Therefore the LORD will wait, that He may be gracious to you

This verse from Isaiah 30:18 continues with “And therefore He will be exalted, that He may have mercy on you. For the LORD is a God of justice; Blessed are all those who wait for Him.” The Lord had been calling Israel to repentance saying “In returning and rest you shall be saved; In quietness and confidence shall be your strength. But you would not,” (verse 13). He will not violate our self will by control or manipulation, and it is for this reason that He needs to wait. We have been talking about waiting on the Lord, and this morning we are talking about His waiting on us. There is a recovery saying that we will not change until the pain of being stuck (or of our rebellion) becomes greater than the pain of change. Until we get there, we are not likely ready and so “we will not” applies. This can be about salvation, or about the hurts, habits and hangups we are not yet ready to deal with. And our not being ready is why in His Grace and Mercy He waits!

I have said before that I had to have the rug pulled out from under my feet a number of times before my initial surrender. And the Lord had waited for me to be ready and to come to Him so He could not only deal with me graciously, but He could also be just and merciful at the same time. You see this morning’s Old Testament verse is revealing the then hidden mystery, that because of what Jesus did on the cross, He can be faithful and just to forgives us when we repent (1 John 1:9). And when we turn to Him in this way, all heaven rejoices and He is indeed exalted (Luke 15:7; Revelation 5:12 and verse 18 again). When I was sixteen I heard the Lord speak clearly into my thoughts for the first time. I understood He was asking me why I was running away from Him. All He wanted me to do was to love for Him. He knew I wanted to love others, but in my foolishness I felt I did not thing I needed Him for that and told Him so. It would be twelve years of pain, most of my own making, before I was even ready to start to surrender.

And I am saying “even ready to start,” because in the beginning I only surrendered what I knew to surrender. I did not know that surrender is a daily thing, and it would take a lot more pain before I would allow Him to reveal the hidden things in my heart that needed to be surrendered. As I look back, I can see that He has been incredibly patient in His waiting. And since we are called to be imitators of God (Ephesians 5:1), and since He has shown such incredible patience with us, should we not be patient as we wait on Him and with others? Note though, that when we do, we are blessed (verse 18). Waiting on Him in “quietness and confidence” (verse 13) though, is something we have to learn, it does not come automatically. Paul had to learn this, and so do we (Philippians 4:11), and it takes practice!

Father, I have learned that when we cooperate with You as fully as we are able, it goes easier with us. Thank You Lord, that You use our pain, our trials and difficulties and our being burdened and heavy laden, to draw us to You. When we take Your yoke upon us, You give us rest for our souls and we are more able to return in rest and in quietness and confidence. Thank You Lord that You wait to be gracious. Help us Lord to have patience to wait on You as You “work in ways we cannot see,” and that You have promised to make a way for me and my brothers and sisters reading these posts in Jesus Name Amen

Let go and let God (III) Waiting on God

When God has give you a promise such as “All your children will be taught of the Lord, and great will be your children’s peace” (Isaiah 54:13), it could be a while before you see the promise fulfilled. Letting go, and letting God often involves waiting on God. We need to remember that our children are loaned to us, for us to nurture for a season. They are not our possession, they belong to the Lord not us! When they are little is the time to teach, nurture and discipline when necessary. When they grow up one of the best things we can do is shut our mouths. It’s not just with our children of course. I have a friend who, when she was first saved talked incessantly about the Lord before her husband. One day in anger, and completely out of character, he banged his fist on the table and declared “Don’t you ever mention God again in this house.”

My friend fled to her bedroom and told the Lord “Now You are going to have to do it all on Your own!” She had let go, but now she needed to wait on the Lord. Bob Sorge has described the period between the promise and its fulfillment as a fire. In other words it can be very difficult. When we need to wait on the Lord, it is helpful to remind ourselves on whom it is that we wait. He is the One who spoke, and a hundred billion galaxies were formed. Yet His eye is on the sparrow. He knows the number of hairs on your head and mine. He cares for us, and we can cast all our cares on Him (1 Peter 5:7). When the delay is long, we need to remember that He is not slack concerning His promises (2 Peter 3:9), and that He always has purpose in the delays. Sometimes He waits to be gracious (Isaiah 30:18). Sometimes He wants to strengthen our heart, renew our strength and set our feet on the Rock (Psalm 27:14; Isaiah 40:31; Psalm 40:2). For me the greatest benefit of the many years of long and ongoing delay of my promise, is the intimacy He has fostered between us.

It’s not that I never get discouraged or want to give up. But as I stick close to Him He always does something to help me continue to wait. My greatest help comes through His Word, His promises, for example He watches over His Word to perform it (Jeremiah 1:12). Some people use cards to write their promises and periodically bring them out to remind them. For me, I have many of the appropriate scriptures memorized, so I can bring them out anywhere, anytime. I also have a file on the computer of many of the Scriptures and promises that He has underlined for me over the years, and that I go to again and again especially in times of discouragement.

Father, they say that the darkest time of night is just before dawn. And this thought has helped me to continue many times. In the darkness I cling to Your Word that You are not a man that You should lie. I would have lost heart many times Father, unless I had believed that I would see Your goodness in the here and now (Psalm 27:13). You have told me that when I ask according to Your will You hear, and I understand that what I am praying is “Kingdom of God come, Will of God be done” in the here and now in Jesus Name Amen

Why is it important to know the nature of God?

“To know, know, know you, is to love, love, love you,” it is a line from an ancient (in terms of my lifetime) popular song. But Jordon Peterson, talking about why we need vows in marriage, says it is because “You are trouble, and so am I.” The point is that we need strong glue to enable us to push through the garbage we all inevitably bring into long term relationships. Without strong commitment, we will likely, with the rest of the world, commit only to “As long as it feels good!” The one who wrote the song was clearly still in the honeymoon stage. And the honeymoon only lasts until the mutual rampant selfishness out of which, without intervention, we all operate rears its ugly head.

In fact all our relationships seem to operate like this. I have noticed, that with new believers there also seems to be a honeymoon stage in their relationship with God. If this is the case with you or me, we need to ask ourselves “Is it me, or is it God?” It seems to me we cannot truly get to know God or anyone else, without at the same time getting to know ourselves. With our default being blame, we tend to project our own faults on others (Romans 2:1). For example the person who seems to me to be the most manipulative person I have ever met, accused me of bing manipulative! Well perhaps it’s me! But one thing I know, is that God is not manipulative or controlling. We see this from the story of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32). The Father goes above and beyond the “second mile.” So when my relationship with Him is not what it should be, I know who has moved, it is me! How do I know this? Well because I am coming to know both my own nature and His.

Now God has demonstrated His love to us in that while we were still His enemies Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). In fact God is good all the time, and His mercy endures forever (Psalm 100:5). Does it always feel that way? Well, Jesus told us before He left that “In this world you will have tribulation” (John 16:33). But when we know His sovereign nature and power, we also know that it will all work our for our good. When we know God is good, we know how to answer Job's question “Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity” (Job 2:10). If we do not know the nature of God, we are likely to “curse God and die” (Job 2:9). And when we know Him as He is, we can commit to trust “though He slay me” (Job 13:15). And when we do this we also know that we will move from simply having herd about Him, to the experience of "seeing Him" (Job 42:5) and His wonderful faithfulness and nature.

Father, I choose and commit to trust You this morning in and through all that You allow, and all that You send my way. I know more and more that Your Grace is sufficient for me, and I also know that You have never left me nor forsaken me, even when I failed You. Thank You for the nature and reality of Your unconditional love and Mercy. And thank You for joy even in the midst of the pain and the toil. Truly to know You is to love You, for You are Good and Your Mercy endures forever in Jesus Name Amen

Let go and let God (II) Practice

Perhaps the places we Christians find it most difficult to “let go and let God,” is with our loved ones who are not following the Lord. When we want something so badly, we far too often try to do God’s job for Him either by nagging, controlling or manipulation. And when we do this, He needs to deal with us first. This is a little bit like an over eager older sibling taking over the parental role. The point is that it is not the the older sibling place to discipline, and so when this happens, the parent needs to deal with that first. But applying this to our loved ones is hard, and we likely have blown it many times. All is not lost however, because God has promised to work out all things for the good, even our mistakes, for those who love and obey Him, and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).

Letting go of things we need to let go of, and letting God do His part takes practice. It involves getting to know ourselves, God and our loved ones. And the practice God gives us is designed to help us grown in knowledge in all three of these areas. How many of us once thought we knew best and were far from willing to listen to those God has put over us? Perhaps we are still there? But God gives us the opportunity to learn through practice in every negative circumstance. In particular each time, we do something, or say something in these relationships that turns out badly, is an opportunity to ask the Lord if, where and how we have messed up. And if we have messed up (it’s not always the case), we can ask Him to help us to do better the next time. It takes practice! Part of this is our learning why we react the ways that we do. The Lord may want to uncover some hurt, habit or hang up that is driving our behaviour.

