I want you all to take a moment today and reflect upon the last year. I am doing that, and all of the things that have happened are rushing to the surface. I read the Bible in 87 days this year, wrote two books, pubilshed 4 times as much in this year than any prior year on the blog...
I also rediscovered a passion for music in percussion, sang in my church many, many times, and found a new favorite band. I watched my love for my wife grow beyond what I thought possible, and watched my love for my kids literally expand in exponential style. I watched friends become successful in dreams, and sat in awe of their courage.
2011 has had some odd turns, as well. But even through all the downturns, the odd injuries and trips to the emergency room, the arguments and moments of concern, this year has taught me one thing above all: God is AWESOME!!! And this is true, as it always has been and always will be, for all of us. I know this, because with each missed step and each negative feeling, I realized that I was relying more and more on the Father... and less on myself.
The point is, for all of us, we need to make certain that we all focus intently upon how much we rely upon the Creator. We, all of us, try so hard to manage things under our own strength, and we ignore the simplest means of assistance that is so obvious and so poweful... prayer! So make a resolution to make 2012 a revolution in your prayer life. And never, ever turn back!
As always, I pray grace and peace over each and every one of you. And I pray that 2012 will be, for all of us, a year fully dedicated to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit!
God bless you all!!!
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Number six...
This next Commandment has another very specific and pointed message, just as the prior one did. But the one thing I wanted to look into was exactly what the word "kill" meant, so I sought out reputable insight from my mentors, and I came to an interesting discovery. This is, like the others, pertaining to the intent of the matter... and the best and most modern word to describe the intent of "kill" would be "murder."
Basically, God instructed the people not to maliciously and premeditatedly seek to harm with lethal force. We are not to murder, regardless of the circumstances. Now, there are some who have taken it all to a horrid extreme, saying that we should not kill at all, because that's what the Bible says... but that's not exactly what it means. It means that we should not "murder."
Honestly, I was searching and searching for an anecdote to this one, but there's just really nothing to it beyond this: don't murder anyone. Just don't do it.
On another note, I feel it should be pointed out quite clearly that all of the Commandments have this level of laser-focus attached to them. Whether you realize it or not, there is no option in any of them to avoid or side-step or invent your own interpretation of it. And each one speaks to the intent of the heart... the intent of your own heart and mine, and what we think. Because, as we'll see tomorrow, the heart is what makes all the difference in our lives.
God bless you all!!!
"Thou shalt not kill."
Exodus 20:13
Basically, God instructed the people not to maliciously and premeditatedly seek to harm with lethal force. We are not to murder, regardless of the circumstances. Now, there are some who have taken it all to a horrid extreme, saying that we should not kill at all, because that's what the Bible says... but that's not exactly what it means. It means that we should not "murder."
Honestly, I was searching and searching for an anecdote to this one, but there's just really nothing to it beyond this: don't murder anyone. Just don't do it.
On another note, I feel it should be pointed out quite clearly that all of the Commandments have this level of laser-focus attached to them. Whether you realize it or not, there is no option in any of them to avoid or side-step or invent your own interpretation of it. And each one speaks to the intent of the heart... the intent of your own heart and mine, and what we think. Because, as we'll see tomorrow, the heart is what makes all the difference in our lives.
God bless you all!!!
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Number five...
This one will be among the more difficult for me, as I have certainly not kept it in the way that I should have. So before starting into it, I'll just say that this passage will speak almost entirely to me, and if you learn something from it or are able to pull something from it then that is God at work.
This Commandment begins the set of how we are to relate to other people on the planet. And today, I am aware that the first four have to be in place for this fifth one and all that follow to happen. I am also aware that this one cannot precede the four before it, and cannot have more importance than those four. And more than anything, I am aware that because of the ordering of these first five, my relationship with God the Father should reflect into my relationships with my parents.
But it does not... not all the time.
I do not show the honor and love to both of my parents that I should 100% of the time, as I do have certain things that I refuse to forgive. And I do have things that I keep to myself... better stated, I have things I keep FOR myself, that I will not let go of. I can honestly say that I do love both of my parents, and that has never been something I have had to question. But this particular Commandment doesn't say to "love" them, does it? No... it says to show them honor.
And please notice, self, that it does not distinguish between the two. It doesn't say that it's okay for me to honor one and not the other. And it makes no mention of a divorce clause that would allow for me to only honor the one I live with. It doesn't allow for interpretation as to which father or mother, in the case of step or foster parents, but rather says "thy father and thy mother," which, in that time, would have been your biological parents. And it doesn't accept excuses at all.
And you begin to wonder, "Well, he's a Christian man and writer, and he's a father who certainly wants to be honored, so why doesn't he do it himself?" Good question: and when I come to the real answer one day, I promise, I'll post it for the world to see. I think that it is because I harbor things, as mentioned before, and that I grew up in a broken home. I never knew my parents to be a couple, and I never once heard them say nice things to or about each other. In fact, they made a point (both of them) to point out that they were NOT speaking ill of one another in my presence... which spoke volumes each and every time. (Yes, I recognize the irony in this that I cannot tell their story or mine with them in it in an honorable fashion.)
And to speak to the other part of your question, the answer would be yes, I certainly want my children to honor my wife and me. I want better for them than what I had, which is the goal of every parent I have ever met, including my own. And I suppose, in that small way of delivering better for my children than I had, I show one form of honor to my parents by fulfilling their dream of me having better than what they had. But I'm not certain if that is what the passage means, as it seems more all-inclusive in the honoring that we should put forth.
The point is that we all probably fall a little short on this at times... at least, I hope I'm not the only one. But our constant return and apology, growth and accountability, honesty and love to our mother and father (yes, to BOTH of them) is honor that we can show. And to add to that, when we honor the first four, and live for the LORD our God with purposeful fervency, we can better know how to show honor to our parents. And then all we have to do is do it. All I have to do is do it.
Remember: honor is harder than love, because it requires that we humble ourselves, and that is an act of our own will.
God bless you all!!!
"Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth."
Exodus 20:12
This Commandment begins the set of how we are to relate to other people on the planet. And today, I am aware that the first four have to be in place for this fifth one and all that follow to happen. I am also aware that this one cannot precede the four before it, and cannot have more importance than those four. And more than anything, I am aware that because of the ordering of these first five, my relationship with God the Father should reflect into my relationships with my parents.
But it does not... not all the time.
I do not show the honor and love to both of my parents that I should 100% of the time, as I do have certain things that I refuse to forgive. And I do have things that I keep to myself... better stated, I have things I keep FOR myself, that I will not let go of. I can honestly say that I do love both of my parents, and that has never been something I have had to question. But this particular Commandment doesn't say to "love" them, does it? No... it says to show them honor.
And please notice, self, that it does not distinguish between the two. It doesn't say that it's okay for me to honor one and not the other. And it makes no mention of a divorce clause that would allow for me to only honor the one I live with. It doesn't allow for interpretation as to which father or mother, in the case of step or foster parents, but rather says "thy father and thy mother," which, in that time, would have been your biological parents. And it doesn't accept excuses at all.
And you begin to wonder, "Well, he's a Christian man and writer, and he's a father who certainly wants to be honored, so why doesn't he do it himself?" Good question: and when I come to the real answer one day, I promise, I'll post it for the world to see. I think that it is because I harbor things, as mentioned before, and that I grew up in a broken home. I never knew my parents to be a couple, and I never once heard them say nice things to or about each other. In fact, they made a point (both of them) to point out that they were NOT speaking ill of one another in my presence... which spoke volumes each and every time. (Yes, I recognize the irony in this that I cannot tell their story or mine with them in it in an honorable fashion.)
And to speak to the other part of your question, the answer would be yes, I certainly want my children to honor my wife and me. I want better for them than what I had, which is the goal of every parent I have ever met, including my own. And I suppose, in that small way of delivering better for my children than I had, I show one form of honor to my parents by fulfilling their dream of me having better than what they had. But I'm not certain if that is what the passage means, as it seems more all-inclusive in the honoring that we should put forth.
The point is that we all probably fall a little short on this at times... at least, I hope I'm not the only one. But our constant return and apology, growth and accountability, honesty and love to our mother and father (yes, to BOTH of them) is honor that we can show. And to add to that, when we honor the first four, and live for the LORD our God with purposeful fervency, we can better know how to show honor to our parents. And then all we have to do is do it. All I have to do is do it.
Remember: honor is harder than love, because it requires that we humble ourselves, and that is an act of our own will.
God bless you all!!!
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Number four...
So, to add some light-hearted comedy to this study, I have to tell you that I was fully intent upon posting this on the 25th... Christmas Day... which was a Sunday this year. However, since it is the Commandment about keeping the Sabbath holy, and this is the Sabbath to trump all Sabbaths (because it's Christmas on a Sunday!), I decided it would wait.
This is the last of the long Commandments, but it is packed with some pretty distinct and clear detail. As I read it again and again, I am aware that there is no option for doing work on the seventh day in my home. And that means that the laundry has to remain undone, or be done prior to this sabbath day. The dishes need to be complete ahead of time, or they can wait. The yard needs to already be finished, or it can wait. And for all you folks out there, like me, who have trouble letting things sit when they could be done (like dishes and laundry and yard work), please understand that the Commandment is not intended to create slovenly living.
Hang on for this one, because it's a doozie: you rest from your work and labor so that you can focus totally and completely on the Father. He deserves for all seven of the days in the week to be 100% about Him, but He gave us this land to work and subdue and be masters over, and that means we must honor that gift through the work of our hands. But on the seventh day, we focus entirely upon Him.
Now here's another fun little twist that maybe you'll hear for the first time today. You need to stop the working of your mind, as well. And you say, "but that's just thinking, right?" Wrong. The active thoughts on everything that is NOT God the Father serve no purpose. And the effort spent thinking about how you "should" look and act according to the rules of men is aimed at achievement of the pleasing of men, and that makes it contrary to God's purpose in creating us to worship Him, and only Him. So you have to stop thinking about what you're going to wear, or what he/she wore that is inappropriate, and "I would never let my child walk out of the house looking like that, I mean can you believe that... we need to pray for that family." Sound familiar?
The sabbath is intended to bring us back into focus on the main theme of life, our chorus in the song of living, if you will, and that theme is God. (Go ahead, be shocked that the theme of your life is not yourself... it took me a minute, as well.) That is why we rest and keep it holy to the LORD, rather than making it about something we can do ourselves.
Now, I heard a teacher say once that it doesn't necessarily have to be Sunday that is kept holy, for those folks who work on the weekends. It can be a Tuesday, if that is your day to consecrate to the Father, and rest from all your labors. I understand the logic of that, and I'm grateful for the teacher who said it (honestly I cannot recall who it was, but thanks if you're reading), because I work every other Sunday. So I need a seventh day that is not set on a Sunday every other week, just as many people do.
But the point, in my observation, is that we should take one out of every seven days and consecrate it entirely to the Father in prayer and reflection, with no work or works at all during that day. This certainly will not be an easy task for any of us, but I look forward to making it happen along with each of you!
As an added thought, I would like to point out for those who may not have seen it that these first four have all been pointed directly at our right relationship with God the Father. Notice (in paraphrasing summary): no other gods, no idols, no light use of His name, sabbath kept holy to Him. He is the first four of the ten, and it is written this way to make one thing evident to all of humanity, and that is that God is more important than anything on this planet, living or dead, animate or inanimate, and you must be able to see that. It is vital that we all see that.
God bless you all!!
"Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work. But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it."
Exodus 20:8-11
This is the last of the long Commandments, but it is packed with some pretty distinct and clear detail. As I read it again and again, I am aware that there is no option for doing work on the seventh day in my home. And that means that the laundry has to remain undone, or be done prior to this sabbath day. The dishes need to be complete ahead of time, or they can wait. The yard needs to already be finished, or it can wait. And for all you folks out there, like me, who have trouble letting things sit when they could be done (like dishes and laundry and yard work), please understand that the Commandment is not intended to create slovenly living.
Hang on for this one, because it's a doozie: you rest from your work and labor so that you can focus totally and completely on the Father. He deserves for all seven of the days in the week to be 100% about Him, but He gave us this land to work and subdue and be masters over, and that means we must honor that gift through the work of our hands. But on the seventh day, we focus entirely upon Him.
Now here's another fun little twist that maybe you'll hear for the first time today. You need to stop the working of your mind, as well. And you say, "but that's just thinking, right?" Wrong. The active thoughts on everything that is NOT God the Father serve no purpose. And the effort spent thinking about how you "should" look and act according to the rules of men is aimed at achievement of the pleasing of men, and that makes it contrary to God's purpose in creating us to worship Him, and only Him. So you have to stop thinking about what you're going to wear, or what he/she wore that is inappropriate, and "I would never let my child walk out of the house looking like that, I mean can you believe that... we need to pray for that family." Sound familiar?
The sabbath is intended to bring us back into focus on the main theme of life, our chorus in the song of living, if you will, and that theme is God. (Go ahead, be shocked that the theme of your life is not yourself... it took me a minute, as well.) That is why we rest and keep it holy to the LORD, rather than making it about something we can do ourselves.
