Category: SPIRITUAL GROWTH

INCONVENIENT LOVE THAT HONORS

Pastor Powell lived a life honoring others above himself even during the most difficult circumstances.

Pastor Powell was authentic. Consistently gracious, he consistently cared deeply for us even though my husband, Bill, was only part-time on the church staff. The year Bill came on board was in the midst of rough professional waters for Pastor P. A contingent of unhappy congregants wanted major changes which included booting out Pastor P. Rather than causing a church split, Pastor P made the decision to resign and pastor a much smaller struggling congregation.

Remaining friends, Bill went to visit Pastor P. The gentleman was just as gracious as ever to Bill. In their conversation, He prayed the best for Bill. Pastor P did not vent about the congregants who threw him under a bus. He honored others above himself. I felt severe loss a year later when Pastor P died suddenly of Epstein-Barr virus.

LOVE THAT HONORS

“To honor” means to hold someone or something in high regard, treating them with respect, esteem, and reverence, and recognizing their value and worth. Pastor P was a man of principle; one who consistently treated others both with compassion and honor. He treated with respect those believers who vilified him.

LOVING THE UNLOVABLE

Pastor P took Romans 12:1-2, the passage about a renewed mind, to heart. He responded in his behavior to the mercies of God with a renewed heart. Romans 12:10 uses the Greek word phileo for love. This is the family love of those living in community. It’s the kind of love where you not only invite the guests inside, but you make sure they have the best seats and food at the table. It’s love which actively pursues what is noble and best for others. It honors even the unlovable.

SLOW DOWN AND SAVOR

True love is fervent, relentless and may seem impractical. In Romans 12:9-21 there are 13 exhortations concerning love in this passage. Seems a little bit much. How can these admonitions make a difference in our lives? By slowing down. Don’t just fly at 560 miles an hour above a grove of fruit trees, look down and say, “My, what an impressive grove of fruit trees.” Instead, land the plane and walk through the grove. Stop and pick the fruit and eat it. Slow down and relish the beauty and the sweetness of these 13 exhortations. Meditate on the words and let them sink in. Romans 12 must be savored for true love to take root in our lives.

FAKE LOVE

What does “sincere love that honors” mean? Ray Stedman observes: “the English word sincere comes from the Latin sincerus, which means ‘without wax.’ It stems from a practice of the early Roman merchants who set their earthen and porcelain jars out for sale. If a crack appeared in one, they would fill it with wax the same color as the jar, so a buyer would not be aware of the crack. But astute buyers learned to hold these jars out in the sun, and if the jar was cracked, the wax would melt, and the crack would be revealed. So, the honest merchants would test their wares this way and mark them sincerus — without wax.”

This is sincere honorable love. Authentic. It is the honorable conduct I witnessed all those years ago in Pastor P. Love that honors makes a huge impact. When I get to heaven, after seeing Jesus, Pastor P is one of the first people I want to see. He took the passage about a renewed mind and properly responded in his behavior to the 13 exhortations. Pastor Powell lived a life honoring others above himself even during the most difficult circumstances.

Take time. Savor the 13 and let true love take root in your life.

MIRACULOUS FORGIVENESS

The world took notice of how the Amish reacted, and they were astonished at such grace in a time of despair.

On October 2, 2006, at 10 am, a mass shooting took place at an Amish schoolhouse in Nickel Mines, a rural village in Pennsylvania. A young man, married and the father of three, entered an Amish schoolhouse. He ordered all to leave, except the young Amish girls. After a standoff with the police, the man shot 10 girls, killing 5 of them, including himself.

The news of this terrific tragedy spread throughout the rolling hills of this bucolic community. Amish and non-Amish alike began to mourn for these innocent young children and their families. No one was able to understand why a person would commit such a depraved act. What drove him to do harm to his friends and neighbors, let alone innocent children?