The supreme Scriptural example of letting go and letting God comes in the story of the prodigal son. I am talking about the father who absorbed the insult of his son essentially wishing he were dead, by demanding his inheritance while his father was still alive. The son thought he knew what he wanted, and the only way for him to learn he was wrong was the hard way. And the father knew his son well enough to know that the only way to win his son back was to let him go. And he trusted God to do the work he could not. When we are wanting others to listen to us and they are not, we need to pay attention to what God is trying to teach us through the difficulties. In particular we need to work on ourselves. He promises that the (spiritually) blind see, and the (spiritually) deaf will hear, but only WHEN with His help, we have strengthen our (spiritually) weak hands, and made firm our (spiritually) feeble knees (Isaiah 35:3-5).

Father, these lessons do not come easy to us, and many times we have failed. It is true however that You are at work in us when we fully submit to You (Philippians 2:12,13). And I want to thank You this morning for Your promise that Your will make all things beautiful in Your time (Ecclesiastes 3:11). In the meantime Father, help us to fully trust You to do Your part when You call us to “Let go and let God” in Jesus Name Amen

Let go and let God (I)

Why is is so hard at times to let go, be it worry, anger, resentment, being stubborn, pride, the need to control, nursing our pain, or one of my “favourites,” the need to find a solution to a problem now? Eventually we come to realize that these things are destructive at all sorts of levels. They keeps us from being present in relationship, they make us irritable and grumpy, and likely to respond to innocent parties (especially our children) in ways that are less than gracious. I know these things well, because, as I came to realize, for the longest time, obsessive thinking was something of an addiction with me. You know what I am talking about, thoughts that keep going round and round, going over the same ground over and over and over. It’s no fun!

The first step of course, is to realize that it’s a problem, and that it is my problem. If it’s resentment or anger, we will likely start off blaming others. And to be sure it is more than likely that others are guilty at some level, perhaps completely. We are however responsible for our response no matter what the situation. I eventually broke my obsessive addiction habit, by journaling. I would write a million letters that I would never send. This helped in getting my thought out of my head. We can believe all sorts of destructive ways of thinking that keep us stuck. “He or she deserves my resentment,” or “If I forgive them they will get away with it!” But it us who are stuck, likely they do not give it a second thought. I remember, perhaps unkindly, that I was actually grateful that a particular person would not speak to me for a while. It meant I did not have to deal with him.

I came to realize that it was better to “pour out my complaint to the Lord, ” than to others (Psalm 142:2). When I do this, He can comfort me and show me what to do. There were times He needed to gently tell me to get over myself. But you know something, it is always easier to hear such things from Him, than it is to hear them from others. I mean I know He loves me and has my best interest at heart! Also, if I am caught up in obsessive thinking, likely nobody else wants to know. I remember well a conversation with someone offended at the many faults of those who call themselves Christians. The complaints were legitimate for sure, but he was wearing me out. After listening to him for the longest time he eventually told me “I expect better.” My response was “How is that working for you?” When we are finding it hard to let go, it is likely a question we need to ask ourselves. It is one I often had to ask myself!

Father, the twelve-step serenity prayer comes to mind again, and so I pray it again this morning. Lord please grant us the serenity to accept those things we cannot change, the courage to change those things we can, and the wisdom to know the difference. Certainly there will be times when we need to act, but also there are times when it is best to let the world unfold. Sometimes we just need to pray , and to pray with thanksgiving. Sometimes we need to stop praying and do the things we need to do. And when we don’t know, asking You in faith to shows, the wisdom we need will be given (James 1:5). And I thank You this morning Lord for the many times You have answered this prayer in Jesus Name Amen

Jesus wept

The fact that Jesus wept (and that in public John 11:35) should disabuse us once and for all, of the notion that big boys, big girls don’t cry. I am not suggesting that we should wear our hearts on our sleeves, nor that we should be manic, but many of us have shut down our emotions, to our harm. Now no one likes pain, least of all me. But it seems to me that we cannot cut off (stuff) the lows, the sorrow, the pain etc, without also cutting off the highs. And the Scripture puts it well when it says “Joy is withered away from the sons of men” (Joel 1:12). But Jesus is fully present in pain, in order to push though it to joy (Hebrews 12:2). Perhaps this is part of why, on the cross, He refused the anesthetic of vinegar wine mingled with myrrh (Mark 15:23).

But what exactly is He weeping about? The context of this quote from John11:35 is that His friend Lazarus had died, and Jesus is interacting with his sisters. He uses the occasion to give one of His “I am” statements, namely “I am the resurrection and the life” (verse 25). And He will demonstrate the truth of this shortly by raising Lazarus from the dead. So what indeed is He weeping about, what is there to weep about? The only other occasion when we see Jesus weeping, was when He wept over Jerusalem. On that occasion He was weeping over the often willing blindness of the people, and what would happen because of it (Luke 19:41-44). In my opinion, this was likely part of what is going on here too. In fact death itself entered the world because of sin (Romans 5:12), and with death comes sorrow, sickness and pain.

But there is another reason too. And Kris Volloton said it well, when He said that this morning’s verse is one of the most profound statements in the New Testament, and that is because Jesus isn't just trying to raise our dead He is also stepping into your pain. To put it another way, Jesus not only suffers for us, He suffers with us. And in fact, He calls us to step into each others pain. It is not just into pain of course, we are in fact told to “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn” (Romans 12:15). It is important to note that compassion and healing are strongly linked. Over and over we read that Jesus, moved with compassion, healed. In this He sets us an example of how to do what He commands us to do (Matthew10:8). Indeed if we do ministry, be it healing or otherwise, if we have not love, then we are nothing and it profits nothing (1 Corinthians 13:2,3)!

Father, the words of a song are coming to mind “Let me love as You have loved me.” It’s a tall order, because if we could see it, the comparison is something akin to holding a candle to the sun. There was a time when I would beat myself up over this, but no longer. I know that since I am in Jesus I am Your beloved son in whom You are well please (Mark 1:11). But Lord I want my words and my deeds to please You too, so with Your help I commit myself to You again this morning, and ask for Your help to do my part in being transformed into Your image from one degree of glory to another (1 Corinthians 3:18) in Jesus Name Amen

The wrath of God satisfied

Have you ever been grieved about stuff that happens, genocide, rape, murder, abuse, sex slavery etc., etc? And have you ever thought “Somebody aught to do something about that?” Well somebody has, somebody is, and somebody will. I am talking about the God of all Justice, but the very same One who is the God of all mercy. One of the definitions of justice, is “The administering of deserved punishment, or reward.” If God is to be just, and He is, then injustice must be punished. So think about what kind of punishment that is deserved for the accumulated sum of every evil act, every mean thing, every abuse etc. And now consider that the Lord has laid in Him the iniquity of us all (Isaiah 53:6).

The suffering Servant Isaiah spoke of, had done no violence, nor was there any deceit in His mouth. He bore the sin of many, and made intercession for transgressors (Isaiah 53:9, 12). He is talking about you and me, for “All we like sheep have gone astray” (verse 6). The suffering Servant is Jesus (Acts 8:30-35), and it is on this One, who knew no sin (2 Corinthians 5:21), on whom the Lord laid all our sins, iniquities and transgression. The greatest injustice in creation, the crucifixion of the spotless Lamb of God atones for (takes away the sins of the world) all the injustice in creation (John 1:29; 1 Peter 1:19). The wrath of Almighty God was assuaged by Jesus’ act of obedience to the Father (Luke 22:42). In the words of the hymn “In Christ alone,” the wrath of God was satisfied.

There is a huge controversy over the wording of this line in the hymn. The controversy is not over what the original said. The controversy has to do with our discomfort at thinking that God is wrathful. Part of the problem, I suspect, is that the only examples we have likely seen of wrath, is human anger out of control. God’s wrath is not like that, it is righteous, holy anger and fully in control. We see it in Jesus driving out the corrupt money changers in the Temple (John 2:12-15). He shows us His control by making a whip of chords. God shows us His control and patience by delaying judgement until the last day. And why does He do this? It is because He is patient toward us, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). And when we come to Him in repentance and receive the free gift of salvation, then He takes our sin, and give us His righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21). In this way He can be just and the justifier of those those who have faith in Jesus (Romans 3:26).

Father, the Scriptures tell us that it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God (Hebrews 10:31). But in words from hymns, for those of us who to You “for refuge have fled,” there is “no guilt in life, no fear in death.” Indeed Your perfect love casts out all fear. So Lord hep us (help me) to never take all this for granted. And help us please to daily come to You to present ourselves as living sacrifices and we will give You the honour and glory in Jesus Name Amen

Take your son, your only son, whom you love, and sacrifice him on mount Moriah

The Scripture tells us that there are things in the Old Testament that are shadows of things then to come, shadows, pictures for those who have eyes to see, of what God was about to do (Hebrews 10:1). The story in Genesis 22:1-14 is one of them. God is testing Abraham, whose name mean “father of nations.” He tells him to take his one and only, and beloved son Isaac, through whom the dream of his name would be fulfilled, and sacrifice him as a burnt offering on mount Moriah. As the story unfolds is it clear that God had no intention of letting Abraham go through with it. At the last minute God stays his hand and provides a ram for the sacrifice. On the journey Isaac ask where is the lamb for the sacrifice. And Abraham speaks prophetically that God will Himself provide the Lamb (John 1:35). When it is all over, Abraham calls the place Jehovah Jireh which means the Lord will provide.

