'Here is what I believe grieves God's heart more than all the sins of the flesh combined. Our Lord is grieved by the ever-growing lack of faith in his promises…by ever-increasing doubts that he answers prayer…and by a people who claim less and less of the power that is in Christ.
No matter how much you have asked of the likeness of Christ, it is nothing compared to the resources of spiritual wisdom still awaiting in his storehouse. Ask largely! Ask for wisdom, ask for guidance, ask for revelation. But it must be asked in faith, nothing doubting.' (David Wilkerson; July 2010)
Have we put our Lord in a box of our own making?
Do we see Him in the light of our own limited experiences and expectations or do we see who He truly is in the overwhelmingly powerful light of His word? Either we serve and place our faith and complete trust in an awe-inspiring, all powerful, omniscient, almighty God or we end up living with a limited level of faith and trust that puts more emphasis and focus on man and his own abilities – thus minimizing the redemptive work of Christ and what He accomplished and desires for those who believe.
In my walk I am currently being challenged in this light. Do I really believe that the Lord is who He says He is and that He is all powerful?
Is my faith and trust completely in Him or is it like a time share arrangement.
I yearn to walk totally by faith – that is my heart’s desire; and yet my experience and expectations cloud the way and I end up thinking that I must carry the load, I must set the pace. Releasing my stubborn will, surrendering my ways of understanding and walking the narrow path that leads to life is where I want to be. In my life I no longer want my Lord entrapped in a box of my own making – constrained to my limited understanding!
Oh Lord God Almighty release me from this fleshly encumbrance that entangles my spirit, unbind me from adherence to the controlling wisdom of men, create in me a heart overflowing with Your Spirit, ignite in me a fire that consumes me with all that You are, and fill me with the freedom to trust fully and completely in You in all things.
Friday, July 16, 2010
Friday, July 9, 2010
It happened that when the priests came from the holy place, the cloud filled the house of the LORD, so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the LORD filled the house of the LORD.
(1 Kings 8:10-11)
Have we stood in awe of the glory of the Lord? Have we ever been so overcome with the glory of the Lord that we fall to our knees because we are so filled with His presence?
When the veil was torn in two from top to bottom and the holy place (the place of God's presence) was made open by the atoning sacrifice of Jesus, from that point on the believer's body became the abode of the holy place - the place of God's presence. And we are now the house of the Lord - we are the temple of His Holy Spirit.
The Lord has put this - the presence of His glory - on my mind lately. Over the last several years I have been so caught up with what was going on around me (mind-boggling conditions which created uncontrollable stress at my former job with the bank, economic pressures, political strife and uncertainty, my unexpected struggles with my shoulder surgery) that I have taken what should have been my complete trust in and reverence for the Lord and placed Him in the peripheral of my life instead of at the center - I was not whole heartedly seeking the presence of His glory. Yes, I continued to study His word, continued to be impressed by His Spirit, continued to be lead to write devotionals. Yet, at this point in my life, I feel as if I am being tossed about on a sea of instability. I think to sum it up in a nut shell - I no longer feel that I have control over my life, my plan that was so carefully laid is dissolving before my eyes.
And voila, there it is - my control over my life and my plan. I was measuring my trust level by how the Lord honored my efforts to control and plan my life. When things started to move away from my control and plan I worked even harder in my flesh to try and get it back - not that I didn't trust the Lord but I tried to
balance my own capabilities with my trust in Him and my flesh usually prevailed during this time. Thus the struggle that has ensued and, at times, overwhelmed me.
As I sit here today and reflect upon my life, of His hand upon me, and consider my lot - here is my prayer:
- Lord restore and strengthen my faith so that I might rest in the glory of Your presence.
- Jesus, renew and build in me the complete trust that You alone deserve.
- And may Your glory, the glory of the Lord, completely fill my house.
(1 Kings 8:10-11)
Have we stood in awe of the glory of the Lord? Have we ever been so overcome with the glory of the Lord that we fall to our knees because we are so filled with His presence?
When the veil was torn in two from top to bottom and the holy place (the place of God's presence) was made open by the atoning sacrifice of Jesus, from that point on the believer's body became the abode of the holy place - the place of God's presence. And we are now the house of the Lord - we are the temple of His Holy Spirit.
