Loving the Lord

Life can be so busy! Our agenda gets filled up with responsibilities. If you're like me, one of the first things to get sacrificed on the altar to Activity is quality time with those we profess to love. We may be present with others but we are not really engaged, not listening to their words with complete attention. Our kids get a quick hug on their way out the door to school. Despite a full schedule, in those times we soon find ourselves feeling empty and lonely. Why? Because lots of activity can never replace close, loving, caring interaction with others. I have counseled with couples whose marriages are in crisis, not because of affairs or moral failure, but because of full schedules. Doing all the stuff that is urgent and 'important' turns lovers into strangers that share the same house!

In my prayers recently, I was complaining to the Lord about the feelings of ineffectiveness that were nagging at the edges of my mind. "Lord, I'm giving it my all, doing what needs to done, but I feel little joy and see few results for all these efforts," I whined. The Spirit whispered to my heart, "How much time have you spent with Me recently?" Wanting to argue instead of listen, I responded, "Lord, I've been in church! I've prayed. I listen to worship music....." Again the Spirit whispered, "It's been a while since you came to just be with Me, to rest in My Presence." I repented again. It is an old pattern of sin with me- replacing times of intimate, contemplative prayer with rushed prayers, hurried worship, and pursuit of efficiency! And I realized anew - there is no way to be effective in spiritual work if there is no full, fresh flow of the Spirit's life in me. It is next to impossible to refresh others with the living water if my own soul is parched and dry.

A familiar story from Luke's Gospel teaches us about loving Jesus. Read it - with attentiveness, even if you've read it before. "As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a village where a woman named Martha welcomed them into her home. Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. But Martha was worrying over the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.” But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are so upset over all these details! There is really only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it—and I won’t take it away from her.” (Luke 10:38-42, NLT)

In one of my favorite books, The Celebration of Discipline, Richard Foster writes, “Our Adversary majors in three things: noise, hurry and crowds. If he can keep us engaged in "muchness" and "manyness," he will rest satisfied.” Go back and re-read that line.

Dear friend, are you replacing relationship with activity?
Are serving God at top speed, but seldom just loving Him?
Are you working so hard to provide for your family that they seldom get the chance to experience your love?

If so the Devil has you in a dangerous place; a situation where the supports at core of your being is eaten away and the exterior walls that look so good are ready to collapse. Listen to Jesus' invitation - words first spoken to a faithful Church in Ephesus, but now spoken to us: “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent." (Revelation 2:2-5, NKJV)
__________________________

Holy Ground - Davis, Geron

In His presence
There is joy beyond measure;
And at His feet
Peace of mind can still be found.
If you have a need,
I know He has the answer;
Just reach out and claim it,
For you are standing on holy ground.

We are standing on holy ground
And I know that there
Are angels all around.
Let us praise Jesus now.
We are standing in His presence
On holy ground.

© 1983 Meadowgreen Music Company (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) / Songchannel Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) CCLI License No. 810055

Is peace possible?

Micah, the prophet, inspired by the Spirit of God says, "Yes!" Peace is not only possible, it is promised. "Many nations shall come and say, “Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, To the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, And we shall walk in His paths.” For out of Zion the law shall go forth, And the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He shall judge between many peoples, And rebuke strong nations afar off; They shall beat their swords into plowshares, And their spears into pruning hooks; Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, Neither shall they learn war anymore. But everyone shall sit under his vine and under his fig tree, And no one shall make them afraid; For the mouth of the Lord of hosts has spoken. " (Micah 4:2-4, NKJV)

That passage is etched on the wall of the entry to the United Nations in New York City, reflecting the charter of that organization to seek peace for this planet. As noble as the aspiration may be, it is an impossible charge for any group apart from the intervention of the Almighty! Self-interest is woven deeply into the human psyche. Individuals, as well as nations, are in the grip of a 'me first' attitude and will always find a way to protect their advantages - even at the cost of violence. That is why there is no true peace until...

