A Connection

Posted on August 11, 2020 by Pete

I was listening to a podcast on “cancel culture” yesterday. And what was kind of interesting is that the commentators confessed they were somewhat fearful taking on the subject lest they themselves should offend and themselves be “canceled.”

Probably not surprising that at one point they started talking about the enabling power of the internet in this modern day culture of everyone being able to have a voice as accuser, judge, jury, and executioner. That you needed to be careful about what you posted, or tweeted, or re-tweeted because of how quickly “news” could travel. What’s more, not just what you did or said yesterday, but what you did or said 10 or 20 years ago. Because, as has often been pointed out, while a tweet or a picture might take only a minute to post, once it’s on the internet, it’s there forever.

One of the take aways? Be careful what you put out there, because you never know who’s listening or watching.

But what if that’s always been true? Even before the internet? Even before computers? What if Someone has always been listening and watching, knowing every word spoken and every deed done?

A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly.
The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.

(Proverbs 15:1-3 ESV)

Since our men’s study in Proverbs last year, I’m reading Proverbs a bit differently. Trying not to just see each verse as a random thought about different aspects of skillful living, but open to seeing them, at times, as intentionally grouped together. While each verse can stand alone, sometimes they are ordered purposefully in proximity. And in that, can convey some of the deeper connections and workings of the way of wisdom. This morning, the first several verses in Proverbs 15 seem to have a couple of repeated themes which, in proximity, can have a powerful impact.

The big idea I’m reminded of this morning? Be careful what you say, and what you do, because the eyes (and ears) of the LORD are in every place.

Some form of speech is mentioned 7 times in the first 11 verses. And the omnipresence and omniscience of Jehovah, “the existing One”, is mentioned twice. Is there a connection? Me thinks there could be.

Remembering that our God knows every word, and the heart behind every word, can have not only a purifying effect on our speech, but a governing effect, as well.

“I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” ~ Jesus

(Matthew 12:36-37 ESV)

Cautious with our speech not out of fear of being “canceled” by God, for “if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1Jn. 1:9). But aware of every word in reverent fear of grieving our saving God, not wanting to “sin so that grace may abound” (Rom. 6:1).

Cautious with our speech because we are ambassadors of the way of Wisdom. Wanting to “set the believers an example in speech” (1Tim. 4:12). Wanting our speech to “always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person” (Col. 4:6). To be marked with “sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us” (Tit. 2:8).

Wanting Him who knows every word and every deed, to be pleased with those He’s called to speak of the kingdom of His rule.

Wanting to avoid the verbal stumbling blocks of harsh words, or foolish talk. Not out of fear of some “cancel culture” but out of service to the One who calls people to a consecrating culture.

That’s the connection I’m chewing on this morning.

And that, by His grace and for His glory.

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Seeking the Seeker

Posted on August 10, 2020 by Pete

They were both seeking that day. One, desperately. While the other, however, was just “passing through.”

The desperate one could barely see above the crowd for he was “small in stature.” But the Other saw everyone, and everything, clearly — even knowing the thoughts and intents of the heart. The small guy was a chief tax collector, a sinner, AND was rich — a triple whammy when it came to the pursuit of righteousness. The One who seemingly was about to pass by was the King of kings, the Savior of sinners, the God with whom nothing was impossible, even ushering a rich man into the kingdom of heaven (Lk. 18:24-27). Very different men.

But what Zacchaeus and Jesus had in common is that they were both seeking.

And behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich. And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, . . . And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

(Luke 19:2-3a, 9-10 ESV)

Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus. The reputation which had preceded the Teacher from Galilee had rooted itself in the heart of this Roman-serving, countrymen-oppressing, little rich man. Whatever he had heard about Jesus, it compelled him to know more. Even if it meant scurrying amidst the crowd, bumping into butts so that he might wind his way towards the tree which would help him rise above the crowd. He was seeking the Seeker.

