A Watchful Spirit

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2 Kings 2:10 says, “‘You have asked a difficult thing’, Elijah replied. ‘If you see me when I am taken from you, then you will get your request. But if not, then you won’t.’” The Message in part says, “...only if you’re watching.”

Elijah was getting ready to be taken up to heaven and Elisha, his predecessor, was asking for a double portion of his spirit before he departed. After spending time with his mentor, Elisha was preparing to take up the mantle of leadership and become Elijah’s successor.

And Elijah tells him, “If you see me when I’m leaving you will get it, but if you don’t see me, you won’t.”

What I think he’s saying here is, “If you stick with me to the end, if you keep your eyes on me and on the work of our Lord (Elijah was one of only 2 spared from natural death), then you’ll be worthy to inherit my mantle and replace my leadership.”

“Watching people” inherit the prize. The one nearest to the Lord and the one attentively focused on His work and His ways, will get to experience through sight what isn’t visible through neglect. My commentary says beautifully, “The mountains get the first gleam of sun.” Yes! They’re the ones standing tall and expectant!

Elisha was a watchful Spirit. He understood before the inspired Word would reveal the secret, “Ask and it shall be given to you, seek and you shall find, look and you shall see, knock and it will be opened.”

Isaac newton was once asked why he was so much greater than others in his particular science. His response, “I do not know, except I, perhaps, pay more attention they do.”

The lazy get nothing. The shut eye sees nothing. Oh Lord, open my eyes that I might see!

Your double share is achieved by your watchful spirit.

It Shall Not Cling To Me!

Some mornings God takes you somewhere that seems almost irrelevant and accidental.
Ahh.. but nothing really is.

Psalm 101:3 in the King James Version says this, "I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me."

The writer of Psalms here is determining that he will not set any evil before his eyes. He will not purpose in his heart, nor in his mind, to look long into the face of wickedness.

And perhaps because he knew the dangers that come with beholding dis-figuration too long. He says, in essence, "I will not set before my eyes any evil that will stir up my imagination, or allow my thoughts to be consumed with hatred and disgust. I will not set it before me, I will not meditate on it, I will not imitate the pattern of it, or copy it's template.

The word used in the KJV, "cleave", means this, "to adhere closely, stick, cling, remain faithful to." In other words, the Psalmist is saying he will not let the evil work stick to him, cling to him; he will not be faithful to it. He is choosing to have no familiarity with it, nor any communion with it.

And so I pose the question before me: How do I refuse to put any wicked thing before me?

I know I can pray against it.
I know I can plead the promises of God over my life.
I know I can trust in His working all things out for my good.
And I know I can serve Jesus with everything I have, while avoiding, at all cost, any opportunity for sin to creep into my life.
I can keep vigilant over what I focus on, and refuse anything that does not make His name more famous.

We have a choice to let evil be our fixation, and to allow it to cling to us... or let victory and love be our focus, and allow it be that which every area of our lives is most known for.

I will, instead, "...set the Lord always before me... because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved." (Psalm 16:8)

I will set NO wicked thing before my eyes. It shall not cling to me!

Just Because I Can Doesn't Mean I Should

A few years ago I was having a discussion with a friend about Social Media.  It was a heated conversation, but it was healthy.  And while we couldn’t come to mutual agreement, we were able to walk away maintaining respect for one another as we committed to doing better in our personal pursuits of God and His will.

The centralized theme of our dialogue was this idea that “My Facebook page is my mine and I can say and do with whatever I please.”

And while this is a very true statement, it’s a dangerous mindset to manage.

Because I think Jesus wants better for us.

1 Peter 2:16 says this, “For you are free, yet you are God’s slaves, so don’t use your freedom as an excuse to do evil.”

The word “free” is translated in the Greek as “eleutheria” which means, “set free, state of liberty, free from outside control.”

We are to live in freedom as ones who have been bought by the blood of Jesus.  As ones who are being made in the image of God, and as ones designed for His eternal kingdom.  We are commissioned to live free from externals, free from the damaging affects of missiles shot from enemy soil.

Our Christian liberty must not be taken out of context and used irresponsibly. 

And I would look my friend in the eyes and say these words… the words I have been wrestling with God now about for years, “Just because I can, doesn't mean I should.”

While I am free from slavery and from the chains that bound me as a prisoner to the sinful lifestyle I once engaged with, I must remember that I am a servant of God.  While there are certainly great privileges we all benefit from, we are not free to behave in blatant disrespect and disregard of our assignment of being Cross Carriers and Image Bearers. 

If we are to demonstrate His nature through our behavior, then we must continually self-check our outward reflection.

My commentary says this, “Duty is enforced on us to guard against licentiousness, but the way it is to be fulfilled is by love and the holy instincts of Christian liberty.  We are given principles, not details.”

The word “licentiousness” is an interesting word which has within it the root word “license.”  Some synonyms of the word include: arrogance, audacity, complacency, gluttony, irresponsibility, self-indulgence, slackness, unrestrained, unruly, wild, reckless, impulsive, thoughtless, declining, immoral, and disregarding the rules.

And I would make the list while writing the words again, “Just because I can, doesn’t mean I should.”

I am free to say what I please - but is it honoring to God?
I am free to give my opinion - but does it point to Jesus and His nature of goodness and grace?
I am free to choose un-forgiveness - but does it emulate the heart of God for people called for His purpose?

I am free - yes indeed I am - but not free from all restraint, and not free to indulge in the things that separate me from the full life Jesus had in mind when He suffered all of His own freedoms by way of nails on a cross.

Oh we must do better.

I have “license” to do and say whatever I wish - but just because I can, doesn't mean I should.  Because when I live in this arrogant, self-indulgent, unrestrained state, I am showcasing Jesus in the wrong light, and denying others the opportunity to see what freedom living really means for the Christ follower.

God, help me to think before I act.  To pause before I speak.  To hesitate before I behave irrationally and disrespectfully.
Just because I can, doesn't mean I should.

Barren And Unfruitful

Second Peter 1:10 says this, “Work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things, and you will never fall away.”

John 15:8 says this, “This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”

It isn’t enough to say we are “Christian”, we must actually “be” Christ-like. 

A look into the verses just earlier in first Peter gives us a glimpse as to what virtues make up a Christ follower.

“Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone.”  (verse 5-7)

There are clear directives given… all traits that build upon one another:

• faith with moral excellence
• moral excellent with knowledge
• knowledge with self-control
• self controls with patient endurance
• patient endurance with godliness
• godliness with brotherly affection
• brotherly affection with love

And without these virtues properly supplied, scripture defines us as, “blind” (2 Peter 1:9), “barren” (2 Peter 1:8), and “unfruitful” (Titus 3:14).

Isaiah 5:6 warns us about the results of barrenness and unfruitfulness.  “I will make it a wild place where the vines are not pruned and the ground is not hoed, a place overgrown with briers and thorns. I will command the clouds to drop no rain on it.”

And when we take a look into barrenness, we see there is a significant difference between that and being unfruitful, although both words are very similar in nature.

To be “barren” means to be unproductive, empty, depleted, possessing nothing, bare.  It is representative of a field which yields absolutely nothing.
To be “unfruitful” means to be unprofitable, not yielding good crops, unrewarding, work done ‘all in vain.’  It represents a field which has been toiled slightly, but as a result of half-hearted effort, yields very little crop.

The barren field depicts a person unconvinced.
The unfruitful field intimates a person unconverted.

And while I am not sure which is worse, I tend to lean toward the unfruitful.
Scripture tells us that, “When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required.”  (Luke 12:48)
And so the more we know… the more divine revelation we’ve been blessed with… the more the virtues of moral excellence, self control, patience, godliness, and love are expected to be produced.

Our fruit must be evident for all to see.
When we, like the Israelites, circle the same scenery for 40 years in the wilderness, we've not learned much, and continue on the path of being a “consumer” and not a “producer.”

