"Then he brought me back to the door of the temple, and behold, water was issuing from below the threshold of the temple toward the east (for the temple faced east). The water was flowing down from below the south end of the threshold of the temple, south of the altar. Then he brought me out by way of the north gate and led me around on the outside to the outer gate that faces toward the east; and behold, the water was trickling out on the south side. Going on eastward with a measuring line in his hand, the man measured a thousand cubits, and then led me through the water, and it was ankle-deep. Again he measured a thousand, and led me through the water, and it was knee-deep. Again he measured a thousand, and led me through the water, and it was waist-deep. Again he measured a thousand, and it was a river that I could not pass through, for the water had risen. It was deep enough to swim in, a river that could not be passed through. And he said to me, 'Son of man, have you seen this?' Then he led me back to the bank of the river." Ezekiel 47:1-6 ESV
This is a passage that has been speaking to me for days. It is such a picture of the exchanged life. God leads me out not so I can cross over but so my feet are no longer touching the bottom in self direction. Then He brings me back to the same side I started on but the river experience is in me. I was in the river but now the river is in me.
"As I went back, I saw on the bank of the river very many trees on the one side and on the other. And he said to me, 'This water flows toward the eastern region and goes down into the Arabah, and enters the sea; when the water flows into the sea, the water will become fresh. And wherever the river goes, every living creature that swarms will live, and there will be very many fish. For this water goes there, that the waters of the sea may become fresh; so everything will live where the river goes. Fishermen will stand beside the sea. From Engedi to Eneglaim it will be a place for the spreading of nets. Its fish will be of very many kinds, like the fish of the Great Sea. But its swamps and marshes will not become fresh; they are to be left for salt. And on the banks, on both sides of the river, there will grow all kinds of trees for food. Their leaves will not wither, nor their fruit fail, but they will bear fresh fruit every month, because the water for them flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for healing.' " - Ezekiel 47:7-12 ESV
My eyes are no longer fixed on reaching the other side. Instead they are fixed on God's flow into the world and the leaves that will heal the nations.
Friday, August 30, 2013
Faith Rest at Our Gates
"A glorious throne set on high from the beginning is the place of our sanctuary. O LORD, the hope of Israel, all who forsake you shall be put to shame; those who turn away from you shall be written in the earth, for they have forsaken the LORD, the fountain of living water. Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved, for you are my praise." Jeremiah 17:12-14 ESV
Jeremiah had forsaken a works program with God. He had learned something that was against the flow of The culture he was living in. That receiving grace is the only way that God is happy with and the only way to experience life with God.
"Thus said the LORD to me: 'Go and stand in the People's Gate, by which the kings of Judah enter and by which they go out, and in all the gates of Jerusalem, and say: 'Hear the word of the LORD, you kings of Judah, and all Judah, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, who enter by these gates. Thus says the LORD: Take care for the sake of your lives, and do not bear a burden on the Sabbath day or bring it in by the gates of Jerusalem. And do not carry a burden out of your houses on the Sabbath or do any work, but keep the Sabbath day holy, as I commanded your fathers. Yet they did not listen or incline their ear, but stiffened their neck, that they might not hear and receive instruction.' " Jeremiah 17:19-23 ESV
The Sabbath is a picture for us. The Sabbath was never given to the nations or gentiles. It was given to Israel to be a picture of faith rest. A day with no labor set aside where they could trust God without work.
"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:" 2 Timothy 3:16 KJV
Gates represent several things in the scripture. They are the place or commercial traffic. They are where public opinion is expressed. People are working when they pass there and wear their public working personas as they pass through. It is also the place where the world outside interfaces with the culture of what is inside.
The city can reflect an individual person. The gates are where the person meets the outside world.
This city would not enter into spiritual rest. Activity at it's gates was proof of this. There was no rest in God's provision.
" 'But if you listen to me, declares the LORD, and bring in no burden by the gates of this city on the Sabbath day, but keep the Sabbath day holy and do no work on it, then there shall enter by the gates of this city kings and princes who sit on the throne of David, riding in chariots and on horses, they and their officials, the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem. And this city shall be inhabited forever. And people shall come from the cities of Judah and the places around Jerusalem, from the land of Benjamin, from the Shephelah, from the hill country, and from the Negeb, bringing burnt offerings and sacrifices, grain offerings and frankincense, and bringing thank offerings to the house of the LORD. But if you do not listen to me, to keep the Sabbath day holy, and not to bear a burden and enter by the gates of Jerusalem on the Sabbath day, then I will kindle a fire in its gates, and it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem and shall not be quenched.' " Jeremiah 17:24-27 ESV
This is a good lesson for us. Receiving grace and living in faith rest is a protection for us. It is a place where the exchanged life can take place. Rest is the place where God works unhindered and we are quiet enough to hear Him and then follow His leading.
