Philemon 2:12-13 (NLT)
Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.
Not sure if it was Scripture or something a mentor shared with me long ago. But it went something along the lines of “Following GOD can be among the lonliest things you can do.” While such a statement seems sacreligious, there is truth in it. Analyzing the Scriptures alone (no pun intended), you can witness this. Elijah, John the Baptist, and the disciples to name a few. GOD responded to Elijah by relating that there were many who had not bowed their knees to this world. To the imprisoned John the Baptist, he sent an encouraging word that Jesus was the Messiah and that salvation is happening. He delivered the long-awaited promise of the Holy Spirit to the disciples as he said he would never leave them or forsake them.
We are often exhausted, feel as if we’re the only ones genuinely serving, are persecuted and Jesus doesn’t come to deliver us, or feel like he spends an intense amount of time with us only to depart suddenly.
When we come to our breaking points, GOD is there. Whether we always “feel” him or not, he comforts and strengthens us with his mere presence.
Take encouragement in this today. In the fight for joy, this fight to seek the glory of GOD, we aren’t alone.
Thursday, February 27, 2014
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Fight Of Our Lives
1 Timothy 6:12 (NLT)
Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have confessed so well before many witnesses.
“You keep punching until you can’t punch no more.”- Rocky Balboa
Every time I come across Scripture dealing with fighting, my mind conjures up images from the Rocky series. So naturally they came to mind when our author discusses our greatest fight- and that of the Western church- as being the passionate pursuit of joy. The reason that much of the joy has been sapped from our churches is that we take a lazy or cavalier attitude into worship. We “run out of time” to prepare our heart for worship. We come anyway, fellowship and talk, sing songs that are cool and relevant, and often listen unemotionally as the Message is delivered. The entire time our enemy Complacency is unmercifully beating us the way Clubber Lang pummeled an unprepared and arrogant Rocky in part three.
Our fight for joy isn’t something we can just show up for. It calls for us to defend and protect ourselves but we must also go on the offensive to “strengthen the fruit-bearing fields of joy in GOD.” (37) In our worship, let us drop the pretenses and hang-ups and fall before a glorious and loving GOD. Weep. Shout. Throw your hands up. Close your eyes. Forget everyone and everything around you and reach out. Then take the offensive out of the church’s doors. Seek out those who irritate you and do something nice for them. Turn the TV off and sit around the dinner table as a family. Go to bed a few minutes earlier so you can get up a few minutes earlier to pray before beginning your day.
We throw around the phrase, “this is the fight of my life” often. So let’s start acting like it. Although he is no C.S. Lewis, take up one of Rocky’s many mantras. “Going that last round when you don’t think you can is what makes all the difference in the world.”
Press on-
Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have confessed so well before many witnesses.
“You keep punching until you can’t punch no more.”- Rocky Balboa
Every time I come across Scripture dealing with fighting, my mind conjures up images from the Rocky series. So naturally they came to mind when our author discusses our greatest fight- and that of the Western church- as being the passionate pursuit of joy. The reason that much of the joy has been sapped from our churches is that we take a lazy or cavalier attitude into worship. We “run out of time” to prepare our heart for worship. We come anyway, fellowship and talk, sing songs that are cool and relevant, and often listen unemotionally as the Message is delivered. The entire time our enemy Complacency is unmercifully beating us the way Clubber Lang pummeled an unprepared and arrogant Rocky in part three.
Our fight for joy isn’t something we can just show up for. It calls for us to defend and protect ourselves but we must also go on the offensive to “strengthen the fruit-bearing fields of joy in GOD.” (37) In our worship, let us drop the pretenses and hang-ups and fall before a glorious and loving GOD. Weep. Shout. Throw your hands up. Close your eyes. Forget everyone and everything around you and reach out. Then take the offensive out of the church’s doors. Seek out those who irritate you and do something nice for them. Turn the TV off and sit around the dinner table as a family. Go to bed a few minutes earlier so you can get up a few minutes earlier to pray before beginning your day.
We throw around the phrase, “this is the fight of my life” often. So let’s start acting like it. Although he is no C.S. Lewis, take up one of Rocky’s many mantras. “Going that last round when you don’t think you can is what makes all the difference in the world.”
Press on-
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
Treasuring Jesus
John 6:35 (NLT)
Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.
What do you think of when I say the word “treasure?”
Gold? Money? Art? Jewelry? Mansions? Cars? A relationship?
A book comes to my mind. When my great grandmother died back in the nineties, I was given her favorite book A Shepherd Looks at the Twenty-third Psalm by Phillip Keller. Not only was the book special because it was hers, it must have been a first edition of the classic. The pages were yellowed and the cover design was something from a bygone era. Despite this, the book remained in good shape. (She didn’t scribble all in her books the way I do.) While I didn’t read the book or follow its principles until years later, the sight alone reminded me of her and the sweet spirit she embodied. I have since read the lessons held within and passed it on to a dear friend. Because I realized that the gift itself was not what brought me such great joy- it was the thought of Ma.
Things work the same way when it comes to our relationship with Jesus. We often cling to our Bible, worship/quiet time, ministries, families, or things and treasure them above everything- including The Treasure. Items from this list, however, aren’t where our joy lies; they merely point us toward that joy. Many times, these things drift into “idols of delight.” They are worthy and honorable attributes. But even they can come to be treasured above Jesus. I will close by echoing the words of our fearless author, “I do not minimize the joy of seeing the works of the Lord. But His works are great because the Lord is great. And they will become idols of delight unless they point us to the Lord himself as our highest delight.” (36)
Like the book points to my Ma. So these good things point to the Giver.
Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.
What do you think of when I say the word “treasure?”
Gold? Money? Art? Jewelry? Mansions? Cars? A relationship?
A book comes to my mind. When my great grandmother died back in the nineties, I was given her favorite book A Shepherd Looks at the Twenty-third Psalm by Phillip Keller. Not only was the book special because it was hers, it must have been a first edition of the classic. The pages were yellowed and the cover design was something from a bygone era. Despite this, the book remained in good shape. (She didn’t scribble all in her books the way I do.) While I didn’t read the book or follow its principles until years later, the sight alone reminded me of her and the sweet spirit she embodied. I have since read the lessons held within and passed it on to a dear friend. Because I realized that the gift itself was not what brought me such great joy- it was the thought of Ma.
Things work the same way when it comes to our relationship with Jesus. We often cling to our Bible, worship/quiet time, ministries, families, or things and treasure them above everything- including The Treasure. Items from this list, however, aren’t where our joy lies; they merely point us toward that joy. Many times, these things drift into “idols of delight.” They are worthy and honorable attributes. But even they can come to be treasured above Jesus. I will close by echoing the words of our fearless author, “I do not minimize the joy of seeing the works of the Lord. But His works are great because the Lord is great. And they will become idols of delight unless they point us to the Lord himself as our highest delight.” (36)
Like the book points to my Ma. So these good things point to the Giver.
Monday, February 24, 2014
Choosing Sides
John 3:19 (NLT)
And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil.
We are all offered a choice. Between good and evil. Between the light and the darkness.
In a world where there is so much gray, GOD contrasts by shining a brilliant light on the choices we make. The choice and the weighty consequences of our choice are even given. To choose light is to choose GOD in all his glory, salvation, wholeness, transparency, and peace. To choose the dark is to reject GOD as God, to release our life raft, to remain broken, to hide in denial, and to struggle in uncontrollable chaos. The light leads to life; the darkness to death. (GOD loves us enough to share the consequences of both ways in his Word many times.)
Pray and take an honest look at your soul (not in the mirror this time). Which choice are you making today? Not a prayer you prayed five years ago, but the choices of today. If we’re honest, we find that we often wallow in the darkness. Because its comfortable there. We can hide our sins and secrets, attempt to handle our own problems, live in denial so long it blinds us to its evils. We fear people will find out things so we shove them further and further into the darkness of the inside.
In the final scene of the film 8 Mile, Eminem illustrates the power of bringing all of our baggage into the light. He’s involved in a rap battle, which is essentially you rhyming about how great you are and trying to humiliate the other person. At what had been the culmination of an emotional time for him, he unleashes a verse in which he airs out all his dirty laundry. Scathingly admits his weaknesses and laments them. Gets everything out in the open so that there was nothing left to say or hide. The crowd raucously cheers at such honesty and his opponent is so shocked by him so freely confessing his flaws that he has nothing to rap against.
