Mountaintop

Driving up Pikes Peak, which rises 14,000 feet from the Colorado plain, is one of my memorable experiences in life. The world looks different from the summit! Katherine Lee Bates was so inspired by her trek to the top of that mountain that she penned a poem later set to music that we know as America, the Beautiful.  In August, 2010, Bev and I drove from the West side of the Rocky Mountains to the Plains. ‘Awesome’ is an overworked word, but it is the word.  But, you can’t really live on the mountaintop! The summit at Pikes Peak is a barren place of rock, without vegetation, the air so thin it leaves you dizzy.

Ever had a mountaintop spiritual experience? 

15 of our youth group members went on a missions trip last week. They had a wonderful time.  Serving others was exhilarating. Forgetting themselves for a time charged them up! The closeness of the group, living without cell phones, TV’s, Xbox, and computers, gave them a taste of Heaven. Their excitement spilled out like the clear water of a mountain stream on us as they told of their experience. It was stirring. Ever been there?  I hope you have. We need a trip to the mountaintop periodically to sort out our perspective, to touch the face of God. But, then we have to go home, back to daily living, back to tending the fields, dealing with jobs, relating to people who are not sharing our zeal.

Mountaintop experiences change us, prepare us for the work of living for Christ. We love them, celebrate them; and remember that the Spirit of Lord is as real in the valley as He was on the summit!  The Scripture tells us that "If I climb to the sky, you’re there! If I go underground, you’re there! If I flew on morning’s wings to the far western horizon, You’d find me in a minute— you’re already there waiting!" (Psalm 139:7-10, The Message)

The Bible records many mountaintop experiences. Moses gazed on the face of God and received the Law on Mt. Sinai. Elijah won a great victory over false gods on Mt. Carmel. Jesus literally glowed with the Presence on the Mount of Transfiguration. Peter was so excited by what he was seeing, that he burbled like a kid, “it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (Mark 9:5, NIV) But, God told him to listen to Jesus, implying they could not live in that glorious place. It was an experience, just for the moment.

Disciple, whether you’re at the summit, full of awe, renewed by the Spirit or deep in the valley, with shadows all around – the Spirit of the Lord is with you. So, keep step with Him. Live for Him, love Him, and let Him lead.  Here’s a word from the Word. Don’t let familiarity rob the meaning.  

"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." (Psalm 23, NIV)

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I love to sing and I love to pray,

Worship the Lord most every day.

I go to the temple

And I want to stay,

To hide from the hustle

Of the world and its ways and,

I'd love to live on a mountain top,

Fellowshipping with the Lord.

I'd love to stand on a mountain top,

'Cause I love to feel my spirit soar.

But I've got to come down

From the mountain top,

To the people in the valley below.

Or they'll never know

That they can go

To the mountain of the Lord.

Mountain Top

Bannister, Brown

© 1977 Word Music, Inc. (a div. of Word Music Group, Inc.)

CCLI License No. 810055

Two kinds of tired

There is a kind of exhaustion that follows a major effort. When I finish a weekend of ministry in which I see the Spirit move in our church, I am tired, but it is tempered by the joy of serving. I have never run a 10K race, but I am told by those who do that there is a kind of runner’s high that follows that kind of exertion. There is another kind of tired that is soul-numbing, that saps every bit of strength, leaving a person feeling like a deflated balloon! When the daily grind hides any progress, when you give all you have and results are meager, when sorrow piles on top of trouble piled on top of pain – a person gets really tired!

The latter kind of exhaustion sometimes produces spiritual casualties. People find themselves slogging through a tough time; one thing after another going wrong. Somewhere deep inside they blame God for their mess and abandon the One who is their richest resource.  I have heard it said, “If He’s God and good, why would He allow me to go through such a hard time? He doesn’t care about me.”  In that moment, the devil rejoices in the success of his deception!  So, should we offer explanations or sing songs to the weary one? Here’s a clue from Proverbs. "Singing cheerful songs to a person with a heavy heart is like taking someone’s coat in cold weather or pouring vinegar in a wound." (Proverbs 25:20, NLT) What that suffering saint needs is not reasons or explanations. He needs to be surrounded by love and patience.

Are you beat, numb, feeling that God is nowhere to be found? It’s not because you have a weak faith, or even necessarily because you have done wrong. You might have done a lot of good and right things! The Word encourages weary ones.

First, the Lord says – “Remember Jesus’ own experience!” God’s own Son endured exhaustion. "Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." (Hebrews 12:3, NIV)

Second, the Lord promises: “Faithfulness has a reward!”  "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." (Galatians 6:9, NIV)

Third, He offers help: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28, NIV) In the very next lines, Jesus does not offer an escape to a resort. Instead, He says, “Take my yoke upon you.”   He’s saying, “Learn how to work alongside of Me, in the way I work, with Me as your Partner in every effort.”  Have you presented that situation that exhausts your soul to Him? Instead of resisting it, fighting with it, and hating it; have you put it before Him and invited Him to step into the work with you?

Paul knew exhaustion! He knew hard times. He was given an ‘impossible’ calling. But, he never quit, never lost sight of the reward, and completed his calling with the help of the Lord. Here’s a word from the Word for weary souls. "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. … I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength." (Philippians 4:11-13, NIV)  And, tired friend, you can, too!

