalm 139:1

I know when you sit down and when you rise up.
~ Psalm 139:2

I am familiar with all your ways.
~ Psalm 139:3

Even the very hairs on your head are numbered.
~ Matthew 10:29-31

For you were made in my image.
~ Genesis 1:27

In me you live and move and have your being.
~ Acts 17:28

For you are my offspring.
~ Acts 17:28

I knew you even before you were conceived.
~ Jeremiah 1:4-5

I chose you when I planned creation.
~ Ephesians 1:11-12

You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book.
~ Psalm 139:15-16

I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live.
~ Acts 17:26

You are fearfully and wonderfully made.
~ Psalm 139:14

I knit you together in your mother’s womb.
~ Psalm 139:13

And brought you forth on the day you were born.
~ Psalm 71:6

I have been misrepresented by those who don’t know me.
~ John 8:41-44

I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love.
~ 1 John 4:16

And it is my desire to lavish my love on you.
~ 1 John 3:1

Simply because you are my child and I am your Father.
~ 1 John 3:1

I offer you more than your earthly father ever could.
~ Matthew 7:11

For I am the perfect father.
~ Matthew 5:48

Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand.
~ James 1:17

For I am your provider and I meet all your needs.
~ Matthew 6:31-33

My plan for your future has always been filled with hope.
~ Jeremiah 29:11

Because I love you with an everlasting love.
~ Jeremiah 31:3

My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore.
~ Psalms 139:17-18

And I rejoice over you with singing.
~ Zephaniah 3:17

I will never stop doing good to you.
~ Jeremiah 32:40

For you are my treasured possession.
~ Exodus 19:5

I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul.
~ Jeremiah 32:41

And I want to show you great and marvelous things.
~ Jeremiah 33:3

If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me.
~ Deuteronomy 4:29

Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart.
~ Psalm 37:4

For it is I who gave you those desires.
~ Philippians 2:13

I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine.
~ Ephesians 3:20

For I am your greatest encourager.
~ 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles.
~ 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you.
~ Psalm 34:18

As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart.
~ Isaiah 40:11

And I’ll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth.
~ Revelation 21:3-4

I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus.
~ John 17:23

For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed.
~ John 17:26

He is the exact representation of my being.
~ Hebrews 1:3

He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you.
~ Romans 8:31

And to tell you that I am not counting your sins.
~ 2 Corinthians 5:18-19

Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled.
~ 2 Corinthians 5:18-19

His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you.
~ 1 John 4:10

I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love.
~ Romans 8:31-32

If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me.
~ 1 John 2:23

And nothing will ever separate you from my love again.
~ Romans 8:38-39

Come home and I’ll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen.
~ Luke 15:7

I have always been Father, and will always be Father.
~ Ephesians 3:14-15

My question is… Will you be my child?
~ John 1:12-13

I am waiting for you.
~ Luke 15:11-32

Love,
Your Dad
Almighty God

www.FathersLoveLetter.com

WORLD HUNGER REACHES THE ONE BILLION PEOPLE MARK.

http://tinyurl.com/n8wewt

This headline was on yahoo.com today, with the following details:

• One in every 6 people on the planet are UNDERNOURISHED and HUNGRY today.
• This is 100 MILLION more than last year. 
• Asia and the Pacific have the highest NUMBER of hungry people, at 642 million.
• Sub-Saharan Africa has the greatest RATE of hungry people, at 32 percent of the population, or 265 million people.

The WHY is complex, but appears to include the following:

• Most live in developing countries, where food prices have dropped more slowly than in richer nations.
• The global economic crisis has compounded the problem as pay rates are cut, jobs are lost, and corporations struggle to survive.  This means foreign investments decline even as the demand for trade drops.

What does this mean to YOU or ME?

Maybe a 99-cent cheeseburger instead of a $3.99 steak sub. But for those who are truly feeling the pinch, it means NO meat, NO beans, NO fresh fruits and NO vegetables — most days, NOT EVEN the staple cup of rice. 

In comparison, what are those of us who are wealthy enough to own computers thinking about today?  What are yahoo.com’s “top searches” for June 19, 2009?

1. Sarah Jessica Parker
2. Sean Penn
3. The Proposal
4. Michael Phelps
5. Juneteenth
6. U.S. Open Golf
7. Jack Black
8. College World Series
9. Haunted America…
10. World Sauntering Day

While World Sauntering Day may be important to someone somewhere on Planet Earth, my prayer is that we would collectively stop avoiding the reality of all the hungry people around the globe.

