If (when) we're near to Jesus - Charles Spurgeon

The Lord Jesus gives special revelation of Himself to His people.

Even if Scripture did not declare this, many children of God could testify to the truth of it from their own experience....

...when Jesus manifests Himself to His people, it is heaven on earth; it is paradise in embryo; it is bliss begun.

Special manifestations of Christ exercise a holy influence on the believer's heart.

One effect will be humility.

If a man says, "I have had such-and-such spiritual communications; I am a great man," he has never had any communication with Jesus at all; for "the LORD regards the lowly, but the haughty He knows from afar" (Psalm 138:6).  He does not need to come near the haughty to know them and will never give them visits of love.

Another effect will be happiness; for in God's presence there are pleasures forevermore.

Holiness will be sure to follow. A man who has no holiness has never had this manifestation [God's revelation]. Some men profess a great deal, but we must not believe anyone unless we see that his actions agree with what he says.

 "Do not be deceived. God is not mocked" (Galatians 6:7). He will not bestow His favors upon the wicked, for He will neither cast away a perfect man, nor will he respect an evildoer.

Thus there will be three effects of nearness to Jesus--humility, happiness, and holiness.

May God give them to you, Christian!

           --  Charles Spurgeon

Great news!

My sin - oh the bliss of this glorious thought -

My sin - not in part, but the whole -

Is nailed to the cross and I bear it no more

Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! O My soul!*

Just think about it - all my sin - not just some of it - all of it -

 taken care of by Jesus at the cross!

God doesn't look at our sins - categorize them - maybe putting some of them in one pile and some in another, and saying, "OK, I'll take care of this stack...but that stack, well, you knew better, Glorya, you'll have to take care of them yourself!"

No, He put them all together in one large (really extra-large cosmic garbage bag) and hurled them into the depths of the deepest sea....out of His memory forever -

"Who is a God like You, who pardons sin and forgives transgression....You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy....You will hurl all our iniquities into the depth of the sea." Micah 7:18-19

Who can imagine it? He delights to show mercy!

Yes, I believe in God - but not in just any god - I believe in THIS GOD! A God who delights to give me His mercy and forgives me 

all my sins!

"If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9

*{Great words from It Is Well With My Soul, written by Horatio Spafford around 1875...}

A Perfect Prayer - Daniel

                                       What is a "Perfect Prayer"?



I was looking for a "perfect prayer."

There are so many.

Peter, when fearing for his life, prayed, "Lord, save me!" 

That's "practically perfect in every way," as Mary Poppins would say.

It is short (the shortest in the entire Bible), to the point, and directed to the Lord Himself, who alone could take care of the problem.

Here's another one:

Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever;

wisdom and power are His.

He changes times and seasons;

He sets up kings and deposes them.

He gives wisdom to the wise and

knowledge to the discerning.

He reveals deep and hidden things;

He knows what lies in darkness,

and light dwells with Him.

I thank and praise you, O God of my fathers:

You have given me wisdom and power,

You have made known to me what we asked of You,

You have made known to us the dream of the king.

                                         --Daniel 2:20-23

Daniel and all the wise men of Babylon had been told if they couldn't, not  just interpret, but actually relate Nebuchadnezzar's dream to him, they would be killed.

Then Daniel returned to his house and explained the matter to his friends Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah [Shadrack, Meshak and Abednego].

He urged them to plead for mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that he and his friends might not be executed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven.   -- Daniel 2:17-19

What we learn from Daniel's grateful prayer - recorded in Daniel 2:20-23 (see above):

1. He starts with praise - passionate words giving glory to God for all He has done "for ever and ever."
For His wisdom and power, His control over nature, His control over mankind and its rulers.

2. Then he acknowledges that God gives wisdom and knowledge to His people, and He reveals deep and hidden things. God is not tight-fisted - He is generous and gracious.

3. Then Daniel gets personal and thanks God for giving him wisdom and power -- gifts that belong to God Himself. "Wisdom and power are His" Daniel had said at the beginning of the prayer.

4. Then Daniel gets specific: "You have made known to us what we asked of You, You have made known to us the dream of the king."

Daniel's heart is overflowing with praise and gratitude. He begins praising God for His great power and majesty, and His kindness. Then he thanks Him for answering his specific prayer.




