Now these are the names of the children of Israel who came to Egypt; each man and his household came with Jacob: Reuben, Simenon, Levi, and Judah; Issachar, Zebulun, and Benjamin; Dan, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher. All those who were descendants[a] of Jacob were seventy persons (for Joseph was in Egypt already). And Joseph died, all his brothers, and all that generation. But the children of Israel were fruitful and increased abundantly, multiplied and grew exceedingly mighty; and the land was filled with them. Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. And he said to his people, “Look, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we; come, let us deal shrewdly with them, lest they multiply, and it happen, in the event of war, that they also join our enemies and fight against us, and so go up out of the land.” Therefore they set taskmasters over them to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh supply cities, Pithom and Raamses. But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were in dread of the children of Israel. So the Egyptians made the children of Israel serve with rigor. 14 And they made their lives bitter with hard bondage—in mortar, in brick, and in all manner of service in the field. All their service in which they made them serve was with rigor. Then the king of Egypt spoke to the Hebrew midwives, of whom the name of one was Shiphrah and the name of the other Puah; and he said, “When you do the duties of a midwife for the Hebrew women, and see them on the birth-stools, if it is a son, then you shall kill him; but if it is a daughter, then she shall live.” But the midwives feared God, and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the male children alive. So the king of Egypt called for the midwives and said to them, “Why have you done this thing, and saved the male children alive?” And the midwives said to Pharaoh, “Because the Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women; for they are lively and give birth before the midwives come to them.”
Therefore God dealt well with the midwives, and the people multiplied and grew very mighty. And so it was, because the midwives feared God, that He provided households for them. So Pharaoh commanded all his people, saying, “Every son who is born[c] you shall cast into the river, and every daughter you shall save alive.” - Exodus 1:1-22
After reading my devotional scripture this morning I had to ask myself a question or two. First, in the past, how far have I gone to argue what I learned was not at all the right answer or position? Second, at this stage in my walk with Jesus, how much of my pride am I willing to give up when I know God wants me to stop what I am doing and go in a different direction?
In the scripture reading above the Egyptians' insecurity and abhorrence for their Jewish neighbors eventually led to savagery. They actually were more humane toward their immigrant guests decades earlier (the Jews) than they were to them toward the end of their time in Egypt where they truly had become captives of their hosts.
I find that interesting for a number of reasons. First, apparently we do not learn from history. Nor, has humanity become more of anything more sophisticated or more civil. Also, it strikes me that if you are prone to arguments, violent anger and brutality, God's wisdom would dictate for you to regroup mentally and spiritually and ask yourself what kind of fear has gripped you? Throughout my 58 years, I have with a fallen heart seen just how brutal people can be and how often they are driven by various fears and insecurities. Fear of loss. Fear of humiliation. Fear of exposure. Fear of weakness. Fear of losing control. How many other forms of fear can you name?
The Egyptians wallowed in these kinds of fears. Fear of losing their land or power over their possessions drove them to ever increasing acts of injustice and brutality. What's the point? How about this: once you've decided to ridicule, alienate, (starve or beat) or mistreat one person, it becomes increasingly easier to persecute others and, as in the case of the nation of Egypt you eventually dehumanize a whole population. As you follow this story what you eventually see is this, The Egyptians compelled the sons of Israel to labor rigorously; and they made their lives bitter with hard labor in mortar and bricks and at all kinds of labor in the field, all their labors which they rigorously imposed on them. - verses 13, 14.
The Hebrews (Jews) found themselves in terrible straits, but God had promised, "I'll send a deliverer." When times grow hard it is easy to leap to the conclusion that God has forgotten His promises. Somehow we have to see past the kinds of experiences we are having and fully and consistently be in touch with The Father through the indwelling Holy Spirit to understand what our experience means. That was something the Jews had lost site of. It's easy to do. The new movements amongst Christians (free believers, Jacobsenites, Emergents, etc.) often question the validity of constant biblical contact. They view daily reading and devotions as a sort of duty that only the guilty and misinformed amongst believers continue to practice. But I often forget things about my walk in Christ. In this case. the Book of Exodus illustrates to us that when God says, "I promise you something," He never forgets it but that He does have a way and a timing that, unless you are sensitive to Him, His work in and amongst you and His people you associate with that You may forget. I often forget. A whole nation here is shown to have forgotten. But God cannot forget nor fail.
So let's put the shoe on the other foot. I am being persecuted. Do you ever imagine that your hard, harsh moments and tests escape God's notice? You may become so discouraged, so filled with acute pain, that you begin to think God couldn't be aware of your circumstances, or, if He is aware, then obviously He doesn't care. If you had an earthly father, aware of your pain, would He keep you in the dark as to his position on your predicament? No, nor does ours. However, if your earthly father was not kept in the loop about it how could he respond? It is similar to God. Though He knows what is going on He consistently desires we invite Him to the party (or persecution) which is our life. He asks that we seek Him, His face, His thoughts, His leadership and that is a very personal and intimate thing.
