"Iron sharpens iron,
So one man sharpens another."
Proverbs 27:17
"A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity."
Proverbs 17:17
"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is
For brothers to dwell together in unity! "
Psalm 133:1
"Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."
Galatians 6:2
We live in times of adversity! Take a look around, in any realm you choose, and listen closely, you can hear the sabers rattling, forces of darkness lining up against forces of Light. The stage is being set for the Battle of the Ages, and as we are brothers and sisters, soldier's in the Lord's Army, we are to sharpen each other, to edify, encourage, and sometimes carry one another, keeping each other accountable, sometimes pulling and sometimes pushing one another back up onto the Narrow Way, when we stumble or fall.
There are no "lone rangers" in God's Kingdom; we have been bought with a very high price, we all belong to Him, and we are all members of the same Body, inextricably connected, and necessary to one another, just as our human bodies' organs are different, specific and necessary.
How do you view others? Do you hold others, regardless of personality, political views, idiosyncrasies, physical appearance, race, socio-economic status, with the same regard? Do you see them through Holy Spirit, Jesus-filtered vision, where the Lord looks at the heart, and since He is no respecter of persons, none of these factors matter? I can't say that I'm totally there yet, but I am pushing forward, this is part of the race being run.
Today beloved, make it a point to have your brother's and sister's backs.
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Surpassing Knowledge
"And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Ephesians 3:17b-19
Paul's prayer is that we would be given the ability to grasp and know what is otherwise impossible with a natural mind, which is the vastness of Jesus' love for us. In the natural, when I think of a visual representation of "vast" as in "wide, long, deep, and high", I think of the Grand Canyon, or the Atlantic Ocean.
We "know" that Jesus loves us, and that He shed His blood for us, His death being the propitiation for our sins, but there is a huge difference between academic-head-knowledge "knowing", and that revelation of Jesus' raging, furious, willing-to-die-for-us love that He has for us, his Bride. There are simply no words that can explain what the Holy Spirit reveals about how He loves us.
Why does Paul pray this for us all? Because when we "get it", everything changes ....everything. It is this revelation that fueled Paul, John, James, Stephen, John Bradford,Count Zinzendorf and the Moravians, Dietrich Bonnhoeffer, and the countless others that have taken their place as part of the great cloud of witnesses we will someday dine with at the ultimate wedding feast.
Have you gotten it, do you "get it"...to know the unknowable, beloved?
Grab hold of it today, hang on to His furious love.
Ephesians 3:17b-19
Paul's prayer is that we would be given the ability to grasp and know what is otherwise impossible with a natural mind, which is the vastness of Jesus' love for us. In the natural, when I think of a visual representation of "vast" as in "wide, long, deep, and high", I think of the Grand Canyon, or the Atlantic Ocean.
We "know" that Jesus loves us, and that He shed His blood for us, His death being the propitiation for our sins, but there is a huge difference between academic-head-knowledge "knowing", and that revelation of Jesus' raging, furious, willing-to-die-for-us love that He has for us, his Bride. There are simply no words that can explain what the Holy Spirit reveals about how He loves us.
Why does Paul pray this for us all? Because when we "get it", everything changes ....everything. It is this revelation that fueled Paul, John, James, Stephen, John Bradford,Count Zinzendorf and the Moravians, Dietrich Bonnhoeffer, and the countless others that have taken their place as part of the great cloud of witnesses we will someday dine with at the ultimate wedding feast.
Have you gotten it, do you "get it"...to know the unknowable, beloved?
Grab hold of it today, hang on to His furious love.
Friday, July 29, 2011
Lessons From Solomon/ My Portion
Solomon's Heart
3 Now Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of his father David, except he sacrificed and burned incense on the high places. 4 The king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the great high place; Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. 5 In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream at night; and God said, “Ask what you wish Me to give you.”
6 Then Solomon said, “You have shown great lovingkindness to Your servant David my father, according as he walked before You in truth and righteousness and uprightness of heart toward You; and You have reserved for him this great lovingkindness, that You have given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. 7 Now, O LORD my God, You have made Your servant king in place of my father David, yet I am but a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. 8 Your servant is in the midst of Your people which You have chosen, a great people who are too many to be numbered or counted. 9 So give Your servant [d]an understanding heart to judge Your people to discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?”
10 It was pleasing in the sight of the Lord that Solomon had asked this thing. 11 God said to him, “Because you have asked this thing and have not asked for yourself [g]long life, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have you asked for the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself discernment to understand justice, 12 behold, I have done according to your words. Behold, I have given you a wise and discerning heart, so that there has been no one like you before you, nor shall one like you arise after you. 13 I have also given you what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that there will not be any among the kings like you all your days. 14 If you walk in My ways, keeping My statutes and commandments, as your father David walked, then I will prolong your days.”
15 Then Solomon awoke, and behold, it was a dream. And he came to Jerusalem and stood before the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and offered burnt offerings and made peace offerings, and made a feast for all his servants.
1Kings 3:3-15
Affirmation and Warning
1 Now it came about when Solomon had finished building the house of the LORD, and the king’s house, and all [a]that Solomon desired to do, 2 that the LORD appeared to Solomon a second time, as He had appeared to him at Gibeon. 3 The LORD said to him, “I have heard your prayer and your supplication, which you have made before Me; I have consecrated this house which you have built by putting My name there forever, and My eyes and My heart will be there perpetually. 4 As for you, if you will walk before Me as your father David walked, in integrity of heart and uprightness, doing according to all that I have commanded you and will keep My statutes and My ordinances, 5 then I will establish the throne of your kingdom over Israel forever, just as I promised to your father David, saying, ‘You shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel.’
6 “But if you or your sons indeed turn away from following Me, and do not keep My commandments and My statutes which I have set before you, and go and serve other gods and worship them, 7 then I will cut off Israel from the land which I have given them, and the house which I have consecrated for My name, I will cast out of My sight. So Israel will become a proverb and a byword among all peoples. 8 And this house will become a heap of ruins; everyone who passes by will be astonished and hiss and say, ‘Why has the LORD done thus to this land and to this house?’ 9 And they will say, ‘Because they forsook the LORD their God, who brought their fathers out of the land of Egypt, and adopted other gods and worshiped them and served them, therefore the LORD has brought all this adversity on them.’”
1Kings 9:1-9
7 Two things I asked of You,
Do not refuse me before I die:
8 Keep deception and lies far from me,
Give me neither poverty nor riches;
Feed me with the food that is my portion,
9 That I not be full and deny You and say, “Who is the LORD?”
Or that I not be in want and steal,
And profane the name of my God.
