Thursday, July 2, 2009
Worship and His Presence
As I was reading through chapter 3 of A.W. Tozer's book, the Pursuit of God, something stuck out to me that has never really hit me before. I've read this book many times and each time the LORD highlights something in my heart from what Tozer wrote.
There are so many cliches and presuppositions out there concerning worship and to even tackle them would be a never-ending task. However, there is a mindset that I want to point out that could have us missing out on so much. What I think we're missing out on is His Presence.
The words of Tozer that got me thinking were:
Can you imagine being a part of the temple? Especially when the Presence of God would come down in such a way you couldn't even stand? I don't know about you, but that would be quite thrilling and amazing!
But I wonder how often it might have become commonplace? How often did they just go through the motions? Or how often did they do the things of worship... even with a right heart, yet they stopped short of entering the Presence?
The truth of the matter is what they were doing was the extent of their worship. They didn't each individually have the opportunity to enter His presence after engaging in their method of worship, because only one man, once a year could enter the Most Holy Place. So ultimately, they did everything they could do.
But with us, the veil has been torn. IT HAS BEEN TORN. It no longer exists. Yet how often do we worship, we do all we know to do, even with the right heart and we still miss His Presence all together. Is that possible? Sure it is. I think it's even possible that we can come to a place where we enjoy worship... and think that in that is the Presence of God.
This post was not intended to give a solution, but more so spur you on in your pursuit. Could it be that we've capped our worship experience at the point of where we think or feel we've reached the end... but really His Presence is just around the corner?
There are so many cliches and presuppositions out there concerning worship and to even tackle them would be a never-ending task. However, there is a mindset that I want to point out that could have us missing out on so much. What I think we're missing out on is His Presence.
The words of Tozer that got me thinking were:
"The interior journey of the soul from the wilds of sin into the enjoyed presence of God is beautifully illustrated in the Old Testament tabernacle. The returning sinner first enter the outer court where he offered a blood sacrifice on the brazen altar and washed himself in the laver that stood near it. Then he passed through a veil into the holy place where no natural light could come, but the golden candlestick which spoke of Jesus, the Light of the World, threw its soft glow over all. There also was the shewbread to tell of Jesus, the Bread of Life, and the altar of incense, a figure of unceasing prayer.Though the worshiper had enjoyed so much, still he had not yet entered the presence of God."
Can you imagine being a part of the temple? Especially when the Presence of God would come down in such a way you couldn't even stand? I don't know about you, but that would be quite thrilling and amazing!But I wonder how often it might have become commonplace? How often did they just go through the motions? Or how often did they do the things of worship... even with a right heart, yet they stopped short of entering the Presence?
The truth of the matter is what they were doing was the extent of their worship. They didn't each individually have the opportunity to enter His presence after engaging in their method of worship, because only one man, once a year could enter the Most Holy Place. So ultimately, they did everything they could do.
But with us, the veil has been torn. IT HAS BEEN TORN. It no longer exists. Yet how often do we worship, we do all we know to do, even with the right heart and we still miss His Presence all together. Is that possible? Sure it is. I think it's even possible that we can come to a place where we enjoy worship... and think that in that is the Presence of God.
This post was not intended to give a solution, but more so spur you on in your pursuit. Could it be that we've capped our worship experience at the point of where we think or feel we've reached the end... but really His Presence is just around the corner?
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Titus 3: Not Good Enough
Consider: Titus 3
If you haven't gotten it already, you're not good enough. You're just not. I'm not either. None of us are. If we were than Jesus' death would have been pointless. It seems so often we try, try and keeping trying to prove something to God that we're good enough to get into heaven, but the fact is, we're not.
In Titus 3: 5-6, this is what Paul says about not being good enough:
"He saved us, not because of the good things we did, but because of His mercy. He washed away our sins and gave us a new life the Holy Spirit. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us because of what Jesus Christ our Savior did."
Check out a few bits from that passage:
It doesn't say "He sparingly poured out His Spirit"... or "once we got our act together, He poured out His Spirit"... no. It says He generously poured out His Spirit because of Jesus and what He did for us.
Today, rest in the fact that you're not good enough. May be an odd way to look at it, but it's the truth.
If you haven't gotten it already, you're not good enough. You're just not. I'm not either. None of us are. If we were than Jesus' death would have been pointless. It seems so often we try, try and keeping trying to prove something to God that we're good enough to get into heaven, but the fact is, we're not.
