Children of the Burning Heart!

Being made in His image we have within us the capacity to know Him. In our sins we lack only the power. The moment the Spirit has quickened us to life in regeneration our whole being senses its kinship to God and leaps up in joyous recognition. That is the heavenly birth without which we cannot see the Kingdom of God. It is, however, not an end but an inception, for now begins the glorious pursuit, the heart's happy exploration of the infinite riches of the Godhead. That is where we begin, I say, but where we stop no man has yet discovered, for there is in the awful and mysterious depths of the Triune God neither limit nor end.

To have found God and still to pursue Him is the soul's paradox of love, scorned indeed by the too-easily- satisfied religionist, but justified in happy experience by the children of the burning heart. 

We taste Thee, O Thou Living Bread,
And long to feast upon Thee still:
We drink of Thee, the Fountainhead
And thirst our souls from Thee to fill.  Tozer The Pursuit of God (p. 14-15)

As the butterfly emerges from the chrysalis it's new life as a butterfly is not complete, it is simply beginning.  The same is true for the child of God who experiences being born again; the new birth, being born from above...the journey to pursue and know and experience the awe inspiring, breath taking Triune God have only begun.  If there is no strong passionate hunger, desire, to know and pursue this great God and new life...you must ask are you alive!


 Paul exhorted the Corinthians to test themselves, “Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith. Examine yourselves. Or do you yourselves not recognize that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless you fail the test.” (2 Corinthians 13:5)

Pursue intimacy with Jesus!

   “You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13)

I Want to See!

In his classic work The Screwtape Letters, C. S. Lewis depicts two demons talking shop.  The elder demon, Screwtape, is trying to help his nephew, Wormwood.  At one point  Screwtape shares an amazing insight.  He tells him, “It is funny how mortals always picture us as putting things into their minds: in reality our best work is done by keeping things out.”  What in the world does that mean?

Consider these two photos one I took near my home and the other...well I would love to have taken it.  What prompted me to take these two pictures?  A beautiful sky.  Very simple right?  When the child of God sees and then responds to the work of his Heavenly Father, the Father is glorified and we are filled with joy and delight!  

Now if you pause for a moment and think about it...you and I are surrounded by glorious amazing things every moment of every day!  Our family, curves on a babies hand, the human eye, a peacock, the Universe!  The ability to breath...I have a touch of asthma!  We are surrounded by countless breathtaking things every day that we simply take for granted...until one or two is taken away.

 “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.” Psalm 19:1

Our best defense is not to resist temptation, but to replace, fix our eyes on Jesus, the Author and finisher of our faith!

I believe what Lewis was beautifully trying to communicate is that if a person can be kept consumed with their own circumstances (and never be filled with awe and wonder at the glory of the created universe, that simply declares the glory of the one that created it) not only will they miss the beauty of the creation but they will step into eternity without the Creator as Savior, LORD and Abba.

This little video is awesome, but it is simply filled with things that are all around us every day.

What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.” “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.” (Mark 10:51–52, NIV84)

We are commanded to come with a childlike heart!

Pursuing HIM with a childlike heart!

Advent: I AM

The Advent of Jesus on the Human heart is not always met with great JOY as it was with the Shepherds, Mary, Joseph, Elizabeth and Zechariah.  There is a frightening passage in Revelation 16:9 & 11.  In short, the Wrath of God is being poured out and there are still people that refuse to repent and give God glory!  As terrifying as that is there is another group that will wish they had never been born on "that day!"  They are those that, “having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.” (2 Timothy 3:5)

“Jesus answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God.’ But you have not known him. I know him. If I were to say that I do not know him, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and I keep his word. Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad.” So the Jews said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?” Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple.” (John 8:54–59)

In this passage we see how the Pharisees responded to the Advent of Jesus.  They were afraid to lose what they had when they were offered eternal life.  It is easy for you and I to throw rocks at them...but how do we do when questioned properly?  In a very few words Tozer provides a painful yet necessary scalpel for the Christians heart.  I pray that you and I will allow them to do their work.