God is always aware. And He cares very deeply. He practices the means to redeem those in His family. It may be by calling someone home to Himself, or it may be by splitting an ocean right down the middle so you can walk through on dry ground. His deliverance may not arrive on your timetable or in the manner you expect it, but it will arrive at the best time, the right time. God will not abandon His own. Today, make a commitment to self and Him that you will invite Him in daily and practice His presence in your life. There is truly no need to go through the valley alone. He is there!
And in this season of both joy and sorrow; of relationships and loneliness I remain...
InHISgrip,
~J~
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Monday, December 20, 2010
A Proper Legalez'd Version of The Night Before Christmas
THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS in Legalese
Whereas, on or about the night prior to Christmas, there did occur at a certain improved piece of real property (hereinafter "the House") a general lack of stirring by all creatures therein, including, but not limited to a mouse.
A variety of foot apparel, e.g., stocking, socks, etc., had been affixed by and around the chimney in said House in the hope and/or belief that St. Nick a/k/a/ St. Nicholas a/k/a/ Santa Claus (hereinafter "Claus") would arrive at sometime thereafter. The minor residents, i.e. the children, of the aforementioned House were located in their individual beds and were engaged in nocturnal hallucinations, i.e. dreams, wherein vision of confectionery treats, including, but not limited to, candies, nuts and/or sugar plums, did dance, cavort and otherwise appear in said dreams.
Whereupon the party of the first part (sometimes hereinafter referred to as ("I"), being the joint-owner in fee simple of the House with the party of the second part (hereinafter "Mamma"), and said Mamma had retired for a sustained period of sleep. (At such time, the parties were clad in various forms of headgear, e.g., kerchief and cap.
Suddenly, and without prior notice or warning, there did occur upon the unimproved real property adjacent and appurtenant to said House, i.e., the lawn, a certain disruption of unknown nature, cause and/or circumstance. The party of the first part did immediately rush to a window in the House to investigate the cause of such disturbance.
At that time, the party of the first part did observe, with some degree of wonder and/or disbelief, a miniature sleigh (hereinafter "the Vehicle") being pulled and/or drawn very rapidly through the air by approximately eight (8) reindeer. The driver of the Vehicle appeared to be and in fact was, the previously referenced Claus.
Said Claus was providing specific direction, instruction and guidance to the approximately eight (8) reindeer and specifically identified the animal co-conspirators by name: Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner and Blitzen (hereinafter "the Deer"). (Upon information and belief, it is further asserted that an additional co- conspirator named "Rudolph" may have been involved.)
The party of the first part witnessed Claus, the Vehicle and the Deer intentionally and willfully trespass upon the roofs of several residences located adjacent to and in the vicinity of the House, and noted that the Vehicle was heavily laden with packages, toys and other items of unknown origin or nature. Suddenly, without prior invitation or permission, either express or implied, the Vehicle arrived at the House, and Claus entered said House via the chimney.
Said Claus was clad in a red fur suit, which was partially covered with residue from the chimney, and he carried a large sack containing a portion of the aforementioned packages, toys, and other unknown items. He was smoking what appeared to be tobacco in a small pipe in blatant violation of local ordinances and health regulations.
Claus did not speak, but immediately began to fill the stocking of the minor children, which hung adjacent to the chimney, with toys and other small gifts. (Said items did not, however, constitute "gifts" to said minor pursuant to the applicable provisions of the U.S. Tax Code.)
Upon completion of such task, Claus touched the side of his nose and flew, rose and/or ascended up the chimney of the House to the roof where the Vehicle and Deer waited and/or served as "lookouts." Claus immediately departed for an unknown destination.
However, prior to the departure of the Vehicle, Deer and Claus from said House, the party of the first part did hear Claus state and/or exclaim: "Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!" Or words to that effect.
(Author Unknown)...
Whereas, on or about the night prior to Christmas, there did occur at a certain improved piece of real property (hereinafter "the House") a general lack of stirring by all creatures therein, including, but not limited to a mouse.
A variety of foot apparel, e.g., stocking, socks, etc., had been affixed by and around the chimney in said House in the hope and/or belief that St. Nick a/k/a/ St. Nicholas a/k/a/ Santa Claus (hereinafter "Claus") would arrive at sometime thereafter. The minor residents, i.e. the children, of the aforementioned House were located in their individual beds and were engaged in nocturnal hallucinations, i.e. dreams, wherein vision of confectionery treats, including, but not limited to, candies, nuts and/or sugar plums, did dance, cavort and otherwise appear in said dreams.
