God Sees Not As Man Sees

This morning I opened to 1 Samuel 16, and a single line caught my attention, for I was thinking along similar lines yesterday.  In setting context, Samuel had been sent to Bethlehem to anoint a new King, God's choice for King, while Saul was still king.  Samuel was worried about the whole situation, but God told Him to do exactly what He would tell him to do.  He had Jesse's sons pass in front of Samuel, and Samuel thought the first of the sons was the obvious choice.  Here is God's response - 1 Samuel 16:7 NASB:  "But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

What a great lesson for us to grasp, that God has a different view of things than we do!

When God looks at us, He sees us differently than we see ourselves!  He sees our whole life, for He is outside of time!

When God looks at others, He sees them in the same way, from outside of time, seeing their whole life!

When God looks at our situations, He sees them as solved, resolved, changed or overcome!  He see our whole lives and knows what will occur!

When God speaks a promise to us, it is from the vantage point of telling us what He sees when He is looking at the whole of our life, in other words it has already happened.

When God looks at difficulties in our lives, He sees the strength that will develop from overcoming them. 

Going back to the story of David, when David was tending sheep and a lion attacked, God knew this would prepare him for killing Goliath one day in the future.  Not only would David develop the skill with the sling, but the heart of trusting God's word and promise!

I struggle with looking beyond my present situation, my present object of frustration, or fear.  Sometimes I am complaining because my thoughts on how my life should go, are completely different than how my life is actually going, and I think God has it wrong!  I don't understand all the things that God is accomplishing, nor the reasons!  In some ways I feel like I am watching a master chess player, from the vantage point of the pawn.  His mind is 1000 moves into the future, and I can't understand why I am not moving forward!  I don't see things from God's perspective, and even if I did, I wouldn't understand all His thoughts!

Recently I was reflecting on the Life of Joseph, the son of Jacob, and was thinking about how things must have looked to him.  He was sold by his brothers into slavery, ended up in Potiphar's house, then got falsely accused and was sentenced to prison where he spent several years. All of this happened after He had been given dreams by God indicating that one day he would be a leader over his brothers. In looking back at his own life, I am sure Joseph understood more of what God accomplished during those years of struggle and suffering, but I am sure there were still questions he had about those years.  However, the Lord was looking at his heart the whole time, and knew how each situation was bringing about growth and maturation, creating the heart and mind of a leader of nations. 

In the same way, the Lord prepared David. 

In the same way the Lord is preparing you and me!

Which of Joseph's fellow prisoners ever thought, 'one day this man will be second in charge of Egypt'?

Which man in the army of Israel thought when they saw David running to met Goliath, 'that young boy will one day be king'?

Did David or Joseph ever accurately identify the steps they would take in their lives to see the fulfillment of the Lord's promise?

So, this morning I am encouraged that even though I don't understand the why and how of my present situation or circumstances, I know the Lord is fully in control!  He sees my whole life, knows exactly how things will work out, and more importantly is looking at my heart and seeing the work He is doing, even if I don't see it!  He knows exactly when and how the promises He has spoken over my life will be fulfilled.  I just need to learn to trust His process, and trust His love!  

Lord, help me to grasp this reality and help me to embrace Your peace that is beyond my understanding!  You clearly don't see as I see!

Amen!

Eating, Observances, Faith and Sin

This morning I am reading from Paul's letter to the Romans.  I think this is my favorite of his letters, there is always something to reflect upon in his writing.  Today my focus is the very last verse of this section I am going to quote, for context.  Here are the verses - Romans 14:1-6,10,12-14,22-23 NIV:

[1] "Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters. [2] One person's faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. [3] The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted them. [4] Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand." 

[5] "One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind. [6] Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord. Whoever eats meat does so to the Lord, for they give thanks to God; and whoever abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God." 

[10] "You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister ? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God's judgment seat. [12] So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God." 

[13] "Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister. [14] I am convinced, being fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for that person it is unclean." 

[22] "So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who does not condemn himself by what he approves. [23] But whoever has doubts is condemned if they eat, because their eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin."

