The Birthright

Posted on January 6, 2011 by Pete

You got to think that, as the boys grew up, they had heard the stories more than once around the dinner table. The stories of how God had appeared to their grandfather and told him to leave his country and to go to a new land that God would show him. That they’d be aware of how granddad had grown in wealth and power . . . how he had rescued his nephew Lot from marauding renegade kings . . . how he had interceded for Sodom and witnessed its destruction . . . and how, at a hundred years of age, he and his wife had been blessed with a son, the boys’ dad. And you think they would have known the promises made to granddad Abraham . . . the promises that through him and his offspring God would make a great nation . . . which would inhabit a great land . . . and would be a great blessing to all peoples (Gen 12:2-3; 15:5,18; 17:4,7-8; 22:17-18). You got to think they would have known the stories.

And so, you got to think that they understood the implications of being the sons of Isaac, the grandsons of Abraham. And you got to think that they understood the importance of the birthright of the eldest. Though they were twins . . . only one could be the oldest . . . only one could own the birthright . . . only one could expect to be the line through which God would specifically fulfill the promises he made to their grandpa. But, I guess understanding the birthright is one thing . . . valuing it is another.

Jacob got it . . . he knew the value of being top of the food chain when it came to the birthright. He knew that it entitled the his older brother, Esau, to a double portion of their father’s possessions and that it meant becoming the tribal or family head. And I think he probably got too that, through the birthright, came the passing of the baton of the great and awesome promises made to Abraham and later to his dad, Isaac (Gen. 26:3-4, 24). Jacob got it. Maybe Esau did too . . . but, says the Scriptures, he despised the birthright (25:34).

And while there’s whole set of questions surrounding Jacob the Schemer and the manner in which he extorted the birthright from Esau and eventually conned the blessing from Isaac, it’s Esau that has me thinking this morning. A guy born into privilege . . . a possessor of promises . . . whose priorities around satisfying his fleshly needs led him to sell out for a bowl of soup (Gen. 25:29-34).

He must have known his unique and blessed standing. The oldest grandson of Abraham the friend of God (James 2:23). The oldest son of Isaac, himself a son of promise through a miraculous birth to a couple of centenarians. Esau must have been told what was his as the firstborn. But, in the end, he was more desperate to find food for his stomach than he was to find fulfillment as the firstborn . . . in the end, the call of the flesh trumped the call of God.

And it occurs to me that I too have a birthright . . . not a lot unlike Esau’s. Now, mine isn’t through a natural birth but through a supernatural rebirth . . . through the work of Christ on the cross and by the grace of God. And, having been born again, I have received the Spirit of adoption by whom I cry out to God, “Abba (aka Daddy) Father” (Rom. 8:15). Because I am Christ’s, then I too am “Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise . . . an heir of God through Christ” (Gal. 3:29, 4:7). I too am a child of promise (Gal. 4:28) . . . a son of potential. I know the story . . . I know the promises . . . and, I know the temptation to sell out for a bowl of soup.

There are so many things that call out to the natural man . . . that seek to take priority . . . that try to deceive me to relinquish the pursuit of my birthright. So many voices offering up so much stuff that ultimately only “satisfies” for a season. So many pursuits promoted by empty promises to distract me from pressing onward for the real prize. So many schemes devised by my enemy that would entice me to compromise my calling in Christ in order to settle for a bowl of soup. Oh that I might be like Moses, refusing to be called the son of Pharaoh that He might own his calling as a son of God . . . “esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt” because he was looking for the reward of his birthright (Heb. 11:4-27)

What a birthright to be valued and pursued . . . what a Savior to praised and glorified . . . amen?

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Seeing the Creator

Posted on January 5, 2011 by Pete

Because Saturday is usually tagged for preparing for my high school Sunday School class and Sunday starts early with final music team practice, it is very rare that I pull out my reading plan on the weekends. And so, if I’m going to keep up with a 25 days per month reading plan and take weekends off, then I need to get ahead in order to not get behind. Make sense? Nevertheless, its the “need” to keep ahead of the plan that sometimes has me taking in a “double portion” some mornings. This morning was one of those mornings. As such, I read Psalm 8 and Psalm 9 together . . . and together, as a duet of praise, they reminded me of a truth I picked up from Chuck Swindoll years and years ago . . .