Whereupon the party of the first part (sometimes hereinafter referred to as ("I"), being the joint-owner in fee simple of the House with the party of the second part (hereinafter "Mamma"), and said Mamma had retired for a sustained period of sleep. (At such time, the parties were clad in various forms of headgear, e.g., kerchief and cap.
Suddenly, and without prior notice or warning, there did occur upon the unimproved real property adjacent and appurtenant to said House, i.e., the lawn, a certain disruption of unknown nature, cause and/or circumstance. The party of the first part did immediately rush to a window in the House to investigate the cause of such disturbance.
At that time, the party of the first part did observe, with some degree of wonder and/or disbelief, a miniature sleigh (hereinafter "the Vehicle") being pulled and/or drawn very rapidly through the air by approximately eight (8) reindeer. The driver of the Vehicle appeared to be and in fact was, the previously referenced Claus.
Said Claus was providing specific direction, instruction and guidance to the approximately eight (8) reindeer and specifically identified the animal co-conspirators by name: Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner and Blitzen (hereinafter "the Deer"). (Upon information and belief, it is further asserted that an additional co- conspirator named "Rudolph" may have been involved.)
The party of the first part witnessed Claus, the Vehicle and the Deer intentionally and willfully trespass upon the roofs of several residences located adjacent to and in the vicinity of the House, and noted that the Vehicle was heavily laden with packages, toys and other items of unknown origin or nature. Suddenly, without prior invitation or permission, either express or implied, the Vehicle arrived at the House, and Claus entered said House via the chimney.
Said Claus was clad in a red fur suit, which was partially covered with residue from the chimney, and he carried a large sack containing a portion of the aforementioned packages, toys, and other unknown items. He was smoking what appeared to be tobacco in a small pipe in blatant violation of local ordinances and health regulations.
Claus did not speak, but immediately began to fill the stocking of the minor children, which hung adjacent to the chimney, with toys and other small gifts. (Said items did not, however, constitute "gifts" to said minor pursuant to the applicable provisions of the U.S. Tax Code.)
Upon completion of such task, Claus touched the side of his nose and flew, rose and/or ascended up the chimney of the House to the roof where the Vehicle and Deer waited and/or served as "lookouts." Claus immediately departed for an unknown destination.
However, prior to the departure of the Vehicle, Deer and Claus from said House, the party of the first part did hear Claus state and/or exclaim: "Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!" Or words to that effect.
(Author Unknown)...
Friday, December 17, 2010
Is Christmas Discouraging for You? Time to Attack the Blues!
Psalm 5 - To the Chief Musician. With nehiloth. A Psalm of David.
1 Give ear to my words, O LORD,
Consider my meditation.
2 Give heed to the voice of my cry,
My King and my God,
For unto You I will pray.
3 My voice You shall hear in the morning, O LORD;
In the morning I will direct it to You,
And I will look up.
4 For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness,
Nor shall evil dwell with You.
5 The boastful shall not stand in Your sight;
You hate all workers of iniquity.
6 You shall destroy those who speak falsehood;
The LORD abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.
7 But as for me, I will come into Your house in the multitude of Your mercy;
In fear of You I will worship toward Your holy temple.
8 Lead me, O LORD, in Your righteousness because of my enemies;
Make Your way straight before my face.
9 For there is no faithfulness in their mouth;
Their inward part is destruction;
Their throat is an open tomb;
They flatter with their tongue.
10 Pronounce them guilty, O God!
Let them fall by their own counsels;
Cast them out in the multitude of their transgressions,
For they have rebelled against You.
11 But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You;
Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them;
Let those also who love Your name
Be joyful in You
12 For You, O LORD, will bless the righteous;
With favor You will surround him as with a shield.
I love this Psalm. I even made a song out of it's first 3 verses once. The entirety of Psalms, our most ancient hymnal, contains some of the most moving and meaningful expressions of the human heart that have ever been penned.
I had lunch with a songwriter friend yesterday. I was reminded as we sat there that music, songs, are often born out of current, emotionally charged circumstances that so affect the thinking of the writer/composer, that they can't help but break out melody, rhyme and verse. Jazz, blues, gospel spirituals and even the romantics songs all are examples of this. The same should be said of gospel songs and sacred hymns; their historical settings often explaining the full measure and depth of their message.
Psalm 5 is like that. As we read it, we might reason it emerged out of a heart that was in the midst of strife and oppression. David is down in the dumps . . . discouraged. King David was its writer. Whatever his pressures were, they prompted him to compose an ancient hymn that i perceive was in a minor key.