Paul is speaking about several things that apparently were issues in the early church, eating certain foods, and special days.  Without going into depth, I believe these both come out of the Jewish observances that were put in place by the Lord through the covenant of the Law.  Paul is writing to the Roman church, many of whom were originally Gentiles, but the church essentially came out of the Jewish people, and many of those observances came with them.  Paul is trying to breathe freedom into the church without making it all religious, and I think he does an admirable job.  

The verse that really caught my eye this morning, was verse 23, and just the very end statement, "everything that does not come from faith is sin."  I read that and immediately thought, wow that is a very broad definition of sin!  To note, the Greek word he uses is hamartia and it means to 'miss the mark, or have no share in' and I believe in this case he means our observances, if they do not come out of our relationship with the Lord, are empty and do not result in growing our life in Him.

Now, we could potentially discount this statement as only dealing with the eating of food, but Paul was speaking about much more than just eating food in these sections.  Paul is dealing with the issue of religious observances, and judgment, and our propensity to think that because God has called us to embrace something, that makes us special or better than someone who hasn't been called to embrace the same thing!  I love what Paul writes in verse 4 - "who are you to judge someone else's servant?"  In other words, even though we serve the same Lord, He might have given the other person other instructions than those we have received, and its not for us to judge them!  

Unfortunately the church has been terrible about this area, and often the Gospel message is accompanied by a whole list of things you can't do and call yourself a Christian.  Denominations are launched, and churches split because one group judges another group to be wrong in their teaching or observations, or things they call important.  Growing up Catholic, we had all sorts of days of religious observance, and days of fasting.  These can all be good thing, they can also be a reason that we decide to judge someone who isn't observing the same things, and this is issue Paul is addressing. 

These observations, in and of themselves, have no real value unless they are done through faith.  In fact, if they are done without faith, they would be sin, according to Paul in verse 23.  Rather than focusing on the negatives, Paul writes, "For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit," ( Romans 14:17).  In other words, these gifts in and from God are what we should be turning our hearts towards, in our walk of faith.  

In looking back at this chapter, I think I might sum up Paul's encouragement as 'be mature and follow after God and embrace what He tells you to embrace, and expect others to be mature and allow them to do the same, while at the same time allowing that they might have a different call in their life with God.'  Oh that we in the church would encourage one another to pursue relationship with the Lord, and allow the Lord to be Lord of one another's lives!  

We don't need to judge one another, we need to encourage one another and celebrate the righteousness Jesus has given us!  We need to celebrate the peace and joy we receive in the Holy Spirit!  We need to allow one another to have different faith expressions than those we embrace!  We need to look to our own life and embrace all the things the Lord has invited us into, in faith, without getting all religious!   He is about relationship not rule following.  

One last note, I will say that my life and faith expression toady is much different than it was 40+ years ago when I received salvation.  I was no less a Christian back then than I am today, but much has changed in what the Lord has invited me to embrace through our relationship. In the same way that my relationship with my wife has changed and grown deeper after, soon to be, 35 years, my relationship with the Lord has matured and grown deeper.  I am more aware today of my sinfulness and faithlessness than I ever was back then, and that is not because I have grown more rebellious and hard-hearted, it is because I have seen so much more of God and understand so much more of Him, and see how far I have to go and grow.  I am not discouraged, rather I am encouraged that all the wonderful experiences I have had are just the tip of the iceberg, that there is so much more!  

My prayer today is that more and more of my life might be lived in faith, through faith, and that I might be more and more like Him.  I am encouraged to guard my heart and mind against judgmental thinking.  I am encouraged to let the Lord be the Lord of other's lives, realizing that He is drawing each of them in their relationship with Him!  Finally, I am reminded that even though everything that I do outside of faith is sin, that He has paid for each and every sin already!

Amen and Amen!

The "Gift" of Suffering?

Lately my mind and heart have been reflecting on a statement Paul made in his letter to the Church in Philippi.  I had some reflections a few days ago, but this morning as I sat down to pray, I was reminded of the theme.  Here are the two verses that are the source - Philippians 1:29-30 NIV:

[29] "For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, [30] since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have."

