"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God." Matthew 5:8
The heart must be pure, undivided, at peace in order to see God.
Much like Martha as she scurried and hurried around in the kitchen, worried and upset about many things, I suffer from anxiety also. Yes, I know you know that I know anxiety is wrong; it’s sinful. Yet, even knowing it’s wrong, I have it. One doctor who was treating me for it described it as being all over the map. My thoughts race from one thought to another thought to another thought to another thought until my brain is absolutely polluted with mental chatter, exhausted from the mental calisthenics. Martha and I are scattered, while Mary is focused. Mary just sat at Jesus’ feet listening, seeing him because she was free from distraction, i.e., pure in heart.
A distracted heart is what Satan wants. Why? Because the pure in heart will see God and that's not his intention.
Do you want to see God? Then be singular in your focus. Fix your eyes on Jesus and nothing else. Don't let life's worries, riches and pleasures, that keep the soil from being fruitful, take over. Put your hand to the plow and don’t look back. Determine to see God in everything you do today. Start by concentrating on this particular section of St. Patrick's Breastplate Prayer and then put it into practice.
Christ with me,
Christ before me,
Christ behind me,
Christ in me,
Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ on my right,
Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down,
Christ when I sit down,
Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The entire prayer can be read here.
Sunday, May 23, 2010
The pure in heart
"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God." Matthew 5:8
She’s a very special little girl, considered a gift by both parents and grandparents as well as all who know her. She came along at a very difficult time when mom and dad needed a gift to take the place of the one they had lost. She’s the pride and joy of Pa and Paw Paw – the reason Pa walks the first mile every morning.
Sunday was family day which is usually held on the first Sunday in April, at my home congregation in Edmonton. Family and friends who’ve at one time or another considered South Edmonton their home come back together to get re-acquainted and worship together once again.
Russ, this special little girl’s Paw Paw was there for the first time because she had asked him. “Paw Paw. Don’t you think you need to come to church and learn about Jesus?” she asked. “And you’ll have to fill out one of those cards in the backs of the pews,” she added; and Russ, who hadn’t been to South Edmonton in a long, long time….came….all because his granddaughter loved him, asked him, and wanted him to learn about Jesus. Russ knew about Jesus already, but just like all of us, he just needed to be reminded. And reminded he was by a five year old with a pure, loving heart.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” “Pure in heart” means 1) free from corrupt desire, from sin and guilt 2) free from every admixture of what is false, sincere genuine 3) blameless, innocent 4) unstained with the guilt of anything. Even though Paw Paw’s granddaughter lives in a sin-sick world, she perfectly exemplifies the pure in heart. Her heart is “without mixture” -- able to see through the eyes of innocence. Whereas we look at the world and see bad, she looks at the world and sees God and wants us to see Him also. “Let the little children come to me, Jesus said. “For such is the kingdom of heaven.”
"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God."
She’s a very special little girl, considered a gift by both parents and grandparents as well as all who know her. She came along at a very difficult time when mom and dad needed a gift to take the place of the one they had lost. She’s the pride and joy of Pa and Paw Paw – the reason Pa walks the first mile every morning.
Sunday was family day which is usually held on the first Sunday in April, at my home congregation in Edmonton. Family and friends who’ve at one time or another considered South Edmonton their home come back together to get re-acquainted and worship together once again.
Russ, this special little girl’s Paw Paw was there for the first time because she had asked him. “Paw Paw. Don’t you think you need to come to church and learn about Jesus?” she asked. “And you’ll have to fill out one of those cards in the backs of the pews,” she added; and Russ, who hadn’t been to South Edmonton in a long, long time….came….all because his granddaughter loved him, asked him, and wanted him to learn about Jesus. Russ knew about Jesus already, but just like all of us, he just needed to be reminded. And reminded he was by a five year old with a pure, loving heart.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” “Pure in heart” means 1) free from corrupt desire, from sin and guilt 2) free from every admixture of what is false, sincere genuine 3) blameless, innocent 4) unstained with the guilt of anything. Even though Paw Paw’s granddaughter lives in a sin-sick world, she perfectly exemplifies the pure in heart. Her heart is “without mixture” -- able to see through the eyes of innocence. Whereas we look at the world and see bad, she looks at the world and sees God and wants us to see Him also. “Let the little children come to me, Jesus said. “For such is the kingdom of heaven.”
"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God."
Blessed are the merciful
"Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy." Matthew 5:7
There are two sentences in the account of the rich young ruler that stand out to me when I think about mercy. "Jesus looked at him and loved him" is what Jesus did after the "rich, young ruler" stated he had not murdered, commited adultery, stolen, given false testimony, or defrauded, and that he had honored his father and mother. Jesus knew what he had done, but Jesus also knew what he had not done. "One thing you lack," [Jesus] said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." Jesus knew his heart, yet looked at him and loved him anyway. Jesus was merciful, when he didn't have to be, to the rich young ruler. The other sentence is what was said about the rich young ruler after Jesus asked him to give away his wealth to the poor: "At this the man's face fell."
How completely different the rich young ruler's attitude was from Jesus' -- "Jesus looked at him and loved him" versus "At this the man's face fell."
How pitiful to have it all and give nothing. How merciful it is to have nothing and give it all.
There are two sentences in the account of the rich young ruler that stand out to me when I think about mercy. "Jesus looked at him and loved him" is what Jesus did after the "rich, young ruler" stated he had not murdered, commited adultery, stolen, given false testimony, or defrauded, and that he had honored his father and mother. Jesus knew what he had done, but Jesus also knew what he had not done. "One thing you lack," [Jesus] said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." Jesus knew his heart, yet looked at him and loved him anyway. Jesus was merciful, when he didn't have to be, to the rich young ruler. The other sentence is what was said about the rich young ruler after Jesus asked him to give away his wealth to the poor: "At this the man's face fell."
How completely different the rich young ruler's attitude was from Jesus' -- "Jesus looked at him and loved him" versus "At this the man's face fell."
How pitiful to have it all and give nothing. How merciful it is to have nothing and give it all.
Blessed are the merciful
"Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy." Matthew 5:7
The beatitudes now shift from the "inward" attitudes to the "outward" attitudes. I go from the first rung of being empty to the fourth rung of being filled. Now I have enough to give away to those who have nothing.
The beatitudes now shift from the "inward" attitudes to the "outward" attitudes. I go from the first rung of being empty to the fourth rung of being filled. Now I have enough to give away to those who have nothing.
for they will be filled.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they will be filled. “ Matthew 5:6
There is a verse in Luke’s account of Jesus at the home of Mary and Martha, where Martha gets upset with Mary for not helping in the kitchen. In the last verse of Luke chapter ten, Jesus says something to Martha I want to conclude with, regarding hungering and thirsting for righteousness.
“…..but only one thing is needed,” Jesus said. “ Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Only one thing is needed, Jesus told Martha – not two or three or four or five, only one. Simplifies things. Doesn’t it? What is the ONE thing that is needed? Sitting at Jesus’ feet. For us that means being a disciple, a learner, a follower of Jesus. I must come to Him to learn from Him.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28
Mary was sitting at Jesus’ feet – the position of the student – listening to what Jesus said. She was hungry and thirsty for righteousness – food that lasts a lifetime -- while Martha was hungry and thirsty for food that lasts a few hours. Each of them is feasting, but on different food entirely.
“Only one thing is needed,” Jesus says – only one thing. I thought this week when I came to Friday’s meditation I would discuss all the ways we could come to know Jesus. If we are going to seek HIS righteousness, then we’re going to have to know HIM, who HE is, how HE speaks, how HE acts, in order to walk and talk as HE walks and talks, which scripture tells us to do. “Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.” 1 John 1:6 But since Jesus boiled down what he said to Martha into one thing, that’s what I’m going to do as well. Come to Jesus, familiarize yourself with Jesus, by listening to his WORD.
Open, read, study, meditate on the Bible. Open, read, study, meditate on the Bible. Open, read, study, meditate on the Bible because that’s where faith comes from. “Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.” Romans 10:17 Faith comes from the word of God. I did not come up with this principle, but I have lived the reality of it. I have faith. I believe that Jesus is the Christ the son of the living God. I believe that God created the Heavens and the earth – that God spoke and there was light. I believe he changed the leper’s spots. I believe he shut the lion’s mouths when he saved Daniel. I believe he parted the Red Sea and the Israelites passed. And on and on I could go. I believe because I’ve studied the Bible. I have tried and tested and found it’s true.
I will not be filled with Jesus’ righteousness if I look for it somewhere else. Nothing else can fill me. I can honestly say that what Jesus said when he was tempted, “Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God,” I understand. Many, many, many times since becoming a “disciple” in the strictest sense of the word, I have studied for eight, ten, even twelve hours without eating, never getting hungry. The word of God sustains me. I don’t know how it happens but it does. There is a life-giving energy in the word of God. I hope you’ve experienced it. I pray if you haven’t, you’ll pray that you will. If you have never studied the word of God, ask yourself if you want to want to. If you don’t, then you won’t. It’s just that simple. Pray for God to give you the desire to want to want to and then open your Bible and start reading. You know what you need to do; do it. Paul told the Corinthian brethren, “Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so.” Want to want to; have the desire.
“Taste and see that the Lord is good” and you will keep tasting. Pray this prayer from Psalm 119:18, “Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law,” and then open your eyes to see them.
The word water is not wet; you have to experience it to know what it is. Faith is the same way. Hungering and thirsting for righteousness brings you closer to Christ, who is the word that became flesh – the same word that creates faith. Being filled with righteousness, being filled with Christ, being filled with the word of God go hand-in-hand. But you have to experience it to really know it.
God does not demand perfection; he demands faithfulness. If I want to be faith-ful I must be in the word to let Jesus fill my hunger and thirst for righteousness – His righteousness. He is the perfection I could never be.
There is only one thing that’s needed: to sit at Jesus’ feet – the feet that were nailed, the blood that was spilled, that became the bread and the wine that enabled me to have his righteousness. This is what I hunger and thirst for.
There is a verse in Luke’s account of Jesus at the home of Mary and Martha, where Martha gets upset with Mary for not helping in the kitchen. In the last verse of Luke chapter ten, Jesus says something to Martha I want to conclude with, regarding hungering and thirsting for righteousness.
“…..but only one thing is needed,” Jesus said. “ Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Only one thing is needed, Jesus told Martha – not two or three or four or five, only one. Simplifies things. Doesn’t it? What is the ONE thing that is needed? Sitting at Jesus’ feet. For us that means being a disciple, a learner, a follower of Jesus. I must come to Him to learn from Him.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28
Mary was sitting at Jesus’ feet – the position of the student – listening to what Jesus said. She was hungry and thirsty for righteousness – food that lasts a lifetime -- while Martha was hungry and thirsty for food that lasts a few hours. Each of them is feasting, but on different food entirely.
“Only one thing is needed,” Jesus says – only one thing. I thought this week when I came to Friday’s meditation I would discuss all the ways we could come to know Jesus. If we are going to seek HIS righteousness, then we’re going to have to know HIM, who HE is, how HE speaks, how HE acts, in order to walk and talk as HE walks and talks, which scripture tells us to do. “Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.” 1 John 1:6 But since Jesus boiled down what he said to Martha into one thing, that’s what I’m going to do as well. Come to Jesus, familiarize yourself with Jesus, by listening to his WORD.
Open, read, study, meditate on the Bible. Open, read, study, meditate on the Bible. Open, read, study, meditate on the Bible because that’s where faith comes from. “Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.” Romans 10:17 Faith comes from the word of God. I did not come up with this principle, but I have lived the reality of it. I have faith. I believe that Jesus is the Christ the son of the living God. I believe that God created the Heavens and the earth – that God spoke and there was light. I believe he changed the leper’s spots. I believe he shut the lion’s mouths when he saved Daniel. I believe he parted the Red Sea and the Israelites passed. And on and on I could go. I believe because I’ve studied the Bible. I have tried and tested and found it’s true.
I will not be filled with Jesus’ righteousness if I look for it somewhere else. Nothing else can fill me. I can honestly say that what Jesus said when he was tempted, “Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God,” I understand. Many, many, many times since becoming a “disciple” in the strictest sense of the word, I have studied for eight, ten, even twelve hours without eating, never getting hungry. The word of God sustains me. I don’t know how it happens but it does. There is a life-giving energy in the word of God. I hope you’ve experienced it. I pray if you haven’t, you’ll pray that you will. If you have never studied the word of God, ask yourself if you want to want to. If you don’t, then you won’t. It’s just that simple. Pray for God to give you the desire to want to want to and then open your Bible and start reading. You know what you need to do; do it. Paul told the Corinthian brethren, “Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so.” Want to want to; have the desire.
“Taste and see that the Lord is good” and you will keep tasting. Pray this prayer from Psalm 119:18, “Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law,” and then open your eyes to see them.
The word water is not wet; you have to experience it to know what it is. Faith is the same way. Hungering and thirsting for righteousness brings you closer to Christ, who is the word that became flesh – the same word that creates faith. Being filled with righteousness, being filled with Christ, being filled with the word of God go hand-in-hand. But you have to experience it to really know it.
God does not demand perfection; he demands faithfulness. If I want to be faith-ful I must be in the word to let Jesus fill my hunger and thirst for righteousness – His righteousness. He is the perfection I could never be.
There is only one thing that’s needed: to sit at Jesus’ feet – the feet that were nailed, the blood that was spilled, that became the bread and the wine that enabled me to have his righteousness. This is what I hunger and thirst for.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” Matthew 5:6
Righteousness -- integrity, virtue, purity of life, rightness, correctness of thinking, feeling, and acting; the state of him who is as he ought to be, righteousness, the condition acceptable to God.
You and I CANNOT be righteous separate and apart from Jesus Christ. Regardless of how hard I try I cannot earn, work for, nor be righteous on my own. It’s simply impossible. Regardless of what good friends, well-meaning friends, ministers, elders, deacons, husbands, wives, sisters, relatives or friends of any kind tell you, you cannot nor ever will be righteous on your own. When you strive for your own righteousness you will fail every time.
Look just at these three scriptures out of many that state Jesus is our righteousness.
Galatians 2:21 – “I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!”
2 Corinthians 5:21 – “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
Philippians 3:9 – “and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ – the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.”
Paul hit the nail on the head when he says in Philippians 3:6, “as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless.”
Did you see the word Paul used for the type of righteousness man thinks he can work for? He uses the word legalistic. A legalist is so bound by the law that he thinks the harder he works and the more perfect he becomes, the more righteous he will be. And my sisters, this is the gospel of ulcers, guilt, headaches, high blood pressure and depression.
Depression often symbolizes that you are holding on to an unattainable goal. And my sisters, righteousness apart from Christ is an unattainable goal. Before I knew better, I suffered from perfectionism. I thought I had to be perfect and was impatient with anyone who wasn’t, especially my children. And then I LEARNED that perfection is not a goal, it is a disorder. To think that I can be perfect on my own is Satan’s deception. Striving for perfection, separate and apart from Jesus Christ, creates guilt and stagnates true growth in Christ. Instead of walking by faith I am walking by sight and trying to attain the unattainable. And I am miserable and constantly depressed.
We have been REDEEMED – bought back.
We have been SAVED – rescued.
We have been SANCTIFIED -- set apart.
We have been JUSTIFIED – declared righteous.
And all of this because of Jesus.
And we are blessed.
We come before God empty, poor in spirit. We mourn over our sin and gain comfort. We are meek, deserving nothing or demanding anything, yet inherit the earth. Coming to God just as we are, we hunger and thirst for what we do not have -- righteousness. And we find it in Christ. Therefore, he can fill our emptiness with himself.
The righteousness we hunger and thirst for is not our own but Christ’s. He has it all; I have none. And there is a huge difference. One says, “I can do this; I can do this; I can do this” and can’t. The other has faith that Christ can and already has.” His is the righteousness we seek.
part two
Righteousness -- integrity, virtue, purity of life, rightness, correctness of thinking, feeling, and acting; the state of him who is as he ought to be, righteousness, the condition acceptable to God.
You and I CANNOT be righteous separate and apart from Jesus Christ. Regardless of how hard I try I cannot earn, work for, nor be righteous on my own. It’s simply impossible. Regardless of what good friends, well-meaning friends, ministers, elders, deacons, husbands, wives, sisters, relatives or friends of any kind tell you, you cannot nor ever will be righteous on your own. When you strive for your own righteousness you will fail every time.
Look just at these three scriptures out of many that state Jesus is our righteousness.
Galatians 2:21 – “I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!”
2 Corinthians 5:21 – “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
Philippians 3:9 – “and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ – the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.”
Paul hit the nail on the head when he says in Philippians 3:6, “as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless.”
Did you see the word Paul used for the type of righteousness man thinks he can work for? He uses the word legalistic. A legalist is so bound by the law that he thinks the harder he works and the more perfect he becomes, the more righteous he will be. And my sisters, this is the gospel of ulcers, guilt, headaches, high blood pressure and depression.
