Amazing Faith, Amazing Love

Posted on July 15, 2011 by Pete

Ok . . . so confession time . . . knowing I’ll sound like a cranky old man, perhaps . . . sometimes I’m bugged by how flippantly we Christians toss around words like “awesome” and “amazing”. Sometimes I think we are too quick to attach such superlatives to too many things . . . and by doing so we, in fact, make the word “awesome” less awesome and the word “amazing” less amazing. How can so many things be awesome or amazing? I really like the idea of trying to reserve the word “awesome” for God alone. God is awesome . . . and if He is awesome, how can anything else share that space? And I really think we should be mindful of what’s “amazing” . . . everything can’t be amazing ’cause then nothing is really all that special or amazing.

“What’s with him,” you might ask. “Where’s this little diatribe coming from?” Good question . . . thanx for asking . . . 2Thessalonians 1 is what sparked this. Not because Paul uses the words “awesome” or “amazing” . . . but because of a couple of other “over the top” adjectives Paul uses. And I don’t think Paul, or the Holy Spirit inspiring his letters, uses such expressions of excellence or magnitude without careful thought and intent. And so, I’m taking note this morning of these “over the top” descriptors used by Paul to describe the Thessalonians. Check it out . . .

“We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other” (2Thessalonians 1:3 NKJV)

Peterson might be accurately capturing the magnitude of this compliment in The Message, “You need to know, friends, that thanking God over and over for you is not only a pleasure; it’s a must. We have to do it. Your faith is growing phenomenally; your love for each other is developing wonderfully. Why, it’s only right that we give thanks.”

And so, it’s caused me to pause and to think about faith that grows exceedingly . . . and love that abounds . . . and the relationship between the two. The grace of God worked mightily in that group of believers in Thessalonica. A young church . . . pretty pagan background . . . built on only 3 weeks of “on site” teaching by Paul. But the gospel took. The seed found good soil . . . and God gave the increase. And their faith grows exceedingly. As they learn more, they become more convinced. As the persecution intensifies, their resolve to seek and pursue the One who promised never to leave or forsake them increases. As they experience the Holy Spirit’s regenerating work in their lives and the lives of their friends, they know — just know — deep within their hearts that this is the real thing. That God IS real . . . that Jesus IS alive . . . that heaven IS sure . . . that the KING is coming again. And so Paul uses a word here to describe their faith that isn’t used anywhere else in the New Testament — “hyper-growing.” That’s what their faith was doing . . . it was hyper-growing. And what comes along with hyper-growing faith? Abounding or “super-increasing” love for one another.

No accidents in Scripture . . . so when faith to God is linked to love to one another, it’s probably worth noting. How much I love the people of God is probably a pretty good indicator of how much my faith is growing. I don’t think I’m stepping out there too much to say that as faith grows, love for the church grows. And where faith is hyper-growing, love is super-increasing. Oh, to be part of a body of believers where, by the grace of God, and the active working of the Holy Spirit, faith is growing and love is increasing.

And, I guess, it starts within me . . . that my faith would hyper-grow . . . that my love for God’s people would super-increase.

God alone is awesome . . . but that would be amazing!!!

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What Happened?

Posted on July 14, 2011 by Pete

Another lesson this morning from a king of Judah . . . actually another warning about “finishing well.”

King Asa is a bit of a “head scratcher” when you read his story (2Chronicles 14 thru 16) . . . how does someone start so well and finish so poorly? . . . here’s the “Reader’s Digest” version:

Asa was marked as one of the kings who “did what was good and right in the eyes of the LORD His God.” (14:2) He encouraged Judah (the southern kingdom of the divided Israel) to seek the Lord and he put his money where his mouth was by tearing down the high places of idol worship. For 10 years, there was peace and prosperity in Judah during which time he also built up an army of 580,000 fighting men (14:8). Then, 10 years into his reign, Zerah the Ethiopian came out against Judah with a force of one million men. Out numbered almost 2 to 1 Asa, cried out to the Lord (that’s a good move), “Lord it is nothing for You to help whether with many or with those who have no power; help us, O LORD our God!” (14:11) And the Lord struck the Ethiopians. King Asa then was a man who pursued God, a man who trusted in God, a man who experientially knew the power and faithfulness of God.

