Yahweh Shalom

 

The title is a Name of the Lord found in the Bible – “God is Peace.”  Peace! It can be an elusive quality of life.  We might wonder - What is going to happen to our economy? Or closer to home - how can I deal with my difficult teenager?  Or even more personal – how can overcome that habit that derails me time after time? What’s going to happen to me?”  Add to that the deadlines, the broken things, the stream of bad news and the tension can grow to a point that we feel like we might break.

Many people trick themselves into believing that peace is circumstantial or situational. “If we could change my place, get a new position, move to another town, get more money –  I just know I’d feel more peace.” Probably not, at least not for long. Troubles and difficulties find us all – rich and poor, young and old.  But, I have learned that there is a promise of true peace, a gift of God, that is constantly available to us through faith.

The raiders of Midian had overpowered the Israelites, driving them into the hills where they lived in caves. Times were desperate. In the 6^th chapter of Judges, we meet Gideon, a farmer, trying to get food for his family in the ongoing conflict. He hid out near a winepress where he was threshing grain. We know he is afraid, because nobody generally would separate the grain from the stalks in a winepress! They used open threshing floors, large flat areas where they could tread on stalks, allowing the grain to fall off. But, Gideon was afraid that raiders would see him so he was using a winepress to gather grain from the harvest for his family.

Suddenly he is aware of a presence and a voice! “The angel of the Lord appeared to him and said, “Mighty hero, the Lord is with you!” {Judges 6:12 NLT} Gideon, a realist, looks around at his circumstances and questions that assessment. I always laugh at what he says about himself - "But Lord,” Gideon replied, “how can I rescue Israel? My clan is the weakest in the whole tribe of Manasseh, and I am the least in my entire family!” (Judges 6:15, NLT)  He further questions God’s messenger about the desperate times that his people are experiencing.  But the angel miraculously consumes a meal with supernatural fire, like a burnt offering, and Gideon’s heart changes. “Ah, Sovereign LORD! I have seen the angel of the LORD face to face!” But the LORD said to him, “Peace! Do not be afraid. You are not going to die.” So Gideon built an altar to the LORD there and called it The LORD is Peace. (Yahweh Shalom)” {Judges 6:22-24 NIV}

Peace comes when we choose to live in the Presence of God. His Spirit produces a serenity that allows us to rise above situations that cause others to panic and thus, to be peace-filled.  Oh yes, I will not be a hypocrite. I am only too aware of those seasons when I have laid awake into the small hours of the morning, full of anxiety because I attempted to live on my own terms. When I attempt to exert control over situations, when I try to impose a ‘peace’ of my own design, things usually get worse! Have you shared that experience? In the middle of a stressful day, have you ever exploded, only adding to your own stress and that of others? In the middle of a crisis, have you tried to force a solution and created more chaos with your efforts? I am guilty!

But when I take time to re-center myself in the Spirit, turning myself over to Him, asking that He come into my mind and heart – peace follows. My circumstances may remain the same, but I am changed by Yahweh Shalom. (the Lord is peace) God’s invitation is not to live in a kind of blissful detachment from reality. He does not ask us to run to some far away retreat, or escape into denial by quoting endless Scripture passages or singing praise songs loudly attempting to dispel the fear. He wants us to be fully engaged with life, bringing order to chaos, healing to the broken, resisting evil wherever it makes its ugliness apparent.

However, in the spiritual warfare that is life in this broken world, He makes it possible for us to be people who know His Peace! The OT word, “shalom” means more than the absence of conflict. Shalom indicates wholeness, restfulness, and satisfaction. Today, before you engage with life’s challenges, go into the Presence of God.

Meditate on His Word.
Consciously commit yourself and your circumstances to Him.
Pray for renewed faith to trust Him with the imponderables of your life.
Allow yourself to seek acceptance, to rest in God as you wait for the 'new.'

When you find yourself tensing up, feeling the pressure, breathe a prayer for peace.

The word from the Word for this Friday is a familiar one. Let the truth wash over you just now. 
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7, NIV)

(Video of this blog at this link)

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IN THE PRESENCE 

In the presence of Your infinite might,

I’m so small and frail and weak;

When I see Your pow’r and wisdom,

Lord,I have no words left to speak.

 

And I cry holy, holy, holy God,

How awesome is Your name,

Holy, holy, holy God,

How majestic is Your reign;

And I am changed in the presence of a holy God.

 

In the presence of Your glory,

All my crowns lie in the dust;

You are righteous in Your judgments, Lord,

You are faithful, true, and just.

 

In the presence of a holy God,

There’s new meaning now to grace;

You took all my sins upon Yourself,

I can only stand amazed.

 

And I cry holy, holy, holy God,

How awesome is Your name,

Holy, holy, holy God,

How majestic is Your reign;

And I am changed in the presence of a holy God.

