The New Jerusalem - Revelation 21:1-22:21

The New Jerusalem - Revelation 21:1-22:21

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

Scripture ends on this note of certain longing - the hope of the return of Jesus.  It's a certain hope which has driven the Church for nearly 2000 years.  We look forward to the time when Christ will return and set things right again.  Our hope is not only eternity in heaven, but that God will set things right on earth--restoring, renewing, and recreating the earth that we love--beginning with the New Jerusalem.

Our E100 journey wraps up the same way it began - with a reminder that God is the Creator, that God is ultimately on the Throne, and that God desires relationship with His people.  While humanity has been very adept at thwarting the plans of God, we can be confident that in the end, all things will be set right again.

This passage paints a picture of Eden restored - the Tree of Life bears enough fruit for all people, and God dwells in the city, walking and talking with His people.  Once again, humanity will see God face to face, and there will be no night, for God is with us.  The promise of "Emmanuel" will be realized for all of eternity.

In these days of uncertainty and unrest, be reminded that God has the final move... that sin and death will be ultimately defeated... and peace and justice will reign over all the earth.

Amen.  Come, Lord Jesus.

In that city where they need no sun,
When at last my earthly race is run,
I shall see my Savior's face,
Revel in His love and grace
In that city where they need no sun.
                         - Haldor Lillenas

Hallelujah! - Revelation 19:1-20:15

Hallelujah! - Revelation 19:1-20:15

Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.

Revelation is full of imagery and cryptic language.  Sometimes we are told clearly what the symbols stand for, and sometimes we have to read between the lines!  This is one place where are pretty confident that the bride stands for the Church, and we're told that the linen stands for the "righteous acts of the saints" (19:8).

I noticed something about this fine linen that I hadn't previously thought of.  The linen is given to the saints, it is the gift of God.  At the same time, we are told that it is the "righteous acts of the saints."  The linen is not just given to us to cover up our unrighteousness--it is given to us to replace our unrighteousness.

When we are saved, our sins are forgiven and we are seen by God as righteous. But even more then that, we are actually given righteousness.  God's righteousness is not just imputed upon us, it is imparted to us.  It's not just that God looks at us through rose-colored glasses and remembers our sins no more, He gives us "righteousness" to live out in our daily lives.

The Christian is not simply to live any way they like, but to live out the righteousness of God that is given to them. At the same time, we ought to remember that our righteous acts are not performed on our own strength--but they are the gift of God.  We are not to boast in our righteousness, but rejoice in God's gracious gift to us.

Do you hear them coming, brother, thronging up the steeps of light,
Clad in glorious, shining garments--blood-washed garments pure and white?
'Tis a glorious Church without spot or wrinkle, washed in the blood of the Lamb.
'Tis a glorious Church without spot or wrinkle, washed in the blood of the Lamb.
                                                   - Ralph E. Hudson

The Throne of Heaven - Revelation 4:1-7:17

The Throne of Heaven - Revelation 4:1-7:17

Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain.

Revelation is primarily a book of worship.  While it may be many things, one of the first things we recognize is that is is a book about worshiping God in the midst of trial and tribulation, of praising Him in the midst of the storm.  This throne-room vision is filled with songs, hymns, and spiritual songs of praise to God.  (Words which have been taken and set to music--making some of the most timeless worship music.)

I find it particularly interesting to note that according to the songs, the Lamb (Jesus) is worthy because He was slain.  In 5:9, we read: "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain."

In a culture built on wealth, power, and influence, it seems counter-intuitive to suggest that worthiness comes about through brokenness.  Our tendency is to expect leaders to be strong, not vulnerable.  We want a slick veneer, not transparency.  We desire perfection, not brokenness.

And yet, the path toward true healing always comes through brokenness and vulnerability. It is through weakness that Christ's strength is made perfect.  It is through confession that we find forgiveness.  It is through brokenness that we are made whole.

Don't be afraid of the pain and brokenness in your life.  Instead of trying to cover it with a mask or a fake veneer, offer it to God as an act of worship.  Ask Him how He might use your brokenness to bring glory to His Name.

But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise;
God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.
He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—
and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are.

                            - I Corinthians 1:27-28

Messages to the Churches - Revelation 2:1-3:22

Messages to the Churches - Revelation 2:1-3:22

I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich!