Some have interpreted this as God showing Abraham that He does not require child sacrifice, a common practice at the time. This is indeed a Biblical truth (Micah 6:7), but it seems to me this would be a rather cruel way to teach that lesson. It probably seems cruel in any case, but what I see is Abraham's propensity to take things out of God’s hands to try and make the dream work (see Genesis 16:1-4). After this Abraham would never be an over anxious parent, nor would he try to live out his dream vicariously through his son. All these things are dysfunction with negative consequences on generations to come. The New Testament also gives insight into the amazing faith of Abraham, who had concluded “God was able to raise him up, even from the dead” (Hebrews 11:19).

I don’t know if you have a dream this morning, but I do. God had planted Abraham’s dream in his heart when he was 75, but he was 99 before he even started to see the fulfillment. Abraham had suffered through the death of his dream for almost a quarter of a century. He had tried to make it happen in his flesh, with disastrous results. Been there, bought the T-shirt! God, who is faithful, had finally come through for Him, and now his faith was strong and he could say to the servants while still on the journey “I and the lad will return” (Genesis 22:5). There seems to be something of a pattern in the way God deals with us in these things. He gives us a dream which is followed by a long delay, and the dream may even die. He is testing us, and has a purpose in the delay. When a seed dies there is no visible growth for a long time. But the seed is germinating, and we should not in our impatience dig it up and throw it away!

Father, when you told Abraham to take his son, his only son whom he loved ... You were clearly showing us that You know how easily we get too attached to things. I remember an illustration that we need to hold onto our dreams and things in life like we would a little yellow bird. If we hold to tight we will crust it, if we hold to loosely it will fly away. Perhaps You were helping Abraham to come into balance. But in any case Lord I ask this morning for myself and all those reading this, that You help us to hold onto our dreams in the right way. Thank You Lord that unlike with Abraham, You did not spare Your Son, but offered Him up as the true and spotless Lamb of God to save us. Thank You Lord in Jesus Name Amen

Sorrow may last for a night, But joy comes in the morning

Though they had not really understood/believe it, Jesus had told them before He died, that He would be killed and then rise again the third day (Mark 9:31). And then on the third day He did indeed rise again. A skeptical world did not, nor does it believe. The evidence however, is unassailable for those who will receive it. But what is this “receiving it” all about? Well if it is true, then there are many implications. If Jesus rose from the dead as He said He would, then we can be sure that everything else that He said is true. And if this is all true (and it is), then we had better do what He says. I mean if He is indeed the way the Truth and the Life and He is the only way to the Father, the only way to Heaven (John 14:6) then we need to follow Him. And there is no middle ground, if we are not for Him we are against Him (Luke 11:23).

To me the most compelling evidence for a literal physical resurrection, is the change in the disciples. They went from being cowards who ran away and betrayed Him, to not many days afterwards, changing to those who turned the world upside down. Some say it was all a lie, they liked the easy life they had had, and simply wanted to continue. Really? With the possible exception of John they all died for their faith. And who dies for something they know is a lie? Similarly all other “explanations” of what happened are easily seen to be overly simplistic. So why does not everybody believe? The short answer is that is costs too much to believe. If it is true, then I will need to change, I will need to repent. Some are simply not willing to do this, other are offended at what God allows or expects of them, or they are offended by what some of those who name His name do. Still others “love darkness rather than light” (John3:19), but in all cases the truth is suppressed (Romans 1:18). So people choose not to believe either passively or otherwise!

But this morning I want to talk about the promise that though “Sorrow may last for a night, joy comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5). You see if Jesus rose from the dead (and He did) then every promise is “Yes and Amen” (2 Corinthians 1:20). And your sorrow and mine will be turned to joy. It is a sure promise. The heritage of the servants of the Lord is that no weapon formed against us shall prevail (Isaiah 54:17). The promised deliverance however is not always, probably not usually, instantaneous. The night may seem long. But as I have said when the deliverance is long in coming, then the resurrection (deliverance) of those who wait in hope and endure is all the greater (Matthew 24:13). In fact we read about some of the heroes of Faith, that they did not accept deliverance in order to obtain a better resurrection on the last day (Hebrews 11:35).

Father, Paul could speak about his horrendous suffering (2 Corinthians 11:24-29) as not being worth to be compared to the glory that is to be revealed in us (romans 8:18). You had shown him something of that glory (2 Corinthians 12:2). Help us this morning Lord not to be slow of heart to believe all that You and the prophets have revealed (Luke 24:25). Help us Lord in the darkness of our night, to continue to trust and believe that joy is indeed coming in “the morning” in Jesus Name Amen

It’s Friday, but Sunday’s coming (III) Sunday

The almost infinite variety of sermons that can be preached on this phrase speak of (good) Friday as the death of things in our lives, and Sunday as the promise of resurrection out of the ashes thereof. I have been saying that we need to see the victorious Christian life as a series of deaths and resurrections. The Amplified Bible correctly interprets Philippians 3:11 giving “ That if possible I may attain to the spiritual and moral resurrection that lifts me out from among the dead even while in the body.” The “if possible” of this verse, does not means that Paul is doubting his salvation, as it would be easy to think many translations were saying. He is talking about knowing Christ and the power of His resurrection in the here and now in a life changing way. This power is inextricably linked to the fellowship of His sufferings (verse 10). Paul sees his suffering as a sentence of death with God's intention that “we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead,” and he links resurrection with deliverance (2 Corinthians 1:9, 10).

The resurrection of our dead spirit at salvation, is a sovereign work of God (Ephesians 2:8,9). The “if possible” resurrection spoken of in the above reference, shows the subsequent resurrections are not automatic. It is helped by people praying for us (2 Corinthians 1:11). In the Philippians reference however, Paul is talking about the “death” we need to engage in by jettisoning everything that hinders even, but perhaps especially, that which appears to the World to be good (verses 4-9). Verse 12 makes it clear that the war is on going. He says “Not that I have already attained ….., but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.”

The 2 Corinthians reference makes is clear that it is a series of resurrections, of deliverances. And of course, it is God who "raises the dead, who delivered us from so great a death, does deliver us; in whom we trust that He will still deliver us” (verses 9,10). For the longest time I was puzzled by the present tense in the verse “For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do--this I keep on doing” in Romans 7:19. I though surly Paul had victory over this kind of thing. But interpreting the “not that I have already attained” from Philippines as a series of battles that are won or lost, put it is perspective for me. In twelve-step recovery groups we talk about layers like onion skins of things that need to be dealt with. In particular it is not intended to be the same old battle that is never won. Rather, it is a series of battles that enable us to increasingly attain to “the excellency of the knowledge Christ” for who Paul says he counts everything else as loss, as “dung” (Philippians 3:8 KJV).

Lord, I want to thank You again this morning for the assurance that those who sow in tears will return with joy carrying our sheaves. And that when we get the victory we will be like those who dream, with mouths filled with laughter (Psalm 126:1,2, 5,6). Help us Lord to single-mindedly forget those things which are behind, and reach forth unto those things which are before pressing in toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:13,14) in Jesus Name Amen

It’s Friday, but Sunday’s coming (II) Saturday

I said last day that I see the victorious Christian life as a series of deaths and resurrections. The periods between the deaths (Fridays) and resurrections (Sundays) are likely no fun. The desert fathers spoke of these periods (plural) as the dark night of the soul. All the heroes of Scripture seemed to need to go through them (i.e. Joseph, David, Jeremiah, Daniel etc.). Scripture also tell us that “Unless a seed die, it abides alone, but if it dies, it produces much fruit” (John 12:24). The analogy of wheat is interesting, because although the initial growth in the ground is hidden, it is not that nothing is happening. The point, is that though the growth is invisible, the seed is germinating. What I am saying, is that the “Saturdays,” the periods between the deaths and resurrections, are every bit as important to our growth as the rest of it. If we don't know this, it can be discouraging.

As Jesus went willingly (but not without struggle) to the cross (Luke 22:42), so if we are to produce the fruit He destines us to produce, we need to stop fighting the deaths and submit to the process. We are to take up our cross daily (Luke 9:32), and by the Spirit WE are to put to death the deeds of flesh (Romans 8:13). When we do our part, He does His. But what does our part, our submission look like? Well first of all we need to stop saying “My way is hidden from the LORD, And my just claim is passed over by my God” (Isaiah 40:27). And we need to remind ourselves that “He is Creator of the ends of the earth,” that “He gives power to the weak” (verses 28, 29), and that those who wait in hope on the Lord will soar like the eagle (verse 31 NKJV, NIV).

Part of waiting in hope, is about learning to wait patiently (Psalm 40:1). And it is something we need to learn (Philippians 4:11)! I always knew from the last Psalm reference that I needed to wait patiently. After several years of waiting for my miracle, the Lord asked me if I had waited patiently. All I could say at the time, was that I had waited, waiting patiently was a different matter. In fact I knew (in my head) all the above Scriptures, but I clearly needed more time in the womb of the tomb! And like the last two full years of Joseph's wait in hope (Genesis 41:1) the character polishing was not fully complete. What I think we can learn from Joseph however, is that when we cooperate with Him instead of fighting Him, then the longer the wait, the greater the exaltation. After all does He not tell us “Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time” (1 Peter 5:6).

