Serve and Wait

Posted on July 6, 2012 by Pete

They were examples. They were known throughout the region, and beyond, for their “work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” When the gospel had come to town, it had come in power . . . and when those in Thessalonica, whom God had chosen, heard the word, the word changed them big time. Though it would come with a certain amount of persecution and affliction, the joy of the Holy Spirit propelled them to dive head first into the implications of the gospel . . . into the realities of the kingdom of light . . . into the world of new creations and new things. And though they were pretty new to the faith and had a lot to learn, they “fast tracked” by becoming imitators of Paul . . . and, as they learned more about Jesus, doing what Jesus would do.

They were an example to all the believers. And I guess I’d do well to heed their example. Paul summed them up this way . . .

. . . you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.   (1Thessalonians 1:9b-10 ESV)

Talk about your revival! Paul had only been in Thessalonica a few short weeks (Acts 17:1-10) . . . but during that the time the word was preached . . . the Spirit descended . . . darkness gave way to light . . . idol worship gave way to idol bonfires . . . and a number of born again people started turning their worlds upside down . . . so much so that their reputation was spoken “everywhere.” And all because the Spirit of God moved in them to determine “to serve the living and true God and to wait for His Son from heaven.” Serve and wait . . . not a bad motto to seek to live by.

These sinners made saints traded their chains of bondage to the world and to the flesh for a new type of liberating slavery . . . becoming servants of the true and living God and slaves to righteousness. Their Savior was also their Master. Though they had received the free gift of salvation, they also understand that the gift had come at a great cost . . . they had been bought with a price . . . they were no longer their own . . . they were His redeemed possession (1Cor. 6:19-20). And so they would submit and they would serve . . . a work of faith . . . a labor of love.

And all with an eye to the sky. Oh, how they anticipated meeting God’s Son from heaven. They waited for the One who said He was going to prepare a place for them and promised to return for them so “that where I am you may be also” (John 14:1-3). They imagined what it would be like to have their eyes of faith give way to that first face-to-face encounter . . . to move from sensing His presence through the Sprit to beholding Jesus up close and personal. Having been delivered from the power of sin, they couldn’t wait to be delivered from the presence of sin. And, until then, they would serve.

Encountering the Master as they sought His will and walked in His ways increased the anticipation of being with Him. And the anticipation fueled the desire to be found faithful and to continue to faithfully be about the Master’s business. Heavenly service fed the longing for home . . . expecting Jesus’ imminent return spurred on the passion to lay up treasures in heaven.

Examples to all believers . . . that’s what the Thessalonians are . . .

Serve and wait . . . Wait and serve . . . by God’s grace . . . for God’s glory . . . amen?

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So Not Intuitive

Posted on July 5, 2012 by Pete

I think it must have separated their heads from their shoulders . . . I can see them doing the classic double-take snap of the head as they exclaim, “What?!?” Their brows are furled . . . they are scratching their heads . . . it just does not compute. They had been following Him for about two years . . . during that time they had left everything . . . and they had seen Him do amazing things . . . and they couldn’t help but be wondering, “What sort of man is this?” And just when they thought they were starting to get it . . . just when they were starting to see the picture that all the pieces, when put together, was forming . . . then He drops the bombshell . . .

Then He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” And Peter answered, “The Christ of God.” And He strictly charged and commanded them to tell this to no one, saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.”   (Luke 9:20-22 ESV)

Matthew, Mark, and Luke all record this wondrous declaration by Peter . . . and pair it with, what must have been, this mind-blowing revelation by Jesus. Once the disciples had started to get who Jesus was, Jesus then began to teach them that He must suffer and die and rise again. Personally, I don’t think they heard the “rise again” part . . . especially the first time that Jesus told them.

