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!

Advent: Forgiveness

The Grand story of Redemption, the breath-taking panoramic story that began before the foundation of the world has it's climax at the Cross!  Now the Hero of the story could have entered the stage of history however He chose, and He chose the most humble entry.  His appearing (Advent) in the story is awe-striking because of the unfathomable  condescension.  Isaiah told of His birth hundreds of years before it occurred, also told us about His mission...why did He come?  What was the first Advent all about?

“But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.” (Isaiah 43:1–3a)

“Remember these things, O Jacob, and Israel, for you are my servant; I formed you; you are my servant; O Israel, you will not be forgotten by me. I have blotted out your transgressions like a cloud and your sins like mist; return to me, for I have redeemed you.” (Isaiah 44:21–22) 

Paul picks up the story of redemption on this side of the Cross and teaches us that, “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance,” (Romans 5:1–3) John teaches us that, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

When we confess, we are forgiven...when we are forgiven, we are redeemed...and when we are redeemed, we are adopted as His children and we are commanded to enter His presence with full acceptance and childlike wonder and awe in our Abba, our Father in Heaven!  I hope you noticed in Isaiah 43 He says to His children..."you are mine."  He promises to make us His own and then He promises His presence especially through the adversities in this life.  Coram Deo, HE is present, are you enjoying and delighting in His presence and promises!  

“Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe,” (Hebrews 12:28)
Pursuing Intimacy with Jesus together!
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“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” (Romans 15:13)

Advent Confession

Merciful God, we are grateful for the promise of your forgiveness. We desparately need it! So many things have crowded thoughts of you out of our minds this past week. We have been so busy shopping, cooking, decorating, mailing, and entertaining that at times we have forgotten your nearness. Sadly we confess that our anxieties have been more real to us than your peace. While not our intention, we have had a tendency to focus more on our wants than on our worship of you. The prospects of exchanging gifts with our family and friends create more excitement within us than welcoming the priceless Gift of your Son. Lord, we know these practices must grieve your loving heart, for when we pause long enough to catch our breath, we realize something is missing. Forgive us, cleanse us, restore us, strengthen us—not because our faith is so great or our prayers so fervent, but because your love us so radical.  In Jesus’ amazing name. Amen!

“For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
“And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”” (Matthew 1:21)
“So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1)  

The disturbing truth that there was no room for Jesus in the overcrowded inn (Luke 2:7) which was mirrored by Martha’s hyperactive efforts to entertain Christ (Luke 10:38–42) remind us how powerful distractions can be even when Christ is before us. (Robert Webber The Services of the Christian Year)

As for me and my House, LORD, enable us to keep Jesus the ONE THING to be concerned about this Christmas.


   “There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”” (Luke 10:42)
Pursuing intimacy with Jesus!

Advent: Week 2 Peace be with you

   “On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.”” (John 20:19–21)
“Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”” (John 20:26)
The first Advent candle represents waiting on the promised Messiah, waiting on the promised redemption.  The second Advent candle represents that astounding truth that in Jesus Christ we have peace with God (no longer under His wrath) and He gloriously gives us His peace by giving us Himself!
The question I have to ask myself every day is am I experiencing and walking in the peace provided by my Savior or am I walking in my own power and in frustration?
Pursuing intimacy with Jesus!


“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:1)

Advent: That Christ be Seen as Great

“For I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past. And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die. For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better.” (Philippians 1:20–21NLT)

 It is my eager expectation and hope that...as always Christ will be honored, [shown to be great,] in my body, whether by life or by death.   For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.  (Phil 1:20-21)

Paul is teaching us that his great, consuming, passion in life is Jesus.  In all that he does, that God would be glorified in him, that in all of his life Jesus would be seen as great!

