A Friendship

Posted on January 27, 2012 by Pete

I guess if you were to ask a dozen people, “What is friendship?” you might get a dozen different answers . . . but, then again, maybe not. Off the top of my head, if I was asked what constitutes a friend, I might respond that it’s someone who knows you . . . who accepts you . . . who is there for you. But I don’t think you’d noodle on it very long before you ended up with, “A friend is someone you can confide in . . . someone who confides in you.” So how do you respond when that “someone” is the LORD . . . JEHOVAH . . . THE EXISTING ONE?

The secret of the LORD is with those who fear Him, and He will show them His covenant.   (Psalm 25:14 NKJV)

The friendship of the LORD is for those who fear Him, and He makes known to them His covenant.   (Psalm 25:14 ESV)

According to my online Bible, the word translated “the secret” in the NKJV has the idea of a council . . . an assembly . . . a circle of intimate cohorts . . . the kind that engages in familiar conversation . . . the kind that engages in intimate fellowship . . . the kind of dynamic upon which friendships are defined . . . thus, the ESV translation. And it is the privileged place for those who fear the LORD . . . for those who have bowed the knee . . . for those who have believed the gospel . . . for those who have received the gift of life by faith. For them, there is friendship with the LORD . . . there is an intimacy . . . there is a “sharing” of the secrets of the ways of God.

Paul says that there is a “secret and hidden wisdom of God” which is revealed through the Spirit of God. He also writes that, as believers, we have received the Spirit so “that we might understand the things freely given us by God” . . . and as such, “we have the mind of Christ” (1Cor. 2:6-16). That is the evidence of friendship . . . we have been brought into the secret councils of God.

Here’s how Spurgeon puts it, “Saints have the key of heaven’s hieroglyphics; they can unriddle celestial enigmas. They are initiated into the fellowship of the skies; they have heard words which it is not possible for them to repeat to their fellows.” Truly, it’s an inner circle . . . but one open to all who believe in the Son. It’s a coming together which launches a world of discovery . . . a world not of this world. It’s the privileged place of the child of God . . . it is an inexhaustible storehouse of awe-inspiring wonder as God, by His grace, reveals more and more of Himself and His ways to our mere mortal, though regenerated, minds. It is the fruit, it is the evidence, of God’s desire for deep relationship with us. If is friendship with the LORD.

Oh, what privilege . . . what blessing . . . what fall-on-your-face wonder. That God would desire to enter into such intimate council with His creation . . . that we would be pleased to share Himself with this speck of creation sitting in this chair.

Every time I open His word, it should be a reminder of the friendship He has sought with me as He makes known His promises . . . as He reveals His ways . . . as He illuminates His nature and mindset. Every time I interact with the Scriptures, I should know afresh that intimacy of communion as the Teacher instructs the disciple . . . as the Master directs the servant . . . as the Shepherd makes Himself known to His sheep.

I am a friend of God . . . unreal! Oh, that it would be be for His glory . . . .

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Gen S

Posted on January 26, 2012 by Pete

It’s a big deal to us in the HR field . . . recognizing that within society, and thus within the workforce, there are distinguishing characteristics within different generations of people. We talk about “baby boomers” . . . those post WWII folks, born between the late 40’s and the early 60’s . . . and the generation that followed them, Gen X, those born from the ’65 through to the early 80’s . . . and now, we’re looking at the “Millennials” or Gen Y workforce. Each of this “generations” have a unique set of characteristics, in general, concerning how they view life and therefore, how they view work. But this morning, I’m reminded of another generation . . . a generation which transcends time periods . . . I’ll call them Gen S . . .

Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD? And who shall stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully. He will receive blessing from the LORD and righteousness from the God of his salvation. Such is the generation of those who seek Him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob.    Selah     (Psalm 24:3-6 ESV)

The generation of those who seek Him . . . Gen S.

For this “demographic” it doesn’t really matter when you were born . . . but that you were born again. Apart from a sovereign working of the grace of God, none seek after Him (Rom. 3:11). But Gen S’ers, though once in darkness, have been brought into marvelous light by the wooing of a Bridegroom who says, “Come to me” . . . they have been convicted of their need of a Savior by the Spirit who’s purpose is to make Him known . . . they are redeemed from the marketplace of sin . . . they are adopted as full children of God . . . they have been born again.

