“Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain…” Psalm 127:1
Boy does this sound simple but it is one of the most difficult things in life to accomplish. Each of us carries within us the passion and ability to build our lives around something. We were born to long for…to pursue…to be fulfilled. We determine which god we will serve by building churches based upon the god we exalt. Will our chosen god be God, the Creator? Will we build our temple surrounding the god of excess, the god of work or the god of bitterness?
Within the walls of our self-made churches we walk down the aisle of self-focus and lay ourselves upon the altar. We set up buffets of potluck dinners feeding our egos and our drive for power. We volunteer within its walls to exalt ourselves and satisfy our own desires. We build churches around our gods and attend more than just once a week. We give more than one-tenth to our god and sign up for everything to make sure we get what we think we deserve. We look out for number one in this self-made building not realizing that everything done within and for our church is in vain because the presence of the one true God is absent. We appoint ourselves as elder, deacon and pastor eliminating the need for God to serve in any role in this church.
We must build our spiritual temples pouring the footings of Christ into the foundation. Through the guidance of our Builder we must lay brick by brick, layer by layer and allow God to fill in with His mortar for eternal significance. Any labor that works towards our own agenda must be stopped and replaced with the blueprint of Christ. Only by tearing down our self-made temples, will the presence of the one true God move into our hearts, lead our lives and build His church within us in His way. ‘Now there have been many of those priests…but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood…Such a high priest meets our needs – one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens… We do have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, and who serves in the sanctuary, the true tabernacle set up by the Lord, not by man.’ Hebrews 7:23-8:2.
...tabernacles…not set up by man!
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Yet We Will Not Fall...
“Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. Everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.” Matthew 7:24-26.
A few years back we took a family vacation to the beach which included our children and grandchildren. The first day we went down on the beach I noticed there was a line of huge rocks leading down to the ocean serving as a barrier. I was amazed at all of the sand castles that peppered the beach creating a small village. You could tell they were carefully and intentionally constructed for the outward appearance and enjoyment of others. As we all know, sand castles are for the enjoyment of the day with little hope of survival through the night. The tide creeps in and steals its structure with the first few waves creating a distorted castle with no lasting beauty.
My grandson Carson didn’t like the pull of the undertow so instead of building castles he chose to watch others build upon the sand as he safely sat upon the rocks. Within the rocks there were patches of sand which provided a safe haven for sand castle building. His castles were secondary to the rocks instead of the castle being primary to the sand. The rocks provided a barrier from the dangers of the ocean and a security on which he could depend.
We cannot control the trials of life anymore than we can control the tide rolling in. As adversity creeps into our lives it exposes and erodes the things on which we have built in the flesh. It steals our peace and creates holes in the place of legs on which to stand. We cannot spend our time during times of calm building elaborate sand castles which only have temporal beauty on the outside but no structural integrity underneath. If we have built our faith on sand, we will feel the erosion of its foundation under our feet when the trials roll in. If we have built our faith on a rock, the truths of Jesus, our foundation will be unmoved. We will still get cold and wet but we will have the security of the Rock and will not lose our footing.
…yet we will not fall.
A few years back we took a family vacation to the beach which included our children and grandchildren. The first day we went down on the beach I noticed there was a line of huge rocks leading down to the ocean serving as a barrier. I was amazed at all of the sand castles that peppered the beach creating a small village. You could tell they were carefully and intentionally constructed for the outward appearance and enjoyment of others. As we all know, sand castles are for the enjoyment of the day with little hope of survival through the night. The tide creeps in and steals its structure with the first few waves creating a distorted castle with no lasting beauty.
My grandson Carson didn’t like the pull of the undertow so instead of building castles he chose to watch others build upon the sand as he safely sat upon the rocks. Within the rocks there were patches of sand which provided a safe haven for sand castle building. His castles were secondary to the rocks instead of the castle being primary to the sand. The rocks provided a barrier from the dangers of the ocean and a security on which he could depend.