"Then the word of the LORD came to me: 'O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter has done? declares the LORD. Behold, like the clay in the potter's hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel. If at any time I declare concerning a nation or a kingdom, that I will pluck up and break down and destroy it, and if that nation, concerning which I have spoken, turns from its evil, I will relent of the disaster that I intended to do to it. And if at any time I declare concerning a nation or a kingdom that I will build and plant it, and if it does evil in my sight, not listening to my voice, then I will relent of the good that I had intended to do to it.' " Jeremiah 18:5-10 ESV
God deals differently with individuals then He does with nations. But the principles holds as true.
It is curious how Christ would not deny His royalty but deferred laying claim to His royalty previous to the cross. Christ distanced Himself from corporate, governmental and ideological affiliations. Evil was not paid for on the cross. Nor were ideologies that represent governmental authority. Christ refused to die as a representative of an Earthly government... even of Israel. He claims His Kingship later.
God will hold 'governments' accountable for policy. Specifically policies that affect His reputation and people. Evil is condemned as a kingdom and as a system.
The judgment of the nations (see Matthew 25, Joel 3, Isaiah 34) that will happen one day in the future will be a righting of many wrongs. Kings will shut their mouths at God's clear righteous verdicts regarding their actions.
Corporate decision making needs to be redemptive also but governments wield the sword of justice that protects the individual and if that judgment yields to compromise for less than Christ-like causes there will be a day of accountability for that nation and a withholding of blessing in history.
Christ's government when He establishes His kingdom on the Earth will be a perfectly just one. Just as governments and organizations should continue to strive for excellent in enforcing laws and policies that protect the individual now in this age.
God deals with systems differently then He deals with people. Personal sin is personal and individual with God. It is a problem between two people David understood this and said to God,
"Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest." Psalms 51:4 KJV
Because of Christ's payment on the cross God says to us,
"I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." Hebrews 13:5b KJV
The personal debt has been paid but we have the same decisions to make as individuals regarding our gates. Will faith rest and trust in God be our public policy or will we bear our burdens ourselves?
Jeremiah had forsaken a works program with God. He had learned something that was against the flow of The culture he was living in. That receiving grace is the only way that God is happy with and the only way to experience life with God.
"Thus said the LORD to me: 'Go and stand in the People's Gate, by which the kings of Judah enter and by which they go out, and in all the gates of Jerusalem, and say: 'Hear the word of the LORD, you kings of Judah, and all Judah, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, who enter by these gates. Thus says the LORD: Take care for the sake of your lives, and do not bear a burden on the Sabbath day or bring it in by the gates of Jerusalem. And do not carry a burden out of your houses on the Sabbath or do any work, but keep the Sabbath day holy, as I commanded your fathers. Yet they did not listen or incline their ear, but stiffened their neck, that they might not hear and receive instruction.' " Jeremiah 17:19-23 ESV
The Sabbath is a picture for us. The Sabbath was never given to the nations or gentiles. It was given to Israel to be a picture of faith rest. A day with no labor set aside where they could trust God without work.
"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:" 2 Timothy 3:16 KJV
Gates represent several things in the scripture. They are the place or commercial traffic. They are where public opinion is expressed. People are working when they pass there and wear their public working personas as they pass through. It is also the place where the world outside interfaces with the culture of what is inside.
The city can reflect an individual person. The gates are where the person meets the outside world.
This city would not enter into spiritual rest. Activity at it's gates was proof of this. There was no rest in God's provision.