Man is man, and nothing more . . . God is God, and nothing less.

In Psalm 8 the psalmist looks up . . . way up . . . and takes a few minutes to noodle on the heavens. He is blown away as he looks at the moon and the stars set in place, for He sees in the nighttime skies the work of the fingers of God (8:3). The fingers of God . . . fine motor skills . . . the work of an artist . . . far from some random big bang, everything is precisely formed and set in place. And so, says the Psalmist, “How majestic is Your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens” (8:1) And then he asks the question, “What is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?”

Now, as I think about the things of creation, I perhaps could make an argument that mankind is the greatest of God’s creation. That men and women stand apart from all other works of His fingers because we were created in His triune image (Gen. 1:26). A body, the workings of which are absolutely beyond full appreciation . . . as I think, even now, of my heart pumping . . . my lungs taking in and distributing oxygen . . . and my brain, such as it is, trying to process what I’ve read as it tells my fingers what to type. And beyond the body I have a soul which defines the seat of who I am and which will exist forever . . . and a spirit which provides the means for connecting with things that transcend flesh and blood. Amazing creation, we human beings.

Sadly however, too many of us “works of wonder” stop there . . . believe our own press . . . think that we are top of the food chain . . . that it is about us . . . as Paul says we worship and serve the creation rather than the Creator (Rom. 1:25).

Not the psalmist . . . he considers the glory of creation . . . and sees the evidence of the fingers of a God who is so big . . . and he says, “God who are we? I look at you macro-skies and my micro-self and wonder why you bother with us (MSG).” Far from thinking he’s the glory of creation, the psalmist is enraptured with the glory of the Creator and in awe that He would have a place for men and women in His amazing tapestry. “O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Your name!” (8:9).

And then I read Psalm 9 . . . and the perspective continues . . . as does the praise. “I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, I will recount all of your wonderful deeds (9:1) . . . the Lord sits enthroned forever (9:7) . . . the Lord is a stronghold (9:8) . . . sing praise to the Lord, tell among the peoples His deeds! (9:11)” Again, with the wonder of God’s person and marvels of God’s works churning within him . . . as he’s is moved to praise Him who is enthroned on high forever . . . the song-writer concludes, “Let the nations know that they are but men!” (9:20).

Yeah! . . . Amen! God is God, and nothing less. And man is man, nothing more.

Oh that I would never stop looking at the creation without it revealing the Creator. That I would never cease to be amazed that He who is high and lifted up, . . . that He who inhabits eternity, . . . that He whose name is Holy, . . . that He would desire to even look upon, much less dwell with, those who are broken and contrite in spirit (Isa 57:15)

O Lord, my Lord, how majestic is Your name!

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Boldness

Posted on January 4, 2011 by Pete

It’s a simple prayer that has grabbed my attention this morning. One of those requests that, as you linger over it, you ask yourself, “Am I prepared to prayer such a prayer? If God granted the petition, am I ready for the implications?” What’s the prayer? In a word . . . BOLDNESS.

“And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness.” (Acts 4:29)

The healing of the lame man created quite a stir . . . and provided quite the opportunity for Peter and John. That’s the intent of healings, signs and wonders . . . to provide a platform to point people to Jesus, the One who has the power to heal . . . more importantly the One who has the power to save. And they preached it! No holds barred. And many of those who heard the word believed (4:4).

And the happenings that day at the temple got back to the rulers and elders . . . both concerning the miracle and the message they were preaching . . . and so they brought Peter and John up on the carpet. Then they “loaded the gun” and Peter “pulled the trigger.”

“By what power or what name did you do this?” they said (4:7). Thanks for asking, replies Peter . . . and “filled with the Holy Spirit” Peter declares the source of such power as Jesus . . . whom they had crucified . . . whom they had rejected as the chief cornerstone . . . whom God had raised from the dead . . . “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (4:10-12)

BA-BAM!!! These nobody fishermen stood before these high-falootin’, uppity-ups and preached it . . . told it like it is . . . didn’t back down. And the Holy Spirit, through Luke, records, “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus” (4:13).

