The Harvest

Posted on September 20, 2016 by Pete

God is in the fruit making business. That’s the testimony of Scripture this morning. I encountered two witnesses to that fact–one in the Old Testament ,the other in the New. And they testify that though the growing process might be hard, God’s intent is that fruit might be born. That God’s desire is for the harvest.

I have seen his ways, but I will heal him; I will lead him and restore comfort to him and his mourners, creating the fruit of the lips. Peace, peace, to the far and to the near,” says the LORD, “and I will heal him.”

(Isaiah 57:18-19 ESV)

. . . but He disciplines us for our good, that we may share His holiness.  For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

(Hebrews 12:10b-11 ESV)

The prophet Isaiah declares the word of God to the worst of men. To those who have exchanged the living God of promise for the dumb idols of pleasure. To those who forfeited life led by the Holy One for an existence bowed before plated images of wood. And though for a time He struck them and hid His face from them in anger because of their iniquity (57:17), yet because of His great love and compassion, and through His inexhaustible grace, the God of heaven promises, “I will not contend forever, nor will I always be angry” (57:16).

And so, the God who is high and lifted up, He who inhabits eternity and whose name is Holy, this One who dwells in a high and holy place reaches down to tabernacle also with those who are of a “contrite and lowly spirit” (57:15). He abides with those who forsake their wicked ways and turn to Him with broken hearts. He settles in with those who humbly purpose to seek Him. He comes down to live with those who look up. Having known their transgression, He responds to their brokenness with healing. Having seen their wandering, He purposes afresh to lead them. Having felt their sorrow, He again draws near to comfort them. He enters the storms of their own making and offers peace, double peace, to those both far and near.

The result? Thanksgiving. Praise. Worship. The fruit of the lips. The harvest.

And then, I’m reading in the book of Hebrews. Addressed also to God’s people. But to those who are seeking a heavenly land and so, have entered the pilgrim’s path. To those surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses and yet are enduring a great deal of suffering. Not necessarily of their own making due to their own sin, but, it would seem, of their own making due to their faithfulness and their determination to stand against sin and its army of opposition.

And in this struggle there is a temptation to grow weary and fainthearted. To cash it in. To tap out. And to these believers the prophetic voice says, “Endure it as discipline. Look upon it at as the Father treating you as His children so that you might share in His holiness.” And to those who see it in such a light, to those who hang in there as they hang onto the promise, to those who lift up their drooping hands and strengthen their weakening knees and make straight again paths for their feet (12:12), their will be a peace-filled reaping from what has been sown.

The result? A participation in the divine nature reflecting His divine character. The fruit of righteousness. The harvest.

I enter the day reminded that my God is in the fruit making business. Mine is to, as much as lies within me, provide some soil to work with. To humble myself in the sight of the Lord and seek His abiding presence. To not be discouraged at whatever trial or testing might be before me, but to invite the hand of a good, good Father to continue to work His perfect work in my life. and in the lives of those dear to me. To know the Potter’s hand through the ever-present Spirit as He conforms me to the image of His beloved Son.

Mine is to keep on keepin’ on as a I participate in the harvest.

Through Him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge His name.

(Hebrews 13:15 ESV)

Because of His amazing grace. All for His everlasting glory.

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I Come

Posted on September 16, 2016 by Pete

Even in a bit of a fog, the invitation is clear. Though we got home way too late last night from a wedding we attended about 2.5 hours away, and I’m thinking I’ve gotten up way too early this morning, still the appeal in Isaiah 55 has a way of breaking through. Even in a cloud, the voice of God breaks through as I hover over the word of God being amplified by the Spirit of God. The repetition helps. Five times the ask is made. Five times the urgent plea is extended. And mine this morning is just to accept the invitation. It’s to say yes to the entreaty. “Yes Lord, I come.”

“Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to Me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. Incline your ear, and come to Me; hear, that your soul may live; and I will make with you an everlasting covenant, My steadfast, sure love for David.”

