Merry Christmas!

The first chapter in the book of Hebrews tells us that God has spoken “at many times and in many ways.” The reverberations of God’s word still shake, and shape the human heart and mind. Recently, my brother was down to visit family on the Oregon coast. It so happened that an epic storm off the coast was generating some tremendous swells that were impacting the coastline. As we stood on the precipice of a large cliff overlooking the turbulent waters, the force and impact of those massive waves could be felt in the ground beneath our feet. I remember how my heart trembled as I realized in that moment that I was somehow catching an infinitesimal glimpse of the power, strength, and majesty of God whose word spoke it into being, and whose word kept those waters in place. God’s word was still reverberating, still shaking, still revealing an aspect of His nature through His creation. But the most incredible way God spoke to us, the way God literally shook things up, was through His son Jesus Christ. Hebrews 1 continues to say that, “in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son…He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power.”

God’s most incredible act, and most self-revealing demonstration was the Word becoming flesh. Jesus Christ. As we celebrate this incredible mystery, God becoming man, we have in Christ Jesus the greatest hope, and most secure assurance. No matter where you are in life, mo matter what you are experiencing presently, you can rejoice that God loved you so much that he gave his only Son for you. Why? Before Christ came, in the temple, the priests would offer sacrifices to God on behalf of the people. Inside there were no chairs or places to sit. Why? Because the priests work of atoning for the sins of the people was never complete. There was always more sin to take care of. This is why it is so significant that in Hebrews 1:3 speaking of Christ says, “After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high…”  Why did He sit down? Because He finished the work. His sacrifice was perfect and He did it all for me and you.  

There is a Word that makes the heart tremble, that shakes up our lives, that causes a hope that is never fading, and assurance that is as strong as the mighty right hand of God. It’s the incredible truth that God was born in Bethlehem to a virgin named Mary, to live for me, to die for me, to rise for me; to be my Prophet that speaks to me, my King that leads me, and my Priest who intercedes for me. What a Savior we have in Christ Jesus the Lord!

Merry Christmas! 

God Can Relate

Have you ever experienced the joy of connecting with someone who had walked through the same difficulties you experienced? To find someone who can relate with you in all your pain, hardships, triumphs, and joys is wonderful thing. Often times, we gravitate toward those who can relate to our lives because they have walked through the same hard things. For example, throughout my time in the military, there existed a common bond that was created through deploying to another country and being put in harms way together. The bonds created were lifelong and meaningful. Why? We shared a common experience and therefore could relate to one another in ways that other people who had never been deployed into a war could. Why am I sharing this?
We are about to celebrate the most profound act in the history of the universe. It is called the Incarnation. Emmanuel. God with us! John 1:14 declares, "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us...". Why is this so amazing? The eternal Creator God of the heavens and the earth, the sustainer of all things, after being betrayed by His creation, chose to come into human history to live the life you and I are supposed to live. This means that Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, can relate to you perfectly. Perhaps you are going through difficulties financially. Did you know Jesus can relate to you? Mary and Joseph were very poor. They couldn't even afford a normal sacrifice of a lamb, so they had to purchase turtledoves (Luke 2:24). Jesus grew up in a single income family of a blue collar worker, and learned the trade of a carpenter. Jesus understood what it meant to live through hard times financially. He can relate to you. Jesus knows what it's like to have fun, experience joy, and even pain and deep sorrow. Jesus knows exactly what it's like to be betrayed by those He was vulnerable with. He knows what it feels like to have a Father turn His back on Him. God the Father knows what it feels like to lose a child. The list could go on and on!
What a wonderful God we have! I'm so thankful that God chose to come into the world. He alone truly knows what I'm going through at any given moment of my life. Did you know that He desires a relationship with you? We love to be in relationship with those who have walked through the same life experiences. I hope and pray that as we celebrate God with us, that our love for, and desire to be in relationship with Jesus, increases and matures as we see the glory of the Incarnation of God coming to live with, and save us!

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!