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Precious Lord, take my hand

Lead me on, help me stand

I am tired, I am weak,

I am worn

Through the storm,

through the night

Lead me on to the light

Take my hand, precious Lord,

Lead me home

Precious Lord, Take My Hand

Copyright - Tommy Dorsey

Let’s grow!

 

I have some clothing that really ought to be thrown out, but I find comfort more important than style, so I keep on wearing them. I’m still listening to music recorded in the 70’s even though there’s some good stuff from this year, but Keith Green was so ‘right on’ when I was 21. There is a part of my life that is constantly developing. Spiritually, I am a different man in 2011 than I was in 1990!  I am much more tender-hearted, capable of allowing for mystery, more rooted in the grace of God. God is the same, but my ways of knowing Him continue to grow.

Choosing to grow spiritually requires willingness to let God lead us deeper into Himself, into the mysteries of His love and grace, into new work of His kingdom. Some people have a great year, finding something that really ‘works,’ and they just repeat it – over and over again. It’s like that movie “Groundhog Day” only it is their choice.  Trouble is, their effectiveness diminishes rapidly over time. Why? Because the world keeps on changing.  Those who will not grow are usually pushed to the periphery of life and wonder why they feel so isolated or alone. Many become bitter, constant critics of those who are innovators. Growth is often unpleasant, sometimes even painful. When we venture into new things we risk failure. Growth can cause friction with other people who like us ‘just the way we are’ because our growth demands change in their lives, too.

Paul describes the way a person who is growing in the Spirit lives. He is forward looking, able to let yesterday’s failure and success go. He recognizes that he is a person ‘in process.’

"Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect,(complete or whole) but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you." (Philippians 3:12-15, NIV)

Whether you’re 18 or 81, growth is still possible. God has new purpose for each new day. There are discoveries about Him that wait just around the next corner in life. The Gospel of Christ, while unchanging in Truth, is constantly adapting to the world in which it is proclaimed. You can look back on yesterday, paralyzed by regret or fond remembrance, or you can pray, “Lord, take me deeper still!”

Are you growing in Christ? The Scripture says that the work of the Spirit in us will always produce growth. "God wants us to grow up, to know the whole truth and tell it in love—like Christ in everything. We take our lead from Christ, who is the source of everything we do. He keeps us in step with each other. His very breath and blood flow through us, nourishing us so that we will grow up healthy in God, robust in love." (Ephesians 4:15-16, The Message)

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I’m pressing on the upward way,

New heights I’m gaining every day;

Still praying as I’m onward bound,

“Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”

Lord, lift me up and let me stand,

By faith, on Heaven’s table land,

A higher plane than I have found;

Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.

-Oatman

Public Domain

God and Gold

 

In a TV commercial there is a guy with a somber face who declares that we all should “invest in gold.”  His charts show a steady increase in value when compared to cash. Many are paying attention to his pitch because everybody’s wondering where to put their savings. Is the US Government going to send shockwaves through the financial markets by defaulting on national debt?  Is inflation going to eat away the value of investments. What is ahead for the American economy? Nobody knows! The 'experts' are divided.  

Christians live as part of the economy and only the foolish ignore sound financial principles. Yet, there is the counter-balancing truth that our true treasure is not dollars or gold, but the promises of God.  Some financial decisions for those who are people of the Lord are clearly discerned from His Word.

·         There is the Tithe. I tithe (give the first 10% of my income to the church) regardless of the state of the economy. The first 10% belongs to the Lord and is not mine to spend on even those things that are 'necessities.'

·         There is Debt Management.  The Scripture tells me not to count on tomorrow's income to fund today's desires. Who knows what may happen tomorrow? The only exceptions to that are for things that have enough enduring value to cover the debt created to own them - such as a mortgage.

·         There is Prudent preparation. I buy reasonable amounts of insurance, realizing that this is a prudent way to avoid financial ruin in the event of sickness or accident. I set aside a percentage of my income in savings, anticipating the day when I am, by reason of age or ill health, unable to produce the same level of income I have today.

·         There is Fiscal Discipline. The wise person refuses to spend more than he earns. He refuses easy credit offers, ‘get rich quick schemes,’ and putting his hope in gambling wins.

Yet, there is always this: in spite of our best efforts to prepare and to be wise, the world in which we live is unpredictable. The weather, the government, and things unseen - are beyond our control! So, ultimately we choose to trust these faith-building words from the Lord Jesus: "Look at the ravens. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds! Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger things? "Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? "And don’t be concerned about what to eat and what to drink. Don’t worry about such things. These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world, but your Father already knows your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need." (Luke 12:24-31, NLT)

Disciple, where is your greater security - in God, or in gold?
If all you owned on earth is swept away in flood or fire, will you still be a rich man?
If your wealth is diminished, will you still be a peaceful man?

There are two lines that keep a Believer at peace when the economic storms threaten -- "He will certainly care for you," and, "Seek the Kingdom above all else."

Here's a word from the Word -- "Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Luke 12:33-34, NIV)
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My hope is built on nothing less,

Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.

I dare not trust the sweetest frame,

But wholly lean on Jesus’ Name.

On Christ, the Solid Rock, I stand

All other ground is sinking sand.

-       Public domain