Father, I am thinking that it is no coincidence that You brought the chorus “Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)” to my attention this morning, as I was worshiping. When oceans rise I will, with Your help, keep my eyes above the waves, and I will, again with Your help, wait and rest in hope and faith. Thank You for Your promise, that those who sow in tears will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them (Psalm 126:5,6). Thank You that Your promises are true. And I praise and bless You again this morning for this, and many other things in Jesus Name Amen

It’s Friday, but Sunday’s coming (I) Friday

It’s the title of a famous, often preached, sermon. The Friday in question is Good Friday, the Sunday, Easter (Resurrection) Sunday. The phrase “It’s Friday” taps into the sense that the day that Jesus was crucified must have felt like the end of the world. Everything on which they had pinned their hopes was gone “We were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel” (Luke 24:21). Most of us can relate, the feelings we had at the death of a dream, of a loved one, of a marriage, the devastation of a betrayal etc., etc. The feelings of our “Good Friday” are the substance of depression, of suicidal thoughts, of the end of the world as we know it! I remember the first (but not the last) time I felt these feelings. It was when my girlfriend of four and a half years, decided out of the blue, that she wanted someone else.

“But” changes everything! I bought a winning lottery ticket, but I lost it! Likewise, the “buts” of the Bible, are places where everything changes, and are there to bring us hope where there is no hope. Lazarus was dead, but Jesus is the resurrection and the life (John 11:14, 25). Now there can be no resurrection without a death. We were dead in trespasses and sins, but God who is rich in mercy made us alive (Ephesians 2:1,5). The Christian life then starts with a resurrection, but I have come to realize that in many ways the victorious Christian life is a series of deaths and resurrections. When Lazarus was resurrected he came out “bound hand and foot with grave clothes" (John 11:44). And like many things in the Scripture, it is a parable of how, when we first get saved, we are at some level still bound with the grave cloths of our previous lives.

Lazarus needed help from the community to become unbound (John 11:44), and so do we. There are two things to say. The first is that freedom, inner healing and the abundant life is a process, and comes as we continue steadfastly in His Word, in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers (John 8:31; James 5:16; Acts 2:42). Secondly because we are in the mists of a war, and the fellowship is never perfect, we can expect trials and difficulties (1 Peter 4:12). Jesus was betrayed by one of the twelve! When such trials come, we need to remember that God is working all these things together for our good, and that He has overcome the world (Genesis 50:20; Romans 8:28; John 16:33). What I know in my own life, is that every death has, through His resurrection power, brought me ever closer to Him. And I can say not in spite of it, but because of it “He has done all things well” (Mark 7:37).

Father, I have discovered the truth of the saying that we do not know that You are all we need until You are all we have. And I pray this morning Lord for those reading this who are still in Friday, that they may know for certain that Sunday is coming! We can be sure of this Lord for You have promised, and You are faithful. Help us Lord to die to all that hinders, surrendering everything we have counted gain, so that we might know the fellowship of Your sufferings and the power of Your resurrection. Help us Lord to press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:7-14). And we will give You the glory in Jesus Name Amen

You clean the outside of the cup… but inside… self-indulgence (II)

Since, since God will not force change on us, and there can be no self-indulgence in heaven, and then it only makes sense that heaven is for those who are willing to cooperate with God in being changed. In particular, more is needed than being clean on “the outside of the cup” (see Matthew 5:20)! Of course, as the Scriptures tell us, those will still be saved who have Jesus as their sure foundation. We are however warned to take care how we build on that foundation be it with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay and stubble. There is Grace, of course, because it is often two steps forward and one step back, but on that day, all our work will be tested by fire, and of course wood, hay and stubble burn! And yes, those will still be saved who are only building wood, hay and stubble. They will however only be saved “as through fire,” and will loose their reward. (1 Corinthians 3:11-15)!

Paul admonishes us to present our bodies as living sacrifices, and to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. This Paul tells us, is the only reasonable response to the tender mercies of God (Romans 12:1, 2 NKJV). I keep talking about the genius of twelve-step programs, and that it is not just for those with substance abuse. Rather it is for all who have baggage, all who have issues. And whether we admit it or not, we all have issues, and we all operate out of them. If we don’t deal with our issues, we are at best, simply cleansing the outside of the cup. The Lord however, requires truth in the inwards parts (Psalm 51:6). I am secure if I have Jesus as my sure foundation, but I will have neither the abundant life, nor the more of “more than conquerors” if I do not deal with my issues.

Now whether it is within a formal twelve-step-program or not, working Biblically based twelve-step principles is a way to deal systematically, with our issues. It is also, I believe, a way to accelerate our inner transformation and to bring us progressively into fullness of life. On the other hand, the anonymity and confidentiality of healthy twelve-step community, make it a safe place to be open and vulnerable. This is Kingdom work (James 5:16)! I have a vision to combine in the Church, the same openness and vulnerability I see in some of the secular groups, with all the resources that are available when Jesus is the higher power. There are so many advantages to this. These include the availability of all the principles of the Word of God, the exceedingly great and precious promises of His Word, and the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe (2 Peter 1:4; Ephesians 1:19).

Father, I thank You this morning for the various Christ centred recovery ministries that more and more are available to the body of Christ. In particular I thank You for the growing world wide ministry of the Christ centred twelve-step program “Celebrate Recovery.” Please enable these things more and more in the church, and bring us out of the denial that we don’t need to deal with our issues. Certainly, all our sins are covered at Calvary, but healing comes as we confess, especially our secret sins, to one another (James 5:16). Lord, the words of John Arnott keep coming back to me that revivals end because the leaders do not have their hearts healed. Only You can make the needed changes Lord, and I ask You once again to do just that, in Jesus Name Amen

You clean the outside of the cup… but inside… self-indulgence (I)

Someone I know and love told me one time, “I didn’t realize how selfish I was until I got married.” I would like to say that this is a very common thing, but I don’t believe it is. What I do believe is that the things that compelled this young woman to come to this conclusion, are very common. What seems to happens, is that we present ourselves as “clean cups.” I mean by this the same thing that Jesus meant in this partial quote from Matthew 23:25. He was talking to the Scribes and the Pharisees and complaining that they were all about external purity, looking good on the outside. But the inner workings of the heart were “like dead men’s bones full of corruption” (verse 27). And in marriage, after the honeymoon is over, it is “out of the heart of man, that the mouth speaks” (Matthew 12:34). What I am saying, is that when the honeymoon is over our behaviour, and what comes out of our mouths, is what is really there on the inside even, perhaps especially, the blame!

I have often thought that there is a kind of a Catch-22 with the gospel. The good news that God gave His Son to rescue us from ourselves makes no sense, when we are in denial of our need to be rescued. And many times we are in denial of our need to be rescued, because though we know at some level that we are fatally flawed, we don’t see any way out of our predicament. This is where those with a serious substance abuse have an advantage. It is that there seems to be a lot of truth in the saying that we will not change, until the pain of being stuck becomes greater than the pain and fear of change. And in substance abuse, the consequences mount, and mount , and mount. C. S. Lewis said it well when he said that pain is God’s megaphone shouting at us that something is wrong. In fact, it was pain that helped me to come out of denial, and to cry out to God for help!

So then God is at work drawing us to Himself in and through the pain. And the good news is that when we repent and turn to Him we received His unconditional love and acceptance. And as we start to see and feel this unconditional love and acceptance, we received the courage and the grace to bring to Him to fix, what without Him we cannot fix. When Jesus said that we cannot be His disciple unless we take up our cross daily and follow Him (Luke 9:23), He was talking about our cooperating with Him in putting to death the self-indulgence that is part and parcel of our fallen human condition. You see if we are to be made fit for heaven, then there needs to be radical change on the inside. For if there is no change on the inside, it will come out on the outside! So then our entrance into heaven, it is not about being good enough, rather it is about our willingness to cooperate with Him in being changed from the inside out! It is here that we truly find life (Matthew 10:39).

Father, there cannot be any self indulgence in heaven, or it wouldn’t be heaven. There can be no manipulation or backbiting our selfishness or putting one another down etc., etc. And so Lord we need to be changed! Thank You that when we see You we will be like You, because we will see You as You are (1 John 3:2). In the meantime Lord, open our eyes more and more to see You as You are in the here and now, and so in and through Your tender mercies to be in the process of being transformed. And we will give you all the honour, all the glory and all the praise in Jesus Name Amen

It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, the glory of kings to search it out (II)

When my grandson was very young, and I had just bought a house , I took him to see it. I had not yet moved in, and there was not a stick of furniture in the place. “Grandpa,” he said “let’s play hide go seek. You hide, and I’ll come and find you.” So I went into the furthest room and hid in the closet. There was literally nowhere else to hide. “Coming Grandpa, are you in this room?” ‘No!’ He goes into another room. “Are you in this room Grandpa?” Eventually he comes into the empty room when I was hiding. “Are you in this room Grandpa?” ‘Yes!’ He comes to the closet, opens the door and there I am! “I found you Grandpa!” The joy on his a little face is a picture I still remember.