Much of our difficulty as seeking Christians stems from our unwillingness to take God as He is and adjust our lives accordingly. We insist upon trying to modify Him and to bring Him nearer to our own image. The flesh whimpers against the rigor of God's inexorable sentence and begs like Agag for a little mercy, a little indulgence of its carnal ways. It is no use. We can get a right start only by accepting God as He is and learning to love Him for what He is. As we go on to know Him better we shall find it a source of unspeakable joy that God is just what He is. Some of the most rapturous moments we know will be those we spend in reverent admiration of the Godhead. In those holy moments the very thought of change in Him will be too painful to endure.  TozerLet the average man be put to the proof on the question of who is above, and his true position will be exposed. Let him be forced into making a choice between God and money, between God and men, between God and personal ambition, God and self, God and human love, and God will take second place every time. Those other things will be exalted above. However the man may protest, the proof is in the choices he makes day after day throughout his life.  Tozer 

"Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish" Luke 13:3. 
As A young man God gave me a very simple prayer…LORD I want to know you as you are, not as I want you to be!  Through the years, one by one, God has identified those things in my life and heart that I love more than Him and as HE has been gracious to allow me to see them and to repent and turn to Him with a childlike faith.  Now in my early 50's it appears that this process will continue to the day that I lay this body aside and experience my third Advent!  

Pursuing HIS presence, pursuing HIM!

Advent of Childlike Faith

“Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them. But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.”” (Mark 10:13–15)

Jesus point was, How do children receive gifts? They receive with anticipation. They receive joyfully and thankfully. They receive without believing they did anything to deserve the gift.

This is a picture of how we come to the Father. We know we do not deserve the great gifts he has in store for us, but he loves us and desires to give us good things. Rather than saying, “I won’t take your gift until I can earn it,” we need to receive the gift of Christ’s redemption with joy and thanksgiving. The kingdom belongs to such as these. Therefore, not only are disciples to receive little children (9:36–37); they are to possess childlike qualities themselves.  Holman NT Commentary

Please forgive me I'm a little frustrated...I have checked several commentators and they have all missed it.  The one above is OK, but I believe that he misses the larger issue.  Jesus was indignant when his disciples rebuked the children.  This is huge..."let the little children come to Me...for such is the kingdom of God."  What is the kingdom of God?  Is the kingdom of God a place?  NO!  The kingdom of God is the rule and reign of God in the hearts and minds of His people through Jesus Christ!  When you and I walk by faith, live by faith in the finished work of our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ, clinging to the promises of our Heavenly Father through the power of the Holy Spirit...with a childlike trust we experience the kingdom of God NOW!

So the kingdom of God this side of eternity is simply the rule and reign of God in the hearts and mind of His people.  Jesus ends this exchange with an amazing statement that it is SO EASY to miss the meaning.  He says, "whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it."  Notice what HE does not say...HE does not say that they are forbidden, rebuked, hindered, prohibited...HE says that they "will by no means enter it."  THEY LOOK AT THE OFFER OF THE KINGDOM AND IN THEIR PRIDE AND ARROGANCE TURN AND WALK AWAY!  It's not that they can't, it's that they won't!  Why?  They can't see it!

“In that hour Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit and said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight.” (Luke 10:21)

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” (Matthew 5:8)
Pursuing HIS presence...CORAM DEO!

Advent of Jesus GLORY His Face

“In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.” (John 1:1–5 NLT)


“For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ. We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.” (2 Corinthians 4:6–7, NLT)

Creator God, you remind us that the darkness of ignorance and doubt cannot overcome your life-giving Word. May your Holy Spirit, who first inspired these words of Scripture, shine your light and once again awaken us to the hearing and living of this radiant truth. In Jesus’ name. Amen! Robert Webber

In John 17, Jesus High Priestly prayer, the most glorious and beautifully revealing prayer in God's Word Jesus makes a request of the Father that has been and continues to be answered.  Jesus asks, “Father, I want these whom you have given me to be with me where I am. Then they can see all the glory you gave me because you loved me even before the world began!” (John 17:24, NLT)
John Owen wrote an amazing rich and wonderful little book on that one verse.  The following is a quote I memorized many years ago.