I have been letting this verse rattle around and it just messes me up.  When you look at the original Greek, its actually more offensive to my American mindset.  The word Paul uses is charizomai and it defined by Thayers Greek dictionary as: 

1) to do something pleasant or agreeable (to one), to do a favour to, gratify

    a) to show one's self gracious, kind, benevolent

    b) to grant forgiveness, to pardon

    c) to give graciously, give freely, bestow

          1) to forgive

          2) graciously to restore one to another

          3) to preserve for one a person in peril

In other words, Paul considers it a favour, a gift if you will, to be able to suffer for Christ Jesus.  I often question anything that makes me uncomfortable,  as possibly not being from the Lord, and Paul is talking about the gift that is suffering, for Jesus.  To be clear the Greek word translated suffer is paskho and it defined by Mounce as follows: to experience, suffer, endure (almost always in NT with reference to unpleasant experiences).  

Imagine the church that preaches this regularly, as a healthy, non-religious fervor, expectation for becoming a Christian!  Sort of like this - 'Welcome, we are so glad that you have been given the gift of belief in Christ Jesus, and now even better yet, we wanted you to know that the next gift will be suffering of some sort for the name of Jesus.'

It is hard to imagine this being a popular sermon topic here in the US, but in much of the rest of the World, this is likely their exact experience!  Somehow we have come to believe that the blessings of God are always positive and happy and make us comfortable.  Imagine if our armed forces trained all of the soldiers using comfort and happiness of the individual as their measure of successful preparation!  The reality is that we are part of an expanding Kingdom, and we are all soldiers in this effort.  Jesus speaks many times of the cost of following Him, and I like to accidentally forget those verses so I can focus on the ones that say He will comfort me and bless me.  I am just being real with myself here.  

In Jesus' call to Saul, soon to be called Paul, he said something that I read the other day, which made me stop and think.  It is found in Acts 9:10-16 NIV:

[10] In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord,” he answered. 

[11] The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. [12] In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.” 

[13] “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. [14] And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.” 

[15] But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. [16] I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”

Interesting note there at the end.  In Luke's recounting of Ananias' conversation with Saul, he doesn't mention the suffering part, but I am sure he communicated that to Saul, as he did everything else.  In this set of circumstances it makes some sense, as Saul was persecuting the church and there is a sort of fairness to this statement, at least in my mind.  The Greek word used by Luke is the same that Paul used, and the sentence is almost identical to that which Paul wrote to the Philippians.  So, the question in my mind is what did the Philippians do to deserve this opportunity to suffer?  

Here's the rub, it wasn't a punishment, it was a gift!

Man, that just makes my mind tilt!

When I think about this, I go back to something I can relate to bring context, my marriage. My honey and I have had the opportunity to go through a fair amount of physical suffering, and while I never view that as a gift, the relational benefits are clear, for we chose to press into each other, to rely on each other in the midst of those struggles, rather than to try to fight through it on our own.  Some folk flee during difficult times, we chose to grow closer.  It is in this that I find the "gift" of suffering, for having walked through difficulty and seeing someone stand beside you and love you in your weakness and most vulnerable and unlovely state, there is a great confidence in their love!

I think it might be the same thing in our walk with Jesus!  As we encounter difficulty, we can either walk away from Jesus or press into Him.  It is in this pressing into Him that we encounter His love, faithfulness and presence like we have never experienced before.  When we must rely on His strength, we learn how strong He really is!  When we press into Him, and listen, we hear and experience how much He really loves us, in spite of our issues we become confident of His love.  When we press into Him, and experience His encouragement in the midst of our struggles, we become witnesses to the greater reality, that He is our reason for life! 

Oh Lord, I thank You for opening my eyes and ears to my own heart condition, and my own expectations.  I realize that they don't exactly line up with Your word, and so I need to embrace the need to change them, and the opportunity when it presents itself!   Help me to see things from Your perspective, rather than from my own selfish point of view.

Amen!

Pressing Forward Into Life, Love and Knowledge

This morning I turned to Paul's letter to the Philippians.  My goal in prayer is to connect with the Lord, and hear His voice to me today.  I always ask where I should read and wait for His guidance, which often comes as an impression, or highlighted thought.  Anyway, today it was Paul's letter to the church in Philippi, and in starting to read these verses stood out to me - Philippians 1:9-11,27-30 NIV:

[9] "And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, [10] so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, [11] filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ---to the glory and praise of God." 

[27] "Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel [28] without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved---and that by God. [29] For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, [30] since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have."

