Immediately June 30, 2015

Do It Now!

²⁵ Come to terms quickly with your accuser. . .  Matthew 5:25 ESV

Jesus Christ is laying down this principle – Do what you know you must do, now, and do it quickly; if you do not, the inevitable process will begin to work and you will have to pay to the last farthing in pain and agony and distress. God’s laws are unalterable; there is no escape from them. The teaching of Jesus goes straight to the way we are made up.

To see that my adversary gives me my rights is natural; but Jesus says that it is a matter of eternal and imperative importance to me that I pay my adversary what I owe him. From our Lord’s standpoint it does not matter whether I am defrauded or not; what does matter is that I do not defraud. Am I insisting on my rights, or am I paying what I owe from Jesus Christ’s standpoint?

Do the thing quickly, bring yourself to judgment now. In moral and spiritual matters, you must do it at once; if you do not, the inexorable process will begin to work. God is determined to have His child as pure and clean and white as driven snow, and as long as there is disobedience in any point of His teaching, He will prevent none of the working of His spirit. Our insistence in proving that we are right is nearly always an indication that there has been some point of disobedience. No wonder the Spirit so strongly urges to keep steadfastly in the light!

"Agree with thine adversary quickly." Have you suddenly turned a corner in any relationship and found that you had anger in your heart? Confess it quickly, quickly put it right before God, be reconciled to that one – do it now.
 http://utmost.org/

I wasn't thrilled with Chamber's entry for today.   I have a tenancy to procrastinate.  Whether it is in house projects, spiritual areas, or work requirements, I have convinced myself that I work better under a deadline.  Pressure gets the best from me.  Consequently, I often find myself up until all hours of the morning working on a project or anxiously scanning past emails afraid I have missed an important deadline.  Papers get piled because I will work on them later and books are half read, having convinced myself I will finish them the next rainy day.

Do it now.  What a great life maxim.  Things left until later get layered onto the future's must-do's.  Tomorrow is already full of projects and deadlines.  There is no logical reason to stack today's requirements on tomorrow's list.  One thing I have learned over the years, procrastinating does not complete.  Nothing I have ever put off has ended up getting done by the magic project elves.  There are no deadline fairies completing what I have procrastinated. 

Fair Smair! June 27, 2015

The Overshadowing Personal Deliverance

^{8 "}Do not be afraid of them,
for I am with you to deliver you,
declares the Lord.” Jeremiah 1:8 ESV

God promised Jeremiah that He would deliver him personally—“Thy life will I give unto thee for a prey.” That is all God promises His children. Wherever God sends us, He will guard our lives. Our personal property and possessions are a matter of indifference, we have to sit loosely to all these things; if we do not, there will be panic and heartbreak and distress. That is the inwardness of the overshadowing of personal deliverance.

The Sermon on the Mount indicates that when we are on Jesus Christ’s errands, there is no time to stand up for ourselves. Jesus says, in effect, “Do not be bothered with whether you are being justly dealt with or not.” To look for justice is a sign of deflection from devotion to Him. Never look for justice in this world, but never cease to give it. If we look for justice, we will begin to grouse and to indulge in the discontent of self-pity—“Why should I be treated like this?” If we are devoted to Jesus Christ we have nothing to do with what we meet, whether it is just or unjust. Jesus says—“Go steadily on with what I have told you to do and I will guard your life. If you try to guard it yourself, you remove yourself from My deliverance.” The most devout among us become atheistic in this connection; we do not believe God, we enthrone common sense and tack the name of God on to it. We do lean to our own understanding, instead of trusting God with all our hearts.

Chambers, Oswald (2011-05-01). My Utmost for His Highest, Classic Edition (p. 130). Discovery House Publishers. Kindle Edition.

Darkness is Real June 24, 2015

"But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.”  Luke 22:53 ESV

I have never been comfortable with the verbal rebuking of satan which is taught in many churches and Christian programs.  I would rather call on the power of my Heavenly Father.  However, many people verbally rebuke satan during times of intense temptation or oppression, and use scripture to justify/support this plan of attack on the dark forces.

Today's verse from Luke is powerful, almost chilling.  Jesus is talking to the Roman soldiers as they descend on the Garden of Gethsemane to arrest him.  The forces of darkness were and still are very real in this world.  Whether demonstrated in ISIS or Dylan Root, one cannot argue that evil is alive and thriving.  How else can one explain beheadings in the name of religion or mass murders in hopes of starting a race war?