The Prince of Peace comes to us! Micah saw that only when the impartial Lord of Creation brought His law and rebuke could peace finally dawn on this earth. Recognizing this, we pray, "Come, Lord Jesus. May your will be done on earth, as it is in Heaven." The arrival of the Prince of Peace will bring the Age of Peace.

Peace starts in us individually and we need not wait for the Second Coming to know His peace personally. At the birth of Jesus, the angels announced - “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to all whom God favors.” (Luke 2:14, NLT) At the Last Supper, the Lord told His disciples - “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give isn’t like the peace the world gives. So don’t be troubled or afraid." (John 14:27, NLT) Paul writes that peace is one of the primary evidences of the Spirit life in us. When Jesus reigns in our lives, we are secure. Though we walk through a world full of threats - both spiritual and natural - we need not live defensively or fearfully. Instead, we can enjoy peace in the middle of the storm, assured that the One who leads us will keep us.

If we are without peace of mind, it reveals an inadequate faith. We learn this from an experience of the disciples who walked with the Lord. When they found themselves in precarious moment, in a little boat on a stormy lake, they screamed in terror - "Master, don't you care that we are about to perish?" But when Jesus woke up to their yells, He stood up and spoke to the storm, "Peace, be still!" Mark tells us that instantly the wind died and the waves calmed. The possibility of peace existed all the time, but the disciples lacked the faith to access it. Their response drew a sharp rebuke from the Lord Jesus who said, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still not have faith in me?” (Mark 4:40, NLT)

Yes, peace is possible and we can experience it, if and/or when we give up our need to own our lives. When we hand over the reins of life to Him, with full faith, a serenity comes to us, a divine peace. As long as we live in the center of His will, we have no reason to be afraid. This is both a challenging and comforting word, isn't it? We want so badly to blame our lack of peace on other people, on situations we believe to be 'out of control,' on a world gone mad around us. The fact is - if we lack peace, it reveals our own need to move closer to the Master, to pray for calming faith.

Today, seek peace! First, receive the inner peace that comes when Jesus sets you right with God. Then, receive the peace that comes with faith to trust Him with every detail of your life. As you live in peace, you will bring peace to a world that desperately needs peace-makers.
______________________
When the world
That I've been living in
Collapses at my feet,
When my life
Is shattered and torn,
Tho' I'm windswept and battered,
I can cling to His cross
And find peaceIn the midst of my storm.

There is peace in the midst
Of my storm-tossed life.
Oh, there's an Anchor,
There's a Rock,
To cast my faith upon.
Jesus rides in my vessel,
So I'll fear no alarm.
He gives me peace
In the midst of my storm.

Peace In The Midst Of The Storm-- Adams, Stephen R.
© 1978, 1981 Pilot Point Music (Lillenas [Admin. by The Copyright Company]) CCLI License No. 810055

Hang onto my hand, Lord!

Taught that God is good and loving, I developed an expectation that if I gave my life to Him, somehow He would grant me an exemption from the disappointments of life. But I still find myself tempted by ordinary things - greed, doubt, and fear - to name a few. I once thought, unrealistically it seems, that by this season of my life (a Believer for 40 years!) I would rise above the struggle with the sinful nature. I expected that I would wake up every morning with a sense that I am a child of God, with a richly purposeful life! Truth is, as often as not, I swing my feet over the side of the bed and slog my way through a day of hard, often frustrating work. Please do not misunderstand me. I am not whining or complaining that my life is worse than any other. I am amazingly blessed. However, it's not Heaven, yet. Sin and Satan are still powerful foes that wreak havoc in the world in which I live. So, I choose to live in a way that closes the gap between my expectation and my reality with faith. And faith, dear friend, is sometimes very hard work.