What is it about hide- go-seek seems to fascinate all children? I think it’s two things, it’s the joy of discovery, and the joy of being discovered. With my grandson I wasn’t hiding from him, I was hiding for him. And God does that for us too! There is something perverse about human relationships, if somebody throws themselves at you, you don’t want them! It is somehow too easy, and for some reason it feels worthless. I have heard people ask why is it seems so hard to find God. Well, God intends for us to seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us (Acts 17:27). And He has promised that “You will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.”

Note, though we need to love Him with all of our mind, it is only when we search for Him with all of our heart that we find Him. The context of the quotation from Acts, tells us that He determines the circumstances of our lives in order that we might seek Him. In fact he has left His stamp all over life and creation (Romans 1:20). But He doesn’t want limp lovers (Revelation 3:16). My grandson sought me (age appropriately) with everything he had. And the joy of his discovery thrilled both of our hearts. It’s like this with God too. In fact “There will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents, than over ninety-nine righteous persons” (Luke 15:10). There is also joy in being "discovered" by God! He has made us both to know, and to be known.

Father, though we may struggle and struggle to find You at times, the truth of the matter is, that that You are searching for us, drawing us to Yourself, speaking to us day after day, night after night (Psalm 19:1-4). You have put eternity in our hearts Lord (Ecclesiastes 3:11), and only You can satisfy the deep hunger of our hearts. Open our eyes to see this Lord, and to see the multitude of ways You speak to us everyday. Show us how to love You with all of our heart, mind , soul and strength, and energize us to do it, in Jesus Name Amen

It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, the glory of kings to search it out (I)

One of the purposes education has, or at least should have, is to instill a love of learning. It's not really happening. By the time I was eleven, I failed the exam that separated the intellectual sheep from the goats. And at the end of the first year at the new school, I came bottom of the class. They kept me down, and mother marched me into the head mistress office and asked that if I came top of the class at Christmas would they put me back up. They patted me on the head and said “Of course,” knowing it was not going to happen. But now I was motivated. I hated school and this would have meant an extra year. Long story short, I did come top at Christmas, and I finished my career as a full professor of Mathematics with over sixty original publications to my name! You don’t get there without a love of learning!

Why I am telling you this? Well I believe that we have largely done the same with God, in that the way we have taught about God has essentially inoculated us against Him. It used to be said that theology was the queen of Science, and the basis of all true knowledge, no longer! Now no matter what you think about Israel, you have to wonder why it is called the start up nation with more innovation, and more Noble prizes per capita, that any other nation. The Scripture gives us clues “I have more wisdom that all of my teachers because Your Word is my meditation,” and the one who meditates day and night on the Word will prosper in whatever he does (Psalm 119:99; 1:3). So what went wrong? Firstly many have been taught falsely, that God is all about rules and regulations. Secondly as important at true knowledge about God is, there is nothing more important than knowing Him as a person. This morning I want to say some things that that are true about Him.

There is an interesting phrase from Einstein that fits in with this mornings verse from Proverbs 25:2. It is “The Lord is subtle but He is not mean.” He conceals Himself in light (Psalm 104:2), but He has left many clues. “The invisible things from Him are clearly seen by the things that are made” (Romans 1:20). For example a beginning (of space and time) requires that someone or something set it in motion. In my mind, Science clearly points to God. And it is only because “The god of this world has blinded the mind of those who don’t believe” (2 Corinthians 4:4) that some think Science disproves Him. It seems to me though, that true knowledge of God and knowing God are linked. And God conceals things at least partially because we will be held accountable in proportion to the knowledge we have. But the deeper reason is that as the lover He is, He wants to fascinate us with Himself in order that we would pursue Him.

Father, some of the thoughts I am having this morning, is that the DNA of a fruit tree is in the tree itself. So when we say that the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22, 23), we are really describing Your character. Who of us, who truly knew this, would not want to know You? I believe Lord that many times it is the lies we have been told and believed, that keep us from You, and/or from a deeper relationship with You. So help us this morning Father as Kings and Queens (Revelation 1:6) to diligently seek You in Jesus Name Amen

You have Words of life

Large numbers of the crowd had been offended. And the Scripture tells us “From this time many of His disciples turned back and no longer followed Him.” Jesus then asks the twelve “Do you want to go away too?” Peter answered him “Lord, to whom will we go? You have Words of eternal life” (John 6:66-68). It’s pretty clear that Jesus had deliberately spoken things He knew that neither the crowd nor the twelve would understand. He had told them “Most assuredly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you” (verse 53). Post-resurrection, and with His later teaching and the teachings of the apostles, we understand this well. But at the time there was no chance!

So why did He do it? Well, “You can please all of the people some of the time!" What I am saying, is that everyone will find some part of Christianity attractive. It is likely different for different folks, but each individual will find some part that will appeal to them. Jesus however, does not want us to pick and choose what we believe, what we accept, what we obey. He doesn’t want just part of our allegiance, He wants it all “You shall have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3). He is either Lord of all, or he is not Lord at all! It’s interesting to me, that it was many of His disciples that were offended (verse 66). Well, I regard myself as one of His disciples, and as I meditate on these things this morning, I feel I am being asked “Do some things offend you” and “will I go away too” (verses 61, 67)?

There are reasons I feel He is asking me these things this morning. I am encountering many who name His name, who are allowing themselves to be offended. And the fact of the matter is, that there is so much to be offended about. I can be offended about what other people say or do, I can be offended about what He allows, I can be offended when He doesn’t answer my prayers the way I want Him to. But with Peter, I know there is no one else to whom I can go. And with Peter I know that He has Words (rhama) of eternal life. And I know that when I am vitally connected to Him and Hearing His voice, then I am truly alive. And I know that allowing myself to be offended is death. Do I understand all that He allows, do I have answers to all my many questions? Well no, but I guess that’s part of living by faith!

Father, thank You that You have answered, and continue to answer many of my questions. Thank You that You delight in my asking them, it is part of my pursuing You, our fascinating God! Will I ever fully understand You, or all that You allow? Probably not, even in eternity! And I don’t even think that I want that. I am sure You will keep us fascinated there. But I want to ask You thing morning Father to keep us fascinated with You in the here and now, keep us asking, and please give us enough answers so we don’t get discouraged. Keep us pursuing You our beautiful, amazing, fascinating God. And I give You praise and glory again this morning Lord, in Jesus Name Amen

When I trust You I don’t need to understand

It’s a line from a song (New wine by Hillsong). I sometimes think we sing what we sing to the Lord far too glibly, singing sons we may not really mean. Singing lines, for example, like “Break my heart with what beaks Yours.” There have certainly been times when I don’t sing certain lines because I either don’t believe the line, or I don’t mean what I would be singing. The line at the head of the post however, is not one of them. In fact there is Biblical warrant for it. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not rely on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5). Choosing to trust and committing to not relying on my understanding does not mean, of course, that I don’t wrestle with the things I don’t understand.

And this was tested this week as we essentially devoted a whole midweek service to crying out for the Lord to heal a young woman who had had an accident and was dying. We put our faith on the line declaring the doctors do not have the last word, speaking to the problems and believing for a miracle. It did not happen. We were so sure He was going to answer. Well, perhaps the answer was simply “no,” but I did my usual thing at times like this. What I did was enter into His embrace picturing myself with His arms around me and me pummelling His chest with my fists. I don’t think of this as a hissy fit, because it was more about grief than anger. I have done this many times before, and I sense that He welcomes it as a genuine expression of my frustration and pain. And as I said recently He can handle our being real, and yes I felt better afterwards!

But that does not mean that the questions go away! Why does He heal some and not others? Why may “a thousand fall at my side, but it does not come near to me” (Psalm 91:7)? Why has He miraculously healed my knees, but the diagnosis of diabetes remains? Will I be offended, turn back and stop praying for healing? I remember Bill Johnson telling of a time when a secretary had died of cancer, and in response they called a healing meeting the very next Sunday. And many were healed at that service. So no, I will not stop praying for healing, I will not allow a lost battle to cause me to disengage from the war. Rather with His help, I will press in for more.

And Father I do need Your help, and I do not feel that You have let me down, quite the opposite! The scripture comes to mind where You Lord Jesus frustrated with the disciples cried out “How long must I be with you and bear with you” (Mark 9:19)? And so I cry out again this morning Lord “I believe, help my unbelief” (Mark 9:24). Kingdom of God come, will of God be done in my life, in Jesus Name Amen.

Fight or flight in important relationships

Last day I was using the analogy of the joke about the obscene telephone call that lasted 30 minutes. The listener could simply have hung up the moment the nature of the call became obvious. I was seeking to illustrate to my friend that we have authority to shut down condemnation that is coming at us. If it’s coming through other people, then we can put up boundaries by refusing to read a text, let alone answer it. Answering it is likely to perpetuate the abuse. Many times we can simply remove ourselves by simply walking away. I am not talking here about conflict avoidance (see the February posts on the need to fight fair). I knew my friend was not over-reacting, I had received similar harsh condemnation from the very same person.