Now, I heard a teacher say once that it doesn't necessarily have to be Sunday that is kept holy, for those folks who work on the weekends. It can be a Tuesday, if that is your day to consecrate to the Father, and rest from all your labors. I understand the logic of that, and I'm grateful for the teacher who said it (honestly I cannot recall who it was, but thanks if you're reading), because I work every other Sunday. So I need a seventh day that is not set on a Sunday every other week, just as many people do.
But the point, in my observation, is that we should take one out of every seven days and consecrate it entirely to the Father in prayer and reflection, with no work or works at all during that day. This certainly will not be an easy task for any of us, but I look forward to making it happen along with each of you!
As an added thought, I would like to point out for those who may not have seen it that these first four have all been pointed directly at our right relationship with God the Father. Notice (in paraphrasing summary): no other gods, no idols, no light use of His name, sabbath kept holy to Him. He is the first four of the ten, and it is written this way to make one thing evident to all of humanity, and that is that God is more important than anything on this planet, living or dead, animate or inanimate, and you must be able to see that. It is vital that we all see that.
God bless you all!!
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Number three...
This process is moving more slowly than past studies, but there is a reason for that. It is specifically because we need the time to soak in the words, and reflect upon the Truths that are embedded within them. We need that time, each and every one of us, whether you choose to admit it or not. Also, I feel I should warn you that I will challenge you today with this one... I will challenge us all.
Before anyone starts thinking I'm perfect in this, let me admit openly that I am certainly NOT. I slip in all areas of this particular Commandment, and have violated it more times that I think would be possible to count. So as I write through this, please understand that I speak to myself as much or more in each and every letter stroked from my keyboard.
For starters, for all you folks who use a phrase similar to one that takes the LORD's name in vain, and then back away from correction by exclaiming that you say something different with different consonants, because you're of a certain faith or from a certain region of the country or that's just how you've always said it, "but it's not that, because I would never actually say that," I need to stop and tell you that you are not fooling anyone. Given the region of the country I grew up in, and the large number of people who fall under strictly regimented faiths there, I know better. Further, there was a time that I stood side-by-side with those same folks, attempting desperately to convince myself and others that I wasn't saying that dreaded phrase, so I understand both the guilt of it and the need to explain, even though no one asks, that "I actually said {this} which ends with a 'T' instead of a 'D,' and therefore I did not use the LORD's name in vain." No. Stop it.
Next, I would like to point out a staggering statistic for the same group, and add to that group all other people who speak English as a primary language. In 2009, computer folks decided to try and count how many words were actually in the English language, using some 5 million+ books as a measurement. Their counter stopped at 1,000,000 different words. Therefore, I submit to you that out of over 1,000,000 words, it is absolutely possible to find a phrase of expression that displays disgust without using either God or Jesus as a part of said phrase. I tell my small group of high schoolers all the time that there are literally countless words in our language, and only about ten to twelve that are considered "bad" ones... so speak around those. Think on that for a minute.
Tying to that last point, I would like to ask a question: given all that we know God did, starting from creation itself and moving through to the beautiful sunrise this morning as I drove to my office, who on earth has the right to blame Him or question Him for anything at all? Have you not heard that He is above us in thought and action (Isaiah 55:8-9)? Have you not heard that He is sovereign (Proverbs 16:1-4)? Have you not heard that He created us (Genesis 1:27)? And if this is the first time you're hearing all of that now, then I must also share with you that mankind, the creation, failed. We failed in the garden, and were banished from paradise (Genesis 3). We failed on the earth, and were washed away entirely (Genesis 6-9). And we failed in the desert, after being miraculously freed from bondage at the hands of the Egyptians, even as Moses was receiving these Ten Commandments directly from God (Exodus 32). We failed Him, and yet He remained faithful to His promise, which is why Jesus came to redeem us all back to the Father. So again, why would any of us think that we have the right to question Him about anything at all, under any circumstance, ever?
Let me put a finer point on it. If you have ever said that God made a mistake, that is blasphemy. If you have ever assumed that God wasn't present, that is blasphemy. If there is anything you believe that God cannot do, that is blasphemy. If you ever think that a decision God made was wrong, that is blasphemy. If you have ever thought that God ignored you or didn't hear you, that is blasphemy. And if you ever thought that something you have said or done influenced a decision of His... that, too, is blasphemy. And back in the Old Testament days, blasphemy was no joke. It is sad that we are so flippant with it today.
The point today, folks, is that we need to understand that our words matter. When we speak, certainly someone is listening to every word we say, and there are thoughts that follow each word they hear. People will decide if everything that is being said comes from selfish ambition, driving all things back to the person speaking. People will decide if the person's words and deeds actually line up, or are they really the best Jekyll and Hyde act on the scene right now. And these people that do the deciding... they're mostly the ones you love and care for the most in life... they're your family. Does that sting for you as much as it does for me?
Final thoughts, from a dear and trusted friend: "I think using the Lord’s name in vain reaches far beyond expressions of disgust. How many times have you heard jokes in which God is one of the characters? How many times have you seen God’s name or names plastered on a trinket? I remember seeing a set of drink coasters with the many names of God on them – how familiar and common. This is not honoring the name of God, but rather trivializing it. The Hebrews would not even speak the name Yahweh. Something to think about. As I remember, when the scribes were copying Scripture, they would bathe, change clothes and get a new pen before they would write Yahweh... EVERY TIME! And we write it on T-Shirts... scary."
How right he is... and whether we choose to admit this or not, it is the truth. And whether it makes us uncomfortable or not, it is the truth. And, on a side note of learning, do you know why we try to hide from the truth so often behind words and feelings and movements and fads and rationalizations? We hide from it, because it is intangible, without feeling or emotion, and it IS or IS NOT, and there is nothing we can ever do to change that.
God bless you all!!!
Before anyone starts thinking I'm perfect in this, let me admit openly that I am certainly NOT. I slip in all areas of this particular Commandment, and have violated it more times that I think would be possible to count. So as I write through this, please understand that I speak to myself as much or more in each and every letter stroked from my keyboard.
"Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain."
Exodus 20:7
For starters, for all you folks who use a phrase similar to one that takes the LORD's name in vain, and then back away from correction by exclaiming that you say something different with different consonants, because you're of a certain faith or from a certain region of the country or that's just how you've always said it, "but it's not that, because I would never actually say that," I need to stop and tell you that you are not fooling anyone. Given the region of the country I grew up in, and the large number of people who fall under strictly regimented faiths there, I know better. Further, there was a time that I stood side-by-side with those same folks, attempting desperately to convince myself and others that I wasn't saying that dreaded phrase, so I understand both the guilt of it and the need to explain, even though no one asks, that "I actually said {this} which ends with a 'T' instead of a 'D,' and therefore I did not use the LORD's name in vain." No. Stop it.
Next, I would like to point out a staggering statistic for the same group, and add to that group all other people who speak English as a primary language. In 2009, computer folks decided to try and count how many words were actually in the English language, using some 5 million+ books as a measurement. Their counter stopped at 1,000,000 different words. Therefore, I submit to you that out of over 1,000,000 words, it is absolutely possible to find a phrase of expression that displays disgust without using either God or Jesus as a part of said phrase. I tell my small group of high schoolers all the time that there are literally countless words in our language, and only about ten to twelve that are considered "bad" ones... so speak around those. Think on that for a minute.
Tying to that last point, I would like to ask a question: given all that we know God did, starting from creation itself and moving through to the beautiful sunrise this morning as I drove to my office, who on earth has the right to blame Him or question Him for anything at all? Have you not heard that He is above us in thought and action (Isaiah 55:8-9)? Have you not heard that He is sovereign (Proverbs 16:1-4)? Have you not heard that He created us (Genesis 1:27)? And if this is the first time you're hearing all of that now, then I must also share with you that mankind, the creation, failed. We failed in the garden, and were banished from paradise (Genesis 3). We failed on the earth, and were washed away entirely (Genesis 6-9). And we failed in the desert, after being miraculously freed from bondage at the hands of the Egyptians, even as Moses was receiving these Ten Commandments directly from God (Exodus 32). We failed Him, and yet He remained faithful to His promise, which is why Jesus came to redeem us all back to the Father. So again, why would any of us think that we have the right to question Him about anything at all, under any circumstance, ever?
Let me put a finer point on it. If you have ever said that God made a mistake, that is blasphemy. If you have ever assumed that God wasn't present, that is blasphemy. If there is anything you believe that God cannot do, that is blasphemy. If you ever think that a decision God made was wrong, that is blasphemy. If you have ever thought that God ignored you or didn't hear you, that is blasphemy. And if you ever thought that something you have said or done influenced a decision of His... that, too, is blasphemy. And back in the Old Testament days, blasphemy was no joke. It is sad that we are so flippant with it today.
The point today, folks, is that we need to understand that our words matter. When we speak, certainly someone is listening to every word we say, and there are thoughts that follow each word they hear. People will decide if everything that is being said comes from selfish ambition, driving all things back to the person speaking. People will decide if the person's words and deeds actually line up, or are they really the best Jekyll and Hyde act on the scene right now. And these people that do the deciding... they're mostly the ones you love and care for the most in life... they're your family. Does that sting for you as much as it does for me?
Final thoughts, from a dear and trusted friend: "I think using the Lord’s name in vain reaches far beyond expressions of disgust. How many times have you heard jokes in which God is one of the characters? How many times have you seen God’s name or names plastered on a trinket? I remember seeing a set of drink coasters with the many names of God on them – how familiar and common. This is not honoring the name of God, but rather trivializing it. The Hebrews would not even speak the name Yahweh. Something to think about. As I remember, when the scribes were copying Scripture, they would bathe, change clothes and get a new pen before they would write Yahweh... EVERY TIME! And we write it on T-Shirts... scary."
How right he is... and whether we choose to admit this or not, it is the truth. And whether it makes us uncomfortable or not, it is the truth. And, on a side note of learning, do you know why we try to hide from the truth so often behind words and feelings and movements and fads and rationalizations? We hide from it, because it is intangible, without feeling or emotion, and it IS or IS NOT, and there is nothing we can ever do to change that.
God bless you all!!!
Monday, December 19, 2011
Number two...
As we continue to move through the Ten Commandments, I pray that you are also taking on the challenge to memorize these powerful verses in the King James version. It's tough with this next one, but worth it. But before that, we need to recap a couple of things: we know Who we're talking to at this point, and Who is speaking to us and giving these commands. We are also aware that nothing (yes, friend, I said NOTHING) can come before the Father. And so, today, we arrive at the Second Commandment from the Lord.
So what does all that mean? Well, put simply, it means that God is God, and we are to bow to nothing and no one else. We are not to fashion or fabricate images and worship the images, anthropomorphizing the Creator into a limited being like ourselves. You see, He is not limited by time or space or any other thing, and He is in fact over and above every single thing... because He made them all.
Idol worship goes back to some pretty old roots, where images were cast and carved and bowed to, food was offered to them, dances were done before them, and so on and so forth. But the reality that comes through in each case is that when there were multiple priests on a high place, with multiple altars and bulls they selected, they could not call down fire from Heaven upon even one of them... but Elijah called upon God, and God sent fire.
Similarly, in Egypt during the time of Moses, the magicians of the day were able to make some of the miracles repeat, but then they were silenced and unable to compete with the power of God as the final judgments were passed upon the land.
Put simply, no matter who it is that is trying so desperately to craft for themselves a god that will be as powerful as God already is, they are unsuccessful. Only the LORD created the universe, and none can match that. Only the LORD created man, and none can match that. And only the LORD sent us salvation through Christ, something that can only be achieved through that Name above all other names, Jesus Christ. Therefore, as a simple point of order, I'm going to go ahead and say that idol worship, even the use of the term "idol" for any person or thing or idea or ideal, is pure blasphemy.
No person, no thing, no concept, no thought no NOTHING is worthy of placement in equal proportion to Him... period.
God bless you all!!!
"Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments."
Exodus 20:4-6
So what does all that mean? Well, put simply, it means that God is God, and we are to bow to nothing and no one else. We are not to fashion or fabricate images and worship the images, anthropomorphizing the Creator into a limited being like ourselves. You see, He is not limited by time or space or any other thing, and He is in fact over and above every single thing... because He made them all.
Idol worship goes back to some pretty old roots, where images were cast and carved and bowed to, food was offered to them, dances were done before them, and so on and so forth. But the reality that comes through in each case is that when there were multiple priests on a high place, with multiple altars and bulls they selected, they could not call down fire from Heaven upon even one of them... but Elijah called upon God, and God sent fire.
Similarly, in Egypt during the time of Moses, the magicians of the day were able to make some of the miracles repeat, but then they were silenced and unable to compete with the power of God as the final judgments were passed upon the land.
Put simply, no matter who it is that is trying so desperately to craft for themselves a god that will be as powerful as God already is, they are unsuccessful. Only the LORD created the universe, and none can match that. Only the LORD created man, and none can match that. And only the LORD sent us salvation through Christ, something that can only be achieved through that Name above all other names, Jesus Christ. Therefore, as a simple point of order, I'm going to go ahead and say that idol worship, even the use of the term "idol" for any person or thing or idea or ideal, is pure blasphemy.
