Seizing Eternal Life

Posted on August 11, 2014 by Pete

So . . . have been offline for the past week . . . so nice to be back at my desk this morning. Wrapped up 1Timothy this morning. Paul doesn’t waste a word. With intensity to the very end, he exhorts his apprentice to “fight the good fight of faith.” The stakes are high . . . Timothy has been given charge to shepherd the flock at Ephesus. The opposition is real . . . from both the world around them and from the “weeds” sown among them. But while there is much to do to contend for the people of God and seize every day, what grabs me this morning, is that it starts with contending for the presence of God and seizing eternal life.

But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.    (1Timothy 6:11-12 ESV)

Take hold of eternal life . . . lay hold of it . . . attain to it . . . take possession of it . . . seize it with both hands.

How often do I think of eternal life as only something that has been freely gifted to me . . . and it is . . . but not something to lay hold of? Pretty often.

It’s one of the dynamics of the Christian life . . . taking that which we have been promised and making it that which becomes part of our practice. For example, we have been declared holy in Christ, therefore we are commanded to be holy. Similarly, we have been given eternal life, thus we are to lay hold of it.

Because eternal life is the prize, it becomes the essence of our pursuit. It’s not something that is only inherited when we see Jesus, but something that is laid before us each morning as the prize of victory worthy of our intense desire. And as we keep our eye on the crown . . . as we remind ourselves of the reward that awaits those who have been called of God . . . it refuels the desire to fight that good fight and to pursue the things of the kingdom.

To run swiftly after righteousness . . . godliness . . . faith . . . love . . . steadfastness . . . and gentleness.

And who is up to such things? Who is able to successfully engage in such a race for such a prize? By what power?

Just as it was not by our efforts that we earned this eternal life “to which you were called,” so too, our pursuit of it is not dependent on our own “spiritual fitness or capabilities” . . . but enabled through the grace of God and empowered by the Spirit of God.

Mine is to desire to lay hold of the prize . . . to set my face in the morning toward heaven, and be reminded that this world is not my home . . . to consider again the stewardship God has given me and seek to be faithful . . . and then to prioritize appropriately . . . and pursue passionately . . . by the abundant out-pouring of God’s amazing grace . . . and through the continual filling of God’s Holy Spirit. Only as He enables . . . only as He works the work He has begun in my life . . . am I able to lay hold of such a glorious prize.

Eternal life . . . the prize of His upward calling. Worthy of my meditation this morning . . . worthy of my determination throughout this day.

O’ that I might seize eternal life . . . by His grace . . . for His glory . . .

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Reclaiming Our Feed

Posted on August 1, 2014 by Pete

This morning I was reminded that, in a sense, we all have a FaceBook page. A “news feed” that posts what we’re doing at any given time. But unlike the FB page we set up, we don’t get to choose what goes on this page. There’s no posting just the best selfies . . . or just putting in our status the most witty of comments. We don’t get to control what people know about us based on what we choose to “Like” or what we select to “Follow.” Actually, we don’t control the feed at all. It’s a live, real-time feed. Not only does it show snapshots of what we’re doing, it also streams what we’re thinking. In fact, it lays our whole lives bare. And who’s on the other side of this feed? Only one person. None other than the LORD of Creation Himself.

For a man’s ways are before the eyes of the LORD,
           and He ponders all his paths.    (Proverbs 5:21 ESV)

Context? A wise father’s warning to his son concerning “a forbidden woman,” one whose lips “drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil” (Prov. 5:3). Specifically, she is an adulteress. Broadly though, I think she could be seen as the intoxicating allure of the world . . . seeking those betrothed to heaven to find their pleasure in her rather than “the wife of their youth” . . . inviting those pledged to Another to find their satisfaction in her, rather than “drinking water from their own cisterns.”

And at the core of this warning is a reminder. A simple reminder that we are “online” . . . that the “Go Camera” is running . . . that we are “live streaming” . . . and that the holy God of heaven “ponders” all our paths. The original word is the word for “weigh.” The LORD weighs all our ways. Our ways of behaving . . . our ways of thinking . . . our ways of prioritizing . . . our ways of hiding our ways. All of it, before the eyes of the LORD.