What is interesting to me, is that at the same time I was thinking about these things, something happened in a gathering I attend regularly. With 20/20 hindsight I was insensitive to someone who was going through deep waters. The clues were all there, but I had missed them. And then something I said triggered what I felt at the time to be a massive overreaction. It also felt like an attack, but perhaps that was my overreaction. In fact I was on the point of withdrawal several times (but not without a promising to come back - this is important!). The Lord had other plans, and the situation not only resolved itself, but brought some things to the surface that needed healing. I finished up apologizing on behalf of the many men who had hurt this lady and for being insensitive to her.

What is also interesting to me is that in the notes from the course we were studying at the time, we came across the phrase “In every situation there is a gift, because the entire negative is designed to showcase what God is doing.” In particular, God had a purpose for allowing the negative, which was uncomfortable for the whole room. But as we persisted (and people were praying) the Lord showed us what He was doing. And what He was doing, was opening up wounds in order to heal them. He was also showing me, that I am still not fully recovered from my flight default, which is nothing but conflict avoidance!

Father, I am cause to remember a situation when I was in deep waters, and I remember saying out loud that I wish somebody would love me enough to break through, what I knew were my difficult defences. And more and more Lord, I am seeing that there are times when we need to push through rather than simply engage in the inappropriate fighting or fleeing. We need Your help Lord to discern when to put up a boundary, and when and how to appropriately persist, to fight fair, and to be kind and compassion one to another, forgiving one another just as in Christ You forgive us in Jesus Name Amen

See, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy (II) Accusation

Satan, the accuser of the brethren (Revelation 12:10), is at work day and night seeking to pour condemnation into our hearts. He is a liar, and we have been given authority over him (Luke 10:19). And when we are feeling condemned, we need recognize this as his lies, and to exercise our authority in this area! I was speaking to sister in the Lord last one time who was stinging from accusations that came through another sister in the Lord. I told her a joke about a woman who had received an obscene telephone call, and was complaining that it had gone for almost half an hour! The point of course, is that she could’ve hung up the moment the nature of the call became clear. So the question is “When we are being accused and condemned, why do we listen, why don’t we simply do the equivalent of hanging up?”

It’s important to distinguish condemnation that so often follows accusation, from Holy Spirit conviction of sin. Conviction of sin comes in gentleness, and is intended to produce a godly sorrow that leads to a repentance and which leaves no regret (2 Corinthians 7:10). The condemnation we are speaking of here, is the debilitating feeling of alienation, separation, hopelessness and worthlessness. Such condemnation ultimately comes from the evil one, but as with my friend, it can come through others, even Christians! It’s important at such times to recognize that the real enemy is not our friend. It is the spiritually wicked powers in high places, the Devil and his emissaries (Ephesians 6:12). And, to say it again, we need to take authority over these things. So how do we do that?

Well for a start, the Scripture tells us that if we submit to God and resist the devil he will flee from us (James 4:7). A friend tells me, that when the devil reminds in him of his past, he likes to remind him of his future. But I don’t like to enter too much into conversation with him. Jesus gives us the example of using Scripture, and I can counsel myself through the truths of the Word of God. In particular, since I am in Christ Jesus, I can tell myself that God does not condemn me, because “there is now therefore no condemnation” (Romans 8:1). When I am being reminded of past sins that were long since confessed and repented of, I can remind myself that He is the one who blots out my transgressions, and chooses to remember my sins and iniquities no more (Isaiah 43:25).

Father, because of the incredible work of Jesus on the cross, You are able to be just and the justifier of those of us who believe in You. And in this same vein, You are also able to give us unconditional regard. And You call us to see ourselves and others in this very same light (2 Corinthians 5:16). So I ask you again this morning Lord for myself, and for all those reading these posts, that You will enable these truths to sink deep into our hearts as we rehearse and practice taking the authority over the evil One in this way. And we will give You the honour and glory and praise in Jesus Name Amen

See, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy (I)

There are two things that the enemy is desperate for us not to know. The first is our identity in Christ, and the second the authority that has been given to us. The two things are related, when we truly know who we are in Christ, we will also know our authority. And so in many ways we grow into the two things together, or not! Notice the tense of the verb in this quote from Luke 10:19. The authority has already been given. To whom is it given? The context of this verse is of the disciples being commanded to go, to preach the gospel and to heal the sick etc. (verses 3- 9). And since, through them, we too are commanded to do these things (Matthew 28:20), then the “you” in this verse is all who, with His help, are walking in obedience.

Seeking to walk in obedience is important here, when we walk in disobedience we are actually surrendering our authority, and giving the enemy all sorts of legal rights over us. I think of this is coming out from under the umbrella of His protection. We can of course repent, and we will be forgiven (1 John 1:9). But disobedience has consequences, and these may last long after we have turned in repentance and been reconciled. If, for example, a young girl fools around, gets pregnant and then repents, she will still be pregnant. And no matter what she does, there will be consequences (we reap what we sow Galatians 6:7). And one way or the other she will have to deal with them! But coming back to our authority, what exactly is it, and how does it work? According to Mounce’s Greek dictionary the word translated authority here, also means power, ability, faculty, energy, liberty, licence, dominion and jurisdiction.

The word “see” at the beginning of the sentence of our quote is also important. We need to see with the eyes of faith that this resource has already been given. For if we see it with the eyes of faith, then it is ours! And like so much else in the Christian life, we have to contend for it. In fact, we need a revelation of this truth, so what it is not just something that we know intellectually. And this is precisely what Paul prays for, for us in Ephesians 1:18, 19. He prays, among other things, that the eyes of our hearts might be enlightened in order that we might know the exceeding greatness of His power that is at work in us. We need to see it, we need to believe it, and we need to declare it. We do this many times, by praying back God’s Word to Him!

Father, thank You that You have already given us all power and authority over the Evil one. I declare this morning , that I am moving more and more into both the understanding and experience of Your power that is at work in me. So I come boldly before Your throne this morning and take authority over every device of the enemy to trip me up, and to make my walk harmless and ineffective for the Kingdom. I pray Kingdom come, Your will be done in my life for Your praise for Your glory in Jesus Name Amen

Wounded healers

Time after time in the Scriptures we read that Jesus moved with compassion healed or did some other good work. Compassion not only moves us to action, but it moves us to to do so authentically. Most of us can sense when something is done out of obligation or fear. And actions done that way somehow seem to loose their impact, or at least diminish it. Paul tells us of the emptiness that comes of life lived without love. If I have not love, I am nothing. Things done without love profit me nothing (1 Corinthians 13:1-3). And here is a strange phenomenon, those who have not suffered in life tend to lack compassion. Of course suffering can turn us bitter and resentful, but for me suffering was the crossroads that lead me to the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3).

Job’s counselors did well until they opened their mouths. At first, they simply sat with him in his pain (Job 2:11-13). When they opened their mouths however, often attributing Job’s suffering to some unknown sin, their “help” added misunderstanding to his suffering! Job declares “You are worthless physicians, all of you!” When we have suffered however, we can usually feel at least something of what the other person is going through. And, especially if we have received comfort and healing, we are likely to have compassion for those who have been where we have been. And sometimes the only way we can keep our healing, is to give it away. In any case Jesus tells us “Freely you have received, freely give” (Matthew 10:8).

Apparently the term Wounded healer was created by psychologist Carl Jung. The idea was that analysts were somehow compelled to treat patients because the analyst himself is wounded. This seems to be true in a much broader sense as I have been explaining. Perhaps another way to say this, is to say that in order to become healers we ourselves seem to need to be wounded in some way. In the end however, it is the Lord who heals (Exodus 15:26), but he uses doctors, nurses, the average Christian etc., as His instruments, His midwives if you like. And of course Jesus Himself is the ultimate wounded healer. It is by His stripes that we are healed (Isaiah 53:5).

Father, I remember well a time when I felt so wounded I could not pray, I could not read my Bible. But You were faithful, You never left me nor forsook me, and over and over you brought people to me to speak a word in season, and to give encouragement. Most of all Lord Jesus, You the supreme wounded Healer came to me, and bit by bit comforted and strengthened me. Use me Lord now for Your glory to comfort and strengthen others with the comfort and strength You have given me (2 Corinthians 1:3,4). In Your precious Name Amen

You never failed me yet

For the longest time in the period following my conversion, my favourite hymn was “Great is thy faithfulness.” My world had fallen apart, I had let many down, in turn had been let down, and in my pain I found in Him, love, comfort, strength and encouragement. But the things that was most important at the time was the stability of knowing that He was always there for me. He was my rock, as He demonstrated His changelessness in the midst of debilitating change. He is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8), and His steadfast love and mercy never fail (Lamentations 3:22).

Lamentations of course is about lament, and the lament in tho book of Lamentations, is over the exile of Israel to Babylon. We see in 1:1 Jeremiah grieving over Jerusalem the eternal city that was (and in fact still is) the centre of Judaism. Jeremiah declares “How lonely is the city that was full of people!” He goes on to compare the situation to that of a widow grieving the loss of her husband. Strangely, it is in the midst of the apparent desertion of Israel by God, that Jeremiah’s faith in His faithfulness kicks in. Times of trial, difficulty and loss are crossroads for faith. Will we trust Him at the times when the external evidence seems so point in the opposite direction? It is the testimony of saints down through the ages however, that it is precisely in these times, that their relationship with God is strengthened as they receive His Grace, mercy and comfort.