Same goes for our adversary. When we choose the light and allow GOD to penetrate and remove the evil from our lives, our enemy has no ammunition to sling at us. It's already in the spotlight and on the big screen. Then we can say, “Look how awesome GOD is. He found all this junk deep inside me and still loved me anyway. Loved me too much to let me stay that way!”
Choose light.
And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil.
We are all offered a choice. Between good and evil. Between the light and the darkness.
In a world where there is so much gray, GOD contrasts by shining a brilliant light on the choices we make. The choice and the weighty consequences of our choice are even given. To choose light is to choose GOD in all his glory, salvation, wholeness, transparency, and peace. To choose the dark is to reject GOD as God, to release our life raft, to remain broken, to hide in denial, and to struggle in uncontrollable chaos. The light leads to life; the darkness to death. (GOD loves us enough to share the consequences of both ways in his Word many times.)
Pray and take an honest look at your soul (not in the mirror this time). Which choice are you making today? Not a prayer you prayed five years ago, but the choices of today. If we’re honest, we find that we often wallow in the darkness. Because its comfortable there. We can hide our sins and secrets, attempt to handle our own problems, live in denial so long it blinds us to its evils. We fear people will find out things so we shove them further and further into the darkness of the inside.
In the final scene of the film 8 Mile, Eminem illustrates the power of bringing all of our baggage into the light. He’s involved in a rap battle, which is essentially you rhyming about how great you are and trying to humiliate the other person. At what had been the culmination of an emotional time for him, he unleashes a verse in which he airs out all his dirty laundry. Scathingly admits his weaknesses and laments them. Gets everything out in the open so that there was nothing left to say or hide. The crowd raucously cheers at such honesty and his opponent is so shocked by him so freely confessing his flaws that he has nothing to rap against.
Same goes for our adversary. When we choose the light and allow GOD to penetrate and remove the evil from our lives, our enemy has no ammunition to sling at us. It's already in the spotlight and on the big screen. Then we can say, “Look how awesome GOD is. He found all this junk deep inside me and still loved me anyway. Loved me too much to let me stay that way!”
Choose light.
Sunday, February 23, 2014
Evil Personified
Jeremiah 2:13 (NLT)
“For my people have done two evil things:
They have abandoned me—
the fountain of living water.
And they have dug for themselves cracked cisterns
that can hold no water at all!
The Exorcist. Saw. Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Friday the 13th. Serial Killers. Rapists. Child Molesters. Hardcore pornography. Sodomy.
These are all images we associate with evil. We condemn them and are disgusted by such behaviors. And the actions are abhorrent…
But humor me a moment and do this: snap a picture of your face with your iPhone. Or, if you’re technologically-challenged like me, get up and go check out your visage in the mirror.
Now tell me what you see.
You may see the next Brad Pitt or Angelina Jolie. Maybe you consider yourself hideous. Or you may witness a happy or sad person. Maybe you see the wrinkles and stresses of a tough life. If you stare deep enough through your eyes and into your soul though, you should see evil.
Evil?!?!?
But Jason, you don’t understand. I may be a little busy or rude occasionally or lust after that man/woman some or get irritated by that annoying person or skip my quiet time every once in a while. But evil?
Our passage today cuts to the heart of who we are at our core and without GOD-in-us. On display is the “essence of evil.” Not only did the people (and us) willingly reject GOD as their (and our) living water. Worse, the people (and us) created their (and our) own gods, stagnant water supplies which eventually makes us sick and suicidal. A double insult to JOY. One of these alone would bump us into the evil category, but the seconds reeks of insolence. It's like violently knocking someone out and then, as they’re lying there unconsciously prone, kicking them in the ribs.
Now take another look at that picture. We are no different from mass murderers and molesters if we aren't actively seeking Living Water. We are just as evil as serial killers and porn whores if we’re not fighting for joy in Jesus. Rejecting GOD and making yourself (or other things) a god is condemnable evil. As our author powerfully summarizes, “Esteeming GOD less than anything is the essence of evil.” (34)
Something to think about.
“For my people have done two evil things:
They have abandoned me—
the fountain of living water.
And they have dug for themselves cracked cisterns
that can hold no water at all!
The Exorcist. Saw. Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Friday the 13th. Serial Killers. Rapists. Child Molesters. Hardcore pornography. Sodomy.
These are all images we associate with evil. We condemn them and are disgusted by such behaviors. And the actions are abhorrent…
But humor me a moment and do this: snap a picture of your face with your iPhone. Or, if you’re technologically-challenged like me, get up and go check out your visage in the mirror.
Now tell me what you see.
You may see the next Brad Pitt or Angelina Jolie. Maybe you consider yourself hideous. Or you may witness a happy or sad person. Maybe you see the wrinkles and stresses of a tough life. If you stare deep enough through your eyes and into your soul though, you should see evil.
Evil?!?!?
But Jason, you don’t understand. I may be a little busy or rude occasionally or lust after that man/woman some or get irritated by that annoying person or skip my quiet time every once in a while. But evil?
Our passage today cuts to the heart of who we are at our core and without GOD-in-us. On display is the “essence of evil.” Not only did the people (and us) willingly reject GOD as their (and our) living water. Worse, the people (and us) created their (and our) own gods, stagnant water supplies which eventually makes us sick and suicidal. A double insult to JOY. One of these alone would bump us into the evil category, but the seconds reeks of insolence. It's like violently knocking someone out and then, as they’re lying there unconsciously prone, kicking them in the ribs.
Now take another look at that picture. We are no different from mass murderers and molesters if we aren't actively seeking Living Water. We are just as evil as serial killers and porn whores if we’re not fighting for joy in Jesus. Rejecting GOD and making yourself (or other things) a god is condemnable evil. As our author powerfully summarizes, “Esteeming GOD less than anything is the essence of evil.” (34)
Something to think about.
Friday, February 21, 2014
Week in Review
Monday- A Perfect Circle- Psalm 43:4, Psalm 63:1
“Our desires (wants, needs, longings) had always been for temporary fixes- a bottle, a drug, sex, love. And as for delights (enjoyments, satisfaction), there was little to none. None lasting anyway. But when we entered into relationship with Jesus, our desires and delights both flowed from Him. Our greatest longings are for Him and his glory. And this satisfies us to no end. Our delight in Him then increases our desire for more and more of Him. Call it the circle of eternal life. Or the genuine perfect circle.”
Tuesday- Desiring GOD- Psalm 73:25-26, Psalm 42:1, Psalm 63:1, Isaiah 26:9
“Focus on the verbs…
Pants…
Thirsts…
Seek…
Faints…
Yearns…
These aren’t the words of a casual, comfortable believer. These are words which scream, “GOD, I desire you, I want you, I long for you! More than anything in this life! More and more of you!”
May this be our plea today.”
Wednesday- Delighting in GOD- Philippians 4:4, Psalm 37:4
“Delighting in GOD is deceivingly simple. Ask yourself the following question and you honest response will be all the answer you need.
When I’m stripped of everything else, is GOD still enough?
Now before you toss a manufactured response off of the Typical Christian Answer conveyor belt, think about the question. Deeply.
If I’m stripped of everything is Jesus still enough?”
Thursday- Best of Both Worlds- Philippians 3:1, Romans 5:2
“We- those who follow Christ into relationship- have already got a taste of the glory of GOD. We’ve been forgiven and recreated. We’ve been given his very Spirit inside and access to him at all times. We’ve been given joy and peace (despite the problems of this world). And it is because of this “taste” or delight we’ve already sampled that we “desire or anticipate” even more. “
Friday- The Object of Our Joy- 2 Corinthians 4:4
“I perceived (and this was the wonder of wonders) that…I had been equally wrong in supposing that I desired Joy itself. Joy itself, considered simply as an event in my own mind, turned out to be of no value at all. All the value lay in that of which Joy was the desiring. And that object, quite clearly, was no state of my own mind or body at all…I asked if Joy itself was what I wanted; and, labeling it “aesthetic experience,” had pretended I could answer Yes. But that answer too had broken down. Inexorably Joy proclaimed, “You want- I myself am your want of- something other, outside, not you nor any state of you.” -C.S. Lewis
“Our desires (wants, needs, longings) had always been for temporary fixes- a bottle, a drug, sex, love. And as for delights (enjoyments, satisfaction), there was little to none. None lasting anyway. But when we entered into relationship with Jesus, our desires and delights both flowed from Him. Our greatest longings are for Him and his glory. And this satisfies us to no end. Our delight in Him then increases our desire for more and more of Him. Call it the circle of eternal life. Or the genuine perfect circle.”
