Windows of the Soul

Rebellion Repaid

rebellion …
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34 For forty years—one year for each of the forty days you explored the land—you will suffer for your sins and know what it is like to have me against you.' (Numbers 14)

The children of Israel explored the promised land flowing with milk and honey. They acknowledged the land, but were afraid of the people. Despite all of the miracles the LORD had done on their behalf, they still rebelled. They grumbled and were afraid. They complained. They began a rebellion. And the LORD’s anger burned against them. So, the LORD decided those leading the rebellion would suffer. They would die in the desert and would not get to go into the promised land. As stated above, they would suffer for forty years, for their sins and know what it is like to have the LORD against them. They suffered a year for each day they explored the promised land.

I don’t know about you, but I know I do not want to suffer for my sins for forty years. And I do not want to know what it is like to have the LORD against me. In a word, it would be misery. The LORD gave them miracle after miracle, provision after provision. All they had to do was watch, and now all God wanted was for them to believe, go in and take possession. But they were afraid. Fear.

Are we really all that different? Don’t we watch God provide for us, heal us, meet our needs, defeat our enemies, and we still fear just about everything except the LORD? God is the one who controls our eternal fate. He is the only ONE to fear. To revere. To worship. To obey.

Rather than be enemies with God, we should be thinking soberly about being friends with God. How do we do that? We accept Christ as our Savior. We study the Word. We pray. We fellowship with other believers. We live in relationship with God. We obey.

LORD, may we know you as friend and not as enemy. May we trust you because you have more than proven yourself to us. May we remember all you have done, and trust you for all you will do. Thank you for being our God. We will be your people. Amen.

Otherwise

2006-7-30 Wise and Otherwise Game Pieces
Originally uploaded by JanetandPhil

25They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement: "The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your forefathers when he said through Isaiah the prophet: 26" 'Go to this people and say, "You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving." 27For this people's heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them. (Acts 28)

Today what struck me was the latter part of verse 27, but I included the text from verse 25 on to give context to today’s thoughts. Paul had just talked to the crowd in Rome. Some believed and some didn’t. His comments were directed to those who were still holding out, from the prophet Isaiah. They hear, but they don’t hear. They see, but they don’t see.

What kind of conundrum is this?

What Paul was saying was that the Jews who refused to believe were given all the information and tools they needed. But they could not see because they had closed their minds and eyes to the truth. They could not hear because they would not allow themselves to hear the other side. They had allowed their hearts to become calloused.

Their hearts had become hard, inflexible, rigid, dense, resisting the words and arguments Paul made for Christ. He was connecting the dots of the Old and New Testaments for them, along with his personal experience.

So they were calloused. But there’s another word: OTHERWISE. If things were different, says the LORD, they would see with their eyes, hear with their ears, and understand with their hearts. And turn. And God would heal them.

Seeing, not just in the physical sense, but in their spiritual reality. Hearing, not just in the physical, but in their hearts. Understanding, not just what is before them, but the implications in the unseen world of the Spirit, the mind, the emotions, connecting the dots. And turn. From their blindness, their deafness, their resistance, their sinfulness. To God. He in turn would heal them. Of the evil controlling them. Of their inability to see, hear, understand, and love.

How do we do this today? How do we keep an open heart? Spending time in the Word, prayer, fellowship. Practicing forgiveness, mercy, and love. Time with God, who heals us.

LORD, may we be men and women with open and sensitive hearts. Hearts that see, hear, and understand Your words to us. May we see with new eyes, hear with new ears, and understand with new hearts the truth of the gospel. Then may we honor You in all we are and in all we do.

Persuasion

Beeches and Bluebells
Originally uploaded by Giles C. Watson

28Then Agrippa said to Paul, "Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?" 29Paul replied, "Short time or long—I pray God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains." 30The king rose, and with him the governor and Bernice and those sitting with them. 31They left the room, and while talking with one another, they said, "This man is not doing anything that deserves death or imprisonment." 32Agrippa said to Festus, "This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar." (Acts 26)

So, Paul had his defense, and he presented it to King Agrippa, Festus, and Bernice. Festus accused him of being insane, but King Agrippa’s response is what captured my attention today.

Agrippa asked, "Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?" He got it. He knew what was going on. He understood that was the point of what Paul was doing. And he knew the Sanhedrin was jealous. He also knew that the point of Paul’s preaching was the salvation of souls.  It was geared to persuading his audience to become a Christ follower.  Agrippa quickly connected the dots and realized that Paul was preaching to him, too.  