Remember that Jesus knows all about poverty!  He was born in a manger, raised as a refugee in a foreign country, and spent most of his years in Nazareth, one of the poorest villages in the country.  

The case could be made that Jesus was raised as a manual laborer in a family that dealt with an oppressive tax burden. Perhaps there were even nights when the boy Jesus went to bed hungry. In any case, as an adult, Jesus wandered the countryside with his followers, often having "no place to lay his head." (Luke 9:58).

And yet, we are reminded that Jesus was truly rich.  As the very Son of God, we think he certainly could have turned stones into bread (Matthew 4:3)... or commanded the wealth of the cattle on a thousand hills (Psalm 50:10).

Clearly, Jesus is uniquely positioned to remind us of our wealth - even in the midst of uncertain economic times. If we know Christ, then we are truly wealthy, in all the ways that really matter.  The Apostle Paul writes, "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich." (2 Corinthians 8:9)

He owns the cattle on a thousand hills,
The wealth in every mine;
He owns the rivers and the rocks and rills,
The sun and stars that shine.
Wonderful riches, more than tongue can tell -
He is my Father so they're mine as well;
He owns the cattle on a thousand hills -
I know that He will care for me. 

                    - John W. Peterson

A Voice and a Vision - Revelation 1:1-20

A Voice and a Vision - Revelation 1:1-20

“Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades."

I don't know about you, but if I were John, I'm not sure this sentence would make me any less afraid!  Upon finding oneself in the presence of the Most Holy One, it's natural to be confronted with our own mortality and humanity.  I might still be afraid... even after (maybe even especially after!) being reminded that Jesus is the First and Last, the Living One who conquered death and the grave.

Instead of reciting His divine and holy attributes, we might prefer Jesus to say, "Don't be afraid... I'm really just like one of you." 

We like to be reminded of Jesus as a Baby in a manger.  We like to be reminded that He was tempted in every way as we are.  We like to be reminded of the flesh & blood Jesus who walked on earth among us, sharing our burdens and our tears.

And yet, it is precisely because of Jesus' holy transcendence that we need not be afraid.  If Jesus were really just like one of us, then the cross and empty tomb would have no significance.  If Jesus were really just like us, then we would have no hope of freedom from sin.  If Jesus were really just like us, then we would still have reason to be afraid.

Counter-intuitively, the reasons we might be afraid of Jesus are the same reasons that we need not be afraid.  If we've accepted Christ as our Savior, then we have no fear of death and grave... nor do we have any fear of meeting our Savior face to face.

Face to face-- O blissful moment! Face to face-- to see and know;
Face to face with my Redeemer, Jesus Christ who loves me so!
Face to face I shall behold Him, Far beyond the starry sky;
Face to face, in all His glory, I shall see Him by and by!
                         - Carrie E. Breck

Love One Another - 1 John 3:11-4:21

Love One Another - 1 John 3:11-4:21

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.

What is love?  We use the word to mean lots of things: I love my dog... I love pizza... I love my church... I love my wife... I love my neighbor... I love God.  Each of those phrases has a slightly different nuance to the word "love." 

Instead of defining "love," John opts to give us an example of the sort of love that Christians are called to demonstrate.  According to John, "love" is Jesus giving His life for us.  It is this sort of love that is to define the Christian life.  This is true holiness!

And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.  Sometimes we interpret that phrase to mean that we ought to lay down our lives for our Christian brothers and sisters... that we ought to love Christians this way.  However, if we are to be shaped by the love that Jesus had, we recognize that the call is to love all people and to lay down our lives for all people.  This is how we are to be shaped by the character and nature of God.

This is how the world will know that we are Christians (see John 13:35).  The mark of a Christian is not superior knowledge and wisdom... it's not the ability to preach, teach, or evangelize... it's not generous giving or perfect attendance... it's not service on a board or the number of years you've been a "member."  The mark of a Christian is loving as Jesus did. We are called to live out this radical, self-sacrificial, transformational love in all of our relationships.

Love divine, all loves excelling, Joy of heav'n to earth come down!
Fix in us Thy humble dwelling; All Thy faithful mercies crown.
Jesus, Thou art all compassion; Pure unbounded love Thou art.
Visit us with Thy salvation; Enter ev'ry trembling heart.