Think about it . . . the lights were finally starting to go on. This man they had been following was anything but “just a man” . . . He was the Christ of God . . . the Anointed . . . the Messiah . . . the Son of God. That was the only explanation for how He could teach with such authority . . . the only conclusion as to how He could know all that He knew about those around Him . . . the only rationale as to where the power came from which allowed Him to perform such miracles. It had to be Him . . . the promised One . . . the heir to David’s throne . . . the hope of Israel. Can you imagine the joy that came over them the very first time they articulated that Jesus must be the Christ. Horns start blaring . . . confetti and streamers start falling . . . the crowd of angels in unseen heavenly balconies are going nuts with applause and cheering, “Yes!!! They’re getting it!!! Did you hear them? . . . they starting to see it . . . they beginning to believe it . . . they said it . . . He is the Christ of God!”

And then . . . smack down! . . . dowse the flame with water . . . snatch away the candy from the baby . . . the Son of Man must suffer . . . be rejected . . . be killed . . . and again, I don’t think they even heard the rise again part.

There’s no way they could have made sense of it. How could the Promise they had been waiting centuries for be rejected? How could the Son of God suffer at the hands of men? How could Messiah die?

And I’m sitting here . . . on the other side of the cross . . . with the Spirit that raised Him from the dead residing within me, illuminating afresh to me this ancient conversation . . . and I’m in wonder as well. How, apart from the Sovereign purposes of grace, does this make any sense at all?

This is so not intuitive . . .

But behold, this is the love of God! . . . this is the good news! . . . this is my salvation!

That Jesus, the Christ of God, would come first as the Lamb of God . . . rejected . . . suffering at the hands of men . . . crucified by those He came to save . . . in order to atone for the sin of all men and women . . . in order to provide a path of reconciliation with God for all who would believer . . . in order to redeem that which was lost.

O, what a Savior!

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Who Am I?

Posted on July 4, 2012 by Pete

It’s a scene that captures my imagination. David’s all alone. If I’m understanding it correctly, he’s entered the tent where the ark is. The tent of animal skins that’s in the shadow of David’s magnificent “house of cedar” . . . the tent that David wanted to upgrade that he might build a house fitting for the glory of God to dwell . . . the tent that God says, “Leave it alone . . . you’re not going to build me a house . . . instead, I will build you a house . . . establishing your throne forever through your descendants” (1Chron. 17:1-15). So David goes into the tent . . . and, it says, he “sat before the Lord”.

One commentary I read says that David’s sitting was probably more what we would consider to be squatting. Makes sense . . . don’t think there was a chair made for the holy place. So I imagine David kind of squatted down . . . sitting on his heels . . . perhaps with his arms around his shins . . . chin tucked into his knees . . . staring hard at the ark of covenant set before him . . . considering deeply the cherubim overshadowing the mercy seat . . . in awe and wonder that he is permitted to approach the holy presence of God. He takes a position of humility . . . the king lowering himself before THE KING . . . the sovereign showing respect to THE SOVEREIGN . . . the blessee bowing before the Blessor.

And quietly he reflects . . . recalling his past . . . considering his present . . . trying to take in what God has promised concerning his future.

And then he whispers into the air . . . speaking toward the dwelling place of God’s glory . . . addressing the LORD who desires to be in the midst of His people . . .

“Who am I, O LORD God, and what is my house, that You have brought me thus far? And this was a small thing in Your eyes, O God. You have also spoken of your servant’s house for a great while to come, and have shown me future generations, O LORD God! And what more can David say to You for honoring your servant? For You know Your servant.”   (1Chronicles 17:16-18 ESV)

Who am I, O LORD . . . and why have You chosen to show me such favor? That such grace would be extended to this shepherd is beyond comprehension. That he who was nothing, would now be king is unbelievable. God, You know Your servant . . . and even in light of that, You have determined to establish his throne forever . . . in spite of his past failures . . . apart from the “crashing and burning” he is yet to do. Who am I, O Lord? What more can I say concerning the wonder of Your love and mercy and grace shown to me?

How can David’s words not be my own? Sure, the details are different . . . but the grace isn’t. It might be a different dispensation . . . but He’s the same God. I might sitting at my desk rather than squatting before the ark . . . but His holiness is just as present through the indwelling Spirit. Mine might not be a promised throne . . . but I’ve been made a joint heir with Him whose throne will be established throughout eternity.