Depression often symbolizes that you are holding on to an unattainable goal. And my sisters, righteousness apart from Christ is an unattainable goal. Before I knew better, I suffered from perfectionism. I thought I had to be perfect and was impatient with anyone who wasn’t, especially my children. And then I LEARNED that perfection is not a goal, it is a disorder. To think that I can be perfect on my own is Satan’s deception. Striving for perfection, separate and apart from Jesus Christ, creates guilt and stagnates true growth in Christ. Instead of walking by faith I am walking by sight and trying to attain the unattainable. And I am miserable and constantly depressed.
We have been REDEEMED – bought back.
We have been SAVED – rescued.
We have been SANCTIFIED -- set apart.
We have been JUSTIFIED – declared righteous.
And all of this because of Jesus.
And we are blessed.
We come before God empty, poor in spirit. We mourn over our sin and gain comfort. We are meek, deserving nothing or demanding anything, yet inherit the earth. Coming to God just as we are, we hunger and thirst for what we do not have -- righteousness. And we find it in Christ. Therefore, he can fill our emptiness with himself.
The righteousness we hunger and thirst for is not our own but Christ’s. He has it all; I have none. And there is a huge difference. One says, “I can do this; I can do this; I can do this” and can’t. The other has faith that Christ can and already has.” His is the righteousness we seek.
part two
...who hunger and thirst after righteousness
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they will be filled.” Matthew 5:6
A few weeks ago I submitted an article in THE CLASSICS by C. S. Lewis called Giving All to Christ. As the title suggests, this article addresses how much of myself do I give to Christ. Under the sub-title “Listening to That Other Voice” Lewis says:
“…the real problem of the Christian life comes where people do not usually look for it. It comes the very moment you wake up each morning. All your wishes and hopes for the day rush at you like wild animals. And the first job each morning consists simply in shoving them all back; in listening to that other voice, taking that other point of view, letting that other larger, stronger, quieter life come flowing in. And so on, all day. Standing back from all your natural fussings and fretting; coming in out of the wind.”
And then he adds the paragraph that I ended with in THE CLASSICS that contains what I consider to be the most important sentence.
“We can only do it for moments at first. But from those moments the new sort of life will be spreading through our system: because now we are letting Him work at the right part of us. It is the difference between paint, which is merely laid on the surface, and a dye or stain which soaks right through.”
Lewis calls this transformation a “new sort of life…spreading through our system” – “the right part of us.” It’s here that I think the understanding – the real grasping – of the beatitudes takes place. It’s a new sort of life, spreading through our system – the right part of us.
After studying the beatitudes over the past few weeks, I’ve come to the conclusion that the reason many Christians never mature is because they never start out empty. They are so full of themselves there’s no room left for God. Hunger and thirst require emptiness –like “poor in spirit.” Man goes from poverty of spirit, to mourning, to meekness to hungering and thirsting after righteousness; it’s just a natural progression. And the righteousness that fills me is not my own, it’s Jesus’. Why? Because I (big I) am poor in spirit. I am the beggar to whom Christ gave it all. My righteous acts (my very best acts) are but filthy rags. Remember?
When I realize that Jesus’ righteousness fills me, an empty shell, then I am filled with HIS righteousness. His righteousness is not merely laid on the surface like paint, he stains me or soaks me from the inside out. Why? Because that’s where HE lives now, not me.
Poor people hunger and thirst after that which sustains them; we normally call it “bread and water” i.e. the bare necessities; clothes and shelter would be included. This is what man needs to barely exist. It’s what Jesus says “the ones on his right” give, come judgment.
“I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” Matthew 25:35, 36
This is a description of someone who knows what it means to hunger and thirst -- who we call poor.
The poor are filled by the righteous who are filled with Christ. The more Christ fills us the more we have to give, which creates more emptiness that Christ can fill again. And the cycle continues.
TO HUNGER: a) to suffer want b) to be needy. Metaphorically, to crave ardently, to seek with eager desire.
TO THIRST: to suffer thirst. a) figuratively, those who are said to thirst who painfully feel their want of, and eagerly long for, those things by which the soul is refreshed, supported, strengthened.
I know of few people who hunger and thirst as described above, physically, and even less who hunger and thirst spiritually. But they are the ones Jesus calls blessed.
What does hungering and thirsting after righteousness look like? David in Psalm 42 tells us:
“As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God.
My soul thirst for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God.
My tears have been my food day and night.”
Have you ever cried due to your hunger and thirst for God? Isaiah says:
“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters…and your soul will delight in the riches of fare.”
Jesus tells the woman at the well:
“Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
And finally in Revelation Jesus says:
“To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life.”
“Come!” Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.”
Why do people hunger and thirst after fame, fortune, worldly success that costs them their life, when they could hunger and thirst after righteousness that costs them nothing -- the FREE gift of the water of life?
Recently, my mother-in-law’s husband was hospitalized with pancreatitis, a very painful, debilitating illness for anyone, but especially a man who’s 88 years old. He had pain that was unbearable and all the other symptoms that go with it; you know if you’ve ever had it; it’s terrible. Anyway, one of the worst parts about it was for four days he was forbidden anything including water. My mother-in-law said all he could do was ask for water. He begged for water, but couldn’t have any. Such a normal, usual thing we take for granted – a “thing” that is life-giving, life-changing, REQUIRED to sustain life – Alton begged for.
Beggars hunger and thirst. Beggars beg. If I do not see myself before God as a beggar, I have no reason to hunger and thirst after righteousness – a righteousness not my own, but a righteousness only He can give.
A few weeks ago I submitted an article in THE CLASSICS by C. S. Lewis called Giving All to Christ. As the title suggests, this article addresses how much of myself do I give to Christ. Under the sub-title “Listening to That Other Voice” Lewis says:
“…the real problem of the Christian life comes where people do not usually look for it. It comes the very moment you wake up each morning. All your wishes and hopes for the day rush at you like wild animals. And the first job each morning consists simply in shoving them all back; in listening to that other voice, taking that other point of view, letting that other larger, stronger, quieter life come flowing in. And so on, all day. Standing back from all your natural fussings and fretting; coming in out of the wind.”
And then he adds the paragraph that I ended with in THE CLASSICS that contains what I consider to be the most important sentence.
“We can only do it for moments at first. But from those moments the new sort of life will be spreading through our system: because now we are letting Him work at the right part of us. It is the difference between paint, which is merely laid on the surface, and a dye or stain which soaks right through.”
Lewis calls this transformation a “new sort of life…spreading through our system” – “the right part of us.” It’s here that I think the understanding – the real grasping – of the beatitudes takes place. It’s a new sort of life, spreading through our system – the right part of us.
After studying the beatitudes over the past few weeks, I’ve come to the conclusion that the reason many Christians never mature is because they never start out empty. They are so full of themselves there’s no room left for God. Hunger and thirst require emptiness –like “poor in spirit.” Man goes from poverty of spirit, to mourning, to meekness to hungering and thirsting after righteousness; it’s just a natural progression. And the righteousness that fills me is not my own, it’s Jesus’. Why? Because I (big I) am poor in spirit. I am the beggar to whom Christ gave it all. My righteous acts (my very best acts) are but filthy rags. Remember?
When I realize that Jesus’ righteousness fills me, an empty shell, then I am filled with HIS righteousness. His righteousness is not merely laid on the surface like paint, he stains me or soaks me from the inside out. Why? Because that’s where HE lives now, not me.
Poor people hunger and thirst after that which sustains them; we normally call it “bread and water” i.e. the bare necessities; clothes and shelter would be included. This is what man needs to barely exist. It’s what Jesus says “the ones on his right” give, come judgment.
“I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” Matthew 25:35, 36
This is a description of someone who knows what it means to hunger and thirst -- who we call poor.
The poor are filled by the righteous who are filled with Christ. The more Christ fills us the more we have to give, which creates more emptiness that Christ can fill again. And the cycle continues.
TO HUNGER: a) to suffer want b) to be needy. Metaphorically, to crave ardently, to seek with eager desire.
TO THIRST: to suffer thirst. a) figuratively, those who are said to thirst who painfully feel their want of, and eagerly long for, those things by which the soul is refreshed, supported, strengthened.
I know of few people who hunger and thirst as described above, physically, and even less who hunger and thirst spiritually. But they are the ones Jesus calls blessed.
What does hungering and thirsting after righteousness look like? David in Psalm 42 tells us:
“As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God.
My soul thirst for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God.
My tears have been my food day and night.”
Have you ever cried due to your hunger and thirst for God? Isaiah says:
“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters…and your soul will delight in the riches of fare.”
Jesus tells the woman at the well:
“Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
And finally in Revelation Jesus says:
“To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life.”
“Come!” Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.”
Why do people hunger and thirst after fame, fortune, worldly success that costs them their life, when they could hunger and thirst after righteousness that costs them nothing -- the FREE gift of the water of life?
Recently, my mother-in-law’s husband was hospitalized with pancreatitis, a very painful, debilitating illness for anyone, but especially a man who’s 88 years old. He had pain that was unbearable and all the other symptoms that go with it; you know if you’ve ever had it; it’s terrible. Anyway, one of the worst parts about it was for four days he was forbidden anything including water. My mother-in-law said all he could do was ask for water. He begged for water, but couldn’t have any. Such a normal, usual thing we take for granted – a “thing” that is life-giving, life-changing, REQUIRED to sustain life – Alton begged for.
Beggars hunger and thirst. Beggars beg. If I do not see myself before God as a beggar, I have no reason to hunger and thirst after righteousness – a righteousness not my own, but a righteousness only He can give.
Listen. Listen. Listen. (part three)
What enabled my student to hear?
She had a broken and contrite heart. She left my class mourning.
She had been in scripture and turned to scripture. My sisters, even though the Holy Spirit is revealed in scripture he does not live within the pages of the Bible. We receive Him at baptism. “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Acts 2:38 He lives with us and in us.
She had been encouraged to listen to him and for him. I had related in the prior class how the Spirit had worked in my life in a particular instance. She said she had never heard anyone say something like that, nor had he ever worked in her life like that to her recollection. She had had her spiritual eyes opened to His power when she listened to my story.
She had faith that He could speak. “Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.” Romans 10:17 The Holy Spirit revealed THE WORD then and reveals THE WORD now, that in turn creates faith. Therefore, the Holy Spirit and faith have to be connected; one demands the other.
Here is a quote from Doris Black, a dear friend of mine who, herself, taught the Bible worldwide and inspired me to speak, from her book Reach For Your Spiritual Potential.
“The stronger our faith, the stronger God’s spirit is in our lives. Not because our weak faith limits the might of God’s power, but because our weak faith prevents us from stepping out to be empowered.”
My sisters, Romans 8:11 says, “And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.”
And Ephesians 3:20 says, “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.
How much power do we as Christians have living within us? ALL THAT WE NEED, but only according to his power that is AT WORK WITHIN US.” If I do not recognize the Spirit, listen to the Spirit, live by the Spirit, keep in step with the Spirit I will be powerless.
How can I make this happen? You can’t. He speaks; you listen. He guides; you follow.
But you CAN do this:
Be in THE WORD. Have a Bible by your bed -- one by your favorite chair, one in your purse and one in your car so you can read it while you’re waiting, waiting, waiting wherever. Pray this prayer: “Open my eyes that I might see wonderful things in your law.” Psalm 119:18 and you will begin to see them.
LISTEN. Something will jump off the page right before your very eyes. This is what you need to hear and God knows it.
LISTEN SOME MORE. Listen to that inner voice you may have never recognized as the Holy Spirit. Act, don’t squelch it. Go where He leads you. Don't make a decision until you're absolutely sure you've heard His voice.
PRAY. When you’re in THE WORD, God is talking to you. When you pray you are talking to God. Pray without ceasing. I just read this quote from the book The Practice of the Presence of God by brother Lawrence; read this teeny, tiny book if you haven’t. “….it [is] a serious mistake to think of our prayer time as being different from any others. Our actions should unite us with God when we are involved in our daily activities, just as our prayer unites us with Him in our quiet time.” Pgs. 20,21.
HAVE A QUIET TIME. Contrary to what young moms might think, I did this more when I was young because I needed the quiet time amidst the chaos; now I have less. My quiet time now involves meditation or “percolation,” rather than investigation, so to speak. But I will add, I never go to the scriptures trying to prove what I already know; I go as though it’s the first time I've ever read it.
PRIORITIZE. You know this; put it into practice. (I have an entire series on this, based on the book Too Hurried to Love, by Bradshaw and Gilbert; this is one of my all-time favorite books.)
WAIT. These are my three maxims: God is in control. His timing is perfect. And He’s never made a mistake. These three things apply to everything. Know them. Believe them. Remember them. Apply them to everything.
Patience is waiting for God's perfect will. Patience. Patience. Patience.
Even though you may have heard that the Holy Spirit is the silent member of the godhead, He is not. He speaks as loudly today as He did when He was with God hovering over the waters, when He revealed scripture to Moses, Matthew, Mark and others, and when Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God. “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”
When you hear the Holy Spirit speak, the heavens will be opened and you will see the Son of Man in a way you have never seen before. He speaks 24/7 in ways He knows best. Listen, listen, and keep listening. And he will reveal Himself to you.
She had a broken and contrite heart. She left my class mourning.
She had been in scripture and turned to scripture. My sisters, even though the Holy Spirit is revealed in scripture he does not live within the pages of the Bible. We receive Him at baptism. “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Acts 2:38 He lives with us and in us.
She had been encouraged to listen to him and for him. I had related in the prior class how the Spirit had worked in my life in a particular instance. She said she had never heard anyone say something like that, nor had he ever worked in her life like that to her recollection. She had had her spiritual eyes opened to His power when she listened to my story.
She had faith that He could speak. “Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.” Romans 10:17 The Holy Spirit revealed THE WORD then and reveals THE WORD now, that in turn creates faith. Therefore, the Holy Spirit and faith have to be connected; one demands the other.
Here is a quote from Doris Black, a dear friend of mine who, herself, taught the Bible worldwide and inspired me to speak, from her book Reach For Your Spiritual Potential.
“The stronger our faith, the stronger God’s spirit is in our lives. Not because our weak faith limits the might of God’s power, but because our weak faith prevents us from stepping out to be empowered.”
My sisters, Romans 8:11 says, “And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.”
And Ephesians 3:20 says, “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.
How much power do we as Christians have living within us? ALL THAT WE NEED, but only according to his power that is AT WORK WITHIN US.” If I do not recognize the Spirit, listen to the Spirit, live by the Spirit, keep in step with the Spirit I will be powerless.
How can I make this happen? You can’t. He speaks; you listen. He guides; you follow.
But you CAN do this:
Be in THE WORD. Have a Bible by your bed -- one by your favorite chair, one in your purse and one in your car so you can read it while you’re waiting, waiting, waiting wherever. Pray this prayer: “Open my eyes that I might see wonderful things in your law.” Psalm 119:18 and you will begin to see them.
LISTEN. Something will jump off the page right before your very eyes. This is what you need to hear and God knows it.
LISTEN SOME MORE. Listen to that inner voice you may have never recognized as the Holy Spirit. Act, don’t squelch it. Go where He leads you. Don't make a decision until you're absolutely sure you've heard His voice.
PRAY. When you’re in THE WORD, God is talking to you. When you pray you are talking to God. Pray without ceasing. I just read this quote from the book The Practice of the Presence of God by brother Lawrence; read this teeny, tiny book if you haven’t. “….it [is] a serious mistake to think of our prayer time as being different from any others. Our actions should unite us with God when we are involved in our daily activities, just as our prayer unites us with Him in our quiet time.” Pgs. 20,21.
HAVE A QUIET TIME. Contrary to what young moms might think, I did this more when I was young because I needed the quiet time amidst the chaos; now I have less. My quiet time now involves meditation or “percolation,” rather than investigation, so to speak. But I will add, I never go to the scriptures trying to prove what I already know; I go as though it’s the first time I've ever read it.
PRIORITIZE. You know this; put it into practice. (I have an entire series on this, based on the book Too Hurried to Love, by Bradshaw and Gilbert; this is one of my all-time favorite books.)
WAIT. These are my three maxims: God is in control. His timing is perfect. And He’s never made a mistake. These three things apply to everything. Know them. Believe them. Remember them. Apply them to everything.
Patience is waiting for God's perfect will. Patience. Patience. Patience.
Even though you may have heard that the Holy Spirit is the silent member of the godhead, He is not. He speaks as loudly today as He did when He was with God hovering over the waters, when He revealed scripture to Moses, Matthew, Mark and others, and when Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God. “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”
When you hear the Holy Spirit speak, the heavens will be opened and you will see the Son of Man in a way you have never seen before. He speaks 24/7 in ways He knows best. Listen, listen, and keep listening. And he will reveal Himself to you.
Listen. Listen. Listen. (part two)
This is the simplest way I can explain the Holy Spirit's nature. I even put it this way when I taught Bible class to grade schoolers when I was in High School at my home church in Edmonton. Even though we see an egg in one part it is really three parts – the shell, the yoke and the white part. Strike three matches and you will see one flame – simple yet profound.