FORGIVENESS IN ACTION

All of this was confusing and beyond comprehension. But as it turned out, it wasn’t the only thing that caused people to scratch their heads. The same afternoon after the shooting, some Amish neighbors visited the wife and children of that murderer to comfort them in their time of sorrow and pain. They wanted to express their forgiveness for the actions of a troubled man. Their forgiveness was not just a polite gesture; it was wrapped in kindness and love. The Amish even attended the funeral of the killer. Amish mourners outnumbered non-Amish. The world took notice of how the Amish reacted, and they were astonished at such grace in a time of despair. What they were seeing was forgiveness in action.

HOW MUCH FORGIVENESS?

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity” (Colossians 3:12-13).  God commands us to forgive those who have committed grievance (suffering or distress) against us. What degree forgiveness? Does this just apply to the neighbor who always mows his grass early on Saturday as you are trying to sleep? Or what about your fellow worker who makes jokes about you whenever you happen to be out of the office? Or more seriously is this the man who ran over your dog and never even apologized?

Remember, you’re one of God’s chosen people, you’re holy and loved. How can you find a way to forgive that co-worker and also resolve the situation (if that is possible)? Can you do it with real compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience? All of these are difficult but not impossible.

HOW WERE YOU FORGIVEN?

What stands out in is when the Lord said, “Forgive as the Lord forgave you”. How did the Lord forgive you? Did He give you a test to find out what kind of person you are? Has He checked your credentials? Did He ask your neighbors to write you references? None of that. Just the opposite. Romans 5:10 says that when He reconciled us (He saved us) we were enemies of God! We were on the opposite side of truth.

REAL FORGIVENESS

That’s what real forgiveness is, when you choose to forgive someone because you have the humility, kindness, and compassion of Christ. We often weigh the injustices people do to us and then decide whether forgiveness is necessary. But if we follow the command of Christ, we must realize, it isn’t about the wrong someone committed. Rather, we must forgive, just as Christ has forgiven us, unconditionally. Forgiveness, just as the world saw given by the Amish in the Nickel Mines community. This makes the world notice and wonder at such grace only found through Jesus Christ.

MIRACLE AT MYSTIC

What strikes me as I listen to interviews is a simultaneous chorus of both heartbreak and faith.

You probably witnessed a miracle this past week. Possibly you did not even notice what you observed. It is horrifying to view the devastation from the flooding in Texas, especially at Mystic Camp for Girls. Did you notice that the commentators kept calling it “a Christian Camp”. Why did they keep repeating the moniker “Christian”? Christian is not in the name of the camp.

Loss of life is loss of life. The resulting heartbreak pulverizes the soul, regardless of one’s religious connections. The death of young girls is especially appalling. So why did the reporters feel the need to keep repeating “a Christian Girl’s Camp”?

SATAN’S FIELD DAY

I think they did so because Satan planned on a field day. He wants individuals to ask, “What if God cannot protect His own; little girls at a Christian camp? What if He is powerless and flawed?” Satan desires that the world make all kinds of false assumptions regarding God’s character.

SIMULTANEOUS CHORUS OF HEARTBREAK AND FAITH

What strikes me as I listen to interviews is a simultaneous chorus of both heartbreak and faith. Parents broken yet utterly relying on God and His character. People who still choose to trust God, regarding of whether their daughters are rescued or their bodies are recovered.

PRAY..ABOVE ALL, PLEASE PRAY

A recurrent question in the interviews is, “What can we do to help?” Overwhelmingly, the answer is “Pray; above all, please pray.” Prayers that will press shattered hearts toward God.

PRESSING INTO GOD

Pressing into God? Joni Erickson Tada has been quadriplegic for more than 2/3’s of her life due to a diving accident. During her first two years, post-accident, she experienced anger, depression, suicidal thoughts, and religious doubts. A friend visited her and made a difficult statement: “God put you in that chair Joni. I don’t know why, but if you’ll trust Him instead of fighting Him, you’ll find out why – if not in this life, then in the next. He let you break your neck because He loves you.” At the time, Joni thought those words sounded awfully harsh from her teenaged friend.

Years later, Joni wrote in the book When God Weeps: “Hardships press us against God. God always seems bigger to those who need Him most.”  