It reminded me of the affect that Christmas can have on many of us. In this season, for a great many, I seriously doubt that there is any subject more timely than the topic of discouragement. As a Life Coach, Pastor and business consultant I find so many folks playing out their entire lives in a minor key and the holidays simply exacerbate this. There is the gnawing and often debilitating discouragement that follows an unachieved goal, broken home, empty nest or a failed romance. Some are discouraged over their marriage which began with such promise but now seems hopeless. Lingering ill-health can discourage and demoralize all who are affected by the one who is at the center of it all. This can be true and even more so when the pain lingers and doesn't subside. Over the last couple of years in our flailing economy how many have made courageous yet failed attempts to stave off economic collapse only to fall flat. How many know someone like that? In my business life I have seen this paralyze individuals. The discouragement brought on by several back-to-back criticisms as they tried and tried can scarcely be exaggerated in their long-term affects in demoralizing and destroying confidence.
In this verse it could be that we are seeing David attempting to pick himself up off the mat when, just at that moment, another biting and piercing verbal attack is leveled at him; the comments knocking him back to his knees . . . hence and perhaps (though the Holy Spirit truly authors this and all scripture) the birth of Psalm 5.
Many a discouraged soul has identified with this song down through the centuries. Frequently, the words just above the first verse (which comprise the superscription) set forth the historical backdrop of the song.
If you glance just above verse 1 in some King James Versions of the Bible, you will see that David desired this song to be played "upon Nehiloth." A nehiloth was an ancient woodwind instrument, something like today's flute or oboe. An oboe is a double-reed instrument giving a sad-sounding whine as it is being played. Its penetrating tone causes it to be used frequently as a solo instrument when the mood of the musical composition needs to illustrate deep longing, hurting, pain or somber reflection.
Interestingly, David did not play the nehiloth, but rather an ancient stringed instrument called the harp (see 1 Samuel 16:23, KJV). My point is simply this: David wrote this sad song of discouragement for someone else to play---not himself. Perhaps the surrounding circumstances were too overwhelming for him to participate in the playing of this piece. Perhaps he "heart it" in oboe; the composition could be rendered better by one who was skilled on the nehiloth. The sad tone of that instrument would enhance the feeling of discouragement which gave birth to this song...the Psalm.
It's Christmas season 2010. The tone in our household this year is upbeat. It's promising. We have been recently financially blessed after a very long dry period. We have experienced earthly new birth. I have a new grandson-Elijah Logan Wilson. He is joy. He is a blessing. He lives and brings light hearts and smiles and warmth and...and...
...and last year my dad-in-law passed just before this season as did my brother and oh, my loved ones and friends, how different a year makes things.
So, I ask, what is your song today?
Let me make a recommendation or two. If you are discouraged in this season, admit it. Spell it out in detail in your time with the Lord. Take time to express the depth of your pain. Don't deny the reality of your sorrow. State your honest feelings. God can handle it! And, He wants you to come clean with Him about it and what you would also hope He would do to intervene.
But don't stop there. Now at least twice, tell a someone why you are grateful to be alive . . . why you are more encouraged than you used to be. It will not only be therapy for you, it will lift that person's spirits as well. Wonderful changes can occur in us and others when we spread a few cheer germs around.
One other thing...go to www.youtube.com and look up and watch several snippets on a fellow by the name of Nick Vujicic...you may know who this is but if you don't just take my advice and do it. Let the idea that blessing may not ever look like what we expect it do overcome and overwhelm you as you watch. That is what David did, and Joseph of the Old Testament, and Jesus and Paul...and we are to do so as well.
Happy Holidays-I pray you had a thankful Thanksgiving and a Jesus Christ filled Christmas...
I remain...
InHISgrip,
~J~
Allowing Me Into Your Life
Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel - Philippians 1:12-13
Have you ever heard these statements: "Money talks." Or how about this: This is the golden rule: He who has the gold makes the rules." Both of these statements have a hint of truth in them.
When Jesus was crucified there was a question as to where Jesus would be buried. Those that hurried Him to the cross, designed that He should make His grave with the wicked; that he would be buried with others who had been accused of crimes and that had also been crucified. God designed He should make it with the rich and prophetically had announced this in the Old Testament in Isaiah 53:9 - Though they prepared his grave with the wicked he entered in death with the rich though he had done no violence nor was there found any lie within him.
And so a rich man also named Joseph (like Jesus' earthly father) ensured he had a proper burial. In order for Jesus to be buried with honor, this man of influence was permitted to take the body of Jesus. It seems this man had a personal relationship with Pilate. Thus, we can call this Joseph a man of influence. Ultimately he retrieved the body of our Lord and placed it in a burial plot he owned in a cave that was reserved for the rich.
Joseph of Arimathea was called an honorable counselor, a person of character and distinction, and in an office of public trust; some think it would be comparable to our State Department. That would allow him to be privy to and associated with Pontus Pilate. This post also seems to have been in the Jewish faith and that he was one of the great Sanhedrim of the Jews, or one of the high priest's council.
