We have become such an independent people. We question everything believing that in order to act we must understand all aspects of a situation. We have taught our children to expect a rational explanation of why we are telling them to do something. We expect our employers to justify why things are happening the way they are in our work place. We expect a full understanding of the events that are occurring around us. In fact the media has made a fortune with analysis shows feeding our need. The process has been gradual over decades but it seems prevalent today. We as a people are full of why's. I know I am as guilty as the person standing next to me. However I am rapidly recognizing that the impact of that mindset on my walk with the Lord can be very dangerous. Why is the wrong question when we are following Him. The more appropriate question is What.
When Jesus was actively teaching His disciples and the masses in general He was very clear and very specific about what was required to follow Him. Mark 8:34 Then He called the crowd to Him along with his disciples and said,"If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it." Translation: if it becomes about me instead of about Jesus and preaching the gospel, then we have not forsaken our own lives. In fact when it becomes about me, I have taken my eyes off Him and put them back on myself. How is this going to affect me? What is going to happen to me in this process, God? Why are you doing this to me, God? Any of those questions sound familiar to you? I have heard them many times in my conversations with my brothers and sisters in Christ. Why, God, why me, why now, why this?
This is a rocky road to take in our relationship with the Lord. He requires total commitment, not convenient commitment. The question that He wants to hear from us is "What do you want me to do in this situation, Lord, that will profit the kingdom?" What am I to learn here? What am I to emulate as the living breathing portrayal of Jesus on earth? Instead we allow the characteristics of our flesh and soul to overwhelm our spirit. When we are in an uncomfortable place, we begin to question God. If this were you, God, since you are a loving, benevolent God, surely this would feel better. Surely you have a better place for me to be than here right now. Have you ever made a statement similar to that? Consider the disciple in Matthew 8:21-22. Another disciple said to Him, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father." But Jesus told him, "Follow Me, and let the dead bury the dead." Imagine the emotions (soul) of that disciple. Why can't I at least pay honor to my dead father, Jesus??? What is everyone going to think of me for abandoning my duty to my father and my family? How will I live with myself? This is just too much, Jesus!
How about the rich man in Matthew 19:20-22 "All these I have kept," the young man said. "What do I still lack?" Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come follow Me." When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. Lord, surely you want me to be happy and prosperous. Haven't I heard that message spouted from the multitude of the TV preachers? You don't really expect me to give up everything I have worked so hard for, do you? Life is hard enough, Lord, and now You are asking me to do what??? Jesus knew exactly where the rich man's vulnerability was - his wealth and his possessions. For others of us it may not have anything to do with wealth and material things. Instead it may be our success in the secular world or our image in the eyes of our friends and family. Perhaps it is our status in the church in which we are members. We each have our own weakness that will keep us from denying ourselves and following Jesus. That is what He is going to ask us to give up so that we can pick up our cross and follow Him.
I have been consistently hearing the same word from the Lord. We are in a season in which He wants obedient, committed laborers in the field. He will not be leaving the passionate saints in any one position too long for service. The dangers of staying in one ministry without movement is that it becomes a place of familiarity and comfort for us. We know what to expect and we begin to expect the routine. We stop looking for the miraculous and instead begin predicting what will happen next. We are not open to the sudden move of God in our lives and the lives of those around us. I am witnessing God moving people from what they thought they were supposed to be doing to a totally new scenario in which they have limited experience. If we become too rooted in a specific activity, it is difficult for God to uproot us and allow us to grow in new gifts and new fruits.
Have you ever purchased an older home whose previous owners had let the shrubbery grow up around the house unchecked? I have and trying to remove those old bushes to allow new growth that did not obscure the home was a very difficult, laborious effort. Yet once done, the new greenery enhanced the house, allowed light through the windows into the house and changed the overall atmosphere of our home. So it is with our life with Christ. He does not want us to become so entrenched, so deeply rooted that we overwhelm the reason we are here - to enhance and further the work of the kingdom. We must be supple, fresh and full of the love of God. Rooting in what we want versus what God wants is detrimental to our purpose here on earth as members of the body of Christ.