                                      - Charles Wesley

Faith and Works - James 1:1-2:26

Faith and Works - James 1:1-2:26

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

I hope you've found great joy and satisfaction in our 100-day Bible reading campaign!  At times, you may have struggled to keep up as the demands of life pressed in on you, but I know that many of you have greatly benefited from spending time reading scripture with your family and "marinating" in the Story of God.

James reiterates a point that I tried to make early on in our journey--that we don't simply read scripture for information... but for transformation.  By reading the Bible in formational ways, our goal is to be shaped by the very character and nature of the God who created us.

In Dr. Peter Kuzmic's 12 Theses on Kingdom Servanthood, he writes, "Servants of the King refuse to divorce theory and practice (word and deed): there is only one gospel which is both spiritual and social because it is focused on the individual person and the kingdom of God, clearly taught and consistently practiced in the ministry of Jesus."

Too often, the evangelical church has criticized our brothers and sisters for engaging in a "social gospel," of good works.  And while good works alone are not enough, they are still an integral component of the Gospel message.  You were not saved simply in order that you might go to heaven.  You were not even saved in order to live a life free from sin.  You were saved in order to live out your life as a subject in the Kingdom of God.  Dietrich Bonhoeffer put it this way, "Being a Christian is less about cautiously avoiding sin than about courageously and actively doing God's will."

O to grace how great a debtor daily I'm constrained to be!
Let that grace, now like a fetter, bind my yielded heart to Thee.
Let me know Thee in Thy fullness; guide me by Thy mighty hand
Till, transformed, in Thine own image, in Thy presence I shall stand.
                                              - Robert Robinson

A Living Hope - 1 Peter 1:1-2:12

A Living Hope - 1 Peter 1:1-2:12

You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood.

The "Church" is not a building made of brick and mortar.  It's not a place that you go once a week.  It's not a steeple... or a pretty chapel... or even a worship service.

Instead, we understand that the Church is the Body of Christ "spread out through all time and space and rooted in eternity, terrible as an army with banners." (Screwtape Letters, C.S. Lewis)

Take great assurance in the knowledge that you stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Christ-followers around the world... and that you stand in a long line of disciples stretching all the way back in time to those who walked with Jesus on this earth.

Indeed, we are strangers and aliens on this land, a peculiar people (a purchased possession!), who belong to God.  We are the Church.  Our lives are living stones built into a house of worship.  Our words a living testament to God's transforming grace.  Our lives are to be lived to God's greater glory, and we are the priests who offer the ministry of reconciliation to brothers and sisters who are far from God.

Let us build a house of worship to the God of heaven and earth,
Where his church may bow before him, hear his Word and sing his worth!
Not alone our bricks and mortar, hearts and lives to God we raise:
He will set his name forever on such building to his praise.
                                 - Margaret Clarkson

A New Creation in Christ - 2 Corinthians 4:1-6:2

A New Creation in Christ - 2 Corinthians 4:1-6:2

We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors

An ambassador is someone who goes to a foreign land to represent his or her own country or king.  Their actions speak volumes, and messages they deliver carry a great deal of weight.  They learn the customs and cultures of the land they are visiting, but they never forget that their sole allegiance is to the country which sent them.

Paul says that we are Christ's ambassadors.  Our only allegiance in life is to the Kingdom of God.  The words that we speak represent the God that we serve.  Our actions speak volumes about the nature and character of the God that we represent.  As an ambassador, you have been given a message to carry on behalf of the King.

Your message is the ministry of reconciliation that you have been given.  Your task is to call all people to be reconciled to God.  Your mission is to see all people come to find forgiveness of sins and new life in Jesus' Name.  While we learn the customs and cultures of this world in order to be effective, we must never forget that our sole allegiance is to the Kingdom of God.  When Jesus prays for His disciples in John 17, He says, "They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world."

In this passage, Paul is declaring that all of us have received a calling to be a missionary - to share the Good News of the Kingdom of God in a foreign land.  For some, that foreign land is in Africa or Europe. For others, that foreign land is at The Root Cellar or the Long Creek Youth Development Center.  But for all of us that foreign land is our own neighborhood or workplace... our own country.  For we are all missionaries... ambassadors of the King.