Here’s another simple explanation as to why we need Him. In John 4, Jesus tells the woman at the well, “God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.” Since God is spirit, I must have within me His nature, to help me understand Him. Remember that spiritual truths are spiritually discerned and it is only with the help of the Holy Spirit that I will understand anything spiritual. This is why it’s so hard to explain spiritual truths that are so simple to us, to a non-believer who does not have within him the ability to understand what we’re saying. He just can’t do it because he doesn’t have the Holy Spirit within him to discern spiritual truths. If God were an eye, we would need an eye within us to understand him; strange but true.
Where does He live? He lives with us and in us. “The world cannot accept him because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.” John 14:17.
Let me give you an illustration of what the Holy Spirit looks like when He is working.
Every-other Monday night in my home, I teach a class to nine young moms I personally invited to attend. The study is based on the book Managing Your Moods, a book in the Women of Faith series. Usually for about thirty minutes we talk about the book and then for the next hour-and-a-half or so I preach. :) Anyway this is what happened to one of my students after leaving class the other night. She walked outside only to find there was about five inches of snow that had fallen unbeknownst to any of us. She said she said to God, “O Great! Now there’s snow.” She got in her car, cried all the way home (not going there), walked inside and opened her Bible. The Bible fell to the word snow, which was at the top of the page in her concordance. “Hummm,” she thought. “That’s interesting.” She then proceeded to go down the passages under snow only to come upon Psalm 51 which she started to read. Verse one, verse two, verse three (wondering why she was still reading) until she came to verse seventeen. Voila. “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise,” which was the verse someone had remembered in class that we looked up and discussed at length, WHICH WAS THE VERSE SHE WAS LOOKING FOR WHEN SHE OPENED HER BIBLE. She said when she found the verse in the way she found it she literally had goose bumps. “YES! YES! YES! YES! YES!” I said when she told us about it. That is the way it feels to encounter the Holy Spirit. That is how it feels! She even emailed me to tell me she had something she HAD to tell the class the next time we met. She said she had never had one of those moments before, but since then, thought she had had two more.
Let me tell you what just happened.
The Spirit led her and guided her into all truth, i.e., scripture, which he inspired the authors to write. He then interpreted that scripture for her and gave her a spirit of discernment enabling her to connect to it, having encountered it in class. He comforted her with words no one else could. He helped her in a time of weakness. He heard her prayer and convicted her with regard to sin, righteousness and judgment. Look at the scripture He led her to that he, himself had revealed and spoken from creation:
"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.”
This, my sisters, is the scripture God knew she needed – that God spoke to her in a very “spiritual” way. My sisters, you nor I could have caused that to happen. Only the Holy Spirit could have CAUSED that to happen.
What’s needed for the Spirit to speak? A broken and contrite heart. My sisters, doesn’t that sound like the first beatitude: “Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven”? Christians, Christians, Christians MUST have the Holy Spirit living within them and through them in order for them to go from being poor in spirit to being persecuted for righteousness sake. We can’t climb the ladder, so to speak, without His help.
Here’s another simple explanation as to why we need Him. In John 4, Jesus tells the woman at the well, “God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.” Since God is spirit, I must have within me His nature, to help me understand Him. Remember that spiritual truths are spiritually discerned and it is only with the help of the Holy Spirit that I will understand anything spiritual. This is why it’s so hard to explain spiritual truths that are so simple to us, to a non-believer who does not have within him the ability to understand what we’re saying. He just can’t do it because he doesn’t have the Holy Spirit within him to discern spiritual truths. If God were an eye, we would need an eye within us to understand him; strange but true.
Where does He live? He lives with us and in us. “The world cannot accept him because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.” John 14:17.
Let me give you an illustration of what the Holy Spirit looks like when He is working.
Every-other Monday night in my home, I teach a class to nine young moms I personally invited to attend. The study is based on the book Managing Your Moods, a book in the Women of Faith series. Usually for about thirty minutes we talk about the book and then for the next hour-and-a-half or so I preach. :) Anyway this is what happened to one of my students after leaving class the other night. She walked outside only to find there was about five inches of snow that had fallen unbeknownst to any of us. She said she said to God, “O Great! Now there’s snow.” She got in her car, cried all the way home (not going there), walked inside and opened her Bible. The Bible fell to the word snow, which was at the top of the page in her concordance. “Hummm,” she thought. “That’s interesting.” She then proceeded to go down the passages under snow only to come upon Psalm 51 which she started to read. Verse one, verse two, verse three (wondering why she was still reading) until she came to verse seventeen. Voila. “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise,” which was the verse someone had remembered in class that we looked up and discussed at length, WHICH WAS THE VERSE SHE WAS LOOKING FOR WHEN SHE OPENED HER BIBLE. She said when she found the verse in the way she found it she literally had goose bumps. “YES! YES! YES! YES! YES!” I said when she told us about it. That is the way it feels to encounter the Holy Spirit. That is how it feels! She even emailed me to tell me she had something she HAD to tell the class the next time we met. She said she had never had one of those moments before, but since then, thought she had had two more.
Let me tell you what just happened.
The Spirit led her and guided her into all truth, i.e., scripture, which he inspired the authors to write. He then interpreted that scripture for her and gave her a spirit of discernment enabling her to connect to it, having encountered it in class. He comforted her with words no one else could. He helped her in a time of weakness. He heard her prayer and convicted her with regard to sin, righteousness and judgment. Look at the scripture He led her to that he, himself had revealed and spoken from creation:
"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.”
This, my sisters, is the scripture God knew she needed – that God spoke to her in a very “spiritual” way. My sisters, you nor I could have caused that to happen. Only the Holy Spirit could have CAUSED that to happen.
What’s needed for the Spirit to speak? A broken and contrite heart. My sisters, doesn’t that sound like the first beatitude: “Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven”? Christians, Christians, Christians MUST have the Holy Spirit living within them and through them in order for them to go from being poor in spirit to being persecuted for righteousness sake. We can’t climb the ladder, so to speak, without His help.
Listen. Listen. Listen. (part one)
None of the beatitudes can be done without the help of the Holy Spirit. It is not within man’s power to have any one of these “attitudes” within him. Not all people are born poor in spirit or mourning (yes, crying, but not mourning) or meek, as you and I well know; but all Christians are expected to be. All of them are; not one is left out. Even the most ill-tempered Christian, through the Holy Spirit can become poor in spirit, mourn and meek.
This is what I know about the Holy Spirit.
That He, the Spirit of God, was hovering over the waters in creation. “Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.” Does this mean Holy Spirit? I think it does.
That He, God and Jesus were all present and involved in creation. “Let US make man in OUR image, in OUR likeness ,” …. Genesis 1:26
That He existed in the Old Testament, not only in the New. David begged God in Psalm 51, “Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me,” which is where we get the song Create in Me a Clean Heart. The words in the song are practically verbatim the words in this Psalm.
That He revealed to the Prophets what they spoke. “For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” 2 Peter 1:21
That Jesus left Him as the “comforter.” “If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor [Comforter] to be with you forever – the Spirit of truth. John 14:15-16a.
That He guides us into all truth. “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth.” John 16:13
That He is the discerner of spiritual truths. “The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Cor. 2:14
That He convicts the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment. “In regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.” John 16:9-11. This purpose is the hardest one for me to grasp. I know I know something by how I can articulate it; I can’t articulate this.
That He helps us in our weakness AND intercedes for us. “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.” Romans 8:26
The above scriptures are the ones that come to mind when I consider what the Holy Spirit does.
This is what I know about the Holy Spirit.
That He, the Spirit of God, was hovering over the waters in creation. “Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.” Does this mean Holy Spirit? I think it does.
That He, God and Jesus were all present and involved in creation. “Let US make man in OUR image, in OUR likeness ,” …. Genesis 1:26
That He existed in the Old Testament, not only in the New. David begged God in Psalm 51, “Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me,” which is where we get the song Create in Me a Clean Heart. The words in the song are practically verbatim the words in this Psalm.
That He revealed to the Prophets what they spoke. “For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” 2 Peter 1:21
That Jesus left Him as the “comforter.” “If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor [Comforter] to be with you forever – the Spirit of truth. John 14:15-16a.
That He guides us into all truth. “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth.” John 16:13
That He is the discerner of spiritual truths. “The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Cor. 2:14
That He convicts the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment. “In regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.” John 16:9-11. This purpose is the hardest one for me to grasp. I know I know something by how I can articulate it; I can’t articulate this.
That He helps us in our weakness AND intercedes for us. “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.” Romans 8:26
The above scriptures are the ones that come to mind when I consider what the Holy Spirit does.
What then is meekness? Lloyd-Jones
"Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth."
Matthew 5:5
The following excerpt is taken from D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones book Studies in the Sermon on the Mount. I bought the book on 10/6/93 when Chuck Miller was teaching the Sermon on the Mount at Greenwood Park and recommended it. It still speaks to me today, just like it did then. Please take the time to read what Lloyd-Jones says about meekness. We all need to hear it, especially me.
___________________________________________________________________________
What then is meekness? I think we can sum it up in this way. Meekness is essentially a true view of oneself, expressing itself in attitude and conduct with respect to others. It is therefore two things. It is my attitude towards myself; and it is an expression of that relationship to others. You see how inevitably it follows being ‘poor in spirit’ and ‘mourning’. A man can never be meek unless he is poor in spirit. A man can never be meek unless he has seen himself as a vile sinner. These others things must come first. But when I have that true view of myself in terms of poverty of spirit, and mourning because of my sinfulness, I am led on to see that there must be an absence of pride. The meek man is not proud of himself, he does not in any sense glory in himself. He feels that there is nothing in himself of which he can boast. It also means that he does not assert himself. You see, it is a negation of the popular psychology of the day which says ‘assert yourself’, ‘express your personality’. The man who is meek does not want to do so; he is so ashamed of it. The meek man likewise does not demand anything for himself. He does not take all his rights as claims. He does not make demands for his position, his privileges, his possessions, his status in life. No, he is like the man depicted in Philippians ii. ‘Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.’ Christ did not assert that right to equality with God; He deliberately did not. And that is the point to which you and I have to come.
Then let me go further; the man who is meek is not even sensitive about himself. He is not always watching himself and his own interests. He is not always on the defensive. We all know about this, do we not? Is it not one of the greatest curses in life as a result of the fall – this sensitivity about self? We spend the whole of our lives watching ourselves. But when a man becomes meek he is finished with all that; he no longer worries about himself and what other people say. To be truly meek means we no longer protect ourselves, because we see there is nothing worth defending. So we are not on the defensive; all that is gone. The man who is truly meek never pities himself, he is never sorry for himself. He never talks to himself and says, ‘You are having a hard time, how unkind these people are not to understand you’. He never thinks: ‘How wonderful I really am, if only other people gave me a chance.’ Self-pity! What hours and years we waste in this! But the man who has become meek has finished with all that. To be meek, in other words, means that you have finished with yourself altogether, and you come to see you have no rights or deserts [deserved reward or punishment] at all. You come to realize that nobody can harm you. John Bunyan puts it perfectly. ‘He that is down need fear no fall.’ When a man truly sees himself, he knows nobody can say anything about him that is too bad. You need not worry about what men may say or do; you know you deserve it all and more. Once again, therefore, I would define meekness like this. The man who is truly meek is the one who is amazed that God and man can think of him as well as they do and treat him as well as they do. That, it seems to me, is its essential quality.
This is the sentence that jumped off the page at me:
“When a man truly sees himself, he knows nobody can say anything about him that is too bad.”
I’m going to remember this from now on. I think it will make me a lot more relaxed around people and less hard on myself. I’ve loved these lessons on the Beatitudes. I've really needed them. Hope you have too.
Matthew 5:5
The following excerpt is taken from D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones book Studies in the Sermon on the Mount. I bought the book on 10/6/93 when Chuck Miller was teaching the Sermon on the Mount at Greenwood Park and recommended it. It still speaks to me today, just like it did then. Please take the time to read what Lloyd-Jones says about meekness. We all need to hear it, especially me.
___________________________________________________________________________
What then is meekness? I think we can sum it up in this way. Meekness is essentially a true view of oneself, expressing itself in attitude and conduct with respect to others. It is therefore two things. It is my attitude towards myself; and it is an expression of that relationship to others. You see how inevitably it follows being ‘poor in spirit’ and ‘mourning’. A man can never be meek unless he is poor in spirit. A man can never be meek unless he has seen himself as a vile sinner. These others things must come first. But when I have that true view of myself in terms of poverty of spirit, and mourning because of my sinfulness, I am led on to see that there must be an absence of pride. The meek man is not proud of himself, he does not in any sense glory in himself. He feels that there is nothing in himself of which he can boast. It also means that he does not assert himself. You see, it is a negation of the popular psychology of the day which says ‘assert yourself’, ‘express your personality’. The man who is meek does not want to do so; he is so ashamed of it. The meek man likewise does not demand anything for himself. He does not take all his rights as claims. He does not make demands for his position, his privileges, his possessions, his status in life. No, he is like the man depicted in Philippians ii. ‘Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.’ Christ did not assert that right to equality with God; He deliberately did not. And that is the point to which you and I have to come.
Then let me go further; the man who is meek is not even sensitive about himself. He is not always watching himself and his own interests. He is not always on the defensive. We all know about this, do we not? Is it not one of the greatest curses in life as a result of the fall – this sensitivity about self? We spend the whole of our lives watching ourselves. But when a man becomes meek he is finished with all that; he no longer worries about himself and what other people say. To be truly meek means we no longer protect ourselves, because we see there is nothing worth defending. So we are not on the defensive; all that is gone. The man who is truly meek never pities himself, he is never sorry for himself. He never talks to himself and says, ‘You are having a hard time, how unkind these people are not to understand you’. He never thinks: ‘How wonderful I really am, if only other people gave me a chance.’ Self-pity! What hours and years we waste in this! But the man who has become meek has finished with all that. To be meek, in other words, means that you have finished with yourself altogether, and you come to see you have no rights or deserts [deserved reward or punishment] at all. You come to realize that nobody can harm you. John Bunyan puts it perfectly. ‘He that is down need fear no fall.’ When a man truly sees himself, he knows nobody can say anything about him that is too bad. You need not worry about what men may say or do; you know you deserve it all and more. Once again, therefore, I would define meekness like this. The man who is truly meek is the one who is amazed that God and man can think of him as well as they do and treat him as well as they do. That, it seems to me, is its essential quality.
This is the sentence that jumped off the page at me:
“When a man truly sees himself, he knows nobody can say anything about him that is too bad.”
I’m going to remember this from now on. I think it will make me a lot more relaxed around people and less hard on myself. I’ve loved these lessons on the Beatitudes. I've really needed them. Hope you have too.
Who is the meek?
"Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth." Matthew 5:5
Who is the meek person? What does he/she look like? Abraham was meek when he allowed Lot to make the first choice as to where he would live. David was meek, tolerating Saul’s mistreatment of him. Jeremiah was meek when he spoke the truth instead of what was popular. Stephen was meek when the people stoned him. Paul was meek when he suffered all the things that were done to him as recorded in 1 Corinthians eleven. Listen to one of his statements that reflects his "poor in spirit" attitude, his awareness of his sinfulness and his attitude toward others, even his enemies: “If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is to be praised forever, knows that I am not lying.” He knew his need for God and was aware that it was only through God’s power could he live.
Jesus, himself, was the greatest example of meekness. He describes himself as being "meek and lowly in heart." in Matt. 11:29 "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls." KJV
Paul tells us in Philippians 2:5-8, “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!”
Jesus put fulfillment of scripture before himself. He says in Matthew 26: 53 “Do you think I cannot call on my father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?” Jesus put the salvation of my soul before himself.
“Meekness toward God is that disposition of spirit in which we accept his dealings with us as good, and therefore without disputing or resisting. In the OT, the meek are those wholly relying on God rather than their own strength to defend against injustice. Thus, meekness toward evil people means knowing God is permitting the injuries they inflict, that he is using them to purify His elect, and that He will deliver His elect in His time (Isa. 41:17, Luke 18:1-8). Gentleness or meekness is the opposite to self-assertiveness and self-interest. It stems from trust in God’s goodness and control over the situation. The gentle person is not occupied with self at all. This is a work of the Holy Spirit, not of the human will (Gal 5:23).” BLB
part two
Who is the meek person? What does he/she look like? Abraham was meek when he allowed Lot to make the first choice as to where he would live. David was meek, tolerating Saul’s mistreatment of him. Jeremiah was meek when he spoke the truth instead of what was popular. Stephen was meek when the people stoned him. Paul was meek when he suffered all the things that were done to him as recorded in 1 Corinthians eleven. Listen to one of his statements that reflects his "poor in spirit" attitude, his awareness of his sinfulness and his attitude toward others, even his enemies: “If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is to be praised forever, knows that I am not lying.” He knew his need for God and was aware that it was only through God’s power could he live.
Jesus, himself, was the greatest example of meekness. He describes himself as being "meek and lowly in heart." in Matt. 11:29 "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls." KJV
Paul tells us in Philippians 2:5-8, “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!”