So, Gen S could stand for “Generation Saved.” Those who, through the application of the shed blood of Christ on their behalf, have clean hands and a pure heart. Those who through the sanctifying work of the Spirit increasingly are fueled by truth and sincerity. Those who, because they believe, are counted as righteous.

But, this morning, for me Gen S stands for “Generation Seeker.” As with our modern day generations, Gen S’ers are also identified by what “floats their boat” . . . by that which intrinsically motivates them. Baby boomers, apparently, work for security. Gen X’ers, we’re told, are ambitious and work for rapid advancement. Gen Y’ers are all about balance and, generally, work as much as they have to without cramping their personal lifestyle. Gen S’ers? They desire to climb the mountain of the Lord . . . their driving passion is to stand in His holy place . . . their consuming desire is to seek the face of God.

By the fact of when I was born, I’ll always be classified as a “baby boomer” by those who care about demographics. Oh, but that I might be seen as Gen S by the God who looks at the inner man. That it might be seen in what I say . . . and in what I do . . . and in how I do it. That, because of the work God has determined to start within me, the evidence might be apparent that one consuming passion prevails in the life of this sinner-saved-by-grace . . . to seek Him . . . to enter into that most holy place to worship Him . . . to draw near, by the blood of Christ, that I might commune with Him.

Such is Gen S . . . the generation of those who seek Him . . . of those who seek the face of God . . . my generation . . . amen?

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My Cup Overflows!

Posted on January 25, 2012 by Pete

Lingering over Psalm 23 this morning. Though it’s so about Him . . . it so about “me” too. If the first five words are true, that the Lord is indeed MY Shepherd, then you just can’t help but settle down and re-take inventory . . . you can’t help but re-count all His benefits toward those who are His own . . . you can’t help but get a bit overwhelmed at the Shepherd’s love and care for His sheep . . .

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake . . . You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; . . .   
(Psalm 23:1-3, 5 ESV)

The first thing that grabs me is what He does. He makes to lie down . . . He leads . . . He restores . . . He prepares a table . . . He anoints. He is the Good Shepherd. To think that the King of kings and the Lord of lords . . . that He who is worthy to be served . . . has determined to serve. The King’s love for His people is so great that He takes the towel, gets on His knees, and washes their feet. The Maker knows the frailty of the creation and so, undertakes the meeting of their greatest needs . . . pastures to feed in . . . waters to drink of and rest beside . . . paths to follow which are safe from sin’s destruction . . . a table to come to which is safe and secure . . . oil to minister to the wounds of the day . . . oil to remind of the high priestly calling. He does it all. It’s all about Him. He is the Great Shepherd.

And then I notice the liberal sprinkling of “me”, “my”, and “I” throughout this song. He makes me lie down in all sufficient pastures . . . He leads me by still waters and in paths of righteousness . . . my thirst is satisfied as I drink . . . my footing is on solid ground as I seek, by His grace, to follow where He leads.

Though in the battle, though surrounded by enemies, there is a table prepared for me. A table of remembrance that looks back to an empty cross, an empty grave, and reminds of victory to come. A table with bread from heaven to meet the day’s needs . . . set with every spiritual blessing in the heavenlies . . . mercies new every morning . . . grace sufficient for the day. And, it’s a a table for the future . . . being set, even now, in a place that is being prepared for me . . . a banqueting table . . . prepared for the Bride of Christ . . . a place of celebration and rejoicing.

And then, there is the anointing as the Shepherd attends my wounds . . . as the Great High Priest reminds me of my high and heavenly calling. I have been anointed with the Holy Spirit since re-birth. The blessed Spirit ministering to my spirit as healing is required. God’s Spirit reminding me that I have been consecrated to the work of a priest for the kingdom. Enveloped and indwelt . . . that’s me.

Now add in the promises . . .

For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me . . . Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.    (Psalm 23:4b, 6 ESV)

Hover over this song, for but a few minutes, and You know it’s all about Him . . . He gets all the praise and glory. But mediate, even just briefly, on the implications for “me” . . . and how can the riches of my relationship with the risen Christ not cause me to be overwhelmed . . . to be filled with awe . . . to be beyond words . . . to exclaim with the psalmist . . .

My cup overflows!