Paul's Advent of the soul came when he encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus.  Once you have encountered Christ, repented, and come to Him by faith...He becomes your great passion in life and everything changes.  Paul goes from attempting to destroy the Church to being able to say,  “I do all things for the sake of the gospel, that I may become a fellow partaker of it.” (1 Corinthians 9:23)

I long for Jesus, and the good and glorious news about who He is and what He has done, to be the consuming passion of my life!  This is why you and I were created...to glorify God through Jesus Christ!  That Jesus would be seen as great "whether by life or by death."  My prayer is that I can say with Paul, “to me to live is Christ and to die is gain.” (21)

Paul unpacks this in Phil 3:8, “I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” Jesus is more precious, more satisfying than all that life in this world has to offer. “I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.”  

“No one lights a lamp and then covers it with a bowl or hides it under a bed. A lamp is placed on a stand, where its light can be seen by all who enter the house.” (Luke 8:16)

Following the Advent of your soul, once Jesus has lit your lamp, your greatest joy is fulfilled in allowing that glorious light to shine!  This little light of mine...“so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.” (Philippians 2:15, NLT)

Pursuing intimacy with Jesus...longing that HE would be seen as great in my life whether by life or by death.   For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

 

Advent of the Soul

When we think of Advent typically we always think of the Nativity, the birth of Jesus, the incarnation of the Word of God.  There are three advents that every person will know about one day.  The great desire is that each of us would be intimately acquainted with the sweet knowledge of each before we exit this world.

The first Advent is the Nativity, Yahweh, the Word of God, took on human flesh, the second is in the soul of each child of God and the third is at the judgement.  The first occurred at night as witnessed by the shepherds.  

“After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.” (Luke 2:17–20, NLT)

We live in the age of the second Advent!  What is the Advent of the soul? 

 “In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.” Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?” Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.” (John 14:20–23)

The Advent of the soul is simply when we repent and when Jesus reveals, shows, or manifests Himself and you receive Him by faith.  Paul teaches us in Romans that, “if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)  For God's children that die in Christ Paul tells us that, “we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.” (2 Corinthians 5:10)  For those that die outside of Christ they will face the Great White Throne judgement, you may read of this horrific event in Revelation 20.

As for the third Advent, it will come either when we die or when Jesus comes again.  It will most certainly come, but we have no certainty as to when.

Thus the first advent was lowly and hidden; the second is mysterious and full of love; the third will be glorious. In his first advent Christ was judged unjustly by men; in the second, he grants us mercy and justice by his grace; in the last, he will judge all things with equity: Lamb like Lion in the first advent; Lion like Lamb in the last; our most gentle Friend in the second.

“Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”” (Matthew 11:28–30)

Pursuing intimacy with the Lion Like Lamb and the Lamb Like Lion...King Jesus!

ADVENT: Let Anyone Who is Thirsty Come!

“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this message for the churches. I am both the source of David and the heir to his throne. I am the bright morning star.” The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” Let anyone who hears this say, “Come.” Let anyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who desires drink freely from the water of life.” (Revelation 22:16–17)
“Is anyone thirsty? Come and drink— even if you have no money! Come, take your choice of wine or milk— it’s all free!” (Isaiah 55:1)
“On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me!” (John 7:37)

It is so easy to read through the Old Testament and look at the things that Israel did and think, "how foolish they were."  Yet, we do the same things, I do the same things!  Listen, listen to the rebuke of the LORD through Jeremiah.  “For my people have done two evil things: They have abandoned me— the fountain of living water. And they have dug for themselves cracked cisterns that can hold no water at all!” (Jeremiah 2:13)
Interesting, the sins of Israel were great during the time of Jeremiah.  Jeremiah began his ministry during the reign of the last godly king of Judah, Josiah.  After Josiah died the country fell deep into moral decay bringing the Babylonian captivity.  So knowing that sin was rampant during the time of Jeremiah why did God say that His people had done TWO evil things?  I believe that these two are the root to all the others sins.  Very simply God's people turned from Him for satisfaction and turned to the world to meet their needs and satisfy them.
The question that I have to ask myself every morning is am I looking to something or some one for satisfaction.  It is so easy to become so busy that we fill our lives with everything BUT HIM!  Don't you see when we allow that to happen we are repeating what God's people did in the OT.  His call to His children is the same...Let anyone who desires drink freely from the water of life, Is anyone thirsty? Come and drink, Anyone who is thirsty may come to me!
“Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.” (Psalm 90:14)
Pursue the King, come to Jesus and drink deeply and cry out "satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad in you!
ADVENT: Week One HOPE!

