Pastor Goforth

The Dangerous Choice

July 11th, 2023
Joshua 24 has a restating of the Covenant as Joshua nears the end of life and ministry. Most know well verse 15″choose this day who you will serve…as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” That’s probably the way most of you remember it. We know it like that, or do we fully get this. This week I was reading it in the CSB and it renders this Hebrew word abad as “worship”. Choose for yourselves today who you will worship. v14 had reminded them that they previously served or worshipped other gods in Egypt and had seen others worshipped or served by the Amorites. The NLT uses BOTH English words “worship” and “serve” to render this same word, abad, in v14 when he says they should put away these other gods worshiped , and Serve the Lord.

I like using the word worship because Service IS Worship not just WORK. Sometimes we even substitute working for God, Service, for Worship.

And so back in Joshua 24 – after Joshua says choose for yourselves today who you will worship… my family, we will worship the Lord

And they respond strongly – “we will certainly not abandon the Lord to worship other gods!” – And then give the long list of the things God has done for them and ensures they are going to serve God. And then aged Joshua, a veteran of slavery in Egypt for 40 years, 40 years a servant of Moses, and 30 years as Leader of the Children of Israel, replies as I have often done with people who come to me and say “I’m going to serve the Lord”. He says “you can’t serve / worship because it’s HARD.” Worshipping the Lord / Serving the Lord is a Dangerous Decision. It is a Life Changer, dare we say a life crusher? It is a dream crusher, a will destroyer to Serve / Worship the Lord. V19 he says, you will not be able to worship the Lord. Why?
- Because He is a Holy God
- He is a Jealous God
- He will not forgive your transgressions
- if you abandon the Lord, he will turn against you, harm you, destory you after he has been good to you.
Serving God is Worship Act not a vocational decision. It may BE a vocation, but it is not a self-serving decision. If you think serving God is going to make your dreams come true, or get God to look the other way on your other actions, that’s not the way it works. It is HARD. He wasn’t saying that God doesn’t forgive, but that serving God isn’t a vehicle to God ignoring, leaving you alone in your “off hours”. Service is NOT a Substitute for Worship – not an Excuse for NOT Worshipping. Service is a Worship Choice that then drives action.

And then they say, “NO! We WILL Worship / Serve the Lord” – And After I had a guy ask me years ago “why are you doing this?” And I spent a long time giving him all the reasons, then ultimately I said “God won’t let me do anything else, I must do this to worship him.” He said “OK then”.

Ok Then – that’s a dangerous decision, a selfless decision – and Joshua says you are witnesses against yourselves that you yourselves have choice to worship/serve the Lord” and They said “Yes We Are”

So then he tells them
- Get rid of the foreign gods – remove false objects of worship and service. Check your calendar, check your bank statement, what drives, makes the decisions? Is it from God, toward God, or does it pull you away from God?
- turn your hearts to the Lord – that word lebab means the inner person, mind, will, and emotions, heart – your desire, decisions, direction – turn to the Lord
- he set up a stone – there need to be things in our life, on our wall, in our conversation that are reminders of our commitment to worshipfully serve the Lord. And he says then you see that stone… it will be a witness that the Lord has heard
If it is You – Say “Come” – Matthew 14:19-30

June 21st, 2023

In v27 Jesus said, “Have Courage! It is I. Don’t Be Afraid.

I’ll be the first to tell you that in my 54 years of following Jesus, in my 45 years of preaching, serving and following Jesus can be frightening. Jesus does scary things. Sometimes I look at things and I think, “I See Jesus” and it’s a little scary, which makes me think, “I hope that’s Jesus” – “and at the same time, “I hope that’s NOT Jesus.” Because if that’s Jesus, then I’ve got to get IN on it, and THAT’S Scary. and Jesus says, “Have Courage” (present active, imperative) You Must Right now Have Courage because you NEED it; and don’t be afraid because, “It is I”.

And Peter says, “IF it is YOU – command me to Come” – Oh my be careful what you ask for. Two dangerous things, 1) to say, “I could never” or 2) to say, “Lord, I’d love to…”. My wife and I were driving through Houston in 1989 in Rush Hour traffic and my wife said, “I could NEVER live in Houston.” We lived in an Austin Suburb. I said, “baby, don’t ever say never, with God”. And a year later, we moved to Houston – and lived there for 10 years.

Well, the Lord says, “COME” – I’ve been told that this word has the idea of “taking center stage” – to Arrive. “Come” – When God gives a command or reveals what he is doing, we often say something like, “Ok, Lord, just put me there.” We often express our desire but don’t get busy. But Look at Peter, “And climbing out of the boat, Peter started walking on the water toward Jesus.” He didn’t stand and wave, or start a cheering section, he Stepped Out. He climbed out and started walking – we might give Peter a hard time for sinking, but he stepped out and started – I’d rather sink IN the service than stay safely OUT of service. I’d rather struggle IN the service than settle for spectating. And then he saw the strength of the Lord, right? Well, NO. He saw the strength of the wind.