From praising God for His universal sovereign greatness, and then thanking and praising Him for His goodness to Daniel personally.

That's why this is an example of a perfect prayer.


Note: I am amazed at how many times the words revealer, and reveal (or made known) occurs in Daniel 2. It's about 10 times in that chapter. And always God is the revealer.

What Made David Happy?

                                                 What Made David Happy?

Words from David recorded in Psalm 26: "I go about your altar, LORD, proclaiming aloud your praise and telling all your wonderful deeds. LORD, I love the house where you live, the place where your glory dwells."

How joyous David is that he can come into the  house where God lives, where God's glory dwells.He moves freely around, praising God out loud! Such a beautiful picture!

But what about us? The gospel tells us that now Jesus Is the true temple (John 2) -- that God's glory dwells in Him and with all of us who unite with Him through faith (1 Peter 2). 

Those people in the next row with the whiny baby? That lady who really should carry a box of Kleenex with her? Those young people who don't dress right for church (or anywhere else for that matter!) 

They should be objects of my love and respect because God's glory dwells in them!

Father, each of my brothers and sisters in your family has your image and is precious in your sight, and house Christ and His glory. How can I be cold, impatient, irritable, and disrespectful to them? How can I look down at them? 

But I do sometimes. I need more of your love -- please fill me  to joyful overflowing -- your fountain has an endless supply. And I stand here with an empty heart.

As You have been to me, help me to be to others.

Amen.

Miscellaneous Thoughts About Prayer

~~~~~From the venerable Rabbis:



Here is one of the Jewish blessings recited in their services after the Torah scroll has been read, tied and covered.

Blessed are You, Hashem, our God, King of the Universe, Rock of all eternities, Righteous in all generations, the trustworthy God, Who says and does, Who speaks and fulfills, all of Whose words are true and righteous. Trustworthy are You, Hashem, our God and trustworthy are Your words, not one of Your words is turned back to its origin unfulfilled for You are God, trustworthy and compassionate King. Blessed are You, Hashem, the God Who is trustworthy in all His word.

~~~~~From the Westminster Catechism:



Westminster Catechism Question 107:

Q. What does the conclusion of the Lord's Prayer teach us?
A. The conclusion of the Lord's Prayer, which is, For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever, Amen. teaches us to take our encouragements in prayer from God only [a], and in our prayers to praise Him, ascribing kingdom, power, and glory to Him [b]; and, in testimony of our desire, and assurance to be heard we say, Amen [c].

[a] Dan 9:4, 7-9, 16-19; Luke 18:1,7-8
[b] 1 Chron 29:10-13; 1 Tim 1:17; Rev 5:11-13
[c] 1 Co 14:16; Rev 22:20





~~~~~What we learn from Job, chapter 42

From the LORD to Job's 3 friends:

Now therefore, take for yourselves seven bulls and seven rams, go to my servant Job and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and My servant Job shall pray for you. For I will accept him, lest I deal with you according to your folly; because you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has.

So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went and did as the LORD commanded them: for the LORD had accepted Job.


And the LORD restored Job's losses when he prayed for his friends. Indeed the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.



It appears Job did not know God would restore his losses until after he prayed for his friends. He acted first in obedience to pray for his friends, and then God restored His blessings on Job.

Is there a lesson here for us?


~~~~From George McDonald

Intercessory Prayer

And why should the good of anyone depend on the prayer of another? I can only answer with the return question, "Why should my love be powerless to help another?"

It's All About Salt!

                          

                                    It's All About Salt!

"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot."

These are the words of Jesus, when He spoke to His disciples, recorded in Matthew 5.

Very familiar, maybe so familiar we skip over their importance.

Salt in the ancient world was essential to preserve (no refrigeration then) and season food. Its sodium and chloride maintain bodily functions, like nerve transmission and muscle contractions. It also helps bone development and regulates blood pressure.

Life on earth would not exist without the abundance of salt!

And so it became an important trade commodity, even used as currency. The word "salary" originally came from the Latin word for "salt" -- hence the phrase, "worth your salt."

Pure salt, like we use today, is chemically stable.

But in ancient times it could become ineffective in various ways -- dissolved in water and its components leached out, impurities added and contamination.