(Isaiah 55:1-3 ESV)

Spoken to them but written for us. A plea to wayward Israel, but an invitation to all who have ears to hear. An overture to those then and to us now who thirst and are bankrupt. Through abundant grace, the offer to RSVP extended to all. Ours is simply to come.

Though beyond what we could afford on our own, we’re invited to come and buy wine and milk, and put it on the tab of another. The price paid, ours is to come and eat what is good–to delight ourselves in food that is rich and gives life to the soul. The work finished, we are but to direct our feeble efforts to receiving that which satisfies.

To those with insufficient resources, to those with ebbing strength, the God of Israel offers to all He desires to own as His own an everlasting promise–the eternal pledge of His unfailing and steadfast love.

Love that will quench the thirst. Love that will satisfy the hunger. Love that will give new life to the inner man. Love available through His unfailing mercies which are new every morning. Great is Thy faithfulness!

Offered by the Father. Offered by the Son.

“Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.”

(Matthew 11:28-30 ESV)

Rest for the soul. Not because the burden is removed. Not because the trials are taken away. But because we daily accept Jesus’ invitation to come. And each morning we put on the yoke He offers–the love of God found in the Son made real by the Spirit. And the yoke is easy and the burden is light. And the thirst is quenched and the hunger is satisfied. Ours being but to say, “O Lamb of God, I come!”

Because of grace. For His glory.

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Looking to the Reward

Posted on September 15, 2016 by Pete

Faith informs decision making. If there’s anything that the “Moses Exhibit” in Hebrews 11, Faith’s Hall of Fame, tells us, it’s that faith is more than just a creed. A living faith impacts our contemplations and our course-setting. When we come to that fork in the road, what we believe will influence the path we take. It did for those in the Moses Exhibit. It should for us as well.

By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaohs daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward.

(Hebrews 11:24-26 ESV)

It had been faith-based decision-making that had brought Moses into Pharaoh’s house, and it would be faith-based decision making that would result in his exit. The parents of Moses believed certain things about the nature of God, the sanctity of life, and the reality of a call. As such, they had a disposition. “They were not afraid of the king’s edict” (11:23b) that all sons born to the Israelites were to be cast into the Nile (Ex. 1:22). And so they made a decision, they hid their newborn son from the Egyptians for three months. Then they handed over their son to Pharaoh’s daughter (Ex. 2:1-10). What they believed profoundly impacted how they behaved.

Like parents, like son. Even though he was in a place of privilege because of faith driven determinations, when it came time to choose between Egypt’s world and God’s people, Moses said in effect, “I’ll take afflictions for 500, Alex.” How come? Faith. What he believed about the call of God and the promises of God permeated his pro/con analysis. So much so that he consciously decided to accept pursuing the harder life of God’s people rather than enjoying “the pleasures of sin for a season” (KJV). Sure, it would have been a blast to be a leader in the world of movers and shakers. Kind of a no-brainer when the alternative is to be a nobody in the masses of slaves and servants. But only a no-brainer if what he believed wasn’t factored in.

Faith surveys the race to be run, and realizes this leg is but for a season. It’s fleeting. Whatever pleasures it offers are for only a relatively short time. Faith factors in eternity and concludes this life is but a drop in an ocean. So if it comes down to getting all I can out of the drop, or investing now in maximizing the ocean, “I’ll take God’s ways for 1,000, Alex.”

Faith runs the numbers and concludes that the reproach of Christ is of greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt. Sure, Moses could have had power, wealth, and ease. He could have been a man of great worldly influence. Instead he chose, by faith, to heed the call of God. He determined to stand against the courts of power that he could have commanded. In effect, he embraced a cross of suffering he could have avoided. How come? By faith the riches of God’s promises far exceeded any benefit perceived from the return of having the world’s power. Offer me short term gain vs. long term returns and, “I’ll take God’s promises for 2,000, Alex.”

Refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. Electing to be mistreated with the people of God. Considering reproach of greater gain than worldly treasures. All because of faith-based decision making–“for he was looking to the reward.”

Looking to the reward. An eye on the prize. A confident assurance that what is revealed in the word of God will be realized one day in the presence of God. An abiding belief in the Promiser and His ability to deliver on the promise.