Doesn’t take a lot of noodling before the blessings that I have known by the grace of God come rushing to mind like a great river . . . just a bit of quietness and meditation and the awe-o-meter swings hard to the right . . . only a few minutes in the presence of God considering the promises of God and I can’t help but utter, “Who am I, O LORD God?”

Thank God that it’s not about “who am I?” . . . but all about “Who are You!”

To God alone be all glory . . .

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A Big Deal

Posted on July 3, 2012 by Pete

Some, I sense, view it as the “prelim’s” . . . as the “opening act” before the “headliner” . . . as the five minute warning that the conversation should be wrapped up or the coffee gulped down. For others it’s twenty or twenty-five or thirty minutes a week that are eagerly anticipated . . . a unique opportunity to come together with others of like mind and sing together with common voice. For some it’s just “the song service” which opens the meeting . . . for others it’s an offering . . . the fruit of their lips . . . a sacrifice of praise. For King David, it was a big deal!

I’m reading in 1Chronicles this morning. David has brought the ark of the covenant into Jerusalem . . . with precision, just as God had commanded it should be transported (15:15) . . . with pomp and pageantry (15:16) . . . and with lots and lots and lots of praise (15:28-29). To have the seat of God’s glory dwelling again in the midst of His people was something to be celebrated. To have the holiness of God resident was a reminder of His covenant with His people. To have the presence of God among them was a catalyst to rejoice in the fruit of His wondrous salvation.

After setting the ark inside the tent that David had pitched for it, David surrounds the ark with Levites specifically tasked to minister before the ark with music. Asaph & Co. are charged “to play harps and lyres . . . to sound cymbals . . . to blow trumpets regularly before the ark of the covenant of God” . . . they are to minister before the ark of the LORD, “to invoke, to thank, and to praise the LORD, the God of Israel” . . . “that thanksgiving be sung to the LORD” (16:4-7). Kind of big deal. You sense that “when God’s in the house” it’s only fitting that the house be filled with worship.

Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength! Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; bring an offering and come before Him! Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness.   
(1Chronicles 16:28-20 ESV)

Ascribe . . . come, set before the LORD . . . give an offering . . . provide to the LORD . . . the sound of music . . . the melodies of praise . . . the songs of worship.

Yeah, but that’s Old Testament. True, but check out what I also read in Colossians this morning . . .

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.   (Colossians 3:16 ESV)

It’s what believers should do when they come together . . . when two or three are gathered in His name and He is in their midst . . . when focus on God leads to thankfulness to God. If we are set on having the word of God dwell richly in us then we shouldn’t be surprised when a flash mob breaks out in the singing of spiritual songs . . . when hearts are moved to spontaneously combust in melodic declarations of God’s great salvation . . . when His people can’t help but ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name.

Far from a prelim it’s a privilege. Not just an optional part of the Sunday morning program but a call to acknowledge the person and work of the God of our salvation. An opportunity to step upon holy ground and worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness. Our holiness, as we are robed in garments of righteousness provided through the blood of Christ and worn as we are in Him. His holiness . . . the essence of His character . . . the glory of His person.

Yeah, for King David it was a big deal. How about for me?

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Dependence Day

Posted on June 29, 2012 by Pete

On vacation during the latter part of the week . . . back in the “homeland” for a wedding . . . sleeping in a bit later . . . taking it a bit easier . . . so as I finished my reading plan this morning I went back to some past thoughts and found this one from 2009. Came across the following . . . thought it might be worthy recycling . . .

I always try and keep a few days ahead of my reading plan. So, as I note that my readings today are actually “scheduled” for July 4 it hits me as a bit ironic . . . and causes me to wonder if the reading planners didn’t set this up on purpose . . .

In just a few days it’ll be that day of the year where, here in the USA, the bombs will once again be bursting in air . . . and all around there will be rockets casting forth their red glare . . . and, what seems like a gazillion dollars will go up on smoke. You gotta love the bit of craziness that grips this land on July 4, Independence Day. There is something about the human spirit and independence that connects . . . you see it the first time you kick up the training wheels on the little kid’s bike (assuming they don’t then crash and burn) . . . you felt it big time when you got your license and could start driving yourself around. But be honest, with independence comes a whole new set of anxieties . . . I remember moving out of the house into my first apartment and wondering if I’d know how to the pay the bills. However, you gotta admit, in general most people love to strive for, and maintain, their independence.