It lost its "saltiness."

It was good for nothing, except to be "thrown out and trampled underfoot," Jesus said.

Did that happen?

Yes! Contaminated salt that had lost its original effectiveness was stored. Later, in times of rain and icy weather, it was brought out and scattered over the slippery places, to provide traction for walkers in the dangerous areas, especially on the steps leading into the temple! Many accidents were prevented by the use of salt.

And salt lowers the temperature needed to freeze water, so it would help dissolve ice and retard its build up! 

Great idea, right? Don't we do the same? -- We salt roads to prevent sliding and accidents.

And so WE are the salt needed on earth  -- intended to preserve and season the goodness of life -- love, kindness and truth -- and we extend God's grace.

And besides all that -- SALT MAKES PEOPLE THIRSTY!

And Jesus comes to us to quench that thirst!

Remember what Jesus told the Samaritan woman at Jacob's well:

"Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life." (John 4:13-14).

So we are the critical salt of the earth-- go out today and be salt! Make people thirsty! For Jesus!

What we Believe -- about the Holy Spirit

God the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God.

He inspired holy men of old to write the scriptures. Through illumination He enables men to understand truth.

He exalts Christ. He convicts of sin, of righteousness and of judgment.

He calls men to the Savior, and effects regeneration.

He cultivates Christian character, comforts believers, and bestows the spiritual gifts by which they serve God through His church.

He seals the believer unto the day of final redemption.
His presence in the Christian is the assurance of God to bring the believer into the fullness of the stature of Christ.

He enlightens and empowers the believer and the church in worship, evangelism, and service.

Gen 1:2; Judg 14:6; Job 26:13,;Psalm 1:11, 139:7ff; Isaiah 61:1-3; Joel 2:28-32; Matt 1:18, 3:16, 4:1, 12:28-30 28:19,;Mark 1:10, 12; Luke 1:35, 4:1, 18-19;.....
.
                                                                                       --From Baptist Faith and Message, 1963

I keep re-reading that sentence: His presence in the Christian is the assurance of God to bring the believer into the fullness of the stature of Christ.

The assurance....into the full stature....so that means it is really going to happen!

We know that we live in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. 1 John 4:13

There is a Redeemer

Jesus, God's own Son

Holy Lamb of God, Messiah,

Holy One!

Thank you, O my Father,

For giving us Your Son

And leaving Your Spirit 'til
The work on earth is done!

The Message of Jesus - Where Did It Come From?

 

         The Message of Jesus - Where Did It Come From?

"I want you to know, brothers and sisters, 

that the gospel I preached is not of human origin. 

I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, 

I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ."

 -- Galatians 1:11-12

 This is a very good thing for us to remember. And it is our story, too.

We received the  message of Jesus, not because someone talked us into it, or argued with us until our futile objections were exposed, or exhausted our patience.

But because of the work of God, who, through the Holy Spirit, broke down our reservations and revealed the truth to our hungry hearts.

All praise to Him!

The Way of Wisdom - The House of Mourning

...the day of death is better than the day of birth.

It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, for death is the destiny of every man...

Sorrow is better than laughter, because a sad face is good for the heart.

The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of pleasure.

        --Ecclesiastes 7:1-4


At one time I was confounded by these, what I thought of as dreary, passages.... 

the day of death is better than the day of birth....

{that's sort of 'Jewish' in that it reminds us all of that
old Jewish traditional proverb: 'cry when a baby is born and rejoice when he dies'...a reality certainly played out in Jewish history....}

better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of merry-making....

a sad face is good for the heart....

and that last line...the heart of the wise is in the house of mourning....

As the author focuses on sorrow and mourning, he repeatedly uses the terms good and better. And then tells us that the way to wisdom is through the house of mourning....

The older I get I begin to understand Solomon's philosophy here....it's just the simple truth - real, enduring, life-changing wisdom comes through pain and suffering -

As happy it is to experience the arrival of a tiny baby,
that occasion does not provide the wisdom and perspective that grief and death do.

Death causes us to stop and reflect, at a deeply profound and personal level, on life - its purpose, its journey, and its destination.

Death forces us to focus, at least for a moment, on the frailty and brevity of life.