And it gets better . . . the Spirit of God comes upon a guy named Azariah who prophesies to Asa and his people, “The LORD is with you while you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will forsake You.” (15:2) And it sparks national revival in Judah. The people enter “into a covenant to seek the Lord God of their fathers with all their heart and all their soul” (15:12) and “Judah rejoiced at the oath, for they had sworn with all their heart and sought Him with all their soul; and He was found by them, and the Lord gave them rest all around” (15:15). So King Asa was a godly man who led others in devotion to the LORD. So far . . . so good . . .

Fast forward 25 years . . . 25 years of peace and rest . . . and King Baasha of Israel starts to lay siege to Judah. And what does godly King Asa do? He buys off Syria to come to his aid. What he doesn’t do is rely on the Lord . . . and he’s called on it by the Lord through a prophet (16:7-8). And King Asa’s response? “Then Asa was angry with the seer, and put him in prison.” (16:10) Three years later Asa becomes “diseased in his feet and his malady was severe.” What does he do? “Yet in his disease, he did not seek the LORD, but the physicians.” (16:11-12)

So what happened??? Started so well . . . trusted so much . . . saw great intervention and power of God . . . yet tanked . . . lost the reliance . . . bitter at the correction . . . relied on man over God. How come . . . what happened??? I don’t know . . . all I know is that the Word of God records it . . . and I can’t help but think that it’s for my warning. I might think my walk with the Lord is pretty good right now . . . I might be trusting and relying now . . . but Asa teaches me that things can change if I stop actively seeking Him. (15:2)

And then I read Psalm 143 . . . another king — David . . . also finding himself toward the end of his reign in a tough spot . . . and what a contrast to Asa . . . “I remember the days of old; I meditate on all Your works; I muse on the work of Your hands. I spread out my hands to You; my soul longs for You like a thirsty land . . . For in You do I trust . . . For I lift up my soul to You . . . For You are my God . . . Revive me, O LORD, for Your name’s sake! For Your righteousness’ sake bring my soul out of trouble. In Your mercy cut off my enemies, and destroy all those who afflict my soul; For I am Your servant.” (Ps. 143:5, 6, 8, 10, 11, 12)

The Spirit reminds me this morning that “the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.” (2Chron. 16:9) I want His eyes to find me loyal . . . trusting . . . relying . . . resting in Him alone. I want to run well now . . . I want to run well then. O God, keep me from coasting . . . keep me from a complacency which shifts my dependence from You to man or things of this world . . . keep me from growing into a bitter, self-reliant old man . . . instead form the heart of David within me . . . the heart that remembers the victories of God in the past . . . that meditates on the wonders of God in the present . . . and the hopes in the faithfulness of God for the future . . . for Your glory alone . . . Amen!!

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A Heart of Hearing

Posted on July 13, 2011 by Pete

Talk about your major mistake . . . your strategic error . . . your “Oh, if I only had that to do again.” That’s kind of what hits me as a read the story of King Rehoboam’s reign in 2Chronicles 10 thru 12. Some important lessons in leadership here . . . no, not just leadership, . . . some important lessons in wise living here.

So here’s the deal . . . King Solomon has died and his son, Rehoboam, has assumed the throne. Soon after, the people of Israel come to the new king and ask for relief. For decades they have broken their backs and bank accounts under Solomon working on the great building projects he orchestrated. “Your father was a hard master,” they said. “Lighten the harsh labor demands and heavy taxes that your father imposed on us. Then we will be your loyal subjects.” (2Chron. 10:4 NLT) Sounds like a reasonable request. What’s a young king to do?