" 'But if you listen to me, declares the LORD, and bring in no burden by the gates of this city on the Sabbath day, but keep the Sabbath day holy and do no work on it, then there shall enter by the gates of this city kings and princes who sit on the throne of David, riding in chariots and on horses, they and their officials, the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem. And this city shall be inhabited forever. And people shall come from the cities of Judah and the places around Jerusalem, from the land of Benjamin, from the Shephelah, from the hill country, and from the Negeb, bringing burnt offerings and sacrifices, grain offerings and frankincense, and bringing thank offerings to the house of the LORD. But if you do not listen to me, to keep the Sabbath day holy, and not to bear a burden and enter by the gates of Jerusalem on the Sabbath day, then I will kindle a fire in its gates, and it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem and shall not be quenched.' " Jeremiah 17:24-27 ESV
This is a good lesson for us. Receiving grace and living in faith rest is a protection for us. It is a place where the exchanged life can take place. Rest is the place where God works unhindered and we are quiet enough to hear Him and then follow His leading.
"Then the word of the LORD came to me: 'O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter has done? declares the LORD. Behold, like the clay in the potter's hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel. If at any time I declare concerning a nation or a kingdom, that I will pluck up and break down and destroy it, and if that nation, concerning which I have spoken, turns from its evil, I will relent of the disaster that I intended to do to it. And if at any time I declare concerning a nation or a kingdom that I will build and plant it, and if it does evil in my sight, not listening to my voice, then I will relent of the good that I had intended to do to it.' " Jeremiah 18:5-10 ESV
God deals differently with individuals then He does with nations. But the principles holds as true.
It is curious how Christ would not deny His royalty but deferred laying claim to His royalty previous to the cross. Christ distanced Himself from corporate, governmental and ideological affiliations. Evil was not paid for on the cross. Nor were ideologies that represent governmental authority. Christ refused to die as a representative of an Earthly government... even of Israel. He claims His Kingship later.
God will hold 'governments' accountable for policy. Specifically policies that affect His reputation and people. Evil is condemned as a kingdom and as a system.
The judgment of the nations (see Matthew 25, Joel 3, Isaiah 34) that will happen one day in the future will be a righting of many wrongs. Kings will shut their mouths at God's clear righteous verdicts regarding their actions.
Corporate decision making needs to be redemptive also but governments wield the sword of justice that protects the individual and if that judgment yields to compromise for less than Christ-like causes there will be a day of accountability for that nation and a withholding of blessing in history.
Christ's government when He establishes His kingdom on the Earth will be a perfectly just one. Just as governments and organizations should continue to strive for excellent in enforcing laws and policies that protect the individual now in this age.
God deals with systems differently then He deals with people. Personal sin is personal and individual with God. It is a problem between two people David understood this and said to God,
"Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest." Psalms 51:4 KJV
Because of Christ's payment on the cross God says to us,
"I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." Hebrews 13:5b KJV
The personal debt has been paid but we have the same decisions to make as individuals regarding our gates. Will faith rest and trust in God be our public policy or will we bear our burdens ourselves?
Thursday, August 29, 2013
Restrictions and More Restrictions
"If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations - 'Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch' (referring to things that all perish as they are used) - according to human precepts and teachings?" Colossians 2:20-22 ESV
Some see spirituality as a complex system of 'Don't's. They mix the ten commandments and other passages in the new testament together and have devised religious systems of protection from transgressions.
By limiting sinful interactions or actions they reason that God will somehow be pleased and people will be safer.
"These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh." Colossians 2:23 ESV
This verse says these restrictions have no value but only project an image or promote a perception. Wow, what a statement.
A large battlement is erected to stop invasion from the outside but meanwhile our biggest enemy is neglected. Ourselves.
Restrictions do not deal with the self life. In fact they can make the problem worse. Much worse. Self can hide in a system like that very easily.
"Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind, and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God." Colossians 2:18-19 ESV
Christ is our safe place. What He has done and what He is doing is where we grow and live and have our holiness. In Him is a great big 'Yes an Amen'. He has nailed the 'No's to the cross.
"My beloved has gone down to his garden to the beds of spices, to graze in the gardens and to gather lilies. I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine; he grazes among the lilies." Song of Songs 6:2-3 ESV
Now we believe... we listen, learn, pray and worship. We participate in a vision to reach people. We let God love us and then love one another. There are children to be raised who need God more than they can know. There are people who have been hurt living in ignorance and false systems who need healing. God has much to say to us and many place He wants us to see. There are memories to be made that are full or joy and laughter and tears.
"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." James 4:7 ESV
Yes, We resist things but the things we resist are things that steal our identity in Christ or hinder others from finding an identity in Him also. The word for devil there means the accuser. So we resist the great accuser and any thinking that has that same tone.