We cannot control the trials of life anymore than we can control the tide rolling in. As adversity creeps into our lives it exposes and erodes the things on which we have built in the flesh. It steals our peace and creates holes in the place of legs on which to stand. We cannot spend our time during times of calm building elaborate sand castles which only have temporal beauty on the outside but no structural integrity underneath. If we have built our faith on sand, we will feel the erosion of its foundation under our feet when the trials roll in. If we have built our faith on a rock, the truths of Jesus, our foundation will be unmoved. We will still get cold and wet but we will have the security of the Rock and will not lose our footing.
…yet we will not fall.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Sweet Aromas
“…but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.” Hebrews 7:25. “For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.” 2 Co. 2:15.
The last week of my dad’s life I was spending the night to help my mother. My dad was up every two hours which lent itself to the night bleeding into the day. I had the baby monitor by my side in case they needed me again. As I was dozing off I heard some whispers in the monitor. I picked up the monitor to better understand the noises for which I was hearing. My dad, who barely had consciousness, was praying to God on my behalf. I was exhausted and totally depleted with my focus not on prayer but rather on the responsibilities I had that day. I barely recognized the person for whom he was praying as he pled on my behalf. He described a person who was so worthy of God's blessings. For a moment, I wasn't sure he was still referring to me but then I remembered how much he loves me. He flavored his prayers with his bias love and unconditional devotion to me. When I heard the manner in which my dad was praying, and the way he formed his thoughts regarding my needs I knew the true meaning of intercessory prayer. It is a prayer for the needs of others above our own needs. It is an offering of self on the Lord’s altar for the benefit of others. In my case, it was a prayer from the one who knew and loved me most and spoke on my behalf. This is an earthly example of what Christ does for us in the heavenlies.
We lift our prayers to Christ and He enhances them by scenting our prayers with His words, His flavors and His all consuming love. He approaches His Father knowing the exact manner in which we need to be lifted up. He takes our worst and transforms it into His best. He takes our tarnished attitudes and brings out His beautiful character in us. He brings the stench of our flesh and replaces it with His righteousness so that we may look more like Him. Through the aroma of Christ, God recognizes us as His children, bearing the resemblance of His first-born. ‘The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs – heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ…’ Romans 8:16.
With Christ taking our prayers and sweetening the pot, we are represented before God in the most pure and perfect way.
The last week of my dad’s life I was spending the night to help my mother. My dad was up every two hours which lent itself to the night bleeding into the day. I had the baby monitor by my side in case they needed me again. As I was dozing off I heard some whispers in the monitor. I picked up the monitor to better understand the noises for which I was hearing. My dad, who barely had consciousness, was praying to God on my behalf. I was exhausted and totally depleted with my focus not on prayer but rather on the responsibilities I had that day. I barely recognized the person for whom he was praying as he pled on my behalf. He described a person who was so worthy of God's blessings. For a moment, I wasn't sure he was still referring to me but then I remembered how much he loves me. He flavored his prayers with his bias love and unconditional devotion to me. When I heard the manner in which my dad was praying, and the way he formed his thoughts regarding my needs I knew the true meaning of intercessory prayer. It is a prayer for the needs of others above our own needs. It is an offering of self on the Lord’s altar for the benefit of others. In my case, it was a prayer from the one who knew and loved me most and spoke on my behalf. This is an earthly example of what Christ does for us in the heavenlies.
We lift our prayers to Christ and He enhances them by scenting our prayers with His words, His flavors and His all consuming love. He approaches His Father knowing the exact manner in which we need to be lifted up. He takes our worst and transforms it into His best. He takes our tarnished attitudes and brings out His beautiful character in us. He brings the stench of our flesh and replaces it with His righteousness so that we may look more like Him. Through the aroma of Christ, God recognizes us as His children, bearing the resemblance of His first-born. ‘The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs – heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ…’ Romans 8:16.
With Christ taking our prayers and sweetening the pot, we are represented before God in the most pure and perfect way.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Who Wants Ice Cream?
“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.” 2 Co. 5:10.