No person, no thing, no concept, no thought no NOTHING is worthy of placement in equal proportion to Him... period.
God bless you all!!!
Friday, December 16, 2011
Number one...
We looked yesterday at one of the foundational principles of the "Big Ten," and discovered that they are not mere suggestions for us. They are commands... a mandate... rules... laws... whatever you choose to call something said by One in authority over those that are under said Authority. I know, I know, American dogma says that no one can tell you what to do, and that you are your own being, and that you are in complete control of your destiny. However, the real secret that people who have access to mass-media as an outlet won't acknowledge is that God is the boss, and we are made to serve and worship. Further, we are made to serve and worship Him, and Him alone.
Since we're in the process of memorizing this set of ten, and doing so in order, at least this is a short one to start with, right? I mean, it's only eight words, and even in the KJV text, it's not really that complicated. Or is it? And we say as we read this, "clearly we don't go and worship other gods on altars, and there is no such thing as Baal, and it's not like we 'worship' anything other than the Father, so why is this one tough at all? I don't think we have issues here." Yeah... except for when anyone refers to someone else as "a god" because they are attractive or excessively talented in one particular area, or when someone makes the statement that they "worship the ground" that someone walks on for the same reasons. And, friends, you should know that just because you don't personally know or associate with anyone who actively worships idols and other "gods" does not mean that those people do not exist. (And since we're supposed to be the salt and light in the world that brings those people to the truth, if you don't know any, then you need to step outside your circle.)
And therefore I submit to you a point of thought on this particular Commandment, in that while it may be easy to memorize, it is not as easy as we assume to live out. To make that a little more clear, let me put it another way: if anything in any situation, whether good or bad, ever comes even the smallest bit before God the Father, then you have violated the Commandment. And that holds true from the big decisions in life all the way down to the small ones. He deserves the placement before any and all things, in any and all situations, with absolute and reckless abandon to anything else, because He is WORTHY (Psalm 106:1), and nothing else really compares.
Further, I would challenge you today, along with the memorization of the verse itself, to redefine a word with me. Now this one may shock your vocabulary system a little, as it definitely does mine, but it is something that must be looked at, because words are powerful. Words are how we express what we feel (Matthew 12:34), and they can never be taken back once they are said. So I want to look at the word "awesome." For something to deserve this connotation, it must inspire awe. Now, to paint that picture, I will attempt to illustrate what true "awe" looks like.
Have you ever seen something that caused you to wish you could speak, but you were simply unable to form words or even sound? Have you ever seen something that makes you want to dance and leap, yet you are forced to your knees and unable to move? Have you ever seen something that makes you want to raise your hands high, yet you are unable to lift them from your side? Have you ever seen anything so bright that you wish to close your eyes, but are unable to look away? That is something that inspires awe... one glance that puts you on your knees, arms out, jaw dropped, unable to blink, unable to move, speechless, with total focus and nothing else on the brain, and the desire from the sight to leap and sing and shout and dance and wave your arms about with pure uninhibited joy. That is what something "awesome" is... and "awesome" is what God is.
Therefore, before you use that word today, please think about it. There are many other ways to describe something in any language (especially English), you know? Plus, to place any song or phrase or item of clothing or TV or book or person or church or any other thing on this earth on the same level as God... well, that's just wrong. But, before you get down on me for being legalistic, please know that I am grateful on all our behalf that Christ came to stand in our place, and that this is merely one way we can choose to show honor to God the Father, Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit in our use of verbiage. And it is not an easy thing to eliminate such a popular expressionary term from everyday use, which is why I am thrilled that grace abounds and covers us.
However, just because we have grace does not excuse us from honoring Him. And, after all, with all He did for us (you know, the creation stuff, and the saving from bondage, and the eternal salvation granted through His death on a cross for our sins), is it really too much to ask that we make so small an adjustment?
God bless you all!!!
"Thou shalt have no other gods before me."
Exodus 20:3
Since we're in the process of memorizing this set of ten, and doing so in order, at least this is a short one to start with, right? I mean, it's only eight words, and even in the KJV text, it's not really that complicated. Or is it? And we say as we read this, "clearly we don't go and worship other gods on altars, and there is no such thing as Baal, and it's not like we 'worship' anything other than the Father, so why is this one tough at all? I don't think we have issues here." Yeah... except for when anyone refers to someone else as "a god" because they are attractive or excessively talented in one particular area, or when someone makes the statement that they "worship the ground" that someone walks on for the same reasons. And, friends, you should know that just because you don't personally know or associate with anyone who actively worships idols and other "gods" does not mean that those people do not exist. (And since we're supposed to be the salt and light in the world that brings those people to the truth, if you don't know any, then you need to step outside your circle.)
And therefore I submit to you a point of thought on this particular Commandment, in that while it may be easy to memorize, it is not as easy as we assume to live out. To make that a little more clear, let me put it another way: if anything in any situation, whether good or bad, ever comes even the smallest bit before God the Father, then you have violated the Commandment. And that holds true from the big decisions in life all the way down to the small ones. He deserves the placement before any and all things, in any and all situations, with absolute and reckless abandon to anything else, because He is WORTHY (Psalm 106:1), and nothing else really compares.
Further, I would challenge you today, along with the memorization of the verse itself, to redefine a word with me. Now this one may shock your vocabulary system a little, as it definitely does mine, but it is something that must be looked at, because words are powerful. Words are how we express what we feel (Matthew 12:34), and they can never be taken back once they are said. So I want to look at the word "awesome." For something to deserve this connotation, it must inspire awe. Now, to paint that picture, I will attempt to illustrate what true "awe" looks like.
Have you ever seen something that caused you to wish you could speak, but you were simply unable to form words or even sound? Have you ever seen something that makes you want to dance and leap, yet you are forced to your knees and unable to move? Have you ever seen something that makes you want to raise your hands high, yet you are unable to lift them from your side? Have you ever seen anything so bright that you wish to close your eyes, but are unable to look away? That is something that inspires awe... one glance that puts you on your knees, arms out, jaw dropped, unable to blink, unable to move, speechless, with total focus and nothing else on the brain, and the desire from the sight to leap and sing and shout and dance and wave your arms about with pure uninhibited joy. That is what something "awesome" is... and "awesome" is what God is.
Therefore, before you use that word today, please think about it. There are many other ways to describe something in any language (especially English), you know? Plus, to place any song or phrase or item of clothing or TV or book or person or church or any other thing on this earth on the same level as God... well, that's just wrong. But, before you get down on me for being legalistic, please know that I am grateful on all our behalf that Christ came to stand in our place, and that this is merely one way we can choose to show honor to God the Father, Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit in our use of verbiage. And it is not an easy thing to eliminate such a popular expressionary term from everyday use, which is why I am thrilled that grace abounds and covers us.
However, just because we have grace does not excuse us from honoring Him. And, after all, with all He did for us (you know, the creation stuff, and the saving from bondage, and the eternal salvation granted through His death on a cross for our sins), is it really too much to ask that we make so small an adjustment?
God bless you all!!!
Thursday, December 15, 2011
New direction... from the Oldest of Old Schools...
Blessed friends, for nearly three full years now, you have allowed me the privilege to write for you, and I am grateful that I can continue to do so. Each and every time I click the "PUBLISH" link, I get such a feeling of satisfaction that I am sharing what God lays on my heart, and I cannot properly thank you enough for allowing me the time to speak (write, type, you know what I mean) to you.
Today, though, I want to take a step backwards in time so that we can all leap forward in knowledge. And while I know that retreating to advance sounds contrary in military terms, our Savior was not the "military messiah" that the people misinterpreted in the days of Christ. He came to share peace and love and salvation... eternal salvation... with all who call upon Him as Savior (John 3:16). So I want to step back and look at the list that no one likes to look at. I want to look deeply into each portion of it, and then examine them one by one, even though this list terrifies me, just as it probably should terrify you. Not the plagues... not the judgments... the Ten Commandments. (By the way, although this is uncharacteristic of my normal version choice, we will be using the King James Bible for this project).
So, obviously, we're starting at the beginning with the intro to the passage itself. But before we get to exegetical analysis of the instruction herein, I would like to pose a point of thought about this list. Have you ever noticed that the list is not called "The Ten Suggestions?" Did you ever see that it is not labeled, "Ten Ideas To Improve Your Life?" Or has someone ever asked you why it isn't called "The Ten Possible Things One Could Do If So Inclined, But Are Not Entirely Necessary If One's Values And Personal Beliefs Do Not Line Up With Any Or All Of The Thoughts Listed Here?" If you're laughing right now, that's good... but when you stop giggling and have the serious moment of reflection that I know I had, you'll probably realize that this is what we all wish they were called. However, they are called "The Ten COMMANDMENTS."
The dictionary defines commandment as "a command or mandate." Therefore, the point I pose to you is as follows: you and I and everyone else who is a Christian has no option other than obedience, because the Creator of all things (including us) has issued these 10 as a mandate. Let that soak in for a while...
Before anyone gets too fired up thinking that I'm going to suggest that we all immediately begin to follow all ten of the commandments to the letter... well, no, go ahead, because I am going to suggest that we do just that. However, I know and am fully aware that we are incapable of doing so in our flesh... but we must strive for this. It is one of the many ways we can show honor to the Father... by following His rules. I mean, in your dad's house, if he doesn't like something you do or say, it probably stops pretty quickly, right? And why is that? It's because you respect him enough to follow his rules in his home. Well, friends, all of this belongs to God (Psalm 24:1), so we need to apply the same severity and importance as best we can.
Yet, because we are saved by grace (Ephesians 2:8-9), and we know that Christ came to perfect the law (Matthew 5:17) and offer us salvation through Himself (John 14:6), then we know that we were never meant to keep it... it was given to us to show that we NEED God's grace in order to be saved.
All that said, though, God is still the One that created wonders which caused Pharaoh to release the people from bondage. God parted the sea, and allowed the people to cross. God slew the pursuing forces. God provided in the desert. God protected and led and made enemies fall before the people. God sent us Christ, and through Him we are saved (Isaiah 53:5). I think He has earned our respect far more than we give credit for... and for that reason, if for no other, we should follow His rules.
I am issuing this challenge to all of the readers here today: memorize the Ten Commandments, in order, in the King James Version. I'm really not kidding, and I will be participating with you in this. We'll start with Commandment One tomorrow, and these verses will be our focal point for some time. Pray them openly, and thank God for providing us the structure by which we can live in peace.
God bless you all!!!
Today, though, I want to take a step backwards in time so that we can all leap forward in knowledge. And while I know that retreating to advance sounds contrary in military terms, our Savior was not the "military messiah" that the people misinterpreted in the days of Christ. He came to share peace and love and salvation... eternal salvation... with all who call upon Him as Savior (John 3:16). So I want to step back and look at the list that no one likes to look at. I want to look deeply into each portion of it, and then examine them one by one, even though this list terrifies me, just as it probably should terrify you. Not the plagues... not the judgments... the Ten Commandments. (By the way, although this is uncharacteristic of my normal version choice, we will be using the King James Bible for this project).
"And God spake these words, saying, 'I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.'"
Exodus 20:1-2
So, obviously, we're starting at the beginning with the intro to the passage itself. But before we get to exegetical analysis of the instruction herein, I would like to pose a point of thought about this list. Have you ever noticed that the list is not called "The Ten Suggestions?" Did you ever see that it is not labeled, "Ten Ideas To Improve Your Life?" Or has someone ever asked you why it isn't called "The Ten Possible Things One Could Do If So Inclined, But Are Not Entirely Necessary If One's Values And Personal Beliefs Do Not Line Up With Any Or All Of The Thoughts Listed Here?" If you're laughing right now, that's good... but when you stop giggling and have the serious moment of reflection that I know I had, you'll probably realize that this is what we all wish they were called. However, they are called "The Ten COMMANDMENTS."
The dictionary defines commandment as "a command or mandate." Therefore, the point I pose to you is as follows: you and I and everyone else who is a Christian has no option other than obedience, because the Creator of all things (including us) has issued these 10 as a mandate. Let that soak in for a while...
Before anyone gets too fired up thinking that I'm going to suggest that we all immediately begin to follow all ten of the commandments to the letter... well, no, go ahead, because I am going to suggest that we do just that. However, I know and am fully aware that we are incapable of doing so in our flesh... but we must strive for this. It is one of the many ways we can show honor to the Father... by following His rules. I mean, in your dad's house, if he doesn't like something you do or say, it probably stops pretty quickly, right? And why is that? It's because you respect him enough to follow his rules in his home. Well, friends, all of this belongs to God (Psalm 24:1), so we need to apply the same severity and importance as best we can.
Yet, because we are saved by grace (Ephesians 2:8-9), and we know that Christ came to perfect the law (Matthew 5:17) and offer us salvation through Himself (John 14:6), then we know that we were never meant to keep it... it was given to us to show that we NEED God's grace in order to be saved.
