Today I'm going to talk about elevators. There is much about their workings that speaks to me and invites scriptural correlations.
The simplest situation with an elevator is to have one elevator with two floors. If you push the button the elevator either opens or it is sitting on the other floor and comes to you and opens.
If you have more floors and more people pushing buttons inside the elevator and outside on floors calling the elevator it gets more complex.
It has several parts:
- The elevator continues to traveling in the same direction while there are remaining requests in that same direction.
- If a either the 'up' or 'down' button is pushed the elevator will stop and open if it is going in the same direction of it's destination.
- If there are no further requests in that direction, it stops and become idle and can be 'called' to move from a button pressed on one of the floors or 'sent' by a button pressed inside the elevator.
If there are multiple elevators it gets much more complex and heuristic algorithms are needed. There are different ideas about prioritizing the requests from outside the elevators. Engineers use different algorithms to control the traffic. Some elevator banks are programmed differently than others. Individual elevators can be given different priorities.
Most of us travel on elevators all the time and we may wait and wonder why we are waiting. Some elevators show you what floor the elevator we are waiting for is on and some don't. I think one of the reasons they show you the floor the elevator is on is to lessen the wear on the call button. When people get impatient they keep hitting the button to make the elevator come faster... it doesn't of course. If people see where the elevator is they lay off the call button.
I got a lot of seed thoughts from these concepts but mostly it made me think about prayer. Some prayers are short and sweet. We pray and it is answered in moments or days. Others have so many factors we can't know or see. People, events and important interactions are happening on so many levels.
Someone needs to hit the button or the elevator won't come. Maybe the guy standing there has already hit the button. There could be 10 people crammed into that elevator going to every floor and when the door does open it might not be going in my direction... etc... etc...
"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened." - Matthew 7:7-8 ESV
Religion tells us we must always press the button or even climb the stairs if we are ever going to get anywhere. God does ask us to pray and says...
"You do not have, because you do not ask." - James 4:2b ESV
But in truth God is doing things behind the scenes and many times God does not show us what floor the elevator we are waiting is on. Nor do we know what direction it is going to go in once we get on. We press buttons by faith and get in by faith trusting God.
"Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." - Romans 8:26-28 ESV
God in His sovereignty is pushing buttons behind the scenes. He knows and allows things to happen in a certain way. He is not just sovereign in a few areas. He is sovereign in every area all the time. There are just many people moving in many directions.
I am determined to be a person that pushes the button by faith and pushes the button by faith for others.
---
Showing posts with label Will. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Will. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
Monday, November 10, 2014
The Flow Of Our Soul In Newness
"And he who was seated on the throne said, 'Behold, I am making all things new.' Also he said, 'Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.' And he said to me, 'It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment.' " - Revelation 21:5-6 ESV
All things new... Really? Yes, All things.
God knows we are used to paying for what we want or need but in this new economy the water of life is free.
Newness. Not tired oldness. Not what we are used to. Our old methods won't work when all things are new.
Our soul is an intermingling of mind, emotions, will, conscience and consciousness of self. We could say that as our personality becomes fixed the arrangement of our soul becomes fixed as well. Fixed like the path of a river becomes fixed... fluid but moving in certain lines or ruts. Some people make primarily emotional decisions or intellectual ones or conscience based decisions. But, In freedom our soul's configuration changes. Our living spirit receives from God and we become healthy people. The water of the Word washes our soul. The Word is built up as line upon structures providing a new framework for our soul to operate in. Our will once ironclad or willy nilly now changes from a yes-no response to a yes-amen response when presented with decisions that are made in God's eternal value system.
"Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me." - Philippians 4:11-13 ESV
Paul's soul had become flexible within a new framework. The framework of grace made him rich even when he was poor and poor when he was rich. The water of life was free and Paul's attention was captured by Christ as situations came and went. His will rose to the top and he made decisions in spite of how he felt or what he thought. Paul had a supply from above and a purpose to function in that made him a thankful man who prayed through situations and saw God answer in redemptive ways. God didn't free him from jail but people in the house of Rome were saved one by one and books of the Bible were written there.