But when Jesus looked up and saw this “big man” tax collector humbling himself as he precariously balanced above the crowd, putting himself literally out on a limb, Jesus said, “Come down, for I must stay at your house”, as if it had been His plan all along. As if passing through Jericho had always been with the intent of a rest stop at a sinner’s house. For Jesus, too, was seeking the seeker.

I’m sure there’s some theological term or explanation for how someone who is dead in trespasses and sin (Eph. 2:1) comes alive enough to seek the Author of life (Acts. 3:15). But, to me, it’s a mystery. The wonder of the Seeker seeking the seeker. Even stirring his, or her heart such that he, or she would find themselves seeking the Seeker.

What so compellingly prompts a proud, little man to so humble himself in order to rise above the crowd, and climb a tree in front of those who despise him? What makes the Son of God humble Himself, take on flesh, be hanged on a tree, and be lifted up before a mob set on deriding Him? Both were seekers. Both were seeking. Both were seeking the seeker.

Amazing! The actions of both men defy comprehension, really. But that the One who was in the beginning (Jn. 1:1), and made everything that was ever made (Jn. 1:3), and holds together everything that is being held together (Col. 1:17), would Himself come to seek and save the lost? Jaw-dropping.

Pretty familiar Sunday School story. Kind of easy to blow by it. But pause, be still, and noodle on it a bit, and it’s enough to send the awe-o-meter off the scale.

Because of His amazing grace. For His soul-seeking glory.

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We’re Gonna Sing

Posted on August 7, 2020 by Pete

To sing, or not to sing, that is the question. At least for some. And, a few weeks ago, for us as elders as we anticipated our church gathering again in our building this Sunday. Lot to think about when it comes to shifting from shelter-in-place to coming together. To sing, or not to sing, is one of those things.

We didn’t deliberate long over the question, but we did ask the question. Came to the conclusion fairly quickly that singing is something the gathered church does and thus, when we gather together, we should sing together. Certainly, to do so mitigating risk as much as possible, but declaring His praise in song, nevertheless. Not saying it’s the right answer, but we’re thinking it’s what the Lord would have us do.

But here’s the thing, even having made the decision, in a sense the question never goes away. As new information comes in, whether that’s reports of COVID outbreaks in other congregations, or feedback about discomfort with singing from our own congregation, for me at least, there’s always the question percolating in the background, “Lord, is this what You would have us to do?”

And it’s into that sort of context that the word of God often speaks. Such was the case this morning for me.

And at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought the Levites in all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem to celebrate the dedication with gladness, with thanksgivings and with singing, with cymbals, harps, and lyres. . . . Then I brought the leaders of Judah up onto the wall and appointed two great choirs that gave thanks. . . . So both choirs of those who gave thanks stood in the house of God . . . And the singers sang with Jezrahiah as their leader. And they offered great sacrifices that day and rejoiced, for God had made them rejoice with great joy; the women and children also rejoiced. And the joy of Jerusalem was heard far away.

(Nehemiah 12:27, 31a, 40a, 42b-43 ESV)

Not sharing this as some “proof text” of why congregations must sing when they gather. No, just an illustration of how God in His goodness can communicate to people individually who are asking questions specifically if we read His word faithfully.

And I know that every text has a primary meaning and that we need to be careful about making unwarranted interpretations and applications just to give ourselves the answers we want. But at the same time, when the hearts desire is, “Word of God speak!” . . . often it does. Sometimes the living and active Word is actually living and active and speaks into current situations and, answers percolating questions.

Been pretty anxious about getting everything ready for this Sunday. Lot of details to work through. So, as the “to do” list grows so does my anxiety. Not sayin’ it’s right, but it’s kind of how I’m wired. It’s the flesh the Spirit has to work with as it conforms me increasingly into the likeness of the Son. Maybe, someday, I will actually get to the point where I am not “anxious about anything” because I’m quicker to pray about everything (Php. 4:6-7), but for now, it’s still a battle. But it’s into that battle that God, in His patient grace, speaks. And, most often, speaks through His Word.