Tuesday- Desiring GOD- Psalm 73:25-26, Psalm 42:1, Psalm 63:1, Isaiah 26:9
“Focus on the verbs…
Pants…
Thirsts…
Seek…
Faints…
Yearns…
These aren’t the words of a casual, comfortable believer. These are words which scream, “GOD, I desire you, I want you, I long for you! More than anything in this life! More and more of you!”
May this be our plea today.”
Wednesday- Delighting in GOD- Philippians 4:4, Psalm 37:4
“Delighting in GOD is deceivingly simple. Ask yourself the following question and you honest response will be all the answer you need.
When I’m stripped of everything else, is GOD still enough?
Now before you toss a manufactured response off of the Typical Christian Answer conveyor belt, think about the question. Deeply.
If I’m stripped of everything is Jesus still enough?”
Thursday- Best of Both Worlds- Philippians 3:1, Romans 5:2
“We- those who follow Christ into relationship- have already got a taste of the glory of GOD. We’ve been forgiven and recreated. We’ve been given his very Spirit inside and access to him at all times. We’ve been given joy and peace (despite the problems of this world). And it is because of this “taste” or delight we’ve already sampled that we “desire or anticipate” even more. “
Friday- The Object of Our Joy- 2 Corinthians 4:4
“I perceived (and this was the wonder of wonders) that…I had been equally wrong in supposing that I desired Joy itself. Joy itself, considered simply as an event in my own mind, turned out to be of no value at all. All the value lay in that of which Joy was the desiring. And that object, quite clearly, was no state of my own mind or body at all…I asked if Joy itself was what I wanted; and, labeling it “aesthetic experience,” had pretended I could answer Yes. But that answer too had broken down. Inexorably Joy proclaimed, “You want- I myself am your want of- something other, outside, not you nor any state of you.” -C.S. Lewis
Thursday, February 20, 2014
The Object of Our Joy
2 Corinthians 4:4 (NLT)
Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.
Last week, I promised my Inklings out there some C. S. Lewis. To wrap up our thread of “Joy as Jesus”, here is a thought from our beloved friend from his memoir Surprised By Joy-
“I perceived (and this was the wonder of wonders) that…I had been equally wrong in supposing that I desired Joy itself. Joy itself, considered simply as an event in my own mind, turned out to be of no value at all. All the value lay in that of which Joy was the desiring. And that object, quite clearly, was no state of my own mind or body at all…I asked if Joy itself was what I wanted; and, labeling it “aesthetic experience,” had pretended I could answer Yes. But that answer too had broken down. Inexorably Joy proclaimed, “You want- I myself am your want of- something other, outside, not you nor any state of you.”
Joy is Jesus. And Jesus alone. Or as John (the Pastor, not the Baptist) would proclaim, “Jesus plus nothing.”
Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.
Last week, I promised my Inklings out there some C. S. Lewis. To wrap up our thread of “Joy as Jesus”, here is a thought from our beloved friend from his memoir Surprised By Joy-
“I perceived (and this was the wonder of wonders) that…I had been equally wrong in supposing that I desired Joy itself. Joy itself, considered simply as an event in my own mind, turned out to be of no value at all. All the value lay in that of which Joy was the desiring. And that object, quite clearly, was no state of my own mind or body at all…I asked if Joy itself was what I wanted; and, labeling it “aesthetic experience,” had pretended I could answer Yes. But that answer too had broken down. Inexorably Joy proclaimed, “You want- I myself am your want of- something other, outside, not you nor any state of you.”
Joy is Jesus. And Jesus alone. Or as John (the Pastor, not the Baptist) would proclaim, “Jesus plus nothing.”
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
Best of Both Worlds
Philippians 3:1 (NLT)
Whatever happens, my dear brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord. I never get tired of telling you these things, and I do it to safeguard your faith.
Romans 5:2 (NLT)
Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.
Speaking of the connection between desiring and delighting in GOD, Piper states, “The final joy of seeing the glory of GOD and being swallowed up in it has been tasted, and the desire for it is the very pleasure of the future enjoyment experienced now in the form of anticipation.” (27)
What our fearless author is alluding to is an eye-opening truth that we often miss when reading Scriptures such as our two today. We- those who follow Christ into relationship- have already got a taste of the glory of GOD. We’ve been forgiven and recreated. We’ve been given his very Spirit inside and access to him at all times. We've been given joy and peace (despite the problems of this world). And it is because of this “taste” or delight we've already sampled that we “desire or anticipate” even more. Knowing, by faith, that this life together with him is only the beginning of an eternity in which ALL OF OUR DELIGHTS AND DESIRES WILL BE ON DISPLAY IN JESUS!
When all the Scriptures are read. And all the devotions written. This is what it comes down to: Our new desires and delights will fade into what they truly are- Jesus. Our delights and desires aren't for joy, hope, or even love. They are in the Glory that is GOD, personified by Jesus, and given through the Spirit.
Praise GOD!
Go ahead. Shout it out. And don’t worry about those around you. They need who (and what) you have.
Whatever happens, my dear brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord. I never get tired of telling you these things, and I do it to safeguard your faith.
Romans 5:2 (NLT)
Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.
Speaking of the connection between desiring and delighting in GOD, Piper states, “The final joy of seeing the glory of GOD and being swallowed up in it has been tasted, and the desire for it is the very pleasure of the future enjoyment experienced now in the form of anticipation.” (27)
What our fearless author is alluding to is an eye-opening truth that we often miss when reading Scriptures such as our two today. We- those who follow Christ into relationship- have already got a taste of the glory of GOD. We’ve been forgiven and recreated. We’ve been given his very Spirit inside and access to him at all times. We've been given joy and peace (despite the problems of this world). And it is because of this “taste” or delight we've already sampled that we “desire or anticipate” even more. Knowing, by faith, that this life together with him is only the beginning of an eternity in which ALL OF OUR DELIGHTS AND DESIRES WILL BE ON DISPLAY IN JESUS!
When all the Scriptures are read. And all the devotions written. This is what it comes down to: Our new desires and delights will fade into what they truly are- Jesus. Our delights and desires aren't for joy, hope, or even love. They are in the Glory that is GOD, personified by Jesus, and given through the Spirit.
Praise GOD!
Go ahead. Shout it out. And don’t worry about those around you. They need who (and what) you have.
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
Delighting in GOD
Philippians 4:4 (NLT)
Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!
Psalm 37:4 (NLT)
Take delight in the Lord,
and he will give you your heart’s desires.
Delighting in GOD is deceivingly simple. Ask yourself the following question and you honest response will be all the answer you need.
When I’m stripped of everything else, is GOD still enough?
Now before you toss a manufactured response off of the Typical Christian Answer conveyor belt, think about the question. Deeply.
If I’m stripped of everything is Jesus still enough?
Let’s start with the easy stuff-
…if you can’t buy that thing you wanted this week
…if you fell into that same sin…Again
…if your television decides to go out
…if your vehicle catches fire and is no longer drivable
…if you can’t have that baby you’ve been trying for
…if the dreams you once chased are now scars in the journey of life
…if the move to a better city fell through
…if your friends and family are embarrassed by your life-change
…if your house is falling apart and unimpressive
…if you can’t pay all your bills
…if the promotion you deserved went to someone else
…if you don’t know where your next meal will come from
…if your job search becomes indefinite
…if your prayers are met with abject silence
…if your health fails despite your best efforts
…if your marriage is in tatters and you can’t get it right with your kids
…if your pride and ego are splayed for all to see
…if you still feel alone even in a crowd of people
…if your mask covering all your pain shatters
Is…GOD…still…enough? Is YAHWEH your Delight?
Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!
Psalm 37:4 (NLT)
Take delight in the Lord,
and he will give you your heart’s desires.
Delighting in GOD is deceivingly simple. Ask yourself the following question and you honest response will be all the answer you need.
When I’m stripped of everything else, is GOD still enough?
Now before you toss a manufactured response off of the Typical Christian Answer conveyor belt, think about the question. Deeply.
If I’m stripped of everything is Jesus still enough?
