A Power Towards Passion!

Read these few Scriptures with me, and notice what emerges:

1. Song of Songs 1:7 "Tell me, O thou whom my soul loveth, where thou feedest, where thou makest thy flock to rest at noon: for why should I be as one that turneth aside by the flocks of thy companions?"

Another translation reads this way: "Tell me, O thou whom my soul loveth, Where thou feedest thy flock, Where thou makest it to rest at noon: For why should I be AS ONE THAT IS VEILED Beside the flocks of thy companions?" (ASV)

The phrase “turneth aside” in the KJV literally means, “to wrap, cover, or veil”. In the Old Testament, it was prostitutes who wore a veil to cover their faces. It speaks to us of sin and shame: Genesis 38:15 says, "When Judah saw her, he thought her to be an harlot; BECAUSE she had covered her face."

2. Song of Songs 4:1 "Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou art fair; thou hast doves' eyes within thy locks: thy hair is as a flock of goats, that appear from mount Gilead."

Or as another translation says, "Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou art fair; Thine eyes are as doves BEHIND THY VEIL. Thy hair is as a flock of goats, That lie along the side of mount Gilead". (ASV)

The word translated in the KJV as “locks” can just as easily be translated “veil” in the orginal language.

3. Song of Songs 4:6 "Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, I will get me to the mountain of myrrh, and to the hill of frankincense."

A quick glance at the majority of the body of Christ today will sadly prove the lack of passion and response in His people. Yet, somehow, this declaration of the Bride in Song 4:6 is one of passion, commitment, and love for her Bridegroom. She is accepting the call of God to intimacy and completion. The “day break” speaks of that time when the Son is fully risen in our hearts: 2 Peter 1:19 says, "We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts." The time when “the shadows flee away” speaks to us of that time when we no longer are restrained by the Adamic effects on creation. It is a time of fullness and completion. Ephesians 4:13references this glorious end: "Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ…"

Until this glorious event transpires, the Shulamite continually declares her devotion to the sanctifying tools of the Lord, namely “the mountain of myrrh, and the hill of frankincense.” Myrrh, being a bitter burial spice, is symbolic of the death of the flesh. It speaks of the conscious choice every believer must make to put on the new man, and walk in the Spirit, lest we fulfill the lusts of the flesh: Philippians 2:12 says, “… work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” It is present tense sanctification (Jn 8:31-31; 17:17; Jer 23:29; Gal 4:19; 2 Cor 3:18; etc).

The “hill of frankincense” speaks to us of prayer and communion. We know that frankincense, when burned, is a white smoke. It was this same substance that was used at the golden altar of incense, symbolic of the believer’s prayer and worship before the very throne (ark) of God. Exodus 30:34-36 elaborates on this point: "And the LORD said unto Moses, Take unto thee sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum; these sweet spices with pure frankincense: of each shall there be a like weight: And thou shalt make it a perfume, a confection after the art of the apothecary, tempered together, pure and holy: And thou shalt beat some of it very small, and put of it before the testimony in the tabernacle of the congregation, where I will meet with thee: it shall be unto you most holy."

But what has CAUSED this sudden passion for God’s purposes in the heart of the Shulamite woman? How does she seemingly grow so much in just a couple chapters? For she has but a few moments ago refused such a call; She before wanted seperation: "Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, turn, my beloved, and be thou like a roe or a young hart upon the mountains of Bether" (Song 2:17). "Bether" means separation. But suddenly, in chapter 4:6, she so willingly accepts such a daring venture. But what for? Could it be the repetitious wooing of her Lord and Saviour? Though He has declared it over her once already (Song 1:15), He again says to her in chapter four, verse one: “thou hast doves eyes within thy locks”, or as we have already determined it can better be translated, “thine eyes are as doves behind thy veil”.

We have seen that the veil speaks to us of sin and shame. Thus, when the Lord declares that she has “doves eyes within” her veil, He is saying that even in the midst of her lack and shortcoming, her sin and shame, he sees her desire for sole commitment and devotion, though not yet fulfilled. Doves are physically capable of only looking strait ahead, neglecting all other loves; also, doves mate for life. Even in the midst of sin and shame, God’s heart is ravished! He sees our willingness and desire to be like Him; to be His mate for life! What a response this revelation has birthed in her heart! “You love me!”, she must proclaim! “Even in the midst of my lack!” Her response births exactly what the Lord had hoped for – her sole commitment.

And do we find it a coincidence that directly after this said response is the very first time the Lord refers to her as His “spouse” (Song 4:8)? No longer is she simply “fair” (Song 1:15-16), but now she is “all fair” (Song 4:7). She has accepted the bridal call. The revelation of her Father’s heart has caused her to do so! And how powerful this revelation would be to the masses of complacent believers who are sitting by in shame and condemnation, afraid to give God their all because of such obvious lack and spiritual deficiency. So powerful indeed, that I beg to say it would cause an increase in passion possessed. Such a immense passion and desire for the Lord would arise that they too would find themselves selflessly declaring “Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, I will get me to the mountain of myrrh, and to the hill of frankincense.” The revelation of the heart of the Father to His people would undoubtedly birth this response!

My how God desires this response from His people! How His heart aches for true lovers; for worshippers who worship Him in Spirit and in truth; for a people of passion who are in it for Him and Him alone! Thank God that in these last days the Father is revealing His heart more and more: Malachi 4:5-6 “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.” Reveal Your great truths to our hearts, Lord! Draw us, and we will run after Thee!

One Chosen Out of the People ..

"...I have exalted one chosen out of the people." (Ps 89:19)

"Why was Christ chosen out of the people? Speak, my heart, for heart-thoughts are best. Was it not that he might be able to be our brother, in the blesed tie of kindred blood? Oh, what relationship there is between Christ and the believer! The believer can say, I have a Brother in heaven; I may be poor, but I have a Brother who is rich, and is a King, and will he suffer me to want while he is on his throne? Oh, no! He loves me; he is my Brother. Believer, wear this blessed thought, like a necklace of diamonds, around the neck of thy memory; put it, as a golden ring, on the finger of recollection, and use it as the King's own seal, stamping the petitions of thy faith with confidence of success. He is a brother born for adversity, treat him as such.

Christ was also chosen out of the people that he might know our wants and sympathize with us. He was tempted in all points like as we are, yet without sin. In all our sorrows we have his sympathy. Temptation, pain, disappointment, weakness, weariness, poverty-he knows them all, for he has felt all. Remember this, Christian, and let it comfort thee. However difficult and painful thy road, it is marked by the footsteps of thy Saviour; and even when thou reachest the dark valley of the shadow of death, and the deep waters of the swelling Jordan, thou wilt find his footprints there. In all places whithersoever we go, he has been our forerunner; each burden we have to carry, has once been laid on the shoulders of Immanuel.

His way was much rougher and darker than mine

Did Christ, my Lord, suffer, and shall I repine?

Take courage! Royal feet have left a blood-red track upon the road, and consecrated the thorny path for ever."

- C. Spurgeon

As Unto the Midianites ..

It never ceases to amaze me how the Bible always has God's answer to life's most perplexing scenarios! Not "an" answer, but "THE" answer. No matter the degree of difficulty, God's promises cannot lie.

This was proven to me yet again as I was reading Psalm 83. Verses 1-5 say, "Keep not thou silence, O God: hold not thy peace, and be not still, O God. For, lo, thine enemies make a tumult: and they that hate thee have lifted up the head. They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted against thy hidden ones. They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance. For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee..."

Our generation can easily relate to the magnitude of evil described in these verses. The days are dark, and growing darker. God's enemies make a tumult; they that hate Him have lifted up the head; they have even gone so far as to become "confederate against Thee", or as the Hebrew literally reads, "cut a covenant against thee". They indeed are set against God, His Spiritual Israel (Heb 12:22; Gal 4:26; 6:15; etc.), and His purposes!

So what is God's solution to such a sad worldly state? What will the Lord Jesus do to save His people and vindicate His great name? His answer lies just three verses down in verse 9..

Psalm 83:9 "Do unto them as unto the Midianites..."