How intimidating . . . if it weren’t for the fact that, . . . and I say this with deepest reverence and awe, . . . He has chosen to “Friend” us . . . and, as we allow Him, to take over and reclaim our “feed.”

While a holy God would be absolutely just in “blocking” us as friends . . . He has chosen, instead, to redeem us. Sending His Son to call us to Himself. Offering His Son as the atoning sacrifice for our transgressions, and the once for all payment for our sin. Sealing all those, who receive His gift of salvation, with His blessed Holy Spirit . . . a guarantee of eternal deliverance . . . and the Source of internal redesign . . . forming within us the image of Christ.

And mine is to submit to His sanctifying in work, in part, by taking heed to His sanctifying word.

My son, be attentive to my wisdom;
           incline your ear to my understanding . . .     (Proverbs 5:1 ESV)

What a friend we have in Jesus. A Friend who doesn’t need us to “post” what’s going on or “tweet” what we’re thinking. A Friend who sees all our ways . . . ponders all our paths . . . and, with over-flowing grace, has washed away our sin and is working on reclaiming our “feed” . . . for His glory.

O’ what a Savior!

Amen?

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Go For the Cheap Seats

Posted on July 31, 2014 by Pete

I really don’t like “General Admission” seating. When I have a ticket to an event, I prefer a reserved seat . . . a spot I know that I can place my keester regardless of how early, or not, I arrive. There’s something about “General Admission” that can bring out the worst in some people. Recently, at my daughter’s graduation, where we needed a ticket to get in, but had no assigned seating, we saw a bit of an ugly scene play out.

People were waiting at the door well in advance of its opening so they could be the first to rush in and grab the prime seating. We managed to avoid standing in line but were still among the first to get in as someone told us there was an entrance on the other side of the building that people were unaware of. Bonus! No waiting in line . . . still with a shot at some good seats. We found some seats . . . parked ourselves . . . and then had a front row view of a drama that played itself out in front of us while we waited for the ceremony to begin.

What looked to be a large family had come to proudly watch their graduating student “walk.” Actually, only two or three had managed to be among the early arrivals and they had staked a lot of territory in front of us in order to reserve it for those yet to arrive. Now, holding seats for others in “General Admission” situations isn’t that unusual, but the number that this small entourage tried to “call dibs on” seemed a bit much. Not only to me, but to another lady who was very much of the “first come, first served” persuasion. And she plunked herself down right in the middle of this family’s intended “reserved seating” and proceeded to pull out her camera and line it up for the perfect shot of her grad when they walked.

Needless to say, it sparked some words to be exchanged in front of us. A lady who was holding seats tried to get the lady who was sitting in the seat to leave . . . and the firmly seated lady wasn’t having it. The first lady’s argument? . . . we were here first and are saving those seats for the rest of our family. The firmly seated lady’s counter-argument? . . . Tough! I am here now and I want this preferred seating and I am staking claim to this seat. And so camera lady sat amidst the big family . . . all who were there except for the one who had to find another seat somewhere else.

Ok Pete . . . interesting (or not) story. So what’s the point?

This story came to mind because of a kingdom principle I came across in one of my readings this morning. Go for the cheap seats.

“But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”   ~ Jesus (Luke 14:10-11 ESV)

I’ve been invited into the kingdom of God . . . by the grace of God . . . through the wooing of the Spirit . . . on the basis of the finished work of the cross of Christ. Don’t deserve to get in. But, by faith in the good news that Jesus came to save sinners, I’ve been admitted as a blood-bought guest of the Son. And in a sense, though I have an “inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away reserved for me in heaven” (1Peter 3:5), right now it’s kind of like “General Admission” as I find my place in the kingdom. And Jesus says, go in looking to sit in the lowest place. Even though you might think you deserve a better seat because you arrived early (or for some other reason), take the last one . . . take the one no one else is rushing to . . . take the one behind the pillar . . . take the one next to the bathroom . . . take the cheap seats. For God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble (1Peter 5:5).

