I was thinking last night of the great value of attention... real focus... taking note of what is being said or done in detail. If we are been trained in some way we apply focus to what is being taught so that it can be learned and retained but that same focus has great value in our lives in many places.
"And all the people gathered as one man into the square before the Water Gate. And they told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses that the LORD had commanded Israel. So Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, both men and women and all who could understand what they heard, on the first day of the seventh month. And he read from it facing the square before the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women and those who could understand. And the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law." Nehemiah 8:1-3 ESV
For many this was the first time these people heard the Bible taught in this way. The had had principles and moral-isms no doubt taught to them by their parents but now they were going to hear from the scriptures directly.
"Then he said to them, 'Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.' So the Levites calmed all the people, saying, 'Be quiet, for this day is holy; do not be grieved.' And all the people went their way to eat and drink and to send portions and to make great rejoicing, because they had understood the words that were declared to them." Nehemiah 8:10-12 ESV
They cried and then laughed because of what they heard. Suddenly their lives made sense in a way it never had before. Eternal perspective... grace perspective... had made the day a holy day.
"And they found it written in the Law that the LORD had commanded by Moses that the people of Israel should dwell in booths during the feast of the seventh month, ... So the people went out and brought them and made booths for themselves, each on his roof, and in their courts and in the courts of the house of God, and in the square at the Water Gate and in the square at the Gate of Ephraim." Nehemiah 8:14, 16 ESV
God's word revealed many things to them and they began to live in the word and what it said. It lived in them and they lived in it. That attentiveness that they brought to the scriptures because of hunger and lack of familiarity was then able to be brought to other things and circumstances.
What if a husband decided to live in the book not 'do it' but live in it so it would live in him? What if He made a decision to love his wife as Christ loves the Church and then study his wife in detail? What would he learn in those times of observance and asking questions? It would change his marriage for the better wouldn't it? By studying her inside a principle he would learn how to apply that love in new ways. God would teach him.
What if parents studied each child while the grace of God and the Bible inhabited their thinking?
What kind of neighbor would this make us? What kind of friend would we be?
Is it possible we are trapped in crystallized structures and don't even realize it? I think it is. We build social rules devoid of grace and inattentive to truth all the time unless this process is active in our hearts.
It's easy to pass judgement on the person who parks so badly that it nullifies a spacing space next to them for use or the person who jumps into the elevator before you have time to get out. We can set our attention on rudeness, it is all around us, or we can have attention on redemption.
That is the heart of a missionary really... isn't it? To go to a place and be redemption's 'man on the ground.' To be the eyes, ears and hands of Jesus in a culture or situation. To liberally spread the seed of the Gospel each place they go... having eyes open to see where to spread it next.
We can practice God's presence. God is here. His book being opened on our lap and in our mind has made today a holy day. Eat the fat and drink the sweet wine of grace. Then we look to see who is without it and go send portions to them.
God... open our eyes today so that we see. Give us questions to ask and be answered that will illuminate our circumstances and relationships. Make our life a life of prayer, praise and holy inquiry. You have answers for questions we have not thought to ask. Today is a holy day... what happened before in low living need never be repeated. We walk on a upper highway of praise. Let our perspective change our actions. Cause our cup to overflow with grace and mercy so that it pours out on others.
You are attentive to us. God, Give us that same capacity.
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
It Is Not For Sale
"O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called 'knowledge,' for by professing it some have swerved from the faith. Grace be with you." 1 Timothy 6:20-21 ESV
I taught a class last night and when preparing to approach an academic theological subject you need to have 'all your ducks in a row.' The class was slated to be just shy of two hours long so we covered a fair amount of material in that time. I prayed it wouldn't be just knowledge and yet at the same time it was an academic setting. It was a faith adventure for me.
It made me think of this charge. We are guardians of truth and investment not peddlers of knowledge.
"Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates." Deuteronomy 6:4-9 ESV
Lucifer had a self knowledge that brought him low.
"You were an anointed guardian cherub. I placed you; you were on the holy mountain of God; in the midst of the stones of fire you walked. You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created, till unrighteousness was found in you. In the abundance of your trade you were filled with violence in your midst, and you sinned; so I cast you as a profane thing from the mountain of God, and I destroyed you, O guardian cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire. Your heart was proud because of your beauty; you corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor. I cast you to the ground; I exposed you before kings, to feast their eyes on you. By the multitude of your iniquities, in the unrighteousness of your trade you profaned your sanctuaries" Ezekiel 28:14-18a ESV
Looking into the heart of darkness we see a salesman. He sold Himself a lie dazzled by beauty given to him but claimed as his own. He was able to draw away 'a third of the stars of Heaven' with his tail (see Rev 12:4) dooming them to share his fate.