Advent: to us a Son is Given

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.” (Isaiah 9:6–7)
“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14)
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)

“All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me.” (John 6:37–38)
How glorious, beautiful, breathtaking...you begin to feel like to the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, "Did not our hearts burn within us as He opened the Scriptures to us."
God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit have eternally existed in perfect harmony, unity, community within the Trinity...it is glorious perfection beyond human comprehension.
Isaiah writing about 700 years before the birth of Jesus prophesied of the first advent of the Messiah.  The glorious accuracy of God's Word is spectacular!  “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given."  Jesus as God incarnate had a beginning when He was conceived by the Holy Spirit in Mary, but God the Son was given by God the Father.  God the Son has eternally existed with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit.
Take one more deep breath and dive deep with me!  When did the Triune God plan this rescue mission?  When did the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit design this great plan?
“who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,” (2 Timothy 1:9)

Father in Heaven, there is so much I don't understand, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU...for giving your Son, Jesus thank you for coming to save us and Holy Spirit that you for being poured into our hearts and enabling us to cry Abba Father!  Thank you!
Pursuing Intimacy with Jesus!

Advent: I AM the light of the World

Advent is simply a time to prepare spiritually to celebrate the birth of our LORD, we celebrate His first Advent longing for His second!

"The first coming of Christ the Lord, God’s son and our God, was in obscurity; the second will be in the sight of the whole world. When he came in obscurity no one recognized him but his own servants; when he comes openly he will be known by both good people and bad. When he came in obscurity, it was to be judged; when he comes openly it will be to judge."    Augustine (AD 354–430)

Isaiah was written hundreds of years before Jesus was born and yet he prophesied of the coming Messiah when he wrote, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.” (Isaiah 9:2)
Remember that before Jesus was born there had been 400 silent years.  There had been 400 years that God did not speak to His people, 400 years when God was silent.  The silence and the darkness were unbearable.  This is the context of Christmas, this is the culture that Christ was born into...DARKNESS and absolute silence!
The father of John the Baptist, Zechariah, filled with the Holy Spirit, prophesied these words,   “to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”” (Luke 1:79)

In Matthew we learn that when John the Baptist was arrested Jesus moved to Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, to fulfill Isaiah's prophesy...“the people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them a light has dawned.”” (Matthew 4:16)
In the Gospel of John we have one of the beautiful "I AM" statements of Jesus, I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”” (John 8:12)
Try to imagine living in a time where generation after generation lived in spiritual darkness..."sitting in darkness and in the shadow of death."  As I prayed through these scriptures I was convicted of areas of darkness in me where I desperately need to invite Jesus to invade?  What areas of darkness continue in your own heart?  What areas of your own heart require repentance and an invitation for Jesus to take over?

Pray for those around you that are in darkness, trapped in secret sin, blinded to their own desperate condition.  Pray that those around you would see Jesus, see the great light and rest in HIM.  After you have prayed for them tell them the great and glorious news...that He is calling them out of the darkness into His marvelous light!  1 Peter 2:9
He did come in obscurity His first advent, His second coming He comes to judge the living and the dead!  Those that die outside of Jesus Christ spend eternity in darkness with NO HOPE!
The first Advent candle is HOPE!  Allow Jesus to shine His light through you to those around you...be the instrument of light, of Hope, to those around you in darkness!
“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.” (Isaiah 9:2)
Pursuing intimacy with Jesus!