"...You are complete in Him..." Colossians 2:10b NKJV
A life of restrictions is just a mask to hide behind. The cross eliminates the old broken life. The great commandment to love and the great commission to go is where we live out the completed life.
Some see spirituality as a complex system of 'Don't's. They mix the ten commandments and other passages in the new testament together and have devised religious systems of protection from transgressions.
By limiting sinful interactions or actions they reason that God will somehow be pleased and people will be safer.
"These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh." Colossians 2:23 ESV
This verse says these restrictions have no value but only project an image or promote a perception. Wow, what a statement.
A large battlement is erected to stop invasion from the outside but meanwhile our biggest enemy is neglected. Ourselves.
Restrictions do not deal with the self life. In fact they can make the problem worse. Much worse. Self can hide in a system like that very easily.
"Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind, and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God." Colossians 2:18-19 ESV
Christ is our safe place. What He has done and what He is doing is where we grow and live and have our holiness. In Him is a great big 'Yes an Amen'. He has nailed the 'No's to the cross.
"My beloved has gone down to his garden to the beds of spices, to graze in the gardens and to gather lilies. I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine; he grazes among the lilies." Song of Songs 6:2-3 ESV
Now we believe... we listen, learn, pray and worship. We participate in a vision to reach people. We let God love us and then love one another. There are children to be raised who need God more than they can know. There are people who have been hurt living in ignorance and false systems who need healing. God has much to say to us and many place He wants us to see. There are memories to be made that are full or joy and laughter and tears.
"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." James 4:7 ESV
Yes, We resist things but the things we resist are things that steal our identity in Christ or hinder others from finding an identity in Him also. The word for devil there means the accuser. So we resist the great accuser and any thinking that has that same tone.
"...You are complete in Him..." Colossians 2:10b NKJV
A life of restrictions is just a mask to hide behind. The cross eliminates the old broken life. The great commandment to love and the great commission to go is where we live out the completed life.
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
Stop and Sing
" 'Sing, O barren one, who did not bear; break forth into singing and cry aloud, you who have not been in labor! For the children of the desolate one will be more than the children of her who is married,' says the LORD." Isaiah 54:1 ESV
We are all happy when things work in our lives. If we make plans and they come to pass on schedule... if we have an idea and that idea works and produces something great. We celebrate the new job or the married couple's wedding day. Babies being born are a great source of joy and celebration... birthdays and graduations... the new house that people saved and saved and found that is just in the right neighborhood. We want to celebrate these events and we should. These things mean a great deal to those involved and we are happy for them.
Grace is a cause for a different kind of celebration. It is fruitfulness without work or personal accomplishment. There is no labor or process involved. It is God who forever is and was giving what we could not produce.
Grace gives us relationships without production. As it says in the verse... God gives children without having to give birth.
I love worship. It is a place of complete freedom. It is never a celebration of something that has happened it a celebration of who God has revealed Himself to be. Our lips give acknowledgement of God's greatness and majesty and the barren and fertile alike can participate in that song on equal terms.
It is good at times to lay down in our minds the thoughts of what is happening and what is not and just worship.
Maybe things are not working well and our plans seem as barren as a women who wants children but can't seem to have them. Stop and reflect on the good news of the Gospel and sing. Stop and rejoice. God is still God and He has power to give us what we could never ourselves produce. His plan is going well. His work will accomplish what He wants it to accomplish.
"And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, 'Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.' " Revelation 19:6 KJV
We are all happy when things work in our lives. If we make plans and they come to pass on schedule... if we have an idea and that idea works and produces something great. We celebrate the new job or the married couple's wedding day. Babies being born are a great source of joy and celebration... birthdays and graduations... the new house that people saved and saved and found that is just in the right neighborhood. We want to celebrate these events and we should. These things mean a great deal to those involved and we are happy for them.
Grace is a cause for a different kind of celebration. It is fruitfulness without work or personal accomplishment. There is no labor or process involved. It is God who forever is and was giving what we could not produce.
Grace gives us relationships without production. As it says in the verse... God gives children without having to give birth.
I love worship. It is a place of complete freedom. It is never a celebration of something that has happened it a celebration of who God has revealed Himself to be. Our lips give acknowledgement of God's greatness and majesty and the barren and fertile alike can participate in that song on equal terms.
