1.08.2023 | Living in the tension of the day is living in the space between living in this world (Jn 17:11,14, 16; 1Pe 2:11)

Living in the tension of the day is living in the space between living in this world (Jn 17:11,14, 16; 1Pe 2:11) , but being a citizen of another kingdom – that of our flesh feeling at home here, but our spirit, our life (in relationship with the Holy Spirit), desiring God’s will and purposes (Gal 5:17-18).  As our faith is being tested by the suffering of this world – we must come to trust God’s promise that He DOES “work everything for the good of those who love Him and have been called according to those purposes.”   That purpose?  To bring Him glory.  To delight in Him and one another.  The miracle of being conformed into the likeness of Jesus. (Rom 8:28-30)

So here, on earth, we suffer, just as the world suffers – but with hope!  And with that hope comes a witness and testimony of the One who saves us and loves us and has chosen to be seen and known by us. (Gal 2:2)

John 3:16-18 “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but haver eternal life.  17For God did send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but save the world through Him.  18Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believe in the name of God’s one and only son.”

John 14:1,27 “Do not let your heart be troubled: you believe in God, believe in me also… …Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled; do not be afraid.”

John 15:18 “If the world hates you, understand, that it hated me first.”

John 16:32-33 “…Look, and hour is coming… I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.  In this world, you will have trouble.  But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Romans 8:37 “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.”

2Corinthians 2:14 “But thank be to God, who always leads us triumphantly as captives in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of Him.”

So rejoice in your tension, your suffering… the testing of our fidelity, our love and faithfulness, our appreciation and gratefulness for our good Father’s mercy!

Roman 5:1-5 “1Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we a have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. 3Not only so, but we also glory, or rejoice, in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”

James 1:2-5 “2Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, a whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”

 1Peter 1:3-9 “3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, 5who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 6In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”

We Live in the Tension between the Urgency of the Gospel and Being Still and Waiting on the Lord: 2Peter 3(:9); Ps 90; 103

He says, “10Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.  11the Lord almighty is with us” Ps 46:10-11

He also says, “13I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. 14Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” Ps 27:13-14 (Ps 40:1; 31:24; 62:5)

But, in another place He says, 2“In the time of favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I till you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.” 2Cor 6:2 (Ps 69:13; Isa 49:8)

But, there is so much to do…

We, who live in Christ, are living in the tension between the urgency of the now and eternity - the gospel that saves and its fruit - though we join God in His work, it IS His work down in His time. 

In the tension of time-short and time-long demands we remain with God and others in the present.  Living in the present, being present, with God and others, is our practicing a future heavenly truth or condition, it is a taste of eternity with God - when will be in His perpetual presence.

In the meantime… though time is short, and our days are numbered, we must take time to take the time, to be with God and others - in this time is wisdom…

Ps 103: “…show me the number of my days that I might act with wisdom…” 

The peace and patience of perpetual presence are what we experience when we take the time, to spend time, with God in His word.  We will find that it is when we are willing to be still, present - and abide with God, in word and prayer, that we are able to sense God’s presence; further, that we are able to take our practices presence with us in unceasing prayer, as we take this practiced presence with us - His Spirit being ever present in us.

So, while we have time… we are to love as God loves (John 13-14; Eph 5:1-2)

To love as God loves is to love, patiently.  To bear up with one another in love.  To understand that God kindly works in the hearts of men with patience and forbearing - intending His kindness would bring one to repentance. (Romans 2:1-4)

Sometimes, we might struggle in the waiting, being still, trusting His time and timing, being patient with ourselves and others…

In our eagerness, or earnestness, or insistence, when we see someone in sin or peril and we share the truth with them… is this me…?

We want them saved, now

We want them to change, now

We want to see the fruit of our labor, now

That is not ours to determine - we plant and water, to work and toil, we pray and persist, but it is God that causes the growth. 1Corinthians 3:6-7 

“I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow… only God”

When we pray to God “expectantly”  is this me…?

We want the answer, now, and…

We want the answer we want, now

But, God knows best, He is good and wise, and will answer us in His time.

1There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens… 11He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet a no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end… 14I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that people will fear him.  Ecc 3

If yes, what do I need to do to trust God and love patiently?

So it is ours, as we have been loved in God’s time and timing, loved patiently, we now get to love patiently…

We need to understand that God, in His wisdom, takes the time and tack according to the heart of the one on whom He’s working, including our own.

Are we glad that He is patient with us?  Why?

Are we glad that in His wisdom He will deal with us as we are able, according to our person, and the condition of our heart and mind, our faith?  Why?

At the same time, the times are urgent…

There is a verse that says “...as long as it is today…” telling us that there is an urgent need to repent and change, but it is governed by God’s gracious patience and persistence 

This is the tension of the kingdom - the tension that exists between grace and truth, loving kindness and a person’s actual need - it is the tension between “hurry up and wait”

Making the most of each opportunity depends on my being present, now, and being patient with God in the waiting, for Him to do His work, in His time, according to His purposes, and thank God, that He is patient - because His patience, His forbearing, His kindness toward us in this way - means repentance and salvation.  (Ephesians 5)

2Peter 3:1-2

1Dear friends, this is now my second letter to you.  I have written both of them as reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking.  2I want you to recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the command given by our Lord and Savior through your apostles.