Yahweh-Rohi

The LORD is my Shepherd...those words are so familiar that it is virtually impossible to be impacted as we should by the fact that YHWH is my Shepherd.  Is it possible to position ourselves to allow the Spirit of God to consume and overwhelm our hearts, souls, and minds with this mind blowing, heart consuming truth?  Father in Heaven please enlighten the eyes of our hearts to behold and delight in this glorious truth.
Please grab your Bible and read Isaiah chapter 6.  Now, who did Isaiah see?  He saw the LORD, he saw YHWH, he saw Jesus!  How can we say that he saw Jesus?  Look at John 12:40-41, you will see the words of Isaiah 6:10 quoted and then John tells us that Isaiah saw Him, Isaiah saw Jesus high and lifted up!
Jesus created the stars with a word and He calls them all by name!

 “Look up into the heavens. Who created all the stars? He brings them out like an army, one after another, calling each by its name. Because of his great power and incomparable strength, not a single one is missing.” (Isaiah 40:26)  “I am the one who made the earth and created people to live on it. With my hands I stretched out the heavens. All the stars are at my command.” (Isaiah 45:12)  “Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand and marked off the heavens with a span, enclosed the dust of the earth in a measure and weighed the mountains in scales and the hills in a balance?” (Isaiah 40:12)

iworship
Who measured the waters of the earth in the hollow of his hand and measured the universe with the span, the width, of His hand?  Jesus!  Jesus tells us that with His hands He stretched out the heavens!  Our galaxy is a modest galaxy among galaxies, the Milky Way, approximately 120,000 light years in diameter, contains 200-400 billion stars with about as many planets.  The Milky Way is only one of billions of known galaxies.  The vastness, the all consuming immensity of our universe points to the immeasurable, unsearchable, inscrutable power of our Great God and HE is my Shepherd!  YHWH-Rohi!  When i behold Him in HIS glorious Word and breath-taking universe iworship!  
ithank
To create the universe all YHWY had to do was to stretch out His hands and speak a word...BUT to recreate, redeem, His adopted children YHWH had to stretch out His hands and die on a horrific Cross.  You may remember Jesus words in John 10, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (John 10:11)  The Holiness and Justice of God required that the sin debt be paid!  Jesus died the death we deserved in our place, He defeated sin, death and Satan...so that we could "walk through the valley of the shadow of death."  LORD Jesus thank you for taking my place on the Cross, thank you for being my substitute in death that i might live for you by faith.

  “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.” (Psalm 23)  

ipraise
The intimacy of that drips, like dew soaked grass, from these words is breath-taking!  This is so beautiful, in verses 1-3 David is talking about YHWH-Rohi..."He makes me to lie down," "He restores my soul"...and then in verse 4 you see the personal pronoun shift from "He" to "you."  "I will fear no evil for you are with me."  If you are willing to pause long enough to memorize and meditate on Psalm 23 you begin to see with the "eyes of your heart" that all of the ways YHWY has revealed Himself to us in His Word through out history are contained in this one Psalm!  Not only has He revealed Himself, but this is how He cares for His children.  LORD Jesus ipraise you and i am amazed and delighted with the glorious way you care for your sheep!  Forgive me for the countless times that i have not trusted in your care for me.

ipray

As i have come to comprehend with Isaiah and Peter that, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:6) “For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.” (1 Peter 2:25)  ipray!

When i see with the eyes of my heart that the Good Shepherd who laid down His life for the sheep says, “I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me,” (John 10:14)  “And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.” (John 10:16)  “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”” (John 10:27–30) iworship, ipraise, ithank, idelight and Oh my how ipray!

Transplanted in HIS Presence

“Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees [trans]planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.” (Psalm 1:1–3)  (emphasis added)

Behind the life of one who delights in and meditates on or ponders or thinks about God's precious Word is a heart, mind and soul that has been transformed/transplanted by that by our Great God and Father!