Oh how the Father wants so much more for you and me!

The Father is glorified.. He is made most famous.. by the bearing of much fruit by those who call themselves His followers.

May it always be said of us that our conversion is made evident by the abundance of fruit we produce.

I Do Not Live At The Mercy Of Externals

Some days... you have to say, "enough is enough."

It's not the absence of difficulties that brings peace.  It's not the reduction of changing circumstances that deepens pleasure.  It's my NON-COMPLIANCE to living reactionary to all that aims at inflicting pain.  It's my unwillingness to be gravely affected by harsh winds purposed to shatter my hope and steal my joy.

Though my heart be grieved over the pain I see happening all around me, I determine to not live in an unnecessary state of fear and panic. I refuse to live reactionary to all that the enemy would love to keep my focus reduced to.

I am not controlled by and will not live at the mercy of externals.  My joy comes from the Lord; my peace comes from knowing Him and being known by Him.

"The JOY of the LORD is my STRENGTH." Neh 8:10

Conduct Not Conversation

In Matthew, chapter 11, we read that John the Baptist, while siting in prison, was wrestling with some doubt issues over whether Jesus was THE Messiah, the One they had been longing for. 

In verses 2 and 3 it tells us this, “John… heard about all the things the Messiah was doing so he sent his disciples to ask Jesus, ‘Are You the Messiah we’ve been expecting or should we keep looking for someone else?’”

You can almost feel the aching in John’s heart when you read the words.  My commentary says, “Where there is true faith, yet there may be a mixture of unbelief.”
And maybe we’ve felt it before too.
I know I have.
And in the asking of the question, our desire should be to have what little amount of faith we may be feeling, strengthened and confirmed.

And here we see Jesus do just that.

It’s a beautiful answer.
And just like the manner of our Jesus to do it this way.

“Jesus told them, ‘Go back to John and tell him what you have heard and seen - the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor.”  (verses 4-5)

Jesus provides John, and his students, a glimpse of His nature and a testimony of His mercy.
Jesus invites them to visionally observe what many were allowed only to mentally perceive.

“Tell them what you have heard AND seen.”
The blind… because of Me - they see!
The lame… because of Me - they walk!
The lepers… because of Me - they are cured!
The deaf… because of Me - they hear!
The dead… because of Me - they’re alive!

And then:
The Good News… because of Me - it’s preached!

The proof of Jesus was His actions.  His movements.  His healing.
The focus was on His mobility, not His mouth.
And He was asking them to remember… and to recall.

Words, while they are important… oh, and more important than we could ever imagine… lack in luster, they are bankrupt of power… when they are not confirmed by actions. 

I can tell you that I love you - but does my performance prove it so?
I can tell you that I’d do anything for you - but do by habits tell a different story?

What I say with my life is not as important as what I do with it.
True love is always expressed in activity.

Words lacking operation are cheap. The Good News is preached best by conduct, and then by conversation.

Aware But Not Absorbed

My husband and I were working in our garage the other day.  It was full, long, and exhausting day of moving heavy boxes, cleaning and organizing spaces, and mostly for my husband, building a workbench space for tools and the like.

There was some danger in the work of the day which involved power tools like drills and saws.  While serving as assistant to my husband in the work of cutting large pieces of steel, I was very cognizant of the risk associated with my involvement.

At one point I was helping to hold up a large piece of VERY heavy material that would serve as the workbench top, and it was getting almost impossible to keep steady.  It took great amounts of strength to keep it from sliding to the ground.

But as I looked underneath where I was standing, there sat our 13 pound Shorkie, Isabel, looking up at me innocently and seemingly oblivious to any possibility of adversity or any issue for concern.

Focused entirely on my face, and paying close attention to my movements, she remained undisturbed by trouble.  As her momma, I took on the full weight of distress so that she didn’t have to live in the uncertainty of disturbance.  As the one who was more associated with the burden, I protected her from the unnecessary grief that anxiety heaps upon the hearts too preoccupied with hardship and crisis.

When Isabel had me in full view… she was safe.  Living unaware of any impending doom is actually what kept her in peace.  When she found the face of her guide, her protector, her defender, her care-giver, her friend… she was secure.

And so could it be with us?  That we could live aware of danger without being absorbed by it?

The word absorbed (absorb) means this = to involve the full attention of; to engross wholly; to occupy; to consume, devour, engulf, or destroy.

And so it must, then, become us to live aware without being absorbed.  To live mindful of the dangers and yet refusing to become dominated by worry.  It’s denying fear a place of authority in our lives that’s aim is solely to devour, engulf, and destroy.

You and I must remain in, “keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.”  (Heb 12:2).  We must keep our eyes on the One who shoulders the pressure and bears the load so we don’t have to.

It's okay to be afraid, but it’s not healthy to stay in a place of misery, doubt, and panic.

When we keep focused entirely on the face of Jesus, paying close attention to His movements, we can remain undisturbed by any trouble that presents itself to us.

He still has the whole world in the palm of His hand.  And living too immersed in what “could happen” or what “might be up ahead”, we miss out in the fullness He gives us in, “this day, our daily bread.”  (Mt 6:11)

Be aware of the danger, without being absorbed by it.
It’s the only way we benefit from all He died to give us.

Pull Out The Best In Others!

Have you ever had someone who believed in you… someone who saw the best about you and pulled it out of you?  Someone who believed in you at a time you couldn’t believe for yourself?

We all need people like that in our lives, don’t we?

And we see this beautiful story line unfold in the life of Moses.

When God originally calls him to lead His people, the Israelites, out of Egypt, Moses is reluctant. 

And the one excuse he gives God is that he’s not good with words.  In Exodus 4:10 he says this, “O Lord, I’m not very good with words.  I never have been, and I’m not now. even though You have spoken to me.  I get tongue tied and my words gets tangled.”

Moses knew his weaknesses and he was very familiar with all he lacked.
Knowing that the call of God on his life would require the impossible assignment of public speaking, he shrunk from the task, giving a total of 5 doubt-filled excuses why he certainly wasn’t the right man for the task.

Moses was grasping at straws in this fourth attempt to be “taken off the hook”, but God, in His kindness and His great love and mercy, disallows Moses to escape that easy.  Deficiency is never a sufficient excuse for usefulness in the Kingdom of God!  “But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.”  (1 Cor 1:27)

God saw Moses’ ability long before Moses did.
He saw Moses as a faithful vessel, emptied for the pouring in.
He saw Moses as a friend, one He wanted to be with.  (Ex 3:12)
He saw Moses as strong and steadfast.

And all the time Moses remained humble yet filled with apprehension.

In the sovereignty of the Lord, and because He serves as both Comforter and Captain, He supplies Moses with, Aaron, his brother who WAS a good speaker.  The new command was, “Talk to him (Aaron), and put the words in his mouth.  I will be with you both as you speak, and I will instruct you both in what to do.”  (Ex 4:15)

Now take a look at Acts 7.  When Stephen is recalling Moses and telling of his nature and character to the council he stood before, he says this about our faithful hero, “… Moses was born - a beautiful child in God’s eyes…. Moses was ‘taught all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and he was powerful in both speech and action.”  (7:21-22)

I love this so much!

The very thing Moses viewed as a defect became the very thing future generations saw as his remarkable strength.  So much so that some greats, like Stephen, were still talking about these perceived qualities years later.

It would become his legacy.

Because sometimes we miss it altogether.
Sometimes the very thing we see as lack, God is using for leverage in Kingdom Work.

And just maybe it takes others believing about us what we cannot even see in ourselves in order to propel us into the work that might remain undone if we were to say no.

We see it, again, in the life of Jacob who upon his dying bed is speaking a blessing over each of his twelve sons.  When he comes to Jacob, the one who had been abandoned by his brothers, sold to slaves, and left to die alone without his family, Jacob says this of him, “Archers attacked him savagely; they shot at him and harassed him.  But his bow remained taut, and his arms were strengthened by the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob, by the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel.”  (Gen 49:23-24)

What Jacob says of him is both history and prophesy.  It’s what he has been and who he will be.

