Category: Scripture Devotion
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Genesis 22 is a famous incident in the life of Abraham. After so many years, finally he receives Isaac at 100. Then as a teenage boy, the Lord asks for him back. In that beautiful, unimaginable story, Abraham takes rope, wood, and a knife for the sacrifice, but Isaac, almost knowingly, asks, vv7-8 “Where is the Lamb?” And Abraham’s answer, “the Lord himself will provide… my son”
The same God who gave Isaac would give, he believed God would provide, revive, or reproduce.
You know the story, God stops him, knife raised… Do not lay a hand on the boy…
Then in v15 what got my attention today, Then the Angel of the Lord (Jesus) called to Abraham… because you have done this thing and have not withheld… I will indeed bless you.
The blessing of God is in the obedience of trust in action here. It is not about the “what” but the “that”. The Lord does not often ask the same act from each of us, but THAT we act, in faith/trust. Because you have not withheld. How often do we miss the blessing of God because we withhold the action of obedience? I imagine one day in heaven, we will know and hear all the opportunities we missed.
So, then I go to Hebrews, and that writer there tells us that we can trust God, just like the heroes of the faith did. You read Hebrews 11 – the Hall of Fame of the Faithful – and we aren’t perhaps called to do WHAT they did, but THAT, HOW, and WHY. The common denominator is that they did not withhold faith in action.
What can we be certain of? Hebrews 6:10 “God is not unjust (unrighteous) he will not forget (forget, neglect, overlook).”
PRAISE GOD – WHEW – I have to stop right here and like Paul often did in HIS writings, I think of Ephesians 3:20-21, he just stopped for a praise break – To Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly more than we can ask or imagine, to him be the glory…
That same God… is not unjust – he knows what you do for him, and he won’t leave you unpaid, unrewarded. He will not forget your work and the love you demonstrated for his name. YES Servant of the Most High… Come On Saint… v11 he knows you demonstrate the same diligence for the full assurance of your hope until the end… 12 be imitators… who inherit the promises through faith and perseverance
God doesn’t ask us all to do the same thing, and yet he does, faithful diligence. Imitate that.
Hear him say that same thing to Abraham, and then written 2000 years later to the Hebrews and now we read it 2000 years later in 2025 – He himself swore by himself… I will indeed bless you
Child of God today – whatever God is calling you to do… do not withhold it.
If there is anything God is asking, do not hold back.
Say, “Yes!”. Step out in faith… the provision comes in the move into it.
Hebrews 6:14 I will indeed bless you – that word is eulogezo = bless, praise – God says, “Come and Follow, Act in Faith and I will Praise You – I will Bless you”
God Himself has said, “I will not forget you, neglect you, overlook you”… so come on saint, do it.
An Old Hymn by Frances Brook – My Goal is God Himself
1) My goal is God himself, not joy, nor peace
Nor even blessing, but himself, my God.
‘Tis his to lead me there, not mine, but his,
At any cost, dear Lord, at any road
2) So faith bounds forward to its goal in God,
And love can trust her Lord to lead her there
Upheld by him, my soul is following hard
‘Til God hath full fulfilled my deepest prayer
3) No matter if the way be sometimes dark
No matter though the cost be oft-times great
He knoweth how I best shall reach the mark
the way that leads to him must need be straight
4) One thing I know, I cannot say him ‘nay‘
One thing I do, I press toward my Lord
My God, my glory here, from day to day
And in the glory there, my great reward
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Matthew 6:6 But when you pray, go into your private room, shut your door, and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Taher who sees in secret will reward you
So much in in Matthew 6:5-8 regarding prayer life
We often only focus on the “model prayer” in vv9-15, yet not on the expectation of the posture and position of the penitent one. You can model of vv9-15 all you want, but if we are just doing it publicly, we are missing the point.