The Bible says that God desires His people to be the head, not the tail. He prepares us, when we accept and embrace God's instruction through the Holy Spirit to be sensitive to God's leading and to be instructors, teacher's, leaders.
Guys, if we are to influence the our time, our place, the culture that surrounds us, we must be men and women of influence in whom God uses to impact the culture. If you are a successful person, consider the words of Paul when he said, "...what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel." Although Paul was referencing adversity in this statement, it can be equally said that each of us needs to ask if our prosperity has served to advance the gospel or our training or our advancement in any area of our life. We need to look to heaven and ask God to reveal to us where our personal leverage and leadership exists. We also need to ask where we have not sharpened the saw of our life or maximized our potential to change lives by allowing God to fully develop our tools, talents, passions and gifts.
Are you using your influence to impact your workplace, city, Body of Christ or even nation for the sake of the gospel? Is there something or some things you have neglected that would change your ability to stand in a place of honor, or, as in Paul's case, apparent dishonor (this to be developed more thoroughly in a future teaching) so that God is glorified and the borders of the Kingdom of God are spread by your efforts and position? What else should you be doing? What two things, right now, do you know for certain you could do that would extend your ability to touch and perhaps bring salvation to lives around you? THINK! :-) - I bet you dollars to donuts that if you spend just 15 minutes in consideration, meditation and prayer over this that the Holy Spirit of God will show you what those two things are...
This is a season of warmth, love, consideration, serving and fellowship. Nothing about giving is more valuable then your compassion spread in a way that would fall naturally within your gifting and position. God's richest blessings to you and may your borders and tents be spread and Jesus arise in you and through you to others like the Daystar of the morning. I remain...
InHISgrip,
~J~
Friday, December 10, 2010
The Real Move-On Dot YOU!
..."Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you".... - Joshua 5:9
My devotionals and reading and the notes I receive on things to watch and read and view online lead my mind off into many directions. This came from my devotionals today.
In this section of scripture Joshua and the people of Israel had just crossed the Jordan River. They were camped at a place called Gilgal. It got it's name because it was the first place of encampment after Israel was move from the "reproach of Egypt." But the action associated with this removal of reproach would be self-sacrificing and painful. You see, before they could proceed they were required to circumcise all the males. This was in fact because a whole new generation (represented by the males) had grown up while living in the desert through the travel of Moses, from whom Joshua had taken the leadership reigns.
This place is where Israel, like a worm in a cocoon, was transformed. I must tell you that the thought or idea of circumcision is not particularly invigorating and motivating for me. Circumcision is bloody and personal, and in a very real sense exposes all that you are. By this action at Gilgal God was saying that before you can become part of His people, His army, you must roll away the reproach of the Egyptian way of life. Thought it was true they had been separated from it by 40 years they had been raised in it's ways and clutches by their parents who had been steeped in Egyptian ways. To this new generation God was saying you are no longer a slave to the ways of Egypt. It is a time to put aside the old way of life. Many are walking around as goats in sheep's clothes, practicing a form of the purity of a relationship with the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob but without the true source of truth and power.
Guys, rebellion is a part of the structure of the world and life we live within. It is in our midst. Sin in our midst testifies against us. It keeps us in our own personal Egypt and never allows us to enter the Promised Land of great communication, love, grace and God's ownership and leading in our personal lives. Our lives must be circumcised in order for us to come out of Egypt into our own Promised Land of spiritual blessing with God. Jesus is in fact our circumcision but we must fully embrace all that His life, death and resurrection meant. In this case, I would suggest we need to understand the depths of His sacrifice on our part so we realize how little we must sacrifice to embrace it properly.
In the above scripture this transformation I speak about marks the first time Israel begins to taste the fruit of the Promised Land. No more manna from Heaven. The manna stopped the day after they were circumcised. They were now fully to refine and enjoy the scope of the goodness of God and his culinary gifts. There was no longer any manna for the Israelites, but that year they ate produce from Canaan with variety, flavor, zest and adventure!
So what is going on in our day that relates to this? I will probably not relate specifically to you. One thing that does seem true however is that God is turning our plowshares into weapons of love to usher in a new generation of His chosen people. But we will not be effective if we have the reproach of sin in our lives. Let go of the past. Hold onto that which is eternal! Ask God to show you what needs to be confessed and shrugged off today so that no reproach exists. The cross of Jesus takes away all reproaches. Enter the Promised Land with power and full of faith!
I remain...
InHISgrip,
~J~
My devotionals and reading and the notes I receive on things to watch and read and view online lead my mind off into many directions. This came from my devotionals today.
