The word of God should always be the final authority in our lives. Regardless to the circumstance, or ever shifting emotions, or what the world may claim. Notice each time Jesus spoke to Satan while being tempted in the wilderness he said, "It is written." God's word is powerful!
To believe God can do wonders in our lives and through the lives of others, is to recognize and submit to His authority. Luke 7 tells of a centurion seeking Jesus to heal his servant. What is interesting is the man never saw Jesus nor did the servant. Rather, the centurion sent out friends to tell Jesus, "...say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me" (Luke 7:6-8). The centurion recognized the authority of Jesus as being higher than his own. He demonstrates this by stating he is a man under command while he commands others. By recognizing God's authority, he submits and only asks for Jesus to speak the word and the servant will be healed.
I spent time this morning repenting for not being fully submissive to God's authority. I also understand my culture is fiercely independent and bucks against anyone telling him or her what to do, no less submitting to an authority be it a boss, teacher, pastor etc., whom the Lord has placed in our lives. It is not a question of misuse of authority by others in leadership, rather a heart issue to submit to God. He will take care of those in position of power and privilege.
Oh the healing God longs to demonstrate in our lives, if only we tuck ourselves under His wings and submit!
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Can You See What He Sees?
When I'm able I like to attend the early morning prayer group at my church. Any number of people come and go during that hour to share and pray. One particular man, who I'll call Bill, occasionally shows up at the prayer meeting.
Bill is homeless and an alcoholic. He will sit down for a few minutes, sometimes muttering to himself or praying before wandering off into the lobby or outside where he might ask for spare change.
After prayer, Bill and I crossed the street for a coffee. As we reached the side door of the cafe, he remarked: "That was a good prayer meeting."
Beyond the rough exterior, damaged body, broken mind, and bondage to drink is Bill's spirit. A spirit who can still respond to God's presence to say, "It was a good prayer meeting."
When I returned home, I repented. I repented of my arrogant laced prayers, lofty eyes (so often it easy to turn a blind eye) and a lack of brokenness. I failed to see Bill through the eyes of God. A man who God sees restored, healed and delivered. A man who may one day return to those who showed kindness and love not so much to thank, but as a testament of God's power to redeem, yes, even ransom from the grip of a defeated foe.
Unknown to Bill, he is teaching me the Scripture in Matthew 21:31b, "Jesus said, "Yes, and I tell you that crooks and whores are going to precede you into God's kingdom. John came to you showing you the right road. You turned up your noses at him, but the crooks and whores believed him. Even when you saw their changed lives, you didn't care enough to change and believe him" (The Message).
May I never be so religious, so proud, unbroken or unchanged by whatever physical or mental condition is present, but move past the exterior to see what He sees!
Bill is homeless and an alcoholic. He will sit down for a few minutes, sometimes muttering to himself or praying before wandering off into the lobby or outside where he might ask for spare change.
After prayer, Bill and I crossed the street for a coffee. As we reached the side door of the cafe, he remarked: "That was a good prayer meeting."
Beyond the rough exterior, damaged body, broken mind, and bondage to drink is Bill's spirit. A spirit who can still respond to God's presence to say, "It was a good prayer meeting."
When I returned home, I repented. I repented of my arrogant laced prayers, lofty eyes (so often it easy to turn a blind eye) and a lack of brokenness. I failed to see Bill through the eyes of God. A man who God sees restored, healed and delivered. A man who may one day return to those who showed kindness and love not so much to thank, but as a testament of God's power to redeem, yes, even ransom from the grip of a defeated foe.
Unknown to Bill, he is teaching me the Scripture in Matthew 21:31b, "Jesus said, "Yes, and I tell you that crooks and whores are going to precede you into God's kingdom. John came to you showing you the right road. You turned up your noses at him, but the crooks and whores believed him. Even when you saw their changed lives, you didn't care enough to change and believe him" (The Message).
May I never be so religious, so proud, unbroken or unchanged by whatever physical or mental condition is present, but move past the exterior to see what He sees!
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Approaching God
James tells us God draws near when we move toward Him (James 4:8). Too often I overlooked the second half of the verse in my approach to God: "Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded".
