Can I Get a Witness?

The Word is first...

Romans 8:16 (NIV)

¹⁶ The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.

The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984

Having been born into the family of Adam, I am keenly aware of my heritage and inheritance. The Bible lists out some of the details of that inheritance such as;

1. Death. 1 Corinthians 15:22
2. Dead in my transgressions and sins. Ephesians 2:1
3. A propensity to follow the ways of the world, disobedience. Ephesians 2:2
4. Being God's enemy. Romans 5:10
5. Being a slave to sin. Romans 6:17
6. Condemnation. John 3:18
7. Disobedience and lack of love. 1 John 3:10

To be sure, there are many others and my 'rap' sheet had grown to gigantic proportions before it was erased. And there's the heart of the matter. As much as I was a child of Adam in my life before Christ, I am even so a child of God now that I have Christ! My 'rap' sheet has been completely, irrevocably and eternally ERASED by the washing of it with Christ's blood. When I came to proclaim Jesus as my Lord and Savior, I was 'plucked' from the family of Adam and adopted into the family of God.

Through the years I've used the term 'red-headed step-child' as means of conveying the concept of being treated as a partial son. That is not what I am to God. In the eyes of God, I am a child born into his family. This is the promise found in 2 Cor 5:17 which states that the 'old has gone, the new has come.' As if calling Jesus my brother is not enough, The Bible details the inheritance I have as a child of God such as;

1. Made alive. 1 Corinthians 15:22
2. Alive to God. Romans 6:11
3. Reconciled, presented holy without blemish and free from accusation. Colossians 1:22
4. Participation in the divine nature of God and escape from worldly corruption. 2 Peter 1:4
5. I am the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21
6. Works of righteousness and love for others. 1 John 3:10

Now, the thing is that you don't have to take my word for it. I've got a witness to my assertion that I am a child of God! The Holy Spirit testifies with (not to) my spirit that I am God's child. So when I come before God in that moment of judgment, not only will Jesus say "I know that one and his debti is paid" but The Spirit will testify that I AM a child of God and that as such, I am entitled to my co-inheritance in Jesus Christ. With Jesus as my advocate and The Spirit as a witness for the defense, I am certain that I will be acquitted of all charges.

I've got a witness, now can I get an Amen?

Peace Out,
Carl

Deep Longing

The Word is first...

Psalm 119:81 (NIV)

ך Kaph

⁸¹ My soul faints with longing for your salvation,

but I have put my hope in your word.

The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984

At some point in our lives, all of us have been looking for something to fill a void within ourselves. For many, the things offered by this world seem to be the right fit; cigarettes, alcohol, gambling, gluttony, lust, adultery, work, sports, all offer transient satisfaction. For some, they seek satisfaction in things that are other worldly, spirituality, mysticism, asceticism, and a host of other 'isms' promise satisfaction but ultimately fail to fit the bill. For a precious few, they turn to the true source of satisfaction, namely God.

In today's passage, the psalmist expresses the depth of the longing that we all feel. He writes "my soul faints with longing..." This is an emotion and a mental state to which we may all relate. Such a deep and desperate longing at the core of our being, our soul, is actually a manifestation of God's plan. God has 'wired' us to experience this feeling, this hunger, this thirst. Of course, his intention was that he be the source of our longing. But Satan, the prince of this world, has found subtle and subversive ways to bend our longing and deceived us into thinking that things of this world, in fact anything other than God himself, can satisfy this longing.

The psalmist however, has rightly identified the the object of his desire. "My soul faints with longing for your salvation..." That void that is within us, that vacuum, is the result of sin. I've heard it described as a "God-shaped hole" and I believe that is an accurate depiction. The separation from God that was caused by Adam's sin figuratively created that space within us that we try to fill. I interpret 'salvation' to mean not only the avoidance of eternal damnation but more importantly the joy of eternal fellowship with God; it is the elimination of the separation.

Our need to eliminate this separation is so strong that we literally faint from the longing. For those pursuing satisfaction in the world, it is as though they are on an endless and eternal treadmill. At first, it is easy but then it gets progressively more difficult till all our strength is sapped and we literally faint from the exertion. Yet, the longing remains.

But the psalmist continues and explains "but I have put my hope in your word." This is the only response to our longing that offers complete and eternal satisfaction. It is the only 'treatment' that overcomes the fainting of our souls. And in securing our hope to His word, we find security, peace and respite. Our soul finds rest, renewal and regeneration. God's word is the ultimate hope for what was, is and will be.

