"I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid." John 14:27 (NLT)
What do you do when offered a gift? In my upbringing, you accept it with profuse appreciation. Then you might tuck it away in the closet to later put into the 'goodwill' bin, or re-gift it to someone who might actually want it or make better use of it. In a few instances you might actually like it and use it. It is at those times that you actually receive the gift.
Throughout the Gospels, Jesus tells us of many things God will give or has given those who follow Him: rest (Matthew 11:28); authority (Matthew 10:1); instructions (Matthew 11:1); the life of Jesus as a ransom (Mark 10:45); the right to become children of God (John 1:12); the Holy Spirit (John 14:16), and many more.
In John 14:27, Jesus offers his followers the gift of peace of mind and heart. What have I done with that gift? Put it away for a time when I really need it? Dismissed it as something I don't really want? Rejected it for the costly and impotent substitute the world offers?
Or have I received the peace of Christ (that passes understanding-that is not like what the world gives), so my troubled soul is calmed and my fearful heart is comforted?
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Language Learning
Bless the LORD, O my soul, And all that is within me, bless His holy name. Psalm 103:1 (NASB)
The Scriptures introduce us to a new language - the language we will use in heaven throughout all eternity. It is the language of worship. We see examples of what the Seraphim say when they stand around the throne of God (Isaiah 6:2,3). We get a peak at the praise language of heaven as the 24 elders fall down and sing a new song to the Lamb (Rev 5:8-10).
The Scriptures also instruct us on how to learn this new language of praise. Our private and corporate worship times give us opportunities to practice our new language.
One method the Bible employs to teach us to speak "worship" is mirrored in the language learning technique called "total physical response." An aspect of this process requires the learner to actually do with the body what the mouth is saying. So if the words I am practicing are "open the door," then I actually get up and open the door. I use my body to reinforce the words, and to learn the concepts behind the words.
In Scriptures we are told to lift our hands; bow; stand; kneel; dance; clap, etc. In all these things our bodies are assuming postures that reinforce what our words are saying and help us learn the language of worship.
The Scriptures introduce us to a new language - the language we will use in heaven throughout all eternity. It is the language of worship. We see examples of what the Seraphim say when they stand around the throne of God (Isaiah 6:2,3). We get a peak at the praise language of heaven as the 24 elders fall down and sing a new song to the Lamb (Rev 5:8-10).
The Scriptures also instruct us on how to learn this new language of praise. Our private and corporate worship times give us opportunities to practice our new language.
One method the Bible employs to teach us to speak "worship" is mirrored in the language learning technique called "total physical response." An aspect of this process requires the learner to actually do with the body what the mouth is saying. So if the words I am practicing are "open the door," then I actually get up and open the door. I use my body to reinforce the words, and to learn the concepts behind the words.
In Scriptures we are told to lift our hands; bow; stand; kneel; dance; clap, etc. In all these things our bodies are assuming postures that reinforce what our words are saying and help us learn the language of worship.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Garden Hose
"... let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. " Matthew 5:16 (NLT)
I doubt it has ever happened. At least I've never heard it. When has anyone ever complimented the garden hose for the lovely flowers? People might say, "What lovely roses!" Or they might comment to one with a green thumb, "My, you are a terrific gardener." But they never say, "Wow, that is an awesome hose."
As conduits of God's love, our desire is for people to experience the flowers of God's grace and look to Him as the giver of all good gifts. We are only a tool in the Gardener's hand.
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I doubt it has ever happened. At least I've never heard it. When has anyone ever complimented the garden hose for the lovely flowers? People might say, "What lovely roses!" Or they might comment to one with a green thumb, "My, you are a terrific gardener." But they never say, "Wow, that is an awesome hose."
As conduits of God's love, our desire is for people to experience the flowers of God's grace and look to Him as the giver of all good gifts. We are only a tool in the Gardener's hand.
---
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Random #8
"...do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others."
Philippians 2:4 (NASB)
"When it is all about me, the world becomes very small."
- a thought expressed by a friend recently.
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Philippians 2:4 (NASB)
"When it is all about me, the world becomes very small."
- a thought expressed by a friend recently.