As a wealthy nation, it seems that we want the FREEDOM and PRIVILEGE that comes from prosperity, but not the RESPONSIBILITY. 

We enjoy the GOOD LIFE, but we are only willing to share it PIECEMEAL — in ways that don’t affect us personally. 

I’m hungry for justice and mercy.  Are you?

I challenge you to make a REAL commitment for CHANGE by acting in a way that DOES affect you personally. 

One way to do this is by supporting Compassion International, where only $38 per month will feed, educate, clothe, and provide medical care for a needy, hungry child.  Each sponsor receives a picture, personal information, and hand-written letters from his child.  You can even visit your sponsored child if you wish, and see for yourself the huge difference you are making in their lives.  Many of these children have been waiting more than six months for a sponsor.  Some are in high-risk areas, where AIDS is out of control.

My sponsored children are Jaya in India, Jhon in Colombia, and Marlon in Honduras.  Jaya is 10, Jhon is 9, and Marlon is 16.  Through her letters over the past four years, I have seen Jaya’s quality of life significantly change due to Compassion International.  The first year that I sent a little extra cash for a Christmas gift, Jaya’s parents bought her a bed.  As we have become better acquainted, I have seen the positive changes first-hand as she grows in her knowledge of the Lord, in health, in education, and in her love and enthusiasm for life. 

Jhon has round, friendly handwriting that is always very carefully and neatly formed.  He lives with his Mom since his Dad is in prison.  Jhon and I have been friends for about 3 years, and each time I receive pictures of him, I can see how much healthier, happier, and contented he looks.  His eyes smile now, and I thank the Lord for that small difference I can make in this little boy’s life.   I pray specifically for all my Compassion kids, but for Jhon, I ask that the Lord will give him special grace as his heavenly Father, since his own Dad is unable to fill that parental role.

A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. ~ Ps. 68:5

Marlon had been waiting more than 6 months for a sponsor when I chose him about a year ago.  His picture showed a thin, desperately unhappy young man.  Recently, he sent me 3 pictures, and although he still doesn’t smile easily, he is dressed well and has begun to talk about what his hopes are for the future.  When I write to him, I build him up with scripture promises, encouragement, and my prayers.  I pray for his protection as he goes through the difficult adolescent years.  I remind him to be a good helper to his mother, and to work hard at school.  I tell him how proud I am of him, and how much I love him.   Sending the $38 each month covers some of the essentials, but these kids need so much more. 

I encourage you with all my heart to click below for more information…  Won’t you help today?

He has showed you, O man, what is good.
       And what does the LORD require of you?
       To act justly and to love mercy
       and to walk humbly with your God.  ~ Micah 6:8

Compassion – Make a Donation – Sponsor a Child

Father, I confess that I have blamed You for the needy and the hungry, and have not realized my personal responsibility for their plight.

I acknowledge that I have squandered the blessings You have placed in my hands on fleeting luxuries and pleasures, such as expensive food and beverages, entertainment, and nonsensical “collections” of stuff.

Lord, open my eyes, so that I can see Your priorities and make right choices day by day and moment by moment.  Help me to be a good steward of Your bounty.

Open my heart, that I might accept the responsibility of caring for my brothers and sisters around the world.

Lord, open my spirit to Your anointing and let my actions be unselfish, so that through me Your name will be glorified in the Earth.

All the honor, praise and glory belongs to You, dear, generous Father. Help me to be more like You. Thank you for Your faithfulness. Amen.

• What habits and priorities would God have me change in my life today? 
• What luxuries can I deny myself in order to help others and glorify the Lord?
• How will I make a difference in a hungry world?

REDEFINE

BUY Sailor Scott

From the album Hearts That Bleed
By Sailor Scott

(Click to Listen)
https://onewhitetree.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/09-redefine.mp3%20

The city smells can still be seen
In the back of my mind.
It’s a cold day to be homeless.
Unforgiving worlds collide on the streets outside.

What will I do with you
As I’m sleeping warm tonight?
A disenchanted mother prays
into the rainy sky.
It’s a lonely day to save the world
But still she will try and try and try.

What will we do with you?
Should I look you in the eye?
The world is saying walk away
But I run to your side.

The choice we make
The steps we take
Will always shape tomorrow.
They reach through time
To define
The motives and the moments
As the sum of you.
What will you do?