Sandwiched between these two sets of verses, Paul is speaking about some of the difficulties He has experienced.  This morning I have found myself thinking mostly about work and my life, and my small difficulties, and then I open this letter up and see Paul speaking about things of much greater importance, and it allowed me to change my perspective.  

So often I find myself looking at my life from amidst the present and daily issues and struggles, rather from a perspective of God's work, and my part of that work, as I represent Him, and am in relationship with Him.  I lose sight, in my daily walk of the greater reality, and in doing so, lose proper perspective.  Paul's encouragement is to conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of the Gospel, and honestly that is rarely how I think about myself throughout the day, especially if I am in some sort of struggle, or feeling pressure.

As I was reading these verses, it seemed to me that I need to go back and read verses 9-11 again and again, until that reflects my heart and desire.  I am called to embrace the Lord in love and affection, allowing my heart to be moved for Him, as He draws me deeper into understanding of His heart and ways.  As I engage in my daily life, my heart and mind should point me back to Him, allowing His word and presence to guide me, strengthen me and speak to me.

Additionally, as I was reading Paul's words, I was just struck by the vast difference there is between how he related to the Lord, and how I do.  His walk led him down difficult paths and in the midst of those, He saw the Lord's faithfulness, and experienced His affection.  In the midst of my struggle, instead of turning to the Lord, I buckle down and put my head down to try and muscle through.  If I do this with my own daily stuff, I wonder how I would be under actual persecution for my faith? 

There is clearly much room in my life for repentance, for changing the way I think, for changing the things I think about,  and for changing my daily perspective and focus.  I do need to grow in love, and knowledge and depth of insight!  I need to be able to better discern what is best  I need to join myself more fully to the Body of Christ, joining together in the advancing of the Gospel through my life, in whatever way I can!   I see the need to grow in humility, in transparency and in affection!  Lord, please help me to allow my focus to change from my little life to Your purpose and calling and Kingdom! Help me to conduct my life in a manner worthy of the Gospel!  Help to press forward into life, love, knowledge and depth of insight!

Lord, help us all to step into all that You have for us!

Amen

Healing For Deep Wounds and Unforgiveness

This morning I felt led to read from Luke 17, and just immediately knew the first verses I read were my reflection verses for the day.  I would say that the verses are about faith and forgiveness being linked, although these verses are often taught about separately.  Here are the verses - Luke 17:1-6 NIV:

[1] Jesus said to his disciples: “Things that cause people to stumble are bound to come, but woe to anyone through whom they come. [2] It would be better for them to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around their neck than to cause one of these little ones to stumble. [3] So watch yourselves.

“If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. [4] Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying 'I repent,' you must forgive them.” 

[5] The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” 

[6] He replied, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it will obey you."

It is very interesting that I have been drawn back to these verses, as I have reflected upon them several times and commented on these verses multiple times.  I just read through my different reflections and while each was related, each brought to light something different.  Here are links to my past reflections:

https://amomentwithgod-srh.blogspot.com/2012/05/having-servant-attitude.html

https://amomentwithgod-srh.blogspot.com/2014/09/faith-and-forgiveness.html

https://amomentwithgod-srh.blogspot.com/2018/06/faith-forgiveness-and-mulberry-trees.html

https://amomentwithgod-srh.blogspot.com/2019/09/forgive-now-faith-now.html

https://amomentwithgod-srh.blogspot.com/2019/10/forgiveness-our-daily-work.html

https://amomentwithgod-srh.blogspot.com/2020/09/forgiveness-faith-and-freedom.html

So apparently this is my 7th reflection on these verses, that almost seems linked to verse 4 above!  :-)

I would also note that each time the Lord has breathed on these verses with a slightly different reflection point, and I am sure today is no different.  In the past I have focused on several things, but this morning, my first question was, "why the mulberry tree?"   

In researching this topic, I came across something that I had not seen before, and that was the fact that there is a particular worm that feeds on the mulberry leaves, that early Fathers associated with the works of the evil one, for any mention of  worms was associated with Hell, or final judgement.  I don't know that I have ever read that note before.  The other fact was that these particular trees are very deep rooted.  As many of my reflections, and the reflections of others have noted, these mulberry trees are symbolic of deep seated, deep rooted offenses.  Think of them as sins against you that are either so wounding or something that has been held onto so long that it seems to affect everything, and there seems no way to extend forgiveness now.  

