Safe!

Does our chaotic world make you want to find a place to escape?  I wonder what inflation will do to my financial security. War in the Ukraine has boiled over to become an economic world war with unknown consequences ahead.  I admit to feeling anxious about all this. What’s your worry?  Perhaps you are dealing with ‘stuff’ closer to home – a son who cannot get life on track, a job that is a dead-end, some personal issue that resists your efforts at change.  

 In our attempts to make sense of life, to find meaning,  one writer says too many Christians stir up a toxic mix:  “a little Jesus, a little consumer escapism, a little Hollywood, a little nationalism, a little legalism.”

A lot of people try to make life work by

-taking on some religion- Jesus on Sunday-

-stirred in with the hope that something shiny or new will bring happiness,

-mixed with some movie fantasies about how ‘life should be,’

-combined with voting the ‘right’ way,

-topped off by keeping some rules think hope will make them acceptable to God.

This tragically sums up the “Christianity” of too many people. But, deep inside there is no peace, no sense of purpose, no deep assurance of eternal life.  There is a better way!  Paul describes it for us. "Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits at God’s right hand in the place of honor and power. Let heaven fill your thoughts. Do not think only about things down here on earth. For you died when Christ died, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your real life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory." (Colossians 3:1-4, NLT)  Re-read those lines.

True Christianity is about Jesus. It is not just a ‘lifestyle.’ It is more than a cultural form. It is Christ in us, our hope, for this world and for eternity. I love that phrase “your REAL life is hidden with Christ in God.”   We are safe, not because of who we are, what we have done, or what we think we believe. Our security is a new identity that has been given to us, a gift of God’s grace, through Christ. We do not have to climb up or reach up to higher achievement.  By faith, we receive this gift, and we are safe in the arms of Jesus, to quote the old hymn.

We are often deceived by a natural way of thinking that insists ‘if I were a better Christian’ (translates to went to church more often, prayed more frequently, was kinder to my world, etc.) then I would feel safe, know more peace.  That is a misplaced focus on Self, an old religious way of thinking that puts the burden on me to try to appease God, Who is a cruel Judge.   

God is love; John tells us. His desire is our salvation and He moved from heaven to earth in Christ Jesus to bring us back into relationship with Himself.  Ask the Spirit to make that Truth a conviction of your mind and heart.  Ask Him for faith to accept that you are, even now, an eternal being whose ‘real life’ is held securely in God!   Two things will inevitably happen to the person who receives the gift of that new identity:  they will find peace and they will become godlier!

There is no ‘secret’ to the authentic Christian life. It is now made plain to those who will believe that Jesus came to bring life, hope, and peace with God. We don’t have to try to ‘believe enough’ or convince ourselves in a way that eliminates every question.  We choose to accept that Christ Jesus is Lord of Heaven and Earth, Savior and coming King.   Yes, this is the Christ-centered life!

The word from the Word is a powerful prayer - "I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.” (Ephesians 1:16-19, NIV)  Can I get an Amen?

(Video of this blog at this link)

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No Longer Slaves
(Zac Williams recorded this amazing song in a prison!)

You unravel me with a melody
You surround me with a song
Of deliverance from my enemies
Till all my fears are gone

I'm no longer a slave to fear
I am a child of God
I'm no longer a slave to fear
I am a child of God

From my Mother's womb
You have chosen me
Love has called my name
I've been born again into Your family
Your blood flows through my veins

You split the sea so I could walk right through it
My fears were drowned in perfect love
You rescued me so I could stand and sing
I am a child of God

 

Brian Johnson | Joel Case | Jonathan David Helser

© 2014 Bethel Music Publishing

CCLI License # 810055

 

 

Lord, may we speak?

 

Tonight, at Faith Discovery Church, there is a prayer vigil on the schedule (7 – 8 pm)  where we will present ourselves to our Father on behalf of the nation of Ukraine, making petition for the suffering.  Some will wonder - "What good will it do, anyway?"  Others will pray but with this thought at the edge of their consciousness - "God lives in His Heaven and left me to take care of myself on this earth."  And some will enter the Presence of God humbly and faithfully to ask boldly for His ‘kingdom to come and His will to be done on earth as it is in Heaven.’

Believer, do you hold prayer meetings in your life?
Do you go beyond the meal time prayers, beyond the quick - "Jesus help me" emergency prayers, to spend extended and focused time in the presence of God? 