And this is my testimony too. In the times I have felt most alone, most rejected and abandoned, these are very same times, where I found that God had not abandoned me, and that in accordance with His promise to work all things for my good (Romans 8:28), He has used the time to take me ever deeper into intimacy with Him. I would never have chosen to have my wife take the four kids and leave, all those years ago. But I would not be the same man today if she had not. What I am saying is that it is not in spite of this that I grew closer to Him, rather, it is because of it. When things go wrong it is easy to blame God for allowing them to happen. We accuse Him telling Him that He could have prevented it! As for me, I am far too weak to try and handle the tragedy of life on my own. But this is a good thing, because in my weakness I take on His strength and so when I am weak then I am strong (2 Corinthians 12:10).

Father a line from a song comes to mind this morning “If I never had a problem, I wouldn’t know that God could solve ‘em.” And sometimes Lord You change the circumstances, sometimes You change us, and give us the grace, the wherewithal, to handle the situation. At such times You work mightily in us, in me. And while Lord I could wish that things has been different, I cannot regret the change and the freedom that my experience of Your faithfulness had wrought in me. Truly Lord You have never failed me yet, nor will You, for You are faithful. Thank You Lord in Your precious Name Amen

I don't do the good I want to do, but instead do the evil that I don't want to do

I remember an alcoholic friend of my telling me that he did not understand the Bible all that well, but he understood this verse! It was exactly what he did! To put this another way it is not that I fail to live up to other people’s morality, I don’t even live up to my own! This morning quote is from Romans 7:15, and is essentially saying the very same thing. Paul (the author) says of this disconnect “With the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the sinful nature the law of sin” (verse 25). And if we are honest with ourselves, this has the ring of truth in our own lives. For example, I don’t want to overeat at buffets, but far too often I do. In fact I just did this twice this weekend at a retreat I am at.

Paul cries out in desperation about this “Who shall deliver me from this body of death” (verse 24). He answers his own question “I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord (verse 25), and states the amazing truth that “There is therefore now, no condemnation in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). It seems to me this is one of those places where it would be better if the chapter division was not at this point, since the two thoughts are so clearly connected. Paul, in the previous chapters has been building a powerful case for this truth. In Chapter 5 he tells that we are justified, declared righteous before the bar of God, by our faith. Furthermore being justified we have peace with God. We are dead to sin (Chapter 6) and therefore free from the law (chapter 7). In this way we are set free to serve God with our whole heart without fear that we will not measure up, never be good enough.

But did Paul ever escape the battle he was describing in this morning quote? I have the sense that he is not describing a single battle (for we are more than conquerors). When he says in Ephesians 6:12 that we do no wrestle against flesh and blood, the verb is in the present tense. You may have noticed that when you get victory over this or that, sooner or later the Lord reveals something else. In recovery we speak of this as onion skins, there is layer after layer. So there are always new battles to win, new territory to take. In other words the war in ongoing. But Paul now tells us in chapter 8 how to walk in victory and to be more than conquerors. What needs to happen is that we need by the Spirit to put to death the deeds of the sinful nature (verse 13), and to set our minds on the things above.

Father, I want to thank You this morning Lord that it is not all up to us. It is by Your Spirit what we put to death the deeds of the sinful nature. And the more we die to self, the more we are alive to you (Romans 6:13). But when we do our part, You surly do Yours. In fact when we fully submit to You, You not only give us the wherewithal to do Your will, You work in our emotions, our desires (Philippians 2:12,13). And I praise and bless You for again for all these things Lord in Jesus Name Amen.

More than conquerors (IV) I am not my problem

I remember a conversation with a friend who told me “I am a looser.” My response was that that was not true. “No,” he told me “it is true! Every time I try something I fail. I have not been able to hold a job down for more than a few weeks in my entire life.” We talked, and he eventually came to realize that he was engaging in self fulfilling prophecy. Typically if you think you are a looser, you will not try your best. Well why should you if you are going to blow it anyway? And not trying your best it the thing that trips you up, and you verify what you always believed anyway! My fried came to see that his belief was self destructive. The scripture puts it this way “What I feared has come upon me” (Job 3:25). It is as if our negative faith (for this is what fear is) invites the conclusion we fear. And so “According to your faith be it unto you” (Matthew 9:29).

There is a fine line between admitting I have a problem, and identifying myself with it. If I do not admit that I have a problem when I do, I will not take up my responsibility concerning what I need to do about it. But if I identify myself with my problem, it can keep me stuck there. Twelve-step-programs speak of a higher power, as “God as you conceive him to be.” This allows those whose faith is not in the Judeo-Christian God to tap into the need for something bigger than themselves, and into the genius of twelve-step-programs. And certainly there are many who with a vast variety of different higher powers, have found help with their addictions through the twelve steps. The point though, is that the principles that lie behind the steps work. As it turns out however, the two men who put them together were Christians, and they got their inspiration from that source. In fact the principles themselves are all Biblically based.

So the principles work and have helped many! But as I have been saying, there is always more (Ephesians 3:20). Jesus came that we might have life in all it’s fullness, and I seems to me to be impossible to move into that, if my identity is still in my problem. The Christian is a child of God, and we are intended to be “more than conquerors through Him who loved us” (Romans 8:37). Paul prays that we might know “the glory if the riches our His inheritance” (Ephesians 1:18). His (Jesus’) inheritance is ours (Romans 8:32)! The thief of course, wants to rob us of all of this (John10:10a). And we will not be able to press into all that He has made available to us, if we do know know who we are in Him. An earthly inheritance left to a son who does not know that he is, will likely loose his inheritance, especially if there are those who would gladly rob him of it!

Father, we need to know that we are Your sons and daughters in the very fibre of our being. Otherwise the thief will surly rob us. This is exactly what he did do You, Lord Jesus in the wilderness. Almost immediately after the Father had spoke “You are my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased,” the devil came and questioned your sonship “If You are the son of God …” (Mark 1: 11; Matthew 4:3). Help us Father to move more and more into the assurance that we truly belong to You, that we are Your sons and daughters, and that You have already freely given us all things. In Jesus Name Amen

Line upon line and precept upon precept

One of the teachings of twelve-step program, is that recovery is a life long journey. So when you have worked your way through the steps, you will need to sharpen the saw, in as it were, and start again. The first time, in the very first step, an alcoholic for example, needs to come out of denial that the drinking is a problem. But if he works the steps after he has attained sobriety, he will discover that alcohol is not his only problem. There are things that are much deeper about which he is also in denial. In other words we need to keep working the steps even after we have gotten victory over our primary difficulty. I have often thought that if the Lord were to reveal all of our faults at the same time we would likely die of shame. But He is gracious, and sometimes denial for a while, about the deeper things, can be a protection. Here’s the thing, if you enter recovery at say thirty five, you have had thirty five years of hurts, habits and hangups to overcome. And you will not get over these things in a ten or twelve week program.

The Scripture puts it this way, it is line upon line, precept upon precept here a little there a little (Isaiah 28:10). No instant fix, in fact this is a two-way street. In our thirty five year hypothetical example, he has been thirty five years of here a little there a little going backwards (well sometimes going backwards quite fast). In recovery we only need to deal with the things that the Lord puts in front of us. In other words to go forward line upon line, line upon line, precept upon precept. To put this a slightly different way, recovery is a lifelong process. We will never fully arrive until that day when we meet Him face-to-face. On that day we will be changed, and we will be like Him because we will see Him as He is (1 John 3:2). And seeing Him as He is in all His glory and beauty, will invoke in us an intense desire to be like Him and He will change us. Hallelujah!

One of the things about the fellowship in a twelve-step program, is knowing that we are all the same. So working the step where we need to extend forgiveness to others becomes easier, because we understand “There but for the grace of God go I.” We start to understand the things that tripped us up, the difficult circumstance that sent us into a tailspin. And we eventually come to see that we added to our problems, by reacting in a wrong way to the wrong done. Coming to terms with the need to forgive others is, of course, a process, and we need to learn to extend the grace and patience to others. And sometimes, since I am the one I might find the hardest to forgive, I need extend the same grace and patience to myself, to stop beating myself up, and to stop undermining myself worth by my own negative words.

Father, I want to thank You for Your gentle, patient, loving transforming power that is at work in us. We are always so much in a rush wanting to get it all over with. But You Lord are far more interested in the relationship we develop with You as we stick to the course. Thank You again this morning for Your continuing work and its sure conclusion. In Jesus Name Amen

More than conquerors (III) When I am weak (IV)

I was saying last day that working the twelve steps is one way to accelerate becoming not just conquerors, but more than conquerors. Step four, making a fearless moral inventory is about being honest with ourselves. The next step is to admit to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. For many this is so very, very scary, but I have come to realize that guilt and shame grow in the dark. King David describes this experience as his bones growing old and his groaning all the day long (Psalm 32:3).The cure for guilt is to be forgiven, and since ultimately God is the only one who can forgive sins (Mark 2:7), we confess them to Him to be forgiven (1 John 1:9).