The Lord has put this - the presence of His glory - on my mind lately. Over the last several years I have been so caught up with what was going on around me (mind-boggling conditions which created uncontrollable stress at my former job with the bank, economic pressures, political strife and uncertainty, my unexpected struggles with my shoulder surgery) that I have taken what should have been my complete trust in and reverence for the Lord and placed Him in the peripheral of my life instead of at the center - I was not whole heartedly seeking the presence of His glory. Yes, I continued to study His word, continued to be impressed by His Spirit, continued to be lead to write devotionals. Yet, at this point in my life, I feel as if I am being tossed about on a sea of instability. I think to sum it up in a nut shell - I no longer feel that I have control over my life, my plan that was so carefully laid is dissolving before my eyes.
And voila, there it is - my control over my life and my plan. I was measuring my trust level by how the Lord honored my efforts to control and plan my life. When things started to move away from my control and plan I worked even harder in my flesh to try and get it back - not that I didn't trust the Lord but I tried to
balance my own capabilities with my trust in Him and my flesh usually prevailed during this time. Thus the struggle that has ensued and, at times, overwhelmed me.
As I sit here today and reflect upon my life, of His hand upon me, and consider my lot - here is my prayer:
- Lord restore and strengthen my faith so that I might rest in the glory of Your presence.
- Jesus, renew and build in me the complete trust that You alone deserve.
- And may Your glory, the glory of the Lord, completely fill my house.
Friday, July 2, 2010
God is with you in all that you do
Now it came about at that time that Abimelech and Phicol, the commander of his army, spoke to Abraham, saying, " God is with you in all that you do…" (Genesis 21:22)
As Abimelech saw in Abraham, do people see that God is with us in all that we do? And what might that look like in this day and age of ours? Is it what we do, what we say, how we act, how we respond to people or is it what God does in, through and for us? Or are these ways comingled together somehow?
We see in Abraham a man who has told 'stories' about his wife to save his hide yet believed God so as to pick up everything and leave his land for a place that he did not know. A man who longed for an heir, as he was promised by God, and yet gave into the desire to do it his way (with Sarah's prodding) through Hagar. A man who yet believed that even in his old age (over 90) the Lord's promise of an heir through Sarah was true and would be fulfilled. A man who allowed his nephew, Lot, to pick the best of the land and yet believed that the Lord would lead him to a land of abundance. A man who believed in God and it was reckoned to him as righteousness yet sought out his own devices when he was in situations that he thought the Lord was not able to protect him. A man whoimmediately responded to God's call when the Lord established the covenant with him and the sign was circumcision. A man who immediately obeyed the Lord when asked to take his son Isaac, the son of the promise, and offer him as a sacrifice. A man whom the Lord appeared to and spoke with and even 'bargained with'. A man who prayed to God and was answered. A man for whom the Lord gave dreams to other men that resulted in Abraham's blessing.
Such contrasts of actions and responses and yet people knew that God was with him in all that he did. Abraham's faith was seen in action and yet there was doubt intertwined - belief mixed with non-belief. Trust in God and yet not trusting Him. And then there was the evidence of God's intervention in his life - the blessings, the provision, the leading, the promises fulfilled. We truly see in Abraham the heart of God working in and through an imperfect vessel. God's loving-kindness working in the heart of man to accomplish God's plan. Even when Abraham 'got in the way' the Lord's plan was not annulled - the Lord's hand was upon His servant, even when it got ugly, to fulfill His good purpose.
So, what is the answer to my question? I think that we need to start with God (I know that should be obvious but in our present day we always seem to want to start with man!) - it is His plan for mankind and the world and we are invited to join Him - to partake in His glorious mystery. He is not obligated to us 'to make things happen' based upon what we believe should be - although He has obligated Himself to honor His truth and His promises for those who seek Him. So then, it is truly what God does in, through and for us that allows people to see that God is with us in all that we do.
Before anyone gets too excited about what you just read - we, as His creation, do play a part in this glorious mystery that is God's plan. He has called us to join Him, to be an active participant in His plan, to live a life of faith and trust. And He has provided us with the directions - And He (Jesus) said to him, "YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND. This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF." (Matthew 22:37-39) - here is the heart of who and what we are to be so that all who see us may say 'God is with us in all that we do'.
Additionally, knowing that we are just flesh and subject to falling short as we walk this life of faith, He has given us His Holy Spirit to guide us and lead us in this great and wonderful calling - may we be filled with the Holy Spirit.
''Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.' (Ephesians 5:15-21)
And the final consideration for this pondering: 'The mind of man plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.' (Proverb 16:9)
As Abimelech saw in Abraham, do people see that God is with us in all that we do? And what might that look like in this day and age of ours? Is it what we do, what we say, how we act, how we respond to people or is it what God does in, through and for us? Or are these ways comingled together somehow?