It is good at times to lay down in our minds the thoughts of what is happening and what is not and just worship.
Maybe things are not working well and our plans seem as barren as a women who wants children but can't seem to have them. Stop and reflect on the good news of the Gospel and sing. Stop and rejoice. God is still God and He has power to give us what we could never ourselves produce. His plan is going well. His work will accomplish what He wants it to accomplish.
"And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, 'Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.' " Revelation 19:6 KJV
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Our Means of Measurement
"Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth." Psalms 31:5 KJV
This is Christ on the Cross crying out from the Old Testament hundreds of years before the Cross. Crying out to the God of Truth.
He was an innocence man. The only one. The just dying for the unjust. But suffering unjustly because of His innocence. He appeals to the God of truth. He is not asking for justice. He is claiming past redemption in the present moment of hardship.
The weight of Christ's blood tips the scales of justice. It is so heavy nothing can match it. A God of truth must honor it as outweighing anything else. Jesus used this leverage to be raised from the dead. It was His legal loophole.
If you have ever played with a scale you know that if you put a huge weight on one side you can pile small things on the other and the scale will not even move. It is stuck.
The cross freezes the scale of justice in our favor. Once frozen for us it also can not be used to measure anything else either.
"All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any." 1 Corinthians 6:12 KJV
"All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not. Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth." 1 Corinthians 10:23-24 KJV
The God of truth who can not condemn Christ also now can not condemn anyone who comes under Christ's covering.
The power we are under is the power of Love under the umbrella of Christ and His life. It is not about right and wrong it is all about redemption. That is the measure we measure with in our minds. That is the measure Christ measured with on the cross.
This is Christ on the Cross crying out from the Old Testament hundreds of years before the Cross. Crying out to the God of Truth.
He was an innocence man. The only one. The just dying for the unjust. But suffering unjustly because of His innocence. He appeals to the God of truth. He is not asking for justice. He is claiming past redemption in the present moment of hardship.
The weight of Christ's blood tips the scales of justice. It is so heavy nothing can match it. A God of truth must honor it as outweighing anything else. Jesus used this leverage to be raised from the dead. It was His legal loophole.
If you have ever played with a scale you know that if you put a huge weight on one side you can pile small things on the other and the scale will not even move. It is stuck.
The cross freezes the scale of justice in our favor. Once frozen for us it also can not be used to measure anything else either.
"All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any." 1 Corinthians 6:12 KJV
"All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not. Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth." 1 Corinthians 10:23-24 KJV
The God of truth who can not condemn Christ also now can not condemn anyone who comes under Christ's covering.
The power we are under is the power of Love under the umbrella of Christ and His life. It is not about right and wrong it is all about redemption. That is the measure we measure with in our minds. That is the measure Christ measured with on the cross.
Monday, August 26, 2013
The Science of Suffering
In today's devotional in "Reaching Towards the Heights" Richard Wurmbrand uses the term 'Sufferology'. If you know anything about his life he certainly has an understanding of that subject matter.
For many people I think this is a subject they would rather avoid not something to be studied or systematically understood. Some time in the classroom benefits us for our time in the field and some practical application turns theory into something beneficial.
"Great is the LORD and greatly to be praised in the city of our God! His holy mountain, beautiful in elevation, is the joy of all the earth, Mount Zion, in the far north, the city of the great King. Within her citadels God has made himself known as a fortress." Psalms 48:1-3 ESV
Yes. God is beautiful in His elevation... even in this subject. There is a lowness that a sufferer can experience but God elevates the sufferer who suffers in Him.
"For affliction does not come from the dust, nor does trouble sprout from the ground, but man is born to trouble as the sparks fly upward. As for me, I would seek God, and to God would I commit my cause, who does great things and unsearchable, marvelous things without number" Job 5:6-9 ESV
Here is an interesting exchange God had with a man, Ananias, regarding Paul the Apostle:
"But Ananias answered, 'Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.' But the Lord said to him, 'Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.' " - Acts 9:13-16 ESV
Ananias spoke to God about the Earthy authority that had been given to Paul and God answered with the Heavenly authority grace would soon give to the man. Paul's authority was in his ability to suffer well.
Grace gives us many things in unsearchable quantities... Love... Freedom... Forgiveness... Access... It also gives this great ability to survive the un-survivable. Those who suffer with grief might rather not survive it but God elevates us.