In this section of scripture Joshua and the people of Israel had just crossed the Jordan River. They were camped at a place called Gilgal. It got it's name because it was the first place of encampment after Israel was move from the "reproach of Egypt." But the action associated with this removal of reproach would be self-sacrificing and painful. You see, before they could proceed they were required to circumcise all the males. This was in fact because a whole new generation (represented by the males) had grown up while living in the desert through the travel of Moses, from whom Joshua had taken the leadership reigns.
This place is where Israel, like a worm in a cocoon, was transformed. I must tell you that the thought or idea of circumcision is not particularly invigorating and motivating for me. Circumcision is bloody and personal, and in a very real sense exposes all that you are. By this action at Gilgal God was saying that before you can become part of His people, His army, you must roll away the reproach of the Egyptian way of life. Thought it was true they had been separated from it by 40 years they had been raised in it's ways and clutches by their parents who had been steeped in Egyptian ways. To this new generation God was saying you are no longer a slave to the ways of Egypt. It is a time to put aside the old way of life. Many are walking around as goats in sheep's clothes, practicing a form of the purity of a relationship with the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob but without the true source of truth and power.
Guys, rebellion is a part of the structure of the world and life we live within. It is in our midst. Sin in our midst testifies against us. It keeps us in our own personal Egypt and never allows us to enter the Promised Land of great communication, love, grace and God's ownership and leading in our personal lives. Our lives must be circumcised in order for us to come out of Egypt into our own Promised Land of spiritual blessing with God. Jesus is in fact our circumcision but we must fully embrace all that His life, death and resurrection meant. In this case, I would suggest we need to understand the depths of His sacrifice on our part so we realize how little we must sacrifice to embrace it properly.
In the above scripture this transformation I speak about marks the first time Israel begins to taste the fruit of the Promised Land. No more manna from Heaven. The manna stopped the day after they were circumcised. They were now fully to refine and enjoy the scope of the goodness of God and his culinary gifts. There was no longer any manna for the Israelites, but that year they ate produce from Canaan with variety, flavor, zest and adventure!
So what is going on in our day that relates to this? I will probably not relate specifically to you. One thing that does seem true however is that God is turning our plowshares into weapons of love to usher in a new generation of His chosen people. But we will not be effective if we have the reproach of sin in our lives. Let go of the past. Hold onto that which is eternal! Ask God to show you what needs to be confessed and shrugged off today so that no reproach exists. The cross of Jesus takes away all reproaches. Enter the Promised Land with power and full of faith!
I remain...
InHISgrip,
~J~
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
To Search Within-To Discovery Without: The Path of Self-Denial
Now when the LORD was about to take Elijah up to heaven by a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. And Elijah said to Elisha, "Please stay here, for the LORD has sent me as far as Bethel." But Elisha said, "As the LORD lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you." So they went down to Bethel. And the sons of the prophets who were in Bethel came out to Elisha and said to him, "Do you know that today the LORD will take away your master from over you?" And he said, "Yes, I know it; keep quiet." Elijah said to him, "Elisha, please stay here, for the LORD has sent me to Jericho." But he said, "As the LORD lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you." So they came to Jericho. The sons of the prophets who were at Jericho drew near to Elisha and said to him, "Do you know that today the LORD will take away your master from over you?" And he answered, "Yes, I know it; keep quiet." Then Elijah said to him, "Please stay here, for the LORD has sent me to the Jordan." But he said, "As the LORD lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you." So the two of them went on. Fifty men of the sons of the prophets also went and stood at some distance from them, as they both were standing by the Jordan. Then Elijah took his cloak and rolled it up and struck the water, and the water was parted to the one side and to the other, till the two of them could go over on dry ground. When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, "Ask what I shall do for you, before I am taken from you." And Elisha said, "Please let there be a double portion of your spirit on me." And he said, "You have asked a hard thing; yet, if you see me as I am being taken from you, it shall be so for you, but if you do not see me, it shall not be so." And as they still went on and talked, behold, chariots of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. And Elisha saw it and he cried, "My father, my father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!" And he saw him no more. Then he took hold of his own clothes and tore them in two pieces. 13And he took up the cloak of Elijah that had fallen from him and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan. Then he took the cloak of Elijah that had fallen from him and struck the water, saying, "Where is the LORD, the God of Elijah?" And when he had struck the water, the water was parted to the one side and to the other, and Elisha went over. - 2 King 2:1-14
I find many topics easy to teach and hard to live. Anyone who knows me personally must know this. I myself, as I have moved through my life with Jesus as Captain of my soul, have become more acutely aware of how I get in the way of me.
Self-denial does not come naturally. It is a learned virtue often hard-learned at that. It is encouraged by few and modeled by even fewer. It seems to be discouraged in our society and in the most respected behavioral instruments it is even frowned upon. This is particularly true among those who are Type A personalities.