We see in Abraham a man who has told 'stories' about his wife to save his hide yet believed God so as to pick up everything and leave his land for a place that he did not know. A man who longed for an heir, as he was promised by God, and yet gave into the desire to do it his way (with Sarah's prodding) through Hagar. A man who yet believed that even in his old age (over 90) the Lord's promise of an heir through Sarah was true and would be fulfilled. A man who allowed his nephew, Lot, to pick the best of the land and yet believed that the Lord would lead him to a land of abundance. A man who believed in God and it was reckoned to him as righteousness yet sought out his own devices when he was in situations that he thought the Lord was not able to protect him. A man whoimmediately responded to God's call when the Lord established the covenant with him and the sign was circumcision. A man who immediately obeyed the Lord when asked to take his son Isaac, the son of the promise, and offer him as a sacrifice. A man whom the Lord appeared to and spoke with and even 'bargained with'. A man who prayed to God and was answered. A man for whom the Lord gave dreams to other men that resulted in Abraham's blessing.
Such contrasts of actions and responses and yet people knew that God was with him in all that he did. Abraham's faith was seen in action and yet there was doubt intertwined - belief mixed with non-belief. Trust in God and yet not trusting Him. And then there was the evidence of God's intervention in his life - the blessings, the provision, the leading, the promises fulfilled. We truly see in Abraham the heart of God working in and through an imperfect vessel. God's loving-kindness working in the heart of man to accomplish God's plan. Even when Abraham 'got in the way' the Lord's plan was not annulled - the Lord's hand was upon His servant, even when it got ugly, to fulfill His good purpose.
So, what is the answer to my question? I think that we need to start with God (I know that should be obvious but in our present day we always seem to want to start with man!) - it is His plan for mankind and the world and we are invited to join Him - to partake in His glorious mystery. He is not obligated to us 'to make things happen' based upon what we believe should be - although He has obligated Himself to honor His truth and His promises for those who seek Him. So then, it is truly what God does in, through and for us that allows people to see that God is with us in all that we do.
Before anyone gets too excited about what you just read - we, as His creation, do play a part in this glorious mystery that is God's plan. He has called us to join Him, to be an active participant in His plan, to live a life of faith and trust. And He has provided us with the directions - And He (Jesus) said to him, "YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND. This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF." (Matthew 22:37-39) - here is the heart of who and what we are to be so that all who see us may say 'God is with us in all that we do'.
Additionally, knowing that we are just flesh and subject to falling short as we walk this life of faith, He has given us His Holy Spirit to guide us and lead us in this great and wonderful calling - may we be filled with the Holy Spirit.
''Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.' (Ephesians 5:15-21)
And the final consideration for this pondering: 'The mind of man plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.' (Proverb 16:9)
Friday, June 25, 2010
revive and restore
'Revive us, and we will call upon Your name. O LORD God of hosts, Restore us;
Cause Your face to shine upon us, and we will be saved.'
(Psalm 80:18-19)
REVIVE us, O Lord God…for we are languishing in a quagmire of worldly confusion; living in a time where the truth is ignored and cast aside; the once solid foundations are crumbling before us; persecution increases around us; deception and lies and distortion rule the day; the gods of this earth have been heralded and put on display; self is elevated above even You, Lord; and the peoples' hearts truly are exceedingly wicked.
RESTORE us, O Lord God…so that we might stand firm in Your truth; that our devotion to You would be affirmed; that we would be exhorted and encouraged to fight the good fight of faith; that the joy of Your salvation would come alive in our lives; and that our love for You would be made manifest in all that we do; Holy Spirit fill us each day until we overflow with Your grace and Your truth.
And upon Your reviving and restoring us Lord Jesus,
As we humble ourselves and abide in You,
Your witnesses to this lost world we shall be.
Cause Your face to shine upon us, and we will be saved.'
(Psalm 80:18-19)
REVIVE us, O Lord God…for we are languishing in a quagmire of worldly confusion; living in a time where the truth is ignored and cast aside; the once solid foundations are crumbling before us; persecution increases around us; deception and lies and distortion rule the day; the gods of this earth have been heralded and put on display; self is elevated above even You, Lord; and the peoples' hearts truly are exceedingly wicked.
RESTORE us, O Lord God…so that we might stand firm in Your truth; that our devotion to You would be affirmed; that we would be exhorted and encouraged to fight the good fight of faith; that the joy of Your salvation would come alive in our lives; and that our love for You would be made manifest in all that we do; Holy Spirit fill us each day until we overflow with Your grace and Your truth.
