A Word for You

Yes He Hears!

2009-01-08T05:09:00.001-08:00

Ps 18 describes the magnificence of God and yet simply reminds me of His great concern for me. Action verbs such as "heard", "reached", "rescued", "drew me", "led me", or "rewarded me" fill this psalm as God is at work on my behalf. Yes, the writer describes his action as well by crying out to God, keeping His ways, etc. How reassuring to know that God's heart is for me - not against me!

Look As Far As You Can See

2009-01-07T05:02:00.001-08:00

The story of Lot (Gen. 13) certainly demonstrates the far reaching, every loving and patient hand of God for His people. It's an example of the lengths to which God will go to protect the plans and purposes He has for His people. I can imagine God telling Lot to "look as far as you can . . " (Gen. 13:14). I wonder how many times Lot glanced at the things merely in front of him. When did he lift his eyes to see further out and away from where he was? Lot could see what what right in front of him, but God could see further out and beyond what was in plain view. The directive to "go and walk through the land" (Gen. 14:17) is a faith step that had to be taken by Lot. God chose not to transport Lot or give him visions to view while standing in the same place. God instructed Lot to take action and move. God's desire was to give Lot all the land he could "see" and fill it with descendants beyond counting.

In Matthew 9:35-38, Jesus demonstrated what we can do as we walk through our land. Jesus did whatever it took to bring the Kingdom of God to people. He looked in every direction. He walked the land. The hearts and lives of people were changed as He simply brought what was truth about God to those who would listen. God still nudges His followers to open their eyes and walk where people haven't experienced the freedom and relationship found in God. What amazing possibilities there are to be discovered as His followers lift their eyes to see His work among them. May His followers be found walking in their sphere of influence having His eyes to see where He is at work.

Jesus in Everyday Life

2009-01-06T04:59:00.000-08:00

Matthew 8 is a reminder to me of how simple Jesus wanted faith to be. He didn't need a plethora of rules or regulations to help people. He merely brought what was true about God into the world in which He was living. Jesus showed us how unencumbered living by faith really could be. Sometimes I make it much more difficult. A common factor when Jesus does touch people seems to be a willingness of the other person to participate. I see action words like "I am willing", "just say the word" or "getting up and serving". Even when encountering the demonic, Jesus simply said "go!". I'm praying for a less encumbered faith; a faith that is much more simple. I wonder if faith is much more about getting my thoughts in line with Jesus' thoughts. Along with doing what He does, I want to think like He things as well.

God's Idea of Justice

2009-01-05T04:53:00.000-08:00

It might be that we have presupposed God's idea of justice. What comes to mind . . . lightning bolts, bad happenings, car crashes, sickness? Psalm 11 gives more clarity of God's thinking about justice (and injustice).

From the passage in Psalm 11, it is important to see that God doesn't "wink" at injustice. He sees and He will deal - in one way or another. I want to value what God values. God values His creation. As said in previous readings, He actually put humans "a little lower than the angels". He didn't put trees or water or the sun " a little lower than the angels" - He put humans. While I know we have to take care of our planet, truly I see that God's heart is for the part of His creation that can have relationship with Him. That's humans!

The world's "stuff" seems overwhelming sometimes, but within the sphere of my influence, I have the opportunity to bring God's ideas and heart. The realm of God's thinking and action, His kingdom, is where I believe justice will be done. My challenge is to retool my thinking to match His so I will see from His perspective. Therein lies the challenge for the day!

New Year - New Plan

2009-01-04T20:02:00.000-08:00

I'm leaving a note to announce that I will be doing a yearly Bible reading plan and dropping in notes here on the blog. I will start in the morning on this blog. I've been journaling over at www.youversion.com, but several people have wanted to read what I am journaling. I'll use this blog for that purpose.

Also, I will be memorizing two scriptures a month. I'll have a new one on the 1st and 15th of each month. I'm making a commitment along with thousands of others after having been challenged by Beth Moore. Be sure to check the sidebar for the details on that opportunity.