Jesus put fulfillment of scripture before himself. He says in Matthew 26: 53 “Do you think I cannot call on my father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?” Jesus put the salvation of my soul before himself.
“Meekness toward God is that disposition of spirit in which we accept his dealings with us as good, and therefore without disputing or resisting. In the OT, the meek are those wholly relying on God rather than their own strength to defend against injustice. Thus, meekness toward evil people means knowing God is permitting the injuries they inflict, that he is using them to purify His elect, and that He will deliver His elect in His time (Isa. 41:17, Luke 18:1-8). Gentleness or meekness is the opposite to self-assertiveness and self-interest. It stems from trust in God’s goodness and control over the situation. The gentle person is not occupied with self at all. This is a work of the Holy Spirit, not of the human will (Gal 5:23).” BLB
part two
Meek Fleshed Out
"Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth."
Matthew 5:5
When David was about six and Laura was about three, David poured out the last bowl of the Cheerios from the Cheerios box to eat one morning for breakfast, never realizing Laura hadn't had any. Laura then proceeded, as most kids would do, to complain that the box was now empty and she had been left out. Much to my amazement, as he pushed the bowl in front of her, David looked at Laura and said, "Here, Laura, you can have mine." Needless to say, my heart melted, making this story one of the sweetest, most memorable stories I tell about our kids.Every time I tell it, David gets a kick out of it and Laura makes some snide comment about David and rolls her eyes.
David's response to Laura was the attitude of the meek: "What's mine is yours and you can have it." While the attitude of the world is, "What's yours is mine and I can take it."
Matthew 5:5
When David was about six and Laura was about three, David poured out the last bowl of the Cheerios from the Cheerios box to eat one morning for breakfast, never realizing Laura hadn't had any. Laura then proceeded, as most kids would do, to complain that the box was now empty and she had been left out. Much to my amazement, as he pushed the bowl in front of her, David looked at Laura and said, "Here, Laura, you can have mine." Needless to say, my heart melted, making this story one of the sweetest, most memorable stories I tell about our kids.Every time I tell it, David gets a kick out of it and Laura makes some snide comment about David and rolls her eyes.
David's response to Laura was the attitude of the meek: "What's mine is yours and you can have it." While the attitude of the world is, "What's yours is mine and I can take it."
Blessed are the meek
"Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth."
Matthew 5:5
There is a logical progression in the thinking of the Beatitudes -- a spiritual logical sequence, from “Blessed are the poor in spirit,” – those people who are empty, beggars, coming before God to be fed with “food” that lasts a lifetime to “Blessed are those that mourn,” – those people who mourn over their own sins plus the sins of others to finally (in terms of this article) the third step: “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” Each new step is dependent upon the last step and gets increasingly harder as we ascend the ladder.
Being poor in spirit and mourning involve only me; being meek requires someone else to be meek toward. Hence, this rung of the ladder gets more difficult. It’s not just between me and God anymore; it’s between me, God and you. Whereas on the first two rungs I've looked only at myself (not selfishly but humbly), now I must also consider you, as you look at me.
Paul tells us in Phil. 2:3 to “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than [ourselves]. Each of [us] should look not only to [our] own interests, but also to the interests of others.” If we have placed ourselves before God -- poor in spirit/mourning -- we are exactly where we need to be to “consider others better than ourselves.” If I am no longer concerned about me, then naturally my attention can be turned toward you.
part one
Matthew 5:5
There is a logical progression in the thinking of the Beatitudes -- a spiritual logical sequence, from “Blessed are the poor in spirit,” – those people who are empty, beggars, coming before God to be fed with “food” that lasts a lifetime to “Blessed are those that mourn,” – those people who mourn over their own sins plus the sins of others to finally (in terms of this article) the third step: “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” Each new step is dependent upon the last step and gets increasingly harder as we ascend the ladder.
Being poor in spirit and mourning involve only me; being meek requires someone else to be meek toward. Hence, this rung of the ladder gets more difficult. It’s not just between me and God anymore; it’s between me, God and you. Whereas on the first two rungs I've looked only at myself (not selfishly but humbly), now I must also consider you, as you look at me.
Paul tells us in Phil. 2:3 to “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than [ourselves]. Each of [us] should look not only to [our] own interests, but also to the interests of others.” If we have placed ourselves before God -- poor in spirit/mourning -- we are exactly where we need to be to “consider others better than ourselves.” If I am no longer concerned about me, then naturally my attention can be turned toward you.
part one
Tears
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." Matthew 5:4
Water has always existed. It says nowhere that God created it. Genesis 1:1, 2 says, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.” It even says in verse six that God separated the water from the waters and called it “sky.” Interesting isn’t it? I believe water is as sacred or holy as anything on the face of the earth. I think it’s not only essential for survival, I believe it’s the pathway whereby salvation comes.
Water was with God in the beginning, we know from the scripture noted above. The Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
And then a little later in Genesis, God uses that same water to deliver Noah and his family to safety when Noah, in response to God’s commands, built the ark to deliver them from the flood.
And in Exodus, God delivered the Israelites from the hand of Pharaoh through the waters of the Red Sea. “Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the Lord drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided, and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left.”
And then in Mark 16:16 Jesus says, “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” Peter in 1 Peter 3: 21, even connects the two waters together (the waters of the flood and the waters of baptism) when he says, “In [the ark] only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also”......
If I could draw circles to symbolize how water is used in the Bible, the sizes of the circles would get appreciably smaller each time I drew one. "Creation" water would be the largest, the flood would be next, then the waters of the Red Sea and then baptism. And then, I believe the smallest dimension of water God uses would come next – tears -- less than a thimble full.
The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears attentive to their cry. Ps. 34:15
He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them. Ps. 145:19
In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me. From the depths of the grave I called for help, and [he] listened to my cry. Jonah 2:2
And then with regard to Jesus, “During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.”
Mourning -- crying -- tears are ways man can “pour out his soul” to God. Listen to what David says in Psalm 42:1-4.
“As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God, Where can I go and meet with God? My tears have been my food day and night, while men say to me all day long, “Where is your God?” These things I remember as I pour out my soul:” …...
Isn’t that what we do when we mourn? We pour out our soul?
Matthew and Luke tell us about a sinful woman who came into Simon’s house to anoint Jesus with fine perfume. She stood behind Jesus at his feet weeping, wetting his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. She did this to prepare him for his burial.
The sinful woman represents the blessed in “Blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted.” Her attention is to his feet, where the student was a learner. She emptied herself of herself, not caring who saw her -- a beggar, the “poor in spirit” who make up the kingdom of heaven. She mourns over her sins and Jesus’ death. She is the mourner who waits to be comforted. And Jesus forgives her sins. “Your faith has saved you,” Jesus says. “Go in peace.” And she is comforted.
I believe we will see this woman again, in Heaven, in a land with no more tears, needing comfort no more.
“Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself with be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Rev. 22: 3, 4
Blessed are those who mourn – who allow that tear – that thimble full of water -- to fall at the Savior’s feet -- just like this sinful woman -- for they will be comforted. They will enter Heaven, where the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flows from the throne of God. On each side of the river will stand the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations (Rev. 22:1-2) ----- where there will be no water for tears that need comforting, only water for trees that bring healing ----- in Paradise again.
Water has always existed. It says nowhere that God created it. Genesis 1:1, 2 says, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.” It even says in verse six that God separated the water from the waters and called it “sky.” Interesting isn’t it? I believe water is as sacred or holy as anything on the face of the earth. I think it’s not only essential for survival, I believe it’s the pathway whereby salvation comes.
Water was with God in the beginning, we know from the scripture noted above. The Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
And then a little later in Genesis, God uses that same water to deliver Noah and his family to safety when Noah, in response to God’s commands, built the ark to deliver them from the flood.
And in Exodus, God delivered the Israelites from the hand of Pharaoh through the waters of the Red Sea. “Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the Lord drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided, and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left.”
And then in Mark 16:16 Jesus says, “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” Peter in 1 Peter 3: 21, even connects the two waters together (the waters of the flood and the waters of baptism) when he says, “In [the ark] only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also”......
If I could draw circles to symbolize how water is used in the Bible, the sizes of the circles would get appreciably smaller each time I drew one. "Creation" water would be the largest, the flood would be next, then the waters of the Red Sea and then baptism. And then, I believe the smallest dimension of water God uses would come next – tears -- less than a thimble full.
The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears attentive to their cry. Ps. 34:15
He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them. Ps. 145:19
In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me. From the depths of the grave I called for help, and [he] listened to my cry. Jonah 2:2
And then with regard to Jesus, “During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.”
Mourning -- crying -- tears are ways man can “pour out his soul” to God. Listen to what David says in Psalm 42:1-4.
“As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God, Where can I go and meet with God? My tears have been my food day and night, while men say to me all day long, “Where is your God?” These things I remember as I pour out my soul:” …...
Isn’t that what we do when we mourn? We pour out our soul?
Matthew and Luke tell us about a sinful woman who came into Simon’s house to anoint Jesus with fine perfume. She stood behind Jesus at his feet weeping, wetting his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. She did this to prepare him for his burial.
The sinful woman represents the blessed in “Blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted.” Her attention is to his feet, where the student was a learner. She emptied herself of herself, not caring who saw her -- a beggar, the “poor in spirit” who make up the kingdom of heaven. She mourns over her sins and Jesus’ death. She is the mourner who waits to be comforted. And Jesus forgives her sins. “Your faith has saved you,” Jesus says. “Go in peace.” And she is comforted.
I believe we will see this woman again, in Heaven, in a land with no more tears, needing comfort no more.
“Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself with be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Rev. 22: 3, 4
Blessed are those who mourn – who allow that tear – that thimble full of water -- to fall at the Savior’s feet -- just like this sinful woman -- for they will be comforted. They will enter Heaven, where the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flows from the throne of God. On each side of the river will stand the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations (Rev. 22:1-2) ----- where there will be no water for tears that need comforting, only water for trees that bring healing ----- in Paradise again.
David's prayer
"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted."
Matthew 5:4
A psalm of David. When the prophet Nathan came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba.
Psalm 51:1-12
Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion
blot out my transgressions.
Wash away all my iniquity
and cleanse me from my sin.
For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is always before me.
Against you, you only, have I sinned
and done what is evil in your sight,
so that you are proved right when you speak
and justified when you judge.
Surely I was sinful at birth,
sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
Surely you desire truth in the inner parts;
you teach me wisdom in the inmost place.
Cleanse me with hyssop,
and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
Hide your face from my sins
and blot out all my iniquity.
Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
Now that you've already read this the way you've probably always read it, I want you to go back over it once again, and pray it instead of read it. I believe you will get a glimpse into the heart of the man who's known as the man after God's own heart and you will see a difference.
Matthew 5:4
A psalm of David. When the prophet Nathan came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba.
Psalm 51:1-12
Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion
blot out my transgressions.
Wash away all my iniquity
and cleanse me from my sin.
For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is always before me.
Against you, you only, have I sinned
and done what is evil in your sight,
so that you are proved right when you speak
and justified when you judge.
Surely I was sinful at birth,
sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
Surely you desire truth in the inner parts;
you teach me wisdom in the inmost place.
Cleanse me with hyssop,
and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
Hide your face from my sins
and blot out all my iniquity.
Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
Now that you've already read this the way you've probably always read it, I want you to go back over it once again, and pray it instead of read it. I believe you will get a glimpse into the heart of the man who's known as the man after God's own heart and you will see a difference.
Blessed are those who mourn
Just two weeks ago I saw the greatest example of mourning I had ever seen. One of the young moms at church came forward for prayer, stopping not on the front pew, like most members of the church of Christ do, but at the foot of the cross, Mike our preacher had suggested we put on the stage. It was obvious she was unburdening herself of a heavy heart that caused her to drop to her knees, where she knew she needed to be, and sob.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted” refers to the mourning that takes place over sin, yes a type of death, but a different death than usually thought of here. It’s mourning over sin that separates me from God, eternally -- both my sin and the world's sinfulness. It’s knowing the cross is the only solution –the only source of comfort.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted” refers to the mourning that takes place over sin, yes a type of death, but a different death than usually thought of here. It’s mourning over sin that separates me from God, eternally -- both my sin and the world's sinfulness. It’s knowing the cross is the only solution –the only source of comfort.
My prayer - Titus 2
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
Matthew 5:3
Yesterday before I ever got out of bed, I felt compelled to write down on paper what I want us to meditate on for the rest of the year. I was wondering if I could continue doing what I’ve been doing, starting each week listing the progression of the meditations, making it last until the end of the year; so I started writing to see if I could; and I could. The Spirit guided me until I wrote His plan for the entire year. I must tell you, what He tells me I need to do and what I think I can do are miles apart, leaving me guessing what I’m going to be writing in September. I have no idea what I’m going to learn, even with me thinking I'm picking the topic, which I’ve discovered this week, writing about what "poor in spirit" means.
This is what happened that taught me the lesson I learned yesterday morning.
While praying I decided to bear my soul to God (as though he didn’t know already) listing everything that was wrong with a particular situation and how I wanted him to fix it. I mentioned at least six things I thought needed to change, doubting if they ever could or would. I saw the situation as hopeless – one I doubted even He could solve, at least in the next ten years. I just spit it all out until I got everything off my chest, realizing at the end of my “sermon” how foolish I had been, thinking I was telling God something He didn’t already know or had suggestions He hadn't ever thought about. I had sounded haughty, arrogant, pompous, presumptuous, and demanding. Yet, I believe God heard me. He listened; I know he did. I know He knows, He sees and He cares – perfectly, completely, grace-fully, much more than I can. I know, deep down He will solve this, in His time, in His own terms, in His own way.
Everything I had told God about this situation revealed how much I thought I could control it. And that’s an indictment against me. Did I really think I could bring something to God’s attention he didn’t yet know or a solution he hadn’t yet tried?
“God would you please, please, please, please, please do this, this, this, and this because that’s what I, I, I, I, I, think would be best?” “Don’t you agree with me, God, on that?"
“Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
“Poor in spirit” – empty of self and its desires. Knowing who’s in control and who’s not. Laying yourself at Jesus’ feet knowing His will is right (no perfect) better than yours – knowing His will will be done – without your permission.
Knowing:
The law of the Lord is perfect – reviving the soul.
The statues of the Lord are trustworthy – making wise the simple.
The precepts of the Lord are right – giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are radiant – giving light to the eyes.
The poor in spirit says, “YOU are perfect. YOU are trustworthy. YOU are right. YOU are radiant while I am sinful. I am foolish. I am downcast and blind."
Your ordinances are sure and altogether righteous. Forgive my hidden faults.
“Blessed are the poor in Spirit...”
By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.
“…for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Quotes taken from Psalm 19
Matthew 5:3
Yesterday before I ever got out of bed, I felt compelled to write down on paper what I want us to meditate on for the rest of the year. I was wondering if I could continue doing what I’ve been doing, starting each week listing the progression of the meditations, making it last until the end of the year; so I started writing to see if I could; and I could. The Spirit guided me until I wrote His plan for the entire year. I must tell you, what He tells me I need to do and what I think I can do are miles apart, leaving me guessing what I’m going to be writing in September. I have no idea what I’m going to learn, even with me thinking I'm picking the topic, which I’ve discovered this week, writing about what "poor in spirit" means.
This is what happened that taught me the lesson I learned yesterday morning.
While praying I decided to bear my soul to God (as though he didn’t know already) listing everything that was wrong with a particular situation and how I wanted him to fix it. I mentioned at least six things I thought needed to change, doubting if they ever could or would. I saw the situation as hopeless – one I doubted even He could solve, at least in the next ten years. I just spit it all out until I got everything off my chest, realizing at the end of my “sermon” how foolish I had been, thinking I was telling God something He didn’t already know or had suggestions He hadn't ever thought about. I had sounded haughty, arrogant, pompous, presumptuous, and demanding. Yet, I believe God heard me. He listened; I know he did. I know He knows, He sees and He cares – perfectly, completely, grace-fully, much more than I can. I know, deep down He will solve this, in His time, in His own terms, in His own way.
Everything I had told God about this situation revealed how much I thought I could control it. And that’s an indictment against me. Did I really think I could bring something to God’s attention he didn’t yet know or a solution he hadn’t yet tried?
“God would you please, please, please, please, please do this, this, this, and this because that’s what I, I, I, I, I, think would be best?” “Don’t you agree with me, God, on that?"
“Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
“Poor in spirit” – empty of self and its desires. Knowing who’s in control and who’s not. Laying yourself at Jesus’ feet knowing His will is right (no perfect) better than yours – knowing His will will be done – without your permission.
Knowing:
The law of the Lord is perfect – reviving the soul.
The statues of the Lord are trustworthy – making wise the simple.
The precepts of the Lord are right – giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are radiant – giving light to the eyes.
The poor in spirit says, “YOU are perfect. YOU are trustworthy. YOU are right. YOU are radiant while I am sinful. I am foolish. I am downcast and blind."