Let’s start with the easy stuff-
…if you can’t buy that thing you wanted this week
…if you fell into that same sin…Again
…if your television decides to go out
…if your vehicle catches fire and is no longer drivable
…if you can’t have that baby you’ve been trying for
…if the dreams you once chased are now scars in the journey of life
…if the move to a better city fell through
…if your friends and family are embarrassed by your life-change
…if your house is falling apart and unimpressive
…if you can’t pay all your bills
…if the promotion you deserved went to someone else
…if you don’t know where your next meal will come from
…if your job search becomes indefinite
…if your prayers are met with abject silence
…if your health fails despite your best efforts
…if your marriage is in tatters and you can’t get it right with your kids
…if your pride and ego are splayed for all to see
…if you still feel alone even in a crowd of people
…if your mask covering all your pain shatters
Is…GOD…still…enough? Is YAHWEH your Delight?
Monday, February 17, 2014
Desiring GOD
Psalm 73:25-26 (NLT)
Whom have I in heaven but you?
I desire you more than anything on earth.
My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak,
but God remains the strength of my heart;
he is mine forever.
Psalm 42:1 (NLT)
As the deer longs for streams of water,
so I long for you, O God.
Psalm 63:1 (NLT)
O God, you are my God;
I earnestly search for you.
My soul thirsts for you;
my whole body longs for you
in this parched and weary land
where there is no water.
Isaiah 26:9 (NLT)
All night long I search for you;
in the morning I earnestly seek for God.
For only when you come to judge the earth
will people learn what is right.
GOD speaks directly to our hearts. If we take the time to listen. During a time dedicated to this, I read this collection of Scriptures (my apologies for the length but it will all make sense shortly. Hopefully.) As I scribbled notes down about these thoughts being planted here, I wrote, “My very survival is related to my desire for GOD (action words of desperation).” I then proceeded to underline the following verbs from the passages. Action verbs. Verbs of passion. Verbs of…desire.
Reread the passages yourself if necessary. Focus on the verbs…
Pants…
Thirsts…
Seek…
Faints…
Yearns…
These aren’t the words of a casual, comfortable believer. These are words which scream, “GOD, I desire you, I want you, I long for you! More than anything in this life! More and more of you!”
May this be our plea today.
Whom have I in heaven but you?
I desire you more than anything on earth.
My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak,
but God remains the strength of my heart;
he is mine forever.
Psalm 42:1 (NLT)
As the deer longs for streams of water,
so I long for you, O God.
Psalm 63:1 (NLT)
O God, you are my God;
I earnestly search for you.
My soul thirsts for you;
my whole body longs for you
in this parched and weary land
where there is no water.
Isaiah 26:9 (NLT)
All night long I search for you;
in the morning I earnestly seek for God.
For only when you come to judge the earth
will people learn what is right.
GOD speaks directly to our hearts. If we take the time to listen. During a time dedicated to this, I read this collection of Scriptures (my apologies for the length but it will all make sense shortly. Hopefully.) As I scribbled notes down about these thoughts being planted here, I wrote, “My very survival is related to my desire for GOD (action words of desperation).” I then proceeded to underline the following verbs from the passages. Action verbs. Verbs of passion. Verbs of…desire.
Reread the passages yourself if necessary. Focus on the verbs…
Pants…
Thirsts…
Seek…
Faints…
Yearns…
These aren’t the words of a casual, comfortable believer. These are words which scream, “GOD, I desire you, I want you, I long for you! More than anything in this life! More and more of you!”
May this be our plea today.
Sunday, February 16, 2014
A Perfect Circle
Psalm 43:4 (NLT)
Others were given in exchange for you.
I traded their lives for yours
because you are precious to me.
You are honored, and I love you.
Psalm 63:1 (NLT)
O God, you are my God;
I earnestly search for you.
My soul thirsts for you;
my whole body longs for you
in this parched and weary land
where there is no water.
Many of us Refugees are recovering addicts of some sort. (Actually, I suppose you could assert we’re all in recovery since “we all have sinned.”) During recovery, we discover many truths, including that our physical bodies are intricately tied to our spiritual lives. And visa versa. For example, we suffer with depression from circumstances and wrestling with GOD which gifts us with such things as stomach pains, social anxiety, and a belligerent scowl. In desperation, we reached out to Jesus for help. He made us a new creation and offered us hope and love. This saves our soul, changed our mindset, and transformed our perceptions. As our spirit was renewed, changes occurred in our body as well. The anxiety eased. We ate better foods. We exercised. We used our new-found energies to serve others, not to drink ourselves into oblivion or waste our time in frivolous pursuits. Having a restored spirit eased physical stress the same way a healthy body (temple) aids spiritual renewal.
Not only was there this physical-spiritual connection, we possessed new desires and delights. Our desires (wants, needs, longings) had always been for temporary fixes- a bottle, a drug, sex, love. And as for delights (enjoyments, satisfaction), there was little to none. None lasting anyway. But when we entered into relationship with Jesus, our desires and delights both flowed from Him. Our greatest longings are for Him and his glory. And this satisfies us to no end. Our delight in Him then increases our desire for more and more of Him. Call it the circle of eternal life. Or the genuine perfect circle.
Others were given in exchange for you.
I traded their lives for yours
because you are precious to me.
You are honored, and I love you.
Psalm 63:1 (NLT)
O God, you are my God;
I earnestly search for you.
My soul thirsts for you;
my whole body longs for you
in this parched and weary land
where there is no water.
Many of us Refugees are recovering addicts of some sort. (Actually, I suppose you could assert we’re all in recovery since “we all have sinned.”) During recovery, we discover many truths, including that our physical bodies are intricately tied to our spiritual lives. And visa versa. For example, we suffer with depression from circumstances and wrestling with GOD which gifts us with such things as stomach pains, social anxiety, and a belligerent scowl. In desperation, we reached out to Jesus for help. He made us a new creation and offered us hope and love. This saves our soul, changed our mindset, and transformed our perceptions. As our spirit was renewed, changes occurred in our body as well. The anxiety eased. We ate better foods. We exercised. We used our new-found energies to serve others, not to drink ourselves into oblivion or waste our time in frivolous pursuits. Having a restored spirit eased physical stress the same way a healthy body (temple) aids spiritual renewal.
Not only was there this physical-spiritual connection, we possessed new desires and delights. Our desires (wants, needs, longings) had always been for temporary fixes- a bottle, a drug, sex, love. And as for delights (enjoyments, satisfaction), there was little to none. None lasting anyway. But when we entered into relationship with Jesus, our desires and delights both flowed from Him. Our greatest longings are for Him and his glory. And this satisfies us to no end. Our delight in Him then increases our desire for more and more of Him. Call it the circle of eternal life. Or the genuine perfect circle.
Friday, February 14, 2014
Week in Review
Monday- Liberation and Devastation- Hebrews 12:2
“Reading these words, I realized I didn’t desire GOD. My desires were to ensure my comfortable life. This one statement, along with the Holy Spirit’s relentless prodding, ravaged me. And (after more tears and blubbering) showed me that this devastating realization actually brings about our liberation. Our freedom. We are free to passionately and joyfully seek GOD and everything he possibly has for us. And, more importantly, all that He is for us.”
Tuesday- The Impossible, Possible- Mark 10:27
“Only this remains: the Christian life is impossible without a supernatural GOD. One who can do for me what I cannot do for myself- rescue, redeem, restore, and reconcile. Praise be to GOD that we have such! Amongst a world which promises (and fails to deliver) the impossible, we have YAHWEH making the impossible, possible!”
Wednesday- A Taste Called Desire- Psalm 90:14
“Once we get our first taste of Jesus, we want more. More of him. More of his healing. More of his peace. More of his suffering. More of his joy. Jesus is the joy we “don’t have and can’t create.” We must rely fully on him to bend our desire to him. We must be willing to lay down our desires and cling to his. Then we grab hold of JOY. In this life…and the one to come.”
Thursday- Conversion as Creation- Luke 11:39
“Piper puts it this way in his book, “…conversion is the creation of new desires, not just new duties; new delights, not just new deeds; new treasures, not just new tasks.”
Ponder this statement. Now we don’t have to complete our Christian “duties” out of obligation; we serve because it’s a “desire” of ours to be Christ-like. We’re no longer concerned with mere good “deeds” but “delighting” in being the hands and feet of Jesus to others. We’re not preoccupied with the “tasks” at hand, choosing rather to linger in the “treasure” that is time and relationship with Jesus.”
