The rustling of the breeze in the trees

The young man was wrestling with a detour in his life plan. To all appearances, it looked like he was derailed from the track he had laid with all good intentions, and in a very real sense, he was. But, I asked him if it were possible that God was working him into a whole new plan, doing something in his life of far greater purpose than he might ever have discovered if the derailment had never occurred. My counsel to him was that he wait and listen.

After having walked with the Lord for 4 decades, I know a thing or two about detours! Even those that came out of my own foolish decisions, the Mighty God has used to create new opportunities, deeper intimacy with Him, and/or character in me. Like most people, at the time of these detours, I usually complain or grow fearful. “Oh no, this can’t be happening. I must regain control.” But, I am learning to listen carefully and look for the new opportunities that are created by the unexpected developments in my life. If that all sounds like a naïve optimism to you, I am sorry. It is actually faith, active and focused, on the Lord’s ability to "cause everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." (Romans 8:28, NLT) It is not a passive resignation to fate.

As long as we have the idea that we are a god, He cannot be our LORD. Do you attempt to live as a god, controlling your world, forcing your plans? You might succeed, for a time. Jesus said it was ‘hard for a rich man to come into the Kingdom of God.’ As long as we have resources, our natural bent is to use them to remain self-sufficient, large and in charge! And, many of us are rich enough to avoid reliance on God for a very long time!

After David was crowned king in ancient Israel, the perpetual enemy of God’s people, the Philistines, immediately sent an army to bring him down. They thought they could defeat him while his kingdom was young, before he had the chance to consolidate his strength. But, consistent with his faith, David knew enough not to react to his foes. Instead, he made the choice to respond to his God! "So David inquired of the Lord, “Shall I go and attack the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?” The Lord answered him, “Go, for I will surely hand the Philistines over to you.” (2 Samuel 5:19, NIV) Even then, David didn’t just rush off to do battle. He continued to be under orders, led by the Lord. The first skirmish brought a defeat of his enemies, but they regrouped and came back for more. Once more he prayed for guidance. This time God asked him to wait for a strange signal. "When you hear the sound of shuffling in the trees, get ready to move out. It’s a signal that God is going ahead of you to smash the Philistine camp.” (2 Samuel 5:24, The Message) It was a sound like a breeze blowing through the tree tops, or like a troop moving through a grove of trees, quietly, yet causing rustling of leaves. Ancient rabbinic tradition suggests that David was waiting to hear the angels assembling above his army. Neat idea, isn’t it? The story concludes that David was totally obedient, waiting until he heard the promised sound, then going out courageously. He won a decisive victory under God’s guidance.

So, are you listening for the signal of God?
Are you praying actively, yet with profound faith allowing the Spirit of God to say when and where you move?

It’s not all that easy to put all of our plans in secondary position to His plan. There is much inside of us that clamors for comfort, fulfillment, and expression that can make us deaf to the persistent, yet quiet voice of the Holy Spirit. There is a tumult going on around us – a thousand voices telling us to turn here, go there, do this, don’t do that – so that we must withdraw to contemplation of the words of the Lord, to hear the rustling of the breeze in the treetops that signals His plan for us.

__________

Sweet Wind

There's a wind a-blowin'
All across the land
A fragrant breeze of heaven
Blowin' once again
Don't know where it comes from
Don't know where it goes
But let it blow over me
Oh sweet wind
Come and blow over me

There's a rain a-pourin'
Showers from above
Mercy drops are comin'
Mercy drops of love
Turn your face to heaven
Let the water pour
Well let it pour over me
Oh sweet rain
Come and pour over me

There's a fire burnin'
Fallin' from the sky
Awesome tongues of fire
Consuming you and I
Can you feel it burnin'
Burn the sacrifice
Well let it burn over me
Oh sweet fire
Come and burn over me

© 1994 Mercy / Vineyard Publishing
Vineyard Songs Canada
ION Publishing (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.)
David Ruis

CCLI License No. 810055

God as “Mr. Fix-it”

A few months ago, the city of Philadelphia issued a parking ticket to my late father and billed my Mom $90! They claimed he parked a car in a crosswalk. The license plates in question had been turned in a full year before the alleged offense, a couple of months after his death. A call to the parking authority’s office brought only frustration. I sent a copy of Dad’s death certificate to them, but still they insisted on payment. Two more calls accomplished nothing. Then a friend connected me to his friend in the mayor’s office. That man asked for the documents that proved my Dad couldn’t have been in Philly. One phone call from him took care of it all. Without his intervention, we would likely have just paid the ticket to avoid a trip to Philly and a long sit in a municipal court to get the summons dismissed.