Yes. Suffering can be seen as a science. The Bible is it's textbook. We can learn it's principles and laws and then it will not seem so scary.
"Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful - for he cannot deny himself." 2 Timothy 2:10-13 ESV
Positional salvation is assured by faith in Christ's death burial and Resurrection. It is a once and for all thing. Situational salvation is a science of faith. Learning endurance qualifies us for leadership. How can we bring someone else down a path we have not ourselves traveled before?
Christ is our Shepherd. He suffered what none of us could and will teach us this art if we are willing to be His students.
For many people I think this is a subject they would rather avoid not something to be studied or systematically understood. Some time in the classroom benefits us for our time in the field and some practical application turns theory into something beneficial.
"Great is the LORD and greatly to be praised in the city of our God! His holy mountain, beautiful in elevation, is the joy of all the earth, Mount Zion, in the far north, the city of the great King. Within her citadels God has made himself known as a fortress." Psalms 48:1-3 ESV
Yes. God is beautiful in His elevation... even in this subject. There is a lowness that a sufferer can experience but God elevates the sufferer who suffers in Him.
"For affliction does not come from the dust, nor does trouble sprout from the ground, but man is born to trouble as the sparks fly upward. As for me, I would seek God, and to God would I commit my cause, who does great things and unsearchable, marvelous things without number" Job 5:6-9 ESV
Here is an interesting exchange God had with a man, Ananias, regarding Paul the Apostle:
"But Ananias answered, 'Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.' But the Lord said to him, 'Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.' " - Acts 9:13-16 ESV
Ananias spoke to God about the Earthy authority that had been given to Paul and God answered with the Heavenly authority grace would soon give to the man. Paul's authority was in his ability to suffer well.
Grace gives us many things in unsearchable quantities... Love... Freedom... Forgiveness... Access... It also gives this great ability to survive the un-survivable. Those who suffer with grief might rather not survive it but God elevates us.
Yes. Suffering can be seen as a science. The Bible is it's textbook. We can learn it's principles and laws and then it will not seem so scary.
"Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful - for he cannot deny himself." 2 Timothy 2:10-13 ESV
Positional salvation is assured by faith in Christ's death burial and Resurrection. It is a once and for all thing. Situational salvation is a science of faith. Learning endurance qualifies us for leadership. How can we bring someone else down a path we have not ourselves traveled before?
Christ is our Shepherd. He suffered what none of us could and will teach us this art if we are willing to be His students.
Friday, August 23, 2013
Parking at Panera
So last night after work I really needed a nap but I know if I go home and take one I'll never get up and go to coffee with my friend at Panera bread. I decide to stay out and go straight to the coffee place. We meet a little earlier and plan to leave a little earlier so I can get to bed early.
We talk and he tells me about the healing seminar in Pittsburgh and how it went. It is a refreshing fellowship time. We head out the door a little earlier than usual. I am exhausted now and we keep talking I little as we stand by our cars.
This muscle car with Metallica blaring pulls up near us. It is half blocking the road and shining the headlights right on us. Then it sits there for a while. Then the muscle car backs into a space and a guy in a muscle shirt get outs and starts smoking with the radio still blaring. The music matched with the big car has an almost intimidating quality. A lady also gets out and goes into the Panera bread.
A part of my tired brain is starting to get annoyed:
- Headlights in my eyes
- Loud music alternating Metallica and violent rap music so we have to strain to hear each other
- Discourteous driving that is blocking the road for no apparent reason
I'm not really annoyed but it was starting to get under my skin a little. We exchange prayer request and get into our cars.
My friend starts his car and backs out of his space. We have this thing where we are mindful of each other to make sure that the other person's car starts before leaving. It is an unspoken courtesy... almost a parting gesture of love and respect.
I start my car but quickly turn it off again so my friend lingers.
The next part is hard to explain. It's not like God tells me in audible way but something about the people in the muscle car draws me.
I am so tired I'm not communicating well but I get out of my car and open the back door and look for the tracts I keep in the back door pocket. We cleaned the car recently so no tracts. I pop the truck and look... only Spanish tracts and Christmas tracts.
Now my friend is concerned. 'Are you alright.' He says. 'Do you have any tracts?' I say.
'Only these Grace Hour tracts. Why?'. He says.
'I want to talk to the people in the car.'
He pulls back into his space. I find a biker tract in my truck after a little rummaging.