Friday- Pain as Joy- James 1:2-3
“How sweet all at once it was for me to be rid of those fruitless joys which I had once feared to lose…You drove them from me, you who are true, the sovereign joy. You drove them from me and took their place, you who are sweeter than all pleasure, though not to flesh and blood, you who outshine all light, yet are hidden deeper than any secret in our hearts, you who surpass all honor, though not in the eyes of men who see all honor in themselves…O Lord my GOD, my light, my Wealth, and my Salvation.” -Augustine
“Reading these words, I realized I didn’t desire GOD. My desires were to ensure my comfortable life. This one statement, along with the Holy Spirit’s relentless prodding, ravaged me. And (after more tears and blubbering) showed me that this devastating realization actually brings about our liberation. Our freedom. We are free to passionately and joyfully seek GOD and everything he possibly has for us. And, more importantly, all that He is for us.”
Tuesday- The Impossible, Possible- Mark 10:27
“Only this remains: the Christian life is impossible without a supernatural GOD. One who can do for me what I cannot do for myself- rescue, redeem, restore, and reconcile. Praise be to GOD that we have such! Amongst a world which promises (and fails to deliver) the impossible, we have YAHWEH making the impossible, possible!”
Wednesday- A Taste Called Desire- Psalm 90:14
“Once we get our first taste of Jesus, we want more. More of him. More of his healing. More of his peace. More of his suffering. More of his joy. Jesus is the joy we “don’t have and can’t create.” We must rely fully on him to bend our desire to him. We must be willing to lay down our desires and cling to his. Then we grab hold of JOY. In this life…and the one to come.”
Thursday- Conversion as Creation- Luke 11:39
“Piper puts it this way in his book, “…conversion is the creation of new desires, not just new duties; new delights, not just new deeds; new treasures, not just new tasks.”
Ponder this statement. Now we don’t have to complete our Christian “duties” out of obligation; we serve because it’s a “desire” of ours to be Christ-like. We’re no longer concerned with mere good “deeds” but “delighting” in being the hands and feet of Jesus to others. We’re not preoccupied with the “tasks” at hand, choosing rather to linger in the “treasure” that is time and relationship with Jesus.”
Friday- Pain as Joy- James 1:2-3
“How sweet all at once it was for me to be rid of those fruitless joys which I had once feared to lose…You drove them from me, you who are true, the sovereign joy. You drove them from me and took their place, you who are sweeter than all pleasure, though not to flesh and blood, you who outshine all light, yet are hidden deeper than any secret in our hearts, you who surpass all honor, though not in the eyes of men who see all honor in themselves…O Lord my GOD, my light, my Wealth, and my Salvation.” -Augustine
Thursday, February 13, 2014
Pain as Joy
James 1:2-3 (NLT)
Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.
Most of you reading these devotions know me. You all understand that one of my best friends is a writer who has been dead since the sixties. His writings and thoughts have powerfully moved me even as a kid. While many of his quotes are fitting on this topic (Piper even used dozens in our study), it wasn’t the words of C.S. Lewis that snatched my attention toward the end of chapter one. But those of Augustine. I share them with you now…
“How sweet all at once it was for me to be rid of those fruitless joys which I had once feared to lose…You drove them from me, you who are true, the sovereign joy. You drove them from me and took their place, you who are sweeter than all pleasure, though not to flesh and blood, you who outshine all light, yet are hidden deeper than any secret in our hearts, you who surpass all honor, though not in the eyes of men who see all honor in themselves…O Lord my GOD, my light, my Wealth, and my Salvation.”
May we all be able to echo this as we experience the pains of joy.
P.S. To my fellow Inklings, the C.S. Lewis quotes will come. Stay tuned.
Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.
Most of you reading these devotions know me. You all understand that one of my best friends is a writer who has been dead since the sixties. His writings and thoughts have powerfully moved me even as a kid. While many of his quotes are fitting on this topic (Piper even used dozens in our study), it wasn’t the words of C.S. Lewis that snatched my attention toward the end of chapter one. But those of Augustine. I share them with you now…
“How sweet all at once it was for me to be rid of those fruitless joys which I had once feared to lose…You drove them from me, you who are true, the sovereign joy. You drove them from me and took their place, you who are sweeter than all pleasure, though not to flesh and blood, you who outshine all light, yet are hidden deeper than any secret in our hearts, you who surpass all honor, though not in the eyes of men who see all honor in themselves…O Lord my GOD, my light, my Wealth, and my Salvation.”
May we all be able to echo this as we experience the pains of joy.
P.S. To my fellow Inklings, the C.S. Lewis quotes will come. Stay tuned.
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
Conversion as Creation
Luke 11:39 (NLT)
Then the Lord said to him, “You Pharisees are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy—full of greed and wickedness!"
Ever been told you would make a great actor? While some of us wear our emotions on our sleeve, others among us drape on masks. We play roles. Roles we used to play in the world, we now play in church. We, like the most gifted actors of our day, go about our day to day lives looking good on the outside, even as we flail helplessly on the inside.
The temptation we then fall into is carrying our old lives, our old way of doing things, into our new lives in Christ. Piper puts it this way in his book, “…conversion is the creation of new desires, not just new duties; new delights, not just new deeds; new treasures, not just new tasks.”
Ponder this statement. Now we don’t have to complete our Christian “duties” out of obligation; we serve because it’s a “desire” of ours to be Christ-like. We’re no longer concerned with mere good “deeds” but “delighting” in being the hands and feet of Jesus to others. We’re not preoccupied with the “tasks” at hand, choosing rather to linger in the “treasure” that is time and relationship with Jesus.
GOD’s divine grace, given the opportunity, converts the inside, then changes the outside. So its not only our actions that matter…but the heart and motives behind those actions. Do we possess “faith-in-action” or “faith inaction”? Our joy depends on the answer.
Then the Lord said to him, “You Pharisees are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy—full of greed and wickedness!"
Ever been told you would make a great actor? While some of us wear our emotions on our sleeve, others among us drape on masks. We play roles. Roles we used to play in the world, we now play in church. We, like the most gifted actors of our day, go about our day to day lives looking good on the outside, even as we flail helplessly on the inside.
The temptation we then fall into is carrying our old lives, our old way of doing things, into our new lives in Christ. Piper puts it this way in his book, “…conversion is the creation of new desires, not just new duties; new delights, not just new deeds; new treasures, not just new tasks.”
Ponder this statement. Now we don’t have to complete our Christian “duties” out of obligation; we serve because it’s a “desire” of ours to be Christ-like. We’re no longer concerned with mere good “deeds” but “delighting” in being the hands and feet of Jesus to others. We’re not preoccupied with the “tasks” at hand, choosing rather to linger in the “treasure” that is time and relationship with Jesus.
GOD’s divine grace, given the opportunity, converts the inside, then changes the outside. So its not only our actions that matter…but the heart and motives behind those actions. Do we possess “faith-in-action” or “faith inaction”? Our joy depends on the answer.
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
A Taste Called Desire
Psalm 90:14 (NLT)
Satisfy us each morning with your unfailing love,
so we may sing for joy to the end of our lives.
The recent cold snap has reminded me of my childhood in Texas. On those (rare) damp, frigid days, we’d pile into the car and head downtown to eat at Mexican Inn, a hole-in-the-wall restaurant where the food was succulent and nobody spoke English. The (truly) authentic, homemade food tasted as good as it smelled and you imagined it to be. To this day, I desire these meals with all of my heart.
In our book, Piper writes something along the lines of, “joy involves desiring what we don’t have and what we can’t create.” Numerous times, I’ve desired the comfort of the food and associated memories. And have even tried to return there on my excursions to Texas. The original Mexican Inn has been demolished and the new one, which never lived up to the reputation of its elder, has closed its doors. And despite my repeated experimentation, I’ve never mastered one item from the menu. But the desire- and all the good memories attached to it- has never gone away.
While I’m being tongue-in-cheek, you follow my point. Once we get our first taste of Jesus, we want more. More of him. More of his healing. More of his peace. More of his suffering. More of his joy. Jesus is the joy we “don’t have and can’t create.” We must rely fully on him to bend our desire to him. We must be willing to lay down our desires and cling to his. Then we grab hold of JOY. In this life…and the one to come.
Satisfy us each morning with your unfailing love,
so we may sing for joy to the end of our lives.
