November 12, 2017

Of No Reputation

“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.  And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.”  Phil. 2:5-8

The Word is Jesus Christ.  He BECAME flesh.  What was He before He became flesh?  In a word, He was Divine.  So, divinity became humanity.  Humanity became the swaddling clothing of Divinity.  Beloved, this is powerful.  Flesh encased God, sent as the Son.  Philippians 2:5-8 expresses it this way, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.  And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.”  His example is our example. 

In what ways have you chosen to be a person where your reputation did not matter?  How have you acted as a servant of the Lord for others?  What areas of your life have been humbled, to the point of those areas dying, having been crucified by the cross in your life?  This is the mind of Christ.

Verses 9-11 inform us of the results of Christ’s obedience to His Father: “Therefore God has also highly exalted Him and given Him the name which above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”   So too, just as the Father exalted His humbled Son, we can be exalted by the hand of God when we choose to humble ourselves, following the pattern of Jesus. 

November 11, 2017

Hind’s Feet

“He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he causes me to stand on the heights.”  Ps. 18:33

A deer’s feet are swift and nimble.  When placed on rocky crags, deer can more easily move about than other animals.  This is what David is referring to when he describes what God has done in his life – made David’s feet like that of a deer to easily maneuver and to enter the high places.  It is part of the remarkable transformation of a life and equipping of the saints in Christ.

This process and new-found ability given to us by the Lord allows us to show grace in difficult situations.  It provides for us that “way out” or escape when things look like more than we can bear, that Paul refers to.   We can traverse the places that are rocky and challenging, knowing we have agility in the Lord.

Then there are the wondrous moments in our lives when we stand on the heights.  We have made the long and slow climb up the mountain and we finally reach the summit.  We don’t pass by the heights – we stand on the heights.  We can experience the mountain top moment and give praise to God.  We will come back down of course, but we are allowed to have those moments.  They are life-giving and faith-building.  They are moments with names like: forgiveness; peace; healing; reconciliation; and so many more.

Take time today to stand on the heights and glorify God.

November 10, 2017

Fitting Praise

“…in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of His glory.”  Eph. 1:12

In the New Testament we find different Greek words that are used to describe or mean praise.  The Greek word “epainos” is used 11 times in the New Testament.  It means, “fame, commendation, the accurate and enthusiastic acknowledgment of what deserves praise, or to fit praise.”  It paints a beautiful picture for us as we imagine ourselves “fitting praise” upon the Lord with our words, prayers, worships, and actions.      This word is used three times in the first chapter of Ephesians:  “to the praise of His glorious grace” (Eph. 1:6); “for the praise of His glory” (Eph. 1:12); and “to the praise of His glory.” (Eph. 1:14).  This is interesting, as these verses are part of Paul’s prayer to the church at Ephesus, in which God is described as acting for us in His Son, Jesus.  As we see King Jesus representing His chosen people (both Jew and Gentile, as Eph. 2:14-15 make clear), Paul prays for the Ephesians (and for us!) to get the understanding of who Jesus is and who we are in Him.  As we grasp the reality of that truth, we are naturally led to fit our praise upon the One whom is praiseworthy.  In fact, Paul begins the prayer in Eph. 1:3 with the word “praise” (eulogetos – meaning blessed or praise). 

This is a tremendous concept – fitting praise on our God.  It is a great way to approach worship, as we bring our psalms and hymns and spiritual songs (or what we call our contemporary worship of today) and we fit the words, the music, and the intent of our hearts around the Lord.  It can be seen as a beautiful way of outfitting the Lord with our praise, worship and adoration.

November 9, 2017

The Lord Who Sanctifies

“Speak also to the children of Israel, saying ‘surely My Sabbaths you shall keep, as it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I am the LORD who sanctifies you.”  Ex. 31:10

Jehovah Mekoddishkem  is the name of the LORD who sanctifies.  In Exodus 31:13 God speaks to Moses:  “Speak also to the children of Israel, saying ‘surely My Sabbaths you shall keep, as it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I am the LORD who sanctifies you.”  As we are sanctified, we are set apart, consecrated, and prepared for service to the Lord.  The Sabbath served as an important sign according to the covenant God made with Moses.  Throughout Old Testament times, the Israelites disobeyed this fourth commandment of God.  The Sabbath, established on the seventh day of creation by God as a day of rest” was fulfilled in Christ Jesus, who is the “Lord of the Sabbath” as found in Mark 2:28.  A day of rest became a person of rest, who offered His rest to us as a permanent sign.  We have rest in Christ.  As we enter into His presence, we enter into His rest. God’s perfect plan of redemption included returning rest into our lives.  Part of the journey of sanctification is learning to walk in His rest.