Around the world the hunger pains
Are silenced by our greed.
Before pursuits of happiness
Are pleas of human need if we choose to see.

What will we do with you
While we’re sleeping well tonight?
One voice can’t carry all the words,
But can you hear mine?

The choice you make
The steps you take
You can shape tomorrow.
And reach through time
To define
The motives and the moments and the sum.

Convoluted and polluted –
This pond of me.
Waters rush
Compassion flushes me out to sea.

Whether harmed and hurting,
Whole and flourishing,
We’re people – all the same.
Across the street
Across the seas.
Souls that hunger
Hearts that bleed
We can meet their needs.

The choice you make.
The steps you take.
You can change tomorrow.
Reach through time
Redefine
The motives and the moments
As the sum of you.

The abundant flow
Of all you know
Give it to your brother.
He needs a hand
A second chance
It’s up to you.
What will you do?
What will you do?
It’s up to you.

So what treasure is to be found in Numbers?

The journey of the Hebrews as they traveled out of slavery in Egypt, through the wilderness and into the Promised Land can be compared to the spiritual journey each of us faces in this life.

US soldier baptized in Iraq

Some chose to stay in Egypt, which is a Biblical symbol for the non-Judeo-Christian world (unbelievers). Hebrews who crossed the Red Sea represent people today who escape the slavery of sin by trusting in God’s provision — the blood of Jesus. His sacrificial death paid the price for all my sins, and yours too.

As believers, we have been called by God, but not just as individuals with unique wants and needs.  As recipients of God’s grace, we recognize that we are not saved by works; however, once we are part of the spiritual body of Christ, we enter into a new position of freedom and responsibility.  We have been given much, so much is required of us, as we show forth good works to give glory to His name.

For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.  ~ Luke 12:48b

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.  ~ Eph. 2:8-10

I’ve always dreamt of adopting a child.  Someone who is powerless to help him- or herself, and has no parents to love, provide, and advocate for him or her.  I know if I could adopt, I’d have big dreams for that little person.  I would want to give him/her a good foundational knowledge of Christ, a well-rounded education, godly wisdom and discipline, and wonderful memories to carry along the journey. 

But what if that child insisted on life remaining exactly the same from the day of his/her adoption?  Never progressing beyond diapers, formula, pureed food, and pacifiers?  Crying out for attention to basic needs, but never seeking and perhaps even refusing to change?  Trapped in willfulness and stubborn fear, that child could never attain the tremendous potential that God has planned for his/her life. 

Incredible as it may seem, all of us as believers are guilty of this to some degree. 

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;  who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.  ~ I Peter 2:9-10

When I fail to realize that it’s not all about ME, I miss out on this incredible blessing that God has planned for me.  He has equipped each believer for a specific job.  That job falls outside of our selfish desires, but instead is centered in His eternal plan and purpose.   Can you accept that amazing thought and believe it?  God is so great and so good!  I encourage you to whisper these words to yourself today and every day: 

• I am God’s adopted child, and in His love and wisdom, He will send whatever is necessary to prepare me for the journey. 
• He has big dreams for me to be involved in His plan of sharing hope and redemption. 
• He wants to bless me with all spiritual blessings and use me to glorify His holy name.

When I settle for worldy rewards (the 5-bedroom, 5-bath house, the top-of-the-line trendy convertible in candy-apple red, power, prestige, popularity, &c.), I’m selling myself short.  God’s purpose and plan for me is SO much bigger than that.   These things aren’t evil in and of themselves; but they are very effective distractions from our calling in the LORD.   We can’t blame Him for the mess we’re in — He gave us the responsibility and the free will to decide for ourselves how to run the Earth. 

To state this in a more concrete way, He sees the 26,500 children that die every day of starvation and disease around the globe.  If I brown-bag my lunch just one day a week instead of eating at a restaurant, I can easily save $38/month.  With that same small amount, I can provide all of the following for an entire month for one needy child through Compassion International:

• Food
• Clothing
• Christian education
• Medical care

While these things are crucial, even more importantly, I am presenting one child with the hope, love, and comfort of Jesus Christ in a very tangible form. My prayers are important; my intentions are good; but unless I’m willing to follow Jesus’ selfless example and actively spend my life on people instead of things, those prayers and good intentions amount to little. Unless I’m willing to look at life from God’s perspective instead of the narrow viewpoint of my materialistic and selfish culture, how can I see what God would have me to do? 

Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s. ~ I Cor. 6:19-20

He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers.  All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. ~ Col. 1:13-18

All believers enter a wilderness of sorts following their profession of faith. Anyone who thinks that becoming a Christian will bring an end to all life’s problems is not looking at the facts realistically. In actuality, situations become progressively more challenging!  It is God’s desire that His people manifest His Presence, demonstrating His goodness, His righteousness, and His love to a broken world. But how can we minister to broken people unless we ourselves have been broken?
God allowed the Hebrews to experience slavery for 400 years so that they would understand the plight of those who are strangers in a strange land, and have compassion on those who are in need of kindness, justice, and mercy.

This is key!

Not every believer enters into the Promised Land, experiencing the “milk and honey” of God’s redemption, wholeness, and blessing in this life.  As soon as trials come, my initial reaction is to rebel!  Not willing to accept the  suffering, I will search for a way to escape from the Holy Spirit’s training ground.  I may lack faith and patience.  I may harbor anger and bitterness because God is allowing troubles to occur in my life.  I may miss the boat of opportunity this time around because I don’t have “eyes to see” and “ears to hear” the movement of God beyond the pain of my own circumstances.   

An awareness of the impact of sin — my own and that of others around me — is essential for me to appreciate God’s perspective in difficult situations.  Satan is all about tearing our lives down; however, in His infinite wisdom, God turns those evil intentions upside down.  To give you a somewhat crude analogy, when our life circumstances stink like dung, God uses them for fertilizer!  His intention is to grow and mature us until we are just like Christ.

This walk of faith is not just for Job and Abraham, David and Joseph — not just for me!  It is also for you.  Whatever fire or flood situation you are going through is your training for the specific task God has for you as part of the body of Christ.   He works through broken vessels.  Know this, and rest in His everlasting arms.

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  ~ Matthew 11:28-29

When we suffer disappointment, rejection, grief, failure, or loss, God shows us how to trust in Him in order to overcome our circumstances.  The experience won’t be fun.  But we have the promise of God that He will be with us every single step of the way, and at the end of our training, we will be stronger!  We will be wiser!  We will be capable of communicating God’s goodness, righteousness, and love, because we have personally experienced His healing, hope, provision, comfort, and redemption.

Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous;  not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.  ~ 1 Peter 3:9-10

After God led the Hebrew slaves out of Egypt, they traveled through the wilderness for 40 years.  They suffered trials and tribulations, and through those hardships, they learned to trust in God.  They made important choices that decisively demonstrated whether they were following the worldly culture of their times or the wisdom and guidance of Almighty God.

This was demonstrated by two people, both of whom were believers.  Moses remained in the wilderness and never crossed over into the Promised Land, because he became so overwhelmed by the cares of the world around him that he forgot to look at the situation from God’s eternal perspective.  In contrast, Joshua got it.  His teachable spirit allowed him to discern God’s healing and redemptive power in and through the difficult circumstances.

“Now therefore, fear the LORD, serve Him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River and in Egypt. Serve the LORD!   And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”  ~ Joshua 24:14-15

Reflection:

• Do my life choices reflect God’s eternal viewpoint, or my own selfishness?
• Where have I missed the grace, opportunity, and blessing of God by failing to trust and obey when the going got tough?
• How can I use what I’ve learned to help others and glorify God?

BUY Album

FROM THE INSIDE OUT

From the album Mighty To Save
By Hillsong United

(Click to Listen)
https://onewhitetree.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/08-from-the-inside-out-album-version.mp3%20A thousand times I’ve failed
Still Your mercy remains
And should I stumble again
Still I’m caught in Your grace

Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame

Your will above all else, my purpose remains
The art of losing myself in bringing You praise

Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame

In my heart, in my soul, Lord I give You control
Consume me from the inside out Lord
Let justice and praise become my embrace
To love You from the inside out

Your will above all else, my purpose remains
The art of losing myself in bringing You praise

Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame

In my heart, in my soul, Lord I give You control
Consume me from the inside out Lord
Let justice and praise become my embrace
To love You from the inside out

Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame
And the cry of my heart is to bring You praise
From the inside out Lord, my soul cries out

In my heart, in my soul, Lord I give You control
Consume me from the inside out Lord
Let justice and praise become my embrace
To love You from the inside out

Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame
And the cry of my heart is to bring You praise
From the inside out Lord, my soul cries out

Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame
And the cry of my heart is to bring You praise
From the inside out Lord, my soul cries out
From the inside out Lord, my soul cries out…