Give of your best to the Master; Give Him first place in your heart.
Give Him first place in your service; Consecrate ev'ry part.
Give, and to you will be given; God His beloved Son gave.
Gratefully seeking to serve Him, Give Him the best that you have.
Give of your best to the Master; Give of the strength of your youth.
Clad in salvation's full armor, Join in the battle for truth.
                                          - Howard B. Grose

The Most Excellent Way - 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

The Most Excellent Way - 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

If I... have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.

I have to be honest with you.  It seems like I hear a lot of clanging cymbals every October.  And for some reason there are more of them every fourth October!  Our culture is full of people who believe they are "right" on every issue... to the point where their speech and treatment of others is less than loving.  All you have to do is spend some time on facebook (or the comment section of your local newspaper), and you'll see exactly what I'm talking about!  Sadly, in this regard, our churches are not much different from the world around us.

Some of you have observed that I'm not particularly political... and you'd be right.  It's not that I don't think the issues are important, but that the entire political machine in our nation seems to be built on principles that are so foreign to the Kingdom of God.  It seems that politicians and issues can't succeed without smears, lies, and exaggerations.  People are manipulated through campaigns, media outlets, around the water cooler, and sometimes even from the pulpit.

What's truly unfortunate is when these sharp political divisions seep into families and churches.  While you might have a hard time imagining it, there are strong, committed Christians of conviction who will vote differently from you on nearly every single issue.  And believe it or not, they might have an equally hard time imagining that you might be a strong, committed Christian of conviction as well! Dr. Dan Boone, president of Trevecca Nazarene University, suggests that, "For Holy Conversation to occur, we must at least be in touch with the reality that we could be wrong.

In essence, Paul is telling us that we can be absolutely right... we can have all sorts of wisdom... we can have the doctrine down pat... we can accurately discern God's will on how to vote.  But if we can't love our neighbor, then we're just making a bunch of noise. We must not only seek to "know rightly," but also to "love rightly."  Let's not be "clanging cymbals" this political season... but let's be committed to Holy Conversation and loving each other deeply.

I then shall live as one who's learned compassion;
I've been so loved that I'll risk loving too.
I know how fear builds walls instead of bridges;
I dare to see another's point of view.
And when relationships demand commitment,
Then I'll be there to care and follow thro'.
                                    - Gloria Gaither

The Coming of the Lord - 1 Thessalonians 4:13 - 5:11

The Coming of the Lord - 1 Thessalonians 4:13 - 5:11

Therefore encourage each other...

Christ will come again.  We may not know the date, or exactly what it will look like, or even the timeline of events; but we know that Christ will come again. This is encouraging news. Twice in this passage, Paul tells the Thessalonians to encourage each other with the certain hope of Christ's return.

We are soon approaching one of my favorite seasons of the Christian calendar--Advent. While Advent helps us to mark the time until the yearly celebration of Christmas, it is primarily a reminder that we are waiting for the Kingdom to come in all of its fullness.  Just as the ancients waited for the first coming of the Messiah, we are earnestly awaiting His second advent.

While we wait, we ought to be alert and watchful, self-controlled and full of faith.  We ought to live lives of holiness and expectation, believing that Christ's victory over death is the reason for our certain hope of eternal life with Him.  No matter what you might be facing this week... that is encouraging news!

When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation,
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart.
Then I shall bow, in humble adoration,
And then proclaim My God, how great Thou art!
                                                           - Carl Gustav Boberg; trans. Stuart K. Hine

All Scripture is God-breathed - 2 Timothy 3:10 - 4:8

All Scripture is God-breathed - 2 Timothy 3:10 - 4:8

Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

As I read this passage, it occurred to me that Timothy was the very first recipient of a mail-order ordination certificate!  This charge, issued to Timothy by letter, is the same charge that Dr. Porter spoke as he laid hands on me and ordained me.  These verses have probably been spoken at thousands of ordination services through the centuries, but Timothy receives them in the form of a letter!

Paul is really passing the baton to Timothy.  Paul has fought the fight, he's finished the race, and now it's time to hand the baton to the next runner.  Timothy is charged to study scripture, to speak the truth, to "keep his head," and to endure hardship.

But in the midst of this baton-passing, Paul reminds us of the finish line--the crown of righteousness which is for all who have longed for Christ's return.