As we embrace this season of transition, I encourage you as I am myself to heighten my awareness of the moves of God in my life. I am observing that frequently God will not press us if we do not access an open door He has placed in front of us. He will instead move on to the next willing person. Time is short and He has an agenda. Trust me, frequently God's agenda is very different than the one we have fashioned for ourselves in the kingdom. Let us all become sensitive to what and where He wants us. When He shifts us, let the questions we ask be "What do you want me to do here? What can I do for the kingdom through these circumstances? What can I learn from You? What can move me in deeper with you, Lord? If we will focus on these questions versus the Why questions, we will feel His incredible grace overflow and empower us to accomplish precisely what He has designed for us. Let go of your own stuff and embrace His instead. It will be an awesome journey of that I am confident!
Monday, February 1, 2010
Monday, January 25, 2010
The Guiding Pillars for Life
Have you ever made the comment, "How did I not see that??? It was right in front of me!" or "If it had been a snake it would have bitten me!"? Sometimes the hand of God is like that in our lives. He is right in front of us, directing us and yet we are totally oblivious to what He is saying to us. Imagine with me what it must have been like for the Hebrews wandering in the wilderness with Moses. There was the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night. An unmistakable sign of the presence of God was there, constantly, directing the thousands where to go. One would think with God both with you and guiding you through that visible a sign that there would have been no doubt about being about His business. But we all know that was not the case.
Exodus 13:21-22 The Lord went ahead of them. He guided them during the day with a pillar of cloud, and he provided light at night with a pillar of fire. This allowed them to travel by day or by night. And the Lord did not remove the pillar of cloud or pillar of fire from its place in front of the people. The Lord did not remove this guidance system from His people. For forty years they moved about the wilderness and He was there with them. Yet throughout the forty years, there were multiple incidences of disobedience of rebellion and of disbelief. We know that the Lord was directing them; they were not lost in the wilderness. They were walking out the consequences of their action or inaction as the case may have been.
The Hebrew people had witnessed the power and authority of God in providing for their exodus from Egypt. He provided for their survival in the wilderness. How much like our own lives is this scenario? I know personally that God has done miraculous acts in my life. I would not be where I am except through His grace and provision in my life. There were numerous times that I was admittedly in the wilderness, yet each time He showed me the way out. He has met my needs on so many occasions that I cannot recount them all. Some were more miraculous than others, but each served as a reminder to me that my "manna" came only from Him, not through my might or my power. In fact, the more that I allow my flesh to get involved in my life and my decisions, the deeper it takes me into the wilderness and I lose sight of the guiding "pillars" of the Lord.
I want to become very deliberate about recognizing the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night. I know that my Lord's presence is unmistakably here in my life, but if I am not keeping my focus centered on those pillars 24/7 then I risk losing sight of my guidance system. One thing that has become abundantly clear is that a pillar should not be another person. If we begin to follow a person thinking that is the pillar for us, we risk taking a detour. No single person should ever become the only guidance system we have for life. The Lord will use people as confirmation of what He is telling us, but He wants us to depend solely on Him for our instructions, our directions.
Knowing that we live in a fallen world in which our flesh (body and soul) will continually battle with our renewed spirit should give us a warning that we will have to stay alert. Our mind will seek that which makes us "feel good". Our body will seek that which brings us comfort and pleasure. But our spirit wants to commune with the Lord and to dive deeper into our relationship with Him no matter what the cost to the soul and body. Consequently there are going to be times in our lives when alternate pillars are going to clutter the landscape of our lives. What should be crystal clear to us as it should have been to the Hebrews will be distorted even imitated by the dark side. The desire of the enemy is to keep us from following the guidance of the Lord in our lives. If he can strategically place a false pillar in our lives, then there is always the possibility that we will deviate from our original path and follow the new course he lays out.