The truth is given not sold. It is a guardianship. The Gospel of Grace is a pearl of great price.
"Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding." Proverbs 23:23 KJV
"For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ" Titus 2:11-13 NKJV
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." Colossians 3:16-17 NKJV
Grace has become our teacher. Love is the lesson we learn. We are guardians of a gift that we give to others. The truth is never for sale.
I taught a class last night and when preparing to approach an academic theological subject you need to have 'all your ducks in a row.' The class was slated to be just shy of two hours long so we covered a fair amount of material in that time. I prayed it wouldn't be just knowledge and yet at the same time it was an academic setting. It was a faith adventure for me.
It made me think of this charge. We are guardians of truth and investment not peddlers of knowledge.
"Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates." Deuteronomy 6:4-9 ESV
Lucifer had a self knowledge that brought him low.
"You were an anointed guardian cherub. I placed you; you were on the holy mountain of God; in the midst of the stones of fire you walked. You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created, till unrighteousness was found in you. In the abundance of your trade you were filled with violence in your midst, and you sinned; so I cast you as a profane thing from the mountain of God, and I destroyed you, O guardian cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire. Your heart was proud because of your beauty; you corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor. I cast you to the ground; I exposed you before kings, to feast their eyes on you. By the multitude of your iniquities, in the unrighteousness of your trade you profaned your sanctuaries" Ezekiel 28:14-18a ESV
Looking into the heart of darkness we see a salesman. He sold Himself a lie dazzled by beauty given to him but claimed as his own. He was able to draw away 'a third of the stars of Heaven' with his tail (see Rev 12:4) dooming them to share his fate.
The truth is given not sold. It is a guardianship. The Gospel of Grace is a pearl of great price.
"Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding." Proverbs 23:23 KJV
"For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ" Titus 2:11-13 NKJV
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." Colossians 3:16-17 NKJV
Grace has become our teacher. Love is the lesson we learn. We are guardians of a gift that we give to others. The truth is never for sale.
Monday, October 7, 2013
Until We Meet Again
"I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread." Psalms 37:25 KJV
It takes time to see the scope of God's care.
There are many people we know and perhaps we are not deeply involved in their lives but over time we find ourselves running into them again and again sometimes it is a a span of years before the next encounter. That is how it is with some relationships. Life rarely goes as planned. Maybe you get a season or more than one to really know a person and form a relationship. Once formed the relationship is forever but time is like a river... It keeps on flowing and bringing us to different ports of call.
The thing that shocks me when I suddenly see a person after years and years and realize God has been with them all along and cared for them. It should not shock me I know... but it does. Maybe because our perception revolves around us and our five little senses. We live our lives in a ten foot radius. Everything outside of that is theoretical. Things and people that pass out of reach may never return... we don't know. It's good if we don't take for granted the seasons we have. They will end and another will begin soon enough.
"As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country." Proverbs 25:25 KJV
News from a far away place and good news that blankets a span of missing years is so welcome. It is a witness to us of God's faithfulness. God's work is so large and vast. It is sure and lasting.
Grace means so much. To understand it and embrace it.
"The LORD by wisdom founded the earth; By understanding He established the heavens; By His knowledge the depths were broken up, And clouds drop down the dew. My son, let them not depart from your eyes - Keep sound wisdom and discretion; So they will be life to your soul And grace to your neck. Then you will walk safely in your way, And your foot will not stumble. When you lie down, you will not be afraid; Yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet. Do not be afraid of sudden terror, Nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes; For the LORD will be your confidence, And will keep your foot from being caught." Proverbs 3:19-26 NKJV
Today I'll be praying for some friends who are far away. Some are far by distance and others are far by years.
I am confident that God will keep their feet from being caught and will hold them close to Himself.
It takes time to see the scope of God's care.