Proverbs 30:7-9
It has been said that Solomon was renowned as a wise young ruler, but he died a foolish old man, swerving off the path the God had mapped out for him...he died surrounded by idols, foreign wives and concubines, and false prophets who worshipped idols. All of it was like "chasing the wind", as Solomon himself declared in Ecclesiates. In 1Kings 3, the Lord appeared to Solomon, with promises and a clear warning...In 1Kings 9, God appeared to him for a second time, and very specifically again warned Solomon. Now, Solomon himself heard and saw the Lord, and yet he fell into the very things God Himself, not an angel or a seraph, told him to stay away from! I have considered this on a number of occasions and realize that if it happened to King Solomon, who started out wanting nothing more than to follow the Almighty with all his heart, it can happen to anyone. Including me. I have written before about the narrow path we are walking, and how we need to, absolutely must, guard our hearts, our minds, our eyes, just how easily we can wander off like a stray sheep, and deny God, the One who gives wealth, when wealth becomes an idol and wrongly handled.
My prayer today is that of Proverbs 30:7-9... Lord, thank you for providing my portion, just enough, not too little or too much! Thank you for looking deep inside my heart, and knowing me better than I could know myself.
3 Now Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of his father David, except he sacrificed and burned incense on the high places. 4 The king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the great high place; Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. 5 In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream at night; and God said, “Ask what you wish Me to give you.”
6 Then Solomon said, “You have shown great lovingkindness to Your servant David my father, according as he walked before You in truth and righteousness and uprightness of heart toward You; and You have reserved for him this great lovingkindness, that You have given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. 7 Now, O LORD my God, You have made Your servant king in place of my father David, yet I am but a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. 8 Your servant is in the midst of Your people which You have chosen, a great people who are too many to be numbered or counted. 9 So give Your servant [d]an understanding heart to judge Your people to discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?”
10 It was pleasing in the sight of the Lord that Solomon had asked this thing. 11 God said to him, “Because you have asked this thing and have not asked for yourself [g]long life, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have you asked for the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself discernment to understand justice, 12 behold, I have done according to your words. Behold, I have given you a wise and discerning heart, so that there has been no one like you before you, nor shall one like you arise after you. 13 I have also given you what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that there will not be any among the kings like you all your days. 14 If you walk in My ways, keeping My statutes and commandments, as your father David walked, then I will prolong your days.”
15 Then Solomon awoke, and behold, it was a dream. And he came to Jerusalem and stood before the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and offered burnt offerings and made peace offerings, and made a feast for all his servants.
1Kings 3:3-15
Affirmation and Warning
1 Now it came about when Solomon had finished building the house of the LORD, and the king’s house, and all [a]that Solomon desired to do, 2 that the LORD appeared to Solomon a second time, as He had appeared to him at Gibeon. 3 The LORD said to him, “I have heard your prayer and your supplication, which you have made before Me; I have consecrated this house which you have built by putting My name there forever, and My eyes and My heart will be there perpetually. 4 As for you, if you will walk before Me as your father David walked, in integrity of heart and uprightness, doing according to all that I have commanded you and will keep My statutes and My ordinances, 5 then I will establish the throne of your kingdom over Israel forever, just as I promised to your father David, saying, ‘You shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel.’
6 “But if you or your sons indeed turn away from following Me, and do not keep My commandments and My statutes which I have set before you, and go and serve other gods and worship them, 7 then I will cut off Israel from the land which I have given them, and the house which I have consecrated for My name, I will cast out of My sight. So Israel will become a proverb and a byword among all peoples. 8 And this house will become a heap of ruins; everyone who passes by will be astonished and hiss and say, ‘Why has the LORD done thus to this land and to this house?’ 9 And they will say, ‘Because they forsook the LORD their God, who brought their fathers out of the land of Egypt, and adopted other gods and worshiped them and served them, therefore the LORD has brought all this adversity on them.’”
1Kings 9:1-9
7 Two things I asked of You,
Do not refuse me before I die:
8 Keep deception and lies far from me,
Give me neither poverty nor riches;
Feed me with the food that is my portion,
9 That I not be full and deny You and say, “Who is the LORD?”
Or that I not be in want and steal,
And profane the name of my God.
Proverbs 30:7-9
It has been said that Solomon was renowned as a wise young ruler, but he died a foolish old man, swerving off the path the God had mapped out for him...he died surrounded by idols, foreign wives and concubines, and false prophets who worshipped idols. All of it was like "chasing the wind", as Solomon himself declared in Ecclesiates. In 1Kings 3, the Lord appeared to Solomon, with promises and a clear warning...In 1Kings 9, God appeared to him for a second time, and very specifically again warned Solomon. Now, Solomon himself heard and saw the Lord, and yet he fell into the very things God Himself, not an angel or a seraph, told him to stay away from! I have considered this on a number of occasions and realize that if it happened to King Solomon, who started out wanting nothing more than to follow the Almighty with all his heart, it can happen to anyone. Including me. I have written before about the narrow path we are walking, and how we need to, absolutely must, guard our hearts, our minds, our eyes, just how easily we can wander off like a stray sheep, and deny God, the One who gives wealth, when wealth becomes an idol and wrongly handled.
My prayer today is that of Proverbs 30:7-9... Lord, thank you for providing my portion, just enough, not too little or too much! Thank you for looking deep inside my heart, and knowing me better than I could know myself.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Hard To Miss
"Then the LORD said to Noah, “Enter the ark, you and all your household, for you alone I have seen to be righteous before Me in this time.
Those that entered, male and female of all flesh, entered as God had commanded him; and the LORD closed it behind him.
Thus He blotted out every living thing that was upon the face of the land, from man to animals to creeping things and to birds of the sky, and they were blotted out from the earth; and only Noah was left, together with those that were with him in the ark. "
Gen.7:1,16,23
"As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man."
Matt.24:37
"We must work the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day; night is coming when no one can work."
John 9:4
"You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart."
Jer.29:13
Those that entered, male and female of all flesh, entered as God had commanded him; and the LORD closed it behind him.
Thus He blotted out every living thing that was upon the face of the land, from man to animals to creeping things and to birds of the sky, and they were blotted out from the earth; and only Noah was left, together with those that were with him in the ark. "
Gen.7:1,16,23
"As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man."
Matt.24:37
"We must work the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day; night is coming when no one can work."
John 9:4
"You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart."
Jer.29:13
Yesterday I was having a conversation with friends, and we were discussing the times we live in and the days of Noah and the construction of the Ark came up. We talked about the scale of the work that Noah was doing, and the Holy Spirit showed me this image of the location of where Noah lived and built the Ark...it was right there in the center of the community he lived in, not out in the middle of nowhere! His work went on and on, and everyday the people had to pass by it, even detouring and going around it. It was undeniable, unavoidable, and in their faces...and yet they did not grasp the signs of the times, or consider seriously what was before them. Business was good, they enjoyed life, doing what they wanted as evil prevailed and they engaged wantonly in their debauched lifestyles. Right up until the rain fell, and as they pounded with their fists unanswered on the already sealed Ark ... they finally understood... but it was too late.