If we add to the above image or idea the fact that the leaves also host devouring worms, I think we capture a fairly complete description of someone who is eaten up by unforgiveness and bitterness, associated with a deep heart wound.  I have had the opportunity to know a few different people that seem to never be able to forgive past offenses, and almost daily remind themselves of the wounds they have received, and the injustices that have been done to them.  It is a terrible thing to experience, for they are almost unable to enjoy anything, for everything seems to remind them of something that has occurred in the past and  the conversation always goes back to some offense.  Its as if the worms of past offenses are actively eating anything that is good!  

In the story above, Jesus takes the conversation from repeat offenses in a day to deep-seated offenses (Mulberry Tree) in answer to the disciples request for more faith.  The good news is that Jesus, in describing the mulberry tree deep seated offenses, is saying that we can be healed of even these!  There is hope for even the most bitter, the most wounded, the longest-held offenses, and it comes from trusting in Him, and faith in His salvation!

As I was writing that last bit, I had the thought that this deep-seated wound and bitterness and unforgiveness was actually like someone giving themselves cancer.  Most cancers, allowed to grow untreated, will slowly infiltrate a person's whole body (Stage 4) and becomes almost impossible to get rid of.  A person's whole life is affected, yet the Lord can heal even the worst cancers.  In fact, just this morning Bill Johnson had posted about a woman with stage 4 cancer being completely healed!  Here is the link: https://testimony.increase.global/185-bill-johnson-ministries/3880-stage-4-cancer-healed?fbclid=IwAR2Kd1yxNeS14OhFIPYTSDzCwVspKyPXgXZCLulbo71VRjCZwjscjMXZTdo

Yes, the Lord can and does heal even stage 4 pancreatic cancer.  He can bring healing to our deepest wounds, those long-held offenses and unforgiveness.  He desires that we are free from all that hinders us, from all that would steal our life, from all that would allow the enemy to feast upon our life!

Let us trust the Lord's word and believe that by forgiving someone in faith, through faith in Jesus' ability to bring healing and restoration, we can be set free and never deal with this again, for it has been cast into the sea, forever gone!

Oh Lord, help us and heal us!

Choosing to Be Different

Last evening I had a conversation with a friend about work and attitudes and work culture, and effort to be a Christian in a non-Christian environment.  This morning when I opened my Bible, I felt like I should read from 1 Peter, and found myself reading about the very things we discussed last evening.  I started in chapter 4, but turned back a chapter as Peter's comments in Chapter 4 are based on the previous chapter.  Here are the verses that I am reflecting upon this morning - 1 Peter 3:8-17 NIV:

[8] "Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. [9] Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 

[10] For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. 

[11] They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it. 

[12] For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” 

[13] Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? [14] But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats ; do not be frightened.” [15] But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, [16] keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. [17] For it is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil."

- and - 

1 Peter 4:1-4,7-11 NIV:

[1] "Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. [2] As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. [3] For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do---living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. [4] They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you." 

[7] "The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. [8] Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. [9] Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. [10] Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms. [11] If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen."

This is just such healthy encouragement, and really does fly in the face of much of what we want to do, at least I should say 'what I want to do', when I am treated poorly, especially for trying to live a Christ-like humility.  The world, and culture in the work-place, often doesn't know what to do with one who serves humbly, one who cares for others, one who doesn't put on a competitive attitude, or one who doesn't fight for their "rights".  

At companies I have worked for, there has been, at times, a rewarding of the rude, crude, aggressive, bossy, commanding individuals, who are competing for the attention and promotion.  In the world of sales, there has been, at times, encouragement to bribe, to take individuals to places of undesirable character, to swear and cuss, to yell and force things to get done.  I have told that I am "too honest", and that I "cared to much" for those I managed.  I have been asked to lie, and to present half-truths.  It can at times be difficult to embrace humility and loving service in the midst of this type of culture.

On the other hand, at times, some church try to emulate worldly organizations and worldly ways.  We have churches competing for members, churches who distrust other churches and speak poorly of their methods or worship, or whatever.  We have pastors competing for bigger congregations, and creating their own "empires" or facades of holiness and blessed lives.  We have churches catering to the wealthy, or showcasing their wealth with rich clothing and fancy cars.  We have churches that seek to entertain and put on exceptional services where the congregation is entertained and in awe of their professionalism.  We unfortunately have seen a fair number of pastors and church members who have somehow embraced what Peter says the pagans do.  Lately, we have seen a number of churches calling down judgement on other churches or Christians who have a different opinion or attitude towards things like politics or the pandemic.