God did free Peter from jail (see Acts 12:5f) answering the prayers of believers praying in faith but He didn't free Paul that way. Both men were free inside. Both men had souls that functioned differently than they did before because of a growing awareness of newness.
As believers we are new creatures that inhale and exhale newness. The old things no longer work.
God, Renew our minds. Reconfigure our souls by showing us Christ today in a fresh way. Make us ambassadors of newness in the situations we face with creative methods that come from a perspective of freedom. We trust you for this. It is not by our power but by Your power. Your will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven in our lives today.
--
All things new... Really? Yes, All things.
God knows we are used to paying for what we want or need but in this new economy the water of life is free.
Newness. Not tired oldness. Not what we are used to. Our old methods won't work when all things are new.
Our soul is an intermingling of mind, emotions, will, conscience and consciousness of self. We could say that as our personality becomes fixed the arrangement of our soul becomes fixed as well. Fixed like the path of a river becomes fixed... fluid but moving in certain lines or ruts. Some people make primarily emotional decisions or intellectual ones or conscience based decisions. But, In freedom our soul's configuration changes. Our living spirit receives from God and we become healthy people. The water of the Word washes our soul. The Word is built up as line upon structures providing a new framework for our soul to operate in. Our will once ironclad or willy nilly now changes from a yes-no response to a yes-amen response when presented with decisions that are made in God's eternal value system.
"Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me." - Philippians 4:11-13 ESV
Paul's soul had become flexible within a new framework. The framework of grace made him rich even when he was poor and poor when he was rich. The water of life was free and Paul's attention was captured by Christ as situations came and went. His will rose to the top and he made decisions in spite of how he felt or what he thought. Paul had a supply from above and a purpose to function in that made him a thankful man who prayed through situations and saw God answer in redemptive ways. God didn't free him from jail but people in the house of Rome were saved one by one and books of the Bible were written there.
God did free Peter from jail (see Acts 12:5f) answering the prayers of believers praying in faith but He didn't free Paul that way. Both men were free inside. Both men had souls that functioned differently than they did before because of a growing awareness of newness.
As believers we are new creatures that inhale and exhale newness. The old things no longer work.
God, Renew our minds. Reconfigure our souls by showing us Christ today in a fresh way. Make us ambassadors of newness in the situations we face with creative methods that come from a perspective of freedom. We trust you for this. It is not by our power but by Your power. Your will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven in our lives today.
--
Friday, October 3, 2014
Autonomy In The Vision
Studying and having many thoughts about control this morning. The kind that is in order and healthy and the kind that isn't and hurts people. The scriptures model for us autonomy that willingly subjects itself.
"For 'God has put all things in subjection under his feet.' But when it says, 'all things are put in subjection,' it is plain that he is excepted who put all things in subjection under him. When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be all in all." - 1 Corinthians 15:27-28 ESV
The fallen world was made subject but Jesus was not forced into subjection. He willing subjected Himself and will always put Himself under the authority of the Father.
The proverbs 31 woman is a wonderful picture of autonomy that submits itself.
" An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life. She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands. She is like the ships of the merchant; she brings her food from afar. She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and portions for her maidens. She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard. She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong. She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night. She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle. She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet. She makes bed coverings for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple. Her husband is known in the gates when he sits among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchant. Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 'Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.' Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates." - Proverbs 31:10-31 ESV
This person has control of her resources. She has autonomy and takes initiative in generosity.
The God of all grace is not micromanaging us. Perhaps we want that at times so we can say, 'God told me to do it.' and pass the buck of decision making. God owns us but we own our choices.
" 'All things are lawful,' but not all things are helpful. 'All things are lawful,' but not all things build up." - 1 Corinthians 10:23 ESV
This verse is so amazing. It gives us a framework for control that is healthy. The Proverbs 31 woman has a vision for her family and her business practices. It is vision to build up.
Jesus has a vision for the world. He is determined to redeem it and will redeem everything that is redeemable and put away everything else. God has given He autonomy and has progressively added authority to the One who deferred His authority. Jesus has a name above every name.
"Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint; but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom's instruction." - Proverbs 29:18 NIV
Not the translation I usually use but a good rendering of this verse in particular.
If there is a vacuum of revelation or revelation is refused people resort to unhealthy control that limits freedom in others. Manipulation to gain security. It goes so far as to undermine freedoms and discredit those who represent or promote them.
The redemptive vision is where we will find the right balance. The great commandment and the great commission. We use our will freely to manage our resources understanding that this life was not designed only for endless pleasure seeking but that we have a right to pursue happiness. God has declared desires. He is compassionate and that compassion constrains us in the midst of our freedom.
--
"For 'God has put all things in subjection under his feet.' But when it says, 'all things are put in subjection,' it is plain that he is excepted who put all things in subjection under him. When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be all in all." - 1 Corinthians 15:27-28 ESV
The fallen world was made subject but Jesus was not forced into subjection. He willing subjected Himself and will always put Himself under the authority of the Father.
The proverbs 31 woman is a wonderful picture of autonomy that submits itself.
" An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life. She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands. She is like the ships of the merchant; she brings her food from afar. She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and portions for her maidens. She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard. She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong. She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night. She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle. She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet. She makes bed coverings for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple. Her husband is known in the gates when he sits among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchant. Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 'Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.' Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates." - Proverbs 31:10-31 ESV
This person has control of her resources. She has autonomy and takes initiative in generosity.
The God of all grace is not micromanaging us. Perhaps we want that at times so we can say, 'God told me to do it.' and pass the buck of decision making. God owns us but we own our choices.
" 'All things are lawful,' but not all things are helpful. 'All things are lawful,' but not all things build up." - 1 Corinthians 10:23 ESV
This verse is so amazing. It gives us a framework for control that is healthy. The Proverbs 31 woman has a vision for her family and her business practices. It is vision to build up.
Jesus has a vision for the world. He is determined to redeem it and will redeem everything that is redeemable and put away everything else. God has given He autonomy and has progressively added authority to the One who deferred His authority. Jesus has a name above every name.
"Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint; but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom's instruction." - Proverbs 29:18 NIV
Not the translation I usually use but a good rendering of this verse in particular.
If there is a vacuum of revelation or revelation is refused people resort to unhealthy control that limits freedom in others. Manipulation to gain security. It goes so far as to undermine freedoms and discredit those who represent or promote them.
The redemptive vision is where we will find the right balance. The great commandment and the great commission. We use our will freely to manage our resources understanding that this life was not designed only for endless pleasure seeking but that we have a right to pursue happiness. God has declared desires. He is compassionate and that compassion constrains us in the midst of our freedom.
--
Thursday, October 2, 2014
Spendable Currency
Please, Be reconciled to God.
The word for 'reconciled' in the following verses is Katallasso (Strong's G2644) and it means to 'get change for a dollar' or exchange one currency for different currency of an equal value.
"All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For he says, 'In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.' Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. We put no obstacle in anyone's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way" - 2 Corinthians 5:18- 6:4a ESV
The value of our choices does not change. Four quarters still equals a dollar. The question is, 'Where can I spend my money?' The gas station won't break a hundred dollar bill and the vending machine only takes quarters.
Jesus took all our guilt and paid for all our choices past, present and future. Our life before was un-spendable currency. Minutes ticked by and we could redeem none of them. Jesus redeemed our life and changed it into something of immeasurable, but usable, value in God's economy.
Ministers of reconciliation make change for people and reveal ways to make choices that have real value because of eternal perspective. They tell people, 'You have undervalued your soul. You think it is worth little but it is worth so much. God sees you as extremely valuable. He sent His Son to die so that you could be won back. He loves you.'
When people receive the grace of God in vain they just have money that they can not spend. They are rich but starving because they can't spend what they have to get what they need.
If we know grace and learn to communicate grace to people we can 'commend ourselves in every way' as servants of God. Not because we are serving God. He does not need our service. He has made us to be friends, sons and daughters. We provide a service to people by giving them the good news that their life has great worth and that they can use their will in useful ways by believing God.
So, Be reconciled to God this morning. Just go to Him and ask. He will provide all that you need for the day. You will lack nothing.