But why do we need to confess to another human being? Well the Kingdom of God coming to earth as it is in heaven, is about returning to the pre-fall state. The true (koinonia) fellowship the Bible speaks about, was found supremely in the before the fall relationship between Adam and Eve. I was expressed in openness and vulnerability (Genesis 2:25). John puts it this way “If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship (koinonia) with one another” (1 John 1:7). So why do we resist, why do we not joyfully return to this state? Well I am sure I do not need to tell you that most of the time it's not safe! In a world where the default is blame, confessing our faults only gives more ammunition. But note the fifth step is not about airing our dirty laundry in public. Until we can find a fellowship that is truly safe, we likely need to find just one person (another human being) who is safe.

In a time where society itself is becoming more are more spiritually, emotionally and mentally ill, the Lord has been raising up recovery ministries in both the secular arena, and in the Church. I have received much help and training in one on one such ministry. And I get excited when somebody finds me safe enough to start a conversation with “I have never told anyone this before, but ….” The point is that I know that they have now started the recovery journey, started into “more” than just being outwardly clean. If we are going to enter into the fullness of this more however, we will need to find places that are safe enough to “Confess our faults one to another and pray for one another.” It is here that true healing starts to take place (James 5:16). And it is here, where the community that surrounds twelve-step- programs, has the advantage. In fact the very first step is about coming out of denial. And when, in addition Christ is the higher power, this opens up to us all the resources of heaven.

Father, when I am “weak enough” to be able to admit my need of You, then I am strong because there is so much more available to me. The Scripture comes to mind “If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:31,32). And so this morning Lord I ask that You would give each and every one us a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of You, the eyes of our understanding being enlightened; that we may know what is the hope of Your calling, what are the riches of the glory of Your inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of Your power toward us who believe. And I pray these things in Jesus Name Amen

More than conquerors (II) When I am weak (III)

Have you ever asked yourself “Is this all there is,” feeling that “there has to be more!” If you have, then you are right. There is more, there is always more! The Biblical verification of this is found in 1 Corinthians 2:9 which reads “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor has it entered into the heart of man what God has prepared for those who love Him.” And life in all its fullness (John 10:10b) is not just in the hereafter, it is in the here and now! The “get out of jail free” aspect of salvation is of course a free gift (Ephesians 2:8)! But in order to enter into the promised fullness of life, into the more, we have to war both against the enemy of our souls (Ephesians 6:12), and the “demons” within. And I want to be looking at this, this morning, as it relates to our being more than conquerors through Him who loved us (Romans 8:37).

There is an interesting relationship between this war, and working the steps of Twelve-step programs, which I want to point out are useful for much more than overcoming rampant addictions. And when Christ is our higher Power, we can indeed through Him, conquer and overcome the trials, temptations and difficulties of life. For Paul these included tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril and sword (verse 35). Being able to overcoming these things is wonderful, and amazing, but for me, it is not enough. In particular it is not just about survival, simply getting through. The verse tells us that through Him we are not just conquerors, we are more than conquerors! As I keep saying, it’s not automatic, and we will not be more than conquerors, if we are satisfied with anything less than all that He has for us. Passivity in this war just does not cut it!

There are many things that hinder our entering into the fullness of life. And some of it has to do with our not dealing with the things we would rather not deal with. You know, the things we don’t like to talk about, the things of which we are ashamed, the things that have hurt us deeply in the past, the unforgiveness, the resentments and all the negative emotions that so easily rise to the surface. The fourth and fifth steps of twelve step programs are perhaps the hardest. They are “Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves,” and “Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.” One of the ways I have worked the fourth step, is to make a list of all those who have hurt me, and then ask myself what was my part in it, and/or in what way did I respond wrongly to the wrong done!

Father, if I am to be more than a conqueror, then I need something to overcome. But I am weak, and love, peace and humility are not always my first reaction to the character polishing You want to work in me, in and through the things You allow! But I am realizing more and more that every negative and difficult thing is a crossroads, where I can choose to allow You to make me more like Jesus (or not). But I cannot even start to do this Lord, without knowing at an ever deeper level, that I am truly loved and unconditionally accepted by You. So I ask again this morning Lord, for the wherewithal to be the man of God You call me to be, and I will give You all the honour, glory and praise in Jesus Name Amen

The vessel was marred in the hands of the potter

One of the many pictures the Bible gives of our relationship with God, is that He is the Potter, and we are the clay. As the master potter, He has plans, destiny and a purpose for us. It is His intention to make something beautiful out of our lives. What would happen sometimes, as the potter was seeking to fashion a vase for example, is that the clay would become resistant (perhaps a hard lump) causing the vessel he was trying to make, to be ruined. We too can become resistant, going our own way, doing our own thing, refusing to cooperate with Him as He seeks to fashion our destiny. In this picture of the Potter and the clay from Jeremiah 18:1-4, we learn that after the vessel was marred in the potter’s hand, the Potter made it into another vessel as it seemed good to him.

I don’t know if you have ever come to the place where you think you might have completely and totally blown it, in terms of the plans that God has for you. By the way these plans are always good plans, plans to prosper us and to give us a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11). But the Lord asks rhetorically “Can I not do with you as this potter?” And just as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are we in His hand (verses 5, 6). The point is that as long as we still have breath, it is never too late. A line from a song comes to mind “ruined lives are why you died on Calvary.” The song goes on to testify “you have given life to me.” The whole picture of the new birth (John 3:3), is about new beginnings, about His willingness to reframe our destiny when we come to Him in total surrender.

I don’t know why so many of us only seem to find our way back to Him through the consequences of our rebellion. But I’m grateful this morning for the curse. In what I believe is the correct translation, the NKJV tells us that God cursed to the earth for our sake (Genesis 3:17). In particular, we now reap what we sow (Galatians 6:7). And then in the reaping, in the dawning realization that the Potter knows best, we would return to Him, the Shepherd of our souls, the One who loves us, the One who knows what will fulfill us, the One who brings life in all its fullness. Some scorn this “get out of jail free card,” as licensed to do exactly what we want. But in the blurb from AA “Half measures profited us nothing.” In the words of Jesus “Repent lest a worst thing happen to you” (John 5:14). In particular when we return to our old ways, there seem to be exponential growth in our reaping what we sow!

Father, in view of spiritual realities You ask us in Your Word “What manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness” (2 Peter 3:11). In particular, a lukewarm response it is totally inappropriate. But we need Your help Father to not be like the dog that returns to its vomit. I want to thank You this morning Father, that it's not all up to us, but that You are a very present help in times of need. Thank You that You are the Potter, we are the clay, and that even after we have totally messed up You don’t discard us, but give us a new Hope, a new destiny and a new purpose. And I give You all the glory and praise again this morning Lord, in Jesus Name Amen

Man looks on the outward appearance, God on the heart (I)

There are two aspects of this quote from 1 Samuel 16:7 that I want to look at this morning. The first is perhaps encapsulated by the phrase “There but for the grace of God go I,” that is said to have been spoken by a bishop seeing a man drunk, and lying in the gutter. There is a tendency both inside and outside of the church, to judge those whose behaviour does not measure up to “my standards.” This is pretty dangerous, since “With the measure that you judge, you will be judged” (Matthew 7:2). The bishop realizing the fortunate circumstances of his own upbringing had compassion on the drunk, who likely was far less fortunate. And as someone who ministers both in the prison, and in recovery programs, I hear over and over horrendous stories that make me wonder where I would be, were I in their shoes.

God sees their pain, and is open to their cry, indeed “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18). The other thing, is our propensity, the default if you like, to concentrate on being outwardly presentable, rather than dealing with our deeper issues. I was there myself, and I now describe my state in the first two decades of my Christian walk, as that of being a dry drunk. I had dealt with the out-of-control drinking, but I had not dealt with the issues that led me to drink in the first place. I mean you can take Cinderella out of the ash heap, but taking the ash heap out of Cinderella is something altogether different. No doubt she cleaned up real well, but the hurt and pain of life long rejection and abandonment, and the effects of the abuse, would not go away simply by moving to the palace and putting on beautiful clothes.

And it seems to me, this is a description of a large part of the church. In particular, we have concentrated on getting rid the more obvious, public sins. But to quote Jesus “You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and everything unclean” (Matthew 23:27). Clearly not everybody in church is like this, but how many people have I met who have been deeply hurt by church? And in Evangelical circles for example, how many people who have difficulty giving up smoking have been and still are, made to feel like second-class citizens? The Lord only knows! I believe this is smoke in His nostrils (pun intended - Isaiah 65:5).

Lord the prayer comes to mind “I am a man of unclean lips, And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, The LORD of hosts” (Isaiah 6:5). When we see You Lord, when we encounter You, we see things as they really are. And so in true Biblical tradition, I repent this morning Lord for myself, and for Your church. Father the words of John Arnott keep coming back to me “Revivals end because the leaders don’t get their hearts healed.” Lord, we need You to do this with us all before the coming great end time revival. Jesus You came to heal the brokenhearted (Luke 4:18), so I ask You this morning Lord, to bring is out of denial and into Your glorious light, so that we may be a glorious testimony Your transforming power, in Your precious Name I pray Amen