Now take a look around us...this present darkness, and the evil days we are living in. Jesus told us that His return would be like the days of Noah- the signs are before us, around us, undeniable and unavoidable, and we are paying attention. But what about friends, family, co-workers, and others whom you interact with? We need to point out the signs to them, make them aware, grab them by their faces and show them "the Ark" that they have been detouring around and avoiding, help those to want to seek after it, while there is daylight. In a sense, the Ark is being loaded up right now...the Ark, of course, is Jesus.
He doesn't do things off in a corner, He is everywhere, undeniable, arms wide open, but how long do we have?
Beloved, work while we still have light.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Psalm 23, Expanded
Psalm 23
A Psalm of David.
1 The LORD is my shepherd, He is my Guide, my compass, if I listen closely I can hear His voice directing me
I shall not want. He gives me all that I need, and more, even when I am undeserving and unexpecting
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures; bringing me to a place where my body, mind, and spirit, can find rest when I an totally spent and exhausted from trials and toils of this life
He leads me beside quiet waters where I can be healed like the sick at the pool of Siloam, His love washes over me and I am refreshed
3 He restores my soul; deep calls unto deep, and I cry out to my Abba and He answers me
He guides me in the paths of righteousness, as I seek His face and his will for my life and not my own
For His name’s sake. I belong to Him and His seal is on me: "Holy to the Lord"
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You are my Sun and shield, what can man do to me? The battle is yours, Lord, I trust in you alone; so shall I be delivered from my trials
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; even as my adversaries watch, you satisfy as only you are able
You have anointed my head with oil; you renew, strengthen, and heal me
My cup overflows and in you I have abundant life
6 Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, as I take shelter and hide myself in you ... Better is one day in your courts than thousands elsewhere
And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
A Psalm of David.
1 The LORD is my shepherd, He is my Guide, my compass, if I listen closely I can hear His voice directing me
I shall not want. He gives me all that I need, and more, even when I am undeserving and unexpecting
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures; bringing me to a place where my body, mind, and spirit, can find rest when I an totally spent and exhausted from trials and toils of this life
He leads me beside quiet waters where I can be healed like the sick at the pool of Siloam, His love washes over me and I am refreshed
3 He restores my soul; deep calls unto deep, and I cry out to my Abba and He answers me
He guides me in the paths of righteousness, as I seek His face and his will for my life and not my own
For His name’s sake. I belong to Him and His seal is on me: "Holy to the Lord"
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You are my Sun and shield, what can man do to me? The battle is yours, Lord, I trust in you alone; so shall I be delivered from my trials
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; even as my adversaries watch, you satisfy as only you are able
You have anointed my head with oil; you renew, strengthen, and heal me
My cup overflows and in you I have abundant life
6 Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, as I take shelter and hide myself in you ... Better is one day in your courts than thousands elsewhere
And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Pitiful?
"If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied."
1Cor.15:19
" I declare to you, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— 52 in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53 For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. 54 When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”
55 “Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?”
56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain."
1Cor.15:50-58
I was an atheist until late into my 29th year. As an atheist I regarded Christians, especially those who were "born again" ( I had no idea what that meant) with a sense of curiosity, disdain, and pity. I considered them to be like the "church lady" from Saturday Night Live, and I thought them deluded and weak, people who needed a crutch - the crutch of religion. These were some of the things that I had gleaned from college life, where it's often taught and understood that the triumph of humanity is attained by human will and academic achievement. I quoted those such as Karl Marx': "Religion is the opiate of the masses", a hypnotic drug-like philosophy to make everyone feel better through their miserable lives until death comes- and it's "game over".
I had no idea what I was talking about.
On the day that I believed and received Jesus as my Lord and Savior, my hard heart was changed in a moment, as was how I perceived myself, others, God and all His manifold natures - everything. I believe that in the same way our bodies, whether alive or dead, will be changed from flawed flesh to glorified radiance at the last trumpet sound, as the Scriptures assure us. Needless to say, it is not Christians whom I pity now, but those who are in a perilous place and don't even know it-my heart aches for them. It is my prayer that God's Word would continue to run swiftly and be honored (2Thess.3:1-2) received by those who are still walking in the same darkness we were delivered from.
Beloved, let's stand firm, and not be moved. Our labors for His kingdom are not in vain, victory over sin and death is assured us through the Master/King of the universe.
He is coming soon.
1Cor.15:19
" I declare to you, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— 52 in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53 For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. 54 When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”
55 “Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?”
56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain."
1Cor.15:50-58
I was an atheist until late into my 29th year. As an atheist I regarded Christians, especially those who were "born again" ( I had no idea what that meant) with a sense of curiosity, disdain, and pity. I considered them to be like the "church lady" from Saturday Night Live, and I thought them deluded and weak, people who needed a crutch - the crutch of religion. These were some of the things that I had gleaned from college life, where it's often taught and understood that the triumph of humanity is attained by human will and academic achievement. I quoted those such as Karl Marx': "Religion is the opiate of the masses", a hypnotic drug-like philosophy to make everyone feel better through their miserable lives until death comes- and it's "game over".
I had no idea what I was talking about.
On the day that I believed and received Jesus as my Lord and Savior, my hard heart was changed in a moment, as was how I perceived myself, others, God and all His manifold natures - everything. I believe that in the same way our bodies, whether alive or dead, will be changed from flawed flesh to glorified radiance at the last trumpet sound, as the Scriptures assure us. Needless to say, it is not Christians whom I pity now, but those who are in a perilous place and don't even know it-my heart aches for them. It is my prayer that God's Word would continue to run swiftly and be honored (2Thess.3:1-2) received by those who are still walking in the same darkness we were delivered from.
Beloved, let's stand firm, and not be moved. Our labors for His kingdom are not in vain, victory over sin and death is assured us through the Master/King of the universe.
He is coming soon.
Monday, July 25, 2011
Giving Him Our Best
"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."
Colossians 3:22-23
"I beseech you therefore, brethern, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God which is your reasonable service"
Romans 12:1
It seems to me that excellence is hard to find these days. The standard that many people use has much to do with pleasing themselves, and doing what is convenient and comfortable, and often very little with "doing our best". But as lovers, bondservants, disciples of the Lord Jesus, we need to remember it is Him that we are working for and serving. He deserves our utmost...after all, He gave us His absolute best... we are to be living sacrifices, giving Him the purest, finest gifts and offerings we are able to present, in every way, shape, and form ... not the leftovers of our lives, and definitely not that which is mediocre. In the workplace, in our relationships, with our resources, in our lives- we are to present our very best to Him, in everything that we have been given stewardship over.
