2/23/9

Okay, so this passage isn’t exactly what I’m saying, but it illustrates my point. So Jesus is at a feast after raising Lazarus from the dead, there are “some Greeks” there who have started to believe in Him because of that miracle, the pharisees were there too. So Jesus talks to the crowd a bit, but they don’t understand him, John 12:38-40 says, “so that the saying of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spoke, “Lord, who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” Therefore they could not believe, because Isaiah said again, “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, so that they should not see with their eyes nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.” Which brings me to John 12:42-43, ” Still, however, even out of the rulers, many did believe on Him. But because of the Pharisees they did not confess, lest they should be put out of the synagogue;  for they loved the glory of men more than the glory of God.” Okay, so that may have been the long way to get to this but it makes more sense to me this way. When I read this passage I was convicted about pride, and wanting to have the really good sounding blogs that make everyone think and whatever.  So I feel like eyes had been blinded and my heart had been hardened, which is kind of ironic considering Friday’s post, but those were not my words or revelations so that’s how that happened. Anyways, verse 43 really hit me. I have been focusing more on the my glory and approval from you guys than actually trying to give God all the glory I can. So…yeah. I’ve already talked with Papa about it, but I wanted to put it out there, it’s a bit humbling which is exactly what I need.

P.S.- To be clear I am not comparing you guys to the pharisees in verse 42.

1 Samuel 21

David screwed up now.  David runs away and lies to everyone he sees.  First he lies to Ahimilech and tells him that he is on a mission from Saul.  Takes the holy bread and the sword of Goliath and heads into Goliaths home town, another bad idea.  He then lies or fakes being crazy in Gath in front of Achish so he wont get killed then.  Its interesting how quickly men of faith turn to great fear and unbelief.  When we get into a hurry or find ourselves trusting in our own plans or other people we find ourselves out of the protection and blessing of God and we find ourselves running into the camp of the enemy.  Incredible what fear and pride will do to us if we allow it to.  David got into some trouble and forgot what it meant to wait on the Lord, he quickly forgot how God had provided every step of the way and had gotten little Davey out of far worse than this.  David decided not to wait and he ends up in a bad news bears type of situation.

Saved By Who?

Duetoronomy 33:29- “Blessed are you, O Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the LORD ? He is your shield and helper and your glorious sword. Your enemies will cower before you, and you will trample down their high places.”

Please don’t think I made this post up just to have something to say. I was listening to some worship music courtesy of Shane and Shane, they have a song called “Saved by Grace.” That just sat heavy on me. I think I have convinced myself that I had something to do with being a “good Christian boy.” It’s like I’ve forgotten the most basic principle, I’m nothing and contributed nothing. I don’t know who is praising Israel in that verse but it expressed well how I am feeling. “Who is like you? A people saved by the Lord?” Saved by the Lord, and His grace. I am not worthy to contribute, nor am I capable of contributing to my salvation or my walk…at least nothing good.

Papa, I confess my pride and arrogance. I confess a lack of faith and trust in You, that I somehow got here on my own merits. Papa, please forgive me. Where there used to be pride and other filth in my life, please, please come and inhabit that place. I desperately need You, I’m not capable of making it on my own. Thank You for showing me this Father, please continue to open my eyes to these blind spots and places in my life that aren’t completely of You.

A broken spirit

Psalm 51:17

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

I’ve been meditating on this verse for the last few days and Papa has begun to show me that this verse depicts humility, total humility.  This is the antithesis verse (at least to me) for James 4:6 which says “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

What God has shown me is that if I am not broken over my sin (whatever that sin might be – because God has no grading scale for sin, it’s either sin or it isn’t) then I am walking in pride.  If I am not broken over my sin, then my heart is calloused.

Daddy, I pray I am always broken over my sin and continually aware of just how offensive it is to you.  Help me to “sin no more” as Jesus commanded, but when I do, help me to always recognize the repulsiveness of my sin to You.

1 Samuel 15

Pretty famous chapter I think.  Most of us know the story.  Saul is told to go and kill all the Amalekites and everything they own.  Destroy it all God says.  Saul goes in and destroys most of it, but leaves the King and the best of the cattle and what not to sacrifice to God.  Sammy hears about it and God speaks to Sammy.  Saul comes back and talks to Sammy.  Sammy tells him that God is disappointed and has now taken the kingdom of Israel and given it to someone else.  Saul is pissy and cries out to God.  Sammy and Saul never talk again until Saul dies.