TRUSTING GOD FULLY

After an especially dark period of his life, the Apostle Paul wrote to the Church at Corinth: “We don’t want you in the dark, friends, about how hard it was when all this came down on us in Asia province. It was so bad we didn’t think we were going to make it. We felt like we’d been sent to death row, that it was all over for us. As it turned out, it was the best thing that could have happened. Instead of trusting in our own strength or wits to get out of it, we were forced to trust God totally—not a bad idea since he’s the God who raises the dead! (II Corinthians 1:8-11).

Apostle Paul thoughtfully wrote: “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39). May I suggest a daily prayer: “Lord, I don’t know what you have in store for me today, but may it press me into You.”

BUILT FOR COMMUNITY

In his plea to end his life, Elijah made a fatal assumption by concluding that he alone was faithful. Elijah needed both purpose and community.

In I Kings 19 the prophet is exhausted, lonely, and cut off after what should have been a huge victory. The Israelites recently witnessed a massive showdown between their idol Baal and Jehovah God. God performs a throwdown with a massive lightening punch from heaven. It screams the truth of Who God is.

GOD LIGHTS UP THE SKY

Baal’s followers ran around yelling and cutting themselves. They thought all that self-mutilation would get Baal’s attention. After hours of no response from Baal, Elijah pours gallons and gallons on his sacrifice and utters a prayer. God lights up the sky. Elijah’s sacrifice burns perfectly to a crisp. It should have been game over. Elijah’s prayers bring an end to a 7-year drought. The Israelites should have fallen on their knees, promising to never return to idol worship.

HEARTBROKEN ELIJAH

But the Queen is not too pleased with Elijah’s honoring God (and the execution of her star prophets). She puts out a contract on Elijah’s life. Elijah runs for the hills. The cowardly Israelites don’t run alongside him. Elijah is heartbroken. He feels his age. All the signs and wonders do not break the stranglehold of sin on his people.

PRAYED THAT HE MIGHT DIE

I Kings 19:4, Elijah “prayed that he might die.” He declares, “I have had enough Lord. Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” What he had viewed as a huge win for God now looks like smoke and mirrors. He can’t see God’s hand.

ELIJAH’S BONE TO PICK

God sends an angel who to feeds Elijah. Elijah wakes up, is fed again and Elijah makes the trip to Mt. Horeb. Elijah has a bone to pick with God. He may have rested, but his mouth vents an extensive list of complaints.

GOD’S WHISPER

The Lord tells Elijah to stand by the mountain. A mighty windstorm breaks out, an earthquake shakes the ground, a firestorm scorches the earth. Yet, God is not there. A whisper comes. This is the voice of God. He gives Elijah purpose: three people to anoint. Furthermore, he lets Elijah know he is not alone. There are 7,000 other Israelites who have not retreated to idolatry. God gives Elijah community both in the 7,000 and also in the person of Elisha.

ELIJAH NEEDED COMMUNITY

All the time Elijah thought he was the lone wolf, the sole person sticking up for God, he was not alone. In his plea to end his life, Elijah made a fatal assumption by concluding that he alone was faithful. Elijah needed both purpose and community.

BUILT FOR COMMUNITY

God has built us for community. Arthur W. Lindsley observes, “If we do not make a commitment to a particular body of believers, we will never have in-depth community. This problem of idealism or perfectionism manifests itself often in people’s lives. I have seen a pattern in what happens. First, an individual or a couple joins a church thinking that the pastor, worship, fellowship, etc. is great. They give glowing recommendations to others. However, after a few years (or months) they begin to be dissatisfied with the sermons, the pastor and the church leadership, members of the congregation, the worship style, or some other fault. They leave and move to another church where the cycle starts again. They have found again the perfect church. But, no, after a time it is not perfect. So, they church hop for the rest of their lives or just give up.”

DON’T GIVE UP

Don’t give up and cut yourself off like Elijah. That never ends well. Ask God for a community of believers who follow the simple principles of the early church. Acts 2:42- 44: All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. Don’t assume you have to live like Elijah. You are built for community.