If we will stay focused on the Lord, “It is I”, then we can HAVE COURAGE, but when we take our eyes off the Lord and his command, we focus on the struggle, and we begin to sink. Notice these words, he Stepped out, Started walking, he was ready to Serve in the Struggle, but he looked away from the Savior and Saw the Strength of the wind, and he Started to Sink.

When we get distracted from the Lord and his command to “come” we struggle and can sink. And we have a choice then of sinking and drowning, or we can say, “Lord Save Me!” Peter cried out to the Lord, his focus returned to the correct source. And Immediately, v31, Jesus reached out his hand and caught hold… (saying) “why did you doubt”. He doubted because he took his eyes off the Savior, and set his mind on what he thought about his circumstances and abilities.

It is Jesus – Do not Be Afraid – Take the Stage when God Says, “Come”
May They Be One

May 23rd, 2023

John 17 – Jesus is praying in the garden, praying for his 12, perhaps 11. He prays knowing the hatred and vitriol that will come against them. He prays not for removal, but protection, because the task is important. He says, So sanctify them… That is, make them holy (hagiazo) dedicate, anoint, ordain – How? What sets us apart? Truth in the Word. Then he clarifies and expands in v20 NOT ONLY for these, but also for THOSE who believe in me through their word.

– That’s US

He prays for US, may they all be one… may they also be in us… SO THAT the world may believe you sent me…

It’s so simple and yet complex. What’s the defining image of this unity that Jesus prayed for in us? As you, Father, are in me and I am in you. So, we are not imagining that we become gods, nor perfection, but there is something we are striving toward. And I’m immediately mindful of 2 Peter 1:3-4, his divine power has given all we need for life and godliness… so that you may share in / participate in divine nature. How? Peter says, through knowledge of him who called us… he has given us great and precious promises so that through them we may share in divine nature, escaping the corruption in the world.

Hmmm… and Jesus prayed that we would believe in the word and that we are sanctified in the word. Could it be that his Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path that we might not sin against God? (Ps119:105) Hmmm… I seem to remember that verse being conveniently in nearly the middle of the Bible.

So, Jesus says we need to be ONE as he is one with the Father. And Jesus said, he only does what he sees the Father doing (John 5:19). And we know that the Father is glorifying the son and placing all things under his feet. Could UNITY be as “simple” as only doing what the Father is doing, seeking that the Kingdom Come, his will be done on earth as it is in heaven? Could unity be as simple as following the Father’s Will to Glorify the Son and place everything under his feet and NOT under our own thumb? Could it be that when unity escapes us that we are simply out of line with this simple purpose?

Oh don’t get me wrong – there will be assignments for us as individual churches that are different and even divide us in task, but there can be a difference in tasks without disunity being the result. Our human understanding even may separate our tasks – but we don’t have to be disunified from our desire to be ONE in our commitment to the Work of the Father to Glorify the Son and the Son’s commitment to follow the Father, and all happens in the power of The Spirit.

Why? So That the world may believe that Jesus is FROM the Father. v22 says I have given them glory. Doxa – I love that word, it speaks of weight, reputation, heaviness, honor. Any good name we have is for the purpose of unity, being ONE – evhen = alike, alone, common. Father, Son, and Spirit are distinct and yet one, and so can we be one. I am in them and you are in me so that they may be COMPLETELY One. That word should sound familiar – teleioo – perfect, finished That’s a Cross Victory word. Salvation was finished at the cross, and yet he is still finishing, sanctifying us, and as we release self toward this unity, then we are moving toward the Bigger Picture

– v23 that the world may know you sent me AND have loved THEM as you have loved me …

Hmmm… could it be that when we aren’t committed to John 17:21-26 being a reality that it makes it harder for the world to believe John 3:16 is true for them? Praise God it isn’t impossible, but it certainly IS harder – yes.

Lord, let v26 be true of me/us I have made your name known to them and will continue to make it known so that the love you have loved me with may be in them
Enlightened Hearts – Ephesians 1:18-20

May 16th, 2023

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so that you may know what is the hope… the wealth… the immeasurable greatness…

Often when we would refer to our “hearts”, scripture actually, culturally, refer to bowels, but this prayer from Paul, as he begins this letter talks about eyes of the heart – kardia – the heart, as seat of mind, will, emotions, metaphorically speaking of course. He writes from confinement in Rome and prays for enlightenment, Photizo – what a beautiful word picture – pun intended – To be or become understanding, having light cast upon.

It’s interesting to me, “theologians” focus on several things here early in this letter: predestination, in vv4-5, his glory in v6, the cross securing redemption and grace in vv7-8. But Paul doesn’t focus on these, he makes it clear in v12 that they are already partakers of those things. He explains his/their confidence in vv13-14 is that salvation comes when they heart and believed the gospel, and then they received the Spirit as a deposit on greater glory to come.