When I first read this my past sins flashed before my eyes, and I pulled out my Believer’s Bible Commentary hoping for a loophole. Luckily God is the God of loopholes and second chances. It reads, ‘We must all have our lives laid open before the tribunal of Christ. It is one thing to appear in a doctor’s office and quite another thing to be X-rayed by him there. The judgment seat of Christ will reveal our lives of service for Christ exactly as they have been. Not only the amount of our service, but also its quality, and even the very motives that prompted it will be brought into review. Although sins after conversion will have an effect on our service, a believer’s sins will not be brought into review for judgment at this solemn time. That judgment took place over 1900 years ago, when the Lord Jesus bore our sins in His body on the tree…The judgment seat of Christ has to do with our service for the Lord…But it is a matter of reward and loss at that time.’ P. 1839.
When my children were young there would be opportunities for them to help around the house. If one got an invitation to go somewhere from a friend and accepted, this removed them from helping me. Many times they would return to find that I had taken the child who worked with me to get ice cream or had financially rewarded them. Neither child knew up front of any reward that may come from their help, but each made a choice.
When we serve God we should serve from a desire to help Him accomplish what is important to His heart. There will be times when we will choose to ‘go out and play’ instead of serving. Just as in the above example, we will not be punished because of our choice but will miss out on that reward. God is a loving parent and has a desire to lavish us with rewards and blessings.
Our Father is all about relationship and wants to give out of His divine abundance.
When I first read this my past sins flashed before my eyes, and I pulled out my Believer’s Bible Commentary hoping for a loophole. Luckily God is the God of loopholes and second chances. It reads, ‘We must all have our lives laid open before the tribunal of Christ. It is one thing to appear in a doctor’s office and quite another thing to be X-rayed by him there. The judgment seat of Christ will reveal our lives of service for Christ exactly as they have been. Not only the amount of our service, but also its quality, and even the very motives that prompted it will be brought into review. Although sins after conversion will have an effect on our service, a believer’s sins will not be brought into review for judgment at this solemn time. That judgment took place over 1900 years ago, when the Lord Jesus bore our sins in His body on the tree…The judgment seat of Christ has to do with our service for the Lord…But it is a matter of reward and loss at that time.’ P. 1839.
When my children were young there would be opportunities for them to help around the house. If one got an invitation to go somewhere from a friend and accepted, this removed them from helping me. Many times they would return to find that I had taken the child who worked with me to get ice cream or had financially rewarded them. Neither child knew up front of any reward that may come from their help, but each made a choice.
When we serve God we should serve from a desire to help Him accomplish what is important to His heart. There will be times when we will choose to ‘go out and play’ instead of serving. Just as in the above example, we will not be punished because of our choice but will miss out on that reward. God is a loving parent and has a desire to lavish us with rewards and blessings.
Our Father is all about relationship and wants to give out of His divine abundance.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Horse Of Many Colors
“From heaven the LORD looks down and sees all mankind; from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth – he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do. No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength. A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save.” Psalm 33:13-17.
This passage makes me feel so small in the great scheme of things. Thankfully, the way my Father views me is so much more than how I view myself. He thought of me, formed me, loves me and is the Creator of my heart with all its desires. Before He acts, He considers my motives, my limitations and my intentions.
The Wizard of Oz has a scene where Dorothy and her companions enter the City of Oz and are chauffeured around in a horse-drawn carriage. Like everything else in the Emerald City, this horse is unique: it changes colors as it performs its duties—first white, then purple, then orange, then yellow. I cannot help to draw a comparison regarding the different colored horses we allow to lead and pull us.
Many times in my life I have chosen to ride a horse that has been in vain. I placed my trust in something or someone who could neither perform nor save. We tend to mount up on whatever horse we believe can take us to our desired destination. We guide our self-made steed in an effort to deliver and save us only to be disappointed in the results. We build our belief system around the strength of our own making instead of the strength of our Maker. We ride into our battles on horses with no legs and draw our swords with no blades. At best, we ride into war with one foot on our self-made horse and one foot on the back of Faithful and True. ‘I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True.’ Rev. 19:11.