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Thursday, February 9, 2012
Hoarding
So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls. James 1:21
Once or twice I've watched the TV show "Hoarders." It exposes the tragic lives of those with a psychological disorder which compels them to accumulate, and never eliminate, stuff. Their homes are so cluttered that they are often injured just navigating through the piles. Often they are unable to clear out garbage and trash. In extreme, their homes are unsanitary death traps.
In watching these shows I have two responses. One is to jump up and start clearing out closets. The other is to just gasp with bewilderment and the thought, "If they would just GET RID OF that stuff!"
The Scriptures tell me that I too am a hoarder. There are many things that clutter my heart and leave no room for Him, for others, for the good things they would add to my life, if I would only make space. A quick Bible search gives us a list of the putrid and dangerous things we may be hoarding in our hearts: pagan idols, foreign gods, sins, vile images, log in your own eye, evil behavior, bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, slander, malicious behavior, dirty language, filth, evil, deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, unkind speech.
In the TV show, loving, desperate family members initiate an "intervention." They hire a psychologist to work with the person to help them clean out the house. The counselor will pick up an item and ask, "Shall we get rid of this? Is there any reason to hang on to it?" And the person will often have a very detailed and emotive explanation about why that thing - often broken and useless --must stay.
Perhaps I need to ask the Holy Spirit to counsel me as we walk through the tangled stockpiles in my heart and help me 'get rid of' these things. Perhaps I should listen to my own excuses and justifications for why I keep this habit or why that hurt must stay.
And then I can make room to "humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls."
Once or twice I've watched the TV show "Hoarders." It exposes the tragic lives of those with a psychological disorder which compels them to accumulate, and never eliminate, stuff. Their homes are so cluttered that they are often injured just navigating through the piles. Often they are unable to clear out garbage and trash. In extreme, their homes are unsanitary death traps.
In watching these shows I have two responses. One is to jump up and start clearing out closets. The other is to just gasp with bewilderment and the thought, "If they would just GET RID OF that stuff!"
The Scriptures tell me that I too am a hoarder. There are many things that clutter my heart and leave no room for Him, for others, for the good things they would add to my life, if I would only make space. A quick Bible search gives us a list of the putrid and dangerous things we may be hoarding in our hearts: pagan idols, foreign gods, sins, vile images, log in your own eye, evil behavior, bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, slander, malicious behavior, dirty language, filth, evil, deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, unkind speech.
In the TV show, loving, desperate family members initiate an "intervention." They hire a psychologist to work with the person to help them clean out the house. The counselor will pick up an item and ask, "Shall we get rid of this? Is there any reason to hang on to it?" And the person will often have a very detailed and emotive explanation about why that thing - often broken and useless --must stay.
Perhaps I need to ask the Holy Spirit to counsel me as we walk through the tangled stockpiles in my heart and help me 'get rid of' these things. Perhaps I should listen to my own excuses and justifications for why I keep this habit or why that hurt must stay.
And then I can make room to "humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls."
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Interference
Suddenly, a man in the synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit began shouting, “Why are you interfering with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One sent from God!” Mark 1:23-24 (NLT)
My grandmother used to say, "now you've gone from preaching to meddling." That about sums up this passage. Jesus is preaching, with authority, with power. The Word of God speaking the words of God. The people are amazed at the preaching. But the demons are affronted by the meddling. In the presence of this Holy One, the unholy ones are restless, threatened, fearful.
This is true of me. When God's word penetrates my heart, the sin-loving part of me often responds, "Why are you interfering?" "I don't want to change." "Leave me alone."
But unlike the evil spirit, I have the love of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit at work in me, and so God woos me to respond with repentance and obedience.
(These thoughts are my reflections from Jay Wright's sermon at All Saints Dallas on "Power and Authority". You can listen to it at: http://www.allsaintschurchdallas.org/sermons/sermon/power-and-authority).
My grandmother used to say, "now you've gone from preaching to meddling." That about sums up this passage. Jesus is preaching, with authority, with power. The Word of God speaking the words of God. The people are amazed at the preaching. But the demons are affronted by the meddling. In the presence of this Holy One, the unholy ones are restless, threatened, fearful.