Then v15 – This is why… – All of that “theological stuff” for us is NOT what he’s worried about, it’s just reality. This Is Why… I never stop giving thanks… remember you in my prayers… Paul has greater concerns for them than whether they wrestle with how God does God stuff, and man is responsible for man stuff and the synergy of it. His greater concern is that the Spirit of wisdom, revelation, knowledge would be given to them. And here’s the thing – they ALREADY had that in vv13-14 – they just needed to surrender, lay down their own understanding, and surrender to the Spirit that now lives within them. Isaiah 11:1 promises the coming Messiah as a shoot from Jesse’s root and then v2 says The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him… of wisdom… understanding… counsel… strength… knowledge… fear of the Lord – yep that’s the fullness, 7-fold, of the Spirit of God – the Holy Spirit and then 11:3 says of the Messiah, He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes… hears with his ears… but righteously… (with) justice … So IF the Spirit of God lives in us, will we let him be at home? If we let him be who he is in us, then Ephesians 1:18 says that as already blood-bought, redeemed, chosen by God, born-again, indwelt by the Spirit; Paul prays for us that the eyes of your heart will be enlightened – that is that we will get the right Photizo (picture), of 3 things that too often get distorted – HOPE, WEALTH, and GREATNESS.

Well… we could spend a minute here, right?

HOPE – elpis is NOT just wishful thinking, but EXPECTATION. The Hope of his calling – When Jesus calls – ALL who come TO him will never be turned away. Jesus said that he would not cast off any who come to him. So, the expectation, the hope is Love. The expectation is Life. The expectation is sonship. When there is an authoritative summons (klesis) then there is an expectation that is certain. Open the eyes of your heart to see the HOPE.

WEALTH – ploutos = wealth, riches, to flow, abound – Oh yeah! The full on abundant flow of riches for the saints is the Inheritance of Christ. Paul tells the Galatian believers in their letter that we are ALL adult sons. Not male or female, slave or free, Jew or Greek, we are ALL Adult Sons. Only adult sons could receive inheritance, and IN CHRIST we are all joint heirs with Jesus. It’s already secured. We aren’t working on it. Certainly there ARE rewards we earn, but this is already set aside for us, and if our eyes would see it, if we would just know it. Wealth is our

The wealth is in the sphere of the saints. Look back at v11 in him we have received an inheritance – it’s already received, though we haven’t taken possession yet, it is according to the Plan of the One who works out everything in agreement with the purpose of his will.

All of these things, God’s purpose, our faith, the grace available because of the cross, all of these work together to enable us to experience the wealth of the inheritance. And IF my heart’s eyes can get a picture of the glory, then I can let go of the things I THINK are “wealth” in the here and now, but are really not.

Hope, Wealth… and GREATNESS

Boy this is the message we need today isn’t it? Hope, Wealth, and Greatness – sounds like I’m running for office.

I grew up in the ALI era. I used to see and hear that great boxer say, “I am the greatest” We talk a lot about greatness, who is, what is, where is, greatness. That word here is megathos – sounds like a cartoon character. I guess these Ephesians must have been having that conversation about Greatness… because Paul needed to differentiate, Immeasurable Greatness. That word is hyperballo – Greatness is about size and extent, great, sovereign, mighty, magnificent, but he says hyperballo. That word means to throw over, go beyond a mark, to run past. Whatever you think is greatness, Paul says I pray you will get a picture of SURPASSING Greatness. I had a high school friend once say “watch this” to the track coach who was a safe distance as he was throwing the discus. He said “I’m feeling good today”. And then he threw the discus Way Over the Coach’s head further then coach had ever seen. Coach was excited until he realized this High School Senior had picture up a much smaller Jr High discuss and thrown it. It only looked great, but it wasn’t. But Paul says, I pray you will see the Immeasurable Greatness of the Power that is toward us, for us, usward for those who believe. Again the definer is our faith in him. The same in v11, in v13 – and here. Hope points us in expectation, understanding, the wealth of our inheritance, and we see this far beyond greatness, it’s all according to the working of his strength – the SAME STRENGTH which raised Christ from the dead – you see that in v20? It says that the power that brought Jesus back to life on the 3rd day is FOR US who believe.

Would Christ leave heaven, be born among us, live and die for nothing? NO. The Cross is an immeasurable sacrifice but it was FOR Immeasurable SOMETHING. Look at the Empty Tomb and see, let your heart’s eyes be opened and see Expectantly, full of riches, exceedingly great something FOR Us Who Believe.

Hope, Wealth, Greatness

Oh Lord – Set my Heart on the Right Images today!
Tents vs Buildings

May 3rd, 2023

Tents, Camps, Vocation vs Buildings, Cities, and Kingdoms. It’s all about timing, perspective, location, and calling isn’t it?