Somehow, we have allowed the culture of the world to influence the culture of the church, and it is not a good thing, in my opinion.  Peter's encouragement to, "be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble." is so important in our lives and life of the church!  Imagine if all the Christian churches and denominations just embraced these encouragements in our attitudes towards one another, how much of an impact we would have on this world!  

We are in difficult times and Peter's closing encouragement in chapter 4 rings true in my heart. We are called to "be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.  Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen." (1 Peter 4:7-11).

This is clearly easier said than done, but today, my personal encouragement is to embrace these words and to choose to be different than the culture I am surrounded by, allowing my pursuit of Christ to be evident in and through my actions, words and attitude.

Lord, help me to bring Praise to Your Name!

Amen!

Change Is Coming, It Is Just Below the Surface

Yesterday, while worshipping at church I had a memory pop into my mind, which is not all uncommon.  This particular memory was about the beach out front of the Maui Kai, the place we always stay when we go to Maui.  Normally there is a decent beach, maybe 20-30 feet of sand at low-tide, and we normally walk that beach in the morning and this time when we arrived there was no sand at all, just rocks and then water, even at low tide.  Apparently they had a big storm that had swept all the sand away.  Anyway, we were a bit disappointed, but then one morning we woke up and looked out and there was a beach again.  Overnight, something had changed in the current that had caused literally tons of sand to be deposited right in front of our condo.  This memory of the sand appearing overnight is what I was reminded of during worship.  

When thoughts like that, apparently random thoughts, pop into my mind while I am praying or worshipping, I believe the Lord is speaking and wants me to pay attention, some times its random ideas, other times He is using imagery.  Often times it takes a bit of reflection to understand exactly what the Lord is communicating, and yesterday was no exception. As I continued to worship and reflect, the Lord reminded me of the scripture I had been reading before heading to church, and it was out of Acts 10, where the Lord intervenes in Peter's life, and in the life of Cornelius, and changes the course of history, for that was the first time that the Apostles were specifically directed to reach out to the Gentiles.  Here are some of the key verses, however, the whole chapter is worth reading:  Acts 10:1-6,9-13,19-23,34-35,44-48 NIV:

[1] At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. [2] He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. [3] One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, “Cornelius!” [4] Cornelius stared at him in fear. “What is it, Lord?” he asked. The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God. [5] Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter. [6] He is staying with Simon the tanner, whose house is by the sea.” 

[9] About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. [10] He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. [11] He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. [12] It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds. [13] Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.” 

[19] While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Simon, three men are looking for you. [20] So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.” [21] Peter went down and said to the men, “I'm the one you're looking for. Why have you come?” [22] The men replied, “We have come from Cornelius the centurion. He is a righteous and God-fearing man, who is respected by all the Jewish people. A holy angel told him to ask you to come to his house so that he could hear what you have to say.” [23] Then Peter invited the men into the house to be his guests. The next day Peter started out with them, and some of the believers from Joppa went along. 

[34] Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism [35] but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right. 

(Peter then provides a quick summary of Jesus' ministry, death and resurrection which I did not copy here)

[44] While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. [45] The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. [46] For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, [47] “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” [48] So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days."

As I was once again reflecting on these verses, during worship, I felt the Lord say that just like the change in the ocean current, that which happened overnight and under the surface and radically changed the beach front, He is at work now, in the Church.  This story from Acts 10 demonstrates how the Holy Spirit clearly directed and guided the Church into a whole new, unexpected path.  Essentially Cornelius's house was the first beach-head of the Church into the Gentile nations.  It was my distinct impression that the Lord wanted us to know that He is moving in the same way now!  No one expected Him to do what He did that day in Caesarea, even after Peter's vision they were still astonished when the Holy Spirit came on all the Gentiles (see verse 45 above)!  