Today beloved, give Him your very best...He is deserving and more than worthy.
Colossians 3:22-23
"I beseech you therefore, brethern, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God which is your reasonable service"
Romans 12:1
It seems to me that excellence is hard to find these days. The standard that many people use has much to do with pleasing themselves, and doing what is convenient and comfortable, and often very little with "doing our best". But as lovers, bondservants, disciples of the Lord Jesus, we need to remember it is Him that we are working for and serving. He deserves our utmost...after all, He gave us His absolute best... we are to be living sacrifices, giving Him the purest, finest gifts and offerings we are able to present, in every way, shape, and form ... not the leftovers of our lives, and definitely not that which is mediocre. In the workplace, in our relationships, with our resources, in our lives- we are to present our very best to Him, in everything that we have been given stewardship over.
Today beloved, give Him your very best...He is deserving and more than worthy.
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Jesus
"The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross."
Col.1:15-20
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
John 1:1-5
"The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."
John 1:9-14
"I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine"
Songs of Songs 6:3a
As the cares, concerns, and debris of this world swirl around me, my heart's desire is to remain focused on Jesus. He's the Alpha and the Omega- He is the beginning, He was there from the beginning, He is the end, and will be there at the end, the end of my earthly life, as I pass into eternity, and He's there every moment in between. Quite simply, He is everything that is good, holy, beautiful, glorious, the Light, created all things, maintains all things, even as all of Creation awaits His glorious return. He is what makes me "tick", the Answer to the Big Question, the Reconciler of all things, on earth and in heaven.
Today Jesus... come and take your place in the center of my heart.
Col.1:15-20
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
John 1:1-5
"The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."
John 1:9-14
"I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine"
Songs of Songs 6:3a
As the cares, concerns, and debris of this world swirl around me, my heart's desire is to remain focused on Jesus. He's the Alpha and the Omega- He is the beginning, He was there from the beginning, He is the end, and will be there at the end, the end of my earthly life, as I pass into eternity, and He's there every moment in between. Quite simply, He is everything that is good, holy, beautiful, glorious, the Light, created all things, maintains all things, even as all of Creation awaits His glorious return. He is what makes me "tick", the Answer to the Big Question, the Reconciler of all things, on earth and in heaven.
Today Jesus... come and take your place in the center of my heart.
Friday, July 22, 2011
Interesting Contents 252
"Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place, which had the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant. This ark contained the gold jar of manna, Aaron’s staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant. Above the ark were the cherubim of the Glory, overshadowing the atonement cover."
Hebrews 9:3-5
"The Lord said to Moses, "Put back Aaron's staff in front of The Testimony, to be kept as a sign to the rebellious. This will put an end to their grumbling against Me, so that they will not die."
Numbers 17:10
The Ark of the Covenant, aka the Ark of the Testimony had three items inside:
A gold jar of manna, Moses' brother Aaron's staff that had budded and flowered almonds, and the stone tablets (the Ten Commandments). I found these items to be quite a curious collection, so I asked the Lord about the meanings of these things and that combination, since the Master does everything for a reason, nothing is haphazard or coincidental...
Here are the spiritual impressions I got:
The gold jar of manna: The jar being made of gold, not pottery, has to do with purity; the manna is a symbol of provision and faithfulness. The manna never stopped, from the time God's people left Eqypt until they crossed into the Promised Land. It was never late, always there as promised, and there was always more than enough.
Aaron's budded staff: during the time of Korah's rebellion, the Lord told Moses and Aaron to put that staff with the rebels' staffs, in front of the Ark of the Testimony, inside the Tent of Meeting, and God would chose the staff of the man who was carrying the mantle of authority. The Hebrew word fro almond is Sha-KED, the shoresh or root word is Sha-KAD, and means to be watchful, alert, vigilant, and sleepless (The Lord God never slumbers or sleeps...no one can pull a "fast one" on Alpha and Omega). We are to remain vigilant- to guard ourselves against the wiles of our enemy, and our own backsliding away from our most important, essential, and precious relationship with our Abba/Bridegroom/King.
The Stone Tablets, aka The Ten Commandments: The outline for triumphant living. God knows the heart of man is deceitful and our natures are flawed and fallen.
When put altogether, I see this message: Do what is right in God's eyes, not our own, recognize the Lord as our everything and stay under His authority only, and He will provide everything we need for abundant triumphant life.
Hebrews 9:3-5
"The Lord said to Moses, "Put back Aaron's staff in front of The Testimony, to be kept as a sign to the rebellious. This will put an end to their grumbling against Me, so that they will not die."
Numbers 17:10
The Ark of the Covenant, aka the Ark of the Testimony had three items inside:
A gold jar of manna, Moses' brother Aaron's staff that had budded and flowered almonds, and the stone tablets (the Ten Commandments). I found these items to be quite a curious collection, so I asked the Lord about the meanings of these things and that combination, since the Master does everything for a reason, nothing is haphazard or coincidental...
Here are the spiritual impressions I got:
The gold jar of manna: The jar being made of gold, not pottery, has to do with purity; the manna is a symbol of provision and faithfulness. The manna never stopped, from the time God's people left Eqypt until they crossed into the Promised Land. It was never late, always there as promised, and there was always more than enough.
Aaron's budded staff: during the time of Korah's rebellion, the Lord told Moses and Aaron to put that staff with the rebels' staffs, in front of the Ark of the Testimony, inside the Tent of Meeting, and God would chose the staff of the man who was carrying the mantle of authority. The Hebrew word fro almond is Sha-KED, the shoresh or root word is Sha-KAD, and means to be watchful, alert, vigilant, and sleepless (The Lord God never slumbers or sleeps...no one can pull a "fast one" on Alpha and Omega). We are to remain vigilant- to guard ourselves against the wiles of our enemy, and our own backsliding away from our most important, essential, and precious relationship with our Abba/Bridegroom/King.
The Stone Tablets, aka The Ten Commandments: The outline for triumphant living. God knows the heart of man is deceitful and our natures are flawed and fallen.
When put altogether, I see this message: Do what is right in God's eyes, not our own, recognize the Lord as our everything and stay under His authority only, and He will provide everything we need for abundant triumphant life.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Seals
But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.
Luke 15:22
The king took off his signet ring, which he had reclaimed from Haman, and presented it to Mordecai.
Esther 8:2
Place me like a seal over your heart,
like a seal on your arm;
for love is as strong as death,
its jealousy unyielding as the grave.
Song of Songs 8:6
In Luke 15, the father puts his ring on the finger of the prodigal son who has repented and come home, and in Esther, the King himself takes off his signet ring and gives it to Mordechai. These rings are symbols of power, and whatever crest or intricate pattern the ring bore was used to stamp out a wax seal, authenticating edicts, orders, personal letters, etc., and also a symbol of ownership, a title or deed. Whoever owned the ring had ultimate authority and power in the name of the King.