Do you know that you have a Friend in high places, One who is your Advocate?
Do you rely on Him, call on Him, trust His goodness?

The Bible reminds us that He understands our needs because He was incarnate - ‘in the flesh.’ He willingly set aside His Heavenly splendor and "made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness." (Philippians 2:7, NIV) That is why He knows exactly how you feel today. Does that inspire you to reach out to Him? "Now that we know what we have—Jesus, this great High Priest with ready access to God—let’s not let it slip through our fingers. We don’t have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He’s been through weakness and testing, experienced it all—all but the sin. So let’s walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help." (Hebrews 4:14-16, The Message)

Let’s not trivialize this amazing promise. Let’s not diminish Jesus’ incredible ministry of intercession. To think only that He is a great “Mr. Fix-it” that is on call 24/7 to arrange parking spaces for us, to get us through traffic, and to make our car run smoothly – well, that’s just sad! He does care about the small things, but He administers even greater grace to us that allows us to overcome the Tempter so that we may live a holy life. He provides joy and peace for the roughest moments when we rely on Him. He comforts us with hope even when death is near. He is our Provider and our Healer, the One who makes a way for us. The Scripture is filled with promises of His goodness. "Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my sighing. … For surely, O Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield." (Psalm 5:1,12, NIV)

If we want the richest experience of His gracious Friendship, we must live as His friend! Don’t ignore Him for days and days when things are going smoothly, only to run and cry on His shoulders when you get yourself into a jam. David teaches us by his example. "Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly." (Psalm 5:3, NLT) When we awaken to prayer, when we turn our heart towards Heaven at the first light, it changes our expectations. It sets the tone for the day causing us to realize that we have One on whom we can rely.

What’s weighing on you right now? Have you presented it to Him in faith?

Read this amazing passage, which comes from one of the most amazing letters of Paul. There’s hope here, not because we are great, but because God is good.
"Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.

May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen." (Ephesians 3:17-21, NLT)
___________________

Be Still And Know

Be still and know that He is God
Be still and know that He is holy
Be still oh restless soul of mine
Bow before the Prince of Peace
Let the noise and clamor cease

Be still and know that He is God
Be still and know that He is faithful
Consider all that He has done
Stand in awe and be amazed
And know that He will never change
Be still

Be still and know that He is God
Be still and know that He is God
Be still and know that He is God
Be still
Be speechless

Be still and know that He is God
Be still and know He is our Father
Come rest your head upon His breast
Listen to the rhythm of
His unfailing heart of love
Beating for His little ones
Calling each of us to come
Be still
Be still

© 1999 Sparrow Song
Primary Wave Brian (Chapman Sp Acct) (a div. of EMI Christian Music Publishing)
(Admin. by Wixen Music Publishing, Inc.)

Steven Curtis Chapman

CCLI License No. 810055

Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On

This little globe is shaking these days. Money troubles abound. Nations are in uproar. I'm getting old! (Hey, that shakes my world!) There are some big things that hang like the sword of Damocles over the future. The Middle East is a pressure cooker, steaming and hissing. Americans have grown accustomed to living in ways that cannot be sustained this this economy. America's health care system, justice system, and educational systems appear to be collapsing under the weight of entitlement and unrestrained selfishness. Immorality of every kind is burying us in filth, injustice, greed, and unfaithfulness. From the porn merchants that fill the Internet with sexual perversion, to the rich whose greed ruins the poor, to the politicians who use the trust of power to make themselves secure, to fathers who abandon their children in pursuit of pleasure; selfishness is everywhere!


The one place where real answers can be found: the Church: is often irrelevant and ignored! Some local congregations are so locked up in tradition, they cannot engage the community in which they are to be 'salt and light.' They speak in languages no longer understood. Or, worse, they are consumed with things that nobody cares about, impotent, and self-absorbed. Rather than be known as a place to find a cure for soul-sickness, they are kept swept and clean, museums to past glories that once were meaningful and connecting the eternal Christ with a dying world: "having a form of godliness but denying its power." (2 Timothy 3:5, NIV)

Still, I have hope! Why?

Because I know that God reigns; that the Empty Tomb is on the far side of the ugly Cross! Our Christian hope is found in our secure place in the Kingdom of God, a place where "nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow-not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below-indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:38-40, NLT) That rock solid footing lets us reach into the troubled world to minister God's grace, speak His wisdom, and offer His salvation. We are not fearful for not even death itself cannot destroy us because it did not destroy our Lord, who died and lives again.