Notice Agrippa used the word Christian. The sect of Christ believers was known as the Way. With that comment, and Paul’s response, Agrippa stood to leave. And he knew Paul had done nothing to deserve death or imprisonment and says so to Festus. But because Paul appealed to Caesar, he had to be held until that was fulfilled. So, in a way, Paul contributed to his own imprisonment. Yet, he was still preaching. Kind of like the Eveready Bunny…..still going. Paul just kept on going.

So, what’s the take away? The take away is found in Agrippa’s question to Paul, "Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?" Short or long time, when God prepares a heart, that heart will discern the gospel message. That heart will be prepared. That heart will know. And that heart will make a decision to follow Christ or not. 

The take away is that the message is faithfully proclaimed. The take away is that the messenger may suffer, but the focus is on the message, on God, not the circumstances. The take away is that God is still in control, and His purposes will be fulfilled. 

LORD, may we take away the things from our circumstances that You want us to understand. May we also understand that our focus is on You. May we understand that we are to faithfully proclaim Your word. And may we trust you with the results. Amen.

Perspective

point of view
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18When his accusers got up to speak, they did not charge him with any of the crimes I had expected. 19Instead, they had some points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a dead man named Jesus who Paul claimed was alive. (Acts 25)

The entire Jewish community wanted to see Paul dead. And they were willing to ambush him, which is why they pleaded with Felix to send Paul to Jerusalem. Paul, however, appealed to Caesar. This put the authorities in a bind. Here he was a prisoner, and as the above verses point out, the dispute was about their religion, and about a dead man named Jesus, who Paul claimed was alive.

So, Felix had a visitor, King Agrippa. And King Agrippa was listening to Felix’s dilemma concerning what to do about Paul (above verses). As a result of the conversation, King Agrippa decided he wanted to hear Paul.

Things from a strictly human perspective seemed to go from bad to worse for Paul. And he had done nothing wrong. But, if we step back and look at things from a godly point of view, the Jews looked really petty, and Paul was getting an audience with a king, and he would get one with Caesar himself.

So, what’s the take away? Maybe to take a step back and look. Take a moment and evaluate, or reevaluate, our circumstances according to how God views them.

So many of the day-to-day things we are concerned about are not the things God is concerned about. God does not seem to be moved by our inconveniences, by our sense of time and timing. He does not seem to be concerned about our comfort – creature comforts.

God is primarily concerned about the heart. About our relationship with him. He is concerned that others come to know Christ. He is concerned that we become not only seekers, but followers. He is concerned that His Word accomplishes His purposes.

LORD, may we be obedient to your precepts. May we be the people you have called us to be. May we honor you with our lives, and be instruments of your love and peace. Selah.

Set Apart

Dead Sea & Holy Light
Originally uploaded by chiar@s.

7 Consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am the LORD your God. 8 Keep my decrees and follow them. I am the LORD, who makes you holy. (Leviticus 20)

Today this verse stopped me in my tracks. And all through several chapters of Leviticus, verses were dedicated to the idea of holiness. There’s a part for each of us to play in holiness, and there is a part for God to play in holiness.

First, our part. We are told to consecrate ourselves and be holy. Consecration has to do with the idea of setting ourselves apart, devoting ourselves to God and being transformed. We are also told to be holy. Be. Our very existence is to be described as holy. Devout ... godly. We are also told to keep God’s decrees and follow them. Keep His law, His commands. Follow them.

Think about that for a minute. So, we set ourselves apart and devote our lives to God. Be godly. And keep God’s laws.

Now God’s part. He is the LORD. He exists as the One in charge of the Universe, and all that is in it. He is the Ruler, and He makes us holy. He recognizes us as saints, declares us pure, and He dedicates us to His service.

We do ... and He does. We obey and He creates. It’s both God and us moving and working toward the same end.

So, how do we do this? I believe it’s a matter of the heart. We have to want to belong to God. We have to desire His ways more than our ways or the world’s ways. We need to know His laws and keep them in our hearts by reading and meditating on His word.  

And how does He do it? Well, He’s in charge, in the first place. We may never know how God works His likeness, HIs holiness into us, but He does. 