All that said, though, God is still the One that created wonders which caused Pharaoh to release the people from bondage. God parted the sea, and allowed the people to cross. God slew the pursuing forces. God provided in the desert. God protected and led and made enemies fall before the people. God sent us Christ, and through Him we are saved (Isaiah 53:5). I think He has earned our respect far more than we give credit for... and for that reason, if for no other, we should follow His rules.
I am issuing this challenge to all of the readers here today: memorize the Ten Commandments, in order, in the King James Version. I'm really not kidding, and I will be participating with you in this. We'll start with Commandment One tomorrow, and these verses will be our focal point for some time. Pray them openly, and thank God for providing us the structure by which we can live in peace.
God bless you all!!!
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Today...
"Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their efforts."
Ecclesiastes 4:9
This verse has been the champion verse of this blog since the beginning, and I use it today in grateful appreciation for ten blessed years with my wife. Our rewards have been vast, and they have been far better than possibly imaginable... because they have been shared by the two of us, together!
I am grateful, also, for the failures that we have experienced (mostly mine, I'll admit that freely), because they have led to most of the successes. And in saying this, I wish to offer encouragement to all who bless me by reading my scribblings when I post them by saying that there is literally no limit to God's power to overcome difficulty. You and I may not be able to overcome it in our own strength, but He is more than able and then some! It is possible... and believe me, there have been times when we questioned that, but we remained faithful to the Lord first, and we have kept growing because of that.
When we married, I was challenged to become the Spitritual head of our home, and I honestly didn't have a clue what that meant. I was a baptized and saved Christian, but not an active participant in the Kingdom. I was also not a studied believer, and was unaware of many, many things. I had not read the Bible at that time (and am actually just completing that task for the first time as we speak), and did not personally own any Bible beyond the children's version I had received many years prior. My wife sparked in me the need to grow, the need to learn, the need to fulfill what and who I was meant to become. She bought me my first NIV Bible, which was used in writing my first book. That Bible sits on display in my office, and is a constant reminder of her love for me.
When we had our children, she challenged me to be the godly father that every man should aspire to be. She openly insisted that I be in church, and that we pray before meals and at night with our children. She continues to push me to be a better daddy, and I can never thank her enough for that encouragement, as I can never thank her enough for the rebukes that I am given when I stray from the course.
When I began to study, she encouraged me to write and write and write. It was her idea to begin this blog, actually, so that I would have an outlet to uplift others with my journey. She encouraged the publication of my first book, and inspired entirely the premise for my second one. She provided me then, and still does to this day, a constant source for checking ideas, thoughts and direction for my calling to write.
In point of fact, she also introduced me to the class and teachings of the man who would become my Spiritual Mentor, the one person I turn to for advice and correction in all things, other than my wife. It was her plan to visit this gentleman's Sunday School class, and from there began a long friendship.
And just this morning, when she awoke to find the Elf on the Shelf arranges with a vase of flowers and some symbolic ornaments from our Christmases together, she encouraged me yet again in my creativity.
In short, my wife is amazing, and I am beyond blessed to have her as my helpmate and partner in life. No one could ever match the woman that she is... ever.
But the best part is that she achieved this level in my eyes because she tried not to be in front of everything... she is a servant-minded woman, who takes care for her family before anything else. Her own needs are constantly pushed aside willingly as she gives and gives and gives and gives some more to all three of our wonderful children and me. She emulated the principle of being last to become first... and I praise God for her presence in my life everyday as a reminder of how good a man I should strive to become.
So, to sum up, today has been an amazing day for us both. We have realized just how impactful we have each been upon each other. We have received some of the kindest words of encouragement we thought possible from many, many friends (and thank you all for each one). We have agreed that these are ten of the greatest years of our lives... and we look forward to the years to come.
Thank you all for your love and support... and God bless you all!!!
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Home...
And so we arrive at the conclusion... but we do so with a beginning in mind. And while I know that may sound strange, we must revert back to the truths previously read, and recognize that the principle of the "great reversal" (from "All At War") is a sound and constant one. And in that spirit, I tell you that while this ends, our journey is not yet through. It is just starting!
Anyone I've taught will tell you that joy is permanent. That is true. However, we are not the models of consistency that we think ourselves to be, and sometimes we allow our joy to shine less in times of distress. Please make note of the truth in that: we allow it to happen. And while changes in each moment are not always permanent adjustments, the process of change is a constant that cannot be undone. We are growing every second, like it or not. Science proves that the particles in the air we breathe can change quickly, just from a different person walking into a room with cologne on. Change is real, and it exists, and anyone wasting time fighting it is missing the beauty that exists in each moment of the process.
More than that, though, there are times when one changes and changes and changes again, and then the best change happens, and one wants it to stay that way. Well, for all you luddites out there who yearn for that feeling of being comfortable in process or behaviors or patterns or places, you need to know something...
He has a plan for us, and it involves change until the very end. We don't know the precise details of it all, but that's okay (Jeremiah 29:11). The point is that no matter how comfortable this life becomes, we are not yet home. We have not yet reached that place of being able to relax and not remain vigilant and focused. We are not yet pulling into the proverbial driveway of our true home, which is in Heaven. Therefore, we still have further to go.
We all try that, don't we? Walking right past the obvious steps we need to take, thinking that we can skip something "just this once," only to find that we are snapped back by our own failure to not trip on our own feet. It has happened to me a multitude of times, I assure you. But the greatest part of that moment is realizing that even if we watched our feet every step, we'd still trip over them, because we're looking down at ourselves. However, if we look up and focus upon Him in trusting faith, we will know what steps to take and which way to go (Hebrews 12:2, Proverbs 3:5-6).
Even our best intentions and designs are not capable of reaching the level to which we strive. And it is because of our narrow-minded focus that this world is our home. We are visitors here, blessed friends, and we will one day return home. During our stay here, it is necessary to be reminded of that, and to ask the Father to rip open the walls into which we constrain ourselves. Again, please make note of that: we box ourselves into this mentality.
In my profession, I have the awesome privilege to witness home-going services for many, many Christians. And each time, I know that a party has begun in the true hometown of the loved one that has left. It is more encouraging to me each and every time, and I pray that the people I have the privilege to serve in my capacity are able to see Christ in me as I rejoice with them.
He chose you. Read that again, Christian sibling: He chose YOU! He knelt down and created you, and then chose you, and sent the Spirit to call to you, and sent Christ to die for you. And so we sing His song and we tell His story. And as stated above, there is rejoicing at the time one goes to their true home in heaven... but the grace of God is needed to overcome the absence that is present. A hole or void has been left, and only God can fill it. When you think about it, each time a loved one leaves a space like that and God fills it with Himself, you grow just a little closer to being totally dependent upon Him.
I pray that you will look around today and see that this home and these places that we dwell in are all temporary. We are here to learn, and then we will graduate one day and return to the Father's house (John 14:1-6). And, like most universities, there is a matriculation fee: this one is higher than any other one, though, for it costs all that we are and all that we have and all that we know. All of that must be left behind to walk this stage and receive this diploma, and then we will finally be where we belong... we will finally be home. The question is, what will you do now that you are more aware of this?
"We want to focus on what we can see, but this scene is just a fading beauty in this life, when sorrow steals our joy."
"Home" by downhere
Anyone I've taught will tell you that joy is permanent. That is true. However, we are not the models of consistency that we think ourselves to be, and sometimes we allow our joy to shine less in times of distress. Please make note of the truth in that: we allow it to happen. And while changes in each moment are not always permanent adjustments, the process of change is a constant that cannot be undone. We are growing every second, like it or not. Science proves that the particles in the air we breathe can change quickly, just from a different person walking into a room with cologne on. Change is real, and it exists, and anyone wasting time fighting it is missing the beauty that exists in each moment of the process.
More than that, though, there are times when one changes and changes and changes again, and then the best change happens, and one wants it to stay that way. Well, for all you luddites out there who yearn for that feeling of being comfortable in process or behaviors or patterns or places, you need to know something...
"Oh, remind us that we have not reached home."
"Home" by downhere
He has a plan for us, and it involves change until the very end. We don't know the precise details of it all, but that's okay (Jeremiah 29:11). The point is that no matter how comfortable this life becomes, we are not yet home. We have not yet reached that place of being able to relax and not remain vigilant and focused. We are not yet pulling into the proverbial driveway of our true home, which is in Heaven. Therefore, we still have further to go.
"We want to walk beyond our circumstances, but our feet run into our own advances. Would You be our way, and lead Your people on?"
"Home" by downhere
We all try that, don't we? Walking right past the obvious steps we need to take, thinking that we can skip something "just this once," only to find that we are snapped back by our own failure to not trip on our own feet. It has happened to me a multitude of times, I assure you. But the greatest part of that moment is realizing that even if we watched our feet every step, we'd still trip over them, because we're looking down at ourselves. However, if we look up and focus upon Him in trusting faith, we will know what steps to take and which way to go (Hebrews 12:2, Proverbs 3:5-6).
"Pull apart our good intentions. Break the walls of these dimensions. Paint a picture of our eternity."
"Home" by downhere
Even our best intentions and designs are not capable of reaching the level to which we strive. And it is because of our narrow-minded focus that this world is our home. We are visitors here, blessed friends, and we will one day return home. During our stay here, it is necessary to be reminded of that, and to ask the Father to rip open the walls into which we constrain ourselves. Again, please make note of that: we box ourselves into this mentality.
"Oh, remind us that we have not reached home. We have not. Remind us that we have not reached home."
"Home" by downhere
In my profession, I have the awesome privilege to witness home-going services for many, many Christians. And each time, I know that a party has begun in the true hometown of the loved one that has left. It is more encouraging to me each and every time, and I pray that the people I have the privilege to serve in my capacity are able to see Christ in me as I rejoice with them.
"And we will sing the songs of Heaven, be the chorus You have chosen. We need Your grace to echo the saints and journey on."
"Home" by downhere
He chose you. Read that again, Christian sibling: He chose YOU! He knelt down and created you, and then chose you, and sent the Spirit to call to you, and sent Christ to die for you. And so we sing His song and we tell His story. And as stated above, there is rejoicing at the time one goes to their true home in heaven... but the grace of God is needed to overcome the absence that is present. A hole or void has been left, and only God can fill it. When you think about it, each time a loved one leaves a space like that and God fills it with Himself, you grow just a little closer to being totally dependent upon Him.
"As the angels sing Your praises, let us not forget Your graces which far outweigh a world of dreams."
"Home" by downhere
I pray that you will look around today and see that this home and these places that we dwell in are all temporary. We are here to learn, and then we will graduate one day and return to the Father's house (John 14:1-6). And, like most universities, there is a matriculation fee: this one is higher than any other one, though, for it costs all that we are and all that we have and all that we know. All of that must be left behind to walk this stage and receive this diploma, and then we will finally be where we belong... we will finally be home. The question is, what will you do now that you are more aware of this?
Remember: Remind us that we have not reached home.
God bless you all!!!
Last night...
In the constancy of our return to the Father, I feel it necessary to point out that we are not good people who occasionally do bad things... we are bad people who occasionally do good things. And when that moment comes for each of us, where we are held up to the comparison and contrast of ourselves next to the Father to Whom we return, the differences are as numerous as they are horrifying.
And it happens like that, doesn't it? We just all of a sudden have an "A-HA" moment, recognizing His true beauty in comparison to our wretched deformity. It comes upon us like we had never thought of it before, and we are sitting in the stark clarity of the moment, almost ashamed that we are not worthy to see Him at all. And you know what? That is the truth. The world likes to tell you that you "deserve" certain things, but Christian sibling all any person on this earth "deserves" is hell and death. That is fact.
And the kingdom mentioned is, of course, the world and what it will teach and tell you. But the world was made by God (Genesis 1:1), not the other way around. And it is He who gives us the victories to which we cling through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world (1 Corinthians 15:57). And it is through His work and His grace and His provision that we are accepted into God's Kingdom. We certainly DO NOT deserve it... but it is given to us anyway. And realizing that grace, fully present in our lives, is an enthralling moment!
There are many in the world who are still asleep, unaware of the Truth as we know it. And in these powerful moments of revelation in our lives, these great and inspiring times of accountability which force the honesty out of us, we hurt for those missing the point of this life. We also hurt for ourselves, and some (like myself, on occasion) believe that their strength has waned to the point of uselessness. But then...
He will strengthen you for this and any other task (Philippians 4:13). All that is required of you in this is as simple as the ABC's of Vacation Bible School: Admit to God that you are a sinner, in need of Him; Believe that Jesus Christ died to save you from your sins; Confess the Name of Christ as Savior of the world and Son of God to people you meet (Matthew 28:16-20). Accept it... believe it... confess it... and He will provide you with the strength you need to carry on, even when you think you've run out. The question is, are you ready for that charge?
God bless you all!!!
"From my sleep tonight I woke to a frightening sight. All the best of me held up to Your perfect light."
"Last Night's Daydream" by downhere
And it happens like that, doesn't it? We just all of a sudden have an "A-HA" moment, recognizing His true beauty in comparison to our wretched deformity. It comes upon us like we had never thought of it before, and we are sitting in the stark clarity of the moment, almost ashamed that we are not worthy to see Him at all. And you know what? That is the truth. The world likes to tell you that you "deserve" certain things, but Christian sibling all any person on this earth "deserves" is hell and death. That is fact.