Who are Midianites, and what does their obscure story have to do with us?
The story is found in Judges 7:1-7: "Then Jerubbaal, who is Gideon, and all the people that were with him, rose up early, and pitched beside the well of Harod: so that the host of the Midianites were on the north side of them, by the hill of Moreh, in the valley. And the LORD said unto Gideon, The people that are with thee are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel vaunt themselves against me, saying, Mine own hand hath saved me. Now therefore go to, proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, Whosoever is fearful and afraid, let him return and depart early from mount Gilead. And there returned of the people twenty and two thousand; and there remained ten thousand. And the LORD said unto Gideon, The people are yet too many; bring them down unto the water, and I will try them for thee there: and it shall be, that of whom I say unto thee, This shall go with thee, the same shall go with thee; and of whomsoever I say unto thee, This shall not go with thee, the same shall not go. So he brought down the people unto the water: and the LORD said unto Gideon, Every one that lappeth of the water with his tongue, as a dog lappeth, him shalt thou set by himself; likewise every one that boweth down upon his knees to drink. And the number of them that lapped, putting their hand to their mouth, were three hundred men: but all the rest of the people bowed down upon their knees to drink water. And the LORD said unto Gideon, By the three hundred men that lapped will I save you, and deliver the Midianites into thine hand: and let all the other people go every man unto his place."

So what will Jesus do in our modern day application?

1. He will have an army! This will not be a mere natural force, but a spiritual one. Notice that Gideon's army wasn't a large one. It was actually dwindled down based upon the people's fear, and their individual response to "the river" (symbolic of the Holy Spirit: Ps 46:4; 65:9; Jn 7:37-39). This army will indeed be few, but Jesus doesn't need Peninah's many yet nameless children when He has a Samuel. One dedicated and sincere believer will accomplish more than a thousand apathetic ones.

2. What will this army do? Judges 7 presents us with more insight: "And he divided the three hundred men into three companies, and he put a trumpet in every man's hand, with empty pitchers, and lamps within the pitchers... So Gideon, and the hundred men that were with him, came unto the outside of the camp in the beginning of the middle watch; and they had but newly set the watch: and they blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers that were in their hands. And the three companies blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers, and held the lamps in their left hands, and the trumpets in their right hands to blow withal: and they cried, The sword of the LORD, and of Gideon. And they stood every man in his place round about the camp: and all the host ran, and cried, and fled" (verses 16, 19-21).

These verses present to us much symbolic language. It would do us well to discern the deeper meaning (Prov 25:2). The Bible tells us elsewhere that we have "treasure in earthen vessels" (2 Cor 4:7). These pitchers (vessels) are symbolic of the souls of men: the carnal nature within us all that hides and quenches the torch, the true Spirit and life (Rom 7). This is partly why God's enemies seem so confident... They only see us with mere earthen vessels. They cannot YET discern the torch (spirit) within burning ever brighter, day by day.

But ONE DAY, in this army, God will fully shine forth in splendor! The vessels will be broken, and that holy seed within us will come to a glorious and bright-shining fruition (2 Cor 3:18; Gal 4:19). It will be said:

"Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising" (Isa 60:1-3).

You see, in my humble opinion, the world doesn't need anymore of our fleshy ventures and Christian schemes. It doesn't want a powerless Gospel! All the earth has ever needed is a genuine demonstration of the glory of God. THIS DEMONSTRATION WILL OCCUR IN A PEOPLE WHOSE FLAWED EARTHEN VESSELS HAVE BEEN HUMBLED AND SHATTERED! Such a glorious move of God will shut the mouths of all that oppress. The nations will be saved in droves! They are waiting for such a demonstration, eager to find the true purpose of their existance. They are standing on tiptoes, longing for God to REALLY show up: "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be REVEALED IN US. For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God" (Rom 8:18-19).

Psalm 68:1 "Let God arise, let His enemies be scattered: let them that also hate Him flee before Him." Will you allow the Holy Ghost to arise in you in fullness? David said, "My soul is continually in MY HAND" (Ps 119:109).

What a wonderful effect of devoted and unadulterated love for Jesus!

Come, Lord Jesus, and be it unto them "as unto the Midianites"!

Growing and Building ..

One of the most dangerous and detrimental presumptions that I see present in the body of Christ today is this idea of stagnant discipleship. Can we be Christians and yet remain idle? Are we to merely sit back and wait for the heavens to welcome us, idly passing each day, waiting, waiting, and waiting some more? I do not believe so. Ephesians 2 tells us what we're expected to be doing during our stay upon the earth: GROWING AND BUILDING..

Ephesians 2:19-22 "Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit."

What wonderful truths these verses convey to us..

vs. 19 - Paul assures us of our salvation and inclusion in the "household of God", the true "Israel of God", the "one new man". This household is not a physical structure, but rather a spiritual habitation of God, through the Spirit (Heb 3:6).

vs. 20 - "and are built" - piece by piece.. Peter too tells us that we are built as living stones into a spiritual house (1 Pet 2:5). Did this building all occur at once? No. Is it now complete? No. Rather, we are BEING BUILT; we are growing up into a complete habitation, being changed even from glory to glory (2 Cor 3:18).

vs. 20 - "Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone" - He is the foundation of this growth. Aside from a passionate pursuit of Him our building is in vain. Why should we become a glorious dwelling for One whom we do not love?

vs. 21 - "fitly framed together" - This is to be a description of this temple.. we are to possess a unity of purpose. We can have diversities of gifts, but we should realize that we operate via the same Holy Spirit. What happens when such Godly unity is present?

vs. 22 - "groweth unto an holy temple" - this is to be the FRUIT OF ALL THAT PRECEDES! Growth. Ps 92:12 says that the righteous shall grow as the cedars of Lebanon. We are growing as the lily (Hos 14:15), and as the vine (Hos 14:7).

vs. 22 - "for an habitation of God" - this is the kind of temple Jesus wants to dwell in - ONE THAT IS BUILT!

Jesus as He really is ..

We've been studying racism in Bible school. Last night we talked about judging after the "outward appearance". It's been great. That discussion got me thinking... What is Jesus' "outward appearance" now? We've already seen what "color" He may be, but I mean, what is His VISAGE now? In all the portraits we see of Him, He usually looks so sad and distraught. But what does He really look like now?

He is so often portrayed as a Man begging for followers. He is often depicted as dreadfully sad and He cannot be made happy until some day in the distant future. Because we often judge after the outward appearance, we are very easily duped into living second-class Christian lives; lives of defeat and sorrowful anticipation - our faces vividly painted to mimic the assumed fears and sorrows of our Lord. But is this an accurate depiction of Jesus? I do not think so..

We see Him as He may look with OUR current knowledge and understanding. But, He has TOTAL knowledge and understanding, from the beginning all the way to the very end (Rev 1:8)! If He knows the end of the story, why should He appear so sad? He should not.

John gives us an accurate depiction of His visage now:

Revelation 1:13-14, 16 "...One like unto the Son of Man... his eyes were as a flame of fire... and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword..."

This sounds to me like a declaration, not a mere proposition. As A.W. Tozer has said, "the invitational element of the Christian message has been pressed far out of proportion in the total Scriptural scene. Christ with His lantern, His apologetic stance and His weak pleading face has taken the place of the true Son of Man whom John saw - His eyes as a flame of fire, His feet like burnished brass and His voice as the sound of many waters."

He continues to say...

"Only the Spirit can reveal the Lord as He REALLY is, and He does not paint in oils! He manifests Christ to the human spirit, not to our physical eyes."

I don't know about you, but when I pray, I don't see a sad, seemingly defeated, weak man with pools of blood streaming down His face. I see a victorious Conqueror, even of death, hell and the grave! Let's peer into the resurrected eyes that look "as a flame of fire", not into eyes dripping with the tears of sorrow and apparent defeat! Let's mimic His current visage! He now possesses the victorious visage of glory!

Don't be afraid of what's coming upon the earth... Jesus sure isn't - His visage proves it!

Talking and Listening ..

This sermon snippet caught my eye this morning.. So, I thought I'd share:

"Jesus answered and said, I thank Thee, O Father" (Matt 11:25).