This is where we get that obedience is better than sacrifice.  Saul had good intentions when wanting to sacrifice things and worship God like that, but Dad never said to do that.  Dad said kill it all.  Like Saul we hold on to things sometimes and that is dangerous.  We don’t want God to strip us of our title and things and His presence.  The last verse in this chapter might be the saddest verse in the Bible.  Because of Sauls disobedience Samuel never visited him again till his death.  Samuel was the only line to God at that time which means Saul never had another experience or voice or anything from God ever again.  What a sad life, to go from a king that God appointed to never being with God again.  All because of his disobedience and pride.  By the way, a couple times God says He regrets putting Saul in that place.  What does that mean?  Can God regret doing something, wouldn’t that mean He messed up or did something wrong?

Faith like a child

Romans 4: 18-22 (NLT) 18 Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping—believing that he would become the father of many nations. For God had said to him, “That’s how many descendants you will have!” 19 And Abraham’s faith did not weaken, even though, at about 100 years of age, he figured his body was as good as dead—and so was Sarah’s womb. 20 Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. 21 He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises. 22 And because of Abraham’s faith, God counted him as righteous.

I don’t think I really, really understand faith.  I am convinced that “faith like a child” that Jesus spoke of is much simpler than I make it out to be, in all my maturity and wisdom. (sarcasm implied)

My son Jake understands faith.  I think he has faith like Abraham.  If God said it, that’s enough for him.  There are no questions and no doubts.  Just faith.  By the way, he’s 10 years old.

No, I think I’ve spent my whole life trying to squelch exactly what God puts in us as children.  I so wanted to be “grown up” and a “big boy” that, somehow, I’ve let my faith be tempered by reason, understanding, and feasibility.  OK… I just scared myself writing that down.  Check out what Jesus said on this very topic.

Matt 19:14 ESV 14 but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.”

Luke 10:21 NLT 21 At that same time Jesus was filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit, and he said, “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike. Yes, Father, it pleased you to do it this way.”

How foolish of me to think this way.  How prideful of me to think this way.  Do I really think God only works and can work in the confines of what I understand?  Do I really want a God that is limited by my own imagination? Not me.   Sometimes, I think Papa just sits up on his throne and says about me “Bless his cotton-pickin’ heart. He has NO IDEA what I am capable of.”

Lord, I repent of my sin… my idiotic pride that has led me down a limiting and narrow view of You.  I pray for faith.  Help me exercise my faith this week Lord.  I cast off all the preconceived ideas and pre-built boxes I’ve put you in being “religious” and “pious.”  Forgive me.  Fill me anew with your Holy Spirit and renew a right spirit within me.  Reignite the faith of a child within me.  Thank you for examples of faith such as Abraham. Help me be fully convinced as he was.  Thank you for a living example of faith in my son.  Help me be more like him.  If You said it… that’s enough.  In Jesus name I pray.  Amen.

Our God is Good

OK, 2 chronicles 12 Rehoboam is bacing to forsaking the Lord, or is he humbling himself.  It all gets so confusing.  In ch 11 Rehoboam listens to God, obeys Him and ends up strengthenig himself and getting all of the real followers of God to come over to Jerusalem.  Now in ch 12 it starts with “It came to pass, after Rehoboam had established his kingdom, that he forsook the law of the Lord.”  So, God sends the holy man to tell Rehoboam that he is going to be delivered into his enemey’s hands.  At this point Rehoboam falls on his knees and says “The Lord is righteous.”

And God says paraphrase “OK, since you’re humbling yourself I won’t let your enemy destroy you.  Instead you’ll become his servant.  Now maybe you can see that it is better to serve me than to be a servant for other kingdoms.”  WHAT?  This looks like a kid caught in the act and then yelling I’m sorry; I’m sorry; I didn’t mean to.  Rehoboam doesn’t appear repentent, he appears not to want to die.  And yet, God forgives him again, and provides some correction.

Too often we hear ignorant, or uneducated, people talking about God as this guy wanting to smite us all until Jesus shows up and says hey wait, my blood has covered this Dad.  Let’s give them mercy.  Well, this is pre-Jesus’ death and resurrection.  (I’d say it was pre-Jesus, but in the beginning was the Word…)  God is so good that He won’t even wipe out the ones who deserve it. 

I believe that this is a pattern we must avoid.  Obey; things are good; get prideful and start thinkng we’re doing it all; God lifts His protection; we say I’m sorry; we humble ourselves and obey; things are good; get prideful…  This circle is not worth going around.  Hear, believe and obey is a much better way.

Papa, I humble myself today.  I submit everything I am to you.  I thank you for your goodness.  I thank you that, even though I deserve death, you offer forgiveness.  I pray, Father, that you will help me to live a life fully submitted to you and your will.  Give me eyes to see and ears to hear that  might serve you in every way possible today.  I love you, Daddy.  I thank you for allowing me the opportunity to come into your presence and worship this morning. 