Hebrews 11:6 says for those who come to God must believe He is and He is the rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. And in Psalms 24:3-4 asks who can ascend to the hill of the Lord, who can stand in His holy place? The response in verse 4 says, those who have clean hands and a pure heart.
So I must approach God in faith and in purity. It has taken some years to learn my approach can not be with an attitude of a "good boy" performance (I'll draw near today since I was good or did good things) or in a dry religious ritual (out of obligation). I must simply trust God. In drawing near to God, He must have full access to my heart. Should there be any impurity or defilement, I must confess and repent. God knows the motive of the heart, more so than I know of my own intentions.
Recently, the Lord caused me to realize one of the many rewards of approaching Him. Not only does it mean experiencing the presence of God in a more fuller way, which deepens intimacy but it intimidates the Enemy. In His presence there is fullness of joy where no devil, sickness, pain or sadness can dwell. By drawing near to God the things of this world which moments ago was so urgent all but fade away and the fullness of God's Spirit envelopes me.
Let's draw near in reverence and confidence and watch God perform His word!
Hebrews 11:6 says for those who come to God must believe He is and He is the rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. And in Psalms 24:3-4 asks who can ascend to the hill of the Lord, who can stand in His holy place? The response in verse 4 says, those who have clean hands and a pure heart.
So I must approach God in faith and in purity. It has taken some years to learn my approach can not be with an attitude of a "good boy" performance (I'll draw near today since I was good or did good things) or in a dry religious ritual (out of obligation). I must simply trust God. In drawing near to God, He must have full access to my heart. Should there be any impurity or defilement, I must confess and repent. God knows the motive of the heart, more so than I know of my own intentions.
Recently, the Lord caused me to realize one of the many rewards of approaching Him. Not only does it mean experiencing the presence of God in a more fuller way, which deepens intimacy but it intimidates the Enemy. In His presence there is fullness of joy where no devil, sickness, pain or sadness can dwell. By drawing near to God the things of this world which moments ago was so urgent all but fade away and the fullness of God's Spirit envelopes me.
Let's draw near in reverence and confidence and watch God perform His word!
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Reward and Recompense
Over the past couple of days, I kept returning to Psalm 18. This rich and dynamic Psalms speaks of God's deliverance and other mighty acts in King David's life.
Psalm 18:20-26 is remarkable in that David declares "the Lord rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands he hath recompensed me" (verse 20) and "recompensed me according to my righteousness" (verse 24).
I believe God challenged me to ask, in brokenness and humility, for Him to "reward" and "recompense" me according to my righteousness. I believe righteousness simply means right standing before God. This righteousness is possible only through His work on the cross.
Both reward and recompense mean to pay or give back (the original meaning for reward means "to deal bountifully"!). Let's be clear on this point. God doesn't owe me a favor or is He in indebted to me. Rather, I believe it's His word cultivated in my life is what He honors, even rewards (Hebrews 11:6).
David writes, "I was upright before Him, and I kept myself from iniquity" (verse 23)and the following verses 24-25, show the response from the Lord to those who act in purity to those are forward or perverse.
So am I willing to put aside my sin to experience the blessing (reward and recompense) of God? It's too easy to focus on the rewards, but not on cultivating God's seed (His word) in my life...even when it seems the present field of my life shows only dirt and the harvest not apparent.
Psalm 18:20-26 is remarkable in that David declares "the Lord rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands he hath recompensed me" (verse 20) and "recompensed me according to my righteousness" (verse 24).
I believe God challenged me to ask, in brokenness and humility, for Him to "reward" and "recompense" me according to my righteousness. I believe righteousness simply means right standing before God. This righteousness is possible only through His work on the cross.
Both reward and recompense mean to pay or give back (the original meaning for reward means "to deal bountifully"!). Let's be clear on this point. God doesn't owe me a favor or is He in indebted to me. Rather, I believe it's His word cultivated in my life is what He honors, even rewards (Hebrews 11:6).
David writes, "I was upright before Him, and I kept myself from iniquity" (verse 23)and the following verses 24-25, show the response from the Lord to those who act in purity to those are forward or perverse.