Micah 7:5 Do not trust in a friend; do not put your confidence in a guide. Guard the doors of your mouth from her that lies in your bosom. Conversely Isaiah 58:11 The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring. We have a choice as to who and what we use as a guide through life. What will be our pillars of cloud and fire? Seek the wisdom and counsel of Holy Spirit in all that you say, think and do. Learn to listen with a discerning ear and a heart hungry for the love of God. Ask Him to destroy anything that is not of Him in your life so that you may see clearly His guiding hand for you.
Exodus 13:21-22 The Lord went ahead of them. He guided them during the day with a pillar of cloud, and he provided light at night with a pillar of fire. This allowed them to travel by day or by night. And the Lord did not remove the pillar of cloud or pillar of fire from its place in front of the people. The Lord did not remove this guidance system from His people. For forty years they moved about the wilderness and He was there with them. Yet throughout the forty years, there were multiple incidences of disobedience of rebellion and of disbelief. We know that the Lord was directing them; they were not lost in the wilderness. They were walking out the consequences of their action or inaction as the case may have been.
The Hebrew people had witnessed the power and authority of God in providing for their exodus from Egypt. He provided for their survival in the wilderness. How much like our own lives is this scenario? I know personally that God has done miraculous acts in my life. I would not be where I am except through His grace and provision in my life. There were numerous times that I was admittedly in the wilderness, yet each time He showed me the way out. He has met my needs on so many occasions that I cannot recount them all. Some were more miraculous than others, but each served as a reminder to me that my "manna" came only from Him, not through my might or my power. In fact, the more that I allow my flesh to get involved in my life and my decisions, the deeper it takes me into the wilderness and I lose sight of the guiding "pillars" of the Lord.
I want to become very deliberate about recognizing the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night. I know that my Lord's presence is unmistakably here in my life, but if I am not keeping my focus centered on those pillars 24/7 then I risk losing sight of my guidance system. One thing that has become abundantly clear is that a pillar should not be another person. If we begin to follow a person thinking that is the pillar for us, we risk taking a detour. No single person should ever become the only guidance system we have for life. The Lord will use people as confirmation of what He is telling us, but He wants us to depend solely on Him for our instructions, our directions.
Knowing that we live in a fallen world in which our flesh (body and soul) will continually battle with our renewed spirit should give us a warning that we will have to stay alert. Our mind will seek that which makes us "feel good". Our body will seek that which brings us comfort and pleasure. But our spirit wants to commune with the Lord and to dive deeper into our relationship with Him no matter what the cost to the soul and body. Consequently there are going to be times in our lives when alternate pillars are going to clutter the landscape of our lives. What should be crystal clear to us as it should have been to the Hebrews will be distorted even imitated by the dark side. The desire of the enemy is to keep us from following the guidance of the Lord in our lives. If he can strategically place a false pillar in our lives, then there is always the possibility that we will deviate from our original path and follow the new course he lays out.
Micah 7:5 Do not trust in a friend; do not put your confidence in a guide. Guard the doors of your mouth from her that lies in your bosom. Conversely Isaiah 58:11 The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring. We have a choice as to who and what we use as a guide through life. What will be our pillars of cloud and fire? Seek the wisdom and counsel of Holy Spirit in all that you say, think and do. Learn to listen with a discerning ear and a heart hungry for the love of God. Ask Him to destroy anything that is not of Him in your life so that you may see clearly His guiding hand for you.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Kingdom Vision
Have you ever walked outside on a moonless night and tried to see where you were going? It took a while for your eyes to become accustomed to the natural ambient light before you could really see well enough to move around safely. Similarly once you have used a flashlight outside at night, your vision is limited to only what the artificial light was illuminating. If you turn the flashlight off, you have lost your ability to see with the ambient light and your eyes must grow accustomed once again to operating in the natural light. How similar these circumstances are to our ability to see the Kingdom of God. We often use the term light to describe the Kingdom and Jesus Himself. Today however I want to focus on our spiritual eyes and not the source of the light.
