God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth (I) in spirit

The context of this quote from John 4:24, is of the Samaritan woman bringing up the dispute about where is the correct place of worship (verse 20). Part of what Jesus was saying, is that in the soon coming New Covenant, it would not be about the correct place, but rather that true worship will be about spirit and about truth (verse 23). And it doesn’t seem to be much of a stretch, to apply this to our denominational disputes, so that true worship is not about which is the correct denomination, but rather again, that true worship involves spirit and truth. But what does this mean?

In Romans 8:10 (NIV), Paul tells us “But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness.” The human spirit can be thought of as that part of us that relates to God. And what we are being told here, is that before we become Christians, we are spiritually dead (see also Ephesians 2:1), and unable to truly relate to God. So part of what Jesus is saying, is that true worship is only possible for those who are in Christ. I came to this morning’s Scriptures, through meditating on the phrase “deep calls to deep” (Psalm 42:7). Light is shed on this, and on this morning's verse in 1 Corinthians 2:10, where we read that the Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God, and that it is the Spirit who reveals these things to us.

What I am seeing here, is that as the Spirit reveals to us the deep things of our fascinating God, our hearts naturally turn to worship. The picture given in Revelation 4:10 of the twenty-four elders falling down before Him who sits on the throne, and worshiping Him, paints a picture of moment by moment revelation of ever new facets of His glory. These ongoing revelations are so wondrous and amazing, that the 24 elders can do nothing but fall down and worship. I have caught glimpses of this in the here and now, in some of the dramatic encounters I have both witnessed and experienced of the deep things of God calling to deep things in our spirits, in this way!

Father, part of what I am seeing here this morning Lord, is that in each and every one of your children, there is a depth spirit that we have not yet begun to plummet. So I pray for myself and all reading this blog, that You would give us a spirit of wisdom and experiential revelation knowledge of You, and that as Your deep calls to our deep, You would open the eyes of our heart so that we may truly worship You in spirit and truth. In Jesus Name Amen

As Iron sharpens iron so man sharpens man

There is a companion Scripture that goes along with this morning’s verse from Proverbs 27:17. It is “He who speaks first seems to be right, until his neighbour comes along and examines him” (Proverbs 18:17). Both scriptures seem to be saying, that we will not know the whole truth, if we do not engage with one another. And not for the first time, it came to me this morning, that many Christians seem as reluctant to engage in debate with other Christians, as do non-Christians with Christians. In either case in order to know the whole truth, and to sharpen each other, we do need at some level, to engage!

A Christian counsellor I know told me that in a dispute, particularly a marital dispute, each side knows only about 10% of the truth. If this is true, then when we are a loggerheads, there is a whopping 80% that remains unknown. Now the iron sharpening iron analogy, cannot likely be done without friction. And the refining and sharpening process occurs as we rub up against each other. We need to learn to do this respectfully, gently, and in a non-argumentative way. This does not come easy to any of us! In an argument, as opposed to a discussion, both sides are likely to be more interested in proving a point, rather that arriving at the truth. In a respectful discussion, we are trying to get at the truth, not to win the argument!

The world is likely, but perhaps overly simplistically, divided in two, those who are more than willing to engage in argument, and those who avoid conflict like the plague. Clearly in light of this morning’s Scriptures, both extremes are wrong! And it seems to me this morning that in order to get the balance right, we need courage and wisdom and Grace. We need courage to engage, at least I do, we need wisdom to know when and how to engage, when to be quiet, and when to simply listen. We need Grace so that our discussion is loving and respectful, and looking for win, win solutions. Otherwise it’s lose, lose! We need to learn to do this in house, for if we do not lean it here in the Christian community, how can we possibly respectfully engage with the world? And it is something we need to learn, for it does not come naturally.