If your soul is fainting from the pursuit, if your soul is fainting from the longing for the 'something' that fills that 'hole' within you, follow the example of the psalmist and put your hope where it belongs. Then you will find that what belongs in that 'hole' will fill you completely and make you whole.

Shalom,
Carl

Sweat Equity

As I headed out to the gym this morning, I paused briefly to fix the verse for the day in my mind. God, whose sense of humor is as grand as the universe, led me to 1 Tim 4:8. I know you'll laugh with me when you read this...

The Word...

1 Timothy 4:8 (NIV)

⁸ For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.

The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984

So anyway, I'm back from the gym now and my clothing is heavy with the sweat from my workout. It was a hard workout. Not only had I missed all my workouts last week while traveling, but I cranked up the resistance this morning. The reward for my effort was 500 calories burned, 3.7 miles run and 1.25 miles climbed.

This year I've been working out in an effort to lose weight, improve my muscle tone and secure a better future for myself and my family. It's been neither easy nor fun and it requires as much discipline as anything I've even engaged in. The more I do, the more remains to be done! Yet for all it's effort, the effects of my commitment are transient. A few months in the buffet line and I'll be right back where I started, or worse. What I've really done is committed myself to a lifetime of vigilance with respect to my physical well-being and more importantly 'temple stewardship.'

Now, contrast this with the commitment to a daily devotional or my spiritual exercise. I've committed myself to this effort in order to grow closer to God, nourish the fruit of righteousness and to increase wisdom in all matters of importance. These things I do are to secure a better future for myself and my family. It is not easy but it is often fun. It requires more discipline that I have but it is self-perpetuating. The more I do, the more I want to do. Yet the effects of my commitment are not transient! Indeed, they are eternal.

Consider that concept for a minute. Go ahead, I'll wait. It's tough for us to think in terms of eternity because frankly, our watches, calendars, clocks and schedules simply do not reflect that concept. Yet it is for eternity that we labor. Whereas my commitment to physical stewardship is a commitment for a lifetime, my commitment to spiritual stewardship is a commitment for thousands of thousands of thousands of lifetimes.

And unlike physical discipline, spiritual discipline is not about looking good; it's about being and doing good. In today's study verse, Paul uses the term 'godliness' and it is here that we need to pause. In this passage, Paul is contrasting the concept of physical training (and it's temporal nature) to godliness and it's eternal nature.

Whereas the physical aspect is one of training and preparation, the concept of godliness is of action and immediacy. By action, I do not mean to imply only physical action but rather action in your mind, heart and body. By committing yourself to being a 'man of God' and by conducting yourself always in a 'godly' manner you are preparing yourself for the eternity in which you are already living.

Now truth be told, this verse is not meant to imply that physical training (exercise, diet) is to be eschewed for spiritual training. Rather it is an exhortation to keep you priorities straight. For instance, if your daily workout routine is getting in the way of godly living, guess which one has to go? Sit-ups and push-backs are no replacement for prayerful living and loving others. As Paul said, "physical training is of some value but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come."

Sweaty,
Carl

Got Hope?

So this morning I get up and realize that I forgot to set the alarm for the house last night. (Not my house, the one I'm staying in) For a moment, I panicked with the thought that "I slept all night unprotected." Then that thought was swept aside with another one; "God was still protecting me." Thank God that I don't have to remember to punch in a code to enable his watchfulness. Thank God for watching over me through the night and for giving me this day.

The Word...

Ephesians 1:18-20 (NIV)

¹⁸ I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, ¹⁹ and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, ²⁰ which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms,

The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984

Here again we see the prayer warrior Paul who, on behalf of the Ephesians, goes before the Lord with a petition of purpose. Nowhere is there any of this mamby-pamby "help them have a good day" rather a prayer to bring about hope, revelation and understanding.

By his words we see that the hope is found in our collective calling to Jesus Christ. I do not consider this a hope for tomorrow or even further in the future. It is far more than a hope for eternity indeed it is hope for this moment. For it is in this moment only, the now, that we may respond to this calling by laying aside our selves and selfishness to become true disciples of Jesus. What a wonderful prayer that we may be enlightened so that we may know the hope that surrounds and permeates us! The lack of this enlightenment is the source of dark depression, depravity and hopelessness. How sad that there are many who live lives literally swimming in the hope represented by our calling to fellowship with Jesus who never know of it's omnipresence. Now then we should be aware of how important a prayer this is for us to pray on behalf of the lost; that they be enlightened.