And upon Your reviving and restoring us Lord Jesus,
As we humble ourselves and abide in You,
Your witnesses to this lost world we shall be.
Friday, June 18, 2010
they shall one day discover...
For behold, Your enemies make an uproar, And those who hate You have exalted themselves.
They make shrewd plans against Your people, And conspire together against Your treasured ones.
They have said, "Come, and let us wipe them out as a nation, That the name of Israel be remembered no more." For they have conspired together with one mind; Against You they make a covenant…
(Psalm 83:2-5)
The battle has been the same since days of old…this is nothing new, not even in our day. We have even heard in our times this refrain from those who follow the god whose goal is death and destruction - "Come, and let us wipe them out as a nation, that the name of Israel be remembered no more." The forces that are out to eliminate the one true God from the land of the living are still conspiring.
The enemy that is out to destroy God's people still makes shrewd plans against them. The enemy of our soul, the devil, is hard at work seeking to kill and destroy those whom he may. The battle wages on in the heavenlies and plays out in the affairs of our world. A growing number of nations in our world make covenants against the Lord and His people and this is reflected in the growing persecution as well as the increasingly persuasive agenda that is being pushed to remove God's truth from all facets of daily life.
May we, as believers in the living Lord, take heed and stand strong and firm in the knowledge that God is on His throne, the Lord Jesus is at His right hand and the Holy Spirit is dwelling within us leading us to all truth….
And that they (those who are His enemies) will one day discover that He alone, whose name is the LORD, is the Most High over all the earth.
They make shrewd plans against Your people, And conspire together against Your treasured ones.
They have said, "Come, and let us wipe them out as a nation, That the name of Israel be remembered no more." For they have conspired together with one mind; Against You they make a covenant…
(Psalm 83:2-5)
The battle has been the same since days of old…this is nothing new, not even in our day. We have even heard in our times this refrain from those who follow the god whose goal is death and destruction - "Come, and let us wipe them out as a nation, that the name of Israel be remembered no more." The forces that are out to eliminate the one true God from the land of the living are still conspiring.
The enemy that is out to destroy God's people still makes shrewd plans against them. The enemy of our soul, the devil, is hard at work seeking to kill and destroy those whom he may. The battle wages on in the heavenlies and plays out in the affairs of our world. A growing number of nations in our world make covenants against the Lord and His people and this is reflected in the growing persecution as well as the increasingly persuasive agenda that is being pushed to remove God's truth from all facets of daily life.
May we, as believers in the living Lord, take heed and stand strong and firm in the knowledge that God is on His throne, the Lord Jesus is at His right hand and the Holy Spirit is dwelling within us leading us to all truth….
And that they (those who are His enemies) will one day discover that He alone, whose name is the LORD, is the Most High over all the earth.
Friday, June 11, 2010
body, soul and mind
"YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND" [Luke 10:27]
We have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb - body, soul (spirit) and mind. And our spiritual redemption (our new heart) is assured for those who believe by faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. But what about the body and the mind? Where do they fit into the equation in today's world?
Jesus did a complete work when He sacrificed Himself on that cross. It wasn't an installment plan where there was more that needed to be done for our redemption. When He cried out from the cross "it is finished" and the veil was torn in half from top to bottom the price was paid in full - no other work was needed. And just as He was raised to new life, we too are raised to new life when we are born again from above - body, soul and mind. We are even called a 'new creation' after we have tasted of the salvation which God in His mercy has provided for those who believe.
So, why do we in our day seem to neglect the body and the mind in our redemption? We are called to live our lives (body, soul and mind) as a pleasing sacrifice, indwelt by the Holy Spirit, abiding in Him in ALL that we do - body, soul and mind. Honoring the Lord with our body, soul and mind (everything that we do, say and think) should be the desire of our heart.
Joyously feasting upon His Word, standing steadfast in His truth, willingly following His leading, patiently waiting upon Him, attentively listening to His still small voice, ever abiding in Him who directs our path, not being conformed to this world and offering Him praise and thanksgiving in ALL things…
Our sights fixed, our focus directed, our minds engaged, our thoughts held captive… this is our call today - a child of the living God - body, soul and mind.
We have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb - body, soul (spirit) and mind. And our spiritual redemption (our new heart) is assured for those who believe by faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. But what about the body and the mind? Where do they fit into the equation in today's world?
