Last evening, as the sun sank low in the western sky and the temperature outside started to cool off, I headed out for a run. Everything went as planned, except that I was inspired to push hard and run the last mile as my fastest of the three I ran that evening. That can be tough, but I noticed something interesting that really helped me out: as long as I stayed completely focused on the task at hand, I ran strong and didn't falter. However, the second I let my concentration waver I slowed down.
It is easy to let your thoughts drift while running. I noticed how my shoe was feeling a bit loose, which reminded me that I had just retied it before running. Clearly it shouldn't be loose already. By the time I had processed all of that and then briefly wondered whether I should stop and retie, I noticed that my pace had dropped off considerably. As I picked the pace back up, I prayed for strength to finish strong. That is when God stepped in and let me know He was trying to teach me a lesson.
In life we often find ourselves drifting, sometimes to the point of losing our focus. However, God wants our worship. That is, He wants to be the Center of our world. If we allow ourselves to be distracted by the things of this world, then He cannot work in us and through us as powerfully as if we were fully committed. The choice is ours, but we cannot do this alone.
"For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure" (Philippians 2:13, NKJV, emphasis added). Each and every day, I must invite Jesus into my heart and yield my will to His saving grace. This is what each and every Christian needs to do. We cannot fight in the conflict against evil alone.
Jesus said, "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you" (Matthew 7:7, NKJV). We have the promises of God to give us the assurance that He hears our prayers and will answer them as long as we stay within the Father's will. By yielding our hearts and wills to God, we can strive to always stay within God's will.
Running the race of life with purpose will have some hiccups along the way. Just like my evening jog, things both large and small will come along to distract us from our purpose. Ultimately, that purpose as Christians is to prepare the world for His soon return. Are you ready? Are you encouraging others to be ready? Is your will one with His?
"Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God" (Hebrews 12:1-2, NKJV).
Jesus is both the author and finisher of our faith. We do not have to run alone. So get out there and run the race of life with purpose and endurance. Then we can each say, along with the great apostle Paul, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing" (2 Timothy 4:7-8, NKJV).
On the Mountain Top
Thursday, September 10, 2015
Friday, July 17, 2015
"Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer."
This morning, while out on the creek just after sunrise, I was treated to a special moment when the sun's rays finally began to pierce through the fog and morning shadows. The humidity that lingered in the mountain valley captured the light and lit up in distinct shafts that sliced through an otherwise gloomy forest. This was a special moment because part of my goal on this trip to the mountains was to spend extra time with God. The scene reminded me of a favorite passage in Isaiah 58:6-11.
“Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness, To undo the heavy burdens, To let the oppressed go free, And that you break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; When you see the naked, that you cover him, And not hide yourself from your own flesh? Then your light shall break forth like the morning, Your healing shall spring forth speedily, And your righteousness shall go before you; The glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; You shall cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’ If you take away the yoke from your midst, The pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness, If you extend your soul to the hungry And satisfy the afflicted soul, Then your light shall dawn in the darkness, And your darkness shall be as the noonday. The Lord will guide you continually, And satisfy your soul in drought, And strengthen your bones; You shall be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail."This reminds me a lot of a passage in Matthew 25:31-40. The verses that are particularly relevant are verses 34-36 which says, "Then the King will say to those on His right hand, 'Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.'" Further on, Jesus summarizes the whole principle by saying, "'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me'" (verse 40).
Jesus is explaining how we are called to serve others. As Christians, we should always be seeking to serve. The whole point of these verses is to demonstrate that a life of service is strictly about giving. In each of these examples, it is impossible to have an ulterior motive. None of the people described are capable of giving anything back to the person helping them. No, service is about helping others simply because we have God's great love living in us and that is what life is all about.
Sunday, December 7, 2014
Peace or Tension?
In light of the current tensions in our country, the following quote from my reading tonight seemed especially pertinent.
"No distinction on account of nationality, race, or caste, is recognized by God. He is the maker of all mankind. All men are of one family by creation, and all our one through redemption. Christ came to demolish every wall of partition, to throw open every compartment of the temple courts, that every soul may have free access to God. His love is so broad, so deep, so full, that it penetrates everywhere." PK pp. 369, 370
Sadly, throughout history, we have seen just the opposite from God's people, and even worse often in the name of "religion." What if, instead of seeing others as the world sees them, we were able to see them as God sees them with no distinction between any two people?