Beholding the glory of Christ, herein would I live, herein would I die, herein would I dwell in my thoughts and affections.  To the withering and consumption of all the painted beauties of this world, unto the crucifying of all things here below until they become unto me a dead and deformed thing no way fit for affectionate embraces.  John Owen 

Pursuing His Face, His presence, HIM!

Advent of the Mind

Jesus humbled the most brilliant minds of His day as He would today or at any time in history.  After leaving the Sadducees speechless the Pharisees put their minds together and an expert in the law asked Him, "Teacher which is the greatest commandment in the law?"  Jesus responded, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” (Matthew 22:37)  The words He spoke were part of their daily prayers quoted from Deut 6.  ““Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” (Deuteronomy 6:4–5)   
Jesus created us, He designed us, so He knows that our purpose is to glorify Him with our whole being and He knows that our greatest JOY is found in fulfilling this purpose!  The Psalmist understood this with his heart, soul AND MIND, “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” (Psalm 16:11)  Jesus is the right hand and He is the treasure and the source of those pleasures forevermore.
Remember Paul's beautiful exhortation in Romans 12.

“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:1–2)

In Luke 24 we see that Jesus opened their minds, “Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures” (Luke 24:45).  Paul exhorted the Ephesians to, "be renewed in the spirit of your minds” (Ephesians 4:23).
Let's look to C. S. Lewis for some help, he said in The Weight of Glory,

If we consider the unblushing promises of reward and the staggering nature of the rewards promised in the Gospels, it would seem that our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.

Lewis is making the point that people pursue pleasure in those things that cannot possibly satisfy us.  Satan is quite happy to keep us in the slums making mud pies deluding us to snub our Creator, our Redeemer who is offering pleasures forevermore!  In other words, passionately pursuing pleasures, joy and satisfaction in JESUS glorifies HIM and perfectly completes and satisfies us, His children.  
There must be an Advent of Jesus in our minds, He must open our minds to understand the scriptures, to behold, to delight in our greatest treasure and the source of all true pleasure...JESUS!
“In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.” (Luke 10:21)  

Advent of the Heart

Paul gives a beautiful portrait of the Advent of the heart in 2 Cor 4:6.  He has to reach back to creation in Genesis 1:3 to describe what the Advent of the heart is like!

“For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.” (2 Corinthians 4:6–7)  
Paul is simply and gloriously saying that in the same way that God created light in creation HE has created light in our hearts that we might behold the "light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ."  I pray that you will allow the weight of this truth hit and transform you!
I am going to invite you to put on your thinking cap for a moment.  Jonathan Edwards speaking to the nature of God, specifically His Triune nature writes the following.

 God is glorified within Himself these two ways: 1. By appearing . . . to Himself in His own perfect idea [of Himself], or in His Son, who is the brightness of His glory. 2. By enjoying and delighting in Himself, by flowing forth in infinite love and delight towards Himself, or in his Holy Spirit.  God glorifies Himself toward the creatures also in two ways: 1. By appearing to . . . their understanding. 2. In communicating Himself to their hearts. . . . God is glorified not only by His glory's being seen, but by its being rejoiced in. When those that see it delight in it, God is more glorified than if they only see it. His glory is then received by the whole soul, both by the understanding and by the heart. God made the world that He might communicate, and the creature receive, His glory; and that it might [be] received both by the mind and heart. Jonathan Edwards

"God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!”” (Galatians 4:6)  “God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” (Romans 5:5)


“One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul.” (Acts 16:14)

Lord God, we hunger and thirst after many things. Come and create a deep longing within us that we might delight to be in your presence. Sound the alarm within our soul that we might wake from our spiritual drowsiness and watch and wait for Christ’s coming. Redeemer God, come, as we seek to open our hearts, creating a welcome space for you to abide. Startle us from our sloth and rescue us from that which distracts us from knowing your grace and love. Inspire our preparation and guide our worship that our Advent waiting might lead us to Bethlehem’s manger. In Jesus’ name. Amen!  Robert Webber

Pursuing intimacy with Jesus!