"Now I see the paint run on the water-color kingdom, and I wanna believe again just like the first time, when from my eyes You took that scales that blinded."
"Last Night's Daydream" by downhere
And the kingdom mentioned is, of course, the world and what it will teach and tell you. But the world was made by God (Genesis 1:1), not the other way around. And it is He who gives us the victories to which we cling through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world (1 Corinthians 15:57). And it is through His work and His grace and His provision that we are accepted into God's Kingdom. We certainly DO NOT deserve it... but it is given to us anyway. And realizing that grace, fully present in our lives, is an enthralling moment!
"While the world is asleep now, I'm wrapped up in wonder of all I could never dream. That night is a treasure, I wanna remember, I wanna forever be in last night's daydream."
"Last Night's Daydream" by downhere
There are many in the world who are still asleep, unaware of the Truth as we know it. And in these powerful moments of revelation in our lives, these great and inspiring times of accountability which force the honesty out of us, we hurt for those missing the point of this life. We also hurt for ourselves, and some (like myself, on occasion) believe that their strength has waned to the point of uselessness. But then...
"When I come to the end of me, I'm relying on Someone other... come to the end of me, I'll be living for Someone stronger."
"Last Night's Daydream" by downhere
He will strengthen you for this and any other task (Philippians 4:13). All that is required of you in this is as simple as the ABC's of Vacation Bible School: Admit to God that you are a sinner, in need of Him; Believe that Jesus Christ died to save you from your sins; Confess the Name of Christ as Savior of the world and Son of God to people you meet (Matthew 28:16-20). Accept it... believe it... confess it... and He will provide you with the strength you need to carry on, even when you think you've run out. The question is, are you ready for that charge?
Remember: Here am I for Your sending.
God bless you all!!!
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Going back...
I'm going to take one step back and make certain that one point is clear. Yesterday I mentioned that we need to keep telling God's story, and I believe firmly that we should. However, I want you to know that it is true that if we chose not to tell the story, that even the rocks would cry out - God's story never, ever dies (Luke 19:40, 21:33). And in looking at that truth, we return to the constant theme of life, as well as this devotional work: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
You see, in all the time we could ever possibly spend together, the only constant is God. And we continually return to Him in discussion and thought and purpose out of habit. Would you like to know how I know that? I know because the main theme of any given thing is what we always return to. Think of your favorite song right now... humming the chorus yet? We always gravitate to the main focal point of a story or a song, and it is no different with our own lives. God is the main theme (Isaiah 6:8).
Think about it... even if only in times of distress and trouble (at least, in the beginning), we all tend to call upon Him when we are in our moments of true need. And it is not something we sit down and process, either. We just go to it. Some people "suddenly" start attending church or Sunday School, some people "suddenly" begin to pray every day, and some people "suddenly" begin to read the Bible or other devotional style works. It is instinctive... it is innate... it is supposed to be that way, and we know it deep in our being, and that is why it happens. We return to the primary theme, which is God (Revelation 4:8).
And no matter how many points and sub-points I could deliver to you from this particular piece of writing, I would constantly return, as I have since the first moment in this study, to the Father. He is the main theme (Revelation 22:13). There is no other being that can be called the Creator (Genesis 1:1), and no other being that is referred to as I Am (Exodus 3:14). No other being literally is the Word (John 1:1), and no other Name can bring salvation (Acts 4:8-12). So it is that we constantly return to the Truth (John 14:6), because it is... He is the Truth. He is the theme. He is the chorus of the greatest song ever sung... a song He wrote, which we are blessed to be a small part of... but we will forever return to that for our entire lives on this earth. And then we will return completely to the chorus, completely to Him, when we finally reach our home.
But that hasn't happened yet... not yet. So ponder and think and sing today, and recognize that you will always return to the chorus. The question is, are you singing your chorus, or His?
"I go back to the chorus, back to the main theme, I just keep goin' back to You."
"Back to the Chorus" by downhere
You see, in all the time we could ever possibly spend together, the only constant is God. And we continually return to Him in discussion and thought and purpose out of habit. Would you like to know how I know that? I know because the main theme of any given thing is what we always return to. Think of your favorite song right now... humming the chorus yet? We always gravitate to the main focal point of a story or a song, and it is no different with our own lives. God is the main theme (Isaiah 6:8).
"This is no fad. You're my quintessential soundtrack, 'cause in my heart I crave the only One who saves."
"Back to the Chorus" by downhere
Think about it... even if only in times of distress and trouble (at least, in the beginning), we all tend to call upon Him when we are in our moments of true need. And it is not something we sit down and process, either. We just go to it. Some people "suddenly" start attending church or Sunday School, some people "suddenly" begin to pray every day, and some people "suddenly" begin to read the Bible or other devotional style works. It is instinctive... it is innate... it is supposed to be that way, and we know it deep in our being, and that is why it happens. We return to the primary theme, which is God (Revelation 4:8).
"It's all I can do. It's all I can say, 'cause in my heart I crave the only One who saves."
"Back to the Chorus" by downhere
And no matter how many points and sub-points I could deliver to you from this particular piece of writing, I would constantly return, as I have since the first moment in this study, to the Father. He is the main theme (Revelation 22:13). There is no other being that can be called the Creator (Genesis 1:1), and no other being that is referred to as I Am (Exodus 3:14). No other being literally is the Word (John 1:1), and no other Name can bring salvation (Acts 4:8-12). So it is that we constantly return to the Truth (John 14:6), because it is... He is the Truth. He is the theme. He is the chorus of the greatest song ever sung... a song He wrote, which we are blessed to be a small part of... but we will forever return to that for our entire lives on this earth. And then we will return completely to the chorus, completely to Him, when we finally reach our home.
But that hasn't happened yet... not yet. So ponder and think and sing today, and recognize that you will always return to the chorus. The question is, are you singing your chorus, or His?
Remember: I go back to the chorus, back, You're my main theme.
God bless you all!!!
Monday, December 5, 2011
Finding...
You know, the best part about a search is when something is found. It truly makes it all worthwhile and a wonderful experience! And there is nothing better than searching for the Father, and subsequently there is nothing better than finding the Father and His kingdom. And when we come together in our search and combine our prayerful effort, amazing things can happen...
More and more, as I read and study the Bible, I see that Christ was concerned with the attitude of the heart. Our hearts are physical, literal muscles which facilitate the pumping of blood to all parts of the body, which allows us to breathe and live and learn and function. But that four-chambered space is not what is being sought... what is being sought is the character of your person, the "heart" of who you are. Because it is from the overflow of our hearts that we show people who we are (Luke 6:45). In those moments, it should always be our prayer that the "unseen kingdom," as referred to here, is the most recent thing in our hearts... that way, we can share it in whatever capacity we are able with another person!
And we must ensure that we do not limit our service and sacrifice to only those we know. Jesus did not limit himself only to the religious few of the day, you know... He kinda hung out around the bad apples of the time. And when asked why He was always around folks who were being judged on earth by men as being "bad," He always showed only love and wisdom in that He was sent "to seek and save the lost" (Luke 19:10). And so I pose to you a question: that which has been revealed to each of us is powerful in our lives, but how are we able to discern who it can or cannot help other than ourselves? To put it another way, why would we be so selfish as to keep what God does for us a secret?
His story never ends, as long as we keep telling it, Christian. Ponder on that for a while...
The Word endures forever (Isaiah 40:8). FOREVER! Long after you and I and all we know are gone, God's Word will be in full force, just as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be. We must look to the things that we are shown, and search our hearts to see His kingdom revealed within us... because as it is revealed within us, we can then share it with those who need to hear it. The question is, are you looking in the right place?
God bless you all!!!
"Reveal the unseen Kingdom. The glory of the new Son; where ever more His love imparts the kingdom in our hearts."
"Reveal the Kingdom" by downhere
More and more, as I read and study the Bible, I see that Christ was concerned with the attitude of the heart. Our hearts are physical, literal muscles which facilitate the pumping of blood to all parts of the body, which allows us to breathe and live and learn and function. But that four-chambered space is not what is being sought... what is being sought is the character of your person, the "heart" of who you are. Because it is from the overflow of our hearts that we show people who we are (Luke 6:45). In those moments, it should always be our prayer that the "unseen kingdom," as referred to here, is the most recent thing in our hearts... that way, we can share it in whatever capacity we are able with another person!
"Though we are strangers, we must not appall, but rise to answer the call."
"Reveal the Kingdom" by downhere
And we must ensure that we do not limit our service and sacrifice to only those we know. Jesus did not limit himself only to the religious few of the day, you know... He kinda hung out around the bad apples of the time. And when asked why He was always around folks who were being judged on earth by men as being "bad," He always showed only love and wisdom in that He was sent "to seek and save the lost" (Luke 19:10). And so I pose to you a question: that which has been revealed to each of us is powerful in our lives, but how are we able to discern who it can or cannot help other than ourselves? To put it another way, why would we be so selfish as to keep what God does for us a secret?
His story never ends, as long as we keep telling it, Christian. Ponder on that for a while...
"Exsiccatum est foenum, et cecidit flos; Verbum autem Domini nostri manet in aeternum."
[The grass withers, the flowers fade, but the word of our God remains forever.]
"Reveal the Kingdom" by downhere
The Word endures forever (Isaiah 40:8). FOREVER! Long after you and I and all we know are gone, God's Word will be in full force, just as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be. We must look to the things that we are shown, and search our hearts to see His kingdom revealed within us... because as it is revealed within us, we can then share it with those who need to hear it. The question is, are you looking in the right place?
Remember: Reveal the unseen kingdom.
God bless you all!!!
Friday, December 2, 2011
Seeking...
More and more is revealed, and more and more is learned, and the beauty of this is that we are always in one mode while this happens... we are seeking. However, let me be clear in that we are not seeking a church or an atmosphere or better music or a nicer pastor or a more "modern" approach to the Bible. We are seeking THE Church, the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27), the atmosphere of prayer and petition and supplication (Matthew 21:13)... we are seeking Him.
He is calling us, each and every one. And the greatest part of it all is that He doesn't expect us to reach His level so that we may meet. No, He kneels down to us and meets us where we are, then encourages us to grow and become closer to Him. That, in and of itself, should be an encouragement for the ages to all Christians everywhere! We are not expected to play on His level in this life, yet moved by His love for us, we try to improve and get as close to that level as we can. And, in truth, there is no better devotion than that!
And for those seeking that which they need, whether it be rest or refreshment of the soul or forgiveness or acceptance, there is no greater person to seek than Jesus. Jesus ate with tax collectors (Matthew 9:11), stood in the way of people about to be stoned (John 8:7), and even offered redemption to a criminal at the point of death on the cross beside His own (Luke 23:43). Honestly, who on earth can offer that kind of love to you other than Christ? Think about that for a moment...
I referred to us not having to be on His level earlier, so let me make that a little more clear. If we use opera as an example, then we would have to refer to God as the Ultimate Singer... and we would be mute and still infants, incapable of carrying a tune in comparison to Him, no matter how much we practice. Maybe, just maybe, we would be able to hum through something simple one day, and maybe we would only make a few errors in intonation and pitch, but He would always be perfect in all of it. Yet, each time we take the risers to perform our elementary, single verse of a song, He makes it worth listening to. He is our featured Soloist. He is our instructor and private lesson Teacher. He is the Composer of the music itself, and the Author of the lyrics. He is... and that's all there is to it.
Seeking is a good thing, as long as your search is aimed in the proper direction. We should be seeking Him (Matthew 6:33) in all things, always, before any other concern. The question that remains is, are you seeking what you should be?
God bless you all!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YA5FtkELnJ8
"The Designer of the heart is beckoning those He longs to reach."
"Seek" by downhere
He is calling us, each and every one. And the greatest part of it all is that He doesn't expect us to reach His level so that we may meet. No, He kneels down to us and meets us where we are, then encourages us to grow and become closer to Him. That, in and of itself, should be an encouragement for the ages to all Christians everywhere! We are not expected to play on His level in this life, yet moved by His love for us, we try to improve and get as close to that level as we can. And, in truth, there is no better devotion than that!
"Oh come all you thirsty, you broke and sorrowful. His justice and mercy will mend and make you whole."
"Seek" by downhere
And for those seeking that which they need, whether it be rest or refreshment of the soul or forgiveness or acceptance, there is no greater person to seek than Jesus. Jesus ate with tax collectors (Matthew 9:11), stood in the way of people about to be stoned (John 8:7), and even offered redemption to a criminal at the point of death on the cross beside His own (Luke 23:43). Honestly, who on earth can offer that kind of love to you other than Christ? Think about that for a moment...
"In the opera of life, the Composer is clear; not clichéd or trite, His love is sincere!"