Paul's talking about you and I!  Right there in Holy Scripture, Paul talks about us!  Not by name, of course, but you're included in that.  If you've ever said "E'en so, Lord Jesus, quickly come," then you're included!  If you've ever sung "when Christ shall come with shout of acclamation" and had tingles run up and down your spine, then you're included!  If you've ever prayed through a fog of depression, a dark night of the soul, or a tunnel that seemed to have no end; then you're included!

We can look forward to the time when the hardship will come to an end... when clarity will be brought to every uncertainty... and when Christ shall return and set things right.  "E'en so, Lord Jesus, quickly come!"

Holy, holy, holy! all the saints adore Thee,
Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;
Cherubim and seraphim falling down before Thee,
Which wert, and art, and evermore shalt be.
                            - Reginald Heber

Good Soldiers of Christ - 2 Timothy 2:1 -26

Good Soldiers of Christ - 2 Timothy 2:1 -26

Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

Make no mistake about it - hardship will come to those who align themselves with the Kingdom of God.  Paul doesn't talk about if hardship would come, he simply assumes that it will come.  After all, the Kingdom of God was brought about by the very Son of God enduring extreme hardship for our sake.  If we will be like him, then it's certain that we will also endure hardship.

Paul also spends quite a bit of energy in this passage talking about maintaining our focus, and not being distracted by quarreling, godless chatter, or foolish arguments.  He suggests that the soldier in Christ's army must not get involved in the distractions of this world, but focus their attention on whatever the Commanding Officer wants from them.

If we maintain our focus, then the hardships become easier to endure. Like an athlete who relentlessly pursues her goal, we must relentlessly pursue Christ and becoming like Him.  If that is truly our primary goal, then so many of the distractions, obstacles, and hardships will begin to fade away.

Hebrews 12:2 reminds us to "fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art--
Thou my best thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.
                                                       - Traditional Irish Hymn, trans. by Mary E. Byrne

The Love of Money - 1 Timothy 6:3-21

The Love of Money - 1 Timothy 6:3-21

For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.

If Paul had lived in the century of automobiles, he might have been the one to coin the phrase, "I've never seen a hearse towing a U-Haul."

I imagine that Paul would be horrified if he were somehow transplanted into twenty-first century North American culture.  He would probably question the ways that some of us acquire and utilize our financial resources.  And I don't know for sure, but I suspect he might even have some harsh words for the Christian church today.

Paul reduces our needs to food and clothing, and challenges us to be content with that!  We are such a product of our culture (myself included!) that we can't imagine living on such a minimalistic approach to life.  It's second nature for us to purchase things... and to build our portfolios... and to establish our own kingdoms.

Richard Stearns (World Vision) reminds us that "If you make just $11 a day, you are among the world’s wealthiest 25%. Does this change how you see your own circumstances?" 

That's not to say that money or wealth is inherently wrong or sinful.  Remember that Paul doesn't say "money is the root of all evil," but instead says that "the love of money is the root of all evil."

Put another way, our priorities must always reflect the Kingdom of God, and not the kingdoms of this world.  Our stewardship of our finances and belongings ought to be subject to the truth that it all belongs to God in the first place, and that He's entrusted it to our care in order to use it for His purposes.  We ought to live in counter-cultural ways, even in the way we manage our resources.

Because I have been given much,
I too must give.
Because of Thy great bounty, Lord,
Each day I live,
I shall divide my gifts from Thee
with ev'ry brother that I see
who has the need of help from me.
                                  - Grace Noll Crowell

Elders and Deacons - 1 Timothy 3:1-16

Elders and Deacons - 1 Timothy 3:1-16

"...you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth."

How we live makes a difference!  Even though the bulk of this passage is written to pastors and elders, Paul moves on to suggest that this ought to inform the way all of us live.

Our lifestyles ought to be consistent with the knowledge that the Church is the pillar and foundation of the truth.  As members of that household, every fiber of our being ought to reflect the Image of God which is being restored within us through the power of the Holy Spirit.


"Every member a minister!"  While God appointed apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers; He did so for the purpose of preparing God's people for works of service, in order to build up the Body of Christ (Eph. 4:11-12).  In other words, each one of us has a ministry role within the Kingdom of God!

The things that we expect of our leaders (self-control, faithfulness, gentleness, respectable), we ought to exemplify ourselves.  Each of us has been given the task of leading others to Christ, therefore the requirements of leadership fall squarely upon the shoulders of every Christian.  Your lifestyle is a constant testimony to the Kingdom of God and to the Church.