In Song of Songs 8:6, the Lord, our King, takes his "ring", and places not one, but two seals on us, when surrender and revelation of who He is comes: one on our heart and the other on our arm. Psalm 119:11 reads, "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you"...our hearts are sealed to protect that which has been "down loaded" by the Holy Spirit -spiritual programming, of sorts,, and a sign that we belong to the King. The seal on our arm is prominent, visible, and empowers us to do the King's bidding, carrying out His orders...the Lord says to us, "THIS IS MY WAY, THEREFORE WALK IN IT".
Today beloved, remember the seals you bear. You may not see them in the natural, but they are present nonetheless...we belong to Him.
Luke 15:22
The king took off his signet ring, which he had reclaimed from Haman, and presented it to Mordecai.
Esther 8:2
Place me like a seal over your heart,
like a seal on your arm;
for love is as strong as death,
its jealousy unyielding as the grave.
Song of Songs 8:6
In Luke 15, the father puts his ring on the finger of the prodigal son who has repented and come home, and in Esther, the King himself takes off his signet ring and gives it to Mordechai. These rings are symbols of power, and whatever crest or intricate pattern the ring bore was used to stamp out a wax seal, authenticating edicts, orders, personal letters, etc., and also a symbol of ownership, a title or deed. Whoever owned the ring had ultimate authority and power in the name of the King.
In Song of Songs 8:6, the Lord, our King, takes his "ring", and places not one, but two seals on us, when surrender and revelation of who He is comes: one on our heart and the other on our arm. Psalm 119:11 reads, "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you"...our hearts are sealed to protect that which has been "down loaded" by the Holy Spirit -spiritual programming, of sorts,, and a sign that we belong to the King. The seal on our arm is prominent, visible, and empowers us to do the King's bidding, carrying out His orders...the Lord says to us, "THIS IS MY WAY, THEREFORE WALK IN IT".
Today beloved, remember the seals you bear. You may not see them in the natural, but they are present nonetheless...we belong to Him.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
More Than Enough
"I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.
2Corinthians 12:7b-8
"Though He slay me, yet will I hope in Him"
Job 13:15a
"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. "
Philippians 4:12
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
Refrain:
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.
But, Lord, ’tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal
It is well with my soul-
First 3 stanzas, It Is Well With My Soul, Horatio Spafford, 1873, penned after the death of most of his children who drowned in a trans-Atlantic ocean liner ship wreck
Recently, I was told about a godly young woman who had battled bone cancer,. after treatment and surgery, she enjoyed a period of good health, but the cancer came back and had spread...she and her family were told there were no more options, and as her family greived, and asked the question- Why her, God?" ... the young woman calmly replied, -"Why not me?"
Is Jesus enough for you? When things are going your way, when the wallet and bank accounts are flush with cash, when health is robust, when careers, marriages, or other relationships are going great, we will surely echo how good the Lord is, singing loudly the chorus to , "I Surrender All"...but when health fails, when terrible accidents happen, when storms destroy a dream home and a life's work, when a trusted doctor makes a mistake with awful consequences, when a business closes or rounds of layoffs come, or financial disaster comes...is Jesus enough for you?
He is more than enough! Peace, grace, and mercy radiate from Him, He is the Rock that is higher than We are. This life is a roller coaster, and Jesus has told us ahead of time, that troubles will come, sooner or later, in one form or another, storms will come. There is no other name under heaven by which we can be saved, salvation is assured, yes, and also, He gives us the ability to proclaim - "It is well with my soul".
Beloved, Jesus is not a "baby in a manger anymore...He's not a broken man on a cross" ( Thanks Misty Edwards)- Jesus is the Way, the Truth, the Abundant Life, the Answer to all the questions, everything we need.
In Him we are to take heart...He has overcome.
2Corinthians 12:7b-8
"Though He slay me, yet will I hope in Him"
Job 13:15a
"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. "
Philippians 4:12
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
Refrain:
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.
But, Lord, ’tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal
It is well with my soul-
First 3 stanzas, It Is Well With My Soul, Horatio Spafford, 1873, penned after the death of most of his children who drowned in a trans-Atlantic ocean liner ship wreck
Recently, I was told about a godly young woman who had battled bone cancer,. after treatment and surgery, she enjoyed a period of good health, but the cancer came back and had spread...she and her family were told there were no more options, and as her family greived, and asked the question- Why her, God?" ... the young woman calmly replied, -"Why not me?"
Is Jesus enough for you? When things are going your way, when the wallet and bank accounts are flush with cash, when health is robust, when careers, marriages, or other relationships are going great, we will surely echo how good the Lord is, singing loudly the chorus to , "I Surrender All"...but when health fails, when terrible accidents happen, when storms destroy a dream home and a life's work, when a trusted doctor makes a mistake with awful consequences, when a business closes or rounds of layoffs come, or financial disaster comes...is Jesus enough for you?
He is more than enough! Peace, grace, and mercy radiate from Him, He is the Rock that is higher than We are. This life is a roller coaster, and Jesus has told us ahead of time, that troubles will come, sooner or later, in one form or another, storms will come. There is no other name under heaven by which we can be saved, salvation is assured, yes, and also, He gives us the ability to proclaim - "It is well with my soul".
Beloved, Jesus is not a "baby in a manger anymore...He's not a broken man on a cross" ( Thanks Misty Edwards)- Jesus is the Way, the Truth, the Abundant Life, the Answer to all the questions, everything we need.
In Him we are to take heart...He has overcome.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Who Do You Say That You Are?/ Labels
"But whoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven."
Matthew 10:33
While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came by. 67 When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked closely at him.
“You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus,” she said.
68 But he denied it. “I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about,” he said, and went out into the entryway.[g]
69 When the servant girl saw him there, she said again to those standing around, “This fellow is one of them.” 70 Again he denied it.
After a little while, those standing near said to Peter, “Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.”
71 He began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know this man you’re talking about.”
Mark 14:66-71
"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces[a] of this world rather than on Christ. 9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10 and in Christ you have been brought to fullness."
Col.2:6-9
How do you identify yourself, what label or title would you give yourself? If asked the question: "who are you?", how do you respond? What do you say to others about the importance of Jesus, and what sort of priority does He take in your life? I ask the question again: Just how important is Jesus in your daily life, as we move about in a culture that separates out the Lord and Master of the Universe from every place except church? Are your eyes fixed on, focused on, Jesus- is He the headline, main story in your life, or an op-ed on the back page? If pointed out and asked in an accusatory, non-complementary manner if you are a follower of Jesus, "one of those who were with Him", especially when persecution increases for Christians in America as it has elsewhere in the world (which is even now on the rise)- How do you answer?