The ancient prophet Habbakuk is my companion on this road. He, too, experienced disappointment. The opening words of his book reveal his struggle to keep faith: "How long, O Lord, must I call for help? But you do not listen! “Violence!” I cry, but you do not come to save." (Habakkuk 1:2, NLT) That is one gutsy prayer, isn't it? "Hey, God, what up with this? I thought you would answer my call and it feels like you hung up the phone on me instead." Habbakuk saw the growing threat of the Babylonian Empire and thought God would step in to deliver His people. Instead, God revealed that He would allow that nation to conquer Israel.

What does one do with such a vision? How does one deal with that kind of disappointment? It's what we struggle with when we pray to be healed and God says, "I'll be with you but I won't take away the illness." Or what we must overcome when we pray for release from temptation and instead hear God say, "We'll walk together through the fiery trial." That is what the prophet writes about. Unlike some of the prophets who thunder with certainty about the power of the Lord, Habbakuk gives us a prayerful voice that waits and wonders at God's often inscrutable ways. Ultimately, he comes to the place where he says, "God hang onto me. It's the only hope I have."

I cannot tell you how many times when my faith is stretched thin that I have claimed this prophet's prayer and made it my own desperate plea. If you're in a hard place today, broken hearted, fearful, disappointed, confused - do not let the Enemy of God and good make you believe that you are just weak, or that you are a terrible Christian. Know that testing and temptation is the common experience of those who love Jesus. When we put one foot in eternity while we still live on earth, we invite a certain tension into our lives! We keep hoping when others give up and live small, hopeless lives. We keep working to make the world brighter and better when others settle for 'what is' and accommodate themselves to the emptiness a life with no other purpose than "eat, drink, and be merry!"

Here is a part of Habbakuk's prayer. Read and be encouraged to hope that just when you think you can hang on no longer, God's grasp tightens and you will be carried through the trial, not over it.

"O Lord, I have heard Your speech and was afraid; O Lord, revive Your work in the midst of the years! In the midst of the years make it known; In wrath remember mercy. " (Habakkuk 3:2, NKJV)
"Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls—
Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer’s feet, And He will make me walk on my high hills." (Habakkuk 3:17-19, NKJV)

That, my friend, is the stuff of faith! "Whatever comes, whatever my disappointment - Lord God, I will keep on trusting You."
And the result is that He becomes our strength and makes us sure-footed in treacherous territory.
_________________________

Hold Me Jesus - Rich Mullins

Oh, sometimes my life
Just don't make sense at all
When the mountains look so big
And my faith just seems so small.
And I wake up in the night
And feel the dark.
It's so hot inside my soul
I swear there must be blisters on my heart.

So hold me Jesus,
'Cause I'm shaking like a leaf.
You have been King of my glory,
Won't You be my Prince of Peace?

Surrender don't come natural to me.
I'd rather fight You for something
I don't really want
Than to take what You give that I need.
And I've beat my head against so many walls
Now I'm falling down,
I'm falling on my knees.

So hold me Jesus,
'Cause I'm shaking like a leaf.
You have been King of my glory,
Won't You be my Prince of Peace?

And this Salvation Army band
Is playing this hymn
And Your grace rings out so deep
It makes my resistance seem so thin.

So hold me Jesus,
'Cause I'm shaking like a leaf.
You have been King of my glory,
Won't You be my Prince of Peace?

© 1993 BMG Songs, Inc. (Admin. by BMG Music Publishing) CCLI License No. 810055

Principled?

The headline read - "Romney reiterates opposition to stem cell research despite wife's illness." Mitt Romney, who is running to be the next President of the US, is married to a woman who has multiple sclerosis. Some researchers believe that a cure for MS could be found using stem cells from human embryos. Romney believes that such research is immoral and thus opposes funding for it. The article's tone was one of wonder that his position was not effected by his wife's illness. People who make decisions based on principle are becoming increasingly rare, it would seem. Rather than being guided by wisdom greater than themselves, many choose to 'make it up as they go,' basing decisions on what appears to create the 'greatest good for the most people' in a given situation.