And so, he gets some advice. He consults the elders who served with his dad and they say, “Listen to the people. Give a little now. Be kind. Work with them. And, then they’ll be your servants forever.” But that’s not what Rehoboam wanted to hear. It wasn’t aligned with his power-trippin’ view of being the “big kahuna.” And it says, “He rejected the advice which the elders had given him.” (2Chron. 4:8a)

He then talks to his young buddies who are kind of liking their new jobs working in the king’s palace. Inexperience talking with inexperience. Bias seeking out what it wants to hear. Not really interested in sound advice, but wants to appear wise and talks to men who will tell him what he wants to hear. Their advice? “This is what you should tell those complainers who want a lighter burden: ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s waist! Yes, my father laid heavy burdens on you, but I’m going to make them even heavier! My father beat you with whips, but I will beat you with scorpions!’” (1Chron. 10:10-11 NLT)

And so Rehoboam doesn’t listen to the people (lesson 1) and rejects the advice of wise men who’ve been around the block once or twice (lesson 2) and the rest is history. He delivers the harsh message . . . the people rebel . . . the 10 northern tribes of Israel from their own government . . . the nation is divided. Why? Because Rehoboam didn’t listen. (Well, also because it was ordained of God (see. vv. 15 and 11:4) . . . but that’s a different set of lessons).

And I’m thinking about how important it is to listen . . . to what others say . . . to what others need. How important it is to seek out — and be prepared to receive — good and wise counsel . . . and yes, many times it means listening to the “grey-haired” . . . those who have walked with the Lord for awhile . . . those who have the sort of perspective that only comes from experience. And I wonder if ours isn’t a “non-listening” age. Focused on self, not really paying attention to what others think. Too arrogant to think anybody else has anything to tell us . . . or if we do “listen” we make sure we plug into the voices that already align to our thinking. Too “smart” to look to the “out of date” and “old fashioned” Word of God for direction.

If you read further in 2Chronicles, you find indicators in chapter 12 that the root of Rehoboam’s problem wasn’t his plugged up ears . . . it was his pride-filled heart. Three times in 2Chron. 12:6-7 it says that Rehoboam and the leaders “humbled themselves” under God’s corrective hand. They needed to be humbled. Pride has a funny effect on the senses, it seems. A proud heart seems to result in poor hearing.

The heart of hearing is a humble heart. When I no longer think that I know it all . . . when I relinquish my agenda for God’s . . . when I am humble in spirit . . . then the ears work really well. I’ll listen to what others say . . . I’ll seek the counsel of wise, older people . . . I’ll still myself so as to be in a position to hear the Spirit’s voice, too.

Father, continue to form within me a heart of hearing . . . for Your glory, Amen!!

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An Unexpected Visit

Posted on July 12, 2011 by Pete

Luke 10:38-42. Only five verses. A single encounter mentioned only in one of the four gospels. Something that you might think could be glossed over or trivialized pretty easily. But as I meditate on the encounter, I’m impressed as I think of the impact it has had on Christendom. It really was an unexpected visit.

I don’t think I’ve ever noticed before that Martha is the one specifically called out as welcoming Jesus into her house. She’s the one who received Him . . . who opened up her home to Him. Martha wanted Jesus in her house. Good on her!!! She’s way ahead of her time . . . she didn’t need the prophetic encouragement of Revelation 3:20, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” Jesus didn’t have to knock . . . she invited Him in . . . welcomed Him . . . looked forward to the visit. But it wasn’t what she had anticipated. It didn’t go how she had envisioned. It really was an unexpected visit.