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Gathered to His People

Posted on January 24, 2012 by Pete

The Holy Spirit, through Paul, tells us in Colossians 3 to set our minds on things above. But, to be honest, so often I’m so concerned with trying to navigate this horizontal plain that I forget to look up. But I came across something this morning that reminds me that perhaps, if we were to speak more in Bible language, we might find ourselves looking up more consistently. For example, rather than talking about going to church as an appointment to keep, I instead spoke of Sunday mornings as meeting for fellowship with brothers and sisters in Christ, I might be reminded of the heavenly family I’ve been born again into. Here’s another example . . .

When Jacob finished commanding his sons, he drew up his feet into the bed and breathed his last and was gathered to his people.   (Genesis 49:33 ESV)

“Gathered to his people.” I don’t know how many times I’ve read that phrase over the years. This is the fourth time since starting my reading plan this year. Looks like it’s a phrase unique to Moses’ writings, because it doesn’t show up in my online concordance after Deuteronomy. And this morning it just jumped off the page. And I’m thinking about the difference between, “Jacob died” and “Jacob breathed his last and was gathered to his people.” The first statement is so “horizontal” and speaks of something coming to an end . . . the second phrase is oh so “vertical” and talks of promises fulfilled and a new chapter beginning.

That it’s more than just a euphemism for death seems so clear. I don’t see how it simply refers to being gathered with those who had previously been buried. In the last verse of Genesis 49, Jacob is “gathered” and in the first verse of Genesis 50 Joseph is falling on Jacob’s face, weeping over him and kissing him. Jacob’s been “gathered to his people” but body is still there. There’s no one home . . . Jacob the patriarch has been gathered to his people . . . Jacob the sojourner has gone home . . .

Abraham was gathered to his people (Gen. 25:8) . . . Isaac was gathered to his people (Gen. 35:29) . . . Jacob is gathered to his people (Gen. 49:33) . . . Aaron and Moses were told they would be gathered to their people (Num. 20:24-26, Deut. 32:49-50). A repeated reminder of the “everlasting covenant” of God that He would forever be God to Abraham and his offspring (Gen. 17:7). A reminder of the unfailing promise of God . . . a promise playing out on earth but fulfilled when the offspring of Abraham breath their last and are gathered to their people.

A reminder that there is “a people” to be gathered to. Saints gone before, waiting for the last one to arrive so that the Bride might be presented in her entirety at the marriage supper of the Lamb . . . arrayed in fine linen — the garments of righteousness, purchased by the Lamb Himself. Gathered to a people who, even now, assemble around the throne of God and worship at His feet . . . joining angelic beings, a host of heaven, in declaring that He is worthy to receive glory, honor, and power.

Gathered to his people . . . absent from the body, but present with Lord . . . I’ll fly away . . . kind of sets your mind on things above, huh?

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Enthroned on the Praises of His People

Posted on January 23, 2012 by Pete

You start into Psalm 22 and immediately you’re taken to the cross. You read the Psalm and you’re drawn into the sufferings of Messiah. That this is a song concerning the Savior is so clear for those who have heard the cry of Jesus on the tree, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” But amidst these opening insights of the One forsaken of the Father and despised by men, there is, at least in my mind, an unexpected gem to be gleaned concerning worship . . . a truth to be tucked away concerning the nature of God and it’s relationship to the praises of men.

Yet You are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel. (Psalm 22:3 ESV)

After crying out to a God who has abandoned him . . . after pleading the “why” question to heaven . . . the psalmist is led by the Holy Spirit to put context around his rhetorical question. “Yet, You are holy.” Though forsaken . . . though bewildered by heaven’s silence . . . though in agony and despair . . . let it all be understood within the context that God is holy. God is sovereign and His plans are pure . . . though desperate for His voice, the psalmist would lay no blame to His righteous God but, instead, recount and rest in His faithfulness shown through the ages (22-4-5).

Though Jesus didn’t utter this line of the psalm from the cross, I wonder if it went through His mind . . . knowing that He was forsaken because a holy God demanded a payment for sin . . . knowing that He was hanging between heaven and earth alone because a righteous God so loved a lost world that He was giving His own beloved Son as a ransom . . . so that God might be both “just” and the “the justifier” (Rom. 3:26).

God is holy.