In the same newspaper, the front page headline says, "Mayor says no to civil unions." Yesterday (2/19/2007) was the first day that same sex couples in NJ could apply for what is in essence a marriage license. One local mayor refused to solemnize vows between same sex couples. His comments were thoughtful and kind, but he stood on Biblical principle and said he could not perform a ceremony to join a couple of the same sex in a legally recognized union. He will pay dearly for his principles, both politically and in public criticism.

Years ago when I was listening to a debate among ministers about divorce and re-marriage, an older preacher wisecracked, "You never really know a pastor's stand on this issue until his own divorced daughter wishes to remarry." I was puzzled by it then, but realize that the joke was not really a joke at all!

A person's professed belief is only revealed as a principle if he continues to hold to it when it is costly and/or painful to do so.

God's people must be a principled people, guided by the Scripture's wisdom as the Truth of the Word is revealed by the Spirit. The Ten Commandments are just that - commandments to which we subject ourselves. They are not God's suggestions for a happier life on par with advice from Dr. Phil! They are timeless revelations of the will of God. Jesus repeated Two Commandments which He said enveloped the whole of God's will for us - “ ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the other commandments and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”" (Matthew 22:37-40, NLT) He did not mean to imply that application of these two simple commandments would be easy!

One might say that if Governor Romney loved his wife he would support any medical research that could bring a cure for her illness. But that would ignore the fact that embryonic stem cell research involves the destruction of life in its most vulnerable form. Discovering and establishing our understanding of Biblical principles requires interaction with others and with the Spirit of God. It is not a simple or easy process.

Know this, too. A principled person is not the same as a stubborn one. A stubborn person, with a closed mind, may appear principled when he is just ignorant and/or intellectually lazy. There is an old saying that resurfaces among Believers from time to time that I despise: "God said it. I believe it. That settles it." To me that says, "I am too lazy or insecure to get involved with a serious discussion that challenges my assumptions about Truth." I am convinced that Truth will stand up to rigorous inquiry, that it will survive all doubts and every challenge. I am thankful for people who disturbed me with their questions and caused me to discover that some of my 'principles' were actually just my preferences! I am equally thankful for those tests that placed my beliefs in the fire and caused the principles that form the foundation of my life and worldview to become even more precious as they are refined and purified.

Be a principled person of great integrity. Watch for the sin of the Pharisees - proclaiming principles for others and failing to live by them yourself. Our integrity, that is living what we believe, honors God and His wisdom. When we study His Word together and pray for the wisdom of the Spirit to guide us in applying His Truth to our lives, a thing of wondrous beauty emerges. We become people who live above our own convenience, who are capable of serving God and others with great sacrifice, and who call the world to higher and better ways by our example as well as our words.

Make this your prayer today.

"Teach me, O Lord, the way of Your statutes,
And I shall keep it to the end.
Give me understanding, and
I shall keep Your law;
Indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart.

Make me walk in the path of Your commandments,
For I delight in it.
Incline my heart to Your testimonies,
And not to covetousness.

Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things,
And revive me in Your way.
Establish Your word to Your servant,
Who is devoted to fearing You.
Turn away my reproach which I dread,
For Your judgments are good.
Behold, I long for Your precepts;
Revive me in Your righteousness." (Psalm 119:33-40, NKJV) Amen.

All or nothing

I'm intrigued by gadgets, the things that make life easier (sometimes). Motors and machines fascinate me. It was even true when I was a little guy, who tore apart every mechanical toy I ever had just - 'to see how it works.' I can stand for hours watching an operator of a giant machine move tons of earth with just a flick of his wrist, harnessing the power of a big diesel engine, matched to gears and hydraulic lifts. I've taken apart and rebuilt dozens of personal computers finding the inoperable component and replacing it so the machine would work again. A giant bulldozer, an automobile, or a little laptop computer are complex machines made of many parts, each of which must be functioning as designed if the whole machine is to work well. One little component that is not functioning ruins the integrity of the machine!