My January 1-14, 2009 verse is Eph. 1:4 - 5 from the New Living Translation. You're welcome to ask me when you seen me what the verse is that I'm memorizing at the time. I believe by the end of the year I will have enjoyed committing more of His Word to my memory.

By the way, I'd love to know that you're taking this challenge of memorizing the Word too. I do need accountability partners!

Glimpses of the Father's Heart

2007-01-26T04:56:00.000-08:00

Psalm 8:3-4 says "When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers . . . . what is man that You take thought of him?"

take thought - (Heb) - "to mark, take note of, to burn into the memory"

A friend and I were praying one night and began to speak in prayer some of the things that our Father "takes thought of" regarding us. I thought you'd like to hear from Him today too.

Can you imagine His finger writing on your heart?

You are mine!

I love you!

I bought you with a price!

I love it when you worship me.

I love when you open your heart to Me.

I love inhabiting your praises.

I've been looking for you.

I've been waiting for you and here you are!

I knew you would come back.

Come on in to My secret place.

Let Me hold you.

Climb up into my lap and rest

I really am all you need.

I have the answers to your questions.

I have loved you with an everlasting love!

Don't be afraid.

My thoughts toward you are good.

My plans are to give you a future and a hope.

Nothing is too hard for Me.

Let Me show you the depths, heights and widths of My love.

Where You Haven't Gone Before

2007-01-25T16:25:00.000-08:00

Romans 6:4 - "Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life."

Romans 7:6 - "But now we have been released from the Law, having died to that by which we were bound, so that we serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter."

newness - kainotes - (kahee-not'-ace) - freshness, renewal, not simply an experience similar to the past, but a qualitative different one; having not been this way before

Each summer I watch our mulberry tree in the front yard bear new fruit. I have the joy of picking those berries and enjoying them on pancakes and in my cereal. For many years now, we've cared for that tree by pruning it and watering it. It's amazing to watch it's renewal each year!

Just as that tree brings fruit to our table each summer, so there is a process where I may have renewal or "freshness" as well. As an act of my faith, I identify with Christ in His death so that I may experience that resurrection life.

The above two passages are the only places this word "newness" is used in the Bible. It stems from the same intitial experience (salvation) but produces a qualitatively different experience from past experiences. In Christian circles, that "experience" is sometimes called "growth" or "maturity". It is more than the acquiring of more knowledge. It is literally walking by the Spirit out into places we've not yet been.

I find it interesting that many of us want to "grow" and experience the Father more, but going where we've never gone before makes us anxious. So, the tension between our desire to grow and the anxiousness of the unknown can cause us to "freeze" in our tracks. The wonderful thing about the Father, though, is that He knows where we should grow and will continually "draw" us to that growth. That "drawing" might look like a desire to be with certain people. It might look like wanting to read the Bible more. It might look like talking to the Father more than ever before.

Suddenly we find that the "pain of remianing the same is greater than the pain of change". Taking the step out into "the wide open spaces" of the Father becomes a joy. It's found that all along He was leading and creating hunger for more of Him. Our vision of Him is qualitatively larger and keener. There are new areas of Him that open to us. Courage to keep going rises because of the way He met us for the current step of growth. That is a picture of the "newness" of life in the Spirit!

Just as I know my mulberry tree has in it the potential for bearing fruit, so I know the Father has put in us the potential for growth.

It's a wonderful time to grow!