Death reminds us it exists because of sin and that one day it will be utterly destroyed. Death itself will eventually be shown to be the frail and temporary condition - and eternal life will be the permanent conqueror.

And death reminds us that, ultimately, we have important choices to make.

Reflecting on death is the way of wisdom....Death points us to the Eternal One, who has the power over death and promises us the hope of the resurrection and glorious eternal life for those who trust in the finished work of Jesus.


As I look back on my life I see how much more I learned in those times of pain -- it's obvious to me now -- I experience more of God in the house of mourning than I do in the house of merry-making.

Bringing to mind God's words in Jeremiah 22:21:

I spoke to you in your prosperity, but you said, "I will not hear." This has been your manner since your youth, that you did not obey my voice.

That seems to be my story, too.

This is the journey of wisdom -- we cling to Jesus when we grieve and eagerly await His return.


For on that day, "He will wipe away every tear from our eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away" (Revelation 22:4).

             Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus!

An ordinary, simple act...? C.S. Lewis

What I mean is this: An ordinary simple Christian kneels down to say his prayers. He is trying to get in touch with God. But if he is a Christian he knows that what is prompting him to pray is also God---God, so to speak, inside him. But he also knows that all his real knowledge of God comes through Christ, the Man who was God--that Christ is standing beside him, helping him to pray, praying for him.

You see what is happening. God is the thing to which he is praying--the goal he is trying to reach. God is also the thing inside him which is pushing him. God is also the road or bridge along which he is being pushed to that goal. So the three-fold life of the three-personal Being is actually there in that ordinary little bedroom where an ordinary man is saying his prayers.

C. S. Lewis, The Business of Heaven

Outside of the incarnation itself, this must be the most incredible fact of our Christian life.

Sin is just So Boring!

Consider the assumption that unhappiness is more interesting than happiness. Tolstoy's maxim in Anna Karenina is regularly cited: "Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way."

But is that really true? I have found just the opposite to be the case. An encounter with a happy family or happy marriage -- where people love and support one another; where they find joy in the very being of the other -- is almost always more fascinating than unhappiness.

Unhappiness is a dreary replaying of deadly sins -- envy, pride, resentment, hatred, and endless variations on the "old dreadfuls" of human depravity. It is all so predictable. 

Happiness, by way of sharpest contrast, surprises and delights.

            --From As I Lay Dying by Richard John Newhaus



[I can sure vouch for this! The Christians I know are spontaneous, free, unpredictable, and fun to be around! More so than my unbelieving friends!]




I have come that they might have life, and that they have it more abundantly.  (John 10:10 NKJV)


My purpose is to give life in all its fullness. (John 10:10 NLT)


I came so that they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.  (John 10:10 The Message)


Though you have not see Him, you love Him; you believe in Him and are filled with inexpressible and glorious joy. (1 Peter 1:8 NIV)

Glimpses of Prevenient Grace

Yesterday I did the "Madame Guyon practice" and just picked up my Bible and started reading slowly. The Bible opened to Psalm 40.

I waited patiently for the LORD;
He turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the slimy pit
Out of the mud and mire;
He set my feet on a rock
And gave me a firm place to stand.
He put a new song in my mouth,
A hymn of praise to our God.
Psalm 40:1-3

How many times have I read that passage? Who could count?

But this is the first time (Thank you, Madame Guyon) that I really noticed the wording of the second line: He turned to me and heard my cry.

God turned toward the Psalmist, and THEN He heard his cry. The Psalmist was waiting patiently.....so he must not have started his cry until the LORD turned toward him..

I flipped back to Exodus, chapter 3. God says to Moses, "I have indeed seen the misery of My people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering." So the LORD saw and then heard their cries.

Then there is the record of Adam and Eve. After their sin, they hid. God came to them. They didn't run to Him. He came to them first. He sought them out so He could show them His grace.

"We love Him because He first loved us." (I John 4:19)

Prevenient Grace

People used to talk about Prevenient Grace. I don't hear much about it these days.


Prevenient Grace is divine grace which precedes human decision. It exists prior to and without reference to anything humans may have done.

So God's grace existed for them before they needed it, or before they realized they needed it.

Looking back to Psalm 40: God gave the poet a new song, a song of praise.

Did David ask for the song?

A Morning Prayer

                                            

                                             

A Prayer for This Morning....