I need to clothe myself in humility and not assert my right to be “up front” . . . or demand a seat with a good view. In humility, I need to count others more significant than myself (Php. 2:3). I need to be like my Savior who humbled Himself and opted for the cross rather than the throne during His first visit to earth, that the will of God might be accomplished.

Mine is to take the lowly place . . . to opt for the cheap seats . . . and leave it to the LORD to move me up to “better seating” if and when He chooses. After all, isn’t that the only reserved seat that really means anything? The seat of His choosing? I’m thinkin’ . . .

By His grace . . . for His glory . . .

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Truth in Advertising

Posted on July 30, 2014 by Pete

If it were a cost / benefit analysis the appropriate course of action would be a no brainer. If the claims are to be believed, then the investment would be gladly tendered. If the returns are but a portion of what is promised, then why wouldn’t I be all in? If there’s truth in this “advertising,” then I would be a fool to walk away from it.

I’m three days into my readings in Proverbs and the “hard sell” is on. “Wisdom cries aloud in the street” (1:20) . . . receive me . . . tune your ears to me . . . incline your heart to me . . . raise your voice and cry out for me . . . seek me like silver . . . search for me like hidden treasure (2:1-4). The momentum through the first three chapters of Solomon’s treatise on “the beginning of knowledge” is building.

Orange, the colored pencil I use for highlighting promises, is starting to fill the pages of this opening portion of Proverbs. The promises come fast and furious . . . you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God (2:3) . . . you will dwell secure (1:33) . . . it will add days and years to your life (3:2) . . . you will find good success (3:4) . . . He will make straight your paths (3:6) . . . the LORD will be your confidence (3:26) . . . the wise will inherit honor (3:35).

I almost want to avoid coloring anymore. I’m so wary of a prosperity gospel that I don’t know what to do with all these benefits that are claimed for those who are blessed because they find wisdom and get understanding (3:13). But the prosperity being advertised here is “better than gain from silver . . . her profit better than gold . . . more precious than jewels . . . in fact, nothing you desire can compare with her” (3:14-15). The return is counted not in earthly riches . . . but something more valuable.

She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called blessed.    (Proverbs 3:18 ESV)

There was a “tree in life” in the midst of the garden of Eden (Gen. 2:9). There will be a “tree of life” in the heavenly city (Rev. 22:2). And, if you believe Wisdom’s claims, she is tree of life TODAY for all who will lay hold of her.

The same wisdom by which God founded the earth . . . the same understanding by which He established the heavens . . . the same knowledge by which the clouds water the earth (3:19-20). This is the wisdom available to those who seek her. This is the wisdom that gives life to those who find her. So why wouldn’t I be in hot pursuit of such a treasure? Whatever the effort in pursuing . . . whatever the investment in seeking . . . all worth it . . . as the returns are beyond any treasures or pleasures this world has to offer.

And as I read, my heart is stirred, knowing that wisdom is found in the Word of God. In the written word, to be sure . . . but also in the living Word. The Word that was in the beginning . . . the Word through whom all things were made . . . the Word who, in Himself, is life . . . the Word who became flesh and dwelt among us . . . and “we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:1-4, 14).

Jesus is Wisdom . . . He is the tree of life . . . He is the One who calls out in the streets . . . He is the one worthy of hot pursuit . . . inviting me to seek Him in order to gain unworldly treasure . . . promising me that, in Him, will be found grace and power for everyday living.

If there’s truth in this advertising, and there is, then it’s a no brainer.

O’ to be a seeker of Wisdom. By His grace . . . for His glory . . .

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To Save Sinners

Posted on July 29, 2014 by Pete

I’ve said it before, while I enjoy having to noodle on some of the more “hidden secrets” of Scripture . . . while I like having to think a bit . . . and dig a bit . . . and cross reference a bit . . . I also love it when I encounter again those simple, “bottom line” truths in God’s inspired word that take little to unwind their meaning . . . but will take an eternity to understand their implications. Came across one of those in Paul’s first letter to Timothy . . .

The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.    (1Timothy 1:15 ESV)

Why did Jesus come to earth? To save sinners. Pretty simple, huh?