Your ordinances are sure and altogether righteous. Forgive my hidden faults.
“Blessed are the poor in Spirit...”
By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.
“…for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Quotes taken from Psalm 19
None of self and all of Thee
"Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
Matthew 5:3
Poor in spirit -- humble -- completely empty of self -- an empty cup -- waiting for God to fill you.
If you are empty right now, spiritually gutted, you are exactly where God wants you to be. When we cannot stand, we must lean on Him.
This is the song I thought of when I thought of emptiness -- being poor in spirit -- yearning to be filled by God.
Oh, the bitter pain and sorrow
That a time could ever be,
When I proudly said to Jesus,
“All of self, and none of Thee.”
All of self, and none of Thee,
All of self, and none of Thee,
When I proudly said to Jesus,
“All of self, and none of Thee.”
Yet He found me; I beheld Him
Bleeding on th’ accursed tree,
And my wistful heart said faintly,
“Some of self, and some of Thee.”
Some of self, and some of Thee,
Some of self, and some of Thee,
And my wistful heart said faintly,
“Some of self, and some of Thee.”
Day by day His tender mercy,
Healing, helping, full and free,
Brought me lower while I whispered,
“Less of self, and more of Thee.”
Less of self, and more of Thee,
Less of self, and more or Thee,
Brought me lower while I whispered,
“Less of self, and more of Thee.”
Higher than the highest heaven,
Deeper than the deepest sea,
Lord, Thy love at last has conquered:
“None of self, and all of Thee.”
None of self, and all of Thee,
None of self, and all of Thee,
Lord, Thy love at last has conquered:
“None of self, and all of Thee.”
NONE OF SELF AND ALL OF THEE
Theodore Monod
Matthew 5:3
Poor in spirit -- humble -- completely empty of self -- an empty cup -- waiting for God to fill you.
If you are empty right now, spiritually gutted, you are exactly where God wants you to be. When we cannot stand, we must lean on Him.
This is the song I thought of when I thought of emptiness -- being poor in spirit -- yearning to be filled by God.
Oh, the bitter pain and sorrow
That a time could ever be,
When I proudly said to Jesus,
“All of self, and none of Thee.”
All of self, and none of Thee,
All of self, and none of Thee,
When I proudly said to Jesus,
“All of self, and none of Thee.”
Yet He found me; I beheld Him
Bleeding on th’ accursed tree,
And my wistful heart said faintly,
“Some of self, and some of Thee.”
Some of self, and some of Thee,
Some of self, and some of Thee,
And my wistful heart said faintly,
“Some of self, and some of Thee.”
Day by day His tender mercy,
Healing, helping, full and free,
Brought me lower while I whispered,
“Less of self, and more of Thee.”
Less of self, and more of Thee,
Less of self, and more or Thee,
Brought me lower while I whispered,
“Less of self, and more of Thee.”
Higher than the highest heaven,
Deeper than the deepest sea,
Lord, Thy love at last has conquered:
“None of self, and all of Thee.”
None of self, and all of Thee,
None of self, and all of Thee,
Lord, Thy love at last has conquered:
“None of self, and all of Thee.”
NONE OF SELF AND ALL OF THEE
Theodore Monod
Pillars of Salt
You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled by men. Matthew 6:13
In Genesis 19 God instructs Lot and his wife to leave Sodom without looking back. Lot’s wife defies God and God turns her into a pillar of salt – a monument I’m sure that reminded the people of His power and the consequence of sin. Jesus tells us to remember her in Luke 17:32 with regard to the day of judgment. She turned her back on God and headed in the wrong direction, to a city known for its wickedness.
Don't we set the same example when we live a life of sin -- when we go away from God instead of where he tells us? Don’t we too become pillars of salt, like the kind that's gotten wet -- hard, stiff, like a rock, impossible to come out of the shaker -- like the salt in the "Dead" Sea -- instead of the salt of the earth, that heals, preserves, and flavors the world, that easily flows out?
In Genesis 19 God instructs Lot and his wife to leave Sodom without looking back. Lot’s wife defies God and God turns her into a pillar of salt – a monument I’m sure that reminded the people of His power and the consequence of sin. Jesus tells us to remember her in Luke 17:32 with regard to the day of judgment. She turned her back on God and headed in the wrong direction, to a city known for its wickedness.
Don't we set the same example when we live a life of sin -- when we go away from God instead of where he tells us? Don’t we too become pillars of salt, like the kind that's gotten wet -- hard, stiff, like a rock, impossible to come out of the shaker -- like the salt in the "Dead" Sea -- instead of the salt of the earth, that heals, preserves, and flavors the world, that easily flows out?
Measuring Spoons
"You are the salt of the earth. BUT IF THE SALT LOSES ITS SALTINESS how can it be made salty again?" Matthew 5:13
Saturday, February 20 was a red-letter day for me. It was a day I knew would come; I just didn’t know when. I had invited David and Kelly over for supper. I was in the mood to cook and they were in the mood to eat. Of course, Bella tagged along… :). I was in the process of making Refrigerator Potatoes which I found out later I would never make again -- that it had been a mistake. I should have just stuck with the simple old mashed potatoes I’ve made for a hundred years. Anyway, as I was making the potatoes, Bella, who loves to do this, looked at me and said, “Wash dishes, Mammie!” and I knew what was to come. We took her top off, she got the stool and I proceeded to fill the sink with water, squirting lots of Dawn in to make bubbles…big bubbles. Since most of the dishes surrounding the sink were glass measuring cups, I got the plastic containers I have stored in my big bin in the garage that have no lids, etc. so she wouldn’t hurt herself. As I was measuring the salt and measuring the pepper, her interest was piqued in the measuring spoons -- Just plastic measuring spoons which I have in several different colors; these just happened to be orange.
As she “washed dishes,” played with the bubbles, splashing the water, getting it everywhere (Mammie laughing) God gave me the opportunity I had been waiting for since Bella was born, that made this my red-letter day. “What’s this, Mammie?” she asked as I was struggling to work around her. “It’s a set of measuring spoons, Bella. This one says, T for tablespoon. This one says 1t for teaspoon and these say ½ and ¼ for ½ and ¼ a teaspoon – just a fraction. When I said fraction I thought, “Why did I say that? She can’t understand fraction and I can’t explain it to her anyway.” Yes, I realized this moment meant absolutely nothing to anyone else and that I’d look like a fool if I started to cry, so I swallowed my tears until later when I told Laura, David and Kelly what I did. To say the least it was a priceless moment. (Yes, I have tears streaming down my face as I write – for real.) (See the video of Bella playing in the sink blowing bubbles under VIDEOS here on Titus 2.)
What I had known for a loooooooooong time I could now pass on to Bella. It was nothing difficult and she may never remember when and where she learned what a tablespoon, teaspoon, ¼ and ½ a teaspoon are but it’s something she’ll need to know if she’s ever going to cook someday. And I taught her because someone, probably Ma or my mother taught me.
That’s what the salt of the earth do. We pass on what we know about Jesus to someone who doesn’t, who hopefully passes it along to someone again someday. We are to others the aroma of Christ who flavor the world with our salt. Christ, through us, changes their lives. We are fit to tell others, by the measure we are equipped -- a teaspoon, a tablespoon, a fraction according to the measure given us. We make the gospel fit for consumption by the life we’ve lived, by how much we’ve allowed ourselves to be close to THE ROCK. We flavor the world by our seasoning; we season our speech with salt. And the world becomes a better place.
God gave me a priceless moment I knew someday would come and I was anxious to act on it when it came. If you lose your seasoning how will others be taught? Our salt will lose its flavor and because of that no one else will be able to taste and see that the Lord is good. “Since living Christianity is the only “salt of the earth,” if men lose that, what else can supply its place?” http://bible.cc/matthew/5-13.htm.
“But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.”
Saturday, February 20 was a red-letter day for me. It was a day I knew would come; I just didn’t know when. I had invited David and Kelly over for supper. I was in the mood to cook and they were in the mood to eat. Of course, Bella tagged along… :). I was in the process of making Refrigerator Potatoes which I found out later I would never make again -- that it had been a mistake. I should have just stuck with the simple old mashed potatoes I’ve made for a hundred years. Anyway, as I was making the potatoes, Bella, who loves to do this, looked at me and said, “Wash dishes, Mammie!” and I knew what was to come. We took her top off, she got the stool and I proceeded to fill the sink with water, squirting lots of Dawn in to make bubbles…big bubbles. Since most of the dishes surrounding the sink were glass measuring cups, I got the plastic containers I have stored in my big bin in the garage that have no lids, etc. so she wouldn’t hurt herself. As I was measuring the salt and measuring the pepper, her interest was piqued in the measuring spoons -- Just plastic measuring spoons which I have in several different colors; these just happened to be orange.
As she “washed dishes,” played with the bubbles, splashing the water, getting it everywhere (Mammie laughing) God gave me the opportunity I had been waiting for since Bella was born, that made this my red-letter day. “What’s this, Mammie?” she asked as I was struggling to work around her. “It’s a set of measuring spoons, Bella. This one says, T for tablespoon. This one says 1t for teaspoon and these say ½ and ¼ for ½ and ¼ a teaspoon – just a fraction. When I said fraction I thought, “Why did I say that? She can’t understand fraction and I can’t explain it to her anyway.” Yes, I realized this moment meant absolutely nothing to anyone else and that I’d look like a fool if I started to cry, so I swallowed my tears until later when I told Laura, David and Kelly what I did. To say the least it was a priceless moment. (Yes, I have tears streaming down my face as I write – for real.) (See the video of Bella playing in the sink blowing bubbles under VIDEOS here on Titus 2.)
What I had known for a loooooooooong time I could now pass on to Bella. It was nothing difficult and she may never remember when and where she learned what a tablespoon, teaspoon, ¼ and ½ a teaspoon are but it’s something she’ll need to know if she’s ever going to cook someday. And I taught her because someone, probably Ma or my mother taught me.
That’s what the salt of the earth do. We pass on what we know about Jesus to someone who doesn’t, who hopefully passes it along to someone again someday. We are to others the aroma of Christ who flavor the world with our salt. Christ, through us, changes their lives. We are fit to tell others, by the measure we are equipped -- a teaspoon, a tablespoon, a fraction according to the measure given us. We make the gospel fit for consumption by the life we’ve lived, by how much we’ve allowed ourselves to be close to THE ROCK. We flavor the world by our seasoning; we season our speech with salt. And the world becomes a better place.
God gave me a priceless moment I knew someday would come and I was anxious to act on it when it came. If you lose your seasoning how will others be taught? Our salt will lose its flavor and because of that no one else will be able to taste and see that the Lord is good. “Since living Christianity is the only “salt of the earth,” if men lose that, what else can supply its place?” http://bible.cc/matthew/5-13.htm.
“But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.”
You are THE SALT OF THE EARTH
"You are the SALT OF THE EARTH." Matthew 5:13a
“Salt is the only mineral that people eat -- [the only edible rock]. Farmers put salt licks in the fields for their cows. Every cell in our body is bathed in a salt solution. The body will not function properly unless the ratio of salt to water is maintained in the bloodstream; they give you a saline solution in the hospital when you are a patient, to keep your body in balance.” *
All the way back to Leviticus God commands the use of salt. In Leviticus 2:13 Moses tells the people to “Season all your grain offerings with salt. Do not leave the salt of the covenant of your God out of your grain offerings; add salt to all your offerings.” God tells Ezekiel in Ezekiel 43:24 to sprinkle salt on all the goats, bulls and rams when sacrificing them to the Lord. Jesus now tells us, as Christians, to BE the salt of the earth.
David, in Psalm 119 tells us to “taste and see that the Lord is good.” And Peter tells God’s elect, strangers in the world, in 1 Peter 2:2, “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.”
What do we as Christians taste to see that it is good?
We, the salt of the earth, taste THE ROCK and see that HE is good, which keeps us tasting THE ROCK, which keeps us being the salt of the earth.
The salt tastes THE ROCK to become salt, again and again.
*Quote taken from http://www.helium.com/items/1386462-origin-and-meaning-of-salt-of-the-earth
“Salt is the only mineral that people eat -- [the only edible rock]. Farmers put salt licks in the fields for their cows. Every cell in our body is bathed in a salt solution. The body will not function properly unless the ratio of salt to water is maintained in the bloodstream; they give you a saline solution in the hospital when you are a patient, to keep your body in balance.” *
All the way back to Leviticus God commands the use of salt. In Leviticus 2:13 Moses tells the people to “Season all your grain offerings with salt. Do not leave the salt of the covenant of your God out of your grain offerings; add salt to all your offerings.” God tells Ezekiel in Ezekiel 43:24 to sprinkle salt on all the goats, bulls and rams when sacrificing them to the Lord. Jesus now tells us, as Christians, to BE the salt of the earth.
David, in Psalm 119 tells us to “taste and see that the Lord is good.” And Peter tells God’s elect, strangers in the world, in 1 Peter 2:2, “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.”
What do we as Christians taste to see that it is good?
We, the salt of the earth, taste THE ROCK and see that HE is good, which keeps us tasting THE ROCK, which keeps us being the salt of the earth.
The salt tastes THE ROCK to become salt, again and again.
*Quote taken from http://www.helium.com/items/1386462-origin-and-meaning-of-salt-of-the-earth
YOU are the salt of the earth
"YOU are the salt of the earth." Matthew 5:13a
It was Jesus’ first “official” sermon that we now call the “sermon on the mount.” It was a time when Jesus was ushering in a new era in religion. “Thou shalt not murder” became “don’t be angry with your brother” and “thou shalt not commit adultery” became “don’t look lustfully on a woman.” It was a time when the change that would come, would come from the people who’d been changed – people whose attitudes would be different -- who'd have the BE-attitudes rather than the DO-attitudes of the Jews.
If you will BE poor in spirit the kingdom of heaven will be yours and you will BE blessed.
If you will BE sorrowful you will be comforted and you will BE blessed.
If you will BE meek you will inherit the earth and you will BE blessed.
If you will BE seekers of righteousness, you will BE filled and you will BE blessed. ….
The army has a slogan that says, “Be all that you can be” because the people who came up with that slogan know the power of being a soldier; if a soldier will be all that he can be, the world will be a better place and he will be a better soldier.
Who were the people on the mountainside, Jesus was talking to? Scripture tells us he began to teach his disciples. We Christians -- we followers of Christ -- are the ones Jesus was talking to. Jesus knew that the world could and would only be changed by the people who were already THE SALT OF THE EARTH.
In the past, when I have considered what “You are the salt of the earth” means, I have emphasized the word “salt” enumerating its many uses rather than emphasizing the words "You are" which denote BEING the salt. I have been convicted, since studying this passage over the last few days, that there is a big difference between knowing the characteristics of salt and that I AM the salt. If I do not realize I AM, then how will the world ever be transformed -- nurtured, seasoned, preserved, disinfected, buried, melted away to become the world God wants it to be, through me. Only when I AM the salt, will the world be changed.
It was Jesus’ first “official” sermon that we now call the “sermon on the mount.” It was a time when Jesus was ushering in a new era in religion. “Thou shalt not murder” became “don’t be angry with your brother” and “thou shalt not commit adultery” became “don’t look lustfully on a woman.” It was a time when the change that would come, would come from the people who’d been changed – people whose attitudes would be different -- who'd have the BE-attitudes rather than the DO-attitudes of the Jews.
If you will BE poor in spirit the kingdom of heaven will be yours and you will BE blessed.
If you will BE sorrowful you will be comforted and you will BE blessed.
If you will BE meek you will inherit the earth and you will BE blessed.
If you will BE seekers of righteousness, you will BE filled and you will BE blessed. ….
The army has a slogan that says, “Be all that you can be” because the people who came up with that slogan know the power of being a soldier; if a soldier will be all that he can be, the world will be a better place and he will be a better soldier.
Who were the people on the mountainside, Jesus was talking to? Scripture tells us he began to teach his disciples. We Christians -- we followers of Christ -- are the ones Jesus was talking to. Jesus knew that the world could and would only be changed by the people who were already THE SALT OF THE EARTH.
In the past, when I have considered what “You are the salt of the earth” means, I have emphasized the word “salt” enumerating its many uses rather than emphasizing the words "You are" which denote BEING the salt. I have been convicted, since studying this passage over the last few days, that there is a big difference between knowing the characteristics of salt and that I AM the salt. If I do not realize I AM, then how will the world ever be transformed -- nurtured, seasoned, preserved, disinfected, buried, melted away to become the world God wants it to be, through me. Only when I AM the salt, will the world be changed.
You are the light of the WORLD
"You are the light of the world." ...... Matthew 5:14
Greater light means greater exposure. Remove the rock and the insects flee
Greater light means greater exposure. Remove the rock and the insects flee
You are the LIGHT of the world
"You are THE LIGHT of the world." ..... Matthew 5:14
Darkness CANNOT overtake the light -- not even the littlest candle.
Darkness CANNOT overtake the light -- not even the littlest candle.
You ARE the light of the world
"You ARE the light of the world." ....... Matthew 5:14
Christians are the designated drivers in an intoxicated world.