Only one life, twill soon be past,
  Only what’s done for Christ will last.   ~ C.T. Studd

Faith informs decision-making.

Father, keep me looking to the reward.

By Your grace. For Your glory.

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By Faith We Understand

Posted on September 14, 2016 by Pete

Honestly, that the universe was created by the word of God doesn’t make sense apart from faith. We’re talking the universe! Look up! Look way up on a clear night. Or hover over some Hubble telescope images. Or read about new discoveries of far away places. Try and wrap your head around “the universe” and then sit back and chew on this, “Created by the word of God.” Everything that is visible, made out of stuff invisible. What!?! Something from nothing. Where there is now grandeur, there once was a void. Where there is now light, there once was darkness. How did it all come into being?

And God said, “Let there be . . .”

How do you take that in? How do you process it? How do our finite minds perceive such infinite reality? Short answer: By faith we understand.

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. . . . By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.

(Hebrews 11:1, 3 ESV)

This morning I’m noodling on the dynamic of faith in making sense of that which makes no sense.

Yesterday wasn’t a good day. Nothing changed, just things became a bit more real. And, to be honest again, kind of thinking it doesn’t make much sense. But, by faith we understand.

We understand that a God who is God is Sovereign. Wouldn’t have it any other way. His purposes are pure. Have it come down to “My will be done” vs. “Thy will be done” and, by faith, it only makes sense to go with the ways of the One whose ways are higher than our ways.

We know that God is love. Look afresh upon the cross. Stand in its shadow. Meditate on what manner of love was displayed when God sent His only Son to die for the sins of a rebellious creation. And the God who loved us “unto death” didn’t embrace us only to drop us at some point. No, those He loves He loves to the uttermost, loves to the end — so that even the end becomes a new beginning.

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him graciously give us all things?

(Romans 8:31-32 ESV)

By faith we understand.

And we perceive to be true, by faith, that the God who created the universe by the word of His mouth is also the designer and builder of an as yet unseen city with a sure foundation (Heb. 11:10). A homeland that transcends this place. A place invisible and intangible while we are at home in the body, but then to be experienced in unimaginable glory when we are present with the Lord. And so we place all the “here and now” in the context of the “there and then” and our pilgrimage to a land not yet seen.

But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared for them a city.

(Hebrews 11:16 ESV)

By faith we understand. By faith we venture out on another day. Faith not of our own manufacturing, but a faith supplied through God’s all sufficient grace and empowered by His ever present Spirit as we abide in the finished work and sure promises of His ever interceding Son.

And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him.

(Hebrews 11:6 ESV)

Yes He does. And Yes He will.

And so, I’ll trust in the LORD with all my heart. I won’t rely on my own understanding. I will continue to acknowledge Him in all my ways, confident that He is directing all my paths . . . and the paths of those dear to me.

By faith I understand.

Through grace overflowing. For His glory everlasting.

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Fear Not . . . I Am With You

Posted on September 9, 2016 by Pete

I guess there are saviors, and then there are saviors. There are the super-hero saviors who swoop in to rescue and then, just as quickly, fly away. Those who deliver from immediate danger, but may be busy somewhere else when the next crisis arises.

And then there is the Savior who delivers eternally and still abides daily. The One who wins our greatest battle, saving us from our greatest enemy, and yet sticks around to provide help in time of need for the day-to-day conflicts. Fear not, says the LORD, for I am with you.

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. . . . Fear not, for I am with you . . . ”

(Isaiah 43:1b-3a, 5a ESV)

Love this portion of Isaiah. “Behold My Servant,” the LORD declares in Isaiah 42. Meek and gentle at His first appearing. “A bruised reed He will not break, and a faintly burning wick He will not quench” (Isa. 42:3). Yet, He will bring forth justice. Initially through His sacrifice on the cross where He will give Himself as the justly demanded payment for men’s and women’s sin. And then, at a future day, when He returns to rule and bring forth justice to all nations.

Behold My Servant. The rescuer from sin. The conqueror over death. So fear not, says the LORD, I have redeemed you.