The word for 'reconciled' in the following verses is Katallasso (Strong's G2644) and it means to 'get change for a dollar' or exchange one currency for different currency of an equal value.
"All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For he says, 'In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.' Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. We put no obstacle in anyone's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way" - 2 Corinthians 5:18- 6:4a ESV
The value of our choices does not change. Four quarters still equals a dollar. The question is, 'Where can I spend my money?' The gas station won't break a hundred dollar bill and the vending machine only takes quarters.
Jesus took all our guilt and paid for all our choices past, present and future. Our life before was un-spendable currency. Minutes ticked by and we could redeem none of them. Jesus redeemed our life and changed it into something of immeasurable, but usable, value in God's economy.
Ministers of reconciliation make change for people and reveal ways to make choices that have real value because of eternal perspective. They tell people, 'You have undervalued your soul. You think it is worth little but it is worth so much. God sees you as extremely valuable. He sent His Son to die so that you could be won back. He loves you.'
When people receive the grace of God in vain they just have money that they can not spend. They are rich but starving because they can't spend what they have to get what they need.
If we know grace and learn to communicate grace to people we can 'commend ourselves in every way' as servants of God. Not because we are serving God. He does not need our service. He has made us to be friends, sons and daughters. We provide a service to people by giving them the good news that their life has great worth and that they can use their will in useful ways by believing God.
So, Be reconciled to God this morning. Just go to Him and ask. He will provide all that you need for the day. You will lack nothing.
--
Friday, February 14, 2014
Where Do You Find Yourself?
"So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross." - Philippians 2:1-8 ESV
God was and is God. He didn't have ambitions to be God or downplay the fact that He was who He was. He didn't try to be anything more than what He was. He was the Great I Am. He still Is and forever will Be.
But, Every morning He woke up and found Himself to be a man. He made choices each day to walk by faith. There was an emptying of Himself and decisions were made. Jesus found Himself as a man but then took the form of something not craving to be something else. What He chose was in a sense the lowest position of an already low estate. The word is translated servant or bond-servant but it really means slave.
Jesus basically said, 'Look today I am a man again. If I am going to be a man than I will choose to be a slave of my master.'
Is that a satisfying life?
God the Father did not make Jesus into a slave. Some people wanted that for Him. They wanted to make Him into their slave.
"And immediately he got into the boat with his disciples and went to the district of Dalmanutha.
The Pharisees came and began to argue with him, seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him. And he sighed deeply in his spirit and said, 'Why does this generation seek a sign? Truly, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.'
And he left them, got into the boat again, and went to the other side." - Mark 8:10-13 ESV
Jesus would not be the slave of men. He knew who He was and chose to serve God as a slave in freedom not desiring to be something else. God is not a hard task master. Jesus knew He was born to be the Savior of the world and He daily embraced that reality.
"Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure." - Philippians 2:9-13 ESV
This morning we 'work out our salvation' just like Jesus did when He woke up. Jesus fulfilled the role of the servant. It is finished! Sin and all the rules and regulations that would be against us were nailed to the tree with Christ Himself. Now He gives us a daily gift if we will take it. His mindset.
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned." - Romans 12:2-3 ESV
"For he who was called in the Lord as a bondservant is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was free when called is a bondservant of Christ. You were bought with a price; do not become bondservants of men. So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God." - 1 Corinthians 7:22-24 ESV
We awake to find ourselves in one condition or another this morning. What will we choose? Will we dance on command like a dancing monkey because circumstances or powerful people tell us to dance? It doesn't have to be that way. We can look to the God of all grace and realize we belong to Him and He has made us free.
"But he said to him, 'A man once gave a great banquet and invited many. And at the time for the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, 'Come, for everything is now ready.' ... And the master said to the servant, 'Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled.' " - Luke 14:16-17, 23 ESV
God has made a banquet for people and He wants His house to be full of people so that there will be great rejoicing.
Since this morning I wake up and find myself in this place and at this time out I go into the world to live my life and invite people to come to the great banquet of the King.