And we all need those in our lives who, knowing full well that what WAS is overshadowed by what CAN BE when Christ is in it.

“He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.”  (1 Thess 5:24)

So speak life today over other people.
Speak life and love.
Use your words to pull out the very best in other people.
You have NO idea how God will use those words to change the entire course of history!

What's In Your Hand?

On a recent video call with some awesome women during a bible study lesson on Moses, I encouraged them with a simple question… “What’s in your hand?”

We can read about it in the call of Moses by God.
The assignment was clear.
Not simple… but precise, “You must lead My people Israel out of Egypt.”  (Ex 3:10)

But in his own feelings of insecurity and inadequacy, Moses gives not one, not two, but FIVE subsequent reasons why God might have chosen the wrong guy.

We see it in chapters 3 and 4 and they include:
1.) feelings of unworthiness (3:11)
2.) fear of what others would think (3:13)
3.) fear of the doubt in others (4:1)
4.) fear of all that he perceived that he lacked (4:10)
5.) belief that God should use someone else (4:13)

During one of the cries to the Lord, Moses says, “What if they (the Israelites trapped in Egypt) won’t believe me or listen to me?  What if they say, ‘The Lord never appeared to you!?”  (4:1)

And I love the Lord’s response. 
Because He never sees deficiency, only divine ability.
And He is persistent in making His will known and making it clearly understood that He wouldn’t release Moses from the full obligation and duty he was being summoned into, despite any amount of unworthiness he felt.

God asks Moses the question in verse 2, “What is that in your hand?”
Moses goes on to answer that it was a staff and then was ordered by God to, “Throw it to the ground” (verse 3) and then, when God transformed it into a snake, Moses was asked to, “Reach out and grab it’s tail” (verse 4).  We see it turning back to a staff in an instant.

I get asked a LOT, “How do I know what God’s will is for my life?” 
I think it’s a common question with sincere motives in most people who are asking.
And I always think about this verse and ask what God is still asking us today, “What’s in your hand?”

What is it that God has asked you to do for Him?
Who are the people right in front of your view that He is asking you to serve?
What abilities and gifts has He given specifically to you that He’s asking you to use for His service?
What resources has He supernaturally supplied you with?
What hopes and dreams has He laid upon your heart?

What’s in your hands?

It may not be easy to do - that which He is requiring of you - but it is your call nonetheless, and what God has assigned TO you, He has EQUIPPED you for! 
Be encouraged in that!

The task may not be easy.  You may observe many obstacles in your way.  The order may be challenging at best.  But look at the promise found in Psalm 126:6, “They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as the return with the harvest.”

There are some things He is calling you to that ONLY you can do.
And if you refuse the assignment, you could miss the blessing altogether.
What’s more, if you deny the duty, you could deprive others the benefit of your faithfulness.

The right question to ask in discerning His will might just be, “If I were to say no to what He’s asking me to do, if I refuse to take a risk for Him, who might be adversely affected and miss Jesus by my neglect?”

It’s on my board in my office to remind me - so I won’t forget: “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up”.  Gal 6:9

The Greater Yes!

One of the central goals of King David was to return the Ark of the Covenant back to it’s rightful place of honor.  While he resided in a glorious palace, it frustrated him to know end that the Ark remained in a tent.  To David, this seemed not only unreasonable, but disgraceful, and he desired nothing more than to fix it.

In 2 Samuel, chapter 7, we see David expressing his desire to the prophet Nathan.  And in response Nathan tells David, “God ahead and do whatever you have in mind, for the Lord is with you.”  (verse 3)

Nathan wasn’t speaking incorrectly about the nature, character, and promises of God, but he was speaking without consulting the Lord on the matter.  His motives were good, but his movement was incorrect.  He was reacting out of personal opinion and not divine revelation.

And it would be made evident that God disallows His children to go long under mistakes.  In verse 4 we see that that, “same night the Lord said to Nathan, ‘Go and tell My servant David, ‘This is what the Lord has declared: Are you the one to build a house for Me to live in?’’”

David had thought he heard God correctly.  In his over-zealous but authentic heart, he had understood the Ark to be rebuilt when Israel was settled in Canaan (Deut 12:10-11), and since that time had come that he would be the man for the job. 

But God had other plans.
And His answer, for this particular job of David, even when David’s heart was right, was “no.”

And take note that this “no” doesn’t intimate a wrongfulness about David, OR an alienation from God.  In fact, God still calls David, “MY servant” twice in the text (verses 5 & 8).  And that, alone, is such confirmation of His love for us despite our deficiency.

Nathan took it upon himself to assume what God would do and how He might handle the pious assignment of David’s work that would, indeed, bring honor and glory to God.  But he was, instead, to inform David that, unlike his predecessor, Saul, he would not be the only one in his family lineage to occupy the throne.  David’s son, Solomon, would reign, and the kingdom would be established through him.

David was declined to perform a duty or God, but was certainly blessed beyond imagination by an answer that far outweighed anything He could have imagined for himself.

And if we are being honest, many of us might be unsettled by the “no.”
But not so to our King David.
To David, the reaction served as comfort and assurance that his dynasty may be multiplied through generations that would come after he was gone.  That the seed planted now, would reap a glorious harvest, and to David, that was more than enough.

My commentary says that David, “takes no notice of the disappointment - of his not being permitted to build the temple.”  But instead that he was, “swallowed up by his delight in the store of blessing actually promised.”

We see it in David’s immediate response… his prayer of thanksgiving found in verses 18-29.
One beautiful thing we see, even at the beginning of the prayer is that David was found in a posture of sitting… “Then King David went in and sat before the Lord and prayed.”  (verse 18)  It would be the only place in scripture we find someone “sitting” instead of standing while pouring their heart out to God.  And perhaps it’s because of David’s intimacy with his Father.  While a servant may be found standing in a posture of petition, David is found, sitting to commune with his Friend.

In refusing David’s request, God grants him greater mercies and higher blessings than the original inquiry.  My commentary says, “How often, when God’s people are worrying and perplexing themselves about their prayers not being answered, is God answering them in a far richer way!”

And so may it be with us, and may we be reminded today that God’s “no”, is always for our good and His glory.  A “no” doesn’t mean disfavor and doesn't always mean disapproval, but it’s simply a set-up for the greater “yes!”

Showing Restraint

1 Samuel 24, in my Bible, is entitled, "David Shows Restraint."

It's a story many of us are all pretty familiar with.

King Saul was after the would-be King David.
He sends 3,000 elite troops from all over Israel to go searching in the wilderness for David.
Scripture tells us that when Saul was in a cave "relieving himself", David and his men were hiding in the very same cave!
David's men tell David, "Now is your chance!  Get him while he's vulnerable!"
So David... lured by the whispers of his men, and likely overcome by his own rage, creeps forward to cut off a piece of Saul's robe.

But something was different about David's heart.
We see in verse 4 the Bible says, "But David's conscience began bothering him because he had cut Saul's robe."

He knows he shouldn't have done that, so in turn we see David restraining his men and refusing to move forward with revenge that would have led to the annihilation of the King.

And I wonder, too, if you and I could use some practical wisdom from the life of David and from the glorious forbearance he exhibited concerning revenge.  I wonder, if instead of giving in to the temptation to retaliate, even so much as in the mind, we could:

1.) Consider the goodness of God, His forbearance, and His long-suffering.
2.) Contemplate the example of Jesus.
3.) Keep watchful over the first - even slightest inclination of evil.
4.) Pray for the spirit of patience, forgiveness, and love.

It is so important as we look out on a troubling world, a disheartened society, a wounded community, and breathe upon the pain with hope and encouragement.  To offer up different solutions of redemption and grace. 