And redeeming you, He says, I will remain with you. Whether it be passing through deep waters or raging rivers. Even if it involves the flames of fiery trials, the heat of which seems unbearable. In the water, through the fire, I will be with you, says the LORD.

And not so that I might comfort you as you go under for the third time. Not to fan you as the flames consume you. But I am with you so that you will not drown as the waters rise. I am with you so that you might walk through the fire without being burned. That you might endure the furnace, not just emerging intact but coming forth refined as silver or gold.

Fear not, for I am with you . . .

I am the LORD your God. I am the Holy One. I am your Savior.

O’ what a Savior!

Eternal redemption through His once for all sacrifice. Day by day renewal as, by His Word and through His indwelling Spirit, He communes with us. Moment by moment relief as He sojourns alongside down all the paths before us.

And so, says the LORD this morning, fear not. Don’t be afraid of the difficulties. Don’t dread the unknown. Don’t be frightened because of the difficulty. Fear not, for I am with you.

Consequently, He is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.

(Hebrews 7:25 ESV)

I am with you. A pretty powerful promise of God. A pretty awesome Savior!

A reminder of His all sufficient grace. A reason to give Him everlasting glory!

Amen?

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Teach Me to Wait!

Posted on September 8, 2016 by Pete

Kind of an “aha moment” this morning as I continued to read in, and meditate on, Isaiah. The “aha?” Waiting is not the same as doing nothing. In fact, when we wait for the right thing it’s re-energizing. When we pause to focus on the right stuff it’s empowering. When we linger in anticipation it permits us to rise up with supernatural strength. Oh Lord, teach me to wait!

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)

This past year has been one of truly learning what it means to take it “one day at a time.” These past six months especially have been consistently marked by thanking God for the day just experienced before we turn out the lights every night and, of becoming more and more aware of His “new every morning” mercies as we wake up each morning and head into the day before us. It’s kind of what you do when there’s not much else you can do. But, I’m reminded by Isaiah this morning, it’s doing a lot!

Waiting is not the same as doing nothing. Doing nothing is not the same as waiting.

Waiting is not default inaction when you’re wasted and wiped out. It is an intentional focusing on things above . . . the conscious act of putting the “here and now” in the context of the “there and then” . . . the purposeful application of the never failing promises of God toward dealing with the seemingly never ending concerns of today.

Waiting is doing something. When the waiting is on the LORD, then it is, in glorious reality, a refueling, a reviving, a renewing of strength. It brings power to the faint and strength to those with no might. That’s the promise of God’s word.

For it lies not just in waiting, but in who we purpose to wait upon. The LORD, Jehovah, is “the existing One.” He is the I AM. The everlasting God, the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. As such, He does not faint. He cannot grow weary. And the storehouse of His understanding of our condition is beyond exploring. So, out of the abundance of who He is, He is able to give liberally, and supernaturally, to those who wait. Power to the faint. Increased strength to those without might.

When our natural resources are depleted . . . when our own vitality, our own strength, our own positive energy is gone . . . when the marathon of life seemingly taps out our natural talents and training (and it will), then waiting on the LORD becomes our means to renewal. Abiding with Him, our revival. Lingering over His word, our reassurance. Remembering His promises, our refueling. Appropriating anew His power, our re-launching.

For then we take on wings to fly. Like eagles, we mount up above the troubles of the day. Able, by Him and through Him, to soar even when carrying a heavy load.

For then we’re given fresh legs to run the race. Drawing on supernatural stamina to keep on keepin’ on as we walk whatever road God has allowed us to travel.

Waiting is doing something. Lord, teach me to wait!

By Your grace. For Your glory.

(Chewing on this brought back a song from long ago. If you have a couple more minutes, check it out here.)

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Taking Off My Shoes

Posted on September 7, 2016 by Pete

Reading King Hezekiah’s story in Isaiah this morning. Most notable about this king? He received an extension . . . an extension on his life. Knowing that his days on earth were drawing to a close (because God had told them they were), King Hezekiah interceded on his own behalf and God said, “Yes.”

