Word Seek

On January 18, 2021   /   Word of the Day   /   Leave a comment

Psalm 132: 7

Let’s go into His dwelling place; let’s worship at His footstool.

I told you that I have been listening to the Lord speak to me about year 2021. I do not seek the Lord each year about what He has to say about the year. However, sometimes He speaks to me specifically about the year ahead. Last January He said to devote the year to prayer and to seek out Christians who would dedicate themselves to prayer. When I reached out to you with that message, I had no idea how prophetic the message was. Now we see. I suppose, ultimately, that is a message of faith. We are to take God’s messages at face value and obey. He does not intend to begin a game of 20 questions, nor do I find He plays that game well. So, we just listen and obey. The truth will be revealed.

In November of 2020, I began hearing the Father say, “Raise an army.” My immediate thought was that it was to be an army of prayer warriors. Before I could finish the thought, though, I heard Him distinctly negate that idea. Now, truth be told, any devoted Christian is a person of prayer. What then, is the difference, Father, in this call from last year’s? I have been listening and seeing nuances but have not been able to wrap English around it. In the devotional, Science Made Faith (1/12/21), I wrote that I believe part of the call of this year is seeking the Lord in the Word. Last year was about petitioning Him, about enlisting His help in what would turn out to be a catastrophic event. This year I believe He is calling us into devoting ourselves, and our time, to our relationship with Him.

This may be a stronger call from the Lord than last year. I don’t have the fullness of His message yet, but I know He want us to go to His dwelling place and worship as devoted believers. It’s not because He is an ego maniac and needs millions of adoring vassals. It is because something is released in the Spiritual Realm when we engage in heart felt worship. We may not know the fullness of this dynamic until we get to heaven but what we do know is that obedience is sufficient for us. It is enough that God is telling us something to do. We are not His equals that we get to question Him. And, at some level, both faith and love require us to unquestioningly obey.

I know some people have trouble with the word “obey” but here is what I would say to those people. There is freedom and liberty in obeying the Lord. He only calls us to do that which is good and healthy for us. It is the other guy who tries to imprison us. Therefore, I believe obedience to our Father always serves our self-interest. Let us worship. Let us seek the Lord. In seeking, we always find. And like the Easter eggs at an Easter egg hunt, there is a prize inside.

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As Living Stones

On January 15, 2021   /   Word of the Day   /   Leave a comment

1 Peter 2: 4 – 5

And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by men, but is choice and precious in the sight of God, you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

I was picturing a person walking along a riverbed picking up and rejecting rocks, looking for the perfect one to keep. The stone we would throw away is precious in the sight of God.

The way to think about this verse is two-fold. It speaks of Jesus, the one rejected by men but precious and choice by God. The beautiful Son of God was rejected by the establishment. The cool kids didn’t want to have anything to do with him. His own brothers made fun of him. To many, most in fact, he did not look like the pretty, collectible stone. He was the one tossed aside.

We also see ourselves in this verse. Jesus is not the only precious to God stone to be rejected. The feeling of rejection is widespread. Books and books have been written to help people overcome rejection. It is a problem, but the number one thing for each of us to understand is that despite rejection by people, each of us is a precious gem in God’s sight. I think that makes a difference. That is not to say it won’t still hurt a little when people reject us but what a refuge we have in God. We can run to Him with our hurt feelings and be welcomed and valued. It does take the sting out of the rejection by people.

Lastly, the cornerstone, Jesus, and we, the living stones, are being fitted together as a living temple, a spiritual household of faith. In other words, we are the brick and mortar of the Kingdom. We are being shaped and assembled, together, as a living edifice of glory and honor to the Father. We are not all the same and perhaps the Lord is having to round off some of our rougher edges. None the less, we are each chosen and precious. We have been selected to be a part of the monument of praise to the Lord even though we are different from one another. You are chosen because of your uniqueness, not in spite of it.

This is why unity among us is so important. Despite our differences, we must hold together. If we reject one another, we tear the building apart. So, today, though this is not where I thought this Word of the Day would go, I want to officially recognize each one of you as accepted and valued. And I pray that I can see each and every one of you with the eyes of God; that I see your glory and beauty even if you still see your blemishes. In these most troubling of times, I want you to know this ministry and myself personally and as a pastor welcomes you and gives you refuge from what may feel like a cold and angry world. As our Lord said, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11: 28).

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Prayer Partner

On January 14, 2021   /   Word of the Day   /   Leave a comment

Romans 8: 26

Now in the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.

Yesterday we received encouragement from Jude to build ourselves by, “praying in the Holy Spirit.” Too right, we don’t know how to pray as we should but, thank God, we have a helper. More than ever, we need the assistance of the divine helper. The passage goes on to say that the Spirit prays “according to the will of God.” When we pray in the Spirit, we can be assured we are praying according to God’s will. That has to add a layer of comfort to your prayers today.

