The Power of the Promise

Posted on July 21, 2011 by Pete

As I think about it, promises are only as good as the promise-maker. The strength of a pledge is less in the words spoken and more in the desire, commitment, and ability of the one speaking the words to follow through. It occurs to me that my “hunt” for promises in God’s word is as much about who God is as it is about what He has said. Came across a promise this morning that impacted me more by the One giving the assurance than by the assurance being given.

“But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.” (2Thessalonians 3:3 ESV)

Ok . . . so I’m “claiming the promise.” God will set fast those who are His . . . He will give them a stability which transcends the circumstance of life . . . He will render constant the mind of those who seek Him. I can be that guy in the lighthouse . . . though the wave envelopes the structure, yet he stands firm, protected from its onslaught.

Protected because God “will guard you.” The Father has said that He would keep watch over His people . . . His Son, the Great Shepherd, has committed to protect His flock . . . that none, who have been graced into the fold, would be lost. Aware that “in this world you will have tribulation” (John 16:33), He has pledged to preserve those who names are written above and to deliver them to a place He has been preparing for them.

Talk about a promise to claim . . . talk about a solid rock to stand firm on! But here’s the real power of the promise . . . here’s the “take it to the bank” factor . . . here’s the blessing within the blessing . . . “the Lord is faithful.”

The power of the promise is in the Promise-Maker. In His ability to “follow through” . . . and to the degree to which He can be trusted to “walk the talk”. And my God is able . . . and my God is faithful!

I can believe the promise because “the Lord is faithful.” He is trustworthy . . . He can be relied upon . . . my confidence can be placed fully in the God who has declared, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Heb. 13:5). That He is able is beyond dispute . . . but that He is willing . . . that He is committed . . . that He is rock-solid faithful . . . that’s the power of the promise.

“God is faithful, by Whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” (1Cor. 1:9) . . . “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” (1Cor. 10:13) . . . . “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; He will surely do it.” (1Thess. 5:23-24)

Part of His forever family . . . because He is faithful. Able to stand through every trial and temptation . . . because He is faithful. Being completely conformed into the image of His blessed Son . . . a done deal . . . because He is faithful.

Praise God for His promises. Believe His promises . . . for He is God.

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Under the Influence

Posted on July 20, 2011 by Pete

It’s like a drug. Something that can take control. Something that muddles the thinking . . . removes reasonable inhibitions . . . and can result in stupid, stupid decisions. Not recognized, it can take you farther than you really want to go. Not held in check, it can lead to ruin. And the thing about this “destructive substance” is that it is present within me 24/7 . . . lies just below the surface . . . reminds me of it’s presence more often than I care to admit. As I read the story of another king who started well and ended not-so-well, I’m hearing the warning of the dangers of being “under the influence” of pride.

I’m reading in 2Chronicles 26 about King Uzziah. Uzziah, king at 16 years of age . . . king for 52 years . . . one of the “good guys.” Uzziah lived up to his name, “my strength is Jehovah.” He sought the Lord and the Lord prospered him. He set Himself to seek God, and God grew him into a mighty man of war. Vast army . . . leading edge military technology . . . and fame that spread far beyond the borders of Judah (26:13-15). At the top of his game. He sought God . . . he fought for God . . . and God drew alongside to secure the victories . . . to increase his strength. And then, tragically, he ended up “under the influence.”

“But when he was strong, he grew proud, to his destruction. For he was unfaithful to the LORD his God and entered the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar of incense.” (2Chronicles 26:16 ESV)

Give your head a shake! Really? This seeker of God . . . this king who “did right in the sight of the Lord” . . . he presumes to have attained to the privilege of the priesthood and goes traipsing into the holy place and ad libs his own incense offering. He wasn’t a son of Aaron. While God may have chosen him for the throne, it wasn’t his to take upon himself ministering in the temple. What was he thinking? What got into him? Pride!