Then the word of the LORD came to Isaiah: “Go and say to Hezekiah, Thus says the LORD, the God of David your father: I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Behold, I will add fifteen years to your life.”

(Isaiah 38:4-5 ESV)

Pretty amazing if you pause to think about it. I don’t think God was “bluffing” when, through Isaiah, He told Hezekiah to set his house in order because Hezekiah would not recover from the sickness that had brought him to the point of death (38:1). I kind of think that Hezekiah had come to the end of the days God had written for him in His book–“the days that were formed for me, when as yet there were none of them” (Ps. 139:16). And yet, God tacks on another 5,400 days to Hezekiah’s earthly lifespan. Due, certainly, to God’s sovereign purposes. But also in response to Hezekiah’s impassioned plea. God heard Hezekiah’s prayer.

Says something about Hezekiah as a prayer.

It seems that when Hezekiah addressed heaven, heaven listened. When the King asked, he was heard. When he knocked, the door was answered. How come? Well I think, at least in part, due to the fact that when Hezekiah entered the presence of the Almighty, he first took off his shoes.

I make that observation based on another prayer of Hezekiah I read this morning. One that happened earlier in his life when he was out-numbered and being badgered by an arrogant Assyrian horde. And though the situation was desperate, though there may have been good reason to frantically start launching petitions heavenward, Hezekiah reminds himself of who he is about to address. He remembers who God is and that to enter into His presence, no matter how great the emergency is, is to stand on holy ground. And, when you are about to enter onto holy ground, taking off your shoes is just the right thing to do (Ex. 3:5).

. . . and Hezekiah went up to the house of the LORD, and spread it before the LORD. And Hezekiah prayed to the LORD: “O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, who is enthroned above the cherubim, You are the God, You alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; You have made heaven and earth. Incline Your ear, O LORD, and hear; open Your eyes, O LORD, and see . . .

(Isaiah 37:14b-17a ESV)

The enemy was at the gate, yet Hezekiah first reminded himself who was enthroned on high. They were almost 200,000 fighting men. Yet God is the God who alone is over all the kingdoms. They threatened to take over the city. But Hezekiah prayed to the One who made heaven and earth. No doubt Hezekiah approached the LORD with a great sense of angst over the situation, but He also approached with a great sense of awe as he looked up from the footstool of the Sovereign.

And I’m thinking this is part of the power in Hezekiah’s prayer life. A prayer life that repelled an enemies army and that moved the hand of God to grant 15 more years of life. A prayer life seemingly marked by an intentional awareness of the majesty, glory, and power of the One being petitioned. A prayer life marked by a recognition that to boldly approach the throne of grace is, in fact, to enter onto holy ground. A prayer life marked by first taking of his shoes before entering into God’s holy presence.

O how I need to be careful of “rushing in”, delivering my list of petitions, and then rushing out. How I need to recognize the holy ground I’m graciously permitted to stand upon and to make the time to take off my shoes.

Because of His grace. All for His glory.

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The Highway of Holiness

Posted on September 6, 2016 by Pete

It’s a prophecy concerning them, but it has been preserved for us. Depending on how you interpret it, it’s either been fulfilled or will be fulfilled . . . or, perhaps, was partially fulfilled and is yet to be fully fulfilled. But either way, I think it’s fair to say it pictures the believer’s unseen reality today. It’s about a journey. And it’s about a road. And that road is the Highway of Holiness.

And a highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Way of Holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it. It shall belong to those who walk on the way; even if they are fools, they shall not go astray. No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it; they shall not be found there, but the redeemed shall walk there. And the ransomed of the LORD shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

(Isaiah 35:8-10 ESV)

A promise for God’s ancient people, Israel. The pathway for all God’s today people, the Church. Those who are “the redeemed.” “The ransomed of the LORD” who have been bought with great price by the God of Heaven through the finished work of the Christ, God’s own Son, on the cross. We are on that highway, the Highway of Holiness.