There are many people we know and perhaps we are not deeply involved in their lives but over time we find ourselves running into them again and again sometimes it is a a span of years before the next encounter. That is how it is with some relationships. Life rarely goes as planned. Maybe you get a season or more than one to really know a person and form a relationship. Once formed the relationship is forever but time is like a river... It keeps on flowing and bringing us to different ports of call.
The thing that shocks me when I suddenly see a person after years and years and realize God has been with them all along and cared for them. It should not shock me I know... but it does. Maybe because our perception revolves around us and our five little senses. We live our lives in a ten foot radius. Everything outside of that is theoretical. Things and people that pass out of reach may never return... we don't know. It's good if we don't take for granted the seasons we have. They will end and another will begin soon enough.
"As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country." Proverbs 25:25 KJV
News from a far away place and good news that blankets a span of missing years is so welcome. It is a witness to us of God's faithfulness. God's work is so large and vast. It is sure and lasting.
Grace means so much. To understand it and embrace it.
"The LORD by wisdom founded the earth; By understanding He established the heavens; By His knowledge the depths were broken up, And clouds drop down the dew. My son, let them not depart from your eyes - Keep sound wisdom and discretion; So they will be life to your soul And grace to your neck. Then you will walk safely in your way, And your foot will not stumble. When you lie down, you will not be afraid; Yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet. Do not be afraid of sudden terror, Nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes; For the LORD will be your confidence, And will keep your foot from being caught." Proverbs 3:19-26 NKJV
Today I'll be praying for some friends who are far away. Some are far by distance and others are far by years.
I am confident that God will keep their feet from being caught and will hold them close to Himself.
Friday, October 4, 2013
Fruit with Seed
'And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and Jonathan his son, and he said it should be taught to the people of Judah; behold, it is written in the Book of Jashar.
He said: 'Your glory, O Israel, is slain on your high places! How the mighty have fallen! Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Ashkelon, lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised exult. You mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew or rain upon you, nor fields of offerings! For there the shield of the mighty was defiled, the shield of Saul, not anointed with oil. From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan turned not back, and the sword of Saul returned not empty. Saul and Jonathan, beloved and lovely! In life and in death they were not divided; they were swifter than eagles; they were stronger than lions. You daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you luxuriously in scarlet, who put ornaments of gold on your apparel. How the mighty have fallen in the midst of the battle! Jonathan lies slain on your high places. I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan; very pleasant have you been to me; your love to me was extraordinary, surpassing the love of women. How the mighty have fallen, and the weapons of war perished!' " 2 Samuel 1:17-27 ESV
I've been reading several different portions today and they all minister to me in some way but this one just struck me and reverberated.
One of the concept we spoke about last night at coffee was reproduction. Something that has life reproduces that life. God made living things to be reproductive. This is true of a Church, of a person and of a message. The Gospel of Grace is a reproductive message. It is good seed.
"The earth brought forth vegetation, plants yielding seed according to their own kinds, and trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind. And God saw that it was good." Genesis 1:12 ESV
David's epitaph for Saul and Jonathan is a beautiful one. It is full of grace, honor and finished work perspective. He honors friend and enemy equally. It is God's anointing on Saul that mattered not Saul's actions toward David.
It is this little phrase that especially interests me in verse eighteen '... he said it should be taught to the people of Judah ...' because David's seed was making more seed. He had it in his mind to teach honor, grace and finished work perspective.
God's life is a life that multiplies.
Any number multiplied by zero returns a zero. This is called the 'zero element' or the 'zero property of multiplication'. If we magnify ourselves life what will we get?
David was not magnifying himself. He lived a life that magnified God. David's thought life was fertile soil for God's multiplication. God anointed David and David, unlike Saul, responded to grace and David had life that multiplied.
We are going to make decision after decision as we move through life. Those decisions can function as spiritual birth control. They may purposely hinder reproduction to preserve our self life.
We all want to grow but growth and fruitfulness are linked. Why would God continue to grow something that is not fruitful?
God help us. Show us the difference between what is reproductive and what is not. Help us to make decisions that give room for multiplication. Today will be an extremely productive day if we walk it with you.