"Seek" by downhere
I referred to us not having to be on His level earlier, so let me make that a little more clear. If we use opera as an example, then we would have to refer to God as the Ultimate Singer... and we would be mute and still infants, incapable of carrying a tune in comparison to Him, no matter how much we practice. Maybe, just maybe, we would be able to hum through something simple one day, and maybe we would only make a few errors in intonation and pitch, but He would always be perfect in all of it. Yet, each time we take the risers to perform our elementary, single verse of a song, He makes it worth listening to. He is our featured Soloist. He is our instructor and private lesson Teacher. He is the Composer of the music itself, and the Author of the lyrics. He is... and that's all there is to it.
Seeking is a good thing, as long as your search is aimed in the proper direction. We should be seeking Him (Matthew 6:33) in all things, always, before any other concern. The question that remains is, are you seeking what you should be?
Remember: Seek while He may be found.
God bless you all!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YA5FtkELnJ8
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
More... and more...
In the process of rediscovery, we sometimes have to step backwards in order to move forward. This falls perfectly in line with the principle of the "great reversal" that is mentioned in a previous day's song, "All At War." But do you know what happens in that process? Each time we discover more... about Him!
His glory is what we are here to seek, just as He is who we are here to seek (Matthew 6:33). And the greatest thing about Him is that, as we rediscovered yesterday, He is faithful when we fall. His character is nothing less than perfect, and He cannot ever fail us... EVER! And each time we see that, each time our faith is enhanced through an experience like that, we begin to know and retain a little more... about Him!
And in this growth process, He literally becomes more, just as He should (John 3:30). To be honest, He cannot become more, really, because He is already everything... but He becomes more to us as we allow ourselves to become less! We step out of the way and allow just one more fold of His garment to fill the void that exists, and He grows in our perception. And each time we allow this to happen, we show glory and honor to Him, and we recognize the truth that in order to lead, we must serve and follow (Luke 14:11). And I know, I know... this is contrary to what celebrities and "worldly" people will tell you. But keep in mind that God is God, and there is no other, and if I had to lay odds on who was going to be right in any situation, I'm going with God every time.
Please know, also, that this is a process of learning for us all. Yes, I said for us all, excluding no person on the entire planet, in the past, present, or future. No one has attained the full knowledge of all things about God. No one on earth ever will. We were made to seek, made to worship, made to serve the Creator and His purpose, for His pleasure... and know what He shows us (Ephesians 1:9). And this process is a lifelong one, for each one of us. We are always learning, every day in every way.
God bless you all!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRhA70hak6o
"And the more You show me, the more You grow me, the more Your glory becomes all there is."
"The More" by downhere
His glory is what we are here to seek, just as He is who we are here to seek (Matthew 6:33). And the greatest thing about Him is that, as we rediscovered yesterday, He is faithful when we fall. His character is nothing less than perfect, and He cannot ever fail us... EVER! And each time we see that, each time our faith is enhanced through an experience like that, we begin to know and retain a little more... about Him!
"And the more I know You, the more I need You, the more I love You, the more You become to me."
"The More" by downhere
And in this growth process, He literally becomes more, just as He should (John 3:30). To be honest, He cannot become more, really, because He is already everything... but He becomes more to us as we allow ourselves to become less! We step out of the way and allow just one more fold of His garment to fill the void that exists, and He grows in our perception. And each time we allow this to happen, we show glory and honor to Him, and we recognize the truth that in order to lead, we must serve and follow (Luke 14:11). And I know, I know... this is contrary to what celebrities and "worldly" people will tell you. But keep in mind that God is God, and there is no other, and if I had to lay odds on who was going to be right in any situation, I'm going with God every time.
"I wanna give You every moment, every minute. It takes a lifetime to know You."
"The More" by downhere
Please know, also, that this is a process of learning for us all. Yes, I said for us all, excluding no person on the entire planet, in the past, present, or future. No one has attained the full knowledge of all things about God. No one on earth ever will. We were made to seek, made to worship, made to serve the Creator and His purpose, for His pleasure... and know what He shows us (Ephesians 1:9). And this process is a lifelong one, for each one of us. We are always learning, every day in every way.
Remember: I wanna give You every moment, every minute.
God bless you all!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRhA70hak6o
Monday, November 28, 2011
Rediscovery...
In giving thanks, we must also have a moment of realization about our study of the Word, and that comes through clearly in today's song. We must understand that we are always learning, and always rediscovering truths about the Father that we did not know before. We must also accept that we don't know Him as well as we would like... and we probably never will until we reach Heaven.
Have you ever given thought to that? The entire universe was created with a Word (Genesis 1)... but no part of the universe has seen all of the universe. Therefore, if we personify the galaxies and the stars and the black holes that are out there, we see that no one part has seen it all, and that we are all only witness to a portion of His amazing works. Therefore, we cannot possibly know all there is to know, and rediscovery of Him is paramount! And in learning to see Him in all things, we rediscover new truths about how things work.
The first time I heard that chorus, I thought that the phrase "tell me of the God I never knew" sounded like something that would be said by someone who did not believe in God. But after thinking on it, I realize that this phrase is powerful for the Christian, beyond anything I could have originally imagined. We all have "stuff" in our lives, and all of that tends to shape our image of God... but it is not God's true self. We cannot know that here on earth, in this life. And as we see more of His true self in the small glimpses He allows for us, we do rediscover Him a little more each day. In that vein, we get to "meet" Him all over again.
Further, because His mercies are new each day (Lamentations 3:22-23), we rediscover how much He loves us with each and every missed step. And we see it more and more and more clearly, each and every time we fail and fall and forget and show how fickle we are in our flesh.
His ways are higher than our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9), and He does not fall to fleshly nonsense and frailty. He is God! To be clear, for emphasis... HE. IS. GOD. No one else is, and no one else will be. The mystery of His faithfulness to us eludes us at every turn, and we cannot ever truly understand it in this life. But as we progress and learn and grow and pray... and pray... and pray... and pray some more, we will grow closer to seeing more tiny slivers of truth of who He truly is, and how good He truly is. So don't be discouraged by not knowing Him as well as you might have thought to did, but rather be encouraged by the opportunity to learn more about Him each moment!
God bless you all!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2LR2_Z3nfM&feature=relmfu
"The whole universe is witness to only a part of what You've done."
"Let Me Rediscover You" by downhere
Have you ever given thought to that? The entire universe was created with a Word (Genesis 1)... but no part of the universe has seen all of the universe. Therefore, if we personify the galaxies and the stars and the black holes that are out there, we see that no one part has seen it all, and that we are all only witness to a portion of His amazing works. Therefore, we cannot possibly know all there is to know, and rediscovery of Him is paramount! And in learning to see Him in all things, we rediscover new truths about how things work.
"Let me rediscover You, and breathe in me Your life anew. Tell me of the God I never knew. Oh, let me rediscover You."
"Let Me Rediscover You" by downhere
The first time I heard that chorus, I thought that the phrase "tell me of the God I never knew" sounded like something that would be said by someone who did not believe in God. But after thinking on it, I realize that this phrase is powerful for the Christian, beyond anything I could have originally imagined. We all have "stuff" in our lives, and all of that tends to shape our image of God... but it is not God's true self. We cannot know that here on earth, in this life. And as we see more of His true self in the small glimpses He allows for us, we do rediscover Him a little more each day. In that vein, we get to "meet" Him all over again.
Further, because His mercies are new each day (Lamentations 3:22-23), we rediscover how much He loves us with each and every missed step. And we see it more and more and more clearly, each and every time we fail and fall and forget and show how fickle we are in our flesh.
"Of all the mysteries, still the greatest to me is that You're faithful when I fall. How can I say I know You, when what I know is still so small?"
"Let Me Rediscover You" by downhere
His ways are higher than our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9), and He does not fall to fleshly nonsense and frailty. He is God! To be clear, for emphasis... HE. IS. GOD. No one else is, and no one else will be. The mystery of His faithfulness to us eludes us at every turn, and we cannot ever truly understand it in this life. But as we progress and learn and grow and pray... and pray... and pray... and pray some more, we will grow closer to seeing more tiny slivers of truth of who He truly is, and how good He truly is. So don't be discouraged by not knowing Him as well as you might have thought to did, but rather be encouraged by the opportunity to learn more about Him each moment!
Remember: Let me rediscover You.
God bless you all!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2LR2_Z3nfM&feature=relmfu
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Thank You...
So we talked about how to be thankful for the tough stuff, and that is certainly not the easiest thing to do. But now I want to do something a little easier... or perhaps, something harder. You see, we spend so much time making sure that we carry the right attitude of thanks in the tough times (as we should) that we can sometimes run the risk of forgetting to maintain that attitude when there is nothing wrong. It is important, folks, don't doubt it.
There are so very many things that we so very often take for granted, and we fail to remember just how powerful those moments are. Can you remember the last time you heard a bird sing outside? Or can you remember the last time you felt a refreshing breeze blow across your face? What about that morning that you awoke to find the warm sun bathing down over you? Such simple things... but they are the things that make memories, and they are blessings from God. Think about the last time someone told you a story that was a great memory. There are always details to add to the color of the experience, and each and every one should be a reason to give thanks (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
And then there are things that are revealed to us for which we should be thankful, just as there are things that are not revealed to us for which we should be thankful. Have you ever thought about the possibility (really a fact, but we'll just work with "possibility" for now) that certain things have not yet been revealed to us as a human race, to you, to me, simply because we are not yet ready to understand them? Or how about because we are not capable of understanding them? You see, there was this Guy, and He had a way of teaching in parables...
Hold on for this one, because it's gonna smart a little... we are not ready to understand it all, and that's why some things are not yet revealed. That's it.
Friends, don't make the mistake of not being thankful for all the things in your life right now, both good and not so good. And never forget that God blesses us with all things (James 1:17), and He is always present with us. Don't become so used to the small beauties of perfect harmony and breezy afternoons in the park and refreshing rain that you fail to thank the Father for His provision.
God bless you all!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJeq0E7JKW4
"Thank You God for the open sky; mysterious depths of her ocean eyes; thank You for my dreams; my dreams; a poetry both tragic and beautiful; thank You for life."
"For Life" by downhere
There are so very many things that we so very often take for granted, and we fail to remember just how powerful those moments are. Can you remember the last time you heard a bird sing outside? Or can you remember the last time you felt a refreshing breeze blow across your face? What about that morning that you awoke to find the warm sun bathing down over you? Such simple things... but they are the things that make memories, and they are blessings from God. Think about the last time someone told you a story that was a great memory. There are always details to add to the color of the experience, and each and every one should be a reason to give thanks (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
"For everything revealed to see; for what's kept in mystery"
"For Life" by downhere
And then there are things that are revealed to us for which we should be thankful, just as there are things that are not revealed to us for which we should be thankful. Have you ever thought about the possibility (really a fact, but we'll just work with "possibility" for now) that certain things have not yet been revealed to us as a human race, to you, to me, simply because we are not yet ready to understand them? Or how about because we are not capable of understanding them? You see, there was this Guy, and He had a way of teaching in parables...
"For this reason I speak to them in parables, because looking they do not see, and hearing they do not listen or understand."
Matthew 13:13
Hold on for this one, because it's gonna smart a little... we are not ready to understand it all, and that's why some things are not yet revealed. That's it.
"Behind every wonder I find a clue; beginning to believe that it's coming true. I look unto a new rose dawn debut, because with every breath You make me new. Before I turn it in tonight; thank You, God"
"For Life" by downhere
Friends, don't make the mistake of not being thankful for all the things in your life right now, both good and not so good. And never forget that God blesses us with all things (James 1:17), and He is always present with us. Don't become so used to the small beauties of perfect harmony and breezy afternoons in the park and refreshing rain that you fail to thank the Father for His provision.
Remember: Thank You, God, for life.
God bless you all!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJeq0E7JKW4
Sunday, November 20, 2011
The heartbreak...
I'm glad we covered that He is present with us at all times. But when we feel like we're alone for a moment, isn't it just the most gut-wrenching thing you've ever felt? And doesn't you heart just break in two? And in all the other hard times in life, don't you sometimes feel like giving thanks would be impossible? For a few days now, we've been discussing this theme, and it must come to this today, because we must remember to give thanks (1Thessalonians 5:18). In all things we must remember where to place our trust (Proverbs 3:5-6).
Tough times come, folks. There is no way to avoid that truth, and no amount of positive thinking that will erase the fact that we, as Christians, are called to suffer and serve. (Besides, our reward is not in this earthly life, anyway, right [2 Timothy 4:7-8]?) But, just as we must go from protesting to praising God, and we must acknowledge that He is with us, we must also give thanks in ALL THINGS! I challenged my high school small group to look into their course of life and see where God had caused a turn at times, and if in retrospect it seemed clearer than it did at the moment. Each one said that they were mad when "whatever it was" happened that changed the current circumstance of "whatever was happening," but in looking back on it, they are glad it happened the way it did.
Hang on, because this one is a toughie... God knows what He is doing... always (Romans 8:28).
We all tend to think, from time to time, that we know better. Here's another tough point... ready? We don't. I don't. You don't. We don't know better than God, and trusting in ourselves brings only ruin and pain (Proverbs 16:18). And that discipline of correction is a blessing, which is why we should give thanks for it (Hebrews 12:6).