So am I willing to put aside my sin to experience the blessing (reward and recompense) of God? It's too easy to focus on the rewards, but not on cultivating God's seed (His word) in my life...even when it seems the present field of my life shows only dirt and the harvest not apparent.
Friday, December 11, 2009
Bountiful
Psalms 116:7 says, "Return to your rest, O my soul, for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you."
Bountiful is an interesting word and one not used in our every day speech. Our English language defines it as "liberal in bestowing gifts and favor." I believe the Hebrew word gamal gives it a fuller meaning: "to deal fully with, recompense" or "to ripen, bear ripe" or "to wean a child, to be weaned."
To experience God's bounty is to come into a place of maturity (ripen) through faith, an absolute trust in His word. David uses the word wean for bountiful when he writes in Psalm 131:2: "Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child." (King James Version).
I'm learning to cultivate a quiet and still heart before the Lord. Putting aside the weariness of the day or distractions is tough. Whenever I chose to deliberately quiet my soul, it means reaping a bountiful harvest of His presence in all areas of my life. Everything falls into perspective, in it's proper place. I have no pressing want or urgent need which can wait when I take the time to rest in His presence.
By the way to "rest" is not a passive state. To rest is to actively mediate on His promises, think or dwell on how He is so wonderful, beautiful and awesome. In those moments, He speaks so clearly of His divine nature and care.
Bountiful is an interesting word and one not used in our every day speech. Our English language defines it as "liberal in bestowing gifts and favor." I believe the Hebrew word gamal gives it a fuller meaning: "to deal fully with, recompense" or "to ripen, bear ripe" or "to wean a child, to be weaned."
To experience God's bounty is to come into a place of maturity (ripen) through faith, an absolute trust in His word. David uses the word wean for bountiful when he writes in Psalm 131:2: "Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child." (King James Version).
I'm learning to cultivate a quiet and still heart before the Lord. Putting aside the weariness of the day or distractions is tough. Whenever I chose to deliberately quiet my soul, it means reaping a bountiful harvest of His presence in all areas of my life. Everything falls into perspective, in it's proper place. I have no pressing want or urgent need which can wait when I take the time to rest in His presence.
By the way to "rest" is not a passive state. To rest is to actively mediate on His promises, think or dwell on how He is so wonderful, beautiful and awesome. In those moments, He speaks so clearly of His divine nature and care.
Monday, December 7, 2009
A Broad Place
King David speaks of the Lord bringing him into a broad space in 2 Samuel 22:20.
A year ago I vacationed in Rhode Island. It was over twenty years ago when I left my home town of Bristol. I stopped by the homes and schools of my boyhood. Though they remained for the most part untouched by time, they were strangely smaller and over crowded by new developments. While my memories were pleasant, the location and size of these places was disturbing.
In one back yard where I played in the late afternoon was just a mere postage stamp. Long gone was the "wide eyed" view of a child. Everything back then seemed larger, bigger, and brighter.
So what had changed?
It seems life grows more restrictive as we age. Some of us work in gray paneled cubicles, go home to face four walls for the night, ride to and from work in a car or crowded train, and eat around small tables or bump elbows in a cafe. That's where I was while mediating on God's word this afternoon - in a modest cafe, with the noon crowd buzzing in and out of the doors.
Still there is one cherished childhood memory of me laying in an open, grassy field looking heavenward wondering about God. In that moment, there was no sense of fear, temptation, or disease, sorrow or pressing deadlines that would come years later when as a man I would struggle to find an identity and place in the world.
Yes, I recall that open space, how wide and refreshing it felt. It was a broad place, where the clouds sailed past in a warm, lazy current of summer air. The soft breeze felt like the breath of God, whispering in a small, still voice. "Come away with me." Perhaps, King David had the same experience when as a youth he tended sheep in the open fields.
I believe no matter how hard pressed our souls, God brings us to a broad place so we can breath. A place where He pushes back painful barriers, obstacles or hindrances that constrict, imprisons us.
When we invite Him into our most confined places in our heart, much like the fearful disciples following His death, He walks right through walls to meet us with comfort and reassurance. He occupies the space, pushing out the all the walls with His mighty Spirit to make a broad place. A place where He restores our "wide eyed" view and wonder of His immense and vast power and tend care.