They had spoken with boldness . . . they were warned by the religious leaders to stop speaking and teaching in the name of Jesus (4:18) . . . and, as they gathered with the saints to pray, they asked for more boldness. Their reliance wasn’t upon cleverly formed arguments . . . they didn’t need a well put together PowerPoint presentation. What they asked for was freedom in speaking . . . for openness and frankness in talking . . . for unreservedness in sharing . . . for free and fearless confidence in declaring that Jesus is the only name by which men must be saved.

They had spoken with boldness . . . because they were filled with the Holy Spirit (4:8) . . . and they asked for more boldness. Their reliance wasn’t upon their own courage . . . it wasn’t about “gutting it out” in their own strength. But what they asked for was the continued filling of the Holy Spirit. As Paul would put it, in his letter to Timothy, they were seeking to stir up the gift within them . . . realizing that they hadn’t been given a spirit of fear but of power . . . and, as such, not wanting to be ashamed of the testimony of Christ . . . but instead to stand for the gospel according to the power of God (2Tim. 1:6-8).

Continued boldness, however, would mean continued opposition . . . more conflicts . . . eventually beatings and imprisonment . . . and, for some, it would mean being “bold unto death.” So they prayed . . . God answered . . . “the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.” (4:31) And so, I hover over this prayer and ask myself, “Am I prepared to pray this prayer?”

Oh, that God would grant boldness . . . that the reality of the filling of the Holy Spirit might be known . . . that opportunities to testify of Christ might be seized . . . that it might be recognized that I have too been with Jesus. His power . . . my willingness. His gospel . . . my tongue. His glory . . . yes, His glory.

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Leaping and Praising God

Posted on January 3, 2011 by Pete

Despite the irrefutable proof, there was still a decision that needed to made . . . an exercise of the will that needed to occur. That the man stood before them was undeniable . . . that he stood at all was unbelievable. His legs had not worked since birth (Acts 3:1) . . . for over forty years they had hung limp about him (Acts 4:22). But in an instance . . . at the uttering of a command to “rise up and walk” by the authority of the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, this guy’s legs were regenerated and he stood up. Electronic pulses from the brain found their way for the first time to the man’s lower extremities . . atrophied thigh and calf muscles took shape . . . dislocated bones were relocated, ligaments and tendons regaining their strength . . . and this guy doesn’t just stand up, but he leaps up . . . and continues walking, and leaping, and praising God (3:6-8).

And the crowd that day at the temple saw this once lame man now in acrobatic worship, many recognizing him. And, as they watched him doing cartwheels in the temple, they were filled with wonder and amazement (3:10). That he had been healed was not up for discussion . . . that a miracle had occurred was a given . . . the only thing left for consideration was “how?” and “so what?”

The “how”, says Peter, is simple . . . it was by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth (3:6, 4:10) . . . the same Jesus who had been crucified and who God had raised from the dead. The “so what?” Just as God had raised Jesus from the dead . . . and as the Name of Jesus had raised this lame beggar from the ground . . . so too Jesus fulfilled the promise to Abraham of blessing to all peoples by delivering them from sin (3:25-26) . . . believe it or not!

And, the Scriptures say, “Many of those who heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.” (4:4)

That the lame man walked was irrefutable . . . that he was leaping and bounding about the temple was clearly understood . . . that it was because of Jesus . . . crucified . . . risen from the dead . . . proclaimed to be the Messiah . . . identified as the One foretold of by the prophets as “the stone rejected by the builder, the cornerstone” (4:11) . . . that would take another kind of leaping . . . a leap of faith.

This is the second time this morning I’ve read of “a leap of faith”. My earlier reading in Genesis records God’s repeated promise to an aging Abram that he and Sarai would “defy the odds” and conceive and give birth to a son. “Look toward heaven,” God speaks to Abram, “and number the stars, if you are able to number them . . . so shall your offspring be” (Gen. 15:5). Mmmm . . . that Abram would be the father of a son was enough of a stretch . . . but that he would then be the father of a multitude of people (13:16) . . . and a multitude of nations (17:4) . . . and the source of blessing to the whole world (12:3) . . . whoo-boy! . . . that’s more out there than a lame dude walking. Yup!