THE MESSY CHURCH

“Holy people”? Doesn’t sound like the elders, Mrs. K, Chris, Peter, Randy or Sally received that memo.

The cauldron boiled at the First Church of Chaos. Resentments filled the air the evening the elders engaged in a nasty exchange over who was the best pastor: Peter, Chris, or Arty. Then there was the string of lawsuits regarding Mrs. K’s son vandalizing the 2 Lexuses belonging to church elders and Peter’s backing into Chris’ Tesla. Who forgot the tale of 30-year-old Randy’s romantic entanglement with his 40-year-old stepmother? The icing on the cake was the communion service where Sally spiked the grape juice with vodka.

WHAT A MESS!

Shameful! Out of control behavior! If you read I Corinthians chapters 1, 5, 6, & 11, these behaviors are just a glimpse of the conduct of the Corinthian Church. With all that going on, how could the Apostle Paul address the Corinthians with their call to holiness? Paul writes, “I am writing to God’s church in Corinth to you who have been called by God to be his own holy people. He made you holy by means of Christ Jesus,just as he did for all people everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours” (I Cor. 1:2). “Holy people”? Doesn’t sound like the elders, Mrs. K, Chris, Peter, Randy or Sally received that memo.

WHAT DOES GOD DO WITH A HAYWIRE CONGREGATION?

The Apostle Paul continues, “He will keep you strong to the end so that you will be free from all blame on the day when our Lord Jesus Christ returns. God will do this, for he is faithful to do what he says, and he has invited you into partnership with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord” (I Cor. 1:8-9). Can God be faithful to a congregation gone haywire?

THE TRUE CHURCH

What actually is the true church? Pastor Steve Hubbard observes: “It is not just a group of religious people gathered together to enjoy certain mutually desired functions. It is a group of people who share the same life, who belong to the same Lord, who are filled with the same Spirit, who are given gifts by that same Spirit, and who are intended to function together to change the world by the life of God.” Notice the word “same”; it’s a word representing unity.

IMPORTANCE OF UNITY

Over time, the Corinthians lost sight God’s instructions for unity. “Make it your aim to be at one in the Spirit, and you will inevitably be at peace with one another. You all belong to one body, of which there is one Spirit, just as you all experienced one calling to one hope. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God, one Father of us all, who is the one over all, the one working through all and the one living in all. (Ephesians 4:5-6).

SOMETHING ROTTEN

First Church of Chaos and the Corinthians suffered greatly. A local church can be much like Noah’s Ark. If not for the storm outside, you couldn’t stand the smell inside. Yet, the Apostle Paul remarks, “If one member suffers, all the parts share the suffering.”

GOD’S PROMISE

Yes, we live in a messy world. Most churches have members like Chris, Arty, Peter, Mrs. K., Randy and Sally. However, take heart. In church community, true believers have a promise. “God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns” (Philippians 1:6).

WHAT TO FOCUS ON

What amazing experiences are waiting for us once we hold tightly to the supernatural peace of Christ.

A recent diagnosis of Lyme Disease put me in a quickly descending tailspin of toxic thoughts.  Will there be long term side effects or permanent damage?  Will I recover 100%?  Is this going to impede the upcoming vacations that I’m eagerly waiting for?  What if, what if, what if….

HOLDING TIGHTLY TO THE NASTY

I find myself holding onto something, either positive or negative thoughts, but not at the same time.  And if you are like me that slippery slope into negativity can happen quickly. Have you ever noticed that our spiritual hands are never empty?  Holding on tightly to the nasty stuff like bitterness, offenses, anger, unforgiveness, fear, etc. can quickly become a huge burden.

SORT OUT THE JUNK

So, what’s the fix? Becoming doers of God’s word. In 2 Corinthians 10:5, Paul states, “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”  This simple solution is harder to execute.  Fortunately, the Bible also tells us that Jesus will never leave us or forsake us.  Jesus offers to help us sort out the junk.

A beloved Bible story brings this principle to life.  Matthew 14:22-33 tells of Jesus calling Peter out into the water.  The familiar story begins with Jesus walking on the water toward the disciples in their boat.  The disciples are terrified, until hearing their master’s voice; “Take Courage! It is I.  Don’t be afraid.”  His comforting words calm their fears. 