Almighty and all-loving Father, my God, the only One worthy of worship --

I do worship and adore You. What I want to say is "Thank You", my Abba Father, for all You've given me.

Your hand is always reaching out to give me more and my life is overflowing with Your goodness.

Thank You for filling the emptiness of my life with Your presence, which brings me pleasure and joy each moment; for Your mighty hand that protects me; for the forgiveness You eagerly offer me each day.

You took my sin and shame and guilt and hurled them into Your sea of forgetfulness.

You took away my darkness and gave me Your light.

I sing Your praises today and join that multitude that will sing praise to You forever....singing that song that will never end.

Amen and Amen forever and ever!

Good Morning Everybody

 

But I will sing of Your power;
Yes, I will sing aloud of Your mercy in the morning;
For You have been my defense
And refuge in the day of my trouble.
Psalm 58:16

A Morning Prayer

O Lord and Maker of all things, from whose creative power the first light came forth, who looked upon the world's first morning and saw that it was good, I praise You for this light that now streams through my windows to rouse me to the life of another day.

I praise You for the life that stirs within me;
I praise You for the bright and beautiful world into which I go;
I praise You for earth and sea and sky, for scudding cloud and singing bird;
I praise You for the work You have given me to do;
I praise You for all that You have given me to fill my leisure hours;
I praise You for my friends;
I praise You for music and books and good company and all pure pleasures.
Amen
From Valley of Vision (Puritan Prayers)


Morning has broken, like the first morning
Blackbird has spoken, like the first bird
Praise for the singing, Praise for the morning
Praise for them springing, fresh from the Word!

Sweet the rain's new fall, sunlit from heaven
Like the first dewfall on the first grass.
Praise for the sweetness of the wet garden
Sprung in completeness where His feet pass.

Mine is the sunlight! Mine is the morning
Born of the one light Eden saw play!
Praise with elation, praise every morning,
God's re-creation of the new day!
--Eleanor Farjeon

My voice You shall hear in the morning, O Lord;
In the morning I will direct it to You,
And I will look up.
Psalm 5:3

A really good way to start a new day:

Lead on, O King eternal
We follow, not with fear,
For gladness breaks like morning
Wher-e'er Thy face appears!

Generosity - Thoughts From Charles Morris

                                          Generosity - Thoughts from Charles

"He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but he who is kind to the needy honors God" (Proverbs 14:31)

I love these thoughts from Charles Morris:

When we share our resources with others, it helps the other person.

But the Bible teaches there is something more going on, something vertical as well as horizontal.

How we treat others actually communicates glory to God.

God created all human beings, and therefore, when  we mistreat others we insult God.

We say to Him, 'Your creatures are not worth my effort.'

But when we show generosity we are telling Him through those acts that we value the things He has made.

They are worth our respect and investment.

Our generosity flows from a heart captivated by the generosity of our loving Savior.

He is generous to us, the needy, by providing a Savior to rebellious people, like we are, who can offer nothing in return but a heart filled with gratitude to Him.

                      As He has been to us, may we be to others...

.

Nothing can stop it!

The bright Morning Star
Heralds the advent of dawn
Nothing can stop it

The early morning sky these days is crystal clear. I find myself staring at the Morning Star and finding new meaning in its position.

Right now the horizon is just beginning to lighten, with shades of mauve and golden moving upward into the sky. (As Emily Dickinson says about the sunrise: 'a ribbon at a time.')

The Morning Star is still visible though and will be until dawn makes it glorious appearance.

A favorite childhood hymn comes to mind:

Near the cross, a trembling soul,
Love and mercy found me
There a Bright and Morning Star
Shed its beams around me.

To the church at Thyatira, John records God's message --to him who overcomes I will give the morning star. And at the end of The Revelation we see Christ Himself saying ...I am the bright Morning Star.

He is coming and He will herald the New Day of Creation.

And nothing will stop it!

An old hymn:

I was a seeker for light in a dark world

I looked for truth, but settled for lies

I had been blinded, I couldn't see

Till the Star of Bethlehem's sky opened my eyes.

I have seen the Light shining in the darkness

Bursting through the shadows, delivering the dawn

I have seen the Light whose holy name is Jesus

His kingdom is forever. He reigns on Heaven's throne!