Why is it so difficult to believe that our Father is indeed Creator, Protector and Deliverer? He wears many hats as He directs all of our steps at every turn. He is the God of the small and the big…the calm and the storm…the peaceful times and the fierce battles. We will lose our spiritual balance if we ride through life with a foot on each horse.
Many years ago when trying to make an important decision my father-in-law gave me and Bruce excellent advice which I pass along to you…‘Choose a horse and ride!
You can't miss Him - He's the One in white!
This passage makes me feel so small in the great scheme of things. Thankfully, the way my Father views me is so much more than how I view myself. He thought of me, formed me, loves me and is the Creator of my heart with all its desires. Before He acts, He considers my motives, my limitations and my intentions.
The Wizard of Oz has a scene where Dorothy and her companions enter the City of Oz and are chauffeured around in a horse-drawn carriage. Like everything else in the Emerald City, this horse is unique: it changes colors as it performs its duties—first white, then purple, then orange, then yellow. I cannot help to draw a comparison regarding the different colored horses we allow to lead and pull us.
Many times in my life I have chosen to ride a horse that has been in vain. I placed my trust in something or someone who could neither perform nor save. We tend to mount up on whatever horse we believe can take us to our desired destination. We guide our self-made steed in an effort to deliver and save us only to be disappointed in the results. We build our belief system around the strength of our own making instead of the strength of our Maker. We ride into our battles on horses with no legs and draw our swords with no blades. At best, we ride into war with one foot on our self-made horse and one foot on the back of Faithful and True. ‘I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True.’ Rev. 19:11.
Why is it so difficult to believe that our Father is indeed Creator, Protector and Deliverer? He wears many hats as He directs all of our steps at every turn. He is the God of the small and the big…the calm and the storm…the peaceful times and the fierce battles. We will lose our spiritual balance if we ride through life with a foot on each horse.
Many years ago when trying to make an important decision my father-in-law gave me and Bruce excellent advice which I pass along to you…‘Choose a horse and ride!
You can't miss Him - He's the One in white!
Friday, January 14, 2011
The Gate of Giving
“If there is a poor person among you, one of your brothers within any of your gates in the land the LORD your God is giving you, you must not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward your poor brother. Instead, you are to open your hand to him and freely loan him enough for whatever need he has…Give to him, and don’t have a stingy heart when you give, and because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you do.” Deut. 15:7-10
This passage was an exhortation for Christians to give to others in need regardless of their ability to repay. Historically, the seventh year was considered the year of canceling debts. Any lent money in year one through six would be considered paid in full and reconciled at the beginning of year seven. This command was to loan in year six just as generously as year one, although the chances of repayment were less likely. The important principles in this passage are our obedience and the condition of our hearts.
Although this passage is based on financial support, we can take it to mean emotional, physical or spiritual support also. As Christians we are told that to follow Christ is to expect burdens and hardship. ‘You, however, know all about…my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings – what kinds of things happened to me…Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.’ 2 Tim. 3:10-12. Well, there you have it…our life when surrendered to Christ.
So it is no surprise that each of us at some point will be that beggar holding out our needy hands for something. Other times, we will be that person who can extend the provisions required to get others through their tough season.
The Lord our God has given each of us our own land in which we must seek provisions for ourselves and distribute to others in need. The gate opens both ways…we must be willing to come and go…to give and to receive. Like every other act of obedience... we will be blessed in all our work and in everything we do. It is the promise of our Guarantor.
This passage was an exhortation for Christians to give to others in need regardless of their ability to repay. Historically, the seventh year was considered the year of canceling debts. Any lent money in year one through six would be considered paid in full and reconciled at the beginning of year seven. This command was to loan in year six just as generously as year one, although the chances of repayment were less likely. The important principles in this passage are our obedience and the condition of our hearts.