It is necessary (and possible) to be as the Ark of the Covenant carriers, who usher in the Divine Presence of Jesus Himself into every defeated environment, and to absolutely refuse to highlight the work of the enemy.

David knew a better way, albeit not always, but more habitually than not, and he invites us in to the same.  Look to Father and of His goodness, contemplate the wonderful example of His Son, Jesus, guard your heart at all cost lest you be trapped by evil ways, and pray continually for a spirit of the One who knew no sin.

It matters.  To an onlooking world and even more importantly, to the Perfecter and Rewarder of our faith.

What More Can I Say?

I love David’s prayer of thanksgiving and praise found in 2 Samuel 7:18-29.

It’s rich and expresses an authentic heart from one who knew his weakness in the light God’s abundant and glorious goodness and grace.

There is one line in the prayer itself that stopped me when I read it.  In part because of it’s honesty, and in another because I SO resonate with it’s implications.

David says to God in verse 20, “What more can I say to You?  You know what Your servant is really like, Sovereign God.”

Ahh… what more can I say to You?
You know me.
The intimate places of my heart.
The parts I refuse to share with others.

It’s as if, momentarily at least, David cannot find the appropriate words to convey his true emotions.

And I know what this feels like.
Peter did too.
When asked for the third time by Jesus, “Do you love Me?”  Peter finally responds, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.” (John 21:17) 
And so it becomes of us often, too, “Lord, You already know what’s in this weak and stubborn heart of mine.  What MORE could I possibly say to You??”

And so David finds rest in shifting his thoughts in the verses that follow, focusing on what he knows to be true of God, “How great You are” “There is no one like You!”  (verse 22), “You performed awesome miracles and drove out nations!”  (verse 23)

So often when our soul is deeply troubled, we struggle to find the right words.
And sadly what tends to happen is we retreat from prayer and quickly cease from it altogether.

But not our David.
He knew that apart from communion with God, there was nothing in this life to be had.

And the truth really is that God knows… but He longs to hear from our mouths.  Because there's something beautiful that happens when our vocal expressions reach the ears of our Father who “longs to be gracious to us.”  (Is 30:18)

Peter tells us in the first book that bears his name, “Though you do not see Him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy…” (1 Peter 1:8)  And it proves that even our joy is often unable to be adequately expressed.

Paul tells the Romans that even the Holy Spirit prays for us in “groanings that cannot be expressed in words.”  (Rom 8:26)

He knows our hearts.  What more can we say?
And sometimes it’s okay.

My commentary says this, “God knows much more about us than our words express; is not dependent for His knowledge of us on our own account of ourselves.  As we cannot by any words conceal from Him the evil which is in us, so our deficiencies of expression will not hinder His discernment of the good.”

No doubt that we should forever offer to God our best regardless of how difficult it is.  Our prayers are so often our sacrifices - especially when we can’t find proper expression.  But even when we don’t know what to say for all that burns within us, we can sit in His Presence, expose our weakness, and recall all we know about the truths of His character.

He doesn’t need fancy words or eloquent speech.
He just wants you.

Outcome Not Operation

In 2 Samuel 5, verses 17-25, we see perfect demonstrations of God’s power in His promises.

Suffering from opposition and subsequent immobilization of Philistine troops to capture him, David went into a stronghold.  There he consulted the Lord as to what to do.

“So David asked the Lord, ‘Should I go out to fight the Philistines?  Will you hand them over to me?’”  (verse 19)

And the answer came back from the Lord in verse 20, “Yes, go ahead.  I will certainly hand them over to you.”

So David defeated his enemies, and afterwards appropriately praised God for his victory.  “He burst through my enemies like a raging flood!” David said in verse 20.

But after a while, the Philistines returned again an this time spread out across the valley to destroy the king.

And David consulted God once again.
And this time the answer was different.
“‘Do not attack them straight on,’ The Lord replied, ‘Instead circle around behind and attack them near the poplar trees.’”  (verse 23)

The text tells us that David did what the Lord commanded, and he struck down the Philistines all the way to Gezer.

Two times we see David faithfully consulting the Lord as to what to do.
Yet two times we see God answer in a completely different way.
Two times we see successful victory.

One time, in response to David’s plea for help, the answer was: go fight.
The second time the answer was: go around.

And yet both would bring the desired protection and ultimate victory.

The word, “testimony”, found in the Old Testament, carries with it an implication from it’s root word to mean, in part, “do again.”
And so when we give a testimony of God’s faithfulness, we are in actuality saying to God, “You did it once, now could you do it again?!”

God doesn't change.
But His methods of operation change.
And oftentimes JUST when we think we have His ways figured out… JUST when we think we have mastered His manner, He shifts His mode.
His divine workings are a mystery.. .but they can always be trusted.

David consults the Father because He understands that God’s ways are better than his own.  And that where God has promised victory, God will equip the soldier.

The testimony of the Lord doesn’t expose process… it reveals promise.
What worked for one season, might not work in another.
One moment He may call us to, “stand still” (2 Chron 20:17), and other times He may assign us to “Get up and fight… for {He} have given you victory over them!”  (Judges 7:9).

But one thing is for sure - the God who called you to it, will be with you in it, and will not fail you.
Although His methods change, He does not.  “The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease.”  (Lam 3:22)

The testimony of the Lord shows outcome not operation.

I Believe In You

I would stumble upon the scripture, actually.
But it’s the way that God works… the way He often speaks to this stubborn heart of mine.

2 Samuel 5.
David becomes King of Israel.
It was a promise made to him by God through the words of the prophet, Samuel, some 20 years earlier.  The promise that came to him as a boy, serving as a Shepherd in his father’s fields… the promise that remained upon his life through the tumultuous reign of his forerunner, Saul… was now coming to fruition.

In verse 2 we read it.. the words of encouragement by the tribes of Israel, “In the past, when Saul was our king, you were the one who really led the forces of Israel.  And the Lord told you, ‘You will be the shepherd of My people, Israel.  You will be Israel’s leader.’”

I love these words.
Because they are life-giving.  They are encouraging.  They are reassuring and hopeful.

“You are the one who REALLY led the forces of Israel.”
They recognized the goodness in David.  And they were pulling it out.

The task at hand was a difficult assignment.
The succession of a defiled king was on the list of disadvantages.
But God allowed him a cheering section for his success.

“And the Lord told you, ‘You will be the shepherd of My people…”
They remembered the call on David’s life.
And they reminded David of it too.

It’s as if they were saying this, “David…we recognize that it was you all along.  We realize now that it was actually your leadership that we’ve experienced.  The divine promise over your life is special, and we are aware of God’s selection and approve you as our king!”
What powerful words to speak over an appointed leader.  A would-be king.  God’s chosen one.

And I wonder how differently things might be if we adopted the same language for those in leadership over us… if we dared to take on the same posture of recognition and reverence of those whom God had called.

The truth really is that we ALL need people who believe in us.
We all need people who champion us on to greatness.
We all need an assembly of encouragers who remind us who we are and why we should keep moving forward in our assignment.

And when nobody believes… everyone suffers.
The people - who remain deficient of a dependable chief.
The leader - who lacks confidence in their ability to deliver on the promise.

Because we ALL need people who spur us on.
We ALL need people who pull out the best in us.
We ALL need people who speak life and create opportunities within us to develop and become all God created us to be.

Today, may we choose to speak positive, assuredness, certainty, and love.
It may mean all the difference in the success and victory of everyone.

Now Go And Do The Same

I read it over three different times in one setting.

And I cried.

Because this is the hard stuff. 

And God, in His kindness, reveals it to us in layers as not to overwhelm us. 
But on a rainy Friday morning in May I see it and I can’t escape it.

It’s a familiar story.  The good Samaritan.
Only this time seen in a relatively different light.