And here's the real meat and potatoes of this, so pay close attention. God has to save a remnant, but you and I don't have to be a part of that remnant. That means that He didn't "have to" have the Spirit urge you to accept salvation and eternal forgiveness at all. And if He didn't "have to" one time, He certainly does not "have to" many times over until we finally get it. So if He shows us this love through correction and bringing us always closer and back on a path to Him each time, why would have any other response than to give thanks each time we experience a heartbreak? Because, if you think about it, I would bet that a vast majority of those hurts helped you to rely less on the world and yourself, and more on Him.
Imagine if it were just handed to us... would that be the same? We have to learn and grow and change and adjust and re-adjust and re-adjust again and again! And again! Otherwise, what would be the point? If we never learned through our experiences, both good and bad, how to rely more and more and more on the Father, what good could we ever accomplish in His service for the Kingdom? The question is, what are you relying on now?
God bless you all!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Abghc_WYBN8
"I will not be shaken by the troubles up ahead. I'd rather trust Your goodness instead. Thank You for the heartbreak."
"For the Heartbreak" by downhere
Tough times come, folks. There is no way to avoid that truth, and no amount of positive thinking that will erase the fact that we, as Christians, are called to suffer and serve. (Besides, our reward is not in this earthly life, anyway, right [2 Timothy 4:7-8]?) But, just as we must go from protesting to praising God, and we must acknowledge that He is with us, we must also give thanks in ALL THINGS! I challenged my high school small group to look into their course of life and see where God had caused a turn at times, and if in retrospect it seemed clearer than it did at the moment. Each one said that they were mad when "whatever it was" happened that changed the current circumstance of "whatever was happening," but in looking back on it, they are glad it happened the way it did.
Hang on, because this one is a toughie... God knows what He is doing... always (Romans 8:28).
"I won't trust my senses over anything You say. It's harder, but it's better this way. Thank You for the heartbreak."
"For the Heartbreak" by downhere
We all tend to think, from time to time, that we know better. Here's another tough point... ready? We don't. I don't. You don't. We don't know better than God, and trusting in ourselves brings only ruin and pain (Proverbs 16:18). And that discipline of correction is a blessing, which is why we should give thanks for it (Hebrews 12:6).
And here's the real meat and potatoes of this, so pay close attention. God has to save a remnant, but you and I don't have to be a part of that remnant. That means that He didn't "have to" have the Spirit urge you to accept salvation and eternal forgiveness at all. And if He didn't "have to" one time, He certainly does not "have to" many times over until we finally get it. So if He shows us this love through correction and bringing us always closer and back on a path to Him each time, why would have any other response than to give thanks each time we experience a heartbreak? Because, if you think about it, I would bet that a vast majority of those hurts helped you to rely less on the world and yourself, and more on Him.
"What if the road to the goal were the easiest road... and I never learned what I know?"
"For the Heartbreak" by downhere
Imagine if it were just handed to us... would that be the same? We have to learn and grow and change and adjust and re-adjust and re-adjust again and again! And again! Otherwise, what would be the point? If we never learned through our experiences, both good and bad, how to rely more and more and more on the Father, what good could we ever accomplish in His service for the Kingdom? The question is, what are you relying on now?
Remember: Thank You for the heartbreak.
God bless you all!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Abghc_WYBN8
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Not alone...
I have been edging toward this particular truth for a few days now, and it is time we see the reality that we can joyously hold to. It is time that we collectively open our minds to an amazing fact that somehow manages to escape us from time to time. It is time to recognize and admit that we are never, ever alone... never (Hebrews 13:5).
One thing that we must learn to avoid is the statement that "God wasn't there," or "God left us." As pointed out yesterday, He doesn't leave us. We leave Him. God's character is holy and perfect and pure, and if He says that He will never leave (Hebrews 13:5), then He cannot ever leave, because that would contradict His character. He is there, each and every time we fail, providing our way of escape (1 Corinthians 10:13). He is there, each and every time we feel alone and lost in the dark (Psalm 23:4). And He is here, with me as I type and with you as you read, right now. You cannot change His place any more than you can change His placement as Creator over the creature. He is always there.
A promise. Have you ever broken a promise? I have. In truth, I have broken many more than I would dare admit in this setting, and I have broken some of them many more times that I would care to admit in any setting. The truth is, all of us have. God, on the other hand, has not. Think on that for a moment... He has never broken a promise He made. Never. He flooded the earth, and the promised He would never do it again (Genesis 9:11). He promised that there would always be a faithful remnant alive to carry on His Word (Ezekiel 6:8-9). To date, there has only been one flood, and there are still God-fearing people alive... promises kept. So why would anyone doubt His presence?
See, the issue we often face is one of self-decision. We learn something, and all of a sudden think that we can do {insert task} all on our own with no assistance from any being in the universe, and that we no longer need to pray over it either, because we're just that good. That. Is. Wrong. Prayer is more powerful than anything, yet it is almost always the first thing sacrificed as we begin to reach into our own being, into our own strength for success. And what happens? Failure. And the failure comes because the missing piece to the puzzle is not in ourselves or in other people... it is in God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit.
He will never leave us. Never, ever, ever. And when we are in the middle of going from protest to praise, He is right there. He brings us through it, bettering and refining us every step of the way. The question is, are you aware of Him near you now?
God bless you all!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81sK9NiZktg&feature=relmfu
"There's no easy answer, but one thing you should know; you're not alone."
"You're Not Alone" by downhere
One thing that we must learn to avoid is the statement that "God wasn't there," or "God left us." As pointed out yesterday, He doesn't leave us. We leave Him. God's character is holy and perfect and pure, and if He says that He will never leave (Hebrews 13:5), then He cannot ever leave, because that would contradict His character. He is there, each and every time we fail, providing our way of escape (1 Corinthians 10:13). He is there, each and every time we feel alone and lost in the dark (Psalm 23:4). And He is here, with me as I type and with you as you read, right now. You cannot change His place any more than you can change His placement as Creator over the creature. He is always there.
"A promise you can always hold: you're not alone."
"You're Not Alone" by downhere
A promise. Have you ever broken a promise? I have. In truth, I have broken many more than I would dare admit in this setting, and I have broken some of them many more times that I would care to admit in any setting. The truth is, all of us have. God, on the other hand, has not. Think on that for a moment... He has never broken a promise He made. Never. He flooded the earth, and the promised He would never do it again (Genesis 9:11). He promised that there would always be a faithful remnant alive to carry on His Word (Ezekiel 6:8-9). To date, there has only been one flood, and there are still God-fearing people alive... promises kept. So why would anyone doubt His presence?
"Reach out, don't reach within. I'm at the door if you'll just let Me in. Reach out for what you need. What you won't find in yourself, you will find in Me."
"You're Not Alone" by downhere
See, the issue we often face is one of self-decision. We learn something, and all of a sudden think that we can do {insert task} all on our own with no assistance from any being in the universe, and that we no longer need to pray over it either, because we're just that good. That. Is. Wrong. Prayer is more powerful than anything, yet it is almost always the first thing sacrificed as we begin to reach into our own being, into our own strength for success. And what happens? Failure. And the failure comes because the missing piece to the puzzle is not in ourselves or in other people... it is in God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit.
"You're not alone, hear the voice whisper to your soul: 'I'll never leave or let you go.'"
"You're Not Alone" by downhere
He will never leave us. Never, ever, ever. And when we are in the middle of going from protest to praise, He is right there. He brings us through it, bettering and refining us every step of the way. The question is, are you aware of Him near you now?
Remember: You're not alone.
God bless you all!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81sK9NiZktg&feature=relmfu
Friday, November 18, 2011
From this to that...
Before starting this, I want to be clear on the point that God never leaves us. He is always there... it is us who walk away, turn our backs, ignore, avoid, etc. It is not He that creates the divide. Know that first.
There are times when we suddenly feel very alone. These times are moments that usually arrive due to consequence from something, and we are left to really think about whatever it was we did to deserve this feeling, and really be introspective about it. If you have a conscience, these times hurt a little when they arrive, and it seems as though you are really alone. But wait...
We plan and prepare and study and try to do right and righteous things, and we are aware that less-than-positive circumstances will occur in life (because every day certainly is NOT a Friday), but the ones we are ready for seem to be the ones that don't happen. Then, when we prepare for different ones entirely, the first set that we are now not prepared for finally arrives. And then this happens to each and every person on this planet...
We begin to wrestle with whether or not we are following the right path, because our minds start to wander. Human justifications and explanations begin to seep in, and doubt arises. Then, in a wondrous moment, our faith comes alive and reminds us of a powerful and unavoidable truth: we were not made to understand, but to worship! Therefore, we cry to the Lord in protest of ourselves (introspectively and collectively), and we keep screaming until that protest becomes praise (Habakkuk... all of it). We place our confidence in God, for both our trials and our triumphs.
And then it comes again, because life happens. And all of a sudden, that chasm is great and vast and scary and dark, and we have focused so heavily on other things that through the haze we barely see the Lord across the great division that WE CREATED. But, Christian sibling, I want you to picture what happens when we realize this and cry to the Lord with honest hearts. Into that chasm descends a Man, placing one hand on one cliff and the other hand on the opposite cliff, creating a bridge between us and the Father. This Man, arms outstretched, allowing us to approach the Father through Himself (John 14:6), is fixed in this moment in the position and shape of a cross that bridges the gap between the awful and sinful and wretched beings we are (each and every one of us, without exception [Romans 3:10]) and the perfect and holy and pure God and Creator of us and everything we see. Sound familiar?
We are on a path, friends... and it is the right path, whether you see that in this moment or not. I would encourage you, though, to seek Him first (Matthew 6:33), so that He can bring you from protest to praise in whatever circumstance you may be facing. And He will see it through (Philippians 1:6), you can count on it. The question is, will you cry out to Him?
God bless you all!!!
"I knew the times would come, and now the times have landed with stinging abrasion."
"From Protest to Praise" by downhere
There are times when we suddenly feel very alone. These times are moments that usually arrive due to consequence from something, and we are left to really think about whatever it was we did to deserve this feeling, and really be introspective about it. If you have a conscience, these times hurt a little when they arrive, and it seems as though you are really alone. But wait...
"As ready as I seem to be, it's never like I planned it."
"From Protest to Praise" by downhere
We plan and prepare and study and try to do right and righteous things, and we are aware that less-than-positive circumstances will occur in life (because every day certainly is NOT a Friday), but the ones we are ready for seem to be the ones that don't happen. Then, when we prepare for different ones entirely, the first set that we are now not prepared for finally arrives. And then this happens to each and every person on this planet...
"I'm wrestling my thoughts; I'm overcome. 'Would You give me up,' I'm asking, Lord? There's nowhere I sense Your presence here... so I will cry out until I go from protest to praise."
"From Protest to Praise" by downhere
We begin to wrestle with whether or not we are following the right path, because our minds start to wander. Human justifications and explanations begin to seep in, and doubt arises. Then, in a wondrous moment, our faith comes alive and reminds us of a powerful and unavoidable truth: we were not made to understand, but to worship! Therefore, we cry to the Lord in protest of ourselves (introspectively and collectively), and we keep screaming until that protest becomes praise (Habakkuk... all of it). We place our confidence in God, for both our trials and our triumphs.
"It seems like eternity has made a home between us."
"From Protest to Praise" by downhere
And then it comes again, because life happens. And all of a sudden, that chasm is great and vast and scary and dark, and we have focused so heavily on other things that through the haze we barely see the Lord across the great division that WE CREATED. But, Christian sibling, I want you to picture what happens when we realize this and cry to the Lord with honest hearts. Into that chasm descends a Man, placing one hand on one cliff and the other hand on the opposite cliff, creating a bridge between us and the Father. This Man, arms outstretched, allowing us to approach the Father through Himself (John 14:6), is fixed in this moment in the position and shape of a cross that bridges the gap between the awful and sinful and wretched beings we are (each and every one of us, without exception [Romans 3:10]) and the perfect and holy and pure God and Creator of us and everything we see. Sound familiar?
"You're changing me slow but surely, and You're gonna see me to the end."
"From Protest to Praise" by downhere
We are on a path, friends... and it is the right path, whether you see that in this moment or not. I would encourage you, though, to seek Him first (Matthew 6:33), so that He can bring you from protest to praise in whatever circumstance you may be facing. And He will see it through (Philippians 1:6), you can count on it. The question is, will you cry out to Him?
Remember: You're always amazing me!
God bless you all!!!
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Don't miss...
There are many things in life that we must face each day, and one of them is the difficulty to remain the same Christian person 100% of the time. Anyone I know will tell you that this is a struggle, and I can admit that it is difficult for me, as well. We have, sometimes, only one opportunity to share Christ with people that we meet...