Queue Mary, the sister. I don’t know if it says anywhere, but I think of her as a younger sister. And the Holy Spirit wastes no time, nor words, in this brief account to get to the point about Mary — she “sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what He said.” (10:39 NIV) She is led to the place where she’ll gain the greatest value . . . she intuitively finds “the activity” which will benefit her the most. The place? The feet of Jesus. The activity? Listening. Mary isn’t mentioned as the one welcoming Jesus into the house, but she knows how to take advantage of this unexpected visit

And the contrast painted against her older sister can’t be missed, “But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made.” Poor Martha!!! There was a lot of work to be done to get the meal ready for the Master. Things to be sliced and diced . . . tables to be set . . . candles to be lit . . . whatever!!! And Mary was not helping make it happen. And you’ve got to think that Martha was much distracted because of what she wanted to do for the Lord. A lot of effort in a well prepared meal is a pretty powerful way of honoring someone . . . of expressing to them how special you think they are . . . Martha was doing for the Lord . . . and Mary was doing nothing. Martha was striving to meet her expectations for this dinner . . . Mary was taking advantage of this unexpected visit.

Two options when the Lord visits . . . see what You can do for the Lord . . . or, hear what the Lord wants to do in You. Serve or sit. Languish or listen. Fret or fill up. I think there’s a place for both. Times when I need to be about doing the Lord’s bidding . . . times when I need to make the effort to honor the Lord . . . times to be busy for God. But the lesson from these few verses . . . the reminder from this single account recorded only by Dr. Luke . . . is that sometimes Jesus wants to do the talking . . . He wants to serve up the meal . . . and mine is to sit at His feet . . . and just listen. Sometimes Jesus wants to visit us unexpectedly.

Sitting at the feet of Jesus. What a picture that evokes in my mind’s eye. A place of humility . . . a place of adoration . . . a place of nearness . . . a place of receiving. How infrequently I calm myself . . . put away the distractions . . . put away the need to do something for Him . . . and just sit at His feet . . . and listen. Jesus said it is “the good part” (NKJV) or “what is better” (NIV) and Mary chose it.

Martha expected the visit to be an opportunity to feed the Lord . . . instead the Lord wanted to feed them with food from heaven. Martha thought she needed to fret and fume and fuss in order to honor Him . . . Mary recognized that she needed to sit, be still, and savor the words of life being dished out by the Prince of Life. It really was an unexpected visit . . .

Lord, tune my heart to recognize those unexpected visits . . . to know when to sit and listen . . . to know when to “be still and know that You are God” (Ps. 46:10) . . . to know when You’re dishin’ the meal and mine is to have ears to hear. Calm my spirit in those times and help me to sit rather than serve . . . to wait rather than work. Thank You that by the blood of Jesus I have been brought near . . . I desire to take advantage of that privileged spot . . . and sit at Your feet . . . and listen to Your words . . . expecting the unexpected visit. For Your glory, Amen!

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Known

Posted on July 11, 2011 by Pete

If there’s anything that you come away from Psalm 139 with . . . it’s a sense of being very exposed. A reminder that there is no “living in secret” before God. “You have searched me and known me,” says the Psalmist, “You know when I sit down . . . You discern my thoughts . . . You search out my path . . . You are acquainted with all my ways . . . You know every word that is on my tongue . . . You hem me in . . . You lay Your hand upon me.” And David’s response to such revelation? Overwhelmed! The knowledge is too wonderful, he says . . . extraordinary . . . incomprehensible . . . too high . . . too much to grasp. (Ps. 139:1-6)

And the implications are staggering. Where shall I go from Your Spirit? . . . where shall I flee? . . . where are You not? Answer: Nowhere! No running . . . no hiding . . . no “private moment” absent from the ever-present, all-knowing God. (vv. 7-12)

How long have I been on His radar? A long time. He formed me and knit me together in my mother’s womb . . . even there my frame was not hidden from Him. Even when I was yet unformed He was writing the book of my life . . . pre-recording the days that were formed for me . . . long, long before they came up on the calendar God’s script was in place. (vv. 13-16)

So . . . what to do with such an overwhelming realization? How do you respond? Check out David’s response . . .

“How precious to me are Your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with You.” (Psalm 139:17 ESV)

Precious . . . esteemed . . . highly valued . . . prized! Fully known and fully appreciating it. Nothing hidden and so nothing held back. To be entirely known by God and still loved so completely loved by God. Precious! Heart stirring . . . awe invoking . . . worship starting.