2Peter 3:1 “...stimulate you to wholesome thinking”  or genuine understanding, pure and undefiled

• Shed light on, but more than that, to expose to the brilliance of sunlight

• Judged by sunlight, pure, uncontaminated, sincere

• To rightly judge/discern because it is seen in full light - the rays of God’s light - divine clarity provided by the knowledge of God’s truth, word, scriptures, and Spirit - a spiritual vision that results in real insight and discernment - to be able to step back and see the times for what they are and know how to act

Phil 1:9-10 “pray that your love may abound in knowledge and depth of insight”

9And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

• Precise and correct knowledge - a right knowledge of things ethical and divine

• Of Jesus’ nature, dignity, benefits

• Of the one true God that has saved

• As opposed to having forgotten, ignored, not hold onto, and even suppress that knowledge - which would lead them to depravity - Romans 1:28

2Peter 3:3-9  Peter here, goes on to remind us of God and His promises and their fulfillment, to stimulate us to patience and godliness - that we might be a witness and a testimony of God and His grace (1Peter 3)

3Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires.  4They will say, “where is this ‘coming’ Heh promised?  Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.”  5But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water. 6By these same waters also the world of htat time was deluged and destroyed.  7By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.”

Peter is trying to show us here that God’s word is true, what has happened to warn mankind has been done - therefore, be careful not to fall into doubt about what will be - though it seems long in coming, do not be discouraged, but be patient as God is mercifully and graciously patient: 3:8-9

“But do not forget this one thing (let me remind you), dear friends: with the Lord, a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.  9Teh Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness.  Instead, He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” 

…neither, become complacent.  Why?  3:10-11 

“But the day of the of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.  The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done oin will be laid bare.”

As we are called to be patient, to be still and wait upon the Lord…

We eagerly look forward to Jesus’ return, which, ironically, will happen in an instant

But there is a way we are to be as we wait…

How then, should we live?  In the tension of the now and not yet, the peaceable life of one who walks with God in time, while looking to speed His coming  3:11-14

11”Since everything will be destroyed this way, what kind of people out you to be?  You ought to live holy and godly lives 12as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. 12But in keeping with His promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.

So, in the meantime… 

We are called to a holy and peaceable life - this is the testimony of God’s grace in which we live and hope, His peace that transcends understanding (Phil 4).

As, though we live in the tension of time fleeting and time eternal, we, practicing presence with God, can then practice a peaceful and peaceable presence in this world - having our fears and anxieties quelled by the truth of God’s promises being true - that as He has before,  and is doing now, He will do in the future, as He has promised.  

In this knowledge, this truth, we place our sure hope: in His faithfulness in the keeping of His promises (as Peter reminds us).  This is what we look forward to, while we patiently sojourn on this earth today as witnesses to the true knowledge of Jesus, sharing the truth of God’s grace with those we encounter, to speed His promised return. 

“14So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless, and at peace with Him.  15Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation…”

Take some time to work through the following questions…

We embark on the new year, a timestamp, a mark in time, one in which what is done has eternal impact, what will we do with it? I will be live in? Annoying, that our days are short, how will be growing wisdom? For whom shall we pray? And with whom shall we share?

A gift to God and others: eager to do good: Titus 3

God’s gift to us is magnificent!  It is not just the gift of “not death”, but the gift of life - life in Him! (Romans 6:4)

Jesus came to take from us our sins and relieve us of our condemnation - meeting us in our death, He did not come to condemn us but offer us the gift of life, salvation by grace, through faith, and with that,  eternal life. (Jo 3:16-18; 1Pe 1:3-9)

But there’s something else, something we must remember, and rejoice in - that Jesus not only came to take our sins, but then transform us - to give us new life in Him - that by His work His Father, Our Father, would create us as new creatures in Christ (Is 65:17; Ez 36:26; Jo 3:3; 2Co 5:17; Ga 6:15), in fact, we are “created in Christ Jesus to do good works - works prepared in advance for us to do”, works that are not burdensome, but joyful works, works that we are eager to do, that we might please our Father in the heaven.

Titus 2:11-14

11For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

Eager to do good… 

What is it to “offer” our body, that good gift God has given each of us?  It is to work out this glorious salvation we have received and having been transformed, we now live a life of transforming - this is our loving gift to our Father and one another. (Phil 2:12-16)

 …to receive from God His goodness and love and offer it back to Him… by giving to others.  

Romans 12:1-2

1Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

What is it to offer my body? 

First, it is to no longer conform to the patterns of this world. (Rom 8:6; Eph 2:2; 4:17-22; Col 3:5-9)

• Conform - one’s mind and character to; identified with,  having outward shape - similar outward expression by following the same pattern; to fashion oneself

• The thoughts and pursuits of this present time

• No longer live as we did, but to live according to who and Whose we are (Eph 4:25-32; 5:1-2)

To no longer conform to the broken destructive ways of this age, my past life without Him, but to be the very thing He has created us to be - His children, born anew, set apart for Him, to be a witness of His grace, and life in and with Him.

But, that’s not all.  If we are to be aware that it was not just from sin and death that were saved, but toa vibrant transformed life in Him and good and beautiful works with Him, we must not only look at the “do not’s”, but go on to the “do’s”!