But another truth concerning God is revealed. Says the Spirit, God is enthroned on the praises of Israel. Or, as the note in my Bible points out, it might be translated “He dwells in the praises of Israel.” The old KJV says, “But Thou art holy, O Thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.”

And I have to be honest, the thought that God inhabits the praise of His people absolutely grabs me. To consider that the worship of the saints acts as a “construction project”, building a throne of exaltation which God graciously occupies, is a wonder to me. Our singing yesterday morning before the sermon wasn’t just the “prelims” . . . it was an invitation to our holy God to come down and dwell with us amidst the praise. The few songs we sang as a home group last night wasn’t just a going through the motions, it was an renewed invitation for God to occupy the throne of our lives . . . a renewal of our desire that He reign in all things . . . that He have absolute authority . . . that He be our deliverer . . . that we determine afresh to trust in Him as our rock and fortress.

Oh, how easy it is to “dumb down” worship . . . to “low ball” not only it’s purpose, but it’s impact in the heavenlies. God is lifted up and exalted when, regardless of our life circumstance, we offer authentic worship. And while worship rises to heaven, God comes down, desiring to inhabit the praise of His people . . . to be known in their midst . . . His presence realized as the sacrifice of the fruit of our lips is freely offered acknowledging His blessed Name (Heb. 13:15).

You read Psalm 22 and you can’t help but shout, “O’ what a Savior!” But this morning, I’m also led to exclaim, “O’ what a song!” Ours is the song of the redeemed . . . the song of blessing to our God . . . the song which enthrones God above all . . . the song which invites His habitation among us.

O’ be enthroned on the praises of Your people, Lord . . . for Your glory!

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An Oxymoron

Posted on January 20, 2012 by Pete

I want to say that it’s an oxymoron . . . that the two words don’t make sense together. And yet, I hesitate. I want to be careful about being glib . . . or even a bit arrogant about asserting the absurdity of using the phrase. But as I mull it over, I think it’s true. They are two words, that though they often find themselves in partnership, shouldn’t be paired together. What’s the phrase that’s got me thinking it makes no sense? “Joyless Christian.” What’s got me thinking about it? A verse in Psalm 21.

For You [O LORD] make him [the king] most blessed forever; You make him glad with the joy of Your presence. (Psalm 21:6 ESV)

Psalm 21 is, at its essence, a song born out of victory and recognizes the power of God as the source of victory. The king rejoices in the Lord’s strength . . . he exults in the Lord’s salvation (v.1) . . . he acknowledges that any glory he possesses is due to the splendor and majesty bestowed on him by the Lord’s grace (v.5). The king asserts that he trusts in the Lord and is confident that “through the steadfast love of the Most High he shall not be moved” (v.7). And so, declares David, the Lord makes Him glad, causes him to rejoice . . . with a joy, a pleasure, a mirth, that comes from knowing the Lord’s presence.

And at first, I’m thinking. Sure David, easy to know joy when there’s victory. Doesn’t take much to set your feet to dancing when you’re on the winning side of the battle. When “the Lord’s presence” is another way of saying “when the Lord whoops your enemies”, you might expect joy to a by product.

But it’s not “the victory” that leads to joy, it’s the presence of the Lord which is the source of an inner, abiding gladness. And, as I noodle on it, triumph is only one of many experiences in which God makes Himself known. As I think about it, God has promised to never leave or forsake of His own (1Sam. 12:22, Heb. 13:5) . . . to be with them always — through trial and triumph . . . and thus, regardless of circumstance, the child of God can perpetually know joy, because the child of God can perpetually know the presence of God. Conclusion? “Joyless Christian” is an oxymoron.

If it’s the presence of God which ignites joy . . . and God’s lives in us through the Holy Spirit . . . shouldn’t there be an abiding joy in all circumstance? Shouldn’t there be a gladness that comes simply from reading His word as, again through the Holy Spirit, we are privileged to know the mind of God through the wonder of divine illumination? Even in our deepest trials . . . when we find ourselves crying out to heaven . . .even then, as we’re welcomed into the holy of holies by the blood of Jesus to petition the God of creation to “find grace to help in time of need” . . . as we’re reminded that Jesus stands alongside and intercedes on our behalf . . . as we experience something of the God of all comfort and the peace that passes understanding . . . and thus, the presence of God . . . isn’t then the place of trial also a context to know joy inexpressible . . . gladness that comes from the joy of His presence?