On the night of his arrest, Christ told the Roman soldiers that the hour belonged to them and the power of darkness.  Perhaps He is saying that to the world during this point in history.  Do Christians truly believe in present day, here-and-now evil?  Or do we blame parents, Imams, and drugs?  It is imperative that today's Church believe in and acknowledge satan as a real entity.  We must respect his power and know his only mission is to destroy and kill.  His hatred for Jesus Christ is so deep, so all-consuming he will do everything he is allowed to do to injure, maim, and kill the pinnacle of God's creation- man.

Whether you choose to verbally rebuke demons when tempted or silently call on the power of Yahwew, be vigilant in watching for and always prepared for very real, very powerful attacks.  For "this is (his) hour, and the power of darkness."  Be armed with scripture and prayer.  Nothing will be allowed to penetrate God's hedge of protection around you that He has not given you the power to overcome and preordained for good.

Wait June 23, 2015

³¹ but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
    they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
    they shall walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31 ESV 

Limited Time Offer!  Only Two Days Left!  Blazing 4G speed!  FREE same-day shipping!  Lose 20 pounds in 20 minutes with this new diet pill!  Society is enamored with speed, immediacy, and instantaneouscy.  The quicker the better.  More internet speed.  Faster phones.  Quicker delivery.  Yet so often we find in scripture the exact opposite.

¹⁴ Wait for the Lord;
    be strong, and let your heart take courage;
    wait for the Lord!  
Psalm 27:14 ESV 

⁷ Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him;
Psalm 37:7 ESV  

 Christ took time to get away from the clamoring crowds to rest and spend time alone with God.  For days on end, the early church spend time in prayer and worship.  

Isaiah reminds us that to be strong, rested, rejuveniated, we must allow God to work in His appointed time.  Let's turn off the phones.  Power down the tablets.  Disconnect the internet.  God speaks softly.  His voice cannot be heard over announcers, prognosticators, and commentators.  Choose Yahweh over Yahoo.   Select Christ over Chrome.  Desire our Father over Facebook.  

Wait and He will renew.  Rush and He will get pushed aside. 

June 19, 2015

June 18, 2015

I have several sources I use for daily Bible study, but none of these sources seemed to highlight a relevant verse today, that is until I went into prayer time.  It was then God revealed the application of the Verse of the Day from Bible Gateway (an online site that sends a verse to my inbox each morning). 

Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.  Ephesians 6:4 ESV

When I first read the verse, I thought, "Well, since Seth is gone from the house, the verse has little application."  But then as I entered a time of prayer and began to pray for the day ahead at school, God revealed to me that I am a father-figure of sorts for 100 summer school kids each day.  In fact educators are considered to be "in loco parentis".  This does not mean crazy parents, but is Latin for "in place of a parent".  So while my opportunities to parent Seth may be few, I still have the legal, moral, and spiritual responsibility to be the best "parent" I can be to each child at Sunshine.

Perhaps more important than the application of this one verse, is the realization that God did not reveal His message to me until I had gone to Him in prayer.  Just opening the Bible and hoping a truism or epiphany will happen is foolhardy.  God wants conversation.  He craves our company.  While the importance is Bible reading cannot be overstated, neither can the necessity of prayer.

June 16, 2015

¹⁰ And Joshua said, “Here is how you shall know that the living God is among you and that he will without fail drive out from before you the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Hivites, the Perizzites, the Girgashites, the Amorites, and the Jebusites.  Joshua 3:10 ESV

"Without fail."  When God gives His word that X, Y, or Z will happen "without fail", consider it a done deal.  It's a lock, a sure thing, open and shut.  God cannot lie.  His nature will not allow Him to promise then not follow through.

¹⁹ God is not man, that he should lie,
    or a son of man, that he should change his mind.
Has he said, and will he not do it?
    Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?  Numbers 23:19 ESV

² in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began Titus 1:2 ESV 

¹⁸ so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie,  Hebrews 6:18 ESV

So why then when we know that we know that we know God has made a promise to us individually or collectively do we doubt?  Three reasons spring to mind.