Exalt and Praise the Lord

O' Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you; I will praise your name, for you have done wonderful things, plans formed of old, faithful and sure.  Isaiah 25:1

There isn't much that is sure today. If you take a moment to skim the headlines of Fox News, CNN, or any other news outlet, you will find an endless array of stories replete with uncertainty, and blind speculation. Is it any wonder that many people are essentially biting their finger nails and wondering what on earth to do?  There are of course countless opinions as to what brings about certainty. But at the center of all of them, is a selfish desire to make sure life goes the way I want it to for me. Does this work though? If you are honest, the answer is always, "No." So what is certain? Is there anything that is sure? I am always blessed to be able to proclaim the answer to that question. Yes! God is the only thing that is sure! You see, in a world of uncertainty, where all things can be shaken, the answer to experiencing true life is found in the one who is sure, and totally unshakable. Isaiah was experiencing the same reality. But his response was one of praise and worship. Dear friends, we must remember our Eternal God and Father. He has done such wonderful things! He has given us salvation, the Rock of Jesus Christ that is immoveable. He has given us his word that is immutable. He has given us his Holy Spirit that is ultimately powerful. All of this he gave to us before the foundations of the world were ever laid by his word. Only God is faithful and sure. It's only by placing your trust and faith on the sure foundation of Christ can you then, like Isaiah, cry, "O' Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you; I will praise your name..."
There is hope today. There is strength. There is reason to rejoice! God is great, and worthy to be praised. As you rejoice in that, in the midst of a world of uncertainty, you will find yourself on sure ground, solid ground. Hallowed ground.

Blessings in Christ Jesus our Lord!

Where Do You Look?

In that day you looked to the weapons of the House of the Forest, and you saw that the breaches of the city of David were many. You collected the waters of the lower pool, and you counted the houses of Jerusalem, and you broke down the houses to fortify the wall. You made a reservoir between the two walls for the water of the old pool. But you did not look to him who did it, or see him who planned it long ago. 
Isaiah 22:8b-11   


In the passage above, God's people were facing the enemy. As the enemy drew near, as hardships mounted, they did what seemed wise and strategic from the worlds perspective: They, on their own power and wisdom worked hard to defend against the enemy. We often do the very same thing. In other words, when hardship begins to loom on the horizon of life, we often start by desperately taking inventory of what we can, in our own power, throw at it. Why do we  so often do this? I would humbly submit that it is because of our fleshly desire to be our own god. We have a fierce desire to build our own kingdoms. As a result, whenever our own kingdoms we have worked so hard to build face a threat, it becomes a threat to our very identity. What do I mean? Isaiah, in chapter 17 said, "You have forgotten the God of your salvation, and have not remembered the Rock of your refuge." Meaning, God was no longer the center of their lives. He was no longer what their identity was hidden in. They pursued their own kingdom, not God's kingdom. They, with their own efforts, built their own lives around things that never mattered. In light of their rebellion, as the kingdom they created came tumbling down, the first thing they did was to desperately try and preserve it. In the midst of all their effort, and strategic planning, and fortifying, the heart of our glorious Father is heard. "But you did not look to him who did it, or see him planned it long ago." How often do I hear those words from the Lord? The words from a Father who's heart is breaking for His children who He longs to come through for. You see, our Father wants you and I, in the midst of the attack from the enemy, or hardships of life, to not first desperately try and work up a solution, but instead come to Him first. To cry out to Him. To talk to Him. To be honest about where we are at, and to repent of our forgetful hearts, and confess that we need Him. So for you, where is it you are looking presently? Is it to the author and finisher of your faith. Is it to our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus the Lord? Perhaps you need to pause, and remember the mighty deeds of a wonderful God who's desire is to be your provision, your protection, the God of your salvation, and the Rock of your strength! 


Look to Jesus today!

Take Heed not to Forget

"For you have forgotten the God of your salvation and have not remembered the Rock of your refuge; therefore you plant pleasant plants and sow the vine branch of a stranger, though you make them grow on the day that you plant them, and make them blossom in the morning that you sow, yet the harvest will flee away in a day of grief and incurable pain."  Isaiah 17:10,11

We live in a time and culture in which everything is made available "on demand." We don't have to wait for anything anymore. Even if we have to wait more then two or three minutes in a drive through fast food line, we begin to get irritated and begin thinking, "I thought this was supposed to be fast food!" One of the terrible ramifications of living in an "on demand" world, is that we lose patience. Patience in what? In most everything, but most importantly, many lose patience in God. You see, the children of God being addressed in the verses above, had, over time, lost patience in God. They knew God's promises of a Messiah, but over time they lost patience and trust. The end result? They began to simply forget about God, and as they did, they replaced Him with something that their own hands created. At the start, the things they were doing to speed up the process by entering into alliances with other nations, and trusting in their own wisdom and timing of things seemed to produce something that was fruitful. But it didn't last, and ultimately resulted in their being taken captive.
Like them, we can do the same thing. In other words, we lose patience and trust in God, and so we begin to forget about Him. His promises. His provision. His Word. The only other alternative to that, is to simply begin to cultivate our own "gardens" by planting strange plants, and using the tools at our disposal to provide for ourselves. Sound familiar? Maybe you are reaping right now, the fruit of your own labor, and lack of patience and trust in God. If so, then what next?
It's very simple: Remember the Lord. What do I mean? To remember means that you are going to have to turn away from what you are doing in order to focus on Him. Repentance is the answer. God desires for you to simply drop the tools you have been desperately using to cultivate your own life, and reach forward as Paul would put it, for the prize. Hold onto the Lord. As you do, you'll be reminded of how great He is. How powerful his love is. How freeing His grace is. And how humbling His sacrifice was. You see, God is not interested in a drive-through Christian life for you. He desires to cultivate not instant success, but character in Him that is brought about by a process that takes time. The Lord is calling out for His people to remember Him. To remember that He is in control, and in charge, not us. Perhaps we all need to hear this. To remember the Lord, to trust in Him, to allow God to cultivate in us patience, and character.
Take time to mediate on the Lord and His wonderful Word today. You'll find He's exactly what you've been looking for!