It's the Morning Star that announces the coming of dawn.


It's Jesus Himself who will bring in the new day.

And nothing will stop it!

Even so, come quickly! Lord Jesus.

Isaiah 60:22: I am the LORD; in its time I will do this swiftly."

Before We Say Amen!

 

                                                   Before We Say Amen!

Notice how many heartfelt prayers in the Bible end with great exclamations of praise?

Maybe that's how we should end all our prayers....

A good example is Psalm 28

Here are verses 1 and 2:

     To You, LORD, I call; You are my Rock,

     Do not turn a deaf ear to me.

     For if You remain silent, I will be like  those who go down to the pit.

     Hear my cry for mercy as I call to You for help,

     as I lift up my hands toward Your Most Holy Place.

Then look at verses 6 and 7:

     Praise be to the LORD for He has heard my cry for mercy.

     The LORD is my strength and my shield

     My heart trusts in Him, and He helps me.

     My heart leaps for joy and with my song I praise Him.

Maybe that's the spirit in which we should end all our prayers!

Two familiar events

Moses and the Israelites come near the Promised Land

Moses sent 12 spies into Canaan to check out the area, to measure the enemy and gauge its power.

It was a reconnaissance mission. It's recorded for us in the Old Testament book of Numbers, chapter 13.

Ten of the returning spies were overwhelmed at the strength and stature of the Canaanites.

They reported that the land was indeed good and capable of producing much food. It was a land "flowing with milk and honey," as the LORD had said.

But, they said, "We cannot attack those people...they are stronger than we are. All the people we saw there are of great size."

The Canaanites appeared to be giants when compared to the Israelites, who seemed to shrink to mere grasshoppers.

The other two spies, Joshua and Caleb, said, "We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can do it."

What was the difference?

Had they seen different things?

Both groups saw the land and both groups saw the giants.

But the ten focused on the giants in the land and lost sight of God's powerful Presence and His promises of victory.

They did not really see the kingdom God promised them. Fear and doubt clouded their vision.

All they could see were the giants.

Joshua and Caleb kept their eyes on God, and it was the Canaanites who seemed to shrink in size.

The giants got smaller and God loomed larger.

They really saw the kingdom God promised them.

So there they all stood - on the edge of the Promised Land.

Should they believe God and move forward, or trust their own eyes and give up?


Jesus talks to Nicodemus - Seeing and Entering

Hundreds of years later the Son of God Himself came to earth, in the body of a human being.

One night a leader named Nicodemus came to Him saying, "Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him."

(The conversation is recorded for us in the New Testament Gospel of John, chapter 3.)

In reply, Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless He is born again."

A few moments later, Jesus said, "No one can enter the Kingdom of God unless He is born again."

So we can't even see the Kingdom of God unless we are born again with God's spirit.

And certainly we can't enter that Kingdom, if we can't even see it!


Seeing and Entering -
Or Not Seeing and Not Entering


So there stood the 12 spies, along with Moses and all of the Jews who had left Egypt -- most of them could not see the kingdom of God's promise right before their eyes!

They were blinded by doubt and lack of faith. They didn't want to trust God.

But Joshua and Caleb could see the kingdom before them, and they were allowed to enter.

The rest refused to see and so they could not enter.

A Deep Mystery

                                   A Deep Mystery

"This is a deep mystery, designed more for your enjoyment than for your understanding."

Does God sometimes say that to us? I'm thinking, "Yes, He does!"

In Deuteronomy 29:29 we read, "The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and our children forever, that we may follow  all the words of this law."

Moses is speaking to the assembly of Israelites here. They are the survivors of the 40 years wilderness wanderings. They are refugees getting ready to enter the Promised Land and he wants to remind them of who they are -- the descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, God's chosen, special people through which the redemption and restoration of the world will come.

He will be leaving them soon and this glorious information is vital for their survival and participation in God's grand Plan for the universe.

So God keeps some things secret, but reveals to us other things...why? So we will obey Him, Moses says!

My amazing great nephew used to discuss problems with me and I would try to explain how the world works. Often he would just shrug his shoulders and walk away saying, "It is a great mystery, Aunt Glorya!"

Yes, Carson, it is.