--
God was and is God. He didn't have ambitions to be God or downplay the fact that He was who He was. He didn't try to be anything more than what He was. He was the Great I Am. He still Is and forever will Be.
But, Every morning He woke up and found Himself to be a man. He made choices each day to walk by faith. There was an emptying of Himself and decisions were made. Jesus found Himself as a man but then took the form of something not craving to be something else. What He chose was in a sense the lowest position of an already low estate. The word is translated servant or bond-servant but it really means slave.
Jesus basically said, 'Look today I am a man again. If I am going to be a man than I will choose to be a slave of my master.'
Is that a satisfying life?
God the Father did not make Jesus into a slave. Some people wanted that for Him. They wanted to make Him into their slave.
"And immediately he got into the boat with his disciples and went to the district of Dalmanutha.
The Pharisees came and began to argue with him, seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him. And he sighed deeply in his spirit and said, 'Why does this generation seek a sign? Truly, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.'
And he left them, got into the boat again, and went to the other side." - Mark 8:10-13 ESV
Jesus would not be the slave of men. He knew who He was and chose to serve God as a slave in freedom not desiring to be something else. God is not a hard task master. Jesus knew He was born to be the Savior of the world and He daily embraced that reality.
"Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure." - Philippians 2:9-13 ESV
This morning we 'work out our salvation' just like Jesus did when He woke up. Jesus fulfilled the role of the servant. It is finished! Sin and all the rules and regulations that would be against us were nailed to the tree with Christ Himself. Now He gives us a daily gift if we will take it. His mindset.
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned." - Romans 12:2-3 ESV
"For he who was called in the Lord as a bondservant is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was free when called is a bondservant of Christ. You were bought with a price; do not become bondservants of men. So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God." - 1 Corinthians 7:22-24 ESV
We awake to find ourselves in one condition or another this morning. What will we choose? Will we dance on command like a dancing monkey because circumstances or powerful people tell us to dance? It doesn't have to be that way. We can look to the God of all grace and realize we belong to Him and He has made us free.
"But he said to him, 'A man once gave a great banquet and invited many. And at the time for the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, 'Come, for everything is now ready.' ... And the master said to the servant, 'Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled.' " - Luke 14:16-17, 23 ESV
God has made a banquet for people and He wants His house to be full of people so that there will be great rejoicing.
Since this morning I wake up and find myself in this place and at this time out I go into the world to live my life and invite people to come to the great banquet of the King.
--
Thursday, January 16, 2014
Starting In Stillness
It is a quiet morning and I am quiet also. There are things to do and I do them but my mind is clear and still like an early morning lake is clear and still. I am at peace.
Yesterday was busy... the day before also. The coming weekend ahead has totally changed. My great friend's mother has gone home to be with the Lord and now I will make a smaller journey to a different city go be there to hold my friend's hand and say goodbye.
In my stillness I pray for my friend. I am still and confident in God's power... in God's love.
"Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" - Psalms 46:10 ESV
Yes.
"And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." - Joshua 24:15b ESV
There has been a change in venue... a grace adjustment has been made but the God I am oriented on is the God of all grace. The one who loves me without condition. The one who saved me completely by His power. The one who showed me the work of His Son and gave me a choice. In freedom He gently persuades me in things that I have little interest in and also things I have great desire for.
I am at peace. The God I am involved with is not the God of my ancestors circumstances nor is He the God of the Heathen land I live in now. He Is peace and I am at peace in Him.
Soon the day will be very full again. More changes... more work... more decisions to be made. The lake will ripple with activity but now here in the stillness I have made a choice. It is the same choice I made for the first time over 20 years ago.
Seeing the King... I rely on His strength... Seeing the cross I count on Christ's payment... His blood has purchased my pardon and blotted out my past... I take the cup of salvation and drink deep... The life I live now is His Life... any faith I possess is His faith... in freedom I choose to move forward.
--
Yesterday was busy... the day before also. The coming weekend ahead has totally changed. My great friend's mother has gone home to be with the Lord and now I will make a smaller journey to a different city go be there to hold my friend's hand and say goodbye.
In my stillness I pray for my friend. I am still and confident in God's power... in God's love.
"Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" - Psalms 46:10 ESV
Yes.
"And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." - Joshua 24:15b ESV
There has been a change in venue... a grace adjustment has been made but the God I am oriented on is the God of all grace. The one who loves me without condition. The one who saved me completely by His power. The one who showed me the work of His Son and gave me a choice. In freedom He gently persuades me in things that I have little interest in and also things I have great desire for.
I am at peace. The God I am involved with is not the God of my ancestors circumstances nor is He the God of the Heathen land I live in now. He Is peace and I am at peace in Him.
Soon the day will be very full again. More changes... more work... more decisions to be made. The lake will ripple with activity but now here in the stillness I have made a choice. It is the same choice I made for the first time over 20 years ago.
Seeing the King... I rely on His strength... Seeing the cross I count on Christ's payment... His blood has purchased my pardon and blotted out my past... I take the cup of salvation and drink deep... The life I live now is His Life... any faith I possess is His faith... in freedom I choose to move forward.
--
Monday, January 6, 2014
Initiated By Choice But Moved By Power
"Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." - Romans 6:4 KJV
"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." - Galatians 2:20 KJV
There is an action that happens by God's power... a transfer that occurs. By an act of will we enter into a process that was not initiated by us nor is it sustained by us. Like a person stepping into a flowing river we step into the stillness of Christ's death. It surrounds us and momentarily muffles our senses like diving into a pool or being lowered by strong arms into the water at baptism.
We willingly place ourselves into His death but that is just a starting point.
Early in the morning the Earth is still asleep. No sun has risen yet and few things are stirring. We can become silent like the world around us. We wait and pray like Jesus waited and prayed all night long with His Father. We enter in. It is a place we are welcome to come into. Grace has made this our place... our pool... our fountain... our death... our burial... our resurrection.
"But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires." - Romans 13:14 ESV
"But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you. So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God." - Romans 8:10-14 ESV
Later it will not be quiet. The world will be moving. There will be more decisions to be made but the dynamic is the same. Jesus was the same Jesus praying all night as He was walking, talking, healing and teaching. He moved as grace and truth personified. We move a trophies of grace personified. Putting on Christ we make choices in the flow of the river we have stepped into. God's power and life is the medium we move in and because of that we are led of God having wind in our sails.
This is not a work. It is a choice made possible by the Gospel of Grace. This is the narrow road that leads to life.
Jesus was dragged willingly into this process knowing that when He went to Jerusalem it would begin. He suffered in stillness and submission not resisting but walked bearing His cross in His Father's plan. Taken by the flow of it and aligning His will with each twist and turn. Then after the resurrection we see a man raised from death into life who moved with purpose towards ascension and session (sitting at the right hand of the Father). Jesus completed this work and ran this race.
Our entry point is Christ's death but once we enter in we are brought instantly to to Christ's session. He is alive and reigning now and we also are alive and reigning with Him.
"For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ." - Romans 5:17 KJV
One day the spiritual action we enter into by an act of reckoning will become a physical reality.
"And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also." - John 14:3 ESV
Until then we put on what we have been given by grace and the light of Heaven shines in and through our lives as broken but treasure filled earthen vessels.
At any moment we can return and enter in. We can quiet ourselves and be in the flow again. It is a choice away. The life that is produced inside will work on the outside in time. Faith will produce words that have power. Victorious life will make a difference in the world that only Heaven's history books will reveal in fullness.
--
"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." - Galatians 2:20 KJV
There is an action that happens by God's power... a transfer that occurs. By an act of will we enter into a process that was not initiated by us nor is it sustained by us. Like a person stepping into a flowing river we step into the stillness of Christ's death. It surrounds us and momentarily muffles our senses like diving into a pool or being lowered by strong arms into the water at baptism.
We willingly place ourselves into His death but that is just a starting point.
Early in the morning the Earth is still asleep. No sun has risen yet and few things are stirring. We can become silent like the world around us. We wait and pray like Jesus waited and prayed all night long with His Father. We enter in. It is a place we are welcome to come into. Grace has made this our place... our pool... our fountain... our death... our burial... our resurrection.