We need to get out of our heads and into our own spirits. Then we pray with our spirit intertwined with God’s and good things happen. There is no doubt that we need much prayer these days but you may feel you don’t know what to pray. I am sure you are not alone. The good news is that the Holy Spirit does know what to pray. So dig into your spirit and connect with the Holy Spirit of God and pray “in the Spirit” allowing him to intercede for you.

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Crazy Days!

On January 13, 2021   /   Word of the Day   /   1 Comment

Jude 1: 17 – 21

But you, beloved, ought to remember the words that were spoken beforehand by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, that they were saying to you, “In the last time there will be mockers, following after their own ungodly lusts.” These are the ones who cause divisions, worldly-minded, devoid of the Spirit. But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God.

I am really blessed by this encouragement and direction from the Lord. I hope it blesses you too. A friend of mine said today that she believes we are in the last days, that maybe Jesus is on his way. Well, one must say we are living in strange times.

Without a doubt, the last week has demonstrated just what this verse predicts. What I love about this, though, is that it doesn’t leave us in a state of desperation. It tells us exactly what we need for our own hearts’ safety. Thanks to God for that.

When you read the introduction to this chapter you learn that Jude wrote to the called. I think this might offer an additional measure of comfort but listen to exactly what he calls you, “To those who are the called, beloved in God the Father, and kept for Jesus Christ.” Then part of his purpose in writing is revealed in the next words, “May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you” (Jude 1: 2). The author wants to give you the wisdom and guidance which will multiply love, peace and mercy to you. Therefore, he intones, “Beloved, build(ing) yourselves up on your most holy faith (by) praying in the Holy Spirit.” Second, “keep yourselves in the love of God.”

So, ask yourself, what do you need to do to keep yourself in the love of God. This question is intended to help you take care of yourself. It is not about others. Clearly, one of the things Jude recommends is praying in the Spirit.

Whether these days pass, or they don’t, we need to find our solace and our strength in the Lord Jesus. We need to immerse ourselves in God’s care and be leaders among men. We need to protect and build up our spirits so that we can deal with the mockers, etc. warned about in this scripture and so that we can care for those we love. The more we increase our love and prayer quotient the better we will be able to be the bright and shining light that is not hidden.

This is advice for today, very timely advice. Spread it to others to encourage and protect them.

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Science Made Faith

On January 12, 2021   /   Word of the Day   /   2 Comments

Genesis 1: 2

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Do you believe this scripture? Why? Most of us came to accept the idea of God as the creator by simple faith. No one proved it to us. However, increasingly science is beginning to prove many Biblical precepts and events. I enjoy seeing the amalgamation of science and faith, but I begin to wonder. As we race headlong into a faith which, in fact, requires little faith, do we do ourselves and others an injustice?

In the old days, believers were just that, believers. They did not have empirical evidence to stand on. They believed because they chose to believe. That was called faith. They had to step out on unproven ground believing it would support them. I wonder if their faith wasn’t stronger because of this reality. I also wonder if God honored their faith because it was born in simple belief that He is who He says He is. Perhaps they drew closer to Him because they had to. They did not have the luxuries we enjoy so had to pull harder on those Biblical precepts and their resulting beliefs. Maybe they searched for help and for answers in the ancient scriptures and in their own hearts. Perhaps their longing for the Word was more eager because it was more desperate. They didn’t have preachers at their beck and call twenty-four hours a day. Sometimes I think the internet makes us like marionettes. Believers can have us preach at any time of the day or night and in that sense, believers don’t have to search the Word, or their own spirits as was once the case.

Don’t get me wrong. I still love seeing science prove what the Bible has taught for thousands of years. It is informative and strikes my funny bone. However, I think, perhaps, I must delve deeper into the Word this year and let it speak to my spirit. Moreover, in my seeking, I know I will find, and you know who I will find when I seek. I am still listening to what the Lord would have me tell you about 2021 but I know it is down this avenue. Seek the Lord with all your heart, soul, and mind and what you reap will be beyond, far beyond, knowledge. We will all find him in new and wonderful ways. I believe we will find a true faith that will sustain us through challenging times.

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Childlike

On January 11, 2021   /   Word of the Day   /   Leave a comment

Psalm 131: 1 – 3

Lord, my heart is not proud, nor my eyes arrogant; nor do I involve myself in great matters, or in things too difficult for me. I have certainly soothed and quieted my soul; like a weaned child resting against his mother, my soul within me is like a weaned child. Israel, wait for the Lord from this time on and forever.

Well, it’s back to Psalm Monday’s and I hope this is an indication that life is returning to something that at least simulates “normal.”