This is true of me. When God's word penetrates my heart, the sin-loving part of me often responds, "Why are you interfering?" "I don't want to change." "Leave me alone."
But unlike the evil spirit, I have the love of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit at work in me, and so God woos me to respond with repentance and obedience.
(These thoughts are my reflections from Jay Wright's sermon at All Saints Dallas on "Power and Authority". You can listen to it at: http://www.allsaintschurchdallas.org/sermons/sermon/power-and-authority).
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Stop Signs
Like stop signs on a roadway, some words in Scriptures invite us to pause and ponder, to stop and give our minds to deeper contemplation. Words like, all and every and always. Words like, nothing and never. These words are expansive or extreme. Totally inclusive or exclusive.
This practice can be very helpful in looking afresh at well-known passages. When I come upon them, I let the red light flash in my mind and I stop reading so I can consider carefully what is being said.
Do I praise God with all my heart, or just parts of it? If he really will never leave me or forsake me, then I can be comforted when I feel alone. Do I really worship no other gods, or are there a few I hide in my tent?
Others for meditation:
"You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might." Deuteronomy 6:5 (NASB)
"Every day I will bless You, And I will praise Your name forever and ever." Psalm 145:2 (NASB)
"always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father;" Ephesians 5:20 (NASB)
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." Philippians 4:6 (NASB)
"The Lord's lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail." Lamentations 3:22 (NASB)
This practice can be very helpful in looking afresh at well-known passages. When I come upon them, I let the red light flash in my mind and I stop reading so I can consider carefully what is being said.
Do I praise God with all my heart, or just parts of it? If he really will never leave me or forsake me, then I can be comforted when I feel alone. Do I really worship no other gods, or are there a few I hide in my tent?
Others for meditation:
"You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might." Deuteronomy 6:5 (NASB)
"Every day I will bless You, And I will praise Your name forever and ever." Psalm 145:2 (NASB)
"always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father;" Ephesians 5:20 (NASB)
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." Philippians 4:6 (NASB)
"The Lord's lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail." Lamentations 3:22 (NASB)
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Spirit sorrow
"But they rebelled against him and grieved his Holy Spirit." Isaiah 63:10
Our rebellion doesn't make the Holy Spirit mad. It makes Him sad. The compassion-heart of God responds to our self-determination and independence not with anger, but with the sorrow that comes with loss.
Our rebellion doesn't make the Holy Spirit mad. It makes Him sad. The compassion-heart of God responds to our self-determination and independence not with anger, but with the sorrow that comes with loss.
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Obscurity
I was asked to give devotions for a missions recruitment event. I felt very honored to be asked. To be honest, I felt very important to be asked. When I arrived, the organizer was not there, but his assistant greeted me with a hurried, "Oh, you must be the devotional speaker. We'll be ready in a few minutes," and dashed off to take care of some other duty. When it was time for me to speak, the assistant introduced me by saying, "Our director arranged for this speaker, please welcome her." There I stood, nameless and obscure, feeling no longer honored or important. Just a filled block on a schedule.
Sometime later I received a note from a participant in the event. "What you said had a deep impact on me. It has changed how I listen to God's word and apply it to my life. Thank you." As I read this I recalled how I had felt as I stood before the group -- obscure (the condition of being unimportant or unknown). Yet God's word had been delivered in power and accomplished its work.
"Meanwhile, be content with obscurity like Christ" Colossians 3:4c (MSG)
Sometime later I received a note from a participant in the event. "What you said had a deep impact on me. It has changed how I listen to God's word and apply it to my life. Thank you." As I read this I recalled how I had felt as I stood before the group -- obscure (the condition of being unimportant or unknown). Yet God's word had been delivered in power and accomplished its work.
"Meanwhile, be content with obscurity like Christ" Colossians 3:4c (MSG)
Monday, January 2, 2012
Random #7
Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 18:3
Jesus came to our world as a little child.
Makes sense that we need to become little children to enter his.
Jesus came to our world as a little child.
Makes sense that we need to become little children to enter his.
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