A charge to keep I have, a God to glorify;
A neverdying soul to save, and fit it for the sky.
To serve the present age, my calling to fulfill;
O may it all my pow'rs engage to do my Master's will!
                  - Charles Wesley

The Supremacy of Christ - Colossians 1:1-23

The Supremacy of Christ - Colossians 1:1-23

"...so that in everything he might have the supremacy."

Jesus is Lord... whether we acknowledge Him as Lord or not!  The problem arises when our attitudes and actions fail to reflect that knowledge.  We need a constant reminder and awareness that Jesus is Lord over all... all the time.  And we need to live in a manner consistent with that truth.

One very real temptation we face is the idea that we get to determine for ourselves what areas (or what times) of our lives we will allow Jesus to have Lordship.  We give Him Sundays and Thursdays... but the rest of the week belongs to us.  Or we allow Him control over 10% of our finances... but we're quite happy to control the rest!  Or we allow Him input into the television we watch... but not the books we read.

The problem, of course, is that suddenly we've put ourselves in the position of God... determining the times and places that Jesus gets to sit on the throne of our heart.  And if we're deciding when we'll "let" Him be Lord... then He's really not Lord at all.


In these days it's helpful for us to remember that Jesus is Lord over all... all the time.  Even when the media would have you believe that the foundation is crumbling and the sky is falling; Jesus is still Lord.  Our hope is never in a politician... or a party... or even our nation.  Our hope is only in Jesus Christ, the coming King.

Let's live that way!

Jesus shall reign where'er the sun
Does his successive journeys run;
His Kingdom spread from shore to shore,
Till moons shall wax and wane no more.
                          - Isaac Watts

Rejoice in the Lord - Philippians 4:2-9

Rejoice in the Lord - Philippians 4:2-9

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

I suspect that most of us (myself included) need to do a better job at turning off the television, radio, facebook, or internet discussion boards - or even that comment section on the Portland Press Herald website! ;-)

Especially during this particular season that comes around every four years.  The political dialogue is ramped up... the media paints worse-case scenarios in hopes of boosting their ratings... and even respected Christian leaders would have us believe that the sky is falling (Guess what... one day it will!) It's so easy for us to get lost in the fog of fact-checking, or discerning which attacks to believe and which ones to dismiss.

Don't get me wrong... I think we ought to participate in the political process and vote as the Spirit of God would lead us.  But let's not get so side-tracked by the issues that we forget that God is still on the throne, and that Christ will return when the time is right!  Let's not forget that in the meantime He calls us to act as individuals--loving justice, doing mercy, and walking humbly with Him.

Paul wants us to fill our minds with pure and praiseworthy things - to meditate on Scripture, to consider the depths and riches of God's love and grace, and to rejoice in the blessings that God pours out on us.  It's increasingly difficult to do that if we allow the cacophony of voices to cloud our heads with all the bad news and speculation of bad news that exists.  Let's be sure to balance the news with a healthy dose of those things that belong to the Kingdom of God.

Beneath the toil and care of life this hidden stream flows on.
My weary soul no longer thirsts, nor am I sad and lone.
There's a deep, settled peace in my soul.
There's a deep, settled peace in my soul.
Tho' the billows of sin near me roll,
He abides; Christ abides.
                       - John S. Brown

The Armor of God - Ephesians 6:10-20

The Armor of God - Ephesians 6:10-20

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.

Paul has continued to remind us that the battle is not ours, neither do we battle against flesh and blood.  He reminds us that we can't fight it on our own strength, but must put on God's armor!  I'm reminded of the shepherd boy David, when offered the armor of King Saul to go into battle against Goliath.  That armor didn't fit him at all... but the armor of God fit perfectly!