PETER LETS GO

But, for Peter, the master’s words embolden him to try something new.  “Lord, if it’s you, tell me to come to you on the water.”  Jesus calls him, and for a moment Peter lets go of all the trepidations that his natural mind screams at him and embraces the supernatural by focusing on the peace that only Jesus can provide

Though the experience is short-lived, Peter miraculously walks on water!  While he remained focused on Jesus, he was free to defy nature with a miraculous new experience.   But, as soon as fear crept in, he began to sink until he cried out to the Savior of the World; “Lord, save me!” Immediately, Jesus catches him.

So, we have the contrast of the positive versus the negative. When Peter focuses on Christ, he is free to walk on the water. When the negative thoughts enter his mind, he sinks faster than a bag of lead.  If Peter had released the negative thoughts, how much further could he have walked on top of the water? 

THE CHOICE

What about us; are we willing to release fear and negativity when Jesus calls?  Probably you do not have the diagnosis of Lyme disease, but you have other challenges in your life. Let go of the nasty stuff like bitterness, offenses, anger, unforgiveness, fear, etc. What amazing experiences are waiting for us once we release the negativity and hold tightly to the supernatural peace of Christ. Hold on to the Light.

WHERE HEAVEN MEETS EARTH

Allow Him to enter your tent; this is where heaven meets earth.

One summer my father-in-law enlisted the help of young men to help him put together new patio furniture. Lots and lots of pieces and hardware was laid out in the work area. Off to the one side was the unopened instruction booklet. It was a hot day, and frustration tempered the air as the three tried to rush through the project.

FOLLOW THE PLANS

After about 1 ½ hours of futility did they pause long enough to listen as one of us women asked, “Have you read the instructions?” Amazing how beautifully and efficiently the project went after they followed the directions. The basic rule in construction is always to follow the plans.

MORE THAN JUST A TENT

In Exodus 40, God knows that we humans don’t necessarily like to observe His directions. That’s why He leaves nothing out when He twice gives Moses very detailed procedures on how to construct the Tabernacle and all of its furnishings. Rev. Kory Plockmeyer notes, “Moses follows the careful divine instructions because the tabernacle is more than just a tent, it is the very place where heaven meets earth.”

THE MISSING GLORY

“The place where heaven meets earth.” There is something especially unique and wonderful about the inner part of the Tabernacle which housed the Holy of Holies. The Glory of the Lord dwelt there. This room existed in both the original Tabernacle and then the magnificent temple built by Solomon. Years after Solomon’s temple was destroyed, Jewish people are allowed to return to build a new temple. Ezra records his people weeping. Why such a response? Not only because this temple will not approach the grandeur of Solomon’s temple, but also because they recognize that the glory of the Lord, the Shekinah Glory, will not be present in this temple the same way it was before. (Ezra 3:12-13).

PLACE OF LONGING

The grief of longing. “As the place where the Glory of God dwelled, the tabernacle/temple was the place where heaven met earth, the place where the people of Israel went to meet God, the place where they encountered the glory of God. Yet it was also a place of longing – of longing for the return of the cloud, for the return of the spirit to the temple.” (Rev. Kory Plockmeyer)

TEMPLES OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

As believers, God has designated that we now are God’s temple. Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? (1 Corinthians 6:19). David Platt observes: “By the grace of God, through Jesus’ death on the cross, resurrection from the grave, ascension on high, ascending of the Holy Spirit, His presence now dwells inside you and me, inside each person who’s put our trust in Jesus. You don’t have to look to a tent, the Holy Spirit dwells in you, which means the Holy Spirit is in you, leading, guiding and directing your thoughts, your desires and your decisions.”

HIS DWELLING WITHIN YOU

So, the question that begs an answer is, “Are you allowing the Holy Spirit to dwell within you? Or are you out in the hot sun, toiling away, getting nowhere because you have discarded God’s instruction book, the Bible?” God has built into true believers a longing to have a life which reflects His indwelling. Seriously begin to thoughtfully read the Scriptures, ask the Holy Spirit to help you understand His promptings, and obey Him earnestly, quickly, and thoroughly. God is a wonderful designer. Allow Him to enter your tent; this is where heaven meets earth.