So, on the verge of “the fourth” and a great celebration of independence, it’s a little ironic that Psalm 127 would be one of the scheduled readings . . . it’s focus is anything but independence . . . in fact, it celebrates “dependence day.”

Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stay awake in vain. It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for He gives to His beloved sleep. (Ps. 127:1-2 ESV)

Not too difficult to pick up what Solomon’s layin’ down . . . not hard to catch what he’s throwing . . . only takes a few minutes of meditation to receive what he’s sending. Build a house? Great! Guard a city? Noble task . . . knock yourself out. Get up early . . . go to bed late . . . work hard to put food on the table . . . just do it! But do it apart from the Lord and, in the end, it’s vanity . . . empty . . . of no lasting value. Do it apart from the Lord, and that bread which should taste so good is eaten with sorrow and anxiety and worry about making sure there’s more of it around for tomorrow. Such is independence . . . my work, my house . . . my city, I’ll protect it . . . my 24 hours in a day, I’ll labor through most of it and worry through the rest . . . my food, I’ll choke on it.

It’s not that we shouldn’t build the house or guard the city or work hard at whatever task our hand finds to do . . . but to do it apart from a dependence on LORD? . . . well, that’s just dumb . . . not to mention, just plain wearisome. But to those whose “Master Contractor” is the Lord . . . to those who keep a watchful eye with the knowledge that God is never “off duty” . . . to those who work but trust that the Lord gives the increase . . . there is rest . . . “for so He gives His beloved sleep.”

God gives a rest to those who depend upon Him. The writer to the Hebrews says it too . . .

So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from His. Let us therefore strive to enter that rest . . .   (Heb. 4:9-11b ESV)

I have depended on Him for my salvation . . . I have depended on Him for the building of my house . . . I have depended on Him to guard that which I’ve committed to Him . . . I have depended on Him for my daily bread. And in that, by His grace and through His abiding presence, I have rested in the rest of the redeemed because He is dependable . . . He is faithful . . . He is trustworthy.

Isn’t that worth letting off a few fireworks over . . . praise God for dependence day!

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Love Much?

Posted on June 28, 2012 by Pete

Luke 7:36-50 records what has to be one of the most dramatic . . . one of the most stirring . . . one of the most convicting episodes in the life of Jesus. Altogether . . . in one room . . . you have the righteous, upper-class Pharisee . . . you have a woman who is a known sinner (aka harlot) . . . and you have the young, traveling Rabbi from Nazareth who’s creating quite a stir with His open displays of healing, His radical teaching concerning the kingdom, and His blasphemous claims that He, like God, can forgive sins. Three people . . . all in one room . . . with a host seated at the table around them . . . and the drama plays out . . .

The Pharisee and the Rabbi are eating . . . enter the woman . . . and far from trying to avoid the limelight and hide in the shadows and look at the One she knew to be Messiah from afar . . . she, instead, walks up behind Jesus . . . starts crying — overcome with her sinful condition and her need of help . . . and she kneels and allows her tears to fall on Jesus’ feet . . . and then, using her long, beautiful hair — the hair which she had used to lure many a man into sin — she washes the dust from His feet. And, as if she hasn’t made enough of a scene yet, she then kisses the feet of Jesus . . . and then anoints them with fragrant oil. No one around that table is unaware of what’s going on . . . all their senses have been engaged in this spectacle . . . they have seen her . . . that have heard her cry . . . they have smelled the perfume, perhaps even tasting it as it wafts through the room . . . the only thing they haven’t done is touch her . . . that will be left to Jesus.

The Pharisee is indignant and says to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know what kind of woman is touching him. She’s a sinner!” And “this Man” is a prophet . . . and He knows what His “righteous host” is thinking and so He addresses it with a simple parable. “”A man loaned money to two people–500 pieces of silver to one and 50 pieces to the other. But neither of them could repay him, so he kindly forgave them both, canceling their debts. Who do you suppose loved him more after that?” Bam!!! That’s the million dollar question!!! There’s the whole point of this Divinely ordained coming together of these 3 people . . . an object lesson leading to a penetrating question . . . a question that rocks the complacent heart!