Psalm 25:14 tell us, "The LORD confides in those who fear Him; He makes His covenant known to them."

He confides in us -- amazing -- the God Creator of all the universe sometimes lets us in on His secrets! Watch for it!

Sometimes in our Bible study He will show us previously unseen insights from His Word and we know He is sending them especially for us at that moment! And so often it relates to reminding us how much He loves us!

What God does show us tantalizes us and makes us eager for more! And more is coming! It's already on the way!

Job tells his friends that what we see of God right now is just the outer fringes of His power. That we just hear whispers when He thunders!

God gives us glimpses of His glory and we yearn for more. Yes, more will come!

Remember the woman who reached for the hem of Jesus' garment and was healed with just that fragile touch of faith? A Bible teacher once told me, "When you reach the end of your rope, just reach for the hem of His garment!"

(And that always works!)

In His Image

 "Then God said, 'Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish of the seas and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures'...So God created mankind in His own image, in the image of God created He them; male and female He created them. God blessed them...It was on the sixth day." (Genesis 1:26-31)

Thank you, Father, for creating me in Your image. Thank You for giving me responsibility for and authority over Your Creation. Thank You for the Holy Spirit's power, filling me with the wisdom and strength I need to accomplish every task You have given me.

Because I am made in Your likeness, in everything I do or say, I want to be like You. I want to reflect more  and more who You are, in the way I live the life that You have given me.

Help me to respond in every situation -- every opportunity, every challenge, and every obstacle I face -- the way You have called me to.

Show me what to do and I'll do it!

Today and every day, I submit my mind, my will and my emotions to be governed by You. In every step I take, I want to be led by You.

You always have in mind what is best for me. Lord, I come from You and was made to be like You. I am Yours and I belong to You. With my whole heart, I want to be pleasing to You. I want to fulfill every one of Your plans and purposes for me.

In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen

Why did He choose them?

Reading in Mark, chapter 3, verses 13-15:

Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to Him those He wanted, and they came to Him. He appointed twelve--designating them apostles--that they might be with Him... 

I have read this passage many times -- but here is something that now penetrates my thick skull....that they might be with Him....


He selected those twelve because He wanted them to be with Him -- like friends.... 


When someone on Survivor wins a reward challenge, sometimes they can take someone to share the special reward with them. How do they choose? Alliances? Future strategy? A payback? A whim? Sometimes it turns out to be a really bad choice.


But Christ carefully chose those twelve. They are the ones He wanted to be close to.  Even Judas?


I would have probably chosen a few disciples with wealthy family connections  - to help us out when things were tight....or maybe someone well-liked and influential, to assure us that our message would fall on receptive ears - someone popular or a celebrity would certainly be an asset to our group.


Maybe someone who had political alliances, to use their influence should we need someone to intercede for us, should the need come.........but I can't imagine I would have chosen those twelve. Did Christ see something others did not see?


Maybe Christ chose them because He knew what they would become, not what they were at that moment. He could see further than we can.


The scripture says....that they might be with Him....It was more than strategy or political correctness.  He was looking for...could He mean that...friends?


I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends...you did not choose Me, but I chose you. John 15:15-16


I did not choose Him...He chose me.....for the same reason?

Short Thought from 2 Peter

Peter was always "bigger than life" and that's how most of us remember him. He was the one to jump into the water to reach Jesus first.  He was the first disciple to ask, "Lord, save me!"
He was the first to understand Who Jesus was.

In John 13 when Jesus was washing His disciples' feet, we read:

     He came to Simon Peter, who said to Him, "Lord are You going to wash my feet?"

     Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I doing, but later you will understand."

     "No," said Peter, "You shall never wash my feet."

Jesus' answer?

     "Unless I wash you, you have no part of Me."

Peter's reply?

     "Then Lord, not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!"

Peter always wanted more.....

And we all remember how Peter exclaimed, "Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will..." No one else made that bold claim.

But we know it came from a heart of courage and love.


These stories about Peter recorded in the gospels tell us a lot about Peter, and so tells us a lot about ourselves.

Peter's personality changed after the resurrection. He became a great preacher and his overwhelming character became more godly -- but when I look at 2 Peter, I can see some of the old Peter, especially in the opening verses:

     Simon Peter, a bond servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:

     Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God of Jesus Christ...