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As I looked at scripture this morning, my mind broadened a bit. 2 Corinthians 5:7 says, “we walk by faith, not by sight.” But then continues… “we would prefer to be… at home with the Lord”. The context of 2 Corinthians 5 is about tents and buildings. v1 says If our earthly tent is destroyed… we have a building… eternal dwelling in the heavens not made with hands. Indeed, we groan in this tent desiring to put on the heavenly. Oh, I can relate. I like the idea of camping – but I don’t like sleeping on the ground, and I like plumbing, and so much more – but I can’t build a house at every place I want to go, so sometimes a tent is the only way. And yet we groan – stenazo = sigh — Can you relate? I can. v4 indeed we groan while in this tent, burdened… v5 now the one who prepared us for this purpose is God. There is a purpose for the tent and its about the place where we are.

We know Abraham left home and went to the place of promise, and he lived in tents, his entire life. Hebrews 11:8 says he was called, obeyed, and set out for a place – (how?) by Faith. v9 by faith he stayed as a foreigner… living in tents – He was a camp dweller who knew that a city was coming, but NOT for him to build. No, it would have God as architect and builder.

So, Paul says in our 2 Corinthians text that we have tents but a building is for later, and the writer of Hebrews says we have camps, but cities are coming. Then in Hebrews 13:14 it broadens the understanding to us “city dwellers” and says we do not have an enduring city here, but one is to come. Hmmm I see a pattern developing in my thought process driven by these parallel scriptures.

Then Peter writes in 2 Peter 1 – that God’s divine power has given us all that we need for life and godliness and that we must let him grow us from faith to goodness… knowledge… self-control… endurance… godliness… brotherly affection… and love – Why? Because we are camping in tents, living away from home, on a purpose driven mission. Then 2 Peter 1:9 says the one who lacks these things is short sighted v10 therefore… confirm your calling and election – v11 … entry into an eternal Kingdom is provided … and Peter says in v13 I Think it is RIGHT, as long as I am in this bodily TENT to WAKE YOU UP with a reminder ….

WOW – there is a reminder here folks. And if I could gently say for some of our brothers and sisters who long for “prosperity and perfection” in THIS life, you need to spend a weekend TENT CAMPING – cause this is NOT Heaven. We are on a purposeful mission – be as comfortable as you can be, but

Tents here – Buildings there > Camps here – City there > Vocation here – Kingdom there –

Tents, Camps, Vocation

Yes, there will be some sighing and groaning here, but that’s just part of camping. And there will be hard work, but that’s just tent-dwelling. Of course there will be some beautiful vistas, sunrises, sunsets, and some nice fish caught, but we’re just camping.

So then back in 2 Corinthians 5:14 Paul says the love of Christ compels us. One died for all v15 so that those who live should not longer live for themselves, but for the one who died for them. So v16 we don’t know them from a worldly perspective… We are participating in New Creation business 5:17. The Ministry of Reconciliation is our business.

Tent dwellers, looking for a city, Kingdom citizens – 2 Peter 1:19 says, Pay attention as a lamp shining in a dark place – until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts
Are Your Names Written?

April 25th, 2023

We need to make sure we rejoice in the right things. Most all of us want to be “known”, but for what? In Luke 10 Jesus sent out 36 pairs of missionaries. Their job was to make preparations, to open doors. They were going ahead of Jesus, “to every town (v1) where he himself was about to go.” He told them, “the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few, pray the Lord of the Harvest to send workers into His Harvest. Now Go,”

It’s important that we know, who is sending; who we work for; that he is coming behind us; and that it’s HIS harvest.

There are plenty of good instructions here that Jesus gave them as they went. Their job was to proclaim peace and proclaim that the Kingdom of God has come near. He told them that if the people didn’t welcome them, STILL proclaim the Kingdom is near.

Now, I said that we all want to be known, but v13 we hear woe to Chorazin and Bethsaida. They were known, they got press, but it was for failing to Repent. And then Capernaum is also named for basically maintaining their destiny to Hades, instead of changing their path and becoming Kingdom Citizens – and Jesus says, whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me. This is the same warning of John 5:23 anyone who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him.

So the 72 went out, and obviously has an amazing experience though it isn’t recorded here, but in v17 they are coming back feeling like Wow this is amazing. ” they returned with Joy“, and here is where you expect them to talk about all those who responded in faith and expectation of the coming of Jesus. But instead, their testimony is, “even the demons submit to us, in your name”. Well, at least they gave the name of Jesus some credit, but they missed the point. Jesus says, “Look, I have given you authority to trample on snakes… scorpions… and over the power of the enemy, nothing will harm you… HOWEVER… You see – Rejoicing has a point, has a target. Worship, celebration, rejoicing, have a focus – His Name is Jesus! If I am rejoicing on what I DID, then I AM the object of the rejoicing. And Jesus says, “Don’t rejoice that the spirits submit to you, BUT rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

Jeremiah 9:23-24 “This is what the Lord says, the wise should not boast in his wisdom… strength… wealth… boast in this, that he understands and knows me – that I am The LORD, showing faithful love, justice, righteousness on the earth, for I delight in THESE things, This is the Lord’s declaration.”