LORD, may we be holy as you are. May we do our part, so that you will also do Your part to sanctify, set us apart, and be transformed. Then may our lives truly be living sacrifices, to the honor and glory of Your name. Selah.

X-tra Ordinary

Dolphins flourish in North Sea at dusk
Originally uploaded by B℮n

1God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, 12so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them. (Acts 19)

Paul traveled and preached. He discussed. He persuaded. He told the story of Jesus to the Gentiles, the Jews, and any who were interested in listening, participating. In his tireless efforts, and through the blessings of God, “the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power.”

Even the silversmiths and craftsmen who worked in the temples had something to say about Paul, and the impact he was making on the community, and their livelihood: “And you see and hear how this fellow Paul has convinced and led astray large numbers of people here in Ephesus and in practically the whole province of Asia. He says that man-made gods are no gods at all.”

Paul was having an impact on many people spiritually, economically, socially, mentally. People were being saved and sanctified, and the word of the LORD spread widely and grew in power. This meant they weren’t making idols, contributing to the temples of various gods, they were meeting with other believers, and they were placing their attention on the things of God, not the things of man made for various gods, or idols.

God worked extra-ordinary miracles through Paul. So much so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched Paul were taken to the sick and they were made well. This is miraculous power on the level of Jesus himself. Yet we know all Jesus did was in concert and continual communication with the Father.

God did not give these extra-ordinary gifts to just anyone. Paul was not only wholly devoted to God, spreading the message of Jesus Christ, but he was also full of the Holy Spirit, and power in order to do these things. Paul was holy as God is holy. From ancient times, God’s people were commanded: 'Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy.’ This kind of power is granted to the pure, the holy, those whose lives are in continual communion (prayer) with the LORD. The old adage, purity + prayer = power, was definitely at work in Paul’s life. He was making a major impact.

LORD, may we, too, be people of purity, prayer and thus wield your power to make an impact on the world, doing the things you have ordained for us to do. May we know you and walk with you so closely that we make a major impact on the world around us. May we rock our world even as You have rocked ours. Amen.

Many People in this City

Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the earth
Originally uploaded by Art Is Us

9One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: "Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. 10For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city." (Acts 18)

Paul seemed to have a pattern. He would travel, work – if he needed to support himself, then go to the synagogue and reason with the Jews. Often in vigorous debate. But after reasoning, he would always turn his attention and efforts to the Gentiles.

The Jews would typically become angry with him, and they even would take up their arguments with the prevailing rulers. But God protected Paul, although at times things seemed serious, because there were numerous threats made against him.

Just as God said one night in a vision, “Do not be afraid, keep on speaking, do not be silent. I am with you and no one will attack or harm you…” These words were proved true with what happened in Achaia.

The same is true today. If God has visited us in dreams and visions, and spoken to our hearts, then what we have heard is true. We need only believe. And we need to do the things God has said to do.

LORD, there are times when life is overwhelming. When we feel defeated on every side. When we feel under attack, and as if we have been harmed. LORD, may we realize You are with us. May we realize there is nothing to fear. Because You, LORD, have many people in this city. Selah.

Silence

Silence
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3 Moses then said to Aaron, "This is what the LORD spoke of when he said:
" 'Among those who approach me I will show myself holy; in the sight of all the people I will be honored.' " Aaron remained silent. (Leviticus 10)

When I read this verse, I stopped and took notice. Mostly because of three little words, “Aaron remained silent.” Aaron just lost two of his sons. The LORD sent fire and consumed them and they died before the LORD. Both sons, Nadab and Abihu, placed unauthorized fire in their censors and offered it before the LORD. But this went against the command of God, and it was punished. They lost their lives. The LORD was not kidding, and Aaron’s sons paid with their lives for their lack of obedience.

Moses used this opportunity to remind Aaron that what God said was absolutely true. He will show himself holy, and he will be honored. The unauthorized fire was not holy and did not honor the LORD. It was a willful disobedient thing to do.

So how do we show ourselves holy to God? And how do we honor Him? In a word: obedience. Listening to and obeying his commands… one of which is be holy because I AM holy.

The LORD desires obedience, not sacrifice. Obedience places God first and makes his word and decrees a priority in our lives. When we do it our way, we aren’t obeying. We are honoring ourselves above God. And this is costly. In the story above, it cost these two their lives. And it is the same for us. When we disobey, it is costly because is costs us our fellowship with God. And isn’t that our very lives?