By now the music has stopped and the man goes into the Panera bread also.
I just wait. 'Do you want me to stay with you.' says my friend.
'Sure. If you want to.'
The guy comes out with the girl. I approach with the tract. I say something like 'Hey, I hope you have minute. Your music made me think about what we were talking about inside... God is so loud, all around us, but most people can't His voice. Strange isn't it?' My hand extended with a piece of paper in it.
They are the most open people you could ever hope to talk to. We spent an hour in that parking lot. Maybe more. We talked about Jesus, Grace, Church and past histories with religion. The Gospel was presented a few different ways. We all conclude that the issue boils down to Jesus. We all need Jesus and to know God's love. At the end we prayed together in a circle at the girl's request.
The biker tract didn't have the Church information and they want directions to the Church so I went back to my car and popped the truck again and grabbed a Christmas tract. 'Merry Christmas.', I said 'These are all I have that have the Church address on them.' The girl smiled and took it and said, 'Merry Christmas!'
It turns out the guy hurt his shoulder so the girl is struggling to drive the big, hard to handle, car. The 'poor' driving wasn't oblivious discourtesy... it was just people struggling to survive life as best they can.
To my surprise they both proceeded to hug us before we left. My friend and I just looked at each other and marveled at how good God Is as we got back into our cars.
Yes. God is so loud... but can we hear His voice?
We talk and he tells me about the healing seminar in Pittsburgh and how it went. It is a refreshing fellowship time. We head out the door a little earlier than usual. I am exhausted now and we keep talking I little as we stand by our cars.
This muscle car with Metallica blaring pulls up near us. It is half blocking the road and shining the headlights right on us. Then it sits there for a while. Then the muscle car backs into a space and a guy in a muscle shirt get outs and starts smoking with the radio still blaring. The music matched with the big car has an almost intimidating quality. A lady also gets out and goes into the Panera bread.
A part of my tired brain is starting to get annoyed:
- Headlights in my eyes
- Loud music alternating Metallica and violent rap music so we have to strain to hear each other
- Discourteous driving that is blocking the road for no apparent reason
I'm not really annoyed but it was starting to get under my skin a little. We exchange prayer request and get into our cars.
My friend starts his car and backs out of his space. We have this thing where we are mindful of each other to make sure that the other person's car starts before leaving. It is an unspoken courtesy... almost a parting gesture of love and respect.
I start my car but quickly turn it off again so my friend lingers.
The next part is hard to explain. It's not like God tells me in audible way but something about the people in the muscle car draws me.
I am so tired I'm not communicating well but I get out of my car and open the back door and look for the tracts I keep in the back door pocket. We cleaned the car recently so no tracts. I pop the truck and look... only Spanish tracts and Christmas tracts.
Now my friend is concerned. 'Are you alright.' He says. 'Do you have any tracts?' I say.
'Only these Grace Hour tracts. Why?'. He says.
'I want to talk to the people in the car.'
He pulls back into his space. I find a biker tract in my truck after a little rummaging.
By now the music has stopped and the man goes into the Panera bread also.
I just wait. 'Do you want me to stay with you.' says my friend.
'Sure. If you want to.'
The guy comes out with the girl. I approach with the tract. I say something like 'Hey, I hope you have minute. Your music made me think about what we were talking about inside... God is so loud, all around us, but most people can't His voice. Strange isn't it?' My hand extended with a piece of paper in it.
They are the most open people you could ever hope to talk to. We spent an hour in that parking lot. Maybe more. We talked about Jesus, Grace, Church and past histories with religion. The Gospel was presented a few different ways. We all conclude that the issue boils down to Jesus. We all need Jesus and to know God's love. At the end we prayed together in a circle at the girl's request.
The biker tract didn't have the Church information and they want directions to the Church so I went back to my car and popped the truck again and grabbed a Christmas tract. 'Merry Christmas.', I said 'These are all I have that have the Church address on them.' The girl smiled and took it and said, 'Merry Christmas!'
It turns out the guy hurt his shoulder so the girl is struggling to drive the big, hard to handle, car. The 'poor' driving wasn't oblivious discourtesy... it was just people struggling to survive life as best they can.
To my surprise they both proceeded to hug us before we left. My friend and I just looked at each other and marveled at how good God Is as we got back into our cars.
Yes. God is so loud... but can we hear His voice?
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