Blessings in Jesus name.

In God's Presence

And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" Then I said, "Here am I! Send me." And he said, "Go, and say to this people: "'Keep on hearing, but do not understand; keep on seeing, but do not perceive... The Lord removes people far away, and the forsaken places are many in the midst of the land. And though a tenth remain in it, it will be burned again, like a terebinth or an oak, whose stump remains when it is felled.'" The holy seed is its stump.  
Isaiah 6:8-9,12-13

After encountering the brilliant magnificence, and pure holiness of the living God, Isaiah responds to God's presence with honest repentance and heartfelt confession. The result? The lips of Isaiah were touched with a burning coal from off the alter, the seraphim exclaiming, "Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for (Isaiah 6:7)".  This is always the result of getting into the presence of the living God. His brilliance always does two things: First, it's brightness causes our hearts to break, for it reveals perfectly who we are. The result is our hearts repenting, and our mouths confessing before the Lord. Second, it also has the effect of drawing us in at the same time. It's like walking out of a dark movie theater in the late afternoon after seeing a film. As the light hits your eyes, you flinch because it is so much brighter then the environment you were in, while at the same time you turn your face toward the warmth of the sun because it feels good on your skin. After the initial shock of God's brightness, and our initial response of confession, the warmth of God's forgiveness draws us in closer to Him. When this reality is happening in the life of a true believer, there are three things that always result. The above passage illustrates the result of spending time in the presence of God.

First, our needs take a back seat to God's needs. Isaiah, hearing the Lord say, "Who shall we send," immediately responds with his availability for God's purposes. You see, when we have an encounter with the Lord, it produces in us an availability for His purposes. How does that happen? That happens when God is more real to us then our perceived needs. The second thing that God works in us is dependability. God essentially tells Isaiah to preach a message that the people will not respond to. In fact, the message will only, "Dull their hearts (V.10)". For Isaiah, the time spent in God's presence produces a dependability in the face of circumstances that are less then what Isaiah would define as successful. Isaiah's needs no longer mattered. There would be no individual fulfillment for Isaiah. He was dependable because God is what fulfilled him, not how many people listened to him, affirmed him, or complimented him. Is your fulfillment in life defined by how people receive you? Perceive you? Is your fulfillment and dependability in your walk with Jesus Christ dependent upon your own ideas of success or comfort? Those who truly spend time in God's presence are motivated by one thing: Pleasing the One who loved them so much He died in their place. Lastly, an encounter with God produces in us expectancy. Even though the stump (Israel) is burned, and even cut down (V.13), there is a holy seed in it's stump. Isaiah had a heart of expectancy. He trusted that God would bring about salvation. There was indeed a holy seed in the stump. The seed is the person of Jesus Christ that would come from a burned out, cut down nation that had been lost to idolatry. Isaiah expected God to come through.

I pray we would be those that spend time in the brilliance of God's presence, so that we can see who we really are inside. That by seeing who God is and who we are, we can repent and confess our sin. Let us then stay boldly in the warmth of God's grace and love, and respond with availability, dependability, and expectancy for God to continue to work, to move, and to accomplish His purposes for the praise of His glorious name!

Blessings!

What is God Interested In?