We are changed!  We have been transformed: from sin to righteousness; from death to life; from condemnation to celebration!  (Eph 2:1-7)

…but be transformed by the renewing of the mind - truly seeking God’s will and purposes (Eph 2:10; 4:23-24; Col 3:10-17)

• Transformed - metamophoo - having been made new, we are to act, more and more, as new

• Change after being with

• Changing in form keeping with inner reality

• We are no longer of this world (John 17:13-20), but in fact have been transformed, changed, made into something

• Righteous

• Good 

• Beautiful

• It is ours to cooperate with God to allow that beauty to emerge, to become on the outside, what He has created us to be on the inside - like Jesus

This is a great word!  It is the expression of God’s live giving and transforming power.  It is only used 4 times in the NT 

Jesus, the light and life, is transformed to light and glory…

Matthew 17:2 “2There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light.”

Mark 9:2-3 “There he was transfigured before them. 3His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them.”

We are the light, having been transformed from darkness into light, being transformed from glory to glory

2Corinthians 3:18 “18And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his 

image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”

We get to work out our salvation with God to continue that transformation, having been made new, we work with God to realize that newness…  

Romans 12:2 “…be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

This is to God’s glory!  And how do we work this out with God? (Phil 2)

Abiding with God in His word, in loving obedience to it (Jo 14:21; 15:7-17)

Communing with Him in prayer (Mat 6:5-14)

Gathering with the “one another” in the fellowship, serving, edifying, and encouraging one another (1Co 12:7; Heb 10:25)

In service to God and the body, edifying and building up, growing into the “Head”, reaching unity while we live in harmony - that we would be one - the very prayer of Jesus. (Ro 12:11; 1Cor 12; Eph 4:11-16; Phil 2:2; John 17:21-23)

In this way, we are then conformed to the image of Christ - the new creature that we are.  Since we have been changed, we are to be changed - and this is the greatest gift we can give our Father and the Spirit that resides in us (not grieving), and in return for the gift given - the gift we can give back to our brother and savior - Jesus and life in Him.

A Body You Have Prepared for Me - Part 1

Hebrews 10:5 “a body you have prepared for me”. Jesus gave what His Father had given Him, as an offering, Holy and pleasing. Gladly receiving, we gladly give.  Just like God, in and through Jesus. 

Hebrews 10:1-10

Jesus received the body prepared and given to accomplish the will of His Father and offered it as a “living sacrifice” - to come at all - and live a life of perfect willing and wanting obedience to His Father (Isa 61:3-4,8-11; John 6:28; Hebrews 5:1-9; as the Son of God, and as God, in agreement with God - not made to, or coerced, but lovingly and willingly, out of love Hebrews 10:7,11,14) and was not ashamed suffer with us, and thus call us brothers and sisters. (Hebrews 2:9-18)

• Received His body as the gift of His Father’s grace

• Received His body as an instrument of His righteousness 

• Offered His body as a living sacrifice

Philippians 2:2-8 laying down His rights and glory, made, in the likeness of a servant…

Jesus then offered His body for the sake of the bride - expressing His love, by mercy and grace

Jesus, as only He could, gave His body up for death, that His death might mean life - to be raised by His Father who would exert the greatest part of His powerful strength to retrieve His Son from death and grant Him life for us who receive Him. 

Having received life in Him, we now, in thanks, offer our bodies - prepared for us… 

Romans 12:1-2  to receive from God His goodness and love and offer it back to Him… by giving to others.  

1Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

What is it to offer my body? 

To no longer conform to the patterns of this world

To live to give and not to “get”

To be rich toward God; trusting His loving and gracious providence - His faithful provision - Luke 12:13-34

To do the will of the Father, not what pleases my flesh and its desires - Galatians 5:13

To use my body as an instrument of what truly brings joy - to God, our own hearts, and the hearts of others - Galatians 5:22

To make myself an imitator of God, as a dearly loved child, keeping myself pure and unpolluted by the world (Ps 119:1; Mat 5:8; Eph 5:3-14; James 1:27; 3:17) living a life of love and making the most of every opportunity - Ephesians 5:1-2, 15-20

And in the most practical sense, repeating, to repeat Isaiah’s refrain “ here am I send me“ (Isa 6:8)

God is gracious in all things…  His commands are not burdensome… as His giving has enabled us to overcome 1Jo 5:3

God never commands us to do something that He Himself has not done nor does He command something that He has not equipped, enabled, and empowered us to do - and that is to offer ourselves, as living sacrifices - that of placing our bodies on the altar to be used by Him according to His good will, His wise purposes, His good pleasure - which is always good. 

1John 5:2-5 2This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. 3In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, 4for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.

Philippians 2:13 “...it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.”

With gratefulness for God’s mercy, we are offering our bodies, not for the removal and remission of sin, as Jesus did, but, in view of His mercy, with thanksgiving, now offer our bodies, gladly and joyfully, because our sin has been removed, and now -  given the privilege to serve the almighty God, our Father, as His beloved children and bring to Him glory - give ourselves to Him and one another. (Matt 5:16; Jo 15:8; 1Pe 2:12).