Rejoice in the Right Things

Then I was reading Malachi 3, oh I have read it before, but these verses never jumped out at me as they did in this context. 3:16 says, “those who feared the Lord spoke to one another. The Lord took notice and listened. So a book of remembrance was written before him for those who feared the Lord and had high regard for his name.” Wow! It was common for Kings to have books written, even of daily events. The king in Esther was having trouble sleeping and he had the daily books read to him. And so Malachi says, God has a book written about those who spoke to one another about their fear of and high regard for the Lord.

So, let me finish – There is a book, well, a few books in heaven, I guess in the Lord’s Office Library. There is the Lamb’s Book of Life – My Name is written there because I have received his grace by faith and been reborn, a new creation, a child of God. And then Psalm 56 tells me that there is a book where God records all of my misery, all of my tears, God takes notice, why, because he cares for me. God doesn’t always take away my struggles, but he notices, and he weeps with me, and one day I believe he will show me that book, perhaps when he wipes away every tear from my eyes. But then we see another book in Malachi 3. There is a book that God has caused to be written to record those who fear him, who have a high regard for his name. I want my name to be in that book too, in God’s Library. God notices. Then 3:17 says, “‘They will be mine’, says the Lord of Armies, ‘my own possession on the day I am preparing. I will have compassion on them as a man has compassion on his son who serves him. 18 So you again will see the difference… between the one who serves God and the one who does not serve him.’”

Is your name written in the Lamb’s Book of Life? If you don’t know, believe on the name of Jesus, receive him as Lord (John 1:12) and you will be a child of God, your name will be written in the most important book in Eternity. And then one day, in Heaven, I believe we will get a chance to see our names in some other books, and see how much we matter to the LORD.

Rejoice in that – God sees, he knows, he cares
Open The Gates

April 4th, 2023

Psalm 27:1 says The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life, whom should I dread? I’ve always loved this beginning to Psalm 27 because I have the Lord to illuminate my circumstance. I will not then be afraid of the unknown, unseen, unexplainable. HE is my explanation. It’s not that I run FROM the fearful things, but that I run TO the Lord – He is my mountain stronghold. That means 1) I go UP to Him and that 2) he give me a better perspective over what I am facing. Then v2 says that when evildoers come, or v3 armies deploy, My heart will not be afraid. If all out war breaks out, I will be confident because v4 one thing I have asked, one thing I desire… what is YOUR One Thing? not riches or position or fame, but to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life – that word yashab = abide, to sit down. In the “House” that word bayith = house armory, beneath, between, facing, inward, family. When I’m under attack, the place to be is WITH the Lord – focused on the Lord – Facing the Lord, in the Family of God – Gazing on the beauty of the Lord, Seeking… baqar = to, toward, concerned, inquire, meditate – Oh I need to shift my focus – and v5 says then he will conceal me IN his shelter, hide me under the tent – set me high – That’s where the attack can’t get me. And as the Psalm continues, David says in v8, my heart says this, ‘seek his face’ and I will seek your face. Oh my how often we KNOW what to do, we just need to listen to what’s in our heart from the Lord. v11 show me your way Lord, lead me on a level path v13 I am certain that I will see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living….

How? How do we see the Lord’s goodness? v14 wait for the Lord – qavah = eagerly expect, hope, look eagerly – it’s the same word that’s in Isaiah 40:31 – those who wait/hope/trust in the Lord will renew their strength… soar…run…walk… We See the Lord as we twist our hope around the Lord. That word comes from a root word that can be translated like a twisted rope, or a spider web. What are you wrapped around? Where is your heart set? Set your HOPE on the Lord and you will SEE him then v14 be strong, and let your heart be courageous, then wait for the Lord

So, I began my study today thinking about the Triumphal Entry as Yesterday was Palm Sunday. And I was remembering Jesus weeping, quietly, prayerfully weeping for Jerusalem. And one link led me to Psalm 118:19 open the gates of righteousness for me. I will enter and give thanks v20 This is the Lord’s gate, the righteous will enter through it v21 (you) have become my salvation v22 the stone the builders rejected as become the cornerstone v24 this is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.

So then… go back to Luke 19. The People had welcomed Jesus into Jerusalem in Luke 19:38 Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord…” And yet those same people a few days later were saying Crucify Him . Even that entry day immediately the Pharisees are saying v39 Teacher, Rebuke them. The Last time Jesus had been in Jerusalem in Luke 13 He had said 13:34-35 Jerusalem, Jerusalem, How often I wanted to gather you… but you were not willing… your house is abandoned to you… you will not see me until the time when you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord’. So then here we are … He has taught, healed, gone from village to village… but they don’t so much want HIM but they want what they think he can give them… freedom from the rule, from Rome, they want “peace”, but not peace with God.