God's Kind of Heart

2007-01-25T16:22:00.000-08:00

Psalm 51:17 "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit. A broken and contrite heart, O God, You will not despise."

broken - shabar (shaw-bar') - to burst, to break into small pieces where the inner parts are exposed

contrite - dakah (daw-kaw) - to pulverize to mere dust; to crush; has the picture of reducing to the consistency to talcum powder

despise - bazah (baw-zaw') - put to shame; take away esteem

Have you ever watched your kids get caught at something and there was that "moment"? You know, the "moment" when they are deciding which is the best way to go - give you that innocent "kid" smile or that "ok I'm caught, now what?" look! King David had those very choices himself when he make unwise choices, tried to hide himself and then came full circle back to the bare truth that he had sinned "against God and God alone". (Ps 51:4). While our kids may or may not understand that, I believe the sooner we all learn it, the sooner we will come to love the "wonder" of brokenness.

This study is not about the sin or the repentance. It's about the work that God does after repentance (or right along with it). True repentance brings out a God given desire to "make it right" or somehow "do" something. God doesn't necessarily want those kinds of "sacrifices". What He loves to watch, with full loving, no shame acceptance, is a broken and contrite heart.

The heart, being the place of understanding and emotion, is where God loves to work. Being broken by Him involves having large or small issues be exposed to the light of His love. Remember, He doesn't dismantle our dignity - He has placed us in His Son, Christ Jesus. But He does want every part of our being flooded with His light. He does want our depravity exposed. That's where the Holy Spirit lovingly nudges and breaks into the hidden areas exposing the need for Him. We are not meant to be left hanging there exposed though. Thus, the next step of having a "contrite" heart.

"Contrite" has to do with being the consistency of a fine powder. Have you ever seen talcum powder? You know how fine it is? Originally, it was made from a rock yet pulverized to very fine powder. That "pulverizing" is a picture of the word "contrite". Now the purpose of being contrite is not to lose our identity. The chemical makeup (DNA) of the rock was the same whether in a rock form or a fine powder form. The difference was that the powder can stand on the surface of the water. It is pliable and much more conformable as talc than as a rock. The picture of a contrite person is one that has not lost his identity (I am still a child of the living God). But, he's one that has given all his "rights" and "ownership" to the surface of the place on which he rests (or floats)! Of course, we are IN Christ Jesus! We are not our own, we are bought with a price. It's the ultimate picture of "rest"! Who I am, rests completely on the plane of who He is. When I start walking in my own understanding - I sink like a rock!

Do you have a little different picture of entering in to His rest?

Oh awesome Father,
For every reader of this study, I pray for such hunger to be broken and contrite before You. We want to know the joy of seeing Your face looking at us without one hint of shame. More than anything, I pray that each of us will experience the "wonder" of rest in You. Truly Father, in You we live and move and have our being! Because of You, I say . . . Amen!

For Every Generation

2005-06-23T18:23:00.000-07:00

Ps 33:11: - "The counsel of the LORD stands forever. The plans of His heart from generation to generation."

Times change and so do people. The Lord is timeless. God transcends culture yet fits so cleanly in every age. His counsel is all encompassing. There is no one who has ever lived who could not live in His counsel. The plans of His heart really create such a level paying field. This is a major place where generatoins can speak to each other from a common foundation.

Father . . . Thank You for the clear transcendent place from which Your counsel flows. There are no prerequisites to hear and heed Your counsel. Every age can respond to Your plans. Help us find ways to give that messgae to the generations of people who have preconceived ideas about how You may be found.

The Many Sides of God's Wisdom

2005-06-15T15:27:00.000-07:00

manifold - polupoikilos (pol-oo-poy'-kil'os) - variegated, various, many colored, many sided, woven

Ephesians 3:10 - "in order that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church . . ."

I Peter 1:6 - "in this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary you have been distressed by various trials"

I Peter 4:10 - "As each one has received a special gift, empty it in serving one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God."

Manifold is a wonderful picture of variegated things. We often look at the word that follows manifold thinking that that's the focal point of the passage. Today, I'm looking at a word that allows the noun after manifold to take on fuller meaning.

The veil in the Tabernacle was variegated with the many colors God instructed Moses to have included. There was even hammered gold woven into the fabric of that veil. So, when the light from the lamp stand glistened on the veil, there was a different "view" each time. It was a wonderful reminder that in worship we can see the Father in various ways.