1Corinthians 12:4-7, 11-27 Unwrapping the gift of God’s making…  I, coming to appreciate what God has made me be, what gifts He has given me by His wise and loving grace, must work to discover and receive the gifts within the gift and be grateful for, and find pleasure in, those gifts, and satisfaction in using that gift to build up others - my/our siblings, to our Father's joy - giving as my Father gives - generously 

• Luke 6:38 “38Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

• 2Corinthians 9:6-8 “whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.  7Each of you should give (when you are prompted to give)… not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.  8And God is able to bless you abundantly so that in all things, at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work…  …enriching you in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion… that it might result in thanksgiving to God.”

• Proverbs 23:24 “The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice; a man who fathers a wise child rejoices in Him

• 2John 1:4-5 “3It gave me great joy when some believers came and testified about your faithfulness to the truth, telling how you continue to walk in it.  4I have no greater joy than to hear my children are walking in the truth…, 5…you are faithful in what you are doing for the brother and sisters even though they are strangers to you.” (3John 1:4)

A body “you” prepared for me… and gifts you have given me… 

The gifts within the gift… and the giving of those gifts given

What talents and gifts have God given me?  How might I dedicate them to God’s honor and the building up of others?  What is one thing I can do to bless the person here with me now to bless, encourage, and build up with the gifts and talents I have been given?

What am I doing to cultivate those talents and gifts?  What am I doing as regular expression of my gifts to build up the body of Christ (here at mosaic)?

To whom am I “re-gifting” those gifts?

Where God Meets Me: In the Secret Place, in the Quiet

One of the greatest gifts we can give during this season is the dignity of meeting someone without fanfare, just taking the time to be present, and finding delight in that moment together. 

That doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy a party, find joy in giving and receiving gifts, and delight in the presence of the many. It is to say, that, even in those settings, often, the most satisfying moments are not the party itself, but the conversations that occur with the one in the midst of the party.

Jesus enjoyed a party… (Mk 2:15; Lu 5:29-30; Jo 2:1-12)  

But, just as often, we see that Jesus went away to be alone with His Father - in the secret.  In fact, it would seem, that so secret was Jesus' prayer life, and yet so impactful, that His disciples had to ask Him to teach them to pray.

Where it is that God meets me, is in the secret place, in the quiet, it is there where makes His presence known when He whispers…

1Kings 19:11-13 “11The Lord said, ‘Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.  Then a great and powerful wind tore the mounts apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind.  After the wind, there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire.  And after the fire came a gentle whisper.  13When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went and stood at the mouth of the cave.  Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

Ps 46:10 in the midst of the turmoil… “Be still and know that I am God…” 

Ps 139:1-8 in the secret place…

This is where He blesses (each one of) us, with His presence - in the most personal and impactful way.

If this is how God meets us…

How are we to go about, His business?  It is recognizing that we are to make every effort to choose what is best over what is good, what is most important over what is important - first, Him and His presence, engaging with Him throughout our day, and then, what we do, those good works He has for us - but then to see that it is not just what we do, but also the way we do what we do.  

1Cor 13:1-3 that everything we do is with love

1Pe 3:18 “...with gentleness and respect…” 

Galatians 6:1-10 “...to restore people gently…, to carry another’s burdens…, to act humbly…, not wearying in doing good… but doing good to all people, especially the brotherhood.” 

So, let’s ask this question: Where does God meet me?  Is it not in the quietness of my mind, the stillness of my heart, the sensitivity of my conscience, in the pleasure and satisfaction of my soul and spirit?

It is so often in the quiet that I find God and the gift of His peace, the whisper of His voice, feel the gentle touch of His hand, that I sense the smile of His pleasure and delight.

Even in the midst of worship, surrounded by God’s people, it is in the recesses of my heart that I experience the joy of His presence.

This is dignity, this is the way of God.  It is why when we are going a mile-a-minute we lose touch with everything and everyone, including God, and, I even lose myself, and, what is most important to me - peace, quiet satisfaction, real and true presence with those I love and hold dear. 

And often, if my life is constantly moving at breakneck speed, I may not even know or realize what I am missing!  It is in the anxious and worried mind, the busied, hurried heart that I find I miss, everything.  Especially, being able to be conscious of others and their needs, and even God, Himself. 

Sure, it seems, that publically, God lets His works speak for Him…

Ps 19:1-4 “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.  2Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.  3they have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them.  4yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.”

But when He interacts with His children, it seems it is most profoundly in the secret place, in the quiet. 

Do we realize… 

…what a privilege it is to be “singled out”, to be so desired, so honored, so cared for, and protected, that He, our Father, the gentle and considerate Holy Spirit, would not air our dirty laundry, or any laundry, out in public, but would esteem us enough, to keep it between us, me and Him?  That we can be confident, that the only way my stuff gets out, is if I foolishly air it, or someone sins against me by breaking a confidence, sharing a secret, or gossips about, or slanders me, or melodiously repeats something to others…  

It is no wonder God detests lips, tongues, and mouths that destroy and separate 

• Prov 6:16-19 “...a lying tongue…, a false witness who gives false testimony and one who stirs up discord (dissension) among brothers.” (Lev 19:16; Pr 11:13; 12:17; 14:5; 16:28; 17:4,9; 19:5, 9; 21:28; 25:23; 26:20; Ro 1:29; 2Co 12:20; 1Tim 3:11; 3Jo 1:10)

Man, am I glad that…

…when God confronts or convicts me, very often, most often, it is in the quiet private place of my soul, my mind, my spirit.  And even if He should use another, His way is for that to be done in private, away from the peering eyes of others, alone. (Jo 21; Matt 18:; Gal 6; 1Pe 4)

Will I do unto others, what God does for me…?