God knows it all . . . and still when I awake, I am with You.

Far from running from such divine knowledge, mine is to embrace it. To be reminded that, knowing all He knows about me, He so loved me He sent His Son to redeem me. To internalize again the depths of grace that compelled the Shepherd to go in rescue of lost sheep. To try and grasp afresh the wonder of being His workmanship . . . created and then re-created in Christ . . . and given the privilege of serving Him while He works His sanctifying work in me.

To not be discouraged at failure . . . not disheartened when I trip up. But to embrace that I am known . . . and that, in that complete knowledge, there is forgiveness through the blood of Jesus Christ which cleanses from all sin . . . that, in that complete knowledge, there is an eternal commitment to finish the work He has begun in me . . . that, in that complete knowledge, He is refining me . . . transforming me . . . and conforming me into the image of His Son.

Known . . . so known! How precious to me are Your thoughts, O God!

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Head in the Cloud

Posted on July 8, 2011 by Pete

They had so much to do. Candles to be trimmed . . . incense to be offered . . . bread to be put on the table. There were songs to be sung . . . prayers to be offered . . . worship to be given. But it all came to a stop when the cloud descended. All the busyness associated with ministering before God ceased when the glory of God came upon the place.

” . . . and when the song was raised, with trumpets and cymbals and other musical instruments, in praise to the LORD, ‘For He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever,’ the house, the house of the LORD, was filled with a cloud, so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the LORD filled the house of God.” (2Chronicles 5:13-14 ESV)

So . . . what must it have been like to have your head in the cloud?

What was it like to experience the cloud descend? The same pillar of cloud manifest to lead the people out of Egypt. The same cloud that covered Mt. Sinai as God had His one-on-one with Moses. The same cloud that fell on the tent of meeting in the wilderness indicating that the glory of God had filled the the holy of holies. When you saw the cloud, the glory was present. So what was it like? One thing is clear . . . when the glory was present, the activity ceased.

When the glory falls . . . hit the pause button. All the hustle and bustle of temple ministry screeches to a halt when God is present. All the efforts of man cease when God is come. Time to stop being the Martha . . . busying yourself with much preparation . . . time to take the Mary posture . . . at the feet of the manifested glory of God. That’s at least part of what it is to have your head in the cloud.

When the glory is present the work stops. When God dwells among men, the efforts of men are not needed. Isn’t that my current state?

“And the Word 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 1:14 ESV)

Behold the glory of God in the face of Jesus. He has come. The cloud has descended. He is the “radiance of God’s glory and the exact imprint of His nature” (Heb. 1:3) . . . and the God “who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2Cor. 4:6). The glory is here. The efforts of man have ceased. Mine is now to abide in that glory. To walk with my head in that cloud.

Behold the glory of God in the outpouring of His Holy Spirit. He has filled the living temple of this sinner saved by grace. Not because of who I am, but because of what Christ has done. Mine now is to live in the ever-present Spirit . . . to walk in the Spirit . . . to be continually filled with the Spirit. That the glory might be known . . . that His will might done in and through me.

When the cloud falls . . . when the glory comes . . . strivings cease . . . the work stops . . .

Oh, that I might live more with my head in the cloud . . . amen?

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A "Give Back" Fest

Posted on July 7, 2011 by Pete

Ok . . . so, you wanna talk about “over the top”? . . . you want to think on something that’s hard to get your mind around? . . . you want to get a hernia? Try taking this offering . . . try counting this between services . . . try putting this deposit in a bag and dropping it off at the bank . . . 300 tons of gold . . . 637.5 tons of silver . . . 675 tons of bronze . . . 3,750 tons of iron. There’s no other way to describe it . . . it was a “give-fest”. Actually . . . it was a “give back” fest.