As I was meditating on this beautiful Psalm I looked up the simple word planted and found that it literally means transplanted in the Hebrew.  "שׁתל štl transplant  [שָׁתַל] vb. transplant — Qal transplant (poet.); tree or vine, c. ב loc." Abridged BDB  

In Romans 11 Paul teaches us that we Gentiles were grafted into the Vine that is Jesus Christ.  In John 15 Jesus teaches us to, “Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.” (John 15:4)

In Colossians Paul tells us that, “He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,” (Col 1:13)  

Peter tells us basically the same thing, “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” (1 Peter 2:9–10)
How glorious to rest in knowing that HE has transplanted His children, HE has adopted us, HE has given us a new nature, HE has transplanted "us to the kingdom of his beloved Son."  Storms and drought visit every tree, but those transplanted by "the river of life" will bear "fruit each season."

Pursuing HIM together, delighting in intimacy with Jesus...drinking deeply from the river of life!
m

   “Then the angel showed me a river with the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb.” (Revelation 22:1)  

Coram Deo

A few months ago I was walking through the Prayer Center at Bellevue and I saw this little Latin phrase on the "Prayer & Praise wall.  Coram Deo, living in the presence of God.
Seeing that simple Latin phrase reminded me of a precious Saint named Bro. Lawrence.  Following his death in the 1600's his journal was compiled into a little book called The Practice of the Presence of God.  He shared the following thought.  "In order to know God, we must often think of Him; and when we come to love Him, we shall then also think of Him often, for our heart will be with our treasure."

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21)

Coram Deo means “in the presence of God” or “before the face of God.” It refers to living life in a sense of acute God-consciousness.  We do not behold the face of God; he is invisible to us. But God’s invisibility does not negate his presence. While the prodigal son left his father and ventured to a far country where he could live a riotous life in anonymity, there is no far country to which we can flee from the presence of God. His presence permeates every corner of our world. There is no refuge from his eye. His sight is not restricted to the interior chambers of a church building. His sovereignty extends to every arena of life.  The Christian life is God-centered. God is neither peripheral nor eccentric to human life. He must be at the core, the very center of our existence.  To live life Coram Deo is to live all of life in the presence of God, under the authority of God, and to the glory of God.  R.C. Sproul, Before the Face of God: Book 4

“You have said, “Seek my face.” My heart says to you, “Your face, Lord, do I seek.”” (Psalm 27:8)

“Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!” (Psalm 105:4)  

“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 Cor 4:6–7)

Pursue HIM, press in to know HIM, HE has promised to reveal Himself to those who seek HIM!


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

The Beginning of the Pursuit of God

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.

Shoreless Ocean, who can sound Thee?
Thine own eternity is round Thee,
Majesty divine!

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!

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

The Pursuit of God

The Pursuit of God

I am rereading Tozer’s beautiful little book The Pursuit of God: The Human Thirst for the Divine.  Tozer was blessed with a gift of communicating penetrating truths in a concise and crystal clear way.  In his first chapter he writes, “Acute desire must be present or there will be no manifestation of Christ to His people.  He waits to be wanted.”  This aligns with what God teaches us through the prophet Jeremiah.  “You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13)  Throughout the NT Jesus invites us to “come,” “come follow me,” “the Spirit and the Bride say come.”  Tozer closes chapter one with a prayer that resonates with my soul…I pray that it will penetrate yours.

 O God, I have tasted Thy goodness, and it has both satisfied me and made me thirsty for more. I am painfully conscious of my need of further grace. I am ashamed of my lack of desire. O God, the Triune God, I want to want Thee; I long to be filled with longing; I thirst to be made more thirsty still. Show me Thy glory, I pray Thee, that so I may know Thee indeed. Begin in mercy a new work of love within me. Say to my soul, `Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.' Then give me grace to rise and follow Thee up from this misty lowland where I have wandered so long. In Jesus' name, Amen.

“Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.” (Psalm 86:11)

The Pursuit of God is available online free at:

http://www.theboc.com/freestuff/awtozer/books/the_pursuit_of_god/index.html