In church circles, leadership is especially cursed with a lack of ability for self-denial. If you are a student of scripture you would find Prophets are notorious for exhibiting Type A temperament, which, in our reading above, makes Elijah all the more remarkable. Without hedging one iota in heroism, he was as soft clay in his Master's hands. If you rad the previous chapters you would find Elijah the Prophet did his best work "under the shadow of the Almighty." to quote a phrase used in conjunction with him. And, what was the result of this. For Elijah because of his humility and his grip on self-denial his was a life of power. He had come to the place where he welcomed the death of his own desires. He had become comfortable with the thought that God would be glorified and he would give up everything in the process.
Think on that for a moment.
Elijah had become comfortable with a whole new set of "places" in his life where victory would be won; true victory. What were these places? They were the place of beginning, the place of the prayer, the place of battle, the place of death. These became places of conquest. What we find unnatural he would and embraced and realized contentment, satisfaction and purpose.
We, too, have such places in our lives. Don't we?
First, there's a place of beginning. That's home base---the very beginning of our Christian experience when we discovered and embraced Jesus Christ and acknowledged Him as Savior and Lord of life. That's our place of new beginning. If you read this rightly that place might have been Gilgal for Elijah. At our own Gilgal, we become brand new.
For some of us, that place of beginning, that home base, is far in the past. Search your memory. Can you remember when you took your first few baby steps as a new Christian? If you were anything like I was you tottered a little, and those who loved and mentored you helped steady you on your feet or, tried. And you learned the basics of life: how to get into the Word; how to pray; how to have time with God; how to perhaps haltingly, share your faith.
And then comes the place of prayer. Remember? You first began to learn what it was to sacrifice, to surrender things dear and precious to you. You took actual time from your day because, by faith, you were believing God would hear and respond to you. For some started in earnest over a tragedy. Perhaps it was someone else's pain but you felt that pain. Or you began a life of prayer over the loss of a child, a husband, a wife. Perhaps for you it was the loss of a job, your own business, or a lifelong dream, so close, yet seemingly slipping through your fingertips and the fear it would never be realized.
Elijah had a place called Bethel. It was his place to pray. Coming all alone to your own Bethel, you learned to pray. And, you need to know, a place to pray and worship, and lift God up and bring self into right relationship to Him is a place where, on your knees you become more powerful.
If you learned in this way, if it happened for you as I described then God did a growing work in your life as He carried you from that place of communion to the next stage He planned for you. Normally the next stage was more action, more adventure and usually even less control. But because you'd learned the value of prayer and worship, you built your altar, and you learned even more at His feet.
If you are an older Christian; 10, 20, 40 years of Bible, prayer, church, Jesus you might need a time to remember. Search back in time. Remember?
Self-denial is hard to learn, and, for all of us, not just a few, it is just as hard to hold onto. If the life of Elijah is any indicator it's worth the effort.Perhaps more than this, it is the thing that turns the trappings of our faith into a reality. Get real, get down, literally, with God. I remain...
InHISgrip,
~J~
I find many topics easy to teach and hard to live. Anyone who knows me personally must know this. I myself, as I have moved through my life with Jesus as Captain of my soul, have become more acutely aware of how I get in the way of me.
Self-denial does not come naturally. It is a learned virtue often hard-learned at that. It is encouraged by few and modeled by even fewer. It seems to be discouraged in our society and in the most respected behavioral instruments it is even frowned upon. This is particularly true among those who are Type A personalities.
In church circles, leadership is especially cursed with a lack of ability for self-denial. If you are a student of scripture you would find Prophets are notorious for exhibiting Type A temperament, which, in our reading above, makes Elijah all the more remarkable. Without hedging one iota in heroism, he was as soft clay in his Master's hands. If you rad the previous chapters you would find Elijah the Prophet did his best work "under the shadow of the Almighty." to quote a phrase used in conjunction with him. And, what was the result of this. For Elijah because of his humility and his grip on self-denial his was a life of power. He had come to the place where he welcomed the death of his own desires. He had become comfortable with the thought that God would be glorified and he would give up everything in the process.
Think on that for a moment.
Elijah had become comfortable with a whole new set of "places" in his life where victory would be won; true victory. What were these places? They were the place of beginning, the place of the prayer, the place of battle, the place of death. These became places of conquest. What we find unnatural he would and embraced and realized contentment, satisfaction and purpose.
We, too, have such places in our lives. Don't we?
First, there's a place of beginning. That's home base---the very beginning of our Christian experience when we discovered and embraced Jesus Christ and acknowledged Him as Savior and Lord of life. That's our place of new beginning. If you read this rightly that place might have been Gilgal for Elijah. At our own Gilgal, we become brand new.