In Titus 3: 5-6, this is what Paul says about not being good enough:
"He saved us, not because of the good things we did, but because of His mercy. He washed away our sins and gave us a new life the Holy Spirit. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us because of what Jesus Christ our Savior did."
Check out a few bits from that passage:
- He saved us, not because of the good things we did
- It's all because of His mercy
- He generously poured out His Spirit on us because of Jesus
It doesn't say "He sparingly poured out His Spirit"... or "once we got our act together, He poured out His Spirit"... no. It says He generously poured out His Spirit because of Jesus and what He did for us.
Today, rest in the fact that you're not good enough. May be an odd way to look at it, but it's the truth.
Friday, June 26, 2009
2 Timothy 2: Challenges
Consider: 2 Timothy 2
This entire chapter is one of challenge. Paul doesn't beat around the bush, he gets straight to the point with Timothy and he encourages him in his faith and relationship with God.
First Challenge:
2 Timothy 2: 4 - "And as Christ's soldier, do not let yourself become tied up in the affairs of this life, for then you cannot satisfy the One who has enlisted you in His army."
How plain and simple is that? So often we allow things of this life to entangle our hearts. Notice Paul didn't use the normal Christian cliche of just "keeping God first". He said if we got focused and distracted by this life, we then could not truly satisfy Jesus. It's more than just trying to keep God first but actually living your life so that you are satisfying the heart of God.
Second Challenge:
2 Timothy 2:10 - "I am willing to endure anything if it will bring salvation and eternal glory in Christ Jesus to those God has chosen."
Again, a plain and simple challenge. Paul is letting Timothy know of his suffering for the Gospel, yet he is making sure Timothy knows that it is worth it!
Is it worth it to us? We barely know what suffering is here in America because of our freedoms. Would you be willing to endure anything?
Third Challenge:
2 Timothy 2:19 - "Those who claim they belong to the LORD must turn away from all wickedness."
Where do we even get the idea that sinning is OK for Christians? I've heard many believers talk of since Jesus has forgiven all of our sins for all time then it doesn't matter what we do after we believe. Need I remind you that out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks?
Paul says that we MUST turn away from all wickedness...
Fourth Challenge:
2 Timothy 2:22 - "Run from anything that stimulates youthful lust."
He didn't say walk, he said run. And he didn't just say run, but run from. Get away from the junk. Sin is so not worth it. It will destroy our lives.
There are a few other challenges in this chapter, but I felt it important to focus on those above.
In this middle of this chapter, Paul gives us a look at part of our reward for meeting these challenges and fulfilling them.
2 Timothy 2:21 - "If you keep yourself pure, you will be a utensil God can use for His purpose. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use for every good work."
I don't know about you, but I like being used by God. I like being ready when Jesus says GO. The challenges that Paul laid out in this chapter will keep us ready.
This entire chapter is one of challenge. Paul doesn't beat around the bush, he gets straight to the point with Timothy and he encourages him in his faith and relationship with God.
First Challenge:
2 Timothy 2: 4 - "And as Christ's soldier, do not let yourself become tied up in the affairs of this life, for then you cannot satisfy the One who has enlisted you in His army."
How plain and simple is that? So often we allow things of this life to entangle our hearts. Notice Paul didn't use the normal Christian cliche of just "keeping God first". He said if we got focused and distracted by this life, we then could not truly satisfy Jesus. It's more than just trying to keep God first but actually living your life so that you are satisfying the heart of God.
Second Challenge:
2 Timothy 2:10 - "I am willing to endure anything if it will bring salvation and eternal glory in Christ Jesus to those God has chosen."
Again, a plain and simple challenge. Paul is letting Timothy know of his suffering for the Gospel, yet he is making sure Timothy knows that it is worth it!
Is it worth it to us? We barely know what suffering is here in America because of our freedoms. Would you be willing to endure anything?
Third Challenge:
2 Timothy 2:19 - "Those who claim they belong to the LORD must turn away from all wickedness."
Where do we even get the idea that sinning is OK for Christians? I've heard many believers talk of since Jesus has forgiven all of our sins for all time then it doesn't matter what we do after we believe. Need I remind you that out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks?
Paul says that we MUST turn away from all wickedness...
