Think on these things...

Hypocrites in their Hearts

There is an interesting story from Jeremiah 42.

 Johanan and friends come to Jeremiah and ask him to seek God on their behalf, that the Lord your God may show us the way in which we should walk and the thing we should do (v.3).

Jeremiah agrees to pray. They agree to heed the word and say, "Let the Lord be a true and faithful witness between us, if we do not do according to everything which the Lord your God send us by you. Whether it is pleasing or displeasing, we will obey the voice of the Lord our God to who we send you, that it may be well with us when we obey the voice of the Lord our God (v.5-6)

The word of the Lord came 10 days later (v.10-22). The word was for them to stay in the land and not go to Egypt; blessing was promised if they stay, death if they disobey and leave. It was very clear, (v.19) "Do not go to Egypt! Know certainly that I have admonished you this day."

Then Jeremiah says something very revealing about the hearts of Johanan and group, For you were hypocrites in your hearts when you sent me to the Lord your God, saying 'Pray for us to the Lord our God, and according to all that the Lord your God says, so declare to us and we will do it." (v20).  And I have this day declared it to you , but you have not obeyed the choice of the Lord you God, or anything which He has sent you by me. - so you will die in the place you desire to go to dwell."

They said the right words in asking Jeremiah for God's guidance, but it turns out, as the prophet said, they were not really wanting to hear from God, but were seeking confirmation to what they had already decided to, ‘hypocrites in their hearts.’

Lord search our hearts and help us truly seek You and Your word and guidance in our lives, and not make decisions and then ask You for confirmation.

Good tidings of Great Joy!

 Oh the weather outside is frightful,

but the fire is so delightful,

and since we've no place to go,

Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!

 

I've been singing this song on and off all week.  When I woke up last Monday and looked outside, I quickly sent out an email to the FFC staff and declared our first ever 'Snow Day.' Memories of no-school 'snow days' from my childhood stirred up an excitement and joy that almost surprized me... we stoked up the fire, shoveled snow and had a very enjoyable day.

Good news that brings ‘great joy.’ The news that we had 16 inches of snow covering our home and city, and that we could stay home and enjoy the beauty brought ‘great joy.’ I realized that Monday’s weather conditions launched me into not only a day of joy, but a season of joy! The ‘real’ good news isn’t weather related, but God related!

Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. “For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. “And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” (Luke 2:8-14)

Join me in allowing the Holy Spirit to make the ‘good tidings’ of Christ’s coming be renewed in our hearts and minds, resulting in ‘great joy’!

Measures of Greatness

 I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing.    (Gen 12:2)

As God spoke these words, He announced a dual objective: “I want to make your name great,” and “You shall be a blessing.” God’s  promise to make Abraham’s name great was not a promise of fame, but a guarantee He would shape great character in him.

God is not so interested in ‘notoriety’ as He is in the development of the inner qualities of character.  The biblical concept of “fame” focuses on the quality of the person’s trustworthiness, integrity and spiritual weight. 

That’s important to remember, since today we live in a society  which mocks its own habit for “making people famous for nothing more than merely being well known.” 

Thus fame today may be acquired through scandal as quickly as through accomplishment.  

But Abraham’s name became great through learning a walk of worship and a pathway of persistent pursuit of God’s will. That’s kingdom character! It’s the path to which God calls His people to walk.  Greatness in the kingdom of God is very different from greatness as the world around us determines…Jesus said, "whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant.”    (Mat 20:26)

A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, Loving favor rather than silver and gold.    (Prov 22:1)

Stillness and Solitude

Psalm 46:10 reads, “Be still and know that I am God.”

Think with me for a moment, when was the last time you were ‘still?’

‘Still’ meaning no distractions, no television, no radio, no iPod, no internet, no texting, no phone conversation, no books, nothing… just being still, in a quiet place, alone.

Many people pride themselves on their ability to multitask, that is, to handle more than one task at the same time. I see it often… people driving and… eating, talking on the phone, texting, and yes I’ve even seen people reading a book while driving down the highway!

Whether you are a multitasker or not, our lives can be very busy and overflowing with responsibilities and activity. Stillness and solitude, well, we just don’t have the time.

Psalm 46  doesn’t say that we should be still, if we have the time… but that we should make time to be still, and focus our thoughts and prayers on God.

Personally, the time I spend in stillness and solitude with God is my most valuable and rewarding time. As the psalm says, it is a time of knowing God, a time of growing in relationship with Him, a time of listening and hearing His still small voice speak into our lives.

If we will develop this pattern of life, we will be in good company, not only in patterns of life we see in the Bible, but we’ll also be in the company of a good and wonderful God.

And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there (Mat 14:23).

Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. (Luke 5:16)

Seeing God

1John 4:12 tells us that 'No one has seen God at any time.'

John, in his Gospel, makes a similar statement but expands on it: It reads, No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is with the Father, He has declared Him (John 1:18) The expanded understanding comes as he tells us that Jesus has made the Father known.

John recorded Jesus’ words when He said, He who has seen Me has see the Father (God) (John 14:8-9)

Also, Paul in Colossians and in Hebrews says that ‘Jesus is the image of the invisible God’ and ‘He is the express image of God’s person’ (Col 1:15; Heb 1:3).

From these texts, we can conclude that if we had lived 2000 years ago and been able to personally see Jesus Christ during His earthly ministry, that would have been the closest we could come to actually ‘seeing God.’

But wait… we can ‘see’ God… but not with our natural, mortal eyes, that’s not possible… but there is a way that we can be assured that we have a true knowledge of Him, and that is, by evidence that we love one another, and by the presence of His Spirit in our hearts and lives. We cannot see Him by sight, but we may by love. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us. Though we cannot see him, yet there is a way by which we may be assured that He is near us, and that He even dwells in us. That way is the way of love.

I am not at all disappointed that I can’t see God with my natural eyes, but that I can see Him in the lives of others and we love and serve one another in His Name. Oh how much grander is the truth that God abides in us… in can be true, if we love one another! (v.12)

It is good...

It is good for me to draw near to God. 

I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all Your works.

(Psalm 73:28)

It is good for me to draw near to God...

in quietness and stillness

in prayer

in confession and repentance

in worship and adoration

It is good for me to draw near to God.

Baby Steps

In the movie 'What about Bob', Dr. Leo Marvin wrote a book named 'Baby Steps' which proved very helpful for one of his patients Bob Wiley.

The premise behind the book was that progress can be made by dealing with an issue or problem by taking 'baby steps' and more 'baby steps.' The progress may not be impressive, but it is progress.

One of the areas that is important for all followers of Jesus Christ is that we continue to grow in loving people (love God and love people - Jesus made it clear). I think the 'baby steps' idea can be helpful in growing in love... a smile, a handshake, a comforting word, a phone call, a card, a helping hand, a listening ear, and unexpected visit... all these are baby steps toward love.

Don't be discouraged by the seeming slowness, be encouraged that a pattern and pathway of love is happening... and it's a beautiful thing... don't stop. 

After the Sifting

Luke 22:31-32 Jesus speaks to Simon Peter and tells him, "Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail, and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren."

This situation is certainly specific to Simon Peter, but there are also parallels that we see that we all can identify with. 

1. Satan has come to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10) - that reaches to all.

2. Jesus prays for each of us (Romans 8:27,34).

3. As we come thru the 'siftings' of life, we should, as Jesus said, 'strengthen your brethren' - help others with encouragement and wisdom in things we have learned.