It was the habit and life of Jesus to talk with God. May we likewise have silent fellowship with the Father, so that often we may answer Him, and though the world knows not to whom we speak, may we be responding to that secret voice unheard of any other ear, which our own ear, opened by the Spirit of God, recognizes with joy. What a privilege is intimate communion with the Father of our spirits! It is a secret hidden from the world, a joy with which even the nearest friend intermeddleth not. This very day may our hearts be in such a state, that when God speaks to us, we, like Jesus, may be prepared at once to answer Him.

- C.H.S.

Be Thou Exalted ...

"Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: and thy glory above all the earth; That thy beloved may be delivered; save with thy right hand, and answer me" (Ps 108:5-6).

To be "exalted" in the original Hebrew means, "to actively be high, to raise, to bring up, to extol, to heave up, to set up on high, to hold up, to lift up, to be lofty, etc." Interestingly, this Hebrew word is also translated as "promotion" in several places! When God is given a promotion in your heart (given higher honor), there are glorious effects. What a wonderful promise we have here from the Lord! What a grateful EFFECT we see when He, in His glory, is truly exalted in our lives! Observe:

1. "Be thou exalted, O God ------> THAT thy beloved may be delivered" ...
How glorious it is that all pain, strife, struggle and aching seem to dissipate as we commune with our beloved Jesus. As He is lifted high, our personal dealings are brought ever lower. What a wonder He is, that He would give us such sweet counsel and relief from life's trouble: "Let God arise, let His enemies be scattered" (Ps 68:1). How merciful of Him to give us the key to walking in holiness: "Stand in awe, and sin not" (Ps 4:4). Never forget that our help is in His sanctuary, our strength is in Zion (Ps 20:2); our hope is in His exaltation!

2. "Be thou exalted, O God ------> SAVE with thy right hand" ...
It's only when He is exalted that our real salvation comes. We can never find our own ways out of life's messes, but when we allow His light to shine, and lift it higher, we can readily find our way home. Call out His name; allow His right hand to be gloriously exalted in your life today - you won't be disappointed: "Thy right hand, O LORD, is become glorious in power: thy right hand, O LORD, hath dashed in pieces the enemy" (Ex 15:6).

3. "Be thou exalted, O God ------> and ANSWER me" ...
What a promise! We need not strive and battle for an answer from heaven! We need not fret and worry and frustrate His will! All we need do is sit at His feet, glean from His mysteries, adore Him to the fullest.. then, our answer is easy, our hearts are filled with peace.


Won't You come, Jesus, and be thou exalted!

The Corporate Descent from Purity..

The early church was a glorious church! Consider what the Bible says about them in regards to their lifestyles and Christian disciplines:

Acts 2:41-47 “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.”

Here we see that after being saved, water baptized, and filled with the Holy Ghost, the virgin church:

a. Continued to sit under sound Bible teaching
b. Spent time praying and eating together
c. Fellowshipped with each other
d. Walked in the fear of God
e. Experienced signs and wonders
f. Were together in loving unity
g. Had all things common (shared)
h. Met each other’s needs
i. Met and worshipped daily
j. God continued to add people to the church

WOW! It wasn’t long after this however (approx. 70 years?), that we find the Lord Jesus standing outside of His own church! What happened? TO CHRISTIANS He says:

Revelation 3:15-16 " I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth."

And again...

Revelation 3:20 “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”

But what has CAUSED this? What has birthed such an apathy in God’s people that they no longer allow Him in their midst? Well, the very first corporate mistake we find recorded in Scripture regards the church at Ephesus:

Revelation 2:1-4 “Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, BECAUSE THOU HAST LEFT THY FIRST LOVE.”

This phrase “first love” can also be translated “love-feast”. They have left their “love-feast”. The people here no longer possess the affections they once had for the Lord. Their relationship with Him is no longer a love-feast. They have left this place of intimacy! The meaning of the word Ephesus is, “to relax; to permit; to loosen”. Could it be that the Ephesian church was found relaxed in their pursuit of Jesus, permitting the flesh to come in and rule (Rom 13:14; Gal 5:16), and growing loose in their convictions (Eph 4:26)? The corporate church at large began to grow lukewarm. What a sad story! And how sad it must be to the heart of God that this attitude in His people has, in effect, caused them to reject His wooings, and put Him outside.

Jeremiah 2:2 says, "Go and cry in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, Thus saith the LORD; I remember thee, the kindness OF THY YOUTH, the love of thine espousals..."

How sad that this was only a memory, and not a current reality. Oswald Chambers has asked, "Am I as spontaneously loving to God as I used to be, or am I only expecting God to be kind to me? Have I been kind to Him this past week? Have I been kind to His reputation in my life? If I find that He is not what He used to be to me, may it produce shame and humiliation , because that shame will bring the godly sorrow that works repentance."

May we be ever-conscious of our own hearts that we do not mimic this ungodly behavior. May we always be full of the extravagance of love to Jesus Christ as we were in the beginning, when we went out of our way to prove our devotion! The minute Jesus becomes common place in our lives, we have begun the descent from purity (Rev 18:4). May we ever possess a fascinated heart ablaze! How wonderful that our Lord’s counsel and cure is simple repentance (Rev 2:5).

Why Are You Saved? ..

There are probably millions upon millions of “Christians” in the earth today, undoubtedly of all different sects, denominations, creeds, etc, some good, some not-so-good, but all hopefully growing and maturing. I want to draw your attention to the very crux of Christendom, that is, the WHY behind it all.

"Why are you saved?" Have you ever really sat and thought about this question?

The cliché “church” answer is, “well, because I want to go to heaven when I die, duh!” Of course, heaven is far better than what many have described “hell” as. I would much rather stroll up and down streets made of gold (isn’t that a hymn?) than be afflicted eternally in an un-dying flame of fire! That seems pretty common sense to me. It would appear that one would not even have to be drawn by the Holy Ghost to make that sort of decision. It seems to be a natural human response to flee that which torments. I fear that the threatened torment of hell has led much of humanity to a shallow dedication to our Lord (John 6:44; 2 Timothy 1:7). It has been witnessed in church history how hell has been used and abused simply to fill the offering plates. What an absurd thing!

There are many more speculations as to the WHY of salvation. Are we saved to be blessed? Are blessings and goose-bumps the PURPOSE of the Cross? I sure hope not. Is God that shallow? Surely not. The psalmist records such things, and labels them rightly as BENEFITS: “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's” (Psalms 103:2-5).

Perhaps we are saved to serve? It has been said, “the first two letters in the Gospel are GO!” As if to say that service is the principle reason we are justified. How funny it is to us then that many times the word for “serve” is actually in the Greek “worship”. When Martha had the Lord Jesus in her home, she complained that she was the only one doing the “service”. Rather than a pat on the back for her works, she was rebuked! “But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:40-42). So we see then that works and service are not principally what God is after either.

Apart from the threatened torturous doom of hell, the promised mansions and gold of heaven, the wondrous and bountiful blessings of God and the works and service for the kingdom, there is a far greater reason, in my humble opinion, WHY we are saved. There is a “high calling” (Philippians 3:14), or should I say, a “higher calling”. It seems that many have confused the PURPOSE of salvation with the BENEFITS of salvation. I want to declare that these things are not our eternal purpose, they are the benefits; they are the outflow; the result! Now, as you sit with jaw un-hinged, please allow me to explain. Heaven is the place for the justified in Christ, and they all shall be there to share in its splendor. Blessings are wonderful, and we are eternally grateful for the hand of God. Service is noble, and needed in order to reach the nations. However, we were not saved IN ORDER to go to heaven, be blessed, and do acts of service. God did not wake up from a nap one day and think to Himself, “ya know, I could really use some more people up here. What do ya say we create man, and then offer him salvation so that he can come, hang out, and play with our gold.” No, it wasn’t like that at all. Rather, the purpose of our salvation is to become someone (Eph 4:11-15; 2 Cor 3:18; Ps 92:12; 2 Pet 3:18, etc). From the foundation of the world, the Father has desired a bride for His Son (Rev 13:8; Eph 1:4; Matt 22:2; 25:1; Isa 54:5; Jn 3:29, etc). “And it shall be at that day, saith the LORD, that thou shalt call me Ishi [my Husband]; and shalt call me no more Baali [my Master]” (Hosea 2:16). And what better bride for Him than a company of people who have consciously and willingly neglected all other loves. “Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready” (Rev 19:7). It is to this end that we indeed are saved (Heb 12:2).