One day an expert in religious law, in other instances referred to as a Pharisee, scribe, or a lawyer, stood before Jesus to test Him.  He asks Him a question, “Teacher what do I have to do to inherit eternal life?”  (verse 25)

Jesus, in a way only Jesus could do, answers Him with a question in the man’s “supposed” expertise.  He says to the man, “What does the law of Moses say?  How do you read it?”  (verse 26)

The man answers as best he knows how, and the Passion Translation interprets it to be, “You must love the Lord God with all your heart, all your passion, all your energy, and every thought.  And you must love your neighbor as yourself.”  (verse 27)

The answer was right and acceptable to Jesus and He responds, “Right!  Do this and you will live.”  (verse 28)

But look at verse 29.
The man, wanting to justify his actions, goes a step further and ask Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

Jesus continues with the story - the one we now know to be the parable of the Good Samaritan.

And we know the story.
A Jewish man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho was attacked by bandits and left to die on the side of the road.
A priest and a temple assistant both pass him by, only to leave him there, ignoring his need for help.
The third passerby was a Samaritan man, known in the NLT as a, “despised” Samaritan, and being moved with compassion goes over to the injured Jew, soothes his wounds, bandages him up, transports him on his own donkey to an inn where he would be even further taken care of, and pays for the bill entirely.

And Jesus asks him a final question in verse 36, “Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked?”  And the man responds, once again correctly, “The one who showed him mercy.”  (verse 37)

Jesus’ closing words bring me to tears, “Yes, now go and do the same.”

It is important to note that the word Samaritan isn't here describing a geographical area, but rather a person who lived as a, “keeper of the law.”  And so hearing these words of Jesus would have been of great significance to the one who was looking to justify poor behavior.  Jesus’ response served as proof that the law of Moses was accelerated by the coming of the Messiah.  Remember Jesus had said, “I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose.”  (Mt 5:17)

And Jesus here is giving the man - and us - the condition of kingdom inheritance.

The story reminds us that we are called to love our neighbor regardless of worthiness.  That we are called to radical kindness despite racial divide, religious viewpoints, or fundamentally challenging or even dangerous circumstances.

Love always sacrifices.
And love for God and for His kingdom advancement, should always be our primary goal.

Both of the men who passed the Jew by should have brought relief to the sufferer, but they missed the opportunity to be Jesus with skin on.  They were bound by their professions and filled with excuses even though they were fully aware of the man’s condition.

The Samaritan saw a chance to behave more Christlike in the moment, and because of it became the example for every one of us.  He chose to help a total stranger, one who couldn’t possibly repay him, one rejected by his very own people, and one who stood to tarnish his own reputation had onlookers observed his actions.

But it was a risk he was willing to take.
Because at the end of the day aiding a disadvantaged casualty was a chance to offer the kind of redemptive solution our Jesus is well known for.

The Samaritan serves the Jew without asking questions, without attempting to misapply his responsibility, without selfish fear, and possessing self-denial with tenderness and care.

And for that, Jesus says, he was the one who would experience the kingdom of God.

I would say it out loud - I’ve got work to do!
To love like the Samaritan and to serve like our Savior.
It is possible.
And necessary for those who wish to abide in the Presence of greatness.

I hear Him call to me today, “Now go and do the same.”

Be Lamb-Like

Luke 10 tells the story of Jesus sending out His disciples.  In addition to the twelve who were already His students, Jesus rounded up 72 others and sent them in pairs ahead to all the towns and places He planned to visit.

His instructions were clear and the assignment was spelled out:
“The harvest is great, but the workers are few.  So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest and ask Him to send more workers in His fields."  (verse 2)
“Now go and remember that I am sending you out as lambs among wolves.”  (verse 3)
“Don’t take any money with you…”  (verse 4)
“Don’t stop to greet anyone on the road.”  (verse 5)

The mission was given.
The task was laid out.

They were to labor in the harvest that had few workers.
They were to pray for more helpers.
They were to be so concentrated on their work that nothing was allowed to interfere with it - not even the distraction of finances or the disturbance of social engagement.

And they were to remember the wolves while serving as lambs.

It seems like almost like an irresponsible and unreasonable protocol for serving as weak, timid, and docile animals.  Would they not be torn to pieces completely?

But could it be that a “meek and lamb-like spirit” among ravenous beasts is precisely the condition that courts victory?

Our Jesus was meek.  Isaiah 53:7 still nearly brings me to tears, “He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth; Like a lamb that is led to slaughter, and like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, So He did not open His mouth.”

The apostle Paul intimates the meekness of our Savior when he says, “Now I, Paul, myself urge you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ…”  (2 Cor 10:1)

To be meek is this, by definition, “humble, patient, overly submissive or compliant, tame, gentle, kind, forbearing, yielding, calm, and soft.”

It is the lamb-like that look more like the Jesus they claim to follow.
It is the lamb-like that Jesus is sending out so to reveal His Spirit in and through.

Jesus tells us that it is the lamb-like… the meek… the humble… who “inherit the earth.”  (Mt 5:5)  So it is, that I cannot be anything else.

Being lamb-like is refusing to retaliate when things don’t go your way.
Being lamb-like is not needing to win every argument… in fact, maybe it’s not so much as even attending an argument you’ve been invited to.
Being lamb-like is listening to the voice of the Shepherd - moving when He says to move, staying when He says to stay.

In a world gone mad, in a world filled with ferocious wolves seeking to kill, steal, and destroy, may we maintain a lamb-like nature.

Oh God, make us better.

You're Too Late

Proverbs 23:26 says this, “O My son, give Me your heart.  May your eyes take delight in following My ways.”

And my commentary says this, which I love, “He must be the chief object of our love.  Our thoughts must dwell upon Him; and on Him, as our chief good and highest end, our most fervent affections must be placed.  We must not think to divide our hearts between Him and the world, He will have the whole heart, or no part of it.”

Scripture tells us that the Lord is a “jealous” God, one who will not share in our divided loyalty.  (“… for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods.” Ex 20:5)

He wants our whole hearts yielded to Him, surrendered to Him, and prepared for His usefulness.

And this means that we must take care of our hearts above all else.

When we invite Jesus in to take up residency in our hearts, we are inviting Him in to our home…. the seat of our affection.  It cannot be occupied by anything else, otherwise He has no place to inhabit… no place to rest His head.

It is a an empty heart that the devil enters into.  So when he sees a heart with even slightly divided loyalty… one that is partially filled with half-hearted devotion to God, and the other void of any such fervor or passion, he preys upon those weakened parts.

I read it in these relative terms… we’ve seen it play out in young children who break windows of old abandoned houses.  The same is of the enemy.  He throws stones wherever the heart is empty.

Ahh… but he can’t overpower the heart that is full of Christ Jesus.
He may attempt weak and feebly, but he will not find success in destroying the home… the heart… that is consumed by Him.

May we, the Jesus people, say it to the devil and in the face of the evil he endeavors to hurl our way, “You’re too late.”

“You’re too late, enemy.  I have already given my heart to Jesus… I’ve already occupied my life with His goodness and grace.  I am affected by your schemes no longer.”

May we be able to say with great confidence that the Lord is the Possessor of my heart, and I will not be moved by defeat and discouragement any more.  I will no longer allow my heart to be divided by faith and fear, pleasure and pain, wonder and worry, blessedness and bitterness.

Today I will choose to live in full surrender and give my WHOLE heart over to the one who formed me and knows me intimately.  (Ps 139:13-16)

I will no longer be ruled by fear.
I will no longer be a slave to anxiety and depression.
I will no longer be manipulated by danger.
I will no longer allow discouragement to derail me.
I will no longer let anger control my emotions.
I will no longer worry about what others do and say.

“You’re too late” enemy… my entire heart is His and His alone.

Dear Self: Stop Being Offended!

I think if I were asked to narrow it down to three things… just three simple things… that threaten the advancement of our spiritual lives I would say this:

• living with disappointment
• living amidst distraction
• and living offended

And I think it’s safe to say that we have all been there.
We have all wrestled with some form of disappointment, we've all mismanaged distractions that threaten to throw us off course, and we have all been bitterly offended.