I wrestle with the right responses that I know I should have, because the flesh usually wants to respond exactly opposite to the Spirit (Romans 7:15-24). It is certainly not the easy topic to tackle... especially when we think about how easily we allow our guard to slip while we are at home. We become relaxed and allow the mind to drift, and before we can catch ourselves, we've said something we shouldn't have to the most important people in our lives. Or, if not words, we have used a tone that should not have been present. Sometimes, this battle to maintain control is not an easy one to win, because the world will tell you that you don't need to have your guard up when you're at home with your family... but God will tell you that your family is where you should be on guard against the enemy at your fullest potential, because THAT is where the enemy will strike.
We have seen that He calms our storms, and that He is burdening us with the things that we know we should do, and that He is fashioning us into what we were meant to be... and we have seen that He bled and died for us, was tempted for us, stands on the precipice of difficulty with us, and empowers us to move forward by His grace. We know that He is the only thing worthy of the descriptor "awesome." And yet for all these things we know, we still fall short at times... well, at least, I do.
But more than that, what happens when we are successful in other areas? Do we still view those moments as trials? Can it be said of you that you consider how well you win to be just as important a test as how well you lose? For instance, if you are working toward a goal and you achieve it, is it you that won? Do you place glory upon yourself for being good enough? Or do you give glory to the Father? Granted, there are things at which we are all blessed to be successful, and we do well in them because God has given us those talents. There are also times when it is perfectly fine to celebrate victory and/or accomplishment. But in your heart of hearts, do you thank God for being with you?
Again, Christian, do not doubt that you are not alone. God is with you, and the difficulties you face are the same ones that all of us face (1 Corinthians 10:13). Our goal is to live a life that honors Christ (Colossians 3:5) in all things, whether good or bad, in joy and in sorrow. The question is, are you actively aiming at the bull's-eye?
God bless you all!!!
"Just don't miss now."
"Don't Miss Now" by downhere
I wrestle with the right responses that I know I should have, because the flesh usually wants to respond exactly opposite to the Spirit (Romans 7:15-24). It is certainly not the easy topic to tackle... especially when we think about how easily we allow our guard to slip while we are at home. We become relaxed and allow the mind to drift, and before we can catch ourselves, we've said something we shouldn't have to the most important people in our lives. Or, if not words, we have used a tone that should not have been present. Sometimes, this battle to maintain control is not an easy one to win, because the world will tell you that you don't need to have your guard up when you're at home with your family... but God will tell you that your family is where you should be on guard against the enemy at your fullest potential, because THAT is where the enemy will strike.
"You know the reward is rich if you persist through the darkest battles."
"Don't Miss Now" by downhere
We have seen that He calms our storms, and that He is burdening us with the things that we know we should do, and that He is fashioning us into what we were meant to be... and we have seen that He bled and died for us, was tempted for us, stands on the precipice of difficulty with us, and empowers us to move forward by His grace. We know that He is the only thing worthy of the descriptor "awesome." And yet for all these things we know, we still fall short at times... well, at least, I do.
But more than that, what happens when we are successful in other areas? Do we still view those moments as trials? Can it be said of you that you consider how well you win to be just as important a test as how well you lose? For instance, if you are working toward a goal and you achieve it, is it you that won? Do you place glory upon yourself for being good enough? Or do you give glory to the Father? Granted, there are things at which we are all blessed to be successful, and we do well in them because God has given us those talents. There are also times when it is perfectly fine to celebrate victory and/or accomplishment. But in your heart of hearts, do you thank God for being with you?
"All that you're working for can blind you to the treasures all around you. Don't miss these moments, please."
"Don't Miss Now" by downhere
Again, Christian, do not doubt that you are not alone. God is with you, and the difficulties you face are the same ones that all of us face (1 Corinthians 10:13). Our goal is to live a life that honors Christ (Colossians 3:5) in all things, whether good or bad, in joy and in sorrow. The question is, are you actively aiming at the bull's-eye?
Remember: Just don't miss now.
God bless you all!!!
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Making us...
Today, I would like to ask for you to indulge me for just a moment, and think back to a question from yesterday. When was the last time you tried to make yourself into something better? I have tried, Lord knows, and failed every single time. I fail because the storm that approaches in dispute of my efforts is too powerful for my arms and oars, and I am unable to steady my vessel. Or, because I am in my own strength and not God's in that moment, perhaps it is just that I don't persevere enough to see the task through, because the shore of my destination seems just out of reach of my ability. Either way, the truth remains that I am trying to do it on my own... and that won't work.
Those trials, as we discussed, are all a part of the fashioning of each one of us into what we were meant to be. Each and every difficulty, from the stubbed toe to the financial crisis to the life-threatening illness, is there to refine us and help us to share our testimony. Further, each trial we face and overcome gives credence to the grace that flows through us, because of Christ. Each one aids our testimony... no, it BUILDS our testimony, so that we can be a better witness to others. He meets us where we are, even and especially in times of great distress, and sometimes we just need a small glimpse of the potential we have through Him to overcome.
And then we catch that glimpse, but for some reason we manage to still turn our backs and grow haughty in our own "wisdom." Why? Put simply, it's because we are involved in the process. Flesh fails fantastically, friends! And then what happens? We remember that He is there, and we focus on the truth that He is building us into something (Philippians 2:12-13). We remember that He has a plan (Romans 8:28). We remember that He is faithful, and will see us through to the finish (Philippians 1:6).
It must be made clear, though, that this is not done by magic. God is not a street corner trickster. He is the Creator, Almighty God, Lord of all.
He spoke and we were. He spoke. That's not magic, friends. The same is true for the Word that has been cast for us and for our lives (Jeremiah 29:11). Nowhere in the Bible does it say that we will have an easy and pleasing and happy life on earth... those are man's inventions for how the "good life" looks. And that slight-of-hand explaining is what draws our attention from the Lord. Put your focus back where it should be (Hebrews 12:2), and know that He is making you and me both.
You, Christian, are a child of the Living God. You are facing whatever you are facing, and you have the power of Heaven backing you. Your Father is with you. I guarantee you, you are not alone in this trial or any other. I know this, because you and I are not just going to Heaven, but we are going in as co-heirs with the Son (Romans 8:17). The question is, will you acknowledge Him and let Him help?
God bless you all!!!
"Lord help me be the one You're making me."
"Making Me" by downhere
Those trials, as we discussed, are all a part of the fashioning of each one of us into what we were meant to be. Each and every difficulty, from the stubbed toe to the financial crisis to the life-threatening illness, is there to refine us and help us to share our testimony. Further, each trial we face and overcome gives credence to the grace that flows through us, because of Christ. Each one aids our testimony... no, it BUILDS our testimony, so that we can be a better witness to others. He meets us where we are, even and especially in times of great distress, and sometimes we just need a small glimpse of the potential we have through Him to overcome.
"Lord help me see the one You're making me."
"Making Me" by downhere
And then we catch that glimpse, but for some reason we manage to still turn our backs and grow haughty in our own "wisdom." Why? Put simply, it's because we are involved in the process. Flesh fails fantastically, friends! And then what happens? We remember that He is there, and we focus on the truth that He is building us into something (Philippians 2:12-13). We remember that He has a plan (Romans 8:28). We remember that He is faithful, and will see us through to the finish (Philippians 1:6).
It must be made clear, though, that this is not done by magic. God is not a street corner trickster. He is the Creator, Almighty God, Lord of all.
"By His eye a tendril fell; He cast a Word, but not a spell."
"Making Me" by downhere
He spoke and we were. He spoke. That's not magic, friends. The same is true for the Word that has been cast for us and for our lives (Jeremiah 29:11). Nowhere in the Bible does it say that we will have an easy and pleasing and happy life on earth... those are man's inventions for how the "good life" looks. And that slight-of-hand explaining is what draws our attention from the Lord. Put your focus back where it should be (Hebrews 12:2), and know that He is making you and me both.
"It's all tied up, it's all done; I was a cancer, but You have made me a son!"
"Making Me" by downhere
You, Christian, are a child of the Living God. You are facing whatever you are facing, and you have the power of Heaven backing you. Your Father is with you. I guarantee you, you are not alone in this trial or any other. I know this, because you and I are not just going to Heaven, but we are going in as co-heirs with the Son (Romans 8:17). The question is, will you acknowledge Him and let Him help?
Remember: Lord help me be the one You're making me.
God bless you all!!!
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
The calmer...
Do you know what is truly amazing about that moment when you realize you've been towed out beyond your own limits? Have you thought about what it means to be out in that open ocean, under God's power, with the burden of His truth on you? Isn't that awesome! And then, inevitably, something happens... a storm comes.
The odd thing about these storms is the way they look. One the one hand, we sail out into the ocean and are tossed and turned and fear being capsized by the sea itself. It is literal, external, powerful and frightening. This would be the storm of the world that rages against us (Matthew 10:22) as we stand for God's Word and His church (something my 8 year-old son will tell you is "a people, not a steeple"). This storm is viscious and violent and vibrant with motion. But it is not the worst one.
The other storm is the one that rages within us... the one that exists when the sinner inside begins to stir up trouble, or when we take our eyes off the Lord (Hebrews 12:2). This storm is more dangerous, because it is the nature inside us fighting the nurture blessed into us, and that old sin nature tells us we can't and we're not good enough. The sad part is, our nature is correct... but it is our nurture from Christ that makes us good enough and proves that we, indeed, CAN (Philippians 4:13)! We can overcome the storm inside us, but only... ONLY... through Christ's blessing and strength.
Think of the last storm you faced for a moment. Perhaps it was some time back, and perhaps it is recent and fresh in your memory. When you tried (and I know you tried) to overcome it on your own, were you successful? Were you able to navigate the choppy waters with your oars alone, working under your own power and strength? And when did you finally pray and ask the Father to stand for you, with you, around you, and move the vessel where it needed to be? When His power came over you, and the storm began to subside, did you recognize how unspeakably awesome He is (Matthew 8:23-27)?
It should be noted, to be fair, that all storms will not immediately be calmed. Some things in life we bring upon ourselves, and we must endure them. Some things are brought to us as a test of our character. But when a storm needs calming, it is God who does it. And I will say this as plainly as I possibly can: there is no substance, no person, no book, no movie, no philosophy, no science, no song, no NOTHING that can even hold a candle to the immense power of God, to the expansive love that He shows us. He is the answer... the ONLY answer.
Say a prayer of thanks today, as God is helping through all circumstances to make you and me into what we are supposed to be. Storms will come, and we know this... but instead of focusing on how big the storm is, how about we change our focus to how big God is?
God bless you all!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5gqZHifyQM
"Teach me Lord to have faith in what You're bringing me will change my life, and bring You glory."
"Calmer of the Storm" by downhere
The odd thing about these storms is the way they look. One the one hand, we sail out into the ocean and are tossed and turned and fear being capsized by the sea itself. It is literal, external, powerful and frightening. This would be the storm of the world that rages against us (Matthew 10:22) as we stand for God's Word and His church (something my 8 year-old son will tell you is "a people, not a steeple"). This storm is viscious and violent and vibrant with motion. But it is not the worst one.
"When I'm rolling in my bed, there's a storm in my head; I'm afraid of sinking in despair."
"Calmer of the Storm" by downhere
The other storm is the one that rages within us... the one that exists when the sinner inside begins to stir up trouble, or when we take our eyes off the Lord (Hebrews 12:2). This storm is more dangerous, because it is the nature inside us fighting the nurture blessed into us, and that old sin nature tells us we can't and we're not good enough. The sad part is, our nature is correct... but it is our nurture from Christ that makes us good enough and proves that we, indeed, CAN (Philippians 4:13)! We can overcome the storm inside us, but only... ONLY... through Christ's blessing and strength.
"There on the storm, I am learning to let go of the will that I so long to control. There may I be in Your arms eternally... I thank You, Lord, You are the calmer of the storm."
"Calmer of the Storm" by downhere
Think of the last storm you faced for a moment. Perhaps it was some time back, and perhaps it is recent and fresh in your memory. When you tried (and I know you tried) to overcome it on your own, were you successful? Were you able to navigate the choppy waters with your oars alone, working under your own power and strength? And when did you finally pray and ask the Father to stand for you, with you, around you, and move the vessel where it needed to be? When His power came over you, and the storm began to subside, did you recognize how unspeakably awesome He is (Matthew 8:23-27)?
"'Cause I'm a child of little faith. I feel the wind and forget Your grace. And You say, 'Peace, be still.'"
"Calmer of the Storm" by downhere
It should be noted, to be fair, that all storms will not immediately be calmed. Some things in life we bring upon ourselves, and we must endure them. Some things are brought to us as a test of our character. But when a storm needs calming, it is God who does it. And I will say this as plainly as I possibly can: there is no substance, no person, no book, no movie, no philosophy, no science, no song, no NOTHING that can even hold a candle to the immense power of God, to the expansive love that He shows us. He is the answer... the ONLY answer.
"There on the storm, teach me, God, to understand of Your will that I just cannot control. There may I see all Your love protecting me... I thank You, Lord, You are the calmer of the storm."
"Calmer of the Storm" by downhere
Say a prayer of thanks today, as God is helping through all circumstances to make you and me into what we are supposed to be. Storms will come, and we know this... but instead of focusing on how big the storm is, how about we change our focus to how big God is?
Remember: You are the calmer of the storm.
God bless you all!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5gqZHifyQM
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