Don't agree? Observe what Paul said:

“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; [IN ORDER] That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, [IN ORDER] That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish” (Eph 5:25-27). This passage of Scripture clearly outlines the entire salvation process, and the purpose thereof. We have been justified freely by the precious blood of Jesus, SO THAT we may be sanctified and thoroughly cleansed by the Word and glory of God (2 Cor 3:18), SO THAT we may be glorified and presented to our Lord as His holy and blameless bride. This is the very purpose behind our justification. Many get saved, and since they are blessed and heaven-bound they never press into anything more that God has for them. How this must grieve the heart of God! He doesn’t want us to remain idle and stagnant in the outer court; He doesn’t even want us to remain in the Holy Place. He has provision for our entrance within the veil into the holiest (Heb 6:19-20). We are justified for a purpose – that is, sanctification. We are sanctified for a purpose – that is, glorification. We are glorified for a purpose – that is, to be presented to the Lord Jesus as His bride. Paul reaffirms this truth in the book of Galatians: “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: [IN ORDER] That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; [IN ORDER] that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith” (Gal 3:13-14). Once again, we see this truth proclaimed. Jesus was slain for our justification by faith (“the blessing of Abraham”), in order that we might receive the promise of the Spirit. We have been justified so that we can then receive the Holy Ghost and be sanctified (Isa 4:4, etc). And why are we to be sanctified? We have seen it is so we can be presented wholly and holy before our Bridegroom-God. This is the “expected end” of our salvation (Jer 29:11). Paul writes, “For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ” (2 Cor 11:2). Again he writes, “For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church” (Eph 5:31-32). The mystery that has been hid from the beginning is the coming union of the Lord Jesus and His bride: “To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Col 1:27).

Let us not be ignorant of God’s purposes with man. He is surely not a shallow God. His dealings with us are substantial and deep. He is at work in us far more than we realize, and for a far greater purpose than we can see. Let us therefore press into this realization and allow Him to have His way in us.

Make Me a Worshipper!

"Make me a worshipper!" Does this seem to you like a strange exclamation? Is this a foreign desire? If you stood on a street corner with your head poised at heaven and shouted "MAKE ME A WORSHIPPER", people would stare at you like a hair on a biscuit!

Why would you want to be one of those "worshippers", most might say. Well, because God is seeking such. Though this may seem elementary, many believers today are unaware of the fact that God Himself WANTS His people to worship Him. God desires that this passion reside in each and every one of us; He wants to be worshipped. In fact, Jesus said, "But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: FOR THE FATHER SEEKETH SUCH to worship him" (Jn 4:23). The Lord actually TAKES PLEASURE in those who fear Him (Ps 147:11); He DELIGHTS in the prayer of the upright (Prov 15:8). He even wants to hear our voices (Song 2:14)! What an astounding thought! The God of the universe is worried about hearing my individual (and tone-deaf) voice! Shouldn't we strive then to give the Father what He seeks?

So why, may we ask, does God desire such things from such people as us? Is He insecure? Does he require His followers to surround Him day and night only for HIS benefit? No. He is surely not insecure, as some have claimed. While He does delight in our worship, He also wants to be worshipped so that HIS PEOPLE can receive the benefit of His communion!

Let's honestly ask ourselves: "Am I a worshipper?" "Do I struggle to worship Jesus?" "Does my heart ache for His presence, and my tongue thirst for His waters?"

If you do struggle, then the Bible has an answer... Following is just one simple Scriptural key to ELEVATE our worship of the Lord Jesus. Observe:

Psalm 48:10 says, "ACCORDING TO THY NAME, O God, SO IS THY PRAISE unto the ends of the earth..." Do we struggle to worship? Then simply apply yourself to THE knowledge of God, and your heart will overflow with increase! It's cause and effect. Why? Because our worship can only ever go as far as our personal revelation of Jesus, and His character (name). Because you cannot truly worship Him whom your heart has yet to really know. You cannot be intimate with a stranger. You cannot force your love upon anyone. Can you force lust? Yes, but not LOVE. Love must be birthed, and birthing is a gradual process. The knowledge of God is the seed which gets things rolling! Not a mere head knowledge, a heart-knowledge! An intimate knowing. What may be an ocean of blackness to the human intellect is a sea of sunshine to the human heart.

Jesus accredits this idea in John 17:26 when He says, "I have declared unto them THY NAME, and will declare it: [in order] THAT the love wherewith thou hast loved me MAY BE IN THEM, and I in them." Do you recognize the cause and effect? Can you notice the reason why the Holy Ghost is yet declaring the name (character) of God? It is to increase the worship of His people!

Moses was a man who lived this experience first-hand. In Exodus 34:6-7 we read, "And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation."

And what effect did this "knowledge" have upon Moses?

"And Moses made haste, and bowed his head toward the earth, and worshipped" (Exod 34:8).

Quantity or Quality?

Which is more valuable to you: a bunch of tiny blemished diamonds, or a massive perfect diamond of the same karat? Well, the answer seems obvious: a massive perfect diamond. These are rarer, and far more costly than the others. These, when they are discovered, are prized and valued more than any other substance on earth!

Now let's ask the same question about Christians: which is more valuable: a whole bunch of carnal and selfish believers, or one selfless and sincere believer. The answer, in my humble opinion, remains the same. The single, sincere and sold-out Christian is of far greater worth to this world than many believers by name only. He will surprisingly accomplish more too, even though he may be alone.

In your Christian experience, do you prefer quantity or quality? Are we able to possess both? I hope.

Does your church emphasize large numbers OVER individual and corporate spiritual substance?

Is Christian depth and maturity casually traded for masses of people and their checkbooks?

The answers to these questions are easy to discern, but it just may offend you!

The Bible seems to present an interesting scenario when approaching this subject: On the one hand, crowds and crowds of people followed the Lord Jesus during His earthly ministry, and thousands upon thousands were saved because of the ministry of the early church and the disciples. We are even told to go out into ALL NATIONS to preach the Gospel.. surely this involves QUANTITY. The Bible even uses such quantitative statements as is found in 1st Timothy 2:4. Referencing the Lord, it says, "Who will have ALL men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth." Again Peter says God is "...not willing that any should perish, but that ALL should come to repentance" (2 Pet 3:9). Large quantities are indeed God ordained! Who can argue? Jesus Himself came because of His love for the WHOLE WORLD (Jn 3:16)!

However, on the other hand, we see the Lord describing what such masses of converts are to be doing: becoming disciples! Matthew 28:19 says, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." This word for "teach" in the Greek actually means, "to become a pupil; to disciple; to enroll as a scholar." In other words, Jesus did not limit such evangelism to a conversion experience, so why should we? Evangelism simply gives others the key to open the door; it is the code to come in. However, loitering around the entrance to this arena is highly frowned upon! We need more true doorkeepers - those who not only make the Gospel "accessible" by dispersing such "keys", but who also act as propellants to those who are chasing God's Spirit! What point is there to possess the key if we never searched and explored our new unlocked atmosphere? Mere conversions are not what God is after. They are good, of course, and we are eternally grateful, but shouldn't we find out what all these flocks of people are now doing? Who are they becoming? Disciples? If not, their conversion seems to be vain. Their keys are growing rusty. What a frightening thought!

Let's humbly ask ourselves, should such QUANTITY come at the expense of genuine QUALITY? I do not believe so. The Lord Jesus, I am convinced, would rather have a handful like David than an army like Saul. He surely prefers a remnant of men like Enoch to an entire race of men like Cain. Do you believe this?

If this is indeed true, that quality is to be exercised over quantity, then why is our current church paradigm so backwards? In today's world, churches must have at least 5,000 members to be considered "successful"! But is this right? Again, I simply do not believe so. Such large assemblies are not even patterned for us in Scripture, so how can we honestly say they are divinely accredited now? Are they permitted? Of course. But I tremble in fear when I contemplate the masses of potentially un-discipled believers there. It seems to be such a difference to that of the early church.

In the book of first Samuel, we get a brief glimpse into our current discussion. Observe:

1 Samuel 1:1-2 "Now there was a certain man of Ramathaimzophim, of mount Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephrathite: And he had two wives; the name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah: and Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.