A year ago I vacationed in Rhode Island. It was over twenty years ago when I left my home town of Bristol. I stopped by the homes and schools of my boyhood. Though they remained for the most part untouched by time, they were strangely smaller and over crowded by new developments. While my memories were pleasant, the location and size of these places was disturbing.
In one back yard where I played in the late afternoon was just a mere postage stamp. Long gone was the "wide eyed" view of a child. Everything back then seemed larger, bigger, and brighter.
So what had changed?
It seems life grows more restrictive as we age. Some of us work in gray paneled cubicles, go home to face four walls for the night, ride to and from work in a car or crowded train, and eat around small tables or bump elbows in a cafe. That's where I was while mediating on God's word this afternoon - in a modest cafe, with the noon crowd buzzing in and out of the doors.
Still there is one cherished childhood memory of me laying in an open, grassy field looking heavenward wondering about God. In that moment, there was no sense of fear, temptation, or disease, sorrow or pressing deadlines that would come years later when as a man I would struggle to find an identity and place in the world.
Yes, I recall that open space, how wide and refreshing it felt. It was a broad place, where the clouds sailed past in a warm, lazy current of summer air. The soft breeze felt like the breath of God, whispering in a small, still voice. "Come away with me." Perhaps, King David had the same experience when as a youth he tended sheep in the open fields.
I believe no matter how hard pressed our souls, God brings us to a broad place so we can breath. A place where He pushes back painful barriers, obstacles or hindrances that constrict, imprisons us.
When we invite Him into our most confined places in our heart, much like the fearful disciples following His death, He walks right through walls to meet us with comfort and reassurance. He occupies the space, pushing out the all the walls with His mighty Spirit to make a broad place. A place where He restores our "wide eyed" view and wonder of His immense and vast power and tend care.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Favor and the Dread of the Lord
I believe the Lord desires to restore the fear of His name, of His power, and His awesomeness in the body of Christ. How much more of His favor to heal, save, and deliver be manifested in our midst when the fear of the Lord is restored!
The word 'dread' came to my mind in prayer this morning. Dread is not a word we use often. It means to fear greatly, to regard with awe. I reflected on Esther who approached King Ahasuerus which was against the law unless called into his presence. She prepared by fasting and called a prayer meeting for others to intercede. After three days, she put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court. She stood in quiet confidence God had given her, "If I perish, I perish."
I wondered how many times I rushed, hurried and distracted, into the inner courts of the King. I had given no time to prepare my heart and mind by remembering how mighty, holy and awesome is God's presence, that apart from His blood, no one can stand or live.
The Lord reminded me of Isaiah 53:10-12. Could my prayer for evidence in healing (a blessing and favor) was too narrowly focused, perhaps selfish, though I desire His will to be a living demonstration of His power in this body?
The Lord spoke to me that any healing or blessing he does in my life should be a reminder of the cross. It was the Father's pleasure to crush, bruise, and chastise His Son so that "He shall see[the fruit] of the travail of His soul and be satisfied... (Amplified).
It was not for nothing He died so we can have access to this mighty King and make our requests known (I John 3:21-22).
We should be in awe, dread as it were, of the Father's desire to see the Son "prolongs His days and the will and pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in His hands" whenever He heals, saves and blesses us.
The word 'dread' came to my mind in prayer this morning. Dread is not a word we use often. It means to fear greatly, to regard with awe. I reflected on Esther who approached King Ahasuerus which was against the law unless called into his presence. She prepared by fasting and called a prayer meeting for others to intercede. After three days, she put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court. She stood in quiet confidence God had given her, "If I perish, I perish."
I wondered how many times I rushed, hurried and distracted, into the inner courts of the King. I had given no time to prepare my heart and mind by remembering how mighty, holy and awesome is God's presence, that apart from His blood, no one can stand or live.
The Lord reminded me of Isaiah 53:10-12. Could my prayer for evidence in healing (a blessing and favor) was too narrowly focused, perhaps selfish, though I desire His will to be a living demonstration of His power in this body?
The Lord spoke to me that any healing or blessing he does in my life should be a reminder of the cross. It was the Father's pleasure to crush, bruise, and chastise His Son so that "He shall see[the fruit] of the travail of His soul and be satisfied... (Amplified).