But Paul's petition is not just for enlightenment to the hope rooted in the calling, it is also for enlightenment to know "the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints." We are constantly concerned with OUR inheritance in The Lord. But this verse speaks to GOD'S inheritance in the saints, that's us! Come now, have you ever considered yourself, your very soul, something to be inherited? God considers the legacy of Christ's sacrifice, that is the redeemed, to be "riches" and a 'glorious inheritance'. Oh my gosh! What does God see in me? This is amazing and establishes my value in a manner which cannot be calculated in human terms. I have extreme value to God and he rejoices in receiving me as an inheritance. If we can truly grasp the undertanding of this fact, if we can be enlightened that we may know the hope in this statement, then our self esteem should soar! This makes me want to run out into the streets dancing and shouting! What other response could there be?

If this were not enough, Paul continues to pray for a third understanding. Again, this is a present hope and this one is based on 'his incomparably great power for us who believe.' What is this power? I believe it is The Holy Spirit power! It (dynamis) is a 'spiritually dynamic and LIVING force.' Dynamis? Dynamite anyone? Paul goes on to describe the nature of this power. Consider his description that it may contribute to your enlightenment to its' inherent hope. It is a WORKING power (energeian). It is neither latent nor potential but rather it is in motion and accomplishing its task. It is OF his mighty (kratous) which overcomes all resistance and it is of his mighty STRENGTH (ischyos) which God literally provides to and for us.

The manifestation of this power, the reality that we can see with our eyes and know with our minds and feel in our hearts, is the raising of Christ from the dead and placing him at God's right hand in heaven. It was God's power which overcame death, defeated Satan and raised Jesus to a place of glory and authority. This same power is available to us today, NOW.

This is an incredible truth which defies reason and logic. It is as slippery as a fish and that is why Paul prayed that the Ephesians (and by extension you and I) would be enlightened (another manifestion of the power) that we may be secure in this hope.

Just as I was secure under God's watchfulness last night (serendipity!) so too in every moment am I to be secure in this hope. I am looking forward to this day and what other treasures God has prepared for me and I pray that you too may walk in this hope, NOW.

Gripped!
Carl

The Testimony of Three

This morning as I prayed, I thanked God for all the experiences in my life that have led me to this moment. Even as I prayed that I realized that the sum total of those experiences do not define who I am today. That's because God poured his Holy Spirit into me and that is the ingredient that brought forth good from all those past experiences. So I had to thank God for the Holy Spirit and for the work he is doing in me today.

The Word...

1 John 5:7-8 (NIV)

⁷ For there are three that testify: ⁸ the^a Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement.

^a Late manuscripts of the Vulgate testify in heaven: the Father, the Word and the Holy Spirit, and these three are one. And there are three that testify on earth: the (not found in any Greek manuscript before the sixteenth century)

The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984

I think the immediate thought concerning this verse is that it validates the Holy Trinity. Were we to consider only this verse, it should be easy to use it to prove the truth of the Triune God. But keeping this verse in context, it is apparent to me that this would be a false interpretation. Please do not misunderstand me, I am not implying that the concept of the Trinity is false but rather that this passage is not about the Trinity and is instead about three significant facts concerning Christ that are presented as proof positive of his divinity. To me, this is a far more important point for our entire belief system would be undermined were Christ not the Son of God. Whereas we can argue, pointlessly, about the Trinity for our salvation does not depend on that. Yet all of eternity rests on Christ.

To that extent then, this verse is about God testifying to us (v10) about his own Son. Jesus, being wholly man, according to the customs and the law as pertaining to righteousness was baptised. I believe this is the water that is referenced in this verse. It was this action that confirmed his humanity and revealed his divinity.

It was at this same baptism that the Spirit descended upon him as a dove. This I believe is the same Spirit referenced in this passage and marked the beginning of Jesus' ministry on this Earth. It established the pattern by which we are cleansed and then filled by the Holy Spirit. In this manner his humanity was confirmed yet again. However, God's voice accompanied the filling by the Spirit and declared that Jesus was the very Son of God.

Lastly, this verse speaks of the testimony of the blood. I believe that if the baptism (water) signified the beginning of Jesus' ministry, then it is the shedding of his blood that marks the completion of his ministry on Earth. By his own declaration "it is finished."