So, this morning, I read these verses in Nehemiah 12 and almost immediately the question that’s been in the back of mind comes to the front as I sense God saying, “Yeah, you guys sing. It’s what people do who come out of exile.”

And I know it won’t be the same. Fewer people in the sanctuary, socially distanced, only half-face to half-face. But it wasn’t the same for Nehemiah & Co, either. There’s no way the walls resembled the walls of Jerusalem in the glory days. No way the house of God was even a shadow of the magnificent temple built by Solomon. But just as the glory had come down in Solomon’s day, so too the glory would come down as Nehemiah and the people climbed up on those walls, stood in the house of the LORD, and sang the glories of God.

So, Lord willing, we’re gonna sing this weekend. Not recklessly. Not as many songs as we used to. But we’re gonna sing enthusiastically, nevertheless.

Because our God reigns.

And, thank You Lord, because He speaks through His word when you least expect it.

Move evidence of His abiding grace. More reason to give Him all the glory.

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Leaving Home

Posted on August 6, 2020 by Pete

Listened to a podcast awhile back where Ruth Graham was interviewed about a book she’s recently written. The title of the book is “Forgiving My Father, Forgiving Myself.” Forgiving her father . . . you know who that is, right? Billy Graham. The Billy Graham. Certainly the greatest evangelist of my time, perhaps, some might argue, of all time. So what’s he got to be forgiven for?

From the interview it doesn’t sound like it’s one of those tell-all, reveal dirty secrets book. In fact, she says, she idolized her father. But sounds like it’s an honest processing of what it was like to grow up in a home where dad was gone . . . a lot! And sounds like she’s not blaming her dad for “her stuff” and her sin, she owns it, but part of that “stuff” was dealing with feelings of abandonment from her father. Even as her father pursued God’s call on his life to preach the gospel around the world. Hmm . . .

Came to mind as I was reading in Luke this morning.

And Peter said, “See, we have left our homes and followed You.” And [Jesus] said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who will not receive many times more in this time, and in the age to come eternal life.”

(Luke 18:28-30 ESV)

Honestly, this has always been a tough passage to noodle on.

It comes right after Jesus’ discussion with the rich young ruler who wanted to know what he needed to do to “inherit eternal life” (18:18)). Figured he was pretty good at keeping the law but Jesus said, “One thing you still lack.” So Jesus tells him to sell all he has, distribute it to the poor, and then he would have “treasure in heaven” and be unencumbered to follow Jesus (18:21). And the young man bows his head and walks away. Too costly. Too great a price to pay. “How difficult,” Jesus says, “it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God” (18:24). Then, Peter said, “See we have left our homes and followed You.”

Hover over that for a bit. Doesn’t that seem like a place too far to go for our modern senses? Not just cashing in your bank account to follow Jesus but also leaving our home. Leaving wife, siblings, parents, and even children!

Our kids? Really? Could that possibly be the cost of following Jesus? Apparently. Doesn’t it strike you, at first, as going too far? But is it? Apparently not. For Jesus says, it will be worth it, “in this time, and in the age to come.”

Hard stuff for me to camp on. Would prefer to quickly read it, check it off my reading plan, and move on. Not this morning for some reason.

Does it make you feel like the rich young ruler? Sad, because it feels like it’s too great a price to pay? Ready to walk away? To settle for a second-best holiness? One that’s within my grasp? One that sets a bar I think I’m able to jump? Or, by His enabling, could I really surrender all. Or at least, being willing to surrender all for the sake of the kingdom?

Am I willing to entertain that to follow Jesus might actually involve not just something as easy as letting go of my material wealth, but also my relational wealth? Not that I’m equating the stewardship of money with the responsibility of caring for one’s family. But would I be willing to trust Jesus with my home if following Him kept me from being there a lot?

Cue introspection. Expel a heavy sigh. Search my heart, O God.

No tidy bow wrapping this thought up. Just something to chew on.