I’ve always pictured this happening IN Jerusalem, but v37 of Luke 19 says this is up at the top of the Mt. of Olives on the path down to Jerusalem. I’ve been there walked that path, and halfway down, after this then… is the place where they say he looks over the city… there before him is the Eastern Gate across the Kidron Valley, and he weeps because they don’t see it. They are out of focus, “if you knew… v41 but now it is hidden. Why Hidden? 13:34 because you were not willing. Luke 10:21 says it is hidden from the wise, the intelligent and revealed to the infants. It is ONLY when we come humble, need, willing, longing, asking, that we SEE.

Think about that for a minute.

So, Let me give you a good exercise, if you don’t have time now, come back to it later and do this – Psalm 118:1-9; 19-29

Give thanks to the Lord… for he is good – Let Israel (the people) say, His faithful love endures – Let the House of Aaron (the preachers) say… His faithful love endures – Let those who fear the Lord say… – I called… the Lord answered… the Lord is FOR ME… My helper. It is better to take Refuge v9 in the Lord

Spend a few minutes there saying that, writing that meditating on that… Then… Shift your focus to vv19-29

Open the gates – Give Thanks – This is the Day the Lord has made (understand today is the Lord’s day, the day to celebrate him – Let us rejoice – He who comes in the name of the Lord is Blessed (do you see there is blessing for YOU if you come in the name of the Lord) You are my God; I will exalt – Give thanks to the Lord for he is GOOD, his faithful love endures FOREVER________________

Oh spend some time here – this is the Day of the Lord – Every day is a day to know and experience the blessing of the Lord’s presence. If you are willing…
Friendship with God

March 21st, 2023

“I am a friend of God” – we sing about, it think about, enjoy the thought of it, but is it reality?

I looked up “friendship” online the famous wikipedia says it is, “a relationship of mutual affection between two people… stronger than an acquaintance or association” (Friendship – Wikipedia) – We tend to say that we have many “friends” in our social media world – but then we have “good friends” and “best friends”. Certainly our age and station in life affects our friendships, but it is even said that our health is affected and can affect our friendships. Wiki says that friendships are based on choice and admiration as well as levels of intimacy. They quote U.S. News talking of how “like gaps” affect the quality of the friendship as well. (i.e. one party doesn’t LIKE at the same level as the other)

Britannica, the historic encyclopedia talks about friendship (Friendship | Britannica) as a “state of enduring affection, esteem, intimacy, and trust between two people”. But as I read I found something interesting in “chasing this rabbit”: they go on to point out 5 defining features of friendship 1) it is dyadic, involving a series of interactions 2) it is recognized by both parties so reciprocated 3) it is not obligatory (like a parenting relationship) but those parties choose to form a friendship… thus no formal duties or legal obligations 4) it is egalitarian… that is each has the same amount of power or authority in the relationship 5) it is characterized by companionship which is one of the primary goals

So – am I a friend of God? Can I even BE a friend of God? And perhaps based on those 5 definitions alone, you might immediately respond, “no” or “I can’t be”, or “I’ll never be equal to God…” And Yet… as I stopped and processed it, there IS a level in all of those things where I can be a friend of God. But there is a transition that needs to take place, from servant to friend.

In Genesis 18 is a story that has had my attention in the interaction between God and Abraham. Three men appear to Abraham, 1) to announce the coming of Isaac to this very “mature” couple; and 2) to see to the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. Some ask, “is this the Trinity?” I would say, “no” because John tells us “no one has ever seen God” (John 1:18). Paul says he is in “unapproachable light, whom no one has seen, or can see” (1Tim6:16) So, since no one by the First Century HAD seen the Father, and cannot see the Father, then this is not the Trinity. But then also 2 of the 3 in this story in are in Sodom in Genesis 19 and are “angels” – Yet, ONE of these 3 is referred to as YHWH – The LORD – so this is the one often referred to as “The Angel of the Lord – This is the Second Person of the Trinity, this is Jesus in his eternal, pre-incarnation revelation, before he was born to Mary. Here he speaks with Abraham. He is LORD, He is God, and he has a special relationship with Abraham. He has heard of the evil in Sodom and is going to destroy them, and he asks out loud to the angels, v17 “should I hide this from Abraham?” This is what got my attention more than 40 years ago. I’ve said to myself, since I was 15 years old, “I want to be so close to God that if he moves near me, I will see it, know it, be in on it, unless he hides it from me.”

How? Be near him, Believe Him, Join with Him, Know by experience, Talk to, Recognize, Pay attention and know this is God. Used to be when the phone rang we didn’t have caller ID, and if someone said, “Hi, it’s me”, did you recognize them? Maybe sometime you came into a situation and something had happened, been done, and you wonder, do I know, do I recognize this handiwork, the passion, the action, the purpose of a friend? If so, then do you join right in, do you celebrate, do you go to the known source?