He said: 'Your glory, O Israel, is slain on your high places! How the mighty have fallen! Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Ashkelon, lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised exult. You mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew or rain upon you, nor fields of offerings! For there the shield of the mighty was defiled, the shield of Saul, not anointed with oil. From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan turned not back, and the sword of Saul returned not empty. Saul and Jonathan, beloved and lovely! In life and in death they were not divided; they were swifter than eagles; they were stronger than lions. You daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you luxuriously in scarlet, who put ornaments of gold on your apparel. How the mighty have fallen in the midst of the battle! Jonathan lies slain on your high places. I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan; very pleasant have you been to me; your love to me was extraordinary, surpassing the love of women. How the mighty have fallen, and the weapons of war perished!' " 2 Samuel 1:17-27 ESV
I've been reading several different portions today and they all minister to me in some way but this one just struck me and reverberated.
One of the concept we spoke about last night at coffee was reproduction. Something that has life reproduces that life. God made living things to be reproductive. This is true of a Church, of a person and of a message. The Gospel of Grace is a reproductive message. It is good seed.
"The earth brought forth vegetation, plants yielding seed according to their own kinds, and trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind. And God saw that it was good." Genesis 1:12 ESV
David's epitaph for Saul and Jonathan is a beautiful one. It is full of grace, honor and finished work perspective. He honors friend and enemy equally. It is God's anointing on Saul that mattered not Saul's actions toward David.
It is this little phrase that especially interests me in verse eighteen '... he said it should be taught to the people of Judah ...' because David's seed was making more seed. He had it in his mind to teach honor, grace and finished work perspective.
God's life is a life that multiplies.
Any number multiplied by zero returns a zero. This is called the 'zero element' or the 'zero property of multiplication'. If we magnify ourselves life what will we get?
David was not magnifying himself. He lived a life that magnified God. David's thought life was fertile soil for God's multiplication. God anointed David and David, unlike Saul, responded to grace and David had life that multiplied.
We are going to make decision after decision as we move through life. Those decisions can function as spiritual birth control. They may purposely hinder reproduction to preserve our self life.
We all want to grow but growth and fruitfulness are linked. Why would God continue to grow something that is not fruitful?
God help us. Show us the difference between what is reproductive and what is not. Help us to make decisions that give room for multiplication. Today will be an extremely productive day if we walk it with you.
Thursday, October 3, 2013
The Cure For What Plagues You
"So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, 'If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.' They answered him, 'We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, 'You will become free'?' Jesus answered them, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." John 8:31-36 ESV
Fear, guilt and shame. Individuals deal with them and they rule cultures in varying combinations. We are very naturally attracted to people who seen immune to these motivators. They appear to be the 'alpha dogs' to our fallen animal nature.
Shamelessness is anathema to the religious man but it is very attractive to the natural one. Freedom from shame seems like paradise. So does freedom from guilt and fear.
"Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against his Anointed, saying, 'Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.' He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision. Then he will speak to them in his wrath, and terrify them in his fury, saying, 'As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill.' " Psalms 2:1-6 ESV
The King God has set on His right hand is the King of freedom. Perhaps God laughs because of the misplaced blame. Whole nations blame Him for their bondage and conspire to have Him removed from their schools and gatherings. They want to take knowledge away from their people thinking it will cure them from guilt and shame.
Empires and cultures have tried to do just this thing. They have come and gone but God remains forever.
God says to His Son...
" 'Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.' Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him." Psalms 2:8-12 ESV
"The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward." Psalms 19:9-11 KJV
Grace is a kiss. Be afraid not to live in it. Why... because of consequences? The consequences are not the guilt and shame the world projects. The clean awe of God is the beginning of wisdom. This love casts out all imitations. This fire will not burn us. It will only consume our bondage.
Once you kiss the Son He makes you free... really free. You become free of the guilt people impose on you. Free of the shame that makes you want to hide. Free of a life of avoidance.
That is what fear with torment does it makes people hide and do whatever is required to avoid pain.
"If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin." 1 John 1:6-7 ESV
People have turned this verse into some works program but read it. Who hides from the light? What child skulks in the shadows and takes a long way home. A child who is avoiding someone they are afraid of.
If we face God and kiss His Son then we will soon be convinced that fear of anything is needless and obsolete. What guilt? What shame? They do not exist when standing before God... only love, acceptance and memories of God's faithfulness.
Fear, guilt and shame. Individuals deal with them and they rule cultures in varying combinations. We are very naturally attracted to people who seen immune to these motivators. They appear to be the 'alpha dogs' to our fallen animal nature.
Shamelessness is anathema to the religious man but it is very attractive to the natural one. Freedom from shame seems like paradise. So does freedom from guilt and fear.
"Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against his Anointed, saying, 'Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.' He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision. Then he will speak to them in his wrath, and terrify them in his fury, saying, 'As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill.' " Psalms 2:1-6 ESV
The King God has set on His right hand is the King of freedom. Perhaps God laughs because of the misplaced blame. Whole nations blame Him for their bondage and conspire to have Him removed from their schools and gatherings. They want to take knowledge away from their people thinking it will cure them from guilt and shame.
Empires and cultures have tried to do just this thing. They have come and gone but God remains forever.
God says to His Son...
" 'Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.' Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him." Psalms 2:8-12 ESV
"The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward." Psalms 19:9-11 KJV
Grace is a kiss. Be afraid not to live in it. Why... because of consequences? The consequences are not the guilt and shame the world projects. The clean awe of God is the beginning of wisdom. This love casts out all imitations. This fire will not burn us. It will only consume our bondage.
Once you kiss the Son He makes you free... really free. You become free of the guilt people impose on you. Free of the shame that makes you want to hide. Free of a life of avoidance.
That is what fear with torment does it makes people hide and do whatever is required to avoid pain.
"If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin." 1 John 1:6-7 ESV
People have turned this verse into some works program but read it. Who hides from the light? What child skulks in the shadows and takes a long way home. A child who is avoiding someone they are afraid of.
If we face God and kiss His Son then we will soon be convinced that fear of anything is needless and obsolete. What guilt? What shame? They do not exist when standing before God... only love, acceptance and memories of God's faithfulness.
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
Falling Seven Times a Day
"Lie not in wait as a wicked man against the dwelling of the righteous; do no violence to his home; for the righteous falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked stumble in times of calamity." Proverbs 24:15-16 ESV
The number seven is significant. It means completeness. In Leviticus they did many things seven times including sprinkling the altar seven times to cleanse it and make it ready (see Leviticus 16:19.)
If someone someone fails seven times it means they are a perfect failure.
" 'Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, 'I repent,' you must forgive him.' The apostles said to the Lord, 'Increase our faith!' " Luke 17:3-5 ESV
If they 'sin against you' seven times a day they are a perfect nuisance and you would have to be a perfect Saint to put up with them. 'Increase our faith!' sounds like the right thing to say if someone is going to be that annoying.
No one wants to fail that much or have to forgive that much. No one wants to be knocked down again and again. We want to be the one who rises every time... that is a virtue. Tenacity... having the never give up attitude. We want the power to continue and triumph.
"Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable.
He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength.
Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:28-31 ESV
Power! Yeah that's what we want. Who wouldn't want it. Who wants these titles. The perfect failure? The perfect victim? The perfect forgiver??
The question is... will the winner wait on God. That's in there nestled in that verse. Will the young strong man who has never tasted failure wait? Will a taste of failure be enough?
"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" Romans 3:23 KJV
"As it is written: 'None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.' " Romans 3:10-12 ESV
These verses basically declare every person a 'Perfect Failure'. The question is have we come to terms with the fact. To a partial failure a gift is a nice bonus on top on what ever it is they earn by their own power. To a perfect one grace is life because it is all they can ever have. The perfect failure can learn to wait on God.
God gives a specific warning to people about messing with a righteous person. He basically says, 'You don't know who you are messing with. That person may look like target but they know how to wait on Me.'
I am going to start my day out as a complete failure. I reckon it is true in my mind now before my day really starts. Then I am going to wait on God and ask Him to fill me with His Spirit. Failure isn't going to make me subjective if it is perfect failure. Partial failure will cause me to be introspective but not perfect failure. Why look inside for improvement if my failure is complete?
From zero something truly amazing can happen. God does the lifting and God does gives strength that renews and renews. Winning is not the issue any more. Christ has won and we are His conquered ones. It is ironic.
Let's face it... God has a good sense of humor.
Only 'Perfect Failures' can be 'Perfect Forgivers.' Only perfect failures want to be.
The number seven is significant. It means completeness. In Leviticus they did many things seven times including sprinkling the altar seven times to cleanse it and make it ready (see Leviticus 16:19.)
If someone someone fails seven times it means they are a perfect failure.
" 'Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, 'I repent,' you must forgive him.' The apostles said to the Lord, 'Increase our faith!' " Luke 17:3-5 ESV
If they 'sin against you' seven times a day they are a perfect nuisance and you would have to be a perfect Saint to put up with them. 'Increase our faith!' sounds like the right thing to say if someone is going to be that annoying.