Requires His grace. Could only make sense for His glory.

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Keep on Keepin’ On (A Rerun)

Posted on August 5, 2020 by Pete

Gotta get going for an early morning airport run. Thought I’d re-post something from 2012 . . . a fond reminder of a dear friend. A needed reminder for such a time as this when we need to keep on keepin’ on . . .

He wasn’t flashy . . . but he was the real deal. Not some nuclear physicist, but a pretty good truck driver with a down-to-earth wisdom that caught your attention. Not a university trained man, but one who had buried his nose faithfully in the Scriptures daily . . . one whose hunger and thirst for the things of righteousness drove him to study the inspired Word of God . . . one, who as a result of what he found in the Word, had set his gaze firmly on the prize and sought diligently the kingdom. Not someone who would necessarily stand out in a crowd, but someone who had a profound impact on this guy at the keyboard. And one of his favorite encouragements . . . one that I’ve claimed for my own . . . was, “Keep on keepin’ on!” And this guy from my past was brought to mind as I was reading in 2Timothy this morning . . .

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it . . .

(2Timothy 3:14 ESV)

Paul knew better than anyone that the Christian walk isn’t really a walk or a stroll but that it’s a race . . . a pursuit of an ultimate goal. And that this race isn’t just a sprint but a long, enduring marathon. It was important to Paul that those who came to faith, would pursue the faith . . . that those who started well, would finish well . . . that those who sang Sunday School songs as a kid, would still be singing the praises of God as a “senior saint.” And, I’m thinking, that part of the “secret sauce” to finishing well has got to be the daily determination to keep on keepin’ on.

And the secret to keepin’ on? You continue in that which you have learned and have come to firmly believe. If I believe, or am assured, that something is true, trustworthy, the “real thing” . . . then I am far more likely to seek it . . . and desire it . . . and live for it. Would it be safe to say, “Show me a Christian who’s struggling with living for Christ and I’ll show you someone who’s not really convinced that Christ is living in them or worth living for?” Staying power is heavily reliant on being convinced that Jesus and the salvation He offers is truly “the way, the truth, the life” . . . the only way . . . the whole truth and nothing but the truth . . . demanding our whole lives and nothing less than our lives.

Timothy learned and became convinced of the truth of the gospel. He was a student . . . studying not only the Scriptures but also those who modeled how to practically “seek first the kingdom of God”. And Paul commanded him, “You MUST continue, in that which you’ve become convinced.”

I know I’ve said it before . . . again and again . . . but being saved is about so much more than just avoiding hell. It is about so much more than just waiting for heaven. Being saved is about pursuing salvation. It is about learning and then continuing in that which we’ve learned. It is about desiring to live godly lives in Christ Jesus (2Tim. 3:12). It is about knowing and then living out doctrine . . . about a way of life . . . about purpose, faith, longsuffering, love and perseverance (2Tim. 3:10). It is about continuing . . . or as my friend Wynn would say so often, it’s about “Keepin’ on, keepin’ on!!!”

And I think the reason so many of my brothers and sisters in Christ are struggling with continuing is because they really haven’t learned and they really aren’t convinced. They have not learned the truths of the faith and thus have not embraced the truths of the faith. They have not been taught “to observe all things” which is just as much a part of the Great Commission as is “Go therefore and make disciples” (Matt 28:19-20). Poorly taught . . . poorly walked. Little investment in the Scriptures . . . little staying power in the world. Lack of concentrated consideration of God’s Word and ways . . . lack of desire to take up the cross and follow Christ.

The more convinced I am of the truths contained in the “God-breathed Scriptures” (2Tim. 3:16), the more likely I am, by God’s grace and the power of the Spirit within me, to continue in the God-ordained way of life He has called me to.

Oh, that we as the people of God would know a revival of “firmly believing” . . . and that we would know the power of the Spirit in continuing . . . that we would keep on keepin’ on . . . by His grace . . . and for His glory . . . amen?