v5 – Whenever you pray – Jesus uses two book ends here – the first is addressing the “God-Believing”
- Must not be like Hypocrites
- Pray to be seen
- They have their reward
- There is nothing wrong with public prayer but they are hypocrites because they appear to be seeking God, but they are seeking recognition. And do they have their reward – that word “reward” – hos misthos = wage, payment … so they get paid what they want to get paid and that’s the end of that. So, the question then is to whom do you pray, what do you seek to gain?
v7 when you pray – Then the other bookend – the Non-Believer
- Don’t be like Gentiles – Pagans
- Don’t Babble
- many words don’t make you heard – there are those that don’t believe in God, but in a circumstance, “we will try anything”, “let’s have good thoughts” “let’s manifest it by our words”
- Jesus says “the Father knows what you need before you ask” – he doesn’t need our information, he didn’t miss it
Well – Is God telling us NOT to pray? No, but in our desire and need to pray, what is our focus, where is our reward?
Don’t be like the self-absorbed God Worshiper, nor the self-indulgent false worshiper
v6 but when YOU pray
- Go Into Your Private Room – get alone, get to touch with the things you treasure
- Shut the Door
- Pray to the Father in secret
- He Sees
- He Rewards
The Focus is on communing with The Father
The Commitment is to separation from everything else
The Reward is from the Father. It is certain, and ultimately, The Father IS the Reward
WHEN – notice it says “when” not “if” – When you pray
- Go In – there is a decisive action, “I will go” – and “go” is in the active, imperative tense – I must go. Go in to a place, a time, it’s not as must about the location as the intention – Go to Meet God and Only God
- Shut Your Door – this instruction really stood out at me today – go in and close the door. Cut myself off from everything and everyone else. In this instance, I don’t need, don’t want their input, their answers, their approval. Shut off everything else, even my own preconceptions. (perhaps ask the question, “Lord what needs to be shut off right now as I pray?)
- Pray to your Father
- Come to him
- Give it to him
- He is YOUR Father – that means there is a relationship. He is the source of life, he loves you, he cares for you. Every good and perfect gift is from him. (James 1:17)
- The Hidden ones meets you in the hidden place
- He gives you the “Reward” – now this is a different word than in v5 – apodidomi = give up, give back, return, restore, award – there is an understanding of Grace, restoration, and reconciliation here.
Don’t be like the Believer who is only seeking earthly returns
Don’t be like the unbeliever that thinks they can manifest something with repetitive words, good thoughts, or “hocus pocus”
Be the one who seeks the Father, and his pleasure, his purpose, him personally do we seek.
Take a few minutes and go read Psalm 123:1-2; Psalm 18:1-3 and spend some time with The Father
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I have quoted, taught, and preached on this passage many times. It is yet one of those verses/passages that perhaps we would like to ignore – but we must not. Even the thought to “put it aside” must be taken captive and made obedient to Christ.
v3 says “for although we live” – literally, peripateo “because we walk about, conduct ourselves, behave in a matter… in the flesh – sarki – physical earthly bodily – YET – we do not fight spiritual battles in that manner. We must engage in a spiritual pattern, a spiritual manner.
And don’t say, “I can’t” because v4 the weapons of our warfare are not flesh
If we were not equipped that would be a different conversation, but we know that our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit, which is in you, which you have of God.
So our weapons – hopla = tools, implements, weapons, armor – are powerful – dynata = able, could, influential men, man of power, possible – through God
why? it continues FOR – see God gives us all we need… Oh I remember another of those verses I love and hate – excuse removing verses – 2 Peter 1:3 – all we need for life and godliness
our Weapons are powerful for the demolition of strongholds
Yes – strongholds will rise and be built within and without, but through God, in Christ, by the Power of the Holy Spirit; we have powerful weapons for the demolition of those strongholds.
Follow the structure here: “Although” – we are in a fleshly world – “Since” – our weapons are NOT fleshly, and ARE powerful, and FOR demolition. (THEN) we “Demolish” arguments, pride against the knowledge of God…
AND – Take Captive Every Thought – that Greek word aichmalotizo = captivate, lead captive, make a prisoner – That’s what we are supposed to be doing and this isn’t a once, check the box, kind of thing. It is in the Present, Active, Participle, Plural Tense. That means this is something that we DO, we Are DOING, and we are doing to ALL things. It’s not just “take” but takING. It’s not just back then, but now, and now, and now, and now, always.