How sad for poor Hannah! She had no seed to call her own.. and to top it off, Elkanah's other wife was prospering with seed! How humiliating!

Later, Hannah does have a son (after much prayer), and she calls his name Samuel. Samuel is her one and only child, surely her pride and joy. This boy Samuel grows up to become one of the greatest prophets the world has ever seen! Of him, the Bible declares that not one of his words ever fell to the ground (1 Sam 3:19)!

Interestingly, however, we don’t even know the names of Peninnah’s children, even though there were so many. Why is that? Because the Holy Spirit always emphasizes QUALITY over mere QUANTITY, and so should we.

The ideal situation would be to possess quality AND quantity.. neither being disposed of at the expense of the other.. a innumerable mass of genuine, sincere, discipled, sold-out believers. The world would surely then be a different place. It's coming, I assure you!

As for me, I would rather be a priceless and fanciful jewel in the hand of our Lord, than one of many like-minded, yet sinfully stained "gems" for Him to refuse. I want the brightness of my quality (if there be any) to catch his eye! May he say, "Wow, what a glorious diamond! I must have made this!"

The Vessel God Forms ..

Just in case you were unaware, your life is not your own. You are now God's vessel, bought with a price; paid for with the precious, sinless blood of God's Lamb. Jeremiah tells us that we are now in the hands of One greater... even the divine Potter! "Then I went down to the potter's house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels. And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it. Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying, O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel" (Jer 18:3-6). We are currently on the potter's wheel of God.

What is He making? Perhaps a pretty vase for all the flowers of heaven's fields? No. Or perhaps a fancy clay menorah for all of His Chanukah celebrations? Wrong again.

He is building a temple in the Spirit (Eph 2:19-22). A glorious temple at that!

In this temple, the Bible tells us, there are "vessels of gold and of silver" AS WELL AS vessels "of wood and of earth" (2 Tim 2:20). Which would you like to be in the ages to come? It's your choice! Some will shine brightly, while others dim (1 Cor 15:41-42).

The vessel that God forms depends upon the RESPONSE of the clay. Did you realize that?

In Jesus' day, there were countless "followers" or "onlookers" who were completely unresponsive. Matthew says, "But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows, And saying, We have piped unto you, AND YE HAVE NOT DANCED; we have mourned unto you, AND YE HAVE NOT LAMENTED" (Matt 11:16-17). Well, why didn't they dance? Were they crippled? No. Why didn't they lament? Were they emotionless? No. They were simply unresponsive to the pleadings and wooing of their Messiah, and this for a vast array of reasons: "I have bought a piece a ground... I have bought five yoke of oxen... I have married a wife" (see Lk 14:16-20). He may have been their Messiah, but he was not "my beloved" to them.

You see, we all have an individual responsibility to respond to the what God is doing in the earth. We can either be a people who comfortably stand afar off like Queen Vashti (Est 1:10-12), refusing to come at the King's command. Or we can be a people who choose to go near unto Him, despite the temporal pain and tribulation that may follow: "Wash thyself therefore, and anoint thee, and put thy raiment upon thee, AND GET THEE DOWN TO THE [THRESHING] FLOOR..." (Ruth 3:3). Are you willing to go down to the threshing floor? Do you want your will to be crushed and devastated, that He might live through you (see Jn 3:30)? Many are called, yet few choose. Allow His wooing to birth such a response in you today!

The shulamite woman is such a wonderful example of this in Scripture. She begins her journey as one of REFUSAL! Upon the Lord's desire for her, she says, "Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, TURN, my beloved, and be thou like a roe or a young hart upon the mountains of Bether" (Song 2:17). "Bether" means, "separation". She was not willing to follow Him wherever He went; she wanted off of the potter's wheel. What an odd paradox that is here presented! How can someone say "turn, my beloved"? If He truly was your BELOVED, you would not find it in yourself to say TURN! Similarly how Peter says "not so, Lord" in Acts 10:14. If He really is your Lord, you cannot find the will to say "not so".

It wasn't until the Lord graciously woos her to Himself in a greater capacity that she finally decides to surrender her own will. He even marred her a little in His merciful hands. Surprised? Don't be. The fruit of such a wooing and marring is splendid: She finally says, "Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, I WILL GET ME to the mountain of myrrh, and to the hill of frankincense" (Song 4:6). And again, "Awake, O north wind; and come, thou south; blow upon my garden, that the spices thereof may flow out. Let my beloved come into his garden, and eat his pleasant fruits" (Song 4:16). God's wooing had done its job; it had served its purpose: to draw her away unto Himself; to make her a lover, a partner, one who would go anywhere and do anything. She willfully embraced the mountain of myrrh (symbolic of the death of her flesh - myrrh is a burial spice), and the hill of frankincense (symbolic of her communion with Him - Rev 5:9). Her main desire now was to allow the "spices" in her life to "flow out" as an offering. She no longer wanted separation! What a dramatic and yet glorious contrast! He truly was now, to her, "my beloved". She got back on the potter's wheel, and was surely fashioned into something glorious!

The wedding song is playing.. Will you partake today?

What Color is God? ..

In Bible School, we've been discussing: "What color is God?" Yeah, you read that right.. It has been wonderful and fascinating! My pastor is the coolest! This inquiry may sound like a strange one, but in today's day and age, it seems to be one of significance. Why should we approach such a thing? Because contrary to those with their heads in the sand, racism is still alive and well - it even exists in the church! Wait.. allow me to rephrase that - IT ESPECIALLY EXISTS IN THE CHURCH. My pastor says that "Sunday morning is the most segregated hour of the week!" He's right. Black churches, white churches, Filipino churches, you name it - there's a genre for every color, race and creed. But is this right? I don't think so; it only further perpetuates the "sad schism story" we recently discussed. Such bigotry obviously does not fit a child of God. The Bible says that we (believers) are a "new creation". This Greek word is "species" (see 2 Cor 5:17). This new species, Paul says, "is NEITHER GREEK NOR JEW, circumcision nor uncircumcision, BARBARIAN, SCYTHIAN, bond nor free: BUT CHRIST IS ALL, AND IN ALL" (Col 3:11). We aren't to be solely spiritually associated with those of our own kingdoms anymore. Rather, we are now made "after the image of Him" that created us (Col 3:10). Jesus said, "Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother" (Matt 12:48-50). He even told us to comparatively "hate" our own natural families (see Lk 14:26; Matt 10:37; 19:29). In another place, it says to "FORGET also thine own people, and thy father's house" (Ps 45:10). Of course this seems radical, but why are we asked to do such a thing? Doesn't that seem a bit harsh? Most would think so. But doesn't the apostle Paul inform us that "There is NEITHER JEW NOR GREEK, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for YE ARE ALL ONE in Christ Jesus" (Gal 3:28)? Yet, nonetheless, we are separated like cattle towards different colored feeding troughs.. waiting to be fed our particular genre of spiritual hay! This is crazy, no?

So why do the Scriptures seem to be so against this popular method of "segregated Churchianity"? Well, of course racism is a sin. We cannot truly love all of God's people all the while feeling superior to them. How are we to sacrificially love anyone while harboring hatred in our hearts? Love is the bond of perfection (Col 3:14). But I also believe the Bible advises toward this idea because a carnal and limited nostalgic attachment to one's familiar people will always prove a hindrance to the real move of the Holy Spirit. A limited and humanistic love for "white worship styles" or "black worship styles" will prove a hindrance I can assure you. Don't believe me? Have you tried it lately? A carnal preference to "black styled" preaching may keep you from hearing the Word of God for your life, and vice-versa. It may distract you from your true "father" in the Lord (1 Cor 4:15). "How could God give a white man an African-American spiritual father?", we might ask.. Well, to be quite honest, God can do whatever He feels like. He knows what you need to grow up and mature. He has gifted those over you.. skin color and culture is 100% irrelevant when speaking of God's kingdom. Our own kingdoms? Yes, it seems to be relevant.. but not with God's kingdom. His Kingdom is encompassed with radical love for all races! Such love knows no petty bigotry; it makes no such earthly judgments.