I’m thinkin’ . . .

Victory is great. I prefer it over the battle. But the battle is the Lord’s (1Sam. 17:47) . . . and even in the battle, maybe especially in the battle, His presence can be known . . . and in His presence there is joy.

And so, I’m not being glib . . . don’t want to come off as arrogant . . . but I really do think it’s an oxymoron . . . that they are two word’s which don’t make sense together . . . that there’s no definition for “joyless Christian.” O, that by His grace . . . and through His abiding presence . . . I might be, in all circumstance, a Joyful Christian . . . for His glory . . .

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The Difference a Resurrection Makes

Posted on January 19, 2012 by Pete

He was in prison . . . he was on death row. His right hand was chained to a soldier on one side . . . his left hand, chained to another soldier on the other side. No escape . . . no doubt as to what awaited him in just a few hours . . . and . . . no fear. Peter was sleeping.

I’m reading Acts 12. Herod the crazy has decided to tear up the church. He’s already taken one of their leaders, James, and had him run through with the sword. And when he sees that it “pleased the Jews”, he goes and grabs Peter and plans to do the same to him. But . . . not until after the Passover. After all, devout men of God observe the Passover before executing innocent men . . . before killing followers of Messiah. And what hit me this morning is that on the night before his execution, Peter slept (Acts 12:1-6).

And I think it jumped out at me because of the contrast it provided to my other reading this morning in Matthew 8. There, Peter and the other disciples are with Jesus in a boat. A great storm arises on the sea. The boat is being swamped by the waves. And, though Jesus is sleeping, Peter and the others are freaking out, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing” (Matt. 8:23-25). And Jesus response?

“Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?”   (Matthew 8:26 ESV)

Peter in a boat going under for the third time . . . panic! Flash forward a couple of years. Peter in prison, about to be skewered in a few hours . . . sleeping like a baby. How come . . . what’s changed? Answer that comes to mind . . . a resurrected Savior.

In the Matthew account, Peter’s still trying to figure out who Jesus is . . . “And the men marveled, saying, ‘What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey Him?” (Matt. 8:27). In Acts . . . Peter knows what kind of man Jesus is. The kind of man who is the Son of God . . . the kind of man who, after dying on the cross for the sins of the world, rises from the grave on the third day, conquering sin and death . . . the kind of man who is taken up to heaven with the promise that He would return in the same way . . . the kind of man who continues to abide with His children through “Another just like Him”, the Comforter, the Holy Spirit of God.

And so, the same Peter who flipped out in the boat, is the Peter who, awaiting certain death in the morning, sleeps the sleep of the redeemed in a prison cell.

Because Jesus lives . . . and because Peter believes he will too . . . he is not afraid . . . and he sleeps.

Isn’t this the peace that passes understanding? Isn’t this the practical outworking of the hope that is the Christian’s? Isn’t this great?!?!

Got a few more minutes?  Click here and enjoy David Crowder singing some Billy G . . . .

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God’s Stereo

Posted on January 18, 2012 by Pete

I wouldn’t describe myself as an audiophile . . . not really a connoisseur of high fidelity music reproduction . . . but I sure prefer stereo over mono . . . I like hearing music out of two separate channels rather than out of a single source. When you’ve got it set up right, there’s something about hearing the separation of the right and left channel that enhances the overall delivery of the music . . . especially when you’re sitting in the sweet spot . . . that spot in between the speakers where the blend is just right. This morning, reading Psalm 19, I’m reminded of God’s stereo . . . His “two channel delivery” of His glory and goodness . . . His duo speaker delivery of worship inducing revelation . . . and the sound? . . . the sound is out of this world!

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims His handiwork.   (Psalm 19:1 ESV)

Look up . . . look way up . . . and behold your God! His glory is openly displayed for all who have eyes to see. God’s immeasurable might and His creative craftsmanship are faithfully presented, day in and day out, for those who will pause and take in the artistry. Every day is a dissertation of the presence and power of God . . . each night, an encore revealing more of His multi-faceted attributes. Creation, says the psalmist, is a speech without words . . . a voice that is silent . . . and yet a sound which is undeniably present. But creation is but one channel of God’s stereophonic revelation to a world He so loves . . .