“And he believed the Lord, and He counted it to him as righteousness.” (Gen. 15:6)

Abram believed that what God had said was true . . . he took that leap of faith . . . just as the crowd, that day in the temple, believed that what God had said through Peter was true. And to them all, it was counted as righteousness. Faith is the “secret sauce” of the kingdom of heaven. It is by faith that we know Jesus saves . . . by faith that we are declared redeemed and righteous in Him . . . by faith that we know God is in control and that all things work together for our good according to His purpose . . . by faith that we appropriate the promises of God given us in His word . . . by faith that we await that day when we will move into our room which Jesus has been preparing for us in His Father’s house (John 14:1-13).

Without faith, it is impossible to please God. If we would draw near to Him we must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him (Heb. 11:6). And when we believe . . . whether for the first time as we come to Him for forgiveness and regeneration . . . or for the umpteenth time when we submit to His ways and receive His promises . . . then let the leaping begin! For that is life and life to the max . . . that is getting your legs underneath you. Oh, that I might know more of leaping and praising God . . . for His glory.

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The Name

Posted on December 31, 2010 by Pete

Talk about your saying good-bye to the old and ushering in the new. For that lame man, his encounter with Peter and John, as they headed to the temple to pray that afternoon, was a life changer (Acts 3). All he was hoping for was a few alms . . . same old, same old. But what he got was new legs . . . and a new life. And all this, through “the Name.”

“I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” (Acts 3:6)

And walk he did . . . and leap . . . and dance . . . and skip around . . . and praise God. By faith in the name of Jesus, this guy’s life went from ho-hum to kingdom come (3:16). And as I read Peter’s address to those who witnessed the miracle, to those who were “filled with wonder and amazement” at what had happened, I couldn’t help but notice “the Name.”

It was in the name of Jesus that Peter commanded the lame man to walk. It was through faith in the name that the man rose up leaping and praising God . . . and Peter, as he addresses the crowd, uses at least 3 different names to describe “the Name.”

First, Peter says that “the God of our fathers, glorified His servant Jesus” (3:13). Servant Jesus . . . the one foretold of by the prophet, “Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon Him . . . ” (Isa. 42:1). Though it was through “the Name” that God created all things, yet He would send Him as “His servant Jesus” . . .come not to be served, but to serve others and give His life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45). He humbly submitted Himself to the will of God and faithfully executed the plan of redemption. Behold the Servant! What a name . . .

Next, Peter tells the crowd that they “denied the Holy and Righteous One” (3:14). Without spot or blemish . . . without sin . . . without anything in His nature that could be exploited by the weakness of flesh . . . His name is Holy and Righteous One. To have watched Jesus . . . to have seen Him reacting to situations . . . to have heard Him rebutting His accusers . . . to have witnessed Him responding to sinners . . . was to see holiness and righteousness in action. And it’s not that He “acted holy” or that He was “righteous” because of what He did . . . no, it’s that He embodied the divine attributes of holiness and perfect righteousness. The “gold” of heaven packaged in the “brown paper bag” of a servant. His glory masked but His nature unchanged.

Finally, Peter says, “You killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead.” (3:15). Check that out . . . killing the Author of life. He is the source of life . . . natural, spiritual, and eternal. He is the living God . . . He had power over His own life, no one taking it from Him, but Him willing laying it down and then three days later, taking it up again (John 10:18). The Author of resurrection . . . physically and spiritually. The One who came so that men and women might have life . . . and have it abundantly (John 10:10) . . . to the full . . . to the max!

And I think about all that is encompassed in that Name . . . and I think about the potential of faith in His name . . . and about a lame guy who didn’t expect much but who’s life was turned upside down by believing in the Name. I think also about sitting here on the cusp of a another year and wondering if I’m looking for just a few alms in 2011, the same old, same old . . . or whether I’m in wide-eyed anticipation of encountering the Name afresh in the New Year. Am I looking for “ho-hum, hum-drum”, a couple of coins of blessing in the cup will get me through . . . or am I anticipating “some new legs”, and some walking and leaping and praising God, as I continue to seek to the know the Name?