Jesus did a complete work when He sacrificed Himself on that cross. It wasn't an installment plan where there was more that needed to be done for our redemption. When He cried out from the cross "it is finished" and the veil was torn in half from top to bottom the price was paid in full - no other work was needed. And just as He was raised to new life, we too are raised to new life when we are born again from above - body, soul and mind. We are even called a 'new creation' after we have tasted of the salvation which God in His mercy has provided for those who believe.
So, why do we in our day seem to neglect the body and the mind in our redemption? We are called to live our lives (body, soul and mind) as a pleasing sacrifice, indwelt by the Holy Spirit, abiding in Him in ALL that we do - body, soul and mind. Honoring the Lord with our body, soul and mind (everything that we do, say and think) should be the desire of our heart.
Joyously feasting upon His Word, standing steadfast in His truth, willingly following His leading, patiently waiting upon Him, attentively listening to His still small voice, ever abiding in Him who directs our path, not being conformed to this world and offering Him praise and thanksgiving in ALL things…
Our sights fixed, our focus directed, our minds engaged, our thoughts held captive… this is our call today - a child of the living God - body, soul and mind.
Friday, June 4, 2010
Faith in action
Faith in action (works) means - fearing the Lord and trusting completely in Him while obeying His call upon our lives. Any other actions (works) that we do become just wood, hay and stubble and have no heavenly value. We can bear no heavenly fruit without abiding (fearing, trusting, obeying) in Him.
Looking at Abraham, as an example, what he did when the Lord God called him -
Abraham feared the Lord.
Abraham immediately responded to God saying "Here I am" and "now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me".
Abraham trusted completely in the Lord.
Abraham trusted in God for he said "I and the lad will go over there and we will worship and return to you' and "God will provide for Himself the lamb for the burnt offering".
Abraham obeyed the Lord.
After God had given him the call Abraham immediately responded - he 'rose early in the morning…arose and went to the place of which God had told him" and he 'bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar' and he 'stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son'.
God said to Abraham "In you seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice".
(Genesis chapter 22)
So how does our 'faith in action' measure up -
Do we fear the Lord God Almighty?
(do we have an awe and a reverence for Him, do we honor Him as creator and redeemer God, do we worship Him and glorify His name, do we bless Him for who He is, do we praise His Holy name, do we tremble at His presence, do we prostrate ourselves when we come before His throne)
Do we trust Him completely?
(in all aspects of our lives [that He is the provider, sustainer, redeemer, full of grace and mercy and loving-kindness, righteous, a mighty fortress, deliverer, protector, healer, all-knowing, all powerful, everlasting], when the world says we are foolish for believing the truth of God, when it looks like there is no hope or future, when we are placed into a situation that seems impossible to resolve, when the enemy comes in like a flood against us)
Do we obey His voice and His call upon our lives?
(in everything that He has called us to do, when He has called us to do it - even the little things, even if it is to wait on Him, even if it is not what we want to hear, even if we think that it is too difficult or not worthwhile in our minds, even if it is outside of our comfort zone, even if it is to love the unlovable)
Looking at Abraham, as an example, what he did when the Lord God called him -
Abraham feared the Lord.
Abraham immediately responded to God saying "Here I am" and "now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me".
Abraham trusted completely in the Lord.
Abraham trusted in God for he said "I and the lad will go over there and we will worship and return to you' and "God will provide for Himself the lamb for the burnt offering".
Abraham obeyed the Lord.
After God had given him the call Abraham immediately responded - he 'rose early in the morning…arose and went to the place of which God had told him" and he 'bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar' and he 'stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son'.
God said to Abraham "In you seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice".
(Genesis chapter 22)
So how does our 'faith in action' measure up -
Do we fear the Lord God Almighty?
(do we have an awe and a reverence for Him, do we honor Him as creator and redeemer God, do we worship Him and glorify His name, do we bless Him for who He is, do we praise His Holy name, do we tremble at His presence, do we prostrate ourselves when we come before His throne)
Do we trust Him completely?
(in all aspects of our lives [that He is the provider, sustainer, redeemer, full of grace and mercy and loving-kindness, righteous, a mighty fortress, deliverer, protector, healer, all-knowing, all powerful, everlasting], when the world says we are foolish for believing the truth of God, when it looks like there is no hope or future, when we are placed into a situation that seems impossible to resolve, when the enemy comes in like a flood against us)
Do we obey His voice and His call upon our lives?
(in everything that He has called us to do, when He has called us to do it - even the little things, even if it is to wait on Him, even if it is not what we want to hear, even if we think that it is too difficult or not worthwhile in our minds, even if it is outside of our comfort zone, even if it is to love the unlovable)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)