And in my life I say it - STOP.

I would see it in review of a journal I kept last year… the words written on a sticky note as if to remind myself again… “Refuse to be offended.”

And I know it’s easier said than done.
Believe me I know.

I would feel it in the red hot tears that poured down my cheeks on a Monday afternoon in early May.  Tears that flowed from a heart of pain that stemmed from… once again… being offended.

And here's what I think happens when we live offended.
We suffer unnecessarily.
And we inflict heartache that is hard to undo.

But what’s more than that… what’s really happening… is that I am actively and consciously choosing to highlight the enemy’s work instead of magnifying God’s goodness and His redemptive solutions. 

When I choose the way of offense I am choosing to see the burden and obsessively parade it around as if were something I am proud of.  I am choosing to exaggerate the enemy’s control and ultimate victory of defeat in my life.

And I say today… enough is enough.

I would write it down in response to my own situation of offense, because the Jesus people always look for a better way to live.  And I would review it over and over again to get it in the marrow of my bones: “I’ve gotta refuse to highlight the enemy’s work in another person and refuse to allow the dart of offense to lodge itself deep within my heart.  I shall choose to see only that which God has bestowed in the life of another… even if it’s the smallest amount of goodness.  Because the weariness that comes from the weight of offense is too much and the price is too expensive.  The risk is too costly.  The danger isn’t in what the enemy is accomplishing, but in my constant recognition of how he’s advancing.”

I will not longer live offended.
Jesus died for that.
He died so that I wouldn’t have to suffer with irritation, annoyance, resentful displeasure, and insults aimed from the pit of hell itself.

I am a conqueror in Jesus’ name and I will not longer be a slave to the powers of darkness and give way to the lie that my offensive disposition is reasonable and justifiable.

Jesus wants better for me… and for you.

And so I say it again today… I write the letter on my very heart so not to forget:

Dear Self,
Stop living offended.

It’s By Relationship That We Are Recognized

It is a scripture verse that I return to frequently, because it is the cry of my heart.
And because I know what it feels like to, sometimes, feel inadequate… not enough.

Because my journey really started 10 years ago.
It was when I got serious about following Jesus.
And when, coming to the pages of His Word, I came with the hungriest of appetites.
And not, so much for knowledge, but for encounter.  For presence.  For relationship.

Because you understand when something is missing.

And I would sit at that kitchen table day after day after day, begging Him for the infilling that only He could do.  My one, honest, simple prayer was this, “God, give me a passion for Your Word.”

And years later, He's still answering the prayer… the cry of my soul.

Acts 4.  Two disciples, Peter and John, appear before the high council, that were partially comprised of leaders who were very disturbed that the men were teaching the people that through Jesus there is a resurrection of the dead.  In response, the men were jailed, but even bars couldn’t restrain their boldness in preaching what they knew to be the truth of their Savior.

Verse 8 tells us that, “Peter, filled with Holy Spirit”, began speaking with courage and power, as he communicated the salvation message to anyone who was listening.

Verse 13 says this, “The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men with no special training in the Scriptures. They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus.”

Ordinary men… not specially trained… but who were recognized as having been with Jesus.

Ahh… I can’t think of any reputation that is better than this one!

The Greek word for “When they saw”, here means “considering” as well as “beholding”.  It implies the grasp with which the mind lays hold of a fact after inquiry.
The Greek word, Theoreo means this, “looking from a distance” (Mt 27:55), “beginning to observe” (Mk 12:41), and “watching/beholding” (Rev 11:11).

Look at that again.
“looking from a distance.”
I was stopped in my tracks when I saw this one.

When you have been with Jesus… it is recognized even from a distance.
Which means, power, courage, strength, love, favor… all of the things that are characteristic of Jesus, are found in those who frequent Him.  Those who are in relationship with Him.  Those who maintain a committed devotion to Him.

They had been with Jesus.
And it was so obvious to the onlookers… even the doubters and mockers…that they had indeed been with Christ.  How else could they explain the power they carried, the courage they possessed, the supernatural strength they maintained and the love they expressed.

Oh that it would be said of me… of you.

When I began this fierce pursuit of Jesus, I was convinced that I didn’t have what it took.  And since then I have experienced, from time to time, seasons of doubt because of my deep lack of knowledge and understanding.  I carry with me no theological degree, no proper schooling that could distinguish me from a less educated student.  But I do have a hunger, and I have been with Jesus… and that… is enough.

His presence is enough.
Because when spending time with Him translates into likeness of Him… it is enough.

It’s by relationship that we are recognized.

Anoint The Shield!

Isaiah 21:5 in the NLT says this, “Look! They are preparing a great feast. They are spreading rugs for people to sit on. Everyone is eating and drinking. But quick! Grab your shields and prepare for battle. You are being attacked!”

It says it this way in the KJV, “Prepare the table, watch in the watchtower, eat, drink: arise, ye princes, and anoint the shield.”

This was a message from the prophet Isaiah about Babylon.  It was a warning to those in captivity in the desert by the sea.  He was envisioning a roaring disaster in a terrifying vision.

And here he is giving clear instruction to those who would find themselves in the midst of an enemy invasion.

The order was this (easily found in the KJV):

• prepare the table
• watch in the watchtower
• eat and drink
• arise
• anoint the shield

Anoint means this = “to rub or sprinkle on, apply ointment to, to dedicate to the service of God.”

Here, the one summoned to be battle-ready, was encouraged to “anoint the shield.”

But wait - I thought a shield was for protection and didn’t need to be tended to because of it's innate defensive nature?

Oh but look!

Shields were instruments of defense that prepared a war soldier to ward off the spears and the arrows of the enemy.  The shield itself behaved as a defensive piece of armor for the troops engaging in physical combat.

By rubbing oil on the shield, it prevented the instrument from becoming hard and ultimately crack.  Perhaps without the oil anointing, it would become so rigid that the tip of the arrow aimed at it would easily destroy the shield, rendering it impossible to secure the soldier.

Think about that!

The shield has been given as a piece of armor from the Lord.  In fact, it’s mentioned in Ephesians 6 as a “shield of faith”, and is necessary for the Christian solider.
But Isaiah beckons us to examine it a little further.
He says to “anoint the shield”… to “oil” it for battle.
And by doing so, it ensured that nothing would harm that shield.
Nothing would get lodged inside of it.
Nothing would damage the protection of the one prepared.

So that could be interpreted to mean:
Nothing that comes against me will prosper.
Nothing that anyone says can destroy me.
Nothing that anyone does to me can permanently harm me.

I have oiled my shield so that when the attack comes, the offense simply slides down and I remain… unaffected.

Oh I pray that I, too, can oil my shield… anoint the protective gear I posses.  So that I might not only have strength in adversity, but prevention from damaging affliction aimed to destroy all I have worked so hard to acquire.  When I choose to oil the shield, I am refusing to live defensively or offensively.  I am simply remaining steadfast in His promise to protect me in my preparedness for anything that comes my way.

Anoint the shield!

I See Morning Coming!

Isaiah 21:11-12 is interesting text, especially for the season we find ourselves in as a nation.  And the words of the prophet come at a time of great need… while the Jews, the chosen people, were captives in Babylon.  In the midst of crisis and chaos, Isaiah had a most glorious vision and a promise to declare over the hostage nation.  

He says this in verse 11 and 12, “This message came to me concerning Edom: Someone from Edom keeps calling to me, ‘Watchman, how much longer until morning? When will the night be over?’ The watchman replies, ‘Morning is coming, but night will soon return. If you wish to ask again, then come back and ask.’”  (NLT)
The KJV says verse 12 this way, “The watchman said, ‘The morning cometh, and also the night: if ye will inquire, inquire ye: return, come.’”