I want to be a reflection of Jesus first, above all else - Jesus first, just as He put us first, and loved us first. Nothing else will matter or last- only Jesus.
We were created by Him, for Him, to be in relationship with Him, we are His Reward.
Make Jesus your utmost for His Highest.
Matthew 10:33
While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came by. 67 When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked closely at him.
“You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus,” she said.
68 But he denied it. “I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about,” he said, and went out into the entryway.[g]
69 When the servant girl saw him there, she said again to those standing around, “This fellow is one of them.” 70 Again he denied it.
After a little while, those standing near said to Peter, “Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.”
71 He began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know this man you’re talking about.”
Mark 14:66-71
"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces[a] of this world rather than on Christ. 9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10 and in Christ you have been brought to fullness."
Col.2:6-9
How do you identify yourself, what label or title would you give yourself? If asked the question: "who are you?", how do you respond? What do you say to others about the importance of Jesus, and what sort of priority does He take in your life? I ask the question again: Just how important is Jesus in your daily life, as we move about in a culture that separates out the Lord and Master of the Universe from every place except church? Are your eyes fixed on, focused on, Jesus- is He the headline, main story in your life, or an op-ed on the back page? If pointed out and asked in an accusatory, non-complementary manner if you are a follower of Jesus, "one of those who were with Him", especially when persecution increases for Christians in America as it has elsewhere in the world (which is even now on the rise)- How do you answer?
I want to be a reflection of Jesus first, above all else - Jesus first, just as He put us first, and loved us first. Nothing else will matter or last- only Jesus.
We were created by Him, for Him, to be in relationship with Him, we are His Reward.
Make Jesus your utmost for His Highest.
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Apprehended
"Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus."
Phil.3:12
"My heart says of you, "Seek his face!" Your face, Lord, I will seek."
Psalm 27:8
"1 As the deer pants for streams of water,
so my soul pants for you, my God.
2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. "
Psalm 42:1-2a
Recently I heard, and identified with, the testimony of a good friend who talked about being apprehended by the Lord...it is a term that means to be caught, to be seized, grabbed, gotten hold of. I, too, have been apprehended by Him ... He has pursued me, grabbed hold of me, shaken me down, embraced me. Now apprehended I find that there is new meaning to his words, "Seek my face" ... It's no longer like playing hide and seek, chasing something elusive, no, He is right there with me, "his left hand is behind my head, and his right arm embraces me."
It is all the pieces of the puzzle coming together, the answer to the question of why I exist...to worship Him, to return His amazing love, to dwell in His courts. There is nothing that can bring real satisfaction or fulfillment besides Him... No career, no amount of wealth, no other person, nothing. Only Jesus can satisfy that deep down longing in the heart.
So i want to ask you : Have you been apprehended, grabbed hold of, shaken down, has the Lord grabbed you, have you answered the call of your heart?
Grab hold of Jesus, apprehend Him who wants to apprehend you today...only He can satisfy.
Phil.3:12
"My heart says of you, "Seek his face!" Your face, Lord, I will seek."
Psalm 27:8
"1 As the deer pants for streams of water,
so my soul pants for you, my God.
2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. "
Psalm 42:1-2a
Recently I heard, and identified with, the testimony of a good friend who talked about being apprehended by the Lord...it is a term that means to be caught, to be seized, grabbed, gotten hold of. I, too, have been apprehended by Him ... He has pursued me, grabbed hold of me, shaken me down, embraced me. Now apprehended I find that there is new meaning to his words, "Seek my face" ... It's no longer like playing hide and seek, chasing something elusive, no, He is right there with me, "his left hand is behind my head, and his right arm embraces me."
It is all the pieces of the puzzle coming together, the answer to the question of why I exist...to worship Him, to return His amazing love, to dwell in His courts. There is nothing that can bring real satisfaction or fulfillment besides Him... No career, no amount of wealth, no other person, nothing. Only Jesus can satisfy that deep down longing in the heart.
So i want to ask you : Have you been apprehended, grabbed hold of, shaken down, has the Lord grabbed you, have you answered the call of your heart?
Grab hold of Jesus, apprehend Him who wants to apprehend you today...only He can satisfy.
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Pouring In/Exhortation, Not Exasperation
"Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord."
Colossians 3:20
"Train up your children in the way that they should go; when they are old they will not depart from it."
"Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord."
Ephesians 6:4
As a child, then as a rebellious teenager, I remember being exasperated and discouraged by my parents. They were not believers, and my father would get frustrated and say things to me such as, " You will never be half the man I am ", and other things that were deeply wounding and damaged my self esteem for decades. I knmayday dad loved me, but he had no spiritual base, and I was haunted by a sense of worthlessness and failure, those words from my father echoing deep inside of me all those years later.
As a son, and a father, I know how I am to be with my children. I am to view them the way my Abba in heaven views me, to draw them with lovingkindness. It doesn't mean that it's always easy for me to do this, especially when my daughters don't respond immediately to me. But I try to remember how my heavenly Dad deals with me, how much He loves me and understands the power of the word that is spoken forth. Talk about the things of God with them, prophesy over them. Words of life must be poured into them, tell them about the secrets to the Kingdom of Heaven, how famous they are in the unseen world- that there are myriads of angels who know their names, how much they are loved- both by us and their heavenly Father. My soon-to-be 18 year old daughter is stepping into her prophetic fulfillment even now, as she is in the middle of an intense worship and praise 6 week program. I'm sure there were plenty of times that I did/do exasperate her, made plenty of mistakes, but words of life have been poured into her...The Lord is doing amazing things with her, and as her dad it's so exciting to see the fruition of things spoken over her, and into her, come to pass.
So when there is tension, when you are frustrated, remember to try not to exasperate. Remember to treat your children in the same manner that our Father treats us.
The baton will soon be passed.
Colossians 3:20
"Train up your children in the way that they should go; when they are old they will not depart from it."
"Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord."
Ephesians 6:4
As a child, then as a rebellious teenager, I remember being exasperated and discouraged by my parents. They were not believers, and my father would get frustrated and say things to me such as, " You will never be half the man I am ", and other things that were deeply wounding and damaged my self esteem for decades. I knmayday dad loved me, but he had no spiritual base, and I was haunted by a sense of worthlessness and failure, those words from my father echoing deep inside of me all those years later.