In a sense it’s a toll highway. Access is restricted, “the unclean shall not pass over it.” Yet it is available to everyone. Accessible to all who, by faith, seek to enter the Way believing Jesus has paid “the toll” in full–His shed blood sufficient to cleanse us from all sin (1John 1:7b).

It is the Way of Holiness. Not our own, but the holiness and righteousness of Another which has been credited to our account. What’s more, while having been set apart as holy, as we travel the way we are being made holy. The Way having a sanctifying impact on all who pursue it and keep on keepin’ on.

And there’s no getting lost on this road. Having entered, no one will go astray. Sure, there may be wrong turns along the way. Maybe a detour or two. But, having entered the Way based on the work of another, the Son of God, we journey along the Way with the guidance of Another, the Spirit of God. And “they shall not go astray.” The work started will be completed (Php. 1:6). The destination will be reached. Jesus “able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them” (Heb. 7:25).

Isaiah’s vision is of a highway without danger–no lion, no ravenous beast. Our reality, however, is aware of an adversary that “prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1Pet. 5:8) but one who has no power over us, an enemy defeated. When we set ourselves against him, he flees (James 4:7b)–no place for him on the Road.

And this Highway leads to Zion. To God’s holy hill. To the place where His throne is established forever. To the place where His glory dwells in its fullness. And there we shall behold Him! Faith’s journey having given way to a face-to-face reality.

Any wonder that we travel the road with singing? Is it surprising that given what lies at the end of the highway, gladness and joy have a way of displacing the sorrow and sighing? Everything that is encountered in the “here and now” is seen in the context of the “there and then” and, as such, everlasting joy envelopes every mile of the journey.

The Highway of Holiness. An ancient prophecy but my current reality.

All because of grace. All for God’s glory.

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Buy Truth

Posted on September 2, 2016 by Pete

Last night I worked on some budgeting with one of my girls. She and I sat together in front of a computer screen and an open spreadsheet–me typing, she telling me what to type as she looked on via FaceTime (gotta love technology!). It was time for her to get a handle on her income and expenses. Time to figure out required vs. discretionary spending. Time to understand what was left over at the end of a month as “disposable income.” And it’s got me thinking that what we’re wise to do, from time to time, with our money account, we’d be wise to do with our time account as well.

Only so much time gets deposited into the time account. Our monthly “income” of time is fixed. And there’s some non-negotiable “expenses” that we will have to pay out from our account. We need to sleep. The majority of us need to work. Then there are the withdrawals from the account that just come from doing life–eating, commuting, servicing family needs, and so on. But, I’m guessing for at least most of us, after we’ve accounted for our mandatory time expenses against our fixed income, we all end up with some amount of “disposable income.” We all have a certain amount of time that can be spent at our discretion.

Oh, what to do with whatever “windfall” we have left over?

Well, from my reading in Proverbs this morning, one investment opportunity jumped off the page. One suggestion (more of a command, actually) I’m chewing on as to where at least some of that disposable time can be tendered. Buy truth!

Buy truth, and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.

(Proverbs 23:23 ESV)

So where do we buy truth from? On the night of His betrayal, Jesus interceded for His followers before His Father, “Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth” (John 17:17). So let’s start there. If we want to buy truth, if we want to be marked by truth, we are going to need to spend some of our time account on God’s word.

Make no mistake about it, truth needs to be bought and the currency for making such a purchase is our time,  And, it’s more than just the time we spend being fed from the pulpit on Sunday mornings. I heard a preacher say years ago that sermons are but advertised truth and that, if you want to buy that truth for yourself, you need to spend time “examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things are so” (Acts 17:11).

Man shall not live on three point sermons alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.

(Matthew 4:4 (sort of) PLT (Pete’s Loose Translation))

The preacher can lay it out there. The teacher can set the table. But you can’t really be picking up what’s being laid down without a bit of investment and effort. No way around it, buying truth is going to require using up some of that “disposable income.” It’s going to demand that we direct some of our discretionary time to the word of God. But the returns on such an investment are pretty much beyond counting. The payback is transformation through the renewing of the mind (Rom 12:2).