There was further encouragement later in the reading.
"Heaven's plan of salvation is broad enough to embrace the whole world. God longs to breathe into prostrate humanity the breath of life. And He will not permit any soul to be disappointed who is sincere in his longing for something higher and nobler than anything the world can offer." PK pp. 377, 378
Right now, the world is offering tension and strife. Thankfully, God is offering peace to all. If only we could all accept each other the way God accept's us, then things would be so much better.
"No distinction on account of nationality, race, or caste, is recognized by God. He is the maker of all mankind. All men are of one family by creation, and all our one through redemption. Christ came to demolish every wall of partition, to throw open every compartment of the temple courts, that every soul may have free access to God. His love is so broad, so deep, so full, that it penetrates everywhere." PK pp. 369, 370
Sadly, throughout history, we have seen just the opposite from God's people, and even worse often in the name of "religion." What if, instead of seeing others as the world sees them, we were able to see them as God sees them with no distinction between any two people?
There was further encouragement later in the reading.
"Heaven's plan of salvation is broad enough to embrace the whole world. God longs to breathe into prostrate humanity the breath of life. And He will not permit any soul to be disappointed who is sincere in his longing for something higher and nobler than anything the world can offer." PK pp. 377, 378
Right now, the world is offering tension and strife. Thankfully, God is offering peace to all. If only we could all accept each other the way God accept's us, then things would be so much better.
Tuesday, August 12, 2014
Waiting
This morning, while reading the story of Joseph, something jumped out at me that I had not noticed before. Oh, I'm sure I've read it many times, but it took on a whole new meaning today. With so many things changing in life right now and not being entirely sure where God will take me next, it is always tough to just be patient and wait on God for things to happen.
For Joseph, things go from bad to worse when, after being sold into slavery in Egypt, he is thrown into jail for something he didn't even do. When he was young and enjoying life as his father's favorite, I'm guessing he didn't see this one coming. Once he is in jail, it quickly becomes obvious that God is with him. In life, we have two options: either we are for God or against Him. The story of Joseph demonstrates without a shadow of doubt that God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
So we see Joseph in jail, but not wallowing in self pity like many of us would do. Instead, he makes himself useful and soon is given charge over all the prisoners because the jailer could see that God was with him. Then Pharaoh's chief butler and baker are thrown into prison "for a while" (Genesis 40:4). Of course, Joseph has no idea that one of these two will ultimately play a large role in helping get him out of jail. When they both have troubling dreams and Joseph interprets for them, the butler and baker have the predictions fulfilled exactly as Joseph had foretold. In gratitude, the butler soon forgets about Joseph. Where we have short memories, God is still working. God's timing was not yet fulfilled and it wasn't until Pharaoh dreamed his own dreams that the butler remembered Joseph and how he had correctly interpreted his dreams (Genesis 41: 9-13) and mentioned it to Pharaoh.
Here is the amazing part of this whole story. This part of the story happens "at the end of two full years" (Genesis 41:1). Imagine if you are Joseph. In interpreting the butler's dream, Joseph had eloquently pleaded with him to "remember me when it is well with you, and please show kindness to me; make mention of me to Pharaoh, and get me out of this house" (Genesis 40:14). If I had been Joseph, I would have been thinking, "just a few more days..." When those days turned into weeks, then months, and eventually years, I would have given up hope of the butler ever doing my a favor. Still, God was ultimately working, keeping Joseph there until it was time to interpret Pharaoh's dream. God brought Joseph out of the prison and elevated him to the Prime Minister of Egypt.
In your life, are you letting God use the difficult times that come along to mold your character? Are you letting Him prepare you for the higher calling He has in store for you? Right now the way forward may not seem obvious. However God has a purpose that He is still working out and whether it is 2 days or 2 years (or how about 40 years like Moses?), God will ultimately lead you where He wants you to be.