As a son, and a father, I know how I am to be with my children. I am to view them the way my Abba in heaven views me, to draw them with lovingkindness. It doesn't mean that it's always easy for me to do this, especially when my daughters don't respond immediately to me. But I try to remember how my heavenly Dad deals with me, how much He loves me and understands the power of the word that is spoken forth. Talk about the things of God with them, prophesy over them. Words of life must be poured into them, tell them about the secrets to the Kingdom of Heaven, how famous they are in the unseen world- that there are myriads of angels who know their names, how much they are loved- both by us and their heavenly Father. My soon-to-be 18 year old daughter is stepping into her prophetic fulfillment even now, as she is in the middle of an intense worship and praise 6 week program. I'm sure there were plenty of times that I did/do exasperate her, made plenty of mistakes, but words of life have been poured into her...The Lord is doing amazing things with her, and as her dad it's so exciting to see the fruition of things spoken over her, and into her, come to pass.
So when there is tension, when you are frustrated, remember to try not to exasperate. Remember to treat your children in the same manner that our Father treats us.
The baton will soon be passed.
Friday, July 15, 2011
Jesus Freak
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.
45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46 When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it."
Matthew 13:44-45
"But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith."
Phil.3:7-9
"He went away and sold eveything he had, and bought that field... "It's all worth it, both in this life and the eternal life to come. The Pearl, the treasure of inestimable value, is, of course, Jesus. Philippians 3:7-9, is embedded in my spirit... Nothing I desire compares to knowing Jesus, Lord and Master of my life. He is quite simply, my All in All, He's worth it all...the Fountainhead. Some may say I'm overboard, the pragmatic viewpoint being " everything in moderation is good", I flatly disagree. Perhaps some who know me now versus even one year ago consider me a Jesus freak, or a fool. I agree- and gladly accept the label, "Jesus freak" or "fool for Christ". If it was good enough for Paul, Peter, James, John, then it's good enough for me. So please do call me a Jesus freak. To count everything else as garbage is a privilege, my price, small, the value proposition in favor of knowing and having Jesus, huge.
I am a Jesus freak.
How about you?
45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46 When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it."
Matthew 13:44-45
"But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith."
Phil.3:7-9
"He went away and sold eveything he had, and bought that field... "It's all worth it, both in this life and the eternal life to come. The Pearl, the treasure of inestimable value, is, of course, Jesus. Philippians 3:7-9, is embedded in my spirit... Nothing I desire compares to knowing Jesus, Lord and Master of my life. He is quite simply, my All in All, He's worth it all...the Fountainhead. Some may say I'm overboard, the pragmatic viewpoint being " everything in moderation is good", I flatly disagree. Perhaps some who know me now versus even one year ago consider me a Jesus freak, or a fool. I agree- and gladly accept the label, "Jesus freak" or "fool for Christ". If it was good enough for Paul, Peter, James, John, then it's good enough for me. So please do call me a Jesus freak. To count everything else as garbage is a privilege, my price, small, the value proposition in favor of knowing and having Jesus, huge.
I am a Jesus freak.
How about you?
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Petition/Permission
1 On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the palace, in front of the king’s hall. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the hall, facing the entrance. 2 When he saw Queen Esther standing in the court, he was pleased with her and held out to her the gold scepter that was in his hand. So Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter.
3 Then the king asked, “What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be given you.”
Esther 3:1-3
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."
Phil.4:6
"Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. 12 Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it."
John 14:11-14
At a moment of tremendous need and crisis, Esther prepared herself, clothed in her royal robes, and went to the court of the King...the scriptures record the King saw her, and extended his scepter. In the spirit I saw this as a beautiful picture of how we can approach our King in prayer. Favor is the royal robe we are clothed in, Jesus is the "scepter", by Him we have holy permission, an invitation really, to enter the inner courts. In His name, we can pour out our hearts, minds, thoughts, tears, as we move from standing in front of an intimidating throne to being beckoned by the King/Master/Father to hop up into His lap and tell Him everything (that He already knows of course). Jesus says, "whatever you ask in my name"... these are requests that move our lives in a holy direction, not a shopping list of things that are actually worthless idols.
Let us seek and beseech Him with His purposes in mind for us. Remember that real victory in our lives comes through total surrender to the One who loves us and knows what is best for us.
3 Then the king asked, “What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be given you.”
Esther 3:1-3
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."
Phil.4:6
"Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. 12 Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it."
John 14:11-14
At a moment of tremendous need and crisis, Esther prepared herself, clothed in her royal robes, and went to the court of the King...the scriptures record the King saw her, and extended his scepter. In the spirit I saw this as a beautiful picture of how we can approach our King in prayer. Favor is the royal robe we are clothed in, Jesus is the "scepter", by Him we have holy permission, an invitation really, to enter the inner courts. In His name, we can pour out our hearts, minds, thoughts, tears, as we move from standing in front of an intimidating throne to being beckoned by the King/Master/Father to hop up into His lap and tell Him everything (that He already knows of course). Jesus says, "whatever you ask in my name"... these are requests that move our lives in a holy direction, not a shopping list of things that are actually worthless idols.
Let us seek and beseech Him with His purposes in mind for us. Remember that real victory in our lives comes through total surrender to the One who loves us and knows what is best for us.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Illumination
"I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18 For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature.[c] For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.
21 So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; 23 but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? 25 Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!"
Romans 7:15-25
"The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?"
Jer.17:9
"In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."
John 1:4-5
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."
Matt. 5:14-16
"There is no good thing in me..." Paul said it about himself, Jeremiah said it about mankind as a whole, and as I look in the mirror I agree: Apart from Jesus, His light, goodness, and holiness there is no good thing in me. Anything that resembles goodness in myself is His reflection, like the sun to the moon, as I am turned towards him, my face to His face, an intensity that is greater than if I were to look up towards the sun on a bright summer day.
The light is always available to us...the "on" switch, the requirement, is for us to turn towards the Son, our gaze locked on Him.
Keep your eyes locked on Jesus today, beloved, and let His light shine.
21 So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; 23 but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? 25 Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!"
Romans 7:15-25
"The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?"
Jer.17:9
"In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."
John 1:4-5
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."
Matt. 5:14-16
"There is no good thing in me..." Paul said it about himself, Jeremiah said it about mankind as a whole, and as I look in the mirror I agree: Apart from Jesus, His light, goodness, and holiness there is no good thing in me. Anything that resembles goodness in myself is His reflection, like the sun to the moon, as I am turned towards him, my face to His face, an intensity that is greater than if I were to look up towards the sun on a bright summer day.
The light is always available to us...the "on" switch, the requirement, is for us to turn towards the Son, our gaze locked on Him.
Keep your eyes locked on Jesus today, beloved, and let His light shine.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Taking Hold
" 7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. 10 I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. 12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."
Philippians 3:7-14
When I read this, as it soaks into my spirit, I feel two ways:
On one hand, I see myself as the Prodigal son, I am full-out galloping through a desert, the mirror-like mirage effect shimmering in the heat, sweat and tears pouring from me as I exert everything I am, running towards my Father... I can see Him as He full-out runs towards me, arms extended too, but it's as if I am watching it in slow motion special effect, like you'd see in a movie. I have left behind everything that I strived to acquire that was treasured by worldly standards that I finally realized was worthless, and straining ahead to take hold of Him that finally got hold of me...the ultimate treasure, Jesus and all that He is.