Too many Christ-followers see the sin-sickness of their world as reason to withdraw and to abandon it to evil. They create escapist prophetic scenarios. Often they attack and drive away those in most desperate need from the One who could save them from their sin.

Jesus demands a different response: "Stand steady against the onslaught of evil! Don't compromise and slide into spiritual apathy." Those of us who know the Eternal God, who live in His purposes, who have accepted the promise of Resurrection Life are equipped to deal a death blow to the evil around us. How? Not with the typical power tactics. We love, a kind of love that gets engaged, gives up comfort, forgets about personal preference, and cares nothing for recognition. Our love makes us look a little like Don Quixote, 'dreaming an impossible dream.' But, if our dream is inspired by the Spirit, we find power to make it a vision, and that vision becomes a blueprint for transformation in ourselves and in this generation.

Difficult times provide great opportunities for the advance of the Gospel of Christ.

Are you praying each day for opportunities to do good?
Are you asking the Lord to create a new and deep holiness in your day to day words and actions that reflects the beauty of Jesus?
Are you open to the Spirit's fullness, willing to go wherever He leads you, including across the street to your neighbor?

Here's a word from the Word to take to heart today.

"So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we'll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels.

Be prepared. You're up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it's all over but the shouting you'll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You'll need them throughout your life. God's Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare.

Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out. " (Ephesians 6:11-18, The Message)

_______________

Take my life and let it be
Consecrated Lord to Thee
Take my moments and my days
Let them flow in ceaseless praise
Take my hands and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love

Take my feet and let them be
Swift and beautiful for Thee
Take my voice and let me sing
Always only for my King
Take my lips and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee

Take my silver and my gold
Not a mite would I withhold
Take my intellect and use
Every power as Thou shalt choose

Take my will and make it Thine
It shall be no longer mine
Take my heart it is Thine own
It shall be Thy royal throne

Take my love my Lord
I pour at Thy feet its treasure store
Take myself and I will be
Ever only all for Thee

Take My Life And Let It Be
© Public Domain
Frances Ridley Havergal
Louis Joseph Ferdinand Herold

Unappreciated? Misunderstood?

There are not many things that are more painful than giving yourself to the maximum only to be misunderstood and/or misjudged. I recently talked with a woman who gave herself unselfishly, desiring nothing except to serve in her ministry. She got caught in a crossfire of personalities and egos. The tragedy was double – she became a casualty of that sad war and the ministry lost a valuable servant. Her goodness went unappreciated, motives she never had remotely in mind were assigned to her. As we talked, she struggled with guilt, much of it false, wondering out loud if she had somehow done something to cause the upset.

When we find ourselves in those situations where we are misjudged, misquoted, misunderstood, and unappreciated we have two choices – get bitter or get better! Bitterness comes to us easily, almost a self-protective reflex. But bitterness is a poison that is indiscriminate. We cannot pour a cup for another without having it splash into our own soul.

So, how can we get better instead?

It is no cliché to say – “Remember who you’re ultimately serving!” Jesus said that even giving a cup of cold water to a thirsty man or visiting a lonely one is a gift to Him. "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’" (Matthew 25:40, NIV) He knows exactly why we did what we did and never misunderstands or forgets. Sobering, isn’t it? Hopefully, it encourages to do good even when we’re unappreciated.

I remember a night long ago when the motives of my pastoral service were called into question. A man I had loved and trusted, leveled charges against me he honestly believed to be true. He saw only a part of what was going on, his judgment was clouded by other associations. The wounds went deep. I never came closer to making the choice to leave pastoral ministry, to change my career. I remember walking alone in the darkness, with tears streaming down my face, as much from anger as from sorrow. It was not an audible voice I heard that night, but it was the Spirit – clearly – who said, “What does the Lord know about this situation? Has He released you from your calling?” There was great comfort in knowing that He knew all about it. And, I was able to move into a place where I could pursue forgiveness and reconciliation. It was not simple, nor was it easy! There is great freedom in refocusing on the One who never forgets.

We must not return fire, when others fire on us. Whoa, that’s a tough call, isn’t it? I admit it’s easier to write about it than to live it. Our Savior is our example. Peter tells us "If you’re treated badly for good behavior and continue in spite of it to be a good servant, that is what counts with God. This is the kind of life you’ve been invited into, the kind of life Christ lived. … He never did one thing wrong, Not once said anything amiss. They called him every name in the book and he said nothing back. He suffered in silence, content to let God set things right." (1 Peter 2:20-23, The Message)

We actively seek the good of those who seek our harm. We are not just passive in the face of those who oppose us. Going beyond mere non-response supernaturally we move to bless them. "Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you." (Luke 6:28, NLT)

All of this rests on the secure foundation of the Lord’s love for us and His keen insight. When your soul is battered, your heart is broken, your mind cries out for vindication – go to Jesus’ embrace. He knows the Truth and even if all Hell accuses, it is He alone that makes us right in the sight of the Father.