The Christian life is a series of interconnected choices and values. We cannot enjoy the power of God and the blessings promises without an integration of the life of the Spirit in our thoughts, words, and actions. Let me illustrate.
Love is an important part of what Jesus taught us about living in a way that pleases God. But if we want to please God and reap the benefit of a loving life, our love cannot be selectively practiced only when it is convenient or easy. God says that our love must function for the lovely and the unlovely, when we are rested and when we are fatigued, when we are full of peace and when we are under great stress.
Worship is a critical part of the Christian life. When we worship we 'connect' with God and the Spirit renews the inner person, strengthening us. Again, we cannot enjoy the full benefit of worship if we only worship on Sunday morning and 'forget' God on the Monday morning commute. We will not experience the steady flow of of the Spirit's renewal if we worship only when things go wrong, or when it's raining, or when there is no football game to attend, or... you get the point, right?
Tithing (generous giving of our resources to God's work) is a means of breaking the slavery to our 'stuff.' A person who learns to practice the discipline of giving (time and material!) gains a generous heart and a richer life. But, if he only gives when he has 'enough,' or only serves when he 'has the time,' he breaks the process that could transform his life. The whole principle of tithing and giving only produces the benefit of a generous life when it is consistently practiced all of the time. I could go on and on, but I hope you're getting the idea.

Perhaps you find my comparison of the Christian life to a machine jarring or even offensive, but the truth remains that the only way to enjoy "life to the full" which Jesus promises to those who follow Him, (John 10.10) is to fully follow His ways. Whole-hearted commitment makes it work, for if He is not Lord of all, He is not the Lord at all! The Bible tells us that there will be people who practiced the religion of Christianity apart from complete commitment who will find themselves puzzled about why their religion didn't produce the Life they expected. Here's how Jesus says it. "So...the way to identify a tree or a person is by the kind of fruit that is produced.
“Not all people who sound religious are really godly. They may refer to me as ‘Lord,’ but they still won’t enter the Kingdom of Heaven. The decisive issue is whether they obey my Father in heaven. On judgment day many will tell me, ‘Lord, Lord, we prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Go away; the things you did were unauthorized.’
“Anyone who listens to my teaching and obeys me is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse, because it is built on rock." (Matthew 7:19-25, NLT)

Friend, do a fruit inspection today! What kind of fruit is being produced by your life - evidence of the Christ life or evidence of the Self life? "...when we live God’s way He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely." (Galatians 5:22-23, The Message) As surely as living apple tree will produce apples, a living Believer who is connected to the Vine, will produce spiritual fruit. If there is no fruit, then there is no life! If there is little, puny fruit the only answer is to connect to the One who gives us the life that produces the fruit. We do that by presenting ourselves to Him - every moment, every where, without reservation!

Is Jesus Christ the Lord of your life or just parts of your life? Are you fully committed to knowing, loving, and serving Him - responding with an instant 'yes,' whenever the Spirit calls? Or are you shutting Him out of certain areas of your life, closing the door to His leading?

We only can enjoy the full benefits of the Kingdom of God if we are fully resident in the Kingdom. It's really an all or nothing proposition.
_________________________
All to Jesus, I surrender;
All to Him I freely give;
I will ever love and trust Him,
In His presence daily live.

All to Jesus I surrender;
Humbly at His feet I bow,
Worldly pleasures all forsaken;
Take me, Jesus, take me now.

All to Jesus, I surrender;
Make me, Savior, wholly Thine;
Let me feel the Holy Spirit,
Truly know that Thou art mine.

All to Jesus, I surrender;
Lord, I give myself to Thee;
Fill me with Thy love and power;
Let Thy blessing fall on me.

I surrender all, I surrender all,
All to Thee, my blessèd Savior,
I surrender all.

Public Domain - Judson VanDeVenter