Sure, He came to announce that the kingdom of heaven was at hand. And, He came to find lost sheep. He also came to enter into His creation’s life context, that He might be a faithful High Priest able to sympathize with our weakness. But in order to be a reigning King . . . and a great Shepherd . . . and a faithful Intercessor . . . He came to save sinners.

This is a trustworthy saying, and deserving of full acceptance. It’s a truth that can be relied upon . . . even by the vilest enemies of God . . . that Christ came to redeem and reclaim even the most rebellious lovers of darkness. While it might sound like Christianity 101, Paul’s statement is worthy of being received in its fullness by all who have ears to hear. Regardless of past iniquities . . . despite all transgressions against a holy God. In fact, because of such things, Jesus came into the world. That’s what was necessary to save sinners.

Paul was a blasphemer of the Holy Trinity. He was an arrogant disputer of Christ’s claim as God’s Holy One. He was a persecutor and executioner of God’s holy people. He was, by his own assessment, the foremost of sinners . . . or as the KJV puts it . . . the chief of sinners. But such are those for whom the Father sent the Son into the world.

God sent not His Son because the world deserved His favor . . . but because we deserved His wrath. God sent not His Son because we desired His face . . . but because each of us had determined to give Him our back, and had gone astray. Rather, Christ Jesus came into the world because of Heaven’s determination to save sinners.

. . . and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.  
(1Timothy 1:14 ESV)

Overflowing grace towards blasphemers, debaters, and persecutors. Abundant grace for those who loved darkness more than light. Conquering grace, seeding even the faith to believe that Jesus came to love the unlovely and unlovable. Amazing grace . . . how sweet the sound . . . that saved a wretch like me.

Not too complex a thought this morning. But one that will take eternity to plumb the depths of what motivated the blessed Son of God to enter our sphere . . . and offer His life as a ransom for many. An eternity to thank Him, and worship Him, who came into the world to save sinners . . . of whom I am chief.

To Him be all glory . . .

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In Accordance with the Glorious Gospel

Posted on July 28, 2014 by Pete

Reminded this morning that, while there are many facets to church life, there is only one standard. That, while shepherding a flock entails many areas of instruction and counsel, there is only one plumb line against which all teaching should be measured. That, while there are practical out-workings of faith in a local body of believers, it all needs to be built on a single, firm foundation. That standard? That plumb line? That foundation? Sound doctrine . . . in accordance with the glorious gospel.

As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine . . . and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine, in accordance with the glorious gospel of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted.    (1Timothy 1:3, 10b-11 ESV)

Paul will deal with a number of “family issues” in this letter to Timothy so that the body at Ephesus would know “how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God” (1Tim. 3:14-15). But, out of the gate, he deals with the essence of the stewardship he had been entrusted with . . . the stewardship he had entrusted to Timothy . . . “the glorious gospel of the blessed God.” And at the heart of being a faithful steward was an unswerving resolve to align all things to sound teaching.

It would seem that it didn’t take long for this fledgling fellowship to move on from “the basics” and get into “more relevant” issues. That while the fundamentals might be fine for those new to the faith, there were more subtle and sophisticated matters which needed to be worked through. And Paul called these “deeper matters” myths and endless genealogies, “which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith” (1:4). Things that caused some to “have wandered away into vain discussion” (1:6).

Seems that since the beginning of the church there has been a propensity by some to move off “the pat answers” and the “plain gospel” and into stuff that deals with real issues and gets below the surface of to what God really wants us to know. But what was needed at Ephesus, according to Paul, was to stay aligned to the fundamentals . . . that stuff which plainly held forth the glorious gospel of the blessed God.

That’s the stewardship. It’s the treasure of God’s good news . . . the truths of God’s redemptive story, from Genesis to Revelation. And, at the core of this stewardship, is a belief that any illumination concerning the Scriptures which is of the Spirit, is for the intent of revealing God’s glorious plan to rescue man from sin and death.