One of the great weapons we have available to us is the weapon of prayer.  So often we are reminded to live in a spirit of prayer, or to "pray without ceasing."  I'm teaching a class of ministerial students on Tuesday nights, and last night we were reminded of the different ways to help us live in a spirit of prayer:

• Practice the Presence of God - Brother Lawrence recognized that every service and activity he did was an opportunity to serve others and to practice being aware of the presence of God.  We know (in our head) that God is always with us, but we need to be reminded of His presence.  Find something you do many times during the day (perhaps drinking from your new CECN Water Bottle!)... and whenever you do that thing, take a moment to be aware of God's presence and offer a conscious prayer of thanks.
• Breath Prayers - Brennan Manning practices this discipline.  Upon the first few moments of consciousness in the morning, he concentrates on his breath, and the prayer "Abba, I belong to you."  As he inhales, he considers the word "Abba" (Daddy, Father); and upon exhaling, he considers the phrase "I belong to you."  Later in the day, whenever he might become aware of his breathing, he allows the truth of that prayer to permeate his heart and mind.
• Reading Prayers - Take a prayer book like the Psalms, and take a moment each day to read (out loud) a prayer of lament, thanks, petition, or praise.  Reading the prayers of others helps to nourish our own spiritual life.
• Thought Prayers - Obviously, we can pray at any time during the day... simply by turning our attention toward God and offering Him thanks... or seeking His intervention in our circumstances.
• Listening Prayers - The boy Samuel reminds us of this when he was awakened in the night and finally learned to say, "Speak Lord, your servant listens."  It is helpful for us to simply find time to quiet our hearts before God, to become aware of His presence, and to listen for that still, small voice.

Try a new discipline of prayer today, and consider how you might be drawn closer to God!

Sweet hour of prayer, sweet hour of prayer,
Thy wings shall my petition bear
To Him whose truth and faithfulness
Engage the waiting soul to bless;
And since He bids me seek His face,
Believe His Word, and trust His grace,
I'll cast on Him my ev'ry care,
And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer.
                            - William W. Walford

The Fruit of the Spirit - Galatians 5:16-6:10

The Fruit of the Spirit - Galatians 5:16-6:10

Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else.

From a young age, we begin to compare ourselves to others.  We stand back-to-back to see who is the tallest. We compare the length and color of our hair... the size of our houses... the brand of sneakers we wear.  And then, we begin to realize that some students score better on tests than others, and we began to compare ourselves to the rest of the class.

If you don't get a perfect score on the test, you take comfort in knowing that you did as well as Mark or Susie.  If you don't get an A, you still point out to Mom & Dad that you were ahead of 70% of the class.  If you happen to have a teacher who "grades on a curve," then you no longer worry about getting a perfect score, but are content with a score that's in the top 10 or 20%.  After all, that's "good enough."

I realize that Paul didn't know about teachers and bell curves!  But he obviously knew about the human tendency to compare ourselves to others and to settle for "good enough."  Apparently, this had settled into the life of the church in Galatia.  Believers were comparing their holy living to each other--perhaps pointing out the flaws in others in order to help themselves look better.  And instead of striving to live a pure and holy life, they were settling for "good enough."

Life isn't graded on a curve.  The prophet Amos used a plumb line (Amos 7:7-8) to demonstrate God's standard of perfection.  While grace always abounds, the question is not about whether we are holier than our neighbor.  Instead, we are called to be filled with the Holy Spirit and to live a life of holiness and purity.

Give me a holy life, spotless and free,
Cleansed by the crystal flow coming from Thee.
Purge the dark halls of thought; Here let Thy work be wrought,
Each wish and feeling brought captive to Thee.
                                 - Leslie Taylor Hunt

More than Conquerors - Romans 8:1-39

More than Conquerors - Romans 8:1-39

You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit

Paul's letter to the Romans gives us a clear description of what it means to be "Set Free" in Christ.  No longer a slave to sin and the law, Christ makes us free to live a life full of the Holy Spirit.

Being free from the law and living by the Spirit doesn't simply mean that we can "do whatever we want."  What it means is that our "want-to" has been changed.  When the Holy Spirit cleanses and indwells us, we find that our desires have been transformed... that we are no longer controlled by self and sin, but that we are controlled by the very Spirit of God that lives within us.

Psalm 37:4 says, "Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart." It's not that delighting ourselves in the Lord is a recipe to get whatever we want.  It's that delighting ourselves in the
Lord means that our desires come from Him, instead of from ourselves.

Are you truly free?  Are you unencumbered from all the world would call you to?  Have you "[thrown] off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles" (Heb. 12:1)?  Does the Spirit of God reign in your life?

Spirit of the living God, fall fresh on me.
Spirit of the living God, fall fresh on me.
Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me.
Spirit of the living God, fall fresh on me.

                               - Daniel Iverson