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Times of Difficulty

Posted on August 4, 2020 by Pete

Sometimes we can get more focused on the symptoms rather than the sickness. Distracted by what presents almost to the exclusion of what produces. Failing to connect the dots between things which are indicators and the root cause of what initiates.

But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power.

(2Timothy 3:1-5 ESV)

Times of difficulty. That’s the phrase that caught my attention this morning. That’s what I’m chewing on.

Difficult times (CSB, NASB). Terrible times (NIV). Perilous times (NKJV). Troublesome times (a favorite southern gospel oldie but goodie).

In the last days there will come times of difficulty. Hard to take. Hard to bear. Hard to do. Strength sapping, soul wearying, heavy sighing times.

But understand this, Paul commands Timothy, times of difficulty are but the symptom. The indicators of a deeper problem. For at the heart of times of difficulty is the heart.

. . . there will come times of difficulty. For people will be . . .

It’s because of the list in verses 2 through 5 that there will be troublesome times. Pervasive sin promotes perilous seasons. Loving self and pleasure more than loving God is a recipe for turmoil. The appearance of godliness is what causes us to snooze at the wheel rather than guard against godlessness.

What hit me this morning is that times of difficulty point to a deeper problem. Hard times are the fruit of diseased roots.

So, while we need to deal with the times, while we need to engage in solutions for today’s problems, we can’t loose sight that we also need to address the heart of the problem, the heart. And only the gospel has the power to do that. Terrible times are ultimately addressed through transformed lives.

So, as we get involved in the issues of the day, we need to do so in a way that also points to the only real hope for tomorrow. While we might be called to act for systemic reform, we must not forget that it happens, ultimately, with one changed heart at a time. That re-working worldly structures and systems is but a temporary fix, but that the redemption of souls is of eternal consequence.

Not saying that we don’t need to engage in being salt and light in the world, we do. But we do so with a bigger picture in mind, a longer term in view, a more certain solution for all who believe, which will deal with the symptoms of our times of difficulty as it works sanctification in the hearts of regenerated people.

Make sense? Hope so.

Who is sufficient for these things? For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God’s word, but as men [and women] of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.

(2Corinthians 2:16b-17 ESV)

By His grace. For His glory.

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Hard Conversations

Posted on August 3, 2020 by Pete

I think the church is being stretched. I think in this season everyone, everywhere is being stretched. But if anyone should have their “ears on” and head in the game about the opportunity to re-think and re-calibrate a thing or two, it’s the church — not the institution, but the people of God.

And one of the marks of how we’re doing, I think, is in our conversations. Easy to “dwell together in unity” (Ps. 133:1) when you talk about the weather, sports, and the doctrines you agree on. But try and make sense of the headlines that consume us today. Try and talk with certainty about things that are anything but certain, if only because of the mega-media maze we live in today where we can always find a voice, an expert, a study that aligns to our feelings. And then, try and process that with others holding a different view? Well, to say the least, it can be a challenge. Those can be hard conversations.

Pick a topic. How serious is COVID really? Has the government over-stepped their authority? Are masks really effective? What about matters of justice, protests, and how to make a difference where it matters? Top it all with a global pandemic, people growing stir crazy and ready to shed their bonds of shelter in place, add the uncertainty around economic recovery, and then mix in an election, and I’m thinking you have yourself a bit of a pressure cooker which is counter-productive to “civil discourse in the public square.”

And, it’s not like you can just ignore it, forget it, or pretend it’s not happening. You can’t really just talk about something else because, until recently when sports started firing up again, there’s not much else to talk about.

And here, though it’s just one area, is where I think the church is being stretched. Where the church has an opportunity to model the transcendence of the gospel through Spirit enabled unity beyond some superficial uniformity. Where, as we’re constantly pressed to engage with one another around controversial matters, we put on display the goodness and pleasantness of living as family together, like oil running down Aaron’s beard, a people where the Lord commands the blessing (Ps. 133:2-3).