Inquire, Return, Come.

It was a call for reconciliation.  Redemption.

And this was a call to arise and awake out of sleep.  It was a summons to stir, a call to action for the people of God.

After a long stillness and a slumber filled with sin and security, Isaiah was calling the promised people to inquire of the Lord, to improve of their conditions, to rise in obedience, to return to the Lord as their helper and security, and to labor faithfully while they waited in their wilderness.

I found these words to be so powerful in my commentary, “We must never be secure.”
Because they seem contradictory to all we know to be true of the Lord and of His promises.
But I believe he’s speaking to another type of security.
A security we find in sinful pleasures, worldly ways, and lukewarm tendencies.

Look back on verse 11.  It says this, “This message came to me concerning Edom.  Someone from Edom keeps calling to me.” 
And I find it interesting that the Edom, while is was an oasis in the northern desert of Arabia, it's meaning in the Hebrew dictionary is “silence” or “stillness.”  The word is Dumah, and it’s reference, can be translated to mean there was a call from those in silence… those who had become still and idle lacking faithful service.

The prophesy answered by Isaiah was a hard truth that the light of morning comes, and with it peace and opportunity.  But that afterward comes a night of trouble and unrest.

But my eyes won’t let me accept that nighttime wins, and neither did our faithful Father.  Because in His goodness, He teaches what it means to prepare in the problems so we can  prosper in the promises.  In His sovereignty God grants us the beauty of daylight, that ushers in tranquility, so that when the night arrives, we can endure victoriously.

You and I are to improve in the peaceful times so that we can preserve in the seasons of battle.  My commentary suggests that, “It is our wisdom to improve the present morning, in preparation for the night that follows.”

Because it’s in the day time that we often neglect the state of our souls.  When all is well, our inclination is to disregard self-scrutiny and underestimate our sinful manner.  But the scriptures urge us to incline ourselves quickly to the improvement of our character, our condition, and our choices, because we have significant work to accomplish, but little time to do it.  “As long as it is day, we must do the works of Him who sent Me. Night is coming, when no one can work.”  (John 9:4)

Isaiah saw an elevated vision and a morning coming in the middle of conflict.  He saw a breaking day and foretold of the coming Savior who was to be, “the light of the world.”  (John 8:12)

And the light that Isaiah saw was the the light he beckons us to fix our gaze upon.

The watchman gives us a promise in the raging war of night… that morning comes for all who willingly hear and obey the Gospel message.  That the dawn will appear in the hearts of those who are attentive to the Lord. “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!”  (Isaiah 26:3)

The question becomes how will I improve in the light of day? 
May I refuse to grow secure in the darkness, always focused on the progress of my soul, clinging to Jesus and believing for a better day!

I see the morning coming!  Time to rise and shine!

I Am Not At The Mercy of Externals

Psalm 37:4 in the NLT says this, “Take delight in the Lord and do good.  Then you will live safely in the land and prosper.”  In The Passion Translation it says it like this, “Make God the utmost delight and pleasure of your life, and He will provide for you what you desire the most.”

And the truth really is that we so often times neglect the taking “delight” in Him.  And it is the great reason why we experience disquiet and unrest.  Honestly and so typically the explanation of the absence of peace in our lives has to do less with the externals, and more to do with internals.  Not so much with what lies without, but what lies within our souls.

We can’t forever blame the changing circumstances or the faulty conditions of all that lies around us for the discontent in our lives.  At some point we have to say enough is enough and come to terms with the fact that it is our unregulated desires, our misaligned focus, our wrongly targeted affections that are what rob us of the peace Jesus died for us to experience.

My commentary says that, “we are feverish, not because of the external temperature, but because of the state of our own blood.”

We are called to “delight” ourselves in the Lord, or to “take delight” in the Lord.  And that is the only remedy for all disturbance of desires.  Rest, peace, joy, contentment… all comes from delighting in God, and refusing to be distracted by worldly cares and preoccupied with problems.

The word delight means this =  "to please greatly, to take great pleasure in, a high degree of enjoyment."

I had read it wrong for years, too.
“He will provide what I need” is how I saw it.
But I see it differently today.
When I DELIGHT in Him, and when I make Him the center of my desires, He is faithful to provide for me all that is connected to those right desires… and that is, of course, more of Him.

And so it’s not the absence of difficulties that brings peace.
It’s not the reduction of changing circumstances that deepens pleasure.
It’s my noncompliance to living reactionary to all that aims at inflicting pain.
It’s my unwillingness to be gravely affected by harsh winds purposed to shatter my hope and steal my joy.

I am not at the mercy of externals, my joy comes from the Lord; my peace comes from knowing Him and bring known by Him.

I will lay aside all temptations to be shaken by external conditions and stay keenly aware of my internal position.  I am a child of God and He will give me more of Him when I delight and desire for more of Him.

Daily Irritations and Deadly Inconveniences

Ecclesiastes 7:9 says this, “Control your temper, for anger labels you a fool.”

And it hit me the moment I opened the page.

It’s a warning smack dab in the middle of the wisdom for life.
Control your temper.
Do not be angry lest you look like a fool.

The ESV says it like this, “Be not quick in your spirit to become angry, for anger lodges in the heart of fools.”
The NASB says it this way, “Do not be eager in your heart to be angry, For anger resides in the bosom of fools.”
And the HCSB says this, “Don't let your spirit rush to be angry, for anger abides in the heart of fools.”

My commentary says the hard words that hearts need to hear, “If unprovoked by real and serious evils, it will find abundant material for disquietude in the minor crosses and irritations of daily life. While the patient spirit, that schools itself to submission, and yet waits in hope that in the providence of God the cause of pain and provocation will be removed, enjoys peace even in the very trying circumstances.”

 
In other words, when we find ourselves being unshaken and un-offended by the big things in life - the real, true evils that wreak havoc over our spiritual souls - we WILL discover all kinds of reasons to be provoked by even the most trivial irritations of every day life.
For instance… we may fail to see how much damage we are inflicting on our souls by gossiping about someone we really dislike, but will find ourselves to be super disturbed when we are cut off in traffic, or when we get treated improperly at the grocery store.
It’s misplaced disappointment and it leads to improper exaggeration.

On the other hand, when we find ourselves exercising a patient spirit, living in full submission to God, and remaining hopeful in all circumstances that God is good and faithful to bring about victory - we WILL enjoy peace even in very difficult and challenging times.
For instance… we may be going through a very rough season with our kids, but find ourselves praying and believing that better days lie ahead and that His goodness is a promise He makes to those who love Him, and honor Him with everything.
This is having a peace that passes all understanding that leads to joy in ALL things.

It is good to be aroused to move on behalf of injustice and to stand against all signs of wickedness and evil, but when the anger of it all and the bitterness of worldly observances has made it's home in our hearts and lodged itself deep within our character, it becomes dangerous and even fatal.

Paul warns us too, “‘… don’t sin by letting anger control you.’ Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil.’” (Eph 4:26-27)

James says like this, “You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.”

We will all face difficulty at one point or another in this lifetime. And how we prepare ourselves now for the attack makes all the difference in how we will be successful to overcome them at the time they arrive.

Ezra 3:12-13 tells us that they men who shouted for joy at the rebuilding of the temple acted more wisely than the old men who wept with a loud voice, even though their sadness and anger originated from a right heart in defending the house of the Lord.

Psalm 37:8 says, “Stop being angry! Turn from your rage! Do not lose your temper— it only leads to harm.”

We should then, make the best of all things as they are, refuse to grumble of complain, bear patiently even in our greatest and most offensive annoyances, and seek to maintain great self-control. When we do this, we escape a great deal of unnecessary misery.

We must practice being unprovoked in daily irritations, so we can claim victory in deadly inconveniences!

Remember His Glorious Covenant

One of our great patriarchs of the faith, Isaac, knew a little something about living in the enormous legacy of greatness. His father, Abraham, was one we might consider to be the most faithful in all of human history.