The recent cold snap has reminded me of my childhood in Texas. On those (rare) damp, frigid days, we’d pile into the car and head downtown to eat at Mexican Inn, a hole-in-the-wall restaurant where the food was succulent and nobody spoke English. The (truly) authentic, homemade food tasted as good as it smelled and you imagined it to be. To this day, I desire these meals with all of my heart.
In our book, Piper writes something along the lines of, “joy involves desiring what we don’t have and what we can’t create.” Numerous times, I’ve desired the comfort of the food and associated memories. And have even tried to return there on my excursions to Texas. The original Mexican Inn has been demolished and the new one, which never lived up to the reputation of its elder, has closed its doors. And despite my repeated experimentation, I’ve never mastered one item from the menu. But the desire- and all the good memories attached to it- has never gone away.
While I’m being tongue-in-cheek, you follow my point. Once we get our first taste of Jesus, we want more. More of him. More of his healing. More of his peace. More of his suffering. More of his joy. Jesus is the joy we “don’t have and can’t create.” We must rely fully on him to bend our desire to him. We must be willing to lay down our desires and cling to his. Then we grab hold of JOY. In this life…and the one to come.
Monday, February 10, 2014
The Impossible, Possible
Mark 10:27 (NLT)
Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God. Everything is possible with God.”
As we get older, we come to the harsh realization that we don’t know near as much as we thought we did as younger folks. Humility, whether coming directly from GOD or from our self and others, becomes a part of life. It robs us of our pride. Sometimes sincerely. Sometimes embarrassingly. We learn that we can’t control everything. Or anything. We come to the dramatic conclusion (don, don, don) that this life- even the Christian life- is impossible without GOD. When we get honest (as our beloved pastor and friend would say), we understand our complete, thorough, and utter helplessness to save ourselves and do good. I mean, I can’t even focus for longer than five minutes in prayer some mornings. If I fail to spend mere minutes seeking GOD, how in the world can I bring about joy and peace in my life? Or withstand any of the struggles this life has to offer? Or even realize I need Jesus the Savior in the first place?
Only this remains: the Christian life is impossible without a supernatural GOD. One who can do for me what I cannot do for myself- rescue, redeem, restore, and reconcile. Praise be to GOD that we have such! Amongst a world which promises (and fails to deliver) the impossible, we have YAHWEH making the impossible, possible!
Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God. Everything is possible with God.”
As we get older, we come to the harsh realization that we don’t know near as much as we thought we did as younger folks. Humility, whether coming directly from GOD or from our self and others, becomes a part of life. It robs us of our pride. Sometimes sincerely. Sometimes embarrassingly. We learn that we can’t control everything. Or anything. We come to the dramatic conclusion (don, don, don) that this life- even the Christian life- is impossible without GOD. When we get honest (as our beloved pastor and friend would say), we understand our complete, thorough, and utter helplessness to save ourselves and do good. I mean, I can’t even focus for longer than five minutes in prayer some mornings. If I fail to spend mere minutes seeking GOD, how in the world can I bring about joy and peace in my life? Or withstand any of the struggles this life has to offer? Or even realize I need Jesus the Savior in the first place?
Only this remains: the Christian life is impossible without a supernatural GOD. One who can do for me what I cannot do for myself- rescue, redeem, restore, and reconcile. Praise be to GOD that we have such! Amongst a world which promises (and fails to deliver) the impossible, we have YAHWEH making the impossible, possible!
Sunday, February 9, 2014
Liberation and Devastation
Hebrews 12:2 (NLT)
We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.
Doctrine is an intimidating, often divisive undertaking. Two of the many reasons we shy away from it. But there is one I recently came across which rattled me, then radically changed my perceptions about desiring GOD. Labeled “Christian Hedonism,” this doctrine espouses that “GOD is most glorified in me when I am most satisfied in Him.” While this may be old news to you, the thought hit me like it did the author of our study. Many more thoughts followed. Ruminations such as: if this is true, then not seeking joy in GOD is sin. That I allow things to steal my joy in GOD. That my joy is often in His gifts and not in him alone.
My bones degenerated into rubber. Tears arose in my eyes. I became a blubbering baby. Reading these words, I realized I didn’t desire GOD. My desires were to ensure my comfortable life. This one statement, along with the Holy Spirit’s relentless prodding, ravaged me. And (after more tears and blubbering) showed me that this devastating realization actually brings about our liberation. Our freedom. We are free to passionately and joyfully seek GOD and everything he possibly has for us. And, more importantly, all that He is for us.
As you go about your routine today, remember this declaration, “GOD is most glorified in me when I am most satisfied in Him.” Find your joy, your peace, your satisfaction in He alone. And let your light so shine before others that when they look at you, they’re seeing a reflection of Jesus.
We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.
Doctrine is an intimidating, often divisive undertaking. Two of the many reasons we shy away from it. But there is one I recently came across which rattled me, then radically changed my perceptions about desiring GOD. Labeled “Christian Hedonism,” this doctrine espouses that “GOD is most glorified in me when I am most satisfied in Him.” While this may be old news to you, the thought hit me like it did the author of our study. Many more thoughts followed. Ruminations such as: if this is true, then not seeking joy in GOD is sin. That I allow things to steal my joy in GOD. That my joy is often in His gifts and not in him alone.
My bones degenerated into rubber. Tears arose in my eyes. I became a blubbering baby. Reading these words, I realized I didn’t desire GOD. My desires were to ensure my comfortable life. This one statement, along with the Holy Spirit’s relentless prodding, ravaged me. And (after more tears and blubbering) showed me that this devastating realization actually brings about our liberation. Our freedom. We are free to passionately and joyfully seek GOD and everything he possibly has for us. And, more importantly, all that He is for us.
As you go about your routine today, remember this declaration, “GOD is most glorified in me when I am most satisfied in Him.” Find your joy, your peace, your satisfaction in He alone. And let your light so shine before others that when they look at you, they’re seeing a reflection of Jesus.
Friday, February 7, 2014
Week in Review
Monday- Pray. Psalm 88:1
“When we seek GOD’s face- which is essentially what prayer is- we will never be the same. We either choose the call to submit and glorify him. Or turn our back and flee in the opposite direction. There is no middle ground. No staying the same. No apathetic indifference. Speaking and listening to GOD draws us closer to Him, opens our eyes to his presence, empowers us to sacrifice in love, strengthens and encourages, prods conviction and confession, purges our guilt, wraps us in mercy and grace, and -most importantly- takes the focus off of us and places it on Jesus.”
Tuesday- When We Don’t Desire GOD. John 14:18
“You aren't alone. You aren't alone in wondering why you can’t fully follow GOD. You’re not alone in walking through this precious, confusing journey we call life. You’re not alone in your struggle with the human condition. You’re not alone in seeking GOD because everything else brings nothing but emptiness.”
Wednesday- Pursuing Joy. Psalm 90:15
“…the last thing I desire as a human being is pursuing GOD. Sure, I make an effort. But only after I’ve done what I want to do. After the task at hand, be it fellowship, shopping, the game, Facebook chatter. No matter how hard we try, we are sinners in desperate need of mercy and grace. We long for help, assistance in breaking out of this confining flesh and depraved nature. And that only comes from GOD. By his Spirit, he bends our spirits toward himself. He helps us recognize our need for Him and then, if we are willing, dwells within us, empowering us to do (and be) the impossible! “
Thursday- Seeing and Savoring. Psalm 34:8
“Thomas taught me an eternal lesson. “Not taste and see that His gifts are good…but taste and see that the LORD GOD is good!”
From that moment, I wanted to see and savor Jesus the way Thomas does. To see GOD not with physical eyes through his gifts (as good as those can be also). But spiritually seeing the beauty of GOD. Alone. Sovereign. The glory. And not only to see it but to savor it. To desire nothing in this life but He. And let my love for everyone and everything else trickle from that truth.”