Christians are the designated drivers in an intoxicated world.
YOU are the light of the world
"YOU are the light of the world." ....... Matthew 5:13
And God said, "Let there be light, and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. God called the light "day," and the darkness he called "night." And there was evening, and there was morning -- the first day." In the beginning...
Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it." In Jesus' life...
"There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light." .... "The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their sponder into it. On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there." In heaven...
Between the "THENS" there is NOW; and that is US.
And God said, "Let there be light, and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. God called the light "day," and the darkness he called "night." And there was evening, and there was morning -- the first day." In the beginning...
Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it." In Jesus' life...
"There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light." .... "The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their sponder into it. On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there." In heaven...
Between the "THENS" there is NOW; and that is US.
Over over-comers - Spurgeon
Let us inspect THE LAURELS OF THE FIGHT. Up to now Believers have been conquerors, but the text says they have, been "more than conquerors." How is that? The word in the original is one of the Apostle Paul's strong expressions. It might be rendered, "more exceedinglyconquerors." The Vulgate, I think, has a word in it which means, "over over-comers," over and above conquering. For a Christian to be a conqueror is a great thing-how can he be more than a conqueror?
I think in many respects, first, a Christian is better than some conquerors because the power by which he overcomes is far nobler. Here is a champion just come from the Greek games. He has well-near killed his adversary in a severe boxing match, and he comes in to receive the crown. Step up to him, look at that arm, and observe the muscles and sinews. Why, the man's muscles are like steel, and you say to him, "I do not wonder that you beat and bruised your foe. If! had set up a machine made of steel that worked by a little watery vapor, it could have done the same, though nothing but mere matter
would have been at work.
"You are a stronger man and more vigorous in constitution than your foe-that is clear-but where is the particular glory about that? One machine is stronger than another. No doubt credit is to be given to you for your endurance, after a sort, but you are just one big brute beating another big brute. Dogs, and bulls, and gamecocks, and all kinds of
animals would have endured as much, and perhaps more." Now, see the Christian champion coming from the fight, having won the victory! Look at him! He has overcome human wisdom-but when I look at him, I perceive no learning nor cunning. He is a simple, unlettered person who knows that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners. Yet he has won the victory over profound philosophers-then he is more than a conqueror!
He has been tempted and tried in all sorts of ways, and he was not at all a crafty person. He was very weak, yet somehow he has conquered. Now this is being more than a conqueror-when weakness overcomes strength-when brute force is baffled by gentleness and love! This is victory, indeed, when the little things overcome the great things! When the base things of this world overthrow the mighty, and the things that are not bring to nothing the things that are! Yet this - is just the triumph of Divine Grace. The Christian is, viewed according to the eye of sense, weak as water. Yet faith knows him to be irresistible. According to the eye of sense he is a thing to be trampled upon, for he will not resist. And yet, in the sight of God he becomes in this very way, by his gentleness and patience, more than a conqueror!
The Christian is more than a conqueror, again, because the conqueror fights for victory-fights with some selfish motive. Even if the motive is patriotism-although from another point of view, patriotism is one of the highest of worldly virtues-yet it is only a magnificent selfishness by which one contends for one's own country instead of being subject to the far more generous cosmopolitan thought of caring for all men. But the Christian fights neither for any set of men nor for himself-in contending for the Truth of God he contends for all men, but especially for God! And in suffering for the right he suffers with no prospect of earthly gain.
He becomes more than a conqueror both by the strength with which he fights and the motives by which he is sustained-which are better than the motives and the strength which sustain other conquerors. He is more than a conqueror because he loses nothing even by the fight itself. When a battle is won, at any rate the winning side loses something. In most wars the gain seldom makes any recompense for the effusion of blood. But the Christian's faith, when tried, grows stronger! His patience, when tempted, becomes more patient! His graces are like the fabled Anteus, who, when thrown to the ground, sprang up stronger than before by touching his mother, Earth.
The Christian, by touching his God and falling down in helplessness into the arms of the Most High grows stronger by all that he is made to suffer. He is more than a conqueror because he loses nothing even by the fight, and gains wondrously by the victory. He is more than a conqueror over persecution because most conquerors have to struggle and agonize to win the conquest. But, my Brothers and Sisters, many Christians, yes, and all Christians-when their faith in Christ is strong and their love to Christ is fervent-have found it even easy to overcome suffering for the Lord. Look at Blandina, enveloped in a net, tossed upon the horns of bulls, and then made to sit in a red hot iron chair to die, and yet unconquered to the end!
What did the tormentors say to the emperor-"Oh, Emperor," said the tormentors, "We are ashamed, for these Christians mock us while they suffer your cruelties." Indeed, the tormentors often seemed to be themselves tormented they were worried to think they could not conquer timid women and children. They devoured their own hearts with
rage! Like the viper which gnaws at the file, they broke their teeth against the iron strength of Christian faith! They could not endure it because these people suffered without repining, endured without retracting, and glorified Christ in the fires without complaining!
I love to think of Christ's army of martyrs! Yes, and of all His Church marching over the battlefield, singing as they fight-never ceasing the song, never suffering a note to fall-and at the same time advancing from victory to victory chanting the sacred hallelujah while they tramp over their foes. I saw one day upon the lake of Orta, in northern Italy, on
some holy-day of the church of Rome, a number of boats coming from all quarters of the lake towards the church upon the central islet of the lake. It was singularly beautiful to hear the splash of the oars and the sound of song as the boats came up in long processions, with all the villagers in them, bearing their banners to the appointed place of meeting. As the oars splashed they kept time to the rowers, and the rowers never missed a stroke because they sang-neither was the song marred because of the splash of the oars-but on they came, singing and rowing!
And so has it been with the Church of God. That oar of obedience, and that other oar of suffering-the Church has learned to ply both of these, and to sing as she rows: "Thanks be unto God, who always makes us to triumph in every place!" Though we are made to suffer, and are made to fight, yet we are more than conquerors, because we are conquerors even while fighting! We sing even in the heat of the battle, waving high the banner and dividing the spoil even in the center of the fray. When the fight is hottest we are then the most happy! And when the strife is most stern, then most blessed! And when the battle grows most arduous, then, "calm mid the bewildering cry, confident of victory." Thus the saints have been in those respects more than conquerors.
More than conquerors I hope, this day, because they have conquered their enemies by doing them good, converting their persecutors by their patience. To use the old Protestant motto, the Church has been the anvil, and the world has been the hammer-and though the anvil has done nothing but bear the stroke, she has broken all the hammers as she will do to the world's end! All true Believers who really trust in Jesus' love, and are really fired with it, will be far more glorious than the Roman conqueror when he drove his milk-white steeds through the imperial city's streets. Then the young men and maidens, matrons and old men gathered to the windows and chimney tops and scattered flowers upon the conquering legions as they came along.
But what is this compared with the triumph which is going on even now as the great host of God's elect come streaming through the streets of the New Jerusalem? What flowers are they which angels strew in the path of the blessed! What songs are those which rise from yonder halls of Zion, jubilant with song as the saints pass along to their everlasting habitations.
www.spurgeongems.org
Sermon #751
I think in many respects, first, a Christian is better than some conquerors because the power by which he overcomes is far nobler. Here is a champion just come from the Greek games. He has well-near killed his adversary in a severe boxing match, and he comes in to receive the crown. Step up to him, look at that arm, and observe the muscles and sinews. Why, the man's muscles are like steel, and you say to him, "I do not wonder that you beat and bruised your foe. If! had set up a machine made of steel that worked by a little watery vapor, it could have done the same, though nothing but mere matter
would have been at work.
"You are a stronger man and more vigorous in constitution than your foe-that is clear-but where is the particular glory about that? One machine is stronger than another. No doubt credit is to be given to you for your endurance, after a sort, but you are just one big brute beating another big brute. Dogs, and bulls, and gamecocks, and all kinds of
animals would have endured as much, and perhaps more." Now, see the Christian champion coming from the fight, having won the victory! Look at him! He has overcome human wisdom-but when I look at him, I perceive no learning nor cunning. He is a simple, unlettered person who knows that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners. Yet he has won the victory over profound philosophers-then he is more than a conqueror!
He has been tempted and tried in all sorts of ways, and he was not at all a crafty person. He was very weak, yet somehow he has conquered. Now this is being more than a conqueror-when weakness overcomes strength-when brute force is baffled by gentleness and love! This is victory, indeed, when the little things overcome the great things! When the base things of this world overthrow the mighty, and the things that are not bring to nothing the things that are! Yet this - is just the triumph of Divine Grace. The Christian is, viewed according to the eye of sense, weak as water. Yet faith knows him to be irresistible. According to the eye of sense he is a thing to be trampled upon, for he will not resist. And yet, in the sight of God he becomes in this very way, by his gentleness and patience, more than a conqueror!
The Christian is more than a conqueror, again, because the conqueror fights for victory-fights with some selfish motive. Even if the motive is patriotism-although from another point of view, patriotism is one of the highest of worldly virtues-yet it is only a magnificent selfishness by which one contends for one's own country instead of being subject to the far more generous cosmopolitan thought of caring for all men. But the Christian fights neither for any set of men nor for himself-in contending for the Truth of God he contends for all men, but especially for God! And in suffering for the right he suffers with no prospect of earthly gain.
He becomes more than a conqueror both by the strength with which he fights and the motives by which he is sustained-which are better than the motives and the strength which sustain other conquerors. He is more than a conqueror because he loses nothing even by the fight itself. When a battle is won, at any rate the winning side loses something. In most wars the gain seldom makes any recompense for the effusion of blood. But the Christian's faith, when tried, grows stronger! His patience, when tempted, becomes more patient! His graces are like the fabled Anteus, who, when thrown to the ground, sprang up stronger than before by touching his mother, Earth.
The Christian, by touching his God and falling down in helplessness into the arms of the Most High grows stronger by all that he is made to suffer. He is more than a conqueror because he loses nothing even by the fight, and gains wondrously by the victory. He is more than a conqueror over persecution because most conquerors have to struggle and agonize to win the conquest. But, my Brothers and Sisters, many Christians, yes, and all Christians-when their faith in Christ is strong and their love to Christ is fervent-have found it even easy to overcome suffering for the Lord. Look at Blandina, enveloped in a net, tossed upon the horns of bulls, and then made to sit in a red hot iron chair to die, and yet unconquered to the end!
What did the tormentors say to the emperor-"Oh, Emperor," said the tormentors, "We are ashamed, for these Christians mock us while they suffer your cruelties." Indeed, the tormentors often seemed to be themselves tormented they were worried to think they could not conquer timid women and children. They devoured their own hearts with
rage! Like the viper which gnaws at the file, they broke their teeth against the iron strength of Christian faith! They could not endure it because these people suffered without repining, endured without retracting, and glorified Christ in the fires without complaining!
I love to think of Christ's army of martyrs! Yes, and of all His Church marching over the battlefield, singing as they fight-never ceasing the song, never suffering a note to fall-and at the same time advancing from victory to victory chanting the sacred hallelujah while they tramp over their foes. I saw one day upon the lake of Orta, in northern Italy, on
some holy-day of the church of Rome, a number of boats coming from all quarters of the lake towards the church upon the central islet of the lake. It was singularly beautiful to hear the splash of the oars and the sound of song as the boats came up in long processions, with all the villagers in them, bearing their banners to the appointed place of meeting. As the oars splashed they kept time to the rowers, and the rowers never missed a stroke because they sang-neither was the song marred because of the splash of the oars-but on they came, singing and rowing!
And so has it been with the Church of God. That oar of obedience, and that other oar of suffering-the Church has learned to ply both of these, and to sing as she rows: "Thanks be unto God, who always makes us to triumph in every place!" Though we are made to suffer, and are made to fight, yet we are more than conquerors, because we are conquerors even while fighting! We sing even in the heat of the battle, waving high the banner and dividing the spoil even in the center of the fray. When the fight is hottest we are then the most happy! And when the strife is most stern, then most blessed! And when the battle grows most arduous, then, "calm mid the bewildering cry, confident of victory." Thus the saints have been in those respects more than conquerors.
More than conquerors I hope, this day, because they have conquered their enemies by doing them good, converting their persecutors by their patience. To use the old Protestant motto, the Church has been the anvil, and the world has been the hammer-and though the anvil has done nothing but bear the stroke, she has broken all the hammers as she will do to the world's end! All true Believers who really trust in Jesus' love, and are really fired with it, will be far more glorious than the Roman conqueror when he drove his milk-white steeds through the imperial city's streets. Then the young men and maidens, matrons and old men gathered to the windows and chimney tops and scattered flowers upon the conquering legions as they came along.
But what is this compared with the triumph which is going on even now as the great host of God's elect come streaming through the streets of the New Jerusalem? What flowers are they which angels strew in the path of the blessed! What songs are those which rise from yonder halls of Zion, jubilant with song as the saints pass along to their everlasting habitations.
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Sermon #751
Christ in Them - Spurgeon
The Apostle distinctly tells us, THE POWER, MYSTERIOUS AND IRRESISTIBLE, WHICH SUSTAINED THESE MORE THAN CONQUERORS, was, "through Him that loved us." They conquered through Christ's being their Captain. Much depends upon the leader. Christ showed them how to conquer by personally enduring suffering and conquering as their Example. They triumphed through Christ as their Teacher, for His doctrines strengthened their minds, made them strong, made them angelic, made them Divine-for He made them partakers of the Divine Nature.
But, above all, they conquered because Christ was actually with them! His body was in Heaven, for He has risen, but His Spirit was with them. We learn from all the history of the saints that Christ has a way of infusing supernatural strength into the weakest ofthe weak. The Holy Spirit, when He comes into contact with our poor, wavering, feeble spirits, girds us up to something which is absolutely impossible to man alone. You look at man as he is, and what can he do? Brethren, he can do nothing! "Without Me, you can do nothing." But look at man with God in him and I will reverse the question-What can he not do?
I do not see a man burning in yonder fires, I see Christ suffering in that man! I do not see a martyr in prison so much as the Divine power laughing at the thought of imprisonment and scorning iron bands. I do not so much see a simpleminded virgin, uneducated, contending with sophists and cavilers as I see the Spirit of the living God speaking through her simple tongue-teaching her in the same hour what she shall speak-and proving the Truth of God that the foolishness of God is greater than the wisdom of man, and the feebleness of God is stronger than the power of man!
Oh, it is glorious to think that God should thus take the meanest, poorest, most feeble things and should put Himself into them, and then say, "Come on, all you that are wise and great, and I will baffle you through those that are foolish and feeble! Now, come, you devils of Hell! Come, you men of earth who breathe out threats, and foam with cruelty! Come all of you, and this poor defenseless one shall laugh you all to scorn, and triumph even to the last!"
It is the power of Christ! And did you notice the name by which the Apostle called our Lord in the text? It is so significant that I think it is the key to the text, "Through Him that loved us." Yes, love yielded them victory! They knew He loved them, had loved them, always would love them! They knew that if they suffered for His sake it was His love which let them suffer for their ultimate gain, and for His permanent honor. They felt that He loved them. They could not doubt it! They never mistrusted that fact and this it was that made them so strong.
www.spurgeongems.org
Sermon #751
But, above all, they conquered because Christ was actually with them! His body was in Heaven, for He has risen, but His Spirit was with them. We learn from all the history of the saints that Christ has a way of infusing supernatural strength into the weakest ofthe weak. The Holy Spirit, when He comes into contact with our poor, wavering, feeble spirits, girds us up to something which is absolutely impossible to man alone. You look at man as he is, and what can he do? Brethren, he can do nothing! "Without Me, you can do nothing." But look at man with God in him and I will reverse the question-What can he not do?
I do not see a man burning in yonder fires, I see Christ suffering in that man! I do not see a martyr in prison so much as the Divine power laughing at the thought of imprisonment and scorning iron bands. I do not so much see a simpleminded virgin, uneducated, contending with sophists and cavilers as I see the Spirit of the living God speaking through her simple tongue-teaching her in the same hour what she shall speak-and proving the Truth of God that the foolishness of God is greater than the wisdom of man, and the feebleness of God is stronger than the power of man!
Oh, it is glorious to think that God should thus take the meanest, poorest, most feeble things and should put Himself into them, and then say, "Come on, all you that are wise and great, and I will baffle you through those that are foolish and feeble! Now, come, you devils of Hell! Come, you men of earth who breathe out threats, and foam with cruelty! Come all of you, and this poor defenseless one shall laugh you all to scorn, and triumph even to the last!"