Although this passage is based on financial support, we can take it to mean emotional, physical or spiritual support also. As Christians we are told that to follow Christ is to expect burdens and hardship. ‘You, however, know all about…my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings – what kinds of things happened to me…Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.’ 2 Tim. 3:10-12. Well, there you have it…our life when surrendered to Christ.
So it is no surprise that each of us at some point will be that beggar holding out our needy hands for something. Other times, we will be that person who can extend the provisions required to get others through their tough season.
The Lord our God has given each of us our own land in which we must seek provisions for ourselves and distribute to others in need. The gate opens both ways…we must be willing to come and go…to give and to receive. Like every other act of obedience... we will be blessed in all our work and in everything we do. It is the promise of our Guarantor.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Get Up...Be Strengthened!
“He came to a broom tree, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. ‘I have had enough, LORD,’ he said. ‘Take my life.’ Then he lay down under the tree and fell asleep. All at once an angel touched him and said, ‘Get up and eat.’ He looked around and there …was a cake of bread…and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again. The angel of the LORD came back a second time and touched him and said, ‘Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you…’ So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached…the mountain of God. There he went into a cave and spent the night.” 1 Kings 19:4b-9
These were the words of Elijah - God's mighty prophet. How many times have we nestled up under the broom tree and proclaimed ‘I HAVE HAD ENOUGH, LORD!’ I know personally I feel as Paul felt many days as he wrote in 2 Co. 4: ‘Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling…For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened…and wish to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.’ Granted, Paul’s summation was more elegant than Elijah’s but Elijah’s was probably more relatable.
When life requires too much from us and we have nothing more to give we must believe that God does send provisions to get us through that season. We are surrounded daily with God’s divine allies encouraging, strengthening and protecting. He will always send spiritual nourishment if we will just look around and see the ‘bread and water.’ Notice that immediately following Elijah’s nourishment he went right back to sleep. I can relate to this as I work each morning to obtain the peace that is mine through Christ. Sometimes within the same hour I go right back in that hypnotic trance of discouragement and despair. Again, God finds little ways to feed me throughout the day and reminds me that He understands the journey is too much for me some days.
Our circumstances do cause us to groan for resolution and a desire to pull up stakes. That is the reason we cannot depend on our earthly tent to brave the elements. We must go to the mountain of God where we will not only see Him, but we will experience His love and protection. ‘Then the LORD said, “There is a place near me…I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand…” Exodus 33:21-22. We will be adorned with our heavenly clothing soon enough, but until then we can retreat in the cleft of our Savior and enjoy freedom in Him. ‘Now the LORD is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the LORD is, there is freedom.’ 2 Co. 3:17.
These were the words of Elijah - God's mighty prophet. How many times have we nestled up under the broom tree and proclaimed ‘I HAVE HAD ENOUGH, LORD!’ I know personally I feel as Paul felt many days as he wrote in 2 Co. 4: ‘Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling…For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened…and wish to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.’ Granted, Paul’s summation was more elegant than Elijah’s but Elijah’s was probably more relatable.
When life requires too much from us and we have nothing more to give we must believe that God does send provisions to get us through that season. We are surrounded daily with God’s divine allies encouraging, strengthening and protecting. He will always send spiritual nourishment if we will just look around and see the ‘bread and water.’ Notice that immediately following Elijah’s nourishment he went right back to sleep. I can relate to this as I work each morning to obtain the peace that is mine through Christ. Sometimes within the same hour I go right back in that hypnotic trance of discouragement and despair. Again, God finds little ways to feed me throughout the day and reminds me that He understands the journey is too much for me some days.
Our circumstances do cause us to groan for resolution and a desire to pull up stakes. That is the reason we cannot depend on our earthly tent to brave the elements. We must go to the mountain of God where we will not only see Him, but we will experience His love and protection. ‘Then the LORD said, “There is a place near me…I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand…” Exodus 33:21-22. We will be adorned with our heavenly clothing soon enough, but until then we can retreat in the cleft of our Savior and enjoy freedom in Him. ‘Now the LORD is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the LORD is, there is freedom.’ 2 Co. 3:17.
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