I’m wrapping up 1Chronicles this morning. Before David “goes home”, he takes one last offering for the materials that will be needed by his son, Solomon, to build a temple for God. Since setting his heart on seeing a house built for God, David’s been storing up stuff that would be use as building material. “I’ve done my best,” says David, “to get everything together for building this house for my God, all the materials necessary: gold, silver, bronze, iron, lumber, precious and varicolored stones, and building stones–vast stockpiles” (1Chron. 29:2 MSG). But it doesn’t stop there . . . he then gives out of his personal “bank account” . . . and then invites the people to do likewise . . . and what do you end up with? In addition to the “official temple building account”, you get the offering detailed above. Amazing! But what really grabs me this morning is David’s perspective on the “give fest” . . .

“And now we thank You, our God, and praise Your glorious name. But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able thus to offer willingly? For all things come from You, and of Your own have we given You. For we are strangers before You and sojourners, as all our fathers were. Our days on the earth are like a shadow, and there is no abiding. O LORD our God, all this abundance that we have provided for building You a house for Your holy name comes from Your hand and is all Your own.” (1Chronicles 29:13-16 ESV)

You don’t sense any hesitation . . . they had been stewards of that which God had given them . . . and now their hearts were moved to give of that stewardship to see a place built for the glory of God to dwell . . . “now I have seen your people, who are present here, offering freely and joyously to You” (29:17b). And, there’s no boasting . . . no marveling at how much they had thrown in the plate . . . no credit taken for being so generous . . . just a heavenly reality check that all they had done was given to God what was already His. All things come from God . . . what they gave to God was already His . . . He had provided them the joy of freely and willingly giving it back.

What a deception to think of that which I possess as being mine because I earned it. What arrogance to consider that any measure of wealth I might know is because of how hard I’ve worked . . . or how smart or talented I am. What do I have that God has not given me? Answer: Nothing! While He allowed all this “stuff” to be mine to steward, may I never lose sight of the fact that it is His stuff. And when He asks me to give a portion back . . . or all of it back . . . may I do so willing and gratefully asking, “Who am I, that I should be able thus to offer willingly?”

And David recognizes that even the attitude is from God, “O LORD, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, our fathers, keep forever such purposes and thoughts in the hearts of Your people, and direct their hearts toward You.” (29:18) Oh, that God’s people might be filled with such purposes and thoughts . . . that their hearts would be directed toward the Majesty on high . . . that their treasures might be recognized as His treasure and offered back joyously when He calls for it.

Over the top? Yeah . . . that’s how “give back” fests can be. What a privilege . . . what a joy . . . what a God! Amen?

“And they ate and drank before the LORD on that day with great gladness.” (1Chronicles 29:22 ESV)

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A Whole Heart and A Willing Mind

Posted on July 6, 2011 by Pete

David had done as much as he could do. He’d put in a ton of preparation. Plans drawn . . . materials acquired . . . labor force secured and organized . . . everything David could do, he had done to prepare for the building of the temple. It was in his heart to build a resting place for the ark of of the covenant of the Lord . . . a place to be the “footstool of God” . . . but, it would not be his to build (1Chron. 28:2-3). That would be left to his son, Solomon. But though he would not see the temple in his day, he did everything in his power to get ready for its construction . . . he did all he could to ensure his son was set up for success.

But “success” wasn’t just about the materials . . . nor just about the building . . . David also knew that it was about the builder. His son also needed to be prep’d. The “who” of the project was equally important to the “how.” It was about more than just a welcoming home for the God of heaven . . . it needed to be about a welcoming heart as well. And so, as David hands over the baton (and tons of building materials) he also passes on a charge to his son:

“And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve Him with a whole heart and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought. If you seek Him, He will be found by you, but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever. Be careful now, for the LORD has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary; be strong and do it.” (1Chronicles 28:9-10)

Pretty simple. Know God . . . serve God . . . seek God . . . be strong and do it! And the secret sauce? . . . “with a whole heart and a willing mind.”