Fourth Challenge:
2 Timothy 2:22 - "Run from anything that stimulates youthful lust."
He didn't say walk, he said run. And he didn't just say run, but run from. Get away from the junk. Sin is so not worth it. It will destroy our lives.
There are a few other challenges in this chapter, but I felt it important to focus on those above.
In this middle of this chapter, Paul gives us a look at part of our reward for meeting these challenges and fulfilling them.
2 Timothy 2:21 - "If you keep yourself pure, you will be a utensil God can use for His purpose. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use for every good work."
I don't know about you, but I like being used by God. I like being ready when Jesus says GO. The challenges that Paul laid out in this chapter will keep us ready.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Fireworks tent
Sunday, June 21, 2009
That couldn't happen even if...
Posted on: Sunday, June 21, 2009 at 4:07 pm
I was reading through 2 Kings 6&7 this morning... and I must say, what an interesting and amazing time in Israel's history!Times had gotten pretty rough. The king of Aram had besieged Samaria and as a result there was a great famine. It got so bad that people even began eating their own children (see 2 Kings 6:26-29).
The king had gotten to the point of breaking and despair. Listen to what he said:
"It is the LORD who has brought this trouble on us! Why should I wait any longer for the LORD?" - 2 Kings 6:33
What was he thinking? "It is God's fault... so I'm gonna turn my back on Him... because He is the One to blame."
WAH?!?!? What good does that do?
Elisha responded with a word of encouragement and prophesied that at that same time the next day there would be an abundance of food.
Now check out the king's assistant's response:
"That couldn't happen even if the LORD opened the windows of heaven!" - 2 Kings 7:2
To me, his response sounded very much how people will often say "well that won't happen until hell freezes over..." This guy's perspective was messed up... and his faith was quite limited (which, I almost don't blame him considering the circumstances).
But, hHow many times have we said that to God? "Oh, God, it's only possible for You... but even then, You'll probably only do it this way." Or better yet, "God, you can do THIS, we want you to do THIS, but you can only do it THIS way."
What a way to put God in a box and to make a declaration over something that could have a damaging affect on our destiny. Thankfully in this story, those words didn't affect the course God took for Israel. But what if they'd come from the king's mouth and not just the assistant's? Or what if the assistant had went as far to declare "THAT is impossible" with no addendum to it?
Even in our points of despair and breaking, God loves to move in supernatural ways. We have to remain in an attitude of faith and trust that He will do what He says He will do... even if it's impossible and beyond the normal way of doing things.
Remember, His ways are higher than our ways!
Friday, June 19, 2009
1 Timothy 1: Hold tightly
Consider: 1 Timothy 1
Paul is laying out an interesting challenge here to Timothy, his son in the faith. Listen to what he says in verse 19:
"Cling tightly to your faith in Christ, and always keep your conscience clear. For some people have deliberately violated their consciences; as a result, their faith has been shipwrecked."
That verse speaks to a lot of things, but primarily it simply says our faith has to be the solid thing in our lives. What are our lives founded on? Stuff? The pursuit of happiness? The American Dream? What is it that keeps us going everday?
Paul told Timothy to cling tightly. He didn't say hold loosely. Or get around to working on your relationship with God when you feel like it. NO. He said cling tightly.
I kind of picture how little kids will latch on to their mom or dad's leg and just hang on with all they have. That's clinging.
So what happens if we don't cling? Check out verse 20:
"Hymenaeus and Alexander are two examples of this. I turned them over to satan so they would learn not to blaspheme God."
Not clinging is a big deal. Not being grounded in your faith in Jesus is a big deal. It's not just a nice little raise-your-hand-once decision. This faith is life-altering and eternity-changing.
Cling to your faith. Cling to Jesus. He is the only One who never changes and He is the One who pursuing your heart.
Paul is laying out an interesting challenge here to Timothy, his son in the faith. Listen to what he says in verse 19:
"Cling tightly to your faith in Christ, and always keep your conscience clear. For some people have deliberately violated their consciences; as a result, their faith has been shipwrecked."
That verse speaks to a lot of things, but primarily it simply says our faith has to be the solid thing in our lives. What are our lives founded on? Stuff? The pursuit of happiness? The American Dream? What is it that keeps us going everday?
Paul told Timothy to cling tightly. He didn't say hold loosely. Or get around to working on your relationship with God when you feel like it. NO. He said cling tightly.
I kind of picture how little kids will latch on to their mom or dad's leg and just hang on with all they have. That's clinging.