Sadly, such racist and cultural biases may never even be exposed because we're so engrossed in our own cultures that we never even attempt to branch out. Our subtle racist tendencies are then hidden, and undiscovered. But suppose a "black church" needed a pastor, and you were the man for the job? Could you do it? Would they want you? A carnally nostalgic attachment to one's own race and culture can potentially prevent you from fulfilling the will of God! How scary! Is skin color that important? Shouldn't Christians be FREE? We talk about it all the time, but are we really?

One way I can imagine to break down these walls of racist tendencies is to properly discover the actual "color" of God – We must be careful here not to presume anything upon the Almighty… The Scriptures give us a pretty clear rendering of His divine visage – or at least what man can understand it to be with the use of mere human words. In Scripture, He seems to be no human color; He no longer possesses any human culture, Jesus has been glorified! If He is not a human color, why do we make such a big deal about color and culture? In my humble opinion, this realization will better enable us to see all races as our brothers and sisters, rather than merely some “other” Christian on the outskirts of our individual "culture camp".

So what color is He? Well, we know from history that Jesus was neither black nor white. He was naturally a Jew. He was olive-skinned. Portraits of Jesus as black, white, Native American, etc. decorate the halls of many segregated churches, but is this accurate? No.

Right now, however, I do not believe He is olive-skinned anymore. I believe He is amber, the color of God's glory. Observe:

1. What happened to Jesus on the mount of transfiguration (Matt 17) when He was glorified? He became bright - "His face did shine as the sun" (vs. 2). He was the color of glory!

2. Years after His resurrection, we find Jesus appearing in the book of Revelation. What did He look like then? Was He still olive-skinned? No: "And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters" (Rev 1:13-15). Years of the revealed presence of God had completely altered His appearance. Daniel tells us His face is as the appearance of lightening, and His limbs are the color of polished brass (Dan 10:6)!

3. Ezekiel paints us a vivid picture of the “appearance” of God. Again it must be understood that Ezekiel was probably so in awe of his vision, that he could scarcely accurately describe what he saw. The nearer he approaches the throne, the less sure his words become! He treaded lightly as he used phrases such as “the appearance of"... “The likeness of a throne…” “The appearance of a man”, etc. Here is the verse: "And above the firmament that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone: and upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness as the appearance of a man above upon it. And I saw AS THE COLOR OF AMBER, as the appearance of fire round about within it, from the appearance of his loins even upward, and from the appearance of his loins even downward, I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and it had brightness round about" (1:26-27). This idea is further accredited by many other Scriptures (Dan 7:9; Ezek 8:2; Acts 26:13; Rev 1:12-15; 2:18; Ps 50:2; etc). He was and is the “color of glory”! We too will look this way, even as Moses' and Jesus' visage was changed by the presence of God.

4. What happened to Moses when he was in the revealed presence of God for 40 days? He came down the mountain, and his face shown; it glowed (See Exod 34:29). He was the color of glory - his visage altered as Jesus' was!

Another method to crash this false understanding is to realize that we all began in ONE image, and we too will end in ONE image. Genesis 1:26-27 says, "And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness... So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them." Notice it wasn't "white man" or "black man" that was created in God's image, rather, it was "man" in general. There were no differing colors; we all were one (some scholars believe him to have been reddish in color). It wasn't until after the flood that such division arrived on the seen. Ham, Shem and Japheth became the fathers of the earth's many races (see Gen 10). Dispersion at the tower of Babel was the beginning of racism (see Gen 11). What a shame that it still exists so many thousands of years later.

So how shall we all end? We will end as ONE also: "For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed TO THE IMAGE OF HIS SON..." (Rom 8:29). Paul explains how our earthly "bodies" are the effect of sinful corruption (see Phil 3:21). Do you agree? Paul clearly likens our now earthly bodies to that of corruption: "Now this I say, brethren, that FLESH AND BLOOD cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth CORRUPTION inherit incorruption" (1 Cor 15:50). It's true. However, it will not always be this way. The earthly will one day appear as the heavenly, that is, in brightness - the very visage of the Son! No mere earthly color will equip us! The glory that will encompass us will be far greater than anything the earth has ever seen, more glorious even to the glory that shone on Moses' face (see 2 Cor 3:7-12)! Believers are now groaning for this "better covering" (2 Cor 5:2-4). We patiently wait. Oh how I long for the harvest of what has been planted! This harvest will be so dramatically different than the seed from which it sprang that anything earthly will crumble in awe at its sight (see 1 Cor 15:35-43)!

So what's my point? My point is, we all will one day look alike. Our individual colors and cultures will be obsolete! So why not start now? What a wonderful testimony to the world this would be! Onlookers would observe former racists worshipping side by side, seeing one another with the visage of God - the visage of glory - totally ignorant of the fact that they sprang from different lifestyles, cultures, colors and climates. Surely this maturity is part of going "on unto perfection" (Heb 6:1), and surely neglecting this principle is hindering the move of God! We all will one day shine like the glory of the stars (See 1 Cor 15:41-42), so shouldn't we deal with our fleshly biases now? Shouldn't we view each other through the eyes of the Almighty? Jesus would have it so, no doubt (see Jn 17:20). Let's not use our adhesiveness to our individual cultures to excuse us from true and genuine fellowship with the KINGDOM of God. This kingdom is to be our NEW culture, our NEW species and our NEW kindred.. we even have a NEW tongue!

A Surprising Effect of Fasting!

Our church has decided to embark on a 21 day fast starting January 4th, 2010. Different people are doing different fasts, but we're all fasting nonetheless. Corporate fasts are powerful! Also, in Bible school, we're learning about fasting. We've already had this class at least once, but it's amazing how the Holy Spirit will continue to teach you things you supposedly have already learned ;) It's humbling really.

One of these instances is an effect of fasting that the Scriptures reveal. Personally, I have never noticed this before.

Did you know that on more than once occasion, the growth of the church is related to fasting? Don't feel stupid, none of us made the connection either! Haha. But it's true. Observe:

1. Acts 10:9-14 describes Peter's vision of the unclean animals being let down from heaven on a vessel. A voice said, "Rise, Peter, kill and eat..." This is significant of Peter's ministry of the Gospel to the Gentiles (the unclean). Later in the chapter, we see that before this event transpired, Cornelius was fasting (see verse 30). WOW! Could it be that Cornelius' fast was significant toward the coming Gospel ministry to the Gentiles (even if it wasn't through Peter)? I think so. Their Gospel inclusion was at least somewhat related to fasting!

2. In John 4, we read the popular story of the Samaritan woman meeting Jesus at a well. Jesus woos her and she in turn flees to her city to tell all the people of her encounter. She says, "Come, see a man, which told me all things that I ever did: is not this the Christ? Then they went out of the city, and came to him" (vs. 29-30). A few verses later, we get the subtle hint that Jesus may have been fasting during this time. In verse 31, Jesus' disciples urge Him to eat, but He does not. Rather, He says, "My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work" (vs. 34). Could it be that the dramatic evangelism of the Samaritan woman's entire city was directly correlated to Jesus' fasting? I think so. When it comes to the Scriptures, I do not believe in coincidences.

3. Isaiah 58, the great and popular chapter about fasting, one of the listed effects is this: "thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in..." (vs. 12). This is in direct effect of verse 6: "Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to lose the bands of wickedness, to undo heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?" What greater yoke is there to break than that of eternal separation from the glory and presence of God? Such godly fasting is correlated to the harvest!

Of course there are many more benefits of this godly discipline, such that cannot now be discussed. This one truth, however, is enough to plunge us into a desire to fast, pray and seek the Lord for a right way for us, our families and our nation (see Ezra 8:21-23, 31).

Beaten and Bound ..

Personally, I cannot think of any greater hindrance to real Christian maturity than religious bondage. When I say "religious" bondage, I of course am not referring to religion in and of itself. Rather, I am referring to one who uses his religion as his god, rather than his pathway TO God. Religion was never meant to be an end, but a means to an end. Make sense? Defiled religion is that such as the Pharisees possessed and displayed. Their religion was designed to lead them to their Messiah, but how sad that it actually is what caused them to mercilessly kill Him!

In a sense, religious bondage is often worse than outright sin in terms of becoming a mature and victorious Christian. This is because it comes neatly packaged with the idea that we're doing everything right. The Bible calls this "twilight" (see Prov 7:9). There's just enough light to pacify us and get us by; yet just enough darkness to hold us back. How awful!