In this way, I see that the three 'elements' in this verse (Spirit, water, blood) are all in agreement that Jesus is the Son of God, the Messiah, the Christ, Immanuel. They testify to my heart and soul and mind today that this is a truth that is irrefutable. If I am to accept the testimony of a man who has foresworn "so help me God" how much more do I believe the very word of God! My faith rests on this fact and my salvation depends upon it. My life depends on it.

In His Grip,
Carl

Sent From Above

This morning as I started my day in prayer I found myself praying "Lord thank you for the Sun that warms the Earth that I am not freezing in the vacuum of space. And thank you for your presence and the presence of your Son that I am not freezing in the vacuum of my own existence." That phrase really stuck in my mind and reminds me of how empty and meaningless my life was before I gave myself to The Lord. With that said, my blog continues...

The Word....

Psalm 57:3 (NIV)

³ He sends from heaven and saves me,

rebuking those who hotly pursue me; Selah

God sends his love and his faithfulness.

The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984

Again The Lord has led me into the Psalms to study the writings of David. In this particular Psalm we see David rejoicing in the Lord as he again escapes the clutches of Saul. His joy is almost palpable, his poetry sincere and his confidence in God boundless.

This speaks to me of the common experience of all men who are pursued by Satan and their own sin nature that they may be destroyed and lost forever. And it convicts me that my own joy in deliverance from my oppressors, including my self, is so easily diminished. Where are my songs? Where is my poetry? What is it that distracts me from my own confidence in God and causes me to turn to my self? Why do I have to be so intentional not to take my self out of the warmth of God's providence and into the empty vacuum of self? I believe it is the comforts of life that make it so easy to slip into complacency and to forget the source of all blessings.

But I digress... in all my shortcomings, in all the tests, trials, temptations and tribulations that I might face, it is God that saves me. It is never my own strength, my own intellect, my own will or my own efforts. To think otherwise is to be deceived by my own heart. No, it is from God on high, from heaven, that my deliverance comes.

In considering the second phrase of this passage, I must ask; how often have I been stalked and the predator turned aside by God without my having ever been aware of the danger I was in? Sure, there are plenty of times when God stepped in and swept aside obstacles, dangers and predators in front of my eyes but what of the things beyond my sight? What of the spiritual attacks in the heavenly realms that I am not privy too? What of the stealthy lion lying in wait that is stayed as I pass by? God rebukes those who hotly pursue me today, just as he did for David thousands of years ago. This is something to think about as we go through our days, secure in the Lord and his protection.

Nevertheless, no matter the method by which God saves me or turns aside my attackers, it is the very manifestation of his love and faithfulness. Though I certainly do not deserve his attention, protection or intervention, he loves me and keeps his word. And he loves you the same and will keep his promises to you as well.

Let us all remember, with great joy, our deliverance from self and sin. Let us all rejoice in the Lord who goes before us clearing the way even as he is behind us turning aside predators. Let us rejoice and multiply his love through our daily actions with others. Let us be faithful to God and to one another as a tribute to his great love and faithfulness.

Shalom,
Carl

Trust Who You Know

The Word is first...

Psalm 9:10 (NIV)

¹⁰ Those who know your name will trust in you,

for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.

The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984

How joyful we are when finally we come to know The Lord! It is as though we are miners working a hard, dry hole when suddenly we come across a river of gold. EUREKA! The gold was there all along waiting for us but we were simply looking in the wrong place.

The verse today was 'penned' by David and is his declaration the the Lord is true and faithful. This of course was the result of God having delivered David from his enemies. God was faithful the entire time but David had struggled with seeing Him amidst the oppression David was suffering. When at last the faithfulness of God was readily apparent to David he had his own EUREKA! moment and his joy was complete.

For those who wander the earth ever seeking satisfaction and happiness in the things of this world, it is as though they are working a hard, dry hole. The 'gold' they seek, God, is always there for them, ever waiting for them to call out to him so that he can reveal his mercy and grace to them. They toil in vain and far too many will die before ever they realize that they are looking in the wrong place. Great will be their grieving when they look up from their torment to see His face.

That is why we, as Christians, having discovered that which was right before us must turn to our brother in the hole and point them towards God. EUREKA! they will shout when at last they find Him and great will be the rejoicing both above and below.



Shalom,
Carl