The Pharisee, though saying he was inviting Jesus as a guest into his home, did not offer the customary water to clean His feet. Though pretending to welcome Him to his table, the Pharisee offered Him no kiss or other sign of greeting. Though he appeared to exalt Jesus as the guest of honor at his table, the Pharisee did not offer any oil for the anointing of his honoree. The sinner woman, on the other hand, washed Jesus’ feet with her tears . . . and then humbled herself and exalted Him by kissing His feet . . . and then, at great personal expense, honored Him by anointing those feet with fragrant oil. The point of it all? “A person who is forgiven much, loves much . . . but to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.”

And you can’t help but read this story and ask yourself . . . who am I in this drama? Am I the one that knows he has been forgiven much and therefore loves much? Or, am I the one who loves little because I have lost sight of the depths of the sin within me that, at one time, separated me from God? Do I give Jesus lip-service and desire only to encounter Him “across the table” . . . or am I pressed to reach out and worshipfully touch Him in the depths of humility?

Oh that I might know afresh the depths of the demonstrated love of God .  . . and not diminish the high cost paid that I might be forgiven of a debt I could not pay . . .

. . . oh, that I might love much.

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HBaR

Posted on June 27, 2012 by Pete

Some people go to school and work very, very hard to achieve the right to put certain letters behind their name. To be able to put designations such as MD or PhD or MBA or MDiv behind one’s name indicates something of the effort and work that has been put into meeting an accredited standard. It’s also a pretty good indicator of what roles an individual should be capable of filling. This morning as I continue to read in Colossians, I realize afresh that, although I’ve never graduated from a degreed program, I do have my own designation . . . there’s a set of letters I can put behind my name . . . may I introduce to you Peter J. Corak, HBaR.

And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, He has now reconciled in His body of flesh by His death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before Him . . .   (Colossians 1:21-22 ESV)

Holy, Blameless, above Reproach . . . HBaR

Thing is about this designation is that there wasn’t anything I could do to earn it. Of myself, I wasn’t able even to enter the program . . . didn’t want to, in fact. I was a stranger to the subject matter . . . and what I thought I knew about it, I resisted . . . sometimes mocked it . . . more than once derided it. I would have far rather pursued the ways of this world than have registered (even if I could have) for an HBaR designation.

But while I didn’t want it . . . couldn’t afford to enter the program . . . and had no hope of achieving the designation based on my own capability . . . I had a Benefactor who had determined, before the world began, that those letters would go behind my name.

He paid the full tuition price . . . through the blood of His cross. He wrote the entrance exam for me . . . acing it . . . perfect score . . . spotless, without any defect. He recruited me . . . don’t know why . . . but gently, persistently, He drew my heart towards the program . . . opened my eyes to the prize. And then, although I am so far from being finished all the course work, He conferred upon me the designation HBaR . . . with the promise that what He declared to be true “positionally” He would one day make to be true “practically” . . . Holy . . . Blameless . . . above Reproach.

Amazing designation . . . not because of who I am, but because of what He’s done . . . not because of what I’ve done, but because of who He is.

Amazing grace . . . how sweet the sound . . . that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now am found . . . was blind, but now I see.

Talk about your transformation . . . about going from one end of the spectrum to the other . . . about ending up in a spot that is so, so different from where you started. Isn’t that the glory of the gospel?

Oh, what a Savior . . . to Him be all glory . . . and honor and praise!

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More Heavenly Minded

Posted on June 26, 2012 by Pete

We just finished up a mini-series on “The End Times” with our High School Sunday School class . . . particularly focused, as you might expect, on the Revelation recorded by John. Throughout the lessons we’ve emphasized that we were studying prophecy for three reasons: 1) it’s in the Bible . . . a lot of Scripture deals with what is yet to come; 2) it comes with the promise of blessing (Rev. 3:1) . . . and we can all do with a blessing; 3) and, perhaps most importantly it should impact behavior . . . “what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for the hastening of the coming of the day of God” (2Peter 3:11-12). So, at the end of each lesson, I’ve tried to ask “So what?” . . . what difference does it make here and now knowing about that which will occur there and then? After our last lesson on heaven, I posed the question this way, “Can we really be, as some would suggest, so heavenly minded that we are no earthly good?” My cut? I don’t think so.