A belief that all that is revealed concerning the essence of man being made in God’s image . . . of the fall of man from his intended place in creation . . . of the promises to a patriarch and his people to be a source of God’s blessing for all nations . . . of the story of God’s ancient people . . . of the songs of David and the inspired declarations of the prophets . . . of the birthing of a new people, called out from both Jew and Gentile, to form the spiritual body of God’s Son, and be a holy people shining forth light in a dark world, all the while being transformed into the likeness of their Savior to, one day, be presented to Him as a spotless bride . . . that all of it has been revealed for the purpose of making known the glorious gospel of the blessed God.

That which varies from this standard is, at best, unprofitable and, at worst, dangerous.

Not to say there isn’t a place for higher and deeper thinking than many of us are able to do ourselves . . . but that, at the end of the day, it’s about a stewardship not an academic exercise.  And that it needs to come back to, and align with, sound doctrine.  And that, in order to profit a world that is dark and church that is called to be light, it needs to be in accordance with the glorious gospel of the blessed God.

Make sense?

By His grace . . . for His glory . . .

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The Josiah End of the Continuum

Posted on July 25, 2014 by Pete

They are at opposite ends of the spectrum. They comprise the two outer most points on the continuum. They are Josiah and Zedekiah, both kings of Judah. Josiah, chosen by the people, became king at eight years of age (2Chron. 34:1). Zedekiah, a puppet king put in place by Babylonian authority, began to reign at twenty-one (2Chron. 36:10-11). Both were presented with the word of God . . . Josiah through the written word when a long lost copy of the Law of Moses was discovered in the temple . . . Zedekiah through the spoken word as Jeremiah, the prophet, spoke to him “from the mouth of God.” But while both were kings . . . and both heard the word . . . that’s where the similarity ends. For their hearts were in very different places.

And when the king [Josiah] heard the words of the Law, he tore his clothes. . . . Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: Regarding the words that you have heard, because your heart was tender and you humbled yourself before God when you heard His words against this place and its inhabitants, and you have humbled yourself before me and have torn your clothes and wept before me, I also have heard you, declares the LORD.
(2Chronicles 34:19, 26b-27 ESV)

[Zedekiah] did not humble himself before Jeremiah the prophet, who spoke from the mouth of the LORD. . . . He stiffened his neck and hardened his heart against turning to the LORD, the God of Israel. 
(2Chronicles 36:12-13 ESV)

Josiah read the Word of God and it melted him. This kid king who, at the age of twelve, “began to seek the God of David” . . . and began to purge Judah and Jerusalem of the places established for idol worship, . . . he knew things were not as they should be amongst the people of God. But when the word of God, given through Moses, was read to him . . . when he connected the dots between the judgments of Deuteronomy and the reality of his kingdom . . . he realized, to a whole next level, how far God’s people had strayed.

His heart was tender . . . and the Word had its impact. And the king humbled himself . . . and sought the LORD . . . and the LORD heard him.

Swing the pendulum to the other end of the continuum. Zedekiah didn’t need to look very far to know that things were not as they should be in Judah. And, if he had any doubt as to why, God sent a prophet to reveal the “behind the scenes” workings of God as to why heaven had permitted the Babylonians to come to power over Judah. But instead of submitting to the Word of God and submitting to the authority of Babylon, Zedekiah rebels against Babylon’s king . . . just as he had set his face to defy Heaven’s king. Unlike Josiah, he would not humble himself . . . unlike the tender heart of the kid king, this puppet king hardened his heart against turning to the LORD.

Pretty stark contrast . . . Pretty clear continuum . . .

Tender Heart  <—————->  Hard Heart

Where does my heart lie? Pretty sure it’s not hard like Zedekiah’s . . . but is it as tender as Josiah’s? How supple is my heart in the hands of the Spirit? How ready is it to receive and respond to the Word of God?

I could never make my heart tender. God did that when He redeemed me, replacing my heart of stone with a heart of flesh (Ezek: 36:26). But I can harden that new heart. Through neglect I can allow it to grow tough and leathered . . . losing its holy sensitivity to the things of God. I can drift from the tender area of the spectrum if I turn my face from seeking God’s face . . . if I allow His Word’s access to my heart to be cut off . . . or, I only entertain the Word that I want to hear.