...Your hands are full of blood. Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your deeds from before my eyes; cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause. "Come now, let us reason together says the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool."  Isaiah 1:15d-18

There are a multitude of motivations within the human heart that seeks to approach God according to its own terms. God, in speaking through Isaiah, is speaking to a group of people not unlike us today. On the outside they looked good, were doing well, and had it together. They approached their relationship with God based on their outward appearance, and outward religious practices. The problem was, that God was never interested in their outward appearance, physical affluence, or religious practice. What God was interested in was their inward obedience and devotion to Him. You see, in the midst of all their outward doings, God saw something else. He saw hands that were dripping with blood. So what is it that God is truly interested in? God is interested in a heart that repents of it's attempt to approach God on its own terms.  God is interested in a heart that approaches Him according to His terms. God says to you and me, "Come now, let us reason together, though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool." In other words, we come, with bloody hands stained with sin, with no ability in and of ourselves to wash it from our lives. But God, in his goodness and mercy, simply asks us to come with a repentant heart, and allow the blood of Jesus to cleanse us from the sin that so easily besets us. This is all that God is interested in. That we return to Him, and His word, which are the words of eternal life. He desires us to lay down our religious pretenses, and hold onto Him. Paul says that our sufficiency is found in Christ, and Christ alone. No amount of religious practice, or outward works can ever be sufficient. This is good news! Christ is your sufficiency! Turn to Him, rejoice in Him, listen to Him, walk in Him, and allow Him to change your motivation to do good things for Him from the inside out!

Blessings.

Gratitude

…as he [Jesus], entered a village, he was met by ten lepers who stood at a distance and lifted up their voices saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” When he saw them he said to them, “Go, and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed. Luke 17:12-14

  In healing the ten lepers, Jesus does not reach out and touch them. He does not say, “Be healed.” He simply tells them to show themselves to the priests. This is a curious statement that Jesus makes to them, and one we must take to heart as well. 
    What Jesus wanted them to do was act as if they were healed, and by that they were healed. In other words, in faith they started out, and on the way they were healed.

Jesus wants to teach you and me the same thing. Is there something in your life, some sin, that you are just as desperate to have healed as those poor ten lepers? Jesus often whispers those same words to you and to me; to place our trust and faith in His intentions for us, and His power to overcome sin and cleanse us. But there is a deeper truth that Jesus desires for us.
    You see, while all ten lepers were cleansed, only one came back overwhelmed by gratitude and worship before Jesus. How did Jesus respond to this one leper? “Rise, go your way, your faith has made you well.” 
    You see, ten were healed, but only one was made well, and that is far more important then being healed. In other words, unless gratitude is a constant part of our response to Jesus Christ, then we can’t really be whole. 
    Do you long for healing? Then trust in the faithful word of the Lord Jesus Christ, walk in faith under the banner of the cross which has cleansed you from all unrighteousness, and respond daily with heartfelt gratitude and worship at the feet of Jesus. You’ll find the result sweeter then just healing. You’ll be made well. Whole. Full of gratitude and joy at the wondrous nature of Jesus Christ, all for the glory of God the Father!

Practice gratitude to the Lord today!

A Man With No Name

“There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus…”  Luke 16:19,20

The parable above that Jesus speaks, is the only parable in which a man (Lazarus), is specifically named. The reasons why are profound, and carries immense weight for you and me today. So why was Lazarus named, while the other man in the parable was simply described as being rich? 

It’s very simple, and very sobering. You see, for the unnamed man, his riches were his identity. The things he worked for all his life, the things he could purchase, the things he could enjoy because of his riches were the very things he gained his identity, value, and worth from. You and I have grown up in a country whose prosperity and riches are what defines us. For this reason, it is very easy for you and me to begin to equate our identity with the things we have and not the Person who has saved us from our sin. Perhaps for you, how you view yourself is tied to your social status, education level, family, job, etc… It could even be tied to your own view of morality; meaning you think you have value and worth simply because you are a “good person.”  The terrible problem is, that at the end of the day, like the rich man above, if your identity is based on things, you will be left with no identity throughout eternity. In other words, Jesus doesn’t know this man. Jesus knows those who are his, and this man is left without a name, and is only described by the false things he used during his life to find his worth in, and give himself to. 

On the other hand, Lazarus is named. Jesus knows this man by name! For Lazarus, his identity was not based on his social status, his education, or income level; his identity was in Christ. The result for Lazarus was real life in Christ, for eternity. The question for you and me is: What will we really gain our dignity, our value, and our worth from? Will it be based on who and what Jesus says you are, or will you gain your dignity, value, and worth from created things rather Creator God? 

Of course, we all will struggle with this reality throughout our Christian walk. We will have times in which we experience identity drifting. So what do we do when we realize that we have been gaining our feelings of worth and accomplishment through things instead of Christ? Just simply repent, and turn back to the only thing that we truly need to gain our worth from: Jesus Christ, and the Word of God. As we take in God’s Word it washes us, and re-orientates us back on the sure foundation of the Rock. As we receive grace, and walk in mercy, the realization comes that it is not about who we are, or about what we can achieve, but rather it becomes about who Jesus is, and what He has achieved! The result is a life that is empowered by the Spirit to accomplish the will of the Father for the glory of God. You see, if our identity is in anything but Christ, yours and my life will be all about our wills, and our own glory! 