What brought this to mind this morning? Something that stood out to me as I started in on Colossians this morning . . .

We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up for you in heaven.   (Colossians 1:3-5a ESV)

There’s a cause and effect in Paul’s offering of thanks to the the Father. He thanks God first that, by His grace, faith had come to the city of Colossae . . . that, through the gospel, a group of men, women, and children had been delivered “from the domain of darkness and transferred to the kingdom of His beloved Son” . . . that they were counted among the redeemed . . . that they had known the forgiveness of sins (1:13-14). Paul then also thanks God for the love these believers showed to one another . . . i.e. the effect. And what was the cause? What was it that compelled them to affectionately express charity towards one another? ” . . . because of the hope laid up for you in heaven.”

Because of anticipation, there was action. Because of expectation there was effort. Because of the promise there was the pursuit. Because they believed that an inheritance awaited them . . . because they embraced that they were part of a kingdom not of this world . . . because they looked forward to a day when they would be going home . . . because they longed to behold the One who died for them face to face . . . they were determined, as much as lied within them through the power of the Spirit, . . . to live for a future reward . . . to walk as strangers and pilgrims in a foreign land . . . to live out “family values” on a day to day basis . . . to want to please Him that, by His grace and for His glory, they might hear on that day, “Well done!”

The more I live in light of what awaits me, the hope laid up for me in heaven, the more I’ll walk as Jesus wants me to walk. It will be seen in my love for the saints . . . it will be evident in a concern for the lost . . . it will be manifested in my priorities . . . it will be evident in what I do and why I do it.

Oh, that I might be more heavenly minded . . .

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.   (Colossians 3:1-4 ESV)

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Putting Away for a Reigning Day

Posted on June 25, 2012 by Pete

Paul wraps up his letter to the church at Philippi with an acknowledgment of the financial support they had provided him. You don’t get the sense from the Paul’s letters that he spent a lot of time “raising support” for his mission . . . but you do pick up on the fact that Paul seemed to placed great value on the giving of one’s means to help other believers. And in these last verses in Philippians, Paul doesn’t just say, “Thank you.” Instead the Holy Spirit through Paul brings wonderful spiritual perspective to the act of meeting needs.

Paul says that he “rejoiced in the Lord greatly” at the renewed practical concern shown him through the generosity of the church at Phillip. And I don’t think the rejoicing was so much a result of, “Whew!!! Sure glad that bill got paid!” . . . for Paul says that he had learned to be content whatever his circumstances, whether living in plenty or living in want . . . and that it really wasn’t “the support” that enabled him for ministry, but rather the reality that he could do all things through Christ who strengthened him. (Php. 4:10-13)

So Paul’s rejoicing was less about having his needs met for the day . . . but about the implications for the givers in THAT day. He rejoiced because their giving to him would have eternal consequences for them.

Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. (Philippians 4:17 ESV)

For Paul, though the check to his missionary fund was appreciated, what really jazzed him was the thought of the deposit being made in the B of H (Bank of Heaven) . . . the NKJV translates it “the fruit that abounds to your account.”

Their giving, their acts of kindness, their determined joining with Paul in such practical terms, had an eternal, spiritual dimension . . . being accrued to a yet-to-be-cashed-in spiritual account. The giving of wealth on earth was being matched with an unimaginable giving program in heaven. It’s true . . . living for Jesus here and now results in reward there and then.

And while I don’t think we should be motivated by greedily building up a big “investment trust” in heaven with each dollar we give, I do think we should remember that God “is not so unjust as to overlook your work and the love that you showed for his sake in serving the saints” (Heb. 6:10) and that He will reward that which is done in His name and for His kingdom. We should have an eternal perspective tied to worldly stewardship . . . mindful that what we do for Jesus now will factor into our experience beyond this world.

Paul tells Timothy to remind those who are “rich in this present age” that . . .