O . . . to protect a tender heart. To desire a humble spirit. To respond to a gracious God. To be on the Josiah end of the continuum.

By His grace . . . for His glory.

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Senior Pride-itis

Posted on July 24, 2014 by Pete

The warning of the kings of Judah continues in 2Chronicles this morning. And it’s not so much in the kings who “did evil in the sight of the Lord” . . . that’s not where I am at. But the “watch out for” is demonstrated in another of those kings who did what was right in the sight of the LORD . . . in this morning’s reading, King Hezekiah.

Hezekiah was a good king (2Chron. 29 – 31). The people were better off because of his leadership. Under his rule, the temple is cleansed and restored to full functioning order. Under his rule, worship at the temple is rekindled to a measure of its former glory . . . complete with song-singing, God-praising Levitical choirs leading the people in God exalting homage. Even the Passover remembrance is reestablished . . . Hezekiah calling all of God’s covenant people, those from Judah as well as those from rogue Israel, to come to Jerusalem and to return to their God. And, it would appear, some legitimate revival broke out . . . the hand of God moving the hearts of men to respond to the king’s invitation . . . and, beyond that, God’s gracious and merciful hand moving the people to tear down their idol-worshiping high places in the process.

Hezekiah was also a courageous king (2Chron. 33). He stood fast when the Assyrians came and invaded Judah, laying siege to Jerusalem, and casting contempt on the LORD and His power to save. And the LORD shows Himself mighty on behalf of the king and his people.

And what you sense through all this is that Hezekiah was a praying king. He prayed for those who came to the Passover feast but had not cleansed themselves, asking the LORD to pardon all those who set their hearts to seek God even though they had not done so according to the sanctuary’s rule of cleanness (30:18-19). And the LORD heard Hezekiah and healed the people (30:20). Hezekiah is also found going to prayer when the Assyrians were breathing down their necks outside the city walls . . . crying out to heaven along with Isaiah the prophet on Judah’s behalf (32:20). And God sent an angel to cut off the enemy’s mighty army.

Hezekiah’s life was marked by seeking his God and doing all that he did for the Lord with all his heart. But . . . and, in this case, I hate that word “but” . . . but as he grew older some “senior pride-itis” rears its ugly head . . .

In those days Hezekiah became sick and was at the point of death, and he prayed to the LORD, and He answered him and gave him a sign. But Hezekiah did not make return according to the benefit done to him, for his heart was proud. Therefore wrath came upon him and Judah and Jerusalem. (2Chronicles 32:24-25 ESV)

The good king . . . the courageous king . . . the praying king . . . gets older and he becomes a proud king. Oh, what a warning for those of us who have sought to faithfully follow the LORD and now are entering our “senior discount” years. We’re still serving . . . we’re still praying . . . God’s still graciously showing Himself faithful . . . but there seems to be a real possibility that our hearts can be at risk of getting a little puffed up. Perhaps because we’ve seen some fruit along the way . . . perhaps because we’ve come to think that God’s faithfulness to us has been due to the fact that we’ve deserved it for seeking to be faithful to Him . . . perhaps because we’ve let our guards down a bit, and have eased up a bit on doing battle with the old nature.

Whatever the contributing factors, Hezekiah’s a warning. A warning to me to always cling to the cross as my only source of sufficiency . . . to continually acknowledge God’s grace as the only explanation for whatever service has been rendered in His name . . . to passionately pursue the things of the kingdom for the King’s glory, and His glory alone.

O’, that the LORD would keep me from senior pride-itis. By His grace . . . for His glory . . .

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God In, God Out

Posted on July 23, 2014 by Pete

The ask was for direction. The prayer was for guidance. Removing the hindrances . . . making straight the paths . . . that was the request. And that which was in need of a divine “maps app?” The heart. The destination? The love of God . . . and the perseverance of Christ.