For some of us, that place of beginning, that home base, is far in the past. Search your memory. Can you remember when you took your first few baby steps as a new Christian? If you were anything like I was you tottered a little, and those who loved and mentored you helped steady you on your feet or, tried. And you learned the basics of life: how to get into the Word; how to pray; how to have time with God; how to perhaps haltingly, share your faith.
And then comes the place of prayer. Remember? You first began to learn what it was to sacrifice, to surrender things dear and precious to you. You took actual time from your day because, by faith, you were believing God would hear and respond to you. For some started in earnest over a tragedy. Perhaps it was someone else's pain but you felt that pain. Or you began a life of prayer over the loss of a child, a husband, a wife. Perhaps for you it was the loss of a job, your own business, or a lifelong dream, so close, yet seemingly slipping through your fingertips and the fear it would never be realized.
Elijah had a place called Bethel. It was his place to pray. Coming all alone to your own Bethel, you learned to pray. And, you need to know, a place to pray and worship, and lift God up and bring self into right relationship to Him is a place where, on your knees you become more powerful.
If you learned in this way, if it happened for you as I described then God did a growing work in your life as He carried you from that place of communion to the next stage He planned for you. Normally the next stage was more action, more adventure and usually even less control. But because you'd learned the value of prayer and worship, you built your altar, and you learned even more at His feet.
If you are an older Christian; 10, 20, 40 years of Bible, prayer, church, Jesus you might need a time to remember. Search back in time. Remember?
Self-denial is hard to learn, and, for all of us, not just a few, it is just as hard to hold onto. If the life of Elijah is any indicator it's worth the effort.Perhaps more than this, it is the thing that turns the trappings of our faith into a reality. Get real, get down, literally, with God. I remain...
InHISgrip,
~J~
Monday, November 15, 2010
I Can Be Taught But Will I Learn?
They were singing and dancing in the streets, welcoming and honoring this young man who had defended the name of their God. If there is a single statement that best describes David at this time in his life, it would be this one: "David was prospering in all his ways for the LORD was with him" - 1 Samuel 18:14
(It might help to read from verse 5 through 16...) Four times in this one chapter we read that David "prospered." That interested me, so I looked up the Hebrew of that word to understand where it came from. The word sakal from which "prospered" is the root word. I discovered two insightful things about that term. Proverbs 10:19 reveals the first: When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise [sakal]
A person who is wise (who prospers) knows how to keep his mouth shut. He can keep confidences when people say, "Look, don't share this with anyone but..." I would also say it's a great characteristic of a good friend, and certainly should be a foundational component between brothers and sisters in Christ. A good friend, a godly friend, can be trusted with the details of your life; they keep things to themselves between the two of you appropriately.
Furthermore, when they open their mouth, they do so with discretion. That's a sign of a sakal person. That was David.
And the second insight is in Proverbs 21:11: When the scoffer is punished, the naive becomes wise; but when the wise is instructed [sakal], he receives knowledge.
The sakal person is teachable. Again, that's the kind of man David was. He was wise because he guarded his lips, and he maintained a teachable spirit.
So, what's my point? How about this, no matter how fast the promotion or how beaming the accolades may be, we are never to lose our teachability. We never reach a level where we are above criticism or we no longer need the input of others. And, frankly, there are times when our best lessons can be learned from our enemies.
A quiet spirit, a closed mouth, a teachable spirit...my hope is, this week, I practice all three. Together they create sakal. God knows I can use all I can get! I remain...
InHISgrip,
~J~
(It might help to read from verse 5 through 16...) Four times in this one chapter we read that David "prospered." That interested me, so I looked up the Hebrew of that word to understand where it came from. The word sakal from which "prospered" is the root word. I discovered two insightful things about that term. Proverbs 10:19 reveals the first: When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise [sakal]
A person who is wise (who prospers) knows how to keep his mouth shut. He can keep confidences when people say, "Look, don't share this with anyone but..." I would also say it's a great characteristic of a good friend, and certainly should be a foundational component between brothers and sisters in Christ. A good friend, a godly friend, can be trusted with the details of your life; they keep things to themselves between the two of you appropriately.
Furthermore, when they open their mouth, they do so with discretion. That's a sign of a sakal person. That was David.
And the second insight is in Proverbs 21:11: When the scoffer is punished, the naive becomes wise; but when the wise is instructed [sakal], he receives knowledge.
The sakal person is teachable. Again, that's the kind of man David was. He was wise because he guarded his lips, and he maintained a teachable spirit.
So, what's my point? How about this, no matter how fast the promotion or how beaming the accolades may be, we are never to lose our teachability. We never reach a level where we are above criticism or we no longer need the input of others. And, frankly, there are times when our best lessons can be learned from our enemies.
A quiet spirit, a closed mouth, a teachable spirit...my hope is, this week, I practice all three. Together they create sakal. God knows I can use all I can get! I remain...
InHISgrip,
~J~
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