Holy Fear Moment

So I read Leviticus 26 this morning.  I am not sure If I have never read it or it just has hit me differently than ever before.  But I joke you not as I was reading this I began to have this feeling, I guess the best way to describe it is a holy fear of God, and I began to tear up at the thought of what that looks like now, and how if God is still the same yesterday today and forever and He can not change than this characteristic is still true for today.  I got nervous and scared and awed, and this chapter just really hit home with discipline and obedience for me.  This whole chapter, this whole punishment was brought on by disobedience.  And I guess  the reason I think it was a holy fear as opposed to just fear is because I understand the underline meaning in what God is doing.  God punishes His children 6 different times, but what that means to me is He doesn’t go straight to death for their disobedience and pride (19 I will break your proud spirit by making the skies as unyielding as iron and the earth as hard as bronze).  There is this unspoken grace of God that gives them one more chance, and then another one and another one, and He continues to make it worse and worse for them with the understanding if you will stop with your prideful ways repent and change this whole thing ends and I will live with you and speak to you (But in spite of their behavior, while they are among their enemies I won’t reject or abhor or destroy them completely. I won’t break my covenant with them: I am God, their God. For their sake I will remember the covenant with their ancestors whom I, with all the nations watching, brought out of Egypt in order to be their God. I am God.” )  6 different times He allows them to end this punishment and yet doesn’t because He loves them enough to give them more chances and emphasize , by the means of increasing punishment, His love over them by not taking them straight to death by the hands of their enemy.  As I began to look at this chapter and my own life I got a real gut check on things that I don’t honor God with, things that I have not revered like God talks about in the beginning of this chapter (14-17 “But if you refuse to obey me and won’t observe my commandments, despising my decrees and holding my laws in contempt by your disobedience, making a shambles of my covenant, I’ll step in and pour on the trouble:)  This was just a good time for me to remember who He is and what He will do if I just obey, and then what He will do if I choose not to.  It was a good reminder and appropriate for this time going into this start up of this thing we are doing, and just reminding me and giving me this reverence for Him this morning as I sat and pondered what He said. 

Dad my heart is obedience and humility.  Help me break my pride and  continue to show me the disobedient places in my life that I may repent and change my ways not for the sake of the punishment but because I dont think I could not live without you or have you speak to me.  Father pour out your grace over me today.

Where does it start?

Now that you have read about Acts 5, let’s go back to 2 Chronicles…

So, I am reading 2 Chronicles 9 and I get to verses 13 – 28.  In these verses the writer describes many of Solomon’s treasures and again discusses the greatness of his wisdom.  In the words of the great orator Ben Massey “What the crap, man?”  This guy has it all.  Now, we know that he ends up marrying all these gals and his heart is turned away from the Lord, but how?

As I was reading this morning God showed me something that I hadn’t seen or thought of.  Solomon’s wealth exceeded that of all the other kingdoms of this world (2 Chron 9:22).  Other kings would come to visit to listen to his wisdom (2 Chron 9:23).  All of Solomon’s cups were made of gold, they wouldn’t even consider drinking out of silver, for that was too common during Solomon’s reign (2 Chron 9:20).  The list of Solomon’s accomplishments are extensive.  I’m sorry, the list of whose accomplishments?  Did Solomon have wisdom?  Did Solomon have wealth?  I thought that the earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it.

Now, I know me and most of my friends…  I start accumulating all this stuff, and over time I’d begin thinking I was all that!  What were his 700 wives saying?  Do you think these women talking in his ear were giving God the glory or Solomon?  Could there have been an issue with pride?

James 4:6 saya that God resists the proud.  Is it possible that the way in which Solomon’s wives turned his heart from God was through puffing up Solomon?  Did God resist him because of his arrogance?  Did he begin to see himself as wise.  Were great things to common for Solomon?  Oh, how easy it is for us to get caught up in pride.  Solomon was no different.  We must always remember where our gifts and abilities come from.  God’s glory above our own.  He will lift up the humble, but we must gve Him the glory and lift His name higher.

Father, I pray that you will remove all selfish pride from me today.  I cannot imagine trying to live life with you resisting my every move.  Do not allow me to ever get puffed up by the things over which you have given me stewardship.  I pray that I will always remember that it’s all yours; everything!

Distractions

I am reading the book “my utmost for HIS highest” and for Nov. 23 its talks about distractions, but what really nailed me was this “Until we get back into a quiet mood before HIM, our faith is of no value, and our confidence in the flesh and in human ingenuity is what rules our lives.” and ” When we discern that other people are not growing spiritually and allow that discernment to turn to criticism, we block our fellowship with GOD.”
This is the first time/day I have read this book and Father showed me it was for this day.  I have allowed human ingenuity (PRIDE) to guide me and discernment of others, being judgementa to tell me that I’m doing good.  Thank you Pappa for revealing that.  It was no accident that this is where I started this walk with YOU.