So Father, I pray for these things this morning Lord, courage, wisdom and grace. I pray the same thing for those with whom You want me to engage. I am very aware this morning Lord that our woundedness plays a big role in these things. I know that in my first marriage I fought too much, and in my second not enough. I was too wounded from the first. But fighting is not really what needs to happen, or if we do fight, we need to fight fair, in the ways I have described above. But it’s hard to do that Lord when you know that you’re right! I’m joking of course, but You know that Lord. In fact the older I get the more aware I am of how little I know! We all need help in this area Father, and I am asking for it this morning, in Jesus Name Amen

The eternal God is your refuge, And underneath are the everlasting arms;

They say that the only thing that is constant is change! But actually the eternal God is the same yesterday today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). And in a world where change is everywhere, we need a safe place, a place of stability, a rock, somewhere secure, someone and something that can be relied on. The Scripture tells us “Do not put your trust in princes, in mortal man, who cannot save (Psalm 146:3). In the end, at some level everyone will eventually let us down, but the faithful God will not.

There’s a chorus that we sing where we tell the Lord “I need you more, more than yesterday.” For me this is not just words, I know for sure that without my relationship with Him, I would not have made it. Life is far too hard, and I am far too soft. Some people would call that a crutch, but for me it is more like a brand-new pair of legs. But actually I don't see anyone who is not limping! Moreover, in Him is life and health and peace, in Him there is comfort and rest, in Him there is joy and forgiveness and cleansing. And that’s just in the here and now, in the hereafter there is life forevermore.

And on top of this, underneath are the everlasting arms (Deuteronomy 33:27). “When I fall down He lifts me up, when I am dry he feels my cup.” With Him I cannot fail, He is always proud of me, He always loves me. And that love is tangible, it comforts me when I am sad, it strengthens me when I am weak. He believes in me, when I cannot believe in myself. He sustains me through the hard times, and He even brings joy in the midst of trials. Why would anyone not want Him? All it costs, is the giving up of my foolish pride and the giving up of my stubborn and rebellious ways, ways that left me wounded and bleeding and empty!

Father, I want to thank you this morning Lord, that when I found myself in a very dark place, You came to me, You showed yourself, and You welcomed me home with open arms, You took me in, You healed my heart and You brought peace, and hope, and meaning, and joy. I even got to like myself! There is no One like You Father, no one even comes close! You are my refuge and my strength Lord, and underneath are Your everlasting arms, arms of love that keep me safe and secure, and I give you honour glory and praise again this morning in Jesus Name Amen

Identity, authority, resources (IV) Resources

In 2 Peter 1:3 we read that God has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness. Notice the tense here, all things are already given! We may need to ask for things (James 4:2), but from Heavens’ point of view all the things we need are already in place! In verse 4, Peter goes on to talk about the resource we have in the exceedingly great and precious promises, also already given. But if we are going to claim a promise, we do need to believe it belongs to us. Jesus told us that all things are possible to those who believe (Mark 9:23). And we won’t likely believe, if we don’t know who we are in Christ, if we don’t know that we have authority, and that as sons and daughters of the living God, He has already given the resources we need even before we ask!

Part of what it means to have already been given all things that pertain to life, life in the Spirit, is that God will never give us a command that, with the command, He will not also give us the necessary resources to carry through. So if He calls you to be a pastor, then He will give you both the financing, and the tenacity and intellectual ability to get through the courses that you would need in order to be qualified in this area. Likewise if He calls you to a ministry that requires finances, He will provide the necessary finances. But we will likely need to step out in faith, before He puts the said finances in place. This is how He seems to work! And again this will be difficult if we don’t know who we are in Him, if we don’t know the authority He has given us, and if we don’t know His faithfulness in resourcing us for His Kingdom work.

In the ministry that the Lord has given me, there are many who are trapped in addictions. In such cases what it means that He has already given us all things that pertain to godliness, is that the resources to be overcomers are already in place. In fact when we totally surrender to Him, He not only gives us the wherewithal to overcome, but He works in our desires to do that too (Philippians 2:12, 13). But all of these things are part of our journey, and as I have already said, it involves an ongoing battle to believe who we are in Him, to believe the authority that we have in Him, and to believe that the resources are already there waiting for us to claim!