"But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires." - Romans 13:14 ESV
"But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you. So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God." - Romans 8:10-14 ESV
Later it will not be quiet. The world will be moving. There will be more decisions to be made but the dynamic is the same. Jesus was the same Jesus praying all night as He was walking, talking, healing and teaching. He moved as grace and truth personified. We move a trophies of grace personified. Putting on Christ we make choices in the flow of the river we have stepped into. God's power and life is the medium we move in and because of that we are led of God having wind in our sails.
This is not a work. It is a choice made possible by the Gospel of Grace. This is the narrow road that leads to life.
Jesus was dragged willingly into this process knowing that when He went to Jerusalem it would begin. He suffered in stillness and submission not resisting but walked bearing His cross in His Father's plan. Taken by the flow of it and aligning His will with each twist and turn. Then after the resurrection we see a man raised from death into life who moved with purpose towards ascension and session (sitting at the right hand of the Father). Jesus completed this work and ran this race.
Our entry point is Christ's death but once we enter in we are brought instantly to to Christ's session. He is alive and reigning now and we also are alive and reigning with Him.
"For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ." - Romans 5:17 KJV
One day the spiritual action we enter into by an act of reckoning will become a physical reality.
"And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also." - John 14:3 ESV
Until then we put on what we have been given by grace and the light of Heaven shines in and through our lives as broken but treasure filled earthen vessels.
At any moment we can return and enter in. We can quiet ourselves and be in the flow again. It is a choice away. The life that is produced inside will work on the outside in time. Faith will produce words that have power. Victorious life will make a difference in the world that only Heaven's history books will reveal in fullness.
--
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
The Will May Be the Last To Fall
God wins the will by winning the whole soul with a gift of grace. His persuasion is the persuasion of love not force.
At the same time His love is like an fierce army with banners.
"He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love." Song of Songs 2:4 KJV
The strength of God's love is a covering of comfort and defense. Like chariots of fire lining the hillside around us (2 Kings 6:17) He guards us.
His love is overwhelming to look at. A glimpse of Him either overcomes us and or else we flee into the night away from a force no one can escape from.
His persuasion is not sentimental or deceptive. It is like the sunrise that progressively illuminates a dark landscape.
Jesus is our scarlet thread that marks us as friends and not foes.
He wins us all at once and then bit by bit. He wins our mind. He sways our emotions. He changes our name and convinces us we are His and He is ours. He gives our guilty conscience rest and remolds it so it recognizes relationships and not rules. He wins our souls with a purchase but then from every side. Our will may be the last domino to fall or it may surrender early in the battle.
"By little and little I will drive them out from before thee, until thou be increased, and inherit the land." Exodus 23:30 KJV
"Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever. Light dawns in the darkness for the upright; he is gracious, merciful, and righteous." Psalms 112:3-4 ESV
If we fall He picks us up and wins us again. If we stray He finds us. When we are hurt He heals us. Again and again and again He will win us.
Let the enemies of love fear Him. He is gentle with His allies but an irresistible force for those that would oppose Him. There is no inch of territory He will not recover.
"The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him. But with an overflowing flood he will make a complete end of the adversaries, and will pursue his enemies into darkness." Nahum 1:7-8 ESV
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Thieves and Robbers
Jesus had a code of divine honor. His mind is the mind of the servant leader. It is not something that can be adopted by just anyone. Christ's mind uniquely belongs to Him.
" 'Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.' " John 10:1-5 ESV
"This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them." John 10:6 ESV
This whole concept was so foreign that Jesus needed to reiterate it again.
"So Jesus again said to them, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture." John 10:7-9
Jesus isn't just talking about the leadership of the day... He is talking about all the leadership in Israel throughout it's history. Anyone who had ever done well had pointed to the door and no one had done it perfectly.
Spirit must communicate with spirit.
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.' " John 10:10-18 ESV
This power structure relies on this honor code and vice versa.
"There was again a division among the Jews because of these words. Many of them said, 'He has a demon, and is insane; why listen to him?' Others said, 'These are not the words of one who is oppressed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?' " John 10:19-21 ESV
What made them angry? I think it is the same thing that makes us angry when people won't do what we want. We can want a power structure that promotes control and if we function that way we are thieves and robbers.