The bible denotes him as a “friend of God”, and the hallmark of his life was that he believed the Lord, and that the Lord considered him to be righteous and good. Not because he was perfect, but because he consistently returned to faith as the fundamental principle of His life. He walked with God and God was near to Him.

Abraham successfully passed this faithfulness down to His son, Isaac, who had been trained up in a believing dependence upon God, the Father, and His precious leading into the land of Canaan.

In Genesis, chapter 26, we see a familiar story unfolding.
A godly man, with his godly family resting upon the promise of God.
But a famine had hit the land.
And it may have been reasonable for this to become a setback to anyone.

Verses 1-5 say this, “A severe famine now struck the land, as had happened before in Abraham’s time. So Isaac moved to Gerar, where Abimelech, king of the Philistines, lived.
The Lord appeared to Isaac and said, ‘Do not go down to Egypt, but do as I tell you. Live here as a foreigner in this land, and I will be with you and bless you. I hereby confirm that I will give all these lands to you and your descendants, just as I solemnly promised Abraham, your father. I will cause your descendants to become as numerous as the stars of the sky, and I will give them all these lands. And through your descendants all the nations of the earth will be blessed. I will do this because Abraham listened to me and obeyed all my requirements, commands, decrees, and instructions.’”

Oh what a sweet promise.
“I will be with you.”

The assignment was clear.
“Do not go down to Egypt.”
He was not to return to where it might be comfortable, to where there may be “plenty.”
Instead, he was to live as a foreigner in the land.

But there was that promise… “I will be with you. I will give you all these lands to you and your descendants. I will multiply your descendants.”

And why?
Because of the faithfulness of his father, Abraham.

Remember the promise to him, just before his passing?
It’s found in Genesis 13:14-17.
God in His loving kindness would show Abraham the promise, even though He wouldn’t see it for himself. And He left him with the reassurance of a friend, that the inheritance his children would see, and their children would see, would be a “permanent possession.” (verse 15)

Because of God’s goodness, and because of the sweet promise He made to His beloved Abraham, Isaac was able to claim victory in whatever situation he found himself in.

Even a famine.
Even in uncertainty.
Even in the midst of national disaster.
Even in panic and fear.

My commentary says that, “Isaac” here, “still cleaves to the covenant.” He understood that the seeds that had been planted in his youth was the harvest he was now able to fully benefit from, and that nothing but his own unbelief and distrust could dissuade his success and comfort.

Isaac made the decision to trust in the One who was proved throughout his life as faithful. And he understood that, regardless of external circumstances, he would set his mind upon remembering the covenant.

So I ask myself the hard question - how am I doing?
Am I fixating on all that hasn't happened…focusing on all I’ve lost… or am I remembering the covenant?

He says, if nothing else, “I will be with you.” And so we have no fear.

Regardless of external circumstances, remember His glorious covenant!
He is a good, good Father who cannot be unfaithful to His promises.

All For Your King Jesus

From the archives... (2016)

All for You King Jesus.

All of it.

It’s what I’ve prayed. And yet it’s a little scary.

All for You King Jesus.

And I said it years ago in an event I spoke at. I said it like this, “Don’t ever let anything leave your lips unless it can be followed up with these words, ‘and that’s just the way I want it!’”

And it seems silly.

But it matters.

“I’m so stupid!” “...and that’s just the way I want it!”
“This is an awful situation!” “... and that’s just the way I want it!”
“He’ll never change!” “... and that’s just the way I want it!”
“My co-workers are just so difficult to work with!” “... and that’s just the way I want it!”

Ahh... because what we allow to flow from our mouths... roll off the tongue... flippantly, irresponsibly, carelessly... it all matters. And often times we unconsciously choose the grave.

And I heard it in my spirit this morning.

Because I’d prayed it: “All for You King Jesus!” And He whispered back, “All of it? So you understand the implication?”

I say “all of it” and I wonder if it too can be backed up by the words I choose?

“This is such a mess!”
“I’m never going to get it!”
“I’m so discouraged and stressed out!”
“I’m so broken!”
“I don’t see a way out!”
“They will never understand!”

Oh... but it’s ALL for You King Jesus!

Can I say it? Do we dare say it?

When we’re being defensive on social media, we’re not choosing to see circumstance through the blood. We’re choosing death. When we’re blatantly complaining about poor situations that frustrate us, we’re choosing to stay chained to discouragement.

But being conscious of our words and speaking through the filter, “All for You King Jesus” just might change everything.

Yes I’m broken... but I’m giving You all the pieces! Yes this doesn’t look like what I expected, but I’m surrendering all control. Yes this is hard, but You’ve called me to die like You so that I can be resurrected like You!

All for You King Jesus.

All of it!

Every. Single. Bit!

Surprise, Suspicion, And Panic

They are hard to read, but necessary.
And I take them in slowly, as to see them all clearly.

The Blessings and the Curses in Leviticus, chapter 26.
And while our heart is tempted to focus solely on the blessings, we must hard examine the punishments received for disobedience.
And it’s never for chastisement and shame, but always for the heart renewal.  For repentance, that causes us to return, and be ultimately fully restored.

And after five warnings found in verses14-35, there comes one final word for the survivors.  In other words, if you managed to endure the punishment as a result of all the sin you’ve committed, there’s a warning of conclusion, and this one takes the cake.

Verse 36 says this, “And for those of you who survive, I will demoralize you in the land of your enemies.  You will live in such fear the the sound of a leaf driven by the wind will send you fleeing.  You will run as though fleeing from a sword, and you will fall even when no one pursues you.”  Verse 37 continues, “Though no one is chasing you, you will stumble over each other as though fleeing from a sword.  You will have no power to stand up against your enemies.”

And I had just read it in Psalm 44, verse 16.  The Psalmist is lamenting over the absence of God’s presence among them, even though they had only recently been recalling former experiences which should have excited them to deeper trust in their faithful God.  He says, “All we hear are the taunts of our mockers.  All we see are our vengeful enemies.”

And why?

Because they had forgotten the Lord’s kindness and provision.
With improper focus, they had failed in their fixation of what God was saying and what God was doing.

The ones “punished” here in the text in Leviticus, suffered finally from surprise, suspicion, and panic.

And we do the same.
In part… a large part… by not being prepared.

1 Peter 4:12 says this, “Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you.”  In other words, expect that all that’s happening is part of life - especially the life of the Jesus people.

And so we often suffer from a surprise of a trial, when in reality, we’re refusing preparation of the examination which leads to heart transformation.

We also suffer, often, from suspicion.
These scriptures tell of a suspicious mindset of danger where none truly existed.
Suspicious means = “questionable, inclined to suspect evil, distrustful, a vague notion of something, a feeling that appearances are not reliable, the positive tendency to doubt the trustworthiness of appearances and therefore to believe that one has detected possibilities of something unreliable, unfavorable or menacing.”

Wow.

The strict warning is to live un-suspicious.  To stop the cynicism, too, that comes with a skeptical attitude.

And the final warning is that of panic.  Our ever-growing susceptibility to fear and panic.  The panic that causes you to flee even at, “the sound of a leaf driven by the wind.”

Because there’s a fine line between expecting the worst and believing for the best.
To suppose the trial while hoping for the victory.
To foreshadow the curse at the same time we’re anticipating the blessing.

And so it’s things I must keep before me at all times.
How am I living?
What am I putting my hope in?
Where is my focus?

I must stop living with surprise that leads me to suspicion and eventual panic.
I must, instead, fix my mind on the promise God made to His people.  “But despite all this, I will not utterly reject or despise them while they are in exile in the land of their enemies.  I will not cancel My covenant with them by wiping them out, for I am the Lord their God.”  (Lev 26:44)

For our sake, He remembers His covenant, and doesn’t allow us to suffer long in our deportation.  He is a Father who is redeeming all things.