We take very thought captive- we do not give it freedom to run AMUK.
That’s a word I love. It’s such a funny sounding word, but powerful in description. It means to “behave in a violent an uncontrol. led manner.
We can’t control the arrival of false thoughts, or suggestions of ungodly thinking, but we CAN powerfully take those thoughts captive, chain them up, counter them with the truth of God’s Word and the Spirit’s direction, and make those thoughts obey Christ.
OH My – if we would live this, how free we would be – binding the attacks of the evil one to our thought life, before it ever becomes action.
And YES, we can, in Christ live like this.
I referenced, 2 Peter 1:3-4 His divine power has given us EVERYTHING required for Life and Godliness
Sometimes we think – oh this is just “Spiritual” stuff not “Life” stuff. No it is both. 1Peter 1:5 says by faith we are shielded by God’s power until the coming of final salvation.
his divine power has given us everything required for life and godliness through the knowledge of Hiim who called us (no one comes except the Father draws him John 6:44) by his glory and goodness – by these he has given us great and precious promises – SO THAT – through them you may share in the divine nature, escaping the corruption that is in this world because of evil desires
Oh my fellow travelers – the battle is real, but we have access to all we need.
What did the Great Yogi Berra say? “Baseball is 90% mental… the other HALF is physical” Wow that’s funny math… but do you get what he’s saying?
So here then, perhaps we are saying that Our Battle is 100% Spiritual and the other half is Mental – and so take captive every thought and make it obey Christ and then the Physical Half will take care of itself – selah
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Matthew 5:3 begins the “Sermon on the Mount” with “Blessed are the poor in Spirit, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs.”
What a powerful beginning for Jesus seated on the mountains with those following him and trying to become like him.
“I Can, I Will, I Must”. That’s what we often say, and feel like we SHOULD say. But Jesus says that happiness is in understanding our emptiness, accepting our inability, and embracing our poverty.
Yet my Bible also tells me that in my understanding of my bankrupt state, “But God… is Rich “ Ephesians 2:4. God who is rich in Mercy. Why is he rich? Because of his great love.
Oh my, trying to be like God, and sometimes, let’s be honest, we say, “I’m too impoverished, I want to be like Jesus, but I can’t show mercy.” Well, my question, what’s in your ‘love account’”. If my love account is empty, I can’t be merciful, can’t be generous.
Yet Ephesians 2:5 says God… made us alive… even though we were dead… we are saved by Grace
Oh I definitely want to be like God. I want to be a disciple of Christ. This where it starts, embrace your poverty.
Isaiah 57:15 says “For the High and Exalted One, who lives forever, whose name is holy, says this: ‘I live in a high and holy place, and WITH the oppressed and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and revive the heart of the oppressed.”
Being a disciple of Christ is about coming down and living with the oppressed and lowly in spirit.
Back there in Ephesians 2:6 it says that Christ then he raised us up WITH Him, and seated us WITH Him in the heavenlies
If we’re going to be like Christ in mercy and love, then I will bring people UP, not expect them to “get with it” and come up.
James, the brother of Jesus, writes in James 1:10, “let the rich boast in his humiliation because he will pass away like a flower of the field”
Life is short, I’ve got to invest in what will last.
“Let the Rich Boast in Humiliation” – that’s not what you see on a recruitment flyer, but it is the expectation of the one Rich in the Mercy, Love, and Grace of God
1 Timothy 6:17 “Instruct those who are rich… not to be arrogant or hope in their wealth but in God… 18 do what is good… be rich in good works… generous… willing to share 19 storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of what is truly life“
Wow… we are making future investments not seizing earthly wealth. There isn’t anything wrong with earthly wealth if the Lord gives and we use it to his glory, but we will pass away like the flowers.