LORD, may each one of us be holy, because you are holy. May we honor you in the sight of all people. May we be silent before you. Listening. Pondering. Dwelling. In You. Amen.

God's Work

Blue Jay
Originally uploaded by Don Delaney

44While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. (Acts 10)

Peter had received a vision from God. And in the meantime, God had heard Cornelius’ prayer. As only God can do, he orchestrated a meeting, so that Cornelius and his associates could hear the Gospel message and be saved. This was the beginning of a great movement of God. The gifts of salvation and of the Holy Spirit to the Gentiles.

Peter was given a vision, and recognized God working. He went with it. He did not question it. Only God could have orchestrated these events. Did Peter know where he was going, or what he was about to do? No, But he trusted and he went. And God used him in a powerful way.

Likewise with us, God may give us a vision. We may have no clue what it means, or when it will come about. Yet, we are granted this vision from above. God will make good on his word, and his promises to us.

When God chooses to use us, and we speak words given to us from God, He follows through and grants the gift of the Holy Spirit. In the verse above, the Holy Spirit came upon all who heard the message. Their lives were changed. Not only was their physical evidence of the Spirit’s working, because the men were heard speaking in tongues and praising God, but they accepted the words of Peter, through the help of the Holy Spirit and were saved.

The Holy Spirit did the work. Peter obeyed and spoke the words. The gifts of salvation and the Holy Spirit were given and evidenced. Sounds like God made a decision to move, and orchestrated a great work. Peter got to be a part of that.

May we be obedient to the call of God on our lives and speak when God gives us opportunity to speak. God, through His sovereignty, wisdom and power will do the work. We need only obey.

LORD, may we be used in your service, to bring You glory. And to bring others into your kingdom. Thank you for allowing us to be a part of what you are doing in this world. We are your people, and You are our God.

Favor

The Angel Gabriel
Originally uploaded by evissa

12 Moses said to the LORD, "You have been telling me, 'Lead these people,' but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. You have said, 'I know you by name and you have found favor with me.' 13 If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people." 14 The LORD replied, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." 15 Then Moses said to him, "If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. 16 How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?" 17 And the LORD said to Moses, "I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name." (Exodus 33)

Today I chose several verses to give context to today’s devotion. Moses spoke with God face to face, but did not see God’s glory. In a conversation with God, Moses held God accountable for His words to Moses. Moses’ request was for God to teach him his ways so he may know God and continue to find favor. Moses also implored God to remember the Israelites are his people.

Now God was sending the children of Israel into the Promised Land soon. Yet, Yahweh was unhappy with this stiff-necked people, and declared his Presence would not go with them. Notice that the LORD’s response to Moses’ request for teaching, continued favor and remembering his nation was, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Two concepts.

First, the LORD relented on his word that his Presence would not go with them. Now it would go with them. And God was to give Moses rest.  Still, Moses continued to drive home the point, if your presence does not go with us, do not send us from here. God just said he was pleased with Moses. Yet Moses wanted to know what else would distinguish him and God’s people from others if God’s presence did not go with them. The LORD’s response was more affirmation that he would do the very thing Moses asked because he was pleased with Moses and knew Moses by name.

The LORD must have anticipated Moses’ request because he actually granted it before Moses asked. And yet, Moses continued to drive home his point. The LORD did not become angry. Notice Moses was completely comfortable speaking with the LORD like we would with a good friend. He let his opinions be known. He called it like he saw it. He called God into account to deliver on His word. And the LORD relented, and the LORD granted him his request for His Presence. He offered both rest and the fact that He was, indeed, pleased with Moses. He offered that He knew Moses by name.

I wonder what that means? The LORD knew Moses by name. Does that indicate he knew Moses intimately, as a really good friend? What does it mean to know someone by name? Familiarity? Trust? A certain level of personal, intimate knowledge?

Perhaps we should take note and think longer about this exchange between Moses and the LORD. Maybe this could be, or should be a template for our relationship with God. Our conversations (prayer) with God. Maybe this should be a template for our intimacy and openness with God. Maybe God should know us by name. And maybe God should be familiar with us coming to him, claiming his word, and spending time face-to-face.

Something to think about.

LORD, may we know you and be known, even as Moses was. May we please you, and be known to you by name. In turn, LORD, may your Presence be with us and also in us. May we seek your face, and speak with you as one speaks with a friend. May we find favor with you, and receive your rest. Amen.