They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life. (1Timothy 6:18-19 ESV)

Storing up treasures . . . fruit credited to my account . . . building up a good foundation for that day when I am in His presence . . .

Oh that I might be mindful that I am putting away for a reigning day . . . for His glory alone. Amen?

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When Revival Takes

Posted on June 22, 2012 by Pete

It’s like hitting a wall. One moment you’re going 60 miles per hour, the next you’re at a dead stop. It’s the thrill of victory . . . followed by the stark agony of defeat. It’s scoring the winning goal in overtime of the seventh game of the Stanley Cup final only to find, as you start to hoist the cup, that your team’s been disqualified . . . that the goal doesn’t count . . . that you really haven’t done anything. It’s Josiah and Jehoahaz . . .

King Josiah is an oasis in a seemingly never ending desert. As you work through the kings of Israel and Judah, for the most part it’s crummy king after crummy king. I don’t know how many times I’ve underlined with my black (ie. for sin) colored pencil, “and he did what was evil in the sight of the LORD” over the last several mornings. So when Josiah comes along this morning, it’s kind of a pick me up.

Takes the throne at eight years old . . . and of him the Spirit of God records that “he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD and walked in all the ways of David his father” (2Kings 22:1-2) . . . in fact . . .

Before him there was no king like him, who turned to the LORD with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his might, according to all the Law of Moses, nor did any like him arise after him.   (2Kings 23:25).

When Josiah is 26 years old, an old copy of “the Book of the Law” is discovered in the treasury of the house of the LORD. Josiah reads it and the “living and active word, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Heb. 4:12) sets this king on fire . . . time to clean house . . . and clean house he does.

For the next 13 years he is relentless as he destroys all that he can that is associated with the worship of other God’s. It’s revival time in Judah! And it’s not just about what he gets rid of . . . but it’s about what he brings back. For the first time since the judges the king commands all the people to “Keep the Passover to the LORD your God, as it is written in the Book of the Covenant” (23:21) . . . ( . . . the Book of the Covenant . . . love that term! . . . hasn’t been used since Moses used it in Exodus . . . another devotional for another day).

At the age of 39 Josiah is killed by Pharaoh Neco king of Egypt. But it’s been 31 years of positive God honoring rule. It’s been 13 years of seeing idols and high places and false worship structure dismantled. Thirteen years of annually observing the Passover in Jerusalem. And then . . . dead stop . . . agony of defeat . . . team’s disqualified.

What gets me is that Josiah’s son . . . born when Josiah was 16 . . . having a balcony seat to the revival and reforms beginning when he was 10 years old . . . reigns like nothing ever happened. Josiah’s son, Jehoahaz, takes the throne at age 23 . . . reigns only 3 months . . . and I need to pull out my black colored pencil again because “he did what was evil in the sight of the LORD” (23:32). And then after him, another son of Josiah is put on the throne . . . he’s 25 years old (fathered when Josiah was 14? . . . I guess . . .) . . . and more black underlining for he also “did what was evil in the sight of the LORD” (23:37). Brother! What happened? Better question yet, “What didn’t happen?”

And what hits me this morning is that all the obedience in the world doesn’t make a difference apart from a new heart attuned to the things of heaven and set on things above. All the revival . . . all the tearing down of junk . . . all the re-establishing of good and God-honoring religious practice doesn’t make a bit of difference apart from reconstituted spiritual DNA. This is why “ye must be born again” (John 3:7 KJV).

While obedience is born of new life in Christ . . . obedience can never create new life. It is a work of the Spirit of God founded on the finished work of the cross of Christ based on the atoning blood shed for the forgiveness of sins. It is a determination of grace by Almighty God to take hearts of stone and make them hearts of flesh (Ezek. 36:26) . . . to enact a work of conforming lost sheep who have been found into the image of His blessed Son.

That’s when revival takes. That’s when you go from 0 to 60 mph and then keep on going . . . when the thrill of victory becomes the ecstasy of eternal triumph . . . when, instead of hoisting some tin cup, we instead cast crowns of reward before the throne of the One who has made all things new.

To God be the glory . . .

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