Here’s a word from the Word. Make it your prayerful meditation today.

"Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him,
On those who hope in His mercy,
To deliver their soul from death,
And to keep them alive in famine.
Our soul waits for the Lord;
He is our help and our shield.
For our heart shall rejoice in Him,
Because we have trusted in His holy name.

Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us,
Just as we hope in You." Amen
(Psalm 33:18-23, NKJV

You don’t have to be Amish, but you are called to be separate!

Many would-be followers of Christ try to live while holding onto polar extremes: they want to be ‘hip’ and ‘godly’ at the same time. It’s the proverbial oil and water thing. We cannot love the purity of Christ and the baubles of this transient world at the same time.

The Bible says it like this: "Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever." (1 John 2:15-17, NLT)

Jesus was more blunt: “I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. So I advise you to buy gold from me—gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. Also buy white garments from me so you will not be shamed by your nakedness, and ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see." (Revelation 3:15-18, NLT)

A Christian disciple’s separation from worldly systems and values involves everything about us; where we play, what we eat, how we think about our money, marriage – the very meaning of life! Being a Christian is not just about believing the right thing about Jesus Christ and having a ‘get out of Hell free’ card in our wallet. It isn’t just about going to a church where we take Communion, promise God we’ll do better this week, and go back out to live as we please. A Christian is also a disciple, a word that shares the root concept with discipline. There are decisions to be made about following Him which are evident in the choices we make about life on Monday morning and Friday night as much as Sunday morning. If we won’t follow His lead, we cannot claim to participate in His life, which is the essence of being right with God.

There is a lie that goes back to the early days of the faith that says: “As long I as I believe the right things and know what is right and wrong, it doesn’t matter what I do, because after all, this world is just temporary.” The heresy goes by the name of Gnosticism. That word comes from a Greek word that means “Knowledge.” Gnostics think that salvation comes by enlightenment, by gaining esoteric insights into spiritual matters. Christian Gnostics (they are not really Christian) live with a huge gap between their belief system and daily life. They falsely comfort themselves that they can claim to love God while serving Self because they are enlightened.

When we love the Lord, it will cause us to be ‘holy,’ that means distinct from the culture that surrounds us because we belong exclusively to God. Holiness, much mocked by the worldly wise, is sometimes confused with shallow piety, a thin veneer of rigid rules that covers a heart full of sin. That’s not holy. That is Pharisaic legalism. Real holiness is beautiful because it is whole, pure, and reverent. Being holy doesn’t mean we have to be Amish, but it means will be separate from worldly things. Here’s a word from the Word for your meditation today. May the wisdom of the Spirit lead you to a life that honors Him in every way.

"Don’t become partners with those who reject God. How can you make a partnership out of right and wrong? That’s not partnership; that’s war. Is light best friends with dark? Does Christ go strolling with the Devil? Do trust and mistrust hold hands? Who would think of setting up pagan idols in God’s holy Temple? But that is exactly what we are, each of us a temple in whom God lives.

God himself put it this way: “I’ll live in them, move into them; I’ll be their God and they’ll be my people. So leave the corruption and compromise; leave it for good,” says God. “Don’t link up with those who will pollute you. I want you all for myself.

I’ll be a Father to you; you’ll be sons and daughters to me.” The Word of the Master, God. With promises like this to pull us on, dear friends, let’s make a clean break with everything that defiles or distracts us, both within and without. Let’s make our entire lives fit and holy temples for the worship of God." (2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1, The Message)
Disciple, are you holy? That’s not just for pastors and old ladies! Without holiness, there is no real knowing God. What in this world could compare to the assurance of the Father’s love?

________________________


A pure heart, that's what I long for,
A heart that follows hard after Thee;
A pure heart, that's what I long for,
A heart that follows hard after Thee.
A heart that hides Your Word
So that sin will not come in,
A heart that's undivided
But one You rule and reign;
A heart that beats compassion,
That pleases You, my Lord,
A sweet aroma of worship
That rises to Your throne.

A Pure Heart
Nelson, Rusty

© 1992 Integrity's Hosanna! Music (c/o Integrity Music, Inc.)

CCLI License No. 810055