For Joseph, things go from bad to worse when, after being sold into slavery in Egypt, he is thrown into jail for something he didn't even do. When he was young and enjoying life as his father's favorite, I'm guessing he didn't see this one coming. Once he is in jail, it quickly becomes obvious that God is with him. In life, we have two options: either we are for God or against Him. The story of Joseph demonstrates without a shadow of doubt that God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
So we see Joseph in jail, but not wallowing in self pity like many of us would do. Instead, he makes himself useful and soon is given charge over all the prisoners because the jailer could see that God was with him. Then Pharaoh's chief butler and baker are thrown into prison "for a while" (Genesis 40:4). Of course, Joseph has no idea that one of these two will ultimately play a large role in helping get him out of jail. When they both have troubling dreams and Joseph interprets for them, the butler and baker have the predictions fulfilled exactly as Joseph had foretold. In gratitude, the butler soon forgets about Joseph. Where we have short memories, God is still working. God's timing was not yet fulfilled and it wasn't until Pharaoh dreamed his own dreams that the butler remembered Joseph and how he had correctly interpreted his dreams (Genesis 41: 9-13) and mentioned it to Pharaoh.
Here is the amazing part of this whole story. This part of the story happens "at the end of two full years" (Genesis 41:1). Imagine if you are Joseph. In interpreting the butler's dream, Joseph had eloquently pleaded with him to "remember me when it is well with you, and please show kindness to me; make mention of me to Pharaoh, and get me out of this house" (Genesis 40:14). If I had been Joseph, I would have been thinking, "just a few more days..." When those days turned into weeks, then months, and eventually years, I would have given up hope of the butler ever doing my a favor. Still, God was ultimately working, keeping Joseph there until it was time to interpret Pharaoh's dream. God brought Joseph out of the prison and elevated him to the Prime Minister of Egypt.
In your life, are you letting God use the difficult times that come along to mold your character? Are you letting Him prepare you for the higher calling He has in store for you? Right now the way forward may not seem obvious. However God has a purpose that He is still working out and whether it is 2 days or 2 years (or how about 40 years like Moses?), God will ultimately lead you where He wants you to be.
Monday, June 9, 2014
Whatever Is True
As Christians, we are called to a higher standard of living. The world around us is constantly bombarding us with distractions to take our eyes off of Jesus. In I Peter 2:9 we are encouraged to live for God. It says, "You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." Later in verses 11 of the same chapter, Peter says, "I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul."
All of this is bringing us to the main point. This morning I read Philippians where we find one of my favorite verses. "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things" (Philippians 4:8). If we are called to be "people belonging to God" and to live as "strangers in the world," shouldn't we live, not as the world encourages us to live but as God is calling us to live? What if we ran all of the entertainment we partake of in life through the test of Philippians 4:8? What if we allowed it to guide our thoughts, our words, and our actions? What would be the result of focusing all aspects of our life on ONLY whatever is true, noble, right, and pure?
We should live our lives in such a way that we show everyone around us that we are "longing for a better country--a heavenly one" (Hebrews 11:16). Most of all, we should all work to hasten the soon coming of Jesus!!!
All of this is bringing us to the main point. This morning I read Philippians where we find one of my favorite verses. "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things" (Philippians 4:8). If we are called to be "people belonging to God" and to live as "strangers in the world," shouldn't we live, not as the world encourages us to live but as God is calling us to live? What if we ran all of the entertainment we partake of in life through the test of Philippians 4:8? What if we allowed it to guide our thoughts, our words, and our actions? What would be the result of focusing all aspects of our life on ONLY whatever is true, noble, right, and pure?
We should live our lives in such a way that we show everyone around us that we are "longing for a better country--a heavenly one" (Hebrews 11:16). Most of all, we should all work to hasten the soon coming of Jesus!!!
Sunday, May 25, 2014
Shine As Stars
One of my favorite verses (okay so I have a lot of them, but I do really really like this one) is found in Hebrews 12:1, 2 which says, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter or our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." This verse is both a formula and a challenge.
The challenge in this verse is the thought that we are surrounded by a "great cloud of witnesses." In other words, the whole Universe is watching the Great Controversy playing out here on our small planet. Around us, each and every day, are people who either don't know the love of God, or have an incomplete view or misunderstanding of the love of God. Our job, as believers, is to share God's love with the world around us. Paul, in 1 Corinthians 13:13 says that, "these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love." In 1 John 4:7 says, "Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God."