I began this writing some time ago but pushed it off in favor of things God led me to. Now I find this scriptural text ministers in a way it couldn’t have two weeks ago. We do involve ourselves in great matters and these things are difficult. They are also hard on our souls. Today we are offered a tonic for our weary souls.

Become a child. Jesus taught about the simple faith of a child and how we must become like children, but I see today that those childlike qualities extend beyond a childlike faith. It has more to do with the way a child can completely hide themselves in a parent. We can have the cares of an adult if we can simultaneously have the tender surrender of a child.

I am reminded of my precious nephew. Once, when we took him to a playground, he fell and scraped his knee. Not being a parent myself, I often felt out of my element but all I had to do was hold him. He climbed up in my lap and cried it out. I didn’t do anything except be there. he hid himself and his pain, more emotional than physical probably, in the comfort of my embrace. Then, done with the pain, he got up and went back to playing on the very same playground equipment. He didn’t even seem to remember the scrape or that he had been hurt. Just amazing and what a terrific picture of real life. We get old and forget those lessons of real life and how it is to be lived. Feel the pain, let it wash over you but let it wash out too as you sit in the lap of the Father, embraced by his loving arms.

Perhaps the best thing for us “adults” to do is to turn this psalm into a prayer. “Lord, teach my heart not to be proud, nor my eyes arrogant. Soothe and quiet my soul as I, like a child, rest in you. Remind me who my source of comfort is and teach me how to receive that comfort.”

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Leaders

On January 8, 2021   /   Word of the Day   /   Leave a comment

Luke 22: 26

But it is not this way for you; rather, the one who is the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like the servant.

Today, like many of you, I am stunned at what transpired at our nation’s capital yesterday. (Of course, I am writing this on Thursday.) Maybe you are finding it hard to recover today. I know I am and nothing I studied in Political Science or Law School prepared me for the recent events. We barely even have Political Science terms to explain what we have witnessed.

However, the minister and pastor in me has overridden the political scientist. I am in awe of our God who on Tuesday led me to a Word of the Day from July of 2015 entitled “Leadership Trait” which I reposted yesterday. Yesterday, leadership values were tested at many levels. What stands out to me is God sending that post, for I am now, fully aware that I didn’t send it, nor was it happenstance that I came across it on Tuesday or that my interest was piqued to read it. It was God who sent “Leadership Trait” on Wednesday, January 6th, 2021 and I am both awed by that and humbled.

Here is what I wish to say about these events and each one of us. The people we send to Washington or to our state capitals are not the leaders. We are! And unless we take our role seriously, our democracy will fail. Jesus bought our freedom with his life, but it is up to each one of us to guard these precious privileges that have been granted us.

In the church, and certainly in ministry, we talk about servant leaders. God ordained that leaders be first, and foremost, servants. This is a truth needfully remembered. The people we elect to represent us are to serve us and the power is to remain and rest with the people. This is another truth we would do well to remember. I think we need to remind those we elect that their job is to serve us. Equally important is for us to remember that it is incumbent upon each and every one of to be a leader. It is we who are supposed to be role models and teachers.

One of our number commented Wednesday on “Leadership Trait” that he was going to put his leadership to work immediately on his job. I cannot express how grateful I was for his comment for that is the exact work of the ministry. I am called to mine the Word and give you its nuggets, but it is you, my beloved, who go out into the world and demonstrate the compassion of Christ, love, forgiveness, generosity, service and all the other great things Jesus teaches us.

Some of the people in Washington have let us down this week but others have stood up and proclaimed their Christian values. And lest I lead you down the wrong path, by Christian values I do not mean opposing abortion. I am not talking about policy positions. I am talking about character traits and the fruit of the Spirit. We need to send a very strong and very loud message by our words and our actions to all elected officials and others in “leadership” positions about kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, love, etc. (Galatians 5: 22). We need to lead by example every single day in our routine lives and by so doing, we set the bar and proclaim our expectations. We cannot lie, cheat, steal, argue, gossip, backbite or serve our selfish ambitions. If there was ever a sign that it is time for the church to rise up and be counted, you saw it on Wednesday and the fact that our Father sent out a message about leadership on that day without me having a clue what was coming is a prophetic call to each one of you! You are the leaders of this country and I trust your hearts.

I do not intend to sound meek or quiet. I am explicitly calling upon you to stand for what Christ died for. It is time for each of us to, daily, take our role in God’s great plan seriously. You have been called, by God, and we must each one answer that call devotedly and solemnly. I beg you to write yourself a 3 X 5 card and post it prominently where you will see it routinely and be reminded how important, nay, vital you are to the Kingdom. In His grace.

 

Forward this to everyone you know.

 

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