Another look at manifold comes in a more current example of crocheting. Have you ever seen variegated yarn? I used to watch my mom crocket. (I was learning to do that when I broke my arm playing basketball and never got back to the yarn!) That variegated yarn is something! It comes in four inch color strips all wound together in long yarn. It has about 6 different colors that repeat over and over. When the crocheting was complete, you could see the woven colors all together. Each time you looked at the finished work, you could see something different!

One of my favorite ideas of manifold is the disco ball. Yep! It's that mirror ball stuck high on the ceiling that reflects light out into the room from the spotlight shining on it. While I haven't been in too many discos lately, I have used that ball in musical presentations. As I watched the reflections flying around the room, I was reminded that the Father's wisdom is much like this. It was as if every one of those pieces of mirror were a piece of the wisdom of God. When the light of the Son shined on it, His wisdom could be seen!

I truely believe that when we ask for wisdom, we receive it. God has a wise answer! I've just talked about the many sides of His wisdom, but also His grace is available in that perspective too. Is ther egrace to cover your situation? Yes, there is!

Father, what side of Your wisdom and grace are needed in these circumstances?

Leaning Toward Me

2005-05-29T08:52:00.000-07:00

Psalm 34:15 - The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous. And His ears are open to their cry."

There is something about "catching a person's eye". It could be a spouse's eye from across the room. It could be a child from across the playground. It could be a friend from across the street. Communication happens uniquely in the "eye to eye" arena. That's probably why such emotion rises when considering things from an "eye to eye" vantage.

Knowing that the Father's eyes are "toward" the righteous creates a varied picture. Some whould find His eye intimidating. Some would find it reassuring. In continuing in the reading of this passage, we find that it's not just what He sees, but also that He hears as well. There can be a bit of aloofness in a mere glance. The hearing ear lends another layer of perception and empthy.

I choose to enjoy the thought of God seeing and hearing the things in my life. While I know that there are imperfections, it feels like a friend walking ever so close to me and being able to understand my heart. What an awesome friend I have in the Father!

Father. . . Not only is it a comfort to know You see and hear me, it feels so good to sense that moment by moment companionship. It feels like You are leaning toward me. Thank You Father for this very personal touch from You.

Recovery from Wounds

2005-03-19T07:06:00.000-08:00

Isaiah 53:5 - "He was wounded for our transgressions . . ."

wound - chala (khaw-lia') - This word pictures a piercing action that continues to the very depths of a person as a result of a wedged open place (like an event, word,etc.)

transgression - pesha (peh'-shah) - a premeditated crossing the line of God's law; rebellious act of rejecting God's authority; complete defilement of that which is holy

Jesus, the complete picture of God, was completely defiled and pierced through because of my premeditated, rebellious act of rejecting His truth and authority. His death and resurrection paid the penalty for that act. Not only did this happen once and for all for my salvation, it covers every act of rebellion I'll ever do. Now how does that cause me to respond to Him? For some, it may be a nonchalant "big deal" sort of attitude. Not for me! His love presses to challenge me beyond the usual. My heart is broken at my rebellion. The unfolding joy of knowing Hi ssacrifice for me brings a keener attention to my daily walk.

Now what does this say of our woundings in life? In earliest use of this word, it meant a sexual defilement such as rape or incest (Gen. 48:4). We know there's nothing new under the sun. Even today, the picture is happening again and again. The willful rebellious acts of people continue to wound. Whether it's in word or deed, those acts can pierce deeply.

BUT ON THE CROSS . . . the price was paid! I'm not a victim of wounding. I'm a victor over those things. His love is drawing me beyond whatever satisfaction I found at the wounded place. His mercy will not leave me there. He is drawing me into the wide open spaces of His life!

So, whether we've been the wounded or the wounder, the plain fact is that Jesus took the consequences of both acts upon Himself. His blood was sufficient to heal our pain and forgive us for our deliberate acts. It's so good to know that the Father looks at every person in the situation and is available to redeem each one.