In Isaiah 41:8, I notice something interesting. God calls Israel his “servant”, but Abraham “my friend” . That word in Hebrews, aheb = beloved, dearly, love, friend. That’s ebeb = servant, minister, official . Yes, that’s a good thing to be, but very different from friend. And then as I read the words of God that follow v8 I think God is encouraging Israel to not just be a servant but to be a friend. He says “I have chosen you” v9 (but he’s saying “choose me”) and do not fear for I am with you v10 (saying stay with me) and I will strengthen you / help you – and then v13 I am the Lord who holds your right hand (he’s saying walk with me friend) Oh my how beautiful an invitation.

Then I go over to James 2:22-23 in that famous discussion about Faith that’s active in works, and so made complete. And it says that scripture was fulfilled (from Genesis 15:6) when Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness, and he was called God’s friend”! Oh we are going somewhere now. Don’t get on a theological tizzy here, but interestingly, in application, could it be that this often discussed connection between Faith and Works is about Salvation and Friendship? We are certainly, clearly from the preponderance of scripture, saved by Grace through Faith, not of works, of which we can boast (Eph2:8-9,10) yet still FOR works already prepared for us to do. But is it that IN the Works, which manifest our Faith, that we become “Friends”? Stay with me theologian, walk with me believer. James then continues in 2:29 in the same way Rahab… receiving … sending… She joined the work of God in Jericho and in Israel by Faith joining God, and she was saved, and became great grandmother to David, no doubt a friend of God. Certianly there is a whole other discussion we could have here, but Back to Abraham…

I want to be a Friend of God. I believe in Jesus and So, remember that list from Britannica? 1) I had a series of interactions that caused me to hear, and know, and believe, and place my faith in Jesus becoming a Child of God 2) and now he recognized me and I recognize Him. and 3) But there is a choice in the friendship side. He chose me first (praise God) but I also chose him and choose to walk him, not FOR the relationship, but because of the relationship to extend and deepen it. And 4) the idea of an egalitarian relationship is a stretch at first to consider because he IS Lord and IS God, but we still do have a choice to daily walk with him to join him, to love him in action – so 5) the entire “friendship” is out of a desire by Him as well as by me to walk together, to know him, to join him, a Friend of God.

Well… consider these things…
Vision and Way Stations

March 14th, 2023

March 11 of the famous devotional selections by Oswald Chambers, the namesake passage says “the only way to be obedient to the Heavenly vision is to give our utmost for God’s highest and this can only be done by continually and resolutely recalling the vision… though it tarry, wait for it… we must live in the inspiration of it until it accomplishes itself…” And I would add that if our vision is not “God-sized” and eternal in scope then we will often “attain it” and then stop moving forward. Our vision needs to be large enough that it stays out in front of us and keeps us moving forward.

Yes, we need “way points” that we attain along the way to the vision. At the “way points” we 1) assess our progress, 2) rest from and refuel for the struggle, 3) celebrate the achievements though we are not done, 4) reevaluate our process, and 5) move on toward the vision. “Way points” are part of the mission toward the vision, and they are measurable and attainable. Big Vision, is always “out there”.

Chambers says that sometimes we get so “practical” that we can forget the vision. Or perhaps we lay aside the vision thinking rationally, or “realistically”. We say, “we can’t do that.” So, we settle for less than the vision. Again Chambers says, “waiting for the vision that tarries is the test of our loyalty to God. It is the peril of our soul’s welfare that we get caught up in the practical work and miss the fulfillment of the vision.”

“Practical” is important but only as “way points” toward the Vision that is “CRAZY”. Leader, if you aren’t moving toward something “crazy” you probably aren’t attempting something God-sized.

Chamber’s devotion focuses on 1 verse in Acts 26 where Paul is talking to King Agrippa. He testifies about meeting Jesus. Think about this, at Paul’s revelatory encounter on the road to Damascus, he had to embrace Jesus by Faith, but also hear and wrestle with the Vision for his life. Acts 26;15 “I am Jesus” – Ok… wait… what do I do with that? And then Jesus says, “I have appeared for this purpose…” Jesus always appears for a purpose. And he tells Paul it is “to appoint you as a servant… witness… what you have seen… will see… the Gentiles… I am sending you to them to open eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light, from the power of satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a share… sanctified by faith in me.”

WOW – Paul is being called to embrace Jesus as Lord, Messiah, but also to expand the “family” to Gentiles. And when would this end? Well, I guess when there were no more Gentiles outside the family. “Well, that’s not practical. Let’s settle for a way point.” NO NO NO don’t settle

At our church, we embrace a vision seeking to be a “church like Heaven” as seen in Revelation 7:9 every race, tribe, color, and tongue before the throne.” When or Where does that end? In Heaven, but we are trying to reflect it on earth. What do we see? A Diverse family of Christ followers, Displaying the Glory of God unified by Love, and Telling His Marvelous Story. That story is a story of opportunity for all who believe. So, what are we doing? Loving God, One Another, and our Community. Serving God, One Another, and our Community, and seeing Transformation in our Community, in our Homes, in our Lives. But then we define some way points in the transformation process. Transformation FROM Seekers to Believers, Believers to Worshipers, Worshipers, to Disciples, Disciples to Servants and Missionaries. Well there are a lot of Way Points there, but the whole thing is a vision, a crazy vision, virtually unattainable, but we keep moving. Do we look like Heaven yet? Do we look like our Community yet?