First is that we may not be 100% sure God has spoken.  We think the word if from God, but too often in the past we have fooled ourselves into interpreting our wants and desires as a word from God.  Our past self-deception causes to doubt the real deal when it presents itself.

A second reason is our lack of faith.  Our mouths say we have 100% faith in God, but when the night gets long and dark and those doubts start to roll in, we question God's love and ability to follow through.  We view the situation as beyond God's ability.  He said He would (fill in the blank), but He has not revealed the how.  Since I don't see how, perhaps it won't/can't happen. 
⁸ For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
    neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.  Isaiah 55:8 ESV

Finally, we get impatient with God's timeline and the lack of revelation of every step in the resolution of the problem.  God spoke last week, but I am still sick.  Three months ago, God assured me my marriage would improve, but I still cry myself to sleep several nights a week.  Last year God revealed to me I would find a job, but I am still unemployed.  
⁸ But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. ⁹ The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, 2 Peter 3:8 ESV

We are all too often guilty of judging God by our human standards and weaknesses.  Since we cannot solve the problem, surely God cannot.  Since we have broken promises in the past, maybe God won't follow through either.  We allow our immediate, microwave, fiber-optic world to expect on-demand results from God.  God is not human.  We must not allow our past experiences with flawed people to frame our perception of Him.  His promises true.  His power unlimited.  His timing prefect.

 

Christian Chickenpox June 13, 2015

Getting There 

Where the Self-Interest Sleeps and the Real Interest Awakens 

Master, where dwellest Thou?. . . Come and see. . . . John 1:38–39

Come with Me

“They . . . abode with Him that day.” That is about all some of us ever do, then we wake up to actualities, self-interest arises and the abiding is passed. There is no condition of life in which we cannot abide in Jesus.

“Thou art Simon . . . : thou shalt be called Cephas.” God writes the new name on those places only in our lives where He has erased the pride and self-sufficiency and self-interest. Some of us have the new name in spots only, like spiritual measles. In sections we look all right. When we have our best spiritual mood on, you would think we were very high-toned saints; but don’t look at us when we are not in that mood. The disciple is one who has the new name written all over him; self-interest and pride and self-sufficiency have been completely erased.

Pride is the deification of self, and this to-day in some of us is not of the order of the Pharisee, but of the publican. To say “Oh, I’m no saint,” is acceptable to human pride, but it is unconscious blasphemy against God. It literally means that you defy God to make you a saint. “I am much too weak and hopeless, I am outside the reach of the Atonement.” Humility before men may be unconscious blasphemy before God. Why are you not a saint? It is either that you do not want to be a saint, or that you do not believe God can make you one. It would be all right, you say, if God saved you and took you straight to heaven. That is just what He will do! “We will come unto Him, and make our abode with Him.” Make no conditions, let Jesus be everything, and He will take you home with Him not only for a day, but for ever.

Chambers, Oswald (2011-05-01). My Utmost for His Highest, Classic Edition (pp. 119-120). Discovery House Publishers. Kindle Edition.

"Spiritual measles".  Christian chickenpox.  Sanctified freckles.  Is God's name written on every part of your life, or is it just written on parts?  Are we totally clothed in God's righteousness, or just bits and pieces of our lives?  Smoking is a long-gone habit.  But what about your attitude toward gays?  You no longer tell those crass jokes at work.  But do you still share that juicy piece of gossip?  You signed up to drive the church shuttle.  But what about those lingering glances at the new 20-something coworker?

If God's name is not written on every part of your life, each habit, each desire, each thought, then you still have work to do.  Each day ask God to reveal to you those areas that still do not have His mark.  He will be faithful to do so.  After He has revealed those areas to you, make them a conscious, intentional area of prayer so that each day you become more and more covered with His name.

June 10, 2015

The Next Best Thing to Do 

Seek if You Have Not Found 

Seek, and you will find. Luke 11:9 ESV

“Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss.” If you ask for things from life instead of from God, you ask amiss, that is, you ask from a desire for self-realisation. The more you realise yourself the less will you seek God. “Seek, and ye shall find.” Get to work, narrow your interests to this one. Have you ever sought God with your whole heart, or have you only given a languid cry to Him after a twinge of moral neuralgia? Seek, concentrate, and you will find.

“Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters.” Are you thirsty, or smugly indifferent—so satisfied with your experience that you want nothing more of God? Experience is a gateway, not an end. Beware of building your faith on experience, the metallic note will come in at once, the censorious note. You can never give another person that which you have found, but you can make him homesick for what you have.