“But let all who take refuge in You rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread Your protection over them, that those who love Your Name may exult in You.” (Ps. 5:11) Here’s to walking, and leaping, and praising God in 2011 . . . all because of the Name! Amen?

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Witnessing a Birth

Posted on December 30, 2010 by Pete

There is something about witnessing a birth that defies full description. There’s a joy which gushes from the inside out . . . literally. As I recollect, I couldn’t help but tear up at the birth of each of my five girls. And in the delivery room I can’t imagine any one thinking, “Wow, isn’t evolution doing a wonderful work today!” Nah . . . I’m thinking the most common of reactions is, “What a miracle! Amazing! Unbelievable!” And even though that just born he or she is so tiny, there’s something that wants to reach out and hold this little miracle bundle . . . something that wants to gaze upon it without interruption . . . something that wants to care for and nurture it . . . to draw it close and commit to it with your whole heart. Could any of that describe any part of what Jesus might have felt the day His church was born?

I’m reading in Acts 2 . . . the birth of the church at Pentecost . . . what an event! The sudden sound of a a mighty rushing wind from heaven itself . . . tongues of fire appearing and resting on those who were gathered there . . . the Holy Spirit filling everyone in that place . . . languages being spoken as the Spirit gave utterance . . . a cacophony of sound . . . an energy sourced literally from out of this world. And it says that “all were amazed and perplexed” and wanted to know what to make of it all (Acts 2:1-13). Cue Peter . . . witness the birth of the church . . . talk about your delivery!

This marks the last days, says Peter . . . the Spirit being a sign spoken of by the prophet . . . this time being the time, before His return, to call upon the name of the Lord and be saved (2:14-21). Who is the Lord? Jesus of Nazareth . . . a man attested by God with mighty works and signs which God did through Him . . . delivered up by God, according to His plan, into the hands of lawless men who crucified and killed Him. God, though, raised Him up, loosing the pangs of death, for it is impossible for Him to be held by death . . . exalted now at the right hand of God . . . having received the promise of the Holy Spirit which He was pouring out on them that day (2:22-33). “Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain,” proclaims Peter, “that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” (2:36)

And that day 3,000 knew it . . . they got it . . . they believed it . . . and were saved. Their souls were added to what would soon be known as the body of Christ. That day the bride of Christ was born . . . the living temple of God, inhabited through His Spirit, had begun construction. What joy did the Father experience that day? Did tears well up in the eyes of the Son as He saw the fruit of His labor that day? As the Holy Spirit invaded the souls of men, women, and children, did He do so with an embrace, drawing them near to His breast, vowing to do all He could to protect them and nurture them that the work which had begun in them would be fulfilled for God’s glory?

And then to watch that baby church thrive over the next days, weeks, and months. To see them take in the milk of the apostles teaching . . . to grow together as a family in sweet fellowship . . . to never stray far from remembering the cross and His coming as they continued in the breaking of bread . . . to find their voice, and their speech, as they persisted in prayer. And, it says, awe came upon every soul (2:42-43a). Did heaven experience a measure of awe, as well? I’m thinkin’ . . .

I know the church isn’t perfect . . . but I’m a fan of the church . . . I believe God is too. And on the day of its birth, I can only imagine the joy the Father emitted throughout heaven as He saw the beginning of the results from the work His Beloved Son had finished. It was another of those works of God that, when He saw it, I can imagine Him saying, “It is good!” And maybe, just maybe, He thought something like, “What a miracle! . . . Amazing! . . . Unbelievable!” You see, there’s something about witnessing a birth. Amen?

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But Noah . . .