So be encouraged today to re-orient yourself back on the living God, our great God and Savior Jesus Christ!

The Gospel and Divine Expectations

“Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.”    -- Jesus

Often times, when people read the verse above, they immediately think about it in terms of material things. The problem with that is, does Jesus not expect much from people who have a lower income? Does Jesus expect more out of churches that have more resources, or does he expect less from churches that have less? Jesus, toward the end of Luke 12, is speaking about being prepared for his return. He is talking about faithful servants, and unfaithful servants. What is it he is talking about being faithful with? He’s speaking about being faithful with the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. You see, if you are saved, Jesus expects much more from you. If you are a sinner saved by grace, Jesus expects that the result of the Gospel taking root in your heart is going to transform how you live. The incredible truth that has been entrusted to us is one that Jesus demands that we steward well! What does this mean? It means that Jesus is less concerned about the nice buildings that churches aspire to get. It means Jesus is more concerned about what the people IN the church are doing with the message of the Gospel OUTSIDE the church. All the stuff in the world doesn’t amount to anything if you, me, we, aren’t being good stewards with the grace that has been given us (Eph 3:2). 

Dear friends, God has given you a commission. The command of Jesus to us it is to go into the world and be a steward of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. If you think for one second that God is impressed because you give to the church, or because your church has nice things, or because you have nice things, but don’t do a thing on your own to share the love of Christ with sinners…then think again. 

To you, dear saint who has been given so much in the goodness of God in the Gospel of His Son Jesus must understand with a joyous sobriety, that Jesus expects much of us that have that truth within us. As Jesus entrusted you with much, the “Keys of the kingdom,” means that He will demand the more from you and me. 

I pray we would be a people of God who realize Jesus’ command to go and make disciples is not an option, but a requirement. The more we see this truth, the more we should repent, and pray, and seek God to pour out His Spirit to empower his church to do what He has called us to do!

Grace and peace in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Hope & Joy

When you pray, say: “Father, hollowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.”  -- Jesus

Often times, when someone preaches on something like prayer, the approach is something like this: “Jesus prayed often! You pray little! How much more should you pray if Jesus prayed all the time!” The question that comes to my mind is, how does that way of preaching or thinking motivate us? Here’s how that approach motivates us; the motivation is out of guilt and shame. “Jesus prayed all the time, you don’t. Jesus got up early in the morning to pray, how much more should you?” These motivate out of guilt and shame.  Is that what Jesus wants? Is that what Jesus is looking for? No. Paul would say, it “Is the love of Christ that constrains me.” Our motive to pray cannot be guilt and shame, but rather our hearts should me moved out of hope and joy! The wondrous thing about the scripture above is that it is the standard. It is one that can hardly be achieved in our hearts. In fallen nature it is impossible to pray that prayer above with full integrity. What do I mean? That prayer is totally God-centered. It’s sole intent and purpose is to exalt the Father in heaven in all aspects of our life. Now do you see? It’s hard to pray that with full integrity because often times our requests really have nothing to do with ensuring the Father’s name is renowned, that His kingdom would be more established through our prayer and circumstances, and that the Kingship of the Lord would be more established in our own lives. So the standard is a divine standard. 

  

Following the passage above, Jesus tells us a parable about prayer, one that describes you and me perfectly. It is a story of a man who has a friend who comes to his house at a late hour. As this man knocks on his door, the man of the house is panicked because he has no food for his guest. So, out of fear of social shame because he couldn’t feed his late night visitor; not out of concern for his friend, the man runs to a nearby neighbors house to get some food. So his motive was simply to save face, and in that, his motive was selfish at heart. Conversely, the man’s house he ran to in order to get food to feed his visitor, only finally opened the door to give him some food out of the mans unashamed persistence. It wasn’t because he wanted to bless his friend. His motive was also self-centered. So we have a standard of how to pray, we have the reality of who we are in the parable, (self centered), and finally, the wondrous nature of our God who in the face of that, encourages us to pray anyway! Jesus finally says, “If you then who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

You see; Jesus doesn’t motivate by guilt and shame. He says, “I know you are evil.” I know you can’t pray like this with full integrity. But I want you to pray not because of who you are, but how great I am.” We are not motivated by our performance, or lack of performance. We are motivated by the wondrous love and grace of Jesus Christ, that begins to constrain our hearts to pray like He asked us. I pray we come to our Father like little children, whose hope and joy is established in the person and work of Christ alone!

Jesus would much rather have you pray once a week out of hope and joy in Him, then a hundred times out of guilt and shame!

Glory Be!