I believe He is at work now, under the surface, getting ready to radically change things, and He wants us to be ready for the change!  I love how in this story the Holy Spirit doesn't even wait for Peter to finish speaking, but just interrupts the sermon and pours out on all who were listening!  He is the exact same Holy Spirit today and I get this feeling that He is every bit as excited to release that which He is working on even now.  Could we be part of a new beach-head work of the Holy Spirit?  Could He do a similar thing that He did in Caesarea?  Could God be about a radical shift?  I don't know the answer, but I know He has plans and He is moving, and we are going to be affected.  

This morning, I am greatly encouraged that the Lord is on the move!  I am encouraged that He apparently wants us to be ready!  I am encouraged that He is moving already and one of these days we are going to wake up and experience what He has been working on all along, and some of those works will become visible!  I am encouraged that He is speaking about the coming changes, so that our hearts will be ready to embrace them, even if we don't fully understand them.  I am encouraged because God wants to move, more than we want Him to move, and He might just interrupt us again!

Amen and Amen!  Come Lord! 

A Time for Suddenly!

This morning as I have been praying I felt like the Lord said the theme for today is "Suddenly".  I started doing some quick research on that word and it is pretty different in its usage between the Old and New Testaments.   In the Old Testament you really didn't want to experience a suddenly, for this was usually something bad, for example:

Job 1:19 NIV

when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you! ”

Psalm 64:7 NIV

But God will shoot them with his arrows; they will suddenly be struck down.

Proverbs 6:15 NIV

Therefore disaster will overtake him in an instant; he will suddenly be destroyed---without remedy.

Jeremiah 6:26 NIV

Put on sackcloth, my people, and roll in ashes; mourn with bitter wailing as for an only son, for suddenly the destroyer will come upon us.

However in the New Testament, the suddenlys seem to be related to God's intervention, in a good way, often times angelic visitors, or such.  Here are a couple of examples:

Matthew 28:9 NIV

Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him.

Luke 2:13 NIV

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

Acts 1:10 NIV

They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them.

Acts 12:7 NIV

Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter's wrists.

Acts 16:26 NIV

Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone's chains came loose.

Now this is not a complete list, nor does it represent 100% of the times, in either case, but there is something about God's timing, and our waiting that seems to be in the mix of late.  One of the times suddenly is not related to destruction in the Old Testament is found in Isaiah, and it has to do with the release of prophetic words, and has always been a favorite verse of mine.  Here are the verses - Isaiah 48:3-7 NIV:

[3] "I foretold the former things long ago, my mouth announced them and I made them known; then suddenly I acted, and they came to pass. 

[4] For I knew how stubborn you were; your neck muscles were iron, your forehead was bronze. 

[5] Therefore I told you these things long ago; before they happened I announced them to you so that you could not say, 'My images brought them about; my wooden image and metal god ordained them.' 

[6] You have heard these things; look at them all. Will you not admit them? “From now on I will tell you of new things, of hidden things unknown to you. 

[7] They are created now, and not long ago; you have not heard of them before today. So you cannot say, 'Yes, I knew of them.'

If I look closely at these verses, I see two things, the fulfillment of long held promises, and the release of new promises (at least that is how I read them as an optimist).  I believe the Lord is about releasing promise fulfilment and new promises!  We are stepping into a suddenly season.  I am reminded of a couple of scriptures regarding prophecy, first Paul's writing about prophecy in 1 Corinthians 14:24-25 NIV:

[24] But if an unbeliever or an inquirer comes in while everyone is prophesying, they are convicted of sin and are brought under judgment by all, [25] as the secrets of their hearts are laid bare. So they will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, “God is really among you!”

- and - 

1 Corinthians 14:31-32,39 NIV:

[31] "For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. [32] The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets."

[39] "Therefore, my brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues."

- and -  

Acts 15:32 NIV:

"Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the believers."

It seems to me that the Lord wants to release encouragement, and strategy, fulfilment of old promises and birth new ones. It seems that the Lord's perfect timing is quickly coming upon us, and while things have been long awaited, they will occur quickly!  Things that have been prayed for year after year will suddenly come to pass!  

I feel like the Lord is stirring up the gift of prophecy, to release encouragement and to strengthen our hearts, minds and spirits!  This is not a time of Old Testament suddenlys, but rather a time for New Testament suddenlys, where God steps in and moves, where God release angelic helpers, where God steps into the situation and completely changes the situation, bringing release, renewal, fulfillment and new direction!! 