No one wants to fail that much or have to forgive that much. No one wants to be knocked down again and again. We want to be the one who rises every time... that is a virtue. Tenacity... having the never give up attitude. We want the power to continue and triumph.
"Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable.
He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength.
Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:28-31 ESV
Power! Yeah that's what we want. Who wouldn't want it. Who wants these titles. The perfect failure? The perfect victim? The perfect forgiver??
The question is... will the winner wait on God. That's in there nestled in that verse. Will the young strong man who has never tasted failure wait? Will a taste of failure be enough?
"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" Romans 3:23 KJV
"As it is written: 'None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.' " Romans 3:10-12 ESV
These verses basically declare every person a 'Perfect Failure'. The question is have we come to terms with the fact. To a partial failure a gift is a nice bonus on top on what ever it is they earn by their own power. To a perfect one grace is life because it is all they can ever have. The perfect failure can learn to wait on God.
God gives a specific warning to people about messing with a righteous person. He basically says, 'You don't know who you are messing with. That person may look like target but they know how to wait on Me.'
I am going to start my day out as a complete failure. I reckon it is true in my mind now before my day really starts. Then I am going to wait on God and ask Him to fill me with His Spirit. Failure isn't going to make me subjective if it is perfect failure. Partial failure will cause me to be introspective but not perfect failure. Why look inside for improvement if my failure is complete?
From zero something truly amazing can happen. God does the lifting and God does gives strength that renews and renews. Winning is not the issue any more. Christ has won and we are His conquered ones. It is ironic.
Let's face it... God has a good sense of humor.
Only 'Perfect Failures' can be 'Perfect Forgivers.' Only perfect failures want to be.
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
Making the Trip Home
"How lovely is Your tabernacle, O LORD of hosts!" Psalms 84:1b NKJV
Reading Psalm 84 over and over again. What a Psalm. It is like proverb after proverb strung together. Truth wrapped in praise and longing.
"My soul longs, yes, even faints For the courts of the LORD; My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.
Even the sparrow has found a home, And the swallow a nest for herself, Where she may lay her young - Even Your altars, O LORD of hosts, My King and my God." Psalms 84:1-3 NKJV
God's house is our home. It is a miracle that there is a place at the table for everyone who comes. It is a place where they are safe to do the most important things in life like giving birth and raising a family
"Blessed are those who dwell in Your house; They will still be praising You. Selah
Blessed is the man whose strength is in You, Whose heart is set on pilgrimage.
As they pass through the Valley of Baca, They make it a spring; The rain also covers it with pools." Psalms 84:4-6 NKJV
Notice the three aspects of interpreting a proverb from (September 17, 2013)
> Synonymous Parallelism (Repetitious) - Repeating to reinforce a truth
> Antithetic Parallelism (Contrastive) - Just as one side or concept is true
> the other opposite concept is also true
> Synthetic Parallelism (Completive) - Expanding a truth with a new or
> reinforcing truth
The Selah is a trigger for this kind of contemplation and thought. These three concepts can be in our mind as we read and worship.
Blessed people who call the tabernacle their home are a thankful people. Those same people find strength in God (linked to living at the tabernacle) so their heart makes journeys to find God even when they are far away. They cry but their tears change the landscape. Their tears are mingled with tears from Heaven to become beautiful drinking places.
"They go from strength to strength; Each one appears before God in Zion.
O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer; Give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah" Psalms 84:7-8 NKJV
Each one is strengthened. Each one has an audience with God..
'Jacob's God' refers you back to Jacob's life... a liar... a wrestler... a man blessed in spite of himself... fruitful with many children... humble and having power to bless others in the end... If you heard his prayer God hear mine. If grace is the order of the day then I will make claims based on grace.
The Psalmist leverages grace. God must make room and God must hear him because it is the nature of His deity. God's track record demands it.
"O God, behold our shield, And look upon the face of Your anointed." Psalms 84:9 NKJV
Jesus is our shield. In a sense we blind God with the glory of His Son and sneak into His house, sit on His couch and raid His refrigerator as one of the family.