In fact, if we really believed that to be true, then the time needed to buy truth would no longer be viewed as an optional expense. What’s more, once we’ve experienced the “return on investment” of spending time to buy truth, we start budgeting for “the expense” under the “required” category along with sleeping, eating, and working.

Spend time on buying truth from the storehouse of God’s word. That’s Wisdom’s plea.

Apply your heart to instruction and your ear to words of knowledge.
Hear, my son, and be wise, and direct your heart in the way.
My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways.

(Proverbs 23:12, 19, 26 ESV)

Reviewing our financial budgeting is just a smart and prudent thing to do from time to time. So is a periodic consideration of how we’re spending and investing our time account. Oh that God’s people would allocate generously towards spending time in God’s word.

By God’s grace. For God’s glory.

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A People of Refuge

Posted on September 1, 2016 by Pete

When I read in the morning I’m on the lookout for a number of themes, each associated with a specific way I’ll mark my Bible. This morning it’s something I shaded in red that has me thinking–the color I use for observations about “the church” or, more generally, “the people of God.” Sometimes I’ll observe an attribute of the church or an affection of God towards His people. Sometimes it’s a “one another” command, other times it’s just a dynamic that seems to have marked family life. And, quite often, I’ll take note of how the people of God are referred to. The names or analogies used to describe God’s chosen inheritance revealing something of how God sees His children and how we should see ourselves.

Whether individuals are referred to as “brother”, “sister”, or “beloved” . . . or the whole is called ” the saints”, “the body of Christ”, or “the household of faith”, if every word I’m reading is God-breathed then every descriptor is carefully chosen and thus is there for my instruction . . . and for my meditation.

This morning it was such a reference that was shaded in red. A way of referring to believers that’s got me noodling. We are a people of refuge.

So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of His purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.

(Hebrews 6:17-18 ESV)

Context? The writer is addressing believers, particularly Jewish believers, who are having second thoughts about following Christ. It’s been hard, really hard. And there’s something tempting about going back to the more familiar ways, to the more culturally acceptable ways. But the writer to the Hebrews contends for their faith with one grand theme, “Jesus is better!” Not only is He better, He is the fulfillment of the promises made to Israel. He is the deliver superior to Moses. He is the Sabbath rest foreshadowed since creation. And He is the “Yes” and “Amen” of the promises made to Abraham.

And God’s promises and purposes, like God Himself, are unchangeable. Thus, they are a “sure and steadfast anchor of the soul.” And those who hold fast to such hope are those “who have fled for refuge.”

No doubt there is a allusion here to the cities of refuge (Numbers 35) established when God’s ancient people moved into the land promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob–places where those who took another life accidentally could flee to avoid the “avenger of blood.” Jesus being the greater city of refuge.

Of those ancient cities their were six to increase the chances that someone could make it to safety before the avenger overtook them. Of the Christ there is but one, accessible by all, all the time, who call on His name. Only those who had committed manslaughter could avail themselves of the city, but Christ our refuge is available to all sorts of sinners, His shed blood sufficient to atone for all manner of transgression. For those who fled to a city of refuge, they were to remain in a manner of exile within the walls of the city. For us who have fled to Christ, we remain in Him only to find great freedom and liberty. Having fled to Him for refuge we have been released from the condemnation of sin and reborn to know true life, . . . abundant life, . . .  eternal life.

But beyond the picture of the city of refuge, there is a sense in this banner for God’s people of a ship that has sailed for safe harbor to escape tempestuous seas. Of those who have sought a haven of rest from the storms of life. And whereas the refuge of the city is a once for all fleeing to escape the debt of sin, the refuge of the port is available continually, as God’s people are beckoned to continually enter “into the inner place behind the curtain” (6:19b).

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

(Hebrews 4:16 ESV)

We who have fled for refuge are a people of refuge. Those who have found safety in the shadow of the cross. Those who have found sustaining grace in the arms of God. Those who have found sufficient strength for the day as we abide in Christ. Those who walk with abiding assurance through the inner testimony of the Holy Spirit.

A people of refuge . . . worth noodling on.

Because of grace. For His glory.

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