It is the power of Christ! And did you notice the name by which the Apostle called our Lord in the text? It is so significant that I think it is the key to the text, "Through Him that loved us." Yes, love yielded them victory! They knew He loved them, had loved them, always would love them! They knew that if they suffered for His sake it was His love which let them suffer for their ultimate gain, and for His permanent honor. They felt that He loved them. They could not doubt it! They never mistrusted that fact and this it was that made them so strong.
www.spurgeongems.org
Sermon #751
More than Conquerors according to Spurgeon
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Delete Post Edit Blog Posts "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." Romans 8:37
Today, I submit just the opening remarks to Charles Spurgeon's sermon called More Than Conquerors he delivered in 1867, to show you the difference between the spokesman then and the spokesman today and to remind us, as Spurgeon does, the type enemies the early church dealt with compared to the enemies we deal with today. For them to be "more than conquerors" most likely meant much more to them than it does to us today; the entire sermon covers 13 pages. (Thursday and Friday's posts will be excerpts from it as well.) In my opinion, today's preacher pales in education, eloquence, dedication, enthusiasm, passion, and zeal. If you want to read the entire sermon click here.
With no formal theological training, Spurgeon (1834 - 1892) became the most popular minister of the nineteenth century, regularly attracting crowds of 6,000 each Sunday to his London - based Metropolitan Tabernacle church. In the history of Christianity, no other cleric is more widely read - after Biblical ones - than Spurgeon. He has more material available to readers than any other Christian author, dead or alive.
Over the course of his lifetime, Spurgeon read the book Pilgrim's Progress more than 100 times. By the time he was an adult, he read an average of six books a week. At his death, he had 12,000 books in his personal library. Spurgeon spoke 10 to 12 times per week. He typically took just one page of notes into the pulpit, yet talked at a rate of 140 words per minute for an average of 40 minutes. Once, he reportedly addressed a crowd of more than 20,000 - without any mechanical amplification. He was so popular that at times he urged his own members not to attend services so newcomes could hear him speak. In 1865, his printed sermons sold 25,000 copies a week and were translated into 20 languages. His sermons continued to be printed weekly until 1917, 25 years after his death.
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THE distinguishing mark of a Christian is his confidence in the love of Christ and the yielding of his affections to Christ in return. First, faith sets her seal upon the man by enabling the soul to say with the Apostle, "Christ loved me and gave Himself for me." Then love gives the countersign and stamps upon the heart gratitude and love to Jesus in return. "We love Him because He first loved us." "God is love," and the children of God are ruled in their inmost powers by love-the love of Christ constrains them. They believe in Jesus' love and then they reflect it. They rejoice that Divine love is set upon them. They feel it shed abroad in their hearts by the Holy Spirit, which is given to them, and then by force of gratitude they love fervently the Savior with a pure heart.
In those grand old ages, which are the heroic period of the Christian religion, this double mark was very clearly to be seen in all believers in Jesus. They were men who knew the love of Christ and rested upon it as a man leans upon a staff whose trustiness he has tried. They did not speak of Christ's love as though it were a myth to be respected, a tradition to be reverenced-they viewed it as a blessed reality and they cast their whole confidence upon it, being persuaded that it would bear them up as upon eagles' wings, and carry them all their days. They were assured that it would be to them a foundation of rock against which the waves might beat, and the winds blow, but their soul's habitation would stand securely if founded upon it.
The love which they felt towards the Lord Jesus was not a quiet emotion which they hid within themselves in the secret chamber of their souls, and which they only spoke of in their private assemblies when they met on the first day of the week and sung hymns in honor of Christ Jesus the Crucified. It was a passion with them of such a vehement and all consuming energy that it permeated all their lives, became visible in all their actions, spoke in their common talk, and looked out of their eyes--even in their most common glances. Love to Jesus was a flame which fed upon the very marrow of their bones, the core and heart of their being, and, therefore, from its own force burned its way into the outer man and shone there.
Zeal for the glory of King Jesus was the seal and mark of all genuine Christians. Because of their dependence upon Christ's love they dared much! And because of their love to Christ they did much. Because of their reliance upon the love of Jesus they were not afraid of their enemies! And because of their love to Jesus they scorned to shun the foe even when he appeared in the most dreadful forms. The Christians of the early ages sacrificed themselves continually upon the altar of Christ with joy and willingness. Wherever they were they bore testimony against the evil customs which surrounded them.
They counted it foul scorn for a Christian to be as others were they would not conform themselves to the world they could not, for they were transformed by the renewing of their minds! Their love to Christ compelled them to bear their witness against everything which dishonored Christ by being contrary to truth, and righteousness, and love. They were innovators, reformers, image-breakers everywhere! They could not be quiet and let others do as they pleased while they followed out their own views. And their protest was continual, incessant, annoying to the foe, but acceptable to God.
Cancel
Delete Post Edit Blog Posts "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." Romans 8:37
Today, I submit just the opening remarks to Charles Spurgeon's sermon called More Than Conquerors he delivered in 1867, to show you the difference between the spokesman then and the spokesman today and to remind us, as Spurgeon does, the type enemies the early church dealt with compared to the enemies we deal with today. For them to be "more than conquerors" most likely meant much more to them than it does to us today; the entire sermon covers 13 pages. (Thursday and Friday's posts will be excerpts from it as well.) In my opinion, today's preacher pales in education, eloquence, dedication, enthusiasm, passion, and zeal. If you want to read the entire sermon click here.
With no formal theological training, Spurgeon (1834 - 1892) became the most popular minister of the nineteenth century, regularly attracting crowds of 6,000 each Sunday to his London - based Metropolitan Tabernacle church. In the history of Christianity, no other cleric is more widely read - after Biblical ones - than Spurgeon. He has more material available to readers than any other Christian author, dead or alive.
Over the course of his lifetime, Spurgeon read the book Pilgrim's Progress more than 100 times. By the time he was an adult, he read an average of six books a week. At his death, he had 12,000 books in his personal library. Spurgeon spoke 10 to 12 times per week. He typically took just one page of notes into the pulpit, yet talked at a rate of 140 words per minute for an average of 40 minutes. Once, he reportedly addressed a crowd of more than 20,000 - without any mechanical amplification. He was so popular that at times he urged his own members not to attend services so newcomes could hear him speak. In 1865, his printed sermons sold 25,000 copies a week and were translated into 20 languages. His sermons continued to be printed weekly until 1917, 25 years after his death.
__________________________________________________________________________
THE distinguishing mark of a Christian is his confidence in the love of Christ and the yielding of his affections to Christ in return. First, faith sets her seal upon the man by enabling the soul to say with the Apostle, "Christ loved me and gave Himself for me." Then love gives the countersign and stamps upon the heart gratitude and love to Jesus in return. "We love Him because He first loved us." "God is love," and the children of God are ruled in their inmost powers by love-the love of Christ constrains them. They believe in Jesus' love and then they reflect it. They rejoice that Divine love is set upon them. They feel it shed abroad in their hearts by the Holy Spirit, which is given to them, and then by force of gratitude they love fervently the Savior with a pure heart.
In those grand old ages, which are the heroic period of the Christian religion, this double mark was very clearly to be seen in all believers in Jesus. They were men who knew the love of Christ and rested upon it as a man leans upon a staff whose trustiness he has tried. They did not speak of Christ's love as though it were a myth to be respected, a tradition to be reverenced-they viewed it as a blessed reality and they cast their whole confidence upon it, being persuaded that it would bear them up as upon eagles' wings, and carry them all their days. They were assured that it would be to them a foundation of rock against which the waves might beat, and the winds blow, but their soul's habitation would stand securely if founded upon it.
The love which they felt towards the Lord Jesus was not a quiet emotion which they hid within themselves in the secret chamber of their souls, and which they only spoke of in their private assemblies when they met on the first day of the week and sung hymns in honor of Christ Jesus the Crucified. It was a passion with them of such a vehement and all consuming energy that it permeated all their lives, became visible in all their actions, spoke in their common talk, and looked out of their eyes--even in their most common glances. Love to Jesus was a flame which fed upon the very marrow of their bones, the core and heart of their being, and, therefore, from its own force burned its way into the outer man and shone there.
Zeal for the glory of King Jesus was the seal and mark of all genuine Christians. Because of their dependence upon Christ's love they dared much! And because of their love to Christ they did much. Because of their reliance upon the love of Jesus they were not afraid of their enemies! And because of their love to Jesus they scorned to shun the foe even when he appeared in the most dreadful forms. The Christians of the early ages sacrificed themselves continually upon the altar of Christ with joy and willingness. Wherever they were they bore testimony against the evil customs which surrounded them.
They counted it foul scorn for a Christian to be as others were they would not conform themselves to the world they could not, for they were transformed by the renewing of their minds! Their love to Christ compelled them to bear their witness against everything which dishonored Christ by being contrary to truth, and righteousness, and love. They were innovators, reformers, image-breakers everywhere! They could not be quiet and let others do as they pleased while they followed out their own views. And their protest was continual, incessant, annoying to the foe, but acceptable to God.
More Than Conquerors
"No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." Romans 8:37
Okay, since I have this, "I've-just-had-a-stomach-bug-and-I'm-washed-out" brain today, I've known all along which verse we were going to meditate on for the week, I've just not had the wherewithal to write about it. So, as God usually does, this afternoon, he gave me just enough energy to get off the couch, go to Wal Mart and buy some peppermint tea, enabling me to meet Jordan, who, as God knew, gave me the words to write this post. Jordan was the adorable little boy who had the big, large, okay huge, brown, fluffy, straggly, slightly matted hair who had lost his mother or grandmother (I couldn't tell which) who looked like both he and she were from maybe Jordan or India, Pakistan or someplace like that.
Anyway, I found Jordan near the cosmetics department looking down each aisle going from one to the other as he said, I'm sure, the name of the person he was looking for. At this time I didn't know whom; I just assumed he was. I took his hand, doubting he would take it, and was amazed but glad when he did. I asked if he was lost; he just looked at me. I asked if I could help him find someone; I couldn't understand him. Then I asked him his name and he said, and I understood, Jordan. I asked Jordan where he thought his mother was and he pointed toward the produce where, sure enough, she was. She walked toward us, acknowledged me, scowled at him and then I told her I had found him down near the vitamins -- medicine. From her reaction I knew I shouldn't have said the word "medicine," so I went back and said "cosmetics" pointing to my eyes like blush and pointing to my cheeks like rouge. She understood, thanked me and we went our separate ways.
Please don't think I'm equating myself to Jesus or God's love right now, by all means I'm not. But for this "I've-just-had-a-stomach-virus" brain of mine right now, this is what this sitation spoke to me. I felt like I was Jordan's conqueror -- I was the love that stood between Jordan and his mother -- I was not going to let anything separate him from his mom; I represented the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Who knows? This may have been the reason God got me off the couch at 4:30 on Sunday (Super Bowl) night, i.e., to reunite Jordan with his mother.
No one can oppose us (Romans 8:31-32). No one can accuse us (Romans 8:33). No one can separate us (Romans 8:35) from the love of Christ. "Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?" "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." Romans 8:35, 37.
Today, more than ever, I realized the important part, the hardest part, was Christ being the one who conquered. My part is to accept him and never let go of his hand. Somehow I had thought my part was convincing myself that I truly was more than a conqueror; I had put the emphasis on me realizing it, rather than Christ making it possible.
I got a glimpse today after re-connecting Jordan with his mother, how God must feel when he offers his son and people reject him. I wanted so desperately for Jordan to take my hand because I knew if he would, he would be rescued...I had no doubt.
_______________________
This morning, after having a good night's sleep, this is what came to me:
When I first found Jordan, I could not make him take my hand.
I was not going to take my hand away; he just had to take it.
When he took my hand, he just had to trust.
I knew my intentions -- I knew my power -- whether he knew or not.
His not knowing did not diminish either.
When Jordan took my hand, I wouldn't let go.
If he let go it would be his choice.
If he let go of my hand, I would always take him back.
I knew Jordan's name and I would never forget it.
I knew he got a glimpse of who I was and if he got lost again he could find me.
Okay, since I have this, "I've-just-had-a-stomach-bug-and-I'm-washed-out" brain today, I've known all along which verse we were going to meditate on for the week, I've just not had the wherewithal to write about it. So, as God usually does, this afternoon, he gave me just enough energy to get off the couch, go to Wal Mart and buy some peppermint tea, enabling me to meet Jordan, who, as God knew, gave me the words to write this post. Jordan was the adorable little boy who had the big, large, okay huge, brown, fluffy, straggly, slightly matted hair who had lost his mother or grandmother (I couldn't tell which) who looked like both he and she were from maybe Jordan or India, Pakistan or someplace like that.
Anyway, I found Jordan near the cosmetics department looking down each aisle going from one to the other as he said, I'm sure, the name of the person he was looking for. At this time I didn't know whom; I just assumed he was. I took his hand, doubting he would take it, and was amazed but glad when he did. I asked if he was lost; he just looked at me. I asked if I could help him find someone; I couldn't understand him. Then I asked him his name and he said, and I understood, Jordan. I asked Jordan where he thought his mother was and he pointed toward the produce where, sure enough, she was. She walked toward us, acknowledged me, scowled at him and then I told her I had found him down near the vitamins -- medicine. From her reaction I knew I shouldn't have said the word "medicine," so I went back and said "cosmetics" pointing to my eyes like blush and pointing to my cheeks like rouge. She understood, thanked me and we went our separate ways.
Please don't think I'm equating myself to Jesus or God's love right now, by all means I'm not. But for this "I've-just-had-a-stomach-virus" brain of mine right now, this is what this sitation spoke to me. I felt like I was Jordan's conqueror -- I was the love that stood between Jordan and his mother -- I was not going to let anything separate him from his mom; I represented the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Who knows? This may have been the reason God got me off the couch at 4:30 on Sunday (Super Bowl) night, i.e., to reunite Jordan with his mother.
No one can oppose us (Romans 8:31-32). No one can accuse us (Romans 8:33). No one can separate us (Romans 8:35) from the love of Christ. "Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?" "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." Romans 8:35, 37.
Today, more than ever, I realized the important part, the hardest part, was Christ being the one who conquered. My part is to accept him and never let go of his hand. Somehow I had thought my part was convincing myself that I truly was more than a conqueror; I had put the emphasis on me realizing it, rather than Christ making it possible.
I got a glimpse today after re-connecting Jordan with his mother, how God must feel when he offers his son and people reject him. I wanted so desperately for Jordan to take my hand because I knew if he would, he would be rescued...I had no doubt.
_______________________
This morning, after having a good night's sleep, this is what came to me:
When I first found Jordan, I could not make him take my hand.
I was not going to take my hand away; he just had to take it.
When he took my hand, he just had to trust.
I knew my intentions -- I knew my power -- whether he knew or not.
His not knowing did not diminish either.
When Jordan took my hand, I wouldn't let go.
If he let go it would be his choice.
If he let go of my hand, I would always take him back.
I knew Jordan's name and I would never forget it.
I knew he got a glimpse of who I was and if he got lost again he could find me.
Prepared in Advance
"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus, to do good works, which God prepared IN ADVANCE for us to do." Eph. 2:10
One year ago yesterday Amy Hughes asked me to consider writing a daily or weekly devotional for all the ladies in my Bible classes who had, at one time or another, had me as their teacher but had moved away. I told her I would consider it if she could find ten women who would read them. She called me the next day and said she had. So, one year ago today, February 5, Titus 2 was born.
There is a verse in Isaiah, Isaiah 48:3, that says, “I foretold the former things long ago, my mouth announced them and I made them known; then suddenly I acted, and they came to pass.” I can, somewhat, relate to this with regard to Titus 2. He knew from the beginning what He had planned in 2009, but I didn’t.
This is what God says to Israel in the entire chapter of Isaiah 48.
Verses 1-8 He accuses them of hypocrisy in that which is good and stubbornness in that which is evil, while telling them he is God alone.
Verses 9-11 He assures them that their deliverance would be purely for the sake of His name and not for anything they might have done.
Verses 12-15 He encourages them to depend solely on his power and promises.
Verses 16-19 He shows them that even though it was their sin that brought them into captivity, it would be his grace that brings them out.
Verses 20-22 He proclaims their release, because of His redemption, but no peace for the wicked.
God is God alone. We are delivered for the sake of His Name. We depend on his power, his promises. We are saved by His grace. He redeems us. Doesn't this sound like , "For we are GOD’S workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared IN ADVANCE for us to do?"
Isaiah 46: 9-10 says: “Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, From ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, And I will do all that I please.
In my opinion, celebrating Titus 2’s first anniversary, at the same time the book club is reading Crazy Love is no coincidence. Frances Chan asks us in the fourth paragraph in the first chapter to watch a video called the “Awe Factor” – to gaze at God in silence. Then he asks if we're speechless, amazed, and humbled after watching it.
My sisters, I was amazed, speechless and humbled then and I am amazed, speechless and humbled now, that the God who created the universe, who delivered the Israelites from captivity, who makes me speechless, amazed and humbled after seeing the size of his universe, considers me HIS workmanship. I am surprised that from the very beginning of time, I have been the clay in his hands….but I have and YOU have too.
I want to remind us once again, “For WE are GOD'S workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which GOD prepared IN ADVANCE for US to do.” Isn't that amazing!
You are beautiful beyond description
Too marvelous for words,
Too wonderful for comprehension,
Like nothing ever seen or heard.
Who can grasp your infinite wisdom,
Who can fathom the depth of your love?
You are beautiful beyond description,
Majesty enthroned above.