"For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God Than dwell in the tents of wickedness." Psalms 84:10 NKJV
Now we have an antithetic parallelism after many synonymous and synthetic ones (see above). The worship builds and builds in intimacy then breaks into a comparison. It reinforces truth to block against future temptation that is coming down the road. When the Psalmist is tempted or when he feels like Jacob he goes back in his mind to where he lives... God's house.
"For the LORD God is a sun and shield; The LORD will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold From those who walk uprightly.
O LORD of hosts, Blessed is the man who trusts in You!" Psalms 84:11-12 NKJV
Those who live in God's house are not there because of merit. They are guests of the Son and the Father is blinded by His Son's glory. All guests are honored guests. God's house has many mansions. Jesus left long ago to prepare a place for us. We have one now if we want it and make claim to it. Even if we stray it lies waiting for us. It will be beyond what we imagine when we see it with our own eyes.
I can read this Psalm as Jacob but my heart makes a pilgrimage and returns home as Israel. Yes... We worship You God.
"How lovely is Your tabernacle, O LORD of hosts!" Psalms 84:1b NKJV
Reading Psalm 84 over and over again. What a Psalm. It is like proverb after proverb strung together. Truth wrapped in praise and longing.
"My soul longs, yes, even faints For the courts of the LORD; My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.
Even the sparrow has found a home, And the swallow a nest for herself, Where she may lay her young - Even Your altars, O LORD of hosts, My King and my God." Psalms 84:1-3 NKJV
God's house is our home. It is a miracle that there is a place at the table for everyone who comes. It is a place where they are safe to do the most important things in life like giving birth and raising a family
"Blessed are those who dwell in Your house; They will still be praising You. Selah
Blessed is the man whose strength is in You, Whose heart is set on pilgrimage.
As they pass through the Valley of Baca, They make it a spring; The rain also covers it with pools." Psalms 84:4-6 NKJV
Notice the three aspects of interpreting a proverb from (September 17, 2013)
> Synonymous Parallelism (Repetitious) - Repeating to reinforce a truth
> Antithetic Parallelism (Contrastive) - Just as one side or concept is true
> the other opposite concept is also true
> Synthetic Parallelism (Completive) - Expanding a truth with a new or
> reinforcing truth
The Selah is a trigger for this kind of contemplation and thought. These three concepts can be in our mind as we read and worship.
Blessed people who call the tabernacle their home are a thankful people. Those same people find strength in God (linked to living at the tabernacle) so their heart makes journeys to find God even when they are far away. They cry but their tears change the landscape. Their tears are mingled with tears from Heaven to become beautiful drinking places.
"They go from strength to strength; Each one appears before God in Zion.
O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer; Give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah" Psalms 84:7-8 NKJV
Each one is strengthened. Each one has an audience with God..
'Jacob's God' refers you back to Jacob's life... a liar... a wrestler... a man blessed in spite of himself... fruitful with many children... humble and having power to bless others in the end... If you heard his prayer God hear mine. If grace is the order of the day then I will make claims based on grace.
The Psalmist leverages grace. God must make room and God must hear him because it is the nature of His deity. God's track record demands it.
"O God, behold our shield, And look upon the face of Your anointed." Psalms 84:9 NKJV
Jesus is our shield. In a sense we blind God with the glory of His Son and sneak into His house, sit on His couch and raid His refrigerator as one of the family.
"For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God Than dwell in the tents of wickedness." Psalms 84:10 NKJV
Now we have an antithetic parallelism after many synonymous and synthetic ones (see above). The worship builds and builds in intimacy then breaks into a comparison. It reinforces truth to block against future temptation that is coming down the road. When the Psalmist is tempted or when he feels like Jacob he goes back in his mind to where he lives... God's house.
"For the LORD God is a sun and shield; The LORD will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold From those who walk uprightly.
O LORD of hosts, Blessed is the man who trusts in You!" Psalms 84:11-12 NKJV
Those who live in God's house are not there because of merit. They are guests of the Son and the Father is blinded by His Son's glory. All guests are honored guests. God's house has many mansions. Jesus left long ago to prepare a place for us. We have one now if we want it and make claim to it. Even if we stray it lies waiting for us. It will be beyond what we imagine when we see it with our own eyes.
I can read this Psalm as Jacob but my heart makes a pilgrimage and returns home as Israel. Yes... We worship You God.
"How lovely is Your tabernacle, O LORD of hosts!" Psalms 84:1b NKJV
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