Friday- The Waiting. Psalm 30:5
“When we’re consumed with the litany of pot holes in our journey, we’re always looking down. Our eyes only see all the damage and danger. But if we brave to look up, to see the prize at the end at the end of the journey. This makes this bumpy journey not only bearable but joyful. We witness Jesus, grinning and arms outstretched, willing us to the finish line. We will trip up, skin our knees, bruise brittle bones, battle the conflicting voices in our heads. But with faith, patience, perseverance, and persistence in and through Christ, we will reach that glorious day. “
“When we seek GOD’s face- which is essentially what prayer is- we will never be the same. We either choose the call to submit and glorify him. Or turn our back and flee in the opposite direction. There is no middle ground. No staying the same. No apathetic indifference. Speaking and listening to GOD draws us closer to Him, opens our eyes to his presence, empowers us to sacrifice in love, strengthens and encourages, prods conviction and confession, purges our guilt, wraps us in mercy and grace, and -most importantly- takes the focus off of us and places it on Jesus.”
Tuesday- When We Don’t Desire GOD. John 14:18
“You aren't alone. You aren't alone in wondering why you can’t fully follow GOD. You’re not alone in walking through this precious, confusing journey we call life. You’re not alone in your struggle with the human condition. You’re not alone in seeking GOD because everything else brings nothing but emptiness.”
Wednesday- Pursuing Joy. Psalm 90:15
“…the last thing I desire as a human being is pursuing GOD. Sure, I make an effort. But only after I’ve done what I want to do. After the task at hand, be it fellowship, shopping, the game, Facebook chatter. No matter how hard we try, we are sinners in desperate need of mercy and grace. We long for help, assistance in breaking out of this confining flesh and depraved nature. And that only comes from GOD. By his Spirit, he bends our spirits toward himself. He helps us recognize our need for Him and then, if we are willing, dwells within us, empowering us to do (and be) the impossible! “
Thursday- Seeing and Savoring. Psalm 34:8
“Thomas taught me an eternal lesson. “Not taste and see that His gifts are good…but taste and see that the LORD GOD is good!”
From that moment, I wanted to see and savor Jesus the way Thomas does. To see GOD not with physical eyes through his gifts (as good as those can be also). But spiritually seeing the beauty of GOD. Alone. Sovereign. The glory. And not only to see it but to savor it. To desire nothing in this life but He. And let my love for everyone and everything else trickle from that truth.”
Friday- The Waiting. Psalm 30:5
“When we’re consumed with the litany of pot holes in our journey, we’re always looking down. Our eyes only see all the damage and danger. But if we brave to look up, to see the prize at the end at the end of the journey. This makes this bumpy journey not only bearable but joyful. We witness Jesus, grinning and arms outstretched, willing us to the finish line. We will trip up, skin our knees, bruise brittle bones, battle the conflicting voices in our heads. But with faith, patience, perseverance, and persistence in and through Christ, we will reach that glorious day. “
Thursday, February 6, 2014
The Waiting
Psalm 30:5 (NLT)
For his anger lasts only a moment,
but his favor lasts a lifetime!
Weeping may last through the night,
but joy comes with the morning.
Confession time. I’m one of those sacrilegious people who write all in my Bible. In the margin of this verse, I’ve scribbled, “Look at the whole picture.” With the narrow, self-centered view of this world pummeling us, it's easy to get bogged down in all the struggles of life. Pain, brokenness, loneliness, and bitterness pervade. We flail helplessly, doing our best just to get by, to get to the next paycheck or comfort or hit or sexual encounter or feel-good day. We just want the human condition to cease. So we sleep or pass out or flip on the television. We’ll start anew tomorrow. And many times, we wake up the same way. Or worse off than we were before. And this even goes for believers in Jesus!
When we’re consumed with the litany of pot holes in our journey, we’re always looking down. Our eyes only see all the damage and danger. But if we are brave enough to look up, to see the prize at the end at the end of the journey. This makes this bumpy journey not only bearable but joyful. We witness Jesus, grinning and arms outstretched, willing us to the finish line. We will trip up, skin our knees, bruise brittle bones, battle the conflicting voices in our heads. But with faith, patience, perseverance, and persistence in and through Christ, we will reach that glorious day. Remember this: Now matter how rough it is (and have we hit some rough patches on the road of life!), this brief time is a drop in the oceans of the world compared to the sheer joy of Jesus. And living with him forever.
So wait in praying. So wait building relationships in your small groups. So wait pursuing God. So wait seeing and savoring Jesus. SO wait…because Jesus loves us! And is on the way! And is here now! Come, LORD Jesus, come!
Look at the whole picture.
For his anger lasts only a moment,
but his favor lasts a lifetime!
Weeping may last through the night,
but joy comes with the morning.
Confession time. I’m one of those sacrilegious people who write all in my Bible. In the margin of this verse, I’ve scribbled, “Look at the whole picture.” With the narrow, self-centered view of this world pummeling us, it's easy to get bogged down in all the struggles of life. Pain, brokenness, loneliness, and bitterness pervade. We flail helplessly, doing our best just to get by, to get to the next paycheck or comfort or hit or sexual encounter or feel-good day. We just want the human condition to cease. So we sleep or pass out or flip on the television. We’ll start anew tomorrow. And many times, we wake up the same way. Or worse off than we were before. And this even goes for believers in Jesus!
When we’re consumed with the litany of pot holes in our journey, we’re always looking down. Our eyes only see all the damage and danger. But if we are brave enough to look up, to see the prize at the end at the end of the journey. This makes this bumpy journey not only bearable but joyful. We witness Jesus, grinning and arms outstretched, willing us to the finish line. We will trip up, skin our knees, bruise brittle bones, battle the conflicting voices in our heads. But with faith, patience, perseverance, and persistence in and through Christ, we will reach that glorious day. Remember this: Now matter how rough it is (and have we hit some rough patches on the road of life!), this brief time is a drop in the oceans of the world compared to the sheer joy of Jesus. And living with him forever.
So wait in praying. So wait building relationships in your small groups. So wait pursuing God. So wait seeing and savoring Jesus. SO wait…because Jesus loves us! And is on the way! And is here now! Come, LORD Jesus, come!
Look at the whole picture.
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
Seeing and Savoring
Psalm 34:8 (NLT)
Taste and see that the Lord is good.
Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!
Anytime this verse comes to mind, Thomas does as well. Just a name to you. But to me…
During my time at the Arms of Mercy, I've witnessed the hands and feet of Jesus constantly. There are times, however, I remember so vividly that they play over and over again. One such occasion was when Thomas came through the program. Thomas came to us by way of a hospital where he’d been dropped off after overdosing. When thrown out like trash, his only worldly possession was the boxer shorts he was wearing. In his time with us, he welcomed Jesus into relationship, snagged a job and an apartment. Finally, as he was about to graduate and move on, he escorted me to the back of the shelter where he flung the door open to show me our largest donation to date. Piles of clothes, furniture, and kitchen supplies greeted me. Christmas trees with decorations, golf clubs, and television sets. Everything to stock his dwelling for years to come. With tears in his eyes, he shouted (and I do mean shouted!), “TASTE AND SEE THAT THE LORD IS GOOD!”
Naturally, my thoughts went to the gifts GOD had bestowed upon him. Seeing such in my expression, Thomas taught me an eternal lesson. “Not taste and see that His gifts are good…but taste and see that the LORD GOD is good!”
From that moment, I wanted to see and savor Jesus the way Thomas does. To see GOD not with physical eyes through his gifts (as good as those can be also). But spiritually seeing the beauty of GOD. Alone. Sovereign. The glory. And not only to see it but to savor it. To desire nothing in this life but He. And let my love for everyone and everything else trickle from that truth.
Taste and see that the Lord is good.
Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!
Anytime this verse comes to mind, Thomas does as well. Just a name to you. But to me…
During my time at the Arms of Mercy, I've witnessed the hands and feet of Jesus constantly. There are times, however, I remember so vividly that they play over and over again. One such occasion was when Thomas came through the program. Thomas came to us by way of a hospital where he’d been dropped off after overdosing. When thrown out like trash, his only worldly possession was the boxer shorts he was wearing. In his time with us, he welcomed Jesus into relationship, snagged a job and an apartment. Finally, as he was about to graduate and move on, he escorted me to the back of the shelter where he flung the door open to show me our largest donation to date. Piles of clothes, furniture, and kitchen supplies greeted me. Christmas trees with decorations, golf clubs, and television sets. Everything to stock his dwelling for years to come. With tears in his eyes, he shouted (and I do mean shouted!), “TASTE AND SEE THAT THE LORD IS GOOD!”
Naturally, my thoughts went to the gifts GOD had bestowed upon him. Seeing such in my expression, Thomas taught me an eternal lesson. “Not taste and see that His gifts are good…but taste and see that the LORD GOD is good!”