And I stand, I stand in awe of You,
I stand, I stand in awe of you;
Holy God, to whom all paise is due,
I stand in awe of You.
One year ago yesterday Amy Hughes asked me to consider writing a daily or weekly devotional for all the ladies in my Bible classes who had, at one time or another, had me as their teacher but had moved away. I told her I would consider it if she could find ten women who would read them. She called me the next day and said she had. So, one year ago today, February 5, Titus 2 was born.
There is a verse in Isaiah, Isaiah 48:3, that says, “I foretold the former things long ago, my mouth announced them and I made them known; then suddenly I acted, and they came to pass.” I can, somewhat, relate to this with regard to Titus 2. He knew from the beginning what He had planned in 2009, but I didn’t.
This is what God says to Israel in the entire chapter of Isaiah 48.
Verses 1-8 He accuses them of hypocrisy in that which is good and stubbornness in that which is evil, while telling them he is God alone.
Verses 9-11 He assures them that their deliverance would be purely for the sake of His name and not for anything they might have done.
Verses 12-15 He encourages them to depend solely on his power and promises.
Verses 16-19 He shows them that even though it was their sin that brought them into captivity, it would be his grace that brings them out.
Verses 20-22 He proclaims their release, because of His redemption, but no peace for the wicked.
God is God alone. We are delivered for the sake of His Name. We depend on his power, his promises. We are saved by His grace. He redeems us. Doesn't this sound like , "For we are GOD’S workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared IN ADVANCE for us to do?"
Isaiah 46: 9-10 says: “Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, From ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, And I will do all that I please.
In my opinion, celebrating Titus 2’s first anniversary, at the same time the book club is reading Crazy Love is no coincidence. Frances Chan asks us in the fourth paragraph in the first chapter to watch a video called the “Awe Factor” – to gaze at God in silence. Then he asks if we're speechless, amazed, and humbled after watching it.
My sisters, I was amazed, speechless and humbled then and I am amazed, speechless and humbled now, that the God who created the universe, who delivered the Israelites from captivity, who makes me speechless, amazed and humbled after seeing the size of his universe, considers me HIS workmanship. I am surprised that from the very beginning of time, I have been the clay in his hands….but I have and YOU have too.
I want to remind us once again, “For WE are GOD'S workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which GOD prepared IN ADVANCE for US to do.” Isn't that amazing!
You are beautiful beyond description
Too marvelous for words,
Too wonderful for comprehension,
Like nothing ever seen or heard.
Who can grasp your infinite wisdom,
Who can fathom the depth of your love?
You are beautiful beyond description,
Majesty enthroned above.
And I stand, I stand in awe of You,
I stand, I stand in awe of you;
Holy God, to whom all paise is due,
I stand in awe of You.
Good Works
"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do GOOD WORKS, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Eph. 2:10
Every day the first time I get in my car to go somewhere I pray; I just feel like I need that prayer coverage. It’s something I’ve done ever since I can remember, and if I don’t, I feel like I feel when I’ve left my watch at home. Anyway, yesterday was no different. First of all I thanked God for who He is. I went over his attributes, reminding MYSELF that He is the God of the universe and I am in awe of Him. I thanked him for being the one who made the galaxies, yet made me, who, compared to that, yesterday morning, seemed so insignificant. I thanked him for being so large, yet caring for the “small” things. I went over more attributes, reminding myself that He was bigger than the God I had envisioned Him lately, which I realized after reading the first chapter of Crazy Love, yesterday morning. I thanked him for giving me all the opportunities he has given me to serve him and then started naming every “work” he has given me lately, including Titus 2 and the young mom’s class I teach every-other Monday night. I asked him to forgive me for neglecting Phil because of all the other hats I wear and then thought, like a dart being thrown through my head, without even saying it audibly, “Lord, which “work” is the most important to you?" "Which one should I pay the most attention to?" "Am I getting this right?" "Am I doing the things I (big I) want to do without hearing your voice telling me to?" "Is there something else you want me to be doing, that my selfishness is keeping me from?” And the guilt over feeling I’m not doing what he wants me to do, kept rising until I remembered a quote I heard Gandhi say in a movie a long time ago. And I said out loud, “God, just help me serve the one who crosses my path.” Immediately, as the words came out of my mouth, I saw a “runner” dressed in his running gear – tight black pants, tight red and black top, red helmet – waiting to “cross my path” at the red light where Campbell Lane intersects Smallhouse Road. I said out loud, “Yes, Lord. He’s crossing my path. He’s the one, right now, who’s crossing my path. Thank-you, Lord for your timing; only you could do this.” And then I held up my hands and smiled. Here was my opportunity to serve this biker, who, against the light, was waiting to see if I would let him go in front of me – so simple, so like God; and so I did.
LET HIM GO IN FRONT OF ME – Isn’t that what “works” are for? We put other's needs in front of our own? They’re God-given opportunities that show God we’re willing to serve the one who crosses our path – that we’re willing to “work” for him, even though the gift he blesses us with, in order to do his work, doesn’t make it feel like work. “For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.” Phil 2:13 It’s God who works; it’s God who causes you to want to work; it’s God who gives you your purpose.
God does the hard part; my part is easy. God makes the seed grow; I just have to plant it. Every time I serve someone, I’m sowing the seed to the kingdom of God. I’m utilizing my God-given talent for someone else’s benefit and for his glory.
And even further, God BRINGS THE OPPORTUNITIES TO ME; I do not have to look for them, which is something so few Christians understand.
A talent is a natural ability someone has; a gift is something God gives you to fulfill a specific purpose in the body of Christ; Romans 12 lists them. If you don’t know yours, ask someone else, i.e. your best friend, what they think your gift is – what you’re good at – what comes natural to you; they’ll usually tell you and once they do, you’ll say, “So that’s what that is.” And once you recognize it, you’ll see that what God asks of you is not hard, because he blesses you with the ability to do it, if you will do it. God will not ask you to do what his grace has not equipped you to do. “We have different gifts, according to the grace given us.” Rom. 12:6
The gifts are prophesying (proclaiming the word), serving, teaching, encouraging, contributing to the needs of others (giving), leading, and showing mercy. Let me share with you how this works at Greenwood Park with the Burmese. We at Greenwood Park have been given a “God-given” opportunity to do mission work WITHIN THE WALLS OF OUR CHURCH. God brings approximately 75-100 Burmese to our door every month; this started in June during VBS. He has continued to bring them to us monthly ever since. (This is largely because Bowling Green is one of the cities in the nation that has an International Center where refugees come when they enter America.) Anyway, we have this opportunity to use our gift every month. Let me share with you what that looks like.
Prophecying -- proclaiming THE WORD. Even though prophecy today is different from the prophecying in the Old Testament, we still have people who proclaim the word of God -- especially those who have a vision for evangelism.
Serving – We have people, who prepare a meal for them once a month to welcome the newcomers, accept and organize clothes in the refugee center.
Teaching – We have people who agree to teach them the Bible and English as a second language.
Encouraging – We have people who do nothing more than smile, shake their hand and sit by them.
Contributing to the needs of others – We have people who give money…generously.
Leadership – Two of our members, one man and one woman, lead this ministry.
Showing Mercy -- We have people who give clothes, food, toiletries, etc. (whatever they need to survive)…cheerfully.
Every day God gives each of us opportunities to “work” for Him by giving us a “gift” that helps us do it. He brings those opportunities to us. He equips us with the ability (I must say to the level we allow him). He gives us joy when we “work.” One of my favorite quotes is: "Duty will make you work. Love will make you sing while you work."
How do you know when you've discovered your gift? You make what you do look easy -- effortless.
This is a very simple prayer I pray and have prayed since the eighties: “Dear God, give me opportunities that lead me in the direction you would have me go.” If you do not know your gift, I beg you to pray this prayer and watch for a consistency in the opportunities God brings you. You will see a pattern emerge that lets you know your gift. Are you to ignore all the other opportunities that cross your path? No. But if you love God and what you do, you’ll do it willingly, with joy, every time you have the opportunity. Even though it's called a work. you'll call it a gift the more you do it.
Every day the first time I get in my car to go somewhere I pray; I just feel like I need that prayer coverage. It’s something I’ve done ever since I can remember, and if I don’t, I feel like I feel when I’ve left my watch at home. Anyway, yesterday was no different. First of all I thanked God for who He is. I went over his attributes, reminding MYSELF that He is the God of the universe and I am in awe of Him. I thanked him for being the one who made the galaxies, yet made me, who, compared to that, yesterday morning, seemed so insignificant. I thanked him for being so large, yet caring for the “small” things. I went over more attributes, reminding myself that He was bigger than the God I had envisioned Him lately, which I realized after reading the first chapter of Crazy Love, yesterday morning. I thanked him for giving me all the opportunities he has given me to serve him and then started naming every “work” he has given me lately, including Titus 2 and the young mom’s class I teach every-other Monday night. I asked him to forgive me for neglecting Phil because of all the other hats I wear and then thought, like a dart being thrown through my head, without even saying it audibly, “Lord, which “work” is the most important to you?" "Which one should I pay the most attention to?" "Am I getting this right?" "Am I doing the things I (big I) want to do without hearing your voice telling me to?" "Is there something else you want me to be doing, that my selfishness is keeping me from?” And the guilt over feeling I’m not doing what he wants me to do, kept rising until I remembered a quote I heard Gandhi say in a movie a long time ago. And I said out loud, “God, just help me serve the one who crosses my path.” Immediately, as the words came out of my mouth, I saw a “runner” dressed in his running gear – tight black pants, tight red and black top, red helmet – waiting to “cross my path” at the red light where Campbell Lane intersects Smallhouse Road. I said out loud, “Yes, Lord. He’s crossing my path. He’s the one, right now, who’s crossing my path. Thank-you, Lord for your timing; only you could do this.” And then I held up my hands and smiled. Here was my opportunity to serve this biker, who, against the light, was waiting to see if I would let him go in front of me – so simple, so like God; and so I did.
LET HIM GO IN FRONT OF ME – Isn’t that what “works” are for? We put other's needs in front of our own? They’re God-given opportunities that show God we’re willing to serve the one who crosses our path – that we’re willing to “work” for him, even though the gift he blesses us with, in order to do his work, doesn’t make it feel like work. “For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.” Phil 2:13 It’s God who works; it’s God who causes you to want to work; it’s God who gives you your purpose.
God does the hard part; my part is easy. God makes the seed grow; I just have to plant it. Every time I serve someone, I’m sowing the seed to the kingdom of God. I’m utilizing my God-given talent for someone else’s benefit and for his glory.
And even further, God BRINGS THE OPPORTUNITIES TO ME; I do not have to look for them, which is something so few Christians understand.
A talent is a natural ability someone has; a gift is something God gives you to fulfill a specific purpose in the body of Christ; Romans 12 lists them. If you don’t know yours, ask someone else, i.e. your best friend, what they think your gift is – what you’re good at – what comes natural to you; they’ll usually tell you and once they do, you’ll say, “So that’s what that is.” And once you recognize it, you’ll see that what God asks of you is not hard, because he blesses you with the ability to do it, if you will do it. God will not ask you to do what his grace has not equipped you to do. “We have different gifts, according to the grace given us.” Rom. 12:6
The gifts are prophesying (proclaiming the word), serving, teaching, encouraging, contributing to the needs of others (giving), leading, and showing mercy. Let me share with you how this works at Greenwood Park with the Burmese. We at Greenwood Park have been given a “God-given” opportunity to do mission work WITHIN THE WALLS OF OUR CHURCH. God brings approximately 75-100 Burmese to our door every month; this started in June during VBS. He has continued to bring them to us monthly ever since. (This is largely because Bowling Green is one of the cities in the nation that has an International Center where refugees come when they enter America.) Anyway, we have this opportunity to use our gift every month. Let me share with you what that looks like.
Prophecying -- proclaiming THE WORD. Even though prophecy today is different from the prophecying in the Old Testament, we still have people who proclaim the word of God -- especially those who have a vision for evangelism.
Serving – We have people, who prepare a meal for them once a month to welcome the newcomers, accept and organize clothes in the refugee center.
Teaching – We have people who agree to teach them the Bible and English as a second language.
Encouraging – We have people who do nothing more than smile, shake their hand and sit by them.
Contributing to the needs of others – We have people who give money…generously.
Leadership – Two of our members, one man and one woman, lead this ministry.
Showing Mercy -- We have people who give clothes, food, toiletries, etc. (whatever they need to survive)…cheerfully.
Every day God gives each of us opportunities to “work” for Him by giving us a “gift” that helps us do it. He brings those opportunities to us. He equips us with the ability (I must say to the level we allow him). He gives us joy when we “work.” One of my favorite quotes is: "Duty will make you work. Love will make you sing while you work."
How do you know when you've discovered your gift? You make what you do look easy -- effortless.
This is a very simple prayer I pray and have prayed since the eighties: “Dear God, give me opportunities that lead me in the direction you would have me go.” If you do not know your gift, I beg you to pray this prayer and watch for a consistency in the opportunities God brings you. You will see a pattern emerge that lets you know your gift. Are you to ignore all the other opportunities that cross your path? No. But if you love God and what you do, you’ll do it willingly, with joy, every time you have the opportunity. Even though it's called a work. you'll call it a gift the more you do it.
For we are GOD'S workmanship
"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in adance for us to do." Eph. 2:10
It was when I read the book A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23 by Phillip Keller that my perspective of God changed from being the “God of Absolute Perfection” I discovered I was worshiping after reading the book by J.B. Phillips,Your God is Too Small. Keller opened my eyes to the tender relationship the shepherd has with his sheep—one I never dreamed God could have with me. I started looking at myself from God’s perspective and realized he loved me more than I could possibly imagine.
Keller writes:
He it was who was directly responsible for the creation of all things both natural and supernatural…
If we pause to reflect on the person of Christ – on His power and upon His achievements – suddenly like David we will be glad to state proudly, “The Lord – He is my Shepherd!”
But before we do this it helps to hold clearly in mind the particular part played upon our history by God the father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
God the Father is God the author – the originator of all that exists. It was in His mind, first, that all took shape.
God the Son, our Saviour, is God the artisan – the artist, the creator of all that exists. He brought into being all that had been originally formulated in His Father’s mind.
God the Holy Spirit is God the agent who presents these facts to both my mind and my spiritual understanding so that they become both real and relative to me as an individual.
Now the beautiful relationships given to us repeatedly in Scripture between God and man are those of a father to his children and a shepherd to his sheep. These concepts were first conceived in the mind of God our Father. They were made possible and practical through the work of Christ. They are confirmed and made real in me through the agency of the gracious Holy Spirit.
So when the simple – though sublime – statement is made by a man or woman that “The Lord is my shepherd,” it immediately implies a profound yet practical working relationship between a human being and his Maker.
It links a lump of common clay to divine destiny – it means a mere mortal becomes the cherished object of divine diligence.
This thought alone should stir my spirit, quicken my own sense of awareness, and lend enormous dignity to myself as an individual. To think that God in Christ is deeply concerned about me as a particular person” [that I am His workmanship] “immediately gives great purpose and enormous meaning to my short sojourn upon this planet.”
“For we are GOD'S workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
It was when I read the book A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23 by Phillip Keller that my perspective of God changed from being the “God of Absolute Perfection” I discovered I was worshiping after reading the book by J.B. Phillips,Your God is Too Small. Keller opened my eyes to the tender relationship the shepherd has with his sheep—one I never dreamed God could have with me. I started looking at myself from God’s perspective and realized he loved me more than I could possibly imagine.
Keller writes:
He it was who was directly responsible for the creation of all things both natural and supernatural…
If we pause to reflect on the person of Christ – on His power and upon His achievements – suddenly like David we will be glad to state proudly, “The Lord – He is my Shepherd!”
But before we do this it helps to hold clearly in mind the particular part played upon our history by God the father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
God the Father is God the author – the originator of all that exists. It was in His mind, first, that all took shape.
God the Son, our Saviour, is God the artisan – the artist, the creator of all that exists. He brought into being all that had been originally formulated in His Father’s mind.
God the Holy Spirit is God the agent who presents these facts to both my mind and my spiritual understanding so that they become both real and relative to me as an individual.
Now the beautiful relationships given to us repeatedly in Scripture between God and man are those of a father to his children and a shepherd to his sheep. These concepts were first conceived in the mind of God our Father. They were made possible and practical through the work of Christ. They are confirmed and made real in me through the agency of the gracious Holy Spirit.
So when the simple – though sublime – statement is made by a man or woman that “The Lord is my shepherd,” it immediately implies a profound yet practical working relationship between a human being and his Maker.
It links a lump of common clay to divine destiny – it means a mere mortal becomes the cherished object of divine diligence.
This thought alone should stir my spirit, quicken my own sense of awareness, and lend enormous dignity to myself as an individual. To think that God in Christ is deeply concerned about me as a particular person” [that I am His workmanship] “immediately gives great purpose and enormous meaning to my short sojourn upon this planet.”
“For we are GOD'S workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
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