THE JESUS SWAGGER

If Jesus was on staff at a local church today, He would probably be fired and escorted out the door.

He was 6’4” with a long, lanky body. In his early films of the 1930s, he looks very stiff and a bit awkward. Slowly but surely, he learned to move in a very slow, deliberate way. The gait of John Wayne, the actor, “was slightly tipsy, slightly off-balance looking, rough, tough, and rugged”. He chose his walk, his trademark swagger.

HOW DID JESUS WALK?

Jesus’ walk is also unique. “Whoever says he lives in Christ [that is, whoever says he has accepted Him as God and Savior] ought [as a moral obligation] to walk and conduct himself just as He walked and conducted Himself (I John 2:6). How did Jesus walk? Read the Gospels. You quickly discover Jesus breaks the social rules. The disciples never know what to expect. Jesus’ daily time with the Heavenly Father leads Him into uncharted territories, especially for those who consider themselves religious.

NOT PLAYING BY THE RULES

They visit a scandalous woman belonging to “those people”; a group which good Jewish people do not associate with. The 12 never know if the next town will bring cheers or jeers. There is the occasion when Jesus could have healed Lazarus, but God tells Jesus to pause.  Lazarus dies.  What good friend lets another die? Sisters Mary and Martha are none too pleased when Jesus shows up late too late to save. Jesus doesn’t play by the rules of the Pharisees or the Sadducees. When the rule keepers condemn to death a woman caught in adultery, Jesus kneels and scribbles in the dust. They expect Him to launch the first stone.  Instead, He forgives her. Jesus often either thrills or disappoints. He is either lauded or vilified. Jesus doesn’t even use hand sanitizer when He touches the lepers.

UNPLANNED AND DISRUPTIVE

Jesus’ days seem unplanned. He twice spends hours speaking to thousands of people and after the fact (seemingly, off the cuff) asks his disciples to supply lunch. He is disruptive and uncooperative with local commerce and causes a big scene at the Temple. When a disciple betrays him, Jesus welcomes him back with open arms and appoints him the leader of the group. If Jesus was on staff at a local church today, He would probably be fired and escorted out the door. Jesus is not the good employee of mankind because He only follows one Boss, His Heavenly Father.  He came to do His Father’s will. That was and is His pattern every day of His life.

YOUR WALK

Maybe you are a little stiff and a bit awkward with this whole concept of walking as Jesus walked. Do you let go of your schedule and with open hands accept Jesus’ priorities, uncomfortable situations, and the upheaval which He can bring to your life?  Have you learned to trust Him regardless of the situation?

LEARN THE SWAGGER

Yes, your Jesus walk might at times appear slightly off-balance, rough, and not blend in with everyone else. But whoever says he lives in Christ [that is, whoever says he has accepted Him as God and Savior] ought [as a moral obligation] to walk and conduct himself just as He walked and conducted Himself. (I John 2:6).  It’s the only walk that glorifies Christ. Learn the Jesus swagger.

Click to hear the story of Lee Strobel.

LEANING HARD

Just when I thought everything was planned….

I’m traveling through an uncomfortable season. After a significant fall a few months ago, my back is a mess. Turns out my old bones are not happy when they slam backward against a cement block wall. What I thought originally would just be a massive nasty bruise has turned into a very angry spinal column. Restorative sleep is fleeting. The pain marches to its own drummer. Some days are not too bad. Others are agony.

A DIFFERENT SUMMER

Months ago I began planning what I would do this summer. God has nixed most of it. The other day as I sat on my back porch (usually my happy place), I realized that this summer will be different than what I envisioned. I sat there arguing with God (yes, I do argue with God).