And it starts, I think, with our conversations. With being “quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God” (James 1:19-20). And, as we practice talking about hard stuff around the family table, it prepares us to “walk in wisdom toward outsiders” with speech that is to “always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person” (Col. 4:5-6 ESV).

This leads me to this morning’s text (sorry for the long intro), a text that’s been on my radar for the past several weeks as my “bubble” expands and I connect more and more with my brothers and sisters in Christ and find myself in hard conversations. As we quickly get past the weather and talk about how we’re processing what’s going on in our world.

And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth.

(2Timothy 2:24-25 ESV)

Taken a bit out of context? Yeah, but I think the principles apply. Not quarrelsome. Kind to everyone. Able to articulate an argument. Patiently enduring — not necessarily evil, but often an opposing view. Correcting, or trying to convince with gentleness. Recognizing all the while that it is God who changes hearts and minds as they need to be changed. And that we have the promise of the presence of the Spirit of God to lead us into truth.

Take this approach concerning our speech, mix it with a healthy dose of Romans 14 where we’re not to “quarrel over opinions” (Rom. 14:1 ESV) or pass judgment on “disputable matters” (Rom. 14:1 NIV), address such matters through the filter of God’s word, and I think we have an environment where iron can truly sharpen iron (Prov. 27:17). And where brothers and sisters can model gospel-founded unity.

It takes some work. And, at least for me, some confession when our flesh gets the better of us. It also requires a commitment to the gospel being the main thing superseding all things, and a trust in the God of truth working in our midst. But at the end of the day, or at least at the end of the heated debate, we’ll know the pleasantness and goodness of our unity in the Spirit despite our differences in this season.

And there, God will command the blessing.

By His grace. For His glory.

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A Dwelling Faith

Posted on July 31, 2020 by Pete

Faith, real faith, is not just about what we believe, but is evident in how we behave — and that, because it abides. That’s what I’m picking up from what Paul’s laying down this morning as I eavesdrop on some final words from a father-in-the-Lord to his son-in-the-Lord.

To Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy. I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.

(2Timothy 2:2-5 ESV)

That Paul had a soft spot in his heart for Timothy is evident throughout the New Testament narrative. Paul connected with Timothy back in Acts 16 and, from the get go, saw great potential in the young man. More than just being a faithful co-laborer in the gospel, he considered Timothy his son in the Lord. A trusted, capable son fully bought into the “family business”, often relying on him for the follow up work in areas where the gospel had been received. Timothy, it seems, wasn’t so much a church planter as he was a church establisher. And that, Paul would say, because “I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare” (Php. 2:22).

And here, in his second letter to Timothy, aware that his letter writing days were soon to be done, Paul is thankful for this faithful laborer, reminded that it was his faith which was truly at the heart of his faithfulness.

Paul calls it a sincere faith. Genuine. The real thing. Without hypocrisy. No pretense. No concealing what he thought, or what he believed, or how he discerned it should be lived out. Up front. What you see is what you get. And what you saw on the outside with Timothy was because of what was happening on the inside. For Timothy had a dwelling faith.

His was the same sort of faith that dwelt in his grandma, Lois. An enduring faith, able to be passed on from generation to generation. A faith that also dwelt in his mom, Eunice. And, like grandma, like mom, like son, a faith Paul could see was dwelling in Timothy as well.

A faith that had moved in. A faith that entered through the mind, but had set up permanent residence in the heart, soul, and spirit. A permeating faith. More than just a checklist of to do’s and to don’ts to simply follow and obey, the truth of God and the implications of the gospel had become operating precepts and principles etched into the innate mechanics of how Timothy responded to all of life. He had been transformed by the renewing of his mind (Rom. 12:2) and it manifested itself in a dwelling faith.

The Word had been hidden in his heart. The Way had been programmed by the Spirit into his life directing GPS. His motivating reward determined by things above, not things below.