Posted on December 29, 2010 by Pete

As I’m reading in Genesis 6 this morning, things are getting rough . . . the wages of the sin that entered the garden are becoming evident. Men and women living for 700 to 900 years is providing ample time not only to “be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth”, but also to provide enough continuity for a life to get into a lot of trouble. So God “caps” their lives at 120 years (6:3) . . . but it really doesn’t help at all . . . the problem isn’t time, it’s the heart. “The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually . . . and it grieved Him to His heart” (6:5-6). Time to end the experiment. Sorry to have made them, God says it’s time to “blot out man whom I have created from the face of the earth” (6:7). And then comes those glorious words . . . “But Noah . . . ”

“But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD.” (6:8)

Now it’s recorded that Noah was a righteous man . . . that he was blameless in his generation . . . that he walked with God. So, did Noah merit God’s favor? Was God obligated to save Noah because Noah had earned it? I don’t think so. Being 500 plus years old, Noah’s had more than enough time to slip up every so often . . .the fact that he had 3 kids after hitting his 500th birthday is, right there, a recipe for “losing it” once in awhile.

No, I think God’s favor was upon Noah because Noah’s heart was set upon God. That, by faith, Noah sought, as much as lied within him, to walk in a way consistent with what he knew about God even though it was diametrically opposed to his generation. I think the righteousness declared to be Noah’s was the righteousness that comes through faith. Without faith it is impossible to please God (Heb. 11:6) . . . and Noah “became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith” (Heb. 11:7).

So the world is crashing and burning . . . and in its midst is a man. A man who is counted as righteous . . . a man who is deemed to be blameless . . . a man who seeks to walk by faith with his God . . . a man who finds favor with God. While I may have seen evidence of grace implicitly within the first 5 chapters of Genesis, here it is clearly put on display.

God’s righteousness demands an accounting. The lost world of Genesis 6 had no standing to dispute the judgment of a holy God. Had God “called it a game” He would have been entirely justified. But God determined to show not only the just standard of His holiness through His judgment . . . to show not only the terrible power of His wrath through the flood . . . but also to show the wondrous glory of His grace through Noah.

The glory of God is seen in His grace (Ex. 33:18-19). As God’s glory passed before Moses it revealed the mercy and longsuffering of God . . . it declared His goodness and truth . . . it showed God’s determination to solve the sin problem such that He could forgive iniquity and transgression and sin . . . God’s glory is revealed in grace (Ex. 34:6-9). And so, “But Noah” is code for the glory of God.

And I could insert my name, as well . . . “But Pete” . . . and there too is the glory of God. I am also an object of His grace . . . living evidence of His mercy and longsuffering . . . a recipient of the forgiveness of sin . . . the old man destroyed as demonstrated through the waters of baptism only to be raised a new creation in Christ.

How I thank God for the word “but.” I thank God that He didn’t give up on the human experiment but that Noah found favor in His eyes . . . that He didn’t “call it a day” with me during my time of arrogant rebellion but that He sent the Good Shepherd to seek this lost sheep. Oh, to find favor in His sight . . . to know the grace of God . . . to behold the glory of God. To Him be all praise!

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KISS

Posted on December 28, 2010 by Pete

Some of what I’m on the look out for when I’m reading in the morning are “commands to obey.” I’m not looking to construct a “to do” list . . . or, for that matter, a “not to do” list . . . so that I can try and merit God’s favor — that’s a done deal. This morning, solely because of the grace of God and the work of Christ on the cross, I am accepted as a child of God . . . redeemed by the blood . . . declared righteous in Him . . . having believed in Him as the Son of God and the Savior of men. So why look for stuff to obey? K.I.S.S. . . . Keep It Sincere Saint . . .

The Scriptures are clear that believers should walk in a manner consistent with what they say they believe (Eph. 4:1) . . . that their walk should line up with their talk . . . that those who are being conformed to the image of Christ (Rom. 8:29) should, in fact, reflect something of that image and act like He would act (Eph. 5:1). So, if I’m going to take that seriously . . . and if I believe that the Scriptures have been preserved through the ages so that I don’t have to figure out what “consistency” looks like on my own . . . then, when I read the Word, it makes sense that one of the things I should be on the look out for are commands to obey. K.I.S.S. . . . Keep It Straight Saint . . .