How then, am I to act, even toward others? The way God acts toward me - in the secret. 

Matthew 6:1-18

When you “do” your acts of righteousness, kindness, and goodness… do them as God has done for you, with you: stop, move slowly and quietly,  turn, look, esteem… 

When you pray… realize God is esteemed, He delights in our presence, He relishes our time in the quiet, together. He is there and affirming and rewarding 

And when you fast… seek satisfaction in God and god alone.  it is here we make the effort to remove all impediments that stand between us and our experience our Father’s unadulterated presence, where we declare our deepest desire to know Him more and to find our deepest satisfaction in and with Him - being willing to lay aside our own comfort to better and more deeply commune with our Father, in Christ, by the guiding grace of the Holy Spirit - because I am quiet, meeting Him in the secret, I can sense His presence, hear His voice, and know, Him. 

John 8:12 “I am the light of the world"

John 8:12 “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” “(Jo 1:4; 3:19; 12:46)

“I am the Light of the world”  illuminating, lighting the darkness, dawning upon the hearts of men to reveal to them their condition - this is an act of mercy and grace - the giving of light as a gift to mankind to make them aware of their need - God is good, He desires for us our good, and is willing and wanting to reveal to us those things that have separated us from Him - our sin - in contrast to His righteousness expressed by His love and service…, “...love one another, as I have loved you…” (John 14)

Jesus then said something that was very important for us to grasp “While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” John 9:5.  We might take that as, “...and when I leave, you will be the light of the world”

Matthew 5:14-16 14“You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden. 15No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house.s 16In the same way, let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” 

Having been lit by Jesus, with/by His righteousness and goodness, those around us will see our works and be able to discern whose we are, by what we do and for whom, how we do it, and with what attitude - realizing that everything begins with our attitude (our mindset toward someone or something and that we will treat someone as we think about them) and attitude is everything!

• Descrinarily or blindly (Mat 5:38-48; Acts 10:34; Ro 12:9-21; Ja 2:1-13; 3:17)

8If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. 9But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. 

• Begrudgingly or gladly (2Cor 9:6-8)

6Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9As it is written:  “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.”

• Stingily or generously with cheer, without thought of cost. (Prov 23:6-7; 28:22) 

6Do not eat the food of a begrudging host, do not crave his delicacies;  7for he is the kind of person who is always thinking about the cost. “Eat and drink,” he says to you, but his heart is not with you.

8You will vomit up the little you have eaten and will have wasted your compliments.

• Keeping a distance or showing hospitality without grumbling (Heb 13:2; 1Pe 4:9)

1Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. 2Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.

Luke 6:38 “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

1Cor 12:7-4-11

How do we illuminate?  Remembering whose we are and living accordingly (Eph 4:1; 5:1-2).  Recognizing that we are one - one body - bringing forward our gifts for the common good…

1Corinthians 11:17-34 being mindful that we are inter-related, belonging to one another, called to be one, as one body, with one mind, one spirit, and one purpose - the many coming together as one to express Jesus’ love, mercy, and grace - as we have received it we are to give it - together.  How we love and serve one another, how we treat one another, live out our faith with one another, and work through our differences with one another - working through our opinions, our own agendas, our own ambitions, to a place of mutual submission (Eph 5), harmony, and appreciation of what each and every one of us brings. 

20I am not asking on behalf of them alone, but also on behalf of those who will believe in Me through their message, 21that all of them may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I am in You. May they also be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me. 

What are my attitude about others and their needs?  What is my attitude about what is “mine”?  How tightly do I hold onto what is mine and why?  What is my attitude about giving to others?  How do I perceive others who are different from me?  How quickly do I form an opinion of others at first glance?  What do I need to do to look past someone’s appearance or differences to be able to see the person they are and treat them like Jesus would have me?  What might I need to do to change my mindset as to how I see, think about, and treat others? (see: Romans 12:1-3, 9,1316,; Hebrews 4:12-13) 

Sunday, November 27th - First Sunday of Advent Reading (Hope)

Sunday, November 27th - First Sunday of Advent Reading (Hope)

What is Advent?

Advent is a season running through the month of December in which Christians look back to the Incarnation of Jesus Christ, when the Son of God became a man for our sake, and we look forward to his coming return. In setting apart time to focus on parts of Christ’s life throughout the year (Lent, Easter, Advent, and Christmastime), we orient our lives, not around our business calendars, or sports calendars, but around the life-giving life of Christ who though being God, humbled himself and took on flesh and blood for our sake, to cleanse us from our sin and reconcile us back to God. To deliver us from the domain of darkness and bring us into the Kingdom of Light and Life in God. 

This season encourages us to do some self-examination as we ponder the coming of God in Christ, in the flesh, born in Bethlehem. We were created to live with God, towards God, and for God and our hearts will remain restless until we find rest in Him, as the early church Father Augustine says. Our desire this season is to work together to quiet our hearts, to let the Spirit of God convict us, comfort us, and call us toward Christ. To prepare him room in our hearts, and to orient our lives around him finding the hope, joy, peace, and the eternal fullness of life God has given us through Jesus.