His heart was lifted up . . . he became haughty . . . arrogant. He had become hooked on fame and recognition. It wasn’t enough of a “high” to be king . . . not enough of a “buzz” to be known far and wide as a military genius . . . he needed a next “hit” . . . needed to something to boost the ego a bit more. And so off he goes . . . arrogantly striding into the holy place. Less, I think, about trying to honor the God who favored him, but more about showing others what a really big man he was. It makes no sense apart from something taking over his reasoning . . . some powerful intoxicating substance. He overdosed on pride.

When opposed by the legitimate priests, instead of coming to his senses . . . instead of contrition and repentance . . . he becomes an “angry drunk” (26:19-20). And there was the line . . . and Uzziah stepped over it . . .

“Then Uzziah was angry. Now he had a censer in his hand to burn incense, and when he became angry with the priests, leprosy broke out on his forehead in the presence of the priests in the house of the LORD, by the altar of incense . . . the LORD had struck him. And King Uzziah was a leper to the day of his death, and being a leper lived in a separate house, for he was excluded from the house of the LORD.” (2Chronicles 26:19-21 ESV)

God sobered him up. Nailed him right between the eyes . . . literally . . . filling his forehead with an ugly skin disease . . . a visible external sign reminding him, that despite all his outward fame, there was still inward junk that made him unclean. Removed from general population . . . precluded from participating in temple worship . . . all because he allowed himself to get “under the influence.”

What a warning for me. Pride is a powerful, powerful intoxicating and controlling substance. Unchecked it can lead me down paths I would never think to go when in my right mind. And I am so aware of my ego . . . I know that all the makings of Uzziah type disaster are resident in the flesh. Oh, by the grace of God, may there be no room for pride to take over . . . may I instead be under the influence of another . . . controlled by the Spirit. My accomplishments seen as His accomplishments . . . my strengths recognized as His hand of favor . . . the only boasting being that which boasts in the cross . . . the only glory being the glory given to Him.

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It Matters Who You Dance With

Posted on July 19, 2011 by Pete

The warning lights went off as soon as I read it this morning. While the phrase was familiar . . . it had a twist to it that was a bit foreboding. Although things were going well, you just knew that a train wreck was coming. Note to self . . . lesson to be learned . . . it matters who you dance with.

Joash was the “boy king” . . . just seven years old when they put the crown on his head (2Chronicles 24:1). He had been hidden for 6 years in the temple . . . protected from Athaliah, the crazy old mama of the previous king. After her son died, Athaliah assassinated everyone else in line for the throne (2Chron. 22:10) . . . everyone except the baby Joash who was stolen away and hidden by the wife of the high priest, Jehoiada (22:11-12). And so, Joash was brought up literally in the house of God . . . and in the ways of God . . . by a faithful servant of God.

So it’s not surprising, perhaps, to read that, when Joash was put on the throne, he ruled in a manner that pleased God. But, you read the whole verse, and the warning lights go off. Check it out . . .

“And Joash did what was right in the eyes of the LORD all the days of Jehoiada the priest.” (2Chronicles 24:2 ESV)

Catch that qualifier? He did what was right . . . he lived in a manner worthy . . . he pleased God . . . but it was only for “the days of Jehoiada the priest.” Uh, oh! Another example of starting strong and finishing poorly. And it all came down to who Joash decided to dance with.

While Jehoiada, . . . aged, faithful, servant-of-God Jehoiada . . . while Jehoiada lived, he had the king’s ear. During that time Joash restored the house of the Lord which had been trashed by Athaliah’s kids (24:4,7). Under Jehoiada’s counsel, Joash faithfully pursued restoring the worship of God as a focal point for life in Judah. As long as Joash partnered with Jehoiada, he seemed to pursue the things of God. But then Jehoiada dies . . . and is buried . . . and there enters into Joash’s life a new set of voices . . .