In setting us apart and preparing us for service as kings and priests, we can run into a false thinking about sanctification and holiness.  For the Pharisees the problem was their focus on the “outside of cup” rather than the inside.  They were caught up in the covenant of law.  When Jesus challenged their thinking with the covenant of love, the Pharisees struggled.  Likewise, we can struggle and be caught up in the appearance of the outside of the cup.  Appearances can be deceiving, however.  This week, spend time in prayer with Jehovah Mekoddishkem.

November 8, 2017

The Boat in a Storm

“Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of Him to Bethsaida, while He dismissed the crowd.”  Mk. 6:45

Why would Jesus leave us?  Why pile us all into this tiny boat, and why is He staying behind?  He’s done this before – leaving us to wander off by Himself.  It is so frustrating!  I thought we were in this together.  The wind is impossible; the boat if going nowhere.  The harder we row, the worse it gets.  We’ve been at it all night and now it’s nearly dawn.  I am ready to strangle that Peter – if he keeps yelling instructions at us, I’m going to set him straight!  Peter thinks he is Jesus’ right hand man – the nerve!

What was I thinking when I agreed to do this?  Was I out of my mind?  Look at me now.  I left my family, left everything I knew to follow Jesus.  Now I am out here, cold and wet and the storm is getting worse.  Really, do I deserve this?  This is what I get for saying yes?

What is that out on the water?  Oh no, we’ve been left here to die!  We will drown or be killed.  It looks like a ghost!  Peter, be quiet!  That can’t be Jesus – you are always saying it’s Him.  Stop talking – you are our death sentence!  Peter, sit down, now you are rocking the boat and it will tip over!  O God help me, forgive me, I don’t want to die!  God, help!

It’s – Jesus!!!  It is Him and He is walking on the water!  How can this be?  Am I seeing things?  He’s coming into our boat.  Hold on – the wind stopped.  Somehow Jesus fits into the boat, already crammed with people.  How can all this be happening?

Jesus, forget my questions – I am so glad You came to my rescue.  I don’t have to understand it to receive it.

November 7, 2017

Go to a Land I will Show You

“The Lord said to Abram, ‘Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show.”  Gen 12:1

I once knew a land of make believe: make believe everything is fine; make believe I’m good; make believe I am smart enough; make enough money; succeed in the workplace; have a perfect marriage and raise a perfect family.  This same land I knew was also filled with stress, pressure, anxiety and despair.  It seemed like no matter how hard I tried, I kept failing in this land.

Like Abram, I was asked to leave my familiar place and familiar people behind to go to – well, I had absolutely no idea!  It seems like I’ve been on this sojourn for nearly twenty years now, as I write this.  Each time I think I have arrived at the place God wants me to be, we move.  What I can tell you is this: the journey has been the focus, rather than the destination.  Along the journey there has been repentance, crucifying of the flesh, faith, hope, forgiveness, and restoration to name just a few.  They are my markers, my street signs and names, if you will. 

The Lord will continue to lead the way and show me the next road to take on this journey to the land He will show me.  It came about because I didn’t like the old land anymore and He knew it, and extended His grace once again to me.  It’s been the best road trip of my life.

November 6, 2017

God Standing at the Door

“Here I am!  I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with Me.”  Rev. 3:20

This is a divine invitation from the Lord.  It is interesting that it sits in the letter to Laodicea; the church that was “lukewarm.”  This church is receiving the invitation to respond to the Lord, standing at the door and knocking.  He is extending the same invitation to us.

Settle yourself, put down what is in your hands and try this exercise.  As you quiet yourself and invite the Holy Spirit’s presence, picture Jesus standing at the door of your heart, knocking.  Next, see yourself go to open the door and see if you can get a glimpse of Jesus.  Focus on whatever may be exchanged between you and the Lord.  As He comes in and you are together, breaking bread together over the table of fellowship, rest in Him and listen for what He may have to say to you.

Try this a few times and it may end becoming one of the most life-giving prayer activities you have in your walk with the Lord.  It is refreshing when we stop and let Him into our lives and let Him speak with us.