 

© 1989 Integrity’s Praise! Music (c/o Integrity Music, Inc.) / PDI Praise (Admin. by Integrity’s Praise! Music) CCLI License No. 810055

 

Power and Privilege

Social upheavals in our nation over the last couple of years have shaken the foundations. Women fed up with being treated as sex objects started the “Me, too” movement.  The “Black Lives Matter” movement called for justice for all regardless of skin color. The “Blue Lives Matter” movement sprang up in response to support law enforcement personnel.  These movements, and others, are about ‘empowering’ people, giving voice to those who were silent because of fear or abuse. As sides were chosen, divisions arose, and the conversations mostly devolved into shouting matches. Quickly the issues were politicized and ugly accusations were hurled across the divides that separated good people.

All of this comes from one key issue – the fact that power of any kind and in any place is an intoxicating thing. Those who hold it seldom give it away without a struggle. Those who gain it often become enthralled with keeping it. A rather pleasant person can become a tyrant in the workplace when handed authority. A person who has been ignored or marginalized can turn into a terror when they are given some minor place of decision-making. Abuse is frequently found where power and authority go unchecked. The founders of our country knew the nature of humanity well and attempted to design a system of government that included ‘checks and balances’ to prevent tyranny.

So what does this have to with being Christian?

Why is power and privilege the subjects of this CoffeeBreak?

Because God desires that His people learn how to exercise power and use privilege, not to feather their own nest, but to serve and bless others. Utopian, you say? No, truly His will for us!  My Scripture reading took me into the words of Amos. The text is not pleasant, one thundering condemnation and threat of judgment following another.  Besides the topic, the words address places and people far removed from me in time and culture. But, the Spirit used the inspired text to pierce my conscience, to cause me to ask myself hard questions.  Here is just one short excerpt.  "You wicked people! You twist justice, making it a bitter pill for the poor and oppressed. Righteousness and fair play are meaningless fictions to you. It is the Lord who created the stars, the Pleiades and Orion. It is he who turns darkness into morning and day into night. It is he who draws up water from the oceans and pours it down as rain on the land. The Lord is his name! With blinding speed and power he destroys the strong, crushing all their defenses. How you hate honest judges! How you despise people who tell the truth! You trample the poor and steal what little they have through taxes and unfair rent. Therefore, you will never live in the beautiful stone houses you are building. You will never drink wine from the lush vineyards you are planting. For I know the vast number of your sins and rebellions. You oppress good people by taking bribes and deprive the poor of justice in the courts. So those who are wise will keep quiet, for it is an evil time." (Amos 5:7-13, NLT)

I hope you did not deflect those words by saying “I sure hope ___________ hears that!”  Jesus reminds us that it is important to take care of the speck of sawdust in our own eye before we attempt to remove the post from the eye of another! We would all do well to prayerfully ask God for understanding, to allow the Holy Spirit to make us aware of how we are relating to others. 

Are we a kind, loving, generous spouse who makes our home a place of service? 

Are we a good parent who constantly encourage our children with understanding?

At work do we serve well, work hard, and refuse the ‘politics’ that corrupt?

In our church are we willing to set aside our preferences to serve others, loving to see others grow, even if it means a lesser place for ourselves?

In our society are we people who ‘seek first to understand rather than to be understood?’

Do we refuse to use privilege to serve ourselves because we know that we are ‘blessed to be a blessing?’

God’s people are empowered, but not in the usual sense. Our strength does not come from holding authority, or being a majority, having more muscle, creating a bigger organization, or owning a gun. Our power comes from the Holy Spirit, from a life of integrity, a radical commitment to love, and a deep faith in our God.  So many Christians know Jesus’ words about this but ignore them as impractical or even impossible. Yet, His wisdom is our life, the Truth that makes us who we are. He says, "If you are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. Pray for the happiness of those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn the other cheek. If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also. Give what you have to anyone who asks you for it; and when things are taken away from you, don’t try to get them back. Do for others as you would like them to do for you." (Luke 6:27-31, NLT)  What a difference we could make in the world if we set aside building political organizations and coalitions and choose instead to live this radical lifestyle of peace.

Jesus promised that those who will choose faith and His way will be blessed, enjoying the peace and favor of God.  "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. … Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. … Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God." (Matthew 5:5,7,9, NIV)

No one can consistently live like this without knowing that his life is held in the hands of God, that His justice ultimately will prevail. I pray to know that beyond my intellect, the truth of His love and care deeply embedded in my heart. Then, I can live in this way - "Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." (Romans 12:17-21, NIV)  Pause to think about that for a moment!

Here is a short word from the Word. Take this phrase with you today. Say it to yourself over and over again and let the fact of His grace and love own you – heart, soul, and mind. "We love because he first loved us." (1 John 4:19, NIV) That is empowering, the center of God’s grace the greatest place of privilege in the world.