That God blesses despite our failings is obvious. That God uses less than best intentions to accomplish divine purposes is part of His sovereign and gracious prerogative. That God might determine to take the self-serving efforts of mere mortals and through them shape the things of eternity is His to command. But . . . it seems to hit me afresh this morning . . . what God really wants from His “builders” is service founded on a whole heart and a willing mind. With God it’s not about the ends justifying the means . . . it is so much about “the means” . . . the intent . . . the purpose . . . the thought behind the action.

He wants a heart that is undivided . . . serving one Master and Him alone . . . fully focused on the Object of service and not just on the service itself. God, says David, searches hearts and understands what’s behind the plans. That God desires the heart above the heroics is plain. That’s where the prep needs to first begin . . . in the inner man . . . in the spring of our moral character . . . in the seat of desire and passion . . . in the soul . . . the DNA of the essence of who we are. God wants me to serve Him with my whole heart. The “project” is almost secondary to the person. Before God, the service’s true value is found in the heart of the servant.

And, . . . in the servant’s mind. God is less interested in having the temple built then He is in having a people who desire to build the temple. God’s pleasure is found not just in the result of service rendered to Him, but is found in the pleasure we have in rendering Him service. He desires our desire . . . He delights in our delight . . . He is brought pleasure through our pleasure . . . when that desire and delight and pleasure is the fuel which propels us to do whatever we do, as to the Lord (Col. 3:23).

Mine is not to build a magnificent temple . . . but I have other stuff the Lord wants me to do for Him. And so, David’s words are directed to me this morning . . . Know God . . . Serve God . . . Seek God . . . Be strong and do it! . . . with a whole heart and a wiling mind!

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

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Arise and Build!

Posted on July 1, 2011 by Pete

It came into play again this morning. That wonderful dynamic between that which has been recorded in the Old Testament and that which is taught in the New Testament. The old adage, “the New Testament is in the Old concealed and the Old Testament is in the New revealed” kicked in as I read David’s words to some of his leaders. Because of what has been revealed through the God-breathed writings of the apostle Paul, this conversation between a king and his cabinet some 1,000+ years earlier takes on a meaning that they could not have imagined. Check out this part of “the chat” I eavesdropped on this a.m. . . .

“David also commanded all the leaders of Israel to help Solomon his son, saying, ‘Is not the LORD your God with you? And has He not given you peace on every side? For He has delivered the inhabitants of the land into my hand, and the land is subdued before the LORD and His people. Now set your mind and heart to seek the LORD your God. Arise and build the sanctuary of the LORD God, so that the ark of the covenant of the LORD and the holy vessels of God may be brought into a house built for the name of the LORD.’ ” (1Chronicles 22:17-19 ESV)

What was spoken by David to his leaders about the physical construction of a dwelling place for the ark of God hit me between the eyes this morning. It was like it was spoken directly to me. How come? Because I too am part of a building program for a holy habitation for the LORD. The Old Testament concept of a physical temple built to house the glory of God is expanded in the New Testament. This Old Testament structure is a picture of a greater building in which God desires to dwell. A place that God would raise up . . . not made with brick and mortar . . . but with living stones . . . a temple made of people . . . redeemed people . . . His people. So . . . set your mind and heart to seek the LORD, Pete . . . arise and build the sanctuary of God.

Revealed in the New is the amazing reality that I, as a believer . . . as a blood-bought trophy of God’s grace . . . that I am part of the household of God . . . joined together with other believers . . . forming a living building . . . growing into a holy temple in the Lord . . . being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit (Eph. 2:19-22). And just as the temple of ancient days was a place where offerings to God were brought, so too, as living stones being put together to form a spiritual house, this temple revealed in the New is to “offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (1Peter 2:5). So . . . get your head in the game, Pete . . . set your heart on seeking the Lord . . . get to it . . . and build, by the grace of God and the work of His indwelling Spirit, this holy habitation for the God of your salvation!

“Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?” . . . “Let each one take care how he builds upon it.” (1Cor.3:16, 10)

Arise and build, Pete! Do it carefully . . . purposefully . . . wisely. Beware of trying to build with “wood, hay, and straw.” Beware of cheap materials . . . take care not to add to the foundation that which has no substance and will not last. Instead, seek the the Lord and build with gold, silver, and precious stones . . . hold back on nothing . . . that this new, holy habitation for God might be a place where He is pleased to dwell. Leverage the best materials from the spiritual treasures made available to you that this “flesh and blood temple” might rise up to be a magnificent place of worship. That the sacrifices of praise . . . and the living sacrifices of wholly consecrated bodies . . . would rise up as a sweet smelling aroma to Him who is worthy of our best. Set your mind and heart to seek the LORD your God!

Yeah . . . David thought he was talking to his leaders. In fact, the Lord is talking to me. You got to love the word of God! Amen?

Arise and build!

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Upgraded!

Posted on June 30, 2011 by Pete

In May our second oldest daughter was married in Maui. Pretty cool. Everything pretty much happened as planned. He said, “I do” . . . she said, “I do” . . . we said, “Amen!” But there was a little surprise for my daughter and her fiancee as they checked in at the airport for their flight over. At the airline counter they mentioned that they were heading to Hawaii to be wed. When they were handed their boarding passes, the slips of paper had “Wedding” written on them . . . and their seats had been upgraded to first class! Kind of more than they had expected . . . kind of above and beyond what they had paid for . . . kind of better then they “deserved” . . . kind of like Psalm 132.

As I read Psalm 132 what stood out was a phrase kind of repeated twice . . . but not exactly word for word . . . and I was asking myself, “How come?” It took me a little while to realize that Psalm 132 is a prayer of David and a response by the Lord. David invites God to find rest in Zion . . . to dwell in Jerusalem . . . to establish His “footstool” in the city so that the people might come to worship . . . and God says, in a manner, “I will” . . . but in a way beyond what you’re asking . . . in a way beyond what you can imagine . . . “I will,” says God, “with upgrades.” And here’s what caught my attention this morning:

“Let Your priests be clothed with righteousness, and let your saints shout for joy.” (David, Psalm 132:9 ESV)

“Her priests I will clothe with salvation, and her saints will shout for joy.” (The LORD, Psalm 132:16 ESV)

David asks that those who minister before the Lord would do so with holiness and godliness . . . that they would wear garments of righteousness. But at best, all these men could do was “buy an economy ticket.” Best intentions . . . most ardent discipline . . . holy compared to others . . . coming in their righteousness . . . but still, “all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment” (Isa. 64:6 ESV). They could put on their best . . . but God had something better.

“I will clothe them with salvation,” says the LORD. They will be adorned with deliverance from sin . . . they will be arrayed with victory over their enemies. Yes, they will be enveloped with righteousness . . . but not their own . . . they will be clothed with my Son and His righteousness . . . they will be upgraded to first class.

And I think to myself . . . that’s just like my God . . . “able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us” (Eph. 3:20). We bring desire . . . He brings deliverance . . . we ask for a drop of water . . . He provides fountains of living water . . . we desire a place to worship at His footstool . . . He invites to be seated with His Son in the heavenlies. You know that list can go on. And it starts with a garment of salvation . . . purchased by God with the blood of His Son . . . and freely given to all who receive His grace by faith.

And God says, “You think you’ll shout for joy when you put on your own righteousness? Wait until you’re wearing what I have for you . . . then you’ll really shout for joy. You’ll shout aloud. You’ll lift Your voice in unrestrained praise. Then, you’ll know worship!” Garments of salvation have a way of wanting us to put on garments of praise.

Yes! Praise God for the garments of salvation. Give Him glory, all His people, that we are clothed in Christ. Shout for joy . . . shout with joy, the joy of your salvation.

“But it is written: ‘Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.’ But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit.” (1Cor. 2:9-10 NKJV)

Upgraded! Amen?

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