As a means of doing that, each week we will read some scripture and light a candle. As Advent continues and we near the celebration of Christ’s coming, the light of the candles will grow. This week, we are reflecting on the hope of God, who promised from the very beginning to redeem and rescue us. This candle, as it burns, reminds us of the confidence and hope we should have in this and every season, as we look back to the fulfillment of God’s promises in the coming of Christ and then look forward to the return of Christ prophesied in the New Testament. Our God who has promised is faithful.

Join me in reflecting on the prophecy found in scripture.

Reading Isaiah 9:2;6-7

The people walking in darkness

    have seen a great light;

on those living in the land of deep darkness

    a light has dawned.

For to us a child is born,

    to us a son is given,

    and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called

    Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Of the greatness of his government and peace

    there will be no end.

He will reign on David’s throne

    and over his kingdom,

establishing and upholding it

    with justice and righteousness

    from that time on and forever.

The zeal of the Lord Almighty

    will accomplish this.

Prayer

Lord God, many things are pulling for our attention as we enter this Advent season. For some of us, our days are filled to the brim with friends and family, for others work consumes much of our life, for those of us who are young anticipation for gifts crowds our hearts and minds, and for those of us who are aging, our joy and hope is mixed with grief as we consider those who aren’t around this year. 

You are not shocked by any of this. Would you meet us where we are and lead us deeper into your truth so that we might know and believe you are near? That you sent your son to be God with us, not once a long time ago, but once and for all.

Help us to make room in our hearts and minds to see and savor your Son this Advent season. Comfort the afflicted, counsel the confused, convict the consumed. Glorify your name in our hearts and lives. May all the glitz and glam, hustle and bustle, desire and longing, aches and pains draw our hearts more fully to you.

We ask these things in Jesus' name,
Amen.

Christ, we have been given much, not for us to keep, but to give 1Co 12

In Christ, we have been given much - eternal life in Jesus, the beautiful simplicity of our faith - we are righteous in Christ by the grace of God and faith in His love - Jesus’ person and work (on the cross).

Now, being made children of God, we get to be imitators of God!  What we are, children of God, is in Jesus, by God’s generous gift of grace through Jesus (Jo 1:12-13; 3:5-8; Ro 8).  With what we are given as God’s children, we can now be generous as our Father is generous (Eph 4:7-8,11-16) what we are privileged to do is to imitate our Father as dearly loved children (Eph 5:1-2), living too as He does, a life of love and to act on that love for the common good - of one another - as Jesus loves us, we are to love one another.  

So, being made in God’s image and likeness, and now created in Jesus, as God is to Himself, love, and it overflows to us, so we are to be with one another so that our love might too, overflow to others. (1Thes 3:12-13)

What does this privilege look like?  To love, serve, and bless, with all that we have been made to be - the image and likeness of God, and are being given as children of God to express that love - we are called to live and love according to our making and our being created in Jesus for obedience and good works and do those works with all that we have been given - loving God and one another, as ourselves.  (1Pet 1:2; James 2:14-26; 1Jo 3:17)

1Corinthians 12:1- 13:4

1Corinthians 12:1-3 Who, what, is, the body?  Those with the Spirit, who proclaim and see and treat Jesus as Lord. (Ps 45:6-7; John 13:13-14; Heb 1)

1Cor 12:4-6 How is the body assembled?  In the image and likeness of the Godhead as They are assembled: 1 God made up of 3 unique and distinct Persons working in harmony, by honor and mutual submission, with one mind, spirit, and purpose - and this for the common good - His and ours. Remember, God commands us to do the very things He does, and works in us to do them. (Ep 5:15-21; Phi 1:6; 2:1-16; Ro 12:16; 1Co 1:10; Pe 3:8)

1Cor 12:7-11 Just like God, we too are assembled together as 1 body with many unique and distinct parts working together in harmony, by honor and mutual submission, with one mind, spirit, and purpose - and this for the common good - God’s and one another’s.

1Cor 12:12-20 How we reflect God’s divine and loving community - image and likeness - each of us being a wonderfully unique and distinct part of the body, arranged just as God would have it, to do the very things He is creating us each to be together within the body that He is assembling to reflect His glory and goodness. (Ep 2:8-10;4:1-16; 1Pe 2:4-5, 9-10) 

1Cor 12:21-26 blessed mutuality - seeing and treating one another with respect and honor, value and significance, esteeming one another, even as better than self - each one as essential.  Again, just like God acts toward Himself, so we are to act toward one another. 