And the command that grabbed me this morning is found in Psalm 2 . . . a simple command . . . “Kiss” . . . “Kiss the Son” (Ps. 2:12a)

The command is contrasted with those who rage and plot against the Lord in vain . . . those who set themselves against the Lord . . . who arrogantly try to “out noodle” the Almighty. And God, as it where, laughs from heaven at the foolishness of the Created trying to elevate themselves above the Creator. One day, the kingdom that Jesus is now establishing in the hearts and lives of believers will give way to a visible kingdom . . . His kingdom on earth . . . the nations His heritage . . . the earth His possession . . . His rule visible and indisputable. So why do men fight against it? Instead says the Psalmist, “Serve the Lord with fear and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son . . . blessed are those who take refuge in Him.” (Ps. 2:11-12)

Kiss the Son. Lean in, as it were . . . get close and personal . . . and honor Him with a holy kiss. There’s no honoring Jesus from a distance. There’s no punching salvation’s ticket with a profession of faith and then going on with life as usual. But those who are His are called to draw near . . . to revere and honor . . . to abide . . . to follow. There really isn’t any middle ground. Jesus said, “You are either with me or you are against me” (Luke 11:23) . . . you either kiss Me or you rage against Me. Someone once said that the opposite of love isn’t hate . . . it’s indifference. The Psalmist says, “Don’t be indifferent . . . don’t align with the ways of a world that sits in basic opposition to the Me . . . Kiss the Son.” K.I.S.S. . . . Keep It Strong Saint . . .

It doesn’t just happen by default . . . it’s a verb . . . something I need to do. I think it finds its expression in serving Him . . . in imitating Him . . . in rejoicing in Him . . . in worshiping Him . . . in humbly falling at His feet in awe of Him. It’s accompanied with affection . . . it’s driven by appreciation . . . it’s manifest in adoration.

I think that’s at least some of it . . . Oh, that I might learn more of what it is to Kiss the Son . . . for His glory.

K.I.S.S . . . Keep It Seeking Saint . . .

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Anticipation . . .

Posted on December 27, 2010 by Pete

At least when it comes to my yearly Bible reading plan, the “new year” has tended to begin two or three days after Christmas. It’s been awhile since I’ve actually read the January 1st set of readings on January 1st. Part of it is that for whatever reason I like to be “ahead of the plan” . . . maybe to ensure that I don’t get behind and discouraged. Part of it is that it’s simply too long to wait until the New Year before getting back into what’s become a routine of taking a bit of time to chew on the Word. But I think the other reason, and maybe the most driving aspect, is that there’s a sense of anticipation . . .

It’s the anticipation of connecting again with an old friend . . . or sitting down to watch a favorite movie . . . or revisiting a place that has many fond memories associated with it. And, more than that, it’s the anticipation, that while I’m heading down paths that I have trod before . . . reading stuff that’s been read before . . . hearing the old, old story that’s been heard before . . . that, while I’m heading down a well-worn road, I just know there will be new and fresh encounters with the Word of God . . . and with the God of the Word.

As I read Genesis this morning I underlined the “activeness” of God. God created . . . God said . . . God separated . . . God called . . . God made . . . God set . . . God saw . . . God blessed . . . God rested. And I’m wondering how all that “activity” aligns with the slow imperceptible advances you’d imagine through “theistic evolution”. It’s hard for me to imagine God saying every few million years or so, “That’s good . . . and that’s good . . . oh, and that’s really good!” But hey, could be . . . God’s not bound by time the way I am. But as I read again the Creation account I can’t help but think six literal days . . . at the end of which God rests from all the work He has done and all the wonder He has made . . . “and behold, it was very good” (Gen 1:31).

Then I step through the genealogy of Christ in Matthew. And I note again the three women mentioned in the King’s family tree. Tamar (Matt. 1:3), Ruth (1:5), and “the wife of Uriah” (1:6). And from my perspective, you might as well name each of them Grace. One deceived her father-in-law into sleeping with her so that she might conceive . . . the ends justifying the means in her mind (Gen. 38). One, a foreigner to the promises of God, chose to hang with a bitter old woman and take her God as her own (Ruth 1). And one, seduced a king and was used to turn him into not only an adulterer but a murderer, as well. And the grace in this genealogy goes so beyond these women . . . check out some of the kings in this lineage . . . whoo boy! . . . not exactly a stellar pedigree. But through this line, He who was conceived apart from natural human reproduction, bore the right to the throne of the Most High . . . and the right to sit upon it as King and Sovereign.