Father,

I pray today for those of us who might be dwelling at the wounded places in our lives. Show us again that Your Son was pierced to the depths for all the willful, premeditated acts we do and have been done against us. There is nothing that You don't see or that You will not heal. When Jesus said "It is finished!", it was enough to heal, restore and reclaim all the defiled places in our lives. We ask for freedon, release and wholeness. We receive all that His work did for us!

In Jesus' name . . . Amen

Disarming Moments

2005-03-13T20:14:00.000-08:00

Colossians 2:15 - "When He had disarmed rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him."

disarmed - apekduomai (ap-ek-doo'-om-ahee) - to strip away, to cause to sink out of, unclothe

Have you ever caught someone so "red-handed" that there wasn't any other word left to be spoken? The "exposed" feeling leaves all involved almost speechless. Even stronger than the provebial "hand in the cookie jar" is the strength of what the Lord Jesus did to the "ruler of this world". (I won't give him any honor by even capitalizing his name.)

This picture of "disarmed" is more than leaving one speechless or a little embarrassed. "Disarm" means to unclothe or strip away knowing that the one being stripped will never return the same. There's a scene in "The Wizard of Oz" where the wicked witch shrinks away and all that's left is the pile of clothes where she'd been. That's the beginning of the idea of "disarm". The "disarmed" one literally sinks out of the existence from where they'd been.

While that's a good picture, we must understand that the power of the blood of the Lord Jesus is much much more extensive. It not only covers the physical body (like the witch in the movie), but also the soul and spirit of every person who believes and receives Him as Lord and Savior. As the Lord Jesus brought us into Himself (at salvation), He stripped away everything that tries to rise up against us. We are with Him above all things.

Consider these scriptures.

John 12:31 - Jesus said "the ruler of this world will be cast out"

Colossians 2:10 - "In Him you have been made complete (full), and He is the head over all rule and authority"

Ephesians 1:22-23 - "He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, and the fullness of Him who fills all in all."

Hebrews 2:8 - "For in subjecting all things to Him, He left nothing that is not subject to Him. But now we do not yet see all things subjected to Him."

Imagine if we lived in the freedom of knowing that the enemy has no power or authority over us! The enemy's power has been completely stripped and there is nothing left but a shell of accusations. Of what power are mere accusations when you and I are "in" the Most High God? How would we approach our daily lives? What would become significant to us? Would we walk with intimidation or courage?

The Long Stretch

2005-03-07T13:09:00.000-08:00

I Peter 4:8 - ". . . keep fervent in your love for one another"

Acts 12:5 - "So Peter was kept in prison, but prayer for him was being made fervently by the church to God."

John 3:16 - "For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

fervent - ektenes - (eh-ten-ace) - intense, stretch out, without ceasing

love - agape (ag-ah'-pay) - an unselfish kind of love that can only be done in it's fullness by God; it prizes the recipient above the giver; it is God's willful direction toward man

The image of fervent love looks like a continuous stretching beyond the easy point of surface concerns. When God gave His Son for us, there was such intensity in His heart. The writer of Hebrews explains Jesus' fervent love this way - "who for the joy set before Him endured the Cross". Talk about stretching!

We get a little nervous to get out of our comfort zone. When God is trying to grow us into new places of His Kingdom, sometimes we shrink back or become almost paralyzed in fear. The thought of our loving Father continuously stretching out Hi slove for us should be the foundation from which we do some stretching.

During my years of piano practicing, I remember my teacher looking at my really small hands. She was a little shocked when I couldn't reach the eight note stretch that, in music, we call an octave. My hands were as large as they were going to get when I reached about 10 years old. So, she suggested I do some stretching exercises. I sat at the piano day in and day out doing what she told me to do. Now, I have to tell you that I don't honestly think my fingers got longer nor the span of my hand larger. But guess what? Today, I can reach octaves!