So what happens if we don't cling? Check out verse 20:
"Hymenaeus and Alexander are two examples of this. I turned them over to satan so they would learn not to blaspheme God."
Not clinging is a big deal. Not being grounded in your faith in Jesus is a big deal. It's not just a nice little raise-your-hand-once decision. This faith is life-altering and eternity-changing.
Cling to your faith. Cling to Jesus. He is the only One who never changes and He is the One who pursuing your heart.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Colossions 3: Realities of Heaven
Consider: Colossians 3
A few days ago I posted a few thoughts on how Paul was encouraging the believers and their thought life.
Our thought life is important... it really impacts our entire lives.
Now here in Colossians 3, Paul lays out that we should: "set our sights should be on the realities of heaven... let heaven fill your thoughts. Do not think only about things down here on earth" (see Colossians 3:1-2).
What does it mean to think on the realities of heaven? It means to constantly remind yourself and bring to the forefront of thought the truth about it.
Here are some of the realities of heaven:
Can you see why it would be important to fill our minds with these things? The realities of heaven are not just golden streets and pearly gates... but a place
I challenge you today to set your sights on the realities of heaven; let heaven fill your thoughts, because in that, your mind will be change and transformed. No longer will you be content with what's here on this earth, but a desire for more and a desire to be with Him where He is will fill your life!
A few days ago I posted a few thoughts on how Paul was encouraging the believers and their thought life.
Our thought life is important... it really impacts our entire lives.
Now here in Colossians 3, Paul lays out that we should: "set our sights should be on the realities of heaven... let heaven fill your thoughts. Do not think only about things down here on earth" (see Colossians 3:1-2).
What does it mean to think on the realities of heaven? It means to constantly remind yourself and bring to the forefront of thought the truth about it.
Here are some of the realities of heaven:
- The LORD sits on the throne in heaven; He's in control!
- The angels surround His throne singing Holy, Holy, Holy; He is worth all of our worship and more.
- His will is done the moment it is spoken; Instant obedience.
- There is no veil and He is not hidden; His face is in plain site!
Can you see why it would be important to fill our minds with these things? The realities of heaven are not just golden streets and pearly gates... but a place
I challenge you today to set your sights on the realities of heaven; let heaven fill your thoughts, because in that, your mind will be change and transformed. No longer will you be content with what's here on this earth, but a desire for more and a desire to be with Him where He is will fill your life!
Monday, June 15, 2009
Colossians 1: Freedom
Consider: Colossians 1
We live in "the home of the free". There's a lot that goes into that statement, but one of those things is, for the most part, we don't have to do everything the government tells us to do. We don't have to go to a certain government sanctioned church, we have the choice of which church to go to. We have the choice of which store we want to shop at... where we want to buy gas... we have the choice of who we want to be our next leader.
In freedom we have a lot of choices.
In Colossians 1, Paul briefly touches on the freedom we have in Christ. In verse 13 & 14 he says this:
"For He has rescued us from the one who rules in the kingdom of darkness, and He has brought us into the Kingdom of His dear Son. God has purchased our freedom with His blood and has forgiven all our sins."
This freedom that Paul was talking about is not just any old good American freedom. It goes beyond anything our military could have shed their blood for. It's freedom from sin and freedom from the one who wants us bound in sin, satan.
The choice we have through freedom in Christ is that we have the opportunity to live like Jesus and overcome sin. One of the lies the enemy likes to use is that "oh, you're human. You're gonna sin anyways. Just go for it."
BUT through freedom in Christ, remember we are a new creation. We're not just "normal" humans any longer. We have the Spirit of God dwelling in us. We have the ability to reject temptation and live our lives in a way that is pleasing to Him.
So as in America we have free choices, so you have the choice with your life as a believer. You don't have to give in to the devil's temptations. You don't have to sin when the opportunity arises.
The moral of the story: you CAN say no to the devil and his ways and you CAN say yes to Jesus and a life of purity.
We live in "the home of the free". There's a lot that goes into that statement, but one of those things is, for the most part, we don't have to do everything the government tells us to do. We don't have to go to a certain government sanctioned church, we have the choice of which church to go to. We have the choice of which store we want to shop at... where we want to buy gas... we have the choice of who we want to be our next leader.
In freedom we have a lot of choices.