The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple . . . More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.  
(Psalm 19:7, 10 ESV)

After looking up, open your Bible and look down. After hearing the wonder of God through world He has fashioned, behold the ways of God in the Word He has inspired. The Psalmist says that the “sound” from this other “speaker” of God’s revelatory stereo system is perfect . . . and sure. That the lyrics are right . . . pure . . . clean and forever enduring . . . and, above all, are true. To pause to listen to God’s revealed word is to know a reviving of the soul . . . an imparting of wisdom . . . a rejoicing of the heart . . . an enlightening of the eyes. The quality of content is such that it is to be valued above everything else . . better than gold. And it is sweet . . . oh, so sweet . . . delighting the soul’s palette awakened by the Spirit within.

Yeah . . . I sure prefer stereo over mono. That it has pleased God to make known “His invisible attributes, namely, His eternal power and divine nature . . . in all the things that have been made” (Rom. 1:20), is wonder enough . . . but that He would then, through His Holy Word illuminate the minds of mortal men to know, in some measure, the mind of God and ways of God, is privilege and blessing beyond comprehension.

And for those with eyes to see . . . ears to hear . . . and clean hands to receive . . . the “sound” of this dual-channel system of revelation is soul-stirring . . . the sweet spot is glorious! And the response?

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.   (Psalm 19:14 ESV)

When we catch the glory . . . when we encounter the living word . . . what can we do but present to Him our own stereophonic offering . . . words of praise . . . meditations of awe, wonder, and worship. Desiring that God would delight in the feeble music He hears from our closets . . . that He too might encounter the sweet spot of hearts tuned to His grace. As unimaginable as it is, that it would please Him as we seek to be God’s stereo.

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Standing in God’s Way

Posted on January 17, 2012 by Pete

Sometimes all you need is a little bit of clear direction . . . and a not so clear threat of consequences . . . to get you going. I once had a boss who made it pretty clear that “the train had left the station” and “if you weren’t on the train then you were going to be under it!” Ok, maybe lacked a bit in sensitivity training, but he got the message across pretty well, “Don’t get in the way of what we’re doing!” It came to mind this morning as I was reading another wise man conclude, “Who was I that I could stand in God’s way?”

The thought of standing in God’s way is kind of ridiculous. Using my old bosses picture, it’s like going head to head with a locomotive. It’s like opening up an umbrella to hold back an avalanche. It’s like building a sand wall to restrain the ocean’s tide. Just can’t be done . . . no way to “win” . . . and yet, though with good intentions, I wonder if sometimes we don’t find ourselves standing in God’s way.

Acts 10 is pivotal in the history of the church. Talk about your “thinking outside the box!” So far, the church was essentially comprised of converted Jews . . . those who, through the calling of God and the revelation of the Spirit, believed that Jesus was the risen Christ, the promised Messiah. They were those who had responded to the light of God’s Anointed coming first as a suffering Savior and had received by the faith the promise of sins forgiven through Jesus’ finished work on the cross. They were the direct descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob . . . possessors of the promises of God. As such, while they might have believed that through Abraham there might be a blessing for all nations (aka the Gentiles) they weren’t prepared to rub shoulders with them.

Enter Cornelius, “a centurion of what known as the Italian Cohort, a devout man who feared God” (10:1-2) aka “a Gentile”. Though “alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and a stranger to the covenants and promises” (Eph. 2:12), God, by His grace, had planted a seed of faith in this man . . . had awakened within him a fear of the God of Israel which, in turn, manifested itself in righteous pursuits and active prayer. And through this foreigner, God was about to shake the foundations of the young and growing body of Christ.

Enter Peter . . . you gotta’ love Peter! Praying Peter who falls into a trance . . . and sees heaven opened up . . . and a “wild game banquet” laid out before him . . . and when told by the Lord of heaven to “Rise, kill and eat”, responds only as Peter could, “By no means, Lord!” (10:9-14) Really? Saying “no” and “Lord” in the same sentence? Yeah, really . . . but that’s a whole different lesson and application. Bottom line . . . Peter is taught not to call “unclean” that which God has made clean . . . and is then told by the Spirit to go to Cornelius’ house (Jews don’t do Gentile parties) . . . where Peter preaches the word . . . the Gentiles receive the word . . . the Spirit descends just as He did at Pentecost.