On the other hand, I see myself as an Eric Liddell (legendary Christian Scotsman runner) type, running a track and field event, the ultimate race, 10,000 meter or marathon with huddles(!) running in stride, with my eyes firmly fixed on the finish line. I can hear the roar of the crowd, the cheers and encouragement of those who had passed before me, and I am not even getting winded, even as I feel weak in myself My Father's strength courses through me and I am able to sail over the obstacles, and I am way out ahead, the prize now visible at the finish line...
The prize, the Goal is within reach. Everyday that passes here is another day closer to being with my Beloved. I am fueled by His love, grace, and mercy, and so I keep running and my focus on My Father/Bridegroom/King. When I fall down, I get back up again, never taking my gaze from His Face.
Maranatha...come Lord Jesus!
Philippians 3:7-14
When I read this, as it soaks into my spirit, I feel two ways:
On one hand, I see myself as the Prodigal son, I am full-out galloping through a desert, the mirror-like mirage effect shimmering in the heat, sweat and tears pouring from me as I exert everything I am, running towards my Father... I can see Him as He full-out runs towards me, arms extended too, but it's as if I am watching it in slow motion special effect, like you'd see in a movie. I have left behind everything that I strived to acquire that was treasured by worldly standards that I finally realized was worthless, and straining ahead to take hold of Him that finally got hold of me...the ultimate treasure, Jesus and all that He is.
On the other hand, I see myself as an Eric Liddell (legendary Christian Scotsman runner) type, running a track and field event, the ultimate race, 10,000 meter or marathon with huddles(!) running in stride, with my eyes firmly fixed on the finish line. I can hear the roar of the crowd, the cheers and encouragement of those who had passed before me, and I am not even getting winded, even as I feel weak in myself My Father's strength courses through me and I am able to sail over the obstacles, and I am way out ahead, the prize now visible at the finish line...
The prize, the Goal is within reach. Everyday that passes here is another day closer to being with my Beloved. I am fueled by His love, grace, and mercy, and so I keep running and my focus on My Father/Bridegroom/King. When I fall down, I get back up again, never taking my gaze from His Face.
Maranatha...come Lord Jesus!
Monday, July 11, 2011
Yoking/Associations
"Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?"
2 Corinthians 6:14
"Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. 13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live."
Romans 8:12-13
"Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God."
James 4:4
We are in the world but not part of the world system, anymore than Jesus was when He was with the societal "untouchables" - tax collectors, thieves, prostitutes, and others. He was with them, ministering to them, healing them, but He obviously did not participtate in or embrace their lifestyles. When we were born again and awakened to spiritual realities, we were also sanctified- separated and called to be apart from the fakeness and vanity of this present darkness. There is simply no way to mix opposites. There is a saying : "opposites attract"... that may be true for magnetic polarity, but in other matters, such as our spiritual identity, principles and our witness as disciples of Jesus, I think there is always a dominator, there is compromise, spiritual erosion. So don't be unequally hitched - to anyone or anything- it doesn't go well, and it won't end well!
So let's be salt and light, we are ambassadors of God's truth - That there is nothing that the world has to offer that compares to Him.
2 Corinthians 6:14
"Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. 13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live."
Romans 8:12-13
"Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God."
James 4:4
We are in the world but not part of the world system, anymore than Jesus was when He was with the societal "untouchables" - tax collectors, thieves, prostitutes, and others. He was with them, ministering to them, healing them, but He obviously did not participtate in or embrace their lifestyles. When we were born again and awakened to spiritual realities, we were also sanctified- separated and called to be apart from the fakeness and vanity of this present darkness. There is simply no way to mix opposites. There is a saying : "opposites attract"... that may be true for magnetic polarity, but in other matters, such as our spiritual identity, principles and our witness as disciples of Jesus, I think there is always a dominator, there is compromise, spiritual erosion. So don't be unequally hitched - to anyone or anything- it doesn't go well, and it won't end well!
So let's be salt and light, we are ambassadors of God's truth - That there is nothing that the world has to offer that compares to Him.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Spiritual Algebra
"The LORD is my strength and my shield; My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart exults, And with my song I shall thank Him."
Psalm 28:7
"Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”
Nehemiah 8:10b, Prov.12:25
"For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for a lifetime; Weeping may last for the night, But a shout of joy comes in the morning."
Psalm 30:5
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Phil.4:4-7
In light of the fact of how God, our heavenly Father, views us, that we are all His favorite sons and daughters, that He has a great plan for us as we listen and obey Him, that " He is our Sun and Shield, no good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly " (Psalm 84:11), how should we really be in any other state of mind but joyful, glad, and cheerful? God Himself is our counselor, our Great physician, His great love for us is boundless! So where does anxiety and sadness come from? Not from the Spirit of God!...if "God is love" (1 Jn 4:8, and "perfect love casts out all fear",(1 Jn 4:18), then these emotions come from the enemy, the destroyer. "Cheer is good medicine for the bones" Prov.17:22,(brings health)...anxiety in the heart of a person weighs them down(causes sickness). So joy equals strength and health, part of the abundant life Jesus promises.
Now this doesn't mean that we should be surprised by trials and the troubles of life, because Jesus told us difficulties would come, this is how we are refined and purified...we can endure them, and push through them, conquer them, with the joy that comes from our assurances in who our Father and King is.
Rejoice in Him today.
Psalm 28:7
"Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”
Nehemiah 8:10b, Prov.12:25
"For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for a lifetime; Weeping may last for the night, But a shout of joy comes in the morning."
Psalm 30:5
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Phil.4:4-7
In light of the fact of how God, our heavenly Father, views us, that we are all His favorite sons and daughters, that He has a great plan for us as we listen and obey Him, that " He is our Sun and Shield, no good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly " (Psalm 84:11), how should we really be in any other state of mind but joyful, glad, and cheerful? God Himself is our counselor, our Great physician, His great love for us is boundless! So where does anxiety and sadness come from? Not from the Spirit of God!...if "God is love" (1 Jn 4:8, and "perfect love casts out all fear",(1 Jn 4:18), then these emotions come from the enemy, the destroyer. "Cheer is good medicine for the bones" Prov.17:22,(brings health)...anxiety in the heart of a person weighs them down(causes sickness). So joy equals strength and health, part of the abundant life Jesus promises.
Now this doesn't mean that we should be surprised by trials and the troubles of life, because Jesus told us difficulties would come, this is how we are refined and purified...we can endure them, and push through them, conquer them, with the joy that comes from our assurances in who our Father and King is.
Rejoice in Him today.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)