It was not for nothing He died so we can have access to this mighty King and make our requests known (I John 3:21-22).
We should be in awe, dread as it were, of the Father's desire to see the Son "prolongs His days and the will and pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in His hands" whenever He heals, saves and blesses us.
Friday, December 4, 2009
Still Waters and Quiet Confidence
This evening I spent time repenting of not being still before God.
So often I told myself not to strive, but all to often I found myself doubling up my efforts... well, not to strive.
This led to greater frustration. In those times, my prayers were clamorous and my worship not peaceable but loud and distracting. All because I refused to rest in God's word.
Isaiah 30:15 tells us that "...in returning and rest shall ye be saved: in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not."(KJV). The temptation is we should try to do just about anything to solve the problem rather than rest on God's promises. Refusal to be still before God is a sin.
I believe God is speaking to His children to rest, to still our hearts and minds. Philippians 4:6-7 tells us not to be anxious, but present our requests to God and His peace will guard our hearts and minds.
Remember Jesus fast asleep in the boat during the storm? When the panic stricken disciples awoke him; He rebuked the storm by saying, "Peace be still."
It's the peace of God that makes us to lie down in green pastures and leads us beside quiet waters (Psalms 23:2). Yes, even in the midst of the storm.
So often I told myself not to strive, but all to often I found myself doubling up my efforts... well, not to strive.
This led to greater frustration. In those times, my prayers were clamorous and my worship not peaceable but loud and distracting. All because I refused to rest in God's word.
Isaiah 30:15 tells us that "...in returning and rest shall ye be saved: in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not."(KJV). The temptation is we should try to do just about anything to solve the problem rather than rest on God's promises. Refusal to be still before God is a sin.
I believe God is speaking to His children to rest, to still our hearts and minds. Philippians 4:6-7 tells us not to be anxious, but present our requests to God and His peace will guard our hearts and minds.
Remember Jesus fast asleep in the boat during the storm? When the panic stricken disciples awoke him; He rebuked the storm by saying, "Peace be still."
It's the peace of God that makes us to lie down in green pastures and leads us beside quiet waters (Psalms 23:2). Yes, even in the midst of the storm.
Moriah - A Sacrifice of Praise
The word worship is first found in Genesis 22:5. The Lord told Abraham to take his son to Moriah and sacrifice him. Centuries later, King David made a sacrificed to stop a plague that killed thousands when he sinned against the Lord by numbering the people. It was in this same place in Moriah that his son Solomon built the temple, a place of worship.
Moriah means chosen or ordained by Jehovah. At some time in our walk with God, he will ask us to go to Moriah. Moriah is not necessarily a place where we surrender our sinful passions, fleshly vices or problems. Rather we surrender the one thing that's very precious in our lives - be a relationship, a promotion, or a dream - all for the sake of obedience.
Peter was asked by Jesus, "Do you love me more than these?" Moriah is the place where we are challenged by sacrificing the precious by saying: "Yes Lord, I love you more - more than this promotion or this relationship or this dream. So I lay it down on the altar even if it costs me everything so I can experience more of Your presence."
As you read through Genesis 22 you find God meets Abraham having tried his heart by providing a lamb. Moriah is a place of provision. A place of trusting God that He has our best interests. Our hearts should always respond with thanksgiving. A sacrifice of true praise!
Moriah means chosen or ordained by Jehovah. At some time in our walk with God, he will ask us to go to Moriah. Moriah is not necessarily a place where we surrender our sinful passions, fleshly vices or problems. Rather we surrender the one thing that's very precious in our lives - be a relationship, a promotion, or a dream - all for the sake of obedience.
Peter was asked by Jesus, "Do you love me more than these?" Moriah is the place where we are challenged by sacrificing the precious by saying: "Yes Lord, I love you more - more than this promotion or this relationship or this dream. So I lay it down on the altar even if it costs me everything so I can experience more of Your presence."
As you read through Genesis 22 you find God meets Abraham having tried his heart by providing a lamb. Moriah is a place of provision. A place of trusting God that He has our best interests. Our hearts should always respond with thanksgiving. A sacrifice of true praise!