Then you read Acts . . . Jesus taken into heaven as the disciples jaws fall to the ground . . . and an angel saying to them, “Why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw Him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:11) The King is coming! Amen? Until then His disciples receive the power of heaven manifest in the presence of God through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The same Spirit present at creation . . . the One working through the ages in lineage of the King . . . the One now indwelling God’s earthly tabernacle . . . aka us . . . His people . . . the church. Three cheers for the church!

And then, as I do every year, I place the reading in the Psalms last as I work through this part of the reading plan. And my “new year” begins with the age old promise that there is a blessing for those whose “delight is in the law of the LORD” . . . for those who meditate on His law day and night (Ps. 1:2). That there is an expectation that for those who present “good soil” to the seed . . . for those that seek to put aside a bit of time to feed on His word, that they will be “like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers” (1:3). Deep roots . . . fruit borne in its season . . . a leaf which endures . . . such is prospering in God’s economy. That’s the blessing which awaits me at the end of what will be, Lord willing, another year’s much anticipated journey down the path of God’s Word.

Cant’ wait . . . let’s get at ‘er . . . for my blessing . . . for His glory . . . amen.

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A Satisfied Thirst

Posted on December 24, 2010 by Pete

It’s really not about boasting . . . but I have been looking back and reflecting. It’s been a number of years now since I’ve gone back to “The Discipleship Journal Bible Reading Plan” to guide my morning reading times. It’s been five years since I started journaling a few thoughts on my computer after my readings and almost that long since I started sending them out to my girls as sort of an e-Family Altar. And, for the last four years I have taken to the habit of coloring my Bible to help me keep my mind engaged as I read. And, I’m not gonna lie . . . in looking back there is a certain satisfaction. For me, it’s been a good “habit” to nurture . . . a profitable “routine” to establish . . . a great way to start the day. But with the satisfaction, there’s also a thirst. I have my new Bible ready to go for next year (I’ve picked up an ESV so we’ll see how that changes things) and, after taking a few mornings of downtime, I’m looking forward to working through the reading plan again, Lord willing.

And what’s got me reflecting . . . and anticipating . . . is my final reading of the plan in Revelation 22. I do love reading Revelation 22 at this time of year . . . particularly on these days right before the celebration of the birth of the Savior. As I remember that He has come just as was foretold, it excites me to be reminded too that He has said He’s coming again! Twice in this passage He promises, “Behold, I am coming quickly . . . ” (Rev. 22:7,12). And I find myself responding along with the Spirit and the bride, “Come! Come! Even so, come, Lord Jesus!” (22:17a,20b)

But this morning it was His invitation to me that jumped off the page . . . He says to me, “Come.”

“And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.” (Rev. 22:17b)

This is the second time the offer has been made in these closing chapters of Scripture . . . the second time this promise has been given . . . earlier Jesus says, “I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts” (21:6b) It is a promise from the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, Himself (21:6, 22:13). And the promise comes with a “warranty” as He who sits on the throne declares, “These words are true and faithful . . . are faithful and true” (21:5, 22:6).

It’s the way of the kingdom . . . he who thirsts and comes to the water will be satisfied . . . and he who has known the satisfaction of living water with thirst for more. It’s the reality of seeking, by His grace, to faithfully feed on His word . . . to know the dynamic of Him revealing sufficient for the day yet stirring within His own a desire to feast on His word more. It feels great to come to the end of my reading plan, but I’m also looking forward to starting from the beginning again.

And so, through His living word, I hear Jesus say this morning, “Come! . . . Keep coming! . . . Don’t stop coming! . . . to the living water I freely offer.”

And so, this grateful sinner saved by grace says, “Amen. Even so, Lord Jesus, I’ll come. Thank You for the living water . . . thank You for the living Teacher in residence within me . . . thank You for Your faithfulness each and every morning in giving me something to chew on . . . thank You for beginning a work in my by Your grace that You have committed to complete until the day I see You face to face . . . thank You for satisfying my thirst, and causing me to thirst for more. Lamb of God, I come!”

Have a blessed Christmas . . . O Come Let Us Adore Him!

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