The question is this: Are we only observing true Christianity from a wooden pew, or do we actively participate in seeking the will and purpose of God in the earth? Are we merely gazing from our religious setting, or are we the ones others are gazing at?

True and unadulterated Christianity is NEVER to be observed from a distance. This idea is the crux of religious bondage. Rather, genuine Christianity is to be experienced VIA IMMERSION! It involves an engrossed enthrallment with the person of Jesus! This simply cannot be known from afar. This, in my humble opinion, has been one contributing factor to the apparent detriment of our faith.. Men who claim this intimacy deny Him in works, and His glorious character is tainted. Men see men with no real substance, believers in speech only, but absent and void of any real living water (see Jn 7:38). God help us!

I want to briefly share something on this subject of Christian observation. A man far greater than I has taught me this principle, to whom I am grateful.

In Matthew 26, we find a most disturbing scenario: Jesus has just been captured; He is now beaten, rejected and bound:

"And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled. But Peter followed him afar off unto the high priest's palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end... Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee. But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest. And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth. And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man. And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee. Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew. And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly." (vs. 57-58, 69-75).

How interesting that Jesus was (in this story) found in the most "religious" place of the day, the very house of the high priest. But He's beaten and bound! Not only that, His followers are "afar off" and denying Him! Does this sound like a religious setting to you? We hope not. But is it possible? Absolutely!

Are we quenching (stifling) the Holy Spirit? If so, Jesus is BOUND. Our counsel from God is to "quench not the Spirit" (1 Thess 5:19), and to "grieve not the holy Spirit..." (Eph 4:30).

Are we purposely living in sin? If so, Jesus is BEATEN. His blood for you seems vain (see 1 Cor 15:2).

Are we acting as true witnesses? Or are we simply observing from afar? Let's not be like Peter, who, even though he was in a religious setting, ended up denying the Lord thrice and following Him from afar off.

My whole point is this: It is indeed possible for us to partake of a religious activity yet never partake of the Author of that religion. Strangely, Jesus fed and taught masses of people on the hillsides of the Sea of Galilee, yet only a handful actually left all to follow Him. Oddly, Jesus appeared to over 500 brethren when He resurrected, yet only 120 were present at Pentecost to receive the baptism He repeatedly promised. They seem to therefore have been mere observers of real Christianity. But God has enough observers, He now wants some active participants! Will you dive in?

Christian Extremists ..

According to human nature, most "extreme" things are generally frowned upon. Too much of anything is apparently unwanted: "Those eggs have too much salt" ... "That steak was cooked too long" ... "You spend too much time at work". We naturally favor Spring and Fall because Summer is "too hot" and Winter is "too cold". These are natural circumstances, and are understood. But from the Christian perspective, is there such a thing as "extremism"? Can we be too Christian?

Personally, I do not believe so. Jesus said, "I would thou wert cold or hot" (Rev 3:15). He would rather us freeze with frigid lifelessness than to possess only a portion of love for the Lord! Reader, a mere portion is much more dangerous than none at all.

We live in a day and age where "moderation is key". While this may of course be appropriate for things such as alcohol consumption, or speed limits, is it appropriate for our relationship with King Jesus? Again, I do not believe so. I do not feel that the term "Bible thumper" should possess a negative connotation. Why? Because the Bible actually presents the genuine Christian life with a standard enthusiasm, over-zealousness, and fanaticism! In other words, the Bible readily encourages us to be fanatical Christians! Are you surprised?

Here are just a few Scriptural examples of what the religious norm would today label as fanaticism:

1. Moses remained on the mountain, in the presence of God, by himself, for 40 strait days (Exod 24:18).
2. David openly danced with all his might when the Ark returned to the people of God (2 Sam 6).
3. David's tabernacle consisted of prayer and worship for 24 hours a day (1 Chron 22-25; 16:11, 23, 37, 40, etc).
4. David funded the purchase of land, materials and treasure for the construction of the temple of Solomon (2 Sam 24).
5. Shadrach, Meshach and Anednego chose rather to be burned alive than to bow to an idolatrous statue (Dan 3:16-19).
6. The early church met daily, not only weekly (Acts 2:46).
7. The early church had all things common (shared everything they owned - Acts 2:44).
8. The early church practiced and coveted spiritual gifts (1 Cor 12:31; Acts 2:43).
9. Jesus fasted 40 days without any food (Lk 4:1-2).
10. Paul and others chose to suffer affliction, torment and the loss of all things for the sake of the Gospel (2 Cor 6:4-5; 11:23-27; Phil 3:8).

Let's ask ourselves: Where would we be if these glorious events did not ever transpire? Would Christianity be as progressed as it now is? Doubtful. It would seem, therefore, that such "fanaticism" has been the propellant of truth, the surge of success, and the aid to greater global understanding.

If such "fanatical" ideas are continually promoted in Scripture, wouldn't it behoove us to take heed and at least consider the possibility of their modern day application? The idea that these truths apply only dispensationally is a spiritual atrocity! Just because the world has drastically become more evil, is that an excuse for the Church to become spiritually relaxed and sit back on her lees (see Jer 48:11)? No. In fact, it is a valid reason for the church to fanatically shine brighter than ever before!

Reader, don't get mad when you perceive someone as a Christian fanatic.. Rather, pray to your heavenly Father that He would cause you to obtain such vehement passions for His Son. My pastor always says, "a fanatic is someone who loves Jesus more than you do." I wholeheartedly agree!

Here on earth, people will always have varying degrees of devotion to the Lord Jesus.. but as for me, please throw me back on the grille! I would love to be cooked "too long" ... I want to be a WELL DONE, good and faithful servant - pun intended (Jn 3:30).

Hope ..

In my humble opinion, one of the greatest obstacles to overcome in the Christian life is this issue of WAITING. For me this can be trying; I'm sort of an "instant gratification" kind of guy (not proud of it either). We know from Scripture that we will one day be completed and perfected, but we do not presently see this as a modern reality. I often feel like I'm on a long car trip, with "HOPE" road signs passing by, yet never coming to the intended and expected exit! Did I get lost on the way to my intended off ramp? To top it off, when we screw up and do something ungodly we are condemnded at the fact that we haven't yet arrived to our sinless and spotless destiny! If I didn't know bettwe, it would seem like somewhat of a catch 22!

Ephesians 2 speaks of this holy temple that the Lord is building: "In whom [Christ] all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord" (vs. 21). Notice is says "groweth" (present tense), not "has grown" (past tense). We are presently on this journey.. taking root downward, in hopes of bearing fruit upward. We are hoping.. waiting.. and waiting some more.

This used to discourage me, and even caused me to use such a "waiting room" as an excuse to sin. But then I came across a verse of Scripture that put it all in divine perspective: "An inheritance may be gotten hastily at the beginning; but the end thereof shall not be blessed" (Prov 20:21). The Knox translation says, "an inheritance too soon come by..."

You see, part of our growth into this holy temple God is building is overcoming the growth process itself. Sounds confusing maybe, but think of it this way: A dwelling suddenly raised is often as suddenly ruined! This is why the Holy Spirit devotes such time, energy and dedication into building and perfecting this holy temple (See Isa 28:9-10). This is why He never fails to woo us to repentance and surrender. He has a job to do. The paint on our proverbial walls must not be chipped; the rafters in the ceiling mustn't be splintered; there must not be any rodents in our basements; the foundation must be sure (See Ps 11:3). The King of glory deserves nothing less, don't you agree? With that perspective, I'm more than willing to allow the Holy Ghost to SLOWLY yet COMPLETELY change me, even from glory to glory (2 Cor 3:18). This point of view will help us not to despise the "making process", even if it's lengthy and repetitive (See Rev 19:7 and Lk 8:15). Let's be encouraged and heed the admonition of Jesus: "In your patience, possess ye your souls" (Lk 21:19).

Zeal?