“Now after the death of Jehoiada the princes of Judah came and paid homage to the king. Then the king listened to them. And they abandoned the house of the LORD, the God of their fathers, and served the Asherim and the idols.” (2Chronicles 24:17-18a ESV)

How sad. These princes of Judah whispered flattering words in the king’s ear . . . they fawned before him . . . they seduced him . . . you can almost hear the hiss of the serpent as they called into question this “exclusive worship” initiative he had been fixating on. “Come on!” they may have said, “There’s room for other gods . . . there’s a place for tolerance . . . you were sheltered by that old priest, try some of the ‘new gods’ . . . you’ll like it.” Whatever they said, he listened and he forsook the house of God . . . and, the God of the house. Heavy sigh!

And the apostle Paul’s words ring in my ears . . . “Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company ruins good morals.’ ” (1Corinthians 15:33 ESV)

It matters who I “dance” with. My life will be impacted by those I hang with. It makes a difference who has my ear . . . who I go to for counsel and advice. I’m not saying we retreat from all the “bad voices” . . . we’ve been sent with good news to the “bad voices.” But I do need to be careful about who my closest associates are . . . I need to recognize that my best buds will have an influence on my actions . . . that those I look to for input and feedback will impact how I think and, eventually, how I live.

Oh, thank God for the Jehoiada’s in my life . . . for the fellowship of believers who spur me on to walk in the ways of the Lord. I want to “dance” well . . . I want to finish well . . . for His glory . . . amen?

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Meditation

Posted on July 18, 2011 by Pete

The thought that came to my mind as I read the verse is, “That’s a word we’ve given up.” I don’t know very much about Eastern Mysticism or Eastern Religions but I do think we’ve ceded some ground to it . . . allowed them to claim a concept that should be ours . . . relinquished to them a discipline that should be ours. The word I’m thinking of begins with “M” . . . and ends with “editate” . . .

“On the glorious splendor of Your majesty, and on Your wondrous works, I will meditate.” (Psalm 145:5 ESV)

I wonder if “meditate” or “meditation” came up in a word association game, how many of us would immediately respond, “Christianity!” or, “God!” Instead we might first go to images of someone with legs crossed in a lotus position, incense burning around them as they chant some mysterious sounding non-word. But, as I read through the Psalms, I’m thinking we need . . . or at least, I need . . . to reclaim meditation as a tool in my toolkit for building upon the foundation God has graciously laid in my life through His Son.

And it is so not about repeating a sing word or phrase . . . so not about emptying the mind. Rather, my meditation is all about filling the mind . . . with many, many themes and facets connected with the God of my salvation. It’s about filling my mind to overflowing as I consider “the glorious splendor” of His majesty and the wonder of His many, many works. Mine is to pause to reflect on all that He is and all that He has done. Pretty big book of “think material” if you ask me!

To take time to focus my thoughts on the attributes of God . . . to muse upon the beauty and glory of His person . . . that will stretch the mind and heart a bit. To commune around the subject matter of all that He has done — from creation to redemption . . . to ponder the mysteries of grace . . . to sing of the wonders of the heaven that awaits . . . to speak with others on how cool it is to just be a child of the Almighty . . . that has the potential to occupy a bit of time with high and lofty considerations.

So many things to compete for my thought life. So much stuff I need to run through this limited brain capacity I have. All necessary. But oh, to take time to let “living water” flow through this grey matter. To pause, even if just for a few minutes, and let the Spirit lead me to a fresh “Wow!” at the some thought of some aspect of the majesty of my God . . . or the beauty of His Son . . . or the mystery of His Spirit within me. To find myself, even in the middle of a crazy day, “escaping” just for a moment to reflect upon the love God has for me . . . that love expressed so vividly, so completely, on the cross . . . and to say, “Thank you!”

Yeah, I need to reclaim meditation . . .

May my meditation be pleasing to Him, for I rejoice in the LORD. (Psalm 103:34 ESV)

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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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