Blessed are the Poor in Spirit…
Oswald Chambers calls it the “Ministry of the Unnoticed” and he says “at the basis of Jesus Christ’s Kingdom is the unaffected loveliness of the commonplace… If I know I have no strength of will, no nobility of disposition… Jesus says – Blessed are you…
It isn’t my goodness, or competency that makes me Happy, it is recognizing my poverty. In my poverty – when we think, “I have nothing to give…” and yet we GIVE what we have and later we find the wealth of what we have done in eternity.
Blessed are the poor in spirit for the Kingdom of heaven is theirs…
…and they give it away to all who will receive
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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!
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Tents, Camps, Vocation vs Buildings, Cities, and Kingdoms. It’s all about timing, perspective, location, and calling isn’t it?
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA 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
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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…
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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!
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The voice of the Lord, the Presence of the Lord – that’s where my mind was today. I’m reading 4th Century Church Father, Athanasius, on the Incarnation of Christ, the Word, the Son of God. Athanasius says, “He had by no means hidden himself out of sight of men, nor simply given the knowledge of himself in only one way but unfolded it to them in various ways and through many channels.” This fits with what Paul says in Romans One that God has revealed himself to all and we are without excuse. Athanasius goes further saying that our being made in God’s image is sufficient to know God The Word (Jesus) and through him then to know the Father – BUT – we are weak and careless and sometimes, “Care not to have clear knowledge…” and so creation reveals more of God. But then our failure to receive and know what was plain, God gave us The Law and Prophets so that if we haven’t gotten close enough to know God, then hear from some humans who have. He says that all of the universe is moved by God so that we might know Jesus and he reveal the Father.
All of this comes from this morning seeing 1 Samuel 3, when Samuel heard and met the Lord for the first time. I have always loved this story. I relate to it well, having come to faith in Christ at a very young age, just a young boy. And then called to preach at a young age. And so here is Samuel given to the service of God as just a boy. Chapter three is so much. I could preach a series from this. It talks about how Samuel was serving in God’s presence, and that God’s Word was RARE. It says that Eli’s vision was failing… the Lamp had almost gone out and Samuel was in the Temple, where the ark of the Lord was located… then the Lord called…
How do you respond when calls? Samuel says, “Here I am”, and runs to his master, teacher, the prophet, Eli. Oft times when we first hear God, we don’t even recognize him. We hear the call – but don’t know who or what that is, but at least availability is a good response.
Then once again – praise God he keeps calling. Samuel again responds, “Here I am”, but still he thinks this is Eli who responds, “I didn’t call you.” And we are told, Samuel did not yet know the Lord, because the Word of the Lord had not yet been revealed.” Samuel needed some recognition help, somebody.
v8 once again… and again, “here I am” – THEN – THEN – Eli understood that the Lord was calling the boy – Oh listen follower of Jesus. WE – who already know, should pay attention and reveal to the one who does not know, that God is speaking and we should listen. We need to have our spiritual acuity alert. Someone tells us, “well I heard this… and that happened… and I was reading… and I heard a sermon…” and when they all seem to be lining up and saying the same thing, we need to be aware, and say, “I think God is speaking to you.”
THEN – with a little assistance, anticipation, expectation, and excitement Samuel is ready to hear and v10, The Lord came and stood there and called as before. Folks need to know that God still speaks, that he cares, and that when he speaks it is always an invitation to which we should respond, Listening. God’s voice is always TRUE, revelatory, inviting, and is transformative. We always have an opportunity to change from knowing in theory to knowing by experience. Yet we have to stop and listen. Jesus is there. His revelation will always fit with his Word, but it will also always change us.
Let me end with this quote from Oswald Chambers – “A lily, a tree, or a servant of God may convey God’s message to me. What hinders me from hearing is that I am taken up with other things. It’s not that I will not hear God, but that I am not devoted in the right place… God may say what he likes but I do not hear him.”
The voice of the Lord, the presence of the Lord is with us, but are we ready, eager, expecting to hear, listen, and obey?
Pastor Goforth 