THE HARDER WE LEARN, THE STRONGER WE GROW

Then I read this quote from J.I. Packer: “God uses chronic pain and weakness, along with other afflictions, as his chisel for sculpting our lives. Felt weakness deepens dependence on Christ for strength each day. The weaker we feel, the harder we lean. And the harder we lean, the stronger we grow spiritually, even while our bodies waste away. To live with your ‘thorn’ uncomplainingly—that is, sweet, patient, and free in heart to love and help others, even though every day you feel weak—is true sanctification. It is true healing for the spirit. It is a supreme victory of grace.”

REACH FORWARD

What does God say about leaning? “Not that I have already obtained it [this goal of being Christlike] or have already been made perfect, but I actively press on so that I may take hold of that [perfection] for which Christ Jesus took hold of me and made me His own. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider that I have made it my own yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the [heavenly] prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:12-14)

God, You definitely have my attention. I’m leaning forward and leaning hard.

Click for more on “letting go”

MORE THAN A SNACK

How is your relationship with God growing?

After spending 40 days with God on the top of Mt. Sinai, didn’t Moses already know God? On the mount, Moses didn’t spend time reading theological books, listening to great sermons, or Googling “God.” He was WITH God all that time, yet he came out of it wanting to know God better.

RELATIONSHIP with God

In Exodus 33:12-23, depending upon your translation, forms of the word “know” are used six times in this passage. One would think that Moses at this point knew God well enough that he could just get to the business of herding the Israelites to the Promised Land. God knew Israel and Moses, however, now Moses wants to know God better. Moses wants relationship with God.

MOSES GALLOPS AFTER GOD

In our house we have a cupboard which has snacks. Often, I open the cupboard door, see what’s available, and then either grab something or continue on. Moses is not casually looking through the cupboard for a snack of God. Moses is banging away at the cupboard door and yelling he is not going to leave it until he is fully satisfied. God is a “rewarder of them that diligently seek HIM” (Hebrews 11:6). Moses doesn’t want to be casual Facebook friends with God; he wants a deep and true relationship with Him. Before this, God had sought Moses, but now Moses gallops after God. He knows the only hope for himself, and his people is in his relationship with God.

DESIRE FOR GOD HIMSELF

“We may have been Christians for many years, but have we ever really longed for some personal, direct knowledge and experience of God? Oh, I know, we pray for causes, we pray for the Church, we pray for missionaries, we pray for our own efforts that we organize, yes, but that is not what I am concerned about. We all ask for personal blessings, but how much do we know of this desire for God himself? That is what Moses asked for: ‘Show me thy glory. Take me yet a step nearer.’” (Martin Lloyd-Jones)

GOD’S ESSENCE

And what part of Himself does God choose in taking Moses a step nearer? God’s essence.

God says, I will make all My goodness pass before you. Moses asks to see the glory of God, and God promises to show Moses His goodness. “God’s glory lies in His goodness. When Moses saw the glory of God, His first understanding was that God was good. If we don’t know that God is good, we don’t know much about Him at all” (David Guzik).

HIS GOODNESS

At the core of all these attributes is one common denominator, God’s goodness. Moses asked: Now therefore, I pray you, if I have found favor in Your sight, let me know Your ways so that I may know You [becoming more deeply and intimately acquainted with You, recognizing and understanding Your ways more clearly] and that I may find grace and favor in Your sight. What does God consider essential? For Moses to know the goodness of God.

RELATIONSHIP FOR THE LONG HAUL

This will help carry Moses through 40 years of wandering through the wilderness with a majority of a generation who don’t want to know God or His goodness. This relationship with God is what will carry Moses for the long haul.

RELATIONSHIP GROWING 101

So, the question is, “How is your relationship with God growing?” Ask yourself these questions (taken from “Discipleship Handbook” by Bill Stoner):

  1. Have your family or friends noticed a difference in you and how you act toward others?
  2. Do you spend more time reading the Bible than you have in the recent past?
  3. Are you adding more to discussions when they cross to the spiritual realm?
  4. Has your awareness of the lost around you compelled you to be more of a disciple than when you first came to know Christ?
  5. Do you feel you spend enough time in prayer each day?

 God is the “Rewarder of them that diligently seek HIM.”