The anger that rises up in us when a car is blocking the road and making us late for our appointment is the same anger these people felt. The anger that would steal the will of another. Naturally we might be very willing to steal the will of our spouse, our children, our employer or even people in our Church. These are just little th thefts after all. Our motivation might even be moral. Our soul cleaves to the dust and reverts back to this method without the buoyancy of the Spirit.
Jesus exercised His will and never took that right from anyone else.
The power of the Shepherd is the power of a laid down life. There is no substitute for grace. This power structure opens eyes. It can not be duplicated. People can try... and they do try. There are plenty of books on servant-leadership. There is only one Christ. There is only one door. There is only one way.
"The mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles (nations) are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory." Colossians 1:26-27 ESV
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Freedom and Grace
"In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will" Eph 1:11
That little phrase 'the counsel of His own will' gives amazing insight into how God thinks and functions. God's energies are all focused by the various combined insights of what He desires to accomplish. His omnipotence is directed by His full knowledge with all the considerations of His omnipresence in space and time.
He is not capricious determining His actions because of emotional reasons. He does have strong emotional reactions to situations as evidenced in the Hebrew Scriptures again and again. He also isn't detached from circumstances. His will has a counsel. That means that grace is the perfect sum of all God has seen and how He has chosen to respond to relationships in the full context of holiness.
"And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace." John 1:16
The will and actions of the Son of God fully reflected the will and scope of knowledge of the infinite Father.
It gives a new meaning to the phrase "You can do anything you put your mind to." Much can be accomplished if the will is put in the correct order of how the soul should be 'arranged' but what may be accomplished won't have lasting benefit if the will of man functions in his own limited counsel.
"Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus" Phil 2:4-5
Those verses start out with a message of service versus self centeredness but then are magnified into communion and fellowship with Christ. If we are asking God in active fellowship with our Savior and an open Bible, leaning heavily on God's direction and definition in an attitude of prayer practicing God's prescience then we as individuals can have wills that are aligned with God's will. That in itself is amazing. Liberty is born right there. True freedom and purpose are found when we live in God's revealed will... in attitude... His attitude.
We are often looking for something to do but what God has in mind is much different. He wants us to be a certain way. When we are a living expression of grace and truth what we do in freedom will be an expression of Him. Our steps will be ordered in a holiness that only He can provide. Free people can do God's will because they are motivated by Love and guided by Truth.
That little phrase 'the counsel of His own will' gives amazing insight into how God thinks and functions. God's energies are all focused by the various combined insights of what He desires to accomplish. His omnipotence is directed by His full knowledge with all the considerations of His omnipresence in space and time.
He is not capricious determining His actions because of emotional reasons. He does have strong emotional reactions to situations as evidenced in the Hebrew Scriptures again and again. He also isn't detached from circumstances. His will has a counsel. That means that grace is the perfect sum of all God has seen and how He has chosen to respond to relationships in the full context of holiness.
"And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace." John 1:16
The will and actions of the Son of God fully reflected the will and scope of knowledge of the infinite Father.
It gives a new meaning to the phrase "You can do anything you put your mind to." Much can be accomplished if the will is put in the correct order of how the soul should be 'arranged' but what may be accomplished won't have lasting benefit if the will of man functions in his own limited counsel.
"Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus" Phil 2:4-5
Those verses start out with a message of service versus self centeredness but then are magnified into communion and fellowship with Christ. If we are asking God in active fellowship with our Savior and an open Bible, leaning heavily on God's direction and definition in an attitude of prayer practicing God's prescience then we as individuals can have wills that are aligned with God's will. That in itself is amazing. Liberty is born right there. True freedom and purpose are found when we live in God's revealed will... in attitude... His attitude.
We are often looking for something to do but what God has in mind is much different. He wants us to be a certain way. When we are a living expression of grace and truth what we do in freedom will be an expression of Him. Our steps will be ordered in a holiness that only He can provide. Free people can do God's will because they are motivated by Love and guided by Truth.
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