He’d wake up in the morning and his faith was working. He’d go through his day and his faith was leading. Inseparable. No sacred vs. secular divide. His faith’s influence unavoidable regardless of the situation. Because it wasn’t just a Sunday morning faith. Not just a when-I’m-with-other-believers faith. No, Timothy’s was a dwelling faith.

Not saying Timothy had a perfect faith — we know better. But Paul, led by the Spirit of God, declared it to be a sincere faith. The real thing. And that, because it was faith beyond just facts, but a faith that had moved in — abiding in Timothy, even as Timothy abided in the Lord. A dwelling faith.

O, that I might operate out of such a faith, a faith at home in me through His on-going work in me.

By His grace. For His glory.

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Next To

Posted on July 30, 2020 by Pete

What I recall from most couples I’ve met who have talked of taking on home renovation projects together, is that while they may have saved some money, they stressed their marriage. Whether tiling together, painting together, or hanging pictures together, at times, they said, it was hard to keep it together.

But that’s not the case with a young couple I’ve become friends with. They actually find themselves at their best when they are shoulder to shoulder doing a home reno. Thriving when tearing stuff down and fixing it up again. It actually seems to be one of their love languages.

I saw this first hand awhile back when I was asked to come over to help a bit with the replacement of the double door entryway frame for their house. When I say help “a bit”, it was help “a bit” — anyone who knows me knows I can’t even spell handimann. But he needed an extra set of hands to help move the new frame off the truck up to the entryway. And when I arrived there she was . . . Sawzall in hand, cutting out the old door frame, sawdust flying all around her. And I’m seeing this again as, for their anniversary, they’re shipping off their kids so that they can enjoy a nice, quiet, romantic weekend together . . . replacing the roof of their house. Yup, re-roofing their house together on their anniversary. Who does that? Apparently, they do.

So, what’s this got to do with anything?

They came to mind this morning as I was reading in Nehemiah 3. Not because their roofing project resembles the Jerusalem rebuilding project, but because of two words, repeated 10 times, which caught my attention. I thought of them because of how the roof is bringing them “next to” one another just as the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem brought the people of God “next to” each other.

Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brothers the priests, and they built the Sheep Gate. They consecrated it and set its doors. They consecrated it as far as the Tower of the Hundred, as far as the Tower of Hananel. And next to him the men of Jericho built. And next to them Zaccur the son of Imri built. The sons of Hassenaah built the Fish Gate. They laid its beams and set its doors, its bolts, and its bars. And next to them Meremoth the son of Uriah, son of Hakkoz repaired. And next to them Meshullam the son of Berechiah, son of Meshezabel repaired. And next to them Zadok the son of Baana repaired. And next to them the Tekoites repaired, but their nobles would not stoop to serve their Lord.

(Nehemiah 3:1-5 ESV)

Something about a common task that creates community. Something about a job too big to do on your own that makes you reliant on others. Something about a cause worth living for that compels you to get out of the house and live among others. That’s what the wall was for Nehemiah & Co.

Priests (v.1), goldsmiths and perfumers (v. 8) — three very different occupations but with one over-arching purpose — next to one another. Not all doing the same job — some rebuilt walls, others reconstructed gates, others set doors, bolts and bars — but all working closely together. And because I know what’s in following chapters, they were ready to also stand together and fight together against opposition, if necessary, in order to complete the task God had set before them together.

And I can’t help think about how little, in some cases, the church comes together. Not just now in this COVID reality, but before all this, how little, outside of Sunday, we sought to be next to one another — even Sunday, so often, deemed as optional. More so, how the polarized rancor of the world has seeped into the church’s walls and we find ourselves more often than not nose-to-nose with one another in debate over non-essential things, and less and less shoulder-to-shoulder next to one another in unified service for the kingdom.

I wonder if, having lost a sense of being on common mission together, it has also quenched the desire to be next to one another in the trenches together.