What are some opportunities for intense stretching? The passages above mention prayer and relationships. Both of these situations involve getting outside the easy path and pressing on into more of something. Fervent love for one another doesn't allow for pettiness. It prizes the other's well being above our own. That stretched out kind of love goes on beyond the norm until results are seen in the life of another. It's that same kind of intensity with prayer. We might know of a situation that must be brought to the Father. We do whatever it takes to pray until that situation changes. When the church prayed for Peter during his imprisonment, I don't think it was a three minute event on Sunday morning! It's the intensity that comes over you when you know a friend is in need of God's hand in their situation. You just won't quit bringing it before the Father. It's called fervent prayer!

Father,
Open the eyes of our hearts to stretch beyond the easy and the routine. May Your picture of love ever press us on to stretch for one another whether it's in relationships or in prayer. We want to be people who unceasingly press on for all Your heart desires. Thank you Father, for helping us reach the octaves in fervency when others may not want to try.

To You be all glory and honor! Amen

Life In the Pond

2005-03-02T17:34:00.000-08:00

Luke 6:45 - "The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of he evil treasures brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart." ( the KJV it says "out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.")

abundance - periseuma (per-is'-syoo-mah) - a surplus or superabundance; what is left over after something is full; there is enough and extra to spare

"Abundant mentality" is a buzz phrase that is racing through Christian circles these days. Entire sales forces are steeped in this thought process. "You are worth it!" "You deserve it!" "You can have it all!" As I look at the exceeding riches of His inhereitance in us, I don't wrestle with those statements too much until I begin to look just a little deeper. What is inside the heart of the "abundant thinker"?

My mind began to ponder this verse in Luke a few days ago. I was at my niece's house and saw a lovely pool of water. This was no ordinary pond. This was something called a "patio pond". My niece doesn't have a huge plot of land where a sprawling pond can stretch providing an ecosystem for plants and fish. Those kinds of ponds are up in the mountains near our home. Right in the city, though, was this refreshing pond. The pond has a waterfall over some rocks that poured into a pond at the bottom of the structure. The whole draw of htis pond is that after a busy day, you can sit by it, watch the fish swim and unwind from the busy day.

I began to wonder how that pond kept working. Of course I understood that there was a pump that kept the water recycling. The plan of the pond includes a complete cleaning system. But, as I stared at that pond, I wondered if that pond ever would get dry. Would it ever run out of water?

I live in a pretty arid part of the US so our 15% humidity means wet things dry up fairly fast. Evaporation is a concern that we have. As I looked at that pond, I wondered how it keeps spilling over from one place to the next. My niece explained that every other day, she had to add water or the system wouldn't continue to work. The whole ecosystem must have enough water to spill from one area of the pond to the next. There must be an abundance of water that will fall from one place to the next.

The Holy Spirit dropped deep into my heart a reminder that the "ecosystem" of the Father's Presence in me must be filled to overflowing. My life is more than just a pond that keeps refilling, but it is an abundance of what He is working in me. What I have in my "ecosystem" (my heart) is what flows out of my mouth.

If you want the things of God to spill out of your mouth to others, you must have the "system" of the Father working in you.It's pretty easy to see what is in a person's heart. Listen to them talk. As I looked at that pond, I realized that it wasn't going to hold anything that would not fit in that ecosystem. What finds a way of surviving in my heart? What do I "feed" on? Do I daily take in the Word of God? Do I want the Presence of the Father to fill me and then overflow from me? Am I full enough of Him that there is extra flowing out of me as I speak?

Father,

Show me where I have no fresh flow of You in my life. Help me hear what I am speaking to those around me. What is it telling about what is in the "ecosystem" of my heart? I want to be so full of Your living water, that when I speak, my words will declare what You are doing in me. I want that kind of abundant mentality. May the treasure (ecosystem) in my heart be so full that it flows out and blesses those around me!

Amen