Paul also begins his letters with "Grace and Peace" -- (grace always precedes peace) -- but Peter writes that they "be multiplied."  He is the only way to word it that way. And he did it that way in both of his letters.

And in 2 Peter 1:8, when referring to the desired traits of a Christian -- virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness and love -- he says that they should be in "increasing measure," or "abundance" -- just having these traits is not enough, he says --  they should be gaining power in our lives.

     For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.  But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins. (2 Peter 1:8-9)

Good verses to memorize. If I am developing the traits of a godly life, in increasing measure, my life and ministry will be more effective. And it is linked to my knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Knowing Him.

If I am not growing in these qualities, that means I have forgotten where I came from! (How could any of us ever forget? But I do!)

Every morning when we awake, every evening when we lie down, and throughout the day -- we need to remember where we came from and what He did about it!

If we get one lesson from Peter, I supposed it would be that we should always ask for more. As Paul said in Ephesians 3:20:  Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above what we ask or think.....that's our God!

Tradition tells us that Peter died an agonizing death, crucified upside down, in front of jeering crowds. He did not fall away.

Today martyrs around the world are suffering. This would be a good time to stop and pray, fast and pray, for the struggling (no, not struggling, the strong) Christians in Syria, Egypt, Iran, Indonesia, Korea -- Christians being tortured and killed right now for their faith. It's too much to comprehend. But Peter knew about it first-hand, as did most of our early Church leaders.

Pray for the persecuted church around the world --

What Does Holiness Do? Oswald Chambers

                                             

                                                     What Does Holiness Do?     

Words to ponder from Oswald Chambers -

"God is not some eternal-blessing machine for people to use, and He did not come to save us out of pity - He came to save us because He created us to be holy.

Atonement through the Cross of Christ means that God can put me back into perfect oneness with Himself through the death of Jesus Christ, without a trace of anything coming between us any longer.

Never tolerate, because of sympathy for yourself or others, any practice that is not in keeping with a holy God.

Holiness means absolute purity of your walk before Christ, the words coming out of your mouth and every thought in your mind -- placing every detail of your life under the scrutiny of God Himself.

Holiness is not simply what God gives me, but what God has given me that is being exhibited in my life."

             

Chesterton, Orthodoxy - - Memory

From Orthodoxy, by G. K. Chesterton, Chapter 4 ~~~~


     We have all read in scientific books, and indeed in romances, the story of the man who has forgotten his name.

     This man walks about the streets and can see and appreciate everything, only he cannot remember who he is.

     Well, every man is that man in the story. Every man has forgotten who he is.

      Man can understand the cosmos, but never the ego; the self is more distant than any star. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God, but thou shalt not know thyself.

     We are all under the same mental calamity; we have all forgotten our names. We have all forgotten who we really are.

     All that we call common sense and rationality and practicality and positivism only means that for certain dead levels of our life, we forget that we have forgotten.

     All that we call spirit and art and ecstasy only means that for one awful moment we remember that we forgot.

~~~~~~~~~~~

I get re-reading those last two paragraphs....is there a more perfect description of our life in the 21st century?

C. S. Lewis wrote a lot about this same topic (It was Chesterton's writing that was so instrumental in bringing him to Christ -- actually sometimes it seems to me that they traveled on very similar roads in their spiritual journey -- ). Lewis often referred to that "yearning" and "longing" we all feel that something is missing -- that we are not really at home in the world, because, Lewis, recalls, we were not created or intended for this world! Blaise Pascal calls that emptiness inside a "God-shaped vacuum" that only He can fill. St. Augustine talked about our emptiness and restlessness that only ceases when we find our rest in Him.

At another time Chesterton wrote: We are homesick, even when we are at home.

It happens to us spontaneously...the cry of a bird, egrets circling in the sunlight, a great poem, a fine piece of porcelain, Bach's music, a rainbow, kittens tumbling in the garden, Puccini arias, sunset in the Texas sky  -- all kinds of experiences that awaken within our hearts that intense desire for more (we know deep down that this is not all there is!) -- for an encore -- and even then knowing it is just a glimpse of what we are missing...and what is yet to come!  An intense yearning to have everything put back to its proper place...

Even so come quickly, Lord Jesus!