So why is this such a challenge? Well, because it is tough to be a witness sometimes. Our human nature does not always desire the things of God. Paul says, in Romans 7:18, 19, "I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do--this I keep on doing." In our sinful nature, it is impossible to be perfect. People will continue to see a distorted view of God in us as long as we are working on our own. Thankfully, Hebrews 12:1, 2 does not end by telling us that everyone is watching us. Instead it goes on and tells us the solution.
"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus." That's it, so simple and yet everyday we try to do things our own way without Him. By fixing our eyes on Jesus, it becomes His Spirit working in us. In that way, all of those witnesses surrounding us will see Jesus in us instead of our human nature with all of it its sinful faults. "But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord," II Corinthians 3:18.
Philippians 2:15 encourages us to "become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe." Today, God is calling each of us to shine for Him to the world around us. We never know who is watching us. If you say you are a Christian, then live it. If you are still on the fence, make a decision for Him today. Time is growing short. Jesus says, "Behold, I am coming soon!" Revelation 22:12. Choose today to be a part of those who Jesus will take to live with Him for eternity.
Let our prayer be the same that Jesus prayed in Gethsemane. "Not my will, but yours be done" oh God (Luke 22:42).
The challenge in this verse is the thought that we are surrounded by a "great cloud of witnesses." In other words, the whole Universe is watching the Great Controversy playing out here on our small planet. Around us, each and every day, are people who either don't know the love of God, or have an incomplete view or misunderstanding of the love of God. Our job, as believers, is to share God's love with the world around us. Paul, in 1 Corinthians 13:13 says that, "these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love." In 1 John 4:7 says, "Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God."
So why is this such a challenge? Well, because it is tough to be a witness sometimes. Our human nature does not always desire the things of God. Paul says, in Romans 7:18, 19, "I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do--this I keep on doing." In our sinful nature, it is impossible to be perfect. People will continue to see a distorted view of God in us as long as we are working on our own. Thankfully, Hebrews 12:1, 2 does not end by telling us that everyone is watching us. Instead it goes on and tells us the solution.
"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus." That's it, so simple and yet everyday we try to do things our own way without Him. By fixing our eyes on Jesus, it becomes His Spirit working in us. In that way, all of those witnesses surrounding us will see Jesus in us instead of our human nature with all of it its sinful faults. "But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord," II Corinthians 3:18.
Philippians 2:15 encourages us to "become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe." Today, God is calling each of us to shine for Him to the world around us. We never know who is watching us. If you say you are a Christian, then live it. If you are still on the fence, make a decision for Him today. Time is growing short. Jesus says, "Behold, I am coming soon!" Revelation 22:12. Choose today to be a part of those who Jesus will take to live with Him for eternity.
Let our prayer be the same that Jesus prayed in Gethsemane. "Not my will, but yours be done" oh God (Luke 22:42).
Saturday, May 3, 2014
A Consuming Fire
"For our God is a consuming fire" (Hebrews 12:29). When you think of fire, what is the first thing you see? Perhaps it is a cheerful campfire with people gathered around in friendship, roasting hotdogs and marshmallows. Others who have lived through the fury that can be a fire may think of whole mountainsides going up in flames or maybe their house being lost. That cheerful campfire can grow large very quickly given the right conditions.
In the Bible, when God is referred to as a consuming fire, the context is quite interesting. The first time we see the words "consuming fire" in the Bible is in Deuteronomy 4:24 where we read that "the LORD your God is a consuming fire; a jealous God." Those last three words are intriguing, and we find more insight if we back up to verse 23 which says "Be careful not to forget the covenant of the LORD your God that he made with you; do not make for yourselves an idol in the form of anything the LORD your God has forbidden." Okay, so it seems that God is fiercely jealous and wants us to always put Him first. Fair enough, but what does He really want from us?
Before we answer that question, let's look at the second of three references in the Bible for the words "consuming fire." This one comes shortly after the first time we read it and is found in Deuteronomy 9:3. Again, the context is important so we need to look at verses 1 and 2 as well. "Hear, O Israel. You are now about to cross the Jordan to go in and dispossess nations greater and stronger than you, with large cities that have walls up to the sky. The people are strong and tall -- Anakites! You know about them and have heard it said: 'Who can stand up against the Anakites?' But be assured today that the LORD your God is the one who goes across ahead of you like a devouring fire. He will destroy them; he will subdue them before you. And you will drive them out and annihilate them quickly, as the LORD has promised you."