From that moment, I wanted to see and savor Jesus the way Thomas does. To see GOD not with physical eyes through his gifts (as good as those can be also). But spiritually seeing the beauty of GOD. Alone. Sovereign. The glory. And not only to see it but to savor it. To desire nothing in this life but He. And let my love for everyone and everything else trickle from that truth.
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
Pursuing Joy
Psalm 90:15 (NLT)
Give us gladness in proportion to our former misery! Replace the evil years with good.
Epiphanies. Throughout this fleeting life, they've flickered in my brain. Truths such as: GOD loves me. Really! …Understanding that nothing- nothing!- can separate us from this love… And then there is the most recent: That I can’t find GOD or joy without Him giving it to me.
In all honesty, the last thing I desire as a human being is pursuing GOD. Sure, I make an effort. But only after I've done what I want to do. After the task at hand, be it fellowship, shopping, the game, Facebook chatter. Whatever. No matter how hard we try, we are sinners in desperate need of mercy and grace. We long for help, assistance in breaking out of this confining flesh and depraved nature. And that only comes from GOD. It's out of our control. But by his Spirit, he bends our spirits toward himself. He helps us recognize our need for Him and then, if we are willing, dwells within us, empowering us to do (and be) the impossible! It's then that our pursuit in joy begins. Because joy and Jesus are synonymous. To know genuine joy is to know the genuine Jesus. Not happiness on a whim by a cookie-cutter Savior of our own making. The pursuit of joy begins where we began Monday. On our knees. In prayer. Praying that GOD reveal himself in the upcoming weeks as we embark on the pursuit together in small groups. In our personal lives. As you allow him to bend you. Embrace you. And pursue joy.
Give us gladness in proportion to our former misery! Replace the evil years with good.
Epiphanies. Throughout this fleeting life, they've flickered in my brain. Truths such as: GOD loves me. Really! …Understanding that nothing- nothing!- can separate us from this love… And then there is the most recent: That I can’t find GOD or joy without Him giving it to me.
In all honesty, the last thing I desire as a human being is pursuing GOD. Sure, I make an effort. But only after I've done what I want to do. After the task at hand, be it fellowship, shopping, the game, Facebook chatter. Whatever. No matter how hard we try, we are sinners in desperate need of mercy and grace. We long for help, assistance in breaking out of this confining flesh and depraved nature. And that only comes from GOD. It's out of our control. But by his Spirit, he bends our spirits toward himself. He helps us recognize our need for Him and then, if we are willing, dwells within us, empowering us to do (and be) the impossible! It's then that our pursuit in joy begins. Because joy and Jesus are synonymous. To know genuine joy is to know the genuine Jesus. Not happiness on a whim by a cookie-cutter Savior of our own making. The pursuit of joy begins where we began Monday. On our knees. In prayer. Praying that GOD reveal himself in the upcoming weeks as we embark on the pursuit together in small groups. In our personal lives. As you allow him to bend you. Embrace you. And pursue joy.
Monday, February 3, 2014
When I Don’t Desire GOD
John 14:18 (NLT)
No, I will not abandon you as orphans—I will come to you.
Wasteland. Desert. Dry. Barren. Famished. Thirsty. Shadowlands.
All word pictures summarizing portions of my- our- lives. It was in such a season that I came across When I Don’t Desire GOD: How to Fight for Joy by John Piper. What followed was three months of grueling trauma, peeling back layers of sin and complacency and apathy. The book itself didn’t change anything mind you. But the Spirit used the Scriptures and thoughts in the book to work a radical change in my life. So much so that I’ve shared its effects with others. And decided to use it as the “curriculum” for my small group. The devotions in the coming weeks will be lined up with readings my small group will be completing. This is not to say the group you’re in is not great and not worthy of its own devotional writings. I just happen to write the devotions and thought this to be helpful. Anyone from any group can glean something from them.
Today is more background than devotional. But I feel heavy on my heart the burden to share with you the following thought: You aren't alone. You aren't alone in wondering why you can’t fully follow GOD. You’re not alone in walking through this precious, confusing journey we call life. You’re not alone in your struggle with the human condition. You’re not alone in seeking GOD because everything else brings nothing but emptiness. Over the next three months, lets walk hand in hand in learning to desire and delight in GOD, finding- and fighting for- joy in GOD alone, wielding prayer and the Word of GOD, and dealing with the darkness when it doesn't lift. Let us, once again, walk through this LifeTogether.
No, I will not abandon you as orphans—I will come to you.
Wasteland. Desert. Dry. Barren. Famished. Thirsty. Shadowlands.
All word pictures summarizing portions of my- our- lives. It was in such a season that I came across When I Don’t Desire GOD: How to Fight for Joy by John Piper. What followed was three months of grueling trauma, peeling back layers of sin and complacency and apathy. The book itself didn’t change anything mind you. But the Spirit used the Scriptures and thoughts in the book to work a radical change in my life. So much so that I’ve shared its effects with others. And decided to use it as the “curriculum” for my small group. The devotions in the coming weeks will be lined up with readings my small group will be completing. This is not to say the group you’re in is not great and not worthy of its own devotional writings. I just happen to write the devotions and thought this to be helpful. Anyone from any group can glean something from them.
Today is more background than devotional. But I feel heavy on my heart the burden to share with you the following thought: You aren't alone. You aren't alone in wondering why you can’t fully follow GOD. You’re not alone in walking through this precious, confusing journey we call life. You’re not alone in your struggle with the human condition. You’re not alone in seeking GOD because everything else brings nothing but emptiness. Over the next three months, lets walk hand in hand in learning to desire and delight in GOD, finding- and fighting for- joy in GOD alone, wielding prayer and the Word of GOD, and dealing with the darkness when it doesn't lift. Let us, once again, walk through this LifeTogether.
Sunday, February 2, 2014
A Call to Prayer
Psalm 88:1 (NLT)
O Lord, God of my salvation,
I cry out to you by day.
I come to you at night.
Prayer changes things. Or so the saying goes. Few one-liners ring true as this if we not only believe it, but practice it. Over the course of the last six months, I (as an individual) and Refuge (as a church body) have realized this. More than ever. When we seek GOD’s face- which is essentially what prayer is- we will never be the same. We either choose the call to submit and glorify him. Or turn our back and flee in the opposite direction. There is no middle ground. No staying the same. No apathetic indifference. Speaking and listening to GOD draws us closer to Him, opens our eyes to his presence, empowers us to sacrifice in love, strengthens and encourages, prods conviction and confession, purges our guilt, wraps us in mercy and grace, and -most importantly- takes the focus off of us and places it on Jesus. As we reignite our LifeTogether devotions, I will do what I should have done earlier. Pray for you. The one reading these devotions. And humbly ask that you pray for me as well.
Father, we seek your face. We humble ourselves and desire to know and glorify you. To give you everything we have to give. Take all our idols and distractions away. Lay us open before you so that we may confess and be rid of our blatant and apathetic sin. Open our eyes and ears to your Spirit as we’re guided towards you. Use these Scriptures and words from these devotions to draw us closer to you. May you be glorified in us as we are satisfied with you alone. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
O Lord, God of my salvation,
I cry out to you by day.
I come to you at night.
Prayer changes things. Or so the saying goes. Few one-liners ring true as this if we not only believe it, but practice it. Over the course of the last six months, I (as an individual) and Refuge (as a church body) have realized this. More than ever. When we seek GOD’s face- which is essentially what prayer is- we will never be the same. We either choose the call to submit and glorify him. Or turn our back and flee in the opposite direction. There is no middle ground. No staying the same. No apathetic indifference. Speaking and listening to GOD draws us closer to Him, opens our eyes to his presence, empowers us to sacrifice in love, strengthens and encourages, prods conviction and confession, purges our guilt, wraps us in mercy and grace, and -most importantly- takes the focus off of us and places it on Jesus. As we reignite our LifeTogether devotions, I will do what I should have done earlier. Pray for you. The one reading these devotions. And humbly ask that you pray for me as well.
Father, we seek your face. We humble ourselves and desire to know and glorify you. To give you everything we have to give. Take all our idols and distractions away. Lay us open before you so that we may confess and be rid of our blatant and apathetic sin. Open our eyes and ears to your Spirit as we’re guided towards you. Use these Scriptures and words from these devotions to draw us closer to you. May you be glorified in us as we are satisfied with you alone. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)