I don’t know. But there’s something as I read Nehemiah 3 that stirs a desire for revival among the people of God. A renewal as to the task at hand and the calling God has made on us to do it next to one another. Making the main thing the main thing again. Knowing afresh that our lack of uniformity on secondary and tertiary matters shouldn’t impact our eagerness to maintain our unity (Eph. 4:3) as we go into all the world with the gospel.

Truly, how good and pleasant it is when brothers and sisters dwell together, and work next to one another, in unity. For there the LORD has commanded the blessing (Ps. 133). Amen?

By His grace. For His glory.

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The God of Heaven

Posted on July 29, 2020 by Pete

Okay, not sure how this thought’s going to play out. More noodling than concluding. But need to work through an observation that keeps getting observed over the past few days through my reading plan.

So, what am I chewing on this morning? The God of heaven.

Started showing up on the radar when I began reading through Ezra. Lots of ways to refer to Jehovah, but the God of heaven seemed to be used frequently. What’s more, not really sure that I’d encountered it before Ezra. And then, I start in on Nehemiah this morning, and there it is again — four times in the first two chapters.

Bring up the handy dandy online concordance . . . type in “God of heaven” . . . search. There it is: twice in Genesis 24; once in 2Chronicles, just before Ezra; then eight times in Ezra; four times in Nehemiah, in today’s reading; once in Psalms; four times in Daniel 2; and one more time in Jonah.

So, this name for God, while so intuitive, actually isn’t used that much in the Old Testament (nor in the New Testament, for that matter — only twice in Revelation). And, where it is used, it’s used in a concentrated fashion, and that’s in the storyline covering the period of the captivity. Cyrus uses the Name. Ezra uses the Name. Nehemiah uses the Name. And I wonder how much their use is because Daniel used the Name. Even the one occurrence in Psalm 136 is followed immediately with, “By the waters of Babylon, there we sat down and wept, when we remembered Zion” (Ps. 137:1).

I’m wondering then, why? Why in that context? Why, in the context of exile, is the God of heaven so frequently used? Don’t really know. Going to take more than a few minutes in the morning to dig into that one. But, I’m wondering if there isn’t something about living in a world where you don’t quite fit in that makes you remember that you serve a God who is above the world. That the only way to make sense of the chaos in the land is to focus your mind steadfastly towards the King and kingdom which transcends the land. That when the world around you is seemingly out of control, you’re driven to your knees to cry out to the One who you know is always in control.

As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven. And I said, “O LORD God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love Him and keep His commandments, let Your ear be attentive and Your eyes open, to hear the prayer of Your servant that I now pray . . .

Then the king said to me, “What are you requesting?” So I prayed to the God of heaven. And I said to the king, . . .

But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite servant and Geshem the Arab heard of it, they jeered at us and despised us . . . Then I replied to them, “The God of heaven will make us prosper, and we his servants will arise and build . . .

(Nehemiah 1:4-6; 2:4-5; 2:19-20 ESV)

Daniel turned to the God of heaven when an insomniac king demanded his dream be interpreted or people would die. And Daniel told the king of the God of heaven — the King above all kings, who gives kings of the earth their kingdoms.

When God moved Cyrus’s pagan Persian heart to act in a kingly way to release the captives, He did so by revealing to Cyrus that while he may have been a big deal, there was One who was a bigger deal, the God of heaven. And, when Ezra was moved to take on the first “Jerusalem or Bust” return trek from Babylon to rebuild the temple, that it was all about the God of heaven and His house in Jerusalem, was on everyone’s mind. So, when Nehemiah gets involved, he too looks beyond the circumstance, and above the horizon, to the God of heaven.

Even in Revelation, when the judgments of God start to rain down on the earth, people on earth will be acutely aware that He is Ruler over all, the Sovereign over all the earth, the God of heaven (Rev. 11:13, 16:11).

The God of heaven. Our God. A good thing to keep in mind when things seem kind of out of control.

Peace for the anxious soul. Hope in uncertain times of a certain future.

Our God reigns! Amen?

By His grace. For His glory.

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