If you're not praying, let me encourage you to begin. Set aside fears of not doing it ‘the right way.’  The only bad prayers are those not prayed.  God, like any good father, hears us and responds for our best in keeping with His will. If a 10 year old boy begged his Dad for a Corvette, that father would not provide it even if he could because it is not in the best interest of the child. But, he would listen, share the heart of his son, and be pleased that he would talk about his childish desire. The example, while imperfect, helps us to understand that our Father in Heaven is delighted by even our childish prayers.  He loves us enough to listen!

Prayer is intensely personal.

I sometimes pray lying flat on my face on the floor. Why? It is a physical way to express my humility before the Lord. Is that for everyone? Of course not. 

I seldom speak loudly my prayers, even when alone. Is that the only way pray? No.

Some pray loudly with tears. God is not nervous, so I'm sure the volume does not bother him. Of course, He's not deaf either!

Often I sit wordlessly, waiting on God, hands open before me as I present myself to a Majestic God.

I sometimes I sing. The hymn that declares “Great is Thy Faithfulness, O God, My Father, there is no shadow of turning with Thee,” is an amazingly worshipful prayer!

My point is that you God loves to hear from you.
We simply need to pray.
The simple directive of the Scripture is
"Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful." (Colossians 4:2, NIV)

Only when you pray, will you learn to pray well. You will learn to agree with Him, to sense His will, to walk closer to Him through daily life. The Word tells us to "Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who “worry their prayers” are like wind-whipped waves. Don’t think you’re going to get anything from the Master that way." (James 1:6-7, The Message) No, that passage is not teaching us to be presumptive, brats in the family of God who demand our own way, who throw tantrums in our prayers in a silly attempt to get an answer. It tells us that we can pray confident prayers based on the Father's love for us, on His desire to work in our lives. Then, as His children, we trust Him when the answer is "no," as much as we love Him when the answer is "Yes."

Be a praying Christian. There will be stumbles along the way, moments when prayer is hard. There will be moments of victory when you see lives and situations changed. Best of all, in prayer we learn to love the One who loves us most. 

The word from the Word for our meditation says  "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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Face Down

Welcomed in to the courts of the King,
I’ve been ushered into Your presence.
Lord, I stand on Your merciful ground,
Yet with every step tread with reverence

And I'll fall face down,
As Your glory shines around!
Yes, I'll fall face down,
As Your glory shines around!

Who is there in the heavens like You,
And upon the earth, who's Your equal?
You are far above, Your the highest of highs,
We are bowing down to exalt You!

So, let Your glory shine around;
Let Your glory shine around;
King of glory here be found, King of glory!

 

Words and Music by, Matt Redman © 2004 Thankyou Music

The Breeze in the Trees

 

My GPS signaled me that the route I had chosen was slowed by a traffic snarl and pointed me to a new route,  a detour.  The technology informed me that even though the route was longer I would arrive sooner at my destination. Ever run into a situation that caused you to take a detour from the plan in life that you had carefully planned?  Who hasn’t, right?   

We can trust the leading of the Holy Spirit when cancer is announced, changing everything; when a spouse walks out, crushing our heart; when our job evaporates, when our child makes a terrible choice, when a whole new opportunity is offered that will up end life.

I know a thing or two about detours! Some were the result of stupid, foolish, or even choices I made.  But, from a lifetime of walking with the Lord I can tell you that our amazing and Mighty God wove life together in such a way that the detours became new opportunities for deeper intimacy with Him and/or developing character in me. 

At the time of these detours, I thought - “Oh no, this can’t be happening. I must regain control.”   Time has taught me to listen carefully and look for God at work in the detour. If that all sounds like a naïve optimism to you, please consider that it is real faith that is active and focused on the Lord’s ability. He promises that He is constantly active 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)

Faith is not at all like a resignation to fate or even passive acceptance of life. 
Faith anticipates God’s good!

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 a sound like marching feet in the tops of the balsam trees, attack! That will be the signal that the Lord is moving ahead of you to strike down the Philistines.” (2 Samuel 5:24, NLT)   Listen for the breeze blowing through the tree tops; the sound of 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.   While that is an intriguing thought, the point is that David was to act at God’s direction, in faith, not on his own time or in his own way. David was totally obedient, waiting until he heard the promised sound.  He went out courageously and won a decisive victory under God’s guidance.

So, are you listening for the leading of the Holy Spirit in your life?  Has a detour made you feel fearful or wonder about the future?  He leads, let Him. Pray actively, with profound faith, listening for the quiet whisper of the Spirit of God Who will direct your way.  It’s not all that easy to put all of our plans in secondary position to His plan.  We love to feel ‘in control,’ to be on the course we planned.  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.

Here is a word from the Word for your meditation today. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths. Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn your back on evil. Then you will gain renewed health and vitality." (Proverbs 3:5-8, NLT)

(Video of this blog at this link)

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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