In Colossians 1, Paul briefly touches on the freedom we have in Christ. In verse 13 & 14 he says this:
"For He has rescued us from the one who rules in the kingdom of darkness, and He has brought us into the Kingdom of His dear Son. God has purchased our freedom with His blood and has forgiven all our sins."
This freedom that Paul was talking about is not just any old good American freedom. It goes beyond anything our military could have shed their blood for. It's freedom from sin and freedom from the one who wants us bound in sin, satan.
The choice we have through freedom in Christ is that we have the opportunity to live like Jesus and overcome sin. One of the lies the enemy likes to use is that "oh, you're human. You're gonna sin anyways. Just go for it."
BUT through freedom in Christ, remember we are a new creation. We're not just "normal" humans any longer. We have the Spirit of God dwelling in us. We have the ability to reject temptation and live our lives in a way that is pleasing to Him.
So as in America we have free choices, so you have the choice with your life as a believer. You don't have to give in to the devil's temptations. You don't have to sin when the opportunity arises.
The moral of the story: you CAN say no to the devil and his ways and you CAN say yes to Jesus and a life of purity.
A Matter of Convenience, part 2
Posted on: Monday, June 15, 2009 at 10:10 am
This is a continuation from yesterday's post. You can find it here.So Jeroboam was deceiving the people into worshiping idols through the temptation of convenience.
What were they thinking? I'm sure they knew the stories of their people and what happened when they turned to idols, yet that did not seem to affect them at all.
It's also sad that in just 2 generations they went from King David, a man after God's own heart, to Jeroboam, a deceiver.
They went from David declaring "I will not offer a sacrifice that has cost me nothing..." (1 Chronicles 21:24) to Jeroboam saying "it is too much trouble for you to travel to Jerusalem to worship..."
Has that happened to you? Maybe your heart has grown cold. Maybe you've gone from "Jesus, I'll do anything for you..." to "You want me to do what!? Me!? That's not really in my plans right now."
Or maybe your heart once burned with a brighter passion for Jesus and now there's barely any spark.
Run to Jesus! Do not settle with the easier, more convenient route in your relationship with Him. Do not believe the lie that you can just wait till next Sunday to worship Him... worship Him with all that you are, every day of your life.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
A Matter of Convenience
Posted on: Sunday, June 14, 2009 at 6:18 pm
There's a passage in 1 Kings that really stuck out to me a few days back... and I haven't been able to get it out of my head. I think it speaks to a very stark reality in our lives.Where we pick up in the story is where Jeroboam is trying to take the kingdom of Israel from David's lineage. On the advice of his counselors, he decides to make two golden calves (don't we EVER learn from our mistakes?). The counselors suggested he do this to prevent the people from traveling to Jerusalem to offer sacrifices at the Temple of the LORD because in doing so they would also have the opportunity to restate their allegiance to King Rehoboam (the guy Jeroboam didn't want to be king).
So list to what Jeroboam says about this idea of worshiping the two calves...
"He said to the people, 'It is too much trouble for you to worship in Jerusalem. O Israel, these are the gods who brought you out of Egypt!'" 1 Kings 12:28
This became a matter of convenience for the people and it was done out of a selfish and Jeroboam's idolatrous heart.
He deceived the people through the temptation of convenience.
Have you been deceived? It seems that a lot of times our relationship with God and our worship is based solely on if it fits into our schedule or if it is easy for us.Well let me let you in on a little secret. The Gospel isn't easy. It's simple, but not easy. I'm not saying that everything convenient is a sin... but I am saying that just because it is convenient does not make it right.
Taking up your cross and following after Jesus is not easy. Loving your enemies is not easy. Preaching the Gospel is not easy. There is Grace, but it does not make the initial choice to do it easier.
Don't just settle for the convenient, thinking it's the right way. Pursue the heart of God no matter what the cost... regardless if you have to travel to Jerusalem to do it! ;)
More tomorrow...
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READING The Hidden Power of Electronic Culture: How Media Shapes Faith, the Gospel, and Church by Shane Hipps |
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READING The Holman Guide to Interpreting the Bible by David S. Dockery |
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LISTENING TO A_cross//The_earth:Tear Down The Walls by Hillsong |
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READING Master Plan of Evangelism, The by Robert E. Coleman |
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READING Wide Awake: The Future Is Waiting Within You by Erwin Raphael McManus |
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READING Lead Like Jesus: Lessons from the Greatest Leadership Role Model of All Time by Ken Blanchard |
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