Then is that little verse that Chambers references, v19 “I was not disobedient to the vision” Wow! Yes. Not, well that’s unrealistic. Not, well that’s hard. He didn’t say he was perfect or even whether we thought he’d complete it, but he was pursuing it. And v20 so I preached. Instead of disobeying the vision, I preached… repent… turn… do worthy works. And then he says they seized me, trying to kill me.

Oh fellow traveler, leader, journeyman, Obedience doesn’t mean EAZE. So, in order to be like Heaven, we commit to Act Like Heaven, and we seek to Look Like Heaven, then eventually and from time to time, we Feel Like Heaven, but we keep Acting Like until Faith becomes Sight.

I love / hate Proverbs 29:18 – where there is no vision the people perish – the CSB renders it without revelation, people RUN WILD, but the one who follows divine instruction will BE HAPPY … Yes

Vision Keep Us Moving toward Crazy, Unrealistic, God-sized goals – but they ARE REAL in what matters and for what Lasts. Hit the way points – rest, assess, celebrate, evaluate, and move on, until faith becomes sight!
Asking Questions

February 28th, 2023
Asking questions is always good especially if we want answers. John 4 tells a story I often call “Soul Winning 201” – I always called John 1:29-51 “Soul Winning 101” – Point out Jesus, Invite to “Come and See” … but I digress. 201 is here in John 4 – Be intentional, be engaging, be listening, be inviting, be revealing.

John 4:11 – Jesus has just “coincidentally” met a Samaritan woman at a well. So, nothing Jesus does is an accident. In v4 he had to go through Samaria. Most Jews going from Judea to Galilee went AROUND Samaria, but Jesus had an appointment. He sent his disciples to the convenience store, and Jesus waits by Jacob’s well till this woman shows up and he asks for a drink. But it’s more of a directive, he gently says “give me a drink”. That word is in an imperative tense. That was a bit radical. And the woman responds rather shocked, “how is it that YOU (JEW) ask me (Samaritan Woman) for a drink?” – Sort of an “excuse me?”.

That’s question 1 – good question. Jews called Samaritans, “dogs”. So, she wants to know, “hey, you Jew, why are you talking to me? Why are you telling me to give you a drink?” And let me read between the lines here, Jesus’ response is sort of that “this was just an ice breaker, but I have something better for you, for you than I’m asking from you. Living Water“.

Then that prompts question #2 – “Sir…” Oh ok now, we have gone from “you Jew” to “Sir” that word is kyrios = Lord – A shift is happening. She liked the sound of Living Water, but then says, “you don’t have a bucket, and the well is deep…” But the next word is unexpected – I would expect how – but there seems to be a shift in her question – “Where do you get Living Water?” Very interesting, she doesn’t ask “how” but “where?” Why? Because even if he HAD a bucket, she knows this well, it’s good, but it’s not LIVING WATER.

Then if you read her question #3 because so, “who ARE You?” – She says, “you aren’t greater than Jacob. He dug this well himself, and he gave it to us, so who are you and where is this water?”

Good questions

And Jesus basically says… “I have a different source, a different product, and it ALSO is FROM ME and FOR You. And Jesus says, “Drink THIS water, and a) your thirst will be quenched b) the source will spring up within you, and c) give you eternal life!

Wow, and so she begins to open her heart, mind, soul to the “Well Provider”, and the questions stop, and confession begins.
- I don’t have a husband
- I see you are a prophet
- we worship God here
- I am waiting for the Messiah
- I am looking
- I am seeking
And Jesus says, “I Am He” – Oh my my the answer is in front of you. Then v28 says “the woman left her water jar and went to town and told the people”. She got a big drink didn’t she? She wasn’t thirsty any longer. She wanted others to know. She invited others to know – and she immediately is involved in Soul Winning 101 – “Come and See a man who told me everything… could this be the Messiah (decide for yourself but I believe)…” And then v39 many from that town believed

Questions are good when looking for answers. So, a question for those of us who know Jesus and interact with those who do not:
1. Do you recognize seekers?
2. Do you argue or engage the real issues?
3. Do you welcome or judge, invite or reject, condemn or seek to rescue?
4. Sometimes people don’t respond. Sometimes they need some time to process, sometimes they will reject – but do we keep the lines open?
Interestingly, Jesus knew his disciples wouldn’t be open to this so he sent them to the STORE before this appointment commenced. Does Jesus include us or exclude us because we won’t believe he can do it?

A quote to close –

“The thing that taxes almightiness is the very thing which as disciples of Jesus we ought to believe he will do. We impoverish his ministry to moment we forget He is Almighty.” – O.Chambers (My Utmost for His Highest – 2/27)