Father, the battle to believe is indeed ongoing. I know from experience, that when I have gained victory in a particular area, then I am likely to be tested in another area. And the new battle to believe seem just as strong as the earlier one. When this comes Lord, please remind me, in the midst of it all, that You have already given all things that pertain to life and godliness, and that You always lead us in triumphant procession in Christ (2 Corinthians 2:14). I want to thank You this morning Lord, that it is You who keeps me in these things (2 Timothy 1:12), and that I am never alone in these battles. Keep me growing in faith and confidence in all these areas Lord, in Jesus Name Amen

Identity, authority, resources (III) Authority

Just before He left to go to the the Father, Jesus told the disciples that all authority had been given to Him. He then told them to go make disciples teaching them to observe all the things He had commanded them (Matthew 28:18- 20). In otherwise He told them to go teach others to teach others, to teach others etc., etc. In doing this He was not only giving them authority over all the works of the devil (Luke 10:19), but He was also giving authority to those of us who believe through them! And some of the things over which He has given us authority are, cleansing lepers, raising the dead and casting out demons (Matthew 10:8). As John Arnott likes to say, this was the beginners list! We, me too, need to let this sink in, no really!

Authority, is not the same as power. After the Lord had used Peter and John to heal the lame man in the temple, Peter tells the crowd “Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this? Or why look so intently at us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk (acts 3:12)? So it was not by their power. It was however by the authority that the Lord had given them! It is as though the Lord has given us a blank check to do Kingdom work. If we want to cash a check in the natural, what is important is the name on the check, and the funds that are available in that person’s account. Well, when the Name on the account is Jesus, and all authority has been given to Him as we read above, then we need to have confidence to “write the appropriate checks!”

We will not do this, if we do not know who we are, and whose we are! The name on the check, is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, and we are His sons and daughters, princes and princesses in the Kingdom! And as His sons and daughters, it is we who have been given authority over all the works of the devil. This is our inheritance! But you and I know, that it is a battle to believe, a battle to enter into the reality of it all. And we will not enter into it by being passive. We are in a war to the death with the Enemy of our souls, and so we need to daily take the armour of God and the sword of the Spirit to overcome. I am certainly speaking to myself again this morning.

Father, Your Word tells me that faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10:17). So Lord I choose this morning to read out loud some of Your promises and principles. Lord You have given me authority over all the works of the devil. I received this, this morning Lord. And I ask You Father to open my eyes to see what you are doing in this wicked and hurting world, in order that like Jesus I may do what I see You doing (John 5:19). Help me Lord to truly tap into the exceeding greatness of Your power by using the authority that You have given me. And I will give You all the honour, all the glory and all the praise as Peter did on that day In Jesus Name Amen

Identity, authority, resources (II) Dignity

I have a painful memory of an incident many years ago, where I was giving a mathematical lecture to a group of mathematicians. Sitting in the the audience was a high-powered (as in famous) mathematician. My lecture was torn to pieces concept by concept as I presented it, with each thing being dismissed as trivial, and not worthy of utterance. For the longest time I couldn’t quite, figure out why it was so painful. Certainly it was humiliating, but I could later understand that not only the lecture, but also my dignity was under attack. In other words, not only was my lecture being dismissed, but I was being dismissed as well. There’s a lot of that in the ego enriched culture of academia!

I remember a statement by Mother Teresa, she said “Nakedness is not just for a piece of cloth!” The type of nakedness that we feel in a public humiliation, or in an out of hand dismissal by somebody who is important to us, has a lot to do with not being afforded dignity. Dignity can be defined as our inherent sense of self-worth and value as human beings. It is different from respect, which likely needs to be earned. Dignity should not have to be earned, it should be a human right. Jesus it is the supreme example of someone who affords dignity, even while at the same time, disagreeing. The woman caught in the act of adultery is a prime example. He treated her as a person worthy of dignity, while at the same time not condoning her sin (John 8:1 – 11). No wonder the Scripture speaks of Him as One full of grace and truth (John 1:17)!