Luke 17: 20-21 One day the Pharisees asked Jesus, "When will the kingdom of God come?" Jesus replied, "The kingdom of God can't be detected by visible signs. You won't be able to say, "Here it is!" or It's over there!" For the kingdom of God is already among you." Jesus realized that the Pharisees were looking for earthly signs of the kingdom - royalty, power, wealth. His warning went unheeded because they were unable to grasp the truth. The kingdom of God is not one of earthly power and stature, although we all know that there is indeed great power in the kingdom. In fact the kingdom was right there in their midst but they could neither see it nor experience it. This is true today.
In every one of the gospels there is reference to those that have eyes to see and ears to hear. Ephesians 1:18 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. It is indeed the eyes of our heart that provide the ability to see the kingdom of God, not the physical eyes in our head. Is it any wonder that unbelievers around us do not see what we see? The eyes of their hearts have yet to be given sight. They are being blinded by the "lights" of earthly existence. The glamorous neon lights of life being lived large prevent them from seeing anything except that upon which the enemy shines his artificial light. Yet the kingdom is there right in front of them. So how does that impact us?
We live in a fallen world; of that there is no debate. We love the Lord and seek to serve Him, love Him, worship Him. But how many of us have been caught off guard by a "bright artificial light" shining directly in front of us, even right into our eyes? Let's look at a couple of examples.... Parenting - your teenager wants very much to go to a party this weekend. You are unsure of the youth that is hosting the party and you know nothing about the parents, but your son/daughter is standing in front of you pleading and simultaneously throwing out to you all of the usual excuses finally pulling the ringer out - "What you are saying, Mom/Dad, is that you do not trust me, you do not trust that you have done a good job in raising me." Arrow shot and struck! You are blinded now by the bright light of feeling inadequate and your self esteem is sliding downhill fast. You are unable to steel yourself to confront your child with the truth that it has nothing to do with him/her, it is about making good choices and avoiding compromising situations. After all you want your child to like you, right??? Wrong - but that is a different discussion.
Being part of the kingdom of God is not about what makes us feel good. It is about what honors God. Here's another circumstance - you've gathered with your co-workers and decided to go to a movie together then grab a bite to eat afterward. You have sat home for too many weekends and this sounds just wonderful. The discussion about what movie to see begins. Quickly you perceive that the movie choice is not one you would ever make on your own, but are you going to confront your co-workers with your principles and say, "Sorry, that is not a movie that I will go see. Let's find a movie that all of us can enjoy."? Or will you just go along with the crowd and endure a movie that offends you? After all it is better than staying home again, isn't it? Wrong again.
Understand that having kingdom vision means that you will keep your eyes guarded from those artificial lights. They can come from any direction and catch you off guard. A promotion that will interfere with your ministry work. A social circle that will compromise your values just a little bit at a time until you suddenly realize that you are far from the kingdom and are struggling to return. Desiring a new car when the debt will decrease your ability to support the Lord's work. Exceeding your monthly income by excessive spending on conveniences like eating out all the time because it takes too much effort to eat at home or to fix the old "whatever" to make do and thus stay within the budget. When we are distracted by the lights of this world, we will lose our kingdom vision, making it much harder to see the things that God is trying to show us.
1 John 2:16 For everything in the world - the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does - comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever. We are forewarned that the desires of this world can cause huge problems for man while he is on this earth. We will never be freed from temptation - Jesus Himself was tempted by the enemy during His 40 days in the desert. If Jesus had to suffer through temptations why would we think we are exempt? We are not. The enemy will be shining those artificial lights in our eyes seeking to blind us from the true kingdom vision that is ours once we accept Jesus as our Savior. Discipline is required to not fall prey to following those bright lights. Discipline in walking in our faith. Guard your spiritual eyes and do not dwell on that which is of this world. Keep your eyes on the kingdom light - the true light which will guide you to your eternal home with the Lord.