1Cor 12:27-30 this is the order of the body for God’s glory and the body’s good - each acting, serving, humbly for the sake of Christ and His body - one another. (Matt 20:20-28; 23:11-12; Mark 9:30-37; 10:43-44; Luke 22:24-27; Jo 13:12-17)

 1Cor 12:30-13:1, 4 …and here is how the body of Christ functions in the most excellent way - when it loves and esteems one another as (like) God does. (Lev 19:18,34; Jo 13:34; 15:12-13-17; 17:21; Ro 12:10; 13:8,10; 1Jo 2:8-10; 3:14-18,23)

And this is so important…

As in the Trinity, the divine Community, where no One is greater than the other, so it is with us. Just as in God, each one of us is unique and distinct, given places, roles, and responsibilities to accomplish, with gifts given by Him to each one of us, according to His glorious goodness and infinite wisdom, to accomplish the work that He has saved us for, those good works that He’s prepared in advance for us (each and everyone) to do - just as He has made us and is creating us in Christ Jesus, each one, esteemed by God, called, justified, sanctified, and glorified. (Rom 8:29-31; Heb 2)

As Aaron reminded us that we should continue to take into account:

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?

Some of us are endowed with gifts that will cause us to do much and suffer much for the sake of the Kingdom like Paul. We must be content with this.

Others of us are endowed with gifts that will cause us to live largely unnoticed, quiet lives of faithfulness to God known only by God and those blessed to know us. We must be content with this.

Remember! One is not greater than the other. We are all called, justified, sanctified, and glorified through the Son of God and Man himself - Jesus Christ. We are called to pour ourselves out for God. Let Him decide when and if to raise us up. Do not revere the talented, because he is talented. Revere him because he is faithful. Do not revile the quiet, faithful, background workers because they are not outspoken and loud. Instead, honor both because of their faithfulness to Christ. Do not fixate on your recognition or platform. Instead, glory that God has blessed you, and take joy in the work he has apportioned to you. Whether or not anyone ever knows you’ve done it.

THINK & PRAY: 

What & who has God given to me to steward? What opportunities are available to me?

What would it look like to live as if God was the kind of God who loved to bless faithfulness, who produces growth out of nothing, and who has called us to be faithful and fruitful? What would I do differently?

DO:

Repent of any lethargy or laziness in being faithful to what God has given you. Confess your sin, and accept Christ’s forgiveness. Set aside your guilt and shame and false ideas about yourself so that you can follow Christ faithfully into what he’s calling you to as a Child of God, confident that he is faithful.

After praying through these things and repenting, list out what actions you will take to better invest your time, talents, and resources on behalf of the Kingdom. Not goals. Actions. What changes for you moving forward and why? If you must tell someone, make sure they’re willing to check in on your progress and join you in your efforts to faithfully serve.

A Living Faith: The Function of Faith is Fruitfulness | Matthew 25:14-30, James 2:14-26, Galatians 6:1-10

Read: Matthew 25:14-30

• The first challenge this verse presents us works against our very idea of what it means to be a person in the 21st century. This verse tells us a few things:

  • We aren’t the master in charge of our lives.

  • Our resources (time, talent, treasure, jobs, families, etc) aren’t ours. 

  • There is an expectation of a return on God’s investment.

    • But God is the kind of God who can gather where he hasn’t scattered.

    • God desires to see his Kingdom spread and will work to ensure our faithfulness if fruitful. We cannot fail so long as we pursue faithfulness.
      
      

• The second challenge this verse presents us with is that some of us are more talented and capable than others and God expects a proportionate response to our capabilities. 

  • The Apostle Paul was a well-known, talented, intelligent, multi-national, theological heavyweight. Many of us can list out several of his deeds.

    • But who can tell me what the Apostle Philip did?

      • His main ministry act was bringing Nathaniel (another Apostle) to Jesus.

      • We can make some assumptions about what Philp did with his life, based on his role as an Apostle but ALL of his work post-resurrection is known only to those he ministered to and God himself.

  • What does this mean?

    • Some of us are endowed with gifts that will cause us to do much and suffer much for the sake of the Kingdom like Paul. We must be content with this.

    • Others of us are endowed with gifts that will cause us to live largely unnoticed, quiet lives of faithfulness to God known only by God and those blessed to know us. We must be content with this.
      
      

  • Remember! One is not greater than the other. We are all called, justified, sanctified, and glorified through the Son of God and Man himself - Jesus Christ. We are called to pour ourselves out for God. Let Him decide when and if to raise us up. Do not revere the talented, because he is talented. Revere him because he is faithful. Do not revile the quiet, faithful, background workers because they are not outspoken and loud. Instead, honor both because of their faithfulness to Christ. Do not fixate on your recognition or platform. Instead, glory that God has blessed you, and take joy in the work he has apportioned to you. Whether or not anyone ever knows you’ve done it.

Think & Pray: 

• What & who has God given to me to steward? What opportunities are available to me?

• What would it look like to live as if God was the kind of God who loved to bless faithfulness, who produces growth out of nothing, and who has called us to be faithful and fruitful? What would I do differently?

Do:

• Repent of any lethargy or laziness in being faithful to what God has given you. Confess your sin, and accept Christ’s forgiveness. Set aside your guilt and shame and false ideas about yourself so that you can follow Christ faithfully into what he’s calling you to as a Child of God, confident that he is faithful.
  
  

• After praying through these things and repenting, list out what actions you will take to better invest your time, talents, and resources on behalf of the Kingdom. Not goals. Actions. What changes for you moving forward and why? If you must tell someone, make sure they’re willing to check in on your progress and join you in your efforts to faithfully serve.

Read: James 2:14-26

• Genuine Faith is Fruitful. Ja 2:14-17
  
  

• Motion =/= Faithfulness.