If we take a figurative approach to these texts, we can consider Israel in the spiritual sense. In each of our lives, we are called out of Egypt (a life of sin) into a new life with Christ in the Promised Land of Canaan (ultimately Heaven). However, just because we have turned our back on our old ways does not mean that we have arrived at the perfection that Jesus would offer us. Instead, He wants to go before us and root out the sin in our lives. Even when it is not popular and we have an uphill struggle, He will go ahead of us and fight for us. Just as He promised to go before the Israelites and fight for them, so will He go before us and fight our battles today.
So, in the end, it is great news that God is a consuming fire. In Hebrews 12:28, we find what what God wants from us in return. "Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe." It goes on in verse 29 to conclude the thought by saying "for our 'God is a consuming fire.'" The reason that we give God our worship and praise is because of the mighty work He does in our lives. He takes us, puny, sinful human beings, and offers to make us into a new creation. II Corinthians 5:17 says, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" This is fantastic news and this is why we should be praising God and worshipping Him with "reverence and awe."
As we move ever closer to possessing the Promised Land of Heaven, God will go before us and root out those things in our lives that keep us from Him. There are so many distractions in the world around us today, and just as God knew that the heathen people around the Israelites would lead the Israelites astray into idolatry, so God knows that we surrounded by many things that try to keep us from Him. His jealousy is born out of love for us, love so strong that He sent His Son to die for us (John 3:16). In light of the gift He gave us, isn't it a very small thing to give up anything and everything that separates you from Him? Ask God today to come into your life and consume anything that may be separating you from a closer walk with Him.
In the Bible, when God is referred to as a consuming fire, the context is quite interesting. The first time we see the words "consuming fire" in the Bible is in Deuteronomy 4:24 where we read that "the LORD your God is a consuming fire; a jealous God." Those last three words are intriguing, and we find more insight if we back up to verse 23 which says "Be careful not to forget the covenant of the LORD your God that he made with you; do not make for yourselves an idol in the form of anything the LORD your God has forbidden." Okay, so it seems that God is fiercely jealous and wants us to always put Him first. Fair enough, but what does He really want from us?
Before we answer that question, let's look at the second of three references in the Bible for the words "consuming fire." This one comes shortly after the first time we read it and is found in Deuteronomy 9:3. Again, the context is important so we need to look at verses 1 and 2 as well. "Hear, O Israel. You are now about to cross the Jordan to go in and dispossess nations greater and stronger than you, with large cities that have walls up to the sky. The people are strong and tall -- Anakites! You know about them and have heard it said: 'Who can stand up against the Anakites?' But be assured today that the LORD your God is the one who goes across ahead of you like a devouring fire. He will destroy them; he will subdue them before you. And you will drive them out and annihilate them quickly, as the LORD has promised you."
If we take a figurative approach to these texts, we can consider Israel in the spiritual sense. In each of our lives, we are called out of Egypt (a life of sin) into a new life with Christ in the Promised Land of Canaan (ultimately Heaven). However, just because we have turned our back on our old ways does not mean that we have arrived at the perfection that Jesus would offer us. Instead, He wants to go before us and root out the sin in our lives. Even when it is not popular and we have an uphill struggle, He will go ahead of us and fight for us. Just as He promised to go before the Israelites and fight for them, so will He go before us and fight our battles today.
So, in the end, it is great news that God is a consuming fire. In Hebrews 12:28, we find what what God wants from us in return. "Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe." It goes on in verse 29 to conclude the thought by saying "for our 'God is a consuming fire.'" The reason that we give God our worship and praise is because of the mighty work He does in our lives. He takes us, puny, sinful human beings, and offers to make us into a new creation. II Corinthians 5:17 says, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" This is fantastic news and this is why we should be praising God and worshipping Him with "reverence and awe."
As we move ever closer to possessing the Promised Land of Heaven, God will go before us and root out those things in our lives that keep us from Him. There are so many distractions in the world around us today, and just as God knew that the heathen people around the Israelites would lead the Israelites astray into idolatry, so God knows that we surrounded by many things that try to keep us from Him. His jealousy is born out of love for us, love so strong that He sent His Son to die for us (John 3:16). In light of the gift He gave us, isn't it a very small thing to give up anything and everything that separates you from Him? Ask God today to come into your life and consume anything that may be separating you from a closer walk with Him.
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