Luke 17: 20-21 One day the Pharisees asked Jesus, "When will the kingdom of God come?" Jesus replied, "The kingdom of God can't be detected by visible signs. You won't be able to say, "Here it is!" or It's over there!" For the kingdom of God is already among you." Jesus realized that the Pharisees were looking for earthly signs of the kingdom - royalty, power, wealth. His warning went unheeded because they were unable to grasp the truth. The kingdom of God is not one of earthly power and stature, although we all know that there is indeed great power in the kingdom. In fact the kingdom was right there in their midst but they could neither see it nor experience it. This is true today.
In every one of the gospels there is reference to those that have eyes to see and ears to hear. Ephesians 1:18 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. It is indeed the eyes of our heart that provide the ability to see the kingdom of God, not the physical eyes in our head. Is it any wonder that unbelievers around us do not see what we see? The eyes of their hearts have yet to be given sight. They are being blinded by the "lights" of earthly existence. The glamorous neon lights of life being lived large prevent them from seeing anything except that upon which the enemy shines his artificial light. Yet the kingdom is there right in front of them. So how does that impact us?
We live in a fallen world; of that there is no debate. We love the Lord and seek to serve Him, love Him, worship Him. But how many of us have been caught off guard by a "bright artificial light" shining directly in front of us, even right into our eyes? Let's look at a couple of examples.... Parenting - your teenager wants very much to go to a party this weekend. You are unsure of the youth that is hosting the party and you know nothing about the parents, but your son/daughter is standing in front of you pleading and simultaneously throwing out to you all of the usual excuses finally pulling the ringer out - "What you are saying, Mom/Dad, is that you do not trust me, you do not trust that you have done a good job in raising me." Arrow shot and struck! You are blinded now by the bright light of feeling inadequate and your self esteem is sliding downhill fast. You are unable to steel yourself to confront your child with the truth that it has nothing to do with him/her, it is about making good choices and avoiding compromising situations. After all you want your child to like you, right??? Wrong - but that is a different discussion.
Being part of the kingdom of God is not about what makes us feel good. It is about what honors God. Here's another circumstance - you've gathered with your co-workers and decided to go to a movie together then grab a bite to eat afterward. You have sat home for too many weekends and this sounds just wonderful. The discussion about what movie to see begins. Quickly you perceive that the movie choice is not one you would ever make on your own, but are you going to confront your co-workers with your principles and say, "Sorry, that is not a movie that I will go see. Let's find a movie that all of us can enjoy."? Or will you just go along with the crowd and endure a movie that offends you? After all it is better than staying home again, isn't it? Wrong again.
Understand that having kingdom vision means that you will keep your eyes guarded from those artificial lights. They can come from any direction and catch you off guard. A promotion that will interfere with your ministry work. A social circle that will compromise your values just a little bit at a time until you suddenly realize that you are far from the kingdom and are struggling to return. Desiring a new car when the debt will decrease your ability to support the Lord's work. Exceeding your monthly income by excessive spending on conveniences like eating out all the time because it takes too much effort to eat at home or to fix the old "whatever" to make do and thus stay within the budget. When we are distracted by the lights of this world, we will lose our kingdom vision, making it much harder to see the things that God is trying to show us.
1 John 2:16 For everything in the world - the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does - comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever. We are forewarned that the desires of this world can cause huge problems for man while he is on this earth. We will never be freed from temptation - Jesus Himself was tempted by the enemy during His 40 days in the desert. If Jesus had to suffer through temptations why would we think we are exempt? We are not. The enemy will be shining those artificial lights in our eyes seeking to blind us from the true kingdom vision that is ours once we accept Jesus as our Savior. Discipline is required to not fall prey to following those bright lights. Discipline in walking in our faith. Guard your spiritual eyes and do not dwell on that which is of this world. Keep your eyes on the kingdom light - the true light which will guide you to your eternal home with the Lord.
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