Come Lord Jesus!  Release the gift of Prophecy over our church, over all Your Church!  Come Lord, release the suddenlys over our lives!

Heart, Soul and Mind, In That Order

Yesterday during worship, I felt like the Lord directed me to Matt 22:37-40 which is a set of verses many of us have heard many times before.  It is where Jesus is asked about the most important commandment.  Here is His response as captured by Matthew 22:37-40 NIV:

[37] "Jesus replied: “ 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' [38] This is the first and greatest commandment. [39] And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' [40] All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”  

I have read this set of verses many times, and meditated on these and even taught on these verses, so my question in my heart was, "what are you saying new this morning , Lord?  Why did you direct me to these particular verses?  I let that question rumble around in my heart and mind while we worshipped, and I tried to give my attention to worship, but felt drawn back to the verses.  I knew that Jesus was quoting the Old Testament here, so I went to the original verses found in Deuteronomy 6:5 NIV:  'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength." 

As I was reading though this verse I noticed a slight change, for the last word Jesus, rather than saying "strength", said "mind".  Now I didn't get into any deep research during worship, but I figured that Jesus, while quoting the Old Testament had made the change purposefully.  Mark also records this occurrence and also adds mind to the mix, but also has strength, so it clearly seems to be an added word.  Suffice it to say that this cause me to spend a bit more time looking at the original verses and paying closer attention to what Jesus was saying.

Here is the sense of what I felt like I heard in my heart and mind.  The order of the words (heart, soul and mind) in the command is significant, and today to many of us have reversed the order or left out one or two of the words.  So many of us have the order reversed, and spend the majority of our time loving God with just our mind. The Lord, however, desires to be loved first and foremost in our heart!  The Greek word used here is kardia and while this is obviously the physical organ it also primarily means the very center of the being the combination of physical and spiritual being.  Jesus said in another place that we need to be worshippers in Spirit and Truth, and this would be similar.  The Lord desires to be loved in our hearts first!  

As I was thinking about this, while worshipping, an image of a romance-less marriage popped into my mind.  I saw some couple who were married only in name, but who had no affection, no desire, no longing, no oneness with each other.  They don't think  about each other, they don't consider one another other than in a legal way.  I think this captures a heart-less relationship, and it certainly has no attraction to me.  As I thought about this, I wondered how many of our brothers and sisters are so affected in their relationship with God?

Going back to the list, next is soul, and this was the Greek word psyche, which literally translated is the breath of man, the very core our humanity, our emotions, etc.  Again, this seems to have a deep connection within us, and again, God's desire is for more of us, for our love for Him to go much beyond our mind and thoughts.  While worshipping, I was wondering how many of us are able to love Him with our soul? 

I felt like there was a question for us, when we hear about God, what part of us responds first?  

For me, so often the struggle is to move past the mind into the soul and into the heart!  Often times I find myself battling in my mind to command myself to move past my thinking, into the deeper parts of myself, forcing myself to abandon my thoughts about how others might be seeing me, to move past my cluttered and distracted mind, into a deeper place where I can encounter the Lord with my soul and heart.  

I felt like this was the invitation yesterday, to press past knowledge into places of deeper intimacy with Him!  The Lord, gave this command many years before Jesus, and this has been His desire for us, and it has never changed!  He wants to be loved in our hearts and souls!

One thought I had about why Jesus said mind instead of strength, was that this applicable to Jews He was addressing!  They had been without the Word of the Lord, spoken through a prophet for over 400 years, and it seems to me that possibly much of their religion was head knowledge only (I don't have proof of this, just my opinion). Anyway, I felt like the Lord was essentially approving of this type of love, as long as it was coupled with the deeper love, of heart and soul.

Anyway, I pray that you might be encouraged today, as I was yesterday, to press past loving God with my mind and thoughts, and to learn to love Him more deeply with my soul and heart!  I felt encouraged to press in, knowing that if this is His command, then it must be possible for me to experience.  I want my first reaction, upon hearing about God, or hearing from God, to be moved in my heart!  I want my faith relationship to be characterized by my deep affection and intimacy with the Lord!  I was to worship in Spirit and truth, with all my heart, soul and mind, in that order!

Amen and Amen!