May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.    (2Thessalonians 3:5 ESV)

The Thessalonians were relatively new believers. Grounded in the basics of the faith but placed in the context of advanced persecution. Paul would do all that he could to support them. He would write to them concerning the truth . . . send brothers to them to encourage them in the faith . . . and, blanketing it all, pray for them and their endurance in the faith. But, beyond all his best efforts, Paul knew that the “X factor” for keepin’ on keepin’ on was something beyond his reach. That the “secret sauce” was something he couldn’t apply. At the end of the day, it would be a heart thing. Only the inner man able to sustain the determination to walk in a manner worthy of the upward call of heaven, despite the opposition.

And so, Paul makes the ask . . . O’ that the Lord would make straight paths for your heart to know the love of God and the patient perseverance of Christ.

Reminds me of the basics of computer programming (that would be “software engineering” for today’s generation) . . . G-I-G-O . . . Garbage-In-Garbage-Out . . . that the quality of a program’s output is directly related to the quality of the input. Bad data in . . . bad information out. Good data in . . . good information out.

In the case of Paul’s prayer for the Thessalonians . . . God In . . . God Out.

To the degree that they might know afresh the love of God, that would be the degree to which they would know the steadfastness of Christ. Should their hearts be stirred anew with that love which surpasses knowledge, then their minds would refocus on the promise that they could do all things through Christ who strengthens them. To be flooded with the implications of the cross would result in lives poured out in self-sacrificing determination to faithfully live for Him who is faithful.

God In . . . God Out. His love before us . . . the world behind us.

And it’s only as the Lord directs our hearts. Not our ability to gut it out . . . not our disciplined mind over all in this world that doesn’t matter. But only as God, by His Spirit, stirs our spirits . . . and directs our souls . . . and makes straight paths for our hearts . . . to know afresh His great love toward us . . . will He also direct us to desire the great perseverance so modeled by His blessed Son.

God In . . . God Out . . . by God’s grace . . . solely for God’s glory.

Amen?

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God’s Rebuilding Program

Posted on July 21, 2014 by Pete

On a couple days of vacation . . . not exactly following the normal routine . . . afternoon “morning devo’s” is kind of nice change.

Reading in 2Chronicles this morning . . . ‘er, this afternoon. And a phrase at the beginning of the twenty-forth has an ominous tone about it . . .

Joash was seven years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Zibiah of Beersheba. And Joash did what was right in the eyes of the LORD all the days of Jehoiada the priest. (2Chronicles 24:1-2. ESV)

Josh, the kid king, did what was right in the eyes of the LORD . . . but here chimes the ominous tone . . . “all the days of Jehoiada the priest.” You just know that what was starting so right isn’t going to finish so well.

While Jehoiada was there providing counsel to the king, there was positive momentum in returning to the worship of the God of their fathers. In particular, the young king was had a laser focus on repairing the temple. He was relentless on raising the funds, and providing the workmen, to restoring the place where God’s glory should dwell to a measure of its former grandeur.

But Jehoiada “grew old and full of days, and died” (24:15). Though he lived to be 130, and had been there for most of Joash’s reign, there came a time when the temple-builder king would have to go solo. And in those days, “the princes of Judah came and paid homage to the king. Then the king listened to them. And they abandoned the house of the LORD, the God of their fathers, and served the Asherim and the idols” (24:17-18a).

Really!?!? A lifetime rebuilding the temple . . . then come along along some upstart kids sweet-talking him, and Joash drops everything and is drawn into idol worship? Yeah. . . . really. Written for my instruction . . . penned for my warning (1Cor. 10:11).

Godly counsel is great . . . godly accountability is great . . . seeking to rebuild God-ordained religious activity is great . . . but without a new heart, without an internal rebuilding program, at best, it’s fleeting . . . and fades once the external influences are gone or are changed up. It’s when the voice being submitted to is that of the living Spirit of God which has taken up residence within the heart of him, or her, who has received the truth of the gospel by faith . . . and when the temple being built is the one God is building within the believer . . . that, by His grace, we can anticipate finishing well.

As important as attending to the worship of God is, we need to ensure that we are submitting to the rebuilding work He desires to do within us . . . an on-going work . . . a God sustained work . . . the sanctifying work of being conformed, increasingly, into the likeness of the Son.

By His grace . . . for His glory . . .

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