(Video of this blog at this link)

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 Who You Say I Am

 

Who am I that the highest King

Would welcome me

I was lost but He brought me in

Oh His love for me

Oh His love for me

 

Who the Son sets free

Oh is free indeed

I'm a child of God

Yes I am

 

Free at last

He has ransomed me

His grace runs deep

While I was a slave to sin

Jesus died for me

Yes He died for me

 

In my Father's house

There's a place for me

I'm a child of God

Yes I am

 

I am chosen not forsaken

I am who You say I am

You are for me not against me

I am who You say I am

 

(Oh) (Yes) I am who You say I am

 

Ben Fielding | Reuben Morgan

© 2017 Hillsong Music Publishing Australia (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)

CCLI License # 810055

 

 

A Rich Relationship

A friend who has given the last 2 decades of his life to helping men coming out of prison says that a common factor that led to troubles is the lack of a good father.  Either the father is absent or he has so much dysfunction in his own life that he cannot be the Dad to his family that is needed. 

There is strength found in a family that has healthy parents, both mother and father.  Each provides unique nurturing to the child, hopefully providing guidance and wisdom both in words and model. It is my opinion that the disintegration of the family is a leading cause of our social dysfunction in America. We need strong, intact families that give structure, security, and abundant love to our children.  

Today there is Good News for the family of God. He is a Father to us all!  "O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand." (Isaiah 64:8, NIV)   Knowing that there is One who loves us, Who cares for us, leads us to grow in grace, to find rest within His embrace.  I remember, oh so many years ago, having the privilege of gathering up my children in my arms when a knee was skinned or a heart was broken.  I was a source of strength and comfort because I was their Dad. Though they are now well into mid-life, they still call and share life with me, though they are well aware of their Dad’s human weaknesses and vulnerability. I’m still their father, able to counsel and comfort.

Is God truly your Father or is He a distant deity, ‘out there, somewhere’ but beyond knowing?  The Scripture teaches us of the Father’s love so that we do not know Him only as Creator or Judge! Yes, He made us and He will call us to account but the primary way the Scripture reveals God to us is as our Father. The New Testament takes the concept a step beyond telling us that God is our ‘Abba’  a more intimate word rather like our term “Dad.”  Paul was inspired to teach us that we can approach Him in the way that a beloved child would seek out her Daddy. "You have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children." (Romans 8:15-16, NLT)

Jesus’ model prayer begins not with “Almighty God” or “Great Creator” or “Master of all.”  He invites us to converse with “Our Father in heaven.”   Is that a hard thing for you to grasp because your earthly father was absent, or mean, or so consumed by his own life that he was not your Dad?  Jesus reminds us that God is a good Father! “You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him." (Matthew 7:9-11, NLT)

Our Father loves us so much that He will correct and discipline, not out of angry frustration, but for our good.  I admit that some of my some the ‘discipline’ of my children happened not so much for their good but because I was fatigued or frustrated.  But, our Father in Heaven never acts because He is in a “bad mood.”  That is why we are told to "Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live!" (Hebrews 12:7-9, NIV)

I’m a day late but to all the Dads, I say “Happy Father’s Day” and I pray you know the joy of truly loving your children, engaged with them in their joys and sorrows, providing guidance, and praying for them.

Remember, no matter your experience here, you have a Father! Invite the Holy Spirit to reveal the depth of your Father’s love to you.  That is one of the most healing truths in all of the Word.  Know this – God is not the dreaded Authority Figure who is watching for your failure so He can punish you.  He is the Waiting Father, whose grace is amazing, whose mercy is deep and wide, and who acts always for your ultimate good. When that is settled into your heart and mind, you will pray with faith, live with peace, and find richer relationships in this world that rest in the security of your intimate love of the Father.

Here is a word from the Word. May this truth live in us.
"You can tell for sure that you are now fully adopted as his own children
because God sent the Spirit of his Son into our lives crying out, “Papa! Father!”
Doesn’t that privilege of intimate conversation with God make it plain
that you are not a slave, but a child?
And if you are a child, you’re also an heir,
with complete access to the inheritance." (Galatians 4:6-7, The Message)

(Video of this blog at this link)

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Run To The Father

I've carried a burden for too long on my own
I wasn't created to bear it alone
I hear Your invitation to let it all go
I see it now I'm laying it down
And I know that I need You

I run to the Father
I fall into grace
I'm done with the hiding
No reason to wait
My heart needs (found) a surgeon
My soul needs (found) a friend
So I'll run to the Father
Again and again
And again and again

You saw my condition
Had a plan from the start
Your Son for redemption
The price for my heart
I don't have a context
For that kind of love
I don't understand
I can't comprehend
All I know is I need You

My heart has been in Your sights
Long before my first breath
Running into Your arms
Is running to life from death
I feel this rush deep in my chest
Your mercy is calling out
Just as I am You pull me in
And I know I need You now

Cody Carnes | Matt Maher | Ran Jackson

© Capitol CMG Paragon (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)

Writer's Roof Publishing (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)

CCLI License # 810055