  • It is possible to be doing very much that seems to be good, but is motivated by something other than faith in Christ. Even to do what God calls good, but not out of an overflow of communion with him. “You have faith; I have deeds.” Ja 2:18
    
    

• Rahab teaches us that small faithful acts, are not unseen by God.

  • She’s a prostitute.

  • She encounters the people of God and believes in God.

  • She sneaks out the Israelites who came in to spy before taking over her city.

  • She’s credited as righteous.

  • Faithfulness =/= the amount of action we take, but instead is the fruit of rightly seeing and believing God. The first step to faithful living is seeing God. The next step is living as if you’ve actually seen him.

Think & Pray:

• Have I recently settled into some spiritual coasting?
  
  

• How is my faith working itself out into the world?
  
  

• Pray through the motivations behind your actions. Don’t fall into navel-gazing. Endlessly questioning yourself isn’t a spiritual gift. Simply take some time and prayerfully reflect on your daily/weekly/monthly life and assess what you’re doing in response to spending time with God and what you’re doing out of some other ambition.
  
  

• Grab a spouse, a friend, a mentor or a pastor and ask them for honest feedback on your life. Where might you be blind to some sin that needs tending to or some slack in your walk? Peter tells us that it’s possible to be blinded by our sin, to not even see areas of blindness we possess. We need others to be faithful Christian men and women, teenagers, and children. 

Do:

• Again, make a list of actions you will take over the coming days, weeks, and months to align your life with the reality that God has called you to be fruitful. He has called you to sink your roots deeply into the Wellspring of Life and to take that nourishment and produce fruit of righteousness. Assess where God has you and make a plan trusting God to bless you as he sees fit.

Read: Galatians 6:1-10

Growing weary…

That’s a lot of “doing.” How do we do all that doing without overdoing it?

Hope in Christ.

He who is promised is faithful.

Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven where moth and rust can not destroy.

Settle your heart in Christ.

He says “Come to me all who are weary and I will give you rest.”

Know and be known by your fellow Christians. Open up your home. Open up your life. Let people in. Let God’s people in. Be inconvenienced for their sake. Let them be inconvenienced for your sake.

But then they will see beyond the act I put on at Church, or work, or out in public?!

Exactly.

You who are spiritual or who live by the Spirit, restore them gently but watch yourself unless you’re tempted. Carry each other’s burdens.

In this way you WILL fulfil the law of Christ.

The Christian life is not a solo act.

You will grow weary if you’re doing it alone.

You will fall into sin and temptation and perhaps be blinded by it.

You will forget the rich mercy, grace, and provision of God if you go it alone.

You will miss the trees for the forest, and get caught up in zeal not birthed from Christ if you do not have guardrails in your life. 

• Who are they? 

• What access do they have to your life? 

• Who have you let in?

Perhaps the most important thing you can do today is two-fold.

Believe in Christ & throw yourself into his body.

Will you get hurt? Possibly.
But you’ll get hurt alone as well.

Will you hurt others? Almost certainly.

But no grievance you could cause is greater than the forgiveness made available to you through the Cross of Christ.

Will you have to set aside some personal dreams and visions? Possibly.

But everything offered to Christ is raised to life eternally.

Will you have to fight your flesh to do things God has called you to do for the sake of others? Absolutely.

Will you suffer more? Possibly. Paul certainly did. And yet it was Paul who said:
“And if we are children, then we are heirs: heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with Him, so that we may also be glorified with Him. I consider that our present sufferings are not comparable to the glory that will be revealed in us.” Romans 8:17-18

Because of the cross, all of your suffering for the sake of the Kingdom is not wasted. Not one tired night goes unnoticed. All of it will be taken up into the hands of God and used to bring about the eternal Kingdom of God.

Your master has given you talents and gifts. Spend them. Go to bed exhausted and content.

Invest it all because you know he’s the kind of master who reaps where he doesn’t sow.

Pour out your life as you are filled up with the fullness of Christ. Let your life be a fruitful offering to God, an overflow of abiding in Him.

Do not grow weary.

He who has promised is faithful, Hebrews tells us. If you are weary or stuck in sin and alone, open up. Invite others in. If you are satisfied and content, open up your heart and your door and invite others in, humbly and graciously. This is what it means to live a fruitful life. To live as if God formed us, Christ rescued us and the Spirit empowers us. Don’t leave anything on the field and fall into the arms of Christ. He has redeemed us. He is sustaining us. And he will use it all for his glory and our joy forever. Amen?

Fighting the Current

Read

Isaiah 55:6-9 ESV

“Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

Reflect

MAIN IDEA: Rightly understanding God’s heart enables us to swim upstream in a downstream world (to fight the current).

• Defining the Current (2 Corinthians 10: 3-5; Genesis 3:1-8)

• Fighting the Current (Isaiah 55:6-9)

1. Return (Verses 6-7a)

2. Response (Verse 7b)

3. Reason (Verses 8-9)

Respond

Questions For Individual Or Group Study

1. What do you think comes to God's mind when He thinks about you? What do you think He feels when He thinks about you?

2. What lies regarding God’s heart do you need to turn from?

3. What truths regarding God’s heart do you need to turn toward?

4. What will look different in your life as your turn from lies to truth regarding God’s heart?