“Draw nigh to God.” “Knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” Knock—the door is closed, and you suffer from palpitation as you knock. “Cleanse your hands”—knock a bit louder, you begin to find you are dirty. “Purify your heart”—this is more personal still, you are desperately in earnest now—you will do anything. “Be afflicted”—have you ever been afflicted before God at the state of your inner life? There is no strand of self-pity left, but a heartbreaking affliction of amazement to find you are the kind of person that you are. “Humble yourself”—it is a humbling business to knock at God’s door—you have to knock with the crucified thief. “To him that knocketh, it shall be opened.”

Chambers, Oswald (2011-05-01). My Utmost for His Highest, Classic Edition (pp. 117-118). Discovery House Publishers. Kindle Edition.

The Other Paul and John June 6, 2015

so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love,
Ephesians 3:17 ESV

²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.  Galatians 5:22, 23 ESV

¹³ So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. 
1 Corinthians 13:13 ESV 

All you need is love
All you need is love
All you need is love, love
Love is all you need
McCartney and Lennon 

Love.  Not going to debate, discuss, or diagram what love is, what it looks like, what it sounds like, or how it would manifest itself in the world.    Tough love.  Unconditional love.  Romantic love.  Brotherly love.   Agape love.  That is a post for another day.

But love is the foundation of all that God does for us, and hopes for us.  Love created Adam and Eve.  Love separated the Red Sea.  Love closed the lions' mouths.  Love put His son on the cross.  Love brought Jesus out of the grave.  

I pray for peace.  I pray for wisdom.  I pray for situations.  I pray for  healing.  However, I realized I don't pray for love.    

"The greatest of these is love."  Lord, please increase my capacity, desire, and willingness to love more people, more consistently, and with more sincerity. 

BFF June 3, 2015

The Secret of the Lord 

¹⁴ The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear him,  Psalm 25:14 ESV
¹⁴ The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him;  Psalm 25:14 JKV
¹⁴ The Lord confides in those who fear him; Psalm 25:14 NIV

What is the sign of a friend? That he tells you secret sorrows? No, that he tells you secret joys. Many will confide to you their secret sorrows, but the last mark of intimacy is to confide secret joys. Have we ever let God tell us any of His joys, or are we telling God our secrets so continually that we leave no room for Him to talk to us? At the beginning of our Christian life we are full of requests to God, then we find that God wants to get us into relationship with Himself, to get us in touch with His purposes. Are we so wedded to Jesus Christ’s idea of prayer—“Thy will be done” —that we catch the secrets of God? The things that make God dear to us are not so much His great big blessings as the tiny things, because they show His amazing intimacy with us; He knows every detail of our individual lives.


Chambers, Oswald (2011-05-01). My Utmost for His Highest, Classic Edition (pp. 112-113). Discovery House Publishers. Kindle Edition.

I find the word choice in of the three translations above interesting:  "friendship", "secret", or "confides in".

While the ESV eludes to a friendship with God, which is an awe-inspiring thought, the KJV and NIV translations describe a relathionship that goes beyond merely friendship.  They  describe a relationship that is intimate and close.

God tells His children secrets.  He confides in them.  There is a level of trust and intimacy present that transcends friendship.  God is our BFF.  Our bestie.  Our ace buddy.  He is not only there to listen, but to also share secrets and wonders with us.  He wants a relationship that is stronger and deeper than Savior and Saved.

Although the translations of today's verse differ at the beginning, there is one constant.   This best friend relationship, this intimate walk with God is reserved for "those who fear him".  That speaks of a relationship that goes beyond merely Christianity.  There are multitudes of people whose names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life that are not experiencing this best friend relationship with God.  The secret-sharing, confidant relationship with God is not a given.  Many children are estranged from their fathers just as many Believers are estranged from their heavenly Father.  It begins with a fear of the Lord.  An awe-inspiring respect.  A realization that without Him, we are nothing, can do nothing, and offer nothing of value to those around us.

It is a dangerous to allow the mindset to develop which causes one to believe that the fire-insurance relationship with God is as good as it gets.  There are levels of closeness with God that few of us will ever achieve, but the daily deepening of our relationship with God should still be our constant goal.