What do we think of when we see this word "zeal"? The word "zealous" means, "hot jealousy", and comes from a root word meaning, "to boil". Zeal is a bittersweet idea to many. On one hand it can be hazardous, while on the other hand it can be wonderful! Zeal was awfully displayed by the Pharisees of Jesus' day, yet marvelously displayed by King Jesus Himself! What was the difference? It was this: the Pharisees of Jesus' day possessed false or altered zeal. Their zeal was contaminated with hypocrisy, doctrinal stubbornness, and lifeless performances. They were zealous for God and the Law, but ignorantly, and not according to knowledge (Rom 10:2). They zealously studied the Scriptures all day long, and yet could not see the Messiah standing right in front of them (Jn 5:39). Paul himself (as Saul - a Pharisee) was so zealous for God in fact, that he persecuted the church of the Lord Jesus (Phil 3:6). Zeal can definitely be a bad thing; it must not originate within ourselves, nor be dictated and swayed with our every carnal emotion. This is false zeal. This is what the Pharisees possessed. Their pride aroused a zealousness to condemn their fellow Jews; their hard-heartedness aroused a zealousness which ignored the pleadings of their Messiah; and their anger kindled a zealousness that crucified the Lord of glory! What horrific effects one's mere emotional zeal can create!

Jesus was the polar opposite, however! His zeal was not carnal, nor did it waver with His every human emotion. His zeal was/is composed of an authentic desire for the glory of God and the spiritual welfare of people. What a drastic difference to that of the "religious" leaders!

So what's the good news about all this? The good news is this same zeal of God has been imparted to us via the Holy Spirit! He says in Revelation 3:19 to "be zealous... and repent." He would not ask us such a thing if He had not first imparted His ability to do so. There are many examples of this "be zealous" attitude in Scripture: We see the Shulamite in the Song of Solomon progressively becoming zealous for what her Bridegroom was zealous over (Song 4:1-6). She accomplished in 8 chapters what it often takes us a lifetime to achieve. She recognized the heart of God and responded. So what is He zealous over exactly? Let's find out:

1. God's greatest zeal is in His Son, Jesus. This zeal is the wellspring from which all subsequent effects of zealousness flow: "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The ZEAL of the Lord of hosts will perform this" (Isaiah 9:6-7). Is He our greatest zeal and passion?

2. He is zealous for our complete and sincere devotion: "For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a JEALOUS God..." (Ex 34:14).

3. He is zealous for purity: "Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, ZEALOUS of good works" (Tit 2:14).

4. He is zealous for a people to bear Him fruit: "And the remnant that is escaped out of the house of Judah shall again take root downward and bear fruit upward: For out of Jerusalem shall go forth a remnant, and they that escape out of mount Zion: the ZEAL of the Lord of hosts shall do this" (Isa 37:31-32).

5. God is zealous to destroy His enemies: "The Lord shall go forth as a mighty man, he shall stir up JEALOUSY like a man of war: he shall cry, yea, roar; he shall prevail against his enemies. I have long time holden my peace; I have been still, and refrained myself: now I will cry like a travailing woman; I will destroy and devour at once" (Isa 42:13-14). We too should possess this same righteous and zealous indignation against sin, Satan and their awful effects. "Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: neither give place to the devil" (Ephesians 4:26-27). Our zealousness against sin and Satan should be absolute, having no inhibitions.

6. God is zealous for judgment, both of the world and of the "adversaries" in His people. Ezekiel 5:13 reads, "Thus shall mine anger be accomplished, and I will cause my fury to rest upon them, and I will be comforted: and they shall know that I the Lord have spoken it in my ZEAL, when I have accomplished my fury in them." The judgments of God are remedial. He is zealous for the effects of His judgments. He doesn't enjoy the process, I'm sure, anymore than we do, similarly how a parent doesn't enjoy disciplining a child. They do it not for the act itself, but for the effect of the act. God does not judge us for judgment's sake, He judges us for the effects thereof: "…For he is like a refiner's fire and a fuller's soap: And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness. Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the Lord…" (Mal 3:2-4). We shouldn't only allow God's dealings in our lives, but we should be zealous for them (Song 4:6). What a different world we would live in if God's people were as zealous for His judgments as He is!

7. He is zealous for the body. Yes, God is jealous over you, but He is also jealous over your brother. Imagine that! Peter says, "And above all things have FERVENT charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover a multitude of sins" (1 Pet 4:8). This "body-mentality" is included in possessing the heart and zeal of Jesus. Notice the heart of Moses when he constantly prayed for the children of Israel (Ex 32); notice the feelings of Samuel concerning the people too: "God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way…" (1 Sam 12:23). You are not the only one God is zealous for. He is zealous for a corporate people: "I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great jealousy" (Zech 1:14).

8. The second chapter of the Gospel of John gives us great insight into the zeal of Jesus. John 2:12-17 records Jesus' first cleansing of the temple. He appeared on the scene and drove out the money changers, and those that bought and sold in the house of God. After He did so, it says, "And his disciples remembered that it was written, The ZEAL of thine house hath eaten me up" (vs. 17). Thus the reasons for His actions are explained: ZEAL. Jesus is zealous for our overall spiritual condition, for WE are now the temple of the living God (1 Cor 3:16). From this story, we can determine at least 3 things: 1- God is zealous for our sincerity. He isn't interested in us coming to His temple to sell goods (vs. 14). This is a mere form of godliness. 2- He is zealous for our purity. His response to the sin there was: "Take these things hence" (vs. 16)! In other words, "Get this stuff out of here!" Sin has no place. 3- He is zealous for our dedication. This event occurred during the Feast of Passover (vs. 13), typical of our initial salvation when the blood of the Lamb was applied to the doorposts of our hearts (Ex 12; 1 Cor 5:7). In His zealousness, God is cleansing the temple; He is zealous for a people to become all that He has desired. We too should desire and be zealous toward this "expected end" (Jer 29:11).


These same things are to be the focus, zeal and "hot jealousy" of our genuine Christian lives. As followers of "the Way", we have a responsibility to seek possession of these same passions (2 Cor 3:18), for He will never give His glory to "another". If we are not, let's re-evaluate.

Christian Experience?

Contrary to popular opinion, the true Christian life is to be saturated with "experiences". Are we not to perpetually dwell in and partake of the experiential presence of God? Yes! David has said, "Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me" (Ps 51:11). And what is this "presence" he refers to? The presence of God is an experiential reality; it's actually to be felt and recognized upon one's person as a tangible influence... In fact, it's even likened to natural wine: "And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess, BUT [rather] be filled with the Spirit" (Eph 5:18; emphasis mine). The Shulamite woman continually likened Jesus' religious affections to that of drunkenness! Does this surprise you? Of course natural drunkenness is a mockery to the true experiential affections God has for His people (Prov 20:1), but the God-breathed metaphor exists nonetheless: "Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love is better than wine" (Song 1:2)... this seemed to be her perpetual prayer. In fact, how interesting that this desire for His felt affection was the very root and foundation for all that followed! Would she have matured without this desire to be close to Him? It is doubtful. Certain Christian religious groups choose to ignore this important truth (probably because of it's metaphorical link to natural wine), but its validity cannot accurately be questioned. Call it what you want: AW Tozer called it "a conscious union with Christ". Edwards has called it "religious affections". I choose to call it an "experiential influence". Why do people get so fidgety when we discuss "feelings"? Of course the idea is abused by many flaky Christians, but so is the grace of God.. Does that negate the truth behind grace? We would dare not say so! Regarding such experiential affections, doesn't the Bible say that we are to be "IN HIM that is true" (1 Jn 5:20); And wouldn't this be felt upon our person? Yes! To be honest, when referencing the glory and presence of God, the ancient Hebrews often used the word "kabod", which means "weightiness". Is this a coincidence? Of course not. Jesus is not only to be read about and studied via eloquent prose, but also to be communed with via experiential influence! We are continually encouraged to do this: "The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit" (2 Tim 4:22), and again Paul says: "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all" (2 Cor 13:14). Of course this "experience" is not to be the sole entirety of one's Christian life, but it is a part nonetheless. This truth is simply one of many vital building blocks of real growth and edification. Have you spiritually communed with Him and experienced Him today? Are you continually influenced by His wondrous "kabod"? Such a divine connection is never meant to be broken; it never has to disconnect. He wants to meet with you: "I am my beloved's AND HIS DESIRE IS TOWARD ME" (Song of Solomon 7:10)!