But when word gets back to “the circumcision party”, they criticize Peter because he “went to uncircumcised men and ate with them” (11:1-3). Peter’s response in a nutshell? . . .

“If then God gave the same gift to them as He gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God’s way?” (Acts 11:17 ESV)

And it’s got me thinking. For all I think I know about God . . . and about how I think the gospel works . . . and doesn’t work . . . and how I think church should be done . . . and how it shouldn’t be done . . . I wonder if, sometimes, I don’t try to hold back an avalanche with an umbrella . . . instead of being open to God working in ways outside my comfort zone. I’m not talking about going extra-biblical . . . but perhaps about being just a bit surprised by a God who is so much bigger than the theological box I’m tempted to try and put Him in. About listening and watching more . . . and concluding less. About being mindful of the possibility of standing in God’s way . . . and instead, wanting to be quicker to fall silent and glorify a God who does it His way (11:18).

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A Piece in the Puzzle

Posted on January 12, 2012 by Pete

If he were on the radar, he’d be a blip. If he were in a class picture he’d be the one in the back row mostly obscured by those in front of him. If he was part of the varsity team, he’d be the water boy. If he was a piece in a puzzle, he’d be part of the sky in the center. But this morning, I have to thing by the Spirit’s leading, he is the brightest blip on my radar. A devout man . . . a man trusted by the Lord enough to be visited in a vision . . . a man in such relationship with the risen Christ that he’s comfortable engaging in a conversation . . . a man so submitted to Jesus that, when Jesus asks him to do something, he does it . . . a man who the great apostle Paul would be indebted to for eternity. Enter from the back row, Ananias.

You get to Acts 9 and there’s a sense of anticipation as you prepare to again take in the story of Paul’s dramatic conversion. At that time he’s Saul . . . “of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness, under the law blameless” (Php. 3:5-6) . . . on a mission . . . letter of authorization in hand . . . ready to clean out the synagogues of Damascus of any who are “belonging to the Way” (9:2) . . . to bring them back bound . . . and, as appropriate, to exterminate them. But the hunter becomes the hunted. The capturer becomes the captive. And Paul meets Jesus on the road . . . a light from heaven . . . a voice from the skies . . . and Saul is facedown before the risen Christ whom he has persecuted. And when he arises, he who has finally seen the way, is blind and is told to go take a “timeout”. And for three days, though he has been brought into marvelous light through the sacrifice of Christ and the grace of God, he is allowed to sit in darkness that he might fast and pray and think . . . oh, so much to think about.

Paul’s the guy . . . he’s the center of the story . . . he’s the star player . . . it’s his biography that people will buy and talk about for centuries to come.

Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.”   (Acts 9:10-12 ESV)

Out of the blue, we’re introduced to this disciple from Damascus. This is his “15 minutes of fame.” And in that “15 minutes” he captures a number of “records” which will are inscribed forever in heaven’s “hall of fame”. The first to know of the risen Christ’s claim on Saul’s life . . . the first to hear of the marching order that would define Saul’s mission . . . the first disciple of Christ to go and seek out Saul rather than run from him . . . the first to lay hands of blessing on Saul (though many would have liked to have laid their hands around Saul’s throat) . . . the first to call Saul “brother” . . . the first to witness the Holy Spirit coming upon Saul. And then . . . he’s gone . . . vanished . . . not mentioned again in Holy Scripture save as a piece of the puzzle in Paul’s testimony (Acts 22:12-16). But what a piece!

And as I’m thinking about Ananias, I’m thinking about those things which are done for Christ which, if noticed at all, are quickly forgotten. Service done in obedience to the risen Lord which never makes the front page. Supporting roles played according to God’s sovereign plan which, if they get any billing at all, are on the last page in the fine print. But acts of obedience which can have eternal implications. Pieces of the puzzle which, though blending into a much bigger picture, are ordained of God . . . and put in place through the Spirit’s leading . . . in order that the purposes of God might be fulfilled.

Oh, that I might be content to be a blip . . . that I might be faithful as a water boy . . . that I might be available to be a piece in God’s puzzle, placed where He determines . . . not for my “15 minutes of fame” . . . but for His glory alone . . . amen.

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