It’s not easy to walk the fine line of balance, giving both grace and truth in our interactions with others. And it is part of “in many things we all fail” (James 3:2). Too often, being right overrules our need to be gentle and full of grace. But it works two ways as well, even when something is delivered in grace, it may not be received in grace. In the extreme, disagreement can be confused with hate and fear. And sometimes those who appear arrogant are acting out of a sense that attack is the best form of defense. My “friend” at the lecture had, at the beginning of the lecture, been caught out by taking at face value, something that was a joke.You have to wonder how much of a part that played in his behaviour!

Father, I have learned that if we expect to get our dignity and self worth from others, we are likely to be disappointed. When I find myself in such places, I need to come back to You, and to remember again that You have a very high regard for me. My value is in what You were willing to pay for me, the sacrificial death of Jesus on the cross. So I need to take my identity and value and dignity from You Lord, not from the world. I have dignity Lord, because You afford it to me. When I loose my sense of this Father, help me to choose to care more for what You think about me, than what others think about me, be good or ill. And I give You honour glory and praise again this morning Lord, in Jesus Name Amen

Identity, authority, resources (I) Identity

When I eventually surrendered to the Lord at the tender age of 29, I had left behind a string of broken hearts. But I had a broken heart of my own in the aftermath of the rejection that accompanied a failed marriage. And the longing that we likely all have for deep, personal, intimate relationships was raw within me. In fact, for the first twenty or so years of my Christian walk, this desire both for reconciliation and deep human relationships loomed far larger in me than was healthy. In particular I was driven to be accepted in a church which, certainly at that time, tended at least by some to regard divorced people as lepers. And I now describe that period of my walk as my being a Christian workaholic, and I took my identity from this!

But this phenomena is not by any means restricted to me. When you ask people who they are for example, they are likely to tell you what they do. “I’m a plumber, a builder, a mathematician.” But that is not who they are, that is what they do. What I’m saying is that too often we tend to get our identity mixed up with our works. In fact this is one of the reasons why unemployment is so difficult. It is because we loose not only our job, but our identity. For the Christian however, our identity needs to be rooted and grounded in how God sees us. And as with Jesus, He sees us as His beloved son (daughter), and He is well pleased with us (Mark 1:11). Yes I know in this quote that He was speaking to Jesus, but we are His brothers (Hebrews 2:11), and there is no favouritism with God (Romans 2:11).

It is easy for the wonder and the enormity of this, to simply bounce off our hearts. The Scripture tells us that we have received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Daddy, Father” (Romans 8:15). But I have to wonder how many of us disqualify ourselves, feeling we are unworthy. And part of why we need to be as little children, is that a little child, in a loving relationship with his daddy, has no such fear. And as with earthly adoptions, a child is adopted not because of anything the child has done or can do, but rather it is out of love and compassion of the adoptive parents. However, like a child who has been too long in the orphanage, it takes a while for us to feel safe, secure and loved. That is why the Scripture tells us to behold, to look, to see, to let it sink in how much the Lord has loved us that we should be called the children of God. But this is what we are, this is who I am (1 John 3:1)!

Father, Daddy, Abba I come to you again this morning Lord, needing this relationship with You so very, very much. Forgive me Lord, for the times when I have had a heart of unbelief, failing to fully receive all of what You have given in the salvation of my soul. I pray for myself again, and all those reading this blog, that You would root us and ground us in Your incredible, healing, amazing and unconditional love. I choose to believe Lord that I am Your beloved son, and that You are pleased with me. Thank You for the assurance in Your Word, that I am accepted in the beloved (Ephesians 1:6 NKJV), and that You have qualified me to be an inheritor of the saints in light (Colossians 1:12). Lord I choose to believe and receive and rest in You this morning, in the precious Name of Jesus Amen